23 minute read
REGIONAL NEWS
The Lake House on Canandaigua
Pod Philly
HOTEL NEWS» New Destination Hotel in Upstate New York
New York-based design firm Studio Tack and family-owned design house The Brooklyn Home Company are collaborating on a new hotel: The Lake House on Canandaigua in the Finger Lakes region. Formerly a beloved motor lodge owned by the Sands family, The Lake House is slated to open in July 2020.
“Having grown up on Canandaigua Lake, it was the best backyard I could have ever asked for. With our complete rebuild of this property, we have expanded and updated the vision of The Lake House for our times,” says Bill Caleo of The Brooklyn Home Company, co-managing director for the redevelopment project.
The Lake House is designed to feel like a private residence with a campus of buildings: the main hotel; creekside hotel; a new signature restaurant in collaboration with a well-known restaurateur acting as consultant; the integration of a local agriculture nonprofit, New York Kitchen; the return of a reimagined Sand Bar (a town staple for decades); and the event barn. The first building to open will be the Sand Bar for Memorial Day 2020.
The Lake House will be a first-of-itskind events destination for the area. The 109,745-square-foot events campus can serve small happenings for 50 people, weddings for 250 guests, or 500-person conferences. Suitable for all four seasons, the venue allows for indoor/outdoor festivities. lakehousecanandaigua.com
Pod Hotels Opens Location in Philadelphia
The Pod Hotels recently opened its sixth location, in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood of Philadelphia. Following the model of the successful Pod Hotels in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Washington D.C., Pod Philly features well-designed guest rooms and vibrant food and beverage spaces.
Pod Philly’s 234 guest rooms (180 square feet on average) and 18 larger studio rooms boast expansive floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of Philadelphia. The interiors are designed by New York firm Stonehill Taylor (TWA Hotel, Nomad Las Vegas and Refinery Hotel) with nods to the city’s industrial past.
“Modus Hotels is looking to energize the Philadelphia hospitality scene with the addition of Pod Philly,” says Aaron Katz, president and CEO of Modus Hotels. “We believe there is a place in the Philadelphia hotel market for a fun, value-driven hotel—one that places travelers in the center of the city’s happenings.”
The property has three food and beverage spaces, each imagined and operated by Defined Hospitality: Condesa, a contemporary 140-seat eatery named after the vibrant neighborhood in Mexico City; El Café, an all-day offering serving coffee from Stumptown Roasters, breakfast tacos and made-daily pastries; and El Techo, an 11th- floor taqueria offering a casual Mexican menu, communal tables and expansive views of the Philadelphia skyline.
Pod Philly’s on-site fitness center features Matrix equipment, Peloton Bikes and free weights, with free fitness classes facilitated by the hotel’s neighborhood partnerships. thepodhotel.com/pod-philly
The highly anticipated 118-room Somerset Hills Hotel in historic Warren, New Jersey, will open in March 2020. A Tapestry Collection by Hilton property, this new boutique hotel will double as a wedding and corporate events venue, offering more than 5,100 square feet of flexible indoor meeting space in addition to an expansive outdoor venue.
Originally built in 1987, Somerset Hills was reimagined following a major $22 million renovation. The hotel captures both the beauty and rich history of the town, which is home to many historic sites and monuments that played a major role in the American Revolution.
“Somerset Hills Hotel has been a staple in the Warren community for many years and we look forward to continuing to honor the property’s legacy,” says Michelle Satanik, area manager of Valor Hospitality Partners. “This has been a transformational project and we are thrilled to share Somerset’s iconic story with guests and locals alike.”
Somerset Hills will cater to corporate groups and weddings, with options including the Lafayette Ballroom, Crossroads event room and Lighthorse boardroom, offering a nod to the town’s colonial history. A picturesque, expansive outdoor garden and patio encompassing nearly 2,000 square feet completes the event space, perfect for corporate functions, weddings and other social events. Other amenities include a seasonal outdoor pool and sundeck as well as a 24-hour fitness center featuring Peloton bikes.
Somerset Hills will also be home to TAP Gastropub, a chef-driven, European-style restaurant. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, guests and locals can enjoy delicious cuisine, locally curated cocktails and 20 perfectly chilled craft beers on tap.
DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia-Valley Forge, managed by Concord Hospitality Enterprises, started extensive renovations mid-January. The $18.5 million improvement is scheduled to be completed in June 2020.
Once finished, guests will enjoy contemporary décor, new bedding, carpet, wall vinyl, modern artwork, 55-inch SMART televisions, more outlets and USB ports, renovated bathrooms, and refrigerators in its 327 guest rooms.
The DoubleTree by Hilton PhiladelphiaValley Forge will also offer 25,000-square-feet of improved event space to host unique and advanced options. Three new conference rooms and an executive boardroom will be added. The lobby and public space will be transformed with rich, bold colors, dramatic patterns and textures throughout the lobby lounge, outdoor patio and bar, mother’s nursing room, and expanded fitness center, as well as the self-service guest laundry facility.
“With innovative offerings and style, the DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia-Valley Forge will be a leading hotel that sets the bar in the King of Prussia and Philadelphia area,” says Jenn Shipman, director of sales and marketing. Philadelphia Marriott Old City Opens
PM Hotel Group officially opened the fully renovated Philadelphia Marriott Old City in January 2020 after a multimillion-dollar renovation. The 364-room hotel was formerly the Sheraton Philadelphia Society Hill and is located in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic district.
“While we have totally reimagined this hotel and are now part of the iconic Marriott brand, guests will still experience what they have come to love about this historic 33-year-old hotel,” says Joseph Bojanowski, president and CEO of PM Hotel Group. “We look forward to continuing to be the backdrop for special life occasions and events, as well as the preferred home away from home for those staying in Philadelphia.”
The property, which is owned and being redeveloped by Buccini Pollin Group, blends colonial with contemporary to offer an enhanced hotel experience and elevated aesthetic. Guests who are Marriott Titanium and Elite members can experience Philadelphia’s first M Club, a new club lounge including upscale food, tech-enabled connectivity and working space.
The Philadelphia Marriott Old City boasts over 20,000 square feet of fully renovated meeting spaces, including the ballroom, which can accommodate 550 guests. The Marriott Philadelphia Old City event services team is available for assistance for any event, providing recommendations for local vendors, as well as day-of coordination and support.
DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia-Valley Forge
Somerset Hills Hotel
VENUE NEWS»
NEW MEDIA EVENT, STREAMING, & BROADCAST PRODUCTION FACILITY IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY
EAST MAIN MEDIA—a provider of audio/video production, captioning and transcription, post-production and content distribution services for organizations in the New York metropolitan area—has opened East Main Studios (EMS) in Little Falls, New Jersey. EMS is a newly renovated 5,500-square-foot facility that is the first and only full-service space in the region for hosting business events, broadcasting, delivering livestreaming content and providing professional media production services for companies and organizations of any size and in any industry.
“Whether it’s a product launch or demonstration, board meeting, professional networking event, book signing, podcast with a live audience or TEDx-type presentation, EMS offers a customizable space with best-in-class audio/video production capabilities—providing a superb experience for our clients and their guests,” says Brian Brodeur, founder and president of East Main Studios. “The interiors are fully adaptable to our clients’ unique needs, and all of our tech talent and A/V equipment is in-house and on-premises. These comprehensive capabilities allow us to deliver seamless experiences in a bright, beautiful, and very cool 1930s art deco room with lots of personality.”
EMS’s features and services include: » A 2,000-square-foot main event room with additional support suites » Art deco lobby » Event staging, programmable LED lighting and video displays » An adjacent control room with a Blackmagic ATEM 4K live production system » Green screen capture, custom set-building, and extensive professional prop collection » Availability of HD/UHD Sony, Canon, and Panasonic multi-camera packages » Professional audio support for live events, podcasting and in-studio interviews eastmainmedia.com
SummerStage in Central Park Open for Events
SummerStage in Central Park underwent an extensive $6 million upgrade in 2019. The a 5,500-capacity entertainment venue, located in the heart of New York’s Central Park, is now a state-ofthe-art concert facility with new VIP viewing areas, private rental spaces, raised bleacher seating, a top-of-the-line sound system and enhanced lighting design. The venue is available for hosting events during a SummerStage concert or available for full-day or multiday private rentals and custom events. Events may bring in a caterer or work with the venue’s concessionaire.
The Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage Festival is New York’s largest, free outdoor performing arts festival running annually from May to October. cityparksfoundation.org/venue-rentals; events@cityparksfoundation.org
The Philadelphia Diversity & Inclusion Conference 2020 will be held March 30-31 at the Hilton Penn’s Landing, marking a new call for thought leaders and influencers, executives, activists and academics to share best practices and redefine what it means to be diverse and inclusive in the 21st century. Keynote speakers will include giants in their respective fields, as well as rising national and local voices with fresh insights on how to make diversity, equity and inclusion an integral part of any sector and institution.
The conference will once again feature a lengthy list of national policymakers and global leaders. Confirmed speakers include Nolan Atkinson, who heads the city of Philadelphia’s newly renamed Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Additionally, the conference will feature an Academic Think Tank, specifically designed for deans, directors, research faculty, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) practitioners to discuss ideas and recommendations regarding the latest corporate strategies and best practices, and more.
The topic of diversity, equity and inclusion in all sectors is more widely discussed now than ever before. Addressing diversity, equity and inclusion across the gamut of fields, including public policy, higher education, nonprofit and corporate sectors, is critical to understanding both the challenges and the opportunities in creating a pathway for social mobility. diphilly.com VENUE NEWS» Javits Center Update
The $1.5 billion expansion of the Javits Center will be substantially complete by March 2021. The project, which will add 1.2 million square feet of total event-related space on Manhattan’s West Side, is moving toward an on-time, on-budget completion, with the expansion’s steel and concrete superstructure finished and installation of the final phase of nonstructural steel underway.
The first event hosted at the expanded convention center will be the joint International Contemporary Furniture Fair and LightFair in May 2021. The combined design-industry events are expected to attract more than 40,000 design professionals to New York City.
“New Yorkers expect action, and the expansion of the Javits Center through the design-build process is delivering results in a safe, streamlined fashion that will generate a new wave of economic activity for the Empire State,” says Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “With so many jobs dependent on largescale events hosted here, the Javits Center has become one of New York’s most important economic assets, and this expansion will ensure it remains the nation’s busiest convention center for generations to come.”
The project will create up to 6,000 new jobs, generate nearly $400 million in additional annual economic activity and attract more blockbuster events from around the world. The project is part of Cuomo’s statewide plan to upgrade critical infrastructure and transportation facilities to spur job creation and economic activity.
A key to the success is ensuring the Javits Center remains open for business during construction. Enabling event-related operations to continue uninterrupted is a testament to the close collaboration among state officials, architects, contractors, convention center employees and event producers.
Expansion project highlights include: » New glass-enclosed entrance on 11th Avenue at 38th Street » Creation of 500,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space on one level with the addition of 90,000 square feet of prime exhibit space » 107,000 square feet of new meeting room space, including a 54,000-square-foot special event space, the largest such space in the Northeast » 113,000 square feet of prefunction space » Rooftop pavilion and terrace accommodating 1,500 individuals » 480,000-square-foot, four-level truck marshaling facility » 27 new loading docks
javitscenter.com
TOURISM»
NEW YORK CITY & MANCHESTER PARTNER UP
NYC & Company and Marketing Manchester signed a first-ever official city-tocity tourism collaboration agreement in January. The new two-year alliance includes a collaboration agreement between the two cities, the sharing of best practices in tourism marketing and a partnership with Virgin Atlantic to stimulate reciprocal travel. “It’s a pleasure to announce our newest tourism marketing partnership with one of the United Kingdom’s most important Northern England cities,” says NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon. “Both destinations are capitals of diversity and iconic hubs of arts and culture, sports and media. We believe there is outstanding potential to further develop joint tourism opportunities between Manchester and New York City. We look forward to collaborating with Marketing Manchester, Manchester Airport and Virgin Atlantic to further solidify this new alliance and in so doing, welcome more visitors to our welcoming urban destinations.”
Sheona Southern, managing director at Marketing Manchester, adds “I’m incredibly proud that Marketing Manchester has been able to secure what is undoubtably a very powerful partnership with NYC & Company. New York City is one of the top tourism destinations in the world and to be able to align ourselves with a city that we have so much in common with— especially in respect to being open, diverse and welcome destinations—is a huge coup and speaks volumes about Manchester’s increasing global profile.”
The new tourism partnership between New York City and Manchester comes as Virgin Atlantic increases services between the two cities. Now flying its largest aircraft on the Manchester to JFK route, the Boeing 747, Virgin Atlantic is increasing capacity out of Manchester to New York by 65 percent this winter.
PEOPLE NEWS» Arthouse Hotel names GM
Barbara Christoph has been named the general manager at Arthouse Hotel New York City. Having started her tenure with Highgate Hotels in 2007 at what was formerly On The Ave Hotel, Christoph will be returning to what is now known as Arthouse after its renaming in spring 2019. “It is only the beginning of this exciting new chapter, and I’m delighted to be a part of it,” says Christoph. “Arthouse is a special place not only because of its amazing team which has cultivated strong bonds with guests over the years, but because of the meaningful ties they’ve forged with their neighbors through unique and memorable events.”
For over a decade, Christoph worked across Manhattan, spending several years at boutique lifestyle properties including The Roger, SoHo Grand and Highgate’s own Paramount Hotel. She then went on to join the opening team at the Quin, advancing to general manager. Her operational expertise and creativity helped support a successful transition as she oversaw its recent conversion to Hilton.
Barbara’s arrival marks an important milestone for Arthouse, as the hotel is in talks to unveil a full property multimillion-dollar renovation tentatively slated for 2020/21, including guest rooms, public areas and event spaces.
New Appointments at Somerset Hills Hotel
Paul Marsico has been appointed director of sales and marketing. In his new role, Marsico will spearhead the sales organization, creating and implementing innovative sales and marketing initiatives for the 118-room boutique hotel and events venue, set to reopen in 2020.
A seasoned hospitality professional with 17 years of experience working for the Hilton brand, Marsico most recently served as director of sales and marketing for Hilton Short Hills where he led in the development and execution of strategic initiatives to boost room nights for the hotel. Marsico is also a proven leader in the hospitality community. During his time as director of sales and marketing for Embassy Suites Piscataway/Somerset, Marsico’s leadership resulted in his team receiving the prestigious Circle of Excellence, Sales Team of the Year, Embassy Suites award.
Jerry Donohue has been appointed as executive chef and introduced the culinary vision and dining concept behind the hotel’s TAP Gastropub, a beer-centric restaurant centered around elevated comfort food, set to open doors in March 2020. Spearheading Somerset Hill’s culinary team, Donohue will oversee all aspects of the hotel’s dining experiences, from menu concept creation to group catering services and daily programming.
An accomplished industry leader, he brings 18 years of culinary experience to his position,
along with a passion for culinary heritage. Prior to joining Somerset Hills, Donohue served as executive chef at the prestigious High Line Hotel, where he created specialty menus and events for New York City’s socialites and business elite, while utilizing the finest offerings from Hudson Valley and The Garden State. Throughout his career, Donohue has worked in notable kitchens across the Northeast, earning numerous industry accolades including Philadelphia Metro’s “Hot New Chef.”
“Jerry is dedicated to presenting new and vibrant flavors, while staying true to New Jersey’s roots. We are confident the culinary team will deliver an unmatched dining experience under his leadership and are eager to see what initiatives they develop as we prepare to open doors,” says Michelle Satanik, general manager.
Julie Coker Leaves PHLCVB
Julie Coker announced her departure from the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) and will be resigning in March 2020 as president and CEO. She has accepted the position of president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority. Coker has served as the President and CEO of the PHLCVB since January 2016.
“We thank Julie for the significant contributions that she’s made during her tenure,” says PHLCVB chairman Nick DeBenedictis. “Julie has built a strong team, and the PHLCVB is well positioned for future success. The staff will continue to win business on behalf of Philadelphia, and throughout this transition will remain focused on achieving their strategic goals. The board and I are committed to finding an outstanding candidate that can successfully lead the talented and dedicated team at the PHLCVB.”
“Serving as the president and CEO of the PHLCVB has been a highlight of my career,” says Coker. “This was an incredibly tough decision but the opportunity to round out my skill set by leading a premier West Coast destination was something I had to explore. I am deeply grateful to our board of directors,
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the city of Philadelphia and the talented team at the PHLCVB.”
The process to find a new leader is now underway. John McNichol, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority and PHLCVB board member, will serve as the search committee chair. SearchWide Global, a national executive recruitment firm specializing in the hospitality industry with an emphasis on executive level positions, has been contracted to conduct the national search.
Philomena Petro, CMP, Reflects on 36 Years at PHLCVB
After nearly four decades selling Philadelphia as a destination for meetings, conventions and events, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau Vice President,
Convention Services Philomena Petro, CMP has decided to transition her role and become a consultant for the PHLCVB services team.
“This is a bittersweet moment for our organization, as Philomena is a titan in the industry with an incredible amount of experience and historical perspective,” says PHLCVB President and CEO Julie Coker. “She’s been generous enough to impart this wisdom on younger professionals at the PHLCVB, establishing industry-wide best practices and developing key relationships to further our mission.”
The industry leader has built a reputation for herself—and the city—since joining the PHLCVB in 1983. Petro recognized early in her career the value of dedicated convention services roles within destination marketing organizations. She identified this need and helped the PHLCVB reconfigure its operating structure in the 1990s, building up support staff in critical areas. Her stature in the industry is also evidenced by leadership positions she held, including serving as president of the Event Services Professionals Association.
“My time at the PHLCVB has been filled with countless memories that I’ll cherish forever,” says Petro. “For me, one of the most inspiring parts of my career has been witnessing the success and growth of my PHLCVB colleagues—some who I have worked alongside for more than 30 years.”
Appointments & Promotions at PHLCVB
After a nationwide search, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) has appointed Joe Heller as the new vice president of marketing and communications. In this role, Heller will oversee the team responsible for supporting the positioning and marketing of Philadelphia as a top U.S. destination for meetings, conventions, sporting events and overseas leisure travel.
“Joe brings an incredible amount of experience in developing innovative marketing and communications strategies that garner international media attention and provide opportunities for rich and creative storytelling that position and promote Philadelphia globally,” says PHLCVB President and CEO Julie Coker.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to join the talented team at the PHLCVB,” says Heller. “I’ve seen firsthand how impactful their work is for the city of Philadelphia. I look forward to contributing to the organization’s mission and its future strategic goals of advancing the city’s strong position as a top destination.”
Maria Grasso has been promoted to vice president of citywide sales and convention services, a new customerfocused role that will better serve the organization for growth in key industry verticals. For 20 years, Grasso’s work at the PHLCVB has resulted in award-winning meetings, conventions and events hosted at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and throughout the city of Philadelphia. Previously, Grasso served as the organization’s senior director of national accounts, where she worked with major corporate groups and national associations in a variety of disciplines. “Maria’s tenaciousness and creativity—on behalf of the PHLCVB and her customers— has elevated expectations for destination marketing organizations across the country and what they can do for planners and groups,” says Coker.
New Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Atlantic City Convention Center
Spectra, the providers of venue management and food services and hospitality to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and the Atlantic City Convention Center, recently named 20-year industry veteran and New Jersey native Ronnie Burt as vice president of sales and marketing of the Atlantic City Convention Center.
Burt brings his global experience working in major destinations on large scale meeting and convention events, as well as working with premier sports organizations including the NCAA, NFL and Olympic qualifying events.
Burt will be responsible for spearheading the efforts of a newly created sales department that will be accountable for short term sales and event revenue while assisting in servicing, negotiating and contracting clients. He will also be responsible for building a new marketing and positioning strategy of the Center and will work in conjunction with the Meet AC Sales Team to build more demand and events that will utilize the facility.
Burt started his career in Atlantic City, working in casino promotions, VIP services at Caesars Hotel and Casino before becoming a national sales manager with the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority. He has since worked in numerous cities, most recently he served as the president and CEO of Visit KC.
Atlantic City and for Spectra. His top-tier sales experience will help change how the industry experiences the city and the region, both now and into the future. We look forward to welcoming him as a leader.”
Appointments & Promotions at Aventri
Aventri, a meeting and event technology software provider, recently announced the appointment of Jim Sharpe to chief executive officer. Sharpe brings extensive exec-
utive experience in high-growth technologyenabled businesses.
Prior to joining Aventri, Sharpe spent six years as general manager and managing director at Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), the leading platform for connecting top professionals for sharing expertise. He managed the firm’s largest and most profitable business unit, Financial Services, greatly expanding the user base toward revenue north of $200 million. Prior to GLG, Sharpe was CEO of Standard Purification, a PE-backed manufacturing business where he led the growth, expansion and successful exit to a strategic buyer.
“I am thrilled to be joining Aventri at such an exciting time in the company’s history,” says Sharpe. “We are now well positioned to take advantage of our market leadership to significantly scale the business. I look forward to working with the Aventri team, and especially our customers, to continue to innovate and deliver the best solution and experience in the industry.”
Oni Chukwu has been elevated to executive chairman for Aventri after leading the company as CEO for the past six years, during which he oversaw accelerated revenue growth, product maturation and global expansion.
“It’s been one of the great honors of my career to have had the opportunity to lead this company and this wonderful team at such a pivotal time,” says Chukwu. “I am proud of what we’ve accomplished and humbled by the dedication and passion that Aventrians bring to it every day.”
“Under Oni’s leadership, Aventri has grown into a formidable organization, providing market-leading solutions to its nearly 2000 customers worldwide,” says Rich Lawson, chairman of the board of directors. “We’re delighted to have him remain on the board to continue helping to chart the future of the company. We’re also very excited to welcome Jim Sharpe to lead Aventri’s best-inclass executive team and continue to grow Aventri’s footprint in the global meeting and event technology space.”
SUCCESSFUL WHERE MEETINGS AND EVENTS ARE ALWAYS IN-SEASON
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
