It’s no secret that the greater Los Angeles area sits at the gateway to the Pacific Rim with its deep ties to Asian markets. But do you really want to have your next Southern California-based conference or meeting at a traffic-clogged location? Let me answer that for you: No, you do not.

Let me introduce you to Newport Beach and in particular its grand dame of resorts, the Balboa Bay Resort. It’s just 45 minutes south of LAX; or if you fly into Orange County airport, you’re already there. Back in the ’70s, John Wayne played cards at what was then the Balboa Bay Club every week with pals Andy Devine, Joey Bishop and Ward Bond (if you don’t know who Ward Bond is, you don’t watch enough old John Ford movies). Today, the Balboa Bay Resort continues to enjoy its rich heritage but does so with sparkling new construction. But what truly sets it apart from other five-star resorts is its “position A” location right on spectacular Newport Harbor.

Step out onto your balcony overlooking the bay and you can experience the thrill of watching big racing sailboats come within inches of colliding as they tack up the harbor, their jibs whipped by the wind. The sunrises and sunsets aren’t too shabby either. Yes, the location is sure to impress your clients and employees. But even more importantly, the impressive tech-savvy meeting facilities and well-trained staff will make sure your meeting comes off without a hitch.

I’ve been to many events at the resort and can attest to its beauty and functionality. All told, business retreats and meetings can take advantage of more than 18,200 square feet of flexible event space, as well as 12 breakout rooms with bay views and flexible configurations. For outdoor events in Newport’s mild year-round climate, the resort offers an additional 6,000 feet of outdoor event space for a total of 24,200 feet.

Let’s take a quick tour, shall we?

The Grand Ballroom offers 7,000 square feet of indoor space for up to 450 guests. This impressive venue is illuminated with five grand chandeliers and 18-foot-tall ceilings and also offers a light-filled 1,100-square-foot, pre-function area.

Just outside the Grand Ballroom, there is a 2,610-square-foot Bay Front Lawn, ideal for outdoor banquets and events along Newport’s beautiful harbor.

Adjacent to the ballroom foyer is the Coconut Grove, a 2,500-square-foot outdoor terrace ideal for receptions, cocktails or pre-function mingling.

The Commodore Room is a private meeting room with 2,025 square feet of venue space for up to 50 guests. Located right on the water, this venue offers waterfront views, as well as an outdoor terrace. A more intimate venue with 1,512 square feet of event space for up to 40 guests is the Quarter Deck Room, ideal for business conferences and meetings.

Looking for an ideal place to host your top executive team? The Governor’s Boardroom is a luxurious 14-seat meeting venue with a large mahogany table, plush chairs and water views. With a setting like that you can actually look forward to the meeting lasting all day. There are lots of other meeting rooms offering a variety of table and seating configurations. If you can envision it, they can make it happen. Or better yet, just tell them who’s coming, what your meeting goals are and let their team envision it for you. With 159 guest rooms and suites, a myriad of bars and restaurants and of course Newport Beach’s finest spa, you and your group will look forward to making the Balboa Bay Resort your own gateway to the Pacific Rim.