Celebrating 25 Years of the Blair County Convention Center

On May 1, 2001, the Blair County Convention Center officially opened its doors. Twenty-five years later, we are proud to celebrate a milestone that belongs not only to our facility, but to every guest, client, partner, organization, community member, and staff member who has helped shape our story.

For a quarter of a century, the BCCC has served as a gathering place for Blair County, Central Pennsylvania, and groups from beyond our region. Within these walls, people have come together for conferences, expos, banquets, fundraisers, meetings, performances, celebrations, trainings, and community events of all kinds. Each event has brought its own purpose, energy, and meaning, helping turn our facility into more than just a venue. It has become a place where people connect, ideas are shared, organizations grow, causes are supported, and memories are made.

Over the years, we have been honored to welcome a wide range of guests and organizations through our doors. From local businesses and community groups to regional associations, statewide organizations, and visitors traveling from outside Blair County, each group has played a part in the history of the BCCC. We are grateful to those who continue to trust our facility year after year, including local partners such as Imler’s Poultry and the Central PA Community Foundation, as well as events and organizations that bring guests to our area from across the region and beyond, including Sci-Fi Valley Con, the PA Adventure RV Expo, and SetsuCon.

That trust means everything to us. Every event held at the Blair County Convention Center represents more than a date on the calendar. It represents months of planning, dedicated staff, meaningful conversations, important causes, business growth, community pride, and the opportunity to bring people together. Whether welcoming longtime local partners or first-time guests visiting from outside the area, our goal has always remained the same: to provide a welcoming, professional, and dependable space where every event can succeed.

As we reflect on 25 years, we are especially grateful for the dedicated team members who have made those moments possible behind the scenes. One of those individuals has been part of the Blair County Convention Center from the very beginning: Steve Despot, Director of Facilities.

Since opening day, Steve has played an essential role in the care, operation, and continued success of the facility. His work has helped support thousands of events over the years, from large-scale gatherings to intimate meetings, all while ensuring that guests, clients, and staff can count on a space that is prepared, welcoming, and ready to serve. His commitment, experience, and steady leadership are woven into the history of the BCCC, and we are proud to recognize his 25 years of dedication.

Behind every successful event is a team working carefully to prepare the space, support the client, welcome guests, and handle the details that often go unseen. Our staff has helped carry the BCCC through 25 years of growth, change, and service, and this milestone is a reflection of their hard work as much as it is a celebration of the building itself.

This anniversary is a moment to look back with gratitude and ahead with excitement. We are thankful for every person who has walked through our doors, every organization that has trusted us with their event, every community partner who has supported us, every visitor who has traveled to Blair County, and every staff member who has worked hard to make each event possible.

Thank you, Blair County, Central Pennsylvania, and every guest from near and far for 25 incredible years. We are honored to be part of this community’s story, proud to serve as a destination for groups across the region and beyond, and excited to welcome you for many more years to come.

Setting the standard for service in the heart of Blair County.

The Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, PA stands as the region’s premier destination for meetings, conferences, trade shows, and special events. Conveniently located along I-99 and surrounded by the scenic Allegheny Mountains between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, the BCCC offers an ideal setting for local, regional, and national gatherings of all kinds.

Our modern two-story facility features a flexible 15,000-square-foot ballroom, a spacious 24,000-square-foot exhibit hall, eleven breakout rooms, two outdoor patios with mountain views, and two beautifully designed lobbies perfect for networking, registration, or social events.

What truly sets us apart is our dedicated team. From experienced event planners to our renowned culinary staff and tireless facilities crew, every member of the BCCC works with care and precision to ensure your event runs seamlessly from start to finish. With personalized, one-on-one service, you’ll get to know our team by name; and we’ll be with you every step of the way.

Warm, welcoming, and rooted in small-town hospitality, the Blair County Convention Center is the perfect place to bring people together. Discover all that Blair County has to offer, starting at the Blair County Convention Center.