October 5, 2010

Omni Launches Boutique Brand in Texas

Meetings Focus - the Destination Experts

October 5, 2010


Omni Launches Boutique Brand in Texas The former Watermark Hotel in San Antonio is now the Mokara Hotel & Spa, the first in a collection of luxury boutique properties under the Mokara brand to be operated by Omni Hotels & Resorts. Read more »
Virgin Group to Acquire Hotels in U.S. Expanding 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 »
Wyndham to Franchise Planet Hollywood Resorts Wyndham Hotel Group announced a license agreement with Planet Hollywood Resorts International to franchise the Planet Hollywood Resorts brand and provide management services globally. Read more »
NBTA Calls for Airline Customer Protections The National Business Travel Association is filing comments with the U.S. Department of Transportation advocating an improved framework of customer service requirements for purchasers of airline travel. Read more »

Visit Raleigh
	"Staying Smarter" in Greater Raleigh just got easier, thanks to incentives offered by many of the area's full-service hotels. Groups that book and carry out meetings through the end of the year can earn incentives including: free rooms, upgrades and SmartCards, a program giving attendees hundreds of discounts and offers. Experience for yourself what makes North Carolina's Capital City the "can't miss" cultural and entertainment center of the Southeast for business and events—while saving money.
For more information, click here.

North Carolina

Southern Charmer

By TONY BARTLETT

Providing a diversity of attractions and activities that make it the sixth-most-visited state, North Carolina sweeps down from the Great Smokies and Blue Ridge Mountains to 300 miles

of coastline, with almost 500 golf courses and nearly 100 wineries in between.

Charlotte and Raleigh continue to expand with new large-scale facilities and amenities around their downtown convention centers. And new performing arts centers, museums and other attractions continue to roll out across the state.

Read more about North Carolina ...

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Site Scene

Texas

A $10 million renovation of the Le Meridien Dallas North was completed in August. The 11-story, 258-room atrium hotel was transformed, including the lounge, check-in areas and business center. All rooms were remodeled for a loft-style feel, each featuring high-speed Internet access and 42-inch LCD televisions. The hotel offers 3,500 square feet of meeting space. For more information, call 972.503.8700.

Read more Site Scene »

Short Takes

Museums & Attractions

The Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center in Peachtree City, Ga., is offering the ancient Chinese water sport of dragon boat racing on Lake Peachtree as a team-building exercise. The dragon boat's 20 crew members are led by a steerperson who stands at the back of the boat and is responsible for all decisions on the water. The drummer sits in the bow and keys off the two crew members who set the pace for the rest of the group. For more information, call 770.487.2000.

Read more Short Takes »

Peabody Orlando Unveils Major Expansion - 9/29/2010
Plans Launched for CC Hotel in Biloxi - 9/22/2010
Beach Centre Planned in Virginia Beach, Va. - 9/15/2010
Omni to Acquire Florida Resort - 9/08/2010
Houston Gets First LEED Hotel in Texas - 9/01/2010
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

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Budget Tips: Make More with Less

Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Any veteran planner has more than a few money-saving tips up his or her sleeve when it comes to maximizing a budget. Join Meetings Media and leading meetings industry educator Bonnie Wallsh, a professional planner who has seen all sides of the meetings business, to learn practical and effective ideas on how to stretch your budget as far as you can with fewer resources.

Sponsored by: Atlanta CVB, Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Kansas City Marriott Downtown, Marcus Milwaukee Hotels, MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, Myrtle Beach Area Convention Bureau, Santa Clara CVB, and Paragon Casino Resort.

Visit our webinar page to register or learn more.

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11/1/2010 - 11/3/2010