Hollywood events are on reset as the new normal plays out. Although it’s another year without an in-person American Film Market, the setback is not holding back Los Angeles restaurants and hotels from showcasing their ample options for holidays and the upcoming event season, which features a first-time Super Bowl on Feb. 13 at SoFi Stadium.
Event planners, catering pros and hotel entertainment sales execs are prepping for another odd end-of-year, one with evolving public health protocols (required vaccination status checks at the door) to accommodating up-to-the-moment bookings.
Whether inside, al fresco or a hybrid, there’s still a hesitancy to book larger gatherings; most in-demand are spaces that can hold 20 to 30 for seated dinners.
“So far, the phone is not ringing with holiday party calls the way it would have pre-COVID,” says Matt Duggan, outgoing general manager at AOC. Brentwood. “And many of the calls that do come through seem less committed, more speculative. They’re playing with the idea only,” he adds of large-scale corporate socializing.
— Variety