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The impressive, forward-thinking set of recommendations which was devised to help the City of Los Angeles optimize its potential as a global destination for the benefit of its 3.9 million residents may have been overshadowed by the pandemic, but now it’s serving as part of the city’s comeback solution. Mayor Eric Garcetti named Liu Chair of the City's newly formed Los Angeles Tourism Cabinet, tasked with “developing strategies to maintain L.A.’s position as a leading destination for global travel; identifying a path for sustainable growth of tourism; and ensuring that it delivers benefits to the community and improves the quality of life for Angelenos.”
If anyone knows the inner workings of Los Angeles and all its nuanced complexities, it’s Liu. His decades of experience include serving as Deputy Mayor of the City of Los Angeles, a position that entailed helping the Mayor oversee 15 City departments including the Los Angeles Department Water and Power, Public Works, Transportation, Recreation and Parks, and the LA Zoo. Following that esteemed post, he took on an even bigger challenge—serving as Deputy Executive Director and Chief of Staff at the Port of Los Angeles. That made Liu second in command at the busiest container port in North America. Needless to say, he knows a thing or two about planning and logistics, creating consensus, and the positive power of public service. Read on to learn how Liu’s unique perspective is such an asset to California’s tourism industry—and how he put his knowledge to use to achieve a rare feat in the world of sports fandom.
What were some of the most important lessons you learned while serving as Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles and Deputy Executive Director and Chief of Staff of the Port of Los Angeles that you’ve been able to apply to your current role in the tourism sector?
The worst reason to do anything is “we’ve always done it that way.” Fortunately, I work for a Mayor who encourages innovation and creativity. I am always pushing my tourism department staff and our partners to try new ways of doing things.
What initiatives from your impressive career in government and public service have had the biggest influence on you personally and/or professionally?
I was involved early on in creating a system of neighborhood councils throughout the City of Los Angeles. It’s really the government version of “getting close to your customers.” It’s an important reminder of who we serve and continues to help me focus today on the importance of understanding and enhancing the visitor experience.
What advice would you give to someone considering a pivot from tourism and hospitality to public office or civil service?
Much of what you’ve learned in tourism and hospitality will serve you well in public service. Treat constituents like you treat guests; they are the paying customers.
When it comes to your new post as Chair of the City of Los Angeles Tourism Cabinet and implementing the visionary Tourism Master Plan, what uniquely LA infrastructure projects are you particularly excited to help bring to fruition?
The one that’s closest to my heart is the expansion and modernization of the LA Convention Center, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. We’re very excited about kicking off this $1 billion project in the next 12 to 18 months.
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