open for business

The highly anticipated Palm Beach County Convention Center opened its doors in late November to host its first group, the Florida Sports & Leisure Expo. A formal grand opening was held January 10, 2004.

Set on 19 acres in central Palm Beach County in the city of West Palm Beach, the two-level, 350,000 sf complex features a 100,000 sf exhibit hall, a 25,000 sf ballroom, and 23,000 sf of flexible breakout space divisible into 23 rooms. Designed in a grand Mediterranean style, the center has huge windows, Venetian plaster finish, and terracotta-tiled roofs.

"Many convention centers are a sea of neutrality and open space," said Mike Ezell, principal of Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback and Associates, Inc., chief architects of the Palm Beach County Convention Center. "In Palm Beach County, we've been able to excite users of the facility by incorporating finishes more common to the hotel industry than the convention center industry, that are not only aesthetically pleasing but enhance the experience."

Soaring glass atriums have alcoves that provide prefunction space and casual seating areas. Entrances to meeting rooms are appointed with colored glass, wood paneling and sloping walls; planks of rich Brazilian mahogany line the high ceilings throughout the common areas.

Color is one of the most notable design differences at the Palm Beach Convention Center. "Strong colors such as deep blue and warm tones found in the convention center's custom-made carpeting that recall the sun and the sea, shells, sand, and tropical vegetation, truly set it apart from the competition," said Ezell.