February 2008 ACCESS Advantage
Going Green!
Environmental awareness is here to stay! Greening has moved from a niche consideration right into the mainstream and will likely become the standard in years to come. At ACCESS Destination Services we are actively incorporating green practices into our every day office environment as well as out in the field. Through socially responsible practices and creative programming and design, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint as well as assisting our clients to achieve their green meeting goals.
Just as we assimilate eco-friendly ideas our supplier partners and team-members share with us into our workplace, it is our mission to share our workplace practices with clients, friends, family and business associates in the hopes that they will spread the word. Just a few of the office practices we have adopted include:
Some of the green meeting practices our clients have shared with us vastly cut back on paper usage, including requesting attendees to only receive newspapers if they will be read. ACCESS also endorses these paper practices by recycling all paper, printing only when necessary and double-sided, and decreasing our print margins. Our clients appreciate our efforts at eco-friendly transportation as we work with our supplier partners to adopt such practices as recycling of used oil, batteries, tires, and other automotive waste. “No idle” policies and minimizing use of vehicle air-conditioning make a positive difference. Additionally, the number of hybrid and bio-diesel alternatives to standard sedans and SUVs is on the rise creating more transportation options for meetings, conventions and incentive programs.
While eco-minded practices in the workplace and on-site do make a difference, as a DMC it is through our eco-programming that we really have the opportunity to contribute to global awareness. A survey of ADME (Association of Destination Management Executives) members indicated that ADME members operate over 21,000 programs annually. The collective impact of suggesting eco-friendly venues and introducing green programs, especially team-building activities, to motivate meeting attendees (who then spread the word) is enormous.
Several of our team-building programs are green-based and provide attendees with a meaningful connection to their local communities and environment. In “I Speak for TREES!” teams take on a series of challenges and group initiatives to fill a recycled cardboard box with items suitable for a day of planting. Teams “win” small shovels, gardening gloves, seeds, saplings, etc. and all materials are then donated to local eco-friendly groups who will then plant each tree in an effort to cut down environmental carbon dioxide. Participants will also receive seeds to take home. (Seeds are available for each section of the country.)
As the need for environmental stewardship increases, look to ACCESS Destination Services to support your green programming needs for your meetings, conferences, and incentive programs throughout the Southern California region.
Note: Photo represents a themed team building activity. All items used, such as cardboard, glass, plastic bags, etc., are recycled.
Los Angeles
Livin’ it Up at L.A. Live! Project Update: L.A. Live, the downtown Los Angeles sports and entertainment destination, is moving along quite nicely on its projected timeline. The multi-faceted 4-million square foot development adjoining STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center will feature an exciting mix of entertainment venues, restaurants, retail, commercial and residential spaces, television and radio broadcast studios and concert locations.
First Phase: (Completed October 2007): A new era for live entertainment was launched at the October 17th ribbon cutting ceremony at L.A. Live’s 7,100 seat NOKIA Theatre. The opening was followed up with six nights of rousing concerts featuring the Eagles and the Dixie Chicks. Built at a cost of $120 million, NOKIA Theatre L.A. Live boasts the largest stage in southern California, state-of-the-art acoustics and impressive sight lines and serves as the new home of the Latin GRAMMY Awards as well as the ESPY Awards. We, at ACCESS , are also thrilled with the lobby accommodations allowing for receptions of up to 500 persons. NOKIA Plaza is a huge open-air plaza providing a broadcast venue with giant LED screens as well as a red carpet site for special events.
Second Phase (October, 2008): The next phase will be an exciting one featuring no less than 10 restaurants, local, regional and national in origin. Just a few of the anticipated favorites include: Katsuya, with its sushi and robata bar; Rosa Mexicano, fine dining featuring traditional and nouvelle Mexican food within a contemporary design; Yard House, an American food favorite – complete with over 100 different beers; Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar; The Farm of Beverly Hills; and several more eagerly awaited culinary classics.
Also heating up the second phase are some sizzling clubs! The legendary Conga Room, owned by Jimmy Smits, Jennifer Lopez, and Paul Rodriguez is relocating from its mid-Wilshire location to L.A. Live in 2008. Los Angeles’ premier Latin & World music venue will feature a private club/restaurant paired with a live entertainment /dance club. Club NOKIA, a stand-alone club, will accommodate up to 2,400 patrons and will feature up-and-coming music acts, bands, and cultural shows. Club NOKIA may also be used to host private parties and corporate events. Then…fuse Hollywood chic with celebrity bowling and fun comfort food and you’ve got Lucky Strike. This hip bowling spot, complete with café, billiard tables, darts and private rooms, is set to be the epicenter of nouveau cool. Additionally, this phase will showcase ESPN studios and an ESPN Zone.
Third Phase (October 2009): During this time frame, we will welcome the premiere of the West coast flagship for Regal Cinemas at L.A. Live with its 14 screens. With its close proximity to the convention center and headquarters hotel meeting and ballroom spaces, it is expected that the theaters might be utilized during the day for corporate presentations and break-out space.
The final phase (March 2010) will bring the soaring, 54-story, 878-room JW Marriott and the 123-room Ritz-Carlton to life along with the Ritz-Carlton Residences at L.A. Live. Operated as two entities under The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott brands, the hotels will serve the convention, group meeting and tourist market as well as headline performers, visiting sports teams and executives.
This is only the beginning of a totally revitalized downtown Los Angeles! Stay tuned for further updates including the equally exciting Grand Avenue Project. Contact ACCESS Destination Services today to keep abreast of all the exciting developments.
Orange County
Water Adventures in The O.C.! Longing for summer? Looking to reward your top producers with sun, sand, warmth and water? Look no further than Southern California and Orange County. While much of the country is experiencing the winter chill, in Orange County you will find perpetual summertime and, with it, many opportunities for fun-in-the-sun water activities.
Explore 40+ miles of coastline with more water recreation possibilities than you can imagine. From sailing adventures to private yacht cruises, to kayaking, surfing, whale and dolphin watching and sportfishing, Orange County has it all; the hardest part is selecting from among the many options. Let the team at ACCESS Orange County help you with your choices to design the perfect water adventures for your next meeting, conference or incentive travel program. We are your local experts for developing creative itineraries for your guest programs.
Sailing opportunities are endless – from leisurely sails or competitive regattas on board privately owned and skippered 6-passenger sailboats to sailing aboard vintage sailing vessels holding 20-30 guests each.
Experience one of the numerous, year-round Orange County fishing charters with seasonal catches including halibut, barracuda, yellowtail, white sea bass and more while enjoying the scenic shoreline views from the deck of top-of-the-line fishing boats. Everyone’s invited, from first-timers to the more seasoned fishermen. We can even arrange a charter to Catalina to search for the “big one.”
Authentic Italian gondola cruises are also available with serenading gondoliers to cruise the canals of Newport. Newport Harbor is also perfect for kayaking, offering up-close views and awesome photo opportunities of multi-million dollar yachts, stars’ homes and frolicking sea lions and seals. For more “wild life” sightings, consider our catamaran cruises, complete with captivating naturalist on board as we take to the harbor to view playful dolphins and whales during the December-April whale watching season.
Let’s not forget one of the most popular water activities – electric boats! Newport Harbor is a natural harbor with 7 residential islands and approximately 10,000 privately owned boats including over 1200 electric boats which offer a truly unique way to cruise the harbor while taking in the fabulous views of the meticulously maintained bayfront homes that line the harbor. Lunch or dinner may be included at one of the many water’s edge restaurants. Electric boats are also perfect for fun, team-building exercises including creatively designed “Amazing Races” or scavenger hunts and much more.
Not enough time to explore it all? Allow our sales team to assist you in the smart selection of your recreational events and water activities based on your time frames and guest demographics. We can provide activities for those desiring single component water activities or we can “mix it up” for you with some creative combinations. Either way, the team at ACCESS Orange County will provide the local expertise to create a dynamic program of events when you are next in our area.
Spice it up with ACCESS
Tequila Lime Shrimp with Toasted Garlic Bread.
Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
- 24 large Mexican white shrimp (21-25 per pound)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
- 4 tablespoons pure olive oil
- 4 tablespoons garlic, peeled and minced
- 2 teaspoons red chile flakes
- 2 teaspoons course kosher salt
- 4 ounces silver tequila
- 4 ounces dry white wine
- 2 ounces fresh lime juice
- ¾ cup butter, salted, slightly softened, cut in cubes
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
- 6 lime wedges
- 6 pieces toasted garlic bread
Directions:
Peel and de-vein shrimp, leaving tails attached. Lightly dredge shrimp in flour and shake to remove excess. Heat oil in large (12” or 16”) sauté pan over medium heat. Lay in shrimp. Cook 1 minute and gently turn shrimp over. Cook for 30 seconds, then add garlic, red chiles, and salt. Cook for an additional 30 seconds, until garlic is light brown in color. Do not let garlic burn. Gently toss contents of pan, and remove from heat.
In a bowl, combine tequila, white wine, and lime juice. Add mixture to pan with shrimp. Return to heat and reduce by ½. On low heat, add cubes of butter one at a time. Stir constantly, alternating on and off the heat. Do not boil, as the butter will break. The sauce should remain very creamy. Once all the butter is combined, remove from heat. Place shrimp on individual dishes or one large serving dish. Top with sauce from pan and chopped cilantro. Garnish with lime wedges and serve with toasted garlic bread.
Enjoy!
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“As the planning progressed, I had the distinct pleasure of working with Lisa and from our first chat to our final good-bye I had the secure feeling that she was in total control of every aspect of our meeting. Many a day I would arrive at my office and find a response from her that was sent in the wee hours of the morning in California.”
Manager Corporate Meetings & TravelBarnes Group Inc.