The center publishes no venue-wide union work rules, and the Pennsylvania Convention Center's agreement applies only in Philadelphia. Booth labor rules come from your show's general contractor.
Exhibitor guide · Lancaster, PA · Updated
Lancaster County Convention Center Exhibitor Guide
Attendees walk in under the 1898 Watt & Shand facade on Penn Square; your freight goes round the back to a single dock on South Christian Street. Inside is one 46,508 sq ft hall for up to 237 10×10 booths, with a 416-room Marriott under the same roof and Thaddeus Stevens' restored home on the corner.
- 3,000+ exhibitors served
- 10,000+ booths built
- 2 days to a design brief
Photo: “Marriott at Lancaster Square, PA” by Serge Melki, CC BY 2.0. Source
Quick answers
What exhibitors ask about the Lancaster County Convention Center
The official material handling and drayage partner. Every shipment goes through the dock at 65 South Christian Street.
Banners and ceiling signs are installed by center personnel only. Confirm clear height and hanging points with the venue before you design.
The connected Penn Square Garage has a 6′8″ height limit. The East King Street Garage takes vehicles up to 8′2″.
Only at the Lancaster County Convention Center
The Watt & Shand facade and the Stevens & Smith site at the Lancaster County Convention Center
Lancaster built its convention center with a department store as the front door and an Underground Railroad site at the corner. Keeping both is why the building is compact, why the public entrance and the dock are on different streets, and why your attendees have a museum to visit between sessions.
- 1898C. Emlen Urban's Beaux Arts facade still fronts Penn Square. It is the attendee entrance, not a freight door: trucks use the dock at 65 South Christian Street.
- 2009The store was gutted behind that facade and the convention center and Marriott opened June 19, a project of more than $170 million. The result is one 46,508 sq ft hall rather than a sprawling campus.
- 1804The William Montgomery House, built for a Lancaster attorney, is now an event space inside the center. Good for a VIP reception, but tabletop and hand-carry only.
- 2002Preservationists blocked plans to demolish the Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith buildings, and a Franklin & Marshall dig found a cistern believed to have hidden freedom seekers.
- May 1, 2026LancasterHistory opened the $19 million Stevens & Smith Center for History and Democracy in those buildings at the center's Vine Street corner, a short walk for staff and clients after the hall closes.
The building
A department store, a congressman and a cistern
Lancaster built its convention center into the oldest corner of its downtown and kept the best of what was there.
- 1742King George II charters the public market that started on today's Central Market site in 1730.
- 1840s–1868Thaddeus Stevens keeps his home and law office at 45 South Queen Street. Lydia Hamilton Smith runs his household and business for about 24 years, and the property becomes an Underground Railroad stop.
- 1898C. Emlen Urban designs the Beaux Arts Watt & Shand building on Penn Square. Central Market's market house opened a block away in 1889.
- 1995The downtown Watt & Shand store closes, three years after the Bon-Ton purchase.
- 2002Preservationists save the Stevens and Smith buildings. A Franklin & Marshall dig finds a modified cistern believed to have hidden freedom seekers.
- 2009The convention center and Marriott open June 19 behind the restored facade, a project of more than $170 million.
- 2019The Marriott's $39.4M East Tower takes the hotel from 306 to 416 rooms.
- 2026The $19M Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy opens May 1 at the center's Vine Street corner.
Photos: "Lancaster Central Market" by Steam Pipe Trunk Distribution Venue, CC BY 2.0 Source · "Penn Square" by Steam Pipe Trunk Distribution Venue, CC BY 2.0 Source · "Big Boy Brass playing us out in Penn Square" by Steam Pipe Trunk Distribution Venue, CC BY 2.0 Source
Floor plan & exhibit hall
Lancaster County Convention Center floor plan: Freedom Hall A and B
One exhibit hall of 46,508 sq ft, divisible into Halls A and B, plus two ballrooms and 27 meeting rooms. Tap a hall for its size and the center's own booth capacity.
Schematic. Hall widths are proportional to floor area, not an architectural plan. Official floor plans are on lancasterconventioncenter.com.
Freedom Hall A
- 15,553 sq ft
- 80 10×10 booths
- 85 8×10 booths
Suits smaller trade shows and vendor halls. Check which side your aisle and the dock door fall on.
Freedom Hall B
- 27,784 sq ft
- 140 10×10 booths
- 150 8×10 booths
The larger half, used for mid-size expos. Most 10×20 and island space usually lands here.
46,508sq ft full Freedom Hall · up to 237 10×10 or 246 8×10 booths
56 + 458×10 booths in the carpeted Heritage and Commonwealth Ballrooms · no forklifts or electric pallet jacks
7,620sq ft Freedom Hall pre-function · registration, kiosks, sponsor towers
27meeting rooms on four levels, plus the 1804 Montgomery House · tabletop and hand-carry only
Loading dock & move-in
Lancaster County Convention Center loading dock and freight
Get directions to Lancaster County Convention Center →
- One dock65 South Christian Street, separate from the Queen Street entrance.
- All freight through GESEvery inbound and outbound shipment is handled by GES, the center's official drayage partner.
- Ballroom boothsNo crates on carpet without padding and no forklifts or electric pallet jacks. Plan hand-truck time.
- ParkingPenn Square Garage connects to the building, 6′8″ limit. East King Street Garage, 8′2″ limit.
- Day −50Design approved. Order electrical, internet and LCCC-hung signs.
- Day −30File the EAC form and certificate of insurance if the show requires them.
- Day −14Purple ships to Lancaster through our carrier network.
- Day −7GES advance warehouse deadline.
- Day 0Move-in through the South Christian Street dock on the show kit schedule.
- Show +1Move-out. Empties return, bill of lading turned in to GES.
Labor & house rules
Who can do what on the Lancaster County Convention Center floor
Lancaster is not Philadelphia. The LCCC publishes no venue-wide union work rules, so read the labor section of your exhibitor kit before assuming your own staff can build. What is already fixed:
?Set by your show
- Booth build and dismantle: rules come from the show's general contractor, in the exhibitor kit
- The Pennsylvania Convention Center's labor agreement applies only in Philadelphia
- Confirm with the show before you plan a self-build
●Exclusive to the LCCC and partners
- Electrical, water, compressed air
- Rigging points and internet
- Banners and ceiling signs, hung by LCCC staff only
- Audio-visual through Encore
- All freight handling through GES
!House rules
- Nothing taped, nailed, tacked or stapled to walls, columns, glass or doors
- Smoke, haze and fog machines need a special permit
- No open-flame candles (battery LEDs are fine)
- Confetti carries a cleanup fee
Background photo: "Booth Setup at Affiliate Summit East 2012" by Affiliate, CC BY 2.0 Source
Free tool
Lancaster County Convention Center drayage cost estimator
There is no public rate, so this uses a 2026 planning number of about $120 per hundredweight. The GES tariff in your show kit is the real number. See all venues on the drayage rates page.
Estimated drayage
$1,800
Cut this with a lighter booth
Downtown at Penn Square
Photo: "Big Boy Brass playing us out in Penn Square" by Steam Pipe Trunk Distribution Venue, CC BY 2.0 Source
The calendar
Lancaster County Convention Center trade shows 2026–2027
Fan conventions, hobby shows, horticulture and wine-industry expos, plus Pennsylvania association conferences. Attendance figures are Purple's planning ranges; confirm each event with its organizer.
Pennsylvania Bridal & Wedding Expo
Wedding vendors, consumer · one afternoon · 2026
Eastern Winery Exposition
Winery equipment, supplies and services · convention center and Marriott · 2027
The Fly Fishing Show
Pennsylvania edition · rods, gear, guides and outfitters · consumer · 2027
Zenkaikon
Anime, gaming and fan convention · ~5,000 · here since 2013 · 2027
Historicon
Historical Miniatures Gaming Society · tabletop and hobby vendors · ~3,000 · here since 2019 · 2027
Dates are from each organizer's site (checked October 2026). Held here in 2026: Griffin's Grower & Retailer Expo (East Coast Expo, September 10); Griffin had not posted its 2027 East Coast date. Pennsylvania association conferences and bridal and home shows also book the center; confirm dates with their organizers.
Where to stay
Hotels near the Lancaster County Convention Center
Connected
Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square
416 rooms under the same roof. The default block for most shows.
About 0.3 mi
Holiday Inn Lancaster
Downtown overflow, near Central Market and the Fulton Theatre.
About 0.8 mi
Lancaster Arts Hotel
A boutique option a short cab ride away.
About 0.9 mi
Cork Factory Hotel
East-side option for crews and overflow.
Getting there: Lancaster's Amtrak station, about a mile north of Penn Square, has direct Keystone Service and Pennsylvanian trains to Philadelphia's 30th Street, Harrisburg and New York. Harrisburg International is the closest major airport; Philadelphia International is the larger hub, about an hour and a half by car.
Insider tips
Lancaster County Convention Center exhibitor tips: what experienced teams do
Route trucks to Christian Street
The center's 25 South Queen Street address is not where freight goes. Put 65 South Christian Street on every bill of lading and give it to your driver; all of it is handled by GES at that one dock.
Box trucks skip the connected garage
The Penn Square Garage links straight into the building but has a 6′8″ clearance. A high-roof van or small box truck needs the East King Street Garage, which takes up to 8′2″.
Ask if your show sells 8×10s
The center plans Freedom Hall for up to 246 8×10 booths or 237 10×10s. If your space is 8 ft deep, a standard 10-ft-deep kit will not fit, so confirm the depth before you ship.
Ballroom booth? Bring hand trucks
The Heritage and Commonwealth Ballrooms are carpeted: no forklifts or electric pallet jacks, and no crates on carpet without padding. Pack light cases and allow extra time to roll in.
Order hanging signs with the LCCC
Banners and ceiling signs are hung by center staff only, and Freedom Hall's clear height is not published. Get hanging points and height from the venue before you print a sign.
Take the Keystone, sleep upstairs
Lancaster's Amtrak station is about a mile from Penn Square, with direct trains from Philadelphia and New York, and the 416-room Marriott connects to the hall. A small team can work the show without a rental car.
FAQ
Lancaster County Convention Center FAQ for exhibitors
How big is the Lancaster County Convention Center?
Freedom Hall, the exhibit hall, is 46,508 square feet and holds up to 237 10×10 booths. With two ballrooms, 27 meeting rooms and the connected Marriott, the complex offers more than 90,000 square feet of event space.
Is the Lancaster County Convention Center union? Can I set up my own booth?
It depends on the show. The LCCC publishes no venue-wide union work rules, and the Pennsylvania Convention Center's rules apply only in Philadelphia. Check the labor section of your show's exhibitor kit; banners and ceiling-hung signs are always installed by LCCC staff.
Where is the loading dock and who handles freight?
All exhibitor freight enters through the loading dock at 65 South Christian Street, not the Queen Street entrance. GES is the center's official material handling and drayage partner.
How much is drayage at the Lancaster County Convention Center?
There is no public rate. Plan about $120 per hundredweight; the GES tariff in your show kit is the real number.
Where do exhibitors park?
The Penn Square Garage connects to the building but has a 6′8″ height limit. The East King Street Garage takes vehicles up to 8′2″.
What is the ceiling height in Freedom Hall?
Confirm clear height and hanging points with the venue before designing a hanging sign or tall island. Anything hung from the ceiling is installed by LCCC personnel.
Can I use a fog machine, candles or confetti in my booth?
Smoke, haze and fog machines need a special permit, open-flame candles are banned (battery LEDs are fine), and confetti carries a cleanup fee.
What is the old building on the front?
The 1898 Beaux Arts facade of Watt & Shand, the department store that anchored Penn Square for about a century. The store closed in 1995; the facade was kept when the rest was demolished for the convention center and Marriott, which opened in 2009.
Can I visit the Thaddeus Stevens site during my show?
Yes. The Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy opened May 1, 2026 at 13–15 East Vine Street, in the restored buildings at the convention center's corner.
Can I take the train to Lancaster?
Yes. Amtrak's Keystone Service and Pennsylvanian stop at Lancaster, about a mile north of the center, with direct trains to Philadelphia, Harrisburg and New York.
Exhibiting in Lancaster?
Tell us the show. We will fit the booth to the hall.
Hall A, Hall B or a carpeted ballroom, 8×10 or 10×10: tell us what the floor plan gives you. Within two business days you get a design brief, a GES drayage estimate and a timeline built around the single South Christian Street dock.
Background photo: "Lancaster Pa. Sunset" by Steam Pipe Trunk Distribution Venue, CC BY 2.0 Source
Compare venues
Lancaster County Convention Center vs other Pennsylvania venues
How the Lancaster County Convention Center stacks up against the other Pennsylvania halls we have guides for. Drayage figures are Purple planning rates, not published tariffs.
| Venue | Type | Largest space | Ceiling | Labor | Drayage (plan) | Airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster County Convention CenterThis guide | Convention center | 46,508 sq ft Freedom Hall | — | Check show kit | ≈ $120/cwt | MDT · 27 mi |
| Bayfront Convention CenterErie | Convention center | 28,800 sq ft Great Hall · 160 booths | 23 ft (Great Hall) | No venue union rule · check kit | ≈ $50/cwt | ERI · about 6.5 mi |
| David L. Lawrence Convention CenterPittsburgh | Convention center | 236,900 sq ft column-free Halls ABC | 30–45 ft (Halls ABC) | Union · self-setup ≤ 400 sq ft | ≈ $160/cwt | PIT · 18 mi |
| Greater Philadelphia Expo CenterOaks | Expo center | 240,000 sq ft, Halls A–E on one floor | 22–35 ft | Check show kit | ≈ $120/cwt | PHL · ~45–60 min drive |
| Hershey Lodge & Convention CenterHershey | Resort ballrooms | 32,004 sq ft Great American Hall | 22 ft (Great American Hall) | In-house decorator · check kit | ≈ $50/cwt | MDT · ~20 min |
| Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Pocono MountainsPocono Manor | Resort ballrooms | 38,000 sq ft Kilimanjaro Ballroom | 16–25 ft | Not right-to-work · check kit | ≈ $120/cwt | AVP · ≈40 mi |
| Monroeville Convention CenterMonroeville | Convention center | ~44,000 sq ft North Hall | 32 ft (North Hall) | Unconfirmed · check show kit | ≈ $85/cwt | PIT · under 45 min |
| Pennsylvania Convention CenterPhiladelphia | Convention center | 528,000 sq ft contiguous, Halls A–E | 30 ft (A–C) · 29 ft (D–E) | Union · CSA | ≈ $170/cwt | PHL · 8–9 mi |
| Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo CenterHarrisburg | Fairgrounds | 172,000 sq ft GIANT Expo Hall | 30 ft Expo · 13′6″ Main | Check show kit | ≈ $115/cwt | MDT · 9 mi |
| Philadelphia Marriott DowntownPhiladelphia | Hotel ballrooms | 34,300 sq ft Grand Ballroom · 31,962 sq ft Franklin Hall | 10.5 ft Franklin Hall · 22 ft ballroom | Union · check kit | ≈ $170/cwt | PHL · SEPTA to Jefferson Station |
| York Expo CenterYork | Fairgrounds | 114,000 sq ft UPMC Arena (74,000 clear span) | 24–30 ft arena · 12–22 ft other halls | Show contractor · check kit | ≈ $90/cwt | MDT · roughly 30 mi |
More Pennsylvania guides
Other venues in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Farm Show ComplexHarrisburg
Pennsylvania Convention CenterPhiladelphia
Greater Philadelphia Expo CenterPhiladelphia region
David L. Lawrence Convention CenterPittsburgh
Monroeville Convention CenterMonroeville
Written by the Purple Exhibits team. Reviewed for the 2026–2027 season. Sources: Lancaster County Convention Center (event spaces, exhibitor procedures, move-in and history pages), Discover Lancaster, Central Penn Business Journal, LancasterHistory, Lancaster County Magazine, Franklin & Marshall College, Wikipedia (Lancaster County Convention Center, Watt & Shand, Central Market, Lancaster station, Zenkaikon, Historicon).