Convention Destination in Minnesota

The Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center is conveniently located downtown near first class lodging, shopping, dining, and all the major attractions Duluth has to offer its visitors. The Convention Center is located on the waterfront near Duluth's famous Aerial Lift Bridge

The convention center is expanding as this article is being written to accommodate even larger groups than it does today. The expansion will allow the City of Duluth to not only continue hosting business events, but also conventions and a wider array of entertainment venues. As it sits today the center pays close attention to every detail to meet the needs of its guests. Visitors to the center will marvel at the magnificent ballrooms and spacious exhibit halls.

The Convention Center offers ideal settings for convention meetings and other large gatherings. The beautiful Lake Superior is right outside the window. With its two immense ballrooms, 30 meeting rooms and nearly 100,000 square feet of exhibit space the center meets the needs of business clients both large and small.

The Edmund Fitzgerald Hall has 15,000 square feet of space to accommodate up to 86 exhibition booths. The Arena and Pioneer Hall can be accessed directly from the exhibition hall if additional space is needed for larger tradeshows.

Pioneer Hall is close to 50,000 square feet and can hold up to 265 exhibition booths. The hall can be separated, serving as two individual show floors. Pioneer Hall was added in 1976, and contains a hockey rink with smaller seating capability utilizing fold-out bleacher seating. Pioneer Hall is also the home of the Duluth Curling Club with eight curling rinks and a lounge area. It is the largest curling facility in the United States. The Duluth Curling Club is the second largest curling club in the United States.

The 12,000 square foot Harbor Side Ballroom provides amazing panoramic views of Lake Superior. It can be divided into five separate assembly rooms.

The in-house catering department is second to none with an operation that is contracted out. This provides enormous savings to convention and business function planners, as well as assuring a first-class presentation and unmatched quality. The catering staff is equipped to handle small or large groups and offer full menu settings to casual luncheon buffets, Box Lunches/Vegetarian Lunches, Soups and Sandwiches, Hors d'oeurves & Snacks, Dinner Buffets, and the list of options goes on and on.

The Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center is more than just a destination for holding business conventions or trade shows. As the name implies, entertainment is a big part of what the center offers. Visitors can attend recitals given by the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra or take in one of the finest regional dance companies in the Midwest, The Minnesota Ballet. The Ballet entourage is home based in Duluth and tours nationally pleasing spectators wherever they go.

After years of planning a new arena is now being constructed through the efforts of the Duluth Citizenship. Ground was broken in April, 2009 for this immense project. The new arena will enable visitors to enjoy the University of Minnesota-Duluth men's and women's hockey teams, major performers, larger trade show conventions and a variety of other events. The opening is scheduled to take place toward the end of 2010 with music by the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra.

A skywalk will connect the new arena with the parking ramp.