Oklahoma City Convention Center celebrates a successful second year

Photo by Alonzo Adams

In its second year, the Oklahoma City Convention Center (OKCCC) welcomed nearly 200,000 visitors, further cementing the city’s place as an attractive destination. 

A total of 195,685 people visited the convention center in 2022, an increase of more than 76% in visitors over the center’s first year to open in 2021. 

“We are incredibly proud to have welcomed both local and national events through our doors,” OKCCC General Manager Barbara Beaton said. “There is a clear demand for, and growing interest in, our venue from all types of organizations considering OKC as a destination.” 

Regarded as the state’s largest facility for meetings and events, the convention center hosts tradeshows, sporting events, corporate conventions, and more. Several Chamber-affiliated events were held at the downtown event center in 2022. 

Events like the International Economic Development Council annual meeting and conference, as well as the TEAMS Conference and Expo, brought opinion leaders and national attention to Oklahoma City. 

The convention center was recognized last summer by Urban Land Institute Oklahoma as its 2022 Outstanding Public Initiative. Even the center’s parking garage received accolades. Chamber member Manhattan Construction Company received the 2022 Best Projects merit award in the Government/Public Building category for its work on the garage, which incorporates a three-sided artwork of 88,000 color plexiglass tiles.  

In total, OKCCC hosted 149 events, spanning 317 days of 2022, contributing an economic impact estimated to be more than $29.6 million to the local community. 

The $288 million convention center initially opened in January 2021 as part of the MAPS 3 initiative and now serves as a contemporary landmark, covering 500,000 square feet in downtown Oklahoma City.