#SDCCat25: The Center for All
San Diego Convention Center 25th Anniversary Celebration
The San Diego Convention Center first opened its doors on November 24, 1989. For 25 years it has been reducing the burden on local taxpayers by generating hotel room and sales tax revenues which are used to fund necessary services like police, fire, street maintenance, parks and libraries. The benefits generated by the San Diego Convention Center since opening include:;xNLx;;xNLx;Regional Impact: $18.2 billion;;xNLx;Direct Attendee Spending: $10.8 billion;;xNLx;Tax Revenues: $472.3 million;;xNLx;Hotel Room Nights: 15 million;;xNLx;Attendance: 20 million;;xNLx;Events: 5,318
Convention Center Approved by Voters
Voters approve building the San Diego Convention Center project on San Diego Bay’s waterfront. The building will sit on property managed by the Port of San Diego.
Groundbreaking
Groundbreaking ceremonies are held for the facility: Phase I excavation begins.
First Contract
Tele-Communications Association of America (TCA) signs first event contract for a 1990 event. TCA presents SDCCC with first deposit check of $15,740.
Doors Open
The 1.7 million square foot San Diego Convention Center opens its doors. More than 200,000 people attend facility open house November 24 - 26.
First Consumer Show
The first consumer show opens at the San Diego Convention Center: the San Diego International Boat Show.
354 Events in The First Year
A total of 354 events are held the first year of business, representing 1,183 activity days.
First Comic-Con at SDCC
Comic-Con International is held for the first time in the San Diego Convention Center after moving from the San Diego Civic Center Concourse.
Second Year of Operation
Second year of operation completed; $125 million in direct spending achieved. Just under one million guests attend 249 events.
Phase II Expansion Approved
The City and the Port sign an agreement to fund the $140 million Phase II expansion; the Port provides 11 acres of adjacent waterfront property.
Republican National Convention
More than 30,000 people attend the Republican National Convention, generating $160 million in economic impact for the city.
