A-Z Facility Guide

Your source for facility, services, and contact info

Read FAQ's and get the help you need faster with this alphabetized guide to the Greater Tacoma Convention Center.

A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · J · K · L · M · N · O · P · Q · R · S · T · U · V · W · X · Y · Z

A

Accessibility
Please visit the Accessibility page for more information.

Animals
Only service dogs and miniature horses, or service dogs and miniature horses in training, are allowed. All other animals are prohibited.

Assistive Listening Devices
Please contact your Event Manager for more information.

ATM - Automated Teller Machines
There is one ATM machine at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. It is located on the fifth floor level near the escalators.

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B

Baby Changing Areas
Baby changing stations are located in every restroom at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. In addition, the Convention Center has family restrooms located near each of the public restrooms.

Balloons
Balloons of any kind are not allowed inside of the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. Exceptions may be made with prior approval from the Event Services Department.

Banners and Signs
Banners or signs may be hung at designated areas of the Greater Tacoma Convention Center only with prior approval from the Event Services Department. Signs must be hung using string, zip ties, or wire in our designated locations only. Duct tape, double backed tape, masking tape, or scotch tape may not be used. Banners may not contain political or commercial messages or display inappropriate phrases or words. The Convention Center reserves the right to remove any banners or signs at their discretion.

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C

Catering Services
Aramark is the exclusive food service provider for the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. Contact Aramark at 253.830.6671.

Code of Conduct
The Greater Tacoma Convention Center and its employees are committed to providing our guests with an enjoyable, safe atmosphere. Our staff will proactively intervene to support an environment where all guests can enjoy the event free from the following behaviors:

  • Foul or abusive language or gestures
  • Intoxication or other signs of impairment
  • Displays of affection not appropriate in a public, family setting
  • Obscene or indecent clothing
  • Any disruption to the progress of the event by guest's actions.
  • Guests seated in a location other than their ticketed seat
  • Smoking, vaping or tobacco use in non-designated areas

If someone interferes with your enjoyment of an event, please contact a Guest Services Representative for assistance.

Concessions
The Greater Tacoma Convention Center's food service partner, Aramark, manages concession services. The Gourmet Grill, located in the 5th Floor Exhibit Hall, offers items such as gourmet burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads, pretzels, hot dogs, assorted soda, and much more. The Gourmet Grill is open for select events and Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover are accepted. No outside food and beverage are permitted.

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D

Deliveries
Deliveries should be directed to the 5th-floor loading docks off Market Street.

Directions 
Directions are available on the Parking & Directions page.

Drones 
Remotely controlled, small unmanned aircraft systems (UMAS), commonly referred to as drones, are prohibited without prior approval.

Drop-Off/Pick-Up Zones
The Drop-off/pick-up zone is in front of the Greater Tacoma Convention Center on Commerce Street. Please note that this area contains a single lane of one-way traffic that heads South from 15th Street.

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E

Elevators/Escalators
The Convention Center has public elevators, accessible on all 5 floors of the venue and public escalators accessible on all floors except the 2nd floor.

Emergencies and Evacuation Procedures
In the event of a serious emergency, all event staff, law enforcement, and fire personnel are available to assist guests. Information may also be provided over the public address system.

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F

Family Restrooms
For your convenience, the Greater Tacoma Convention Center has a family restroom located near every public restroom.

First Aid
If medical assistance is needed, please contact the nearest Guest Services Representative. The Greater Tacoma Convention Center is equipped with a fully stocked First Aid room, including an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) device which our staff is trained to use. AEDs are located on the First Floor Admin (across from Conference Room), Third Floor Registration Area, and the Fifth Floor Prefunction (next to ExHall Room A & ATM). If additional medical attention is required, the Tacoma Fire Department can arrive within minutes.

Food and Beverage Policy
Outside food and beverages are not permitted. Exceptions may be granted for baby formula, baby bottles, baby food, medication, or other special health-related needs.

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G

Guest Services/Security
Security and Guest Services at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center are provided by Allied Universal. For any questions or concerns, please call 253.830.6600.

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L

Link Light Rail 
Tacoma's Free Link Light Rail runs frequently throughout the downtown corridor with a stop located just outside on Commerce Street. For more information, view Sound Transit's Tacoma Link schedule

Lost and Found
Lost and found is located at the 24-Hour Security office at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center and can be reached by calling 253.830.6600. Lost items will be kept for one month; those unclaimed after that time will be donated to charity. In most cases, any unclaimed credit or debit cards are destroyed immediately as recommended by the issuing financial institution.

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M

Medics 
Contact the nearest guest services representative should you be in need of any medical assistance. For large public events at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, medics may be on site. For all other events, the Tacoma Fire Department can respond within minutes.

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P

Paging
Paging is permitted in the case of medical emergencies only when possible. If there is a medical emergency and paging is necessary, please contact any Guest Services representative.
Those who wish to leave an emergency number with relatives or sitters can refer them to the 24-Hour Security office at 253.830.6600. Please remember to leave specific information (group name, floor, room number) with the emergency number. If the Greater Tacoma Convention Center is contacted in the event of an emergency, a Guest Services representative will attempt to deliver the message to the patron.

Parking
Greater Tacoma Convention Center parking lots are operated by Republic Parking and managed by the City of Tacoma. For more information, please visit the Parking & Directions page

Police
If you have an emergency requiring police attention, please contact the nearest Guest Services Representative or any Greater Tacoma Convention Center staff. If the particular event you are attending does not require on-site police staffing, the Tacoma Police Department may be available within minutes.

Prohibited Items / Permitted Items
In the interest of guest safety and enjoyment, the Greater Tacoma Convention Center reserves the right to prevent certain items from being brought into the facility. The following includes, but is not limited to, items that are not allowed into the Convention Center:

PROHIBITED ITEMS

  1. Alcoholic beverages
  2. Non-alcoholic beer or wine
  3. Illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia
  4. Cannabis
  5. Food items
  6. Glass and aluminum bottles or cans
  7. Ice chests or hard-sided coolers
  8. Fireworks
  9. Bullhorns, air horns, or other noisemakers
  10. Confetti
  11. Remotely controlled, small unmanned aircraft systems (a.k.a. drones)
  12. Animals (except certified services dogs)
  13. Bicycles
  14. Skateboards or roller blades
  15. Balloons of any kind
  16. Weapons of any kind, regardless of permit (including but not limited to: firearms, knives, batons, mace, pepper spray, brass knuckles, tasers, etc.)
  17. Stickers
  18. Chains
  19. Studded belts, bracelets, etc.

PERMITTED ITEMS:

  1. Baby formula, baby bottles, and baby food
  2. Medication or other special needs
  3. Cloth bags, soft packs, backpacks, and baby bags (subject to search, must fit under seat)
  4. Binoculars
  5. Seat cushions

Please Note: event promoters reserve the right to restrict additional items

Promotions/Vending
Any person or business wishing to distribute any promotional material or sell any product during a Greater Tacoma Convention Center event (both within the space contracted and in any public spaces maintained by the Convention Center such as elevators, administration, escalators, back-of-house, etc.) MUST receive permission to do so from the promoter of the show. Any persons not authorized to distribute or sell ANY product will be asked to leave the Greater Tacoma Convention Center property immediately. Call 253.830.6601 for specific event information.

Public Transportation
Tacoma is served by Pierce Transit and Sound Transit bus systems as well as Sound Transit's Tacoma Link Light Rail and the Lakewood-Seattle Sounder Train.

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R

Recycling 
The Greater Tacoma Convention Center and the City of Tacoma encourages recycling. You will find clearly marked bins in high-traffic areas for you to dispose of your recyclables.

Resale and Scalping 
An event ticket will not be recognized, honored, or received for admission if purchased from a source other than Ticketmaster, the designated service provider chosen by the event organizer and its authorized outlets, or other authorized agents. There will be no refunds and no exchanges. Tickets obtained from sources other than the aforementioned may be lost, stolen, or counterfeit tickets and in such cases will not be honored.

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S

Security/Guest Services
Security and Guest Services at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center are provided by Allied Universal. For any questions or concerns please call 253.830.6600.

Shipping & Receiving
The Greater Tacoma Convention Center is able to receive event shipments in advance on a client's behalf. Please contact your Sales Manager or Event Manager for complete information and restrictions regarding our shipping and receiving policies.

Skateboarding/Rollerblading
Skateboarding and/or rollerblading on Greater Tacoma Convention Center property is strictly prohibited.

Smoking Policy
The Greater Tacoma Convention Center is a smoke-free facility. Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited. Smoking and tobacco use is restricted to designated smoking locations. Contact the nearest Guest Services Representative for the location of the designated smoking area.

Solicitation/Literature
Any persons without written consent from the Greater Tacoma Convention Center or the event promoter are prohibited from soliciting contributions or distributing literature on the Convention Center property (inside or outside).

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T

Tickets
Ticketmaster is the exclusive ticketing service of the Convention Center. Tickets may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com.

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V

Vendor Referrals
Please contact your Event Manager, Sales Manager, or email us for vendor assistance.

Vending/Promotions
Any person or business wishing to distribute any promotional material or sell any product during a Greater Tacoma Convention Center event (both within the space contracted and in any public spaces maintained by the Convention Center such as elevators, administration, escalators, back-of-house, etc.) MUST receive permission to do so from the promoter of the show. Any persons not authorized to distribute or sell ANY product will be asked to leave the property immediately. Call 253.830.6601 for specific event information.

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W

Weapons
For the safety of all guests, weapons of any kind, regardless of permit, are not permitted in the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. The ONLY exception to this is uniformed law enforcement personnel in the performance of their official duties.

Wheelchairs
Based on available inventory, wheelchairs are available at all entry points to the venue. Contact the nearest Guest Services Representative to request a wheelchair. Guests will be required to leave their driver's license, major credit card, or other government-issued photo identification as a deposit.

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