Exhibitor guide · Ocean City, Maryland
Roland E. Powell Convention Center: the exhibitor's guide
Nearly 250,000 square feet of floor space after a 45,000 sq ft expansion, a bayside ballroom and dockside exhibit hall built in two phases, and a boardwalk resort town setting unlike any other Maryland venue. What exhibitors need to know on the Atlantic coast.
Why this page exists
The Roland E. Powell Convention Center, better known simply as the Ocean City Convention Center, opened in 1997 and has grown in phases ever since, most recently with a 45,000 sq ft expansion that brought total floor space to nearly 250,000 sq ft. The facility includes a bayside ballroom, a dockside exhibit hall, and a dedicated Performing Arts Center that opened on time and on budget in December 2014. What sets it apart from every other Maryland venue in this guide is the setting: a boardwalk beach resort town rather than a downtown business district, which shapes both attendee expectations and freight logistics differently than a big-city convention center. This guide covers the exhibit space, Maryland's labor rules, drayage, and getting to a beach town well outside the Baltimore–Washington corridor.
The building
The exhibit space
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dockside exhibit hall | Part of the Phase I & II expansion. | Regional trade shows, boat and outdoor expos | Confirm current dock count. |
| Bayside ballroom | Part of the Phase I & II expansion. | Galas, general sessions | Carpeted; confirm floor protection needs. |
| Performing Arts Center | Opened December 2014. | General sessions, keynote events | Distinct rigging points from the exhibit hall. |
Figures from the Maryland Stadium Authority's Ocean City Convention Center project record and the facility's published overview.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
Maryland has no statewide right-to-work law; confirm hand-carry and self-install allowances with the show's official contractor.
No right-to-work law; confirm with the contractor
Rules vary by show; Purple confirms current terms before your build.
Exhibitor-appointed contractors
Purple files as your EAC for Ocean City Convention Center shows.
Free tool
Ocean City drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: Ocean City Municipal has a small runway; most exhibitors fly into Salisbury Regional, about 30 minutes away, or Baltimore/Washington International, about 2.5 hours away.
- Walking: boardwalk hotels are a short walk.
- By car: Route 50 reaches Ocean City directly; plan extra time in summer beach traffic.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Mid-Atlantic crews for Ocean City installs.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Boardwalk and bayside hotels | Walking distance | Closest options to the convention center. |
| Hotels near Salisbury Regional | 30-min drive | Fly-in exhibitors using the regional airport. |
Questions
Roland E. Powell Convention Center FAQ
Is this the same as the Ocean City Convention Center?
Yes, the Roland E. Powell Convention Center is the official name of what's commonly called the Ocean City Convention Center.
How big is the facility?
Nearly 250,000 square feet of floor space after a 45,000 sq ft expansion.
Can I set up my own booth?
Maryland has no right-to-work law; confirm hand-carry allowances with your show's official contractor.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $130 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
When did the Performing Arts Center open?
December 2014.
What did the most recent expansion add?
45,000 square feet, bringing the building to nearly 250,000 sq ft of floor space.
Exhibiting in Ocean City?
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.