Complejo Ferial de Puerto Rico

Complejo Ferial de Puerto Rico,[5] is a 3,000-seat[6] indoor arena and convention center in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It is intended to be used primarily for trade shows, conventions and sporting events. It opened in June, 2012.[7] One of the first pre-inauguration activities was a set of Olympic boxing pre-match games.[8][9] Its official inauguration was subsequently set for September 2012.[10] However, its official inauguration took place on 11 October 2012.[11]

Complejo Ferial de Puerto Rico
Complejo Ferial de Puerto Rico, also known as Centro de Convenciones de Ponce (Ponce Convention Center)
AddressPR-52 and PR-12 at Avenida Rafael Churumba Santiago
LocationPonce, Puerto Rico
Coordinates18°0′28.15″N 66°36′22.75″W
OwnerGovernment of the Autonomous Municipality of Ponce
OperatorIntertrade Development Group[1]
Built2008-2012
Inaugurated11 October 2012[2]
OpenedJune 2012[3]
Construction cost
$43.7 million[4]
Former names
Centro de Convenciones de Ponce
Classroom-style seating
3,000
Meeting-room seating
3,000
Banquet/ballroom3,000
Theatre seating
3,000
Enclosed space
 • Total space120,000 square feet (11,000 m2)
 • Exhibit hall floor120,000 square feet (11,000 m2)
 • Breakout/meeting16
 • Ballroom1-16 (convertible)
Website
www.complejoferialpr.com
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Variously known as Centro de Convenciones de Ponce, Centro de Convenciones de Ponce Juan H. Cintrón,[12] and Complejo Ferial de Puerto Rico Juan H. Cintrón Garcia, the center was built to serve the local as well as the international business market.[13] The Centro de Convenciones de Ponce was named after former Ponce Mayor Juan H. Cintrón García.[14][15] Centro de Convenciones de Ponce is unique among other convention centers in Puerto Rico for the flexibility of its interior spaces.[16] It is owned by the Autonomous Municipality of Ponce.[17]

History

Construction of the structure started on 20 October 2008,[18][19] under the administration of Mayor Francisco Zayas Seijo.[20] The building design was commissioned to architect Fernando Gonzalez Diaz and his architectural firm Urban Venture Group. Urban Venture Group with their consultants; Pedro Dario Del Nero (structural engineer), Jorge Ledón Webster (mechanical engineer), Ricardo Rodriguez Del Valle (electrical engineer), Alfred J. Longhitano (codes) and Manuel Quilichini (civil engineer), formed the team that developed the Architecture and Interior design of "Complejo Ferial de Puerto Rico". The structure was built by local Ponce construction company Venegas Construction.[21] It was ordered by the Autonomous Municipality of Ponce at a cost of $41 million USD, excluding its access roads and parking lot. These engaged an additional $3.9 million.[22][23] Some 400 workmen labored in the construction of the structure.[24]

Management

The Center is managed by a public municipal corporation independent of the Municipal Government but which reports to it.[25] The corporation is headed by a five-member governing board. According to current by-laws of the municipality, one of the members of the governing body must be the municipal finance director, and the other four members are appointed by the mayor. The primary objective in creating a municipal corporation for the management and administration of Centro de Convenciones is "to exempt it from being bound by the bureocracy required by the Law of Autonomous Municipalities"[26] One of the obligations of the new corporation is to sign a long-term contract with an operator for the administration and day-to-day operation of the Center.[27] Various companies were mentioned as potential managers and interested parties, including SMG Worldwide Entertainment and Convention Venue Management, Intertrade Development Group, and Grupo Serralles, owners of the Ponce Hilton Resort and Casino.[28] In the end, Intertrade Development Group was chosen as the operator.[29]

Features

The building is a two-story structure.[30] The main exhibit hall features 120,000 square feet of exhibit space.[31] The main exhibit hall can be structured into 16 smaller and independent mixed-used rooms to simultaneously accommodate various activities, such as conventions, concerts, weddings, and corporate meetings.[32] Each of the 16 rooms will have its own independently controlled climate and sound systems.[33] The property also features a planned parking lot with capacity for 700 vehicles.[34] There is also an area with a view of Rio Portugues with a capacity for 300 persons.[35] The Puerto Rico Senate voted to name this structure "Centro de Convenciones de Ponce Juan H. Cintron" in honor to the Ponce politician.[36]

Notable events

An international design festival, Boom Fair 2013, took place during August 2013.[37] A cardiovascular health symposium, sponsored by Hospital Episcopal San Lucas, followed on 24 August 2013.[38]

References
  1. Ganan llave del Centro de Convenciones. Omar Alfonso. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Year 30. Issue 1509. Page 4. (Title in printed edition: A manos ponceñas la operación del Centro de Convenciones.) 31 October 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  2. Sin operador el Centro de Convenciones. Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  3. Así luce el nuevo Centro de Convenciones. Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Vol 30. Issue 1460. Page 4. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  4. Sin operador el Centro de Convenciones. Por Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  5. Celebrarán en Ponce feria de diseñadores. Reinaldo Millán. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Year 31. Issue 1550. Page 12. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  6. Así luce el nuevo Centro de Convenciones. Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Year 30. Issue 1460. Page 4. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  7. Así luce el nuevo Centro de Convenciones. Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Vol 30. Issue 1460. Page 4. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  8. Adelantan el boxeo de la Copa Olímpica. Reinaldo Millán. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Year 30. Number 1488. Page 60. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  9. Otro olímpico a la final en Ponce. 7 June 2012. Noticel. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  10. Primer paso con Centro de Convenciones. Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 20 June 2012. Year 30. Issue 1490. Page 10. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  11. Sin operador el Centro de Convenciones. Por Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  12. Sin operador el Centro de Convenciones. Por Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  13. Así luce el nuevo Centro de Convenciones. Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Vol 30. Issue 1460. Page 4. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  14. Centro de Convenciones de Ponce llevará nombre de ex alcalde Juan Cintrón. Primera Hora. San Juan, Puerto Rico. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  15. Ya tiene nombre el Centro de Convenciones de Ponce. El Sur a la Vista. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  16. A todo vapor: Construcción Centro de Convenciones de Ponce. Archived 2 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine Planos y Capacetes. May–June 2009. Page 8. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  17. A todo vapor: Construcción Centro de Convenciones de Ponce. Archived 2 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine Planos y Capacetes. May–June 2009. Page 8. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  18. Construirán centro de negocios en Ponce. Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Yaritza Santiago Caraballo. El Nuevo Dia. Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. 14 October 2008. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  19. Así luce el nuevo Centro de Convenciones. Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Vol 30. Issue 1460. Page 4. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  20. En la mesa de la Alcaldesa de Ponce: ¿Cambios para el Centro de Convenciones? Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  21. Así luce el nuevo Centro de Convenciones. Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Vol 30. Issue 1460. Page 4. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  22. Primer paso con Centro de Convenciones. Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 20 June 2012. Year 30. Issue 1490. Page 10. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  23. Así luce el nuevo Centro de Convenciones. Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Vol 30. Issue 1460. Page 4. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  24. A todo vapor: Construcción Centro de Convenciones de Ponce. Archived 2 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine Planos y Capacetes. May–June 2009. Page 8. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  25. Primer paso con Centro de Convenciones. Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 20 June 2012. Year 30. Issue 1490. Page 10. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  26. Primer paso con Centro de Convenciones. Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 20 June 2012. Year 30. Issue 1490. Page 10. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  27. Primer paso con Centro de Convenciones. Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 20 June 2012. Year 30. Issue 1490. Page 10. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  28. Sin operador el Centro de Convenciones. Por Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  29. Ganan llave del Centro de Convenciones. Omar Alfonso. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Year 30. Issue 1509. Page 4. (Title in printed edition: A manos ponceñas la operación del Centro de Convenciones.) 31 October 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  30. Centro de Convenciones de Ponce podrá operar. El Sur a la Vista. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  31. Así luce el nuevo Centro de Convenciones. Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Vol 30. Issue 1460. Page 4. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  32. Así luce el nuevo Centro de Convenciones. Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Vol 30. Issue 1460. Page 4. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  33. Así luce el nuevo Centro de Convenciones. Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Vol 30. Issue 1460. Page 4. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  34. Centro de Convenciones de Ponce podrá operar. El Sur a la Vista. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  35. A todo vapor: Construcción Centro de Convenciones de Ponce. Archived 2 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine Planos y Capacetes. May–June 2009. Page 8. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  36. Centro de Convenciones de Ponce llevará nombre de ex alcalde Juan Cintrón. Primera Hora. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  37. Celebrarán en Ponce feria de diseñadores. Reinaldo Millán. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Year 31. Issue 1550. Page 12. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  38. Magno evento en Centro de Convenciones. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Year 31. Issue 1551. Page 26. 21 August 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.

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