The first civic event will be held Jan. 27, when Mayor Herbert A. Gears presents the annual State of the City Address. The following morning, one of the spiciest food festivals in the country, ZestFest, officially opens the center as the first public event Jan. 28-30.
The 14-year-old event brings together exhibitors and products from around the country. ZestFest will feature cooking demos by celebrity chefs, music, interactive contests and thousands of food samples.
Situated on a 40-acre tract near State Highway 114 and Northwest Highway, the convention center will give visitors more reasons to come to Irving and strengthen the city’s appeal as a high-end business destination.
The 275,000-square-foot multipurpose facility features more than 90,000 square feet of meeting space and unique indoor and outdoor areas perfect for receptions and other events. A 50,000-square-foot, column-free exhibit hall is the facility’s largest space, five times larger than any other Irving venue. In addition, the new facility will be home for the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB) offices. “It’s going to drive the market and help us recruit new business to Irving that wants to be near the convention center,” said ICVB Executive Director Maura Allen Gast.
The project is registered for the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for its design and construction.
The Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas is managed by SMG, the world’s leading company specializing in the operation of arenas, stadiums, convention centers and theaters.
“The center is an exciting addition to the competitive landscape and will be a unique product in the marketplace,” said Charlie Beirne, SMG regional manager.
