The best expo and convention centers in New York City

Metropolitan Pavilion is an industrial-style convention center and exhibition space with over 90,000 sq. ft. of flexible space, housed between 18th and 19th Street in Chelsea. There are multiple special event spaces over the five floors. The ground floor Full Pavilion (max. 1,595) is over 25,000 sq. ft., with turn-of-the-century architectural highlights and a polished oak floor warming the space. It can also be split into two spaces, the North and South Pavillion. The 8,500 sq. ft. Metropolitan Suite (max. 300) on the second floor has 16-foot ceilings, an exclusive lobby, and wall projectors, as well as natural sunlight during the day. and north and south exposures. The third-floor Gallery (max. 280) is a minimal space with a 1,500 sq. ft. interior breakout room, track lighting, and a high-gloss white floor. The Level (max. 300) on the fourth floor is a contemporary space with LED ambient lighting, white walls, and wood flooring.

Metropolitan Pavilion offers a range of concierge and event production amenities, including catering, bar packages, and photography and videography services.

Right on the edge of the West Side along Hudson River Park is Javits Center, a glass-covered expo center that measures a whopping 3.3 million square feet. That’s 70 acres – an amount of space nearly incomprehensible to the Manhattan mind. Javits Center comprises 10 exhibit halls, 106 meeting rooms, and a rooftop pavilion overlooking the Hudson. With a 6.75-acre green roof housing several bird species and honeybees as well as Manhattan’s largest rooftop installation of solar panels, you can be assured that the environment is at the forefront of your event.

This space was designed I.M. Pei in the 80s. Since its 2021 renovation, the Javits Center can host events of up to 40,000 attendees, as well as host virtual and live-streamed events of up to 300 from its Broadcast Studio. Spaces are set across 5 floors, and include larger flexible spaces like Hall 1A, which can be separated into meeting rooms ranging from 55 to 345 guests theatre-style, or open, column-less exhibit halls like the River Pavilion (max. 3100). You’ll also find pre-function spaces, coat checks, cafes, first aid, and private offices. Javits Center is chosen by over 35,000 companies per year, making it a coveted and reliable venue for large-scale events.

Gone are the days of outdated, windowless convention centers. The Glasshouse, nestled along the West Side Highway in Chelsea, is a 75,000 sq. ft. venue with floor-to-ceiling windows, waterfront-facing outdoor terraces, and sweeping 360-degree views of Midtown Manhattan and the Hudson River. State-of-the-art technology means you can showcase products, give presentations and panels, and network with your peers. Enjoy meetings in breakout rooms, and have outdoor receptions on the North and South terraces when the work is done.

Glasshouse can host up to 1,850 people for reception events.

North of Manhattan along the East River lies The New York Expo Center, a 110,000 sq. ft. open event space available for anything from major trade and consumer shows to sporting events. Centrally located near NYC along two major interstate highways, events can accommodate visitors all along the East Coast, from Boston to Cleveland.

Within the fully bordered 10 acres of event space are multiple pre-function, VIP, and meeting spaces. The Expo Center seats 4,000 in retractable seats in its indoor space, The space has concession and catering facilities and can hold more than 500 10x10 trade show booths, with 16 accessible restrooms and 8 overhead doors.

For over 100 years, The Armory has been a big part of NYC history. Originally housing local units of the state’s volunteer militia and then the National Guard, it later became the NYC hub for track and field enthusiasts and competitors from around the country, and it now houses the Track and Field Hall of Fame. Their 65,000 sq. ft. Arena can be transformed into a large exhibition space or presentation hall with a 4-sided Jumbotron, column-free open space, and capacity for up to 2,500 reception guests. You can also book the Hall of Fame atrium, with Gustavino ceiling and original 1909 staircase, the History Gallery (max. 150), a 2,000 sq. ft. space that features historic track and field memorabilia and is ideal for seated meals, or the Theater (max. 69 seated). Smaller spaces include the Millrose Boardroom (max. 100) with original fireplace and chandeliers and the 800 sq. ft. Hospitality Salon (max. 75) with original hardwood floors and a 55” plasma screen.

Whether you’re an avid track and field fan or not, this unique and flexible venue can host up to 5,000 attendees for a conference, exhibition, or expo.

The words “stylish” and “convention center” have likely never been used in the same sentence, but we have to be the first when it comes to Chelsea Factory. With industrial brick walls, loft ceilings, and warehouse-style windows, this multi-floor 8,675 sq. ft. venue brings NYC charm to large-scale events. The modular, fully flexible spaces offer a seating capacity of over 350 and 600 for reception. There’s a removable air wall that allows the space to be divided into separate spaces, and can accommodate performers, presentations, seated dinners, product displays, and more. Amenities include in-house repertory lighting and A/V systems, sprung floors, steel-deck raised platforms, and decor and planning services. If you want a creative space that’s a little different than your average convention center, Chelsea Factory is your best bet.

All income directly subsidizes New York City-based artists’ use of the space.