Exhibitor guide · South Bend, Indiana
Century Center: the exhibitor's guide
100,000+ square feet designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Philip Johnson, street-level overhead doors built for shows with RVs and boats, and a riverside home in South Bend since 1977. What exhibitors need to know at northern Indiana's downtown convention center.
Why this page exists
Century Center was designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee, with Johnson a Pritzker Prize-winning architect whose name carries weight in the same way Peter Eisenman's does at Ohio's Greater Columbus Convention Center. Construction broke ground in 1974 as part of a central-city urban renewal project and the building opened in 1977, giving South Bend a genuine downtown, riverside convention venue. A practical differentiator worth knowing: Century Center's street-level overhead doors allow easy load-in and load-out, historically used for shows featuring RVs, boats and cars, a real advantage for exhibitors with oversized displays. This guide covers the exhibit space, Indiana's labor rules, drayage, and the South Bend riverfront.
The building
The exhibit space
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Convention Hall | 25,000 sq ft. | Regional trade shows, RV and boat shows | Street-level overhead doors; confirm drive-in access for oversized items. |
| Great Hall | 16,000 sq ft. | General sessions, galas | Distinct rigging points from the Convention Hall. |
| Discovery Ballroom | 12,000 sq ft. | Breakouts, association meetings | Carpeted; confirm floor protection needs. |
Figures from Century Center's published facility overview.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
Indiana has been a right-to-work state since 2012; confirm hand-carry and self-install allowances with the show's official contractor.
Right-to-work state; the show contractor sets the terms
Rules vary by show; Purple confirms current terms before your build.
Exhibitor-appointed contractors
Purple files as your EAC for Century Center shows.
Free tool
Century Center drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: South Bend International is about 10–15 minutes.
- Walking: downtown South Bend hotels are a short walk along the St. Joseph River.
- Nearby: the University of Notre Dame is about 10 minutes north.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Midwest crews for South Bend installs.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown South Bend hotels | Walking distance | Closest options to Century Center. |
| Hotels near South Bend International | 10–15-min drive | Fly-in exhibitors using the regional airport. |
Questions
Century Center FAQ
Who designed Century Center?
Philip Johnson and John Burgee, with Johnson a Pritzker Prize-winning architect. The building broke ground in 1974 as part of a central-city urban renewal project.
Can I drive an RV or boat into the exhibit hall?
Century Center's street-level overhead doors allow drive-in load-in and load-out, historically used for shows featuring RVs, boats and cars.
Can I set up my own booth?
Indiana has been right-to-work since 2012; confirm hand-carry allowances with your show's official contractor.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $120 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
How big is the Convention Hall?
25,000 square feet, alongside a 16,000 sq ft Great Hall and a 12,000 sq ft Discovery Ballroom.
When was Century Center built?
Ground was broken in 1974 and the building opened in 1977.
Exhibiting in South Bend?
Send us the show and booth number. You get a labor briefing, a drayage estimate, and a build timeline within two business days.
Purple in Indiana
Exhibiting in Indiana? Purple builds, ships and installs nationwide.
Custom and rental booths, install & dismantle crews and show services, delivered to any hall in Indiana.
Venue guides
Explore venues by state
Same standard, every hall: the building, the rules, the tools and the calendar.