L.A. Tourism at Work - February 2017

Agent Kai’s Annual New Year Luncheon
Discover L.A. hosted members of Agent Kai, a leading Japanese travel trade company, at 71Above to celebrate the New Year on Jan. 11, 2017.  President & CEO Ernest Wooden Jr. thanked the group for their support and contributions in welcoming 340,000 Japanese visitors to Los Angeles in 2016, a year-over-year increase of 8%.  Following lunch, Agent Kai members enjoyed the beautiful view from OUE Skyspace LA and a thrilling Skyslide ride. Visitation from the region is forecasted to continue its growth in 2017 due to a close partnership with Agent Kai. Japan is L.A.’s fourth largest overseas market.

Visit California Japan’s Club California
Discover L.A.’s Japan representative attended Visit California’s annual Club California in Nagoya on Jan. 27, 2017.  Visit California launched their “Dream Kids” promotion which included a training seminar focused on family travel to the destination. Discover L.A. announced L.A.’s record-breaking 2016 visitation and presented new L.A. product. A record 49 tour operators and media attended the day-long seminar and networking program.

Discover America Sweden
Discover L.A.’s newly appointed Scandinavian representative participated at the Discover America Sweden workshop in Stockholm on Jan. 17, 2017. Nearly 200 travel agents, tour operators, airlines and industry partners were informed about Discover L.A. and LAWA which strengthened presence in the Scandinavian region. Collateral and marketing materials were on display and available to all guests. 
 
Signature Travel
Discover L.A.’s International Tourism team, in collaboration with Sales, hosted a one-day Downtown area FAM with Signature Travel Agents from Frosch. The FAM was a result of Discover L.A.’s attendance and partnership at the Signature Sales Meeting and Trade show and highlighted new products and developments in DTLA. Educational experiences on the FAM included Grand Central Market, The Broad, OUE Skyspace LA and Cleo at L.A. LIVE. 

Flight Centre
 and CEO Graham Turner and his executive sales and marketing team for an evening experience and dinner in Downtown on Jan. 17, 2017. Staff shared updates on Los Angeles, LAX, new forthcoming area products and projects with the group. Flight Centre Travel Group is Australia’s largest travel agency network.

“La La Land” Film Screenings
m "La La Land” in London, in partnership with Air New Zealand, and Dublin. Before the screening, invited guests from the U.K. and Ireland travel industry and media received a presentation from Francine Sheridan, regional director, Europe & Middle East, on all that Los Angeles and LAX has to offer their clients.

Irish Travel Awards
Discover L.A.’s Europe office hosted a table of key Irish travel trade partners at the Irish Travel Industry Awards in Dublin to highlight direct air service from the region to LAX. The Irish Travel Industry Awards are the premier awards for Ireland’s suppliers and travel agents.

“Talk & Dine” – Germany
Discover L.A.’s Germany office co-hosted 90-100 travel agents from the Chemnitz and Erfurt regions during two “Talk & Dine” events facilitated in partnership with DER Touristik. In collaboration with Visit California and Santa Monica Travel, the event’s theme was California. Networking opportunity and presentations generated interest and desire in the Los Angeles experience.

Training at CTS MICE Service Co – Shanghai
Discover L.A.’s Shanghai office participated in an in-house MICE training at CTS MICE Service Co. in Shanghai to promote L.A.’s MICE resources and services on Jan. 4, 2017. Ten MICE managers were briefed on direct service to LAX as well as only-in-L.A. venues, hotels, meeting facilities and incentive offerings Attendees also received information on resources and tools such as Discover L.A.’s WeChat trade account, MeetLA.com, and the Meet L.A. app.

L.A. Angels Salon – Beijing
Discover L.A.’s Beijing office organized an L.A. cooking class salon at Beijing Palms LA Kitchen to promote dineL.A. as well as L.A.’s fashion and luxury products on Jan. 13, 2017. Representatives from Discover L.A.’s receptive operators and hotel member-partners participated in the salon, where attendees were briefed about DineL.A., LAX’s latest happenings, L.A.’s luxury landscape of high-end tours, attractions, activities, and hotels.

Trainings in Shenzhen and Guangzhou
Discover L.A.’s Guangzhou office hosted an in-house training in Shenzhen and Guangzhou on Jan. 17 and 18, 2017, respectively. A total of 25 product managers and operators from CITS Shenzen, Port Travel Shenzhen and Guangzhou Xiaoman International Travel Group received updates on LAX’s modernization and L.A.’s newest attractions such as The Broad, Petersen Automotive Museum, OUE Skyspace LA, Getty Center, Grand Central Market and Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood.

Sichuan Airlines FAM Trip
In partnership with Sichuan Airlines, Discover L.A.’s Beijing office organized a FAM trip for top wholesalers and tour operators from Chengdu and Jinan Jan. 17-21, 2017. The FAM supported the newly launched direct air service from Chengdu via Jinan to LAX. The educational itinerary showcased ‘only-in-L.A.’ experiences including Petersen Automotive Museum, OUE Skyspace LA, ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ at Universal Studios Hollywood, Dolby Theatre, Getty Center and the Original Farmer’s Market. The group also visited Discover L.A.’s HQ office and met with the China services team. Accommodations were provided by China-Ready hotels, InterContinental Los Angeles Century City & The Omni Hotel. 

French Tour Operator Training
Discover L.A.’s France office conducted seven trainings throughout January at several French tour operators including VISITEURS (Tour Operator), Back Roads (Tour Operator), Voyageurs du Monde (Luxury Tour Operator), Pur’Events (MICE agency), CTA Event (Leisure/MICE agency) and Voyages de Legende (Tour Operator). Staff presented updates on L.A. product and LAX with the goal of increasing direct bookings to LAX and Los Angeles.

Discover L.A.’s U.K. and Ireland MICE representative Lisa Stewart attended CONFEC Red 2017, a leading forum for U.K. and Ireland agencies, corporate meeting and incentive planners in Venice. Lisa attended the three-day program of meetings and networking events where Los Angeles was one of 139 international suppliers from 20 countries. She conducted 20 qualified one-to-one client meeting and networked with over 70 U.K. event planners.

Discover L.A. PR hosted a FAM trip in conjunction with new direct air service from Dusseldorf to LAX via Air Berlin Jan. 19-21, 2017. The educational FAM trip focused on L.A.’s arts and culture and architecture with experiences at The Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Grand Central Market, Getty Museum, OUE-Skyspace LA, LACMA, Petersen Automotive Museum and The Grove. Hotel accommodations were hosted by Loews Hollywood Hotel.

Discover L.A. PR hosted Canadian journalist Jim Byers from Postmedia Network on a glitz/glam-themed visit Jan. 8-12, 2017. Jim’s educational itinerary included The Garland’s Awards Season package, a shave and hair trim at the renowned Gornik and Drucker, tours of The Grammy Museum, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, and a Hollywood bike tour with Bikes and Hikes LA. Jim dined at The Front Yard, Paley, Casa Vega, Georgie, Bestia, Bottega Louie and attended Winter dineL.A.’s media preview event at Pok Pok LA, Café Birdie and Highland Park Bowl. Jim’s story was published in more than 43 Canadian outlets including Toronto Sun, National Post and Canoe. Accommodations were provided by The Garland and LEVEL Furnished Living.

Discover L.A. PR hosted Caroline Gault, editor for Canada’s FASHION Magazine, Jan. 26-30, 2017 as she explored Awards Season activities in Los Angeles including accommodations at Hollywood Roosevelt and Ace Hotel, hiking at Runyon Canyon, and a massage at The Ritz-Carlton Spa. Caroline dined at celebrity hot spots such as Chateau Marmont, Bestia, Manuela, Grand Central Market and Faith & Flower. Caroline’s story is expected to appear online in late February, timed to the Oscars. A print story will also result from this trip in May.