Sep 23, 2019
The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center is getting ready to grow. On Sept. 19, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority board of directors accepted a proposal announced by Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito on Sept. 16 that includes expanding BCEC and selling Hynes Convention Center to fund the project.
According to Governor Baker, the expansion plan will make Boston’s convention space more efficient by consolidating the city’s major convention business in one central location. It will also maximize new economic opportunities in both the Seaport and Back Bay… more
Sep 18, 2019
Arlington, Texas is a city uniquely dedicated to sports. The city is home to AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Park, the eSports Stadium Arlington & Expo Center and Texas Live!, a sports, dining and entertainment district that opened in August 2018. Live! By Loews — Arlington, TX, which opened its doors last month, is the newest hotel to open in the district, and expands both the city’s convention and meeting capacity.
Billed as a “multi-concept sports resort”, the 300-room Live! By Loews – Arlington, TX offers 35,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, including a 14,000 sq. ft.… more
Sep 10, 2019
CAESARS FORUM is set to open in Las Vegas in seven months, and Caesars Entertainment has already secured more than $300 million in business for the new, 550,000-square-foot conference facility. Officials announced that in the last 18 months, more than 125 contracts for meetings and events have been signed, 75 percent of which represent new business.
The $375 million conference center, which can accommodate more than 10,000 attendees, will hold LEED Silver certification and features the world's two largest pillarless ballrooms, each equivalent to one football field.
"I am thrilled with the… more
Sep 09, 2019
New York, San Francisco and Chicago top the list of the best North American cities for events in 2020, according to a new ranking released by CWT M&E, the global meetings and events division of CWT.
The list was created based on CWT’s volume of business and booking trends, including a combination of requested cities, awarded RFPs and business value.
Each of the three top cities moved up in the ranking from last year, and several cities were brand new to the list, including Atlanta, Toronto and San Diego (which took the No. 4, 5 and 6 spots, respectively). The No. 1 ranked city for 2019… more
Sep 05, 2019
Set on the bank of the Chicago River, Sheraton Grand Chicago is an impressive sight. One of the larger meeting properties in the Windy City, the hotel’s 1,218 guest rooms and suites offer views of the river, Lake Michigan or the city skyline.
While there are other properties in Chicago with larger exhibit halls, Sheraton Grand Chicago has the largest ballroom, at 40,000 square feet, which can hold general sessions of up to 4,600 or can be divided into up to 10 smaller spaces. The hotel also features 43 meeting rooms and a 35,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall with pre-function space that leads… more
Aug 21, 2019
Facility leadership and show floor trade partners of Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia have signed a five-year extension and amendment of its 10-year labor agreement. The contract builds on the competitive work rules and expanded exhibitor rights initially put in place in 2014.
Known as the Customer Satisfaction Agreement, the extended labor agreement, which went into effect Aug. 1, allows exhibitors to set up and tear down their own booths without limitations on booth size. This marks a significant shift from the facility’s previous practice, which limited exhibitors to… more
Aug 12, 2019
The luxury 515-room JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Shanghai Pudong opened Aug. 8 as the first JW Marriott Marquis hotel in China. This builds on Marriott’s brand launch momentum in the country, as it also opened the 191-room Aloft Shanghai Zhangjiang Hotel in April.
“For years, Shanghai has been deemed one of the most iconic cities in China and in the world, drawing in luxury travelers of different backgrounds that call for premium hospitality and personalized service,” said Henry Lee, chief operations officer and managing director in Greater China for Marriott International. “We are thrilled to… more
Aug 07, 2019
Atlantic City has a long and rich history. The New Jersey city has been the home of the Miss America pageant since 1921, and its five-mile boardwalk, first constructed in 1890, is the oldest in the country and the longest in the world.
Best known for its casinos, boardwalk and beach, the city also has much to offer in the way of teambuilding activities. From morning yoga on the beach to a spa experience, waterfront cruise, beer pairings or chocolate making, there are plenty of options to suit any group’s needs.
Music, Pampering and Dining at the Hard Rock Hotel
My window at the Hard Rock… more
Aug 05, 2019
GSO. DMO. DMC. CVB. Our industry is full of acronyms — and it can be challenging to figure out where to go when you’re looking to book the right hotel or venue for your event.
We’ve written previously about the value of CVBs and DMOs. Now it’s time to talk about meetings and incentive representation organizations, sometimes referred to as global sales organizations (GSOs) or hospitality partner representation companies.
The majority of these organizations cater to the high-end meetings market, providing complimentary sourcing services for planners. The idea is to match the planner with the… more
Jul 26, 2019
With the goal of reshaping the food and beverage industry for meetings and conferences, New York Convention Center Operation Corporation (which operates Javits Center) has launched a new hospitality brand called Cultivated. Created in partnership with Levy Convention Centers and CxRA catering, Cultivated will design creative dining presentations and high-end catering for events, incorporating local ingredients from New York producers.
“We are thrilled to announce the launch of this new hospitality brand, Cultivated, which illustrates our strong connection to New York and our mission to host… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is more