Return of Small Meetings and Events

April 16, 2021

Starting April 15, the Pasadena Convention Center and Civic Auditorium can begin welcoming small gatherings, private meetings and events with risk reduction measures following Governor Newsom’s announcement earlier this month.

Exhibit Hall and Ballroom Plaza

“After over a year of closure, we are thrilled to resume meetings and events safely in Pasadena,” said Jeanne Goldschmidt, executive director of the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Meetings and events mean more business, jobs and direct spending throughout Pasadena. And this is just the start. We are optimistic that conditions will continue to improve so we can expand business meetings, conventions and tradeshows starting June 15.”

Business meetings, trade shows and conventions are a major sector of California’s economy which accounted for $66.1 billion in direct spending and 457,000 jobs in 2019 according to studies by Oxford Economics released in October 2020.

California revised its Blueprint for a Safer Economy to allow additional activities with modifications to reduce risk. Updates to gatherings, receptions, conferences, and indoor live events and performances are effective April 15. Additionally, Governor Gavin Newsom released the Beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy reopening plan, projecting all industries across the state to return to full operations on June 15, provided risk reduction measures are taken. The guidance allows for gatherings up to 5,000 people, which aligns with the science and the CDC’s assessment that it is safe for vaccinated individuals to travel.

“The Pasadena Convention Center is prepared to host events and welcome guests back safely,” said Naz Sabripour, executive director of the Pasadena Convention Center. “We have implemented stringent health and safety protocols and achieved the GBAC STAR accreditation, the gold standard for prepared facilities.”

Learn more about the GBAC STAR accreditation and the health and safety protocols, at PasadenaCenter.com.

About the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau is a non-profit marketing organization dedicated to promoting Pasadena as a leading meeting, convention and leisure travel destination. For more information, go to www.VisitPasadena.com. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at @VisitPasadena.

About the Pasadena Convention Center


The Pasadena Convention Center is the premier meetings, entertainment, and events venue in the heart of Pasadena. The 130,000 sq. ft. venue accommodates meetings of all sizes with spacious exhibit halls, an expansive ballroom and over a dozen breakout rooms. The Pasadena Convention Center is proud to be a LEED Gold certified and GBAC Star accredited facility. It is professionally managed by the Pasadena Center Operating Company. In recent years, the Pasadena Convention Center has averaged over 300 events and attracted over 350,000 attendees. For more information, visit www.PasadenaCenter.com.