The Blackstone Group completed the purchase of Hilton Hotels for $26 billion Oct. 24. As a result, Hilton’s stock will no longer trade on

Construction is under way on the new Embassy Suites Norman–Hotel and Convention Center, with a completion date set for fall 2008. The

John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts opened the Renaissance Glendale Hotel & Spa Oct. 23. The 320-room hotel and attached conference center

MPI opened an Asia-Pacific office in Singapore Oct. 25, and named Michael Tay as its director of operations, Asia-Pacific. Announced at the WEC in

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) plans to relaunch the Holiday Inn brand of hotels with a more contemporary brand image. The relaunch will

Marriott International plans to open a Residence Inn by Marriott here in early 2009. The hotel will contain 208 guest rooms and a yet-to-be-

Hard Rock International plans to begin work on the Hard Rock Hotel Atlanta in mid-2008 and open it by late 2010. The property will offer 270

The Blackstone Group and Hilton Hotels appointed Christopher J. Nassetta president and CEO of Hilton, replacing Matthew J. Hart. The management

The Buccini/Pollin Group purchased the Sheraton Raritan Center, located here, for an undisclosed amount and plans to upgrade the property. The

The Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf here recently finished a $33 million renovation. The upgrade included the addition of the 2,731-square-foot

The 7,100-seat Nokia Theatre opened in downtown Los Angeles Oct. 18. The venue, which houses 12,000 square feet of VIP and hospitality areas, a

MPI named Junior Tauvaa vice president, member care and chapter business development, effective Nov. 12. Tauvaa comes to his new position from LA

Ground was broken Nov. 1 on the new Panama City–Bay County International Airport. The new facility is set to replace the area’s

Plans are in the works for the development of two Starwood-branded properties here, a Westin and an aloft hotel. The hotels are scheduled to open

Dolce International announced the appointments of two top officials. Mark DePiero was appointed senior vice president of global acquisitions and

Steve Richer is retiring from his position as executive director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB to do consulting work with the Kansas City, Mo.-

Jacksonville & the Beaches CVB officially rebranded itself Visit Jacksonville at its annual Destination Outlook meeting, held Nov. 7 at the Prime

To spread the word that the recent Southern California fires did not damage the facility, UCLA Lake Arrowhead Conference Center here is cutting 10

John Q. Hammons recently opened the Residence Inn by Marriott Kansas City International Airport. The four-story hotel offers 152 guest suites and

The Hotel Pontchartrain, located here, was transformed into the Sheraton Detroit Riverside Hotel Oct. 25 after a complete facelift. Located