Politically Correct Rise in Business

Recalling the favorable publicity generated by the 1984 Olympics, Los Angeles tourism officials are hoping for a “halo effect” for the city when the Democrats hold their national convention at Staples Center in August.

And the economic benefit will overflow into adjacent areas such as Orange County as well.

With downtown accommodations jammed at the apex of the summer tourist season, “the hotels in places like Long Beach, Anaheim and even places like Irvine are going to see a lot of extra demand,” notes Jack Kyser of the Economic Development Corp. of Los Angeles.

More than 4,300 delegates are expected at the convention, with several times that number of additional news media workers and hangers-on.

Meanwhile, the Libertarian Party has selected Orange County for its presidential nominating convention June 30 to July 3. About 1,500 delegates are expected at the Anaheim Marriott.

“California is home to more Libertarians than any other state, and we plan to put on quite a show,” said Mark Hinkle, chairman of the party’s central committee for the state.