 |
 |
Scandal Prompts Brand
USA Resignation
Jim Evans, former CEO of Brand USA, has vacated his position after just one year on the job. The decision comes a week after six senators sent a letter to the Corporation for Travel Promotion expressing concerns over lavish spending, asking Brand USA to submit documents outlining its spending and the results of those efforts...
Read more >>
Philly CC Head Pledges
Hotel Cooperation
Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority chairman Gregory J. Fox Wednesday announced a new spirit of cooperation and communication among all stakeholders in the center, in response to a letter by the city's hoteliers' group that blamed labor costs for disappointing bookings of group events... Read more >>
BCEC Hotel Plan Gets Pushback
A pending measure in the Massachusetts state legislature that would lift a prohibition on the construction of hotels near the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center is drawing concern from residents of the surrounding area, known as Fort Point Channel... Read more >>
PKF Stands By Strong Forecasts
Despite news that will likely influence the short-term economic performance of the U.S. economy, PKF Hospitality Research affirms its strong forecasts of RevPAR growth for the nation’s lodging industry... Read more >> |
NYC/Long Island/Westchester
If there’s one thing New York City has never offered, it’s boredom. From people watching to taking in the Broadway shows, museums, restaurants and nightclubs, the “City that Never Sleeps” has always had unique experiences on tap... Read more >> |
Maryland
Much like its representative state dessert, the Smith Island Cake, which has six to 12 layers, Maryland has layers upon appetizing layers of culinary offerings for attendees to experience when convening here... Read more >> |
New Jersey
Beyond the hustle and bustle of New Jersey’s urban pockets are green and growing regions brimming with opportunities to get in touch with nature... Read more >> |
Greater Hartford/Mystic
Perhaps not the easiest state to find on the map, Connecticut may be small but its group-friendly opportunities are quite large. The Constitution State is in fact a major destination in the Northeast meetings realm, due in large part to Hartford, its capital city and cultural heart, and Mystic, a quintessentially New England spot that delegates can’t wait to visit... Read more >> |
|
| Kalahari Resorts and Convention Centers |
 |
Kalahari Resorts and Convention Centers, located in Wisconsin Dells and Sandusky, Ohio, are home to America’s largest indoor waterparks and award-winning attractions.
Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Sandusky recently unveiled an expanded convention center, with a total of 215,000 square feet. Designed to host conferences, conventions and trade shows, Kalahari has proven ability to increase meeting attendance by more than 20 percent, leading to higher satisfaction at an unbelievable value.
|
|
| For more information, please visit http://www.kalahariresorts.com/oh/conventions/..
|
 |
 |
Pinterest and StumbleUpon are Worth a Look
While not exactly ‘standard’ platforms of social media, Pinterest and StumbleUpon are possible site/venue selection tools worth exploring—especially for visually leaning planners seeking a bit of creative inspiration... Read more >>
Tips for Dealing with Obscure Diet Requests and Rules That Venues Need to Break
For planners and venues, there seems to be an explosion of special diets at meetings and events. Are these special dietary needs medical or personal preference? Either way, it doesn’t matter. As hospitality professionals we need to know how to manage special meal requests, whether these are legitimate allergies or just a specific diet the guest is following... Read more >> |
Old Reliable
SMERF events aren’t known for glitter and glitz. But for planners and facilities that take the time to learn the social, military, educational, religious and fraternal groups market, SMERF profits are as predictable as the calendar.
“Reunions never go away, they continue even when the economy tanks,” says Ted Dey, president of Armed Forces Reunions...
Read more >>
Shiny and New
Growth is good for convention centers. For meeting and convention destinations, the convention center often is the focal point of the area and contributes greatly to the overall image and perception of the city.
New, expanded or renovated centers send a message to planners and groups that status quo is not acceptable...
Read more >> |
 |
 |
Hire Authority
In a recent report from U.S. News and World Report, the job of planning meetings, conventions and events is the top business job for 2012, and 16th best job overall... Read more >>
Moving On
After starting out as a teacher, June Schultz took an administrative position with former Wall Street powerhouse Drexel Burnham Lambert. There, she was asked to help with roadshows, followed by conference planning... Read more >>
Big Easy Overhaul
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts announced it has embarked on a $45 million renovation of the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, resulting in a floor-to-ceiling transformation of the hotel's 1,100 guest rooms and suites, Sheraton Club Lounge, state-of-the-art meeting facilities and lobby. Slated for completion in 2013, the renovation is part of an ongoing effort to enhance Sheraton hotels across the globe, following the recently completed $6 billion brand-wide revitalization... Read more >>
|
Short Takes
Terracotta Warriors: Defenders of China’s First Emperor opened at the Times Square Discovery Museum. The exhibit will run through Aug. 26 and group admission prices are available. Created more than 2,000 years ago, each warrior figure stands six feet tall and weighs 600 pounds... Read more >>
Site Scene
The former Danbury Plaza Hotel in western Connecticut reopened as the Crowne Plaza Danbury following a renovation of all 242 guest rooms. Meeting space includes three ballrooms and 12 meeting rooms totaling 26,000 square feet... Read more >>
Leading Tradeshow Producers Fight for Javits
A contingent of trade and consumer show managers—who oversee some of the biggest events held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City—has come together to fight Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plan...
Read more >>
|
|
| June 25, 2012 |
|
|
|
 |
Joni Stevens
Williamsburg Inn
Williamsburg, VA |
What service can you provide to groups that they normally might not receive?
The concierge staff can meet with groups at the hotel to provide a short orientation (seated) of the Historic Area of Colonial Williamsburg and can easily add information regarding the period 1769-1781 as requested by our guests. We lead Inn tours for our guests and arrange for tours of our Floral Design Studio, Interior Design Studio and culinary demonstrations... Read more >>
|
| View All Insights >> |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| “Why would anyone come to a meeting if they had to fly?” |
 |
|
|
