River Takes Center Stage at Convention Center Grand Opening

[portfolio_slideshow pagerpos=disabled]

The newly expanded convention center does a masterful job of connecting people to what was there all along: the Spokane River.

Indeed, as the city prospers it continues to come full circle to the river that flows through it. Three new public art pieces at the convention center all pay homage to the river—highlighting prolific trout runs, abundant wildlife and natural beauty.

With an additional 92,000 square feet of exhibition and meeting space, the convention center is already attracting larger events wanting to combine big town amenities with a home town feel and comfort. Said Cheryl Kilday, CEO of Visit Spokane, which sells the convention center to meeting planners around the world, “It brings the outside in, and the inside out. The river’s a huge selling point.”

As Mayor David Condon addressed the crowd he remarked on how the revamped center builds on the recent construction of Huntington Park, the development of the Centennial Trail by Kendall Yards and the soon-to-be remodeled Riverfront Park.

“These building blocks,” said Andy Dunau, The Forum’s Executive Director, Andy Dunau, “are key to finding innovative ways to market, cherish and preserve the waters that gush through the city’s center.”

At the opening ceremony, the crowd clearly agreed as they congregated in front of the center’s mammoth floor to ceiling windows to admire the view.