Queens is going all in: how NYC’s casino race could impact the meetings game
Sometime in the future it may be possible to walk into a convention center at Citi Field, heading toward a ballroom anchored by high-stakes gaming tables, a taste-of-Queens food hall, and a Hard Rock marquee spinning overhead. That’s the vision behind Metropolitan Park, the $8 billion casino-entertainment complex slated for the parking lots next to Citi Field. And it’s not alone in Queens: Resorts World’s own $5.5 billion integrated resort bid is advancing in parallel, positioning the borough as an emerging hub for leisure, entertainment, and potentially, meetings.
For trade show and convention planners, these aren’t just real-estate gambles—they could reshape venue fundamentals, destination choices, and experiential expectations in one of America’s most competitive markets.
A Convention Complex in Disguise
Zoning modifications recently won City Planning Commission approval for Metropolitan Park, allowing that 50-acre lot west of Citi Field to support not just casinos, but hotels, music venues, retail, green space, and—and crucially—event and meeting infrastructure. The City Council followed suit with a decisive 41–2 vote.
Meanwhile, Resorts World’s bid won unanimous support from its Community Advisory Committee, clearing another regulatory hurdle on the path toward one of the largest integrated resorts in the U.S. This is not a “casinos over conventions” move—it’s more of a “casinos with conventions” play.
Keep in mind: these proposals are still contingent on winning one of three downstate casino licenses in New York State. But their advancing status already demands that planners start thinking differently.
The Trade Show Tilt: What Changes for Planners
Queens, historically overshadowed by Manhattan and Brooklyn, could suddenly become an entertainment anchor. A convention hosted in Queens could offer attendees 24/7 energy: nightlife, concerts, integrated resorts, high-end retail, and immersive dining—all steps from exhibit halls.
That changes the calculus for associations and trade show buyers: As a “destination” New York will no longer mean just Manhattan, but entertainment ecosystem in one of the outer boroughs. For shows that compete on attendee experience (rather than just meeting content), that’s a competitive edge—for New York.
Any thoughts, opinions, or news? Please share them with me at vince@meetingsevents.com.
Photo: Courtesy of SHoP Architects
