The Ultimate Los Angeles and Hollywood Insider Tips

Happy Holidays - Frohes Fest und Guten Rutsch! - Feliz Año Nuevo - Bonne Année!

2011-12-02T14:31:00.000-08:00

We are celebrating California Style!

Mele Kalikimaka!
Marion

I Had Fun Talking About Los Angeles On AirBerlin Radio Lounge!

2011-09-07T10:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Thanks to Anette Kaiser-Rott and AirBerlin's Eva Martini and Claudia Monréal for interviewing me on AirBerlin Lounge. Of course, we talked about Los Angeles. And caught in the fun of the moment I shared some of my secret tips normally for good friends only! If you understand German, you can listen to the podcast. The show aired on Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 on Antenne Duesseldorf.

Thanks for reading and listening,
Marion

http://www.energieusa.com/Energie_MediaWorks_-_Traditional_and_Social_Media_Services/Air_Berlin_Radio_Broadcast_with_Marion_Renk-Rosenthal/Air_Berlin_Radio_Broadcast_with_Marion_Renk-Rosenthal.html

Tour Drivers Beware! No More Access to Hollywood Sign Viewpoint from Outpost Drive

2011-08-29T08:42:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends, liebe Freunde, chèrs amis, queridos amigos!

My colleague, driver David Lewis, was mentioned in Los Angeles Times yesterday. Not for fun reasons! David got pulled over by the police on Outpost Drive - the small curvy street many of us drive to get from Hollywood and Highland to Mulholland Drive and the great view point of the Hollywood Bowl and Hollywood sign. He was driving an open-top van with 14 passengers. Van plus passengers exceed the 6000-pound limit and the police is cracking down. Too many vans were going up and too many celebrities with homes in the area were complaining.
See the full article in L.A. Times.

Now, how do you get there without getting a ticket?
It is legal and safe to take Highland Avenue North, passed the Bowl, continue on Cahuenga Blvd parallel to the 101 Freeway, turn left on Woodrow Wilson Drive and follow the road.

Bon Voyage!
Marion

Check Out The New WALK OF FAME Website!

2011-07-13T14:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

My friends at the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce just announced the launch of the newly designed Walk of Fame website. I checked it out. It is a really useful tool for Hollywood visitors! The new website features a list of addresses of the Stars on the Walk Of Fame, videos of recent Star ceremonies, the possibility of searching Stars based on hometown, birthday and more and the all important calendar of upcoming Star ceremonies! For the first time ever, there is also a contact form for Stargirl Ana Martinez. Ana has produced the ceremonies for 25 years and she will be happy to share her information.
Most of the questions I get from my clients concern the Walk of Fame. So, since most of you are out and about, here the QR code so you can pull up the site from your phone while you are there!
Or click the button on the top right to link to WalkofFame.com.

Bon Voyage!
Marion

Beware of the 405 FREEWAY CLOSURE - AUTOBAHNSCHLIESSUNG - FERMETURE D'AUTOROUTE - CIERRE DE LA 405

2011-07-05T06:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and Travelers!

Local media predict "Carmageddon". Due to construction projects the whole 405 Freeway will be closed for an entire weekend! 405 will be closed in both directions between the 101 Freeway in the Valley and the 10 Freeway in West Los Angeles. So brace yourselves and plan ahead!
The shutdown begins Friday, July 15th at 7PM and all lanes should hopefully reopen by Monday, July 18th at 6AM.
Click METRO to get to the official website with all the detour maps and updated announcements!

And simply take the metro to avoid carmageddon! We have the cleanest, nicest and most affordable public transportation system all around. Red Line will connect you from Universal Studios to Union Station Downtown, Gold Line takes you from Union Station to Pasadena or East Los Angeles via Little Tokyo and more. Get to the beach with either Metro busses or Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus from Union Station.
Click METRO PLANNER to see the metro subway and bus routes and schedules.

Click BIG BLUE to see the Santa Monica Busline route and schedules.

Bon Voyage!

FREE-GRATIS: Summer Concerts Around Southern California

2011-06-29T09:45:00.000-07:00

Summertime and the living is easy!
Nothing better than a summer in Southern California. I love this time of year best. Everyone is out and about and many communities offer free entertainment. Last year, I saw Rickie Lee Jones at the Santa Monica Pier and the African band Bassekou Kouyate at California Plaza, both were awesome! I compiled a list of the stages to make it easier for you to plan. Click the names to get to the websites. I plan on catching Pete Escovedo at Hollywood-and-Highland and I hope to see some world music at California Plaza again. We have bands from Yemen and Egypt this year. It should be interesting!

Click the links to see the schedules:

Santa Monica Pier Twilight Dance Series

Farmers Market

Hollywood&Highland Wine-Jazz-Moonlight sponsored by KJAZZ Jazz and Blues Station

Grand Performances at California Plaza

Pershing Square

Fridays and Sundays: LACMA Concert Series

New Attractions at Universal Studios and Disney California Adventure

2011-06-03T08:59:00.000-07:00

Just in time for the summer season, our major theme parks have renewed and re-opened their attractions!

Universal Studios Hollywood replaced longtime tram tour host Whoopi Goldberg with comedian and TV late night show host Jimmy Fallon. All the pre-recorded video segments have been updated to bring the tour up to the latest but you will still learn about all the classic films that have been shot on the most famous backlot on the world. Last time I took the tour, we did see CSI star George Eads (Nick Stokes) having a smoke outside of the studio building and Wisteria Lane was shut down due to filming. Always exciting!

If you are traveling with kids, take them to see the new Ariel Undersea Adventure at Disney's California Adventure! Climb into the clam shells for a beautiful ride through Ariel's wet world.

We took our little Ariel fan to Disneyland for her last birthday and celebrated with lunch at Ariel's Grotto! A big hit with little girls. All the Disney Princesses come out and pose for pictures with the kids. At 4 years old that beats a chance of meeting Lady GaGa!

Los Angeles is going "Deutsch"

2011-03-18T08:11:00.000-07:00

Ha, I knew it! It was just a question of time until we'd all go for "Gemütlichkeit"!
I could not help but notice that German themed restaurants are popping up all over L.A..
Wurstküche in Koreatown, Berlin Currywurst at Sunset Junction, and way more to come. I called Berlin Currywurst to enquire about the "Pommes". Yes, they do serve "Pommes rot-weiss" which is French fries with ketchup and mayo in case you don't know. A couple of months back the Germanys Famous Bratwurst food truck joined the mobile resto world. In Germany, most sausages are served at street stands so the truck replicates the German street food experience best. They announce their locations on Facebook if you "like" them.
And this morning my bleary eyes discovered this article in LA Times:
"For Los Angeles, Brats and Beer All Around".
I'm sure local youth would be even more stoked if German laws applied, legal drinking age for beer in the old country is 16!
So, "Prost und guten Appetit!"

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!

2011-03-03T10:17:00.000-08:00

It's time to let the good times roll again! Put on your beads and shimmy on down to the West Patio of The Original Farmers Market where we celebrate Mardi Gras and Carnival in style with great Cajun/Creole food at the Gumbo pot and authentic music straight from the Bayou and Brazil.
See schedule above on the poster. See you this weekend in the Second Line Parade!

Tom Hanks Son Raps From The Westside

2011-01-13T18:08:00.000-08:00

Wow, this is a totally new take on the Westside! Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson raised their kids in posh Pacific Palisades and spend weekends in their beach house in the Malibu Colony. Son Chet, now a student at NorthWestern, put his childhood into rap. Enjoy and check out the "hood" next time you are in Malibu. Click the link to get to the aerial picture of the Hanks House on the map.

Happy Holidays! Frohes Fest! Feliz Navidad! Joyeux Noêl!

2010-12-14T07:04:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Feliz Navidad y un Feliz Año Nuevo!

Joyeux Noȇl et une Bonne Année!

And above all:

Good Health and Fortune for 2011!

Marion

Love Music? Meet The Rock Stars!

2010-12-05T10:08:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends, or shall I say Amigos,

I was watching VH1 Top 20 this morning to stay current with all the latest pop culture happenings. Up comes "Artist To Watch" BRUNO MARS, he of the longing voice and romantic smoldering eyes, singing about heart break and bad girls in "Grenade" - dragging his piano all the way through a very familiar looking neighborhood! Those aerosol art embellished walls, the tattooed homies, the bridges - our Bruno filmed "Grenade" in Boyle Heights!

It makes total sense to me since Boyle Heights and East L.A. rock! Ozomatli, Los Lobos, will.i.am and Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas: all boys from this hood. 2724 E. Cesar Chavez Avenue is home of CANDELAS GUITARS, my favorite place to visit. The second you enter you can literally feel the love and passion for music. Tomas Delgado is the fourth generation luthier (guitar builder) at Candelas, a traditional family business and the one and only that still handcrafts custom guitars and ukeleles for musicians from around the world. Jose Feliciano, band members from Ozomatli, Sublime, Los Lobos, Quetzal, Michael Jost, Pepe and Angel Romero all play Candelas guitars and are friends of the Delgado family. You are very likely to bump into someone famous on any given day, just not too early in the morning! Tomas custom designs each and every one of the guitars he builds, carefully selecting the perfect rare woods he collects worldwide to build masterpieces. If you are really lucky Tomas may play one of the guitars in the private room.

Wait, there is more!

Just a couple of miles further East, at 3846 E. Cesar Chavez Avenue, you find Javier Palacios, the legendary leather tailor who custom crafts everything from mariachi vests to the most outrageous rock'n roll tight leather pants, jackets and skirts in all colors of the rainbow, studded, embroidered, encrusted with crystals. Ordinary citizens welcome as well, but remember it's Rock'n Roll. Javier opens shop at Noon!

Stocking Stuffers For Dogs - Beverly Hills Style!

2010-11-29T10:14:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

You know I love dogs but even I am still amazed at some of the things we have to offer our pooches!
Cookies from Three Dog Bakery, pet hotels with flat screen TV, doggy day care with spa services, you name it, it exists in sunny Southern California. But I discovered a novelty on Rodeo Drive that even caught my attention! Italian designer ROBERTO CAVALLI has gone to the dogs! Canine Couture!

Yep, believe, you see it here! Outfits for Fifi and Fido to go out to the park in style.
Photos all taken at the Cavalli Boutique on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills.

Congratulations! We have 20 NEW Los Angeles Travel Experts!

2010-11-16T11:06:00.000-08:00

We have done it again! LA INC (The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau & LAWA's Travel Academy at UCLA Extension has 20 new successful graduates from Australia. Our Australian students arrived on November 7th in the morning and got straight onto the bus. No rest for the wary after the long flight on Air New Zealand. We went straight on to LACMA where we got to visit the new Resnick Pavilion and the Grove/Farmers Market to start our exploration of Los Angeles. Within 3 hours of landing we sighted our first celebrities! Adam Sandler was shopping with his daughters at The Grove and Donald Sutherland took his family out for lunch at Farmers Market. Only in L.A.! Fresh of the plane, our friends started their shopping! We finally let them rest by early evening at our host hotel, the LAX Hilton on Century Boulevard. LATA was intense! Starting at 7AM and finishing around 10PM. There is so much to see, experience and learn that it is hard to fit into just 5 days. The exchange rate to the Australian dollar is very advantageous for Australia so we had plenty of shopping stops, from Santa Monica Place to Beverly Center, Universal CityWalk and Citadel Outlets, our local economy was very revived last week! All 20 students and two babies on their way graduated successfully!

Congratulations to our new Experts:

Dimity Bailey, Stephanie Benito De Valle, Sarah Kathleen Bond, Sharon Brown, Fabian Cannavo, Terri Challen, Andrea Paola Contreras, Kelly Ann Costa, Vanesa Diakonikolis, Kara Edwards, Michelle Fitzgibbon, Lynette Gavin, Lyndle Guest, Amanda Kemp, Nikki Krombein, Belinda Lewis, Thea MacLean, Shannon Peters, Michelle Radnidge and Lisa Priestly Sylvania.

I had a wonderful time working with you all and hope to see you over here again soon!

The Los Angeles Travel Academy is a collaborative program between LA INC. and LAWA and UCLA Extension. It consists of three mornings of classroom instruction and four afternoons and evenings of field trips throughout Los Angeles. The goal is to familiarize travel agents from foreign countries with our area so they can assist their customers more efficiently and increase their sales of L.A. as a destination.
LA INC. Travel Industry Sales and Marketing Department planned and coordinated this Academy with Los Angeles World Airports and we got to see all the very latest sites! The course curriculum was developed in collaboration with UCLA Extension’s academic staff and the course fulfills UCLA’s academic standards. I am the instructor and guide for the 4 to 5 days of the Academy.
Our students get tested and they receive a UCLA Extension Certificate! Students all tell us that this course is unique in the travel industry!

For further information or to contact the new experts,
please contact Karran Rouzan at LA INC:
krouzan@lainc.us and phone: (213) 236 2318.

Getting Ready To Celebrate The Day Of The Dead

2010-10-27T15:59:00.000-07:00

Get ready for a fiesta! November 2nd is Dia de los Muertos - The Day Of The Dead.I recently visited Self Help Graphics Inc, a non-profit that nurtures and supports emerging Latino artists, in East L.A. to get all the fiesta information straight from La Jefe, Evonne Gallardo, Executive Director of Self Help Graphics & Art, home of the longest running Dia de los Muertos celebration in the U.S., 37 years and counting!


Evonne Gallardo and her dad Frank

"Even though Dia de los Muertos falls on a Tuesday this year, we will see about six to eight thousand people at the celebration on November 2nd. We moved the celebration to East L.A.'s Civic Center in 2009 because it just outgrew Self Help Graphics. Everyone is welcome and whole families participate. Felipe Esparza will join us this year. With this year's theme we are celebrating the Mexican Bi-Centennial with "Revolucion Sin Fronteras - Revolution Without Borders".

Art from Vyal One's Aerosol Art Workshop

The celebration consists of four major components every year.
Friday night is opening night of "Better Better to Die on My Feet" Self Help Graphics & Art's Dia de los Muertos Exhibition Curated by Karla Diaz and Mario Ybarra Jr. of Slanguage Studio Opening reception: Friday, October 29, 2010, 7-9...

Saturday is Noche de Ofrendas, the community altar celebration led by premier altar-maker and community resident, Ofelia Esparza and assisted by Xavier Esparza, Denise Esparza-Carrillo and Rosanna Esparza Ahrens, participants are invited to contribute their offerings to the community altar for display throughout our DIa De Los Muertos festivities.

Sunday the fiesta moves to Gallery ChimMaya for the opening reception of "Muertos De Risa" A Vintage Day of the Dead Works from Self Help Graphics & Art's Collection. This is the yearly opportunity to purchase amazing art work from Latino artists!

And Tuesday from 5 to 11 is the official procession and celebration at the East Los Angeles Civic Center, featuring community altars honoring the dead, music, food and craft vendors and a children's art workshop

Viva East L.A.!
Click the link to Self Help Graphics to get all the information on their website and to support their mission!

Chase Your Food! The Gourmet Truck Craze

2010-10-06T17:07:00.000-07:00

The most delicious chicken rice meal in Portland!

I've become somewhat obsessed with gourmet food trucks lately. The 5-Star version of the good old roach coach hit Los Angeles about two years ago and it's changed the way we eat out. We now follow our truck chefs on Twitter and peruse websites to find the best trucks. The chase is part of the fun and the food is great. So is the price! You can eat a wonderful meal for less than 10 dollars. The tricky part is finding them. I browsed online today and found a great website: www.mobilecravings.com They have the most comprehensive food truck finder! You can subscribe to their Twitter feed! Bon Appetit!

VaVaVoom -W Hotel Hollywood!

2010-09-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

I got lucky recently, working on a German documentary for director Eckhart Schmidt. We got amazing access to the W Hotel Hollywood and a great interview with General Director Jim McPartlin. Interview location: the ultra chic "Cool Corner" suite. Since we were there on a Sunday Hollywood's hottest pool party with hundreds of bikini babes was in full swing at Drai's on the roof top. We were allowed access to the pool deck of the private residences to film amazing views of both the party and Hollywood. So why am I bragging like this you wonder? Just wanted to give you heads up! Get a room or come to the lobby bar to be a part of the hottest Hollywood scene. Entourage filmed here this year. I spotted Nicole Richie sipping a drink at the bar. The hotel won't reveal celebrity guests but it is THE place to be right now. And the subway station is right out front so if you drink too much, take Metro!

Another hard day at work for Mark Adams, Marion, Steve Elkins and Leon Fleming. :-)

Celebrating N'Awlins Style in Los Angeles

2010-08-25T12:12:00.001-07:00

Our thoughts and minds are turning to Louisiana again. It's been five years since hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, the BP oil leak situation is on-going. I love N'Awlins and I have visited the Crescent City and the Bayou several times but I can't just hop on a plane anytime I want to let the good times roll. So thank heaven, we can party N'Awlins style right here!

I took all the pictures on August 8 at the Long Beach Crawfish Festival at the Rainbow Lagoon.
It's an annual summer event so follow them on Facebook or sign up for emails to get the info.

Another place to "laisser les bons temps rouler" is Farmers Market on 3rd Street. Gumbo Pot sponsors many Zydeco music events on the West Patio. I partied there for Mardi Gras this past February but more Zydeco events happen all the time.
The really big Voodoo Party is coming September 2nd to Santa Monica Pier! The City is ending it's FREE summer concert series with a concert by super star Dr. John and the Lower 911, opening band are the local Bayou guys, The Nervis Brothers.

Now I just got to get HBO to start airing Season 2 of "Trême" and I'll be a happy woman!

Walk of Fame App for iPhones!

2010-08-18T09:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

When I am along on your trip I can point out Marilyn Monroe in front of McDonald's and Elvis near La Brea. However, there are 2,416 stars on the Walk of Fame right now and the number is growing constantly. If you want to make sure you find your favorite star you can get the official iPhone app for $1.99. Developed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce together with Mingling Media. It's the official app and they update constantly. Best of all: you will get the news about upcoming star inductions! Who-when-where so you can attend. The inductions are a sure way of getting close to your star!

Have fun in Hollywood!

GuitarTown on Sunset! Guest Blogger John Burk

2010-08-13T09:35:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to my colleague John Burk for alerting us all to the opening of GuitarTown in West Hollywood!
Here the Guide Alert from John:
GuitarTown is a temporary (6 months) public art exhibit consisting of 26 strategically placed 10-foot-high fiberglass Les Paul guitars. Each is painted, sculpted or decorated by a local or nationally recognized artist.

The theme of each sculpture references a noted Gibson guitar player (ie. the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, the Doors, Slash, Motley Crue), the Strip's colorful history (ie. the Key Club, Rainbow Bar & Grill, the Roxy, Whiskey A-Go-Go, House of Blues) and/or a local music scene personality. Instrument manufacturer Gibson has previously brought the GuitarTown concept to such cities as London, Miami, and Austin. At the end of the 6-month period, the big guitars will be auctioned off for charity. GuitarTown was officially unveiled tonight. The guitars are currently placed and can be seen at various locations along the 1.6 miles of the Sunset Strip. A new West Hollywood Walking Map & Parking Guide brochure has additional location information. Hope this helps spice up your local tours.
John

You can download the map from the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce by clicking HERE

Free Gratis Kostenlos - Summer Concerts

2010-07-23T14:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends!

I have been so busy I haven't had time to enjoy any of our special summer events, yet. But it's just July and the good times are just starting. If you are coming to Los Angeles, don't miss some of the amazing free concerts that happen everywhere this time of year! Yes, you read correctly! FREE! Kostenlos. Gratis. Do not cost you anything!
My two favorites are appearing at the Santa Monica Pier Twilight Dance Series: Rickie Lee Jones on August 5 and the legendary Dr. John and The Lower 911 with Eddie Baytos and the Nervis Brothers on September 2, always at 7PM. Come early to get a good seat!
Click HERE for full Santa Monica schedule.

In the Hollywood area you have two venues who offer free concerts!
Farmers Market offers jazz on Thursday nights and World Music on Friday nights on the West Patio, right by the Gumbo Pot and the Korean BBQ restaurants. So you can eat the appropriate food to complete your multi-dimensional experience. And I see on the schedule that Bill Kalmenson plays on September 2. Darn, same time as Dr. John so I will have to make a tough choice.
At Hollywood and Highland they celebrate in style with the Wine and Jazz on Tuesday nights in the center courtyard of the center. The music is free, the wine will cost you a few dollars if you want to sip. But it's sooooo romantic!

Last but not least, Downtown! Free concerts in front of the historic Biltmore Hotel on Pershing Square. Saturday nights, and the line up includes Paula Cole as well as The Motels!

Have fun!

SPECIAL EVENT ALERT! Party With Hollywood Stars!

2010-07-12T08:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends!

I just got an email with all the details about the best Hollywood party this month!
The City of Hollywood celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Walk of Fame! So mark your calendars and come on down!
SUNDAY, JULY 25TH FROM 11AM TO 6PM
The city celebrates with a all-day street festival along Hollywood Boulevard. They roll out the red carpet to all the fans. Free concerts, special discounts, free tours and open doors!

Psssss. there will be a very special Star ceremony: 11:30AM in front of the Montalban, 1615 N. Vine Street. Celebrity still top secret but the name will be BIG!

And don't miss the special events:
Hollywood & Highland Center, 6801 Hollywood Blvd.
· Inside TV Guide studio; courtyard radio broadcasts
The Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd.
· Tour of historic theatre; live music in the courtyard; screenings of Forever Hollywood
Capitol Records, 1750 N. Vine Street
· Inside the famous Studio A; live music outside building
The Montalban, 1615 N. Vine Street
· Stage performances; rooftop soccer competitions

You can find more details and instructions on the special website:
http://www.walkoffame50.com

Take the Metro Red Line to get there without traffic jam and parking stress!

I'll be there so meet me on the Walk of Fame! See you on the 25th!

¡Felicitación! We have 15 new Los Angeles Experts!

2010-06-21T10:28:00.000-07:00

L.A. Inc has done it again! We have 15 brand new Los Angeles Experts who will be able to assist their clients in Mexico with newly learned inside knowledge about our city.
The Mexican Travel Academy lasted 5 days and thanks to Karran Rouzan and our supporters in the local tourism industry we stayed at the amazing Terranea Resort and the venerable Four Seasons Beverly Hills on Doheny Drive (we saw some of the Boston Celtics players who were staying there as well!)

Freshly minted experts with the Bruin Bear

Our new experts are:
Marlen Alamilla - Elsa Castro - Alberto Cervantes - Dora Chumacero - Nancy Contreras - Jorge Flores - Edith Garcia - Rafael Gonzalez - Irma Miranda - Pilar Navarro - Elisabeth Ortiz - Macbeth Paz - Areli Perez - Cynthia Rivas - Karen Vega.

On the bus with David Lewis who worked with us the whole time and avoided traffic!

Celebrating after the graduation at Universal Studios Hollywood

Thank you - Gracias! for reviving our local retail economy! :-)

Smooching Leonardo at Madame Tussaud Hollywood

Breakfast at Catalina Kitchen at Terranea Resort

Working hard in or Terranea conference room class - the ocean outside was beckoning!

A delicious farewell dinner at Four Seasons' Culina.

The Los Angeles Travel Academy is a collaborative program between L.A. Inc and UCLA Extension. It consists of three mornings of classroom instruction and four afternoons and evenings of field trips throughout Los Angeles. The goal is to familiarize travel agents from foreign countries with our area so they can assist their customers more efficiently and increase their sales of L.A. as a destination.
L.A. Inc. Travel Industry Sales and Marketing Department planned and coordinated this Academy and we got to see all the very latest sites! The course curriculum was developed in collaboration with UCLA Extension’s academic staff and the course fulfills UCLA’s academic standards. I am the instructor and guide for the 4 to 5 days of the Academy.
Our students get tested and they receive a UCLA Extension Certificate! Students all tell us that this course is unique in the travel industry!

For further information or to contact the new experts,
please contact Karran Rouzan at L.A. Inc:
krouzan@lainc.us and phone: (213) 236 2318.
And Mariella Carmona:
mcarmona@lainc.us and phone: (213) 236 2302
Mariella habla español!

Congratulations To Our 19 New UCLA trained Los Angeles Experts!

2010-04-19T12:33:00.000-07:00

Well, every previous LATA student's dream has come true!
As of today, Monday, April 19th, our 19 freshly minted Los Angeles Travel Experts are still stuck in town, due to the Icelandic volcano eruption and volcano ash cloud.
4 extra days in Los Angeles are fun but I am sure though that everyone is anxious to get home soon.

However, Congratulations to our 2010 UCLA Extension/LA Inc. certified
Los Angeles Travel Experts for successfully completing the program!
These are our new agents and you will find their contact links very soon on
www.discoverlosangeles.com.

* Amanda Berry * Andrew Cookson * Helen Ellinas * Sarah Eltham

* Kayleigh Flower * Lindsey Ingham * Graham Johnstone * Cara Martin
* Sam Palmer * Diane Pickston * Lorena Pinney * Melanie Priest
* Craig Rapley * Aaron Smart * Jennifer Swanton * Graeme Watson
* Julie Welfare * Carly Wilkes * Charlotte Winter

The Los Angeles Travel Academy is a collaborative program between L.A. Inc and UCLA Extension. It consists of three mornings of classroom instruction and four afternoons and evenings of field trips throughout Los Angeles. The goal is to familiarize travel agents from foreign countries with our area so they can assist their customers more efficiently and increase their sales of L.A. as a destination.
L.A. Inc. Manager of Travel Industry Sales and Marketing Tamy Ly and Diana Rojas planned and coordinated this Academy and we got to see all the very latest sites! The course curriculum was developed in collaboration with UCLA Extension’s academic staff and the course fulfills UCLA’s academic standards. I am the instructor and guide for the 4 to 5 days of the Academy.
Our students get tested and they receive a UCLA Extension Certificate! Students all tell us that this course is unique in the travel industry.

It's hard work, from 7AM to 10PM every day, right after the long flight to L.A. but we do have a lot of fun!

Yes, it is a real exam! No cheating allowed!

On top of the famous Beverly Hilton Hotel

with Terry Rao, Assistant Director of International Sales

On the go with Gerry Chaves/L.A. Tours

A BIG Thank You to all of our sponsors and hosts. We were treated like VIPs!
Host hotel: Crowne Plaza Beverly Hills, walking distance to Rodeo Drive, yet/ nice and quiet and very centrally located to every part of town.

Tamy Ly, L.A. Inc. and Hayley French, from L.A. Inc.'s London office
in the brand new Ritz Carlton at L.A. Live which opened just days earlier.

We had a really fun visit to Madame Tussauds on Hollywood Boulevard
which opened in August 2009.
Of course, everyone had to get the shot on their camera! We created a visitor jam down the street!

Our agents flew here courtesy of Air New Zealand. Jennifer Swanton from ANZ's London office

introduced us to their new Tiki Tour. Reading about their very favorable seat pitch, I already booked my next flight with ANZ. Now let's just hope the airports open!

Lunch and Shopping at the Orginal Farmer's Market

Thursday, April 15th: Stuck in Los Angeles!
Thankfully,the Custom Hotel near LAX had rooms available.

We also got to visit the new W Hotel in Hollywood. Alas, the roof top was closed because HBO was filming "Entourage" there. To think that we were that close to "Vince Chase"!
Nicole Ritchie was even closer. We had drinks standing basically right next to her in the lobby bar The Living Room.

Never miss the Hollywood Sign view from Hollywood and Highland.

Read This If You Are U.S. Bound! New Airport Security Measures

2010-04-02T08:35:00.000-07:00

We are changing international airport procedures yet again. In the wake of the the attempted Christmas terrorist attack, the Department of Homeland Security has gone to work with global partners, including the United Nation's specialized agency International Civil Aviation Organization to improve screening methods for all U.S. bound flights. Random screening measures will now not just apply to Middle Easterner, Pakistanis and Yemeni but will be determined by secret security profiles not determined by someone's nationality. American citizens may also be selected for special screening at the airports. DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano: “These new measures utilize real-time, threat-based intelligence along with multiple, random layers of security, both seen and unseen, to more effectively mitigate evolving terrorist threats."
Click HERE for the official DHS release.
And give yourself plenty of time at the airport. Weiterhin Gute Reise - Bon Voyage - Buen Viaje!
Marion