SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
A Lasting Legacy
Over the past 60 years, the Charleston Civic Center has played host to
countless superstars, including Tina Turner, Elton John, Stevie Nicks and
Garth Brooks. It has been the site of classic performances by groups
ranging from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to The Harlem
Globetrotters and accommodated a variety of national conferences and
trade shows. In short, the Charleston Civic Center has served as a
hub of business, art and entertainment in the heart of West Virginia’s
Capital City since it was built in 1958.
PHOTO BY BOB SAUNDERS/CHARLESTON GAZETTE-MAIL.
Charleston leadership realized the space was in desperate need of
improvements to continue being competitive in the convention marketplace.
In 2015, BBL Carlton, ZMM Architects & Engineers and tvsdesign
assembled a team of construction and design professionals that won
the design-build competition for the civic center’s $100 million renovation,
which was officially completed on October 19, 2018.
Along with receiving massive upgrades, the iconic arena also received
a new name—the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center. “The
new name more appropriately reflects what the facility is—a spectator
arena for large entertainment events and a modern, state-of-the-art
convention and meeting facility designed to service the meetings
industry,” says General Manager John Robertson.
PHOTO BY JEREMY GILLELAND/MULTIVISTA.
The new name came on the heels of a brand-new look that extends
to every corner of the building inside and out. Along with a completely
redesigned entrance and lobby, expanded and additional meeting space
with high ceilings and a new ballroom, other interior upgrades include
new carpet, tile and granite countertops; a catering kitchen; digital
way-finding stations; functional public spaces; a refurbished exhibit space;
loading docks; and WiFi access.
“Our new look and upgraded technology are competitive,” says Robertson.
“This is what professional meeting planners who are doing business
throughout the country require.”
PHOTO BY JEREMY GILLELAND/MULTIVISTA.
The touch-screen way-finding stations present guests with a map of the
facility and a list of what is happening and where. Each meeting room
now has a digital screen outside the door that reveals what group has the
room reserved, all of which is interconnected with the center’s booking
software. The new catering kitchen offers back-of-house functionality
to limit interruptions and is four times the size of the old kitchen. This
modernized kitchen gives Distinctive Gourmet, the exclusive in-house
caterer to the venue, the opportunity to showcase its talents at meetings,