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Irvine Ranch Landmarks Reopen Wilderness Access Days

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

(Times OC) Nature lovers can now return to the natural landmarks of Irvine Ranch with Wilderness Access Days, which had been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Irvine Ranch Conservancy, along with OC Parks and the city of Irvine, reopened the free public events last weekend with a public hike in Black Star Canyon. “Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff, volunteers and partners are excited to welcome visitors back to experience the beauty of the Landmarks,” Dave Raetz, the conservancy’s vice president and chief operating officer, said in a press release. “Throughout the pandemic, IRC staff and landowners worked diligently to restore and preserv...

Travel Industry Poised to Boost California’s Recovery

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

(CalChamber) Summer is traditionally the most popular time for travel in California and with vaccination counts climbing and restrictions being lifted, 2021’s summer travel season is well underway. The state’s official re-opening June 15 kicked California’s economic recovery into high gear with restaurants, hotels, and attractions able to operate without imposed limits. From restaurants to resorts and theme parks to wineries, California’s tourism industry is beginning to witness a much-needed increase in activity and some pent-up demand for travel across the state. Statewide, hotels saw occupancy exceed 70% in June for the first time since March 2020. With virtually no restrictions remaining, California’...

Waste Management Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Gold-Level Leaders Circle Partner

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Waste Management has renewed as a gold-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber. A Chamber member since 1979, Waste Management is North America’s leading provider of comprehensive waste management, offering services such as garbage collection and disposal, recycling, and dumpster rental. Waste Management has been listed on the 2018 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for North America and the World. This distinction marks a recognition of the company’s corporate sustainability leadership within the industry. Leaders Circle members of the Greater Irvine Chamber are among the most influential companies and organizations in Irvine and Orange County. They take a proactive role in supporting the region’s business community at the highest level. For information on ho...

Irvine, Orange County Among Best Places To Live In US Reports Say

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

(Patch) Irvine is among the top 100 best places to live in the U.S., according to a recent report from Niche. The towns on the list are known in general for their low crime rates, proximity to good jobs, and strong school systems. Niche—that connects people to their future schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces—analyzes and ranks factors such as livability, crime rates, the housing market and trends, schools, employment, and access to other amenities and resources. Rankings are based on city data from the U.S. Census, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Centers for Disease Control and Bureau of Labor Statistics. Irvine is #11 on the list...

Irvine officials Discuss Renaming Orange County Great Park to include City Name

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

(Orange County Register) The Orange County Great Park has sports fields, ice rinks and other facilities used by athletes from around the county and beyond, and plans are in the works to add other regional attractions including a water park, children’s museum and Marine Corps aviation museum. But the park’s roughly 1,300 acres lie within Irvine city limits, and the city funds and operates the park. So what’s in a name? Irvine city leaders planned to discuss renaming the recreation mecca as the Irvine Great Park during a July 13 City Council meeting. “I think we’ve been working very hard on branding Irvine and really highlightin...

Destination Irvine Finishes Fiscal Year Strong

Monday, July 12, 2021

Destination Irvine (DI) saw a measurable increase in the number of leads sent and room nights booked for future group business during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year. Between April and June, the DI sales team sent 101 leads and booked 3,208 room nights worth nearly $750,500 in economic impact. Two major sporting events booked for the new fiscal year include Curling Night in America, scheduled for August 2021, and USA Synchro Championships in April 2022. Combined economic impact worth is estimated to be $290,000. “As soon as the state reopened on June 15, we received 17 leads for future busines...

Irvine is the Best City for an Active Lifestyle

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

The cities that provide the necessary infrastructure as well as integrate nature into the built environment can better support our adoption of healthy and active lifestyles. In that regard, Irvine came out as the best city for leading an active lifestyle. In order to identify the best places in the US for active lifestyles, STORAGECafé compared the 100 largest cities based on a weighted index of 18 key indicators such as venues for exercising, walkability, bike-friendliness and natural conditions. Here are some of our key findings: Irvine ranks as the best city for the composite score of outdoor livability among the 100 larges...

Outdoor Summer Concerts Return to Irvine July 16

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

A favorite City of Irvine annual summer tradition returns this July, when the Sizzlin’ Summer Concert series kicks off at Mike Ward Community Park — Woodbridge. The community is invited to a series of free family-friendly concerts in the park covering a variety of musical tastes — from groovy soft rock and dance hits to classic soul and ’80s music. In addition to Saturday concerts, enjoy three Friday concerts presented in partnership with Irvine Barclay Theatre, and a Sunday series finale featuring Pacific Symphony. Bring a picnic basket or purchase treats from on-site gourmet food trucks. General admission is free and law...

Wild Rivers Water Park Groundbreaking July 7 at the Orange County Great Park

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

Construction on the Wild Rivers Water Park at the Orange County Great Park will begin July 7. In April 2020, the Irvine City Council approved a location and lease for the water park. In November, the Irvine Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the conditional use permit for the 20-acre project at the southeast corner of Great Park Blvd. and Skyhawk. Wild River’s plans include multiple components including in-ground slides, pools, and thrill slides. As currently proposed, there will be 20 attractions available on opening day, with additional attractions planned for the future, including a potential 3-acre expansion. “I’m beyond thrilled to brin...

Orange Coast Magazine Features OC Great Park In Irvine for its Kid Friendly Trails

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Orange Coast Magazine has called out four areas in Orange County for its kid friendly trails. Making the short list of family-friendly favorites is the Orange County Great Park in Irvine. The 1.5 miles of multiuse trails in the Upper Bee and Bosque area cross through 53 acres of natural landscape, and include natural and paved surfaces. For more information on family-friendly outdoor activities available in Irvine, visit DestinationIrvine.com.

The Travel & Tourism Industry Plays a Critical Role in Restoring the Economy

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

By Bryan Starr, President & CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber As published in the Orange County Business Journal, June 29, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic caused global economic hardship with the travel industry being the hardest hit, even more so than it was during the Great Recession. Prior to the pandemic, travel spending in Irvine contributed nearly $781 million to the city’s economy, supporting nearly 6,000 jobs, and generating nearly $50 million in state and local tax revenue. In 2020 there was a nearly 57% decline in travel spending and a loss of approximately 1,570 jobs, proving just how important the economic impact o...

Irvine Ranked 3rd Best US City to Raise a Family

Friday, June 04, 2021

Irvine is ranked the 3rd Best U.S. City to Raise a Family by WalletHub. With families in mind, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities based on 48 key metrics that consider essential family dynamics, such as the cost of housing, the quality of local school and health-care systems, and the opportunities for fun and recreation. In the Wallethub analysis, Irvine—an aspirational master-planned community—scored No. 1 for health and safety, No. 3 for education and child care, No. 17 for family fun, No. 9 for socioeconomics, and No. 57 for affordability. “Irvine has the fewest violent crimes (per 1,000 residents), 0.64, which i...

Governor Newsom Proposes $95 Million for Travel and Hospitality Industry to Promote California as a Travel Destination

Thursday, May 27, 2021

Governor Newsom on May 13 announced he will propose a $95 million investment in his May Revise to fund an expansion of Visit California’s successful marketing campaigns. This funding is critical to the state’s travel and hospitality industry as the country reopens. Before COVID-19 hit, the travel and hospitality industry was one of the largest economic drivers—and the largest export—for California, the nation’s No. 1 tourism destination. In 2019, visitors spent $145 billion at California businesses, supporting 1.2 million jobs. “We thank Governor Newsom for understanding and championing the tourism industry,” said Emellia Zamani, director of government affairs for the California Travel Association...

Cox Awards $50,000 in 2021 Innovation in Education Grants to Irvine Unified and Other Local School Districts

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

While many students across California started the 2020/2021 school year from home and utilizing a technology device, most are now finishing up the year back in the classrooms. To safely welcome students back in the classroom and ensure remote learners have an equitable experience, schools had to make some modifications. To support those efforts, Cox awarded $50,000 in Innovation in Education (IIE) grants to local school districts and to the Orange County Department of Education. “The Innovation in Education program is part of Cox's commitment to education since its founding. Established in 2014, the program has awarded $350,000 in grants t...

Northwood and University High Schools Named Califonia Distinguished Schools

Thursday, May 06, 2021

Northwood and University high schools have been named 2021 California Distinguished Schools. This designation is the state’s top honor for schools. California Distinguished Schools are selected based on key indicators tied to the California School Dashboard, which is the state’s primary school accountability and improvement tool. Indicators reflect test scores, suspension rates, conditions and school climate. In total, 223 California high schools and middle schools were honored through this year’s Distinguished Schools program with 21 in Orange County. “IUSD is proud of our students, staff and parents, who exemplify our mission to provide the highest quality educational experience we can envision," said IUSD Board o...

Irvine Ranked in Survey as California’s Best Place to Start a Business

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

(Orange County Register) Irvine was ranked California’s best big city to start a business, in a recent survey by WalletHub. WalletHub’s review of 21 economic and demographic metrics for 100 large U.S. cities created an overall national ranking from breakdowns for each locale’s business environment; access to resources; and business costs. Seventeen California cities made the 100-city scorecard: Irvine: No. 20 overall in the U.S.— No. 6 environment; No. 1 resources; and No. 97 in costs. Long Beach: No. 26 overall — from No. 14 environment; No. 32 resources; and No. 82 in costs. Fresno: No. 27 overall — No. 47 environment; No. 56 resources; and No. 35 in costs. Oakland: No. 30 overall &mdash...

Host Your Group Meeting in Irvine

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Irvine is home to 22 hotels ranging from full-service and all-suite properties to boutique and economy with nearly 4,900 sleeping rooms and thousands of square feet of flexible meeting space to accommodate 10 to 1,200 people, with safety measures in place. The Greater Irvine Chamber's Destination Irvine team can assist you with planning just about every detail of your event. From proposal requests to site selection, itinerary planning to activity arrangements, we are dedicated to ensuring your meeting or event in Irvine is a success. Conveniently located in the center of Orange County, Irvine is a premiere Southern California meeting and event destination that is affordable and easil...

Destination Irvine Looks to Sports Groups to Lead Hotel Recovery

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

During 2020—a tumultuous year for the travel and tourism industry—Destination Irvine (a division of the Greater Irvine Chamber) was faced with a monumental task: to continue bringing groups to Irvine to support the community’s economic vitality. Despite California’s COVID-19 restrictions, which are stricter than any other states’ and include crippling restrictions for groups of any size to gather, and a lack of guidelines as to what hotel-based meetings and sports tournaments will look like in the months ahead, Destination Irvine found opportunities to bring visitors to Irvine. But it’s been an uphill battle. Prior to March 2020, Destination Irvine was on pac...

11 Great Things About Living in Irvine

Monday, February 08, 2021

Irvine residents already what makes it a great city in which to live, play, and work. And there are well beyond 11 reasons. But to help those who are interested in moving to Irvine, Extra Space Storage has put together a list of 11 of the master-planned city's desirable qualities. Recognized as one of the happiest cities in America and one of the best U.S. cities for raising a family, this California city is incredibly safe, offers a rapidly growing job market, and has an abundance of family-friendly activities. Here are 11 things you need to know about living in Irvine! Plant Roots in America’s Safest City Phot...

Destination Irvine Earns Global Hospitality Award: Irvine, USA’s Best Emerging Leisure & Recreation Travel Destination

Tuesday, February 02, 2021

LUXlife has awarded its 5th annual Hospitality Award to Destination Irvine for its work to market Irvine’s well-deserved status as “USA’s Best Emerging Leisure & Recreation Travel Destination.” “To be globally recognized with this award, during a truly challenging year, is quite an honor,” said Wendy Haase, vice president, Destination Irvine. “Irvine being recognized as the best U.S. destination for leisure and recreation will further our marketing efforts that highlight the city’s safe and responsible COVID-19 recovery.” LUXlife Magazine, one of AI Global Media’s most popular standalone publications, recognized that many firms whose work is vital to the industry were not bein...

Irvine is Safest City of its Size for 15th Year

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

For the 15th consecutive year, Irvine is the Safest City of its size for violent crime, according to FBI data for 2019. Information released on Sept. 28 shows Irvine has the lowest rate of violent crime per capita of any city in the nation with a population of 250,000 or more. Irvine is also the Safest City of its size for violent crime for the first half of 2020, according to preliminary FBI data released earlier this month. The FBI’s Annual Uniform Crime Report measures crime, which includes murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, auto theft, and arson. Irvine Mayor Christina Shea congratulated the Irvine Police Departmen...

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