Excitement in Store at the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center

Though Puerto Vallarta is known primarily as a peaceful, idyllic travel destination – home to unparalleled scenery and rich cultural offerings – the city has made strides in recent years to diverse its economy and serve a wider array of visitors, while maintaining its world-famous charm. One of the cornerstones of this city-wide effort, the $50-million Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center, was completed earlier this year and now features regular events, while also serving as the community's most-advanced multi-use space. Located just five minutes from Puerto Vallarta's beachfront Hotel Zone, the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center is set to become one of the city's top tourism destinations for years to come.

Designed by renowned Mexican architect, Guillermo Gómez Vázquez Aldana, the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center was inspired by the city's scenic location along Banderas Bay. The exterior of the convention center is flanked by a series of "sails," creative sculptures that mimic the atmosphere of the open water. More impressively, the interior includes moving walls and other adaptable features that allow the city to host everything from intimate events for groups as small as 10 to large conferences and concerts for thousands of visitors.

In all, the showrooms, meeting spaces and theaters at the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center encompass more than 105,000 square feet. The most significant space is the 54,000-square-foot Gran Salon Vallarta, a ballroom that is set to host everything from international trade shows and conventions to local cultural events and concerts. The Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center also has much to offer behind the scenes, as the facility is equipped with upscale salons and dressing rooms for everyone from business travelers to world-class performers. Visitors to the convention center for conferences, trade shows and concerts will also find an on-site restaurant, as well as several small shops that specialize in unique local products and souvenirs.

When arriving at the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center, visitors will be greeted by a 250,000-square-foot landscaped plaza, a unique outdoor space capable of hosting everything from large festivals to intimate weddings. In addition to serving as one of the city's best outdoor event spaces, the plaza is also home to some of the area's most picturesque gardens, already celebrated for their natural pools, waterfalls and expert landscaping. This outdoor plaza is set amongst 42 picturesque acres that border the El Salado Estuary, a protected area of dense mangrove swamps that serves as home to numerous unique bird and marine species. El Salado Estuary maintains a research center within the convention center and can be visited by anyone hoping to learn more about the region's diverse ecosystems.

The Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center is located off one of the city's primary thoroughfares, Avenue Mexico. While the convention center can be reached easily from the Hotel Zone via taxi or shuttle, business travelers and tourists arriving for special events can also reach the new convention center within 20 minutes from Puerto Vallarta's airport.

With a full schedule of local and international events in store, the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center is destined to become a centerpiece in both the city's economic future and ever-diversifying cultural life. Unlike many convention centers in cities throughout the world, the Puerto Vallarta Convention Center was designed to enrich every aspect of the local community, offering special events for all types of residents and travelers rather than catering exclusively to the business world. Given the variety of events in store, tourists to Puerto Vallarta should consider checking the schedule at the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center before visiting the city and securing tickets to the best concerts and events, as this impressive facility is sure to draw plenty of buzz for years to come.

 

Justin Burch writes articles about travel in Puerto Vallarta for the Marriott Resorts.