The W.T. Brookshire Conference Center is nearing completion and is expected to open this spring in Tyler. The new conference replaces the former Harvey Convention Center, which was torn down in 2021. The new facility boasts 23,000 square feet of meeting space, a built-in stage, a catering kitchen, and a 3.5-acre park. The conference center’s design includes arches and brickwork, and a large mosaic art piece will be on display outside the building.
Construction on the conference center has been ongoing, and the original hope was to open last fall, but shipping and manufacturing issues caused several delays. Despite the setbacks, Deputy City Manager Stephanie Franklin confirmed that construction is moving forward as planned for a spring opening. According to Franklin, the conference center is a unique facility that will attract groups looking for a one-of-a-kind experience. City officials got to walk into and preview the upcoming conference center in January.
Meeting planners will find plenty of space in the over 50,000-square-foot building. For indoor events, there is 23,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a stage, equipped kitchen, and audiovisual setup, as well as intermission areas and flexible lobby space. The front lawn offers 47,535 square feet of outdoor space, along with additional space on the porch and in the tree grove, totaling over 79,000 square feet of outdoor gathering areas.
Discussions about a new conference center had been ongoing for over 30 years. The new center is named after the iconic grocery store founded 90 years ago and headquartered in Tyler. The W.T. Brookshire Conference Center is expected to be an economic driver for the city of Tyler, attracting visitors and boosting tourism. It is located near other popular attractions, such as Tyler ISD’s Rose Stadium and the historic Mayfair building. In the coming weeks, the fencing around the conference center will be taken down, and the parking lots will be finished. The city of Tyler will release the exact opening date soon.
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