60 minute read
Thriving on ROR
by Lorraine Ranalli
Focus on the ROR rather than the ROI not only kept Mid-Atlantic Events Magazine in the game, but also enabled it to stay in touch at a time when a significant number of businesses switched gears.
Since co-founding his hospitality trade magazine in 1987, return on relationships (ROR) always has been Jim Cohn’s goal. I reached out to him recently to find out how he was weathering the storm that brought the world to a grinding halt, especially the hospitality industry. “I don’t like the P-word,” Jim told me, referring to pivot, “instead, we adapted, tweaked and reenergized.”
According to Jim, a full 90 percent of his clients and partners remain operational because they adapted, too. Unfortunately, that was not the case industry-wide, despite herculean efforts. Adapting, adjusting, and navigating ever-changing - often authoritarian - edicts certainly was not easy and took a toll on business owners. Leaning into ROR made all the difference for Jim - and it can for you, too.
A deeper dive into Jim’s background reveals why a focus on ROR is second nature to him.
THE APPLE DOESN’T FALL FAR
In the late 1950s, Jim’s father took to the new rising radio industry. Fred Cohn left his position with a stationery supply company and began to offer a service to area radio stations. Fred printed weekly music surveys created by these stations that he then would distribute to record stores like Sam Goody, Wall to Wall Sound, and others. Consumers could grab their favorite radio station’s weekly Top 30 in the form of a small leaflet at almost any checkout counter. “We had a great list of stations: WIBG, WPEN, WHAT, WXTU, WDAS, WCAU-FM, WAEB, WUSL Power 99, etc. until about 1990,” Jim said.
In the mid ‘70s, Fred Cohn Associates was asked to assist Delaware Valley Auto Spring company (as they were a client) and to help produce items for the launching of Shadow Traffic, an entity near and dear to my heart. Fred’s company produced logos, designs, and maps for the new traffic service. Yes, the use of paper maps was prevalent and remained so for two decades. Remember, this was before the Internet. Using advertising trade, that broadcasting business also started a dining club in Cherry Hill and Fred was called in to help the program. Clearly, Fred had a healthy entrepreneurial spirit. Jim is wired the same way, as you will see.
Having worked with his father during high school and afterward, Jim started to go to clubs and networking events, which opened the door to relationships with several local celebrities, such as Philadelphia Eagles’ Ron Jaworski and the Flyers’ Broad Street Bullies, Bernie, MacLeish, Dave Schultz, Bob ‘Hound’ Kelly, and Joe Watson. Together this posse became increasingly visible at hospitality industry and social events throughout the tri-state area.
Jim recognized the need to promote a calendar of events (as these celebs kept asking ‘what is next’) and to connect people in need of hospitality-related services with vendors and venues. From this idea, Events Magazine was born, and the first issue was distributed in 1987 (with the Flyers on the front cover) as a resource for anyone and everyone in the hospitality industry - venues, service providers, event planners, etc.
In the early years, Jim’s company co-created and co-executed a number of memorable events, including: the Ham Ball on the Spirit of Philadelphia, sponsored by HoneyBaked Ham and featuring a who’s who of sports and local celebrities; Taste and Tour of the Countryside, which ran nearly two decades, and there were Iron Chef competitions and more within. “We help a lot of destinations promote themselves,” Jim said.
“I never wanted to be a big magazine,” he added. Jim wanted to focus regionally, to be the go-to resource for the industry. He is committed to working closely with advertisers, so that together they become more entrenched in the community. Some of his longtime clients have never even signed a paper.
“It’s not about the profitability; it’s about the relationships.” Jim’s wisdom would pay huge dividends in ensuing years.
THE MARCH 2020 MASSACRE
Understanding how Jim’s business acumen was cultivated, it stands to reason that he would adapt when the rug was pulled out from beneath everyone.
“I call March 2020 (leading up to) the St. Patty’s week Massacre,” he said. That is when things came to a halt, especially in hospitality, meetings, and tourism. Jim immediately took to co-creating a #hospitalityready video message with Kris Fair from Bluestone Country Club, Lois Switken, who was (then) recently laid off from the Franklin Institute, and Mario Oliveto of Oliveto Media who produced the piece. They featured representatives from destinations and venues across the five-county region saying, “We’re ready for you.” The video got a lot of play, but was a bit (or a lot as we now know) premature. Jim wanted to get ahead of re-openings, but did not anticipate the shutdowns would last as long as they have.
Jim also kept a line of communication open to the industry via the Ask Jim feature on his web portal. In doing so, he learned that his readers liked receiving the magazine digitally. Though print always had been a good choice, he was not sure the postal service would reach the end users in a timely manner with so many forced to work from home meaning many mailing address changes, too. This revelation made the decision to go digital easy beginning with the May/June 2020 issue. This also made the Magazine very shareable. Ever-changing rules and guides were the big killer. Every time the hospitality industry thought the end was near, a new edict would be handed down that not only would force closures and cancellations, but also cost thousands in wasted inventory and extra PPE. Adding fuel to the fire, it became increasingly difficult to find employees - and remains so today. And, the trickledown effect on smaller businesses like florists, lighting and sound companies, entertainers, cleaning services, caterers, transportation, rentals, etc. was immense.
As a result of the tumult, many within the industry bonded. “Industry leaders and competitors backed each other. We were in the same stormy ocean, but on different boats. We were on calls several times a week trying to all help each other,” Jim said.
Some politicians also were looking for answers, and some hospitality industry leaders traveled to Harrisburg while working alongside PRLA. “It was frustrating to not have data, yet the industry was shut down. There was no clear plan for moving beyond this fiasco whenever that might be. When things began to reopen mid-2021, there were few incentives and little communication from government or the city,” Jim said. “The PPP was a lifeline for many.”
“As you know, restaurants got creative with their limited space, takeout options, and hours of operation just to keep their doors open and their employees working. Many business owners sacrificed their own salaries. Ironically, it was the restaurant industry who were among the earliest to help, providing meals to first responders and others. “That’s why it is called the hospitality industry,” Jim noted.
Moving forward, Jim and others would like to see big box retailers, companies that benefitted from closures, delivery and on-line companies who, unlike Ma & Pa retailers, were given “a hall pass” to do business, start to step-up and sponsor events.
WHAT’S NEXT?
For nearly two years, Jim has made himself available for conversations, and his Think Tank Talk format grew. Each month, Jim gathered with about ten hospitality professionals to discuss best practices during small round (or square) table discussions. He does this with specific audiences with a broad consortium of industry specialists. This format provides an opportunity to discuss business candidly.
In addition to the Think Tanks, Jim offers clients the opportunity to explore new venues through Dine Arounds, where a group will visit maybe three, four or five restaurants in one evening, similar to a food tour or showcase events. On a grander scale, he has helped or-
Jim considers himself a ‘partner’ with these destinations. “I present rather than sell,” he said. He’s been doing this for about 20 years and finds these excursions particularly important now because companies are looking at drive-to destinations. “Our core market is basically within a 150-mile radius of Philadelphia.”
Jim has not missed one day of work because of the pandemic and shutdowns. “We continued to educate readers about event planning and hospitality,” he said. “I’ve been busier these last 8 months than the last 8 years because of the changing landscape.”
Jim said that because of pent-up demand, business came back immediately when restrictions were eased spring of 2021, and then, of course, changed a few months later with the new spread. This last month started the new climb out of the hole. People are seeking camaraderie and to reconnect at the professional level, too. When Jim opened his office to clients and readers who needed a place to work, some came to use a desk, others came just to talk.
As always, Jim will continue to place his efforts on relationship building, which has always provided a return.
Lorraine Ranalli is a radio personality, published author, and corporate communications professional who specializes in messaging, branding, and Public Speaking coaching. Wife, mother, and Delco proud round out her other titles. lorraineranalli.com
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LocationReport Greater Wilmington, DE
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Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, DE is connected directly to the 180-room Westin Wilmington Hotel, together offering more than 90,000-square feet of meeting and exhibit space; photo courtesy: Greater Wilmington CVB; credit: Moonloop Photography
OVERVIEW
According to Joe Valenti, marketing manager for the Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware, "Wilmington has many of the amenities of a large city, with the accessibility of a small town. You can get from downtown to the riverfront in just minutes... Riverfront Wilmington offers plenty of free parking, and most attractions are a walkable distance from each other."
"The riverfront has something that will appeal to all demographics, with indoor and outdoor dining, museums, sporting events, live music and our scenic Riverwalk and environmental trails," Valenti continues. Spring and summer are some of the best times to be at the riverfront, "as we offer many seasonal attractions like mini golf, bike rentals, boat tours of the river, happy hour events on our tiki boat and at the beer garden, outdoor dining, concerts and other outdoor events."
WHAT’S NEW
On the hotel front, a number of new properties are coming online in Wilmington. Driftwood Capital is in the midst of a $31-million conversion of a former downtown office building into a brand-new Staybridge Suites.
Downtown Wilmington also will welcome its first luxury boutique hotel later this year. The new Method Co. conceptualized property will be housed in a historic two-story Victorian Romanesque brownstone designed by Frank Furness, architect of the Wilmington Train Station.
Work has also begun on Avenue North, a mixed-use development in North Wilmington that is slated to include a ninestory hotel. On Main Street in Newark, home to the University of Delaware, a hotel construction project being led by Lang Development is under way. The finished product, a Hyatt Place, will preserve the town’s historic Green Mansion by incorporating the 1882 structure into its design.
The Chase Center on the Riverfront has brought on an allnew, seasoned management and sales team led by general manager Ed O’Boyle who previously served for nearly 15 years as director of sales and marketing for the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. The sales team includes industry veteran Julie Shaw as director of sales, as well as Michelle Fiorelli and Robin Coffield.
The Main Event Newark in the Christiana Mall complex is developing a new corporate team building program. The Main Event offers bowling, virtual reality, laser tag, billiards, story rooms, mini golf, rock climbing, meeting space and more – all under one roof – and is available for full facility buyouts.
There is a lot happening at area attractions, too. The Delaware Museum of Natural History has rebranded itself as the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science. A great space for hosting events, it is reaching the final stages of a major renovation and plans a late-May grand reopening.
The iconic Playhouse on Rodney Square also has been completely redone. Patrons will love the new interior and comfortable seating at this 108-year-old venue, the oldest theater in continuous use on the Broadway circuit.
Only 30-minutes south of PHL International Airport
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No Sales Tax VisitWilmingtonDE.com 800-489-6644
Burger and fries at Snuff Mill Restaurant, Butchery and Wine Bar in Wilmington, DE; photo courtesy: Greater Wilmington CVB
This summer, Hagley Museum and Library will open Nation of Inventors, a two-floor exhibit that features nearly 120 patent models, making it the first large-scale, permanent exhibition of patent models in the U.S.
The Delaware Art Museum’s “Louis Comfort Tiffany: Treasures from the Driehaus Collection” runs through June 5, 2022, and showcases examples of Tiffany windows, stained glass, ceramics, metalwork, jewelry, and paintings inspired by the natural world.
Another much-anticipated exhibit, “From Winterthur to the White House,” at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library will run from May 7 through January 8, 2023. The exhibit focuses on the fascinating partnership between Jacqueline Kennedy, the youngest First Lady in American history, and octogenarian collector Henry Francis du Pont when she tapped him to lead her project to restore the White House interiors.
FOOD AND DRINK
Food & Wine magazine has advised that “Wilmington’s food scene deserves your attention.” Recent years have seen the city go through a restaurant boom that has garnered national accolades, and that is just the beginning. Northern Delaware has a number of new and soon-to-open restaurant projects that will further elevate the local dining scene.
Wilmington’s Bardea Steak was recently named by Vogue magazine as one of America’s most anticipated restaurant openings of 2022. Just up the street is Wilma’s, which offers a fun Cajun-inspired menu and the opportunity for guests to try their hand at duckpin bowling.
DE.CO, Wilmington’s up-market food hall, is once again completely occupied by food vendors. Newcomers include Taqueria El Chingnon by Bardea, and vegan stall Delectablez. Conference goers love DE.CO because it’s a convenient place to get a quick gourmet bite to eat with options to suit nearly any food preference.
Just a short walk from the Chase Center along the Wilmington riverfront, Taco Grande opened in summer 2021, serving up Mexican cuisine with views of the Christina River.
Another stand-out is Snuff Mill Restaurant, Butchery and Wine Bar in Northern Wilmington. Reservations at this Chef Robert Lhulier’s eatery have been hard to score since it opened its doors in late summer 2021.
Sonora opened last summer in Newark, the descendant of one of the region’s hottest food trucks, offering gourmet comfort food and craft cocktails.
Helmed by acclaimed Philadelphia chef and restaurateur Tyler Akin, Le Cavalier at the Hotel DuPont in Wilmington aspires to artfully blur the lines between approachability and elegance, while honoring the deep equestrian tradition of the Brandywine River Valley. It features a menu influenced by the flavors of North Africa and Provençe with thoughtfully sourced French classics and inventive riffs on French staples paired with natural wines.
MOVING FORWARD
“We are very optimistic about the coming year,” explains Jennifer Boes, executive director, Greater Wilmington CVB. “We are seeing leads begin to pick up again and are kicking our marketing efforts into high gear. We are returning to trade shows again full-force and are upping our sales strategies.”
The bureau is also focusing on growing its role as a conduit for industry collab-
oration, bringing its partners together so they can share best practices and identify ways they can work together to make their collective offerings to the meetings and conventions market stronger.
“For starters,” notes Boes, “we are finding new ways to connect our partners with new networking opportunities by inviting them to attend events through our sponsorships or at a discounted price on their own. To further incentivize meeting planners, we have revised our incentive program to make it easier for planners to use. It is open to new and returning groups with 50 or more room nights. Finally, our Threshold360 program introduced in 2020 gives meeting planners an opportunity to view 360-degree virtual tours of many of our hotels and event spaces as part of the early proposal stages.”
Boes says that Greater Wilmington and Northern Delaware serve as a convenient, central location for conventions due to its proximity to so many cities and population centers and easy access to the area. It also is very versatile in terms of the venues the region offers, a strong selling point to event planners looking to do something a little different with their events.
“Our facilities have the flexibility to accommodate small breakout session as well as larger gatherings with room for physical distancing,” Boes explains. “We’ve also got unique spaces for those that want to offer an element of fun and innovation to their attendees. The Wilmington riverfront, for one, offers conference-goers easy access to a variety of dining, entertainment and outdoor adventure options once the work portion of their day has wrapped.”
“We are very optimistic that meetings and conventions will return in 2022,” assures Boes. “People are ready to travel for business again and meet in person... As we move into spring, leisure travel will continue to be robust, exceeding the rebound we saw last year as there is still a pent-up demand for travel.”
Boes adds that, as travel rebounds after the impact of the pandemic, the Wilmington area will serve as a great choice for those who want to meet and vacation closer to home
It's Time
To Get Back to Meeting & Events
Centerontheriverfront.com Wilmington, DE, 302-425-3929
Cape Henlopen State Park lighthouses in Southern Delaware; photo courtesy: Southern Delaware Tourism
this year. “You don’t have to fly or drive far to get here. Expenses for lodging and meals are also less here than in neighboring metro markets. That bodes well for us.”
SOUTHERN DELAWARE / SUSSEX COUNTY visitsoutherndelaware.com
WHAT’S NEW
Southern Delaware welcomes the openings of several new properties in 2022, including: the Hyatt House Lewes-Rehoboth Beach; a new Avid Hotel in Millsboro; the newly revamped Hotel Bethany Beach (formerly a Holiday Inn Express just two blocks from the beach); a new Microtel in Rehoboth Beach; and the Camp Arrowhead Retreat Center on a wooded property on Rehoboth Bay for groups of up to 375 people.
Southern Delaware Tourism will be continuing and expanding their recently introduced “Bike and Stay” and “Paddle and Stay” packages. Guests at participating hotels can bike or paddle Southern Delaware’s scenic land or water trails while receiving exclusive offers from restaurants, breweries, distilleries and shops. Available through an app or by referencing the packages when making their hotel reservations, participants will receive a code upon check-in that gives them access to an interactive trail map and special offers from area businesses.
Delaware Cultured Seafood Oyster Tours are available from May through November. One such tour, "Seed to Supper," takes place on land and on the water guiding participants through the entire lifespan of an oyster raised at Delaware Cultured Seafood.
The Delaware Aviation Museum Foundation (DAMF) Warbird Flight Adventures in Georgetown offer a limited time opportunity for guests to soar on the wings of the legendary aircraft in the DAMF collection, including their B-25J Mitchell "Panchito", Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog, and Aeronca L-16. Additionally, DAMF has partnered with the Capital Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, located in Culpeper, VA, to offer a unique opportunity to fly in a combination of warbirds not available anywhere else.
Dickens Parlour Theatre is moving to a larger venue this year in Ocean View this spring. The new 5,000-square foot venue will include a dining room for about 100 people and a performance room, and will be located on the same property as Good Earth Market and Restaurant, a short drive from Bethany Beach.
FOOD AND DRINK
Some notable changes along Southern Delaware’s Culinary Coast™ include: Lewes Brewing Co. in Lewes, which is projected to open in the fall of 2022 with a tasting room, indoor and outdoor seating; Bethany Bay Brewing will open in Ocean View; and Ocean View Brewing Company, a new brewpub by the Rehoboth-based hospitality company SoDel Concepts, will open this spring for lunch and dinner.
Additionally, Starboard Claw will open a two-level restaurant with outdoor dining in the former Hammerheads Dewey Beach property.
The popular Lewes restaurant, Agave, recently opened its second location on Coastal Highway in Rehoboth Beach. Agave Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar offers a lounge, tequila bar, and Mexican cuisine.
Coming soon in Lewes, DelawareToday’s “Best of Delaware” award-winning chef Sean Corea and hospitality veteran Tom Little will join forces as members of the restaurant management team opening the Lewes Oyster House.
Finally, Brimming Horn Meadery in Milton is introducing its new Hammer and Horns Food Truck, open every Thursday through Sunday.
MOVING FORWARD
With increased interest in drive-to destinations since the pandemic, for travelers who want to enjoy scenic beauty, warm weather, outdoor activities, dining in regional restaurants, and visits to historical sites, Southern Delaware is well positioned to be their destination of choice. Additionally, the local tourism businesses are now well versed in how to keep visitors safe and healthy.
The abundant outdoor adventure, team building and relaxation options, as well as Culinary Coast™ dining, and wide variety of meeting and retreat venues, combine to make Southern Delaware an ideal destination for businesses wanting to gather employees or clients in more open, less urban settings with big city amenities.
LocationReport
Maryland
Atrium of the Jack C. Taylor Conference Center in Annapolis, MD; photo courtesy: Visit Annapolis; credit: U.S. Naval Institute
WHAT’S NEW
The official opening of the permanent exhibition Annapolis: An American Story is slated for March 19, 2022 at the Museum of Historic Annapolis downtown. The million-dollar exhibit provides an engaging introduction to the rich history of a city that once served as the nation’s capital and shares the dramatic stories of Annapolis and its diverse people.
The National Cryptologic Museum is planning a grand reopening to the public in August 2022. Located adjacent to National Security Agency’s headquarters at Ft. George G. Meade, the museum is creating a reimagined experience of cryptologic history that includes a renovated building and transformed exhibits.
In April 2021, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater completed architectural renovations to Woodlawn, a 1735 residence that is the oldest building in the Smithsonian Institution’s collection still in its original location. In summer 2022, the house will open to the public for the first time and a new historical exhibit will tell the story of the many people who have called the area home.
The U.S. Naval Institute held the dedication and grand opening of the high-tech Jack C. Taylor Conference Center in September 2021. The center has a sustainable design that meets LEED certification standards and also Department of Defense force protection standards. The venue adjoins the U.S. Naval Institute’s headquarters on the Yard of the U.S. Naval Academy.
The Graduate Annapolis Hotel opened the Trophy Room restaurant in April 2021, which features an airy open floor plan and leads to a wide outside patio with a conversation pit and a covered, street-facing gallery for outdoor dining. The health-centric eatery, True Food Kitchen, opened at the Annapolis Town Center in July 2021. The restaurant serves seasonally changing menus built around an anti-inflammatory food pyramid championed by founder Dr. Andrew Weil and features a dining room, open kitchen, a full-service bar, private dining area and a covered patio.
MOVING FORWARD
“We are inviting individuals to choose their own unique adventures in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County,” says Susan Seifried, vice president, public relations and communications for Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. “Now, more than ever, visitors are looking for personalized, meaningful experiences that resonate with who they are and who they want to be. These last two years have taught all of us a lot. Life is short. It’s meant to be embraced, celebrated, lived to the fullest.”
“We’re inviting first-time visitors to escape from the ordinary by trying us out, and we’re encouraging returning guests to dig a little deeper into the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County experience,” Seifried continues. “From getting out on the water to retracing our history; from blazing a new trail in our great outdoors to discovering our vibrant arts and entertainment scene; or embarking on a culinary adventure, each offering serves as the foundation for crafting a once in a lifetime experience… Study after study has shown individuals are ready to travel. They want to make up for lost time, and Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County wants to help.”
BALTIMORE
baltimore.org
In late 2021, Visit Baltimore, the official destination sales and marketing organization for the city, met with its stakeholders and partners at the B&O Railroad Museum. Over 200 travel industry professionals attended the in-person event, which highlighted Baltimore’s tourism industry recovery along with Visit Baltimore’s sales, marketing and communication efforts through the past two years.
“The last year-and-a-half has really shown us just how resilient, creative and flexible the Baltimore tourism and hospitality community is,” said Al Hutchinson, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore. “This experience serves as a reminder of our purpose to not only improve quality of life for our visitors, but also for our community by driving economic impact that goes back into our city. We are full of hope for the future of our industry and for Baltimore.”
The event featured a presentation by keynote speaker Adam Sacks, founder and President of Tourism Economics, who discussed travel trends in the Baltimore region and details about the travel industry’s recovery nationwide. “With vaccination rates increasing and consumer confidence returning, Baltimore occupancy and visitation has begun its ascent and is entering into the next phase of recovery,” said Sacks.
More recently, Hutchinson noted, “Businesses in hospitality and tourism have arguably been hardest hit by the pandemic... The leisure and hospitality industry has averaged 108,000 new jobs per month over the past three months, making right now the best time for employees to return to jobs in the travel industry. People are more eager than ever to travel, and we want to make sure we greet them with enthusiastic ambassadors who are passionate about a long-
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term career in hospitality, especially as we welcome large events like the upcoming 2022 CIAA Basketball Tournament.”
THINGS TO DO
The Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore, home of Guinness in the U.S. and the center of its experimental beers, is hosting a month-long celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. With free entry for all, guests visiting the two-acre lawn and three-story brewery will discover the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day experience in the nation, where more than two and a half centuries of Irish brewing experience and American craft beer creativity meet.
Festivities will take place over 16 days in March when the brewery is open (every Thursday through Sunday). Highlights include limited edition beer releases and merchandise, live music, an Irish Village lawn takeover with immersive experiences, and special menus – including a secret one entirely in Gaelic. Charitable donations will be made to community partners, Sharp Dressed Man and Civic Works Real Food Farm.
CALVERT COUNTY
choosecalvert.com
WHAT’S NEW
Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort is in the process of an ongoing renovation. The resort currently boasts four restaurants, including the new 1936 Bar and Grill, charter fishing opportunities, gaming, a spa, hotel, meeting rooms and live entertainment in a band shell adjacent to the Chesapeake Bay. Future upgrades will include additional hotel rooms, more gaming space and more restaurants.
Located in the parking lot of the Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort, the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum was renovated in 2021. This quaint museum, housed in the original railroad depot, tells the story of the amusement park and boardwalk that were built in the Town of Chesapeake Beach in the early 1900s, as well as the railway that brought in visitors from Washington, DC.
SpringHill Suites Prince Frederick Marriott is currently being refreshed with a new look, while the former Holiday Inn Solomons Conference Center and Marina is now the independently owned Solomons Inn Resort and Marina.
From mixology to quick appetizers to baking, the culinary experiences at No Thyme to Cook are a combination of hands-on and demonstration classes. With new kitchens at their location overlooking the water, they have seating at the counter for those who prefer to relax and watch the cooking, as well as cook stations complete with burners, cookware and all the tools necessary for participants to prepare their meals themselves.
MOVING FORWARD
“From how we meet, to where we meet, and what we eat, many of our customers are slowly, deliberately moving toward in-person meeting again... There is no replacement for in-person working, brain storming and gatherings,” notes Mellanie Teed, director of sales, Hilton Garden Inn Solomons.
“Since we are near many attractions such as the Calvert Marine Museum, Chesapeake Beach, Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, Running Hare Vineyard, Herrington on the Bay and Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center, we expect people to be itching to get out and about and see each other again in the coming months. We are expecting to fill our meeting rooms with business functions and social gatherings in 2022,” exclaims Mina Kim, director of sales for Springhill Suites by Marriott Prince Frederick.
GARRETT COUNTY
garrettheritage.com deepcreekgroups.com
WHAT’S NEW
Opening spring of 2022, The Performing Arts Center at Garrett College will provide Garrett County with a state-ofthe-art performing arts center for entertainment, large
groups and meetings. The space will include a theater space with seating for 450, three meeting spaces for up to 300 people, as well as various multi-use spaces.
MOVING FORWARD
“Garrett County is a four-season destination and attracts over 1.4-million visitors annually,” explains Kim Folk, Heritage Area and groups director for the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. “Year-round attractions and events are planned, such as the Fire on the Mountain 4th of July fireworks over the lake, and one of the largest autumn festivals in the country is Autumn Glory in October, rated the #1 Fall Festival by MSN, USA Today and Yahoo. In addition to events, the area offers watersports, fishing, golf, hiking, biking, arts and entertainment and many other attractions sure to please a wide variety of guests.”
HOWARD COUNTY
howardcountytourism.com
WHAT’S NEW
In November of 2021, Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel opened on Lake Kittamaqundi in Columbia. The location was formerly home to the Sheraton Columbia Town Center and underwent a full remodel and rebrand over nearly two years. Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel is a Marriott Autograph location property with dining, a bar and cafe, fitness center, meeting and event space, and a rooftop swimming pool that overlooks the lake. The property is within walking distance to the rest of the Columbia lakefront, downtown Columbia, and the Merriweather Post Pavilion.
Historic Savage Mill in Savage Mill has rebranded and is now Savage Mill or “The Mill,” a collection of unique shops, small businesses and restaurants. Its mission is to support #shopsmall and help small businesses thrive and bring the community together. Savage Mill now hosts Maryland’s first Dive Bar and Grille, as well.
Ellicott City is celebrating its sestercentennial in a year-long celebration of the town, which was settled by the Ellicott brothers 250 years ago within the Patapsco Valley between Baltimore and Washington, DC. EC250 will celebrate the history and charm of Ellicott City, known as a birthplace of the nation’s industrial revolution, which also houses the oldest remaining passenger train station in the U.S. as a part of the first 13-miles of railroad built in 1830. The Merriweather District in downtown Columbia continues its modern development. Some of the new restaurants opening here in 2022 include: a Chef Peter Chang inspired establishment; Toastique (gourmet toast and juice bar); and Po Boy Jim Bar and Grill, adding another location to the franchise with a sister site in Washington, DC.
The Merriweather District also had a second successful year of its Ice-Skating Rink in ColorBurst Park this past winter. Heading into the spring and summer, Busboy and Poets has opened its flagship location in the park and will hold multiple events throughout the year.
MOVING FORWARD
Looking ahead, tourism is expected to be strong in Howard County, notes Eric Teisch, sales and membership director for Visit Howard County. “We are coming out of the latest wave and the weather will be warming up. On the schedule, there are many festivals returning, the youth sports tournaments that travel in the area are filling up, and concerts at Merriweather Post Pavilion look to be driving demand and new travelers. Visit Howard County is hopeful to continue to see increases in not only the number for travelers to the county, but in the distance that travelers are coming from, as well.”
“For the hospitality industry, Visit Howard County continued to work with the County government, Howard County Cham-
Exterior of the Woodmount Bethesda Marriott in downtown Bethesda, MD; photo courtesy: CVB of Montgomery County, MD
ber of Commerce, and Howard County Economic Development Authority to shed light on the labor shortages in the hospitality industry,” Teisch continues. “As we have mentioned, there is the expectation that the number of travelers will grow, but Howard County wants to be able to provide exceptional service to every visitor to create an appeal that will make them want to return. Visit Howard has begun to explore avenues to assist in hospitality workforce development and expects this role to continue to increase as the busy spring and summer seasons approach.”
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
visitmontgomery.com
WHAT’S NEW
Having opened on March 1, 2022, Marriott Bethesda Downtown is adjacent to the new Marriott International headquarters and is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotels. It features 245 guest rooms, Seventh State restaurant, the exclusive MClub for Marriott Bonvoy Elite Members, a greatroom, lobby bar, and the Hip Flask rooftop lounge, as well as nearly 8,000-square feet of state-of-the-art pre-function and event space.
The hotel is close to a myriad of dining, nightlife, attractions and shopping experiences in both downtown Bethesda and Washington, DC, and is within walking distance to the Bethesda Metro station located on the Red Line.
Opening in May 2022, AC Hotel Bethesda will feature a clean, minimalist design, 220 guest rooms, and a multi-use conference center.
TopGolf in Germantown is Montgomery County’s newest entertainment venue with flexible meeting and entertainment space. The state-of-the-art facility can accommodate a variety of group sizes in climate-controlled hitting bays or one of their versatile event spaces, including a signature room, conference room, lower-level lounge and rooftop terrace.
The rio in Gaithersburg recently completed a $30-million facelift of the 716,000-square foot shopping and entertainment complex. Its transformation features a slate of new restaurants, including a Silver Diner, a renovated AMC movie theater, Dave and Busters, additional outdoor seating areas, and an expanded boardwalk surrounding the property's nine-acre lake. MOVING FORWARD
Montgomery County also is a hub for hospitality and tourism. Marriott International, Choice Hotels, B.F. Saul Company, Federal Realty Investment Trust, Freeman Companies, Sodexo, and Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. all are headquartered here.
The county also offers an extensive array of wide-open spaces, unique venues and walkable town centers. Bethesda, Rockville and Silver Spring feature thriving downtown districts that provide a variety of things to do for attendees including restaurants, shopping and entertainment.
“As groups and meetings return, our destination is wellsuited to support different levels of travel confidence with all the outdoor activities and attractions and also the peace-ofmind that our area is not crowded,” notes Cory Van Horn, MAFS, director of marketing, Visit Montgomery, Maryland. “Lots of new experiences, friendly and welcoming communities, and hospitality folks that are eagerly awaiting to welcome them through their doors and literally throw down the ‘red carpet.’ Our local industry has always been known as going above and beyond, and it will be evident to groups and meetings that their objectives are important as well as the safety and wellbeing of their attendees.”
OCEAN CITY
ococean.com
WHAT'S NEW
"After 22-months of COVID-19 and cancellations, we’re happy to say that we had our first client, the Optimist Seaside Boat Show, using our new 30,000-square feet exhibit
space. We celebrated the opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring the Honorable Governor Larry Hogan and our Mayor, Richard Meehan, leading the festivities while thousands marveled at the boats and our new spaces," proclaims Larry Noccolino, executive director of the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City.
In addition to the convention center expansion, several restaurants and eateries have recently opened in the Ocean City area, notes Kim Mueller, director of sales for the Ocean City, MD CVB. One such restaurant is Spain, a rooftop wine bar, which serves up Mediterranean dishes along with spectacular, unobstructed views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Assateague Island.
Pier 23, also newly opened, is the first waterfront container food port in Ocean City. A Margaritaville Hotel and Resort will open in Ocean City this year, as well.
The Black-Eyed Susan Riverboat will return this spring and offer cocktail receptions, dancing and dinner theater performances as guests cruise along the Pocomoke River.
MOVING FORWARD
"While meetings are slowly returning we are welcoming an exciting increase in sporting events from volleyball, wrestling, to bull riding," observes Mueller. “We feel Ocean City will again be a top destination on the East Coast this summer for families, as well as convention and group attendees,” asserts Norma Dobrowolski, destination sales and Ocean City CVB manager. “With our beautiful beach and wide-open spaces and waterways, we are the perfect place for folks to reemerge from the last two years. We know that our local businesses have made improvements and renovations and are anxious again to meet the challenges of the summer season as well as expansion into the shoulder season with more concerts, sports and spectator events in town.”
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY
experienceprincegeorges.com
WHAT’S NEW
Prince George’s County continues to develop in multiple sectors, and businesses that took a pause are now returning with fresh visions and initiatives. Interest is growing in sports tourism in the area, too, and a new premium sports complex is slated to open this spring that will feature 10 lit fields for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, football and rugby, plus on-site dining, hotel and entertainment options. This complex is emblematic of the offerings that will be available for sports enthusiasts along with the professional golf, baseball and football teams in the area.
The dining scene also is evolving with the Gateway Arts District’s miXt Food Hall that features a combination of art and innovative culinary experiences.
Era Wine Bar is new and generating rave reviews for their wines and delectable eats. Newcomer Suga & Spice boasts flavors from the South and the Caribbean.
One of Prince George’s most highly anticipated events is the renowned Washington International Horse Show that will take place at the Show Place Arena in October.
The Hall CP, located next to The Hotel at The University of Maryland in College Park, is steadily becoming a beloved space to hold meetings, special events, and more. This expansive mixed-use space features great interiors and exteriors that make it ideal for holding gatherings of all sizes and themes.
MOVING FORWARD
“Over the past 24 months, we have made it our priority to remain visible and top-of-mind to meetings, conference and event planners as well as group tour operators,” explains Rhonda Walker, interim director of sales and marketing for Experience Prince George’s. “As a result of staying abreast with the day-to-day changes in the industry, we utilized this window to create new collateral. Our organization has developed two new videos that will be used to promote our destination and as an ideal location for meetings and conferences.”
“In order to stay connected,” Walker continues, “we have participated in trade shows, attended in-person conferences and networking events. Some events have been a combination of hybrid and in-person. We also have applied grassroots outreach to connect with key leaders and organizers within MICE. This spring, we will be launching a new campaign that will showcase tourism and leisure, and meetings and events.”
"Spring is a vibrant time as visitors are drawn to the Cherry Blossom Festival and our array of outdoor parks, historic sites and the DC museums,” Walker continues. “Looking ahead, we anticipate that visitors will express even greater curiosity to explore our tourism product along with the selection of entertainment, events, and programs within the arts.”
WASHINGTON COUNTY
visithagerstown.com
WHAT’S NEW
Hagerstown and Washington County continue to serve as a place for outdoor recreations and smaller unique meeting venues in a convenient location.
Recent additions to the area include a new Visitor Center and exhibits at the Antietam National Battlefield, which also serves as an ideal venue for retreats and team building through guided tours.
MOVING FORWARD
“Our destination remains a location providing open space and a variety of services offered by Visit Hagerstown from issuing RFPs to advice on grants, sponsorships, and assistance with public relations,” notes Tiffany Ahalt, director of sales for Visit Hagerstown. “Some of the new plans for our organization and destination include the creation of a destination training program to provide a positive visitor experience with all our industry partners, and to complement workforce training programs.”
“We are very excited to see the groundbreaking for a new baseball stadium and event facility located in the heart of Hagerstown,” Ahalt adds. “The CVB also will start to look at opportunities associated with opening a new Welcome Center within the next few years.”
WICOMICO COUNTY
wicomicocounty.org
WHAT’S NEW
Wicomico County recently welcomed several new attractions. Visitors to Wicomico County can travel along the Chesapeake Country All-American Road, a 419-mile journey along Maryland’s Eastern Shore that received the All-American Road designation in 2021.
In Downtown Salisbury, people can catch a show at Revival or learn about history at the Lynching in Wicomico County Historic Marker.
Food lovers can take the Heart of Salisbury Foodie Tour in Downtown Salisbury or head to North Salisbury for a beer at Burnish Beer Co.
Other new restaurants and shops include: A Salt Shack; Baywater Trading Co.; Brazilian Taste; Mission BBQ; Playa Bowls; Rust and Honey Co.; and Two Scoops Ice Cream and Waffles. MOVING FORWARD
“Wicomico County has been open for meetings, events and getaways, and we continue to welcome business and leisure visitors. Our department includes the Wicomico Civic Center, at which we host concerts, dinner and show events, meetings, weddings and more. With some pandemic-related adjustments, Wicomico County continued to host the USSSA Eastern National Championships, among other sports tournaments, in 2020 and 2021,” explains Vanessa Junkin, marketing and public relations manager for Wicomico County Recreation, Parks and Tourism.
In addition to the multipurpose Wicomico Civic Center, there also are many other meeting places in Wicomico County, ranging from hotels to restaurants to private venues to the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art and the Salisbury Zoo.
“Wicomico County has a full-slate of sporting events on the schedule for 2022, including baseball, softball, wrestling and basketball tournaments,” Junkin adds. “Individual athletes can take part in the Salisbury Marathon or Half Marathon, the Nanticoke River Multisport Festival, or one of many smaller events. The National Folk Festival returns in August, and we’re also looking forward to events like the Wicomico County Fair and the Good Beer Festival.”
Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in Salisbury, MD; photo courtesy: Wicomico County Tourism
Beth Lawrence Carolyn Muldoon Kevin Kelly Teri Jakob
A COHNversation with Jim: One Year Later
With things moving so rapidly these days, I wanted to hear from some of our planner readers. Here is what a few of them had to say.
“Rural destinations have been gaining in favor from events-starved company facilitators. They're seeking locales which provide a more scenic backdrop (like Lancaster, the Tidewater Region, and the Poconos) in lieu of cities right now.”
“Companies also are expanding their scope of travel. Whereas, in the past, they might have pre-selected a nearby city to host a larger meeting, these same outfits are now more willing to add a few hours of road or plane travel to their attendees' dockets to enjoy warmer locales offering more outdoor-related activities.”
Ken Alan, Corporate Concierge, CBRE
“Offer an array of outdoor meeting and event opportunities.”
Ken Alan, Corporate Concierge, CBRE
“We have an in-person Executive Retreat scheduled for mid-March in the Middleburg, VA area, and an in-person Board of Directors Meeting in early April at our Headquarters with one off-site dinner for about 80-100 people. Our four Spring Committee Week Meetings in Seattle will be in-person and we hope, after 2 years of virtual meetings, that we will have robust attendance, hopefully close to pre-pandemic levels.”
Kevin M Kelly, CMP, DES, CASE, Director of Meetings & Special Events, ASTM INTERNATIONAL
“If our members’ corporation, government agency or organization does not support meeting in person presently, or if they individually do not feel safe travelling, meeting in-person, etc., there is nothing ASTM International, a destination, hotel, venue, etc. can do to make them want to attend in-person. Suppliers must continue to follow the science, mandates, safety protocols, etc. and promote the vaccine rates in their areas and all the measures being taken to ensure health and safety for in-person meetings and events. “
Kevin M Kelly, CMP, DES, CASE, Director of Meetings & Special Events, ASTM INTERNATIONAL
What types of meetings or events are you planning or seeing as the most popular as we move into spring? Is there anything that destinations, hotels, resorts, conference centers, restaurants, and caterers can do to help you ‘sway’ your team to move the events forward?
“The meetings that I am planning this spring are still mostly virtual. My private clients seem to be getting back to normal a bit more with the in-person trainings, however, the public classes that are open enrollment aren’t coming back in-person as fast.”
Carolyn Muldoon, Director of Operations, Training Camp
“Our in-person events will never go away, but if our students are happy learning and attending meetings virtually, short of hotels offering extensive discounts and perks, I don’t foresee that changing in the near future.”
Carolyn Muldoon, Director of Operations, Training Camp
“I am excited to be planning a variety of events! This year is definitely going to be EVENTful. I have spent the pandemic learning and growing and have educated myself on best practices for our industry, including pandemic on-site protocols and event design. I have a small fundraising gala planned for late March: The 2022 Return of An Evening at the Bazaar, featuring a marketplace of generosity! It will incorporate a virtual component and will be our first live indoor event since we canceled this in March 2020. I also have three golf tournaments planned throughout central Pennsylvania. It's going to be a busy spring!” “All of my planning committees and attendees are asking what the virtual option is for the events. Event professionals need to continue to be creative about incorporating virtual experiences into our meeting plans. The audience and needs of the virtual attendee are different - it shouldn't be just a video of the live remarks. No one wants to watch another talking head Zoom meeting. Virtual attendees want to feel engaged.”
Teri Jakob, CMP, CMM, Manager, Special Events & Partnership Giving, UPMC Pinnacle Foundation
“Having a clearly defined Duty of Care to share with guests is important, and being transparent about efforts to keep everyone safe is crucial. Having partners willing to work with me to meet our needs has never been more important. I'm open to creative solutions that work in everyone's best interest. I am so thankful for the understanding and flexibility my venues have provided over the past two years and I'm eager to get back into safe live events.”
Teri Jakob, CMP, CMM, Manager, Special Events & Partnership Giving, UPMC Pinnacle Foundation
“Providing a consistent experience as much as possible - I know that hiring good people has been difficult right now, but if we as planners can't count on our partners to deliver excellence, it hinders our performance with the client, as well. Keep up the good work and also the guard when it comes to cleanliness and health and safety protocols. I also am looking more into sustainability for my future events.”
Beth Lawrence, CMP, Chief Experience Officer, Beth Lawrence Meetings & Events
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GoggleWorks’ Endowment
Reading, PA - GoggleWorks Center for the Arts announced contributions totaling nearly $12-million toward its new endowment, The Fund for the Future of GoggleWorks. “We are thrilled to announce remarkable contributions to help secure the future of our mission of transforming lives through unique interactions with art,” said Tod Auman, Board Chair.
“GoggleWorks is a unique facility, now with a firm foundation, that can foster that creative activity well into the future” stated GoggleWorks Executive Director Levi Landis. “Invigorated by these generous contributions, we intend to expand our vision this year to serve the needs voiced by our community, shaping the future of Reading and making a more beautiful world.”
GoggleWorks.org
Visit the Visitor Center at Valley Forge National Historical Park
King of Prussia, PA - Valley Forge National Historical Park dedicated its newly renovated visitor center with the opening of its museum exhibition in the center this past February. The Park held a ribbon cutting ceremony with tourism and park leadership, partners, and local elected officials to celebrate the $12-million project. The center welcomes two-million visitors annually, and has a $36-million economic impact in the Valley Forge region.
The museum’s new exhibition tells the history of the 1777-1778 Winter Encampment, and how the citizens of Pennsylvania worked to preserve Valley Forge in the following decades. This also represents the first time many Revolutionary War artifacts are on display since the renovations began. The exhibit also includes new, accessible display panels, interactive videos, and a complete audio walkthrough for visually impaired visitors.
valleyforge.org
he Region
Independence Seaport Museum's New Restaurant
Philadelphia, PA - This spring, the Liberty Point Restaurant will debut on the Philadelphia waterfront adjacent to and wrapped around the waterfront side of Independence Seaport Museum. The sprawling 28,000-square foot restaurant will have the capacity to host up to 1,400 people and will feature three main levels of food, drinks and live entertainment, plus smaller sub-levels, a live music stage, five bars and the most breathtaking views of the water in the city near the neighboring Spruce Street Harbor Park and the Delaware River Waterfront River Rink.
phillyseaport.org
NEW IN ATLANTIC CITY
Atlantic City, NJ - “We are seeing great pent-up demand for live business and consumer events this year with a robust schedule of meetings, conventions and sporting events already lined up for Q1,” said Meet AC’s president and CEO, Larry Sieg. “Not only will Atlantic City see boosted economic impact through this healthy tourism influx, but the destination will also enjoy the rise of new hotel, retail and attractions including the highly anticipated Island Waterpark at Showboat Hotel, which will be the largest indoor beachfront waterpark in the world.”
Following last year’s $15-million casino floor remodel, Ocean Resort Casino has announced that in March it will begin construction on a new sports venue, intertwining an entertainment bar and lounge with an immersive gaming and sports wagering experience. The $4-million initiative is expected to debut in summer 2022. Atlantic City also is set to add a new attraction with the debut of Island Waterpark, the largest indoor beachfront waterpark in the world, located at the Showboat Hotel Atlantic City and featuring an array of waterslides, lazy rivers and pools, plus retail outlets, party rooms, and lounge areas, and a retractable glass roof making it a year-round attraction. The attraction is expected to open by Memorial Day 2023.
The new Cardinal Restaurant and Hotel has begun construction and is expected to open in 2023, one of several investments being made in the “Orange Loop,” an area encompassing various properties along St. James, Tennessee and New York Avenues.
meetac.com
NEW IN ALEXANDRIA
Alexandria, VA - Recently opened Ada’s on the River and BARCA Pier and Wine Bar both boast ample indoor-outdoor seating offerings for groups and are joined by a new dining option at Picnic and Peonies.
In spring 2022, a new Hank’s Oyster Bar in Old Town North with a rooftop dining space will open, as well as an al fresco penthouse at Village Brauhaus. Also, the National Historic Landmark Freedom House Museum reopens with three new exhibitions showcasing Alexandria’s Black history and the Black experience in America.
The Leadership Collection at Alexandria™ welcomes Building Momentum’s recently expanded corporate training offerings and the re-launch of The Situation Room: Experience Washington’s Cabinet at George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
Around Th
RECORD-BREAKING AT PEDDLER’S VILLAGE
Lahaska, PA - Peddler’s Village, a countryside shopping, dining, entertainment and corporate events destination, achieved record-breaking retail sales in 2021. The outdoor shopping center has experienced a steady increase in visitation over the past several years. Despite its closure for an extended time due to the pandemic, Peddler’s Village welcomed more than two-million visitors in 2020.
A top tourist destination, Peddler’s Village is in its 60th year and is comprised of 60 specialty shops (with all but two being locally-owned and operated), seven restaurants, the 66-room Golden Plough Inn, and Giggleberry Fair, an indoor family fun center. “We want Peddler’s Village to be a fun, enjoyable gathering place for all,” said Bob McGowan, a hospitality industry veteran and COO since late 2017. “Whether the draw is shopping or dining, business retreats, or comedy or festivals, our overall goal is to provide warm, old-fashioned hospitality, invite support for our many locally owned small businesses, and build upon and celebrate our success with continuous positive changes.”
Bob and his team have worked to expand entertainment, broaden the in-house events team, add comedy nights, food truck evenings, outdoor movies, trivia nights, a weekend-long Fourth of July celebration, and a spring PEEPS® in the Village display. In 2020, the Village expanded outdoor dining and introduced a large tent for hosting Village-sponsored events and private parties.
In addition, Red Barn on Street Road will open this spring to ensure a permanent location for popular annual displays, including a free summer-long display of larger-than-life sand sculptures - Bucks County Beach Days: Sand Sculptures in the Village by world-renowned sand artists.
PeddlersVillage.com
Resorts AC Announces Pool Renovation
Atlantic City, NJ – Resorts Casino Hotel recently announced that construction has begun on its rooftop indoor/outdoor swimming pool that will transform the space into a re-imagined yearround amenity. An anticipated completion date is set for late June 2022. Once completed, guests will enjoy an upgraded pool experience all year long that will feature a state-of-the-art glass enclosed pool with sliding, stacking patio doors, lounge areas, a fully-retractable roof, plus enhanced private party and event opportunities. The pool deck also will be upgraded, including the addition of a full bar.
resorts.com
GBTA’S LONG-TERM BUSINESS TRAVEL OUTLOOK
Alexandria, VA - Despite continued challenges, the business travel industry continues to reflect progress and optimism in its long-view expectations for 2022 according to the latest poll from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s largest business travel association and leader in education, research, networking and advocacy.
Three in four travel managers expect business travel volume at their company will be much or somewhat higher in 2022 than in 2021, while 3 of 4 travel suppliers and travel management companies expect their company’s revenue in 2022 from business travel to be much or somewhat higher compared to 2021. Poll results also show a decline in the percentage of companies who continue to suspend or cancel business travel. Despite Omicron, 2 of 3 travel managers feel employees are willing or very willing to travel for business.
gbta.org
he Region
Engaging Virtual Cooking Classes
Philadelphia, PA – Celebrity chef Jen Carroll and her team at Carroll Couture Cuisine are grateful for all of the kitchens they virtually cooked in last year and they are looking forward to doing it again in 2022! Thanks to a partnership with Dineable, Carroll and her team now can ship ingredient packages to guests so that they have everything they need to cook along during a private virtual cooking class without leaving their homes.
These virtual cooking classes are more engaging and hands-on than ever before, too, perfect for recruiting events, employee team building, client appreciation events, and corporate meetings.
Dineable sources top notch ingredients and is detail-oriented, making this partnership an ideal match. They can ship ingredients to guests anywhere in the country and will include fun add-ons like wine pairings or Philly-based treats.
eatccc.com
Tour Operating Experts Create WeVenture
New York, NY - Tour travel company operators Urban Oyster, North America Tour Hub (NATH), and Adventure United States have announced a new tour operating company: WeVenture. Owners David Naczycz, Andy Maunder, Jason Fried, Michiel Stavast and Bill Gehrman of En Route bring their combined 75 years of tourism experience to WeVenture, a U.S. tour company operating in 11 cities with over 100 employees.
This year, the company expects to host 12,000 tours in destinations including: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.
The slowdown across the tourism and hospitality sector presented Naczycz, Maunder, Fried and Stavast with the opportunity to collaborate on streamlining their individual tour operations and work toward expansion into more significant and additional markets.
WeVenture will roll out new tour product, including multi-day packages in 2022, and launch in new markets. At WeVenture, experiences offered are small-group, immersive, and high engagement with a commitment to providing quality service that enhances the guest experience, but also allows for these experiences to be more meaningful, sustainable, and inclusive for stakeholders. Guides take tourists into neighborhood eateries and explore local culture and history, boosting local businesses’ profits and local economies.
we-venture.com
And En Route Celebrating again
Philadelphia, PA - Owner and CEO Bill Gehrman of En Route, the niche marketing agency for tourism, cultural and civic projects, is celebrating its 15th year of operations in 2022. Bill began freelance consulting in 2007 after leaving the Philadelphia CVB, where he served as the director of marketing.
Bill is no stranger to hardships. As an employee for the CVB when the tragic events of 9/11 occurred and having started a new business a year before the 2008 financial crisis, Gehrman was prepared to tackle issues that arose when the pandemic started. "Partnerships are key," Gehrman said when asked about how to navigate a crisis. "It's about coming together and working to maximize resources during unstable times. We were beyond fortunate to stay open throughout the pandemic, keeping a full staff and ensuring our clients' needs were met." Already, En Route has been engaged by destination marketing organizations, including VisitPITTSBURGH, Visit Baltimore, and Downtown Tulsa Partnership.
enroutemarketing.com
EvEntMAkErs
DELAWARE
Dewey Beach - TKo Hospitality and the Hyatt Place Dewey Beach & Light House Cove Event Center has announced John Lowe as their new General Manager and that Drew DiFonzo has been promoted to VP of Operations.
Wilmington - Chase Center on the Riverfront has named Julie Shaw as their Director of Sales and Marketing, and Michelle Fiorelli and Robin Coffield as Sales Managers.
Wilmington - Allison Wier has been named Director of Events for The Buccini Pollin Group.
MARYLAND
Annapolis - Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County recently announced the appointment of Dan Cook as its Director of Marketing and Communications. Dan brings more than 20 years of destination retail, tourism and placemaking experience to his new position, having served most recently as acting director of tourism for the Prince William County Office of Tourism.
Baltimore - On behalf of the MM&P MATES Program, the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies and Maritime Conference Center have announced the appointment of Eric Friend as their new Executive Director. Ocean City - Robin Lattinville has started a new position as Vice President Sales and Marketing for TKo Hospitality, LLC. TKo Hospitality also welcomes Shawn Damiano and Vincent Pierotti. Shawn is the new General Manager for the Hotel Monte Carlo, and Vincent has joined as the Marketing & Sales Director for the Monte Carlo Hotel Group.
Ocean City - Kim Mueller has been named Director of Sales, Tourism Department for the Town of Ocean City, MD.
NEW JERSEY
Atlantic City - Ocean Casino Resort has promoted Bill Callahan to General Manager, having previously served as interim chief executive officer. Bill joined Ocean in 2020 as senior vice president of hospitality and was promoted to executive vice president of hospitality and gaming in July 2021.
Edison - Nikey Pierre has been named Event Manager for e.Rebublic.
NEW YORK
New York City - Sportico has appointed Lynnette Camacho to the position of Event Producer.
Niagara Falls - Joe Holody is joining Destination Niagara USA as Vice President of Sales.
PENNSYLVANIA
Altoona - Heather Chestney has been named Director of Sales and Marketing for the Blair County Convention Center.
Bushkill - Randy Misko has been named Director of Sales for the Bushkill Inn and Conference Center.
Garnet Valley - Mark Cascio has joined the team at IMS Technology Services as Director of Production Management.
King of Prussia - The Valley Forge Casino Resort recently announced that Dedren Bailey has been named Vice President of Marketing for the property. Dedren, a seasoned professional, has led marketing teams in multiple gaming markets in Pennsylvania, Maryland and along the Gulf Coast. In addition, Sybil Davis has been named as Director of Sales for the casino resort.
Lancaster - The Holiday Inn Lancaster has added Frank Rivera to their team as General Manager. Frank also will focus on leading the hotel through the opening of The Imperial Terrace, which currently is being constructed on the second level of the Imperial Ballrooms. Additionally, Mara Sultan has been named Sales Manager, serving the Association, Corporate and Tour & Travel market segments. Mara has 18 years of experience with a variety of Lancaster properties as well as with Discover Lancaster. Luis Morales also joins the team, bringing a wealth of experience in Catering and Culinary Arts, and Ahmed Ahmed has been appointed as Assistant General Manager for the hotel.
Long Pond - Elaine Leies has joined Pocono Organics, North America’s Largest Regenerative Organic Farm, as part of their sales team. Elaine will serve in a supporting role for bookings of Farm-to-Table Dinners, Private Events, Corporate Events, Agri-Tourism, Reunions and Group Tours.
Pittsburgh - VisitPITTSBURGH has announced Susan Klein as their new Chief Marketing Officer.
Philadelphia - Krista Micheletti has been named Event Coordinator for Roberts Event Group, an award-winning Event and Destination Management Company.
Philadelphia - All About Events has named Stacey Lee Mullen as their new Executive Planner.
Philadelphia - Nader Toma has been named Director of Sales and Marketing for the Delta Hotels by Marriott Philadelphia Airport.
Philadelphia - The Kimmel Cultural Campus announced that Judia Jackson has been appointed Chief People &
EvEnt
MAkErscont.
Culture Officer for The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. The first new hire of the joint organization, Judia will help to build upon the Human Resource strategies of both and will collaborate with Doris Parent, their Vice President of IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Strategies).
Philadelphia - Daniel Love has joined the Brûlée Catering team as Director of Sales. Daniel brings over 35 years of experience to the team with a background in design, theater, meetings, and fine dining.
Philadelphia - The Philadelphia Zoo has named Allison Walker as their new Director of Event Sales and Operations.
Philadelphia - The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum has named Nicole Coombe as their new Director of Events.
Philadelphia - Alissa Steele has been named marketing manager for the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. In this role, Alissa will develop and execute marketing activities in support of sales and branding initiatives for the PHLCVB and its partners.
Radnor - Jeannine Bates has joined The Inn at Villanova University as Senior Sales Manager.
Strasburg - Deirdre Stevens has been named Group and Events Sales Manager for the Strasburg Railroad Company. - Destination DC has announced the appointment of William Adams as their new Director of Convention Sales. In his new position, William will attract convention business and develop sales policies and programs. He joins Destination DC with more than 20 years of experience in the attraction, tourism, hospitality, and convention world, most recently with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
- The National Restaurant Association announced the appointment of Michelle L. Korsmo as President & Chief Executive Officer, and also as CEO of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. In this role, Michelle will be responsible for guiding the Association’s strategic path toward its vision for a thriving restaurant and foodservice community.
“Every restaurant - Main Street eateries, quick-service cafes, fine-dining establishments, and all the foodservice locations in between - depend on the National Restaurant Association to serve as the leading advocate on their behalf at each level of government, especially given the unprecedented challenges restaurants continue to face from COVID-19’s impact on our country,” said Korsmo. The restaurant industry is the nation’s second-largest private sector employer with nearly a million foodservice outlets nationwide.
- Destinations International has announced Gretchen Hall, as Chief Operating Officer. Gretchen joins DI after serving as president and CEO of the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau. In her new role, Gretchen will be responsible for the strategic development, implementation, communication and retention of global business and membership initiatives.
