Convention Center Narrows Deficit, Seeks Catering Access
Fort Smith's convention center reports its 2026 deficit is smaller than the prior year, while its manager asks the board to allow limited off-site catering.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Healthy Food
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The Fort Smith Convention Center's general manager told the board the facility's 2026 budgeted deficit of $794,392 is $145,266 less than 2025, and requested that off-site catering be allowed on a limited basis. The convention center, managed by Denver-based Oak View Group, is covered by city deficit payments.
Why it matters
The city continues to spend almost $800,000 a year to subsidize the convention center, so decisions on catering rules and revenue strategy directly affect Fort Smith's budget. The board must also weigh the concerns of local caterers about a taxpayer-funded facility competing with privately owned businesses.
The 2026 budget shows a deficit of $794,392, compared with a larger 2025 shortfall, and the center booked 102 events totaling 248 event days. Whether the 2027 target of 105 bookings and projected $783,129 deficit will be reached has not been determined.
The players
Oak View Group (OVG)
A Denver-based venue management company that operates the Fort Smith Convention Center and invested in its commercial kitchen.
The details
Oak View Group invested up to $500,000 in a full-service commercial kitchen, which it will recoup through $50,000 annual payments over 10 years from the facility's operating fund. The convention center turned down $100,000 in off-site catering in 2025, and staff is pursuing $150,000 in new sponsorship contracts for 2027.
Timeline
September 2025: The convention center turned down $100,000 in off-site catering that year.
Calendar year 2026: The center booked 102 events totaling 248 event days.
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026: The general manager presented deficit progress and the catering request to the board.
2027: The projected deficit is $783,129, with a target of 105 event bookings.
Healthy Food
Under the city's existing management contract with Oak View Group, taxpayers continue to cover the convention center's deficits, and the catering restriction shapes how much revenue the facility can generate from food service.
Residents and local caterers should watch whether the board permits off-site catering, since that decision could change which businesses can serve events at the convention center. Any change would also affect how much of the city's annual subsidy is offset by food service revenue.
The takeaway
The convention center's path to a smaller subsidy depends on balancing revenue from in-house catering against the concerns of local businesses. Watch the board's decision on catering limits for how the city's deficit will change.
What happens next
The board is expected to consider whether to allow limited off-site catering, and the convention center's 2027 bookings and sponsorship targets will be tracked against the projected deficit.
Further reading
For more on local food options and dining choices, explore Healthy Food coverage.
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