INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TRADE FAMS, TRADE SHOWS & EVENTS
Aer Lingus FAM
L.A. Tourism, in conjunction with Aer Lingus, hosted a FAM group of Irish travel trade agents and product managers to promote the airline’s new service from Dublin to LAX, May 6-9, 2016. The group’s educational itinerary showcased L.A.’s unique neighbourhoods, from Downtown L.A. to the Beach Cities. Experiences included Malibu Wine Safari, Universal Studios Hollywood, Grand Central Market, a sneak preview of OUE Skyspace LA, and dinner at Musso and Frank, all of which can be packaged into their tour product. Accommodations were provided by Loews Hollywood. The new air service launched on May 4.
Aer Lingus Flight Launch
Aer Lingus airlines resumed its direct air service from Dublin to LAX on May 4, 2016. The new year-round service is 5x weekly aboard an A330 aircraft. L.A. Tourism supported Aer Lingus on the relaunch with a celebration at the gate as each passenger on the first flight received an L.A. Tourism/Aer Lingus co-branded selfie stick and encouraged them to share their experience on social media using #LAStory. L.A. Tourism Public Relations also hosted key Irish media on the inaugural flight.
Tripartite Summit
L.A. Tourism, along with LAWA and the Port of L.A., joined Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and a delegation of more than 20 Los Angeles business leaders for the Mayor’s second Tripartite Summit in Auckland, New Zealand May 15-17, 2016. In conjunction with the Summit, L.A. Tourism and Los Angeles World Airports, along with airline partner American Airlines, promoted tourism through a hosted travel industry and media event showcasing Los Angeles. American Airlines begins daily flights between LAX and Auckland this June.
L.A. Tourism Public Relations organized relationship-building activities with key media in Auckland to further raise awareness for Los Angeles as a tourist destination. The team secured 30 high-profile media to attend the joint partner, trade and media event in Auckland. Leveraging Ernie and Samson Mengistu of LAWA as key spokespeople, the team also secured a variety of interview opportunities which have resulted in 20 pieces of coverage to-date.
In November 2014, Mayor Garcetti signed an agreement with Guangzhou Mayor Chen Jianhua and Auckland Mayor Len Brown to establish an unprecedented economic alliance. Los Angeles, Guangzhou, and Auckland are sister cities and strategic trading partners, and this agreement provides a platform for cooperation that fosters trade, innovation, and investment opportunities between the three regions.
Mayor Garcetti hosted the first Tripartite Summit in Los Angeles in June 2015. This year’s summit focused on technology, innovation, architecture, design, and tourism with the theme of ‘Innovation – through Commercialization and Connectivity’.
Australia Tourism Mission
Following the Tripartite Summit, L.A. Tourism conducted a tourism mission in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia May 17-21, 2016. President & CEO Ernest Wooden Jr. and L.A. Tourism officials were joined by Board members Jayme Wilson, Tom Gilmore, Lori Bettison-Varga and Scott Mills as well as partner Universal Studios Hollywood to promote the destination to travel trade and media within L.A.’s number 2 overseas market.
L.A. Tourism PR organized relationship-building activities with key media in Sydney to further raise awareness for Los Angeles as a tourist destination. The team conceived of and organized an event in Sydney which brought to life uniquely L.A. experiences: Tacos from Chef Wes Avila of Guerilla Tacos, a live art demonstration by Colette Miller (of the famed angel wings series) and cocktails from mixologist Beau DuBois of the Corner Door in Culver City. The event was attended by more than 50 media and influencers.
Brand USA – JATA – American Airlines FAM (Japan)
L.A. Tourism, in partnership with Brand USA, JATA and American Airlines, hosted five Japanese travel agents May 12-15, 2016. Their educational FAM experience showcased only-in-L.A. experiences including Universal Studios Hollywood, The Original Farmer’s Market, The Grove and a Dodgers game. Accommodations were provided by The Westin Bonaventure.
"Beyond the Red Carpet" at Dolby Theatre
L.A. Tourism, in partnership with the Dolby Theatre, hosted the opening event of “Beyond the Red Carpet” on May 18, 2016. With assistance from L.A. Tourism’s China Services team, Dolby created a customized tour designed exclusively for Chinese visitors, which is currently only available by reservation from local Chinese receptive tour operators. The opening event promoted the new tour product and included a complete training for local tour operators and tour guides. Several operators have begun selling the exclusive packages with the Dolby Theatre.
MAGnificent Trade Showcase Event and Thomas Cook Launch
L.A. Tourism’s Europe office, in conjunction with Manchester Airport, exhibited at the annual MAGnificent Trade Showcase Event on May 19, 2016. Travel agents from all over the northern region attended the event, which was held at the Concorde Visitor Centre at Manchester Airport. L.A. Tourism representatives attended the event to highlight the new direct air service between Manchester and LAX, which commenced on May 2, 2016, and showcased all that L.A. has to offer to more than 250 agents.
On the day of the service launch, L.A. Tourism supported the new Thomas Cook flight to Los Angeles by greeting passengers with a Hollywood theme at the Manchester Airport.
L.A. Tourism – China
Visit USA’s Roadshow was held in Dalian, China May 16-17, 2016 and L.A. Tourism’s China office conducted one-on-one appointments with more than 70 travel trade operators and media outlets. Representatives provided information on existing direct air services from China to LAX, LAX’s updated facilities, and L.A.’s newest attractions.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) was awarded “Best International Airport of the Year” at Travel Weekly China’s 15th annual “China Travel & Meeting Industry Awards,” an awards ceremony that celebrates excellence in the travel and meetings industry, on May 18, 2016. The Awards have been widely recognized within China’s travel industry since 2002.
L.A. Tourism’s China office organized a co-hosted function with UMICE Guangzhou to promote LAWA and L.A.’s MICE resources and products on May 19, 2016. There were 16 corporate MICE buyers from banking, insurance, cosmetics, direct sell and automobile industries that attended the dinner as well as the Commercial Officer from the US Consulate General Guangzhou and 2 UMICE Guangzhou representatives.
The 2016 Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE), one of Beijing’s premier travel shows to showcase destinations and products to travel trade and consumers took place May 20-22, 2016. L.A. Tourism’s China office exhibited at Visit California’s booth during the show, where representatives presented updates on LAX and L.A.’s new products.
Vancouver Travel Trade Event
L.A. Tourism representatives Tamy Martelli and Andy Liu joined Denis Zyuzin of Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood to promote new L.A. product to travel trade in Vancouver, Canada May 31 – June 1, 2016. The trip highlighted new experiences including DC Universe: The Exhibit at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and Stage 48: Script to Screen. The team also met with GoGo Vacations’ long-haul and weekend getaway team as well as Ellison Tour & Travel to update them on the exciting changes in L.A. and the current Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood experiences. They also met with Alexandra Roper and Jose Rivera from Flight Centre Canada to discuss upcoming marketing plans.
Air Canada Event
L.A. Tourism, in partnership with Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and Air Canada, hosted 75 travel agents from throughout British Columbia for a taco Tuesday and movie night mixer featuring a private screening of the WB film The Nice Guys on May 31, 2016. L.A. Tourism representatives presented information on new Los Angeles product as Air Canada officially announced the return of the airline’s direct air service between YVR and LAX. A grand prize was raffled off for one lucky agent which included a trip for two to L.A., roundtrip airfare on Air Canada, accommodations at Sheraton Grand Los Angeles, Warner Bros. Studio Tour passes, an Original Farmers Market prize pack, airport transfer on Karmel Shuttle, Go Los Angeles cards, a Citadel Outlets gift card, and more. Canada is L.A.’s number three international market for tourism.
SALES
L.A. Tourism’s Sales team hosted a group of meeting & event professionals in Los Angeles for an L.A. Music Experience, focusing on Hollywood and Downtown L.A., May 12-15, 2016. The client familiarization event showcased 16 member partners, hotels and venues to meeting professionals from Keller Williams, Pharmacyclics, Riot Games, LA Soul Music Festival, Enterprise Events Group, Wells Fargo Bank, AECOM, Pacsun, and Herbalife. Highlights from the educational experience included a panel discussion with the stars of Empire and a sneak preview of OUE Skyspace LA. The music-themed experience culminated with clients attending Beyonce’s World Tour: Formation on May 14 at the Rose Bowl.
COMMUNICATIONS
CarfreeL.A.
In celebration of Discover Los Angeles’ three-year anniversary of carfreeL.A. and the opening of the Metro Expo Line Extension to Santa Monica, Discover Los Angeles unveiled two new self-guided itineraries: Discover Downtown Car Free and Discover Metro Expo Line Car Free. The guides were promoted through a press release, which was distributed to domestic and international media and posted on L.A. Tourism’s media page.
Visiting Journalist Program
L.A. Tourism Public Relations hosted Kathy Strong, a journalist who writes for The Desert Sun, a USA Today Network publication in the Coachella Valley, May 27-29, 2016. Kathy enjoyed accommodations at Hotel Angeleno to experience their new “Rotel” offering. Her feature will appear in upcoming issues of The Desert Sun along with new happenings around Los Angeles.