Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center
A new convention center district is on the horizon
The first phase of the highly anticipated Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center expansion – the newly updated 800,000 sq. ft. center with an expanded 350,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall – opened October 27, 2021. The new exhibit space hosted the indoor portion of the 62nd annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Work on the remainder of the $1.3 billion expansion continues, including an eastside expansion with waterfront ballrooms, meetings rooms and kitchen facilities, a six-acre outdoor waterfront plaza, and the 801-room, 29-story Omni Fort Lauderdale headquarters hotel interconnected with the convention center. Full completion in late 2025 will expand the facility's size to 1.2 million sq. ft., adding an additional 525,000 sq. ft. over the previous center's size. Take a look at our progress.
The "LEED"er among convention centers
The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center has been awarded Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED®) for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Gold certification from The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), an arm of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The venue is the first convention center in Florida to be LEED certified on any level and one of only three in the nation to achieve LEED Gold certification for an Existing Building. Both the convention center expansion and new headquarters hotel are anticipated to be designated LEED Gold.
On the waterfront
The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center sits facing the Intracoastal Waterway, offering panoramic water views through a soaring glass wall. The center is located at 1950 Eisenhower Boulevard and is accessible by Water Taxi.
The newly-updated preexisting center with its expanded exhibit space is now open, and work continues through 2025 on the remainder of the $1.3 billion expansion project. When completed it will include a new building featuring a 65,000 sq. ft. waterfront ballroom, an expansive outdoor plaza with restaurants, a concert venue and landscaping to create a parklike atmosphere, and the new 801-room Omni headquarters hotel. On prominent display will be the spectacular and famous 36x150 ft. sculpture, "Sailfish in Three Stages of Ascending" by Kent Ullberg - dramatic by day and breathtaking by night. All this is just a short drive from the airport, the beaches and Fort Lauderdale's Las Olas downtown dining, shopping, arts and entertainment district.
Completely state-of-the-art with cutting-edge technological services, the center features an executive teleconference suite and wireless Internet access and hot spots throughout. A five-star food and beverage department presents inspired cuisine, and top-notch staff works with planners to execute all the details of even the most complex program with ease.
Group accommodations for conventions
When it comes to housing your group within the Convention Center area, Greater Fort Lauderdale's ongoing hospitality renaissance and the recent addition of several prestigious properties means whatever your choice, you'll be pleased. Show me group accommodation options.
The hotels in the Lauderdale Convention Collection offer beach or Intracoastal views and are close distance to the Convention Center.
Convenient access to South Florida's best airport
Group transportation is a breeze - a tropical breeze. The Convention Center is a mere four-mile drive from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), offering more than 350 flights per day and free WiFi throughout. Flights into FLL are more affordable from major carriers and value carriers. More airport details.
The future of live events
We invite you to read this special report, The Future of Live Events, produced as a collaboration between Greater Fort Lauderdale and PCMA. Delve into current challenges, solutions and opportunities facing the events industry in the wake of COVID-19. Follow the journey of industry experts to Greater Fort Lauderdale to see safety protocols adopted by area hotels, restaurants and businesses.
It's good to have connections
Our conference specialists provide the help you need with site selection, planning and promoting your program. They're the insiders with local knowledge who'll make sure you don't miss any of the excitement that makes Greater Fort Lauderdale the perfect place for your next conference, meeting or incentive. Meet the team.
