Jackson Convention Complex
Jackson, Miss.

The News: The 330,000-square-foot center opened in January, following a $65 million investment.

Specs: The two-floor complex features a 60,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 25,000-square-foot ballroom, a 382-seat theater, and 10 meeting rooms. Also on-site: a business center, dual loading docks, and covered bus and vehicle drop-off lanes.

Extra: The convention center is pursuing LEED certification.

Phoenix Convention Center
Phoenix, Ariz.

The News: Phoenix Convention Center's five-year, $600 million expansion opened in December 2008, tripling the size of the facility.

Specs: It now has 900,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space, with a design inspired by the Grand Canyon and featuring solar panels, a water harvesting garden, and public artworks worth $3.2 million.

Extra: Complementing the expansion, the new 1,000-room Sheraton Downtown Phoenix opened in October. Connecting it all is the new $1.4 billion light-rail system. There are 38 stops on the 20-mile line, including one at the convention center.

Santa Fe Convention Center
Santa Fe, N.M.

The News: The center opened in September 2008, following nearly two years of construction.

Specs: The center offers 40,000 square feet of event space, including an 18,000-square-foot ballroom and 11 breakout rooms. It can accommodate groups of 20 to 2,000 and was designed to a LEED Silver certification.

Extra: Located in downtown Santa Fe, the convention center is surrounded by 1,500 hotel rooms.

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
New York

The News: The center scaled back its renovation plans from $1.7 billion to $1 billion.

Specs: The construction will add 60,000 square feet of space to the convention center.

Time Frame: The project is scheduled for completion in November 2012.

Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
Prince George's County, Md.

The News: The resort and convention center opened in April 2008.

Specs: 2,000 guest rooms, 470,000 square feet of convention space, 20,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, and seven restaurants

Extra: Located in National Harbor, the property offers easy access to Washington, D.C., with an hourly shuttle service as well as shuttle service to Ronald Reagan National Airport.

News Makers:

• The Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa in Calif. has appointed Michael DiFrancesco as the new director of sales and marketing. In this role, DiFrancesco will oversee conventions, group, leisure, and catering sales.

• Benchmark Hospitality International has hired Richard Pauley as director of sales and marketing for The Chattanoogan, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Pauley was previously director of sales at French Lick Resort Casino in French Lick, Ind.

• Las Vegas Meetings by Harrah's Entertainment has promoted Jordan Clark to vice president of sales for Bally's Las Vegas, Caesar's Palace, Flamingo Las Vegas, Harrah's Las Vegas, Imperial Palace Las Vegas, Paris Las Vegas, and Rio All-Suite.

• JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix, as named Shane Allor as director of sales. Allor is responsible for group sales in the western U.S. Allor comes from Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

• Joy Whiddon was named director of sales at the new Lorien Hotel & Spa, a Kimpton Hotel, which opened in February in Alexandria, Va. Whiddon comes to the hotel from The Fairmont Washington, D.C., where she was the director of business and travel industry sales.

• Benchmark Hospitality International has appointed John Branciforte director of sales and marketing for the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, Colo. Branciforte most recently served as director of sales and marketing for the Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate.