KWAME is serving as Program Manager for the $210 million expansion and modernization of the Cervantes Convention Center at The America’s Center (AC Next Gen) in St. Louis, Missouri. The expansion and modernization will make the center more competitive in attracting larger events and increase its economic impact as an employment driver for the region. As Project Manager, KWAME will manage the design and construction schedules and process, oversee change orders, manage minority business recruitment efforts, provide internal progress updates and coordinate with stakeholders.

The updated facility will feature a new 61,000-square-foot multi-purpose ballroom, 20,000 square feet of meeting space for pre-function events and 22,000 square feet of new support space. A large outdoor park area will be constructed to support a variety of convention-related programs. Other features of the AC Next Gen project include more than doubling the number of loading docks for access to the exhibit space, an updated entrance that creates a strong sense of civic pride, enhanced ventilation and filtration system and other improvements to meet the needs of today’s events.

The AC Next Gen project is expected to lead to the creation of thousands of jobs in skilled trades, construction and the hospitality industry and add to St. Louis’ $5.8 billion convention and tourism industry.

The project is currently under construction and scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023.