Meeting planners and event organizers with an eye on the East Coast for an upcoming conference or convention should check out Raleigh, North Carolina. Latest communications say that, right now, the city is undergoing a rather exciting transformation, “furthering the city’s status as a vibrant destination for conventions, meetings and events.” For instance, according to Visit Raleigh, the official destination marketing organization for Wake County, North Carolina, the coastal city welcomes 19 million visitors annually, and with so many expansions and developments on the horizon, planners and organizers should begin planning now. Here’s why:
1-Raleigh Convention Center (RCC). It’s planning an expansion project with an anticipated opening in 2029. This development targets LEED Gold certification and will feature:
- An additional 298,100-square-foot facility, bringing the RCC’s total to 798,000 sq. ft.
- 50,000 sq. ft. of divisible flex space, an 18,000 sq. ft. ballroom, and 13 new meeting rooms
2-Making way for the RCC expansion, the Red Hat Amphitheater is getting a new home. Following the 2026 concert season, Red Hat Amphitheater will open in 2027 at a new location and with exciting new amenities that will particularly appeal to group organizers.
3-Breaking ground in February 2026, the 29-story Omni Raleigh Hotel is slated to open in late 2028. Located between the RCC and Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, the Omni will cater to Raleigh’s high-end business, convention, and leisure stays. Notable amenities include:
- 600 guest rooms, 61,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 20,000 sq. ft. ballroom, and a rooftop pool
- Several restaurants – including the first Bob’s Steak & Chop House in North Carolina, a rooftop poolside restaurant, and a sports bar witha golf simulator
- Resort-style wellness facility
4-Reaffirming its role as one of Raleigh’s most versatile and innovative sports facilities, Lenovo Center is undergoing major upgrades, modernizing experiences for visitors and entertainers alike. This enhancement will include:
- Expanded main concourses, redesigned seating, and a new upper-level “View Bar.”
- Development of a mixed-use Lenovo Center District with 200,000 sq. ft. of retail space
- A 150-key hotel, 4,300-seat ballroom, and new food and beverage offerings
- Multiple parks, plazas, promenades, and tailgating spaces for visitors to gather
5-Beyond downtown entertainment and convention developments, several boutique hotels are also slated to open in the coming years, offering eclectic and elevated hospitality options:
- Village District’s 150-room Oberlin Hotel, opening spring 2026, takes cues from the neighborhood’s history, incorporating artwork and elements that nod to its heritage. The hotel’s refined design and exceptional service will create a modern, welcoming space for all guests.
- Raleigh native, singer/songwriter, and Grammy-nominated musician, Tift Merritt, and Daniel Robinson, co-owner of The Durham Hotel, are renovating and restoring The Gables, a charming motor lodge from 1928, scheduled to reopen in the summer of 2026.
- Opening in Cary in the fall of 2027, the 186-room Pagemore Hotel at Fenton will feature curated art installations, live music programming, and a cutting-edge Culinary Theatre where food serves as performance art.
According to Dennis Edwards, president and CEO of Visit Raleigh, numerous transformative investments in Raleigh’s future are underway. These include new and enhanced projects that will bring thousands of new visitors and drive more restaurant reservations, hotel stays, and traffic to local businesses. As he asserts: “Raleigh’s position as a vibrant, nationally competitive destination for meetings, sports, events, and tourism has never been stronger.” There’s a lot to consider here, and the best time to incorporate any of the above facilities into your group plans is now.
For more information: Contact the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh): www.visitRaleigh.com.
