Arts
Andrew Brown succeeds Elizabeth Pearson as president and chief executive of Pacific Chorale, a resident of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, effective Dec. 3. Brown was previously chief operating officer at Los Angeles Master Chorale, where he worked for 17 years after starting as an administrative assistant.
— Subrina Hudson
Healthcare
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: SPPI) named Francois Lebel chief medical officer to oversee its clinical program, including directing clinical trials, development and regulatory submissions. He was most recently executive vice president of research and development and chief medical officer of Ziopharm Oncology Inc. in Boston. Spectrum is a biotech firm focused on oncology drug development. The Henderson Nevada-based drug developer has a 56,000-square-foot administrative and research and development facility in Irvine.
— Sherry Hsieh
Retail
Emerald Expositions Events Inc. bought several hospitality-focused trade shows, publications and events from ST Media Group International and Hospitality Media Group on undisclosed terms. The B2B trade show, events and conference producer is buying Boutique Design New York, a trade show and conference for 8,000 boutique hospitality professionals, and West Coast sister show BDwest; and HX: The Hotel Experience trade show, also in New York. The buy also includes events Hospitality Match, Senior Lifestyle Design and Forum Series, and magazine Boutique Design, which supports the BDNY show. Emerald has spent about $70 million this year in trade shows and events buys.
— Paul Hughes
Sears Holdings Corp. is expected to close its South Coast Plaza location in Costa Mesa and 141 other money-losing stores by year-end as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to a reading of bankruptcy court documents. Sears, a legacy anchor there, sold the location last year to mall operator C.J. Segerstrom & Sons and has leased it back as a tenant under undisclosed terms. It leases out another 43,000 square feet in its main building to fast-fashion retailer Forever 21, whose fate there wasn’t immediately disclosed. The late Henry Segerstrom, whose C.J. Segerstrom & Sons opened South Coast Plaza in 1967, sold land to Sears for $1 to entice it to build the store. A redevelopment of the space has been anticipated since the 2017 sale, though plans haven’t been disclosed, and mall executives declined to comment last week on plans for the location or a potential closing of the Sears.
— Mark Mueller
Sports
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim opted out of their lease at Angel Stadium, where they’ve played home games since 1966. “As we look to the future, we need the ability to continue to deliver a high-quality fan experience beyond what the original lease allows,” Angels President John Carpino said in a statement. “It is important that we look at all our options and how we can best serve our fans now and in the future.” The Angels had to opt of their lease by the end Oct. 16, or the franchise would’ve been locked in until 2028. The move sets up a potential search for another home in Southern California. Angel Stadium is the fourth-oldest in the major leagues behind Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Dodger Stadium.
— Chris Casacchia
Tourism
Local tourism produced $21.3 billion in economic impact last year, according to a report commissioned by the Orange County Visitors Association. It generated $2.5 billion in tax revenue, 29% of that, or $715 million, going to the state. Another 17% went to local entities via sales, lodging and other taxes, according to the report, which was prepared by Tourism Economics LLC in Wayne, Penn. The industry supports 179,000 jobs, about half in food, beverage and recreation, and 30% in lodging and retail. About 37% of overnight guests came from elsewhere in California, and 9% from other countries, mostly Mexico, Canada and China.
— Paul Hughes
