Fresno Convention Center
{{Short description|Convention center located in Fresno, California}}
{{Infobox convention center
| name = Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center
| image = 250px
| image_caption = Exterior view of Selland Arena (c. 2009)
| address = 848 M St
Fresno, California
| location =
| coordinates = {{coord|36.73365|-119.78347|region:US-CA_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| mapframe = no
| owner = City of Fresno
| operator = ASM Global
| opened = October 1966
| expanded = 1981, 1999
| construction_cost =
| former_names =
| classroom_cap =
| banquets =
| theatre =
| total_space =
| exhibit = {{convert|139200|ft2|abbr=on}}
| breakout =
| ballroom = {{convert|13129|ft2|abbr=on}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.fresnoconventioncenter.com|Venue Website}}
| publictransit = {{Bus icon}} FAX: 1Q, 26, 34
}}
The Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center is a convention center located in Fresno, California. The four-building complex was originally made up of three main venues when completed in 1966, and underwent several expansions with the latest additions in 1981 and 1999.{{cite web | author= | title=History of Fresno Convention Center | url=http://www.fresnoconventioncenter.com/venues/history.html | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724084149/http://www.fresnoconventioncenter.com/venues/history.html | archivedate=2011-07-24| publisher=Fresno Convention Center | year=2010 | accessdate=12 August 2010}}
Selland Arena
{{Main|Selland Arena}}
Named after former Fresno mayor Arthur L. Selland, the Selland Arena is a {{convert|24200|ft2|abbr=on}} multi-purpose arena with a seating capacity of more than 9,000.{{cite web | author= | title=Venues: Selland Arena | url=http://www.fresnoconventioncenter.com/selland.php | publisher=Fresno Convention Center | year=2012 | accessdate=18 May 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530203241/http://www.fresnoconventioncenter.com/selland.php | archive-date=30 May 2012 | url-status=dead }} The facility was home to the Central Valley Coyotes of the AF2, the Fresno State men's basketball program and Fresno Falcons hockey team. It has hosted various entertainment, concert, and college sporting events throughout the years, most notably WWE's Royal Rumble, WWF Fully Loaded, the 2000 Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
California Future Farmers of America Association holds its annual state leadership conference in April which lasts 4 days. Here members from the National FFA Organization from the State of California learn premier leadership, personal growth and career success.
The numerous bands and artists that have played Selland Arena in concert include; Metallica, No Doubt, Korn, Garth Brooks, Tom Petty, The Grateful Dead, Hilary Duff, Joe Bonamassa, Rush, and Van Halen. Van Halen recorded their 1992 "Right Here Right Now" Live Home Video/DVD concert here over a two night sold out series of concerts May 14–15, 1992.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fresnoconventioncenter.com/events_calendar.php |title=Events Calendar |access-date=2012-08-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818053641/http://www.fresnoconventioncenter.com/events_calendar.php |archive-date=2012-08-18 |url-status=dead }}
William Saroyan Theatre
File:William Saroyan Theatre ա.jpg
Named after native Fresnan novelist William Saroyan, the 2,353-seat theatre is home to the Fresno Philharmonic, Fresno Grand Opera, the Fresno Ballet, and Broadway in Fresno.{{cite web | author= | title=Venues: Saroyan Theatre | url=http://www.fresnoconventioncenter.com/william.php | publisher=Fresno Convention Center | year=2012 | accessdate=18 May 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531021637/http://www.fresnoconventioncenter.com/william.php | archive-date=31 May 2012 | url-status=dead }} Thomas Griswold conducted the inaugural concert in this new theatre on October 14, 1966.{{cite news | author=Staff writers | title=Fresno Philharmonic Will Present Single Concert | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1948&dat=19670315&id=2M1JAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Bh0NAAAAIBAJ&pg=858,3071449 | work=The Modesto Bee | date=15 March 1967 | accessdate=18 May 2012}} The concert included the Consecration of the House Overture by Ludwig van Beethoven, Enigma Variations by Edward Elgar, Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland and Daphnis et Chloé by Maurice Ravel.{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}}
The theatre recently underwent an extensive renovation, including front-of-house enhancements to the main lobby and VIP Lounge, as well as back-of-house upgrades with five dressing rooms and star rooms, chorus rooms, production offices and a green room.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fresnoconventioncenter.com/william.php |title=Saroyan Theatre |access-date=2012-05-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531021637/http://www.fresnoconventioncenter.com/william.php |archive-date=2012-05-31 |url-status=dead }}
The William Saroyan Theatre has hosted Mikhail Baryshnikov, Arthur Fiedler, George Carlin, Jerry Seinfeld, and Isaac Stern as well as magician David Copperfield, Broadway shows Cats, The Sound of Music, Evita, Chicago, and Riverdance and the Miss California Pageant.
Ernest E. Valdez Hall
The Valdez Hall is one of the Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center's largest venues, with space for social events such as dances, banquets and weddings, as well as meetings, conventions, trade shows and other special events. This multi-purpose, 32,000 square-foot hall is column free, has an attached kitchen, a 20' x 30' built-in performance stage, and two green rooms.{{cite web | author= | title=Venues: Ernest E. Valdez Hall | url=http://www.fresnoconventioncenter.com/valdez.php | publisher=Fresno Convention Center | year=2012 | accessdate=23 August 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705150124/http://www.fresnoconventioncenter.com/valdez.php | archive-date=5 July 2012 | url-status=dead }}
Exhibit Hall
With three exhibit halls that can be used separately or combined into one large hall, the venue offers more than 66,000 square feet of space and a kitchen, usable for exhibits, conventions and trade shows, as well as social functions such as weddings, banquets and community events. The second floor has 20 meeting rooms, including an exhibitor lounge. An additional 16,000 square feet of space is also available in the first and second floor lobbies.{{cite web | author= | title=Exhibit Hall | url=http://www.fresnoconventioncenter.com/venues/exhibit.html | publisher=Fresno Convention Center | year=2010 | accessdate=12 August 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311071334/http://www.fresnoconventioncenter.com/venues/exhibit.html | archive-date=11 March 2010 | url-status=dead }}
See also
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
{{Commons category-inline}}
- {{Official website|http://www.fresnoconventioncenter.com/}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:1966 establishments in California
Category:Buildings and structures in Fresno, California
Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1966
Category:Convention centers in California
Category:Concert halls in California