Projects Yield More Convention Space

Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 1/31/2005

Construction has started on the new Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center outside of Chicago, and in Orlando, the World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center plans to add more than 100,000 square feet to its existing facility.

The Schaumburg project, underway since July, will include a 500-room hotel and a convention center with 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and room to accommodate groups of up to 4,000. The village of Schaumburg is about 25 miles northwest of Chicago.

The hotel and convention center, forecast for 2006 completion, are expected to draw 380,000 attendees and generate 70,000 hotel stays annually, according to a 2003 feasibility study. The project is forecast to generate $6.4 billion in economic activity over the next three decades.

The Orlando World Center currently includes a 2,000-room hotel and a convention center with 214,000 sq. ft. of convention and exhibit space. By the time the $200 million expansion is finished, the available space will increase to more than 350,000 sq. ft. A cornerstone of the project is the 105,000 sq. ft. Cypress Ballroom, which will connect to the existing 55,000 sq. ft. Palms Ballroom.

The project will also include additional pre-function space, 10 dedicated loading docks and wide service corridors for efficient move-in and move-out. In 2004, the resort renovated its 39,000 sq. ft. Crystal Ballroom and completed a $6.5 million renovation of 110 suites.