Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center (KBHCC), formerly the Dallas Convention Center, serves as the leading venue for trade shows and conventions in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which ranks as the fourth biggest metropolitan market in the U.S. It is situated in the very center of downtown Dallas, right next to the Dallas Arts District, and is one of the largest convention centers in the country.
As a Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas exhibitor, navigating one of the largest convention facilities in the United States requires a precise blend of logistical foresight, local vendor partnerships, and striking booth design. Located in the heart of downtown Dallas, this massive venue spans over 1 million square feet of exhibit space. While the venue offers world-class facilities, out-of-state freight costs, unexpected drayage fees, and complex utility orders can quickly derail an exhibitor’s budget.
Whether you are preparing for a major show like Fan Expo Dallas, Auto Roundup, or a national trade association conference, partnering with a local Dallas trade show exhibit rental specialist ensures your setup is seamless, compliant, and cost-effective.
If you also exhibit in Texas, our trade show booth rentals Dallas bring the same build quality to Dallas shows.
This Dallas convention center exhibitor guide provides everything trade show exhibitors need to know about the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center: the venue’s hall layout, logistics, exhibit design strategy for the Dallas audience, hotel options, and how to maximize your exhibiting investment in Dallas.
Related: IMEX America 2026: Exhibitor Guide, Booth Ideas & Las Vegas Tips
Venue Overview: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
Venue Detail
| Venue Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCC) |
| Address | 650 S Griffin St, Dallas, TX 75202 |
| Total Event Space | over 1 million sq ft |
| Exhibition Hall Space | 726,726 sq ft: one of the largest in the US |
| Meeting Rooms | 88 meeting rooms |
| Ballroom | 260,000+ sq ft total ballroom space |
| Nearest Airport | Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW): 20 miles |
| DART Rail Access | Convention Center Station (Blue/Green lines) |
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Eliminating Out-of-State Freight and Drayage Fees
Drayage, or the fee charged by the show’s general contractor to move your freight from the loading dock to your booth, is often one of the most expensive surprise costs for any Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas exhibitor. Shipping heavy custom booths from distant warehouses inflates freight rates and subjects your shipment to potential dock delays.
Working with a local vendor for your Dallas convention center booth rental eliminates cross-country shipping, dramatically lowering your material handling costs while providing on-site support.
Choosing a turnkey rental allows every trade show Dallas TX participant to allocate more budget toward lead generation and attendee engagement rather than logistics management.
KBHCC Exhibition Halls: Layout and Key Facts
The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center’s exhibition space spans multiple halls across the main building, offering extensive flexibility for shows of all sizes. The hall configuration allows events to use single halls for smaller shows or combine multiple contiguous halls for citywide-scale events. Many exhibitors choose our 20×20 trade show booth rentals for a professional footprint without the cost of buying.
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Hall A, B, C: Main exhibit halls on the ground floor. Hall A is the biggest hall alone – over 200,000 sq ft. Halls B and C are adjacent to A and provide fully contiguous exhibition layouts.
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Hall D: Independent exhibition hall used typically for registration, educational presentations, or additional exhibition space.
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Arena/performance area: This center also includes an arena-type space (Arena section) for general sessions and entertainment purposes.
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Ceiling heights: High ceiling heights in the 30-45 feet range – great for large hanging signs and overhead display installation.
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Floor load: Heavy-duty concrete floor that can support most types of exhibition structures and equipment.
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Loading docks: Several loading dock locations with access to the halls. Great truck access from S Griffin and nearby streets.
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Exhibit Design Strategy for Dallas Trade Shows
The Dallas business audience is commercially sophisticated, deal-oriented, and accustomed to professional marketing environments. Exhibits that perform well in Dallas are visually polished, clearly communicate value, and create efficient environments for business conversations.
Match the Dallas Business Culture
Directness, professionalism, and ROI communication are valued in the business culture of Dallas. Your booth messages must focus more on benefits than product features. Testimonials from Texas clients, case studies that measure outcomes, and transparent pricing have worked well for the Dallas market. For a fully branded build, our Custom Trade Show Booth Rentals deliver a custom look tailored to your brand.
Plan for Large Traffic Volume
Many national events attract many visitors to their shows in Dallas. Plan the booth to allow efficient traffic management through clear entry and exit routes, clearly demarcated demonstration zones that do not overcrowd the visitors, and adequate personnel to conduct multiple discussions at the same time.
Prioritize High-Quality Graphics
Because of the size of the KBHCC exhibit space, your booth is competing against other booths at a distance. You need to have large-format graphics with strong color and messaging that can be read from more than 20 feet away, along with professional photos/renderings. The Texas market is visually competitive, and good graphic execution denotes a good company. You can see comparable projects in our trade show booth case studies from past builds.
Use the trade show display rental guide to explore exhibit configurations that deliver strong visual impact in the large KBHCC exhibit halls while fitting your Dallas show budget.
Dallas Convention Center Logistics for Exhibitors
Managing logistics at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center requires planning for shipping, labor, and utilities.
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Official contractor: Events at KBHCC use various official general services contractors, including Freeman (common), GES, and others depending on the show. Check your event’s exhibitor manual for the official GSC and all relevant deadlines.
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Advance warehouse: Use the advance warehouse service to ship materials 2–3 weeks before setup. Reduces drayage costs and provides earlier freight delivery confirmation.
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Electrical: Order through the official contractor’s portal. Specify amperage and locations needed for your exhibit. Budget $300–$2,000 depending on booth size and power requirements.
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Internet: Order dedicated wired internet for any demo requiring reliable connectivity. Venue WiFi is shared and insufficient for live demonstrations.
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Union labor: KBHCC uses union labor for material handling and electrical. Review labor jurisdiction rules in the exhibitor manual.
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Move-in: Follow assigned move-in times to avoid dock congestion. Large halls have multiple dock access points.
Hotels Near Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
| Hotel | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Omni Dallas Hotel | Connected via skybridge | Directly connected to KBHCC: most convenient |
| Hyatt Regency Dallas | 0.3 miles | Reunion Tower adjacent, landmark Dallas hotel |
| Sheraton Dallas Hotel | 0.4 miles | Large convention hotel, popular for group blocks |
| Embassy Suites Dallas: Downtown | 0.5 miles | Suites: good for longer convention stays |
| The Lorenzo Hotel | 0.6 miles | Boutique option, popular for smaller groups |
Pair your Dallas exhibit with strong trade show booth rental benefits planning; renting your exhibit in Dallas means no warehousing in the Texas market between shows, with full design flexibility for each event you attend at KBHCC or other Dallas venues.
To control your total Dallas show spend, apply the how to reduce trade show costs framework, advance contractor ordering, advance warehouse shipping, and strategic booth sizing can significantly reduce your KBHCC exhibiting cost.
Request a Free Booth Design Consultation for Your Dallas Trade Show at purexhibits.com
Conclusion: Stand Out with Pure Exhibits at KBHCCD
Navigating your role as a Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas exhibitor doesn’t have to be stressful or cost-prohibitive. Success comes down to early planning, smart budgeting, and choosing a partner who understands the local Dallas market inside and out.
When you work with Pure Exhibits, you get far more than hardware; you get a complete, hassle-free exhibit solution. Pure Exhibits provides turnkey Dallas convention center booth rental packages that bundle custom graphic design, structural hardware, local freight delivery, and professional installation and dismantling into a transparent, all-inclusive price.
By leveraging local inventory and deep venue experience, Pure Exhibits eliminates surprise drayage charges, handles complex utility coordination, and ensures your brand commands attention on the show floor.
Let’s Build Something Extraordinary
Share your event details and we’ll craft a custom booth solution designed to captivate your audience and maximize your ROI.
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas Exhibitor: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas?
The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center (KBHCC) is located at 650 S Griffin Street, Dallas, TX 75202, in downtown Dallas. It is adjacent to the Dallas Arts District and within walking distance of several major Dallas hotels. The Convention Center DART Rail station (Blue and Green lines) provides direct transit access.
How large is the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center?
KBHCC is one of the largest convention centers in the United States with over 1 million square feet of total event space, including 726,726 square feet of exhibition hall space across multiple halls. It has 88 meeting rooms and 260,000+ square feet of ballroom space. Our 10×20 booth rentals cover every footprint from inline to island.
How do I get to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center?
By DART Rail: The Convention Center station on the DART Blue and Green lines is directly at the venue. From DFW Airport: DART Rail connects DFW to downtown Dallas (approximately 45 minutes). From Dallas Love Field (DAL): Approximately 15–20 minutes by rideshare. By car: The venue has a large parking garage and multiple surface lots nearby.
Who is the official general services contractor at KBHCC?
The official general services contractor at KBHCC varies by event. Freeman is a common contractor for large events at KBHCC. Check your specific event’s exhibitor services manual for the official GSC name, advance warehouse address, and all ordering deadlines.
What is the largest exhibition hall at KBHCC?
Hall A is the largest individual exhibition hall at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, offering approximately 200,000+ square feet of contiguous exhibition space. When combined with Halls B and C, the total contiguous exhibition area exceeds 600,000 square feet, enabling massive citywide-scale trade shows and conventions.
Can I ship my exhibit directly to KBHCC?
Most events at KBHCC use an advance warehouse system for exhibitor freight. Shipping to the advance warehouse (2–3 weeks before setup) is strongly recommended. Direct-to-show shipping (arriving during move-in) is available but may have higher handling costs and more complex logistics. Confirm the advance warehouse address and receiving dates in your event’s exhibitor manual.
What types of trade shows are held at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center?
KBHCC hosts a wide range of events including medical and healthcare conferences, technology trade shows, food and beverage industry events, education conferences, association annual meetings, government agency conferences, consumer shows, and regional and national industry trade shows across virtually all market sectors.
How close is DFW Airport to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center?
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is approximately 20 miles from the KBHCC, typically 30–45 minutes by rideshare or car. The DART Orange Line connects DFW Airport to downtown Dallas (transfer required for the Convention Center station). Dallas Love Field (DAL) is approximately 7 miles from the convention center, typically 15–20 minutes by rideshare.
What booth sizes work best at KBHCC?
KBHCC’s large halls accommodate all booth sizes, from 10×10 inline to large island exhibits over 40×40. For first-time exhibitors at Dallas shows, 10×20 inline booths are a common starting point. Companies with strong market presence in Texas often exhibit in 20×20 or larger island formats. The hall’s high ceilings make overhead hanging signs particularly impactful.
Are there union labor requirements at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center?
Yes, KBHCC is a union venue. Union labor rules cover material handling, electrical, and rigging tasks. Exhibitor employees may perform limited setup tasks (assembling portable displays, arranging products) without union labor. Electrical connections, overhead rigging, and hard-wall construction require union contractors. Review the specific labor jurisdiction rules in your event’s exhibitor services manual.
What is the Omni Dallas Hotel’s connection to KBHCC?
The Omni Dallas Hotel is directly connected to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center via an enclosed skybridge, making it the most convenient hotel for KBHCC exhibitors and attendees. The Omni regularly serves as the headquarters hotel for major events at KBHCC. Book the Omni early; its connection to the venue makes it extremely popular, and it fills quickly for convention dates.
What is the weather in Dallas during major trade show seasons?
Dallas weather varies significantly by season. Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are the most comfortable for trade shows, with mild temperatures in the 60–80°F range. Summer (June–August) in Dallas is hot and often humid, with temperatures regularly exceeding 95–100°F. Winter (December–February) is mild but can occasionally produce ice storms that disrupt travel. April and October are historically popular Dallas trade show months for a reason.
How can I reduce costs when exhibiting at KBHCC?
Order all show services (electrical, internet, furniture, drayage) through the advance order portal before the official deadline; most events offer 10–20% discounts on advance orders. Ship to the advance warehouse rather than direct-to-show. Choose exhibit rental over purchase to avoid Dallas warehouse and logistics costs. Staff strategically: fly in for setup, staff appropriately for show days, and plan efficient dismantle.
What restaurants and entertainment are near KBHCC?
Downtown Dallas surrounding KBHCC offers extensive dining and entertainment. The Dallas Arts District (adjacent to the venue) features the AT&T Performing Arts Center, Klyde Warren Park, and numerous restaurants and galleries. Deep Ellum (0.5 miles east) is Dallas’s primary live music and bar district. Victory Park (adjacent to American Airlines Center) is 1 mile north.
Who can help me design and rent a booth for a Dallas convention center event?
Pure Exhibits provides nationwide exhibit rental and custom design services for exhibitors at events at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and other Dallas-area venues. We provide custom booth design, professional graphics, and complete logistics coordination. Contact us 8–12 weeks before your Dallas show date for a design consultation and a custom quote. On a tight timeline, our last-minute trade show booth rentals can turn a booth around fast.
