San Jose Convention Center

{{Short description|Convention center in Downtown San Jose, California, United States}} {{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Infobox venue | name = San Jose McEnery Convention Center | native_name = | native_name_lang = | former_names = San Jose Convention Center (1989–1991) | logo_image = | logo_size = | logo_alt = | image = San Jose Photos 067 (26174736630) (cropped).jpg | image_size = | image_alt = | image_caption = North entrance on San Carlos Street | coordinates = {{coord|37|19|43|N|121|53|20|W|type:landmark|display=it}}

| location = San Jose, California | operator = Team San Jose | architect = {{plainlist| * Mitchell/Giurgola (original) * Populous (expansion)<ref>{{cite news|title=Herhold: The expansion of San Jose's convention center nears completion|first=Scott|last=Herhold|work=San Jose Mercury News|date=August 7, 2013|access-date=July 16, 2017|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2013/08/07/herhold-the-expansion-of-san-joses-convention-center-nears-completion/}}</ref><ref name="Populous">{{cite web|title=San Jose McEnery Convention Center Expansion|publisher=Populous|access-date=July 16, 2017|url=http://populous.com/project/san-jose-mcenery-convention-center/}}</ref> }} | expanded = October 10, 2013 | public_transit = {{Nowrap|{{rint|santaclara}} {{rint|santaclara|blue}} {{rint|santaclara|green}} Convention Center}} }}

The '''San Jose McEnery Convention Center''' is a convention center in Downtown San Jose, California. The {{convert|550000|sqft|adj=on}} Main Hall is the largest convention center in Silicon Valley. It has hosted technology conferences such as the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference and Facebook F8, as well as fan conventions including FanimeCon and GalaxyCon.

The center opened in 1989, supplementing a convention hall at the San Jose Civic, later renamed Parkside Hall, which was demolished in 2019. It is named for Tom McEnery, a former mayor of San Jose. The South Hall, an {{convert|80000|sqft|adj=on}} tent-like structure, was added in 2005, and the Main Hall was renovated and expanded in 2013. The venue is managed by Team San Jose, which also operates several nearby event spaces.

==Facility== [[File:San Jose Convention Center plaza, WWDC17.jpg|thumb|left|Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in 2017]] [[File:Mark Zuckerberg F8 2018 Keynote (26967376237).jpg|thumb|left|Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaking at Facebook F8 in 2018]] [[File:Outside of Game Developers Conference 2004 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Game Developers Conference]] The convention center covers a total of {{convert|367526|sqft|abbr=on}}, including {{convert|214760|sqft|abbr=on}} of exhibit hall floor space,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quick Guides for Meetings in San Jose {{!}} Visit San Jose |url=https://www.sanjose.org/meetings/quick-guides |access-date=2025-09-10 |website=www.sanjose.org |language=en}}</ref> 43 meeting rooms, and two large ballrooms. There are entrances on West San Carlos Street, Almaden Boulevard, and South Market Street. The San Jose Hilton and Marriott hotels are both directly connected to the Main Hall. A two-story hallway connecting the three entrances is called the "Parkway" on the ground floor and the "Concourse" on the second floor.

A recessed main entrance along West San Carlos Street features two prominent art installations. A tile mural by Lin Utzon (1988) adorns a façade surrounding the entrance. The two-story-tall mural, resembling a flock of birds in flight, consists of over 8,000 red, white, and black porcelain tiles manufactured by Royal Copenhagen.<ref>{{cite news|title=What's Doing In: San Jose|first=Julie|last=Lew|work=The New York Times|date=April 7, 1991|access-date=June 12, 2017|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/07/travel/what-s-doing-in-san-jose.html}}</ref> An interactive sculpture, ''Idea Tree'' by South Korean architect Soo-in Yang, stands in the plaza fronting the entrance.<ref>{{cite web|title=Idea Tree, Soo-in Yang / Lifethings|publisher=Demiurge|access-date=June 5, 2017|url=https://www.demiurgedesign.com/idea-tree/}}</ref> In the lobby hangs a 1993 life-size bronze and steel sculpture, ''Winged Guardian'' by Stephen De Staebler.<ref>{{cite news|title=Giving away all their secrets|first=Jessica|last=Werner|work=Palo Alto Weekly|date=September 29, 1995|access-date=June 13, 2018|url=https://www.paloaltoonline.com/weekly/morgue/cover/1995_Sep_29.ARTS29.html}}</ref>

The South Hall, a metal-framed fabric structure, adds another {{convert|80000|sqft}} of exhibit space, for a joint total of {{convert|245000|sqft}}. It can accommodate 11,428 people, or 5,333 people with exhibits.<ref name="SJMN Seipel">{{cite news|title=San Jose convention center's South Hall a demolition – and criticism – target|first=Tracy|last=Seipel|work=The Mercury News|date=August 13, 2016|access-date=June 5, 2017|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2012/05/30/san-jose-convention-centers-south-hall-a-demolition-and-criticism-target/}}</ref> It is surrounded by a public parking lot on a {{convert|191668|sqft|adj=on}} site.<ref name="SARA sale">{{cite web|title=San Jose Convention Center South Hall Site For Sale|publisher=Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Jose|date=March 29, 2018|access-date=June 9, 2018|url=http://www.sjredevelopment.org/Brochure%20for%20Convention%20Center.pdf}}</ref> City leaders have called for the South Hall's demolition at various times since it was erected in 2005 as a temporary structure;<ref name="SJMN Seipel" /> nevertheless, the city considers it important for attracting large events to the convention center. The South Hall and surrounding parking lot are owned by the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of San Jose (SARA).<ref name="SVBJ Bitters">{{cite news|title=San Jose Convention Center 'South Hall' site up for sale in downtown, spurring interest from county and other potential buyers|first=Janice|last=Bitters|work=Silicon Valley Business Journal|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=May 3, 2018|access-date=June 9, 2018|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2018/05/03/san-jose-convention-center-south-hall-site-sale.html}}</ref> The South Hall's maintenance costs $38,000 each year, while demolition is estimated to cost at least $1 million.<ref name="SJMN Seipel" />

The convention center is located one block from the San Carlos Street exit of California State Route 87 and two blocks from the Almaden Boulevard exit of southbound Interstate 280. California State Route 82 also passed by the convention center on South Market Street until this portion of the route was relinquished to San Jose in 2013. The public Convention Center Parking Garage is connected to the convention center. Public surface parking lots are located across Almaden Boulevard to the west and across Viola Street surrounding the South Hall.<ref>{{cite web|title=San Jose Convention Center & South Hall Parking Map|publisher=Team San Jose|date=January 31, 2018|access-date=June 9, 2018|url=https://www.sanjose.org/sites/default/files/PDFs/san-jose-convention-center-south-hall-parking-directions.pdf}}</ref>

The convention center is accessible by public transportation. The Convention Center VTA light rail station is located directly in front of the convention center's main entrance on West San Carlos Street. The station is served by the Blue Line and Green Line. The station is two stops away from the intermodal San Jose Diridon station. The convention center is also served by VTA local and express bus routes, San Jose State University's free Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH), and a Bay Wheels bicycle sharing station across West San Carlos Street.

==History== [[File:San-Jose-Convention-Center (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|''Idea Tree'', an interactive sculpture by South Korean artist Soo-in Yang]] [[File:San Jose Convention Center (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|The façade on the north entrance on San Carlos Street features a tile mural by Danish artists Lin Utzon, consisting of over 8,000 porcelain tiles manufactured by Royal Copenhagen.]]

The first general-purpose event center in San Jose was the Santa Clara County Horticultural Society's Horticultural Hall, which operated for about 30 years from 1886 until the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds opened. Civic Auditorium served as the city's main events venue from its opening in 1933 as Municipal Auditorium.<ref name="Evaluation">{{cite book|title=Historical Evaluation: Museum Place Mixed-Use Project|publisher=Archives & Architecture|date=April 14, 2016|access-date=June 12, 2017|url=https://www.sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/66138|format=PDF}}</ref>

In 1957, voters approved a bond measure for the construction of a modern convention center. Construction on the Jay McCabe Convention Hall began in December 1952, and the facility opened in 1964 with the Loyal Order of Moose national convention.<ref name="Evaluation" />

With the opening of the Anaheim Convention Center in 1967, city officials became dissatisfied with Civic Auditorium and McCabe Hall and sought a replacement. Based on a study by Stanford Research Institute in 1970, the city commissioned architect William Hedley and Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum to draw up plans for a "Community Plaza" superblock centered around a new convention hall. In October 1973, Mayor Norman Mineta approved $2.4 million for the new convention hall, which would be a wing of Civic Auditorium (now called San Jose Civic), along with an underground parking structure. However, by November 1974, the plans had been downsized to a mere {{convert|30000|sqft}} of exhibit space and an above-ground parking garage. The new San Jose Convention Center broke ground on November 18, 1975, and was dedicated by Mayor Janet Gray Hayes on September 22, 1977.<ref name="Evaluation" />

The second and current San Jose Convention Center was approved by Mayor Tom McEnery in 1983 as part of an urban renewal project that displaced a low-income, Hispanic neighborhood.<ref name="Hukill" /> The {{convert|425000|sqft|adj=on}} convention center was designed by Mitchell/Giurgola Architects, Daniel Mann Johnson Mendenhall, and the Steinberg Group.<ref name="Christensen" /><ref name="SJMN Herhold mural" /><ref name="SJMN Woolfolk">{{cite news|title=San Jose unveils convention center's $130 million face-lift|first=John|last=Woolfolk|work=San Jose Mercury News|date=October 9, 2013|access-date=June 3, 2017|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2013/10/09/san-jose-unveils-convention-centers-130-million-face-lift/}}</ref><ref name="SJRA">{{cite web|title=San Jose McEnery Convention Center Fact Sheet|publisher=San Jose Redevelopment Agency|date=June 19, 2007|access-date=June 9, 2018|url=http://www.sjredevelopment.org/ProjectGallery/SJMcEneryConventionCenterFacts.pdf}}</ref> Blount Construction was the general contractor.<ref>{{cite news|title=Winning Litigants Can Still Be Losers, State Justices Rule|first=Maura|last=Dolan|work=Los Angeles Times|date=July 20, 1999|access-date=June 9, 2018|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-20-mn-57755-story.html}}</ref> The new convention center cost ${{format price|147000000}} (equivalent to ${{format price|{{inflation|US-GDP|147000000|1989}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}) to build, of which the San Jose Redevelopment Agency contributed ${{format price|142900000}} (${{format price|{{inflation|US-GDP|142900000|1989}}}}). It opened in 1989.<ref name="SJRA" /> Meanwhile, the 1977 convention center was renamed Parkside Hall. "The Garage", now The Tech Interactive, moved into McCabe Hall in 1990.<ref name="Evaluation" /> In 1991, the San Jose Convention Center was renamed the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in honor of the former mayor.<ref name="Hukill">{{cite magazine|title= Your Name in Lights|first=Traci|last=Hukill|magazine=Metro Silicon Valley|date=September 25, 1997|access-date=June 12, 2017|url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/09.25.97/cover/naming1-9739.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=The Right Name, The Right Time|work=San Jose Inside|publisher=Metro Newspapers|date=June 7, 2005|access-date=June 11, 2017|url=http://www.sanjoseinside.com/2005/06/07/the_right_name_the_right_time/}}</ref>

In its early years, the new convention center failed to meet attendance and revenue expectations.<ref name="Christensen">{{cite web|title=San Jose Becomes the Capital of Silicon Valley|first=Terry|last=Christensen|publisher=San Jose State University|date=October 5, 2015|access-date=June 12, 2017|url=https://www.sjsu.edu/polisci/docs/faculty-cv/SJ%20History%20Since%201970.pdf}}</ref> By 2002, many Silicon Valley businesses were choosing the much larger Moscone Center in San Francisco over the San Jose Convention Center due to the latter's limited space. A ballot measure to finance an expansion via a hotel tax failed to reach the required two-thirds majority to pass. In June 2005, Team San Jose built the South Hall, a $6.77 million, blue and white tent, adding {{convert|80000|sqft}} of exhibit space.<ref name="SJMN Seipel" /><ref name="Metro Wadsworth">{{cite magazine|title=Bill Sherry Readies the New San Jose Convention Center|first=Jennifer|last=Wadsworth|magazine=Metro Silicon Valley|date=August 21, 2013|access-date=June 3, 2017|url=http://www.metroactive.com/features/san-jose-convention-center-bill-sherry.html}}</ref>

In 2009, local hotels agreed to a hotel tax increase to fund the convention center's renovation and expansion.<ref>{{cite press release|title=San Jose McEnery Convention Center to Debut $130 Million Makeover at Free Community Day|publisher=Team San Jose|date=October 9, 2013|access-date=June 5, 2017|url=http://www.sanjose.org/blog/san-jose-mcenery-conventio-center-to-debut-130-million-makeover-at-free-community-day/}}</ref> On October 10, 2013, the convention center completed the $130 million project, which added {{convert|125000|sqft}} on the site of the former Martin Luther King Jr. Library. The San José Public Library relocated its main branch to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library on the San Jose State University campus.<ref name="SJMN Woolfolk" /><ref>{{cite press release|title=Newly Renovated and Expanded Convention Center's Creative Design and Modern Look Will Help Team San Jose Book More Meetings To Boost The Local Economy|publisher=Team San Jose|date=October 9, 2013|access-date=June 3, 2017|url=http://www.sanjose.org/blog/newly-renovated-and-expanded-convention-center-s-creative-design-and-modern-look-will-help-team-san-jose-book-more-meetings-to-boost-the-local-economy/}}</ref><ref name="SJMN Herhold mural">{{cite news|title=Herhold: Colorful SJ convention center mural at risk|first=Scott|last=Herhold|work=San Jose Mercury News|date=October 6, 2008|access-date=June 5, 2017|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2008/10/06/herhold-colorful-sj-convention-center-mural-at-risk/}}</ref>

In 2018, SARA put the South Hall site up for sale.<ref name="SVBJ Bitters" /><ref name="SARA sale" /> During the COVID-19 pandemic, from April 2020 to July 2021, the South Hall served as an emergency homeless shelter. With an average capacity of 200 adults, it was the city's largest shelter.<ref>{{cite news|title=San Jose’s largest emergency homeless shelter closes|first=Lloyd|last=Alaban|work=San José Spotlight|location=San Jose, California|date=July 15, 2021|accessdate=March 22, 2025|url=https://sanjosespotlight.com/san-joses-largest-emergency-homeless-shelter-closes/}}</ref>

==Events== [[File:Facebook F8 Developer's Conference 2017 (33324521213).jpg|thumb|right|Facebook F8 2017]] [[File:San Jose Convention Center plaza, WWDC18.jpg|thumb|right|Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in 2018]] {{As of|2017}}, the convention center hosted hundreds of events each year.<ref name="Populous" /> The current annual event schedule includes:

* GalaxyCon (since 2024)<ref name="Merc Pizarro GalaxyCon">{{cite news|title=GalaxyCon bringing fandom stars to San Jose this weekend|first=Sal|last=Pizarro|work=The Mercury News|location=San Jose, California|date=August 13, 2024|accessdate=October 11, 2024|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/08/13/galaxycon-bringing-fandom-stars-to-san-jose-this-weekend/}}</ref> * FanimeCon (since 2004) * Further Confusion * Nvidia GTC (2009–2010, 2012–2019, since 2024) * OffKai Expo (since 2025)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offkaiexpo.com/press-release/|title=OffKai Expo Moves to San Jose Downtown Following Record Sellout for Bay Area's Premier VTuber Even|work=OffKai Expo|date=May 7, 2025|access-date=June 25, 2025}}</ref>

Other notable events at the convention center have included:

* Worldwide Developers Conference (1989–2002, 2017–2019)<ref>{{cite web|title=Apple announces WWDC 2017: June 5th – 9th, held at San Jose McEnery Convention Center|first=Benjamin|last=Mayo|date=February 16, 2017|website=9to5Mac|access-date=February 16, 2017|url=https://9to5mac.com/2017/02/16/apple-announces-wwdc-2017-june-5th-9th-held-at-san-jose-mcenery-convention-center/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Apple Announces WWDC Will Take Place on June 4 in San Jose, Registration Now Open for Developers|first=Juli|last=Clover|website=MacRumors|date=March 13, 2018|access-date=March 13, 2018|url=https://www.macrumors.com/2018/03/13/wwdc-2018-june-4-san-jose/}}</ref> * Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (1993, 1996) * Silicon Valley Auto Show (1994–2020)<ref>{{cite news|title=In January, S.J. will host its first major auto show|first=Matt|last=Nauman|work=San Jose Mercury News|date=October 7, 1994|department=Drive|page=1E|via=NewsBank}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Silicon Valley Auto Show returns this weekend after two-year break|first=Sal|last=Pizarro|work=The Mercury News|location=San Jose, California|date=February 17, 2023|accessdate=November 11, 2024|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/02/17/silicon-valley-auto-show-returns-this-weekend-after-two-year-break/}}</ref> * ACM/IEEE Supercomputing Conference (1997) * LinuxWorld Conference and Expo (1998) * World Science Fiction Convention (2002, 2018) * Game Developers Conference (2004, 2006) * RoboNexus (2005) * North American Bengali Conference (2009) * Big Wow! ComicFest (2011–2015) * Creative Convergence Silicon Valley (2013) * WrestleMania Axxess for WWE's WrestleMania 31 (2015) * GX3: Everyone Games (2015) * SiliCon (2016–2022)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Silicon-Valley-Comic-Con/425976317568824|title=Security Check Required| website=Facebook }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/04/17/stan-lee-and-steve-wozniak-to-launch-silicon-valley-comic-con-have-acquired-big-wow/|title=Stan Lee And Steve Wozniak To Launch Silicon Valley Comic Con, Have Acquired Big Wow|date=17 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pop-up shopping in San Jose: downtown's new experience|first=Sal|last=Pizarro|location=San Jose, California|work=The Mercury News|date=May 19, 2018|access-date=June 13, 2018|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/05/19/pop-up-shopping-san-joses-newest-downtown-experiment/}}</ref><ref name="Merc Pizarro GalaxyCon" /> * Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (2016) * A rally for Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign that prompted rioting<ref>{{cite news|title=Donald Trump in San Jose: Violent protest outside rally, hundreds clash with police|first=Katrina|last=Cameron|work=The Mercury News|date=June 2, 2016|access-date=June 3, 2017|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/06/02/donald-trump-in-san-jose-violent-protest-outside-rally-hundreds-clash-with-police/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ugly, bloody scenes in San Jose as protesters attack Trump supporters outside rally|first1=Sean|last1=Sullivan|first2=Michael E.|last2=Miller|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 3, 2016|access-date=June 3, 2017|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/06/03/ugly-bloody-scenes-in-san-jose-as-protesters-attack-trump-supporters-outside-rally/}}</ref> * Genesis 3, 4, 8, and 9 in 2016, 2017, 2022, and 2023 respectively; the final day of the tournament for 3, 4, and 8 occurred at City National Civic * Facebook F8 (2017–2019)<ref>{{cite web|title=Getting to F8|work=F8|publisher=Facebook|date=2018|access-date=March 23, 2018|url=https://www.f8.com/getting-here.html}}</ref> * Crunchyroll Expo in August or September (2018, 2019, 2022) * TwitchCon (2018)<ref>{{cite web |last=Lumb |first=David |date=February 28, 2018 |url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/02/28/twitchcon-2018-bay-area-october-26th/ |title=TwitchCon returns to the Bay Area on October 26th |publisher=Engadget |access-date=February 28, 2018}}</ref> * ARM DevSummit (2018–2019) * Games Done Quick Express (2018) * The NHL Fan Fair for the 2019 National Hockey League All-Star Game<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-fan-fair-to-be-part-of-all-star-weekend/c-302784948|title=NHL Fan Fair to be part of All-Star Weekend|work=National Hockey League|date=December 10, 2018|access-date=January 10, 2020}}</ref> * Samsung Developer Conference (2019) * The Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour (2019) * Roblox Developers Conference (2024-2025)

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{Official website|https://www.sanjose.org/convention-center}}

Category:Downtown San Jose Category:Convention centers in California Category:Buildings and structures in San Jose, California Category:Economy of San Jose, California Category:Tourist attractions in San Jose, California Category:Event venues established in 1989 Category:1989 establishments in California