Orange County’s Orange Tier Status Paves Way for Anaheim Convention Center to Host Sporting Competition, First Non-Healthcare Event in 13 Months

 

ANAHEIM, Calif. (April 22, 2021) – The Anaheim Convention Center, the largest exhibition facility on the West Coast, is set to host its first event since February 2020. A low-contact sports event booked by the Orange County Sports Commission, a countywide coalition of destination marketing organizations and community partners united to book and promote sporting events, will be the first event other than testing and vaccinations to occupy the Anaheim Convention Center since the onset of the pandemic.

Starpower Talent, a worldwide leader in dance competitions, is anticipated to draw up to 500 attendees to the Anaheim Convention Center. With indoor, low-contact youth recreational sports allowed in California’s orange reopening tier, this event will be held from Friday, April 23 through Sunday, April 25, as part of Starpower’s 2021 Regional Tour.

“When California released reopening guidelines for outdoor and indoor youth and recreational adult sports, Orange County Sports Commission remained steadfast in its efforts to continue to attract and book business,” said Jay Burress, OCSC president. “The amateur sports market has proven to be resilient in the wake of a pandemic.”

The Anaheim Convention Center stands ready to safely and responsibly reopen following California’s four-tier reopening plan and beyond. To ensure unparalleled service and a world-class experience while taking steps to safeguard public health for event organizers, attendees, partners and employees, the Anaheim Convention Center developed a comprehensive COVID-19 Recovery Plan.

“Event organizers and attendees can feel confident about returning to the Anaheim Convention Center,” said Tom Morton, executive director of Convention, Sports and Entertainment for the city of Anaheim. “We have taken extensive steps to prepare for the return of events, with Starpower as the first of many to come. At the same time, we have been proud to play a leading role in bringing down cases by hosting Orange County’s largest vaccination site.”

To provide a safe environment for this event, room capacity will be capped at 25 percent and all attendees will be required to wear masks.

This will be the first of several OCSC bookings to occupy the Anaheim Convention Center in the coming months. Other upcoming events include:

  • May 5-9: JUMP ― by Break the Floor
  • May 29-31: Fortune Fencing Cadets, Juniors & Veterans Region 5 Championships
  • June 11-13: Southern California Volleyball Association Boy’s Classic
  • June 25-27: Southern California Volleyball Association Girl’s Summer Soiree
  • July 4-9: Revolution Talent Competition (dance)

As a vital part of Anaheim’s visitor industry, the Anaheim Convention Center is ready to get back on track to hosting more than 1 million attendees a year. Revenue from visitors to the convention center allows Anaheim to provide essential services such as public safety, parks, libraries and community centers for residents, businesses and visitors.

For more information on the Anaheim Convention Center’s coronavirus recovery plan, visit:
www.visitanaheim.org/meetings/.

Visit Anaheim Contact:
Lindsay Swanson, Communications Director
lswanson@visitanaheim.org
(714) 765-2928

About Visit Anaheim: 
Founded in 1961, Visit Anaheim is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit destination marketing organization. Visit Anaheim’s mission is to develop, market, and sell Anaheim to benefit the economic vitality of its neighborhoods. To learn more about Visit Anaheim, visit: www.visitanaheim.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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