Trade ShowServices Tempe

Project desk

info@tradeshowservicestempe.com480-485-0688

Common starts

ServicesVenuesContact

Venue Guides

Old Main at ASU

Old Main at ASU offers 5,150 square feet of meeting space across three meeting rooms and seats 535 people, making it the historic centerpiece for academic conferences, executive receptions, and sponsor activations tied to the broader Tempe and Phoenix convention calendar.

Old Main at ASU is a historic university venue located on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe. The building contains 5,150 square feet of meeting space spread across three meeting rooms, with the largest ballroom measuring 3,650 square feet and total seating capacity for 535 people. Event planners working Phoenix Convention Center shows, WestWorld of Scottsdale programs, or Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU conferences frequently use Old Main for sponsor dinners, VIP receptions, academic symposia, and activation programs that benefit from campus adjacency and historic architecture.

Strong planning covers the planning workflow for events at Old Main at ASU, including facility specifications, freight and load-in constraints, ASU District hotel access, and coordination with the broader Tempe and Phoenix convention ecosystem. The project plan should turn venue rules, freight deadlines, labor windows, and exhibitor goals into a workable show schedule. The content draws on official meeting planner guides published by Tempe Tourism and publicly available ASU venue information.

Old Main sits in the core ASU District, directly accessible via University Drive and Apache Boulevard, and less than two miles from downtown Tempe hotel inventory including Tempe Mission Palms, The Westin Tempe, and Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is approximately five miles northwest, and the venue is less than ten miles from Phoenix Convention Center, making it a viable option for conference overflow, academic programming, and brand activations tied to larger regional events. Parking and pedestrian access follow ASU campus protocols, and load-in coordination with ASU Events and Facilities is required for any catering, AV, or exhibition setup.

Venue facts to confirm before move-in

  • Tempe Tourism lists Old Main at ASU at 535 seats and three meeting rooms.
  • The same official meetings guide lists 5,150 total square feet of meeting space.
  • Tempe Tourism lists the largest ballroom at 3,650 square feet.

Old Main at ASU Event Planning Focus

  • 5,150 total square feet of meeting space across three rooms with the largest ballroom at 3,650 square feet, accommodating receptions, academic conferences, and executive dinners within a historic university setting
  • 535-seat total capacity distributed across three meeting rooms, allowing concurrent breakout sessions, plenary programming, or single-event reception formats for university and corporate audiences
  • ASU District campus location less than two miles from downtown Tempe hotel inventory including Tempe Mission Palms, The Westin Tempe, and Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU, with pedestrian and light-rail access linking venue to broader East Valley convention geography
  • Freight and load-in coordination with ASU Events and Facilities, requiring advance scheduling, campus access permits, and coordination with university event calendar to avoid conflicts with academic programming, commencement, and athletic schedules
  • Historic architecture and campus setting supporting sponsor activations, academic symposia, and VIP programming tied to larger Phoenix Convention Center, WestWorld of Scottsdale, or Talking Stick Resort conference programs within the broader Greater Phoenix event market

Facility Layout and Event Configurations

Old Main at ASU contains 5,150 square feet of meeting space across three distinct meeting rooms. The largest ballroom measures 3,650 square feet and can accommodate theater-style seating, banquet rounds, or cocktail reception layouts. Total seating capacity across all three rooms is 535 people, allowing concurrent breakout sessions or single-event formats. Room dimensions and structural features are published in the official Tempe Tourism Meeting Planner Guide and should be verified with ASU Events and Facilities before finalizing floor plans or AV rigging.

The historic building architecture imposes constraints on heavy rigging, hanging signage, and structural modifications. Load-bearing walls, protected historic finishes, and university preservation standards limit the types of installations and AV mounts that are permissible. Event coordinators should request facility specifications from ASU Events and Facilities during the RFP phase to avoid bid errors or code violations. AV vendors familiar with ASU campus venues can provide guidance on permissible rigging methods and power distribution.

Old Main's campus location means that event setup and strike timelines are governed by ASU academic calendar constraints and campus security protocols. Load-in windows are coordinated through ASU Events and Facilities and may be restricted during final exam periods, commencement weekends, or athletic events at nearby Mountain America Stadium. Event planners should confirm access windows and parking permits at least four weeks before event date to avoid scheduling conflicts or denied access.

  • Largest ballroom at 3,650 square feet supports banquet rounds for approximately 250 people or theater-style seating for 400 people, depending on AV, staging, and registration desk requirements
  • Historic building restrictions prohibit heavy rigging, adhesive signage, and structural modifications without prior approval from ASU Facilities, requiring advance coordination with AV and exhibition contractors
  • Load-in and strike windows coordinated through ASU Events and Facilities, with restricted access during final exam periods, commencement weekends, and home football games at Mountain America Stadium
  • Campus parking permits required for vendor vehicles, freight deliveries, and exhibitor setup crews, with advance request timelines of at least two weeks to avoid denied access or parking violations

ASU District Hotel and Transit Access

Old Main sits less than two miles from downtown Tempe hotel inventory including Tempe Mission Palms, The Westin Tempe, Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU, Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown, and DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix Tempe. Combined, these hotels represent over 1,400 guest rooms and more than 50,000 square feet of ballroom space, creating a dense conference corridor supporting attendee lodging and overflow programming. Walk times from Tempe Mission Palms and Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU to Old Main range from eight to fifteen minutes, and shuttle coordination is common for multi-venue conference programs.

Valley Metro Light Rail serves the ASU District via multiple stations along University Drive and Apache Boulevard. The closest light-rail stop to Old Main is approximately 800 feet from the building entrance, providing direct rail connections to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix Convention Center, and Mesa Convention Center. Event planners coordinating attendee transport between Phoenix Convention Center shows and Old Main activations can use light rail as a cost-effective alternative to shuttle buses.

  • Less than two miles from downtown Tempe hotel inventory with over 1,400 combined guest rooms, supporting attendee lodging and overflow programming for Old Main events tied to broader ASU District conference activity
  • Valley Metro Light Rail stops approximately 800 feet from Old Main entrance, connecting venue directly to Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and Mesa Convention Center via regional rail service
  • Walk times from Tempe Mission Palms and Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU range from eight to fifteen minutes, with shuttle coordination common for multi-day programs

Freight, Load-In, and Catering Coordination

Freight delivery to Old Main requires coordination with ASU Facilities and compliance with campus vehicle access policies. Large vehicles including box trucks, catering vans, and AV equipment trailers must use designated loading zones and obtain campus access permits issued by ASU Transportation Services. Load-in windows are typically restricted to early morning or late afternoon slots outside peak academic class schedules. Event planners should request loading zone reservations and vehicle permits at least three weeks before event date to ensure access and avoid delays.

Catering for Old Main events is subject to ASU catering policies, which may require use of preferred vendors or approved catering contractors with existing campus relationships. External catering vendors must obtain campus access permits, comply with ASU food safety standards, and coordinate with ASU Events and Facilities. Event coordinators should verify catering policy requirements during the RFP phase to avoid permitting issues or incomplete setup. Alcohol service at Old Main is governed by ASU alcohol policy and may require additional permits, insurance certificates, or security staffing.

  • Campus vehicle access permits required for freight delivery, catering setup, and AV installation, with advance request timelines of at least three weeks to secure loading zone reservations and avoid denied access
  • Load-in windows restricted to early morning or late afternoon slots outside peak academic class schedules, requiring tight coordination with ASU Facilities to avoid conflicts with campus events, athletic programs, or building maintenance
  • Catering vendors subject to ASU preferred vendor policies and food safety standards, with alcohol service governed by university alcohol policy requiring additional permits and security staffing

Old Main in the Phoenix Convention Ecosystem

Old Main at ASU functions as a historic venue option for event planners coordinating activations, receptions, and academic programming tied to larger Phoenix Convention Center shows, WestWorld of Scottsdale consumer events, or Talking Stick Resort conferences. The venue's ASU District location and academic setting make it a natural fit for university-affiliated conferences, sponsor dinners tied to aerospace or semiconductor industry shows, and VIP programming. Drive times between Old Main and Phoenix Convention Center run approximately ten miles via US-60 or I-10, WestWorld of Scottsdale approximately twenty-five miles via Loop 101, and Mesa Convention Center approximately twelve miles via US-60.

The Greater Phoenix event market includes Phoenix Convention Center with over 900,000 square feet of exhibit space, WestWorld of Scottsdale with 386,000 square feet of event space, and Mesa Convention Center with 38,000 square feet. Old Main's 5,150 square feet positions it as a boutique venue for specialized programming rather than a competitor to these larger facilities. Event planners should frame Old Main as a supplement to convention-center programming and design event formats that leverage the venue's historic character and campus setting.

  • Approximately ten miles from Phoenix Convention Center via US-60 or I-10, making Old Main a viable option for sponsor dinners, academic symposia, or VIP activations tied to downtown Phoenix convention programming
  • 5,150 square feet positions Old Main as a boutique venue rather than a competitor to Phoenix Convention Center's 900,000-plus square feet or WestWorld's 386,000-square-foot campus
  • Historic campus setting and ASU branding make Old Main a differentiated choice for university-affiliated conferences, aerospace industry dinners, and semiconductor symposia tied to Greater Phoenix Economic Council demand drivers

Permits, Insurance, and University Event Policies

Events at Old Main require coordination with ASU Events and Facilities to secure facility reservations and obtain necessary permits. Event organizers must provide proof of liability insurance with minimum coverage limits specified by ASU Risk Management, and additional insurance riders may be required for alcohol service or outdoor activations. Permit applications should be submitted at least six weeks before event date to allow time for ASU review and vendor approvals.

ASU campus event policies govern noise levels, signage placement, and use of university branding. Event planners must request approval for any use of ASU logos, wordmarks, or athletic trademarks, and unauthorized use can result in event cancellation. Outdoor activations near Old Main require separate permits from ASU Facilities and may be subject to additional inspections and weather contingency plans.

  • Liability insurance with ASU-specified minimum coverage limits required for facility reservation, with additional riders for alcohol service or outdoor activations submitted at least six weeks before event date
  • ASU event policies govern noise levels, signage placement, and use of university branding, with unauthorized use of ASU logos or athletic trademarks resulting in event cancellation
  • Outdoor activations near Old Main require separate permits from ASU Facilities, with inspections and weather contingency plans enforced by university environmental health departments

Old Main at ASU Event Planning Questions

What is the largest event space at Old Main at ASU?

The largest ballroom at Old Main measures 3,650 square feet and can accommodate banquet rounds for approximately 250 people or theater-style seating for 400 people, depending on AV staging and registration desk requirements. Total meeting space across all three rooms is 5,150 square feet with combined seating capacity for 535 people.

How far is Old Main from downtown Tempe hotels and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport?

Old Main is less than two miles from downtown Tempe hotel inventory including Tempe Mission Palms, Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU, and The Westin Tempe. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is approximately five miles northwest, and Valley Metro Light Rail provides direct rail connections to the airport, Phoenix Convention Center, and Mesa Convention Center via a stop approximately 800 feet from Old Main.

What are the load-in and freight delivery requirements for Old Main events?

Freight delivery to Old Main requires campus vehicle access permits obtained from ASU Transportation Services at least three weeks before event date. Load-in windows are restricted to early morning or late afternoon slots outside peak academic class schedules, and all vehicle access, loading zone reservations, and equipment delivery timelines must be coordinated with ASU Facilities to avoid conflicts with campus events, athletic programs, or building maintenance.

Can external caterers and AV vendors work at Old Main?

External caterers and AV vendors can work at Old Main but must comply with ASU catering policies, food safety standards, and campus access permit requirements. Some events may require use of ASU-preferred vendors, and all AV installations are subject to ASU Facilities inspection before event doors open. Event planners should verify vendor approval requirements during the RFP phase and confirm that selected vendors have prior ASU campus experience.

What insurance and permits are required for Old Main events?

Event organizers must provide proof of liability insurance with ASU-specified minimum coverage limits, and additional insurance riders may be required for alcohol service or outdoor activations. Permit applications should be submitted at least six weeks before event date, and use of ASU logos or branding requires separate approval from ASU marketing and trademark offices. Private security staffing may be required for events exceeding certain attendance thresholds or involving alcohol service.