Anaheim Convention Center Joins 1 Million Sq. ft. Club with Unveiling of New ACC North Building
October 3, 2017
Last week, the Anaheim Convention Center unveiled its biggest and most significant expansion in nearly two decades: ACC North, boasting 200,000 square feet of flexible, two-level meeting and event space.
The addition of the new building officially marks the ACC’s induction into the “1 million-square-foot-club,” increasing its ranking to the 11th largest convention facility in the U.S. and preserving its standing as the largest on the West Coast.
“This is a transformative event for the Anaheim Convention Center,” said Tom Morton, executive director of Anaheim’s Convention Sports & Entertainment Department. “Not only is this our largest expansion since 2000, it is one of the most significant in terms of the features and innovation it brings to Anaheim.”
Designed in conjunction with Populous architectural firm and Turner Construction Company, the ACC North’s modern design esthetics include a 10,000 sq. ft. balcony overlooking Katella Avenue and Disneyland Resort and a wall of windows that allow natural light to flow through the interior space.
This seventh expansion enlarges the 50-year-old ACC to 1.8 million square feet, with more than one million square feet of exhibit space that allows the facility to not only grow with its largest shows but better meet the needs of a variety of events all under one roof.
ACC North also includes the following features:
- 100,000 sq. ft. of column-free space (on the top level)
- 1,350 new parking spots and new loading docks
- Rigging points spaced 10 x10 ft. on each level and pre-function space totaling more than 2,000 rigging points
- 25-foot ceilings and a climate-controlled pedestrian bridge connection to the convention center
According to Visit Anaheim officials, ACC North has already booked 75 meetings and conventions, including the American Heart Association, Oncology Nursing Society, Society for Science & the Public and the International Society for Technology in Education.
Meetings and events utilizing ACC North are expected to yield approximately 1 million room nights and welcome an estimated 1.1 million attendees to Anaheim and Orange County, according to Visit Anaheim officials.
“This is a historical moment for the Anaheim Convention Center and the City of Anaheim,” said Jay Burress, president and CEO of Visit Anaheim.
He continued, “ACC North delivers on the vision we had to build a modern, expansive space that can be completely customizable for a variety of industries and meeting planner needs. This beautiful new space considerably adds to our client offerings and ability to attract more groups to choose Anaheim.”
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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