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New Hires at The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark

Courtney Dall’Olmo is the director of marketing for The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Monticello, New York, within the Catskill Mountains. “[Courtney] comes to us with keen understanding of the resort market, and as a former Benchmark employee now returned to us, an important awareness of our company’s signature Be The Difference service culture,” says David Kohlasch, general manager. Dall’Olmo previously served as the director of marketing and communications for the Topnotch Resort of Stowe, Vermont. Prior to this she held the position of marketing supervisor for the Trapp Family Lodge, also in Stowe.

Angel Quiles, CEOE, is the director of facilities. Quiles most recently served as director of engineering for the Great Wolf Lodge in Scotrun, Pennsylvania. He also served as the senior director of engineering at the Grand Hyatt New York, where he began in the role of director of engineering.

Francis Vidal is the director of aquatics for The Kartrite. Vidal brings a decade of hospitality leadership experience to her new role. She most recently served as director of safety and security for Great Wolf Lodge and also served in several additional leadership roles with the Great Wolf Lodge brand, including as director of aquatics, and assistant director of aquatics and safety.

Pod Hotels Hires for Expansion

BD Hotels has appointed Rani Gharbie as the head of acquisitions and development for The Pod Hotels, BD Hotel’s micro-hotel concept targeted at progressive-minded and budget conscious travelers. The Pod Hotels currently has five properties in the portfolio, three of which opened over the past two years (the brand’s flagship Pod Times Square opened in January 2018; Pod DC and Pod Brooklyn opened in 2017), with two more hotels in the pipeline (Pod Philly opening in fall 2019 and Pod LA slated for 2020).

In this role, Gharbie will be responsible for identifying potential investment opportunities and bringing together strategic partners and investors to fund future projects in numerous markets including Miami, San Francisco, Chicago, Austin, Boston, Nashville, Seattle, Montreal, Toronto and Mexico City.

“Rani joins us at a pivotal time as we scale The Pod Hotels portfolio exponentially in North America” says Richard Born, owner of BD Hotels. “He will undoubtedly be a tremendous asset as he brings over 20 years of experience in hotel acquisitions, development and operation.”

Gharbie formerly oversaw development and acquisitions for North America at Virgin Hotels where he actively contributed to grow the brand’s footprint in key markets. Prior to that position, Gharbie was the managing director and founder at Cedar Funds, a New York Citybased development and investment firm with a focus on progressive hotel and real estate assets, as well as regional director of development with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).

New Director of Sales and Marketing at Hutton Brickyards

Joel Lippman has joined Hutton Brickyards as director of sales and marketing for the 75-acre Hudson River Valley destination. “Joel offers tremendous talent and expertise that will support the continued growth of Hutton Brickyards,” says Karl Slovin, president, MWest Holdings. “I’m delighted to welcome him to the MWest family as we continue to grow and revitalize the historic Hutton Brickyards into an experiential venue to host world-class events and programming.”

Lippman is an experienced commercial event professional who takes vacant space in big cities and builds world-class venues that drive traffic, deliver revenue and raise the profile of the property. With a focus on programming, digital advancements and organizational strategies, Lippman’s talents will bring modern technology and diverse enhancements to the Hutton Brickyards space. “I’m looking forward to developing Hutton Brickyards with events that engage the community and the region with a robust mix of private, corporate and public programming focused on food, culture, arts and music,” he says.

New Hotel Manager at The Redbury New York

Kevin Barnes has been appointed the hotel manager of The Redbury New York, which is located in the Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood. In this position, Barnes will manage and lead the operational and strategic performance of the hotel’s growth and brand development.

Barnes has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, previously serving as general manager of the nearby The Evelyn Hotel. Barnes has held previous leadership positions at high-profile city hotels across the U.S., including The Hollywood Roosevelt in California, The Smyth Tribeca, The New York Palace Hotel, The Regency Hotel in New York and Loews Miami Beach Hotel.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kevin to our leadership team,” says Gary Schweikert, managing director of hospitality at CIM Group. “His deep-rooted expertise will be a driving force to take our guest experience to the next level. This year, we look forward to introducing exciting new hotel offerings, and Kevin will be instrumental to ensure that we continue to entice savvy travelers who are seeking an elevated and engaging stay.”

Founded in 2016, The Redbury New York features 259 guest rooms and 7,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor events space. The property offers three of Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group enterprises including, Marta, Vini e Fritti and Caffe Marchio.

Chef Marc Vetri Appointed Culinary Advisor at Fitler Club

Fitler Club has announced chef Marc Vetri as the culinary advisor of the luxury lifestyle club. The Philadelphia native is the chef/founder of the critically acclaimed Vetri Cucina and has received numerous accolades throughout his career including the James Beard Award for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic in 2005.

“I’m so proud to announce one of the country’s top chefs and Philadelphia’s most beloved restauranteurs will be leading Fitler Club’s food and beverage programming,” says Gutstadt. “Marc Vetri is the ultimate representation of the drive and potential of this city I call home as well the level of talent we have brought on for the brand and its inaugural location.”

Fitler Club encompasses 136,000 square feet of high design, leading-edge technology and modern luxury which includes a 14-room hotel, gym and spa, 34,000 square feet of workspace and private office suites, and multiple culinary outlets. Read more on page 44.

The Ridge Hires F&B Director

Orlando Ramos has been named the director of food and beverage for The Ridge, a Benchmark Conference Center located in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. With more than 15 years of fine dining and hotel operations experience, Ramos was previously in executive operations for The David Burke Organization and also served as the senior operations for Landmark Hospitality and Bobby Flay Restaurants. Orlando Ramos is a member of The Guild of Master Sommeliers and certified by the Sterling School of Hospitality spirits program.

“[Orlando] is immensely talented and credentialed as is evident through his previous success in food and beverage operations with celebrity chefs and large hotel brands. Orlando is a welcome addition to our executive leadership team,” says Mike Taylor, general manager. Six Senses New York New Hires

Rebecca Soloff has been hired as director of sales and marketing at Six Senses New York, the group’s first North American property, which is currently under development and scheduled to open in 2020; the hotel will be located between Manhattan’s popular High Line and the Hudson River. Soloff has 17 years of experience in sales and marketing and previously served as director of sales and marketing at The Mark Hotel, New York. Soloff is a New York native and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Albany.

Dant Hirsch joins the hotel as the general manager. With more than 16 years of experience in the international hotel and tourism sectors, Hirsch most recently was with The Dominick New York, where he led his team to attain a AAA 5-Diamond rating. In his new role with Six Senses New York, he will bring all his property-opening experience and will be leading a talented team that shares his focus on well-being and living well.

Central Pennsylvania CVB Announces New Hires

Fritz Smith, president and CEO of the Central Pennsylvania Convention & Visitors Bureau (CPCVB), recently announced the hiring of three seasoned professionals with extensive history in Centre County. The team is an integral part of the CPCVB’s plan to increase summer-timed visitor arrivals, enhance the destination’s local grant program to encourage entrepreneurial growth in the tourism sector, and embark on an ambitious plan to rebrand the destination.

Lesley Kistner is the public affairs director and is tasked with enhancing the marketability of the community to local and external tourism economic development audiences. She was previously the vice president, communications/marketing of the Chamber of Business & Industry Centre County (CBICC). CPCVB and CBICC have agreed to mutually focus on comprehensive community marketing and branding.

Tim Boyde joins the CPCVB as chief administrative officer. “With our planned increased activity comes a need for strengthening our processes and procedures, and bringing Tim on board will help ensure that we are transparent with our spending,” says Smith.

Edward Stoddard joins as communications director. He was previously the marketing director for the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau.

ALHI Grows Mid-Atlantic Sales Force

Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), has appointed Drew Squeglia as director of global sales, MidAtlantic. Drew will be based out of ALHI’s Global Sales Office in Washington, D.C.

“As we continue to focus on offering unique luxury hotel meeting experiences for our customers and new business opportunities for our member hotels, Drew’s sales expertise and exemplary track record for elevating the presence of luxury hotels in key markets made him the ideal candidate for this position,” says ALHI Regional Vice President of Sales Jennifer Erney.

Drew brings more than 13 years of experience in the meetings and hospitality industry. He previously served as national sales manager for the Pebble Beach Company and account director for Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ Global Sales Office.

PEOPLE NEWS»

DoubleTree Suites by Philadelphia West Hires New Executive Team

Crescent Hotels & Resorts has appointed a new executive leadership team at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Philadelphia West, a 253-room, all-suite property that opened in November 2018.

Ryan Cimei joins as general manager of the property. He has worked for Crescent Hotels for over three years and has more than 20 years of hospitality experience with 10 years in a general manager role. He has held leadership roles in independent properties as well as Hyatt, Kimpton and Marriott-branded hotels. Cimei is an experienced operations leader with a strong background in all facets of the hotel and restaurant business and is committed employee and guest satisfaction.

Ashley Ridolfi joins the team as director of sales and marketing. She brings over 10 years of hospitality experience and has held includes leadership roles for Hyatt, Marriott and IHG. She currently sits on the board of directors for the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Philadelphia Chapter.

Food and beverage director Michael Luongo has been in F&B management and hospitality for over 20 years. His leadership roles have spanned across The Radnor, Loews, Hilton and Marriottbranded properties as well as independent restaurants and hotels. He has been an employee of Crescent Hotels & Resorts for four years, having previously held the role of executive chef.

Beginning his tenure with Crescent Hotels & Resorts in 2005, David Backes (Regional Financial Controller) has a total of 21 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including owner/ operator, director of finance and regional financial controller. Backes has demonstrated an exceptional talent on collections and also establishing productive relationships with vendors. HOTEL NEWS»

New Dining and Spa Offerings at Lotte New York Palace

Lotte New York Palace recently announced the opening of The Gold Room, the newest addition to the property’s culinary offerings. Featuring original gilt ceilings from 1882, The Gold Room invites guests to experience the glamour and opulence of the Gilded Age alongside modern interpretations of classic, handcrafted cocktails and elevated yet approachable cuisine from executive chef Cedric Tovar.

The hotel has also partnered with skincare and lifestyle brand ila to open its first branded spa in the U.S. The 7,000-square-foot spa and fitness center will offer a full menu of signature massages, facials and treatments. “New York has always held a very special place in my heart, the energy and passion has always been something I have felt very strongly when I visit. To develop our own ila Spa in the Lotte New York Palace has been an absolute dream. We have created a menu which suits those that want to escape the fast pace of New York life but also those that are time short and want to experience our Mini Marvel treatments,” says Denise Leicester, founder of ila Spa. “When I first visited the spa area on the eighth floor I was captivated by the view—it really is something quite incredible and makes the foundation for a truly unique and beautiful spa.” lottenypalace.com Hotel Indigo Opens in Brooklyn

The Hotel Indigo Williamsburg Brooklyn opened in early August. The InterContinental Hotels Group property features ultra-contemporary architecture, sleek interior design, a dual-level restaurant, open-air sun deck and nearly 20,000 square feet of flexible event space. The hotel boasts 25 suites, including bi-level Loft Suites and a 1,100-square-foot Williamsburg Grand Suite. The pool is complete with an open-air sun deck and fully stocked poolside bar and grill. There is also a dual-level restaurant, with outdoor seating and a chef-driven menu. Other amenities include a large outdoor courtyard, fully equipped fitness center and on-site parking.

“We’re looking forward to becoming a part of the incredible Williamsburg community and bringing a fresh hotel and dining experience to our guests,” says Tracey Rucks, general manager. “In addition to well-appointed rooms and upscale design, we’re thrilled to have an incredible event space to host corporate groups, along with weddings, banquets and other social gatherings.”

Hotel Indigo Williamsburg Brooklyn will have one the largest meeting and event spaces in Williamsburg, with a 6,630-square-foot Williamsburg ballroom, a 2,800-square-foot prefunction space and a 480-square-foot Union Mezzanine. The nearly 20,000 square

Hotel Indigo Williamsburg Brooklyn

feet of flexible event space will cater to corporate groups and will have a big focus on local social events. The hotel will also have a Kosher kitchen. indigowilliamsburg.com

Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center Opens

The all-new Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center opened on Aug. 12. The 219-room hotel is located atop the 1,121-foot Comcast Technology Center and boasts unobstructed views of downtown Philadelphia.

“The history and culture of Philadelphia are so often expressed in the characteristic storytelling of its art and architecture. Now, thanks to the vision of our partners at Comcast and a world-class team of designers, architects and artists, the Comcast Technology Center stands tall as a new Philadelphia landmark—reshaping the city’s skyline and signifying a new, exciting chapter in its storied history,” says Christian Clerc, president, Worldwide Hotel Operations, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia will feature installations from celebrity floral designer Jeff Leatham, who is the artistic director of the hotel. On the 59th floor, with 40-foot-tall glass walls, is Jean-Georges Philadelphia, a new restaurant by Michelin starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. On ground level, James Beard award winner Greg Vernick highlights his unique approach to modern American dining at Vernick Fish, which spills into the street in an easy indooroutdoor environment created by Tihany Design. Vernick has also partnered with Four Seasons to bring Vernick Coffee Bar to the second-floor lobby of the Comcast Technology Center.

The spa, which occupies the entire 57th floor, includes a lifestyle boutique, fitness center created in consultation with celebrity fitness guru Harley Pasternak, and 30,000-gallon indoor infinity pool.

There is more than 15,000 square feet of flexible function spaces including two ballrooms and can host events of 25-500 guests.

TWA HOTEL OPENS AT JFK AIRPORT

The much-anticipated TWA Hotel opened on May 15. The carefully restored Eero Saarinendesigned landmark boasts 512 rooms and 50,000 square feet of event space. The project was a massive endeavor and involved 22 government agencies and more than 170 firms. “Eero Saarinen’s cathedral to aviation has always looked toward the future,” says Tyler Morse, CEO and managing partner of MCR and MORSE Development. “We restored and reimagined his landmark with the same care that he devoted to his design. No detail went overlooked—from the millwork by Amish artisans to the custom font inspired by Saarinen’s own sketches to the one-of-a-kind manhole covers. Starting today, the world can enjoy this midcentury marvel for many years to come.”

When the Trans World Airlines terminal opened in 1962, it epitomized the glamour and optimism of the Jet Age. The structure was designated a New York City landmark in 1994 and, after its 2001 closure, was listed on the National and New York State Registers of Historic Places in 2005. twahotel.com

The hotel’s features include:

» The Paris Café by Jean-Georges, a 200-seat restaurant in collaboration with Tastes on the Fly » The Sunken Lounge, a cocktail bar operated by Gerber Group » A Lockheed Constellation “Connie” L-1649A transformed into a cocktail lounge operated by Gerber Group » Departures Hall grab-and-go dining operated by Fooda » An Intelligentsia coffeebar and coffee carts throughout the hotel grounds » A rooftop infinity pool and observation deck with views of runway 4 Left/22 Right plus The Pool Bar operated by Gerber Group » A 10,000-square-foot fitness center operated by The Wright Fit (the world’s biggest hotel gym) » Authentic split-flap boards manufactured by Solari di Udine » Iconic flight tubes featured in “Catch Me If You Can” that connect to JetBlue’s Terminal 5 » A Shinola custom watch bar and leather goods store » A Warby Parker Pencil Room, where visitors can fill out custom postcards » A Phaidon + Herman Miller Reading Room » The TWA Shop, selling apparel and gear honoring Trans World Airlines’ legacy » Museum exhibitions on TWA, the Jet Age and midcentury modern design curated by the New-York Historical Society » BLADE helicopter service to Manhattan

Renaissance New York Times Square Unveils MultimillionDollar Refresh

Renaissance New York Times Square debuted its completely redesigned 310 guest rooms and suites, following the earlier completion of its unique terrace suites. “This redesign fully encapsulates the pulsating energy of this city,” says General Manager Christine Devers. “We’ve created an authentic New York experience for guests to discover from the moment they enter their rooms.”

Dash Design, a leading NYC-based interior design and branding agency, was selected to spearhead the makeover. When envisioning the hotel’s new look, the firm aimed to inspire guests with a sense of endless discovery and unexpected twists at every turn. “Every aspect of each guest room is a piece of art,” says David Ashen, president of Dash Design. “We created a local pied-à-terre for guests with a vision to capture the pulsating energy of Times Square while paying reference to Broadway’s theatrical roots.” marriott.com/hotels/travel/nycrtrenaissance-new-york-times-square-hotel

Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel Coming Soon

Set to open in fall 2019, Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel will be located on the site of former Antique Garage.

Drawing inspiration from the surrounding neighborhood and the site’s charming history, renowned New York City-based architecture and interior design firm Stonehill Taylor (TWA Hotel and The NoMad Hotel) is spearheading the project’s design. “The hotel’s interiors uniquely blend characteristics of Chelsea’s flower district and the site’s rich history into an immersive and unexpected guest experience,” says Sara Duffy, senior interior design associate at Stonehill Taylor. “Imbued with a sense of clever ambiance, we designed the spaces to surprise and delight guests with anachronistic and wondrous moments throughout the hotel.”

The 38-floor, 341-room hotel will also feature a signature restaurant helmed by renowned chef Fabrizio Facchini; Cotto will focus on Italian and Mediterranean fare and offer indoor and outdoor seating, with a trellis-covered courtyard composed of red brick flooring, water fountains and eclectic garden furnishings.

The hotel will boast 7,326 square feet of flexible event space across three rooms, including the main ballroom, rooftop terrace and 38thfloor lounge. The 2,170-square-foot Cardinal Ballroom will feature floor-to-ceiling windows that open out to Juliet balconies with city views. The ballroom, with a maximum capacity of 200 people, will be ideal for weddings and galas, but can also be split into two separate rooms for smaller conferences. renaissancechelsea.com

Renaissance New York Times Square AWARDS»

CHAIRMAN’S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Nate Waldron, director of operations at The Ridge in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, is the recipient of the Benchmark’s Chairman’s Award of Excellence. The award annually recognizes a Benchmark employee who has exhibited exemplary service, actively demonstrating the company’s “Be the Difference” service culture within Benchmark and the recipient’s local community.

“[Nate] is a remarkable person and a highly respected Chairman’s Award recipient, having served Benchmark’s customers and fellow team members with distinction for a quarter of a century, while also serving his community in important leadership and life-saving positions as a volunteer fire fighter, Fire Commissioner and more. Nate is a most deserving recipient of the Chairman’s Award, and serves as a daily reminder of Benchmark’s ‘Be The Difference’ service platform in his entire approach to life,” says Burt Cabañas, founder and chairman of Benchmark.

Waldron is a 25-year veteran of Benchmark, initially working in the company’s conference services division. In this role he quickly established himself as Benchmark’s resident expert in this critically important discipline and was called upon to assist in many property transitions and openings.

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MEETINGS AND SO MUCH MORE

SANDS BETHLEHEM IS NOW WIND CREEK BETHLEHEM.

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Wind Creek Bethlehem meeting resources include:

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VENUE NEWS»

FITLER CLUB OPENS IN PHILADELPHIA

Fitler Club—a luxurious stay/work/play destination—officially opened in June 2019. Founded by David Gutstadt, formerly with Equinox Hotels and a longtime hospitality executive, Philadelphia’s Fitler Club is the first in a collection of clubs planned for cities nationwide.

“This is a next-level club that reflects a new generation of urban sophisticates. They don’t separate social life, work and wellness. They’re well-traveled, with exceptionally high standards. And they want to spend time with a like-minded community of other fearlessly creative people,” he says. “Fitler Club is an evolutionary concept, and it says a lot about how cities like Philadelphia have evolved. Our members are the leaders, innovators and influencers creating that change.” fitlerclub.com

» The Field House Wellness Club unfolds over 25,000 square feet and boasts studios for spinning, meditation, Pilates and other cardio classes; a 20-foot climbing wall; a 75-foot, three-lane lap pool with hot and cold plunge pools; HD Golf simulator; giant turf training area; and a lounge. A fully equipped spa and salon also reside in the Field House. » The Dining Room is a members-only signature dining experience featuring seasonal new-American menu by culinary partner Marc Vetri. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of The Schuylkill River. A private dining room offers seats at a chef’s table for private events and exclusive culinary programming. » The Bar + Lounge and The Back Bar is an all-day hangout for members with extensive morning-to-night menu, signature cocktails and over 100 brown spirits. » The Screening Room features cinema-quality screening with 50 seats. It will host movies and first-run screening opportunities for members in partnership with the Philadelphia Film Society. » The Trophy Room features a two-lane bowling alley with whimsical bowling balls that resemble giant billiard balls, billiards, pop-a-shot and other favorite old-school arcade games, and a custom, walnut pingpong table by Sean Woolsey. It is a flexible space that can be used for cocktail hours, receptions, preparties, after-parties, dinners and brunches. » Off-site is a 34,000-square-foot private, full-service workspace powered by a luxury hospitality team. It contains private executive offices, conference rooms, board rooms, meeting space and open collaborative work spaces. » The 20,000-square-foot private swim club, with one of the largest roof decks in the world, is slated to open next year on the roof of an adjacent building. Mount Airy Unveils Convention Center & Hotel Expansion

Mount Airy Casino Resort officially revealed its multimillion-dollar luxury expansion that includes a new 20,000-square-foot convention center and ballroom and 100 new guest rooms. The expansion was designed by the Friedmutter Group, who was tasked with designing a contemporary space that embodied the beauty of the surrounding Pocono Mountains.

The 16,000-square-foot meetings and event space can be divisible into six separate rooms and will complement any event, from galas and weddings to trade shows and concerts with full service banquet and catering on-site. The entire space can accommodate 750 seated guests and 1,200 attendees for events and concerts. The interior design of the meeting rooms include wood trimmed ceilings, acoustical wave wall panels and dramatic overscaled glass and bronze ribbon chandeliers.

Atlantic City to Host TEAMS ’21 Conference & Expo

Northstar Meetings Group has announced that TEAMS ’21 Conference & Expo will be held in Atlantic City in September 2021. TEAMS, the world’s largest gathering of sports-event organizers, was last held in Atlantic City in 2016.

“Since hosting TEAMS in 2016, sporting events and sports-related meetings and conventions have become a growing and important source of business for Atlantic City. We look forward to continuing that growth trajectory by hosting TEAMS again in 2021,” says Jim Wood, president and chief executive officer of Meet AC and the Atlantic City Sports Commission.

Attendees at TEAMS ’21, which includes the gatekeepers to the 88 million room nights and $31 billion in direct spending generated by sports-related travel annually, will gather at the Atlantic City Convention Center, which boasts 500,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space and was recently awarded LEED GOLD certification. meetac.com; atlanticcitysports.org

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TOURISM NEWS»

Travel Tool

The Empire State Building has partnered with NYC & Company on “NYC: Above and Beyond,” a brand-new interactive experience designed to provide personalized travel recommendations to visitors from around the world. The new exhibit, which will open in fall 2019, will be located on the 80th floor of the iconic landmark, which welcomes over 4 million visitors per year.

The “NYC: Above and Beyond” exhibit encourages visitors to create a personalized trip itinerary from the top of the Empire State Building—the first stop for many during their visit to New York City. Using an array of engaging questions about their interests and the length of their stay, a comprehensive list of recommendations for seeing Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island will be displayed for users who can then select their favorites. Then, their selections can be e-mailed or transferred by near field communication directly to the visitors’ handheld devices.

“When the Empire State Building researched for the top-to-bottom redevelopment of its visitor experience, there was a clear call for assistance with itineraries and desire for an all-knowing resource. We immediately reached out to NYC & Company to partner with them, and that resulted in ‘NYC: Above and Beyond,’” says Anthony E. Malkin, chairman and CEO of Empire State Realty Trust.

“NYC: Above and Beyond” is part of the second phase of the larger redevelopment currently taking place at the Empire State Building. esbnyc.com

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