PACE 2008

dineLA Restaurant Week Welcomes PACE Attendees January 27 to February 1, 2008

2008-01-06T17:43:00.000-08:00

For the first time, Los Angeles is offering an opportunity to enjoy local cuisine, trendy nightspots and sumptuous dining at the most affordable prices.
dineLA Restaurant Week provides locals, meeting attendees and visitors with an even greater reason to explore, eat, and enjoy all that Los Angeles restaurants have to offer. From the traditional to the trendy – participating restaurants will serve specially priced three-course menus with lunches for $15 or $22 and dinners for $25 or $34 .

Visit www.dinela for more information and a list of participating restaurants.

MURAKAMI Exhibition Now Open

2007-12-12T08:44:00.000-08:00

For fans of anime (cartoons originating from Japan)you are in for a treat when you travel to PACE 2008. Takashi Murakami, one of the most internationally recognized contemporary artists, has a showing at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, October 29, 2007-February 11, 2008.

This exhibition includes painting, sculpture, film and installations and for all you shopaholics, a Louis Vuitton boutique, where you can buy handbags and accessories designed by Murakami himself.

Murakami showcases work from the early 1990's to the preesnt and includes a preview of his new animated film, kaikai & kiki.

His style is undeniably cool. Kanye West, for example, had Murakami create the album art of his latest CD, "Graduation".

Murakami slides into the shoes of Andy Warhol, who was known for taking commercial subjects and turning them into high art. His whimsical intrepretations of various characters, straddles the line of reality and unreality.

Like it or love it, Murakami is an experience that you won't want to miss. http://www.moca-la.org/museum/moca_geffen.php?

Los Angeles Gets Ready for PACE 2008

2007-12-08T20:46:00.000-08:00

Grassroots marketing efforts of PACE have begun and will continue until we open the doors to PACE 2008 on January 27.

Complimentary exhibit hall passes are being distributed to paint and coatings professionals through Sherwin-Williams, Frazee, Westmark Paint Company, White Cap Stores, True Value Hardware and Home Depot.

I had the exciting task of driving through Los Angeles the last two days dropping off point of purchase displays at several retail operations. I was welcomed at all the stops I made and am looking forward to seeing many of the people I met on this visit to Los Angeles again during PACE 2008.

During one of the days I was making the rounds, Amy Ramskill from LA, Inc., the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau joined me as my co-pilot as she directed me through the streets of LA. During our excursion, we did have an opportunity to see the sights. It’s winter in Los Angeles, if you could call 50 degree weather, winter. Right downtown they built a temporary ice skating rink surrounded by food kiosks that were bustling with locals and tourists. The freshly prepared meats and vegetables smelled of home cooking.

Because of my own dietary preferences, we chose to eat at a little café called Pete’s Café and Bar in the Old Bank District. I had a wonderful Greek salad and Amy had a spicy chicken salad. The service was superb and the food was even better.

The Old Bank District is a group of early 20th century commercial buildings, many of which have been (or are being) converted into residential loft use. It’s very eclectic and while we were there we noticed a lot of people and loud music coming from one of the side streets. It looked like a block party.

There was a group of about l5 “street” artists using cans of spray paint as well as other medium to give their interpretation of Will Smith’s new movie I Am Legend. I’ve never seen anything like this – the detail in the paintings by using a can of spray paint and not one brush was amazing. One artist painted Will Smith’s face – it was one of the best portraits I’ve ever seen.

There was a store called Sabotaz 80 that catered to premium artists spray paints and also sold local artists work on tee shirts and canvas bags. While you’re in Los Angeles, you might want to stop here if you like a little adventure.

Speaking of adventure... when we left Sabotaz we got back to the car just in time – it was about to be towed! Apparently we didn’t realize there was a no parking sign. Fortunately the tow truck driver stopped to make a call and said that he wouldn’t tow us. Nevertheless, there were two parking tickets on the car.

Speaking of Will Smith’s movie I Am Legend, while I was having breakfast with my contacts at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel, one of our co-headquarters hotel for PACE, Jonathan Wiser, Director of Group Sales told me that recently he watched some of the movie being filmed right outside the Westin Bonaventure. He said there is a scene in the movie where Will Smith, doing his own stunts, goes from the roof of a 20 story building down to the ground by holding on to a rope from a large crane. They’ll probably work their Hollywood magic and make it look like he did it without the help of the rope. But apparently he did this scene a number of times with ease.

If you go see this movie when it premieres December 14, keep your eyes on the lookout for the Westin Bonaventure – it’s sure to be in the movie. A few weeks later, you’ll be staying right there if you’re attending PACE.

When I met with Nancy, our Convention Services Director at the Westin, we discussed the menu and set-up for Club 4 (formerly the Celebrate PACE! Banquet). It will be filled with all types of scrumptious food – more than you can possibly eat.

As you know we revamped the closing event to be more like the Welcome Reception. It will be an interactive evening with entertainment, music, dancing and the feature of the night, the Auction.

This year’s auction will include a piece of a tire from Dale Earnhardt, Jr. a signed, framed photo of Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus) and other unique items. Don’t forget your check book.

My trip to LA also included visiting several car/truck dealerships. Looks like we just might have a few 2008 models that you might want to consider for your business.

It’s getting late here and I have a 7:30 am flight back East. I can’t tell you enough how exciting PACE 2008 is going to be and with the support of our sponsors and exhibitors, like Sherwin Williams and Frazee who are handing out the exhibit hall passes to local contractors, this is quickly becoming our most well attended convention to date.

See you in LA!

Downtown LA Emerges as the Center of Entertainment

2007-10-26T05:48:00.000-07:00

A new era for live entertainment was "officially" launched today when a bright red ribbon was cut outside the main entrance of NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Timothy J. Leiweke, President & CEO AEG, developers and operators of the world-class 7,100-seat theatre. The ceremony took place in NOKIA Plaza one day before the venues grand opening concert starring the Eagles and Dixie Chicks presented by Wachovia.

Also participating in the ceremony were City Council Member Jan Perry, whose downtown Los Angeles district is the home of the entire L.A. LIVE sports, residential and entertainment district containing the theatre, Speaker of the California State Assembly Fabian Núñez, Carol Schatz, President & CEO of the Central City Association, Marc Lieberman, President of L.A. INC, Craig Coffey, Vice President, Marketing and Customer & Market Operations, North America for Nokia, naming rights partner of the theatre and one-acre plaza and special guests Glen Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit, members of the legendary group the Eagles who will perform tomorrow night at the grand opening of NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE.

"NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE will be the finest, most acoustically perfect and most artist and fan-friendly venue of its size anywhere in our industry," said Leiweke. "In the entertainment and live performance capital of the world, we need to have a venue that will become the showplace for every major award show as well as the most popular artists appearing today. We spared no expense to create the right atmosphere that will truly be a showcase for the performers and for Los Angeles."

"Thanks to AEG, Downtown LA will now be at center stage, with this soon-to-be bustling entertainment district," said Mayor Villaraigosa. "Without a doubt, NOKIA Theatre, L.A. LIVE is the cherry on top of the major successes we're witnessing in Downtown. As we speak, flocks of construction cranes are busy building the LA of the future. Tourism and convention business in LA are booming. NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE will increase this momentum exponentially, and keep our City running full steam ahead.

"Today, what was once just a vision is coming to life," said Councilwoman Jan Perry. "AEG's Nokia theater lives up to the promise of LA Live. It has created more jobs for people who want to work, represents another great entertainment option here in our city, and reflects the great potential of what is to come here in downtown."

Built at a cost of $120 million, NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE, is the first venue to open within the four million square foot, $2.5 billion L.A. LIVE located across the street from the AEG owned and operated STAPLES Center and adjacent to the Los Angeles Convention Center. With a stage measuring 180' x 80', the largest in southern California, and a performance area of over 14,000 square feet, the theatre can also boast about the most impressive site lines of any theatre of its size.

With acoustics being among the most important elements of the theatre's design, General Manager Lee Zeidman commented, "We made a tremendous, multi-million dollar investment in acoustical systems, treatments and enhancements. Having spoken with industry experts as well as artists and designers, we were able to take advantage of a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge in fitting out NOKIA Theatre to create what we believe will be the most acoustically advanced venue of its kind."
Naming rights partner for both NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE in addition to the adjacent one-acre outdoor NOKIA Plaza, clearly emphasizes Nokia's commitment not only to the consumer but to the presentation of music and live presentation as well as to the City of Los Angeles.

"A little over three years ago, Nokia announced its commitment to be part of the renaissance of downtown Los Angeles. Today - the vision has become reality, and we couldn't be more proud to see our name on top of this wonderful facility, NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE," said Coffey. "Today, as the world's leading maker of digital music players, Nokia is making it possible for people to keep the music that means so much to them close at hand. And with the Nokia Theatre LA Live, we are making it possible for people to connect with that music - live, and in person."

On the eve of NOKIA Theatre L.A. Live's grand opening concert starring the Eagles and Dixie Chicks presented by Wachovia, the first of six concerts starring the legendary groups, the theatre has already lined up an impressive schedule of the most popular and talented performers including Neil Young, Bjork, Queens of the Stone Age, Enrique Iglesias, Aretha Franklin, Sugarland, John Fogerty, Mari J. Blige and a New Year's Eve celebration starring George Lopez. Special events like the American Music Awards, So You Think You Can Dance, La Quinta Estacion and Video Games Live will also appear along with comedy stars Russell Peters and Larry The Cable Guy.

"When you marry one of the greatest venues for live entertainment, with outstanding site lines, state-of-the-art acoustics and tremendous guest amenities with great talent, it is a foregone conclusion you will have instant success, said Randy Phillips, President and CEO AEG LIVE. "NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE is truly a win-win for both performer and their audience."

In addition to Nokia's investment in Los Angeles, the Finland-based organization that has sold 200 million music devices and 170 million megapixel camera devices, making it the world's largest manufacturer of digital music players and cameras, has additionally partnered with AEG on venues such as NOKIA Theatre Time Square and NOKIA Theatre at Grand Prairie.

"For Nokia, this theatre, along with our other Nokia Theatres, is the perfect way for us to connect to consumers through something that has virtually universal appeal - music. Because no matter what type of music is special to one person, Nokia is able to reach him or her through our theatres," commented Jo Harlow, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Nokia. "There is something big happening here in downtown LA, and Nokia is a part of it. Besides the Nokia Theatre LA Live, there is the Nokia Plaza, an area for outdoor entertainment and Club Nokia, a smaller, more intimate club-like setting for live music."

NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE is the centerpiece of L.A. LIVE, a 4 million square foot / $2.5 billion downtown Los Angeles sports, residential & entertainment district adjacent to STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center. The development also features, a 54-story, 1001-room convention "headquarters" hotel (combining JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton brands and 224 luxury condominiums - The Ritz Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVE), Club NOKIA, a 2,300 capacity live music venue, a 14-screen Regal Cineplex, "broadcast" facilities for ESPN along with entertainment, restaurant and office space.

"Ultimately, NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE will exist as a component of a vibrant, energized, cutting-edge entertainment "campus" second-to-none as a destination for all types of production, live entertainment, performances and celebrations," added Leiweke. "No other City can do this like Los Angeles. We create more in music, television and film than any other city and we need to celebrate this achievement."

LA By the Region

2007-10-07T15:18:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States, but don't let its size intimidate you. LA has something for everyone and the best way to experience it is to think of the city as a collection of neighborhoods, each with its own identity. Whether you are beach bound or hiking a mountain trail, checking out the latest shopping trends or savoring the local cuisine, roaming in world class museums or screaming on a rollercoaster, LA offers something for everyone's taste.

So checkout the city like you're a local. Get there by car, train, metro, bus, bicycle, boat, horseback or your own two feet – but get there. You’ll find something exciting -- and want to come back for more.

DOWNTOWN
Downtown has been the core of LA since 1781. Of course, it wasn’t known as Downtown back then, rather El Pueblo Sobre el Rio de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles del Río de Porciúncula. This first settlement of 11 Mexican families of varied ethnic backgrounds foreshadowed today’s multi-ethnic metropolis. Over the decades, Downtown grew into Southern California’s center for commerce, culture, finance, government and transportation. However, by the late 20th century, LA had a reputation as being busy during the day and empty at night.

Then, about 10 years ago, one-time commuters began to move into Downtown. Now, the city’s skyscraper-rich center sizzles day and night, with restaurants, nightspots, and arts, performance and sports venues, international cultures and architecturally stunning buildings designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects.

Walt Disney Concert Hall, with swirls of steel designed by LA’s own Frank Gehry, is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and is only one of Downtown’s many landmarks. Across Temple Street, the Music Center also includes the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Ahmanson Theatre and the Mark Taper Forum; offering renowned stage, opera and ballet performances.

One block over is the third-largest cathedral in the world, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Architect Jose Rafael Moneo’s soaring contemporary-style cathedral is home to the nation’s largest archdiocese. Diagonally across Grand Avenue from Walt Disney Concert Hall is the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), designed by Arata Isozaki and featuring a permanent collection of nearly 6,000 objects in addition to special exhibitions by leading artists. Future development of the Grand Avenue “cultural corridor” will include designs by Gehry, fellow LA-based Pritzker Prize-winner Thom Mayne and other leading architects.

To the north, an archway decorated with gleaming dragons marks the entrance to Chinatown. Dim sum, Chinese crafts and ginseng-selling grocery stores are located here, but LA’s Chinatown offers something extra: contemporary art in small galleries along its pedestrian side streets and slick new nightspots. In nearby Little Tokyo, Japanese fans can snack on sushi and shabu-shabu, visit the Japanese American National Museum and the warehouse-like Geffen Contemporary, a branch of MOCA.

Olvera Street, site of the original Los Angeles pueblo, lies between the two Asian enclaves, offering a trip into the picturesque cantinas and mercados of old Mexico. Also nearby is the dramatic Caltrans Building. Designed by Thom Mayne, the stripes of neon around its plaza are reminiscent of a freeway at night.

Downtown’s historic district is only blocks away. The Angels Flight funicular, nicknamed the world’s shortest railway, was built in 1901 to take passengers up Bunker Hill. It’s scheduled to reopen in early 2008 following extensive renovations. Many of the early 20th century movie palaces along Broadway have been restored to their original glory; and the Old Bank District’s early 20th century business buildings around 4th and Main Streets have been remade into chic loft-style apartments and cafés. More must-see Downtown historic buildings include Union Station (with architectural elements ranging from Spanish revival to streamline modern), the iconic, pyramid-topped City Hall (as seen on the TV show Dragnet), the Grand Central Market and the Richard J. Riordan Central Library; located across from the tallest building west of the Mississippi, the US Bank Tower.

Walking east brings you to the Fashion, Toy and Jewelry Districts. Although the thousands of shops here do much of their business with the trade, consumers are welcome to browse for today’s bargains and tomorrow’s treasures. Bargain hunters shouldn’t miss the Citadel outlet mall, located southeast of Downtown.

Downtown is also LA’s sports hub. The 20,000-seat STAPLES Center arena, next to the Los Angeles Convention Center, is home to the Lakers and Clippers (NBA), Sparks (WNBA) and Kings (NHL). STAPLES Center also hosts top-name concerts including Barbra Streisand, Justin Timberlake and the reunion tour of the Police. The newly opened 7,100-seat, 210,000-square-foot NOKIA Theatre Los Angeles is the premier mid-sized live performance/award show/special event/music venue for Los Angeles. The state-of-the-art facility has the capability of accommodating such major award shows as the EMMY®s, Latin GRAMMY®s, ESPYS, MTV Music Awards, BET Awards and others as well as live music concerts, comedy shows, family shows, short-run Broadway and community theater productions along with corporate conventions and seminars. NOKIA Theatre Los Angeles is the initial development of the massive L.A. LIVE project that will promote a 24-hour LA experience.

North of Downtown is Dodger Stadium, built in 1962 and still considered baseball’s most beautiful ballpark.

Tomorrow we'll explore Hollywood!

Los Angeles Convention Center Goes Green

2007-09-13T13:55:00.000-07:00

LA Convention Center Goes Green For $3 Million....The Los Angeles Convention Center has announced a $3 million plan to make the facility eco-friendly. By next year, the 4.1-million-square-foot building will run on completely renewable energy. It will also pursue certification from the US Green Building Council.

The Most Impressive Technical Program To-Date

2007-09-09T17:02:00.000-07:00

The PACE Technical Education Program Advisory Committee has truly outdone themselves for PACE 2008. There will be four sessions on concrete that include:

• Highway;
• Wastewater;
• Architectural; and,
• Concrete hot topics.

Another major focus will be on Marine – Shallow Draft and Littoral Water.

A Program With-in a Program

The Technical Program will now have several keynote presentations of its own:

Dan Dunmire from Office of Under Secretary of Defense - Acquisition, Technology & Logistics will be kicking off the Marine Session on Monday morning. There will also be several other keynote presentations given by Northrop Grumman and the California DOT, Office of Specialty Investigations and Bridge Management.

A highlight of the Concrete Session comes from Peter Emmons speaking on Surface Preparation And Placement Techniques For Concrete Repair which will cover concrete repair, placement techniques and material selection; and Dennis Pinelle speaking on Moisture Evaluation & Remediation which will cover various techniques commonly used to measure the moisture content of concrete floor slabs, as well as what kind of results are obtained and how to interpret them.

We're also including a wide range of topics from, 20-Year Performance of Bridge Maintenance Systems to Color and Its Effect on Coatings Performance. Other noteworthy topics are: Coating Failures on Painted Galvanized Mast Arms and Air Quality Improvements in the South Coast Air Basin through VOC Reductions in Paint and Coatings.

Don’t miss out on the outstanding workshop line up the technical program has to offer. There will be two Coating Failure Workshops, two Inspection Instrument Workshops, a Waterborne Acrylic Coatings Workshops, and lastly a Surface Preparation Methods Workshop.

For detailed program information, visit: http://www.pace2008.com/attendee/program.php?m=&d=&sort=4&ha=4

LA's Metro Gets You Where You Want To Go

2007-09-03T09:01:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles subway system is clean, efficient, and a great bargain. For $1.35 you can go anywhere on the route (one-way; you can use 90-cent tokens as well), and for twice that you can pretty much ride around all day. Tickets are on the honor system. I've been checked pretty often, usually around the big tourist spots (Hollywood, etc.). If you're caught without a fare you usually get a warning but the fine is over $200. If you're staying in Downtown LA or Hollywood, the subway is particularly easy to use. It starts at North Hollywood, home of an arts-and-theatre community, then stops at Universal Studios, Hollywood & Highland (near Chinese theatre), Hollywood & Vine (Pantages theatre), several more stops, then 7th & Metro (heart of Downtown's financial district), Pershing Square (near Grand Central Market, Biltmore, & more), Civic Center (for the Music Center & new Cathedral), and finally Union Station (a monument unto itself. and close to Chinatown, Olvera Street). At Union Station you can transfer to the Gold Line which goes to Pasadena. At 7th & Metro, you can transfer to the Blue Line which goes to Long Beach and also meets the Green Line, which goes to LAX. Staying downtown, you're really at the centerpoint of all public transit in LA. It's about the only place you could stay without a car. One final note: docent tours of the art at each station are offered. Check www.mta.net/metroart for details. Each station was commissioned by a different artist, and they are all treats.

Popular Routes from Downtown’s Seven Metro Stations

It’s easy to use the Metro Red, Blue and Gold Lines with stops in Downtown Los Angeles to reach key destinations from the Walt Disney Concert Hall to the Fashion District. The Trip Planner feature at www.metro.net is a great way to plan your trip using the Metro trains.

1. Chinatown Station (Metro Gold Line) -Chinatown- To reach the main artery of Chinatown, walk west along College Street from the Chinatown Station one block to Broadway. Visit www.chinatownla.com for store and restaurant listings, plus special events.

2. Union Station (Metro Red/Gold Lines) -Olvera Street-
Exit at Union Station (Red/Gold lines) at the main entrance on Alameda Street. Cross Alameda St. and walk another 100 yards to reach Olvera Street. Visit www.olvera-street.com for store and restaurant listings, plus special events.

3. Civic Center Station (Metro Red Line) -Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels-
Exit at Civic Center and go north on Hill Street to Temple. Cross the street at Temple and make a left. The Cathedral is on your right at the corner of Hill and Temple at 555 Temple. Visit www.olacathedral.org for more information about special events and tours.

-Music Center-
Exit at Civic Center and head west on 1st Street. Walk two blocks along 1st Street until you reach Grand Avenue. Cross Grand Ave. and turn right for the Music Center. The Music Center is composed of four buildings – the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Mark Taper Forum, the Ahmanson Theatre and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. It is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera, Center Theatre Group, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Music Center Dance and the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater known as REDCAT. Visit www.musiccenter.org for performance schedules and tour information.
-City Hall- Walk east on 1st Street for two blocks until you reach Spring Street. Cross Spring St. and turn left. Built in 1928, this beautiful structure has been featured in many television shows including Superman and Dragnet. Visit www.lacity.org for more details.
-Little Tokyo- Head east along 1st Street, walk five blocks to Los Angeles Street where Little Tokyo begins. Continue on 1st Street to Alameda to explore shops, restaurants, museums and other historic attractions. The website, www.visitlittletokyo.com is filled with information including maps, tours and an event calendar.

4. Pershing Square Station (Metro Red Line) -Grand Central Market- Head north on Hill Street to 4th street. Grand Central Market is located on the right-hand side of Hill Street north of 4th Street. Built in 1917, this historic open-air market sells fresh produce, meats, poultry and fish, as well as prepared foods and spices. Visit www.grandcentralsquare.com to learn more.

-Jewelry District- Head south on Hill Street for one block to the Jewelry District located on Hill Street from 5th to 8th streets. Thousands of jewelry retailers and wholesalers offer discounts of 50% to 70%. St. Vincent Jewelry Center at 640/650 S. Hill is the largest jewelry center in the district. Most stores are open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm.

-Toy District- Head north on Hill Street to 4th Street. Walk east on 4th Street four blocks to the Toy District. You’ll enter the Toy District once you cross Los Angeles Street. The boundaries are 3rd Street to the north, 5th Street to the south, Los Angeles Street to the east and San Pedro Street to the west. The twelve-block district is filled with over 300 retail and wholesale stores selling everything from toys and craft supplies to shoes and electronics. Visit www.centralcityeast.org for more information.

5. 7th & Flower Station (Metro Red/Blue Lines) -Visitor Information Center-
Head west to Figueroa Street, cross Figueroa Street and make a right. The Visitor Information Center is located at 685 S. Figueroa and is open 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Run by LA Inc., the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the helpful staff answers questions, provides travel suggestions and distributes maps and brochures. Visit www.seemyla.com for travel itineraries and hotel listings.

-Central Library- Exit Flower Street and walk 3 blocks north to 5th and make a right. The Los Angeles Public Library is located at 630 W. 5th Street. This landmark building is a destination for readers and tourists alike for the books, magazines, lectures, food court, tours and gift shop. Visit www.lapl.org for more information.

6. Pico & Flower Station (Metro Blue Line) -Staples Center- Walk one block west on either Pico Boulevard or 12th Street and cross Figueroa Street to reach the Staples Center. Home to the Lakers, Sparks, Avengers, Clippers and Kings, as well as world-famous musical concerts, the Staples Center attracts millions of visitors each year. Visit www.staplescenter.com for schedules.

-Convention Center (South and West Halls)- Walk one block west on Pico Boulevard and cross Figueroa Street to the Los Angeles Convention Center where the public is invited to attend their annual car show, home shows and many other expos. Visit www.lacclink.com for event calendars.

-Fashion District- Walk two blocks north along Flower Street to Olympic Boulevard. Make a right on Olympic and walk 5 blocks east to the Fashion District. Spanning 90 blocks, the Fashion District runs from 7th Street south to the Santa Monica Freeway, west to Main Street and east to San Pedro Street. For shoppers on the prowl for bargains, the Fashion District offers women’s wear, men’s wear, children’s wear, accessories, textiles and flowers. Visit www.fashiondistrict.org for listings.

7. Washington Station (Metro Blue Line) -Figueroa Corridor- From Grand Avenue walk 2 blocks west to Figueroa Street. To access the district head south along Figueroa Street where you’ll find the museums at Exposition Park including the Natural History Museum, and the California Science Center and IMAX Theater. This district is also home to the University of Southern California. Visit www.figueroacorridor.org for more information.

Welcome aboard!

Plans for PACE 2008 Shaping Up!

2007-08-29T10:36:00.000-07:00

Because of the time difference, I woke up at 3:00 am. It was too early for me to go running so I worked on the blog. At 4:30 am my phone rang and it was Lorena apologizing for being late. Late for what I didn’t know!

I asked her if she knew what time it was and when I told her she was so apologetic – she was on Pittsburgh time and thought she was missing our meeting!

We’re getting started at 8:00 with a walk back to the convention center. It’s time to break out the stilettos!

Upon our return to the convention center, we started “walking” the route the attendees would take from the point the shuttle drops you off to where you enter the building, go through registration and decide if you’re going to the exhibits or education sessions. This way we’ll have signage directing you to make it clear. Actually, the exhibits are next to registration which is the same level as the welcome reception and the general session.

Education is up one flight and you either go to the left or right depending on if you’re going to technical type classes or business type classes. Even I didn’t get lost!

I began assigning specific rooms to specific meetings while I was there and had an opportunity to meet with the head engineer to discuss electrical needs, our designated convention services manager and the food/beverage manager.

They have a great system that we’re going to take advantage of. Rather than us giving you tickets for your exhibit hall lunches, we’re giving you a debit card. During lunch, the concession stands in the hall will be open and you can use your debit card to get whatever you want rather than me selecting 3-4 different types of boxed lunches. I think you’ll enjoy this more – how I wish all convention centers did this.

We made another visit to the North Plaza where the outdoor exhibits would be to get with the head engineer to find out where the electrical and water sources are located as well as the drainage situation.

Although the outdoor exhibitors know they need to capture their water, there is always run-off and we need to make sure that it is not directed into the storm sewers. We would then have to get environmental control involved since there may be some paint chips and chemicals involved.

I then had to go back to meet with my CSM at the Westin Bonaventure to make sure the rooms designated for the SSPC Training Programs were conducive to what we need them for. As a result of this meeting, we’ve come up with a new idea.

The rooms were not all next to one another and because of the makeup of them, we decided to move them all to the exhibit hall level and build the SSPC Training Center.

It will be set up with classrooms and a central lounge area for refreshment breaks. By the time it happens, who knows, maybe we’ll have computers and printers and all sorts of other stuff!

Next, it was off to the Wilshire Grand to meet with the convention services manager, Karl. What a character! He had me in stitches the entire time I was there but boy, does he know his stuff!

I’ll be meeting with him on Wednesday afternoon as well, as I am taking a local PDCA representative there to look at space for a possible reception.

After about a l5 minute period where I had no meetings – I really needed to catch up on emails – we went to the rooftop of the Standard Hotel. There were vibrating water beds and an eclectic group of people gathered around the fireplaces and pool. Very different from living in Delaware!

The hotel is pure modern luxury and excess at its finest. Located approximately two blocks from the Westin Bonaventure, this is a must see when you get to Los Angeles.

Then we were exploring parts of the city via Metro.

The Los Angeles Metro, like most cities, consists of trains and buses. We were going to take the train to Hollywood Highlands.

Since I’m originally from NYC and also lived in Washington, DC, I’m use to taking subways and trains and paying before I enter and either putting the fare card in a scanner or using a token.

In LA, you purchase a fare card but there’s no one there to collect it – it’s an honor system. I found that to be pretty interesting.

The system was fast, efficient and clean. Lots of people were using it and there were maps for you to figure out where it went. I felt very safe.

Hollywood Highlands is an entertainment mecca, a tourist’s delight. When you come up from the metro, you’re standing on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. We saw stars for Al Pacino (my favorite older actor), Johnny Depp (my favorite younger actor), John Travolta (loved him in Saturday Night Fever and Welcome Back Kotter) and even one for me! Okay it said Annette Benning but I covered her last name.

The Walk of Fame takes you to Hollywood's Grauman's Chinese Theater ...an amazing movie venue on for a number of reasons.

 Historically, it was one of the first grand movie palaces built in Hollywood, California.
 Culturally, it serves as a museum of Hollywood's film history, hosting dozens of foot prints, hand prints...and even hoof prints...of actors and actresses, both past and present.
 Economically, this theater is a major powerhouse in bringing tourist revenue onto Hollywood Boulevard from the four corners of the globe---and not just because it shows films! Many tourists base their Hollywood visit with Grauman's Chinese Theater as a starting point because of the lively atmosphere here. Costumed characters greet tourists, shaking hands and snapping photos.

From there we walked across the street to the famed Hotel Roosevelt. The Hotel Roosevelt is a historic Spanish style, named for Theodore Roosevelt and financed by a group including Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Mary Pickford and Louis B. Mayer.

The banquet and presentation of the 1st Academy Awards in 1929 was held at the hotel, although it was moved in subsequent years. A recent renovation has made the hotel and its Tropicana poolside bar and club called Teddy's a Hollywood hotspot, where the latest young stars go to party.

We stopped there for a diet coke but we didn’t see anyone famous.

By then, it was time for dinner and we went to a wonderful little place called Vert. It’s a little Italian bistro with outdoor seating. The food was fabulous and the people watching was great. In the center courtyard there was jazz music playing and a wine and cheese party taking place. We stopped to talk to some people and then decided to take a taxi back to the Westin – by then, it was time for the heels to come off!

On Wednesday, I have a few more meetings and then it's a red-eye back to Philly.

Westin Bonaventure Hotel

2007-08-28T05:19:00.000-07:00

As we begin our walk back to the Westin, Amy keeps asking if I want to take the Dash – she’s amazed that I would want to walk – apparently none of her clients want to walk. They want to be driven. Well she doesn’t know Lorena and I very well – we’ll keep walking until we can’t walk anymore!

We get to the hotel and with a few minutes to spare before our meeting with Nancy so we decide to go to the lobby bar.

Attendees will love the coziness of it and the plasma screens to watch sports or news. I have my diet coke and have an opportunity to speak with Josh about his perception of the convention center. Everyone is in total agreement – this is by far the nicest and best laid out floorplan we’ve had. It really will be an easy move-in for exhibitors and convenient for attendees.

Nancy, the CSM at the Westin, comes over to us – although we’ve never met before, it’s like seeing and old friend. The main purpose for our meeting this afternoon is to look at the space for the PDCA Board of Directors Meeting and the ballroom for the PACE banquet, now called Club4.

If you’ve never attended a PDCA Board Meeting you can’t appreciate the set-up. It’s a U-shape for 35 people with a head table for 8 and schoolroom seating for 25. All those sitting at the U need to have access to microphones for two reasons. Since the set-up is so big, we want to be sure that everyone hears one another and because we record the meeting.

As soon as we walk into the room, I looked at Ryan and we both shook our heads, the room is not going to work. First of all there are large columns in the room which means the set up must be within the space of the columns. Yuck! It will be uncomfortable and will elongate the U.

Nancy works some magic and finds us another room where, although there are a couple of columns, we’ll be able to have them behind the set-up so it won’t be a distraction. We’ve averted one problem – now onto the next...

The California Ballroom is a fabulous space for Club4. If you haven’t seen the program preview, Club4 will bring a new level of entertainment to our banquet. It’s is geared towards making it more interactive and attracting more of the attendees. No more rubber chicken dinner – it’s going to be a dining experience with different types of seating and two stages. The Benjamin Moore sponsored event will feature the silent auction with really fun and unique items.

I tell Josh and Ryan what I would like to see happen in that room and they’re excited to say that it will work. We’ll combine illusion, comedy, a deejay and dancers into an action packed event that is similar in vibe to the Welcome Reception.

Josh suggests bringing in some couches and chaise lounges to make the scene complete. This is going to be some event! I hope you all stay for it – you’ll be talking about it for a long time to come.

Well, it’s 5:30 pm but in my mind it’s really 8:30 and I’ve had a full day. Time to go back to my room and answer emails and make calls home to check on my little girl, Zydeco. Okay, she’s a cat but she’s still my little girl.

We’re getting started at 8:00 with a walk back to the convention center. It’s time to break out the stilettos!

A Look Inside the Convention Center

2007-08-28T04:39:00.001-07:00

Meeting Rooms

Everything is on one level. All the education breakouts are clustered together – the technical rooms are all next to each other and the business breakouts are next to each other.

I know last year someone promised that from now on meeting rooms will have windows. I don’t know who said that but it is not true. Convention Centers rarely have windows in meeting rooms for a number of reasons. Most importantly it’s to control lighting. Anyway I don’t want you to be disappointed when you get there and don’t see windows.

When we were in Dallas, we tried to make the right selection of a meeting room for the SSPC Annual Meeting and I think we succeeded. Although the room we’ll be using in Los Angeles doesn’t give us such a unique space, we’ll take what we learned and do the same set-up. Ryan, our A/V guru is going to use plasma screens again rather than projection screens to give it a more intimate feeling.

We won’t be using the general session room (Petree Hall) for the PDCA Awards Luncheon or Annual Business Meeting. Again, we’re trying to make it more intimate rather than cavernous and I think the room selection will be just right.

I’ll be going back to the Center first thing in the morning and I’ll be able to go through every meeting we have scheduled and assign a space. I’ll also be meeting with Deanna who is the convention service manager assigned to PACE. She wasn’t available on Monday so Estella took us around.

We also met Henry, our contact at Smart City. Smart City provides the electric, phones and internet connectivity at the center. We’re looking into providing WiFi as well as our cybercafé thanks to our sponsor, Vulcan Painters.

It’s almost 4 o’clock and it’s time to make our way back to the Westin Bonaventure for a meeting with our Convention Service Manager, Nancy. I want to bring Josh and Ryan to a couple of the key meeting rooms we’ll be using there to get their expert opinions on the set-up.

Amy asked if we wanted to take Dash – the shuttle that takes you from the Convention Center to the Hotel for a quarter. Of course since I have my walking shoes on, I choose to walk so everyone else follows!

A Behind the Scenes Look at PACE 2008

2007-08-27T20:59:00.000-07:00

Monday, August 27
Believe it or not, PACE 2008 is right around the corner and it’s time to get into the nitty gritty of planning. I’m leaving for my first “site” with the PACE entourage (everyone in LA has an entourage so why shouldn’t I?). My flight is at 6:30 am out of Philly which means I should leave no later than 4:30 am so I can drive myself from Delaware and find a place to park.

Yeow, 4:30 am is even early for me but I can sleep on the plane (yeah, right).

I’ll hit the ground running at 10:30 am so I better not wear stilettos. I’ll wear comfortable, 3” heels instead!

Meet the Entourage
Lorena, the first person in my entourage, is meeting me at the airport. Lorena is the PACE exhibits manager and she’s coming with me to make sure she knows where every column, drain, fire alarm and restroom is in the exhibit hall. This helps her walk each exhibitor through the process and gives them a sense of relief knowing that they’re in good hands. Lorena makes her home in Pittsburgh.

We’ll check into the Westin Bonaventure Hotel which is one of the host hotels, drop off our stuff and then walk to the Los Angeles Convention Center. The Center is approximately 8 blocks from the hotel. During PACE 2008 we’ll provide shuttle but I’m sure a lot of people will walk...especially those from the East Coast. After all, it will be the middle of winter in January back home and we easterners will be so happy to be where it’s warm and sunny! That’s reason enough to attend PACE 2008 in my book!

Once we’re at the Center, we’ll meet with Amy, Director of Convention Services for LA Inc., the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau. I’ve not met her yet as we’ve been working together for the last 5 months but only over the phone and through emails. She’s going to be taking us around so she gets to know our convention to help us provide better service to the attendees.

There we’ll hook up with Josh from Freeman Decorating. Without Josh, our exhibitors wouldn’t know what to do. He makes sure everyone’s freight is delivered to their booth, provides the workforce for those who need assistance in setting up their booths, organizes the marking of the floor for the exhibits, lounges and demonstration area and makes sure all our signage is delivered.

Frankly, I’d be lost without him. He also provides the staging for our general session and many of the special events as well as the counters for registration, cybercafé and just about everything else we do. He’s been with us since day one of PACE and he’s just an extension of our PACE family, coming out of Northern Virginia.

The last person in our group is Ryan, from Las Vegas. Ryan works for AVW/TelAv. They provide all the production and audiovisual services we require for our education sessions, general session and special events.

It’s quite a large undertaking. At any given time, we may have 10 rooms using A/V concurrently. He needs to make sure everything’s been delivered, set-up and in working order. He also preloads all our speaker’s presentations onto laptops in each education session.

Well, that’s the traveling group. I’ll check back later.

Philadelphia Airport
Anyone that travels knows that Philly has one of the worst reputations for its lack of efficiency but how bad can it be on a Monday morning for a 6:30 am flight?

I got to the airport at 5:15 am – plenty of time to park, take the shuttle and check in.

I actually printed my own boarding passes last night but unfortunately I haven’t learned how to pack lightly enough so that I can carry my bag on board. Now that I run, I need to take my running shoes (don’t call them sneakers because serious runners are insulted by that word), clothes for 2 days and of course, my traveling office.

Got to the ticket counter and there wasn’t a line so I breezed right up to the counter and checked my bag – this is looking good. I’ll have enough time to stop and get my newspapers – haven’t lived in New York in a long time but am faithful to the NY Daily News and Post every day!

As I head towards the D gate security I’m thinking that Mayor Street finally worked out the problems at the airport – next he needs to work on the crime in the city. Oops I spoke to soon. The security line is a mile long – I could probably walk to LA faster in my high heels!

I don’t let this get me down, I still have time and the faces on line look friendly enough. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not the type of person that will talk your ear off on a plane but in a line, everyone is fair game..

I met some very nice folks traveling for their jobs as well. One guy leaves Philly every Monday morning and returns on Thursdays or Fridays. He wanted to know if I took my earrings off before I went to sleep each night. I guess he thought I had a lot (at last count there were 20 or so). He was hoping he wouldn’t have a problem getting through security with some sort of swimming apparatus in his bag. Apparently his form of exercise is kicking in the pool and this device preventing you from actually moving. I asked why he doesn’t like to actually just swim from one end to the other but apparently he doesn’t know how to. He just likes to kick.

This helped pass the time until I was able to get to security, kick off my shoes, pull out my laptop and then run to my gate. I had five minutes to spare.

Flying is my least favorite form of transportation but it gets me to where I want to be fast, safe and relatively hassle free. As long as you build in some wiggle room into your schedule and keep a positive attitude, traveling can be fun. It’s a great way to meet people, gain different perspectives and once you settle into your seat, you can read, think, sleep, talk or even work. I like to do a little of all of the above.

We're boarding the plane, on time. Things are looking good.

I have a middle seat but that's okay, I plan on sleeping and then doing work.

We've taken off on time - no complaints from me. Sit back, relax and let the pilot do the driving.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Five hours later, we arrive in LA with a few minutes to spare. Lorena called to say she just arrived so we’ll meet at the airport and go to the hotel together. My bag arrives in LA the same time I do and on the same plane – how often does that happen?

Twenty minutes later, we’re checking into the hotel and as far as we’re concerned, all is right with the world.

I’ve heard from Josh and Ryan and we’re all meeting in the hotel lobby to walk over to the convention center. There’s a lot of construction going on in the area and much of it will be completed by the time we come in January. New restaurants and clubs will open in Downtown LA and will serve as great sources of entertainment for our attendees.

The convention center couldn’t be more perfect. The shuttle will drop everyone off at the foot of the steps leading to our registration area sponsored by The Sherwin-Williams Company. It will be right outside the exhibit hall entrance as well as Petree Hall which is the room our Welcome Reception will be held in sponsored by Carboline.

The General Session, sponsored by ICI Paints will also be held in Petree Hall and will feature John Powers (see program listing).

Once inside the exhibit hall you’ll be able to visit the vast array of exhibitors serving your every need. Go through the side doors and you’ll be right in the outdoor exhibits. There is no better set up for out door exhibitors than Los Angeles.

Watch for New Website and Site Inspection Details

2007-08-24T18:47:00.000-07:00

On Monday, August 27, I'll be providing detailed information on the preparations for PACE 2008 in Los Angeles. I'll be doing a site inspection with members of our team in an effort to provide you with the most comprehensive and exciting PACE Expo ever.

We're excited about going to the West Coast for PACE 2008 - the education is outstanding and the faciity is fabulous. Plus, for those of us on the East Coast, getting out of the cold in January will be something to look forward to.

In the meantime, registration is open and our new website will be launched Friday, August 31. It will have a lot of bells and whistles that we didn't have in the past. I think you'll like it.

Well, I need to start packing. I'm catching a 6:30 am flight to LAX with a full day of scheduled meetings once we touch down.

See you in LA!

Annette

Ground Transportation

2007-08-03T14:21:00.000-07:00

There are several ways of getting from LAX Airport to either of the PACE 2008 Host Hotels. Here are just two:

1. Taxis are available for $45.00 each way/flat-rate.

2. Xpress Shuttle provides direct transfers out of LAX for its customers, while our competitor(s) make two full circuits around LAX before leaving looking for “free calls”. Quite often, our customers will be approaching their hotel destination(s) before our Shared Ride competitor has left the Airport. Each LAX loop/circuit (LAX is a horseshoe shape) can take as much as 15 to 20 minutes, depending
on vehicular traffic density inside LAX at the time. PACE 2008 attendees will experience a superior level of Airport Transfer Service at a reduced ($14 p.p.) fare.

Advance reservations required. Be sure to mention PACE 2008 to receive your discount. Please call 1-800-427-7483 to reserve your seat. Once you arrive at the airport, collect your luggage and call 1-800-427-7483 for pick-up.

Did You Know?

2007-08-03T14:18:00.000-07:00

The city of Los Angeles has 3x more automobiles than people.

Amtrak® Offers Attendees Convenience and Comfort

2007-08-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Convention attendees arrive rested, focused and prepared for meetings and conventions when riding Amtrak. Trains conveniently arrive in Downtown's Union Station, minutes from the Los Angeles Convention Center. Downtown is the hub of transit in Los Angeles, so attendees have easy access to LA's popular dining, cultural attractions and nightlife options. The Pacific Surfliner® runs daily to LA from San Diego and Santa Barbara. Spacious seats with extra leg room allow riders to comfortably take care of business while traveling. When upgrading to Business Class, passengers receive complimentary continental breakfast, an afternoon snack and beverage.

Fare Code Number: X10Q-921
Valid For Travel: January 24, 2008 – February 2, 2008

Amtrak offers a 10% discount off the lowest available rail fare to Los Angeles, CA between the above dates. Includes travel up to three days prior to the convention start date and three days following the last day of the meeting. To book your reservation call Amtrak at 1 (800) 872-7245 or contact your local travel agent. Please refer to Convention Fare Code X10Q-921 when making your reservation a 10% discount has been approved. Conventions cannot be booked via Internet. This offer is not valid on the Auto Train. Offer valid with Sleepers, Business Class or First Class seats with payment of the full applicable accommodation charges. Fare is valid on Amtrak Regional and Acela service for all departures seven days a week, except for holiday blackouts.

Nobody Walks In LA...

2007-07-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

...but they sure do run, jump, kick and play! Far removed from the 80’s song by Missing Persons, visitors to Los Angeles quickly discover that life in the City of Angels is just one continuous game. Thanks to a never-ending parade of sporting events, spectators have something to cheer about with baseball, basketball, ice hockey, arena football, soccer, horse racing, tennis and polo taking place on almost any given Sunday … as well as just about any other day of the week.

Professional sports generate millions of dollars in revenue for Los Angeles, as people flock to stadiums eager to catch a glimpse of the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, the Clippers’ Elton Brand, the Dodgers’ Jeff Kent and the Galaxy’s newest star, David Beckham. Familiar voices, such as those belonging to Vin Scully and Lakers’ analyst Stu Lance, have also propelled Los Angeles to become a major contender in the world of sports.
“LA is the sports capital of the world and with our championship teams and outstanding venues for athletes, no other destination is better,” said Kathy Schloessman, president of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission, an affiliate of LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau.

BASKETBALL
When it comes to basketball, Los Angeles has the home court advantage with the Los Angeles Lakers (STAPLES Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., 310-426-6031, www.lakers.com) leading the lineup. Cheering from the sidelines are celebrities such as Dyan Cannon, Denzel Washington and Jack Nicholson, as well as throngs of devoted fans who watched as the team won their third NBA Championship in a row in 2002, marking the 14th title in the Lakers’ 54-year history. Los Angeles fans have supported their beloved Lakers since 1960 when the team moved here from Minneapolis. Their season runs from October to April with two months of playoffs following. Tickets are available through the STAPLES Center box office and Ticketmaster.

STAPLES Center is home to another NBA team, the Los Angeles Clippers (310-426-6031, www.clippers.com). The most successful year of the franchise was in 2005-06 and celebrity fans include Billy Crystal, Penny Marshall and Frankie Muniz. Women’s basketball also has a home at STAPLES Center. The two-time WNBA league champions, the Los Angeles Sparks (310-426-6031, www.lasparks.com), play from May to August and tickets for both teams are available through either STAPLES Center or Ticketmaster.

HOCKEY
The Los Angeles Kings ice hockey team plays at the STAPLES Center, with its season stretching from September to April. Tickets are available through either STAPLES Center or Ticketmaster (310-426-6031, www.lakings.com).

BASEBALL
Batter up! The bases are loaded in spring with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1000 Elysian Park Ave., 323-224-1448, www.dodgers.com) lighting up Dodger Stadium. Since 1958, when the Boys in Blue moved from Brooklyn to palm-studded Los Angeles, the Dodgers have won an astonishing eight National League championships and five World Series titles. Dodger Dogs, which are almost as legendary as the team itself, keep fans cheering no matter what the final score happens to be. The Dodgers’ regular season runs from April to October and tickets are available through the Dodgers box office, online and by mail.

FOOTBALL
Since the exodus of both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Los Angeles Rams, LA has been without a football team … that is until the Los Angeles Avengers (9975 Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-788-7744, www.laavengers.com) blitzed into town. This arena football team plays at STAPLES Center as part of the Arena League Western/American Conference from April to July. Tickets can be purchased at either the STAPLES Center box office or Ticketmaster outlets.

SOCCER
World-renowned soccer player, David Beckham, is now a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy (Home Depot Center, 18400 Avalon Blvd., Carson, 310/630-2100; www.lagalaxy.com). Beginning in August, Beckham will join the team that has earned its reputation as a major force in the MLS since its inaugural season in 1996. Visitors can cheer the team on to victory as they play at Home Depot Center from April through September. Tickets for games are available through the Galaxy box office and Ticketmaster.

HORSE RACING
And they’re off! Thoroughbred horse racing -- long considered the king of sports --takes place at two Los Angeles-area tracks. Santa Anita Race Park (285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, 626-574-7223, www.santaanita.com) is located in nearby Arcadia and is set against the majestic San Gabriel Mountains. The track opened in 1935 and each year kicks off on Dec. 26, continuing through mid-April. The Oak Tree Meeting runs October and November, and enthusiasts can enjoy morning workouts during race months at no charge. The infield is ideal for picnics, as well as getting an up close and personal look at the horses and jockeys in action.
Across town in Inglewood is Hollywood Park (1050 S. Prairie Ave., 310-419-1500, www.hollywoodpark.com); where race season runs mid-April to July, with an autumn meet held mid-November through mid-December. Located just down the road from Los Angeles International Airport, Hollywood Park opened in 1938 under the chairmanship of movie mogul Harry Warner and scores of celebrity shareholders such as Walt Disney, Bing Crosby and Joan Blondell. Today, celebrities can still be spotted in the grandstands or, more likely, in the winner’s circle after their horse races to victory. Satellite wagering is available at both Santa Anita Park and Hollywood Park.
RUNNING
On your mark! Get set! Go! The 26.2-mile Los Angeles Marathon, celebrating its 22nd year in 2007, (www.lamarathon.com) takes place every March. Since the first race in 1986, it has become one of the largest participatory events in the United States and the world’s third largest marathon. The Wheelchair Division is recognized as one of the premier wheelchair events in the world, where U.S. records are routinely set. The race, which also incorporates a bike tour, begins at Universal Studios Hollywood and ends in Downtown.

GOLF
For the recreational player or the avid spectator, the game of golf takes place under Los Angeles’ sun-kissed skies. Local courses, some responsible for the training of Tiger Woods, offer sweeping vistas of the nearby mountains and scenic Pacific Ocean. Spectators can take in the Nissan Open Golf Tournament in February at the Riviera Country Club. For the latest golf info, go to www.golfcalifornia.com.
In fall 2005, Trump National Golf Club (One Ocean Trails Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes, 310-265-5000, www.trumpgolf.com/trumplosangeles ) opened in Rancho Palos Verdes, 30 minutes south of Downtown LA. Open to the public, the course overlooks the Pacific Ocean and features lakes and waterfalls.
Lost Canyons Golf Club (3301 Lost Canyon Drive, Simi Valley, 805-522-4653, www.lostcanyons.com) was designed through meandering valleys and features two distinct courses that were both among Golf Magazine’s “Top Ten Best New Courses.” The Sky Course follows canyon ridge lines and offers panoramic views while the Shadow Course is challenging from the effects of ever-changing light and shadows.

TENNIS
Ever since Arthur Ashe dominated this sport as a student, UCLA has hosted many tournaments. Spectators can enjoy free collegiate matches at the campus’ L.A. Tennis Center from October through May. For a schedule of tournaments, call 310.206.6831 or visit www.uclabruins.collegesports.com

POLO
Cowboy humorist Will Rogers started a wonderful tradition back in the 1930s when he cleared the field in front of his Pacific Palisades home so his celebrity pals could play a friendly match of polo. Shortly after, he started his famed Will Rogers Polo Club (1501 Will Rogers State Park Road, 310-454-8212) at a time when Los Angeles boasted more than 25 such organizations. Today, his polo field is the only one that remains. Matches are held on weekends from April through September, and the informal atmosphere makes for an enjoyable afternoon. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the show. Tickets are available through the club.
With sporting events taking place year-round in the City of Angels, one thing remains certain: Win or lose, everyone feels like a champion. For more information about sporting events in Los Angeles, visit LA INC.’s Web site at www.seemyLA.com.

Going to PACE 2008? Bring The Family!

2007-07-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

Every day in LA visitors and residents alike have hundreds of choices for arts and entertainment activities—exhibitions, concerts, comedy, dance, festivals, parades, theater…the list goes on.

LA is home to:

• Nearly 2,500 active professional visual and performing arts organizations and venues

• 705 musical groups ranging from the Los Angeles Philharmonic to the Southern California Resource for Electro-Acoustic Music (SCREAM)

• 364 annual cultural celebrations and festivals—the equivalent of one every day of the year—ranging from African American Heritage Celebrations to the Cowboy Music and Poetry Festival

• 354 theater companies, from the Tony Award-winning Center Theater Group to the Falcon Theater

• 131 other performing groups, from The Groundlings comedy troupe to Highways Performance Lab

• 105 major museums, including the Autry National Center, the Getty Center, Japanese American National Museum, Hammer Museum, LACMA, MOCA, and others

• 61 major historical sites, from the San Fernando Mission to the Point Fermin Lighthouse

• 55 major architectural landmarks ranging from the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels to Walt Disney Concert Hall

• 52 major performing arts venues from the Hollywood Bowl to Gibson Amphitheatre

• 49 annual film festivals—almost the equivalent of nearly one every week

• 35 major libraries and archives, including the world-renowned Huntington Library and the Riordan Central Public Library

• 24 professional dance companies, from Diavolo Dance Theater to the Lulu Washington Dance Theater

Not to mention countless trend-setting restaurants, boutiques, neighborhoods, nightclubs and more….

To help navigate the endless options, a group of LA organizations, including LA INC., have banded together to create a one-stop website that is the most comprehensive listing of cultural events available: ExperienceLA.com.

Visitors to ExperienceLA.com can search for events and activities by date, location or type of event. ExperienceLA.com also provides directions and public transportation options.

For those who like live theater—and love it at half-price—the LA Stage Alliance offers an on-line, half-price ticket service at www.LAStageTix.com.
Each week, hundreds of theaters offer discounted tickets, which are organized alphabetically, by title, author and theater. And, better than the TKTS service in New York’s Times Square, where visitors must stand in long lines for discounts only available for same-day shows, LAStageTix.com releases tickets for the entire coming week so visitors may plan ahead and purchase tickets for the weekend from the comfort of their computer.

LA Stage Alliance’s half-price ticket service also is available in person at the Visitor Information Centers at Hollywood & Highland and Downtown.

Frequent visitors to LA may also want to sign up to receive ExperienceLA.com’s weekly electronic newsletter, which highlights major upcoming events that no one will want to miss. LA Stage Alliance’s weekly listing of half-price tickets is sent every Tuesday and contains discount offers through the following Monday.

Both websites are easily accessible from seemyLA.com, the only web address you need to remember to experience the best LA has to offer.

"B" Means More Than Business

2007-07-03T17:24:00.000-07:00

While the PACE Education Program Advisory Committee is developing an outstanding program that includes The Passionate Sales Approach with Kevin Nolan, Nolan Painting, Marketing Success for Commercial and Industrial Contractors with Brandt Domas, Work-Systems, Inc. and, Green Opportunities- What’s Working and What’s Ahead with Joel Hamberg, Joel Hamberg Painting, Inc., PDCA is busy working on:

• Broadening opportunities to learn from other associations and organizations: We’re working with the National Apartment Association, Building Owners and Managers Association, American Institute of Architects, government contract managers and others to put together a “how-to” session on winning the bid in the commercial arena.
• Building recognition within the industry for the quality work our members perform: The awards PDCA distributes have become increasingly more important in a company’s marketing repertoire. Therefore we’re putting more emphasis on the awards program itself. Celebrate with your colleagues and friends and coworkers at the PDCA Awards Luncheon on Monday, January 28 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
• Bridging the gap between the ways you do business today with the emerging trends of tomorrow.
• Bringing you networking opportunities that will create relationships between you and the manufacturers, suppliers and vendors. Make sure you visit the exhibit hall!
• Brainstorming new ways of providing you compelling and relevant information to attain your business goals and objectives.

PACE 2008 is the showcase for PDCA’s and SSPC’s commitment to you – mark your calendar today!

We've Put the "T" Back in Technical

2007-07-02T09:47:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone in on the exciting technical education program being put together as we speak. The Education Program Advisory Committee (EPAC), under the lead of Bob Kogler has had several conference calls to discuss the organization of the program. The program will focus on several key topics that include four sessions on concrete comprised of topics on highway, wastewater, architectural and concrete hot topics. Another major focus will be on Marine – Shallow Draft and Litoral Water.

We're also excited about including a wide range of topics from, 20-Year Performance of Bridge Maintenance Systems to Color and Its Effect on Coatings Performance. Other note worthy topics are, Coating Failures on Painted Galvanized Mast Arms and Air Quality Improvements in the South Coast Air Basin through VOC Reductions in Paint and Coatings.

Another bit of late breaking news is that the Powder Coatings Institute (PCI) will be helping put together a powder coatings session. SSPC and PDCA hope to make the PACE education program the premier professional development event that you attend.

So if you haven't marked January 27-30, 2008 on your calendar - do so right away - we hear PACE is going to sell out!

The Dish on Where to Go and What to Do when you attend PACE 2008

2007-07-02T05:59:00.000-07:00

Celebrity Hangouts in Los Angeles
The Ivy
113 N Robertson Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
90048-3101
Phone: (310) 274-8303
Specialties:
Bloody Mary, Brunch, Dessert

Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30am-11pm
Fri, Sat 11am-11:30pm
Sun 10:30am-11pm

Price: $$$$

Unless you`re a somebody, you may not even notice this somewhat well-worn classic with its picket fence border, but the somebodies from around the world favor this contemporary American restaurant. It`s wall-to-wall celebs, in the usual twos and threes, that dine on chef Richard Irving`s famous California dishes, including crab cakes and the favored grilled vegetable salad. It`s almost impossible to get reservations, but dropping names might help. This restaurant serves up an American cuisine. Expect to pay over $20 per person.

Hyde Lounge: A Hollywood-style hole in the wall
8029 W. Sunset Blvd
(323) 656-4933
Hours: Daily 9pm-2am
Type: Bars, Lounges
No cover. Guest list or reservations only.
Drinks $12 and up.
Scene: Celeb, Industry Scene
Features: Celeb, Industry Scene, Nightlife & Music, Food, Velvet Rope
Parking: Valet, limited street

Hyde Lounge (formerly North) is probably no larger than Paris Hilton's closet, but the intimate setting is the big draw. The single room, bathed in gold lighting, is lined with Industry insiders atop banquettes and faux-croc ottomans. It didn't take long to realize the importance of table reservations: Those without are relegated to the small back-bar area, where black lacquered floors, a black-leather-tufted wall and dark French gothic wallpaper contrast the brightness of all that gold. A menu of Asian-inspired munchies from chef Katsuya Uechi is available for the hungry; celeb sightings are also endless for the starving (actors). With such limited space, the super-strict door policy—the valet won't drive away with your car until it's certain you're getting in—ensures an exclusive roll call of who's who in Hollywood. Hyde is the spot to seek, if you can get in.
Celebrity Factor: Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Brandon Davis have all made headlines visiting here. TMZ's cameras are a permanent fixture outside.

Pink Taco
510 N Robertson Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90048
(310) 360-1003

10250 Santa Monica Blvd. #220
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 789-1000

Chateau Marmont: The Hotel of the Stars
8221 Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA. (323) 656-1010
Built in 1929, the hotel has played host to such celebrity guests as Errol Flynn, Bob Dylan, Clark Gable, Paul Newman, John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Jim Morrison, Marilyn Monroe, Boris Karloff, Carole Lombard, Mick Jagger, Ringo Starr, Jean Harlow, Sidney Poitier, Dustin Hoffman, William Holden, Jessica Lange, Led Zepplin, the Jefferson Airplane, Spike Lee, and Greta Garbo (who obviously wanted to be alone). Others stars have found the hotel an ideal spot for secret romances.
James Dean and Natalie Wood first met at the Marmont, during a script rehearsal of "Rebel Without a Cause."

When actor Montgomery Clift was almost killed in a 1956 auto accident near her home, Elizabeth Taylor brought him to the Chateau Marmont, where she leased the penthouse as a place for him to recuperate. (She also saved his life immediately following the accident, by removing two of Clift's teeth from his blocked windpipe - with her fingers.)

And despite a little wear & tear, the hotel is still favored by some stars today, who treasure the Chateau not only for its Old World charm, but because it is relatively unknown to the public. Reportedly, Leonardo DiCaprio stayed in suite #54 recently. They've also played host to the like of Keanu Reeves, Elijah Wood, Jude Law, Matt Dillon, Ellen DeGeneres and Courtney Love.

Robert De Niro has secluded himself away here in the penthouse for extended periods. Dancer Tommy Tune was running down the stairs at the Chateau Marmont when a small 5.0 earthquake hit Bakersfield. Tune tripped, and broke his foot... On another day, Sting was spotted tinkling the ivories of a piano in the hotel lobby. Sandra Bullock is quoted by the L.A. Times as saying "No wonder people come here to have affairs - it's got that air of history, where you know a lot of people did things they weren't supposed to do."

Lately, the hotel lobby has seen the likes of Britney Spears, Colin Farrell, Elijah Wood, Lindsay Lohan, Matt Dillon, Christina Ricci, Tobey Maguire, Jude Law, et al.
And adjacent to the hotel is the Bar Marmont, one of the hottest spots in town right now. Don't be surprised to see Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Ellen DeGeneres, or even Leonardo there.

Getting there: Chateau Marmont is located just above the north side of the Sunset Strip, just west of Crescent Heights, across the street from the giant statue of Bullwinkle the Moose (at the Dudley Do-Right Emporium). / From Hollywood & Vine, take Vine Street two blocks south to Sunset Boulevard, then turn right and go west (about 2 1/4 miles) to just beyond Crescent Heights. The hotel will be on your right (north) side.

Have a Happy and Safe Fourth of July from PACE

2007-07-02T05:14:00.000-07:00

All of us at PDCA and SSPC wish you a happy and most of all safe Fourth of July. While you're sitting around with friends and family, you'll be the hit of the party with these fun facts:

Did You Know?

On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, triggering the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.

2.5 million
In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation.
(1776 population from Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970.)

302 million
The nation’s population on this July Fourth.

Fourth of July Cookouts
More than 1 in 4
The chance that the hot dogs and pork sausages consumed on the Fourth originated in Iowa. The Hawkeye State had a total of 15.5 million market hogs and pigs on March 1. This represents more than one-fourth of the nation’s total. North Carolina (8.4 million) and Minnesota (6.2 million) were the runners-up.

6.8 billion poundsTotal production of cattle and calves in Texas in 2006. Chances are good that the beef hot dogs, steaks and burgers on your backyard grill came from the Lone Star State, which accounted for about one-sixth of the nation’s total production. And if they did not come from Texas, they very well may have come from Nebraska (4.8 billion pounds) or Kansas (4.1 billion pounds).

6
Number of states in which the revenue from broiler chickens was $1 billion or greater between December 2005 and November 2006. There is a good chance that one of these states — Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, North Carolina, Mississippi or Texas — is the source of your barbecued chicken.

About 50-50
The odds that the beans in your side dish of baked beans came from Michigan or North Dakota, which produced 49 percent of the nation’s dry, edible beans in 2006. Another popular Fourth of July side dish is corn on the cob. Florida, California, Georgia and New York together accounted for 60 percent of the sweet corn produced nationally in 2006.

Please Pass the Potato Salad
Potato salad and potato chips are popular food items at Fourth of July barbecues. Nearly half of the nation’s spuds were produced in Idaho or Washington in 2006.
More than 70 percent
Amount of the nation’s head lettuce production in 2006 that came from California. This lettuce may end up in your salad or on your hamburger.

About 2 in 3
The chances that the fresh tomatoes in your salad came from Florida or California, which combined accounted for 68 percent of U.S. tomato production last year. The ketchup on your hamburger or hot dog probably came from California, which accounted for 95 percent of processed tomato production in 2006.

Florida
The state that led the nation in watermelon production last year (835 million pounds). Other leading producers of this popular Fourth of July dessert include California, Georgia and Texas, each with more than 600 million pounds.

More than 74 million
Number of Americans who said they have taken part in a barbecue during the previous year. It’s probably safe to assume a lot of these events took place on Independence Day.

Fireworks
$206.3 million
The value of fireworks imported from China in 2006, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($216 million). U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $22.6 million in 2006, with Japan purchasing more than any other country ($8 million).

$17.3 million
The value of U.S. manufacturers’ shipments of fireworks in 2002.

Flags
$5.3 million
In 2006, the dollar value of U.S. imports of American flags; the vast majority of this amount ($5 million) was for U.S. flags made in China.

$1.7 million
Dollar value of U.S. flags exported in 2006. Trinidad and Tobago was the leading customer, purchasing $661,498 worth.

$349.2 million
Annual dollar value of shipments of fabricated flags, banners and similar emblems by the nation’s manufacturers, according to the latest published Economic Census (2002) data.

Patriotic-Sounding Names

30
Number of places nationwide with “liberty” in its name. The most populous one is Liberty, Mo. (29,042). Iowa, with four, has more of these places than any other state: Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty.
• Thirty-two places are named “eagle” — after the majestic bird that serves as our national symbol. (Places include cities, towns, villages and census-designated places.) The most populous such place is Eagle Pass, Texas, with 25,571 residents. There is also Eagle County, Colo., with a population of 49,085.
• Eleven places have “independence” in their name. The most populous of these is Independence, Mo., with 110,208 residents.
• Five places adopted the name “freedom.” Freedom, Calif., with 6,000 residents, has the largest population among these.
• There is one place named “patriot” — Patriot, Ind., with a population of 195.
• And what could be more fitting than spending the Fourth of July in a place called “America”? There are five such places in the country, with the most populous being American Fork, Utah, population 21,372.

Los Angeles Offers New "Must Sees"

2007-06-29T05:40:00.000-07:00

As the entertainment and creative capital of the world, Los Angeles offers a wealth of experiences that few other destinations can match. In the land where imagination rules and originality is prized, LA's glamour can only be rivaled by its culture.

View the Milky Way from an iconic observatory. Come face-to-face with the land of Oz. Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind museum exhibit. LA's new must-sees are all about celebrating the vibrancy of one of the world's great cities, at attractions you won't find anywhere else. And if you're looking for something special and unique that will let you explore the city's eternal nightlife, original cuisine or world-class attractions, look no further: www.lacvb.com/visitors.php

PACE Responds to Questions Asked and Comments Made On 2007 Evaluations (Part 3)

2007-05-31T05:29:00.000-07:00

Q. I understand this is a joint venture between SSPC and PDCA but I’m a member of PDCA and all the literature we receive on PACE has the SSPC return address. Why isn’t my association sending this to me?

A. Your association is sending it to you and they are keeping your best interest in the forefront by saving you money.

PDCA and SSPC are pleased that the registration fee of $539 has not changed since 2005. It changed following the 2005 meeting by approximately $60…LESS!

The only reason we were able to do this is because we use the SSPC nonprofit postage indecia. This allows us to get a bulk mail rate much less than the cost of first-class postage. With postage rates just having increased, by using this nonprofit indecia, we save a substantial amount of money.

You might ask why PDCA doesn’t have the same nonprofit tax exemption status. That’s a great question. It has to do with their ability to lobby on their members behalf and therefore their status doesn’t afford us the ability to save you money. And, isn’t this what it’s all about?

Q. I’m an SSPC member and I feel that the education program has become less technical since the meeting became PACE.

A. Each year the program is developed by a dedicated group of individuals known as the PACE Education Program Advisory Committee. This committee is comprised of members from both associations. By using a system called the “Call For Papers”, we solicit among the membership (individuals and company types) as well as other industry associations.

The program has been driven by the abstracts we receive rather than going to the membership and finding out exactly what you want and soliciting those types of programs and/or speakers.

However, for PACE 2008 we realize it will serve the membership better if we utilize both forms of soliciting for sessions – we are using the Call for Papers and going direct to industry experts on the topics you told us you want more information on. We’re also going to our own technical committees for input.

We know you will see a difference and are certain that you will be pleased with the outcome.

Los Angeles is Much More than Movies and Television - It's Recognized for its Live Theater Too!

2007-05-04T04:55:00.000-07:00

In the heart of Hollywood, on Hollywood Boulevard, right down the block from Vine Street, stands the Pantages Theatre. It's a fitting location: The Pantages has become one of the greatest landmarks of Hollywood, signifying both the glorious past and adventuresome future of the world's entertainment capital.

The Pantages has a history as grand and diverse as the stage and screen fare which audiences have flocked to enjoy there for half a century. These days it's one of Los Angeles' leading homes of legitimate theatre (the five highest-grossing weeks in L.A.'s theatrical history were all shows at the Pantages) and a favorite "location" for tv shows, movies and music videos. In the past, it has been a movie house, with live vaudeville acts between features as well as the site of many gala premieres and "spectaculars." For ten years the Pantages Theatre was the home of the glittering Academy Awards Presentations.

The Pantages Theatre came to life on June 4, 1930, opened by the great impresario, Alexander Pantages as part of the Fox Theatre chain. The opening night audience couldn't have been more impressed by the show than they were by the theatre. Alexander Pantages had conceived of this theatre, the last built to bear his name, as a fitting monument to his position in the entertainment industry. Although the Wall Street Crash occurred between groundbreaking and completion, no expense was spared in its construction. The cost of the Pantages Theatre itself, not counting the considerable expense of theatrical and projection equipment, was $1.25 million -- the equivalent of about $10 million in today's dollars.

The Pantages, first to last, was designed for maximum audience comfort, with over 40% of the interior space devoted to public areas, lobbies, lounges and restrooms. One of the first movie houses built after the advent of talking pictures, the Pantages Theatre boasted the most elaborate sound equipment anywhere in the world. For the first time sound could be 'channeled', either from a film's soundtrack or from remote sources, to the public areas of the building.

The mixed bill of movies and staged companion pieces was continued for the first two years of the Pantages' life by its managers, Rodney and Lloyd Pantages, then the Fanchon and Martin prologues were dropped to be replaced occasionally by locally produced extravaganzas. Other sorts of entertainment proved the theatre's versatility: in 1940, for example, Leopold Stowkowsky conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic for an entire season at the Pantages, featuring soloists Serge Rachmaninoff and Fritz Kreisler.

Howard Hughes, through RKO pictures, acquired the Pantages as part of his national chain of movie houses in 1949. A contractual stipulation ensured that the name of its builder would be retained and thus it entered the 1950s as the RKO Pantages. That was the decade when the Pantages played host to Hollywood's most spectacular annual event -- The Academy Awards, which were handed out to lucky winners (including Humphrey Bogart, Vivien Leigh and Frank Sinatra) on its stage each year from 1949 to 1959. Yul Brynner received his Best Actor award on the Pantages stage in 1956 for The King & I , and came back to the theatre twenty years later, again to star as the King of Siam, this time in a record-breaking run of the live show.
In 1959, Universal Pictures booked Spartacus into the Pantages as a long-run, sure-fire attraction, but on the condition that the house's capacity be scaled down. The reduction to 1,512 seats forced the Oscars to relocate, but there were still star-studded evenings in store for the Pantages. In 1963, celebrity patrons were treated to a special screening of Cleopatra at $250 apiece, the proceeds going to the construction fund for the new Music Center.

Pacific Theatres, operated by the Forman family, purchased the Pantages from RKO in December, 1967, after having run the theatre for two years on a lease agreement. Pacific briefly closed the house down for refurbishing and a general relighting, something the theatre had needed for some time. The Pantages reopened, refreshed, again taking its place as one of the finest movie houses on the west coast and continued as such for nearly a decade. But in January, 1977 the silver screen went dark for the last time and work was begun on the Pantages' latest and greatest incarnation.

On February 15, 1977, the Pantages opened its doors again, this time to patrons eager to see the national touring company of the Broadway smash, Bubbling Brown Sugar. The Forman family's Pacific Theatres had been joined by the Nederlander Organization and it was their ambition to bring live theatre back to Hollywood in a big way. The Nederlanders, among the nation's foremost theatrical impresarios, lent their monumental expertise to the task and under the combined Nederlander-Forman aegis, the Pantages opened as one of the finest legitimate theatres in California.
It has remained so to this day. During the 1977 run of Man of La Mancha , the Pantages was restored to 2,691 seats, nearly its original seating capacity, and proved an immediate favorite with both artists and audiences. If favor, esteem and popularity are any indication, the Pantages Theatre is likely to serve the Los Angeles area forever.

Wicked – The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz

While in Los Angeles for PACE 2008, you should consider making plans to see the smash Broadway musical Wicked http://www.wickedthemusical.com/LA/ at the Pantages Theater.

Long before Dorothy dropped in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One - born with emerald green skin - is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. How these two unlikely friends end up as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch makes for the most spellbinding new musical in years.