Palm Springs

Amazing Race to the Runway! Dilemma? You have narrowed down several exciting teambuilding options proposed by your DMC to just two. Which one do you choose when you like them both? Solution: You don't have to choose - combine them together into an energizing two-step event as one corporate planner did recently with the help of the ACCESS Palm Springs office. In "The Amazing Race to the Runway," ACCESS creatively combined variations from two critically acclaimed television reality shows - The Amazing Race and Project Runway and teams of top producers competed for a first place finish.

Each team received puzzle pieces and a map of the resort property. Our client's goals involved the teams being prepared to problem-solve, navigate through unfamiliar territory and reach a common destination in a specific amount of time or risk losing points. After solving a succession of clues, guests arrived at the on-property finish destination, received their score points, and were surprised to learn that this teambuilding event was not yet over! To fulfill additional goals including exhibiting inspiration, imagination and creativity, points were traded for play "money" which guests used to barter for fashion item supplies in an auction. After each team sketched out a "design inspiration," they used their auction winnings to create one-of-a-kind fashions in line with their inspirational drawing. Team designs were modeled in a hilarious catwalk Runway Show and the winning team was selected by the group - an altogether exhilarating afternoon!

States the client-company President and CEO, "Much like developing winning insurance and risk management proposals for clients and policyholders, brokers and underwriters came to appreciate success is often determined by teams harnessing talent, resources and ideas and focusing upon shared goals."

"Designers...Make it work," the often-spoken mantra of Bravo's hit show Project Runway, fits right into our team-building philosophy. The team at ACCESS will custom-design any event to match your goals and objectives, guaranteed to motivate your guests and produce synergistic results in the workplace for a long time to come. Call the destination management experts at ACCESS Palm Springs to custom-design a teambuilding special event during your next Palm Springs conference, meeting or incentive travel program.

Los Angeles

Out and About in the NEW Downtown! With its exciting redevelopment projects, downtown Los Angeles has become a vibrant, multi-faceted destination. Endless possibilities make for fun and educational daytime sightseeing excursions to enhance your LA conference, meeting and incentive travel programs.

Downtown Los Angeles boasts the largest contiguous concentration of historic architecture in America and, not surprisingly, is often used in a "back lot" capacity for blockbuster films. To satisfy your guests whose interests lean toward historic and/or architecturally relevant excursions, ACCESS Destination Services and the city of Los Angeles offer a variety of building blocks from which to frame the perfectly constructed tour. Read on for a sampling of some of these excursion "building blocks."

The contemporary Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels is the first Roman Catholic Cathedral to be erected in the western United States in 30 years and was designed with virtually no right angles. This geometry contributes to the Cathedral's feeling of mystery and its aura of majesty.

The Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall, home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, is one of the most acoustically sophisticated concert halls in the world. Its striking stainless steel curves and impressive features dramatically enhance this internationally recognized architectural landmark.

Going back in time, travel with us to the "Broadway Historic Theatre District" - the largest historic theatre district in the world, for a birds-eye view of some of America's most beautiful old picture palaces including the Palace Theater, a vaudeville survivor and the oldest Orpheum Theatre in the world.

Visit Olvera Street, the birthplace of Los Angeles. The colorful village features historic buildings with a traditional Mexican-style plaza complete with marketplace, shops and hand-crafted Mexican wares.

Another popular destination on our walking tours is the first modern American Chinatown. Shops and bazaars which adorn the streets and walkways featuring chinaware, garments, arts & crafts and jewelry including exquisite jade collections are must-see inclusions.

There is definitely something for everyone in the new downtown. For your fashionistas, the fabulous LA Fashion District is the hub of the apparel industry on the West Coast, where guests will enjoy the latest collections in the designer showrooms.

Downtown Los Angeles also possesses an extraordinary number of museums whose offerings include the hands-on California Science Center with its informative permanent exhibits and exciting rotating special exhibits. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is a crown jewel of LA museums and ranks as the largest natural and historical museum in the Western United States. The California Aerospace Museum is an architectural showcase, designed by Frank Gehry in his trademark style that blurs the fine line separating art and architecture. The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles is the only museum in LA devoted exclusively to contemporary art. In a short time frame, MOCA has developed one of the nation's most renowned permanent collections.

Adding some flair and flavor to your downtown excursions, the San Antonio Winery is the last of more than one hundred producing wineries that once lined the Los Angeles River Basin. With its comprehensive tasting room and international wine shop, the winery is an oasis of good living in the heart of the city.

With everything that the new downtown Los Angeles has to offer in the way of stimulating and educational excursion options, the trick is pulling it all together to incorporate the right inclusions for your guests. That's where we come in! With your guest demographics, budget and schedule in mind, ACCESS Los Angeles expertly weaves together special program itineraries, complete with creative twists and dining options, all with the goal of enhancing your area destination management programs by making the most of the exciting attractions available in the dynamic new downtown Los Angeles . Call us today!

Spice it up with ACCESS

The Prado's Chicken Tortilla Soup!
This recipe, featured in The San Diego Restaurant Cookbook, is just one of many selections from the Prado's menu of California cuisine with Latin and Mediterranean influences.

Serves 6

Ingredients:

- 8 corn tortillas
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 Anaheim chili, seeded and chopped
- 1 Poblano chili, seeded and chopped
- 1 Serrano chili, seeded and chopped
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds, toasted
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin, toasted
- 1/2 teaspoon ancho chili powder, toasted
- 1 cup canned pear tomatoes
- 2 quarts chicken stock
- 4 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro sprigs

Directions:

Julienne corn tortillas and fry in olive oil until golden brown. Set aside. In a heated saucepot, sweat chilis, onion, bell pepper, and garlic until soft. Add cilantro, dry spices and fried tortillas, reserving some tortillas for garnish. Stir until tortillas break up into smaller pieces. Add pear tomatoes, chicken stock, and lime juice and simmer for 15 minutes. Pour soup into blender and puree until smooth. Serve garnished with crumbled cotija cheese, fried tortilla strips, and cilantro sprigs.

Enjoy!