Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The highly anticipated project is underway. The all-new Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center will be bigger and better with 1.2 million square feet of space. An extension of the exhibit hall for a total of 350,000 square feet contiguous exhibit space is already complete and hosting groups. Still underway is a new 65,000 sq. ft ballroom facing the Intracoastal Waterway, an 800 room connecting upscale headquarter hotel operated by Omni Hotels. Multiple upgrades including forward-thinking technologies, innovative dining concepts, versatile pre-function space are included in the plan. The modern décor will compliment Greater Fort Lauderdale’s waterfront destination. The addition of an iconic waterfront plaza with multiple group event spaces as well as the LEED® Gold-certification will set the destination apart.
Work Has Begun!
The Board of County Commissioners approved moving forward with expanding the size of the Broward County Convention Center and adding a new headquarters hotel after an extensive public engagement process.
With an addition of flexible indoor and outdoor contemporary event space, the County expects to attract more convention business with the enhanced mix of accommodations, meeting space and amenities. When completed, the expanded Convention Center will boast more than 1,200,000 square feet, including a 350,000 square foot contiguous exhibition hall, a new 65,000 square foot waterfront ballroom, the latest in new technology, new dining concepts, enhanced water taxi access and an iconic waterfront plaza with public access.
The Convention Center expansion project will add an additional 525,000+ square feet of meeting space and an upscale 800-room headquarters hotel. It takes full advantage of the amenities of this beautifully scenic location on the Intracoastal Waterway, focused on a mix of activities associated with the Intracoastal and nearby Port Everglades, consistently ranked as one of the three busiest cruise ports in the world. The total cost of the project is estimated to be in the neighborhood of $1 billion.
The Convention Center is South Florida’s premiere waterfront conference center – a stunning 600,000 square foot LEED EB Gold Certified facility, just a five-minute drive from Broward County’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and less than one mile from Broward County’s beaches.
The combined effect of the expansion and new hotel with public spaces and waterfront amenities is expected to bolster the local economy by more than $200 million a year, by attracting more convention center and trade show business, increasing tourism and creating jobs in Broward County. The expansion and hotel projects are expected to be completed in late 2025 and create more than 1,000 full and part-time local jobs.