San Bernardino Eyes Electronic Fests

Los Angeles County tightened regulations on raves last year after a teen concertgoer died following a suspected drug overdose at the Electric Daisy Carnival, but other communities in SoCal are considering how electronic fests might pad their bottom lines.

A pair of electronic events at the National Orange Show Events Center this fall in San Bernardino drew crowds of 45,000 and 55,000, respectively, according to the San Bernardino Sun. The concerts also reportedly helped increase hotel occupancy and injected $6.5 million into the local economy.

Wayne Austin, president of the city’s Convention & Visitors Bureau, told the Sun additional concerts could be planned to coincide with and piggyback off the success of electronic shows and build the buzz around San Bernardino.

“There’s a heightened awareness of San Bernardino and we should capitalize on that,” Austin said.

Officials with the Events Center are also planning improvements to the 4,900-capacity Orange Pavilion to help turn the facility into a more attractive entertainment venue, the paper said.