September 29, 2010

Virgin Group to Launch Hotel Brand in U.S.

Meetings Focus - the Destination Experts

September 30, 2010


Virgin Group to Launch Hotel Brand in U.S. Expanding from the airline to hotel business, Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group is looking to operate properties in major North American cities such as New York, San Francisco, Miami, Boston, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Read more »
Hyatt Buffalo Completes Redo The Hyatt Regency Buffalo in Buffalo, N.Y., recently completed a multiyear, $15 million renovation with the unveiling of a new spa and an indoor rooftop pool. Read more »
Courtyard Prototype Debuts in Pittsburgh Courtyard by Marriott introduced a new lobby and room design concept with this week's opening of the 124-room Courtyard Pittsburgh Settler's Ridge/Robinson Township. Read more »
Southwest Airlines to buy AirTran GSA, the agency that sets per diem rates for federal government travel, issued its 2011 per diem reimbursement rates for lodging, meals and incidental expenses incurred while on official government business. Read more »

New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge
	Situated just across the river from Manhattan, the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge is the ideal location for your next meeting or event. Including 30,000 square feet of elegant banquet space, the property also features state-of-the-art audiovisual facilities, wireless Internet and exceptional catering options. Proudly boasting first-class accommodations, outstanding amenities and superb customer service, the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge is the perfect location for your next NYC event.
For more information, click here.

Association Meetings

Power in Partnerships

By RUTH A. HILL

Faced with declining staff positions and membership, associations are increasingly turning to third parties for help with event planning as well as with meetings management and procurement practices. At the same time, there is also potential cost saving.

Traditionally, many association managers have been reluctant to go outside their organizations for assistance with meeting planning, worried they would lose control over the membership experience or encounter unethical financial situations. This is changing.

Increasingly, association managers are realizing that procurement and management specialists can often save them from attrition headaches and other predicaments. It's the partner advocacy they value most.

Read more about Association Meetings ...

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Negotiating Speaker Fees

By RUTH A. HILL

Professional speaker Laura Stack, who goes by the moniker "The Productivity PRO", says there are several prudent ways to negotiate with prospective speakers. The right approach for buyers is to make it as easy as possible for the speaker to agree without compromising fee integrity. Don't think of a speaker as a commodity like airplane seats and hotel rooms for which everyone is trying to get the best price, Stack advises. Working together to add value and create partnerships that benefit everyone is the way to go.

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Short Takes

Kudos

Marriott International headquarters, in Bethesda, Md., was recently awarded the gold medal for green buildings. After a three-year effort to become more sustainable, the 30-year-old building is celebrating its LEED Existing Building Gold status—an investment that saves the company $700,000 annually and up to $1.3 million in expected tax credits over three years. This achievement moves the company closer to the goal announced last fall to expand its green building portfolio to approximately 300 properties in five years. Much of the company's green hotel expansion will be fueled by a new Courtyard hotel program that has filed for pre-certified LEED status.

Read more Short Takes »

Higher Hotel Rates Forecast for 2011 - 9/21/2010
U.S. Hotel Industry on Upswing - 9/14/2010
PCMA Reorganizes for Education Focus - 9/07/2010
Benchmark Releases Beverage Trends - 9/01/2010
Marriott Marquis Set to Break Ground in D.C. - 8/26/2010
Edition Hotel Planned for D.C. - 8/19/2010
W New York Downtown Set for Debut - 8/05/2010
N.J. Gov. Unveils Big Plan for Atlantic City - 7/29/2010
Survey Says Conf. Centers Hit Harder Than Hotels - 7/20/2010
JBG, Marriott Agree on CC Hotel in D.C. - 7/13/2010