Anaheim Convention Center Kicks Off 7th Expansion Project
April 27, 2015
The Anaheim Convention Center kicked off their seventh betterment expansion with a ground breaking ceremony last week.
Tom Morton, executive director, Convention, Sports and Entertainment, started the ceremony with a focus on the future, as well as thanks to the many individuals who helped make the expansion possible.
“With this 7th betterment expansion, the ACC will continue to be the largest convention facility on the West Coast,” he said. “This expansion is about the future, in particular, meeting the demands of the future for the shows that continue to grow.”
Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem Lucille Kring remarked on the last ribbon cutting ceremony for an expansion at the ACC. “The last time we took on a project like this was in January of 2000. And tomorrow, we need to plan the next expansion for the ACC. San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco are already nipping at our heels when it comes to meeting and event space, and they will not slow down. Neither, then, should we.”
“This expansion will push us to over 1 million square feet of convention space,” said Jay Burress, president and CEO, Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau. “And we already have 14 different shows that have booked into the new space for 2017. We are also marking this expansion by burying a time capsule that will be opened in 2030.”
The two-level expansion, with 200,000 square feet of flexible space and 100,000 square feet of column-free space, will address the parking issue, adding in 1,350 new parking spaces.
It also will support more than 2,000 new jobs in the community to staff the additional space. It is projected to bring in $9 million in additional tax revenue.
Gary Birdsall, vice president, Turner Construction Company, said, “This expansion will bring new and exciting conventions into the new space. And we are setting the standard for convention centers on the West Coast.”
The projected completion date for the expansion is Spring 2017. For more information, including a video on the new design, please visit accexpansion.com.
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino recently completed a $63M redesign and remodel of its 1,830 guest rooms and 155 suites.
Down the street, Bellagio Las Vegas is sporting renovated rooms in the Spa Tower with sunrise-inspired decor and luxurious soaking tubs in Premier King rooms after a $110-million transformation.
Reinvented Luxury Experiences
The Luxury Meetings District, made up of Bellagio Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas, is now more connected than ever before. A new interior walkway opened this October for a seamless attendee experience – connecting Vdara, Bellagio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, guests can now walk from Park MGM to Bellagio in around 15 minutes.
New on the scene in the Luxury Meetings District is Cathedrale at ARIA, TAO Group’s upscale establishment specializing in exquisite French-Mediterranean cuisine offering elevated private dining experiences that opened in May.
Heralded by World’s Best 50 Restaurants, GQ and VOGUE, LPM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is opening this fall and will deliver its signature spontaneity and imaginative celebration of France’s Mediterranean cuisine, art, and culture to the unique luxury resort in impeccable fashion.
A “New Wave for Mandalay Bay
A new wave of enhancements and experiences has arrived at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, including Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, an 8,445-square-foot restaurant that opened this June, perfect for pre- and post-game eats and drinks. Event planner’s favorite, Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak, received a full renovation and now includes one of the largest private dining rooms on The Strip. Retro by Voltaggio debuts a one-year residency with a fun take on pop culture of the 80s and 90s with classic American dishes. An exciting addition planned for 2024 is Swingers, a 40,000-square-foot oasis of street food, miniature golf and art at Mandalay Bay.
Most exciting for meeting planners, the 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center is undergoing a complete refresh, with lightened space, added eye-catching art, and improved technology infrastructure for even more flexible space. Energy-efficient digital signage now leads the way with faster internet speeds and new AV options.
From renovated guest rooms and meeting spaces to celebrated dining options and dedicated teams, MGM Resorts is dedicated to delivering exceptional and innovative meeting experiences.
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