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Convention Centers’ Capacity During COVID-19

February 16, 2021

Venue Capacity Restrictions

Each convention center, each city, and each state has different restrictions on mass gatherings and building capacities during COVID-19. As vaccines are being distributed, many marketers are beginning to plan for the return of events, but every convention center has different regulations. These rules are continuously evolving in each location as COVID-19 numbers fluctuate.

Keeping up with these restrictions can be time consuming and laborious, but we're here to help. Many event marketers are struggling to identify which states and venues can accommodate them during COVID-19. As vaccines are being distributed, there are industries that are eager to return to in-person events and it is critical to understand which venues will allow their audiences. As of February 26th, 2021, we've compiled a list of every GBAC Star certified convention center and their current capacity/gathering restrictions.

GBAC Star Convention Centers

The Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) issues the GBAC Star accreditation for facilities meeting the highest levels of cleaning standards. Facilities of any size can apply for a GBAC Star and convention centers across the country have implemented comprehensive cleaning protocols in preparation for opening and maintaining a safe environment for large gatherings.

America's Center

St. Louis, Missouri

Operating at 25% of their permitted occupancy.

Source

GBAC Certified

American Airlines Center

Dallas, Texas

"If someone has requested a permit with an attendance over 10, the Convention and Event Services – Office of Special Events is currently working with the requestors to modify their permit application to reschedule to a later date or to elect to cancel their event."

Source

GBAC Certified

Anaheim Convention Center

Anaheim, California

Closed for events.

Source

GBAC Certified

ASM Global Reno

Reno, Nevada

Maximum capacity reduced to 50%.

Source

GBAC Certified

ASM Global Puerto Rico Convention Center

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Large group gatherings are not allowed at this time.

Source

GBAC Certified

Atlantic City Convention Center

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Closed for events. Current vaccination site.

Source

GBAC Certified

Austin Convention Center

Austin, Texas

"The general rule is that all businesses may now operate at 75% of the total listed occupancy of the establishment."

Source

GBAC Certified

Baltimore Convention Center

Baltimore, Maryland

Closed for events.

Source

GBAC Certified

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex

Birmingham, Alabama

"Gatherings of any size are allowed as long as social distancing and sanitation procedures are followed."

Source

GBAC Certified

Boise Centre

Boise, Idaho

"Open and currently holding meetings and events for up to 50 people per room with appropriate physical distancing and precautionary measures."

Source

GBAC Certified

Buffalo Niagara Convention Center

Buffalo, NY

Closed for events.

Source

GBAC Certified

Charlotte Convention Center

Charlotte, North Carolina

Limit occupancy per room to 100 people, or 30% of fire capacity, whichever is less

Source

GBAC Certified

Duke Energy Convention Center

Cincinnati, Ohio

"The Ohio Department of Health has suspended all planned gatherings of more than 100 people."

Source

GBAC Certified

Ernest N Morial Convention Center

New Orleans, LA

"Conference Venues and Meeting Rooms shall be allowed to open at 50% of permitted occupancy as long as no food or drinks are being served."

Source

GBAC Certified

Floreano Convention Center

Rochester, New York

"Open Texas plan increased allowable venue capacity to 50% of the total listed occupancy."

Source

GBAC Certified

Fort Worth Convention Center

Fort Worth, Texas

Closed for events.

Source

GBAC Certified

Gatlinburg Convention Center

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

No specific capacity percentage is being required or recommended

Source

GBAC Certified

Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center

Grapevine, Texas

Seating capacities and floor plans are reviewed on an event-by-event basis at this time.

Source

GBAC Certified

Georgia World Congress Center

Atlanta, Georgia

Modified room capacities found at the link below.

Source

GBAC Certified

Greater Columbus Convention Center

Columbus, Ohio

15% max capacity of fixed seating or 300 whichever is smaller

Source

GBAC Certified

Greater Richmond Convention Center

Richmond, Virginia

Conferences not required by law must be limited by the host to no more than 10 people.

Source

GBAC Certified

Greater Tacoma Convention Center

Tacoma, Washington

"Occupancy in each room/area is limited to 25 percent capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer (excluding staff)."

Source

GBAC Certified

Hampton Roads Convention Center

Hampton, Virginia

Closed to events.

Source

GBAC Certified

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

San Antonio, Texas

No more than 75 percent of the total listed occupancy.

Source

GBAC Certified

Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland

Cleveland, Ohio

15% max capacity of fixed seating or 300 whichever is smaller.

Source

GBAC Certified

Indiana Convention Center

Indianapolis, Indiana

"Any event with anticipated attendance above 250 people, such as fairs/festivals, conventions, and sporting events, must submit an event plan for MCPHD approval."

Source

GBAC Certified

Javits Center

New York, New York

Closed for events. Open as vaccination site.

Source

GBAC Certified

Kansas City Convention Center

Kansas City, Missouri

Events that "intend to have more than 10 persons at an event must submit a waiver to the Kansas City Health Department. If that waiver is granted, that event may operate at up to 50 percent capacity, unless otherwise directed by the Health Department."

Source

GBAC Certified

Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas

Dallas, Texas

50% of building's capacity.

Source

GBAC Certified

Kentucky Exposition Center

Louisville, Kentucky

"We will limit the persons, not including employees, present in our venue to 50% of the maximum permitted occupancy capacity."

Source

GBAC Certified

Kentucky International Convention Center

Louisville, Kentucky

"We will limit the persons, not including employees, present in our venue to 50% of the maximum permitted occupancy capacity."

Source

GBAC Certified

Lancaster County Convention Center

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

"Venues hosting events or gatherings must determine their established occupancy limit as defined by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Life Safety Code and then apply the attendee calculator to determine how many attendees are permitted to attend the event or gathering."

Source

GBAC Certified

Las Vegas Convention Center & Visitors Authority

Las Vegas, Nevada

"Public gatherings and venues that host events such as live entertainment or group meetings are limited to 50 people or to 25 percent of capacity, whichever number is lower."

Source

GBAC Certified

Long Beach Convention Center

Long Beach, California

Closed for events.

Source

GBAC Certified

Los Angeles Convention Center

Long Beach, California

Closed for events.

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GBAC Certified

Lynnwood Convention Center

Lynwood, Washington

"Meetings, trainings, testing and court events are permitted at 25% occupancy or 200 people, whichever is less."

"Retail events such as fairs and tradeshows can occur at 25% occupancy or 100 people, whichever is less."

Source

GBAC Certified

McCormick Place Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

"Large in-person events such as conventions can’t happen until the final phase of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s five-phase reopening plan."

Source

GBAC Certified

Meydenbauer Center

Bellevue, Washington

"Business meetings are now limited to training and testing that cannot be done virtually and is limited to 100 guests or 25% occupancy, whichever is less."

Source

GBAC Certified

Miami Beach Convention Center

Miami Beach, Florida

"Miami Dade County capacity recommendations for banquet halls and meeting rooms at 50% of standard capacity."

Source

GBAC Certified

Minneapolis Convention Center

Minneapolis, Minnesota

"Indoor meeting venues [can] host events with groups of up to 25% occupant capacity, not to exceed more than 150 people."

Source

GBAC Certified

Monona Terrace Convention Center

Madison, Wisconsin

"Limit capacity to 50% of approved capacity levels."

Source

GBAC Certified

Monterey Conference Center

Monterey, California

Closed for events.

Source

GBAC Certified

Mountain America Exposition Center

Sandy, Utah

Updated room capacities.

Source

GBAC Certified

Myrtle Beach Convention Center

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

"The events must remain under 50% capacity, adhere to social distancing, require masks, and follow AccelerateSC guidelines."

Source

GBAC Certified

Oakland Convention Center

Oakland, California

Closed for events.

GBAC Certified

Oregon Convention Center

Portland, Oregon

Closed for events. Mass vaccination site.

Source

GBAC Certified

Palm Beach County Convention Center

West Palm Beach, Florida

Size not restricted locally, but updated capacities per room.

Source

GBAC Certified

Pasadena Convention Center

Pasadena, California

Closed for events.

Source

GBAC Certified

Pennsylvania Convention Center

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Closed for events.

Source

GBAC Certified

Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Center

Raleigh, North Carolina

Closed for events.

Source

GBAC Certified

Renasant Convention Center/Cannon Center

Memphis, Tennessee

"Meeting spaces, including hotels, can host gatherings of up to 100 people per room or 30 percent of the room capacity, whichever is fewer. Small- and medium-sized venues must limit occupancy to 25 people indoors, and 100 people or 30 percent of seated capacity outdoors."

Source

GBAC Certified

Riverside Convention Center

Riverside, California

Closed for events.

Source

GBAC Certified

San Diego Convention Center

San Diego, California

Closed for events.

Source

GBAC Certified

San Jose McEnery Convention Center

San Jose, California

Closed for events.

Source

GBAC Certified

Savannah Convention Center

Savannah, Georgia

"Conventions must follow the state's safety guidelines, but are not restricted in terms of capacity."

Source

GBAC Certified

Tampa Convention Center

Tampa, Florida

Theater sets in Ballrooms and Meeting Rooms shall not exceed 50% capacity.

Source

GBAC Certified

The Classic Center

Athens, Georgia

"Occupancy by room is revised to accommodate distancing, and it shall be required to comply with a maximum of 10 people per 300 square feet of meeting room space per state mandates."

Source

GBAC Certified

The Salt Palace Convention Center

Salt Lake City, Utah

Updated capacity per room.

Source

GBAC Certified

Visalia Convention Center

Visalia, California

Closed for events.

Source

GBAC Certified

Waco Convention Center

Waco, Texas

Operating at 50% capacity

Source

GBAC Certified

Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Washington, DC

"Effective seating for any function space has been reduced to roughly 25% or less of published capacity."

Source

GBAC Certified

Wisconsin Center

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

"Public gatherings are limited to no more than 25% of the total occupancy limits for the room or building, as established by the local municipality."

Source

GBAC Certified

Safely Returning to Shows

As you navigate your safe return to trade shows and events, it's important to stay up-to-date on a variety of information including cleaning protocols, venue restrictions, distancing guidelines and more.

We are constantly monitoring industry regulations and changes, and we're ready to help your team when the time is right.