Milestone For L.A. Live
The new sports, entertainment and residential district being built
in downtown Los Angeles L.A. Live reached a milestone on June 1
with the groundbreaking of a 1,001-room hotel/224-room residence
tower. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Los Angeles Mayor
Antonio Villaraigosa presided over the festivities.
The 54-story L.A. LIVE tower will include both the Ritz-Carlton
Residences (an upscale residential condo development) and a luxury
hotel property shared by Ritz-Carlton and the JW Marriott.
“The Ritz-Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVE are complemented with
a world-class hotel property that answers a long-awaited need for
Downtown L.A.’s millions of visitors,” said Timothy J. Leiweke,
president and CEO of AEG, the L.A. LIVE developers.
The hotel will include ballrooms, meeting spaces, rooftop decks,
swimming pools and resort facilities and provides new lodging
options for the 2½ million convention attendees who visit downtown
Los Angeles every year.
www.seemyla.com
World of Coke
The city of Atlanta is home to a brand-new attraction, the World
of Coca-Cola at Pemberton Place. Estimated to draw more than 1
million visitors its first year, the new facility will showcase the
world’s top-selling beverage and its connection to people from
around the world. Exhibits include more than 1,000 artifacts that
have never been seen by the public; three theaters (one in 4-D), a
real bottling line, a popular culture exhibit showcasing artwork by
Andy Warhol as well as TAW contributor Mark Edward Harris and a
contemporary tasting lounge where guests can sample 70 Coca-Cola
products from around the globe including sparkling beverages,
waters, juices, teas and sports drinks.
www.worldofcoca-cola.com
New Uniglobe Agency
Ten of Uniglobe Travel USA’s leading agencies have joined together
to form a new $200 million agency known as Uniglobe Travel
Partners, a move that will place the company in the top percentile
of U.S. travel companies. Uniglobe Travel Partners is structured so
each of the 10 members are equal shareholders and joint owners. The
company will have 13 offices across the U.S. (in major cities
including New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Portland and
San Francisco) and global networking links with more than 700
Uniglobe Travel franchises in 30 countries.
Uniglobe Travel is the world’s largest single-brand travel
franchise company with more than 700 locations in 30 countries.
Uniglobe Travel agencies specialize in travel management services
for mid-sized corporate accounts and leisure travelers. Annual
system-wide sales were $2.2 billion in 2006.
www.uniglobetravelpartners.com
Majestic Joins CLIA
Majestic America Line has joined the Cruise Lines International
Association (CLIA). The Seattle-based Majestic America Line is
America’s largest river and coastal cruise company. The line
operates seven U.S.-flagged vessels in three different regions of
America the Mississippi, Ohio and tributary rivers; Pacific
Northwest’s Columbia, Snake and Willamette rivers; and Alaska’s
Inside Passage. CLIA’s cruise line membership now consists of 22
lines.
Majestic America Line, formed through the combination of
American West Steamboat Company and the vessels of the Delta Queen
Steamboat Company, is a division of Ambassadors Cruise Group, LLC,
a wholly owned subsidiary of Ambassadors International, Inc.
Together with Ambassadors International Cruise Group, Ambassadors
Cruise Group operates both Majestic America Line and Windstar
Cruises, a leader in luxury small-ship cruising.
“We are particularly excited to provide this esteemed industry
association with our unique perspective on small-ship and niche
cruising,” said David Giersdorf, president of Majestic America
Line.
www.majesticamericaline.com
