Los Angeles Will Host 24 Citywide Conventions in 2012, Most Since 2001

September 6, 2012

With Los Angeles’ largest trade show, the Entertainment Software Association’s E3 Expo, recently signing on to stay through 2015, there was even more good news for the destination that 2012 will mark the best year the city has had since 2001, with 24 citywide conventions.

Besides the convention market, Los Angeles also is on pace for a record-breaking tourism year, according to officials from the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LA Tourism).

A mid-year forecast projects the destination will welcome 41.3 million visitors by year-end, 2.4 percent above the current record of 40.3 million visitors set in 2011.

With L.A. Live, an entertainment complex that includes a much-needed hotel next to the Los Angeles Convention Center, opening in the past few years, along with other improvements in the downtown area, L.A.’s efforts to draw in more conventions and overall visitors seem to be paying off.

“This is great news for our local tourism industry and our local economy.  Every visitor and every visitor dollar spent plays a critical role in creating jobs and in keeping our local economy strong,” said LA Tourism President and CEO Mark Liberman.

He added, “With the new Tourism Marketing District support, we now have a stronger voice in the increasingly competitive travel space that is already paying off and helping to drive demand to visit.”

L.A.’s tourism industry continues to benefit from strong domestic visitation from key markets, including San Francisco, San Diego, New York City, Phoenix, Sacramento and Chicago; its position as a gateway city for Asia, including the growing China market; and the outlook for emerging markets in South America, especially Brazil.

LA Tourism is working hard to attract even more business and leisure travelers to the destination in the future as well with these efforts:

LA Tourism will launch a new domestic arts and culture campaign this fall to inspire travel to Los Angeles during October and November, traditionally a shoulder season for the destination. 

In the first quarter of 2013, the organization will launch a new domestic consumer branding campaign designed to inspire travelers to choose Los Angeles for spring and summer travel and continue its popular dineLA restaurant program.  

Internationally, LA Tourism has plans to launch expanded marketing efforts in Canada, the UK and Australia and to pursue new global meetings, incentives, exhibitions and tradeshows (MICE) business.    

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