Exhibitor guide · Downtown Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix Convention Center: the exhibitor's guide
Nearly 1 million square feet born from a $618 million project that tripled the original Civic Plaza, a right-to-work state where your own staff can hand-carry in, and a planned South Building expansion adding 150,000 more square feet. What exhibitors need to know before, during and after a Phoenix show.
PCC · 100 N 3rd StWhy this page exists
A citizens group started studying a Phoenix convention center in the early 1960s, and the $28 million Civic Plaza that resulted in 1972 bore almost no resemblance to today's building after a $618 million expansion between 2005 and 2008 roughly tripled it in size. For exhibitors, the practical questions are which of the three connected buildings, North, West or South, your show occupies, and what Arizona's right-to-work status actually means for material handling. This guide covers the halls, labor rules, drayage, the shows that fill the calendar led by Phoenix Fan Fusion, hotels downtown, and the center's history from Civic Plaza to a planned South Building expansion.
The building
North, West and South
| Building | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Building | Connected to West underground and by a skyway over 3rd Street; home to Hall 1, the largest contiguous exhibit space at 200,000+ sq ft. | Large national trade shows | First tenants moved in 2009; confirm current hall numbering. |
| West Building | Opened June 2006, LEED-certified, designed by Leo A Daly and HOK. | Large trade shows | Shares exhibit hall space with North. |
| South Building | A stand-alone facility, renovated in 2008; a further expansion adding roughly 150,000 sq ft of exhibit space is planned. | Phoenix Fan Fusion and other large public shows | Confirm current expansion status and hall availability before booking. |
| 99 meeting rooms, 3 ballrooms | Distributed across the campus, plus 80,000 sq ft of outdoor event space. | Breakouts, general sessions | Hand-carry and tabletop formats. |
Figures from the City of Phoenix's published fact sheet for the Phoenix Convention Center & Venues.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
Arizona is a right-to-work state, and full-time exhibitor personnel may install and dismantle their own exhibit properties. Hand-carrying materials in is fine; using material handling equipment is not, that work falls to Stagehand Local #36 or the show's general service contractor.
Full-time staff, no card required
Your own full-time employees can generally assemble and dismantle your booth. Hand-carry is fine; forklifts, pallet jacks and dollies are not.
Material handling
Equipment-assisted material handling runs through the official GSC, typically Freeman or GES, or Stagehand Local #36.
Exhibitor-appointed contractors
Purple files as your EAC for Phoenix Convention Center shows.
History
From Civic Plaza to a $618M expansion
The nonprofit Phoenix Civic Plaza Building Corporation forms to finance construction; the $28 million Civic Plaza, including Phoenix Symphony Hall, opens September 28, 1972, on 16.5 acres.
A $618 million expansion nearly triples the previous 302,000 sq ft Civic Plaza, adding the West Building (opened June 2006) and renovating the South Building and Symphony Hall.
The first tenants move into the new North Building, including USA Imaging and the American Meteorological Society, completing the modern three-building campus.
The city plans a further South Building expansion, adding roughly 150,000 sq ft of exhibit space and hundreds of new hotel rooms nearby.
Rules of the floor
Rules of the floor
Right-to-work, hand-carry only
No union card required for your own staff's booth work by hand; equipment-assisted material handling stays with the GSC or Stagehand Local #36.
Below-coastal planning rate
Purple's planning estimate is about $140 per hundredweight with a 200 lb minimum; drayage commonly runs 20–35% of total exhibit cost, lower than coastal markets.
Phoenix Fire Department
Covered and multilevel exhibits need plan review; flame-certified fabrics for anything covered.
Center-exclusive services
Electrical, rigging, internet and catering are exclusive to the PCC or its designated providers; the show kit carries the current list.
Empties and the MHA
EMPTY stickers on unpack; MHA before leaving. Purple routes the booth back to storage or on to your next show.
Free tool
Phoenix CC drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Deadlines
Freight countdown for a PCC show
The calendar
Shows at the PCC
Phoenix Fan Fusion anchors the South Building; the rest of the calendar spans technology, medical and industrial trade shows.
| Show | Next dates | Industry | Attendance | Purple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Fan Fusion | June 5–7, 2026 | Pop culture, comics, gaming | 80,000+ | Custom exhibits |
| Waste Management Conference | March 7–11, 2027 | Waste management, environmental services | 4,000 | 10×20 rentals |
Attendance is the organizer's or trade press figure where published, and Purple's planning range otherwise. Confirm dates before booking, especially given the planned South Building expansion.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: Phoenix Sky Harbor International is about 10–15 minutes, one of the closest major airports to any U.S. convention center.
- By transit: the Valley Metro Rail 3rd St/Convention Center stop is at the campus.
- Walking: downtown hotels along Washington and Adams Streets are a short walk.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Southwest crews and regional freight for Phoenix shows.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Sheraton Grand Phoenix, Hyatt Regency Phoenix | Walking distance | The closest towers to the convention center campus. |
| Downtown Phoenix hotels | 10–15-min walk | A range of price points near the light rail. |
| Hotels near Sky Harbor | 10–15-min drive | Fly-in exhibitors on early or late flights. |
Resources
Free resources you can link to
Cite the numbers
One-page cheat sheet
Building map, hand-carry rule, docks, deadlines.
Related on purpleexhibits.com: Custom trade show booth design · Trade show booth rentals · Request a quote.
Questions
Phoenix Convention Center FAQ
Can I set up my own booth?
Yes. Arizona is a right-to-work state, so your own full-time staff can hand-carry materials in and assemble your booth. Equipment-assisted material handling still goes through the official contractor or Stagehand Local #36.
How big is the PCC?
A 312,500 square foot main exhibition hall and more than 900,000 square feet of total meeting and event space across three connected buildings.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $140 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
What's the biggest show at the PCC?
Phoenix Fan Fusion, Arizona's largest pop-culture convention, held every June in the South Building.
Which airport should I use?
Phoenix Sky Harbor International is about 10 to 15 minutes away, one of the closest major airports to any U.S. convention center.
Is there transit access?
Yes, the Valley Metro Rail's 3rd St/Convention Center stop is right at the campus.
Is the center being expanded again?
Yes, the city is planning a further South Building expansion adding roughly 150,000 square feet of exhibit space; confirm current construction status before booking.
Exhibiting at the Phoenix CC?
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.