Baird Center

venues

Baird Center

The Baird Center is situated in the downtown area of Milwaukee, WI, and its soaring architecture draws millions of eager eyes every year. The facility opened in 1998 and in May 2024, it completed an extensive $456-million expansion project, just in time to host the Republican National Convention. The expansion project doubled the convention center's size, and it now boasts 1.3 million square feet of space, 300,000 of which are contiguous exhibition space. The expansion project introduced to the facility amenities like sensory rooms and all-gender bathrooms. It also brought attention to sustainability within the facility, and fitted it with environmentally friendly features such as a water retention system, solar roof panels, and bird-friendly fritted glass.

WHERE TO SLEEP
Hilton's 700-room Art Deco hotel is connected to the Baird Center via skybridge and offers a convenient place for event attendees and managers to rest a weary head. For a unique Brew City experience, stay in the original Pabst Brewery downtown. Its exposed brick and meticulously designed rooms offer a one-of-a-kind experience.

WHAT TO EAT
Rare Steakhouse, convenient to the Baird Center, offers fresh seafood, fine steaks, and 400 wines, making it a perfect spot for a client or team dinner. For a more casual option, don't leave Milwaukee without a fish fry. The Packing House is a great option, and you can decide if you're #teamlemon or #teamtartarsauce.

HOW TO GET THERE
Fewer than 10 miles separate the Baird Center and the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. It costs about $25 to get to the Baird Center from the airport via rideshare. Taxi service and rental cars also are available, and hotel shuttle service take passengers to all area hotels. There also is Amtrak service from the airport, as well as access to the Milwaukee County Transit System, which offers $2 bus rides.

There are 22 loading dock bays on the third floor expo hall level.

No advance freight is accepted in the facility.

Free wifi is available throughout the venue.

Baird Center has achieved Global Biorisk Advisory Council GBAC STAR accreditation.

For food and beverage offerings, Baird Center maintains a partnership with Levy Restaurants.

CTI is the Baird Center's preferred audiovisual partner.

Composting services can be made available upon request.

Any drilling or anchoring into the venue's floor is prohibited.

Confetti, glitter, sand, or simulated snow is not permitted in the exhibit halls.

Adhesive-backed decals may not be distributed in the building.

Drones may not be operated inside the building.

Water-based fog machines are permitted in the building; however, oil-based smoke, haze, or fog is strictly prohibited.