News & Notes - August 2016

 Don't forget to lock in your spot for Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board’s annual strategic forecasting conference. Market Outlook Forum is complimentary for all L.A. Tourism members.

Agenda to include:

• Latest travel and tourism trends from industry experts
• Current L.A. visitation forecasts and industry perspectives
• First look at LATCB’s global sales and marketing plans for the year ahead
• Network with LATCB staff and learn how to participate in programs/events
• Listen to EVP and COO of the Los Angeles Rams, Kevin Demoff, share details on L.A.'s new NFL team and world-class sports and entertainment venue
  
• Hear from CEO of LA2024, Gene Sykes, share details on their mission to bring the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games to Los Angeles

The event will take place at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Loews Hollywood Hotel. Check your inbox for RSVP information and make sure to register by August 23.

Getting There:
Hop on Metro's Red Line to the Hollywod/Highland station for easy access.
Self-parking avaiable at Loews Hollywood Hotel

[[{"fid":"404463","view_mode":"media_original","fields":{"format":"media_original","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_media_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_media_title[und][0][value]":"","field_tags[und]":"","field_folder[und]":"325"},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":255,"width":712,"class":"media-element file-media-original"}}]]

Join us for the 3rd Annual Dodgers All-Access - your backstage pass to see and hear from the Boys in Blue. Take batting practice, pitch in the bullpen, meet and greet Dodger alumni and enjoy dinner on the field as a panel of insiders and current players share stories about the team.

Confirmed speakers and on-field participants include:

•     Adrian Gonzalez, First Baseman
•     Joc Pederson, Outfielder
•     Justin Turner, Third Baseman
•     Dave Roberts, Manager
•     Andrew Friedman, President, Baseball Operations
•     Farhan Zaidi, General Manager
•     Tommy Lasorda, Special Advisor to the Chairman
•     Ron Cey, former Third Baseman
•     Steve Yeager, former Catcher
•     Steve Garvey, former First Baseman
•     Eric Karros, former First Baseman
•     Reggie Smith, former Outfielder
•     Mickey Hatcher, former Outfielder, First and Third Baseman
•     Bill Russell, former Shortstop, Coach and Manager
•     Orel Hershiser, Broadcaster, SportsNet LA
•     John Hartung, Anchor, SportsNet LA (emcee)

Tickets $550 | Tables of 10, $5000. Other VIP sponsorships available.

For ticket information, click here.

L.A. Tourism and Macy's are proud to debut the Los Angeles Official Visitor Information Center at the newly renovated Macy’s Downtown Los Angeles flagship store at The Bloc.

The Los Angeles Visitor Information Center at Macy’s Downtown offers guests a valuable travel resource with knowledgeable associates committed to providing a best-in-class L.A. experience right in the heart of bustling Downtown. Services include:

• Official L.A. Tourism brochures, maps and guides for the L.A. area.
• Ticket sales to popular L.A. Tourism member attractions and tours.
• Group programs, including tours of the store and the history of Macy's, VIP shopping experiences, cosmetics master classes, personal shopping through the MyStylist services, and customizable packages.
• Destination products such as official Los Angeles apparel and Macy’s exclusive Shopping Package. For $35, guests will receive a unique Macy's Los Angeles tote bag, a $25 Macy's gift card, 10% savings pass, plus offers/discounts to use throughout the city.
• Luggage storage while guests shop.

The Los Angeles Visitor Information Center is located at Macy’s Downtown Los Angeles, 2nd Level (750 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017)

[[{"fid":"409149","view_mode":"media_original","fields":{"format":"media_original","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_media_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_media_title[und][0][value]":"","field_tags[und]":"","field_folder[und]":"325"},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":401,"width":712,"class":"media-element file-media-original"}}]]
Skift.com, a premier site for travel industry news, named DiscoverLosAngeles.com to its list of top 25 tourism websites in the world for 2016. The list prioritizes websites with the best user experience overall, especially on mobile; the most modern modular layout, seamless navigation, and impactful visuals; and the most nuanced multi-format storytelling. A fourth, more subjective criteria, involved how the previous criteria work together to make consumers want to go visit the destination, and more importantly, actually use the website to research the entire travel experience.

According to Skift, "Discover Los Angeles has a great map with indepth descriptions of each neighborhood to direct visitors through the city. The map also supports the groovy Get Lost In L.A. campaign designed to inspire visitors to explore neighborhoods beyond the iconic attractions."

[[{"fid":"302208","view_mode":"media_original","fields":{"format":"media_original","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_media_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_media_title[und][0][value]":"","field_tags[und]":"","field_folder[und]":"325"},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":583,"width":1000,"class":"media-element file-media-original"}}]]
Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) opened seven new animal-relief stations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).  This brings the total number of service-animal/pet relief stations at LAX to 11, more than any other U.S. airport.  These seven new stations -- plus one located in the New Tom Bradley International Terminal -- are located beyond federal passenger security screening checkpoints so that passengers can care for their animals without the hassle of having to leave the terminals and be rescreened when they return inside. 

Delta Air Lines announced plans for a $1.9 billion improvement project at Los Angeles International Airport to include new lounges, a new in-line baggage system, extra terminal seating and other upgrades. Delta will move from terminals 5 and 6 to terminals 2 and 3, closer to Tom Bradley International Terminal.

City of L.A. hotels ended the fiscal year with strong year-over-year growth. Average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR) reported double digit percent change over prior year, and the average occupancy rate posted a 1.6 year-over-year percent increase despite already passing the 80% mark in FY 2014. L.A. County hotels also improved over prior fiscal year averages while slightly trailing City of L.A. numbers, with 80.8% occupancy, $165.85 ADR, and $134.45 RevPAR. L.A. County total room nights sold increased from 28.2 million to 29.0 million, a 2.8% year-over-year increase.