Oct 31, 2024
With annual events like Gartner’s IT Symposium/Xpo taking every inch of available space and even building additional temporary structures outside, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is set to embark on the largest renovation and expansion in the property’s history, highlighted by the addition of 120,000 square feet of event space to its current meeting and convention floorplan.
With an investment of $275 million over the next several years, the construction project will also include modernized upgrades to existing meeting spaces and Swan guest rooms, as well as technology… more
Oct 29, 2024
Since September, several leading venues announced or completed major expansion and remodel projects while others upped the ante with high-level environmental and inclusivity certifications.
Off-Strip Las Vegas Hotel Completes Convention Renovation and More
The Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas recently completed of the first phase of its multi-year property-wide transformation. Since Dreamscape Cos. took over the resort’s operations in late 2023, the off-Strip hotel has undergone extensive Phase One renovations, including the addition of eight new food and beverage destinations, the… more
Oct 18, 2024
Celebrating 70 years with the theme of “Innovate. Elevate. Collaborate,” the Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA) is gearing up to host EDPA ACCESS 2024, its annual meeting and conference for event designers, producers, and key industry suppliers. Set for December 3-5 at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells in Palm Desert, Calif., the intimate event is expected to attract more than 300 attendees and will explore key topics facing all three segments of the trade show and business events industry.
Last year, ACCESS 2023 attracted 325 attendees to the Hyatt Coconut Point in… more
Oct 16, 2024
With its blend of rich history, vibrant culture, scenic waterfront, diverse culinary offerings, boutique shopping, and walkable neighborhoods, it’s no wonder that Alexandria, Virg., is a popular destination not only for leisure guests, but also meeting and event groups. Founded in 1749 and boasting the nation’s third oldest historic district, this charming port city combines a small-town feel with the amenities of a cosmopolitan city and has been recognized as a “Best Small City in the U.S.” by Condé Nast Traveler readers for the last six years.
Situated along the Potomac River about five… more
Oct 09, 2024
As Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 4 storm, barrels toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, the impact on the state’s business events industry is already being felt. With winds reaching up to 150 miles per hour, Milton is projected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay region, potentially disrupting major conferences, conventions, and trade shows across Florida.
Several key events in destinations like Tampa, Orlando, and Miami have already been canceled or rescheduled, dealing a blow to an industry that plays a crucial role in the state’s economy. As Florida braces for what could be its strongest… more
Oct 08, 2024
With 1,350 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 78 countries across six continents already in its portfolio, Hyatt Hotels Corp. is significantly expanding its luxury and lifestyle brand footprint with more than 20 new and planned property openings across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean through 2025.
When asked about total meeting and event space at these new hotels, Hyatt told us eight properties offer more than 250,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The two largest: the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas features more than 88,000 square feet… more
Oct 01, 2024
Just in time for its 20th anniversary, the Omni San Diego Hotel in San Diego’s downtown Gaslamp Quarter recently completed a property-wide renovation that encompasses refreshed meeting and event spaces, a reimagined lobby and guest rooms, two new food and beverage concepts, and a redesigned poolside experience.
Led by New York-based design studio Jeffrey Beers International, the hotel’s new aesthetic features a modern color scheme and refined baseball-inspired design commemorating its connection with Petco Park (connected by the property’s Skybridge) and the San Diego Padres.
Flexible… more
Sep 30, 2024
Nearly 2,000 unionized employees—mostly housekeepers, front-desk agents, cooks, dishwashers, F&B servers, bartenders, bellhops, and door staff—walked off the job at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu on September 24. The 2,860-room property is the largest hotel in Hawaii and the largest Hilton in the world.
The labor action is just the latest in a series of temporary and ongoing walkouts conducted across at least 10 cities by members of national hospitality-labor union UNITE HERE.
In each instance, workers are calling for higher wages as well as eased workloads through a reversal… more
Sep 24, 2024
What do corporate event organizers need to know about Atlantic City, NJ?
We spent 48 hours at the Jersey Shore to discover some of the old and the new of what Atlantic City has to offer.
Getting there: While there is an airport in Atlantic City, there are many more direct flight options into Philadelphia International Airport, which is about 65 miles away or a one-hour drive with light traffic.
Where we stayed: Nobu Hotel Atlantic City, located in Caesars Atlantic City, opened in March 2024. The latest hotel addition to the Caesars Entertainment portfolio in Atlantic City, Nobu Hotel… more
Sep 19, 2024
Caesars Entertainment, the public company that generated revenues of $11.5 billion in 2023, has expanded its wellness offerings for meeting planners and event organizers to Atlantic City, NJ. After debuting its wellness menu last October, Caesars officially rolled out the program first to its properties in Las Vegas in January 2024.
For corporate event planners looking to integrate wellness into their conference schedules, the hotel and gaming company that operates more than 50 properties in the U.S. offers a curated group of wellness keynote speakers, workshops, activities, and nutrient-… 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