Head of Panama City Beach CVB Takes Leave of Absence
By Jonathan Trager
Dan Rowe, President & CEO of Visit Panama City Beach in northwest Florida, is taking a paid leave of absence from the organization fol-
lowing the arrest of its vice president of administration earlier this month.
Rowe announced his decision at a January 13 meeting of the Bay County Tourism and Development Council. He pledged to continue to cooperate
Raleigh Convention Center
Reopens Following Fire
By Jonathan Trager
The Raleigh Convention Center announced on January 12 it was reopening for events following a December 1 fire that forced events at the North Carolina facility to be relocated, postponed, or canceled.
Events that took place at the building last week include software company Prometheus Group’s Sales Kickoff, the CHG Roadshow, Smartsheet user group, and City of Oaks Challenge Volleyball tournament. The convention
center was able to retain approximately $4 million in revenue and 28,000 hotel room nights by reopening this week, according to the city.
“We’re so thrilled to have guests back in our building and thankful for all the planners who we’ve gotten to work with this past month to make sure their events can still happen,” said Kerry Painter, Executive Director of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex.
“City of Oaks Volleyball was
with both the internal investigation of the organization and the criminal investigation into Aaron Lee, who stands accused of stealing more than $100,000 from the group.
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Announces Leadership Changes, Restructuring
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USAExchange: Sam Helmick, President, American Library Association
Page 5
Julie Calvert Stepping Down as Leader of Visit Cincy
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Houston First Shares Convention Campus Update
JANUARY 19 , 2026
Hotel Employee Fired for Exposing Personal Information of ICE Agents
By Jordan Bradley
An employee at an independently owned Marriott International-brand hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota, outside Minneapolis was fired for leaking the personal identifying information of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
In a since-deleted January 7 Reddit post, the former employee, who has not been publicly identified, reportedly shared surveillance photos of six ICE agents—three men and three women—checking into the Residence Inn, and some of their full names and company email addresses.
The practice of finding and sharing personal identification information, such as contact information, places of employment and photos, is often called “doxxing,” and is frequently done with malicious intent.
The post was taken down for violating the platforms rules, USA Today reported.
Tensions have been high in the
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Baltimore Convention Center Hotel Closes
By Jordan Bradley
The Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel connected to the Baltimore Convention Center, and its ground floor restaurant, have closed.
According to a November 3, 2025, filing with the Maryland Department of Labor, the property’s manager, Sheraton Operating, LLC, expected to lay off 69 employees on December 31, 2025, due to “plant closure.”
The 358-room-and-suite convention center hotel first opened in 1985 and was owned by Willard Hacker-
man, then president of Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., according to the Baltimore Banner. The hotel is currently owned by his daughter and local philanthropist, Nancy Hackerman, the outlet reports.
The hotel’s restaurant, Morton’s The Steakhouse, joined the property in 1997.
In an emailed statement to the Banner, the restaurant’s COO Scott Crain said the property’s closure was due to “the natural expiration of our lease at
Jason Dunn, CEO, National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals; Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE, President & CEO, ASAE; and Don Welsh, President & CEO, Destinations International, during PCMA’s Convening Leaders in Philadelphia. The event was January 11–14.
Marriott International is shifting its continent leadership and undertaking a “strategic realignment” in “key regions,” moving leadership of its Unites States, Canada, and the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) divisions, the company announced on January 9.
With the restructuring, Liam Brown, Group President of Marriott’s United States and Canada divisions, and Brian King, President of Enterprise Transformation and the brand’s CALA division, will step down from their roles at the end of March and retire at the end of June, Marriott said.
“Liam and Brian are extraordinary leaders whose impact on Marriott and our people cannot be overstated,” said Anthony Capuano, President and CEO of Marriott International.
“They have guided our company through pivotal moments with vision, integrity, and a deep commitment to our associates, guests and owners. While we will miss Liam and Brian, we are grateful for their decades of service and the lasting legacy they leave behind.”
As part of their restructuring, beginning on March 28, Satya Anand, current President of Marriott’s Europe,
Middle East and Africa (EMEA) division, will transition into the new role of President, U.S., Canada and CALA; Neal Jones, current COO of Europe and Africa divisions and Global Leader Design Hotels, will move into the role of President of EMEA; and Federico “Fede” Greppi, the current COO for Marriott’s CALA division, will transition into the position of President for the region.
“Today’s appointments position Marriott for our next chapter of
growth,” said Capuano. “Satya brings a powerful combination of operational depth, financial discipline, and design expertise to a unified regional structure, which will sharpen how we execute and elevate outcomes for our associates, guests, and owners. Neal has been a driving force behind EMEA’s commercial performance and brand development, and I know he will build on that momentum with a laser focus on innovation and owner relationships. Fede’s deep market,
financial and operating expertise in CALA will position the region well as we focus on further accelerating our growth in the southern hemisphere. I’m confident these leaders will advance our strategy and continue to nurture the culture that sets Marriott apart.”
Marriott said that both Jones and Anand will join the company’s executive leadership team and report to Capuano while Greppi reports to Anand.
DI Announces Keynote Speaker, Programming for Upcoming Summit
By Jonathan Trager
Destinations International (DI) announced on January 14 the keynote speaker and immersive workshop programming for its 2026 Marketing & Communications Summit.
The DI Marketing & Communications Summit will be held from February 24–26 in Cleveland. The destination host of the event is Destination Cleveland.
This year’s summit is designed for destination marketing and communications professionals under the theme, “EXPLORE: A New Era for Destination Storytelling.”
The summit will open with a keynote conversation featuring Allison Howard, President of Business Operations for the Cleveland WNBA team and Chief Commercial Officer of Rock Entertainment Group. Howard, who’s leading the launch of the WNBA’s 16th expansion team in 2028, will “share insights on human-centered, people-first leadership and the evolving role of sports as a platform for community connection, inclusion and global engagement,” according to DI.
“At a time when destinations are
navigating rapid change, heightened competition and increasing expectations from both visitors and residents, strong marketing and communications have never been more essential,” said Don Welsh, President & CEO of DI. “We are thrilled to welcome Allison Howard as our keynote speaker and be partnering with Destination Cleveland to showcase the city as a powerful example of purpose-driven storytelling, collaboration and community impact.”
In advance of the summit, attendees have the option of registering for an optional offsite pre-summit, halfday immersive workshop, “Rowing in Sync: Powering Destination Success Through Teamwork and Collaboration.” The event will take place at The Foundry, an indoor rowing facility repurposed from a historic Cleveland foundry.
Mainstage General Sessions include “A Glimpse into the Future of Travel” with Wahn Yoon, Co-Founder, L’Institut Idée; “The Power of Storytelling” with Andrea Doyle, Executive Editor, Skift Meetings; and an Interactive “Disruption Lab.”
For more information and to register, visit here
Satya Anand
Neal Jones
Fede Greppi
Allison Howard
HOTS Galactic Hospitality… Would you like to book a vacation on the moon? GRU (stands for Galactic Resource Utilization) Space is in the process of making that happen for wealthy travelers. On January 12, the company announced it was taking reservation deposits for a stay at a habitat hotel the company plans to construct on the moon. Reservations go from between $250,000 to $1 million, according to GRU Space. The company’s founder, Skyler Chan, told Ars Technica, a tech and science news site, the company plans to make its first run to the moon in 2029 and the first hotel, an inflatable structure, is expected to open in 2032. “SpaceX is building the FedEx to get us there, right?” Chan
USAE
Publisher & Executive Editor 1982 – 2021 Anne Daly Heller
Publisher-Emeritus Ross E. Heller ross@usaenews.com
said to the outlet. “But there has to be a destination worthy to stay in.” GRU Space said the hotel’s design will be inspired by the Palace of the Fine Arts located in San Francisco. HOTS is wondering: Does that deposit include transportation?
g g g g g
HOTS Record Seahorse… The UPS store’s Rose Parade float earned a Guinness World Record for its animatronic seahorse. According to a January 16 report from UPI, the mechanical sea creature—standing at 28 feet by 10 feet, 1 inch by 12 feet, 3 inches—is largest animatronic fish on record. The float creators went into the float’s construction with the intention of breaking a world record, according to the Guinness World Records, with a team rolling out a massive tape measure after construction was finished. The seahorse was part of an underwater-themed float and was constructed using a wire frame, orange lentils, corn husks, mushrooms, kumquats, orange slices, and roses. According to UPI, the float won the Director Award for design from the Tourna-
Employee Fired
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Minneapolis area as ICE agents move through the city, especially following the aftermath of the shooting death of Renee Good by ICE Agent Jonathan Ross.
CSM Lodging, the company that operates the Residence Inn near the Mall of America, did not return USAE request for comment regarding the incident. However, the company did
ment of Roses, as well as the world record. HOTS is sure there was no
make a statement to USA Today
“The privacy and safety of our guests is of the utmost importance to us. Upon learning of this situation on Wednesday evening, we immediately investigated the matter and identified the person responsible for capturing the images in the post,” according to the statement.
And in another statement to Fox News, CSM Lodging representatives confirmed the employee had been terminated for their actions.
seahorsing around when it came to this float’s design.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official X page commented on the firing on January 8. Despite the fact that Marriott International was not involved in the firing, the government body thanked the company for taking immediate action.
“We’re glad @Marriott took immediate action and fired the employee responsible for doxing our officers,” the post said. “Doxing ICE officers and agents puts them and their families at enormous risk…”
Supporting the career progression of young association professionals, the ASAE Research Foundation has announced the recipients of the 2026 Future Leaders Professional Development Scholarship.
dept. at christy@usaenews.com.
This year, the scholarship will provide each recipient with $3,000 to cover registration and travel and lodging costs for any in-person ASAE event.
This initiative is supported by a founding donation from ASAE President & CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE, as well as corporate donors Whiteford, Taylor & Preston;
Destination Cleveland; Hilton; ASAE Business Services; and others.
“The Future Leaders Professional Development Scholarship reflects our deep belief in the power of investing early and intentionally in the next generation of association leaders,” said Mason. “We congratulate the 2026 recipients and look forward to supporting their development as they continue to make important contributions to the association community.”
Recipients will be matched with experienced association leaders for one-on-one mentoring sessions. Eligible applicants must be 35 years old or younger, employed at a trade or professional association, philan-
thropic organization, or association management company, and be ASAE members.
The 2026 Future Leaders Professional Development Scholarship recipients are:
• Marley Dewey, Sr. Manager of Learning Experience, Urgent Care Association (UCA)
• Emily Huff, Director of Communications & Marketing, Raybourn Group International (RGI)
• Chelsea Schmidt, Associate Director, Operations, American Public Gardens Association (APGA)
Find more information at foundation.asaecenter.org
The Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown presented a check to Horton’s Kids, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing essentials for success to area school aged children, on January 12. The hotel donated 100% of the profit from its 2025 Santa Suite (an annual holiday tradition for the Fairmont) to Horton’s Kids. Pictured from left to right: Erica Ahdoot, CEO of Horton’s Kids; Mark Huntley, General Manager of Fairmont and Regional Vice President; Patricia Carre, Hotel Manager at Fairmont; and Corinne Cannon, Chief Development Officer for Horton’s Kids.
USAExchange: Sam Helmick, President, American Library Association
Sam Helmick is ready to celebrate and ready to work. The American Library Association’s (ALA) President is eager to not only commemorate ALA’s 150th anniversary in 2026, but also to continue its mission of protecting access to information, promoting lifelong learning and enriching communities.
USAE : Describe the responsibilities you feel leading ALA during this historic year?
Helmick: Leading ALA during its 150th year feels like standing on the shoulders of giants. It is an honor, a privilege, and a profound responsibility. I see my role as a steward of our legacy by amplifying the voices of librarians and library workers, defending intellectual freedom, and ensuring every community can access the knowledge and resources they deserve. It’s also a moment to inspire, to rally our members, and to invite everyone (libraries, advocates, and communities alike) into the shared mission of shaping the next 150 years.
USAE: Has there been anything about ALA you’ve been surprised to learn when researching its history?
MPI’s EMEC to Focus on AI and Neuroscience
By Todd McElwee
Explorations of artificial intelligence (AI) and our own brains will be examined during plenary sessions at MPI’s European Meetings & Events Conference (EMEC) in Barcelona, February 21–24.
Xander Kranenburg, Co-Founder, Narrative; and Bogdan Manta, Organisational Neuroscientist, Founder, The Essential Experts, will deliver addresses on February 22 and 23, respectively.
At Narrative, Kranenburg specializes in translating complex innovations—particularly Generative AI—into practical, actionable tools for event professionals. During “The True Instrument Is You: How AI Becomes Powerful in the Hands of the Curious,” Kranenburg will showcase where AI actually saves time and where it doesn’t and how to turn small experiments into daily habits. He will also share why the best ideas still begin with human judgment, as the goal isn’t to keep up with AI but rather to improve at being human.
“AI is already here,” MPI said. “But most of us still treat it like a guest, not a colleague. We’ve played with a few prompts, written a few captions—and stopped there. This talk explores what happens next.”
Kranenburg’s resume includes ser-
vice on the MPI Netherlands Chapter Board. He has also produced The Next Web Conference, TEDxAmsterdam, and the Accenture Innovation Summit— working with leaders such as President Barack Obama, Brené Brown, Simon Sinek, Adam Grant, and Yuval Harari.
Two neuroscience-driven topics are on the table for Manta’s “The Power of Choice: Exploring the Neuroscience of Influence or Experience,” with attendees selecting which one takes center stage. In “Authority: The Science of Presence and Influence,” Manta will look at the neurobiology behind executive presence and learn how the brain perceives authority, trust, and credibility. In “Neurobiologically Irresistible: The Brain Science of Unforgettable Experiences,” MPI said the audience will uncover the brain mechanisms that determine what we remember and why.
The Essential Experts specializes in high-impact leadership programs and hyper-personalized learning experiences. Manta holds a variety of advanced degrees in neuroscience and behavioral economics.
“His work bridges the gap between neuroscience and practical leadership, helping professionals unlock the full potential of how people think, connect, and perform,” MPI said.
Find more information at emec. mpi.org
Helmick: I’ve been amazed by the courage, vision, and foresight of those who came before us. Even in the earliest days of ALA, library workers were innovating, advocating, and building systems that would serve generations. They faced challenges, societal shifts, and limited resources, yet they never wavered in their belief that access to information is a fundamental right. Their dedication reminds me that the work we do today is part of a continuum and one that carries both responsibility and hope.
USAE: During its 150th year, what issue tops ALA’s advocacy agenda?
Helmick: At the heart of our advocacy this year is a simple but profound principle: access for all. We are committed to protecting the freedom to read, expanding digital access, and supporting programming that builds both literacy and community. Libraries are lifelines, shared public spaces, and engines of opportunity. Ensuring strong, meaningful access to information is essential for thriving communities, and ALA will continue to champion this mission with urgency and purpose.
USAE: What is the best way an individual can support their local library?
Helmick: Support can take many forms, and every action matters. Visit
Raleigh
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our first large scale event following the COVID-19 pandemic, so to have them in right now after this is special, that they’ve been part of several great comebacks with us. We know how crucial these events are not only to us and our clients, but also to our partners at hotels and restaurants here in downtown Raleigh as well.”
The fire originated from a gas leak and broke out on the roof of the facility. Because the convention center’s kitchen sustained damage and is currently under repair, a temporary mobile kitchen has been set up in Red Hat Amphitheater. The mobile kitchen is approximately the same size as the
your library, borrow materials, attend programs, and volunteer your time or expertise. Advocate for funding and policies that protect access to information. Speak up for the value of libraries in your community. Your library stories can transform lives, foster connection, and nurture curiosity. Every act of support strengthens the foundation of these essential institutions.
USAE: Please share a preview of the celebrations ALA has planned for 2026.
Helmick : ALA’s 150th anniversary will be a year of celebration, reflection, and inspiration. Our new website, ala150.org, will share stories, memories, and highlights from our rich history. At the Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago, we’ll gather thousands of library professionals, educators, authors, and advocates to celebrate our shared achievements and ignite the next era of innovation. Throughout 2026, ALA will spotlight signature campaigns, including National Library Week (April 19–25), Library Card Sign-Up Month (September), and Banned Books Week (October 4–10). This year is a tribute to our past, a celebration of our present, and a rallying call for the future of libraries everywhere.
permanent kitchen and features all the same equipment to ensure no gaps in functionality.
“Our team, other city departments, and our contractors have worked day and night for the last month to get here, and it’s incredible to see where we were on December 1 and where we are today,” said Painter. “We’re able to provide the same excellent service our clients expect with an innovative mobile kitchen setup in Red Hat Amphitheater. This is the same mobile kitchen used for incredibly large-scale, high-end events like Formula One racing, so we’re not just making do but continuing to operate at a really high level while our permanent kitchen undergoes repairs.”
NEWS NEWS
Julie Calvert Stepping Down as Leader of Visit Cincy
By Jonathan Trager
Julie Calvert, who has served as President & CEO of Visit Cincy since June 2018, will be leaving the Ohio organization “to pursue other career opportunities.”
Calvert’s last day of employment at Visit Cincy will be January 31. Having been affiliated with the organization for about 25 years in varying roles, Calvert said stepping down from her current post is “a personal decision.”
“In conversation with my husband and family, I’ve decided now is the time to take a deep breath and pursue new challenges,” she said. “My career goals
with the organization and the reinvention of the Cincinnati Convention Center have been met.”
Calvert said she’s proud of how Visit Cincy has helped grow the region’s visitor economy during her tenure as well as how the Cincinnati Convention Center has become a “best-in-class facility” that will be attached to a new 700-room Marriott headquarters hotel.
“I appreciate the strong support of our board of directors,” Calvert said. “With their leadership and support, I know I am leaving Visit Cincy better than when I began.”
Calvert has been a member of the
Destinations International board of directors since 2020 and the Cincinnati Regional Sports Commission board of directors since 2024.
“Julie has been a strong, collaborative, and visionary leader as the Visit Cincy President & CEO for the past eight years,” said Scott Robertson, Chair of Visit Cincy. “We appreciate her remarkable contributions during a most challenging period.”
Panama City
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“I believe it’s in the best interests of the organization that I take a leave to allow the dust to settle,” Rowe said.
TDC Chair Clair Pease will serve as the President & CEO of the CVB during Rowe’s absence
“[Lee] is innocent until proven guilty, but it’s a mess,” said Pease, according to local news outlet WMBB.
Lee was arrested on January 3 and has been charged with grand theft over $100,000, which carries up to a 30year prison sentence, and five counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, each of which carries up to a five-year pris-
CVB officials also announced they’re taking civil action against Lee to regain the funds that were stolen and freeze Lee’s assets.
on sentence. The American Express card had been issued to him by the CVB when Lee was hired in April 2024. CVB officials also announced they’re taking civil action against Lee to regain the funds that were stolen and freeze Lee’s assets. If Lee doesn’t pay back the money he allegedly owes, the CVB can recover damages in triple the amount that was stolen, WMBB reported. In the meantime, staff for Bay County Clerk of Court Bill Kinsaul will take control over the financial operations of the CVB, which has also hired a third-party auditor. The CVB’s treasurer has stepped down while issuing a statement denying any wrongdoing.
Co-CEOs Appointed to Lead Sonesta Hotels
By Jordan Bradley
Sonesta International Hotels Corporation announced on January 12 it has appointed Keith Pierce and Jeff Leer as co-Chief Executive Officers of the company effective April 1.
Pierce will be moving to the position from the role of EVP and President of Franchise Development at Sonesta, and Leer will join the company from his role as EVP of the RMR Group, an asset management company specializing in commercial real estate.
The pair will succeed John Murray, Sonesta’s current CEO and EVP of the RMR Group, who is set to retire on March 31.
“We are honored to lead Sonesta into its next phase of growth,” Pierce and Leer said in a joint statement.
Pierce joined Sonesta in 2021. During his time on the company’s executive leadership team, Pierce “has been instrumental in leading the significant expansion of Sonesta’s global
franchising business,” Sonesta said.
Prior to his time with the company, Pierce held senior executive roles at The Passionality Group, a hospitality company providing comprehensive business solutions; Wyndham Hotel Group; and Cendant Corporation.
Leer has been with RMR’s management committee since 2013. During his tenure with RMR, Leer held senior finance and accounting leadership roles within the organization. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of AlerisLife, guiding the company through its post-pandemic recovery since 2022, Sonesta said.
In their joint statement, Pierce and Leer pointed out that Sonesta has grown considerable in recent years.
“Over the past several years, Sonesta has transformed its management business, franchise business, technology, and commercial infrastructure under John’s leadership, creating a strong foundation for the future,” Pierce and Leer said.
“Building on this progress, we are committed to advancing Sonesta’s ‘asset-right,’ franchise-focused growth strategy, leveraging innovative technology, and driving operational excellence to expand market
share and deliver an exceptional guest experience across all segments. We look forward to working closely with our talented leadership team and roughly 7,000 employees to achieve these goals.”
Keith Pierce
Jeff Leer
Julie Calvert
Michael Heckman, President & CEO of Houston First Corporation; and Sherrif Karamat, CAE, PCMA and CEMA President & CEO, during a preview of the under construction George R. Brown Convention Center South Building. The event was held during PCMA’s Convening Leaders in Philadelphia, January 11 – 14.
Houston First Shares Convention Campus Update
By Todd McElwee
Houston First provided a preview of the under construction George R. Brown (GRB) Convention Center South Building during PCMA’s Convening Leaders in Philadelphia. USAE connected with Michael Heckman, President & CEO of Houston First Corporation, to discuss the project.
USAE: You’ve shared that when discussing this project with team members and stakeholders prior to its approval from the state legislature that its scope had to be beyond anything the organization had planned before. Now that ground’s been broken, how do you see that vision coming to fruition?
Heckman: Certainly, this is the most ambitious project our organization has tackled in a generation. What makes it so ambitious is not just its scope but its complexity. We are adding a state-of-the-art, 700,000-squarefoot building to our existing structure and not losing one day of business. It was incredibly important to us that we figure out a way to transform the George R. Brown Convention Center and the surrounding district in a way that minimized downtime, and with a great design team we did just that.
The opening of GRB South and a new 100,000-square-foot event plaza in 2028 will set the tone for an expanded convention and entertainment district that will develop in the ensuing years.
USAE: How do you believe the South Building and transformed campus will change the paradigm for hosting major events in Houston?
Heckman: I think it will create a new center of gravity in downtown. No other city has the amenities that we do in such a compact campus: the convention center, three professional sports stadiums, a 12-acre park and multiple
hotels and restaurants. The new event plaza along with the entertainment district will make this a true destination for both visitors and Houstonians. This reimagined campus experience will make Houston that much more attractive for big events, whether a mega-convention, a global sports tournament or something else entirely. I believe it sets us up to become a powerhouse.
USAE: Discovery Green is a singular green space within the convention industry. How important has it been to continue to showcase that feature when developing plans?
Heckman: Discovery Green’s importance cannot be overstated. The park is an amenity unlike any other in a convention campus and it’s constantly alive with activity, drawing more than 2 million visitors a year. What we’ve seen over the last decade or more is an entire neighborhood— offices, hotels, restaurants, apartments—develop around its periphery, which is a testament to the vision that brought it to life.
As we developed our plans, we wanted to extend the Avenida Plaza that connects the GRB to Discovery Green and create a broader, more functional outdoor environment. We think this will allow us to host major festivals and events in a seamless setting. This plan builds off of the foundation that Discovery Green created.
USAE: Please share the project’s financing model and how the organization’s unique composition and oversight has helped to bring along the process.
Heckman : Houston First recog -
nized the need to expand and modernize the GRB to keep pace with other cities and planning began in 2022. Senate Bill 1057 passed by the Texas Legislature in 2023 allows the city and Houston First to receive a portion of the hotel-occupancy taxes that would have gone to the state in an area around the convention center. That revenue, estimated to total around $2 billion over the next 30 years, will be used to finance the project. We are issuing bonds, which will allow us to maintain our phased project timeline. As a local government corporation, our relationship with the City of Houston allows us to issue these bonds through the city itself, which makes them more attractive to the bond market.
USAE: When someone asks you about the South Building and campus transformation your response is what?
Heckman: I tell them it’s a generational economic development project for Houston—a connection point that will truly transform our city and make our downtown even more of a destination for locals, tourists, and meeting attendees.
From a convention perspective, we are building the next generation of meeting space designed for what tomorrow’s planners and attendees need. From highly flexible meeting rooms and places of connection to the largest ballroom in Texas and an indoor-outdoor hall, we believe this will be the gold standard of convention facilities.
GRB South
GRB South Interior
NEWS NEWS
Detroit Hotels Post Anti-Trafficking Resources in Lobbies
By Jordan Bradley
Hotels and motels in the city of Detroit will be greeting guests with new signage this year.
A new sign that provides resources and hotline information on human trafficking was installed on January 12 outside the Crystal House Motel. Part of the city’s ongoing anti human trafficking efforts, the sign was unveiled during National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
has zero tolerance for human trafficking,” said Councilmember Angela Whitfield Calloway, who established the task force.
“This gives anyone experiencing or suspecting exploitation a clear lifeline and lets traffickers know that the city has zero tolerance for human trafficking,” said Councilmember Angela Whitfield Calloway, who established the task force.
In May 2024, the city council unanimously adopted an ordinance requiring all hotels and motels to post signage in their lobbies to inform guests and potential victims of human trafficking. The signs must include the toll free number for the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, the Detroit Police Department’s designated reporting number and what to do in the event that trafficking is suspected in the hotel.
Baltimore
“This gives anyone experiencing or suspecting exploitation a clear lifeline and lets traffickers know that the city the property.”
The Sheraton convention center hotel was a member of Marriott International’s portfolio of hotels. However, the hotel reportedly left the Marriott portfolio when it filed the reduction in labor notification late last year.
It is not immediately clear why the property and Marriott parted ways, nor is it clear why the property closed.
Reviews of the property over the summer mentioned the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel was showing its age. One reviewer on Yelp noted the location of the hotel and the professionalism of its staff were excellent, but that “a little modernization inside would go a long way.”
Another Yelp reviewer had similar feedback, noting the “carpet is at least 15 years old and has an oily almost sticky feel.”
The reviewer continued: “The owners need to spend the money and renovate. For the prices they are charging they should or lose the flag. This does not meet Marriott standards.”
According to the ordinance, the signs must be at least 7 inches by 9 inches, and they must say the business is required to alert the city’s police department of any suspected human trafficking in English, Spanish and Arabic. The signs must also be placed in a “conspicuous place in the lobby and other high-traffic areas,” the ordinance says.
Joseph Marinelli, President & CEO, Visit Savannah, and the Visit Savannah Board of Directors recently hosted an intimate reception with staff, family, and friends of Jeff Hewitt to celebrate his retirement after 16 years of dedicated service to Visit Savannah as chief sales officer.
