Seattle’s main meetings and trade show venue recently unveiled a new name and brand identity. Following more than three decades as the Washington State Convention Center, the leading Pacific Northwest events facility changed its name and logo to the Seattle Convention Center (SCC). 

According to officials from SCC parent organization Washington State Convention Center Public Facilities District (the District), the rebranding better aligns the venue with its hometown while solidifying the organization’s commitment to maintaining a fiscally responsible, self-sustaining operation that contributes economic and other civic benefits for Seattle, King County and the state of Washington.  

“Seattle Convention Center isn’t just for conventions,” said Frank Finneran, board chair of the District. “Both buildings are designed to serve as a hub of activity where the community can intermingle with event attendees to enjoy dining, retail and an expansive art collection.” 

Featuring a color palette that embodies the natural elements of its namesake city, the new SCC logo represents the fresh perspectives cultivated by guests as they collaborate, innovate and celebrate in the facility, he added.

The move comes as the SCC is gearing up to grow from two buildings into three. Featuring 570,290 square feet of event space that will double the capacity of the facility’s offerings, the $1.9 billion Summit is expected to open one block north on Pine Street in January 2023 and will include:

• 148,450 sq. ft. of heavy-load exhibit space with direct drive-in access
• The 99,250-sq.-ft. carpeted and acoustically treated Flex Hall
• 99,620 sq. ft. of carpeted meeting space, divisible into 62 meeting rooms 
• 58,000 sq. ft. of carpeted ballroom spaces, divisible into four
• 137,220 sq. ft. of lobby space offering natural light and mountain and water views
• 27,000 sq. ft. of garden terrace and other usable space 
• A covered loading dock with 18 bays

According to Visit Seattle officials, 40 events have already reserved dates and space at Summit, which is expected to provide a host of economic benefits to the region, including $260 million annually in visitor spending and as many as 3,900 direct and indirect jobs.

Until Summit’s unveiling, the SCC campus currently comprises Arch at 705 Pike, the original building, offering 205,700 sq. ft. of exhibit space, a 45,000-sq.-ft. ballroom divisible by four and 57,000 sq. ft. of meeting space divisible into 61 meeting rooms, while Arch at 800 Pike, formerly known as The Conference Center, includes 35,000 sq. ft. of meeting space divisible into 17 meeting rooms. Both offer 20 covered bays at two loading docks.

“[The SCC’s new branding] is a tremendous milestone as we prepare to launch Summit, the additional building, in January 2023,” said Jeff Blosser, SCC president and CEO. “The updated brand captures the enduring vibrancy the convention center contributes to downtown Seattle, both in terms of revenues generated by meetings, but also by event attendees as they explore Seattle, the Puget Sound and Washington state.”

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