LOS ANGELES— Almost 400 owners, developers, borrowers and lenders gathered at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel here May 9 for the 12th annual Meet The Money conference. This year’s turnout “unofficially” surpassed that of a year ago, purportedly reflecting the hotel industry’s determination to put the deleterious impact of the recent recession and the tragic events of 9/11 behind it and move forward in the acquisition (and development) arenas. In particular, the 2002 edition of the yearly finance-oriented conclave showed a significant presence of lenders and intermediaries in attendance, thereby lending credence to the Jeffer Mangels Butler & Marmaro-crafted meeting’s purpose of providing a viable venue to “meet the money.” Moreover, it similarly appeared this year’s line-up of speakers and attendees alike demonstrated significantly wider geographical reach and coverage than did past meetings. While there was still a substantial focus on California developments, events and trends, the scope of the day’s (morning) presentations lent themselves as well as to pertinent economic matters nationally and internationally. —Michael Billig
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