Dive Brief:
- Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT, has announced that construction has begun on an $80 million convention center expansion, according to Commercial Property Executive.
- The project will see 240,000 square feet added to its existing exposition and convention space — a project that includes 18 meeting rooms, a 5,400-square-foot kitchen, indoor and outdoor digital displays, free Wi-Fi, six new loading docks and a 21,000-square-foot ballroom.
- Casino officials said the renovation and expansion of the convention facilities would allow it to compete with New York and Boston for lucrative meeting and convention dollars. The new addition should be open by summer 2018.
Dive Insight:
Mohegan Sun already has a built-in draw for many meeting planners — a resort-level hotel, casino and performance venue on the premises. The country's major convention spaces are ramping up their own renovation programs to compete for business.
Dan Mehls, vice president and general manager of Mortenson Construction’s Portland, OR, office, told Construction Dive earlier this month that cities are in stiff competition with each other for the economic boon that a steady flow of convention business can bring. To that end, Mehls will oversee construction of a 600-room Hyatt Regency next to the Oregon Convention Center.
Mohegan Sun officials have already included one of the most critical convention center features in their plans — Wi-Fi. David Anderson, regional vice president of venue management company Spectra by Comcast Spectacor, told Construction Dive that connectivity is critical, as almost all conference attendees will need to stay connected with enough bandwidth to make presentations during the event, share information with other attendees and communicate quickly and effectively with their operations back home.