Phoenix Hilton Facing Foreclosure

Phoenix Hilton Facing Foreclosure The Hilton Garden Inn in central Phoenix, which largely serves travelers passing through Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, has been placed into foreclosure for falling behind on its roughly $25 million loan. Records in the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office show the lender started the foreclosure process Oct. 12 and the hotel, which is near 40th and Van Buren streets, is set to go to auction Jan. 15... Read more >> National Conference Center Shares ‘78 Reasons to Host a Meeting’ It started as a facebook campaign at The National Conference Center to gather as many “reasons to meet” as possible. A month later, 78 responses provided a widely varied look at the meetings industry, the economy, technology, training, group dynamics, marketing... Read more >> Big Makeover for Hyatt Regency Newport Beach Aliso Viejo-based Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc. said on Thursday it plans a $12 million renovation of the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach. The hotel investor’s renovation plans call for upgrades to the 403-room Hyatt Regency’s guestrooms and recreation facilities, as well as certain public spaces... Read more >> Southwest Air Branches out of Lower 48 Southwest Airlines Co. announced Thursday that it will start service in April to San Juan, Puerto Rico — the carrier’s first destination beyond the lower 48 U.S. states. Southwest said that beginning April 14, it will have three daily round trips between San Juan and Orlando, Fla., and one daily round trip between San Juan and Tampa, Fla... Read more >> Napa/Sonoma Grafting is an important technique in viticulture that allows the grower to retain the deep roots of an older vine and combine it with another varietal that might be a hardier or more popular type of grape. It’s a way to focus on growth with both the best of the old and the new... Read more >> Napa and Sonoma News >> Across the Borders The big numbers start with geography. Combining 3,145 land miles with another 2,381 miles along water, the 5,526-mile U.S.-Canada boundary is the world’s longest undefended border. The U.S. and Mexico, meanwhile, share the world’s busiest border, which runs just shy of 2,000 miles across four American and six Mexican states... Read more >> Albuquerque/ Santa Fe/Taos While the entire state of New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment, it’s truly the alluring trio of Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos at the heart of New Mexico’s meetings-friendly magic. A captivating cultural blend, dramatic natural setting and unique attractions headline the fun, and a variety of event venues and appealing lodgings round out the gamut of possibilities... Read more >> Coastal Orange County In Orange County’s coastal areas, which greet groups with a warm embrace, one of the best ways for attendees to experience the local culture is via standout outdoor venues that highlight everything from tempting cuisine to stunning architecture... Read more >> Travel Alberta With meeting facilities that span two cosmopolitan cities (Calgary and Edmonton), the Rocky Mountains (Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper), and a diversity of rural locales, Alberta delivers unparalleled Meeting, Convention and Incentive Travel possibilities. Add to this spectacular scenery, two international airports, and no provincial sales tax, and it’s easy to imagine Alberta as your destination for business. From cultural amenities, recreation and entertainment opportunities to distinct state-of-the-art meeting facilities, each of Alberta’s destinations feature their own unique offering. For more information, click here. Risks and Rewards: Crowd Sourcing an Event for 30,000 People Have you thought about giving up more control of your conference? What is holding you back? There is no guarantee your attendees will achieve their goals and objectives, even if you continue to plan your event the way you always have... Read more >> Surround Yourself with Great People Great people are the backbone to any organization. Identifying the right people is a skill that requires a little strategy and practice. Here are some tips for preparing for an interview... Read more >> Sunny Savings Booking meetings during off-peak months opens up options for cost-conscious planners, when they can save money on everything from lodging to excursions. “Value season is definitely a better fit for cost-sensitive groups... Read more >> Drive-Time Meetings Focus recently reached out to the industry in order to share a sharper picture of the driveto meetings landscape. What defines an event or destination as having "drive-to" status? What attracts planners and groups to such locales? And what do some of today's drive-to destinations have on the docket for visiting attendees?... Read more >> MORE SPACE. MORE POSSIBILITIES. The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa is a full-service meeting destination set on 250 pristine acres with inspiring mountain views and dedicated Executive Meeting Specialists who ensure the flawless execution of your event. With 200,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, exceptional catering, and full audiovisual services, your event is sure to be an awe-inspiring success. For more information, visit kierlandresort.com. Rubbing Planners the Right Way Tourism Victoria in British Columbia is offering a new incentive for planners bringing group business to the Canadian city with a British flavor. To show planners they understand how stressful and often thankless the job of a meeting planner really is, Tourism Victoria is offering planners who qualify a $150 spa gift card for use at one of over 2,000 spas in North America... Read more >> Perfection in Paradise The Kahala Hotel & Resort has announced its Perfect Meeting and Incentive Package for group travel in 2013. The new offer is priced starting at $295 per night (subject to room availability, Run of House category)... Read more >> IMEX America Enjoys Second-Year Success The second edition of IMEX America, held Oct. 9 to 11 at the Sands Expo here, closed out another very successful year, drawing approximately 2,400 buyers that represent a 20 percent increase over 2011. And, according to IMEX Group Chairman Ray Bloom, the growth curve will only grow for next year’s show.... Read more >> Site Scene MGM Grand completed the $160 million room and suite remodel portion of the property’s “grand renovation,” which will continue into 2013. The room remodel began in late 2011 and updated 3,570 guest rooms and 642 suites, including the new wellness-oriented Stay Well collection.... Read more >> East Coast Copes with Superstorm -10/30/12 San Diego Hotel Spices Things Up -10/23/12 IMEX America Ready to Roll in Vegas -10/9/12 New Vegas Entertainment District Names First Tenants -10/2/12 Loews Partners with Homeland Security - 9/25/12 Glitzy Upgrade for Hawaiian Venue - 9/18/12 Disability Groups’ Hotel Boycott Pushes AH&LA To Act - 9/11/12 Wi-Fi Fees Waived At 500 Accor Hotels - 9/04/12 San Diego CC Accused Of Inaccurate Reporting - 8/28/12 U.S. Travel Going To RNC, DNC Conventions - 8/21/12 New Look for Historic San Francisco Hotel - 8/14/12 Travel Industry Making Impact on Washington - 8/7/12 November 6, 2012 Contracts: Covering Your Assets, Part 1 Wed. November 14, 2012 When it comes to protecting your organization from legal and financial responsibility, how have you handled such critical issues in contracts for your meetings? What requirements have you built into contracts to ensure that suppliers for your meetings will act in the best interest of your organization? Sponsored by: Eldorado Hotel & Spa Stratosphere Las Vegas Meet in Utah Hyatt Regency DFW Tropicana Casino & Resort The Roosevelt Hotel Kiawah Island Golf Resort Platinum Hotel Carolyn Bartels Hotel Teatro Denver, CO What service can you provide to groups that they normally might not receive? My first job and most important service as concierge at Hotel Teatro is something a little intangible - anticipating the guests' needs before they even arrive. Many times, I can accomplish that through e-mails we have exchanged or notes in their reservations. That said, I would first like to enumerate the more concrete services I may provide each guest... Read more >> View All Insights >> Ray Bloom, Chair IMEX Group On Location: Tyler Davidson at IMEX “There are 21 major religions and if I...try to accommodate all of them I would probably never hold a meeting...”