San Mateo County Event Center

What San Mateo County Event Center does

The San Mateo County Event Center (SMCEC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit event venue and emergency management site operated by the San Mateo County Exposition and Fair Association on 48 acres of county-owned property in San Mateo, California. Founded with the 1926 "Little Flower Show" and formalized around 1934, the facility comprises seven buildings totaling over 200,000 sq ft of exhibit space, including the 104,900 sq ft Expo Hall (6,000-person capacity, 540 booth capacity, 2 million watts of electrical capacity), the 50,000 sq ft Fiesta Hall, the recently renovated 15,680 sq ft Cypress Hall, and the Redwood, Sequoia, Event Pavilion, and Jockey Club buildings. Supporting infrastructure includes a 50+ access point secure wireless network with plug-and-play deployment, 400KW and 125KW automatic backup generators in the Expo and Fiesta Halls, an 11-tier telescopic seating riser system with 1,788-seat capacity, and three parking lots totaling 4,000+ vehicle capacity. The venue is described in its own materials as the only event facility accessible by all major Bay Area freeways.

SMCEC generates revenue from four streams: venue rental (transactional rental of exhibition halls, meeting rooms, and outdoor spaces for corporate events, trade shows, consumer shows, and private functions); fair admissions ($20 per person at the annual San Mateo County Fair, which draws 100,000+ visitors); sponsorships and advertising (including the Safeway sponsorship of the Fair); and equipment and service rentals (bleachers, chairs, tables, stage risers, PA systems, security, EMT personnel, and catering). Customer segments span corporate event organizers (e.g., SaaStr Annual Conference with 10,000+ attendees and 159 sponsors), private event hosts, general public/consumer visitors, emergency management and government agencies, and nonprofit community organizations (Samaritan House, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Fortitude Careers, Toolworks).

Beyond event hosting, SMCEC operates as a designated Emergency Operations Center and is a member of the California Emergency Resiliency and Response Venues (CERRV) network, providing emergency shelter capacity for up to 600 people, weekly food distribution, mobile health clinic services, workforce development programs, and disaster response infrastructure. The facility administered 250,000 COVID-19 tests and vaccinated more than 90,000 individuals during 2020-2021 and is currently executing a $20M+ infrastructure upgrade plan partially funded by a $7.2M CDFA state grant. GTM is sales-led through direct inquiry forms and first-hold deposit booking, complemented by event-driven and community-led motions targeting event organizers and local residents.

Name

San Mateo County Event Center

Legal name

San Mateo County Event Center

Website

https://smcec.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The San Mateo County Event Center is a 48-acre nonprofit event venue in San Mateo, CA, operating seven buildings with 200,000+ sq ft of exhibit space. It hosts corporate events, trade shows, the annual San Mateo County Fair, and serves as a designated emergency management site.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Venue and Facilities Services

NAICS

Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Spectator Sports (7112)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fairgrounds & Expo Parks (THAHAAAH), Multipurpose Event Center Operations (Civic Centers, Community Event Complexes) (MPAGALAE), Government & Municipal Event Venues (THAHAAAE), Festival Grounds & Fairgrounds Operations (MPAGALAH), Event Security & Crowd Management (IMAIAEAD)

Keywords

• Event venue rental
• Exhibition hall booking
• Corporate event hosting
• Annual county fair
• Emergency shelter services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Mateo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Venue Rental: Primary revenue from renting exhibition halls, meeting rooms, and outdoor spaces to event organizers for corporate events, trade shows, consumer shows, festivals, and private events. Revenue varies based on space size, duration, and services required.
2. Fair Admissions: Revenue from the annual San Mateo County Fair, including admission tickets ($20 per person) and fairground attractions. The fair draws over 100,000 visitors annually.
3. Sponsorships and Advertising: Corporate sponsorships for events including the San Mateo County Fair (e.g., Safeway as fair sponsor) and advertising opportunities throughout the venue.
4. Equipment and Service Rentals: Rental of equipment including bleachers, chairs, tables, stage risers, pipe and drape, podiums, PA systems, ticket booths, and turnstiles. Additional services include security, EMT personnel, and catering.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The San Mateo County Event Center is a 48-acre event facility offering seven buildings with over 200,000 square feet of indoor exhibit space, outdoor areas, and 4,000+ vehicle parking. The core business is venue rental for corporate events, trade shows, consumer shows, festivals, private celebrations, and weddings. The facility also produces the annual San Mateo County Fair and operates as a designated emergency management site for shelter and disaster response services.

Product overview

The San Mateo County Event Center is a 48-acre event facility offering a comprehensive portfolio of venue spaces and community services. The core venue comprises seven buildings with over 200,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space: Expo Hall (104,900 sq. ft.), Fiesta Hall (50,000 sq. ft.), Cypress Hall (15,680 sq. ft.), Redwood Hall, Sequoia Hall, Event Pavilion (6,500 sq. ft.), and Jockey Club (12,703 sq. ft.). Additional outdoor spaces include Central Mall (96,985 sq. ft.) and three parking lots (600,000 sq. ft., 4,000+ vehicle capacity). Beyond event hosting, the facility operates the annual San Mateo County Fair and serves as a designated emergency management site providing shelter services, disaster response capabilities, community resiliency programs, food distribution partnerships, and health services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• San Mateo County Fair: The annual San Mateo County Fair, a beloved tradition celebrating community talent, interests, innovations, and agricultural heritage. The fair is held at the San Mateo County Event Center.

Products and services

• Expo Hall
• Fiesta Hall Multi-purpose hall with 50,000 sq. ft. in the main hall accommodating 2,280 people, with two lobbies for registration and three breakout rooms (3,600-4,800 sq. ft. each). Equipped with a 125KW automatic backup generator.
• Cypress Hall State-of-the-art facility accommodating up to 1,056 guests. Newly renovated with carpet and sound walls, divisible into three distinct 5,000 sq. ft. smaller spaces or open to 15,680 sq. ft. full expanse. Used for weddings and large banquets.
• Sequoia Hall Multi-purpose building suitable for consumer and trade shows, used as additional breakout space, located near Event Pavilion, Cypress Hall, and Central Mall.
• Event Pavilion Versatile building holding up to 400 people in theater setting or 250 for banquet seating, featuring carpeting, HVAC, heating, and a discrete holding kitchen.
• Jockey Club Event venue with three rooms and full-service bar and catering, featuring satellite feeds for horse racing and parimutuel betting, accommodating 801 people in 12,703 sq. ft.
• Central Mall & Plaza Stage Outdoor venue with 96,985 sq. ft. lawn area (595' x 163') for food truck events, company picnics, concerts, and outdoor activities, with a 210-booth capacity.
• Parking Lots Large parking facility spanning 600,000 sq. ft. (3,687 spaces) with dimensions of approximately 1,000' x 600', supporting events up to 10,000 people, including an RV area with full hookups.
• San Mateo County Fair The annual county fair hosted at the San Mateo County Event Center, celebrating local agriculture, makers, talent, and innovation, drawing more than 100,000 visitors annually with $20 admission.
• Emergency Management & Resiliency Services Designated emergency management site providing shelter for up to 600 people, disaster response, and community resiliency services. During COVID-19, served as a testing site, operations hub, vaccine distribution center, and 250-bed temporary overflow hospital.
• Inclement Weather Shelter Program Partnership with San Mateo County Human Services Agency providing temporary shelter, meals, and essential services to individuals experiencing housing insecurity during severe weather events.
• Food Distribution Services Weekly food distribution site operated in partnership with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley at East Parking lot every Thursday from 8:30am to 10:45am, serving families in need.
• Health Mobile Clinic Services Weekly on-site presence of San Mateo County Health Mobile Clinic every Thursday 8:30am-5:30pm, providing confidential medical care to adults 18+, including those experiencing homelessness and uninsured individuals.

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ToolworksminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2025Partnership launched as Signature Business Consulting's 50th anniversary initiative. Toolworks team members on-site to support facility cleanliness and readiness. Toolworks is a nonprofit connecting people with disabilities to employment opportunities.
• San Mateo Police Activities League (PAL)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 March 2024Ongoing partnership hosting PAL events including annual Lights and Sirens Dinner. PAL mission aligns with Event Center values in youth development and community engagement.
• Second Harvest of Silicon ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2024Weekly food distribution site at East Parking lot (Gate 9) every Thursday 8:30am-10:45am serving families in need. Partnership since 2022 addressing food insecurity in San Mateo County. Event Center provides venue and parking for drive-through food distribution.
• San Mateo County Human Services AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2024Inclement Weather Program partnership providing temporary shelter, meals, and essential services to individuals experiencing homelessness during severe weather events. HSA oversees daily operations with Event Center providing facility space.
• Fortitude CareersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2024Partnership since Spring 2022 providing space for 8-week Build Program training young adults aged 18-24 in construction trades. Over 75 students trained. Program includes life skills, career services, and job readiness training.
• San Mateo County Health Mobile ClinicminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2024Weekly mobile clinic on-site every Thursday 8:30am-5:30pm providing confidential medical care to adults 18+. Services include immediate healthcare for individuals experiencing homelessness and those uninsured or with Medi-Cal/Medicare/ACE insurance.
• Domini Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 November 2023Event Center serves as fiscal agent for $2M state grant funds (SB104). Museum hosted at annual fair for decade. Supports museum's 10th anniversary celebration and Holiday Program.
• Samaritan HousecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2023Partnership with San Mateo-based nonprofit to expand kitchen and pantry services. Samaritan House receives grant funding to upgrade services including 6,700 sq ft commercial kitchen and 14,000 sq ft Redwood Hall converted to dining space serving up to 2,000 meals daily. Also hosts Holiday Toy Shop serving 1,000+ children.
• California Emergency Resiliency and Response Venues (CERRV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud member of statewide organization of fairgrounds and venues leading emergency and disaster response operations. The Event Center is designated as an emergency management site prepared to support the community during crises.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Moscone Center: San Francisco's primary convention and exhibition center operated by a city-affiliated entity. Comparable as a large-scale Bay Area convention venue hosting trade shows, corporate events, and conferences with similar target customers and business model.
• Cal Expo (California State Fair): California's state fairgrounds in Sacramento operated as a state-affiliated venue. Highly comparable as a multi-purpose fairgrounds with annual fair (California State Fair), convention/exhibition facilities, and emergency management functions under CERRV-style mandate.
• Santa Clara Convention Center: Convention center in Silicon Valley operated as a city facility. Directly competes for the same Bay Area corporate event, conference, and trade show customers with comparable facility scale and target market.
• Oakland Convention Center: Bay Area convention and event facility in Oakland. Comparable as a regional convention center serving corporate events, trade shows, and community gatherings with overlapping target customers in the greater Bay Area market.
• Alameda County Fairgrounds: Pleasanton-based county fairgrounds operating the annual Alameda County Fair and hosting events. Comparable as a county-affiliated, nonprofit-operated fairgrounds with annual fair, event rentals, and emergency management functions serving the Bay Area.
• San Jose McEnery Convention Center: Major convention center in downtown San Jose. Comparable Bay Area convention venue competing for corporate events, technology conferences, and trade shows with similar facility scale and target customers.
• Cow Palace: Historic multi-purpose event venue in Daly City operated by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Comparable as a publicly-affiliated, multi-purpose event arena hosting consumer shows, concerts, trade events, and community gatherings in the Bay Area.
• Sonoma County Fairgrounds: County fairgrounds in Santa Rosa hosting the annual Sonoma County Fair and event rentals. Comparable as a county-affiliated fairgrounds with annual fair, event hosting, and CERRV-style emergency management designation in Northern California.

Others

• CERRV (California Emergency Resiliency and Response Venues): Statewide association of California fairgrounds and venues for emergency and disaster response operations. Directly comparable as the trade/membership organization SMCEC belongs to, representing the same emergency management and venue operations ecosystem.

Regional players

• Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture: San Francisco waterfront venue hosting cultural events, festivals, and private gatherings. Comparable as a Bay Area event and cultural venue, though it focuses more on arts/cultural programming than trade shows and conventions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/smeventcenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/sanmateoevntctr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/san-mateo-event-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/sanmateoevntctr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about San Mateo County Event Center