While the rest of the country is swathed in sweaters and scarves and feeling January’s icy bite, members of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) will be enjoying San Diego’s mild winter weather when they come for their annual meeting in 2012. Granted, it’s a few years away, but delegates can rest assured that even in January 2012, San Diego will offer a temperate climate that doesn’t require a down jacket.

This prestigious event, which takes place January 8-12, will allow the Convention Center and the city to showcase the region as an ideal destination for future meetings and conventions to the industry’s leading association, corporate and independent meeting planners.

The effort to bring PCMA to San Diego in 2012 was a joint endeavor by the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau and Gaylord Hotels. PCMA last held their annual meeting in San Diego in 1996, and a lot has changed since then!

“We’re honored to be selected as the site for PCMA’s 2012 Annual Meeting. The bid was a joint effort that included all of our hospitality partners, and we plan on rolling out the red carpet to impress PCMA with all our destination has to offer,” said Carol Wallace, San Diego Convention Center Corporation president and CEO. “Since PCMA was last here, we’ve doubled our building size and the Gaslamp Quarter has been transformed into a unique urban environment with exciting new hotels, restaurants and a wide array of entertainment options, all just across the street from the Convention Center.” 

The San Diego region has emerged as one of the world’s most energetic and progressive meeting destinations. Besides year-round sunshine and beautiful beaches, PCMA attendees will find some of the region’s best dining, world-class attractions and great entertainment. In the past ten years, dozens of new restaurants, rooftop bars, clubs, boutiques and galleries have been added downtown including the new Children’s Museum San Diego, the USS Midway Museum and PETCO Park, home to MLB’s San Diego Padres.  

Our region is also more accommodating than ever with 11,400 rooms within walking distance of the Convention Center. Gaylord Hotels is currently working with the City of Chula Vista, located approximately 6 miles south of downtown San Diego, and the San Diego Unified Port District on bringing a world-class hotel and convention Center to the Chula Vista bayfront. It is scheduled to open in 2013.