For many destinations, a year of unprecedented natural disasters coupled with urban challenges would deal a harsh blow on the business and tourism fronts, but California is not like most destinations. The state has weathered everything from massive fires in popular tourism draws to mudslides wiping out roads, bridges and parts of entire communities. Still, business is booming and the meetings sector flourishing throughout the Golden State, from the marquee cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles to the resort getaways of Lake Tahoe and Palm Springs.

For California, the past year has been a time of both upward momentum and daunting challenges.

Rockbridge acquired the historic Hilton St. Louis Downtown at the Arch hotel. The 195-room property will be managed by HEI Hotels and Resorts. Rockbridge plans to renovate the hotel with upgrades to the lobby along with guest rooms, resulting in an improved user experience for both business travelers and vacationers. This acquisition is the third property in the St. Louis area for Rockbridge.

Few regions are blessed with as many world-class options for meetings as Southern California. Its major urban hubs of Los Angeles, San Diego and Anaheim are first-tier convention destinations constantly staying on top of a competitive game with ever-improving venues, entertainment and more.

Embassy Suites by Hilton South Bend at Notre Dame is now open. The six-story building, which is owned by Kite Realty and managed by Hilton, includes 164 one-bedroom and studio suites, 9,000 square feet of conference and banquet space and a sixth-floor deck overlooking the University of Notre Dame campus. Traditions, an on-site, full-service restaurant offers seating for 180 people.

Grand View Lodge, Spa and Golf Resort is embarking on an expansion, which includes the May 2019 debut of a 60-room boutique hotel, bringing the total number of accommodations to 340 cottages, vacation homes and hotel rooms. Additionally, two new real estate developments are already underway and have begun welcoming owners and overnight guests. As part of the property’s overall expansion plan, Grand View also unveiled a new wedding chapel and will debut a recreation center along with expanded spa facilities.

With spectacular settings ranging from alpine peaks to desert oases and coastal bluffs, California offers an amazing array of resort meeting destinations just beyond the urban hubs.

Whether it’s a digital-free retreat in the redwoods or a downtown tradeshow showcasing the latest tech innovations, the San Francisco Bay Area has got it covered. From San Jose to Santa Rosa, there’s something to suit just about any meetings style or requirement.

Keeping attendees engaged in an era of digital distraction is no small challenge, but innovative California companies make it easy to include interactive experiences at meetings that yield personal growth as well as enjoyment.

Always at the forefront of food trends, California is the place to experience an exciting spin on the way event fare is prepared and presented. Here’s a look at a few culinary experiences and food-centric venues around the state, some of them in unexpected places.