(Photo courtesy of the City of Springfield Facebook page)
The Springfield community previewed the conceptual designs for a reimagined City-owned Expo Center at a reveal event today.
Architect Populous presented preliminary visuals based on feedback from community workshops and stakeholder meetings.
City Manager David Cameron emphasized that the project will ultimately be decided by voters on April 7.
This are some details from a news release from the City of Springfield:
Background
According to a June 2025 report by Hunden Partners, Springfield routinely loses events to peer cities with more modern facilities, along with the associated economic benefits.
The Springfield Expo Center has served the community for decades, but does not meet modern convention standards. With approximately 45,000 square feet of contiguous space, it lacks the size, flexibility, breakout rooms, ballrooms and infrastructure required for today’s conventions and large events.
On the April 7 ballot, Springfield voters will consider a 3% tourism tax increase to fund the renovation and expansion of the underperforming facility. The City is seeking private-sector interest in a complementary hotel development, which would be privately funded.
The proposed renovation and expansion, estimated to cost $175 million, would include:
- a 65,000-square-foot modernized exhibit hall (expanded from the existing footprint)
- a 30,000-square-foot grand ballroom for banquets, ceremonies, and general sessions
- a 14,000-square-foot junior ballroom for mid-sized events
- 16,000 square feet of breakout and meeting rooms
- a full-service kitchen and food service infrastructure
- improved loading, rigging, lighting and production systems
- Multi-court indoor sports configurations
- Modern circulation with escalators, elevators and guest amenities.
Spaces would be flexible to accommodate a variety of events, such as expos, trade shows, conventions, sports tournaments, graduations, weddings, meetings, concerts and more. By making Springfield more competitive in attracting large events, the project, if approved, is expected to breathe new life into downtown Springfield and position the city for sustainable, long-term economic growth.
Projected revenue and economic impact
If the Expo Center renovation and expansion is funded and built, Hunden Partners projects:
- approximately $45 million in new visitor spending annually. Over a 30-year period, total visitor spending is estimated at roughly $1.35 billion across lodging, food and beverage, transportation, retail and entertainment.
- approximately 179,500 attendees across 164 events annually
- approximately 80,000 hotel room nights annually
- approximately 216 ongoing full-time equivalent jobs
- approximately $2.5 million in City tax revenue annually.
These impacts are primarily driven by visitors coming to Springfield who would not have otherwise visited the city. On a daily basis, this equates to roughly $123,000 in economic activity that Springfield does not capture without a competitive convention and events center.
Funding plan
- 3% tourism sales tax increase
- Existing tourism tax revenues for start-up and operating costs once current Jordan Valley Ice Park debt is retired in 2028
- Voter-approved Spring Forward SGF ½-cent sales tax – $30 million
- Potential $30 million state appropriation
- Additional support, such as bonds, naming rights, sponsorships.
