SIX FINANCIAL AND insurance meeting planners came together in early December at the Beverly Hilton hotel (www.beverlyhilton.com), in Beverly Hills, Calif. , and spent a day in meetings with Hilton execs, discussing industry best practices. Then they got a top-to-bottom-to back-of-the-house tour of the hotel, which has nearly completed its $80 million renovation. Hilton likes to refer to it as a “transformation,” and indeed, this former Merv Griffin hotel, under new ownership since 2003, has been reborn, evident from the moment one steps into the spacious, sparkling lobby. All 570 rooms (including 101 suites) have sophisticated furnishings, European linens, high-speed Internet and power plugs, a work desk and ergonomic chair, 42-inch HDTVs (and a smaller TV in the bathroom), and an in-room safe with a power source to charge laptops.

The renovated ballroom and event space features Murano glass chandeliers, imported from Italy, and, of course, state-of-the-art AV production technology — this is, after all, home to the Golden Globe awards and many other Hollywood events. The more than 80,000-square feet of meeting and event space includes the self-contained executive meeting center.

PRA Destination Management whisked the planners on an eye-opening tour of L.A., encompassing a back-stage look at the Kodak Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) and downtown, reborn with plenty of event space well worth consideration, including the spectacular Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by architect Frank Gehry.