Fresno Convention Center, Entertainment complex in Fresno, California

The Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center is a four-building complex in Fresno, California, completed in 1966 and expanded in 1981 and 1999. Its venues are the Selland Arena, a 24,200 sq ft multipurpose arena seating more than 9,000; the 2,353-seat William Saroyan Theatre; the 32,000 sq ft column-free Ernest E. Valdez Hall; and three exhibit halls totalling over 66,000 sq ft.

The complex opened in October 1966 with three buildings set 90 feet apart, the theatre being the centrepiece. It was expanded in 1981 and 1999, and a fourth venue was added. The theatre was named after Fresno-born novelist William Saroyan, and Thomas Griswold conducted its inaugural concert on 14 October 1966.

The William Saroyan Theatre is named after Fresno-born novelist William Saroyan and seats 2,353. It is home to the Fresno Philharmonic, Fresno Grand Opera, Fresno Ballet and Broadway in Fresno. Thomas Griswold conducted the inaugural concert on 14 October 1966, with works by Beethoven, Elgar, Copland and Ravel. The stage has hosted Mikhail Baryshnikov, Isaac Stern, George Carlin, Jerry Seinfeld and David Copperfield, plus the Miss California Pageant.

The complex sits in downtown Fresno and groups four buildings: Selland Arena, the William Saroyan Theatre, Ernest E. Valdez Hall and the Exhibit Hall. The theatre holds 2,353 seats and Valdez Hall is a column-free 32,000-square-foot space with an attached kitchen and a built-in stage. The Exhibit Hall adds more than 66,000 square feet plus 20 second-floor meeting rooms.

The arena's name honours Arthur L. Selland, a former mayor of Fresno. Its 24,200 sq ft floor has also served the Central Valley Coyotes of the AF2, the Fresno Falcons hockey team and the Fresno State men's basketball programme. The California FFA holds its four-day state leadership conference there each April.