The gathering's commercial aspect
In the world of conventions, cities across America are investing millions into their convention centers, with the hope of attracting thousands of attendees and boosting local economies.
One such city is Tulsa, which planned a $1 million renovation of the Cox Convention Center in 2021. The renovation is expected to be completed by 2022, joining other centres undergoing similar transformations. For instance, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas is planned for a $1 billion reconstruction, while the Three Rivers Convention Center in Seattle is undergoing a $71.3 million expansion.
These investments are not without controversy, as some people express skepticism about whether they will actually pay off for the areas. However, data from Exhibit City News shows that the convention industry had higher attendance and revenue than both the NFL and Major League Baseball in 2019. This is evident in the success stories of convention centres, such as the San Diego Convention Center, which reported a record-breaking regional impact of $1.5 billion in its annual report last year.
The economic impact of conventions is a significant aspect of business reporting related to convention centers. Depending on the size and nature of the convention, attendees may require lodging, transportation, and meals, potentially benefiting smaller cities economically. This was demonstrated by the Phoenix Fan Fusion, an annual fan convention in Downtown Phoenix, which had a record-breaking attendance of 130,145 people from June 6-8, 2025. This surpassed its previous record of 106,069 attendees in 2016, highlighting the growing popularity of these events.
The U.S. Travel Association reported that travel spending for meetings and events amounted to $126 billion across the U.S. last year. This includes events like Comic-Con International: San Diego, which was the top-grossing event of the San Diego Convention Center's fiscal year, bringing in 135,000 attendees and an estimated $161.1 million worth of regional impact.
However, not all cities have managed to rebound to their pre-pandemic numbers, which can turn potential profits into costs. For instance, the Las Vegas Convention Center's legacy campus is undergoing a $600 million renovation, but some places have struggled to attract the same number of attendees as before.
Despite these challenges, the allure of conventions remains strong. They aim to bring people together, hosting a variety of events throughout the year, including the Consumer Electronics Show, Twins Day Festival, World of Concrete, International Pizza Expo, celebrity impersonators convention, and more.
Even in Bloomington, Indiana, a new $71 million convention center is being built, marking the city's entry into the world of conventions. As cities continue to invest in these centres, we can expect to see more record-breaking attendance numbers and economic impacts in the years to come.
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