Explore Pasadena Like a Local - Matt Hourihan

My role as Senior Sales Manager with the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and Pasadena Convention Center is to keep the seats full in the civic auditorium, convention center meeting rooms, and to keep the exhibit halls thriving with attendees. There is a very satisfying ripple effect that each graduation, TV show, concert, holiday show, meeting and convention has on our workers, local restaurants, hotels, and parking facilities.

Pasadena is a bike-friendly destination and riding my bike past some incredible historic homes on the way to work is a great way to start each day. Old Pasadena is convenient for all our attendees. Having it so close to the convention center is a huge selling tool.

For those looking to visit, my wife, Gwen, and I love Old Pasadena’s Melting Pot Food Tours. We used it for our 25th-anniversary celebration where we brought seven couples from all over LA County through Old Pasadena’s culture, architectural history, and amazing local independent restaurants. We sat with different people at each restaurant and we highly recommend it for 2 to 14 people. Europane Bakery is close to the convention center and everything is good there. You pay in advance and leave when you want. Get the egg salad sandwich! Lastly, you have to visit Roma Market. It is within walking distance of our home and it has the best sandwich in town. The owner is Rosario Mazzero who was born in Italy, and he is there before 5 am building hundreds of sandwiches on freshly baked bread, with Italian meats, provolone cheese, and his special olive oil. It’s the best deal in town.

Matt Hourihan
Senior Sales Manager