Westin Bonaventure Raises Bar on Supporting Meeting Planners, Nixes Attrition and Internet Fees

Attrition, Internet fee-free meetings available for new group bookings through April 2010

LOS ANGELES, May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Officials of the Westin Bonaventure today announced the hotel is raising the bar on supporting meeting planners who are faced with smaller-than-expected turn-out by doing away with attrition, and Internet fees for group bookings. With more than 115,000 square feet of meeting space, the largest ballroom in Los Angeles, 21 breakout rooms and an exhibit hall that can handle over 100 exhibit booths, the deal sets a new standard for competitive meeting and conference hotels in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. "Nixed attrition meetings" will be available to new contracts with up to 500 peak night rooms. Rooms must be booked by December 31, 2009 and consumed by April 30, 2010.

"The Bonaventure is one of the most flexible, state-of-the-art meeting facilities in Los Angeles," said Managing Director Michael Czarcinski. "Group travel has become difficult to coordinate due to the shaky economy. Even necessary meetings and conferences have been miss-labeled as potentially extravagant spending. However, companies realize that everything from launching a new product to rewarding superior performance is best handled in face-to-face settings. We understand that large group meetings are crucial to the successful operations of companies and organizations, and we are doing our part to support beleaguered meeting planners who are faced with tighter budgets and constraints more than any other time in this decade.

"We believe this is the first time that a Los Angeles, upscale hotel has made such a sweeping commitment to meeting planners," Czarcinski said. "Los Angeles is a top destination market for meetings and conventions. We have a long history of being highly flexible in working with meeting planners and this offer takes it to the next level."

Meeting planners interested in booking should complete an RFP at www.thebonaventure.com.

The 1,354-room Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites is located in the heart of Los Angeles. Its signature soaring glass towers have made it the most photographed building in the world and the leading lady on the set of Hollywood's biggest films. Guest rooms include amenities such as floor-to-ceiling views of the Los Angeles skyline and the signature Westin Heavenly Bed(R) and Heavenly Bath. LA Prime, the signature New York-style steakhouse restaurant, is located on the 35th floor, offering diners the ultimate Los Angeles view. Executive Chef Andreas Nieto creates dishes known for innovative and edgy cuisine, featuring prime beef steaks, both wet and dry aged, lamb and veal chops and fresh fish and shellfish, all enhanced with local produce and accompanied by an award-winning wine cellar. For more information visit the hotel's Web site: www.thebonaventure.com

    Contact:
    Michael Czarcinski, managing director         Melanie Boyer
    The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites         Daly Gray Public Relations
    (213) 624-1000                                703-435-6293
    michael.czarcinski@westin.com                 melanie@dalygray.com