Los Angeles is a vibrant city known for its dynamic business environment and cultural diversity. The city also hosts some of the world’s most sought-after trade show venues. Whether planning an international expo or a niche industry conference, the Los Angeles trade show venues offer unparalleled facilities, cutting-edge technology, and impeccable service to ensure your event is a resounding success. Explore our top picks for trade show venues in Los Angeles, each offering unique features and amenities to cater to your specific event needs.
Los Angeles’ Premier Trade Show Venues
Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC)
Located in the heart of Downtown LA, the Los Angeles Convention Center is an industry favorite, known for its massive exhibition spaces and flexible meeting rooms. With over 720,000 square feet of exhibit hall space and an additional 147,000 square feet of meeting room capacity, LACC can accommodate events of any size. The venue’s state-of-the-art facilities, on-site dining options, and proximity to major LA attractions make it a top choice for trade show organizers worldwide.
Anaheim Convention Center
Just a short drive from Downtown LA, the Anaheim Convention Center is the largest exhibition facility on the West Coast. With over 1 million square feet of exhibition space, this venue is perfect for large-scale trade shows and conventions. Its recent expansion includes the addition of ACC North, offering 200,000 square feet of flexible space. With outdoor plazas, grand ballrooms, and advanced technological services, it’s a premier destination for events that aim to impress.
The Pasadena Convention Center
Charming Pasadena hosts this versatile venue, combining elegance with functionality. The Pasadena Convention Center features a 55,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 25,000-square-foot ballroom, and 29 meeting rooms, making it ideal for trade shows, corporate events, and meetings of all sizes. Its environmentally friendly practices and commitment to sustainability add to its appeal, offering a green alternative for eco-conscious organizers.
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
Situated on the picturesque waterfront, the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center provides a unique blend of business and leisure. With over 400,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space, including a newly renovated Pacific Ballroom and the Terrace Theater Plaza, it offers a versatile setting for trade shows, exhibitions, and corporate events. The venue’s scenic views and outdoor spaces allow creative event planning and unforgettable experiences.
The Barker Hangar
For those seeking a more unconventional venue, The Barker Hangar at Santa Monica Airport offers a distinctive space with industrial chic flair. This venue features 35,000 square feet of hangar space with an impressive 40-foot ceiling height, making it perfect for bespoke trade shows, product launches, and corporate events that require a unique backdrop. Its location in Santa Monica also adds a touch of coastal charm, setting the stage for memorable events.
Worthwhile Destinations Outside the Convention Center
Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park
Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park together form one of Los Angeles’ most iconic and beloved landmarks. They offer natural beauty, scientific exploration, and recreational activities.
Griffith Observatory is a gateway to the stars and has been a prominent Los Angeles landmark since its opening in 1935. Situated on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, the observatory allows visitors to explore the universe through its extensive array of space and science-related displays. The observatory is most famous for its stunning views of the Los Angeles Basin, including downtown LA, Hollywood, the Pacific Ocean, and the iconic Hollywood Sign.
Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in North America, covering over 4,300 acres of natural terrain and landscaped parkland. It offers many recreational activities and attractions, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists.
Griffith Park and the Observatory were gifted to the city of Los Angeles by Colonel Griffith J. Griffith in 1896 and 1912, respectively, to make astronomy accessible to the public. Today, they continue to serve as testaments to his vision, providing educational opportunities and a peaceful retreat from the urban environment. Whether you’re interested in hiking, exploring the cosmos, or simply enjoying panoramic views of Los Angeles, Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park offers something for everyone.
The Getty Center
The Getty Center is a unique cultural and architectural landmark that draws visitors worldwide. It serves as the campus for the Getty Museum and other programs of the Getty Trust. Designed by renowned architect Richard Meier, the Center opened in 1997. It is celebrated for its modern design, beautiful gardens, and stunning views of Los Angeles, including the Pacific Ocean and the San Gabriel Mountains.
Visiting the Getty Center is a holistic experience that combines art, architecture, and nature. Admission is free, making it an accessible cultural resource for people to explore and enjoy. Whether you’re an art aficionado, a lover of architecture, or someone seeking a tranquil escape from the city, the Getty Center offers many experiences that enrich the soul and inspire the mind.
Santa Monica Pier and Beach
Santa Monica Pier and Beach are quintessential parts of the Southern California experience, embodying the vibrant spirit and picturesque coastline that define the Los Angeles area. Located in Santa Monica, they attract visitors from all walks of life, blending natural beauty with entertainment and recreational activities.
The Santa Monica Pier is a landmark that dates back to 1909, making it one of the most iconic piers on the West Coast. It’s famous for its family-friendly amusement park, Pacific Park, which features a solar-powered Ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the Los Angeles coastline.
Stretching for 3.5 miles along the coast, Santa Monica Beach is known for its soft, golden sands and excellent recreational facilities. The beach is a favorite for locals and tourists, offering an ideal setting for sunbathing, swimming, and many beach sports. Key features include:
The area surrounding Santa Monica Pier and Beach is bustling with shops, cafes, and restaurants, contributing to the lively atmosphere. The adjacent Third Street Promenade offers additional shopping, dining, and entertainment options, making the area a comprehensive destination for visitors looking to experience Southern California’s beach culture.
Whether you’re seeking adventure on the Ferris wheel, relaxation on the beach, or simply a picturesque sunset over the Pacific, Santa Monica Pier and Beach offers a memorable experience for everyone.
Venice Beach
Venice Beach, located in the Westside region of Los Angeles, is one of the world’s most unique and eclectic seaside destinations. Known for its bohemian spirit, vibrant boardwalk, and beautiful coastline, Venice Beach attracts a diverse crowd of artists, performers, fitness enthusiasts, and tourists from around the globe. Its distinct character is a blend of cultural, recreational, and commercial activities, making it a must-visit location for anyone exploring Los Angeles.
Venice Beach is more than just a beach; it’s a cultural phenomenon that embodies the eclectic and free-spirited nature of Los Angeles. Whether you’re looking to soak up the sun, enjoy outdoor activities, or immerse yourself in a vibrant artistic community, Venice Beach offers an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of California’s beach culture.
The Broad
The Broad is a contemporary art museum in downtown Los Angeles, known for its innovative architecture and significant collection of post-war and modern art. Philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad founded the museum in September 2015. It has since become a staple of Los Angeles’ cultural landscape, offering free admission to its permanent collection galleries and hosting various special exhibitions, programs, and educational initiatives.
Designed by the renowned architectural firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Gensler, the building is contemporary art. The museum’s facade, known as the “veil,” features a honeycomb-like structure that filters natural light into the indoor spaces. This striking exterior envelops the “vault,” a concrete body that houses the museum’s collection storage and lends the galleries a unique, cavernous feel. The overall design effectively blends form and function, providing aesthetic appeal and practical spaces for art storage and exhibition.
The Broad’s collection boasts over 2,000 works of art, making it one of the most prominent holdings of contemporary art worldwide. It includes in-depth representations of over 200 artists, including Jeff Koons, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cindy Sherman, Roy Lichtenstein, and Andy Warhol. The collection spans various mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, and video art, reflecting the diversity and dynamism of contemporary art.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is the largest art museum in the western United States and a cornerstone of Los Angeles’ cultural identity. Established in 1965, LACMA has grown to house a collection encompassing the geographic world and nearly the entire art history. Located on Wilshire Boulevard in the heart of Los Angeles, it attracts visitors from around the globe with its diverse exhibitions, public programs, and research facilities.
LACMA’s collection includes over 150,000 works from antiquity to the present day. This vast and comprehensive collection covers Asian art, Latin American art, Islamic art, European painting and sculpture, and American art, among others. The museum is primarily known for its holdings of Korean art, which is among the finest outside of Korea, and its extensive collection of modern and contemporary works.
As a cultural institution, LACMA plays a crucial role in the Los Angeles community. It is a gathering place where people can experience art worldwide and participate in programs encouraging dialogue and understanding. Through its exhibitions and educational initiatives, LACMA strives to make art accessible to a diverse audience, reflecting the multicultural fabric of Los Angeles.
LACMA is not just a museum but a dynamic space where art, culture, and community converge. Whether interested in exploring ancient artifacts, admiring impressionist paintings, or engaging with contemporary art installations, LACMA offers a rich and varied experience far beyond the traditional museum visit.
Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre
The Hollywood Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre are two of Hollywood’s most iconic and enduring attractions, drawing millions of visitors to Los Angeles annually. Both landmarks celebrate the glamour and history of the entertainment industry, offering a glimpse into the lives and legacies of its biggest stars.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic landmark with more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street. The stars are public monuments to achievement in the entertainment industry, bearing the names of a mix of actors, musicians, directors, producers, musical and theatrical groups, fictional characters, and others.
The TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman’s Chinese Theatre) is one of the most famous movie theaters in the world, known for its distinctive Chinese pagoda architecture and the collection of handprints, footprints, and signatures of movie stars embedded in the concrete of its forecourt. It has been the site of numerous movie premieres and Hollywood events since its opening in 1927.
Visiting the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre offers a direct connection to the history and ongoing excitement of the film industry. These attractions provide a tangible link to the stars of the past and present, allowing fans from around the world to celebrate the magic of Hollywood.