York, Hershey-Harrisburg, and the Cumberland Valley Western PA: Erie and Pittsburgh

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Erie’s Bayfront featuring the Bayfront Landing which consists of the Bayfront Convention Center that is connected to the Courtyard Marriott Erie Bayfront and the Sheraton Erie Bayfront; photo courtesy: Visit Erie

ERIE, PA

visiterie.com/meetingplanner

Erie is the only Great Lakes Port City featuring 4,500 hotel rooms, conference venues and an airport that’s only 10 minutes away.

Local attractions include Presque Isle State Park, the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, vibrant downtown and Bayfront districts, as well as museums, wineries, breweries, the Brig Niagara, Splash Lagoon, Waldameer, and the Presque Isle Downs and Casino.

WHAT’S NEW

The new Hampton Inn and Suites Erie Bayfront has opened along Erie’s Bayfront, which features the Bayfront Landing that consists of the Bayfront Convention Center and its adjoining Courtyard Marriott Erie Bayfront hotel as well as the Sheraton Erie Bayfront hotel. The Bayfront Convention Center has over 500 sleeping rooms either connected to or in proximity of it.

Erie International Airport recently added non-stop flights to Washington-Dulles Airport to complement their other nonstop connections to Charlotte, Chicago and Detroit.

PITTSBURGH, PA

visitpittsburgh.com

Downtown Pittsburgh, one of the city’s 90 unique neighborhoods, is one of the most walkable cities in which to hold a meeting. Downtown resides on a grid system that parallels the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River. The walkable streets, tucked in between the two rivers, allow visitors to easily navigate much of the city’s offerings.

Additionally, in just few minutes, visitors can walk from one of the 25 downtown hotels to the Platinum LEED-certified David L. Lawrence Convention Center, PPG Paints Arena, PNC Park, Heinz Field, the Strip District and more. Attractions include the Andy Warhol Museum, the National Aviary and the Duquesne and Monongahela Inclines, along with a thriving cultural district, an abundance of outdoor space and so much more.

WHAT’S NEW

The Industrialist Hotel, Pittsburgh, Autograph Collection opened in April 2021. Located downtown and within steps of the convention center, the hotel pays homage to the city’s industrial history, housed in the historic Arrott building and blends old and new, with interiors inspired by Pittsburgh’s famous history as a steel capital.

The Comfort Inn and Suites opened in the North Shore in December 2020 less than one mile from PNC Park. The David Lawrence Convention Center held a virtual grand opening in December 2020 for its Rooftop Boulevard, a $3million renovated outdoor feature located on the building’s fourth level. The space can host up to 300 people depending on the event setup and houses plants native to Western Pennsylvania.

Finally, on March 17, 2021, Pittsburgh International Airport received approval from the airlines who service the airport to restart the Terminal Modernization Program, a billion-dollar effort to build a new terminal that consolidates ticketing, security checkpoints and baggage claim.

LOOKING AHEAD

Industry research continues to show that travelers are most comfortable traveling to destinations within a 3-hour drive from their homes. It is expected that fly markets will regain interest as vaccine rollout strengthens and traveler sentiment continues to rise.

Late in 2020, VisitPittsburgh rolled out its “When You’re Ready” marketing campaign aimed at keeping Pittsburgh top of mind for visitors as they begin to plan their next trip. Pittsburgh is a safe, exciting destination brimming with activities.

In response to this easing of restrictions, VisitPittsburgh notes that it is beginning to see increased interest in Pittsburgh for business events and meetings, especially sports events, with a focus on 2022.

Aerial view of Pittsburgh in the fall; photo courtesy: Visit Pittsburgh; credit: Dustin McGrew, Chandler Crowell Photography

jomby

CONNECTING PEOPLE THROUGH FOOD

At the start of the pandemic, James Shockley had just come home to the Philadelphia area from Chicago for a visit with his father, Greg, and to help him prepare for a Traeger grill segment on QVC back in April of 2020.

A professional chef for over 30 years, Greg has represented numerous foodrelated products on QVC for 17 years, including brands like Le Creuset, Traeger Grills and others. He also owns Sage Catering, a premier catering company in Philadelphia.

By that time, the pandemic already had caused much of the hospitality industry to shut down – along with most of the rest of the world – including both of their businesses.

The two of them had been thinking about creating some type of cooking account on Instagram already, in which Greg would star. The forced closure of their businesses led them to continue that discussion, and they decided to begin searching for domain names that would fit their idea for this newly formed venture.

Much to their surprise, howtocook.com was available, which, in terms of SEO, is a like hitting the jackpot of instructional culinary web addresses!

The next thing they decided to do was reach out to one of James' business associates, Tarek Abousalem, who has an extensive background in technology development. The early excitement of their initial domain name soon waned, however, as the trio came to realize that howtocook.com would be difficult to trademark and could potentially pose some other issues down the road.

Still, the three of them knew they had a great idea and continued brainstorming, eventually coming up with the basic concept for what it was they sought to create - a first-of-its-kind food technology app that allows users to easily create recipe videos and share them with friends.

After some more brainstorming, they arrived at a new name – JOMBY (and the domain jomby.com) – which is an acronym that stands for Just One More Bite, Yum!

“Our target audience is anyone who enjoys cooking,” explains James Shockley. “We want to target people who are seeking everyday recipes, as well as content creators who are looking to easily create food-related content.”

JOMBY also offers numerous ways to help others to bring their brand to its large online presence, between both its web and social media audiences - from jomby.com to their Instagram accounts to their JOMBY Kitchen YouTube show.

Greg, James and Tarek have poured their collective knowledge and expertise into JOMBY, further developing this novel concept as a wonderful new way to connect people from all over the world and unite them through the power of food.

EvEntMAkErs

DELAWARE

Dewey Beach - Ashlee Martinelli has been named Director of Sales for the Hyatt Place Dewey Beach & Lighthouse Cove Event Center.

Wilmington - Anthony Stagliano, Jr. is the new Director of Sales for the HOTEL DUPONT. Anthony joins the hotel from the Ritz Carlton Philadelphia where he most recently served as director of group, catering and transient sales.

Wilmington - Justin Hall has been named General Manager for the Hyatt Place Wilmington Riverfront.

PENSYLVANIA

Bethlehem - Patrick Ryan has been promoted to Assistant General Manager at Wind Creek Hospitality.

Garnet Valley - Christopher Kissel has been named National Account Manager, Event Staging for IMS Technology Services.

Gettysburg - Destination Gettysburg has announced Karl Pietrzak as its new President and CEO. Karl comes to Gettysburg with over 25 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, having previously served as vice president of convention sales for Visit Pittsburgh.

King of Prussia - Ron Bailey has been named Vice President & General Manager for Valley Forge Casino Resort. Ron brings a wealth of knowledge in the gaming industry, having been an executive with Boyd Gaming for nearly 10 years. He will lead overall strategy and oversee day-to-day operations of the property, drawing from his extensive experience within the hospitality field, including hotel operations, food and beverage, convention business and casino operations.

Lancaster - Megan Byers has been named Director of Sales and Marketing for the Lancaster Arts Hotel.

Philadelphia - Darcy Hill has been named Senior Sales Representative for Di Bruno Bros. Catering & Events.

Philadelphia - Rush Street Gaming announced that Justin Moore, former general manager of Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady, has been named General Manager of Rivers Casino Philadelphia.

Philadelphia - Party Rental Ltd.’s Philadelphia Design Studio, in the historic BeauxArts style Wells Fargo building, is now open. Sandra Donahue has been promoted to Regional Sales Manager supporting the Mid-Atlantic Region and also will handle all appointments and client meetings.

Philadelphia - MarketPlace PHL, the management company for PHL Food & Shops at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), has announced the hiring of Ashley Vesay as Leasing Manager. Ashley will be responsible for the ongoing stabilization efforts of more than 170 current eateries and retailers.

Philadelphia - Daniel Briones has been named Regional Sales Director at Constellation Culinary Group. Daniel has worked with an array of high-end venues including Disney’s four premium resorts, Swissôtel Boston, Four Seasons Philadelphia, and the private Fitler Club. His expertise integrates all aspects of catering and group sales, marketing and operations.

Philadelphia - Kevin Gilroy II has been named Private Events Manager for Yards Brewing Co.

Stroudsburg - Ann Pilcher has been named Senior Director of Global Accounts for Lamont Associates, a comprehensive site selection and meeting resource firm.

Martinelli stagliano Pietrzak Bailey Moore

Around Th

CARVING A NAME ONE ICE SCULPTURE AT A TIME

Philadelphia, PA - Ice Sculpture Philly started as a one-person ice-carving business in a garage over 30 years ago. Owner Peter Slavin has never looked back, creating new and innovative ways to grow and explore new methods to turn blocks of ice into fun and entertainment.

"No sculpture will ever be exactly the same. We make sure of it by adding details like a flower or bird, changing font style, adding color, and by adding other unique small details," said Slavin. "It's important to separate ourselves from the competition.

This year, Peter's focus is to let people know that when you order from Ice Sculpture Philly for an event, you're hiring a personality, and you're getting a thought out, entertainment, and food-based experience. This year, Peter introduced a 1954 Chevy truck with wood paneling and LED lights into his bag of tricks. The truck can pull up to your event, and the Ice Sculpture Philly team can unload ice and create a magnificent martini, oyster, or other beverage-related masterpieces in front of your guests in just minutes.

icesculpturephilly.com

DOWNTOWN WILDWOOD - MUSIC AT BYRNE PLAZA

Wildwoods, NJ - Formerly known as “The Block That Rocks,” 3400 Pacific Avenue is now the site of an outdoor plaza that hosts events year-round and has an especially full summer schedule.

The Block is still rocking with free weekly concerts on Thursday nights throughout the summer in The Wildwoods. Bring a chair and wear dancing shoes for a fun night of music under the stars! The complete Byrne Plaza schedule of events, as well as listings of local hotels, restaurants, bars and shops, can be found online at www.DOOWW.com and on Facebook at Wildwood by the Sea!

he Region

LUCKY SNAKE TO OPEN AT SHOWBOAT

Atlantic City, NJ - Philadelphia developer Bart Blatstein, CEO of Tower Investments, Inc., is doubling down on non-casino family entertainment by launching New Jersey’s largest arcade, which includes multiple entertainment concepts under one roof at the Showboat Convention Hotel in Atlantic City with the opening date planned for May 15th. The entertainment concept, branded as Lucky Snake at Showboat, will include a massive arcade along with a sports bar, boxing ring, indoor venues for live entertainment, a speakeasy, and improved convention and meeting spaces.

showboathotelac.com

ATLANTIC CITY IS CELEBRATING SAFE, MEANINGFUL MEETINGS

Atlantic City, NJ - This year’s Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) theme was Meet Safe, recognizing the industry’s top priority of operating meetings and events with health and safety top-of-mind. Atlantic City continues to welcome bleisure (business + leisure) travelers safely by taking a clean, safe and healthy approach to move the destination forward, while also focusing on diversifying itself and leading the way in regenerative tourism.

January brought a new content and advertising strategy to Meet AC - regenerative tourism, which combines sustainability practices and corporate social responsibility programs, and elevates their exposure to the meeting planner market.

“The decision to travel right now isn’t easy, so knowing that your meeting will be making a difference is important. Not only will you be having valuable face-to-face interactions in Atlantic City, but you’ll also have the opportunity to support the local environment and add an element of mindfulness to your meetings, all while doing so safely and responsibly,” said Meet AC’s Marketing Director, Karina Anthony.

In conjunction with meeting safely and sustainability at the top of mind, the Atlantic City Convention Center has achieved LEED Gold and GBAC STAR-certifications, which puts the destination at the forefront of not only meeting safely, but leading the way with sustainable and energy efficient efforts.

“Atlantic City is open for business and there is no better time to book your meeting or convention in the heart of the Northeast. The redevelopment and investment continues as visitors have a variety of experiences waiting,” added Meet AC's President and CEO, Larry Sieg.

meetac.com

Around The Region

MOHEGAN SUN NAMED “HOSPITALITY HERO”

Uncasville, CT - The Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau (CTCSB) has named Mohegan Sun in their first group of honorees for their new Hospitality Heroes recognition list. The new Hospitality Heroes recognition program highlights hospitality industry members for their innovative business initiatives and community support over the past year, despite potential financial and health challenges caused as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re really excited to be named as one of CTCSB’s Hospitality Heroes,” said John Washko, VP of Exhibitions and Sales for Mohegan Sun. “Mohegan Sun as a whole, and certainly our meetings and conventions team, has put in a great deal of time, effort and dedication over the last year to make sure we’re able to chart a productive, positive and safe path forward for our guests, clients and partners. This honor is a strong reflection of that hard work, and we thank the CTCSB for this recognition and their great work for the state of Connecticut.”

According to the CTCSB, Mohegan Sun has been recognized as an early leader by demonstrating to the meetings and hospitality industries worldwide how to continue working safely and creatively during COVID via hybrid meetings and events.

The Meetings & Conventions team at Mohegan Sun created a COVID-19 resource center designed to assist planners in safely creating meetings, conventions and events. This resource center includes adjusted capacity charts, details on hosting hybrid events, and other information regarding health and safety protocols that Mohegan Sun has implemented to safely host events.

mohegansun.com/updates