LAURA MITCHELL
Hollywood,CA
Summary
Strategic event and destination services leader with over two decades of experience driving venue sourcing, contract negotiations, and client & city engagement for global events. Proven expertise working with venues, convention centers, CVBs, hospitality partners, and city stakeholders to deliver large-scale, high-impact programs for 30–6000+ attendees worldwide. Recognized for budget oversight up to $20M, strong client and partner management, and ability to align event strategy with organizational goals. A trusted liaison between clients, venues, and city authorities with a track record of optimizing contracts, reducing costs, and elevating attendee experience.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Director, Destination Services
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
Los Angeles, CA
07.2023 - Current
- Serve as the primary liaison between Los Angeles Tourism and global clients—delivering seamless alignment between venues and addressing client needs, resulting in consistently high client satisfaction scores and repeat business.
- Led venue sourcing and contract negotiations with hotels, convention centers, stadiums, and unique off-site venues worldwide, managing event budgets of over 4 million dollars.
- Partnered with city officials, CVBs, and hospitality leaders to position Los Angeles as a premier meetings destination, contributing to a year-over-year increase in large-scale event bookings and destination visibility.
- Managed a team of planners that executed over 30+ major programs annually including the ASAE Convention (6000+ attendees), ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery and strengthening vendor and partner relationships through flawless execution.
- Partnered with 50+ meeting planners annually, managing 100+ offsite venues and activations that elevated attendee satisfaction and reinforced Los Angeles’ standing as a premier global meetings destination.
Director, Destination Services
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
Los Angeles, CA
07.2017 - 07.2023
- Lead venue sourcing and contract negotiations for FAMs, client events, tradeshows, and in-market events that advanced organizational goals, deepened partner relationships, and reinforced Los Angeles’ position as a premier meetings destination.
- Oversee 10+ major programs annually (25–2000 attendees), including the LA Tourism Market Outlook Forum (700+ attendees), providing strategic oversight of logistics, vendor partnerships, budget management, and contract execution.
- Partnered with 30+ planners annually to navigate event management, activations, and pre-promotions, building long-term city and partner relationships that enhanced collaboration and elevated Los Angeles’ event reputation.
Director of Meeting Services
Insyght Interactive
Los Angeles, CA
11.2011 - 01.2016
- Directed 14+ pharmaceutical meetings and congresses annually (30–400 attendees), ensuring strict regulatory compliance while overseeing venue sourcing, contract negotiations, and international vendor partnerships.
- Managed and developed a team of 4–6 professionals, driving performance, maintaining client satisfaction, and ensuring adherence to budgetary and compliance standards.
- Negotiated domestic and international contracts, consistently securing competitive rates, mitigating risk, and delivering cost savings while maintaining program quality.
Director of Corporate Events
Thought Convergence
Los Angeles, CA
10.2008 - 04.2011
- Produced annual flagship conference (250+ attendees) with full responsibility for venue contracting, sponsorship sales, content development, and logistics.
- Directed 10+ trade shows annually, creating event selection strategies, developing ROI frameworks, and negotiating venue/vendor contracts.
Marketing Specialist / Event Planner
Oversee.net
Los Angeles, CA
12.2006 - 10.2008
- Negotiated contracts and managed DOMAINfest Global Events (700+ attendees, international) and 21+ trade shows annually.
- Drove event ROI analysis, venue selection, budget management, and vendor sourcing for four business units.
Events Manager / Sr. Project Manager / Program Support
Intel Corporation
Hillsboro, OR
12.2000 - 12.2006
- Led 12+ corporate and international events annually, including conventions, tradeshows, and academic sponsorship programs.
- Negotiated venue contracts and managed budgets up to $20M annually, ensuring compliance with corporate policies.
- Partnered with academic and city institutions worldwide to distribute sponsorship funds and support Intel’s global event strategy.
Education
B.A. - Elementary Education
Linfield College
McMinnville, ORTimeline
Sr. Director, Destination Services
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
07.2023 - Current
Director, Destination Services
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
07.2017 - 07.2023
Director of Meeting Services
Insyght Interactive
11.2011 - 01.2016
Director of Corporate Events
Thought Convergence
10.2008 - 04.2011
Marketing Specialist / Event Planner
Oversee.net
12.2006 - 10.2008
Events Manager / Sr. Project Manager / Program Support
Intel Corporation
12.2000 - 12.2006
B.A. - Elementary Education
Linfield College
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