Anaheim Convention Center Approved for 200,000 Square Foot Expansion
March 11, 2014
Just more than a year after the 100,000 square foot Grand Plaza was opened in front of the Anaheim Convention Center, the venue is getting its seventh expansion with 200,000 sq. ft. recently approved by the Anaheim City Council.
“This expansion will elevate the status of the Anaheim Convention Center as an all-encompassing meeting, convention and trade show venue,” said Jay Burress, president and CEO, Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau.
He added, “This new, modern, multipurpose space is designed to keep pace with the trends in the meetings market and is a welcome addition to Anaheim’s world-class convention campus.”
The $180 million project will include state-of-the-art multipurpose, flexible meeting and exhibit space.
The location of the site is the current area known as Car Park 1 (Katella Ave. front facing). The development will involve the replacement of existing parking spaces, addition of new loading docks, vehicular entrance and a climate-controlled pedestrian bridge that will connect to the existing facility.
The expansion project will begin this summer and is projected to be completed by fall of 2016, with Turner Construction Company and architecture firm Populous chosen to provide the design-build services for this project.
The center opened in 1967 and currently features 815,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, 130,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, making it the largest venue on the West Coast.
Last year, the center held 238 events that included trade shows, meetings, conventions and corporate events.
The center boasts several shows on the TSNN Top 250 Trade Show List, such as the Natural Products Expo West show (No. 50) that was held last week and had a record-breaking event with 65,000 attendees and 2,600-plus exhibits on a more than 415,000 sq. ft. showfloor.
Some other big shows at the center are the NAMM Show (No. 33) and MD&M West (No. 52).
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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