California is not a right-to-work state. Team San Jose lists Teamsters Local 287 for freight, Sign & Display Local 510 for booth work, IATSE Local 134 for AV and IBEW Local 332 for electrical.
Exhibitor guide · San Jose, CA · Updated
San Jose McEnery Convention Center Exhibitor Guide
Also known as San Jose Convention Center and SJCC
Downtown San Jose's convention center has three exhibit halls of 143,000 sq ft, a light rail stop at the front door and two hotels joined to the building. In 2027 it takes the biggest Silicon Valley shows: NVIDIA GTC, DAC, SPIE lithography and AI Infra Summit. Its union rules draw the self-setup line at 30 minutes, no tools and 10 feet.
- 3,000+ exhibitors served
- 10,000+ booths built
- 2 days to a design brief
Photo: the main entrance and its tile mural. “San Jose McEnery Convention Center” by cathleenemily, CC BY 2.0. Source
- 143,000sq ft in exhibit Halls 1, 2 and 3
- ~80010×10 booths with all three halls
- 32 ftceiling in Halls 1 to 3
- 35,194sq ft Grand Ballroom, added in 2013
- 43breakout rooms across the building
- 2hotels joined to the center: Marriott and Hilton
Quick answers
What exhibitors ask about the San Jose McEnery Convention Center
The published San Jose rules require union labor if the job needs hand tools, more than one person, more than 30 minutes, or is over 10 ft in any direction.
A GES San Jose kit allows what one person can carry in one trip, without dollies or hand trucks. Anything more goes through the dock.
That is Team San Jose's current spec sheet; older plans said 30 ft. The Grand Ballroom runs from about 15 to 28 ft. Booths over 12 ft need approval.
Only at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose Convention Center union rules: can my own staff do this?
San Jose's published rules add a size test that many cities do not have: anything over 10 ft in any direction needs union labor, even if one person could build it. Check each job against this table, then confirm with your show kit.
| Job | Your staff? | The rule |
|---|---|---|
| Unpack and place products you make | Yes | Full-time staff may lay out and assemble products they manufacture. |
| Set up a small display | Yes, if… | One person, under 30 minutes, no tools, and no more than 10 ft in any direction. |
| Anything needing hand tools | No | Sign & Display Local 510 installs it. |
| Two people, or over 30 minutes | No | The 30 minutes include crating and uncrating. |
| A 10×20 inline or larger | No | Over 10 ft in one direction means union install. |
| Hand-carry freight | Yes, if… | One person, one trip, no dollies or hand trucks. |
| Booth lights and power | Plug-in only | IBEW Local 332 does any wiring. One kit allowed up to four arm lights. |
| Supervise the crew | Yes | One full-time company employee may supervise the union crew. |
Sources: "Union Rules and Regulations @ San Jose Convention Center" (2016) and the GES exhibitor manual for a 2018 San Jose show. These are the newest public versions we found; your show kit may differ.
The building
Downtown San Jose's tech show hall since 1989
The city opened the center in 1989 to bring conventions downtown, and grew it in 2013 with a new ballroom and glass front facing the city.
- 1989The San Jose Convention Center opens downtown. Apple holds its developer conference here until 2002.
- 1991It is renamed for former mayor Tom McEnery.
- 2004FanimeCon moves in; it is still here in 2027.
- 2005The temporary South Hall is built a block away, adding 80,000 sq ft.
- 2010Team San Jose lets contractors use Teamsters Local 85 as well as Local 287 for freight.
- 2013An expansion opens in October with the 35,194 sq ft Grand Ballroom, a renovated Executive Ballroom and LEED Silver certification.
- 2017Apple's developer conference returns for three years.
- 2027DAC holds its first San Jose edition, and AI Infra Summit and IoT Tech Expo arrive from Santa Clara.
Photos: "SANY1102 (Large)" by Hikaru Kazushime, CC BY-SA 2.0 Source · "Public Market Entrance, San Pedro Square, San Jose" by willbuckner, CC BY 2.0 Source · "Concessions" by John Loo, CC BY 2.0 Source
Floor plan & exhibit halls
San Jose McEnery Convention Center floor plan: Halls 1, 2 and 3
The three halls sit in a row on the concourse level, about 600 ft long and 270 ft deep when combined, with the truck docks along the back. Together they hold about 800 10×10 booths. The diagram shows the three halls, their 32 ft ceiling against the 12 ft approval line, and which dock bays serve each hall.
- Hall boundary; the three halls combine
- 32 ft ceiling
Schematic, not to scale: hall widths follow floor area, and hall sizes come from Team San Jose's floor plan and specs sheet. Dock bay numbers are from the 2017 Facilities Users Guide; the ballrooms, South Hall and hotels are not drawn where they really sit. Official floor plans are on sanjose.org.
| Hall | Floor area | Size | Ceiling | 10×10 booths | Dock bays (2017) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 43,000 sq ft | 200′ × 212′ | 32 ft | 230 | 7–9 |
| 2 | 50,000 sq ft | 235′ × 210′ | 32 ft | 290 | 4–6 |
| 3 | 50,000 sq ft | 270′ × 179′ | 32 ft | 280 | 1–3 |
- 1 to 3143,000 sq ft · about 800 booths · 32 ft
- Contiguousup to 165,000 sq ft of exhibit space, per Team San Jose
Older plans list the hall ceiling at 30 ft; Team San Jose's current spec sheet says 32 ft. Booths over 12 ft need approval. Bay 10 serves the Executive Ballroom and bay 11 is for receiving.
35,194sq ft Grand Ballroom, added in 2013 · 3,900 theater seats · its own dock on San Carlos Street
22,000sq ft Executive Ballroom · 29 ft ceiling · 8 sections · up to 107 booths
24,218sq ft in lower-level rooms LL20 and LL21, 14–16 ft ceilings, for light exhibits
43breakout rooms across the building
South Halla separate temporary hall at 435 S Market St, built in 2005 and still booked for some 2026 events
Loading dock & move-in
San Jose McEnery Convention Center loading dock and freight
Get directions to San Jose McEnery Convention Center →
- Main dock410 Almaden Blvd, along the back of Halls 1 to 3. Team San Jose's 2017 user guide lists bays 1–3 for Hall 3, 4–6 for Hall 2, 7–9 for Hall 1, 10 for the Executive Ballroom and 11 for receiving. Your event manager assigns bays.
- Grand Ballroom dockTwo bays off San Carlos Street that take two 53 ft trailers side by side. Trailers must move after unloading; no overnight parking.
- Small vehiclesGES offered a cartload service at a 2018 San Jose show: up to 8 pieces under 200 lb, from vehicles under one ton, unloaded at the hall dock. Check your kit for the current version.
- No freight to the buildingThe center does not accept freight for exhibitors and has no storage. Ship to your decorator's warehouse or direct to the show at the dock address.
- Elevators and garageThe 2017 guide bans freight on passenger elevators and lists the garage clearance at 6′8″. Plan carts, not vans, for the garage.
- Day −60Booth over 12 ft, or a hanging sign? Submit drawings for approval; rigging is union labor.
- Day −45Booth internet ordered from Team San Jose Tech Services before its incentive-rate deadline.
- Day −35Labor ordered for anything over 10 ft or needing tools. Power ordered from the show's electrical contractor.
- Day −21Purple ships to San Jose through our carrier network. Freight lands at the advance warehouse by its deadline.
- Day 0Trucks to 410 Almaden Blvd, or San Carlos Street for the Grand Ballroom. Staff in by light rail.
- Show +1Move-out. Nothing stays behind; there is no storage on site.
Labor & union rules
San Jose McEnery Convention Center labor: unions and exclusives
California is not a right-to-work state. Team San Jose, which runs the center for the city, publishes a list of union jurisdictions. Since 2010 contractors may hire freight labor from Teamsters Local 287 or Local 85, instead of 287 alone. Team San Jose also keeps internet and catering in-house.
✓Your full-time staff
- Lay out and assemble products you manufacture
- Set up a display if one person can do it in under 30 minutes, with no tools, and it is no more than 10 ft in any direction
- Hand-carry what one person can bring in one trip, without wheels
- Plug in booth lights and equipment
- One employee may supervise the union crew
●Union labor and exclusives
- Teamsters Local 287 (or Local 85): freight handling
- Sign & Display Local 510: booth install and dismantle, signs, banners, exhibit rigging
- IATSE Local 134: staging, lighting, sound, AV and rigging
- IBEW Local 332: electrical; Edlen is listed for power at 2025–26 shows
- Team San Jose Tech Services: exclusive internet
- Team San Jose: exclusive food and beverage
!Never allowed
- Dollies or hand trucks for hand-carry (GES kit)
- Freight on passenger elevators
- Freight shipped to the center itself
- Stick-on decals
- Booths over 12 ft without approval
- Outside food and drink
Background photo: "San Jose McEnery Convention Center" by Dvortygirl, CC BY-SA 2.0 Source
Free tool · plan your San Jose budget
San Jose McEnery Convention Center drayage and show budget estimator
Pick a booth size and type to get planning numbers for shipping weight, drayage at about $160 per hundredweight, and installation and dismantling (I&D) labor. Every number is a Purple planning estimate, not a quote. The newest public San Jose tariff we found is from 2018: GES charged $108.25 per cwt crated to the warehouse and $96 direct to the show, at straight time. We found no published San Jose I&D labor rate, and your general contractor's show kit carries the actual tariff. See all venues on the drayage rates page.
The fields below fill in from size and type. Change any of them.
Purple planning estimate · not a quote
Drayage + I&D labor, San Jose
$5,090 – $8,680- Shipping weight planning estimate
- 1,800 lbs
- Drayage planning estimate
- $2,880
- I&D labor hours planning estimate
- 16 – 28 hrs
- I&D labor planning estimate
- $2,210 – $5,800
18 cwt at $160 per 100 lbs. Labor at $138–$207 per hour, straight time.
Get a real San Jose quoteHow these planning numbers work
- Shipping weight: about 6 lbs per sq ft for a rental booth, 9 for custom or hybrid, 12 for fully custom, crated, with graphics and furniture.
- Drayage: $160 per 100 lbs (cwt), Purple's San Jose planning rate, with a 200 lb minimum. Loose or pad-wrapped freight adds 30%.
- I&D labor hours: install plus dismantle, 0.06–0.10 person-hours per sq ft for rental, 0.08–0.14 for custom or hybrid, 0.12–0.20 for fully custom.
- Labor rate: $138–$207 per person-hour, straight time, a planning range from published 2026 show labor rates elsewhere. No San Jose rate is published, and overtime costs more.
- Own staff: only if this venue's rules and your show kit let your own full-time staff set up (see the labor section above). Then, I&D labor drops to $0 here.
- Not included: booth space, the exhibit itself, freight to San Jose, power and internet orders, rigging, travel and tax.
San Jose notes: California is not a right-to-work state, and the center is a union building. Its published rules (2016) let your staff set up only a display that one person can put up in under 30 minutes, including crating, with no hand tools and no more than 10 ft in any direction, so a 10×20 or larger needs Sign & Display Local 510 labor. Plan $0 labor only for that kind of display. Booth internet from Team San Jose Tech Services is extra: its basic 5 Mbps line was $800 at the incentive rate.
Downtown during FanimeCon 2015
Photo: "Fanime Con 2015" by Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious, CC BY-SA 2.0 Source
The calendar
San Jose McEnery Convention Center events 2026–2027: trade and consumer shows
2027 is a big year here: AI, chip design and lithography shows fill the halls from February to September. Confirm dates, halls and contractor with each organizer.
SPIE Advanced Lithography + Patterning
Semiconductor lithography · exhibition February 23–24 · 2027
NVIDIA GTC
AI and accelerated computing · conference and expo · 2027
FanimeCon
Anime convention · large exhibit hall · 2027
IoT Tech Expo North America
IoT, edge and enterprise tech · part of TechEx · 2027
DAC: Design Automation Conference
Chip design and EDA · first San Jose edition · 2027
AI Infra Summit
AI hardware and data center infrastructure · moves from Santa Clara · 2027
Dates from each organizer. DAC's July 10–16 is the full event week; exhibit days are shorter. FanimeCon dates come from its 2027 staff pages. Also on the calendar: Further Confusion (January 14–18, 2027) and the ServiceNow Developer Conference (November 4–5, 2026, per Team San Jose's events list).
Where to stay & getting there
Hotels near San Jose McEnery Convention Center
Two hotels connect straight to the center: the San Jose Marriott, with about 510 rooms, and the 353-room Hilton San Jose. Others are a short walk away downtown, and light rail stops at the main entrance. We do not have published walking times, so ask your hotel for the best route.
Connected · joined to the center
San Jose Marriott
About 510 rooms at 301 S Market St, joined directly to the center.
Connected
Hilton San Jose
353 rooms at 300 Almaden Blvd, also joined to the center.
Short walk
Signia by Hilton San Jose
The former Fairmont, at 170 S Market St, a short walk from the center.
Short walk
Hyatt Place San Jose Downtown
240 rooms at 282 Almaden Blvd, near the dock side of the center.
At the door
VTA light rail and SJC
The Convention Center light rail stop is in front of the main entrance, two stops from Diridon Station (Caltrain and Amtrak). SJC airport is about 4 miles away.
Insider tips
San Jose McEnery Convention Center exhibitor tips: what experienced teams do
Ten feet is the line
San Jose's published rules send anything over 10 ft in any direction to union install, even a simple frame. A 10×20 backwall counts. Budget labor for it from the start.
Put the hall on the label
Each hall has its own dock bays, and the Grand Ballroom has a separate dock on San Carlos Street. Write the hall or room on every bill of lading so the driver goes to the right door.
Order internet early
Team San Jose Tech Services is the only internet provider. Its basic 5 Mbps booth line was $800 at the incentive rate and $1,200 on site on its current order form.
Hand-carry means no wheels
A GES San Jose kit allows one person, one trip, with no dolly or hand truck. If you need a cart, book the contractor's cartload service or ship it.
Leave the van at the hotel
The light rail stops at the front door, and two hotels connect to the building. The garage clearance is only 6′8″ in the 2017 user guide, too low for many work vans.
Know which Santa Clara shows moved
AI Infra Summit and IoT Tech Expo leave Santa Clara for San Jose in 2027. Rules, unions and docks differ between the two buildings, so do not reuse last year's plan.
FAQ
San Jose McEnery Convention Center FAQ for exhibitors
How big is the San Jose McEnery Convention Center?
Its three exhibit halls total 143,000 sq ft and hold about 800 10×10 booths. Team San Jose says up to 165,000 sq ft can be used as contiguous exhibit space. There is also a 35,194 sq ft Grand Ballroom, a 22,000 sq ft Executive Ballroom and 43 breakout rooms.
Is the San Jose Convention Center union?
Yes. California is not a right-to-work state. Team San Jose lists Teamsters Local 287 for freight, Sign & Display Local 510 for booth install, IATSE Local 134 for AV and rigging, IBEW Local 332 for electrical and UNITE HERE Local 19 for food and beverage.
Can I set up my own booth at the San Jose Convention Center?
Only a small one. The published rules require union labor if the work needs hand tools, more than one person or more than 30 minutes, including crating, or if the display is over 10 ft in any direction. Your show kit has the final word.
Where is the loading dock?
The main dock is at 410 Almaden Blvd, behind Halls 1 to 3, with bays assigned by hall. The Grand Ballroom has its own two-bay dock off San Carlos Street.
Can I hand-carry my own materials?
Yes, if one person can carry them in one trip without a dolly or hand truck, per a GES San Jose kit. Bigger loads go through the dock or the contractor's cartload service.
How much is drayage at the San Jose Convention Center?
Plan about $160 per hundredweight for crated freight in 2026. The newest public tariff we found, from 2018, was $108.25 per cwt to the warehouse. Your show kit has the current rate.
What is the ceiling height?
32 ft in Halls 1, 2 and 3 on Team San Jose's current spec sheet (older plans list 30 ft). The Executive Ballroom is about 29 ft. Booths over 12 ft need approval.
Who supplies internet and food?
Team San Jose Tech Services is the exclusive internet provider, and Team San Jose is the exclusive caterer. Outside food is not allowed.
How do I get there from the airport?
SJC is about 4 miles away. VTA light rail stops at the Convention Center station in front of the main entrance, two stops from Diridon Station.
How is it different from the Santa Clara Convention Center?
San Jose is downtown, with 143,000 sq ft in three halls, two connected hotels and light rail at the door. Santa Clara is about 90,000 sq ft in four halls next to Levi's Stadium, with a different Teamsters local. See our Santa Clara guide.
Exhibiting in San Jose?
Send your hall number and your booth size.
Tell us your show, hall and booth size. Within two business days you get a design brief that shows what your own staff can build under the 30-minute, 10-foot rule, a drayage estimate at San Jose rates and a move-in plan for the right dock.
Background photo: "125/365 ~ San Jose City Hall" by ray_explores, CC BY 2.0 Source
Compare venues
San Jose McEnery Convention Center vs other major U.S. convention centers
How the San Jose McEnery Convention Center stacks up against other big-city halls we have guides for. Drayage figures are Purple planning rates, not published tariffs.
| Venue | Type | Largest space | Ceiling | Labor | Drayage (plan) | Airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose McEnery Convention CenterThis guide | Convention center | 143,000 sq ft Halls 1–3 | 32 ft | Union · 30 min / 10 ft rule | ≈ $160/cwt | SJC · 4 mi |
| America's Center Convention ComplexSt. Louis | Convention center | 574,000 sq ft contiguous, with Dome floor | 40 ft | Union · 300 sq ft rule | ≈ $150/cwt | STL · 14 mi |
| Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim | Convention center | 221,284 sq ft Hall D | 25 ft Hall D · 13 ft 8 in Hall E | Union · check kit | ≈ $172/cwt | SNA · 13 mi |
| Boston Convention & Exhibition CenterBoston | Convention center | 516,000 sq ft contiguous (Halls A–C) | 35 ft low · up to 100 ft | Union · staff setup OK | ≈ $324/cwt | BOS · 3 mi |
| Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention CenterSalt Lake City | Convention center | 515,000 sq ft contiguous, 10 halls | 30 ft | Right-to-work | ≈ $120/cwt | SLC · ~6 mi |
| Charlotte Convention CenterCharlotte | Convention center | 280,000 sq ft contiguous, Halls A–C | 30 ft listed max | Right-to-work | ≈ $115/cwt | CLT · 7 mi |
| Fontainebleau Las VegasLas Vegas | Resort ballrooms | 105,264 sq ft Royal Ballroom | 28 ft 10 in | Union · check kit | ≈ $185/cwt | LAS · 4.3 mi |
| Georgia World Congress CenterAtlanta | Convention center | 1M+ sq ft contiguous (Halls B, BC, C) | 30 ft to grid | Right-to-work | ≈ $150/cwt | ATL · 15–20 min |
| Huntington PlaceDetroit | Convention center | 623,000 sq ft contiguous, Halls A–D | 30 ft (A–D) · 18 ft 8 in (E) | Union · 400 sq ft rule | ≈ $155/cwt | DTW · 20 mi |
| Iowa Events CenterDes Moines | Convention center | 150,000 sq ft contiguous, EMC Expo Center Halls A–C | 35 ft (Halls B–C) | Right-to-work | ≈ $100/cwt | DSM · ~10 min |
| Javits CenterNew York | Convention center | ~500,000 sq ft contiguous (Level 3) | Varies by hall · check plan | Union · 250 sq ft rule | ≈ $195/cwt | EWR / LGA / JFK · 45–70 min |
| Kansas City Convention CenterKansas City | Convention center | 388,800 sq ft column-free, Bartle Hall A–E | 33 ft A–C · 42 ft D–E | IATSE 31 · check kit | ≈ $145/cwt | MCI · ~19 mi |
| McCormick PlaceChicago | Convention center | 840,000 sq ft Hall A (South) · 1.2M+ on one level | Varies by hall · check plan | Union · staff setup any size | ≈ $210/cwt | MDW · ~20 min |
| Minneapolis Convention CenterMinneapolis | Convention center | 376,200 sq ft contiguous, Halls B–E | 30 ft 6 in to truss · 85 ft domes | Union · open dock | ≈ $150/cwt | MSP · ~20 min |
| Moscone CenterSan Francisco | Convention center | 502,440 sq ft contiguous, Halls A–F | 37 ft Halls A–C · 28 ft Hall F | Union · check kit | ≈ $180/cwt | SFO · 25–40 min |
| Oklahoma City Convention CenterOklahoma City | Convention center | 200,730 sq ft continuous, up to 4 halls | 30 ft | Right-to-work | ≈ $105/cwt | OKC · ~9–10 mi |
| Orange County Convention CenterOrlando | Convention center | 1,103,538 sq ft West Building | 30–40 ft | Right-to-work | ≈ $155/cwt | MCO · 12 mi |
| Oregon Convention CenterPortland | Convention center | 255,000 sq ft Halls A–E | 30 ft | Union · check kit | ≈ $150/cwt | PDX · MAX ~30 min |
| San Diego Convention CenterSan Diego | Convention center | 525,701 sq ft contiguous, Halls A–H | 27 ft 4 in A–E · up to 64 ft F–H | Union · check kit | ≈ $176/cwt | SAN · 3 mi |
| Santa Clara Convention CenterSanta Clara | Convention center | 90,014 sq ft Halls A–D | 28 ft 6 in | Union · check kit | ≈ $160/cwt | SJC · 5–6 mi |
| Seattle Convention CenterSeattle | Convention center | 205,700 sq ft Arch Halls 4A–4F | 25 ft Arch · 30 ft Summit | Union · check kit | ≈ $165/cwt | SEA · Link ~40 min |
More California guides
Other convention centers near San Jose
Santa Clara Convention CenterSanta Clara, CA · nearby
Moscone CenterSan Francisco, CA
Sacramento Convention CenterSacramento, CA
Los Angeles Convention CenterLos Angeles, CA
Long Beach Convention CenterLong Beach, CA
Written by the Purple Exhibits team. Reviewed for the 2026–2027 season. Figures marked for verification are being confirmed with the venue. Sources: Team San Jose floor plan and specs sheet, convention center at-a-glance sheet, labor partners page, Tech Services order form and 2026 events calendar, Union Rules and Regulations at the San Jose Convention Center (2016), the GES exhibitor manual for a 2018 San Jose show, San Jose Inside and Meetings Today (2010 labor change), Populous and TSNN (2013 expansion), sanjose.org hotel pages, Wikipedia, and organizer sites for SPIE, NVIDIA GTC, IoT Tech Expo, DAC, AI Infra Summit and FanimeCon.