Los Angeles is a thriving and vibrant city with a high quality of life, eclectic neighborhoods that offer uniquely L.A. experiences, culture, diversity and world-class amenities for meeting attendees. It's also a safe, welcoming city with a broad transportation network, a thriving Downtown area, and plenty of easily accessible airports for clients. Here are a few things every planner should know when considering L.A. for an event.
1. Perfect Weather
Southern California’s climate has often been described as “perfect” and with good reason. Most days are sunny and warm, with gentle ocean breezes in the summer. In fact, there are no unpleasant seasons in Los Angeles. The average high temperature is 75° (24° C) and the city is sunny nearly 300 days a year.
2. Entertainment Capital of the World
Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world, offering myriad attractions and activities: movie studios, the Sunset Strip, Venice Beach, landmark museums, world-famous theme parks, wineries, breweries, outdoor activities, exciting nightlife, and much more. So, there is plenty to do once the business meeting is over.
3. Hotel Options for Any Budget
Los Angeles is famous for its glitz and glamour, but its hotels offer much more than star power for planners who are looking for everything from accommodations to board rooms and event spaces for thousands of guests. Whether it’s a five-star luxury resort, a cutting edge boutique hotel, a historic property or a value chain, planners can rest assured that they will find a property that fits their budget and offers every amenity and service that their clients could ask for.
4. Los Angeles Convention Center
The Los Angeles Convention Center has abundant space for any size event. With over 720,000 sqft. of exhibition space, 147,000 sqft. of meeting space, and a 299 seat theater, it is one of the largest in the United States.
5. Modernized Los Angeles International Airport
The main airport in Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), is roughly 10 miles from Downtown L.A. and easily accessible via car or public transporation. It is the third-busiest airport in the United States, with flights to and from almost anywhere. LAX is in the process of a multi-billion-dollar capital improvement program that improves service, enhances convenience and modernizes operations. This includes the $1.9 billion new Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), with 60 new dining and luxury retail shops that showcase the best of L.A. cuisine, culture and lifestyle.
6. Go Metro & Go Everywhere
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) makes it easy for visitors to use public transportation to get around L.A. It operates 2,200 buses and six rail lines, including a subway with service from Downtown to Hollywood in about 15 minutes. Whether you’re interested in seeing the stars along the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame, enjoying the beach at Santa Monica or shopping in Old Town Pasadena, Metro can take you there.
7. L.A. LIVE
The largest draw in Los Angeles for meeting visitors is L.A. LIVE, a $2.5 billion entertainment and sports complex on the southern edge of Downtown, located adjacent to STAPLES Center and the L.A. Convention Center. L.A. LIVE includes the 7,000-seat Microsoft Theater L.A. LIVE; the 2,300-seat Club Nokia; an 800-seat Premiere House; the Target Terrace, a function space with jaw-dropping skyline views; a 1,000-person-capacity nightclub and numerous restaurants. In addition to the entertainment attractions of L.A. LIVE, the 54-story JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE and The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles provide 1,000 guest rooms to the Downtown area. L.A. LIVE also features a 40,000-square-foot outdoor plaza known as the “Times Square of the West.”