With only five months to go, excitement continues to build amidst the final construction of the dramatic ‘wave like’ structure that will become the new Puerto Rico Convention Center (PRCC) - considered one of the most ambitious tourism projects undertaken in Puerto Rico’s history.

“The opening of the new Puerto Rico Convention Center will represent the start of a new era for Puerto Rico’s meetings and tourism market,” stated Ana María Viscasillas, president & CEO, Puerto Rico Convention Bureau.

“With the opening of this state-of-the-art facility, San Juan will have the capacity to attract groups with 2,500 to more than 5,000 attendees, placing Puerto Rico at the forefront of meetings destinations.”

On schedule to open in November 2005, construction of the new Convention Center is 78 percent complete. The 580,000-sq. ft. PRCC (53,882 sq. m.) will feature a 152,700 sq. ft. (14,186 sq. m.) exhibition hall dividable into three individual exposition spaces, as well as 36,400 sq. ft. of additional meeting space, to include 15 separate meeting rooms on two levels, which can be divided into 28 breakout rooms. Model rooms have also been completed for meeting planners and others conducting site inspections of the facility.

Once open, the Puerto Rico Convention Center will be the largest single meeting space in the Caribbean and the most technologically-advanced meeting spaces in the Caribbean and Latin America with the latest Internet, video-conferencing and media services.

In addition, the Puerto Rico Convention Center will boast the largest ballroom in the Caribbean, with 39,500 sq. ft. (3,670 sq. m.) of space, able to host up to 4,388 delegates, theater-style.

One of the main features of the ballroom, and the new Convention Center, is the installation of the largest chandelier in the world. Already under construction and scheduled to be completed in September, the chandelier will radiate colorful waves of light, rolling from white to turquoise to azure to black for striking effects.

The Center’s dominant architectural feature is a sweeping roof form that recalls waves in their complex geometry, color and translucency.  As construction of the Convention Center nears completion, the dramatic steel wave has been completed, with 90 percent of the steel panels used for the roof in place and skylights throughout the Center 80 percent complete.

In addition, a 13-story glass curtain wall, inset from the roof and facing towards Puerto Rico’s Condado beach and hotel district is 75 percent complete. All escalators and elevators have been installed in the public circulation areas and are awaiting its first conventioneers.

The new Puerto Rico Convention Center will be the centerpiece of the Puerto Rico Convention Center District, a $415-million (U.S. dollars) destination that is the largest waterfront development project in the history of the U.S. and its territories.

The District, currently under construction, was conceived as a dynamic, multi-use urban center, combining business and entertainment in one 113-acre (46 hectãres) complex to include retail shops, restaurants, office space, movie theaters, as well as residential units.

“The Convention Center District will not only be an attraction to bring more tourists to the Island, but with the area’s mix of entertainment venues, office and residential space, it will also be a dynamic hub of activity for those of us who live here,” stated Manuel Sánchez Biscombe, executive director, Convention Center District Authority.

“Upon completion of the entire Puerto Rico Convention Center District project, we anticipate generating $300 million annually to our local economy.”

As part of the Puerto Rico Convention Center District, plans for the construction of a 500-room headquarter hotel are well underway. Construction of the $175-million facility is set to start at the end of 2005, with a projected opening in 2007. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, under its Sheraton banner, will manage the new Convention Center’s flagship property.

The hotel’s contemporary “urban resort” design calls for a large, open lobby casino and entertainment complex with music hall for live performances. Also included in the plan are two ballrooms, banquet and meeting rooms, a full-service spa, restaurants, shops and parking space.

On the fourth floor, the design features a rooftop pool with cabanas, tropical gardens and views of Old San Juan and the harbor. Described as a “beach without sand,” the area is designed to bring the Caribbean into the Convention Center District for conventioneers.

“We’re moving from vision to reality with the impending opening of the new Convention Center,” concluded Viscasillas. “Puerto Rico offers an unparalleled meeting experience in a familiar U.S. location with an exotic, international flavor.

Combined with a sophisticated infrastructure and the most advanced technology in the Caribbean and Latin America, and we have the elements to become one of the most sought-after meeting and convention destinations in the world.”

The Puerto Rico Convention Center, near Old San Juan and the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is easily accessible from many major U.S. and international destinations with more than 600 non-stop flight arrivals each week.

For more information or to inquire about booking the Puerto Rico Convention Center, call 1-800-875-4765 or visit: www.prconvention.com.