Expansion & Renovation

About the Project

After 18 months of construction, the Hickory Metro Convention Center’s expansion and renovation are complete! The facility now spans approximately 165,600 square feet—all on one level—with 132,000 square feet of flexible, usable space for meetings and events. This includes around 110,000 square feet of interconnected flat-floor exhibit space, plus additional meeting rooms and pre-function areas. Building Layout

Key Additions:

• Multi-Purpose Sports Venue:
  An impressive 35,000-square-foot hall featuring 30-foot ceilings and premium wood flooring—the same “floating floor system” used by NBA teams like the Pacers and Celtics. This versatile space can host up to four basketball courts, eight volleyball courts, or twelve pickleball courts, with nets, goals, court dividers, and scoreboards provided onsite. It’s also ideal for cheerleading, dance competitions, gymnastics, wrestling, and more. When needed, the floor can be covered to create an open trade show layout.
• Pre-Function Space:
  A bright, 2,500-square-foot area adjacent to the new front entrance showcases floor-to-ceiling windows, self-contained restrooms, catering space, an outdoor terrace, and a large digital screen (32’ x 9’) for branding. Plans are underway to incorporate displays celebrating the region’s rich cultural heritage and furniture manufacturing history, along with its deep hospitality roots.

Facility-Wide Upgrades:

• Extensive updates to finishes, lighting, and audiovisual systems throughout the building.
• Complete overhaul of the Catawba meeting rooms with new airwall systems, lowered ceilings, upgraded wall finishes, and new carpet.
• Reconfigured main hallways to expand and renovate restrooms with modern tile, lighting, touchless amenities, plus two family restrooms with changing stations.
• New extended canopy over the main north entrance and a covered walkway connecting the parking deck to the entrance, offering protection from the weather.
• Addition of two small meeting rooms in previously unused spaces.
• Enhanced video signage and wayfinding screens outside every meeting room for easy navigation.

The Hickory Metro Convention Center is now better equipped than ever to host events of all sizes with style and flexibility.

Bear With Us — Project Complete!

Thanks for sticking with us through the renovation and expansion journey! Barry the Hickory Bear has been our fun guide along the way, helping share progress and updates. Now that the project is complete, Barry will be retiring from regular appearances—though you can still find him on this special page as a nod to his role in our story.

We’re excited for you to explore the new and improved Hickory Metro Convention Center and all it has to offer!