Towering over the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) the new hybrid Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles and JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE will undoubtedly be a popular option for conference and exposition planners, exhibitors and attendees.
Located less than a block from the LACC, The Ritz-Carlton and the JW Marriott coexist in a distinctive 54-story tower. The Ritz-Carlton offers 123 guest rooms and the JW Marriott offers 878 guest rooms. In addition, the downtown property features some of the most spacious and efficient meeting spaces in the area and serves as the headquarters hotel supporting the LACC.
The property was also the headquarters for the recently concluded SIGGRAPH 2010, a conference and tradeshow for computer graphics and interactive technology professionals. During E3 last month, both properties sold out.
“The property is very unique in that it combines the Ritz-Carlton brand with the JW Marriot brand,” said Erik Palmer, director of event management for the JW Marriott, Los Angeles, L.A. LIVE. “The two hotels are joined at the hip and share many different elements throughout the property, one of them being our meeting and event space. It allows us to deliver two sequences of service, to match the level of service of each brand.”
Opened earlier this year, the two hotels share a 100,000 square foot conference center branded as The Gallery Collection and consists of three floors of stacked meeting rooms and three ballrooms:
• Diamond Ballroom: 25,086 square feet
• Platinum Ballroom: 20,792 square feet
• Gold Ballroom: 17,072 square feet
• 14 Ancillary Meeting Rooms: 14,000 square feet
With the size and flexibility of the event space, the dual property provides long awaited support for the LACC. Several significant conferences, conventions and meetings have hosted events at the hotel, including the California Democratic Convention that took place at the convention center, but bled over to the Ritz-Carlton/JW Marriott’s conference and meeting rooms.
That’s expected to be the case for next July’s Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference 2011 which is expected to attract more than 15,000 attendees.
“The coexistence of the two hotel brands in one property works very well,” said Javiar Cano, general manager for both hotels. “It allows visitors a luxury option as well as the more moderate JW Marriott.”
The hybrid property is a cornerstone of the new L.A. LIVE entertainment and sports center that is at the forefront of the renaissance of downtown Los Angeles. The hotel’s rear entry opens onto the bustling L.A. LIVE and is just steps away from Staples Center, Nokia Theatre and The GRAMMY Museum.
L.A. LIVE is home to 13 restaurants and bars including Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, Rosa Mexicano, Lawry’s Carvery, ESPN Zone, Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Rock ‘N Fish and Trader Vic’s. There is also Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge and a 14-screen Regal Theater.
Exhibitors and attendees who gathered for E3 June 15-17, and SIGGRAPH, July 25-29, raved about the area’s metamorphosis saying that L.A. LIVES’ eclectic array of restaurants and the ease of access to the Ritz Carlton/JW Marriot makes it easier to do business at the convention center.
“We love that L.A. LIVE has been developed so beautifully,” said Freddie Georges, owner of Freddie Georges Production Group, a Southern California-based special event and tradeshow design and management company. “It is so convenient.”
Georges had seven exhibits to install for E3 and with that schedule, L.A. LIVE made it easy to run out for a nice meal while juggling clients, staff and other exhibitor appointed contractors.
Several SIGGRAPH exhibitors, who were staying at the JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE, said they saw no need to rent a car because of the hotel’s proximity to the convention center and fine dining.
Aleta Walther is a Southern California-based marketing communications professional, freelance writer and experienced corporate exhibit manager. Contact Aleta at aleta@prwriterpro.com.
