Las Vegas Marks 16 Years as Top Trade Show Destination & Other Meetings News
Convention and Visitor Bureau News:
Trinidad & Tobago Looks to Expand Share of Meetings and Conventions Market
In line with the goal of positioning Trinidad & Tobago as the meetings and conference capital of the Caribbean, the Tourism Development Company (TDC) of Trinidad & Tobago has appointed Chantel Ross Francois as head of the newly formed Trinidad & Tobago Convention Bureau (TTCB). The TTCB, established in 2009, will focus on the destination’s market share of this competitive industry.
Commented Francois: “Our goal at the TTCB will be to explore and expand on new initiatives that will help solidify our presence in this competitive industry. We believe Trinidad & Tobago is perfectly positioned to be the meetings and conventions center as well as the centralized and technologically advanced meeting point for not just the Caribbean, but for North, South and Central America as well.” Visit www.tdc.co.tt.
Las Vegas Marks 16 Years as Top Trade Show Destination
Las Vegas continued its reign as the No. 1 trade show destination in North America, hosting the most “Tradeshow Week 200” largest shows for the sixteenth consecutive year in 2009.
Las Vegas alone hosted 45 of the 200 shows, more than twice the number of any other destination. The Las Vegas shows encompassed more than 19 million net square feet. The next two cities on the list were Chicago, with 25 shows and 7.5 million net square feet, and Orlando with 18 shows and 5.3 million net square feet.
Las Vegas hosted six of the top 10 shows on the list, led by the International Consumer Electronics Show, the largest show on this year’s list. Other top ten shows in Las Vegas include World of Concrete, The International Builders Show, ReCon, the National Association of Broadcasters, and the World Shoes+Accessories (WSA) Show. The shows are ranked by the amount of floor space consumed.
Las Vegas hosts approximately 20,000 meetings and conventions annually. The industry is responsible for 46,000 local jobs and an estimated $4.5 billion for the local economy.
Visit www.visitlasvegas.com.
Cincinnati USA CVB Engages Locals in Convention Campaign
For the past four years, the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has led a successful regional collaboration to bring record-setting numbers of new conventions and economic impact to Cincinnati. Now, the CVB is building on that collaborative strategy with a new campaign to incentivize local professionals to bring even more meetings and conventions to the region.
The CVB’s “Think Global, Meet Local” program is challenging the thousands of Cincinnatians who are affiliated with professional associations, religious organizations, hobby groups, sports and other competitive activities, special events and annual meetings. The goal: simply invite an organization with which you are already actively involved to bring a convention or meeting to Cincinnati USA.
“There are so many people who are both passionate about this city and actively involved with a variety of social and business organizations,” said Dan Lincoln, president and CEO of the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We want to motivate those people to be proactive advocates of the region and use their influence within their organizations to drive economic impact for Cincinnati USA.”
The program launched on May 18 when dozens of local professionals, dignitaries and hospitality students at the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University participated in a Phone Blitz to spread the word about Cincinnati’s world-class hotels, attractions and meeting facilities. Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory is participating in the event at the Duke Energy Convention Center, and Sharonville Mayor Virgil Lovitt made calls with the team at the Sharonville Convention Center.
For additional incentive, any person who connects the CVB to a meeting, convention or special event with which they are involved will be entered to win a $500 Cincinnati USA Gift Card as thanks for helping the city. Residents can submit their meeting or convention information at www.CincyUSA.com/MeetLocal.
Openings and Renovations:
New Convention Center Opens at Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy, Moscow
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A new conference center has opened at the five-star Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy, located in one of the most upscale areas of Moscow. The new convention center complements the hotel’s seven multi-functional meeting rooms and two banquet halls. The deluxe contemporary meeting facility incorporates the Grand Ballroom (approx. 6,000 square feet) and a range of five flexible breakout spaces, including a spacious balcony just near the main entrance and a garden nearby.
The meeting and banquet rooms were designed without pillars for unobstructed viewing and therefore provide flexibility to the format of each event. The Grand Ballroom can accommodate up to 500 people in reception style. Bulky equipment, and even cars, can be lifted up to the ballroom by an elevator allowing for product launches and gala events. Three of the seven meeting rooms can be divided into functional areas, and combined with a pre-function area (which boasts natural daylight), measure 6,275 square feet.
Visit www.swissotel.com.
New Luxury Hotel Debuts at Australian Tourism Exchange
Australia’s newest luxury hotel, Saffire, on the picturesque East Coast of Tasmania near Freycinet, will be introduced to the travel trade industry at the upcoming Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), which begins May 29 in Adelaide. The property opens June 1.
Saffire features 20 suites, each with sweeping views of Great Oyster Bay and the Hazards Mountains, and each is completely private from the neighboring suites. Other amenities include the Palate restaurant, The Lounge bar, spa and on-site gym.
Visit www.saffire-freycinet.com.au.
Dolce Hotels and Resorts Opens New Conference Hotel in Munich
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Dolce Hotels and Resorts, operator of 26 upscale hotels, resorts and conference hotels in North America and Europe, recently opened the Dolce Munich Unterschleissheim, a 255-room conference hotel near Munich, the company’s sixth hotel in Europe and second in Germany.
The hotel is adjacent to the BallhausForum conference center, which Dolce manages for the City of Unterschleissheim. The company’s other hotel in Germany is Dolce Bad Nauheim, near Frankfurt.
Dolce Munich Unterschleissheim’s 16 function rooms, certified by the International Association of Conference Centers, total 16,308 square feet of space, complementing the BallhausForum’s six function rooms totaling 32,776 square feet of space. Together, the facilities offer 25 function rooms totaling 49,094 square feet.
The hotel includes a 3,509-square-foot divisible conference room, 2,734-square-foot ballroom, 2,680-square-foot conference room, a divisible 2,626-square-foot conference room, two 861-square-foot meeting rooms, two 44-square-foot meeting rooms, five 248-square-foot breakout rooms, and the 915-square-foot Zugspitze Sky Lounge.
The Dolce Munich Unterschleissheim and BallhausForum are located between Munich International Airport and Munich city center, directly accessible by car and rail. More than 750 parking spaces are available at the hotel on a complimentary basis for hotel guests.
Visit www.dolcemunich.com.
Carlson Hotels Opens 14th Park Inn Hotel in North America
Carlson Hotels has announced the opening of its 14th Park Inn property in North America and the second of two hotels joining the brand in Texas. The opening of the Park Inn Dallas Fort Worth South, Texas, and a second hotel which opened recently in Houston, are part of Carlson’s Ambition 2015 growth strategy.
Internationally the brand has achieved major milestone recognition. In 2009, J.D. Power and Associates rated Park Inn number one in Europe for guest satisfaction in the mid-scale segment.
The 100% non-smoking hotel features indoor pool, a fitness center, business center, free Wi-Fi access and all-day dining at the Atrium Cafe. The 200-room hotel has 12,000 square feet of meeting space, audiovisual equipment, catering, and a professional meetings and events team.
Visit www.parkinn.com.
MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center Undergoes Renovation
Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center, located in Kingsport, Tennessee, along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, has wrapped up a multimillion-dollar guestroom renovation and expansion. The construction of 110 additional hotel rooms coincided with the existing 195-room renovation project and garnered the resort 305 luxurious accommodations. Two new 55-room towers now grace the grounds of this award-winning mountain retreat.
The transformation moved outdoors with the addition of a new indoor swimming pool, outdoor sun deck, hydrotherapy pool and fitness center boasting the latest cardio theater equipment. The Kingsport hotel is also home to the Cattails at Meadowview championship golf course, a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.
This hotel features 66,000 square feet of state-of-the-art function space all under one roof and more space is on the way. By November 2010, the Tri City hotel will boast more than 87,000 square feet, including three amphitheatres, three ballrooms, numerous board rooms and conference rooms, and a reception area overlooking the golf course.
Visit www.meadowviewresort.com.
Special Promotions:
Come Wine, Come All, to Keswick Hall
Keswick Hall, located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is enticing first-time group visitors with an affordable yet luxurious group package offering for summer. Guests can take advantage of more than 7,000 square feet of meeting and conference space able to accommodate groups ranging in size from 8 to 300. The Come Wine, Come All Group Package features rates starting at $175 per room, per night, Sunday through Thursday, with one complimentary wine tasting included during the months of July and August. The package requires a minimum of 10 rooms or more and excludes food and beverage.
Visit www.keswick.com.
Sunset Resorts Announces Group Incentive Package
Sunset Resorts in Jamaica is offering Sunset Group Perks Package, with incentives for groups traveling to Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort, Spa & Conference Center, in Ocho Rios, and Sunset Beach Resort, Spa & Waterpark, in Montego Bay.
Along with all-inclusive group rates, the Sunset Group Perks Package rewards planners with perks. Those booking between 20 and 40 room nights will receive one perk; 41 and 74 room nights, two perks; and 76 or more room nights, three perks. Perks can include a complimentary upgrade to ocean or bay-view rooms from the standard room category, complimentary meeting space, waived energy surcharges, a one hour welcome reception with a chefs selection of hors d’oeuvres and house bar, one room free for every 15 rooms booked and paid per night, capped at four complimentary rooms per night, and one suite upgrade for every 50 rooms booked and paid per night, capped at four suite upgrades per night. Each group will receive the following perks:
• Dedicated Group Services Manager
• Guaranteed reservations at our specialty restaurants
• One complimentary staff room for every 50 rooms booked and paid per night, capped at four complimentary staff rooms per night
• One morning and one afternoon coffee break
• Five resort selected VIP amenities
• 10% discount on spa treatments
• 25% discount on private function supplements
• 35% discount select audio-visual equipment charges
• Personalized welcome sign
• Private check-in for 20 or more rooms
• Welcome tropical drink upon check-in
• Welcome letter from resort management
• No attrition 45 days prior to arrival
The Sunset Resorts Group Perks package is capacity-controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. Minimum two-night stay is required. This offer is applicable for groups of 15 or more rooms per night. It is applicable to new groups and cannot be combined with any other promotions. The Sunset Resorts Group Perks package is valid for groups contracted and signed by July 31, 2010, for travel in 2010 and 2011.
Visit groupsocho@sunsetresortsjamaica.com or www.sunsetresortsjamaica.com.
Technology:
Marriott to Deploy Passkey’s GroupMAX™ System Across Its Innovention Network
Marriott International and Passkey will deploy Passkey’s GroupMAX online group reservations system across its Innovention Network of select Marriott, JW Marriott and Renaissance hotels and resorts. With Passkey’s GroupMAX system, meeting planners holding their events at a Marriott Innovention Network property will be able to offer their event guests a seamless online hotel booking experience via customized event booking pages, which let guests book the room of their choice anytime, while allowing planners to connect their event registration system directly to hotel reservations. This ensures maximum “within-the-block” bookings while providing guests a one-stop-shop registration to the reservations process.
Importantly, group guests can select from multiple room options and upgrades that are not traditionally offered in the course of making a group reservation. Plus meeting planners will be able to track their event performance using tools such as SmartAlerts™ automatic email alerts, real-time event dashboards and secure online room list management. These tools let planners track and manage their event online in real-time, helping them optimize their event housing commitments while mitigating data security and attrition risks.
The agreement extends Marriott’s partnership with Passkey to up to 60 hotels and 42,000 rooms. Meeting planners will be able to use Passkey’s GroupMAX tools at any participating Innovention Network hotel in North America, Hawaii and the Caribbean. (www.innoventionnetwork.com)
Cvent Starts 2010 with Unprecedented Q1 Growth
Cvent, a provider of online event management, meeting site selection and web survey solutions, has announced that the company had a record sales quarter in Q1 2010, increasing sales by 30% over the same period in 2009.
In Q1, Cvent drove more than 170,000 Requests for Proposals (RFPs) through the Cvent Supplier Network, a 1,040% increase over Q1 2009 and more than the total volume of RFPs sent through the system in all of 2009. The Cvent Supplier Network is an online site selection and venue sourcing tool that enables meeting planners to search detailed profiles of more than 100,000 event venues and service providers worldwide, send RFPs detailing their meeting requirements, and then compare supplier proposals with side-by-side reports.
“We expect close to $1 billion in actual awarded business in the system for hotels and event venues in 2010, which makes the Cvent Supplier Network the world’s largest sourcing tool,” said Bharet Malhotra, Cvent’s vice president of sales.
Additionally in Q1, Cvent users managed more than 30,000 events with the company’s event management and sourcing software, processing over 1.5 million attendee registrations and almost $200 million in event transactions.
Visit www.cvent.com.
