Host Your Event at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

Get in touch and we’ll help you with everything from planning to day-of coordination.

Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center at night

The Only Downtown Convention Center in South Carolina

The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center is located right in the heart of a bustling city center - with friendly locals, delicious food, and great shopping all within walking distance.

Columbia’s bustling downtown, its mouthwatering food scene, and our flexible meeting spaces will help you create an unforgettable event.

  • Conference Room at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

    Conference Rooms

    Our team will help you choose the right meeting room for breakout sessions.

  • Our beautifully landscaped terrace is an ideal setting for cocktails, luncheons or conference breaks.

    Outdoor Spaces

    Enjoy the beautiful South Carolina weather and views of our bustling city from our outdoor spaces.

  • The convention center's 24,700 square-foot, column-free Exhibit Hall is adaptable for whatever your event

    Exhibit Hall

    Our column-free exhibit hall is just right for seated meal functions, tradeshows, large-scale galas, and sporting events.

  • The convention center's ballroom is an elegant setting for any event

    Ballroom

    Elegant finishes, tall ceilings and customizable, built-in lighting options make the Ballroom a stunning setting for your event.

  • Lively Downtown

    Your guests will love the local restaurants, fun shops, great nightlife—all within walking distance from the convention center and hotels.

  • Up and Coming Food Scene

    You can’t talk about Southern hospitality without talking about food. Whether they’re looking for a classy cocktail hour, a chance to try something new, or a casual burger and fries, your guests will have plenty of options.

OnThe Record

“ I thank you all for allowing us to be able to continue to come here because it's been a great 20 years, and we look for it to be 20 years longer. ”

- Barry A. Watson, South Carolina Funeral Director Association President

“ I think what it's done is it helped expose people to who Columbia really is. And I think it's a great thing that's helped bring us the restaurants and retail and get the hotels here that we needed. This was the anchor for the area. ”

- Daniel Rickenmann, Mayor of the City of Columbia

“ The Columbia Convention Center has been a tremendous economic engine. It's been a source of pride, and it's something now that's part of our fabric… Children, grandchildren will be going to and benefiting from the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center for decades to come. ”

- Bob Coble, former Mayor of the City of Columbia

“ We have a lot of repeat clients. Once they experience the hospitality within our facility as well as our food and the quality of the amenities here, they do return year after year after year. We've had some clients with us all 20 years the building's been in existence. ”

- Cheryl Swanson, GM and VP of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

“ I cannot say enough positive things about the staff and how we've worked together to create that environment as our event has grown to the size that it has grown. ”

- Donald Brock Jr., Co-Founder of Soda City Comic Con

“ We have thousands of residents that have passed through this building to attend the events and those events have generated fond memories for those people, so they have a personal attachment to our building, and I think that's something we're very proud of – that we have a lot of community pride in the building and that it's touched their lives. ”

- Bill Ellen, CEO and President of Experience Columbia SC

“ The answer is yes, now what is the question? This is the attitude that greeted us from, our site visit to execution for our event in Columbia. When we had challenges we wanted to accomplish the [ECSC Sports team] in Columbia found answers and onsite their team could not have been more attentive. From the Chef creating specialty meals to Operations putting up signage, the team [at the Convention Center] was as enthusiastic about our program as we are. We cannot wait to return to Columbia with an event in the future. ”

- Lou Mengsol, US Sports Congress

“ You were both extremely patient and helpful from start to finish and the catering and A/V team were great. We received excellent feedback... This was my first time working with CMCC and I look forward to our next opportunity to host an event there. ”

- Erin Hedgecock, South Carolina Department of Commerce

“ On behalf of the SNA-SC executive board, I wanted to reach out and say thank you [to the CMCC] for your help planning the 67th Annual State Convention... We were blown away by how wonderful everyone was at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center! ”

- Clare Buck, South Carolina Student Nurses' Association

“ I was very pleased with how our event was carried out on [the CMCC] end. Virtually seamless! And I truly appreciated how responsive the entire staff was regarding last minute issues/needs that popped up. ”

- Cassie Barber, South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness

Let's start planning together

When you book with us, you'll get a dedicated staff to help you with everything from planning logistics to day-of coordination.

We are pleased to offer in-house catering services through OVG Hospitality. Are you interested in food and beverage for your event?