Phoenix Convention Center Celebrates a Busy Year, Looks Ahead to 2026

The Phoenix Convention Center & Venues is proud to have hosted more conventions this year compared to 2024. The Convention Center hosted 70 conventions in 2025, with an estimated 293,300 delegates.  

“We are proud to continue to grow the number of events we host each year,” said Phoenix Convention Center & Venues Director Jerry Harper. “Each event offers us the chance to create memorable moments for the thousands of people who visit us, and those moments wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of our amazing team.”  

The estimated economic impact of the Convention Center was $453.7 million in 2025, an impressive feat for a year without any large-scale mega events.  

“The attendance the Convention Center draws to downtown Phoenix is important to the success of not only our venue, but also to the city and state,” Harper said. “That economic impact reverberates throughout the community and provides funding for statewide programs.”  

The Phoenix Convention Center & Venues department is also comprised of Symphony Hall and Orpheum Theatre Phoenix, which both saw exceptional years. With a combined 244 performances across the two venues, the theatres drew 162,238 people to downtown in 2025.  

“Our theatrical venues are the crown jewel of downtown,” Harper said. “We are honored to host hundreds of performances each year from comedy to ballet to symphonies and classic films. The historic Orpheum Theatre is one of my favorite places to visit, and I encourage everyone to catch a show there, there’s something for everyone.”  

Harper said the Phoenix Convention Center & Venues team will take its 2025 momentum into 2026.  ​

“We are set to break records in 2026, and we are looking forward to hosting the fan events for the NCAA Women’s Final Four in April,” Harper said. “I know that together our team can continue to reach for the stars and keep Phoenix shining as a top destination for meetings and events.”