Exhibitor guide · Downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana
Grand Wayne Convention Center: the exhibitor's guide
225,000 square feet that make it Indiana's second-largest convention facility, a $42 million renovation that reshaped the building in the mid-2000s, and a downtown Fort Wayne home base since 1985. What exhibitors need to know in Indiana's second city.
Why this page exists
The Grand Wayne Convention Center opened in downtown Fort Wayne in 1985, and a $42 million renovation and expansion completed between 2003 and 2005 brought it to its current 225,000 sq ft, making it Indiana's second-largest convention facility behind only the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Its 50,000 sq ft central convention hall and 10,000 sq ft Anthony Wayne Ballroom give Fort Wayne shows real scale without the size or cost of a major-market venue. This guide covers the exhibit space, Indiana's labor rules, drayage, and hotels downtown.
The building
The exhibit space
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central convention hall | 50,000 sq ft. | Regional trade shows, consumer expos | Confirm current dock count. |
| Anthony Wayne Ballroom | 10,000 sq ft. | Galas, general sessions | Carpeted; confirm floor protection needs. |
| 225,000 sq ft total facility | Indiana's second-largest convention venue. | Mid-size national and regional shows | Hand-carry and tabletop formats available in meeting rooms. |
Figures from the Grand Wayne Convention Center's published venue 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 Grand Wayne Convention Center shows.
History
1985 to the 2005 expansion
The Grand Wayne Convention Center is built and opens in downtown Fort Wayne.
A $42 million renovation and expansion brings the facility to its current 225,000 sq ft, making it Indiana's second-largest convention venue after the Indiana Convention Center.
Free tool
Grand Wayne drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: Fort Wayne International is about 15 minutes.
- Walking: downtown Fort Wayne hotels are a short walk.
- By car: I-69 reaches downtown Fort Wayne directly.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Midwest crews for Fort Wayne installs.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Fort Wayne hotels | Walking distance | Closest options to the Grand Wayne Convention Center. |
| Hotels near Fort Wayne International | 15-min drive | Fly-in exhibitors using the regional airport. |
Questions
Grand Wayne Convention Center FAQ
How big is the Grand Wayne Convention Center?
225,000 square feet total, Indiana's second-largest convention facility behind the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.
When was it built?
It opened in 1985, then underwent a $42 million renovation and expansion completed in 2005 that brought it to its current size.
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 $125 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
How big is the central convention hall?
50,000 square feet.
How big is the Anthony Wayne Ballroom?
10,000 square feet.
Exhibiting in Fort Wayne?
Send us the show and booth number. You get a labor briefing, a drayage estimate, and a build timeline within two business days.
Venue guides
Every venue we have a guide for
Same standard, every hall: the building, the rules, the tools and the calendar.