The Hub of Economic Vitality in the Valley
Welcoming the World to Downtown Phoenix
The Phoenix Convention Center is a department of the City of Phoenix that operates with remarkable effectiveness.
With its magnetic appeal as a tourist destination, the Center has demonstrably driven significant economic returns for both the city and the state.
For example, in 2024, the 62 conventions hosted by the Center generated a staggering $488 million, attracting nearly 315,000 attendees!
As high as those numbers are, they aren’t particularly out of the ordinary, as the Center’s substantial economic impact is something both the city and state have come to expect year after year.
The Center’s strategic location in downtown Phoenix, coupled with its proactive relationship with Visit Phoenix, forms a powerful engine for attracting lucrative citywide and mega events including hosting SEMICON West this fall.
Director Jerry Harper perfectly illustrates the impact of this dynamic, saying, “We bring in a lot of tourism dollars to the city and state, and we work closely with our partners at Visit Phoenix to attract those economic generators. One of the things we do is manage about a million square feet of meeting and exhibition space that consists of three convention buildings, outdoor space, and we also manage two theaters downtown.”
This unified team approach, combined with the Center’s commitment to providing a world-class experience, directly translates to consistent bookings and a robust bottom line for the local economy.
The Center is defined by its nationally recognized, bespoke cuisine, from names like Aventura Catering, an exclusive brand of Aramark Sports + Entertainment, the proactive adoption of sustainability initiatives, like its LED lighting partnership with Bold Reuse, and its ability to attract and successfully host high-profile events like SEMICON West.
When observed closely, the Phoenix Convention Center’s strategic location, collaborative partnerships, and commitment to excellence clearly aren’t isolated factors. They’re collective proof of a highly effective, well-designed, and profitable operational model.
A City Centerpoint with Global Reach
The Phoenix Convention Center stands as a beloved centerpiece in the heart of Arizona’s bustling capital. Its location alone signifies a forward-thinking approach to economic development and community engagement.
“We’re within proximity to a number of different amenities that serve our visitors and residents alike,” Harper comments, noting how the Center’s location contributes to the uniquely grand experiences it’s able to cultivate. “We also serve as a home for mega events,” Harper concludes.
The Center’s central position makes it a prime location for fan-focused mega events like the Super Bowl and the NCAA Men’s Final Four. These kinds of events frequently yield record-breaking numbers in terms of economic impact and attendees.
When local events are factored in it becomes clear that the Phoenix Convention Center isn’t just a venue; it’s a cornerstone and catalyst for growth and a vibrant reflection of the city it serves.
The Phoenix Convention Center actively promotes its extensive spaces, state-of-the-art amenities, and numerous benefits through a multifaceted approach.
“We work very closely with Visit Phoenix, but we’re also in the marketplace. We’ll travel to trade shows and conferences and even visit clients on the ground at their destination. We also have an agency on record that helps us put out paid advertisements, which is rare for a convention center,” explains Deputy Director Sarah Field.
However, while the Center undertakes its marketing efforts, its close collaboration with Visit Phoenix is paramount.
As the city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, Visit Phoenix’s 70-strong team is dedicated to increasing visitor numbers, with a significant focus on driving demand for the Convention Center.
“We’re a Top 10 destination in the U.S., so it’s important for our local economy that we continue to grow that,” says Visit Phoenix CEO Ron Price.
With approximately 4,000 hotel rooms within walking distance, Visit Phoenix works hand-in-hand with the Convention Center team to attract meeting planners and conference organizers, with a specialized group solely focused on securing convention business.
“We also have another group focusing on sporting and other events, and going after mega events is another focus. We’re always on the lookout for the next convention to fit in some of our open dates. Being a top 10 destination means there’s a lot of demand for us, so we’re already booking into the 2030s,” Rice confirms.
The Center and Visit Phoenix deploy proactive, diverse, and far-reaching strategies. While not heavily reliant on local media for convention bookings, Visit Phoenix also employs a comprehensive national and international marketing strategy.
A dedicated marketing, PR, and communications division cultivates deep relationships with various industry trade organizations and publications across diverse sectors.
“We’ve also found that social media has been an even broader influencer on creating appeal for a destination, we’re active in that space too,” Price says.
By painting a holistic picture of Phoenix as a vibrant place to visit, live, and do business, Visit Phoenix effectively attracts a wide range of audiences.
The Bureau’s social media marketing extends beyond meetings and conventions, showcasing the high quality of life in the Phoenix area, its diverse culinary scene, its accessibility, and its proximity to natural attractions like mountain hiking trails.
“We have over 200 restaurants in and around the Convention Center, and it’s a very walkable downtown. We’re just minutes away from Sky Harbor International Airport,” Price confirms.
Pioneering World-Class Sustainability
Aside from its focus on uplifting the city of Phoenix, the Phoenix Convention Center is also deeply committed to sustainability.
This is evidenced by the creation of a dedicated position within the Center that oversees both ADA compliance and environmental initiatives.
A recent significant project involved the comprehensive replacement of the Center’s lighting with energy-efficient LEDs.
“We’ve also started to look at how we handle waste when it comes to food and beverage events. We’ve partnered with some local organizations when it comes to food that isn’t consumed here, so that we can distribute that to some of the less fortunate members of the community,” Harper explains.
Coupled with the redistribution efforts, a recent partnership with Bold Reuse has also introduced reusable serveware in the Center’s food hall,
“We have a large food court, so by introducing reusable service wares, we’re diverting garbage from landfills and we’re composting the leftover, so that’s a very big nod to our sustainability program as well,” Field says, referencing the Center’s near-zero waste goals.
As a city department, the Convention Center also collaborates closely with Phoenix’s Public Works Department on large events, aligning efforts to minimize environmental impact.
Notably, the Center has successfully supported mega-events in achieving near-zero waste goals, diverting over 90% of waste from landfills. “We had a Super Bowl recently that achieved that near-zero waste goal,” Harper proudly states.
And while the environmental impact, or rather, the lack thereof, is certainly something to be proud of, these sustainability initiatives also yield other benefits.
For example, the newly introduced LED lighting provides instantaneous illumination, safer travel, and significantly reduces energy consumption, enhancing the client experience.
And perhaps the Center’s most notable sustainability initiative is its unique collaboration with Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego to support the dwindling monarch butterfly population.
“After we got wind of the Mayor’s initiative, we partnered with one of our local partners, called Downtown Phoenix Inc., to identify the types of locations and vegetation that monarch butterflies are particularly attracted to,” Harper explains.
Currently, Milkweed is the initiative’s main plant focus, and signage has been erected to identify the monarch butterfly and pollinator garden.
The garden features six native plant species specifically chosen to attract monarch butterflies and other pollinators like bees, which contributes to local biodiversity.
This initiative underscores the Convention Center’s commitment to environmental stewardship and its role in supporting broader ecological health.
Managing Today’s Partnerships Tomorrow’s Events
For the first time, Phoenix will be hosting SEMICON West, a leading semiconductor industry event historically held in San Francisco. In October, it is expected to attract around 6,500 attendees and 11,000 room nights.
“It really shines a light on all the work that Phoenix has done in the semiconductor space and highlights us as a premier micro-electronic gathering space,” Field says, noting the event booking as a significant win and proof of Phoenix’s growing prominence in the semiconductor sector.
The Center is also preparing to host events related to the NCAA Women’s Final Four next year and the NBA All-Star Game the following year, further cementing its status as a venue for major sporting events.
However, managing the logistical complexities of hosting numerous large-scale events requires a well-coordinated approach to vendor and partner selection.
To that end, Visit Phoenix plays a crucial role in this process, issuing RFPs to its network of approximately 1,000 partners, including hotels, florists, and other service providers, based on each event’s specific needs.
While specific vendors are not mandated, the reliability and quality of service are key considerations.
A prime example of a partner that provides this is the culinary team at the Phoenix Convention Center, which operates under the bespoke catering company Aventura (part of Aramark Sports and Entertainment).
Aventura receives national accolades for its innovative use of local ingredients, hyper-personalization, and unique activations like a food printer that can imprint images on cookies.
This exceptional in-house catering service is one of many examples that set the Convention Center apart and enhance the overall event experience.
Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. and a top-tier destination, so there is a clear vision for expanding the Convention Center’s facilities and amenities to meet the evolving needs of its clientele.
Looking ahead, a conceptual master plan for growth, presented to and accepted by the City Council, envisions new convention and meeting spaces and additional hotel rooms near the Center.
The collective vision is clear: continue to solidify the Phoenix Convention Center’s role as a welcoming destination for global events. These efforts will undoubtedly enhance the city’s prosperity and the Center’s reputation as a leading economic engine for the great state of Arizona.
AT A GLANCE
Who: Phoenix Convention Center
What: A city-operated, world-class convention and event facility that acts as a major driver of tourism and economic activity.
Where: Downtown Phoenix, Arizona
Website: www.phoenixconventioncenter.com
PREFERRED VENDORS/PARTNERS

Commonwealth Electric is a proud service partner of the Phoenix Convention Center as its Exclusive Event Utility Services provider. From trade shows, conventions, and special events to permanent electrical installations and service, Commonwealth Electric is a full-service electrical contractor that provides great service every time.
Commonwealth Electric: www.commonwealthexpo.com