Life At Levy

Award season looked and felt different in Los Angeles this year. With wildfires devastating much of Los Angeles, the entire country rallied to support the city in any way they could. Not only did Levy join the effort, but we hosted events that were dedicated to the mission. In less than two weeks, our teams at Intuit Dome and Kia Forum in Los Angeles, along with their partners, organized FireAid: one of the biggest fundraising events ever to help those impacted by the fires. Both venues featured an outstanding lineup of artists and ended the night with millions of dollars raised for fire relief.

Omar Khalil, Director of Operations at Kia Forum, says this event was a different experience than what the team was used to. “Planning for this event was something special, as everyone’s involved, excited and motivated to put it together. Everyone was affected by the fires in some way and wanted to be a part of FireAid.”

Down the street at Intuit Dome’s 310 Provisions team, Vice President of Hospitality Strategy Jessica Cesta and Director of Operations Jerry Murphy were both impressed by how quickly people came together. “Not only was the benefit concert created and held to raise money for those impacted, but our leadership really showed up,” Murphy said. “Despite the limited planning window and an already hectic month, our team pulled together to activate our spaces in unique ways, and the fact that everyone did it in support of giving back to the city we call home, with smiles on their faces, was astounding.”

“The gratitude I feel coming out of FireAid is beyond immense,” Cesta said. “The wildfires that ravaged the place that our entire 310 Provisions Team call home have been heart wrenching. Stronger than the fear, heartbreak, or uncertainty, however, is endless admiration and appreciation. I witnessed our cumulative teams – 310 Provisions, Levy at The Kia Forum, our partners, and so many of our vendors – unite two venues in a way they’ve never been activated.”

The very next day, and only about 10 miles away, the Los Angeles Convention Center team hosted the annual MusiCares Persons of the Year Gala along with supporting Levy team members from across the country. This year, the event honored the legendary band The Grateful Dead and featured artists throughout the night that covered their favorite songs by the band, including John Mayer and Noah Kahan. Guests were served a seated 3-course dinner featuring a “Green Bear Salad” with seared oyster mushroom and purple potato pave, a choice between Striped Bass and Mushroom entrees with golden cauliflower and lemon thyme forte, and three dessert options of a Friend of the Devil’s Food Cake, Pineapple Upside Down Cake and Black Sesame Tart. After eating, they danced the night away with cocktails and wine in hand. In the end, the event raised more than $9 million for MusiCares Foundation and an additional $5 million for wildfire relief efforts in Los Angeles.

Ashley Russo, a member of the MusiCares team and the National Director of Sales for Convention Centers, has supported the event for almost 10 years. “The Person of the Year event is always special, but this year, honoring the Grateful Dead, felt different,” Russo said. “As LA rebuilds, their music’s message of community and resilience is more vital than ever. The magic of the music, combined with the community coming together, was truly inspiring.”

Closing out the weekend was the biggest night in music: the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena. As the most celebrated night in the music industry, it’s always a huge undertaking. The team designed beautiful charcuterie tables for the pre-party and the post-party, as well as serving elevated concessions inside the arena throughout the entire event. The beverage team created a specialty cocktail menu, including the LA Strong Margarita, the proceeds of which were donated to fire relief efforts.

The culinary team for an event like this is made up of culinary experts from across the country and California, including Executive Chef Chris Saiz. “There is nothing like working the GRAMMYs,” Chef Saiz said. “It is the Super Bowl of music, and everything is so beautiful. The most enjoyable part of working the event is all the smiles you see all day. You are literally making a core memory happen for someone, and watching their reactions to it in real time is the best thing ever for a chef.”

Across one long weekend, our teams at Intuit Dome, Kia Forum, Los Angeles Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena served tens of thousands of guests at the most premium level and helped to raise millions of dollars, both for artists in need and for Los Angeles locals who are going through the toughest time in their life. Awards season is always one of the most memorable times of the year, and 2025 was no different.