Expanded Anaheim Convention Center Attracts Multi-Year Event Bookings
August 16, 2018
Thanks to the flexibility and modern allure of the newly expanded Anaheim Convention Center, trade shows including the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) and Natural Products Expo West have booked the facility for multiple years.
Completed in September of last year, the ACC expansion provides an additional 200,000 square feet of meeting space allowing for an even greater variety of event uses at what is known as the West Coast’s largest convention center.
Having met in Anaheim for almost 40 years, NAMM will make ACC its home through 2023. The association’s 2018 show in the expanded space was the largest in its 117-year history with a record-setting 115,000 attendees – a 7 percent increase compared to the previous year.
For its future winter shows, NAMM has secured peak January dates when attendees from across the nation are especially interested in meeting in Southern California to escape cold weather.
“Our members travel from 140 countries to attend NAMM and look forward to coming to Anaheim to advance global trade in the music and sound products industry, attend the NAMM U educational sessions and to network with friends and peers,” explained Joe Lamond, NAMM president and CEO.
He continued, Like NAMM, the convention center has grown over the years and we’ve expanded our activities to create a true ‘crossroads’ of the music industry. The Anaheim community has been a great partner and for me personally, having been attending NAMM since 1983, it feels like ‘coming home’ each January!”
The expanded facility also helped Anaheim’s meeting package fulfill the growing needs of Natural Products Expo West. Produced by Natural Hope Media, the 2018 edition of the show at the ACC helped enable a 5.8 percent increase in exhibitors and an 8.5 percent spike in attendance.
As a result, the show has committed to meeting in Anaheim through 2022.
“Natural Products Expo West is the gathering place for the rapidly growing natural products industry and a launching pad for industry innovation and trend-setting,” said Lacey Gautier, show director for Natural Products Expo.
She continued, “The 2018 show was the most successful yet with our much-anticipated expansion into the Anaheim Convention Center’s North Halls and we’re looking forward to future years of continued growth in Anaheim. In addition to the expanded exhibit space, the Anaheim Campus provides many unique and spacious venues for our growing audience. With a robust education program and networking opportunities throughout the week, we are able to offer an enhanced forum for community engagement.”
ACC hosts an average of nearly one million attendees each year. Thanks to its recent expansion, the center officially joined the “1 million-square-foot-club,” becoming the 11thlargest convention center in the U.S.
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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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