Convention Center marks 20 years, 8K events hosted
The Puerto Rico Convention Center is marking its 20th anniversary with a digital campaign, “Celebrating 20 years of excellence,” highlighting its history, economic impact and the people who have shaped its development.
The venue, which opened in November 2005 after a multiyear construction project, remains the largest and most technologically advanced convention facility in the Caribbean, according to the Convention Center District Authority.
“Every event held at the Convention Center tells a part of our collective story,” said Verónica Ferraiuoli, executive director of the Convention Center District Authority.
“This anniversary invites us to recognize the efforts of those who have made it a regional landmark and to look ahead with the same determination that has brought us here,” she said. “Our goal is to continue generating value, attracting opportunities and creating spaces that drive Puerto Rico’s growth.”
Since its inauguration, the center has hosted more than 8,000 events and welcomed 10.3 million visitors, supporting the island’s meetings and entertainment sectors and generating activity in hotels, restaurants, suppliers and transportation.
Its distinctive architectural design — including its wave-shaped roof — helped anchor the surrounding Convention District, which is now a major hub for hospitality, dining and entertainment.
Interim general manager Margaret Colón said two decades of activity have strengthened the venue’s economic role.
“In these two decades, it has hosted more than 8,000 events and received 10.3 million visitors, boosting significant economic activity and generating thousands of jobs for Puerto Rican families,” she said. “The center remains committed to excellence, innovation and the development of Puerto Rico.”
The facility is carrying out a modernization plan that includes new technologies, upgraded infrastructure and expanded accessibility features. Recent additions, such as certified sensory rooms, reflect a broader effort to improve visitor experience and support universal inclusion.
The anniversary campaign also spotlights long-serving employees and industry partners whose work has shaped the Convention Center’s development and its role in the island’s economy.
