cobo

COBO is an acronym commonly associated with the Cobo Center complex in Detroit, Michigan, a major convention center located on the riverfront. The building is named for Albert Cobo, who served as mayor of Detroit from 1950 to 1962. The complex opened in 1960 as Cobo Hall and originally included an on-site arena known as Cobo Arena.

The facility has hosted a wide range of events, including trade shows, conventions, exhibitions, concerts, and sporting events. Over the years it has undergone renovations and expansions to modernize meeting spaces, increase capacity, and improve access. Today the complex contains multiple exhibit halls, meeting rooms, and ballrooms, and serves as a central venue for regional and national events.

In common usage the venue has been referred to as Cobo Hall, Cobo Center, and, due to branding agreements, under various sponsor-based names. Regardless of naming, the site remains a landmark of Detroit’s downtown redevelopment and a significant venue in the Midwestern United States.

COBO can also be an acronym used by other organizations or terms in different domains, but the Detroit center is the best-known reference in popular contexts. When encountering COBO, the intended meaning is usually inferred from surrounding context.