Programming the Future: How Interior Designers Are Shaping Concourse and Common Spaces in Convention Centers

As convention centers evolve to meet the needs of modern events, interior designers play a critical role in shaping concourses and common areas that foster collaboration, engagement, and networking. These spaces, which include lounges, community stairs, outdoor terraces, and other communal zones, are designed to maximize efficiency, enhance attendee experience, and seamlessly integrate technology. These common spaces are designed with meeting planners in mind, aiming to keep attendees engaged within the center for as long as possible. Recent notable TVS projects like The Baird Center, Las Vegas Convention Center West Expansion, and the Javits Center illustrate these emerging trends. 

The Art of Programming: Designing for Collaboration 

Interior designers approach convention center concourses with a focus on longevity, durability, and adaptability. Open and inviting common spaces are now the standard, with flexible seating arrangements with easily accessible power, interactive digital displays, and access to the outdoors. All allowing attendees to engage in both formal and informal discussions. Designers also prioritize intuitive wayfinding, ensuring seamless movement between sessions and events. 

The era of endless, monotonous corridors is over.  Taking cues from the hospitality industry, interrupting corridors with interest points, food & beverage opportunities, lounges, and premium gathering spaces offers visual variety to these long corridors.  At The Baird Center in Milwaukee, the recent expansion introduced highly configurable public spaces with advanced AV technology and sustainable materials, responding to increasing demand for environmentally responsible design.  Similarly, the Las Vegas Convention Center West Expansion integrates open-concept networking lounges and interactive digital signage to enhance the visitor experience.  In both examples, the expansion seamlessly tie into the existing building as to give an equitable experience. 

Creating Engaging and Immersive Common Spaces that connects the guest to the host city 

The modern convention center is no longer just a collection of meeting rooms, ballrooms, and exhibit halls but a dynamic environment that encourages interaction beyond scheduled sessions. Designers incorporate hospitality-driven elements such as communal lounges, rooftop terraces, and outdoor plazas, fostering engagement and spontaneous collaboration while allowing guests to enjoy the outdoor weather and city vistas. 

The Javits Center in New York exemplifies this approach with its extensive green roof, open gathering spaces, and natural daylighting strategies. These elements not only contribute to sustainability goals but also improve attendee well-being and connectivity within the space. 

Public art installations are another key component of modern concourse design, serving as focal points that spark conversation, provide cultural context, and enhance the aesthetic appeal of shared spaces. Thoughtfully integrated sculptures, murals, and interactive exhibits create a sense of place and reinforce a convention center’s connection to its host city.  These interactive art pieces can also serve as innovation incubators or thought starters, introducing guests to new technologies. 

Comparing North American and International Convention Centers  

While North American convention centers emphasize large-scale flexibility and integrated digital experiences, international centers often take a more localized and culturally influenced approach to concourse and common space design. 

In Europe, venues like the Messe Frankfurt in Germany prioritize seamless indoor-outdoor integration, offering expansive terraces and open-air networking zones that reflect a focus on sustainability and urban engagement. Similarly, the TVS designed Jio World Centre in Mumbai, India emphasizes opulent, hospitality-inspired communal spaces, incorporating luxury lounge areas and fluid, organically shaped gathering hubs to host large weddings and other cultural events.  It’s not uncommon to find convention centers tied to a mixed-use development, like Jio World, offering performing arts, shopping, hotels and entertainment – the conventioneer never has to leave the property. 

In Asia, convention centers such as the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore set a global benchmark for high-tech, multi-use concourses that blend event space with entertainment and retail. The emphasis on experiential engagement is particularly evident in its integration of lush gardens, water features, and interactive media installations, creating a convention environment that extends beyond business transactions. The TVS designed Nanjing International Exhibition Center finds its language from the local landscape. Dubbed, “Curling Dragon, Crouching Tiger,” the design represents the integration of the mountains, water, city and trees of greater Nanjing, the ancient capital of China for 10 dynasties. 

By contrast, North American convention centers typically prioritize large, open concourses that facilitate rapid movement and high-volume attendance. Spaces like those in The Baird Center and Las Vegas Convention Center West Expansion focus on maximizing adaptability through digital wayfinding, flexible lounge layouts, and enhanced networking zones. 

The Future of Concourse and Common Space Design in Convention Centers 

As the industry continues to evolve, interior designers are prioritizing human-centric and technology-driven solutions. The integration of smart lighting, mobile powered furniture solutions, public art, and sustainability-focused materials ensures that concourses and common areas remain versatile and relevant for years to come. 

By embracing flexible programming and seamless spatial integration, designers are redefining what it means to convene in the modern era. As seen in leading projects like The Baird Center, Las Vegas Convention Center West Expansion, and the Javits Center—as well as international counterparts—the future of convention centers is not just about meeting spaces—it’s about creating engaging environments that foster collaboration and meaningful connections.