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From April 1-30, the LATCB International Team hosted four FAM trips to allow travel trade professionals to experience L.A.’s attractions and our members and partners in person, with groups from Australia (3 guests), Japan (11 guests), and the U.K. (10 guests).
LATCB was proud to welcome Travel Exchange 2014 to the Los Angeles Convention Center, Feb. 16-20. The conference is produced by the National Travel Association (NTA) and the United Motorcoach Assocation (UMA) and is a citywide convention combining NTA’s Annual Convention and UMA Motorcoach EXPO – creating a unique travel industry event with 3,500 American and Canadian travel buyers and sellers on the same floor. Hosting this large tradeshow provided an opportunity to showcase L.A.’s unique attractions and LATCB members and partners to the travel trade. LATCB hosted extended sightseeing tours for the delegates to L.A. member attractions. LATCB had 45 confirmed appointments as well as networking opportunities throughout the four-day conference.
Opening its doors in 1979, the World Famous Laugh Factory has been recognized as "the #1 comedy club in the country" by such high-profile media as USA Today.
Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) has begun official operations as the private-sector management company operating the City-owned Los Angeles Convention Center, after completing a transition period. The City of Los Angeles has re-structured governance of the Convention Center, centered on strong management and an increased customer service orientation. Management by a private-sector operator is an approach increasingly pursued by the nation’s top-performing convention centers, and is considered essential to maximize the City of LA’s competitive success to secure conventions and events. AEG is one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment presenters, with a collection of over 100 premier facilities around the world, including STAPLES Center and the 4 million square-foot L.A. LIVE sports and entertainment complex, adjacent to the Convention Center. LATCB has a long-standing relationship with AEG, as well as a strong, synergistic partnership, with LATCB bringing its strong capacities in convention sales, and AEG providing the best facilities management and services available.
AEG also announced the launch of new services at the Convention Center. Starting Jan. 1, 2014, LACC will launch its new “Taste of LA” food and beverage experience as the venue’s signature and exclusive dining offerings. Operated in partnership with Levy Restaurants, “Taste of LA” will feature upgraded menus in both concession fare and catering while providing new dining options in line with the city’s culinary star power. There will also be new in-house audiovisual service provided by Encore Event Technologies, the hospitality division of the Freeman Company. LACC also opened up electrical services, to offer show managers the opportunity to select specific services from preferred provider lists that are vetted and compiled by the LACC staff. The “approved vendor model” will enable Show Managers to select from preferred providers including Edlen Electric, Trade Show Electric/GES and Freeman Electric. The Los Angeles Times published an editorial on Dec. 8, 2013, about the importance the privatization of Convention Center management. To see the article, click here.
As 2013 draws to an end, I can confidently say that the LA tourism was has a tremendously successful year, and we are entering 2014 with the wind at our backs.
The good news for LA’s tourism and hospitality industry continued through the third quarter of 2013 as Los Angeles rode a wave of record-high hotel occupancy rates driven by record visitation numbers.
