Top 10 Biggest Convention Centers Across the U.S.

Whether you're an attendee or an exhibitor, knowing the venue and its size will help you prepare and improve your overall experience. For attendees, it gives you an idea on how to navigate the place, plan accommodations, and find establishments. For exhibitors, it helps you choose which trade show products to set up, what items to give away, and consider your booth placement.

The rankings in this article are based on The Wall Street Journal's top 30 best convention centers in the U.S., where total space and number of meeting rooms are part of the criteria.

Completed in 2003, The Walter E. Washington Convention Center is in the heart of Washington D.C. With a total space of 2.3 million square feet, it has hosted various events, trade shows, summit meetings, pop culture expos, and conventions. The convention center is also known for housing one of the largest public art collections in North America, with over 130 pieces of prints, sculptures, and other artworks from renowned artists.

Location: Washington, D.C.
Total space: 2,300,000 square feet
Exhibit space: 703,000 square feet
Number of meeting rooms: 77

Notable events: 6 official presidential inaugural balls of former President Barack Obama, 2010 Nuclear Security Summit, 2012 International Food Show, International 2012 AIDS Conference, Otakon, National Book Festival, United States – Africa Leaders Summit 2022.

Standout features: Largest digital signage network with over 200 digital displays, modern exhibit halls and meeting rooms, prime location near historical landmarks.

Formerly known as Cobo Hall, Cobo Center, and TCF Center, Huntington Place is a convention center in Detroit, Michigan that opened in 1960. Since then, the convention center has hosted various events, conferences, conventions, and trade shows. Huntington Place used to have an arena that hosted concerts, sporting events, and presidential speeches, and was renovated in 2015 to feature its Grand Riverview Ballroom and add more meeting rooms.

Location: Detroit, Michigan
Total space: 2,400,000 square feet
Exhibit space: 723,000 square feet
Number of meeting rooms: 100+

Notable events: Detroit Autorama, North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

Standout features: 40,000-square-foot Grand Riverview Ballroom, a view of Detroit Riverfront, 24,000-square-foot outdoor space, state-of-the-art digital signs, broadcast studio services, touchless pay stations, high-speed Wi-Fi.

Opened in 1989, the San Diego Convention Center is a 2.6 million-square-foot facility located in downtown San Diego. Many recognize it for its iconic sails pavilion design. The convention center is a well-known venue for large-scale events such as conventions, trade shows, and conferences.

Location: San Diego, California
Total space: 2,600,000 square feet
Exhibit space: 615,700 square feet
Number of meeting rooms: 72

Notable events: San Diego Comic Con, Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Wheel of Fortune, Esri International User Conference, TwitchCon.

Standout features: Waterfront location with scenic views, distinctive sails pavilion design, two 40,000-square-foot ballrooms, 90,000-square-foot column-free, glass-enclosed space, expansive terraces, easy access to Gaslamp Quarter, state-of-the-art LED lighting, free Wi-Fi, charging stations.

Located in St. Louis, Missouri, America’s Center Convention Complex is comprised of multiple facilities: the Cervantes Convention Center, The Dome at America’s Center, St. Louis Executive Conference Center, and the Ferrara Theatre. It has hosted trade shows, conventions, concerts, motocross races, and monster truck rallies. The center boasts of its prime exhibition halls, large ballroom, theater, and concert dome.

Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Total space: 2,700,000 square feet
Exhibit space: 574,000 square feet
Number of meeting rooms: 95

Notable events: Working Women’s Survival Show, mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II, 2005 NCAA® Men’s Final Four®, St. Louis Boat and Sports Show, DHL Major League Baseball All-Star Fan Fest.

Standout features: Prime exhibit space, 28,000-square-foot ballroom, 67,000-seat dome, 1,400-seat theater, versatile meeting rooms.

Located along the banks of the Mississippi River, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center takes great pride in its large exhibit space of 1.1 million square feet, multipurpose ballrooms, meeting rooms, and performing arts theater. The convention center is within proximity to the French Quarter and other attractions in New Orleans and has hosted conventions and trade shows for various groups and industries.

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Total space: 3,100,000 square feet
Exhibit space: 1,100,000 square feet
Number of meeting rooms: 140

Notable events: 2014 NBA All-Star Game Jam Session, NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, PFL 8, 71st Miss Universe Pageant.

Standout features: 1.1 million exhibit space, two multipurpose ballrooms, 4,000-seat theater, 25,000 square feet pre-function area.

The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, or Javits Center, is known as New York’s largest exhibition venue. It was opened in 1986 and has hosted numerous trade shows, events, conventions, and conferences. The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center has 3.3 million square feet, 200,000 square feet of meeting room and pre-function space, and a one-acre rooftop farm.

Location: Manhattan, New York
Total space: 3,300,000 square feet
Exhibit space: 850,000 square feet
Number of meeting rooms: 102

Notable events: New York Comic Con, New York International Auto Show, Anime NYC.

Standout features: Rooftop farm, large exhibit halls, glass-enclosed pavilion, open-air terrace, 63,000-square-foot cafeteria.

The Georgia World Congress Center offers a total space of 3.9 million square feet and 1.4 million square feet of exhibit space. It is a large-scale facility in Atlanta, Georgia, with ample meeting rooms, ballrooms, and spaces for trade shows and conventions. The convention center is a popular choice for organizations and events due to its extensive facilities and amenities.

Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Total space: 3,900,000 square feet
Exhibit space: 1,400,000 square feet
Number of meeting rooms: 116

Notable events: Dragon Con, Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, USA Gymnastics.

Standout features: 1.4 million exhibit space, three interconnected buildings, spacious ballrooms, large meeting rooms, multipurpose areas.

Located in Orlando, Florida, the Orange County Convention Center is known for its expansive space and various facilities for trade shows, conventions, and conferences. It features 2.1 million square feet of exhibit space, 74 meeting rooms, and two large ballrooms. The center is a popular venue for major conventions and events in the region.

Location: Orlando, Florida
Total space: 2,100,000 square feet
Exhibit space: 2,100,000 square feet
Number of meeting rooms: 74

Notable events: Orlando Science Center, National Conference for the National Association of Home Builders, Global Gaming Expo.

Standout features: 2.1 million exhibit space, large meeting rooms, versatile ballrooms, ideal location for tourist attractions.

The Los Angeles Convention Center is a premier venue located in downtown Los Angeles. With 2.1 million square feet of space and an extensive range of facilities, including meeting rooms, exhibit halls, and ballrooms, the center is a key location for major events, conventions, and trade shows.

Location: Los Angeles, California
Total space: 2,100,000 square feet
Exhibit space: 720,000 square feet
Number of meeting rooms: 70

Notable events: E3 Expo, Los Angeles Auto Show, LA Marathon Expo.

Standout features: 720,000 square feet exhibit space, large ballrooms, 70 meeting rooms, close to major attractions, modern facilities.

As the largest convention center in the United States, McCormick Place in Chicago boasts 4.6 million square feet of space and 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space. Its extensive facilities include a grand ballroom, meeting rooms, and a range of additional features that make it the top choice for large-scale events and conventions.

Location: Chicago, Illinois
Total space: 4,600,000 square feet
Exhibit space: 2,600,000 square feet
Number of meeting rooms: 200

Notable events: The International Manufacturing Technology Show, The National Restaurant Association Show, The Chicago Auto Show.

Standout features: 2.6 million exhibit space, 3.1 million square feet of contiguous exhibit space, large ballrooms, versatile meeting rooms.

In addition to the Wall Street Journal’s ranking, we included convention centers that are popular among exhibit and event managers.

Formerly known as The Sands, The Venetian is a convention center that opened in 1990. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, the place has a total space of 2.25 million square feet and an exhibit space of 936,600 square feet. The convention center features five exhibit halls, 350 meeting rooms, and five ballrooms.

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Total space: 2,250,000 square feet
Exhibit space: 936,600 square feet
Number of meeting rooms: 350

Notable events: Global Gaming Expo, IMEX America, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Conference.

Standout features: Outdoor patios, five exhibit halls, 350 meeting rooms, five ballrooms, five ballrooms, near hotels and casinos.

The Mandalay Bay Convention Center opened in 2003. It has a total space of 2.1 million square feet and an exhibit space of 861,231 square feet, making it a perfect venue for trade shows, conferences, and large conventions. The convention center has newly renovated facilities, which include underground parking, large exhibit halls, and a 70,000-square-foot ballroom.

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Total space: 2,100,000 square feet
Exhibit space: 861,231 square feet
Number of meeting rooms: 74

Notable events: Aqua Show, International Roofing Expo

Standout features: Large exhibit halls, 20,000-square-foot foyer, underground parking, 70,000-square-foot ballroom, 21,324 solar panels, three kitchens.

The Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center is located in the heart of downtown San Antonio. The convention center was opened in 1968 and features two ballrooms (with one known to be the largest in Texas), four exhibit halls, a 2,319-seat theater, and 86,500 square feet of column-free multipurpose space. It also houses various art pieces, including the $1 million art installation called “Liquid Crystal.”

Location: San Antonio, Texas
Total space: 1,600,000 square feet
Exhibit space: 514,000 square feet
Number of meeting rooms: 70+ meeting rooms

Notable events: PAX South

Standout features: Art installations, four exhibit halls, 2,319-seat theater, 514,000 square feet of exhibit space

Opened in 1990, the Colorado Convention Center is a state-of-the-art facility in downtown Colorado. With 2,200,000 square feet of total space and 584,000 square feet of exhibit space, the center offers 66 meeting rooms, two ballrooms, and an amphitheater. The CCC hosts numerous events yearly, from local community luncheons to large-scale national conventions. It also houses a public art collection featured in the interior and exterior of the convention center.

Location: Denver, Colorado
Total space: 2,200,000 square feet
Exhibit space: 584,000 square feet
Number of meeting rooms: 66

Notable events: Great American Beer Festival, Colorado State Spelling Bee, Denver Auto Show, Denver Boat Show, Denver Comic Con.

Standout features: Public art collection, 66 meeting rooms, two ballrooms, outdoor terrace, amphitheater, 1,000 parking spaces.

Opened in 1967, The Anaheim Convention Center is a large exhibition facility in Anaheim, California. With a total space of 1.8 million square feet and an exhibit space of 813,607 square feet, the convention center can host mega trade shows, conferences, meetings, and other events. It features three ballrooms, one arena, 99 meeting rooms, and five large exhibit halls.

Location: Anaheim, California
Total space: 1,800,000 square feet
Exhibit space: 813,607 square feet
Number of meeting rooms: 99

Notable events: NAMM Show, Anime Expo, BlizzCon, D23 Expo, Star Wars Celebration, VidCon, WonderCon.

Standout features: Near tourist attractions, five large exhibit halls, a 7,500-seat arena with stadium-style seating, 99 meeting rooms, beautiful outdoor spaces, free Wi-Fi accessibility, 27 local chef-owned and operated artisan food trucks, open-air terrace.