Exhibitor guide · Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Raising Cane's River Center: the exhibitor's guide
A downtown Baton Rouge complex that's changed its name twice since 1977, an exhibit hall that can combine with the arena for 100,000+ contiguous square feet, and a skyline dominated by the tallest state capitol in the country. What exhibitors need to know.
River Center · 275 South River RdWhy this page exists
This downtown Baton Rouge complex opened in 1977 as the Riverside Centroplex, became the Baton Rouge River Center in 2004, and picked up its current name when Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, a Baton Rouge-founded chain, signed a naming-rights deal in 2016. For exhibitors, the practical detail worth knowing is that the 70,000 sq ft exhibition hall can combine with the arena next door for more than 100,000 contiguous square feet on the larger shows. This guide covers the exhibit space, Louisiana's labor rules, drayage, hotels, and the complex's naming history.
The building
The exhibit space
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibition hall | 70,000 sq ft, up from 60,000 sq ft after a 2011 expansion. | Regional trade shows, consumer expos | Confirm current dock count. |
| Arena (combined) | Can combine with the exhibition hall for 100,000+ contiguous sq ft. | Large citywide shows | Confirm whether your show uses the combined configuration. |
| Ballroom, theatre, library | Rounding out the full complex. | Galas, general sessions | Distinct rigging points from the exhibition hall. |
Figures from Raising Cane's River Center's published facility overview.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
Louisiana's right-to-work law applies; confirm hand-carry and self-install allowances with the show's official contractor.
Full-time staff, no card required
Confirm your specific show's hand-carry allowance with the official contractor.
Exhibitor-appointed contractors
Purple files as your EAC for River Center shows.
History
Three names since 1977
The complex opens as the Riverside Centroplex, combining an arena, ballroom, exhibition center, theatre and library in downtown Baton Rouge, within view of the Louisiana State Capitol, the tallest state capitol building in the country.
The venue is renamed the Baton Rouge River Center.
An expansion adds 10,000 sq ft to the exhibition hall, bringing it to 70,000 sq ft.
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, founded in Baton Rouge, signs a 10-year naming-rights agreement, and the complex becomes Raising Cane's River Center.
Free tool
River Center drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport is about 15–20 minutes.
- By car: I-110 and the Mississippi River bridge both reach downtown directly.
- Nearby: the Louisiana State Capitol and its 27th-floor observation deck are a short walk away.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Gulf South crews for Baton Rouge installs.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Baton Rouge hotels | Walking distance | Closest options to the River Center. |
| Hotels near the airport | 15–20-min drive | Fly-in exhibitors on early or late flights. |
Questions
Raising Cane's River Center FAQ
Is this the same venue as the Baton Rouge River Center?
Yes, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, a Baton Rouge-founded chain, signed naming rights in 2016; the venue was the Riverside Centroplex from 1977 and the Baton Rouge River Center from 2004.
Can the exhibition hall combine with the arena?
Yes, for more than 100,000 contiguous square feet on larger shows; confirm with your show's floor plan.
Can I set up my own booth?
Louisiana's right-to-work law applies; confirm hand-carry allowances with your show's official contractor.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $140 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
How big is the exhibition hall?
70,000 square feet, expandable past 100,000 sq ft when combined with the arena.
When did the building open?
1977, as the Riverside Centroplex; Raising Cane's took naming rights in 2016.
Exhibiting in Baton Rouge?
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.