News from LAWA

LAWA was recently featured in the Los Angeles Times and the Daily Breeze.  Read on to learn about a pilot who lives at LAX and an update on LAX's Theme Building renovation.

LAX parking lot is home away from home for airline workers
For about 15 days a month, Alaska Airlines pilot Jim Lancaster lives in a motor home in Parking Lot B near the southernmost runway at Los Angeles International Airport.

Every four minutes, a jetliner or turboprop roars in -- 500 feet above his front door -- for a landing. The noise is so loud it forces Lancaster to pause during conversations. But he doesn't mind. Lancaster puts up with the smell of jet fuel and screaming engines to save time and money.  Read more... 

Iconic LAX Theme Building's Renovation Will Be Done By Fall
The Theme Restaurant Building has been virtually synonymous with LAX since it opened in 1961. In 2001, the rooftop observation deck was closed in reaction to the September 11th terrorist attacks in the US, and in early 2007, when a hefty piece of plaster fell down as patrons ate nearby, the landmark building was closed for renovations.   Read more...

Legislative Update

It seems our efforts may be bearing fruit. The FAA Reauthorization bill has been introduced into the Senate with sponsors on BOTH sides of the aisle. The House has already passed this important legislation.  NBTA issued the following news release:
 
Congress Urged to Implement National Priority in 2009

Alexandria, VA (July 15, 2009) - The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) - the largest association of business travel professionals - praised U.S. Senate aviation leaders for bipartisan introduction of  S.1451,  the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2009. Along with important safety provisions, the bill promises to make the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) a reality that will benefit millions of business travelers and their employers. For more, see this link.

LABTA Volunteer Opportunity:

Support the LA Regional Food Bank 

Join LABTA on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 8:45 a.m. to noon as we give our support to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.  More details will be available as the event gets closer.  You may also contact CSR Director Kjarsten Philipsen at kphilipsen@egencia.com to express interest.
 
Please also join TEAM LABTA and make a donation at LABTA's Virtual Fundraising page by clicking on the this link.

OC Meeting Recap:

Managing Travelers in the 'New Economy'

 
LABTA members recently enjoyed a meeting on the beach, or as close as you can come to it in business attire!  Attendees gathered in Orange County's fabulous Laguna Beach at the Pacific Edge Hotel.  Guests were treated to a welcoming sangria, salt air, and an amazing atmosphere.

Seated in 'The Villa's' meeting area inside, Will Crist gave us a presentation about Managing Travelers in the 'New Economy.'  The presentation consisted of ways for us all to think about approaching the traveler with information they may not want to hear. 
 
He talked about the how each of us have an inner child, and so if you speak to someone as a 'critical parent,' you may get a 'rebellious child' response.  There were also examples of the 'nurturing parent' and the 'compliant child.'  In an effort to speak to each other as adults, we need facts and information.  People will respond better if we stay out of the child/parent cycle and speak directly to each other as adults, even when the news is not what we want to hear.  Remember, there is always a nice way to say, 'no.'
 
Following the meeting, everyone went out onto the terrace and were treated to delicious appetizers, wine or more sangria.  Networking to the sound of the waves crashing and the sun setting created a whole new perspective.  All who attended enjoyed!  Thank you again to our hosts at the Pacific Edge Hotel.

- Submitted by Tracy Gaitan

Legislative Affairs Chapter Challenge

I'm happy to report that LABTA has met and exceeded this year's chapter challenge! We achieved well over the 50% participation threshold to contact our elected representatives on issues affecting the business travel industry, sent an endorsed position letter, hosted NBTA Legislative Representative, raised more than $500 for the NBTA PAC, and named a government relations liaison.
 
Thanks to all who participated! I still believe we can raise even more money for the PAC. If each of us writes a $10 check payable to the NBTA PAC, we can raise more than $2,500 and really shine. Let's show our esteemed colleagues at the other chapters just how strong and committed LABTA is. Even in the throes of a recession $10 is not too much to give to an organization that does so much to help our industry thrive. Send your $10 donation to NBTA PAC c/o LABTA, 210 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, CA 91502.

Thanks for all you do!

- Submitted by Frank Dolce

First-Ever Casino Royale Trade Show Dubbed a Big Hit

LABTA Director of Special Events Kay Steel, senior manager global travel services at Mattel, Inc., thanks ALL OUR ALLIED AND DIRECT MEMBERS for making the first Casino Royale Trade Show a great success! 
 
The feedback was unanimous - everyone expressed they had a wonderful time.  We cannot thank the many exhibitors enough for their generous contributions and sincerely value our strong partnerships.  We can't do what we do without all of you.  Thank you also to all the suppliers who provided such amazing prizes.  The winners were just thrilled.  The losers? Well, just wait until next year!
 
"It was a great event and wonderful location," shared Joyce Greenberg, director of travel, Corinthian Colleges. "Networking was fun. Very low key for us buyers, and easy to move around and play the tables with the exhibitors. I personally liked the idea of the tall cocktail tables rather than the traditional set up, more informal and less intimidating."
 
Sevan Nova Leipziger, area sales executive, Air France, added, "At last a different venue with a fresh and up-to-date idea, this is a lot of fun."

Spotlight on Board Committees 

Inland Empire Outreach

LABTA is studying the feasibility of creating a sub-chapter for the Inland Empire. The Inland Empire encompasses all of San Bernardino County and a portion of Riverside County and is served by two commercial airports (LA/Ontario International and Palm Springs International) serving approximately 6 million passengers per year.  The Inland Empire Outreach Director will be meeting with corporate travel managers to assess the need for and level of interest in LABTA programs tailored for their market.

Meet LABTA's Director of Inland Empire Outreach
Kathleen Sedlmayr, president of KES Consulting, began her career in the travel industry in 1976 as a desk clerk for Hilton Hotels in Columbus, Ohio, while attending high school and travel school simultaneously. She progressed to sales and marketing at Hilton then landed her first travel agent position in 1980. Kathleen worked as a full-time travel agent at an agency located on the Ohio State University campus and attended classes at night. With the vast international student population as her clientele, Kathleen quickly became an international travel specialist sending students and faculty to all corners of the globe for nine years. She accepted an opportunity to move to another agency closer to her home as manager of leisure and international travel before moving to California in 1995. In 2006, she was offered a rare opportunity to work with Los Angeles World Airports as an outreach and marketing consultant to the travel industry. Kathleen met and married her husband George in 1981 and has 2 boys; Michael (13) and John (9).  She and her family live in Simi Valley.

And Finally...Did You Know? 

The first commercial transatlantic service was begun by Pan American Airways using the Boeing 314 flying boat. With a crew of 11 and 36 "night" passengers, a 152-foot wingspan and a 106 foot long fuselage, it cruised at the majestic speed of 188 mph for 3,685 miles at an altitude of 11,000 ft. The inaugural flight began on June 28, 1939, with the one way fare from Long Island to Marseilles equivalent to $5,300 in today's dollars. A Popular Science article written at the time says... "Inside the double-decked metal hull, life during a transatlantic flight will be like life in an up-to-date hotel. A galley, complete with ice boxes and steam tables, will permit stewards to prepare food for 90 people. To conserve weight, special lightweight silverware will be used at mealtime. During the voyage, passengers will read, smoke, walk about from room to room. Different parts of the plane will be connected by telephone. There will be lounges, dressing rooms, smoking rooms, private compartments -even a honeymoon suite-on board the aerial leviathan." See the rest of the article here.

Just 12 of these magnificent machines were built, none survive, but there is a full scale model on display in Ireland. See this link for some great photos.