The new convention centre doubles the resort’s event capacity and positions Central New York to compete for larger business and leisure events
The Oneida Indian Nation has completed its $400 million Turning Stone Evolution project with the opening of The Grand Expo, concluding the largest transformation in the history of Turning Stone Resort Casino.
The expanded property now offers four hotels with 1,046 rooms, 26 restaurants, 225,000 square feet of meeting and event space and indoor parking for 3,200 vehicles.
Guests and event organisers also have direct access to the resort’s casinos, five golf courses, spas, restaurants, entertainment venues and nightlife. The Oneida Indian Nation describes the transformed property as New York’s largest meetings and conventions resort.
A gala marking the completion of the project brought together Oneida Indian Nation members, elected officials and representatives from the tourism and business sectors. The celebration concluded with a drone and fireworks display.
The Grand Expo doubles event capacity
Designed in partnership with architecture firm Gensler, The Grand Expo represents the most substantial expansion of Turning Stone’s meetings and events business to date.
The new facility includes a 30,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, nine breakout and meeting rooms, two outdoor patios and the White Pine Café.
Pillarless event areas, high ceilings and natural light allow the venue to accommodate formats ranging from executive meetings and private celebrations to conventions, exhibitions, corporate events and weddings.
A landscaped outdoor courtyard provides a further 24,000 square feet of event space.
The development arrived ahead of its original schedule and doubles Turning Stone’s total meetings and convention capacity to 225,000 square feet.
New hotel and parking connect with convention centre
The Grand Expo is directly connected to The Crescent, Turning Stone’s new 258-room luxury hotel, which opened alongside the Salt fine-dining restaurant earlier in the summer.
The connection allows guests to move between accommodation, meeting rooms, restaurants, gaming and entertainment facilities without leaving the resort. It also enables planners to organise multi-day programmes within a single property.
The new South Parking Center adds 1,492 covered spaces, digital wayfinding technology and direct access to The Grand Expo.
Project expected to deliver $616m economic impact
Oxford Economics estimated that the Turning Stone Evolution would produce a one-time economic impact of $616 million. The development supported thousands of construction jobs and created additional permanent positions across Turning Stone Enterprises.
More than 60 businesses from New York State received contracts connected with the transformation.
Ray Halbritter, Oneida Indian Nation Representative and CEO of Turning Stone Enterprises
“With the completion of the Turning Stone Evolution and the opening of The Grand Expo, we have fulfilled our most ambitious vision yet for the resort, our enterprises and Central New York.
“This historic investment to make Turning Stone New York’s largest meetings and conventions resort destination will transform tourism and economic development in the region for decades to come, allowing us to continue diversifying our enterprises, attract larger events and compete with the country’s top business and leisure travel destinations.”
The project expands Turning Stone beyond its established casino and leisure business, providing Central New York with the capacity to pursue larger conventions, exhibitions and corporate programmes that previously required multiple venues or accommodation providers.
