The Fort Smith Convention Center
The Fort Smith Convention Center is a municipal event venue in downtown Fort Smith, Arkansas, owned by the City of Fort Smith and managed by Oak View Group. It offers 116,800 sq. ft. of flexible space—including a 1,331-seat performing arts center, exhibit halls, and meeting rooms—for conventions, concerts, trade shows, and private events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1966
- HeadquartersFort Smith, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Fort Smith Convention Center does
The Fort Smith Convention Center is a municipal event venue located in downtown Fort Smith, Arkansas, owned by the City of Fort Smith and operated under management contract by Oak View Group (OVG). Established in 1966, the facility offers 116,800 square feet of flexible event space comprising the 1,331-seat ArcBest Performing Arts Center (a 39,000 sq. ft. theater), 40,000 sq. ft. of column-free exhibit halls partitionable into five sections (accommodating up to 231 10x10 booths), eight meeting rooms configurable into 13 breakout spaces, the 2,000 sq. ft. North Rotunda with 46-foot ceilings, and landscaped outdoor areas including a small amphitheater.
The venue serves four primary customer segments: corporate and association event organizers (conventions, trade shows, corporate meetings), entertainment and performance audiences (concerts, theater, comedy, ceremonies), private event hosts (weddings, celebrations, community gatherings), and exhibitors/vendors. It generates revenue through four streams: venue rental under signed License Agreements (one-time/per-event licensing with insurance and security deposits), ticketing through the Ticketmaster portal and on-site Box Office, in-house food and beverage including The Market Grill concessions and catering led by Executive Chef Joe Finley, and event parking at the 800 Rogers Avenue lot. Pricing is quote-based and varies by event scope, duration, and space requirements. Distribution is conducted through a direct B2B sales/RFP process (RFP form on the website, managed by a Director of Sales & Events and Sales & Events Manager) and a B2C channel via Ticketmaster and the Box Office. Marketing is driven by the company website, Instagram, Facebook, and an email newsletter, with a cross-promotion partnership with Discover Fort Smith.
The technology stack is conventional for a venue operator and includes Ticketmaster for ticketing, Microsoft Clarity and Microsoft Advertising for website analytics and digital marketing, free WiFi throughout the facility, and on-site technical services (A/V, microphones, projectors, sound systems, lighting design, live-streaming support through OVG-approved contractors). The company is classified as a government/state entity under U.S. domicile, is not publicly traded, and has no disclosed funding rounds, M&A activity, or proprietary AI/ML capabilities.
The Fort Smith Convention Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Fort Smith Convention Center
- Legal name
- Fort Smith Convention Center
- Website
- https://fortsmithconventioncenter.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1966
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Fort Smith Convention Center is a municipal event venue in downtown Fort Smith, Arkansas, owned by the City of Fort Smith and managed by Oak View Group. It offers 116,800 sq. ft. of flexible space—including a 1,331-seat performing arts center, exhibit halls, and meeting rooms—for conventions, concerts, trade shows, and private events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Fort Smith Convention Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Convention and Event Venue Services
- NAICS
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues (THAHAAAB), Venue & Facility Reservations (Private Rooms, Event Spaces) (HSACALAJ)
Keywords
Where The Fort Smith Convention Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fort Smith
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Fort Smith Convention Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Venue Rental and Event Hosting: Primary revenue from renting flexible event spaces (exhibit halls, meeting rooms, ArcBest Performing Arts Center, rotunda, outdoor spaces) to event organizers for conventions, trade shows, concerts, performances, weddings, and private events. Requires signed License Agreement with fees including insurance and security.
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales through Ticketmaster portal and FSCC Box Office for concerts, shows, and public events.
- Food and Beverage: In-house catering services and The Market Grill concessions operation offering flexible menus and concession classics during events.
- Parking: Event parking revenue from the 800 Rogers Avenue parking location for guests, vendors, and event staff.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Event venue rental with customized packages |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Fort Smith Convention Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Fort Smith Convention Center rents approximately 116,800 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space to corporate, association, and entertainment clients. Spaces include the 1,331-seat ArcBest Performing Arts Center, multiple exhibit halls, configurable meeting rooms, the North Rotunda, and outdoor event areas, with on-site catering, concessions, parking, and production/technical services bundled into the rental offering.
Product overview
The Fort Smith Convention Center is a premier event venue platform offering a comprehensive suite of event spaces and services. The core venue provides 116,800 square feet of flexible event space including the ArcBest Performing Arts Center (a 39,000 square foot theater with 1,331-seat capacity), 40,000 square foot Exhibit Halls, 8 Meeting Rooms (configurable into 13 breakout spaces), the North Rotunda, and Outdoor Spaces. Add-on services include Tech Services (A/V, lighting, Wi-Fi, live-streaming), Food and Beverage Catering, and The Market Grill concessions. The venue is managed by Oak View Group (OVG) and supports events ranging from concerts and trade shows to conferences and private celebrations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ArcBest Performing Arts Center: A state-of-the-art theater with seating for up to 1,331 guests, serving as the crown jewel of the Fort Smith Convention Center for concerts, plays, lectures, and award ceremonies.
- The Market Grill
Products and services
- ArcBest Performing Arts Center
- Exhibit Halls
- Meeting Rooms
- North Rotunda
- Outdoor Spaces
- The Market Grill
- Catering Services
Companies that use The Fort Smith Convention Center
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Fort Smith Convention Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
The Fort Smith Convention Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Oak View Group (OVG)coreOVG is the professional venue management company that operates and manages the Fort Smith Convention Center. OVG provides operational expertise, staff training, technical services through approved contractors, and access to industry best practices. The venue is 'Proudly managed by OVG.'
- TicketmastercoreTicketmaster is the primary authorized ticketing platform for concerts, performances, and public events at the Fort Smith Convention Center. The venue states 'Only tickets from authorized vendors (e.g. Ticketmaster or FSCC Box Office) will be honored.'
- OVG Supplier Diversity ProgramminorSupplier diversity program encouraging participation from minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses. Part of OVG's broader initiative to foster economic inclusivity in communities where they operate.
- Discover Fort SmithminorLocal tourism partnership linking to discoverfortsmith.com for visitor information about downtown Fort Smith dining, entertainment, and accommodations near the convention center.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Fort Smith Convention Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hot Springs Convention Center: Public convention center in Hot Springs, Arkansas, hosting conventions, trade shows, and live events of similar scale in the same state. Directly comparable as a mid-sized Arkansas municipal venue targeting association meetings and entertainment.
- Branson Convention Center: Public convention center in Branson, Missouri, hosting conventions, concerts, and trade shows in a tourism-driven regional market. Comparable scale and mix of association/consumer events.
- Rogers Convention Center: Public convention center in Northwest Arkansas (Rogers), serving the rapidly growing NWA market with conventions and consumer events. Comparable in size and target use cases, and a regional booking competitor.
- Statehouse Convention Center (Little Rock): Largest convention venue in Arkansas located in the state capital of Little Rock. Directly comparable as a public Arkansas convention center hosting trade shows, conventions, and concerts.
- Tulsa Convention Center: Public convention center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, hosting conventions, trade shows, and entertainment events. Comparable as a mid-sized public convention venue in the broader South Central region.
- Oklahoma City Convention Center: Newer, larger public convention center in Oklahoma City competing for regional conventions and trade shows. Comparable business model and customer segments in the same South Central geography.
- Springdale Convention Center (NWA Convention Center): Public convention facility in Springdale, Arkansas, in the Northwest Arkansas region. Comparable in scale and serves similar trade association and event customers in the same state.
Broad incumbents
- SMG / OVG360: Largest venue management company in North America (now part of OVG), managing hundreds of convention centers, arenas, and stadiums. Directly comparable as a public-private venue management operator and a competitor for management contracts.
- Oak View Group (OVG): The venue management company that operates Fort Smith Convention Center. OVG manages a portfolio of arenas, convention centers, and theaters globally, making it both the parent operator and a broader incumbent in the venue management space.
Regional players
- Amarillo Civic Center: Municipal civic center complex in Amarillo, Texas, hosting conventions, concerts, and trade shows. Comparable public venue of similar scale in a different geographic market in the broader South Central region.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Fort Smith Convention Center social profiles
Digital presenceThe Fort Smith Convention Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Fort Smith Convention Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
The Fort Smith Convention Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Fort Smith Convention Center M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Fort Smith Convention Center
What does The Fort Smith Convention Center do?
The Fort Smith Convention Center rents approximately 116,800 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space to corporate, association, and entertainment clients. Spaces include the 1,331-seat ArcBest Performing Arts Center, multiple exhibit halls, configurable meeting rooms, the North Rotunda, and outdoor event areas, with on-site catering, concessions, parking, and production/technical services bundled into the rental offering.
Is The Fort Smith Convention Center a public or private company?
The Fort Smith Convention Center is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was The Fort Smith Convention Center founded?
The Fort Smith Convention Center was founded in 1966. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Fort Smith Convention Center based?
The Fort Smith Convention Center is headquartered in Fort Smith, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Fort Smith Convention Center make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Venue Rental and Event Hosting is the primary driver. The others are ticket Sales, food and Beverage and parking.
Who are The Fort Smith Convention Center's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hot Springs Convention Center, Branson Convention Center, Rogers Convention Center, Statehouse Convention Center (Little Rock), Tulsa Convention Center, Oklahoma City Convention Center and Springdale Convention Center (NWA Convention Center). Broad incumbents are SMG / OVG360 and Oak View Group (OVG). Amarillo Civic Center is listed as a regional player.
Does The Fort Smith Convention Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Fort Smith Convention Center.
What industry is The Fort Smith Convention Center in?
The Fort Smith Convention Center's product category is Convention and Event Venue Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHAAAA, Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers), with a secondary code of THAHAAAB, Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues. Its NAICS code is 71 and its SIC code is 7900.