The Anaheim Convention Center (ACC) in Anaheim, California is the largest convention facility on the West Coast, with over 1 million square feet of exhibit and meeting space. It hosts major events including NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants), Natural Products Expo West, WonderCon, and a range of regional and national trade shows.
For exhibitors based in California and the broader West Coast, ACC is one of the most logistically accessible major venues in the country. Calway Logistics is based in Ontario, California — roughly 30 miles from the Anaheim Convention Center — making this one of our closest and most frequently served venues.
The ACC Campus
The Anaheim Convention Center has expanded significantly in recent years:
- Main Hall / Arena Complex — the original convention space
- ACC North — the newer expansion building, opened 2017, adding 200,000 sq ft
- Meeting Rooms and Ballrooms — upper levels of both buildings
The two primary exhibit spaces (Main Hall and ACC North) have separate loading dock access. Your Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM) will confirm which space your show uses. Verify before shipping.
Who Handles Drayage at ACC?
The official general service contractor for most ACC events is GES or Freeman, depending on the show. Check your ESM.
Drayage rates at the Anaheim Convention Center range from $85 to $150 per CWT — generally at the lower end of the national range, reflecting California's West Coast logistics infrastructure and moderate union environment compared to Chicago or New York.
💡 Pro Tip
Union Labor Rules at ACC
Anaheim operates under California union jurisdiction, but rules are generally less restrictive than Chicago or New York.
What exhibitors can typically do at ACC:
- Set up and dismantle your own booth using your own company employees
- Move your own materials with hand trucks and small carts in many situations
- Handle your own AV and technology setup for standard plug-in equipment
What requires union or GSC labor:
- Forklift and pallet jack operation
- Rigging and overhead work
- Material handling from the loading dock to the show floor (drayage — always GSC)
💡 Pro Tip
Advance Warehouse for ACC
The GES or Freeman advance warehouse for ACC events is located in the Southern California area. The address is show-specific — always pull it from your ESM.
Advance warehouse window: Typically opens 2–4 weeks before move-in and closes 3–7 days before the show. Window length varies by show.
Why advance warehouse matters at ACC:
NAMM and Natural Products Expo West are large, high-volume events. During move-in at these shows, the ACC loading area handles hundreds of trucks in compressed windows. Advance warehouse delivery eliminates dock congestion and gets your freight staged before setup begins.
For smaller regional events at ACC, direct-to-show delivery is often more practical — the lower exhibitor count means less marshaling yard congestion.
Calway's Advantage at ACC
Calway Logistics is based in Ontario, California — approximately 30 miles from the Anaheim Convention Center. This proximity gives us several practical advantages for ACC shows:
Same-day pickup and delivery capability. For urgent or last-minute shipments, we can often execute same-day pickup from a California origin and deliver to the ACC advance warehouse or show floor within hours.
Local carrier network. We work with regional carriers who make regular runs to Anaheim, which reduces transit variability for time-sensitive shipments.
Rapid response on move-out. For return freight after the show, our proximity means faster pickup coordination and less downtime between shows.
💡 Pro Tip
Labeling Requirements
Every piece of freight must be labeled before it arrives at the advance warehouse or show dock:
- Company name (as listed in the exhibitor directory)
- Booth number
- Show name and dates
- Delivery method: ADVANCE or DIRECT
- Piece count (1 of 4, 2 of 4, etc.)
- Weight per piece
Drayage Cost Planning for Anaheim
| Booth Size | Estimated Freight Weight | Estimated Drayage | |-----------|------------------------|------------------| | 10x10 inline | 400–700 lbs | $450–$1,050 | | 10x20 inline | 800–1,500 lbs | $850–$2,250 | | 20x20 island | 2,000–4,000 lbs | $2,100–$6,000 | | 30x30 island | 5,000–10,000 lbs | $5,200–$15,000+ |
These are transportation-separate estimates based on current CWT range. Actual drayage is certified-weight based at the advance warehouse or dock.
Return Freight After the Show
Move-out at ACC follows standard GSC procedures:
- Dismantle your booth and repack crates
- Apply outbound labels
- Complete your Material Handling Agreement (MHA)
- Freight staged in the marshaling area
- Your carrier picks up during the designated outbound window
⚠️ Watch Out
Shows Calway Regularly Serves at ACC
- NAMM Show (January) — music industry, 1,700+ exhibitors
- Natural Products Expo West (March) — food and wellness, 3,500+ exhibitors
- WonderCon (spring) — entertainment, moderate logistics
- Regional trade shows and private events year-round
Common ACC Freight Mistakes
Delivering to the wrong building. Main Hall and ACC North have separate dock access. Confirm your space before shipping.
Assuming smaller shows skip advance warehouse. Even mid-size shows at ACC can have crowded move-in windows. When in doubt, use advance warehouse.
No outbound carrier scheduled. Book return pickup before the show, not after it closes.
California-based exhibitors underestimating freight costs. Even though transit is short, drayage and handling fees are real. Budget them from the start.
Ready to Ship to Anaheim?
Calway is 30 miles from ACC. Get a custom freight quote within 24 hours — we know this venue.
Get a Quote or call (909) 605-9893 — available 24/7.
Calway Logistics | Ontario, CA | USDOT #3353508 | FMCSA Licensed & Bonded Serving the Anaheim Convention Center, ACC North, and all Southern California event venues.
About the author: Jose Melchor is Operations Manager at Calway Logistics, based in Ontario, CA. With 15+ years in trade show logistics, he has coordinated freight for exhibitors at LVCC, McCormick Place, Javits Center, Anaheim Convention Center, and every major trade show venue across the U.S. and Canada.