venues
Conventional Wisdom
main Photo and where to sleep photo: Felix Mizioznikov - stock.adobe.com
Broward County Convention Center
Broward County Convention Center's vibe screams meeting space meets cruise-port chic. The newly expanded Fort Lauderdale facility eschews a windowless box design and instead is a glass-fronted, light-filled space that offers sweeping views of the waterfront. An expansion project kicked off in 2019 was completed in October 2025, bringing the facility up to 1.2 million square feet. The expansion project added 525,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 350,000-square-foot contiguous exhibition hall and a 65,000-square-foot waterfront ballroom.
Broward County Convention Center does not maintain a marshaling yard, but there are sites available in the area for leasing.
Edlen Electrical is the exclusive provider of electrical services.
Lifts used in carpeted areas must have non-marking tires.
Use of drones require written approval and insurance.
Propane tanks may not be present on the show floor.
Florida is a â?oright-to-workâ? state.
Vehicles may not be refueled within 50 feet of the building.
Service animals are allowed on the show floor; all other animals are prohibited without written permission.
Use of glass containers requires written permission from the facility.
Helium balloons are not allowed in the facility's exhibition hall.
Smoking within 25 feet of the facility's exterior is not allowed.
WHERE TO SLEEP
The Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel, adjacent to the convention center, opened in December 2025. It has six restaurants, a spa, and regular outdoor lawn events. The Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina offers an alternative. It's only a four-minute walk from the convention center and provides water taxi service to other parts of the city.
The Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel, adjacent to the convention center, opened in December 2025. It has six restaurants, a spa, and regular outdoor lawn events. The Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina offers an alternative. It's only a four-minute walk from the convention center and provides water taxi service to other parts of the city.
WHAT TO EAT
Ibis Sky Lounge, one of the best rooftop bars in Fort Lauderdale, is a five-minute walk from the convention center. It's the perfect spot to relax over a cocktail and light bites. For a more casual atmosphere, try the sports bar Fair Ketch. It's blocks from the convention center, and is a favorite among locals.
Ibis Sky Lounge, one of the best rooftop bars in Fort Lauderdale, is a five-minute walk from the convention center. It's the perfect spot to relax over a cocktail and light bites. For a more casual atmosphere, try the sports bar Fair Ketch. It's blocks from the convention center, and is a favorite among locals.
HOW TO GET THERE
From the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, you can easily get to the convention center by rideshare or bus. The bus is the most inexpensive option and takes about 35 minutes on the 01 line. Alternatively, rideshare takes approximately 10 minutes door to door and costs about $20.
From the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, you can easily get to the convention center by rideshare or bus. The bus is the most inexpensive option and takes about 35 minutes on the 01 line. Alternatively, rideshare takes approximately 10 minutes door to door and costs about $20.
Broward County Convention Center does not maintain a marshaling yard, but there are sites available in the area for leasing.
Edlen Electrical is the exclusive provider of electrical services.
Lifts used in carpeted areas must have non-marking tires.
Use of drones require written approval and insurance.
Propane tanks may not be present on the show floor.
Florida is a â?oright-to-workâ? state.
Vehicles may not be refueled within 50 feet of the building.
Service animals are allowed on the show floor; all other animals are prohibited without written permission.
Use of glass containers requires written permission from the facility.
Helium balloons are not allowed in the facility's exhibition hall.
Smoking within 25 feet of the facility's exterior is not allowed.
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