Even planners looking for a Pacific Northwest hotel able to accommodate all their meeting guests might want to take a look at the Hyatt Regency Seattle. The new 45-story downtown property, which is now the largest hotel in the region, opened its doors on Dec. 10.

Located just two blocks from the Washington State Convention Center and adjacent to The Summit, the planned convention center expansion building slated to open Spring 2022, Hyatt Regency Seattle offers more than 103,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space.

Harrah's Resort Atlantic City has announced plans for a $56 million guest room and suite renovation in its Coastal Tower. The room and suite upgrades are part of Caesars Entertainment's total investment of over $250 million into its Atlantic City casino-resorts over the last four years.

Harrah's Resort Atlantic City will re-design and enhance 507 guest rooms and suites in the current Harbour Tower, partnering with a local design house, MPM Studios.

Indianapolis is no stranger to convention business. USA Today’s top ranked convention city, Indy already has a robust infrastructure in place to support large events. But the city is aiming for even bigger and even better, with new plans for significant expansion.

The Indiana Convention Center already boasts 12 connected properties and 4,700 connected rooms. But last month, an expansion project was green-lighted that will include adding a 50,000 square foot convention center ballroom — the largest in the state — and two new hotel towers connected to the Convention Center.  

As the desire for sustainable meetings grows, so does the desire for sustainable cities in which to hold them. The city of Brussels, Belgium was ranked ninth in the 2009 European Green City Index, and now, a decade later, the city is well on its way towards its goal of becoming the “Green city of Europe” by 2024.

“As Europe’s leading terminal for international high-speed trains, Brussels is becoming a greener place to meet,” said Elisabeth Van Ingelgem, director, convention & association bureau at visit.brussels.

We all know that the preferred place to gather is in the kitchen. We eat, talk, learn and connect in this favorite spot.

The Omni Montelucia in Scottsdale captures the true essence of this connection in their Chef’s Kitchen Dinner Series — a monthly intimate gathering of up to 20 participants.

“Here at Omni Montelucia, we wanted to bring the concept of an intimate gathering to our resort, where there is an opportunity to learn, eat well, and introduce new foods and cocktails to fellow participants,” said Patrick Brophy, General Manager at Omni Montelucia.

Last month, NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization and Discover Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico’s newly established destination marketing organization, signed a first-ever partnership to boost tourism between the two destinations

Trump International Hotel & Tower® New York has completed renovations of its guest rooms, suites and common spaces.

“This renovation confirms our commitment to maintain our status as one of the elite luxury hotels in the city and around the world,” said Prince A. Sanders, general manager of Trump International Hotel & Tower New York.  “The new finishes and materials infuse every aspect of the guest experience with the refined aesthetic that envelops guests when they arrive at our hotel.”

While many incentive trips focus on activity and team building, there are many ways to incentivize and rejuvenate your team. A new trend is developing on this front – the idea of a stillness tour. Bringing quiet and stillness into an incentive trip or meeting focuses on removing technology and high stimulus.

Scottsdale, Arizona offers multiple ways for groups to unwind and experience stillness.  

The new $226 million Sycuan Casino Hotel and Resort will open in late spring 2019, and is now ready to book group meetings.

The 12-story luxury hotel tower will include 302 guest rooms with 57 suites. The new event space features over 42,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor space, including an 11,297 sq. ft. event center with a 2,136 sq. ft. stage.

Plans are in the works to update, modernize and expand the America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis. Dubbed the “AC Next Gen Project,” the goal of the $175 million project is to secure the facility’s place as an economic and employment driver for the entire region.

According to St. Louis City and County officials, the need to expand the Complex has become critical as cities across the U.S. are making substantial investments in their convention centers as well as taking aggressive steps to lure lucrative meetings and conventions to their communities and regions.