ANNUALREPORTFY15-16

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DEDICATIONTOBRADLEYM.BURLINGAME

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LETTERFROMTHECHAIR

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TBIDOVERVIEW

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STRATEGICPLANNING

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BUDGETRECAP

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VISITORRESEARCH

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BUSINESSDEVELOPMENT

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PRINTADVERTISING

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DIGITALMARKETING

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COMMUNICATIONS

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AMBASSADORPROGRAM

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MAJORPARTNERSHIPSANDSPONSORSHIPS

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BOARDOFDIRECTORS

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STAFF

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CONTENTS

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OnbehalfoftheemployeesofVisitWestHollywood,wededicatethisannualreporttothememoryofourfearlessleader, Bradley Burlingame, who passed away inDecember 2015. Brad spent the last 18 years of his lifebuilding VisitWestHollywood into the organization it istoday,andindoingsoheleftanindeliblemarkonthecityandonthepeoplewhoworkedwithhim.Wearedeeplygrateful for the legacy he left us with. His passion forconnectingpeople,hiszestforlife,andhisdeterminationtobuildthebestdestinationmanagementorganizationintheworldareattributesthatwillforeverliveonintheDNAofVisitWestHollywood.

Sincerely,

TheTeamatVisitWestHollywood

DEDICATION

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LetterfromGregHarless,ChairmanoftheBoardofDirectorsThe2015-16fiscalyearwasachallengingonefortheorganization,punctuatedbythelossofagreatleader,BradBurlingame,whopassedawayinDecemberafteranextendedillness.Thedeathofaleaderisdifficultforanyorganization,andnevermoresothanwithaleaderlikeBradwhosededication,passionandgenerosityofspiritwerefoundationalcomponentsoftheorganization’ssuccess.Duringthe18yearsthatBradranVisitWestHollywood,theeconomicimpactoftourisminWestHollywoodgrewtomorethan$900million,afigurethatrepresentsmorethan$25,000inannualeconomicstimulusforeveryresidentofthecity.BeyondWestHollywood’sborders,BradwasdeeplycommittedtotheCaliforniatourismindustryandservedinleadershiprolesonnumerousboardsandassociations.Inaddition,hisimpactwillcontinuetobefeltbythedozensofstudentsandyoungprofessionalshementoredduringhiscareer.Brad’spassingwasaprofoundlossfortheVisitWestHollywoodorganization,andpromptedtheBoardofDirectorstotakeastepbackinordertodetermineanewpathforward.InJanuary2016,theBoardvotedtoretaintheservicesofRickWright,founderofWrightConsultancy,onacontractualbasistoserveasinterimCEOandtorepositiontheorganizationforthefuture.Wrighthasextensiveexperiencemanagingandrestructuringcompanieslargeandsmall,and–withcarefulguidanceandextensivedialoguewiththeBoardofDirectors–hassuccessfullyguidedtheorganizationthroughthistransitionalphase.SomeofthemajorchangesthattheBoarddecidedtoimplementincluded:

• Flattenedthestructureoftheorganizationtoimproveefficiencyandaccountability;• RestructuredBoardofDirectorstocreateFinanceandMarketingcommitteesthatprovide

supportanddirectiontostaff;• Streamlinedthescopeofworktofocusoncorecompetenciesofmarketing,business

development,digital/socialandcommunications;and• Shutteredthefilmmarketingfunction,whichdidnotcloselyalignwiththeorganization’s

mission.Iamhappytoreportthatdespitethechallengestheorganizationhasfaced,VisitWestHollywoodhascontinuedtodeliveronourmissionofpromotingthecityastheworld’smostvibranturbandestination.In2015,WestHollywood’stourismeconomycontinuedtogrow,reachingarecord$909millionindirectandindirectspendingimpactinthecity.Totalvisitorvolumegrew2.8%,percapitaspendingincreased3.2%,whiletotallodgingandsalestaxestothecitygrewby3.5%to$24.7million.

LETTERFROMTHEBOARDCHAIR

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Whiletheseareallpositivesigns,withincreasingcompetitionanduncertainglobaleconomicconditions,theBoardofDirectorswillremainactivelyengagedinitsstewardshipofVisitWestHollywoodasavitalresourceforthecity’sfuturegrowth.Asofthestartofthe2016/17fiscalyear,theBoardisengagedinarigoroussearchprocessforanewCEO.ThenewCEOwillbecriticaltoensuringWestHollywood’scontinuedeconomicsuccessthroughtourismmarketing.Sincerely,GregHarlessPrincipal,SkyePartners/TheLotChairmanoftheBoard,VisitWestHollywood

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AlllodgingbusinesseslocatedwithintheboundariesoftheCityofWestHollywoodaresubjecttotheTourismBusinessImprovementDistrictassessment.Underthisbusinessimprovementdistrict,atransitoccupancytaxoffifteenandahalfpercent(15.5%)oftheroomrateforeachvisitorisleviedonallhotels/motels.Fromthismoney,threeprecent(3%)oftheroomrateisdedicatedtothesupportofVisitWestHollywoodbytheCityofWestHollywoodwhiletwelveandahalfpercent(12.5%)isdirectedtotheCity’sgeneralfund.Therevenuesreceivedfromthe3%assessmentchargeareusedto:

• PromotetheidentityofWestHollywoodasanurbanculturalcenter;• Developandimplementadestinationmarketingstrategytargetingpotentialhotelguests;• Developandundertakeanadvertisingandpublicrelationsprogramfocusingonthebusiness

andleisurevisitorandthetraveltrade.FrequencyofAssessmentLodgingbusinessesintheCityarerequiredtopaytheassessmentinthemonthfollowingcollectionoftheassessment.PaymentshouldbemadeatthesametimeasTransientOccupancyTax(TOT)ispaidtotheCityofWestHollywood.WestHollywoodHotelsandMotelsAndazWestHollywood PalihouseWestHollywoodBestWesternSunsetPlaza PetitErmitageChamberlainWestHollywood RamadaPlazaWestHollywoodTheCharlieHotel SanVicenteBungalowsTheGraftononSunset TheStandard,HollywoodLeMontroseSuiteHotel SunsetMarquisLeParcSuiteHotel SunsetTowerHotelTheLondonWestHollywood AltaCienegaMotelMondrianLosAngeles HollowayMotel

TBIDOVERVIEW

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VisitWestHollywoodhascompletedthesecondyearofitsthree-yearStrategicPlanthatwasdevelopedfollowingformationoftheTourismBusinessImprovementDistrict(TBID).TheStrategicPlandevelopmentprocesswasguidedbyCoraggioGroup,aconsultingfirmwithextensiveexperienceworkingwithdestinationmarketingorganizations.TheplanwasdevelopedafteraseriesofmeetingsandworkingsessionswithVisitWestHollywoodboardmembersandstaff,citystaff,hotelmanagersandothercitystakeholders.3-YearStrategicDirection(FY2014/15throughFY2016/17)Allmeasuresarebasedona2014baseline.1. GROWDEMANDFORTHEDESTINATIONMeasurableObjectives

• Increaseoccupancyinouridentifiedneedperiodsyear-over-year• Increaseonlinereferralstoourhotelsfromourbookingengineyear-over-year• Achievegreatermarketbalancewithinthesesegments:Leisure,LGBTMarket,

Incentive/Corporate,FilmMarketingKeyActionableInitiatives

• Developprogramsthatbolsteroccupancyduring3-dayholidayweekendsandNovember/December

• EnhanceSEM• Increaseinvestmenttoachievedesiredmarketsegmentationbalance

2015-16ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Increasedoveralloccupancyto88.1%.• Increasedbookingandaccommodationsreferralsby191%• LaunchedconsortiaadvertisingwithABC,CWT,TravelPort/Galileo,Amadeus,Sabreand

Virtuosotargeting3-dayholidayweekendsandNov-Decneedperiods.• PartneredwithUniversalStudiostoenrollfiveWestHollywoodhotelsintotheirPreferredHotel

Program.• EnhancedSEMthroughorganicsearches(upby6%)

2. INCREASEDOMESTIC/INTERNATIONALEFFICIENCYANDAWARENESSMeasurableObjectives

• IncreaseearnedPRvalueinbothinternationalanddomesticmarketsyear-over-year• Increasewebsitetrafficyear-over-year• Increaseonlineadimpressionsyear-over-year• Increasesocialmediafanbaseandengagementyear-over-year

STRATEGICPLANUPDATE

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• Establishbrandawarenessprograminidentifiedemergingmarkets• IncreaseinsideCaliforniavisitation

KeyActionableInitiatives

• Emphasizeandexpandourdigitalpresence• Developtop-notchorganicandpaidsearchcapabilities• DevelopanemergingmarketprogramtargetedatChina,BrazilandScandinavia• DevelopCalifornia-onlyplan

2015-16ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• EarnedPRvalueof$13million• Increasedwebsitetrafficby6%toover937,036visitors• Raisedpageviews28%,to2.67millionviews• Grewsocialmediafollowersonallplatforms19%,toover145,000

3. STRENGTHENANDGROWOURPARTNERSHIPSMeasurableObjectives

• Measureandensureallexpectationsaremetbasedonagreementswithallpartners,includinglocalorganizations

• IncreasepartnershipactivitywithVisitCalifornia,BrandUSAandLATCB• Establish3newcorporatepartnershipsthatarealignedwithWestHollywood’sbrand• Increasevisitationtopartnersitesyear-over-year

KeyActionableInitiatives

• EncouragelocalBIDstodevelopprogramsandeventsthatsupportourmission• Activateayear-roundpartnershipandpresencewithlocalDMOsandstateorganizations• Leveragecorporatepartnershipstomaximizedemandandbrandcredibility

2015-16ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• EnhancedaffiliationwithVisitCaliforniatoexpandinternationalexposureinBrazil,Mexico,Australia,UKandCanada

• PartneredonmediafamswithHuntingtonBeach,NewportBeach,BeverlyHillsandSantaMonica

4. BEALEADERINDEVELOPINGTHEDESTINATIONMeasurableObjectives

• Engageindestinationdevelopmentthroughprovidingresearchsupportandparticipatingintourism-relatedCityprocesses

• FullyimplementtheAmbassadorProgram,aimedatengagingandeducatingboththebusinesscommunityandourresidents,bytraining1,000people

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KeyActionableInitiatives• UseourresearchtoprovidenewbusinessinformationtoshowcaseWestHollywood’s

attributes• CompleteaDestinationDevelopmentPlanincollaborationwithkeypartners• DesignandimplementAmbassadorProgram

2015-16ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Conductedfullvisitorsstudytoenhancefuturemarketingplans• Increasedenrollmentin“IAmWestHollywood”AmbassadorProgramto130newparticipants.

380peoplehavebeentrainedandcertifiedsincetheprogram’sinception.5. REINFORCEACULTUREOFACCOUNTABILITYANDINNOVATIONMeasurableObjectives

• Identify,implementandmeasureaminimumofoneinnovativenewprogramineachdepartmentannually

• FullyimplementstakeholderreportingprocessbasedonCRMdataKeyActionableInitiatives

• DevelopourCRMsystemandprocessestotrackourdatabaseandreportaccurateinformation• EducatebusinessinvestorsonWestHollywood’sassets• Createappropriateinternalrewardsandrecognitiontofosterinnovation

2015-16ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Launchednew,fullyresponsivewebsite• CreatedGoWeHoadvertisingandsocialmediacampaign• OrganizedsuccessfulInstagramtakeoversbylocalinfluencersandtastemakers,resultingin

increasedcrosspromotionandfollowers• StartedprocessofdetailedstakeholderreportingbasedonCRM• LaunchedSimpleView(CRM)andtrainedstaff—streamlinedreportingandenhanceddata

management

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FY2015-16BudgetRecapRevenueSource: Budget:HotelAssessment $5,313,135ProgrammingRevenue $5,895TotalIncomeFY2015-16 $5,319,030CarryoverfromFY2014–15 $641,741TotalFundsAvailable $5,960,771Operating/ProgrammingProjectedBudget $5,385,500FY2015-16Spend Activity Spend %ofBudgetMarketing&BusinessDevelopment(includestradeshows,salesmissions,salesgifts,specialevents,partnershipsandsponsorships)

$1,885,706 37.83%

DigitalMarketing&Collateral(includeswebsite,onlinemarketing,publicationoftravelguide,visitormaps,newslettersandotherdestinationcollateralmaterials)

$923,042

18.51%

PrintAdvertising (includesdevelopment,placementandagencyfees)

$266,999 5.35%

MediaRelations(includespublicrelations,familiarizationtoursandspecialevents)

$636,276 12.76%

ProgrammingTotal $3,712,023 74.45%Operations&Tracking(incl.insurance,rent,parking,equipment,maintenance,salaries,retirementplanandtrackingsystems)

$1,273,659 25.55%

TotalSpendFY2015-16 $4,985,682 AsofJune30,2016,WestHollywoodMarketingCorp./VisitWestHollywoodmonieswereasfollows:ActiveBankAccount $756,548MoneyMarket $558,386CertificateofDeposit $8,000Total $1,322,934

BUDGET

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RevenueSource FY2014-15 FY2015-16 Year-Over-YearChangeAverageDailyRate $280.57 $290.66 +3.6%Occupancy 82.4% 88.1% +6.9%

HOTELSTATISTICS

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VisitorResearchUpdatesTheWestHollywoodtourismmarketisstrongandgrowing,accordingtothe2015studyresultsbyLaurenSchlauConsulting,thefirmretainedbyVisitWestHollywoodtoconductavisitorprofileandeconomicimpactresearchstudy.Visitorvolumeandspendinghitrecordlevels,thelodgingmarketishealthyandvisitor-servingamenitiesarehighlyvisited.Overall,WestHollywoodvisitorvolume,spending,taxesandjobssupportedcontinuedtorise,reachingrecordlevels.Demandhasbeenstrong,buthasbeenconstrainedbyalackofnewlodgingsupply.Hotelsnowunderconstructionsoonwillenterthemarketbutareexpectedtobeabsorbedquickly,withcontinuedunsatisfieddemand,suggestingmorehotelroomsstillwillbeneeded.Keyfindingofthe2015studyinclude:AnnualTotalVisitorVolume 1.385million +2.8%AnnualTotalVisitorDays 2.605 +2.1%PerCapitaDailySpending $282.96 +3.2%TotalDirectVisitorSpending $737,212,000 +5.2%TotalLodging&SalesTaxestotheCity $24,660,900 +3.5%TotalJobsSupportbyTourism 5,529 +0.9%

RESEARCH

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TheVisitWestHollywoodBusinessDevelopmentdepartment,withthesupportofthehotels,embarkedonambitiousprogramsthisyeardesignedtoraiseawarenessandincreasesalesofthedestinationamongprofessionaltravelbuyers.TheBusinessDevelopmentdepartment’soutreacheffortsincludedattendingtradeshows,attendingsalesmissionsinkeytargetmarketsandhostingfamiliarizationtripsforincomingtraveltradeprofessionals.TheseactivitieswerefocusedontargetedgeographicareasaswellassegmentsincludingFIT,wholesale,leisureandcorporate.SalesMissionsTheVisitWestHollywoodBusinessDevelopmentdepartmentparticipatesinavarietyofsalesmissionseachfiscalyear.Theobjectiveofthesalesmissionsistogivespecializedandfocusedtrainingsinkeyfeederandemergingmarkets.EachmarketaffordsVisitWestHollywoodandourparticipatingpartnerhotelsanopportunitytomeetwithandeducatetopbuyersfortheWestHollywoodmarket—fromwholesalersandluxurytraveladvisorstoeventandincentiveplanners.Afewkeyagencies,incentivehouses,andwholesalersthatwecontinuetomeetwithandeducateare:ProTravel,Altour,Tzell,BCD,InfinityHolidays,FlightCentre,QantasHolidays,andCIEvents.Salesmissionswereconductedin:NewYork,London,Ireland,SanFrancisco,Brazil,Toronto,Australia,Vancouver,MexicoTradeshowsattended:ABCUpCloseSanFrancisco,ABCUpCloseVancouver,ABCUpCloseNewYork,GBTA–Orlando,VirtuosoTravelWeek–LasVegas,IMEX-LasVegas,DestinationCAShowcase,IncentiveTravelExchange,HSMAIMEETNational,AmericanExpressINTERaction,GoWestSummit,CaliforniaCup,America’sCup,IPW,LEMiamiSalesFams:HostingqualifiedtravelagentsfortripsensurestheyhavefirsthandknowledgeofWestHollywood’suniqueproductandcaneffectivelysellthedestination.Salesfams(familiarizationtrips)werearrangedforQantas–HalloweenFAM(Australia),Qantas–helloworld/travelmanagersAustralia),LEMiami(Global),AmericanAirlines–Top10FAM,AirNewZealand/TheAppointmentGroup(UKbasedagents),ATPIVoyager(Australia),Delta/CarlsonWagonlit(Australia),Delta/AmericanExpress(Australia),DERtourTravelAcademy,ShowGroup(Australia),AirNewZealand–Entertainmentagents(UK),VisitCA–GlobalFAM

BUSINESSDEVELOPMENT

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AnnualBuyerEventsNewYork VisitWestHollywood’sannualNewYorkclienteventconnectskeytravelbuyers,

providingWestHollywoodhotelrepresentativeswithbusinessdevelopmentandnetworkingopportunities.WestHollywoodwaswellrepresentedthisyear,witheightofourhotelsparticipating:Chamberlain,GraftononSunset,TheJamesWestHollywood,LeMontrose,LeParc,Mondrian,RamadaPlazaWestHollywood,andSunsetMarquis.Thisyear’seventwasheldattheCentralParkZooonTuesday,May17th,and175agentswereinattendance.

LosAngeles OurannualLosAngelesclienteventprovidesWestHollywoodhotel

representativesachancetonetworkwithandthanklocaltraveladvisorswhoareresponsibleforbookingclientsintoWestHollywoodhotels.ThiseventalsogivesourhotelpartnersanopportunitytominglewithaselectgroupofLA-basedmedia.Thisyear,wehad160mediaandagentsinattendance.TheeventwasheldontherooftopofE.P.&L.P.

Sydney Eachyear,duringVisitWestHollywood’ssalesandmediamissiontoAustralia,

weorganizeandhostaSydneyclientevent.ThefocusofthiseventistogiveWestHollywoodhotelpartnersanopportunitytonetworkwithSydney’stoptravelagencies,wholesalersandoperators.Thisyear,125travelagentsgatheredatOBartominglewithWestHollywoodhotelpartners.Duringtheevent,VisitWestHollywoodheldacontesttowintwotripsforonetoWestHollywood.

AnnualBookings:HotelRoomBookings $335,985.11F&BBookings $107,482.26Total $443,467.37

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VisitWestHollywood’sadvertisingstrategyinthe2015-16fiscalyearinvolvedpurchasingfeweradsinhigher-qualitypublications.Workingwithanadvertisingplacementagency,theorganizationpurchasedregionalbuysintop-tierpublicationsinourkeytargetmarkets.AllureBonAppetitCondeNastDestinationCaliforniaDreamscapesGQLGBTGuideofTravelandTourismMetrosourcePassportTheDailyFrontRowVanityFairVogue

PRINTADVERTISING

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Website&DigitalAdvertisingStatistics:• Visitstothesiteincreased6%to937,063comparedtothepreviousfiscalyear,2014-2015.• Uniquevisitorsincreased6%to769,935yearoveryear.• Pageviewsincreased28%to2,666,921overthelastfiscalyear.• Pagesviewedpersessionup22%yearoveryear.• Organicsearchenginetrafficincreased6%overthepreviousfiscalyear,2014-2015.• Paidsearchtrafficdown12%comparedtothepreviousfiscalyearasweincreasedbudgettowards

displaybanneradvertising.• Displaybanneradvertisingtraffictothesiteup81%to124,367visitsoverthepreviousfiscalyear.• Displaybanneradvertisingimpressionsup110%to52,309,974impressionsoverthelastfiscalyear.• Mobiletrafficincreased19%yearoveryear.• Referralstohotelsincreased191%overthepreviousfiscalyear.• Bounceratedownfrom56%to36%.Theperformanceonmobiledevicesisevenmoreimpressive

at29%bouncerateformobiledevicesand21%bouncerateontablets.SocialMediaFollowing:Facebook 143,509 +14.8%Twitter 19,367 +15.8%Instagram 9,651 +213.2%Total 172,527 +19.2%VisitWestHollywoodcontinuestoexpanditssocialmediapresencebymanagingcampaignsthatincreaseoverallreachandengagement.VisitWestHollywood’songoingefforttopartnerwithWestHollywoodbusinessesandinfluencershasalsomadeitpossibletoincreaseawarenessofVisitWestHollywoodonsocialmedia.

DIGITALMARKETING

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MonthlyGiveaways:VisitWestHollywoodholdsmonthlygiveawaysonitssocialmediachannelstosupportandgeneratebuzzaroundnewbusinessesandspecialevents.Thisyear,thereweregiveawaysforLucques’Ribfest,NationalCoffeeDay,HollywoodBowlSeasonFinale,dineL.A.RestaurantWeek,ShakeShack’sgrandopeningandValentine’sDay.Thesepromotionsincreasedfollowers,increasedtheuseofourhashtags#gowehoand#iloveweho,andincreaseduseof@visitwehoonInstagramphotos.Partnerships:VisitWestHollywoodhasbeenfeaturedonthesocialmediachannelsofLATourism(@discoverLA)reaching297kfollowersandVisitCalifornia(@visitcalifornia)reaching195kfollowers.LATourismhighlightedWestHollywoodintheirLAneighborhoodserieswheresocialinfluencerJordanBrown(@jorda_b)sharedherfavoritesspotsinWestHollywood.VisitCaliforniasharesthelatestWestHollywoodandrepostsrelevantcontenttotheirfanbase.MyWeHoInstagramTakeovers:VisitWestHollywoodhaspartneredupwithWestHollywoodbusinessestofeaturetheirfreshperspectiveonourInstagramchannel.LocalexpertssharetheirfavoriteplacesinWestHollywoodandalsohavetheopportunitytopromotetheirbusinessandupcomingevents.Thiscross-promotionhasresultedinanincreaseoffollowersforWestHollywoodbusinessesandVisitWestHollywood.

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TheVisitWestHollywoodCommunicationsteamgarneredglobalmediacoveragethroughproactivepitching,mediahosting,pressreleasedistributionandmedianetworkinginkeycitiesworldwide.StoriesaboutWestHollywoodappearedininternationalanddomesticnewspapers,traveltrademedia,consumermagazines,onlineandontelevisionandradio.FY2015-16MediaRelationsResultsCirculation 91,283,896(up9.6%)Readership 295,673,017AdvertisingValue $13,065,354ThedepartmentretainedthefollowingexternalPRagencies:Domestic DKCandTheWorkshopCollectiveAustralia Gate7UK BlackDiamondMediaOutletsthatcoveredWestHollywoodincluded:CondeNastTravellerTravel&LeisureLosAngelesTimesOutThereTravelWeeklyVogue

DeltaSkyHarpersBazaarSundayTelegraphNewYorkTimesInStyle

VirginAustraliaVoyeurQantasAWOLBlogRollingStoneDailyMailDailyFrontRow

Weconductedthefollowingmediaoutreachmissions:NewYork VisitCaliforniamediareceptionandindividualmediacallsLondon IndividualmediacallsorganizedbyBlackDiamondAustralia IndividualmediacallsorganizedbyGate7Vancouver VisitCaliforniamediamissionMexico VisitCaliforniamediamissiontoMexicoCity&GuadalajaraBrazil VisitCaliforniamediamissiontoRiodeJaneiroandSaoPaulo

COMMUNICATIONS

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WhatthemediasaidaboutWestHollywood:

• “It’sthelifestylethatmakesWeHosuchadrawcardforthe39,000peoplethatcallithome.Andalsothereasontheyrarelyleaveitsfivesquarekilometerboundary.”–QantasAWOLblog

• “Itisn’tHollywood,anditisn’tthecityofLosAngeles.It’s1.9squaremilesofexcitementandithasan

essencethat’sallitsown.”–FoxNews.com

• “Althoughthegritandlawlessnessaregone,thecreativethinkingandtrendsettingstyleslingeronandWeHoremainstheepicenterofcool.”–Dreamscapes

• “WestHollywood(sorry,#WeHo)hasmorphedintosomewhereseriouslyslick.”–SundayTelegraph

• “Therest,astheysay,ishistoryandnowWeHoissynonymouswithallthingscreative—fromhaute

couturetostreet-wearboutiquesandhomewarestores,alongwithhiphotelsandtrendydiningoptions.”–VirginVoyeur

• “Thoseglamour-seekingtravelerswishingtoexperiencethequintessentialL.A.lifestylewilldefinitely

finditinWestHollywood–it’savirtualplaygroundforthestars.”–LipstickLifestyle

• “Atfewerthan2squaremiles,WestHollywood,popularlyknownasWeHo,isthesmallestofatriumvirateofcitiesthatborderLosAngeles–SantaMonicaandBeverlyHillsbeingtheothers–wherethecombinationofaffluenceandtourismdrawshasensuredhighoccupancyratesthathaveinturnpushedroomratesfarabovetheregion’saverage.”–TravelWeekly

• “I'drecommendavoidingthetrafficandmaximisingyourtimeinWestHollywood.Whatfollowsbelow

isadummy'sguide(I'vebeentwice)to@visitweho–Ifdonewithclosefriendsandpositivevibes,you'llbewellpreppedforyouronwardadventures.”–Pedestrian.tv

• “WestHollywood—or‘WeHo’asit’saffectionatelyknown—haslongbeenrecognisedasLA’shippest

enclave,brimmingwithchichotels,designershopping,foodiehotspots,rooftoppoolsandvibrantnightlife.WithanabundanceofA-listcelebritieschoosingWeHoastheplacetoeat,sleepandparty,it’snosurprisethatleadingAustralianfashiondesignerNikitaSernackdrewinspirationfromthisforherlatestNookieswimwearcollection,aptlynamedWestHollywoodForever.”–News.com.au

• “WestHollywoodgivessomuchtothosewillingtolook.Behindtheglossy,uber-positivelifestylesand

therainbow-tintedgayaesthetic,avisitorcantakealotfromthiscityandunlockthesecretsspecificallyrelevanttothem–fromthesophisticated,tothegritty,tothedownrightridiculous.InmyshorttimeIexperiencedsomuchthatwasunexpected–yes,Istayedinfinehotels,tippedthego-goboysattheAbbey,ateatthebestandmosttalkedaboutplaces–butIalsosawtheHillsfromarandomviewpoint,camefacetofacewiththeghostofChaplin,browsedfirst-editionbooksandfilmscripts,drankNegronisina60sairportlounge-inspiredbar,wastheonlypersoninawhitet-shirtatagaygothnightandateatarestaurantthatwasoncehometoasexcult–allwithintwosquaremilesofcity.”–OutThere

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IAmWestHollywoodToensurethateveryvisitortoWestHollywoodhasagreatexperience,VisitWestHollywoodhaslaunched‘IAmWestHollywood,’aninteractiveprogramthatencouragesandempowersWestHollywoodbusinessesandtheiremployeestobecomebetterinformedaboutthecityandallithastooffer.Sinceitsinceptioninlate2014,atotalof380certifiedambassadorshavecompletedtheprogram.This2.5-hourprogramconsistsofaguideddrivingtouraroundWestHollywood’sneighborhoodsandattractions,followedbyaclassroomsessionfacilitatedbyatrained‘IAmWestHollywood’programleader.TheclassroomsessioncoversWestHollywood’sbrand,localinsights,tipsonprovidingexcellentguestservice,LGBTdiversitytraining,andmuchmore.Participantswilllearnhowtheirroleindeliveringoptimalcustomerexperiencesisvitaltothecity’stourismindustryandeconomicsuccess.Participantsbecome“OfficialWestHollywoodAmbassadors”andarearmedwithadatabaseoffacts,figures,and“DidYouKnow”anecdotesaboutWestHollywoodforuseincustomerinteraction.BusinessownersandmanagersinWestHollywoodandneighboringareasareinvitedtoenrolltheiremployeesintheprogram.Workshopsareofferedquarterlyandarefreeofchargetolocalbusinessesandresidents.Findmoreinformationandenrollatiamwesthollywood.com.

AMBASSADORPROGRAM

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WestHollywoodDesignDistrict:VisitWestHollywoodadministerstheWestHollywoodDesignDistrictBIDthroughanagreementwiththecity.VWHprovidesmonetaryandin-kindsupportofthedistrictaswellasassistancewithmarketingandpublicrelationsefforts.WestHollywoodChamberofCommerce:VisitWestHollywood’ssponsorshipwiththeWestHollywoodChamberofCommerceenablestheChambertoenhanceitseffortstopromoteWestHollywoodbusinesses.OnekeyprogramthesponsorshipsupportsisEat/Shop/Play,adigitalplatformthatpromoteslocalbusinessestoarearesidentswithspecialoffersanddiscounts.Duringthefiscalyear,VisitWestHollywoodwasawardedwiththeChamber’sCreativeCommunicationsAwardduringits31stAnnualCreativeCityAwardsCeremony.Thetwoorganizationsmeetregularlyandworkcloselytogethertoaligntheirprogrammingandoutreacheffortstoensureahealthybusinessclimateinthecity,andtopromotelocalbusinessestovisitorsandresidents.VisitWestHollywood’ssponsorshippackageincludesbanneradsontheChamberwebsite,aswellasadvertisingandeditorialinitsprintandemailnewsletters.LATourism:VisitWestHollywoodisamemberofLATourismandparticipatesinvariouspartnershipopportunities,includingco-hostingsalesandmediafams,andpremiumpositioningontheDiscoverLosAngeleswebsite.Thisfiscalyear,LATourismandVisitWestHollywoodinitiatedtalkstocoordinateeffortstoentertheChinamarket.VisitCalifornia:VisitWestHollywoodisamemberofVisitCaliforniaandparticipatesinmanyofitssalesandmediamissionsandeventsinkeymarketsthroughouttheyear.VWHandVCalsofrequentlyco-hostmediaandsalesfams.VWHplacesadvertisinginCaliforniaofficialvisitor’sguides.SunsetStripBID:VisitWestHollywoodsupportedtheSSBAfinanciallyaswellasprovidingmarketingandpublicrelationssupportfortheBIDLAPride:VisitWestHollywoodsupportedtheChristopherStreetWestAssociationInc.,the501(c)3organizationthatproducestheannualLAPrideFestival,throughafinancialsponsorship.VWHprovidedin-kindsupportthroughitsmarketing,communication,anddigitaldepartments,inadditiontoparticipatingintheparade.WeHoSportsFestival:VisitWestHollywoodwasaprincipalsponsoroftheWeHoSportsFestival,receivingnamingrightstothekickoffpartyinWestHollywoodinadditiontoofflineandonlinemarketingpromotions.VisitWestHollywoodhelpedfacilitatehotelroomblockswithmemberhotels.WestHollywoodAIDSMonument:VisitWestHollywoodcommittedtoa$250,000sponsorshipoverfiveyearsforTheAIDSMonument,alastingphysicalandinteractivetributetotheHIV/AIDSepidemictobebuiltintheheartoftheWestHollywoodPark.

PARTNERSHIPS&SPONSORSHIPS

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(asofJune30,2016)GregHarless,SkyePartners/TheLotCHAIRJamieAdler,PhyllisMorrisVICECHAIRNorbertRelecker,MondrianLosAngelesSECRETARYIraKleinrock,LeParcSuitesTREASURERChrisBonbright,AvisonYoungPASTCHAIRDIRECTORSMylenaChristina,Sotheby’sInternationalRealtyJackGonzalez,RetiredRodGruendyke,SunsetMarquisJasonIlloulian,FaringCapitalBillKarpiak,RamadaPlazaWestHollywoodIraKleinrock,LeParcSuitesMarkLehman,Esq.DannyRoman,Bikes&HikesHONORARYMEMBERSPaulArevalo,CityofWestHollywoodMaribelLouie,CityofWestHollywoodGenevieveMorrill,WestHollywoodChamberofCommerce

BOARDOFDIRECTORS

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(asofJune30,2016)VickiHeitlandVICEPRESIDENTOFADMINISTRATIONJaimieDuBoisDIRECTOROFBUSINESSDEVELOPMENTAndyKeownDIRECTOROFCOMMUNICATIONSErinPedrajaDIRECTOROFDIGITALMARKETINGErinHennessayDIGITALMARKETINGMANAGERMaribelMunozOFFICEMANAGER/FINANCEJulissaRodriguezSOCIALMEDIAMANAGERAnneVanGorpCOMMUNICATIONSMANAGERDianaPachecoADMINISTRATIVEASSISTANTRyanFarberEXECUTIVEDIRECTOR,WESTHOLLYWOODDESIGNDISTRICT

STAFF