How the L.A. Wildfires Are Impacting Meetings

Major wildfires erupted across Los Angeles County this week, overwhelming local fire departments and forcing the closure of iconic landmarks and popular meeting venues. In addition, tens of thousands of people are displaced, and entire neighborhoods are ravaged.

The 130,000-square-foot Pasadena Convention Center has been converted into an evacuation center for those impacted by the fires.

The Getty Center, a $1.3 billion art museum and popular event venue, has managed to fight off the flames. As part of its fire mitigation efforts throughout the year, it cleared brush from the surrounding area, which helped. The Getty Center will remain closed until Sunday, and the Getty Villa will remain closed through Monday.

The Palisades fire destroyed the 186-acre ranch of Will Rogers, a popular event site and former home of actor, radio personality, and humorist. The ranch was on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The fire also destroyed the historic Topanga Ranch Motel, once owned by William Randolph Hearst.

Events Canceled and Postponed 

The California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) has a state conference scheduled for January 22-25 at the Pasadena Convention Center. According to a spokesperson, “We are aware of the situation and are closely monitoring updates regarding the containment efforts. Should there be any need for a cancellation, we will notify all attendees promptly. As of now, the conference is scheduled to proceed as planned.”

Several film-related events, including the 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards, have been postponed or canceled. Originally scheduled for Sunday at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, it was postponed until January 26. 

The American Film Institute has delayed its AFI Awards luncheon, which was slated for Friday at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles in Beverly Hills

The BAFTA Tea Party, scheduled for Saturday at the Four Seasons, has been canceled.

Read more about how the fires are impacting travel here. 

The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board is monitoring the situation and updating its website. The website currently features a list of Los Angeles-area hotels offering relief accommodations for those displaced by the ongoing wildfires.

Visit the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s website for information on the state of the wildfires.