Riverside Convention Center in Southern California launched an extensive make-over of its facility. Following a 21-month expansion and renovation totaling $43 million, the state-of-the-art meeting facility will reopen Mar. 1. During a special preview event on Feb. 26, meetings and events professionals touted the Center’s impressive transformation.
“I attended the opening of the ‘new’ Riverside Convention Center [sic] and was bowled over by the beauty and splendor of the place. From the moment you walk inside under the fabulous chandelier – wow!” exclaimed Helga Bergthold, elections committee, Pacifica Synod ELCA, Santa Ana. “Every space is well thought out and filled with the infrastructure needed to host a successful meeting. I can’t wait to hold our event here in 2015.”
Hosting over 1,000 guests at the preview, entertainment included Maestro Jeffrey Hughes playing an electronic violin and catering by Executive Chef Brad Martin.
“There is a new ‘hip’ and exciting vibe brewing here. This is the new Riverside: the Riverside that we can’t wait to share with our clients” said Debbi Guthrie, senior vice president, Raincross Hospitality Corporation, managers of the venue.
With an expanded main exhibit hall, added meeting rooms, a top-notch kitchen and host of other amenities, the venue now boasts a total of 20 flexible breakout rooms to accommodate groups up to 3,000 people. Offering 65,000 square feet of usable indoor space, upper and lower concourses, and an events plaza with nearly 15,000 square feet of rentable outdoor space, the center also features a 66-foot tower and the wide stairway facing Main Street Riverside.
As the only convention center in western Riverside County, Riverside Convention Center is poised to establish itself as one of the premier meeting facilities in California. Equipped with communications and energy efficient technologies, over 80 events are already booked through 2018.
Leading the culinary team will be Executive Chef Martin, who competed with mentor Anthony Bourdain’s team on ABC’s cooking competition television series, “The Taste.”
Raincross Hospitality is to provide a personal Meeting Concierge to assist each meeting and event.
For more information, contact Debbie Megna, executive director, Riverside Convention & Visitors Bureau, at dmegna@riversidecvb.com.
