Jul 17, 2018
On July 16, Caesars Entertainment Corporation broke ground on its newest development: the CAESARS FORUM Las Vegas conference center. Slated to open in 2020, the venue will feature 550,000 square feet of flexible meeting, event and convention space.
As the emcee for the ground breaking ceremony, Roger Dow, president and CEO of U.S. Travel Association and long-time meetings industry veteran, spoke about how when he was first starting in the industry, the meetings market was an afterthought for Las Vegas. Forty years later, the city is now the leading destination for meetings within the U.S… more
Jul 12, 2018
I attended Meeting Professionals International (MPI)’s 2018 World Education Congress (WEC) last month in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was my first time in both the state and the city, and I was favorably impressed by the location, the conference and the local destination management organization (DMO), Visit Indy.
While I was onsite, I spoke with Susie Townsend, Visit Indy’s senior vice president of visitor experience, about Visit Indy and how they partnered with MPI for WEC. Townsend has been with the organization for 29 years, so has a rich history and knowledge of the events industry and DMO… more
Jul 10, 2018
Marriott International has purchased the 1,000-room Sheraton Grand Phoenix hotel for $255 million. The property is slated for a significant renovation designed to transform it into a model for the revamped Sheraton brand. Marriott acquired Sheraton as part of the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide purchase in Sept. 2016.
In early June, Marriott International revealed its comprehensive transformation strategy for the Sheraton brand, building a 4,200 square foot vignette at the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference in New York.
The new brand strategy is focused on… more
Jul 05, 2018
The Kimpton brand has expanded its footprint to Toronto. The 14-story contemporary Kimpton Saint George hotel opened its doors on Jun. 19. The new property features 188 guest rooms, including 20 suites and a Presidential Suite.
"We are thrilled to bring our uniquely personal and authentic boutique hotel experience to Toronto,” said Bertrand Mangeot, general manager of Kimpton Saint George.
The hotel features original works of art by Canadian artists. A hand-painted owl mural by renowned Toronto street artist, Birdo, graces the exterior of the property. In the reception area, an original… more
Jul 02, 2018
Rosen Hotels & Resorts in Orlando has rebranded the Red Roof Inn at International Drive hotel. The newly refurbished 134-room hotel is now known as Midpointe Hotel Orlando Convention Center.
Rosen acquired the former Red Roof Inn, along with the 222-room Clarion Inn & Suites at International Drive, in late 2017.
Midpointe Hotel's new name signifies its location midway between Orlando's tourist destinations and attractions. Located across the street from the Orange County Convention Center and next to the 1334-room Rosen Centre convention property, Midpointe expands the guestroom… more
Jun 27, 2018
Oklahoma City is gearing up to welcome a brand new convention center. On June 15, officials from the Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau (OKC CVB), local civic leaders and other dignitaries gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking for the $288 million Oklahoma City Convention Center, which will open debt-free in 2020.
“This is a great day for Oklahoma City,” said Mike Carrier, OKC CVB president. “This totally new convention center marks a significant milestone in OKC’s commitment to the meetings and convention industry.”
Designed by the architecture and design firms of Populous… more
Jun 22, 2018
The Palm Springs Convention Center has launched the Concept3D interactive 3D map and virtual tour platform, designed to bring the Southern California desert facility into the digital world while serving as a helpful and immersive resource for meeting and event planners.
“We’re proud to welcome the Palm Springs Convention Center to the Concept3D family and to see how this unique event space has come to life online,” said Chris Munz, vice president of business development for Concept3D, provider of immersive online experiences with 3D modeling, interactive maps and virtual reality-enabled… more
Jun 14, 2018
Situated in Southern Kentucky’s Cave Country and only an hour north of Nashville, Bowling Green, Kentucky is an interesting off-the-beaten-path option for your next small or mid-sized meeting or corporate retreat.
Bowling Green’s Sloan Convention Center offers 60,000 square feet of meeting and pre-function space. Its 19,500 sq. ft. grand ballroom, which can be divided into four sections, has a reception capacity of 1,500 attendees. There are also six breakout rooms ranging from 350 to 2,600 sq. ft.
The convention center has indoor access to the adjacent Holiday Inn University Plaza, which… more
Jun 07, 2018
The Eliza Jane, a 196-room hotel located just two blocks from the French Quarter, opened on Apr. 24, 2018 as the newest member of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand. The Unbound Collection by Hyatt launched in 2016 as a unique collection of new and existing luxury and upper-upscale properties offering unique stay experiences and story-worthy moments.
The hotel is contained within nine historic warehouses that appear distinct on the outside but have been united inside. The Eliza Jane’s design team drew inspiration from many of the buildings’ original occupants: The Daily Picayune, the Gulf… more
May 29, 2018
The Summit, a Dolce Hotel opened in Cincinnati in April 2018. The brand new 239-room hotel is the latest addition to the Wyndham Hotel Group’s Dolce Hotels and Resorts brand.
The Summit offers 32,600 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, with an emphasis on group conferences and collaborative spaces. The modern Madisonville Ballroom, a rooftop terrace and 17 customizable meeting rooms with built-in tech and lighting provide ample options for meeting planners to creatively utilize the space.
In addition to meeting and event facilities, guests at the hotel have access to… 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