Major Conferences Express Intent to Host Events at Gary’s Proposed Lake County Convention Center Gary Mayor Announced
Gary’s Lake County Convention Center proposal continues to attract major interest – not only from the community, but now from national and state organizations eager to bring their conferences, trade shows and conventions to the city.
Four organizations have already expressed their intent to host upcoming events at the proposed 145,000-square-foot convention center near Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, including:
Hazan Media Group based in New York City, New York
DJX Show – the largest DJ convention in the country
1,500 midweek room nights
The National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers based in Newark, New Jersey
Annual convention
6,000 room nights
Playa Bowls based in Belmar, New Jersey
Franchisee GM Summit
765 midweek room nights
The Professional Fire Fighters Union of Indiana based in Indianapolis, Indiana
Annual three-day convention
270 room nights
“This is exactly the kind of interest and energy we envisioned,” said Gary Mayor Eddie Melton. “These organizations see the potential here. They’re ready to choose Gary – and that sends a strong message about the caliber of opportunity this convention center brings, not just for our city but for all of Lake County. This project will serve as a catalyst for growth, creating new opportunities for generations to come.”
To date, more than 500 people have signed up to support Gary’s proposal, alongside 60 vendors who have expressed interest in the project. Additionally, more than two dozen public officials, unions, nonprofits and community leaders have endorsed the project, recognizing its long-term economic benefits. Full letters of support are available at lakecountyconventioncenter.com.
“We are proud to be a part of such a transformative project,” said Matt Schuffert, President of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. “Hard Rock’s long-standing relationships and experience in hosting world-class conferences and tradeshows have positioned us to attract top-tier evets to this convention center. Our existing partners are already enthusiastic about the potential of this facility, and these early commitments signal the exciting economic benefits this project will bring to the region.”
“We’re on the brink of something powerful,” said Mayor Melton. “The Lake County Convention Center has the potential to redefine our region’s future – attracting visitors, energizing our economy and putting Lake County on the map as a premier destination for national events and entertainment.”
