Hot Springs Convention Center

09/02/2024

🚁🚑 The Arkansas Emergency Management Association held their annual conference at the Hot Springs Convention Center last week, August 27 - 30!

The dedicated members of the Arkansas Emergency Management Association work together daily to minimize the impacts of natural and man-made disasters. The annual AEMA conference features a wide spread breakout session covering educational programs, training tactics, and general emergency preparedness.

The convention featured a vendor hall with emergency medical equipment and a Medevac helicopter which landed outside the Convention Center doors before being brought into the vendor hall. Over the four days the event welcomed around 830 industry professionals that enjoyed a warm Opening Ceremony, networking with 75 vendors/sponsors, fellowship, and a Casino Night to close out the conference creating memories.

Thank you for choosing the Hot Springs Convention Center to host your event AEMA! 👏

08/28/2024

💪🛼 The Hot Springs Convention Center is excited to welcome the first ever ArkanBrawl Roller Derby Tournament, September 7!

Rock Town Roller Derby, central Arkansas’ only Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) league will host the first ever ArkanBrawl, a single-day event featuring four teams from the Southeast region in an action-packed competition.

The tournament will take place in Hall D, with the first whistle at 10 a.m. and doors opening at 9:30 a.m. 🎟️ Advanced tickets are available for $15 through rocktownrollerderby.com/ until noon on Sept. 6, after which they will be $20 at the door.

Rock Town Roller Derby, central Arkansas’ only Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) league, is set to host the first-ever ArkanBrawl

08/26/2024

⚾ The Hot Springs Convention Center was full with baseball fans of all ages this past weekend for the 7th Annual Hot Springs Baseball Weekend! Held every August, Hot Springs Baseball Weekend features Q&A's with baseball legends, a baseball documentary, and a baseball card show.

This year's event kicked off with a free screening of the documentary "It Ain't Over," a portrait of a misunderstood American icon Yogi Berra. The event featured Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Robin Yount, Ted Simmons, and Goose Gossage as well as legends Al Hrabosky and Tom Pagnozzi.

Babe Ruth Historian, Frank Amoroso, hosted a book signing and spoke at the Society for American Baseball Research meeting Saturday morning. College sports broadcaster, columnist, and reporter, Rex Nelson, moderated Q&A's between the baseball greats all day Saturday. Sports card collectors filled the Grand Lobby and Plaza Lobby from 9AM - 3PM where vendors offered everything from new and vintage sports cards to jerseys and autographed baseballs. This year's Hot Springs Baseball Weekend welcomed a crowd of over 2,700 baseball fans!

See you next year for the 8th Annual Hot Springs Baseball Weekend at the Hot Springs Convention Center! 👋

08/19/2024

🧠👩‍⚕️ Arkansas Council for Behavioral Health celebrated their 50th Anniversary last week at the Hot Springs Convention Center for their Annual Arkansas Behavioral Health Institute, August 12 - 14!

The 50th Anniversary theme was "Reflecting on the Past, Imagining the Future," with over 400 attendees and vendors! Motivational speaker Kevin Hines offered a moving keynote speech to start off the week in Horner Hall. The Institute also featured a vendor hall, a dance floor and night of fellowship in Horner Hall, a luncheon, and an awards ceremony to commemorate the hard work of others in their community.

Vendors and sessions offered valuable training and resources to help members continue advocating for those with behavioral health disorders and providing essential support and care. Thank you for hosting your event at the Hot Springs Convention Center, Arkansas Council for Behavioral Health!

08/12/2024

🕹️👾 The 56th Annual Association of Arkansas Counties Conference made their return to the Hot Springs Convention Center last week, August 7 -9, with a retro 'Back to the 80's' themed convention!

The AAC is composed of 75 counties working together to improve county government in the state of Arkansas. The conference began with an opening general session followed by the recognizing of Dallas County Sheriff Mike Knoedl, and ended with socializing and a southern fish fry.

The convention held numerous concurrent sessions over three days, a keynote talk with speaker Glen Ward during Thursday's luncheon, and closed with an evening reception including dinner and dancing. AAC welcomed over 97 vendors and 1,100 attendees throughout the 3 day event!

08/05/2024

🚑⚕️The Hot Springs Convention Center welcomed the Arkansas EMT Association Annual Convention this past week, August 1 - 3!

The three day convention featured scenario competitions, exhibitors, training courses for K9 Medic, Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS), and Resuscitation Academy sessions, an EMS Memorial Bingo event, and an awards ceremony in Horner Hall. The conference welcomed a total of 1,500 attendees over the three days!

Thank you to AEMTA EMS Conference & Tradeshow for hosting your event at the Hot Springs Convention Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas!

07/29/2024

🧑‍🌾🐄 The Arkansas Cattlemen's Association returned to the Hot Springs Convention Center last week, July 26 & 27, for their 66th Annual Convention & Tradeshow!

The convention featured a trade show in the Hot Springs Convention Center Exhibit Halls with equipment demonstrations, the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Foundation Benefit Auction, and a live concert on Friday evening with Arkansas musician Cory Jackson. The convention also featured educational panels, and networking opportunities for those in the industry. The Arkansas Cattlemen's Association Convention welcomed a total of 460 people including attendees and vendors over the course of two days!

Thanks to the ACA for choosing our facility in beautiful Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas for this amazing convention! 👏

07/22/2024

🥎 The Hot Springs Convention Center hosted a celebration for the Fast Pitch Softball National Opening Ceremony this past week!

Over 4,600 chairs were set in anticipation for the eager 16U - 18U Fast Pitch teams and their families. The ceremony featured a true celebration including live entertainment, dancing, games, prizes, and fun family outings. Following the ceremony at the Hot Springs Convention Center, the Fast Pitch Softball National Opening held games at Hot Springs' Majestic Park Baseball Complex.

Thank you for choosing the Hot Springs Convention Center, Fast Pitch Softball!

07/15/2024

✏️🚗 Last week the Hot Springs Convention Center welcomed the Arkansas Department of Education Summit and the Falcon Club of America's 45th Annual Falcons National Meet!

The Arkansas Department of Education Summit focuses on providing leadership, support, and service to schools, districts, and communities so that every student graduates prepared for college, a career, and community engagement. This years summit featured three fun-filled days of continuing education sessions covering a wide variety of topics led by a lineup of presenters. The summit offered networking opportunities and an exhibit hall of 98 vendors bringing in around 2,388 attendees over the three days.

Also at the Hot Springs Convention Center this past weekend, the Falcon Club of America hosted their 45th Annual Falcons National Meet in Hot Springs. A sea of Ford Falcons lined up down Convention Boulevard aiming to take home bragging rights for 'Best of Show,' 'Ladies Choice,' and 'Longest Distance Traveled.' FCA was formed to band together owners of the Ford Falcon automobiles, which have thousands of members worldwide. Each year this is the opportunity for the dedicated car enthusiast to share ideas, automotive parts, and build lifelong friendships. This years meet welcomed over 650 Falcon members and families to Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas!

07/08/2024

🍽️🧑‍🍳 If you've visited the Hot Springs Convention Center and enjoyed a meal, it's all thanks to Turf Catering Company!

Since 1998, Hot Springs family owned Turf Catering Company has been one of the many gears that keep the Hot Springs Convention Center turning. From operating the concession stands during events such as the AAA Highschool Basketball Championships each March, to serving hundreds of guests for a banquet in Horner Hall, or elegant meals for small meetings - Turf Catering Company puts their all into serving groups at our facility here in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas.

07/01/2024

💃📝🎾 Dance, pickleball, and the Arkansas School Counselors Conference took over the Hot Springs Convention Center last week, making for several busy days! All three events were returning including the Arkansas School Counselors Association Annual Conference, held June 23 - 26, Triumph National Talent Dance Competition June 26 - 30, and the Spa City Classic Indoor Pickleball Championship held June 27 - 30!

The Arkansas School Counselors Annual Conference aims to equip counselors with the essential tools needed to help their students focus on academic, personal/social, and career development. This years conference welcomed 430 attendees over three days, giving counselors the opportunity to network with over 45 vendors, engage in interactive breakouts sessions, as well as fellowship during an awards luncheon and keynote sessions.

Triumph National Talent Dance Competition brought all the frills, glitter, and talent to the Horner Hall stage! The group hosts around two events per year at the Hot Springs Convention Center, with this past weekend being their Nationals! The dance competition welcomed 15 studios and around 256 dancers over four days.

The Spa City Classic brought in 565 pickleball tournament players from Thursday to Sunday in the Convention Center Halls A -D and the Bank OZK Arena. Pickleball players traveled from all across Arkansas, Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin for the event, with brackets open to anyone and based on the players experience level.

What a great week of events here in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas! For more information on Hot Springs and our facility, visit hotsprings.org.

06/24/2024

✝️⛪ The United Methodist Annual Conference returned to the Hot Springs Convention Center this past week for their 15th year hosting at our facility!

United Methodists of Arkansas comprises nearly 417 churches, 564 Clergy, and over 115,000 members throughout the state of Arkansas. Led by Bishop Laura Merrill, the United Methodist Conference focuses on creating vital congregations by dedicating time for learning sessions, business meetings, and worship! This years conference featured 60 vendors and around 600 attendees in the Bank OZK Arena over the course of three days.

The Hot Springs Convention Center looks forward to hosting the United Methodist Conference for years to come! 🎉

06/17/2024

⚖️ The Arkansas Bar Association hosted their 126th Annual Convention at the Hot Springs Convention Center this past week, June 12 - 14!

Over the course of three days attendees experienced a perfect blend of stream-lined, cutting-edge continued legal education with more fun and entertainment than ever before! The Arkansas Bar Association consists of over 5,000 attorneys, judges, legal support staff, and law students throughout the state and beyond. The University of Arkansas School of Law hosted a luncheon during the convention featuring a conversation between former Governors Mike Beebe and Asa Hutchinson. This years conference hosted more than 19 vendors on property networking and nearly 510 attendees over the three days.

Thank you to the Arkansas Bar Association for continuing to choose the Hot Springs Convention Center as your premier facility for this fantastic convention! 👏

06/10/2024

🚒🔥🧯 The Hot Springs Convention Center hosted the Arkansas Fire Convention this past week, June 3 - 9! The Arkansas Fire Convention is composed of five associations and boards across the state, bringing together Arkansas' finest men and women for a seven day convention showcasing the latest in firefighting techniques.

The Arkansas Fire Convention hosted six days of critical training with hands-on experiences and classroom lectures, as well as three days of exhibit hall showcases with 13 large apparatus, vital modern technology, and cutting edge equipment. On Friday and Saturday the Arkansas Fire Convention hosted an awards banquet and casino night in Horner Hall dedicated to fire service excellence. The conference welcomed around 850 attendees over the course of a week, where several fire districts from across the state met and networked.

Thank you to the Arkansas Fire Convention for choosing the Hot Springs Convention Center to host your event! 👏

06/03/2024

🌻🐝 Blooms, handcrafted bird houses, and fairy villages! 🧚 The Hot Springs Convention Center bloomed with all three (and more!) signs of spring at this year's Garland County Master Gardeners Conference.

Over 400 attendees enjoyed tours around Hot Springs, as well as captivating sessions and demonstrations to expand their knowledge and skills on gardening. 🌱 The Garland County Master Gardeners displayed a beautiful floral arch in the Convention Center Plaza Lobby along with ten vendors showcasing gardening tools, air plants, woodworking items, garden plants, handmade ceramic fairy villages, and more - everything a Master Gardener could possibly dream of!

The Hot Springs Convention Center was thrilled to host this year's conference and we look forward to hosting future meetings and events for the Garland County Master Gardeners! 💚🪴

05/27/2024

🚌🛣️ The Hot Springs Convention Center welcomed the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) Annual TRC Conference and Equipment Expo this past week, May 21 - 23!

The Arkansas Department of Transportation oversees the planning, maintenance, and policing of state roads and highways, managing the maintenance of the 16,000+ mile Arkansas Highway System. The ARDOT Conference welcomed a total of 538 attendees over the course of three days, utilizing Halls A&B for vendor booth displays and conference rooms for general session presentations.

Thank you ARDOT for choosing the Hot Springs Convention Center to host your event! 👏

05/20/2024

💪🏆🤼 The North American Grappling Association (NAGA) held their first Arkansas Grappling Championship this past weekend at the Hot Springs Convention Center - the 2024 NAGA Arkansas Grappling Championship!

NAGA hosts the world’s largest mixed grappling tournaments with over 700,000 competitors worldwide. NAGA tournaments offer both no-gi and gi Brazilian jiu-jitsu divisions for competitors and fans of the sport to enjoy. This weekends event welcomed around 130 competitors, with the youngest competitors starting at just five years old. The total attendance for the one day championship was around 775 people, held in Halls A&B of the Convention Center.

Thank you to the North America Grappling Association for choosing the Hot Springs Convention Center to host your event! 👏

05/13/2024

🎓🎉🧑‍🎓 Congratulations to the Hot Springs World Class High School Class of 2024! Last week, the Hot Springs Convention Center hosted the 137th Annual Commencement Ceremony for the Hot Springs World Class High School, welcoming 3,749 people total in attendance in the Bank OZK Arena.

Hot Springs World Class High School is one of several historic school sites in the Hot Springs Community, serving as the second largest district in Garland County! The commencement honored 218 graduates, 58 High Honor Graduates, and 32 Seniors who received scholarships.

In addition to Hot Springs World Class High School, the Hot Springs Convention Center hosted Fountain Lake High School and National Park College graduation ceremonies, and will host graduation ceremonies for Lake Hamilton High School, Glen Rose High School, and Lakeside High School this week! 👏 Good luck to all the new graduates on your new beginnings!

05/07/2024

🎶🎸 Don't miss an evening of music and comedy with Rodney Carrington this Friday, May 10 at the Hot Springs Convention Center in Horner Hall!

🎟️ Tickets available at rodneycarrington.com.

05/06/2024

🧑‍🎨🖼️ Did you know one of the largest fine art collections in the state can be found at the Hot Springs Convention Center? During operating hours, visitors are welcome to walk our 360,000 square foot facility to see hundreds of pieces of art on display! 🖌️ Sculptures, paintings, and historical photos can be found throughout the main concourse, near Horner Hall, and in the main admin office hallway.

Works of art on display at the Hot Springs Convention Center include the Deer Dancer garment from Hot Springs' Sister City, Hanamaki Japan, the Abraham Lincoln sculpture by Daniel Chester French, 'The Costume Party' oil painting on linen by Gary Bolding, and photos including Presidential Library Photos and historic Hot Springs photos like this one featuring President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's motorcade turning in front of the Arlington Hotel during his 1936 visit to Hot Springs.

🎨 Take a stroll through the Hot Springs Convention Center to admire these beautiful works of art during your visit! *Call ahead to be sure our facility is open during the times you'd like to visit at 501-321-2277. Browse the full collection online here : artworkarchive.com/profile/visithotsprings

04/29/2024

🐄🧑‍⚕️ The Hot Springs Convention Center was full of exciting events last week, including the Arkansas FFA State Convention and the Arkansas Health Care Association/Arkansas Assisted Living Association!

FFA's primary focus is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. The 97th Arkansas FFA State Convention and Expo welcomed 193 chapters and schools to the Hot Springs Convention Center over three days, with students participating in contests such as public speaking, job interview skills, livestock judging, and farm business management. The convention brought in a record breaking attendance of 3,470 members, advisors, and guests along with 56 vendors, including three of the best collegiate live mascots/ambassadors in the state of Arkansas : Tusk, Jerry III the Bulldog, and Molly the Mule. 🐗 One highlight of the FFA Convention was a live concert by country artist Wade Bowen in the Bank OZK Arena for a sea of FFA students!

Also at the Hot Springs Convention Center last week, the AR Health Care Association (AHCA) and the AR Assisted Living Association (AALA) hosted their Spring Convention and Trade Show, bringing in a little over 700 registered attendees and vendors. The sessions throughout the day focused on how to support and care for patients and families in need of long term care and assisted living. The trade show embraced their 2024 focal point of "We are a Team" including a night of fellowship featuring the fabulous Dueling Pianos, ping-pong, co****le, and more. The Hot Springs Convention Center is happy to be the host facility for this wonderful convention for the last 30+ years! 👏

04/22/2024

👷‍♀️🥽💻 Last week the Hot Springs Convention Center hosted SkillsUSA, April 15 - 17! SkillsUSA empowers students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members.

SkillsUSA not only teaches students the skill but also allows students to network to help them find jobs once they enter the workforce. This years conference welcomed over 1,600 registrants! During the two day conference students were allotted an amount of time to complete their project on site and judged while showcasing their trade. Several trades on site included photography, audio radio, advertising, plumbing, electrical, welding, diesel, masonry, auto mechanics, carpentry, crime scene investigation, marine service, and more!

Thank you to SkillsUSA and the Arkansas Department of Career Education for choosing the Hot Springs Convention Center to host this incredible event! 👏

04/15/2024

🍇🧀 Food, food, and more food! The Hot Springs Convention Center hosted Performance Food Group last week, with a little over 1,200 attendees browsing food displays, cooking demos, and more!

The Little Rock FoodCentric Food Show welcomed 176 vendors and teams throughout the day. PFG proudly serves Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas with their top quality brands and great customer service. PFG produces over 200,000 products to provide to over 125,000 customers. Each PFG shows offers a top notch platform where business owners, customers, and chefs can discuss exciting new concepts, new recipes, and the hottest industry trends on the market.

PFG featured live cooking demos, grand produce displays and designs, and a sea of delicious foods that spread across 65,200 feet of the Hot Springs Convention Centers Bank OZK Arena and Halls C&D. 👏 Thank you to Performance Food Group for choosing the HSCC as your venue for this incredible show!

04/08/2024

🚛🛢️ The Hot Springs Convention Center welcomed the Arkansas Oil Marketers Association Annual Tradeshow this past week on April 4!

AOMA's primary focus is petroleum wholesalers, full line Jobbers, convenience store operators, and the businesses that serve them. Arkansas is home to 1,600+ convenience stores that employ over 28,000 people. The AOMA tradeshow offers educational seminar opportunities for these convenience store owners and employees of member firms. The petroleum marketers had three prime transport tankers at the show, 60 vendor booths that participated, and about 500 attendees throughout the show.

Thank you AOMA for choosing the Hot Springs Convention Center as your venue this past week in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas! 👏

04/01/2024

Rodney Carrington April Fools discount code! Use code FOOL for $25 tickets, valid now through April 7 at 10PM. Don't miss Rodney Carrington at the Hot Springs Convention Center on May 10, 2024 in Horner Hall!

🎟️ Purchase tickets now at rodneycarrington.com.

03/25/2024

🏐 The Hot Springs Convention Center welcomed the Apple Blossom Clash - Delta Region Volleyball Classic this past weekend, March 23 & 24!

The Delta Region Volleyball Classic brought around 2,500 attendees over two days to the Bank OZK Arena and Halls A-D, with teams competing from Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Missouri. Thank you for choosing the Hot Springs Convention Center to host this exciting volleyball tournament!

03/18/2024

🧭🥇💻 The 2024 EAST national conference for Environmental and Spatial Technology Inc. took place at the Hot Springs Convention Center last week, March 12 - 14!

EAST Conference gives students the opportunity to showcase projects that make a difference in their communities, and to network with peers and industry professionals! 239 schools represented at the 2024 EAST Conference with roughly 6,000 attendees including students, teachers, parents, and community and business leaders over the 3 day conference.

EAST held multiple activities over three days including breakout sessions, a Tinker Space, a Fusion Dance Party in Horner Hall, project booths throughout the Convention Center, and a closing ceremony held in the Bank OZK Arena. Thank you to the EAST Conference for choosing the Hot Springs Convention Center to host such an outstanding event! 👏

03/11/2024

🏆🏀⛹️‍♂️ Three exciting days of AAA State Basketball Finals took over the Hot Springs Convention Center this past weekend! 28 teams from 21 different schools competed for the AAA State Champion title in the Bank OZK Arena. Our premiere facility welcomed a whopping 42,076 attendees over the course of three days for another successful year of State Basketball Finals!

Congratulations to all the teams on making it to the finals and those who took home a State Champion title! 🏆🎉

03/10/2024

🏆🏀 East Poinsett County 2A boys defeat Marshall 68 - 61 to take home the State Championship title!

Congratulations to all the competing teams over the last 3 days of the AAA Basketball State Finals at the Bank OZK Arena! 👏