A Renovation Beyond Just Carpet: See How Far We've Come

When Meydenbauer Center first opened its doors, the space looked a little different than it does today. Concrete floors, green drapes and a space designed primarily for tradeshows and graduation. As Bellevue grew, so did the way people used Center Hall.

In 2009, we continued making updates as banquets, celebrations, meetings and community gatherings were becoming an important part of the mix. As Center Hall began hosting a wider variety of events, the space needed to become more flexible to accommodate the different needs coming through our doors.

Today, Center Hall is designed to adapt to the event instead of asking the event to adapt to the room. Our new look is more modern and intentionally neutral, creating a polished backdrop that can work for everything from corporate meetings and conferences to galas, celebrations and community events. High end finishes give the space a more elevated feel, while color changing LED lights create an easy way for planners to bring their own branding and personality into the room without a major dig into their budget. Despite its' different look from concrete floors and green drapes, the goal is still the same: create a space where people can come together.

This latest remodel is another step in how Center Hall has continued to evolve alongside Bellevue. LMN Architects have been part of that evolution since 2009, including this latest remodel, helping us create a venue that better reflects the events and community we welcome today.

Center Hall 2026, Photo Credit: Hemisphere Design

A New Look Doesn't Have to Mean More Waste

Reduce, reuse, recycle is basically our middle name, but a massive remodel puts those three words to the test. Here's how we kept our commitment to reduce, reuse, and recycle:

Reduce

The Mohawk Lichen Community Collection carpet installed in the upper-level lobbies, meeting rooms and theatre is a sustainable modular carpet featuring Living Product certification, NSF 140 Platinum certification and EcoFlex One backing for a net-positive climate impact.

Reuse

We retained the existing copper mesh ceiling and repurposed aluminum Alusion panels from the previous design as part of the new LED feature wall. The Alusion panels themselves are 100% recyclable and made with more than 50% recycled post-industrial and post-consumer aluminum content.

Recycle

All 3,500 square yards of the removed carpet were recycled, helping divert a significant amount of material from landfills.

Sustainability is one of our key practices, and it was important that our remodel reflected that. Throughout the project, we looked for practical ways to reduce waste, reuse existing materials and recycle what we could in the process. Check out more information on the remodel with our blog here.

We're MICE Award Winners!

Meydenbauer Center is bringing home two awards after being named North America's Best Convention Centre 2026 and United States' Best Convention Centre 2026 by the World MICE Awards.

These awards internationally recognize exceptional work in the global meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions industry. We are so grateful to all of our clients and partners who are the heart of our success and have helped bring Meydenbauer Center recognition on a much bigger stage. See the full list of MICE Award winners here.

Q3 At a Glance

The third quarter looked a little different at Meydenbauer Center as the renovation of Center Hall meant the facility was completely or partially closed for half of the quarter. Even with limited availability, the convention center hosted 31 events that generated more than $5.25 million in economic impact. Two conventions, representing both corporate and hobbyist gatherings, generated more than $2.8 million in economic impact and approximately 450 hotel room nights, while three banquets marked the start of the fall fundraising season. The quarter demonstrated the impact Meydenbauer Center continues to have even during a period of significant transformation.

The "World's Largest Chamber Music Party" Makes Its Way to Bellevue

Photo Credit: Seattle Chamber Music Society

Seattle Chamber Music Society expanded its 2026 Summer Festival throughout the Greater Seattle region this summer, bringing chamber music to stages and community spaces across the area. In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the festival centered this year’s programming around American music with work written in America, by an American composer, or both, creating a common thread across the festival’s many stages.

Part of that expanded reach came through "The Concert Truck", a mobile concert hall that brought live performances out into parks and neighborhoods. More than 20 Concert Truck performances were planned across the region, with stops including Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue Botanical Gardens, and the Bellevue Library. Meanwhile, audiences could experience the festival in traditional performance spaces, including Meydenbauer Center Theatre.

Our theatre was brought to life across two sold-out nights of performances featuring works by Beethoven, Samuel Barber, Josef Suk, Amy Beach, Brahms, and Mendelssohn. Artistic Director James Ehnes joined an ensemble of SCMS musicians for the performances, with works by American composers Barber and Beach carrying the festival’s American music theme onto our stage. Our orchestra shell helped set the stage for chamber music, while dedicated internet connections supported two separate livestream broadcasts. Seeing that kind of turnout for classical music felt right at home in a theatre that regularly welcomes groups like Bellevue Symphony, Bellevue Youth Symphony, and other local arts organizations.

From a mobile stage in Bellevue Downtown Park to two evenings at Meydenbauer Center Theatre, we loved seeing chamber music show up in different ways throughout our city. Being one piece of a celebration happening across the region made it even more exciting to welcome the festival, its artists, and its audiences to Bellevue. See what else Seattle Music Chamber Society has planned here.

Q3 at a Glance

What's Next?

To view a full list of upcoming performance visit our calendar.

Stay Connected!

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