The Los Angeles City Council has officially given the green light to a sweeping, $2.6 billion vision to transform the Los Angeles Convention Center, cementing the city’s place as a leading hub for global business events and tourism. The project—slated for completion ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics—is the most significant investment in LA’s meetings and conventions infrastructure in over two decades.

Why This Overhaul Is Historic

Los Angeles has long competed with other U.S. cities—like Las Vegas, Orlando, and Chicago—for lucrative national and international meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE). However, the city’s convention center, constructed in the early 1970s and last significantly revamped for the 1984 Olympics, has lagged behind in both amenities and capacity.

The approved plan includes both a renovation of the existing facility and a major expansion to more than 2.5 million square feet, with a contiguous exhibition space that exceeds 900,000 square feet. For comparison, current industry leader the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando boasts just under 1 million contiguous square feet.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the redevelopment a “game-changer,” dramatically boosting the city’s ability to attract global conventions and events and spurring new investment in local hospitality, transportation, and entertainment sectors.

Key Highlights of the Project

• Over $2.6 billion in public and private funding
• Over 700,000 square feet of new exhibition and meeting space
• Sustainability at the forefront, including carbon-neutral operations and green building certifications
• Integration of advanced technology for hybrid conferences and digital experiences
• Enhanced visitor amenities including expanded food and beverage, retail, and outdoor gathering areas
• Significant job creation—expected to generate more than 5,000 construction jobs and 6,000 permanent positions in hospitality and related industries
• Improved connections to downtown neighborhoods, LA Live, and public transit (including an expanded Metro rail station)

Olympics and World-Stage Readiness

The project’s timeline is tightly aligned with preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games. The convention center will serve as a critical venue for events, media, and international delegations. City officials emphasize that the overhaul will help ensure that Los Angeles is ready to welcome the world, supporting an anticipated expected influx of 1.2 million visitors during the Olympics alone.

Los Angeles Convention Center officials say the upgraded space will also enable the city to bid for—and host—mega-events previously considered out of reach, including large-scale medical, technology, entertainment, and green industry conventions.

Impact on Local Economy and Business Tourism

City analysts project that the convention center overhaul could double event-related economic output to over $3 billion annually by 2030, up from $1.5 billion today. The direct and indirect benefits will ripple through hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and the broader Los Angeles tourism industry, which welcome over 50 million annual visitors pre-pandemic.

According to the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, convention bookings have already seen a modest uptick since the project’s announcement, with major organizations expressing renewed interest in bringing high-profile international events to the city. Stakeholders also predict knock-on effects for surrounding neighborhoods—including increased investment in South Park and Figueroa corridors—and a potential renaissance of urban development in downtown LA.

Design and Sustainability Features

Designed by the globally renowned architectural firm Gensler, the new convention center prioritizes sustainability and innovation:

• LEED Platinum targeting, the highest standard for green buildings
• Solar-panel canopies and on-site energy generation
• Rainwater catchment and recycled water for all landscaping
• Smart-glass and advanced HVAC systems to maximize energy efficiency
• Flexible floorplans and outdoor terraces for open-air meetings and events
• Extensively landscaped public plazas, connecting the complex to the rest of downtown

Challenges and Next Steps

While there’s broad support for the project from business, tourism, and civic leaders, some local residents and advocacy groups have raised concerns regarding traffic, displacement, and the use of public funds. The city council has committed to a robust community engagement process, as well as targeted investments in public transit, pedestrian safety, and affordable housing in the neighborhoods surrounding the convention center.

Construction on the first phase—including new exhibition halls and the overhaul of Gilbert Lindsay Plaza—is slated to break ground in spring 2026, with a second phase encompassing meeting rooms and rooftop terraces scheduled for 2027.

Setting the Stage for LA’s Growth

This investment arrives at a pivotal moment in the global meetings and tourism industry. According to American Express Global Business Travel, conference booking volume in North America is expected to reach 110% of 2019 levels by 2027, with hybrid and mega-events leading the rebound. By aligning improved infrastructure with this rising demand, Los Angeles is positioning itself at the forefront of business tourism—ready to host the world in 2028 and long beyond.