A Raleigh convention center fire triggers hotel cancellations and potential refunds
A roof blaze at the Raleigh Convention Center has set off a wave of event cancellations, affecting hotels across downtown Raleigh. Officials with the Raleigh Marriott indicated that some guests may qualify for refunds on their reservations due to the disruption.
Posted: 12/3/2025, 9:31:39 PM; Updated: 9:34:37 PM
By Flynn Snyder, WRAL reporter
Downtown Raleigh hotels are seeing growing cancellations as a Monday-night fire at the city’s convention center disrupts plans. A spokesperson for the City of Raleigh announced on Wednesday that all December events at the convention center have been canceled, prompting nearby hotels to adjust their accommodations and policies.
Initial cancellations affected two cheerleading competitions scheduled for the weekend of December 6–7, a statewide cybersecurity symposium, and a trade show.
Raleigh Marriott City Center General Manager David Palumbo said guests whose bookings were tied to impacted events may be eligible for refunds. He added that the hotel will take a flexible approach for cancellations directly linked to the incident, asking guests to contact the hotel so staff can work through the details.
WRAL News has contacted other nearby hotels to learn whether affected guests will also be offered refunds, but responses were not available at the time.
Palumbo noted that roughly 40%–50% of his hotel’s weekly business typically comes from convention center events, underscoring how significantly the fire’s fallout could affect bookings. He emphasized that hotels routinely prepare for and manage difficult situations, and that staff are trained to respond effectively when incidents occur.
Context and ongoing updates
Smoke was briefly visible over the convention center roof on Wednesday morning, following the prior day’s fire that caused about $2 million in damage and forced event postponements.
At least three events scheduled for the Raleigh Convention Center this week have been postponed or relocated in the wake of Monday night’s fire. Cleanup is underway, and updated schedules indicate several events were moved or delayed after the incident.
Additional notes
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