Famed Beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti described Southern California as the place "where the American Dream came too true." Don't tell that to Anaheim and Orange County, though. After welcoming more than 44 million travelers last year, the area is aiming even higher via projects such as the $180 million expansion of the Anaheim Convention Center. With yet more venues and options invigorating the mix, Orange County is fueled for continued growth.
Anaheim
Attracting $940 million in convention spending by 1.2 million delegates last year, Anaheim continues to cement its place as one of the nation's leading convention and vacation destinations.
"Our organization has taken an active role in discovering and encouraging hotel- and tourism-related projects that serve to enrich the Anaheim Resort district," says Jay Burress, president and CEO of the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau.
Slated to commence this summer for completion by fall 2016, the 200,000-square-foot convention center expansion follows last year's opening of its outdoor Grand Plaza. The center is also investing $5.7 million in rooftop solar panels.
Opening this month in the 1919 Packing House, a spacious artisan food hall will complete the three-venue Anaheim Packing District heritage revival project, while four new hotels currently in development will add 722 guest rooms to the Anaheim Resort area, with plans for 2,400 additional rooms within the next six years.
In March 2013, Disneyland Park debuted Fantasy Faire, a new meet-and-greet area with Disney's fairy-tale heroes and heroines. Fantasy Faire is a picturesque village square that extends Fantasyland where guests can shop, dine, meet classic Disney characters and experience new shows such as Mickey and the Magical Map live in the Fantasyland Theatre.
Characters from the Disney-Pixar film Cars come to life in the new 12-acre Cars Land in the heart of Disney California Adventure Park, with themed dining and locations from the film, and attractions that include the high-speed thrill ride Radiator Springs Racers.
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Ongoing development is also the theme in fun-loving Buena Park, home to Knott's Berry Farm, America's original theme park.
"Slated to open in early 2015, The Source is a highly anticipated new shopping, dining and entertainment destination, four-star hotel included," says Sara Copping, director of Visit Buena Park. "The project's dynamic urban design will serve as a point of distinction for visitors."
Another upcoming eye-pleaser is a major facelift of the city's entertainment corridor. Commencing in December, the beautification project will include improved lighting, wider sidewalks and wayfinding signage for enhanced passage from hotels to attractions.
The full-service, 248-room Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center just completed a multimillion-dollar property-wide renovation, while free tours of the Nutrilite Health Institute Center provide an educational new option for groups.
Costa Mesa
With cultural gems like the striking Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the "City of Arts" offers a range of inviting options for groups.
"Boasting world-class shopping, fine dining and entertainment, with close proximity to Orange County's famous theme parks and beaches, Costa Mesa is ideally suited for a range of gatherings," says Paulette Lombardi-Fries, president of the Costa Mesa Conference and Visitor Bureau. "From the city's 10 hotels to unique spaces like the 150-acre OC Fair & Event Center, there is a venue for all group sizes and functions."
Home to South Coast Plaza, California's largest shopping destination, freeway-linked Costa Mesa's accessibility includes John Wayne Airport, just 10 minutes away.
Irvine
Ranked "America's Safest Big City" by the FBI since 2005, this multifaceted city, offering 3,400 rooms in the heart of Orange County, is made to measure for business travelers on the go.
"While the stereotypical airport hotel is typically not a planner's first choice, the experience is different in Irvine," says Trisha Edmonds, director of sales for Destination Irvine. "We have nine properties within minutes of the airport that offer amenities and entertainment along with convenience—and the ability to conduct business soon after arrival."
With both offering space for small meetings, the 224-room Courtyard by Marriott Irvine Spectrum is slated to open this summer, followed by the 176-room Hilton Garden Inn Irvine/OC Airport in December.
Another reason to book Irvine?
"Qualified meetings using one of our 14 hotels will receive 5 percent back of total sales to the hotel's master folio, up to $2,500 per meeting," Edmonds says.
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Coastal Orange County
Along Orange County's sun-kissed shores, group destinations are focused on perpetuating their golden appeal.
In Newport Beach, home to standout meetings properties such as The Resort at Pelican Hill, Island Hotel Newport Beach, Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, Fairmont Newport Beach and Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa, monitoring the integration of technology with meetings is a priority.
"With most planners working on tablets and mobile devices, sales departments and affiliates must include technology, social media and other initiatives in their overall strategy and plan," says Michelle Donahue, senior vice president of sales for Visit Newport Beach Inc. "For example, we created a mobile app specifically for Bowl Championship Series attendees who came here in January."
Keen to trends such as eRFPs, conference microsites and YouTube sizzle reels, the bureau is also enticing qualified planners with gift cards and entry into its "Live the Dream" sweepstakes.
Also keeping in touch with the pulse of the meetings industry is Huntington Beach.
"We participate in social media and blog conversations to make sure our destination understands the trending wants and needs of today's meeting professional," says John Ehlenfeldt, vice president of sales and marketing for Visit Huntington Beach.
One such need identified in these dialogues was for strengthened partnerships between the CVB and the destination hotels.
"This resulted in our collaborative "Breathtaking Offer" group sales effort, which provided a financial incentive for groups booking programs in Huntington Beach based upon the cumulative contracted room total," Ehlenfeldt says. "This mutually beneficial partnership showcased how well all entities worked together to bring the business to Huntington Beach."
Developments in "Surf City USA" include the new Watertable restaurant and gastro bar at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, and slated for completion this spring, a complete overhaul of all sleeping rooms at The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel.
Recipient of numerous Orange County Register honors in 2013, including "Best Beach in Orange County," and from Forbes, recognition of Montage Laguna Beach as the "Best Resort in Orange County," historic Laguna Beach is ideally suited for small to midsize meetings.
Advantages include high attendance rates due to the locale's allure, and with most venues within walking distance, limited transportation needs once in town.
"Attendees also like our unique teambuilding activities, from creating high-end art pieces with local artists to physical challenges such as beach volleyball, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking," says Ashley Johnson, director of marketing for Visit Laguna Beach. "As planners continue to discover the benefits and possibilities of a smaller destination, Laguna Beach will continue to grow as a preferred location."
The 70-room Inn at Laguna Beach completed a multimillion-dollar renovation last year, while The Ranch at Laguna Beach is scheduled to reopen in late summer 2014 after a comprehensive renovation.
Another exquisite destination is nearby Dana Point, where annual celebrations such as the Tall Ships Festival enliven the agenda for groups convening at such properties as The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, Marriott Laguna Cliffs Resort & Spa and DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Doheny Beach-Dana Point.
Born and partially raised in Southern California, longtime Meetings Focus contributor Jeff Heilman has fond memories of Disneyland—from 1967.
