In 1960, 61 Anaheim business people organized the Anaheim Visitor and Convention Bureau to help make the city a year-round tourist destination by building a convention center that could capitalize on Disneyland's success and fill hotel rooms beyond the spring and summer vacation season. Although some industry insiders doubted whether a family-oriented convention center could succeed in a field dominated by cities such as Chicago, New York, and Las Vegas, Anaheim city leaders approved plans in 1964 for a convention "arenatorium" and exhibit complex designed by Adrian Wilson & Associates. The city issued $14.7 million in revenue bonds for construction on 40 acres across Katella Avenue from Disneyland, and the facility was developed by the Community Center Authority, a joint-powers agency of the Anaheim Union High School District and the City of Anaheim, with Del Webb Construction Co. selected as builder. In February 1965, Tom Liegler was appointed director of both Anaheim Stadium and the Convention Center, and groundbreaking followed in May. The original 375,000-square-foot facility included an arena with 5,500 permanent seats expandable to 9,100 patrons, a 100,000-square-foot exhibit hall, 25 meeting rooms including a multipurpose theatre-ballroom, kitchen facilities for 5,000 attendees, and 2,045 parking spaces. Its first exhibit hall event was the 13th Annual Orange County Home and Decorator Show, produced by George Colouris and held June 30-July 9, 1967, and the center formally opened on July 12, 1967, with parachutists delivering a proclamation to Mayor Pebley, performances by the Disneyland Band and the Anaheim Choraleers, daylight fireworks, white pigeons, orange balloons, and evening festivities produced by Tommy Walker featuring Arthur Fiedler conducting the Orange County Symphony Orchestra with the Southern California Mormon Choir and "Dancing Waters." With 5,500 nearby hotel and motel rooms built for Disneyland visitors, along with professional management, the Visitor and Convention Bureau, local attractions, and Southern California weather, the Anaheim Convention Center became a success from its inception.