The Riverside Convention Center is a 225,000-square-foot event venue in Riverside, California, featuring 36 meeting rooms and a 15,000-seat outdoor amphitheater. The facility hosts conventions, trade shows, concerts, and community events.
The center opened in 1975 and underwent major renovations in 2008. It connects directly to the Riverside Marriott Hotel, providing 400 rooms for attendees. The venue's flexible layout accommodates events,000 people.
| Space | Capacity | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Ballroom | 2,500 | Divisible into 3 sections, stage access |
| Amphitheater | 15,000 | Outdoor seating, lawn area |
| Meeting Rooms | 50-300 | 36 rooms, audiovisual equipment |
The venue hosts major events like the Riverside County Fair and the Riverside International Film Festival. It's also a popular concert destination, with past performers including Elton John and The Eagles.
In 2019, the center implemented a sustainability program, diverting 80% of waste from landfills during large events through recycling and composting initiatives.
The center sits near downtown Riverside, within 60 miles of Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Bernardino. It offers easy access to major highways and is served by the Riverside Metrolink station.
Nearby attractions include the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, the California Museum of Photography, and the historic downtown pedestrian mall. The location makes it ideal for combining business events with leisure activities.
One unique feature is the amphitheater's design, which incorporates natural acoustics through its terraced seating and strategic placement of trees to reduce wind noise - a detail I noticed during a sound check for an outdoor concert.
The venue meets all ADA requirements, with wheelchair-accessible entrances, restrooms, and seating areas throughout. It provides assistive listening devices and sign language interpreters upon request.
According to the Convention Industry Council, accessible facilities like this one contribute to the $1.07 trillion annual impact of meetings, conventions, and exhibitions on the U.S. economy.