RCC Blog: Downtown Raleigh's Got a Lot of Heart

There's a reason event planners keep coming back to Raleigh. It's not just the state-of-the-art facilities or the ease of getting here – it’s the energy of the city. Downtown Raleigh is vibrant and growing, and when you host your event at the Raleigh Convention Center, all of that energy is right at your doorstep. 

The Raleigh Convention Center sits at the very heart of downtown, blocks from some of the most acclaimed restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and hotels in the region. This includes 14 Michelin guide featured restaurants. That proximity is a major selling point for guests, world-class dining, craft cocktails, and a vibrant nightlife scene are all within walking distance of the convention floor. In Raleigh, you can raise the entire experience from "conference" to "destination." 

With 500,000 square-feet of total space, the Raleigh Convention Center is designed to welcome events of virtually any size and format. The 150,000-square-foot connecting Exhibit Hall divides into three sections, accommodating up to 773 booths, and capable of converting to banquet seating for nearly 9,000 or theater-style seating for 10,000. The 32,617-square-foot Ballroom divides into three private sections and is complemented by an adjacent 11,500-square-foot reception and registration area. For smaller gatherings, 20 versatile meeting rooms offer 32,600 square feet of breakout space, including two executive suites with vaulted ceilings and wood paneling for board-level meetings. The 11,200-square-foot mezzanine overlooks the exhibit halls and connects directly to the attached Raleigh Marriott City Center – a convenience for both planners and attendees.

The facility earned the 2025 International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) Venue Excellence Award, one of the most prestigious recognitions in the convention industry. Under the leadership of Executive Director Kerry Painter, herself a recipient of the IAVM Convention Center Lifetime Achievement Award, the RCC team brings a standard of service that consistently draws events back to Raleigh.

In the coming years, the Raleigh Convention Center will undergo an expansion that will reshape what's possible for large-scale events in this market. The project includes a 298,100-square-foot expansion of the facility, bringing new flexible event space, additional meeting rooms, and rooftop terraces. The beloved Red Hat Amphitheater will be relocated and rebuilt just one block south. Also, a brand-new Omni convention hotel will bring 600 guest rooms and join other hospitality partners who provide great options for visitors. It will be the largest hotel in downtown Raleigh and will allow the market to welcome many more events and attendees. 

Downtown Raleigh's got a lot of heart - and it's only growing!