Courtesy of Los Angeles Tourism

Each year we ask CVB CEOs for their take on the state of the industry, their city and what the future holds. This year, between the Los Angeles fires, record heat in the Southwest and random acts of violence, there was much for CEOs to consider. We also asked a few planners for their take on how these things are — or are not — impacting meetings. 

Los Angeles

Adam Burke, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, has had more than the usual challenges since wildfires raged through large swaths of his city in January. Yet his first words are those of gratitude.

“We’re grateful for our meetings and events community members who understand that the single best way to support Los Angeles is by hosting their meetings and events here,” Burke says. “Events fuel the local economy, keep businesses open and support the livelihoods of over 540,000 Angelenos who work in the tourism and hospitality industry.”

Some of the groups that met in Los Angeles in January even worked with their foundations and/or local resources to give back to the city. One organization provided money for relief efforts while another helped assemble 500 support kits for emergency responders.

Burke emphasizes that the majority of attractions and institutions are open. “Outside of The Getty Villa, which remains closed until further notice,” he says, “L.A.’s attractions and cultural institutions are open and welcoming visitors, including the Getty Center, the Skirball Cultural Center, Intuit Dome, Universal Studios Hollywood, Warner Bros. Studio Tour, LACMA, the Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Sign, to name a few.”

The fires didn’t impact the Los Angeles Convention Center, either. Burke insists that meetings and events are moving forward as scheduled, and the same goes for hotels. “While hotel occupancy temporarily increased due to displaced evacuees during the wildfires, those affected are now transitioning to long-term housing solutions,” he says. “All hotels in the Los Angeles area are fully operational and ready to welcome residents and visitors.”

Burke also points to significant development across Los Angeles County, including the multibillion-dollar modernization of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), an expanded public transit system and new state-of-the-art venues including Intuit Dome, as well as the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, slated to open next year.

To meeting planners, Burke says: “Thank you for your partnership. Los Angeles is open for business. By hosting your event in L.A., you’ll directly support our city’s recovery efforts. Los Angeles is, and always will be, a premier destination. After the fires and a brief period of rain, our signature 75-degree, sunny weather has returned, ensuring a perfect setting for visitors and events alike.”

Louisville, KY

 Hotel Bourré Bonne, a Hilton Curio property, is now open, adjacent to the Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC). It blends bourbon-inspired design and timeless Southern charm with a contemporary edge. The property features a rooftop pool and lounge with skyline views, a bourbon-forward restaurant and walkable access to the city’s top meeting venues, iconic attractions and bourbon experiences.

Louisville offers the world’s only Urban Bourbon Experience, now featuring more than a dozen brand and distillery experiences, bourbon-centric hotels, restaurants and shopping. It’s an authentic backdrop for offsite receptions, team-building events or VIP incentive experiences.

The 151st Kentucky Derby recently took place in Louisville. This marquee event kicked off Louisville’s spring racing season at historic Churchill Downs. Beyond race days (meets occur in the spring, summer and fall), the venue offers world-class facilities for corporate events, galas and private functions throughout the year, providing a blend of prestige, history and Southern hospitality.

New Orleans

On New Year’s Day, New Orleans experienced a reprehensible act of domestic terrorism in its beloved French Quarter. Since then, the city has increased security — and continued to move forward. In fact, Walt Leger III, president and CEO of New Orleans & Company, says events didn’t stop even for a day, with the city hosting the Sugar Bowl days later and the Super Bowl just weeks after that. “Our preparation for upcoming events and our community’s spirit and resilience will not be deterred by one horrific act,” Leger says. “It’s important that we not allow one event to be so transformative that it takes away the thousands of days that went before it.”

New Orleans is well prepared to provide safety and security for the thousands of attendees at events this year. Leger notes: “City officials announced an enhanced vehicle barricade system for pedestrian areas, including stronger bollards, with additional barricades behind them, street blockers called archers and police SUVs and other vehicles to prevent vehicle ramming attacks in preparation for Super Bowl LIX.”

Ahead of this year’s Mardi Gras, the federal government granted the city’s request to elevate certain events associated with the historic carnival to Special Event Assessment Rating 1 (SEAR 1). “The SEAR 1 designation assures the highest priority of federal coordination, personnel and resources,” Leger says. “The City of New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness continues to work with local, state and federal partners to coordinate resources, including substantial federal assistance under the SEAR 1 designation.”

The city also works closely with the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), state police, TSA and other law enforcement agencies to enhance security throughout the city. “New Orleans & Company partners with and engages the top leadership of the NOPD on all elements, locations and activities of every gathering and convention to ensure coverage around convention venues and all areas where specific events are occurring,” Leger says. “I encourage everyone to come to New Orleans to experience our culture and hospitality for themselves and let us do what we do best: Put on your event in the most remarkable, unique city in the world. This terror incident in the heart of our beloved city was an attack on all of America and our way of life. New Orleans stands in solidarity with so many of the great cities of the world that have endured terrorist attacks — Boston, New York, Orlando, Paris, Las Vegas and so many more. Like our brothers and sisters in those vibrant, resilient destinations, we plan a stronger future even as we mourn.”

Bonnie B. Boyd, CMP, DMCP, president and CEO of BBC Events, says none of her groups canceled or even “took a pause” after the Jan. 1 incident. Her clients are primarily corporate and incentive, so security has always been a priority. “With certain activities we’ve always had plain-clothes officers. Now we have even more,” she says. “If we’re doing a second line or a tour in the French Quarter, for example, there’s a significant police presence. The increased security in the French Quarter and Central Business District is very visible. We want groups to feel secure.”

In terms of other safety and security issues, Boyd encourages planners not to meet during Mardi Gras, and if they’re coming anytime between June 1 and November 1, they should consider hurricane insurance. What hasn’t changed is that attendees come to New Orleans to do things not available anywhere else, she says, adding: “They want those experiences, and they want us to offer things that celebrate and motivate. That’s what we do. That’s what we’ve always done.”

Tucson

Last year, Arizona made national news with its record-breaking heat, but as Visit Tucson president and CEO J. Felipe Garcia points out, the destination was by no means the only hot spot. Moreover, some like it hot — when it means value.

“It’s hot everywhere, not just Arizona,” Garcia says. “Groups that book Tucson in summer are generally looking for value. With a thoughtful approach to planning — including timing of events, being outdoors after sunset for receptions and entertainment and recreational activities like golf in the morning hours — we keep guests entertained and out of the midday heat. Our community has also led many efforts related to sustainability. Thanks to our landscape, among many factors, temperatures can drop 25 degrees at night compared to noon. Finally, our resorts do things such as distributing cool towels and iced water to guests in the pool.”

He believes political volatility has impacted some meetings. “Tucson hosts several government and government-affiliated conferences throughout the year,” Garcia says. “In 2023-2024, 7% of meetings booked were government groups and another 28% were groups that draw a high level of government attendance, participation and/or sponsorship. We’re seeing a decrease in government contract rooms as well.”

That said, Garcia sees a strong return to in-person meetings continuing. “In the past year, fewer planners are requesting or providing a remote experience for attendees,” he says. “If you want/need the content, you have to be there. It’s hard to network online. That happens between sessions, on breaks and before/after the meetings.”

Other continuing trends include an emphasis on wellness and authentic local experiences, as well as eco-friendly and health-conscious F&B choices. Garcia also says lead times continue to shrink, and higher prices are impacting meetings.

“The increase in average rates and F&B costs has planners looking for value in other areas. That often means curtailment of outside or extra-curricular activities,” he says. However, he notes, that’s an opportunity. Says Garcia: “This is a great space for DMOs to step in and have an impact through promotion of local attractions for ‘on own’ visits or packaging experiences for groups and individuals.”

Anaheim

Mike Waterman, president and CEO of Visit Anaheim, says the city was far enough from the fires that meetings there went on as scheduled. “We were fortunate to hold all scheduled conventions, meetings and events in Anaheim. In fact, we hosted one annual event from January 21-25 at the Anaheim Convention Center and welcomed over 1,850 exhibitors and over 75,000 attendees,” he adds.

Waterman says Anaheim hotels were not impacted by the fires as those in Los Angeles were. “Hotel availability in Anaheim and Garden Grove remains strong, and planners can move forward with confidence for events scheduled in the coming months,” he says. “Whether your group is meeting in a month, two months or six months, there’s no concern about capacity constraints in Anaheim. Attendees can also rest assured that their booked reservations will not take away from those displaced by the fires.”

City officials have deep sympathy for their neighbors in Los Angeles, and they hope planners and groups will continue to meet in the City of Angels. “In the aftermath of such devastation, we understand as a destination that it’s not an easy task to have a need to drive economic impact while also being sensitive to the needs of the local community,” Waterman says. “L.A. is open for business, and planners should not shy away from the region, as meetings and events can help provide a boost to local businesses and the economy. We encourage planners to work closely with their venues and partners to best navigate through any challenging decisions. Our hearts are with the L.A. region and the impacted communities.”

Anaheim, meanwhile, has much to be excited about, including a growing culinary scene and Disneyland Resort’s $1.9 billion investment in a major expansion. “The highly anticipated OCVIBE development, a sports and entertainment complex four times larger than L.A. Live, is poised to become the heartbeat of Anaheim and Orange County,” Waterman says. “Adding to the excitement, globally anticipated sporting events are coming to our region in the next few years. Now is the perfect time to choose Anaheim for your meetings and events — no other destination offers this level of energy and opportunity.”

Austin

“The Austin Convention Center redevelopment will strengthen our city’s economy, enhance our status as a premier event destination and create lasting benefits for residents, workers, businesses and visitors,” says Trisha Tatro, director of the Austin Convention Center Department. “Preliminary construction activity is set to begin in spring 2025.”

However, while the former convention center will close during redevelopment, there are still many reasons to meet in Austin while waiting for the new center to open in 2029. And there’s a team to help planners do just that.

“Along with the Austin Convention Center team, we established a dedicated transition team to inform groups of the closure and assist … with existing contracts during the closure,” says Tom Noonan, president and CEO of Visit Austin. “For some events, we proactively connected planners with alternative venues across Austin that matched their needs and helped them reimagine those events as campus-style experiences, using multiple venues throughout the city. For events unable to take advantage of that setup due to size, we assisted in connecting them with other destinations. This collaborative approach has actually strengthened relationships with many planners who appreciate our commitment to preserving their Austin experience, despite the temporary closure.”

Meanwhile, corporate bookings remain stable. “While we’ve experienced some natural attrition with larger groups requiring specific square footage, many corporations have embraced alternative Austin venues,” Noonan says. “The city’s continuing appeal as a business destination has helped us maintain most of our scheduled events. Importantly, we’re already seeing strong future bookings for the new facility, with some groups unable to be accommodated during construction already committed to returning when we reopen.”

The redevelopment may complicate some meetings now, but the future impact is all positive. “The completed expansion project is estimated to generate an additional $285 million in yearly economic impact within the local community,” Noonan says. “This increase comes from our expanded capacity for larger conventions and ability to host multiple simultaneous events. Beyond direct revenue, economic impact for Austin will be substantial as the design’s integration with the surrounding district drives more visitor spending in local businesses. This investment will significantly benefit Austin’s economy and hospitality industry for decades.”

Keller Williams Realty, LLC, hosts 150 to 250 events in Austin each year, from small board meetings to citywides with 20,000 attendees. However, Alex Perica, senior director of events, says the annual citywide will relocate temporarily. “Mega Camp, which we’ve held in Austin for over 20 years, will move to San Antonio during construction of the new center,” Perica says, adding that the event will return to Austin when the center opens. “I’m excited about the revitalization of 6th Street with new shops and restaurants, the caps over I-35 and the outdoor space around downtown and the convention center,” he adds.

Ron Puglisi, senior vice president, global accounts, with ConferenceDirect, asserts that groups have options during the redevelopment. “Palmer Events Center has 70,000 sf of exhibit space and meeting rooms,” he says. “It provides a picturesque view of downtown Austin and is close to a cluster of hotels with more than 12,000 guestrooms. ​For large-scale events, several downtown hotel groups are collaborating to offer ‘campus-style’ or ‘mini-wide’ event experiences. This strategy involves distributing event activities across multiple locations, similar to the model employed by the South by Southwest festival.”

One of Puglisi’s clients has moved its large convention to another city for the next three years, but he says the redevelopment will bring in even more events than before. “The $1.6 billion project, known as Unconventional ATX, aims to transform the facility into a state-of-the-art venue that reflects Austin’s vibrant culture and innovative spirit,” he says. “The facility is also envisioned to be the world’s first zero-carbon-certified convention center, showcasing Austin’s commitment to environmental responsibility.”​

Though the convention center will be closed, Austin’s famed festivals and events — including South by Southwest, Austin City Limits Music Festival and Formula 1 — will take place as usual.

Detroit

Claude Molinari, president and CEO of Visit Detroit, says the transformation of Detroit into a compelling destination is the result of a powerful public-private partnership. “Collaborations between different stakeholders have been game changers by bringing together the resources and expertise necessary to drive this change,” he says. “You can see results of this everywhere — our beautiful riverfront transformation, new hotels popping up and other development projects that give us the infrastructure that highlights our city’s strengths. Equally important has been our focus on our community engagement. By prioritizing development that benefits both visitors and residents, we’ve preserved the distinctive Detroit that is truly special and exceeds expectations for all.”

Asked whether groups should still be worried about safety, Molinari is clear. “Detroit’s reputation for safety concerns is largely based on outdated perceptions from decades past,” he insists. “The reality of today’s Detroit stands in contrast to these lingering and dated stereotypes that no longer reflect our city. We’ve implemented innovative safety initiatives like Project Lighthouse, recognized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which provides 24/7 assistance throughout downtown. Operation Green Light has improved safety around business, while our police department has embraced community policing and programs like Operation Ceasefire that have significantly reduced crime across the city.”

Leah Stevens, vice president, event operations, with Informa, says her company recently moved a major show to downtown Detroit. “Detroit is ideal for our event, thanks to its strong foundation in the automotive industry and robust manufacturing infrastructure,” she says.

She calls Detroit’s transformation remarkable, adding: “The city’s commitment to revitalization is evident in its modernized public spaces, expanding business districts and strengthened safety initiatives that have created a more welcoming and dynamic environment. This resurgence has not only reinvigorated the heart of Detroit but has also positioned it as a thriving hub for innovation, culture and commerce.”

As evidenced by these examples, in cities across America, the challenges of organizing and executing elite events are being met with resourcefulness, effective solutions and optimism, and the future remains bright. C&IT