| Dear Meeting Professional, Please enjoy this guest column by Carrie Kommers, director of dineLA. Greetings from the dining capital of the West! Having lived in Los Angeles most of my life, I've grown up knowing the landscape of this amazing city through its food. From the unassuming strip mall gems to the white tablecloth institutions, LA leads the way in cultural diversity, creativity and sheer number of eateries. Long known as a destination for beaches, shopping, nightlife and entertainment, Los Angeles is making a steady climb toward one of the best restaurant cities in the United States. Created as a partnership between LA INC. and American Express, dineLA shines a spotlight on LA's amazing culinary offerings, as well as the men and women whose artistry and gumption make it all happen. As the director of the year-old dineLA program, I have the good fortune of interacting with chefs and restaurateurs on a daily basis. I also get to experience, first-hand, all that goes into the food and the environments that greet you during your stay here with us. An integral part of marketing LA restaurants is creating unique ways for locals, visitors and convention and meeting attendees to experience the vast number of dining communities we have. dineLA Restaurant Week (Jan. 25 - 30 and Feb. 1 - 6, 2009) will do just that -- showcasing nearly 200 restaurants countywide while offering specially priced multi-course menus. The inaugural 2008 event was an overwhelming success with 143 participating restaurants and an estimated 100,000 diners. What better way to experience a destination, than to plan your stay during an event that lets you, literally, sample it bite by bite? Whether you're using dineLA.com to find out about local food and wine events, search for restaurants, make online reservations, or simply read about what our chefs and restaurants are doing, we welcome you to experience all that LA dining has to offer. Bon appétit! |
 | Big-Screen Villains Haunt Universal Studios Hollywood With the help of Hollywood special effects artists and a cast of thousands, Universal Studios Hollywood wants you to "Live Your Worst Nightmare" at the Bates Motel and 1428 Elm Street as part of "Halloween Horror Nights." During 13 fright-filled nights in October, guests to the theme park can experience an expanded "Terror Tram" that stops at the Bates Motel, a scare zone based on "The Strangers" and a "Nightmare on Elm Street: Home Sweet Hell" maze featuring a recreation of the infamous house at 1428 Elm Street and reenactments of never-before-presented nightmare sequences. Appearances by "Friday the 13th's" Jason Voorhees and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre's" Leatherface add to the horror. The "Terror Tram: The Nightmare Tour," which is double the length of previous tours, includes spine-chilling mazes, treks through the "Psycho" set and a walk through the tortured landscape of "War of the Worlds." The entire park is transformed. "Halloween Horror Nights" is open weekends from Oct. 3 - Nov. 1. Group rates to Universal Studios Hollywood range from 10 percent off general admission for 10-20 people to 25 percent off general admission for 70 or more people.
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  | LAX Galleries Showcase Local Artists Delegates who arrive at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT) will find new art exhibits on display featuring works by LA artists that examine the city's natural and urban geographies. "Ocean Romantico," on display through Oct. 19 in the departures level of Terminal 1, captures the beauty and moods of the ocean through the experiences of 20 local artists. Curated by Giorgio Calevaro, the exhibit explores how the artist relates to the ocean's energy and eternal yet ephemeral beauty. "Alternative Places," on display through Oct. 19 in the Arrivals Lobby of the Tom Bradley International Terminal, features multimedia works by 37 local artists that reflect their personal explorations of LA. The exhibit was arranged by guest curator Jay Lizo to excite travelers about all the city has to offer. The purpose of the Art Exhibits Program at LAX and ONT is to educate and entertain travelers, while emphasizing a cultural experience highlighting what makes LA unique and interesting. The exhibits were developed in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and Los Angeles World Airports. |
 | Hotel Roundup: Anniversaries, Openings and Remodels LA's hotel scene is sizzling with anniversaries, remodels and new openings. In Downtown, the Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles is celebrating 85 years of legend and tradition in 2008, with special offers including an $85-a-night meeting package. The Baroque-style hotel features Executive and Club Level floors, four bars and restaurants and history-laden meeting space including the Biltmore Bowl (scene of eight Academy Awards®). LA's largest hotel with 1,354 guest rooms and suites, the Westin Bonaventure is completing renovations to its LA Prime fine dining restaurant, BonaVista revolving cocktail lounge and outdoor pool. Guestroom renovations begin in January 2009 with completion set for fall 2009; renovations to the entire property should be complete by 2010. In Hollywood, the new 305-room W Hotel will open in 2009 at Hollywood & Vine, across from the Pantages Theatre and above the Hollywood/Vine Metro Red Line subway station. The W will feature a rooftop pool and gym, rooftop bar, signature restaurant and full-service spa. The new 160-room Hollywood Heights Hotel (formerly the Holiday Inn Hollywood-Walk of Fame) opened July 1. The property includes luxury linens, LCD TVs, small meeting space, and a contemporary menu in the restaurant and bar. Next door, the new 94-room Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Hollywood Walk of Fame also recently opened. |
 | Hollywood's Palladium Reopens with Jay-Z Grammy award-winning superstar Jay-Z will be the first performer to take the stage at the newly renovated Hollywood Palladium on Oct. 15. Reminiscent of Frank Sinatra, who was the first performer on the legendary stage in 1940, Jay-Z will be backed by a 12-piece band. Built to showcase live music, the Hollywood Palladium opened Sept. 23, 1940, with a concert by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra featuring Frank Sinatra. The yearlong, top-to-bottom Palladium re-do includes a new dance floor, new façade emulating the original architecture, expanded concessions, upgraded restrooms and improved interior lighting. Major infrastructure upgrades allow the venue to accommodate larger, modern productions or special events, and revamped acoustics will give fans a memorable concert experience. A legendary venue from the start, the Palladium has hosted performers ranging from the Rolling Stones to James Brown. Upcoming shows include The Roots and Gym Class Heroes (Oct. 17), Flogging Molly (Oct. 25), Rise Against with Alkaline Trio (Oct. 31 - Nov. 2), Alejandra Guzman (Nov. 21) and Slightly Stoopid (Dec. 6). If you're interested in renting the venue for a special event, contact LA INC. |
 | Amtrak is a Great Option for Meetings in LA For West Coast delegates attending meetings and conventions in Los Angeles, and for anyone seeking pre- or post-meeting excursions to LA's surrounding attractions, Amtrak offers a convenient, scenic and cost-effective mode of transportation. Attendees coming into LA from San Diego, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo can take the Pacific Surfliner trains, with 12 daily roundtrips between San Diego and LA, five from Santa Barbara and two from San Luis Obispo. The Coast Starlight service is also an exciting attendee option. With service from Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, Oakland and Santa Barbara, LA meeting-goers as far away as Washington State can mix business with pleasure when attending LA conventions. Additionally, all Amtrak train service brings attendees directly into the heart of Downtown LA. Taking Amtrak is also a "green" way to go, because traveling by rail contributes less per passenger mile to greenhouse gas emissions than cars and airplanes. The popularity of Amtrak is evidenced in its ridership. More than 500,000 passengers rode the California rails in July; a record-breaking month for Amtrak California trains. |
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Michael K. Krouse
Senior Vice President
Sales
Phone: 213-236-2359
Fax: 213-451-1459
mkrouse@lainc.us |
Why use a CVB? You'll save valuable time by working with LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau when planning your meetings or conventions in Los Angeles. Not only will LA INC. handle all aspects of your site inspection, but its award-winning client services department will meet - and exceed - your expectations. Among the other benefits you'll receive is an unbiased account of hotels and other venues that suit the needs of your group and access to LA INC.'s many member vendors, including hotels, restaurants, attractions, destination management companies and transportation companies, which will work with you in planning a successful, well-attended event. |   Gain access to a world of tools that will help make your next event a success!   "Gala in the Garden" at the Hammer Museum takes place on Oct. 5. Last year, the event attracted 600 guests and raised $1 million for the museum (brought to you by BizBash.com).
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