March 31, 2011

Indianapolis CVB Names New CEO

Meetings Focus - the Destination Experts

MARCH 31, 2011


Indianapolis CVB Names New CEO The Indianapolis CVB hired Leonard Hoops, currently executive vice president and chief customer officer for the San Francisco Travel Association, to be its new president and CEO. Read more »
United Launches Twin Cities-D.C. Service United Airlines will inaugurate twice-daily service between Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on April 3. Read more »
Eisenstodt Wins Top IACC Award Meetings industry veteran Joan Eisenstodt, chief strategist of Washington, D.C.-based Eisenstodt Associates and moderator of Meetings Focus Forum, owned by Meetings Focus, won the International Association of Conference Centers' Mel Hosansky Distinguished Service award. Read more »
U.S. Hotels Post Rate, Occupancy Gains The U.S. hotel industry posted increases in all three key performance measurements during February, according to STR. Read more »

Wisconsin Department of Tourism
	Why do so many people book their events in Wisconsin? Must be our Midwestern Values!
To plan your next meeting or convention in Wisconsin, visit www.ThinkWisconsin.com.

Affordable Meetings

Brain-Power Breaks

By RUTH A. HILL

Designing meeting breaks that contribute to productivity and retention may be just as important to fulfilling objectives as the program content itself. And with many organizations strapped for time and money these days, breaks can be an affordable and efficient way to give attendees a refreshing energy boost between intensive sessions.

Trainers, planners and hotel staffers who work with business groups say the most effective meeting breaks involve engaging activities such as fun play, team building or networking.

Read more about Affordable Meetings ...

Kansas City Marriott Downtown
	The Kansas City Marriott Downtown's location in the heart of the country makes it easy and economical for meeting attendees to reach, and our location in the heart of the exciting downtown makes it fun. We're just steps from the Sprint Center and Power & Light Entertainment District. As the city's premier meeting and convention hotel, we offer 946 updated guestrooms, and 93,374 square feet of flexible meeting space—including two ballrooms and 48 meeting rooms.
For more information, visit www.kansascitymarriottdowntown.com.

Site Scene

Minneapolis

The Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Minneapolis International Airport-Mall of America debuted following a conversion from the Holiday Inn flag. The 13-story, 430-room hotel features over 16,000 square feet of meeting space. Other amenities include free wireless Internet in guest rooms and public areas, a 24-hour business center and Olympic-sized indoor pool. For more information, call 952. 854.9000.

Operating under new management, the 564-room Sheraton Bloomington Hotel, Minneapolis South will undergo a $12.5 million renovation expected to be finished by mid-year 2012. The hotel will be converted from a Sheraton to a Doubletree during the third quarter of 2011. For more information, call 952.835.7800.

Read more Site Scene »

Short Takes

Kudos

Sage Hospitality has upped its own ante on helping the environment with the new Green Choice program, an "opt-in" initiative that offers guests the choice to decline daily housekeeping to reduce their carbon footprint while saving hotels money on energy, water and other costs. The program is offered at 18 Sage hotels across the country, including The Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel. At The Blackstone, guests are encouraged to opt-in with a $5 food and beverage credit or 500 Marriott points. Management reports an average of 100 guest rooms participating weekly. Taken together, The Blackstone expects Green Choice to save 350 gallons of water weekly and 13 gallons of chemicals a year. For more information, call 303.595.7200.

Read more Short Takes

Vote now for your favorite properties in MidAmerica!
	Select the top 15 hotels and resorts that went that extra mile...the ones that offered the best in rooms, value, service, F&B, amenities and activities. All registered voters will be entered into a drawing where we will give away four $100 Visa Gift Cards. Your fellow planners value your input and so do we, so give your favorite properties some love!
Voting takes just a minute…what are you waiting for?!? Vote now!


Detroit Plans Major Cobo Center Revamp - 03/17/2011 ASAE Launches Power Week - 03/10/2011 Chicago CTB Announces Key Appointments - 03/03/2011 Carlson Hotels Launches Loyalty Program - 2/24/2011 Crowne Plaza Closes in Cedar Rapids - 2/17/2011 Hotel Transactions Booming - 2/03/2011 Indy Convention Center Debuts Expansion - 1/27/2011 PCMA Picks Chicago for Future Conference - 1/20/2011

LATEST VIDEOS
Meetings: On Location!

What are some of the recent trends with group meetings and golfing getaways? Zachary Chouteau checked in with the PGA National Resort & Spa's VP of Sales, Marketing and Revenue Development—David Fine—while visiting the resort for the recent Honda Classic PGA tournament. Here's the scoop from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Click here to view.

Meetings Focus Poll

How has your view of planning for contingencies changed in the last year?

Go online to give us your opinion.

F&B: Creating Impressions on a Budget

Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Food and beverage functions can either wow your guests or leave a lasting bad taste in their mouths. Now, more than ever, it's important to work effectively with catering managers and chefs to create added value, even on a limited budget. Join Meetings Focus and Arlene Sheff, CMP, and learn new ways to impress your guests with creative menus and food service methods.

Sponsored by: Myrtle Beach Convention Center, San Antonio CVB, Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Hershey Meetings, Villas of Grand Cypress, Loews Lake Las Vegas, Hutton Hotel, Myrtle Beach Area Convention Bureau and Loews Miami Beach Hotel.

Visit our webinar page to register or learn more.