WSCTC History
In the early 1980s, a group of community leaders from the public and private sectors conceived the notion of building a convention center in Seattle to foster new economic development. In 1982, with support of the state Legislature, a public non-profit corporation was established to acquire land and to design, construct, promote and operate the Washington State Convention & Trade Center. A site adjacent to and over Interstate 5 was selected and initial construction began in the fall of 1985, and continued for nearly three years. The Center’s first scheduled event took place on June 18, 1988.By the early 1990s, increasing demand for heavy-load exhibition space made it clear that the Center would need to grow. On July 9, 2001, little more than two years after construction began, the ribbon was cut on the completed expansion project. The expansion effectively doubled the available event space, enabling the Center to retain existing customers and attract new business.
The Convention Center, throughout its history, has exceeded the mandate of the Legislature to provide economic and civic benefits for the people of the state of Washington. These benefits have included a commitment to the building and renovation of affordable housing, historic preservation of significant structures and acquiring an extensive collection of public art.