Santa Monica, California

About the Event

Connections is proud to announce its first Connections Bespoke event in California, USA in partnership with Visit California.Set against the backdrop of Santa Monica and its 3.5 glistening miles of coastline, the event will showcase the region’s finest high-end product in true Californian style.

Connections will bring a hand-picked selection of the world’s finest luxury buyers to meet with exceptional hotels, boutique properties, experience providers and destination management companies. Throughout the event, senior executives and experts will discover new business opportunities during one-to-one meetings and thought-leading debate.

Enhanced with local experiences – from dining on the freshest seafood, exploring the iconic Santa Monica Pier to strolling along one of the world’s best city beaches – Connections California will celebrate the state’s enduring appeal for luxury travellers.

When & Where

10 - 13 Mar 2019

California

Sponsors and Partners

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Agenda

Friday, 08th March

14:00

(Optional) Make it a weekend

Ahead of Connections California, we invite you and a guest to arrive early to enjoy a personal weekend in Santa Monica. We have arranged a preferential rate with our host hotels, please contact us for further information.

Sunday, 10th March

06:00

Buyers VIP transfers sponsored by Pure Luxury Transportation

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: Los Angeles International Airport

Upon arrival, please look out for a Visit California logo – your driver will be waiting for you. The 30/40-minute transfer gives you the opportunity to relax after your flight and take in the Californian scenery.

16:00

Check in

Duration: All day

Location: Casa del Mar, Hotel by the Sea; Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows; Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and Shutters on the Beach

The hotel partners are located in the heart of Santa Monica, offering wonderful views of the sea that will make your stay in the city a unique experience.

18:30

Transfer sponsored by Santa Monica Travel & Tourism to White Party on Santa Monica Beach

Duration: 15 minutes

Location: Casa del Mar, Hotel by the Sea; Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows; Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and Shutters on the Beach

Transfers from host hotel partners to secret dinner location

18:45

White Party on Santa Monica Beach sponsored by Visit California & Santa Monica Travel & Tourism

Duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes

Location: Perry's Cafe, 2400 Ocean Front Walk

Settle back and enjoy Santa Monica's beach with an expertly mixed cocktail or a glass of wine and enjoy dazzling sea views. It's the perfect place to watch the sun go down over Santa Monica.

21:30

Transfer sponsored by Santa Monica Travel & Tourism from White Party on Santa Monica Beach to host hotel

Duration: 15 minutes

Location: Casa del Mar, Hotel by the Sea; Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows; Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and Shutters on the Beach

Monday, 11th March

07:00

Breakfast

Duration: 1 hour and 30 mins

Location: Casa del Mar, Hotel by the Sea; Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows; Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and Shutters on the Beach

The ideal place to relax in the morning with the hotels copious breakfast buffets and spectacular menu.

09:00

Transfer sponsored by Pure Luxury Transportation from host hotels to Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows

Duration: 15 minutes

Location: Casa del Mar, Hotel by the Sea; Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and Shutters on the Beach

09:30

Opening welcome with Caroline Beteta of Visit California

Duration: 1 hour

Location: Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows

10:15

ConnecTalk with Euromonitor International & Roundtable Discussions - Luxury Evolution

Duration: 1 hour

This is an additional opportunity to mix with delegates. These roundtables discussions aim to tackle hot topics in the luxury market.

11:15

Coffee break

Duration: 15 minutes

Your opportunity to catch up with emails and calls back in the office

11:30

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours!

12:00

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose an Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours!

12:30

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose an Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours!

13:00

Lunch under the Fig Tree sponsored by Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows and Santa Monica Travel & Tourism

Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes

14:00

Transfer sponsored by Pure Luxury Transportation to Santa Monica Place

Duration: 30 minutes

14:30

Welcome briefing at Santa Monica Place

Duration: 15 minutes

14:45

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose an Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours!

15:30

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose an Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours!

16:15

Coffee break

Duration: 15 minutes

Your opportunity to go back to your room and grab anything you might need for the afternoon and evening programme

16:30

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours!

17:15

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours!

18:00

Transfer sponsored by Pure Luxury Transportation from Santa Monica Place to host hotels and free time

Duration: 15 minutes

Location: Casa del Mar, Hotel by the Sea; Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows; Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and Shutters on the Beach

19:30

Transfer sponsored by Pure Luxury Transportation from host hotels to dinner at Casa Del Mar, Hotel by the Sea

Duration: 15 minutes

Location: Casa del Mar, Hotel by the Sea; Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows; Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and Shutters on the Beach

19:45

Dinner sponsored by Casa Del Mar, Hotel by the Sea and Santa Monica Travel & Tourism

Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes

This will be a great opportunity to meet new people in a more formal setting whilst enjoying a lovely view of Santa Monica.

22:00

Transfer sponsored by Pure Luxury Transportation from Casa Del Mar, Hotel by the Sea to host hotels

Duration: 15 minutes

Location: Casa del Mar, Hotel by the Sea; Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows; Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and Shutters on the Beach

Tuesday, 12th March

07:00

Breakfast

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

Location: Casa del Mar, Hotel by the Sea; Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows; Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and Shutters on the Beach

08:30

Transfer sponsored by Pure Luxury Transportation from host hotels to Annenberg Community Beach House

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: Annenberg Community Beach House

09:00

ConnecTalk with Rob Holmes, GLP Films

Duration: 45 minutes

Location: Annenberg Beach House

09:45

Meet at the supplier's table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours!

10:15

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours!

10:45

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours!

11:15

Healthy break

Duration: 15 minutes

11:30

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours!

12:00

Meet at the supplier's table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours!

12:30

Meet at the supplier's table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours!

13:00

Lunch at Annenberg Community Beach House sponsored by Santa Monica Travel & Tourism

Duration: 1 hour

Location: Annenberg Community Beach House

14:00

Transfer sponsored by Pure Luxury Transportation to Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier

Duration: 15 minutes

14:30

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours!

15:15

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours!

16:00

Fun break

Duration: 15 minutes

16:15

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours!

17:00

Transfer sponsored by Pure Luxury Transportation from Santa Monica Pier to host hotels and free time

Duration: 15 minutes

Location: Casa del Mar, Hotel by the Sea; Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows; Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and Shutters on the Beach

18:15

Transfer sponsored by Pure Luxury Transportation from host hotels to closing dinner at The Getty Villa

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: Casa del Mar, Hotel by the Sea; Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows; Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and Shutters on the Beach

18:45

Closing dinner sponsored Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, Visit West Hollywood, Discover Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau and The Getty Villa Museum

Duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes

21:30

Transfer sponsored by Pure Luxury Transportation from closing dinner at the Getty Villa to Viceroy Santa Monica

Duration: 30 minutes

22:00

After party with special performance at Viceroy Santa Monica

Duration: 3 hours

Wednesday, 13th March

08:00

Networking breakfast meeting for buyers only at respective host hotels

10:00

(Optional) Post-event FAM trip with Santa Barbara

12:00

Check out

Duration: All day

Location: Casa del Mar, Hotel by the Sea; Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows; Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and Shutters on the Beach

Buyers VIP transfers for all attendees from the host hotel to Los Angeles International Airport. Check out starts at 12:00.

Save Agenda as PDF

Video Interviews

Dress code

The Connections way works best when you embrace the experiences on offer, so during the day we would advise that all delegates dress in a comfortable/casual attire.

Suits and ties are not required – we all like you to look your best, but with our programme being quite active, suits and ties won’t are not necessary.
Think carefully about heels – heels can be a problem if you want to join some of the activities on offer, so if you’re going to wear heels, consider bringing some flats too so you don’t miss out.
Weather: the average temperature in California in March is likely to be 14°C.

We do advise that all delegates bring their own necessities, which may include, insect repellent, medical supplies, etc.

Connections Experiences

Here at Connections California, as bespoke California luxury forum, we’re dedicated to creating the best possible environment to help our buyers and suppliers create deep, lasting business relationships with each other.

We put a significant amount of thought into the planning of the schedule to ensure ample time to meet as many people as possible. Even our lunches, dinners and transfers are geared toward relationship forming opportunities. Connections Experiences are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try and activity together. However, the choice is yours!

Here is a list of activities, to give you an idea of what to expect:

Monday morning: Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows

Bike Rides
Glam & Go
Lloyd’s barbershop
Mixology at The Bungalow Bar
Fruit Cart & Frose Station on Sunset Terrace
FIG Wine & Cheese Tasting at FIG
Smoothies on the Veranda

Monday afternoon: Santa Monica Place

Cayton: Exclusive Museum preview
The Dudes’: Craft on Draft Flights
Gourmandise: chocolate or truffles tasting
Peloton: bike & treadmill demonstrations
Rolex: Watchmaker & Old Fashions
Tiffany & Co: Master Gemologist
Josh Vietti Fireside Violin Concert in center plaza
Sonoma: Wine Tasting
Sonoma: Cheese Tasting
Concierge Lounge: Bellini Bar

Tuesday morning: Annenberg Beach House

Beach House tour
Gratitude Circle: Exercises & benefits
Learn how to breath like a freediver
Learn how to pop-up on a surfboard
Relaxing meditation: Letting go of stress
Mini beach clean up
Chalk Talk about the ocean
Giant Connect 4
Corn Hole / Bean Bag Toss
Giant Jenga
Ping pong

Tuesday afternoon: Santa Monica Pier

Bumper cars
Coaster
Ferris Wheel
Pacific Park Mini games:
Beach blocks
Balloon pop
Penalty kick
Roll a ball
Water race

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