Miami has evolved into one of America’s premier destinations for conferences, trade shows, and conventions. With world-class facilities ranging from the recently renovated Miami Beach Convention Center to the creative-industry hub at Mana Wynwood, the city offers venue options for every type of professional gathering—from intimate corporate retreats to exhibitions drawing tens of thousands.
This guide covers Miami’s major convention venues, nearby accommodations, transportation logistics, and practical tips to help attendees and event planners navigate the city’s diverse meeting landscape.
Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC)
The Miami Beach Convention Center stands as South Florida’s largest and most prestigious convention facility. Following a transformative $640 million renovation completed in 2020, the MBCC has solidified its position among the nation’s top-tier venues, hosting globally recognized events like Art Basel Miami Beach, the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show, Cosmoprof North America, and major technology conferences including Adobe MAX.
Facility Highlights
Exhibition Space: 500,000 square feet of flexible, contiguous exhibition halls (Halls ABCD) that can be configured for trade shows, theater seating, classroom setups, or banquet functions.
Grand Ballroom: 60,000 square feet of multi-purpose space ideal for general sessions, galas, and large-scale presentations.
Junior Ballrooms: 4 smaller ballrooms including the 19,714-square-foot Sunset Vista with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Pride Park.
Breakout Rooms: 84 meeting rooms totaling over 190,000 square feet for concurrent sessions, workshops, and private gatherings.
Outdoor Spaces: Pride Park (6 acres) and Collins Canal Park (3 acres) offer green space for outdoor receptions, activations, and overflow events.
Location & Access
The MBCC sits in the heart of Miami Beach’s Convention Center District at 1901 Convention Center Drive, within walking distance of Lincoln Road, the Fillmore Miami Beach, the Bass Museum, and the New World Symphony. South Beach’s Art Deco District and Ocean Drive are just blocks away.
From MIA: 12 miles, approximately 25-40 minutes depending on traffic. Take I-195 (Julia Tuttle Causeway) directly to Miami Beach.
From Downtown Miami: 6 miles via MacArthur Causeway or Venetian Causeway.
Parking: 800-space rooftop garage ($20 flat rate) with accessible and EV charging stations. Valet available for select events ($30). Additional municipal parking at the 17th Street Garage.
Coming Soon: Grand Hyatt Miami Beach
The MBCC’s long-anticipated headquarters hotel broke ground in May 2025 and is projected to open in late 2027. The 800-room Grand Hyatt Miami Beach will connect directly to the convention center via skybridge, offering 90,000 square feet of additional meeting space. This development will significantly enhance the MBCC’s competitiveness for large national conventions that require convenient on-site accommodations.
Mana Wynwood Convention Center
For events seeking a creative, non-traditional setting, Mana Wynwood offers a versatile alternative in the heart of Miami’s Arts and Entertainment District. Since 2010, this six-acre campus has hosted everything from art fairs and music festivals to tech conferences and luxury brand activations.
Major brands including Google and IBM have activated at Mana Wynwood, and the venue regularly hosts globally recognized experiences like III Points Festival, Miami Music Week events, Red Dot Miami, Spectrum Miami during Art Week, and the Real Deal Miami Forum.
Venue Spaces
Event Hall: 50,000 square feet with 32-foot ceilings, accommodating up to 6,000 standing. Ideal for trade shows, fashion shows, corporate events, galas, and weddings.
Sound Stadium: 45,000 square feet with 28-foot ceilings, capacity of 5,000 standing. State-of-the-art sound system makes it ideal for concerts, performances, and music festivals.
Mana Wynwood 320: An intimate private event space adjacent to the convention center, perfect for corporate functions, private gatherings, and smaller activations.
RC Cola Plant: A revitalized architectural landmark featuring street art and graffiti, exceptional for photo shoots, outdoor concerts, and unique brand experiences.
Main Parking Lot: Open-air space adaptable for music festivals, concerts, and large outdoor events.
Location & Character
Located at 318 NW 23rd Street in Wynwood, the campus sits within a designated free trade zone—advantageous for international art distributors and vendors. The surrounding neighborhood offers walkable access to Wynwood Walls, dozens of galleries, and the district’s renowned restaurant and bar scene. On-site parking is available, with the venue operating within standard business hours (9:30 AM – 5:30 PM Monday-Friday) for inquiries.
James L. Knight Center & Miami Convention Center
For mid-sized conventions and Downtown Miami events, the James L. Knight Center complex offers a functional, centrally located option. Since 1982, this multipurpose facility has hosted business conferences, entertainment events, and political gatherings in the heart of the city’s financial district.
Theater Seating: Up to 5,000 for entertainment, general sessions, and large meetings across three distinct theater-style venues.
Exhibition & Banquet: 28,000 square feet of divisible space in the Miami Convention Center wing.
Meeting Rooms: 17 variable rooms plus a 444-seat auditorium (Ashe Auditorium) and 117-seat lecture hall in the Miami Conference Center.
Hotel Integration: Directly connected to the Hyatt Regency Miami (615 rooms) with an additional 34,000 square feet of meeting space.
The complex is accessible via the free Metromover (Knight Center station) and offers attached parking through the Miami Tower garage (1,000+ spaces).
Miami Airport Convention Center (MACC)
For events prioritizing airport proximity and budget efficiency, the Miami Airport Convention Center provides a practical alternative to beach and downtown venues. Located just 10 minutes from Miami International Airport in the Blue Lagoon business park, the MACC eliminates lengthy transfers for fly-in attendees.
Total Function Space: 172,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space.
Exhibition Hall: 75,000+ square feet accommodating up to 400 exhibition booths.
Ballrooms: Four ballrooms including a 29,000-square-foot social catering ballroom (second largest in the region).
Breakout Rooms: 45+ conference and banquet venues.
The MACC is directly connected to the DoubleTree by Hilton Miami Airport & Convention Center (334 rooms), with over 2,000 additional hotel rooms within three miles. A complimentary airport shuttle runs regularly.
Venue Comparison at a Glance
| Venue | Exhibit Space | Best For | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBCC | 500,000 sq ft | Major conventions, trade shows | Miami Beach |
| Mana Wynwood | 100,000 sq ft | Creative events, festivals | Wynwood |
| James L. Knight | 28,000 sq ft | Mid-size conferences | Downtown Miami |
| MACC | 75,000 sq ft | Airport-adjacent events | Near MIA |
Accommodations by Venue
Near Miami Beach Convention Center
Miami Beach offers 64,000+ hotel rooms across all price points. Properties within walking distance of the MBCC include:
Luxury: Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Faena Hotel, 1 Hotel South Beach, W South Beach, The Setai
Upper-Upscale: Loews Miami Beach (0.5 miles from MBCC), Kimpton Palomar South Beach, Eden Roc Miami Beach
Value Options: Numerous Art Deco boutique hotels along Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive offer budget-friendly alternatives with character.
Near Mana Wynwood
Wynwood has limited hotel inventory within the immediate district. Attendees typically stay in nearby Brickell, Downtown, or Miami Beach and travel to the venue. The LAB Miami coworking campus in Wynwood offers day-use workspace for those needing to work between sessions. Consider hotels in Edgewater or Midtown for proximity without full Downtown pricing.
Near James L. Knight Center
The Hyatt Regency Miami connects directly to the complex. Additional options within walking distance include JW Marriott Marquis Miami, InterContinental Miami, EAST Miami, and numerous Brickell properties. Downtown’s walkability makes it easy to reach restaurants and attractions after sessions.
Near Miami Airport Convention Center
The DoubleTree by Hilton is directly attached to the MACC. The surrounding Blue Lagoon area offers numerous airport hotels from major brands at competitive rates, with over 2,000 rooms within three miles of the convention center.
Transportation & Logistics
Airport Transfers
Miami International Airport (MIA) serves as the primary gateway for convention attendees, with Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) offering a secondary option 30 miles north.
| From MIA To | Distance | Travel Time |
| MBCC (Miami Beach) | 12 miles | 25-50 min (traffic dependent) |
| Mana Wynwood | 7 miles | 15-30 min |
| James L. Knight | 8 miles | 20-35 min |
| MACC | 3 miles | 10 min (shuttle available) |
Getting Around During Events
Metromover (Downtown/Brickell): Free elevated people mover connecting all Downtown destinations, including Knight Center station. Runs 5:30 AM – 10:00 PM.
Brightline: High-speed rail from Fort Lauderdale (30 min) and West Palm Beach (1 hr) to MiamiCentral station in Downtown. Useful for attendees staying in Broward or Palm Beach counties.
Miami Beach Trolley: Free trolley service operating routes throughout Miami Beach, including stops near the MBCC.
Swoop: Free green transportation service in Miami Beach. Text your location to (305) 900-6367 for pickup.
Event Shuttles: Major conventions typically operate dedicated shuttle loops between hotels, airports, and venues. Check your event’s official website for specific shuttle schedules and routes.
Professional Transportation
For executives, speakers, and VIPs requiring reliable timing, professional chauffeured transportation eliminates the uncertainty of rideshare availability during major conventions when surge pricing peaks and wait times extend. Flight monitoring ensures drivers adjust for delays, while meet-and-greet service streamlines arrivals at busy terminals.
Practical Tips for Attendees
Book early: Major conventions like Art Basel, the Boat Show, and large tech conferences can book out nearby hotels months in advance. Reserve accommodations as soon as event dates are announced.
Plan for traffic: Miami’s causeways connecting the beach to the mainland create bottlenecks during peak hours and major events. Add 30-45 minutes buffer for morning sessions, especially at the MBCC.
Dress for the climate: Miami’s subtropical weather means warm temperatures year-round, but convention centers often run aggressive air conditioning. Bring layers for sessions and lighter options for outdoor networking events.
Stay hydrated: Humidity is high, especially May through October. Carry water, particularly when walking between venues or attending outdoor activations.
Download parking apps: ParkMobile for metered parking and SpotHero for garage reservations can save significant time. Many venues partner with these services for attendee convenience.
Know the neighborhood: Each venue district has distinct dining and entertainment options. MBCC attendees can walk to Lincoln Road; Mana Wynwood guests have dozens of galleries and restaurants steps away; Downtown events put you near Brickell’s restaurant row.
Plan Your Miami Trip
For airport logistics, see our guide to Miami airports for business travelers.
Learn more about our corporate travel services and airport transfers for convention attendees.
Attending Art Basel? Check out our Art Basel Miami business guide for networking and transportation tips.
