Anaheim, CA – The awkwardly named Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau today shed that moniker in favor of the more modern and descriptive “Visit Anaheim.” The new name was officially adopted In a launch in New York City, along with a new logo that embraces Anaheim and Orange County’s history and attractions, including a palm tree and an iconic Disney symbol. Visit Anaheim’s president and CEO Jay Burress called the new name and logo something that “travel enthusiasts and conventioneers can easily find and understand.”
Anaheim ranks second in population among Orange County’s 30+ cities and has been the cornerstone of the trade show, convention and tourist market since the 1950s. It hosts major trade shows and many of the Trade Show Executive Gold 100 shows: The NAMM Show, Natural Products Expo West, Medical Design & Manufacturing and the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition.
NEW BRAND IS UNVEILED IN NEW YORK AND ANAHEIM
The CVB unveiled the new brand in New York City’s Flatiron district today with the skills of 3D pavement artist Joe Hill. Three large, interactive 3D illustrations were installed in front of the Flatiron Building (175 5th Ave.) where passersby were encouraged to jump into the artwork, capture and share their favorite snapshot.
In less than 24 hours, the installations will be moved to the Center Street Promenade in downtown Anaheim as part of a community-wide celebration. Local area residents, retailers, business owners, community members and tourism ambassadors will hear Visit Anaheim’s Jay Burress, president & CEO, introduce the new brand and the future path of the destination. The CVB will also give prizes via Instagram to people eager to Visit Anaheim (#VisitAnaheim).
ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER’S AMBITIOUS EXPANSION PLANS
Ground was broken on April 21 for the 7th expansion of the Anaheim Convention Center, already the largest trade show venue in Southern California. The target date for completion is Summer 2017. The plan calls for the addition of 200,000 square feet (sf) of flex space, which will help address increased demand for meeting space. Half of the new space will be column-free and ceilings will stretch 25 feet high. The plan also includes new loading docks, a pedestrian walkway and 10,000 sf of balcony function space. Another 1,350 parking spaces will be created to replace the parking garage that was torn down to make way for the new expansion.
The $180 million project will be funded with the help of a 2% addition to the city’s hotel room tax. This is the seventh time the center has been expanded since it opened in 1967.
The center currently provides 813,000 sf of prime exhibit space, which places it 15th on the Trade Show Executive World’s Top Convention Centers (WTCC) rankings. Anaheim leads the Southern California market in prime exhibit space, although the Los Angeles Convention Center (18th on the WTCC) and San Diego Convention Center (22nd on the WTCC) both have major expansion plans in the works.
Reach Jay Burress at (714) 765-8840 or jburress@anaheimoc.org; Anaheim Convention Center Manager David Meek at (714) 765-8951 or dmeek@anaheim.net
