Kevin Hewitt’s Post

1. Changing Needs: Convention centers now prioritize engaging urban environments with nearby entertainment, dining, and retail to attract attendees. 2. Mixed-Use Integration: Centers are increasingly integrated with surrounding neighborhoods, benefiting both local communities and event attendance. 3. Master-Planned Districts: Cities like Dallas and New Orleans are creating extensive mixed-use districts around convention centers to boost connectivity and vibrancy. 4. Collaborative Design: Successful developments involve collaboration among city departments, developers, and architects, focusing on integrating convention spaces with community elements. 5. Economic Boost: These integrated developments create jobs, support local businesses, and enhance the economic appeal of cities as convention destinations.

Venue discussion: City Side Convention Center So many don't think about it, but the "DECC" is really nine different venues. In most communities these are separate facilities spread through their perspective towns, but in Duluth they are combined into one, big campus. On one hand that gives us many advantages, but it also lessens the attention an individual piece of architecture would normally receive. As time progresses and I get to learn more and more about the different venues the more I appreciate them individually. One "DECC" workhorses is the City Side Convention Center. First off, it is the only State Convention Center in the State of Minnesota. All others are a part of a city, not the state. It was built in the 1990s and you can tell. My favorite elements are the ones that are clearly remnants of the 90s, such as the salmon colored tile in the bathrooms. Though not popular at the moment, I bet in the coming decade, this style will come back in vogue. Some folks already like it. The exterior design was meant to look like an abstract version of a pilot house on an Ore Boat. It's heavy use of curves and high contrast in color choices also reflect classic early 90s design. This pilot house design allowed for a large open atrium on the inside. Inside this space has one of the largest ballrooms in all of Minnesota, the Lake Superior Ballroom. Until the last decade, it sported the largest ballroom outside of the Twin Cities. Fairly recently, Rochester completed a larger one. Aside from the ballroom there are many meeting rooms and a large expo hall underneath the ballroom space. (It's named the Fitzgerald hall, directly under Lake Superior Ballroom. See the dark humor there?) For our convention business, this combination of a ballroom and expo space is a perfect arrangement. A surprise to many Duluthians, this space is far busier and more active than AMSOIL Arena. Locals don't know that because much of the business is conventions. which are mainly folks coming from out of town. (Side note, it is this convention/ expo business that mostly pays the bills of the DECC. Also a surprise to Duluthians, but our city funding doesn't even pay the electric bill, 90%+ of our expenses are paid for by earned revenue.)

Convention and meeting business continues to thrive.

Check out this story by Toni Caushi

Stephen Galbreath is the Chief Development Officer and Head of Design and Construction at Garfield Public/Private LLC, specializing in the development of convention centers, hotels, and essential municipal buildings. Stephen helps cities and government entities build impactful infrastructure that drives economic growth and revitalizes communities. Susan and Stephen talk about the benefits of convention business and bullet-proof vests. What you'll learn about in this episode: - What challenges arise when working with municipalities on hotel projects. - When Steve transitioned from architecture to public-private partnership development. - Where Garfield Public Private operates and the types of projects they specialize in. - How the ownership structure of a convention center hotel differs from typical hotels. - What economic impact a convention center hotel can have on a local community. - How Steve's experience in architecture influences his current role in hotel development. Listen here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eMmjG_Qm

A few select snippets from the recent webinar I did with The Luxury Property Forum To see the full recording of the webinar head on over to https://lnkd.in/eQHz5MyY

Brixton’s newest event space will launch imminently after we secured permission for a change of use and discharged planning conditions.   Arch 542 is a versatile event space that will now be created within a former railway arch on Brixton Station Road in the London Borough of Lambeth. Our client, 100 Barrington Ltd, already operates a similar venue nearby, but sought permission to repurpose a vacant and derelict railway arch into a bespoke, standalone event space for birthday dinners, cocktail parties, corporate hospitality, community/charity functions, product launches, photo and video shoots, and gallery exhibitions.   Charlotte Mills, our senior planner comments: “The premises had a nil planning use, it had been vacant for many years and no planning history, therefore we prepared and submitted an application for a change of use to a private event space, together with minor alternations to the front elevation and installation of an A/C unit.   “The main challenges to overcome were in respect of noise and servicing, as the surrounding area is largely residential. Additional reports covering customer, delivery and servicing management plans were prepared, with these restricting opening hours and amplified music, ensuring minimum disruption.   “It’s fantastic news the Council has approved this application and our client’s portfolio can be enhanced with what is undoubtedly an unusual and appealing venue. We wish them every success for the launch!” adds Charlotte.  #planningapproval #planningpermission #planningnews #proudofplanning #changeofuse #commercialdevelopment #reuse #repurpose #retrofit #sustainabledevelopment #eventspace #railwayarch #Brixton 

Be sure to check out Benjamin West's Q1 Newsletter, along with my latest article "Maximizing CapEx and ROI Through Sustainable FF&E Practices."

Are you following along? Are you a business owner? Are you ready for the many opportunities that will be coming out of this multi-year project? Do you have a strategy for becoming part of this process and growing your business? Don't miss this! #Dallas #smallbusiness #businessgrowth