Facilities & Destinations 2014 SuperBook by Facilities Media Group

Facilities BEDROCK COMMUNICATIONS, INC. 152 Madison Ave., Ste. 802, New York, NY 10016

2014 Prime Site & Top Destination Awards 62

2014

& Destinations

SuperBook

For Association & Corporate Meeting Planners & Tradeshow Professionals

Planning by the Rules Keys to success in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highly regulated medical meetings industry

Judith R. Johnson, CMP

President and CEO, Rx Worldwide Meetings, Inc. Planner Perspectives: 44

Aruba 146

St. Croix 138

Switzerland 150

PHILADELPHIA: Lorenz Hassenstein

New GM of the SMG-Managed Pennsylvania Convention Center 54

SMG MAKES IT EASY START with the state-of-the-art Pennsylvania

Convention Center located in the walkable, bustling downtown of one of America’s most popular cities.

ADD 12,000 hotel rooms, 46 million potential attendees within a short drive and SMG, the nation’s most experienced meeting facilities manager.

MIX IT ALL TOGETHER with the experience and dedication of our hardworking team, the cost certainty and overall value we offer and the attention to detail we place on creating unforgettable experiences. AND WHAT DO YOU GET? PHILADELPHIA, a Modern Renaissance City

where great meetings have always been made.

Visit MeetPHL.com to see for yourself why—now more than ever—Philadelphia is a great place to make a great meeting.

Facilities Destinations & SUPERBOOK

For Association & Corporate Meeting Planners & Tradeshow Professionals

2014 Awards of Excellence Prime Site & Top Destination Winners: The Best of The Best..62 ELITE Awards Ballot..........................................................................30 2014 Prime Site Meeting Hotel Awards Ballot...............................61 2015 Awards of Excellence Ballot....................................................74

Upfront........................................................................................ 12-28 Destination Watch, Conference Center Watch, Supplier Showcase Leading Edge: Doug Gehret, Michael Lyons Columns Looking Ahead...................................................................................2 Viewpoint............................................................................................6 Caffinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corner..................................................................................10 Planner Perspectives Making Association Meetings More Social, by Tim Hendrickson et al....................................................................................................40 Virtual Networking, by Sharla Warren.............................................42 Medical Meetings In Transition, by Judith R. Johnson..................44 Religious Meetings In Conversation with Kathy Kolander, President, Prosessions......46 PhotoView: RCMA Emerge Conference 2014...............................47 What It Takes for Planners and Hoteliers to Be Kosher Ready.....51 Offsite Venues Historic Ships: Decked Out for Corporate Events.........................48 Destination Spotlight Philadelphia......................................................................................54 F&D International St. Croix...........................................................................................138 Q&A With Morgan Tomlinson, Masterplan, Inc.......................144 Aruba...............................................................................................146 Switzerland......................................................................................150 Q&A With Lynne Schueler, The Principal Financial Group.....154

146

Directory: F&D Sites & Cities .........................................................77 A-Z Index.........................................................................................76 Ad Index........................................................................................145 Hot List Expanding Convention Centers....................................................156 152

LOOKING AHEAD

Facilities & Destinations SUPERBOOK

Favorable Figures

For Association & Corporate Meeting Planners & Tradeshow Professionals

s a “man on the street,” I can tell you that in New York City, tourism — business and leisure — has been on the rise. Frequently, tourists make it difficult to cross the street in Times Square, where I begin my commute home from work. My background in accounting, though, has taught me to rely on more than just observation, and a Wall Street Journal piece (Dec. 10, 2013) confirmed the trend I discerned from crowded sidewalks. The article noted that former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg made tourism a large focus of his administration, and in 2013, 53.4 million people visited New York City, an increase of 54 percent since Bloomberg took office 12 years ago. Of note, 11.4 million of those visitors traveled from outside the U.S. “The reputation and the appeal of New York City on a global basis continues to be unbelievably strong,” states George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. Indeed it has been, with the estimated economic impact of tourism in 2013 at $58.7 billion. Smart money believes the boon will continue, and hotel construction throughout the city is trying to meet the increased demand. Soon-to-open properties include The Park Hyatt overlooking Central Park and the SLS Hotel New York in the NoMad area. Reports of a thriving hospitality industry also pour in from around the globe. Meet Puerto Rico’s Milton Segarra shared news with us of major investments in the island’s hotel market, including a private investment of over $400 million in luxury properties, as well as a new Hyatt Place and Courtyard by Marriott under construction near the Prime Site Award-winning Puerto Rico Convention Center. Across the Atlantic, signs of a recovering MICE industry are becoming more pronounced as well. VisitScotland’s Business Tourism Unit reports increased interest in Scotland as a meetings destination. Several highlights were noted during a recent media get-together in New York City: The newly constructed Edinburgh International Conference Centre produced a record £50.4 million economic impact for the city; new hotel construction in Dundee includes that city’s first five-star property; and direct flights to Scotland from international destinations have increased. Similar reports issue from the continent. Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the German National Tourist Board, stated that tourism has “developed strongly,” with over 71.6 million overnight stays by international visitors recorded in 2013. And the Switzerland Convention & Inventive Bureau recorded increased tourism from the United States in 2013, construction of new properties by U.S. hotel groups, as well as the opening of the SwissTech Convention Center in Lausanne. (See our feature on Switzerland, page 150.) Rounding out the globe, the Middle East and Australasia appear to be enjoying more robust tourism. Abu Dhabi’s Tourism and Culture Authority announced an 18 percent increase, and Australia reported that a total of 508,700 Americans visited the country in 2013, up 6.2 percent from the prior year. Singapore and Macau have also cited growth. As I pen this article during the spring holiday season, I am excited to see these promising signs. Amplifying the good spirit, I will close with the hope that increased international tourism — of which business travel and meetings is part and parcel — supports global peace and prosperity by fostering new contacts and understanding between people and nations. – David Korn Chief Operating Officer, Facilities Media Group dkorn@facilitiesonline.com 2

2014

Volume 22 No. 1

Chief Operating Officer David Korn Associate Publisher Michael Caffin Editorial Director George Seli Contributing Editors Anthony Bilden Debi Lander Rosa Laufer Creative Direction & Design Scott-Goodman Associates Circulation Manager Winny Cheung Business Operations Nadia Derelieva © Copyright 2014 by Bedrock Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in by-lined articles and advertising copy are not necessarily those of the publisher. Advertisers are responsible for all costs, damages and claims regarding advertising insertions. Facilities & Destinations is published four times a year by Bedrock Communications, Inc., 152 Madison Avenue, Suite 802, New York, NY 10016. Telephone: (212) 532-4150. Fax: (212) 213-6382. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Bedrock Communications, Inc., 152 Madison Avenue, Suite 802, New York, NY 10016. Printed in U.S.A.

ON THE COVER As head of Rx Worldwide Meetings, Judith Johnson has her finger on the pulse of the medical meetings industry, including its latest regulatory challenge: complying with the Physician Payments Sunshine Act. The first round of federal reporting concluded this March, and for many planners, it’s no longer business as usual.

Facilities & Destinations 2014 SUPERBOOK

The New Javits Center A New York icon. Reconstructed. Reimagined.

With a new glass façade, a new green roof and a new, column-free exhibition hall, the Javits Center has undergone a state-of-the-art renovation that has transformed the facility into a world-class convention center. Located on Manhattan’s West Side, we can accommodate trade shows, conventions and special events of any size -- for any occasion. With 840,000 square feet of flexible exhibition space on four levels, the Javits Center can be divided into Photo right © David Sundberg / Esto. Other photography © Chris Cooper

10 self-contained halls, and our 160,000 square feet of meeting space can be used for a variety of events. Let our dedicated sales managers assist you with planning your next event.

(212) 216-2335 sales@javitscenter.com javitscenter.com

A 600,000 sq. ft. convention center with a 152,700 sq. ft. exhibition hall, a 39,500 sq. ft. ballroom, and 15 meeting rooms that can blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, on a tropical island. In the Caribbean.

Our Convention Center has everything you could possibly want or need to ensure a successful event. Surrounded by lush rainforest and endless turquoise water, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never look at meetings the same way again. Contact us at 1.800.875.4765 MeetPuertoRico.com

Escape the conventional.

Viewpoint

SMART PLANNING DECISIONS

this issue of the F&D SuperBook will provide some decision-making guidance in two areas that are not exactly known for their simplicity.

Like many other fields, meeting planning is becoming more complex (perhaps even confusing at times), and planners often have to decide how to adjust their practices to comply with new regulations or take advantage of new technology. We hope

The other area of growing complexity is the integration of social media tools and face-to-face meetings. While much has been written on this topic, it bears revisiting in order to stay current on the latest tools and approaches, as discussed by three experts from SmithBucklin, as well as Sharla Warren, CMP, VP, Conference Services with eventPower (page 40).

t the closing general session of this year’s ASAE Meeting & Exposition, taking place in Nashville, Aug. 9–12, renowned economist Noreena Hertz will enlighten attendees as to “How to Make Smart Decisions in a Complex World.” A professor at University College London, Hertz is the bestselling author of the similarly titled Eyes Wide Open: How to Make Smart Decisions in a Confusing World, which aims to help people make better choices in the midst of the Information Age’s data overload and proliferation of opinions on almost any issue.

DYNAMIC MEETINGS. DISTINCT VENUES.

Norfolk is a vibrant coastal city full of fantastic meeting venues, fun things to do and fascinating things to see. With its rich history, great weather, distinctive dining and nightlife, Norfolk is the perfect destination for your next meeting. visitnorfolktoday.com/meet 1-800-368-3097

One is the increasingly regulated medical meetings industry, where the Physician Payments Sunshine Act has recently taken effect and requires careful tracking of value transfers to healthcare provider attendees. In her column (page 44), Judith Johnson, CMP, President and CEO of Rx Worldwide Meetings, Inc., reflects on this challenge.

And speaking of making decisions in a complex situation, we can’t forget that religious-meeting planners often have to take into account multiple demographic factors. Attendees may be elderly, on a tight budget, observant of strict dietary laws, and so on. Two features in this issue address such concerns: a Q&A with Kathy Kolander, who plans the annual convention of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (page 46), and a look into the planning of kosher and halal meal functions (page 51). Today’s planning world is indeed more complex in some areas, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. With that trend come opportunities to navigate complexities and thereby demonstrate one’s value to employers and clients. Making a “smart decision” about a social media strategy or expense-tracking system often takes much time and research, but it can also have a lasting, positive impact on an organization’s events. – George Seli Editorial Director, Facilities Media Group gseli@facilitiesonline.com Facilities & Destinations 2014 SUPERBOOK

SMG PRIME SITE

20 14

WINNERS Congratulations To Our Twenty-Nine Prime Site Winners Broward County Convention Center (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

Moscone Center (San Francisco, CA)

Century Center (South Bend, IN)

Nicolas J. Pirro Convention Center (Syracuse, NY)

Colorado Convention Center (Denver, CO)

Palm Springs Convention Center (Palm Springs, CA)

Cox Convention Center (Oklahoma City, OK)

Pennsylvania Convention Center (Philadelphia, PA)

David L. Lawrence Convention Center (Pittsburgh, PA)

Puerto Rico Convention Center (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

DeVos Place (Grand Rapids, MI)

Reliant Center (Houston, TX)

Direct Energy Centre (Toronto, Ontario)

Rhode Island Convention Center (Providence, RI)

Greater Columbus Convention Center (Columbus, OH)

Salt Palace Convention Center (Salt Lake City, UT)

Hampton Roads Convention Center (Hampton, VA)

Savannah International Trade & Convention Center (Savannah, GA)

Jackson Convention Complex (Jackson, MS)

SeaGate Convention Centre (Toledo, OH)

Kansas Expocentre (Topeka, KS)

Shreveport Convention Center (Shreveport, LA)

Knoxville Convention Center (Knoxville, TN)

TD Convention Center (Greenville, SC)

McCormick Place (Chicago, IL)

Wildwoods Convention Center (Wildwood, NJ)

Meadowlands Exposition Center (Secaucus, NJ)

Wilmington Convention Center (Wilmington, NC)

Mobile Convention Center (Mobile, AL)

To inquire about SMG managed facilities call 1.866.BOOK.SMG or visit smgworld.com

Broward County Convention Center r

David L. Lawrence Convention Center

Hampton Roads Convention Center

McCormick Place

Palm Springs Convention Center

Rhode Island Convention Center

Shreveport Convention Center

Colorado Convention Center

Century Center

DeVos Place

Jackson Convention Complex

Meadowlands Exposition Center

Salt Palace Convention Center

TD Convention Center

Greater Columbus Convention Center

Direct Energy Centre

Kansas Expocentre

Mobile Convention Center

Pennsylvania Convention Center

Cox Convention Center

Knoxville Convention Center

Moscone Center

Puerto Rico Convention Center

Savannah International Trade & Convention Center

Nicolas J. Pirro Convention Center

Reliant Center

SeaGate Convention Centre

Wildwoods Convention Center

Wilmington Convention Center

Caffin’s o r THE INDUSTRY’S ELITE n e r

t was very gratifying to see the reaction to the first installment of our ELITE awards in the latest Planner Guide issue. We recognized 15 convention center executives (based in North America and the Caribbean) who have made a strong impact on their industry and local economies by fostering the success of the facilities

they represent. Our remaining three issues of 2014 will each feature ELITE Awards focusing on a different market segment. Please cast your vote on page 30.

Speaking of awards, this issue of the F&D SuperBook features the 21st version of the Prime Site and Top Destination Awards. I have been with the Facilities Media Group since its inception, and it is satisfying to see our 1996 Centennial Olympics Summer Games – International Poultry Expo – Super Bowl XXVIII – Super Bowl XXXIV – International Wood Working Fair – SEC Football Championship – 2002 NCAA Men’s Final Four – President George W. Bush – Med Trade – 2007 NCAA Awards of Excellence gain Men’s Final Four – 2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four – 2003 Women’s Final Four – Peach Bowl – Chick-fil-A Bowl – Material Handling Show MODEX – College Football Hall of Fame 2014 – SECO – Bronner Bros. International Hair Show – U2 360 Tour – Billy Graham Crusade prominence in the meetings Home of the Atlanta Falcons – Monster Jam – Tim McGraw - Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic – Corky Kell Classic - Georgia industry. Association and Hi High School Football State Championships – PITTCON - WrestleMania XXVII – Passion Conference – Kenny Chesney – the Rolling Stones – Usher – Microsoft – Auto Trader – Chick-fil-A Kickoff game – President Jimmy Carter – President Bill Clinton – ESPN Game corporate meeting planners Day – President George H.W. Bush – Hinman Dental - The Publix Georgia Marathon – Purina Incredible Dog Challenge – NACS Show SEC FanFest – 31 Gifts – HIMSS – FIRST Robotics – International Auto Show – MGX – Coverings – International Dairy Deli – Kitchen & chose the venues and cities Bath – Super Show – WrestleMania Axxess- MLB All-Star Fanfest 2000 – NBA All-Star Fanfest 2003 – American College of Cardiology – International Builders Show – COMDEX – National Business Aviation Assn.– American Academy of Ophthalmology – International listed in our 2014 Awards of Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions – World of Concrete – National Association of Broadcasters – SHOT Show – American College of Surgeons– Digestive Disease Week– 1988 Democratic National Convention – PeopleSoft – Passion– SME Fabtech Excellence section (page Southern Baptist Convention – The BOBBIN Show – Networld + Interop – E3 – Int’l Air Conditioning – Heating – Refrigeration Expo (aka 62) as featuring superior ASHRAE) – True Value – Ace Hardware – Big South Volleyball – Paul McCartney – U2 Zoo TV tour – Cheersport– National Sports C ollectors Convention– Interbev – Interwire– TAPPI– American Society of Hematology– American Society of Anesthesiologists service, staffs, technological American Chemical Society – American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons – American Heart Association American Society of Clinical Oncology – American Academy of Pediatrics – SHRM capabilities, food and beverage, accessibility, and just overall quality. Our Awards of Excellence continues later this year in the Planner Guide, which will include the 2014 Prime Site Meeting Hotel Awards. Planners, please take the time to cast your vote either via the ballot on page 61, or at Facilitiesonline.com.

The Number ONE

In the meantime, look for our 2014 F&D MidMarket Review issue later this summer, and our new Conference issue this fall. See you at the shows.

convention, sports & entertainment complex in America

The Complex that makes event planning simple

Call 404 223 4200 today and discuss your all-expense-paid site visit to Atlanta

– Michael Caffin Associate Publisher Facilities Media Group mcaffin@facilitiesonline.com

Facilities & Destinations 2014 SUPERBOOK

dless possibilities...endless possibilities...

discover

endless possibilities...

In a city where slow traffic and cramped spaces are the norm, we are a 487-acre breath of fresh air. Enjoy an al fresco meal at our urban farm. Create the perfect party in one of our spacious ballrooms. Dance into the night beneath a canopy of palm trees. The Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center is the perfect venue for every occasion.

Our venue, your vision

• Professional in-house creative team • Themed decorating • Customized lighting

Gourmet Fare

• Award-winning dining and catering services • Locally sourced ingredients from the Farm at Fairplex

Versatile space

• Ballrooms • Restaurant and lounge areas • Exposition halls

909.622.2220 • sheraton.com/fairplex • 601 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768

UpFront The Marriott Marquis Washington, DC opened on May 1. Featuring 1,175 rooms and 49 suites, the hotel is connected to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and houses over 105,000 sq. ft. of function space that includes 54 breakout rooms and the 30,000-sq.ft. Marquis Ballroom. Opening in May, the 221room Renaissance Denver Downtown City Center Hotel offers eight meeting rooms, including a ballroom with a capacity of 256 attendees. Four Points by Sheraton Charleston recently completed a $15 million renovation to transform the Charleston House Hotel into the newest addition to the Four Points portfolio. Offering views of the Kanawha River, the 176-room hotel is Starwood’s first property to open in West Virginia and offers 12,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The Hilton Minneapolis recently completed a $13.5 million refurbishment of its 821 guestrooms and suites. 12

Destination Watch Las Vegas

In February, the 634-room Downtown Grand Las Vegas opened its 3,000-sq.-ft. Grand Parlor, which can accommodate up to 200 attendees in an “industrial chic” ambience.

Las Vegas has been named the No. 1 tradeshow destination for the 20th consecutive year, based on the Trade Show News Network’s “2013 TSNN Top 250 Trade Shows in the United States." The list ranks shows held in the U.S. last year by net square footage. Las Vegas hosted 53 of the largest shows on the list, encompassing 20,113,046 net sq. ft., or 31.2 percent of the total space for all 250 shows. Destination Marketing Association International will celebrate its 100th anniversary at the organization’s 2014 Annual Convention, July 21-23 at Aria Resort and Casino. DMAI will mark 100 years by “Celebrating the Journey, Advancing Destinations” and “deliver some of the most advanced research and insights ever shared in its 100-year history,” says Michael Gehrisch, President and CEO of DMAI. The convention will feature more than 40 education sessions and presenters such as Welby Altidore, Director of Creation, Cirque de Soleil; leading filmmaker Bryan Smith of Reel Water Productions; and graffiti artist Erik Wahl. Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

UpFront Destination Watch: Las Vegas In March, the 308-room Hilton Arlington Hotel completed a $10 million, property-wide renovation that includes its 11,000 sq. ft. of function space. Scheduled for completion this summer, the Hilton Austin’s $21 million upgrade covers its 800 guestrooms, as well as its suites and executive lounge.

As part of Sands Cares, Las Vegas Sands’ new global corporate citizenship program, Clean the World, will receive a donation of $1 million in this year, the largest corporate gift in the nonprofit's history. LVS and Clean the World, which aims to turn waste into life-saving hygiene products, have partnered since 2011, and this year LVS will underwrite and provide team member volunteer time to build thousands of hygiene kits for distribution to homeless shelters and resource centers in local communities where LVS operates. LVS will also support the building of 100,000 hygiene kits specifically earmarked for disaster relief efforts around the world.

The new 444-room Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort begins welcoming guests in August. The hotel offers 37,750 sq. ft. of function space (including a 14,000-sq.-ft. ballroom), a Tom Faziodesigned championship golf course, and a 17th floor, rooftop steakhouse with private dining for 35 guests. Construction is anticipated to begin next year on the Omni Louisville Hotel, a 600-room property that is part of a $261 million downtown development plan. Scheduled to open in 2017, Omni’s first hotel in Kentucky will offer 70,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification as well as AAA Four Diamond status. 14

Fort Lauderdale

Greater Fort Lauderdale has seen 50 consecutive months of tourism growth, with a record-breaking 13.1 million visitors in the past year. Year-end 2013 proved to be a milestone for the destination, with hotel occupancy rounding out at 74.7 percent, up 3.2 percent over 2012. In addition, 2014 started with the highest occupancy rate on record for the month of January (83.2 percent), an increase of 3.8 percent over 2013, making it the second highest occupancy rate in Florida. Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

YOUR BUSINESS IS WORTH $1 MILLION, & WE’VE GOT THE MONEY TO PROVE IT. Here’s how the Atlantic City $1,000,000 Incentive Program works: • This program is available to new group or meeting business, or to groups and meetings that have not met in Atlantic City for three years, with arrival dates from 2013 through 2016. • The event must generate at least 1,000 room nights at an Atlantic City property. • Priority is given to midweek, nonsummer arrivals and departures. • The program is for groups using the Atlantic City Convention Center or individual properties.

For information about booking your next event, contact our sales team at 1.888.222.3683 or visit us at meetinac.com

The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority is proud to be accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of the Destination Marketing Association International.

UpFront Destination Watch Orlando

Hogwarts Express, debuting at Universal Orlando Resort this summer, transports guests between London in Universal Studios Florida and Hogsmeade in Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The experience is designed to replicate the train ride between the Muggle and wizarding worlds in the Harry Potter books and movies; passengers will be able to see the British countryside and various Harry Potter characters along the way.

Leading Edge: Doug Gehret General Manager Hilton Orlando Doug Gehret, a 20-year veteran of Hilton Hotel Corporation, opened and served for six years as General Manager of the Hilton Austin prior to becoming GM of the 1,417-room Hilton Orlando, which debuted in September 2009. Since arriving in Orlando, he has become a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association, and is active on the CFHLA Governmental Affairs Committee. Gehret is also highly involved in the local community beyond the hotel industry. He is Chairman of the International Drive Executive Transportation Committee and is a member of the International Drive Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Committee. Improving Mobility in Orlando: Later this year we’re starting construction on dedicated bus lines to improve traffic flow around the convention center, which is especially important when you have 40,000+ delegates coming in for a convention. The International Drive Executive Transportation Committee has also been involved in consolidating the toll plazas from two to one coming from the airport into International Drive. And the Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Committee has been focused on making Orlando more pedestrian friendly; it’s a destination where people want to be outside. So we’ve added a lot of crosswalks, additional lighting and beacons for pedestrian safety. Group Service Philosophy: At the Hilton Orlando we’re committed to [the success of a meeting] beginning with the sales and pre-planning process. So I’m very involved with site inspections and I travel a decent amount with our 16

sales team to get out in front of our clientele, because if you develop a strong relationship it helps bring confidence to what’s going to occur onsite. Candidly, it’s one of my favorite parts of my job, getting to know what a planner is looking for and finding out what we can do to exceed expectations. New Outdoor Meeting Space: At the end of October we opened our $2.5 million Promenade, which offers about 50,000 sq. ft. of outdoor event space that is really dramatic and unique to the market. It’s right outside of our ballroom space, and has been used very heavily since we debuted it. And one of the things that’s great about the layout of our building is that while we have a $40 million resort component, it is on one side of the building and the meeting space is on the other side. So you’re not getting the leisure customer walking through the meeting space. We’ve found that increases the flow and productivity of a meeting. Hotel Partnerships: In my 20 years in the industry, the Orlando market is as close a hotel market as I’ve worked in from a camaraderie perspective. And we are currently partnering with the Hyatt Regency Orlando [the 1,641room former Peabody Orlando, also connected to the Orange County Convention Center] on an initiative called the Orlando 3000, which is intended for groups that use more than 1,600 rooms but fewer than 3,000 [see www.Orlando-3000.com]. These groups don’t need convention center space but look to meet in a hotel setting, and many of them are going to Las Vegas today because we don’t have the hotels that can accommodate that number under one roof. Well, we feel that with the connectivity of the Hilton and Hyatt though the convention center, as well as a combined 3,000+ rooms, we can offer the logistical convenience and one-stop shop those groups need. Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

CMY

"Green" comes in many different colors. Platinum, for one. The Oregon Convention Center shares its community's concern, respect and responsibility for the natural environment. We are proud to lead our industry in green building and results-driven sustainable practices. This is a commitment upheld by our administration, our partners, and our entire staff – a commitment that has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ® (LEED ) program at the Platinum Level. We offer an extensive waste recycling and recovery program that includes pre- and post-consumer organic waste, complete menus featuring locally- grown and organic food items and a host of facility features including storm water management and the most modern innovations. Our goal is to maintain OCC’s industry leadership as the preferred venue for green meetings. To learn more, consult with one of our experienced representatives to find ways to make your next event greener.

Oregon Convention Center A SERVICE OF METRO

777 NE MLK Jr Blvd

•

Portland OR 97232

•

800.791.2250

•

503.235.7575

• WWW.OREGONCC.ORG

UpFront Destination Watch Branson SMG commenced management of the Branson Convention Center as of April 1, 2014, and appointed Marc Mulherin as the Center’s new General Manager. The BCC offers 113,725 sq. ft. of event space, including a 47,172-sq.-ft. exhibit hall.

Leading Edge: Michael Lyons Exhibition Director, AIBTM Michael Lyons is Exhibition Director for Reed Travel Exhibitions, responsible for the management of AIBTM (The Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition). He has held seniorlevel posts with Carlson Wagonlit Travel, EGR International and McGettigan Partners (now Maritz), and was the President and CEO of GEP Philly, a major DMC in the Philadelphia area. Lyons discusses AIBTM’s past show in Chicago and upcoming show in Orlando, at the Orange County Convention Center, June 10-12.

Showcasing Technology: We are enhancing what we now call the Innovation Zone; last year we called it the Future Events Experience. It’s an area where attendees can explore the latest, greatest meeting technology and see presentations by suppliers. We also have a Technology Village on the tradeshow floor, with all the tech companies side by side, and that keeps growing every year.

Highlights of AIBTM 2013: We had a 182 percent increase in corporate meeting planners that attended [over the previous year], which we’re really thrilled about. I think the show itself is gaining momentum year after year. People are more familiar with the show and recognize the value of attending. In addition, the Refresh Zone was a huge success, with a 93 percent positive response. Our hunch was that when you’re on the tradeshow floor, those are long days and it’s nice to go to an oasis and relax. We had 21 different vendors from the Chicago area that participated. Allied PRA will be the official DMC of AIBTM and they will be hosting the Refresh Zone at AIBTM 2014 in Orlando.

New Initiatives: We’re working on giving the [U.S. Travel Association’s] Meetings Mean Business Coalition the opportunity to have a press conference at AIBTM. It’s our intent to continue to shine the spotlight on their activities. We’re also trying to appeal to many of the niche planner organizations. So we’re co-locating the International Medical Meeting Professionals Association [attendees can take the Healthcare Meeting Compliance Certificate Program on June 9, and IMMPA will host an education session during AIBTM’s Education Day on June 10]. SITE too will have an education session and we’re co-locating their CIS (Certified Incentive Specialist) program on June 9. [Editor’s Note: In February, IAEE and AIBTM announced a renewed partnership to offer a Hosted Buyer program for IAEE members to attend the event as well as an education session in the AIBTM Learning Theatre.]

This Year’s Show: The main goal for us is to deliver a wide range and diversity among the buyers that attend the show, because our exhibitors have different needs and they want to appeal to and have meetings with incentive planners, or government planners, or association planners, etc. So we have to make sure we have a very good demographic to help make their experience successful.

Welcome Reception: Our welcome reception will take place at Pointe Orlando, which we feel many planners have not experienced. Right there you have B.B. King’s Blues Club, Tommy Bahama Restaurant, The Pub and Cuba Libre Restaurant, and we’ve [rented out] all four of them. So the entire area will be reserved for us exclusively, including the courtyard area. Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

wide

openspaces

Whether it’s 5 miles of powdery white beaches outside — the East Coast’s largest FREE beaches, or 260,000 square feet of flexibly accommodating meeting/event space inside, the Wildwoods Convention Center offers plenty of room for groups to roam!

• Modern amenities • State-of-the-art communication services

• Adjacent to Wildwoods worldfamous boardwalk and 5 miles of FREE beaches

• Catering/concession services

• Over 8,000 hotel rooms nearby • Convenient on-site parking for over 700 vehicles

wildwoods convention center

anything’s possible.

To schedule your next event, call us at 800-992-9732 or visit us at WildwoodsNJ.com/cc

UpFront Destination Watch Quebec City This spring, the Algonquin Resort in New Brunswick, St. Andrews-by-the Sea, New Brunswick, Canada, completed a renovation of its 233 guestrooms and public spaces to reflect the hotel’s original Victorian style. The property offers 19,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space. JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts has expanded its luxury portfolio in South Korea with the unveiling of the new 170-room JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul in February. The new hotel is the second JW Marriott to open in Seoul and the first hotel in the city to receive LEED Gold certification. It offers 10,570 sq. ft. of meeting space and a Grand Ballroom that can accommodate up to 750 guests. After recently acquiring the 116-hotel Protea Hospitality Group, based in South Africa, Marriott International, Inc. has become the largest hotel company in Africa, and nearly doubled its presence in its Middle East and Africa region to more than 160 hotels and 23,000 rooms. Marriott’s

One of the redesigned ModeRoom guestrooms at the Delta Québec. Not only has Québec City, Canada, recently completed an expansion to its convention center (see Hot List on page 156), but it also boasts several hotel improvement projects in its downtown, along with a milestone for the Hilton Québec. • This year, the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is completing a $75 million upgrade of its 611 rooms and suites, expansion of The Fairmont Gold floors, transformation of the main lobby, and the addition of a new luxury spa. • Last fall, the Courtyard Québec City Downtown became the full-service Québec City Marriott Downtown, after a two-year, $3 million renovation. The 111-room property offers 3,500 sq. ft. of meeting space. • The 571-room Hilton Québec is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year with numerous promotions, including a $40 per person special meeting package for business guests. • The Delta Québec has completed renovations to its 377 guestrooms, outdoor pool terrace area and Club floor lounge. Guestrooms feature a color palette inspired by the Canadian landscape and new SmartDesks. In addition, the hotel has redesigned its 5,760-sq.-ft. ballroom and added a new fitness center. The Delta Québec is currently undergoing the final stage of its renovation project, which includes a lobby redesign, expected to be completed by the end of June 2014.

Continued on page 22

Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

CATCH THE SUITE SPOT

The “suite” spot is where the perfectly sized venue exceeds expectations. Where ﬂexible exhibit space meets quick access around the city. It’s where once business is done for the day, you’ll enjoy a city full of things to do by night. Amazing food. Live music. An artistic culture. Unexpected discoveries. All within walking distance. That’s why when you’re planning your next event, catch the “suite” spot otherwise known as Greater Des Moines.

catchdesmoines.com • (800) 451-2625

UpFront Destination Watch Continued from page 20

new Protea portfolio consists of 10,148 rooms in seven African countries including South Africa. The 260-room Hilton Santa Fe has opened in Mexico City with 8,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The InterContinental San Juan, Puerto Rico, has completed a $22.25 million renovation that includes its 398 guestrooms, 18,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and common areas. Palladium Hotel Group is rolling out free Wi-Fi service brand-wide, starting with the Grand Palladium Riviera Maya in Mexico. This service will be implemented at all Grand Palladium and The Royal Suites resorts across the Caribbean, Mexico and Brazil, and in most of the brand’s portfolio in Spain later this year. The W Amsterdam, the brand’s first in the Netherlands, is scheduled to open in Autumn 2015. The 169room hotel will be located on Dam Square in the heart of the city, behind the Royal Palace. Features include over 5,100 sq. ft. of meeting space and a rooftop restaurant. 22

China

According to the Global Business Travel Association’s latest GBTA BTI Outlook – China, the country’s total business travel spend is projected to grow 16.5 percent in 2014 — more than double the rate of China’s GDP growth. Throughout 2015, GBTA expects business travel spending to continue to pick up the pace, increasing 17.8 percent to $309 billion USD. “Given our current projected growth in business travel in the two markets, we expect China to surpass the U.S. in spending as early as next year,” the GBTA stated. China’s travel infrastructure is being enhanced accordingly: The nation’s largest airports have doubled in size over the last decade while new airports are being built, including Beijing’s second international airport, slated to open in 2018.

Conference Center Watch Benchmark Hospitality International, Inc. has recently introduced Benchmark Conference Centers, a designation that classifies properties that are purpose-built with personally tailored service, locally sourced and highly customized cuisine, ample bandwidth and property-wide WiFi, together with Four Diamond lodging and other valueadded features. Each BCC offers an all-inclusive Benchmark Conference Plan and conforms to the requirements of the International Association of Conference Centers, though IACC membership is not a prerequisite. Third-party audits ensure BCC guest satisfaction performance meets or exceeds 94 percent. Currently the following properties hold the designation: Bonaventure Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale, FL; Chaminade Resort & Spa, Santa Cruz, CA; Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Colorado Springs, CO; Downtown Conference Center, New York City; Eaglewood Resort & Spa, Chicago, IL; Edith Macy Hotel & Conference Center, Briar Cliff Manor, NY; Hotel Contessa, San Antonio, TX; Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center, Scottsdale, AZ; Stonewall Resort, Roanoke, WV; The Chattanoogan Hotel, Chattanooga, TN; The Heldrich, New Brunswick, NJ; The Inn at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA; Tokyo Conference Center Ariake, Tokyo, Japan; Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan. Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

UpFront Conference Center Watch In January, Convene at 101 Park Avenue, part of the Convene network of conference centers, debuted in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal area.  The 20,000-sq.-ft. venue is the company’s fourth location in New York and first streetlevel conference center. Seven specialized rooms serve groups of up to 160 participants, who can take advantage of Convene signature elements including its Nourish café, built-in technology and in-house catering. Room sizes, before being combined, range from 293 sq. ft. to 897 sq. ft. When combined, the largest space, the Park Hub, has 1,466 sq. ft.

TJ Fimmano, President of IACC-Americas (and General Manager, Dolce Hotels & Resorts at GE Crotonville), presents the Mel Hosansky Award for Distinguished Service to Peter Stockmann, Chairman and COO of 3P Business Solutions, at the association’s 33rd annual conference, March 19-21 in Los Angeles. The Mel Hosansky Award is IACC-Americas’ highest honor, and Stockmann earned it through his “reinvention or re-mastering of the IACC-Americas Annual Conference many times over,” said Fimmano, “including this year’s event, which garnered the largest attendance in five years.” A major contributor to IACC’s education committees in particular, Stockmann “has visited more IACC properties in the Americas and around the globe than anyone in IACC’s 33year history,” Fimmano added. 24

Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

UpFront Supplier Showcase: Tradeshow F&B Pop-Up Restaurants Add Fresh Flair to The Direct Energy Centre

By John LaChance

he Direct Energy Centre, Canada’s largest Chef Dilup Attygalla, Ovations’ Executive Chef consumer trade facility, kicked off the 2013 at the Direct Energy Centre, created bistro-style holiday season with the country’s largest gift show, menus including fresh paninis, carved sandwiches, the One of a Kind Christmas Show and Sale. More fresh soups, and a selection of entrees, with the than 800 artisans filled 300,000 sq. ft. of exhibit clear crowd favorite being the Lobster Mac n space to showcase their creations, making this show Cheese. Food was prepared in the venue’s main the largest craft show for consumers in all of North kitchen and then assembled in finishing kitchens in America. the pop-ups using equipment purchased by OvaEvents were spread over a 10-day period with attions specifically for the event. tendance topping out at 10,000 per day on weekOvations served over 5,000 meals and 40 cases days and 18,000 daily on each of the four weekend of wine at the two pop-ups, including four permadays. Ovations Food Services, the exclusive caternent concession stands and eight portable locations ing and concessions provider at the Direct Energy that were also available to serve guests. Centre, knew the challenge would This innovative approach to meetbe to keep many of the attendees at ing a very large but temporary need the venue for meals, instead of leavgenerated positive comments from ttendees wanted ing as they have done in years past. an opportunity to clients and guests. Show manager The creative and efficient answer? Hanna O’Donovan expressed how sit down and enjoy a Two temporary, pop-up style resmuch the restaurants were integral full-service meal at the to making the show a singular event taurants constructed right on the show floor. Café Soleil and OAK by saying, “Ovations’ restaurant show. Bistro both offered full-service a la concept was creative and inviting. carte menus with Café Soleil serving They helped create a whole new elepatrons in a 120-seat space in the main facility lobby ment to our show.” Other show owners were very and OAK Bistro feeding guests in a cozy 80-seat impressed with the pop-up concept and execution, pop-up directly on the show floor. When these 200 and requested similar concepts be put into play at seats overflowed, hungry shoppers could leave their respective events. their cell number with Ovations and be called when One key to successfully executing a concept their table was ready, allowing them to keep shopsuch as this one is knowledge of event demoping instead of standing in line. graphics. Not all audiences are a good fit, but The pop-up restaurants were a big hit with show groups such as the One of a Kind Show, a largely attendees as well as a big success for Ovations. female audience who appreciated the opportunity “This show created a unique opportunity for Ovato sit, visit and enjoy a full-service experience as tions in that guests stayed in the facility an average part of their day, fit perfectly with this concept. of four-and-a-half hours, compared to the just two Exhibitors working the show floor were also loyal or three hours they spend at other shows,” said customers, taking advantage of the chance to Ovations General Manager Bradley Fletcher. “Atsit and enjoy a served meal to break up the long tendees wanted an opportunity to sit down and hours spent on their feet. enjoy a full-service meal at the show, and these John LaChance is Senior Vice President, Ovations restaurants provided that opportunity." Food Services.

26 26

Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

Like the hush of anticipation moments before the crowd arrives, our meeting in Little Rock will never be forgotten. The elegant reception hosted within the Clinton Library’s inspiring spaces. Exchanging handshakes and smiles as we rode the River Rail electric streetcar to the evening’s diversion. Filling the Statehouse Convention Center’s ballroom with applause during our awards ceremony. Just ranked #1 in “America’s 10 Great Places to Live” by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, and an Editor’s Choice in Outside magazine’s “Best Towns of 2013,” one thing’s clear – Little Rock is on a roll. It has a new Southern style that is uniquely its own, and we experienced it all there. We experienced it all in Little Rock.

UpFront Zerista, a major provider of native mobile and web applications for events, recently revealed its newest platform, Meeting Hub — a communication and collaboration app for modern B2B events that is accessible across mobile devices and on personal computers. “No matter how many systems event producers are using to manage an event behind the scenes, Zerista Meeting Hub makes it feel seamless for everyone, creating a real-time window into events across every device those people might use,” explains Eric Olson, Zerista CEO. Among the new mobile release’s biggest innovations are a configurable home screen that allows meeting organizers to create a dynamic information hub for an event with live updates, an event newsfeed, a social feed and a real-time gamification leaderboard.

ACCESS and Amstar have announced a strategic partnership. Together, the two DMCs will cover 53 destinations ranging from as far south as Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, north through Mexico, and continuing up into key locations throughout the United States. Amstar’s 17 destinations are now available to clients of ACCESS Destination Services. And the addition of ACCESS’ destinations to the Amstar map yields an additional 36 locations served by the ACCESS offices across the U.S. Experient, a Maritz Travel Company that provides integrated meeting and event solutions, recognized two of its supplier 28

partners with the 2013 Supplier of the Year award during the Experient annual conference in Las Vegas, March 11-14. Suppliers of the Year are chosen by a committee composed of representatives from across the company, and nominated by Experient employees based on outstanding quality, value, service, integrity, innovation and delivery. Chosen were Maggie Brown, National Sales Partner Intermediary Group Sales with Hilton Worldwide, and Dan Sundt, Chief eXperience Officer at CXO Marketing. Brown was recognized for her excellent customer service, outstanding character and ability to effectively resolve challenges. Sundt was chosen for his creativity and strategic thinking, as well as his longstanding commitment to excellence with both Experient clients and strategic events. Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

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Facilities & Destinations’

E l i te A w ar d s A meeting industry professional’s job is multifaceted. To truly shine, it takes a broad skill set, the kind of network that only comes with many years of experience, and oftentimes industry-specific advanced education. CVB executives must thoroughly know cities and the latest marketing techniques, planners must deliver memorable meetings and incentives on tight budgets, and tradeshow managers must be adept at myriad ways to maximize ROI for their attendees and exhibitors. On top of these “musts,” some professionals even find time to contribute to their field by participating in meeting industry associations, giving talks, writing articles in trade publications

and more. Beginning with our recent Planner Guide, Facilities & Destinations honors our industry’s overachievers with the new ELITE Awards. We encourage our esteemed readers to make nominations for CVB Executive of the Year, Convention Center Executive of the Year, Meeting Hotel Executive of the Year, Association Meeting Planner of the Year, Corporate Meeting Planner of Year and Tradeshow Manager of the Year. Who among your colleagues and business partners is making an especially strong contribution to today’s vibrant meetings industry? Cast your vote today.

NOMINATION FORM CVB Executive of the Year

Corporate Meeting Planner of the Year

1. Name:_____________________________________________

Company:__________________________________________

2. Name:_____________________________________________

Company:__________________________________________

Convention Center Executive of the Year

Tradeshow Manager of the Year

1. Name:_____________________________________________

Company:__________________________________________

2. Name:_____________________________________________

Company:__________________________________________

Meeting Hotel Executive of the Year 1. Name:_____________________________________________ Company:__________________________________________ 2. Name:_____________________________________________ Company:__________________________________________

Association Meeting Planner of the Year 1. Name:_____________________________________________ Company:__________________________________________ 2. Name:_____________________________________________ Company:__________________________________________

Nominated By: Name, Title:___________________________________________ Organization:_________________________________________ Phone:_______________________________________________ Email:________________________________________________ May we contact you? Yes____ No____ Please Fill Out Form & Mail Your Vote To:

Facilities & Destinations Elite Awards 152 Madison Avenue, Suite #802, New York, NY 10016 or Fax to: (212) 213-6382 or email ballots@facilitiesonline.com

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Florida, Miami Beach , Miami Beach Convention Center Florida, Palm Beach, Palm Beach County Convention Center North Carolina, Durham, Durham Convention Center Kentucky, Owensboro, Owensboro Convention Center Oklahoma, Enid, Enid Event Center Texas, Corpus Christi, Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center Texas, Corpus Christi (Robstown), Richard M. Borchard Exhibition Complex Virginia, Richmond, Greater Richmond Convention Center Virginia, Roanoke, Roanoke Special Events Center

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Western Kentuckyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest, premier meeting space - the Owensboro Convention Center - is a full-service meeting facility nestled in vibrant Daviess County, Kentucky, overlooking the scenic Ohio River in historic downtown Owensboro. The multi-purpose center boasts 92,000 sq. ft. of meeting space consisting of a 44,000+ sq. ft. exhibition hall, and 48,000+ sq. ft. of additional ballroom and meeting space. The new events center opened in January of this year.

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Miami Beach

Convention Center Miami Beach, FL

Exhibit Hall: 502,000 sq. ft Ballroom: 75,500 sq. ft. encompasses 4 separate spaces Breakouts: 70 Meeting Space: 127,000 sq. ft. Hotel Rooms: 3,000 walk-able Airport: Miami International is #1 in US for International Freight and #2 for International Passengers

LOCATION...LOCATION...LOCATION Spanning four city blocks of palm tree lined streets and located in the heart of the electrifying and historic South Beach/Art Deco District, the Miami Beach Convention Center is truly an event plannerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paradise. With white sandy beaches and warm ocean waters just a few blocks away, terrific Lincoln Road shopping, award-winning restaurants and an exciting nightlife scene, Miami Beach is the choice for your next meeting, convention or trade show!

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MassMutual Center Convention Center & Arena Springfield, MA

Exhibit Hall: 40,000 sq. ft. Grand Ballroom: 15,000 sq. ft. Breakouts: 8 Total Meeting Space: 24,000 sq. ft. Arena Seating: 8,000 Hotel Rooms: 900 walk-able

Ideally located at the gateway of New England, Springfield, Massachusetts is situated in the center of it all. To help reach more attendees, Springfield is at the crossroads of two major interstate highways and Bradley International Airport, is just 20 minutes from the MassMutual Center. Before, during and after events, attendees have unlimited opportunities to discover a rich array of historical sites, cultural attractions and entertainment choices.

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massmutualcenter.com

Palm Beach County Convention Center West Palm Beach, FL

Exhibit Hall: 100,000 sq. ft. Ballroom: 22,000 sq. ft. Breakouts: 19 Total Meeting Space: 21,000 sq. ft. Hotel Rooms: 3,000 in a 3 mile radius Airport: Palm Beach International and Ft. Lauderdale International

Conveniently located in downtown West Palm Beach, just minutes from I-95, Florida’s Turnpike and Palm Beach International Airport, the Palm Beach County Convention Center is in the center of it all. Nearby attractions include CityPlace, a $600 million shopping, dining and entertainment complex; the nationally acclaimed Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts; Palm Beach’s famous Worth Avenue; South Florida’s beautiful beaches; and a wide variety of dining options - ranging from casual waterfront to sophisticated chic. Personalized. Innovative. Professional.

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Greater Richmond Convention Center Richmond, VA Exhibit Hall: 178,159 sq. ft. Ballroom: 30,550 sq. ft. Meeting/Banquet Rooms: 36 258 Fixed-Seat Lecture Hall & 1540 covered parking spots adjacent to the center Hotel Rooms: 650 Adjacent to the center & thousands more nearby The Greater Richmond Convention Center is the largest meeting and exposition facility in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Affordability, flexibility and exceptional customer service make it the perfect location for government and corporate events, conventions, trade shows, consumer shows, galas, sporting events and more.

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Durham Convention Center

Saint Charles Convention Center

Grand Ballroom: 14,000 sq. ft. Jr. Ballroom: 11,000 sq. ft. (devisable into 8 sections) Board Rooms: 2 Meeting Rooms: 4 Newly Renovated New Kitchen & Culinary Program

Exhibit Hall: 35,700 sq. ft. Grand Ballroom: 16,200 sq. ft. Breakouts: 17 Total Rentable Space: 85,000 sq. ft. Attached Hotel: 296 rooms Parking: 1,200 complimentary

Durham, NC

“We’ve had so many compliments about the Academy, and we have you to thank. You were wonderfully professional and never made me feel like my questions or requests were silly, redundant, or bothersome. Thank you so much for everything. I plan to recommend the DCC to colleagues. Please share our appreciation with the wonderful DCC staff – everyone from servers to tech people were just top notch.”

durhamconventioncenter.com

Duke Engage, Kathy Sikes, Senior Assistant Director for Student Programs and Outreach

St. Charles, MO

“Our 1249 attendees agree that the St. Charles Convention Center (SCCC) was a fabulous place to meet and we received tremendous accolades. This proves that when committed and experienced staff join forces, and are supported by their executives, a meeting planner can accomplish great things for their group. The convenient way your facility is laid out and the seamless connection with Embassy Suites was the reason we chose SCCC. However, your service and your people are the reasons we’d return again and again.” Meeting Planner – Pioneer Network

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Planner Perspectives

Making Association Meetings More Social

Twitter et al. can increase engagement before, during and post-event By Tim Hendrickson, Dan McDonnell and Amanda Wood-Darvill

attendees on how to get the most out of the onsite social hen you see someone at an event engrossed in media experience by sharing resources and encouraging a mobile device or tablet, do you assume the pre-meeting practices like these: person is distracted, clearly inattentive to the topic at hand? It could be that a plugged-in association Publish a Twitter 101 guide for your meeting. meeting attendee may not only be paying close attention, but getting more out of the meeting experience than Host a social media training device-less participants. The way Webinar. we pay attention is transforming se the weeks leading and, for better or worse, social media Post a list of attendees, speakers is a key component to the way we up to your meeting and industry influencers to follow and interact, whether in front of the TV, at engage with. as a social media a sporting event, or at a conference or annual meeting. training “boot camp” Tease onsite contests and social media meet-ups. and transform your Think of social media as an extra

•

• •

• Make sure attendees know meeting •Wi-Fi details in advance. Share your meeting hashtag for •attendees to use when they post.

layer to your event — a stream of attendees into social content that can add tremendous media superstars. value for delegates. By infusing social media technology and strategy into your meeting plans, you can enhance many aspects of the event, including (and not limited to) networking, onsite engagement, experience capture and Consider providing sample social media customer service. In fact, social media updates from your posts to give them an idea of how they can share their meeting and attendee engagement can also extend to experience. those that are following from afar. This social interaction allows them to be a part of the experience and also see Make it easy for attendees to download and adopt your what they may be missing so they can plan to attend the meeting mobile application. next meeting. These activities don’t have to coincide with the meeting’s duration; in fact, a successful social media Invite attendees and speakers to share their social implementation begins well in advance of the event, and media handles with one another in order to forge continues beyond its conclusion. connections before the event begins (this will also spark some great word-of-mouth promotion for Before the Meeting your event). Remember how sports movies from the 1980s all had the obligatory “training montage” scene where the Encourage attendees to upload a current picture hero transforms into a superstar in a short amount of to their Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook profiles to time? Use the weeks leading up to your meeting as get a jump on name and face recognition with fellow a social media training “boot camp” and transform attendees. your attendees into social media superstars. Don’t just By giving attendees these basics, they will promote registration and educational sessions. Educate

• • • •

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Virtual Networking Taking Stock in the Tools Available to Attendees By Sharla Warren

articipating in a faceto-face conference is an investment, and it is essential for meeting planners to provide attendees a great return on that investment. A major part of the return is the interaction among colleagues, and fortunately, multiple social media tools and mobile apps have been developed that enhance networking. Following are suggestions on how planners can foster the use of these tools, from common ones such as LinkedIn and Facebook to lesser-known options. From the time attendees register, there are opportunities to help them engage. Encourage them to tweet, or post on LinkedIn and/or Facebook, that they just registered for the conference. Using Instagram, provide a fun, downloadable icon to post that says they registered and remind them that they can also use this image to post on Twitter and Facebook.

be oriented with your organization’s social media channels before the event and ready to join the conversations and activities onsite.

Numerous mobile applications or matchmaking services (e.g., TripBuilder, Converve, DoubleDutch, Pathable and SpotMe) also allow attendees to engage with each other prior to event. Many apps allow attendees to search for other attendees and in-app message them prior to the event. This is an extremely helpful way to enable attendees to contact people they may be interested in meeting onsite. Companies such as Pathable and Converve offer ways for attendees not only to search and filter based on interest, but also to request and schedule meetings. Having created an active and engaged community that is excited about the conference, continue to encourage networking and sharing during the event. Twitter can facilitate this goal. The more that attendees comment on topics being discussed, the more other attendees (along with their followers) associate with the person who posted the comment. The Twitter “poster” increases awareness of who they are and their interests. This is also a valuable tool to help increase conference brand awareness. Twitter

Curate top tweets

and discussions from social media and share them with your online community following the event.

During the Meeting During the meeting itself, limit any barriers to social media participation that you can. For example, don’t force attendees to scramble to download apps or ask around for Wi-Fi connectivity options. Attendees should arrive onsite with the tools they need and clear communications about how to connect. Ensure that your meeting hashtag and any other details around social media meet-ups and networking are clearly spelled out in your meeting materials, mobile app and meeting signs.

On the subject of hashtags, the creation of a meetingdedicated hashtag is a great way to promote and encourage that extra “layered” conversation during the meeting. While we mostly associate Twitter with hashtags, Facebook and other social media channels are now using hashtags as well. This expanded adoption of hashtags provides a powerful indexing tool for meetings. Hashtags 42

Create a LinkedIn group and invite registered attendees and even past attendees to the group. Start discussions prior to the event about topics to be presented at the conference, and be prepared to initiate some of the posts to encourage online pre-conference networking. Use a private Facebook page for a group or segment of the attendees, or a LinkedIn group page to serve as a blog spot for a small-group discussion board.

allow attendees to create sidebars, meet like-minded individuals and capture their experience. As the meeting host, you will be able to listen in on the conversations, which is extremely valuable for a few reasons: You can identify and respond to •customer service requests and issues. can re-tweet or “favorite” great tweets •fromYouattendees to give them some visibility and kudos for participating.

You can digest powerful quotes, testimonials and •photos that resonate and use them in future marketing. Another onsite suggestion is to facilitate “Tweet-Ups.” These social media meet-ups are a great way to encourage networking and provide on-the-spot social media training and troubleshooting. The connections made at your meeting (both in person and via social media) can last year-round, and help plant seeds for a vibrant, active online community between meetings. After the Meeting After your meeting ends and everyone heads back to Facilities & Destinations 2014 SuperBook

display services such as Projectorfy, Tweetwall, TweetWallPro, TweetBeam, Visible Tweets and Tweetwally are just a few tools that can display tweets during an event so all attendees see them. Post a Twitter wall in meeting rooms, or if there is concern that live tweets might be too distracting during presentations, use the foyer, lobby or registration area to set up a display.

Companies such as

Pathable and Converve offer ways for attendees not only to search for colleagues and filter based on interest, but also to request and schedule meetings.

There are also myriad mobile applications that facilitate social interaction during the event. Some mobile apps have chat boards and eliminate the need for Twitter, for example. Some have the ability to alert an attendee that a person he or she wants to meet is nearby. Others have powerful search features that enable the user to search and message other attendees during the conference, and some have all of these options. Price ranges vary, so be sure to evaluate which application provides attendees with the best ROI.

A great free tool that is easy to use is Foursquare. When there are multiple tracks, Foursquare quickly shows attendees the location of other participants. Often, multiday conferences have official and unofficial parties after presentations are finished, and attendees use Foursquare to determine where the best networking opportunities are taking place.

Another tool that can help attendees share data is CardMunch. This is a free iPhone app that allows attendees to quickly scan business cards and pulls the information into LinkedIn.

With all of these suggestions comes one caveat: We know that some attendees are not comfortable with technology and never will be, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seldom a good idea to rely solely on technology to promote networking. Be creative and find other ways to help attendees engage with each other, such as small-group receptions or dinners, and brainstorming sessions for likeminded attendees. Sharla Warren, CMP, is Vice President, Conference Services with eventPower, a Leesburg, VA-based meeting services company. She has 17 years of conference management experience and has been part of the eventPower team since 2000. In addition to commercial and association clients, she has managed numerous government contracts and is a member of ASAE as well as MPI. Prior to eventPower, Warren worked at Cohn Communications, where she planned and sold exhibit space for PMEXPO, the largest oneday property management and real estate tradeshow in the nation.

work, continue the conversation! Curate top tweets and discussions from social media and share them with your online community following the event. Tools like Storify can help you capture the full meeting experience and organize social media posts in an interesting narrative. This is also a great way for members who were unable to attend to get a virtual experience, encouraging them to attend the next event. Go beyond the post-event survey by using social media to gather meeting feedback. Sift through all of the tweets on the meeting hashtag to find out what people loved, and what they thought could be improved. Bring these to your full team when debriefing your event or planning for next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meeting. Social media may, at times, seem to be replacing or subverting face-to-face connections in our world. However, savvy meeting planners can use it as a tool to build engagement and attendance â&#x20AC;&#x201D; at the meeting as well as in the virtual world. Facilities & Destinations 2014 SuperBook

Dan McDonnell, Coordinator, SmithBucklin Marketing & Communications, provides social media and digital marketing strategy and support for SmithBucklin technology and business trade associations.

Amanda WoodDarvill, Director, SmithBucklin Marketing & Communications, has more than 10 years of experience developing and managing strategic marketing programs.

Tim Hendrickson, Digital Marketing Manager, SmithBucklin, provides strategy and community management for clients in the healthcare and business trade industry practices.

Planner Perspectives

Medical Meetings in Transition

Planners must — and will — adapt to a more regulated industry

By Judith R. Johnson

an you imagine how exciting it is to be in on the cutting edge of new drugs before they go to market? Perhaps it will be a cure for Alzheimer’s or cancer or a rare disease that few have heard of. Planning pharmaceutical and medical meetings is also exciting, but clearly the scope of work has changed dramatically, and over the last five to eight years in particular. Most planners now work in conjunction with procurement and compliance departments to make sure that the company’s SOPs are followed. This can be a challenge because standards sometimes vary within departments, and within countries where the company may operate meetings. However, when healthcare providers (HCPs) attend meetings (known as investigator meetings), there are strict guidelines that must be observed. In addition to the corporate standards, the planner must also be committed to comply with all state and federal laws that impact interactions with HCPs. Medical meetings are educational, containing serious content, and a far cry from the meetings of the past that combined work and play. Gone are the five-star hotels, doctors traveling with their spouses, entertainment, lavish meals and gifts. Today, meetings are often at three- or four-star hotels and conference centers, offering modest meals and are of shorter duration. On average, it takes 8-10 years to get a new drug to market, nearly a billion dollars in cost and no guaranty that the drug will be successful. Much is at stake for 44

the pharmaceutical company. In 2008, due to a greater cry for transparency from the makers of pharmaceuticals, the Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) strengthened the guidelines for interactions between HCPs and pharma companies. PhRMA is comprised of pharmaceutical and biotech companies devoted to inventing medicines to allow patients to live longer and healthier lives. The strengthened guidelines (voluntarily adopted and self-regulatory) were designed to encourage socially responsible business conduct with complete transparency. The goal has been to create an industry of trust nder the and transparency built around a compliance Physician culture to mitigate risk, Payments Sunshine address regulatory requirements, increase Act, planners must be efficiencies and reduce prepared to produce costs. Calls for increased transparency in the any and all reports on financial relationships transfers of value to between physicians and the industry also resulted healthcare providers in the inclusion of the who attend meetings. Physician Payments Clearly it’s no longer Sunshine Act as part of the Patient Protection business as usual.” and Affordable Care Act. This bill required pharma companies to record any physician payments or benefits beginning on Aug. 1, 2013 and to submit their first federal reports on March 31, 2014. These payments are known as TOVs (transfers of value). Any TOV over $10 must be reported to the government. HCPs had 45 days to dispute what was reported about them.

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As a meeting professional, you will need accurate systems in place to store tracking documents and have a team that is responsible for logging the aggregate spend data. The pharmaceutical company’s legal and Facilities & Destinations 2014 SuperBook

audit departments are now generally part of this internal process. The reporting records will have to be electronic, easily downloadable and searchable. HCPs and the general population will be able to see the spend that is associated with them online, so it must be accurate. Outside vendors such as hotels and transportation companies will need to assist in compliance by having the correct billing formats. As a planner, you may be required to utilize the company’s software or as an outside planner, you may need to purchase your own along with additional staff to accurately track data — all of which can be very costly. Planners must be acutely aware that there are fines and potential jail time for inaccuracies. This new regulation is expected to present formidable challenges, since most companies currently use multiple systems and multiple vendors to capture HCP-related payments. Clearly it’s no longer business as usual. The planner now manages HCP contracts and honoraria payments along with travel expenses, W-9s and other types of forms. Equally important are security and risk mitigation strategies along with disaster-recovery plans for each meeting. Planners must be prepared to produce any and all reports as needed. You will likely coordinate the planning process with multiple vendors, which is known

as integrated supplier strategy. In short, the scope of work today in medical meetings is that of project management rather than simply logistics or event management. Knowledge and flexibility are the keys to success. There may be increased costs and additional burden to you, the planner, and little margin for error. But, as we all know, meeting planners are smart, savvy and adaptable. They will deal with the changes, implement strategies and continue to add value to both the stakeholders and the participants. A 40-year meeting industry veteran, Judith R. Johnson, CMP, is President and CEO of Rx Worldwide Meetings, Inc. Founded over two decades ago in Dallas, TX, and now with a second location in the United Kingdom, the company focuses solely on pharmaceutical and medical meetings. Johnson has spoken at industry-related events including the MPI WEC, the Pharmaceutical Meeting Planners’ Forum, Global World Congress and the DIA (Drug Industry Association). She currently serves on the TEMM (Travel Event Meeting Management) program at Richland College, as well as advisory boards for Loews Hotels, Associated Luxury Hotels(ALHI), Carmel/Monterrey, CA, and Hyatt Hotels.

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Making this unconventional convention center the choice for conventions, meetings and special events!

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Religious Meetings

In Conversation With . . .

Kathy R. Kolander President, ProSessions By George Seli

25-year meeting industry veteran, Kathy Kolander has planned the annual convention of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) for 10 years. Her Appleton, WI-based company, ProSessions, has other clients including the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, The Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association and the Texas Bankers Association. The 2015 LWMS Annual Convention will be held in Rapid City, SD, at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The venue includes the 10,400capacity Barnett Arena (currently under a proposal to be expanded to 15,000-20,000 seats), the 41,000-sq.-ft. Rushmore Hall, the 15,000-sq.-ft. LaCroix Hall and a 1,741-seat theater. “The Midwest location is important for this group,” says Kolander, “and the hands-on CVB helped us to coordinate the hotel bids, the convention center dates and everything we needed to make an informed decision on having the convention in Rapid City.”

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ow is the LWMS 2015 Annual Convention shaping up? What is the schedule like? e expect about 800 attendees. The program begins with a Thursday evening service and ends with a Sunday morning service that we open up to the public. It will feature mission speakers, workshops, devotions, entertainment and a banquet.

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hat are some of the challenges you find with planning religious conventions? hey often have many elderly participants on a fixed budget, so affordable lodging is critical. That comes into play at the site selection stage. Fortunately, Rapid City has hotels in a variety of price points located near the Civic Center, such as the Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza, Howard Johnson Rapid 46

City and the Hotel Alex Johnson. One of my biggest concerns is getting hotels to block double rooms for us and be willing to guarantee double room requests. My ladies can have three or four people sharing a room — if they book a room with two beds they need a room with two beds. The Rapid City Convention Bureau rep understood this and helped convey the requirement to the hotels so that they only proposed the type of rooms I needed.

ow did the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center help you control costs? e are diligent in obtaining competitive bids for outside services, and the Civic Center is very flexible in working with our outside suppliers. They also worked with us on rental fees, providing a sliding scale based on food and beverage expenditures.

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any religious groups have dietary restrictions, and while Lutherans do not, are your attendees still particular about catering? efinitely, we need to take care to ask them specifically what kinds of foods they want available. Individuals still have allergies and medical needs that we need to address for them.

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rom a planner’s career perspective, do you feel it is valuable to learn how to manage religious conventions? here is certainly work available, but the compensation is typically less than for corporate meetings. On the other hand, there can be a personal commitment to planning the events; in my case, I am a member of the LWMS. In addition, religious groups are comprised of some of the nicest people you’ll meet, who appreciate all you do for them. Facilities & Destinations 2014 SuperBook

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E m er g e Con f e r e n c e 2 0 14 Snapshots of the Religious Conference Management Association’s annual meeting, held Feb. 4-6 at the Sacramento Convention Center (Right): Newly elected RCMA Board Chairman Melvin Tennant (right) presented a $10,000 RCMA donation to Mission Possible Foundation representatives.

(Above): RCMA’s multi-faith diversity is affirmed in the Opening General Session, where representatives of 10 different religious backgrounds offered an expression of “blessing.” (Right): President/ CEO Dr. Harry Schmidt provided a moment for vision casting during the RCMA Business Session. (Above): The National Railroad Museum was the backdrop for the Opening Reception.

47 Facilities & DESTINATIONS 2014 SuperBook

(Above): Hundreds of participants experienced the traveling Holocaust exhibition “When Humanity Fails.” RCMA member Joel Weinberger, Coordinator of Services for Yeshiva of Los Angeles and Yeshiva University High Schools of Los Angeles, opened the exhibit.

(Left): A uniquely designed “family style” meal fostered networking and camaraderie between attendees.

47 Facilities & DESTINATIONS 2014 SuperBook

Photos courtesy of RCMA, Joshua Clark Hendrick

(Above): A massive assembly line of Emerge Conference attendees prepared “hygiene packs,” provided by various national hotel chains, for a nearby homeless shelter.

‘Decked Out’

for Corporate Events

tangible encounter with our nautical past, panoramic ocean views, event spaces with no need for theming or décor — all of these advantages are reaped by planners who bring their groups on board a historic ship. While tourism is the major source of revenue for these iconic, decommissioned vessels, corporate functions are also an important part of their business, and they are generally well prepared to host groups via numerous private-dining options, meeting rooms, open-air venues, and even theaters and exhibit halls. Some boast advanced AV capabilities, while still giving attendees the sense of being transported back in time to the ship’s naval or cruising heyday. Following is a selection of famed ships that have also made a name in the meetings market.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

seated dinners of up to 165 guests or receptions of up to 200, and affords floor-to-ceiling views of the Hudson River. Also available is the 247-seat Allison and Howard Lutnick Theater and the Space Shuttle Pavilion, suitable for receptions of up to 400 guests. www.intrepidmuseum.org The Queen Mary

The USS Intrepid aircraft carrier is a National Historic Landmark and the centerpiece of this museum, which also features the Enterprise (the world’s first space shuttle), the USS Growler (the oldest existing nuclear-missile carrying submarine), the British Airways Concorde (the fastest commercial aircraft ever to cross the Atlantic) and 27 authentically restored aircraft. Receptions for up to 3,000 guests can be held at the Pier, and receptions for up to 1,600 can be staged on the Flight Deck, which offers majestic views of Manhattan and the Hudson River. Hangar 3 offers 12,000 sq. ft. of event space, equipped with built-in special-event lighting, drop-down screens, and sound-system capabilities, and can accommodate seated dinners for up to 1,000. The Great Hall is the perfect space for 48

The Queen Mary in Long Beach is one of the most unique meeting and special event venues in Southern California. Construction began on the ship in 1930, and she made her maiden voyage in 1936, departing from Southampton, England. Deployed as a troopship during WWII, she resumed regular passenger service across the Atlantic in 1947. The Queens Mary’s final cruise, in 1967, brought her to Long Beach, where she remained. Marrying tradition and modern Facilities & Destinations 2014 SuperBook

technology, the ship offers over 80,000 sq. ft. of event space in 14 Art Deco salons, the largest being the Grand Salon with a capacity of 700. A 45,000-sq.-ft. Exhibit Hall is available, as well as the 70,000-sq.-ft. Queen Mary Dome, adjacent to the ship. Groups can also enjoy private, oceanview dining at the award-winning Sir Winston’s Restaurant & Lounge. www.queenmary.com

USS Constellation

The Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia was launched from the John Brown & Company shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland, on April 16, 1953, and served the Royal Family for over 44 years, finally being decommissioned in 1994. Today, the world-renowned ship serves as an exclusive evening events venue permanently berthed in the historic Port of Leith, Edinburgh. Kings and queens have dined in the State Apartments, and the stylish and versatile Royal Deck affords magnificent views over the Firth of Forth. Dinners for up to 196 and receptions for up to 450 can be accommodated. Voted the United Kingdom’s “Most Excellent Dedicated Venue” by Condé Nast Johansens, Britannia is owned by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust and all surplus funds made go toward her long-term maintenance. www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk Facilities & Destinations 2014 SuperBook

The last all-sail ship built by the US Navy provides a spectacular view of Baltimore’s historic waterfront and offers a distinctive venue for corporate hospitality outside of advertised visiting hours. Located on Pier 1, the USS Constellation can accommodate 250 guests, and smaller groups can utilize the Captain’s Cabin for a more intimate setting. There are also opportunities for larger groups to tent the pier area next to the ship if the guest count exceeds 250. Attendees can explore the decks below at their own pace or take a guided tour; uniformed crewmembers are readily available to answer questions. A live cannon firing culminates the activities. www.historicships.org/constellation.html USS Lexington

Commissioned in 1943, USS Lexington CV-16 served longer and set more records than any Essex Class carrier in the history of the U.S. Navy. During WWII she saw action from Tarawa to Tokyo, earning the name “Blue Ghost” from Tokyo Rose after repeatedly defying reports that she had been sunk. Today, the USS Lexington Museum, in Corpus Christi, TX, is a unique 49

venue for a cocktail reception, banquet, gala or teambuilding event. The 40,000-sq.-ft. Hangar Deck accommodates up to 2,600 attendees, and Hangar Bay II has air conditioning and heat so that events may be held throughout the year (capacity ranges from 25 to 750). Attendees can also enjoy the excitement of a jet fighter in action in the Flight Simulator. http://usslexington.com USS Missouri

Standing sentry over historic Battleship Row in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the USS Missouri (BB-63), affectionately known to many as the “Mighty Mo,” is the last U.S. battleship ever built. After joining the battles for Iwo Jima and Okinawa

during World War II, she became the site of the Japanese surrender on Sept. 2, 1945. In 1998, the U.S. Navy donated her to the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a private nonprofit organization. The largest function space is the open-air Pier Foxtrot 5, which accommodates 3,000 for a reception, 1,000 for a seated banquet and 2,000 theater style. The Fantail (1,000 reception, 400 banquet, 500 theater) and The 01 Deck (150, 80, 100, respectively) are both covered. The Bow accommodates 150 reception or theater style, and the Captain’s Cabin is available for up to 22 guests. www.ussmissouri.org —AB

Religious Meetings

What It Takes for Hoteliers and Planners to be

Kosher Ready

eeting hosts have long done due diligence with the Orthodox Union, gives a couple of instrucin asking about attendees’ dietary requiretive examples. “Suppose you are hosting an event ments, including those based on ethical with 40 observant attendees, and the hotel staff and health concerns (e.g., vegetarianism and veghave determined that 50 pieces of kosher meat will anism), and food allergies and sensitivities (e.g., be needed. But then a quarter of the way through gluten-free). Among the most the event they realize they have complex dietary strictures are another two hours to serve food religious ones, and complying and all of the meat has been conKashrut may seem with food and beverage requests sumed. There is a great potential “very restrictive and in that area can be challenging. of a chef or other staff going For instance, Jewish dietary law to the non-kosher kitchen and very surprising, but the (kashrut) goes well beyond the supplementing.” more the [catering] staff prohibition of pork and shellfish, becomes engaged in the In a situation where only a few and contains rules that if not adtopic, the better chance diners are observant, the hotel hered to precisely could result in may order prepared kosher meals, attendees not partaking in their of it being effective.” yet the in-house catering staff meal. Among the laws are those can still inadvertently comproforbidding meat from animals mise the kosher quality of those that have not been slaughtered meals. “The food is going to come double wrapped according to Jewish ritual (schechita), wine and grape juice produced without rabbinic supervision, and sealed, because it’s heated in the oven and must maintain its kosher status,” Schreier explains. “But using non-kosher cooking utensils, and mixing the staff in the hotel, who are trained to make the best meat and dairy. presentation possible to the customer, may try to do When a reputable kosher caterer handles the F&B the customer a favor and break the seals, and when function, planners can be assured that all of these the observant person receives that plate he’s not gorequirements will be met, and that their observant ing to touch it.” attendees will enjoy the dining experience without Educating the hotel’s in-house catering staff is criticoncerns. Ritz-Carlton is a recent example of an cal, and Schreier suggests one way to achieve that: upscale hotelier that has partnered with such an or“Have someone from the supervising agency come ganization. Brooklyn-based kosher consultancy MD in and give a primer [on kashrut]. We’re not granting Destinations, certified by the Orthodox Union (the world’s largest kosher supervision agency), is provid- graduate degrees, but just explaining the do’s and don’ts. It’s very restrictive and very surprising, but the ing onsite rabbinical supervision, equipment and more the staff becomes engaged in the topic, the betguidance to create kosher events at six Ritz-Carlton ter chance of it being effective.” properties in Florida, two in Atlanta, GA, one in the Cayman Islands and one in New York City. Some properties, particularly those with regular Jewish clientele, have longstanding relationships with However, if a hotelier is simply bringing in kosher kosher food suppliers and supervising agencies, and ingredients or meals without such oversight, planners should be aware that there is a risk of breaching in these cases, a planner can have greater confidence that meals will meet the standards of kashrut. For kashrut. Rabbi Dov Schreier, Rabbinic Coordinator

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

The advantage to working with a hotel that has a dedicated kosher kitchen is “more peace of mind, to know that everything that we use is kosher and has only been used for kosher.” example, the Caribe Hilton in Old San Juan, PR, has a five-year relationship with a local synagogue, whose rabbi, Mendel Zarchi, will personally bring kosher meals to the hotel culinary staff, who then simply

Hosting Halal Diners

n understanding of what makes foods halal, i.e., permissible under Islamic law, is likely less widespread than knowledge of kosher. Evidence comes from the halal food industry, which “is still in its infancy in the USA. It is often referred to as the little brother, or cousin of the kosher food industry,” says Sara Sayed, Director of Marketing and Communications for Cedar Rapids, IA-based Midamar Corporation, a privately owned business with more than 200 halal food products. In addition, “there is not a substantial halal presence on standard menus at most hotels. Certain destination hotels near hospitals or universities that are frequented by international guests offer halal menus.” However, planners with attendees who observe Islamic law can take comfort in the fact that “most upscale caterers are familiar with halal,” says Sayed. And with about two weeks’ notice, hotels that lack relationships with such caterers will be able to acquire halal-certified products themselves for meal preparation; the products are available at all major distributors, she notes. Similar to kashrut, Islamic dietary law forbids the consumption of pork and blood, requires that meat come from an animal that has been ritualistically slaughtered, and requires proper sanitation of equipment to prevent the mixing of halal and nonhalal foods. Unlike kosher meals, halal meals must be free of alcohol. “A minute percentage is permis-

reheat the dishes. “That’s what the ‘very’ Orthodox want,” says Executive Chef Mario Ferro, a 20-year veteran of the hotel. Ferro also has a supplier for koshercertified meats that he orders from when preparing meals in house. He typically orders two weeks in advance, and says he needs a minimum of eight days’ advance notice to prepare meals for a group with observant diners. “We need one day to clean the kitchen and give it to the rabbi to ‘kosherize’ over another day,” Ferro explains. Executive Chef Aaron Hagerdorn at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis similarly asks for a week’s notice to have vendor-prepared meals ready for a meeting group’s observant attendees.

sible if it’s not detectable in the finished product; so there are ethyl alcohols that are used as solvents and flavor carriers in the food technology world. But it is not the type that is consumed for inebriation,” explains Timothy M. Hyatt, Managing Director, Islamic Services of America (ISA), a full-service halal certification organization. Even the use of wine or beer in the cooking process is frowned upon. “While the alcohol may cook off, there is still the intention of using it in the first place; it’s better not to do that intentionally and knowingly,” says Hyatt. According to Hyatt and Sayed, there are several misconceptions regarding halal. “Even Muslims in some cases do not understand that non-meat products run the risk of having forbidden ingredients due to processing,” says Hyatt. “For example, were the French fries cooked in a pure vegetable oil or in an animal fat? So all foods should have undergone a process where there was halal compliance, if not ideally halal certification.” However, there are bogus certifications, Sayed warns. “One red flag is a supplier that offers a caterer the same pricing as traditional non-halal products.” Planners in particular should be aware that not only Muslims demand halal. “Many people of other faiths like halal products because of the extra layer of oversight,” says Sayed, “and the fact that halal is produced in small batches and sourced from small family farms.” Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

es Media Group

s Guide

ents and new cooking utensils, and end up preparing a meal that the attendees cannot accept, due to the lack of supervision.

Mario Ferro, Executive Chef Services Resource with the Caribe Hilton, San Juan, UrbanRide Puerto Rico, 421 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10001 (800) 525-5750; Fax:many (212) 202-9638 has years www.urbanride.net of experience Chief Executive Officer: Jeremy Milikow in catering Senior Vice President: Mitch Bornstein, SVP to meeting ‘Leading Global Provider of Meeting & Event Transportation’ attendees who UrbanRide is a global provider of ground transportation for meetings events, and keep &kosher.

uses the top-of-the-line sedans, SUVs, vans, minibuses and motorcoaches. We provide our clients with IMS, our software that enables meeting planners to better manage transportation for their meetings, conferences, conventions, tradeshows & other events. We work exclusively with meeting & event planners and our customer service is the best in the business. UrbanRide is a one-stop solution for meeting & event transportation.

Thus, it’s important for planners to inquire about the notice chefs require to deliver kosher meals. Prior to that, of course, planners should determine their kosher food needs by asking attendees, “Do you Keppler Speakers 4350 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 700, Arlington, VA 22203 recommends that they want a kosher meal?” Schreier (703) 516-4000; Fax: (703) 516-4819 also ask, “What level of supervision would you like www.kepplerspeakers.com Senior VP for Sales and Marketing: John Truran the food to have?” Observant attendees may require With Keppler meal Speakers, creating memorable meetings neverto feltbe so easy. With over 25 kosher preparation at the hotel supervised years of experience, we provide you solid, seasoned expertise, making speaker selection stress-free by managingwho all of the details.kosher. Keppler Speakers saves you precious time is by by someone keeps If that requirement matching you with speakers who are right on target. From proven performers to dynamic notstars, communicated to the real staff, a well-meaning chef rising our speakers bring fascinating, stories and a gift for inspiring audiences. may make a special effort to purchase kosher ingredi-

For groups with a significant number of attendees who keep kosher, Hagerdorn can utilize the Hyatt’s Kosher Kitchen, which debuted last June and features special equipment (utensils, glassware, plates, etc.) for use in preparing and serving kosher meals. “The local mashgiach [supervisor of kashrut] and I designed equipment that can be koshered [an intense cleaning process] pretty easily,” says Hagerdorn. “He comes in whenever we do a kosher event and oversees all of the product that we purchase, making sure it comes from approved kosher vendors and prepared according to the kosher laws here within our hotel.” For the event planner, the advantage to working with a hotel that has a dedicated kosher kitchen is “more peace of mind, to know that everything that we use is kosher and has only been used for kosher,” Hagerdorn explains. “And it’s given us the ability to have a kosher function going on in one part of our hotel, while we’re still tending to our other guests; we don’t have to shut our main kitchen down.” —GS Available on

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Philad New convention center management and hotel projects reenergize this historic meeting site By George Seli

hiladelphia was arguably the site of the most significant meetings ever held in America. On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress met in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) and adopted the Declaration of Independence. And on Sept. 17, 1787, 41 delegates met in the same room for the signing of the Constitution. Both meetings were directly responsible for the creation of the United States and its government. Well over two centuries later, in February 2014, the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) has launched a marketing campaign that highlights the city’s bold, forward-thinking spirit, PHL: Here for the Making. Partnering in the campaign are the City of Philadelphia, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Select Greater Philadelphia, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) and Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association. Especially with the latter two involved, the marketing message will surely reach the meetings industry. “PHL: Here for the Making is the first time in the history of the city that we have been able to use a campaign that is encompassing of different sectors in Philadelphia, whether it’s manufactur54

Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

elphia ing, arts and culture, or conventions,” says Julie Coker, Senior Vice President of the PHLCVB’s Convention Division. With regard to meetings, the message is about “making memories for your convention attendees, making history. Because many of the medical conventions that take place here make announcements from the floor that are

The medical industry is so prominent in the Philadelphia area that meetings in that sector can account for 45-50 percent of all of the city’s annual convention bookings. very significant to their attendees.” Indeed, the medical industry is so prominent in the Philadelphia area that meetings in that sector can account for 45-50 percent of all of the city’s annual convention bookings.

Dilworth Plaza, beside The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia.

Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

According to the latest statistics released by PKF Consulting, Center City Philadelphia had a hotel occupancy rate of 73.4 percent and an ADR of $169.45 for 2013; occupancy this year is likely to remain relatively flat, while ADR is expected to increase to $171.84. As always, conventions will significantly contribute to occupancy. In fact, the PCC got off to a strong start in 2014 with its busiest January in five years, thanks to four associations holding citywide conventions: American Economic Association, US Lacrosse, National Soccer Coaches Association of America and American Library Association. The city expects an economic impact of over $195 million this year from conventions held by organizations such 55

The expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center features 60 percent more meeting and exhibit space.

as the National Association of Letter Carriers and National Society of Hispanic MBAs in the summer, and the American Society of Nephrology and American Society of Cell Biology later in the year. “What’s different about our convention bookings in 2014 compared to 2013 is their size,” notes Coker. “We did larger groups in 2013, groups that have more rooms on peak nights, than what we’ll actually see in 2014.” Among the largest conventions the city hosted in 2013 was the U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, held in November. Kate Hurst, Director, Conferences & Events, was quite pleased with the USGBC’s partnership with the PHLCVB: “They were able to assist with anything that we needed help on, such as working with city officials and understanding what could and couldn’t be done at the convention center,” Hurst says. “For example, we brought in pedicabs and the CVB 56

(Left): At the launch of the PHL: Here for the Making campaign are (l-r) Alan Greenberger, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Director of Commerce; Olivia Brown, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton; Jack Ferguson, President & CEO, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau; Carla Cabrera, Regional Sales Manager at Quatar Airways; Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter; and Nick DeBenedictis, PHLCVB Board of Directors Chairman. (Above, left): Julie Coker, SVP, Convention Division, PHLCVB. (Above, right): Lorenz Hassenstein, GM of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

assisted us with getting that approved by the city.” The PHLCVB also helps planners build attendance with a data-mining tool developed in cooperation with Select Greater Philadelphia, a division of the Chamber of Commerce. “We look at potential exhibitors as well as attendees, let’s say in a 200-mile radius of the city, and we can provide their contact information to our planners, who can then reach out to those folks via either an email blast or telemarketing,” Coker explains. Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

The Philadelphia Museum of Art and The Barnes Foundation (below) each offers enriching venues for group events.

Greenbuild brought in more than 23,000 delegates representing every sector of the building industry, as well as green product manufacturers and service providers. The PCC accommodated the group with more than 679,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space (528,000 continuous sq. ft.), two ballrooms totaling 87,500 sq. ft. and more than 75 breakout rooms. In 2012 the facility made strides on the sustainability front by reducing

“SMG has only been in place at the Center for a few months, but customers are telling us that they like what they see and we are continuing to make improvements and enhancements in a range of areas.” its electrical costs by 34 percent through more efficient power usage. The USGBC helped the PCC to significantly improve its waste-diversion rate and implemented composting at the facility, which is a contractual piece for Greenbuild, Hurst notes. Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

SMG Management

While the PCC is a union facility, Coker points out that it will become easier for convention organizers to work with unions now that the center is managed by SMG, which officially took over the building on Dec. 1, 2013. “Our best line of defense is SMG. They manage over 270 venues across the country, many of them union facilities. So you’re talking about a vendor that has really in-depth experience with managing union contracts and union labor. We’re very excited about that,” she says. “SMG has also created a Labor Services 57

The National Constitution Center on Independence Mall houses more than 100 interactive and multimedia exhibits and artifacts.

Division [with professionals that have experience Apart from the new Labor Services Division, SMG has expanded the PCC’s Event Services working for] show contractors such as Freeman.” Team with additional floor managers, established The division interfaces with unions on behalf of a Production Services Department, and initicustomers, addresses jurisdictional rules, works ated a comprehensive management process that with customers to estimate and plan for labor implements cost-saving measures needs well in advance of a show for customers and assists with to help to keep costs down, and event planning. assists with post-show billing In 2016, the and reconciliation, according to 118,000-sq.-ft. Hotel Update the PCC. Museum of the Planners have long had quality “In addition, the new General American Revolution lodging options for their group in Center City, beginning with the Manager at the PCC who works is expected to 1,332-room Philadelphia Marriott for SMG, Lorenz Hassenstein, debut in the Downtown, connected by skywalk comes to us with a background to the PCC and housing 92,000 sq. of show management experience, historic district. ft. of meeting space. Other major so he understands the expecupscale properties include the tations of the customer,” says 757-room Sheraton Philadelphia Coker. Hassenstein comments in Downtown Hotel, with 58,000 sq. ft. of meeting a statement: “As someone who worked for years in the industry, I know the stress that comes with space; the 581-room Loews Philadelphia Hotel, with 42,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; and the putting on, managing and running shows. We want to reduce that level of stress — to the extent 300-room Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, with about 26,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. possible — and make the job of our customers easier by improving the ease of doing business Two smaller properties have recently opened that with SMG and the Center. SMG has only been in place at the Center for a few months, but custom- will be useful to large conventions needing to ofers are telling us that they like what they see and fer a wide variety of hotels to their delegates. Last May, a 248-suite Home2 Suites by Hilton opened we are continuing to make improvements and across from the PCC. The hotel is part of a $60 enhancements in a range of areas.” million mixed-used retail/dining development 58

Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

The Franklin Institute’s imposing statue can preside over a group dinner or reception.

and features an indoor saline pool. And in January, Marriott introduced the 172-room Courtyard Philadelphia South at The Navy Yard, an area known for startup businesses. Offering 1,800 sq. ft. of meeting space, the LEED-certified building is located six miles from Philadelphia International Airport and four miles from City Hall.

• In the fall, developers plan to break ground on a 47-story tower at Broad and Spruce Streets across from the Kimmel Center, with completion expected two years thereafter. An SLS International mixed-use luxury boutique hotel and condominium tower will offer 149 guestrooms occupying 11 floors.

In addition, four new hotels are in the planning stage:

• Comcast Corporation and Liberty Property Trust have announced plans to develop the Comcast Innovation and Technology Center on Arch Street in Center. The proposed 59-story, 1,121-foot tower would house a Four Seasons hotel with more than 200 rooms and a top-floor restaurant.

• A 199-room Kimpton Hotel is being developed on Vine Street along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, utilizing a building listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. The property will house 14,000 sq. ft. of function space and 16,000 sq. ft. of spa and fitness space. Construction is expected to commence in late 2014 or early 2015, with completion in 2016 or 2017. • A 700-room W and Element Hotel by Westin is slated to open in 2017. The property will offer 41,000 sq. ft. of meeting and banquet space, an 8,600-sq.-ft. restaurant and a 185-space parking garage. Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

Distinctive Offsite Venues

Philadelphia is well known for its historic buildings, museums and cultural institutions that can accommodate meeting groups, a prime example being the National Constitution Center. Planners can rent the 12,000-sq.-ft. Grand Lobby, set against the backdrop of Independence Mall, a rooftop terrace, private dining room, auditorium and other facilities. And in 2016, the 118,000-sq.-ft. 59

Museum of the American Revolution is expected to debut in the historic district. Perhaps less familiar than Philadelphia’s historically themed spaces is a mid-sized arena that associations may consider for special events: The Global Spectrum-managed Liacouras Center. Located on the Temple University Campus along the Avenue of the Arts, the Center offers over 10,000 seats (about half that of the Wells Fargo Center) as well as a variety of meeting and banquet spaces. “We held our plenary celebration and party, featuring a keynote by Hilary Clinton and a performance by Bon Jovi, at the Liacouras Center,” Hurst notes. “We did end up shuttling, but it was only about a mile up the street from the Convention Dilworth Plaza is Center, which undergoing a $55 million made it really convenient.”

renovation and will reopen in September with the capacity to accommodate outdoor functions.

The USGBC staged its Platinum and Gold Member Reception for about 500 delegates at the LEED Platinum-certified Barnes Foundation, which opened its new building in May 2012 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Home to one of the finest private collections of early French-Modern and post-impressionist paintings in the world, the institution also includes pieces of antique furniture, pottery and African sculpture, as well as a historic 12-acre arboretum and a 10,000-specimen herbarium. The Foundation complements several other top-tier art museums, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Rodin Museum of Art. Embodying Benjamin Franklin’s spirit of discovery and invention is The Franklin Institute, where a seated dinner for 400 or reception for 600 can be staged beside the famed 20-ft. statue of the great man himself. Three theaters are also available (seating 150, 280 and 350), as is a 1,896-sq.-ft. fifth-floor conference center and a 2,115-sq.-ft. rooftop deck suitable for receptions. “Many of our science groups use The Franklin 60

A City of Icons: The Liberty Bell at Independence National Historical Park, and The Thinker at the Rodin Museum of Art.

Institute for meetings and opening receptions,” Coker notes. “One of the exciting developments is Dilworth Plaza, which is right in front of City Hall,” Coker adds. “That space is being completely renovated as a sustainable green public space, opening in September. Meeting planners will have the ability to tent the area and use it for receptions or openings sessions [maximum capacity of 8,000].” Located between the PCC, Avenue of the Arts and the beginning of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the new Dilworth Plaza will feature an outdoor café, programmable fountain fed by rainwater and a lawn surrounded by shaded seating areas. A specially commissioned work of art by internationally recognized artist Janet Echelman will be integrated into the fountain. Indeed, Philadelphia is known for its public art, with more than 3,500 murals, sculptures and mosaics on display. Raising Its Profile

As its new marketing campaign demonstrates, The City of Brotherly Love continues to work to broadcast its appeal as a destination for tourists, entrepreneurs and meeting groups. One meeting that city officials are particularly interested in drawing, due to its economic and civic benefits to the region, is the 2016 Democratic National Convention, and on March 28 the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority voted to support that effort. The DNC has not been held in Philadelphia since 1948, and like many convention groups, the U.S. Democratic Party would do well to take a fresh look at this city, steeped in American history as well as its own future. Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

Facilities & Destinations

2014 Prime Site Meeting Hotel Awards Ballot VOTE for the top Conference Centers, Small to Mid-Size Meeting, University or Special Event Venues, and/or Hotels and Resorts your group has used for its meetings in the last three years. Please base your vote(s) on the following criteria: • Attractiveness and functionality • Technological capabilities • Quality of staff and conference planner • Team Building • Food & Beverage/Catering • Lighting

• Acoustics • Climate control • Proximity to airport and other transportation • On or off-site lodging • Other support services • Front-desk operations • Set-ups and breakdowns • Room décor • Quality/Size of Ballroom • Special Packages • Spa • Nearby Attractions

Name of Nominee_______________________________________________________________________ Name of Nominee_______________________________________________________________________ Name of Nominee_______________________________________________________________________ Check award you want to nominate the above for: Conference Center

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Your Name & Title_______________________________________________________________________ Organization____________________________________________________________________________ Phone__________________________________________________________________________________ Email___________________________________________________________________________________ Additional Comments____________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ May We Contact You? Yes___ No___ Fill Out Form & Mail, Email or Fax Your Vote:

Facilities & Destinations

152 Madison Avenue, Suite 802, New York, NY 10016 Fax: (212) 213-6382 Email: ballots@facilitiesonline.com

Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

2014 Facilities & Destinations Awards of Excellence M eetings M ean B usiness , M eeting S ites

hus far, 2014 has seen strong support for the value of meetings to the U.S. economy, both in terms of activism and evidence. January saw the launch of “Meetings Mean Business,” an industry-wide campaign that brings together planners and major hospitality organizations to advocate for the role of meetings in creating jobs, driving business growth and improving communities. And in February, the Convention Industry Council (CIC) released data that backs up the economic benefit of meetings: During the 2012 calendar year, 1.83 million meetings were held in the U.S., attended by 225 million participants. The resulting contribution to the GDP — $115 billion — surpassed that of the air transportation, motion picture, sound recording, performing arts and spectator sport industries, the CIC reported. What explains today’s vigorous meetings activity? Companies and associations have a variety of objectives to fulfill with these events, but they also see numerous opportunities to partner successfully with destinations and meeting facilities across the country and internationally. The best sites not only vie for group business, they also offer — and work to maintain — a product that deserves that business. Each year, Facilities & Destinations

and

So Do

recognizes these stellar suppliers with Prime Site and Top Destination Awards, based on nominations by our readers. As clients of these meeting hosts, our readers are tuned into many of their desirable features, including accessibility, marketability, high-tech meeting spaces, customer service, entertainment options and much more. Winning an award thus signals the highest client satisfaction on many levels. Ballots for the Awards of Excellence are available in F&D print publications, including the SuperBook, Planner Guide and Mid-Market Review, and at Facilitiesonline.com. Ballots are received throughout the year, and the list of award winners appears in the F&D SuperBook. The Prime Site Award is given out in three categories: Convention Centers, Conference Centers, and Hotels & Resorts. The Top Destination Award is given to convention & visitors bureaus or similar entities that promote meeting destinations. We hope that advocacy for the meetings industry continues, and that evidence for the industry’s value accumulates every year. Meetings do “mean business,” in the sense of being economic catalysts. And our Awards of Excellence winners mean business when it comes to ensuring the success of corporate and association gatherings. Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

Exceed expectations at your next meeting, convention, performance or special event by choosing the Rhode Island Convention & Entertainment Complex. Collaborate with our experienced staff to design a meeting or event that meets your groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specific needs. The variety and flexibility of our space allows us to make your event one of a kind. Strengthen your next event by selecting the Rhode Island Convention & Entertainment Complex.

Rhode Island Convention Center

RIConvention.com

DunkinDonutsCenter.com

TheVetsRI.com

401.456.0200 | meetings@GoProvidence.com | RhodeIslandComplex.com The Dunk and Convention Center are managed by SMG and The Vets by PFM.

2014 Facilities & Destinations Awards of Excellence

The Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford offers over 140,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space and is located across from the new Front Street District (page 77).

David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA The Javits Center, New York, NY MassMutual Center, Springfield, MA Meadowlands Exposition Center, Secaucus, NJ Oncenter/Nicolas J. Pirro Convention Center, Syracuse, NY Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI Rochester Riverside Convention Center, Rochester, NY Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood, NJ

Northeast

Prime Site Award Winners Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Boston, MA Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT

Situated on the famed Wildwoods Boardwalk, the Wildwoods Convention Center boasts a 75,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall (page 80).

Top Destination Award Winners

Providenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s walkable downtown includes the Rhode Island Convention Center and numerous cultural attractions (page 80). 64

Atlantic City CVA, Atlantic City, NJ Greater Boston CVB, Boston, MA Greater Hartford CVB, Hartford, CT Philadelphia CVB, Philadelphia, PA Visit Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA Providence/Warwick CVB, Providence, RI Valley Forge CVB, Valley Forge, PA Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

2014 Facilities & Destinations Awards of Excellence

Top Destination Award Winners Events D.C., Washington, DC Visit Norfolk, Norfolk, VA Ocean City CVB, Ocean City, MD Virginia Beach CVB, Virginia Beach, VA Greater Wilmington CVB, Wilmington, DE

Southeast

Prime Site Award Winners

Virginia Beach’s 35 miles of ocean and bay beaches are complemented by a LEED Gold-certified Convention Center (page 89).

Birmingham-Jefferson County Convention Center, Birmingham, AL Durham Convention Center, Durham, NC Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA

Mid-Atlantic

Prime Site Award Winners Charleston Civic Center, Charleston, WV Hampton Roads Convention Center, Hampton, VA Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA Roland E. Powell Convention Center, Ocean City, MD Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC

The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex is Alabama’s largest facility of its kind, offering 220,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space (page 93). 66

Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center is the nation’s second-largest convention center, featuring 2.1 million sq. ft. of exhibition space (page 98).

Jackson Convention Complex, Jackson, MS Knoxville Convention Center, Knoxville, TN Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL Mobile Convention Center, Mobile, AL New Orleans Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, FL Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL Owensboro Convention Center, Owensboro, KY Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

You rule.

and tHis is Your kingdom. For centuries, Connecticut has been a haven for revolutionary thinkers. A place of great history, beauty and energy that attracts leaders, cultivates courageous ideas and inspires bold deeds. Where better than in its heart - at the epicenter of the largest population base in the country - to purposefully create a destination for people to meet. It’s not merely a convention center, but a convention kingdom. And you are royalty.

540,000 sq. feet of space 1600 hotel rooms 40 - three and four-star restaurants Interactive science center 250 registered historic sites Within a 2-hour drive of 23 million people Front Street District located across from the Connecticut Convention Center includes: New Spotlight Theaters and Capital Grille. Infinity Music Hall* Ted’s Montana Grill* Nix’s Seafood* *Coming Spring 2014

Hartford, ConneCtiCut

To explore your kingdom, call 860.249.6000 or visit ctconventions.com

2014 Facilities & Destinations Awards of Excellence Top Destination Award Winners

The Savannah International Trade & Convention Center spans 330,000 sq. ft. alongside the Savannah River (page 98).

Palm Beach County Convention Center, West Palm Beach, FL Savannah International Trade & Convention Center, Savannah, GA Shreveport Convention Center, Shreveport, LA TD Convention Center, Greenville, SC Vicksburg Convention Center, Vicksburg, MS Wilmington Convention Center, Wilmington, NC

Chattanooga Area CVB, Chattanooga, TN Columbia Metro CVB, Columbia, SC Greater Ft. Lauderdale CVB, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Greensboro Area CVB, Greensboro, NC Jackson CVB, Jackson, MS Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation, Knoxville, TN Louisville CVB, Louisville, KY Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB, Biloxi, MS Nashville CVB, Nashville, TN New Orleans CVB, New Orleans, LA Visit Savannah, Savannah, GA

The Greater Columbus Convention Center and entertainment district is located within an hourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flight of the majority of the U.S. population (page 106).

Midwest

Prime Site Award Winners

The Wilmington Convention Center is the largest convention venue on North Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coast (page 98). 68

Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI Bridge View Center, Ottumwa, IA Century Center, South Bend, IN Clay County Events Center, Spencer, IA Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH The Conference Center at United Wireless, Dodge City, KS DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, OH Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

247,052 square feet of column-free space

Cutting edge technology Customized network solutions Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout

When you book your next meeting at the Austin Convention Center, the movers and shakers are already here. With six entertainment districts and a safe and walkable downtown, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to enjoy our famous live music. And with more than 250 venues, honky-tonks and dance halls, everybody leaves with their toes tapping.

[512] 404-4200 www.austinconventioncenter.com

More than 250 live music venues nightly

Awarded LEEDÂŽ Gold Certification First convention center in TX

2014 Facilities & Destinations Awards of Excellence Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS RiverCenter, Davenport, IA Saint Charles Convention Center, Saint Charles, MO Saint Paul RiverCentre, Saint Paul, MN Sanford Center, Bemidji, MN SeaGate Convention Centre, Toledo, OH Swiftel Center, Brookings, SD Tinley Park Convention Center, Tinley Park, IL Wisconsin Center, Milwaukee, WI

A recent $275 million expansion of the Indiana Convention Center nearly doubled its size to 566,600 sq. ft. of exhibit space (page 108).

Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN Iowa Events Center/Hy Vee Hall, Des Moines, IA Kansas City Convention Center, Kansas City, MO Kansas Expocentre, Topeka, KS McCormick Place, Chicago, IL Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN Monona Terrace Convention Center, Madison, WI

Greater Des Moines is the home of the Iowa Events Center and 417-room Des Moines Marriott Downtown (page 106).

Top Destination Award Winners

The Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison, WI, offers lake views and 85,000 sq. ft. of function space (page 108). 70

Akron/Summit CVB, Akron, OH Positively Cleveland/Greater Cleveland CVB, Cleveland, OH Greater Des Moines CVB, Des Moines, IA Visit Detroit/Detroit Metro CVB, Detroit, MI Visit Indy, Indianapolis, IN Little Rock CVB, Little Rock, AR Visit Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI Meet Minneapolis/Greater Minneapolis CVA, Minneapolis, MN Greater Omaha CVB, Omaha, NE Rapid City CVB, Rapid City, SD Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

We host meetings, wedding receptions, conferences, sporting events, concerts, rodeos and so much more! Full service including set up of tables, chairs, audio visual equipment, sound technician plus Swiftel Center Catering and full liquor license.

For all your entertainment needs...

824 32nd Avenue • Brookings • swiftelcenter.com For booking information call or email us at:

605.692.7539 • swiftelcenter@swiftelcenter.com LIKE US ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

2014 Facilities & Destinations Awards of Excellence

Anaheim is home to Angel Stadium (above) and the Anaheim Convention Center, housing 813,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space (page 121).

Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, CA Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, CA Phoenix Civic Plaza Convention Center, Phoenix, AZ Reliant Center, Houston, TX Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento, CA Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, NV

West

Prime Site Award Winners Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA Austin Convention Center, Austin, TX Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City, OK Fairplex, Pomona, CA Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, TX George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, HI Las Cruces Convention Center Las Cruces, NM

The LEED Platinum-certified Oregon Convention Center is just an eight-mile light rail trip from Portland International Airport (page 121).

San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, CA Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick, WA Top Destination Award Winners Amarillo CVC/Chamber of Commerce, Amarillo, TX Anaheim/Orange County VCB, Anaheim, CA Austin CVB, Austin, TX Boise CVB, Boise, ID Fairplex is a convention and entertainment destination, Colorado Springs CVB, Colorado Springs, CO home to the 244-room Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Visit Denver, Denver, CO Conference Center (page 121). 72

Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

Greater Akron, Ohio, is home to the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most convenient and affordable facilities for conventions, banquets and special events. Easily accessible from the interstate, turnpike and two

Northeast Ohioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top Meeting Points

AkronCVB_FullPg_SmMktMtgs_Dec13.indd 1

airports, Summit County features 13 full-service hotels with more than 5,400 guest rooms, plus a remarkable range of impressive gathering spaces, including the John S. Knight Convention Center. Call 800.245.4254 today to plan your next event with a member of our destination sales team. For more information, visit akron.travel.

A K R O N

/ S U M M I T

Convention & Visitors Bureau

800.245.4254 / akron.travel

10/31/2013 3:51:48 PM

2014 Facilities & Destinations Awards of Excellence Puerto Rico

Prime Site Award Winners Puerto Rico Convention Center, San Juan, PR

The Crystal Bridge, part of the Myriad Botanical Gardens in meetings-friendly Oklahoma City (page 121).

Fort Worth CVB, Fort Worth, TX Greater Houston CVB, Houston, TX Las Vegas CVA, Las Vegas, NV Oklahoma City CVB, Oklahoma City, OK Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau, Omaha, NE Greater Phoenix CVB, Phoenix, AZ Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority, Reno, NV Sacramento CVB, Sacramento, CA Team San Jose, San Jose, CA Sedona Chamber of Commerce, Sedona, AZ Visit Spokane/Spokane Regional CVB, Spokane, WA Visit Tucson/Metro Tucson CVB, Tucson, AZ

The Puerto Rico Convention Center welcomes groups of up to 10,000 to Old San Juan (page 135).

Top Destination Award Winners Meet Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR

Canada

Prime Site Award Winners

The Ottawa Convention Centre, opened just a few years ago in Ontario, offers 192,000 sq. ft. of function space (page 135).

More than 2,500 guestrooms are in walking distance of the Phoenix Convention Center, with 312,500 sq. ft. of exhibit space (page 126). 74

Direct Energy Centre, Toronto, Ontario Ottawa Convention Centre, Ottawa, Ontario ScotiaBank Convention Centre, Niagara Falls, Ontario Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, BC Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

A Convention Center with a difference.

Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel

Riviera Palm Springs

See the difference for yourself. Fly in, check in, and get to your meeting in a half-hour. Located just one short mile from the Palm Springs International Airport, you’ll find a world-class facility, over 1,600 hotel rooms, 150,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, and a desert setting you just won’t find anywhere else. It’s not often that the outside of your meeting is every bit as inspiring as the inside. But it is here. Come see for yourself!

PalmSpringsCC.com Call us toll-free: (800) 333-7535

Sites & Cities Directory A-Z by Region Northeast Atlantic City CVA.................................... 77 Connecticut Convention Center........... 77 David L. Lawrence Convention Center. 77 The Javits Center.................................... 80 MassMutual Center................................ 80 Meadowlands Exposition Center.......... 80 Pennsylvania Convention Center.......... 80 Providence Warwick CVB....................... 80 Rhode Island Convention Center.......... 80 Rochester Riverside Convention Center............................... 80 Wildwoods Convention Center............. 80 Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake Conference Center........... 89 Visit Norfolk............................................. 89 Ocean City CVB/Roland Powell Convention Center............................... 89 Greater Richmond Convention Center............................... 89 Virginia Beach CVB................................. 89 Southeast Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex........................... 93 The Classic Center.................................. 93 Durham Convention Center.................. 93 Georgia World Congress Center.......... 93 Miami Beach Convention Center.......... 93 Mobile Convention Center.................... 93 New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center............................... 93 Orange County Convention Center............................... 98 Owensboro Convention Center............ 98 Palm Beach County Convention Center............................... 98 Visit Savannah......................................... 98 Sun Life Stadium..................................... 98 Vicksburg Convention Center............... 98 Wilmington Convention Center............ 98 76

Midwest Akron/Summit CVB/ John S. Knight Center........................ 106 Bridge View Center.............................. 106 Century Center..................................... 106 Clay County Events Center.................. 106 Greater Columbus Convention Center............................. 106 The Conference Center at United Wireless Arena........................ 106 Greater Des Moines CVB..................... 106 Indiana Convention Center................. 108 Kansas City Convention Facilities....... 108 Little Rock CVB..................................... 108 Monona Terrace Convention Center.. 108 RiverCenter........................................... 108 The Sanford Center.............................. 108 St. Charles CC....................................... 108 Swiftel Center........................................ 108 Wisconsin Center.................................. 116 West Anaheim/Orange County VCB............ 121 Austin Convention Center................... 121 Colorado Springs CVB......................... 121 Cox Convention Center....................... 121 Fairplex.................................................. 121 Oklahoma City CVB.............................. 121 Oregon Convention Center................. 121 Palm Springs Convention Center........ 126 Phoenix Convention Center................ 126 Sacramento Convention Center.......... 126 Three Rivers Convention Center......... 126 Canada & Caribbean Calgary TELUS Convention Center..... 135 The International Centre...................... 135 Ottawa Convention Centre.................. 135 Meet Puerto Rico.................................. 135 Puerto Rico Convention Center.......... 135 Sheraton Puerto Rico........................... 135 Montego Bay Convention Centre....... 135 Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

new jersey

Atlantic City Convention Center

The Northeast

1 Convention Boulevard, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 449-7136; (888) 222-3683 Fax: (609) 345-3685 www.atlanticcitynj.com • meetinac.com

Vice President, Convention Sales: Gary Musich Your Northeast Business Address

A year-round destination with all the amenities you expect from a premiere resort; 20,000 first-class hotel rooms (8,000 committable), top entertainment, golf, shopping, world-class dining and 11 casinos. The Atlantic City Convention Center is a bright, modern facility accommodating meetings and expos of all sizes, four contiguous exhibit halls (486,600 sq. ft.); 32,000 sq. ft. of pre-function space; 109,100 total sq. ft. meeting space; 45 meeting rooms including a 29,400-sq.-ft. ballroom; free WiFi; voice/data communications; green facility – single-roof solar systems, and aggressive recycling and energy-savings programs. PAGE 15

Pennsylvania

Connecticut

David L. Lawrence Convention Center

Connecticut Convention Center

1000 Ft. Duquesne Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412) 325-6174; Fax: (412) 565-6104 www.pittsburghcc.com Director of Sales & Marketing: Debbie Smucker

100 Columbus Boulevard Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 249-6000; Fax: (860) 249-6161 www.ctconventions.com

Director of Sales & Marketing: Michelle Hughes

Built Green. Working Green. Every Day!

The Spotlight’s On The NEW Connecticut Convention Center

The views are stunning, the space is immense, and the ease of booking an event is superior. 205,000 sq. ft. of meeting/exhibit space, dramatic riverfront setting, accessible to 23+ million people within a 2-1/2 hour drive; 19 meeting rooms; 40,000-sq.-ft. ballroom; 180,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space/140,000-sq.-ft. main exhibit hall; 3,200-seat ballroom; attached to 409-room Marriott Hotel; 700 rooms (downtown); 6,500 rooms (within 30 miles). Attractions: The Old State House; Wadsworth Atheneum; Mystic Seaport & Marinelife Aquarium; Foxwoods Resort Casino; Mohegan Sun Resort; Essex Valley Railroad. PAGE 67

In downtown Pittsburgh’s cultural district, within steps of theaters, cinemas, galleries, restaurants and 2,500 hotel rooms, just across the bridge from PNC Park & Heinz Field, the environmentally smart, SMG-managed, 1.5 million-sq.-ft. facility features 313,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, 37 loading docks, 53 meeting rooms, a 31,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, two 250-seat theaters. The building’s dynamic architectural design offers breathtaking views, open terraces, suspended roof structure. Technology: 1Gb circuit with DS3 backup, fiber optic backbone network, multi-mode fiber, CAT6 (copper) cabling, video conferencing, wireless Internet access. PAGE 81

Another Way to Frame Exhibit Space

Meet with a New Perspective ... We know you want ample meeting and hotel space, a convenient location, and a compact, walkable downtown. We’ve got all that and something more. In the Creative Capital, exhibit space becomes more than tradeshow screens and potted plants. Let us inspire you to meet with a new perspective ... in Rhode Island. Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau 401-456-0200 Meetings@GoProvidence.com GoProvidence.com

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

Northeast / New Jersey

Atlantic City Convention Center

our business is worth $1 million to the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA) division of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. The ACCVA and Atlantic City Alliance (ACA) have announced the renewal of a $1 million incentive program designed to attract meetings and conventions to Atlantic City, NJ. The program — which provides for $1 million in incentives each year — is available to new groups or meetings business, or to groups and meetings that have not met in Atlantic City for three years, with arrival dates from 2014 through 2016. The incentive package, funded as part of a collaboration among the 12 casino resort properties, is part of the popular “Do Anything, Do Everything, Do AC” marketing campaign, designed to bring attention to all of the city’s attractions and activities, and to help continue the city’s quick post-Sandy rebound. Atlantic City provides meeting planners with a wide choice of options and amenities, with access to a great Convention Center as well as a variety of hotel accommodations and amenities, coupled with the best entertainment and attractions on the East Coast. The Atlantic City Convention Center has 486,600 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibition space plus 45 meeting rooms, pre-function areas, an onsite audiovisual provider, full food service operations, full-service business center, covered garage and concierge desk. Convention services include attendance building, special event planning, spouse trips, transportation planning and a restaurant reservation cart. A “Show Me Your Badge” program provides exhibitors and attendees discounts at restaurants and retailers. Local hotels and resorts throughout the area also have first-class meeting and expo facilities. Atlantic City offers more than 20,000 first-class guestrooms (9,000 committable). On the horizon, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City is in the middle of construction of a new $125.8 million conference and meeting facility with 125,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and two 50,000-sq.-ft. pillar-less ballrooms. Since April 1, meeting planners find it easier than ever to reach Atlantic City, with new air service by United Airlines direct from United’s hubs in Houston and Chicago to Atlantic City International Airport (ACY). ACY is also served by Spirit Airlines from Ft. Myers, Myrtle Beach, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach and Detroit. When it comes to dining, choose from casual or gourmet, submarine sandwiches or ethnic specialties, celebrity chefs or Boardwalk grab-and-go. You’ll find big-brand steak house chains and national “family” eateries, plus popular local restaurants. There’s always something new, too. A new Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville complex at Resorts Hotel Casino features a 400seat Margaritaville Café, beachside LandShark Bar & Grill, and Five O’Clock Somewhere Bar. Tropicana offers six all-new new eateries. The famous Steel Pier is phasing in a three-part, $102 million renovation project including a 200-ft. Ferris Wheel that will operate year round, new rides, restaurants, a nightclub and more. The new Revel Hotel Casino includes expansive convention facilities and nearly 1,900 guestrooms, as well as a large variety of resort amenities. Golden Nugget resort replaces Trump Marina, with more than $150 million in renovations creating allnew public areas, guestrooms, convention space, lounges, showroom and restaurants. Bass Pro Shops is building an 86,000-sq.-ft. “Best of Bass” retail attraction, with a targeted spring 2015 opening. Arts and culture take center stage at the new Arts Garage, featuring regional artists and crafts people, as well as the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey. Under the new Tourism District Master Plan, enhancements throughout the city are being phased in, including art installations, beach volleyball courts, new lighting, highly visible ambassadors throughout the city and a nightly 3-D light and sound show projected on the façade of Boardwalk Hall. For more information, including details on the $1 million incentive program, visit www.MeetinAC.com or call (888)-222-3683. 78 Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

Your Northeast Business Address

1 Convention Boulevard, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 449-7136; (888) 222-3683 Fax: (609) 345-3685 www.atlanticcitynj.com meetinac.com

Northeast / Connecticut

xxxxxxxxx Connecticut Convention Center

he Connecticut Convention Center is the Northeast’s newest, most ideal location for tradeshows, conventions, business meetings or any occasion that demands a dramatic riverfront setting. The Connecticut Convention Center overlooks the beautiful Connecticut River at Adriaen’s Landing, Hartford’s exciting riverfront district. Adriaen’s Landing is home to many new attractions for the Capital City. The anchor of this rapidly developing area is the beautiful 540,000-sq.-ft. Connecticut Convention Center. With over 140,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, a 40,000-sq.-ft. ballroom and 25,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, the Connecticut Convention Center is the largest convention facility between New York and Boston. The venue also features exceptional demographics and highway access at the crossroads of New England, where interstates 84 and 91 meet. With a prominent visual presence on Hartford’s historic skyline, the center’s 110-ft. glass atrium dramatically rises 10 stories above a grand public plaza and a tree-lined riverfront esplanade. The Connecticut Convention Center has been constructed to spare no detail in making every function accommodating. From offering award-winning food and beverage service led by our in-house executive chef and culinary team, state-of-the-art rigging, wiring and WiFi, to flexible spaces, abundant prefunction areas and ample onsite sheltered parking, the facility has taken every facet of hosting an event into consideration. That includes the attached AAA Four Diamond 409-room, Marriott Hartford Downtown hotel, which offers an additional 13,500 sq. ft. of meeting space. Meeting Space: Our exhibit space is 140,000 sq. ft. (divisible into two halls). The ballroom is 40,000 sq. ft. (divisible into three rooms) and there are 14 meeting rooms totaling 25,000 sq. ft. and two executive boardrooms. Accommodations: With first-rate accommodations at numerous hotels (up to 1,600 hotel rooms within Hartford and 6,500 rooms within a 15-mile radius) and unparalleled service, Hartford truly has it! The expanded Bradley International Airport is conveniently located 15 miles away. Hartford is located midway between Boston and New York and easily accessible by rail, bus or car, making it simple for travelers coming into the Greater Hartford area. Get on board the Dash, a free, public transportation service for simple access throughout the city. Also offered is the Bradley Flyer, a convenient, economical mode of transportation from Bradley International Airport to our Capitol City. Airport and Transportation: If you’re flying, the newly expanded Bradley International Airport is only 12 miles from Hartford and serves 19 commercial carriers and nearly 300 national and international flights daily, including direct flights to Los Angeles, Denver, Las Vegas and Dallas. Dining and F&B: The Connecticut Convention Center is proud to provide its own exclusive, in-house catering services — something very few convention centers can offer you directly. With an ambitious approach to food and beverage service, our commitment to culinary excellence has earned us accolades in the meetings and conventions industry. Our certified executive chef will personally oversee every detail of a dining experience and customize any menu you desire, from a 10-person coffee break to a spectacular banquet for 9,000! Our award-winning food and beverage team is highly experienced in convention and upscale dining services. First and foremost, we listen to our clients to create successful events. We’ll help you coordinate memorable food and beverage experiences with weddings, conventions, ethnic and themed events, or high-profile corporate events.

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

Across from the Convention Center: New Front Street District • Spotlight Theaters and Bistro • Capital Grille Restaurant • Ted’s Montana Grill opening in Spring 2014 • Nix’s Seafood opening in Spring 2014 • Infinity Music Hall opening in Summer 2014

100 Columbus Boulevard Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 249-6000 ctconventions.com 79

massachuseTts

new York

MassMutual Center

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center 655 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001 (212) 216-2000; Fax: (212) 216-2588 www.javitscenter.com

SVP Sales & Marketing: Doreen Guerin Marketplace for the World

New York City is the cultural, finance, fashion, publishing and entertainment capital of the world with 28,000 restaurants and 100,000+ hotel rooms citywide. The Javits Convention Center’s glass-enclosed structure, located in Manhattan’s Hudson Yards, stretches five city blocks and divisible into 10 self-contained halls. The addition of a column-free exhibit hall increases the total gross square footage of exhibition space to 840,000 on four levels; 160,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 40 permanent, 53 multi-purpose meeting rooms. WiFi service is available throughout building. PAGE 3

New Jersey

Meadowlands Exposition Center

355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ 07094 (201) 330-7773; (800) 400-3976; Fax: (201) 330-1172 www.mecexpo.com

Regional General Manager: Robin Cuneo Everything you need, exactly where you want it. Your cost effective alternative to NYC

With an outstanding location five miles outside Manhattan, the Meadowlands Exposition Center is accessible to public transportation and major highways and only minutes from Newark Liberty Airport. 61,000 sq. ft. of continuous exhibition space; five seminar rooms. 65,000 sq. ft. of meeting/exhibition space, including five meeting rooms; theater seating: 6,000. Internet, Wifi, and all audio/visual needs; onsite decorator. Catering for up to 5,000. 1,500+ hotel rooms. Free parking. Attractions: MetLife Stadium, IZOD Center, Meadowlands Racetrack, PAGE Secaucus Outlet Center, 25+ restaurants, 16 movie screens, health club. 85 rhode island

1277 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103 (413) 787-6610; Fax: (413) 787-6645 www.massmutualcenter.com Director of Sales: Monique Messier At the Center of it All, is the Center for it All Standing in the heart of Western Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley, the MassMutual Center is the region’s most diverse meeting and special event venue. The facility boasts over 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting space including a 40,000-sq.-ft. flexible exhibit hall, nine fully functional meeting rooms totaling 24,500 sq. ft., a 15,000-sq.-ft. elegant ballroom, eight breakout rooms, spacious pre-function areas, an 8,000-seat arena and a theater that accommodates 3,600 attendees. The MassMutual Center is steps away from 900 hotel rooms. Nearby attractions include Yankee Candle Village, Six Flags New England, The Springfield PAGE Museums and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. 36 Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Convention Center

1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 418-4700 www.meetphl.com Senior Vice President, Convention Division: Julie Coker The Complete Package The LEED-certified Pennsylvania Convention Center features one million sq. ft. of saleable space, the ability to host two major tradeshows simultaneously, 82 meeting rooms, 528,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, two ballrooms (including the 55,408-sq.-ft. Terrace Ballroom) and a Grand Hall housed in the historic Reading Railroad train shed. More than 9,000 hotel rooms are within a 15-minute walk of the center, whose North Broad Street entrance connects to the Avenue of the Arts and Museum Mile. Nearby are the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rodin PAGE Museum, Franklin Institute, and other major cultural institutions. C2

Rhode Island

Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau

Rhode Island Convention & Entertainment Complex

Providence, RI is known for stellar restaurants, rich history, natural beauty and stunning architecture. The city’s compact downtown area makes it an extremely walkable city, with the Rhode Island Convention Center (RICC), hotels, restaurants, and eclectic shopping all within blocks of each other. Attractions include Bank of America Skating Center, Culinary Arts Museum at JWU, Providence Performing Arts Center, RI Philharmonic, WaterFire Providence, and more. T.F. Green Airport is 10 miles from the RICC, which offers 167,000 sq. ft. of function space, including 137,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and 23 meeting rooms. PAGE Within one mile of the RICC are 2,200 hotel rooms. 77

Complex includes Rhode Island Convention Center, 13,000-seat Dunkin’ Donuts Center, 1,900-seat Veterans Memorial Auditorium; conveniently located in the heart of downtown Providence. Convention Center: 137,000 sq. ft. total meeting/exhibit space; main exhibit hall: 100,000 contiguous sq. ft.; 23 meeting rooms and pre-function space; 20,000-sq.-ft. ballroom; accommodates groups 10-5,000; 5,500 hotel rooms in the Greater Providence area, with 2,200 within one mile of Complex. Attractions: Culinary Arts Museum at JWU, Museum of Art at the RI School of Design, Providence Bruins (AHL Affiliate of Boston Bruins), Providence PAGE Performing Arts Center, Providence Place Mall, RI Philharmonic. 63

10 Memorial Boulevard, Providence, RI 02903 (401) 456-0200 www.GoProvidence.com Vice President of Sales & Services: Kristin McGrath, CDME

New York

Rochester Riverside Convention Center

123 East Main Street, Rochester, NY 14564 (585) 232-7200; Fax: (585) 232-1510 www.rrcc.com Executive Director: Joseph A. Floreano, CFE “Do it better at the Rochester Riverside where you and your event are always the center of our attention!” Convenient upstate N.Y. location, scenic Genesee River setting. 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting/exhibition space; 22 meeting rooms; 10,028-sq.-ft. ballroom; 49,275-sq.-ft. main exhibit hall; 5,000-seat theater; dedicated Internet connection over fiber optics; wireless access throughout facility; 1,100+ hotel rooms in a trio of major hotels connect to thevenue, surrounded by entertainment districts with restaurants, cafés, pubs, dance clubs, music halls, theaters. Rochester offers planners a compact conPAGE vention district and New York State’s only one-stop convention facility. 87 80

One Sabin Street, Providence, RI 02903 (401) 458-6000; Fax: (401) 458-6500 www.riconvention.com Senior Director of Sales and Marketing: John J. McGinn, CEM

wide

new jersey

open

Wildwoods Convention Center

4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260 (800) 992-9732; (609) 846-2656 www.WildwoodsNJ.com Director of Sales & Entertainment: John Lynch Where Special Events Happen Offering 260,000 sq. ft. of flexible function space, the Wildwoods Convention Center is adjacent to the shops, eateries and amusement rides of Wildwoods boardwalk and five miles of free beaches. More than 8,000 hotel rooms are located within minutes Whether it’s 5 miles of powdery • Modern amenities of the center, and onsite parking is available for more than 700 vehicles. Groups of white beaches outside — the East • State-of-the-art commu 100-10,000 have at their Coast’s disposal alargest 75,000-sq.-ft. hall with fiberFREEexhibit beaches, or a translucent services glass roof, a 6,600-sq.-ft.260,000 outdoor deck and 11 loading bays. Catering is provided by square feet of flexibly • Catering/concession se Delaware North Companies, a global leader inmeeting/event hospitality and food services. accommodating PAGE The local area is home tospace a variety of sports and nightclubs. inside, thebars Wildwoods Convention Center offers plenty of room for groups to roam!

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

Pick.le n. (pi-kəl):

1. a difficult situation 2. an article of food that has been preserved in vinegar 3. an event requiring a dynamic location… like NOW!

Pittsburgh is that dynamic location!

Need a meeting site fast without being gouged? Don’t know where to turn? Then you are in a pickle! The David L. Lawrence Convention Center can help with our CMP (customized meeting packaging). We know there is more to a meeting than space so let us know your needs; we’ll customize a package for you. Contact Debbie at 412.325.6174 or dsmucker@pittsburghcc.com to resolve your pickle.

1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 | www.greenfirst.us | www.pittsburghcc.com 313,000 sq. ft. of Exhibit spacE | 31,600 sq. ft. ballroom | 53 mEEting rooms

Northeast / New York

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center

Venue: This state-of-the-art metropolitan structure combines soaring steel and glass, cutting-edge technology and efficient services to make the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center the premier venue for meetings and events. Flexibility is a major benefit, as floor-to-ceiling acoustical dividing walls can create up to 10 individual halls, which in turn can accommodate 150 to 5,000 attendees. Various event spaces such as the 15-story Crystal Palace and the River Pavilion provide stunning views that have served as backdrops for 80 major annual tradeshows and conventions, as well as 70 special events every year. A total of 102 meeting rooms round out the convention center’s ability to handle any type of event.

Marketplace for the World

Location: Stretching five city blocks, the Javits Center is located on Manhattan’s West Side with Times Square, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and the Theater District just minutes away and within walking distance. The extension of the 7 Subway will be completed in the coming months and connect the Javits Center to all major transportation hubs in New York City. With three major airports, world-class rail terminals in proximity and more than 100,000 hotel rooms in the NY metropolitan area, the Javits Center is an ideal venue to host an event. Recent Improvements: The Javits Center’s $465 million renovation and expansion project is near completion. We added a column-free, 110,000-sq.-ft. structure known as Javits Center North to the inventory. Among the improvements are a new roof, painting the interior structural space frame, new high-energy efficient rooftop mechanical units, replacement of the curtain wall with new low-e glass, and replacement and upgrade of the main building’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing, lighting and life-safety systems. This is in addition to a 6.75-acre green roof that will be the largest of its kind in the Northeast. The renovation will reduce the facility’s annual energy efficiency by 26 percent, ultimately allowing it to achieve LEED Silver status. We are also entering the final phases of installing a cutting edge and high density WiFi network and an enhanced bandwidth wired (fiber and Cat 6) infrastructure to support interactive multimedia applications and a compelling menu of telecommunication services. Staff: The Javits Center is much more than a versatile space. With more 3,000 skilled professionals, ranging from event solutions managers and in-house service managers to carpenters, cleaners, electricians and teamsters, we strive to make every event a success by raising service standards to a new level. Together, the convention center’s staff works closely with you during every stage of the event —from planning to the grand finale. Meetings and Events: 102 total meeting rooms. The Special Events Hall seats up to 3,200 for meetings and up to 1,700 for banquets. Banquets and Receptions: The Crystal Palace (65,000 gross sq. ft.), River Pavilion (45,000 gross sq. ft.), Special Events Hall (30,000 gross sq. ft.), Javits Center North (80,000 gross sq. ft.). Onsite kitchens are equipped to prepare up to 10,000 meals simultaneously. Registration Area: 65,000 sq. ft., accented with terrazzo floors and soaring glass ceilings. Food Services: Centerplate, our exclusive caterer, is one of the largest hospitality companies in the world with more than 140 venues in North America alone. At the Javits Center, Centerplate offers a range of cuisines at varying price points for meetings — large or small — conferences, banquets, receptions and tradeshows. There are also three permanent and several mobile food kiosks as well as a full-service Starbucks outlet located on the concourse level (next to Super Shuttle). Business Center: FedEx Office, located on the concourse level, is open during show hours and most move-in and move-out days. American Express Open® Business Lounge: Located on the 4E terrace on the south side of the Crystal Palace, the lounge offers American Express Open® card members and those who apply for the card onsite business amenities, such as free WiFi, refreshments, computers and comfortable seating. 82

Vital Facts Total Exhibition Space: 840,000 gross sq. ft. Total Meeting Space: 28,050 gross sq. ft. permanent; 132,000 gross sq. ft. flexible.

655 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001 (212) 216-2335 javitscenter.com

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

Northeast / Rhode Island

Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau

ulinary excellence, a rich history, and the convenience of a walkable downtown make Providence, RI a memorable meeting destination. Known as the Creative Capital, Providence was recently named a top dining destination by readers of Travel + Leisure in its “America’s Favorite Cities” poll. This fall, Saveur magazine named Providence one of the noteworthy small dining destinations in the world, as part of its 2013 Culinary Travel Awards. The city offers an array of arts and cultural offerings for meeting attendees, including multisensory art installation WaterFire, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to Providence. In the heart of downtown Providence lies the Rhode Island Convention & Entertainment Complex — comprised of the Rhode Island Convention Center (RICC), the Dunkin’ Donuts Center and the Veterans Memorial Auditorium (The Vets). The RICC consists of a 100,000-contiguous-sq.-ft. exhibition hall, a 20,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, 23 meeting rooms and the Rotunda Room which provides spectacular views of the city. The Complex is conveniently located within one mile of 2,200 hotel rooms, and a total of 5,500 rooms are available in the Greater Providence area. Ample meeting space, hotel rooms and entertainment options are all within easy reach of the RICC. At one end, it’s connected via skybridge to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, the area’s premier multi-use entertainment events arena. At its other end, the RICC is attached to the 564-room Omni Providence, and Providence Place, a downtown mall that is truly a destination for shoppers. The 14,000-seat Dunk is home to the AHL Providence Bruins and the Big East Providence College men’s basketball team, and hosts sporting events, major concerts, family shows and tradeshows. The Dunk features 31,000 sq. ft. of arena space, a ceiling height of 90 feet, a 25,000-sq.-ft. concourse, a 12,000-sq.-ft. lobby, two party suites, two loges, five meeting/hospitality rooms and more. The Vets is an intimate theater with a grand proscenium stage. This 1,900-seat historic performing arts venue offers superb acoustics and uncompromising sight lines, and now, following a multi-million dollar renovation, a backstage that will leave performers feeling pampered. The Vets also features a spectacular glass-enclosed space that is ideal for hosting elegant corporate events, speaking engagements and more. Rhode Island also offers many unique event venues, such as the opulent mansions of Newport and the stunning RISD Museum in Providence. The museum houses more than 91,000 works of art, ranging from Greek sculpture and French Impressionist paintings to contemporary multimedia art. Nearby Warwick, RI features miles of scenic coastline and additional hotel, dining, shopping and entertainment choices. Warwick’s T.F. Green Airport is only 10 minutes from downtown Providence and was recently named the 4th best airport in the country by Travel + Leisure readers. T.F. Green’s eco-friendly InterLink hub provides passengers with an array of transportation options. Conveniently housing a rental car facility, public transportation options, and rail service to Providence, Boston and beyond, the InterLink offers travelers ease, affordability and accessibility.

10 Memorial Boulevard Providence, RI 02903 (401) 456-0200 GoProvidence.com

The award-winning Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau is eager to work with planners to make their next meeting or convention a success. Whether attendees are exploring exhibit space at a tradeshow or a gallery opening, or meeting in or stepping out on a ballroom floor, they can meet with a new perspective ... in Rhode Island.

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

Northeast / new Jersey

meadowlands exposition center

ith great facilities, nearby sports, plenty of shopping, low hotel rates and the Big Apple only minutes away — why wouldn’t you meet here? Almost any size or any type of group will find the perfect accommodations and hospitality at the SMG-managed Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, NJ. The Meadowlands is only minutes from New York City, the Capital of the World; and it is in relative proximity to three major international airports. Then there are five major hotels within walking distance of the facility with fabulous room rates that are about one third less than New York City’s rates. Finally, rounding out its appeal are a stadium, an arena and even a racetrack three miles away as well as movie theaters and dozens of restaurants. Located in the Harmon Meadow Complex of the Secaucus community, the Meadowlands Expo Center also offers great demographics and it maintains a group-friendly facility with liberal work regulations. This cuts red tape, has added value on planning budgets, and allows planners to hand-carry merchandise and set up their own displays. Technological Capabilities: Technological capabilities at the Center include T1, ISDN, Internet and satellite uplink support. Teleconferencing and simulcasting to other locations are also available. And, on the exhibit floor, the electricity is “flown from the air.” Also of note is a newly designed website that informs the public about upcoming events at the center. This website features the latest technology, allowing the user to access a virtual tour of the facility and gain more specifics about the building, services and the surrounding area. Professional Service: Onsite is a professional staff to work one-on-one with planners with special needs and budgets. Plus, there are event coordinators, in-house decorators and other support personnel to make any event flawless. For food and beverage, the Meadowlands has also renovated and restructured its operations to better suit the individual needs of each event held at the facility. There are three food concession stands, all of which also have been recently renovated. Hotel Partners: Five national chain hotels are within walking distance of the Meadowlands Exposition Center. Together they total approximately 1,000 guestrooms, and there are another 1,500 rooms in the nearby area. Some of the major properties include: Holiday Inn, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, Hyatt and Courtyard by Marriott. Things to See & Do: During free time, meeting attendees can enjoy some 40 restaurants and a wide range of shopping opportunities — including the Secaucus Outlet Center with over 100 shops and the equally popular Jersey Gardens Mega Mall. More than that, the Meadowlands is three miles from New MetLife Stadium Stadium, IZOD Center and the Meadowlands Racetrack; and who would miss out on a short trip to the Big Apple, only minutes away? All in all, this is one of few facilities in the country that has the world’s greatest city at its feet. Transportation: Part of the Meadowlands’ attraction to meeting planners is that it can be easily reached by three international airports: JFK, LaGuardia and Newark International Airport. And, only 12 minutes from the facility is the Teterboro Jetport. For driving enthusiasts, Newark is also in proximity to major interstates including the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway. Also, both the New York and New Jersey transit system schedule stops right at the door.

Vital Stats For groups that range from 5,000 at a banquet to a tradeshow with almost 400 exhibit booths, the Meadowlands Exposition Center offers: • 61,000 sq. ft. of contiguous, dedicated exhibit space with 20-ft. ceilings • Accommodations for 336 large exhibit booths or 392 standard booths • Two drive-in doors and four loading docks on street level for easy access • Seating for up to 6,000 attendees, concert or theater-style • Catering for up to 5,000 people • Large, all-purpose lobby for registration, receptions or additional exhibit space • 6,000 free parking spaces • Five carpeted meeting rooms totaling 3,578 sq. ft.

355 Plaza Drive Secaucus, NJ (201) 330-7773 mecexpo.com

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

1-888-400-EXPO (3976)

COME IN AND TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR AT www.mecexpo.com

355 Plaza Drive Secaucus, NJ 07094 • 201-330-7773 • sales@mecexpo.com

• THREE CONCESSION STANDS

• CATERING CAPABILITIES FOR UP TO 5,000

• SOLAR PANELS INSTALLED TO REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION

• MULTIPURPOSE, CARPETED LOBBY WITH BOX OFFICE

• GREEN, ENVIORMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE FACILITY

• EXHIBIT DECORATOR MAINTAINS WAREHOUSE ON SITE

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

 61, 000 s q. ft . of c ont iguous , obst r uct ion -f r ee exhibit s pac e  20- f oot high c eilings  3, 128 s q. f t. of divis ible s em inar r oom s wit h air walls  Two dr iv e- in doors wit h f our loading doc ks  110/ 220/ 480 elect r ic power , f lown fr om t he air for v er s at ility  Wir eles s inter net, t elephone, wat er and c om pr es s ed air Capac ity f or: 392 8x 10’ boot hs 336 10x 10’ boot hs 6, 000 s eats t heatr e st y le 5, 000 s eats s port ev ent s t y le 3, 500 s eats banquet s ty le

A flexible floor plan solution for all of your event needs

WE’ V E WOR KE D WI T H A DI VE RS E C US TO ME R B AS E. HO W CA N WE HE LP Y O U?

The Meadowlands Exposition Center offers one of the most complete and convenient facility packages in the northeast region. By offering the drawing power of the Metropolitan area, your event, exhibitors and attendees can all take advantage by booking your event at an affordable price.

THE RIGHT FACILITIES. THE RIGHT LOCATION. THE RIGHT PRICE.

 FREE PARKING

OUTSTANDING LOCATION / JUST FIVE MILES FROM MANHATTAN COST EFFECTIVE / HIGH VALUE DEDICATED EVENT COORDINATORS EASY ACCESS FROM MAJOR HIGHWAYS MINUTES AWAY FROM NEWARK LIBERTY AIRPORT SURROUNDED BY HOTELS AND SHOPS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

M E C I S Y O U R E C O N O M I C A L A LT E R N AT I V E T O N Y C …

      

Northeast / NEW YORK

Rochester Riverside Convention Center

onveniently located in the heart of Rochester, NY, the Rochester Riverside Convention Center enjoys a scenic setting on the Genesee River with outdoor patios and balconies providing wonderful views. It also offers the convenience of enclosed walkway connections to large hotels and parking garages. Technological Features: Located in a community known around the world for its high-tech expertise, the Rochester Riverside gets high marks for handling all types of technology needs. The Riverside Convention Center has upgraded to a dedicated Internet connection over fiber optics to meet all of the growing number of technical requirements our customers have. This service is available wireless throughout the facility and is scalable from 5 MB to 1 GB.

Other Features: “We routinely offer services not found at most other convention centers,” says Executive Director Joseph A. Floreano, CFE. “One example is our in-house food and beverage operation, including two pastry chefs. In addition, our Riverside Productions and Riverside Catering divisions can even assist groups utilizing space in other places throughout the region. Basically, we are New York State’s only one-stop convention facility.” With Rochester’s 12 colleges and universities, world-famous corporations, and growing number of high-tech firms, there are also plenty of local speakers and other resources available from this combination of educational, business and research expertise. Personalized service and a can-do attitude are additional features that meeting planners really appreciate. According to Dr. Steven E. Schopp, Executive Administrator of the New York State School Music Association, “What I most enjoy about working with the Rochester Riverside Convention Center — aside from a general professionalism that is the rule rather than the exception — is the friendly, positive attitude of staff at every level. These are people I like to work with and that, combined with a first-class facility, make the Riverside an outstanding convention venue.” Hotel Rooms: More than 1,100 rooms in a trio of major hotels connect with the Rochester Riverside Convention Center to create a compact convention district in the center of the city. There is a 362-room Rochester Plaza; 465-room Radisson, which has completed a $6 million renovation of its facility; and a 336-room Hyatt Regency. Delegates also enjoy the convenience of walking between hotels and the Convention Center in minutes using the enclosed skywalk system or scenic riverside walkway.

New York state’s only one-stop convention facility

Pier 45: Experience the eclectic atmosphere of Pier 45. Rochester Riverside’s newest dining experience, located on the city’s spectacular waterfront along the shores of Lake Ontario. You’ll find everything from a light tapas-style menu to a full dinner service, large-scale gourmet desserts, a fully stocked custom bar and an inviting veranda that accommodates both planned events and impromptu get-togethers. Nearby Attractions: Several entertainment districts surround the Rochester Riverside with restaurants, cafés, coffee houses, pubs, dance clubs, music halls, theaters and more. Rochester also boasts numerous museums, including the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography & Film, the Susan B. Anthony House and the acclaimed Strong National Museum of Play. Destination Features: Rochester is the northern gateway to the magnificent Finger Lakes region with its rolling hills, lush valleys and 11 namesake lakes. It is also a region becoming famous for its more than 100 vineyards, excellent wines and numerous “wine trails.” With the recent addition of the New York Wine and Culinary Center in nearby Canandaigua, the wineries and farmer’s markets of the Finger Lakes region offer delegates meeting in Rochester wonderful day-trip options for pre- or post-conference enjoyment. Distance to Airport: The Greater Rochester International Airport — 150 flights daily — is an easy, stress-free, 10-minute drive from the Rochester Riverside Convention Center’s front door. 86

123 East Main Street Rochester, NY 14564 (585) 232-7200 Fax: (585) 232-1510 www.rrcc.com

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

The perfect place to meet Rochester, New York

Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 50 or 5,000 attendees, the Rochester Riverside Convention Center is perfect for your meeting or convention.

585.232.7200 â&#x20AC;˘ www.rrcc.com

Northeast / New Jersey

THE WILDWOODS CONVENTION CENTER

one-of-a-kind, year-round multi-purpose facility located in southern New Jersey, the Wildwoods Convention Center is ideal for meetings, concerts, public shows and of course, conventions. Situated directly on the world-famous Wildwoods Boardwalk, and offering breathtaking beach and ocean views, this state-of-the-art, 260,000-sq.-ft. location stands as one of the most unique venues on the entire East Coast. With configurable exhibit, ballroom, meeting and pre-function space, as well as a staff of experienced event-planning professionals, the Wildwoods Convention Center is perfect for gatherings of 100 or 10,000. A quick look inside, however, and it’s easy to see that flexibility isn’t all that makes this state-of-the-art location so special. Rising high above the Convention Center’s 75,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall, a magnificent translucent flexible fiberglass Teflon roof provides a unique canopy over all the action below. At the back of the Convention Center, a windowed floor-to-ceiling wall opens to a stunning 6,600-sq.-ft. outside deck overlooking the beach. Along the east and south side of the exhibit hall, dramatically large windows present amazing oceanfront vistas. For those in the mood for a stroll between gatherings, a boardwalk extension connects guests right to the water’s edge. Outside, 11 loading bays, onsite parking for over 750 vehicles and plenty of additional parking nearby lend a distinct logistical advantage. When it comes to feeding its guests, the Wildwoods Convention Center provides incomparable event catering, food service and concession needs. Whether it’s an event requiring four-star cuisine, a black-tie charity gala or simply a fun food affair, Delaware North Companies, the Center’s exclusive catering service group, is able to exceed the demands of even the most discriminating tastes. A global leader in hospitality and food service, Delaware North has earned a reputation for serving fine quality, innovative cuisine and providing impeccable service at some of the world’s premier sports, entertainment, resort and banquet venues. Impressive as the Center may be on the inside, it might just be what attendees discover right outside the doors that really sets this ultra-modern facility apart. With over nine million visitors each year, the Wildwoods are one of the top family vacation destinations in America. The area offers a colorful combination of surf, sand, sights and sounds that’s been drawing families for generations — all ready to enjoy before, during and after meetings. Often voted as among the best in the country, the Wildwoods’ beaches are considered by many to be some of the most beautiful on the Atlantic Coast, not to mention among its largest. Stretching on for five spacious miles, Wildwoods’ beaches offer plenty of room for everything from surfing to boogie boarding to body surfing to reading in the shade. Even better, unlike most seashore resorts today, the Wildwoods beaches are absolutely free to enjoy. Sitting majestically atop the Wildwoods’ spectacular beaches is the world-famous Wildwoods boardwalk. Aptly called “two miles of smiles,” it’s packed from end to end with food, souvenirs, unique shops, arcades, carnival-style games of chance and more amusements than Disneyland — including world-class roller coasters and three beachfront waterparks. Complementing all of the chills and thrills are over 400 tasty eateries serving everything from traditional fair and fresh seafood to gooey, sweet and crunchy treats of every variety. After the sun goes down, the Wildwoods come alive with neon-lit action and excitement. Relax with friends at one of Wildwoods’ many dance clubs, Irish pubs, lounges, sports bars or hot spots. When it’s time to turn in for the night, the Wildwoods have accommodations to fit virtually every taste and budget — over 8,000 hotel, motel and bed and breakfast rooms in all — located within minutes of the Wildwoods Convention Center. For those seeking more traditional accommodations, the Wildwoods also have a variety of condominium and apartment options.

WHERE SPECIAL EVENTS HAPPEN

4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260 (800) 992-9732 WildwoodsNJ.com

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

virginia

Chesapeake Conference Center

900 Greenbrier Circle, Chesapeake, VA 23320 (757) 382-2500 www.chesapeakeconference.com Executive Director: Troy Thorn It All Happens Here Located 15 minutes from Norfolk International Airport, the Chesapeake Conference Center is an elegant multipurpose entertainment, conference and banquet facility housing 37,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including the 20,000-sq.-ft. Ward Ballroom, two promenades totaling 14,000 sq. ft., and 10-plus meeting rooms. Sales and service specialists help planners design, coordinate and execute events, from meal planning to décor to entertainment. Tech features include 22 high-speed ports throughout and free WiFi. Within walking distance are 650 moderately priced hotel rooms. The Center is located in the Greenbrier Corridor PAGE of Chesapeake, offering many shopping and dining options within one mile.

The Mid-Atlantic

virginia

maryland

VisitNorfolk

Roland E. Powell Convention Center

Located in the heart of the Virginia waterfront, this compact meetings destination features hotels and convention facilities suited for any need. Norfolk has a sparkling waterfront dotted with trendy restaurants, arts districts, museums, attractions and shopping. Getting around is easy with Virginia’s first light rail system, The Tide. The city offers 5,400 rooms and 500,000 sq. ft. of total meeting space including Norfolk Waterside Marriott, Sheraton Norfolk Waterside, Norfolk Plaza, Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center, the Norfolk Scope and more. Attractions: MacArthur Center Mall, Chrysler Museum Glass Studio, Hermitage PAGE Foundation Museum, Norfolk Tides AAA Baseball and Virginia Zoological Park. 6

Ocean City, Maryland offers some of the world’s best golf courses, a free beach, seasonal festivals, and fishing. Its contemporary convention center is currently expanding to 214,000 sq. ft. of meeting/ exhibition space with 25 meeting rooms including two executive boardrooms; a 45,000-sq.-ft. Main Exhibit Hall (76,000 sq. ft. total exhibit space); and a 30,000-sq.ft. Grand Ballroom with 35-ft. ceilings and panoramic bay-views. Offers wireless Internet and 1,000+ free parking spaces. Ocean City Information & Welcome Center onsite; catering and beverage services; 9,500 hotel rooms and 29,000 rentable PAGE condos. Located 28 miles from Salisbury-Ocean City Airport.

232 East Main Street, Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 664-6620; (800) 368-3097 Fax: (757) 622-3663 www.visitnorfolktoday.com Vice President of Sales and Marketing: Donna Allen

4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842 (800) 626-2326; Fax: (410) 289-0058 www.ococean.com Director of Sales & Marketing: R. Frederick Wise, CHAE

Virginia

Greater Richmond Convention Center

403 North Third Street, Richmond, VA 23219 (804) 783-7335 www.richmondcenter.com Director of Sales & Marketing: Linné DiIorio Where Virginia Meets the World The Greater Richmond Convention Center is Virginia’s largest meeting and exhibition facility. The contemporary facility features 178,159 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, a 30,550-sq.-ft. Grand Ballroom, 50,000 sq. ft. of additional meeting space and a 258-seat, auditorium-style lecture hall. Wireless Internet access is available throughout facility and webcasting options are available. There are 650 hotel rooms adjacent to the center with thousands more nearby. The Historic Richmond PAGE Region encompasses more than 400 years of American heritage. 38

Facilities &Destinations

Meetings/Tradeshows/Exhibitions/ Convention Centers/CVBs/Hotels/ Resorts/Conference Centers

Virginia

Virginia Beach CVB

2101 Parks Avenue, Suite 500, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 (757) 385-4700; (800) 700-7702; Fax: (757) 437-4747 www.VisitVirginiaBeach.com/meetings Vice President of Convention Sales & Marketing: Al Hutchinson Recognized for its great value and commitment to hospitality, Virginia Beach is centrally located on the East Coast, just 20 minutes from Norfolk International Airport and Amtrak, with more than 10,000 hotel rooms citywide and 7,000 rooms within three miles of the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Planners have endless options for fresh seafood and dining, downtown shopping, entertainment and unique offsite venues including Oceanfront, Chesapeake Bay and Town Center areas of the destination. The LEED-certified Virginia Beach Convention Center features a 150,000 sq. ft. column-free exhibit hall, 31,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, 29,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and over 2,200 free parking spaces. PAGE 31

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

THE FACILITIES MEDIA GROUP Essential Planning Tools 89

Mid-Atlantic / Virginia

Chesapeake Conference Center

oney magazine ranked Chesapeake as one of the country’s top 100 best places to live, and a great place to live also makes for a great place to visit.

Chesapeake’s central location in the mid-Atlantic is within a day’s drive of two-thirds of the U.S. population. Served by interstate highways, an international airport in neighboring Norfolk, and two executive airports nearby, Chesapeake is easy to get to and impossible to forget. If you thought that having breathtaking Coastal Virginia as the backdrop for your next meeting was as good as it gets, think again. Add in delightful shopping, an amazing variety of restaurants, lively festivals and more than 112,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and you end up with one unbeatable event destination. The award winning Chesapeake Conference Center is located in the Greenbrier corridor of Chesapeake within a mile of the city’s best shopping and entertainment, adjacent to the Chesapeake Marriott, just 15 minutes from Norfolk International Airport, and two minutes from Interstate 64. Once here you will find ample free parking for quick and easy access to the building. An elegant multipurpose entertainment, conference and banquet facility, the Chesapeake Conference Center is capable of handling all types and sizes of events, from family celebrations to corporate conventions, casual gatherings or black tie affairs. Our talented culinary staff ensures exceptional cuisine through a variety of meal options for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as concessions for sporting events and concerts. Our spacious 20-ft. ceilings and a warm neutral palette throughout offer a perfect backdrop for endless décor possibilities that can be tailored to match the mood of any event. All 39,000 sq. ft. of the Center are equipped with the latest audiovisual technology, dedicated high speed connectivity, and free (yup, seriously! — free) WiFi access. For tradeshows the center can handle up to 200 exhibit booths. Our professional sales team of event planners will be delighted to assist with all the catering, service and equipment needs for every event. From meal planning, décor design, to entertainment, we take the stress out of doing it all yourself. The location. The amenities. The personal service. It all happens here. Call the Chesapeake Conference Center today at (757) 382-2500 to learn how we can transform your next event from ordinary to extraordinary.

900 Greenbrier Circle Chesapeake, VA 23320 (757) 382-2500 chesapeakeconference.com

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

Mid-Atlantic / MARYLAND

Roland E. Powell Convention Center EVERYTHING’S BETTER AT THE BEACH!

specially when that beach is in Ocean City, Maryland. Ocean City, MD is “The East Coast’s Number One Family Resort,” with waves of activities and events. With 10 miles of white sand and waves, a three-mile boardwalk, nightlife, 17 championship golf courses, restaurants, shopping and more, there’s no end to the fun when the meetings are over. And in addition to our great beach, Ocean City’s Roland E. Powell Convention Center is getting even better. The center is currently expanding to add 14,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, as well as renovating and expanding the Grand Ballroom by 18,000 sq. ft. and offering 25 meeting rooms, giving you more options for your next conference, as well as beautiful panoramic bay views. The expansion will be complete this fall and the well-equipped convention center will be fully functional in the meantime. The center also features onsite food and beverage service along with full-service catering by Centerplate, a veteran convention staff, free WiFi service throughout the center, and free parking for more than 1,000 cars and buses. Ocean City offers business travelers a choice of accommodations, including 9,500 hotel rooms and more than 29,000 rentable condos; of these, 4,850 are year-round committable rooms.

4001 Coastal Highway Ocean City, MD 21842 (800) 626-2326 www.ococean.com

Every season offers a reason to make your next meeting a vacation. So plan your next convention in Ocean City, where you’ll find everything you want — whether you’re in meetings or on the beach. For more information, contact the Ocean City Convention Center’s sales team at (410) 289-2800 or (800) OC-OCEAN or visit ococean.com.

GO FROM BOARDROOM TO BOARDWALK. Ocean City, MD's Roland E. Powell Convention Center is the perfect site for your conference or convention and now offers even more options for your next event. • 214,000 sq. feet of flexible space

• Beautiful panoramic bay views

• Newly renovated ballroom and expanded exhibit space

• Full-service catering with customizable menus

• 25 meeting rooms

• Waterfront promenade and outdoor terrace, perfect for receptions

• New 1,200-seat performing arts center coming Winter 2015

Ocean City, MD is just a short drive from most major East Coast cities and offers a variety of accommodations, including 9,500 hotel rooms and 25,000 rentable condos. And after your event is over, be sure to enjoy OC's 10 miles of free beach, threemile boardwalk, 17 championship golf courses, restaurants, nightlife, shopping and more!

FOR BOOKING INQUIRIES AND INFORMATION:

OCMDCONVENTIONCENTER.COM OCO-2014-18737 Facilities_&_Destinations_2013_7x4.75.indd 1

1-800-OC-OCEAN

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

3/24/14 11:41 AM

Mid-Atlantic / Virginia

Virginia Beach CVB

meeting destination that rivals many others, Virginia Beach is the perfect balance of coastal charm and big-city amenities. Offering a plethora of unique and exclusive meeting locations, such as the Virginia Beach Convention Center, the nautical city is the ideal location to bring people together year-round. With a primary focus on providing extraordinary service, the sales and service staff is ready to accommodate any need and has the tools and facilities to make every meeting a success. Virginia Beach offers venue options for planners who want to step out of the ordinary and venture into the extraordinary. Boasting the first convention center in the country to achieve LEED® Gold Certification for Existing Buildings, the resort city continues to elevate industry standards for sustainability. This world-class facility features more than 500,000 square feet of space, including a 150,000 square foot, column-free exhibit hall, 29,000 square feet of meeting space, and a 31,000 square foot ballroom. The exhibit hall - divisible by four - features 40-foot ceilings along with 10-foot by 10-foot grids permanently etched into the floor to facilitate exhibit set-up. Each of the four hall subdivisions are supported by services including: meeting room suites, concessions, and pre-function and registration spaces. Manned by experienced professionals, the facility offers competitive rates and is situated just blocks from one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most beautiful beaches. At the Virginia Aquarium, discover a distinctive venue for parties, special events, business functions and more. From an intimate, sit-down dinner for 20 of your closest friends to a cocktail reception for 2,000 of your best customers, the Virginia Aquarium can accommodate any event. The cultural centerpiece of the city, the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts is in a class by itself. A performing arts venue with theatre-style seating for 1,300, the Sandler Center proudly boasts a Grand Lobby, perfect for catered events. Flanked by grand staircases and illuminated by an exquisite chandelier, the three-story lobby is an ideal place for a banquet or reception. During your event, step outside of the Sandler Center and enjoy a performance in the facility’s outdoor performance plaza, capable of accommodating up to 400 guests. The Virginia Beach CVB not only prides itself on excellent venue options but on the services offered by a welltrained and experienced staff always prepared to provide exceptional service to meeting planners. Planners can now get acquainted with the staff via the “Meet the Team” feature on the Virginia Beach Meetings website. Unique and distinctive photos and bios are designed to express all of the individual personalities comprising the dynamic group of people that work to create meetings and events unlike any other. When the meetings are over, Virginia Beach is the perfect getaway for adventure lovers year-round. For those who enjoy an active lifestyle, Virginia Beach offers a variety of sports, fitness and outdoor activities. The city has more than 18,600 acres of state parks and wildlife refuges, over 121 navigable miles of waterways and 35 miles of ocean and bay beaches to explore. Just minutes from the oceanfront, Town Center rises with upscale shopping, dining and entertainment, providing the perfect urban downtown experience. Other local attractions include The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium, Edgar Cayce’s Association for Research & Enlightenment and the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art to name a few. Planners have endless options for fresh seafood and dining, downtown shopping, nautical fun and entertainment. Centrally located, Virginia Beach is a mere 20 minutes from Norfolk International Airport, with multiple daily departures and non-stop destinations, and 45 minutes from Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. It is a four-hour drive from Washington, D.C., and seven hours from New York City and also can be reached via an Amtrak station in the neighboring city of Norfolk. With more than 10,000 hotel rooms citywide and over 7,000 rooms located within 3 miles of the convention center accommodation options are plentiful.

Smart Facts • The destination offers over 10,000 hotel rooms citywide and more than 7,000 rooms located within 3 miles of the convention center. • Attractions in the city range from outdoor wildlife adventures to performing and contemporary art shows. • Virginia Beach is the first destination in the Commonwealth to be certified by the Virginia Green campaign with more than 120 hospitality businesses located within the city – including restaurants, accommodations, events and attractions – now certified. • Virginia Beach offers 35 miles of pristine beaches and mild year-round temperatures

2101 Parks Ave., Suite 500, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 • (757) 385-4700; (800) 700-7702 • VisitVirginiaBeach.com/meetings 92

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

alabama

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex

The Southeast

2100 Richard Arrington Boulevard North Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 458-8400; Fax: (205) 458-8438 www.bjcc.org Director of Sales and Marketing: Susette Hunter Alabama’s largest convention facility, one of the best values in the South, offers 220,000 sq. ft. meeting/exhibition space including a 111,000-sq.-ft. main exhibition hall, 174,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 74 meeting rooms, 15,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, 18,000-seat arena, 2,800-seat concert hall. 3,800-sq.-ft. broadcast studio – live TV capabilities, satellite uplink capabilities. Medical Forum: 10-story tower features high-tech meeting rooms, fully-equipped demonstration lab. 1,000 hotel rooms nearby. Attractions: Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, award-winning Robert Trent Jones Golf trail courses. PAGE 95

georgia

north carolina

The Classic Center

300 North Thomas Street, Athens, GA 30601 (706) 208-0900 www.classiccenter.com Director of Sales: Maureen Baker Be Impressed The Classic Center convention center and performing arts theater in vibrant downtown Athens completed its $24 million expansion in February 2013. The expansion doubled the size of the center’s exhibit hall to 56,000 sq. ft. and included construction of a new 8,000-sq.-ft. atrium. The center can now accommodate groups of up to 6,000. Overall function space of 110,590 sq. ft. includes a 55,610-sq.-ft. main exhibit hall and a 17,000-sq.-ft. ballroom. The theater seats 2,100. With 2,443 hotel rooms citywide, Atlanta is home to the Georgia Museum of Art, State Botanical Garden of Georgia, 55 restaurants, and 40 PAGE taverns and nightclubs. 45

Georgia

285 Andrew Young International Boulevard NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 (404) 223-4200 www.gwcc.com Director of Sales: Mark Adams The Complex that Makes Event Planning Simple The Georgia World Congress Center, the fourth-largest convention complex in North America, features 1.4 million sq. ft. of prime exhibit space, 12 exhibit halls, 104 meeting rooms, three auditoriums and two grand ballrooms, including the 1,744-seat Sidney Marcus Auditorium and 33,000-sq.-ft. Thomas Murphy Ballroom. New, state-of-the-art digital signage will be installed at the GWCC, which is adjacent to the Georgia Dome and Centennial Olympic Park. The campus is also in proximity to the CNN PAGE Center, Philips Arena, the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola. 10

alabama

One South Water Street, Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 208-2001 www.mobileconventions.com Director Sales & Marketing: Cheryl Ann Gee Service, Style, Success Winner of numerous architectural awards, the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center takes full advantage of its waterfront setting with outdoor terraces, riverwalks and expansive riverfront windows affording panoramic views from pre-function areas. The facility offers 319,000 sq. ft. of function space, including a 100,000-sq.-ft. Main Exhibit Hall, 15,000-sq.-ft. ballroom and 18 breakout rooms. Mobile Bay is home to numerous unique attractions such as USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park, the Gulf Coast PAGE Exploreum, Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Civil War Trail and more. 97

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

301 West Morgan Street, Durham, NC 27701 (919) 956-9404 www.durhamconventioncenter.com General Manager: Jennifer Noble Downtown Durham’s Premier Meeting & Event Destination The Durham Convention Center offers 35,000 sq. ft. of flexible space to accommodate from 5-1,500 meeting attendees. The venue houses a 14,500-sq.-ft. Grand Ballroom, a 1,800-seat theater and eight meeting rooms that can be converted into 17. The Durham Convention Center is located steps away from the Carolina Theater and near the Durham Performing Arts Center, a nationally respected arts center. Attendees can enjoy unique restaurants, shopping, art galleries, museums or a baseball game at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. A 189-room Marriott is available for groups, and a PAGE 125-room 21C hotel and 53-room Durham Hotel are opening soon. 38

Florida

Georgia World Congress Center

Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center

Durham Convention Center

Miami Beach Convention Center

1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 14303 (305) 673-7311; Fax: (305) 673-7435 www.MiamiBeachConvention.com Director of Sales and Marketing: Ileana Garcia Spanning four city blocks of palm tree-lined streets and located in the heart of the electrifying and historic South Beach/Art Deco District, the Miami Beach Convention Center is truly an event planner’s paradise. With white sandy beaches just a few blocks away, terrific Lincoln Road shopping, awardwinning restaurants and an exciting nightlife scene, the Convention Center is the choice for your next meeting, convention or tradeshow. Function space includes 502,000 sq. ft. of total exhibit space split into four halls, a 21,252-sq.-ft. ballroom, 70 breakout rooms and a 430-seat theater. The Convention Center is surrounded by 3,000 walkable PAGE hotel rooms and is just 11 miles from Miami International Airport. 35

Louisiana

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

900 Convention Center Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 19107 (504) 582-3023 • www.mccno.com Director of Sales: Keith Levey Any Meeting, Any Size Located within walking distance of the Warehouse/Arts District and the historic French Quarter, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center houses 140 meeting rooms located directly above 1.1 million sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, a 4,000-seat conference auditorium/theater, two ballrooms, three restaurants and a VIP dining suite. The 60,300-sq.-ft., column-free Great Hall, with 25,400 sq. ft. of pre-function space, debuted last year. Additional features of The Great Hall include the 4,660-sq.-ft. Rivergate Room, complete with a 4,400-sq.-ft. rooftop terrace and indoor balcony, and a 5,700-sq.-ft. PAGE Mosaic Room. The Louis Armstrong International Airport is just 14 miles away. 65 93

Southeast / alabama

BIRMINGHAM-JEFFERSON CONVENTION COMPLEX

he Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex is Alabama’s foremost convention, meeting and entertainment center. Events and meetings of all types can be accommodated in its five buildings: Arena, Concert Hall, Theatre, Exhibition Halls and Ballroom. The complex also includes a large center piazza used for outdoor events. The Exhibition Halls cover 220,000 sq. ft. of generous space for presenting expansive tradeshows and exhibitions. For smaller tradeshows or exhibitions, the halls are divisible into seven different configurations. The Convention Complex also offers full catering service for any size group. The onsite caterer offers everything from casual box lunches to elaborate cocktail receptions and formal dinners. Two skywalks and an interior corridor stretching over 1,000 feet connect the BJCC exhibition halls, meeting rooms and arena with the adjacent 757-room Sheraton Birmingham Hotel. Alongside the Sheraton is the all-new Westin Birmingham Hotel, complete with 294 rooms which connect to the Sheraton via skywalk. These luxury hotels combine to offer a total of 1,051 rooms and provide convenient access for patrons attending conventions, meetings or events. The BJCC has an Uptown Entertainment District that includes eight restaurants with cuisines from upscale fine dining to good southern cooking to a premier coffee shop with full service bar. They even have a flavor south of the border. The BJCC offers videoconferencing, satellite teleconferencing, in-house Ethernet for event use, microwave and satellite connectivity, wireless access to an exhibitor network, as well as a fully staffed, broadcast-quality studio with pre- and postproduction capabilities.

DETAILS •Total Exhibition Space = 220,000 sq. ft. with 20-30 ft. ceilings •Number of Meeting Rooms = 90 •Largest Ballroom = 15,552 sq. ft. •Banquet Seating Capacity = 8,800 seats •Event Space = 2,800seat Concert Hall, 1,000-seat Theatre and 18,000-seat Arena

2100 Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard North Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 458-8400 www.bjcc.org

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex 205.458.8400 | www.bjcc.org

220,000 Exhibition Space | 90 Meeting Rooms Now Open! UpTown Entertainment District | www.uptownbham.com

Southeast / Georgia

Georgia World Congress Center

he Georgia World Congress Center opened its doors in 1976 as the first state-owned and operated major convention center in the United States, featuring 350,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space. Today, the facility’s exhibit space spans 1.4 million sq. ft., making the GWCC the fourth-largest convention complex in North America. In 2010, Frank Poe, a 38-year convention center veteran from Dallas, was appointed as the second Executive Director of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, whose campus also includes the Georgia Dome and the iconic Centennial Olympic Park. At the GWCC, planners have at their disposal 12 exhibit halls and 104 meeting rooms. The GWCC houses two ballrooms: the 33,000-sq.-ft. Thomas Murphy Ballroom, seating 2,560 for dinner and 4,500 in theater mode, and the 25,722-sq.-ft. Georgia Ballroom, seating 2,010 for dinner and 3,680 in theater mode. The latter features theatrical AV and a balcony overlooking the West Plaza and Georgia Dome. Also available is the 1,744-seat Sidney Marcus Auditorium and a 34-seat Executive Boardroom with teleconferencing and table connections for broadband and AV.

285 Andrew Young International Boulevard NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 (404) 223-4200 www.gwcc.com

ONsite is the GWCC’s in-house AV provider, and Convention Center Long Distance (CCLD) is the exclusive telephone and Internet provider. Anywhere within the GWCC campus, CCLD can install phone, modem and high-speed Internet lines. Levy Restaurants, an F&B industry leader, is the exclusive caterer. Among many dining options at the GWCC, Levy manages Terraces Restaurant, a fine-dining establishment available for private functions. The GWCC and Levy Restaurants donate over 30,000 lbs. of leftover food to a local food bank every year. Sustainability is a key initiative at the GWCC. In 2013, the facility increased the amount of single-stream recycling collected and diverted from landfills by 12 percent over 2012, and partnered with Sterling Planet to offer clients the opportunity to offset the electrical consumption of their events with renewable energy credits and to offset the carbon associated with attendee travel. Apart from its outstanding meeting facilities and service providers, the GWCC offers groups a prime location in downtown Atlanta, near the CNN Center, Philips Arena, the Georgia Aquarium and the World of CocaCola. Part of the GWCC campus is the 21-acre Centennial Olympic Park, which features a 1,200-seat amphitheater, lush landscaping, fountains, monuments and attractions. It’s an ideal place for attendees to recharge between sessions. There are nearly 30 hotels within one mile of the GWCC, offering groups lodging options in a variety of price points. Major choices include the 1,569-room Atlanta Marriott Marquis, the 1,070-room Four Diamond Omni Hotel at CNN Center and the 495-room Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia. 96

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

Southeast / alabama

Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center

he Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center anchors a lively downtown offering world-class accommodations, lush parks and squares, retail shops, restaurants, museums and art galleries. The 300,000-sq.-ft. Center offers 18 meeting rooms, two ballrooms, and two exhibit halls totaling 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space. Winner of numerous architectural awards, the Center takes full advantage of its superb waterfront setting with terraces and riverwalks, while the prefunction area’s expansive windows afford magnificent views of passing ships on the Mobile River.

The Center has also mastered the requirements of accessibility, flexibility and liberally placed amenities to accommodate a variety of conventions, meetings, trade and consumer shows. From service-corridor access to conveniently located registration lobbies, the state-of-the-art facility offers all services necessary to ensure the success of every event. Within walking distance are six hotels that offer more than 1,100 sleeping rooms, including the AAA Four Diamond, 363-room Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel, which is connected via SkyWalk to the Convention Center. Accommodations include reasonably priced hotel chains, a historic inn, a bed & breakfast and a modern high-rise. Three regional airports service the Mobile Bay area: Mobile Regional Airport, Pensacola Regional Airport and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. All three airports are within driving distance of the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center. Mobile Bay is home to numerous one-of-a-kind attractions for guests to discover, including Alabama’s top-rated USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park and the Gulf Coast Exploreum and IMAX Theater. The beautiful Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Alligator Alley, 5 Rivers: Delta Resource Center, Hank Aaron Stadium, Civil War Trail, Oakleigh Historic District and several museums are also favorites of our visitors. In addition, the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf Coast opened last fall. Attendees can now enjoy more than 90 exhibits dedicated to the Gulf Coast’s rich maritime traditions. Guests can also play on several award-winning golf courses. Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

One S. Water Street, Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 208-2100 mobileconventions.com

Florida

Kentucky

Owensboro Convention Center

Orange County Convention Center

501 West 2nd Street, Owensboro, KY 42301 (270) 687-8800; Fax: (270) 687-8959 www.owensborocenter.com Director of Sales & Marketing: Laura A. Alexander

West Concourse - 9800 International Drive; South Concourse - 9899 International Drive; North Concourse - 9400 Universal Blvd. Orlando, FL 32819 (407) 685-9800; (800) 345-9800, Fax: (407) 685-9876

www.occc.net

Senior Director/Sales, Marketing, Event Management & Exhibitor Services: Yulita Osuba

The nation’s second-largest convention facility, featuring seven million sq. ft. of combined meeting and public space in two remarkable facilities. 74 meeting rooms, 235 breakout rooms; 62,182-sq.-ft. multi-purpose room; 2,643-seat Chapin Theater and a 160-seat lecture hall. 2.1 million sq. ft. of exhibition space, 1.1 million sq. ft. of which is contiguous; two 92,000-sq.-ft. general assembly areas; three full-service restaurants; eight food PAGE courts; and three business centers. Surrounded by 115,000 hotel rooms. 101 Florida

Georgia

Palm Beach County Convention Center

Visit Savannah

650 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 366-3000; (561) 366-3030 www.pbconventioncenter.com Director of Sales and Marketing: Maria Walker Conveniently located in downtown West Palm Beach, just minutes from I-95, Florida’s Turnpike and Palm Beach International Airport, the Palm Beach County Convention Center houses a 100,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall, 22,000-sq.-ft. ballroom and 21,000 sq. ft. of flexible breakout space divisible into 19 rooms. An award-winning culinary department presents the finest F&B service. High-tech features include a 5MB Internet connection, 52-in. LCD screens and exhibit-floor fiber optic connections. Nearby attractions include CityPlace, a $600 million shopping, dining and entertainment complex; the nationally acclaimed PAGE Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts; and Worth Avenue. 37

101 East Bay Street, Savannah, GA 31401 (877) SAVANNAH; (912) 644-6424; Fax: (912) 644-6499 www.SavannahMeetings.com www.SavannahVisit.com VP Business Development & Services: Jeff Hewitt Savannah is a convention city capable of hosting large, high-level meetings, conventions and special events. Welcome to Savannah, est. 1733, waiting to charm you with tree-filled squares and perfectly preserved historic buildings. Savannah has the capacity to accommodate large groups in its convention, exhibit and meeting facilities, the largest being the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center. Total event space: 330,000 sq. ft.; exhibit space: 100,000 sq. ft.; ballroom: 25,000 sq. ft.; pre-function space: 6,600 sq. ft.; meetings rooms: 13; 14,000 hotel rooms citywide. PAGE 103

Mississippi

Florida 23-46

The Owensboro Convention Center is a new, state-of-the-art, multipurpose meeting facility located on the banks of the Ohio River. The facility boasts 92,000 sq. ft. of usable space consisting of a 44,000-plussq.-ft. exhibition hall, and over 48,000 sq. ft. of additional ballroom and meeting spaces. The center will also feature a large outside space that overlooks the Ohio River. There are 270 rooms located within one block and more than 1,100 rooms within a five-mile radius. Attendees can explore the International Bluegrass Music Museum, the Owensboro Museum of Science and History, the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art and Western Kentucky Botanical Gardens. PAGE

11/10/08

Sun Life Stadium

5:28 PM

Page 29

Vicksburg Convention Center

347 Don Shula Drive, Miami, FL 33056 (305) 943-6316 www.sunlifestadium.com Special Events Manager: Cara Cambria Make Your Event as Legendary as Our MEETING &Venue EVENT PLANNERS... Sun Life Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins andDATA? spectacular events, offers NEED MARKET 24,000 sq. ft. of prime meeting space (up to four meeting rooms) and more than 100,000 sq. ft. of total exhibit space including a 48,000-sq.-ft. main exhibit hall. Six hundred theater seats can be accommodated in each of the four meeting spaces; audiovisual and WiFi available. Sun Life Stadium is equidistant from Miami International Airport and Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Recent events include a Monster Truck Show, Jazz In The Gardens Festival and the PAGE SunCon Trade Show. 23

1600 Mulberry Street, Vicksburg, MS 39183 (601) 630-2929 www.vicksburgccevents.com Sales and Marketing Manager: Julie Ford Going Beyond Your Expectations! Located in a scenic Mississippi River city, the Vicksburg Convention Center offers over 50,000 sq. ft. of function space, including 25,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space (17,000-sq.-ft. main exhibit hall), a 2,400-seat theater and 10 breakout rooms. The entire facility is equipped with WiFi and all meeting rooms have audiovisual equipment preset. Surrounding the center are 2,526 hotel rooms. Attendees can visit Vicksburg National Military Park, numerous casinos, the historic downtown, Outlet Mall and antebellum homes. Outdoor recreation and outstanding southern PAGE cuisine are highlights of Vicksburg. 105

NORTH CAROLINA

Wilmington Convention Center

THE #1 SOURCE FOR PROFESSIONAL PLANNERS OF CONVENTIONS, MEETINGS, ENTERTAINMENT & SPECIAL EVENTS.

Need to research venues for your event or meeting? Facilitiesonline has the most up-to-date news, information and listings available. The best part is, it’s all on a user-friendly, easily accessible website. The #1 News & Information Sourceneeds! One-stop shopping for all your market research for Booking Agents, Promoters, Talent Buyers & Special Event Planners

Facilities & Destinations 98

CONFERENCE

Comprehensive Directory of Conference Centers,

515 Nutt Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 (910) 251-5101 www.businessmadecasual.com Sales & Marketing Manager: Holland Soucy Business Made Casual At 107,000 sq. ft. of total space, Wilmington Convention Center is the largest convention venue on the North Carolina coast. Opened in 2010, the LEED-certified FOR YOUR NEXT CONVENTION OR MEETING, LOOK TO THE CIT Y Center regularly hosts state and regional conventions, social events and banquets THAT IS THE NBA’S NEXT JEWEL IN THE CROWN. catered by SAVOR. Facilities include a 30,000-sq.-ft. Exhibit Hall, 12,000-sq.-ft. WHERE A STREAMLINED AIRPORT AND LACK OF TRAFFIC GrandMEAN Ballroom 15,000 ft.THE of pre-function space, a 12,000-sq.-ft. event lawn YOU’REplus IN FAST. ANDsq. WITH BEST RESTAURANTS ANDft. NIGHTLIFE JUSTspace. A FEW MINUTES’ WALK and 5,784 sq. of meeting Local attractions include The Battleship North FROM YOUR HOTEL, YOU’RE OUT EVEN FASTER. Carolina, the Henrietta III Paddleboat, and Wilmington Water Tours, IT’S OUR MEET & GREET, OUR NICE & EASY. OUR PAGE complementing more than 200 downtown shops and 40 restaurants.

A F G M L

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

Southeast / LouisiANA

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

he impressive 1.1 million-sq.-ft. New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, which so perfectly complements the city’s walkable hotel packages, is now more attractive than ever to groups large and small. In recent years, the Center has undergone $140 million in upgrades including a 60,300-sq.-ft. divisible Great Hall ballroom, 25,400-sq.-ft. multi-use pre-function space, 4,660-sq.-ft. junior ballroom, complete with a 3,420-sq.-ft. rooftop terrace, a 980-sq.-ft. indoor balcony and a 5,700-sq.-ft. executive club lounge, and hotellike appointments throughout. A new pedestrian plaza provides a grand sense of arrival to all attendees and serves as a seamless connection to New Orleans’s famous walkable hotel packages. The Convention Center’s vast lobby features comfortable furniture groupings in over 150,000 sq. ft. of space for registration, information kiosks and sponsor banners. Attendees will enjoy learning the origins of unique New Orleans words via an interactive QR code on the “Word Wall.” The lobby’s decorative banners feature iconic New Orleans images of art, music, food, history and architecture, and purple-coated “Fleur de Lis Ambassadors” greet attendees at every entrance. The Center — the sixth largest convention center in the nation — boasts a 1 gigabyte fiber optic Internet backbone that is 100 percent redundant, providing meeting planners with unlimited technological opportunities to extend programming to attendees and exhibitors. Comfortable furniture groupings and digital, flat-panel audio/video information systems are strategically placed throughout the main lobby, meeting room levels and in pre-function areas. In addition, key card access and fully integrated, digital signage system with screens were implemented in all 140 meeting rooms and throughout public space. Our highly qualified and experienced production team offers a full menu of integrated services for all of your lighting, audio, video and rigging needs in-house or to support your selected contractor. The Center offers a full suite of HD video equipment for a variety of satellite broadcast, presentation or recording formats and the trained personnel to design, capture and edit your program onsite. The Convention Center’s full-service UPS Store provides show management, attendees and exhibitors a full range of services including large-image, onsite printing of meter boards, directional signs and banners; inbound and out-bound small package handling; and a satellite mobile kiosk for printing, packing and shipping. The Center’s food service contractor, Centerplate, is committed to providing the essence of the New Orleans food experience, operating three onsite restaurants featuring live local music and menus of iconic Louisiana dishes by award-winning chef Donald Link. Every amenity at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is conveniently located under one roof: 140 meeting rooms located directly above 1.1 million sq. ft. of exhibit space, a 4,000-seat theater, 60,300-sq.-ft. column-free Great Hall, 30,000+ sq.-ft. ballroom, onsite business center, three restaurants and a VIP dining area. And, in walking-friendly New Orleans, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is literally just steps away from the Warehouse/Arts District and the historic French Quarter, where the old-world charm of fine restaurants, firstclass hotel rooms and unique cultural experiences are around every corner.

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

900 Convention Center Boulevard New Orleans, LA 19107 (504) 582-3023 www.mccno.com 99

Southeast / FLORIDA

Orange County Convention Center

ORLANDO’S ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER UNLOCKS THE SECRET TO MEETING SUCCESS: It’s simple: superb hospitality, flawless service and total convenience. These elements define the attendee experience, affecting how they feel, how well they’re able to network and how they perceive the event as a whole. If any one of them falls short, so does the event. One venue that recognizes this reality is Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center (OCCC). Here, tropical ambiance and colossal space (seven million sq. ft. in two buildings, connected by an open-air pedestrian walkway) are just the beginning. The OCCC also offers an outstanding level of service — one that has cemented the Center’s position among the world’s premier meeting and tradeshow destinations. OCCC SERVICES: OCCC’s broad offering of show management and exhibitor services, ranging from catering to telecommunications, is considered one of the finest in the convention industry, and contributes to the Center’s reputation as one of the best places in the country to hold a meeting. The Center’s marketing executives and sales managers are dedicated to providing clients with an experience that is flawless from beginning to end. For every size and type of event, these seasoned professionals provide solutions that exceed everyone’s expectations, and will ensure that your needs are communicated efficiently during the client-servicing process. OCCC’s event managers are certified meeting professionals with the highest level of industry experience. They will assist show managers with planning the logistical details of their convention, tradeshow or special event. Serving as the main conduit for OCCC communication and information — before, during and after the show — these dedicated team members ensure the most complete, productive and enjoyable experience for both show planners and attendees. For the optimum exhibitor experience, OCCC show managers and exhibitors turn to the Center’s exhibitor services department. Individual exhibitor service representatives assigned to every OCCC event will ensure total satisfaction. Beyond the services offered on the show floor, this team can provide custom Web pages hosted by the OCCC, bonus amenities for your Top 20 exhibitors, and coordination of pre-event meetings. For maximum convenience, the OCCC’s exhibitor mobile connection brings the capabilities of a service desk directly to the show floor, where roaming EMC representatives will respond to exhibitor requests on the spot, so they never have to leave their booths for assistance. OCCC’S PARTNERS: The OCCC is proud to be the only convention center in the country to partner with one of the world’s most famous theme parks — Universal Orlando Resorts®. With offices onsite, Universal Orlando Resort® is always available to help show management and their exhibitors plan dynamic entertainment and events. From theme park tickets to private events at the theme parks, plus entertainment and networking opportunities at a variety of amazing onsite venues, OCCC’s Gold Key Partner will help make any Orlando meeting experience unforgettable. OUR CONNECTIONS KEEP GETTING BETTER: Orlando, Florida, a city already renowned for its world-class hospitality, entertainment and business offerings, has added to its appeal with a number of new developments in the Orlando County Convention Center district. New pedestrian bridges now conveniently connect groups to 5,098 luxury hotel rooms and exciting entertainment and dining options. 100

West Concourse 9800 International Drive South Concourse 9899 International Drive North Concourse 9400 Universal Blvd. Orlando, FL 32819 (407) 685-9800 (800) 345-9800 Fax: (407) 685-9876 www.occc.net

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

BUILDING FOR THE

$187.5 MILLION INVESTMENT IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS In February 2013, the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando embarked on a five-year plan to refurbish its 2.1 million sq. ft. facility.

SEATING New furniture groupings throughout concourse areas offer attendees a more comfortable and relaxing place to rest and regroup.

DIGITAL SIGNAGE A new sponsorship opportunity awaits show management with the roll out of dozens of digital advertising screens.

TO LEARN MORE: On these Capital Improvement Projects and to discover what the Orange County Convention Center can do for you, call our Sales Department at 1-800-345-9845 or e-mail marketing@occc.net .

DESTINATION LOUNGE Cutting edge destination lounges will provide technology-focused and sophisticated networking and rejuvenation environments.

occc.net

Southeast / georgia

Visit Savannah

eet in Savannah for a one-of-a-kind experience that mixes historic architecture, cultural attractions, coastal cuisine and scenic beauty with successful conventions, meetings and special events. Savannah’s eclectic sophistication will enthrall your attendees, and 22 park-like, moss-draped squares placed throughout Historic Downtown will make them feel relaxed and focused. Elegant accommodations within blocks of abundant meeting venues make gatherings in Savannah a step above the rest. Select Savannah as your host city and your event attendance is sure to increase. The Savannah International Trade & Convention Center, situated on the Savannah River, offers a modern, spacious venue for your next meeting, convention or special event. With a total of 330,000 sq. ft., the facility offers 100,000 sq. ft. of prime exhibit space and 50,000 sq. ft. of flexible space. Up to 21 breakout rooms are in the space, including 13 meeting rooms, four executive boardrooms, a 25,000-sq.-ft. grand ballroom and a state-of-the-art auditorium. A 45-by-30 ft. hanger door allows large equipment and aviation-oriented tradeshows to be displayed in the center’s exhibit hall. Additional meeting facilities located throughout downtown Savannah include the Coastal Georgia Center and the Savannah Civic Center.

101 East Bay Street Savannah, GA 31401 (877) SAVANNAH (912) 644-6424 SavannahMeetings.com SavannahVisit.com

There are a variety of convention hotels throughout Savannah including The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa (403 rooms), Savannah Marriott Riverfront (383 rooms), Hyatt Regency Savannah (347 rooms) and the Hilton Savannah Desoto (246 rooms). Nearly 5,000 rooms are available at various hotels in the Historic Meetings District and more than 15,000 total hotel rooms in the greater Savannah area. All hotels and meeting spaces in the Historic Meetings District are located within walking distance to numerous high-style boutiques, galleries, restaurants and more. Located just 20 minutes from downtown, the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is one of the busiest in the Southeast. With 35 daily non-stop flights via American, Delta, Jet Blue, United and US Airways from Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington DC, it’s easier to get here than ever before. The low-cost CAT shuttle and DOT shuttle are available for quicker travel, including a direct route from the airport to downtown. As one of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in the country, many of our visitors prefer to explore Savannah by foot, taking time to enjoy the details. With more than 45 cultural attractions, Savannah draws meeting attendees craving a diverse experience. Trolley, Segway and walking tours covering history, hauntings, architecture and food will fill down time with excitement and entertainment. Meeting attendees also are sure to enjoy Savannah’s palate-pleasing, coastal cuisine and farm-totable fare served at restaurants throughout the city. As your host city, we will work closely with Savannah’s hospitality industry and business community to meet and exceed your requirements. Our Southern hospitality combined with the array of services found in Savannah will help you create an expertly executed event for any size group. We look forward to welcoming you! To plan your meeting in Savannah today, contact Jeff Hewitt at (912) 644-6416 or at JHewitt@VisitSavannah.com. 102

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

Southeast / florida

Sun Life Stadium

ome of the Miami Dolphins and University of Miami Hurricanes, Sun Life Stadium has hosted five Super Bowls, two World Series, four BCS National Championship Games, the NFL Pro Bowl, Wrestlemania, World Cup Friendlies and other spectacular events. Global concert tours such as U2, Madonna, Jay Z and Justin Timberlake have taken center stage here and, in 2014, One Direction will be added to this list of renowned acts. This legendary venue is also an ideal setting for corporate and social events, as well as tradeshows and product launches.

Make Your Event As Legendary As Our Venue

Its Club Level has stunning floor-to-ceiling windows similar to those found on cruise ships and a lush interior featuring HD televisions, comfortable seating, multiple meeting rooms and luxury restrooms. Guests arriving to the stadium walk through the Grand Plaza where they are greeted by the majestic statue of Hall of Fame Quarterback Dan Marino. They then enter through the hotel-like lobby that has high ceilings, polished tiled floors and oversized TVs that broadcasts the event logo or a personalized message. The Club Level has 24,000 sq. ft. of premium space (one quadrant) but a total of 96,000 sq. ft. between all four quadrants. This flexible space can accommodate banquets, theater-style meetings, stages and runways, as well as booths for tradeshows. Additional display space is available on other levels of the stadium. The property also has audiovisual equipment and WiFi. Planners looking for a unique setting or experience are able to draw on the excitement of the very exclusive Miami Dolphins Locker Room, the Gallery of Legends museum or the LIV Sun Life nightclub. The Dolphins Locker Room, which has also served as the locker room for Super Bowls and College Football Championships, is awe-inspiring for all who step into it. For a truly unforgettable experience, each locker is personalized with the guestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name along with their very own jersey. After dressing up in their Dolphins gear, they can enjoy teambuilding activities. The Gallery of Legends is another distinctive venue complete with memorabilia including the Super Bowl trophies, Don Shulaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desk as he left it upon retiring and other Hall of Fame items. Enjoy a tour or host a breakfast, lunch or dinner in this historic setting. Add a Dolphins legend as a speaker to make it that much more special. Another unique area that is available for events is the LIV Sun Life nightclub, which is modeled after the famous LIV nightclub in the Fontainebleau Hotel on Miami Beach. Overlooking the field, LIV Sun Life features two premium bars, eight cabanas, a DJ booth, state-of-the-art party lights and a dance floor. This nightclub is perfect for unwinding with colleagues or guests after a day of meetings or for hosting a reception or party. Sun Life Stadium is conveniently located between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Both international airports are a short 20-minute ride and most major tourist hotspots are no more than 30 minutes away.

347 Don Shula Drive Miami, FL 33056 (305) 943-6316 sunlifestadium.com

Learn more about this legendary venue at SunLifeStadium.com or by sending an email to specialevents@dolphins.com or calling (305) 943-6316. 104

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

Chillax!

Meet in Vicksburg!

Call our sales team today 866.822.6338 vicksburgevents.com

ohio

John S. Knight Center

The Midwest

77 East Mill Street, Akron, OH 44308 (330) 374-8900; (800) 245-4254; Fax: (330) 374-8971 www.johnsknightcenter.org VP of Sales: Dirk Breiding The Center of All America® City Akron – set among the rolling hills of the Old Connecticut Western Reserve and along the shores of the Ohio and Erie Canalway. The John S. Knight Center is downtown Akron’s showcase for great events. State-of-the-art video conferencing and streaming systems, onsite skilled support/service staff, full-service catering; 16 meeting rooms; 12,000-sq.-ft. ballroom; 30,000-sq.-ft. exhibition hall (41,000 sq. ft. total exhibit space); 12,000 sq. ft. of banquet space; an additional 12,600 sq. ft. of meeting space; 22,000-sq.-ft. lobby, highlighted by distinctive glass rotunda and spiral staircase; two hotels – 339 rooms – PAGE within 1 1⁄2 blocks; 5,400 county-wide. 73

INDIANA

IOWA

Bridge View Center

102 Church Street, Ottumwa, IA 52501 (641) 684-7000 www.bridgeviewcenter.com Executive Director: Larry Gawronski Where Great Events Create Lifetime Experiences Located along the banks of the Des Moines River, the 92,000-sq.-ft. Bridge View Center features a 30,000-sq.-ft. multi-purpose exposition hall, five breakout rooms totaling 7,000 sq. ft. and a 665-seat theater. Bridge View Center offers pipe, drape, tables, skirts and linens for up to 120 tradeshow booths; plentiful free, onsite parking; and a riverfront plaza just outside the atrium-style lobby. Approximately 500 convention/guest hotel rooms are available. Located ust across the river lies downtown Ottumwa with a variety of quality hotel accommodations. Nearby attractions include the Beach Ottumwa, America Gothic House, PAGE Wapello County Museum, Antique Air Museum and Wapello County Trails. 107

Iowa

Clay County Regional Events Center

800 West 18th Street, Spencer, IA 51301-3156 (712) 580-3000; Fax: (712) 580-3003 www.SpencerEvents.com General Manager: Scott Hallgren Delivering Outstanding Experiences Spencer, Iowa ... delivering outstanding experiences in a small-town location! Each September we’re home to the World’s Greatest County Fair. The Clay County Regional Events Center offers full-service facilities — 7,600-sq.-ft. Grand Ballroom, divisible into six meeting rooms, and a 24,000-sq.-ft. arena/exhibit hall (130 10 ft.-by-10 ft. booths, seats 2,500; 31,580 sq. ft. total exhibit space); wireless Internet throughout. AV equipment located onsite; in-house lighting package featuring special up-lighting, decoPAGE rative lights, and other special effects or impact lighting. 249 hotel rooms nearby. 110 Kansas

United Wireless Arena and Conference Center

4100 West Comanche, Dodge City, KS 67801 (620) 371-7390 www.unitedwirelessarena.com Executive Director: Rick Reno We’re Entertaining the Southwest at United Wireless Arena and Conference Center Built in one of the Wild West’s most historic areas, the United Wireless Arena and Conference Center is a $40.3 million multipurpose facility that offers a 6,800-sq.-ft. ballroom, 23,800 sq. ft. of exhibit space, eight breakout rooms and a 4,000-seat arena. The Conference Center is equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual and WiFi. Nearby attractions include the adjacent Boot Hill Casino, Horse Thief Reservoir, Dodge City Raceway Park, Legends Park, Historic Santa Fe Depot and Dinner Theater, Santa Fe National PAGE Historic Trail Ruts and the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame. 112 106

Century Center South Bend

120 South St. Joseph Street, South Bend, IN 46601 (574) 235-9711 www.centurycenter.org Director of Sales & Marketing: Crista Tompson Unique Architecture. Exceptional Experiences. The Century Center, built on the banks of the West Race canal, overlooks the St. Joseph River and is attached to the 11-acre Island Pavilion, completed in May 2013, as well as the 292-room DoubleTree by Hilton, renovated in 2013. The Century Center features over 75,000 sq. ft. of convention space, including a 25,000-sq.-ft. Convention Hall that can be split into two smaller halls, 41,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, a 700-seat theater, 16,640-sq.-ft. ballroom and 18 meeting rooms. The 12,000-sq.-ft. Discovery Ballroom can be separated into two equal halls. Free basic WiFi available. Main entrance renovated in 2013, lighting PAGE retrofit completed in 2013 and carpet replacement completed in 2014. 109

ohio

Greater Columbus Convention Center

400 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 827-2500; (800) 626-0241; Fax: (614) 827-2659 www.columbusconventions.com A Perfect Destination: From the Inside Out. The SMG-managed Greater Columbus Convention Center is located in the heart of the Columbus High Five entertainment area, within 550 miles of two-thirds of the U.S. population. Exhibitor-friendly facility welcomes 2.5 million+ annually to the country’s 15th largest city. 1.7 million-sq.-ft. venue offers four contiguous exhibit halls (410,000 sq. ft. total exhibit space), 65 meeting rooms, three ballrooms – including 74,000-sq.-ft. Battelle Grand, the largest multipurpose ballroom in Ohio. Onsite Food Court & Shops, ARAMARK catering, The UPS Store & Business Center. 2,950 committable hotel rooms downtown; 23,952 citywide. Dozens of restauPAGE rants, bars, theaters and galleries within walking distance. 13 iowa

Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau

400 Locust Street, Suite 265, Des Moines, IA 50309 (800) 451-2625 www.catchdesmoines.com Director of Sales: Margie Marble Greater Des Moines is an affordable, accessible destination offering state-of-the-art facilities, including the Iowa Events Center and 417-room Des Moines Marriott Downtown. The Center houses 226,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, a 150,000-sq.-ft. main exhibit hall, 28,800-sq.-ft. ballroom and 37 meeting rooms. Construction will begin in fall 2015 on a 450-room convention hotel. Major local attractions include the Court District (entertainment venues; farmers’ market), Prairie Meadows, Adventureland Park, Iowa Hall of Pride, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Blank Park Zoo, Science Center of Iowa & Blank PAGE IMAX Dome Theater and Des Moines Performing Arts. 21

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

“Where great events create lifetime experiences!”

Theater 

665 Seats



2 star dressing rooms, choral dressing room and green room.



30 line fly rail with 1500 lbs. max.



ETC Express 24/28 lighting console.

Expo Hall/Arena 

Capacity 2,500



30,000 sq. ft.



32 ft. high ceilings



Newly expanded overhead door 23 ft. wide x 14 ft. high Bridge View Center provides all catering and concession needs with their onsite kitchen. Wireless internet is available throughout the building. The facility is managed by VenuWorks, a full-service facility management company with over 50 venues across the country.

102 Church Street Ottumwa, Iowa 52501 Phone: 641.684.7000 Fax: 641.684.6305 www.bridgeviewcenter.com

Indiana

missouri

Indiana Convention Center

Kansas City Convention Center

The Indiana Convention Center is surrounded by 7,100 hotel rooms by major brands such as Marriott, Westin, Hyatt, Hilton and Conrad. The walkable downtown is in proximity to more than 200 restaurants and clubs, as well as such points of interest as the State Capitol, Union Station, Circle Centre Mall, Victory Field and Bankers Life Fieldhouse. A recent $275 million expansion of the Center nearly doubled its size to offer 566,600 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space in 11 halls, as well as 71 meeting rooms, 49 loading docks and three ballrooms. Connected to the center is Lucas Oil Stadium, offering an PAGE additional 183,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and 12 meeting rooms.

An energetic city forged by a rich history, Kansas City has a central location, is highly affordable and is brimming with eclectic cuisine, swinging jazz, one-of-a-kind museums, a thriving arts scene and fantastic shopping. 1 million-sq.-ft. Kansas City Convention Center accommodates everything from mid-sized meetings to citywide conventions – 388,800-sq.-ft. column-free exhibit space, 142,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 46,484-sq.-ft. state-of-the-art Grand Ballroom, 48 meeting rooms. Arena houses 7,316 permanent seats, 2,405 seats on risers plus capacity for 1,000 theater-style on main floor. 946 guestrooms PAGE nearby; 3,500 downtown hotel rooms, 26,000 citywide. 116

100 South Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46225 (317) 262-3400 www.ICCLOS.com Director of Sales and Marketing: Linda Addaman

301 West 13th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105 (800) 821-7060; Fax: (816) 513-5001 www.kcconvention.com Director of Sales: Gemma Zook

115

wisconsin

arkansas

Monona Terrace Convention Center

Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau

426 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 370-3224; Fax: (501) 374-2255 www.littlerock.com VP Marketing and Communications: John Mayner A capital city with a national airport, Little Rock offers non-stop or one-stop service from most of the U.S. and many international cities, as well as more than 9,000 hotel rooms citywide. Its Statehouse Convention Center Ballroom offers nearly 83,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and the 18,362-sq.-ft. Wally Allen Ballroom. The downtown River Market entertainment district is adjacent to the Convention Center. What is more, Little Rock CVB’s Convention Services department has recently teamed-up with Marketing and Communications to assist meeting planners with attendance stimulation through PAGE customized, technologically cutting-edge strategies. 27

Minnesota

iowa

RiverCenter/Adler Theatre

136 East Third Street, Davenport, IA 52801 (563) 326-8500; Fax: (563) 326-8505 www.riverctr.com Director of Sales: Kaye Tilton, CMP . . . The Center of Exceptional Events. Experience the light and industrial feel of the RiverCenter and the appeal of the historic Art Deco Adler Theatre. 100,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space includes 12 meeting rooms, a 33,400-sq.-ft. ballroom, 46,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, executive boardroom, and a 2,400-seat theater. State-of-the-art audio-visual equipment; entire facility wireless ready. Personalized event coordination, in-house catering. 351 hotel rooms attached via sky-walk. Davenport is part of the The Quad Cities, an affordable Midwest destination. Attractions include River Music Experience, Figge Art Museum, PAGE Bucktown Center for the Arts. 119 Missouri

Sanford Center

1111 Event Center Drive NE, Bemidji, MN 56601 (218) 441-4001 www.thesanfordcenter.net Convention Sales Manager: Kristi Anderson It IS the Region’s PREMIER Event Space! Founded in 2010, the Sanford Center is a 185,000-sq.-ft., 5,000-seat multipurpose facility located in Bemidji, northern Minnesota’s hub of social, cultural and recreational events. Its George W. Neilson Conference Center houses a 10,000-sq.-ft. ballroom and four Lakeview Rooms spanning 4,000 sq. ft. with panoramic views of Lake Bemidji’s south shoreline. The Sanford Center offers groups an in-house Event Design group and in-house AV rigging equipment. A connected 121-unit Country Inn & Suites opened April 2014. Nearby attractions include the Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox roadside statues, headwaters of PAGE the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park, and Lake Bemidji State Park. 41

south dakota

St. Charles Convention Center

Swiftel Center

One Convention Center Plaza, St. Charles, MO 63303 (636) 669-3000; Toll Free (877) 896-7222; Fax: (636) 669-3001 www.stcharlesconventioncenter.com Director of Sales & Marketing: Bill Nicely The St. Charles Convention Center is an exceptional venue for your next successful event. The facility’s 154,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space encompasses a Grand Ballroom, Junior Ballroom and 17 breakout rooms. Total exhibit space of 76,533 sq. ft. includes a 27,600-sq.-ft. Exhibit Hall that expands to 35,700 sq. ft. A new wireless network can simultaneously accommodate over 2,000 devices. The Center is attached to a 296-room Embassy Suites; 578 hotel rooms are within walking distance and 1,422 within five minutes. Local attractions include Historic Main Street shopping and dining, Anheuser Busch PAGE Brewery, Six Flags Amusement Park, Ameristar Casino and Hollywood Casino. 38

108

One John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53703 (608) 261-4100; Fax: (608) 261-4049 Sales/Event Services Manager: Laura Cornell, CMP www.mononaterrace.com Where business and inspiration meet. Located in heart of Madison’s vibrant downtown on the shore of Lake Monona. Frank Lloyd Wright-designed, spectacular five-level structure features public promenades, meeting rooms with striking lake views, extensive rooftop gardens and the attached 240-room Hilton Madison (1,000+ rooms within walking distance); 250,000 sq. ft., including 85,000 sq. ft. of meeting/exhibit space; 23 meeting rooms; 40,000-sq.-ft. main exhibit hall; 5,540-sq.-ft., 320seat Lecture Hall; 14,000-sq.-ft. ballroom. The 68,000-sq.-ft. of rooftop gardens available for events. Wireless access throughout – Internet 2 access; business center, gift shop, PAGE art/exhibit area and expansive areas for registration/information needs. 118

824 32nd Avenue, Brookings, SD 57006 (605) 692-7539 www.swiftelcenter.com Director of Sales & Marketing: Jenny Hammrich Midwest Hospitality at Its Best The Swiftel Center has established itself as one of South Dakota’s premier event centers for meetings and entertainment. Over 40,000 sq. ft. of function space includes a 30,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall, a 7,000-sq.-ft. ballroom and six breakout rooms. In-house catering service available. Surrounding the center are 567 hotel rooms. Nearby attractions include South Dakota State University Division 1 Athletics, Children’s Museum of South Dakota, South Dakota Ag Heritage Museum and South Dakota Art Museum. PAGE 71

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

Century Center Convention Center Unique Architecture. Exceptional Experiences.

574.235.9711

ď §

CenturyCenter.org

75,000 Square Feet of Flexible and Unique Meeting Spaces

Connected to the 291-room DoubleTree by Hilton Located in the heart of downtown South Bend

C E N T U RY C E N T E R

SOUTH BEND

MidWest / ohio

Greater Columbus Convention Center

he SMG-managed Greater Columbus Convention Center is strategically located in the center of the country, Ohio, ColumbUS, and a vibrant entertainment district. Located within a one-hour flight or a day’s drive of the majority of the nation’s population, the 1.7 million-sq.-ft. facility is one of the busiest in North America, the proud recipient of multiple Prime Site Awards and other accolades, and has become the venue of choice for clients from across the street and around the world. Owned and developed by the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, the Greater Columbus Convention Center will embark on a full-scale exterior and interior renovation later this year that will significantly enhance the guest experience. The venue currently offers 410,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, 65 meeting rooms and 114,000 sq. ft. of ballroom space, including magnificent 74,000-sq.-ft. Battelle Grand, known as the largest multipurpose ballroom in Ohio, which includes five different configurations, 24,000 sq. ft. on the mezzanine, floor-to-ceiling windows and a signature LEDceiling lighting system capable of projecting thousands of different color combinations to augment the event décor. The Grand Ballroom measures 25,000 sq. ft., while the Terrace Ballroom offers 15,000 sq. ft. of space. The four contiguous exhibit halls encompass 336,000 sq. ft. with dozens of loading docks and an exhibitor friendly environment augmenting the move-in experience. ARAMARK is the exclusive facility caterer, with the popular Food Court & Shops being the home of quick-service food establishments, unique shops and exhibitor service providers. Our parking garages and surface lots now feature new ticketing systems to enable faster, smoother transactions, especially upon exiting. The GCCC offers 3,370 parking spaces. Construction of an additional multi-level parking garage commencing later this year to replace an existing surface lot will bring available onsite parking spaces to more than 4,000. The venue is connected by enclosed walkway to the Hyatt Regency, Drury Inn, The Lofts, Crowne Plaza and Hilton hotels. The Greater Columbus Convention Center is just minutes from Port Columbus International Airport and nestled across from the Short North Arts District, home of the monthly Gallery Hop and annual HighBall Halloween: Masquerade on High. Just west of the facility is the Arena District, which includes Nationwide Arena — the host of a variety of internationally known performers and the Columbus Blue Jackets National Hockey League team — as well as an array of restaurants, live music venues and Huntington Park, named “Ballpark of the Year” upon its debut, and where the Columbus Clippers Triple A baseball team plays. The convention center offers free WiFi in meeting rooms and public spaces and a variety of amenities ranging from Scooterbug rentals and massage chairs to SegAway Tours of Columbus and two Welcome Centers staffed by friendly concierges within the building. Columbus is the first community to be designated an Experience Dedicated™ Destination (EDD) by The EXPERIENCE Institute. Guests can complete a quick five-question survey about their visit to our city or scan the Quick Response Code (QR Code). Many of our employees have successfully completed the Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) program, which enhances both customer-service skills and provides a wealth of information regarding our city’s history, attractions and amenities to share with our guests. Digital meeting room and exhibit hall show office signage, new public bicycle racks, a CoGo bicycle-sharing program station near the facility, a business center operated by our own staff, mobile-device charging stations and complimentary mobile applications developed for Android, iPhone and iPad devices, with branded, premier and custom options are available. All meeting room tables are now dressed with complimentary table cloths, while meeting rooms and ballrooms now feature hotel-quality solid wood doors that operate in conjunction with our magnetic lock system.

400 North High Street Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 827-2500 (800) 626-0241 columbusconventions.com

The Greater Columbus Convention Center already welcomes 2.5 million guests throughout the year, and with our complete facility renovation to commence later this year, we’re excited about the future in ColumbUS!

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MidWest / iowa

Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau

atch Des Moines. Breathtaking venues. Thai chicken pizza. An artful vibe, sculpture and live jazz music. Everything you expect to find in a city. Big box stores. Boutique gems. Des Moines is a city where you can do it all.

Catch the “suite” spot. The Iowa Events Center’s trio of meeting and event spaces is perfection for any group. HyVee Hall, connected to the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, boasts the state’s largest ballroom, 150,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and 37 meeting rooms — suited for anything from conventions and tradeshows to sporting events. Connected via skywalk is Wells Fargo Arena at Iowa Events Center, a 17,100-seat venue for sports action, entertainment and other unique ventures. Catch four miles of climate control. Downtown Des Moines’ network of skywalk links hotels and restaurants to various meeting and entertainment destinations. Stroll the skywalk from the luxurious and intimate Suites of 800 Locust Hotel & Spa to a world-renowned restaurant to a Broadway show at the Des Moines Civic Center. Stay at the Embassy Suites Des Moines Downtown. Then browse local Historic East Village shops in the open air. Host a group outing on the Principal RiverWalk, which opened June 2013. The 1.2-mile loop is linked to Gray’s Lake, a center for 300 miles of trails winding throughout Central Iowa. Also connected are landscaped public spaces, public art and other points of interest such as the Long Look Garden, Brenton Skating Plaza and the Hub Spot. Des Moines is thrilling entertainment. Catch live horse-racing, big name shows, casino gaming and event space within one property. Prairie Meadows has everything you need, from luxurious rooms to catering and entertainment — and anything in between! Catch rollercoaster waves at Adventureland amusement and water park, equipped with private gazebos and intimate cabanas. Keep it casual with a catered picnic lunch. Or grab a bite at the nearby, world famous Jethro’s BBQ ‘n Jake’s Smokehouse Steaks. Try your fortune with the Adam Emmenecker Challenge as seen on the Travel Channel’s Man v Food. Then experience Iowa’s outdoor legacies at Bass Pro Shops for afternoon amusement. With a little free time, head to the Western suburbs. Prime shopping. Department stores. Vintage finds. Browse the charming railroad district of Historic Valley Junction. Peruse street front shops within West Glen Town Center. Hit up both local loves and national chains at Valley West Mall and Jordan Creek Town Center. Des Moines is delicacies. Local flavor. Meat and potatoes. The Chicken Spiedini at Latin King — an Iowa best kept secret. A juicy porterhouse steak at 801 Chophouse, cooked to perfection. The biggest cinnamon roll you could ever imagine — catered in from the Machine Shed. Assemble the crowd and sample the citrusy and piney Des Moines India Pale Ale, plus other craft beers at Confluence Brewing Company. Catch triple-A lineups. A ballgame April through September with the Iowa Cubs, Des Moines’ minor league baseball affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Arena football March through July with the Iowa Barnstormers. Or a race weekend June through September at Iowa Speedway, including two NASCAR Nationwide weekends. Host your event overlooking the action — each with its own one-of-a-kind view. Or catch a behind-the-scenes tour for an unforgettable experience.

400 Locust Street, Suite 265 Des Moines, IA 50309 (515) 286-4960 (800) 451-2625 catchdesmoines.com

Des Moines is a meeting planner’s haven. A family excursion. A couple’s retreat. Des Moines is everything you don’t expect to find in a city. Des Moines is a city where you can catch it call. Catch Des Moines.

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MidWest / indiana

Indiana Convention Center

ith $3 billion in new tourism-related infrastructure, Indianapolis offers a world-class destination for major conventions, meetings and events. Its centerpiece is the Indiana Convention Center (ICC), which recently underwent a $275 million expansion that nearly doubled its size to 566,600 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space in 11 halls. Also available are 71 meeting rooms, three ballrooms and 49 loading docks. Connected to the ICC is Lucas Oil Stadium, offering an additional 183,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, 12 meeting rooms, a retractable roof, and seating for 63,000. Whether your event is a reception, a convention or a tradeshow, the ICC is the ideal venue for an unforgettable experience. The ICC is located in the heart of downtown, and over half of the city’s nearly 7,100 hotel rooms are within six blocks of the facility, many connected by climate-controlled walkways. The city’s hotel portfolio includes upscale brands such as Marriott, Westin, Hyatt, Hilton and Conrad, with the largest property being the 1,005-room JW Marriott Indianapolis with 104,227 sq. ft. of meeting space. A short walk from any of the downtown hotels is White River State Park, where attendees can spend their free time. Indianapolis’ walkable downtown is accessible to more than 200 restaurants and clubs. Also in proximity are the State Capitol, Union Station, Circle Centre Mall, Victory Field, Bankers Life Fieldhouse and, of course, Lucas Oil Stadium, home field for the Indianapolis Colts and site of the 2012 Super Bowl. “The Racing Capital of the World” is also home to the 101-year-old Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its Hall of Fame Museum, both National Historic Landmarks. Basketball is another traditional sport here, and the legendary Hinkle Fieldhouse is the site of the 1954 “Milan Miracle” that inspired the basketball film Hoosiers. Two downtown landmarks, Monument Circle and Indiana War Memorial Plaza, are among America’s great urban spaces, and the iconic Soldiers and Sailors Monument houses the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum.

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Indianapolis offers a worldclass destination for major conventions, meetings and events

100 South Capitol Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46225 (317) 262-3400 www.ICCLOS.com

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

wisconsin 23-46

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Wisconsin Center

5:28 PM

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400 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203 (414) 908-6001; Fax: (414) 908-6010 www.wcd.org Director of Sales & Marketing: Trace Goudreau tgoudreau@wcd.org MEETING & EVENT

PLANNERS...

Milwaukee – easy-to-get-to, easy-to-navigate, visitor-friendly meetings destination known NEED MARKET DATA? for its hospitality and beautiful Lake Michigan location. The Wisconsin Center, home to the $1.4-million Burke Family Collection of integrated and commissioned art, features 32 meeting rooms, a 37,506-sq.-ft. ballroom, 189,695 sq. ft. of total exhibit space; 4,100-seat Milwaukee Theatre and 12,700-seat U.S. Cellular Arena. Ballroom equipped with built-in rigging points and high-amperage power sources, complete Wi-Fi, audio-visual, satellite, video conferencing and remote network capability throughout facility. 1,543 hotel rooms connected PAGE by skywalk; 3,359 in downtown area; 15,000+ in immediate metro area. C4

THE #1 SOURCE FOR PROFESSIONAL PLANNERS OF CONVENTIONS, MEETINGS, ENTERTAINMENT & SPECIAL EVENTS.

for Booking Agents, Promoters, Talent Buyers, Special Event Planners & Venue Managers

Make Our World Your World! The Facilities Media Group

A F G M L

Facilities & Destinations SuperBook Facilities & Destinations Mid-Market Review Facilities & Destinations Planner Guide FOR YOUR NEXT CONVENTION OR MEETING, LOOK TO THE CIT Y Destinations Conference THAT IS THE NBA’SFacilities NEXT JEWEL & IN THE CROWN. WHERE A STREAMLINED AIRPORT LACK OF TRAFFIC Facilities &AND Event Management SuperBook MEAN YOU’RE IN FAST. AND WITH THE BEST Facilities & Event Management Booking Guide RESTAURANTS AND NIGHTLIFE JUST A FEW MINUTES’ WALK FROM YOUR HOTEL, YOU’RE OUT EVEN FASTER. Facilitiesonline.com IT’S OUR MEET & GREET, OUR NICE & EASY. OUR

Facilities & Destinations

CONFERENCE

Comprehensive Directory of Conference Centers, College & University Conference Facilities, Meeting & Boutique Hotels, Small-to-Mid-Size Meeting & Event Venues

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VISITOKC.C OM

Facilities & Destinations Planner Guide

For more information about the Kansas City Convention Center, please call 816-513-5000 or visit www.kcconvention.com

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Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

MidWest / MISSOURI

KANSAS CITY CONVENTION & ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES

ith a creative energy all its own, Kansas City is anything but business as usual. It’s a convention destination where friendly people, affordable prices and a central location are a given. Where creativity can be found around every corner. A place with a spirited personality and a genuine heart that’s a breath of fresh air. We’d like you to meet Kansas City. To friends, it’s just KC. Great meetings happen at the Kansas City Convention and Entertainment Facilities. The eightsquare-block convention and special events facility can accommodate every need with 388,800 sq.ft. of column-free exhibit space on one floor; 48 state-of-the-art meeting rooms; a 2,400-seat fine arts theater; an arena that seats more than 10,700 people and a unique outdoor festival plaza. And not only is it all in one location, the complex is connected to major downtown hotels and parking by skywalks and underground walkways.

301 West 13th Street, Suite 100 Kansas City, MO 64105 (816) 513-5000 kcconvention.com

Encompassing more than 800,000 sq. ft., the Kansas City Convention & Entertainment Facilities can serve all your meeting needs under one roof. One of America’s largest green ballrooms — the 46,484-sq.-ft. Grand Ballroom — is certified LEED silver, boasting waterless plumbing, energyefficient heating and cooling, and one of the most sophisticated lighting systems in the world. That’s enough to make other cities turn green with envy.

The Grand Ballroom • One of the nation’s largest eco-friendly ballrooms at 46,484 sq. ft. • Features one of the most sophisticated lighting systems in the world.

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

117

MidWest / wisconsin

monona terrace convention center

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Madison, Wisconsin: An Inspiring Place for Smart Meetings.

adison, Wisconsin, combines exceptional facilities with the intellectual and emotional capital needed for meeting success. Home to the renowned University of Wisconsin–Madison, the vision of Frank Lloyd Wright, the insight of Aldo Leopold and a majestic Capitol built upon an isthmus alive with cultural arts, engaging intellectual pursuits and a wealth of recreational opportunities, Madison is the place for smart meetings. Monona Terrace, a crown jewel of Madison’s cultural isthmus, is the first convention center in the nation to be LEED-EB-certified at the Silver Level by the U.S. Green Building Council. To earn its Silver certification, the Convention Center invested in initiatives to increase recycling rates, utilize green cleaning products, and adopt clean energy use and conservation. The facility purchases 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. Monona Terrace has become a symbol of sustainability for the community of Madison and an inspiration to all those who choose to visit the city. Accommodations: More than 8,000 hotel rooms are available to groups in Madison, with 1,000 rooms within walking distance of the Monona Terrace® Convention Center. Accommodation styles run the gamut from first-class convention hotels, such as the 240room Hilton Madison (the headquarters hotel for the convention center), to limited-service hotels and budget-conscious lodging. Bed and breakfasts are another attractive choice in Madison, and several provide services and amenities appropriate for executive attendees. Convention Facilities: The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace® Convention Center is a touchstone for both the Madison community and groups coming to the city. Sweeping lines and vast, arched windows typify the structure, which offers dramatic surroundings for groups. In total, Monona Terrace Convention Center offers 85,000 sq. ft. of meeting and exhibition space. Highlights of the center include: • 37,200-sq.-ft. Exhibition Hall that accommodates 212, 10 ft.by-10 ft. booths. • 13,524-sq.-ft. Madison Ballroom, divisible by four • 7,000-sq.-ft. Grand Terrace serves as pre-function space for the Madison Ballroom or use on its own as a magnificent indoor event space. • 68,000 sq. ft. of rooftop gardens may also be reserved for events.

One John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53703 (608) 441-3942 • mononaterrace.com 118

{MADISON, WI}

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

IT TAKES TWO Two Unique Facilities. Convention Center. And Historic Theatre. Working Together. Art Deco Meeting Industrial. 100,000 Plus Square Feet. Two Banquet/Exhibit Halls. 10 Breakout Rooms. Executive Board Room. Theatre Seating for 2,400. Midwest Amenities. Metropolitan Service. Discover what first class service and attention to detail really means at the unique entity known as the RiverCenter/Adler Theatre in Downtown Davenport, Iowa.

www.riverctr.com www.adlertheatre.com

MidWest / WISCONSIN

MIDWEST AIRLINES CENTER

C E N TWisconsin ER Center

west

aces in

Accessible, Affordable & Hospitable ATTRACTIONS Milwaukee is emerging as a top convention and tourist destination. Downtown is alive with museums, dining, nightlife, promenades, public art, and the new Harley Davidson Museum opening in Summer 2008; the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Quadracci Pavilion, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, has become a world-renowned symbol of the city; Miller Park is among the most breathtaking, fanilwaukee’s Wisconsin Center continues to hone the leading edge of the convention center industry with outfriendly baseball parks anywhere; and these gems facilities and a setting in downtown Milwaukee, now nationally recogare setstanding amongilwaukee’s aservice, glitteringflexible, array of comfortable parks, trails, Airlinesin Center continues to hone the leading nized as a fun, andMidwest exciting destination itself. golf courses andfriendly lake vistas.

The Wisconsin Center faces ATTRACTIO s convention edge of the convention center industry with outstanding service, flexiOwned and operated by the Wisconsin Center District (WCD), the Wisconsin Center faces Wisconsin Avenue, the Wisconsin treet.” city’s “Main Street,” and is within steps of leading hotels, retail establishments, attractions, dining, nightclubs, and FOOD & BEVERAGE Levy Restaurants, WCD’s ble, comfortable facilities and a setting in downtown Milwaukee, Avenue, the alive with m transportation. It is even connected viaconsisskywalk to two major hotels — the Hyatt Regency-Milwaukee and the Hilton catering and concessions partner, receives The Midwest now nationally recognized as a fun, friendly and exciting destination city’s “Main nades, publ Milwaukee Citybanquet Center.and Adjacent tent praise from meeting neighbors planners. also owned by WCD include the 12,700-seat U.S. Cellular Arena and Efficient service facilitatedwhich by theopened center’s in 2003 as a new, 4,087-seat theatrical and assembly venue, built in the shell The Milwaukee Theatre, Museum op in isitself. Street” Airlines re important of arethe highhistoric standards and creativity derived from Milwaukee Auditorium. Both are excellent for convention functions, and all three venues are “green” Milwaukee Owned and operated by the Wisconsin Center District (WCD), the aditions of hospitality excellence combined with Levy’s equippedand and operated to minimize environmental impacts. Airlines Center faces Wisconsin Avenue, the city’s “Main Street,” mmittment to aMidwest memorable dining experience everywhere they faces designed by MEETING & EXHIBIT SPACE: The Wisconsin Center’s 188,695-gross-sq.-ft. (gsf) exhibit hall is divisible into four hallsCenter of become a w andoris63,000 within of minimum leadingspans hotels, retail establishments, attractions, din-can be divided 31,000 gsf,steps with 90-ft. between pillars. In addition, 39,360 gsf of meeting space Wisconsin into 28 breakouts or as few six meeting/banquet from 5,200 to 8,300via gsf each. A luxurious, 37,500 gsf ballroom Miller Park ing, nightclubs, andas transportation. Itrooms is even connected skywalk to two Y Ranked among the world’s “technologically elite” convention is divisible intooutperform four smaller rooms and equipped like a concert hall for corporate theater and banquet entertainment. dwest Airlines Center can almost any external friendly bas major hotels—the Hyatt Regency-Milwaukee and the Hilton Milwaukee City Avenue, well-appointed connected toAbundant, it. A skilled, flexible IT staffpre-function provides techareas userson all levels serve excellently for receptions, breaks, showcase exhibits and are set amo Center. Adjacent neighbors by are WCD include the 12,700-seat U.S. full-service dining.toPower, dataWANs, and also phone connections plentiful everywhere. show LANs, even high-speed connections corporate and owned f phone and HOTEL video services. AV provider United Visual offers the city’s golf courses Cellular Arena and The Milwaukee Theatre, which opened in 2003 as a new, INVENTORY: The Wisconsin Center is linked by skywalk to two first-class convention hotels: the 484-room projection, sound, lighting and more. and the 729-room Hilton Milwaukee City Center. Seven other hotels are within three blocks or Hyatt Regency-Milwaukee 4,087-seat theatrical and assembly venue, built in the shell of the historic connected by skywalk. Milwaukee has about 3,590 rooms downtown and nearly 15,000 citywide. “Main Street.” FOOD & BE TY Milwaukee is incredibly easy Auditorium. to get to and get around Milwaukee Bothasin!offer excellent options for general sessions, ATTRACTIONS: Milwaukee a top convention and tourist destination, alive with museums, dining, culture, eneral Mitchell International Airport, servingis14emerging airlines and catering an entertainment otherart. tied totheMidwest Airlines Center conventions. promenades and Recent Harley Davidson Museum; the newly renovated Mitchell Park is only eightnightlife, miles from downtown,and and public O’Hare isfunctions just an highlights: car trip. TheDomes; newly renovated is just a few DiscoveryAmtrak World;station the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Quadracci Pavilion, designed by Santiago Calatrava, now a worldtent praise nd the city enjoys a safesymbol and veryofwalkable renowned the city;downtown. and Miller Park, among the most fan-friendly baseball parks anywhere. These gems are set Efficient se MEETING & EXHIBIT SPACE The Midwest Airlines Center’s 188,695among a glittering array of parks, trails, golf courses and lake vistas. design, but more important are high sta gross-square-foot (gsf) exhibit hall is divisible into four halls of 31,000 or and tourist FOOD & destination. BEVERAGE: Levy Restaurants, WCD’s catering and concessions partner, receives consistent praise from Milwaukee’s traditions of hospitality an 63,000 gsf, with 90-foot minimum spans between pillars. In addition, 39,360 banquet and meeting planners. Efficient service is facilitated by the center’s design, but more important are high standards andgsf creativity derived from Milwaukee’s traditions of hospitality and excellence combined with Levy’s well-known commitwell-known committment to a memora of meeting space can be divided into 28 breakouts or as few as six meetto a memorable dining experience everywhere they operate. E N T E R ment operate. ing/banquet rooms from 5,200 to 8,300 gsf each. A luxurious, 37,500-gsf TECHNOLOGY: Ranked among the world’s “technologically elite” convention centers, the Wisconsin Center can outperballroom is divisible into four smaller rooms and equipped like a concert hall form almost any external network or ISP connected to it. A skilled, flexible IT staff provides tech users customized, in-show 400 Wisconsin Avenue, LANs, corporate WANs, and a wide range ofAbundant, phone and video services. AV provider United TECHNOLOGY Ranked among the wo for high-speed corporateconnections theater toand banquet entertainment. well-appointed WIAirlines Center c Visual offers state-of-the-art projection, sound,serve lightingexcellently and more. Facilities Destinations centers,Milwaukee, the Midwest pre-function areas &on all levels for receptions, breaks, ACCESSIBILITY: Milwaukee is incredibly easy to get to and get around in! User-friendly General Mitchell International network(414) or ISP908-6000 connected to it. A skille showcase exhibits and even full-service dining. Power, data and phone conAirport, with a dozen airlines offering non-stop service to over 50 cities, is only eight miles from downtown and O’Hare is customized, in-show LANs, high-speed nections are plentiful everywhere. just an hour-and-a-half car trip. The newly renovated Amtrak station is just a few blocks away, and the city enjoys a safe and www.wisconsincenter.org very walkable downtown. a wide range of phone and video servic 120 Facilities 2014projection, superbook state-of-the-art sound, light HOTEL INVENTORY The Midwest Airlines Center is linked by skywalk to & Destinations two first-class convention hotels: the 484-room Hyatt Regency-Milwaukee

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california

Anaheim Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau

800 West Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92803 (714) 765-8888; Fax: (714) 991-8963 www.meetings.anaheimoc.org Senior Vice President Convention Sales: Mindy Abel

The West

With ideal weather and walkable attractions and dining, nothing is better than meeting at the largest convention center on the west coast in Anaheim/Orange County. Anaheim Convention Center – 1.6 million sq. ft., including 51 meeting rooms, 38,000-sq.-ft. ballroom; 813,000 sq. ft. total exhibit space. Anaheim Arena seats 7,500. Located in the heart of the Anaheim Resort District, which includes the Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney and Anaheim GardenWalk. Within walking distance of 12,000 hotel rooms and easily accessible from three major Southern PAGE California Freeways. 100,000-sq.-ft. Grand Plaza opened last year. 7 oklahoma

texas

Austin Convention Center

500 E. Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX 78701 (512) 404-4200; Fax: (512) 404-4220 www.austinconventioncenter.com Director of Sales: Lisa Kidder Live Music Capital of the World A LEED® Gold certified, technologically advanced convention center located near downtown’s famous entertainment districts. Multi-level facility spans six city blocks, features 370,967 sq. ft. of meeting/exhibit space, including five column-free, contiguous exhibit halls (256,097 sq. ft. of total exhibit space), seven ballrooms (43,300 sq. ft. is largest) and 54 meeting rooms. Complimentary high-speed, high-density wireless services throughout; onsite engineers; proven track record of handling 7,000 simultaneous connections. Prefunction spaces offer downtown views. New walkway connects 3rd and 4th levels. PAGE Nearby 6,000 downtown hotel rooms.

Cox Convention Center

One Myriad Gardens, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 (405) 602-8500; Fax: (405) 602-8505 www.coxconventioncenter.com Director of Sales and Marketing: Tim Linville Spanning more than one million sq. ft. and four city blocks, this complex is located at the heart of downtown Oklahoma City, a city both accommodating and affordable. Multi-purpose venue hosts everything from intimate meetings to major conventions, tradeshows, concerts and sporting events. 27 meeting rooms; 25,000-sq.-ft. ballroom; 100,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall; 15,000-seat arena. Free WiFi available; Internet access speeds up to one Gb; 1,400 of Oklahoma City’s 15,000+ hotel rooms are across the street. From arts and adventure to cowboy culture and family fun, Oklahoma City offers an eclectic mix of heritage and hotspots. PAGE 125

Colorado

Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau

515 South Cascade Avenue, Suite 1300, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (800) 888-4748, ext. 132; (719) 685-7632 www.visitcos.com Director of Convention Sales: Kathy Reak Elevate Your Opportunities Choose Colorado Springs as your meeting location and enlist the help of the award-winning staff of the Colorado Springs CVB to ease the planning process. They offer an extensive range of complimentary services. Whether it’s customized site visits, teambuilding ideas or distributing RFPs, they are here for you. Start planning your next event in this unrivaled mountain metropolis. Colorado Springs offers 14,000 guestrooms, 5,000 convention PAGE guestrooms and 400,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space. C3 Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau

123 Park Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 (405) 297-8912 / (800) 225-5652; Fax: (405) 297-8888 www.visitokc.com Director, Convention Sales & Services: Robin O’Connor Welcome to a city that has tales for your ears and treats for your eyes. Where a streamlined airport means you’re in fast. And with the best entertainment just a few minutes’ walk from your hotel, you’re out even faster. Cox Convention Center features 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space; 27,500 sq. ft. of flexible convention and pre-convene space; a 25,000-sq.-ft. ballroom (seats 4,000 theater-style); and a 15,000-seat arena (32,000 sq. ft. of floor space). Near revitalized Bricktown, which features new canal-side restaurants, clubs, music venues and attractions, all across the street from three hotels housPAGE ing 1,600 of Oklahoma City’s 16,000 hotel rooms. 129

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

california

Fairplex

1101 W. McKinley Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768 (909) 623-3111; Fax: (909) 623-9599 www.fairplex.com Director of Sales: Melissa DeMonaco-Tapia You Can Do Anything Here An entertainment and convention destination; home of the world-renowned L.A. County Fair since 1922 and site of 500 consumer and tradeshows annually. Located on 487 beautifully landscaped acres with eight art deco exposition halls, onsite 244-room Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center, Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, McKinley’s Grille, Finish Line Sports Grill and Barretts Equine Sales. Offers 25,000 sq. ft. of column-free indoor exhibit space; eight spacious exposition halls (two additional halls expand total exhibit space to 350,000+ sq. ft.); 800-seat theater. Major horse racing facility with a 10,000-seat grandstand and 5/8PAGE mile race track. 11

oregon

Oregon Convention Center

777 NE Martin Luther King Boulevard, Portland, OR 97232 (503) 235-7575 www.oregoncc.org Deputy Director: Matt Pizzuti, CMP Eight miles of light rail from Portland International Airport, the LEED Platinum-certified Oregon Convention Center is ideal for conventions, tradeshows, auctions and banquets. Located in beautiful and lively downtown Portland, it is a favorite destination for many groups because of its world-class amenities, culinary excellence, leadership in sustainability and award-winning customer service. The OCC offers two grand ballrooms, 50 meeting rooms, 255,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, in-house AV support and other high-tech services, and superior concession and catering offerings. A full-time staff of more than 110 professionals PAGE can handle events of 10 to 10,000 attendees. 17

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West / california

Anaheim Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau

n the heart of Southern California is Anaheim/Orange County, where you’ll find an energetic metropolitan vibe, world-class meeting facilities and a wide range of activities that make it one of the nation’s most popular meeting destinations. Anaheim Convention Campus: With the addition of the Grand Plaza, a spectacular new outdoor event space, the Anaheim Convention Campus continues to evolve. Its broad plazas and outdoor event areas connect the convention hotels with the Anaheim Convention Center in a safe, exclusive group setting. Four convention campus hotels provide a core group-housing inventory of 3,376 guest rooms, and the total grows to 7,456 guest rooms within an easy half-mile walk of the campus. The convention center and hotels can be configured in multiple ways to fit the needs of a wide range of group sizes, program requirements and exhibit needs. The center’s linear design aligns separate plazas, entrance lobbies, meeting facilities and exhibit halls with each of the two hotels.

Environments for Ideas to Grow: The Anaheim Convention Center offers plenty of configuration options for events, with 1.6 million sq. ft. of space and 51 meeting rooms. Host a massive event in the sprawling 38,058-sq.-ft. ballroom and take advantage of the dedicated registration and pre-function areas that open balcony-style onto the atrium towers. The outdoor plazas of the Anaheim Convention campus flow easily from the convention hotels into the convention center, creating a relaxed access throughout the campus. Anaheim’s moderate, year-round climate creates the perfect opportunity to take advantage of this outdoor space, day or night. A truly unique dining experience can be had at the lunch break or in the evening, after your event breaks. By bringing several of Orange County’s best food trucks to your event, an opportunity for socializing and networking instantly occurs. Other uses of the Anaheim Convention Center’s outdoor space include: • Concert in front of the Ocean Fountain, or in the Arena Plaza • Dining and cocktail events with mood lighting, tables, chairs and a dance floor • Outdoor games, movies and lounge areas Anaheim/Orange County also boasts a collection of flexible facilities and venues with unlimited possibilities. Host an award ceremony on stage at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, a brainstorming session behind the scenes at Disneyland® Resort’s Hollywood Land, a teambuilding event at the Orange County Museum of Art or an unforgettable reception onboard The Queen Mary®. Downtown Anaheim: A short distance from the Anaheim Convention Center, Downtown Anaheim is enjoying a boom of revitalization that includes revamping historic structures into a new cultural hub, which includes The Packing District and Center Street Promenade. The Packing District is becoming a culinary campus that celebrates the area’s agricultural origins. Putting a modern spin on the traditional “Main Street” commercial center, Center Street Promenade in Anaheim is filled with unique artisan shops, healthy dining options and a regular schedule of live music and entertainment. Whether connecting attendees to world-class dining, entertainment or sports venues, the Anaheim Convention Campus offers much more than meeting space. Learn more at anaheimoc.org/AOC-campus, or call (855) 693-3239. 122

Orange County At-A-Glance Facts • Nine beaches and 42 miles of coastline • More than 40 championship golf courses • 55,000 hotel rooms in Orange County • 7,456 hotel rooms within a half-mile of the Anaheim Convention Center (16,000+ within two miles) • Home of the Disneyland Resort • Serviced by four airports, all within a 45-minute drive of Anaheim • Available shopping options from every price point – from luxury shopping at South Coast Plaza to great deals at the Outlets at Orange

800 West Katella Avenue Anaheim, CA 92803 (714) 765-8888 meetings.anaheimoc.org

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

West / texas

Austin Convention Center

LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE CAPITAL CITY’S DOWNTOWN, THE LEED® GOLD CERTIFIED CONVENTION CENTER SPANS SIX CITY BLOCKS.

winner of the Prime Site Award every year since 1995, the Austin Convention Center, a LEED® Gold certified building, has emerged as a leader in the convention and meeting industry. A premier facility located in the heart of the capital city’s downtown business district, the Center spans six city blocks with 368,980 sq. ft. of exhibit and meeting space. The five column-free exhibit halls totaling 247,052 sq. ft. accommodate 1,289 10 ft.-by-10 ft. exhibit booths. Seven ballrooms ranging from 3,896 to 43,300 sq. ft. in size and 54 meeting rooms and show offices totaling over 58,000 sq. ft., complete the four-story convention center. Ample parking is provided in two parking garages with a total capacity of 1,700 spaces. Technological Features: Rated one of the most technologically advanced convention centers in the country, this gigabit-rated facility moves voice, video and data at over one billion bits per second. The Center’s high-tech capabilities help create the perfect Technology Partner for the annual SXSW international convention. It offers a variety of in-house services including complimentary wireless Internet access, redundant high-speed Internet II access, plug-and-play capabilities, and an onsite technical staff to help with networking needs. Hotels: Austin offers more than 30,000 hotel rooms, with 7,000 located downtown, including the 800-room Hilton Austin adjacent to the convention center. Additional nearby hotels include: Four Seasons Hotel Austin, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown, Radisson Hotel & Suites, Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown, Driskill Hotel, Omni Austin Hotel Downtown, Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel, and the new W Austin and Hyatt Place Downtown Austin. Coming soon are the 1,012-room JW Marriott (2015) and the 326-room Westin Austin Downtown (2016). Austin by Night: After conventions and meetings wrap up each night, attendees may choose to enjoy Austin’s entertainment districts — Second Street, the Warehouse District and famous Sixth Street. The Austin Convention Center is just down the street from the city’s vibrant nightlife, where visitors can also enjoy everything from fine dining in four-star restaurants to down-home barbecue and authentic Tex-Mex. As the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin echoes with the sound of country, rock ‘n’ roll, blues, jazz and Tejano. On any given evening, one can find live music playing in nearly 200 different venues. Austin by Day: During the day, visitors can enjoy the capital city’s many historical attractions, including the State Capitol, the LBJ Presidential Library, the Texas State History Museum, the Blanton Museum of Art, and many more museums and art galleries. Or, one can experience the beauty of central Texas, captured by downtown’s Lady Bird Lake, bordered by 10 miles of trails enjoyed by runners, walkers and cyclists. Surrounded by three lakes and a network of parks, Austin offers the perfect environment for enjoying the best of nature.

Fast Facts:

Facility •Location: Downtown Austin •Total Area: spans six city blocks •Exhibit Space: 246,097 contiguous sq. ft., column free •Ballrooms: 43,300-sq.-ft. level 4; 23,418-sq.-ft. level 1 •Meeting Space: 54 meeting rooms totaling over 58,000 sq. ft. •Technology: Gigabit-rated facility, wireless Internet access, plugand-play capabilities Austin •Hotels: 7,000 downtown hotel rooms; adjacent 800-room Hilton Austin •Airport: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, eight miles from facility •Nearby Attractions: State Capitol, Sixth Street Entertainment District, Warehouse Entertainment District, University of Texas, LBJ Presidential Library, more than 20 museums including The Texas State History Museum, dozens of art galleries and historical attractions, Lady Bird Lake Contacts •Mark Tester, Director of Austin Convention Center Department •Paul Barnes, ACCD Assistant Director – Sales, Marketing and Events •Amy Harris, Director of Sales

500 E. Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX 78701 • (512) 404-4200 • austinconventioncenter.com

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West / Colorado

Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau

icking a memorable destination can be challenging: finding a place attendees want to visit along with a P great venue and ample offsite activities. Don’t get overwhelmed with the long list of to-do’s and enlist the help of the award-winning staff of the Colorado Springs CVB. This breathtaking Rocky Mountain city is brimming with invigorating choices for lodging, sessions, receptions, teambuilding and offsite activities. The vibrant natural beauty of landmarks like Pikes Peak-America’s Mountain and Garden of the Gods Park refresh and inspire. Colorado Springs is easily accessible. Located just 11 miles from downtown, the Colorado Springs Airport has non-stop service to many major cities and one-stop service to over 1,500 destinations worldwide. State-of-the-art systems and terminal improvements get you through security quickly, and there are a variety of local and national restaurants, retailers and free WiFi to pleasantly pass the time while you wait for your flight. The destination is also just a short and scenic 70-mile drive south of the Denver International Airport. Home to the U.S. Olympic Committee, Olympic Training Center, U.S. Air Force Academy and ProRodeo Hall of Fame, Colorado Springs is the ideal location for exceptional performance, creating a higher ground for attendees to refresh, discover and network. The magnificent views and a 6,035-foot elevation might also have something to do with it. Recreation is as easily found as the 300+ annual days of sunshine. Because of its location against the Rocky Mountains, the city is protected from harsh weather, meaning mild winters and a comfortable year-round climate. It’s not rare to see light jackets in the summer and shorts in the winter. Horseback riding in North Cheyenne Canon, ziplining over nearby Manitou Springs or hiking the newly opened to the public Manitou Springs “Incline” extreme trail are all opportunities to connect with the prominent splendor of the area. Take advantage of unique teambuilding activities like racing around the track with the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving at Pikes Peak International Raceway, biking down Gold Camp Road or challenging the team with the Battle of the Bighorn rafting obstacle course. Itinerary building is a cinch with over 55 attractions at your disposal. If satisfying your taste buds is on the agenda, grab some authentic Colorado cuisine with a walking food and history tour of Downtown or a taste of the city with a Cajun twist at Springs Orleans. Sample the sudsy concoctions at one of the local microbreweries like Trinity Brewing or Bierwerks. Unique shopping and dining abound in the historic and charming shopping districts: downtown Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs. As you’re seeking the perfect property for overnight stays, breakout sessions or an offsite reception, the region has exclusive options. Lodging ranges from popular brands like Hilton, Marriott and Crowne Plaza to truly Colorado choices like the new Mining Exchange, a Wyndham Grand Hotel and Sundance Mountain Lodge. Home to 14,000 guestrooms, the area can certainly accommodate. Gems such as the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Glen Eyrie Castle, AAA Sky Sox Baseball Club, Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and Pikes Peak International Raceway all showcase some of the region’s 400,000+ sq. ft. of flexible meeting space. Not only is the destination an economical choice, but the staff of the Colorado Springs CVB offers complimentary services with an extensive list of recognitions. The CVB is your single resource for peace of mind and meetings. Whether it’s customized site visits, building suggested itineraries or distributing RFPs, they are here for you. Elevate your opportunities, start planning your next event in this unrivaled mountain metropolis at VisitCOS.com/meet.

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An Elevated Meeting Experience

515 South Cascade Avenue, Suite 1300 Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (800) 888-4748, ext. 132 (719) 685-7632 visitcos.com

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

HOME OF THE

The Cox Convention Center is steps away from the vibrant Bricktown district, featuring a variety of canal-side restaurants, clubs, sports and music venues, plus nearby museums and attractions.

28K

100K

sf.

of meeting space.

1 Myriad Gardens

of exhibit hall space.

Oklahoma City, OK 73102

15K seat arena.

Phone (405) 602-8500

california

arizona

Palm Springs Convention Center

227 North Avenida Caballeros, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (760) 325-6611 www.palmspringscc.com Director of Sales: Rick Leson Like No Place Else Located just 1.5 miles from the Palm Springs International Airport, the Palm Springs Convention Center is walking distance to 1,600 hotel rooms and just blocks away from the Heart of Downtown and historic Palm Canyon Drive. The PSCC offers 120,000 sq. ft. of carpeted exhibit space, a 20,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, 21 breakouts and a lobby with panoramic mountain views. Outdoor function spaces include a 20,000-sq.-ft. Event Lawn and the adjacent Jackie Lee Houston Plaza. High-speed wireless Internet access is available throughout the facility, and Savoury’s Full Service Catering serves both onsite and offsite events. PAGE The PSCC is attached to the 410-room Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel. 75

california

Phoenix Convention Center & Venues

100 North Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 262-6225; (800) 282-4842 www.PhoenixConventionCenter.com Director of Sales: Debbi Foshee A Whole New Angle on Meetings and Events The award-winning Phoenix Convention Center is within walking distance of shopping, entertainment, sports and theater venues, and just 15 minutes from Sky Harbor International Airport. More than 2,500 guestrooms are within walking distance of the facility, including 1,000 at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown and more than 1,200 at the newly renovated Hyatt Regency. The PCC boasts nearly 900,000 sq. ft. of function space, including 312,500 sq. ft. of continuous exhibition hall space, three ballrooms (46,000, 45,000 PAGE and 28,000 sq. ft.), and a 21,000-sq.-ft. Executive Conference Center. 131 Washington

Sacramento Convention Center

Three Rivers Convention Center

Small-town friendly with big city amenities, city hosts 6+ million visitors annually. Located in the heart of downtown, the Sacramento Convention Center features 31 meeting rooms; two 10,000-sq.-ft. registration/pre-function areas; Exhibit Hall – 134,000 sq. ft. contiguous space/ divisible into five separate areas; 25,000-sq.-ft. ballroom (1,500 banquet-style/2,500 theater style), divisible into 10 meeting rooms; Activity Building is a fully carpeted, 11,200-sq.-ft. facility with 12 meeting rooms, connected by concourse to the exhibit hall; 4,000-seat Memorial Auditorium; 2,452-seat Community Center Theater. 2,000 hotels within walking distance; 10,000 citywide. Classique Catering; Wolfgang Pucks Express. Attractions: world-class PAGE shopping, golf, Historic District, Nimbus Winery Mall, Sacramento Zoo. 133

The Three Rivers Convention Center offers 75,000 sq. ft. of space with a sleek, modern design and a color palette that invokes the natural beauty of the region. The Great Hall offers 21,000 sq. ft. of meeting or exhibit space, divisible into four rooms, and accommodates up to 2,100 attendees. Also available are eight breakout rooms and a 14,000-sq.-ft. foyer. The Three Rivers Convention Center is a showcase for leading-edge technology designed to support the telecommunications and audiovisual needs of every event. A state-of-the-art, high-speed network provides wireless voice and data services throughout the facility. There are 700 hotel guestrooms within a PAGE half-mile and an attached Spring Hill Suites opening in December 2014.

1030 15th Street, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 808-5291; Fax: (916) 808-7687 www.sacramentoconventioncenter.com

7016 West Grandridge Boulevard, Kennewick, WA 99336 (509) 737-3700 www.threeriversconventioncenter.com Director of Sales: Heather Breymeyer

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Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

West / california

Fairplex

FAIRPLEX: A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

hidden gem of Southern California, Fairplex is conveniently centered between the mountains, valleys and beaches that define Los Angeles County. The 487-acre campus is ideal for almost any gathering and is home to more than 300 year-round events facilitating a diverse range of clients. The beautiful historic campus attracts three million visitors annually. Fairplex shines as one of the most versatile event venues in the region. Indoors and out, in any month of any season, every aspect of the campus is as flexible as it is scenic. Restaurants, a wine pavilion, exposition halls, an urban farm, museums and the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel are just some of the spaces the campus has to offer. Large column-free exhibit halls are ideal for trade and consumer shows, product demonstrations and filming. Each hall is air-conditioned and a historic art gallery and adjoining patio are suitable for a number of events. Picnic Hill, overlooking the entirety of the beautiful property, is also ideal for outdoor gatherings. The outdoor areas of the campus have been utilized in many ways, from recreational auto shows and sales to a number of festivals including the Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits competitions and the world-famous L.A. County Fair. Park-like settings, fountains and beautiful landscaping throughout the grounds ensure a pleasant experience for all guests. Earlier this year, Fairplex celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Sheraton Fairplex Conference Center. Since opening in 2012, the Center has hosted multiple events and companies ranging from Armstrong Garden Center to Cal Spas and an Anheuser-Busch InBev product launch celebration. The $28 million project was designed with versatility in mind. The 85,000-sq.-ft. space is divided into spacious ballrooms, breakout rooms with interactive digital white boards, videoconferencing and high-speed WiFi. The facility is IACC certified with Silver LEED certification. For any event large or small, Fairplex offers a wide variety of dining options ranging from fresh farm-to-table produce grown onsite at McKinley’s Farm to food trucks. Each of its three onsite restaurants offers unique freshly made meals.

Barretts Sales & Racing’s large, grassy infield is ideal for concerts, picnics and festivals. The historic 40,000-seat Auto Club Raceway and 1,000-ft. long drag strip have served as locations for auto testing, research, filming and driving courses. From music festivals to wrestling tournaments, weddings to business seminars and trade shows to wine tastings, Fairplex offers the best in customer service, event production and customizable space. They weren’t kidding when they said the possibilities are endless.

1101 W. McKinley Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768 • (909) 623-3111 • fairplex.com Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

OUR CAMPUS Large column-free, air-conditioned exhibit halls ranging from 33,600 to 105,500 sq. ft. and meeting space totaling 375,000 sq. ft. Building amenities include touch-free restrooms, pre-wired exhibit halls for high-speed Internet and DSL, portable concession stands and ATMs Outside areas perfect for product demonstrations, automotive, boat and outdoor recreational shows and events Established and popular location for filming and television productions Park-like settings, fountains and beautiful landscaping throughout the grounds Five-eighths mile oval Fairplex Park horse racing track with large, grassy infield ideal for concerts, picnics and festivals, and a 10,000-seat grandstand Unique barn and horse arenas for horse shows Historical art gallery and adjoining patio suitable for events and weddings Historical 40,000-seat Auto Club Raceway and 1,000-ft. drag strip is an excellent location for auto testing, research, filming and driving courses Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum Onsite Sheraton Fairplex Hotel and Fairplex KOA RV Park Onsite McKinley’s Grille restaurant, Finish Line Sports Grill and Avalon restaurant Barretts Equine Ltd., site of four prestigious annual national/international equine auctions Spacious parking for more than 30,000 vehicles PROXIMITY Just nine miles west of LA/Ontario International Airport Easy access to Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange counties Nearby dining, entertainment, theaters, art and recreational destinations

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West / oklahoma

Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau

f you’ve never been to Oklahoma City, you may just be surprised by all we have to offer. And if it’s been a few years since your last visit, we know you’ll be amazed by our progress. Over the past two decades, we’ve transformed our city through more than $5 billion of public and private investment in quality-of-life projects and improvements. We’ve created something special and we can’t wait to show it off. In the heart of downtown Oklahoma City, the Cox Convention Center boasts more than 150,000 sq. ft. of total meeting space including an impressive 25,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and additional meeting rooms totaling 27,500 sq. ft. of convention and pre-convene space. The convention center also includes a 15,000-seat arena, making it the perfect venue for convention groups of any size. And the best is yet to come. In 2009, Oklahoma City voters approved funding to build a new $252 million downtown convention center projected to be completed in 2019. The center is slated to include nearly 200,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, a 35,000-sq.-ft. ballroom and 50,000 sq. ft. of additional meeting space. With 12 hotels and nearly 2,200 rooms within walking distance of the Cox Convention Center, downtown Oklahoma City provides several choices for resting your head. The Renaissance Oklahoma City Convention Center Hotel is connected to the convention center via a second floor sky bridge for easy access. Looking for something with a bit of historic charm? Head two blocks north of the convention center to the historic Skirvin Hilton. This grand hotel opened in 1911 and features original woodwork, flooring and other original architectural details. For a more unique meeting location, look to Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District located along the Oklahoma River on the southern edge of downtown. The Chesapeake Boathouse offers an event room for meetings as well as teambuilding activities such as dragon boating and kayaking. New to the Boathouse District in 2011, the Devon Boathouse and the Chesapeake Finish Line tower feature event spaces for various-sized groups with stunning views of the Oklahoma River and the downtown Oklahoma City skyline. Downtown Oklahoma City offers plenty to see and do including the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, the Myriad Botanical Gardens & Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory and more. Located just steps from the Cox Convention Center, the Bricktown Entertainment District is home to dozens of restaurants ranging from top-of-the-line steakhouses to down home, Oklahoma barbeque. And everything is in walking distance from your hotel and the convention center; no busses needed. With 22 nonstop flights to 19 destinations in the U.S., getting to Oklahoma City is a breeze. The Will Rogers World Airport is conveniently located just 15 minutes from downtown. Oklahoma City is located at the crossroads of I-35, I-40 and I-44, making travel quick and easy.

123 Park Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 (405) 297-8952 visitokc.com

The Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau offers complete convention servicing and support for groups of any size and can assist in any aspect of meeting planning. An online meeting planner’s guide is available with hard copies available upon request. So, be amazed at our city’s growth and variety, and make Oklahoma City the destination for your next convention. For more information, go to www.visitokc.com/meeting-planners 128

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

BUSINESS CASUAL NEED THE PERFECT LOCATION FOR BUSINESS THAT’S JUST AS PERFECT FOR PLEASURE? IN OKLAHOMA CITY, “JUST AROUND THE CORNER” IS NOT JUST AN EXPRESSION. YOU CAN HOST YOUR MEETING OR CONVENTION JUST STEPS AWAY FROM AN ENTIRE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT. NOW THAT’S AN EASY CHOICE THAT’S HARD TO BEAT.

VISITOKC.C OM

West / oregon

Oregon Convention Center

Oregon Convention Center achieves LEED® Platinum certification: The Oregon Convention Center (OCC) is pleased to announce it has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Certified Platinum from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The convention center is only one of two in the United States to hold that distinction and continues what has now become a Portland tradition of achieving the highest levels of sustainable practice. For Portland, the award represents the latest green building milestone in a city that has earned a reputation as one of the most sustainable cities in the country. Indeed, Portland boasts some notable LEED® certified buildings, but rare is one with Platinum status that has more than one million sq. ft. of space and operates 24 hours a day. Ed Strong named new general manager for pacificwild catering: OCC welcomes Ed Strong as general manager for pacificwild catering, a premier catering division of ARAMARK Corporation. He will oversee the food & beverage operations at the Metro Visitor Venues, which includes OCC, Portland’5 Center for the Arts and the Portland Expo Center. Ed began his career with ARAMARK 20 years ago at the Binghamton Mets Stadium in upstate New York. He moved to Portland in 1997 and spent seven years working between Portland Expo Center, Civic Stadium and OMSI. He returned to the Expo Center as general manager in 2004, and in 2008 moved into a full-time role as assistant general manager at OCC. Ed has been involved in some exciting special projects during his career that include support management at Woodstock 1994 and Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami, and as part of the open management team for Baltimore Ravens Stadium and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Stadium. In 2012, he was recognized by ARAMARK with a Jefferson Award for Outstanding Volunteer work in the community. Ed says that he’s excited at the opportunity to lead the pacificwild team and looks forward to “continuing to bring innovation and creating great guest experiences at all the Metro Visitor Venues.” Oregon Convention Center and pacificwild catering staff attain top professional designations: OCC and pacificwild catering wish to congratulate Chef Allan Wambaa on successfully completing the Culinary Institute of America’s ProChef III Certification Program. As the highest level of ProChef Certification, it attests to Chef Wambaa being well versed in a multitude of culinary disciplines and that he demonstrates a keen, strategic application of human resources and financial management. Account manager Raena Mayhew joined an exclusive club within the events industry when she recently received the Certified Meeting Planner designation from the Convention Industry Council. The CMP designation is awarded to those individuals who meet the industry’s highest standards and levels of best practices. Currently, only about 14,000 individuals in 51 countries have earned this special designation since it was established in 1985. Sustainability coordinator Erin Rowland has received the LEED® AP Operations + Maintenance (LEED® AP O+M) credential. This credential distinguishes professionals implementing sustainable practices, improving performance, heightening efficiency and reducing environmental impact in existing buildings through enhanced operations and maintenance. It denotes practical knowledge in the LEED® for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance rating system.

777 NE Martin Luther King Boulevard Portland, OR 97232 (503) 235-7575 oregoncc.org

New Website project started with completion date in the summer of 2015: The OCC website currently serves as an information source for members of the public inquiring about shows and events at the center, event planners looking for venue information and exhibitors seeking to purchase services. The current structure of the site by these three audiences had been working well but several additions and changes have been identified that will improve user experience and access to information. The new site will have a fresh modern look and present a strong sense of place and connection to the Portland region. Users of the site will be able to find the information they need more easily while being offered connections to the many amenities the venue has to offer. 130

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

West / arizona

Phoenix Convention Center & Venues

THE CHECKLIST TEST: HAVE YOUR EVERY NEED ADDRESSED UNDER ONE ROOF.

ecently named one of the top 10 convention centers in the U.S., the award-winning Phoenix Convention Center is located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix. The center is within walking distance of major convention hotels, shopping, entertainment, sports and theater venues, has a dedicated stop on the METRO Light Rail line, and is just 15 minutes from Sky Harbor International Airport. Facility features include 900,000 sq. ft. of meeting and exhibition space as well as Arizona’s largest ballroom — 46,000 sq. ft. with a dedicated street level entrance — plus two multipurpose ballrooms of 28,000 and 45,000 sq. ft. Stacked floor plans accommodate multiple groups simultaneously, and 20 of the 46 convenient loading docks are climate controlled. The facility boasts 99 meeting/breakout rooms, sustainable construction and daily operations, and the LEED-Silver certified West Building. Understanding the importance of having options in coordinating a convention, meeting or event, our venues accommodate the diverse needs of a thoughtful and unique event plan. The Executive Conference Center features 21,000 sq. ft. of high-end meeting space, a 192-seat lecture hall, a corporate boardroom and 14 additional conference rooms accommodating up to 200 attendees. Symphony Hall is a 2,312-seat concert hall with amazing acoustics and is home to the Phoenix Symphony, The Ballet Arizona and The Arizona Opera. Built in 1929 and recently renovated, the historic Orpheum Theatre provides seating for 1,364 guests and has the unique ability to transform any event into a masterpiece. Complementing your gathering with flavorful and innovative selections, our exclusive catering partner, Aventura, creates an unforgettable culinary experience for your meeting attendees.

From the thriving downtown location to nearby hotels and entertainment to the flexible space available for events, the Phoenix Convention Center is often hailed as the place that covers the needs of meeting planners everywhere. But, don’t take our word for it. Put us to the test today to explore everything we have to offer.

Phoenix Convention Center staff and service partners are guestcentered and provide an exceptional experience for clients and visitors. At several points in the center and around downtown, guests will encounter concierge staff, Venue Hosts and Downtown Phoenix Ambassadors who are readily available to answer questions, provide directions or recommend places to go and things to do. For a whole new angle on meetings and events, book your next event at the Phoenix Convention Center & Venues! PHOENIXCONVENTIONCENTER.COM | 800-282-4842 |

100 North Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 262-6225; (800) 282-4842 • PhoenixConventionCenter.com

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West / california

Sacramento Convention Center

“The City of Sacramento and the Sacramento Convention Center offer you the best of both worlds — a diverse city with first-class amenities.”

he discovery of gold near Sacramento in 1848 started California’s famous “Gold Rush,” bringing thousands of fortune seekers and entrepreneurs to the area almost overnight. Today, meeting planners discover their own type of gold when they select Sacramento as a meeting destination.

Convention Center Complex: Located in the State Capital of California, the Sacramento Convention Center is just 20 minutes from the Sacramento International Airport, and located in –Judith A. Goldbar, the heart of downtown. The Sacramento ConvenGeneral Manager tion Center offers over 134,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit hall space on one floor, and another 61,000 sq. ft. of additional meeting space with 31 meeting rooms on three levels. A 2,400-seat Community Center Theater and 4,000-seat Memorial Auditorium are close by. All three facilities are within walking distance to major downtown hotels, shops, and restaurants. For those driving into town, a Convention Center parking garage is located just two short blocks to the main entrance of the Center. Hotel Inventory: Within walking distance of the Convention Center (or a short shuttle ride away) are more than 2,000 rooms and a dozen hotel properties. Only a pedestrian walkway separates the Sheraton Grand and the Hyatt Regency from the entrance to the Center. Several other properties can be found within a few blocks of the Center, including the Marriott Residence Inn at Capitol Park, Holiday Inn at Capitol Park, Best Western Sutter House, Holiday Inn Express, Clarion and Embassy Suites Waterfront.

This capital city has a convention center with 134,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and 31 meeting rooms.

Attractions: With over 600 events and approximately one million visitors annually, we offer something for everyone. Sacramento is strategically located in Northern California — 90 minutes northeast of San Francisco. We offer a wealth of cultural activities, professional sports and a wide range of family attractions. Take time to walk in our city and stroll through Capitol Park. Visit our many shops, relax on a riverboat or water taxi, and don’t forget to experience Old Sacramento where wooden boardwalks, cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages will transport you back in time. Food & Beverage: Award-winning Classique Catering is the celebrated caterer at the Convention Center and manages onsite Wolfgang Pucks Express and Starbucks coffeehouse. Classique Catering is a division of Centerplate and pride themselves on excellent service and quality product.

1400 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 • (916) 808-5291 • sacramentoconventioncenter.com 132

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Why have your event anywhere else? TRADESHOWS

ExHibiTiOnS

Opening December 2014

gAlAS

cORpORATE EvEnTS

fESTivAlS

Offering an expansive 75,000 square feet of space, the Three Rivers Convention Center is the ideal setting for your next event. Its sleek, modern design and pleasing color palette invoke the natural beauty of the Mid-Columbia region, while its common sense functionality and many high-tech amenities make it endlessly adaptable to any configuration you require.

7016 W. Grandrige Blvd., Kennewick, WA 99336 phone (509) 737-3700 | fax (509) 737-3729 email sales@3riverscampus.com www.threeriversconventioncenter.com

alberta, Canada

Calgary TELUS Convention Centre

Canada

120 Ninth Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2G OP3 (800) 822-2697; (403) 261-8500; Fax: (403) 261-8510 calgary-convention.com

Director of Sales & Marketing: Heather Lundy Multi-purpose, newly expanded, fully-equipped venue; 132,000 sq. ft. flexible meeting space; 20,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, 65,000+ sq. ft. exhibit space, five foyer areas, 27 breakout rooms. Terrace View Room is elegant fifth-floor rooftop room with private balcony; Olde Scotch Room is a multi-level room with built-in bar and hardwood floor. Full-service electronic infrastructure supports high-speed Internet, telecommunications and elaborate audio-visual displays, with full video-conferencing capabilities, satellite downlink, fiber-optic services; directly connected to 1,100+ hotel rooms; 11,000 hotel rooms citywide. Calgary offers vibrant shopping, dining and entertainment; spectacular hiking and skiing in Canadian Rockies.

Caribbean ontario, CAnada

ontario, CANADA

The International Centre

6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L4V 1E8 (905) 677-6131; (800) 567-1199 internationalcentre.com Sales Manager, Trade & Consumer Shows: Sandra Martin There’s something happening here For over 40 years The International Centre has been home to many of Canada’s largest and most popular events. With 548,000 sq. ft. of versatile exhibit and conference space, the Centre offers an upscale atmosphere, an exceptional culinary experience and a team of dedicated and knowledgeable professionals to ensure the success of your next event. The largest exhibit hall is 125,500 sq. ft. and the largest ballroom is 17,068 sq. ft. A total of 63,500 sq. ft. of meeting space includes 26 meeting rooms. Located three minutes from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, The International Centre is surrounded by more than 10,000 hotel rooms and a variety of great restaurants and attractions. Puerto Rico

55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9J2 (613) 563-1984; (800) 450-0077 www.ottawaconventioncentre.com Senior Vice-President, Sales and Client Service: Paul Keogh Canada’s Meeting Place Opened in April 2011, the Ottawa Convention Centre (OCC) is centrally located in downtown Ottawa, Ontario, Canada’s Capital and within walking distance of more than 6,000 downtown hotel rooms, numerous attractions and the ByWard Market. The OCC is directly linked to the Westin Ottawa Hotel and the 180-store Rideau Centre shopping complex. In January the facility received LEED® Gold certification. The OCC offers 192,000 sq. ft. of function space including a 55,741-sq.-ft. multipurpose hall accommodating 6,260 theater style, 4,600 banquet style and up to 400 10 ft.-by-10 ft. booths displays; 22,032 sq. ft. of pre-function space; 28 meeting rooms; and a 19,032-sq.-ft. ballroom. Puerto Rico

Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino

Meet Puerto Rico

200 Convention Boulevard, San Juan, PR 00907 (787) 993-3500; (800) 325-3535; Fax: (787) 993-3525 www.sheraton.com/puertoricoconventioncenter

Director of Sales & Marketing: Jeremy Marquardt You don’t just stay here. You belong Plan your event in paradise. Recently opened, superbly situated amidst the Puerto Rico Convention Center District facing the Bay of San Juan, the Sheraton is a truly remarkable landmark, just 10 minutes from international airport. Meeting space: 35,000 sq. ft., nine breakout rooms; 16,290-sq.-ft. ballroom; 1,480 theater seats. Adjacent to Puerto Rico Convention Center. Event staff and onsite catering team. 503 guestrooms. 16 gaming tables, 500 of the latest slot machines, exceptional entertainment options. Numerous dining, shopping and nightlife venues. Puerto Rico

Ochoa Building, 500 Tanca St., Suite 402, San Juan, PR 00901 (800) 875-4765; Fax: (787) 725-2133 www.meetpuertorico.com Vice President of Business Development and Sales: Joyce Martínez Puerto Rico offers 1.2 million sq. ft. of state-of-the-art conference facilities, breathtaking natural attractions, championship golfing, resort spas and sizzling nightlife and casinos. The experts at Meet Puerto Rico, MPR, have liaisons to more than 250 members and can arrange luxury group accommodations and itineraries, gather proposals, coordinate site inspections and more. Recent/upcoming hotel openings include the Hyatt House San Juan, Courtyard by Marriott, Hyatt Place Manati and The Hyatt Bayamón & El Tropical Casino. The $29 million Paseo Puerta de Tierra project, a boardwalk linking historic Old San Juan PAGE with other popular tourism areas, is expected to open in late 2015. 4

Jamaica

Puerto Rico Convention Center

Montego Bay Convention Centre

100 Convention Boulevard San Juan, PR (800) 875-4765; (773) 654-1758; Fax: (787) 725-2133 www.prconvention.com National Sales Director: Rosa M. Luke The Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport is just 13 minutes from the Puerto Rico Convention Center, which is surrounded by 1,887 guestrooms within a three-mile radius, and the attractions of Old San Juan. PRCC features 600,000 sq. ft. of total space and can accommodate groups of up to 10,000. Signature wave-like roofline and a 13-story glass curtain offer spectacular views of the San Juan Bay and area beaches. Offers 152,700 sq. ft. of exhibition space, a 39,500-sq.-ft. ballroom, and 36,200 sq. ft. of additional meeting space, including 15 separate meeting rooms on two levels, divisible into 28 breakout rooms. The PRCC has unveiled a new solar energy PAGE array that is one of the largest green initiatives of its kind on the island. 4

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

Ottawa Convention Centre

Rose Hall, 18 Queens Drive Montego Bay, St. James, Jamaica, West Indies (876) 622-9330; Fax: (876) 622-9360 www.mobaycentre.com Senior Sales and Marketing Manager: Michelle Parkes A World Class Convention Centre in the Heart of Jamaica A beautiful, lively island, Montego Bay offers a memorable experience for meeting attendees; excellent hotels, inns and guest houses; and great golf, music and a vibrant culture. With an oceanfront location and breathtaking views, the state-of-the-art Montego Bay Convention Centre features 132,000 sq. ft. of meeting, exhibition, ballroom, and plenary space, including: 56,788 sq. ft. of dedicated exhibition space; 18,845-sq.-ft. ballroom; nine meeting rooms; 6,000-seat theater; a large, full-service kitchen PAGE within the facility; and 4,000 nearby hotel rooms. 137

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Caribbean / Jamaica

Montego Bay Convention Centre

Hosting Meetings in Jamaica he Montego Bay Convention Centre has provided another unique selling point for the destination of Jamaica, and is the perfect backdrop for any conference. Jamaica has embarked on its quest to become the leading conference destination in the Caribbean. According to Dittie F. Guise, General Manager, Montego Bay Convention Centre, “We are pleased that Jamaica is proving to become a leading MICE destination in the region. We shall certainly continue to work closely with our various industry partners to further enhance the country’s status and reputation as a business tourism destination to reckon with on the global stage. In fact, the Montego Bay Convention Centre has already copped the award as the Caribbean’s Leading Conference and Meeting Facility for the last three years consecutively from the World Travel Awards, so we are on course.” Montego Bay Convention Centre is ideally located in the elegant Rose Hall resort area. The Convention Centre is in proximity to five major hotels and is a short 15-minute ride from Montego Bay’s worldclass Sangster International Airport. With over 350 flights weekly into Montego Bay, including over 90 from non-stop markets, Jamaica is more accessible to visitors than any other Caribbean island. Montego Bay’s attractive setting, good weather and range of value-for-money to luxury accommodation distinguish it from competing Caribbean islands. In recent years new properties have added significantly to the area’s room inventory and choice of accommodations, further enhancing the area’s capabilities to service large gatherings and conventions. With sports being an increasingly important complementary activity for MICE market, Montego Bay’s five championship golf courses offer another appealing feature. The city is rated as the Caribbean’s Best Golf Resort and the Rose Hall area’s three championship courses — White Witch, Cinnamon Hill and Half Moon — are situated within a one-mile radius of the Convention Centre and the main hotels. And with a vast amount of teambuilding adventures and countless unique backdrops, the stage is set for many unforgettable events. In addition to exhibitions, the Montego Bay Convention Centre allow for simultaneous general sessions as well as breakout sessions for large groups. Catering to corporate entities, associations and faith-based organizations that hold retreats, workforce gatherings, large meetings, exhibitions and tradeshows using short breaks in holiday destinations, the modern Convention Centre provides space for more than 7,600 attendees in its Banquet Hall, meeting rooms and dedicated exhibition space. While the Banquet Hall will accommodate up to 2,000 attendees on 18,000 sq. ft. of floor space, divisible into three sections, the meeting rooms will house up to 600 attendees on 9,000 sq. ft., divisible into nine breakout rooms. Additionally, the 57,000-sq.-ft. exhibition space will accommodate 5,000 attendees theater-style, divisible into two halls. 136 Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

Half Moon P.O. Box #4058 Rose Hall, St. James, Jamaica (876) 622-9330 www.mobaycentre.com

Meet At The Caribbeanʼs Leading Meetings & Conference Centre Why not give your delegates and attendees a new Caribbean experience they will love you for it. Voted as the Caribbean’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre since 2011, you can expect to be connected with all that will make your event complete and perfect. Montego Bay Convention Centre, the first of its kind in the English speaking Caribbean is over 142,000 square feet or 13,220 m² of flexible meeting space. The Centre boasts an exhibit space that is divisible into two halls hosting up to 6,000 persons theatre style; a ballroom of nearly 19,000 sq. ft. ; a meeting centre with 9 breakout rooms - all smacked in the middle of over 4,500 affordable hotel rooms along the elegant corridor of Rose Hall.

facebook.com/mobaycentre

For more information |

twitter.com/mobaycentre

www.mobaycentre.com

Montego Bay Convention Centre | Half Moon P.O. Box #4058, Rose Hall, St. James, JAMAICA | mobaysales@mobaycentre.com | (876) 622 9330

On Location

St. Croix A convenient island getaway for incentive groups By Debi Lander

Sailing off the coast of St. Croix ranks as a day in paradise. Below from left: Christiansted National Historic Site; St. Croixâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pristine, uncrowded beaches; and a private home on a private island.

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t. Croix, largest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, enchants visitors with rolling landscapes that range from dense rainforest, to arid, cactus-covered regions, to soft, sandy beaches. Easterly trade winds help maintain low humidity. Balmy temperatures average at 82 degrees, with winter lows of 75 and summer highs in the 90s. Since the day Christopher Columbus first arrived on St. Croix more than 500 years ago, sugar and rum have shaped the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life and land. Ruins of more than 100 sugar mills and great houses remain strewn over the island. As the sugar industry declined after the 1960s, tourism became the most important industry. St. Croixâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outstanding features include uncrowded, talcumpowder beaches, aquarium-clear turquoise water brimming with tropical fish, tangy fresh Caribbean cuisine and views that even the most seen-it-all, unimpressionable incentive travelers will find mesmerizing. St. Croix offers certain conveniences for meeting planners: American citizens do not need a passport. U.S. residents need only bring a photo ID and birth certificate (with a raised seal) to get through customs. Plus, the U.S. dollar works as currency. At the same time, St. Croix feels like an international destination with distinctive culture, history and vehicles that are driven on the left hand (British) side of the road. Attendees can fly through Miami, Charlotte, Atlanta or San Juan and connect to a direct flight to St. Croix. Many more airlines fly into St. Thomas, a neighboring island, with connections via small plane or ferry. Planners can arrange for airport arrivals awaiting baggage to be entertained by quelbe and quadrille dancers. These native folk musicians and dancers perform to lively acoustic sounds guaranteed to make your body sway. Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

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The Buccaneer resort rests on a hilltop with majestic views of the Caribbean Sea.

LODGING

Two beach resorts on the island, The Buccaneer and the Renaissance Carambola Beach Resort, are outstanding choices for groups.

or balcony sitting area. Adding to the overall luxe mood, gorgeous marble bathrooms come with divided spaces and feature whirlpool tubs.

Meeting Facilities: The Beach Meeting Room offers seating for 80 theater style or 50 classroom style. The space can be completely darkened, contains no obstructive pillars and is air conditioned.

The Buccaneer The Buccaneer rests on 340 acres, two miles from Christiansted. The Armstrong family, currently in its ninth generation, has managed The Terrace is a covered, 140-seat the land for nearly 300 years. With open-air space, and the adjacent The reconstructed an onsite 18-hole, par-70 seaside Brass Parrot offers spectacular views. golf course, the complex feels like hill-top Sugar Mill at The latter is ideal for meetings a country club at the higher elevaThe Buccaneer hotel requiring full meal service with intions but bestows serene ocean views side seating for 100, and room for 60 at the waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edge. The property takes groups back more on the balcony. comprises three sandy beaches, eight in time with a lighted tennis courts, water sports The Mermaid (the beach bar/restaucenter, fitness center, full-service spa historical ambiance. rant) is also an open-air waterfront and salon, boutique shops and four location that seats up to 125 for casual restaurants. functions. An outdoor Grotto, perfect for cocktails, offers poolside and beachfront areas with informal seatThe hotel offers 138 guestrooms scattered around ing arrangements for up to 60 people. the sprawling grounds. All guestrooms incorporate a terrace or balcony and small refrigerator. The newest luxury rooms, the Beachside Doubloons, are very spa- The reconstructed Sugar Mill, on the top of the hill, takes groups back in time with a historical ambiance. cious, open and elegant. They are situated just steps Meeting planners should consider this space for small from the beach, and each room has a secluded patio 140

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

Lounging by the pool is just one way to relax at the Renaissance Carambola Beach Resort.

group dinners or cocktail parties. The surrounding lawn offers dramatic ocean vistas.

legendary golf course architect Robert Trent Jones and has served as the site of many LPGA tournaments. An onsite dive shop offers scuba lessons and snorkeling packages. The full-service spa and salon tempts guests with massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, hair styling and body treatments. There’s also a 24/7 fitness center, tennis and basketball courts, and an especially wellstocked gift shop.

The Buccaneer received national attention as the host location for ABC’s The Bachelor in 2011. Every Monday guests are invited to meet the owner, Elizabeth Armstrong, at a Manager’s Reception featuring Mocko Jumbies (St. Croix’s historically accurate costumed stilt performers), steel pan music and rum punch. Guestrooms

are furnished in the “Classic Caribbean Style” with dark wood, pineapple accents and island art.

The Renaissance Carambola Beach Resort The Renaissance Carambola Beach Resort and Spa is a Marriott-owned property on Estate Davis Bay near Frederiksted. The 26 buildings are tucked within a lush tropical mountain forest, giving the resort a secluded feel. Some units sit at the edge of a white-sand beach. Snorkelers who venture out just a little further find the famed “wall,” a drop-off teeming with marine life. At night a riotous tree frog symphony serenades guests.

The Carambola’s 18-hole golf course is located about 10 minutes from the resort. It was designed by Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

All guestrooms are furnished in the “Classic Caribbean Style” with plenty of dark wood, pineapple accents and island art. Rooms include a sitting area, plus private screened-in porch with cushioned seating, refrigerator, and free WiFi. Some rooms feature a fully stocked kitchen and vaulted ceilings.

Meeting Facilities: The resort offers 12,670 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space, including eight meeting rooms and the terrace and poolside areas. The indoor meeting spaces provide flexible arrangements within 8,000 sq. ft. Onsite audiovisual equipment includes microphones, Polycom speaker phones, LCD projectors, television monitors, DVD player, 141

Uninhabited Buck Island is a favorite snorkeling and scuba spot with great visibility.

VCR, portable screens, slide projector, and overhead projector.

John F. Kennedy and greatly expanded in 2001 by Bill Clinton, over the bitter opposition of local fishermen. While the waters off St. Croix are renowned for The Palm Tree Terrace offers a poolside venue that can world-class fishing, a catamaran and snorkel tour to accommodate 10 to 200 guests. The boardroom meaBuck Island may be the quintessential St. Croix expesures 23 ft. by 22 ft. and the table seats rience. Buck Island Reef National 16. The Tamarind room accommodates Monument, an uninhabited island Many talented artists 50 for cocktails or 40 theater style. about a mile and a half north of St. reside in Christiansted Croix, spans 19,000 acres but only Elegant small group dinners can be held in a beachside hut with tiki 176 acres lie above ground. Snorkeland Frederiksted, torch lighting and music provided by ing and scuba diving are legendary displaying their wares, due to the deep grottoes and the wathe lapping waves on the shore. ter’s crystal-clear visibility. Accordincluding the famed ing to the boat captain, “Buck Island ISLAND GROUP Crucian hook bracelet. is one of the finest marine gardens ACTIVITIES in the Caribbean.” The surroundFor starters, attendees can enjoy ing coral reef ecosystem supports a walking tours of Christiansted large variety of native flora and fauna, including 250 and Frederiksted, the two main cities on St. Croix. species of colorful fish, leatherback and hawksbill Christiansted is the larger of the two and features a turtles, and brown pelicans. picturesque wharf, while Frederiksted, planned in the 1750s by a Danish surveyor, has an excellent deep-sea The catamaran outing moors near Buck Island in harbor where cruise ships dock. Many talented artists reside in these towns, displaying their jewelry and arts about 12-15 feet of water and participants jump in for a guided tour led by one of the crewmembers. Everyone and crafts. The famed Crucian hook bracelet is frequently designed with Larimer, a rare Caribbean gem. wears brightly colored flotation vests for safety (you don’t have to inflate them unless needed), but these are a requirement of the park service. Swimmers have US National Parks up to an hour and a half to explore the land or snorkel Buck Island Catamaran Tours. Buck Island was near the reef. First-timers should not miss the famous proclaimed a U.S. National Monument in 1961 by 142

Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

Historic Fort Christiansted as seen from a catamaran tour.

underwater trail that lies at the easternmost point of the reef — one of only three underwater trails in the United States. Afterward, the boat sails to a private beach on St. Croix for a barbeque lunch. Fort Christiansted. Visitors are often surprised to find a U.S. national park ranger on St. Croix because they forget the islands are U.S. territories. Christiansted National Historic Site was established in 1952 to preserve and interpret the Danish economy and island lifestyles between 1733 and 1917. The seven-acre urban park consists of five structures at the edge of the waterfront: the main Fort, the Danish West India Warehouse, the Steeple Building, Danish Custom House and the Scale House. Tours by park rangers cover the drama and diversity (including the slave trade and sugar cane/rum production) of life during Danish control. Visitors stroll through the Fort and see soldiers’ quarters, detention cells, a dungeon and ammunition storage. The upper-level lookout yields fabulous views, and the entire experience makes for a memorable group outing.

Rum Factory Tours

Cruzan Rum. This distillery was founded on St. Croix in 1934, after the repeal of Prohibition. Throughout Danish rule, many large sugar estates had their own stills and made their own rum, but assigning a distinctive name Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

(or brand) for marketing rum was unknown until the 20th Century. Crucian (or Cruzan) rum was originally only a generic reference to the rums distilled on St. Croix. The family-owned company, Cruzan Rum, grew exponentially and in 2008 was acquired by Beam Brands. Although still distilled on island, the rum is now bottled in Florida. The distillery tour at the Cruzan factory involves stair climbing and stepping on a catwalk. Afterward, Cruzan invites participants to taste the drink and follow the prevailing philosophy of the “Don’t Hurry” island: a place where the pastime is to pass time. The Captain Morgan Rum Distillery and Visitor Center. Opened on St. Croix in January 2011, the $5 million center takes about an hour to tour and features a movie theater showing an introductory film, self-guided tour on the history of the rum industry, a tasting bar and a gift shop for picking up your pirate swag. Plus, your group will get a guided tram tour of the distillery. The tour guides claim the distillery currently produces 20 million gallons per year, but the rum is not bottled 143

Planners can arrange a memorable candlelight dinner in the Estate Whim great house as a special treat for attendees. on St. Croix. The product is finished elsewhere due to high shipping and bottling costs. Casino Casino nights can be arranged at Divi Carina Bay Casino, the only casino on the island with gaming tables, video poker, slot machines and musical entertainment. Dinner at Estate Whim Museum History comes alive when attendees tour among the original early-18th century plantation buildings at the 12-acre Estate Whim Museum. The authentic Danish

Morgan Tomlinson Program Coordinator Masterplan, Inc.

Based in LaGrange Highlands, IL, Masterplan is a global meeting and event management company that coordinated an incentive program in St. Croix for a major U.S.-based alcoholic beverage company that owns a distillery on the island. Two separate waves of about 50 attendees each arrived last February at the Renaissance Carambola Beach Resort. Morgan Tomlinson, Masterplan’s coordinator for the event, observes, “We’re starting to see incentive groups come back in a big way this year, so we’re doing more business in the Caribbean than usual.” What do you find advantageous about planning incentives in the Caribbean? Attendees don’t need to have their passports with them, so it makes travelling a little bit easier. It’s also nice to have the accessibility from all different parts of the continental U.S.; many attendees can connect through Miami or Atlanta. And yet the destination really has that island ambiance so you feel like you’re somewhere new, somewhere special. 144

The Estate Whim Great House

sugar estate dating from the 1700s offers a glimpse into the days when sugar was king and rum ruled. Costumed guides lead tours of the elegantly furnished great house. Sugar factory ruins, a fully restored windmill and tropical gardens can also be explored. Planners can arrange a memorable candlelight dinner in the Estate Whim great house as a special treat for attendees. Chandeliers are lit with real candles, creating rosy-hued ambiance cooled by open-air evening breezes. How would you evaluate the Renaissance Carambola Beach Resort as a host for corporate groups? I went on a site visit to St. Croix with a tourism group, and we saw several of the hotels. I would definitely say the Renaissance is one of the best fits for groups. The guestrooms all have great views; even the garden-view rooms have somewhat of an ocean view. The property has the largest amount of meeting space, and it’s very nice to have dinner functions on property and on the beach. And the hotel staff really did a great job of making my group feel important; they were all very attentive to detail. What was the entertainment highlight of the program? We did one of our dinners at the Palm Tree Terrace and one on the beach. The group enjoyed local entertainment, including fire dancers and moko jumbies — stilts walkers who are part of the culture of St. Croix. What advice would you give a planner bringing a program to the Caribbean for the first time? I would definitely recommend that a planner experience the destination on a site visit first; it makes the planning process much more streamlined. Preplanning is important, since things in the Caribbean always move a little slower than some city people are used to. It’s just the laidback island culture, which is great and it’s what you want when you’re going to a destination like that. But for planning purposes it’s something to keep in mind. —GS Facilities & Destinations 2014 superbook

advertiser index Northeast Atlantic City CVA............................................15 Connecticut Convention Center............. 67 David L. Lawrence Convention Center.. 81 The Javits Center............................................. 3 MassMutual Center.......................................36 Meadowlands Exposition Center............85 Philadelphia CVB..........................................C2 Providence Warwick CVB........................... 77 Rhode Island Convention Center............63 Rochester Riverside Convention Center...87 Wildwoods Convention Center.................19 Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake Conference Center.............29 Visit Norfolk........................................................ 6 Ocean City CVB..............................................91 Greater Richmond Convention Center........................................38 Virginia Beach CVB........................................31 Southeast Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.............................................................95 The Classic Center........................................45 Durham Convention Center......................38 Georgia World Congress Center............. 10 Miami Beach Convention Center............35 Mobile Convention Center........................97 New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center........................................65 Orange County Convention Center.......................................101 Owensboro Convention Center..............34 Palm Beach County Convention Center........................................ 37 Visit Savannah................................................103 Sun Life Stadium.............................................23 Vicksburg Convention Center.................105 Wilmington Convention Center...............25 Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

Midwest Akron/Summit CVB....................................... 73 Bridge View Center..................................... 107 Century Center.............................................109 Clay County Events Center......................110 Greater Columbus Convention Center.........................................13 The Conference Center at United Wireless Arena.................................112 Greater Des Moines CVB............................21 Indiana Convention Center....................... 115 Kansas City Convention Facilities.......... 116 Little Rock CVB............................................... 27 Monona Terrace Convention Center.... 118 RiverCenter..................................................... 119 The Sanford Center........................................41 St. Charles Convention Center................38 Swiftel Center...................................................71 Wisconsin Center..........................................C4 West Anaheim/Orange County VCB................... 7 Austin Convention Center..........................69 Colorado Springs CVB................................C3 Cox Convention Center.............................125 Fairplex.................................................................11 Oklahoma City CVB.................................... 129 Oregon Convention Center........................ 17 Palm Springs Convention Center............ 75 Phoenix Convention Center..................... 131 Sacramento Convention Center............ 133 Three Rivers Convention Center........... 134 Caribbean Meet Puerto Rico......................................... 4-5 Montego Bay Convention Centre..........137 Other SMG................................................................... 8-9 Global Spectrum.......................................32-39 145

On Location

Planning Incentives Is a Breeze in

Aruba By Debi Lander

ravelers arriving in Queen Beatrix International Airport in Oranjestad will have their passports stamped: Bon Bini! Welcome to Aruba – One Happy Island. That slogan reflects the mindset of the Caribbean isle. On Aruba, visitors are warmly received, encouraged to relax on white-sand beaches, laze in 80-degree temperatures and meet some of the friendliest people in the world. The same experience awaits incentive groups bound for the island, which lies 15 miles north of Venezuela in the tropical waters of the southern Caribbean. The location — just below the hurricane belt — makes the climate dry and eliminates the chance that major storms will disrupt plans.

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Aruba is small, just 19.6 miles long and six miles across, assuring ease of transportation. While Dutch is the official language, English and Spanish are widely spoken. Papiamento, the local language, mixes Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, French, English and African dialects. The Aruban florin is the official currency, but the American dollar can be used everywhere. First impressions often come from the fofoti trees near the airport, the unofficial island mascots. Constant trade winds sculpt the trees into graceful, southwesterly bending forms. A prime lodging choice for meeting groups visiting Aruba is the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Facilities & Destinations 2014 SuperBook

The Hyatt Regency Aruba’s lush grounds include multiple pools and an expansive beach for R&R.

Spa and Casino on Palm Beach — the most highly sought-after address. Here, attendees can stroll two miles of bricked promenades between the sprawling sandy shores and other high-rise hotels. Palm Beach is the ideal spot for sunbathing, sunset cocktails or dinner. Afterward, the 12,500-sq.-ft. Hyatt Casino provides exciting evening entertainment.

the surrounding 12-acre tropical gardens. The resort offers 357 rooms including 24 suites, all with colorful Caribbean accents. The Regency Club floor houses 29 rooms with concierge service and complimentary continental breakfast, evening cocktails and hors d’oeurves. Most rooms contain step-out balconies for admiring the landscape, and all come with graciously appointed bathrooms.

The Aruba Hyatt staff know how to pamper groups, large or small. In fact, many of the employees have been with the resort over 15 years. Upon arrival, guests are greeted and ushered into the open-air lobby, which seamlessly blends into

The lush multilevel grounds span fish-filled streams and walkways. Attendees can plunge into family or adults-only pools, or frolic in one that includes an adventurous water slide. The private beach becomes the place to unplug from har-

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Dinner cruises aboard a 53-ft. racing catamaran can also be arranged; a fun outing on the “big cat” is guaranteed when rum punch flows and the steel pan beats.

ried schedules on chaise lounges, with optional food and beverage service. Onsite dining venues include Ruinas del Mar restaurant, which is great for breakfast, either buffet or off the menu; the outdoor Palms Bar & Grill, the best island spot to sip a Caribbean cocktail and feel sea breezes; and Mexicado, the first authentic Mexican restaurant on the island serving table-side guacamole, multiple types of ceviche, traditional and contemporary Mexican dishes, and a broad tequila selection. At Footprints Beach Grill, attendees can enjoy an al fresco dinner under individual huts with their feet in the sand, while chefs grill lobster, shrimp, steak and chicken just steps away on the beach. Each palapa seats four to six people for an intimate, cozy setting, while tiki-torches add a warm glow; the large beach palapa can be reserved for group dinners and provides a similar ambiance. Meeting Rooms

The Hyatt offers nine separate meeting rooms and more than 25,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space, including open-air courtyards and covered pre-function areas. In 2013, the hotel marked the completion of its multi-year revitaliza148

tion efforts with the opening of its newly renovated ballroom in October. The 5,300-sq.-ft. Regency Ballroom can accommodate 400 people for a banquet, 450 classroom style, 600 theater style and 650 for a reception. A 3,900-sq.-ft. redwood deck and tent accommodates up to 200 attendees, providing alternative meeting space with an authentic Aruban vibe. Meeting rooms offer individual controls for AC, sound, music and microphones. Spa and Sports

Additionally, Hyatt Regency Aruba offers the 5,200-sq.-ft. ZoiA Spa, opened in 2012. “ZoiA” is a word in the local language, Papiamento, meaning balance and poise. Expert hands and the use of Aruba-inspired, all-natural oils and moisturizers, including Aruba’s homegrown aloe, make for a memorable experience. All treatments are based on four key Caribbean elements — sun, sand, sea and love — and the colors of the Aruban flag — yellow, white, blue, and red. Incentive participants may also enjoy the Hyatt tennis courts, and a championship golf course at nearby Tierra del Sol and Links at Divi. In addition, Facilities & Destinations 2014 SuperBook

Gusts and powerful surf create picturesque memories on Aruba’s rugged northeastern shore.

A 3,900-sq.-ft. redwood deck and tent accommodates up to 200 attendees, providing alternative meeting space with an authentic Aruban vibe.

Red Sail Sports, a full-service dive and water sports facility located steps from the Hyatt beach, offers snorkeling, paddleboats, ocean kayaking, waterskiing, deep-sea fishing excursions for groups, and more. Dinner cruises aboard a 53-ft. racing catamaran can also be arranged; a fun outing on the “big cat” is guaranteed when rum punch flows and the steel pan beats. Island Activities

A Jeep or ATV tour along the northeast coast or windward shore showcases a totally different side of Aruba. The tour passes through arid hills, immense cactus fields and some of Aruba’s most striking views of the ocean crashing against the rugged shoreline. The safari tour stops amid sandy dunes at the California Lighthouse, although the structure is no longer safe to climb. Then, it continues to bump along the rutty coastal road, passing a magnificent golf course as well as tiny fishermen Facilities & Destinations 2014 SuperBook

shacks scattered by the sea. Jeeps also stop by the lovely Alto Vista chapel, built by Spanish missionaries, and stone ruins of the old Burhiribana gold mines. My tour drove on to the once famous, coral limestone Natural Bridge, which collapsed in 2005. Parts of the natural wonder still remain and the views are photo worthy. Next we visited the Natural Pool, a circle of rocks and volcanic stone full of colorful sea life. Here, participants will have the option to take a dip. We finished the outing with a climb of the Casibari Rock formations. Apart from these fascinating tours, planners can arrange for groups to visit the Aloe Museum and Factory, and the Butterfly Farm. Leaving the island is now a breeze, thanks to a new state-of-the-art building for U.S.-only departures, built by U.S. Customs in 2000. Many flights pre-clear U.S. immigration and customs in Aruba, a boon for those traveling to the States. For additional information, visit www.aruba.com or www.aruba.hyatt.com. 149

Switzerland Taking meeting groups to Alpine heights By George Seli

ith the reliability of a fine timepiece, the picturesque country of Switzerland draws travelers from America year after year. That visitation is on the upswing as of late, with overnights by U.S. residents in 2013 at more than 1.5 million, a 4 percent increase over 2012. Switzerland’s virtues are as evident to the tourist as they are to the meeting attendee, who can enjoy everything from mountaineering to museum tours after business is concluded at a five-star hotel or high-tech conference center. Indeed, the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau reports that the number of MICE groups visiting the country in 2013 saw no decline from 2012. At the same time, the Swiss have been busy improving their meetings infrastructure 150

with numerous hotel and convention center projects in many of their beloved cities and cantons. GENEVA

While Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city and its financial hub, Geneva, the second largest, has the distinction of being a hub of international politics. The UN European headquarters is located here, as is the Palais Wilson, headquarters of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Culture is also a focus of the city, which is home to 100 cultural associations and has Switzerland’s largest budget for culture. Groups can explore dozens of museums and stroll through Old Town, the country’s biggest historical city and Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

On the shore of Lake Geneva lies Chillon Castle, one of Switzerland’s most visited sites and a unique choice for banquets and receptions.

the site of St. Peter’s Cathedral, the center of the Reformation movement. The Flower Clock, near the lake, symbolizes the city’s tradition of fine watchmaking and dedication to nature. Geneva’s many cultural experiences can be complemented with gastronomical ones: The city boasts 1,200 restaurants, including 55 gourmet establishments (eight starred by the Michelin Guide) and 140 exotic food restaurants representing 30 nationalities. The city is also known for its chocolate and wine, with 30 master chocolatiers and 1,400 hectares of vineyards. The Beau-Rivage Geneva, built in 1865, has one of the country’s largest wine cellars, and is among the city’s 15 five-star hotels. Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

The Crowne Plaza Geneva renovated its 368 guestrooms last year and added two extra floors with 60 new, bigger Club Rooms and a private function room. The hotel offers over 10,700 sq. ft. of function space. The 164-room Mandarin Oriental, Geneva, located on bank of River Rhone, is introducing a new spa and swimming pool this year. The Mandarin’s 10 meeting spaces total 2,852 sq. ft. Also of note, the Geneva Convention Bureau, together with some of the city’s major conference hotels, have set up a Green Daily Delegate Rate that includes a donation of 1 CHF per delegate to the Association pour la Sauvegarde du Léman (Lake Geneva Conservation Society). Following are the participating hotels: the 398-room Grand Hôtel Kempinski Geneva (features an over 7,100-sq.151

(Above): Heart of Old Town, Geneva (Right): The striking exterior of the new SwissTech Convention Center

site; the Kuklos at Leysin, a revolving restaurant ft. ballroom); the 350-room Mövenpick Hotel & powered by solar energy, offering panoramic Casino Geneva (19 meeting rooms with nearly views of Lake Geneva and the mountains; the 13,500 sq. ft.); the 206-room Hôtel Novotel famed Restaurant Hôtel de Ville Geneva Centre (five meeting in Crissier; and cruises on the rooms, the largest at 3,200 sq. lake aboard ships such as La ft.); the 154-room Hôtel Ramada The Beau-Rivage Liberté, a replica of a wooden Encore Geneva (4,300-sq.-ft. Geneva, built in 1865, 17th-century galley powered Conference Center and a nearly has one of the country’s by oars and sails. The canton of 13,500-sq.-ft. Events Center); and the 167-room Hotel Warwick largest wine cellars, and Vaud is also home to eight fivestar hotels: the Lausanne Palace Geneva (seven meeting rooms, is among the city’s 15 & Spa, the Beau-Rivage Palace the largest over 2,600 sq. ft.). five-star hotels. in Lausanne, the Fairmont Le CANTON OF VAUD Montreux Palace, the Royal Plaza A rapid rail network connects in Montreux, the Mirador Geneva to other cities in Europe and within Kempinski in Mont-Pèlerin, the Trois Couronnes Switzerland, including those in the surrounding in Vevey, the Grand Hôtel du Lac in Vevey and the Lake Geneva Region, which encompasses the Chalet RoyAlp Hotel & Spa in Villars. cantons of Geneva, Vaud and Valais. The canton of Vaud, in the heart of the region, is one of the Lausanne, the capital of the canton of Vaud, offers largest of Switzerland’s 26 cantons. Nearly 100 a prime offsite event venue for meeting groups: castles (14 of which are open to the public) and the Olympic Museum. Reopened last December more than 80 museums are found here. Other after a complete renovation, the venue features attractions include the terraced vineyards of The Olympic Room, with natural lighting and a Lavaux, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage capacity of 50 attendees; the Auditorium, with a 152

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(Top): The Montreux Music & Convention Centre (Above): The Olympic Museum in Lausanne (Left): Auditorium of the SwissTech Convention Center

capacity of 175; The Galerie, an exhibition area, center, Beaulieu Lausanne is a vast complex of with a capacity of 200; Club Coubertin, a modular over 500,000 sq. ft. featuring 33 meeting rooms, a reception room; and a second-floor terrace with theater and a 64,500-sq.-ft. roof covered with local a capacity of 80 people. Lausanne also welcomes vegetal plants. Also renovating through 2015 is groups with two fine convention centers: the the 196-room Hotel Royal Savoy, which offers 10 Swiss Tech Convention Center and the meeting rooms. Beaulieu Lausanne Convention & Exhibition Centre. The former facility East of Lausanne is Montreux, recently opened on the campus famous for its Montreux Jazz Lausanne welcomes of the Institute of Technology Festival and home to the groups to the Swiss Tech Montreux Music & Conven(EPFL). It houses a 3,000-seat auditorium and over 16,000 sq. tion Center. Opened in 1973, the Convention Center, ft. of meeting space with natural which recently opened Center has modernized its techlighting. The Swiss Tech Convennical equipment on the occasion on the campus of the tion Center is also the first fully of its 40th anniversary. Its nearly Institute of Technology. 200,000 sq. ft. is divided into two automated convention center in Europe, and can be converted at connected buildings: One, the the push of a button to original building, which after accommodate a particular event. Three thousand expansion and renovation is called Miles Davis, hotel rooms are in the vicinity. Through 2020, the accommodates 100-500 attendees. The other, Beaulieu Lausanne Convention & Exhibition newer building, called Stravinsky, accommodates Centre is undergoing a renovation and expan300 to 3,000. They each have several separate sion, including an accompanying hotel project, entrances and can be used simultaneously for “Taoua Tower”; by 2016 the north halls should be multiple events of different sizes, or for a single fully renovated. Located a short walk from the city large event. The Center houses an auditorium Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

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seating up to 1,800, a conference room for up to 1,200, dozens of small meeting rooms, two exhibition halls totaling over 43,000 sq. ft. and spacious terraces overlooking the lake and the Alps. Complementing this facility is one of the area’s finest hotels, the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, featuring 15,000 sq. ft. of function space. Built in 1906, this exemplar of the Belle Epoque architecture offers 236 luxuriously furnished rooms with stunning views over the lake and the Alps. For a memorable offsite event, planners may consider renting Chillon Castle, an 11th–century fortress on a small rocky island near Montreux. CANTON OF VALAIS

Valais, the snowiest region in the Alps, is a world-renowned ski destination with 45 peaks. The capital city of Sion is the site of Notre Dame

Cathedral, Majorie Castle, Tourbillon Castle and Valère Basilica, home to the world’s oldest playable organ, dating from the 1400s. In the town of Verbier, groups can find the new 123-room W Verbier, which debuted in December. The alpine resort offers three meeting rooms (maximum capacity 300), a spa, outdoor and indoor pools, fitness center and a gourmet restaurant. BASEL

The capital of the canton of Basel-Stadt and Switzerland’s third most populous city, Basel is located on the Rhine at the Swiss, French and German borders. It is the culturally vibrant home of Theater Basel, Switzerland’s largest orchestra, and a major natural history museum. Basel is also Switzerland’s oldest university city, with the University of Basel founded in 1460.

A “Swiss Delight” for The Principal Financial Group

Swiss cuisine was a major ast May, Des Moines, IAfocus of the incentive trip, and based The Principal the Fairmont cooperated with Financial Group held an the DMC for the program, incentive program in Ovation Switzerland, to bring Switzerland for the first time in a Swiss master chef and his in several years, and most of staff to stage a culinary teamthe participants — about 350 building event. “On another agents, spouses and children — day we did an activity called had not experienced the Lynne Schueler, Assistant Director, ‘Swiss Delight’ where guests destination before, notes Supplier Relations & Development, toured the Alimentarium Lynne Schueler, Assistant Food Museum as well as local Director, Supplier Relations & Meeting Planning Services, The Principal Financial Group wineries,” Schueler relates. Development, with the Debuting as the world’s first company’s Meeting Planning food museum in 1985, the Services department. Participants’ first stately Alimentarium will celebrate the 150th impression of the country was bolstered by anniversary of the Nestlé Group in 2016 after their accommodations: the historic being transformed in the latter half of 2015. Fairmont Le Montreux Palace. Other highlights of the four-night program included steam paddleboat dinner cruises “The Fairmont was really the only choice because of the size of property that we needed. on Lake Geneva and a “Glacier Excursion” ski outing. “Our people overall just loved And its location was really well suited for us; the flexibility of having so many different the train station is only a block and a half away,” Schueler says. Attendees took rail tours options,” says Schueler. The options were determined with Ovation’s expert guidance: of the country from that vantage point, and “Renato Grieco [Ovation’s Director of Intereven visited the town of Annecy in southeastern France for a shopping excursion. “It’s nal Support] was so instrumental in the success of our program.” —GS been described as a mini Paris,” she notes.

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The Kirchner Museum in Davos showcases the work of German expressionist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner.

When it comes to meetings business, Basel is well prepared with The Congress Center Basel, the largest facility of its kind in Switzerland and part of the MCH Group, which also runs convention centers in Zurich and Lausanne. The Basel facility has 16 meeting rooms on three floors accommodating from 303,000 attendees. The adjacent, recently redeveloped Messe Basel offers over 1.5 million sq. ft. of exhibition space. In the facility’s environs are 4,500 hotel rooms, 800 in walking distance. The 145-room Novotel Basel opened in September with about 3,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

2011. Among the new properties is the 245-room Kameha Grand Zürich Glattpark, featuring an events hall for up to 1,500 participants, a conference area with space for 10 to 200, and a rooftop ZURICH terrace of over 10,000 sq. ft. Kongresshaus Zurich, Located at the northwest tip of Lake Zurich, this which offers over 43,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, major financial center is home to two restaurants and views of Lake the Swiss Stock Exchange and the Zurich, is undergoing a renovation The greater Zurich headquarters of most Swiss banks. and expansion that will be completYet Zurich also has a strong culregion will have ed in 2017. tural and artistic side, with two of more than 1,600 new Europe’s most prominent museums hotel rooms by 2015. DAVOS located here: the Zurich Museum Southeast of Zurich in the canton of of Art and the Swiss National Graubunden lies Davos, a municipalMuseum. A major part of Zurich’s ity on Landwasser River in the Swiss history of hospitality is The Dolder Grand, whose Alps. It has the distinctions of being the highest city main building, dating from 1899, was combined in Europe, at an altitude of 5,120 ft., and the host of with the new, 173-room City Resort in 2008. Among the World Economic Forum. Planners who prefer its features are a 4,300-sq.-ft. ballroom, 43,000-sq.international hotel brands have a new lodging opft. spa and a two Michelin-star restaurant. The new tion in Davos with last year’s debut of the 216-room Gallery Lounges, debuting this summer, will offer InterContinental Davos, featuring nine small meetan additional 7,600 sq. ft. of function space and ing rooms with 678 sq. ft. of space. An intriguing floor-to-ceiling windows. offsite venue in Davos is the Kirchner Museum, which features the work of German expressionist And the city is developing new lodging options Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and is available for rental. that will benefit groups. The greater Zurich region Attendees can also visit Monstein Brewery, Europe’s alone will have more than 1,600 new hotel rooms highest and cleverly promoted as “The Last by 2015, an increase of 12 percent compared to Beerstop Before Heaven.” Facilities & destinations 2014 superbook

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4 1

Anaheim, CA

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Hot

Status: Hot category: Expanding Convention Centers FYI: When demand for

L ist

1] Anaheim Convention Center

Anaheim, CA • www.anaheimconventioncenter.com This summer, construction is expected to begin on the Anaheim Convention Center’s seventh expansion since it opened in 1967 across from Disneyland Resort. The $180 million project will create a two-level meeting and exhibit space just north of the Hilton Anaheim. Scheduled to be finished by fall 2016, the new facility will offer a total of 200,000 sq. ft. of function space, including 100,000 sq. ft. of column-free exhibit space on the second floor. The Anaheim Convention Center currently offers 815,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and 130,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Boise, ID • boisecentre.com In a signed letter of intent with the Gardner Company, a real estate developer, the Greater Boise Auditorium District has outlined plans to add 43,000 sq. ft. of facilities to the Boise Centre, nearly doubling its current 50,000 sq. ft. Construction is scheduled to start this summer, with completion estimated for the third quarter of 2016. The new facilities will include a 15,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, a 7,000-sq.ft. commercial kitchen, and an additional 14,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and 7,000 sq. ft. of pre-function space.

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Quebec City, Quebec

Boise, ID

space exceeds supply, convention centers often begin developing expansion plans in order to capture the lost business. Moscone Center, for example, has identified a direct spend loss of nearly $2.1 billion for the years 2010-2019 due to space constraints, while the much smaller Boise Centre has also been operating at capacity for years and forced to turn down lucrative events. Following are three convention centers that will be completing expansion projects, one that recently finished expanding (Quebec City Convention Centre) and one whose project is still in the proposal stage (Moscone Center). Planners do well to stay abreast of these new opportunities for their groups in the highly competitive convention center market.

Boise Centre

San Francisco, CA

3] Moscone Center

San Francisco, CA • www.moscone.com The proposed Moscone Center Expansion Project would increase the gross square footage of the Center by about 20 percent, from approximately 1.2 million sq. ft. to 1.5 million sq. ft., and renovate/repurpose the existing facility. The end result would be an approximately 42 percent increase in function space. Designed for LEED Gold certification, the expansion would add 140,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, 28,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 87,000 sq. ft. of multipurpose space and 178,000 sq. ft. of support space. Plans call for construction to begin in November and be completed in 2018. The Moscone Center currently offers more than 738,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and up to 106 meeting rooms.

4] Quebec City Convention Centre

Quebec City, Quebec • convention.qc.ca/en The government of Quebec has invested $36 million in new meeting spaces for its Convention Centre over the last two years, and in March the Centre debuted the additional function space along with a variety of features including three new entrances, four video screen walls and a concierge. Now able to accommodate 9,000 delegates, the facility has increased its meeting space by 22,874 sq. ft. for a total of 57,874 sq. ft., and increased its prefunction space by 21,173 sq. ft. for a total of 78,251 sq. ft. Eight new meeting rooms (bringing the facility’s total to 38) are complemented by a new clientele lounge, boardroom, Videotron Hall and an outdoor terrace with a view of Old Quebec. Total exhibit space remains 134,500 sq. ft.

5] Spokane Convention Center

Spokane, WA • www.spokanecenter.com Scheduled for completion in December, the Spokane Convention Center’s $55 million expansion will add 91,000 sq. ft. to the facility, including 20,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space (bringing the total to almost 103,000), 25,000 sq. ft. of meeting and ballroom space, and 25,000 sq. ft. of public and back-of-house space. Planners will have at their disposal 10 new meeting rooms, a boardroom, a 12,000-sq.ft. ballroom situated on the banks of the Spokane River, and a Riverside Terrace. New meeting spaces feature floor-to-ceiling windows and are being built to LEED standards.

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