Downey named one of nation's best cities to host business meetings

The view of Rio Hondo Golf Club from Hackers restaurant. Photo by Steve Mansell, DowneyDailyPhotos.com

DOWNEY -- Downey has been named one of the top cities in the Pacific West to hold a business meeting, according to an online ranking released this week. 

“There are plenty of locations across the country outside of New York, L.A. or Chicago that strike a balance between fun and affordability,” said Roman Shteyn, CEO and co-founder of RewardExpert, which compiled the rankings. 

Downey was named No. 3 among cities in the Pacific West, earning praise for its shopping and restaurant selections.  It ranked behind West Covina (No. 1) and Huntington Beach (No. 2) but ahead of Irvine (No. 4) and Burbank (No. 5).

“Downey is the tenth most affordable midsize city on our list with rankings in the top 25% for climate, the presence of restaurants, bars and hotels, and availability of events,” RewardExpert wrote in its comments. 

The website erroneously refers to Stonewood Center as “newly-built” -- the mall opened in 1958 -- but nonetheless praises the shopping center for offering a “wonderful after-meeting shopping and entertainment experience.”

The top city in the Pacific West was West Covina, which earned high marks for its extensive open space and panoramic mountain views.