King Kong, among the screen's most powerful and enduring icons, will re-emerge in Summer 2010 as a new signature attraction created under the direction of Peter Jackson on the famed Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour. "King Kong 360 3D" will combine thrilling visceral effects to create a next-generation theme park experience. In the new attraction, guests will be given special 3-D glasses as they enter a darkened soundstage aboard the Studio Tour trams and will be transported via the magic of Surround Digital 3D projection deep into a tangled jungle location. They'll survive a close encounter with a swarm of hungry raptors, only to be confronted by the terrifying presence of 35' tall dinosaur behemoths, intent on attacking the tram and Studio Tour guests.
The iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame turns 50 this year, and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is planning a yearlong birthday bash. The excitement kicks off with the "Ringo Starr Ceremony," Feb. 8 — scheduled 50 years to the day of the start of construction of the Walk of Fame (Feb. 8, 1960). This elaborate observance will honor the music industry legend as he receives his Star on the Walk of Fame and introduce production elements that will give the Star Ceremonies a new look for the next 50 years. On July 25, the "Community Festival of the Stars" will showcase the Walk's five categories: motion pictures, television, radio, recording and live theatre. It's currently envisioned as a daylong event on Vine Street featuring outdoor stages with live music, live theatre and radio personalities, indoor venues showing past Star Ceremony clips, and food and game booths for the whole family. The excitement culminates with the "Gala - 50 Years of Walk of Fame Stars," a black-tie fundraiser on Nov. 3, in the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center. It will recognize all Walk of Fame Star honorees and raise funds for the Walk's ongoing restoration and maintenance. "Of course, we will continue to add to the Walk of Fame, with new star ceremonies throughout 2010," said Leron Gubler, President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Conceived by the Hollywood Chamber in 1953, the Hollywood Walk of Fame unveiled its demonstration stars in August 1958, the first being in honor of actor Preston Foster. The Walk was officially dedicated in November 1960. The Walk of Fame now features 2,393 stars and is one of LA's top attractions and one of the world's most recognizable images of Hollywood.
Travelers are enjoying more friendly faces and helpful people at
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), thanks to new customer service initiatives. To ensure that LAX provides the best possible customer service, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has established "Resiliency Edge," an innovative customer service training program for LAX front-line employees. The program teaches N.I.C.E. skills - how to "Neutralize Irritations (during) Customers' Experience" - in order to equip employees with productivity tools to focus on passengers' needs. The program offers incentives to recognize top-performing problem solvers. A second new program, the Volunteer LAX Passenger Assistance Program, features LAX employees wearing red vests, providing friendly information and assistance at booths inside the terminals, and curbside on the Upper/Departures Level during peak travel seasons. The Resiliency Edge program debuted in 2008, and LAX is the first West Coast airport to participate. "It's critical that we offer the best possible customer service that our passengers deserve," said Gina Marie Lindsey, LAWA executive director. "We need to match the expectation of our world-class facilities, with world-class service." LAX is the world's sixth busiest airport.
When meeting planners need a cultural venue, Los Angeles has the best. One of the most stunning is
The Music Center, Los Angeles's premier live music and entertainment complex that features the following venues:
• 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
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.. 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 make striking event backdrops at the Fowler Museum. And for garden parties, the tree-shaded lawns of the
Autry National Center in scenic
Griffith Park are an idyllic setting.
As home to LA's movie industry, the
San Fernando Valley offers planners fresh ideas in a hip, yet residential setting. Trendy restaurants and boutiques, off-site locations such as
Warner Bros. Studios and the
Japanese Gardens and celebrity sightings give Valley meetings a stylish SoCal flair. Major attractions such as the
Getty Center and
Skirball Cultural Center are minutes away. The Valley's Warner Center is a destination in itself, with stylish shops and restaurants at the Westfield Promenade shopping center and three hotels.
Hotels in the Valley are also full of amenities and facilities for meeting planners. Explore the options that the following hotels offer:
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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.
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The Hilton Woodland Hills: 326 spacious rooms and 17,000 square feet of meeting space.
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Holiday Inn Woodland Hills Warner Center: Executive meeting space totaling 2,900 square feet.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
