WINTER 2014/2015
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VOL 16
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NO 4
PUBLISHER’S NOTE PUBLISHER Gonzalez Global Media, LLC.
Our 2015 Meetings Destination Guide is featuring ten of the top spots for Hispanic meetings and events this year as well as two conference spotlight destinations. We have highlighted some trending locations as well as those cities hosting the most Hispanic events along with new locations that are sometimes overlooked by our community – cómo Hawaii! We hope this list inspires you to pick the right location for your next meeting or event. ¡Que encuentren sus destinos!
EDITOR María de la Luz González mdgonzalez@hispanicmeetingstravel.com FOUNDER & CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Margaret Gonzalez mgonzalez@hispanicmeetingstravel.com DESIGN & PRODUCTION BAY AREA MEDIA SERVICES / SCENE MEDIA CREATIVE & PRODUCTION DIRECTOR - John Ennis www.bams.us / www.thescenemagazine.com ADVERTISING STEVEN GONZALEZ sgonzalez@hispanicmeetingstravel.com
María de la Luz González Publisher and Editor
MARIA GONZALEZ mdgonzalez@hispanicmeetingstravel.com
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Associated Luxury Hotels International, Atlanta CVB, Choose Chicago, Destination DC, Maria Gonzalez, Greater Houston CVB, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, Hyatt Corporation, Marriott International, Inc., Greater Miami and the Beaches CVB, Nobu Hospitality, Philadelphia CVB, San Antonio CVB, Sunset Marquis Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company
PHOTOGR APHY Adam Alexander Photography, Associated Luxury Hotels International, Atlanta CVB, Choose Chicago, Destination DC, DigPicPhoto, Greater Houston CVB, Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)/ Tor Johnson, Hilton Hotels, Hyatt Corporation, Marriott International, Inc., PRNewsFoto/The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Kevin C. Rose, San Antonio CVB, Sunset Marquis Hotel, Visit California/Carol Highsmith
03 ..........................................................................Hawaii 04 ........................................................Washington, DC 06 ......................................................Chicago / Atlanta 07 ................................................................Philadelphia 08 ..............................................Miami / New Mexico 10 ............................................Houston / San Antonio 11 ......................................................................California 11 ................................................Conference Spotlights Cover Photo Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson 2 HM&T | Hispanic Meetings & Travel
ADVERTISING SALES OFFICE Gonzalez Global Media, LLC 2600 South Shore Blvd., Suite 300 League City, Texas 77573 Telephone - 281-245-3330 Fax - 281-668-9199 W E B PA G E www.hispanicmeetingstravel.com WEB MASTER - Gonzalez Global Media, LLC Hispanic Meetings & Travel ISSN #1527-8387 is owned and published by the Gonzalez Global Media, LLC. at 2600 South Shore Blvd., Suite 300, League City, Texas 77573 C 1999-2015 All Rights Reserved. Hispanic Meetings & Travel cannot by held responsible for unsolicited material. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for any unsolicited material and will return only those accompanied by stamped self-addressed envelope. We reserve the right to edit all copy. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission of the publisher. Subscription rates: $30.00 per year within the USA, $52.50 in Canada, and $75.00 elsewhere. All subscriptions must be paid in U.S. currency. Single copies: U.S. $5.00, Canada $8.75, and $12.50 elsewhere. Produced in the USA.
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2015 MEETINGS DESTINATION GUIDE
Hyatt Regency Maui: ispanic Meetings & Travel has been waiting patiently with anticipation to see which Hispanic association would venture out to Hawaii and this year we have an answer. The McDonald's Hispanic Owner-Operators Association will hold their Biennial MHOA Marketing Symposium at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa in Lahaina, Hawaii this summer on the island of Maui.
Hawaii is a great meeting location while still being in the U.S. Just a hop, skip and a jump from San Diego, who wouldn’t want to meet in Hawaii?
The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa • Situated on 40 oceanfront acres of famed Ka’anapali Beach • 806 guestrooms including 31 suites • World-class dining • Endless amenities including golf, shopping and beach activities • Award-winning onsite luau • Maui’s only ocean front spa and fitness center
Meeting and events: • Over 25,000 sq. ft. of indoor function space • More than 100,000 sq. ft. of outdoor event space • Private rooftop helipad for VIP guests • Special activities for spouses and children • Enticing dining and entertainment choices
Visit www.maui.hyatt.com for more information.
HAWAII
2015 MEETINGS DESTINATION GUIDE
Washington, DC Tops the List
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ur nation’s capital has always ranked top of the list of the Hispanic meetings marketplace and 2015 is no exception. This year the city will host Latino conferences, summits, retreats, meetings and galas. With a vast range of venue options DC is has the perfect fit for any meeting or event. Meeting/ Convention Facilities
There is more than 4 million square feet of event/exhibit/meeting space in the Greater Washington region, with 2.2 million square feet of event space in the city of DC alone.
Major Meeting/Convention Facilities in Washington, DC include:
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill Marriott Marquis Washington, DC
Walter E. Washington Convention Center • 703,000 square feet of prime exhibit space (five exhibit halls on two levels) • 150,000 square feet of meeting room space • 67 meeting rooms • 52,000 square foot ballroom • 36,000 square feet of dedicated registration space
DC Armory National Guard Building • 118,000 square feet of exhibit space • 2 meeting rooms
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center • 65,000 square feet of exhibit space • 22 meeting rooms
Grand Hyatt Washington • 888 guest rooms and 37 suites • 40,0000 square feet of event space
Renaissance Washington, DC • 807 guest rooms and 13 suites • 60,000 square feet of event space
Washington Hilton • 1,119 guest rooms and 82 suites • 110,000 square feet of event space
Omni Shoreham Hotel • 783 guest rooms and 51 suites • 100,000 square feet of event space
For more information about Washington DC, visit: www.washington.org.
Marriott Wardman Park • 1,256 guest rooms and 76 suites • 173,000 square feet of event space
Marriott Marquis Washington, DC
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill • 834 guest rooms and 32 suites • 39,000 square feet of event space
Washington Hilton Terrace Lobby
Marriott Marquis Washington, DC • 1,175 guest rooms including 49 suites • 105,000 square feet of event space
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
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Reasons to Meet in Chicago
he windy city continues to be a reliable meeting source for the Hispanic market. This year it will host the National Society of Hispanic MBAs annual convention, which attracts about 6,000 attendees. Here are a few reasons to want to meet in Chicago:
Virgin Hotel Chicago - the first ever Virgin Hotel in the world. Located one block off Michigan Avenue, the hotel features 250 rooms with a vibe that follows the hip, fresh brand created by Sir Richard Branson. Four restaurants including two on the street-level, a rooftop bar, a dynamic hybrid bar/lounge, a laid back study and a restaurant called the Commons Club will all be open to the public and hotel guests.
Loews Chicago Hotel will open its doors in 2015. Situated just north of the Chicago River, in the heart of the city, the new and luxurious Loews Chicago Hotel will be part of a highly visible 52-story tower with incredible city skyline and lake views from its 400 guestrooms (including 23 suites) as well as its
indoor and outdoor meeting spaces.
The Chicago Riverwalk - Mayor Rahm Emanuel calls it Chicago's second coast. Envisioned as a continuous, water-level walkway that would allow pedestrians to walk from State Street, around the northwest corner of The Loop, down to Lake Street without having to climb a single stairway or cross a street.
Uniqlo - Uniqlo's Chicago opening will at long last become a reality in fall of 2015. The Japanese retailer will occupy the space above Topshop on the Magnificent Mile, marking the company's first Midwest location and the second-largest in the U.S. after its Fifth Avenue flagship in New York. Uniqlo was founded in Hiroshima in 1984 and was originally called Unique Clothing Warehouse with more than 1,400 stores in 16 markets worldwide. For more information on Chicago visit: www.choosechicago.com.
Chicago Dining. Credit: Adam Alexander Photography for Choose Chicago.
Atlanta is Trending in 2015
• Hispanic IT Executive Council (HITEC) • National Hispanic Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees
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Centennial Olympic Park with downtown buildings including CNN. ©2005, Kevin C. Rose
ver the last several years Atlanta, Georgia has been making a significant impact on the Hispanic meetings marketplace. As the hub of Delta Airlines this city provides easy travel for attendees from throughout the country as well as internationally making it the ideal spot for all types of meetings and events.
Associations meeting in Atlanta in 2015: • Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) 6 HM&T | Hispanic Meetings & Travel
What’s new in Atlanta: Center for Civil and Human Rights – Opened June 2014 Located next to the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium, the Center’s theatrical and high-tech exhibits use motion, sights and sounds to immerse visitors in the American civil rights movement.
The College Football Hall of Fame – Opened August 2014 The massive facility is a state-of-the-art shrine for college football fans, with interactive exhibits that entertain even the non-fan visitor.
Buckhead Atlanta – Opened September 2014 This ultimate street-scene is comprised of six city blocks offering a multitude of lux shops, restaurants and cafés that include Spanx’s flagship store, Hermès, Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin, Shake Shack and others. For more information visit: www.atlanta.net.
Meeting in Philadelphia
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hiladelphia is set to host the World Meeting of Families/Pope Francis visit in the fall of 2015 and was recently chosen to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Such hosting duties mark this city as a premier destination to host any size meeting, convention or event.
A few more reasons why Philadelphia is a great choice to host your next event include: • Vibrant and Walkable Downtown
• America’s Most Historic Square Mile
• Named #3 city on New York Times list of “52 Places to Go in 2015”
• Tax-Free Shopping on Clothing and Shoes
• 11,000+ Hotel Rooms at Every Price Point • America's Greenest City
• 388 Arts and Culture Organizations • 101 Colleges and Universities • World-Class Dining Options
• New Hotel Developments including Starwood W / Element Hotel
• Museum of the American Revolution – The first-in-the-nation museum is scheduled to open in 2017, just blocks from the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Philly makes it easy for attendees to get to your meeting: • 20 minutes from PHL Airport to the Pennsylvania Convention Center via regional rail line
• 1,000 + daily non-stop Flights in/out of PHL, an American Airlines Hub • 100 minutes Amtrak travel between Washington, DC and PHL
• 46 million people living within 200 miles of the Pennsylvania Convention Center • 7 subway Lines
• 2 regional rail Lines
• 15 bus routes within walking distance of the Pennsylvania Convention Center www.hispanicmeetingstravel.com | HM&T 7
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Celebrating Miami Beach with a Meeting! Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami Lounge
his year marks the centennial anniversary of Miami Beach, Florida. The city will be celebrating this landmark anniversary throughout the year with various events making it the perfect spot to meet, convene and celebrate in one of the Hispanic meetings marketplace favorite destinations. The Greater Miami area offers great hotel options including some new and exciting options for 2015.
Nobu Hotel at Eden Roc Miami Beach: Nobu Hotel and Restaurant is set to relaunch the Eden Roc Miami Beach in 2015. The hotel will feature 210 guest rooms; a signature Nobu restaurant and bar; new banqueting and catering menus; 20,000 square feet of spa and fitness facilities; over 70,000 square feet of re-energized and stylish meeting and event space; and two luxurious pools.
The 15th floor Penthouse suites will feature panoramic views of the city with inspiration drawn from the Villa at the Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace. Guests of the Nobu Hotel will enjoy a VIP entrance to the Nobu Hotel Pool and lounge with views over the beach and sea. The guestrooms will be located in the hotel’s legendary tower and offer the imaginative, energized and sophisticated environment exclusive to Nobu Hotels. For more information visit: www.nobuedenroc.com.
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Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami will be located in the heart of South Beach on Collins Avenue, across the street from Miami’s famed beach. The hotel will blend the city’s Art Deco architecture with modern design, featuring a 10-story glass tower that will offer 105 guest rooms, 700 square feet of meeting space, complimentary wireless Internet throughout the hotel, and a Bluetooth-enabled television system in all guest rooms. For more information, visit www.hyatt.com. More information can be found at: www.MiamiandBeaches.com or www.MiamiBeach100.com.
New Mexico – The Land Of Enchantment Beckons
he land of enchantment beckons and several associations have heard the call in 2015. With its beautiful landscape, cuisine, culture and history New Mexico is a perfect fit for any Hispanic event. One of those events heading to Santa Ana Pueblo is the 2015 League of United Latin American Citizens National Women’s Conference. Taking place at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa this premier resort offers the best in accommodations and event space.
ACCOMMODATIONS 350 guestrooms, including 23 suites, 158 kings, 169 double / doubles, and 15 accessible rooms available MEETING & EVENT SPACE • A total of 33,000 square feet of function
space and 50,000 square feet of outdoor function space • Meeting rooms and the prefunction ballroom space have adjoining terraces to facilitate outdoor breaks and luncheons • Spectacular Cottonwood Pavilion with 8,000 square feet of space along the Rio Grande
• 12,000-square-foot Tamaya Ballroom • State-of-the art multimedia support • Executive board room • High-speed Internet access • On-site audiovisual department, business center and destination management company For more information visit: www.tamaya.hyatt.com.
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Convention Centers Are Bigger In Texas
exas has always been a preferred meeting destination among Hispanics. This year, Houston has the honor of hosting the US Hispano Chamber of Commerce National Convention in September and San Antonio will host several events and conferences.
HOUSTON
Houston Metro spans a vast area of meeting space possibilities from the northern Woodlands area down to Galveston Island on the Gulf of Mexico shoreline. Two top convention centers include:
(average size 1,200 square feet); each room is equipped with individual sound systems and a 17’ ceilings height • Two largest meeting rooms are 17,000 and 22,000 square feet • Parking for 26,000 vehicles For more information on everything Houston has to offer view: www.visithoustontexas.com.
SAN ANTONIO
San Antonio recently topped off the $325 million expansion of its Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. The $93.5 million first phase of construction added 270,000 square feet of exhibition space on George R. Brown Convention Center At 1.8 million gross sq ft, the George R. Brown Convention Center ranks among the 10 largest convention centers in the nation. The GRBCC offers: • An arena with telescopic seating for 6,000 • 862,000 square feet of exhibit hall space • 99,000 square feet of registration area on Level 2 • George Bush Grand Ballroom offering 31,500 square feet of tasteful, functional event space - newly upgraded; sub-divides into three sections • A 3600-seat tiered theater hall • Nearly 185,000 square feet of a variety of meeting room space • 4 exterior balconies suitable for festive outdoor receptions • Houston’s official convention hotel, the 1,200 guest room Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel is connected to the Brown on two levels by a pedestrian sky bridge • And within one mile, visitors will find 15 hotels and more than 5,000 hotel rooms, bringing the total number of hotel rooms in the Greater Houston area to more than 55,000
NRG Center: NRG Park - Houston's top trade show, convention, sports and entertainment complex--includes NRG Stadium, NRG Center, NRG Arena, and NRG Astrodome. NRG Center features include: • Exhibit hall totals 706,213 square feet • Exhibit halls can be divided into 11 halls ranging in size from 36,000 to 168,000 square feet • All exhibit space is contiguous and located at ground level • 59 meeting rooms located on exhibit hall floor and mezzanine level 10 HM&T | Hispanic Meetings & Travel
the center’s eastern side. Set for completion in February 2016, the transformation of the center is the largest capital project in the city's history. When completed, it will offer: · 514,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space · 270,000 square feet of new exhibit space · 85,000 square feet of column-free multipurpose space · More than 54,000-square-foot ballroom · 70 meeting spaces including divisible breakout rooms · Wrap-around balcony with views of historic downtown and River Walk · Well-defined street and river entrances
Outdoor Meeting Opportunities Enhance Destination Experience: Once exhibit space on the western side is demolished, neighboring Hemisfair Park will be expanded, allowing for ample outdoor meeting experiences. Open-air opportunities are enhanced by the center’s ideal River Walk location that not only provides riverside venues, but also places the center within walking distance to thousands of hotel rooms, restaurants and shops. Learn more about San Antonio meetings at Meetings.VisitSanAntonio.com.
Rancho Bernardo Inn
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2015 MEETINGS DESTINATION GUIDE
Sunset Marquis Hotel
Nos Gusta Encontrarnos en California
o other state in the country hosts more Hispanic meetings and events than California. With new hospitality developments in the works in California, HM&T is certain it will remain a top meetings destination for the foreseeable future. The top California meeting destinations for 2015: • Anaheim • Beverly Hills • Los Angeles • Napa • Pasadena • San Diego • San Francisco • Silicon Valley
Featured California Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage The prominently-situated Palm Springs hotel features 244 resort rooms and suites, residences, a two-story luxury spa, more than 30,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting space and destination dining with sweeping valley views. For more information visit www.ritzcarlton.com.
Rancho Bernardo Inn San Diego’s breathtaking 280-acre Rancho Bernardo Inn offers 287 guest rooms and suites that feature private patios or balconies. The AAA Four-Diamond resort’s 45,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space can accommodate groups up to 1,000, and includes 22 meeting rooms. Rancho Bernardo Inn’s challenging 18-hole championship golf course, which has host-
ed both a PGA and LPGA event, was recently renovated last year and is just steps from the resort’s lobby. The resort is 35 minutes from San Diego International Airport. More information can be found at www.ranchobernardoinn.com.
Sunset Marquis Centrally located between Beverly Hills, Hollywood, downtown Los Angeles and the beaches, and mere steps from the world famous Sunset Strip, Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood offers 152 luxurious suites and villas intertwined within a 3.5-acre oasis of gardens and private retreats. The North Villa Boardroom comfortably seats twelve and includes a private bathroom and large, flat-screen TV for multimedia presentations. This bright and creative West Hollywood meeting space provides an excellent venue for fostering creativity and open minds, with sliding glass
doors that connect to the beautiful villa gardens, perfect for any board retreat or corporate incentive. For more information visit: www.sunsetmarquis.com.
Conference Spotlights:
For a second year in a row Salt Lake City is hosting a major Hispanic conference with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) holding their 86th National Convention at the Salt Palace Convention Center, following in the footsteps of the 2014 US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce yearly conference.
The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) will be heading to Kansas City this summer for their Annual Conference & Latino Family Expo being held at the Kansas City Convention Center.
www.hispanicmeetingstravel.com | HM&T 11
Stay ahead of the Pack - Register today and become a CDMP!
The CDMP is a globally recognized professional certification program focusing on global diversity inclusion and sustainability within the meetings and conventions industry. Certified Professionals become more culturally aware of their customer base which allows for relevance and competitiveness in a global market. To learn more about the CDMP and our expert trainers and register for the CDMP Program, visit www.IAHMP.org.
Carole Copeland Thomas
Multiculturalism, Global Diversity & Leadership Training
CDMP USA Trainer
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Principal So Garcia Associates, LLC CDMP USA Trainer
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Executive Director CPL Events CDMP European Trainer
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President & CEO, AGR Hospitality Solutions, LLC CDMP USA Trainer
Terry Singleton, CSEP, CDMP President CCP Events CDMP USA Trainer