San Mateo Co. Event Center Honored By State For COVID-19 Work

SAN MATEO, CA — The San Mateo County Event Center was honored by the California Department of Food and Agriculture this week for its work in supporting the community during the pandemic.

The event center has served as a hub for vital services like COVID-19 testing, vaccinations and booster shots, staying open throughout the pandemic.

“For the last 18 months, your team has worked in its own unique way with local health authorities to regather your community by providing events in the safest manner possible,” said Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, in a news release. “Your fair has demonstrated best practices for your community by being a beacon of safety, courage, and perseverance.”

The county fairgrounds have also served as storage space for PPE and emergency materials.

“We’re honored to receive this recognition,” said Dana Stoehr, CEO of the Event Center. “While most people think of us as an event center and fairgrounds, the fact is that we are a leader in the community for 365 days a year. Converting the Event Center into an COVID response hub was only natural for us.”