Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/16726
James E. Rooney, executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA). “The ease of interna- tional travel to and from Boston’s Logan Airport, coupled with our city’s global influence in the educational, sciences and medical sectors make it a prime location for international events.” While Rooney celebrates Boston’s No. 1 ranking in the U.S, he said he also sees opportunities for improving the city’s world-wide ranking. “But there are 43 cities ranked ahead of us, and as Boston moves forward with our Top 5 initiative, we plan to increase our ranking and become an even greater player in the world’s meeting and convention market.” About the International Convention & Congress Association (ICCA) The International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) is one of the most prominent organizations in the world of international meetings. Founded in 1963, the ICCA is based in Amsterdam and has been collecting data on association events world-wide since 1972. MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA WELCOMES ANIME EXPO TO LOS ANGELES AND ANNOUNCES ITS RETURN IN 2011, 2012 AND 2013 Anime Expo Three-Year Commitment Expected to Fill 30,000 Hotel Rooms and Generate $108 Million for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa recently visited the Los Angeles Convention Center to welcome the return of Anime Expo to the City of Los Angeles for the third time. AX 2010 took place at NOKIA Theatre, NOKIA Plaza and the Los Angeles Convention Center. The four-day gathering is the nation’s largest anime and manga convention and organizers have announced their intention to hold the convention in Los Angeles through 2013. Collectively, this event is expected to generate more than $100 million citywide in the next three years. “Los Angeles is the perfect host city for this event thanks to our many local companies specializing in cut- ting-edge technology, our irrefutable standing as the epicenter of the enter- tainment industry, and Downtown LA’s immaculately planned infrastructure,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “In addition to hotel rooms in every price range, we have a state-of-the-art venue to support a convention of this magnitude. We are thrilled that the Anime Expo has already pledged to return for the next three years. It is a true testament to LA’s status as a world-class destination for conventions.” This is the third time in the event’s 19-year history that it has chosen Los Angeles as its host city. This year’s Anime Expo — organized by the Society of Promotion for Japanese Animation and touted as AX 2010 — generated a $24 mil- lion economic impact on the City with a total of 7,200 hotel room bookings. Some 50,000 attendees, a mix of industry professionals and enthusiastic fans, were housed at hotels throughout Downtown Los Angeles, including JW Marriott Hotel Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE, Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles, Hilton Checkers Los Angeles, Kawada Hotel, Los Angeles Athletic Club, Hotel Figueroa, Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown, The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles Marriott Downtown, Wilshire Grand Los Angeles, Millennium Biltmore, and Omni Los Angeles Hotel. “What makes this event unique is that it isn’t limited to industry-only professionals,” said Mark Liberman, president and CEO of LA INC., the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The public was also invited, which generated additional revenue in extended stays, especially at the start of the Fourth of July holiday weekend. It was an opportunity for LA to showcase its many restaurants, attractions, unique neighborhoods and cultural venues as one of the nation’s most desirable tourist destinations.” Pictured here, Mayor Villaraigosa, and Liberman welcome Michael Lattanzio, CEO of the non-profit Society of Promotion for Japanese Animation, at the Anime Expo in Los Angeles. Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 11