4 Ways the Hotel Experience Will Look and Feel Different
May 03, 2021
As much of the country moves on to their second round of vaccinations, travelers are taking steps to returning to the open road. What used to be old hat — getting on an airplane, stepping into a lobby, etc. — will feel new again. It will be a little scary while at the same time exhilarating, hotel chains like Hilton are expecting. The trick will be balancing all the new with the old, so traveling seems as easy as getting back on a bicycle — even if the path has been altered. Any sense of normalcy will be welcomed. “After a year without travel, people are excited to get moving, but they are… more
Apr 28, 2021
Caesars Entertainment is going all-in on Atlantic City. The hospitality giant recently unveiled a $400 million master plan investment in its Caesars, Harrah’s Resort and Tropicana Atlantic City casino-resort properties. Already underway, the plans include: Remodeled guest room towers;  Fresh interior design elements;  Casino gaming floor enhancements;  New dining concepts and amenities and more additions over the next three years.  According to Caesars officials, revitalizing the company’s flagship casino-hotel on the famed Atlantic City Boardwalk, Caesars Atlantic City, will be a… more
Apr 27, 2021
With destinations opening up for business and vaccination rates ramping up, flexible and functional outdoor spaces for meetings and events are an appealing choice for event groups who may not feel comfortable gathering indoors just yet. In this reopening, a plethora of resort and hotel properties are rising to the occasion by leveraging their existing open-air spaces in new and inventive ways to service events. And after a year of being cooped up, some extra fresh air sounds good, COVID or no COVID. “Our member hotels have designed some really innovative uses of outdoor space to put… more
Discover Puerto Rico Launches Workcation Contest
Apr 22, 2021
If remote workers are tired of Zoom calls, imagine how sick they are of virtual backgrounds. Discover Puerto Rico has launched a promotion to turn the beach backdrop into a reality. (Sorry, Zoom still comes with the territory). Deskover Puerto Rico, as the program is known, will award six two-week “workations” to the Caribbean island. Because Puerto Rico is a U.S. property, it doesn’t require work visas, passports or insurance requirements for U.S. citizens. The DMO is touting several other amenities not normally associated with beach trips, including 31 internet providers and three 5G… more
Apr 21, 2021
Even though big gatherings still aren’t allowed in most U.S. cities, that hasn’t stopped sustainably minded event organizations, hospitality companies and venues from finding ways to celebrate the 51st edition of Earth Day. Held on April 22, the event’s theme this year is “Restore Our Earth.”  The global event will be primarily digital for the second year in a row but will offer a plethora of Earth Day activities available to those wishing to participate. Take a look at how our industry is celebrating and who knows, maybe you’ll feel inspired to create your own eco-friendly event or join one… more
Apr 05, 2021
Historic, iconic, timeless. Those are words that come to mind when beholding The Broadmoor resort, a historic luxury hotel, golf, spa and convention property in Colorado Springs, one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. Nestled at the base of the stunning Rocky Mountains and situated on 5,000 acres of luscious mountain terrain, the five-star, 784-room resort’s beauty and natural amenities have long-seduced leisure guests and event groups year after year. “We really are the only true venue in the state that can offer a true Colorado experience,” said Curtis Robison, The Broadmoor’s… more
Caesars Offers Free Vaccines to Thousands of Its Employees
Apr 02, 2021
Caesars Entertainment is converting Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino into a vaccination site for thousands of its employees in April. The hotel and gaming giant announced a partnership with Albertsons to administer between 1,000 and 2,000 Pfizer shots during large-scale vaccine events. Free vaccinations will be scheduled online by appointment only and are open to all Caesars Entertainment Las Vegas team members. In total, 10,000 vaccinations will be distributed exclusively to Caesars employees through the initiative. The move is the latest in a long line on initiatives undertaken throughout… more
Colombia Builds a Bridge Toward Future Events
Mar 24, 2021
Gilberto Salcedo, vice president of tourism at ProColombia, loves to study numbers. “That’s one of my obsessions,” he admitted. The pandemic has, naturally, curtailed the momentum Colombia had generated hosting meetings and events. But Salcedo is convinced the slowdown is temporary and has the statistics to back his case. With travelers across the world relegated to their homes, the tourism branch of the burgeoning South American destination launched a digital campaign in 12 key markets that netted 250 million impressions. “That allows us to tell you we are top-of-mind,” Salcedo said.… more
Mar 23, 2021
As the event and tourism industry begins its slow journey toward post-pandemic normalcy, it has become clear that hybrid events – those with both socially distanced in-person and virtual components – will be a vital part of the return of live meetings and conventions. Thus, many hospitality communities across the nation are doing their part to adapt to this new reality, including CVBs. Case in point: Fort Worth, Texas and its tourism bureau, Visit Fort Worth, which successfully hosted its 8th Annual Meeting & Breakfast in hybrid format on February 5. Held at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel,… more
Hawaii Convention Center Preps for Groups to Return
Mar 19, 2021
Add Oahu to the destinations ready to welcome groups back. Days after the island’s gathering restrictions were eased on March 11, Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu launched a campaign alerting events professionals that it is open for business. As is the case with meeting facilities on the mainland, the center has implemented health and safety protocols for meetings and events, led by ASM’s Global’s Venue Shield program. These include: Enhanced cleaning and sanitation and the use of electrostatic sprayers; The installation of thermal cameras and touchless temperature checks; The use 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