WHAT’S AHEAD

THIS WEEK FOR L.A. & SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Monday, March 20

Tool Time

Westec 2000, North America’s largest annual metalworking and manufacturing exposition and conference, kicks off today at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Information: (800) 733-4763.

Response Expo

Direct-to-consumer marketers from around the country are jetting to L.A. for the 2000 Response Expo, running today through Wednesday at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City. The event is intended for infomercial producers, Internet advertisers, catalog retailers and others. Information: (800) 331-5706.

Wednesday, March 22

Venture Confab

Some of the biggest names in local venture capital, including Bill Gross of Idealab Capital Partners, Byron Roth of Cruttenden Roth, Tony Hung of DynaFund Ventures and John Morris of the Tech Coast Angels, will speak today at the Investment Capital Conference 2000, starting at 7:30 a.m. at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown L.A.

Friday, March 24

Leading Ladies

Marcy Carsey of hot TV production company Carsey-Werner Co. is the top honoree at the Millennium Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon sponsored by the local chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. The event, which will honor six other women leaders, starts at 11:30 a.m. at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. Information: (213) 622-3200.

Sunday, March 26

The Oscars

“American Beauty” or “The Sixth Sense”? Get your Oscar picks ready, because the 72nd annual awards show takes place today at the Shrine Auditorium.