29 minute read
USAE Issue 2.24.25
Destinations International, Visit Detroit Create Destination Professionals Day
By Jonathan Trager
Destinations International (DI) and Visit Detroit last week announced the launch of an annual celebration recognizing the contributions of destination professionals worldwide.
February 19, 2025, marked the inaugural Destination Professionals Day, which aims to “raise awareness by highlighting the vital contributions of destination professionals in enriching community life and driving economic development; celebrate the achievements and recognize the hard work and dedication of destination professionals across all roles and organizations; and inspire future destination leaders by showcasing the diverse and rewarding career opportunities available in the sector to attract the next generation of professionals,” DI stated.
On February 19, 1896, members of the Detroit Chamber of Commerce and the Detroit Manufacturers Club came together at the Cadillac Hotel in Detroit, Michigan, to form the world’s first destination organization, the Detroit Convention and Businessman’s League. With a mission of “hustling for conventions,” this group laid the foundation for an industry that has since grown into a global driver of economic and social progress, according to DI.
Don Welsh, President & CEO of DI, called that date “a defining moment for the travel and tourism industry.”
“From that meeting in Detroit to today’s vast network of destination organizations, professionals have played a vital role in shaping thriving communities and economies around the world,” said Welsh. “Destination Professionals Day is our opportunity to celebrate their contributions and inspire future generations to join this exciting and impactful field.”
Claude Molinari, CDME, President & CEO of Visit Detroit, said Detroit “is honored to be recognized on this momentous occasion.”
“The legacy of those early pioneers continues to inspire us as we champion our incredible region, and as other destination organizations worldwide promote their own communities as hubs of innovation, culture and economic opportunity.”
Today more than 10,000 destination organizations exist worldwide, representing a broad spectrum of entities. DI noted the travel and tourism industry employs almost 348 million people and was expected to contribute about 10% of global GDP—more than $11 trillion—to the global economy in 2024, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.
DI invited destination organizations, partners, and community stakeholders to share stories, celebrate their teams, and help shine a spotlight “on the incredible work being done to make destinations thrive.” The association provided an online toolkit at destinationsinternational.org/destination-professionals-day
Historic Mayflower Hotel in D.C. Hosts Centennial Celebration
By Jordan Bradley
The historic Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., a member of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection, celebrated its 100th birthday with a centennial proclamation on February 18.
The centennial proclamation event featured speeches from Shelly DiMeglio, the Mayflower’s General Manager; D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser; Liam Brown, Group President, U.S. and Canada, Marriott International; and Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Vice President, Historic Hotel Association of America, a division of the National Trust for Historical Preservation.
“As the General Manager of this esteemed hotel, I am honored to be commemorating the hotel’s centennial with notable community members and our dedicated associates,” said Shelly DiMeglio, General Manager of The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection.
The event was part of a collection of special events and promotions to celebrate the milestone, including the centennial proclamation, historical exhibits on the property’s Mezzanine level highlighting memorable events, artifacts and vintage photographs, themed cocktails, and exclusive stay packages.
Designed by Warren & Wetmore with Robert F. Beresford, the Mayflower Hotel opened in 1925 in the Beaux-Arts style “known for its grandeur and elaborate detailing,” according to Marriott. The decadence of the style can still be seen by guests today in the well-preserved 23-karat gilding in the hotel lobby, and the Grand and Chinese Ballrooms.
“The hotel boasts the most gold leaf in its public spaces in Washington, D.C., second only to the Library of Congress,” Marriott said.
Since the landmark hotel’s opening, it has been the site of several historic moments, including Charles Lindbergh’s awarding of the Hubbard Medal by the National Geographic Society and President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s recitation of his famous “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” speech.
The G.I. Bill was also drafted on hotel letterhead in room 570 in 1943, according to Marriott. The Mayflower has hosted the likes of Charles de Gaulle, Churchill, Queen Elizabeth, John Wayne, Jean Harlow, Amelia Earhart, Bob Hope, and Sophia Loren.
Hotel officials also announced at the centennial proclamation that associates from the property have committed to 100 hours of service for Horton’s Kids, an organization dedicated to supporting children in Southeast D.C. as they pursue their education.
“This milestone is incredibly special to me and to our team,” DiMeglio said.
“Our commitment to exceptional service, unforgettable experiences, and timeless charm has inspired guests from around the world for one hundred years, and we are honored to celebrate with them today.”
U.S. Travel Commission Delivers Industry Roadmap
By Todd McElwee
A new report released by U.S. Travel Association’s Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel said America is on the brink of a historic travel surge—but without immediate action, its outdated air travel system will strain under the pressure.
The report identifies urgent steps needed to ensure President Trump delivers a “golden age of travel” ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2025 Ryder Cup and America’s 250th anniversary.
“The advancements we recommend are an opportunity for President Trump and Congress to enact the most significant improvements to air travel since TSA PreCheck, which revolutionized traveler security and screening,” said Geoff Freeman, President & CEO, U.S. Travel Association.
“Each of our recommendations will enhance both security and speed, ensuring travelers move efficiently through our airports.”
In addition to security reforms, U.S. Travel is calling for modernization of air traffic control technology and solutions to the nation’s air traffic controller shortages.
“America is staring at a historic opportunity—the question is whether we will seize the moment or fall maddeningly short,” said Freeman. “The next several years will bring unprecedented travel demand that our systems are not prepared to handle. Washington has a small window to fix major travel pain points and unlock a $100 billion economic opportunity—but it will require a level of urgency that has been missing in recent years.”
“The Commission’s recommendations were informed by experts across government and the private sector and build on the agencies’ hard work and investment in national security,” said Kevin McAleenan, former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security and Chair of the Commission.
“With the recommendations to increase security and enhance facilitation with smart technology investments, process improvements, and government and private sector collaboration, we have an incredible opportunity to enhance our travel system and welcome additional visitors.”
Based on the Commission’s report, the U.S. Travel Association is calling on Congress and the Trump Administration to take four steps: establish White House leadership to showcase America at premier events by establishing a task force, chaired by a senior White House official, to take
advantage of global events over the next four years; deliver on President Trump’s promise to process visas efficiently and securely for the 2026 World Cup; craft the world’s most advanced and secure airport screening process by making a historic investment in security technology; and create strong, modern and efficient airport borders to keep America safe and global travel moving.
The Commission is comprised of former government officials and private sector experts from airport management and investment entities.
“This is the moment to deliver the world-class travel system Americans deserve—and the world expects,” Freeman concluded.
Find the complete report at ustravel.org
Toronto Hotel Hosts Passengers Involved in Plane Crash
By Jordan Bradley
A Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis arriving at the Toronto Pearson International Airport made international headlines when it flipped upside down, catching on fire on the tarmac as it came in for a landing on February 17 around 2:15 p.m. local time.
All 76 passengers and four flight crew members aboard Flight 4819 survived. Of the 18 individuals who sustained injuries during the incident, some were critical, but none were life threatening, according to officials.
Following the incident, some of the injured individuals were taken to hospitals, but according to the New York Times, most passengers were taken to the Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Multiple requests for comment from hotel representatives from USAE went unreturned, and front desk agents declined to answer questions. However, a hotel staff member told the Times that guests left the property around 7 p.m. local time, “picked up by taxis and family members.”
The only hotel in the airport terminal, the Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto International Airport, part of Marriott International, was recognized by World Travel Awards last July as Canada’s Leading Airport Hotel for 2024.
At the time, General Manager Craig Reaume said that earning the award “was a team effort.”
Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident. Deborah Flint, President and CEO, Toronto Pearson International Airport, said “extreme conditions” were present at the airport from two separate storms during a press conference regarding the incident, but noted that February 17 was “a clear day” and “an operational recovery day for Toronto Pearson.”
The Times also reported that strong winds at about 29 miles per hour—with gusts of up to 38 miles per hour—and snow drifts were present at the time of the incident.
Louisiana Live! Casino & Hotel Celebrates Grand Opening
By Jordan Bradley
The Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana in Bossier City, Louisiana, celebrated its grand opening on February 13.
The more than $270 million development from Cordish Companies is the first land-side casino in the Shreveport-Bossier region, strategically sitting along the Red River near the Texas and Arkansas borders of Louisiana.
Cordish Companies broke ground on the project in mid-December 2023.
“Just over a year ago, we broke ground on what is now a world-class entertainment destination—a true game-changer for Bossier City. We are excited to bring the Live! brand to this region with this stunning property,” said Jon Cordish, Principal of The Cordish Companies. “With every detail thoughtfully designed to deliver a premier guest experience, Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana is set to become the cornerstone of excitement, hospitality, and economic growth for this region.”
The Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana offers a 549-room hotel with a resort pool and fitness center, more than 47,000 square feet of gaming space, 25,000 square feet of event space in a multi-purpose venue, a 31-site RV park, and 10 food and beverage outlets.
The Live! Event Center provides customizable event space featuring a high-tech performance stage, ballroom, and multiple breakout rooms. The space can accommodate up to 1,000 guests.
The property is also home to the PBR Cowboy Bar, which features live country music, mechanical bull riding, “and a vibrant nightlife scene”; the fine-dining steakhouse, The Prime Rib; the Ridotto Grand Café, a restaurant specializing in breakfast, lunch and dinner, and featuring a coffee bar; and several other concepts.
“Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for entertainment and hospitality in Bossier City and the entire Ark-La-Tex region,” said John J. Chaszar, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana. He added: “From the moment guests walk through our doors, they will be inspired by the spectacular venue we’ve created. Our team is second to none, attending to every detail and ready to create unforgettable memories for our guests.”
The project generated 750 construction jobs and 800 permanent positions throughout the facility, according to Cordish.
AAHOA Hosts First International HYPE Conference for Young Hospitality Leaders
By Jordan Bradley
The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) hosted its first International HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Evolve) Conference at the Andaz Mexico City Condesa in Mexico City, Mexico, on February 6–7.
The HYPE Conference aims to empower the next generation of hoteliers through educational insights, networking opportunities on site, and “inspiring sessions designed to fuel” growth, AAHOA said.
This year’s event “had this incredible energy,” said Laura Lee Blake, President and CEO of the association. “You could really feel it with all the passionate conversations, innovative sessions, and meaningful networking happening throughout the event.”
For Blake, the choice to host the second annual 2025 HYPE Conference in Mexico City “added a unique vibe to the event,” one that was well received by attendees, she said.
“People loved the venue and the local culture—one attendee said, ‘Mexico City was a great choice! The food was amazing,’” Blake recalled. “The mix of the city’s energy and the forward-thinking agenda made it a memorable experience.”
At the conference, AAHOA announced a new Tech Task Force aimed at researching technology tools in the industry.
Blake told USAE that hotel owners are reporting that their revenues are up an average of 1– 3%. However, operation costs have risen 5–10%, making efficient tech solutions a priority for AAHOA members.
“I am excited about bringing together a group of young professionals to lead AAHOA in exploring new and bet-
ter ways of using technology to benefit the hotel industry,” Blake said. “Our young professionals are brilliant in this arena and dream big—they see all the possibilities before us, and I look forward to seeing what recommendations and ideas they bring us.”
AAHOA is in the process of identifying and recruiting young hoteliers to join and lead the task force, but Blake said the association has pinned down a handful of initial research topics, though she’s sure there will be “no shortage” of priorities to explore.
To start, the Tech Task Force will look at “system integration, connectivity and digital infrastructure, AI and automation in hospitality, technology vendor offerings and cost reduction, franchise technology mandates and compliance, cybersecurity and data protection, tech education and training for hotel owners,” Blake said.
The 2025 HYPE Conference saw a 20% increase in attendance when compared to last year’s, Blake said, “which exceeded our expectations.”
Association members from all of AAHOA’s 23 regions, “including Iowa and the Northeast Region, which don’t always have the largest turnouts” were in attendance as well.
That increase reflects a growing interest in the conference, Blake said.
“We are excited to continue expanding in future years, with plans to offer even more diverse programming and networking opportunities to accommodate and attract more attendees,” she said.
HOTS
HOTS Headstone Hoopla… Police in Munich, Germany, have a mystery on their hands: More than 1,000 QR code stickers have appeared on headstones and wooden crosses at three cemeteries within the city, according to the Associated Press. And no one knows who stuck them on or why. Each sticker leads to a website that only contains the name of the person buried and the grave’s location, “but nothing else,” AP reports. “We haven’t found any pattern behind this yet,” said police spokesperson Christian Drexler in an interview with the news outlet. “The stickers were put both on decades-old gravestones and very new graves that so far only have a wooden cross.” The QR code stickers appeared around February 19, but no one has come forward to share eye-witness accounts, leaving local police to guesstimate when they were first put on the graves. Drexler said the department is seeking information from the public to find out who is behind the stickers—apparently some of the gravestones have been damaged and discolored when the stickers were removed. HOTS is sure Munich police are dying to put this mystery to rest.
HOTS Recycled Relic… A historic, aging ocean liner, the SS United States, has at long last departed for the first leg of its final voyage to Mobile, Alabama, the Associated Press reports. In Mobile, the retired 1,000-foot vessel will be prepared to be sunk off of Florida’s Gulf Coast, in the hopes of becoming a “barnacle-encrusted” artificial reef. The liner was intended to be sunk last November, AP reports, but U.S. Coast Guard officials were concerned that the ship was too unstable to make the trip. The process to clean, complete the transportation from Mobile to Florida, and sink the vessel could take more than a year and cost more than $10 million, but artificial reefs are attractive to divers and could generate millions of dollars annually in local tourism, officials in Okaloosa County, Florida told AP. HOTS hopes officials don’t sink this endeavor.
Vacant St. Louis Hotel to Be Demolished for Gateway Arch Development
By Jordan Bradley
The Millennium Hotel in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, will be demolished to make way for a new $670 million development spearheaded by Maryland-based Cordish Companies in the Gateway Arch Park, according to local officials.
The Gateway Arch Park Foundation (GAPF) made the announcement on February 19. The redevelopment plan is scheduled for review during the city’s Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority’s next board meeting on February 25.
The 780-room, 19-suite Millennium Hotel originally opened in 1969 and was once one of the largest hotels in the city. Its signature attraction was a rotating restaurant at the top of its 28 stories. The hotel has sat vacant since it closed in 2014.
In September 2024, GAPF began the process of purchasing the property.
In November, the Foundation issued a request for development proposals for the site.
“We are delivering on our promise to take swift action to bring vibrancy once again to this critical downtown location,” said Ryan McClure, Executive Director of the foundation. “The Cordish Cos. is a world-class U.S.
developer, and their vision will be transformative for this site, creating a stronger, more connected downtown St. Louis and uplifting our entire region.”
Cordish Companies’ development plan for the site include “1.3 million square feet of residential, office, commercial, cultural and public space,” the foundation said, which could include a designated space for Gateway Arch National Park’s archives, an event center, and more. The project prioritizes walkability, landscaping and art.
“Revitalizing this iconic site into a hub of activity is critical to the future of Downtown St. Louis. With its commitment to this project, Gateway Arch Park Foundation is once again proving how exceptional a civic organization they are,” said Dustin Allison, Interim CEO of Greater St. Louis, Inc.
The project has received support from the Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC).
Jones said the proposed development plan is the result of a public-private partnership between the Gateway Arch Park Foundation; SLDC; Greater St. Louis, Inc.; and Cordish Companies. The foundation is currently under contract to purchase the Millennium Hotel site “and will share updates on the closing timeline as they become available.”
For more project details, visit archpark.org
SearchWide Global Adds Trio of Team Members
By Todd McElwee
SearchWide Global has announced the onboarding of three new team members: Carmen Rodgers, Chris Bates, and Danielle Loney. The company is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
“The addition of Carmen, Chris, and Danielle to our team reflects our commitment to excellence and leadership,” stated Mike Gamble, Chairman and CEO of SearchWide Global. “Their extensive expertise will undoubtedly bolster our growth as we celebrate 25 years in business.”
Rodgers has more than two decades of experience and steps into the role of Executive Recruiter for the Experiential, Tradeshows, Events & Venues division. SearchWide noted her tenure as Talent Acquisition Director at EssenceMediacom with their bespoke agency Media Futures Group as well as her roles at Colossal Media, Freeman, and Wyndham Hotels. A singer/musician, Rodgers has been writing and recording music for more than 20 years.
“Carmen’s creative insights and extensive experience in recruitment will significantly enrich our team’s capabilities and strategic direction. We are thrilled to have her on board,” said Andrea Christopherson, Global Head of Experiential, Tradeshows, Events & Venues.
Bates joins SearchWide Connect as an executive recruiter, providing experience in sourcing and recruiting talent across many sectors. His previous work at Magnit included collaborating with global brands such as Disney and Netflix. Possessing an MBA from Northwood University, Bates also worked at HRU Technical Resources.
“Chris’s strategic approach to talent acquisition will enhance our recruitment strategies and business partnerships,” said Wendy Moran, Global Head of SearchWide Connect. “He will play a key role in providing exceptional candidates at a faster pace than traditional retained executive search services.”
Loney is now a project coordinator within the Marketing & Experience team, primarily supporting SearchWide Connect. She has more than 10 years of experience in customer-facing roles, working at Pasco Kids First and SurveyMonkey. She holds a master’s in developmental disabilities from Nova Southeastern University.
“We are excited to welcome Danielle to our team. Her exceptional project management skills and strategic insight are assets that promise to drive innovative outcomes for our projects,” said Cambria Jones, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer at SearchWide Global.
— OBITUARY —
Richard Davis, Former Destination Organization Leader, Dies
By Jonathan Trager
Richard “Rick” Davis, who served as President & CEO of the Salt Lake City CVB (now Visit Salt Lake) from 1984–2001, passed away at the Jane and Bill Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Florida, on February 10 after a short battle with cancer. He was 81.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rick Davis,” said Kaitlin Eskelson, President & CEO of Visit Salt Lake. “He laid important groundwork that helped set Salt Lake on the upward trajectory it’s on today. His contributions to our community will not be forgotten.”
Davis was born to Ramona and Richard Davis on March 20, 1943, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science and education from the University of Iowa.
After serving in the U.S. Navy, Davis began his hospitality career in 1972 doing group sales for Fairmont Hotels in Dallas, Tulsa, and Atlanta. He went on to work at the Grove Park Inn in Ashville, N.C., before opening a hotel and then joining the convention bureau in Nashville.
Davis led the Salt Lake City CVB until he had a stroke in December 2000 and retired in June 2001. He served as a consultant during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, the chair of the board of trustees of the Salt Lake City branch office of the Federal Reserve Bank, and as chair of the IACVB Foundation. In 2008, he was inducted into the Utah Tourism Hall of Fame.
Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe, CVE, President & CEO of the San Diego Convention Center, served with Davis when Rippetoe was general
manager of the Salt Palace Convention Center in the 1990s and when Rippetoe was a senior member of Davis’ executive team at the Salt Lake CVB. They also worked together during the preparation for the Olympic Winter Games in 2002.
“Rick didn’t just do his job, he inspired excellence for everyone around him,” Rippetoe said. “Salt Lake, the state of Utah, and the national standard of how a DMO should benefit cities all over America, are better today because of Rick Davis. More than a colleague, he was a trusted friend. I will miss him.”
Davis continued to avidly pursue his passions of skiing, hiking, and traveling the world with his wife.
An active member of the Episcopal Church, Davis also volunteered for the Oley Foundation, a nonprofit foundation providing education, research, and support in enteral (tube feeding) and parenteral (intravenous) nutrition. He was awarded the Advocacy Award from the American Society of Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition and volunteered for the National Ability Center helping people with disabilities learn and continue to ski.
Rick is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dianne, as well as his son, Matt, daughter in law, Sara, and grandson, Colin.
A celebration of Davis’ life will take place at St. Peters Episcopal Church on February 28. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oley foundation at oley.org
— OBITUARY —
Peter Shure, Meetings Industry Luminary, Dies
By Todd McElwee
Peter Shure, a meetings industry publisher, writer, and former Editor-in-Chief of PCMA’s Convene died on February 16. The association said he passed away from a brain injury. He was 74.
Remembered for his leadership, enthusiasm and trademark spirit, “Pete” founded and contributed to a variety of industry publications including Meeting News and Meeting Mentor, now published by ConferenceDirect. He also helped produce “The Invisible Industry,” an hour-long documentary broadcast by PBS affiliates, and guided marketing for Conferon/Experient.
Shure was inducted into the Events Industry Council’s Hall of Leaders in 1999. His profile notes he authored the Executive Summary of the Convention Industry Council’s economic Impact Study, which was distributed at the White House Conference on Travel and Tourism.
“Peter Shure was a true pioneer—groundbreaking, provocative, funny, and insightful,” Brian D. Stevens, Executive Chairman, ConferenceDirect, told USAE. “He had a way of getting straight to the point while being both generous and effective. When he called me one day and said, ‘Let’s make a deal,’ we bought Meeting Mentor over the phone in two days. His vision lives on through ConferenceDirect’s Meeting Mentor Magazine, which continues to thrive. Peter also broke barriers in industry media, famously publishing the first salary survey in Meeting News, likely getting all of us a raise. He was more than a leader - he was my friend, and he rightfully earned his place in the Hall of Leaders for his lasting impact on the meetings industry he loved.”
Numerous individuals told USAE shared stories of how Shure’s guidance and encouragement shaped their careers.
“I had the great fortune of working with Pete from 1997 to 2004,” Christie Tarantino-Dean, FASAE, CAE, Institute of Food Technologists, told USAE. “While Pete was not initially my manager, he took an interest in me, seeing more in me than I saw in myself. Pete was one of my greatest cheerleaders, but also quick to share feedback I needed to hear. I still hear his voice in my head at times when I need it most. I recognize that many in our industry won’t remember his name or recognize his contributions, but if they are a member of PCMA and enjoy Convene magazine, they have him to thank. I will always cherish his semi-annual calls: ‘Pete here. Calling to get an update.’”
Maxine Golding is an industry editor, writer and consultant.
“I met Pete Shure in 1976 when we both worked at Gralla Publications and where Pete became the brilliant founding editor of a blockbuster magazine, Meetings News,” she said. “Later on, he would turn another magazine, this one for the Professional Convention Management Association, into the powerhouse Convene. I cannot begin to describe his extraordinary talent at creating and delivering important news and content in new and impactful ways. ‘Are You Being Paid What You’re Worth?’—a special issue of Meeting News—was just one great example.”
She continued: “Pete was my mentor and biggest supporter throughout my career, especially when I joined him at Convene , taking over the editor’s role there and subsequently at the magazine he launched, Meeting Mentor. But what I am most grateful for is the enduring friendship he and his wife Debbie shared with me and my husband Michael (with whom he had a long and successful working partnership).”
Bruce Harris, who founded Conferon (now Experient) and is a member of the EIC Hall of Leaders, remembered his friend fondly.
“I am indebted to him for so much, but just his genuine friendship was a gift that I will cherish forever,” Harris said.
Ross E. Heller, Publisher Emeritus of USAE , said he was particularly saddened to hear of Shure’s passing.
“I’ve known Pete for the better part of 40 years, Heller said. “First, of course, when he was Editor of Meeting News in the 1980’s, then at PCMA’s Convene and, lastly as the founder of Meeting Mentor.
“Pete was a dedicated journalist, never pulling his punches. As well, he was a terrific competitor. But, most of all, he was a good friend.”
PCMA shared its condolences for Shure’s passing in a release.
“I am truly saddened by Pete’s passing,” said PCMA President & CEO Sherrif Karamat. “Pete did incredible work for PCMA and Convene and we owe him, as an industry, a debt of gratitude for his groundbreaking efforts to raise awareness of the events industry and to put a spotlight on its valuable contributions to the economy and society.”
In addition to wagering on horse racing, Shure occasionally invested in a pony or two. One, Pete Shure, foaled in 1998, was even named after him.
In 2006 his horse ran in the Kentucky Derby, which was the wettest Derby on record. Shure was undeterred, and afterward he said he would never clean the boots he wore that day.
Shure is survived by his wife, Debbie; son, Casey, and his wife, Jessica, and their two daughters, Alexa (15) and Lillian (12); and daughter, Joy, and her husband, Allen.
Expanded Savannah Convention Center Open for Business
By Jonathan Trager
The $276 million expansion of the Savannah Convention Center has been completed, doubling the facility’s size to 660,000 square feet.
A media tour of the Georgia convention center took place on February 14. Participants viewed enhancements such as modernized design elements, refreshed color schemes, and state-of-the-art technology upgrades.
“The enhanced functionality and aesthetics of the newly expanded facility are second to none,” said Kelvin Moore, Sr. Vice President and General Manager of the Savannah Convention Center. “In my 30+ years in the industry, I’ve overseen and worked with convention centers nationwide. None have the simple yet breathtaking views that the Savannah Convention Center now offers.”
Highlights of the project include an additional 100,000 square feet of exhibit space, increasing the total to 200,000 square feet; a new 40,000 square-foot ballroom offering state-of-the-art design and flexibility for large gatherings with waterfront views; 14 new meeting rooms, bringing the total to 27 meeting rooms; a 900-space parking garage; and an additional boardroom, bringing the total to five. The complex will also include three new public retail dining outlets by the Savannah River.
“The expansion equips the Visit Savannah sales team and our sales partners at the SSC with new opportunities to engage in deeper and more productive conversations with current and new customers,” said Joseph Marinelli, President & CEO of Visit Savannah. “These enhancements will allow us to attract a wider variety of events and larger groups that may have previously faced challenges due to Savannah’s space limitations.”
A new headquarters hotel adjacent to the facility is also being developed. The hotel will add to the more than 400 rooms and extensive meeting spaces at the recently renovated Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa.
“People always love coming to Savannah from a leisure standpoint, but this expansion will truly put Savannah on the map for meetings and conventions,” said Angela Daniels, Director of Sales & Marketing for the Savannah Convention Center. “With new spaces showcasing the destination—like the stunning Savannah Terrace overlooking the Savannah River and the Landmark Historic District—attendees will experience spectacular views and warm breezes that set Savannah apart from competing markets.”
USAE Contacts
Ross E. Heller, Publisher-Emeritus
Publisher James Heller james@usaenews.com
Associate Publisher Todd McElwee todd@usaenews.com
Managing Editor Jonathan Trager jon@usaenews.com
Hotel Editor Jordan Bradley jordan@usaenews.com
Creative Director Diane Nichols dkn@usaenews.com
Marketing & Circulation Director Christy Pumphrey christy@usaenews.com
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