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50 Years – A Milestone Worth Celebrating

 

Where it all began

The Winnipeg Convention Centre opened in January 1975.  Clad in Manitoba Tyndall limestone, concrete and glass, the Centre was the first free-standing, multi-purpose-built convention centre in Canada.  As an important economic driver for the City of Winnipeg, it instantly attracted local, national and international conventions, business gatherings and trade shows generating millions of dollars in tax revenue and bolstering the local economy through spin-off benefits for hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, tourism attractions and other businesses.

Ground Breaking

As the years went on, in the midst of aggressive competition from convention centres in other Canadian cities, the time had come to break ground once again and expand Winnipeg’s convention centre or fall behind. After 15 years of careful planning, the convention centre announced plans for an expansion in 2012. Once the $180-million expansion was complete in 2016, the newly named RBC Convention Centre had nearly doubled in size and immediately began attracting large conventions that could never have been possible before.

The Future

Today, the RBC Convention Centre continues to create new meeting and convention opportunities. Together we play a crucial role in driving economic growth and enhancing the city’s cultural landscape while reinforcing Winnipeg’s reputation as being a world-class site capable of hosting world-class events. 

Memorable Moments

For 50 years, the convention centre has been a gathering place for millions of people who have attended meetings, conventions, tradeshows, gala dinners, concerts, consumer shows and so much more.  What are you special memories? We would love to share your stories as together we reflect on the years past with a keen eye to the future. Let’s reminisce!  Send us your photos and memories to anniversary@wcc.mb.ca

 

For years  New Orleans-style Mardi Gras was celebrated every February with authentic food, music and of course lots of beads!
Restaurants, boutiques, a book store, florist and chocolate shop were just a few of the 25 shops and services that lined the 2nd floor Shoppers’ Mall.
As one of the longest running consumer shows, World of Wheels has been driving traffic to the convention centre since the 1970’s.
Despite a two day delay due to a winter snowstorm, the grand opening celebration took place Jan 14/75.
Celebrating with friends and family was a yearly tradition for many as the Centre hosted the largest New Year’s Eve event in the city.
When the Centre opened its doors in 1975, so did Holiday Coiffures Hair Salon. Clients from downtown and all across the city continue to visit Mario Potenza for a cut, colour and conversation.
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International, national and regional conventions and tradeshows have been filling our floors for 50 years.
Spreading Oktoberfest cheer was an annual celebration that was enjoyed for years.
A collection of Indigenous art, donated by a friend of the Centre, is proudly displayed in honour of the Indigenous culture and to the benefit of the citizens of Winnipeg and visitors to the Centre.
The 600-seat Convention Centre Theatre was a popular gathering place to enjoy popcorn and watch first run movies.
Donned in hard hats and reflective vests, partners, clients, neighbours and supporters enjoyed behind-the-scene visits during our expansion.
From celebrities to politicians, public figures to authors, the convention centre stage has welcomed them all.
If our halls could talk! One day we could set for a thousand person convention and trade show and the next a rodeo or boxing match.
The Centre’s Board of Directors held its inaugural meeting in 1972 with Board Chair Mayor Stephen Juba at the helm.
The Wonderful Wedding Show has been making dreams come true for thousands of happy couples for decades.
In 2015 Winnipeg hosted the Grey Cup. Not due to officially open until March 2016, the Centre received a temp occupancy permit and hosted Grey Cup festivities that were second to none!
In January 2021, the province’s first COVID-19 vaccination super site opened in our building. When they closed in September 2022, over a million doses of the vaccine had been given. 
The official sod-turning in 1971. (left) Metro Councillor Bernie Wolfe, Public Works Minister Russel Doern, Winnipeg Alderman Joseph Cropo, Metro Chairman Jack Willis.
More than 500 people were involved in the construction of the convention centre from planners to the labour force. Among other materials, they used 30,000 cubic yards / 60,000 tons of concrete; 50,000 sq ft / 1,200 tons of limestone and 5,000 yards of carpeting.

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