Venue and Accommodation

The conference will take place at the San Diego Convention Center on May 9-10, 2019. Please continue reading to learn more information regarding the venue, hotels, attractions and places to visit during your stay in San Diego!

San Diego Convention Center

Venue

The conference will be held at the San Diego Convention Center (111 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101). The conference center is located downtown across from the San Diego Bay and lies adjacent to the San Diego Padres' PETCO Park and the Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego’s premier shopping, entertainment, and dining neighborhood. Please refer to the map for directions. If you have any general questions about the conference center, location, directions, parking, etc., please email us at ffc@functionalfoodcenter.com.

Click here for a map of downtown San Diego.

Click here for the San Diego Attendee Guide!

Hotels

For a complete list of hotels and hostels, please click here.

The Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

This hotel has breathtaking views of the San Diego Bay and is a short drive to many attractions, such as the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, Seaport Village, as well as the San Diego Conference Center. It also has a resort-style pool with cabanas, a bar, spa and fitness center. You will be greatly taken care of if you decide to stay here.

For reservations and bookings at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina:

Reservations Toll Free: 1-877-622-3056, Reservations Local Phone: 619-234-1500

Attractions and Places to Visit

Downtown Gaslamp Quarter

"Unconditional Surrender" Statue, near USS Midway

San Diego Zoo

SeaWorld Theme Park

Seaport Village - 50+ shops, 17 diverse restaurants, and outdoor entertainment

Epicurean San Diego - Food, Farm, & Libation Tours

San Diego Museum of Man

San Diego Museum of Art

Museum of Photographic Arts

San Diego Natural History Museum

USS Midway Museum

Hotel del Coronado - San Diego landmark and icon on Coronado Island

Old Town - Hispanic culture, shops, restaurants and entertainment

Gaslamp Quarter - Downtown shops, restaurants and nightlife

Balboa Park - Museums, gardens, performing arts and recreation

The beautiful, iconic Hotel del Coronado

For a coupon book to save money on dining, attractions, activities and more, click here!

Transportation

If you are arriving by plane, the conference center is located 3 miles (just 10 minutes!) from the San Diego International Airport.

San Diego Metropolitan Transit System

The famous San Diego Trolley and bus are great ways to get around the city. The San Diego Trolley has two stops directly in front of the convention center at Harbor Drive/First Avenue and Harbor Drive/Fifth Avenue. For public transportation schedules and more information please click here.

Click here for a trolley map.

San Diego Free Ride

Once downtown, try the new environmentally-friendly electric shuttle service, which is free for everyone. Just wave down one of the San Diego Free Ride electric vehicles or text (619) 821-0520! San Diego Free Ride runs seven days a week, 12- 9 pm (PST).

Car Rentals

Cars can be rented near the airport from different companies such as Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, E-Z, and Hertz at the new Rental Car Center. Free shuttle busses will run continually between airport terminals and the Rental Car Center.

For driving directions, please visit the San Diego Convention Center website or click here.

Parking

On-site parking is available at the parking garage located below the convention center. The daily rate is $15 (can range up to $35 for special events). Parking questions? Call ACE Parking at 619-237-0399. Off-site parking is available at various nearby parking lots and garages in downtown San Diego, which many are within walking distance of the convention center. Metered street parking is also available in some areas.

Explore San Diego

On May 9th at 17:30, we will leave for a networking dinner on the beautiful Coronado Island. We will take a 15-minute ferry ride from the Convention Center to Coronado Island. You will be able to walk around many shops and restaurants, sightsee, and view the San Diego skyline across the bay. We will then come together for dinner near the harbor.

Afterwards, we will ferry back to the San Diego Convention Center, where you may take a 10-minute walk to Seaport Village. This is an iconic village in downtown San Diego that has many local shops and views. As this is downtown, it will be near most participants’ hotels to end the night.

We believe that this event will offer our participants a greater networking opportunity, as we will have more participation. Each participant will pay their $50 fee, and this will include both of the ferry rides and the dinner.

Click on these links to learn more about each place:

Coronado Ferry Landing

Seaport Village

Coronado Island

Email us to let us know you are interested. Please submit your payment here. You may add the ticket to your cart and proceed checkout.