March 1, 2012

Branson Facilities Hit by Tornado

Branson Facilities Hit by Tornado
A powerful storm system that produced multiple reports of tornadoes has lashed the Midwest, roughing up the entertainment resort town of Branson... Read more >>

U.S. Travel Submits Input for National Travel and Tourism Strategy
The U.S. Travel Association and industry partners have responded to President Obama's call for comments and recommendations... Read more >>

Wichita CVB CEO Departs for Houston
John Rolfe, president and CEO of Go Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau, announced his resignation to accept a position as chief operations officer... Read more >>

Hilton Columbus to Feature Major Art Gallery
About 160 paintings, sculptures, photographs and other works—representing a veritable who's who of central Ohio artists living and deceased... Read more >>

Milwaukee Area
As sure as the Milwaukee area is a stomping ground for everyone from Harley-Davidson devotees and foodies to some hilarious Bridesmaids... Read more >>

Kansas
Meeting planners in the know are already well aware of Kansas' affordability and central location... Read more >>

Eastern Iowa Cities
The Iowa caucuses are over, and it will be another four years before the Hawkeye State resumes the media spotlight as the first major event in the presidential electoral process... Read more >>

Chicago Suburbs
For groups composed of Shakespeare buffs, fine art aficionados, stand-up comedy lovers or music enthusiasts, Chicago’s suburbs share a rich calendar of local performances to please every attendee... Read more >>

OPENING SPRING 2012!

Navigate the social and meeting scene swirling around in the heart of the Western Suburbs. With the largest grand ballroom in Naperville at 7,000 square feet and another 4,000 square foot ballroom with floor to ceiling windows, plus over 24,000 square feet of meeting space - any kind of event you coordinate will work fabulously. Meetings of 10 or gatherings of 600, this is the new business class.

For more information, click here!

Costa Cruises' liner under tow after fire
A crippled cruise ship owned by the company whose giant liner was wrecked off Italy last month is being towed... Read more >>

IHG launches health and fitness-oriented hotel brand
Do you sometimes wish it was easier to work out, eat well and generally feel healthy while on the road in your limited-service hotel? Read more >>

The Stafford London by Kempinski Exceeds Guest Expectationswith Help of GoConcierge
“Knowledgeable and sophisticated” is how Executive Head Concierge Frank Laino describes the leisure guests... Read more >>

Resorts Casino faces decision on replacement for deceased CEO
The death of Dennis Gomes, CEO of Atlantic City, N.J.'s Resorts Casino Hotel, has left owner Morris Bailey with the crucial task of finding a successor... Read more>>

Case Study: Helping Youth In Maui
Back in October, about 90 attendees from around the world descended on Maui, Hawaii, for a five-day incentive program... Read more >>

Do or Die
For meeting planners who don’t have a contingency or safety plan in place—or for those who need to update an old plan—creating such a document can seem overwhelming... Read more >>

Resort Meetings Return
Resort meetings are back. So are sales events, incentive programs and all the other business-related functions that once kept resorts—and planners—busy... Read more >>

Taking Responsibility
Take yourself back about 10 years and imagine sitting in an event-planning meeting where someone brings up the term ‘corporate social responsibility.’ Read more >>

Subscribe Today!

Keep ahead of the game with our Meetings Focus magazines, with info and insights that you can’t afford to miss:

Handy planning info on new and expanded properties, unique facilities and amazing group activities
Tips and trends that give you an edge in the world of meeting planning
Updates on programs and packages that will directly help your client’s or company’s bottom line

Now available in digital, subscribe today.

Top Meeting Trends for 2012
Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, which operates 35 hotels, resorts, and conference centers... Read more >>

Volunteer State Values
The Chattanoogan, Chattanooga's only AAA Four Diamond-rated full-service hotel, is offering significant savings for meeting planners... Read more >>

Healthy Holidays
Holiday Inn’s parent company, InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, is forming a new hotel brand focused on working out and healthier dining... Read more >>

Five Tips for Planning Government Meetings
The government sales team at The National Conference Center has compiled five easy tips to simplify and streamline the many complex rules and regulations... Read more >>

Happenings - Milwaukee Area
Brookfield
The 149-room Country Inn & Suites Milwaukee West-Brookfield (262.782.1400; www.countryinns.com/brookfieldwi) is undergoing a complete renovation... Read more >>

Happenings - Chicago Suburbs
Rosemont
Sheraton Chicago O’Hare (847.699.6300; www.sheratonchicagoohare.com) plans to finish upgrades to its lobby... Read more >>

Site Scene
Minnesota
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis began a $25 million renovation in December... Read more >>

Short Takes
Museums & Attractions
Opening in summer 2012, the Dinos Alive exhibit at Sandusky, Ohio’s Cedar Point amusement park... Read more >>

New Edgy Hotel Blowing Into Windy City - 2/16/12
Historic Illinois Hotel Gets Refurbed - 2/9/12
U.S. Travel Lobby Effort Targets the Hill - 2/2/12
Westin Comes to Cleveland - 1/19/12
PCMA Convening Leaders May Set Record - 1/12/12
Famous Michigan Prop Gets a Redo - 1/5/12
Chicago Unveils New Marketing Efforts - 12/15/11
Swissotel Chi-Town Upgrading Meeting Space - 12/8/11
MPI Opens New ROI Toolbox - 12/1/11
Could Waldorf Blow Into Windy City? - 11/17/11
The $16 Muffin Crumbles - 11/10/11
New Industry Research Offers Insights Into Attendees - 11/3/11

March 1, 2012

Meetings Focus: MPINCC Annual Conference & Expo in San Francisco - Sue Tinnish

Meetings Focus caught up with Sue Tinnish at the Feb. 16 MPINCC Annual Conference & Expo in San Francisco, and discovered that the CIC and Green Meeting Industry Council had just released seven of the nine APEX/ASTM sustainable meetings standards. See our story here.

Negotiating: Driving the Deal, Part 1

Wed. March 14, 2012
In today’s difficult economic climate, organizations must reevaluate their approach toward negotiating and managing their meetings contracts. How should groups approach hotels if they need to “renegotiate” the terms of existing contracts in order to avoid attrition? And what terms should groups seek in new contract?

Sponsored by:
Wisconsin Dells
Hilton Milwaukee
Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau
Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau
Lago Mar Resort And Club
Bismarck-Mandan CVB North Dakota
Villas Of Grand Cypress Golf Resort
Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
The Inn On Fifth Old Naples, Florida

Click the map below to search articles, destinations and meeting facilities by state or region.

“Fascinating research on how 'thinking outside the box' is more than metaphorical...”