The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD) is a premier downtown venue and one of the largest convention facilities in the United States. Owned by the City of Dallas and managed by Oak View Group, the center hosts international conventions, trade shows, concerts, and major sporting events.
Exhibiting at the KBHCCD requires careful planning to navigate its expansive layout, evolving construction, and upcoming high-profile events. E&E Exhibit Solutions provides full-service trade show displays in Dallas, including custom exhibits, rental booths, fabrication, logistics coordination, and turnkey project management.
About the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas
The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas serves as a central hub for business, entertainment, and cultural events in Dallas. As of early 2026, the facility is undergoing a $3.7 billion redevelopment and master plan, with completion scheduled for late 2029. While Buildings D, E, and F are under demolition, Buildings A, B, and C remain operational for scheduled events, allowing exhibitions to continue amid the construction.
FIFA World Cup 2026: From January through August 2026, the center will host the International Broadcast Center (IBC) for FIFA World Cup 2026. This high-profile designation brings additional security measures, restricted access zones, and specialized logistics considerations for all exhibitors during this period.
Key Features & Facilities
The current KBHCCD complex offers roughly 1 million square feet of exhibit space, including a 203,000-square-foot column-free hall, one of the largest in the United States. In addition to exhibit halls, the center houses a 9,816-seat arena (Dallas Memorial Auditorium), a 1,750-seat Naomi Bruton Theater, and multiple ballrooms and meeting rooms suitable for both small and large-scale gatherings.
The facility also provides convenient connectivity to the surrounding downtown district:
- On-site Hotel: Omni Dallas Hotel, connected via skybridge, provides unmatched convenience for exhibitors and attendees.
- Transportation Access: An on-site DART Light Rail station (under renovation during construction) offers public transit connections across the city.
- Vertiport: One of the world’s largest vertiport facilities sits atop the center, capable of handling helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft.
Future Expansion (2029 Vision): The redevelopment project will expand the center to approximately 2.5 million square feet, including a 100,000+ square-foot ballroom. The plan creates a walkable mixed-use district with retail, restaurants, and hospitality, all integrated with LEED certification standards and “bird-friendly” design.
Exhibitor Logistics & Deadlines
Navigating the KBHCCD in 2026 requires extra attention due to ongoing construction and the FIFA World Cup. Exhibitors should verify hall availability and submit utility requests early to avoid delays.
- Construction Impacts: Buildings D, E, and F are under demolition; Buildings A, B, and C remain open for events. Confirm booth locations frequently.
- Utility Requests: Electrical, water, and internet services must be submitted at least 30 days before move-in.
Travel, Accommodations & Parking
The KBHCCD’s downtown location provides multiple hotel and transit options for attendees and exhibitors.
- Primary Hotel: Omni Dallas Hotel, connected via skybridge.
- Alternative Hotels: Aloft Dallas Downtown (0.2 mi), Hyatt Regency Dallas (0.5 mi).
- Parking: KBHCCD Parking Garage at Memorial Dr. & S. Griffin St., $15–$20 per day, no in/out privileges.
- Freight & Loading Docks: Coordinate with your General Service Contractor (GSC) to avoid congestion.
Booth Strategy & On-Site Essentials
To maximize engagement in Dallas’ massive exhibit space, planning is key. Comfort and accessibility are essential.
- Footwear: Wear durable, comfortable shoes for long periods on hard concrete floors.
- Power & Connectivity: Bring portable chargers; cell service can be inconsistent inside exhibit halls.
- Booth Staffing: Stand in front of your display to engage visitors; interactive elements like demos, giveaways, or “ask me anything” corners can increase dwell time.
- Pre-Show Marketing: Schedule meetings using attendee lists to secure leads ahead of time.
Safety & Security
Exhibitors must ensure both staff safety and compliance with facility policies.
- Security: Hire approved 24-hour security for your booth during move-in, show days, and move-out.
- Construction Awareness: Stay alert for temporary barriers, construction zones, and shifting traffic patterns.
- Food & Beverage: Only on-site catering and concessions are permitted; outside food is prohibited.
Trade Show Booth Options for KBHCCD Exhibitors
E&E Exhibit Solutions designs and builds trade show displays specifically engineered for the scale, logistics, and operational requirements of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas. With expansive exhibit halls, column-free spaces, and evolving construction phases, booth design must balance visual impact with practical execution.
Custom Island Exhibits: Open-concept island booths designed for 360-degree visibility in large Dallas exhibit halls. These environments often incorporate overhead hanging signage, LED video walls, integrated lighting, private meeting rooms, and immersive brand experiences that stand out in high-traffic areas.
Modular & Rental Booths: Flexible solutions including 10×10 displays, 10×20 exhibits, 20×20 trade show booths, peninsula configurations, and large custom rental environments. E&E Exhibit Solutions provides turnkey rental exhibits that include design, dedicated project management, graphics production, rental booth fabrication, shipping, LED and labor supervision, installation & dismantling services.
Double-Deck Exhibits: Two-story exhibit structures that maximize vertical branding opportunities and create elevated private meeting areas. All double-deck designs are engineered to meet Texas structural and safety requirements and are coordinated carefully with venue regulations and rigging guidelines.
Tension Fabric Displays: Lightweight, cost-effective systems that ship efficiently and install quickly. Ideal for exhibitors seeking strong visual impact without the weight and complexity of larger builds, tension fabric solutions are especially practical for events occurring during construction-sensitive periods.
Whether you need a fully custom exhibit or a scalable rental solution, E&E Exhibit Solutions ensures your KBHCCD booth is strategically designed for visibility, compliance, and seamless execution.
Full-Service Trade Show Support
E&E Exhibit Solutions manages every aspect of exhibiting at the KBHCCD, from initial planning to post-show dismantling. Our trade show project management services include:
- Strategic planning and scheduling
- Assistance with material handling forms
- Pre-show staging and client preview sessions
- Freight coordination and dock scheduling
- Coordination of on-site installation/dismantle/supervision services
Plan Your Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas Trade Show Display
If you are preparing to exhibit at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, E&E Exhibit Solutions can help you design and execute a trade show display built for visibility, compliance, and performance, whether during ongoing construction phases or major international events.
Book a design session to explore custom exhibits, rental booth solutions, and full-service trade show support tailored specifically to your next Dallas event.
