Exhibitor guide · Sandusky, Ohio
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions: the exhibitor's guide
215,000 square feet of convention space attached to one of the country's largest indoor waterparks, minutes from Cedar Point, and a 38,000 sq ft ballroom that opened a year after the resort itself. What exhibitors need to know on Ohio's Lake Erie shore.
Why this page exists
Kalahari opened in Sandusky in May 2005 as a waterpark resort, and the dedicated 100,000 sq ft convention center followed about a year later in August 2006, later expanding to its current 215,000 sq ft. What makes it distinctive as a meetings venue is the setting: minutes from Cedar Point's roller coasters, on Lake Erie, a genuine destination resort rather than a downtown convention hotel, which shapes both attendee expectations and freight logistics. This guide covers the meeting space, what changes when your booth goes on hotel carpet, Ohio's labor rules, drayage, and the Sandusky lakefront.
The building
The convention space
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Ballroom | 38,000 sq ft, the largest of three ballrooms. | General sessions, galas | Carpeted; confirm floor protection needs. |
| Two additional ballrooms | 17,000 sq ft and 12,000 sq ft. | Mid-size general sessions | Confirm which ballroom your show occupies. |
| 40+ meeting rooms | Distributed across the convention center. | Breakouts, association meetings | Hand-carry and tabletop formats. |
Figures from Kalahari Resorts' published fact sheet for the Sandusky property.
Free tool
What changes when your booth goes on hotel carpet?
Every show at Kalahari runs on ballroom carpet, not a concrete exhibit floor. That changes a few things about how your booth gets built.
History
2005 to today
Kalahari Resorts opens in Sandusky as a waterpark resort, minutes from Cedar Point.
A dedicated 100,000 sq ft convention center opens on the property, giving Kalahari a genuine meetings identity beyond the waterpark.
The convention center expands to its current 215,000 sq ft, with three ballrooms and more than 40 meeting rooms across a 1.3 million sq ft resort.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
Ohio has no statewide right-to-work law; confirm hand-carry and self-install allowances with the show's official decorator.
No statewide right-to-work law; confirm with the decorator
Rules vary by show; Purple confirms current terms before your build.
Exhibitor-appointed contractors
Purple files as your EAC for Kalahari shows.
Free tool
Kalahari drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: Cleveland Hopkins International is about 60 minutes; Toledo Express is about 60 minutes.
- On-site: guest rooms are part of the resort itself.
- Nearby: Cedar Point is a short drive away.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Midwest crews for Sandusky installs.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Kalahari Resorts guest rooms | On-site | The simplest option; part of the resort itself. |
Questions
Kalahari Resorts FAQ
Is this a carpet or concrete floor?
Carpet. Every show here runs on the resort's ballroom carpet, which changes drayage, rigging and floor protection.
How close is Cedar Point?
A short drive; Kalahari's Sandusky location was chosen specifically for its proximity to the amusement park.
How big is the convention space?
215,000 square feet, including a 38,000 sq ft Grand Ballroom and more than 40 meeting rooms.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $135 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
How big is the Grand Ballroom?
38,000 square feet, the largest of three ballrooms.
When did the convention center open?
August 2006, about a year after the resort opened in May 2005.
Exhibiting at Kalahari?
Send us the show and booth number. You get a carpet-conversion checklist, 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.