* The center's 3,400-seat auditorium – officials at the Greater Minneapolis Convention &Visitors Association say is the first of its kind in any convention center across the country. The space can be used as one large hall or quickly divided into a 2,000-seat auditorium with three 450-seat lecture halls. Each of these three raised sections sits on aturntable that rotates 180 degrees to create a soundproof training space. The three rooms each have their own presentation stage and each seat will be laptop computer user-friendly with table arms and individual data and power ports.
* The 100,000-sf exhibit hall in the lower level of the convention center, with the ability to be converted into a ballroom with banquet seating for up to 3,800 people. It's also designed with a pillar system that can be draped in velvet for a subtle, elegant appearance, and its special lighting and custom carpeting is intended to create an intimateatmosphere.
* The extension of the convention center from two levels of public space to four levels. Sharing the added plaza, or ground level, space with the auditorium is a fourth domed exhibit hall with 100,000 sf. The new mezzanine level and existing second levelwill house more than 28,000 sf of additional meeting space.
In the past, meeting planners have found the first quarter to be a difficult time to book space primarily because of all the consumer shows vying for space.
With this expansion, convention center officials say space opportunities inside the Convention Center will be plentiful and separate meeting spaces will allow for more than one large convention to be held at the same time. The divisible meeting spaces openopportunities for meeting planners by letting one session take place while another is moving out.
Convention center officials say the expansion will allow the city to hold two major conventions at the same time and will help the city compete for events with such similar-sized metropolitan areas as Denver and Indianapolis.
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