Facilities

Only the Best for San Diego
State-of-the-art Convention Center Facility & Security
By Denise S. Dieser, Marketing Communications Writer, Dieser@Pelco.Com

With the recently completed expansion of the San Diego Convention Center – which took two and a half years to build at a cost of $216 million – San Diego has strengthened its already solid position as one of the most popular meeting and convention destinations in the country.

"It’s one of the most beautiful convention centers I’ve ever seen," said Barry Levine, Vice President of Business Development for La Jolla, California-based Sperry West Inc., who consulted on the installation of the security portion of the expansion project. "And I’ve seen a lot of them. This facility is architecturally extremely interesting."

The expanded convention center officially opened during a very tenuous time last year on September 14th, doubling the size of the existing facility to 2.6 million square feet. And with an area of that magnitude – not including the exterior surroundings – security considerations were significant.

Pelco Equals Quality and Reliability

"Pelco was the system of choice for this expansion," said Levine. "Two different manufacturers had been chosen to supply the convention center’s original and second phase cameras and related equipment, but since Sperry West was known to convention center personnel, when asked for our advice we immediately recommended Pelco.

"As a security manufacturer ourselves, we recognized the fact that Pelco would be the right equipment for this project, and Sperry West is proud to follow Pelco’s lead in the area of customer care."

The installation of the cabling began in December 2000, and the security system itself was completed in March 2002 at a cost of over $1 million. It then went through an acceptance process of a few months, having recently been finalized, approved, and is now running smoothly.

"It’s now complete and includes virtually all Pelco equipment in the new part of the convention center," said Levine. "We’re Pelco lovers, and we brought Pelco into it because the other brands weren’t working very well for them. Pelco is terrific, and I like everyone I’ve ever worked with there – Pelco is certainly the model to follow for the security industry."

Levine went on to say that Pelco Manufacturer’s Representative Ken Massrey & Associates was very helpful in assisting with the specifications for the new equipment, which was installed by the electrical contractor providing the wiring and systems for the convention center expansion.

System Offers Excellence and Ease of Use

"This is a great system, and the convention center appreciates how well it works. They have been so pleased with Pelco’s quality and reliability that they will be adding more Pelco products as they expand the renovation of their security system," said Levine.

"The system is working so well for us that we’ve decided to upgrade several other areas in the building," said Daryl Mayekawa, Guest Services Assistant Manager for the convention center. "This equipment is user-friendly and offers us many advantages, even for the most novice employees. Pelco has well thought-out designs and exceptional quality."

Mayekawa also said that he very much appreciated Sperry West’s involvement as consultants on this project and their recommendation of Pelco.

The video security system consists of over 70 Spectra II dome color cameras and several P/T/Z cameras processed through a Pelco System 9760 with Genex Multiplexers and Pelco SVHS VCRs.

Exceeds Expectations

Coupled with its Public Safety Staff, Mayekawa said that the security system allows greater coverage of the convention center than in the past. "It not only helps protect physical assets during shows and conventions, but also helps to keep unwanted visitors out – away from where they don’t belong." Inside and out, the convention center has tremendous public visitor protection issues.

"Our primary goal for installing this system was to have a quality video security system installed to use as a deterrent to crime, and it has far exceeded our expectations. The quality of the equipment and overall picture quality is amazing," said Mayekawa. "Our clients appreciate our investment in providing a video security system that increases their feeling of safety and security."

Due to its nearby Pacific Ocean location, the system has to handle a harsh salt air environment. It is also necessary for the cameras to change with varying light conditions – both natural and man made. Other challenges to the system include odd-shaped walls and fixtures, which were all easily overcome by Pelco’s equipment and mounting hardware.

San Diego Convention Center Among Best in the World

The San Diego Convention Center is distinctively unconventional. Twice, Europe’s leading industry publication, Meetings and Incentive magazine, has ranked San Diego as one of the best convention centers in the world. Its sparkling bayside location and exemplary service make it a top choice among meeting planners worldwide. It is also one of San Diego’s most impressive economic engines, generating $4.5 billion in economic benefits since it opened in 1989.

San Diego also recently placed in the top 10 of an Exhibition Industry research study of convention center events held in the United States and Canada. It ranked higher than two other major California convention centers, San Francisco and Anaheim, which placed in the top 15.

Pelco and Sperry West Can't Be Beat

Mayekawa said that the convention center appreciated the top-notch consulting and assistance provided by Sperry West in putting together the right team for this video security system. "They have been outstanding," said Mayekawa. "The result is that we have a system with quality components and superior quality of live or recorded video that’s fully user-friendly and with the ability for future growth."