Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1421252
B M & T ••• September/October 2021 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 15 C E N T E R O F AT T E N T I O N D esigned with meeting planner input and located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, the 300,000-square-foot Wisconsin Center convention space offers the ultimate in versatility, functionality, and style. But planners deserve more. More space for larger and simultaneous events. More flexible areas to accommodate events of all scales. More access for load- ing and unloading. More modern facili- ties to inspire innovation. This is not just Milwaukee's moment. This is the meeting planner's moment. For planners who did not or could not con- sider Milwaukee before, this is the time to give the Wisconsin Center a second look. Building on Milwaukee's momentum and meeting the growing demand, con- vention center expansion has become an imperative. With the help of city leaders, expansion will move from imperative to reality. The $420 million Wisconsin Center expansion will bring the exposition hall to 300,000 contiguous square feet (adding 111,300 sq. ft. to the existing 188,700 sq. ft.); add 24 new meeting rooms (totaling 35,500 sq. ft.); include no fewer than 400 indoor parking spaces; add six loading docks; add an executive kitchen; and feature a spec- tacular fourth floor ballroom with space for a minimum of 2,000 for a seated dinner. A formal groundbreak- ing ceremony will take place in late 2021, with construction in 2022. The build will take approximately 24 months. The expansion project includes a comprehensive economic inclusion plan by committing to 25 percent minority- owned businesses, five percent women-owned businesses, and one percent disabled veteran-owned busi- ness. Plus a residents preferred program of 40 percent, meaning at least $40 million of the $100 million in anticipat- ed construction wages will be earned by residents of the City of Milwaukee. Upon opening, the expanded Wisconsin Center is projected to sup- port 2,300 full time equivalent jobs throughout the state of Wisconsin. • • STATS • • Total Convention Center Space 445,000 sq. ft. Total Exhibit Space: 300,000 sq. ft. New Ballroom and Meeting Space: 100,000 sq. ft. Ballroom Space Divisions: 11 Number of Breakout Spaces: 52 Telephone: (800) 554-1448 Website: https://wisconsincenter.com/ W I S C O N S I N C E N T E R