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MAIN PHOTO: ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER

Conventional Wisdom

Anaheim Convention Center

Featuring a striking glass facade and a 10,000-square-foot balcony overlooking Disneyland Resort, the Anaheim Convention Center is perfectly suited for large events and those hoping to add a dash of Disney magic to their meetings and expositions. A recently completed expansion project added 200,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, cementing the venue as the largest convention center on the West Coast and the 11th biggest in the United States. The ACC now boasts 1.8 million square feet, more than 1 million of which can be used as trade show exhibit halls. The venue also offers 99 meeting rooms, 238,000 square feet of ballroom space, and free Wi-Fi service throughout the entire campus.

WHERE TO SLEEP
Thousands of rooms are within walking distance of the ACC, although the Hilton Anaheim and Marriott Anaheim are both located steps from the venue. For more upscale accommodations, hold tight until 2020, when the 613-room, four-diamond Westin Anaheim Resort is expected to debut just a five-minute walk from the ACC campus.

WHAT TO EAT
For a quick bite, skip the concession lines inside and head to the Grand Plaza, where food trucks can be found during many events. Treat up to 3,300 clients to dinner or a private concert at the House of Blues, which is located a half-mile from the ACC and serves up a mix of Southern specialties and American classics.

HOW TO GET THERE
The John Wayne Orange County Airport is 13 miles from the ACC. You can take a taxi for roughly $50 each way, or opt for Uber, which can run as low as $20. The Disneyland Resort Express Bus (www.graylineanaheim.com) is a direct shuttle to the area around the venue for $19, though there are numerous shuttle operators available (www.ocair.com). If you're driving, parking at the venue costs $15 per day.

Exhibitors may get permission to set up their own exhibits if the task will be accomplished in less than 30 minutes without tools. Exhibitors may carry in materials that can be moved by one person in one trip without a hand truck.

When union labor is required for installation, exhibitor-company personnel may work alongside union workers on a one-to-one basis.

Union workers must be used to plug in all electrical equipment needing more than 120 volts.

The ACC is known for its strong air conditioning, so dress accordingly.

Exhibitors must use the ACC's exclusive providers for catering, rigging, and telecommunication services.

Exhibit materials must adhere to the specifications of both Anaheim Fire and Rescue and the State Fire Marshal, so review them carefully in the exhibitor manual.

A business center in the main lobby offers common services, such as copying and shipping.

Outdoor locations include the 100,000-square-foot Grand Plaza, which is located between the Marriott and Hilton hotels and can accommodate up to 2,500 guests for a buffetstyle reception in the pleasant Anaheim climate.