Prevue January-February 2011 - (Page 10)

planner’s pick TAMMy SELdON Executive Director Giant Screen Cinema Association Lake Anna, VA west coast values THE LOS ANGELES MARRIOTT HOTEL GROUP dELIVERS THE HOLLyWOOd ExPERIENCE ON A bOLLyWOOd bUdGET Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa In recent years, Seldon has also repeatedly booked the 360-room Marina del Rey Marriott, with its obvious allure being the marina-based activities and numerous restaurants within walking distance. She raves about the courtyard lounge Glow for networking, which at first seemed surprising to hear until we learned Glow is ranked among the top 10 hotel bars in the country. Yes, there are people who judge those things. "When I went for a site visit, as soon as I walked into the lobby I knew it was the hotel we were going to select," she says. "It's just so warm and welcoming and it's an outstanding location.... Venice Beach is right nearby too." How would you rate the cost overall? "We've done Chicago, New York, Vancouver, London—I would say where we have stayed in L.A. has been much less expensive than in other top-tier cities." Planners can pay a pretty penny in Los Angeles—just like any other first-tier metropolis—but what if you want an updated room under $200, mod meeting space and easy access to the beach, attractions and downtown glam? Who do you call? The Giant Screen Cinema Association consists of 300 diverse global organizations affiliated with the Giant Screen (IMAX) industry, ranging from film directors to theater owners. They gather every spring in L.A. to screen new films in the IMAX theaters at Universal Studios, The California Science Center and The Promenade at Howard Hughes Center—all available for rental. Dinners take place at their host hotels, often Marriott, such as the 985-room Los Angeles Airport Marriott this year. LAX Marriott? For film industry creative types? "We tend to look very closely at cost and room rates, that's very important to us because of our non-profit status," says Tammy Seldon, Executive Director. But one interesting option she recommends is the fun Ocean Trolley Express out to Manhattan Beach and the Plaza El Segundo district for shopping and nightlife. "That has really opened up a lot of opportunities for us to use a cost-sensitive property like LAX Marriott but still offer entertainment options to our group." marriott.com; discoverlosangeles.com STEPPIN' OUT At Universal Studios, Seldon has organized buyouts at the Hard Rock Cafe and an Oscar-themed party at the historic Globe Theater, which can host up to 700 for cocktails. She is now considering events at the JW Marriott Los Angeles Hotel at L.A. LIVE and The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles right above it, after her attendance at a spa party during ASAE this spring. "That was one of the nicest spas I've ever been to...," she says. "There's a lot of opportunity at L.A. Live. It's very selfcontained with a wide variety of price points." For future events, Seldon is looking at the 632-room Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa near the Kodak Theater (home of The Oscars) and shopping/dining complex at Hollywood & Highland Center. "The Renaissance is a beautiful property and it has very unique corner suites, which would be great for VIPs," she says. "There's all kinds of nightlife in the area and lots of things to do.... I would definitely recommend it to other planners." “glow is ranked among the top 10 hotel bars in the country. yes, there are people who rank those.” 10 | prevue magazine http://www.marriott.com http://www.discoverlosangeles.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue January-February 2011

RCCL's Allure of the Seas
Marriott Los Angeles Group
Brazil's Big Reboot
Seattle, Cleveland, Boston
Grand Hyatt Atlanta
Riu Panama Plaza
Casa de Campo, Dominican Rep
Punta Cana + Leadership Summit
Gaylord Opryland, Nashville
Florida Means Business
Switzerland
Designer Districts
Hawaii: The Big Island
Norfolk
Chicago

Prevue January-February 2011