The Travel and Tourism Marketing Association (TTMA) celebrates people and institutions that have fostered the success of the travel and tourism industry throughout Southern California. This annual celebration includes recipients for the Anastasia K. Mann Award (AKM) and the TTMA Landmark Award.
The AKM Award recognizes an individual who has selflessly worked to promote travel and tourism in their area. The TTMA Landmark Award recognizes a venue or location that helps to keep Los Angeles/Orange County as a top destination for tourists.
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Event Details
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Date: Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024
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Time: 11am-2pm
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Location: Lexus Club at Crypto.com Arena
1111 South Figueroa St Los Angeles, CA 90015
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If you're a TTMA member please email:
info@ttma.org for your code
MICHAEL K. KROUSE, CHME, CASE
Regional Vice President, Convention Centers – ASM Global
Michael K. Krouse, CHME, CASE, is Regional Vice President for ASM Global. He is responsible for the oversight of 12 convention centers, 2 convention and visitor bureaus, 2 arenas, 3 performance theatres, 4 water parks, 1 sports complex, and a California Welcome Center. ASM Global is the world’s leading venue management and service company. The company’s elite venue network spans 5 continents, with a portfolio of more than 400 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. From Aberdeen to Anchorage, and Sydney to Stockholm, its venues connect people through the unique power of live experiences.
President and CEO – GOCAL (Greater Ontario California Visitors Bureau), Toyota Arena, Ontario Convention Center, California Welcome Center
Mr. Krouse is President and CEO of GOCAL (Greater Ontario California), Ontario Convention Center, Toyota Arena, and the California Welcome Center at Ontario Mills where he directs business development, marketing and destination sales for conventions, meetings and events, national and international visitors plus the overall operations at the venues. GOCAL promotes the Greater Ontario region as a premier destination for meetings, conventions and tourism in Southern California, and to ensure the transparency, accountability and effectiveness of the Greater Ontario Tourism Marketing District, which was established under his leadership. GOCAL’s efforts produce more than $100M in annual economic impact for the region. Toyota Arena hosts 2M guests with 300 active days per year, and the Ontario Convention Center hosts 400 events per year and more than 1M guests.
Prior to joining ASM Global, Mr. Krouse served as the Senior Vice President of Sales and Client Services for the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board (LATCB), where he was responsible for managing a number of departments including Meetings and Convention Sales, Client Services, Research, and Membership. Under his nine years of leadership, LATCB generated substantial annual gains of up to 318% in economic impact to Los Angeles, resulting in an overall net gain of $5.8B during his term.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Krouse spent more than 25 years in a variety of senior hotel sales management positions, where he was frequently charged with overseeing more than 22 hotels and multiple brands simultaneously. His customer service ratings soared consistently above 95%. Key positions that he held during this time included Interstate Hotels and Resorts Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, and Hilton Hotels Corporation Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the West for more than 13 years.
Mr. Krouse is a Certified Association Sales Executive (CASE) with the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), and has earned the title of Certified Hospitality Marketing Executive (CHME) from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI).
Mr. Krouse is also a member of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Meeting Professionals International (MPI), and the Convention Industry Council (CIC). Currently, he serves on the Executive Committee as well as a PAC Trustee for the California Travel Association (CalTravel) and was honored to receive the CalTravel Advocacy Award in 2019. Mr. Krouse is on the Inland Empire Advisory Committee for Visit California and during Covid-19, he led the State of California Convention Center Coalition to advocate for the reopening of convention centers. Michael and his husband Daniel have been together for over 30 years and live in Rancho Mirage, California with their 3 Children; Adriana, 22, Alexis (Alex) 18, and Jayden, 16.
L.A. LIVE is the sports and entertainment district that surrounds Crypto.com Arena and Peacock Theater. The campus features sports and music venues, restaurants, a bowling alley, museum and movie theater. L.A. LIVE is the premier destination for live entertainment in Downtown Los Angeles.
The first of L.A. LIVE's three development phases was completed late 2007 / early 2008 when the doors opened at Peacock Theater, a 7,100 seat concert and awards show venue. Peacock Place, a 40,000 sq. ft. open air space, featuring six 75-foot-towers with LED and static signage along with 1,500 parking spaces also debuted in phase one.
The second phase began in late 2008 with The Novo (a 2,300 person venue), Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge, The GRAMMY Museum® and 2,000 more parking spaces. Restaurants opened throughout phase two, with all 13 eateries completed in 2009. Another notable phase two event was the first live broadcast from the ESPN West Coast Broadcast Center.
The last and final phase was completed in late 2009 with the grand opening of the 14-screen Regal Cinemas and in early 2010 with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Los Angeles, the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE and The Ritz-Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVE.