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CC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Award of an In-Kind Off-Cycle Special Event Grant in the Amount of $1,000 to Artificial Intelligence Los Angeles (AI LA) for their AI On The Lot Event and Designate the Event as City Sponsored.
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Meeting Date: March 9, 2026
Contact Person/Dept: Edgar Varela/Economic and Cultural Development
Phone Number: Special Events Manager’s Office - (310) 253-5752
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (03/04/2026)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (02/18/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council award an in-kind, off-cycle special event grant in the amount of $1,000 to Artificial Intelligence Los Angeles (AI LA) for the AI on the Lot event; and designate the event as City-sponsored.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On February 9, 2026, the City Council agendized a request for an in-kind event sponsorship by Artificial Intelligence Los Angeles relative to their AI on the Lot event slated for May 27 - 29, 2026, at the Culver Theater, Culver Hotel and Town Plaza. The event is open to the public.
Artificial Intelligence Los Angeles (AI LA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016 to support Greater LA's STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) communities. With 13,000+ members, AI LA delivers programs on contemporary AI topics and creates professional development opportunities - with a focus on humanity through education, conversation, and collaboration.
According to AI LA, the proposed event would be one of the largest conferences about generative AI within the film & media industry and creates opportunities for professional networking and collaboration in the region.
City Sponsorship
To be categorized as a “sponsored” event by the City, an event must meet the criteria set forth in City Council Policy No. 2502 (Special Event Grant Program), confirming that the City is (a) participating in an official capacity in the planning, preparation or promotion of the event or activity; and (b) contributing 25% of the total estimated costs of the civic event or activity or at least $1,000, whichever is less. This contribution may take the form of funds, labor, staff time, materials, a coverage of fees, or any combination thereof. The City may also consider approving an in-kind marketing sponsorship to help build awareness about the event. The Council Policy require both (a) and (b) conditions be satisfied.
The proposed event meets the criteria for City Sponsorship if the City Council approves a donation of at least $1,000 as an in-kind marketing sponsorship. As a requirement of City sponsorship, the organizers must identify the City of Culver City as a sponsor in all promotional materials.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no direct fiscal impact to the City. The request can be accommodated with current staffing resources relative to promotion of the event through the City’s marketing platforms and website.
ATTACHMENT
1. 2026-03-04 - ATT Artificial Intelligence Los Angeles Organization and Event Overview
recommended action
MOTION
That the City Council:
Award an in-kind, off-cycle special events grant in the amount of $1,000 in City staff time to the Artificial Intelligence Los Angeles for the AI on the Lot event and designate the event as City-sponsored.