Nothing Celebrates LA Quite As Well As Its Celebrities.

LOS ANGELES -- For Academy Award winning actor Diane Keaton, Downtown LA is all about architecture: "I love LA's hidden architectural treasures, from Downtown's movie palaces to sleek modernist masterpieces."

Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen sees LA as "a city of possibilities. Creative boundaries don't exist here."

And to Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell, "A concert at the Hollywood Bowl on a starry evening is a perfect LA night."

Celebrities are involved in all types of causes - charities, politics and services among them - and Keaton, Salonen and O'Dell are but a few of the 45 celebrity Angelenos who are stomping for their hometown in a campaign spearheaded by LA INC. The Convention and Visitors Bureau. Called "See My LA," the campaign is among the city's efforts to lure travelers, especially the all-important summer travelers, to LA. Tourism is LA's No. 2 industry behind international trade; and motion picture and television production is No. 3.

"We have been given the privilege promoting a rather special partnership; one that reminds a world of travelers that our hometown creates celebrities in just about every facet of arts and culture. From cinema to haute cuisine ... from fashion design to rock and roll ... LA is home to celebrities who show the world what's next ... right now," says Mark Liberman, President and CEO of LA INC. The Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The celebrities, which include film and TV stars, musicians and composers, chefs, sports figures, and even fictional characters that were created in Los Angeles, are doing this pro bono -- out of love and an eagerness to share their city with visitors. Not only do they want to encourage travel, but they want everyone to see LA as they do, whether their focus is on the city's hot nightlife ("With all the clubs on the Sunset Strip, it's always a party," says actor Jason Behr), its culinary reputation ("Where else but LA could I live, love, and eat so well?" muses Wolfgang Puck), or its great weather ("There is nothing like going to the beach in January!" exclaims actor and TV host Tony Danza).

Travelers arriving at Los Angeles International Airport are greeted by signs featuring celebrity photos and quotes. And those taking advantage of LA's Metro system (extolled by Star Trek actor George Takei, who says, "Taking Metro in LA couldn't be easier. From subways to rapid buses, it's warp speed ahead") will find the signs at stations. In addition, the photos and quotes appear in print ads, publications and promotional collateral; and the "See My LA" campaign is featured on LA INC.'s Website -- www.SeeMyLA.com -- and is promoted through local TV and radio stations.

Visitors who drop by either of LA INC.'s visitor information centers in Downtown LA and Hollywood still ask where they can spot a celebrity in person. But this summer, they can go where the celebrities go (actor Joe Mantegna likes the alfresco cafes on Ventura Boulevard) and do what they do (shopping is Raven's favorite sport) in LA.

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.