LOS ANGELES UNVEILS ENHANCED SALES ORGANIZATION TO CAPTURE NEXT GENERATION OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Enhanced market alignment, industry expertise and destination collaboration position Los Angeles for long-term meetings growth.
LOS ANGELES (July 30, 2026) — As Los Angeles builds on the momentum of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and continues to welcome the world through an unprecedented era of global events, infrastructure investment and international visibility, the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (Los Angeles Tourism) today announced an enhanced meetings and convention sales organization designed to better serve meeting planners, strengthen hotel partnerships and position the destination to compete for the industry's highest-value business.
The updated approach aligns sales teams by geographic market while strengthening industry expertise across key verticals, expands destination-wide collaboration and engagement, and reinforces Los Angeles' long-term commitment to delivering exceptional meeting experiences while maximizing economic impact across the region.
For customers, the enhanced structure means a more consultative planning experience with specialized expertise, coordinated destination resources and a single point of connection capable of bringing together hotels, venues and local partners to create the right solution for every meeting.
"Meeting planners are looking for more than meeting space. They want strategic partners who understand their industries, can connect them with the right experiences and inspire confidence that their event will succeed," said Mario Thompson, Chief Sales Officer, Los Angeles Tourism. "By organizing our team around the markets we serve while deepening expertise in the industries driving future meetings demand, we're making it even easier for planners to access the right expertise and unlock the full potential of Los Angeles for their meetings and events."
Aligning Sales Teams Around Geography and Industry Expertise
The enhanced deployment organizes the Global Sales & Services team around geographic markets, while integrating specialized industry expertise, ensuring customers receive both local market knowledge and sector-specific guidance throughout the planning process.
The updated structure includes:
• Regional Market Expertise, with national sales directors aligned by geographic markets and supported by industry specialists to deliver comprehensive coverage and multi-hotel, destination-wide solutions.
• Industry Vertical Specialists who serve as subject matter experts in high-growth sectors including technology, financial services, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, entertainment and sports, luxury travel, small meetings and international MICE.
• Destination-wide business development and strategic partner engagement, led by Cory Abke Calara,Senior Director of Destination Sales, who will oversee site visit experiences for citywide opportunities while supporting Hotel Sales teams across all regions. Cory's role will be instrumental in aligning our hotel, venue, and destination partners around new business opportunities, fostering collaboration across the community, and delivering elevated customer experiences that showcase the very best of Los Angeles.
• Intermediary & Industry Relations, with expanded engagement of third-party meeting intermediaries and industry organizations including PCMA, MPI and ASAE.
• Multi-tiered Hotel Support, providing tailored strategies for full-service, luxury, lifestyle, boutique and economy hotel partners while advancing the destination alignment strategy.
Los Angeles Tourism has also expanded its customer experience capabilities with the addition of Malissa Fagan, Senior Director, Group Strategy & Project Management, who will help guide customers through the Los Angeles Convention Center modernization period while supporting business retention, stakeholder coordination and future bookings.
To learn more about the enhanced structure, visit: https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/meetla/get-in-touch/contact
Building for the Future
The enhanced Global Sales & Services structure comes as Los Angeles continues investing in the visitor experience through modernization of the Los Angeles Convention Center, transportation improvements, new hotel development and destination enhancements.
Together with upcoming major events, including Super Bowl LXI and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028, these investments are creating new visibility for Los Angeles and new opportunities to attract meetings and conventions from around the world.
"Our focus is on translating this momentum into meaningful business opportunities for our partners," Thompson said. "With stronger market alignment, deeper industry expertise, enhanced destination collaboration and a more intentional approach to customer engagement, Los Angeles is well positioned for the next generation of meetings and events."
One Destination. One Team.
The enhanced sales organization combines regional market expertise with deep industry knowledge and a collaborative approach to help meeting planners navigate every stage of the planning process.
By connecting regional market expertise with specialized industry knowledge, and working across hotels, neighborhoods and local partners, Los Angeles Tourism helps planners unlock the full breadth of the destination while creating greater opportunity for Members across the region. As Los Angeles continues to welcome the world through major events and transformative investments, the organization remains focused on delivering exceptional service, innovative solutions and the confidence planners need to choose LA for their next meeting or convention.
For more information about meeting in Los Angeles, visit meetla.com.
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CONTACTS
Meryl Vissel, Los Angeles Tourism, mvissel@latourism.org
Hilary Feutz, Los Angeles Tourism, hfeutz@latourism.org
ABOUT LOS ANGELES & LOS ANGELES TOURISM
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (Los Angeles Tourism) is the official, non-profit tourism promotion organization for the City of Angels, and the ultimate resource for where to stay and play in the LA area. With its mission to improve the quality of life for all Angelenos through the economic and community benefits of tourism, LA Tourism is proud to support more than 1,000 local businesses who depend on tourism for their livelihoods.
Los Angeles is a dynamic, ever-evolving destination – where diversity thrives, and everyone is welcome. Discover the true LA by exploring its more than 30 culturally rich neighborhoods, each one offering a distinct vibe. LA is home to more than 300 days of warm sunshine, 75 miles of idyllic shoreline, more museums and performing arts venues than any other U.S. city, and an innovative culinary scene led by influential tastemakers. A global creative capital and the epicenter of the sports universe, LA presents limitless possibilities for visitors from around the world. For more information, visit discoverlosangeles.com, follow at facebook.com/DiscoverLosAngeles, or @discoverLA on Instagram and TikTok.
