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Houston Gets First LEED Hotel in Texas

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Meetings Focus - the Destination Experts
Meetings South Newsline
September 1, 2010
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Industry News
Houston Gets First LEED Hotel in Texas
Element Houston Vintage Park is the state's first LEED-certified hotel.
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Northeast Florida Resort Launches Meetings Offer
Amelia Island Plantation in Amelia Island, Fla., launched its new "Natural Choice" meeting program for 2011.
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Planners Cite ROI Pressure in HSMAI Survey
Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International's Affordable Meetings National Pre-Show Survey respondents say they feel increased pressure to show the ROI of an event.
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IMEX America Offers Wild Card Spots
Organizers of IMEX America announced they plan to offer two free Wild Card places for the show's launch next year in Las Vegas.
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Beaches of South Walton
Visit our Sponsor

An ideal time to hold your meeting is during the fall and winter months when reduced off-season rates are available. We hope you'll join us this year, as Beaches of South Walton is still the place to be! Located along 26 miles of Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast, the destination features a collection of 15 unique communities offering everything from full-service resorts to quaint beach cottages and gulf-front hotels. There are over 15,000 sleeping units available to accommodate your group.

For more information, click here.

 
Featured Story
Central Florida  

Central Florida

Casting a Spell

By LISA SIMUNDSON

It might not be such a small world after all.

When you factor in what's new in Central Florida with what's coming down the pike, it's safe to stay that Florida's entertainment hub has grown to the size of, well, Hagrid the giant, one of the

main characters in author J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books, which have been brought to life at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a new "land" at Universal's Islands of Adventure.

Read more about Central Florida ...

 
Lago Mar Resort & Club
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Situated on 10 lush acres on the oceanfront in Fort Lauderdale Florida, Lago Mar Resort & Club offers 12,000 square feet of flexible conference facilities. Four separate meeting rooms open onto the Fountainview Lobby, a 5,000-square-foot prefunction area with a relaxed, airy ambience. With 204 guest accommodations, which include 160 suites, the area's largest private beach, manicured gardens and two tropical pools, Lago Mar Resort & Club welcomes your group to an unforgettable meeting.

For more information call (800) LAGOMAR or visit www.lagomar.com .

 
Site Scene

Happenings – Central Florida

The Walt Disney World Resort is expecting its 26th resort, the 2,000-unit Disney's Art of Animation Resort, to open at the end of 2012. Disney is also planning a new residential resort community, Golden Oak, featuring a new Four Seasons hotel. Golden Oak will start opening in phases next year.

The Orlando Marriott Downtown became the Sheraton Orlando Downtown Hotel (407.843.6664) in June.

Read more Happenings – Central Florida »

Gainesville: Nature, History and Heritage

By LISA SIMUNDSON

Far from the theme park crowds, set within a rolling North Florida panorama of luxuriant trees, quaint antique districts and crisp, clear, refreshing springs, Gainesville is the place to be when you want your meeting and attendees to be equally relaxed.

"We like to say our attractions are not distractions," says Nancy Fischer, director of sales for the Gainesville/Alachua County VCB, referring to such popular sites as the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park and the Harn Museum of Art on the campus of the University of Florida.

Read more about Gainesville: Nature, History and Heritage»

 
The Peabody Orlando
Visit our Sponsor A Forbes Four-Star, AAA Four Diamond hotel, The Peabody Orlando is located in the heart of the International Drive entertainment district and directly across from the Orange County Convention Center. Our $450 million expansion of The Peabody Orlando will be completed this fall. When finished, the hotel will feature 250,000 square feet of flexible function space, 1,641 guest rooms and suites, a new 22,000-square-foot spa, state-of-the-art telecommunications technology, outstanding banquet services and more.

For more information, click here.

 
Past Issues

SLS Hotel Planned in Miami - 8/24/2010
Hotel Set for Alabama Gulf Coast - 8/17/2010
BP Gives Grant to NW Florida - 8/10/2010
Omni Takes Top Spot in Guest Survey - 8/03/2010
MPI Draws 2,700 to WEC in Vancouver - 7/27/2010
Hyatt Launches Green Meetings Rebate - 7/20/2010
Survey Says Gulf Hotels Coping with Spill Effects - 7/13/2010
Miami CVB Gets Funds to Address Oil Spill Fallout- 7/06/2010
New Orleans CVB Asks BP for $75M Grant - 6/29/2010
PCMA Survey Shows Meetings Upswing - 6/22/2010

 

LATEST VIDEOS
Meetings in a Minute!

Loretta Lowe
Loretta Lowe, Event Planner, San Francisco: When holding a meeting, make sure to consider music licensing fees.
 
Meetings Focus Poll
How important are sustainable meetings to your organization?
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Covering Yourself Through Contracts Webinar
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Wednesday, September 29, 2010
One major contract mistake can sink your organization and derail your career. Know what to look for and what to include when you get down to the details with facilities and suppliers. Join Meetings Media and top industry attorney Joshua L. Grimes of Grimes Law Offices for this fast-paced and informative webinar on cutting-edge contracts.

Sponsored by: Atlanta CVB, Balboa Bay Club & Resort, Disneyland Resort Center - Anaheim, Ford Park, Lakeway Resort and Spa, Salt Lake CVB, Tropicana Casino and Resort, Wyndham Miami Airport, Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce and Omni La Mansion Del Rio.

Visit our webinar page to register or learn more.

 

Meetings South
Hot Deals

Mobile, AL
Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa
$119
9/21/2010 - 9/27/2010
Myrtle Beach, SC
Marina Inn at Grande Dunes
$109
11/1/2010 - 11/3/2010
Point Clear, AL
Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa
$159
9/26/2010 - 10/1/2010
Destin, FL
Seascape Golf, Beach & Tennis Resort
$107
11/7/2010 - 11/14/2010