Exhibitor guide · Downtown Tucson, Arizona
Tucson Convention Center: the exhibitor's guide
A 1971 building that just finished an 11-year, $100 million renovation, home to the world's largest gem and mineral show, and a downtown campus with South Halls tall enough for real machinery displays. What exhibitors need to know in southern Arizona.
TCC · 260 S Church AveWhy this page exists
The Tucson Convention Center opened in 1971 as the Tucson Community Center and has now come through an 11-year, $100 million renovation completed in early 2024, so the building most exhibitors remember from a decade ago is not quite the one standing today. The South Exhibition Halls, at 89,760 sq ft combined with 26-foot ceilings, are tall enough for the machinery and vehicle displays that fill the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, the largest event of its kind in the world. This guide covers the halls, Arizona's labor rules, drayage, and hotels downtown.
The building
South and North Halls
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Exhibition Halls A, B and C | 89,760 sq ft combined, 26-foot ceilings, fits up to 429 standard 10×10 booths. | Gem and mineral shows, large trade shows, vehicle and machinery displays | The tall ceilings are a real differentiator for oversized displays. |
| North Exhibition Hall | 13,650 sq ft, 19-foot ceilings, up to 45 standard 10×10 booths. | Mid-size shows, overflow | Lower ceiling height than the South Halls; confirm for tall displays. |
Figures from the Tucson Convention Center's published spaces and facilities overview.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
Arizona's right-to-work law applies; full-time exhibitor staff can generally hand-carry and assemble their own booth, with equipment-assisted material handling through the 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 Tucson CC shows.
History
1971 to a $100 million renovation
The Tucson Community Center opens downtown with 205,000 sq ft of meeting space.
The facility is renovated in 1987 and expanded in 1988.
An 11-year, $100 million renovation project runs, wrapping up in early 2024 with 233,000 sq ft of new and remodeled event space.
Every February, the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, the largest and most prestigious event of its kind in the world, takes over the convention center and dozens of satellite venues across the city.
Free tool
Tucson CC drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
The calendar
Shows at the TCC
| Show | Next dates | Industry | Attendance | Purple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson Gem & Mineral Show | February 2027 | Gems, minerals, fossils | 50,000+ | Custom exhibits |
Attendance is the organizer's or trade press figure where published; confirm before booking. The Gem & Mineral Show also fills dozens of satellite venues citywide.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: Tucson International is about 10–15 minutes.
- Walking: downtown Tucson hotels are a short walk.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Southwest crews for Tucson installs.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Tucson hotels | Walking distance | Closest options to the convention center. |
| Hotels near Tucson International | 10–15-min drive | Fly-in exhibitors on early or late flights. |
Questions
Tucson Convention Center FAQ
Is this the same building from before the renovation?
Structurally yes, but an 11-year, $100 million renovation completed in early 2024 substantially updated the facility. Confirm current layout if you last worked here before then.
What's the biggest show at the TCC?
The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show every February, the largest and most prestigious event of its kind in the world.
Can I set up my own booth?
Arizona's right-to-work law applies; full-time staff can generally hand-carry and self-install, confirmed against the specific show's rules.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $135 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
How much exhibit space is there?
103,410 square feet combined across the South and North Halls; the full South Halls fit 429 standard 10×10 booths.
When did the Tucson Convention Center open?
1971, as the Tucson Community Center; a $100 million, 11-year renovation finished in early 2024.
Exhibiting in Tucson?
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.