The Chattanooga Convention Center Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary

  • Thursday, May 26, 2016

The Chattanooga Convention Center opened its doors 30 years ago as the largest public meeting facility in the Scenic City at over 300,000 square feet in total size, with 185,000 square feet of rentable space.  In the heart of downtown, the CCC was designed with the intent to create national reach for Chattanooga and draw more visitors to the city. The center expanded to keep up with the demand, and the facility underwent a major expansion and renovation beginning in 2001 and completed in 2003 which more than tripled the size of the facility.

"The CCC averaged approximately $23 million each year in economic impact from 1985 through 2003 when the expansion happened.  Since 2003 it has averaged approximately $38 million per year. Over the last 30 years, it is estimated the CCC has generated an economic impact of over $900 million for the city and the region. Furthermore, in 2015 the state received over $2.6 million and Hamilton County over $850,000 in taxes generated, in addition to the approximate $400,000 that went to the state and the county from 50,000 hotel room nights during the year through events hosted by the CCC. Meetings and conventions substantially contribute to the over $1 billion in the tourism industry as well as over approximately 8,500 jobs in the region," officials said.

“We are grateful for the continuous success the Convention Center has experienced and the ongoing support from meeting and convention planners across the United States who continues to utilize it,” said Mike Shuford, executive director of the CCC. “It is clear that for the last 30 years the center has been a tremendous economic catalyst for downtown Chattanooga, and we plan to continue its exponential impact for the future.”

"The Convention Center has hosted approximately 400 different events including an average of 40-45 conventions each year. From fashion shows, to law seminars, to Comic Con, the Chattanooga Convention Center is a diverse space that serves as the city’s education and entertainment hub. The Chattanooga Convention Center supports the community not only economically, but also by being an industry leader for sustainability as one of the nation’s top 10% for sustainable convention centers," officials said.

“The Convention Center plays an important role for our business in Chattanooga and has been a great venue for employee meetings, seminars, major announcements and other events for the past 30 years,” said Nick Decosimo, office managing shareholder at Elliott Davis Decosimo. “We are appreciative of the hardworking team that continues to better the Convention Center for our community and the positive economic role the venue has played in the growth of Chattanooga and the region.”  

"Prior to the Convention Center’s arrival, Chattanooga was unable to attract major conventions due to a lack of a significant facility that could accommodate groups of any size. The controversial decision to build the facility was eventually made by the governmental bodies. Chattanooga City Government and Hamilton County Government appointed a board charged to design and construct a building that was extremely user-friendly and then manage the facility after it was built. Currently, seven community leaders serve on the Chattanooga Convention Center’s board," officials said.

“Since it’s opened, the Convention Center has far exceeded our expectations,” said Jimmy Hudson, chairman of the Chattanooga Convention Center. “The Center has become a focal point of the community, and a significant economic impact generator and a cornerstone for our tourism industry. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we deeply appreciate the commitment of management and staff that drive the facility to be a first class venue for meeting planners, exhibitors and the many clients we serve.”

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