Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre

The Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre (VCEC), a convention centre in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, is one of Canada's largest convention centres. It has more than 150,000 ft² (13,936 m²) of space, including a 91,205 ft² (8,500 m²) column-free, dividable exhibition hall, 20 meeting rooms, and a ballroom. When the current expansion construction is completed in 2009, VCEC will have 473,523 ft² (43,991 m²) of meeting space.

The VCEC is located at Canada Place, which it shares with a cruise ship terminal, the Pan Pacific hotel and a 3D IMAX theatre. It is owned by the British Columbia Pavilion Corporation, a crown corporation owned by the government of British Columbia.

In 2002, the VCEC was awarded the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC) "Apex Award" for the "World's Best Congress Centre". [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20030818225756/http://www.aipc.org/en/qual_gene.htm AIPC Apex Award] . Archive retrieved on 2008-07-06.]

Expansion

Construction began in November 2004 on a 340,849 ft² (31,665 m²) expansion: the Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project (VCCEP). The new structure is being built on the waterfront beside Canada Place, with 60% on land and 40% over the water. When completed in 2009, this addition will triple the capacity of the VCEC. The new centre will feature a "living roof" and will host the international media and broadcast centre in the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics. Connecting to the new centre will be The Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel.

The architect designing the expansion is DA/MCM + LMN Architects.

External links

* [http://www.vcec.ca Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre official website]
* [http://www.vccep.bc.ca/ Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project official website]