Oklahoma City Convention Center Already Hosting Events, Ready To Host More

As the United States reopens from the pandemic, Oklahoma City is telling the country about its new $288 million convention center.

Its biggest attribute at the moment is that's already hosting events.

Oklahoma City Convention Center General Manager Al Rojas said the big shows will come eventually, but smaller events are already here.

“Right now, it’s a competitive advantage competition to be open,” Rojas said.

The 4th floor ballroom has been used for dance competitions and sporting events.

Earlier this month, the 200,000 square feet exhibit hosted a socially distanced Christian concert with more than 3,000 people.

“What we are focusing on right now is local business, regional business and association business from Oklahoma,” Rojas said.  

Before Oklahoma City, Rojas was bringing events to big venues in the Dallas area.

He said Oklahoma City's the new, four-story convention center has created buzz in the industry.

"It’s a nice thing to say we have something you haven’t seen yet, but it's here. A lot of cities are building up to promise things to these meeting planners. Right now, OKC has it already,” said Rojas.

The first official convention happens in July with the American Association of Meat Processors.

Up to 1,000 people are expected each day of the event.

Another event follows in December, as Rojas and his team sell Oklahoma City as the perfect location for post-pandemic corporate team building.

“This is a golden opportunity, right now. People have been pent up. There’s a lot of anxiety. There is a need to get out, and we are ready for them,” said Rojas.