Phoenix Convention Center (PCC) is the main facility for conventions and trade shows in Phoenix, Arizona, which is the fifth largest city in the United States and one of the most rapidly growing metropolitan areas in the nation. PCC is situated in the downtown area of Phoenix close to US Airways Center (now Footprint Center) and ASU’s downtown campus and comprises three buildings that have more than 900,000 square feet of meeting space.
This Phoenix Convention Center exhibitor guide covers what exhibitors need: PCC offers more than 900,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space across three connected buildings (North, West, and South) in downtown Phoenix, including a 312,500-square-foot main exhibit hall with pre-scored floors for easy booth layout. The city is also planning a significant South Building expansion, adding roughly 150,000 square feet of exhibit space and hundreds of new hotel rooms, worth knowing if you’re planning a multi-year Phoenix show strategy.
Our 20×20 trade show booth rentals scale from compact inline spaces to full islands for Phoenix shows.
Venue Overview: Phoenix Convention Center Exhibitor Guide
Any real Phoenix Convention Center exhibitor resource should start with the scale:
| Venue Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Phoenix Convention Center (PCC) |
| Address | 100 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 |
| Buildings | North Building, West Building, South Building |
| Total Event Space | 900,000+ sq ft |
| Exhibition Hall Space | approx. 502,000 sq ft combined |
| Meeting Rooms | 99 meeting rooms |
| Ballroom | 312,000 sq ft combined ballroom space |
| Nearest Airport | Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), 4 miles |
| Light Rail | Downtown Phoenix light rail, adjacent to PCC |
Phoenix Convention Center Exhibit Rental: Talk to Nationwide Booth Design Specialists at purexhibits.com
Phoenix Convention Center Hall Layout
The Phoenix Convention Center comprises three interconnected buildings across four city blocks. Understanding the building layout helps exhibitors choose the right space and plan their logistics. Here are a few practical details worth confirming for booth rental Phoenix AZ planning:
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North Building: Exhibition halls at different levels (Levels 1, 2, 3). High ceilings in the main hall areas. Used for hosting big trade shows. Connected directly to the West Building.
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West Building: The main convention center linking the North and the South Buildings. It includes a big ballroom area and meeting rooms at upper levels. There is an exhibition area at the lower level.
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South Building: The newest building of the PCC complex. Includes an exhibition hall area and meeting rooms. Directly connected to the West Building.
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Hall 1 (North, lower level): The biggest contiguous exhibition space in terms of size. More than 200,000 sq ft in size. Direct loading dock access, high ceiling clearance. Main hall for hosting big trade shows.
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Connectivity: All three buildings are interconnected by walkways and skybridges, thus making it possible to hold completely integrated events on the entire campus.
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Light rail: Valley Metro Light Rail runs next to the PCC complex. Convention Center station provides direct access to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and Phoenix hotels.
The South Building Expansion: What’s Coming
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This is genuinely useful context that neither official source communicates clearly: Phoenix has been developing a long-term expansion plan for the South Building, including roughly 150,000 additional square feet of exhibit space, an estimated 800–1,200 new hotel rooms, and a planned 24/7 entertainment district surrounding the venue.
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For any exhibitor planning a multi-year Phoenix trade show exhibit strategy, this is worth watching; expanded capacity and additional nearby hotel inventory could meaningfully change both booth options and logistics planning in the years ahead.
Exhibit Design Strategy for Phoenix Shows
The visitors to the trade show in Phoenix combine those attending national conferences with a solid representation of local businesses. The Greater Phoenix metropolitan area is now a major market for the technology, semiconductor, financial services, and health care industries, with companies exhibiting their products in Phoenix at national trade shows attracting both groups of attendees. Many exhibitors choose our 20×30 trade show exhibit rentals for a professional footprint without the cost of buying.
Phoenix Market: Direct, Business-Forward Culture
Business culture in Arizona is characterized by straightforwardness and is results-oriented. Booth designs and messages that emphasize value, practicality, and tangible returns on investment (ROI) are well received by business audiences in Phoenix. Marketing strategies in Phoenix should not be overly abstract or aspirational; instead, the business value proposition should be clearly stated.
Design for Year-Round Comfort
Phoenix is one of the most controlled-climate cities when it comes to hosting trade shows in the USA; the air conditioning systems in the PCC provide comfort year-round indoors despite what the climate is like outside. Still, those who participate in winter Phoenix trade shows (most popular period, November – April) must know that outdoor networking activities during winter Phoenix trade shows make use of the excellent winter Phoenix climate.
Capitalize on Phoenix’s Southwest Identity
The desert setting of Phoenix, along with the current Southwest design trend and the recreational activities of the city, makes Phoenix visually distinct and culturally unique. The exhibitors who are catering to Phoenix-area attendees or looking for regional exposure in the Southwest may find it useful to include some elements of the Southwest design philosophy in their exhibition design.
Related: What is a Turnkey Trade Show Booth? The Complete Guide
Design Your Phoenix Convention Center Exhibit: Talk to Nationwide Exhibit Design Specialists at purexhibits.com
PCC Logistics for Exhibitors
Phoenix Convention Center logistics are generally more straightforward than coastal major venues; freight access is easier, labor costs are lower, and the venue’s relatively new infrastructure creates fewer surprises. You can see comparable projects in our trade show booth case studies from past builds.
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Official Contractor: GSC’s official contractors vary among PCC events and may include Freeman, GES, and others. Consult your event’s exhibitor manual for the official contractor and all deadlines.
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Advance Warehouse: Ship to the advance warehouse to save on drayage charges and ensure material delivery before the show. See your exhibitor manual for address and deadlines.
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Electricity: Order through the official contractor’s web page. Arizona electricity rates are average; allocate $250-$1,500 based on booth size.
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Drayage: Drayage charges in Phoenix are usually lower than at other coastal markets. Allocate 20-35% of the exhibit cost for drayage at standard trade shows at PCC.
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Union Labor: Arizona is a right-to-work state. There is more labor flexibility at PCC than in unionized markets like Chicago or San Francisco. Consult labor policies in your event’s exhibitor manual.
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Internet: Order dedicated wired internet for any demo needing a reliable internet connection. Venue WiFi is not adequate for live demonstration.
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Move-In: Multiple loading dock locations within the three buildings make for efficient move-in for events that utilize several halls simultaneously.
What a Phoenix Trade Show Booth Costs
Costs for a PCC exhibit rental generally track with other mid-size Southwestern markets, more affordable than coastal cities, scaling predictably with booth size:
| Booth size | Typical full-service rental cost |
|---|---|
| 10×10 inline | Low five figures |
| 10×20 inline | Mid five figures |
| 20×20 island/peninsula | High five figures |
| 30×30+ island | Low-to-mid six figures |
Get a Free Phoenix Convention Center Exhibit Design Consultation at purexhibits.com
Rental vs. Custom Build for a Phoenix Show
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Rent a Phoenix trade show booth if you’re exhibiting at PCC for the first time or testing whether a specific Phoenix show fits your business.
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Buy custom if you’re committed to a recurring Phoenix show (or a broader Southwest circuit) annually for multiple years; the upfront investment amortizes across a genuinely repeatable calendar, and the venue’s planned expansion could open up more room to grow into.
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Modular rental suits companies building out a Southwest show presence without full ownership commitment yet.
Hotels Near Phoenix Convention Center
| Hotel | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sheraton Grand Phoenix | Connected via skybridge | Directly connected to PCC, most convenient |
| Hyatt Regency Phoenix | 0.1 miles | Adjacent to PCC, popular convention hotel |
| Renaissance Phoenix Downtown | 0.2 miles | Upscale, proximity |
| Hilton Garden Inn, Downtown Phoenix | 0.3 miles | Mid-price, popular for convention groups |
| Hampton Inn Phoenix Downtown | 0.4 miles | Budget-friendly downtown option |
Phoenix hotel rates are generally 20–40% below comparable convention cities like San Francisco or New York. This cost advantage makes Phoenix one of the most budget-friendly major convention cities. Plan your trade show booth rental benefits strategy to take advantage of Phoenix’s lower overall exhibiting costs.
Base your Phoenix exhibitor preparation on the checklist for exhibitors to make sure that everything is taken care of, from prior contractor orders to lead follow-up after the show is closed, within 48 hours of closure.
Conclusion
A genuinely useful Phoenix Convention Center exhibitor guide goes beyond the venue’s own thin, JavaScript-heavy web pages; real detail on the three-building layout, the planned South Building expansion, and the venue’s pre-scored floor grid all matter for actual booth planning. Get those specifics locked down, and PCC’s genuinely convenient downtown, transit-connected location becomes a real advantage for your next Phoenix show.
Pure Exhibits designs and builds booths for exhibitors across the Phoenix and broader Southwest show circuit, with logistics planned around each venue’s specific layout from the start. Talk to Pure Exhibits about your next Phoenix Convention Center booth.
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.
Phoenix Convention Center Exhibitor Guide: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Phoenix Convention Center?
The Phoenix Convention Center is located at 100 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, in downtown Phoenix. It is approximately 4 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and is directly adjacent to the Valley Metro Light Rail Convention Center station. The PCC spans four city blocks across three interconnected buildings.
How large is the Phoenix Convention Center?
The Phoenix Convention Center has over 900,000 square feet of total event space across three buildings (North, West, and South). The exhibition halls offer approximately 502,000 square feet of combined exhibition space. There are 99 meeting rooms and 312,000+ square feet of ballroom space. Our 10×10 booth rentals cover every footprint from inline to island.
What types of events are held at the Phoenix Convention Center?
PCC hosts a wide range of events including medical and healthcare conferences, technology and semiconductor industry events, financial services conferences, education conventions, association annual meetings, government agency conferences, and commercial trade shows across multiple industries. Phoenix’s growing economy in semiconductor manufacturing, financial technology, and healthcare has increased the volume of industry-specific events at PCC.
How far is Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport from the convention center?
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is approximately 4 miles from the Phoenix Convention Center, typically 10–20 minutes by rideshare or taxi. The Valley Metro Light Rail connects the airport (24th Street/Washington station) to downtown Phoenix Convention Center (Convention Center station), approximately 25 minutes by light rail with one transfer. PHX is one of the most conveniently located major airports relative to its city’s convention center.
Is the Phoenix Convention Center connected to any hotels?
Yes, the Sheraton Grand Phoenix is directly connected to the Phoenix Convention Center via a skybridge, making it the most convenient hotel option. The Hyatt Regency Phoenix is immediately adjacent to the PCC. Both are popular block hotels for major PCC events. Book inside the event hotel block as soon as the block opens; these properties fill quickly for major conventions.
Who handles drayage at the Phoenix Convention Center?
Drayage at PCC events depends on the official GSC for each event. Freeman, GES, and others handle events at PCC. All material handling within the exhibition halls must go through the official GSC. Arizona’s right-to-work status generally means more labor flexibility than union-heavy markets, though specific labor rules depend on the GSC and event.
What is the weather like in Phoenix during trade show season?
Phoenix has one of the most exhibitor-friendly weather climates of any US trade show city. The primary convention season runs October through April, when temperatures are warm and pleasant (65–85°F days, 45–60°F evenings). Winter (December–February) is particularly popular; trade show attendees enjoy mild winter weather while escaping cold northern and eastern climates. Phoenix summers (June–August) are extremely hot (110°F+) and have fewer convention events scheduled.
Are there union labor requirements at the Phoenix Convention Center?
Arizona is a right-to-work state, which generally provides more labor flexibility than strongly unionized markets. Exhibitor employees can typically perform more setup tasks without contractor labor requirements than in Chicago, San Francisco, or New York. However, specific labor rules at PCC events depend on the official GSC and event; review the labor jurisdiction rules in your event’s exhibitor manual.
What booth sizes work best at the Phoenix Convention Center?
PCC’s large exhibition halls accommodate all booth sizes from 10×10 inline to large 40×40+ island exhibits. For national shows at PCC, 10×20 inline or 20×20 island configurations are common for mid-size exhibitors. The halls’ high ceiling clearance makes overhead hanging signs particularly effective; large format signage is visible across the hall floor and dramatically improves booth findability.
What Phoenix restaurants and entertainment are near the PCC?
Downtown Phoenix has transformed dramatically in the past decade. The Roosevelt Row Arts District (0.5 miles north) has become Phoenix’s primary arts and dining district, with dozens of restaurants, galleries, and bars. Talking Stick Resort Arena (Footprint Center) is adjacent to the PCC for major sporting events during convention season. Chase Field (Arizona Diamondbacks) is 0.3 miles away. The Heard Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, and Arizona Science Center are all within a 15-minute walk.
How do I order electrical service for my Phoenix Convention Center booth?
Electrical service at PCC events is ordered through the official general services contractor’s online exhibitor services portal. Specify your exact amperage requirements and preferred locations on your booth footprint. Order during the advance order period (typically 3–4 weeks before setup) for preferential rates and confirmed placement. Budget $250–$1,500 for electrical depending on booth size and power requirements.
Can I do my own booth setup at the Phoenix Convention Center?
Arizona’s right-to-work environment allows exhibitor employees to perform many basic setup tasks (assembling portable displays, arranging products, setting up tables and chairs, placing monitors) without requiring union contractor labor. Electrical wiring, overhead rigging, and hard-wall construction require qualified contractors in most situations. Review specific labor rules in your event’s exhibitor manual for PCC-specific guidance.
What light rail access is available to the Phoenix Convention Center?
Valley Metro Light Rail has a Convention Center station (Jefferson/1st Ave) directly adjacent to the Phoenix Convention Center on the east side of the building. The light rail connects downtown Phoenix to Tempe, Mesa, and the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport area (24th Street/Washington or Tempe Transportation Center). Light rail operates until approximately midnight during weekdays and later on weekends. Many Phoenix convention attendees commute by light rail.
How do I ship my exhibit to the Phoenix Convention Center?
Ship exhibit materials to the advance warehouse designated by your event’s official GSC. Confirm the advance warehouse address, receiving dates, and shipping label requirements in the exhibitor services manual. For large exhibits or machinery, coordinate with the GSC for freight delivery scheduling that fits within your assigned move-in window. Phoenix’s accessible location near major interstate highways (I-10, I-17) makes overland freight to PCC straightforward.
Who can help me rent an exhibit for the Phoenix Convention Center?
Pure Exhibits provides nationwide exhibit rental and custom booth design for events at the Phoenix Convention Center and other Arizona venues. We design and deliver complete exhibit packages: structures, graphics, lighting, and display elements, with full logistics coordination for Phoenix shows. Contact us 8–12 weeks before your Phoenix event for design consultation and a custom rental quote. On a tight timeline, our rush booth rental option can turn a booth around fast.
