Name: Long Beach Convention Center
Location: Long Beach, California
Type: Roof replacement of Long Beach Convention Center, which offers up to 400,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space.
Occasion: 2028 Summer Olympics
Total Contractors: 4
Weight Lifted: 228 US tons
Cranes Stats:
All Terrain – 2
Total: 2
The Long Beach Convention Center is one of Southern California’s premier venues and an integral site for upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics activities. To meet the Olympic standard and guarantee guest comfort, the facility undertook a crucial upgrade: replacing 19 enormous rooftop HVAC units—each weighing 24,000 lbs. This high-profile project demanded absolute safety and efficiency, so Industrial Commercial Systems (ICS), the project’s lead contractor, turned to Maxim Crane to deliver expert crane rental and heavy-lift services.
The downtown Long Beach location presented a dual challenge of logistical complexity and technical difficulty. Heavy-lifting operations had to be carefully managed to avoid disrupting the Convention Center’s active schedule and the surrounding city traffic. The sheer size and placement of the rooftop units also posed a significant problem, initially leading to the consideration of a costly and complex helicopter lift. The core challenge was to find an innovative crane-based solution that could provide a safer, more efficient, and cost-effective alternative while working within a constrained urban footprint.
Maxim Crane’s engineering team quickly surveyed site conditions and developed a smarter solution. By leveraging our technologically advanced all-terrain cranes, we devised a plan that eliminated the risks and expenses associated with helicopter work, while also minimizing the need for road closures and facility shutdowns. Precise planning allowed us to schedule all operations during Labor Day week, ensuring the work would not impact major conventions or city activities.
Our collaborative approach, clear coordination with ICS, and extensive experience handling major event venues ensured every obstacle was anticipated and managed.
For this demanding project, Maxim Crane utilized top-tier lifting equipment, specifically selected for the site’s constraints and load requirements:
Utilizing these cranes, our team expertly completed each lift—totaling over 228 US tons of equipment moved—on time and with exceptional precision.
All 19 rooftop units were successfully removed and replaced within the one-week time frame. The project concluded with zero incidents, minimal disruption, and significant cost savings, thanks to the avoidance of helicopter support. Most importantly, the Convention Center can now proudly welcome guests and athletes for the 2028 Olympics, with full confidence in its upgraded systems and infrastructure.
This project demonstrates Maxim’s unmatched ability to deliver for premier, time-sensitive venues when it matters most.
Clients like ICS select Maxim because we bring more than just heavy equipment—we deliver consultative engineering, a safety-first mindset, and seamless end-to-end project management. Our experience in urban, event-driven environments means we routinely solve high-risk jobs with efficiency and minimal disruption. Maxim’s investments in world-class equipment and personnel continually keep our partners ahead, ready for events as prestigious as the Olympics.
Planning complex facility upgrades or heavy-lift projects in California? Maximize safety, speed, and results with Maxim Crane. Contact us for a customized quote, learn about our all-terrain crane services, or browse more success stories on our website.
