Jul 20, 2021
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, N.C., is gearing up to complete a $250 million expansion this fall. The four-year project, which broke ground in June 2018, includes a new 725-room hotel tower, an 83,000-square-foot convention center and new food and beverage offerings, among additional amenities.
“We are thrilled to see this project come to completion and to be able to offer our guests new amenities and offerings,” said Brooks Robinson, regional senior vice president and general manager of Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos. “This expansion has been an integral component to our property… more
Jul 19, 2021
One of the many effects of the pandemic was the movement of many city residents to nearby suburbs. The same reasons for the mini-exodus, namely cost and convenience, could also lead more events to make similar leaps.
If any region is capable of a shift in event locations, it’s the surrounding areas outside the nation’s capital. Beyond being home to the federal government, Washington, D.C., and its neighboring counties are the hub of many national associations. Marriott International makes its home in nearby Bethesda, Maryland (where its new headquarters will also be located) and Hilton’s… more
Jul 16, 2021
After a successful innovation festival in 2018, all systems were a go for a sequel in 2020. Well, it goes without saying those plans were delayed. Surely by April 2021, the show would go on. COVID-19 wasn’t consulted, but fortunately, the folks at Visit Flanders were. Rather than canceling the And& Festival in Leuven, show organizers worked with the tourism bureau to develop a platform for our times.
And thus, a successful virtual event with some on-site activations showcasing Flanders and Belgium as a destination was born. The model, born out of necessity, proved to be a forward-… more
Jul 15, 2021
Donald Contursi, president of Lip Smacking Foodie Tours, says corporate groups never lost their appetite for eating out. Now that COVID restrictions are being lifted nationwide, he expects business to be booming soon. After guiding 250 hosted buyers attending MPI’s World Education Congress around local eateries in Las Vegas, the prediction looks good. “There's nothing that can come between breaking bread and bonding over food and drink,” Contursi said.
While Contursi has plenty of options at his disposal in Las Vegas, planners elsewhere can create evenings to remember at these fine dining… more
Jul 05, 2021
Las Vegas has been busy setting the stage for the next generation of meetings and conventions with a slew of new state-of-the-art venues. Now home to 14 million square feet of meeting, conference and exhibition space, the iconic desert destination offers planners more exciting options than ever, with more than 2 million square feet of new space and three resorts launched in the past 18 months alone.
“That additional space will allow Las Vegas to host more meetings and it will allow our current clients to grow their business,” said John Schreiber, vice president of business sales for the Las… more
Jun 24, 2021
As it begins the journey toward recovery, the hospitality industry has been busy making investments in new hotels as well as top-to-bottom upgrades. Here are a few to consider when planning your next event:
New Properties
JW Marriott Tampa Water Street
Earlier this year, JW Marriott debuted its 100th property and first in Tampa, the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. Located in the heart of the city’s Water Street neighborhood, the luxurious, 519-room, wellness-themed property features a modern design, calming aesthetic and amenities inspired by mindfulness principles.
Along with spacious… more
Jun 16, 2021
Harrah’s Las Vegas has officially unveiled the fruits of its $200 million investment in a massive renovation project that includes 2,542 redesigned guest rooms, a complete casino floor remodel and exterior enhancements in the form of two new LED marquees at the property’s north and south entrances.
“As a flagship location of the iconic gaming and hospitality brand, revamping Harrah’s Las Vegas not only enhances the guest experience but also further reflects the fun and energy that makes Las Vegas such a unique travel destination,” said Harrah’s Las Vegas Senior Vice President and General… more
Jun 04, 2021
Experience Kissimmee Senior Director of Meeting Sales and Services Michelle Moore couldn’t believe her ears at a recent meeting at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. In a pre-event meeting, the key players were discussing dine-arounds, branding activations and entertainment options.
“It was wonderful,” Moore said. “For the first time in over 14 months, we actually talked about non-health and safety stuff.”
Of course, COVID-19 was the elephant in the room. But significant vaccination progress and relaxed CDC guidelines have shifted the conversation from when, and not if,… more
Jun 03, 2021
The high number of vaccinations are not only making it possible for corporations to start gathering again, but also opening the door for employees to return to their offices. Just as events won’t be the same again, neither will be work.
While there has been a slow trickle of returning to the office thus far, more staff are likely to be back in-person at least a few days per week by Labor Day. The shift from telework could be jarring for some, but it will offer a glimpse into what is going to be the distant future.
Imagine using your phone to order in-office coffee, book a meeting room and… more
May 25, 2021
Even though many Americans are getting back to work and vaccination rates are leveling off, the JW Marriott Indianapolis hasn’t stopped helping those still out of work and hurting financially due to COVID-19. Since March 2020, the hotel has been showing its concern for its community by hosting free Community Food Distribution events in partnership with Gleaners Community Food Bank.
Since its inception, the ongoing charitable effort has hosted 36 events distributing more than 8,200 food boxes totaling 204,000 pounds of nutrition for hungry members of the local hospitality and the public at… more
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here.
New Wave Experiences
Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, more