INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TRADE FAMS, TRADE SHOWS & EVENTS
American Airlines Amex FAM
L.A. Tourism’s International Tourism team, in partnership with Marriott, hosted a group of American Express travel trade from Mexico City Sept. 1-4, 2016. The educational itinerary showcased The GRAMMY Museum, OUE Skyspace LA, Buca di Beppo at the Original Farmers Market, Ontario Mills and site visits of Marriott properties. Attendees are now better prepared to build fresh new Los Angeles itineraries for their clients from Mexico.
World Routes 2016
L.A. Tourism and LAWA officials attended World Routes, an aviation conference to plan new global routes, in Chengdu, China Sept. 24-27, 2016. L.A. Tourism and LAWA conducted a full slate of appointments with airlines, airports and other tourism organizations. Announcements for new/expanded service to LAX are anticipated in the near future. During the World Routes 2016, Sichuan Airlines had a launch ceremony of CTU-HGH/TNA-LAX inaugural flight.
United Airlines Bajio FAM
L.A. Tourism’s International Tourism team hosted a group of travel trade from the Bajio region of Mexico Sept. 26-29, 2016. Attendees included travel agents and supervisors from eight travel agencies along with United Airlines Mexico staff. Highlights of the educational itinerary included RTO Dream Vacation Builders and sites and experiences at the Hotel Erwin, Warner Brothers Hollywood Studio Tour, OUE Skyspace LA, Petersen Automotive Museum and L.A. Beer Hop. Accommodations were provided by The L.A. Hotel. L.A. Tourism thanks all the participating partners.
Visit USA Roadshow – Germany
L.A. Tourism’s Germany office participated in the annual Visit USA Roadshow in Cologne, Stuttgart, Munich and Nuernberg in August 2016. A mix of 360 travel agents, tour operators, product managers and operator owners from all seniority levels attended the show. Representatives conducted both one-on-one appointments and group presentations to the attending buyers, showcasing Los Angeles and LAWA.
Aeromexico Training
L.A. Tourism, in partnership with Sevilla Sol and Aeromexico, conducted a training for 200 agents in the city of Guadalajara, Mexico on Sept. 9, 2016. At the training, representatives promoted Los Angeles as a premier travel destination as well as Aeromexico’s direct flights to Los Angeles from multiple cities in Mexico.
L.A. Tourism – Australia and New Zealand
LUXPERIENCE
L.A Tourism’s Australia office exhibited at the annual LUXPERIENCE trade show, the leading luxury leisure & MICE travel trade show for the Oceania region, in Sydney Oct. 19-21, 2016. The three-day trade show generated 55 pre-scheduled B2B appointments with luxury travel advisors and media from Australia and New Zealand. Representatives focused on promoting L.A.’s new and existing luxury hotel products as well as experiences for high-end travelers. L.A. Tourism thanks member hotels The Line and Mondrian LA for their participation.
United Airlines Agent Seminars
L.A. Tourism and LAWA co-sponsored a United Airlines agent training seminar in Sydney, Australia on Sept. 28, 2016. The seminar attracted 80 retail travel agents who were provided product updates on LAX’s Terminal 7 as well as hotel development in L.A. Agents competed for an L.A. vacation prize by playing L.A. trivia, a fun educational element at the event.
C&IT Awards in London
L.A. Tourism’s UK representative Lisa Steward hosted nine clients at the C&IT awards on Sept. 23, 2016. The annual C&IT Awards attracted more than 500 industry moves and shakers to The London Hilton. The C&IT awards recognized excellence in creative solutions and strategic results. Los Angeles was nominated for Best Mid-Long Haul Events Destination. Finalists included Dubai, LV, NY, Singapore and South Africa.
Flight Centre USA
L.A. Tourism attended Flight Centre USA, the seventh annual partner pride event, in Montvale, New Jersey on Sept. 25, 2016. The marketing showcase event was an opportunity to recognize to hotels, airlines, and suppliers; meet one-on-one with various departments within Flight Centre; and promote product updates to each division. The event culminated with the grand opening of Flight Centre’s new U.S. office in Montvale, New Jersey. Flight Centre USA, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Flight Centre Limited, comprising 160 store locations and over 700 travel consultants.
American Airlines Training – Mexico
L.A. Tourism, along with Brand USA Mexico and American Airlines, conducted training seminars in Aguascalientes, Leon, Queretaro and Puebla in Mexico Sept. 19-23, 2016. Approximately 300 agents received the training as representatives promoted Los Angeles as a premier travel destination as well as American Airlines’ direct flights to LAX from Mexico City and Guadalajara.
Etihad Holidays Training
L.A. Tourism’s Middle East office conducted destination awareness training session with Etihad Holidays, a division of Etihad Airways that offers holiday packages and flights, on Sept. 29, 2016. A total of 24 agents joined the training which took place at Etihad Holidays Head Quarters in Abu Dhabi, UAE. During the one-hour training, the L.A. Tourism Representative delivered updates on the latest L.A. attractions, hotels, new products, direct air services from the Middle East to LAX, LAX transportation options and more.
Al Tayyar Travel Training
L.A. Tourism’s Middle East office conducted a destination awareness training session at the newly opened office of Al Tayyar Travel in Dubai, UAE on Sept. 27, 2016. Seven members of their sales and operations team joined the hour-long training. L.A. Tourism representatives delivered updates on the latest L.A. attractions, hotels, new products, and direct air services from the Middle East to LAX. Al Tayyar is one of the largest and most established travel companies in the Middle East.
Aer Lingus Event in Dublin
L.A. Tourism’s Europe office, in partnership with Aer Lingus, hosted a group of Irish travel trade at an evening reception in the heart of Dublin on Sept. 20, 2016. The event promoted winter bookings on the newly launched Aer Lingus flight, which offers direct service four times weekly from Dublin to LAX. L.A. Tourism’s Regional Director Europe Francine Sheridan provided Los Angeles & LAWA product updates to more than 150 key Irish tour operators and travel trade media. Guests enjoyed sounds of L.A. music, L.A.-themed welcome drinks and a fun L.A.-inspired canape menu. Replica Oscar awards were handed out for the best photo booth pictures along with a grand prize of roundtrip Aer Lingus flights to LAX, accommodations and GoLA passes.
L.A. Tourism China
Beijing Office 10-Year Anniversary
L.A. Tourism commemorated the 10th anniversary of its Beijing office with a VIP luncheon and a travel trade evening reception on Sept. 22, 2016. More than 30 VIPs from government institutions including the China National Tourism Administration and Beijing Municipal Commission for Tourism Development, China’s leading wholesalers, tour operators, OTAs and airlines attended the VIP luncheon. L.A. Tourism President & CEO Ernest Wooden Jr. and SVP of Business Affairs Patti MacJennett provided remarks and expressed gratitude to the audience for their endless support of Los Angeles.
Travel trade and trade media attended the evening reception, which was held to thank the groups for their support. At the reception, L.A. Trade Partners Award and L.A. Angels Academy Award were presented to highlight individuals and their valued partnership. Multiple trade media interviews were arranged with Mr. Wooden throughout the month of Sept. to highlight the 10-year anniversary.
American Airlines HKG-LAX Event
American Airlines launched new nonstop daily air service from Hong Kong to Los Angeles on Sept. 7, 2016. In celebration, L.A. Tourism’s China office collaborated with AA to host a cocktail reception at the Hong Kong W Hotel on September 6. Nearly 280 attendees from the Hong Kong government, associations, and travel trade received the latest L.A. and LAX developments from Kate Chang, L.A. Tourism’s regional director of China. The following day, L.A. Tourism co-hosted a luncheon for 20 local media where they received the latest L.A. and LAX happenings. That evening, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the boarding gate of HKG to welcome the new route’s very first passengers.
CIBTM 2016 in Beijing
L.A. Tourism’s Beijing office attended China Incentive Business Travel Meetings (CIBTM) in Beijing Sept. 7-8, 2016. Representatives shared the latest L.A. and LAX developments, news on air service between China and LAX, information on L.A. Tourism’s member hotels and receptive companies. L.A.-themed tours, MICE, fly-drive packages and FIT resources were also highlighted. More than 50 one-on-one appointments were conducted at the three-day CIBTM, which also generated three MICE group leads.
WTCF Chongqing Fragrant Hills Summit 2016
Led by President & CEO Ernest Wooden Jr., L.A. Tourism participated in the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) Chongqing Fragrant Hills Summit 2016. At the summit, Mr. Wooden was reelected as vice chairman of the WTCF and participated in several media interviews to showcase Los Angeles, LAX’s latest developments and the impact of China’s outbound tourism market. At the First Meeting of the Second Council of WTCF on Sept. 19, 2016, L.A. was selected to host the Summit in 2017.
China (Xiamen) International Leisure Expo 2016
Invited by the U.S. Commercial Service Guangzhou, L.A. Tourism’s China office participated in the China (Xiamen) International Leisure Tourism Expo 2016 Sept. 23-25, 2016. Xiamen is a second-tier outbound market in China. During the three-day show, representatives shared information and marketing collateral including maps and L.A. Official Visitor Guides with clients.
Training at Haiqiao.com
In co-operation with Haoqiao.com, L.A. Tourism’s Beijing office launched a trade training in Beijing on Sept. 26, 2016 to promote member hotels bookings, specifically China-Ready member hotels. The 16 tour operators were briefed on the latest developments in L.A. and at LAX including new openings of hotels, shopping centers and attractions.
Sichuan Airlines New Air Service Launch Event
Sichuan Airlines launched a new route air service event in Chengdu on Sept. 27, 2016. Co-hosted with L.A. Tourism, the event attracted more than 150 media and trade attendees. At the event, L.A. Tourism SVP of Business Affairs Patti MacJennett delivered a speech welcoming the new route to L.A. The new air route between Chengdu and Los Angeles via Hangzhou/Jinan by Sichuan Airlines will increase access from China to the U.S. This is Sichuan Airlines’ first intercontinental route to the United States.
Training at Air China in Beijing
L.A. Tourism’s Beijing office participated in an in-house training at Air China in Beijing on Sept. 28, 2016. Representatives delivered a presentation to 70 sales managers from Air China's domestic and international branches with LAX’s development updates and new air service routes from China to LAX.
Guangzhou International Shopping Festival
Los Angeles & Guangzhou celebrate the 35th anniversary of their sister-city relationship in 2016. Invited by Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office, L.A. Tourism’s Guangzhou office joined the Guangzhou International Shopping Festival (GISF) at U.S. Pavilion Sept. 29-Oct. 28, 2016 and met with government officials, associations and corporate companies related to the expo. Representatives showcased Los Angeles and LAX and distributed L.A. Official Visitor Guides to mall customers. Attached to the Expo, L.A. Tourism hosted two travel seminars on Oct. 1 & Oct. 9, 2016 to promote LAX upgrade projects and new tourism resources in L.A.
China-Ready Sales Calls
L.A. Tourism’s International Tourism team organized two China-Ready sales calls for their members to help cultivate stronger relationships with major Chinese tourism industry partners on Aug. 31 and Sept. 7, 2016. Director of China Services Sheena Yu joined L.A. Tourism members as they visited eight Chinese receptive operators who each provided an office tour, an introduction about their company, clientele updates and market forecasts. Each session included a 30 minutes Q&A which created a helpful dialogue about products and needs and developed closer relationships for future business opportunities. The sales calls are benefits of L.A. Tourism’s China-Ready program and applied to members who have met the program’s requirements.
Brand USA India Sales Mission
Brand USA India sales mission was held in Mumbai, Bangalore and New Delhi Sept. 19-23, 2016 where L.A. Tourism participated in meeting sessions with tour operators, travel agents and MICE companies. VIP receptions were held in Mumbai and New Delhi with invited guests in senior management positions from airlines, tour operators, MICE, media as well as the U.S. Ambassador and consulate staff. More than 40 media from trade/consumer publications attended an L.A. Tourism luncheon in New Delhi. More than 734 Indian travel trade and media attended the sales mission.
Visit California India Sales Day
Following the Brand USA India sales mission, Visit California held the first-ever India Sales Day in New Delhi Sept. 24-25, 2016. More than 30 owners and product development managers attended the weekend event, which included a welcome networking reception, one-on-one appointments and an evening gala. L.A Tourism representatives met with travel trade attendees from secondary markets of Kolkata, Chandigarth, Cochin, Punjab and Jaipur.
JATA
L.A. Tourism exhibited at Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), a travel show under the umbrella of Visit California, and provided the up-to-date information on L.A. and LAX to attending travel trade, media and consumers.
Singapore Airlines Korea Launch
L.A. Tourism co-hosted a travel trade seminar luncheon on Sept. 23, 2016 with Singapore Airlines for 60 tour operators and travel agents in Seoul to celebrate their new Los Angeles service. Singapore Airlines’ daily service from Seoul/Incheon to LAX will commence October 23, 2016.
Visit California UK & Ireland SuperFAM
L.A. Tourism’s International Tourism team participated in Visit California’s UK & Ireland SuperFAM by hosting the group in Los Angeles before they toured other stops in California along the way Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2016. The educational itinerary showcased signature L.A. experiences including OUE Skyspace LA, Mas Malo, The Garland and Universal Studios Hollywood SM. Accommodations were provided by the L.A. Hotel Downtown.
IFTM/Top Resa 2016
L.A. Tourism’s France representative participated in IFTM/ Top Resa, a multi-target show attracting all segments of the travel market including business, leisure and events, in Paris on Sept. 22, 2016. At the show, representatives provided up-to-date information about L.A.’s products and happenings and partnered with Air Tahiti Nui on a grand prize trip to Los Angeles for two agents with top selling scores. The Travel Agents Cup, another fun educational giveaway, asked agents to pitch California and Los Angeles to judges. The winner received a three-night stay in Los Angeles and one GoCardLA.
SALES
EMMYs FAM
L.A. Tourism hosted a group of meeting & event professionals from Ireland and high-level corporate professionals from New York City during the EMMY’s to showcase the destination Sept. 16-19, 2016. The educational FAM focused on highlighting more than 15 member partners and hotels throughout Los Angeles. The weekend culminated with the clients attending the 68th Primetime EMMY Awards at Microsoft Theatre L.A. LIVE. Accommodations were provided by Ritz-Carlton, Marina Del Rey and the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills.
Citywide EMMY Fam
L.A. Tourism hosted a group of Citywide meeting & event professionals during the EMMY’s to showcase the destination Sept. 16-19, 2016. The FAM focused on showcasing more than 18 member partners and hotels throughout the Downtown region. The weekend culminated with the clients attending the 68th Primetime EMMY Awards at Microsoft Theatre L.A. LIVE. Accommodations were provided by the Westin Bonaventura Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles.
Washington, DC Movie Screening
L.A. Tourism, in partnership with Universal Studios Hollywood Special Events, hosted a VIP experience and private screening for clients in Washington D.C. on Sept. 7, 2016. More than 65 clients including AARP, Experient, National Education Association, U.S. Travel Association and U.S. Green Building Council attended the experience that showcased L.A. as a premier meetings and events destination.
Private Movie Screening in NYC
L.A. Tourism and esteemed luxury partners held a private movie screening of “Bridget Jones’ Baby” for clients in New York City on Sept. 8, 2016 to share the latest developments in hotels, venues, and dining in L.A. Partners included Universal Studios Hollywood, Montage Beverly Hills, Terranea Resort, The Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey, The London West Hollywood, The Langham Huntington Pasadena, Bikes & Hikes LA, Four Seasons Hotel at Westlake Village, Loews Hollywood Hotel.
meetL.A. Client Event at Dodger Stadium
L.A. Tourism hosted more than 17 meetings and events professionals at a VIP suite Dodger Stadium for the Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants game on Sept. 22, 2016. Clients attended from companies such as Activision, National Basketball Association, HelmsBriscoe, and Disabled American Veterans.
meetL.A. Client Event at Petco Park
L.A. Tourism hosted 18 meeting and events professionals at a VIP suite at Petco Park in San Diego for the Dodgers vs. Padres game on Sept. 28, 2016. Clients from companies such as HelmsBriscoe, Lynette Owens & Associates, LPL Financial, Tony Robbins and Voxox learned about Los Angeles and its unique offerings.
meetL.A. Client Event at Dodger Stadium
L.A. Tourism hosted meeting and events professionals at a VIP suite at AT&T Park, San Francisco for the Dodgers vs Giants game on Sept. 30, 2016. Clients from companies such as Dolby Laboratories, Apple Inc, MKTG, Western Digital, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise learned about Los Angeles and its unique offerings.
COMMUNICATIONS
Public Relations and L.A. Tourism’s representative in Korea partnered with Singapore Airlines on a media conference on Sept. 21, 2016 to announce their direct air route launch to LAX. L.A. Tourism shared new openings and trendy L.A. and LAX happenings with top consumer and travel trade media at the event.