Where Inspiration Meets Innovation: Pasadena Science and Tech Meetings

At its core, Pasadena is a science city. Here, intellectual capital thrives alongside revered institutions such as the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), as well as a growing hub for innovation.

Pair that with the highest Downtown walkability score in SoCal, pristine tree-lined streets, 300 days of year-round sunshine, and endlessly charming off-site attractions and dining, and it’s easy to see why Pasadena is regarded as the epicenter for discovery — and for hosting inspirational science and tech meetings.

Discover all the City of Roses has to offer for your next conference, symposium or meeting of the minds.

Pasadena has long been the place for the best and brightest minds to meet, convene and innovate, from Einstein to Carl Sagan to Bill Nye. Our city has been home to some of the world’s most significant scientific and technological breakthroughs, including space exploration at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and cutting-edge innovations from Caltech.

According to The City of Pasadena’s Economic Development Center, the town is now home to more than 300 tech and science companies bolstered by innovative industry partners, including IdeaLab and Biocom California. The city is committed to growing the bioscience industry, and bioscience companies that come here can take advantage of a collaborative ecosystem that “accelerates their speed to market and supports end-to-end discovery,” according to the economic development center.

Our destination is also home to the City of Pasadena’s “Build it in Pasadena” campaign, launched in early 2025, which was designed to showcase Pasadena as an ideal setting for companies tackling big technological and scientific challenges in the deep tech space.

According to Pasadena Today, our city is experiencing significant growth in the tech and bioscience industries, with new and innovative companies fueling development, including: Prenuvo, a high-tech medical imaging provider, that recently opened and offers in-demand full-body MRI scans, Keck Medicine of USC’s upcoming outpatient facility offering cutting-edge tech in cardiology, oncology, and orthopedics with bio-guided radiation therapy, and Pasadena-based AI company Virtualitics which launched a Generative AI Toolkit for defense decision-making and logistics operations.

Businesses like these continue to fuel the City of Roses’ reputation as a hub of innovation and groundbreaking discovery. Pasadena positions your meeting near critical institutions that support and elevate research and development, and your attendees have access to tap into all of these offerings when meeting here.

Located just 12 miles outside of LA, Pasadena’s access is just as important as its intellectual capital. With four airports nearby, your attendees have options to easily fly in for their next-gen science and tech meeting or conference.

Once your attendees have arrived, our streamlined transportation services make it easier — and more sustainable — than ever to get to Pasadena’s group hotels and venues.

When it comes to choosing your conference venue, the GBAC Star-accredited Pasadena Convention Center (PCC) is located in the heart of Downtown Pasadena. This LEED Gold-certified center is primed for convenience, comfort, and connections.

PCC Meeting Specs & Amenities

Guest Rooms (local area) ~2,700 hotel rooms, with 1,650 within walking distance

Meeting Rooms 25–29 breakout/meeting rooms

Total Meeting Space 268,587 sq. ft.

Largest Meeting Space Exhibit Hall A & B combined: 53,406 sq. ft.

Largest Ballroom Grand Ballroom: 25,000 sq. ft.

Auditorium Capacity 3,000 seats (for performances/general sessions)

Outdoor Space ~22,000 sq. ft.

Beyond the PCC, our destination boasts more than 2,700 hotel rooms — 1,650 of them within walking distance. Many of our hotels come with meetings space for a self-contained event that’s hassle-free for your attendees. To explore our hotels, uncover the full list.

And for pre- and post-meeting activities, there’s plenty to do, see and eat. With over 650+ restaurants (more per capita than NYC!), from budget-friendly brunch to the Boba Trail to group-friendly, Michelin-rated dining, attendees will get a well-rounded taste of our international cuisine. Between meals, take a pop-culture film tour of your attendees’ favorite movie and TV locations (think Back to the Future and The Big Bang Theory), go luxury shopping, or walk the vibrant hiking trails in The Arroyo Seco terrain.

Groups will never get bored exploring our city after a long day of mind-expanding innovation.

If the PCC isn’t your vibe, plan off-site conferences, meetings, and events at our unique special event venues, designed around education, discovery and innovation. Many of these venues offer unique architectural and historic features, allowing your attendees to soak in the intellectual offerings shared by some of the world’s brightest minds. Plus, enjoy Pasadena’s 300 days of sunshine throughout the year by meeting in the variety of green spaces at each location. Check out these options for attendees:

Explore more of these unique venues, perfect for hosting science and tech meetings and conferences.

For science and tech groups focused on sustainability, Pasadena is equipped to turn your meetings green.

The Pasadena Convention Center is designed to operate 32% more efficiently than California’s energy standards, utilizing automated, high-efficiency lighting and motion-sensor technology in offices and restrooms. It features low-flow toilets and drought-resistant landscaping, achieving a 20% reduction in water consumption compared to standard requirements.

The facility also implements a mixed recycling and organic waste program, along with filtered water stations, an on-site herb and vegetable garden for catering, and donation coordination for excess food and materials to reduce waste.

Downtown Pasadena has a Walk Score® of 90, making it the most walkable city in Southern California — more walkable than NYC! In addition, public transit subsidies and EV charging stations round out the city's dedication to sustainability and its effort to host environmentally-friendly meetings and events.

Discover how the city promotes eco-friendly meetings through sustainable food practices, energy reduction, and more.

The Visit Pasadena team is ready to help you plan your science or tech meeting. Reach out to our team for free planning assistance or submit your RFP to get started.