Dallas Moves Forward with Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Plans

DALLAS (October 9, 2023) – The Dallas City Council voted overwhelmingly to approve Inspire Dallas LLC as the project manager and owner’s representative for Component 1 of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD) Master Plan.

In the meeting, council members were able to hear testimonies from more than 25 community leaders before awarding the contract to Inspire Dallas. The team, led by prominent Dallas developer Jack Matthews of Matthews Southwest, a core team that includes Azteca and Kaizen Development Partners, includes a diverse group of sub-contractors with a 50.75% Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) participation score.

At the meeting, Visit Dallas CEO Craig Davis expressed support for the current timeline, sharing excitement for the new convention center in the marketplace. To date, Visit Dallas has already booked 34 contracted conventions for the new center, resulting in almost 590,000 room nights and $823 million in total economic impact. During construction, the existing convention center will remain open for operation.

“The new and expanded convention center has increased our definite conversion rate by more than 62% over previous years, reinforcing the significant demand for Dallas’ new product,” said Davis. “We could not be more excited to have Inspire Dallas and their expertise leading the way for this promising new chapter in Dallas’ future.”

In February 2022, the city council voted in favor of demolishing and expanding the current convention center, and in November 2022, voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition A, supporting the use of the Brimer Bill as a funding source for the convention center project.

Rosa Fleming, Director of Convention and Event Services, and the City of Dallas leadership for the project said that “the new convention center, scheduled for completion in 2029, will drastically improve Dallas’ urban landscape and offer 800,000 square feet of exhibit space, 430,000 square feet of breakout space, a 105,000 square foot ballroom, and a walkable entertainment district with new retail, hotels, restaurants and entertainment, housing and office space. In reality, this is an economic development driver for downtown Dallas.”

The Dallas-based Matthews Southwest is known for its extensive work in the city’s Cedars neighborhood, as well as the City of Dallas-owned Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel. Additional convention and hospitality experience includes the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center and Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel.

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About Visit Dallas
Visit Dallas is dedicated to elevating Dallas as a welcoming, must-visit destination and marketing Dallas globally to benefit our community and visitors. Dallas, the ninth-largest city in the United States and the leading business and financial center of the Southwest, offers travelers an unparalleled array of amenities, a central location, and easy accessibility with two major airports. With 20 vibrant and diverse neighborhoods, including the nation’s largest contiguous arts district and other notable attractions, there is a Dallas destination to suit every style. For more information, go to visitdallas.com.


Media Contact:

Zane Harrington
Director of Communications
469-418-5939
zane.harrington@visitdallas.com