LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles City Council voted to advance $27.7 million in design and technical work for the long-awaited Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) renovation, a major step toward a nearly $1 billion modernization project. A final vote on the full renovation plan is expected in July.
Initially pitched as a pre-Olympics modernization, the project has since evolved into a broader transformation that aims to boost L.A.’s competitiveness as a global trade show destination. Completion is now targeted for March 2029, after the 2028 Summer Olympics.
A Long-Awaited Overhaul
The existing convention center, made up of the disjointed South and West Halls, lacks contiguous exhibit space. The new plan seeks to solve that issue by connecting the halls and expanding the facility’s footprint.
Construction is slated to begin in September 2025, with a planned pause from May to September 2028 to accommodate Olympic events, including fencing and table tennis. Work will resume post-Games and conclude in early 2029.
The project will add 190,000 sq. ft. of new exhibit space, 55,000 sq. ft. of additional meeting rooms, 95,000 sq. ft. of multi-purpose space, a redesigned Gilbert Lindsay Plaza, and new exterior digital signage.
Upon completion, the expanded center will offer 750,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space and over 1.2 million square feet of total usable space.
“The expansion and modernization of the Los Angeles Convention Center are critical for the continued recovery of our local economy,” Adam Burke, President & CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, said in a statement. “Citywide conventions support thousands of jobs and hundreds of businesses across every L.A. region and neighborhood.”
“Currently, the LACC hosts nearly 200 events and two million visitors annually,” Kimberly Weedmark, General Manager of the LA Convention Center said in a statement. “We’re excited that an upgraded facility will allow us to grow our event base and provide more opportunities for our existing clients.”
Texas Doubles Down on Convention Infrastructure
While L.A. moves forward with its plan, Texas is in the midst of an $8 billion investment across its major convention venues.
Texas convention center expansion plans include a $2 billion new convention district in Houston; a $3.7 billion expansion of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas; a new $1.6 billion convention center in Austin; and a $701 million upgrade to the Fort Worth Convention Center.
Other Major Expansions Coast to Coast
In Orlando, the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) has embarked on a $560-million expansion project that will bring an additional 44,000 square feet of meeting space and a 100,000-square-foot ballroom to the North-South Building. Construction for the Grand Concourse Expansion will begin in 2026 and is expected to finish in 2029.
“This project will significantly improve the convention center as we continue to meet the growing needs of our clients,” Mark Tester, OCCC Executive Director, said in a statement.
In Las Vegas, the $600 million renovation of the Las Vegas Convention Center’s (LVCC) legacy campus is on track for completion by year’s end. Launched in 2023, the project modernizes the North and Central Halls and introduces a new grand lobby and climate-controlled concourse to unify the campus experience.
“From Los Angeles to New York City, communities across the country continue to invest in the expansion and modernization of their convention centers. Why? Because show organizers and planners are continually working to meet the evolving expectations of exhibitors and attendees,” said Trevor Mitchell, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CDP, President & CEO of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM).
“To support the success of trade shows, it’s essential for convention centers to remain current and adaptable. In doing so, they not only attract conferences and exhibitions but also drive local economic development, create jobs, and enhance public services.”
Contact Adam Burke at aburke@latourism.org; Mark Tester at mark.tester@occc.net; Trevor Mitchell at trevor.mitchell@iavm.org
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