The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) got the green light to move forward with its Convention Center Expansion and Modernization Project, which is now expected to move forward in the spring of 2025. On July 2, the Los Angeles City Council voted to advance the project, which is expected to create thousands of jobs for city residents, attract visitors, and bring new revenue to the City’s General Fund, according to LACC officials.

Plans include new construction that will connect the LACC’s two existing South and West Exhibit Halls by adding 190,000 square feet of space to create one contiguous hall and add 55,000 square feet of new meeting room space, 95,000 square feet of multipurpose space, and redesign Gilbert Lindsay Plaza, which will add public open space and transform it into a new outdoor venue for event programming.

“Currently, the LACC hosts nearly 200 events and two million visitors annually,” said LACC General Manager Kimberly Weedmark. “We’re excited that an upgraded facility will allow us to expand our event base with more top-tier programs and allow our current clients continued growth opportunities. An expanded and modernized center will provide our customers with innovative technology and demonstrate leadership in sustainability.”

The details: The approved design-build delivery model contracts with a joint venture of AEG and The Plenary Group to complete the project before the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the following months, the city will work with AEG, Plenary, architectural firm Populous, and general contractors PCL and Webcor to finalize design plans, schedule, and costs before construction begins next year. 

What they are saying: “The expansion and modernization of the Los Angeles Convention Center are critical for the continued recovery of our local economy,” explained Adam Burke, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. “Citywide conventions support thousands of jobs and hundreds of businesses across every L.A. region and neighborhood, and we’re grateful to the City Council for their leadership in advancing this pivotal initiative with today’s vote. As one of the travel industry’s premier meeting destinations, we look forward to seeing this world-class facility come to life.”

Economic impact: Burke added that the expansion project will kickstart needed economic growth in the region, pointing out that local businesses, especially in Downtown L.A., are dependent on direct and indirect spending from the convention center. The project is slated to draw in over $165 million in visitor spending each year and create 7,445 new jobs during construction and 2,147 jobs on an ongoing basis.

 Why it matters: “Despite being in the second largest city in the United States, the LACC is currently a second-tier facility, and we are losing out on business to other cities due to the constraints of the Convention Center,” said Doane Liu, chief tourism officer and executive director of the City of Los Angeles’ Tourism Department. “With this expansion, LACC will become a premier destination that is able to pursue larger events that bring visitors to L.A. who spend money at our local hotels, restaurants, and attractions, adding additional revenue to the City’s General Fund.” 

The big picture: Los Angeles has found itself at a competitive disadvantage in attracting large, citywide conventions due to the lack of contiguous event space, especially as competitors have completed or are in the process of completing major expansions, according to LACC officials. 

Deeper dive: The LACC hosts a bevy of major B2B and B2C events each year, including the LA Art Show; Adobe MAX; Emmy Awards Governors Ball; KCON; LA Auto Show & Automobility LA; Anime Expo (AX); MusiCares Person of the Year Silent Auction & Dinner; and LA Comic Con.

For more background about the project, check out this story, Los Angeles C.C. to Get Big Refresh, More Space—But When?, from our sister publication, MeetingsNet, here.

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