Los Angeles,  California, July 27, 2016 …The resources of a great university, unparalleled technical sophistication and connectivity, a commitment to sustainability, and an exceptional location in the heart of a world capital and a legendary campus – all these and more distinguish the UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center, located in the heart of the UCLA campus.

Opening in August 2016, the 295,000-square-foot state-of-the-art conference center will offer 254 guestrooms, 25,000 square feet of meeting space, a restaurant and lounge, and the many advantages exclusive to one of the world’s most acclaimed universities.

“It is our exceptional and inspirational concept that truly sets the Luskin Conference Center apart,” says General Manager Les Utley.  “Every aspect of the Center is carefully planned to meet the goal to educate and inspire.

From the building’s architecture, stunning university campus setting and superb technology, to the vast academic, cultural and research resources, ten key factors differentiate the Luskin Conference Center from any other venue.

#1  Global Vision, Inspiration, Education
The Luskin Conference Center will set new standards and an exceptional vision for the conference industry as a state-of-the-art learning environment, welcoming scholars, innovators, and thought leaders to debate and shape ideas that lead to world-changing solutions. The stated mission of the Luskin Conference Center is:  To offer an inspired learning environment to the University and greater global community in a thoughtfully-designed space that fosters excellence, engagement, inspiration, and breakthroughs.  The Luskin Conference Center will draw the best academic minds, medical innovators, scientific researchers, political leaders, and social visionaries. More than a gathering place, the conference center will be an incubator of ideas, bringing great minds together in the center of the spectacular UCLA campus, in a new facility designed to optimize the best in technology, and enabling productive, inspiring meetings and far-reaching results.

#2  Technical Superiority, Global Reach
UCLA is renowned for its research and technology and the Luskin Conference Center will offer the most advanced connectivity, audiovisual equipment and teleconference services available, supported by a highly trained technical staff.  From ergonomic chairs to ultra-high speed Wi-Fi throughout the conference center, every aspect of the meeting experience has been thoroughly and thoughtfully planned.  The meetings industry is now a global one, and planners demand the most advanced technical services and bandwidth that can reach a broad spectrum of countries and audiences. Connectivity must also support a myriad of devices and apps used by planners, speakers and attendees via a range of mobile devices. Global video conferencing is crucial to the center’s international mission.

Meeting planners will also take advantage of wireless capabilities that provide audience feedback applications, and vanity URLs.  The Luskin Conference Center’s high-speed service attaches to UCLA’s backbone Internet wireless service and is so powerful that it can support the meeting requirements for any group or number of groups.  “Intelligent inputs” will take the headache out of “Bring Your Own Device” connections: any laptop’s signal, once connected, will be up-converted automatically to the correct signal type and resolution so that it will display correctly on the installed projection systems. Presenters control the entire meeting room environment from a centralized control panel:  LED lighting, projectors, Blu-Ray players and window coverings, all at one’s fingertips.

#3  Inspired Architectural Design
The Luskin Conference Center owes its formal architectural roots and inspiration to UCLA’s great Romanesque Revival buildings: Royce Hall and Powell Library. These historic buildings, built in 1929, are marked by their formal massing and composition, brick and stone materials, punctured fenestration, and the enhanced stone detail found in their cornice lines and surrounding their entry portals.  Designed by the noted San Francisco architects, Hornberger + Worstel, the lead architects for the project, the new Luskin Center builds on this architectural tradition, but in a modern way that optimizes resources to create a sustainable, cost-effective environment.

Taking advantage of the Southern California climate, the Luskin Center’s landscape and architecture are designed to accommodate a seamless flow of indoor/outdoor functions for up to 600 guests.  There are 25 separate meeting rooms, each named to reinforce the Center’s mission to educate and inspire. Names such as Artistry, Catalyst, and Synergy, mark the rooms and quotes from leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Ansel Adams and Steve Jobs add the perspective of society’s most creative and committed social, technological and artistic leaders.

#4  Location, Location, Location
The Luskin Conference Center is a learning destination that is strategically located in the heart of the UCLA campus, close to educational, research, medical facilities, sporting and performing arts venues as well as highly acclaimed art museums.

The campus itself is located in Westwood, one of Los Angeles’ most attractive and lively areas, noted for its vintage movie theaters, fine shops and restaurants.  Nearby is the internationally-acclaimed Getty Museum. The UCLA Luskin Conference Center is just 10 miles from Los Angeles International Airport, and 15 miles from Downtown Los Angeles. Hollywood and the beaches of Santa Monica are just eight miles away.

#5  Sustainability
Today’s meeting planners and attendees demand a new and highly sophisticated approach to sustainability in every aspect of the meeting process. In accordance with the University of California’s comprehensive sustainability policy, the Luskin Conference Center adopted sustainability commitments and goals in all operational areas. The Green Building Design utilizes the latest design/construction practices and technologies to conserve water and energy, and to maximize the use of recycled and renewable materials, provide clean water and climate protection and recycle waste. Systems are in place to ensure environmentally preferable purchasing policies, sustainable food services and, using the UCLA transportation system, sustainable transit polices. The entire campus is tobacco-free and the university implemented several innovative programs to cut waste, recycle, conserve water, ensure clean air in all buildings, which are in effect at the conference center.  The Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center has taken ambitious steps toward achieving Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification, which it expects to have in place at opening.

#6  IACC Membership
The UCLA Luskin Conference Center is purpose-built to meet the stringent meeting facility and conference room requirements of IACC , and will be 100% IACC certified at opening.  IACC’s mission is very similar to that of The Luskin Center: To bring together the brightest industry minds to promote the best meeting venues, which deliver exceptional meeting experiences.  Founded in 1981, IACC is the only global organization dedicated to promoting understanding and awareness of the conference center industry, giving member properties the tools necessary to provide an exceptional IACC meeting experience. Active members meet a set of stringent Quality Standards and agree to a Code of Ethics. Currently, the association includes approximately 400 members from the North America, Australia, Africa, Asia, and Europe.  The newest member, The Luskin Conference Center, has so embraced IACC’s importance and standards that it was selected to host the 2017 IACC Americas Annual Summit next April.

#7  Educational Purpose
The Luskin Conference Center is a learning, purpose-driven facility.  All conferences will have an educational component.  The Center is designed to serve the needs of individuals and groups attending campus meetings or events; those doing business with UCLA entities; and University of California faculty, students, staff, UCLA alumni, as well as patients and visitors to the Reagan Medical Center, and other University affiliates. The staff carefully reviews each meeting and guest opportunity to ensure it is in alignment with the University’s mission of teaching, research and service. The Center has already booked a number of organizations, associations and companies across the country in the fields of academia, philanthropic organizations, educational and research entities, scheduling meetings according to the educational standards for The Luskin Conference Center.

#8  Access to the Incomparable Technical, Cultural, and Academic Resources of UCLA
Sharing the resources of one of the world’s great universities is a key element in the mission and vision that informs the new Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center.  Meeting planners and attendees will have access to the limitless technical, academic, cultural and entertainment advantages of UCLA in an inspired learning environment. UCLA’s achievements in these areas are reflected in its acclaimed research facilities and Schools of Law, Medicine, Engineering and Applied Sciences.

The Luskin Conference Center is designed to tap into the expertise of the academic and thought leaders who distinguish these Schools. They include leading scientists, physicians and legal experts.  In turn, The Luskin Conference Center will draw the best academic minds, medical innovators, scientific researchers, political leaders, and social visionaries to its doors.  More than a gathering place, the conference center will be an incubator of ideas, bringing great minds together in the center of the spectacular UCLA campus.  Meeting attendees can also enjoy the prominent museums and art collections, theaters, and athletic facilities on the UCLA campus.

#9  Exceptional Meeting Value
The Luskin Conference Center offers remarkable advantages and exceptional value. The singular meeting facilities and highly-skilled support services combine with a comprehensive all-inclusive Conference Package to ensure exceptional value, budgeting ease and maximum return on investment.  The Luskin Conference Center’s Complete Meeting Package includes lodging accommodations, three meals each day in the property’s Plateia restaurant, dedicated meeting space with ergonomic seating and conference tables, audiovisual services, continuous refreshment breaks throughout the meeting, a dedicated conference planning manager to assist in all aspects of planning and executing a program, ample on-premises parking, and all food & beverage gratuities.

#10  Community Action and Student Staffing
In keeping with its commitment to the UCLA campus and community, the Luskin Conference Center has established a legacy of service to the campus and community through its support and partnerships with three important UCLA programs.

UCLA Operation Mend: Healing the Wounds of War, provides advanced surgical and medical treatment, as well as comprehensive psychological-health support for post-9/11-era service members, veterans, and their families at no cost.  The Luskin Conference Center will participate by making lodging services available to the families through UCLA Operation Mend.

The Pathway development and training program is a two-year certificate program at UCLA Extension, specially designed for young adults with intellectual disabilities. This first-of-its-kind initiative on the west coast combines academic study with social and recreational opportunities on the UCLA campus. By the program’s end, most students are ready to transition to independent living and meaningful employment, including positions at the Luskin Conference Center.

The Luskin Conference Center will be available to artists appearing as part of the Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA, providing rehearsal space, as well as lodging and dining for attendees of cultural and musical events at Royce Hall, which is located nearby.

Bonus Factor  Financial Sustainability and Endowment
The Luskin Conference Center will be operated in a financially sustainable manner.  Its purpose, however, is not to maximize profit, but to support the mission of the University and provide a level of detail and service that is consistent with the standards of excellence for which UCLA is known. The pricing structure will provide the campus with an important price-value option for lodging and conferences, and will enable the University to retain resources, previously invested off campus, to be kept within the UCLA system for reinvestment in the University.

Through a special gift of Meyer and Renee Luskin, resources of $10M have been put forth toward an endowment for programs organized under the UCLA College of Letters & Sciences that may otherwise be unable to utilize the Center’s resources.  The endowment helps support these programs, enabling their usage of the Luskin Conference Center’s technical capabilities, rehearsal space, special event services, and lodging accommodations.

About the UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center
The UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center, currently under construction in the heart of UCLA’s vibrant campus, offers an inspirational learning environment in a thoughtfully designed space that fosters excellence, engagement, inspiration and breakthroughs. Scheduled to open in August 2016, the UCLA Luskin Conference Center is set amid iconic and historic campus buildings and the exhilarating backdrop of daily student life. The Luskin Conference Center is a place where the best academic minds, medical innovators, researchers, political leaders, and societal visionaries will meet to exchange ideas that will help shape the world.

Upon opening, the UCLA Luskin Conference Center will feature 254 beautifully-appointed guest rooms, many with sweeping views of the stunning campus architecture and beautifully landscaped grounds. With more than 25,000 square feet of versatile and thoughtfully-planned event space, the Luskin Conference Center will offer some of the most technologically advanced facilities available within the United States and globally. The gracious guest experience at the Luskin Conference Center will be further enhanced by a full-service restaurant and lounge, room service for breakfast, lunch and dinner, on-site professional catering services, well-equipped fitness center, concierge service, business center, valet parking and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property. The conference center project is self-sustaining and does not utilize state funding or revenues from student tuition. For more information, please visit https://luskinconferencecenter.ucla.edu/.

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