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Site Scene

Illinois
  • McCormick Place West, the latest addition to Chicago’s McCormick Place, opened in early August, eight months ahead of schedule. The approximately $882 million West Building adds another 470,000 square feet of exhibit space to McCormick Place’s existing 2.2 million square feet. It also adds 250,000 square feet of meeting space, which includes 61 meeting rooms and a ballroom the size of a football field at 100,000 square feet, making it one of the largest ballrooms in the world. The new building is expected to generate an additional $1.3 billion in local spending. Much of the West Building’s focus will concentrate on securing small-to-mid-size association, corporate and medical meetings, and already has more than 75 events booked. McCormick Place West also boasts a Rooftop Garden for evening receptions. For more information, call 312.791.7000 or visit www.mccormick place.com.

  • The historic Hotel Cass will open its doors in late September as the Hotel Cass Mag Mile Chicago, A Holiday Inn Express. The 175-room property, which originally opened in 1927, is finishing an extensive $16 million redevelopment. The newly renovated 68,000-square-foot hotel offers business travelers a variety of key amenities such as free high-speed Internet access with Wi-Fi capabilities. For more information, call 312.787.4030 or visit www.casshotel.com.
  • The Westin Lombard Yorktown Center made its debut in late August with 500 guest rooms and a total of 39,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. The showpiece is its 18,915-square-foot Grand Ballroom. Another junior ballroom measures approximately 8,125 square feet. For more information, call 630.719.8000 or visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

  • The Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale in August completed a $10 million renovation and conversion into a Hilton brand resort, and is now named the Hilton-Bloomingdale Indian Lakes Resort. Upgrades include a makeover of its 310 guest rooms, all of the property’s public spaces and its three restaurants. In addition, the Hilton’s 45,000 square feet of meeting space was upgraded and renovated. For more information, call 630.529.0200 or visit www.indianlakesresort.com.

Indianapolis
  • The Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel, formerly the Radisson Indianapolis City Centre Hotel, recently opened following more than $10 million in upgrades to the property. The Sheraton offers 378 completely renovated guest rooms, including 45 suites, as well as the only rooftop pool in downtown Indianapolis. In addition to the hotel’s Club Lounge, extra comforts will be available on three Club Level floors and on the Starwood Preferred Guest floors. The hotel features 18,000 square feet of meeting space, including the Panorama Ballroom on the 21st floor, with city views. For more information, call 317.635.2000 or visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

Michigan
  • MGM Mirage’s MGM Grand Detroit is on schedule for a fall debut of its 400 guest rooms, including nine rooftop VIP suites and 56 corner suites. The property also features 30,000 square feet of meeting and convention space. As its centerpiece, the destination’s expansive Grand Ballroom will open to 14,000 square feet to accommodate 1,200 guests and can be divided into four Ballroom Salons for gatherings of up to 300. At 1,600 square feet each, the Amber, Garnet and Sapphire meeting rooms can host groups of 100, and also may be divided in half for smaller functions. Two executive boardrooms each will span 710 square feet and accommodate up to 18 people. Both boardrooms will feature teleconferencing services, built-in multiple video plasma displays, and both wired and wireless high-speed Internet access. For more information, call 877.888.2121 or visit www.mgmgranddetroit.com.

  • MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit is planning a November opening with 400 guest rooms, including 41 suites. MotorCity’s guest rooms all feature high-speed Internet access, iPod docking stations and 37-inch plasma televisions. The new 17-story hotel is part of the MotorCity Casino’s $275 million expansion that also features an additional 67,000 square feet of function and banquet space, including prefunction areas, seven meeting rooms and two boardrooms. In addition, MotorCity is expanding its gaming space and adding a 1,200-seat theater as well as an 8,000-square-foot spa. For more information, call 313.237.7711 or visit www.motorcityca sino.com.

  • The three-story Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Grand Blanc debuted in mid-August with 77 guest rooms. The hotel offers complimentary Wi-Fi access, a business center, pool, and fitness center. The newly constructed three-floor hotel spans 45,000 square feet and luxury decor throughout its public space and guest rooms. For more information, call 810.695.3000 or visit www.ichotelsgroup.com.

Wisconsin
  • Doubletree Hotel Milwaukee City Center opened this summer with 243 rooms. Formerly a Holiday Inn, the hotel underwent a $6 million renovation, including upgraded guest rooms, meeting space, dining facilities, and public spaces. Guest rooms feature complimentary Wi-Fi access and virtual in-room printing services. The meeting and event space includes a 3,060-square-foot ballroom for up to 300 guests. For more information, call 414.273.2950 or visit www.doubletreemilwaukee.com.

  • The Marriott Madison West Hotel recently completed a $4 million renovation to the property’s lounge, lobby, bar, and meeting space. The hotel features a 10-story atrium and more than 50,000 square feet of versatile event space. For more information, call 608.831.2000 or visit www.marriottmadisonwest.com.