Events with a Twist: 4 Great Los Angeles Themes

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©iStockphoto.com/Anna Lubovedskaya

Meeting and event planners are charged with huge responsibilities. Everyone expects the next company event to be bigger and better, and if it isn’t, water cooler conversation ends up being how boring the previous night was. They don’t know about the pressure, complications and details that go into coordinating an event, but we do. And we also know how difficult it is to come up with ideas to make your event stand out.

Luckily, if you’re thinking about holding an event in Los Angeles, this is the city where creativity abounds and spectacular events are a drop in the bucket, given all the unique venues we have to offer. Here are four great meeting and event themes to try for your next event.

LA has a rich history in the sporting world, and we have the venues to show for it. Dodger Stadium isn’t just home to the legendary boys in blue; it’s also the place where headliners such as the Beatles, Michael Jackson and Bruce Springsteen performed. Rent out the entire stadium or choose the Dugout Clubs or Event Suite to capture the nostalgia of baseball at its best.

If you’re looking Downtown, STAPLES Center — home to the LA Lakers, Clippers, Sparks and the Kings — has been hosting events for years. Its Special Events Department has become a well-oiled machine and makes putting on an event easy. With several options, including the impressive Fox Sports Sky Box, the venue sets you up to create a truly memorable affair.

Across the street, ESPN Zone is a brand-new event venue with a sporting theme. Its 90-seat bar, huge screens and, of course, slew of sports video games make it a hit for any event (think Chuck-E-Cheese for adults).

If you’re coming to LA, there’s no better experience to give your attendees than a Hollywood experience. Warner Bros. Studios has recently been getting geared up for special events, whether it’s an intimate affair or an all-out, 10,000-person extravaganza. You can hold an event where “Friends” and “Desperate Housewives” have been filmed, or create a red-carpet event in an old Western backlot.

Of course, there’s the world-renowned Universal Studios Hollywood, known for its famous tram tour and riveting rides. You can go all-out by renting out the entire theme park, or to really get into the movie theme, rent out the upper lot, which features such attractions as the Studio Tour, Simpsons Ride and Terminator 2: 3D. One of the country’s most prestigious venues, the Gibson Amphitheatre, is also at Universal. Known for its splendid red carpet events, the venue is dressed to impress.

Meanwhile, Sony Pictures Studios offers a variety of locations, including working soundstages and backlots. With catering by Wolfgang Puck, Sony delivers both a classic Hollywood experience and delicious cuisine, perfect ingredients for a great event.

A city like Los Angeles doesn’t skimp on venues with artistic themes, and they’re great ways to give your event a dose of sophistication and class. For major events, hosting at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art — or its new contemporary art museum, The Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) — is sure to make some jaws drop. If you want a taste of UCLA culture, book at the Hammer Museum. Its tree-lined courtyard holds up to 900 guests and is a lovely backdrop for any gathering.

The recently opened Annenberg Space for Photography is making a splash in the event world, too. This 10,000-square-foot facility features a state-of-the-art digital projection gallery along with a traditional print exhibit area, and its modern atmosphere can spruce up your event with an avant-garde kind of theme.

There are also a number of LA art galleries that can be reserved for special events. The galleries along Chung King Road in Chinatown can provide an even more unique atmosphere, particularly with the area’s distinct architecture and low-slung lanterns. Or if you’re looking to host an event in San Pedro by the Port of Los Angeles, consider the galleries that participate in the city’s 1st Thursdays Art Walk.

If it’s team-building you’re looking for, don’t settle for boring icebreakers and corporate training programs that put people to sleep. Combine the best of LA with the age-old tradition of scavenger hunts at the Getty Center. The museum has teamed up with Watson Adventures to create the ultimate team-building activity: participants gather up clues about a murdered curator to uncover a scandalous mystery.

And if flying through the air and expecting your co-worker to catch you doesn’t build trust and teamwork, we don’t know what will. The Trapeze School on the Santa Monica Pier organizes corporate and special events with special high-flying activities, music and entertainment.

Then there’s culinary team building, a hot new way to bring your company together. Organizations such as Recipe for Success and Parties that Cook feature activities that push cooking to the limits. Favorites include ice sculpting and ice-cream making challenges, because there’s nothing like a little cold front to heat things up.

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