Oakland Professional Development & Conference Center

This conference center is a hidden treasure — The center is clean, well equipped and the customer service is AMAZING Rosy is wonderful and responds to your emails lightening fast, BANG can do anything on a computer and it works! The space is great, and AFFORDABLE! We’re a non-​profit and this is definitely our go-​to for conferences and meetings. I would return again and again for the customer service alone!

Man, another review where I’m #2… At least I’m reviewing it from a different perspective…
In addition to their own programs, which Rusty mentioned, Cal State also rents this outstanding facility to any group that needs a meeting space. The professional association I’m in meets here several times a year, and we’ve always been very impressed.
There are 6 conference rooms capable of hosting up to 120 participants and even a computer lab classroom for technical trainings. Multimedia offerings are amazing, with a full array of digital projection and sound systems to support high-​end professional presentations, including video-​conferencing; laptops are available if you need them. The facility is fully ADA-​compliant and looks very professional, if slightly bland. All of the staff with whom I’ve interacted – from reservations to the on-​site tech support to the receptionist – have been friendly, helpful, and accommodating.
While Oakland Center does not have their own catering, they’re more than happy to suggest nearby caterers. Weekend and after-​hours events are welcome, and the location is ideal, being less than a block from BART and the downtown Marriot.
Amazingly, this superlative facility has by far among the lowest rental rates we’ve found anywhere in the Bay Area, including a discount for non-​profit groups. I STRONGLY recommend booking your next professional training or meeting here. It’s at least as good as area conference hotels and roughly half the cost.

This facility is a gem in downtown Oakland, full of conference rooms for meetings, summits, lectures and continuing ed courses. I like the center’s Oakland location and I was impressed with the space and the diversity of continuing ed courses they offer. From Project Management to Wedding Planning, this joint has a lot going on.
I was up for the General Manager position at this CSU Oakland and didn’t get the job but I did learn a good deal about center and I really liked the people behind it. Spread the word.