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REGIONAL NEWS
ASSOCIATION NEWS»
MPIMP DONATES TO RANDI’S HOUSE OF ANGELS
Terry Cochran, president-elect of MPI Middle Pennsylvania Chapter (MPIMP), and Karen Rousche, member of MPIMP, presented Nancy Chavez with Randi’s House of Angels a check of $1,630. MPIMP selected this organization as the recipient during a holiday luncheon in December. Donations were made by members and nonmembers during the event along with a matching donation from the board.
“Randi’s House of Angels (RHOA) is pleased to receive this donation as the funding will support our new program, Randi’s Klubhouse, a 10-week evidence-based interactive therapeutic group for children ages 5-7 years who have experienced domestic violence. … It will require purchasing supplies such as books, yoga mats, blankets and other supplies needed for this unique therapy group,” says Chavez. VENUE NEWS»
Spectra, Meet AC and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) have officially kicked off a $9.1 million restroom renovation project at the Atlantic City Convention Center. The project, which will completely overhaul the venue’s 32 restrooms, is expected to be completed in September 2019.
Spectra partnered with several organizations to design the new facilities, which have largely remained the same since the venue opened in 1997. The face-lift will modernize more than 20,000 square feet of space and will include the installation all new wall tile, flooring, mirrors, toilets and lighting.
The renovations support the venue’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification process, which is currently underway. The design includes new hands-free fixtures, auto-flush toilets, automatic faucets and electric hand dryers. The new low-flow flush valves for toilets will be going from 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF) to 1.28 GPF, saving an estimated 100,000 gallons of water annually. In addition, each restroom will have individual climate controls to adjust the temperatures throughout the changing seasons and hot water circulators to improve hot water response efficiency.
“Understanding our patrons’ wants and needs was crucial to this upgrade which is why we have several of our clients here,” says Dean Dennis, general manager of the Atlantic City Convention Center. “The project has been planned for some time and we are pleased to be getting underway. At any given time, at least two sets (men’s and women’s) of restrooms will be under construction, and at times there may be up to four sets under construction at once. Communication to our clients and our guests while they are here is key; we intend to provide extra directional signage and limit the construction noise and traffic during the process to alleviate any inconveniences to our customers.”
BY THE NUMBERS ITEMS TO BE REMOVED:
20,000 SQUARE FEET OF ACOUSTICAL CEILINGS 260 TOILETS/CUBICLES 215 SINKS/FAUCETS 130 URINALS
ITEMS TO BE INSTALLED:
40,000 SQUARE FEET OF WALL TILE 20,000 SQUARE FEET OF FLOOR TILE 1,800 MIRRORS/TOILET ACCESSORIES/LIGHTING
PEOPLE NEWS» Endeavor Hospitality Group Appoints Vice President of Sales and Marketing
New York-based hotel management company Endeavor Hospitality Group recently announced the appoint-
ment of Shannon Colbert as vice president of sales and marketing. Colbert joined the team in early 2018 and is accountable for all areas of sales, marketing, revenue generation and revenue management for the hospitality group and its properties. She is based out of the company’s Midtown Manhattan headquarters.
Colbert spent five years as the director of sales and marketing for Hazens Group, Pyramid Hotels, a hotel group with over 100 hotels and resorts under their hotel and asset management umbrella. She previously honed her hospitality skills in a senior management capacity with Viceroy Hotel Group’s Avalon Beverly Hills, and The Ambrose Collection in Santa Monica. She began her hospitality career as a regional group sales manager for Bacara Resort and Spa in Santa Barbara, California.
“I feel so at home with Endeavor Hospitality Group and inspired by how our properties are coming to life,” says Colbert. “Our leadership team has come together better than I could have imagined, and we can’t wait to add more top talent to our roster as our properties near completion.”
“We are very pleased to have Shannon on-board to help launch our company,” says Chief Operating Officer Tom Xavier. “Shannon is a savvy hotelier, with a creative and deliberate approach to marketing which makes her the perfect addition to our team. She is a strong sales leader with a proven track record of success.”
Make Your Meeting grand
Our Complete Meeting Package includes accommodations, a full breakfast and dinner daily, meeting rooms, AV equipment, Wi-Fi, coffee breaks and a dedicated convention manager.
Plus, book 15 or more rooms and also receive: • One complimentary guest room • One welcome amenity • Half-price golf on The Jewel • A 45-minute evening reception to include beer, wine, champagne and light hors d’oeuvres
For rates and other availability, contact: Director of Sales, Annie Farrell afarrell@grandhotel.com • 517-349-4600
1-800-33GRAND • grandhotel.com
CVB NEWS» MEET AC RECORDS GROWTH IN 2018
Meet AC and the Atlantic City Sports Commission reported another record year in booking future meeting and convention business for Atlantic City.
In 2018, Meet AC booked a total of 238 meetings and conventions representing 371,996 future hotel room nights for Atlantic City. The group tour market was part of the overall booking number, attracting 44,452 hotel room nights. The number of future convention delegates to Atlantic City will reach over 547,862 with a projected economic impact of more than $349 million. Meet AC, whose funding comes from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), had a 2018 operating budget of $7.2 million. Those funds come from the luxury tax revenue. Meet AC reported that for every $1 of luxury tax revenue that Meet AC invests, they are returning $48 to Atlantic City’s economy.
“Meet AC has exceeded our room night goals for the fourth consecutive year and 2019 should be no exception as we are well positioned to have another banner year in definite bookings,” says Jim Wood, president and CEO for Meet AC. “Meet AC looks forward to growing with the destination as redevelopment and investment continues to diversify our economy. We are eager to continue to grow our meetings footprint and confirm why Atlantic City is heading towards being named a top meeting destination.” TOURISM NEWS»
NYC & Company and Discover Puerto Rico Team Up
NYC & Company and Discover Puerto Rico, the island’s newly established destination marketing organization, signed a first-ever official partnership to boost tourism between New York City and Puerto Rico. The new one-year alliance includes a collaboration agreement between Puerto Rico and New York City, the exchange of marketing assets to boost reciprocal travel, the sharing of best practices in tourism marketing, and continued support of Puerto Rico’s successful recovery following Hurricane Maria.
NYC & Company Board of Directors Vice Chairman Charles Flateman and Discover Puerto Rico CEO Brad Dean signed the new agreement at an event hosted by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
“As Puerto Rico continues its recovery, NYC & Company is pleased to do its part to further encourage visitation from New York City to Puerto Rico,” says Flateman. “Now, more than ever, we need to support and celebrate the island while also creating economic impact for the destination. We are honored to work alongside Discover Puerto Rico to communicate that it’s open for business and welcoming travelers.”
“Our partnership with NYC & Company is unprecedented and will help take our strategic tourism efforts to the next level,” says Dean. “We are working aggressively to elevate Puerto Rico’s brand and make it visible to the world as a premier travel destination. Puerto Rico is open for business and eager to share its rich and diverse culture with visitors. Our entire island is brimming with festivals, events, attractions and natural beauty that are waiting to be discovered ... Puerto Rico is ready to celebrate.”
“This partnership is deeply personal for me as it formally bridges two of the most fundamental parts of my identity,” says Miranda. “As a first generation New Yorker with parents from Puerto Rico and family on the island, I’ve always felt a special connection not only to my life in upper Manhattan but with my roots and summers spent in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico. I do not exist without both or either. [This] public commitment and bond between these two places that I hold so dear could not be more meaningful.”
Currently, there are approximately 26 flights between the New York City area and Puerto Rico daily.
HOTEL NEWS»
New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott has completed a $30 million, full-scale property renovation that included the 443 guest rooms and suites, MClub lounge, 15,000 square feet of meeting space, and 19,000 square feet of public spaces.
The hotel’s new elevated look and feel was imagined by SoHo-based luxury hospitality design firm Krause Sawyer and celebrates Queens’ 120plus nationalities and cultures. The renovation coincides with a reinvention of the 80-year old LaGuardia airport and surrounding areas which includes a new, modern look, as well as improved access to the facility.
The property also introduced its new signature Ditmar’s Bar and Grill. The three-meal restaurant features a menu of modern American fare with regional influences, as well as an extensive wine list and beer selection including eight draft beer varieties. Menu highlights include a selection of quick bites including avocado toast with salsa fresca and cilantro crème, and Cuban spring rolls served with mustard dipping sauce; shareable items such as lobster grilled cheese, Buffalo shrimp flatbread pizza, and open-faced pulled pork sliders; and entrees that include pan seared salmon with quinoa barley pilaf and avocado cream sauce, and a classic filet mignon with bordelaise sauce, herb steak butter and fingerling potatoes.
“The property has been completely transformed and is effectively a new hotel that should appeal to business and leisure travelers and the community seeking a stylish experience in a great location. Ditmars Bar & Grill adds a spectacular destination dining option which aligns with our vision for this property,” says Marc Gordon, principal of Rubicon. marriott.com/hotels/travel/lgaap-newyork-laguardia-airport-marriott
AWARDS
The Hotel Hershey has been named “Best Historic Resort” by Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. The hotel was selected from six nominated properties for the award, which is presented annually to a historic resort that best celebrates its history in the guest experience.
The Hotel Hershey was honored last November at a ceremony at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The award was presented before an audience of more than 200 industry leaders, owners, senior management, and representatives of the finest historic hotels from across America and from around the world.
“Every day is an honor to represent and work at this beautiful resort created by our company’s founder, Milton S. Hershey,” says Bill Hendrix, general manager of The Hotel Hershey. “Our team is proud to be named ‘Best Historic Resort’ by Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. To be recognized by these organizations and our industry peers is representative of the hospitality our employees provide day in and day out.”
The Hotel Hershey boasts 276 guest rooms and 25,000 square feet of meeting and function space. The property is a member of Historic Hotels of America.
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From corporate retreats to big time concerts to antique car shows, and everything in between, its no wonder year after year meeting and event planners choose the Wildwoods Convention Center! • 75K square foot exhibit arena, a 12K square foot Ballroom and 10-Meeting Rooms • 380 – 10’ x 10’ exhibit booth space or seating for up to 7,500 • Modern amenities / State-of-the-art communication systems • Full in-house Catering/Concession services • Adjacent to the world-famous Wildwoods Boardwalk and 5 miles of FREE white sand beaches • On-site parking for over 700 vehicles • 30K square feet of pre-function space • Free Wi-Fi for attendees To schedule your next meeting or event, call us at 800-992-9732 or visit us at WildwoodsCC.com
