A tale of two centers: San Jose and Santa Clara.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

As the mecca of high technology, Silicon Valley draws many conventions and trade shows simply by its existence.

Specific venues, however, must still do a selling job, touting their advantages and minimizing their drawbacks.

That's certainly true for both of the valley's largest convention facilities, San Jose's McEnry Convention Center and the Santa Clara Convention Center.

"San Jose's Convention Center has much more of a downtown convention feel to it, while Santa Clara's venue has a number of key tech corporations within a five-mile radius, hence, being a logical choice for corporate meeting space," said Steve Van Dorn, director of convention …