State Conference on Tourism Taking Place in Newport Beach

For the first time in a decade, the California Conference on Tourism is being held in Southern California--at the Hyatt Newporter in Newport Beach.

Sponsored by the California Travel Industry Assn. and California Tourism, the three-day conference, which ends today, is drawing more than 550 community leaders and tourism professionals from throughout the state.

The theme is "Continuing the Vision, Renewing the Voice," in support of the state's $75.4-billion tourism industry, which creates jobs for more than 1.1 million Californians.

Bonnie Harris covers tourism for The Times. She can be reached at (714) 966-7828 and at bonnie.harris@latimes.com.