Tech Guide
- Manhattan's South Gate restaurant is the first New York City restaurant to leverage the capabilities of the iPad. South Gate recently created custom wireless iPad tablets exclusively designed to navigate its extensive wine list. The restaurant's sommelier uses the iPad to educate customers on over 650 wines available or guests can access the information themselves from the iPad's customizable SmartCellar application. For more information, call 212.484.5120 or visit .
- Montvale, N.J.-based Dolce Hotels and Resorts recently implemented SpeedRFP, an online RFP tool that enables meeting planners to solicit bids from multiple hotels across multiple brands. SpeedRFP lets planners enter their organization's information and details about their prospective meeting using a standardized format and then submit that information to the Dolce property of their choice at www.dolce-speedrfp.com. SpeedRFP soon will be integrated with MeetingBroker, a management software developed by Newmarket International that forwards RFPs to the sales force automation systems of hotels, resorts and other meeting venues.
Programs & Packages
- The Omni Bedford Springs Resort, located in Pennsylvania's Allegheny Mountains, is now offering its Winter Relief Meeting Package. The package, which is available from December through March 2011, includes rates of $167 per night based on single occupancy, complimentary meeting space, audiovisual, zero attrition, a 45-minute cooking demonstration, Wi-Fi throughout the resort, valet parking for attendees, use of the on-site fitness center and indoor pool, and a nightly fire pit conversation. For more information, call 814.624.562.
Awards
- The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), along with National Geographic Traveler, has created the inaugural Leader in Sustainable Tourism Award in conjunction with the 2010 HSMAI Adrian Awards competition. The award, which will be presented Jan. 31, 2011 at the annual HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala, recognizes a person, company or community for leadership and innovation in communicating an authentic sense of place through a tourism campaign. Nominees will be judged by how their efforts preserve the environmental, cultural and historic integrity of a destination. All sectors of travel, tourism and governments worldwide are eligible for award entry. Entries are completed online at www.adrianawards.com. The final deadline is Sept. 10.