The Los Angeles City Council has approved plans to move forward with the expansion and modernization of Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC). This project aims to create jobs, attract visitors, and increase revenue for the city’s general fund.
The city council selected a design-build delivery model, partnering with AEG and The Plenary Group, to complete the project before the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The City will collaborate with AEG, Plenary, architectural firm Populous, and general contractors PCL and Webcor to finalize design plans, schedule, and costs, with construction set to begin in spring 2025.
The expansion project is expected to boost the local economy, generating more than $165 million in annual visitor spending and creating 7,445 jobs during construction and 2,147 ongoing jobs. The project will address LACC’s current limitations, making it more competitive for hosting large conventions. The construction will connect the existing South and West exhibit halls, adding 190,000 square feet of space to form a contiguous hall. It also will include 55,000 square feet of new meeting room space, 95,000 square feet of multipurpose space, and a redesigned Gilbert Lindsay Plaza.
“Currently, LACC hosts nearly 200 events and two million visitors annually,” says Kimberly Weedmark, general Manager of LACC. “We’re excited that an upgraded facility will allow us to expand our event base with more top-tier programs and allow our current clients continued growth opportunities. An expanded and modernized center will provide our customers with innovative technology and demonstrate leadership in sustainability. We look forward to delivering excellent service and exceeding clients’ and guests’ expectations at every event.”
Doane Liu, chief tourism officer and executive director of the City Tourism Dept., echoed the expansion project’s importance for economic recovery and competitiveness. “Despite being in the second-largest city in the United States, LACC is currently a second-tier facility, and we are losing out on business to other cities due to the constraints of the convention center,” Liu says. “With this expansion, LACC will become a premier destination that is able to pursue larger events that bring visitors to L.A. who spend money at our local hotels, restaurants and attractions, adding additional revenue to the city’s general fund,”
Adam Burke, president and CEO of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, adds, “The expansion and modernization of LACC are critical for the continued recovery of our local economy. Citywide conventions support thousands of jobs and hundreds of businesses across every L.A. region and neighborhood, and we’re grateful to the city council for their leadership in advancing this pivotal initiative with today’s vote. As one of the travel industry’s premier meeting destinations, we look forward to seeing this world-class facility come to life.”
