Out and About columns featuring Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce members have been highlighted for four years in Chamber Weekly. Acknowledged by the Western Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (WACE) as a ‘Best New Program’, the chamber is delighted to resume these articles with this edition. We are pleased to feature the DoubleTree by Hilton Torrance South Bay, a 45-year chamber member.
Linda Amato was named General Manager of the Doubletree by Hilton Torrance South Bay in 2002, after serving as the Director of Sales and Marketing since 1996. A full-service hotel, the Doubletree is in the heart of the Los Angeles South Bay offering guests free wi-fi, outdoor pool, business center, free parking, and room service.
The devastating impact that Covid-19 has had on the hotel industry has been unprecedented. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 4.8 million hospitality and leisure jobs have been lost since February. Additionally, since the public health issue began escalating in mid-February in the United States, hotels have already lost more than $46 billion in room revenue. “As of late, we have had an increase in leisure visitors on the weekends, but there have been very little corporate room reservations,” stated Amato.
In following guidelines set by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Amato and her staff created an inviting outdoor area surrounded by a waterfall and luscious greenery where locals and hotel guests can enjoy music from a jukebox, professional games on television and food and drinks.
Amato reminisced about former events held at the Doubletree and comments she looks forward to those occurring again. She recalls one of her favorite events hosted at the Doubletree was the City of Torrance Centennial Gala in 2012. That was a great celebration for the City.
In addition to her responsibilities with the Doubletree, Amato serves as Chairman of the Board for Discover Torrance. Discover Torrance Visitors’ Bureau is a 501(c)6 nonprofit organization, funded by 15 hotels (with more than 50 rooms) within Torrance’s city limits, with an annual contribution from the City of Torrance.
With over 20 million visitors annually, the City of Torrance, in partnership with Discover Torrance and Simon Properties, identified the Del Amo Fashion Center as a premier location to offer a California Welcome Center. “Becoming a California Welcome Center is instrumental for our city. There are only seven or eight in the state. Advantages of becoming a Welcome Center include signage off the freeway and promotion of the City of Torrance through maps and a variety of other marketing material,” stated Amato.
The Doubletree by Hilton Torrance South Bay, under Amato’s leadership does the ‘little things’ which really do make the most meaningful impact when it comes to excellent hotel service. The Torrance Chamber thanks the Doubletree for 45 consecutive years of membership and commitment to the community.