Hickory Metro Convention Center

Oh, hey—looking for your next meeting, convention, or sporting event location? 

Let’s skip the overpriced ballrooms and packed city blocks. Instead, how about a place with serious space, stunning style, and a whole lot of Southern soul? Welcome to Hickory, North Carolina—where the yellow carpet gets rolled out, and the surprises just keep coming.

Nestled in the foothills between Charlotte and Asheville, Hickory is a meeting planner’s dream: easy to get to, ridiculously affordable, and packed with personality. The Hickory Metro Convention Center boasts 130,000+ square feet of beautifully updated meeting space—perfect for groups up to 2,000+. Whether you're hosting a board meeting or blowing the whistle on opening tip-off, our team knows how to make every event feel custom, effortless, and actually fun. 

One Team. One Goal. One Smooth Process.
Here’s a perk you didn’t see coming: the Hickory Metro Convention Center and the CVB are one organization. That means your sales contact, venue team, destination expert, and event support crew are all on the same roster. No bouncing between departments or tracking down separate contacts. Just one streamlined, friendly, know-everything-about-your-event team that’s got your back from start to finish, site visit to final buzzer and beyond. One-stop-shop? You bet!

Punching Above Our Weight (In the Best Way Possible)
Think of us as the little engine that could—but for conferences. With recent renovations, the Hickory Metro Convention Center is more stunning and impressive than ever. High-end finishes, flexible room configurations, thoughtful touches throughout, and a multi-purpose sports venue designed to convert seamlessly from competition to general session space? Check, check, check, and check! 

We might not be the biggest city in North Carolina, but we bring the energy of a major market—without the sticker shock. Our events team? Top-notch. Our hospitality? Legendary. Our commitment to making planners -and coaches- look good? Unshakable.

Downtown Vibes, Local Flavor
After the breakout sessions wrap, the laptops close, or the whistle blows, the fun keeps rolling. Our walkable downtown is full of chef-driven restaurants, local breweries, art galleries, live music, and that one boutique you’ll talk about for weeks. It’s authentic, lively, and a blast for attendees. Plus, no one has to navigate bumper-to-bumper traffic to enjoy it all.

Your group won’t just attend an event here—they’ll experience Hickory. And trust us, they’ll thank you for choosing a destination that’s anything but cookie-cutter.

Now You Know
We’re not just another spot on the map. We’re the best-kept secret in the Southeast—and now you’re in on it. From major trade shows and leadership summits to regional tournaments and high-energy competitions, we’ve got the space, the team, and the home-court advantage to make your next event unforgettable.

So next time someone suggests a big-box city, go ahead and say, “Oh, hey—have you heard about Hickory?”

Why Meet (and compete) in Hickory?

• 130,000+ square feet of flexible, modern meeting & event space
• Multi-purpose sports venue ideal for tournaments and competitions
• Capacity for over 2,000 attendees
• Budget-friendly rates across the board
• Central location within North Carolina with easy access via I-40 and Charlotte
• Walkable, vibrant downtown with food, fun & flavor
• CVB and Convention Center in one: your planning made easy! 
• A seriously awesome support team from start to finish, first serve to final send-off. 

Ready to Meet Your Match?

At the Hickory Metro Convention Center, we don’t just host meetings and events—we turn them into events people talk about and set the stage for wins. Call us, message us, visit us—we’d love to show you around. When you meet -or compete- in Hickory, it just hits different.