Feb 28, 2022
Rob Svedberg understands what it takes to design a convention center able to meet the evolving needs of the global events industry. As a principal at leading architectural design firm tvsdesign, where he has worked for almost three decades, the Atlanta-based architect’s projects have included the expansion of New York’s Javits Center, Mumbai’s Jio World Centre and the Puerto Rico Convention Center, as well as the expansion and transformation of Nashville’s Music City Center and the Las Vegas Convention Center, including its new West Hall.
An in-demand industry speaker known for his… more
Feb 21, 2022
The Las Vegas hospitality community became a little greener recently with the announcement from Resorts World Las Vegas, the Strip’s newest resort, that all three of its hotel brands—Las Vegas Hilton, Conrad Las Vegas and Crockfords Las Vegas, LXR Hotels & Resorts—have earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, encompassing 3.9 million square feet of real estate.
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED certification is considered the benchmark in the green building industry, providing building owners and operators with a framework… more
Feb 14, 2022
While the hotel industry will continue its progress toward recovery in 2022, its path will be uneven and potentially volatile, and full recovery is expected to be several years away, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)’s 2022 State of the Hotel Industry Report.
“Hotels have faced enormous challenges over the past two years, and we are still a long way from full recovery,” said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA, the sole national association representing all segments of the U.S. lodging industry. “The uncertainty about the Omicron variant suggests just how… more
Feb 07, 2022
Caesars Entertainment is gearing up to bring a renowned casino brand to the heart of the Las Vegas Strip this year. Starting this spring, Bally’s Las Vegas will begin its transformation into Horseshoe Las Vegas, an iconic, historic brand originally created by gambling magnate Benny Binion more than 70 years ago.
The multimillion-dollar project, which will take place in stages, will include a renovated exterior, new entertainment and food and beverage options and a reimagined casino floor and public areas. In keeping with the classic sophistication the Horseshoe brand is known for, the… more
Feb 01, 2022
Neurodiverse, autistic and sensory-challenged attendees now have a calming and comforting space to retreat to and regroup when feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated while attending events at the Overland Park Convention Center (OPCC) in Overland Park, Kan.
As the first convention center in the world to offer a dedicated space for attendees with autism, anxiety, dementia, PTSD or other similar conditions, the OPCC created its sensory-inclusive room in partnership with KultureCity, a leading national nonprofit that works to improve the quality of life for individuals with sensory needs,… more
Jan 27, 2022
Following a pause in plans due to the pandemic, the Fort Worth City Council recently approved $52 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support the first phase of a planned expansion of the city-owned Forth Worth Convention Center (FWCC).
The downtown facility’s $500 million expansion, which had been in the planning stages for several years to attract and accommodate larger trade shows and meetings, was about to begin with robust funding from hotel occupancy taxes when the COVID-19 shutdown began in 2020, according to city officials.
“We had our first meeting with the… more
Jan 10, 2022
South Florida’s newly expanded Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center (GFLCC) is gearing up to grow even bigger, doubling the size of its original footprint by late 2025.
Following a 20-month expansion and enhancement project that increased the 600,000-square-foot facility to 800,000 sq. ft., including a 350,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall, the venue reopened its doors to event groups in October 2021. Broward County officials held a bond signing ceremony Dec. 17 to finalize funding needed to move forward with the remainder of the project, which will include a new eastside… more
Dec 16, 2021
ASM Global announced a new name for the 723,000-square-foot convention center that it has managed in downtown Detroit since 2010. Formerly named Cobo Center, then TCF Center after TCF Bank purchased the naming rights for the facility in 2019, the venue is now known as Huntington Place. The new name comes after the recent merger between TCF Financial Corp. and Huntington Bank.
According to Karen Totaro, general manager of Huntington Place/ASM Global, Huntington is a well-respected brand, and the timing of the new moniker could not be any better.
“The renaming comes at a time when Detroit… more
Dec 14, 2021
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts recently debuted The Meetings Collection, a new element of the brand’s Wyndham Business program comprising a network of premium meetings-focused hotels offering meeting planners new incentives in desired markets and streamlined multi-year bookings.
Initially launched with eight U.S. hotels and resorts in highly sought-after meetings destinations and with plans to expand in the future, the collection was specifically designed to meet the needs of planners and offers rewarding solutions and a simple, streamlined way to book multi-year meetings at different hotels… more
Dec 09, 2021
As 2021 winds to a close, hotel companies far and wide are opening new properties, finishing up remodel projects or finalizing expansions in preparation for a busier 2022. Here are some of the most recent developments to keep on your radar:
New Properties and Spaces
Virgin Hotels New Orleans
As the latest lifestyle brand to open its doors in New Orleans’ artsy Warehouse District, Virgin Hotels New Orleans features 238 “chambers” (aka guest rooms), two penthouse suites, multiple outlets for dining, drinking and gathering, a 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center and 5,000 square feet of… more
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las more