special section Innovative Centers and Unique Venues Cobo Center A convention center transformation in Detroit
A brand-new Cobo Center is rising, and in 2014, Detroit’s skyline will be forever changed when the newly transformed facility com- pletes its $299-million renovation and expan- sion. Along with new ballrooms, expanded exhibit space, and revamped meeting rooms, the SMG-managed convention center will fea- ture an entirely new exterior and entrance built around the center’s prime waterfront location. The centerpiece of the transformation — a
new three-story glass atrium inside the main entrance — will greet visitors with dramatic views of the Detroit River. Outside, Cobo Cen- ter’s new glass-enclosed, downtown-facing façade will feature an oversized “media mesh” sign that will display video and images wel-
coming visitors and promoting events. Previously considered an afterthought,
the 100,000-square-foot lower-level show floor will, along with the addition of 22,500 square feet on the first level, increase the Cobo Center’s capacity to host more than 95 percent of the world’s largest conven- tions. And when coupled with the Joe Louis Arena next door, the complex’s expansive riverfront campus sets the stage for easily accessible outdoor events. But more space isn’t the only new selling point at Cobo Center. Thoughtful additions, like the latest equipment and audiovisual technology, will also be incorporated throughout the facil- ity, from complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi to overhead rigging capacity on 10-foot grids.
Most of the center’s exterior walls facing the river will be replaced with high-eficiency glass to let in more natural light, and the new 38,000-square-foot ballroom will be equipped with a hydraulic-lift stage. With these new assets, combined with
superior airlift capacity at the award-winning Detroit Metro Airport, a U.S. Port of Entry to Canada just two blocks away, and close to 2,000 new, competitively priced hotel rooms downtown, Detroit is set to become a global leader for hosting more world-class conven- tions, meetings, and events than ever before.
On-site services and amenities • Food court • Business center • Retail shopping at Detroit Shoppe • Recycling stations • On-site People Mover station
New attitude In 2010, Cobo Center contracted with SMG to manage both overall and food-service operations. New rules, new rates, and a new attitude have become the drumbeat for the newly reinvented facility.