What makes your city a top meeting/convention destination?
Our focus on service is a big factor. We won six individual awards for our service standard in 2007, versus one six years ago.

Long Beach is also the fifth largest city in California and the 35th largest in the United States, but it's small enough to call one's own for any number of days. At the same time, though, it offers the experience, diversity, and variety of a much larger city. We like to say Long Beach truly has everything - the best of Southern California dining, entertainment, and culture, all within an easily accessible area.
What is your position on destination leadership?
Destination leadership necessitates being able to bring together multiple partners to fulfill customer expectations.
What is your city's roadmap for the future?
If Long Beach were a stock, it would be a strong buy.

We have $1 billion worth of downtown development slated. Three hotel construction projects have been approved. One is under construction and the other two will soon be. There will also be some high-density residential development, making downtown Long Beach more pedestrian-friendly. Our downtown is already vibrant.

Long Beach has always been easily accessible, with flights into Los Angeles International Airport and John Wayne Airport. However, JetBlue now has 24 daily flights directly into and out of Long Beach Airport from Chicago, Boston, Ft. Lauderdale, Washington, D.C., Oakland, Seattle, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Sacramento, Reno, and Monterrey.
What green initiatives is your city/convention center undertaking?
We're very much focused on the importance of educating others about the importance of environmental responsibility. The Long Beach Convention Center is managed by SMG, which has put in place a Zero Waste initiative involving composting, recycling, the use of "green" containers, and more. In terms of energy savings, 18 months ago the center installed PVC solar panels that produce an annual energy savings of $8,000. As of September 2007, we had also amassed a $40,000 energy savings credit on our Southern California Edison account.

The Port of Long Beach has adopted a "green port initiative" to decrease air pollution from emissions and the like, and the Aquarium of the Pacific promotes environmental stewardship as part of its programs. How have destination marketing organizations (DMOs) evolved over the past 10 years, and how do you see the role of the bureau changing in the future?
DMOs have become true facilitators in working with cities on everything from contract negotiations and national and regional public relations to marketing and economic development. In marketing, DMOs have also turned into - and will continue to be - collaborative marketing partners with the groups that meet in their cities. As an example, we'll host links on association Web sites to grow attendance at their events.