• The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: sweeping staircase, soaring glass walls, vast theater
• The Ahmanson Theatre: features the cozy, newly revamped Mark Taper Forum
• Walt Disney Concert Hall: Frank Gehry-designed and state of the art
• Grand Plaza: 52,000-square-foot and dancing fountains
In the museum district, the Muses Room at the California Science Center is ideal for small high-style soirees, with beautifully restored wood wainscoting and other original 1912 décor, along with picturesque views of Exposition Park's famed Rose Garden. Masterful art adds refinement to dinners and receptions at the Broad Contemporary Art Museum at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), which features larger-than-life, modern works and a patio sporting more than 50 vintage LA streetlamps.
On the UCLA campus, art and archeological objects from the Americas, Africa, Asia and the Pacific make striking event backdrops at the Fowler Museum.
For garden parties, the tree-shaded lawns of the Autry National Center in scenic Griffith Park are an idyllic setting. The center's Western and American Indian artifacts offer an adventurous theme.
Hotels in the Valley are also full of amenities and facilities for meeting planners. Explore the options that the following hotels offer:
• Warner Center Marriott Hotel: Featuring a contemporary chic atmosphere with two pools, a hip martini bar, 25,000 square feet of new function space and 474 re-designed guest rooms.
• The Hilton Woodland Hills: 326 spacious rooms and 17,000 square feet of meeting space.
• Holiday Inn Woodland Hills Warner Center: Executive meeting space totaling 2,900 square feet.
• Sportsmen Lodge Hotel: Stars are often spotted around its resort-style pool and performing live at the pool bar. It has 190 guest rooms and a new events center for 250 scheduled to open in 2009.
• Airtel Plaza Hotel & Conference Center: Sportng a hip vibe, Airtel is located next to the Van Nuys Airport, one of the nation's busiest general aviation airports. The hotel features 267 guest rooms, including six Jacuzzi terrace suites, as well as 21,000 square feet of function space. Bonus: the lounge (with live entertainment) overlooks the runway action.
• Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Hotel & Convention Center: Adjacent to Bob Hope International Airport in Burbank, this hotel is newly styled, boasting more than 50,000 square feet for large events, 488 guest rooms, 77 luxury suites, two pools and The Daily Grill restaurant.
• Hilton Los Angeles North/Glendale and Executive Meeting Center: In affluent Glendale, the Hilton delivers sweeping Valley views from its 19th floor rooftop lounge and sophisticated function space for up to 850.
• Renaissance Agoura Hills Hotel: LA's star-spangled Malibu beach scene is only minutes away from the hotel, which is tucked into the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. The Renaissance features lavishly appointed guest rooms and 17,000 square feet of function space.
• Beverly Garland's Holiday Inn Universal Studios: Located on seven tree-shaded acres, the hotel recently completed a two-million dollar update. Reminiscent of a Spanish-influenced mission, the property features 255 stylish rooms, more than 12,000 square feet of meeting space and a 2,500 square foot, beautifully landscaped outdoor event space.
Meeting planners can take advantage of LA's awards fame — and its facilities — to stage glittery award-style events for corporate and association gatherings. What better theme for a closing-night gala than a glamorous "Hollywood Awards" party, held perhaps in the very same venue where the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Emmys, Grammy Awards or 20-plus other entertainment awards ceremonies are held.
LA INC. partnered with EnvironmentLA, the city agency charged with leading the green efforts in Los Angeles, to establish a program for environmental certification for hotels in LA. Meetings with hotels throughout the city took place to explain the benefits of implementing green programs. Westin Bonaventure Managing Director Mike Czarcinski and a committee of 10 employees from various departments put in place a vigorous green program that includes composting of food waste, use of non-toxic cleaning products, bulk purchasing, light retrofitting and other environmentally beneficial practices. As an added bonus, the property has realized substantial cost-savings due to the Hotel Environmental Policy.
Photo by Flickr/Wonderlane Creative Commons Attribution
Tickets to the Jay Leno Show, which began airing Sept. 14 on NBC, are available through its website. Stand-by passes also are available each tape day at the NBC Ticket Box in Burbank on a first-come first-served basis starting at 8 a.m.
For tickets to "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" by visiting the website. About 100 stand-by tickets also are handed out each tape day beginning at 10 a.m. at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Tickets to "The Price is Right" with host Drew Carey, are available at cbs.com, picked up at the CBS Ticket Booth at the CBS Studios in Los Angeles or phoned in at 800.852.8909. "The Price is Right" ticket distribution is in excess of studio capacity, so having a ticket does not guarantee a seat in the audience. However, groups of 15 to 25 people can receive guaranteed seats for the show.
Audiences Unlimited offers free tickets to the tapings of numerous TV shows including "Two and a Half Men," "Dr. Phil," "Gary Unmarried," "The New Adventures of Old Christine," plus TV pilots and specials. To order tickets, visit www.TVtickets.com.
Learn more about how to get tickets to TV show tapings.
