Ryan Smith, Director of Communications, for the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, met with Facilitiesonline last week to talk about the exciting $3 billion renaissance taking place in North Carolina’s Capital City. The catalyst for the variety projects transforming Raleigh into a world class meetings destination is the new Raleigh Convention Center, due to be completed by Fall 2008. The new venues features more than 500,000 square feet of space, including 150,000 square feet of exhibit space, 30,000 square feet of meeting space and a 32,000-square-foot ballroom. The Raleigh Marriott Center City, the official convention center headquarter hotel—to open in conjunction with the new Raleigh Convention Center—features 15 suites, a 9,000-square-foot ballroom, and 5,950 square feet of breakout meeting space. Other hotels due to open include: Renaissance Hotel at North Hills (229 rooms, 8,000 square feet of meeting space, and a 5,500-square-foot ballroom); and Holiday Inn Express Raleigh. In addition, Fayetteville Street, once known as North Carolina’s main street, has been revitalized creating a premier entertainment district that is home to dining, retail, museums and nightlife options.