Durham’s Convention Center is the front porch of visitation in Durham, bringing corporate and leisure events to Durham that attract visitors who may not have thought to visit us otherwise.

The Destination Master Plan (DMP) calls for a redeveloped convention and events center with a focus on innovation, expanded size and multi-use capabilities to attract more overnight business and increase the economic support generated by Durham’s visitors. The DMP also identified unmet needs in Durham for event space, including flat floor spaces to support performances, sporting events and concerts.

Durham’s current convention center was built in 1989, offering 35,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The building and land are jointly owned by the City and County. The convention center is operated under an ongoing contract with Oak View Group (OVG) as its managing partner.

In 2024, Hunden Partners completed a market and financial feasibility study of the current convention center, evaluating how the center is performing, what the need and market demand are for an expanded or new convention center and hotel in Durham and a recommendation to either expand the current center or build a new one. Their recommendation to build a new convention center with an adjoining hotel here in Durham was presented to the Durham City Council in September 2024 and to the Board of County Commissioners in February 2025; both elected bodies agreed with the project team’s recommendation to proceed to the next phase of analysis.

Durham City Council Work Session September 19, 2024

Durham BOCC Work Session Feb 3rd, 2025

After receiving the support of Durham City Council and the Board of County Commissioners, the Durham Next Board of Directors has authorized the next phase of study to conduct community engagement, define functional requirements, identify potential sites, assess financing options and develop a complete project proposal.

• Durham Co. leaders discuss new convention center, ABC11
• New, bigger Durham Convention Center in talks, WRAL
• Is a New Convention Center Durham’s Next Big Attraction?, INDY Week
• Missing out: Durham needs a bigger convention center, which means it has to move, News & Observer
• Durham city leaders weigh options for new larger, more contemporary convention center, ABC11
• ‘Outmoded, outdated’: Study recommends new Durham Convention Center to replace undersized building downtown, CBS17
• To compete in convention business, study says Durham needs to start over, WRAL