The San Diego Convention Center from Across the Street
The convention center hosts dozens of events each year that vary from specific ones like the American Library Association Annual Conference to popular ones for the general public like the San Diego Fall Home Show 2024, and so many more!
If you’re planning to visit San Diego, consider checking out the upcoming conventions and other events before you go so you can plan your itinerary around them.
Comic Con Museum in Balboa Park
Comic-Con
Comic-Con is one of the most notable conventions nationwide, so it’s no surprise that it’s also a point of interest for the convention center. With thousands of attendees every year, Comic-Con is the largest annual gathering hosted by the San Diego Convention Center, and it’s an experience that can’t be missed for lovers of all things pop culture.
Despite its name, Comic-Con is about much more than comics. It also includes panels and guest appearances from popular actors, plenty of TV and movie news, and official and fan-made merchandise of all manner of pop culture properties for sale.
Many attendees choose to dress up in cosplay for the occasion, so it’s not unusual to see people striking poses and taking pictures around the convention center in addition to the more structured panels.
Comic-Con International 2024 runs from July 25-28th. If you aren’t visiting San Diego during the event, the Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park is a year-round opportunity I’d personally recommend to experience all things Comics!
Exhibit Hall a at the San Diego Convention Center
Other Conventions and Expos
Comic-Con is far from the only fun convention to be held in San Diego. Many other conventions from industry giants as well as more niche groups have hosted their events at the convention center, and crowds are drawn to the space throughout the year.
The San Diego Convention Center has hosted everything from American Kennel Club consumer shows to the video game and streamer-centric TwitchCon. These events range from informative to entertaining and everything in between.
Some of the biggest events, conferences, and more hitting the exhibit hall in 2024 include:
- San Diego Comic-Con International 2024: July 25th-28th
- American Association of Nurse Anesthetists: August 2nd-6th
- Brick Fest Live San Diego: August 24th-25th
- International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer: September 7th-10th
- Twitchcon 2024: September 20th-22nd
- Art San Diego 2024: November 1st-3rd
- 66th Annual American Society of Hematology (ASH) Meeting & Exposition: December 7th-10th
- San Diego International Auto Show 2024: December 28th-January 1st
Many of these events have projected attendee numbers in the tens of thousands, helping to solidify the San Diego Convention Center as one of the most well-known event venues in the United States.
Trade Shows
While many conventions are primarily about ensuring attendees have a good time, the convention center also hosts multiple industry trade shows throughout the year. These shows are just as varied as other events held in the building, and they often have thousands of attendees looking to learn more about their niche and to network with professionals.
Some trade shows are private events, with admission only offered to those in a certain company or other group. Others are open to the public, though there may still be an admission fee.
Hall B at the San Diego Convention Center
Facilities at the San Diego Convention Center
The San Diego Convention Center is a popular choice for expos and trade shows alike in part because of its many facilities and excellent array of convenient services.
There are seven different exhibit halls, over 70 meeting rooms, and two large ballrooms. On top of this, the convention center also includes the sails pavilion, a glass-enclosed space with sweeping views, and waterfront outdoor courtyards.
Venue Services
The convention center features an impressive team of supportive staff for all events. Guest Services can help you navigate events, cleaning services keep the space tidy, and an in-house security team ensures events are as safe as possible.
Building Amenities
San Diego Convention Center offers a wide range of amenities to make your experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. As part of health protocols, Starbucks, Mrs. Fields, Café Express and retail bars are 100% cashless.