Convention Centers + Hospitality

Dynamic, user-friendly facilities that sustain, revitalize and grow communities

More than six million attendees, planners, staff, and members of the general public experience Fentress Architects-designed meeting and exhibit facilities each year. In fact, Art Basel and Comic-Con International: San Diego—the largest shows of their kind in the world—are held in Fentress Architects-designed centers each year, as are numerous home, car and consumer shows; musical performances; and a full spectrum of association conferences and exhibits.

Moreover, Fentress continues to rank among the top global Architecture + AE firms in convention center design, making the top five on Building Design + Construction’s Giants list for the past three years.

Specifically, the remarkable accessibility, efficiency, flexibility, aesthetics and sustainable design of Fentress Architects’ convention and meeting spaces have garnered the portfolio over 50 awards and recognitions including:

• EXPO Center at World Market Center Excellence in Sustainability + Best Specialty Construction by Engineering News-Record 2021
• Miami Beach Convention Center Design Award from AIA Miami 2021
• Santa Fe Community Convention Center Merit Award, Outstanding Special Use Facility from Gold Nugget Awards, Pacific Coast Builders Conference 2009
• Colorado Convention Center Phase II Expansion American Architecture Award from Chicago Athenaeum 2008
• Palm Springs Convention Center Expansion People’s Choice Award from AIA Denver 2008

Regardless of size and scope, we understand the demands of exhibition and conference planners including that flexible, yet contiguous space is paramount. We also know the terms—pre-function, pre-registration, front-of-house, back-of-house, food service, loading docks and more—and understand the how and why of daily operations. Consequently our capabilities include:

• Master Planning
• Phased Development
• Renovation + Expansion
• Entertainment + Event Space
• Ballroom + Exhibit Halls
• Scalable Rooms
• Meeting Facilities
• Technological Upgrades
• Loading Dock Planning, Expansion + Renovation
• ADA Improvements

Since outdoor event space has been elevated from trend to necessity, the recently completed transformation of the Miami Beach Convention Center included adding over 12 acres of green space to their campus for the enjoyment of visitors and residents alike. Fox Cities, Pasadena, Palm Springs and Santa Fe also prioritized outdoor event space.

Furthermore, Fentress has designed over 50 USGBC LEED-certified projects, including:

• Pasadena Convention Center LEED Gold
• Santa Fe Community Convention Center LEED Gold
• Miami Beach Convention Center Expansion + Renovation LEED Silver
• Colorado Convention Center LEED–EB
• Broward County Convention Center Expansion LEED Gold (design)
• San Diego Convention Center LEED Gold (design)

Karen Gilbert
Director of Business Development
kgilbert@fentressarchitects.com
+1.303.282.6120