8.10.26

USAE

THE WEEKLY COMMUNITY NEWS OF ASSOCIATIONS, CVBs AND HOTELS

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AUGUST 10, 2026

Spokane Convention Center Becomes Evacuation Shelter from Wildfires

By Jonathan Trager

Tourism professionals representing communities across Southwest Virginia gathered on August 4 during the fourth annual Celebrate Tourism Summit held at the Wytheville Meeting Center. During the event, Friends of Southwest Virginia hosted the Southwest Virginia Tourism Awards Ceremony to celebrate the outstanding work within the tourism industry in Southwest Virginia. Friends of Southwest Virginia presented 38 awards in a number of categories that reflected tourism marketing, visitor services, special events, and tourism leadership.

NOLA Marriott Concludes Year-Long Guest Room Renovation

By Jordan Bradley

The New Orleans Marriott announced on August 4 the completion of a year-long renovation that touched all of the hotel’s 1,333 guest rooms and suites and the M Club lounge.

The renovations updated guest rooms with thoughtful, contemporary finishes that prioritized functionality, hotel representatives said, including bigger beds, new flooring, and updated decor featuring marble vanities

and illuminated mirrors.

Renovations also upgraded the New Orleans Marriott’s M Club “to provide Marriott Bonvoy Elite members and qualifying guests with an elevated lounge experience,” featuring a refreshed, neutral color palette, new furnishings, a statement chandelier, and “a modern design aesthetic that supports both productivity and comfort throughout the day,” according to hotel’s renovation announcement.

The renovation is a sign of con-

Encore Provides $150K to AHLA Foundation’s Human Trafficking Survivor Fund

By Todd McElwee

Encore has announced a $150,000 commitment to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Foundation’s No Room for Trafficking (NRFT) Survivor Fund, with the company noting it’s proud to be the “first premier hospitality industry partner to support the industry initiative.”

Beginning in 2027, the

two-year investment expands Encore’s commitment to prevent human trafficking through awareness, training and industry collaboration.

“Human trafficking is an urgent issue facing the hospitality industry and our communities,” said Ben Erwin, President & CEO of Encore, Member of the AHLA Board of Directors. “As a partner to 2,200 hotel and Please turn to page 4

tinued investment on behalf of the hotel’s owners, Host Hotels & Resorts, officials said.

The New Orleans Marriott is a staple in the city’s meetings and events market. Built in 1972, the lifetime Marriott debuted as the largest building in the city at the time, standing at 42 stories tall. Today, the hotel boasts two towers and more than 85,000 square feet of meeting space.

The latest renovation of the guest

Inside Page 2 At Least 16 Cars Broken Into at Durham Hotel Page 3 Association Forum Taps Ashanti Branch for Keynote for Man In Program Page 4 Hilton Signia Savannah Partners with James Beard AwardWinning Chef Page 10 Beau Sutherland Named General Manager of Peoria Civic Center

The Spokane Convention Center in Washington has become the hub of the region’s wildfire response after opening as an emergency shelter on the evening of August 1 for thousands of people forced from their homes by the fast-moving Spokane-area wildfires.

The American Red Cross relocated shelter operations to the downtown convention center at about 7:30 p.m. after a shelter at Spokane Falls Community College lost power and could no longer support evacuees during extreme heat. The move came hours after the Old Trails Fire ignited north of Spokane and rapidly spread through neighborhoods, prompting widespread evacuation orders as firefighters also battled the Fairview and Meadowview fires.

Since opening, the convention center has served as the region’s primary evacuation shelter, providing overnight lodging, meals, health

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Five Uniquely Indy Experiences for ASAE Attendees

By Chris Gahl

In advance of the ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition in Indianapolis, Chris Gahl, Executive Vice President & Chief Business Officer for Visit Indy, shared with USAE five things he’s excited for attendees to experience while in town.

Explore the Indianapolis Cultural Trail As one of the flattest cities in the country, Indy is an ideal destination to explore

by bike. Hop on a Pacers Bikeshare bike and cruise along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, a 10-mile urban trail connecting the city’s vibrant cultural districts.

It’s also perfect for group bike tours. Pro tip: Stop by the Bottleworks District and dine at BODHI, recognized

by USA TODAY as one of the country’s top restaurants.

Grab a Quick Bite at Café Patachou With seven locations Please turn to page 4

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August 10, 2026

N E W S

By Jordan Bradley

At Least 16 Cars Broken Into at Durham Hotel

Guests at a Durham, North Carolina, hotel woke to an unpleasant surprise on the morning of August 2.

At least 16 cars were broken into while parked overnight in the parking lot of the Hampton Inn & Suites off Cole Mill Road.

According to reports from local news outlet WRAL, guests reported hearing car alarms going off around 4 a.m., and saw several people wearing black breaking into vehicles parked

NOLA Marriott continued from page 1

rooms at the New Orleans Marriott began on July 14, 2025, and was a methodical process, Scott Jernstrom, Director of Sales and Marketing for the New Orleans Marriott and the neighboring Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, told USAE. “At any given point in time, we had anywhere between five—and sometimes six—floors of guest rooms out of order” for renovations, Jernstrom said.

With an average of 28 guest rooms per floor, contractors began renovations at the top of each of the New Orleans Marriott’s hotel towers and were able to isolate the work between two floors so as to keep guest disturbance to a minimum.

Once the process was started, the team had the first fully renovated guest room completed approximately three and a half weeks later, Jernstrom estimated. As contractors fell into a rhythm with the renovation, and “every week, we would get one new, renovated floor back.”

That attention to detail extends throughout the process, ensuring that guests are minimally impacted, Jernstrom said.

Jernstrom has been with the New Orleans Marriott since 2012, spent around 20 years with Marriott in

Renovated King guest room

at the hotel.

Representatives from the Hampton Inn & Suites did not return USAE calls for comments by press deadline.

However, a representative of the company that operates the hotel and its Home2Suites neighbor, Daly Seven, told a local news outlet that the break-ins happened in less than six minutes and that the hotel’s security officer was unable to respond.

“At the time of the incident, our overnight security associate was conducting a routine property patrol

Washington, D.C., and did a decade stint in commercial real estate, becoming familiar with the process of renovations at hotels that host large meetings and events.

During the renovation process at the hotel, Jernstrom said, a moment with Host Hotels & Resorts Chairman David Marriott stood out to him. After three different model rooms were created of the renovations, Marriott stopped by and provided feedback.

“One of the things that struck me that he said was, ‘When you wake up in the morning, how do you know that you’re in New Orleans?’ So [it’s the] little design elements—like the carpet and the wall coverings—that remind you. There’s this gold fleck that looks a little celebratory.”

Guest room renovations at a property like the New Orleans Marriott happen, on average, every eight to 10 years, Jernstrom said. In the case of the New Orleans Marriott, guest room renovations don’t have as significant of an impact on group business as one might expect.

“The 150 guest rooms that are out of order in a 1,300-room hotel—most of those rooms we would be selling those to much shorter term, transient customers, leisure customers, as opposed to groups that are booked years in advance,” Jenstrom said. “Our room block commitments, generally, don’t exceed

on another area of the hotel when a guest notified us that vehicle breakins were taking place,” Noel Anderson, Vice President at Daly Seven, told WRAL. Witnesses said the thieves were targeting large SUVs and trucks, and they were going back and forth between the vandalized vehicles and a gray-colored car.

Anderson told WRAL a similar break-in happened days earlier on July 30. After the August 2 incident, hotel staff were working with law

enforcement to review procedures, he said.

At press deadline, the Durham Police Department had not made any arrests in connection to the break-ins.

Representatives of the Triangle Area Hotel Motel Association (TAHMA), whose members are located within the Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh region, known as the Triangle, did not respond to USAE request for comment by deadline.

In Durham’s neighboring Chapel Please turn to page 3

The renovated New Orleans Marriott M Club

much more than about 1,000 to 1,100 rooms on a peak night. There could be exceptions to those, but there’s really no displacement or disruption on the group side of the equation.”

Looking forward, Jernstrom said that the New Orleans Marriott team is “looking at pinning down dates” for meeting and event space renovations

in the future—“even though it’s really in great condition”—and some refurbishment of the lobby.

“We haven’t firmed anything up yet,” Jernstrom said. “The scope of that is being studied right now by the ownership, and exactly what’s going to be involved there.”

Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance Launches ECA Ambassadors Circle

By Jonathan Trager The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the public policy voice of the U.S. business and professional events industry, announced on August 5 the launch of the ECA Ambassadors Circle.

The ECA Ambassadors Circle will provide a select group of industry leaders with access to specialized year-round programming, advanced advocacy training, and new opportunities to help amplify the industry’s voice with policymakers, peers, and the broader business and professional events community.

“The future of our industry will be shaped by decisions made in Washington, D.C., and in state capitals across

the country,” said Fernando Fischer, President, Americas, for RX and Chair of the ECA Board of Directors. “The ECA Ambassadors Circle will give our most committed advocates the tools, access, and year-round opportunities to help ensure those decisions reflect the importance of business and professional events. It is exactly the kind of deeper industry engagement that ECA 2.0 is all about.”

The inaugural ECA Ambassadors Circle cohort includes 28 business and professional events industry leaders who’ve demonstrated a strong commitment to advocacy and public policy engagement, according to ECA. Ambassadors will play a leadership role in advancing ECA’s advocacy efPlease turn to page 3

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August 10, 2026

HOTS Crashing Capybaras… Legislators in Brazil have made way for some unorthodox voters: capybaras, the largest living rodent on earth.

During preparation for a vote in late July, local lawmakers at a legislative building in Cuiaba, Mato Grosso, were joined by a group of capybaras.

According to the Associated Press, the building sits next to a park with plenty of wildlife. Staffer Nayara Bueno filmed the interruption on July 30 and made a valiant attempt to get the rodents to leave the building.

“They show up here quite often, so we’ve gotten used to seeing them,” Bueno said. The capybara has gained

WEEKLY NEWS OF ASSOCIATIONS CVBs AND HOTELS

USAE

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Publisher-Emeritus Ross E. Heller ross@usaenews.com 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 To ensure publication, all Letters to the Editor must include a telephone number and mailing address in order to verify authenticity.

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HOTS national favor and popularity due to their calm demeanors. Still, HOTS isn’t sure this habit of barging in to a closed session is going to win the capybara any political clout. g g g g g

HOTS Ambling Music… A musical instrument in eastern Germany is playing the world’s longest concert, according to the Associated Press. The small organ in the medieval Burchardi

Church in Halberstadt, Germany, has been playing the same song for the last 25 years. On August 5, the organ changed chords, a rare occurrence, moving from seven notes to eight.

The John Cage Organ Project began on September 5, 2001, and is scheduled to play the same piece of music by composer John Cage for a total of 639 years. The August chord change marks the completion of about 4% of the piece, AP reports. The organ

is operated by an electric-powered blower system to create continuous sound. The chord change was done manually. “As fast as our world is developing, I think it’s a wonderful place to be and to come to yourself and just to be touch by this ‘being there,’” said Anneli Borgmann, Chairwoman of the John Cage Organ Project Halberstadt’s board of trustees. HOTS thinks this is one long-winded but fascinating project.

Association Forum Taps Ashanti Branch for Keynote for Man In Program

By Todd McElwee

Seeking to help educators and leaders examine the masks they wear and the stories behind them, Ashanti Branch, Founder of the Ever Forward Club and Creator of the #MillionMaskMovement, will close out the debut edition of Association’s Forum’s Man In: The Men’s Leadership Experience, with his keynote Unmasking Leadership: Showing Up Differently Tomorrow.

The Forum’s new one-day program is set for September 17 at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Branch’s #MillionMaskMovement has helped more than 75,000 people explore authenticity, connection, and emotional well-being, Association Forum said. He’s the recipient of the 2023 U.S. Surgeon General’s Medallion, a Fulbright Fellow, podcaster, and four-time TEDx speaker. His work has been featured on This Is Life with Lisa

Durham Hotel continued from page 2

Hill, the local police department responded to its own spree of breakins by assigning a dedicated team to investigate, according to an August 4 release from the Chapel Hill Police Department.

According to Chapel Hill officials, “between 4 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Sunday, police got more reports of vehicle break-ins at several locations along Fordham Boulevard, including three hotels.” The report did not specify which hotels were involved, however, the break-ins occurred the same night as those in Durham.

According to Google Maps, the affected areas are within an approximately 20-minute drive of each other. Though Chapel Hill Police did not specify whether they believe the crimes had been committed by the same group, officials noted there was a pattern in the region.

“Vehicle break-ins like these happen

Ling, The Kelly Clarkson Show, SXSW, and the documentary The Mask You Live In. “The mask work is just the starting point,” said Branch. “What matters is what happens after: how these men show up with their teams, their families and themselves once they’re back at work. The goal isn’t a good day. It’s real change in how they lead.”

Association Forum noted more than half of American workers report feeling lonely with leadership responsibility and decision-making routinely adding another layer of isolation. Man In is designed to create space for honest conversation, meaningful connections and practical leadership growth. Every aspect of the program is intentionally designed around trust, openness and connectivity.

Man In is made possible by founding partners Freeman, United for Business, Louisville Tourism and

incredibly fast, often in a matter of seconds,” said Chapel Hill Police Chief Celisa Lehew. “We’re seeing the same pattern in many communities across the Triangle and the country, and we’re working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify the vehicles and people responsible.”

So far in 2026, Chapel Hill has reported at least 320 vehicle break-ins, according to the Chapel Hill Police.

North Carolina is not the only state to contend with these targeted crime waves.

Last year, Ohio hotels were facing similar struggles, with reports of multiple vehicle break-ins in Columbus, Easton and Polaris. The incidents prompted coordinated responses from local and hotel associations and local law enforcement.

Local police and hotel representatives at the time said the break-ins were believed to be targeting guns.

Officials in North Carolina did not specify whether the break-ins in the region were similarly motivated.

Ashanti Branch

eShow, Association Forum said.

“Most leadership programs hand people a framework and send them home,” said Lowell Aplebaum, FASAE, CAE, CEO of Vista Cova and facilitator for Man In. “But no one leads from a framework. You learn it under pressure, figuring it out as you go. This day is built so men can compare notes instead of going it alone.”

Find more information here.

ECA

continued from page 2

forts throughout the year. In return, ambassadors will receive access to specialized advocate education and professional-development opportunities, VIP access at select ECA events, invitations to private roundtables with policymakers, and recognition for important contributions throughout the year.

“ECA is thrilled to welcome this first cohort of ECA Ambassadors,” said Tommy Goodwin, President & CEO of ECA. “Each of these leaders has already demonstrated a steadfast commitment to ensuring that our industry is heard by policymakers. Their participation in the ECA Ambassadors Circle will help ECA amplify the case for policies that strengthen the industry’s ability to create new jobs, reduce economic uncertainty, safeguard affordability, and ensure that the U.S. remains the premier global destination for business and professional events going forward.”

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August 10, 2026

Hilton Signia Savannah Partners with James Beard Award-Winning Chef

By Jordan Bradley

The Signia Hilton Savannah, expected to debut in 2028, announced on August 3 a new culinary partnership with Grey Spaces, led by James Beard Award-winning Chef Mashama Bailey and restauranteur Johno Morisano.

The partnership is especially fitting as Grey Spaces are based in Savannah, and the Signia Hilton Savannah will act as the Savannah Contention Center’s headquarter hotel upon its grand opening.

The Signia will feature 444 guest rooms, more than 34,000 square feet of meeting and event space, five food and beverage outlets, a Club Signia, and “elevated amenities designed for both business and leisure travelers,” Hilton said.

Savannah-based Grey Spaces will lead the culinary direction from concept and menu development to wine

Spokane Wildfires continued from page 1

services and other assistance for residents displaced by the fires. The shelter also accommodated medically vulnerable residents and people with pets as thousands remained under evacuation orders.

“The convention center seems adequate for the needs required at the time being,” Lacie Clark, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Inland Northwest chapter, told the Spokesman-Review after the move.

The downtown facility also offered reliable power and air conditioning after electrical service failed at the original shelter.

The shelter expanded as the wildfire disaster grew. By August 5, about 67,000 people remained under evacuation orders and roughly 850 buildings had been destroyed in the Spokane

lists and the venue’s overall approach at each of its five food and beverage outlets, which will include a lobby bar, an all-day dining restaurant and a rooftop venue.

Officials say the collaboration will give convention-goers at the Savannah Convention Center a unique taste of the city.

“The partnership between Signia Hilton Savannah and Grey Spaces showcases what makes Savannah such a special destination for meetings and conventions,” said Kelvin D. Moore, SVP and General Manager of the Savannah Convention Center. “As our headquarters hotel, Signia Hilton Savannah will be an extension of the convention experience, giving attendees an authentic connection to Savannah through its local culinary and hospitality partners.

Collaborations like this help meeting planners deliver memorable experiences while reinforcing Savannah’s repu-

area, according to state and local officials. Firefighters had begun establishing containment lines around the three major fires, but authorities warned that hotter, drier weather later in the week could threaten those gains.

Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said evacuation orders would remain in effect for days despite improving fire conditions.

“We are not going to be downgrading these zones in any large way for many, many more days to come,” said Nowels, according to the Associated Press. “If we let people back in and we don’t have a high degree of certainty the fire lines will hold, we will put people in danger.”

Red Cross volunteers have continued operating the convention center shelter around the clock while emergency officials assess damage and determine when residents can safely return to their neighborhoods.

The upcoming Signia Hilton Savannah partnering with Grey Spaces, led by co-founders James Beard Award-winning Chef Mashama Bailey (right) and Johno Morisano, author and restauranteur. Credit: Kelly Anthony-Koffi and Semaine

tation as a destination where business and local culture come together.”

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Indy

continued from page 1

throughout Indy, Café Patachou is a personal favorite. Its downtown location is just a three-minute walk from the Indiana Convention Center, making it an easy stop for salads, soups and sandwiches served with a side of Hoosier hospitality.

Experience Hoosier Hysteria Just a 12-minute drive from downtown, you can experience a piece of Indiana basketball history. Fans of Hoosiers, named ESPN’s No. 1 sports movie, can meet the film’s real-life hero, Bobby Plump, at his bar, Plump’s Last Shot. Browse the high school basketball and movie memorabilia, then order an oversized Indiana pork tenderloin sandwich.

Strike a Pose with the Original

Survivor Fund continued from page 1

Megan Dulgar, Regional CEO for the American Red Cross Northwest Region, talks with people impacted by the Spokane wildfires. The Red Cross has several shelters open where volunteers are providing meals, comfort kits, and other critical relief services.

Grey Spaces established The Grey, a

event venues around the world, we have an opportunity to help address challenges that impact our industry.

Through our support of the No Room for Trafficking Survivor Fund, we’re helping advance prevention efforts while supporting survivors on their path forward. We’re proud to be the first premier hospitality industry partner to join this important initiative.”

The No Room for Trafficking Survivor Fund provides grants to organizations delivering job training, workforce development, emergency assistance and other services that help survivors achieve long-term economic independence. Approximately 28 million people are trafficked worldwide on any given day. The practice generates

Chris Gahl

LOVE Sculpture Snap a photo in front of Robert Indiana’s original LOVE sculpture at Newfields, one of the most recognizable works of American pop art.

Be the “I” in INDY Stand in as the “I” in one of the larger-than-life NDY sculptures located throughout the city for a uniquely Indy photo opportunity. more than $172 billion annually across the global economy.

Kevin Carey, President & CEO, AHLA Foundation, said: “We are grateful for Encore’s support of No Room for Trafficking and their commitment to helping create safer environments across the hospitality industry. It is yet another example of Encore demonstrating its differentiated role as a leading partner to the hotel industry.

By raising awareness and equipping teams with the tools to recognize and respond to the signs of human trafficking, we can make an impact for guests, employees, and the communities we serve.”

Encore requires all global team members to complete human trafficking awareness training as part of onboarding.

Find more information here.

August 10, 2026

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Industry Movers

Marisa Mikonis is now Managing Director of Discover Kalispell—a new position at the Montana bureau. Mikonis will serve as the operational leader execute the organization’s strategic plan and mission. She was the marketing & communication manager of Discover Kalispell from 2021–2024.

She graduated from Appalachian State University and brings five years of marketing experience to this position. The bureau’s longtime executive director Diane Medler recently retired.

Shannon M. Bates, CMP, has been promoted PRA’s Vice President, Experience Design, Central Creative. In her expanded role, Bates will lead the company’s strategic experience design capability, guide proposal consistency, strengthen program strategy, and develop tools and training. She has 25 years of destination and hospitality knowledge and previously worked in special projects and systems support at PRA. Bates will also lead a team of experience designers.

Isa Lee has been named JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa’s Director of Sales and Marketing. Lee arrives with more than a decade of regional experience and joins the resort from JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, where she served as the associate director of sales and oversaw a $33 million group revenue portfolio. She held sales roles at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin.

Robert Rechtermann has joined the Sonesta White Plains Downtown as the general manager. Rechtermann brings more than 30 years of experience to the New York hotel, primarily in the luxury hotel segment. He has an extensive background in operations and management. Most recently, he served as general manager of The Crescent Hotel, Fort Worth. Previously, he served for six years as general manager of Conrad New York.

See more Industry Movers

Beau Sutherland Named General Manager of Peoria Civic Center

By Jonathan Trager Beau Sutherland has been tapped as General Manager of the Peoria Civic Center in Illinois after serving as Interim General Manager since June 1.

Sutherland, who previously held the position of Assistant General Manager, began his career at the facility in August 2000 and is among its longest-tenured employees to assume the role. His appointment was announced on August 3.

“I am incredibly honored to be named General Manager of the Peoria Civic Center,” said Sutherland. “This facility has been my professional home for more than two decades, and I have had the privilege of working Beau Sutherland alongside an exceptionally talented team dedicated to creating memorable also played a key role in establishing experiences for our guests, clients, and a partnership with CXT Coffee that resulted in the build-out of a coffee community.”

As General Manager, Sutherland will café at the Civic Center.

“Beau’s impact extends far beyond oversee all operations of the Peoria Civic Center, which includes the Prairie the walls of the Peoria Civic Center,” said Rick SemoHome Alliance Theater, Among Sutherland’s nis, Chair of the Peoria arena, and convention center. He’ll work notable achievements Civic Center Authority Board. “Throughout his closely with the Peoria is securing the naming career, he has demonCivic Center Authority, Legends Global, build- rights partnership for strated exceptional leadership, built strong ing tenants, commuthe Prairie Home relationships across nity stakeholders, and Alliance Theater. our community, and regional partners. consistently delivered Among Sutherland’s notable achievements is securing the results for this organization. His pasnaming rights partnership for the sion for the Civic Center, deep underPrairie Home Alliance Theater. He standing of our market, and vision for

the future make him the right leader to guide the facility into its next chapter.

We are excited to build on our momentum under his leadership.”

Sutherland has long been involved with organizations such as the Peoria Riverfront Association, Downtown Advisory Commission, Riverfront Planning Committee, Heart of Illinois United Way, Peoria Area CVB, Easterseals, St. Jude, and the Illinois High

Hilton Signia continued from page 4

critically acclaimed Savannah restaurant “rooted in Port City Southern food, community and culture” in 2014 and have since gone on to establish L’Arrêt by The Grey in Paris.

The food and beverage outlets Grey Spaces will develop for the Hilton Signia Savannah will be unique from any other Grey Spaces offerings. However, like The Grey, they will highlight all the culinary delights on offer in Savannah with a strong focus on hospitality.

The executive chef for The Grey, Bailey won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast in 2019. In 2022, she also became the first African American woman to win the James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef.

Bailey’s business partner Morisano is an author, speaker and restauranteur “working at the intersections of hospitality, arts and culture, urban development and social transformation,” Hilton said.

“There’s an art to building a din-

School Association.

“I appreciate the confidence the Peoria Civic Center Authority and Legends Global have placed in me, and I look forward to building on our success, bringing new events and opportunities to Peoria, and expanding the Civic Center’s role as a driving force for Central Illinois,” Sutherland said. ing program from the ground up— thoughtfully shaping how guests move through each setting and how the experience unfolds,” said Morisano. “Our philosophy with Grey Spaces centers on radical hospitality: creating places where people gather naturally and strangers can become friends. With Savannah as our home base, we’re excited to bring that same intentionality to this partnership with Hilton.”

Bailey added: “At Signia Hilton Savannah, we’re excited to create a culinary destination that reflects the spirit of Savannah and the Lowcountry, embraces heritage through food and draws on the global influences that have shaped my journey as a chef. It’s about creating a place that feels connected to the city—one that belongs as much to guests as it does to the community.”

The Grey Spaces duo were tapped to take the culinary helm of the forthcoming Signia Hilton Savannah

by STiR Creative Collective, Hilton’s in-house global food and beverage consulting agency.

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August 10, 2026

Nine Consultancies Unite as Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative Debuting at ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition

By Todd McElwee Nine independent firms serving associations and nonprofits have joined forces to form the Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative. Called a “first-of-its-kind alliance” by organizers, the collective will debut with a booth at the ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition in Indianapolis.

Collaborative members will meet digitally monthly on Qiqo Chat. Sessions are open to professional consultants, with the Collaborative compiling a running directory of those professionals. Member firms operate independently while working together on projects and referrals.

“I have consultant colleagues who are brilliant in their own lane, and I thought, along with whom, we should get together and talk, so the monthly chats were born,” said Cecilia Sepp, Principal of Rogue Tulips Consulting, who originated the idea for the Collaborative.

Exhibiting members of the Collaborative include the following: • 501CISO—Cybersecurity leadership and assessments

U.S. Chamber Establishes Housing Council… Responding to the recent housing reform law, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has announced the formation of its Housing Advisory Council. The Chamber said inaugural members JPMorganChase, James Hardie, Citi, and UMH Properties will advance practical, market-driven policy solutions to increase housing supply and address housing affordability in

• Associate Creative—Graphic design and branding, from conference identities to publications • Inktide Solutions—Trade show, exhibitor, and sponsor revenue growth • KTD+—Educational content development, e-learning, and publishing • Rogue Tulips Consulting— Executive leadership, governance, knowledge management, and ethics • The AMS Guy—Association management system (AMS) selection, implementation, and management • TwentyForty Digital—Change and transformation strategy putting the human factor first • Tying It Together—Strategic planning, governance, and membership • Virlybird—Meetings, awards programs, and event technology to drive engagement Sepp and her colleagues will be available on the trade show floor at booth 1329.

Find more information here.

Around Associations

America. JPMorganChase will chair the body.

“When housing supply doesn’t keep up with demand, it becomes a real constraint on workers, businesses, and growth,” said Neil Bradley, Chief Policy Officer and Head of Strategic Advocacy of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “The Council is focused on bringing together companies that build, finance, and supply housing

Brand USA has launched its first out-of-home advertising campaign in Japan. As part of its global America the Beautiful campaign, the initiative has rolled out across key locations in Tokyo. The launch comes as Japan is projected to become the No. 2 overseas source market for the U.S. in 2026, according to a Tourism Economics forecast.

to focus on practical market-driven solutions that strengthen economic resilience and expand opportunity in local communities across America.”

The Chamber noted prior estimates suggest America faces a shortage of 4.7 million homes affecting workers, employers, and communities.

Find more information here.

FSAE Announces Awards… Honoring excellence in the Sunshine State, the Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE) presented its Leadership Awards during last month’s Annual Conference at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld.

The Executive of the Year is Russ Webb, CAE, Executive Director, Bay Area Apartment Association, Webb has worked in the association space for more than 25 years, serving as the Executive Director for the Bay Area Apartment Association (BAAA) since 2020. A member of FSAE since 2020, he was elected to the board of directors in 2023 and has served on numerous committees. FSAE noted he’s guided BAAA to doubled membership and revenue growth.

Mary Bales, Sr. Account Executive – Association, Marriott International is the Associate of the Year. She’s worked in the hospitality industry for more 30 years and served as FSAE’s 2026 Annual Conference Co-Chair as well

as participating with numerous FSAE Committees.

Frank Rudd Rising Star honors went to Quan Remmer, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Suncoast Tampa Association of Realtors. Remmer has worked in the association space for three years as well as serving in local nonprofit leadership roles. A member of FSAE since 2025, he has served on a variety of FSAE Committees.

The Association of the Year is the Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. Since 2013, the Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics has strengthened access to healthcare for uninsured and underserved Floridians by administering millions of dollars in grant funding and providing advocacy, education, and data support to more than 110 member organizations serving communities across all 67 counties.

The Supporting Associate Organization of the Year is Expo Auctions, a full-service auction management company dedicated to helping the association industry connect with their fundraising potential. Working with associations nationwide, Expo Auctions helps organizations maximize silent and live auction revenue and exceed fundraising goals.

Find more information here.

August 10, 2026

USAE

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N E W S Sponsored Content

Savannah Levels Up: Bigger Meetings. Same Seamless Experience.

For years, planners have chosen Savannah because it makes citywide meetings feel refreshingly manageable. Hotels conveniently located near the riverfront. Attendees can walk from sessions to dinner, entertainment and rooftop receptions.

Frequent ferry service connects the Historic Landmark District directly to the Savannah Convention Center—with a view along the way. Here, logistics have gained the homecourt advantage.

The destination that fills the room has expanded its capacity, giving planners the freedom to host larger programs, accommodate more attendees and pursue events that once exceeded the city’s footprint—all while preserving the walkability, hospitality and unmistakable sense of place that have made Savannah a favorite for years.

More Space. More Possibility.

Designed to meet the growing demands of today’s meetings and conventions, the expanded Savannah Convention Center now spans 660,000 square feet of total meeting space; the expanded center features 200,000 square feet of exhibit hall space and a new 40,000-square-foot ballroom, complementing the existing 25,000-square-foot ballroom. With 27 meeting rooms, five executive boardrooms, a 367-seat auditorium, 1,500 parking spaces onsite (including a 900-space parking garage), a 58-foot-wide hangar door and a new glass facade entry, planners have the flexibility to accommodate everything from intimate leadership retreats to large-scale conventions and trade shows.

But these numbers represent more than an impressive expansion.

They create greater flexibility for

Savannah Convention Center Exterior

concurrent education sessions, larger general assemblies, expanded exhibit floors, and multi-day programs that require room to grow. Planners who may have previously looked elsewhere for larger events can now bring those meetings to Savannah without giving up the connected destination experience attendees appreciate.

In other words, Savannah hasn’t changed what made it successful—it has simply made it possible.

A Hotel Built for What’s Next The expansion extends beyond the convention center itself.

Rising adjacent to the facility, Signia

by Hilton Savannah is adding another significant piece to the destination’s meetings portfolio. Scheduled to open in 2028, the hotel will offer 444 guestrooms, 38,000 square feet of meeting space, five food and beverage concepts, premium wellness amenities, and a direct connection to the Savannah Convention Center.

For planners, that means even greater convenience.

Attendees will be able to move seamlessly between guestrooms, meeting space and convention activities without leaving the campus, while organizers gain additional flexibility when designing conferences that combine large-scale sessions with executive meetings, networking events and VIP experiences.

Just across the Savannah River, the Historic Landmark District remains only a short ferry ride away, giving attendees immediate access to acclaimed restaurants, rooftop bars, shopping, historic squares and waterfront attractions after the day’s agenda concludes.

It’s a combination few destinations can offer: expanded convention in-

Aerial view of the Signia Hilton Savannah. Credit:Savannah Convention Center

frastructure paired with an authentic downtown experience that’s remarkably easy to explore.

Bigger Meetings. Easier Logistics.

Growth means little if it creates complexity. Nearby accommodations, pedestrian-friendly streets and thoughtfully planned transportation options help reduce transfers and maximize time together, giving planners more opportunities to focus on the attendee experience instead of logistics.

For planners, that translates into fewer hurdles and more opportunities to focus on creating memorable moments.

For attendees, it means the city itself becomes an extension of the meeting.

Dinner conversations spill onto rooftop terraces overlooking the river.

Networking continues over chef-driv-

Savannah Meetings Band Shell

en cuisine and craft cocktails. Historic streets become gathering places between sessions, while Savannah’s welcoming atmosphere encourages meaningful connections long after the final presentation ends.

The Time to Plan Is Now Savannah’s expansion isn’t a future vision. It’s here, and it’s not alone.

Construction is well underway for Signia by Hilton Savannah, and the hotel is already accepting bookings for future groups. As excitement builds around the destination’s expanded capabilities, planners are securing dates well in advance to take advantage of what Savannah offers now.

Start Planning Your Next Savannah Meeting Discover how Savannah’s expanded convention center, future Signia by Hilton and planner resources can help bring your next event to life.

BREAKOUT VIEWS

VISION BUILDING TEAM CONNECTING

RESULT-DRIVEN COASTAL COLLAB

Host your next meeting or retreat where Southwest Florida beauty meets cutting-edge facilities. Enjoy 44,000 square feet of waterfront meeting spaces at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center or 60,000 square feet of luxury spaces at the Sunseeker Resort Florida Gulf Coast, Curio by Hilton. Beyond the boardroom, discover biking trails, Blueway paddling, and waterfront dining. Seamless planning ensures every detail inspires success.

PureFloridaMeetings.com