Charlotte Convention Center

Development Study

Presentation to

Charlotte City Council

September 12, 2016

1

Today’s Presentation

• Update on CRVA work concerning the future of the

Charlotte Convention Center

• Share recommendations concerning Convention

Center development

• Collaborate with Council and Staff on next steps

2

About CRVA• Mission: “…lead the effort in maximizing the region’s

economic potential through visitor spending; to creating

jobs and opportunities for our community.”

• Responsibilities– Visit Charlotte

– Ovens Auditorium & Bojangles’ Coliseum

– Charlotte Convention Center

– NASCAR Hall of Fame

– Time Warner Cable Arena

3

4

CRVA Strategic Objectives:

Charlotte Convention Center

• Lead in Destination Visitor Experience

• Lead in Destination Asset Development

• Create a “Convention Center Neighborhood”

• Advocate the Value of Hospitality and Tourism

5

Charlotte Region’s Visitor Economy

• $6,523,720,000 total spending- #1 Visitor Economy in NC

- $5.0B spent in Mecklenburg County

- Wake County, #2 at $2.1B

• 123,600 Hospitality Jobs- (1 in 9 of jobs in market)

6

Convention Center Current State• Convention Center is 21 years old

• Market has evolved

– Hotels less reliant on convention events

• Meetings industry has evolved

– Less exhibit focused

– More meeting focused

– Higher emphasis on attendee experience

7

CRVA Planning Approach• Start with objective, customer-focused research

• Engaged Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) Destination Planning

Services

– Survey market

– Develop recommendations

• JLL Staff formerly Strategic Advisory Group (SAG)

– Destination Charlotte 1.0 Study (2000)

– Advisor on Westin Hotel Development (2003)

8

JLL Methodology• Survey responses from 176 Meeting Planners

• Meeting Planner Focus Groups

• One on One Interviews

• Competitive Destination Site Visits & Research

– Indianapolis, Nashville, Austin, Baltimore,

Louisville, Tampa

• Technology Expert Interviews

• Convention Center Design Expert Interviews

9

JLL Recommendations

• Plan for Convention Center Expansion

• Maximize the Impact of “One CRVA”

• Enhance the Meeting Experience

• Increase the Amount of Breakout Space

• Create Pedestrian Friendly Connections between

CCC & Center City

• Develop a Competitive Technology Plan

10

CRVA Response to JLL Study• Continue “One CRVA” evolution

• Re-negotiate Wi-Fi agreement to offer free service

with expanded coverage and bandwidth

• Engaged TVS to develop Convention Center

improvement design concepts

– Meeting Experience

– Breakout Space

– Connections to Center City

11

Uptown Charlotte Growth

Map produced by Charlotte Center City Partners 2016

12

1

3

6

MASTER PLAN

EXPANSION/RENOVATION AREAS

Stonewall Expansion

Pedestrian Connection

Ballroom Terrace Expansion

Richardson Ballroom Divisions

Flex Hall | Hall C Renovation

Renovation Under Light Rail

Hall A & B Entrance.

Informal Collaboration

2

3

34

5

6

7

8

9

Event Space Above Light Rail

13

STONEWALL EXISTING

EXISTING STREET VIEW

14

PROPOSED SECTION

PROPOSED STREET VIEW

STONEWALL EXPANSION

STONEWALL STREET EXPANSION15

STONEWALL EXISTING

STONEWALL STREET EXPANSION

MEETING ROOM LEVEL

EL.744

16

STONEWALL PROPOSED

INFORMAL

COLLABORATION

INFORMAL

COLLABORATION

1 2 3 4 5 9 10 11 12 13

2400 2600 1830 1870 1830 1830 1870 1830 2600 2400

STONEWALL STREET EXPANSION

6

1650

7

2380

8

2380

14

1280

15

940

MEETING ROOM LEVEL

EL.744• Level 744- 76,000 SF total new construction includes 26,090 SF of total

meeting room area (net area),

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PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION 2

18

PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION

BRIDGE TO LIGHT RAIL

STOP AND MIX- USE

PLAZA

POTENTIAL CONNECTION TO

CHARLOTTE RAIL TRAIL

PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION

19

20

BALLROOM TERRACE EXPANSION 3

21

PROPOSED PLAN

• Three additional meeting

rooms

• 6,010 SF of added meeting

space

• 2200 SF leasable space

catered to Starbucks

BALLROOM TERRACE EXPANSION

1

2255

3

2255

2

BALLROOM TERRACE EXPANSION

15002200

22

BALLROOM PREFUNCTION

PARTITIONS CLOSED

PARTITIONS OPEN

PARTITIONS OPENING

BALLROOM TERRACE EXPANSION23

EXISTING

RICHARDSON

BALLROOM

RICHARDSON BALLROOM DIVISIONS

1

24

PROPOSED PLAN LEVEL 704EXISTING PLAN LEVEL 704

7

5

MASTER PLAN

EXHIBITION LEVEL EL. 704 EXHIBITION LEVEL EL. 704

25

PROPOSED FLEX HALL PLAN

WITH 12 DIVISIONS

PROPOSED FLEX HALL

1

2800

2

2700

3

2600

4

3100

5

2900

6

2800

7

3100

8

2900

9

2800

10

2800

1

12700

12

FLEX HALL | HALL C RENOVATION

2600

26

FLEX HALL OPERABLE CEILING

FLEX HALL | HALL C RENOVATION27

Improving Competitiveness

• Addresses the need for more meeting space

• Increases the flexibility of the Convention Center

• Improves the connection to Charlotte’s developing urban

core

• Improves the customer experience

• Addresses risk of market share erosion

28

Project Cost

• Total Estimated Cost: $100M+

• Investment made between FY2017 and FY2023

– Improve venue over time

– Continue to operate

– Mirrors Stonewall Street Development

• Continue to consider expansion options beyond current

footprint

29

Next Steps

• City/CRVA Dialogue and Collaboration

• Continue Dialogue with Envision Charlotte

– Potential location for Smart Cities Center for Excellence

• Refine Plans and Cost Estimates

• Consider Approval of Phase 1 in upcoming FY2018 budget

• Begin improvements: FY2018

30

Questions/Comments

31