The City of Carrollton is expanding the Center for the Arts with a new conference hall that leaders say could bring more tourism and larger events to the area.
The new space is being built onto the current arts center, but it will operate separately with its own staff and management plan. The conference hall will include one large event space that can also be divided into three smaller breakout rooms using air walls.
Officials say the setup will work well for conferences, meetings, training sessions and corporate events. The full space will hold around 350 people seated at tables or up to 500 people lecture style.
The facility will also include upgraded technology with plug-and-play screens and monitors in each room to make presentations and meetings easier to manage.
In addition to the main event hall, the expansion will feature a catering kitchen and a smaller boardroom-style meeting space that can seat around 14 people. That room will also have large windows and natural lighting.
City leaders say one of the biggest advantages is the downtown location and nearby hotel access. The new Home2 Suites hotel being built nearby is expected to help Carrollton compete for larger conferences and tourism bids that require hundreds of hotel rooms in one area.
Officials said many conferences look for cities that can handle more than 200 hotel rooms at one location, something Carrollton has struggled with in the past.
The conference hall will focus mainly on corporate meetings, conferences and tourism-related events instead of weddings or private parties. The goal is to attract more visitors from outside Carrollton and increase tourism spending in the city.
Construction is expected to finish later this year, and booking efforts are expected to begin in early 2027. City leaders said they are already submitting bids for larger conferences that could take place in 2028 and beyond.
As part of the expansion, Arts Center Manager Tim Chapman is expected to transition into the role of conference hall manager in January. Assistant Arts Center Manager Tory Kimbrell will become the new arts center manager.
Officials say the city also plans to work closely with local vendors for catering, production and event support services.
Leaders believe the project will have a major economic impact by increasing hotel stays, tourism and local spending while helping Carrollton continue growing as a destination for events and entertainment.
To read more about the mixed use development click here.
