Black Meetings & Tourism - LOS ANGELES TOURISM USHERS IN A NEW ERA FOR MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS

Industry Briefs
LOS ANGELES TOURISM USHERS IN A NEW ERA FOR MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS
Mario Thompson Los Angeles is entering a bold new chapter in its meetings and conventions story, marked by fresh leadership and transformative investment. Los Angeles Tourism has recently appointed Mario Thompson as Chief Sales Officer, a move that signals the destination's commitment to growth and global competitiveness. A hospitality veteran with more than two decades of experience, Thompson most recently served as Market Director of Sales and Marketing for The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, and JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE. His career has taken him through major markets including New York, Chicago, Atlanta, San Diego, and Washington, D.C., giving him a deep understanding of the needs of planners and delegates alike. In his role, Thompson will lead LA Tourism's global sales and services strategy, driving convention business at a pivotal moment for the City of Angels. His appointment comes as the Los Angeles Convention Center embarks on a landmark expansion and modernization project, underscoring LA's position in the global meetings landscape. Approved by the Los Angeles City Council in September 2025, the multi-billion-dollar project is expected to create more than 15,000 jobs and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in visitor spending. The expansion will connect the South and West Exhibit Halls, adding nearly 190,000 square feet, for a total of more than 750,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, a long-standing priority for large-scale conventions. It will also add 39,000 square feet of meeting rooms, 95,000 square feet of multipurpose space, and a showstopping 98,000-square-foot rooftop ballroom with panoramic city views. Beyond the numbers, the modernization effort reflects Los Angeles' broader vision: to create a world-class, sustainable, and inclusive meetings environment ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The design emphasizes flexibility, technology integration, and sustainability while ensuring seamless operations throughout the construction phase. The project cements LA's reputation as a world-class meetings and events destination, connecting venues and experiences across the city's regions. Thompson's leadership brings not only sales expertise but also a passion for partnership. His perspective, shaped by decades in diverse markets, aligns with Los Angeles Tourism's goal of ensuring that convention growth benefits all regions of Los Angeles. With the Los Angeles Convention Center expansion breaking ground and a new leader steering its meetings strategy, Los Angeles is poised to redefine what a convention destination can be: one that reflects the vibrancy and innovation of the city itself. As Thompson takes the helm and the convention center reaches skyward, Los Angeles stands ready to welcome the world to gather, connect, and create together.

Industry Briefs

LOS ANGELES TOURISM USHERS IN A NEW ERA FOR MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS

Mario Thompson

Los Angeles is entering a bold new chapter in its meetings and conventions story, marked by fresh leadership and transformative investment. Los Angeles Tourism has recently appointed Mario Thompson as Chief Sales Officer, a move that signals the destination's commitment to growth and global competitiveness.

A hospitality veteran with more than two decades of experience, Thompson most recently served as Market Director of Sales and Marketing for The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, and JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE. His career has taken him through major markets including New York, Chicago, Atlanta, San Diego, and Washington, D.C., giving him a deep understanding of the needs of planners and delegates alike.

In his role, Thompson will lead LA Tourism's global sales and services strategy, driving convention business at a pivotal moment for the City of Angels. His appointment comes as the Los Angeles Convention Center embarks on a landmark expansion and modernization project, underscoring LA's position in the global meetings landscape.

Approved by the Los Angeles City Council in September 2025, the multi-billion-dollar project is expected to create more than 15,000 jobs and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in visitor spending. The expansion will connect the South and West Exhibit Halls, adding nearly 190,000 square feet, for a total of more than 750,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, a long-standing priority for large-scale conventions. It will also add 39,000 square feet of meeting rooms, 95,000 square feet of multipurpose space, and a showstopping 98,000-square-foot rooftop ballroom with panoramic city views.

Beyond the numbers, the modernization effort reflects Los Angeles' broader vision: to create a world-class, sustainable, and inclusive meetings environment ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The design emphasizes flexibility, technology integration, and sustainability while ensuring seamless operations throughout the construction phase. The project cements LA's reputation as a world-class meetings and events destination, connecting venues and experiences across the city's regions.

Thompson's leadership brings not only sales expertise but also a passion for partnership. His perspective, shaped by decades in diverse markets, aligns with Los Angeles Tourism's goal of ensuring that convention growth benefits all regions of Los Angeles.

With the Los Angeles Convention Center expansion breaking ground and a new leader steering its meetings strategy, Los Angeles is poised to redefine what a convention destination can be: one that reflects the vibrancy and innovation of the city itself. As Thompson takes the helm and the convention center reaches skyward, Los Angeles stands ready to welcome the world to gather, connect, and create together.