ASM Global recently announced that convention industry veteran Kimberly Weedmark would be coming on board as the new general manager for the Los Angeles Convention Center, a venue that ASM hopes to continue to grow in the coming years as events return.
Weedmark previously worked at Universal Studios Hollywood as vice president of special events and group sales and brings years of valuable experience to the role.
XLIVE caught up with Weedmark to discuss her new position, as well as current challenges and trends in business events.
XLIVE: Congrats on your new role! What attracted you to the LA Convention Center as the next step in your career?
Kimberly Weedmark: Playing a role in continuing to expand the growth of the iconic Los Angeles Convention Center is an amazing opportunity. It’s a venue with a remarkable history and a remarkable path ahead. I’ve had a long history working alongside the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board — to be presented with the opportunity to work closely with them to promote an amazing downtown LA convention package was quite intriguing.
XL: What are you most looking forward to in your new position?
KW: Delivering exceptional experiences for organizers, attendees and exhibitors, many of whom I have been working with for years. I also look forward to working with and getting to know the entire Convention Center team as well as working more closely with the ASM Global family, the City Tourism Department, LATCB and DTLA hotel community.
XL: What are some of the challenges you’ll be facing over the next year?
KW: Like so many in this industry, as we recover from the pandemic and start to see events return in full force, I believe staffing levels continue to be a concern. As we continue to rebuild our team, securing and retaining strong and creative talent is key.
Additionally, it’s no secret that economic uncertainty is looming. We certainly don’t want to see this hinder recovery from the pandemic.
XL: What do you see as some of the biggest trends in meetings and events going into the end of the year and into 2023 as the industry continues to recover?
KW: A couple of things immediately come to mind:
The experience matters — more so than ever before. With rising prices for nearly everything, event planners and attendees will be evaluating their ROI more closely than ever. Organizers are tasked with delivering exceptional and unparalleled attendee experiences to grab their attention. Elevating the Food & Beverage experience plays a large role here. Convention Center food does not have to be dull and tasteless. The Levy team at the LACC has done a remarkable job at customizing extraordinary culinary experiences to fit individual events.
Additionally, the use of outdoor space has become more prevalent. Clients are increasingly taking advantage of the Southern California weather to host outdoor receptions, meals and networking events in conjunction to their meetings & conventions.
Of course, Health & Safety will continue to be paramount for some time to come. While we may not be wearing masks or conducting regular vaccine checks for every event, public health will remain a crucial focal point for this industry.
Finally, as more organizers are working with fewer resources, we have a wonderful opportunity to refocus our clients on the benefits of keeping sustainability at the forefront of their events.