A celebration to commemorate the completed steel structure for the Pasadena Convention Center expansion recently took place at the construction site. Pasadena City Mayor Bill Bogaard participated in the topping off ceremony along with Mike Ross, CEO of the Pasadena Center Operating Company (PCOC); James Canfield, executive director of the PCOC; Nan Marchand, executive director of the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau; as well as other dignitaries.
The expansion is scheduled for completion next spring and the first conference will be the 32nd Annual California Police Chiefs Association Conference and Trade Show.
“The convention center is very important to the community as it is centrally located and will bring increased business to city shops and restaurants, as well as to nearby hotels,” said Canfield.
The new convention center will offer 80,000 square feet of exhibit space, double the amount of existing exhibit space. In addition to a new 53,498 square foot exhibit hall that is divisible into two halls, the expansion will provide 25 breakout rooms and a new 25,000-square-foot ballroom. As part of the $150 million expansion, the underground exhibit hall, built in 1973, was completely demolished. To accommodate events during construction, a 26,650 square foot temporary exhibit hall was erected.
The expansion project also includes interior and exterior renovations of the two-level conference building, which is adjacent to the convention center. The conference building offers 28,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space.
A major requirement of the expansion project was that the design be consistent with the architecture of the historic Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Fentress Bradburn Architects, the firm that designed the new center, is experienced in designing buildings surrounded by historic structures. The firm has incorporated the Civic Auditorium’s classical design into some of the architectural details of the new buildings.
The design for the new center follows an emerging industry trend on creating a meeting facility that is aimed for the individual. According to a recent Tradeshow Week study, new facilities, in order to be successful, must include a more functional and intimate feel, with less overwhelming, stark spaces. Moreover, better integration and a connection with city elements are very important. The new convention center in Pasadena has all of these elements including new green initiatives.
The PCOC is confident that the expanded facility will receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), and will meet its goals in the areas of water use, electricity, recycling, and traffic reduction. To reduce water consumption, the convention center will feature low-flow toilets, waterless urinals, low-water landscaping, and storm water run-off used for irrigation. In addition, the new center will feature high-efficiency lighting and equipment, as well as an automated control system for managing electrical devices.
In the area of recycling, 75% of the demolition materials from the expansion were recycled. All metal and steel was recycled, and the concrete rubble was ground up and used as fill. In addition, an aggressive recycling program will be implemented in the new facility. For employees, the expanded convention center will include bike storage and shower/changing facilities, preferred parking for carpools and vanpools, and incentives for those using public transportation.
Also, through a major retrofit, including a new, energy-efficient central plant, the convention center will operate without adding to the city’s electrical grid, even though it will add significant square footage.
The entire expansion is being funded with increased revenues generated by the larger facility and a Tourism Business Improvement District assessment on hotel and motel revenue.


Bill Bogaard, Mayor of Pasadena shown from the left, celebrating the completed steel structure for the Pasadena Convention Center expansion with: Tom Seifert, Pasadena Center Operating Company Board President; Nan Marchand, Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director; Michael Ross, Pasadena Center Operating Company CEO; Richard Bruckner, City of Pasadena Director of Planning & Development.