Apr 04, 2022
At its Annual Meeting at the Duke Energy Convention Center on March 25, the Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau unveiled a new brand identity and announced several key growth initiatives to an audience of 400 business professionals, civic leaders and members of the regional hospitality industry.
The 75-year-old destination marketing organization’s new name is “Visit Cincy,” created to better align with the CVB’s sales and marketing efforts, as well as its regional collaboration with meetNKY, the Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau, to reach key markets for tourism,… more
Mar 28, 2022
Hotels and resorts across the country are continuing to grow and renovate their meeting space inventory as the events industry continues to pick up steam. Take a look!
Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk
The Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk recently debuted a new open-air rooftop event space ideal for social events, weddings and intimate gatherings. Dubbed Terrace on 5th, the 6,500-square-foot, sophisticated rooftop venue features an urban oasis ambiance with a spacious lawn and sweeping views of downtown San Antonio.
In addition to the new green space, the 1,003-room hotel,… more
Mar 08, 2022
The city of Dallas, Texas, will soon have the ability to attract even larger trade shows and other events to its destination. According to Visit Dallas officials, the Dallas city council approved plans last month for a new 2.5-million-square-foot convention center that will be constructed adjacent to the current Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD). Once construction is complete, all or most of the KBHCCD will then be demolished.
The new $2 billion center, which is expected to break ground in 2024 and open in 2028, will feature 800,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space; 300,000 sq.… more
Mar 01, 2022
As the travel and tourism industry shows signs of picking up this year, global hospitality brands are opening new properties and investing in extensive remodeling projects to lure back business and leisure guests seeking upgraded hotel and conference experiences. Take a look!
New Hotels
Hampton Inn by Hilton and Homewood Suites by Hilton Indianapolis Canal IUPUI
Hilton recently expanded its multi-brand footprint with the Hampton Inn by Hilton and Homewood Suites by Hilton Indianapolis Canal IUPUI, a new hotel in downtown Indianapolis, Ind.. Situated on the Indianapolis Canal Walk and… more
Feb 28, 2022
Rob Svedberg understands what it takes to design a convention center able to meet the evolving needs of the global events industry. As a principal at leading architectural design firm tvsdesign, where he has worked for almost three decades, the Atlanta-based architect’s projects have included the expansion of New York’s Javits Center, Mumbai’s Jio World Centre and the Puerto Rico Convention Center, as well as the expansion and transformation of Nashville’s Music City Center and the Las Vegas Convention Center, including its new West Hall.
An in-demand industry speaker known for his… more
Feb 21, 2022
The Las Vegas hospitality community became a little greener recently with the announcement from Resorts World Las Vegas, the Strip’s newest resort, that all three of its hotel brands—Las Vegas Hilton, Conrad Las Vegas and Crockfords Las Vegas, LXR Hotels & Resorts—have earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, encompassing 3.9 million square feet of real estate.
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED certification is considered the benchmark in the green building industry, providing building owners and operators with a framework… more
Feb 14, 2022
While the hotel industry will continue its progress toward recovery in 2022, its path will be uneven and potentially volatile, and full recovery is expected to be several years away, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)’s 2022 State of the Hotel Industry Report.
“Hotels have faced enormous challenges over the past two years, and we are still a long way from full recovery,” said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA, the sole national association representing all segments of the U.S. lodging industry. “The uncertainty about the Omicron variant suggests just how… more
Feb 07, 2022
Caesars Entertainment is gearing up to bring a renowned casino brand to the heart of the Las Vegas Strip this year. Starting this spring, Bally’s Las Vegas will begin its transformation into Horseshoe Las Vegas, an iconic, historic brand originally created by gambling magnate Benny Binion more than 70 years ago.
The multimillion-dollar project, which will take place in stages, will include a renovated exterior, new entertainment and food and beverage options and a reimagined casino floor and public areas. In keeping with the classic sophistication the Horseshoe brand is known for, the… more
Feb 01, 2022
Neurodiverse, autistic and sensory-challenged attendees now have a calming and comforting space to retreat to and regroup when feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated while attending events at the Overland Park Convention Center (OPCC) in Overland Park, Kan.
As the first convention center in the world to offer a dedicated space for attendees with autism, anxiety, dementia, PTSD or other similar conditions, the OPCC created its sensory-inclusive room in partnership with KultureCity, a leading national nonprofit that works to improve the quality of life for individuals with sensory needs,… more
Jan 27, 2022
Following a pause in plans due to the pandemic, the Fort Worth City Council recently approved $52 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support the first phase of a planned expansion of the city-owned Forth Worth Convention Center (FWCC).
The downtown facility’s $500 million expansion, which had been in the planning stages for several years to attract and accommodate larger trade shows and meetings, was about to begin with robust funding from hotel occupancy taxes when the COVID-19 shutdown began in 2020, according to city officials.
“We had our first meeting with the… 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