Anaheim Convention Center has 1.8 million sf of space, making it the largest exhibit facility on the West Coast. It is also North America’s most flexible event venue. Courtesy Photo

With its unmatched landscape, idyllic weather and endless event possibilities, the Golden State boasts a trifecta of traits that make it a mecca for meetings of all sizes. Running from south to north and winter through fall, venues are varied, activities are atypical and the characteristically temperate climate is habitually accommodating.

Go Big or Go Home

Held during the last week of July, the annual Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ) Summit takes place at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes — and it will continue to do so, as the corporate group of approximately 450 attendees is contracted through 2027. When asked about the multiyear commitment, Christy Guitreau, event operations manager at Informa Markets, explains: “The experience is simply unmatched.”

“One of our boldest endeavors was chartering five coach buses, one yacht and six private helicopters to take 200 executives to Catalina Island for the day,” Guitreau says of a breakout event crafted for the 2024 NBJ summit. The offsite was a resounding success, as attendees made memories with an oceanview lunch, open bar and lawn games, followed by uncommon adventures such as ziplining, standup paddleboarding and kayaking, as well as a beach party.

“Our location is a unique oasis where groups can stay on property the entire time and enjoy our amenities,” says Louis Gonzalez, Terranea’s director of sales. “This allows for various networking engagements outside the meeting room/events, with the added perk of seeing the sunrise and sunset in one day from the resort.”

Among the resort’s offerings are an oceanfront spa, a nine-hole, par-3 golf course, four pools, eight dining venues, a beach cove and a team of experienced concierge associates, in addition to 135,000 sf of flexible space.

Guitreau adds that while Rancho Palos Verdes might not be a conventional destination city — it is nestled into a quiet peninsula with little nearby — in addition to its breathtaking scenery and top-tier resort comforts, every team member at the Terranea provides exceptional service, from the front desk to the banquet staff.

“Our property’s culinary experience is designed to be more than just a meal,” says Jessica St. Charles, the hotel’s director of meetings and events. “It’s an extension of our unique Southern California destination’s curated experiences.” Examples include themed and live cooking stations, alongside interactive food experiences that enable guests to engage with each other in an immersive way.

Under the guidance of the chef and program manager, the NBJ Summit introduced a customized Zero Waste Midday Break — a menu crafted entirely from untouched breakfast items, such as butter, fruit, breads and honey. These surplus ingredients were transformed into tasty snacks such as smoothie shooters, fruit tarts and crumb cakes. This level of service did not go unnoticed.

“The banquet team was an organized event planner’s dream,” Guitreau says. “They check in well before the program, anticipate every need and make you feel like family. You know their names, they know yours. I’ve worked in many venues, but this team holds a special place in my heart. Year after year, they welcome us back with warm smiles and heartfelt hugs. It makes us feel like we’re coming home.”

‘Mickey magic’ can transform your Disneyland event into a truly unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages. Courtesy Photo

Mickey and More

“Disney Meetings & Events is a leader in transformational experiences,” says Robert Donahue, director of sales and services for the Disneyland Resort. Taking inspiration from its theme parks and attractions, the company’s event specialists are able to create magical touches and enchanting extras that energize any meeting’s attendees and create powerful emotional connections.

“Nothing says ‘wow’ like having a world-famous Disneyland attraction or Disney character available for a group or a dessert party along the waterfront with the ‘World of Color’ nighttime spectacular as a backdrop,” Donahue says.

In addition to imagination in overdrive, the Disneyland Resort offers 170,000 sf of flexible meeting and event space and three world-class hotels — the AAA Four Diamond Disneyland Hotel, AAA Four Diamond Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and newly reimagined Pixar Place Hotel — as well as two theme parks and the Downtown Disney District for dining, shopping and entertainment.

“This year there will be even more for groups to experience when the Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration kicks off May 16, 2025, featuring an all-new nighttime spectacular, ‘World of Color Happiness!’ at Disney California Adventure Park,” Donahue adds.

Largest in the West

It’s little wonder that California’s award-winning Anaheim Convention Center has attracted major functions such as the Natural Products Expo West and IME West. After a $190 million expansion in 2017, it is the West Coast’s largest convention center, with more than 1 million sf of flexible exhibit space. It is also surrounded by four world-class hotels offering 3,700 guestrooms. Reflective of the venue’s appeal, Visit Anaheim has confirmed it will host 160 conventions, meetings and events, which are projected to attract nearly 900,000 attendees and the use of 564,425 local room nights, which translates to more than $1.4 billion in economic impact to the local community.

“We’re entering what we like to call the ‘Golden Decade’ of development in Anaheim,” says Ronnie Collins, chief sales officer at Visit Anaheim. He cites new developments such as OCVIBE, dubbed Orange County’s new downtown. The first phase of the district is set to open in 2026 and feature the latest dining concepts and concert venues. “We’re also looking forward to mega-sporting events, including the 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl, 2028 Olympics and the DisneylandForward expansion project at the Disneyland Resort.” Topping it off, Anaheim is 20 minutes from the nearest beaches and conveniently situated between four primary airports.

Weather, walkability and airport access are just a few of the reasons that Long Beach is a go-to destination for elite events. Courtesy of Andrea Lowery

Long Beach Plays the Long Game

Starting with the inaugural Augmented World Expo (AWE) in 2010, the conference was held in Santa Clara through 2023. The next year, it moved to Long Beach, where it is contracted through 2027 — until the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics, which will impact the region.

“Santa Clara was a great place to grow up, but we outgrew it,” says Andrea Lowery, AWE chief operations officer. As a result, the organization decided to relocate the expo, which grew from 300 attendees and a handful of exhibitors to more than 5,000 attendees and 300 exhibitors and sponsors in 15 years. While finding just the right match was a challenge — attrition and hotel requirements made San Francisco too expensive, and Sacramento was just not the right vibe — the initial hesitation with Long Beach was its Southern California location.

“[The first Long Beach Expo] was great and it was exciting, but it was scary because a high-tech-affiliated forum like ours is expected to be in Silicon Valley,” Lowery says.

Known as “the world’s largest spatial computing event,” the AWE is said to be the headquarters for everything related to spatial computing, from Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR) — collectively referred to as Extended Reality (XR) — to the enablement of technologies such as AI, biointerfaces, haptics, 5G, streaming and more. The event’s appeal is its assemblage of XR pros — end-users and solution providers, investors and startups, job seekers and recruiters, along with creators, developers and brands. “Attendees describe it a reunion,” Lowery adds.

She explains that the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center (LBCEC) differentiated itself from other centers, starting with her initial intro. “Meet Long Beach was my first point of contact. They were so welcoming, so flexible,” Lowery explains. “They rolled out the red carpet, and I don’t think it was just for us. It’s simply the way they operate.” She felt it a match for expo attendees, who are all gifted with outside-the-box mindsets — people who don’t expect the norm. “From arrival, I was in love with the convention center and the city’s quirky character,” she says.

Steve Goodling, president and CEO of Meet Long Beach and Visit Long Beach, underscores the additional perks of his city: weather, walkability, access to three airports (including LAX) and a middle-of-downtown and on-the-water setting. With the historic Queen Mary ocean liner decorating the horizon, the LBCEC is only 1,000 steps from the Aquarium of the Pacific, with more than 125 restaurants within an eight-block radius. With all this, the impressive venue lives up to its own description: “Where the entire campus is the stage.”

“We have room to grow,” Lowery says of the AWE’s return to the center in 2025 (June 10-12), as well as the next two years. She explains that her group has the ability to expand from exhibition halls B (57,000 sf) and C (76,000 sf) to hall A, which would add another 91,000 sf, if necessary. Also, in terms of guestroom and additional meeting room availability, the Hyatt Regency Long Beach is conveniently adjacent to the convention center, while the Marriott Long Beach Downtown and Westin Long Beach are nearby. In total, Long Beach offers more than 5,000 guestrooms.

“The biggest news is the addition of two unique hotels,” Goodling says. The Fairmont Breakers, the city’s first five-star property, recently completed a $150 million renovation. The nearly 100-year-old hotel evokes the Hollywood Golden Era of its glamorous past. Then, only blocks away, the iconic Sonder City Center embraces mid-century modern boutique charm with a Palm Springs feel.

“In a post-lockdown world, people are ready to connect,” Goodling says. “While the traditional trappings of a corporate meeting are still important, opportunities to socialize and have fun make a meeting memorable (and Instagram-able). The meetings industry needs to look at the social side as being just as important as the business side.”

The Allure of Marina del Rey

“Marina del Rey’s meeting scene is vibrant and offers groups a refreshing waterfront alternative to a more customary city location,” says Susan Valen, a business development executive with the Marina del Rey Tourism Board.

Located less than five miles north of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the community offers seven resort-style waterfront hotels, more than 75 restaurants and 100,000-plus sf of indoor/outdoor meeting and event space. As home to more than 4,600 boat slips, the destination showcases popular local activities that include sailing, parasailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, whale watching, deep sea fishing, watercraft rentals and skippered charters.

“One teambuilding activity that is exclusively a Marina del Rey experience is learning to sail,” Valen says. Groups break into teams and take lessons from a certified U.S. Coast Guard captain and American Sailing Association-certified boating captain instructor. Team members then participate in a mini-regatta, building team spirit and collaborating as a group.

“Marina del Rey offers a compelling alternative for meeting planners looking to balance accessibility with a refreshing change of pace,” Valen adds.

Don’t Forget San Diego

“San Diego really shines — quite literally — with near perfect weather and an average temperature of 72 degrees, which means meeting professionals can plan for both outdoor and indoor events,” says Letty Canizalez, vice president of sales for the San Diego Tourism Authority.

She says that the city is blessed to have venues offering “only in San Diego” experiences. With 70 miles of coastline, the destination’s unique beach options range from waterside group dinners to beach cleanup activities. San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter is just the across the street from the convention center, so there’s the additional possibility of a block party showcasing live music and local food vendors. Situated on the waterfront with more than 2.6 million sf of space, the San Diego Convention Center — distinguished by its Sails Pavilion — hosts more than 50 citywide conventions a year, including such staples as Comic-Con International and Twitch-Con, both contracted through 2027.

“We understand planners need to deliver distinctive experiences that set their events apart,” Canizalez says. “They face the challenge of ensuring the event is fresh, engaging and different from past events.” She cites the city’s efforts to assist with this endeavor by providing access to out-of-the-box activities and a way to connect with local visionaries, business leaders and top scientists from top tech companies, life science and research institutes.”

Do You Know the Way to…?

San Jose is at the forefront of emerging tech industries, home to new developments in AI, robotics and biomedical fields.

“[It] is the heart of Silicon Valley, located one hour between San Francisco and Monterey,” says Matthew Martinucci, vice president of sales & destination services for Visit San Jose. “The city is built upon a spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation, from its roots in abundant agriculture to today’s ever-evolving influence on technology and culture.”

Meeting planners will love San Jose’s walkable downtown campus, which includes the convention center and major hotels, as well as multiple restaurants and attractions. There are also four historic performing arts venues there, allowing for customized experiences with unique venue options outside a traditional convention center plan. Among its other distinctive offsite teambuilding opportunities are Urban Putt, 10th Street Distillery (which is located downtown and noted for its “Best Whiskey in the World”) and Alamitos Vineyards, situated in a former quicksilver mining town associated with the 1849 Gold Rush. Even better, the San Jose International Airport (SJC) is less than four miles away.

“San Jose delivers the beauty and convenience of Northern California, the excitement of Silicon Valley and access to the greatest minds in the world today,” Martinucci adds.

Across the Golden Gate

“We often say San Francisco is in our DNA,” says Linda Gray Martin, senior vice president and chief of staff of the RSAC conference, which is named for cybersecurity industry pioneers Rivest, Shamir and Adleman. She explains that the annual event has been held in the Bay Area for 34 years, but only since 2007 has it been hosted solely in San Francisco.

With more than 40,000 attendees expected at the 2025 event (April 28 – May 1) at the Moscone Center, RSAC is a premier global cybersecurity event and community brand. Boasting more than 650 speakers and representation from 140 countries, the conference is dedicated to empowering professionals at every level — bringing together cybersecurity industry experts to share insights, tackle emerging threats and showcase cutting-edge innovations. Beyond the conference, RSAC offers continuous resources, educational programs and networking opportunities to foster collaboration and resilience in an ever-evolving field, all while staying true to its mission of creating a safer society and more connected future.

Partnering with more than 60 hotels, the citywide RSAC gathering utilizes Moscone West (367,500 sf), North and South (502,000 sf of contiguous space), in addition to the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (a new inclusion for 2025). Adding to the experience, the convention center is only four blocks from Union Square and the Powell Street Cable Car (one of the country’s only moving National Historic Landmarks).

“Being at the heart of Silicon Valley and a hub for innovation and technology, it’s a natural home for us,” Gray Martin says. She adds that with approximately 20% of attendees coming from outside the U.S., it’s important to have an easily accessible location for international visitors, and SFO offers many nonstop flights to destinations both domestic and abroad.”

“It’s no secret that San Francisco, along with several major cities across the country, has had its challenges in recent years,” Gray Martin adds. “But the mayor and other city officials have been, and continue to be, resolutely committed to turning the tide and showing off the city’s magic. And the Moscone Center is scalable with three diverse, recently renovated buildings for different use cases.”

In addition, the city offers a varied and celebrated dining landscape. “San Francisco has a vibrant culinary scene,” Gray Martin says, pointing to the wealth of options. From restaurants owned by well-known chefs, to dim sum in Chinatown, to authentic Italian dining in North Beach and, of course, the amazing seafood in Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco has it all.

Gray Martin is complimentary of the town renowned for its icons — which range from the Golden Gate Bridge and the Transamerica Pyramid to Alcatraz Island and the hillsides full of charming Victorian homes. “I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been to San Francisco,” she says. “It’s simply one of those cities where I feel most comfortable.” C&IT