Edmonton Convention Centre
Edmonton Convention Centre
4
About
This is where Edmonton meets, celebrates, innovates and more. Awarded for our excellence, established as a leading convention centre and venue in Canada, the Shaw Conference Centre – opened in 1983 and now a division of Edmonton Economic Development – sits as a monument to Edmonton’s prosperity and bright future ahead.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown
Edmonton's Downtown district is a hub of cultural allure, historical charm and culinary delight. The neighborhood is synonymous with the iconic Edmonton City Hall, a stunning piece of architecture that houses the city's government. Art enthusiasts will find the Art Gallery of Alberta an essential visit, boasting a collection of over 6,000 pieces. A food lover's paradise, the neighborhood is dotted with a multitude of crave-worthy dining options, from the upscale fare at Hardware Grill to the local comfort food at Blue Plate Diner. Conveniently, the Edmonton Light Rail Transit (LRT) makes navigating the area a breeze, offering fast and reliable transportation to all the neighborhood's attractions.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
127 reviews
Excellent
43
Very good
54
Average
19
Poor
6
Terrible
5
kris-goes-places-2
Victoria, Canada12 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
If you have a conference to attend at the Edmonton Convention Centre, here is what you can expect: great staff greeting you at the Jasper Ave. level and helping you find your way; a really cool elevator with LOTS of chairs to rest in while waiting for people with mobility issues; plenty of space to set up as needed. The first floor gets quite warm with the sun shining through the glass but don’t panic - the rest of the centre stays quite cool. The views are excellent. The only downside is there are not too many bathrooms throughout.
There is no restaurant and the on-site catering wasn’t the greatest I’ve experienced. But you can walk through the pedway to Canada Place where there is a food court, and there are lots of restaurants in the area. There is a Marriott only two doors down and the MacDonald Hotel next to that.
Just outside the conference centre there is a neat little meditation garden tucked away that had wonderful river views and many lovely plants growing all around.
There is no restaurant and the on-site catering wasn’t the greatest I’ve experienced. But you can walk through the pedway to Canada Place where there is a food court, and there are lots of restaurants in the area. There is a Marriott only two doors down and the MacDonald Hotel next to that.
Just outside the conference centre there is a neat little meditation garden tucked away that had wonderful river views and many lovely plants growing all around.
Written July 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellen
Houston, TX24 contributions
Sept 2024 • Business
I love the sustainability being forefront of this convention center. The room spaces are good and has nice views. The only two issues were there was homeless people coming inside and wandering around and hanging around outside the back patio as well. The other issue is the catering they have for the conference I was at was so expensive and you had to pay for everything ( nothing was included for your lunch). The sandwiches were especially pitiful. Otherwise it was a nice place for a conference
Written September 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adetoyese O
Edmonton, Canada1,172 contributions
Oct 2019 • Business
A great convention center in the heart of Edmonton city. This is a great place for conferences, expositions and trade shows. I must commend their food tastes great and so good.
The only downside for me is the parking and the construction.
Great place.....
The only downside for me is the parking and the construction.
Great place.....
Written November 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dianep
Vilna, Canada15 contributions
Feb 2020
Although this was a new venue and I was uncomfortable going in, parking was adequate and reasonably priced and the rooms were suitable. Did not like the construction as it was somewhat noisy but I get it. I was also disappointed with the lack of comfortable seating in the lobby area. Ambience can be improved.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrsMcKay
Lloydminster, Canada3 contributions
Apr 2014
Went to Thaw at the Shaw. Bands were incredible. The line up to get in was huge which moved pretty quickly (about 45 min wait) but that was only the beginning, then there was a huge lineup for coat check. $3/item. We had 4 items and only $11 and our other friends were lined up at the ONE ATM machine that was about 200 people long. So we had to wait for them then reline up in coat check then line up in another huge line up to get in to the show. Then if you want a drink, good luck! Huge line up to the cashiers just for tickets then u go to a whole separate area to line up for 45 mins for a beer. Basically I spent the entire night in lineups, fantastic. The bar line up was the worst/longest, I've never seen such slow bartenders it was upsetting. This Center is not made for concerts! Oh I also forgot to mention at the end of the show they turn off all the escalators and elevators so basically u have to haul up a steep staircase as long as a football field. If your exhausted and dehydrated from the mosh pit... good luck trying not to faint. The over all experience here was horrible. I will never go back here for a concert.
Written April 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul O
Victoria, Canada256 contributions
Aug 2019
We have been to a few events at the conference centre.
A well run place, with some excellent views of the river valley from the balcony.
Not much to see in the winter, but great in the summer.
A well run place, with some excellent views of the river valley from the balcony.
Not much to see in the winter, but great in the summer.
Written September 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allan A
Delta, Canada557 contributions
May 2019 • Business
Overall this is a nice space with a unique design that has it built into the side of a cliff. Staff was helpful and friendly and there are a variety of meeting rooms of all sizes. The place is easily accessible from downtown with several hotels within a couple of blocks.
It is starting to show its age though. Because of the design there is quite a distance between floors. There is one elevator (at least one that i noticed) that runs diagonally. It is glass-walled and offers some good views. It is painfully slow and not well ventilated. almost every escalator was out of service as well. the interior is also quite dark and could use some updating.
It is starting to show its age though. Because of the design there is quite a distance between floors. There is one elevator (at least one that i noticed) that runs diagonally. It is glass-walled and offers some good views. It is painfully slow and not well ventilated. almost every escalator was out of service as well. the interior is also quite dark and could use some updating.
Written June 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Indytraveler59
Portland, OR94 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Attended my granddaughter's high school graduation at the Shaw last weekend. Excellent facility for the large grad it was. Well organized and set up for the Cap and Gown ceremony. Next evening we attended the banquet and dance in the same room. You would not have known it was the same place since it had been totally transformed into a very elegant dining room with beautifully decorated tables, excellent lighting etc. The buffet banquet was excellent quality and the food was superb. They served approximately 1000 people or more and the food quality as amazing. Excellent. Lovely location for a special occasion.
Written June 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
reNNDinclusus
Edmonton, Canada1 contribution
Jan 2015
At the Shaw, some pretty great shows happen. Whenever a fantastic band is announced to be playing there, however, I cringe. I understand that metal crowds can get a tad rowdy, sure. But security personnel, who are there to make sure things remain legal and people stay safe, accomplish next to nothing. An odd smoker will be removed from the audience, but then several dozen *customers* will be unduly manhandled, verbally accosted, and generally treated very poorly. I tend to be less rambunctious than others who go to the shows, but I know the culture. When staff threatens to throw out a paying customer for so much as holding up a lighter during a ballad, the venue should rethink the demographic they wish to cater to.
Written January 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nobody special17
71 contributions
Sept 2014 • Business
The closing ceremonies for the ITU World Triathlons were held here 9/1 in the large room downstairs. It's a bit like an airplane hanger. Organizationally, they were not ready at the times set in the program, so there were huge lines in the foyer and the sit-down meal ran quite late.
But the real problem with the place was the sound which was POINTLESSLY LOUD. It was nearly impossible to talk to other people once in the room with the "background" music running at ear-splitting volume the whole time. The staff had no idea who to talk to about it so it remained at deafening levels for the evening. Someday, event sound people will learn their proper place in the world.
But the real problem with the place was the sound which was POINTLESSLY LOUD. It was nearly impossible to talk to other people once in the room with the "background" music running at ear-splitting volume the whole time. The staff had no idea who to talk to about it so it remained at deafening levels for the evening. Someday, event sound people will learn their proper place in the world.
Written September 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am wondering how many stairs are there in the Centre? I had to take them one time and it will be my last! Lol. I thought that I was going to have a heart attack! Lol. So if some one would please get back to me and let me know how many stairs there are let me know :-) Thank you
Written May 20, 2015
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