UC San Diego Park & Market

What UC San Diego Park & Market does

UC San Diego Park & Market is a four-floor mixed-use event venue and cultural center operated by UC San Diego's Division of Extended Studies, located at 1100 Market St. in Downtown San Diego's East Village. The facility offers six programmable event spaces — the Forum (up to 500 guests) with a dual-sided video wall, the Guggenheim Theatre (200–250 guests) with broadcast-quality PTZ streaming, Meeting Rooms (157 guests), Executive Meeting Rooms (140 guests), an Outdoor Amphitheater & Overlook Terrace (500 guests), and a Wellness/Dance Room (25 guests) — alongside gallery space and an anchor arthouse cinema operated by Digital Gym Cinema/Media Arts Center San Diego. Technology infrastructure centers on in-house audiovisual systems (theatrical lighting, integrated sound, broadcast cameras, complimentary high-speed internet) managed by dedicated AV and production staff, supplemented by Matterport-powered 3D virtual tours for prospective clients.

The venue operates a platform-plus-spaces revenue model. Revenue streams include venue rental fees (quote-based, not publicly disclosed), on-site food and beverage through Senses Human Bistro (an extension of UC San Diego's campus cafe), and audiovisual equipment and production services. Pricing is quote-based with downloadable guides available on request, and the venue differentiates by imposing no food and beverage minimums or restrictive catering policies.

Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the website's host-an-event inquiry flow, augmented by an event-driven programming model built on over 20 anchor, resident, campus, and program partners — including UC San Diego academic departments (Design Lab, Urban Studies and Planning, Labor Center, Qualcomm Institute, Center for U.S.–Mexican Studies, Office of Innovation & Commercialization), regional development organizations (CONNECT, San Diego Regional EDC, San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce, San Diego Art Matters, San Diego Squared, Girard Foundation, Burnham Center for Community Advancement, NCRC), and binational institutions (CETYS, World Design Organization). The entity is wholly owned by the Regents of the University of California as a public state university asset and is administered with a lean internal team of approximately 7 employees.

Name

UC San Diego Park & Market

Legal name

Regents of the University of California

Website

https://parkandmarket.ucsd.edu

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UC San Diego Park & Market is a public university-operated event venue and cultural center in Downtown San Diego offering six programmable spaces with advanced audiovisual infrastructure, serving corporate event planners, cultural organizations, and UC San Diego departments through direct venue rental and a 20+ partner ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Venue Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues (THAHAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Venue & Facility Reservations (Private Rooms, Event Spaces) (HSACALAJ)

Keywords

• Event venue rental
• Meeting spaces
• Audiovisual services
• Corporate event hosting
• Cultural programming

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Venue Rental: Primary revenue stream from renting event spaces including the Forum (500 guests), Guggenheim Theatre (250 guests), Meeting Rooms (157 guests), Executive Meeting Rooms (140 guests), Outdoor Amphitheater (500 guests), and Wellness Room (25 guests). Revenue is generated through hourly or event-based rental fees.
2. Food & Beverage Services: On-site food and beverage services through Senses Human Bistro, an extension of UC San Diego's campus cafe. Revenue from cafe operations and catering partnerships.
3. AV Equipment & Production Services: Additional revenue from audiovisual equipment rental and production services including various AV packages and technical support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

UC San Diego Park & Market rents multiple customizable event venues (Forum, Guggenheim Theatre, Meeting Rooms, Executive Meeting Rooms, Outdoor Amphitheater, Wellness Room, and Art Gallery) for corporate events, conferences, performances, and community programming. Bookings are supported by integrated audiovisual infrastructure, professional on-site event and production staff, and on-site food and beverage service through Senses Human Bistro.

Product overview

UC San Diego Park & Market is a multi-use events venue in Downtown San Diego East Village offering multiple customizable venue spaces for events, meetings, conferences, and cultural programs. The venue operates on a platform-plus-spaces model, providing physical venue rental (including the Forum, Guggenheim Theatre, Meeting Rooms, Outdoor Amphitheater, Wellness Room, and Art Gallery) combined with technology-enabled services (Advanced Audio-Visual Capabilities, 3D Interactive Virtual Tours) and food & beverage services (Café & Bistro). Anchor partner Digital Gym Cinema provides independent film programming. The venue serves academic, community, and business audiences with capacities ranging from 15 to 500 guests.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Forum Venue

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered anchor, resident, campus and program.

• Digital Gym CinemaanchorOthersSan Diego's one-of-a-kind movie theater showcasing independent and foreign cinema, owned and operated by Media Arts Center San Diego. Located at Park & Market as an anchor partner, providing film screenings and media arts programming.
• Burnham Center for Community Advancement (BCCA)anchorOthersThink-and-do tank that helps make the San Diego binational region a better place to live, work and play. Serves as a nexus point where community stakeholders and multi-sector partners come together to identify regional needs and find innovative solutions.
• Senses Human BistroanchorOthersOn-site bistro and social club featuring a dynamic menu of snacks and drinks, operating as an extension of UC San Diego's campus cafe.
• National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC)residentStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides resources, training, and expertise to help people, organizations, and communities manage and solve conflicts with civility. Serves various communities regionally, nationally, and internationally.
• UC San Diego Office of Innovation & CommercializationcampusStrategic or Co-development PartnerUC San Diego campus department providing support for innovation and commercialization initiatives, hosting events and programs at Park & Market.
• UC San Diego Center for U.S. – Mexican StudiescampusStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased at UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy, studies issues affecting economic, social and political relations between Mexico and the U.S. Provides forum for thought leaders and supports training for scholars and practitioners.
• UC San Diego Design LabcampusStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnchor institution within San Diego-Tijuana region that pairs design education and research with community needs to create positive and impactful real-world solutions.
• UC San Diego Labor CentercampusStrategic or Co-development PartnerUC San Diego campus department providing research and education on labor issues.
• UC San Diego Urban Studies and PlanningcampusStrategic or Co-development PartnerUndergraduate department providing students with approaches and tools to understand development, character, and culture of cities and communities.
• Qualcomm InstitutecampusStrategic or Co-development PartnerUC San Diego division of Calit2, stresses collaborative, interdisciplinary research in culture, energy, environment, and health to benefit society.
• CONNECT San DiegoresidentStrategic or Co-development PartnerSan Diego community nonprofit that elevates entrepreneurs by providing educational programming, mentorship, introductions, and access to capital.
• San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce (SDBCC)residentStrategic or Co-development PartnerUses innovative programs, networking opportunities, and business partnerships to advance Inclusive Economic Development throughout San Diego County. Mission to create generational wealth through business enterprise, education, employment, and investing.
• San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC)residentStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependently-funded economic development organization that mobilizes business, government, and civic leaders around inclusive economic development strategy.
• San Diego Art MattersresidentStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization supporting arts and culture in San Diego.
• San Diego Squared (SD2)residentStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on economic development and entrepreneurship in San Diego.
• Girard FoundationresidentStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate foundation supporting community initiatives in San Diego region.
• Center for Technical and Higher Studies (CETYS)programStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate institution of educational excellence founded in 1961 in Baja California, Mexico, committed to education and economic, social and cultural improvement.
• World Design Organization (WDO)programStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization supporting design initiatives, related to San Diego Tijuana World Design Capital 2024 project.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Convene: Convene operates premium, design-forward event and meeting venues in major U.S. cities with built-in AV and catering — directly comparable to Park & Market's combination of customizable spaces, integrated audiovisual production, and full-service event hosting model.

Regional players

• Liberty Station (NTC Park): San Diego waterfront mixed-use venue complex with event spaces, galleries, and cultural programming. Comparable as a multi-tenant cultural and event destination with anchor partners and community programming.
• La Jolla Playhouse: Regional Tony Award-winning theater in San Diego that competes for performing arts programming, cultural audiences, and sponsorships. Comparable as a regional performing arts venue/presenter in the broader San Diego market.
• Balboa Theatre: Historic downtown San Diego performing arts venue hosting concerts, lectures, and private events. Comparable in scale and use case to the Guggenheim Theatre at Park & Market, particularly for arts and cultural programming.
• Quartyard: Outdoor event venue in downtown San Diego's East Village offering private rentals, concerts, and community programming. Closest direct geographic competitor in the immediate East Village neighborhood.
• House of Blues San Diego: Downtown San Diego music and event venue that competes for concerts, corporate events, and private receptions. Regional competitor in the live entertainment and private event space.

Emerging players

• Industrious: Industrious provides premium flexible workspace and meeting/event space with concierge-style service. Its hybrid workspace-plus-events model and emphasis on hospitality-driven design make it a comparable emerging operator in the premium meeting and event segment.

Broad incumbents

• The Westgate Hotel: Luxury downtown San Diego hotel with dedicated meeting and event venues, competing for the same upscale corporate and gala segment. Broader incumbent given its lodging and full hospitality offering.
• Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego: Large downtown San Diego hotel with extensive meeting, conference, and event facilities. Competes for the same corporate event planners but bundles lodging and F&B, making it a broader incumbent rather than a specialized venue operator.
• San Diego Convention Center: Region's largest purpose-built convention and exhibition facility. Overlaps with Park & Market's conference and exhibition offerings but at a much larger scale, serving trade shows, conventions, and major corporate events that Park & Market cannot accommodate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UCSDPark_Market
• Facebookfacebook.com/UCSanDiegoParkandMarket
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uc-san-diego-park-and-market
• Instagraminstagram.com/ucsdparkandmarket

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 UC San Diego Park & Market