Latin Celebrities Love LA's Stars, Cars and Culture

LOS ANGELES--Jan. 5, 2005--Academy Award-nominated actor Edward James Olmos loves the glamour of Hollywood: "You can't beat LA's film festivals and rubbing shoulders with the stars."

Actor and comedian Cheech Marin's passion for LA is rooted in LA's passion for automobiles: "From car shows to the Petersen Automotive Museum, LA is the world capital of car culture."

And for El Salvador-born LA Galaxy midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos, it's the Hispanic culture: "I love the Latin neighborhoods in Los Angeles. It's like traveling all over Latin America without ever leaving LA."

Indeed, Los Angeles has something for everyone. For example, its myriad of film festivals range from the Los Angeles Film Festival in June to the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival in July. The gigantic Los Angeles Auto show is a feast of concept cars and the latest incarnations of tried and true models, while the Petersen Automotive Museum showcases some of the oldest, newest, unusual and most expensive cars ever built. And in neighborhoods such as East LA, site of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument and Olvera Street, and San Fernando Valley, site of one of the 21 California Missions--and the only California museum named for a Spanish king--visitors can immerse themselves in Latin culture.

Perhaps welterweight boxing champ Oscar De La Hoya sums it up best: "LA knocks me out!"

Olmos, Marin, Cienfuegos and De La Hoya and are among more than 30 well-known personalities who are part of the "See My LA" tourism campaign launched by LA INC. The Convention and Visitors Bureau, which takes advantage of LA's best known assets--its celebrities. Among the others are Tom Arnold, Jason Behr, Yasmine Bleeth and Ryan Seacrest.

Angelenos love LA; and that holds true for the multi-ethnic legion of actors, musicians, chefs, athletes and TV personalities who live and work here. Local celebrities are doing this pro bono--out of love and an eagerness to share their city with visitors. Not only do they want to encourage visits, but they want everyone to see LA as they do.

Besides appearing in print ads, publications and promotional collateral, the "See My LA" campaign is featured on LA INC.'s new English website--www.SeeMyLA.com and will be promoted through local TV and radio stations, including Latin stations.

LA INC. The Convention and Visitors Bureau is a private, not-for-profit business association dedicated to marketing Los Angeles as the premier destination for leisure, convention and corporate travel. Though not part of city government, LA INC. is recognized as the city's official tourism marketing organization.