DeVos Place Convention Center is a major convention and event venue in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Located along the Grand River, it hosts conventions, trade shows, conferences, meetings, banquets, consumer shows, sporting events and public gatherings.
The center features 162,000 square feet of uninterrupted, column-free exhibit space, a 40,000-square-foot Steelcase Ballroom and 26 meeting rooms providing about 32,000 square feet. DeVos Performance Hall, a 2,543-seat performing arts theater, is also integrated into the complex.
DeVos Place Convention Center Quick Details
| Detail | Information |
| Official name | DeVos Place |
| Common name | DeVos Place Convention Center |
| Address | 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Location | Downtown Grand Rapids, along the Grand River |
| Exhibit Hall | 162,000 square feet, column-free |
| Exhibit Hall divisions | Three halls: A, B and C |
| Standard trade-show booths | Approximately 871 10-by-10-foot booths across Halls A-C |
| Combined exhibit theatre capacity | Approximately 13,365 across Halls A-C |
| Steelcase Ballroom | 40,000 square feet |
| Ballroom theatre capacity | Approximately 4,000 |
| Ballroom classroom capacity | Approximately 2,016 |
| Ballroom banquet capacity | Approximately 2,500 |
| Meeting rooms | 26 rooms totaling about 32,000 square feet |
| DeVos Performance Hall | 2,543 seats |
| Loading access | 12 exhibit-hall docks; 2 ballroom docks plus a loading ramp |
| Parking | Paid underground parking beneath DeVos Place; city-managed |
| Nearest airport | Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR), about 13 miles / 15 minutes |
| Management | Legends Global |
Address and Location
The convention center’s main public address is:
- 303 Monroe Ave NW
- Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
DeVos Place is located on the Grand River in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. The venue sits close to Monroe Avenue, Michigan Street and Lyon Street, with convenient access from major highways serving West Michigan.
Nearby destinations include:
- DeVos Performance Hall
- Amway Grand Plaza
- Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
- Grand Rapids Public Museum
- Van Andel Arena
- Grand Rapids Art Museum
- Downtown restaurants, bars and entertainment
- Grand River riverfront and downtown public spaces
The downtown location allows many attendees to walk between the convention center, hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues. Several nearby hotels are linked to the downtown skywalk system.
Facilities at DeVos Place Convention Center
DeVos Place combines large exhibition areas with ballroom, meeting, theater and pre-function space. The venue is designed to accommodate national conventions, regional trade shows, corporate meetings, banquets and public events.
Principal facilities and services include:
- 162,000 square feet of uninterrupted, column-free exhibit space
- Three divisible exhibit halls
- 40,000-square-foot Steelcase Ballroom
- 26 individual meeting rooms totaling about 32,000 square feet
- 2,543-seat DeVos Performance Hall
- Grand Gallery and riverfront pre-function areas
- 12 exhibit-hall loading docks with wash bay and marshalling area
- Two ballroom loading docks and a Lyon Street loading ramp
- Event production, audiovisual and internet services
- Concessions and full-service catering
- Registration, box-office and guest-service areas
- Lyon Square outdoor public and event space
Hall Capacity and Layout
1. Exhibit Halls
The main Exhibit Hall provides 162,000 square feet of uninterrupted, column-free floor space and can be divided into Exhibit Halls A, B and C. The ceiling reaches approximately 72 feet at its highest point, giving planners substantial flexibility for trade-show displays, sporting events, staging and production.
Official floor plans show approximately 871 standard 10-by-10-foot booths across all three halls: 288 in Hall A, 299 in Hall B and 284 in Hall C.
Theatre-style floor plans list approximately 4,428 seats in Hall A, 4,544 in Hall B and 4,393 in Hall C, for a combined layout of about 13,365 seats. Banquet plans list about 3,040 guests in Hall A, 3,350 in Hall B and 2,960 in Hall C. Final capacity depends on stages, aisles, production requirements and the approved event layout.
2. Steelcase Ballroom
The Steelcase Ballroom provides 40,000 square feet of multipurpose event space and can be subdivided into four separate rooms. It is used for banquets, meetings, consumer events, sporting events and large general sessions.
The full Ballroom A-D layout is shown for approximately 4,000 theatre-style attendees, 2,016 classroom attendees and 2,500 banquet guests. A trade-show layout accommodates about 180 standard 10-by-10-foot booths. The adjoining Secchia Lobby provides river views and can support registration, receptions and pre-function activities.
3. Meeting Rooms
DeVos Place provides 26 individual meeting rooms with approximately 32,000 square feet of meeting space. Room groups include Grand Gallery, Monroe and River Overlook meeting areas, with several spaces designed to divide into smaller rooms for conference breakouts.
The meeting-room inventory supports board meetings, training programs, workshops, seminars and concurrent conference sessions alongside exhibit-hall or ballroom activity.
4. DeVos Performance Hall
DeVos Performance Hall is a 2,543-seat performing arts theater within the DeVos Place complex. In addition to concerts and stage productions, the theater can be used for convention general sessions, keynote presentations and large audience programs.
Parking at DeVos Place Convention Center
DeVos Place has paid parking in an underground ramp directly beneath the convention center. Vehicle access is available from Michigan Street and Lyon Street. The ramp operates 24 hours a day and accepts credit and debit cards.
Parking facilities at DeVos Place are managed by the City of Grand Rapids, so rates can vary by parking duration and event conditions. Additional parking is available at the Government Center across Monroe Avenue and at other downtown ramps and lots within walking distance.
Vehicles that are too large for parking structures may be eligible for permitted parking on Scribner Avenue during an event, subject to availability and venue arrangements. Accessible spaces are available in the DeVos Place parking ramp and surrounding public facilities.
Reaching the Convention Center
1. From Gerald R. Ford International Airport
Gerald R. Ford International Airport is about 13 miles from downtown Grand Rapids. The venue describes downtown as approximately a 15-minute drive from the airport under normal traffic conditions. Rental cars, taxis and rideshare services are available.
2. Driving to Downtown Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is served by major regional highways including I-196 and US-131, with connections to I-96. Drivers should follow downtown signs toward Monroe Avenue and DeVos Place. Event traffic can affect the final approach, especially when DeVos Place and nearby entertainment venues are hosting large programs at the same time.
3. Public Transit
DeVos Place is served by The Rapid public bus system and the downtown DASH service. The City of Grand Rapids identifies a DASH stop immediately outside the convention center, providing another option for reaching nearby parking areas and downtown destinations.
4. Walking and Skywalk Access
DeVos Place is in a highly walkable downtown district. Major hotels, restaurants, museums and entertainment venues are close by, and climate-controlled skywalk connections provide convenient access to several nearby properties.
Popular Hotels Near DeVos Place Convention Center
Downtown Grand Rapids has several hotels within a short walk of DeVos Place.
- Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton: A large downtown hotel immediately adjacent to DeVos Place and connected through the skywalk system.
- JW Marriott Grand Rapids: A riverfront hotel close to the convention center with convenient downtown access.
- Courtyard by Marriott Grand Rapids Downtown: A centrally located Marriott property within walking distance of DeVos Place.
- Hyatt Place Grand Rapids/Downtown: A downtown hotel close to Monroe Center and the convention district.
- AC Hotel Grand Rapids Downtown: A Marriott-brand property in the downtown entertainment district.
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown: An all-suite option within walking distance of DeVos Place.
For major conventions, attendees should check whether the organizer has arranged an official hotel block, particularly during busy downtown event weekends.
Dining at and Near the Center
The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel is the exclusive food-and-beverage provider for DeVos Place. Catering, concessions and banquet service can be arranged for exhibit-hall, ballroom and meeting-room events, while outside food and beverages are generally not permitted.
Downtown Grand Rapids has more than 50 dining and entertainment establishments within walking distance of the convention center. Options range from quick-service restaurants and cafés to full-service dining, bars and hotel restaurants.
Accessibility
DeVos Place provides a range of accessibility features and states that it meets or exceeds applicable ADA and Michigan accessibility requirements. Automatic entrance doors, accessible counters and drinking fountains, elevators and accessible parking are available.
Accessible parking is offered in the underground DeVos Place ramp as well as surrounding public ramps. Service animals are permitted, and guests who need special accommodations are encouraged to contact the venue in advance. Limited wheelchairs are also available on site based on availability.
Sustainability
DeVos Place operates environmental and sustainability programs covering energy efficiency, water use, recycling, purchasing and food-service practices. The venue maintains single-stream recycling stations and uses computer-controlled lighting and HVAC systems to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
New lighting fixtures installed throughout the facility in 2024 were reported by the venue to reduce energy use from lighting by about 60 percent. Other measures include automated faucets and flushing systems, a reflective membrane-style roof, recycling of office and facility materials and efforts to use environmentally preferable cleaning products.
DeVos Place received Green Venues Michigan certification in 2010 and is a founding member of the Grand Rapids 2030 District.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is DeVos Place Convention Center located?
A: DeVos Place is located at 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, along the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids.
Q: How much exhibit space does DeVos Place have?
A: The convention center provides 162,000 square feet of uninterrupted, column-free exhibit space that can be divided into three halls.
Q: How large is the Steelcase Ballroom?
A: The Steelcase Ballroom provides 40,000 square feet and can be divided into four sections. The full ballroom is shown for approximately 4,000 theatre-style attendees or about 2,500 banquet guests.
Q: How many meeting rooms does DeVos Place have?
A: The venue provides 26 individual meeting rooms totaling approximately 32,000 square feet.
Q: Does DeVos Place have parking?
A: Yes. Paid parking is available in an underground ramp beneath the convention center, with entrances from Michigan Street and Lyon Street. Additional downtown parking facilities are nearby.
Q: How far is DeVos Place from Gerald R. Ford International Airport?
A: Gerald R. Ford International Airport is about 13 miles from downtown Grand Rapids, with the convention center describing the trip as roughly 15 minutes under normal traffic conditions.