Whether seaside, riverside or lakeside, the benefits of hosting a conference at a waterfront convention center run the gamut from access to outdoor networking venues to boosting attendee satisfaction with “blue spaces,” or aquatic locations, known to support mental health and well-being.

Idyllic settings such as the Baha Mar Convention Center in Nassau, Bahamas, located on Cable Beach, make for memorable meetings. Its Baha Bay Lawn functions as a private event space on the waterfront. On the Pacific, the downtown San Diego Convention Center features terraces with views of San Diego-Coronado Bridge and San Diego Bay. The terraces can be used for receptions, lunches and outdoor activities, among other options.

Guests can enjoy waterfront access and mountain views at the Vancouver Convention Centre. For events, it features Canada’s largest waterfront ballroom with five-story-high ceilings, open terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows.

In Ocean City, Maryland, located between the Atlantic Ocean and Isle of Wight Bay, the Roland E. Powell Convention Center offers a waterfront promenade and outdoor spaces for receptions and networking breaks, while select meeting and ballroom spaces feature natural light and a connection to the waterfront. Florida’s Tampa Convention Center includes meeting rooms with waterfront views as well as venues such as The Sail Plaza and Bay Bar & Bistro, both of which host cocktail receptions overlooking Tampa’s Riverwalk.

Tampa Convention Center © Ishnchat | Dreamstime.com

Another riverfront venue, Pittsburgh’s David L. Lawrence Convention Center, features The Riverfront Plaza, providing a direct connection from the convention center to Pittsburgh’s 15-mile network of riverfront trails and a new kayak dock landing.

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on the banks of the Mississippi River provides meeting attendees with a pedestrian riverfront park and a recently improved public-space interface, integrating the center with the wider waterfront area for events.

Convention centers on lakeside settings also meld business with expansive views, including Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center, the largest convention center in North America. The complex features the Lakeside Center along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, with a glass facade and aquatic views.

“We’re proud to provide a venue where the city’s energy meets the serenity of the lake, delivering both convenience and a truly
memorable atmosphere,” said Larita Clark, chief executive officer, Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority.

Smaller lakeside venues include The Osthoff Conference Center and Resort on Elkhart Lake in Wisconsin, catering to corporate retreats with pontoon cruises and kayak rentals.

Around the globe, top convention centers take advantage of their blue spaces, from the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre in Australia on the Yarra River to Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre.

“The Marina Bay waterfront creates a stunning backdrop that elevates every gathering, from product launches to gala dinners,” said Eileen Lee, senior vice president, Americas, International Group, Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau.

Whatever the body of water, waterfront venues have the potential to enhance the attendee experience.