Southern California is a major draw for meetings and events, thanks to its broad expanse of amenities, attractions and pleasant year-round weather. The fastest-growing destination in this region is Greater Ontario, California. Today, the Inland Empire in which Greater Ontario resides is home to 5 million people and is the 12th largest metropolitan area in the U.S., ahead of such major markets as San Francisco; Seattle; Tampa, Florida; San Diego and Denver.
“We’re definitely a destination to watch,” said Arlette Garibay, director of sales for Greater Ontario California (GOCAL), the area’s CVB. “Greater Ontario region offers something for everyone: A retail center that attracts more visitors each year than Disneyland; an 11,000-seat arena that attracts a high level of entertainment acts; convenient access across the state-of-the-art transportation and transit network; great restaurants; and hotels from all major brands. And of course, not without mention, our beautiful Ontario Convention Center.”
Above all, planning a meeting in Greater Ontario, California is a seamless experience. Here are three ways that GOCAL makes planning meetings easier.
Ease of Travel
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is just two miles away from the Ontario Convention Center, making travel for attendees extremely easy and convenient. In just 10 minutes, attendees can get to the convention center and surrounding host hotels without dealing with the congestion that often surrounds other Southern California airports.
The airport is also growing. It currently offers direct flights to over 20 destinations and major connection hubs. In 2023, it surpassed 6 million passengers and is poised to set an all-time record in 2024. For international travelers, the experience has improved too—ONT has seen international passenger volumes double in the past year, with service to and from Mexico, Latin America and Asia. The airport recently introduced several international travel amenities, such as Simplified Arrival, that will streamline the customs screening process for international visitors.
Once in Greater Ontario, travel around the region is simple, too. Access to major freeways that can easily transport visitors to major Southern California attractions like Los Angeles, Disneyland and more of the Inland Empire is a major benefit.
Additionally, new transportation developments are set to make traveling to and from Greater Ontario even easier—and more sustainable. A new Brightline West high-speed rail from Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga will bring millions of travelers when it opens in 2027. 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 tunnel from Rancho Cucamonga to ONT.
[Related: 4 Developments and Expansions That Will Bolster Greater Ontario, California, Meetings]
Proximity of Hotels to Convention Center
One of the major benefits of meeting in Greater Ontario is hotel access to the convention center. Within walking distance of Ontario Convention Center are 1,500 hotel rooms, with more on the way that will boost this count to more than 2,000 in the coming years.
Options don’t stop there. Hundreds of restaurants, 68 hotels and nearly 6,800 hotel rooms are within Greater Ontario’s Tourism Marketing District, and attractions such as the 11,000-seat Toyota Arena are within three miles of the convention center, which hosts more than 200 shows and entertainment acts annually.
[Podcast: All That Fast-Growing Greater Ontario, California Can Offer Your Next Meeting]
GOCAL Is Your One-Stop Shop
One of the biggest benefits to meeting in Greater Ontario is working with the GOCAL team, who manages meetings, the convention center and the Toyota Arena. As a meeting planner, you’ll only need one point of contact for booking all of your meetings and events in Greater Ontario, making for a stress-free, easy planning experience.
A veteran sales team awaits, too. Combined, the GOCAL sales team has more than 50 years of experience, and longevity is a hallmark of its staff. Planners will have peace of mind knowing they are working with long-time Greater Ontario experts when booking and planning their events.
To learn more about planning meetings, events and conventions in Greater Ontario, visit go-cal.org.
This article was produced in collaboration with Greater Ontario, California (GOCAL)
