Phoenix To Explore Future Of Convention Center South Hall
July 3, 2019When Phoenix leaders adopted a master plan for the convention center in 2002, it included three expansion phases. The first two were completed more than a decade ago while the final phase has been in limbo. But that could soon change.
The History
For years, the South Hall — also called the South Building — served as home base for the Salvation Army to serve thousands of Christmas dinners. It’s where Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon runners and volunteers gather before race day and where crowds check out wedding vendors at the annual Arizona Bridal Expo.
Nearly 90 events — most of them local — keep the South Building busy more than 200 days a year.Convention Center Director John Chan told the Economic Development Subcommittee it costs about $1 million a year to operate the South Hall and it generates $2 million in direct revenue.
“From rental fees and commissions that are made from catering, audio visual and IT services provided,” he said.