6.22.26

USAE

THE WEEKLY COMMUNITY NEWS OF ASSOCIATIONS, CVBs AND HOTELS

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JUNE 22, 2026

Seattle Embassy Suites Workers Go On Strike

By Jordan Bradley

Atlanta CVB’s (ACVB) international sales team, in partnership with Brand USA, hosted a familiarization trip with Spanish tour operators for the city’s inaugural FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Spain and Cabo Verde, which ended 1-1, on June 15. Left to right: Maria Vélez, Product Manager, North America and Caribbean, Catai (Ávoris Group); Germán Hijón, Product Director, TUI Spain, Portugal and Americas; Brandon Barnes, Sr. Director, International Tourism Sales, ACVB; Ángel Seijas, Product Manager, North America and the Caribbean, Icárion (W2M Group); Mariona Claramunt, Trade Marketing Team, Hopscotch and Brand USA Spain Representative; and Lorena Aleman, Analyst, Research, ACVB.

FIFA World Cup Comes to Atlanta

By Todd McElwee

The opening kickoff of Spain vs.

Cabo Verde FIFA World Cup match on June 15 from the latter’s Dailon Livramento was routine— a simple drop pass from a forward to a midfielder. But for Atlanta, the moment was anything but.

Hosting the competition for the first time, eight games will be played in Georgia’s capital, concluding with a semifinal on July 15.

William Pate, President & CEO, Atlanta CVB (ACVB), told USAE his organization’s primary goal throughout the tournament is to “deliver a welcoming and fantastic experience for visitors to

Las Vegas Sands Donates $150K to LGBTQ+ Nonprofit

By Jordan Bradley To honor June’s designation as Pride Month, Las Vegas Sands has donated $150,000 through its Sands Care initiative to The LGBTQ+ Center of Las Vegas, a local nonprofit service LGBTQ+ youth in the city.

The donation will support the Center’s Espresso Yourself Café program, a mobile coffee truck that serves as a workforce training and employment program for area LGBTQ+ youth ages 18–24 who are unhoused or who

lack secure housing.

The program started—and continues—as a brick and mortar cafe inside the Center last November. Through the café’s inaugural year, according to the Center, the program “received strong participant engagement.”

This year, the Center added a new mobile coffee truck.

The program trains a cohort of 20 young adults, teaching them transferrable job skills and providing valuable work experience.

“We’re entering a new Please turn to page 3

ensure Atlanta is showcased at its best on a global stage.” He added the Metro Atlanta Chamber estimates more than $500 million in economic activity for Georgia from an estimated 225,000 out-of-state match-goers. In its first five days, Atlanta’s FIFA Fan Festival welcomed more than 115,000 fans.

Inside

Page 2 Baltimore Set to Welcome SAIL250 Event Page 3 G6 Hospitality CEO Sonal Sinha Steps Down Page 4 Canyon Ranch to Open New Austin Location Page 6 Spotlight on Leslie Frazier, ASAE Next Gen: Rising Star Awardee Page 8 Encore Investing $100M in New Products

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Officials with the Seattle hotel worker union, Unite Here Local 8, announced a strike at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Seattle Pioneer Square in the early morning hours of June 18.

The hotel is located within walking distance of Seattle’s Lumen Field (currently known as Seattle Stadium), where 2026 FIFA World Cup matches are ongoing. The strike was announced the day before the USA vs. Australia match on June 19.

The Embassy Suites hotel currently employs 117 unionized workers.

Local 8 representatives are asking that the public not “sleep, eat or meet” at the hotel until the strike concludes.

The union said it intended to establish a picket line outside the hotel on June 18.

Hotel workers at the Embassy Suites are seeking wage increases—specific dollar amounts have not been released, but Local 8 has said in previous announcements that Hilton officials offered less than a dollar per hour wage increases annually over the life of the contract. The union says the proposed wage increase is significantly less than other Hilton-owned hotels in the city received when they negotiated new contracts.

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Choose Chicago, Amazon Announce First-Ever Prime Day Partnership

By Jonathan Trager

Chicago will be featured as Amazon’s exclusive travel destination during this year’s Prime Day promotion, a first-of-its-kind partnership that city tourism officials say will put the city in front of millions of potential visitors and drive hotel bookings through early 2027.

Under the agreement announced on June 16, participating hotels will offer dis-

counts of up to 20% through Amazon’s Prime Day Travel Deals platform from June 23–26. Bookings will be fulfilled through Expedia, with travel dates extending into the first quarter of 2027.

Select hotels are already offering early deals of at least 10% off ahead of the Prime Day promotion.

Kristen Reynolds, President & CEO of Choose Chicago, said the partnership gives the city unprecedented Please turn to page 2

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June 25, 2026

N E W S

By Todd McElwee

Baltimore Set to Welcome SAIL250 Event

Where can we dock all these ships?

When asked by USAE about the biggest challenge they’ve faced during the planning of SAIL250 Maryland and Airshow Baltimore, both Nan Nawrocki, Executive Director, Sail Baltimore; and Capt. Christopher Rowsom, Director, SAIL250 Maryland and Airshow Baltimore, independently responded about finding space for the 40 vessels Nawrocki said would be sailing up the Chesapeake Bay and into Charm City for the June 24–30 event.

Nawrocki and Rowsom, who is also Retired Vice President, Executive Director, Living Classrooms’ Historic Ships in Baltimore, are not only are welcoming the challenge of bringing the international flotilla—which is comprised of vessels of various ages and classes—to town, but are eager to do so in celebrating the nation’s

Seattle Embassy continued from page 1

“I am striking because I don’t get enough hours, and I don’t make enough money,” said Teresa Joseph, an Embassy Suites restaurant worker and Local 8 union leader. “I don’t have a full eight hours—only six. This isn’t livable within Seattle. I just want to be able to live in the city I work in. I take the metro from Kent every day because I can’t afford to fix my car.”

Workers are also seeking yearround healthcare coverage, protections from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agencies, and “a return to pre-pandemic staffing levels.”

ICE agents have been deployed at World Cup stadiums across the country to act as security, the agency’s Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed in May. Though the main objective of the deployed ICE agents is security, Mullin said in a May interview with CBS News that the agency’s mission of enforcing immigration and custom laws still stands.

“It’s Immigration and Custom[s] Enforcement,” Mullin told CBS News.

“So what do you find at a tremendous amount of sporting events? Counterfeit products, counterfeit tickets. You have counterfeit clothing being sold on the streets.”

Still, workers at the hotel are concerned about ICE agents’ presence in the area. As part of contract negotiations, Local 8 is asking that Hilton notify employees at the Embassy Suites hotel—many of whom are immigrants, the union said—when

semiquincentennial and the city and region they call home.

“The city comes alive when the harbor is full of ships,” Rowsom told USAE. SAIL250 Maryland and Airshow Baltimore is part of the five-city SAIL250 maritime celebration. The event commenced in New Orleans late last month. It sailed to Norfolk (June 19–24) before coming to Baltimore and will arrive in New York on Independence Day. It wraps in from Boston July 11–16.

The Maryland stop, which will feature dozens of tall ships, is produced

by Living Classrooms’ Historic Ships in Baltimore in partnership with the United States Navy, Maryland Department of Commerce Office of Tourism, City of Baltimore, Baltimore County, Sail Baltimore, Air Support, Martin State Airport, United States Coast Guard, and other agencies and organizations.

management is aware that ICE or DHS agents are on site.

“Hotel workers who are welcoming visitors from around the world to Seattle shouldn’t have to work second and third jobs to support their families or worry about whether they will have healthcare over the slow months in winter,” said Anita Seth, President of Local 8, in a statement. “And, as a majority immigrant workforce, they deserve the peace of mind of notification from their employer if ICE or DHS is on property.”

The union workers at the hotel authorized a strike in early June, and officials told USAE at the time that no further negotiation meetings had been scheduled with Hilton officials.

A front desk agent at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in downtown Seattle hotel declined to comment on the matter and referred USAE to official Hilton channels. Hilton representatives reiterated previous statements regarding the company’s commitment to negotiating with the union in good faith.

Though it was not immediately clear how services at the hotel were being impacted by the strike, in a statement provided to USAE, a Hilton spokesperson said the company has contingency plans to “ensure operations continue to run as smoothly as possible” in the event of a strike.

The spokesperson also said: “We make every effort to maintain a cooperative and productive relationship with the union that represents some of our Team Members at Embassy Suites

by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square, and we respect the rights of both the union and our Team Members to express their views.”

USCGC Eagle

In addition to the ships, it will include an airshow, featuring the Navy’s Blue Angels, multiple festivals, concerts, dining, a movie night, drill team exhibitions, wellness activities and more.

Nawrocki lives in the city. Her organization, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1975, welcomes ships from around the world to Baltimore for public visitation. Approximately 100,000 visitors take part in Sail Baltimore’s free, public programs annually.

Sail Baltimore is helping to oversee waterway logistics and festival planning and production. Nawrocki told USAE planning for the event kicked

Prime Day continued from page 1

exposure during one of the world’s largest online shopping events.

“By partnering with Amazon, Chicago is being showcased to millions of consumers during one of the most influential shopping moments of the year,” said Reynolds. “This is the type of innovative, high-visibility opportunity that allows us to compete more aggressively on the global stage while delivering measurable results for our hotel community. By putting Chicago directly in front of travelers as they make booking decisions, we are driving awareness, consideration, and ultimately visitation—creating economic impact that benefits businesses and neighborhoods across the city.”

Participating properties include Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton, The Emily Hotel, Moxy Chicago Downtown, and the Westin Chicago River North, with additional hotels expected to join before the promotion launches.

Tourism officials are tying the campaign to several high-profile events

off in 2020 while adding her organization’s 50 years of experience in coordinating ship visits from around the world has been invaluable in working with those coming to town.

Living Classrooms’ Historic Ships in Baltimore offers a range of educational programming aboard its vessels in the Inner Harbor.

Rowsom said he expects between 200,000 and 250,000 to attend SAIL250 Maryland and Airshow Baltimore. Welcoming a major air show to town for the first time since 2018 required “dusting off the playbook,” Please turn to page 4

and attractions expected to draw visitors to Chicago over the next year, including the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, celebrations surrounding America’s 250th anniversary, and the centennial of Route 66, which begins in Chicago.

“Chicago is having a moment, and there has never been a better time to visit our city,” said Nick OrRico, General Manager of Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park. “With the centennial of Route 66 and an incredible lineup of cultural attractions and events, Chicago is firmly in the spotlight. We are proud to be part of this first-of-itskind partnership, which puts the city in front of millions of potential travelers and showcases everything that makes Chicago a world-class destination. We look forward to welcoming new visitors to Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park and helping them discover the very best of Chicago.”

Chicago is the only destination being marketed through Amazon’s Prime Day travel initiative this year, making the city a test case for what could become a broader intersection between e-commerce promotions and destination marketing.

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June 22, 2026

HOTS World Cup Waddle… Sporting events have their fair share of mascots and the 2026 FIFA World Cup is no different. Despite not being a sanctioned representative of the matches, Mexico City has become enamored with Merlin the duck, “the tournament’s first unofficial mascot,” according to the Associated Press.

Merlin, adorned in a Mexican national team jersey, has become an internet sensation when he was seen waddling through Mexico City after Mexico’s victory against South Africa on June 18, AP reports. But for Mexico City locals, Merlin is not a new sight—though he remains a sensation. Merlin regWEEKLY NEWS OF ASSOCIATIONS CVBs AND HOTELS

HOTS ularly accompanies his owner, Carla Gómez, as she sells water and soft drinks from a cart around the city on weekends with her young son Cristian, according to the outlet. Gómez told AP that Merlin attracts a lot of attention from passersby during these outings, and that she doesn’t like to leave him unattended. “We don’t like to leave him alone at home; we like him to be with us. He’s our baby,” Gómez told AP. “He’s the baby, the sole heir to my possessions and now an idol.”

HOTS is really quacking up about this unexpected mascot. g g g g g

USAE Sands Donates continued from page 1

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phase in our work with The Center and embarking on an area that’s very much aligned with our company’s global focus on workforce development and providing economic empowerment through job skills and employment opportunities,” said Ron Reese, Sr. Vice President of Global Communications and Corporate Affairs at Sands.

According to a 2022 report released by the Trevor Project, an advocacy group focused on supporting the LGBTQ+ youth of America, “LGBTQ youth are overrepresented among young people experiencing homelessness and housing instability in the United States.” Data collected from the 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health and analyzed

HOTS Flood Be Dammed… A London Underground station can thank Mother Nature for solving a flooding problem. According to UPI, the Greenford subway station was experiencing constant flooding until a family of five wild beavers moved in. Local officials had been dealing with regular flooding during rainstorms and sought artificial solutions until local conservationists suggested a family of dam-building mammals. According to UPI, beavers were hunted to the point of extinction in Britain around 400 years ago. In an effort to rectify this, the Ealing Beaver Project moved a family of five wild beavers into a nearby 24-acre region

called Paradise Fields in 2023. In the three years since, the family of beavers have gone about transforming the region into a natural wetland, which has ceased the flooding in Greenfield station, UPI reports. “Everything downstream is much more protected from flooding than it was before, all because they want to hold that water back so that they have enough water to swim in and feel safe,” said Seniz Mustafa, of the Ealing Beaver Project, in an interview with the CBC News. HOTS thinks it wood be nice if more municipal organizations took such a creative approach to problem-solving.

by the Trevor Project found that 28% of LGBTQ+ youth had experienced homelessness or housing instability.

Reese said the company has “been dedicated to the issue of youth homelessness in Las Vegas, so the opportunity to provide support for unhoused and housing-insecure youth was another strong connection with our priorities. We think this program will have great return for The Center and the youth who participate.”

Las Vegas Sands and the Center have been working together to support local LGBTQ+ youth in the city in recent years. The relationship between the two organizations began in 2021, when Sands Cares contributed to the expansion of the Center’s Arlene Cooper Community Health Center, which opened in June the same year.

“With Sands’ continued and valued

partnership, we are creating meaningful opportunities for vulnerable youth to build confidence, develop job skills and gain real-world work experience,” said John Waldron, CEO of The Center, of the Espresso Yourself Café program. “This program reflects what The Center is all about – providing a safe and welcoming space where people can grow, thrive and reach their full potential.”

In addition to the Arlene Cooper Community Center, the local nonprofit also operates the Gavin J. Goorjian Community Health Center, which opened last October. Both health centers provide inclusive physical and mental health care and services to both the LGBTQ+ community in Las Vegas and the city’s community at large.

G6 Hospitality CEO Sonal Sinha Steps Down

By Jordan Bradley Sonal Sinha, CEO of G6 Hospitality, the parent company of the Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands, has stepped down from the role, the company announced on June 12.

Sinha had only been in the position since December 2024. He will continue to support G6 Hospitality “through a transition period to ensure continuity and will thereafter remain involved in an advisory capacity,” G6 said.

“Sonal leaves the business stronger and well-positioned for its next phase, and we thank him for that. He leaves behind a stronger organization that is well-positioned for future growth.

We wish him continued success in his next chapter,” said Ankit Tandon, Vice Chairman, G6 Hospitality.

Before his role as CEO of G6 Hospitality, Sinha spent almost a decade in various roles at OYO Hotels owned

by Oravel Stays, a budget travel brand that originated in India before expanding into the global market.

The company acquired G6 Hospitality from Blackstone Real Estate for $525 million in late 2024. In September last year, the company rebranded from Oravel Stays to PRISM. During his time with G6, Sinha “played a pivotal role in leading the company through a critical period of integration and stabilization, helping establish the strong operational foundation from which G6 will pursue its next phase of growth,” the hospitality company said.

G6 Hospitality representatives did not respond to USAE questions regarding the reason for Sinha’s departure from his position as CEO, nor did they provide a timeline for or an update regarding the appointment of his replacement.

The news of Sinha’s departure from his role was buried near the end of an announcement regarding two other appointments in G6 Hospitality’s U.S. division: Nikhil Heda, who was appointed to the position of Country Head of U.S., and Anuj Ladha, who was

appointed to National Head of Brand Performance.

The pair bring valuable experience and insight in the U.S. markets, according to G6 officials, as the company is seeking to expand its offerings in the region to include midscale and upscale segments in addition to its existing economy and extended-stay segments.

Last year, G6 launched its Belvilla District 6 upscale brand as part of its expansion efforts. Currently, the brand has three properties in its U.S. portfolio—The Court Square and The Dutch in New York, and The Louie in New Orleans—and expects to add more later this year.

“Nikhil knows our U.S. business; he’s spent years building it, market by market. Anuj has run our brand performance across the country and knows what it takes to support owners on the ground,” said Tandon. “Together they step in with a clear mandate to deepen our partnership with franchisees and grow the brands across the country.”

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June 25, 2026

N E W S

By Jordan Bradley

Canyon Ranch to Open New Austin Location

Canyon Ranch Austin, a new luxury wellness resort in the Texas Hill County, has opened its reservation books for stays beginning October 15.

The 141-guest room resort is situated on more than 600 acres “of sweeping and rolling ranchland overlooking Lake Travis,” the resort said.

“Canyon Ranch Austin represents our bold vision for the future and a look at what’s now and what’s next in the intersection of travel, hospitality, well-being, care, and culture,” said Mark Rivers, CEO of Canyon Ranch.

Well ahead of recent wellness trends, the first Canyon Ranch Resort was founded in Tucson, Arizona, in 1979 as a way to encourage guests to live healthier lives. Co-founder Mel Zuckerman established the first-of-itskind resort to pioneer “an integrative approach, drawing holistic methods, treatments, and evidence from both western and eastern to address well-being of mind, body, and spirit,” according to the resort’s website.

SAIL250

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he said, adding that for the first time, audio will be streamed rather than pumped through loud speakers, personalizing the experience for all within viewing distance.

SAIL250 Maryland and Airshow Baltimore is labor of love for Nawrocki and Rowsom. Its success isn’t just theirs and the other organizers, but the city and state’s. It’s the occasion

Blue Angels

In recent years, beauty and wellness trends have increasingly focused on longevity practices—such as early medical screenings and curating fitness and dietary habits to support the aging process—as a replacement for anti-aging habits and products, according to the Global Wellness Institute.

Like the original Canyon Ranch in Tucson, and the Lenox, Massachusetts, location opened in 1989, the Canyon Ranch Austin promises to provide guests with restful stays and access to services that support health and wellness.

Services and amenities at the Canyon Ranch Austin will include “the largest spa in Texas” at a sizable 40,000 square feet with 37 treatment rooms; the Women’s Wellness Collective, the only program of its kind in a resort setting that offers specialized treatments for “women in every chapter of life,” including menopause/perimenopause; extensive health and fitness facilities, including a 27,000-square-foot fitness to showcase what makes Baltimore a singular place as well as to help bring people together via interaction with sailors from across the world.

Find more information here.

The Canyon Ranch Austin is now accepting reservations for stays beginning October 15.

center and a 12,000-square-foot medical center; a culinary program led by Michelin two-starred chef Val M. Cantú; and a collection of outdoor activities, including hiking trails, a wildflower workshop, garden, and an equestrian program.

In the years following the opening of its flagship property, Canyon Ranch has expanded to bring day spas to locations in Las Vegas and Forth Worth, Texas. The expansion into a full-fledged resort in Austin is

part of the company’s vision for the future, according to Canyon Ranch officials.

“People today are seeking somet h i n g f u n d a m e n t a l l y d i f fe re n t from their travels and getaways— life-changing experiences, connection, health, wisdom, and joy,” said Rivers.

“Time at Canyon Ranch answers the call, with stays inspired to help our guests live younger longer, pursue happiness, reconnect, or relax and feed body, mind, and spirit.”

Hyatt Surpasses Global Staffing Goal

By Jordan Bradley Hyatt Hotels Corp. and Hyatt hotels have surpassed a goal of hiring 10,000 employees worldwide by the end of 2025, the company announced in mid-June.

The company exceeded its goal by more than 2,000 individuals.

“Reaching our hiring goal ahead of schedule reinforces our belief in the power of hospitality to create lasting impact by opening doors to meaningful employment and long-term careers,” said Mark Hoplamazian, Chairman, President and CEO of Hyatt.

The hiring initiative was part of RiseHY, a program “designed to connect untapped talent to career opportunities in hospitality” that Hyatt launched in 2018, the company said.

Under the program, a cohort of Opportunity Youth—“individuals from under-resourced communities who are not currently working, in training or attending school”—are connected to community-based organizations that provide access to job training, skills development and employment

opportunities at Hyatt properties around the globe.

Hyatt was able to surpass its hiring goal by tapping employees from its Opportunity Youth program, the company said.

“Hiring more than 12,000 Opportunity Youth at Hyatt hotels shows what is possible when opportunity meets potential,” said Hoplamazian. “We understand the challenges that individuals disconnected from the economy face and believe Hyatt hotels are uniquely positioned to provide a pathway to a career.”

Because the company was so far ahead in its hiring initiative, Hyatt set a goal last June to extend the commitment and set a new goal of hiring an addition 5,000 individuals “from untapped talent pools, including Opportunity Youth,” by the end of 2028, Hyatt said.

The company also set “an increased emphasis on retention, progressive skills training and long-term career mobility” within the program going forward, Hyatt added.

Find more information about the RiseHY program here.

June 22, 2026

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Industry Movers

Lisa Shanahan has been hired as Louisville Tourism’s Director of Midwest Sales. She is responsible for Midwest sales territories, with a focus on the Chicagoland area. She has more than 15 years of experience and most recently was Destination Cleveland’s director of Chicago regional sales.

She is active with the PCMA Greater Midwest Chapter, MPI Chicago Area Chapter, Destination Reps for Chicago area CVBs and Association Forum.

Kyle Anger has been promoted to General Manager of Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. Anger was appointed hotel manager of Hilton Hawaiian Village in June 2024. In his new role, he will oversee guest satisfaction, team member engagement, operational excellence and financial performance across the 22-acre oceanfront property in Honolulu. Anger is graduate of Arizona State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.

Nominees Announced for ASAE and ASAE Foundation Boards

By Todd McElwee

The Leadership Committee of ASAE and the ASAE Research Foundation has selected nominees to serve on the ASAE and ASAE Research Foundation Boards of Directors for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027), with terms beginning on September 1.

This year’s committee is chaired

by Heidi Brock, President & CEO, American Forest & Paper Association, and Immediate Past Chair of the ASAE Board.

Officers include: Sheri Sesay-Tuffour, PhD, FASAE, CAE, ICE-CCP, IOM, CEO, Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, will become Chair of the ASAE Board.

Philip K. Bell, CAE, President, Steel Manufacturers Association, is set to be Chair-Elect of the ASAE Board and Chair of the ASAE Research Foundation Board.

Marc R. Cadin, J.D., CEO, Finseca, slatted for Secretary-Treasurer of the ASAE Board and the ASAE Research

Foundation Board.

Jay Karen, CAE, CEO, National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), will become Immediate Past Chair of the ASAE Board.

Brock said the “depth of talent, experience, and leadership represented in this year’s candidate pool was impressive.”

“The Committee had the privilege— and the challenge—of considering highly qualified leaders who bring diverse perspectives, specialized expertise, and a deep commitment to serving the association community,” Brock said. “As ASAE prepares to launch a new strategic framework that will shape our work and impact for years to come, this is a pivotal moment. We are confident that this outstanding slate of nominees possesses the vision, experience, and collaborative spirit needed to help lead ASAE into its next chapter and advance our mission on behalf of the entire association sector.”

Paul Fitzgerald is now General Manager of Hilton Alexandria Old Town in Virginia. Fitzgerald brings more than a decade of experience across several Hilton properties, most recently serving as hotel manager at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor, where he oversaw operations across all departments. His career includes food and beverage roles at Hilton Boston Logan Airport, the former Madison Washington DC, A Hilton Hotel, and Washington Hilton.

Stephane Mercier has been appointed General Manager of Pendry Tampa, which is set to open in 2027.

Mercier brings more than 35 years of hospitality experience, with a career spanning Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean. Most recently, he served as managing director of The National Hotel Miami Beach, where he led the luxury boutique hotel’s operations. He was general manager of the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead.

See More Industry Movers

City Council Approves Renaming of Raleigh Convention Center

By Jonathan Trager

of the agreement, with the transition expected to occur in the coming weeks The Raleigh Convention Center will as branding changes are made.

Under the agreement, Atlantic Union soon be renamed the Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center after the city Bank will pay the city $525,000 in the finalized a naming rights agreement first year, with payments increasing with the Virginia-based bank, officials by 2% annually over a 15-year term.

The contract includes options for announced last week.

The Raleigh City Council approved two additional five-year extensions. the deal during its June 16 meeting The naming rights deal is expected to following a public hearing. The deci- generate more than $9 million over its initial term. sion clears the way for “We believe the City leaders said the the downtown venue to take on a corpo- convention center is an arrangement will help offset costs tied to the rate name for the first time since it opened exceptional fit for our convention center’s brand,” said Christine ongoing expansion in 2008.

The public hearing Michelini Landi, CMO project, which is adding nearly 300,000 on the proposal drew mixed reaction, with of Atlantic Union Bank. square feet of space some residents ques- “It’s a dynamic hub for and reshaping a key of downtown tioning the commerbusiness, culture, and section Raleigh. cialization of a promConstruction on inent civic building community gathering.” the convention center while others supported expansion is expected to continue the additional revenue stream.

“We believe the convention center is through 2029, with phased openings an exceptional fit for our brand,” said planned as sections are completed.

The city’s decision follows earlier Christine Michelini Landi, CMO of Atlantic Union Bank. “It’s a dynamic hub discussions about monetizing namfor business, culture, and community ing rights for major public venues as Raleigh continues to fund large-scale gathering.”

Atlantic Union Bank is headquar- infrastructure projects. These project tered in Richmond, Virginia, and has include the convention center expanan existing presence in Raleigh. The sion and relocation of the nearby Red venue will be renamed upon execution Hat Amphitheater.

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June 22, 2026

Rising Stars

Spotlight on Leslie Frazier, ASAE Next Gen: Rising Star Awardee

By Jonathan Trager After briefly serving in the Navy during the Vietnam War, John Frazier suffered a tragic swimming accident at age 19 that left him a quadriplegic.

Yet, he never allowed his disability to define him, according to his daughter, Leslie Frazier, who now serves as Sr. Vice President of Community and Industry Relations for Virginia Realtors.

“My dad taught me the value of hard work and the value of service early in my life,” Frazier told USAE. “He was strict, but he was also a very loving and

FIFA Atlanta continued from page 1

Asked about a unique challenge presented by the tournament, Pate referenced its length.

“Unlike most major sporting events and conventions that take place over a few days, World Cup spans more than a month, requiring extensive coordination to ensure the city has the right planning and resources in place to deliver a seamless experience throughout the tournament,” he said.

Atlanta’s World Cup journey commenced in 2017 with entry into the bidding process. It was officially named a host city in 2022. For nearly a decade, ACVB, Atlanta Sports Council, Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and state and local governments have worked together to prepare the city to welcome the world, 30 years after hosting visitors for the 1996 Summer Olympics.

“FIFA World Cup gives Atlanta a

affectionate man.”

Frazier’s mother, Joanne, never considered caring for her husband, who died of cancer in 2014, to be a burden.

Frazier said her mother would do it all over again if she could, and that strength and dedication continue to inspire Frazier to this day.

“My mom was a very loving, serving wife until the day he passed away,” she said. “They were soulmates, and I grew up watching the most perfect marriage ever.”

In addition to service and devotion, the importance of education was heavily stressed in Frazier’s household during her childhood. A grade of “A” in a course meant her father owed her $1; a grade of “B” meant she owed her father $2 (lower than a “B” wasn’t an option).

When Frazier began attending the University of Virginia as an undergraduate, she did so with an aspiration to eventually become a doctor. However, she soon discovered a problem with that plan: she didn’t really like her science courses. Despite feeling anxious about telling her father that her goal had changed, Frazier said she was “pleasantly surprised by how accepting and understanding he was.”

Instead, Frazier double majored in

government and Spanish, and she entered the political arena after college.

She worked on the 2012 presidential campaign of Barack Obama as a field organizer—a job she called “one of the hardest jobs that exist”—knocking on doors, registering voters, and discussing policies.

Following Obama’s reelection, Frazier transitioned to working on a gubernatorial campaign in Virginia (which always occurs the year following a presidential election). Her candidate was elected, and Frazier landed a job in his administration as policy assistant for the secretary of veterans and defense affairs, an appropriate role given her family background. To this day, she maintains a close relationship with her boss at the time, now- retired Admiral John Harvey Jr. Having achieved a master’s degree in public administration from Virginia Tech University and worked for six years in state government, Frazier had met during that time with the then-CEO of Virginia Realtors. The pursuit of greater diversity, equity, and inclusion had become a priority for many associations, and Frazier, who’s Asian and Black (or, as she calls herself, “Blasian”), was subsequently hired to spearhead the association’s DEI efforts.

Although she still has a hand in that area, Frazier’s role has since expanded into external affairs. Virginia Realtors comprises 28 local associations, and Frazier often travels throughout the state to local association events.

“That people have trust and confi-

dence in me to represent the association well externally, I very much take pride in that,” Frazier said. “It requires me to be personable, build meaningful relationships, and meet our members where they are.”

Virginia Realtors, which represents more than 34,000 professionals in the state and is part of the federated structure of the National Association of Realtors, has a corporate membership with ASAE. Despite its impressive size, Virginia Realtors still faces challenges similar to other associations, said Frazier.

Frazier, who has earned her CAE credential, learned about ASAE’s Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP) from colleagues. Accepted as a DELP scholar for 2024–2026, Frazier said the program was “the most rewarding program I’ve ever been a part of.”

In May, the ASAE Research Foundation announced Frazier as the inaugural recipient of its newly introduced Next Gen: Rising Star Award, which “recognizes an emerging leader under the age of 35 who demonstrates exceptional promise, dedication, and impact within the association profession and community.”

“I love association management, and I want to make a long career out of it, so to be recognized for the work that I’m doing is a tremendous honor, and my heart is so full,” Frazier said. “I don’t do the work for recognition, but to get the recognition affirms that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing and I’m where I’m supposed to be.”

once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase our city to a global audience and reinforce our reputation as a world-class destination for conventions, major events and tourism,” said Pate. “The visibility and exposure that come with hosting one of the world’s most-watched sporting events will help elevate Atlanta’s profile among meeting planners, business leaders and visitors long after the final match.”

A contingent of ACVB and Brand USA representatives and three Spanish tourism product executives was watching Cabo Verde shock Spain, a tournament favorite, by a score of 0–0. Outside of attending the match, the group was immersed in the city’s culture via its neighborhoods, dinning and attractions.

“Atlanta proved to be the perfect host city for an event of this magnitude: welcoming, vibrant and exceptionally well-prepared,” said Maria Vélez, Product Manager, North America and Caribbean, Catai (Ávoris Group). “The sense of community,

safety and organization was evident in every detail. Without a doubt, Atlanta not only met the expectations of a global event like the World Cup but

elevated the experience, enhancing the spirit of the celebration in a truly unique way.”

Find more information here.

Atlanta Stadium. Credit: ACVB

June 22, 2026

USAE

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USAExchange

USAExchange: Reina Herschdorfer, Director of Marketing, National Meetings & Events, Caesars Entertainment National Meetings & Events

Caesars Entertainment recently celebrated the Grand Opening of the Vanderpump Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. Herschdorfer joined USAE to discuss the property, wellness and developments in Las Vegas.

USAE: What do you believe will be a visitor’s initial reaction when entering the Vanderpump Hotel?

Herschdorfer: Guests are likely to feel an immediate sense of immersive glamour and theatrical design, thanks to Lisa Vanderpump’s signature industrial romantic aesthetic. The arrival experience includes dramatic visual moments such as a classic English taxicab installation and a mural of Vanderpump on a rainy London street that set a tone of whimsical elegance and high style. The layered textures, mixed metals, and bespoke furnishings create an atmosphere that feels both luxurious and deeply personal.

USAE: What can the meetings industry look forward to at the property?

Herschdorfer: Meeting planners can expect a boutique, high‑design environment that supports elevated group experiences: • Soleia, the reimagined rooftop pool and event venue, offers 65,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor space with sweeping Strip views—ideal for receptions, activations, and VIP events.

• The hotel’s intimate scale (188 rooms) allows for full‑property buyouts or highly curated group programs.

• Exclusive VIP programming and proximity to CAESARS FORUM make it a strong option for VIP stays and high‑touch incentive groups or executive meetings.

The design-forward environment

provides built‑in décor option to Caesars Entertainments’ redesigned luxury Qua Baths & Spa, value, reducing the need portfolio. There’s continued expansion providing planners with a broader of the Vanderpump brand across mul- range of flexible venues for receptions, for extensive theming.

USAE: How did Caesars tiple Caesars destinations, signaling an buyouts, and curated attendee expeEntertainment work with ongoing strategy of celebrity‑driven riences. Collectively, these initiatives Lisa Vanderpump on the hospitality experiences. The intro- position Caesars Palace as a more duction of new culinary and nightlife contemporary, experience-driven desdesign?

Herschdorfer: Caesars offerings at the property, including tination with expanded capacity and Entertainment partnered Gigolo cocktail lounge, The Bar at The elevated options tailored to today’s closely with Lisa Van- Vanderpump Hotel, and Giada by Gia- meetings and incentives landscape.

Flamingo Las Vegas is undergoing a derpump and designer da De Laurentiis. The transformation Nick Alain through their of Soleia into a dual‑purpose pool strategic refresh aimed at enhancing firm Vanderpump Alain. and event venue, enhancing Caesars’ its appeal for meetings, conferences, and events, anchored by a series of Together, they led a full group‑friendly footprint on the Strip. renovations timed to its 80th anniCaesars Palace is celebrating its transformation of the forversary in 2026. The mer Cromwell, shaping ev- 60th anniversary this property is introducerything from guest rooms year with ongoing Caesars Palace is ing a completely reto public spaces. Their capital improvements celebrating its 60th designed lobby with planned.

Caesars Palcollaboration included: anniversary this year a new bar, upgraded • Developing the hotel’s ace has undergone a check-in area, and cohesive industrial roman- broad transformation with ongoing capital VIP improved arrival flow designed to enhance tic aesthetic.

• Designing custom furnishings and its appeal for high- improvements planned. to create a more modern and efficient first end conferences and lighting specifically for the property.

• Curating personal touches—such events, highlighted by the debut of impression for group attendees.

These updates are complemented as gallery walls of family photos and ultra-premium Presidential and Sky by refreshed public spaces and reVillas in 2026 that offer expansive, British‑inspired installations—to creresidential-style spaces ideal for VIP ac- imagined social venues, alongside a ate a narrative throughout the hotel.

This partnership builds on a commodations, executive retreats, and growing collection of dining concepts long‑standing relationship that began private hosting. At the same time, the such as Pinky’s by Vanderpump, with Vanderpump’s cocktail lounges resort is investing heavily in renovating Gordon Ramsay Burger, and Havana and expanded into this first‑ever hotel thousands of guest room including 1957, adding energy and variety for a $100 million refresh of the Palace off-agenda programming. The resort venture.

USAE: How will wellness will be Tower to deliver a more modern, cohe- has also invested in experiential sive experience for large groups while amenities, including the all-new $20 incorporated into the property? million GO Pool complex with multiple Herschdorfer: While the hotel is maintaining its iconic brand identity.

The arrival experience has also been pools, cabanas, and event-ready envinot positioned as a traditional wellness resort, its design intentionally reimagined with a full redesign of the ronments that can support receptions emphasizes calm and restorative en- main entrance and porte-cochère, im- and group functions. With more than proving flow and creating a more im- 73,000 square feet of meeting space vironments.

Wellness‑oriented elements in- pactful first impression for arrivals and and continued reinvestment across events. Complementing these physical guest rooms and shared areas, Flaclude: • Serene guest rooms featuring upgrades is a continued evolution of mingo is positioning itself as a vibrant, moss‑green and dusty‑lilac palettes, dining, wellness, and social venues, value-forward option that blends its soft textures, and reflective furnish- including distinctive outlets like Cas- iconic history with updated spaces ings that create a soothing, retreat‑like pian’s Cocktails & Caviar, the recently and flexible experiences for today’s opened Omnia Dayclub, as well as the event planners. atmosphere.

• A focus on relaxation and escape, as described by Vanderpump herself, who envisioned rooms that feel like a “true retreat.”

• Soleia, which doubles as a day pool and open‑air event venue, offers natural light, fresh air, and a sense of openness supporting attendee wellbeing.

USAE: Please share some of the developments Caesars Entertainment has in the works for Las Vegas.

Herschdorfer: The Vanderpump Hotel itself—representing a major reflag adding a new boutique The exterior of the Vanderpump Hotel. Credit: Caesars Entertainment

USAE

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June 25, 2026

N E W S Encore Investing $100M in New Products

By Todd McElwee

Encore, the event production and audiovisual technology company, has announced a $100 million capital commitment to elevate live event experiences through digital and AI-driven tools, upgraded production solutions, and expanded immersive solutions.

Encore noted it is expanding digital tools that make event planning more visual, intuitive, and collaborative.

“Encore continues to evolve the customer experience and stay ahead of the curve to meet their expectations,” said Darius Vaskelis, Chief Product & Digital Officer, Encore. “As demand for consistent event experiences continues to rise, our focus is partnering with our customers by providing product innovations to

support deeper engagement with attendees while helping control costs.”

The Event Solution Explorer helps customers visualize, compare, and select solutions using immersive 360° room views, floorplans, and product hotspots, organized across 10 event types and different budget options.

New Display, Lighting, Scenic & Décor Solution Lookbooks, an enhanced proposal tool, and 3D renderings are designed to quicken the decision-making process.

AI‑driven tools include Speaker Spotlight Bumpers provide AI-enhanced professional introductions immediately before a speaker takes the stage. Cinematic Brand Intro Videos showcase a brand’s story or recent achievements via a streamlined Hollywood blockbuster format.

AI-powered captioning, transcription,

translation, and session summaries are now integrated with large format video switching systems, which the company said helps planners deliver more accessible, flexible and personalized content experiences.

Immersive offerings include Encore’s LED wall displays and expanded lighting and scenic capabilities, including projection mapping and lighting.

The company said it is making one of its most significant audio upgrades in recent years. In small to midsize spaces across domestic markets, smart column speakers will replace traditional tripod mounted speakers and deliver clearer, more evenly balanced sound with state-of-the-art feedback suppression while also simplifying production via faster setup.

Encore is also expanding what it

referred to as “high value” audio bundles, including Encore Music, a curated background music solution designed to elevate ambience while eliminating last-minute sourcing and expensive licensing challenges.

“Our 2026 product roadmap is designed to make it easier and more exciting for customers and partners to create exceptional events,” said Matt Johnsen, Vice President of Product Management at Encore.

“From AI-powered engagement tools to immersive display, lighting, and audio innovations, these offerings give planners more creative freedom, more confidence in execution, and more ways to deliver memorable experiences that resonate with today’s audiences across all price points.”

Find more information here.

Around Associations American Bus Association Hosting Women In Buses Fly-In… On June 24–25, the American Bus Association (ABA) will hold its Women In Buses Fly-In in Washington, D.C. The event will include networking, Capitol Hill advocacy, a BusPAC fundraiser and more.

Find more information here.

National Restaurant Association Hosting Summer Travel Webinar…

Delving into summer travel, the National Restaurant Association’s webinar will explore insights from the association’s latest summer travel

and tourism research while bringing together industry experts, restaurant operators, and tourism leaders.

Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist and Sr. Vice President of Research, National Restaurant Association, will moderate.

The session will focus on opportunities, how consumer travel behavior is evolving, and what restaurants can do to drive traffic, manage costs, and remain competitive in a more uncertain environment.

“Summer has traditionally been a powerful economic driver for restaurants, hospitality, and destina-

The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) held its annual Commercial Strategy Conference on June 16-17 at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, bringing together leaders in the marketing, revenue optimization, sales and distribution segments of hospitality.

tion-based businesses,” the association said. “In 2026, however, operators are entering the season amid a more complex landscape amid economic uncertainties, tighter discretionary spending, and evolving travel patterns.

At the same time, the U.S. economy remains resilient, and many consumers plan to travel this summer, with dining out seen as a top activity for summer travelers.

“In addition, global and national events—including the FIFA World Cup and America 250 celebrations—are expected to generate travel demand and consumer excitement across many U.S. markets. For restaurant operators, the key question is not just whether demand will materialize, but how to position their businesses to capture it effectively.”

Find more information here.