Tuesday Night at the Hollywood Expo in Hollywood!

Special Blog!

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce “Hollywood Expo” at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood on April 2nd, 2013.

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel – Hollywood, California (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Willett Travel is a proud Member of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and we were invited to the event at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.  I drove into Hollywood from the valley at 5pm, there was some rush hour “stop and go” traffic on the 101 Freeway before the 134 Freeway but once I got past the split it was smooth sailing into town.  It’s always tough to work your way through traffic down Highland but it really gets bad at this time of day.  Hollywood (at the intersections of Highland/Franklin, Hollywood/Highland-Cahuenga-Vine, Sunset/Highland-Cahuenga-Vine) needs pedestrian walkway/overpasses like they have in Las Vegas! 

Highland Ave approaching Hollywood (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

I could have valet parked, but instead self parked in the concrete dungeon at Hollywood & Highland across the street.  First two hours are only $2 with validation vs. discounted $6 for valet parking at the hotel.  Validations can be obtained from most of the merchants with a purchase or you can get one for FREE at the Visitor’s Information Desk.

Travel Tip: REMEMBER WHERE YOU PARKED!  The levels are color coded but once you’re on the escalators, it’s easy to forget or get confused because the doors and floors are not clearly labeled and the parking levels are as large as a football field.  Also, be sure to AutoPay before returning to your car.

Parking Dungeon at Hollywood and Highland (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

I walked past the street performers and crowds on The Walk of Fame in front of the Dolby, El Capitan, and Chinese Theaters at Hollywood and Highland.

Street Performers and a Crowd on Hollywood Blvd (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Dolby Theater at Hollywood and Highland (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Street Performers at Hollywood and Highland (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Crowd at the Chinese Theater Courtyard (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

I took a few pictures on the Hollywood Walk of Fame:

(copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

(copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

(copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

(copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

(copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

And then I crossed Hollywood Boulevard to the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Chaplin Bronze – the Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Blvd (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Because I entered from Hollywood Boulevard instead of from the valet parking portico, I had to go down one flight of stairs, through the basement hallway, and up the stairs on the other side of the hotel to check-in.

Hollywood Roosevelt Basement Hallway (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

The Hollywood Expo was held in the Lobby and Roosevelt Room (where the first Academy Awards were held).  The hotel was completely renovated and is beautifully restored.  It has retained it’s historic decor and atmosphere while providing all the amenities of a first class property.

Hollywood Expo in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Lobby (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Hollywood Expo in the Roosevelt Room (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Hollywood Expo in the Roosevelt Room (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

There was food and drink provided by some of the vendors (and two drink tickets for the full bar).  I had a hotdog from Pink’s, steak slices from BLT Steak, a mini thai shrimp salad, a cream puff from Panos Pastries, a little piece of red velvet cheesecake, a slice of pizza from Village Pizzeria, ice cream from Baskin Robbins, and a hamburger slider from the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.  There were other food vendors including Togo’s sandwiches, Fabiolus Cafe, event caterers and even a “shot from a block of ice” with ultra premium liquors that I did not sample.

I met Johnny Depp! (but he looked a little stiff and waxy and didn’t even say hello)

Johnny Depp from Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

The costumed women from the Hollywood Carnavale were definitely the “Best Dressed”!

Women of the Hollywood Carnavale – Hollywood Expo (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

And Hollywood Politicians had vendor tables and were in attendance too.

Mike Feuer presses the flesh at the Hollywood Expo (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

The event ended about 8pm and I walked back to the parking garage.  Of course I took a few pictures on my way back.  Hollywood Blvd at Night is always very interesting!

Traffic on Hollywood Blvd at Night (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Hollywood Blvd at Night – Darth Vader, Stormtrooper & Transformer on the Walk of Fame in front of the Chinese Theater & the El Capitan  (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Hollywood Blvd and the courtyard in front of the Chinese Theater wasn’t very crowded for whatever reason, so I had to take a few more pictures:

Chinese Theater Hollywood at Night (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

The Doors Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Jack Nicholson’s hand/footprints at the Chinese Theater (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Dean Martin’s hand/footprints at the Chinese Theater (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

And even though it wasn’t Oscar night, it’s always fun to walk the Academy Awards path.

Dolby Theater entranceway (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Staircase at the Dolby Theater (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Dolby Theater at Hollywood and Highland (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Down the escalator, paid the AUTOPARK, back to the car, out of the garage and onto Highland.

Loews Hotel on Highland (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Traffic on Highland heading for the 101 Freeway (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Hollywood knows how to throw a trade show!  There was lots of SWAG, food, drink, candy, and stuff but it wasn’t overwhelming.  I was there for about two and a half hours, met a lot of people who want to do business and collected their business cards, product information, and lots of fun stuff!

Best swag: there wasn’t really anything great.  I asked for a bottle of the Hula Girl mixer, which was great blended with ice and rum, but they were being super tight even at the close of the show and wouldn’t give it up (and I still gave them a mention here).

Best food: the Pink’s hotdog without having to wait in line, the steak from BLT Steak and the delicious cream puff from Panos Pastries!

SWAG from the Hollywood Expo (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

I had a good time while I ate, drank and met some good people at the event.  It was definitely worth the price of parking.  NOTE: the first two hours at Hollywood&Highland are only $2 with validation, but if you go over two hours they stick you with an additional $4 charge.  It cost $6 and I didn’t have to tip the valet, so it’s still the least expensive parking in Hollywood!

$6 Parking at Hollywood&Highland (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)

Thanks for reading!  Hope you enjoyed.  Your questions, polite comments and feedback are welcome.