California’s innovation reaches into its ballrooms and boardrooms, as the overall meetings portfolio is consistently evolving. It has no choice but to keep up with the copious other bright ideas that draw group business, including a statewide creative vibe, arts and culture and scenic outdoor pursuits.
Throughout the state, convention centers (and a few airports) seem to have the biggest story to tell in 2012 and beyond, and group-friendly hotels and resorts report millions of dollars in renovations.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
San Francisco Bay Area
Innovation is part of San Francisco’s DNA. After all, Levi’s blue jeans, the television and some even say the martini were all invented here, according to John Reyes, executive vice president and chief customer officer, convention sales and services at the San Francisco Travel Association.
“In San Francisco, meeting attendees can be inspired by the footprints of innovative pioneers like Steve Jobs, who introduced all of his major new products from the stage of Moscone Center, and George Lucas’ team at Industrial Light and Magic in the Presidio,” he says.
Big news in town includes the completion in May of a $56 million renovation of Moscone Center’s North and South buildings.
Meanwhile, in the Mission Bay neighborhood, Strada Investment Group acquired a three-acre site across from AT&T Park and plans to develop a $220 million mixed-use project to include a 500-key hotel and retail space.
Inn at the Presidio, the first hotel to open in the Presidio, a National Historic Landmark, debuted earlier this year with two meeting rooms.
Recently renovated group-friendly properties include Grand Hyatt San Francisco, Hilton San Francisco Union Square, Hotel Adagio, Hotel Nikko, Hotel Triton, Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf and Radisson Hotel Fisherman’s Wharf.
There is also much to report from Oakland in San Francisco’s East Bay.
Perhaps top of the list is the recent renovation of the Oakland Convention Center, which was completed in March. Connected to the convention center is the recently renovated Oakland Marriott City Center.
Also in Oakland, Inn at Jack London Square recently added a new meeting space, the Jack London Room, with wood flooring and natural lighting.
South of San Francisco is San Mateo County, home of the San Mateo Marriott, which opened a new concierge lounge last year, Burlingame’s Hilton San Francisco Airport Bayfront and Redwood City’s Hotel Sofitel San Francisco Bay, all situated near San Francisco International Airport. PageBreak
The San Mateo County Event Center has a newly renovated meeting pavilion, according to Anne LeClair, president and CEO at the San Mateo County/Silicon Valley CVB, and DoubleTree by Hilton SFO in Burlingame completed a renovation in August.
Silicon Valley
The San Mateo County/Silicon Valley CVB also represents Silicon Valley meeting spots in Palo Alto and Menlo Park.
“Our area is the heart of innovation—high-tech, biotech, green energy—you name it,” LeClair says, explaining that it’s the home of choice to companies such as Facebook. “We offer high-tech venues for meetings mixed with low-tech, for example, a dinner on a farm or ranch or a clambake on the water.”
San Jose, aka the “Capital of Silicon Valley,” is known for innovative thought, and that rings true for Team San Jose, whose approach to working with groups—one entity versus many handling everything from housing to creative event marketing—is why 98 percent of meeting planners say they would return.
The San Jose Convention Center is undergoing a $120 million expansion and renovation slated for completion in fall 2013, and Westin San Jose, now Sainte Claire Hotel, is scheduled to open across the street from the convention center after renovations in the first quarter of 2013.
Area properties that recently completed renovations include San Jose Civic, La Quinta Inn San Jose Airport, Fairmont San Jose and Hyatt Place San Jose/Downtown.
Santa Clara is “Silicon Valley Central,” according to David Andre, spokesman for the Santa Clara CVB, and headquarters for Intel, the world’s leading computer chipmaker.
“When organizations host a meeting in Santa Clara, they are surrounded by the energy of innovation,” he says. “The area is bustling with business meetings and events discussing the world’s next big ideas.”
Great news for San Francisco 49ers fans and area businesses alike is the scheduled August 2014 opening of the 68,500-seat Santa Clara Stadium, new home of the NFL team.
Sacramento
Sacramento is a tale of two cities, blending California Gold Rush history and a progressive meeting destination, says Steve Hammond, president and CEO at the Sacramento CVB.
A year ago this month, Sacramento International Airport opened its $1 billion expansion, making California’s capital city even more accessible.
The anchor of the city’s meetings lineup is the Sacramento Convention Center complex, which Hammond says is well-equipped to satisfy any group.
Wine Country
In fall 2013, Rohnert Park-based Sonoma State University, which debuted its Green Music Center last month, will open a student center with more than 20,000 square feet of meeting space.
In downtown Napa’s revitalized West End, the first Andaz hotel in Northern California opened in September. Andaz Napa, formerly Avia Napa, hosts groups of up to 100.
Additionally, Meritage Resort and Spa completed a major expansion in May, including 165 new guest accommodations and the Carneros Ballroom. PageBreak
Lake Tahoe
Among the happenings in beautiful Lake Tahoe are the future redevelopment of the historic Homewood Mountain Ski Resort, including a luxury hotel, retail space and an ice-skating rink, and a recent renovation at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino.
Monterey/Santa Cruz
The gorgeous stretch of California from Monterey to Santa Cruz is another popular retreat for groups.
In Santa Cruz, Hotel Paradox, formerly University Inn & Conference Center, just opened after a long renovation, Fairfield Inn & Suites recently opened and Beach Street Inn & Suites recently completed a renovation.
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
Located midway between L.A. and San Francisco, Santa Maria is well-positioned to host organizations with attendees coming from all directions, according to Gina Keough, manager of the Santa Maria Valley Visitor and Convention Bureau.
“Planners can host a wine class or tasting, cooking class or other activity to keep the meeting fun and interesting,” she says.
A renovation at Radisson Hotel Santa Maria is scheduled for completion in January 2013.
To the south in Ventura County is Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, which is on track to complete a guest room renovation next month.
From Oxnard, which offers an intimate setting for the small meetings market, according to Janet Seqerquist, president and CEO at the Oxnard CVB, outings to Channel Islands National Park are popular with groups.
Residence Inn Oxnard River Ridge recently unveiled a newly renovated lobby and meeting space.
The eastern gate into Yosemite National Park is just 45 minutes north of Mammoth Lakes, where Tallus, a private ski and golf residence club that accommodates meetings and retreats, recently finished some upgrades.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is internationally regarded as the most innovative movie-making city on the globe. Here, planners can count on an unforgettable gathering.
The city, which enjoys sunny days most of the year, is wonderfully suited for outdoor events at venues like Grand Park and the Lair exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens, according to Michael Krouse, senior vice president sales and client services at the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board.
Property updates in the destination include recent renovations at Luxe City Center Hotel, Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens, The L.A. Hotel Downtown and Hilton Garden Inn Los Angeles/Hollywood.
Pasadena
From the principles of modern jet flight, which were discovered at Caltech in the early 1930s, to architectural masterpieces by Frank Lloyd Wright and museums housing priceless works, Pasadena has been known for innovation since the turn of the 20th century, according to Christine Carchia, director of sales and client services at the Pasadena CVB.
“Developers from as far as China come to find out how the city turned the historic Old Pasadena area into one of Southern California’s most popular dining, shopping and nightlife areas,” she says.
Last year brought upgrades to Hilton Pasadena, Old Pasadena Courtyard by Marriott and Westin Pasadena, as well as LEED Gold certification for the Pasadena Convention Center.PageBreak
Rose Bowl Stadium is undergoing a $152 million renovation, slated for completion before the 100th Rose Bowl Game and the next BCS National Championship Game in January 2014.
South Bay/Westside
In the South Bay, the Manhattan Beach Country Club is in the midst of a renovation scheduled for completion by the end of the year, and Redondo Beach’s Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach is scheduled to complete a renovation in February.
In the Westside, the Beverly Hills Visitor Center just opened, The Beverly Hilton remodeled its International Ballroom, Sheraton Delfina Santa Monica completed a renovation in June, and the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium renovation is scheduled for completion in March 2015. Additionally, the sustainability-focused Shore Hotel Santa Monica debuted on Ocean Avenue last year. The meetings-ready luxury boutique property is the only newly built Gold LEED-certified hotel in the city.
Long Beach
Long Beach, home of the popular TED conference, where innovators in technology, entertainment and design convene, has invested over $20 million in the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center renovation.
Hyatt Regency Long Beach, Westin Long Beach and Long Beach Marriott have also undergone recent renovations, and the Long Beach Airport is in the midst of a $140 million renovation that is slated for completion in December.
Riverside
News in Riverside, touted the “City of Arts and Innovation” by the City of Riverside, includes a renovation at the Riverside Auditorium and Events Center and the opening of Hyatt Place Downtown earlier this year, as well as an expansion and renovation project at the Riverside Convention Center, slated for completion in spring 2014.
Anaheim/Orange County
Anaheim, according to Elaine Cali, spokeswoman for the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau, is full of innovative thinkers and places that spur the imagination. Just think Disney.
Like neighboring L.A., she says more groups meeting here are gathering outside.
To that end, Grand Plaza, a new 100,000-square-foot outdoor meeting/special event space located just outside the Anaheim Convention Center, will be unveiled in January.
In 2013, Irvine’s Orange County Great Park will play host to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon, which brings together students from 20-plus universities to compete in building solar energy-friendly homes.
“Previously held at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the event has relocated to Irvine because of its leading role in innovation,” says Wendy Haase, spokeswoman for Destination Irvine.
Meanwhile, the city’s Atrium Hotel recently underwent a renovation.
In Laguna Beach, Hotel Laguna, Surf and Sand Resort, and Inn at Laguna Beach recently completed renovations. PageBreak
San Diego
Last year, Sunset magazine acknowledged San Diego as the best city to “hatch big ideas,” according to Margie Sitton, senior vice president of sales and services at the San Diego CVB.
“Innovation and creativity are in our bloodstream, and you can experience this personally at our Tony Award-winning theaters, The Old Globe and La Jolla Playhouse, and through one of the largest clusters of high technology and biotechnology companies in the nation,” she says.
News here is plentiful, including developments at the USS Midway Museum, which begins construction this fall on a theater slated to open inside the aircraft carrier in mid-2014.
In downtown San Diego, Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego’s renovation is scheduled for completion by fall 2013, and this year, W San Diego, Westin Gaslamp Quarter and San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina all completed renovations.
In Coronado, Hotel del Coronado and Loews Coronado Bay Resort finished renovations earlier this year.
In North San Diego County, the Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa opened in June, Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe recently completed a renovation, and La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club recently wrapped up some upgrades.
La Jolla Shores Hotel is currently offering a promotion for complimentary meeting space on new group business booked by Nov. 15, 2012, and taking place through March 31, 2013.
Palm Springs
In the Palm Springs area, the following properties plan to complete renovations by the end of this year: Hilton Palm Springs, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort, La Quinta Resort & Club, Rancho Las Palmas Resort, Riviera Palm Springs and Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa.
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa, formerly Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, Villas and Spa, completed a renovation in August. The property is one of four meetings-ready resorts in Indian Wells. The others are Indian Wells Resort Hotel, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa and the recently renovated Miramonte Resort & Spa.
