Exhibitor guide · Long Beach, California
Long Beach Convention Center: the exhibitor's guide
A waterfront campus next to the Queen Mary, a 1930s Art Deco arena at its core, and a favorite of e-commerce and creator-economy shows looking for a smaller, less crowded alternative to LA or Anaheim. What exhibitors need to know.
300 E Ocean Blvd, on the Long Beach waterfront next to the RMS Queen Mary.
Hero photo: "Long Beach Convention Center" by Clotee Pridgen Allochuku, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr. Source
Why this page exists
Long Beach has become the default answer for organizers who want the Southern California market without LA or Anaheim's larger crowds and higher costs, and the waterfront setting next to the Queen Mary gives it a different character from the other California centers on this list. This guide covers the exhibit buildings, California's union labor rules, drayage, the shows calendar led by VidCon and e-commerce conferences, hotels along the Pine Avenue corridor, and the campus's history from a 1930s Art Deco auditorium to today's three-building complex.
The building
The buildings
| Building | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Beach Arena | Circular arena rebuilt on the site of the original 1932 Municipal Auditorium after a 1970s reconstruction. | Large trade shows, general sessions | Confirm rigging points; distinct from the rectangular exhibit halls. |
| Long Beach Convention Center (exhibit halls) | The main rectangular exhibit space, part of the 1994 complex. | Trade shows, expos | Standard exhibit-hall rigging and loading. |
| Pacific Ballroom | Waterfront ballroom space. | Galas, general sessions | Ocean views; verify load-in access for large builds. |
Figures from the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center's published facility overview.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
California is not a right-to-work state. Long Beach's convention center uses union labor for booth installation, drayage and rigging, ordered through the show's official contractor.
Union installation
Standard union jurisdiction for installation and dismantling.
Drayage
Union labor through the official contractor.
Exhibitor-appointed contractors
Purple files as your EAC for Long Beach shows.
History
From the Art Deco auditorium to today
The Long Beach Municipal Auditorium, an Art Deco landmark seating up to 8,000 in its exhibition-hall configuration, opens on the waterfront and anchors the city's civic and event life for decades.
The original Municipal Auditorium is damaged and eventually replaced; the site becomes the current Long Beach Arena.
The modern Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center complex is completed, joining the Arena with new exhibit halls and the Pacific Ballroom into the three-building campus exhibitors use today.
Long Beach becomes a go-to venue for e-commerce, creator-economy and technology conferences, including VidCon, drawn by its waterfront setting and lower costs relative to LA and Anaheim.
Free tool
Long Beach drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
The calendar
Shows in Long Beach
| Show | Next dates | Industry | Attendance | Purple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VidCon | Summer 2027 | Creator economy, digital media | 75,000 | Custom exhibits |
Attendance figures from organizer/trade press where published; confirm before booking.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: Long Beach Airport (LGB) is about 10 minutes; LAX is 30–45 minutes depending on traffic.
- Walking: the Pine Avenue corridor and waterfront hotels are both within a 10–15 minute walk.
- By car: I-710 and I-405 both reach downtown Long Beach.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Southern California crews for Long Beach installs.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Hyatt Regency Long Beach, Westin Long Beach | Walking distance | Closest waterfront towers to the center. |
| Pine Avenue corridor hotels | 10–15-min walk | Restaurants and nightlife nearby. |
| Hotels near LGB or LAX | 10–45-min drive | Fly-in exhibitors depending on airport choice. |
Questions
Long Beach Convention Center FAQ
Is this near the Queen Mary?
Yes, the RMS Queen Mary is docked directly across the harbor from the convention center, a short walk or shuttle ride away.
Can I set up my own booth?
Long Beach runs a union floor; installation and dismantling are union work under the show's contractor agreements.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $170 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
Which airport should I use?
Long Beach Airport (LGB) is about 10 minutes away and often less congested than LAX, which is 30–45 minutes depending on traffic.
How much exhibit space is there?
225,000 square feet within 415,000 sq ft on the waterfront.
When did the current complex open?
1994, on a campus whose original Municipal Auditorium dates to 1932.
Exhibiting in Long Beach?
Send us the show and booth number. You get a union-labor briefing, a drayage estimate, and a build timeline within two business days.
Purple in California
Exhibiting in California? Purple builds, ships and installs nationwide.
Custom and rental booths, install & dismantle crews and show services, delivered to any hall in California.
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Same standard, every hall: the building, the rules, the tools and the calendar.