Convention Center, Pasadena

The Pasadena Convention Center, located in Pasadena, is a prominent facility composed of three main buildings, with the Civic Auditorium being a key feature. Built in 1931 and part of the Pasadena Civic Center District, the Civic Auditorium has a rich history in the entertainment industry. It famously hosted the Emmy Awards from 1977 until 1997 and continues to be an active venue for significant events such as the People's Choice Awards and the Daytime Emmy Awards from 2017 to 2019.

The auditorium's design was a collaborative effort by architects George Edwin Bergstrom, Cyril Bennett, and Fitch Haskell. This historical venue, seating 3,029, is versatile, hosting musicals, operas, concerts, and other large events on its 56 by 42 feet stage. Noteworthy is its theatre organ, commissioned in 1938 and used by the BBC during and post World War II, highlighting the venue’s international significance.

The Civic Auditorium has also been a stage for legendary performances, including early shows by Van Halen and Michael Jackson’s iconic "Moonwalk" during the "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever" special in 1983. It was also the recording site for Louis Armstrong's 1951 album "Satchmo at Pasadena."

Additional facilities include the Exhibition Building, offering 31,200 square feet of space, and an adjacent annex with 15,000 square feet, enhancing its capacity for diverse events, from graduations to pageants like Miss Teen USA 2007. The Pasadena Convention Center thus stands as a multifaceted venue deeply embedded in the cultural and entertainment landscapes of Pasadena and the broader entertainment industry.