The $271 million CONNECTICUT CONVENTION CENTER AT ADRIAEN'S LANDING opened in June in Hartford. The building, which began construction in 2001, is 540,000 square feet. It includes a 10-story glass atrium, more than 200,000 square feet of meeting space, and 145,000 square feet of exhibit space. The center, which offers expansive views of Hartford and the Connecticut River, is the anchor of the 30-acre Adriaen's Landing development, which will include retail and entertainment facilities and is part of a $2 billion revitalization project. Also in the city, the MARRIOTT HARTFORD DOWNTOWN opens this month, with 409 rooms and suites and 113,000 square feet of meeting space. The HILTON HARTFORD, with 403 rooms and suites and 15,000 square feet of meeting space, celebrated its grand reopening in March after a $34 million renovation. It is connected to the Hartford Civic Center.

THE RALEIGH (N.C.) CONVENTION CENTER is scheduled to open in 2008 with 150,000 square feet of exhibit space, 30,000 square feet of meeting space in 16 meeting rooms, and a 32,000-square-foot ballroom. A 400-room Marriott hotel and 980-space parking deck are also part of the project.

In Indianapolis, $900 million in funding has been approved for the expansion of the INDIANA CONVENTION CENTER and a new stadium. The anticipated completion date for the new stadium is 2008, while the convention center expansion, on the footprint of the RCA Dome, is slated for completion in 2010.

The 350,000-square-foot SHREVEPORT (LA.) CONVENTION CENTER is scheduled to open in January 2006 with 100,000 square feet of column-free exhibit space. A 316-room Hilton, slated to open this fall, will be connected to the center. The center is within walking distance of the Red River Entertainment District.

The new 154,000-square-foot ST. CHARLES (MO.) CONVENTION CENTER celebrated its grand opening in April. The center has a 27,600-square-foot exhibit hall, a 16,200-square-foot grand ballroom, and 7,070 square feet of meeting room space.

The $84 million TACOMA (WASH.) CONVENTION & TRADE CENTER opened earlier this summer 18 miles from Sea-Tac International Airport. The facility has 51,000 square feet of column-free exhibit space, a 14,000-square-foot ballroom, 11,000 square feet of meeting space, and a glass-enclosed pre-function area with mountain and water views.