Phoenix Convention Center

venues

Main photo: Courtesy of the Phoenix Convention Center and Venues

Located in downtown Phoenix, the Phoenix Convention Center (PCC) rises from the landscape like a glass and steel sculpture awash with the cool tones of the Arizona sky. The venue offers nearly 1 million square feet of meeting and event space that includes a 312,500-square-foot main exhibition hall, three ballrooms, 99 meeting rooms, and an 80,000-square-foot outdoor event space, as well as a 200-seat conference center and access to theaters and an auditorium. Illustrious works of art, from massive statues to delicate floor murals, magnify the facility's aura as a sculptural masterpiece. A recent renovation modernized the PCC's offerings and contributed to it earning a LEED Silver certification.

WHERE TO SLEEP
The adjacent Hyatt Regency Phoenix is a business-class hotel with 693 guestrooms. A more budget-friendly option is the nearby historic Hotel San Carlos, a boutique hotel with 128 rooms. There are more than 3,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of the center, with accommodations ranging from modest to luxurious.

WHAT TO EAT
The PCC's West Building has numerous food concessions for quick eats. Serving American fare and seafood, the Arrogant Butcher is a popular destination for casual dinners and private indoor or outdoor functions for up to 70 people. Nobuo at Teeter House, an upscale Japanese-style teahouse, is perfect for intimate client dinners.

HOW TO GET THERE
The PCC is seven miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, with taxi service available for $15 each way, although many hotels offer complimentary airport shuttle service. Lyft and Uber provide rides beginning at around $13. The Metro Light Rail (www.valleymetro.org), which runs from the airport to downtown stations, including the PCC, costs $2 per ride or $4 for an all-day pass.

Aventura Catering is the exclusive food and beverage provider and must be used for all in-booth catering.

Arizona is a right-to-work state, and union labor is not required. However, the PCC is the exclusive provider of rigging and telecommunication services.

Exhibitors may hand- carry or cart small packages through front entrances to the show floor.

All double-deck exhibits must be approved by a licensed structural engineer or architect, and final installations cannot deviate from exhibitors' stamped documents.

Double-deck exhibits with only one means of egress from the upper floor must have a posted maximum occupant load of 10 persons on the second level.

Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas. All other internet services must be purchased from the venue's contracted service provider.

Multiple on-site business centers offer shipping, copying, and printing services.

Plywood less than one-quarter-inch thick must be treated with flame retardant.

Combustible materials such as printed literature are limited to a one-day supply. No storage is allowed behind booths.

Firearms and weapons are prohibited except for on-duty law enforcement.