May 19, 2011

Vegas Veteran Tapped to Sell Chicago

Meetings Focus - the Destination Experts

MAY 19, 2011


Vegas Veteran Tapped to Sell Chicago The Chicago Convention & Tourism Board hired Michael Tarr, formerly with the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, to serve as its vice president, convention sales. Read more »
IMEX Poll Shows Meetings Optimism According to the second IMEX America Index of Optimism poll of North American buyers and suppliers, meetings market confidence is on the rise and the outlook for the worldwide meetings, incentive travel and events industry appears brighter than at any time over the past year. Read more »
Michigan Hotel Gets Sheraton Brand Following an $8.5 million renovation, the 197-room Ann Arbor Four Points by Sheraton was rebranded as the Sheraton Ann Arbor Hotel. Read more »
Hyatt Regency Chicago Completes Major Redo The Hyatt Regency Chicago wrapped up a $90 million renovation that included a remodeling of the hotel's 2,019 guest rooms and suites. Read more »

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Minneapolis/Saint Paul Metro

Matchless Metro

By PAUL D. KRETKOWSKI

Minneapolis and Saint Paul are as diverse and vibrant as Midwestern meetings metros get. Together, they mix Upper Midwest hospitality with urbane beauty, big corporate headquarters with tiny gourmet restaurants, and plentiful meeting spaces with precious art and artifacts in dozens of museums and galleries.

They are Minnesota's commercial and political capitals, respectively, and face each other across the Mississippi River. Though their combined population is not quite 700,000, the Twin Cities anchor a metropolitan area of nearly 3.5 million—meaning roughly two-thirds of Minnesota's population lives just a short drive from either of the two downtowns.

Read more about Minneapolis/Saint Paul Metro…

DMAI's Destinations Showcase

Find the perfect location for your upcoming meetings at DMAI's Destinations Showcase. This one-day event takes place June 2--just minutes from O'Hare International Airport--and features a unique expo comprised of destinations from across the U.S. and beyond. What's more, enjoy breakout sessions, a keynote luncheon, unlimited networking, and the opportunity to earn up to 3.5 CMP credits.

Register for complimentary admission or apply for our Hosted Buyer program at www.DestinationsShowcase.com. Priority code: DS910S.

Happenings - Minneapolis/Saint Paul Metro

Minneapolis

• At press time, Kimpton Hotels was slated to finish a renovation of the Grand Hotel Minneapolis (612.288.8888) in mid-May. The initiative includes enhancements to the hotel's 140 guest rooms, corridors, lobby and other areas.

• The Doubletree Guest Suites Minneapolis (612.332.6800) is nearing completion on a renovation that includes work on its rooms, lobby restaurant and entrance.

• In late June, the 821-room Hilton Minneapolis (612.376.1000) will begin a $350,000 renovation of its restaurant space to create a 3,500-square-foot ballroom. The property has also renovated its executive-level lounge and several meeting rooms.

Read more about Happenings – Minneapolis/Saint Paul Metro »

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