Smart Meetings | Page 313 of 602 | Corporate Event Planning: Business Events, Meetings, Conferences

San Francisco Travel Partners with Airbnb With another major convention coming to town this weekend, San Francisco Travel Association is making headlines as the first destination management organization to partner with Airbnb.

San Francisco Travel will be welcoming the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) World Education Congress to Moscone Center and properties throughout the city Aug. 1-4.

Taking advantage of the sharing economy trend and fulfilling a need for more overnight accommodations in one of the most popular cities in the world, San Francisco Travel is being proactive to drive the economic impact of tourism to a variety of neighborhoods by highlighting local Airbnb hosts. Often referred to as the innovation capital of the world, San Francisco is considered the birthplace of platforms that enable individuals to share resources.

“The growth of the sharing economy has generated new visitor demands for creative lodging and transportation options around the world,” says Joe D’Alessandro, president and CEO of San Francisco Travel. “San Francisco is excited to be the first destination to formalize a relationship in this exciting new space. This partnership is a step toward ensuring that customer needs and industry standards within the traditional and sharing economies are more closely aligned.”

As meeting attendees begin to explore and request diverse lodging options, the San Francisco Travel-Airbnb partnership will help planners provide alternatives in hopes of achieving peak attendance. Tool kits created for local merchants, and content about local areas, businesses and experiences throughout the city will also add to attendee experiences beyond the major tourist destinations.

“Airbnb is part of the evolution of the travel industry,” D’Alessandro says. “ As the destination marketing organization for San Francisco, we’ll continue our strong relationship with the hotel community as we leverage this new way of doing business which extends to many business sectors within our industry to meet the needs of our visitors, provide increased value for our partners and expand tourism-related revenue overall.”

dolby-theater Dolby Theater

Come here to experience old-time glamour with a contemporary edge. From the Hollywood Walk of Fame to the state-of-the-art Dolby Theatre, home to the Academy Awards, there’s plenty to do. This is, in fact, the movie and television capital of the world.

Your group can experience the inner workings of the movies on a VIP tour of Paramount Studios, where motion pictures such as Titanic, Shrek and Forrest Gump were made. Or it can thrill to the movie-themed experiences at Universal Studios Hollywood, such as the newly opened Fast & Furious—Supercharged and Wizarding World of Harry Potter, coming in spring of 2016.

And that’s just the beginning.

Seeing Stars

A great group activity is a stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which has honored celebrities for more than half a century. On Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, the star-studded sidewalk also lets you take in all the action, including performers dressed as superheroes and other characters.

While you’re near there, stop in to see the actual stars—well, at least their waxen, three-dimensional images, at Madame Tussauds Hollywood. And make sure you don’t miss TCL Chinese Theatre, formerly know as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, where you can check out cement hand- and footprints of major movie stars. Dolby Theatre, which can be bought out for special events, offers a red-carpet experience with its 20-minute tour.

You also can see a Broadway show at Pantages Theatre, restored to capture its 1930s-era beauty. The venue’s 2016 season includes The Illusionists, Dirty Dancing and Cabaret.

Iconic Music

If your conference coincides with a new inductee at RockWalk, a hall of fame for musical artists, you might see a great performer during the festivities. Past inductees include Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Buddy Guy, Iron Maiden and, well, just about every rock star you’ve ever heard of and a few you haven’t.

Amoeba Music, the world’s largest independent music store on Sunset Boulevard, is a fun spot to see live bands and DJs for free. Past performances have included Elvis Costello, Black Flag, Los Lobos, Jurassic 5, P.J. Harvey, Lucinda Williams, Pat Benatar and more. Of course, you can shop Amoeba’s massive collection of music and movies, too. You can’t miss the landmark mid-century Capitol Records building, home of a storied music label whose artists have ranged from The Beatles and Frank Sinatra to Katy Perry and Sam Smith.

Also worth a stop is the original Guitar Center on Sunset Boulevard for displays of guitars and other rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia.

Outdoor concerts at Hollywood Bowl offer groups top-tier musical entertainment and opportunities to mingle. Groups can reserve private spaces for pre-concert picnics or receptions. Another terrific outdoor entertainment venue is The Greek Theatre in Griffith Park.

There are plenty of other attractions in the area. Hollywood, along with surrounding hip, laid-back neighborhoods such as Los Feliz and Silver Lake, features multicultural cuisines, famous hotels and a vibrant street scene.

Where the Action Is

The Belasco Theater

For a large event, rent out newly restored The Belasco Theater; it’s been the high-profile site of many a party and concert.

The Sunset Strip is also the place to see and be seen. Several venues offer amazing meeting spaces, including Boulevard3, modeled after an English manor and tagged “one of the 25 hottest venues in the world” by Conde Nast.

Well-regarded Hollywood restaurants, many of which offer buyouts and private dining space, include Providence, Delphine Eatery & Bar and Musso & Frank Grill. Silver Lake has trendy eateries including Italian restaurant Alimento and Local, where regulars recommend the spicy fries. You can venture into Thai Town for great food just about any time of night or day. After dinner, try one of the karaoke restaurants and bars.

loews-hollywood-hotel Loews Hollywood Hotel

Historic Hollywood hotels cater to groups with meeting space and choice dining. These include iconic The Hollywood Roosevelt (300 guest rooms, 30,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor meeting space), Loews Hollywood Hotel (628 guest rooms, 77,000 sq. ft. of event space) and W Hollywood Hotel (305 guest rooms, 12,613 sq. ft. of event space).

Out & About

Starline Tours is famous for its citywide bus tours of movie star homes, film locations and celebrity hot spots. Starline is located at the famous Hollywood & Highland complex, and it picks up from major hotels. Group tours are available.

Griffith Park is the place to go for horseback riding, hiking and seeing the stars (the kind in the sky). With more than 4,300 acres of land, the park is a lovely respite from the city.

hollyhock-house Other Hollywood highlights include Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House, an architectural masterpiece that was recently renovated, and Silverlake Conservatory of Music, a nonprofit organization dedicated to music education.

My L.A. Meeting

Los Angeles Meeting We selected L.A. [because] a lot of tech companies have headquarters or locations there (such as Google), making it easy for folks to attend. In April, we were at Loews Hollywood Hotel and held two separate meetings. One was for businesses local to the area, [with] just over 100 attendees. Our “main” conference had 400 attendees.

I think a lot of that had to do with the layout of the hotel. Everything was contained in one area, so even the locations of the exhibit area and breakout rooms kept everyone in touch. The staff was always there when we needed them and we never had to ask twice for anything.

Folks also liked that there were so many food and beverage choices right at Hollywood & Highland. They could go out and not have far to walk. A small group of us went to Lisa Vanderpump’s Pump Restaurant and then her other location, Sur, and bumped into Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz, stars from her TV show. Pump is a must-stop for our next L.A. meeting. We also had an offsite event at Mountain Gate Country Club, which folks loved.

–Val Onyski, Managing Director, Local Search Association

For more on our Ultimate Los Angeles Guidebook for Meeting Planners – click here

Nowhere else in the world are attendees able to experience the thrill of Hollywood moviemaking more than at the celebrated film studios in the area. Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros., 20th-Century Fox and other names conjure up Hollywood’s Golden Age of the 1930s and 1940s, as well as epic and beloved movies and TV shows produced in subsequent decades.

Today, options for groups are varied. Paramount Studios, the longest operating major studio, offers 2- to 4-hour guided tours of its stages and backlots. It also rents out its spaces for special events. Want a New York street, or a blue sky and water backdrop for your gala reception? Prefer a plush theater for your awards celebration, or a park setting for a cocktail. It’s all possible.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood lets groups walk the backlots that have been the sets of Casablanca and Gilmore Girls, plus see the soundstages where The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Big Bang Theory, among others, are shot.

Universal Studios Hollywood boasts a crowd-pleasing theme park, with rides and immersive experiences that capitalize on popular movies such as the Transformers series and Despicable Me. This year, Universal has added three major attractions. The most recent is Fast & Furious-—Supercharged, inspired by the successful film franchise. The 3-D-HD ride features the film’s original cast members and propels guests into the underground world of fast cars traveling at speeds of up to 120 miles per hour.

The ride is also the grand finale of the park’s recently revamped studio tour, an all-day affair that takes visitors past movie and TV sets of Desperate Housewives, War of the Worlds and other productions before they enjoy the park. Universal also has the new Nighttime Studio Tour of its backlot. And coming up in spring 2016 is the highly anticipated The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, an immersive area that will bring J.K. Rowling’s stories and the films to life. Hogwarts Castle will be its focal point.

In addition to enjoying the tours and park attractions, groups can stage events at various locations in Universal’s park—or buy out the entire park. “Our most popular locations include The Globe Theatre, Streets of the World, Universal Plaza and our new Springfield,” says Kim Weedmark, vice president of special events and group sales at Universal Studios Hollywood. “The Globe is considered our turn-key indoor event venue as it is fashioned to host anything from a family celebration to an ultra-glamorous benefit gala.” Events are fully customized: Groups can plan and book their visit around a ride or attraction of interest, for example, or have special events take place after normal park hours.

For more on our Ultimate Los Angeles Guidebook for Meeting Planners – click here

USS IOWA

Does your group want easy access to the big city while enjoying small-town charm? Then San Pedro’s waterfront is the place for you. On the southern end of Palos Verdes Peninsula, San Pedro, with a population of 90,000 over 12 sq. mi., is historic and picturesque. The surrounding Los Angeles Harbor area is a bustling port serving cruise and freight lines.

San Pedro’s diversions are many. Star of the show is USS Iowa, a World War II battleship that now serves as a museum. This is the ship that President Franklin Roosevelt took to meet Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin at the Tehran Conference. USS Iowa was also in Tokyo Bay when Japan signed documents of surrender aboard the USS Missouri, its sister ship.

What to Do

San Pedro Fish Market and Restaurant

Ports o’ Call overlooks the Port of Los Angeles, the largest working port in the nation. A New England-style village with cobblestone streets, it encompasses 15 acres of shops, restaurants and attractions. Attendees can take a harbor cruise, go deep-sea fishing or whale watching and pick out their own fish to eat at San Pedro Fish Market and Restaurant. The restaurant also handles large groups.

Other sights to see include Los Angeles Maritime Museum near Ports o’ Call Village, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, SS Lane Victory, Warner Grand Theatre and Mueller House, operated by San Pedro Bay Historical Society. The 1st Thursday ArtWalk downtown provides opportunities to attend local and visiting artists’ openings at the various galleries or watch artists at work. In the evening there are an array of food options and live entertainment throughout town.

During the rest of the weekend, those who prefer to not walk around can jump on free propane-powered trolleys, which operate Thursday through Sunday.

Where to Meet

San Pedro offers convenient venues for meetings, including hotels such as DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Pedro-Port of Los Angeles (226 guest rooms, 16,000 sq. ft. of meeting space), and Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel (244 guest rooms, 12,500 sq. ft. of meeting space).

Both the Maritime Museum and the Warner Grand are available for rental. The Warner Grand, located downtown, is a 1931 Art Deco movie palace that has become a thriving community performing arts center. It is listed on the National Historic Register and is a City of Los Angeles Cultural Historic Landmark and seats 1,525; the theater also has an annex space for small group events.

For more on our Ultimate Los Angeles Guidebook for Meeting Planners – click here

When you think of L.A., what probably comes to mind is the famed beaches hugging 27 miles of scenic coastline. The laid-back lifestyle, sparkling waves, palm trees, and chic eateries and boutiques are intimately familiar because of the many movies and TV shows that use the area as a backdrop and chronicle the hipsters and surfers who reside here.

L.A.’s beach communities, including Malibu, Venice Beach, Marina del Rey, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach, should be explored on foot or bicycle as much as possible. They’re ideal for group activities, whether you spend the day picnicking at the wide sandy beaches, meeting for drinks at an oceanside hotel or watching the sunset over the Pacific. Best yet, these Beach Cities are perfectly positioned for meetings.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is conveniently situated just a few minutes away, and nearby full-service hotels have free shuttles to and from LAX and the beaches.

Excellent large meeting properties near LAX include Hilton Los Angeles Airport (1,234 guest rooms, 55,000 sq. ft of meeting space), Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles (802 guest rooms, 50,000 sq. ft. of meeting space) and The Westin Los Angeles Airport (740 guest rooms, 50,000 sq. ft. of meeting space).

Smaller groups should check out Crown Plaza Los Angeles Airport (613 guest rooms, 14,000 sq. ft. of meeting space) and newly opened Residence Inn by Marriott Los Angeles LAX/Century Boulevard (231 guest rooms, 1,800 sq. ft. of meeting space).

LAX itself is undergoing multimillion-dollar enhancements, including the new Tom Bradley International Terminal, with new gates, concourses and seating areas. Its retail and dining offerings reflect L.A.’s diverse cuisine and culture.

The Hip Factor

Some of the best shopping and people-watching in L.A. is actually in Venice, where hipsters and techies meet hippies and artists. You can buy haute couture, get your palm read or enjoy the eclectic scene.

Don’t miss Venice’s Abbot Kinney Boulevard, a mile-long stretch of trendy boutiques, cafes and restaurants. It’s so trendy that GQ magazine has named it the “coolest block in America.”

Rootop at Hotel Erwin There are dozens of great spots to eat, from gastropubs to multicultural fusion restaurants to five-star hotel dining. A group of up to 95 can buy out High Rooftop & Lounge atop Hotel Erwin, where you can look down on the boardwalk, taking in the 360-degree views while sipping delicious cocktails. The Erwin, with 119 guest rooms, also offers meeting space for up to 65.

Along Venice Beach Boardwalk are multiple colorful characters enjoying the sun, making art and selling their crafts. At Venice Beach Recreation Center, tanned, oiled fitness buffs work out at Muscle Beach.

Venice is filled with historic architecture, including the Venice Canals. The Los Angeles Conservancy’s self-guided tour takes you past innovative structures of the ’70s and ’80s by architectural greats Frank Gehry, Frederick Fisher, Steven Ehrlich, Frank Israel and many others.

More Sand & Sun

Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach are sister cities featuring superb team-building and recreational outdoor activities such as biking, beach volleyball, surfing and paddleboarding. Event space is diverse. In Manhattan Beach, Roundhouse Aquarium at the end of the pier is available to rent for a special event or meeting. Another popular spot, Verandas, can host up to 250. Smaller groups will like the trendy boutique hotels and Redondo Beach’s Village Garden, a refreshing green space two minutes from the beach that can host up to 45 for seated dining. For larger crowds, look into Manhattan Beach Marriott, with 385 guest rooms and 25,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

More casual gatherings can take it to the beach, literally. Dockweiler State Beach, just a few minutes away from the airport, has a picnic area, concession stands and, of course, stunning ocean views. Down the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), hit one of Southern California’s quintessential surfer beaches. Surfrider Beach and Zuma Beach are very popular with locals.

Go for the sunsets and to watch surfers and waves curling over in perfect succession. When you’re ready for food, stop along PCH for a bite at Moonshadows Malibu, Gladstones or Duke’s Malibu—all with event space for your group.

My L.A Meeting

Wayne Eng Our annual Emerald Ball [professional and amateur dance competition] was held in April and was attended by 1,600. We’ve been at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport for 25 years. The hotel has great customer service, and the superb staff takes good care of my clients. It’s close to the airport. Also, beach cities are appealing to my clients to visit, such as Manhattan Beach.

–Wayne Eng, Owner, Dance Vision and Emerald Ball, and Competition Director, United States Dance Championships

Carol Hinton For our 2015 Endorsement Conference in June we had 400 people. L.A. is a major city for all of our constituents to easily travel to and from. We have members from Georgia; Maryland; District of Columbia; Colorado; and Portland, Oregon; as well as the entire state of California.

It was important to have a venue that was easily accessible to the airport but also offered quality in hotel rooms, meeting space and service. Although the Sheraton Gateway LAX is undergoing a massive renovation, the flexibility and service it offered during our event made the construction almost disappear.

A large part of the meeting industry is about relationships, and we have developed a relationship with Sheraton Gateway that has proved beneficial for us and the hotel as well. The hotel is constantly improving, while keeping its pricing competitive.

–Carol Hinton, Conference and Meeting Planner, Coalition of Kaiser Unions

For more on our Ultimate Los Angeles Guidebook for Meeting Planners – click here

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

Westside’s Glamour, Glitz and Art

From celebrities to some of the world’s best shopping—window or otherwise—the Westside is the place for glamour, glitz and art. The region’s neighborhoods encompass media hub Century City, the college town of Westwood and the tony enclaves of Bel-Air and Brentwood. Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and West Hollywood add to the panache of the Westside experience.

Groups have lots of economical ways to enjoy Westside’s flair. There are plenty of free and inexpensive things to do, from taking tours on foot or by bus to checking out one of the fine museums, many of which do not charge admission or offer free days.

Several upscale hotels cater to large groups, including Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles At Beverly Hills (285 guest rooms, 14,130 sq. ft. of meeting space), InterContinental Los Angeles Century City at Beverly Hills (363 guest rooms, 16,650 sq. ft. of meeting space), Hyatt Regency Century Plaza (726 guest rooms, 100,000 sq. ft. of event space), SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills (297 guest rooms, 30,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor function space), Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills (295 guest rooms, 11,000 sq. ft. of meeting space), The Peninsula Beverly Hills (194 guest rooms; 3,398 sq. ft. of meeting space) and newly renovated W Los Angeles-West Beverly Hills (297 guest rooms; 10,164 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor space).

Nosh

There are scores of great dining spots, and options for just about any type of food.

Wolfgang Puck reigns at his eponymous restaurant at Hotel Bel-Air; he also has two other restaurants in Beverly Hills. Your group can go old school with Lawry’s The Prime Rib (hosts groups up to 500 during the day, 80 in the evening) in Beverly Hills, or enjoy fresh California cuisine at Fundamental LA in Westwood (which also does event catering) or Italian at Cecconi’s in West Hollywood (the private room hosts up to 40; buyouts host up to 450).

Enjoy fine cuisine in unsuspecting places. At open-air Westfield Century City, for example, people love Meizhou Dongpo—the menu includes dumplings and classic Chinese food, including an entire Peking duck. The Original Farmers Market, a Los Angeles landmark, is located near The Grove retail and entertainment complex. The Grove actually can host galas, with such offerings as valet parking, champagne toasts and a fun trolley ride for attendees.

Mondrian's Skybar Mondrian’s Skybar off Sunset Boulevard is the place for evening cocktails and views of the city and immersion in the L.A. scene.

Get Cultured

Does your group crave culture? The Westside’s museums fill the bill. Getty Center in Brentwood is atop the Santa Monica Mountains high above Sunset Boulevard, accessible by free tram and completely free (except for parking). Groups of more than 15 must make a reservation. Make sure your group sees van Gogh’s Irises, one of the most expensive paintings in history.

In addition to the Restaurant, where the food is top notch, there’s a private dining room that seats 54. The Getty can also provide picnic box lunches, as there are several spots where groups can dine al fresco.

Skirball Cultural Center, a Jewish cultural institute that welcomes every ethnic and cultural identity in American life, is a great place to host meetings (60,000 sq. ft. of meeting space) and see trendy exhibitions. Recent shows include Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution and Rock & Roll Billboards of the Sunset Strip.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (known by locals as LACMA), has an extensive collection and several exhibits. It’s the largest museum in the western United States. Groups can book private tours and pre-order picnic lunches to enjoy in the outdoor spaces. Food trucks converge once a week.

For an indoor and outdoor adventure, head to La Brea Tar Pits, featuring a museum with fossils, animals and plants that have been found on the site. The plaster animals, such as a woolly mammoth, have been awing generations of kids. The museum has space available for corporate after-hours events.

There are many more specialized museums, with interesting exhibits and a variety of spaces for events.

Specialty Tours and Sites

MAK Center for Art and Architecture at Schindler House is good for day trips and a perfect setting for meetings, parties and receptions. The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills has the foremost public archive of television and radio programming, and hosts many star-studded events; its theaters, boardrooms, meeting rooms and outdoor event space are all available to rent.

The Petersen Automotive Museum

The Petersen Automotive Museum features cars of all vintages, makes and models from around the globe, though by design only about half are on display at any given time. The newly renovated museum has 50,000 sq. ft. of event space, including an all-glass penthouse. It reopens in December.

And even though it’s touristy, consider taking your group on a tour bus. Celebrity tours take you past the lavish homes and mansions of movie stars and other celebrity haunts. Starline Tours, for example, says on its tour you may see the homes of Halle Berry, Madonna, Sandra Bullock, Tom Cruise, David and Victoria Beckham and more.

On Dearly Departed Tours, you can see the places where famous people met their end (or places where they lived before meeting their ends). It’s twisted. It’s macabre. And people rave about it.

And then, of course, there’s TV. Many shows are taped daily in L.A. So look into your group’s favorite show to see if you can be part of the audience.

Window Shop & People Watch

For great shopping (and noshing), stroll along Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, 26th Street in Brentwood or Westwood Boulevard in Westwood, home of the Mighty Bruins at the University of California at Los Angeles.

Just about any day on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills is an adventure. You can take in the haute couture at Gucci and Louis Vuitton, ogle the jewels in Cartier—or just window shop and people watch.

You might even spot a celebrity or two. Here’s a hint: They don’t always hang out on the main streets. Robertson Boulevard’s trendy boutiques are also good for celebrity spotting. You’ll find vintage stores, skateboard shops and other hipster-friendly stores along La Brea Avenue between West Third and Beverly Boulevard. West Third, from La Cienega to Fairfax, boasts everything including locally owned eateries.

When in doubt, head to the open-air shopping centers—Century City, the Beverly Center or The Grove, where you also can catch E! News being filmed live.

For more on our Ultimate Los Angeles Guidebook for Meeting Planners – click here

The Garland

The valley is big, laid-back—and happening

The Valley, as it’s known in Los Angeles, is actually the San Fernando Valley, including Northridge, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Canoga Park and Encino. At 260 sq. mi., it’s one of the largest regions in L.A.

In fact, the Valley has pretty much everything a planner needs to stage outstanding meetings: two airports, first-rate accommodations, attractions such as Warner Bros. Studios, excellent shopping (great vintage clothing stores), the Museum of Neon Art, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library and some of the best sushi on the West Coast.

Hotels include The Garland (243 guest rooms; 16,000 sq. ft. of meeting space), an iconic property in North Hollywood that recently emerged from a $20 million renovation. Its 1,800-square-foot theater is available for rental. Legendary stars Clark Gable, Katherine Hepburn and John Wayne have stayed at the Sportsmen’s Lodge and Event Center (190 guest rooms; 20,000 sq. ft. of meeting space) in Studio City; planners can stage events in its six acres of gardens and decks as well as in its interior spaces. Larger groups will appreciate Warner Center Marriott Woodland Hills (474 guest rooms, 25,000 sq. ft. of meeting space).

Plenty to Eat

The Valley boasts a whole area known as sushi row on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, featuring popular restaurants to which Angelenos from all over the vast metropolis flock.

Make sure you stop in Asanebo, which has a Michelin star. The Los Angeles Times food critic said its food “elevates your state of being.” Sushi Iki and Katsu-ya are other well-regarded eateries.

There are also cuisines to satisfy every palate. Paleo adherents should try Boneyard Bistro, known for meat on the bone. Vegans will love Gadarene Swine, an animal-free eatery. Xen Lounge has flexible event space and a dynamic menu.

Unique Places to Meet

Options are endless and varied. Groups can book the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood in Burbank—the studio’s multiple backlot settings, such as “Midwest Street” and “Jungle,” can be rented for receptions, dinners and other events.

Tour guides are available for groups of 15 or more at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library in Simi Valley (tours are self-guided for individual and smaller groups). The venue boasts impressive indoor and outdoor event space including Air Force One Pavilion, which can host 1,400, and casual dining at Reagan’s Country Cafe and The Ronald Reagan Pub.

Griffith Observatory

Griffith Park, set on 4,210 acres, offers several attractions with indoor and outdoor event venues, such as Griffith Observatory.

Sights to See

If you and your group are children of the ‘70s—or like TV reruns—be sure to get a glimpse of the Brady Bunch House on suburban Dilling Street in Studio City. Exteriors of the beloved sitcom were shot at this very real home (interiors were shot elsewhere), which is still a private residence.

Literary mavens must visit Iliad Bookshop, one of the largest used bookstores in Los Angeles. The store has been featured on Storage Wars and a number of movie and television shoots, according to the website.

When you need a respite from the hubbub, head to the Japanese Garden at Woodley Park, a 6.5-acre refuge in the middle of the city with a Zen meditation garden, waterfalls, streams and a teahouse.

Don’t miss The Great Wall of Los Angeles, a cultural landmark and monument to interracial harmony. Begun in 1974 and completed over five summers, the nearly 3,000-foot mural is one of the longest in the world. The Great Wall was designed by artist Judith Baca and executed with the help of more than 400 community youth and artists, coordinated by the Social and Public Art Resource Center.

Eclectica Vintage Store

Finally, shopping in the region is, like, totally cool. For vintage, try both Toadstool Farm Vintage and Eclectica Vintage Store, where you can get anything and everything. Malls, such as Northridge Fashion Center, Sherman Oaks Galleria, Americana at Brand and Westfield Topanga (with its new, open-air Village shops) are big and fabulous. Just like the Valley.

For more on our Ultimate Los Angeles Guidebook for Meeting Planners – click here

Dear Friends,

president-ceo-los-angeles-tourism-board As President & CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LATCB), I am proud to showcase the vibrancy and diversity of L.A. through this 2015 Smart Meetings Supplement.

Los Angeles is a 21st century metropolis like no other city in the world, offering endless entertainment and an unlimited variety of experiences.

At the same time, we are a collection of vibrant neighborhoods, each one a destination in itself, filled with new and refreshed hotels, world-class attractions, dining and culture. Our beaches and mountains; year-round, near-perfect weather; and every activity under the sun mean that leisure, business and convention visitors will be entertained, relaxed and inspired.

L.A. has more museums and theaters than any other city in the United States. Our residents speak 92 different languages, making L.A. one of the most diverse cities in the world. And as such, the benefits are reflected in our global food renaissance at more than 24,000 restaurants.

Los Angeles invented the magic of movies and television and is still the entertainment capital of the world—and you can plan events in working movie and television studios, and in A-list Hollywood nightclubs. Our endless unique venues include the historic battleship USS Iowa, the iconic Hollywood Bowl and the Space Shuttle Endeavour, not to mention botanical gardens, historic theaters, universities and much more.

With scores of new hotels, museums, attractions, and many more on the horizon, there’s never been a more exciting time to plan meetings, conventions and events in Los Angeles.

I hope this supplement is helpful to you. Thank you for your interest in Los Angeles.

With best wishes,

Ernest Wooden Jr.
President & CEO
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board

discoverLosAngeles.com/meetLA

For more on our Ultimate Los Angeles Guidebook for Meeting Planners – click here

LATCB’s client services taps the pulse of authentic L.A.

LATCB-Client-Services

The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LATCB) works with meeting professionals to plan extraordinary events. LATCB’s Client Services team matches your goals and objectives with local partners, and simplifies the planning process by providing award-winning experience, knowledge and convenience—all complimentary. Client Services team members have a thorough understanding of all customer segments, and are particularly attuned to evolving trends, innovative ideas and new developments that make meeting in L.A. irrestible. In their own words:

On What L.A. Offers

“As millennials, we crave social environments—whether for business or pleasure—and here in Los Angeles, you can find that around every corner no matter the time of day,” says Katrina Aceves, a director of Client Services for LATCB. “I enjoy the fact that I have the ability to shape the perception of Downtown L.A., not only because I work for LATCB, but because I am a resident of the community. I’m all about showcasing the hidden gems, those special nooks that can leave a lasting impression.”

In today’s world, technology and lifestyle companies accommodate millennials by allowing them to choose exactly what they want, and Sacha Tani, manager for LATCB Destination Services, believes L.A. is ensuring that they can achieve their goals.

“I want to curate an authentic experience for my clients that speaks to their attendees’ and company culture,” Tani says. “Experiences range from a street-food block party, a Rodeo Drive shopping experience a la Pretty Woman, a trendy speakeasy bar crawl or an A-Listers experience on stage at the iconic Dolby Theatre.”

On What Planners Should Know

Planners should not overlook the fact that L.A. is a hub for creativity, which jump-starts the exchange of new ideas.

“As one of the premier creative capitals of the world, meeting possibilities are endless across L.A.’s unique venues—from historic warehouse locations to iconic landmarks and everything in between,” Aceves says. “There are plenty of cool, creative spots that planners wouldn’t automatically think of, such as Grand Avenue’s cultural institutions or the Arts District.”

Tani says LATCB’s Client Services team offers insider knowledge for authentic L.A. experiences and creative meetings.

Click here for more on our Ultimate Los Angeles Guidebook for Meeting Planners.

Detroit Comeback City Smart Meetings caught up with Larry Alexander, president and CEO of Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, at American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)’s annual meeting and exposition in downtown Detroit’s Cobo Center on Aug. 10.

In this exclusive video, Alexander discusses the amazing metamorphosis Detroit has experienced over the past decade. As he points out, if you haven’t been to Detroit lately, you are in for a big surprise!

There has been $11 billion worth of investments poured into the city, and it shows! Cobo Center and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) have been completely refreshed and revitalized, and the city has plenty of full-service hotels, exciting new restaurants and bars, and interesting entertainment venues. Continued development is on the horizon, and Alexander promises that the Detroit you experience today will be different from Detroit five years from now.

Detroit is perhaps the country’s greatest Comeback City. It wants your business, and is ready to deliver. The message Alexander wants to communicate to event planners is “when you’re in Detroit, you’re a big deal in town!”

Take Detroit out for a test spin, and let the Motor City’s helpful CVB staff drive your next meeting!