Testimony from HALA Board Members Helps Move Convention Center Forward

Kara Bartelt of the Hoxton Hotel testifying to the City’s Budget and Finance Committee

On July 2, the last City Council meeting before the summer recess, the Los Angeles City Council voted 13-1 to approve the pre-development work with AEG and the Plenary Group for the expansion and modernization of the Convention Center.

HALA Board Members were at several committee hearings and council meetings advocating for the convention center modernization and expansion. Kara Bartelt of the Hoxton Hotel told the City’s Budget and Finance Committee, “I grew up in the Midwest where my first brush with Hollywood was seeing the Field of Dreams movie transform Dryersville, Iowa from nothing into something. From the Field of Dreams, I’m now in the City where dreams are made. And if we build this, THEY WILL COME. If we build this, we will thrive.” The City’s Chief Legislative Analyst (CLA) Sharon Tso quoted Kara in her argument in favor of advancing the Convention Center plan in full City Council, stating “someone [Kara] said build it and they will come, the added space and demand will drive construction.”

This is a major step forward in giving our city and all potential visitors the Center it deserves. Please see the LA Travel and Tourism Press Release on Council’s action on the Convention Center and what’s next for the plan.