Miami Beach Convention Center
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Miami Beach Convention Center
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Miami Beach Convention Center is an indoor arena in Miami Beach, Florida and it is currently the largest convention center in the Miami area. It now features 4 large rooms each holding about 12,000 people.
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Contents
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History
Originally called the Miami Beach Exhibition Hall, the Convention Center was built in 1957 to seat 15,000 people at one time.
It was the site of a 1961 Billy Graham Crusade and hosted the 1968 Republican National Convention, 1972 Republican National Convention, and the 1972 Democratic National Convention.
In 1989, the facility underwent a $92 million renovation and doubled in size. In the last six years, the facility has had over $35 million in continuing upgrades, including complete renovations of all restrooms, full carpet replacement, and installation of a state-of-the-art telecommunications and networking infrastructure.
Sporting Events
Boxing
The center was the site of the Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston boxing match in 1964.[1]
Wrestling
It was also a regular stop for Championship Wrestling from Florida. Terry Funk defeated Jack Brisco for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at the Convention Center on December 10, 1975.
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) held their Annual WrestleMania Fan Axxess event at the Complex from March 29, 2012 to April 1, 2012. The event featured many WWE talents from yesturday and today as well as showcased many former WWE events and props used during their TV tapings.
Basketball
The ABA's The Floridians called the Convention Center (as well as the Convention Center Annex) home when they played in Miami.
Without an on-campus facility, the University of Miami men's basketball team played many of their games in Miami Beach at both the Convention Center and the Miami Beach Auditorium in the 1960s. Led by popular coach Bruce Hale and the high scoring future basketball Hall-of-Famer Rick Barry, the Hurricanes were able to draw capacity crowds.[2]
Current Use
The center hosts the annual South Florida Auto Show, Art Basel, and many other popular conventions.
Jackie Gleason Theater
Originally called the Miami Beach Auditorium, the Fillmore Miami Beach at The Jackie Gleason Theater is a theater which in the 1960s was renamed for Jackie Gleason. The theater was renovated in 2007 [3] and was renamed the Fillmore as part of a management contract. It is now home to live concerts, productions and can be rented for special events. The theater is now operated and managed exclusively by Live Nation. On May 5, 2010, NBC Miami reported that the theater would be demolished as a result of remodeling for the Convention Center, which would replace the theater with a new hotel.[4][5]
References
- ^ "Facility History". Miami Beach Convention Center. http://www.miamibeachconvention.com/facility/facility.php. Retrieved 2006-06-15.[dead link]
- ^ Underwood, John. "Miami's Picks: Slick And Rick". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1075565/index.htm. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- ^ "Fillmore Miami Beach: Venue Information", Fillmore Miami Beach website
- ^ "Jackie Gleason Theater:Away It Goes!". NBC Miami. 5 May 2010. http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/Jackie-Gleason-Theater-Away-it-goes-92835289.html. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
- ^ "Future of Former Jackie Gleason Theater Uncertain". Palm Beach Post. 16 June 2010. http://www.pbpulse.com/music/2010/06/16/future-of-former-jackie-gleason-theater-uncertain/. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
External links
| Events and tenants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Cow Palace |
Host of the Republican National Convention 1968, 1972 |
Succeeded by Kemper Arena |
| Preceded by International Amphitheatre |
Host of the Democratic National Convention 1972 |
Succeeded by Madison Square Garden |
| Preceded by Aladdin Theatre Las Vegas |
Miss Universe Venue 1997 |
Succeeded by Stan Sheriff Center Honolulu |
| Preceded by Georgia World Congress Center Atlanta |
WrestleMania Axxess Venue 2012 |
Succeeded by TBD |
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