Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center welcomes 4-millionth visitor
March 7, 2025
The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center (CMCC) welcomed its four-millionth visitor Wednesday with the Darla Moore School of Business’ Spring 2025 Business Expo.
The CMCC, now in its 20th year, hosts local, regional, national and international groups, bringing significant economic impact to the Midlands. The Business Expo has been held since 2018, making this the 11th Business Expo at CMCC. The Darla Moore School of Business has been a client since 2005 hosting 21 events at the convention center.
“Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center is proud to celebrate the milestone of four million visitors during the USC Darla Moore School of Business / Spring Expo this week,” said Cheryl Swanson, vice president and general manager. “Opening in 2004, the convention center – along with Columbia and the region — has experience tremendous growth while supporting the area hotels, restaurants, retail and attractions. The future is exciting for CMCC as we look forward to meeting our next goal of five million visitors!”
More than 8,100 events have been held since the building opened over 20 years ago on September 2004. More than 200,000 hotel rooms have been filled by convention center events in the past 10 years. The largest event held was the FLW Forrest Wood Cup Expo in 2017 with 68,350 attendees. President and CEO Bill Ellen said the convention center will continue to impact the local community.
“We are excited to celebrate four million visitors to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center,” said Bill Ellen, president and CEO of Experience Columbia SC. “When this building opened, it was our hope that it would become a vibrant hub, attracting visitors from around the world and creating a positive impact on our community. Today, we are proud to see those goals are being realized. The convention center has not only become a sought-after venue but has also played a significant role in driving growth for local hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. As we look to the future, we remain committed to growing and thriving alongside our community.”
South Carolina’s only downtown convention center is a 142,500 square foot venue offering 19 fully customizable rooms. Events range from receptions to galas, corporate functions, and international trade shows. For more information, visit www.columbiaconventioncenter.com.
By the Numbers
The one-millionth visitor was welcomed on Jan. 7, 2011
The two-millionth visitor arrived on April 23, 2015
The three-millionth visitor milestone is on May 31, 2019
The four-millionth visitor milestone was March 4, 2025
Top 10 largest events (by attendance)
FLW Forrest Wood Cup Expo – August 8-14, 2017 – 68,350 total attendees
FLW Forrest Wood Cup Expo – August 11-18, 2014 –50,000 total attendees
FLW Forrest Wood Cup Expo – August 14-17, 2014 –40,000 total attendees
Soda City Comic Con- August 22-26, 2024- 12,000 total attendees
Palmetto Health (Prisma) All Team Assembly – May 19-22, 2014- 11,000 total attendees
Palmetto Health (Prisma) All Team Assembly – May 22-26, 2016- 11,000 total attendees
Soda City Comic Con- August 9-11, 2019- 10,700 total attendees
Soda City Comic Con- August 18-21, 2023- 10,500 total attendees
Palmetto Health (Prisma) All Team Assembly – May 18-21, 2015- 10,000 total attendees
Soda City Comic Con- August 19-21, 2022- 10,000 total attendees
About the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
Centrally located in South Carolina’s historic capital city, the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center (CMCC) is South Carolina’s only downtown convention center and is in the middle of a vibrant, urban scene with dynamite eats, world-class attractions, breweries and a never-ending roster of festivals and live music. Built in 2004, CMCC is a 142,500 square foot facility that includes a 16,700 square foot ballroom, 18,560 square feet of meeting space that can be broken into up to 19 different spaces, and a 23,700 square foot column-less exhibit hall. For more information, please visit www.columbiaconventioncenter.com.
