October 20, 2014 • An Advertising Supplement to the San Fernando Valley Business Journal

MEETINGS&EVENTS

Savvy meeting planners know that successfuloffsite meetings are those that give atten-dees not only the opportunity to expand

their business horizons, but to experience theunexpected. Every offsite event should facilitatethe discovery of new ideas, new relationships andnew places - places that deliver notonly a great meeting but a greatenvironment, supported by skilledprofessionals ready to ensure theyget the best of both and at a value.Los Angeles meeting planners whoare looking for a close-to-homelocation that offers attendees the out-of-the-ordi-nary can look to VenturaCountyWest—just up the101 Freeway.

Sites and Scenery

For a seaside resort experience without a SantaMonica or Santa Barbara price tag, the CrownePlaza Ventura Beach, Ventura Beach Marriott,

Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Hotel & Resort inOxnard, and the Four Points by Sheraton VenturaHarbor Resort are either on the beach or withineasy walking distance to the shore or harbor, creat-ing opportunities for offsite team-building activities.

“Channel Islands National Park is the obviouschoice with many guests choosingday trips, whether it is whale watch-ing, island hiking or kayaking,” saidJames Boldizar, sales director, FourPoints Sheraton Ventura HarborResort. “Many guests also charterfishing boats, with a departure site

two minutes from our front door. We work withIsland Packers, Blue Sky Kayak tours and many ofthe charter boat companies to arrange these trips.”

The Four Points Sheraton, like other largerVenturaCountyWest hotels, hosts many differenttypes of groups from corporate to social (wed-dings, family reunions). “Our social event guestsmainly come from within California, but our cor-

porate groups come from all over the world,” saidBoldizar. “They come to experience the ocean’sbeauty and cool breezes – and to take advantage ofthe bike paths, public golf courses, and incrediblehiking opportunities.”

While new ideas and relationships are beingformed during the day, inspiring free-time experi-ences can make the meeting memorable. Or per-haps what’s unforgettable is the panache of a his-toric venue such as the Wyndham GardenVentura Pierpont Inn with a rich history datingback to 1910. Because of the hotel’s ocean views,secluded location and private bungalows, it isespecially popular for weddings and corporateretreats for groups of 40 to 220.

“Many visitors like to walk to the beach duringtheir downtime and have fish tacos on the VenturaPier,” said Sue Stalley, general manager. “Onsite,they enjoy sitting in our Rose Garden with a book

Experience the Unexpected at YourNext Meeting or Event

MEETINGS & EVENTSLOCATION SPOTLIGHT:VENTURACOUNTYWEST

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40 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL OCTOBER 20, 2014

S E T T H E S C E N E I N S T Y L EI N W O O D L A N D H I L L SInnovation and value are the platform for fantastic

results. Success isn’t just anticipated, it’s assured

at Warner Center Marriott Woodland Hills.

• 31,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor event space

• Lush outdoor Poolside Pavilion perfect

SMART SPACE.EXCEPTIONAL

SERVICE.

or having a glass of wine in Austen’sRestaurant overlooking the ocean. Forguests who want to venture into town, thefree trolley stops at the Pierpont Inn, tak-ing visitors to the harbor or downtownVentura, where they can explore antiqueshops, local restaurants, galleries, and theSanta Buenaventura Mission. In theevenings, groups choose from live produc-tions at the Rubicon Theatre, comedy atthe Ventura Improv and music at therestaurants and bars that dot downtown’sMain Street.”

If the Sea Calls

A rousing time can be had on theScarlett Belle, a paddlewheel riverboatthat accommodates up to 150 guests as it

cruises Oxnard’s Channel Islands Harbor.Your meeting or offsite adventure can befacilitated by the Scarlett Belle’s partyplanner, who can help coordinate every-thing including an onboard catered buf-fet and entertainment.

Beyond the Belle, Oxnard boasts bothocean and inland meeting and event sitesincluding the beachside Embassy SuitesMandalay Beach Hotel & Resorts, whichcan seat 500 for banquets. Inland, there isHerzog Wine Cellars, tucked in an indus-trial park. Don’t let the location fool you:It is popular for corporate affairs withboth indoor and outdoor spaces avail-able. Planners can arrange onsite winetasting and a memorable culinary experi-ence from the chefs at its Tierra Surrestaurant. A free tour of the winery isavailable on weekdays.

Elegant Gardens and Old Town Charm

A different kind of ambiance can befound in Camarillo at Hartley Botanica,which features over three acres of profes-sionally landscaped grounds for outdoorweddings and elegant corporate events.Or for a unique setting of another sort,the Commemorative Air Force Museumat the Camarillo Airport offers 5,000square feet of hangar space where youcan arrange a lunch or dinner event forup to 250 guests surrounded by restoredWorld War II airplanes and artifacts. Thehangar doors open to a tarmac designat-ed for outdoor gatherings.

“Guests who attend an event at HartleyBotanica often stay here because we areonly 10 minutes away,” explained MellanyArbues, general manager at CourtyardMarriott Camarillo. Arbues says the

Commemorative Air Force Museum is oneof Camarillo’s most exceptional places tovisit and to hold events. “Most peopledon’t know it’s there and are alwaysamazed at what they see,” she said.

“VenturaCountyWest has that distinc-tive mix of quality meeting locations andinspiring downtime opportunities,” saidRebekah Evans, executive director of theVentura County Lodging Association,which markets VenturaCountyWest.“This combo is what makes Ventura-CountyWest a smart choice and why somany businesses and organizationsreturn to the area year after year.”

For more information about places to go,things to do, and ideas about hosting a meet-ing or event in VenturaCountyWest, go towww.VenturaCountyWest.com/meetings.

MEETINGS & EVENTS

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The newly-renovated WarnerCenter Marriott Woodland Hillsmakes the ideal venue for your

next corporate or social event. With morethan 31,000 square feet of versatileindoor/outdoor meeting and event space,dedicated event planning and creativecatering teams experienced in organizingsmall breakout groups to elaborate full-service banquets, exquisite food and bev-erage, high-speed wireless Internet, andstate-of-the-art technology at your finger-tips, you’ll have the service and facilitiesto create an event that accomplishes allyour objectives with ease.

An on-site audio visual team standsready to assistwith all your AVrequirementsand a 24-hourself-service busi-ness center isavailable for anylast-minute needs. Weary business profes-sionals can relax in spacious, comfortablerooms featuring breathtaking views, luxu-rious bedding, down comforters, customduvets and cotton-rich linens.

The hotel also offers a state-of-the-artfitness center with cardio equipment andfree weights, an indoor and outdoor pooland whirlpool. The fireside Urban Oasisoffers a great space for lounging with cock-tails in a chic outdoor setting. Other din-ing options include Breeze - An AmericanGrill offering delicious California cuisine,Q Martini Bar featuring upscale martinisand microbrews, and a Starbucks conve-niently located in the lobby.

The days of pass-through, uninspiredlobbies are over: the reinvented lobby atthe Warner Center Marriott featuresrelaxed seating, state-of-the-art technolo-gy, free wireless Internet access and inno-vative food and beverage concepts in astylish setting—all designed to meet theneeds of today’s business traveler.Energetic in the morning, motivating atmid-day, and stylishly engaging at night,the new and innovative Warner CenterMarriott lobby inspires business andleisure to intersect in a multidimensionalsetting, with seating layouts to encouragesocial mingling, and space provided toaccommodate individual or small groupbusiness needs.

Whether it’s a small corporate meetingor an event for a larger group, the renova-tion of the Warner Center MarriottWoodland Hills offers a multi-faceted jour-ney where meeting space and amenitiesoffer the versatility to inspire personal,professional and collaborative experiences.

Information for this article was provided bythe Warner Center Marriott Woodland Hills.

OCTOBER 20, 2014 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL 41

MEETINGS & EVENTS

Renovations Further Enhance an Ideal Valley Location

MEETINGS &EVENTS LOCATIONSPOTLIGHT:WARNER CENTERMARRIOTT

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Anew guide commissioned by thePCMA Education Foundationuses a collection of behavioral sci-

ence studies curated by psychologists todetermine what can enhance the value offace-to-face experiences for both atten-dees and planners. “The Appliance ofScience: 39 Ways to Improve YourMeetings” is a collection of insights madepossible through a partnership with UK-based performance consultants TheMeetology Group.

Grounded in academic research and his-torical survey data, the guide provides acomprehensive, easy-to-understand list ofopportunities that planners can use toreevaluate the experiences they create. Bysurveying existing bits of scientific researchrelated to attending and designing meet-ings, the report delivers insights into howto improve group dynamics and interac-tion, how to inspire innovation and howto maximize performance at meetings.

“Rather than make assumptions aboutwhat matters to attendees and how theycan perform better at meetings, this guidegive us some groundwork needed to helpunderstand what truly matters to them,”Liz Erikson, Chair, PCMA EducationFoundation, said. “This investigation usesleading thinkers from around the aca-demic world to analyze those assump-tions and deliver real ideas based onproven concepts of what can lead tomore effective meetings and moreengaged participants.”

Six Categories of Scientific Meeting

Improvements

Divided into six categories, TheAppliance of Science outlines steps to trans-form the face-to-face meeting environment.

Mental - How to harness the value ofgrumpy attendees, how to train participantsmemories and four more tips to understandbrain performance and how thoughts andemotions affect meeting outcomes.

Social - Why meetings need morefemale attendees, why mistakes are posi-tive and four more lessons on interac-tion, influence and persuasion.

Space - What temperature at which toset the room, what colors inspire creativi-ty and five more insights into whatmakes the perfect meeting environment.

Wired - Computer-based negotiation,mind-reading capabilities and four morepredictions for how emerging technolo-gies will shape the future of face-to-face.

Physical - How to reduce attendee stress,how to overcome jet lag and four more tipsto help meeting organizers and their partici-pants sleep, eat and breathe better meetings.

Bizarre - The importance of doodling,dancing and five more unconventionaltips to increase the value of f2f interaction.

The role of the Education Foundation of theProfessional Convention ManagementAssociation (PCMA) is to support the missionof PCMA through fundraising and grant giv-ing focused on scholarships, education and

research that will advance the meetings andconventions industry. Established in 1985,the Foundation fuels advancement, nurtures

professional development and shapes tomor-row’s meeting and convention leaders. Learnmore at pcma.org/foundation.

Report Unveils Various Ways Science Can Improve Meetings

MEETINGS & EVENTS

42 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL OCTOBER 20, 2014

For advertising information,please call 323.549.5225

San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s 2015

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