In 2019, following an extensive public engagement process, the Broward County Commission initiated a $1 billion project to expand the Broward County Convention Center and add a new headquarters hotel. The initial phase of the project is now nearing completion, with the newly expanded Convention Center now open and the new 801-room Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel ​scheduled to open in the fall. 

On October 20, 2025, the County celebrated the grand opening of the Convention Center East Expansion and new Convention Center Connector (Bypass Road) – two major milestones in the County's initiative to expand and modernize the Broward County Convention Center. 

The expanded Convention Center boasts more than 1,200,000 square feet, including a 350,000 square foot contiguous exhibition hall, a new 65,000 square foot waterfront ballroom, the latest in new technology, new dining concepts, enhanced water taxi access and an iconic waterfront plaza with public access (opening 2026). The expansion adds 525,000 square feet of meeting space.

The Convention Center Connector, an elevated bypass through Port Everglades, provides direct connectivity from U.S. 1 and State Road 84 to the Convention Center and soon-to-open Omni Fort Lauderdale, eliminating the need to pass through Port security checkpoints. The project also improves access to the beaches and nearby businesses along the 17th Street Causeway, easing congestion in one of the busiest corridors in the region.

The Omni Fort Lauderdale (opening late 2025) will be the brand's first property in Fort Lauderdale. The 29-story property will represent another significant milestone in the continued growth and development of Broward County's tourism and hospitality industry. It is located on the scenic Intracoastal Waterway, conveniently connected to the Convention Center, adjacent to Broward County's world-class Port Everglades cruise terminals and less than one mile from the beaches. Property features include six​​ signature restaurants, a luxurious spa, expansive fitness center and outdoor event lawn space. 

A signature dining destination will be constructed on the Plaza by the developer and operated by the hotel. The County has previously issued a Request for Information (RFI) for an additional waterfront restaurant on the Plaza. We appreciated vendor participation in the pre-advertisement meeting and the valuable feedback received. No award was made from the RFI. The County has deferred a formal solicitation for an additional restaurant.

The combined effect of the expansion and new hotel with public spaces and waterfront amenities is expected to bolster the local economy by more than $450 million a year, by attracting more convention center and trade show business, increasing tourism and creating more than 3,000 full and part-time jobs in Broward County.​​