The Ontario Convention Center is one of Southern California’s most strategically positioned event venues, located in the heart of the Inland Empire in Ontario, California. Opened in 1997, this contemporary state-of-the-art facility offers more than 225,000 square feet of flexible, column-free exhibit, meeting, and function space, making it an ideal destination for conventions, trade shows, corporate meetings, and social events of all sizes. With its sleek modern architecture, cutting-edge technology infrastructure, and unbeatable proximity to Ontario International Airport — one of the closest airport-to-venue distances in all of Southern California — the Ontario Convention Center is a top choice for planners seeking convenience, value, and professional-grade facilities in the greater Los Angeles region. The center is also a popular filming location, regularly used by filmmakers for movies and commercials thanks to its striking contemporary design.
Ontario Convention Center Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Ontario Convention Center |
| Address | 2000 E Convention Center Way, Ontario, CA 91764 |
| Location | Ontario, Inland Empire, San Bernardino County, California |
| Total Event Space | 225,000+ sq ft |
| Exhibit Hall | 70,000 sq ft (column-free) |
| Ballroom | 20,000 sq ft (column-free) |
| Breakout/Meeting Space | 24,000 sq ft |
| Nearest Airport | Ontario International Airport (ONT) (~2 miles) |
| Parking | 1,200+ spaces on-site |
| Website | gocvb.org/ontario-convention-center |
Location and Accessibility
The Ontario Convention Center is located at 2000 E Convention Center Way, Ontario, CA 91764, in the western portion of San Bernardino County, within the broader Inland Empire metropolitan area. Ontario sits approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, placing it at a highly accessible midpoint for attendees traveling from across Southern California.
Perhaps the center’s single greatest logistical advantage is its proximity to Ontario International Airport (ONT), which is just 2 miles away — a 3 to 5 minute drive that makes it one of the most airport-convenient convention facilities in the entire country. ONT offers daily direct flights to major US cities and international destinations, with over 220 flights daily, making travel seamless for out-of-town attendees.
For those driving, the center is centrally located near Interstates 10, 15, and 60, the major freeway corridors connecting Ontario to Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and the broader Inland Empire. This outstanding freeway access makes the convention center drivable for a massive regional population base.
Local transportation is handled in part by GOAT (Greater Ontario Area Transit), an on-demand shuttle service providing rides between the convention center, nearby hotels, restaurants, and local attractions. Most area hotels also offer complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport and convention center, making car-free attendance entirely practical.
The surrounding area provides 2,500 hotel rooms within walking distance of the convention center, and Greater Ontario offers approximately 6,000 hotel rooms citywide, spanning luxury to economy options. Adjacent properties include the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Ontario Airport, the Residence Inn by Marriott Ontario Airport, and the Delta Hotels by Marriott Ontario Airport, all within steps of the facility. The center is also adjacent to Citizens Business Bank Arena, a major entertainment and sports venue, placing it in a vibrant destination district with dining, shopping, and entertainment options.
Facilities and Event Spaces
The Ontario Convention Center delivers a clean, modern, and highly functional portfolio of event spaces built around flexibility and technology.
1. Exhibit Hall
The centerpiece of the facility is its 70,000-square-foot column-free Exhibit Hall, capable of accommodating up to 402 booths and seating up to 6,300 in theater-style or 6,048 for banquets. The hall features a 28-foot ceiling height, large loading platform doors measuring 14 x 20 feet, and a floor load capacity supporting a wide range of trade show and industrial installations. All exhibit space is fully column-free, providing unobstructed sightlines and maximum layout flexibility for exhibitors and attendees alike.
2. Ballroom
The convention center’s 20,000-square-foot column-free ballroom is a versatile and elegant space for galas, award ceremonies, receptions, and large banquet functions. Its column-free design ensures seamless décor configurations and uninterrupted guest sightlines for any event format.
3. Breakout and Meeting Rooms
The center offers 24,000 square feet of dedicated breakout and meeting space across 31 meeting rooms, with individual room sizes ranging from 200 to 3,500 square feet. These rooms are well-suited for corporate workshops, educational seminars, executive boardrooms, and multi-track conference programs. Moveable walls allow for quick reconfiguration between session formats and group sizes.
Technology and Services
The Ontario Convention Center is widely recognized for its high-tech infrastructure, which includes 30 miles of fiber-optic cabling, multiple internet connectivity options including Wi-Fi, DS3, and broadband, plus full video conferencing, webinar, and webcasting capabilities — making it a strong fit for hybrid events. Additional services include a full-service business center, on-site award-winning catering for breakfast, lunch, and event functions, audiovisual support, air conditioning, high-power electrical outlets, security, and full ADA-compliant accessibility throughout the facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where is the Ontario Convention Center located?
A: The center is at 2000 E Convention Center Way, Ontario, CA 91764, in the Inland Empire region of San Bernardino County, approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
Q. How far is Ontario International Airport from the convention center?
A: Ontario International Airport (ONT) is approximately 2 miles away — a 3 to 5 minute drive — making it one of the closest major airports to any convention center in Southern California.
Q. How much parking is available?
A: The Ontario Convention Center offers more than 1,200 on-site parking spaces. During large events shared with Citizens Business Bank Arena, arriving early is recommended to secure a spot.
Q. What hotels are near the convention center?
A: Over 2,500 hotel rooms are within walking distance of the convention center, including the DoubleTree by Hilton Ontario Airport, Residence Inn by Marriott Ontario Airport, and Delta Hotels by Marriott Ontario Airport. Greater Ontario offers approximately 6,000 hotel rooms citywide, most with complimentary shuttle service to the convention center and airport.
Q. Does the convention center offer Wi-Fi?
A: Yes. The facility features 30 miles of fiber-optic cabling supporting Wi-Fi, DS3, broadband internet, video conferencing, webinars, and webcasting — among the most robust connectivity offerings of any mid-size convention facility in Southern California.
Q. What types of events are held at the Ontario Convention Center?
A: The center regularly hosts trade shows, conventions, corporate meetings, product launches, banquets, receptions, consumer shows, and social events. It is also a popular filming location for movies and commercials.
Q. How do I book the Ontario Convention Center?
A: Contact the Greater Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau at (909) 937-3000 or email info@ontariocvb.org. More information is available at gocvb.org/ontario-convention-center.
