Industry Buzz
| Read the latest news from industry trade press articles and press releases selected by industry expert Al Rickard of Association Vision, a PR/Marketing/Publishing company in the Washington, DC area. For more about Al and his company visit www.associationvision.com. |
 |
Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority Join ASAE as Strategic Partner |
Wednesday, February 15 @ 14:41:40 CST
 "WASHINGTON—Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) has joined ASAE’s group of Alliance Partners in the Strategic Partner category. This program provides the industry partner community with opportunities to align itself with ASAE and the association industry through customized marketing platforms.
"We are excited to have RSCVA as a Strategic partner,” said ASAE President and CEO John H. Graham IV, CAE. “Reno is quickly becoming a popular destination for association meetings and events, and this new partnership gives Reno a great opportunity to raise awareness with the association professionals who are looking for a great place to host their next event."
“All of us at Reno Tahoe USA are delighted to be joining ASAE as a Strategic Partner in 2012,” according to Christopher Baum, president and CEO of the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority. “The Reno/Sparks/North Lake Tahoe region is one of America’s best kept destination secrets, and we look forward to working closely with the ASAE team to help make sure that Reno Tahoe USA starts getting its due as a truly affordable area with incredible natural beauty, top quality convention facilities, world class meeting hotels and almost unlimited activities and attractions.”
The Strategic Partnership offers industry partners the opportunity to help build and maintain year-round relationships with ASAE members and the association community across the nation. For more information about the ASAE Alliance, please visit ASAE or contact Dan Melesurgo at dmelesurgo@asaecenter.org.
About ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
ASAE is a membership organization of more than 21,000 association executives and industry partners representing 10,000 organizations. Its members manage leading trade associations, individual membership societies and voluntary organizations across the United States and in nearly 50 countries around the world. With support of the ASAE Foundation, a separate nonprofit entity, ASAE is the premier source of learning, knowledge and future-oriented research for the association and nonprofit profession, and provides resources, education, ideas and advocacy to enhance the power and performance of the association and nonprofit community. For more information about ASAE, visit www.asaecenter.org."
•
|
|
|
|
Click Here For The Archives
|
|
Bourbon Orleans Hotel Announces Completion of Multimillion Dollar Renovation |
Wednesday, February 15 @ 14:40:19 CST
"NEW ORLEANS – The Bourbon Orleans Hotel has announced the completion of a multimillion dollar renovation affecting all of the hotel’s 218 luxury guestrooms and 28 distinctive balcony suites. The renovation began in August, restoring the iconic French Quarter hotel’s accommodations to the top of the market offerings.
The guestroom upgrades include a new plush bedding package from SEALY®, new carpeting, wall colors and coverings, interior plantation shutters and furnishings. The strikingly refurbished bathrooms, now with extra counter space, boast sleek black granite surfaces, and large black tile and glass enclosed shower areas. Other in-room amenities include complimentary wireless internet, hard wired internet, in-room coffee and bottled water service; 42” flat screen televisions; and ergonomic Herman Miller® designed desk chairs.
The room renovation completes major property upgrades including repainting of all exterior balconies and window frames, and the addition of an enlarged, glass-fronted fitness center on the hotel’s second floor. Free to guests, the fitness center includes a wide variety of the most modern graduated resistance equipment made by Life Fitness, a leading manufacturer of fitness equipment, as well as free weights exercise mats and mirrors.
“The substantial improvements to guest rooms and bathrooms have continued the upgrade of this iconic New Orleans luxury hotel that was begun several years ago. We’re pleased to be able to count this and the other hotels of the New Orleans Hotel Collection among the finest offerings in the city,” said Mr. Joe Jaeger, managing partner of the ownership group.
Long a favorite of the leisure visitor, the Bourbon Orleans Hotel’s focus in this renovation has been to provide a luxurious, French Quarter centered guest experience, while still offering the services all convention and business travelers appreciate. The proximity of the New Orleans convention center to the French Quarter historic district allows convention visitors the best of both worlds – staying in the historic district and enjoying the convenience of the myriad dining and entertainment options in the evening, while being only a short cab or walk away from the convention center during the day.
About the Bourbon Orleans Hotel
The Bourbon New Orleans Hotel is part of the prestigious New Orleans Hotel Collection. Nestled in the heart of the French Quarter, the Bourbon Orleans Hotel features a rich history and opulent French styling reminiscent of the early 1800s. The hotel’s ideal New Orleans location is just steps away from the famed St. Louis Cathedral, upscale shopping on Royal Street, local artists and performers of Jackson Square, and many restaurants, galleries and nightlife in between. The Bourbon Orleans Hotel is locally owned and committed to preserving the history and character of the hotel for generations. The hotel is operated by Interstate Hotels & Resorts (www.ihrco.com), the leading U.S.-based global hotel management company. For more information about the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, visit www.bourbonorleans.com.
About the New Orleans Hotel Collection
The New Orleans Hotel Collection is a group of seven fine hotels in the New Orleans metropolitan region owned by local investors. Comprised of the Bourbon Orleans, Dauphine Orleans, the new Hotel Mazarin, Wyndham Riverfront, Audubon Cottages, Crowne Plaza New Orleans Airport and the Hotel Le Marais, these are boutique and small upscale meeting hotels in prime locations throughout the city. For more information, visit www.neworleanshotelcollection.com."
•
|
|
|
|
Click Here For The Archives
|
|
Chicago Happenings |
Wednesday, February 15 @ 14:38:14 CST
"News from the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The Tinley Park Convention Center (http://tinleyparkconventioncenter.net; (708) 342-5485) completed its expansion recently in September 2011 and is now open to meet the needs of the larger regional and national meetings and conventions. The $22 million, 24,000 square-foot expansion increased its exhibition space to 58,100 square feet of net contiguous exhibition space and 18 breakout rooms ranging in size from 750 to 4,000 sq. ft. for meetings. The 202-room full-service Holiday Inn Tinley Park is attached.
The 202-room Holiday Inn Matteson Hotel and Conference Center (www.mattesonhotelcc.com; (708) 747-3500) is undergoing an extensive $10 million renovation and is scheduled to reopen in the second quarter of 2012. Major renovations include upgrading the meeting space and bringing in the casually cool Bar Louie restaurant and bar. Sleeping room upgrades include new flat screen televisions and granite countertops. Other on-site amenities include an indoor pool, free on-site parking, and a fitness center."
•
|
|
|
|
Click Here For The Archives
|
|
Georgia Brown Appointed to Hyatt North American Diversity and Inclusion Council |
Thursday, February 09 @ 10:45:56 CST
"Hyatt Regency Atlanta Senior Food and Beverage Director Among Six New NADIC Members
ATLANTA, Ga.– Hyatt’s North American Diversity and Inclusion Council (NADIC), comprised of executives from across the company, announced George Brown, Hyatt Regency Atlanta’s Executive Assistant Manager - Senior Food & Beverage Director, as one of six new members. Founded in 1998, the NADIC maintains Hyatt’s commitment to workplace diversity and inclusion by supporting company-wide workplace diversity initiatives. Brown’s term begins in 2012.
A nomination subcommittee reviewed all nominated employees and evaluated the feedback from their general managers to determine who would fill the distinguished positions and work together to further workplace diversity company-wide. Brown, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., has been in the hotel business since the age of 16 when he began his career as a pot washer at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia, Pa. He attended Howard University and upon graduation in 1989 he joined Hyatt Hotels as an assistant executive steward. He has held various positions since, including executive steward, food and beverage manager, restaurant manager and assistant food and beverage director.
Brown is a member of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta and in 2011 was recognized by the Atlanta Business League as a 2011 Man of Influence, making him a great asset to the workplace diversity initiative team of the NADIC. Prior to working in Atlanta, Brown was the food and beverage director at the Hyatt Orlando International Airport, Hyatt Regency Columbus in Columbus, Ohio, and Hyatt Regency Lexington in Lexington, Ky.
“George is a dedicated and distinguished member of the hotel’s team,” said Joe Hindsley, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Atlanta. “He strives to constantly improve and expand Hyatt Regency Atlanta’s food and beverage concepts, while also managing communication, implementation and compliance of policy for food and beverage operations at various Hyatt locations. His leadership in the workplace and in the community positions him as a strong new addition to the NADIC.”
Already known as one of Atlanta’s most iconic hotels, Hyatt Regency Atlanta is undergoing a $65 million renovation that will transform nearly every aspect of the property. The design incorporates the hotel’s storied history and modern flair to create an environment appealing to guests, business and group meeting attendees, and locals simply looking for a great place to enjoy a new bar or restaurant experience.
The food and beverage offerings are entirely new concepts. The new Twenty-Two Storys bar in the lobby boasts a beer-forward menu, while a new farm-to-table restaurant named Sway offers the finest in southern flavors. A new 24-hour gourmet grab-and-go Market caters to clientele’s evolving desires with gourmet offerings.
For more information about Hyatt Regency Atlanta, please visit www.hyattregencyatlanta.com
About Hyatt Regency Atlanta
Investing $65 million in capital improvements in 2011, Hyatt Regency Atlanta has been a city landmark since its inception in 1967. Hyatt Regency Atlanta is located in the heart of downtown Atlanta on Peachtree Street. The 1,260-room hotel is the first atrium hotel in the world and is one of the nation's premier convention and tradeshow facilities with 180,000 square feet of ballroom, exhibit, and meeting and hospitality space. For reservations or more information on Hyatt Regency Atlanta, call the hotel at 404-577-1234 or visit www.hyattregencyatlanta.com"
•
|
|
|
|
Click Here For The Archives
|
|
Leaders of Global Associations Discuss Opportunities and Challenges for the Industry |
Wednesday, February 08 @ 15:27:25 CST
"ASAE launches Key Global Associations Committee
WASHINGTON—With the U.S. association industry’s growing aspirations to expand its business abroad, leaders of some of the global associations based in the United States gathered to discuss opportunities and challenges facing the industry at a first-ever meeting of the Key Global Associations Community (KGAC). Convened by ASAE, January 27-28, 15 association leaders attended the event to network, share their knowledge and discuss the state of their global outreach endeavors.
KGAC members discussed their global efforts, the goals for the committee, and how to tackle international topics like government rules and regulations, communicating the value of global outreach, and cultural issues. The meeting also featured a presentation by Eduardo Torres, director of the South Florida U.S. Export Assistance Center, U.S. Department of Commerce.
“This first meeting of ASAE’s newest committee comes at a critical juncture for the association community, as we look to expand globally and offer our resources to new and existing partners outside of the United States,” said KGAC Chair Abe Eshkenazi, CSCP, FACHE, CPA, CAE, and CEO of APICS The Association for Operations Management. “Our discussion brought into sharper focus the fact that global associations share many similarities in our global outreach, and it’s only natural that we should work together to build on our past successes and aim for even higher goals in the future. We will also look to learn from our partners abroad.”
“One of the secrets to professional success lies in our ability and willingness to learn from others, to communicate effectively, and to take an active, involved role in shaping our profession. As U.S. associations continue their global operations and increase their presence around the world, learning from peers in the U.S. and abroad will be especially important in putting associations ahead of the curve,” added ASAE President and CEO John H. Graham IV, CAE.
Launched by ASAE at the 2011 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition, KGAC facilitates the exchange of information among executives of key global associations and societies, and reviews the programs and activities of ASAE in terms of meeting the needs of these executives.
KGAC, as well as all ASAE committees, serves in an advisory capacity to the ASAE Board of Directors, which has final policy-making authority. Membership is open by invitation to leaders of global U.S.-based associations with revenue of at least $10 million, out of which at least 10% comes from international activities. KGAC members need to be ASAE members in good standing.
The Committee will meet twice each year to discuss international issues and how they impact global associations.
For more information about KGAC, contact Jakub M. Konysz at jkonysz@asaecenter.org.
About ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
ASAE is a membership organization of more than 21,000 association executives and industry partners representing 10,000 organizations. Its members manage leading trade associations, individual membership societies and voluntary organizations across the United States and in nearly 50 countries around the world. With support of the ASAE Foundation, a separate nonprofit entity, ASAE is the premier source of learning, knowledge and future-oriented research for the association and nonprofit profession, and provides resources, education, ideas and advocacy to enhance the power and performance of the association and nonprofit community. For more information about ASAE, visit www.asaecenter.org."
•
|
|
|
|
Click Here For The Archives
|
|
Alaska Airlines Expands California Flying |
Wednesday, February 08 @ 15:20:01 CST
"With Three New San Diego Routes, Including Daily Service to Monterey Introductory fares as low as $59* and double miles available for summer travel
SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines announced today it is adding daily nonstop service from San Diego to Monterey and Santa Rosa and twice daily service to Fresno, Calif. The new flights to Monterey and Fresno will begin June 4, 2012, while service from San Diego to Santa Rosa starts June 5. Alaska Airlines will also commence twice-daily service between Reno, Nev., and San Jose, Calif.
“We’re thrilled to bring Alaska’s low fares and award-winning customer service to beautiful Monterey,” said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of marketing. “Alaska Airlines has proudly served California for more than 30 years and we’re pleased to continue to grow our presence in the Golden State.”
Summary of new service:
San Diego-Fresno flights:
Start date City pair Departs Arrives Frequency
June 4 San Diego-Fresno 9:15 a.m. 10:50 a.m. Daily
June 4 San Diego-Fresno 8:45 p.m. 10:20 p.m. Daily
June 4 Fresno-San Diego 7:15 a.m. 8:42 a.m. Daily
June 4 Fresno-San Diego 6:45 p.m. 8:12 p.m. Daily
San Diego-Monterey flights:
Start date City pair Departs Arrives Frequency
June 4 San Diego-Monterey 6:55 p.m. 8:37 p.m. Daily
June 5 Monterey-San Diego 7:30 a.m. 9:12 a.m. Daily
San Diego-Santa Rosa flights:
Start date City pair Departs Arrives Frequency
June 5 San Diego-Santa Rosa 9:45 a.m. 11:50 a.m. Daily
June 4 Santa Rosa-San Diego 4:25 p.m. 6:22 p.m. Daily
San Jose-Reno flights:
Start date City pair Departs Arrives Frequency
June 5 Reno-San Jose 6 a.m. 7:08 a.m. Daily
June 4 Reno-San Jose 2:15 p.m. 3:23 p.m. Daily
June 4 San Jose-Reno 11:55 a.m. 1 p.m. Daily
June 4 San Jose-Reno 10:20 p.m. 11:25 p.m. Daily
All times based on local time zones
To celebrate Alaska’s new service, the carrier is offering $59* fares on flights from San Diego to Fresno and Monterey; and $69* fares on flights between San Diego and Santa Rosa, and between San Jose and Reno. Tickets must be purchased by Jan. 25 and can be used for travel from June 5 through July 18, 2012. Visit www.alaskaair.com to purchase a ticket or call 1-800-ALASKAAIR
(1-800-252-7522 or TTY/TDD line 1-800-392-0228).
Members of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan can also earn double miles on the new nonstop flights between June 4 and July 31, 2012. To qualify, customers must first register at www.alaskaair.com.
The new routes will be operated for Alaska by Horizon Air using 76-seat Bombardier Q400s. Travelers will enjoy Horizon’s award-winning onboard service, which includes complimentary Starbucks coffee, soft drinks, and (for passengers
21 and older) wines and microbrews.
Horizon Air’s Q400 turboprop is among the most environmentally friendly regional aircraft, burning 30 to 40 percent less fuel, producing an equally lower amount of emissions and generating 10 decibels less noise than comparable jets.
To support the new Santa Rosa-San Diego route, Alaska Airlines will discontinue service between Santa Rosa and Las Vegas on June 3, 2012. However, the airline is adding a third flight between Santa Rosa and Los Angeles, which will operate four days a week through Aug. 25, 2012.
Summary of seasonal Santa Rosa-Los Angeles service:
Start date City pair Departs Arrives Frequency
June 4 Santa Rosa-Los Angeles 1:35 p.m. 3:09 p.m. Sun, Mon, Thu, Fri
June 4 Los Angeles-Santa Rosa 11:30 a.m. 1:04 p.m. Sun, Mon, Thu, Fri
About Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together serve 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers” in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 North America Airline Satisfaction StudiesSM. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.
* Terms and conditions for fare sale: Travelers are responsible for the following taxes and fees: Airport Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 (amount depends on itinerary); U.S. Federal Segment Tax of $3.80 per segment (takeoff and landing); Sept. 11 Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement; and U.S.
government excise tax of $8.40. A $20 baggage fee will apply for each of the first three checked bags. Additional fees apply to check more than three bags and for overweight or oversized items. Quoted fare is valid on nonstop flights only. Tickets must be purchased by Jan. 25 for travel between June 5 and July 18, 2012. Introductory fares are good for travel Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday only. For more information and complete terms and conditions, visit www.alaskaair.com.
General terms and conditions: Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or all days. A ticket purchased at an Alaska Airlines airport location or through a reservation call center will cost $15 more per person than the advertised fare. All fares, taxes and fees are in U.S. dollars and are subject to change without notice, and other restrictions apply. Tickets are nonrefundable, but can be changed at alaskaair.com for a $75 per person change fee and any difference in fare (or $100 when changed through a reservation call center and any difference in fare). See www.alaskaair.com or call Alaska Airlines Reservations at 1-800-252-7522 for more information.
Terms and conditions for Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan double miles:
Registration is required prior to the member’s first qualifying flight in order to receive double miles. Flight miles must be credited to the member’s Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account in order to earn double miles. All travel between San Diego and Santa Rosa, Fresno, Monterey, and between San Jose and Reno must be nonstop. Travel is valid from June 4 through July 31, 2012. Not valid on free or award travel. Double miles do not count toward MVP or MVP Gold status.
Members should allow four to six weeks for travel and bonus miles to be credited. All terms and conditions of the Mileage Plan program apply. Offer subject to change without notice."
•
|
|
|
|
Click Here For The Archives
|
|
DMC Network Selected as Preferred DMC Partner for HPN Global |
Wednesday, February 08 @ 15:17:15 CST
"The DMC Network, LLC, the most accredited (ADME) consortium of destination management companies in North America signed a preferred partnership agreement with Hospitality Performance Network Global (HPN Global).
The alliance will provide the HPN associates and their clients the best in DMC services throughout the United States and Canada. As HPN’s associates around the world place business in North America, the new formal agreement will allow them to consult with and refer clients to an award winning and accredited DMC with local knowledge of key meeting destinations. As the two organizations collaborate, their goal remains to provide the best in services, value and support for their clients.
“From our perspective, we take our time in selecting our industry partners, and with the DMC Network, we’ve added a strategic partner that enhances our team members ability to confidently offer DMC services to our clients throughout North America.” said HPN Global CEO Bill Kilburg.
The strength of the DMC Network’s signature “Knowledge Network” saves you time as your programs move from one destination to another. Additionally, more than 90% of our their members are accredited through ADME (Association of Destination Management Executives)
“We are excited to bring together the synergies or two great brands made up of dedicated processional’s to ultimately create an enhanced service and value for our collective clients.” said Dan Tavrytzky, Managing Director for the DMC Network.
About the DMC Network, LLC:
Unique in the industry, the DMC Network is an LLC of the top-performing, independently owned DMCs throughout North America. Through our alliance with Ovation Global DMC, our reach extends across five continents. With an average of over 25 years in business and more than twice as many accredited DMCs as any other DMC consortium or company, each DMC Network partner delivers unsurpassed knowledge of their market and a confidence that they are a sound, professional organization that consistently exceeds clients' expectations. With an insider's knowledge, we make it effortless for our clients to produce meetings and events around the world. We are your knowledge network and are dedicated to doing business your way, in every way. As a network, we represent many destinations, but only one relationship -- the one with you.
Please visit www.dmcnetwork.com
HPN Global (Hospitality Performance Network Global) is a network of hospitality professionals located all over the world, assisting professional meeting planners to find, contract, and manage smarter meetings. Designed to combine the ease and efficiency of a site selection company, with an experienced network of meeting professionals and suppliers.
Visit HPN at www.hpnglobal.com
"
•
|
|
|
|
Click Here For The Archives
|
|
ALHI Expands To Asia: Adds 6 New Members In China, Including 2 In Hong Kong, To Its New Associated Destinations Worldwide GSO Unit |
Wednesday, February 08 @ 15:15:42 CST
". . . ADW Is Associated Luxury Hotels International’s New Global Sales Team Serving Planners In North America As Outbound Specialist For International Group Programs
CHICAGO, IL – Associated Destinations Worldwide (ADW), the new Global Sales Organization (GSO) launched by Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) in October 2011, has expanded into Asia with the addition of six luxury hotels in China, including two exceptional hotels in Hong Kong. Joining ALHI’s membership are luxurious Langham Hospitality Group hotels in Beijing, Shenzhen, and two in Shanghai, as well as the two outstanding Langham Hospitality Group hotels in Hong Kong. Built upon ALHI’s more than 25 years of National Sales and service experience, ADW specifically provides local GSO services to the U.S. and Canadian meetings and incentive marketplace for its world-class member destinations, upper-tier hotels, and first-class convention facilities from around the world. These new additions are ALHI’s, and ADW’s, first member hotels or resorts in Asia, according to David Gabri, president and CEO of ALHI and ADW.
Associated Destinations Worldwide (www.adw-gso.com) is a dedicated business unit of specialists that serves North American companies and associations by providing expertise, guidance, and local authorized sales services as an extension of their international members, and is an advocate to accounts on their outbound international group programs. ADW works in concert with the 16 ALHI National Sales Offices (NSO) and the NSO professionals providing incremental sales intelligence and assistance to the accounts they serve.
ALHI (www.alhi.com) is a prestigious National Sales Organization (NSO), which for over 25 years has specifically provided dedicated and professional NSO services and sales support for its distinctive portfolio of more than 130 Four- and Five-Diamond quality hotels and resorts to the meetings and incentive marketplace. There is no cost to planners’ organizations to utilize the ALHI NSO or ADW GSO services, expertise, and account advocacy, as members’ dues fund the organization to best serve planners with local professionals.
The new ADW members in China are: Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport (in Beijing); The Langham, Xintiandi, Shanghai (Shanghai); The Langham, Yangtze Boutique, Shanghai (Shanghai); The Langham, Shenzhen (opening in 2012 in Shenzhen); The Langham, Hong Kong (Hong Kong); and Langham Place, Mongkok, Hong Kong (Hong Kong).
“China is an exciting destination that is really growing in popularity in the North American meetings and incentive/recognition marketplace,” said ADW Executive Vice President Kevin Hinton, who oversees ADW day-to-day sales operations and services. “We saw the need to offer distinctive first-class venue options in Asia to meeting planners and incentive specialists in North America, and we are very proud to add these exceptional Langham Hospitality Group hotels to our membership. Now planners can easily learn more about these wonderful destinations and special hotels with one-call access to their nearest ADW global sales professional, and by asking their ALHI team currently serving them.”
Hinton added, “With ALHI’s 25-plus years of providing outstanding National Sales services for our exclusive portfolio of Four- and Five-Diamond quality hotels and resorts -- along with the outstanding reputation of Langham Hospitality Group -- planners can be assured that these are outstanding hotels in first-class destinations that know how to host and welcome meeting programs and incentive groups.”
Located right next to Beijing Capital International Airport’s iconic Terminal 3, the chic Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport features 372 stylish guest rooms and suites, 22 meeting rooms providing a total of more than 29,000 square feet of meeting space, five innovative restaurants and bars, and a state-of-the-art Cardio Studio. The hotel is just minutes from the New China International Exhibition Centre, and the expansive Tianzhu Industrial Park. Downtown Beijing and world-renowned attractions such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven are all within easy reach with a variety of transportation options.
Ideally located in the heart of vibrant Shanghai’s entertainment hub, The Langham, Xintiandi , Shanghai is also adjacent to the retail utopia of Huai Hai Road, known as the “Champs Elysees of the East.” The hotel features 357 elegant guest rooms and suites, 21,000 square feet of meeting space, Chuan Spa, a 24-hour health club, an indoor pool, and six restaurants and bars. Shanghai’s underground rail network is nearby, while foreign consulates, must-see museums and the key business district are all within close proximity. The Hongqiao International Airport is just 20 minutes from the hotel, while the Pudong International Airport is 45 minutes away.
Located in Shanghai’s central business district, the glamorous Five-Star The Langham, Yangtze Boutique, Shanghai features 96 exquisitely appointed rooms and suites, the rejuvenating Chuan Spa, a column-free ballroom that can accommodate up to 180 guests for a banquet, a delightful function room, 9 private dining rooms, a sixth-floor outdoor terrace, and five restaurants. Featuring an elegant Art Deco style, the hotel is conveniently located just steps from the city centre of People’s Square, and is right next to the popular shopping hub of Nanjing Road.
Opening in the second quarter of 2012, The Langham, Shenzhen is located in the heart of one of China’s most dynamic and fastest-growing cities: Shenzhen, in southern China. Located in Futian, the city’s new business and commercial district, the hotel will feature 360 luxurious and spacious guest rooms and suites, an elegant 6,400-square-foot ballroom, and five additional meeting rooms. The hotel also will offer Chuan Spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a Chinese restaurant, and the exquisite Palm Court offering international fare. The hotel is located just minutes from the Hong Kong border, and 30 minutes from the international airport.
Featuring a sophisticated European style, five-star luxury, and an elegantly grand lobby, The Langham, Hong Kong is ideally located in the heart of Hong Kong’s bustling upscale Tsimshatsui, Kowloon shopping, commercial and tourism district. The hotel features 495 luxurious guest rooms and suites with hardwood floors and silk drapes, a 5,369-square-foot ballroom that can accommodate up to 400 people, a 720-square-foot Meeting Center, four additional meeting rooms, four restaurants, two bars, and a 24-hour fitness center. The hotel is a 5 minute walk to the historic Star Ferry, then a 10-minute harbor crossing to Hong Kong Island, the central business district, and the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre in Wanchai. The hotel is 40 minutes from Hong Kong International Airport.
Conveniently located in the heart of Kowloon Peninsula, the Five-Star Langham Place, Mongkok, Hong Kong is directly connected to over 300 shops and restaurants at Langham Place mall as well as the Mangkok subway system, allowing easy access to virtually any other part of the city. Rising 42 stories, the hotel comprises 665 spacious, contemporary hotel rooms and suites, all with floor-to-ceiling windows. Meeting options include a 6,738-square-foot ballroom, the magnificent Star Room offering superb views from the 42nd floor, three additional meeting rooms, and a 6,000-square-foot outdoor venue with a waterfall. The hotel also features four restaurants, Chuan Spa with 10 treatment rooms, a fitness center with panoramic city views, a heated rooftop swimming pool, and an inspiring collection of contemporary Chinese art. The hotel is within walking distance of famous street markets such as Ladies’ Market, Temple Street Market, and Jade Market, and is 35 minutes from Hong Kong International Airport.
In addition to these new members, Associated Destinations Worldwide also features such other exceptional hotels and resorts in its portfolio as: The Grand Resorts at Cap Cana collection in Dominican Republic, which includes Fishing Lodge Cap Cana, Sanctuary Cap Cana, and Ocean Club Cap Cana. Plus, ADW features the popular Punta Cana Resorts in Dominican Republic with the Paradisus Palma Real Resort and Paradisus Punta Cana Resort. Elsewhere other outstanding ADW members include the luxurious Half Moon in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and the incredible Paradise Island, Bahamas ATLANTIS, including The Cove, The Reef, The Royal Towers, and more.
Offerings in Mexico include five unique resorts: the AAA Five-Diamond Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach Resort & Spa (Cancun); the chic Live Aqua (Cancun); in Playa del Carmen the brand new Paradisus Resorts with the Paradisus La Perla, and the Paradisus La Esmeralda; plus in Los Cabos the magnificent Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort. Canadian hotels include the Four-Diamond Loews Hotel Vogue Montreal and the exceptional Loews Hotel Le Concorde in Quebec in the east, and the sophisticated Pan Pacific Vancouver along the west coast.
ADW also features the famed Atlantis The Palm (Dubai, United Arab Emirates), and more.
ADW and its sales team are interactive and support ALHI’s respected and dedicated National Sales Organization which now features 16 National Sales Offices (NSO) located across North America, with its dedicated team of 50 sales professionals. The ADW GSO team and the ALHI professionals provide a combination of specialists to best serve accounts with expert insight, innovative solutions, and well-established/connected relationships to assure their programs’ success.
For more information about Associated Destinations Worldwide, call (312) 346-5768, and visit www.adw-gso.com . For information about ALHI, contact your nearest ALHI National Sales Office, call the “ALHI Group Desk” toll-free at 866-303-ALHI (2544), and visit www.alhi.com."
•
|
|
|
|
Click Here For The Archives
|
|
Waste Not, Want Not at IMEX in Frankfurt |
Wednesday, February 08 @ 15:12:28 CST
"A campaign to reduce overall waste output from the IMEX in Frankfurt trade show, whether recyclable or not, has seen waste levels reduce significantly over the past three years. The total amount of waste generated went down from 167 tonnes in 2009 to 121 tonnes in 2011, a reduction of 28%.
As part of its commitment to improved environmental management and protection, IMEX organisers have worked closely with the management team at Messe Frankfurt to implement a series of waste reduction measures over the years. Year on year IMEX has also set itself waste reduction targets in order to keep track of savings and provide an incentive for exhibitors, suppliers and visitors to help its waste-reduction efforts.
Paper comprises a large percentage of the material that is recycled at each show. This year it accounted for 33 tonnes of all recycled material, a reduction of 7 tonnes on 2009. All paper is recycled into newspapers and used locally to produce the daily Frankfurter Allgemeinen Zeitung (FAZ). Waste cardboard is used to produce cardboard boxes, with a large proportion being used by a local manufacturer to make shoeboxes.
Other residual waste, which includes those plastics that cannot be recycled, is incinerated to create energy that powers the local community within a 10km radius. Nevertheless, this residual waste output has been reduced from 23 tonnes in 2009 to just 14 tonnes in 2011. In addition, catering suppliers at IMEX in Frankfurt do not use plastic cutlery or disposable plates, instead crockery and metal cutlery is washed and reused.
IMEX organisers also pay careful attention to minimising food waste. Unopened, leftover food is distributed to local homeless networks and hospitals, while any opened and packaged food is composted locally.
The amount of wood waste has also decreased significantly from almost five tonnes to less than one tonne. This is mainly the result of IMEX encouraging the reuse of delivery pallets rather than the disposal of them. Not only does this approach reduce total waste, it is also better for the environment and it reduces costs for exhibitors’ stand constructors.
Ray Bloom, IMEX Group Chairman commented: “The IMEX Group’s pledge is to be as sustainable as possible and this doesn’t just apply to our trade show days but to our office infrastructure and consumption habits all year round. Not only have we successfully reduced the amount of waste we generate by 46 tonnes since 2009 but, of that waste, a higher quantity than ever is now being recycled. IMEX is committed to educating the meeting, incentive travel and events industry about sustainability issues so it is important that we also live these principles ourselves. Our intention both in Frankfurt, and also now in Las Vegas, is to develop productive, long-term relationships with suppliers, exhibitors and visitors that support our sustainability efforts, which we consider a keystone in our strategy as a progressive organisation.”
IMEX in Frankfurt celebrates its 10th anniversary next year and will be including a number of initiatives that look-back at the environmental progress that’s been made over the past decade. "
•
|
|
|
|
Click Here For The Archives
|
|
PCMA's 2012 Convening Leaders Proves Records Were Made to be Broken |
Wednesday, February 01 @ 13:58:34 CST
"PCMA’s 2012 Convening Leaders sets the bar for record attendee engagement and program innovation
CHICAGO, IL– The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)
announced today that attendance for its San Diego Convention Center 56th Annual Meeting,
Convening Leaders, exceeded the 2011 Las Vegas record breaker by a very small margin.
The 2012 meeting proved PCMA’s continued pursuit of innovation and willingness to take risks has been embraced by both its face-to-face and hybrid engagement attendance. Additionally, the 2012
meeting realized a Year-Over-Year (YOY) 9% increase in Professional Planner participation.
PCMA also dispelled the virtual cannibalization of face-to-face audiences myth. More than 300 2012
Convening Leaders registrants indicated they were influenced to attend face-to-face by their previous
participation in a PCMA virtual or hybrid meeting – Of those, 112 had either never attended Convening
Leaders or had not done so in the past 6 years.
PCMA expanded its hybrid broadcast coverage in 2012 to include 4 General Sessions, 2 Masters
Series, 2 hour-long segments from the Learning Lounge, daily interviews with conference speakers and
industry luminaries, 9 of 64 concurrent sessions, the PCMA Press Conference and PCMA Town Hall.
With the expanded content, the amount of time participants spent engaged in the 2012 hybrid greatly
increased with 225 users spending more than 10 hours, compared to 109 in 2011. Total hours spent in
sessions increased from 3,123 in 2011 to 5,123 in 2012.
Another record breaker was the annual Monday night PCMA Education Foundation Party With a Purpose fundraising event, held this year aboard the USS Midway Museum. The event tallied over 1600 individual ticket sales to benefit San Diego's Reality Changers, the Network for the Needy®
program and the Foundation’s ongoing endeavors.
With innovation as PCMA’s overarching theme for the 2012 Convening Leaders program the revamped Opening General Session set the tone, hosting three 20 minute keynote speakers, one virtually, that
took attendees on mind-bending journeys. The traditional association business was relegated to the Wednesday morning Town Hall.
PCMA also expanded its Learning Lounge concept this year to include four hubs with over 150 formal, informal or hands-on demo sessions – many as short as 15 minutes.
The Virtual Edge Institute's Summit, which last year co-located post-Convening Leaders, was integrated in 2012, with VEI sessions running parallel to PCMA sessions. Over one-third of Convening Leaders registrants indicated their intent to incorporate VEI sessions into their schedule – reinforcing
the importance of providing meeting professionals with virtual and hybrid education.
The addition of the enhanced VEI and Learning Lounge sessions allowed for attendee’s to have more of a customizable experience with sessions running for a variety of lengths—15, 30, 60, or 90 minutes.
Deborah Sexton, PCMA President and CEO, summed up the meeting "We're very fortunate our leadership feels strongly that the association has to be on the leading edge of meeting trends and that our members allow us to continue to take risks. If attendees leave here excited about trying something new -- changing it up --, that's what it’s all about. With the help of our on-site production partners Active Network, bXb Online, Experient, Freeman, INXPO and MultiView this year’s engagement numbers confirm we’re delivering an experience our member’s need and want both virtually and face-to-face. We’ve raised the bar and set expectations.”
The 2013 PCMA Convening Leaders will be held January 13-16, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. For more information visit pcma.org.
About Professional Convention Management Association
PCMA is the multi-channel professional resource and premier educator for leaders in the meetings, conventions, events and trade show industries. PCMA provides their 6,300 members with a community of likeminded colleagues, innovative education and creative global solutions to enhance both their professional development and their organization’s face-to-face and virtual connections. Headquartered in Chicago, PCMA has 17 chapters throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico with members in more than 35 countries. For additional information, please visit the PCMA Web site at pcma.org."
•
|
|
|
|
Click Here For The Archives
|
