D.C. Council Approves Deal for Washington Commanders Stadium
By Jonathan Trager
The NFL’s Washington Commanders are returning to their former home in the nation’s capital.
On September 17, the D.C. City Council greenlit a $3.8 billion stadi-
um project that paves the way for a new 65,000-seat domed venue for the football team on the former RFK Stadium site. The goal is to debut the new stadium by 2030.
The Commanders played at RFK Stadium from its opening in 1961
IMEX America Coming to Las Vegas Next Week
By Todd McElwee
Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group, sees it happening around this time every year.
An anticipatory excitement is gaining momentum within the company’s Hove, England, offices as IMEX America is on the horizon. Bauer herself is not immune, and with the event fast approaching carved out some time to discuss the show, including a few aspects she’s looking forward to.
IMEX America is October 7–9 at Mandalay Bay,
Las Vegas. Smart Monday, powered by MPI, is October 6.
“Impact 2.0 – Activating the Future” is the firm’s talking point. A continuation of 2024’s Impact, it is being incorporated into the event manners via examinations of sustainability, the delivery of events and even the impact attending may have on an individual.
New educational tracks have been added in line with the talking point. In community builders, media entrepreneur David Adler
until 1996, when the team was called the Redskins. Since 1997, the team has played at Northwest Stadium, formerly known as FedEx Field, in Landover, Maryland.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser negoti-
Los Angeles Moves Forward with Convention Center Expansion Plan
By Jonathan Trager
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on September 24 gave final approval to a $2.62 billion expansion and modernization of the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The mayor endorsed the plan at a press conference at the facility days after the city council passed the measure in an 11-2 vote on September 19. She was joined by other elected officials, business and civic leaders, and others.
The project will connect the two existing South and West Exhibit Halls by adding 190,000 square feet of space to create one contiguous hall with more than 750,000 square feet. It will also add 39,000 square feet of new meeting room space and 95,000 square feet of multipurpose space.
Kimberly Weedmark, General Manager of the Los Angeles Convention Center, said the project “will transform the landscape of Downtown Los Angeles for following generations.”
“We appreciate the LA City Council
The charitable arm of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), the AHLA Foundation, announced on September 18 that it has awarded its 2025 Peggy Berg Castell Award to Marriott International’s Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Development Leeny Oberg. The AHLA Foundation will hold a formal ceremony for Oberg on October 7 AHLA Foundation
Honors Marriott’s Leeny Oberg with Castell Award
By Jordan Bradley
at The Lodging Conference in Phoenix.
The Peggy Berg Castell Award—formerly the Castell Award before it was renamed in 2022—was created to honor founder of the Castell Project Peggy Berg. The Castell Project was a 501c3 nonprofit that supported hospitality companies in the advancement and development of their female team members before it merged with the AHLA Foundation in March of 2022.
Kireem Swinton, Interim President & CEO, Visit Baltimore (left), welcomes presenter Amir Eylon, President & CEO, Partner, Longwoods International, to the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals’ State of Black Tourism session at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C., on September 25. See story on page 5
HOTS Attack of the Squirrel… A “very mean squirrel” is wreaking havoc in California. The Associated Press reports that at least two people in the San Francisco Bay Area have been sent to the ER as a result of an encounter with the squirrel. Joan Heblack told ABC affiliate KGO-TV the squirrel in question “clamped” onto her leg while she was walking in the Lucas Valley neighborhood of San Rafael. Another woman, Isabel Campoy, was walking in the same area when she was also attacked. Both women went to the emergency room as a result of their encounters. Not long after the incidents, flyers warning of the squirrel started appearing in the
Publisher & Executive Editor 1982 – 2021 Anne Daly Heller
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
Graphic Designer Danielle Erbe
Marketing
Christy Pumphrey christy@usaenews.com
To
HOTS HOTS
area. According to the poster, at least five people had been attacked as of September 22. Lisa Bloch of the Marin Humane, a local animal clinic and nonprofit organization, told the Associated Press they had not received any additional reports of squirrel attacks, but that it would work with the state to remove the savage squirrel should reports begin again. “We’ve seen this kind of behavior before,” Bloch told AP. “It’s almost always because someone has been feeding the animal.” She noted that squirrels are not vectors for rabies, so the people it has already attacked are safe from the disease. HOTS would like to remind people to NOT feed wild animals, lest ye seek to create more “very mean” squirrels.
HOTS No Bisque for This Lobster…
A very rare lobster was returned to its home in the Long Island Sound, UPI reports. An “ultra-rare” orange lobster was found in a tank at a New York store by one Kyle Brancato, who speculated that the sea creature had been left behind due to its orange color. “I think the only reason it was still in the tank was people probably thought it had a disease or something,” Brancato told WHAM-TV. Brancato, however, believed he was looking at something special and went out of his way to purchase the lobster and make it comfortable while he contacted animal rescue group Humane Long Island. The group
took the lobster and gave him the name Jean-Clawd Van Dam before releasing him back into the Long Island sound on September 24. According to
UPI, orange coloration only occurs in one out of every 30 million lobsters. HOTS gives a round of a-claws to this orange lobster’s rescuers.
AAHOA Hosts Annual Advocacy Conference on Capitol Hill
By Jordan Bradley
During the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA)’s annual Fall National Advocacy Conference on September 16–17, members traveled from across the United States to Washington, D.C.’s Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers as part of the association’s advocacy efforts.
The conference focused on increasing access to capital for small business
hoteliers through Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs, advocating for the repeal of the Visa Integrity Fee in an effort to boost international tourism to the country, and restoring Brand USA funding, the association said.
“Our members operate in every congressional district, and their impact is felt in communities nationwide,” said Kamalesh Patel, AAHOA Chairman. “FNAC is about ensuring lawmakers
understand what hotel owners are experiencing on the ground—what’s working, what’s not, and what’s urgently needed. Whether expanding SBA loan access through the STRONG/ LIONs Acts or supporting tourism, we advocate for policies that strengthen small businesses and support longterm industry growth.”
According to the association, this year’s conference was the largest
Carlin Taylor of Soul Cartel performs at a September session of Summer Sounds at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, presented by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority.
AAHOA members held the annual Federal National Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. on September 16-17.
Hard Rock Tampa Donates $100,000 to Local Hispanic Organizations
By Jordan Bradley
The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa in Florida donated $100,000 to area Hispanic community organizations in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month on September 18.
Ten local hispanic organizations received $10,000 donations each from the casino-hotel: the Coalition of Hispanic Artists, Course of Action Foundation, Enterprising Latinas, Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund, Hispanic Heritage Network of Orange County, Hispanice Outreach Center, Hispanic Star, Krewe of Sant’ Yago Education Foundation, Roberty Clemente Foundation, and the USF - Latino Scholarship Program.
Donation Given in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month
Rock. “We’re honored to stand alongside local organizations that uplift and empower the region’s Hispanic communities every day.”
The property is also celebrating the commemorative month with its “My Rhythm. My Flavor. Mi Gente” promotions and programming from September 15 to October 15.
As part of “My Rhythm. My Flavor. Mi Gente,” the Seminole Hard Rock property is hosting weekly Latin Nights featuring salsa lessons, live Latin entertainment and handcrafted cocktails “inspired by the vibrant traditions of Latin America.”
“We’re honored to stand alongside local organizations that uplift and empower the region’s Hispanic communities every day.”
“Hispanic Heritage Month is a powerful reminder of the strength rooted in Latin culture, its people, and their rich history,” said Anaclaudia Solorzano, Director of Latin Marketing for Seminole Gaming & Seminole Hard
The property is also sharing with guests curated menus with Latin-inspired cocktail and food, and will host a memorabilia exhibit featuring items from iconic Latin music legends, including Celia Cruz, Christina Aguilera, Gloria Estefan, Maluma Pedro Fernández, Robi Draco Rosa, Shakira, and more.
Convene 4 Climate Coming to Rotterdam, Netherlands
By Todd McElwee
PCMA and the Strategic Alliance of the National Convention Bureaux of Europe (SANCBE) have announced details related to the second edition of Convene 4 Climate (C4C). Rotterdam, Netherlands, will host the event from October 16–17.
Launched in 2024, C4C is described by PCMA as a global platform and movement designed to push the business events community and the broader business world toward sustainability and regeneration.
“Business events possess a critical platform to accelerate solutions,” said Sherrif Karamat, CAE, PCMA and CEMA President & CEO. “C4C, created to harness this influence, ensures that meetings and events are not only sustainable in practice but also catalytic in driving systemic climate action.”
C4C’s participants will reconsider how events are designed, delivered, and measured, while focusing on cross-industry collaboration that extends beyond the conference floor. The program will feature shared global insights and calls to
action. Highlights include a fireside chat with United Nations leaders, Bosch’s model for embedding sustainability across operations, and the Jimmy Choo Design Academy, showcasing how creativity and innovation can shape sustainable futures.
Eric Bakermans and Matthias Schultze, SANCBE Co-Chairs stated, “Cross-sector and cross-country collaboration are essential for tackling global challenges. C4C offers an outstanding platform that brings together all stakeholders from the business events ecosystem and related sectors, fostering learning, idea generation, and growth.”
Following the inaugural C4C 2024 in Barcelona, a report featuring outcomes of the dedicated challenge workshops and highlighting key tactics was developed.
Foundational partners include Destination Canada, Fáilte Ireland, Marina Bay Sands, and United Airlines, as well as supporting partner Maritz. C4C 2025 is supported by Events DC, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Postillion Hotels.
The program and additional insights are available at convene4climate.org
NFIB Supports Legislation to Prevent Energy Bans
By Todd McElwee
Rallying against what it called a “nationwide effort to place burdensome regulations and restrictions on not only energy production, but also consumer products that use certain sources of energy,” the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) sent a letter to the House of Representatives championing the Energy Choice Act
The legislation would prohibit state and local governments from banning energy services based on the type or source of energy, which NFIB said would reduce energy costs and ensure small businesses have a choice in their energy provider. Introduced in June, the bill has been refered to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
“Unfortunately, there has been a nationwide effort to place burdensome regulations and restrictions on not only energy production, but also consumer products that use certain sources of energy,” the letter said.
“Small businesses overwhelmingly oppose these efforts that will decrease access to affordable and reliable ener-
gy and consumer products. In a recent NFIB member ballot, 96% of NFIB members opposed bans or restrictions on consumer products based on the energy that they use.”
NFIB said its members consistently rank the cost of energy as a top operating concern for their small businesses. In its most recent Problems & Priorities survey, small businesses ranked the cost of natural gas, propane, gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil as their sixth most pressing issue, with electricity costs following at 10th.
“The cost of energy remains a top issue impacting our nation’s small businesses,” said Louis Bertolotti, Principal of Federal Government Relations. “To encourage the use of certain energy sources over others, states and municipalities throughout the country have implemented burdensome restrictions that have decreased access to affordable, reliable energy sources. This legislation will prevent these onesize-fits-all mandates from wreaking further havoc on small businesses and their local economies as electricity demands continue to break peak records.”
The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa distributed $100,000 to local Hispanic community organizations on September 18. Photo credit: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.
By Todd McElwee
NEWS NEWS
State of Black Tourism Session Held in D.C.
Black travelers place in the tourism market, political and economic impacts and concerns, African Americans’ preferred method of housing on the road and more was explored during the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals’ (NCBMP) State of Black Tourism session this year.
The event took place at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C., on September 25.
A presentation by Amir Eylon, President & CEO, Partner, Longwoods; and panel discussion featuring Ashlei Elise, Chief Marketing Officer, International African American Museum; Wanda Johnson, CAE, CMP, CEO, American Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN); Danielle Kennedy-Jones, Executive Officer, 100 Black Men of America; Johnnie White, CAE, CMP Fellow, CEO, American Association of Clinical Endocrinology; and Dan Williams, President & CEO, Greater Birmingham CVB, headlined the event. Shawn Boynes, FASAE, CAE, moderated the session.
Despite headwinds, the sky is not falling on travel, Eylon said. He provided attendees a snapshot of
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The award is given to “principled women” in positions of leadership that “embody the qualities and ideals of changemakers, trailblazers, and champions for hospitality industry professional growth,” the AHLA Foundation said. The foundation added that “Oberg’s remarkable career, as a
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for their future facing vision as this project will allow us to increase the number of top-tier programs that we welcome to Los Angeles while granting our current clients continued growth opportunities,” said Weedmark. “This is an incredibly exciting time for Los Angeles.”
The project is kicking off several years ahead of the 2028 LA Olympics and Paralympics, which Los Angeles is hosting. Doane Liu, Executive Director of the City Tourism Department, said the project will be “substantially completed” by March 2028.
Adam Burke, President & CEO of Los Angeles Tourism, expressed gratitude to city officials for advancing the project.
“As we look ahead to historic years on the horizon, and as the global
American travelers’ sentiment based on proprietary research. Some headlines: 91% of Americans plan to travel within the next sixth months with rest and relaxation topping traveling motivations at 41%. He also noted that travel has shifted from a want to a need.
Opening by stating he’d present a lot of research, Eylon jokingly said we can do this the easy way or the hard way, with a raucous laugh following. He added we can do the 20-minute presentation or go through 1,372 Power Point slides and have Jason Dunn, Sr., CEO, NCBMP, lock the doors of the theater. The room opted for the former.
Detailing the motivations to travel, he showed how rest and relaxation jumped four points from February to August. He urged destinations to market words beginning with the “re” prefix—relax, refresh, reunion, etc.
Delving into Black travelers, he shared roughly 20% percent of all trips are result from the segment. African Americans opt for a hotel at a higher rate than the U.S. norm at 47% to 44%. They also stay with relatives less than the national average, 16% to 20%, and plan further ahead than other markets.
Eylon shared concerns about fi -
financial and business executive and true industry changemaker, exemplifies the leadership and dedication that the Peggy Berg Castell Award celebrates.”
“I am humbled and honored to receive the Peggy Berg Castell Award. AHLA and the AHLA Foundation have been incredible partners to Marriott, our industry, and hospitality professionals,” said Oberg. “It has been a privilege to work in a people-oriented
spotlight on Los Angeles intensifies, we know the Los Angeles Convention Center will play an even more vital role in shaping our city’s future while continuing to welcome guests from around the globe,” Burke said.
The council has authorized issuing $990 million in bonds to fund the expansion, with the debt service paid through 2058.
However, Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, said taking on the cost of the project is irresponsible. Yaroslavsky had offered a more modest modernization plan at less expense.
The city is “putting City Hall, the LAPD headquarters, and your local LAPD and Los Angeles Fire Department stations up as collateral for this loan,” said Yaroslavsky, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.
nances impacting and hindering travel the most and that politics are playing a larger role in decision making. Democrats (57%) believe travel will become less affordable at a much higher rate than republicans (30%).
Boynes opened the panel discussion by building off Eylon’s notion that travel has shifted from a want to a need. Williams said travel has been an essential in the Black community in that it gives them a sense of comfort and an escape from systemic pressures.
Johnson added the shift is truly generational. Traveling was a major deal when she was in her twenties, but now to her kids, who are in the thirties, it’s a regular and welcomed occasion.
Building off that, Elise said social media videos heavily factor into her destination selection and subsequent itineraries.
Williams noted the impact of Black travelers is evident and destinations who embrace the market have a jump on the competition and are benefiting from their efforts.
Obviously travel and tourism is not immune from today’s politically charged environment, the panel shared personal experiences on site selection and their thoughts on the
business with colleagues and teams who make this industry unique.”
Oberg first joined Marriott in 1999, and has served as Marriott’s CFO for the last 10 years. In 2023, she also stepped into the role of EVP of Development for the international hotel company.
During her time with Marriott, Oberg was instrumental in the company’s growth, as with the acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and in navigating challenging periods, like the Covid-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, Marriott announced that Oberg will retire by March 31, 2026.
Before her time with the Bethesda, Maryland, hotel brand, Oberg served as the CFO or The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, “where she contributed substantially to the brand’s performance and growth,” the AHLA Foundation said.
benefits/necessity of DEI practices.
White shared there have been numerous occasions during which he had to convince his board to host an event in a destination many argue was tarnished by undesirable or troubling political or cultural factors. Championing the notion of going and representing not only their members, but the community and themselves is a way to build bridges, ensure proper representation and enhance dialogue.
Johnson highlighted the notion of discovering exactly where an organization’s members are and let that data augment the argument for site selection.
Kennedy-Jones said you cannot run from these conversations. The best interest of the organization must be put first, including if a city, venue, etc., is a safe and accommodating space. She also recommended planners and industry members who are not NCBMP members sign up immediately, as the perspective, connections and education benefits are invaluable.
Elise noted that African American history is American history and that by avoiding or disregarding it—or any history—we’re losing a piece of our story. Find more information at ncbmp.com
Oberg, the sixth person to receive the Peggy Berg Castell Award, is also an active member of the AHLA’s Industry Real Estate Finance Advisory Council.
“Leeny Oberg’s dedication to her work and extensive leadership at
Marriott perfectly exemplify the values that this award represents,” said Kevin Carey, President and CEO of AHLA Foundation. “She is a true changemaker, committed to improving the industry in innovative ways and advancing the careers of those around her. We are thrilled to present Leeny with this recognition.”
Leeny Oberg
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will look at connection and how to spark engagement in event design. Entrepreneur Andrea Driessen is set to explore feeling seen and more during her sessions. Leadership and culture will include Duncan Fisher, Chief Show Operations Officer of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, and his session “How to Run Your Global Business Like a Circus.”
Bauer also mentioned wellness features and interactive measures in which attendees can engage.
Eisenberg, Executive Director, Damon Brooks & Associates, will “demystifies complex economic trends, equipping you with the knowledge to make informed decisions,” IMEX said.
Bauer also mentioned wellness features and interactive measures in which attendees can engage.
Bauer mentioned a few aspects of what she’s looking forward to, including MPI keynote speakers, company research, Visit Seattle giving award seed packages and an F1 simulator.
Rob Lawless, President, The Keynote Curators will explore the untapped value of human connection on Smart Monday. On October 8, Dr. Elliot
She said: “We are working with the American and Australian Psychological Association on a case study and will be one of the first global events that will be measured against their new neurodiverse, inclusive event certification. So, it’s a new standard for inclusive event design. Obviously, we’ll get the results after the show, but that’s something we’ve been working on for a while, so that’s going to be really interesting.”
There’s also an expanded first timers program to help newcomers feel less overwhelmed by the event.
Asked why she would recommend that someone who has never attended make the trip to Las Vegas, Bauer spoke from a planner perspective and said: “I think if see yourself as an industry professional, it is really important
USPS Won’t Raise Cost of Newspaper Postage This January
By Jordan Bradley
The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced on September 24 that it will not increase the price of postage for newspapers and First Class Mail in January.
The USPS made the decision not to raise pricing for its market dominant products after a recommendation by Postmaster General David Steiner. He said the organization is constantly evaluating its pricing.
The organization “generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations,” the announcement said.
“We continually strive to balance our pricing approach both to meet the revenue needs of the Postal Service and to deliver affordable offerings that reflect market conditions,” Steiner said. “We have therefore decided at this time to forgo a price change for First-Class Mail postage and other Market Dominant services until mid-year 2026.”
The National Newspaper Association (NNA) celebrated the announcement.
“We are pleased that Postmaster General Steiner appears to have
to come to IMEX to really understand what’s going on in the industry, so to really meet with your peers from across North America, but also around the world, to gain a perspective of what’s available to you as the planner from right across the world, in terms of destinations and venues, but also to get those ideas that are going to make your event really stand out from the crowd.”
She added being at IMEX America puts you at the heart of the industry and is a learning experience unique to itself.
Bauer shared that some of the final details before everything kicks off include confirming matters of the hosted buyer program as well another final touch.
“The thing I think that might surprise people is that once the carpets are laid, our team, our sales and ops teams, walk the show floor to check physically that everything is in place and perfect, and there’s no bits on the floor or nails,” Bauer said. “It’s
really like a lot of love and attention to detail that we give to things that might be unusual.”
Find more information at imexamerica.com
embraced this approach but much work remains to ensure that newspaper postage rates and service are affordable and reliable as the USPS considers rate changes for July 2026,” the association said.
The USPS evaluates the pricing of its “market dominant” products— such as newspaper and First Class Mail postage—twice per year. Should the federal body deem it necessary to raise rates, it does so in January and July.
The practice of price increases every six months began after the Post Regulatory Commission in late 2020, according to the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers.
“This is a welcome respite from large, twice yearly increases imposed under the previous Postmaster General,” said Marth Diaz Aszenazzy, Chair of the NNA, and Publisher of The San Fernando Valley Sun in California. “We look forward to working with PMG Steiner to encourage more improvements in efficiency and service quality to put the USPS back on a path to success.”
The NNA also said it “strongly supports” the proposed USPS Serves Us Act, which would limit price increases to once per year.
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ated the deal with Josh Harris, owner of the Commanders, earlier this year. The council gave preliminary approval to the plan last month, but a second vote was required.
“It is with great pride that I can say we are officially bringing our Commanders home and turning 180 acres of land on the banks of the Anacostia, on the monumental axis, into jobs and opportunity for D.C. residents,” said Bowser. “This will be the largest economic development project in D.C. history.”
approval, we can now move forward on the transformative RFK project that will bring lasting economic growth for our city.”
The project also includes construction of 5,000 to 6,000 housing units on the site as well as green space and a sports complex. The Commanders will invest $2.7 billion in the project, with the city picking up the remaining $1.1 billion cost.
“With the Council’s approval, we can now move forward on the transformative RFK project that will bring lasting economic growth for our city.”
Hours before the final vote, Commanders President Mark Clouse sent a letter to the council objecting to “a list of unworkable and impractical new last-minute demands” members had attached to the project. Most of the proposed amendments were then rejected, however, and the team expressed satisfaction with the outcome, the Associated Press reported.
“Today is a historic day for D.C., the Commanders organization, and our fans,” Harris said. “With the Council’s
The stadium land was transferred from federal government control to city control in January. President Joe Biden signed the legislation that gave the District of Columbia control of the land for 99 years.
Elliott L. Ferguson III, President & CEO of Destination DC, said the city’s sports scene is a key element of what makes D.C. a special destination amid the destination’s diverse offerings.
“Mayor M. Bowser and the D.C. city council have repeatedly expressed their vision for Washington, D.C., to become the Sports Capital of the U.S.—a goal that moved closer to reality with the approval of the new stadium for the Commanders,” Ferguson said.
Carina Bauer
Scene At The 26th Annual Summit Awards
Destinations International Launches Food Recovery and Redistribution at Events Guide
By Jonathan Trager
Destinations International (DI) on September 24 announced the release of “Destination Guide: Food Recovery and Redistribution at Events,” which the association says provides actionable tools to “reduce food waste, strengthen community well-being and create measurable impact.”
Developed by applying DI’s Social Impact Framework, the guide is targeted to destination organizations and event strategists and supported by the DI Foundation.
The guide notes nearly 40% of event food goes unsold or uneaten, according to PCMA, while Feeding America reports that 14% of residents in Cook County, Illinois—more than 723,000 people—experience food insecurity.
“This resource shows that destinations can move beyond simply hosting events to catalyzing meaningful community impact,” said Don
Welsh, President & CEO of DI. “By connecting surplus food with those in need, we can directly address food insecurity while advancing responsible tourism and destination stewardship.”
During its 2025 Annual Convention in Chicago, DI partnered with Choose Chicago, McCormick Place, and Fight2Feed to engage convention attendees in assembling 200 pantry bags (feeding 800 Chicago residents). Convention meals diverted 1.41 tons of waste from landfill and conserved nearly 10,000 gallons of water, according to DI.
“Fight2Feed is proud to partner with Destinations International to showcase how events can feed communities while reducing waste,” said Jiwon McCarthy, founder & CEO of Fight2Feed. “This guide provides a replicable model for destination organizations everywhere.”
Key features of the guide include the following:
• Step-by-step framework: A five-
Destinations International Offers Virtual Education Series
By Jonathan Trager
Destinations International (DI) has introduced an expanded Virtual Education Series offering destination professionals on-demand courses designed to “build skills, strengthen leadership, and drive innovation across the tourism sector.”
Announced on September 23, the series provides quick, focused learning experiences that allow participants to learn on their own schedules. Each course is structured to be “highly digestible”—whether a 30-minute lesson, a short video series, or a focused virtual panel—and is supported with practical tools and downloadable resources for immediate application, DI stated.
“Our industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and education must evolve with it,” said Don Welsh, President & CEO of DI. “The Virtual Education Series ensures destination professionals at every career stage have access to relevant, actionable training that fits seamlessly into their workday.”
The newly released courses include:
• Technology and Innovation Series: Equips destination leaders with
insights into emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and their practical applications.
• Leadership Series: Helps destination professionals step into or advance within leadership roles by strengthening mindsets, tools, and organizational influence.
• Skills Series: Delivers essential tools, techniques, and soft skills needed to thrive in a competitive, fast-changing environment.
DI said additional offerings, including a DI Digest Series, will be released soon to further support continuous professional development.
“Professional growth has to be flexible and accessible,” said Emily Scheiderer, Vice President of Professional Development for DI. “These courses are designed by and for destination professionals as quick, focused and highly actionable learning experiences that fit into your schedule, ensuring that every participant walks away with knowledge and tools they can apply immediately in their role.”
Individual courses are $59 for members and $79 for non-members. The Virtual Education Series is available here
step process for embedding food recovery into event design, from identifying outcomes to measuring and communicating impact.
• Real-world case study: Metrics and lessons learned from DI’s 2025 Annual Convention activations in Chicago.
• Community alignment: Tools to help destinations partner with local organizations to address hunger, advance stewardship, and engage
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to date with 200 AAHOA members attending.
On the first day, members heard from keynote speaker Kelly Loeffler, administrator of the SBA, who emphasized the role of the administration in supporting small businesses through Small Business Development Centers, federal contracted, efforts to combat fraud and improve loan programs, and “reduce regulatory burdens,” AAHOA said.
At the Congressional reception, AAHOA members hosted Reps. Judy Chu (D-CA), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Ralph Norman (R-SC), and Shri Thanedar (D-MI) for discussions on legislative priorities for their regions.
On the second day of the conference, AAHOA members participated in “hundreds” of meetings with members of Congress and their staff and
residents and visitors.
“Destinations are under increasing pressure to prove their social and environmental value,” said Martha J. Sheridan, President & CEO of Meet Boston and Chair of the DI Foundation. “The foundation is proud to support resources like this that enable destinations to lead with purpose and impact.”
The new guide is available now to members and partners here
advocated for their three legislative priorities.
One of the association’s areas of conversation with lawmakers centered on the $250 Visa Integrity Fee, which would impact travelers from non-visa waiver countries like Mexico, India and China. The fee is currently set to go into effect on October 1. With the addition of the Visa Integrity Fee, the total visa cost to travel to the United States will rise to $442, one of the highest in the world, according to the U.S. Travel Association.
“Our nearly 20,000 members own 60% of U.S. hotels and contribute over $370 billion to the national GDP— proof that when hotel owners speak, they are speaking for our economy,” said Laura Lee Blake, President and CEO of AAHOA. “Advocacy is not just talking—it is our economic footprint in action. By engaging directly with policymakers at FNAC, we’re ensuring hotel owners not only survive but thrive. That’s a win for communities across the country.”
The Nashville CVC, Music City Center and Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center brought the Striking Matches to ASAE’s 26th Annual Summit Awards at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., on September 25.
NEWS NEWS
San Francisco Approves Largest Hotel Project in Years
By Jordan Bradley
The planning commission for the city of San Francisco unanimously approved the largest hotel project in years.
At a September 11 meeting, the commission approved a request for authorization to move forward with construction on a 211-room boutique hotel downtown. The hotel will be the largest hotel in terms of room size to be approved by the city in several years, a city planner told online local news outlet SFGate.
The project’s developer, Frontier Group, initially proposed the hotel in
2019, but the impact of the pandemic and subsequent rising construction costs halted hotel development in San Francisco.
The hotel would provide 211 guest rooms, 3,400 square feet of retail space on the ground floor, and amenities that would cater to the upscale travel market.
Frontier Group presented a commissioned analysis of the San Francisco forecast from commercial real estate analysis firm CBRE for the September 11 meeting.
The report found a positive forecast for Northern California. The report also found that San Francisco—which
Association Forum Names Advisory Group for Men’s Leadership Experience
By Todd McElwee
Association Forum (AF) on September 24 announced a “powerhouse” advisory group it said will shape tone, provide guardrails, and pilot planning for 2026. The official event name and date will be announced at the beginning of the year.
“This isn’t a panel. It’s a pivot,” said Artesha Moore, FASAE, CAE, President & CEO of AF. “We’re building an experience where men can put down the armor, pick up real skills, and show up for their teams and communities. The advisory group we’ve assembled will ensure we do this with candor, care, and serious impact.”
The Advisory Group includes the following: Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky, workplace belonging expert, author; Darryll Stinson, a mental-health advocate, 2x TEDx speaker; Shawn Boynes, FASAE, CAE, association CEO, mental-health & inclusion advocate; Ahmmad Brown, PhD, equity and inclusion advisor, scholar; Lowell Aplebaum, FASAE, CAE, CEO, governance expert and facilitator; Carlos Cardenas, CAE, tech executive, Association Latinos co-founder; Greg Heidrich, senior association CEO; Jonathan Adams, CAE, association leader & technologist, Forty Under 40 award recipient; and James Jessie, DMO industry partner. AF liaisons include Moore; Bryan White, CAE, board liaison; and Alec Rosofsky, CAE, CMP, Director of Learning & Events.
AF said the group will build an experience, not a conference with hightrust formats, guided practice, and real-world tools. Avoiding tokenism
and center inclusion without defensiveness, the experience is designed to promote emotional literacy, relational accountability, and community-powered growth.
Strategic Outcomes include reinforcing AF’s leadership in “brave, innovative programming” sending a message that inclusion means everyone—without minimizing the needs of others; bridging emotional growth and leadership excellence; and expanding the ecosystem of champions for both the Women’s Executive Forum and this men’s leadership experience.
AF’s long-standing Women’s Executive Forum remains a flagship program and is actively planning its next offering for March 2026. AF noted the new men’s leadership experience expands the network of champions across genders—it does not replace, reduce, or redirect support for women’s leadership.
“This initiative strengthens—not sidelines—our commitment to inclusive leadership,” said Michelle Mills Clement, FASAE, CAE, CEO of the Chicago Association of REALTORS and Chair of Association Forum. “By launching this advisory group, Association Forum is widening the circle, so every leader has the skills and community to thrive.”
The advisory group will begin focused design sprints this fall, informing facilitation models and planning for a pilot in late summer 2026. Select advisors may serve as session hosts, storytellers, or guides based on availability and strategic fit.
Find more information at associationforum.org
had seen record low tourism as a result of the pandemic and has struggled to recover in subsequent years—was projected to have the highest revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth of the region’s cities, with the firm expecting an 8.4% increase.
The report noted this was significantly higher than the national average of 1.4% and attributed the growth to the return of business travel and industry conventions.
“The Bay Area’s urban markets like San Francisco and San Jose are experiencing strong business travel due to the return of industry conventions,” said Justin Schlageter, First Vice President with CBRE’s Hotels Valuation & Advisory group in the report. “Meanwhile, the exponential demand that Napa wine country has experienced over the last few years have stabilized to pre-pandemic levels, particularly as wine operators navigate market conditions. However, their proximity to the Bay Area makes them among the largest drive-to leisure destinations in Northern California and well-positioned for future growth.”
Planning commission staff member Jonathan Vimr noted that the timing of the hotel’s development and the projected growth of San Francisco’s tourism market would make the project viable.
“CBRE published a detailed report and subsequent addendum projecting
that this type of high-end, view-oriented hotel would open into a strong and viable market,” Vimr said during the meeting. “Particularly in light of the fact that [this project] could not realistically be delivered for several years.”
At the meeting, the owner of the hotel’s neighboring Chancery Building, Chelsea Pacific Group, strongly opposed the new-build project. The Chancery Building is a seven-story office building.
Chelsea Pacific Group cited privacy and proximity concerns, worried that the new building would make it more challenging to rent out office space after the building is complete. Company representatives also said they were concerned about the impact of construction, including increases in dust and noise.
Still, the city’s planning commission voted unanimously to move the hotel forward.
“This is in the heart of downtown. This is our primary commercial corridor. This is where we welcome tourists and visitors,” said Commissioner Amy Campbell during the September 11 meeting. “This is how we can accommodate conferences. If there’s a business model here that’s going to make this hotel survive, then I think it’s irresponsible to turn down this project if it’s got economic livelihood.”
