Convention Center Expansion Creates Nearly $10 Million in Wages and 1,700+ New, Union Jobs

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Visit LAConventionCenter.com/Expansion for Available Job Opportunities

LOS ANGELES - Mayor Karen Bass today announced that the expansion and modernization of the LA Convention Center is on-time, on-budget and is putting thousands of Angelenos to work in good-paying, union jobs with nearly $10 million delivered in workers' wages so far. Joined by City Councilmembers, labor leaders, local business owners, and union construction workers, Mayor Bass highlighted how the project is building lasting economic opportunity for the city while opening pathways into skilled careers that pay a living wage. Photos available here.

"With thousands of new union jobs created and almost $10 million in wages paid, this project is putting paychecks in Angelenos' pockets and already delivering an economic boost for Los Angeles," said Mayor Bass. "Hundreds of apprentices are building careers in the trades, including transitional workers, veterans, those with involvement in the criminal justice system, and foster care alumni, and 18 new conventions have already booked the new convention center, estimated to bring 186,000 visitors Downtown and deliver more than $400 million in economic impact. I will continue to stand with our Council leadership, union workforce, and local business leaders to move this generational investment forward."

"For years, this project was discussed, studied, and delayed, but thanks to the Mayor's decisive leadership and refusal to sidestep tough challenges, along with my colleagues who saw that our city deserves more, we chose to act," said Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson. "One year in, the expansion of the Los Angeles Convention Center isn't just transforming Downtown LA-it's creating a material difference for Angelenos by delivering quality jobs directly to our neighbors and uplifting our entire city economically."

"After years of debate, Los Angeles finally made the decision to move this project forward, and one year into construction, the case for doing so is getting stronger by the day. Thousands of jobs are being created, local and minority-owned businesses have a real stake in this investment, and new conventions are already choosing Los Angeles," said Councilmember Curren Price. "There will always be people who find a reason to say no, but delay was costing this city jobs, revenue and opportunity. We chose to move forward, and Los Angeles is already better for it."

"The Convention Center expansion must deliver meaningful benefits for the people who live and work in Downtown. Bringing larger conventions to Los Angeles means more visitors staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants and shopping at our small businesses," said Councilmember Ysabel Jurado. "This project's success must be measured beyond the convention floor-in good jobs for our workers, more customers for local businesses and a Downtown where our residents share in the opportunities we create."

Since the start of construction in October 2025, the project has remained on-time, on-budget, and has already delivered the following benefits for Angelenos:

• $500 million in contracts for small and minority-owned businesses

• Nearly $10 million in wages paid to Angelenos

• 1,700+ new jobs created

• 18 new conventions booked after project completion

"The LA Convention Center modernization is more than a construction project-it is an investment in working people, creating good-paying union jobs, expanding pathways into the skilled trades, and putting nearly $10 million in wages into the pockets of Angelenos," said Yvonne Wheeler, President, LA County Federation of Labor. "This is what happens when the City of Los Angeles, labor, and our business community work together: we build a stronger economy, create opportunity for working families, and ensure that the future of Los Angeles is built by union workers."

"Projects like the Convention Center are creating middle class pathways for the next generation of Angelenos," said Eddie Alvarez, LA County Representative, LA/OC Building Trades.

After more than a decade of inaction, Mayor Bass finalized the expansion and modernization of the LA Convention Center, part of her broader effort to revitalize Downtown Los Angeles while creating jobs and economic opportunities for Angelenos citywide. So far, 18 new conventions have already signed up to utilize the expanded and modernized convention spaces, estimated to bring 186,000 visitors to Downtown and deliver more than $400 million in economic impact for Los Angeles.

Central City Association President & CEO Nella McOsker highlighted the Convention Center modernization as a catalyst for broader momentum across Downtown L.A. McOsker stated, "the Convention Center modernization helped set Downtown L.A. on a new trajectory. We're seeing it in the cleanup and redevelopment at Oceanwide Plaza, and in companies like SoCalGas and Banc of California making significant investments in Downtown. Together, these developments are creating a new sense of energy and possibility across the city center, and the Convention Center helped set it in motion."

The expansion and modernization has also created hundreds of apprenticeship opportunities allowing Angelenos to build first-time careers in the trades. Once completed, the Convention Center is expected to deliver:

• 15,000+ jobs

• 500,000+ new visitors to Los Angeles every year

• $150 million in new visitor spending every year

• $652 million in new general fund revenues over 30 years

For those interested in working on the expansion and modernization project, the City of Los Angeles will be hosting two job fairs at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Sign up at LAConventionCenter.com/Expansion to receive more details:

• Prime Contractor Matchmaking Event: Thursday, October 22, 2026

• Project Hiring Fair: Tuesday, October 27, 2026