Since September, several leading venues announced or completed major expansion and remodel projects while others upped the ante with high-level environmental and inclusivity certifications. 

Off-Strip Las Vegas Hotel Completes Convention Renovation and More 

The Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas recently completed of the first phase of its multi-year property-wide transformation. Since Dreamscape Cos. took over the resort’s operations in late 2023, the off-Strip hotel has undergone extensive Phase One renovations, including the addition of eight new food and beverage destinations, the remodeling of more than 220,000 square feet of meetings and convention space, a revamped pool district with four distinct pools, and a new exterior art installation. Phase Two of Rio’s renovations are expected to start later in 2024. 

What they are saying: “When we took over operations of the resort, our first priority was to modernize and revitalize the property while preserving the vibrant atmosphere and excitement that made the Rio Hotel & Casino a pioneer in Las Vegas hospitality,” said Patrick Miller, president and CEO of Rio Hotel & Casino. “With the addition of new dining destinations, refreshed spaces throughout the resort, and one of the city’s most rewarding loyalty programs, these renovations mark the beginning of a new era—one that offers an elevated yet approachable luxury experience for both locals and visitors.”   

What’s new for conventions: Phase One of Rio’s transformation included a renovation of its meeting and convention space. Able to accommodate a range of gatherings of up to 5,000 guests, the resort’s newly renovated meeting and convention space includes four unique and customizable ballrooms ranging from 11,000 to 55,000 square feet that can be separated into 78 smaller breakout rooms. The venue also offers three dedicated ground-level loading docks with elephant doors. 

Where to stay: Early 2024 marked the completion of more than 1,400 renovated rooms within the resort’s Ipanema Tower. Inspired by the contemporary and stylish apartments near Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, each room features all new furnishings, separate living and sleeping zones, a state-of-the-art 65-inch television, and a sectional sofa with a queen-sized pull-out bed. 

Where to dine: Opened in January 2024, the Canteen Food Hall features a dynamic lineup of six first-to-market dining concepts and Las Vegas favorites, including Chef Alex Resnick’s Attaboy Burger;  Japanese street-style sushi concept Nama Nama; Tony Luke’s, a legendary sandwich shop from South Philadelphia;  local favorite Shogun Ramen by Master Chef Foo Kanegae; Tender Crush, a first-to-market chicken tender concept by Chris Barish and Julie Mulligan of Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer; and Southland Burrito Co., Chef Marco Herrera’s Sonoran-style burrito restaurant. For those looking for a casual dining option, A Perfect Bite by Operated by restauranteur and founder Oliver Wharton features an all-American menu offers familiar dishes like prime steaks and buffalo wings, reimagined with a Las Vegas twist, as well as an extensive cocktail menu. 

Where to get a drink: One of the last pieces of the resort’s Phase One renovations, Lapa Lounge is a sophisticated and vibrant cocktail destination inspired by the iconic Lapa neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro. Its Brazilian-inspired cocktail menu features familiar cocktails and flavors reimagined with a lively, upbeat twist.  

Where to relax: Channeling the essence of Ipanema and Copacabana, the hotel’s revamped pool area comprises four distinct pools and atmospheres. The main deck boasts a plethora of chaise lounges, umbrellas, daybeds and cabanas, while the adult deck features brand-new loungers, daybeds, and cabanas exclusively tailored to those over 21 years old. 

Where to gamble: Boasting 117,000-square-feet of gaming space, the refreshed casino floor features brand-new carpeting and more than 900 new slot machines, 30 individual gaming tables, and video poker machines throughout the resort. 

What to see: Through a partnership between the resort and legendary lighting designers Chris Kuroda and Andrew Giffin, the resort’s exterior lighting is now an expansive art installation that uses more than three miles of programmable LEDs to create a dynamic, ever-evolving lightshow that can be seen from across the Las Vegas valley.  

Atlanta Venue Prepares to Begin Major Renovation and Expansion in 2025 

The Cobb Galleria Centre in northwest Atlanta will soon be undergoing a major expansion and renovation of its convention facilities. On Oct. 15, the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority-owner and operator of the mid-sized convention venue for trade shows, meetings, and special event--announced it has assembled a stellar team of leading Cobb County-based firms to manage the design and construction of the project, which is expected to break ground in fall of 2025 and be completed in early 2027. 

What they are saying: “In my 19 years serving on this Authority, this is the most exciting and consequential project since we built the 2,750-seat Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in 2007,” said Bob Voyles, vice chairman of the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority. “Once completed in early 2027, the rejuvenation and expansion of the convention center will assure that our facility remains No. 1 in the state of Georgia and maintains its high national standing for similar-sized facilities.” 

Big picture: Located in the 88-acre Galleria complex that includes the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Cobb Galleria Centre currently offers 320,000 square feet of event space, four exhibition halls, 20 meeting rooms, four executive boardrooms, and a grand ballroom. The current scope of the expansion project includes:   

• Demolition of Galleria Specialty Shops and 2nd floor meeting rooms 
• Creating a new two-story grand entryway, a new junior ballroom to complement the existing ballroom, two unique outdoor event courtyards and gardens with natural lighting penetrating interior conference room spaces, and new connected parking with covered, all-weather access into the facility 
• Addition of 13,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space with enhanced graphics and technology 
• Extensive renovation and facelift of existing convention space, concourse, rotunda, and ballroom 

How it will be funded: “We are grateful to our partners at Cobb County and the incorporated cities who funded the construction of the original facility over three decades ago with Hotel-Motel Tax (HMT) through legislation passed by the Georgia General Assembly,” Voyles added. “This lines right up with our planned expenditure of such funds for these improvements.”   

DC Convention Center Takes LEED Certification to the Next Level 

In September, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center was awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum green building certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the highest level a building can achieve in the LEED rating system. The Washington, DC facility earned LEED Gold certification in September of last year. 

What they are saying: “Achieving LEED Platinum took a lot of hard work, but we strive to be the greatest convention center in the world and have the highest quality of service for our customers,” said Angie M. Gates, president and CEO of Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for Washington, DC that oversees the convention center.  

How it works: To achieve this elevated level of LEED certification, the convention center implemented practical and measurable strategies and solutions in areas including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.  

Deeper dive: The facility reduced its energy use by 25,306,767 kBtu—equivalent to removing approximately 440 cars from the road for a year—by upgrading its lighting, heating and cooling systems, and other efficiencies. With newly integrated water efficiencies throughout the facility, water consumption was reduced by 3,790,000 gallons, enough to fill about six Olympic-sized swimming pools. 

Why it matters: “LEED certification is the ultimate recognition of global green building leadership, signaling that a space has undergone rigorous third-party verification and meets the highest green building standards,” said Peter Templeton, USGBC president and CEO. “The success of LEED is due to the partnership and support of those committed to advancing green building and sustainability. Each new LEED certification brings us one step closer to revolutionizing the spaces where we live, learn, work and play.” 

LA Convention Center Earns Gold Again 

The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) achieved LEED v4.1 O+M: Existing Buildings Gold recertification for the fourth consecutive time.  

Why it matters: The Southern California facility has maintained this high-level certification status since 2010 by consistently making significant investments in energy conservation, water efficiency, waste reduction, and enhanced indoor environmental quality, and represents the LACC’s latest effort to exceed the industry’s evolving green building standards and further minimize its environmental impact, according to venue officials.   

What they are saying: “Achieving LEED Gold recertification under the rigorous v4.1 guidelines is a testament to the Los Angeles Convention Center’s continued leadership in advancing sustainable building operations,” said Kimberly Weedmark, general manager of the Los Angeles Convention Center, which is owned by the City of Los Angeles and managed by ASM Global. “Our commitment to sustainability continues to define our role as a leading destination for events that prioritize environmental responsibility.” 

How it works: The LACC’s achievement of LEED Gold certification through the V4.1 framework further solidifies its position as a sustainability showcase, illustrating the center’s commitment to responsible resource management, energy efficiency, and overall operational excellence, according to ASM Global officials. 

Iowa Venue Earns Sensory Inclusive Certification   

 Oak View Group (OVG), operators of the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa, partnered with KultureCity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting inclusivity and accessibility for individuals with sensory needs, to achieve KultureCity Certification as a sensory inclusive venue. 

Why it matters: Aiming to create welcoming environments for individuals with sensory sensitivities by providing comprehensive training to staff, equipping venues with sensory tools, and offering resources to support guests with sensory needs, KultureCity’s Sensory Inclusive program has gained widespread acceptance among venues, stadiums, cultural institutions, and nationwide.  

What they are saying: “Oak View Group’s goal, along with our partners at the City of Dubuque, have always aimed to make guests feel welcome at the Grand River Center,” said Oak View Group’s Ryan Bonifas, general manager of the Grand River Center. “We are proud to partner with KultureCity to receive specialized training and resources, enhancing our ability to accommodate guests with special sensitivities.” 

Big picture: The Grand River Center’s entire team successfully completed the certification process after undergoing extensive training to recognize and assist guests with sensory sensitivities. Designed to support guests who might feel overwhelmed by their surroundings, sensory tools and resources have been incorporated throughout the facility, including sensory bags offering noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads.      

How it works: Before visiting the Grand River Center, visitors can download the free KultureCity App to explore the venue’s sensory features and their locations, as well as preview what to expect during their visit.   

Have some meetings venue news to share? Reach out to lisa.savas@informa.com and danica.tormohlen@informa.com.

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