Miami Beach Convention Center
Encyclopedia
Miami Beach Convention Center is an indoor arena
in Miami Beach, Florida
and it is currently the largest convention center
in the Miami area. It now features 4 large rooms each holding about 12,000 people.
In 1989, the facility underwent a $92 million renovation and doubled in size. In the last six years, the facility has had over $35 million in continuing upgrades, including complete renovations of all restrooms, full carpet replacement, and installation of a state-of-the-art telecommunications and networking infrastructure.
It was the site of Muhammad Ali versus Sonny Liston I and hosted the 1968
and 1972 Republican National Convention
as well as the 1972 Democratic National Convention
.
It was the site of a 1961 Billy Graham
Crusade.
The center was the site of the boxing
match between Cassius Clay and Sonny Liston
in 1964. It is home to an annual flea market taking place each year.
It hosted the ABA's The Floridians when they played in Miami.
It was also a regular stop for "Championship Wrestling from Florida". Terry Funk defeated Jack Brisco for the NWA World Title at the Convention Center on December 10, 1975.
It also hosts the annual South Florida Auto Show
, Art Basel
, and many other popular conventions.
. The theater was renovated in 2007 and was renamed the Fillmore as part of a management contract. It is now home to live concerts, productions and can be rented for special events. The theater is now operated and managed exclusively by Live Nation. On May 5, 2010, NBC Miami reported that the theater would be demolished as a result of remodeling for the Convention Center, which would replace the theater with a new hotel.
Arena
An arena is an enclosed area, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theater, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators. The key feature of an arena is that the event space is the...
in Miami Beach, Florida
Miami Beach, Florida
Miami Beach is a coastal resort city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States, incorporated on March 26, 1915. The municipality is located on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, the latter which separates the Beach from Miami city proper...
and it is currently the largest convention center
Convention center
A convention center is a large building that is designed to hold a convention, where individuals and groups gather to promote and share common interests. Convention centers typically offer sufficient floor area to accommodate several thousand attendees...
in the Miami area. It now features 4 large rooms each holding about 12,000 people.
History
Originally called the Miami Beach Exhibition Hall, the Convention Center was built in 1957 to seat 15,000 people at one time.In 1989, the facility underwent a $92 million renovation and doubled in size. In the last six years, the facility has had over $35 million in continuing upgrades, including complete renovations of all restrooms, full carpet replacement, and installation of a state-of-the-art telecommunications and networking infrastructure.
It was the site of Muhammad Ali versus Sonny Liston I and hosted the 1968
1968 Republican National Convention
The 1968 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States was held in at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Dade County, Florida, from August 5 to August 8, 1968....
and 1972 Republican National Convention
1972 Republican National Convention
The 1972 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States was held from August 21 to August 23, 1972 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Florida. It nominated the incumbents Richard M. Nixon of California for President and Spiro T. Agnew of Maryland for Vice...
as well as the 1972 Democratic National Convention
1972 Democratic National Convention
The 1972 Democratic National Convention was the presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party for the 1972 presidential election. It was held at Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Florida on July 10–13, 1972....
.
It was the site of a 1961 Billy Graham
Billy Graham
William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
Crusade.
The center was the site of the boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
match between Cassius Clay and Sonny Liston
Sonny Liston
Charles L. "Sonny" Liston was a professional boxer and ex-convict known for his toughness, punching power, and intimidating appearance who became world heavyweight champion in 1962 by knocking out Floyd Patterson in the first round...
in 1964. It is home to an annual flea market taking place each year.
It hosted the ABA's The Floridians when they played in Miami.
It was also a regular stop for "Championship Wrestling from Florida". Terry Funk defeated Jack Brisco for the NWA World Title at the Convention Center on December 10, 1975.
It also hosts the annual South Florida Auto Show
South Florida Auto Show
Since 1971, the South Florida International Auto Show is held every year in Miami Beach, Florida. The date varies, but is usually between the last week in October and first week in December. This show is one of the most prominent auto shows in the United States. The 10-day event averages over...
, Art Basel
Art Basel
Art Basel is an international contemporary art fair held each June in Basel, Switzerland. Similar to the Venice Biennale, it has been called "the Olympics of the art world". Art Basel features nearly 300 leading galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa...
, and many other popular conventions.
Jackie Gleason Theater
Originally called the Miami Beach Auditorium, the Fillmore Miami Beach at The Jackie Gleason Theater is a theater which in the 1960s was renamed for Jackie GleasonJackie Gleason
Jackie Gleason was an American comedian, actor and musician. He was known for his brash visual and verbal comedy style, especially by his character Ralph Kramden on The Honeymooners, a situation-comedy television series. His most noted film roles were as Minnesota Fats in the drama film The...
. The theater was renovated in 2007 and was renamed the Fillmore as part of a management contract. It is now home to live concerts, productions and can be rented for special events. The theater is now operated and managed exclusively by Live Nation. On May 5, 2010, NBC Miami reported that the theater would be demolished as a result of remodeling for the Convention Center, which would replace the theater with a new hotel.