The East Montgomery County Improvement District's new 210,000-square-foot convention center in Valley Ranch has been named "Caney Pines," according to a Sept. 1 news release from the district.
What's in a name
EMCID's board of directors approved the convention center's name, which officials said was chosen as a nod to the New Caney region's name, forests and historical ties to the logging industry.
The convention center has been under construction since March 2025 and is expected to be completed by late this year, as previously reported by Community Impact. The project will be the seventh largest convention center in Texas and will be able to host corporate meetings, trade shows, youth sporting events, expos and galas.
EMCID officials estimate the convention center will generate nearly $1.73 billion in new spending over 30 years; $35.1 million in sales, hotel and venue taxes; and 500 direct and indirect full-time equivalent jobs, as previously reported.
"Every construction milestone brings us one step closer to creating a venue that will serve future events, residents, attract visitors and strengthen East Montgomery County's economy for decades," EMCID President and CEO Frank McCrady said in a statement. "This project is about building lasting opportunity for the community."
A closer look
Upon completion, Caney Pines convention center will feature:
- A 55,000-square-foot ballroom/exhibit hall
- Nearly 20,000 square feet of meeting space
- 35,000-40,000 square feet of prefunction and lobby areas with outdoor courtyards
- An 813-space attached parking garage.
Remember this?
In November 2024, EMCID’s board of directors approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of $159 million in sales tax revenue bonds to cover the cost of the convention center as well as an 813-space attached parking garage, according to previous reporting.
Hannah Brol and Wesley Gardner contributed to this report.
