Planning a convention in Los Angeles can seem like a daunting task. When it comes to large scale conferences and conventions, it’s important to find a venue that best suits your needs with regard to guest count, amenities, and overall experience. In an effort to ease your search for the perfect venue, I’ve compiled a list of venues in LA that I consider to be the best for putting on conventions.

Meeting Rooms - 42

Largest Room Capacity - 22,870

Total Exhibit Space - 605,474 sq ft

Unique Attributes - Known for its impressive architectural style, this venue is a visually appealing landmark. Ranking among the largest convention centers in the U.S., this space is capable of accommodating a wide variety of large-scale events. High speed internet and advanced audiovisual systems make this venue stand out. With a variety of meeting rooms, exhibition halls, and adaptable spaces, the LACC can host both large conventions and smaller gatherings, providing tailored solutions for different event needs.

Meeting Rooms - 4

Largest Room Capacity - 20,000

Total Exhibit Space - 950,000 sq ft

Unique Attributes - This sports and entertainment arena is one of the most recognized in the world, hosting a large variety of events all year round. Known for being a versatile event space, this arena can easily be catered to your specific type of event. This venue hosts high profile events such as the Grammy Awards, making it a hotspot for entertainment beyond sports. Modern facilities and top tier technology make this space the perfect option for any event.

Meeting Rooms - 2

Largest Room Capacity - 2,000

Total Exhibit Space - 54,000 sq ft

Unique Attributes - The auditorium itself is straight out of the 1920s with beautiful Moroccan/Indian-inspired architecture. Ornate tiles and arched entrances make this an extremely luxury event space, worthy of hosting the Oscars in the past. The contemporary expo center has California's largest outdoor carpeted area. The contrast between the historic auditorium and state-of-the-art facilities makes this a particularly high-demand venue.

Meeting Rooms - 22

Largest Room Capacity - 1,300

Total Event Space - 53,893 sq ft

Unique Attributes - Known for upscale amenities and elegant event spaces, this venue has both outdoor and indoor options. Immaculate service and culinary excellence, including award-winning catering services, makes this venue ideal for any event, particularly event’s that will be utilizing catering. The Beverly Hilton is truly a blend of sophistication and functionality.

Meeting Rooms - 25

Largest Room Capacity - 6,954

Total Exhibit Space - 70,192 sq ft

Unique Attributes - A venue utilizing modern facilities while still keeping it’s historic charm. It features the elegant Civic Auditorium from 1931, alongside modern exhibition and conference spaces. Conveniently located near Pasadena's attractions, shops, and restaurants, it's perfect for various events.

Meeting Rooms - 39

Largest Room Capacity - 7,500

Total Exhibit Space - 224,000 sq ft

Unique Attributes - A waterfront location along the Pacific Coast, the Long Beach Convention Center provides a gorgeous setting for events. Flexible meeting and exhibit spaces that can accommodate large-scale conventions, trade shows, and conferences makes this venue a versatile choice. State-of-the-art amenities and customizable layouts make this a highly desirable venue for creating memorable experiences.

Meeting Rooms - 15

Largest Room Capacity - 2,800

Total Event Space - 77,145 sq ft

Unique Attributes - Situated in the heart of Downtown L.A.'s thriving entertainment district, the JW Marriott L.A. LIVE offers a dynamic setting for events. Known for it’s famous Diamond Ballroom with 28-foot ceilings, this venue is an ideal setting for high-class events. This venue boasts impeccable service and hardworking staff that are sure to make your event process seamless.

Meeting Rooms - 23

Largest Room Capacity - 2,800

Total Event Space - 73,430 sq ft

Unique Attributes - Known for having amazing hospitality service, located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. Sleek and sophisticated for luxury stays and conferences. One of the busiest hotels year round, there are activities for every walk of life. The Ritz Carlton is known for providing luxury events and weddings in Los Angeles for all kinds of services. With plenty of event spaces, this venue can certainly tackle all of your needs and even hads floor plan examples to help further ease your planning process.

Meeting Rooms - 14

Largest Room Capacity - 1,868

Total Event Space - 23,542 sq ft

Unique Attributes - With both indoor and outdoor event spaces, lush gardens and sun-drenched terraces, the possibilities at this venue are endless. Hand-crafted Italian chandeliers and a sweeping staircase create an elegant and artistic event space. This venue has the largest ballroom in West Los Angeles, world class catering, and a dedicated team making this a popular choice for events.

Meeting Rooms - 35

Largest Room Capacity - 3,054

Total Event Space - 45,091 sq ft

Unique Attributes - Known for exceptional event planning services and cutting-edge audiovisual capabilities, this venue will ensure your event runs smoothly. A skilled culinary team provides high quality customized catering options. Fast, reliable internet and Wi-Fi access across the entire event space are definitely a standout feature when it comes to this venue.

Finding the Best Venue in Los Angeles

With so many venues to choose from, it’s important to consider all aspects to ensure that you can make the most informed decision. Just because the Los Angeles Convention Center is the most popular venue for expos and conventions doesn’t necessarily mean that the other venues mentioned won’t work just as well, if not better for your event. At the end of the day, it really comes down to finding that perfect fit for your specific needs and vision. The key is to do your research and be open-minded about all the possibilities this city has to offer. Don't just automatically default to the biggest name. Look deeper into details like catering options, meeting room layouts, and amenities. That hidden gem venue could potentially provide way more value and flexibility tailored to your convention's requirements. Explore all your options, ask lots of questions, and think outside the box.