Fort Worth Convention Center – Overview

Fort Worth is a city in Texas that truly holds onto its western charm. Visitors will see pieces of the past sprinkled through the modern day culture and traditions. In Fort Worth, you’ll feel a Southern, hometown hospitality while experiencing the vibrant energy of a city. The Fort Worth Convention Center is the perfect place to meld these two worlds together. Located in Downtown Fort Worth, this convention center is in the perfect location to experience that true Texan charm.

Spanning over 14 city blocks, the Fort Worth Convention Center is impressive in size and known for its indoor arena, which resembles a flying saucer. It opened in 1968 and has undergone three expansions. The latest expansion was in 2003. With its flexible and multi-functional spaces, it is able to host a variety of events, such as concerts, conferences, trade shows, tournaments, and more. If you have an event at the Fort Worth Convention Center, make sure you have an understanding of the facility and scope to make your visit the best it can be.

 

Overview

  • 253,226 square feet of total exhibit space: In total, Fort Worth Convention Center’s exhibit hall and annex span more than 250,000 square feet. The main exhibition hall is divided into six separate exhibit spaces. The largest of the sections are just over 56,000 square feet, and the smallest sections are about 22,000 square feet of space. The additional exhibit annex can be used for storage as well. If the exhibit area is set up in a banquet hall style, it can hold roughly 10,000 guests. As a reception-style space, the exhibit hall can host about 19,000 guests.
  • 60,540 square feet of pre-function space: There is plenty of room for any pre-function activities you need, such as registration. On the first floor, there is over 34,000 square feet of space, and on the second floor, there is over 25,000 square feet.
  • 58,849 square feet of flexible meeting space: Fort Worth Convention Center has 38 meeting rooms, making up the over 58,000-square-feet of meeting space. The rooms are flexible areas able to be divided into sections with movable walls. The largest meeting rooms are up to roughly 6,000 square feet. The smallest meeting room is about 500 square feet. Guests can find some meeting rooms on the first floor. The rest of the rooms are on the second floor, and the second floor can hold up to 5,000 guests at a time.
  • 55,000-square-foot events plaza: The outside plaza area can also be used as an extension for events. When used as an outside banquet hall, this space can hold 2,500 guests. If this area is used as a reception space, it can be utilized for around 4,200 visitors. This is a unique area to utilize because it connects to the Fort Worth Convention Center’s Water Gardens. This is great for guests because the stunning Water Gardens are a must-see stop when visiting the convention center. The Water Gardens were designed by an American architect, Phillip Johnson. They are split up into three separate pools, the aerating, the quiet and the active.
  • 28,160-square-foot ballroom: This 28,000 square foot ballroom makes it the largest ballroom in the city of Fort Worth. Like the meeting rooms, the ballroom can be split up into sections as well. When split, the separate rooms will be two 8,000 square feet sections and one 11,000 square foot section. Its maximum capacity is 3,000 guests. The ballroom is located on the second floor of the Fort Worth Convention Center.
  • 25,960-square-foot multi-functional arena: This arena has hosted events from keynote speakers to rock concerts, such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. Within the arena area, there are about 10,000 permanent seats and 2,500 temporary seats. Additional seating can vary based on the event.
  • Access to over 3,000 hotel rooms: Since the Fort Worth Convention Center is in the heart of Downtown Fort Worth, there are a lot of hotels close to the venue. In the immediate vicinity, there are over 3,000 hotel rooms available, but there are over 13,000 hotel rooms citywide.
  • ADA compliant: Fort Worth Convention Center is an ADA-compliant venue. There are 44 wheelchair accessible seats in the arena space. Guests who have service animals, such as guide dogs, need not worry because service animals are allowed in the facility as long as they are with the owner and are wearing a harness.

 

Tips

  • The Fort Worth Convention Center has a strict clear bag policy. Unless you have a small clutch or wristlet, any bag you bring in must be see-through. Any clear bag must also follow a size limit. Clear totes, bags, or backpacks must be 12” by 6” by 12”. All bags brought into the convention center will be checked. Any bags that do not meet these requirements must be returned to a vehicle or discarded. Once medical bags are checked, they will be permitted in the venue.
  • Save yourself the hassle and avoid bringing prohibited items. Items that are not allowed include artificial noisemakers, umbrellas, balloons, signs, banners, laser pointers, flashlights, and alcohol. While you can take pictures, certain camera equipment cannot be used. For example, any professional camera equipment and Polaroid cameras cannot be brought in. Monopods and selfie-sticks are also prohibited.
  • Wi-Fi is available throughout the facility. Guests do not have to worry about connectivity issues on their wireless devices because Wi-Fi is available throughout the Fort Worth Convention Center. Feel free to bring phones, tablets, or laptops. Just be sure to always keep an eye on your valuables.
  • Bring a sweater. Weather in Texas tends to be on the warmer side. This means that the Fort Worth Convention Center might have air conditioning running to combat the heat. It’s suggested to bring something to cover up when walking around the convention center so you are comfortable both inside and outside.
  • There is parking around the Fort Worth Convention Center. Next to the Fort Worth Convention Center is the Commerce Street Garage and Fort Worth Convention Center Parking Garage. Rates will vary based on how long you are parked in the garage. There are also parking meters around the Downtown area.
  • Free parking is also available at designated times. On weekdays after 6 p.m. and all day on weekends, the parking meters in Downtown Fort Worth are free. If you are parking closer to Sundance Square, free parking is offered on weekdays after 5 p.m. and all weekend.
  • Molly the Trolley is free to use. Downtown Fort Worth’s many restaurants and attractions are within walking distance of the venue. However, if you want to give your feet a break or if you’re on a time constraint, Molly the Trolley is a great way to get to and from the Fort Worth Convention Center. The fact that it’s free is also a plus.

 

Trivia

  • Formerly named the Tarrant County Convention Center. When it was originally built in 1968, it was named after the county, not the City of Fort Worth. Don’t be surprised if you still hear Fort Worth Convention Center referred to by this name because of its location in Tarrant County.
  • The area in which you find the Fort Worth Convention Center was known as “Hell’s Half Acre” and “Paris of the Plains.” In the 19th century, there used to be a host of saloons, dance halls, and brothels that attracted cowboys to the area. Fort Worth was a big area for gambling and partying in those days, as it served as a last stretch of civilization before cowboys went on their way.
  • Additionally, this area was once referred to as the “Bloody Third Ward.” During the 19th century, certain sections of Fort Worth saw an influx of robbers, crooks, adventurers, and gunmen. This caused areas to become rather violent. Ultimately, this led to Timothy Isaiah “Longhair Jim” Courtright being elected to help stop this activity and bring order to the city.
  • The City of Fort Worth embraces the name “Panther City.” However, this name was actually meant to be an insult from Robert E. Cowart, who wrote an article in 1875 about seeing a panther in the streets of Fort Worth in hopes of damaging the cattle business. Fort Worth now has statues of panthers in the city.
  • Many famous musicians have played at Fort Worth Convention Center over the years. In 1974, the venue welcomed Elvis Presley to perform. Bob Dylan’s 1974 comeback tour stopped at this convention center. Paul McCartney and Wings opened their tour here in 1976. Today, even international bands like the South Korean band BTS perform at this venue.
  • There is a giant Texas Star in the Fort Worth Convention Center made of cowboy hats. The hats were donated by citizens of Fort Worth, country singers, actors who took part in Western films, and public officials. There are 400 cowboy hats in total.