May 07, 2018
On Apr. 24, 2018,  the newly remodeled and rebranded Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort opened its doors to guests. Formerly known as The Fess Parker, A DoubleTree by Hilton Resort, the hotel has undergone a complete renovation and will remain managed by Hilton (NYSE: HLT) and jointly owned by Park Hotels & Resorts and the Fess Parker family. “We look forward to this next chapter for the property and to continuing our long-standing partnership with Hilton,” said Eli and Ashley Parker, son and daughter of Fess Parker.  “The resort may have a new look and a new name, but will continue… more
May 04, 2018
The new dual-branded AC Hotel and Residence Inn Dallas by the Galleria opened its doors on Apr. 26, 2018. Located in the heart of Dallas Midtown, the 256-room property contains more than 17,000 square feet of combined meeting space that can accommodate events for up to 200 attendees.  AC Hotel Dallas by the Galleria offers 140 guest rooms that feature a European-inspired design along with workstations and flat-panel TVs. Residence Inn Dallas by the Galleria offers 116 suites designed for longer-stay guests. Every guest room is a suite with studio, one- and two-bedroom options that afford… more
May 01, 2018
The Galt House, Louisville’s largest hotel, is joining the Trademark Collection by Wyndham as an independently owned soft-branded property. The flagship hotel, which will begin a $80 million renovation this June, will be Wyndham Hotel Group’s largest single addition in North America. Galt House Hotel is the largest downtown meeting, convention, and conference hotel in the region, with 1,310 guest rooms and 130,000 sq. ft. of event space that can host meetings of up to 3,000 attendees. The hotel offers 53 meeting rooms, a 23,300 sq. ft. ballroom, a 16,000 sq. ft. ballroom and an exhibit… more
Apr 26, 2018
There is a lot of preparation going on in Japan for the Olympics, which will be held in Tokyo in 2020.  In addition to new hotels and venues that will expand the many existing options for events, transportation infrastructure will be transformed. Plans include a ring road that will bypass central Tokyo, a central arterial road that will better connect central Tokyo to the Tokyo Bay area, a new railway connecting Haneda Airport and Tokyo Station, plus improvements to the existing Narita Airport railway system that will cut transit time from thirty minutes to a mere eighteen. Tokyo, however,… more
Apr 20, 2018
The Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority (RSCVA) Board of Directors has appointed global entertainment and convention venue management company, SMG, to oversee operations at Reno-Sparks’ major convention and entertainment facilities. The four-year operating agreement includes the RSCVA-owned Reno-Sparks Convention Center (RSCC), the state-owned Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center (RSLEC), as well as the Reno Events Center (REC) and the National Bowling Stadium (NBS), which are both owned by the City of Reno. “This is a great opportunity for the entire Reno Tahoe region and an… more
Apr 16, 2018
On Thursday, April 12, meeting professionals around the world came together to celebrate our great industry. I was lucky enough to be in Las Vegas – the meetings capital of the world – for a media tour centered around Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID). Some key facts about meetings and Las Vegas: Las Vegas offers more than 11 million square feet of convention space In 2017, nearly 6.7 million people attended conventions in Las Vegas Las Vegas hosts close to 22,000 meetings annually Las Vegas is home to 3 of the top 10 largest convention centers in North America Las Vegas has been the… more
Apr 13, 2018
Hilton Des Moines Downtown opened its doors for guests on March 21, with a public ribbon-cutting and a grand opening event. Located just five miles from Des Moines International Airport, Hilton Des Moines Downtown is connected to the Iowa Events Center via the Des Moines Skywalk. It is the first convention hotel to open in Des Moines in more than ten years.  “We are immensely proud to bring this much anticipated facility to the Des Moines community,” said Mike Tousley, executive vice president and general manager of The Weitz Company, which developed, designed and built the property. The… more
Apr 05, 2018
The Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach is the destination’s newest beachfront hotel, and the fourth Hard Rock Hotel in Florida. Located just over a mile from the iconic Daytona Beach Pier and the Ocean Center meeting, convention and event complex, the 200-room property offers 20,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space. “The new music-inspired Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach is introducing the global brand’s iconic vibe and energetic beat to meetings and events along this wide stretch of world-famous Atlantic shoreline," said Kathy Masterson, director of sales, Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach… more
Apr 03, 2018
VISIT Milwaukee has launched a new website designed to redefine the city’s image for visitors and capture the spirit of Milwaukee’s people, neighborhoods, events and attractions, while driving visitation to the region. The new site, which went live on March 17, has been expanded beyond the meeting planner to the convention attendee with entertaining new features including a slot machine-style “randomizer” on the homepage that provides a fun way to discover exciting things to do in the city, as well as a “My Trip” tool that allows visitors to plan their Milwaukee trip by curating a virtual… more
Mar 20, 2018
In 2017, Canada earned three of the top five spots in The Economist’s list of most livable cities worldwide. Many event planners are familiar with Vancouver and Toronto but are perhaps less familiar with the third city named to the list: Calgary. Calgary sits in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, near arguably some of the best skiing in the world. It has become a technology hub, housing more tech start-ups than any other Canadian city. It’s also gaining traction as a destination for business conventions and events. The largest event venue in Calgary is the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre… more
Partner Voices
  MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.  At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident more