The con is on: Using large-scale space for your conventions

Gem State Comic Con (GSCC) began in 2019 in Boise. From the start, GSCC has proven time and time again that there’s a great draw for large-scale events in Idaho that can bring in all sorts of crowds, whether an event is a flea market, corporate conference or has a focus on pop culture. And many of these large events, like GSCC, are making use of specific venues that have the size and capacity to host them appropriately like Expo Idaho.

Large events need room to thrive

Large-scale events like GSCC can attract crowds that number in the thousands, often seeing growth in attendance numbers with each passing year. GSCC itself has grown, according to Marina Lukyantseva-Haworth, president and CEO of Colossus Girl Entertainment, the organization behind GSCC. “Gem State Comic Con has grown a lot over the last few years, and this year we had close to 50,000 fans attending the show.” Lukyantseva-Haworth said.

For a convention of GSCC’s size, there was really only one location that made sense from the get-go.

“We have been at Expo Idaho since day one. First year, we were in the South Expo building, and we outgrew it within the first few hours,” Lukyantseva-Haworth shared. “[The] next year, we added the Center Building and have been growing ever since. Now, we are taking over the entire Expo Building plus the Western Town building.”

Expo Idaho, located in Garden City, has served a versatile role as a large venue since its inception in 1967. Often referred to as “the fairgrounds,” Expo Idaho plays host to a wide range of events that include trade shows, sporting events, livestock roundups, auctions and conventions like GSCC that require large amounts of space. Spread across 240 acres, Expo Idaho offers a great deal of versatile indoor event space and outdoor options as well, including equestrian rings, a rose garden and a grandstand.

The large-scale space Expo Idaho has to offer has made all the difference for GSCC as it’s grown.

“GSCC is a big event and we need room for so many fun things our attendees can experience, from the celebrity guests and vendors to games, panels, workshops and more,” Lukyantseva-Haworth said. “Currently, Expo Idaho is the biggest venue in the state and the only one that could host [an] event of our size. While we do utilize the outdoor space, the nature of the show, being a multi-day event with lots of art and collectibles, requires a large indoor space with an open floor plan.”

What large-scale spaces can offer

For other big events like GSCC looking to get the most out of large-scale spaces like Expo Idaho and beyond, there are several factors you may want to keep in mind as you begin planning.

“When you plan a big event like a convention or expo, the venue really matters,” said Valerie Bihet, founder and director of VIBE Agency, an event design and destination management company based in Miami, Florida. “First thing to check is hotel rooms. You need a lot and they should be either in the venue or very close. People don’t want to waste time getting back and forth or you will lose attendance.

“Then look at the basics,” she added. “Strong Wi-Fi everywhere, not just the lobby. Good AV. Spaces that can move and shift depending on your sessions. Some for networking, too.”

“You’ll also want to consider the location of the venue itself. “If it’s near an airport, great. If there are restaurants and things to do nearby, even better,” Bihet continued. “That all helps make the experience smoother for you and for your attendees.”

In addition to considering the venue and its surroundings at large, you’ll also want to think about the physical space within the venue as well. “You want to think about how people will move from one space to another,” Bihet said. “Can they find things easily? Can the space shift as the day changes? Big rooms, small breakout spaces. Then you want to also have open areas to mingle so they can easily interact with one another.”

Space needs will differ

Space requirements can vary from event to event, so be sure to consider what exactly your event may need out of a venue. For GSCC, an open-floor plan inside is needed. But your space needs may be different. These needs should be considered ahead of time, and you may want to factor in what kind of unexpected space concerns your event may face as well.

“You see the same space issues pop up across a lot of event formats. [People] group around entrances, food tables, coffee stations, etc.” Bihet noted. “You need to think about how people actually move and how you want them to move. Walking through the actual space as if you are an attendee helps.

“And teams almost always forget how much room you need for the in-between moments. Things like registration, hallway chats, or people just figuring out where to go next. This should be factored into the timing of the schedule too.” she said. “[The] best thing you can have is flexibility in the layout with moveable walls or furniture groupings that allow for easy shifting if you notice on day one that people got tight.”

So, as you begin planning your next convention, conference or expo, be sure to consider the large-scale space you may need as you look to grow attendance and draw in crowds. Think about how you can make the venue work best for you and your event’s needs.

“Think about where you want people to go and what you want them to feel when they get there. Use lighting, furniture, activations, scents, anything that creates energy and movement,” Bihet added. “Give them focal points like a stage that captures attention, a lounge designed for relaxation during breaks. When the layout feels intentional, people notice. They stay longer and that’s how you create buzz and keep them engaged.”

This story originally appeared in the Corporate Event Planners Guide 2025, a publication of Idaho Business Review.