Los Angeles Convention Center

venues

Recognized as a city landmark for its graceful architectural design and behemoth size, the Los Angeles Convention Center rises up on the downtown skyline like a magnificent sculpture of glass, steel, and teal. The LACC houses 720,000 square feet of exhibition space and 147,000 square feet of meeting halls, along with a 300-seat theater and a sweeping, sunlit registration concourse. The LACC has been awarded the Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design for Existing Building Operations and Maintenance (LEED-EB, O&M Gold) certification for its energy-efficient design and environmental stewardship, and boasts multiple awards from meeting- and event-industry publications.


WHERE TO SLEEP The JW Marriott (878 rooms) and The Ritz-Carlton (123 rooms) are connected to the adjacent L.A. Live entertainment complex and are within two blocks of the convention center. Other business-class hotels within several blocks of the venue include the DoubleTree by Hilton (formerly the Kyoto Grand), the Westin Bona-venture, and the boutique hotel, Figueroa.	WHAT TO EAT Three food courts and a Starbucks can be found inside the LACC, though venue veterans suggest food trucks near the loading docks for quick lunch fare. Patina is a sophisticated option for gourmet client dinners and private events of up to 50 people. And the Moroccan-themed patio bar or private reception rooms at Figueroa are a stylish backdrop for similar events.
HOW TO GET THERE The LACC is 20 miles from Los Angeles World Airports (LAX), and is accessible by taxi for roughly $50 each way. Shared shuttles are available for $15 per person (www.lacclink.com), and light rail and bus service are also available (www.metro.net). LACC has ample parking, though heavy traffic makes driving near the convention center a less-preferred option. Taxis are plentiful outside L.A. Live after hours.

The LACC is the exclusive provider of electrical, telecommunications, plumbing, catering, and business-center services. General service contractors are responsible for arranging other union services such as install and dismantle, rigging, and drayage.

Exhibitors may perform their own I&D provided booth setup does not exceed 30 minutes. They may also work one-to-one with union installers if they are permanent employees of the exhibiting company. The minimum labor call for most unions is four hours.

Electrical-union rules are complex. It's best to hire an intermediary to oversee large exhibits or for those exhibitors that are unfamiliar with the union's policies.

The Home Depot and a Staples office-supply store are well within walking distance of the LACC.

Most covered booths exceeding 750 square feet are required to have automatic sprinkler systems.

The LACC has strict fire-marshal permit requirements. Allow for long lead times in the approval process, and read the show manual for specific guidelines.

The LACC's West Hall has only one freight-access ramp, which can make loading challenging.