The new Cedar Rapids Convention Complex is at the very heart of a collective vision to transform downtown Cedar Rapids. Community leaders and urban planners view the convention complex as the anchor and catalyst for the area’s urban renewal. Located in the heart of downtown, the new Cedar Rapids Convention Complex consists of three interrelated facilities:

• New convention center
• Renovation of the U.S. Cellular Center Arena
• Renovation of the Convention Complex Hotel now the DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids  

The complex opened its doors on May 31, 2013 and is one of the largest convention and events complex in the state of Iowa. The complex includes a new exhibit hall, ballrooms, meeting rooms, and pre-function space, plus a renovated events arena and renovated hotel with additional ballroom and meeting room space. The 471,227-square-foot complex offers 81,779 square feet of exhibit space, 12,359 square feet of ballroom space and 19,383 square feet of meeting room space.

The new complex anchors the arts, culture, and entertainment district with a south-facing, distinct architectural feature, a three-story glass “lantern” element, which provides a magnetic focus for the building, visually drawing the city into the space and uniting event attendees with the urban landscape.