Jun 28, 2024
Marriott International is bringing three luxury properties in the U.S. under its umbrella. The hotel giant has signed on high-end properties in New York City, California, and Hawaii, adding 1,340 rooms in the luxury space.
And that upscale expansion, said Dana Jacobsohn, the company’s chief development officer, U.S. luxury brands, is no coincidence: “Strengthening and growing our luxury pipeline is a top priority.”
Marriott currently has 510 luxury hotels under seven brands: The Ritz-Carlton, including Ritz-Carlton Reserve and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection; Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts… more
Jun 27, 2024
After leading New York City’s Javits Center for 12 years, Alan Steel will step down as president and CEO at the end of March 2025. A search for his replacement is already underway, according to the New York Convention Center Operating Corp. (NYCCOC), which operates and manages the facility,
Backstory: Leaving behind an indelible legacy of innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth, Steel’s journey with the Javits Center spans 38 years, including 12 years at the helm and 26 years as a customer. He was already a 30-year veteran of the trade show industry when he was appointed its leader… more
Jun 24, 2024
In honor of Juneteenth, we want to celebrate and highlight the efforts of African American leaders and organizations in the business events industry. Designated a U.S. federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth commemorates the day on June 19, 1865 when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas, stating all enslaved people in the state were free according to federal law.
Back in 1983, the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) was officially established by six founding members. Forty-one years later, the non-profit boasts 1,500 members and is led by CEO Jason Dunn, who… more
Jun 19, 2024
Two hotel properties with rich histories in Cleveland and Colorado Springs opened their doors after extensive renovation and restoration projects that have preserved their storied pasts while offering contemporary comforts and amenities for leisure guests and event groups alike.
Hotel Cleveland Completes $90 Million Restoration Project
Following nearly a decade of planning, Hotel Cleveland, Autograph Collection completed a $90 million renovation project that has restored the historic downtown Cleveland building to its former glory while adding contemporary refinements and amenities.
Need… more
Jun 11, 2024
At the crux of a vibrant, inclusive culture, an iconic skyline, and a booming tech culture is Seattle. The nearly 84-square-mile northwestern city — though best known for its coffee scene (it’s the hometown of Starbucks) — has a flourishing meetings and events landscape marked by LEED-certified hotels teeming with eco-friendly initiatives, local produce-forward culinary experiences, and more than a million square feet worth of gathering space to take advantage of. Here’s what’s new, noteworthy, nearly open, and more for meeting and event groups in Seattle.
Plentiful Spaces to Meet: Seattle… more
Jun 03, 2024
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino completed a $100 million redesign of its 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center, designed to meet the needs and preferences of modern meetings and events. New and upgraded features include advanced technology infrastructure, additional digital signage, and a fresh, vibrant design that complements the 3,211-room Strip resort’s tropical ambiance.
“Meetings and conventions play a pivotal role in the success of Las Vegas, and the revitalization of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center demonstrates our commitment to this critical piece of our city’s… more
May 28, 2024
Two convention and event venues in the southeast recently announced a new partnership and preparations for the kick off of a long-awaited expansion project. Here’s our latest roundup of venue news to keep you up to date.
OVG Makes Moves in Mobile
The City of Mobile, Ala. approved plans to upgrade its meeting and event venue offerings with the help of venue development, management and hospitality company Oak View Group (OVG) and live entertainment company Live Nation.
Why it matters: In March, Mobile City Mayor Sandy Stimpson announced plans to demolish the aging Mobile Civic Center and… more
May 23, 2024
During a recent trip to Nashville, we visited six Hilton properties across their collection of brands – from luxury brands like the Conrad Nashville to boutique brands in the Curio Collection like Hotel Fraye.
We toured meeting spaces, hotel rooms and suites, lobbies, bars, restaurants and gyms (stay tuned for complete rundown), but here are eight cool trends we noted and experienced during our site visit.
Hydration station. At the Tempo by Hilton Nashville Downtown, guests can fill up their water bottles with complimentary sparkling, still or alkaline water. Partnering with Planet Water,… more
May 21, 2024
Imagine stepping into a ballroom and being instantly transported to the streets of London, the beaches in Rio or the enchanting gardens of Kyoto.
With the latest 360-degree mapping technology that debuted last fall at Miami’s W South Beach, planners can recreate any ambiance and experience for their events — from a fully immersive underwater oceanic environment to the backdrop of any city around the world.
As part of a $6 million renovation of its 4,300-square-foot ballroom and meeting space, the oceanfront property also became the first meetings hotel in North America to implement the 360… more
May 17, 2024
After more than three decades of operating on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mirage Las Vegas will be shutting its doors on July 17. The landmark 3,044-room resort will undergo a three-year renovation and construction project that will transform the tropical-themed property into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Guitar Hotel Las Vegas.
Expected to open in spring 2027, the new hotel-casino will feature a guitar-shaped, 660-foot hotel tower, similar to its sister property in Hollywood, Fla.
“We’d like to thank the Las Vegas community and team members for warmly welcoming Hard Rock after enjoying… 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