Smart Travel: Tips for Traveling to Los Angeles; Here
Listen to audio Our hearts go out to all those affected by the horrific wildfires in Los Angeles this week. For those of you traveling to the city soon, we've put together the latest information and tips you need to know. For conference professors, the SEARCH Foundation is raising funds to help those in the MICE industry who have been affected. This issue of Smart Travel also includes the debut of Bangkok’s newest luxury hotel, Tourism Cares’ map of meaningful travel in the Hawaiian Islands, TripAdvisor’s complete list of the best destinations for 2025, and more. What those traveling to Los Angeles during wildfires should know Los Angeles is facing an unprecedented wildfire crisis, with at least five fires currently wreaking havoc in the region. These devastating fires have destroyed more than 9,000 buildings, claimed at least 10 lives and forced more than 180,000 residents from their homes. It was the costliest wildfire in California’s history, with staggering economic toll,…
Multiple wildfires sweep through Los Angeles
Listen to audio How to help and what you need to know The most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history started Tuesday in coastal Pacific Palisades. The unprecedented spread of the Palisades wildfire and the emergence of at least three other major fires have burned more than 27,000 acres as of Thursday morning: the Eaton Fire in the Pasadena and Los Angeles National Forest areas; The Eaton Fire in the Deena and Los Angeles National Forest areas; the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills; and the Hearst Fire in Sylmar. Tens of thousands of Los Angeles residents were forced to evacuate their homes, and at least 1,000 buildings were confirmed to have been destroyed. "This is a tragic moment in the history of Los Angeles, but it's also a moment where we are really tested and see who we really are," Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonald said at a news conference. What you need to know if you're in…
Multiple wildfires sweep through Los Angeles
Listen to audio How to help and what you need to know The most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history started Tuesday in coastal Pacific Palisades. The unprecedented spread of the Palisades Fire, along with the emergence of at least three other major fires, had burned more than 27,000 acres as of Thursday morning: the Eaton Fire in the Pasadena and Los Angeles National Forest areas; The Eaton Fire in the Los Angeles National Forest; the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills; and the Hearst Fire in Sylmar. Tens of thousands of Los Angeles residents were forced to evacuate their homes, and at least 1,000 buildings were confirmed to have been destroyed. "This is a tragic moment in the history of Los Angeles, but it's also a moment where we are really tested and see who we really are," Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonald said at a news conference. What you need to know if you're in Los Angeles:…
Los Angeles wildfires
Five people have been confirmed dead as several fast-moving wildfires continue to spread across the Los Angeles area, threatening iconic structures such as the Hollywood sign. The National Guard has been deployed to assist in what many consider an unprecedented situation. Wildfires occur every year in Southern California, but nothing like this spreads to cities, where Santa Ana winds and extreme dryness create a perfect storm of destruction. President Biden has canceled a trip to Italy, where he had planned to meet with the pope to coordinate the federal response to wildfires. According to the New York Times, the White House said it had arranged for Navy helicopters to join the firefighting effort. President Biden also appeared at a fire station in Santa Monica with California Governor Gavin Newsom. "We are prepared to do whatever it takes, as long as necessary, to contain the fires and help rebuild and make sure we get back to normal," Biden told the media…
Los Angeles wildfires
Several fast-moving wildfires near Los Angeles grew out of control on Wednesday, destroying hundreds of buildings, scorching hillsides and killing at least two people, prompting officials to order about 70,000 people to evacuate their homes. High winds hampered firefighting efforts and fueled the fire, which has been spreading unhindered and unchecked since it began on Tuesday. The largest fire burned more than 5,000 acres in Pacific Palisades, a picturesque community in western Los Angeles County between the beach towns of Santa Monica and Malibu. It is the hometown of many film, television and music stars. More than 1,000 structures have been destroyed, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at a press conference on Wednesday, Reuters reported. Another fire, the Eaton Fire, burned about 30 miles (50 kilometers) inland from Altadena near Pasadena and has grown to more than 2,000 acres. Two people were reported dead there, but officials said they had no further details. The Hearst Fire, located…
Ashley Cannon of Informa Markets, CEM Stock Expo! Expo! tip
CHICAGO – Event organizers can find new opportunities, strategies for success, and more at the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Expo! Expo! However, for first-timers, it can be difficult to know where to start. trade show director (TSE) spoke with Ashley Cannon, CEM Event Operations Manager at Informa Markets, to get tips for helping new professionals attend the Expo! Expo! Show run. Andrew: What advice would you give to young professionals attending expos! Expo! first? Ashley: Prepare to feel overwhelmed and energized at the same time. Grab plenty of business cards, download the mobile app, schedule any meetings in advance, and bookmark your meetings in the app. ANDREW: What strategies can young professionals use to make the most of this event? Ashley: Be open to personal and professional learning. This activity is designed to help you grow, and you can only do that if you want to. Get ready to build your network by meeting new people, attending…
Verified attendance to increase for 2024 California Restaurant Show
LOS ANGELES — The 2024 California Restaurant Show, held Aug. 25-27 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the first edition of the event since it was rebranded from the Western Restaurant & Hospitality Expo, reported a 51% increase in verified attendance. According to show organizer Restaurant Events, LLC, 84% of attendees were verified, a 16% increase from last year, with 55% of verified attendees being new attendees. “The California Restaurant Show’s transformation made California shine brighter and resonated with our audience,” said Andrea Tencza, vice president of marketing for Restaurant Events, LLC. He added that the show’s growth was driven by its group bundling program, which was driven by Meeting Data Services, which brought in nearly 20 percent more registrations. "The program was launched in response to customer feedback, and the biggest draw was convenience. Restaurant owners struggled with staffing and scheduling... especially four, six, or eight weeks before an event, when they couldn't commit to signing up their team…
Los Angeles Tourism Bureau launches major group travel incentive program
Planners have access to financial incentives and more than 40 special hotel deals in the Los Angeles area through June 30, 2025. Planners know the diversity and enduring appeal of Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the United States and one of the most celebrated places on Earth. With more than 30 culturally rich communities, 75 miles of beautiful coastline, With more museums and performing arts venues than any other city in the U.S. and an innovative culinary scene, Los Angeles offers unique opportunities for memorable meetings and incentives. Now, New plans from Los Angeles Tourism Get extra incentives for booking your meeting or incentive here. Special offers valid through June 30, 2025. They are part of Tourism Los Angeles' "Now Playing" campaign, which highlights major events in the Los Angeles area in the coming months. "Over the next few months, Los Angeles will host hundreds of events," said Adam Burke, president and CEO of Los Angeles Tourism. "The Now…