Convention centers and market operators across the United States reported early-year activity and new investments, from packed January event calendars and post-incident reopenings to digital wayfinding upgrades, sustainability-minded exhibit reuse, and fresh 2026 conference and market announcements.
WEST
Texas
Palmer Events Center Closes January with Eight-Event Mix
The Palmer Events Center wrapped up January with eight events spanning consumer shows, B2B trade activity, sports, and community programming. The month included the Austin Card Show, which featured more than 375 tables of collectibles, along with the International Gem and Jewelry Show and the City-Wide Vintage Sale. The venue also hosted the Spurs Austin International Half Expo, Champs Trade Shows, and Le Garage Sale, alongside civic and youth-focused bookings. Palmer concluded the month with the KAR Dance Competition, continuing a mix of retail, trade, and local events at the downtown Austin facility.
Washington
Visit Seattle Reuses IMEX Plant Wall in Philadelphia
Visit Seattle reused a live plant wall first shown at IMEX America in October and brought it to Philadelphia for a new activation. The wall uses real dehydrated plants and fragile panels. Visit Seattle worked with Hargrove by Encore to store, transport, and reinstall the display without damage. The orginization said the reuse reduced the need to rebuild a new backdrop and highlighted Pacific Northwest scenery for attendees. Encore said it supported the project as part of its sustainability and social impact work.
NORTHEAST
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Convention Center Expands Digital Screens and Sensory Support
The Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) installed more than 150 digital screens across its Philadelphia facility. The phased upgrade supports signage, wayfinding, and on-site advertising. PCC said the network includes about 4,700 square feet of LED video walls and LCD displays. Large-format screens anchor the Broad Street Atrium and Grand Hall. The center also placed screens at key intersections for event messaging. The Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority partnered with Xpodigital on technology and ad services. PCC expects the final phase to finish by mid-2026.
PCC also debuted a sensory room during PCMA’s Convening Leaders 2026. The space supports neurodivergent attendees and staff. It offers soft lighting, seating options, and sensory tools. PCC plans sensory kits with items such as earplugs. PCC worked with Jefferson Autism Center of Excellence and CHOP on design input.
Erie Gains Year-Round Chicago Air Service Starting in 2026
Erie will add new nonstop air service to Chicago in spring 2026. American Airlines will begin daily flights between Erie International Airport and Chicago O’Hare on May 21. United Airlines will return to the market on June 1 with three daily nonstop flights. The added service improves access to Erie for meetings, sports events, and regional travel, with Chicago O’Hare providing broader domestic and international connections.
New York
World Business Forum New York Announces 2026 Speaker Lineup
The World Business Forum New York has announced the initial speaker lineup for its 2026 conference, scheduled for November 4–5. Produced by WOBI, the two-day event brings together senior executives and business leaders for sessions focused on leadership, strategy, and organizational performance. The 2026 program will include Zack Kass, former head of go-to-market at OpenAI; Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo; and Omar Johnson, former CMO of Beats by Dre and former vice president at Apple. Organizers said the forum continues to target C-suite and senior decision-makers through live events and year-round learning platforms.
Albany Capital Center Extends Legends Global Management Through 2030
The Albany Convention Center Authority has renewed Legends Global’s management contract for the Albany Capital Center through December 31, 2030. Legends Global has managed the venue since 2015, ahead of its 2017 opening. The agreement follows a record year and coincides with a major expansion now underway. In October 2025, the authority broke ground on a $54.9 million project that will add new ballrooms, meeting rooms, and an outdoor event courtyard, increasing total event space to 84,000 square feet by early 2027. The Albany Capital Center welcomed more than 115,000 attendees in 2025, its highest annual total to date. Since opening, the venue has hosted more than 1,250 events and generated an estimated $106 million in visitor spending for the region.
SOUTH
North Carolina
Raleigh Convention Center Reopens After December Fire
The Raleigh Convention Center resumed events the week of January 12 after a December 1 fire. The venue said it protected about $4 million in revenue and 28,000 hotel room nights by reopening on schedule. Bookings that week include Prometheus Group’s sales kickoff, the CHG Roadshow, a Smartsheet user group, and the City of Oaks Challenge Volleyball tournament. The center is using a temporary mobile kitchen at Red Hat Amphitheater while repairs continue. The venue also scheduled crane work January 15–18 and will restrict lanes on McDowell Street between Lenoir Street and Cabarrus Street during that window.
Georgia
Atlanta Market Reports Higher Store Attendance and First-Time Buyers
Atlanta Market ran January 13–19, 2026, at AmericasMart Atlanta. Organizer ANDMORE reported a five percent increase in stores attending and a 15 percent increase in first-time buyers. The release also cited a 7.3 percent rise in buyers from the Southeast. Market programming included networking events and exhibitor awards, including Best Booth and a Winter 2026 Market Snapshot People’s Choice list. ANDMORE said Atlanta Market and Atlanta Apparel will run together June 9–14, 2026, at AmericasMart, with temporaries opening June 10.
Georgia World Congress Center Hosts IPPE Wing-Eating Contest
During the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) on January 28, the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association staged a wing-eating competition at the Georgia World Congress Center. Thirty-six attendees took part in the timed contest, which challenged participants to eat increasingly hot wings. IPPE attendee Andrew Liu won the competition, with Patrick Fields finishing second. The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau supported the activation, with staff serving as emcees during the event.
Louisiana
New Orleans Convention Center Opens Morial Awards Nominations
The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (MCCNO) opened nominations for the sixth annual Morial Awards. The program will honor one small business and one corporation. Nominations are due March 3. The center will recognize winners on May 21. The venue tied the awards to its Small and Emerging Business program. It reported $54 million in contracts to SEB and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise vendors since 2019.
River District Update References Convention Center Expansion Area
The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority and River District Neighborhood Investors (RDNI) said they are moving forward with River District development tied to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (MCCNO). The statement cited planned activity near Halls G through J and around Shell Riverside’s new headquarters. It also referenced the Rivana residential apartment project, now in pre-construction. The groups said the work supports long-term economic development and aligns with community priorities, with involvement from state and city officials and local agencies.
Kentucky
Kentucky Exposition Center Clears Snow to Host Four Major Events
Kentucky Venues crews removed more than 2,000 tri-axle truckloads of snow to keep the Kentucky Exposition Center operational following a winter storm. The work allowed the Louisville venue to host four public events in one weekend: the Discover Boating Louisville Boat, RV & Sportshow; the 2026 Show of Shows; the Kosair Shrine Circus; and India Fest. Organizers expect the events to draw about 34,500 attendees and generate an estimated $6.3 million in economic impact for the region. Kentucky Venues said the effort ensured safe access and uninterrupted operations during one of the facility’s busiest January weekends.
MIDWEST
Michigan
Visit Detroit Staff Member Earns ESPA Industry Award
Visit Detroit Senior Destination Services Manager Moe Moua received the Event Service Professional of the Year award at the 2026 Event Service Professionals Association (ESPA) Conference in Arlington, Texas. ESPA represents convention and event services professionals across North America. Moua earned nominations from three meeting planners in 2025 for her work supporting meetings and conventions in Detroit. Visit Detroit said her recognition reflects strong planner relationships and consistent service delivery. Moua received the award during the conference without prior notice.
photo caption: Chinela Bertrand, membership coordinator, ACVB; Lisette Reyes, CEM, expo services manager, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association; Heather Kirksey, vice president of public relations, corporate events and membership, ACVB; Monica Coleman, director of destination services, ACVB; Katie Maddox, membership coordinator, ACVB; Leslie Chhe, destination services coordinator, ACVB; Jane Rollo, destination services coordinator, ACVB; and Kristin Delahunt, vice president of destination services, ACVB.
