Columbus, Georgia
Convention and Trade Center
Post Office Box 1340  (31902-1340)
801 Front Avenue  (31901)
Columbus, Georgia
Phone:  (706) 327-4522
Fax:   (706) 327-0162
 

The Columbus Iron Works was located on the banks of the Chattahoochee River in the Columbus Historic District.  Organized in 1853, it was built near the steamboat landing in the heart of the growing community.  Today the buildings are a local landmark in the downtown area and houses the Columbus, Georgia Convention and Trade Center.  Nearby are first-class sleeping accommodations, restaurants, and entertainment facilities.

The Columbus Iron Works produced a variety of equipment on this site for over a century.  Aside from farming implements and mechanical gears used by local textile businesses, it produced firearms for the Confederacy during the Civil War.  It also produced machinery to drive at least fourteen naval vessels in the Confederate fleet.

In the early 1970's the company had substantially outgrown the old buildings and moved to new facilities on the outskirts of town.  In 1975 the City of Columbus became involved with the buildings.  Plans were formulated for a downtown convention center and this building has potential to serve in that capacity.  Through a careful blending of the old and new, the Columbus, Georgia Convention and Trade Center was created.

The massive structures of the Iron Works appear little changed from the last century.  The old brick walls, huge timbers and exposed ceilings, representing the best of 19th century craftsmanship, create an ambience unknown to modern construction.

The building has over 77,000 square feet of floor space.  It has two exhibit areas; the North Hall has 15, 470 square feet and the South Hall has 31,126 square feet.  The two halls run parallel with a 64 seat amphitheater between them.

Fourteen meeting rooms satisfy a variety of needs, seating as many as 500, or as few as 20.  All spaces provide the most modern lighting, and staging equipment are also available.  A dining gallery with a banquet seating capacity of up to 400 people overlooks the Chattahoochee River.  A caterer employed by the Trade Center will meet all dining needs in the kitchen that is located below the dining room.  There is also a concession area available for trade shows, located between the exhibit halls.

Loading dock facilities allow an easy entrance to the exhibit halls for booth setups. Ramps and elevators also make the Trade Center accessible to persons with disabilities.

Sheltered access is provided to both levels of the complex from a 426 car, multi-level garage.  In addition to the garage, ground level parking lots are located around the complex perimeter.



First Floor

Dimensions

Sq. Ft.
Columbus Iron Works Ballroom    
     A

68'x102'

6,558
     B

68'x110'

7,538
     C

68x130'

7,574
 

Total:

21,670
The Foundry    
     A

56'x56'

2,990
     B

59'x56'

3,120
 

Total:

6,110
South Exhibit Hall

111'x287'

31,315
Center Exhibit Hall

112'x64'

7,802
North Exhibit Hall

109'x154'

15,865
Meeting Room 101

33'x42'

1,300
Meeting Room 102

33'x42'

1,300
Meeting Room 103

40'x35'

1,412
Meeting Room 104

32'x56'

1,810
Interior Pre-function  

29,336
Exterior Pre-function (Balcony)  

20,060


Second Floor

Dimensions

Sq. Ft.
Dining Gallery

112'x79'

8,830
Sycamore Room    
     A

40'x46'

1,930
     B

39'x46'

1,892
     C

40'x51'

2,140
     D

39'x51'

2,098
 

Total:

8,060
Meeting Room 201

26'x32'

787
Meeting Room 202

26'x28'

704
Meeting Room 203

26'x48'

1,204
Meeting Room 204

32'x36'

1,147
Meeting Room 205

45'x58'

2,538
Meeting Room 206

32'x36

1,168
Meeting Room 207

26'x32'

780
Meeting Room 208

26'x32'

772
Meeting Room 209

26'x48'

1,177
Meeting Room 210

26'x34'

827
Meeting Room 211

51'x44'

2,168
Meeting Room 212

33'x44'

1,385
Meeting Room 213

33'x44'

1,385
Interior Pre-function

11,320

 

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