San Jose (Calif.) McEnery Convention Center Unveils $130 Million Expansion

October 14, 2013

A Bugs Bunny Symphony performance at the black-tie gala and a community celebration marked the official Oct. 10-11 grand opening of the San Jose McEnery Convention Center’s renovation and expansion.

“The ‘new’ San Jose Convention Center advances downtown San Jose’s position as a premier convention destination and will help San Jose attract even more local, national and international events to spur economic activity and generate new tax revenues for our community,” said Mayor Chuck Reed.

The expanded facility features additional 125,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including a 35,000 sq. ft. ballroom, and now offers a total of 550,000 sq. ft. of usable space.

The $130 million project was funded through a dedicated hotel tax voted by San Jose hoteliers in 2009. By legal requirement, the tax can only be used to support capital improvements at the convention center and includes ongoing revenue for future capital needs.

Across the street from The Tech Museum of Innovation, the new main entrance features the Idea Tree, an interactive art installation by Soo-in Yang, where the public can leave a short voice message and hear it turn into sounds rustling through the canopy.

“We’re in the heart of the Silicone Valley, and we have a lot of high-tech companies as clients, so the level of expectations is very high,” said Karolyn Kirchgesler, Team San Jose’s CEO. “Google has already had an event here.”

Inside, the new convention center is airy and modern, with reclaimed redwood ceilings and lots of open space. Networking areas have been transformed with sit steps and plenty of plugs. Wi-Fi is free throughout the downtown, making it easy to stay connected.

The building is expected to get a Silver LEED from the U.S. Green Building Council rating thanks to the new recycling program, the use of LED lighting and the incorporation of crushed concrete from the old MLK library that was demolished to make room for the expansion.

“Many of the suggestions by our client advisory board became a reality,” Kirchgesler said. She also noted that her team has already booked 178 events that will utilize the expansion, a third of which had never been to San Jose. “I think it’s a great testament,” she added.

With a newly remodeled Hilton San Jose adjacent to the convention center and several other hotels within a block, it’s tempting to just stay put. But the walkable downtown invites an early-morning stroll across the green Plaza de Cesar Chavez for fresh croissants at the Bijan Bakery or bacon-maple doughnuts at Psycho Donuts.

For breakfast with a view, groups can take over the private dining space at the Silicon Valley Capital Club, a private business club on the 17th floor of the Knight Ridder Building.

Executives craving a thoughtful pairing of local California wines and sumptuous farm-to-table bites also can indulge at the Village California Bistro at the bustling and urban Santana Row shopping and dining destination.

The downtown is home to more than 100 software companies, but it’s not all about the geeky vibe here. The Center for the Performing Arts and Montgomery Theater are across the street from the convention center.

The historic Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, with its gorgeous stained-glass windows, also is two blocks away. Check out the new 3D online portal that offers a glimpse of the top attractions, as well as an inside look at the convention center.

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Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact