Biz News: Tourism conference Monday at Segerstrom Center

The Orange County Visitors Association will present the eighth annual OC Tourism Conference on Monday at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. The theme is “Tourism is Entertainment.”

Caroline Beteta, president and chief executive of Visit California, will announce a new report at the conference about the economic benefits of the state’s tourism industry in 2015.

Tourism is a leading industry in Orange County, generating $11.3 billion in spending in 2015. More than 47 million people visited the county last year, up 2.6% from 2014, according to a news release.

Monday’s conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., including a continental breakfast and a networking lunch, at the Segerstrom Center, 600 Town Center Drive.

Tickets are $125. For more information, visit VisitTheOC.com and click on “2016 OC Tourism Conference.”

Tilly’s charity golf, auction set for Monday

Tilly’s Life Center, a charity founded by Tilly Levine, co-founder of the Irvine-based Tilly’s clothing chain, said its ninth annual “Tillyadega Nights” charity golf event, auction and party may raise more than $200,000 for the cause.

The event Monday at the Dove Canyon Golf Club will feature foursomes including skateboarding icon Ryan Sheckler, as well as brands such as Volcom, RVCA and LRG.

“Tilly’s is proud to support [Tilly’s Life Center’s] mission of empowering teens and helping them cope with adversity,” Ed Thomas, president and chief executive of Tilly’s, said in a statement. “We are very grateful, as is TLC, for everyone’s support of this great cause.”

For more information about the event, visit tillys.com/charitygolf.

Classic Kids Photography opens in CdM

Classic Kids Photography recently held its grand-opening celebration for its location at Corona del Mar Plaza, 924 Avocado Ave.

Proceeds from the event benefited Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County.

Geek-A-Palooza coming to Irvine

Geek-A-Palooza is coming to Irvine on May 12.

The electronics industry event will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Irvine Marriott hotel, 18000 Von Karman Ave. It features networking with industry suppliers, sponsor tables, music, raffles and games.

Admission is $20 at the door. Registrants who sign up before Monday will be entered to win $100.

For more information, visit tntgroup.org.

Maruchan donates to Irvine schools

Maruchan Inc., an Irvine-based ramen noodle soup company, has donated $100,000 to the Irvine Public Schools Foundation.

“Maruchan salutes the city of Irvine, the Irvine Public Schools Foundation and the teachers and students of Irvine for, once again, earning national recognition both in and out of the classroom this past year,” Maruchan President Noritaka Sumimoto said in a statement.

Prime Volleyball going to Ladera Ranch

Prime Volleyball Club, a Newport Beach-based company that hosts teams ages 8 to 18, will use Ladera Ranch’s $35-million Ladera Sports Center, which is scheduled to have its grand opening this summer.

The center features a 60,000-square-foot gymnasium with eight basketball and volleyball courts, according to a news release.

“We are thrilled that Prime Volleyball Club’s athletes will be training at Ladera Sports Center,” H. Michael Schwartz, chief executive of SmartStop Asset Management Inc., which designed, financed and is building the center, said in a statement.

Northrop and Johnson opens Newport office

Northrop and Johnson recently opened an office in Newport Beach that will specialize in yacht brokerage, new construction and retail charter.

The office is at 3471 Via Lido, Suite 206.

Newport bank branch names new executive

Charlie Garcia recently joined Farmers & Merchants Bank as the new vice president and relationship manager of the Newport Beach branch, according to a news release.

Garcia previously was vice president of commercial mortgage operations for Union Bank. For Farmers & Merchants, he will oversee commercial real estate lending, business lending, relationship management and portfolio management, according to a news release.

Spellbound opens new Irvine headquarters

Spellbound Development Group Inc. has opened a new “ideation and innovation” headquarters in Irvine.

The office is at 17192 Gillette Ave.

The company consults clients in the food service, retail, hospitality and grocery industries.

Shopoff hires new chief financial officer

Irvine-based Shopoff Realty Investments has appointed Lisa Jack as its chief financial officer, according to a news release.

Jack, who has more than 15 years of finance and accounting experience, previously was chief financial officer of IMH Financial Corp.

Irvine firm buys Colorado apartment complex

Irvine-based Steadfast Cos., a real estate investment trust, recently acquired a 217-unit apartment complex in Englewood, Colo.

Fielder’s Creek, built in 1983, was acquired for $32 million.

Brandywine Homes announces new president

Irvine-based Brandywine Homes recently appointed Alex Hernandez as president of the company’s homebuilding division, according to a news release.

Past President Brett Whitehead has taken on the role of chief executive, the company said.