A MEETING PLACE FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW

An ambitious expansion helps Anaheim Convention Center to attract new visitors and create a seamless event experience.

ANAHEIM, UNITED STATES

ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER

Since it first opened in 1967, Anaheim Convention Center has attracted people from around the world who come for Star Wars conventions and robotics championships, business gatherings and basketball tournaments.

Over the years, the Center has undergone seven separate upgrades to meet its growing needs. The latest expansion – the most ambitious in 20 years – brings the Center’s exhibition space to one million square feet (or 93,000 square metres). The Center now boasts an additional 214,600 square feet of exhibit space, 234,900 square feet of meeting rooms and a 75,000 square-foot ballroom. This latest reimagining has helped the Center attract new visitors, create a seamless event experience and enhance the economic and social fabric of the local community.

At a glance

  • Client
    City of Anaheim
  • Services
    Certainty
  • sector
    Convention & Exhibition Centers
  • Location
    Anaheim, United States
Anaheim-Convention Centre

An economic injection through innovative thinking

The convention industry injects more than US$1 trillion into the global economy each year, creating jobs, supporting businesses and enhancing opportunity in local communities. RLB’s innovative approach to the project – from cost management and advisory services to selection of the design and build teams – helped the City of Anaheim and the Anaheim Convention Center create a memorable new meeting place for people. The result? The Center’s extension is estimated to bring in an extra one million room nights each year to Anaheim and Orange County.

“Convention centers are economic engines for the local community and part of the fabric of the city. RLB’s long track record working gave us the expertise and experience to help deliver a new community asset.”
Julian Anderson, President North America, RLB

Costing new products and design approaches put RLB’s team to the test, but our determination to embrace out-of-the-box thinking delivered an outstanding building and a showcase for sustainability in action.

RLB advised the Center’s team on the best procurement method, established an innovative design/build program.

The $170 million project, complete in 2017, is easily customized for education and workshops, gala dinners and networking events

With 25-foot ceilings and 100,000 square feet of column-free space on the upper level. A climate-controlled pedestrian bridge connects the new wing to the rest of the Center, while more than 1,350 new parking spaces enhance the visitor experience.

Capturing the magic of Disneyland for delegates

The Center’s new 10,000 square foot balcony overlooking Disneyland Resort provides the perfect place for delegates to catch the nightly fireworks display, creating a memorable conference experience.

  • $170
    million expansion
  • 265,000
    square feet of additional flexible multi-purpose space
  • 1.1 million
    extra visitors attracted to the Center each year

The perfect place for people

The Anaheim Convention Center now covers 1.8 million square feet, but it’s not just the size that’s impressive. The lush gardens and modern facilities make it an inviting experience and online reviews from visitors are clear: it’s the “perfect venue” for people.

Stepping up the sustainability

At RLB, we recognize environmental stewardship is central to our future, and we are proud of our work on the Anaheim Convention Center, one of the largest venues in North America to earn prestigious LEED certification. Whether it’s the electric vehicle charging stations or onsite kitchen facilities that compost food waste, the Center’s clever design demonstrates that sustainability is about doing things better and smarter.