| Dear Meeting Professional, No doubt about it, our Citywide Sales team deserves the credit for LA INC.'s unprecedented record-breaking 2007/2008 fiscal year for bookings. Rather than just mention their names, I'd like to tell you a little bit about them. Yes, they're a great sales team, but they're also a great group of people! Kathy McAdams has been with LA INC. for 14 years, longer than anyone else on our sales team. Tall, tan, blonde and a runner, she's the classic Southern Californian, except the fact that she's not from here and is based in Washington, D.C. On her frequent visits to LA, Kathy often gets her morning exercise by running from Downtown to Dodger Stadium. Our number one booker is Jeff Leung and he's the only member of the team based in Los Angeles. He still manages to be the best father I've ever known (not to me of course, in case that's ambiguous) and a sports fan -- make that a "nut." Shanna Cito gets my vote for being a great mother. She and her husband Jerry (VP of Convention Development for NYC & Co.) live in New York and she's got that New Yorker way about her -- not neurotic -- but she does brood over her groups. She loves dirty/dirty martinis, which may be another New York thing. Mary Bones is an East Coast native, but has also spent a significant amount of time residing in LA. She has a brown belt in martial arts, so book LA or beware. Our Midwest representative is Jim Labadie, but you'd never know from the way he's embraced the California lifestyle - boating, golfing, a great tan. He was once a news radio personality, which bodes well for selling the entertainment capital of the world. If you're thinking about coming to LA for a citywide convention, you can learn a lot about Los Angeles and get to know some really great people. Of course, the Citywide Sales team doesn't do it alone. Their efforts are complemented by our tireless Client Services team and our hard-working associates spread throughout the department. Once again, kudos to our dream team! Sincerely, |
 | LA INC. Sets Citywide Convention Booking Record LA INC. booked an unprecedented 53 citywide conventions in FY 07/08 with a projected economic impact of $360 million for the Los Angeles area. Year-over-year, there was a 29 percent increase in citywide convention bookings, and a 22 percent increase in room nights booked (651,061 room nights were booked in 07/08). This growth may be considered even more impressive taking into account the fact that last fiscal year was record-setting as well. "The tourism and travel industries are keeping us strong despite a slowdown in the national economy and we are adding new attractions to make sure this upward trend continues," said Mayor Villaraigosa. "The record high number of convention bookings in Los Angeles is a testament to the strength of the hospitality sector, which is a cornerstone of our local economy." By March 2010, the final phase of L.A. LIVE will be completed. The $2.5 billion Downtown sports and entertainment complex being built adjacent to the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) will open up even more options for meeting professionals and be even more reason to book the City as soon as possible. |
  | Madame Tussauds Unveiling On July 10 Madame Tussauds revealed the details of their newest attraction, Madame Tussauds Hollywood. Located in the heart of Hollywood adjacent to Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Madame Tussauds Hollywood is scheduled to open in summer 2009 as the first Madame Tussauds to be built from the ground up in the 200-year history of the company. The 44,000-square-foot, $55 million, three-story building will be home to celebrity wax figures that can cost in upwards of $150,000 each to create. Set in 12 themed areas (The Red Carpet, Party, Spirit of Hollywood, Westerns, Crime, Modern Classics, Making Movies, Sport, Action Heroes, Behind the Scenes and Awards Ceremony), more than 80 figures will be on display. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa unveiled the first three figures to be included in the new museum: Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles and the recently deceased Mayor of Hollywood, Johnny Grant. Hollywood prides itself on status symbols that celebrities thrive to attain; from getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to being the lucky recipient of an Oscar® Statuette. Having a wax figure created in your honor at Madame Tussauds Hollywood will soon be considered another preeminent mark of achievement for the celeb-set to earn and the public to admire. Not only will visitors be able to see their favorite celebs up close, the figures at Madame Tussauds can be touched and approached for photo opps. |
 | Cirque du Soleil Comes to LA Cirque du Soleil and CIM Group have announced that Cirque du Soleil will open a major new show at Kodak Theatre -- home of the Academy Awards® -- in 2010. The $100 million production is the centerpiece of a 10-year agreement between the two companies. A cast of 75 performing artists will present the show in the 3,400-seat theatre 368 times a year, and while few details about the production's content are available at this time, Cirque du Soleil founder, Guy Laliberté, announced that it would focus on Hollywood's place in the history of cinema. Since its debut in Los Angeles 20 years ago, Cirque du Soleil has brought nine touring shows to the area. During this time, more than three million people have attended 1,360 performances. |
 | Magic Castle Offers New Afternoon Tours Lights, Camera, Abracadabra! The Academy of Magical Arts, Inc. and Hollywood Entertainment Museum have united to offer exclusive tours through the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. "This is the first time in the Magic Castle's 45-year history that public viewing has been offered," said Matt Patton, the Academy's events manager. Led by Hollywood historian Karie Bible, who knows all the secrets of the historic mansion, the tours include VIP admittance, a private magic show by a world-class magician, a walk-through of the Houdini Séance Room, and more. Built in 1908 as the private residence of an LA banker and real estate mogul, the Magic Castle was founded by brothers Milt and Bill Larsen in 1961. It has since been a private club for magicians and hosts nightly performances of the world's finest magicians. The two-hour tour price is $100 for adults $50 for students and children. Group discounts are available. |
 | New Movie Museum on the Horizon The much-anticipated $350 million Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (AMMP) is scheduled to begin construction on more than six acres of land in two years with an anticipated opening in 2012. The mission of AMMP is to create a place to celebrate and explore how film has reflected and shaped world culture, and to help visitors better understand what the movies have meant - and continue to mean - in our lives. The museum is currently working with exhibit design firms to develop distinctive, enriching, and fun exhibits that will take visitors through the history of film, the process of filmmaking, and of course, the excitement of the Academy Awards. AMMP will be designed by the French architecture firm Atelier Christian de Portzamparc. |
 | Cultural Roundup As the world's entertainment capital, there's always something new in LA's leading edge theaters, museums and attractions. Here's a sampling of the excitement:
The Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design
FIDM
Now - Sept. 28
The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the FIDM Museum & Galleries present the third annual salute to TV costumes past and present, and celebrates the 2007-2008 Emmy® nominees. The exhibit features more than 100 costumes from shows including "Scrubs," "Lost," "Mad Men" and "Dirty Sexy Money." Admission is free.
Between Earth and Heaven: The Architecture of John Lautner
Hammer Museum
Now - Oct. 12
The first major exhibition survey of this visionary architect features newly-crafted large-scale models, never-before-seen drawings, construction photographs and digital animation of his iconic mid-century buildings; including the 1968 Elrod House in Palm Springs and the 1960 "Chemosphere," which hovers over the Hollywood Hills on a single pillar. Admission is $7.
Bernini and the Birth of Baroque Portrait Sculpture
The Getty Center
Now - Oct. 26
Gian Lorenzo Bernini (Italian, 1598-1680) and his contemporaries in Rome transformed the portrait bust into a groundbreaking art form. Bernini is frequently credited with inventing Baroque art. This is the first important exhibition on Bernini in North America. Admission is free. Parking is $8.
"9 to 5: The Musical" World Premiere
Ahmanson Theatre, Music Center
Sept. 3 - Oct. 19
The much-loved 1980 hit movie makes its musical world premiere on Sept. 3. Based on the film, "9 to 5: The Musical" features a new score by seven-time Grammy® winner Dolly Parton that includes the blockbuster title song, and direction by two-time Tony Award® winner Joe Mantello (directing his first new musical since Wicked).
"The House of Blue Leaves"
The New Mark Taper Forum, Music Center
Sept. 14 - Oct. 19
Winner of more Tony Awards® than any theatre outside of Manhattan, the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum re-opens after a year-long $30 million renovation. The circular theatre has retained its intimacy, while updating its technical capabilities and audience amenities, including an expanded lobby and a more accommodating lobby bar.
Day of the Drum Festival / Simon Rodia Jazz Festival
Watts Towers
Sept. 27 - 28
Celebrating the role of drums and drummers in world cultures, past and present, the melodious tribute to the American music forms of jazz, gospel and rhythm and blues.
Admission is free.
Grand Avenue Festival
Grand Avenue
Sept. 28
Grand Avenue in Downtown closes for this super street party celebrating LA's great cultural institutions, with free admission to MOCA, a free LA Phil concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall, outdoor stages and entertainment, and food sampling from LA's top restaurants. Admission is free.
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Michael K. Krouse
Senior Vice President
Sales
Phone: 213-236-2359
Fax: 213-451-1459
mkrouse@lainc.us |
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