The 144-room Courtyard by Marriott is expected to open this year next to the Fresno Convention Center — a move expected to help attract more conventions to the region
published on August 13, 2026 – 8:00 AM
Written by Ben Hensley
Fresno’s convention business has not rebounded around a single blockbuster gathering. Instead, city and tourism officials are betting that new hotel rooms, venue management and downtown infrastructure can rebuild Fresno’s reputation one booking at a time.
Visit Fresno County helped bring 83 events to Fresno and Clovis in 2025, generating approximately 36,500 hotel and motel room nights and an estimated $43 million in regional economic activity, according to the tourism agency.
That was up from 2024, when 55 events generated more than 30,300 room nights and an estimated $38.5 million economic impact.
The local growth comes as the broader events industry surpasses some of its pre-pandemic benchmarks.
A new Events Industry Council study conducted by Oxford Economics found that business events attracted 1.65 billion participants across more than 180 countries in 2025. The events generated $1.3 trillion in direct spending, up 12.2% from 2019.
When indirect and induced activity was included, the industry supported $3.1 trillion in business sales, contributed $1.8 trillion to the global economy and sustained 24.2 million jobs.
North America led all regions with $487.7 billion in direct spending.
A new approach for Fresno
The resurgence presents an opportunity for Fresno and the Central Valley, with the city beginning the year under new management overseeing its downtown convention and entertainment facilities.
VenuWorks and ATG Entertainment assumed management of the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center complex effective Jan. 1. VenuWorks appointed Marc Solis to oversee the convention center, Saroyan Theatre, Selland Arena and Valdez Hall.
Hotel availability, however, has long complicated Fresno’s effort to compete for larger events.
The closure of the former Radisson reduced downtown room inventory, while tourism officials previously told The Business Journal that meeting planners frequently asked how many rooms Fresno could provide within walking distance of the convention center.
The new 144-room Courtyard by Marriott adjacent to the convention center, combined with the nearby DoubleTree, brings the number of available rooms near the facilities to more than 400. The additional inventory could make the region more attractive for future conventions and other large gatherings.
Another recent victory was the return of the Miss California competition to the Saroyan Theatre in June following a brief absence.
“I promise we are not going to lose the Miss California contest anymore outside of Fresno, California. You are at home, so thank you for being here today,” Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer told the Rotary Club of Fresno on Monday.
The city is also investing in the Downtown Fresno environment surrounding its convention facilities. Dyer said Fresno is using $293.7 million in state funding to accelerate housing development, replace aging water and sewer systems and build other downtown infrastructure.
Two parking garages under development will add a combined 1,509 spaces intended to support downtown businesses, events and housing.
“Great cities have great downtowns,” Dyer said.
Access is another component of Fresno’s convention pitch. Fresno Yosemite International Airport handled a record 2.75 million passengers in 2025.
A $150 million concourse expansion opened in December, adding approximately 98,000 square feet, two swing-gate jet bridges, an expanded security checkpoint and new food and beverage concessions.
Competition for events
The importance of hotels and surrounding infrastructure can be seen in California’s larger convention markets.
More than 120,000 people were expected to attend Comic-Con International in San Diego last month. Organizers had warned that the city’s event and hotel capacity might not be sufficient for the convention’s growing crowds and considered moving it to Los Angeles or another large city.
San Diego ultimately secured an agreement to keep Comic-Con in the city through 2030, The Associated Press reported.
Fresno is not competing on Comic-Con’s scale. Its opportunity lies in the cumulative value of conferences, athletic tournaments, trade gatherings and cultural events capable of filling hotel rooms and generating business for restaurants, transportation providers and other local companies.
The city’s new venue management, expanded hotel inventory and downtown investments provide the pieces of a stronger convention pitch. Whether those improvements translate into more bookings will determine how much of the industry’s broader recovery reaches the Valley.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.