Three Rivers Convention Center | Kennewick

The Three Rivers Convention Center is a premier event and meeting venue located in Kennewick, Washington, serving the entire Tri-Cities area, which includes Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland. Since its opening in 2004, it has established itself as a central hub for business, cultural, and social gatherings, offering a modern, versatile space designed to accommodate a wide variety of events ranging from large conventions and trade shows to weddings, banquets, and community celebrations.

Location and Accessibility

Situated at 7016 W Grandridge Boulevard, the convention center is easily accessible by road and offers ample free parking for approximately 1,500 vehicles. Its strategic location within the Tri-Cities makes it an ideal destination for both regional and national events, drawing visitors and participants from surrounding communities and beyond.

Facility and Space Overview

The Three Rivers Convention Center boasts approximately 75,000 square feet of event space, thoughtfully designed for flexibility and scale. This extensive area is divided into multiple specialized spaces to accommodate diverse event formats, including large plenary sessions, intimate breakout meetings, exhibitions, and social receptions.

Great Hall: The heart of the convention center is its Great Hall, a spacious 21,600-square-foot area capable of holding up to 2,100 attendees. The hall is highly adaptable and can be subdivided into four separate sections to host multiple simultaneous events or smaller functions. The open floor plan and high ceilings provide an airy, inviting atmosphere suitable for large-scale conferences, trade shows, banquets, and concerts.

Breakout Rooms: Complementing the Great Hall are nine breakout rooms totaling 13,000 square feet. These rooms vary in size, allowing organizers to tailor meeting spaces for workshops, seminars, or committee meetings. Each room is equipped with modern audiovisual technology to support presentations and interactive sessions.

Grand Foyer: Spanning 14,000 square feet, the Grand Foyer serves as a welcoming pre-function area. It is often used for registration desks, cocktail receptions, exhibitions, and networking events. The foyer’s design allows for smooth traffic flow and provides a stylish yet functional environment for attendees.

Outdoor Patio: The convention center includes a landscaped outdoor patio space, which offers attendees a refreshing option for breaks or socializing amidst pleasant local weather. The patio enhances the versatility of the venue by accommodating outdoor receptions or informal gatherings.

Internet Café and Hospitality: On-site amenities include an Internet café serving gourmet coffee and a curated selection of local wines, providing a relaxed space for informal meetings or attendee downtime. This hospitality feature adds to the overall attendee experience.

Technology and Infrastructure

The Three Rivers Convention Center is outfitted with state-of-the-art technology to meet the needs of modern events:

High-speed Wi-Fi throughout the facility ensures seamless connectivity for guests, exhibitors, and event organizers.

Advanced digital signage helps with navigation and event branding.

LED programmable lighting allows tailored ambiance and effective spotlighting.

Full digital sound systems are installed in all major event spaces, ensuring clear and professional audio quality for presentations, performances, and announcements.

The infrastructure supports simultaneous events with ease, allowing organizers to run complex multi-session conferences without logistical issues.

Recent and Planned Expansion

Recognizing the growing demand for event space in the Tri-Cities region, the Kennewick City Council approved a major expansion project in early 2025, which is set for completion by summer 2026. This expansion nearly doubles the convention center’s size with the addition of approximately 115,000 square feet of new facilities, including:

A 60,000-square-foot exhibit hall designed specifically for large-scale trade shows, expos, and conventions. This hall will enable the center to attract national events and accommodate bigger crowds.

5,000 square feet of additional meeting rooms, expanding options for breakout sessions, workshops, and corporate meetings.

An expanded lobby and pre-function area, improving attendee flow, check-in processes, and providing more spacious gathering areas.

New kitchen and catering facilities, enhancing on-site food and beverage service capabilities for events of all sizes.

The expansion is projected to increase annual attendance to nearly 200,000 visitors and is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the region by boosting tourism, hospitality, and local business sectors.

Events and Uses

The Three Rivers Convention Center hosts a broad spectrum of events year-round, including:

Corporate conventions and conferences attracting professionals from industries such as energy, agriculture, healthcare, and technology.

Trade shows and expos featuring local, regional, and national vendors and exhibitors.

Community and cultural events like art fairs, tattoo conventions, bridal shows, and wine festivals.

Private celebrations including weddings, banquets, and gala dinners.

Educational seminars and workshops, often supported by the center’s versatile breakout rooms and technological amenities.

Its adaptability and range of spaces make it suitable for events of all sizes, from small board meetings to large-scale public exhibitions.

Economic and Community Impact

The Three Rivers Convention Center is a vital asset for the Tri-Cities region’s economy and community development. It stimulates local tourism, increases hotel occupancy rates, and supports restaurants and retail through visitor spending. Additionally, the center serves as a community gathering place, fostering social connections and cultural exchange.

Ongoing community engagement and management by the Kennewick Public Facilities District ensure that the convention center meets evolving regional needs, balancing economic growth with quality of life for residents.

Summary

The Three Rivers Convention Center stands as a modern, well-equipped facility that anchors the Tri-Cities as a competitive destination for events, conventions, and large gatherings. Its comprehensive range of spaces, cutting-edge technology, ample parking, and ongoing expansion plans position it to meet current demands and future growth. Visitors and organizers benefit from its versatility, strategic location, and commitment to providing a superior event experience within the vibrant Tri-Cities area.