The Largest Convention Centers in the United States
Conventions centers are huge – and they should be – considering they exist solely for the purpose of holding some of the biggest major tradeshows, conventions and expos throughout the country. However, there are some of these sizable venues that aren’t just huge, they are absolutely massive, gigantic and downright gargantuan. For the sake of demonstrating just what we mean by “downright gargantuan”, we’ve created an infographic showing the 10 largest convention centers in the United States.
Perhaps you’ve seen one or two of these superstructures before, driving alongside of it while thinking that it must go on forever and ever. With McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois topping off our list at 2.6 million square feet, it’s easy to see how someone might get that idea. If you’ve ever attended the Chicago Auto Show, the National Restaurant Association Show or any of the hundreds of events taking place there year round, then you know that the absolute worst mistake you can make is to enter at the wrong end of McCormick Place. Simply being inside that building does not guarantee that you’re anywhere near your tradeshow booth – not even by a longshot.
Despite that one tragic mistake so many are bound to make at these colossal expo centers, they are all quite an impressive sight to behold. The Orange County Convention Center in sunny Florida, for example, boasts stunning architecture, is lined with beautiful palm trees, and at 2.1 million square feet somehow manages to leave room for Disney World in the city of Orlando. Las Vegas, Nevada is home to 3 such structures, the Sands Expo and Convention Center at 2.3 million square feet, the Las Vegas Convention Center at 2 million square feet and the Mandalay Bay Convention Center at 1.7 million square feet. It’s almost mind boggling to wonder how these 3 incredible buildings all fit inside the city, along with hotels, casinos, restaurants and an average of 40 million visitors per year, but America’s playground finds a way. Besides, when you consider the 22,103 conventions held in Las Vegas each year, 3 of these enormous convention centers doesn’t seem all that ludicrous at all.
Check out the infographic for yourself to see which U.S. convention centers make the cut as the 10 largest in the country and some of the top tradeshows you might find at them.
