Adaptable floor space at convention centers allow for martial arts competitions to shine brightly
Convention centers are more than exhibits halls and meeting places. These facilities feature hundreds of square feet for a diverse array of sporting events, including intense competitions from various forms of martial arts such as Karate and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. SPG has highlighted five adaptable and unique convention centers across the nation, not only primed for martial arts competitions but also with a history of hosting these exciting events.
Greenville Convention Center — Greenville, North Carolina
Greenville Convention Center is a top-notch venue both inside and out.
The 57,000-square-foot Greenville Convention Center is a prime location for martial arts tournaments and events. Located in Greenville, the 32-acre campus features two massive halls for competitions, along with a ballroom and a conference room for additional space for award ceremonies and more.
The campus has three on-site hotels with over 400 rooms, two restaurants and bars, indoor and outdoor pools and more. For major events, an additional 1,700 rooms are located within five minutes of the campus.
Getting to Greenville Convention Center is a breeze as it’s conveniently located near entrances and exits to I-385. For long-distance travelers flying in is even easier, since the campus is right next to Greenville Downtown Airport.
Oregon Convention Center — Portland, Oregon
Oregon Convention Center thrives on all types of indoor sporting events.
At 255,000 square feet of contiguous space, Portland’s Oregon Convention Center is the largest venue of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. The site features 5 halls for competitions, as well as 52 meeting rooms, two grand ballrooms and more. For city space and convenience, parking is located underground with 800 spaces available.
The convention center is located in Lloyd, one of the most dynamic neighborhoods in Portland. With the Moda Center and Veterans Memorial Coliseum nearby, there’s an abundance of hotel options, restaurants and shops.
Both I-5 and I-84 converge nearby, making driving to the Oregon Convention Center easy. The nearest airport in Portland International, about 20 minutes north along the beautiful Columbia River.
Palm Beach County Convention Center — West Palm Beach, Florida
Palm Beach County Convention Center is conveniently located close to downtown West Palm Beach.
With its prime location within walking distance to downtown West Palm Beach, the Palm Beach County Convention Center presents a spectacular setting for competitions. The 100,000-square-foot exhibit hall can be divided into two 50,000-square-foot areas, if needed, along with 21,000 square feet of flexible breakout space and a large ballroom.
The on-site Hilton West Palm Beach has 400 rooms and suites with an additional 24,000 square feet of meeting space, a restaurant, infinity pool and more. The convention center’s downtown location also provides additional hotel rooms and close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.
The closest major highway to Palm Beach County Convention Center is I-95, which connects from Okeechobee Boulevard for a five-minute drive. For those traveling from afar, Palm Beach International Airport is about ten minutes away.
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel — Schaumburg, Illinois
Ample space perfect for martial arts, gymnastics and more at Renaissance Schaumburg.
Located in Chicago Northwest, Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel has a history of big martial arts events, having hosted the USA Karate National Championships and Team Trials in 2019 and 2021. The 97,200-square-foot column-free center has three halls that can be configured into multiple floor plans. A 27,502-square-foot grand ballroom provides additional space for ceremonies.
As the convention center is also a hotel, it features 500 on-site rooms and suites, along with two restaurants and a café. Nearby, the city offers hundreds of shopping and unique dining opportunities with a massive indoor mall and beautiful outdoor mall.
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel is located close to the convergence of I-90 and I-290 for an easy drive. Long-distance travelers need not worry as O’Hare International Airport is only about 20 minutes away.
Reno-Sparks Convention Center — Reno, Nevada
Reno-Sparks provides grand space and beautiful views, just south of downtown Reno.
The expanded and renovated state-of-the-art Reno-Sparks Convention Center has a proud history of hosting martial arts events, such as the USA Taekwondo National Championships. Located just south of Reno, the center features 600,000 square feet of adaptable space, making it one of the top 30 largest venues of its kind in the nation.
A skybridge connection provides direct access to AAA Four Diamond hotel, with a whopping 1,623 hotel rooms available within five blocks. The center is three miles south of downtown Reno with hundreds of dining options and other amenities abound.
Reno-Sparks Convention Center is located along Virginia Street, which takes visitors directly to downtown Reno. It’s also near I-580. For travelers from afar, Reno-Tahoe International Airport is less than ten minutes away.
By Christopher D. Silbernagel
Main photo: Martial arts take center stage at Greenville Convention Center.
