Exhibitor guide · Anaheim, California
Anaheim Convention Center: the exhibitor's guide
The largest convention center on the West Coast, 1.8 million square feet a short walk from Disneyland, and a specific, well-documented rule about exactly when your crew needs union labor. What exhibitors need before, during and after a show in Anaheim.
ACC · 800 W Katella AveWhy this page exists
Anaheim's self-install rule is unusually specific compared to most convention centers: the Greater Los Angeles/Orange County trade agreement spells out that any installation requiring hand tools, more than one person, more than 30 minutes, or exceeding 10 feet in any direction must be union labor. That's a real, checkable threshold, not a vague guideline, and we built a tool below so you can check your own booth against it before you show up. This guide also covers the exhibit halls, drayage, the shows calendar led by Natural Products Expo West and the NAMM Show, hotels in the Anaheim Resort District, and the center's history from a 1967 opening to its role as an unofficial extension of Disneyland's convention business.
The building
The exhibit halls
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halls A–D | The original exhibit halls, expanded over decades. | Large trade shows | Confirm current hall configuration for your show. |
| Hall E | Added in the 2017 expansion, roughly 200,000 sq ft. | Large trade shows, overflow | Newest, most flexible hall. |
| Grand Plaza | Outdoor event space added in the 2017 expansion. | Receptions, activations | Weather-dependent; check power and rigging access. |
| Arena | Historic circular arena, part of the original 1967 complex. | General sessions, concerts | Distinct rigging rules from the exhibit halls. |
| 100+ meeting rooms | Across the campus. | Breakouts, association meetings | Hand-carry and tabletop formats. |
Figures from the Anaheim Convention Center's published facility overview and Visit Anaheim.
Free tool
Can I build my own booth in Anaheim?
The Greater LA/Orange County trade show agreement sets a specific, documented threshold: installation requiring hand tools, more than one person, more than 30 minutes, or exceeding 10 feet in any direction must be union labor. Answer honestly below.
History
From 1967 to the Grand Plaza
The Anaheim Convention Center opens, anchored by a distinctive circular arena, a few miles from Disneyland, which had opened in 1955.
Multiple expansions add exhibit halls as Southern California's convention business grows alongside Disneyland's own tourism draw.
A major expansion adds Hall E, roughly 200,000 sq ft, and the outdoor Grand Plaza event space, pushing the total campus past 1.8 million square feet and cementing its position as the largest convention center on the West Coast.
The Anaheim Resort District has grown up around the center, giving exhibitors a dense walkable radius of hotels between the convention center and Disneyland.
Rules of the floor
Rules of the floor
Hand tools / 2 people / 30 min / 10 ft
The Greater LA/Orange County agreement's threshold, use the checker above.
West Coast union rates
Planning rates around $170–180 per hundredweight, 200 lb minimum.
Anaheim Fire & Rescue
Covered and multilevel exhibits need plan review; flame-certified fabrics required.
Center-exclusive services
Electrical, rigging, internet, cleaning are exclusive to ACC or its designated providers; the show kit carries the current list.
Empties and the MHA
EMPTY stickers on unpack; MHA before leaving.
Free tool
Anaheim drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Deadlines
Freight countdown for an ACC show
The calendar
Shows at the ACC
| Show | Next dates | Industry | Attendance | Purple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Products Expo West | March 2027 | Natural products, wellness | 65,000 | Custom exhibits |
| The NAMM Show | January 2027 | Music products | 50,000 | 10×20 rentals |
Attendance figures from organizer/trade press where published; dates as announced in 2026, confirm before booking.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: John Wayne (SNA) is about 20 minutes; LAX is about 40–60 minutes depending on traffic.
- By car: I-5 runs directly past the convention center.
- Walking: the Anaheim Resort District puts dozens of hotels within a 10–15 minute walk.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Southern California crews for ACC installs.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim Marriott, Hilton Anaheim | Walking distance | Connected or adjacent to the convention center. |
| Resort District hotels | 10–15-min walk | Wide range of price points near Disneyland. |
| Hotels near John Wayne Airport | 20-min drive | Fly-in exhibitors on early or late flights. |
Resources
Free resources you can link to
Cite the numbers
One-page cheat sheet
Self-install thresholds, docks, deadlines.
Questions
Anaheim Convention Center FAQ
Can I set up my own booth in Anaheim?
Only if it needs no hand tools, one person can do it, it takes under 30 minutes, and no dimension exceeds 10 feet. Use the checker above.
How big is the ACC?
1.8 million square feet total, including 815,000 square feet of exhibit space, the largest convention center on the West Coast.
How far is Disneyland?
About a 10-minute walk from the convention center, which is part of why the Anaheim Resort District has so many hotels within walking distance.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $170–180 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
Which airport should I use?
John Wayne (SNA) is closest at about 20 minutes; LAX is 40–60 minutes depending on traffic.
How much exhibit space is there?
815,000 square feet within 1.8 million sq ft, the largest convention center on the West Coast.
What did the 2017 expansion add?
Hall E and the Grand Plaza.
Exhibiting at the ACC?
Send us the show and booth number. You get a self-install eligibility check, a drayage estimate, and a build timeline within two business days.
Venue guides
Every venue we have a guide for
Same standard, every hall: the building, the rules, the tools and the calendar.