Tehsigo Eternamente (J Mondragon) from USA [CC BY-SA 2.0] [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Long Beach Convention Center – Overview

The Long Beach Convention Center’s roots go back to the establishment of a single arena in 1962. This setup did not stay for long however, because over the following decades the arena became just one portion of the convention center’s complex.

Given a $50 million facelift in 2013, the Long Beach Convention Center today is equipped with a number of cutting-edge spaces designed to meet any needs an event planner may have. These facilities are varied in size, décor, and most importantly, function. Read on to explore all of the possibilities that the Long Beach Convention Center holds.

Overview

224,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit hall space: The exhibit hall at the Long Beach Convention Center is vast at nearly a quarter of a million adjoining square feet. Keeping in line with the convention center’s inclination towards customizable spaces, the hall can be sectioned into thirds and adjacent halls can be combined. The halls’ open space is kept reasonably clear; the pillars are placed in harmony with the perimeter of the halls and walls. This all helps to maximize the potential for a personally tailored space at the Long Beach Convention Center.
Turnkey spaces of the Long Beach Convention Center: The Long Beach Convention Center prides itself on its customizability and its turnkey spaces are the most evident example of this. These spaces are pre-established but still adaptable; the sheer range of difference among them means that at least one will be able to meet your needs. Outdoors, the Top of the Lot serves as a massive, blank canvas space, accommodating up to 9,700 people, situated atop the convention center’s parking complex. Indoor events are easily housed in The Cove, an aquatic- themed turnkey space that can incorporate adjacent bridges and walkways into event area for flexibility and flow.
Long Beach Arena: The arena is the veritable core of the Long Beach Convention Center’s past and future, holding 13,500 seats and 75,000 square feet of total space. Built in 1962, the arena has housed the multi-league Long Beach Ice Dogs and the North American Soccer League’s California Surf in days passed. Today, the arena at the convention center has utility that extends beyond sports. Thanks to its turnkey qualities, the arena can be transformed to fulfill a variety of roles such as a banquet and reception hall, classroom, and theater.
Theaters at the Long Beach Convention Center: The converted arena isn’t the only theater at the Long Beach Convention Center. The Terrace Theater boasts a seating capacity of just over 3,000 and 10,000 plus square feet of lobby space. The theater also has two lofty terraces that are reached through double-wide staircases. Despite being the largest theater at the Long Beach Convention Center, the Terrace Theater is designed with acoustics and lighting in mind for any seat in the house. For those wanting a more intimate theater experience, the Beverly O’Neill Theater would be a suitable pick. With 825 seats, this theater still has the full list of features one would expect but with a view that will make the audience feel like they’re part of the action.
178,117 square feet of ballroom space: With 178,117 square feet of ballroom space spread across three ballrooms of varying sizes, The Long Beach Convention Center can accommodate events and receptions great and small. From the roomy, windowed Grand Ballroom at nearly 20,500 square feet to the cozier Seaside Ballroom and its modest pre-function space, the convention center’s ballrooms are built to suit the needs of any kind of gathering or reception.
82,823 square feet of meeting rooms: The Long Beach Convention Center has a total of 34 meeting rooms that are specially designed to fulfill the main purpose of a meeting: communication. Emphasizing sharing and connectivity, the center’s meeting rooms are outfitted with Wi-Fi and seating enclaves designed for group conversations. The rooms are readily accessible from the Long Beach Convention Center’s main lobby.
Promenade Atrium and Plaza: The combined square footage of the Promenade Atrium and Plaza at the Long Beach Convention center totals over 53,000. The atrium is defined by its roominess; high ceilings and an abundance of natural light make its 30,398 square feet a breathable function space. Outside you’ll find the promenade’s plaza, an outdoor space with a scenic walkway overlooking the harbor that can be joined with the atrium for maximum usability. For a function at the Long Beach Convention Center that needs to take place both inside and outside, the promenade’s breadth has you more than covered.

Tips

Arrive early to the Long Beach Convention Center. The Long Beach Convention Center is located downtown amidst a number of tourist hotspots, so it may be best to try to arrive sooner rather than later. You’ll want to anticipate some congested parking as there’s a decent chance that the event you’re attending isn’t the only thing going on at the convention center.
Use parking to your advantage at the Long Beach Convention Center. The parking at the Long Beach Convention Center is liable to take some time if tons of visitors are all trying to reach their events quickly. You can save yourself a headache by choosing a lot that’s close to your event. The center has over 4,000 parking spaces spread across four lots and parking fees are $15 per car no matter the lot.
Learn how to navigate the Long Beach Convention Center. The Long Beach Convention Center is quite large and has the potential to confuse newcomers and those not familiar with its layout. With limited signage inside, it’s a smart decision to have a map handy. Before exploring yourself, drop by the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau located by the west entrance of the center for information on the centers facilities as well as local attractions and restaurants.
Plan where to eat before visiting the Long Beach Convention Center. Most dining within the Long Beach Convention Center is relegated to smaller, café-type options and the only sit-down restaurant on campus must be reserved for private functions. The good news is that there’s no shortage of food selection within walking distance of the convention center.

Trivia

The Long Beach Convention Center holds Olympic status. The Long Beach Convention Center is able to claim Olympic prestige in both the past and future. The center hosted the fencing competitions during the 1984 Summer Olympics and is slated to be the site where the handball competitions will be held in 2028.
TED Talks were held at the Long Beach Convention Center from 2009 to 2014. The esteemed TED conferences called The Long Beach Convention Center home for five years in a row. These conferences, known as TED Talks, are celebrated for their approachable format and helping to foster dialogues on a number of topics. Personalities that have passed through the convention center to participate in these talks include household names like Bill Gates, Michelle Obama, and Jane Goodall.
The Long Beach Convention Center held the final performance of The Eagles’ first incarnation. Classic rock fans visiting the Long Beach Convention Center will be able to set foot where the first line-up of The Eagles abruptly called it quits in 1980. Dubbed “The Long Night in Wrong Beach,” the show was wrought with tensions and even threats of violence between band members Glenn Frey and Don Felder. The band broke up the following day and wouldn’t reform again for fourteen years.
Green energy is a priority at the Long Beach Convention Center. The Long Beach Convention makes great use of Southern California’s endless sunshine by employing 5,800 solar panels to power the facilities’ low consumption, motion-activated LED lights. The environmentally minded will also be happy to know that the Long Beach Convention Center has 50 waste containers for recyclables throughout the complex.