The Broward County Convention Center Reveals East Expansion, New Bypass Road, and More

On the heels of a $1.1 billion project, the newly reimagined, 34-year-old Broward County Convention Center unveiled its highly anticipated East Expansion refresh on Mon., Oct 20, which includes an impressive 1.2 million-square-foot addition. 

Ultimately, the updates aim to drive economic growth, boost tourism, and enhance the quality of life for both visitors and residents alike in Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida, while providing a sustainable, environmentally friendly Conference Center with Gold LEED-certified buildings that exude both luxury and comfort. 

Planted just south of the iconic 17th Street Causeway, along the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway, the Convention Center’s upgrades include: 

• The adaptable Exhibit Halls, which total 348,040 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, and accommodate exhibitions for up to 23,473 attendees. 
• The 65,136-square-foot Atlantic Ballroom as the crown jewel, with stunning waterfront views and the capacity for 7,159 guests. 
• The 31,872-square-foot Grand Ballroom, which can be easily divided into eight breakout rooms and has the capacity for 3,808 guests. 
• The 20,316-square-foot Floridian Ballroom, which features a beautiful pre-function space with a natural skylight and has a capacity for 2,400 guests. 
• The 9,527-square-foot Palm Ballroom, which is ideal for more intimate events and has the capacity for 1,120 guests. 
• The 14,979-square-foot Sandpiper, which is located on the ground floor and has the capacity for 1,663 guests, features modern furnishings, Wifi, and tech capabilities, and can be split into two breakout rooms. 
• The Conference Suite, which also has modern furnishings and high-tech features, including access to Wifi, can host conferences, board meetings, and more. 

Did you know the Broward County Convention Center is the first in North America to adopt the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program? The goal of the initiative encourages those who have disabilities or conditions not immediately apparent to wear the sunflower emblem voluntarily, which is a discreet way to share that you may need a helping hand or a better understanding, as well as more time when it comes to shopping or transportation. 

In addition to the East Expansion reveal, Oct. 20 celebrated the new bypass road opening to the public. Called the Convention Center Connector, the elevated bypass runs through Port Everglades and provides a direct route from US1, State Road 84, and Southeast 17th Street to the Convention Center. This eliminates the need to go through security checkpoints mandated by the Port, which can be an added stressor or take more time out when you have somewhere important to be. 

The Convention Center Connector offers conveniences for beachgoers and workers along the 17th Street Causeway, easing traffic in one of our busiest corridors. It’s not just easier to get to the Convention Center, but it's also a turnkey solution for accessing nearby shops and restaurants. 

The Convention Center Connector isn’t the only transportation upgrade. In 2026, enhanced water taxi access and a soon-to-launch publicly accessible waterfront park-like plaza will open, along with 525,000 square feet of new meeting space, including a signature waterfront restaurant.

Still to come is the completion of the new 801-room, 29-story Omni Fort Lauderdale, a headquarters hotel for the Convention Center, which sits just a half-mile from Port Everglades and a breezy 15 minutes from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Omni will host six food and beverage outlets — including a signature restaurant with coastal fare named Reef 76: Kitchen & Bar and a sports and entertainment bar called Fair Ketch (with a Topgolf Swing Suite) — an urban outdoor pool deck, Mokara spa, and a slew of waterfront amenities, and public spaces that connect to the Intracoastal Waterway, and is slated to open in the coming months.

Thanks to the Convention Center East Expansion, Convention Center Connector launch, forthcoming Omni Fort Lauderdale, and public spaces, Greater Fort Lauderdale, FL is expected to generate more than $450 million annually, from convention center, conference, trade show, and special event bookings, along with attracting more tourists and introducing more than 3,000 new full-and part-time job opportunities for Broward County workers. What’s not to love about that?