Convention centers are commonplace in municipalities of all sizes in the United States. Local governments consider these facilities as essential to economic vitality, yet the substantial investments required rarely translate into tangible results. The proliferation of such centers and the fallacy of their anticipated benefits is perpetuated time and again in The American City, resulting in wasted public monies and the abandonment of essential local character.This study examines the paradox of unsuccessful convention center planning against the continual call for new center proposals. Traditional planning patterns and their failures are explored in the context of three case studies, and an in-depth analysis of Memphis convention industry is provided. Finally, a new methodology called Locally Driven Convention Center Planning is proposed. Based on the three pillars of accountability, research, and cooperation (ARC), this new methodology is proposed to reduce the failures of traditional convention center planning.