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One year ago, Seattle broke ground on Summit, the additional facility at Washington State Convention Center – right in the heart of downtown and just a block and a half away from the existing facility, Arch. Opening in 2022, Summit has 16 groups already committed to placing their meeting in the new building, or using a combination of both buildings, reinforcing why WSCC’s central location in Seattle sets the city apart as a meeting location. WSCC anchors convention attendees to the heartbeat of the city, allowing them to experience the Emerald City for themselves.
The Arch building is named after the canopy arch that parallels Pike Street between 7th and 8th Avenue in downtown Seattle. It includes 205,700 square feet of exhibit space, 79 total rooms, and 44,000+ square feet of ballroom space. The Summit building name was inspired by its architectural design and the dramatic staircase that can be seen from the street. Summit will add almost 250,000 square feet of exhibit space, 66 total rooms, and 58,000 square feet of ballroom space. With more than $93 million from the project designated to streamline pedestrian and transit infrastructure, the goal is to make the city center more connected and accessible to all.
When meeting planners choose WSCC for their meeting, attendees will be in close proximity to countless restaurants, venues, and retail stores, all walkable in downtown Seattle. What’s more, Sea-Tac airport to downtown Seattle is only 30 minutes via light rail, adding even more efficient travel options into the city. With emblems of the city’s culture—like critically acclaimed restaurants, Loulay and Wild Ginger; iconic music and theater venues including The Paramount and The Moore; and flagship retail experiences, Nordstrom, Starbucks Roastery and Amazon Go—so easily accessible to WSCC, attendees will be immersed in Seattle’s diverse, transformative and creative spirit.
Meeting attendees at WSCC will also be less than eight blocks away from Pike Place Market—one of Seattle’s biggest and most vibrant tourist attractions. Bursting with interesting local food and retail vendors as well as visitors from all over the world, the Market captures Seattle’s spirit of inclusion, evolution, and innovation. Completed in 2017, Pike Place Market added the MarketFront, connecting downtown to the Elliott Bay waterfront. With its 30,000 square feet of open public space, the MarketFront houses multiple restaurants, a brewery, and shopping, plus views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.
“Our center often attracts groups that have never considered meeting in a convention center before and they love the fact that their attendees are literally steps from their hotel,” said Tom Norwalk, CEO of Visit Seattle. “Having two facilities—about a block and a half apart—that both offer an incredible Seattle experience, provides meeting planners with more space to host and inspire attendees.”
Learn more about placing your meeting in the heart of downtown Seattle at visitseattle.org/meetings.