Fairplex in Pomona recently held a ground breaking ceremony for its new Fairplex Conference Center, a high-tech, 85,000-sq-ft venue suited for trade shows, corporate meetings and regional associations. The ceremony marked the beginning of a one-year long construction project with remarks from Congressman David Dreier and Congresswoman Grace Napolitano.

The architect on the $30-million, year-long construction project is HOK and the contractor is Summit Builders Inc.

�The new Fairplex Conference Center will be a great asset to the community as it will support the Fairplex mission to provide hospitality and community service to the greater LA and Inland Empire area,� says Jim Henwood, Fairplex President and CEO. �The conference center will enhance existing spaces by serving as a much-needed meeting facility for the L.A. County Fair as well as surrounding business and philanthropic communities.�

Expected to generate nearly 500 jobs during construction and nearly 300 full-time, sustainable jobs during annual day-to-day operations, the new center will have a strong economic impact for the area with additional sales and occupancy tax related benefits for the city.

�The conference center will bring in businesses and associations from across the world, and create much-needed jobs here in Pomona,� says Congresswoman Napolitano. �This is a great opportunity for chambers of commerce, businesses and entrepreneurs to network and bring opportunities to the area.�

�Fairplex has long been a strong contributor and supporter of the neighboring community and with this new center it will also be bringing new jobs to the community throughout the construction process and on-going day-to-day operations,� says Congressman Dreier.

Incorporating the conversion of an existing 33,600-sq-ft exhibit building with the development of a new 50,000-sq-ft structure, the new conference center will enhance the existing Art Deco qualities of Fairplex grounds as well as the surrounding park-like setting. Adopting a code of sustainability, the new center will also be International Association of Conference Centers and LEED certified.