BLOOMINGTON – The Monroe County Capital Improvement Board has announced the official groundbreaking of the Bloomington Convention Center on June 3, 2025. This community event marks an exciting new chapter in the city’s ongoing commitment to fostering economic growth and development as it significantly expands the current Monroe Convention Center and the city’s event spaces and offerings.
The entire project will be renamed the Bloomington Convention Center and feature over 70,000 square feet of modern, flexible, professional meeting and event space and over 100,000 square feet of space overall. The venue will be able to accommodate a wide variety of events, including conventions, conferences, trade shows, concerts, meetings, sporting events, and more. The expansion is currently scheduled for completion in 2027.
Bloomington has established itself as a premier destination for small meetings, conferences, conventions, and other business-related group events throughout Indiana, the Midwest, and the Great Lakes region for over two decades. The new Bloomington Convention Center will significantly expand the city’s capacity to host larger groups, accommodating up to 600 attendees and supporting Bloomington’s reputation as a leading Midwest destination for business and culture. A 225-room host hotel is also being planned as part of the development.
Bloomington is known for its unique blend of small-town charm, safety, affordability, progressiveness, vibrant arts and culinary community, and rich history as the home of Indiana University. The city’s proximity to nearby feeder towns, Indiana’s largest lake, national forest, and numerous outdoor attractions enhances its appeal to meeting planners seeking diverse and fulfilling Midwest experiences in a well-known college town. Located along the I-69 corridor, Bloomington is easily accessible for Midwest business travelers, with transportation from the Indianapolis International Airport taking less than an hour.
“Indiana University’s direct connection to walkable downtown Bloomington, with hundreds of restaurants, nightlife spots, shops, attractions, and hotel rooms, creates experiences that can only be found here. These meeting groups want their events in Bloomington because of the atmosphere created by combining our university culture and community personality,” said Mike McAfee, Visit Bloomington Executive Director.
The Monroe Convention Center building was originally built in 1923 as Graham Motor Sales, later known as the Henry Ford Model T assembly plant and showroom. The facility hosts more than 500 events annually, but often turns away events due to availability and size restrictions.
“After years of planning, we are excited that the Capital Improvement Board is breaking ground on a facility that will not only meet the demand for meeting space but also enhance our community’s ability to attract new events and visitors,” continued McAfee. “The Bloomington Convention Center will serve as an important community resource for hosting various events focused on business, healthcare, sustainability, technology, music, and the arts—areas that align perfectly with what Bloomington is known for.”
The groundbreaking ceremony will take place on June 3 at 3:30 p.m. at the convention center’s site, 301 S. College Avenue, Bloomington. The community is invited to celebrate this significant milestone with city officials and stakeholders, including Eric Spoonmore, President of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce; John Whikehart, President of the Monroe County Capital Improvement Board; and Kerry Thomson, Mayor of the City of Bloomington.
For more information about the Bloomington Convention Center and the groundbreaking event, please visit the Monroe Capital Improvement Board’s website at www.monroecib.com.
