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New Orleans Leads in RevPAR Growth

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Meetings Focus - the Destination Experts
Meetings South Newsline
JANUARY 27, 2011
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Industry News
New Orleans Leads in RevPAR Growth
Of the top 26 U.S. hotel markets, New Orleans was the big leader in RevPAR (revenue per available room) improvement for 2010, according to a report from STR Analytics.
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New Operator Tapped for S.C. Resort
Charlestowne Hotels, which operates 22 properties in the Southeast, has been selected to take over management of the 500-room Springmaid Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
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Wyndham Signs Boutique Deal
Wyndham Hotel Group entered into an agreement with Chatwal Hotels & Resorts to franchise and manage its Dream and Night boutique hotel brands globally.
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Makeover Set for Opryland Radisson
Gaylord Entertainment is launching a $7 million renovation of the 303-room Radisson at Opryland in Nashville, Tenn.
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MeetingsFocusForum.com
Visit our Sponsor Log on now and get in on the conversation with Joan Eisenstodt, industry education leader, and your fellow meeting planners. Talk about planning issues, destination dilemmas, issues with contracts, ROI, CSR and more. Just join in, post your question, and we know you'll find the answer!

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Featured Story
Drive-to Meetings  

Drive-to Meetings

Driving Demand

By RUTH A. HILL

Are attendees increasingly likely to drive to a meeting rather than fly? Travel industry forecasts and an uptick in regional bookings—corporate as well as association—reported by some CVBs indicate a shift toward more meetings that favor the drive-to market.

With everyone from American Express Business Travel to Runzheimer International and the National Business Travel Association predicting a rise in corporate travel this year—along with higher hotel rates and airfares—it's natural to assume that some organizations will find it more cost-effective and convenient to meet closer to home.

Read more about Drive-to Meetings ...

 
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Site Scene

Tips for Drive-to Meetings

Drive-to meetings can be one option in the planning arsenal to control costs as meetings costs rise for 2011 and beyond. Malinda Pettaway, associate director of sales for the Greater Raleigh CVB, offers some points to consider in the planning of these meetings:

  • Negotiate free or discounted parking fees with your hotel or other venue.
  • Look for easy-to-find lodging and venues near an interstate highway or other main road.
Read more Tips for Drive-to Meetings »

Site Scene

Texas

The Crowne Plaza Fort Worth South opened in December, following a renovation and conversion from a Radisson hotel. The hotel features 247 guest rooms and more than 14,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. For more information, call 817.293.3088.

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Past Issues

Convention Hotel Set for Birmingham, Ala. - 01/20/2011
PCMA Names Cities for Future Conferences - 01/13/2011
Georgia WCC Hires Sustainability Guru - 01/06/2011
Orlando CVB Becomes Visit Orlando - 12/29/2010
Ground Breaks on Jekyll Island CC - 12/15/2010
Dallas Hilton Unveils Major Redo - 12/08/2010
ASAE Purchases Convene Green Alliance - 12/02/2010
Memphis CVB to Manage Convention Center - 11/30/2010

 

LATEST VIDEOS
Meetings: On Location!

David Whitaker
Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson touched base with Tourism Toronto CVB President & CEO David Whitaker at the unabashedly pink "Imaginarium" at PCMA's Convening Leaders conference in Las Vegas.
 
Meetings Focus Poll
Compared to 2010, how do you expect your attendance to fare in 2011?
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Conference Centers: Achieving Objectives
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Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011
Join Meetings Focus and Joan Eisenstodt, a premier meetings industry educator and consultant, for this free one-hour webinar that details how you can utilize the dedicated facilities offered by conference centers to invigorate your meetings and provide the maximum opportunity for your organization to reach its goals.

Sponsored by: Banff Centre, Glen Cove Mansion Hotel & Conference Center, Greater Raleigh CVB, The Peabody Orlando, Radisson Hotel Valley Forge, Sheraton Fairplex and South San Francisco Conference Center.

Visit our webinar page to register or learn more.

 

Meetings South
Hot Deals

Mobile, AL
Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa
$139
3/13/2011 - 3/15/2011
Destin, FL
Seascape Golf, Beach & Tennis Resort
$150
3/5/2011 - 3/12/2011
Point Clear, AL
Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa
$149
3/20/2011 - 3/31/2011