Trade Show News

San Diego's hotel market is drawing renewed attention from investors due to strong tourism demand, limited new supply, and a diversified local economy. The recent opening of the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center in Chula Vista in May 2025 also signals confidence in the region's ability to attract major group and convention business.

San Diego's hotels experienced significant RevPAR growth in early March, benefiting from a strengthening convention calendar and steady leisure travel, which contributed to increased occupancy and higher rates.

San Diego continues to attract major hotel investors due to its blend of year-round leisure travel and a robust convention and events calendar. The recent opening of the 1,600-room Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center in Chula Vista in May 2025 signifies strong confidence in the region's capacity for large group and convention business.

San Diego's hotel market is attracting significant investor interest, driven by its resilient performance and diversified economic base, including a well-established convention and events calendar. Analysts note the market's ability to sustain room rates and expand supply, particularly in convention-oriented submarkets, reflecting confidence in long-term cash flows.

San Diego is seeing a wave of new and renovated event venues opening in Spring 2026, including redesigned restaurants, a retro-chic cocktail lounge, and a revamped conference center at Paradise Point Resort. Other notable additions include Wedgewood Weddings at The Headquarters, located minutes from the San Diego Convention Center, offering new options for corporate events and gatherings.

Abbiati Casino Equipment has confirmed its participation in the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention (IGA 2026) at the San Diego Convention Center from March 30 to April 2. The company will be showcasing its high-quality live gaming equipment and aiming to strengthen relationships with tribal and commercial operators across North America.

PCMA's 2026 Visionary Awards will honor industry changemakers, including Angie Ranalli, Senior National Sales Director at the San Diego Tourism Authority, for her leadership in advancing San Diego as a convention destination and delivering lasting economic impact.

The Flexo Label Advantage Group (FLAG) hosted its Annual Meeting in San Diego from March 23-26, 2026, welcoming 124 attendees for education, networking, and a dedicated Vendor Tabletop Exhibition. The event focused on industry trends such as AI, automation, M&A, and sustainability in the label and packaging printing sector.

Angie Ranalli, Senior National Sales Director at the San Diego Tourism Authority, was recognized as a Lifetime Achievement Honoree at PCMA's 2026 Visionary Awards for her long-term leadership in advancing San Diego as a convention destination.

Daniel Kuperschmid, President and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority, has been appointed to the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Board of Directors. His experience is expected to be valuable as the airport continues the development of its new Terminal 1.

The BIO International Convention, the largest global event for biotechnology and life sciences, is scheduled to take place in San Diego from June 22-25, 2026, at the San Diego Convention Center. The convention is expected to draw attendees from over 70 countries, fostering global networking and exploration of biotech innovations.

The San Diego Convention Center's updated calendar for 2026 showcases a robust schedule of events. Notable upcoming gatherings include the International & American Association for Dental Research General Session & Exhibition (March 25-28), the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention (March 30-April 2), and World of Coffee 2026 (April 10-12).

WEST 2026, the leading West Coast event for Sea Service operations, took place from February 10-12, 2026, at the San Diego Convention Center. This conference and exposition connected military and government leaders with industry professionals to explore technology solutions for global maritime defense operations.

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) will host its 2026 Annual Conference from March 10-13 at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort in Coronado, San Diego. This exclusive event is set to gather construction industry leaders from across Canada for valuable networking opportunities and insightful content.

The AIA Conference on Architecture & Design 2026 is scheduled to take place in San Diego from June 10–13, attracting thousands of architects, designers, and industry leaders. The San Diego Convention Center will host the AIA26 Expo on June 11–12, showcasing the latest products, materials, and technologies in the field.

Revizto's 2026 Made Right Conference was held at the recently opened Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in Chula Vista, just south of San Diego. This HKS-designed hotel and conference facility, spanning 1.8 million square feet, was constructed using Revizto for collaboration and project management.

San Diego is introducing several new and renovated event venues this spring, including a revamped conference center at Paradise Point Resort. Other notable additions include the historic Wedgewood Weddings at The Headquarters in Seaport Village and the Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown Little Italy.

Wedgewood Weddings at The Headquarters has debuted in San Diego's Seaport Village, transforming the historic 1939 police headquarters into a 15,000-square-foot event venue. The waterfront property offers flexible spaces, blending art deco heritage with modern design for meetings and social events.

The Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown Little Italy opened in November 2025, offering 334 rooms and more than 10,000 square feet of event space. Located in a vibrant neighborhood, the property provides flexible venues for various meetings and events.

Paradise Point Resort & Spa has completed a full renovation of its conference center, reimagining over 60,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. The refreshed venues feature a coastal-inspired design, enhanced technology, and flexible layouts with abundant natural light.