About
Located along the scenic San Diego Bay and steps from the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter, the San Diego Convention Center is a premier destination for meetings and events. Our versatile facility hosts a wide range of gatherings, including corporate meetings, medical conferences, technology conventions, and pop culture celebrations that bring people together from around the world.
Our team and facility are nationally and internationally recognized for excellence. Honors include the Venue of Excellence award from the International Association of Venue Managers, a Top 25 Center of Excellence designation from EXHIBITOR Magazine in 2025, and a #4 ranking among U.S. convention centers by The Wall Street Journal in 2023.
The San Diego Convention Center is managed, marketed, and operated by the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, a nonprofit public benefit corporation created by the City of San Diego.
Purpose & Promise
Our Purpose: Serve as the region’s premier gathering place, hosting conventions that create economic benefits and jobs for the San Diego region, paid for by outside visitors to the destination.
Our Promise: To provide our customers and guests outstanding service, consistently exceeding expectations, so that they want to come back over and over again, to invest further in San Diego.
Regional Impact
The San Diego Convention Center hosts meetings and conventions that generate economic benefits for our region. Attendees from around the world come to events and flow back out into downtown and across San Diego, where they spend money at local businesses and attractions. Comic-Con is our biggest event, generating an estimated regional impact of more than $160 million annually. See our Annual Reports for details about our estimated economic impact for previous years.
Above: FY26 forecasted regional impact figures, as of November 2025.
History
The process of creating the Convention Center began with a major downtown redevelopment in the late 1970s that led to City voters approving a proposal to build the waterfront convention center in 1983. City Council created the San Diego Convention Center Corporation in 1984 to manage and operate the new facility upon completion. The Port of San Diego agreed to fund the entire project at a cost of $164 million with no debt service.
In November 1989, the San Diego Convention Center opened for business after two and a half years of construction. The demand to book an event was so high, that the need for more space was soon apparent.
In 1998, City voters approved a proposition to expand the Convention Center by a 62 percent vote. In November 2001, the Phase II expansion nearly doubled the size of our building to allow for a greater amount and size of events.
In June 2016, we launched the largest series of upgrades in the building’s history after qualifying for funding from a California IBank loan. This funded eight capital projects including a total renovation of our iconic Sails Pavilion and modernization of escalators. More upgrades were funded by our own reserves, such as a building-wide LED light fixture conversion, restroom renovations, digital signage and new chairs.
Clockwise from top left: With the Gaslamp Quarter just steps away you can enjoy all it has to offer between meetings; Our team members are always available to lend a helping hand; Students gather in Plaza Park to seal the 10th anniversary time capsule, which is still buried.
Leadership
We are a nonprofit public benefit corporation created by the City of San Diego to manage, market and operate the San Diego Convention Center. We are led by a volunteer Board of Directors, comprised of business and community leaders appointed by the City Council who establish policy for the Corporation. Our Executive Team leads day-to-day operations.
PRESIDENT & CEO
Mardeen Mattix advances the San Diego Convention Center’s role as a strategic economic engine for the region while delivering premier experiences for clients and guests. She is an accomplished executive leader with nearly three decades of progressive experience at SDCC. Since joining the organization in 1998, Mardeen has held leadership roles across Event Management, Sales, Accounting, Finance, and Executive Administration, giving her a deep understanding of SDCC’s operations, workforce, clients, governance structure, and regional economic impact.
Mardeen’s leadership has been recognized across the industry and region. She was honored by the Women in Tourism and Hospitality Conference in 2022, named the 2023 San Diego Business Journal CFO of the Year in the nonprofit category, and selected as a 2025 finalist for San Diego Business Journal Businesswoman of the Year.
CHIEF OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND MODERNIZATION
Corey Albright provides executive leadership for SDCC’s capital investment and evolving modernization efforts, with oversight of capital projects, maintenance, information technology, and procurement. He brings more than 15 years of executive leadership experience across enterprise operations, capital delivery, and procurement strategy within complex, always-on environments. Since joining SDCC in 2018, he has served in progressively senior roles, most recently as Chief Operating Officer.
A native San Diegan and U.S. Navy combat veteran, Corey has completed multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2024, the San Diego Business Journal named Albright a San Diego Veteran of Influence. He has served in nonprofit board, civic advisory, and academic advisory capacities supporting community development, public accountability, and workforce advancement.
CHIEF OF HOSPITALITY AND CLIENT EXPERIENCE
Alyssa Turowski leads hospitality operations, event execution, and service delivery to ensure consistently high-quality outcomes for clients, partners, and guests. A seasoned hospitality leader with more than 20 years of industry experience, Alyssa has served as General Manager of the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines and Westin San Diego. She began her hospitality career with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, and has held roles including Revenue/Reservations Manager, Director of Front Office, Director of Rooms, Director of Operations, and General Manager.
With a strong track record of leadership, she is passionate about building, developing, and inspiring teams to cultivate exceptional guest experiences. Alyssa serves as Vice Chair of the San Diego County Lodging Association Board of Directors, and she has previously served on the San Diego Convention Center and San Diego Tourism Marketing District Boards.
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, SALES & REVENUE
Andy Mikschl leads sales strategy and vision. He has over 30 years of combined hospitality and convention center experience, working first in hotel sales and operations before joining SDCC in 2000.
Throughout his professional career, he has worked collaboratively with clients and hospitality partners to establish lasting professional relationships and help create world-class events.
VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES & LEGAL AFFAIRS
Brenda Foster oversees legal affairs, labor relations, human resources, compliance, and risk management. As both a licensed attorney and SHRM-SCP, she brings nearly two decades of experience across sports, entertainment, and live-event venues.
Prior to joining SDCC, Brenda held operational and leadership roles with organizations including the San Diego Padres, San Diego State University, Climate Pledge Arena, and several Olympic and Paralympic national governing bodies. She is honored to be part of an organization that plays such an important role in San Diego’s economy and community.
Born in Spain and raised in a military family, Brenda has called San Diego home since high school. She earned her bachelor’s degree from UC San Diego and her law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Maren Dougherty leads public relations, digital marketing, and corporate communications. Bringing 20 years of communications and marketing experience, Maren has held leadership positions with the Autry Museum of the American West and the Balboa Park Online Collaborative. She has written for publications such as Fodor’s San Diego, San Diego Magazine, and National Geographic Adventure. Her volunteer service includes serving on the Board of Directors of transcenDANCE Youth Arts Project.
Maren received the 2021 San Diego Public Relations Professional of the Year Award from PRSA San Diego/Imperial Counties and was a 2022 Tribute to Women & Industry Honoree of YWCA San Diego County.
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, SODEXO LIVE!
Gabriel "Bobby" Ramirez brings over 30 years of food and beverage experience, including more than 18 years partnering with the San Diego Convention Center. Bobby excels at providing strategic operations, growth, and performance, along with a passion for memorable catered experiences. Bobby has led teams of over 1,100 employees for events such as Cisco Live (35,000 meals per day) and Comic-Con.
Bobby is committed to supporting community outreach programs, producing sustainable events, and contributing to the local economic recovery.
