Permanent installations at two of the country’s largest convention venues give attendees the quiet, focused space they’ve long asked for — and give both venues a new revenue stream from previously underused square footage

ZenSpace Event Solutions today announced the permanent installation of its smart, soundproof meeting pods at two major U.S. convention venues: the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in Atlanta and Moscone Center in San Francisco. Both installations give attendees a long-missing option: quiet, private, on-demand workspace built directly into each venue’s everyday footprint.

Event attendees don’t stop working when they walk onto a show floor. They take calls, hold meetings, prepare for presentations, and need focused time to process what they’ve learned — yet most event environments are designed entirely for stimulation, with little dedicated infrastructure for that quieter, more private work. According to Bizzabo’s 2026 State of Events Benchmark Report, 75 percent of event organizers now rate immersive experiences that let attendees disconnect and focus as important to their event design — a need the industry has acknowledged for years without a scalable answer.

At the same time, convention venues nationwide are in the middle of a significant capital cycle, with facilities in markets like Las Vegas, Houston, and Austin pouring money into upgrades that turn ordinary square footage into revenue-producing assets. The GWCC and Moscone Center installations sit at the intersection of both trends: ZenSpace pods convert existing, underused space — concourses, lobbies, and pre-function areas — into bookable, soundproof meeting environments without construction, giving attendees the private workspace they’ve been asking for and giving both venues a new, measurable revenue stream from square footage that previously generated none.

Georgia World Congress Center

Georgia World Congress Center, one of the largest convention centers in the United States with more than 1.4 million square feet of exhibit space, hosts hundreds of events annually. The newly installed ZenSpace pods are positioned within GWCC Hall B, giving attendees across every event type and size access to private, on-demand meeting space.

“The need for quiet, private space at events isn’t a wellness trend — it’s one of the most consistently documented gaps in event infrastructure, and until now, no one has closed it at scale,” said Mayank Agrawal, CEO of ZenSpace. “GWCC saw the opportunity to solve that for their attendees while turning idle concourse space into a new, measurable revenue line, and that’s exactly what a permanent ZenSpace installation is built to do.”

“Adding ZenSpace’s smart meeting pods gives us a modern, technology-forward amenity that addresses a real and growing need,” noted Joe Borcherer, Chief Commercial Officer, Georgia World Congress Center. “Our organizers consistently tell us their attendees need private space for calls and meetings during shows, and now we can offer that seamlessly, right in our own concourses.”

Moscone Center

Moscone Center, managed by Legends Global, consists of three main halls spread across three blocks and 87 acres in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood, offering more than 1.1 million square feet of space. ZenSpace pods are being deployed in high-traffic concourse zones where attendee demand for private meeting space is greatest.

“Every attendee at every trade show needs private space to take calls, hold meetings, and do focused work, yet most convention centers have no scalable solution,” noted Mayank Agrawal, CEO of ZenSpace. “Moscone Center leadership recognized that ZenSpace addresses that problem while simultaneously transforming underutilized lobby and concourse space into measurable revenue.”

“ZenSpace pods add a layer of convenience our event organizers and attendees have been requesting,” says Leonie Patrick, General Manager, Moscone Center. “On-demand private meeting space in our lobbies means attendees can conduct business without leaving the venue — a must in a post-pandemic world where most people are beholden to video conference meetings. ZenSpace pods are a real benefit for event planners, their attendees, and a differentiator for Moscone.”

ZenSpace Meeting Pods at a Glance

• Soundproof, private workspace — Acoustic engineering blocks ambient noise, giving attendees a quiet space to take calls, hold meetings, or focus without leaving the event floor.
• Switchable privacy glass — E-glass panels shift from clear to opaque at the touch of a button, giving occupants visual privacy on demand.
• A pod for every need — Multiple formats are available, including compact Focus pods for one-on-one work, wheelchair-accessible ADA pods, and larger Team pods for small-group meetings.
• Built-in power and connectivity — Each pod includes power outlets, USB charging, and dedicated high-speed Wi-Fi.
• Wireless screen casting — Integrated display technology lets attendees present, join video calls, or share content without cables.
• On-demand booking technology — A simple app- or QR-code-based reservation system shows real-time availability and lets attendees book pod time in seconds.
• Fast, construction-free deployment — Pods install directly into existing concourses, lobbies, and pre-function space, activating underused square footage without renovation.
• A new revenue stream for venues — Venues can utilize ZenSpace solutions to activate previously underused space and transform them into beneficial amenities that generate ancillary revenue for host venues.

Both installations draw on ZenSpace’s experience across more than 250 events nationwide and reflect the company’s broader strategy of bringing smart meeting environments into high-traffic convention facilities. Additional venue partnerships are planned for 2026 and 2027.

Twenty-eight leaders selected for new advocacy leadership program to help amplify the business and professional events industry’s voice

The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the public policy voice of the U.S. business and professional events industry, today announced the launch of the ECA Ambassadors Circle, a new program designed to recognize, empower, and engage the industry’s most committed advocates.

As part of ECA 2.0, the ECA Ambassadors Circle will provide a select group of industry leaders with access to specialized year-round programming, advanced advocacy training, and new opportunities to help amplify the industry’s voice with policymakers, peers, and the broader business and professional events community.

“The future of our industry will be shaped by decisions made in Washington, D.C., and in state capitals across the country,” said Fernando Fischer, President, Americas, for RX and Chair of the ECA Board of Directors. “The ECA Ambassadors Circle will give our most committed advocates the tools, access, and year-round opportunities to help ensure those decisions reflect the importance of business and professional events. It is exactly the kind of deeper industry engagement that ECA 2.0 is all about.”

The inaugural ECA Ambassadors Circle cohort includes 28 business and professional events industry leaders who have demonstrated a strong commitment to advocacy and public policy engagement. Ambassadors will play a leadership role in advancing ECA’s advocacy efforts throughout the year. In return, ambassadors will receive access to specialized advocate education and professional-development opportunities, VIP access at select ECA events, invitations to private roundtables with policymakers, and recognition for their important contributions throughout the year.

The inaugural ECA Ambassadors Circle members are:

• Mary Bender, Vice President, Sales & Corporate Operations, Taffy Event Strategies
• Alexis Berggren, General Manager, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
• Jay Blankenship, Principal Owner, Breakpoint Growth
• Marie Browne, Senior Vice President, RX Global
• Andre Burns II, Vice President, Material Handling & Logistics, Shepard Exposition Services
• Shawn Cheng, Regional Director, North America, International Congress and Convention Association
• Rob Cohen, Co-Founder, Evolving Strategies and Xperiential Marketplace
• Rich Curran, Chief Executive Officer and President, Expo Convention Contractors
• Robyn Davis, Owner, Exhibitors WINH and Author of Exhibit Smarter
• Carrie Ferenac, Owner and President, CNTV
• Marc Ghafoori, Senior Vice President, Client Experience, HERITAGE
• Kate Hawley, Event Director, Snowbound Expo, Raccoon Media Group
• Liz Irving, Chief Executive Officer, Clarion Events North America
• Matthew Little, Vice President, Nuvista Event Services
• Megan Martin, Founder and Principal, M Squared Dynamics
• Michelle Metter, Partner & Co-Founder, Fast Forward
• Abby Nero, Regional Vice President, Map Your Show
• Don Pietranczyk
• Lynn Reves, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Results, Exhibitus
• Steve Riches, Chief Executive Officer and Principal, Laguna Displays
• Damon Ross, Senior Group Vice President, CORT Events
• Stephanie Selesnick, President, International Trade Information
• Mark Shadwick, Director, Business Development, GES
• Rich Stone, Chief Executive Officer, 3e by EXPOCAD
• Rich Vallaster III, Senior Director, Industry Relations & Thought Leadership, Momentive Software
• Steve Walker, Executive Director, City Wide Sales, MGM Resorts International
• Rachel Wimberly, Senior Vice President, M&A and Business Development, Easyfairs US
• Sandy Yi-Davis, Founder, Strategic Meeting International

“ECA is thrilled to welcome this first cohort of ECA Ambassadors,” said Tommy Goodwin, President and Chief Executive Officer of ECA. “Each of these leaders has already demonstrated a steadfast commitment to ensuring that our industry is heard by policymakers. Their participation in the ECA Ambassadors Circle will help ECA amplify the case for policies that strengthen the industry’s ability to create new jobs, reduce economic uncertainty, safeguard affordability, and ensure that the U.S. remains the premier global destination for business and professional events going forward.”

ECA would like to recognize Austin O’Boyle and Andrew Swick for their important contributions to the establishment of the ECA Ambassadors Circle.

About the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance:

The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) is a coalition of leading associations comprising the unified public policy voice of the business and professional events industry.

ECA’s member associations include:

• Consumer Technology Association (CTA)
• Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA)
• Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA)
• International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE)
• International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM)
• International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)
• PCMA
• Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO)
• UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry

Robert L. Lister, 78, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2026.

Robert was born on April 25, 1948, in Duluth, Minnesota, to Robert Sr. and Dorothy (Mankowski) Lister. He graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), where he earned his bachelor’s degree before beginning a distinguished 48-year career in arena and convention center management. For 30 of those years, he proudly served as Executive Director of the Grand Wayne Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his leadership, dedication, and commitment to excellence helped make the convention center a valued part of the community.

Robert’s greatest joy began long before his career, when he married his high school sweetheart, Robin, in 1969. Together they shared 57 wonderful years of marriage, building a life rooted in love, faith, and family. Robert and Robin were members of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, and St. Vincent’s Catholic Church in Fort Wayne, IN, faithfully serving their parish communities throughout their lives.

Those who knew Robert will remember his quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. He was always ready with a joke, bringing laughter wherever he went. He could also be delightfully stubborn, a trait his family came to love just as much as his infectious smile. In high school and college he was a guitarist in a local band, The Conquerers, and throughout his life he enjoyed sharing music with family and friends. He also loved completing puzzles and spending time around the table playing cards and games with his children and grandchildren, creating memories that will be treasured for years to come.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Dorothy Lister. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Robin Lister; his children, Christopher (Melinda) Lister, Patrick (Shannan) Lister, and Jennifer (Mark) Harasim; his sister, Cynthia (Bruce) Lobermeier; and his nine cherished grandchildren, who will forever remember his laughter, his stories, and the love he shared so generously.

Private services will be held.

This obituary was originally shared on matthewsmortuary.com.

Partnership will expand artistic opportunities, strengthen arts education, support local artists, and position Dallas as a national leader in the performing arts.

The AT&T Performing Arts Center (AT&T PAC) and Dallas Theater Center (DTC) today announced exploratory plans to combine their organizations in a bold, forward-looking partnership designed to strengthen the future of the performing arts in Dallas while preserving the distinct artistic identities and missions of both institutions.

At the core of uniting AT&T PAC and DTC is a desire to create more great programming for more people, expanded education opportunities for more students, sustained support for local artists, and ensure that Dallas continues to thrive as one of America’s great performing arts cities.

“By coming together, we are able to achieve much more than either of us could do on our own,” said Kevin Moriarty, Dallas Theater Center Executive Director. “Not only will this innovative model benefit our audiences, artists, students and our city, it also strengthens and expands our combined ability to meet the opportunities and challenges of the future.”

“The performing arts industry has been undergoing profound systemic change nationwide,” said Warren Tranquada, president and CEO of the AT&T Performing Arts Center. “Stagnation is not an option. Two major Dallas institutions are coming together in a proactive way to write our future, creating a new artistic and business model that can set the stage for strength and sustainability in North Texas and beyond.”

Under a unified AT&T PAC organization, led by president and CEO Warren Tranquada, DTC will continue to produce bold, innovative theater under the leadership of Enloe/Rose Artistic Director Jaime Castañeda building on its history of national recognition, including the 2017 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. AT&T PAC will continue presenting world-class performances, touring Broadway and its Elevator Project. This alignment will bring a broader range of lasting theatrical experiences, more ambitious productions, and added opportunities to enjoy exceptional live performance.

“Dallas Theater Center will keep creating the bold, adventurous theatre that defines us while expanding the kinds of stories we can tell, the artists we can collaborate with, and the audiences we can serve,” said Castañeda.

The alignment of organizations also reinforces the vision behind the Dallas Arts District and its importance to the success of downtown Dallas.

“The arts play a critical role in our city, especially in creating a vibrant downtown.” said Mayor Eric L. Johnson, who applauded the innovative efforts. “This is a bold step for these signature cultural institutions, one that distinguishes Dallas as a national change leader and helps ensure our Arts District continues to be an economic, cultural and tourism engine for Downtown.”

Education is a cornerstone of the combined vision. Together, AT&T PAC and DTC will build on their award-winning programs, including student matinee performances and after-school/summer theater programs to backstage tech training, dance engagement, leadership training and community workshops. Aligning resources and expertise will greatly expand access to the performing arts, with a long-term goal of ensuring every student in North Texas experiences live theater as part of their education.

This alignment also supports Dallas artists. DTC will remain a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) and produce more exceptional theater with its Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company. This will create more opportunities for actors, directors, designers, playwrights, musicians, technicians, and other creative professionals. AT&T PAC will keep providing critical resources for Dallas artists and cultural organizations with collaborative marketing, ticketing services, and premiere performance spaces.

For audiences, there will be no interruption to performances, subscriptions, memberships, or programming during the transition. Patrons can expect the same high-quality experiences they know and value. They will have more ticketing options, such as creating personalized packages across multiple art forms, more flexible exchanges, and new membership opportunities.

The AT&T Performing Arts Center and Dallas Theater Center come to this with a long history of partnership. Since AT&T PAC’s opening in 2009, DTC has been one of its five esteemed resident companies. DTC’s home is in the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre. The combined organization will bring finance, marketing, HR, fundraising and ticketing under the AT&T PAC umbrella.

Founded in 1959, Dallas Theater Center commissioned and built the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Kalita Humphreys Theater as its historic home, where it continues to produce theater today. The combined organization will operate and steward the Kalita under its existing agreement with the City of Dallas.

Combining the two organizations is subject to approval of their individual boards. They are now entering a due diligence and capital fundraising phase through the summer and fall, with the official approval and uniting expected to occur at the beginning of 2027.
Additional information, including frequently asked (FAQs) questions and updates about the transition, is available HERE.

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher and Foley & Lardner are representing Dallas Theater Center in this initiative, and Haynes Boone is representing the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

All 87 meeting rooms have been modernized with enhanced technology, sustainability features and contemporary design to elevate the meeting experience

Photo courtesy MCC

 

The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) has completed a $25 million renovation of all 87 of its meeting rooms, transforming more than 93,000 square feet of meeting space into more modern, comfortable and technologically advanced environments for event planners and attendees. The multi-year project reinforces the MCC’s commitment to delivering an exceptional meeting experience while ensuring the facility remains competitive in an evolving meetings and conventions industry.

 

“This transformative project will provide our clients with meeting spaces that reflect the expectations of today’s events,” said Jeff Johnson, Executive Director of the Minneapolis Convention Center. “From enhanced technology and sustainability features to improved comfort and design, these renovations position the Minneapolis Convention Center to better serve our clients and their attendees for years to come.”

 

The renovation blends functionality and style while prioritizing user experience, comfort and sustainability. Highlights include:

• Streamlined technology – Upgraded electrical, data, fiber and audio infrastructure provide consistent and reliable connectivity throughout every meeting room.

• Enhanced lighting – New linear LED fixtures with theatrical-grade controls allow for customized ambiance tailored to each event.

• Better airflow and comfort – New linear HVAC diffusers improve ventilation and temperature control.

• Warm and modern aesthetic – Bright, contemporary interiors feature wood wall accents, wood-grain metal doors and wood-grain metal ceiling tiles that create an inviting atmosphere.

• Sustainable and stylish acoustics – Acoustic wall panels are wrapped in Carnegie’s Xorel fabric, a 100% PVC-free material that is both durable and environmentally friendly.

The completed renovation is part of the MCC’s ongoing commitment to maintaining one of the nation’s premier convention facilities. The MCC continues to budget approximately $10-15 million annually in capital improvements to ensure it meets the evolving needs of meeting planners, exhibitors and attendees.

 

For photos of the renovated meeting rooms, go here.

 

Beyond its newly renovated meeting rooms, the MCC continues to elevate the attendee experience with new food and beverage offerings from Kelber Catering, the venue’s exclusive catering and concession partner. New concepts include: