Meadowlands Exposition Center is a convention and exhibition venue in Secaucus, New Jersey. Commonly called MEC, it hosts trade shows, consumer exhibitions, business conferences, sporting events, concerts, banquets and community programmes.
The center is part of the Harmon Meadow business and entertainment district. It provides 61,000 square feet of column-free exhibition space, five additional meeting rooms and a maximum published attendance of 5,000 people at one time.
Meadowlands Exposition Center Quick Details
| Detail | Information |
| Official name | Meadowlands Exposition Center |
| Common abbreviation | MEC |
| Address | 355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ 07094 |
| Telephone | 201-330-7773 |
| Main exhibition space | 61,000 square feet |
| Meeting-room space | Approximately 3,578 square feet |
| Additional meeting rooms | Five |
| Maximum attendance | 5,000 people at one time |
| Theatre or concert capacity | Up to 5,000 |
| Sports-event capacity | Up to 5,000 |
| Banquet capacity | Up to 3,500 |
| Standard 10-by-10-foot booths | Up to 365 |
| Standard 8-by-10-foot booths | Up to 398 |
| Exhibit hall ceiling | Approximately 20 feet |
| Loading facilities | Four loading docks and two drive-in doors |
| Parking | Complimentary parking in adjacent lots |
| Closest rail station | Secaucus Junction |
| Main bus connection | NJ Transit Bus 320 |
| Closest major airport | Newark Liberty International Airport |
Address and Location
The official address is:
- 355 Plaza Drive
- Secaucus, New Jersey 07094
The center is located within Harmon Meadow, a mixed-use district containing hotels, restaurants, shops, offices and a cinema. Secaucus lies just west of the Hudson River, making the venue convenient for visitors coming from New York City and northern New Jersey.
Nearby destinations include:
- Harmon Meadow Plaza
- Mill Creek Mall
- Secaucus Junction rail station
- MetLife Stadium
- American Dream
- Meadowlands Racetrack
- Meadowlands Sports Complex
- Manhattan, reached by bus or train
Newark Liberty International Airport is the closest major airport. Driving time is commonly around 20–30 minutes in normal traffic, although congestion on the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 3 can make the trip longer.
Facilities at Meadowlands Exposition Center
MEC is smaller than a major downtown convention complex, but its single-level design and open exhibition floor make it practical for regional trade shows and public events.
Principal facilities include:
- 61,000-square-foot exhibition hall
- Five carpeted meeting rooms
- Multifunctional entrance lobby
- Registration space
- Event and exhibitor offices
- Four street-level loading docks
- Two drive-in doors
- Utility and exhibitor services
- Event security and cleaning services
- Food and beverage facilities arranged for events
- Complimentary adjacent parking
The exhibit hall is contiguous and obstruction-free. Organisers can build booths, stages, sports courts, seating areas and temporary partitions according to the approved event plan.
Exhibition Hall Capacity and Layout
The main hall provides 61,000 square feet of dedicated exhibition space with a ceiling height of approximately 20 feet.
Published maximum arrangements include:
- 365 booths measuring 10 by 10 feet
- 398 booths measuring 8 by 10 feet
- 3,500 banquet guests
- 5,000 guests for sports events
- 5,000 guests in concert or theatre-style seating
These numbers are maximum planning figures. The approved capacity depends on the event design, stage size, production equipment, catering stations, registration areas and emergency aisles.
The open floor supports:
- Trade and consumer shows
- Product demonstrations
- Business exhibitions
- Sporting competitions
- Concerts and performances
- Large general sessions
- Banquets and fundraising events
- Job fairs and educational events
Organisers should use the latest venue floor plan and confirm booth counts after accounting for columns, service points, fire equipment and required exits.
Meeting Rooms
The center provides five carpeted meeting rooms with approximately 3,578 square feet of combined space. Air walls allow rooms to operate independently or open into larger configurations.
The rooms are useful for:
- Conference breakouts
- Training sessions
- Workshops
- Exhibitor meetings
- Speaker preparation
- Show-management offices
- Press and media rooms
- VIP hospitality
The largest individual meeting room is approximately 860 square feet and can accommodate around 90 people in a theatre-style arrangement. Final capacities depend on furniture, audiovisual equipment and aisle requirements.
Because the meeting rooms are close to the main hall, attendees can move between exhibits and educational sessions without leaving the building.
Lobby and Registration Areas
The large multifunctional lobby can support registration, ticket scanning, information counters, sponsor displays or limited banquet and exhibit functions.
Any lobby use must preserve clear circulation routes and emergency exits. Organisers should plan queues carefully for popular public shows, particularly during the opening hours.
Coat checks, merchandise points and temporary counters should be discussed with the event manager before the layout is finalised.
Loading and Exhibitor Access
MEC has four street-level loading docks and two drive-in doors measuring approximately 14 by 16 feet. This arrangement allows exhibits, vehicles and production equipment to enter the hall without a multilevel freight route.
Move-in and move-out schedules are controlled by the organiser and venue. Exhibitors should confirm:
- Assigned loading time
- Dock or drive-in door location
- Vehicle-height limits
- Freight handling requirements
- Material-handling charges
- Storage rules for empty containers
- Electrical and internet order deadlines
- Rules for displaying vehicles indoors
Vehicles cannot remain at loading docks after unloading unless authorised. Fire lanes and access roads must remain clear.
Parking
Complimentary parking is available in lots adjacent to Meadowlands Exposition Center. The venue describes the parking supply as plentiful, but spaces are shared within the Harmon Meadow district and can fill during major events.
Visitors should:
- Follow event signs and parking staff instructions.
- Arrive early for major consumer shows.
- Avoid spaces reserved for nearby hotels or businesses.
- Keep loading docks and fire lanes clear.
- Display a valid placard or plate when using accessible spaces.
- Confirm bus, trailer and oversized-vehicle arrangements beforehand.
Parking conditions can be affected by other Harmon Meadow activities. An event ticket does not guarantee a space immediately beside the entrance.
Organisers bringing buses, trucks or exhibitor trailers should arrange staging and overnight parking with the venue rather than relying on general public lots.
Transportation
From New York City
NJ Transit Bus 320 connects the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan with the Harmon Meadow and Secaucus area. It is one of the most practical public-transport options for visitors travelling from Midtown Manhattan.
Passengers should check the current timetable and stop location before travelling, especially at night or on weekends.
Secaucus Junction
Secaucus Junction is the closest railway station and is approximately a five-minute drive from the center under light traffic.
The Harmon Meadow E-Z Ride shuttle operates during weekday peak periods and connects the district with Secaucus Junction. Service schedules and eligibility can change. Taxi, rideshare and local bus options are also available at the station.
Secaucus Junction receives numerous NJ Transit rail services, making it useful for attendees arriving from New York Penn Station, Newark Penn Station and other parts of New Jersey.
From Newark Liberty International Airport
Taxi, rideshare and rental-car services provide the simplest direct connection from the airport. Rail passengers can travel through Newark-area stations and Secaucus Junction, but a local transfer is still required to reach MEC.
By Car
The venue is close to Route 3, the New Jersey Turnpike and major Meadowlands roads. Drivers should allow extra time during weekday rush periods and when MetLife Stadium or American Dream hosts a major event.
Hotels Near Meadowlands Exposition Center
Several hotels are within walking distance in Harmon Meadow:
- Harmony Suites: Located at 455 Harmon Meadow Boulevard.
- Courtyard Secaucus Meadowlands: Located at 455 Harmon Meadow Boulevard.
- Hyatt Place Secaucus/Meadowlands: Located at 575 Park Plaza Drive.
- Residence Inn Secaucus Meadowlands: Located at 800 Plaza Drive.
- Aloft Secaucus Meadowlands: Located at 460 Harmon Meadow Boulevard.
- Best Western Plus Meadowlands: Located at 250 Harmon Meadow Boulevard.
Hotels within a short drive include La Quinta Inn & Suites Secaucus Meadowlands, Meadowlands Plaza Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn Secaucus/Meadowlands and properties near MetLife Stadium.
The venue is not physically connected to a hotel. Walking conditions and distance vary, so guests should check the exact route, especially when carrying luggage or exhibition materials.
Dining and Shopping
Harmon Meadow contains numerous restaurants, cafés and casual dining options within walking distance. Choices generally include American, Italian, Asian and quick-service food.
Operating hours can change, and restaurants become busy during large exhibitions. Groups should make reservations where possible.
Food and beverage service inside MEC is controlled under the venue and event contract. Exhibitors should not bring outside food, beverages or alcohol for public distribution without approval.
Nearby shops and the Mill Creek Mall area provide access to convenience items and other visitor services.
Accessibility
Meadowlands Exposition Center is a single-level facility, which simplifies movement between the lobby, exhibit hall and meeting rooms. Accessible parking and entrances are available.
Guests requiring wheelchair seating, sign-language interpretation, assisted listening or another accommodation should contact the event organiser or venue before arrival.
Event layouts must maintain accessible routes to registration, exhibits, seating, restrooms and exits. Cables, display materials and queue barriers should not obstruct these routes.
Service animals are permitted in accordance with applicable law. Policies for pets and animals appearing in exhibitions should be confirmed separately.
Planning Tips
- Use the full Secaucus address on invitations to avoid confusion with MetLife Stadium.
- Confirm whether the event uses the main entrance or a special exhibitor entrance.
- Allow extra travel time during Route 3 rush-hour traffic.
- Check Bus 320 and shuttle schedules before relying on public transport.
- Reserve nearby hotel rooms early for major shows.
- Finalise freight and dock times before exhibitors arrive.
- Confirm the approved capacity after adding stages, booths and catering areas.
- Tell bus operators where they may stage or park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the official name of the venue?
The official name is Meadowlands Exposition Center. It is often called MEC or, informally, Meadowlands Convention Center.
Q. Where is Meadowlands Exposition Center located?
It is located at 355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094, in the Harmon Meadow district.
Q. How large is the exhibition hall?
The main hall provides 61,000 square feet of contiguous, obstruction-free exhibition space.
Q. What is the maximum capacity?
The venue publishes a maximum attendance of 5,000 people at one time. Final capacity depends on the event layout and official approval.
Q. How many exhibition booths can fit?
The published maximum is 365 standard 10-by-10-foot booths or 398 booths measuring 8 by 10 feet.
Q. Is parking free?
Yes. Complimentary parking is available in adjacent Harmon Meadow lots, subject to space availability and event instructions.
Q. Is the venue close to New York City?
Yes. Secaucus is just west of Manhattan. NJ Transit Bus 320 links Harmon Meadow with the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Q. What is the nearest train station?
Secaucus Junction is the closest rail station, approximately a five-minute drive away in light traffic.
Q. Does the venue have meeting rooms?
Yes. MEC has five carpeted meeting rooms providing approximately 3,578 square feet in total.
Q. Are hotels within walking distance?
Yes. Courtyard, Hyatt Place, Residence Inn, Aloft, Harmony Suites and Best Western Plus properties are located within the Harmon Meadow area.
Q. Is the facility accessible?
Yes. The single-level venue provides accessible parking, entrances and routes. Guests needing a specific accommodation should contact the organiser beforehand.