A Message From the Chairman

Dear Friends,

It’s been an exciting and successful 2005 for travel and tourism in Santa Monica. In November, the annual American Film Market was held for the 15th year in Santa Monica and experienced its most successful show with a gain in overall attendance and the number of exhibitors and buyers. Attendance reached an all-time high of over 8,000 visitors. That increase is in line with numbers released earlier this year from SMCVB’s Economic Impact update that showed the total number of visitors to Santa Monica in 2004 reached nearly 5 million. Visitor spending is estimated to be well over $840 million -- income that supports numerous tourism-related jobs and is expected to bring approximately $30 million in Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) income to the city’s general fund in 2005. The Board and staff of SMCVB are currently introducing a research-based, community-wide destination brand promise and working diligently to position Santa Monica as a top tourist destination. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Susan McCarthy, our recently retired City Manager, for her years of dedication and service to SMCVB Board of Directors. We would also like to welcome her successor P. Lamont Ewell to our Board of Directors. We wish everyone a prosperous new year!

Tim Kittleson
Chair of the Board