Hamilton Convention Centre

The centre is operated by Carmens Group and has been running in downtown Hamilton for more than three decades.

About the venue

It offers about 80,000 sq ft of event space over three levels, with up to 22 rooms. Wentworth Hall has 22-foot ceilings, drive-in access, a four-bay loading dock and a connection to Hamilton Place Theatre. The Chedoke Ballroom has 25-foot cedar ceilings and movable walls. Indoor multi-level parking is run by a separate operator, with the garage entered from King Street. Several HSR bus routes stop within a five-minute walk, and Hamilton GO Centre is about a ten-minute walk away.

On EventPlans.ca it is listed as a conference centre and banquet hall in Hamilton, at 1 Summers Lane, Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y2.

Event spaces

The venue lists these spaces. Capacities are the venue’s own figures and change with the layout you choose.

• Wentworth Hall (ABC & Concourse): 2,250 theatre, 1,240 rounds; 19,662 sq ft
• Chedoke Ballroom (ABC & Foyer): 2,160 theatre, 1,280 rounds; 19,662 sq ft
• Albion Ballroom (ABC): 420 theatre, 240 rounds; 3,870 sq ft
• Webster Room (ABC & Lounge): 525 theatre, 240 rounds; 4,620 sq ft
• Meeting rooms (up to 22): 10 to 80

Capacity

The venue publishes a maximum of 1,280 seated, 2,250 theatre style. Those are top figures for an empty room. A dance floor, a stage, a buffet or a photo booth each take space, so plan on fewer guests than the maximum once your layout is drawn.

A useful rule: a seated dinner at rounds of ten needs about 1 to 1.2 square metres per guest, a standing reception about 0.7, and theatre seating about 0.6, before you add a stage or dance floor. The venue capacity calculator does the arithmetic for your room.

Events it hosts

According to its own event pages, the venue hosts conferences and meetings, galas and fundraisers, corporate events and private social events.

For timelines, budgets and checklists, start with the conference planning hub, gala planning hub, corporate holiday party hub.

Questions to ask on your site visit

Bring these to your walk-through. Get the answers in writing before you sign.

• Which hall or rooms are held for you, and when do move-in and move-out start?
• Is in-house audio-visual and internet required, and what does it include?
• Are there exclusive caterers or food and beverage minimums?
• What are the rules for exhibit booths, rigging and power drops?
• What parking and transit options are there for your attendee count?
• Is there a show manager on site during your event?

Planning entertainment here

Conference halls handle large stage shows, keynotes with entertainment and trade-show booth activations. Ask about rigging points, power drops and the move-in schedule.

Send every performer’s technical needs to the venue before you book: floor space, ceiling height, power, sound and changing room.

Getting there

The venue’s information points to public transit nearby. Check the venue website for directions, parking rates and accessible entrances, and send the details to guests with the invitation.

Official website: hccevents.ca