When you get to the San Diego Concourse -- as either a regular Joe attending one of the scores of events hosted there, as a potential exhibitor dragging more materials than you'll need, or even as an event planner looking for a venue -- one thing is clear: you're in good hands. From prominent signage to amenities such as customized cooking staffs and audio/visual wizardry, the managers of this 300,000-square-foot Swiss army knife of a complex are on the ball. Given stiff competition from similar locales around the country, they aim to bring their "A" game to every client, no matter how large or small the budget.

In addition to the ability to deliver theater-quality audio and visual presentations, the Concourse has all the basics covered: event and facility security, on-site ticketing, sit-down or buffet-style dining options and, of course, more space than most people could ever use for meetings, conferences and gatherings of every kind.

Located on the other side of the Gaslamp District from the Convention Center and just up the road from bustling Horton Plaza, the Concourse is a vital part of the kinetic downtown business environment. Its understated facade (especially compared to Horton Plaza) often goes unnoticed by busy visitors or busier locals. Immigration-related programming and the work of various government organizations are a regular fixture, as is the annual Salvation Army Thanksgiving Dinner. The Concourse's numerous events may not be as glamorous as the Comicons down the street, but they serve as a vital part of the city's texture.