Southern California: Open for Business

L.A. was largely untouched by fires

By JT Long

Some hospitality trivia for you today. How much of Los Angeles was impacted by the fires at the beginning of 2025? Surveys show people think more than 40% of the Southern California county went up in flames when the reality is that less than 2% was impacted, and bringing events to the area is the best way to support the recovery.

Resources

Destination Irvine

Dave Lucey, director of sales

dlucey@cityofirvine.org | destinationirvine.com

San Diego Tourism Authority

Kavin Schieferdecker, chief sales officer

kavin@sandiego.org | sandiego.org

Visit Greater Palm Springs

Colleen Pace, chief sales and marketing officer

colleen@visitgreaterps.com | visitgreaterpalmsprings.com

Visit Long Beach

Joseph Jenci, senior vice president of sales and administration

joseph@meetlb.com | visitlongbeach.com

Visit Marina del Rey

Janet Zaldua, CEO

jzaldua@visitmdr.com | visitmdr.com

5 Reasons Meeting Profs Love It

Beach Life: Cozy, comfortable Marina del Rey is the beach town your group has been waiting for all their lives. From the outdoor spaces at Marina del Rey Marriott to the beach activities at Jamaica Bay Inn Marina Del Rey, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, the sunny vibes take center stage. Courtyard/Residence Inn Marina del Rey is unlike any extended stay you have ever visited. The culinary program is headed by a celebrity chef, and the meeting can be taken on the water from the attached dock.

San Diego Sun: From Rancho Bernardo Inn in the hills to San Diego Convention Center on the water and a massive new Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in Chula Vista, the emphasis is on natural light and the outdoors.

Read More: San Diego: A Saint in SoCal

Orange County Luxury Additions: Anaheim has been quietly expanding its luxury options near 1.8 million-square-foot Anaheim Convention Center with the opening of 466-guest room JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort and 613-guest room The Westin Anaheim Resort. The Westin features 101 suites and a ballroom with views of Disney fireworks. Santa Ana is quickly carving out a niche as a culture capital worth exploring. More golf, dining and fun are in Irvine, where The Original Manassero Farms includes pick-your-own herbs and The Barn venue.

Wellness Oasis: With the opening of The Spa at Sec-he Palm Springs hot mineral baths and cultural center, Greater Palm Springs’ position as a sports and lifestyle destination has been secured. Check out the new Thompson Palm Springs nearby for a hip, mid-century modern take on a walkable downtown event headquarters.

Restored Opulence: 25 miles south of L.A., Fairmont Breakers Long Beach opened last year after a multi-million-dollar transformation that brings back the beloved Sky Room. Also renovated is Marriott Long Beach, with 309 guest rooms.

5 Places to Meet and Stay

JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live at night

JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live

This dual property with The Ritz-Carlton adjacent to Los Angeles Convention Center is planning a new 861-room tower with an additional 228,200 sq. ft. of meeting space.

878 guest rooms; 134,143 sq. ft. of meeting space

Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown guest room

Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown

The hotel tells the story of ‘30s actress Anna May Wong through artistic details that highlight the Fiesta de la Flores Rose Parade history and the paparazzi effect. Dramatic, sunny meeting spaces include hints of Jewelry District influences.

350 guest rooms; 20,316 sq. ft. of meeting space

Conrad Los Angeles exterior

Conrad Los Angeles

Positioned across the street from Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, this luxury property shines with a dedicated conference center and outdoor space, including a terrace that feels like an oasis in a cosmopolitan playground.

305 guest rooms; 13,000 sq. ft. of meeting space

Terranea Resort meeting room

Terranea Resort

For oceanfront comfort, this property stuns with water activities and a world-class spa. Catalina Ballroom opens up onto an outdoor terrace and lush lawns.

560 guest rooms; 98,550 sq. ft. of meeting space

SoFi Stadium lake front

SoFi Stadium

The largest stadium in the NFL lives in Inglewood minutes, from LAX. Patio Club is an indoor/outdoor space with palm trees and fun seating options. Legends operates the concessions and premium spaces.

70,240 seats; 35 event spaces

Spotlight on Greater L.A.

This year, the sun-soaked harbor community of Marina del Rey celebrates its 60^th anniversary. There’s no better place to enjoy the seaside, so gather your group aboard a private charter with City Cruises for whatever your heart desires, be it a sunset dinner cruise, a champagne brunch cruise or another social event—and enjoy the scenery!

If you’re meeting in Greater LA, you can bet that your attendees want to get some good shopping in! Irvine Spectrum Center is one of the best places to do it. One of California’s most popular entertainment and shopping destinations, it offers an abundance of shopping and restaurants, plus a Ferris wheel, carousel, escape room, cinema and more to make sure the fun never ends.

Santa Monica Pier ocean view — Santa Monica Pier

If you’re looking for that classic Greater LA beach experience, Santa Monica Beach is a top choice. Not only will you find 3.5 miles of soft sand and bright blue water; the Santa Monica Pier is a top attraction. From the shopping and dining to an amusement park and aquarium, this landmark is a must-visit.

Greater LA is known for its bustling arts and culture scene, so a visit to the Getty Center when meeting in in the area is an absolute must. The 24-acre campus is home to a permanent collection of pre-20^th-century European works, and 19^th– and 20^th-century American, European and Asian photographs, plus contemporary and modern sculptures.