Enhanced Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center Reopens As $1.1 Billion Expansion Continues
January 11, 2022
South Florida’s newly expanded Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center (GFLCC) is gearing up to grow even bigger, doubling the size of its original footprint by late 2025.
Following a 20-month expansion and enhancement project that increased the 600,000-square-foot facility to 800,000 sq. ft., including a 350,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall, the venue reopened its doors to event groups in October 2021. Broward County officials held a bond signing ceremony Dec. 17 to finalize funding needed to move forward with the remainder of the project, which will include a new eastside building featuring a host of state-of-the-art upgrades and amenities for meeting and convention groups.
The price tag of the entire project, which will grow the facility to 1.2 million sq. ft. and includes a new interconnected 800-room upscale headquarters hotel, rounds out at $1.1 billion. The next phase of the expansion is now moving ahead, while financing for the headquarters hotel is still in process.
According to GFLCC officials, while the completed portion of the expansion had been planned long before the pandemic, the remainder of the project had been put on hold due to the pandemic and the resulting pause in financial negotiations.
Expansion project highlights include:
Now Open:
- 800,000 total sq. ft.
- 350,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space
- 2 ballrooms
2025 Completion:
- 1.2 million total sq. ft.
- $600 million cost for convention center
- Increase of 600,000 sq. ft. from original convention center footprint
- Four ballrooms, including 65,000-sq.-ft. waterfront ballroom
- 50 breakout rooms
- Kitchen facilities
- 215,000 sq. ft. of meeting space
- 220,000 sq. ft. of flexible space
- Five-acre waterfront plaza with three restaurants, an amphitheater and outdoor event space
- An 800-room headquarters hotel with an additional 75,000 sq. ft. of meeting space
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification
The first event to enjoy the facility’s new exhibit space was the indoor portion of the 62nd annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the world’s largest in-water boat show held Oct. 27-31, 2021.
Exhibitors including Ray Jahn, president of Fish Tale Boats, expressed excitement about the expanded expo hall.
“The facility offered enhanced opportunities for us to display our full line of models, and customers were very happy to have this vital display hub back at the show,” Jahn said. “We’re excited for the completion of the expansion in 2025 and think the benefits for exhibitors and consumers will be world-class.”
According to Visit Lauderdale officials, the facility has many more events and trade shows on its schedule that are looking forward to taking advantage of the larger, upgraded space.
“The convention center expansion with a new 65,000-sq.-ft. waterfront ballroom, along with our expanded exhibit hall and other new features, makes Greater Fort Lauderdale highly competitive in the national convention landscape,” said Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. “The expansion is key to our continuing evolution as an upscale, cosmopolitan and diverse tourism and meetings destination.”
The convention center expansion is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs and boost the Greater Fort Lauderdale economy by more than $200 million annually.
Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here.
New Wave Experiences
Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024.
Enhanced Technology
Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space.
Refreshing New Design & Fine Art
The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights.
Sustainable Spectacles
Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles.
The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.
Add new comment