Charleston Area Convention Center is a major event venue in North Charleston, South Carolina. It forms part of the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center campus and hosts trade shows, conventions, consumer expos, meetings, banquets and competitions. The location is only a few minutes from Charleston International Airport.
The principal exhibition floor provides 76,960 square feet, commonly rounded to 77,000 square feet, and divides into three halls. The connected Embassy Suites operates the adjoining 24,960-square-foot ballroom and meeting-room inventory.
Charleston Area Convention Center Quick Details
| Detail | Information |
| Official name | Charleston Area Convention Center |
| Address | 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, SC 29418 |
| Location | North Charleston, near I-526 and International Boulevard |
| Owner | City of North Charleston |
| Management | Legends Global |
| Exhibit Hall space | 76,960 sq. ft. / commonly marketed as 77,000 sq. ft. |
| Exhibit Hall divisions | Halls A, B and C |
| Exhibit Hall A | 27,040 square feet |
| Exhibit Hall B | 24,960 square feet |
| Exhibit Hall C | 24,960 square feet |
| Connected ballroom | 24,960 square feet |
| Meeting rooms | 14 convention-center hotel meeting rooms, plus additional event spaces |
| Loading facilities | 9 loading docks and 2 loading ramps |
| Parking | $10 per car per day for many events; some shows buy out parking |
| Connected hotel | Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Area Convention Center |
| Nearest airport | Charleston International Airport, about 2 miles away |
Address and Location
The convention center’s official address is:
- 5001 Coliseum Drive
- North Charleston, South Carolina 29418
The campus sits between International Boulevard and Montague Avenue near Interstate 526 and includes the Convention Center, Coliseum and Performing Arts Center.
Nearby destinations include:
- North Charleston Coliseum
- North Charleston Performing Arts Center
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Area Convention Center
- Tanger Outlets Charleston
- Charleston International Airport
- North Charleston hotels and restaurants
- Historic Downtown Charleston, reached by car or shuttle
The venue is in North Charleston rather than the historic peninsula. Visitors should therefore enter the full North Charleston address when using navigation apps.
Facilities at Charleston Area Convention Center
The convention center is built around its large exhibit floor, with nearby ballroom, meeting, hotel and entertainment facilities supporting larger programmes.
Principal facilities and services include:
- 76,960-square-foot Exhibit Hall
- Three main exhibit divisions: A, B and C
- 30-foot ceiling height to beams
- Spacious pre-function and registration areas
- Built-in concession area for each divided exhibit hall
- Floor boxes for utilities, audiovisual and communications
- Complimentary public Wi-Fi in pre-function areas
- Nine loading docks and two loading ramps
- Connected Embassy Suites ballroom and meeting rooms
- Sodexo catering and concession services
- Lighting, sound and event-production support
- Accessible drop-off, entrances and elevator service
Hall Capacity and Layout
1. Combined Exhibit Halls A, B and C
Together, Exhibit Halls A, B and C provide 76,960 square feet. The current capacity chart lists about 10,999 theatre-style attendees, 7,695 reception guests, 6,415 banquet guests and 4,810 classroom attendees.
The floor suits trade shows, competitions and large assemblies. Final attendance depends on the approved layout, staging, booths and safety requirements.
2. Exhibit Hall A
Hall A is the largest individual section at 27,040 square feet, with listed capacity for about 3,863 theatre-style attendees, 2,253 banquet guests and 2,704 reception guests.
It can function independently for a mid-sized exhibition or combine with Halls B and C for a larger show.
3. Exhibit Halls B and C
Halls B and C each provide 24,960 square feet and can operate separately or open to adjoining sections.
Each is listed for about 3,566 theatre-style attendees and 2,080 banquet guests; Hall C can host about 2,496 for a reception.
4. Connected Ballroom
The adjoining Embassy Suites ballroom complex provides 24,960 square feet. The full configuration is listed for about 2,600 theatre-style attendees, 2,500 reception guests, 1,600 banquet guests and 1,300 classroom attendees.
Ballroom C is 10,560 square feet, while Ballrooms A and B are 7,200 square feet each. The layout supports general sessions, meals and receptions.
5. Meeting Rooms
The connected complex includes numerous breakout rooms, generally ranging from a few hundred square feet to around 1,300 square feet, with some rooms combining into larger spaces.
They support board meetings, seminars and smaller conference sessions. Organisers should use the current capacity chart when assigning layouts.
Parking at Charleston Area Convention Center
For many trade shows and public events, campus parking currently costs $10 per car per day.
Some organisers buy out the parking lot, making attendee parking free. Visitors should check the specific event notice before arrival.
Accessible parking and a covered drop-off are available. Exhibitors must use the rear loading dock off Montague Avenue for freight.
Reaching the Convention Center
1. From Charleston International Airport
Charleston International Airport is about two miles away, normally only a few minutes by car.
2. Driving
The campus is near Interstate 526, with access from the Montague Avenue and International Boulevard area.
3. Rideshare, Taxi and Hotel Shuttle
Taxis and rideshare services operate throughout the area, and some nearby hotels provide airport shuttles.
Popular Hotels Near Charleston Area Convention Center
Several hotels are within walking distance or a very short drive of the venue.
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Area Convention Center: Physically attached by an all-weather skywalk and the most convenient hotel for delegates.
- Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Airport: Near the convention center and connected to the district by a scenic boardwalk; it also offers an airport shuttle.
- Hyatt Place Charleston Airport/Convention Center: Adjacent to the convention-center area and close to Charleston International Airport.
- Crowne Plaza Charleston Airport – Convention Center: Across from the convention and performing-arts complex and close to Tanger Outlets.
- Other North Charleston airport hotels: Numerous branded hotels are available along International Boulevard and around Tanger Outlets.
Demand can rise during large events, so compare walking access, shuttle service, parking and cancellation terms.
Dining at and Near Charleston Area Convention Center
Sodexo provides convention-center catering and concessions, including meals, coffee breaks and receptions.
Embassy Suites also supports ballroom and meeting-room catering. Outside food, beverage and sampling require approval.
Tanger Outlets and International Boulevard provide nearby dining, while downtown Charleston offers more evening options.
Accessibility
The center provides accessible parking, covered drop-off, ramps, automatic doors and an elevator between floors.
Assisted-listening devices are available on request, trained service animals are permitted, and wheelchairs may be arranged through show management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Charleston Area Convention Center in downtown Charleston?
A: No. It is in North Charleston at 5001 Coliseum Drive, near Charleston International Airport and Interstate 526.
Q: How large is the Exhibit Hall?
A: The combined exhibit floor is 76,960 square feet, commonly marketed as 77,000 square feet.
Q: How many exhibit halls are there?
A: The main floor divides into three sections: Halls A, B and C.
Q: How many people can the combined Exhibit Hall hold?
A: The current capacity chart lists about 10,999 theatre-style attendees, 6,415 banquet guests and 7,695 reception guests, subject to the final layout.
Q: Is there a ballroom?
A: Yes. The connected Embassy Suites operates a ballroom complex of about 24,960 square feet.
Q: How much is parking?
A: For many events, parking is currently $10 per car per day. Some shows purchase the parking lot for attendees, so the event notice should be checked.
Q: Is a hotel connected to the convention center?
A: Yes. Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Area Convention Center is physically connected by an all-weather skywalk.
Q: How far is Charleston International Airport?
A: The convention-center district is about two miles from Charleston International Airport.
Q: Does the venue have loading docks?
A: Yes. The Exhibit Hall has nine loading docks and two loading ramps. Exhibitors must use the designated rear loading area.
Q: Is the facility accessible?
A: Yes. Accessible parking, ramps, automatic doors, elevator access and assisted-listening devices are available.