Welcome to the May issue of Meetings South.
While spring is now in full bloom, so is the blossoming of condo-hotel projects in every region of the nation.
Florida, and Orlando in particular, are leading the “condotel” pack in the South, with projects such as Orlando’s Village of Imagine, a 1,000-unit complex developed by hospitality giant Intrawest adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center. Another project, The Blue Rose, a luxury condo-hotel with 1,300 units and a whopping 100,000 square feet of meeting space, will open next year. Nearby Lake Buena Vista’s Ravallo Resort & Conference Center will also pony up 100,000 square feet of meeting space along with its 900 units.
But what does the continuing trend mean to the meetings industry? While we’re definitely in a sellers’ market, the real estate landscape, by most predictions, is getting ready to cool, which could result in lower prices at these venues.
Senior Editor Maria Lenhart explores the condo-hotel scene in her “A Suite Deal” feature.
Also in this issue, we hop out into the Caribbean for our WOW! Puerto Rico destination spread, written by new Associate Editor Marlene Goldman, who previously penned many stories for our magazines as a freelancer.
Like the condo-hotel development boom in Florida, Puerto Rico has been hot, hot, hot lately, the beneficiary of a massive investment in luxury properties, a new convention center and other facilities that are transforming the attendee experience.
Like our other WOW! sections, we dig a little deeper to offer up off-site options that will make your attendees’ jaws drop.
May also marks the kick-off of our 17-city series of meeting planning educational events. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out www.MeetingsMarket.com for info on the exciting presenters and content that will be delivered starting on the 17th in the Phoenix area, and then in Tampa, Fla., May 22, Portland, Ore., May 30, and Charlotte, N.C., June 6.
Maybe I’ll see you at the show. As usual, make sure to pretend like you know me, as it really impresses my publisher. I’ll buy you lunch.
Speaking of making good impressions, the clock is officially ticking on your chance to rake in a $100 American Express gift certificate for submitting your votes for our annual Best of the South Awards contest.
Voting is easy, too. Just go to www.meetingstoday.com/awards. You only have until the middle of the month, however, to get in on the action.
We’ll tabulate the votes and publish the names of the winners in our August issue and on MeetingsFocus.com.
Thanks for thumbing through our May issue. We hope you continue to enjoy all of the new products—and the new look of our magazine so expertly crafted by Art Director Scott Kambic and the whole production crew here.
Until next time, make sure to send us all of your industry observations, tips for fellow planners and opinions on our coverage.
Happy planning.
