Baird Center Named Among Best Convention Centers in U.S. by EXHIBITOR Magazine

MILWAUKEE (November 21, 2024) — Baird Center is thrilled to announce that it has been named Best Convention Center (100,000 – 500,000 sq. ft. of Exhibit Space) by EXHIBITOR Magazine in its prestigious 2025 Centers of Excellence Awards. This honor highlights the collaborative efforts of the convention center and Visit Milwaukee that continue to position Milwaukee as a leading destination for world-class events and trade shows.

The award places Baird Center among North America’s most exceptional venues, showcasing its ability to deliver outstanding service, cutting-edge amenities, and memorable experiences for event organizers and attendees alike.

“EXHIBITOR magazine’s annual Centers of Excellence Awards recognize North America’s 25 best convention centers for trade shows and events from the exhibitor perspective because although exhibit managers rarely have a say in where trade shows are held, they’re undeniably the ones most impacted by those decisions,” said Emily Olson, editor of EXHIBITOR Magazine. “Of that group of 25, our jury pool selects five convention centers that we consider the best of the best. Baird Center was selected as the best convention center in the 100,000 to 500,000 square foot of exhibit space category because of its commitment to sustainability, to inclusiveness, and to its community as a whole. We are proud to honor this year’s top category finishers, including Baird Center.”

The 2025 Centers of Excellence Awards evaluated venues on event spaces, customer service, innovations, and feedback from event planners, show organizers, and exhibitors.

“This recognition reflects the passion, commitment, and expertise of the entire team at Baird Center and the collaborative spirit of our partners, including Visit Milwaukee,” added Marty Brooks, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Center District, which owns and operates the Baird Center. “We are proud to showcase Milwaukee as a top-tier destination for meetings and events.”

“This award is a testament to Marty Brooks and the Baird Center team’s unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional experiences for every guest at every event,” said Peggy Williams-Smith, President and CEO of Visit Milwaukee. “As the cornerstone of Milwaukee’s thriving events and meetings industry, Baird Center continues to elevate our city’s reputation on the national stage.”

Baird Center continues to shine as a beacon of innovation, hospitality, and excellence, drawing event organizers and attendees from across the globe to Milwaukee. Located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, the Baird Center is a premier venue for conventions, meetings, and trade shows. Following a $456 million expansion completed in May 2024, the center now boasts 1.3 million square feet of total space, including 300,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, 52 state-of-the-art meeting rooms, and the stunning rooftop Baird Ballroom with panoramic city views. Committed to sustainability and inclusivity, the Baird Center features modern amenities such as all-gender restrooms, sensory rooms, and advanced technological infrastructure to accommodate events of all sizes.

About Baird Center:
Located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, Baird Center is a premier venue for conventions, meetings, and trade shows. Following a $456 million expansion completed in May 2024, the center now boasts 1.3 million square feet of total space, including 300,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, 52 state-of-the-art meeting rooms, and the stunning rooftop Baird Ballroom with panoramic city views. Committed to sustainability and inclusivity, Baird Center features modern amenities such as gender-neutral restrooms, sensory rooms, and advanced technological infrastructure to accommodate events of all sizes.

About Visit Milwaukee:
Visit Milwaukee creates economic impact and supports a stronger, more inclusive community by promoting the Greater Milwaukee area as a premier tourism destination. Strengthened by Visit Milwaukee’s dynamic convention and leisure marketing initiatives, tourism to Milwaukee contributes $6.388 billion to the local economy, supporting nearly 44,000 hospitality employees. Visit Milwaukee has over 1,000 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services, and area businesses. The Wisconsin Center District, with its recently completed $456 million Baird Center expansion, the city of Wauwatosa, and Potawatomi Casino | Hotel are strategic partners with Visit Milwaukee, providing funding support for conventions and tourism programs. For more information call (800) 554-1448 or visit visitmilwaukee.org

About EXHIBITOR Magazine’s Centers of Excellence Awards:
Launched in 2019, the Centers of Excellence Awards recognize North America’s best convention centers for trade shows and events, as determined through rigorous evaluations and feedback from industry professionals.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.