New Life for Shuttered Caribbean Resort

New Life for Shuttered Caribbean Resort Fort Myers Hotel Finishes Sweeping Upgrades HSMAI Names New Board of Directors Unique NYC Boutique Debuting in ‘14 California Lodge Wraps Mammoth Makeover New SoCal Marriott Debuts High-Tech Lobby Green Certification Program in Works for Events Industry New Starwood Brands Focusing on Luxury, Sustainability Towering Upgrades for NYC's Palace Baltimore Brownstone Becoming Boutique Hard Rock Hotel Rolling Into Palm Springs Wisconsin Waterfront Hotel Revamped for Conventions New Hyatt Ready for Manhattan Launch Historic Montana Ranch Adds Event Center Atlanta The National Baptist Convention, USA held its 132nd Annual Session in Atlanta last September, attracting 20,000 attendees to the city. The group had previously met in Atlanta in 2005. In welcoming the convention, the Atlanta CVB speculated that the group might be surprised by how much Atlanta had changed... Read more >> Miami/Fort Lauderdale The forward momentum continues in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, where once-dormant development projects are springing to life and group numbers are climbing out of recession doldrums... Read more >> Nashville When seeking news about Nashville, it’s a good idea to look to its ever-evolving neighborhoods, which are like individual music boxes that when opened reveal all that is wonderful and happening around the city... Read more >> Nashville News >> Oklahoma From the beginning, Oklahoma has not only pulled themselves up by their own bootstraps, but used those boots to kick some cowboy charm into the world. The state is a mix of history and progress, Western and Native American, urban sophistication and family farmland... Read more >> Lago Mar Resort & Club Situated on 10 lush acres on the oceanfront in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Lago Mar Resort & Club offers 12,000 square feet of flexible conference facilities. Four separate meeting rooms open onto the Fountainview Lobby, a 5,000-square-foot pre-function area with a relaxed, airy ambience. With 204 guest accommodations, which include 160 suites, the area’s largest private beach, manicured gardens and two tropical pools, Lago Mar Resort & Club welcomes your group to an unforgettable meeting. For more information, visit LagoMar.com. 5 Steps to Smarter Meetings About last week's blog, I have a confession to make, in a minute. Some of the following five steps to smarter meetings will be 'old hat' to some; others will be known to but not practiced by many; and some will be new to your meeting planning process.... Read more >> Need a motivational speaker and a recommendation for a restaurant for a group dinner. Oh and if you know a good florist who does "out of the box" creations, let me know that too. Other needs include... Read more >> In Demand The Gulf Coast is on a roll, at least for hoteliers, as few new hotels have opened and demand for the ever-evolving coast has been growing due to a huge, largely BP-financed marketing push following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill... Read more >> The Art of the Deal Is a destination really a great value if it only has budget-priced hotel accommodations and facilities and not much else? Of course not, if you want a well-rounded meeting or incentive experience... Read more >>   The ‘Write’ Stuff in Palm Springs Hyatt Palm Springs is offering a new initiative aiming to make meetings easier and more affordable for planners. With the Hyatt Palm Springs “Write Your Own Contract” initiative, all meeting planners have to do is meet a minimum price ($79 per suite) and minimum number of nights... Read more >> Mingling in Mexico Esperanza, An Auberge Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, is spicing up its meetings and events program with their new “Meet, Mix and Mingle” package that includes complimentary cocktail making, special room rates and value-added perks... Read more >> What do Trade Show Attendees Really Want? - 2/6/13 Top 10 Meeting Trends Revealed for 2013 - 1/30/13 Myrtle Beach Buzzing With ’13 Activity - 1/23/13 Big Easy Attraction Debuts $35 Million Boeing Center - 1/16/13 Disney World Unveils ‘Next Generation’ Elements - 1/9/13 February 13, 2013 Courtney Munday Big Cedar Lodge Ridgedale, MO What service can you provide to groups that they normally might not receive? Known for our genuine Ozark hospitality and exceptional attention to detail, Big Cedar takes great pride in giving each group a truly one-of-a-kind experience. We do personalization best, with handmade welcome signs, customized room packets, and surprise in-room gifts, like engraved wine bottles or photo books. We tailor events and activities to reflect the personal style of our guests, as well as incorporating a little Big Cedar flare. Read more >> View All Insights >> Averting Disaster: How Planners Prepare for Contingencies Wed. February 27, 2013 Join Meetings Focus and Joan Eisenstodt, a premier meetings industry trainer and consultant, for this free one-hour webinar, and learn how you can protect your attendees, the organization you plan for, and yourself. Sponsored By: Turtle Bay Resort