pine bluff convention center

What pine bluff convention center does

The Pine Bluff Convention Center (PBCC) is a municipal event and convention facility located at 1 Convention Center Plaza in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, owned by the City of Pine Bluff and operated by the Civic Auditorium Complex Commission (CACC). Founded in 1976 and celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, the venue operates as the premier convention facility of the Mid-South region, comprising three primary rentable spaces: a 22,984 sq ft arena with 7,620-person reserved seating capacity and 40-foot ceilings, a 14,400 sq ft banquet hall divisible into four 3,600 sq ft rooms with a 930 sq ft meeting room, and a 1,899-seat auditorium/theater with a 93-foot stage and five dressing rooms. The facility is equipped with a Bose P-A Sound System, Supertrouper follow spots, adjustable staging, and infrastructure including a loading dock for three 56-foot trucks and three-phase power connections supporting up to 150 exhibit booths in arena configuration.

The center generates revenue through three primary streams: facility space rentals to event organizers (one-time licensing), exclusive arrangements with PBCC-approved caterers (transaction fees), and on-site concession stand sales (hardware/point-of-sale transactions including items priced $1–$10). Customer segments span four horizontal use cases — Corporate/Professional Organizations (conventions, trade shows, conferences), Educational Institutions (commencement ceremonies, school events), Community Groups (banquets, reunions, galas), and Sports/Entertainment (basketball, concerts, rodeos, trade shows). Notable clients include the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, City of Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff Police Department, Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball, Jefferson Regional Medical Center, and Southeast Arkansas College. Go-to-market is direct and event-driven: venue rentals are handled via phone (870-536-7600) and email, event bookings are managed through an online client portal (riccorp.net), and public ticketing for consumer events runs through iTickets.

The venue also houses the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame, featuring exhibits on Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Billy Bob Thornton, and other Arkansas entertainment figures. Distribution relies on the PBCC website, public event calendars, social media, community partnerships, and earned media in regional Arkansas outlets. As of 2025 the venue operates cashless with a strict Clear Bag Policy. A $28 million, 125-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel is under adjacent development by The P3 Group Inc. (planned 2026), which will materially expand lodging-attached event capability. Barbara Dunn was appointed Executive Director in August 2024.

Name

pine bluff convention center

Legal name

Pine Bluff Convention Center

Website

https://pinebluffconvention.center

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Pine Bluff Convention Center is a municipal event facility in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, owned by the city and operated by the Civic Auditorium Complex Commission. It rents a 7,620-seat arena, a 1,899-seat theater, and a 14,400 sq ft banquet hall to corporate, education, government, and community clients across the Mid-South region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Convention & Event Venue Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conference & Convention Center Catering (THAHAKAB), Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

Keywords

• Convention venue services
• Event space rentals
• Banquet meeting facilities
• Catering concession services
• Arena auditorium hosting

Headquarters

HQ city

Pine Bluff

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Facility Space Rentals: The convention center generates revenue by renting out its event spaces including the arena, banquet hall, auditorium, and meeting rooms to event organizers, corporations, community groups, and individuals for various events.
2. Approved Catering Services: The center requires all food functions to be catered by approved caterers, generating revenue through facility use agreements with approved catering vendors.
3. Concession Sales: On-site concession stand sales including food items (chicken strips, nachos, hot dogs, popcorn) and beverages (sodas, coffee, water) generates revenue during events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pine Bluff Convention Center is a single-site municipal convention facility that rents event space to organizations and the public, operating a 22,984 sq. ft. arena, a 14,400 sq. ft. divisible banquet hall, a 1,899-seat auditorium/theater, and supporting services including approved-caterer food functions, arena concession sales, and event-planning/equipment rental support.

Product overview

Pine Bluff Convention Center is a single-venue convention facility offering multiple distinct event spaces and services. The core offering consists of three primary rental venues—the Arena (22,984 sq. ft., capacity 7,620), the Banquet Hall (14,400 sq. ft., divisible into four rooms), and the Auditorium/Theater (1,899 seats)—alongside ancillary services including catering, concession stands, and event planning support. The facility opened in 1976 and celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025. A new Courtyard by Marriott hotel (125 rooms, $28 million, planned for 2026) is under development adjacent to the center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Arena A 22,984 sq. ft. arena with 40-foot ceiling height, accommodating up to 150 exhibit booths or 7,620 reserved-seat attendees (or 5,000 in arena theater format). Equipped with a Bose P-A sound system, Supertrouper follow spots, and staging capabilities, with a loading dock for 3 56-foot trucks and 3-phase power connections.
• Banquet Hall A 14,400 sq. ft. banquet facility that can be divided into four 3,600 sq. ft. rooms and includes the 930 sq. ft. Sadler Meeting Room, featuring in-house full-line kitchen and approved-caterer service for banquets, receptions, and meetings.
• Auditorium / Theater A 1,899-seat theater with a 93'3" by 47' stage, accommodating 600 theater-style, 450 banquet-style, and 300 classroom-style seating; includes five stage-level dressing rooms and is used for concerts, opera, Broadway shows, recitals, ceremonies, and special events.
• Catering Services Full-service catering for food functions including breakfast, lunch, dinner, receptions, cocktail functions, and breaks, provided exclusively by PBCC-approved caterers per facility-use agreement.
• Concession Stand Arena concession stand offering food items (chicken strip baskets $10, cheese nachos $6, hot dog $4, polish dog $5, Frito pie $5, popcorn, candy, chips) and beverages (sodas $4, coffee, hot chocolate, hot tea, muffins, danishes, water).
• Event Planning and Equipment Rentals Full-service event-planning support and equipment rental options for clients booking events at the center, including staging, sound, and lighting resources.

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Simmons BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSimmons Bank is a 50th Anniversary Celebration sponsor of the Pine Bluff Convention Center, demonstrating commitment to investing in Arkansas and supporting the communities they serve.
• The P3 GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe P3 Group Inc., the nation's largest minority-owned public-private partnership developer, is developing a $28 million, 125-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel adjacent to the convention center, planned for 2026.
• Baldwin & Shell Construction CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBaldwin & Shell Construction Company is a 50th Anniversary Celebration sponsor, demonstrating commitment to investing in Arkansas and supporting local communities.
• Beechwood HospitalityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeechwood Hospitality is recognized as a generous sponsor of the 50th Anniversary Celebration. Their dedication to hospitality helps welcome visitors to the community.
• MK DistributorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLegacy Partner celebrating 50 years of partnership with the Pine Bluff Convention Center, demonstrating enduring commitment to the community.
• South Arkansas Business SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLegacy Partner celebrating 50 years of partnership, demonstrating longstanding support for the convention center and community.
• James Hayes Art Glass CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLegacy Partner celebrating 50 years of partnership with the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
• City of Pine BluffcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Pine Bluff is a Legacy Partner and key stakeholder. The city owns and operates the convention center through the Civic Auditorium Complex Commission (CACC). City officials approved the Marriott hotel development project.
• Sissy's Log CabinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLegacy Partner celebrating 50 years of partnership with the Pine Bluff Convention Center.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Statehouse Convention Center: Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas is a directly comparable convention and events facility serving the same state/region, offering arena, exhibit hall, and ballroom space for conventions, trade shows, and meetings — overlapping directly with PBCC's core offering.
• Hot Springs Convention Center: Hot Springs Convention Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas operates arena, exhibition hall, and meeting space similar to PBCC's multi-format venue. Comparable mid-size Arkansas convention facility competing for regional conventions, entertainment, and sports bookings.
• Barton Coliseum: Barton Coliseum in Little Rock, Arkansas is a multipurpose arena and exhibition venue hosting concerts, rodeos, sporting events, and trade shows. Comparable in arena-style events programming to PBCC's arena offering.
• Robinson Center: Robinson Center in Little Rock is a performing arts and event venue comparable to PBCC's auditorium/theater. Hosts Broadway shows, concerts, and banquets — directly overlapping with PBCC's theater programming.
• Von Braun Center: Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama is a comparable Mid-South/Southeast municipal convention center complex offering arena, concert hall, and meeting space. Similar multi-format public venue structure and regional draw profile.

Regional players

• Shreveport Convention Center: Shreveport Convention Center in Shreveport, Louisiana is a regional convention facility serving a neighboring Mid-South/Gulf market. Comparable municipal-style event venue competing for the same regional convention and entertainment bookings from a nearby territory.
• Texarkana Convention Center: Texarkana Convention Center on the Texas-Arkansas border serves a nearby but distinct regional geography from Pine Bluff. Comparable mid-size convention venue competing for some of the same regional event business.
• Trustmark Park / Pearl River Resort (Concert/Event Venues in MS): Pearl River Resort in central Mississippi hosts concerts, sporting events, and conventions as part of an integrated casino-resort offering. Comparable Mid-South regional multi-purpose event venue, though operated within a casino-resort context rather than as a standalone civic facility.

Broad incumbents

• Memphis Cook Convention Center: Memphis Cook Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee is a large, established convention and events complex in the broader Mid-South region. Operates arena, exhibit halls, and meeting space at significantly greater scale than PBCC, representing the dominant regional incumbent.

Others

• iTickets (Ticketing Platform): iTickets is the online ticketing provider used by Pine Bluff Convention Center for public events including concerts, sports, and performances. Enabler/partner in PBCC's event distribution rather than a competing facility.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

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