For many destinations, a year of unprecedented natural disasters coupled with urban challenges would deal a harsh blow on the business and tourism fronts, but California is not like most destinations.
The state has weathered everything from massive fires in popular tourism draws to mudslides wiping out roads, bridges and parts of entire communities. Still, business is booming and the meetings sector flourishing throughout the Golden State, from the marquee cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles to the resort getaways of Lake Tahoe and Palm Springs.
In this issue of Meetings Today California, local expert Maria Lenhart traverses the state discovering all that is new and offers a taste of what is on the horizon.
The opening story, “Meeting the Challenge,” looks at some of the devastating events of the past year, from the blazes in Napa, Sonoma and Redding to the heavy rains in Santa Barbara County, and how California’s resilience has prevailed.
The story also addresses the issues of homelessness and safety concerns and how the state’s big cities are tackling those problems to help protect their visitors.
In “Golden Gateways,” Lenhart chronicles the boom in Northern California and all the new properties and convention space expansions, including San Francisco’s Moscone Center and the Sacramento Convention Center.
Heading south, “SoCal Sizzle” showcases the surge of new hotels spreading from Los Angeles down to San Diego, including Orange County’s central city of Anaheim.
For a true relaxing setting, “Resort Escapes” explores some of California’s smaller towns and natural havens, taking in beaches, lakes, mountains and waterfalls as well as pampering spa retreats.
Finally, with all of the state’s agricultural bounty, fresh produce and fine dining are the highlights for many attendees, as Lenhart divulges in “Tasting California.”
Enjoy this issue of Meetings Today California.
This article is part of our 2018 Meetings Today California Destination Supplement.
