Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center – Overview

There are several convention centers and large-scale venues in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but few can compare with Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center (KBHCC). Like many older venues, Kay Bailey Hutchison started out as a much smaller facility when it opened in 1957. It was originally named the Dallas Memorial Auditorium and later renamed the Dallas Convention Center before being dedicated to former Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison in 2013.

 

Overview

  • 2,000,000 sq. ft. of space – Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center is one of the biggest in the entire country – about the 15th largest. Because it boasts over two million square feet of space, KBHCC has the ability to host events of any size. The facility is divided into three levels and offers a wide array of amenities and room types. That means that KBHCC can accommodate multiple events simultaneously.
  • 1,000,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall – About half of KBHCC’s square footage consists of flexible exhibit space. This roughly one million square feet of space can be divided into as many as six exhibit halls. These exhibit halls are ideal for conventions, trade shows, and other events of that nature. The grandest of the complex’s exhibit halls provides attendees with 726,726 square feet of space.
  • 65,124 sq. ft. of ballroom space – KBHCC is always ready for a party thanks to its 65,124 square feet of ballrooms. The convention center has two sections of ballrooms, Area A and Area C. Both of these sections can be split into four separate ballrooms. All of Area A’s rooms are equal in their dimensions. While Area C’s aren’t quite equal in size, they’re within 100 square feet of each other. If you’re looking to host a wedding reception, sweet 16, or other intimate event, these ballrooms will serve you well.
  • 88 meeting rooms – Dallas’ premier convention center isn’t just for large gatherings and parties. KBHCC is also equipped to handle meetings, lectures, and other business get-togethers. Because there is such a large quantity of meeting rooms, they are dispersed throughout the convention center. Make sure you know which one you’re supposed to be heading to, because it can get a little confusing.
  • 21,290 sq. ft., 9,816 seat arena – The very structure that started it all in 1957. Originally known as the Dallas Memorial Auditorium – now referred to simply as The Arena – this 9,816 seat stadium is suitable for all kinds of events, from live performances like concerts and plays to sales rallies and lectures. The Arena may be the complex’s original building, but it has seen numerous renovations through the years to ensure that it remains suitable to serve the world of today.
  • 1,750 seat theater with dressing rooms – The Naomi Bruton Theater is the convention center’s smaller and newer theater. Unlike The Arena, the Naomi Bruton Theater isn’t capable of hosting as large-scale events. The theater has 1,750 upholstered opera-style seats, making it a quintessential venue for more intimate concerts, plays, and musicals, as well as business meetings and lectures.
  • 9 pre-function lobbies – One design aspect about KBHCC that doesn’t receive as much attention as it should are the 9 pre-function lobbies. These spaces can be found adjacent to the major focal points like the exhibit halls, ballrooms, and arenas. What makes these pre-function lobbies such a beneficial amenity is the convenience factor. Whether you need to take a quick breather from your event, or you’re waiting for it to start, these pre-function lobbies are the perfect place to congregate.
  • 1,200 Parking garage / 3 parking lots equating to 2,039 spaces – This amenity pretty much goes without saying. City parking is always annoying. Sure, maybe sometimes you luck out and find an awesome spot, but those moments are few and far between. KBHCC goes above and beyond to provide its guests with as many parking spaces as possible. The 1,200 spot parking garage and three surface lots adding another 2,039 spaces are a godsend.
  • 1,001 room hotel attached to venue via skybridge – A lot of the massive conventions centers around the country have hotels attached to them. KBHCC is no different. Omni Dallas Hotel is known not only for its close proximity to the convention center, but also for its all-around stellar amenities: heated infinity pool, fitness center furnished with state-of-the-art equipment, a full-service spa, valet parking, and more. This is the number one hotel option for anyone attending an event at KBHCC, so plan accordingly. Omni Dallas Hotel books up quick before events. To get ahead of the curve, book your room as soon as you know you’ll be traveling to KBHCC.
  • 4 restaurants inside the hotel – Perhaps one of Omni Dallas Hotel’s best characteristics is its variety of dining options. This topnotch hotel provides its guests with four restaurants, each with their own cuisine, price ranges, and atmosphere. The four dining options are Texas Spice, Bob’s Steak & Chop House, Black Ship Little Katana, and Cafe Herrera.
  • DART light rail Red & Blue station stops – You already know about the massive parking lots owned by KBHCC, but driving isn’t the only convenient mode of transportation that’ll get you to the convention center. One of the more recent renovations brought two DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) light rail stops to the facility. Both the Red and Blue Lines have stops at Convention Center Station. This makes the DART light rail one of the most accessible transportation methods for traveling to and from KBHCC. Along with DART Red and Blue Lines, the DART D-Link free shuttle bus also makes frequent stops at the convention center.

 

Tips

  • Bring your own food or eat out for meals – Maybe the most important piece of information to know is that the dining options at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center are nothing to write home about. Many guests feel that the food is overpriced and the quality lackluster. At peak times or during crowded events, the food courts are also mobbed with people. You’ll be waiting a long time for subpar food. Your best bet is either packing food and bringing it to the event or going to off-site restaurants to eat. Your taste buds and stomach will thank you.
  • There are several hotels near the convention center – As I mentioned above, Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center has an attached hotel on its grounds – Omni Dallas Hotel. If you’re in the market for a short commute and unmatched convenience, this is the hotel for you. However, it books up quickly. Because the convention center always has something going on, the hotel is really popular. Fortunately, if you aren’t able to snag a room at Omni Dallas Hotel, there are plenty other quality hotels close by.

Here are some more hotels to consider: The Westin Dallas Downtown, Aloft Dallas Downtown, Lorenzo Hotel, and Crowne Plaza Hotel Dallas Downtown. These are just             a few of the options. There are quite a few more located less than a mile from the convention center and even more just a little over a mile away.

  • Wear comfortable shoes – In case you didn’t know, KBHCC is one of the largest convention centers in the country. Plan on doing A LOT of walking just at the venue itself. Then, factor in all of the walking you’ll be doing around the city. Comfortable shoes are a must. Hopefully you didn’t forget your Fitbit because you’re going to crush your steps goal.
  • Public transportation is your friend – In a world where Uber, Lyft, and other car services are king, most modes of public transportation go overlooked. I’m not trying to dissuade you from using those car service apps while you’re in Dallas; I’m just letting you know that there are other ways to travel to and from the convention center. One of the most accessible is the DART light rail. Both the Red and Blue Lines flow through KBHCC; they actually have stops in the convention center. It doesn’t get more convenient than that. Keep your eye for the DART D-Link shuttle bus too. It has a stop near the convention center. Oh, and the rides are free.
  • Plenty of onsite parking – If you are driving to KBHCC, there’s no need to worry about parking. Between the 1,200 space parking garage and other parking lots scattered nearnby the facility, you’ll be able to find a spot somewhere. You may very well have to walk a ways though from your car to the venue. Unless you find a spot in the parking garage, then you can take an elevator up to the complex.
  • Take advantage of the info booths and venue staff – KBHCC does a phenomenal job with its signage. Even though it’s a massive building, it’s relatively easy to figure out where you need to go. That being said, if you need help with directions, or anything else, look for one of the many info booths or roving staff members. You can find them on all three levels. The booths are full of useful information and the staff has a reputation for being friendly and knowledgeable.
  • Wi-Fi isn’t worth it in most cases – The convention centers does offer free Wi-Fi – but only in the lobbies and hallways outside of the meeting rooms. Unfortunately, you won’t be spending the majority of your time in these areas. You’re going to have to pay for Wi-Fi anywhere else in the building. If you absolutely need it, then you’re going to have to fork over some cash. However, if you’re able to get by using your mobile data, do it. The facility’s Wi-Fi isn’t the fastest or most reliable; especially during widely attended events when hordes of people will all be using it.

 

Trivia

  • From 1967-73, Dallas Memorial Auditorium (now KBHCC) was home to the Dallas Chaparrals, a team from the American Basketball Association. What makes this fact so interesting is that after the 1973 season, the team moved to San Antonio and became the San Antonio Spurs. Most people don’t know who the Dallas Chaparrals are. But the Spurs on the other hand are one of the most successful, iconic franchises in the NBA.
  • In 1997, KBHCC became the first convention center in the world to install wireless internet services for clients and customers. At the time, this was a huge step forward for major venues. KBHCC paved the way for other convention centers by demonstrating how valuable and convenient wireless internet is for attendees, planners, and exhibitors.
  • Back in 2005 during Hurricane Katrina, KBHCC served as a shelter for thousands of refugees. KBHCC, along with the now defunct Reunion Arena, provided shelter for thousands of people in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Because Texas was spared from the hurricane, major cities like Dallas were ideal locations to take in refugees.
  • KBHCC became the first major convention center in the country to be named after a woman when it was renamed in 2013. KBHCC had three different names since it opened in 1957. Its original name was the Dallas Memorial Auditorium, and in the 70s was renamed the Dallas Convention Center. Now, the convention center honors Texas’ first female Senator.