31 minute read
Venue Revue Hutton Hotel, Nashville
VENUE REVIEW HUTTON HOTEL
Mane & Rye Dinerant
Analog
Writers Studio
Just steps from Music Row, this reimagined Nashville property tunes into what groups want
By Laura Janelle Downey
n 2019, Nashville, aka Music City, welcomed more than
I16 million visitors. The popular Southern Tennessee capital is filled with history, honky-tonks and hotels. One special gem is the Hutton Hotel, located in the bustling West End neighborhood just 13 minutes (less than 10 miles) from Nashville International Airport. Renovated in 2017, the 11-year-old hotel offers groups more than 20,000 sq. ft. of function space and 250 guestrooms (including 52 suites and three signature suites).
Healthcare management company eviCore recently hosted its Annual Physicians Meeting at the Hutton Hotel. “After touring several properties, we decided on the Hutton Hotel for several reasons,” says Kimberly Stanke, Executive Assistant at eviCore. “The location and size of hotel, the Analog entertainment venue, which absolutely sealed the deal, and the staff was amazing to work with — Sales Manager Natalia Beaubouef saw to every detail and made every event run smoothly.”
Stanke secured the 7,000-sq.-ft. Vista Ballroom for eviCore’s needs. “We chose the Vista Ballroom due to the size of our group and meeting space required. The ballroom offered a comfortable space for a half-day meeting, and the audiovisual team was amazing. Everything went off without a hitch,” Stanke says. She adds that “We chose Analog for our holiday party because it has the cool factor. The décor gives the space a speakeasy feel. And the Hutton team positioned food stations around Analog, providing a comfortable space to mingle. I cannot say enough about Analog and the Hutton staff. All of our guests commented on what a wonderful party it was.”
Other hotel highlights include the Fender Play® In-Room Experience, where attendees can call the front desk and have a Fender Stratocaster, Telecaster or Jazzmaster brought to their room with an iPad, amplifier, headphones and a three-month prepaid Fender Play subscription card (labeled Everything You Need To Learn Guitar Bass & Ukulele). Attendees can brush up on their skills or learn the basics, but if things start to get too loud, they shouldn’t abandon their soloist dreams. Hutton Hotel offers its state-of-the-art Writers Studios (our favorite is the East Studio) for them to rock out, pen and record songs, and much more. Once a hit is recorded, attendees can stop by Mane & Rye Dinerant before going back to their room or suite. Menu options include The Vlad, which comes with malted vanilla ice cream infused with Stolichnaya and Kahlúa. This will be one of the sweetest stays a group has ever had.
AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER
a LEED® Gold-certified building, is a leader in the convention and meeting industry. The facility is located in the heart of the capital city’s downtown business district and spans six city blocks. With five column-free exhibit halls, totaling 247,052 sq. ft., the exhibit space can accommodate 1,289 booths that are 10 ft.-by-10 ft. The flexible building space has two ballrooms that range up to 40,510 sq. ft. in size, along with 54 meeting rooms and show offices. Ample parking is provided in two parking garages with 1,700 spaces.
TECHNOLOGICAL FEATURES
Rated one of the most technologically advanced convention centers in the country, the gigabit-rated facility moves voice, video and data at over one billion bits per second. The Center’s high-tech capabilities help to create the perfect Technology Partner for the annual SXSW international multimedia festival. The facility offers a variety of inhouse services including complimentary wireless Internet access, redundant highspeed Internet II access, plug-and-play capabilities, and onsite technical staff to help with networking needs.
HOTELS
Downtown offers 11,000 hotel rooms within a two-mile radius of the facility, including the 800-room Hilton Austin adjacent to the Austin Convention Center and connected by the Hilton Overhead Walkway at 4th. North America’s largest Fairmont property with 1,048 rooms, the Fairmont Austin is connected directly to the Austin Convention Center via the Fairmont Canopy Walk. Additional nearby hotels include Four Seasons Hotel Austin, JW Marriott, 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, W Austin, Hyatt Place Downtown Austin and Westin Austin Downtown. Located adjacent to the Center, the all-new Austin Marriott Downtown is scheduled to open in 2020, and will feature over 600 guestrooms.
AUSTIN BY NIGHT
After conventions and meetings wrap up each night, attendees may choose to enjoy Austin’s entertainment districts. Austin is a city where the music never stops, as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” The largest concentration of venues is found downtown in the Warehouse District, Rainey Street and Sixth Street, a six-block stretch of bars and restaurants.
AUSTIN BY DAY
During the day, visitors and families can enjoy the Texas State Capitol Complex, Texas Governor’s Mansion, University of Texas, LBJ Presidential Library, Umlauf Sculpture Gardens, Zilker Botanical Gardens and more than 20 museums including the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Plus there are dozens of art galleries, including The Blanton Museum of Art, Lake Austin, Lake Travis, Barton Springs, and hike and bike trails along Lady
Located in the heart of the capital city’s downtown, the Leed® Gold-certified convention center spans six city blocks
The four-story Austin Convention Center,
Bird Lake. Fast Facts:
Facility
Location: Downtown Austin Total Area: 881,400 gross sq. ft., covering six city blocks Meeting & Exhibit Space: 374,278 sq. ft. Fifty-four meeting rooms. Five contiguous exhibit halls with 247,052 sq. ft. of columnfree space that can accommodate 1,289, 10 ft.-by-10 ft. exhibit booths Ballrooms: Seven, ranging in size from cozy and intimate to one of the largest in Texas at 40,510 sq. ft. Technology: Gigabit-rated facility with complimentary Wi-Fi to accommodate over 20,000 wireless devices connecting simultaneously. No need to roam, looking for full connectivity sweet spot. New video walls for additional wayfinding and client messaging to go along with 24/7 network support and event customization.
Austin
Hotels: 11,000 downtown hotel rooms. Convention Center connected to Hilton Austin and Fairmont Austin via Hilton Overhead Walkway and Fairmont Canopy Walk Airport: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), eight miles from the Convention Center 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, and Lady Bird Lake
Contact Information
Trisha Tatro, Interim Director of Austin Convention Center Department Paul Barnes, ACCD Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer Amy Harris, CMP, Director of Sales
500 E. Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX 78701 • (512) 404-4200; Fax: (512) 404-4220 conventionsales @austintexas.gov • austinconventioncenter.com
BOISE CENTRE
DISCOVER BOISE
This energetic city offers meeting planners the perfect combination of urban lifestyle and outdoor adventure. A vibrant, walkable downtown awaits visitors with plentiful dining, breweries, wine-tasting rooms, shops and entertainment. Getting to Boise is easier than ever with nonstop service to 20 destinations.
EXPANDED CONVENTION CENTER
Situated in the heart of downtown is Boise Centre, Idaho’s premier convention center. Following a $47.5 million expansion, Boise Centre boasts 86,000 sq. ft. of fully carpeted, versatile event space that accommodates groups of up to 2,000 people. Within the convention center, you will find 31 flexible meeting rooms, the latest in wireless technology and beautiful views of the Boise Foothills. Boise Centre proudly provides in-house catering, audiovisual, technology and event production services. Boise Centre’s team of event professionals will attend to every detail to ensure an unforgettable experience.
NEW HOTELS NEAR BOISE CENTRE
In the past two years, several new hotels have opened near Boise Centre and another property is expected to open in late 2020. Groups and conventions have over 1,100 sleeping rooms near the convention center with convenient access to dining, nightlife, shopping and entertainment.
THRIVING CITY
Boise’s energetic, friendly and walkable downtown invites visitors to discover one-of-a-kind eateries, more than 100 shops, live music venues and a growing number of breweries and wine-tasting rooms within a 10-block radius. The city’s 8th Street is a lively hub of activity, with outdoor dining options, nightlife and weekly farmer’s market (seasonal) all centered here. The historic Basque Block offers a museum and cultural center, restaurants and annual festival held in late July. Numerous art galleries, opera, philharmonic orchestra and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival outdoor amphitheater add to Boise’s urban appeal.
Just four blocks from downtown is the Boise Greenbelt, a 25-mile walking and biking path that follows the Boise River through the city. The nearby Boise Foothills boast hundreds of miles of hiking trails with options for all abilities. Golf, skiing, whitewater rafting and wineries are all available within an hour.
Fast Facts: Facility Location: Downtown Boise Total Square Feet: 86,000 Meeting Space: 31 meeting rooms including an Executive Boardroom with videoconferencing Largest Room: 24,426 sq. ft., seats 2,400 Technology: Complimentary shared Wi-Fi throughout with dedicated Internet bandwidth up to 500 mbps available to purchase and plug-and-play capabilities
Boise
Hotels: 1,100 downtown hotel rooms and thousands more within a short shuttle ride Airport: Boise Airport, seven minutes from facility Nearby Attractions: State Capitol, Historic Basque Block, Boise State University, over 100 shops, 80 restaurants and 20 breweries, live music venues, 25-mile Boise Greenbelt walking and biking path along the Boise River, many museums, whitewater rafting, nearby hiking and golf
CONTACT INFORMATION
Pat Rice, Executive Director (208) 336-8900 or pat_rice@boisecentre.com Ali Ribordy, Director of Sales (208) 489-3608 or aribordy@boisecentre.com
GREATER COLUMBUS CONVENTION CENTER
Battelle Grand Ballroom
Entertainment districts across the street from the GCCC
Following the supremely successful 2019 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition in Columbus, the local hospitality community was excited to receive another significant booking, the PCMA Convening Leaders 2023 event, whose delegates are ready to discover all Columbus has to offer.
The Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC), managed by ASM Global, is strategically located within a one-day drive or 90-minute flight of nearly half of the nation’s population and 10 minutes from John Glenn Columbus International Airport. Located within a vibrant entertainment area featuring the Arena District and Short North Arts District, the GCCC is connected to multiple hotels by an enclosed walkway. Construction continues with the second tower of the connected Hilton Columbus Downtown, which upon completion in 2022 will become the largest hotel in Ohio.
The GCCC is owned and developed by the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (FCCFA). One of the busiest convention centers in North America, the GCCC measures 1.8 million sq. ft. and features 373,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, 447,000 sq. ft. in total.
The venue offers 75 meeting rooms, including nine with outsidefacing windows. Three ballrooms totaling 114,000 sq. ft. — including the 74,000-sq.-ft. Battelle Grand, the largest multipurpose ballroom in Ohio — offer colorful LED ceiling fin lights that project a variety of color combinations and customized effects. All three ballrooms, including the 15,000-sq.-ft. Short North Ballroom and the 25,000-sq.-ft. Union Station Ballroom, feature upscale carpeting, wall coverings and finishes, plus retractable walls to divide the ballrooms into sections.
Upper-level show offices enable show managers to have a bird’seye view of the exhibition floor below while enjoying a private space for exclusive meetings and entertaining. Node walls in the main concourse can be programmed to display colorful lighting of the event planner’s choice.
Levy, the facility’s exclusive food-service provider, creates customized menus based on client specifications and operates Discovery Café, composed of the Homegrown Market, Columbus Grille, Crimson Cup and CBUS Tap Room. The nearby Smartfarm provides 2.5 tons of herbs and vegetables annually, including accommodating requests for produce to be grown in advance to meet specific event needs.
The GCCC offers more than 4,700 total parking spaces across six locations, with the Ohio Center Garage adding 650 spaces earlier in 2020. The GCCC is the first convention center to display real-time parking availability on its mobile-friendly website. The parking garages and convention center feature the largest contemporary collection of central Ohio art, including the popular, interactive sculpture As We Are by Matthew Mohr. Guests step into the photo booth within the sculpture and emerge to see their 14-ft. portrait displayed in LED ribbon lights, equaling the size of the head of a person 94 ft. tall.
The GCCC is the first convention center in the world to become KultureCity Certified Sensory Inclusive and offers a freestanding room dedicated to nursing mothers and reserved parking for them and for veterans. Two Guest Services Centers provide a variety of services and assistance by the city’s largest contingent of Certified Tourism Ambassadors. A survey platform enables GCCC staff to respond to guest feedback as it is received.
Arnold Plaza accommodates a tent for outdoor gatherings and includes a statue of actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, co-founder of the GCCC’s largest annual event, the Arnold Sports Festival.
Event planners welcome the flexible, linear space the GCCC offers and the South Café & Marketplace on level 1.
The GCCC staff is ready for your visit!
400 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215 • (614) 827-2500 • columbusconventions.com
The SMG-managed Meadowlands Exposition Center at Harmon Meadow is proud to be the premier New Jersey convention center that meeting planners and tradeshow producers prefer. Since opening its doors in 1990, the MEC has consistently exceeded the expectations of planners, exhibitors and attendees. The MEC is
• Five miles from Manhattan; • Accessible to all major interstate arteries, including the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway; • Minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport and Teterboro Jetport; and • Serviced by New York/New Jersey Transit, with bus stops located at the front entrance of the facility.
Groups have at their disposal 61,000 sq. ft. of obstruction-free, dedicated convention space with 20-ft.-high ceilings; fully carpeted seminar rooms with airwalls that can be utilized individually or opened to one large room; and two drive-in doors (14 ft. by 16 ft.) with four loading docks at street level. Full and half-hall rates are available.
Meadowlands Exposition Center staff will work with each group to address their individual needs and budget in relation to calendar and availability of dates and space. Professional event coordinators will guide the show manager through the entire event. The in-house decorator has its office in the
Convention Center and maintains a full warehouse on the premises, guaranteeing exhibitors a full range of decorating services. In addition, the in-house caterer provides world-class food service for 50 to 5,000 attendees. The Meadowlands Exposition Center operates three concession stands that offer a wide variety of options.
Located only minutes to Manhattan and Newark Liberty International Airport in Northern New Jersey, the Meadowlands Exposition Center at Harmon Meadow establishes a spacious campuslike environment for visitors with the best amenities: hotels, dining, shopping and entertainment — all within walking distance of each other. There are six national hotel chains within walking distance, with rates that average 30 percent lower than New York City. Major retailers and a variety of restaurants provide an ideal location to relax or conduct business. Take in a movie at Kerasotes ShowPlace 14 Theatres and dinner at a nearby restaurant or work out in LA Fitness Signature Club (Full Service Fitness Club).
Incoming groups will enjoy easy access from the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 3, plus multiple transportation options and free parking right outside the Center’s door.
So come on in and look around and find out more about the MEC’s upcoming events. And when you’re ready to book your next event, call (201) 330-7773 and the staff will be happy to assist you in planning your most successful event ever.
355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ 07094 • (201) 330-7773; Fax: (201) 330-1172 • mecexpo.com
MEET AC
MEET SPACE, MEET STYLE, MEET AC
Atlantic City is a hidden gem along the New Jersey shoreline, offering visitors much more than a seaside destination. Atlantic City offers ‘round-the-clock fun and excitement after the work and meetings are through. Year-round, day or night, whatever you are looking for in a destination, Atlantic City’s got it.
Atlantic City features miles of scenic beach and Boardwalk that your group can enjoy at any time of the year. They can take a stroll on the famous historic Boardwalk, bask in the glowing sun or take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean. Millions of visitors stroll, ride a bicycle or tour the Boardwalk on the famous rolling chairs. While in town, delegates can try their luck on the table games or slot machines at any of the city’s nine casinos.
Atlantic City is made up of over 16,000 first-class hotel rooms that will provide the perfect accommodations for your attendees’ complete comfort and relaxation. The city also offers casino resorts with full resort amenities that range from an adult to a family-friendly atmosphere. The hotel and casino properties consist of meeting facilities and a surplus of unique event venues. The Atlantic City Convention Center provides over 600,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, as well as 45 meeting rooms, ample pre-function space and all the amenities you would expect.
Convention delegates can unwind and dine with plentiful dining options, all customized to fit their taste buds, from brand-name eateries to celebrity chef restaurants. The Entertainment Capital of the Jersey Shore will have them laughing and singing all night long. Shopaholics can shop ‘til they drop at the city’s tax-free outlet shopping, Tanger Outlets The Walk, with over 100 retail stores that won’t disappoint with incredible deals, just steps from the convention center.
Historic Boardwalk Hall, formerly known as Atlantic City Convention Hall, is Atlantic City’s first convention center and an iconic landmark to Atlantic City that was built in 1929. Home of the Miss America Pageant, it played host to the city’s growing convention industry. Boardwalk Hall has hosted an amazing list of dazzling entertainers and knockout sporting events throughout its 85-year history. When in town for a convention, make it a point to tour the pipe organ in historic Boardwalk Hall that is a national landmark built in the late 1920s.
Atlantic City is 60 miles from Philadelphia, 125 miles from New York, and 175 miles from Washington, DC. Any way you look at it, Atlantic City guarantees fast-paced excitement and nonstop, year-round activities. Meet AC will be happy to help you locate the right space, assist with attendance building and housing, provide temporary staff, and help with all the details, including spouse activities, transportation service, media and much more.
1 Convention Boulevard, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 • (844) 855-6338 • meetinac.com
MEMPHIS’ RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER
In the Home of Blues, Soul and Rock ‘n’ Roll, a $200 million convention center modernization remains on track for an October 2020 opening and responsive to the new normal
When Memphis’ Renasant Convention Center debuts in October 2020, an open-air concourse will W hen a global pandemic coincides with the final phase of your facility’s two-year, $200 million modernization plan, what do you do? “First and foremost, we made the decision to prioritize the safety of our team, and of every group that will gather in this building moving forward,” says Dean Dennis, connect the facility to Main Street. This outdoor terrace will overlook the Mississippi River and the nightly Mighty Lights show, a synchronized Front Street flows through Memphis’ Renasant Convention Center. Planners can work with the facility to CREDIT: LRK AND TVSDESIGN General Manager of Memphis’ Renasant Convention illumination featuring the iconic close the street, creating additional Center. “With this lodestar in place,” Dennis explains, bridge in the background. outdoor exhibit space. “we took a step back and identified key opportunities.”
These opportunities include integrating safety protocols could look in Memphis’ Renasant Convention Center, considering into the construction process. Says Dennis: “We began by creating current directives from local leadership. We are preparing to create an internal COVID-19 Safety Committee to oversee and monitor viable, customized plans for each group, consulting with our internal protocols, review new systems and products . . . and our entire COVID-19 Safety Committee on pre- and post-event evaluation.” team is taking advantage of learning opportunities to stay on top Dennis believes the facility’s planned opportunities for of best practices as they emerge.” customization will resonate with planners now more than ever.
Ongoing education, in fact, inspired what Dennis sees as his The modernization of Memphis’ Renasant Convention Center facility’s most substantial decision to date: participation in the was designed to create flexible meeting space and embrace the Global BioRisk Advisory Council’s Accreditation Program, GBAC outdoors, with glass and open-air spaces showcasing natural light STAR TM . Memphis’ Renasant Convention Center will be one of and Mississippi River views. While groups can take advantage of the first facilities to utilize the International Association of Venue an outdoor terrace overlooking the river or an open-air concourse Managers (IAVM) template to achieve accreditation, which Dennis connecting the facility to Main Street, they can also work with describes as “the gold standard” for planners assessing the cleaning Dennis’ team to close and transform Front Street into an outdoor and disinfection of facilities. exhibit hall. Protected from the elements and brightly illuminated,
Already, sanitizing stations, thermal imaging, fogging machines the streetscape flows between the main convention facility and five and other critical safety equipment are part of the facility’s routine: riverfront meeting rooms. In addition to dividing construction crews into two shifts to enable For those who know Memphis, the modernized Renasant social distancing, thermal imaging and disinfection of the facilities Convention Center will complement its unique surroundings. occur daily. “Memphis is a boutique, yet affordable, destination. We’re a six- to
“We’ve been very fortunate that our project remains on track eight-hour drive from 85 percent of the U.S.,” says Dennis. “Despite for October 2020, and we continue to be involved with the Project COVID-19, our facility modernization and other investments — Manager (MFA) in keeping it so by prioritizing safety,” Dennis says. including Loews’ development of a second convention center But his team is equally focused on developing event protocols to hotel in our city, supplementing 4,000 existing rooms and 2,000 align with safety initiatives. “We have contributed to — and are using more in the works downtown — continue to move forward. As the as a template for our facility debut — the Event Safety Alliance pandemic has shifted the priorities of our industry as a whole — and Reopening Guide,” Dennis says, adding, “but that’s just the start. We of planners and delegates individually — we believe Memphis is are preparing to meet with planners to discuss how their events uniquely positioned to serve groups in the new normal.”
MONONA TERRACE CONVENTION CENTER
he annual business dinner was T billed as “The Next Big Thing.” And the organizer wanted us to make it a can’t-miss experience. Inspired by our panoramic views of the lake and state capitol, our AV team created an all-new 180° of amazing.
At Monona Terrace®, you have the freedom to imagine your dream event. Then, our detail-obsessed staff will work with you to bring it to life. Book your next meeting or convention to experience our top-notch technology and concierge-caliber service, all with a lakeside view. So go ahead and dream big. We’ll see you at Monona Terrace.
Monona Terrace, a crown jewel of Madison’s isthmus, earned the prestigious Gold Level LEED status. In 2007, Monona Terrace became the first convention center in the nation to be LEED-EBcertified at the Silver Level by the U.S. Green Building Council. The additional certification at the Gold Level affirms the facility’s commitment to the environment. The facility actively uses sustainable practices such as purchasing 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. Monona Terrace is a symbol of sustainability for the community 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 Monona Terrace. Accommodation styles run the gamut from first-class convention hotels, such as the 240-room 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 • 68,000 sq. ft. of rooftop gardens that may also be reserved for events
One John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53703 (608) 261-4000 • mononaterrace.com
Cue the surround sound.
Let us orchestrate your incredible.
Connect with us at MononaTerrace.com
Madison, WI
NEW ORLEANS ERNEST N. MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER
New Orleans is an award-winning city steeped in culture, culinary excellence and centuries-old architecture, and its meeting facilities are no exception. Events held at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center are unlike any other, and the facility’s exquisite and unique venues as well as unmatched Southern hospitality are just a few of the reasons.
The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is the sixth largest and one of the most technologically advanced convention facilities in the country. With over 1.1 million sq. ft. of prime contiguous exhibit space, 140 meetings rooms, two multipurpose ballrooms and a 4,000-seat divisible performing arts theater, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has been tested by the most demanding clients from all event segments.
The Great Hall boasts 60,000 column-free sq. ft. with 25,000 sq. ft. of prefunction space, interior and exterior balconies, a large outdoor pedestrian plaza and a grand entrance. The grand entrance is overlooked by a high-definition video display board promoting the event.
The impressive three million-sq.-ft. New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, which so perfectly complements the city’s walkable hotel packages, has embarked on a $557 million improvement plan including interior modernizations, renovations to its 140 meeting rooms, restroom renovations, and a complete makeover of its exterior experience.
In the spring of 2019, new digital signs were installed for each meeting room. In the fall of 2019, the Center debuted a brandnew, centrally located Transportation Center to allow shuttles, taxis and ride-shares to more efficiently move attendees to and from the Center. The Shuttle Hub is equipped with digital signage to help attendees easily identify their shuttles. Later this year, wayfinding kiosks will be implemented throughout the lobbies.
Plans for the exciting transformation of Convention Center Boulevard in New Orleans, which will connect the bustling Warehouse/Arts District with the historic French Quarter and dramatically transform the guest experience at the New Orleans
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, are becoming a reality. Set to open in late 2020, a new $65 million linear park will update the urban environment with a lushly landscaped, 7.5-acre, tree-lined pedestrian plaza spanning the length of the facility, with covered porches, outdoor event spaces, water features, green walls, water walls, public art and shaded communal areas.
A 1,200-room hotel attached to the Center and an adjacent 40-acre mixed-use development will begin to take shape on the upriver end in the coming years.
One of New Orleans’ most enticing attributes is its unique dining experiences, and the Center lives up to that expectation through its food and beverage partner, Centerplate.
Centerplate serves the essence of the New Orleans culinary experience through three onsite restaurants featuring live local music, and menus of iconic Louisiana dishes. In addition to the customary service on the exhibit floor, several exclusive dining options are available, including the elegant Ma Maison VIP dining suite.
As a consistent Top 10 host of the largest number of conventions and tradeshows annually, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is an expert in hosting groups of all sizes and industries. The Crescent City, The Big Easy, a sportsman’s paradise — whatever you call New Orleans, call it your next meeting destination.
900 Convention Center Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 19107 • (504) 582-3023 • mccno.com
PASADENA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
There’s a reason Pasadena is the perfect choice for meetings. The weather is idyllic. Mountain views and blue skies abound. Intimate neighborhood allure is infused with modern energy and metropolitan offerings that make it a destination in itself.
Pasadena is located just 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles, and is conveniently accessible from all L.A.-area airports and freeways. The Gold Line light rail transports passengers from Pasadena to downtown Los Angeles and points in between.
The state-of-the-art Pasadena Convention Center features 130,000 sq. ft. of space for meetings of all sizes, with spacious exhibit halls, an expansive ballroom and 29 meeting rooms. Over 2,500 hotel rooms are available within the city to fit all budgets, 1,200 within walking distance of the Convention Center.
Recent changes in Pasadena include a $20 million renovation of guestrooms, lobby and meeting spaces at Sheraton Pasadena; a $25 million renovation of guestrooms, lobby, bar and meeting spaces at Hilton Pasadena; an $11 million guestroom beautification at Westin Pasadena; construction of a rooftop pool, meeting space, fitness center and 25 new rooms at dusitD2 Hotel Constance Pasadena; and a new 186-room upscale Hyatt Place hotel in Pasadena’s most popular retail and entertainment center, The Paseo. The downtown six-story hotel opened in December 2018.
Pasadena provides the rare opportunity to host more personalized meetings, with all the benefits of the big city. Unique social breakout experiences run the gamut from local teambuilding activities like hiking Eaton Canyon, to popular wine bars, shopping excursions and cultural events with special group rates. The city’s convenient layout, in conjunction with an array of world-class business and entertainment venues, makes Pasadena the perfect destination.
An eclectic mix of shopping, theaters, golf, museums and gardens is conveniently just steps away from Pasadena’s Civic Center. There’s literally something significant around every corner, whether you’re into architecture, music, theater, museums or galleries. Pasadena is the heartbeat of SoCal’s cultural side. Art connoisseurs can explore a myriad of landmark museums and galleries, housing everything from European masters to early California Impressionists to modern art. Literary lovers can peruse rare books and manuscripts. Explore mile upon mile of stunning botanical gardens, top-notch arts performances and live concert venues. A tour of the town will lead to a beautiful tree-lined shopping district along South Lake Avenue, galleries and specialty shops in the Playhouse District, 19th century structures and quaint alleyways in Old Pasadena, and an open-air urban village in Paseo Colorado. Pasadena could easily be called “Foodie City,” with more than 650 restaurants — more per capita than New York City.
Some of the world’s greatest minds have chosen to live and work in Pasadena. Plan your next meeting here and imagine the possibilities. The destination experts at the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) offer a variety of personalized services to meeting planners. For more information, visit www.PasadenaMeetings.com or call (800) 307-7977.
300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 • (800) 307-7977 • pasadenameetings.com
PUERTO RICO CONVENTION CENTER
Managed by ASM Global
The Puerto Rico Convention Center Pedro Rosselló is an internationally renowned, award-winning convention center, located in San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital city.
The 14-time Prime Site Award winner offers 600,000 sq. ft. of beautiful and flexible event space, which makes it the ideal meeting place for entrepreneurs and business and public organizations from around the world. The state-of-the-art facility includes a 152,700-sq.-ft. exhibit hall, divisible into three sections, the largest one being 72,000 sq. ft.; a total of 39,551 sq. ft. of ballroom area; 29 meeting rooms; and an outdoor terrace that can service small meetings or large conventions with modern technology, accommodations and transportation.
TECHNOLOGICAL FEATURES
PSAV is the in-house provider of audiovisual and event technology support for the Puerto Rico Convention Center. It serves as the preferred AV provider and exclusive Internet and Telecommunications Provider (including high-speed wireless Internet access to thousands of devices and dedicated bandwidth), multiple display screens, sophisticated lighting services, audio system and digital recording system.
HOTELS
Puerto Rico offers more than 150 hotels. Over 700 hotel rooms are within the Convention District. The Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino with 503 rooms is just steps away from the Center and is one of the many hotels in the Metropolitan San Juan area that offers high-end services to delegates. The Hyatt Place, San Juan offers 149 rooms and the Hyatt House, San Juan offers 126 rooms, all within the Convention District. And the newly inaugurated Aloft at Distrito T-Mobile affords an additional 177 rooms right across the street from the convention center.
SAN JUAN DISTRICT’S CURRENT EXPERIENCES
The Puerto Rico Convention Center is just steps away from a rich array of cultural attractions, historic treasures and architectural masterpieces, some of which date back centuries to when the city was a Spanish military stronghold. But it’s not just the city’s rich history that attracts visitors. San Juan is also home to numerous fine dining and casual restaurants offering a variety of cuisine from around the globe, lively nightlife, shops and attractions.
SAN JUAN DISTRICT’S UPCOMING EXPERIENCES
In the coming months, the Puerto Rico Convention Center and Convention Center District will have a new attraction to offer, Distrito T-Mobile, where business meets fun. The project consists of a performance venue for 6,000 patrons known as the Coca-Cola Music Hall, and more than 80,000 sq. ft. of other entertainment spaces, as well as a 175-room Aloft hotel, which is already in operation. The hotel integrates perfectly with the entertainment spaces and offers guests a unique urban hotel experience, adjacent to the bustling Time Square-esque atmosphere of the complex. With its fresh design, the Aloft hotel offers quiet relaxation spaces and a rooftop swimming pool overlooking the Convention Center building and district grounds.
Fast Facts:
Facility
Location: Convention Center District, Puerto Rico Total Area: 600,000 sq. ft. of exhibit and meeting space Exhibit Space: 153,000 sq. ft. Ballrooms: Ballroom AB, 39,551 sq. ft.; Ballroom A-25, 563 sq. ft.; Ballroom B, 14,000 sq. ft. Meeting Space: 20 meeting rooms totaling over 23,000 sq. ft. Exhibit Hall Theater Seating Capacity: 16,000+ Technology: In-house PSAV team, high-speed Internet access, multiple display screens, lighting services, audio system and digital recording system
San Juan
Airport: The city of San Juan has two airports, Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Domestic Airport, which is four minutes away from the Convention Center, and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), which is 15 minutes away from the District. Transportation: Getting around the island is a breeze. Rental car agencies can be found near the airport and hotels. Taxi service and Uber are also efficient ways to see the island’s numerous districts. Entry Requirements/Currency/Language: Puerto Rico is a U.S. Commonwealth, and thus no passports or visas are required for U.S. citizens. Foreign visitors should have valid passports and visas as required. Puerto Rico uses U.S. currency, phone and mail services, and both English and Spanish are official languages.
RECENT RENOVATIONS AT THE CONVENTION CENTER
Major carpet renovation project and changes in the building’s color palette highlight the Caribbean atmosphere. Recent investments in these and other renovations total $5.7 million and include repairs to the emblematic outdoor terrace and the acquisition of modern furniture.
RECENT MAJOR EVENTS AT THE CONVENTION CENTER
ICANN 2018 with an international delegation of 2,000; Running USA; Physiatry ’19 – Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting; Annual Meeting of the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography with participants from over 50 countries; T-Mobile Winners Circle event with over 1,500 attendees; Caribbean Hotel Tourism Association Marketplace with 800 delegates; Florida Caribbean Cruise Association Conference & Tradeshow with attendees from all over the world; the Council of State Governments – 2019 National Conference; Insulet; International Society for the Advancement in Spine Surgery with attendees from all over the world; and the National Council of University Research Administrators Conference with over 1,200 delegates.
Contact: Jorge L. Pérez, General Manager
