Smart Meetings

From its iconic Sacramento River Bridge to Old Sacramento, there’s much to explore. A 28-acre riverfront area comprised of historic buildings, wooden sidewalks and nostalgic Pony Express monuments, Old Sacramento is a tribute to citizens’ strong preservation efforts.

The centerpiece of interest to meeting planners is the 384,000-square-foot Sacramento Convention Center Complex, located in the middle of downtown Sacramento. With three state-of-the-art facilities, the convention center has 134,000 square feet of exhibit space, 31 meeting rooms and arena seating for 6,500. Its elegant 24,000-square-foot ballroom is enhanced by the complex’s award-winning catering.

Adjacent to the complex is the 2,452-seat Sacramento Community Center Theater. And on the complex’s other side is the recently renovated 4,000-seat Memorial Auditorium.

Sacramento is also the site of the California State Fair, which takes place at 350-acre CalExpo. CalExpo has 18 versatile indoor and outdoor venues: Buildings A and B, for example, measure 35,000 square feet each and are perfect for trade and consumer shows. While the Expo Center’s eight buildings surround a lagoon and an outdoor brick plaza.

When looking for a unique venue in Sacramento, Old Sacramento, the aforementioned heritage district along the Sacramento riverfront, is a pleasure to stroll. Groups can come here together and wander into the many western-themed stores and restaurants that make this old-time area unique. Old Sacramento is also home to one of the world's premier railroad attractions, the California State Railroad Museum (CSRM).

At CSRM, guided tours and interpretive film screenings are offered daily. Among the ten venues within the 225,000-square-foot total is the CSRM Roundhouse which can host up to 550 people. There guests will be surrounded by CSRM’s astonishing collection of restored locomotives and cars. Costumed docents are available to enhance guests’ experiences. For an outdoor location at CSRM, opt for the 1849 Scene, where several thousand people can gather on a sloped grassy area surrounded by historic buildings.

Undoubtedly, first-time visitors to Sacramento will want to see the State Capitol, which is actually a working museum. Though it serves as the seat of California’s legislative branch and offices the state’s governor, there are guided tours, informative films, recreated historic rooms and exhibits to experience from Memorial Day through Labor Day, or upon request.
 

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Getting There

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) - Service is available from 13 major carriers and one commuter airline. 

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Not To Be Missed

California State Capitol - capitolmuseum.ca.gov
 

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