In Brief

INDUSTRY PULSE

CHICAGO, IL — PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat recently announced changes to the organization’s leadership structure that will support its goal of becoming a global leader in the business events industry. “For the past two years I have worked with our leadership and partners to activate our strategic plan and bring our vision of economic and social transformation through business events to life,” said Karamat. “Our results to-date demonstrate that our strategy is working. Our opportunity now is to build on our momentum to the benefit of our stakeholders everywhere.” The organizational changes include the following:

• Bruce MacMillan, Chief Marketing Officer, will now oversee the EMEA and APAC teams. • PCMA formally launches PCMA Insights, a consulting division that will report to MacMillan. • Marcia Mawe joins PCMA as Vice President, Marketing and Communications. • Meredith Rollins, Chief Community Officer, will assume responsibility for Business Development and Client Services. • Stacey Shafer has been promoted to Vice President, Community Engagement and will lead PCMA’s membership engagement efforts as part of Rollins’ team. • Mona Cotton, Chief Business Officer, will now focus on developing PCMA’s educational products.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL — The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort recently appointed Kathleen Bernesby as Director of Sales for the entire complex. She will lead the sales team in conjunction with the director

Bruce MacMillan Kathleen Bernesby

of sales and marketing for the 2,270-room resort, including its upcoming expansion, The Cove at the Walt Disney World Swan, a 349-room tower scheduled to open in 2021. Bernesby brings over 30 years of experience in hospitality sales and marketing, including a previous tenure at the resort from 1998-2008 and positions with Earl Enterprises, Westin Diplomat Resort and Loews Miami Beach. (For more Miami Beach meeting industry updates, see the feature on page 36.)

LOUISVILLE, KY — Louisville Tourism has named Elizabeth Yienger its fourth National Sales Manager. Yienger’s responsibilities include promoting and selling Louisville as a convention, meeting and trade show destination to Northeastbased national associations, government organizations and corporations from

Elizabeth Yienger

Maryland to Maine. She is based in New York. Yienger has held regional director roles with Hilton Worldwide and Starwood Hotels, handling large accounts throughout the Northeast. She has also held regional roles for both Visit Baltimore and Visit Orlando, focused on Northeast corporate and association customers for each of those organizations.

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The ASM Global-managed Pennsylvania Convention Center recently announced that Director of Business Analysis Mary Ann Torres received her Certification in Meeting Management (CMM) after completing the 15-week course hosted by MPI Academy and taught by the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. The CMM program focuses on developing strategic thinking needed to assume a leadership role. “It was a great opportunity to continue to learn and grow professionally,” Torres said. “My role is so customer focused that I really wanted to use this opportunity to further understand the needs and goals of the meeting planners that we service.” Mary Anne Torres

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — CadmiumCD, EXPOCAD, Freeman, GES, Map Your Show and Personify A2Z Events are collaborating to establish unified exhibitor data elements intended to streamline operations and improve the customer experience. “As a result of establishing industry standards for exhibitor data, we are able to better serve our clients by providing a seamless process to share exhibitor data,” said GES Chief Information Officer Rick Britton. “Going forward, the quality of data all parties receive will dramatically improve, providing clarity and increased productivity. GES is honored to take a Continued on page 6

INDUSTRY PULSE Continued from page 4

leading role in this industry initiative.” Danielle Puceta, Senior Vice President of Digital at Freeman, commented, “Collaborating on a set of standards has the potential to revolutionize how we work and grow as an industry to meet customer demands. These standards will alleviate ambiguity, guarantee quality of work and boost productivity.” (See Puceta’s column on attendee engagement through digital technology, p. 55.)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC) shared its plans for 2020 during a press conference at PCMA’s Convening Leaders. “2019 was a year of record success for the coalition,” said Trina Camacho-London, MMBC Co-chair and Vice President of Global Group Sales at Hyatt Hotels Corporation. “Our work helped to strengthen the meetings economy, which surpassed $1 trillion globally and continued to grow yearover-year across all major metrics.” Camacho-London cited the following five objectives for 2020: 1. Leveraging the 2020 elections to engage policymakers around the industry’s value and remind them that they too leverage face-to-face meetings to do their jobs effectively; 2. Celebrating the fifth Global Meetings Industry Day, which resulted in 275 events across more than 50 countries in 2019; 3. Renewing MMBC’s focus on economic data, as other industries carefully watch market trends and indicators of what could be another global recession; 4. Strengthening MMBC’s efforts to reach external leaders online; and 5. Identifying strategic partnerships to grow the coalition’s reach globally.

Fred Dixon

“We are doubling down on external outreach to ensure the value of meetings is better understood by those who make decisions, policies and protocols that impact our industry,” said Fred Dixon, MMBC Co-chair and President and CEO of NYC & Company. “Our Worth Meeting About campaign will focus on educating and recruiting mayors, city council members and local chambers of commerce. These groups are incredibly important champions for our industry and see firsthand how meetings support businesses and the economy.”

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CONVENTION CENTER WATCH

ARLINGTON, TX — The Arlington City Council recently approved a $550 million addition to the city’s Entertainment District. Expected to be completed in 2023, the project includes the new 888-room Loews Arlington, a new convention center and a parking facility for 1,500 vehicles. Groups will have 150,000 sq. ft. of indoor convention space and 66,000 sq. ft. of outdoor space at their disposal, as well as a future expo hall that will connect via a skybridge to the new 300- room Live! by Loews Hotel. ATLANTA, GA — The Exhibit Hall BC project, a 100,000-sq.-ft. expansion of the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC), has been completed. The project has created more than one million sq. ft. of contiguous exhibition space and brings the GWCC’s total exhibit hall space to more than 1.4 million sq. ft. The Exhibit Hall BC project was part of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s 2020 Vision plan that also included recently completed, $27 million capital improvements at Centennial Olympic Park and the addition of a headquarters hotel, Signia by Hilton, set to break ground this spring. FORT MYERS, FL — Following renovations, the Harborside Event Center will reopen later this year as the Caloosa Sound Convention Center & Amphitheater. Located in downtown Fort Myers, the facility will feature 40,000 sq. ft. of function space, including a riverfront terrace. An additional 8,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor function space will be available at 243- room Luminary Hotel & Co., a Marriott Autograph Collection property expected to open August 2020. Minneapolis Convention Center Celebrates 30th Anniversary

In recognition of its 30th anniversary, the Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) is presenting commemorative bottles of Mill City Cellars wine — the private label of in-house caterer Kelber Catering — to clients who have held their events at the facility for each of the past 30 years. On Feb. 27, MCC staff presented bottles to members of the Minneapolis Home + Garden Show. Pictured (l-r): Jody Geiselhart (MCC), Lori Rausch (MCC), Autumn Pennington, Kristin Nelson, Danielle Maki, Kim Shipman, Lauren Wallerius (Show Manager), Jeff Johnson (MCC Executive Director), Jennifer Sorensen, Katie Smith (MCC) and Jill Kottke. LAS VEGAS, NV — Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Caesars Entertainment has postponed the grand opening for CAESARS FORUM, originally scheduled for March 18. The venue’s 300,000 sq. ft. of flexible space includes the two largest pillarless ballrooms in the world. In addition, groups have a 100,000-sq.-ft. outdoor plaza at their disposal. (For more details on CAESARS FORUM, see the feature in the F&D 2019 Fall issue, page 29.)

NASHVILLE, TN —Music City Center received the Overall Highest Score Award and the Carbon Emissions Reduction Award during the 2020 USGBC Tennessee’s IMPACT Conference and Awards, held on Jan. 30. Music City Center recorded the highest scores in energy, water, waste and transportation improvements within the state using the Arc performance platform over a 12-month period, as well as the highest reduction in carbon emissions. “We have an amazing team that is committed to prioritizing sustainable practices in our day-to-day operations,” said Charles Starks, President/ CEO of Music City Center. “We are honored to have received these awards from the USGBC [U.S. Green Building Council] and greatly value our partnership.”

UNCASVILLE, CT — In June 2018, Mohegan Sun introduced its $80 million, 125,000-sq.-ft. Earth Expo & Convention Center. Since then, the property has continued to enhance its offerings with several new venues, including ComixRoadhouse, a country bar and restaurant; GAME ON, an 18,000-sq.-ft. restaurant and bar located on A major Northeast realty company recently utilized Mohegan Sun’s new Expo Center to create a “learning village.” The column-free, naturally lit venue was equipped with learning labs, breakout rooms, a networking lounge, relaxation areas and more.

the lower level of the Earth Expo & Convention Center; and novelle, an ultra lounge. Group gatherings can be held in all these venues. GAME ON, featuring bowling, ping pong, shuffleboard, arcade games and many more teambuilding opportunities, was “specifically designed with groups in mind,” says John Washko, Vice President of Exhibitions & Convention Sales. In addition, the famed TAO Restaurant opens at Mohegan Sun this year. The 300-seat Pan-Asian restaurant will be the brand’s first outside of a major metropolis. But perhaps most significantly, the Earth Expo & Convention Center has demonstrated ROI in paving the way for new business (e.g., the Connecticut Marine Trades AssociationHartford Boat Show) and allowing some existing clients to expand their footprint at Mohegan Sun (e.g., the World Baseball Coaches’ Convention). “We have two convention centers on two sides of the property, so that allows us to run two very large conventions simultaneously,” says Washko. “For example, we recently had a large mortgage banking event in the Uncas Ballroom with over 800 attendees utilizing all breakouts in our Sky Convention Center. And we did that simultaneously with the boat show in the Earth Expo & Convention Center.”

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IN BRIEF BOSTON, MA — Mandarin Oriental, Boston is undergoing a $15 million renovation of all 136 guestrooms and 10,000 sq. ft. of event space, scheduled for completion in April. The Spa is also being enhanced with the addition of three new treatment rooms and refreshed wellness amenities. DALLAS, TX — Scheduled to open in November, Marriott Uptown will be a 14-story, 255-room hotel featuring 13,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, a restaurant, pool deck and more. The trendy Uptown neighborhood is near Katy Trail and other attractions. DALLAS, TX — The Sheraton Dallas Hotel recently completed the final phase of a multimillion-dollar renovation that included all 1,840 guestrooms, public areas, food and beverage outlets, and its 230,000 sq. ft. of function space. Five F&B outlets debuted as part of the project: Open Palette, Moka Pot Coffee Shop, Draft Sports Bar and Lounge, The Parlor cocktail lounge and Open Mkt. Additional new features include art installations and a rooftop garden featuring murals by local artist Falk Houben. LAS VEGAS, NV — Resorts World Las Vegas is scheduled to open in summer 2021. The 3,500-room resort will comprise three Hilton premium brands: Hilton Hotels & Resorts, LXR and Conrad. The property will offer 350,000 sq. ft. of function space, a 5,000-capacity theater, 220,000-sq.-ft. pool complex, a spa and fitness center, as well as a variety of casual and fine-dining restaurants. MIAMI BEACH, FL — The Shelborne South Beach has completed a $500,000 renovation of its 4,3880-sq.-ft. Grand El Dorado Ballroom, which now accommodates up to 360 guests. The 200-room property offers over 30,000 sq. ft. of function space. (For more Miami Beach hotel updates, see the feature on page 36.) ORLANDO, FL — In June, Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate commences a renovation that will transform all 720 guestrooms and 49 villas, as well as update public spaces and meeting rooms. The project is slated for completion in early fall. By the end of January 2020, new carpet will be installed throughout the ballrooms, foyers and breakout spaces. (For more Orlando hotel updates, see the feature on page 36.) PHOENIX, AZ — Hyatt Regency Phoenix has completed a multi-million-dollar property-wide renovation including the front desk and lobby, guestrooms, function spaces and rooftop pool area. The closest hotel to the Phoenix Convention Center, the 693- room property now offers four new meeting rooms among its 50,000 sq. ft. of function space. Guestrooms now feature new flooring, digital artwork, lighting, upgraded furnishings and more. The newly relocated lobby area and front desk pods were designed to mimic elements of desert landscaping and are illuminated by large, custom-made chandeliers. In addition, the Hyatt Regency Phoenix now includes two new venues: Barrel & Bushel, a casual American eatery, and B&B Market, offering freshly made hot and cold grab-andgo options. HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS

Rendering of the lobby at Conrad Las Vegas The renovated Sheraton Dallas’ 37th-floor Majestic Conference Center

SAN DIEGO, CA — Pebblebrook Hotel Trust recently announced that The Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter will open next year. The 235- room property will be the result of a rebranding and $20 million renovation of the existing Solamar Hotel. It will complement The Margaritaville Island Resort San Diego, a 462- room property with 80,000 sq. ft. of meeting space that is expected to open this year. (For more California hotel updates, see the feature on page 31.)

SANTA CLARA, CA — The Santa Clara Marriott has completed a multimillion-dollar renovation that remodeled guestrooms and corridors, redesigned public spaces and the lobby, updated meeting spaces, expanded the fitness center, and introduced Bosc + Bartlett, serving dishes influenced by Californian and Asian cuisines. The 766- room property offers 29,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor function space.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Caesars Entertainment and real estate development company HCW have broken ground on the first Caesars Republic non-gaming U.S. hotel. The 265-room Caesars Republic Scottsdale will be located at Scottsdale Fashion Square in the heart of the city’s dining district. The hotel will offer groups a 7,000-sq.-ft. column-free ballroom that is divisible by four. Sliding glass doors will open onto an event lawn accommodating up to 600 attendees. Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis will open two onsite restaurants, Luna by Giada and Pronto by Giada.

Boise’s Best. At its Centre.

Centrally located in the heart of vibrant downtown Boise, the newly expanded Boise Centre has a variety of customizable meeting spaces, modern amenities, exceptional culinary services and a friendly and dedicated staff ready to make your next event an unforgettable experience. Explore Idaho’s premier convention center for yourself.

• Centralized, downtown location • Only seven minutes from Boise airport • Over 20 direct flights from major U.S. cities • Surrounded by more than 100 restaurants and breweries • Over 1,200 hotel rooms within walking distance • Close to outdoor recreation, including the Boise Greenbelt

MEETING DEALS

CHARLESTON, SC — Wild Dunes Resort extends its Association Destination offer to groups booking 50 room nights or more by June 30, 2020 and actualizing by June 30, 2021. Planners can choose from one of the following: complimentary Oyster Roast or Lowcountry Boil, $500 transportation credit for off-property events or 5 percent rebate back to the master account. Call (877) 624-4959 to book.

NAPLES, FL — LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort’s Meet at the Beach Package awards perks for meetings held June through December 2020. With a minimum of 25 room nights and a two-night minimum stay, planners can choose up to five of the following: one complimentary upgrade to a One Bedroom Beachfront Hotel Suite at the group rate; two VIP welcome amenities of the Chef’s choice; daily resort fee reduced to $15; beachfront upgrades; complimentary indoor function space provid

ed F&B minimum is attained; 50 percent off valet parking; one complimentary 50-minute spa treatment for every 10-50 minute treatments paid for; two complimentary rooms for two nights for site visit; one gift certificate for a three-night/four-day stay. Call (239) 598-5700 or email sales@laplayaresort. com.

ORLANDO, FL — Margaritaville Hotel Orlando invites planners to hold a meeting this year at the property and receive a $500 American Express gift card, plus extra incentives including: one complimentary guestroom per 50 actualized and complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access in meeting room and all guestrooms. Blackout dates may apply. For more information or to book, call (407) 479-0961 or email events@margaritavilleresortorlando.com.

SUNRIVER, OR — Sunriver Resort’s Special Offer for Groups includes several incentives for meetings held between Nov. 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021, including: rates starting at $109/night, waived resort fee, waived meeting room rental, 10 percent off banquet food, $25 spa discount at Sage Springs Club & Spa, 1:40 suite upgrade and 20 percent attrition. For more information or to book, call (855) 279-1366 or email meetings@destinationhotels.com.

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS

PRISM

P R I M E S I T E M E E T I N G HOTEL AWARD WINNERS 2020

2020 Prime Site Meeting Hotel Awards Ballot

Fill Out Form & Mail, Email or Fax Your Vote: Facilities & Destinations, PO Box 1807, New York, NY 10150 Fax: (435) 578-8193 • Email: ballots@facilitiesonline.com

VOTE for the top hotels, resorts and conference centers 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 • Teambuilding • Food & beverage/ catering • Lighting • Acoustics • Climate control • Proximity to airport & other transportation • Onsite or offsite lodging • Other support services • Front-desk operations • Setups and breakdowns • Room décor • Quality/size of ballroom • Special packages • Spa • Nearby attractions

12 Name of nominee _________________________________________ Name of nominee _________________________________________ Name of nominee _________________________________________ Check the award you want to nominate the above for: Meeting Hotel/Resort Conference Center Your name and title ________________________________________ Organization ______________________________________________ Phone ____________________________________________________ Email_____________________________________________________ Additional comments ______________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ May we contact you? Yes___ No___