Today we spotlight Cox Business Convention Center, Tulsa OK: one of the Heartland Chapter’s valued sponsors.
Cox Business Convention Center (CBCC) offers over 275,000 square-foot of event space in downtown Tulsa, OK. Voted Best Event Venue in Tulsa* and a top 20 convention center in North America,** CBCC opened in 1964 and has modernized and adapted throughout the decades to better serve its city and guests. The venue is celebrating a grand re-opening of its east side in August 2020 with the completion of a $55 million Vision Tulsa renovation.
CBCC prides itself on being in a diverse city and hosting diverse crowds in diverse spaces. The renovation allows the venue to better connect with its downtown neighbors including the 19,000 seat BOK Center – its Arena District neighbor and ASM Global sister venue. It also lets CBCC offer a valet and ride share drop-off area on the east side, more green spaces and public art, and a three-story glass entrance incorporating into the building’s iconic original design.
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The east entrance now opens up into a three-story glass atrium filling natural light into over 4,000 square-foot of pre-function space. The gallery opens up into the new Grand Hall with over 41,000 square-foot of multi-use event space and a 36′ curved wood ceiling. The former Assembly Hall has been renovated and renamed LEGACY Hall. The name pays tribute to the venue’s musical history and its honor of hosting many resident’s first live music experience. Elvis Presley, B.B. King, The Rolling Stones, Garth Brooks, Elton John, Glen Campbell, The Doors, Aerosmith, Skrillex, Louie Armstrong, The Avett Brothers, Led Zepplin, and George Strait are just a few of the musical acts to grace a CBCC stage.
LEGACY Hall now offers a new box office, updated theater and dressing rooms, and a pre-function area filled with multi-volume views and art. Lobby restrooms and a Sensory Room have also been added and are by the nearby escalator (stairs and elevators are also nearby). The hall will continue to support meetings and conferences, as well as hosting live music, comedy, and theater performances. The nearby Conference Hall has also been updated as well as two floors of meeting rooms. The venue is proud to offer 28 meeting rooms throughout, and to offer clients and guests enhanced lighting and Internet updates.
CBCC is over 300,000 square-foot, and the Main Gallery is the space connecting it all together. In this Gallery the east and west connect, and guests will find the sky bridge connecting to DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Tulsa, the Osage Hotel & Casino Box Office and Lounge, Guest Services, a Cafe and Concessions, a Little Free Library, and a souvenir vending machine by Mythic Press.
The Main Gallery connects to Grand Hall, Conference Hall, and the 106,000 square-foot Pepsi Exhibit Hall. The divisible and column-free hall offers drop-down power, overhead loading doors, and a 12-bay loading dock – making it perfect for trade shows, conventions, athletic events, live performances, and large-scale social events.
Past the Cafe, guests will find a Zen Garden and a soothing light show in the gallery leading to the Tulsa Ballroom (over 31,000 square-foot of divisible event space) and West Meeting Rooms. The Ballroom opens up to a multi-volume glass pre-function space with another great view of downtown Tulsa. Tulsa Ballroom is a favorite for social gala planners, meeting planners, and conference planners with its valet and ride-share drop-off, nearby meeting rooms, impressive pre-function space, and creative technical opportunities within the actual ballroom.
It’s not uncommon for CBCC to host a live comedy act, black-tie gala, corporate meeting and athletic event all in the same day. The new renovation allows even greater flexibility in event planner and better flow for guests and attendees.
CBCC is known for being a modern and clean venue with repeat clients and exceptional food and beverage services. The venue offers exclusive in-house catering by SAVOR and the team is led by Executive Chef Devin Levine, CEC, who offers over 40 years of culinary experience and is known for his local, seasonal, and highly personalized menus. He is joined by Executive Sous Chef Sarah Leavell who is an American Culinary Federation award-winning chef. In addition to food and beverage, CBCC offers in-house bars and concession, floral, decor, Technical Services (including WiFi and a full-time in-house Producer), Security, Guest Services, and Box Office.
CBCC loves to introduce clients and guests to Tulsa and offers a “Show Your Badge” discount program to help them navigate the best food, drinks, retail, and attractions in the city. The venue also offers a Little free Library in its Cafe, a Sensory Room, hotel toiletry up-cycling (with products going to a local charity), Sanitation Stations, a Welcome Committee, and a Souvenir Vending Machine by Mythic Press.
Tulsa consistently ranks in the Top 10 Most Generous Cities in the U.S. and is chosen by The Chronicle of Philanthropy readers as “Best City for Philanthropy.” CBCC is where Tulsa’s best and most generous party, and the non-profits in the city consistently raise tens of millions of dollars every year during social galas in the venue’s Tulsa Ballroom. CBCC staff also embody Tulsa’s generous spirit, with over 80% of staff regularly volunteering within the local community and a special committee (“ASM Rocks”) dedicated to local volunteer work and initiatives.
Whether it’s a meeting, sporting event, trade show, or black-tie event, CBCC offers a one-stop experience for event planners and a memorable experience for every guest. CBCC is located at 100 Civic Center in downtown Tulsa, and within walkable distance to over 2,000 hotel rooms. Learn more online at CoxCenterTulsa.com.
*Tulsa People Reader’s Choice Awards, 2019
**EXHIBITOR “2020 Centers of Excellence,” 2019