What was the ATTA Centre before it was a venue?

Before becoming a state-of-the-art convention center, the building was "Elkor," a massive, sprawling retail department store.

Why does the ATTA Centre have such high ceilings?

The high ceilings and vast open floor plans in the main halls were originally designed to display large electronics and furniture.

When did the ATTA Centre open as a convention hub?

It was redeveloped into the Baltics' largest multifunctional convention center in recent years to host major international events.

How big is the ATTA Centre?

The venue covers over 11,500 square meters of floor space, making it capable of hosting massive tech summits and exhibitions.

Is the ATTA Centre close to the city center?

It is located just outside the historical center on Krasta iela, requiring a short 10-15 minute Bolt ride from the Old Town.

Hidden History: What the RDE26 Venue Used to Be (And Why You Should Care)

Understanding the unique architectural origins of the ATTA Centre provides excellent conversational leverage during the conference. This brief historical overview details the building’s transformation from a sprawling retail complex into the Baltics' premier technology and convention hub, offering perfect icebreakers for the exhibition floor.

Key Takeaways:

Retail Origins: Before becoming a tech hub, the ATTA Centre was "Elkor," the Baltics' largest and most famous retail department store.
Acoustic Advantage: The venue's massive scale and high ceilings—originally designed for furniture displays—make it acoustically perfect for global keynotes.
The Perfect Icebreaker: Knowing the building used to sell washing machines is a great conversation starter while networking in the venue lobby.

You are standing in the ATTA Centre. It is sleek, modern, and huge (11,500 square meters).

But if you look closely, you might wonder: Why are the ceilings so high? Why is the layout so... vast?

The answer is simple: You are standing in a former department store.

As you network your way through the exhibition floor, here are 3 pieces of "local trivia" you can use to break the ice when the conversation runs dry.

Fact 1: The Venue Was a "Big Box" Store

Before it was the largest convention center in the Baltics, this building had a very different life. Originally built around 2000 as the "Krasta Centre" (a bowling and entertainment complex), it later became the flagship store for Elkor—Latvia's massive electronics and furniture retailer.

The Trivia: The spot where the Main Keynote Stage is located? Ten years ago, that was probably the "Washing Machine and Refrigerator" aisle.

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Hidden History: What the RDE26 Venue Used to Be (And Why You Should Care)

Fact 1: The Venue Was a "Big Box" Store

Fact 2: The "Soviet Tripod" Next Door

Fact 3: The "Log Cabin" Neighbor

The Problem with History

Frequently Asked Questions