A Leading Venue That Adapts to Accommodate the Very Best
Welcoming a New Era of Growth and Innovation
Exciting changes are on the horizon for the Albany Capital Center (ACC), a hub for events and entertainment in the heart of downtown Albany, New York. The momentum is easy to see, from the construction of a major expansion that will add more than 30,000 square feet, to record breaking attendance numbers over the last year, to a growing impact that promises to continue to elevate the community it serves.
Since opening in 2017, this venue has become a major driver of economic activity in the city core. Now, with a $54.9 million expansion underway, the ACC is preparing to nearly double its footprint, welcome larger and more diverse events, and create new opportunities for community connection and economic growth.
A Vision Takes Shape
The most significant development at the Albany Capital Center is the upcoming expansion, which officially broke ground on October 16, 2025. The project will connect the existing facility on Eagle Street to an addition on State Street, for a combined total of 84,000 square feet of rentable space. Nearly doubling its current capacity, the expansion will include two ballrooms, a multi use area, five meeting rooms, a 3,000 square foot courtyard, and 10,000 square feet of office and storage space. With an anticipated opening date of spring 2027, this development will further position Albany as a competitive destination in the region.
“For us, it’s a two fold conversation,” General Manager Shannon Licygiewicz explains.
“What this expansion is going to do is allow us to attract large regional and national business, more so than we’ve been able to do in the past. The economic ripple that’s going to come from those conferences that come for the three-to-four-to-five-day blocks, not only to spend time in our facility, but to explore all of downtown Albany — that’s the goal and mission of this expansion.”
Licygiewicz says the second pillar is equally important, giving long time clients room to grow without having to leave for a larger facility. “It’s going to showcase our destination in a way we never have before, and it’s really going to allow us to welcome our current events to grow their footprint and have a bigger impact in the area,” she asserts. “The economic development and economic impact of what the expansion is going to do is going to be a game changer.”
One of the unique advantages of this major capital project is that it is being built across the street, allowing the ACC to remain fully operational throughout construction. “All the action is happening outside our windows, not inside our doors,” says Licygiewicz. “It’s allowed us to still have a very robust calendar for next year. We have a mix of all different types of events, like we always do.”
These include a range of sports, conferences, and conventions, as well as social gatherings and meetings. “We really have a good mix going into 2026, and I think the energy and excitement of the expansion is really going to carry us into a pretty rockin’ 2027,” she affirms. “We have already signed the first official contract to use the entire expanded space. We’re already starting the process of selling and securing business.”
Inspiring Downtown Growth
As the ACC welcomes more conferences and events, an increase in hotel bookings, along with shopping, dining and visits to attractions is expected, putting money directly into the local economy. “There are discussions around increasing the hotel capacity and making sure, first and foremost, that we fill the hotels that we have,” notes Licygiewicz.
“We’re not looking to take business from any of our hotel partners that have been so supportive of us through this process. I think the conversation on a higher level is around what we can do to complement what we already have, to help us with this new venture.”
With over 180 annual events, growth projections are already supported by current numbers. “We will have the largest attendance ever this year. We’ve had over 115,000 people come through our doors, which is a phenomenal milestone,” Licygiewicz recounts. “I would expect in year one of the newly expanded venue, we’re going to be well over 220 events and that number will just continue to grow.”
Historic Character Meets Modern Technology
Situated along one of the oldest streets in downtown Albany on State Street, the ACC expansion blends heritage with innovation. The historic lobby and other original architectural elements will be preserved, alongside the state-of-the-art systems, comfort, and convenience that will be introduced throughout the new space.
“We were lucky when our original building was built that the idea of looking about five years to ten years ahead was thought of, as far as technology goes,” Licygiewicz remarks. “The new building is no different.”
Plans include a cloud based communication system, stronger Wi Fi, updated key card access, and enhanced security capabilities. “All of those details are being thought of, and we’re taking the opportunity to make sure that we are prepared for the next 10 years and beyond,” she continues.
Workforce, Community and Partnership
As the venue prepares to grow, a reliable workforce is a top priority. “With adding more events to the event calendar and a larger facility footprint as a whole, there is definitely going to be a need to increase staffing for full time and part time,” Licygiewicz acknowledges. She says that the ACC is already building up its housekeeping and maintenance teams, and also anticipates increasing sales and event staffing. “We’re looking at all facets and making sure that we’re really careful about how we’re growing the team and making sure that we can handle the new workload.”
Through the Albany Convention Center Authority, the venue partners with SEAT, a second chance program focused on hospitality training. “They work directly with our culinary provider, Mazzone Hospitality,” she expands. “They also work with local restaurants downtown. They have a training facility very close to us, and we’re looking to broaden that partnership. In addition to what the culinary side is, we’re looking to broaden it into event management, and more hospitality based programs to help support the community and give people of all ages a chance to enter our world.”
Partnerships also play an essential role in the center’s success. Along with a longstanding collaboration with Mazzone Hospitality and Total Events, Licygiewicz highlights the importance of American Concert and Entertainment Services (ACES). “They are our audio visual provider, and they help the magic happen for each of our events,” she says. Together, these partners and the ACC team have maintained strong relationships with event organizers, many of whom return year after year.
The Albany Capital Center is a proud supporter of the Albany community, strengthening downtown business through ongoing participation in local initiatives. That commitment is also evident through the Albany Convention Center Authority’s sponsorship program, which helps local groups access the venue for community based events.
Planning for New Opportunities
With a larger facility on the horizon, the ACC’s marketing strategy is preparing for a major shift. “For the next two years, our marketing plan is going to ramp pretty heavily. We are going to be on a whole new playing field, because we’re going to go from a smaller facility to technically a mid-sized facility,” Licygiewicz outlines. This growth means new markets, new messaging, and a broader pool of potential clients. “We are going to be targeting larger groups and perhaps people that have not been able to look at Albany before,” she adds.
Looking ahead, Licygiewicz says she is looking forward to the opportunities that this expansion will bring to the Albany Capital Center, its clients, and the community. “To see a $54 million project happen in the middle of a downtown that hasn’t had a large development like this is really exciting,” she imparts. “Long term, I am looking forward to knocking it out of the park in helping share our wonderful destination to others and really seeing Albany succeed in a new way.”
AT A GLANCE
Who: Albany Capital Center
What: A premier convention and events facility undergoing a major expansion
Where: Downtown Albany, NY
Website: www.albanycapitalcenter.com
PREFERRED VENDORS/PARTNERS
Albany Convention Center Authority: www.albanycapitalcenter.com/acca
The Albany Convention Center Authority owns and administers the Albany Capital Center, the premier event and meeting destination in New York’s Capital Region. Together with our partners, the ACCA transforms business tourism in the state capital to attract visitors to historic downtown Albany while promoting the city regionally and nationally.
Total Events: www.totaleventsny.com
Total Events, a small, local family-owned business, is known for transforming large venues like the Albany Capital Center into stunning, immersive environments. With dramatic draping, custom bars, mixed table designs, and inviting lounges, they turn expansive spaces into beautifully curated experiences that feel intentional, personal, and unforgettable.
