Boasting a 1.6 million square feet of exhibit, meeting and reception space, the Anaheim Convention Center reigns as the king of convention venues. From Las Vegas to the Pacific Ocean, there’s none more imposing.

That’s been the case since the structure came to life in 1967, said city of Anaheim External Affairs Manager Marty DeSollar.

The LEED-certified Anaheim Convention Center sits in the heart of the Anaheim Resort District and is a popular convention choice for guests from around the world. The facility is municipally owned by the city of Anaheim, Calif., The structure was built in an architectural style that exemplifies California and the West Coast. That style “can be described as an organic style in that one of the inspirations for the whole design concept was the California coastline. A lot of curves and window space to bring in natural light, and to represent a seamless outdoor/indoor feel reflective of nature,” said DeSollar.

Wall-to-wall Wi-Fi capabilities, catering and a full suite of sustainable and green practices that include recycling and water and energy conservation make the facility a good resident of Orange County. The center’s lighting is supported by solar energy and it’s 28,410-square-foot arena, recently completed an extensive renovation that included a new ceiling and roof, new outdoor space and interior updates.

Several expansions have also served to maintain the ACC’s dominance in the region, the most recent happening in 2000. Currently the city is stretching the facility’s reach once again by developing a Grand Plaza, which will consist of 100,000 square feet of open-air meeting and event space that takes full advantage of Southern California’s mild climate. The $20 million Grand Plaza is the ACC’s sixth major construction project and is expected to be completed by January, 2013.

The Grand Plaza will include a pedestrian-oriented plaza; 153 palm trees, 65 of which are being re-purposed from the existing landscape; 60 citrus trees reminiscent of Anaheim and Orange County’s citrus industry; a river of lights that will run through the middle of the plaza; water features; a 48-foot lighted entry monument and more than 80,000 square feet of colored concrete and pavers.

At the time of the American Public Works Association conference, the plaza will be in the second of four construction phases, DeSollar said.