The Mohegan Sun Exposition Center expansion project is more than one-third complete and on schedule for a June 2018 opening.

Last month, the leaders of Mohegan Sun and the Mohegan Tribe gathered with guests, including Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman and AZ Corporation, for a ceremonial topping-off to celebrate the progress of the $80 million project, which began last March.

Over 300 signatures from ironworkers to state and local officials and Mohegan Sun and Tribe management adorned the steel beam.

The resort and casino’s new Exposition Center will span 240,000 net square feet and include a 20,000 sq. ft. ballroom; expansive pre-function space; a 131,000 sq. ft. Expo Center; 15 meeting rooms; 3,600 square feet of outdoor gathering space that features a wrap-around terrace; a 1,260 square-foot executive boardroom with its own outdoor area and 20,000 square feet of additional entertainment tenant space that is expected further diversify the center’s mixed-use program.

The property’s existing Convention Center offers 100,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, including a 38,000 sq. ft. ballroom, more than 30 conference and breakout rooms and 14,000 sq. ft. of pre-function space.

“The new Expo Center complex is an expansion that more than doubles our existing facilities, significantly expanding the size and scope of the events Mohegan Sun will host,” explained Ray Pineault, Mohegan Sun president and general manager.

He continued, “As a direct result of the expanded Convention Center and expo space, we anticipate hundreds of thousands of new guests annually from all over the Northeast and the U.S. who have never visited the region to now visit southeastern Connecticut.”

Combined with its existing convention facilities, the new Exposition Center will allow Mohegan Sun to attract more corporate and association trade shows, expand its current consumer shows such as Terrificon and draw in tech industry shows, golf shows, musical extravaganzas, home-shows, motor sports and hunting and fishing shows, Pineault said.

“Mohegan Sun produces, promotes and executes major events in-house every year, such as the popular Sun Wine & Food Festival, and these events continue to evolve and need additional space as they grow in popularity,” Pineault explained.

He continued, “Major events like Barrett-Jackson’s annual Northeast Car Collector Auction, as well as consumer shows such as Terrificon have also seen significant growth when housed in our immersive entertainment complex and require additional space to accommodate their needs. These events bring in tens of thousands of guests and will now be relocated to Expo Center Complex starting in summer 2018. The expanded space will also allow us to host large trade shows, association gatherings and other similar events while still being able to host large corporate group outings inside the Uncas Ballroom and original convention space.”

Additional Expo Center features include free parking with ample loading docks and drive-in access from four-grade level doors; a 5,361 net sq. ft. kitchen; clerestory windows; a mobile box office; state-of-the-art technology; free Wi-Fi; contiguous exhibit space and interior finishes that incorporate the Mohegan Tribe’s cultural history, as can be seen throughout the whole property.

Once completed, Mohegan Sun will be home to the largest meetings and convention spaces between Boston and New York City and will be ready to host some of the biggest and most popular trade shows and events in the region, Pineault said.

“We envision that our facility will compete with similar venues, large and small, located in New York, Boston, Providence and throughout the U.S., providing a cost-effective option for groups and trade shows with all of the amenities, services and guest accommodations under one roof,” he added.

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