In this time where face-to-face trade shows, meetings and conventions have come to a screeching halt, perhaps this amazing renovation and expansion of the Miami Beach Convention Center can provide a ray of hope for this temporarily decimated industry sector. Featured in their October issue, Building Design + Construction reported, “The project was built with the future in mind by using steel construction with composite metal decks for raised floors in the case of rising sea levels. The renovation concepts were inspired by modern designs incorporating natural elements of the ocean, beach, and underwater life. Waves, manta rays, and coral reefs were studied as part of the design process. The building envelope is designed with linear forms that create a curvilinear undulation inspired by ocean waves. The facade has hurricane resistant connections meant to withstand even the largest storms. The interior design finishes emulates receding water, sea foam, and patterns relating to various typed of local coral reef. “
The project includes a new 60,000-sf ballroom and 127,000 sf of new meeting spaces. The completed project will accommodate 500,000 sf of exhibit hall space with increased power and improved IT connectivity capacities, increased ballroom and meeting areas, and renovated back-of-house spaces. Additionally, over six acres of parking lot space has been transformed into space for a public park and landscaping and infrastructure improvements, including a tropical garden, game lawn, shaded areas, veterans plaza, pavilion, and a water feature. The completed project earned LEED Silver certification.
The project was designed with the goal of making Miami Beach Convention Center the most technologically-advanced center in the U.S. and to provide upgraded show needs and increase the potential for the city to market the center on an international basis.
On behalf of the METALCON team, we understand the importance of meeting face-to-face and are optimistically looking ahead to when we can be together again in Tampa October 6-8, 2021. In the meantime, our hearts go out to all of our hospitality partners — from the staff at the convention centers, CVB’s, hotel and travel staff — that have made it possible for us to have a successful tradeshow for the past 30 years. We hope you are hanging in there and we look forward to walking the halls, entertaining in your lounges, ballrooms and restaurants, and flying in your aircrafts soon! In the meantime, we continue with our METALCON virtual programming THIS Wednesday for our next live streamed event — METALCONLive! & MCA Presents Folder Operator Safety: The Do’s and Don’ts of Folding and Forming Machinery Operation. REGISTER for free.