Last year, the Los Angeles City Council approved the Los Angeles Convention Center Expansion and Modernization Project plan, with Mayor Karen Bass and stakeholders coming together to break ground on the $2.6 billion effort. The project is designed to help LA compete with cities like Las Vegas, San Diego and Orlando to earn major national conventions.

The efforts appear to be paying off — 13 major organizations have selected the LA Convention Center to host their annual conferences, the city announced last week. The conferences will bring more than 103,000 people to Los Angeles and deliver more than $242 million in economic impact. Notable organizations holding their conferences at the convention center include the American Heart Association and the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

“Our expansion and modernization of the LA Convention Center is driving new economic growth and increased tourism to Los Angeles, bolstering our ongoing investment to revitalize Downtown LA,” Bass said.

“Thirteen additional major organizations have chosen LA because we’re delivering a state-of-the-art facility — and they’re ready to bring more than 103,000 convention-goers with them, delivering a more than $242 million economic impact for Los Angeles. I am grateful to the City Tourism Department and our partners for their success in driving business to the city,” she continued.

The newly announced conferences and the year they are coming to Los Angeles include:

• National Association for College Admission Counseling in 2029

• American Chemical Society in 2029

• Specialty Coffee Association in 2030

• American Heart Association Scientific Session in 2031

• American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology in 2031

• American Immigration Lawyers Association in 2031

• Association for Financial Professionals in 2032

• Educause in 2033

• American Heart Association International Stroke Conference in 2033

• Health and Fitness Association in 2034

• American Society for Human Genetics in 2035

• Health and Fitness Association in 2036

• LeadingAge in 2036

“We are seeing an incredible uptick in convention bookings directly tied to the expansion announcement,” said Doane Liu, chief tourism officer and executive director of the City Tourism Department. “Major organizations are signing long-term commitments, ensuring Los Angeles remains a premier global destination. We look forward to welcoming these groups to our expanded and modernized facility that will match the world-class status of our city.”

The commitments join three additional organizations that committed to the Los Angeles Convention Center in January: the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in 2031, American Geophysical Union in 2032 and the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference in 2037.

“Meetings and conventions are a powerful driver of Los Angeles’ visitor economy, generating billions in economic activity, supporting jobs and local businesses and delivering critical tax revenues that benefit communities across the City of Angels,” said Adam Burke, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board. “These commitments demonstrate that investments in the Los Angeles Convention Center are already strengthening our ability to compete for the world’s largest events. As organizations make decisions years in advance, their confidence in Los Angeles reflects the strong partnership among the city, the Convention Center and our visitor industry. We’re not just securing conventions. We’re strengthening Los Angeles’ economy and creating lasting benefits for all Angelenos.”

Construction on the Los Angeles Convention Center will occur in phases to account for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with full construction wrap-up and final commissioning scheduled for spring 2029.

The improvements as part of the project include adding up to 55,000 square feet of new meeting rooms, 95,000 square feet of multipurpose space, a 98,000-square-foot rooftop ballroom and 190,000 square feet of exhibit space.