Greater Ontario has emerged as Southern California’s fastest-growing destination, and with this rapid growth comes exciting new developments and expansions that will only enhance the meeting and event experience.
Some of the most notable projects include the following.
Convention Center Expansion
The Ontario Convention Center is already one of Greater Ontario’s most prominent venues for meetings and events and remains one of the largest draws to the region, currently offering 225,000 square feet of space, including a 70,000-square-foot, column-free exhibit hall.
A major expansion is in the works that will nearly double the amount of space the center can offer, meaning more potential to attract larger meetings and conventions. Preliminary plans include expanding the convention center to 400,000 square feet total and adding a 600-room convention hotel. The addition of a new hotel would also mean more than 2,000 rooms will be within walking distance of the Ontario Convention Center.
Toyota Arena Entertainment District
As the convention center expands, so too does the area surrounding the Toyota Arena. The 11,000-seat arena already attracts many entertainment acts and can be used as a special event venue. It’s within easy access of many additional entertainment, dining and retail options, and is only three miles from the convention center.
With the planned expansion of the entertainment district surrounding the arena, more entertainment, dining and residential options and a theater to hold 2,500 people will be added, enhancing the after-meetings experience for visiting groups.
[Podcast: All That Fast-Growing Greater Ontario, California Can Offer Your Next Meeting]
New Sports Park
The City of Ontario is in the process of developing a major sports park. The current plan is to have flexible fields that can be used for baseball, soccer or other turf sports. About 25 of these fields are in the works, and the city is also actively working to attract a minor league baseball team to the area.
Transportation Infrastructure Additions and Improvements
New transportation access is about to improve the travel experience greatly in Greater Ontario and the larger Southern California region.
The new Brightline West high-speed rail from Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga will bring millions of travelers when it opens in 2027. The line will also have direct connectivity via California Metrolink to key points in Los Angeles, such as Union Station. Additionally, the railway will also bring major environmental benefits, with the fully electric, zero-emission system to soon become one of the greenest forms of transportation in the U.S.
Greater Ontario is also at the heart of a 21st century transit network that will include hydrogen-powered passenger trains from Redlands in eastern San Bernardino County all the way into Los Angeles, cutting-edge zero-emission bus rapid transit and, still in the planning stages, an underground transit runnel from Rancho Cucamonga to Ontario International Airport.
To learn more about planning meetings in Greater Ontario, visit go-cal.org.
This article was produced in collaboration with Greater Ontario, California (GOCAL)
