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
How Experience Kissimmee Has Served In-Person Events for the Past Year
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
The Future Workplace: Luxurious, High-Tech and Touchless
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
May 24, 2021
Events and hospitality companies are gearing up for a digital financial future by accepting cryptocurrency as a customer payment option. Defined as “a digital currency that can be used to buy goods and services, but uses an online ledger with strong cryptography to secure online transactions,” cryptocurrency is more than a speculative investment trend. Mainstream adoption is already here, with major companies including PayPal, Visa and Mastercard jumping on the crypto train.  As hotels, resorts and event-related companies continually seek out opportunities to better serve the needs of their… more
Destinations Pull Out All the Stops to Welcome Back Groups
May 18, 2021
Start spreading the news: Destinations are open for business. But rather than screaming to the hills, CVBs and destination management companies are taking a more selective approach to how they roll out the red carpet. Targeted messaging is the theme uniting an array of approaches taken to attract groups to town. Here are some highlights: Explore St. Louis A new ad campaign from Explore St. Louis is arguably more star-studded than the recent Academy Awards ceremony. Among the celebrities pitching the Arch city to incoming guests are John Goodman, Jenna Fischer, Andy Cohen, Ozzie Smith and… more
Visit St. Pete/Clearwater Shines in New Amazon Streaming Series
May 10, 2021
Visit St. Pete/Clearwater President and CEO Steve Hayes can’t say for certain that the new Amazon Prime Series, “Life’s Rewards,” has a happy ending. While not familiar with all of the plot points, Hayes is certainly hoping for the best out of the series, which debuts May 10. You see, not only does “Life’s Rewards” – comprising eight 10-15-minute episodes – showcase the destination, it is the first original scripted series developed by destination marketing organizations for streaming services. The idea sprung from one simple question, Hayes recalled: “How do we tell our story differently… 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