Chicago Hotel Occupancy Bounces Back

Chicago Hotel Occupancy Bounces Back Art in Indy Chicago Cubs Owners Propose Ballpark Hotel Minneapolis Considers New Convention Center Hotel Myrtle Beach Buzzing With ’13 Activity Big Changes for Orlando Resort Major Facelift for Mandalay Bay Historic SoCal Lodging Unveils Redesign Colorado Boutique Finalizes Upgrades Georgia Mountain Resort Wraps ‘All-American’ Makeover Artsy Upgrade for Cleveland Hotel Georgia Tech Hotel Wraps Renovation Bethlehem’s Sands Casino Up for Sale? Green Mountain State Welcomes ‘Green’ Hotel Chicago Suburbs The lineup of quintessential experiences in Chicago’s suburban destinations will intrigue groups interested in history, architecture, gardening, horse racing and more... Read more >> Eastern Iowa Eastern Iowa is about rolling hills and steep valleys, scenic byways and heartland agricultural traditions—and most of all, rivers. “See the beauty…. sample the fun,” invites the Eastern Iowa Tourism Association, one of the Hawkeye State’s three regional tourism groups... Read more >> Milwaukee Area Since first drawing settlers to its natural harbor on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee, also served by three confluent rivers, has progressed industriously toward the future... Read more >> Milwaukee Area News >> Kansas Swept with dancing short and tall grasses, wheat, wildflowers and other flora, the vast prairielands of Kansas are their own artful canvas. Not to forget helianthus, of course, the wild native sunflower designated as the state’s floral emblem... Read more >> Grand River Center The Grand Harbor Resort is the perfect spot for enjoying our beautiful riverfront. Gather for a relaxed conversation in Tony Roma’s Restaurant Lounge or slide into our indoor waterpark. 2012 the hotel has renovated all guests rooms and 1st floor lobby! Additional amenities include an on-site business center, fitness room overlooking the beautiful bluffs of Dubuque and complimentary wireless internet. For more information, visit GrandRiverCenter.com. I'm mad as hell... and I'll probably continue to take it and ask myself why. It's my fault. Like Charlie Brown with his football, I have expectations that what has always happened won't this time. Inevitably, I'm disappointed. I'm just back home from two industry meetings... Read more >> Need your meeting ‘summarized’? I’ve got your guy! Dale Irvin has trademarked himself the Professional Summarizer, and I have to believe he’s the best in the biz. Okay, he’s possibly the only one in the biz, but if you’re hosting a convention or event that needs a spark of fun I’m confident Irvin will deliver... Read more >> Test Drive On the face of it, leaving the driving to attendees is a great concept. Meeting planners avoid a variety of logistics issues inherent with flying and gleeful attendees bypass airports with long lines, security hassles, add-on costs and frequently canceled flights... Read more >> Making Good Maybe you’ve built the bike and donated it to a needy child during a meeting program, or pounded some nails to help construct a house for a cash-strapped family before or after a convention. Sure, it felt good —as it should... Read more >> A New View on Meeting Set a higher goal for your next corporate event. Situated high atop Northwest Illinois, Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa raises the standard for meetings and business functions with prized and unique meeting facilities. Impeccable service and countless resort amenities are standard. From private board retreat rooms to luxurious conference homes and over 15,000 square feet of function space, we ensure all your events are unforgettable. For more information, visit EagleRidge.com. Shreveport Savings Conveniently attached to Shreveport Convention Center in downtown Shreveport, La., the Hilton Hotel is offering a number of group rate packages for conventions of all sizes... Read more >> Wowed on Maui As a unique event offering, The Fairmont Kea Lani on Maui offers a Hawaiian Cultural Program that has truly taken off in the past six months. “Led by our full-time Cultural Coach, Jonelle Kamai, the program offers historic and cultural training for resort employees... Read more >> Short Takes The I Hotel and Conference Center at the University of Illinois in Champaign installed a 3,200-square-foot green roof system. It reduces both heating and cooling costs and improves downstream water quality by limiting storm water runoff and removing particulates... Read more >> Site Scene The former Sutton Place Hotel closed in December and will reopen in 2013 as the Thompson Chicago, following a renovation. The Joie de Vivre property located in the Gold Coast will offer 246 guest rooms.. Read more >> Report Reveals the Science of Meetings - 1/10/13 Carlson Names New Chair - 12/20/12 Event-Friendly Wisconsin Hotel Bouncing Back - 12/13/12 Hot Menu Trends Forecast for 2013 - 12/6/12 Massive Makeover Continues for McCormick Place Hyatt - 11/29/12 Study Tags Chicago O’Hare ‘Most Stressful Airport’ - 11/15/12 Massive Changes for St. Louis Casino Hotel - 11/8/12 ‘State of Meetings’ Survey Reveals 6 Key Trends - 11/1/12 Food & Beverage Trends Forecast for 2013 - 10/18/12 Massive Changes for Chicago-Area Hotel - 10/11/12 Dazzling New Event Space Unveiled in Michigan - 10/4/12 January 24, 2013 The verdict is in: Experts weigh in with their opinions on 2013 trends. Meetings Focus sat down with key meetings industry suppliers to discover how they see 2013 shaping up. Originally broadcast LIVE from PCMA’s Convening Leaders. CSR Tips and Trends Wed. January 30, 2013 Join Meetings Focus and tech team-building expert John Chen to discover unique new ways to incorporate CSR (corporate social responsibility) elements into your team-building programs. Learn how a good CSR program can invigorate attendees while also reinforcing organizational branding and giving back to the community. Exclusively Sponsored by: Marriott Innovention Network Randy Gardner Hotel Felix Chicago, IL Are there any quirky places we should check out? Chicago is filled with “must see” locations so it’s hard to pick just a few. But I highly recommend checking out Crown Fountain in Millennium Park, which is an interactive work of public art and video sculpture. I also tell guests to visit “The Ledge” at Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), which is a glass balcony on the 103rd floor. We also display artwork in our lobby from 360SEE, a sustainably-minded art gallery in town. Read more >> View All Insights >>