Museums & Attractions
- The new $85 million Hall of Paleontology at the Houston Museum of Natural Science is available for private events. Displays include 30 new dinosaur mounts, a virtual ancient aquarium and well-preserved Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex bones. The 30,000-square-foot hall can accommodate up to 360 guests for dinner or 650 for a reception. Group rates are available. For more information, call 713.639.4629 or visit www.hmns.org.
Programs & Packages
- Hyatt announced a new “Reward the Board” meeting package at participating Hyatt properties in Florida, including Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, Hyatt Regency Miami, Hyatt Regency Sarasota and Hyatt Regency Tampa. Planners can receive up to 10 complimentary rooms for one night, a VIP suite upgrade and complimentary boardroom space. Qualifying meetings must consist of at least 150 peak room nights, 500 room nights total, and be booked by June 30, 2013 and actualized by Dec. 31, 2017. For more information, visit www.hyattmeetings.com/florida.
- Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach unveiled new “ROC Incentives” for bookings on select value dates in 2012 and 2013. Depending on the number of room nights, planners can select meeting enhancements, including complimentary wireless Internet, continental breakfast, VIP airport transfers and discounted audiovisual services. Eden Roc Miami Beach offers 46,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, two oceanview ballrooms and 25,000 square feet of outdoor space. For more information, call 305.531.0000 or visit www.edenrocmiami.com.
Destination Dispatch
- South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach International Airport is undergoing a $130 million expansion. The project will extend the passenger terminal from seven to 12 gates and is expected to be completed in early 2013. A new general aviation terminal opened in 2010. For more information, visit www.visitmyrtlebeach.com or www.flymyrtlebeach.com.
- The former Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation is now officially named Visit Knoxville. The rebranding effort will be led by the tourism agency’s newly appointed president, Kim Bumpas, and include a new logo. The organization’s Web address will not be changed. For more information, visit www.knoxville.org.
Kudos
- Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort will install rooftop wind turbines as part of the brand’s commitment to sustainable energy. Construction on the project is scheduled to begin this month. Standing 40 feet tall atop the 25-story building, each of the six turbines is expected to produce 4,000 kilowatts of energy. Hilton’s Green Team also oversees recycling efforts, energy efficiency and water-use reduction programs. In 2010, the brand reported saving more than $74 million in utility costs due to reductions in energy use, carbon output, water use and waste output. For more information, call 954.414.2222 or visit www.hilton.com.