RALEIGH, N.C.—The Raleigh Convention Center has been selected for the 2025 Venue Excellence Award from the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). The award recognizes five IAVM venues of any type within the membership that demonstrate excellence in the management and operation of public assembly venues.
“We’re thrilled to be recognized by our peers as an industry-leading venue,” says general manager Mara Craft. “The Raleigh Convention Center team is full of exceptional people who care about making everyone who comes through our doors feel special. This award embodies what we’ve worked toward for the more than 20 years I’ve been here, creating a venue where excellent moments happen.”
Since opening in 2008, the convention center has welcomed more than 6.5 million guests and generated more than $963 million in economic impact. In the past year, the center hosted 163 events over 332 event days, with 379,431 guests. As part of the Raleigh Convention Center’s commitment to security, accessibility, and sustainability, the staff is trained in crowd safety and accessibility for neurodiversity, and the facility is LEED Silver certified.
The facility is adding another 350,000 square feet of space, which will allow it to host larger events.
“This is so special during what’s already such an exciting time for the Raleigh Convention Center,” says Kerry Painter, executive director of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex. “We’re committed to making excellent moments here, and to making Raleigh recognized as a top-tier global destination. Receiving the Venue Excellence Award from the International Association of Venue Managers means that all the hard work of our great team is paying off, and the industry is taking notice of Raleigh internationally. We can’t wait to continue that with our upcoming 350,000-square-foot expansion that will take our already excellent venue to new heights.”
The Venue Excellence Award was presented at IAVM’s VenueConnect event, July 28-31, in New Orleans.
