 |  | Maritz Buys Experient
In an effort to branch out from the corporate market, third-party provider Maritz Travel has purchased Experient, the large meeting planning concern. The move gives Maritz a presence in the association and government meetings markets... Read more >>
U.S. Travel: GSA Incident Needs 'Measured Response'
In response to the revelation that the General Services Administration spent more than $800,000 on a conference—which led to a resignation and six firings—the U.S. Travel Association called for Congress to remember the value of meetings and respond to the issue.... Read more >>
Miami Resignation Prompts Conv. Center Problems
Miami Beach’s long-time procurement director has resigned, creating a delay on the redevelopment of the Miami Beach Convention Center and 52 surrounding acres... Read more >>
Eden Roc Suing Marriott for Mismanagement
Eden Roc LLLP has filed a lawsuit against Marriott International seeking $75 million in damages accusing the company of mismanaging the Eden Roc Renaissance Hotel... Read more >>
| Hilton Head
Next year will mark the 350th anniversary of William Hilton’s landing on what became known as Hilton Head Island. Following the event in 1663, the British sea captain claimed the land for his country... Read more >> | Georgia
With venues such as one of the country’s most exciting ballparks, a museum dedicated to a world-famous soft drink and ornate historic theaters, thinking up memorable Georgia events is a snap... Read more >> | Tennessee
From the Civil War to music and moonshine, Tennessee’s roots run deep. Whether groups are meeting in Memphis, Nashville, the Smoky Mountains region or anywhere in between... Read more>> | Galveston
Like a Phoenix rising from the shores of another time, Galveston Island is reclaiming the golden era it enjoyed more than a century ago.... Read more >> | | 
| Knoxville, Tennessee |  | Knoxville has the right combination of location, affordability and facilities, plus a strong commitment to customer service. The Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation’s meeting planning experts have the expertise and resources to make any meeting a success. From concept to completion, the KTSC can provide a customized variety of services just for your event! The 500,000-square-foot Knoxville Convention Center features a 120,000-square-foot exhibit hall that accommodates up to 600 booths, 10,400 general session participants or 5,000 banquet participants. | | | For more information, click here. |
 |  | San Francisco’s best attractions are its neighborhoods
As iconic and eye-catching as many of the San Francisco’s top attractions are—from the towering Golden Gate Bridge to the dramatic curves of Lombard Street—I still think planners who organize their group fun around them are potentially making a mistake. The real treasures of the city are its distinct neighborhoods and their colorful shops, dining options and general ambience.... Read more >>
3 Concepts Planners Should Grasp Between Wi-Fi and Broadband Services
“I’m going to need 150 Mbps for each attendee.” If you catch yourself spouting off IT terms but aren’t really sure what it is you’ve just requested, there’s hope. IT does IT for a reason, they get “it”. For someone who wants to make an educated choice about IT services and not regret it later, Kevin Hall the Systems Analyst for The National Conference Center sat down with me... Read more >>
| Downtown Meetings: Knowledge = Power
When it comes to planning a meeting as complex as a downtown meeting or convention, veteran meeting planners and CVB executives say there is no such thing as too much information.
Knowing the right questions to ask the CVB—and being specific about the needs of the group—may be the most important part of the process.... Read more >>
Insurance Meetings: Moving On
Since late 2008 when the AIG debacle surfaced, the industry has taken more body blows than an NFL running back. Blunt criticisms of insurance meetings and incentives—along with the impact of a seemingly endless sluggish economy—forced the insurance meeting industry to regroup.
The uncertain times have helped elevate the importance of meeting planning, however... Read more >>
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 |  | Royal Re-Flagging in Baltimore
Sonesta International Hotels Corporation has announced its first hotel in Maryland, the AAA-approved 4-Diamond, 195-room Royal Sonesta Hotel Baltimore. Scheduled to come under Sonesta management by May 31..... Read more >>
New Name, New Deal in Atlanta
The newly renamed Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center provides groups with 60,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and a direct connection to an additional 320,000 square feet of event space at the Cobb Galleria Convention Centre... Read more >>
‘Resorting’ to Solar
The Cliff House Resort & Spa, consistently named one of the top meeting sites in the East, has gone solar, having installed one of Maine’s largest solar thermal projects. The installation uses 2,100 tubes on 70 collectors, 10 times the size of an average solar project.... Read more >>
A ‘Place’ in the Sun
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced that a Hyatt affiliate has signed a management agreement with an affiliate of Island Hospitality Partners, LLC for Hyatt Place Bayamón and El Tropical Casino... Read more >>
| Golf Gatherings
With 24 championship golf courses open to the public, Hilton Head Island and the surrounding areas provide one of the country’s most popular year-round golf destinations and lots of opportunities for groups... Read more >>
Pick 3 - Hilton Head
Set Sail: At all of the Island’s seven public marinas, visitors will find first-class facilities providing a variety of boat rentals, from a sporty Sunfish to a sleek 70-foot yacht. Groups can book excursion tours such as dolphin-watching cruises, shopping and lunch cruises, sightseeing trips... Read more >>
Short Takes
DESTINATION DISPATCH
Frontier Airlines is adding three nonstop routes to Orlando from Bloomington/Normal, Ill, and Harrisburg and Allentown, Pa. The Bloomington route will operate three days a week beginning May 25... Read more >>
Site Scene
FLORIDA
The latest property from the eco-wise Starwood brand, Element Miami International Airport opened earlier this year, adding 209 rooms near Miami International Airport. Read more >>
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| | April 4, 2012 |  | | | |  | Neil Sorrell
Live Oak Landing - Freeport, FL | What service can you provide to groups that they normally might not receive?
Great fishing year round—both fresh and salt water in rivers, creeks, the Gulf. Charter fishing service and boat rentals on site. Quiet and surrounded by nature but with modern...Read more >>
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 | | “I wonder how hotels are prepared to 'house in place' during a crisis... ” |  | | |
