Less than Two Years to Go – and Counting

Vancouver, BC (May 31, 2007) – Surrounded by mountains and located on the waterfront in the heart of downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre (VCEC) has been an internationally recognized symbol of one of the most beautiful destinations in the world since its inception in 1987. The centre hosts more than 300 meetings, conventions and tradeshows every year, and won the AIPC Apex Award for “World’s Best Congress Centre” in 2002.

Scheduled to complete in Spring 2009, a brand new expansion will triple the size of the VCEC’s existing facility, covering nearly 1.1 million square feet (or four city blocks) for a combined total of nearly nearly 500,000 square feet of function space. The result will be a complete range of new facilities, taking full advantage of the VCEC’s waterfront setting combined with high quality service and technology.

Fully integrated with the centre’s existing building via a glass-enclosed 295 foot connector, the expansion’s vast environmental features include its six acre “living roof” with more than 400,000 indigenous plants containing drainage and water recovery systems that collect and use rainwater as irrigation. It will also feature seawater heating and cooling and on-site water treatment; grey and black water recycling systems and measures to utilize natural lighting, ventilation, and energy conservation; and fish habitat built into the building foundation to protect marine life along the coastline.

The combined facility will serve as the international media and broadcast centre for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and in the same year and beyond, will host many international events including the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) World Education Congress in July.

Summary of Space:

Exhibit space:
• Existing: 91,205 ft2
• Post-expansion: 316, 225 ft2

Meeting space:
• Existing: 24,865 ft2 (20 rooms)
• Post-expansion: 61,047 ft2 (72 rooms)

Signature ballroom space:
• Existing: 16,604 ft2
• Post-expansion: 54,782 ft2

Total function space:
• Existing: 132,674 ft2
• Post-expansion: 466,500 ft2

About the VCEC
Since opening in 1987, the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre has been British Columbia’s flagship convention facility. In fiscal year 2007, the VCEC hosted 350 events and 745,000 delegate days, and generated more than $240 million in economic impact for the province of B.C. When its major expansion completes, the VCEC will offer a combined total of nearly 500,000 square feet of function space and will serve as the Main Media Centre for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2010.