May 08, 2019
MGM Springfield, Massachusetts’ first resort and casino, opened in August 2018. The 250-room, $960 million resort takes up three city blocks in downtown Springfield and blends in with the surrounding real estate and overall feel of the city. Like its Las Vegas brethren, MGM Springfield offers far more than just a casino experience. If gambling isn’t your thing, not to worry: in the sleeping rooms and meeting space, it’s almost possible to forget that there is a casino floor (and a good-sized one, at that) nearby. Kimberly Altobelli, national sales manager for MGM Springfield, says that the… more
May 01, 2019
The 19-story Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area, located just blocks from Minnesota’s Mayo Civic Convention Center and Mayo Clinic, opened its doors on Apr. 16. Designed to reflect nature, with tile, stone and wood elements, each of the hotel’s 264 guest rooms features Cambria countertops with a custom-designed stone pattern. The focal point of the lobby is a giant master staircase with handcrafted wooden rails and granite stairs. Guests can take advantage of the hotel’s 24-hour fitness center, heated indoor infinity pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam room. For those who prefer outdoor… more
Apr 25, 2019
America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis is about to get a major makeover. On April 16, the St. Louis City Council joined the City of St. Louis’ Board of Aldermen in approving the AC Next Gen Project, an estimated $175 billion plan that will update, modernize and expand the multi-venue complex to ensure its place as an economic and employment driver for the region.  The ACCC currently comprises the 42-year-old Cervantes Convention Center, St. Louis Executive Conference Center, The Dome at America’s Center and Ferrara Theater. Proposed last fall, the project will include the addition… more
Benzinger Family Winery
Apr 11, 2019
Wine regions around the country have many beautiful hotels and gorgeous convention spaces to choose from. But when you’re searching for a more unique corporate event venue, perhaps for a board retreat, more unusual locales can fit the bill. Check out these five inspiring locations — with outstanding vino, to boot. Benziger Family Winery When Heather Pilcher of Blue Spark Event Design was searching for a unique venue for a makeup/skincare client based in New York City, she turned to this winery in Sonoma for its wine cave. Held last May, the event included a happy hour, a three-course plated… more
Javits Center
Apr 04, 2019
Implementing sustainable practices isn’t just good for the environment, it’s also good for business, as many convention centers have discovered. According to the 2017 Green Venue Report (the 2018 report has not yet been released), event venues are saving millions of dollars each year thanks to sustainability upgrades through energy, waste or water conservation programs. Energy tracking for events is also improving, with 88 percent of venues surveyed reporting doing so. Yet technology is constantly changing, and what was good (or good enough) a few years ago is likely behind the times now.… more
Mar 29, 2019
In late February, I had the opportunity to tour a little bit of Japan on the “Meet Japan” trip hosted by Japan National Tourism Organization. In addition to Tokyo Marunouchi, I visited Yokohoma and Matsue. The two cities couldn’t be more different, aside from the fact that both offer subsidies for groups of a certain size bringing international visitors to Japan. Seeing them both helped paint a larger picture of the diversity and unique culture, traditions and venues available within this fascinating country. Yokohama A mere 40 minutes by bus, train or car from central Tokyo, and less than… more
Mar 27, 2019
Tokyo, Japan’s capital, is one of the most heavily populated cities in the world. Home to approximately 37 million people, it’s no wonder the city has the modern infrastructure to host such events as the 2020 Olympics.   Yet the city also successfully blends old with new. In the midst of urban areas, you will find tranquil Buddhist temples, such as Sensō-ji, and Shinto shrines, like Kanda Myōjin and Meiji Jingū, all spiritual sanctuaries where people still come to worship and pray for good fortune. Tokyo is made up of business districts, each of which have their own unique character.… more
Mar 20, 2019
Fresh off a massive $620 million renovation completed in 2018, the LEED-certified Miami Beach Convention Center is an incredible place for large groups to convene in The Magic City. Yet if you’re a smaller corporate group, the 1.4-million-square-foot space might just swallow you up whole — or at least feel a bit overwhelming. Following a recent trip to the sunny destination, we’ve rounded up some our favorite, more intimate venues for meeting in Miami. For a Downtown Feel W Miami boardroomIf your group loves being in the middle of the action (or you’re in the financial industry and want to… more
MGM Grand Conference Center
Mar 13, 2019
The $130 million, 250,000-square-foot expansion of MGM Grand Conference Center is now complete, meaning MGM Resorts now offers a total of 4 million square feet of meeting and convention space on the Las Vegas Strip. (For reference, that’s more than all the convention space in Manhattan combined.)   “With our expansion, upgraded amenities, new outdoor space and user-friendly connectivity packages, we provide our convention customers an enhanced meeting experience with more options,” said Ernest Stovall, vice president of Sales for MGM Grand.   He continued, “I’m proud that many of our clients… more
Hilton Birmingham at UAB
Mar 04, 2019
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is celebrating its golden anniversary this year with the addition of a new on-campus flagship hotel with event space. Hilton Birmingham at UAB opened its doors on Jan. 31. In November of 2016, UAB purchased the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Birmingham. The property was closed in March 2018 for a multimillion-dollar transformation, renovating and rebranding to reflect both the Hilton brand and the university’s spirit. “The transformation has been extraordinary,” said Lisa Castagna, general manager, Hilton Birmingham at UAB. She added, “It’s been a… 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