These 3 factors make Phoenix Convention Center one of the 10 best in the US
The Phoenix Convention Center was named one of the top 10 convention centers in the United States.
Phoenix landed at the No. 8 spot in a 2023 ranking of 30 U.S. convention centers compiled by the Wall Street Journal, placing ahead of Seattle and Dallas.
Las Vegas dominated the survey, with three of its convention centers in the top 10: Las Vegas Convention Center at No. 1, The Venetian Convention & Expo Center at No. 3 and Mandalay Bay Convention Center at No. 7.
The Wall Street Journal stated that the list was compiled based on the size and quality of each convention center's exhibition space and the quality and affordability of the city and surroundings.
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Why is Phoenix ranked among top convention centers?
Phoenix came in at No. 8 on the overall survey, with an overall score of 50.47.
It only ranked No. 12 for the space, amenities and convenience, which weighed the size and quality of the convention center based on square footage of exhibition space and total space, among other factors.
But Phoenix stood out for what the city and surroundings had to offer, ranking No. 4 based on those metrics.
Breaking down those offerings, Phoenix was No. 6 for arts and entertainment, No. 7 for food and beverage availability and No. 8 for hotel availability.
Among the 30 convention centers surveyed, Phoenix's was the second closest to an airport. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about six miles away. Only the International Exhibition Center in Cleveland, Ohio was closer, with an airport located just two miles away.
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Phoenix continues to host large, high-profile events at the convention center, like the Super Bowl Experience that coincided with the Super Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
A similar fan experience is expected when the NCAA Final Four is played at the stadium in April 2024. It's not yet known if the Phoenix Convention Center will host for 2024, but it did host the Final Four Fan Fest when the college basketball tournament last came to Phoenix in 2017.
Documents with the Phoenix Convention Center Department showed that bookings for convention center events in 2023 and 2024 are pacing ahead of the pre-pandemic average of 67 citywide conventions.
The department estimates direct spending at the convention center will generate about $572 million in 2023 and $549 million in 2024, also exceeding pre-pandemic averages.
Phoenix city officials continue to work to improve economic activity related to the convention center. Right now, they're exploring the idea of building an entertainment district around it.
The top 10 convention centers in the US, according to the Wall Street Journal
No. 1: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada.
No. 2: McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois.
No. 3: The Venetian Convention & Expo Center, Las Vegas, Nevada.
No. 4: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California.
No. 5: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida.
No. 6: Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia.
No. 7: Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada.
No. 8: Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix.
No. 9: Seattle Convention Center, Seattle, Washington.
No. 10: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas, Texas.
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Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Convention Center named top 10 in US. Here's why
