2018 Facilities & Destinations SuperBook by Facilities Media Group

2018 PRIME SITE & TOP DESTINATION AWARDS 26

Facilities & 2018

BEDROCK COMMUNICATIONS, INC. 152 Madison Ave., Ste. 802, New York, NY 10016

Destinations SUPERBOOK

FOR ASSOCIATION & CORPORATE MEETING PLANNERS & TRADESHOW PROFESSIONALS

A NEW ERA FOR MEETINGS AT MOHEGAN SUN

CONNECTICUT RESORT WELCOMES GROUPS TO THE RECENTLY OPENED EARTH EXPO & CONVENTION CENTER 20

HOW TO SOURCE THE BEST SPEAKERS: KEY QUESTIONS FROM PLANNERS

6 128

NEW CEO OF THE PUERTO RICO DMO ON THE ISLANDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RECOVERY 18

LAS VEGAS 47

ORLANDO 42

JOHN WASHKO

Vice President of Exhibitions & Convention Sales

4 BUDGETING

GUIDELINES FOR YOUR MEETING 126

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EDITOR’S NOTE

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS SUPERBOOK

A SENSE OF PLACE, A SPIRIT OF COOPERATION

For Association & Corporate Meeting Planners & Tradeshow Professionals

2018

Chief Operating Officer David Korn

here are many trends in convention center design, from natural light to pillarless halls to digital wayfinding. Upon a recent visit, I found the new Earth Expo & Convention Center at Mohegan Sun to exemplify a design approach that can only help to foster engagement among delegates, what might be called “a sense of place.” Mohegan Sun, as most planners know, is steeped in the culture of the Connecticut’s Mohegan Tribe. The tribe itself has overseen the development of the resort, resulting in elements such paneling in the lobby made of birch bark — a material traditionally used for many of the tribe’s handicrafts. Sky Convention Center meeting rooms are named after Northeastern Indian peoples, such as Montauk, Shinnecock and Oneida. “Mohegan” translates to “People of the Wolf,” and in the new meeting space, I was intrigued to find a massive painting of the animal gracing the entrance to the 1,110-sq.-ft. Wolf Boardroom. The boardroom represents the height of videoconferencing technology while symbolizing a centuries-old culture. Even the wave-patterned carpet evokes the adjacent Thames River. Such elements draw attendees into the Mohegan world, not simply another state-of-the-art meeting space. The Mohegan Tribe has informed not only the resort’s design, but also the work ethic of its staff. John Washko, Mohegan Sun’s charismatic Vice President of Exhibitions & Convention Sales, discussed the tribe’s core values, highlighting the spirit of cooperation that extends to the staff’s work with meeting groups. For example, the resort actually built a road for one of its clients, Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, to facilitate transportation logistics for attendees onsite. The spirit of cooperation is also evident in the solicitation of planner input for the design of the new Expo Center. According to Washko, the familiar features of pillarless exhibit space and natural light topped the list of suggestions. The large windows in the prefunction space not only afford plenty of light, but also views of the lush Connecticut forestry — again lending a sense of place. I’m pleased to have a characterful convention facility like Mohegan Sun’s new Expo Center take the spotlight in this year’s F&D SuperBook. Planners often discuss strategies for engaging the meeting attendee. One strategy is quite simple: Book a meeting venue that is itself engaging.

– George Seli Editorial Director, Facilities Media Group gseli@facilitiesonline.com

Associate Publisher Michael Caffin Editorial Director George Seli Contributing Editors Anthony Bilden Laura Janelle Downey Debi Lander Deborah Shapiro Creative Direction & Design Scott-Goodman Associates Circulation Coordinator Aryeh Korn Editorial Assistant Gabriella Davino Business Operations Nadia Derelieva © Copyright 2018 by Bedrock Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in by-lined articles and advertising copy are not necessarily those of the publisher. Advertisers are responsible for all costs, damages and claims regarding advertising insertions. Facilities & Destinations is published four times a year by Bedrock Communications, Inc., 152 Madison Avenue, Suite 802, New York, NY 10016. Telephone: (212) 532-4150. Fax: (212) 213-6382.

CONTENTS

POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Facilities, 152 Madison Avenue, Suite 802, New York, NY 10016. Printed in U.S.A.

DEPARTMENTS

In Brief................................................................................................................. 4 Photoview EMERGE 2018: RCMA Annual Meeting............................................................. 16 Forum Brad Dean, CEO, Puerto Rico Destination Marketing Organization.................. 18 Perspectives How to Create an Immersive Brand Experience, by Annie Rector and Kristin Hems.............................................................................................. 124 Budgeting Best Practices, by Dani Korth......................................................... 126 Bringing the Best on Stage, by Ceré Netters................................................... 128 A-List Northeast Convention Center Executives........................................................ 132

Features

Mohegan Sun..................................................................................................... 20 2018 Prime Site & Top Destination Awards....................................................... 26 Destinations Orlando.............................................................................................................. 42 Orlando World Center Marriott......................................................................... 46 Las Vegas........................................................................................................... 47 Georgia Resorts................................................................................................. 52 Sites & Cities Directory...................................................................................... 57 Advertiser Index.............................................................................................. 131 2

Volume 25 No. 2

Cover ad space is available by contacting a Facilities advertising account executive at (212) 532-4150.

ON THE COVER John Washko joined Mohegan Sun last summer, bringing extensive experience in the luxury resort market to his position as Vice President of Exhibitions & Convention Sales. An articulate ambassador for Mogehan Sun’s enhanced meeting facilities, Washko is also well respected in his field. HSMAI has recognized him as one of the Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing and named him “Marketer of the Year” in 2010.

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

THE MOHEGAN SUN EXPOSITION CENTER OPENING SUMMER 2018

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PLATINUM CHOICE

IN BRIEF IND USTR Y PULS E

Julie Calvert Cincinnati CVB

Cathy Breden CEIR

Carrie Abernathy

Association for Women in Events

Karen Kotowski

Events Industry Council

CHICAGO, IL — At IMEX Frankfurt 2018, PCMA launched the Ascent CEO Promise, which promotes diversity and inclusion across the business events industry by collecting signatures from senior executives. According to PCMA, those who sign the CEO Promise commit to three initial goals: (1) We will make our workplaces and events open and trusting settings. (2) We will provide education on barriers to inclusivity, including unconscious bias. (3) We will share what we know, what we learn, and what needs improvement. By the end of May, 100 signatures were collected, including Tom Norwalk, President & CEO, Visit Seattle; Isabel Bardinet, CEO, European Society of Cardiology; David Peckinpaugh, President, Maritz Global Events; and Craig Davis, President and CEO, VisitPITTSBURGH. Supporting the initiative, the Ascent Studio at PCMA’s Education Conference, June 10-13, 2018 in Cleveland, provided two full days of sessions around inclusion and diversity topics. CINCINNATI, OH — The Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau has named Julie Calvert its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Calvert, the founder and now former Executive Director of Source Cincinnati, returns to the CVB where she served as a senior executive from 20012016. “This position has an opportunity to shape the vision of the Cincinnati destina-

tion for decades to come, and we had to get it absolutely right,” said CVB board chair Jim McGraw. “With Julie, we get a leader with a proven track record of driving destination reputation and economic impact. We get a passionate advocate for our region who understands our business, government and civic landscapes and how to mobilize the decision-makers who guide them. Moreover, we get an expert strategist who appreciates the power of collaboration and creative problem-solving to move the Cincinnati region forward.” Look for an interview with Calvert in the F&D 2018 Summer/Fall Digital issue. DALLAS, TX — According to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), the exhibition industry continued to grow during the first quarter of 2018, posting a year-overyear gain of 1.8 percent. All exhibition metrics posted year-over-year gains: Real revenues posted the largest increase of 2.8 percent, followed by net square feet, which rose 2 percent, while attendees and exhibitors gained 1.8 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively. “The increase in the first quarter supports our prediction that the exhibition industry will finally enter into an expansion phase in 2018 with the Total Index surpassing its previous peak,” said CEIR Economist Allen Shaw, Ph.D., Chief Economist for Global Economic Consulting Associates, Inc. Building, Construction,

Home and Repair; Industrial/Heavy Machinery and Finished Business Inputs; and Government all registered strong year-over-year gains. However, Consumer Goods and Retail Trade and Education posted year-over-year declines. “The first quarter of 2018 demonstrates that even in times when some sectors may be struggling, the total CEIR Index indicates the exhibitions industry is poised for steady growth,” said CEIR CEO Cathy Breden, CMP, CAE. In related news, the annual CEIR Predict Conference is scheduled for Sept. 13-14 at the MGM National Harbor. Among the highlights, Chief Economist Dr. Lindsey Piegza of Stifel Fixed Income will help attendees understand the economic factors impacting the exhibitions industry. TYSONS CORNER, VA — Cvent, Inc. has acquired Kapow, a leading online platform that allows companies to find and instantly book unique venues and curated experiences via a credit card. More than 10,000 special event venues and experiences can be booked directly through Kapow’s website. “Tapping into the power of the human connection to build relationships and get business done is more important than ever in our increasingly virtual world, and this central idea continues to drive our investments at Cvent,” said Reggie Aggarwal, Founder and CEO of Cvent. “That’s why Continued on page 6

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

IN BRIEF

IND USTR Y PULS E Continued from page 4

we acquired Kapow — to give our customers easy access to unique live event experiences that they can book whenever the need arises.” WASHINGTON, DC — ASAE leaders, along with executives from organizations including AWE, EIC, IAEE, IMEX, JMIC, MPI, PCMA and SITE, have formed a new coalition with the goal of eradicating sexual harassment in the events industry and workplace. “All the organizations came together because the ethical concerns and human rights would be better served working together, so we can

stop sexual harassment from occurring in the industry,” said ASAE President and CEO John H. Graham, IV, FASAE, CAE. According to the ASAE, the coalition will “identify tools and develop new resources to assist in educating individuals and the events industry about sexual harassment.” The coalition’s meeting organizers are Carrie Abernathy, CMP, CEM, CSEP, Past-President & Co-Founder, and Kiki J. Fox, President & Co-Founder of the Association for Women in Events. WASHINGTON, DC — The Events Industry Council, in

partnership with IMEX, has conferred this year’s IMEXEIC Innovation in Sustainability Award to the Salt Palace Convention Center and Mountain America Expo Center. The award was announced at IMEX Frankfurt. “This year’s recipient has demonstrated a significant commitment to effective waste diversion and focused on ways materials could support the community instead of adding to landfills,” said Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP, CEO, Events Industry Council. “The actions the Salt Palace Convention Center and Mountain America Expo Center have taken

are leading examples of how to be a part of the solution in protecting our planet and also make a huge impact by providing reusable materials to those in need.” The facility made community donations of over 200,000 pounds of material, which saved over 540 metric tons of carbon pollution and supported various community projects. For example, over 50,000 pounds of used chairs were shipped to Ghana to support education centers and schools in Africa. The Salt Palace team also set a new record for the concurrent achievement of the APEX/ASTM Sustainable Event Standards.

Every day we put out a 1 million square foot welcome mat. As home to more than 100 multi-ethnic neighborhoods, Philadelphia is a city bustling with diverse cultures, varied attractions and a heady mix of eclectic restaurants, music and museums. So it’s no wonder that, for 25 years, the Pennsylvania Convention Center has been making our customers feel right at home. Uniquely woven into the fabric of Philadelphia,our deep-rooted community, business and civic relationships help ensure we’re the ideal destination for your next convention, large meeting or small gathering.

sales@paconvention.com 215-418-4750

Stephanie Mays Boyd DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

IN BRIEF

It will include a 200,000-sq.ft. exhibit hall, 45,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and a 30,000-sq.-ft. ballroom. A new, 600-room Omni hotel with approximately 60,000 sq. ft. of meeting space will complement the convention center.

C O NVEN TION C EN T E R WAT C H

PORTLAND, OR — The $27 million renovation of the Oregon Convention Center will update the 28-year-old center’s lobbies, ballrooms and north plaza. The renovated facility will debut along with the new, 600-room Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center in late 2019. Oklahoma City’s MAPS 3 Downtown Convention Center broke ground on June 15. LOS ANGELES, CA — AEG, operator of the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), is proposing a $1.2 billion expansion of the facility via a public-private partnership. The plan, which has reportedly received support from Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Councilman Curren Price, has the following components: (1) adding up to 350,000 sq. ft. to the South Figueroa Street center, resulting in about 800,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibition space; (2) adding an 850-room hotel tower to the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live, with additional meeting space that would include a 51,000-sq.-ft. ballroom; and (3) redeveloping Gilbert Lindsay Plaza into a landscaped garden and event space. AEG projects that the LACC expansion and hotel could be completed as soon as 2021. MEMPHIS, TN — The City of Memphis is rebidding the 8

$175 million renovation of the Memphis Cook Convention Center, a project anticipated to be completed by late 2020. The renovated facility would feature a new exterior and reconfigured interior space. In addition, developers are pursuing a plan to convert the empty 100 North Main skyscraper into a primary convention hotel that would include at least 500 guestrooms and at least 50,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The projected opening date is late 2022. NEW ORLEANS, LA — This summer, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is launching a five-year, $557 million capital improvement program that will include meeting and public space renovations. In addition, a 7.5-acre pedestrian park will be developed that spans the length of the facility along Convention Center Boulevard, as well as a transportation center

connected to the facility. Construction on Convention Center Boulevard is expected to conclude in 2020. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK— The MAPS 3 Downtown Convention Center broke ground on June 15. The new facility will replace the Cox Convention Center when it opens in the summer of 2020.

SEATTLE, WA — In May, the Seattle City Council approved the plan to expand the Washington State Convention Center. The $1.6 billion Washington State Convention Center Addition, scheduled for completion by 2021, will consist of approximately 255,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, 125,000 sq. ft. of meeting rooms, and 60,000 sq. ft. of ballroom space.

Rendering of the Washington State Convention Center expansion at Pine Street. FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

IN BRIEF

H O TEL HIG HLIG H T S

Local civic and hospitality leaders, along with Omni Hotels & Resorts executives, break ground on the Omni Boston Seaport Hotel (rendering at right). BOSTON, MA — On May 22, Omni Hotels & Resorts executives along with Governor Charlie Baker, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) and New Boston Hospitality broke ground on the $550 million Omni Boston Seaport Hotel. The city’s fourth-largest hotel is set to open in late 2020 on the two-acre parcel of Massport-owned land at the corner of Summer and D Streets. The 1,055-room Omni Boston Seaport Hotel will house approximately 100,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and event space that includes the largest hotel ballroom in the Seaport District. Property highlights include a rooftop pool deck, Mokara Spa and entertainment lounge. COUER D’ALENE, ID — Coeur D’Alene Resort has completed a threeyear renovation of its 338 guestrooms and 32,000-sq.-ft. conference center. Guestrooms now feature larger HD televisions; new living space furniture; new carpet, draperies and wall cover10

ings; remodeled bathrooms and more. The conference center now has new AV and connectivity technology, including a new $600,000 illumination system, as well as new carpeting and remodeled bathrooms. FARMINGTON HILLS, MI — The 134-suite Crowne Plaza – Farmington Hills, located in suburban Detroit, opened in May. The hotel features 6,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, complemented by a staff that includes a certified meeting planner to assist groups. HOUSTON, TX — Omni Houston Hotel reopens on

Nov. 1 after a $30 million renovation. The 378-room property’s lobby will feature a “modern Texas” aesthetic, and the first floor will include a high-end retail venue, coffee and wine bar and whiskey room that will pay homage to Houston’s history. Meeting space on the first and second floors will also be redesigned and enlarged by 2,500 sq. ft. Allan Codore, a 22-year Omni Hotels & Resorts veteran, is the hotel’s new general manager as of June 1. KISSIMMEE, FL — The Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, located near Orlando, will reportedly

Southern California’s Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa recently completed a renovation and joined the Benchmark brand.

begin a $150 million expansion later this year. The project will increase guestrooms from 1,416 to 1,719 and add about 90,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space by the spring of 2021. For more Orlando hotel news, see the feature on page 42. LAKE ARROWHEAD, CA — This spring, Southern California’s Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa joined the Benchmark Hotels & Resorts portfolio. Also part of the Marriott Autograph Collection, the Four Diamond, 162-room resort recently completed a multimillion-dollar renovation. Onsite function space spans 23,000 sq. ft. LAS VEGAS, NV — Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts plans to convert the Mandarin Oriental on the Las Vegas Strip to the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas in August 2018. Located at 3752 South Las Vegas Boulevard, the property is near ARIA Resort & Casino, The Park, T-Mobile Arena and Bellagio. For more Las Vegas Continued on page 12

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

IN BRIEF H O TEL HIG HLIG H T S Continued from page 10

hotel news, see the feature on page 47. MIAMI, FL — The Hyatt Centric Brickell Miami opened in May. The 208room property is situated within the first 19 floors of the new 83-story Panorama Tower, the tallest building in the city. The hotel houses 7,500 sq. ft. of meeting space, as well as the Caña Restaurant, serving Cubaninspired cuisine. SANTA BARBARA, CA — This spring, The Fess Parker, A DoubleTree by Hilton

Resort, was fully renovated and reopened as the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. All 360 remodeled guestrooms feature ocean and sky-blue tones, driftwood-inspired interiors, private balconies or patios. The resort offers over 40,000 sq. ft. of flexible space. Property highlights include the Fess Parker Wine Tasting Room and the Spa del Mar. SPRINGFIELD, MA — MGM Springfield is set to open on Aug. 24. The MGM Resorts International

The Fess Parker, A DoubleTree by Hilton Resort has reopened as the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort property will offer 250 guestrooms with décor inspired by New England culture. Groups will have 42,500 sq. ft. of meeting space at their disposal. In addition, an open-air plaza will feature the Revolutionary War-era Springfield Armory as its centerpiece. MGM Springfield will also be home to

Cal Mare by James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Mina, a Topgolf Swing Suite, eight-screen movie theater, bowling center, spa and rooftop pool, and a 125,000-sq.-ft. casino. Plenty of offsite entertainment will be available at the MassMutual Center and Symphony Hall.

M E E T ING D E A L S prior to Dec. 31, 2021. For details, call (800) 551-8682 or email meetings@sbctb.org. ORLANDO, FL — Planners booking the newly renovated Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort can enjoy the following value-added concessions: complimentary one-hour hosted welcome reception; 50 percent discount on meeting room Internet; double SPG Pro® Starpoints, up to 100,000 per qualifying event; complimentary Disney character appearance. Offer valid for new business booked and consumed from now until Dec. 31, 2019. For details, visit swandolphinmeetings.com/ special-offers. 12

SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER, LA — The ShreveportBossier Convention and Tourist Bureau is offering an incentive of up to $3,000 for new groups that book in Shreveport and Bossier City. To qualify as new business, the convention or meeting must not have been held in Shreveport and Bossier City in the past two years. The incentive requires a minimum of 50 hotel room nights, and the meeting must be held within three years of signing the agreement. Hotel contracts must be signed before Dec. 31, 2019, and the meeting must be held

SUNNY ISLES, FL — Trump International Beach Resort Miami is awarding a $500 Bonus Value for new groups booking Feb. 1-Dec. 31, 2018 and actualizing Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2019. For more information on planning meetings and events, call (305) 6925705 or visit www.trumpmiami.com/meetings. TUCSON, AZ — Visit Tucson is offering a Master Account Incentive to groups booking a meeting in Tucson

now through 2019. Credits are as follows: 201 or more peak rooms – $5,000 credit; 101-200 peak rooms – $2,500 credit; 51-100 peak rooms – $1,250 credit; 25-50 peak rooms – $500 credit. Peak rooms must be booked for a minimum of two nights. The meeting must be booked in 2018, 2019 or 2020 and actualized in 2018, 2019 or 2020 to receive credit. If booking a multiyear meeting (same meeting consecutively for two or three years, with one actualizing in 2018, 2019 or 2020), credit will apply for all years. For more information, visit www.visittucson.org/ tucson-us.

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

MEET IN A PLACE WHERE YOU MATTER. COBO CENTER | CENTERED AROUND YOU

Welcome to a place where you can be part of something. Where a city and center are humming with energy. A place where you can actually feel good about a meeting. Where people go above and beyond for you because thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we do. Because here, you matter. What matters to you? Value? Service? Sustainability? A positive voice guiding you, every step of the way? We get it. We have reinvented this city and center for you. COBOCENTER.COM an

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What a pleasure it was to work with Lisa on our convention. She went above and beyond to make sure everything went smooth and all our needs were meant. Nothing was impossible. SHERRY DULEY SEIU DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR THIRTY

2018

PRIME SITE WINNERS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Albany Capital Center, Albany, NY Albuquerque Convention Center, Albuquerque, NM Branson Convention Center, Branson, MO Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL Century Center, South Bend, IN Cobo Center, Detroit, MI Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City, OK David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH Global Center for Health Innovation, Cleveland, OH

13. Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH 14. Jackson Convention Complex, Jackson, MS 15. Irving Convention Center, Irving, TX 16. Knoxville Convention Center, Knoxville, TN 17. Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, Long Beach, CA 18. McCormick Place, Chicago, IL 19. Meadowlands Exposition Center, Secaucus, NJ 20. Mobile Convention Center, Mobile, AL 21. Montego Bay Convention Centre, Montego Bay, Jamaica 22. NRG Center, Houston, TX 23. Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, CA

24. Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA 25. Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI 26. Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT 27. SeaGate Convention Centre, Toledo, OH 28. Shreveport Convention Center, Shreveport, LA 29. Tucson Convention Center, Tucson, AZ 30. Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood, NJ

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PHOTOVIEW

EMERGE 2018

The Religious Conference Management Association’s annual meeting was held in Omaha, NE, Jan. 30-Feb. 1.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium hosts the opening reception.

Attendees participate in a walking culinary tour of Omaha’s Old Market.

Dr. Harry R. Schmidt, RCMA President & CEO addresses the audience.

Dean Jones, RCMA Director of Conferences & Events takes the stage.

Jeffrey Perrin (right), CMP, Director of Worldwide Accounts, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, greets attendees.

Former President of The Ritz-Carlton Group Horst Schulze shares his leadership insights.

Entrepreneur, speaker and violinist Kai Knight performs.

Attendees hear from motivational speaker Immaculée Ilibagiza, author of Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust.

A local percussion group leads participants to the CenturyLink Center Omaha’s expo hall after the opening general session.

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

Nicholas W June 10 at 8:37pm

Our annual conference in Orlando is the perfect mix of business and pleasure. Great educational sessions and fun after-hours networking events in a tropical paradise #BestMeetingEver #OrlandoMeeting

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FORUM BRAD DEAN

C H I E F EXECU TIV E OF F ICER P UE R T O R I C O D E S TI N ATION MA R KETIN G ORGA N IZ ATION

By George Seli n April 27, Brad Dean officially began O his tenure as CEO of the Puerto Rico Destination Marketing Organization. The

DMO was formed in March 2017, and on July 1, 2018, the organization took over the sales and marketing operations of both Puerto Rico Tourism Company and Meet Puerto Rico. Puerto Tourism Company, a government agency, continues to play a vital role in product development, the visitor experience and regulatory matters, while Meet Puerto Rico no longer exists. Dean, the former President and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, serves on the U.S. Travel Association Executive Committee and is a member of PCMA. In the following discussion, he shares his aspirations for the new DMO and the island’s meetings industry, which is rebounding from the effects of Hurricane Maria.

conventions in Puerto Rico is also essential to optimizing the recovery, and because this is a core objective, we’re going to put in place the people and the resources necessary to elevate the brand of Puerto Rico as a great meeting and convention destination.

Q A

What is the status of the local tourism industry’s recovery?

I’m very encouraged to see the progress that’s been made both in terms of infrastructure and continuity of operations. Puerto Rico experienced unprecedented devastation, but they’re not simply open for HAT ’ S M O ST INSP IR ING business, they’re ready to welcome IS T O SEE T HE R ESILIENCE visitors back. What’s most inspiring is to see the resilience of the people, O F T HE P EO P LE, BUT BEY O ND but beyond that it’s very inspiring T HAT IT ’ S V ER Y INSP IR ING to see the businesses, especially What has been your level of familiarity hotels, using this as an opportunity T O SEE T HE BUSINESSES, with Puerto Rico throughout your career? to elevate their product. It’s a long ESP ECIA LLY HO T ELS, USING My career actually began in Puerto Rico in climb, but there have been some some respects. I started out in finance and milestones that have been reached [ T HE R EBUILD ING P R O CESS] worked for GE, and GE had a huge presence on the in fairly short order. Leisure tends A S A N O P P O R T UNIT Y T O island due to a tax code provision that essentially to come back a little more quickly incentivized manufacturing on the island. Early than the meetings and conventions ELEVAT E T HEIR P R O D UCT. in my career I was sent to Puerto Rico to do an side, and over the Easter/Passover internship and stayed on for almost three years. I got holiday there were record levels of to see the island from a visitor’s perspective. I fell in love with the traffic. We’re also seeing very encouraging signs for the airlines in island and its people, and met my wife there. terms of restoring levels of service.

Q A

How integral is the travel industry to the island’s efforts to recover from Hurricane Maria?

What I think lured me to this [opportunity] was that I always believed in the transformative power of travel. It widens our horizons and we learn and grow personally. Travel is a powerful transformative force in our communities, and right now there is no group of people who need travel working for them more than the people of Puerto Rico. In my view, for Puerto Rico to optimize its recovery and not just simply come back, but come back bigger, better and stronger, it has to happen through travel. So for me there is a huge professional challenge that I think could be transformative for the island in the long run. Growing our base of meetings and 18

Q A

What is your vision for the new DMO?

Our goal is to create a world-class DMO that serves as a standard-bearer of best practices within the industry. We often talk about DMOs in terms of marketing, but elevating our level of service to exceed the expectations of planners and meeting professionals is essential to our future success. So we will certainly continue the services that Meet Puerto Rico had provided in the past, but also hope to elevate the level of service. There is the element of hospitality that goes beyond just what we do to serve; it’s how you make people feel. And one of the things I’ve always admired about the people of Puerto Rico is that they are so warm and hospitable. Service is a natural FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

extension of their personality, and I think we can become an organization that effectively markets that.

Q A

Have you begun forging ties with the Puerto Rico Convention Center and AEG Facilities?

Absolutely. One of the first meetings I had, my first tour during my interview process, encompassed the convention center. I really wanted to get a handle on the facility and the current status of operations, and met with their team a couple of times even before I started working. [Convention Center GM] Jorge Perez and the team have been very supportive, and it’s my hope that the DMO and the convention center are able to collaborate at a higher level than what we’ve seen in the past to ensure even greater results.

Q A

What is your perspective on District Live!, the AEGoperated entertainment project scheduled to open next spring? It’s an extraordinary entertainment venue located adjacent to the convention center, and it will quickly become the region’s most active destination for live entertainment and hospitality. [Editor’s note: The district will include a 6,000-capacity entertainment venue, a 170room Marriott hotel with meeting space, discotheque, rum

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

distillery, zipline and more.] Just a very short drive from the historic city of Old San Juan that’s nearly 500 years old will be this vibrant center of urban activity and entertainment. It’s an extraordinary marriage of old and new, providing a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else. But what was really compelling to me was that the developers of District Live! had begun before the hurricane, and they had bulldozers moving a week after the storm. Which to me sent a message of resiliency that despite what the hurricane had done, we’re not going to let this deter us from the plan. It spoke volumes about the commitment of the private sector to not simply rebuilding Puerto Rico’s tourism industry, but launching a new brand and an enhanced destination.

Q A

In general, what kind of off-property experience does Puerto Rico promise meeting groups?

Puerto Rico is the only place in North America where you can find a desert forest and a rainforest within a day of each other. Imagine going from Arizona to Central America in the span of a day. It’s a fascinating venture into ecotourism. Puerto Rico is so well known for beautiful beaches, yet there’s so much more to the island. And I think that to be able to venture beyond the metropolitan area to experience the unique culture and cuisine of the island provides planners with a unique offering.

MOHEGAN SUN RECENTLY OPENED EXPO CENTER REPRESENTS THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA IN MEETINGS By George Seli

The property is a destination he highly unto itself, offering 1,600 competitive guestrooms between the Sky meetings Tower and Earth Tower, three market in the casinos, two Mandara spas, an Northeastern 18-hole golf course and over 80 United States dining and retail outlets. Four is home to legendary hotels onsite entertainment venues in New York and Boston can be rented for special events: as well as top-tier gaming the 325-seat Comix comedy resorts in Atlantic City club, 350-seat Wolf Den, 400and Connecticut. While seat Cabaret Theatre and these properties regularly the resort’s flagship venue, upgrade their product in the 10,000-seat Mohegan order to vie for more group Sun Arena. The arena draws business, a major meeting The Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction was held at renowned headliners whose space expansion is fairly Mohegan Sun in 2016 and returned this summer. uncommon. It’s no wonder, performances may happily then, that Mohegan Sun coincide with a group’s meeting has been making headlines with its new $80 million Earth dates. Among the upcoming acts are Keith Urban (Sept. 7 and 8), Expo & Convention Center, which opened in June. Located Christina Aguilera (Oct. 6) and Justin Timberlake (Dec. 21). near the recently completed Earth Tower, the new facility The quality of group service is just as important as all includes a 125,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall, the 20,000-sq.-ft. Earth of these assets, if not more so. According to John Washko, Ballroom and 15 meeting rooms. Vice President of Exhibitions & Convention Sales, “amazing State-of-the-art meeting space is only part of Mohegan guest service is a core tenet, and that certainly extends to our Sun’s appeal, however. The property has long been a favorite of Meetings & Conventions staff. We truly pride ourselves on many planners who book in the Northeast, thanks to its ideal delivering the absolute best product we can and meeting all location and wealth of amenities and entertainment. Located in of the needs clients may have for a given event, tradeshow southeastern Connecticut’s Mystic Country along the Thames or corporate outing.” Washko, who joined Mohegan Sun last River, Mohegan Sun lies midway between New York and Boston. summer, is no stranger to serving group clients of luxury

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

The new Earth Expo & Convention Center is the result of an $80 million investment into Mohegan Sun’s meetings business

“

E H AV E AL M O S T DOUBLED OUR SIZE AND O PP O RT U N I T I E S O N T H E CO N V E N T I O N , M E E T I N GS AND E X P O S I T I O N F RO N T, AN D CLIENT S W I L L B E PL E AS AN T LY S U RPR ISED W I T H W H AT W E CAN N O W OFFER . ” — John Washko, Vice President of Exhibitions & Convention Sales, Mohegan Sun

properties. During his 20-plus years in the resort industry, he has held executive positions with Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas, and The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO. HSMAI recognized Washko as one of the Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing in 2015 and as “Marketer of the Year” in 2010. He is currently an Executive Committee Member of HSMAI’s America’s Board. The expansion of Mohegan Sun’s meeting space was partly driven by client demand, Washko explains. But it also opens up possibilities that will attract new clients. “An Expo Center of this size and scale not only allows FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

The Expo Center’s ballroom (above) and the naturally lit prefunction space to its main hall (top) 21

us to host a vast range of shows and events, both on the business and consumer end, but it also allows us to have huge events simultaneously, when you factor in our Sky Convention Center that houses the 38,000-sq.-ft. Uncas Ballroom, which has had amazing events and shows regularly since its inception in 2001,” he says. “Put another way, we have almost doubled our size and opportunities on the convention, meetings and exposition front, and clients will be pleasantly surprised with what we can now offer. We do have multiple event bookings already in the new Expo Center for 2018 and 2019. We’re very excited for the future of this great new space.” Post expansion, Mohegan Sun’s total meeting space will span 275,000 sq. ft., including 145,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, two highly divisible ballrooms and 46 breakout/meeting rooms. The new Expo Hall is not only expansive at 125,000 sq. ft., but also thoughtfully designed. Interior finishes reflect Mohegan tribal motifs and evoke the Thames River locale. The column-free structure features clerestory windows providing natural light. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the main circulation pathway that connects the main hall to the 3,000-sq.-ft. prefunction area, ballroom, meeting rooms and 3,600 sq. ft. of outdoor space. Attendees can repair to the outdoor area in between sessions and enjoy the views from a large wrap-around terrace. Supporting facilities include a 5,361-sq.-ft. kitchen and eight loading docks connected to an open parking field; the Winter Parking Lot is also in proximity (onsite parking is free). Two gradelevel drive-in doors provide additional drive-in access. 22

Wombi Rock (above) is a popular gaming and nightlife venue. The 45,000-sq.-ft. Casino of the Wind (top) is one of three onsite casinos. Tech highlights include digital displays inside and outside the center, as well as free Wi-Fi. “The connectivity, customization and overall tech capabilities of the new convention and expo space are top of the line,” says Washko. “The new Executive Boardroom, in particular, is equipped with world-class finishes, custom furniture and ready for virtually any type of presentation or meeting that may be necessary.” The 1,263-sq.-ft. boardroom is supported by 230 sq. ft. of prefunction space and its own outdoor terrace. FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

(Above): The terrace at the Bean and Vine Café & Wine Bar (Left): They Might Be Giants perform at the Wolf Den (Far left): The 1,000seat Mohegan Sun Arena

WELCOMING NEW AND RETURNING CLIENTS

The inaugural event at the Mohegan Sun Expo Center was the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction on June 20. The threeday event returned to the resort after a successful first installment in late spring 2016. “Our executive team went into a partnership with Barrett-Jackson three years ago to have an annual northeast event held at Mohegan Sun,” Washko relates. “The inaugural event in 2016 was exhilarating, and brought in upwards of 90,000 people to Mohegan Sun. We were already doing market research for the possibilities of an Expo Center around this time, and that event helped cement the concept. We’re thrilled that BarrettJackson kicked off its third annual northeast auction here on June 20, as the very first event inside the Mohegan Sun Expo Center.” Washko describes the logistical advantages the new facility brought to the auction: “This year will be the start of our property really being able to maximize our potential for massive events like this one. The Expo Center hosted a large portion of their show that included showcasing hundreds of classic cars, vendor showcases, activities and much more. It served as the centerpiece to the event, sitting in between the live auctions inside Mohegan Sun Arena, and our longstretching Winter Parking Lot, which still hosted the popular Ride N’ Drive experiences, food trucks and tents, plus additional cars and showcases.” The Expo Center will also allow consumer shows such as TERRIFICON (Connecticut’s largest comic con) to expand their footprint at Mohegan Sun. A new client that booked the Expo Center is the Connecticut Marine Trades Association (CMTA), which will bring its annual boat show to Mohegan Sun in January FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

2019. “Mohegan Sun is nestled right here in Mystic Country, which is surrounded by a great deal of shoreline towns in Connecticut,” Washko points out. “So in addition to the interest [CMTA has] historically received throughout the region, there is an opportunity to attract even more folks, by being closer to where some of the region’s best boating and boaters can be found.” Also among the 20-plus groups signed on to experience the Expo Center is United Natural Foods, which is hosting its North Atlantic Showcase at Mohegan Sun in October 2018.

A WIDE HORIZON FOR MEETINGS

Beyond the greatly enhanced meeting space at Mohegan Sun, there is a diversity of venues offering unique ambiances for nontraditional group gatherings. Examples include the Sun Terrace Pool, Mohegan Sun Golf Club (housing a 175-capacity banquet room and dance floor), VISTA Lounge (featuring a 60,000-watt sound system) and 10,000-sq.-ft. Avalon nightclub. Similarly, the Earth Expo & Convention Center will diversify its event spaces in the future with a venue that will be ideal for informal gatherings. “Within the expansion that houses the Expo Center is 20,000 sq. ft. of space on a lower level, earmarked for a new exciting entertainment or dining attraction,” Washko notes. “We should have more to announce on this in the coming months, but it will certainly add another great location for guests and groups to take advantage of, more on the leisure side of things.” While rooted in the millennia-old culture of the Mohegan Tribe, the property is “always striving to evolve,” Washko affirms. The Expo Center represents a major evolution, a true game changer in the Northeast meetings market. 23

EXPERT PLANNERS LOOK FOR PLANNING EXPERIENCE

•

Atlantic City Convention Center

•

Conference & Events Center Niagara Falls

•

Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center

•

Duke Energy Convention Center

•

Durham Convention Center

•

Iowa Events Center

•

Las Cruces Convention Center

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Miami Beach Convention Center

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Overland Park Convention Center

•

Owensboro Convention Center

•

Palm Beach County Convention Center

•

Pueblo Convention Center

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Greater Richmond Convention Center

•

Saint Charles Convention Center

•

Utah Valley Convention Center

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C O N V E N T I O N C E N T E R S A N D D M O S T H AT B O T H E X C E L A N D I M P R O V E

2018 FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS A W A R D S O F C EXCELLENCE • ongratulations to this year’s Awards of Excellence winners, including 87 Prime Site Award-winning convention centers and 49 Top Destination Award-winning DMOs across the United States, Caribbean and Canada. The recognition means that, from a client perspective, these venues and organizations are standouts in the highly competitive meetings market. Each year, F&D readers make nominations for the Awards of Excellence based on numerous key criteria, such as convenient air accessibility, a state-of-the-art convention center, a diverse and convenient hotel package, and a CVB versed in group service. A forward-thinking attitude also characterizes our award winners, who consistently enhance their offerings to meeting groups. A few examples:

•

Albany Capital Center. Opened last spring, this convention center has been proactively drawing new meetings business to historic downtown Albany, NY. Learn more about its features on page 57.

adding 1.4 million sq. ft. to the facility. For details, see the Las Vegas feature on page 47.

Meet Puerto Rico. Effective July 1, this entity has been replaced by the Puerto Rico Destination Marketing Organization. The new DMO will continue and elevate the group services of Meet Puerto Rico. Read the interview with the Puerto Rico DMO’s leader, Brad Dean, on page 18.

• Miami Beach Convention

Center. A $620 million renovation and expansion is nearing completion at Miami’s primary meeting facility. See page 72 for details.

•

Oklahoma City CVB. This DMO has been hard at work promoting the MAPS 3 Downtown Convention Center, the successor to the city’s Prime Site Award-winning Cox Convention Center. See our coverage of the new convention center’s groundbreaking on page 8.

• Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. A $1 billion

Ballots for the Awards of Excellence are available in F&D’s quarterly print magazine, biannual digital magazine and at Facilitiesonline.com. The Prime Site Award is given out to convention centers, and the Top Destination Award to CVBs and other DMOs.

•

We look forward to recognizing more convention centers and DMOs that both excel and improve. Submit your nominees for the 2019 Awards of Excellence today (ballot on page 84).

expansion has broken ground and will enlarge the Javits Center by 1.2 million sq. ft. when it debuts in 2021. See page 62 for details on New York City’s premier meeting venue. Las Vegas Convention Center. The LVCC expansion is scheduled for completion in 2021,

Continued on page 30

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

FIND A MEETINGS DESTINATION THAT DAZZLES Just minutes from a world-class airport and some of the world’s top hotels, restaurants and beaches, Miami offers a stunning array of meeting options, including the new Miami Beach Convention Center, coming in 2018. Contact us to learn more. | Meetings@MiamiMeetings.com 800-933-8448 ext. 3071 | MiamiMeetings.com

EXPLORE. CONNECT. CREATE.

THE PREFERRED MEETING VENUE IN THE MIDWEST. Learn more about our Venue and Services 513-419-7300 duke-energycenter.com

2 018 FA C IL IT I E S & DE ST I N AT I O N S AWARD S O F E X C E L L E N C E Continued from page 26

Providence/Warwick CVB, RI Visit Pittsburgh, PA

MID-ATLANTIC

Connecticut Convention Center

NORTHEAST

PRIME SITE AWARD WINNERS Albany Capital Center, Albany, NY Atlantic City Convention Center, NJ Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, MA Conference & Events Center Niagara Falls, NY Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center, NY The Javits Center, New York, NY Meadowlands Exposition Center, Secaucus, NJ Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood, NJ TOP DESTINATION AWARD WINNERS Meet AC/Atlantic City CVA, NJ Greater Boston CVB, MA Greater Hartford CVB, CT Philadelphia CVB, PA 30

PRIME SITE AWARD WINNERS Baltimore Convention Center, MD Greater Richmond Convention Center, VA Roland E. Powell Convention Center, Ocean City, MD Virginia Beach Convention Center, VA Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC Ocean City, MD

TOP DESTINATION AWARD WINNERS Events DC, Washington, DC Ocean City CVB, MD Virginia Beach CVB, VA Visit Baltimore, MD Visit Norfolk, VA

SOUTHEAST

PRIME SITE AWARD WINNERS Birmingham-Jefferson County Convention Center, Birmingham, AL The Classic Center, Athens, GA Continued on page 32

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

FACILITIES THAT ARE ALL ABOUT CONVENIENCE, NOT ALL OVER TOWN. Convenience begins with a ten-minute trip from the airport to the convention complex. Exhibition and meeting space, the Legacy arena, and two theaters are all on one campus, along with hotels and a dining and entertainment district. It’s convenient to navigate and all right here in the heart of a spirited city. Right here in Birmingham. inbirmingham.com | #INBirmingham | 800 - 458 - 8085

350K SQUARE FEET OF MEETING AND EXHIBITION SPACE • 18K SEAT ARENA • 4K SEATS IN TWO THEATERS ALL ON THE BIRMINGHAM-JEFFERSON CONVENTION COMPLEX CAMPUS.

2 018 FA C IL IT I E S & DE ST I N AT I O N S AWARD S O F E X C E L L E N C E Continued from page 30

Visit Orlando

New Orleans CVB, LA Visit Jackson, MS Visit Knoxville, TN Visit Orlando, FL Visit Savannah, GA

MIDWEST

Durham Convention Center, NC Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, FL Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA Jackson Convention Complex, MS Knoxville Convention Center, TN Miami Beach Convention Center, FL Mobile Convention Center, AL Music City Center, Nashville, TN Myrtle Beach Convention Center, SC New Orleans Morial Convention Center, LA Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, FL Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL Owensboro Convention Center, KY Palm Beach County Convention Center, West Palm Beach, FL Savannah International Trade & Convention Center, GA Shreveport Convention Center, LA TOP DESTINATION AWARD WINNERS Birmingham CVB, AL Greater Miami CVB, FL Greensboro CVB, NC Little Rock CVB, AR Louisville CVB, KY

PRIME SITE AWARD WINNERS Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND Branson Convention Center, MO Bridge View Center, Ottumwa, IA Century Center, South Bend, IN Cobo Center, Detroit, MI

Explore St. Louis

Greater Columbus Convention Center, OH DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, OH Grand Wayne Convention Center, Fort Wayne, IN Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, OH/Global Center for Health Innovation, OH Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN Iowa Events Center, Des Moines, IA

Continued on page 34

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

2 018 FA C IL IT I E S & DE ST I N AT I O N S AWARD S O F E X C E L L E N C E Continued from page 32

Kansas City Convention Center, MO McCormick Place, Chicago, IL Monona Terrace Convention Center, Madison, WI Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS Saint Charles Convention Center, MO SeaGate Convention Centre, Toledo, OH Sioux Falls Convention Center, SD Wisconsin Center, Milwaukee, WI TOP DESTINATION AWARD WINNERS Akron/Summit CVB, OH Destination Cleveland, OH Experience Columbus, OH Explore St. Louis, MO Greater Des Moines CVB, IA Visit Detroit/Metro Detroit CVB, MI Visit Indy, Indianapolis, IN Visit Milwaukee, WI Visit Wichita, KS

WEST

PRIME SITE AWARD WINNERS Albuquerque Convention Center, NM Anaheim Convention Center, CA Austin Convention Center, TX Boise Centre, ID Austin Convention Center

Los Angeles Convention Center

Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center, Corpus Christi, TX Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City, OK George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, HI Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, TX Irving Convention Center, TX Las Cruces Convention Center, NM Las Vegas Convention Center, NV Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, CA Los Angeles Convention Center, CA NRG Center, Houston, TX Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR Palm Springs Convention Center, CA Phoenix Convention Center, AZ Pueblo Convention Center, Pueblo, CO Sacramento Convention Center, CA Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT San Diego Convention Center, CA Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, NV Continued on page 38

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

L U F S S E C C U S

WHERE

MEETINGS

-SEAS N I S Y A W L S ARE A T N E V E D N

nd shows, aent r a c e u iq v ts to ant r meeting and e r e c n o c big time r year after yea on Center! o t s t a e r rate ret en, its no wonde oods Conventi o p r s o c ildw g Room From ng in betwe W in t e e e h t M e s and 10 everythi planners choo allroom B t o o f uare ,500

sq o7 na, a 12K seating for up t tems e r a it ib foot exh booth space or ation sys e ic r n a u u q m s com ibit • 75K x 10’ exh State-of-the-art rvices ’ 0 1 – 0 se s/ • 38 amenitie ing/Concession ods Boardwalk n r e d o r •M wo ate ous Wild house C • Full in- to the world-fam sand beaches e nt ent, REE whit 0 vehicles • Adjace ing or ev F t e f e o m s t e x il 0 your ne and 5 m rking for over 7 s at space chedule n s o io T t or visit u a c p n 2 u e 3 f it 7 s e r 9 n •O t of p -992uare fee endees at 800 q s s u K ll 0 a c 3 • CC.com s d i for att F o io W w e d Wil • Fre

BIG TOWN TOWN

AMENITIES, SMALL SMALL TOWN Hospitality Meet the St. Charles Convention Center. Meet the St. Charles Convention Center. Our award-winning facility boasts 154,000 sq ft of flexible Our award-winning facility boasts 154,000 sq ft of flexible space, customized in-house catering, and a dedicated staff space, customized in-house catering, and a dedicated staff that treats you like family. that treats you like family. Why St. Charles? Conveniently located 15 minutes from the Lambert-St. Louis Why St. Charles? Conveniently located 15 minutes fromSt. the Lambert-St. Louis International airport, minutes from Historic Downtown Charles, and walking International minutes Historic Downtown St. Charles,district, and walking distance fromairport, the Streets of St.from Charles dining and entertainment St. distance from the Streets of St. Charles dining and entertainment district, St. Charles has something for everyone. Charles has something for everyone.

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2 018 FA C IL IT I E S & DE ST I N AT I O N S AWARD S O F E X C E L L E N C E Continued from page 34

San Antonio CVB, TX Visit Anaheim/Anaheim/ Orange County CVB, CA Visit Denver, CO Visit Phoenix, AZ Visit Salt Lake, UT Visit Spokane, WA

Spokane Convention Center

Spokane Convention Center, WA Tucson Convention Center, Tucson, AZ Utah Valley Convention Center, Provo, UT TOP DESTINATION AWARD WINNERS Austin CVB, TX Boise CVB, ID Colorado Springs CVB, CO Greater Houston CVB, TX Irving CVB, TX Las Vegas CVA, NV Long Beach CVB, CA Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, CA Meet Hawaii, HI Oklahoma City CVB, OK Pasadena, CA Sacramento CVB, CA

CARIBBEAN

PRIME SITE AWARD WINNERS Montego Bay Convention Centre, St. James, Jamaica Puerto Rico Convention Center, San Juan, PR

Puerto Rico Convention Center

TOP DESTINATION AWARD WINNERS Meet Puerto Rico/ Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, San Juan, PR

CANADA

Pasadena CVB 38

PRIME SITE AWARD WINNERS Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario Palais des congres de Montreal, Quebec Quebec City Convention Centre, Quebec FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

SoCal’s Newest Event Space

The Cove

Long Beach California Fresh, Urban Coast

At the forefront of experiential trends, Long Beach’s latest evolution is a 40,000 sq. ft. mezzanine of “wow”, accommodating anywhere from 100 to 5,500 guests. Introducing The Cove, an expandable outdoor street enclave that morphs into a high-octane atmosphere and embraces the food truck culture. With permanent LED stage lighting, colorful murals by renowned artists, stylish furniture and much more, this turnkey space can save you up to $100,000 in rental costs. Designed to create connections that promote a sense of community — conversation hubs that encourage networking, cool visual surroundings for selfies, stage-acoustic music and table games — there’s no limit to the fun, and imagination. Our new event spaces nominated in the top 3 in the nation; winner of the 2017 “Best in the West” Stella Award, and our unique SoCal vibe, all make your next event unconventionally unforgettable.

800.452.7829 | MeetInLongBeach.com @VisitLB @MeetInLongBeach

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DES S & TI

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2019 Prime Site Meeting Hotel Awards Ballot

VOTE for the top hotels, resorts and conference centers your group has used for its meetings in the last three years. Please base your vote(s) on the following criteria: • Attractiveness and functionality • Technological capabilities • Quality of staff and conference planner • Teambuilding • Food & beverage/catering • Lighting • Acoustics • Climate control • Proximity to airport & other transportation • Onsite or offsite lodging • Other support services • Front-desk operations • Setups and breakdowns • Room décor • Quality/size of ballroom • Special packages • Spa • Nearby attractions 40

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COMMITTED TO

EXCELLENCE LARGEST SOLAR ARRAY ON A MUNICIPALLY OWNED CONVENTION CENTER LOCATED IN THE #1 SOLAR CITY IN AMERICA

LACCLINK.COM • 1201 S. FIGUEROA STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA 90015 • (213) 741-1151

DESTINATION

ORLANDO

The Imagination! pavilion at EPCOT, one of many unique special event spaces at the park

CENTRAL FLORIDA’S MEETINGS HUB IS ONCE AGAIN THE COUNTRY’S MOST-VISITED DESTINATION By George Seli

rlando has received much attention in the travel world this year, and deservedly so. The city is the first U.S. destination to surpass 70 million annual visitors, welcoming 72 million travelers in 2017. The achievement was due in part to the ongoing entrepreneurialism of Orlando’s hospitality industry: More than 100 rides, resorts, restaurants and retailers have come online in the last five years, giving travelers new reasons to revisit Orlando. While the occasional planner will see the city’s wealth of recreation as a potential distraction to attendees, most meeting organizers see it as an asset. The opportunities for offsite events at the theme parks are practically endless, and for many delegates, the prospect of free time in Orlando is an attraction that encourages attendance. The attendees of VMX Veterinary Meeting & Expo, the largest veterinary conference in the world, have certainly found Orlando’s theme parks a value-add to their onsite experience. Presented by the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), VMX brings about 18,000 veterinarians, veterinary technicians and exhibitors every January or February to the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC). “The average [attendee] profile is a 38-year-old professional female who is very family oriented and motivated to do things with her family,” notes Thomas Bohn, MBA, CAE, Chief Executive Officer of the NAVC. “So they want [a destination where] they

can take the entire family. And there is really I think no better location in the country right now [for that purpose] than Orlando. And you see that in our numbers, because you have 3,000 to 4,000 guests” of the registered attendees. Helping the NAVC to promote the destination and maintain those robust attendance numbers is Visit Orlando. “They’ve developed a number of videos and marketing collateral for us that we’ve been able to share with our potential customers, and they’ve helped us arrange all types of deals and packages through the parks,” says Bohn. “We signed on for 10 years at the convention center, and it was very much due to Visit Orlando.” Of course, the quality of the OCCC and its service also motivated the booking decision. “You don’t very often have that much space in one location that also provides the technological needs, the WiFi and the ease of use of a number of classrooms — and we’re heavy classroom users,” Bohn remarks. On the tech side, “we do live TV broadcasting on our own channel, and they having the AV group [LMG, Inc.] onsite available for all the projectors and videowalls. The AV team’s responsiveness is excellent and their price point is in line with the market.” In addition, Bohn cites the fact that the OCCC is “constantly making improvements and refreshing things, so it just looks great.” The facility’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan has upgraded the roofing, digital signage in the North and South FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

VMX, the world’s largest veterinary conference, has found a home at the Orange County Convention Center. spaces. The largest is Concourses, parking capacity, West Hall Dining Lounge and located right in the middle I S I T O RL A N D O “D EV ELO P ED A much more. Most recently, of EPCOT’s World new digital wayfinding Showcase. Spanning 4,400 N U M B E R O F V I DEO S A ND sq. ft., the World Showplace technology was installed in M A RK E T I N G CO L L AT ER A L FO R US venue is nestled between April 2018. While focused on the Canada and United the needs of future groups, T H AT W E ’ V E B E E N A BLE T O SHA R E Kingdom Pavilions and the OCCC is also taking WITH OUR POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS, hidden by a gated entrance. stock in its history. This year, Thousands walk by it each the country’s second-largest A N D T H E Y ’ V E H E L PED US day and have no idea what convention center celebrates A RRA N GE A L L T Y PES O F D EA LS A ND PA CKA GES lies beyond the oaks and its 35th anniversary. Back palms by the entranceway. in 1983, the Orange County T H RO U GH T H E PAR KS. ” Civic and Convention Center —Thomas Bohn, Chief Executive Officer, The World Showplace was housed 177,113 sq. ft. of exhibit North American Veterinary Community originally built for an EPCOT millennium celebration and meeting space, and has where multiple countries since expanded to over 2.5 from around the world set up extensive “booths” convention million sq. ft. of total function space — including the Valencia style to introduce EPCOT guests to countries not normally Ballroom, 74 meeting rooms and 232 breakout rooms. In terms part of the World Showcase section of the park. of distinctive design features, the OCCC’s large windows Guests can enter through a back entrance, or they can “create an intimate, very beautiful setting, and people forget be greeted by a grand entrance setup, complete with red they’re at a convention center,” says Bohn, whose group carpet and a reception line checkered with the global staff convened at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Orlando World for which the World Showcase is known. The venue can host Center Marriott (featured on page 46) prior to moving to up to 2,000 guests — depending on room setup — and has the OCCC. VMX saw a jump in attendance when the entire an entrance hall that can accommodate a separate reception program was held under one roof, he observes. before the main event or be sectioned off to do a smaller sitdown event for up to 300. Electricity pockets run throughout DISNEY WORLD AND UNIVERSAL SPECIAL EVENT VENUES the floor to allow for a convention-style setup; however, the While all of a group’s events can easily be contained within majority of the events at World Showplace are banquets and the OCCC or one of the city’s expansive convention hotels, other casual gatherings due to the theme park location. Even there is a wealth of event venues to explore within the theme though the park closes at 9 p.m., event planners can opt to parks, yet outside their hotels. Many of these venues are give their attendees full access to the park for additional hidden from the general public, and the exclusivity adds time after closing. World Showplace also opens to a VIP intrigue for attendees. seating area that overlooks one of the most popular fireworks Walt Disney World Resort, which already has a reputation shows on Disney property, Illuminations. A full dessert for immersive meeting experiences, offers several such

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

meeting interruption by the Minions to excite and re-engage attendees. Universal Orlando characters can be used for meet-and-greets, meeting openers, speaker introductions, meeting interruptions, excitement builders, icebreakers and more. For an even more immersive experience, planners can arrange after-hours, exclusive group visits to venues such as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

THEME PARK HOTEL PROJECTS

Illuminations, a fireworks display at EPCOT, makes for a memorable backdrop to a group dessert reception. reception can be set up there to give attendees a memorable experience. Event planners can also capitalize on chefs from the multiple countries featured in the World Showcase and entertainment such as a mariachi band, acrobats from China and the famed voices of liberty from American Adventure. In addition, the full-service Disney Event Group can turn the World Showplace into anything from a tropical garden to a Star Wars experience (set to become its own theme park; see below). Robby Briley, Senior Event Consultant for the Disney Event Group, says that oftentimes the in-park venues are used if the planner wants the guests to have park access before or after the event, or for highly technical events since the venues are wired to give dramatic illusionary experiences. “It is basically a ‘black box’ that can be designed to [focus] on the company culture, the location you’re in or the Disney experience,” says Briley. There are other even spaces throughout EPCOT, including the Living Seas Pavilion and the Test Track Pavilion; the latter provides an alcove that is ideal for a reception prior to an event at other country pavilions in World Showcase. In general, it is advisable to plan these events at least a year out, as spaces are rented based on availability. A Star Wars-themed special event is often a crowd pleaser, and a variety of Disney venues carrying that theme will debut in about a year. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is set to open in late fall 2019. From piloting the Millennium Falcon on a customized secret mission, to witnessing a battle between the First Order and the Resistance, the park promises to be a captivating experience for all attendees, particularly Star Wars enthusiasts. At Universal Resort, the latest attraction creating a buzz is Fast & Furious – Supercharged. The experience allows guests to immerse themselves in an authentic re-creation of the Fast & Furious crew’s warehouse headquarters; ride with the family and crew as the film’s soundtracks pumps, vehicles flip and rockets fire; and check out more than a dozen of the supercharged cars from the films. Universal’s Meeting Enhancements now allows groups convening at one of Universal Orlando’s onsite Loews hotels to use characters from the parks. Imagine Optimus Prime opening a meeting and introducing a CEO, or staging a 44

Universal Orlando is building two hotels on the former site of the Wet ‘n Wild waterpark: Dockside Inn and Suites and Surfside Inn and Suites. Comprising Universal’s Endless Summer Resort, the 750-room Surfside and 2,050-room Dockside will open in summer 2019 and 2020, respectively. Next month, Universal opens the moderately priced, 600room Aventura Hotel. These new properties will boost Universal’s total number of guestrooms to 9,000. On the Disney front, Coronado Springs Resort continues construction on the new 15-story tower overlooking Lago Dorado. Projected to open in summer 2019, the tower will increase the 1,910-room resort’s guestroom count by 500. It will include a new rooftop restaurant and lounge; two multipurpose rooms and a boardroom, in addition to the resort’s pre-existing 220,000 sq. ft. of function space; and 12,000 sq. ft. of additional outdoor venue space. Still noteworthy is the $140 million transformation completed last fall at Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort, a project that refurbished all 2,267 guestrooms and updated the technology across the hotel’s 332,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

NEW PERSPECTIVES ON A FAMILIAR DESTINATION ICON Orlando 360, formerly the Orlando Eye

On International Drive, visitors can get a new view of the city from the just-opened Orlando StarFlyer at ICON Orlando 360, which is also home to SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium and other attractions. The 450-ft.-tall swing ride is billed as the tallest attraction of its kind in the world. But thanks to the variety of developments at Orlando’s theme parks and hotels, groups who have been to the city several times need not brave the StarFlyer to get a new perspective on this perennial meeting destination. Whether it’s a new themed land, ride or hotel, Orlando’s developers are always showcasing their imagination. Deborah Shapiro contributed to this article. FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

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VENUE REVIEW

ORLANDO WORLD CENTER MARRIOTT UPGRADES ITS MEETINGS PRODUCT By Deborah Shapiro

arriott has been busy expanding the offerings at this “center of it all” convention resort since we reported on it in 2015. Still boasting more than 500,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, the Orlando World Center Marriott has refurbished its biggest hall, the 105,000-sq.-ft. Crystal Ballroom. The ballroom is fully wired for tech needs, and water is pumped through the floors to allow for food and cleanup stations throughout. The room can accommodate almost 12,000 meeting attendees in a stadium-seating configuration. The 2,009-room hotel features four main ballrooms on a single level, as well as breakout rooms, smaller halls and outdoor meeting areas enabling it to host a variety of group sizes. The North Tower has its own 7,100-sq.-ft. ballroom and provides a “hotel within a hotel” feel. Attendees staying there can still venture out to one of the resort’s nine restaurants or simply stop by the new Central Market Pantry. The property’s Events Team can assist in planning meetings from beginning to end, advising planners on what works well in each space and integrating the culinary team. Once an event begins, the Marriott deploys a “red coat team” whose sole job is to make sure the event goes seamlessly. According to Director of Sales and Marketing Gary Dybul, “We have an amazing team that offers guidance and experience every step of the way, and that’s why so many of our groups repeat with us annually or on a rotation.” Orlando — the theme park capital of the world — has always been a popular meeting destination due to the fact that meeting attendees love to combine business with pleasure and take their families with them during convention stays when possible. The popularity can help boost attendance, but can also be a hindrance when families break up the corporate atmosphere. For this reason, the Orlando World Center Marriott is set up with the meeting spaces on one side of the resort and the residence and recreation on the other. Families can stay 46

and play and never worry about interrupting the privacy of a corporate event. The recreational side of the resort has been enhanced, making guests’ free time more enjoyable. The Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf, added in January 2017, is designed to help guests hone their game while they play at the onsite 18-hole champion course at Hawk’s Landing Golf Club. For those who like the concept of golf but aren’t good with a club, Hawk’s Landing has added an 18-hole “Foot Golf” course, a fun combination of soccer and golf. In the pool area, the “Light Up the Night” laser light show airs nightly at the 564,000-gallon, palm-lined Falls Pool Oasis. Meeting attendees can enjoy this show and the pool area by choosing to host an after-hours event at the new Falls Fireplace Patio. Perhaps the most fascinating new addition to the resort is the hydroponic garden, HyCube. Built by Eco Convergence Group, HyCube can hold up to 25,000 plants that are all grown in a soil-free, contaminate-free and pest-free environment. The HyCube uses 90 percent less water than traditional farming methods due to the way water is re-circulated throughout the cube. Fresh vegetables and herbs can be grown at the resort’s request regardless of the regional growing seasons. The food from this garden is featured in restaurants throughout the resort and is paired with other local Southern fare in the facility’s new Latitude & Longitude restaurant. Latitude & Longitude is set up for all-day dining, afternoon bar bites or evening cocktails, and overlooks the HyCube’s neon pink LED lights. New additions aside, this resort remains a top pick for the Orlando area. With a dozen F&B outlets onsite, an 18hole golf course, and a pool ranked by Forbes as one of the “world’s coolest hotel pools,” meeting attendees may never want to leave the resort. But if they do, Walt Disney World is only two miles away, Universal Studios is seven miles away, and Sea World is only a five-mile drive from the resort. FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

DESTINATION

LAS VEGAS

THE LVCVA, MGM RESORTS AND CAESARS HAVE NEW SPACES IN STORE FOR MEETING GROUPS

By Anthony Bilden

his year is part of what is undoubtedly one of the most dynamic eras in Las Vegas’ meetings history. The city is growing its capacity to host groups by leaps and bounds, with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment all pursuing major meeting space expansions. Las Vegas is already among the country’s top-performing first-tier cities in terms of drawing group business, hosting approximately 22,000 meetings, conventions and tradeshows annually. Libertine Social at Mandalay Bay is the latest venue for delegates to gather and enjoy the art of mixology

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

More state-of-the-art space at the Las Vegas Convention Center, MGM Grand, ARIA Resort & Casino and the new CAESARS FORUM will afford planners even more possibilities in a city whose tourism industry is known for pushing the envelope. The newly expanded Las Vegas Convention Center is expected to draw more than 600,000 additional visitors each year. Scheduled for completion in 2021, Phase Two of the expansion will add 1.4 million sq. ft. to the facility, including at least 600,000 sq. ft. of new exhibit space. The LVCVA has selected tvsdesign / Design Las Vegas to provide design services, and the company recently presented renderings of the expansion. According to Rob Svedberg, Principal, tvsdesign, “Our biggest goal was to give Las Vegas a convention center that will be iconic, with a design that nods to all of the very unique architecture in the city’s history, while also providing contemporary, cohesive design aesthetic across the entire property.” Phase Two is scheduled for completion in 2021, in time to welcome CES. Phase Three — the complete renovation of the existing 3.2 million-sq.-ft. facility — is expected to be completed by 2023. According to the LVCVA, the phased approach will ensure that no convention business is displaced during the project. 47

Rendering of the new exterior and public space (below) at the expanded Las Vegas Convention Center

CAESARS FORUM ON THE HORIZON

Bally’s Las Vegas recently completed a major guestroom redesign 48

Approximately one year before the Las Vegas Convention Center expansion debuts, Caesars Entertainment will introduce a major new meeting venue. The approximately $375 million CAESARS FORUM will feature the two largest pillarless ballrooms in North America, each totaling 110,000 sq. ft. of space. Two 40,000-sq.-ft. ballrooms, six boardrooms and a 100,000-sq.-ft. outdoor plaza will also be available. The conference center will be located east of the Las Vegas Strip, with bridge connections to the 2,550-room Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel & Casino and the 2,252-room LINQ Hotel & Casino. The LINQ Promenade will also be directly accessible. With CAESARS FORUM, planners have a meeting venue comparable in size to Caesars Palace, which also offers 300,000 sq. ft. of function space. The decision between these massive venues would in part be driven by the desired lodging experience. At the 3,793-room Caesars Palace, over $100 million has recently been invested into upgrading the Palace Tower’s 1,181 guestrooms. The 29th floor is the “crown jewel” of the project, featuring 10 luxurious villas ranging in size from 2,750 sq. ft. to 4,085 sq. ft. At Harrah’s Las Vegas, one of the two properties that will be connected to CAESARS FORUM, a $140 million renovation of 1,622 guestrooms in the Valley Tower was completed in February. Most recently, Caesars has completed a $125 million redesign of 2,052 guestrooms in the Resort Tower at Bally’s Las Vegas. In line with Caesars Entertainment’s Code Green initiative, more than 2,000 rooms of furniture from Bally’s Las Vegas (over $1.1 million in estimated value) were donated to Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas, hurricane relief efforts in Houston, TX, and other non-profit agencies. Centrally located on the Strip, the 2,814-room resort offers 175,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and is home to the famed Jubilee Theater, where world-renowned magicians perform. FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

Rendering of Kind Heaven, opening in 2019. (Below): Gordon Ramsay opened HELL’S KITCHEN at Caesars Palace this year. (Bottom): The High Roller at The LINQ

IND HE AV EN AT T H E L I N Q P RO M E N AD E W I L L R EP R E S ENT “ A N E W T RAN S I T O RY E X PE RI E N CE AND AR T F OR M, NOT TO M E N T I O N A Q U A N T U M L E A P F O RWA R D F R OM THE TR A DITI O N A L T H E M E PARK E X P E RI E N CE .”

—Ed Jones, President, Immersive Artistry

Speaking of Caesars’ entertainment offerings, multi-platinum recording artist Gwen Stefani began a residency show, “Gwen Stefani — Just a Girl,” at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on June 27. Show dates extend throughout July, followed by several dates in December, February and March.

INNOVATIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Major headliners like Stefani are not uncommon in Caesars’ entertainment lineup, but the company is also intent on pushing the boundaries of entertainment. In the context of a trendsetting entertainment hub like Las Vegas, that’s not easy to do. But a new venue at The LINQ Promenade promises to create a truly unique experience for visitors. Kind Heaven, the result of a partnership between Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell and Immersive Artistry, will be a multisensory Southeast Asian environment that combines music, food, fashion, exploration, danger, mystery and even spiritual enlightenment. Opening in 2019, Kind Heaven will also leverage radio-frequency technology and wearable technology to create a personalized experience for each visitor and a cash-free purchasing environment. The venue will offer Asian brands that are not currently available in the United States. According to Ed Jones, President of Immersive Artistry, Kind Heaven will represent “a new transitory experience and art form, not to mention a quantum leap forward from the traditional theme park experience.” FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

MGM RESORTS DEBUTS ARIA EAST CONVENTION CENTER going on. So that is a huge draw, and we will be utilizing that next year for sure.” In the 3,000-sq.-ft. Cypress Executive Lounge, “you can hold a self-contained, high-level board meeting where they are serving you refreshments during the day,” she adds. Overall, Lovely found that the new facility “looks like it was always there and blends incredibly” with the west facilities. Complementing the expanded ARIA Convention Center is the exemplary service MGM Resorts delivers. “They’re always open to

The foyer of the new convention center space and the study at the Cypress Executive Lounge (right)

roups can now enjoy “more of a good thing” at ARIA Resort & Casino, which has ramped up its total meeting space to half a million sq. ft. with the recent opening of the ARIA East Convention Center. The new, $170 million addition to the property’s LEED Gold-certified convention center totals 200,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space across four stories. The Plaza Level includes the Orovada Ballroom and access to an exclusive loading dock. Level 1 includes the Joshua and Willow meeting rooms, with a terrace complementing Joshua rooms 5 and 6. On Level 3, groups will find the Mariposa Ballroom, Primrose Ballroom and the Cypress Executive Lounge. The top-level ballroom accommodates up to 2,000 guests and features two outdoor patios with views of The Park and T-Mobile Arena. Cheryl Lovely, CMP, Vice President, Global Meetings & Events with World Travel, Inc., has been booking client events with MGM Resorts for 15 years. She recently staged an automotive sales conference at the 4,004-room ARIA for over 2,000 attendees, including exhibitors and production staff. “We were lucky enough to have one of our guest events in the east space,” Lovely comments. “The Joshua 5 and 6 rooms have beautiful views of the city.” On the third level, she observes that “the Primrose Ballroom [affords] the ability to have your reception out in the foyer, which is a balcony overlooking the next level down. And the ballroom itself has two balconies where you can have special events while your main event is

GM R ESO R T S IS “A LWAY S O P EN T O HELP ING Y O U M A KE T HE NEX T EV ENT BET T ER A ND GIV ING Y O U ID EA S O N SAV INGS T HAT D O NO T CUT [ T HE Q UA LIT Y ] O F T HE EV ENT IT SELF. ”

—Cheryl Lovely, CMP, Vice President, Global Meetings & Events, World Travel, Inc.

helping you make the next event better and giving you ideas on savings that do not cut [the quality] of the event itself,” she explains. The ARIA expansion on its own would be enough to capture the attention of meeting planners. But the new venue is just a part of MGM’s initiative to accommodate more group business. Last summer, the FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

company broke ground on a major expansion of the MGM Grand conference center that is scheduled for completion by the end of this year. The $130 million project adds 250,000 sq. ft. of meeting space for a total of more than 850,000 sq. ft. at the 4,968-room hotel.

The 2,992-room Park MGM (formerly the Monte Carlo) recently debuted Phase I of its new 77,000-sq.ft. meeting space that includes an outdoor terrace. As part of Phase II, Park MGM introduced Madison Meeting Center (billed as the city’s first executive meeting center) and will open Ideation Studio in the fourth quarter. The latter venue is a high-touch, high-tech space designed to maximize productivity for small groups. Last but not least, Luxor has opened the 22,000-sq.-ft. Galleria Square, which includes the 8,000-sq.-ft. Lotus Ballroom, five meeting rooms ranging from 1,400 sq. ft. to 1,650 sq. ft., and a 4,700-sq.-ft. prefunction area. Luxor’s meeting space now totals more than 40,000 sq. ft. The 4,400-room Luxor also completed a redesign of more than 1,700 guestrooms in March. The property lies adjacent to Mandalay Bay, a cornerstone of MGM’s group business in Las Vegas. The 3,211-room property is home to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center (MBCC), with over two million sq. ft. of meeting and exhibit space. In February, MBCC and B2B events organizer UBM plc introduced a multimillion dollar LED lighting system in the exhibit halls that provides significant carbon footprint reductions. The new control system allows light levels to be customized, reducing energy consumption by an estimated 85 percent. “UBM is committed to sustainability across its events, so when conversations about partnering with the Mandalay Bay Convention Center to upgrade existing lighting, replace all fixtures and install a new control system came to fruition, we enthusiastically agreed,” said Tony Calanca, Executive Vice President of Exhibitions, UBM. “We are honored to partner with the MBCC and the impressive team responsible for executing this expansive lighting overhaul in just a matter of months.” But it’s not all business at Mandalay Bay. The property has also invested in the leisure side of its hospitality product with the opening of Libertine Social last year. The venue offers New American fare and cocktails created by leading Las Vegas mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim. Libertine Social is an ideal environment for attendees to gather informally, and includes two distinct spaces, the Main Bar and the more intimate Arcade Bar. Overall, MGM’s leisure-time opportunities have greatly expanded in the last couple of years with the debut of The Park, a $100 million shopping, dining and entertainment district between New York-New York and the new Park MGM. Public sculptural art is a signature element of the venue, which offers a true escape from the rigors of any meeting or tradeshow. —A.B.

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

While ziplining isn’t exactly a new diversion, it will be new to the Las Vegas Strip when Caesars debuts Fly LINQ. The $20 million attraction will feature 10 sideby-side ziplines, capable of simultaneously launching all riders. The ride will begin at the top of a 122-ft.-tall launch tower and continue eastward, 1,080 feet above The LINQ Promenade, concluding near the base of the High Roller. Construction is scheduled for completion by the end of this year. In the age of the celebrity chef and food TV, a restaurant experience can be a form of entertainment. Attendees who are fans of Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen show will delight in the chef’s new restaurant at Caesars Palace. Opened in January, the first-ever Gordon Ramsay HELL’S KITCHEN accommodates nearly 300 diners in surroundings that evoke the studio set of the popular FOX show. Closely following the debut of the new Ramsay eatery, Giada De Laurentiis opened her second restaurant, Pronto by Giada, at Caesars Palace. The establishment showcases her California-Italian fare in a fast, casual format.

A GROWING SPORTS DESTINATION

With the Vegas Golden Knights now playing at T-Mobile Arena and the Oakland Raiders set to become the Las Vegas Raiders by 2020, Las Vegas is a rising force in the sports world. That will certainly pique the interest of the meeting attendee who also a sports fan, and the options for spectators will not be limited to hockey and football. In February, the Las Vegas Ballpark broke ground and is expected to be ready for the start of the 2019 Minor League Baseball season. Accommodating 10,000 spectators, the new home of the Las Vegas 51s is located in Downtown Summerlin, just south of the City National Arena — the practice facility for the Golden Knights. And in March, Luxor Hotel & Casino debuted the Esports Arena Las Vegas, owned by Allied Esports. Occupying the former home of the LAX nightclub, the 30,000-sq.-ft. space includes a competition stage, 50-ft. LED video wall, telescopic seating, PC and console gaming stations, a network TV-quality production studio, Vintage Video Game Cocktail Bar and luxury VIP lounges. Renowned Chef José Andrés provides a gamerthemed menu. Las Vegas is and will always be a mecca for casino gamers and those seeking glitzy entertainment. But today’s Las Vegas has developed other facets of its tourism industry to create a more holistic hospitality experience. From celebrity chef restaurants to immersive outdoor promenades to cutting-edge sports venues, the city offers meeting groups a growing diversity of freetime options. And given the formidable expansions in meeting space at the convention center and the city’s two most prominent hoteliers, there is more reason than ever to consider convening in Las Vegas. 51

VENUE REVIEW

GEORGIA RESORTS FOUR LUXURY PROPERTIES THAT DRAW GROUPS TO THE PEACH STATE

lanners who have “Georgia on their minds” know that Atlanta is only the metropolitan side of the state’s meetings industry. There are several incentive-quality resorts throughout these scenic, subtropical lands of oaks and pines. Two emblems of Southern charm and hospitality, Château Élan Winery & Resort and Sea Island Resort, are quite prominent in the group market and familiar to most planners. Perhaps less publicized in the meetings industry are Barnsley Resort, opened in 1999, and The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, opened in 2002. The following review largely focuses these two resorts, so that planners can learn more about them and broaden their site options within the Peach State.

BARNSLEY RESORT

From the minute one arrives at the picturesque 3,000-acre Barnsley Resort, a feeling of relaxation sets in. Situated on the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the property is just 70 miles north of Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and nearly 70 miles south of Tennessee’s Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport. Visitors can get to the North Georgia resort via airlines such as Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines. With summer temperatures in the 80s, it’s no wonder 52

groups come to Barnsley Resort to explore its breathtaking natural environment. What is more, the property has an compelling history. Built by Godfrey Barnsley in the 1840s for his wife, Julia, the estate, which was originally called Woodlands, was modeled after both Italian and Gothic Revival architecture styles. But before the dreamy manor was finished, Julia succumbed to an illness at just 35 years old and passed away. Since then, the property underwent different ownerships until 2004, when it was sold to a family from North Georgia. The Barnsley legacy continues to live on throughout the resort thanks to Clent Coker, the resident historian. Coker serves as the director of the Barnsley Museum. And as the author of Barnsley Gardens at Woodlands, Coker is an expert on all things involving the Barnsleys. Having him on property to share insights with guests is like having access to a rare gift. He offers a wealth of knowledge and serves as a meeting planner’s ally. Barnsley Resort offers 16,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space and more than 30,000 sq. ft. of formal outdoor meeting space. The property is home to at least five outdoor venues, including the Manor House Ruins, the 19th-century villa Godfrey Barnsley built for his wife. Within the walls, the ruins span over 900 sq. ft., with front and back lawns totaling more FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

BARNSLEY RESORT

Barnsley Resort’s Georgian Hall, Inn (below) and Manor House Ruins (left)

BRIANNA LEIGH PHOTOGRAPHY

“

INNER IN T HE M ED ITAT IO N GA R D EN [ AT BA R NSLEY R ESO R T ] … IS P ER FECT FO R A LO NG-TA BLE, INT IM AT E, CO NV ER SAT IO N-FO CUSED M EA L. ”

—Erika Biddix, CMM, CMP, Biddix Meetings+Events

than 7,000 sq. ft. combined. An intimate dinner under the stars at the Manor House Ruins is ideal for groups of 60 and under. “We recently created formal, intimate dining spaces in each room of the Ruins,” says Gail F. Shurbutt, Meeting Events Coordinator at Marietta, GA-based consulting and engineering firm GDS Associates, Inc. “A few years ago, one of my favorite outdoor events was staged next to the lower ponds behind the Ruins, where we achieved a chic farmhouse theme by using beautiful farm tables and ghost chairs. The variety of outdoor event spaces at Barnsley Resort allows for creating numerous venue scenarios that makes each year a new experience.” GDS Associates, Inc. has held its Spring Planning Meeting at Barnsley Resort for many years, typically bringing in 35-45 guests. “The experience and talent of the Catering and Conference Services team is one of the main reasons I choose at least one outdoor venue each year for GDS Associates,” Shurbutt says. “Once I select a theme for the event, [Director of Catering and Conference Services] Joy Guthrie’s team is always ready to work collaboratively alongside me to make that event spectacular.” Other gathering spots for groups include the 10th tee on the Jim Fazio golf course, which showcases serene ponds and lots of greenery, and the Beer Garden. A laidback outdoor restaurant surrounded by oversized trees and FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

picnic benches, the Beer Garden accommodates up to 165 guests. The Meditation Garden, which comes complete with a bamboo grove, is also popular with groups. “Our sales manager spoke about the awesome outdoor opportunities that Barnsley offered, and when she referred to the Meditation Garden as ‘magical,’ I knew we had to try it,” says Erika Biddix, CMM, CMP, an independent meeting planner. Biddix was onsite as part of a fam trip for the Tennessee Chapter of MPI. “Dinner in the Meditation Garden is unlike anything I’ve experienced before with a small group dinner,” she says. “You truly feel like you are in a magical space in the middle of nowhere. It is perfect for a long-table, intimate, conversation-focused meal. From there, we felt transported to somewhere completely different when we made our own desserts of gourmet s’mores around an outdoor fire pit. Both experiences really helped our group to focus on building our bond, which was the goal.” The property is outfitted with 37 cottages containing 90 guestrooms and suites, including six one-bedroom Arbor Cottage suites, and the brand-new, 55-room Inn at Barnsley Resort. The cottages, which are designed with a country-chic aesthetic, come with porches, rooms with classic furnishings, luxury bed linens, clawfoot tubs, signature bathroom lavender-mint amenities, Wi-Fi, cozy robes, a Keurig coffeemaker, in-cottage dining, and much more. And the Inn, which provides options such as the Inn Room King or Double Queen, comes with amenities such as an extra53

comfortable king-size bed or two queen beds, respectively, and a 55-inch LED TV. The resorts 9,000-sq.-ft. Georgian Hall expansion is a part of the 16,000 sq. ft. of indoor space available for events. “We used the Savannah Ballroom [in the new Georgian Hall] for one of our indoor meetings,” says Shannon Yeater, CMP, Conference Services and Events Manager for New York, NY-based law firm Butler Snow LLP. “We had breakfast and lunch served in the room. And we were able to have a separate location in the room to eat and break away from our meeting tables, which is ideal for a meeting with a lot of documents. Plus, this room has a beautiful, high-tech audiovisual system built in that we were able to utilize,” says Yeater. The 4,731-sq.-ft. Savannah Ballroom “is a great size and would allow for any kind of desired room setup,” she adds. “The food was delicious and the staff was so welcoming and friendly.” Barnsley Resort offers numerous outdoor activities for meeting groups, including a one-hour guided tour on horseback, kayaking and canoeing, bike riding and the TrackMan Golf Challenge, which provides golfers a full-swing analysis. For the groups that want a little more excitement, the resort offers two-hour fly-fishing lessons, bird hunting on 1,800 acres with an expert guide, and sporting clays shooting. —Laura Janelle Downey

THE RITZ-CARLTON REYNOLDS, LAKE OCONEE

“

IT H A N EX P O SED T IM BER T R USSED CEILING, PA IR ED WIT H SO LID O A K BA R N D O O R S A ND HA ND CR A FT ED IR O N CHA ND ELIER S, T HE PAV ILIO N CR EAT ES A ST UNNING BA CKD R O P FO R A NY T Y P E O F EV ENT O R BUSINESS M EET ING. ”

—Ralph Vick, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee

treatment to a custom facial. Fitness enthusiasts appreciate the three-lane indoor pool and 24-hour fitness center offering Peloton bikes, yoga classes and more. Meeting and incentive planners choose The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee because of these amenities as well as the resort’s 18,000-plus sq. ft. of meeting space (supported by a “technology butler”). In addition, the recently opened, 6,000-sq.-ft. Pavilion takes open-air space to a new level in a farmhouse-inspired setting. “In March of 2018, we announced the opening of The FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

THE RITZ-CARLTON REYNOLDS, LAKE OCONEE

Located 75 miles east of Atlanta in Greensboro, this resort offers groups a serene natural setting overlooking the 19,000acre Lake Oconee. Visitors arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, home to major carriers including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines and British Airways, can arrange transportation to and from the resort with the property’s concierge. And although it’s not the mainstream option, meeting attendees can also utilize the private Greene County Regional Airport in Greensboro, which is about 10 miles from the resort. Upon arriving at this Four-Star property, guests can see both Craftsman and Adirondack style touches throughout. The resort’s cottages feature stacked fieldstone walls, chimneys, stained wood cedar shingle siding and painted wood trim. Visitors will be immediately transported to an upscale, rustic retreat that manages to seamlessly blend a beautiful aesthetic with relaxation and recreation. The property, which opened in 2002, offers its guests a traditional Southern design. Guestrooms come with wood furnishings, marble-trimmed bathrooms, featherbeds with cotton linens and duvets, and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, which offer views of the lake or garden. Top this off with niceties such as terrycloth bathrobes and slippers, complimentary bottled water, coffee and tea, and luxury Asprey London bathroom products for a step above the already elevated experience. There are five signature golf courses — The Landing, The Preserve, The National, The Oconee and Great Waters — all designed by well-known architects such as Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Rees Jones and Bob Cupp. Guests also love The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee’s 27,600-sq.-ft. spa, where relaxation awaits with services ranging from a body

The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee offers idyllic outdoor gathering spots.

Pavilion, a venue that comes with an indoor-outdoor stacked stone fireplace at the helm of the room,” says General Manager Ralph Vick. “With an exposed timber trussed ceiling, paired with solid oak barn doors and handcrafted iron chandeliers, The Pavilion creates a stunning backdrop for any type of event or business meeting,” Vick says. “Fully climate controlled for year-round comfort, The Pavilion speaks to true Southern hospitality with a wraparound porch providing the perfect gathering place for guests to ‘linger longer’ while enjoying the outdoors. Every need is attended FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

to by our Ritz-Carlton team.” The team is quite experienced in serving groups, given that 60 percent of the property’s business is dedicated to that market. Corporations such as Fidelity Investments, Delta Air Lines and Chick-fil-A have brought groups to the property. Other outdoor options include the The Pointe, The Forest, the 16,000-sq.-ft. Lakeside Lawn, and the 15,000-sq.-ft. Lakeside Landing — complementing the 5,400-sq.-ft. Lake House. Teambuilding activities such as scavenger hunts, cooking classes and laser skeet shooting are all popular options. Active participants can also partake of kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, bean bag toss, canoeing, glow bocce ball and much more. Groups can also take in the sunset aboard the Spirit of Oconee, a double-decker style houseboat. After a long day of meetings and recreational activities, guests will gravitate toward the dining options provided by the resort. At the popular Georgia’s, which is located just below the lobby, guests can expect traditional Southern staples such as shrimp ‘n’ grits, meatloaf and pork chop with mushroom gravy. At the Linger Longer Steakhouse, 55

guests can order the Black Angus wet-aged, nine-ounce filet mignon with a side of bacon-jalapeño creamed corn — among many other signature dishes. If your group reserved the Lake House, the BBQ Butler will host a private dining experience for all. Expect baby back ribs, pulled BBQ pork, skillet cornbread, creamy coleslaw, braised collard greens, baked beans, s’mores and much more on its BBQ Pit Master menu (other options include the AllAmerican Cookout and Grilling Enthusiast). The property does a nice job of providing magical moments for its guests. For example, groups can reserve a 45-minute mini photo shoot around the scenic property, led by the onsite photography concierge. Other special moments can be created by toasting s’mores under the stars with coworkers at one of the many fire pits around the retreat. —Laura Janelle Downey

CHÂTEAU ÉLAN WINERY & RESORT

When a wine tasting is a fitting activity for a corporate group, Château Élan is arguably the finest site choice in Georgia. Located within 40 minutes of downtown Atlanta in Braselton, the 3,500-acre resort’s winery and working vineyard have yielded 29 varieties of award-winning wine. The 16th-century French chateau is complemented by an AAA Four Diamond Inn, a 25,000-sq.-ft. spa, 63 holes of championship golf, a tennis center and seven dining outlets. The 424-room property is also well stocked in meeting space: its 40,000-sq.-ft. Conference Center includes four ballrooms, 12 conference rooms, one boardroom, and a tiered auditorium with stage and fixed seating. In 2015, Château Élan Winery & Resort opened the 11,610-sq.-ft. Paris Ballroom, featuring 20-ft. ceilings, French chandeliers and an outdoor terrace overlooking the Spa and Executive Par 3 Golf Course. The ballroom is divisible into seven sections and accommodates up to 1,500 attendees. An ideal teambuilding program for both wine enthusiasts and casual drinkers is the Château Élan Wine Tasting

Château Élan Winery & Resort

Sea Island Resort Experience. The resort’s certified sommelier guides guests through proper tasting and serving techniques, and educates them on viticultural history. Sampling several of Chateau Elan’s premium wines is of course part of the experience. —G.S.

SEA ISLAND RESORT

Located on the Golden Isles of Georgia, Sea Island Resort offers groups numerous lodging options: the 265room Cloister, 85-room Inn, the 43-room Lodge and 130 rentable cottages. Standout recreational and wellness amenities include the Sea Island Golf Club, with three 18-hole championship courses complemented by a golf performance center, and the Spa at Sea Island. The FiveStar spa houses a strength and cardio studio, indoor lap pool and three squash courts. The meetings spaces are as diverse as the lodging options. Sea Island Resort offers groups more than 40,000 sq. ft. of event space overlooking the Georgia coastline, including a 7,800-sq.-ft. Cloister Ballroom and 5,073-sq.-ft. Mizner Ballroom. Intriguing venues for gatherings at the Cloister include the Sea Island Summit, which hosted the G8 Summit of world leaders; The Cloister Garden, accommodating up to 200 guests under live oaks; a wine cellar seating up to 20 guests; the 2,500-sq.-ft. Mizner Courtyard; and Rainbow Island, offering an outdoor picnic area on Black Banks River complemented by fire pits, a stage and 10,000-sq.-ft. pavilion. —G.S. FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

NORTHEAST

ALBANY CAPITAL CENTER

he Albany Capital Center is a beautiful glass structure offering 28,000 sq. ft. of ballroom/exhibit space, 9,200 sq. ft. of meeting space and 12,000 sq. ft. of prefunction space. The ACC provides the most state-of-the-art technology and Internet capabilities. Located in the heart of historic downtown Albany, the ACC offers visitors the ease of walkability to many downtown offerings such as world-class cuisine, entertainment, professional services and historic attractions. The new 80,000-sq.-ft. convention center is located just steps away from the New York State Capitol and has direct connections, via a climate-controlled walkway, to the Empire State Plaza, The Egg and the Times Union Center. With the ACC as its centerpiece, these spaces make up the Capital Complex, the largest meeting space in Upstate New York at 159,000 sq. ft. Proudly managed by SMG, the Albany Capital Center provides the capital city with a contemporary meeting, ballroom and exhibit venue. The new facility will, at a single 53,000-sq.-ft. location, accommodate meetings, banquets and exhibitions simultaneously on two levels, ensuring the best visitor and exhibitor experience. With wall-to-wall carpeting, LED lighting, digital signage and offering what is the fastest high-speed FREE Wi-Fi in the area, the ACC will impress. Events are expertly accommodated by “Mazzone Hospitality,” the exclusive in-house caterer which operates out of a 3,000-sq.-ft. kitchen. The ACC kitchen is state of the art, capable of preparing multiple-course meals for up to 5,000 guests in an evening. The ACC has 130 parking spaces available within three

underground levels right below the building. In addition, the ACC parking garage will be connected to the Times Union Center parking garage, which has a total of 950 spaces. With the entire Capital Region as the Albany Capital Center’s playground, attendees can experience Albany and so much more. They can explore the historic downtown of Albany and Saratoga, cruise along the beautiful Hudson River, watch in amazement as world-class thoroughbreds take to the oldest race track in the country, or try their luck at area casinos. Delegates can experience highclass entertainment, diverse nightlife and shopping all within a short walk or quick drive. Guests can also enjoy exquisite cuisine with some of the best chefs in the world and sample local spirits and craft beverages. The Capital Region has something for everyone.

55 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207 • (518) 487-2155 • albanycapitalcenter.com

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

NORTHEAST

MEET AC

M E E T S PA C E , M E E T S T Y L E , M E E T A C City is a hidden gem along the New Jersey shoreline, offering visitors much more than a seaside destination. Atlantic ACitytlantic offers ‘round-the-clock fun and excitement after the work

and meetings are through. Year-round, day or night, whatever you are looking for in a destination, Atlantic City’s got it. Atlantic City features miles of scenic beach and Boardwalk that your group can enjoy at any time of the year. They can take a stroll on the famous historic Boardwalk, bask in the glowing sun or take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean. Millions of visitors stroll, ride a bicycle or tour the Boardwalk on the famous rolling chairs. While in town, delegates can try their luck on the table games or slot machines at any of the city’s eight casinos. Atlantic City is made up of over 16,000 first-class hotel rooms that will provide the perfect accommodations for your attendees’ complete comfort and relaxation. The city also offers casino resorts with full resort amenities that range from an adult to a family-friendly atmosphere. The hotel and casino properties consist of meeting facilities and a surplus of unique event venues. The Atlantic City Convention Center provides over 600,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, as well as 45 meeting rooms, ample pre-function space and all the amenities you would expect. Convention delegates can unwind and dine with plentiful dining options, all customized to fit their taste buds, from brand-name eateries to celebrity chef restaurants. The Entertainment Capital of the Jersey Shore will have them laughing and singing all night long. Shopaholics can shop ‘til they drop at the city’s tax-free outlet shopping, Tanger Outlets The Walk, with over 100 retail stores that won’t disappoint with incredible deals, just steps from the convention center. Historic Boardwalk Hall, formerly known as Atlantic City Convention Hall, is Atlantic City’s first convention center and an iconic landmark to Atlantic City that was built in 1929. Home of the Miss America Pageant, it played host to the city’s growing convention industry. Boardwalk Hall has hosted an amazing list of dazzling entertainers and knockout sporting events throughout its 85-year history. When in town for a convention, make it a point to tour the pipe organ in historic Boardwalk Hall that is a national landmark built in the late 1920s.

Atlantic City is 60 miles from Philadelphia, 125 miles from New York, and 175 miles from Washington, DC. Any way you look at it, Atlantic City guarantees fast-paced excitement and nonstop, year-round activities. Meet AC will be happy to help you locate the right space, assist with attendance building and housing, provide temporary staff, and help with all the details, including spouse activities, transportation service, media and much more.

1 Convention Boulevard, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 • (609) 449-7100 •meetinac.com 58

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

NORTHEAST

CONNECTICUT CONVENTION CENTER

D EF Y E XP E C TAT ION S

Hartford’s convenient location will attract a record number of attendees, and the revitalized downtown will create an experience they’ll never forget. some time in Hartford and you’ll find a surprise around every corner: the expansive Connecticut Convention Center Sandpend connected Hartford Marriott, a vibrant redeveloped down-

town, and an innovative food scene. With easy access from the airport and a free downtown circulator shuttle, Hartford is easy to get to and around, leaving you with more time to meet, explore and connect. At the center of it all is the Connecticut Convention Center. Combining ample meeting space with visually stunning touches and unparalleled service, the Center is the premier meeting destination in the Northeast. Getting from work to play has never been easier when first-class entertainment and restaurants are just steps from your meeting. Enjoy tantalizing bites at over 40 independent restaurants, see a show at one of the nation’s leading resident theaters, the Hartford Stage, or catch the pulse-pounding action of the Hartford Wolf Pack hockey team at the XL Center. Or better yet, do it all. In Hartford we don’t just meet expectations, we defy them.

QUICK FACTS

• Downtown Hotel Rooms: 1,600 • Attached Hotel: Hartford Marriott (AAA Four-Diamond with 409 rooms)

• Convention Center: 540,000 Sq. Ft. Facility • Nearest Airport: Bradley International (15 miles from downtown) • Downtown Transportation: Free Hartford Dash • Convention District: Front Street (directly across the street from the Center) “The Connecticut Convention Center and Front Street have proven over the years to be the crown jewels of Hartford by boasting excellent meeting facilities, a diverse cross-section of restaurants, entertainment venues and relaxing nightlife.” – Africka Hinds, 2016 Conference Chairman Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

New in Hartford

• The new 6,000-seat Dunkin’ Donuts Park is home to the Hartford Yard Goats Minor League Baseball team. It’s a great option for an offsite reception or teambuilding activity. • The former Goodwin Hotel is being renovated into a new boutique property set to open mid-2017.

100 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT 06103 • (860) 249-6000 • ctconventions.com FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

NORTHEAST

JOSEPH A. FLOREANO ROCHESTER RIVERSIDE CONVENTION CENTER

ochester is the northern gateway to the magnificent Finger Lakes region, with its rolling hills, lush valleys and 11 namesake lakes. It is also a region famous for its more than 100 vineyards, excellent wines and numerous “wine trails.” With the New York Kitchen in nearby Canandaigua, NY, the wineries and farmer’s markets of the Finger Lakes region offer delegates meeting in Rochester wonderful daytrip options for pre- or post-conference enjoyment. Conveniently located in the heart of the city is the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center, with a scenic setting on the Genesee River and featuring outdoor patios and balconies. The facility offers 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting/exhibition space, including a 50,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall, 10,000-sq.-ft. elegant ballroom, plus 22 meeting rooms of various sizes. The Greater Rochester International Airport — with more than 54 flights daily — is just a 10-minute drive from the Floreano Center’s front door. Complimentary airport transportation is provided by all major hotels. Several entertainment districts surround the Floreano Center with restaurants and cafés, coffeehouses, pubs, dance clubs, music halls, theaters and more. Rochester boasts numerous museums, including the George Eastman Museum, the Susan B. Anthony House and the acclaimed Strong National Museum of Play. Rochester is also proud to be home to the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, a nineday event featuring more than 300 concerts with over 1,500 artists, as well as the Fringe Festival, a unique 10-day event celebrating the arts with more than 500 performances all over downtown Rochester. Rochester is a community known around the world for its high-tech expertise, which has led to the city being selected as the location for the AIM Photonics Test, Assembly and Packaging Facility. The Floreano Center itself gets high marks for handling all types of technology needs. The facility has a dedicated 60

Internet connection over fiber optics to meet all of the growing number of technical requirements its customers have. This service, which is self-operated, is available wireless throughout the facility with bandwidth of 400mb (up/down) and bursts to 600mb if needed. The Floreano Center features an in-house food and beverage operation, which includes an Executive Pastry Chef. In addition, the Riverside Productions and Riverside Catering divisions can even provide services to groups utilizing offsite locations throughout the region. Basically, the Floreano Center is New York State’s only one-stop convention facility. More than 1,100 rooms in a quartet of major hotels connect with the Floreano Center to create a compact convention district in the center of downtown Rochester. There is the 460-room Rochester Riverside Hotel, a 106-room Hilton Garden Inn, a 217-room Holiday Inn and a 338-room Hyatt Regency that recently completed a multimillion-dollar renovation. Delegates also enjoy the convenience of walking between hotels and the Floreano Center in minutes using the enclosed skywalk system or the scenic riverside walkway. Rochester offers groups a compact convention district.

123 East Main Street Rochester, NY 14604 (585) 232-7200 rrcc.com

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

WHATEVER YOUR NEEDS, WE HAVE THE ANSWER

• 100,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and exhibit space • In-house catering, production and AV services • Directly connected by enclosed skybridge to 800 hotel rooms

585.232.7200 • www.rrcc.com Rochester, New York

NORTHEAST

JACOB K. JAVITS CONVENTION CENTER

Venue: This state-of-the-art metropolitan structure combines soaring steel and glass, cutting-edge technology and efficient services to make the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center the premier venue for meetings and events. Flexibility is a major benefit, as floor-to-ceiling acoustical dividing walls can create up to nine individual halls, which in turn can accommodate 150 to 5,000 attendees. Various event spaces such as the 15-story Crystal Palace and the River Pavilion provide stunning views that have served as backdrops for more than 170 events a year. A total of 102 meeting rooms round out the convention center’s ability to handle any type of event.

MARKETPLACE FOR THE WORLD

Location: Stretching six city blocks, the Javits Center is located on Manhattan’s West Side with Times Square, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and the Theater District just minutes away and within walking distance. A new subway station opened across the street, connecting the Javits Center to all major transportation hubs in New York City. With three major airports, world-class rail terminals in proximity and more than 100,000 hotel rooms in the New York metropolitan area, the Javits Center is an ideal venue to host an event. Expansion: New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced plans to expand the Javits Center with an additional 1.2 million sq. ft., including five times more meeting room space and the largest ballroom in the Northeast. The project, which broke ground in late 2016, also includes a rooftop terrace with a 1,500-person capacity and an onsite truck marshaling facility to accelerate event operations and improve area traffic flow. A new exhibition hall also will be constructed, creating 500,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibition space on Level 3, a sought-after benchmark throughout the industry. Renderings of the project can be found at javitscenter.com. The expansion builds upon the success of a recent renovation, which included upgrades to the building’s infrastructure and earned the facility LEED Silver status from the U.S. Green Building Council. Staff: The Javits Center is much more than a versatile space. With more than 4,000 skilled professionals, ranging from event solutions managers and in-house service managers to carpenters, cleaners, electricians and teamsters, the staff strives to make every event a success by raising service standards to a new level. Together, the convention center’s staff works closely with you during every stage of the event — from planning to the grand finale. Meetings and Events: 102 total meeting rooms. The Special Events Hall seats up to 3,200 for meetings and up to 1,700 for banquets. Banquets and Receptions: The Crystal Palace (65,000 gross sq. ft.), River Pavilion (45,000 gross sq. ft.) and Special Events Hall (30,000 gross sq. ft.). Onsite kitchens are equipped to prepare up to 10,000 meals simultaneously. Registration Area: 65,000 sq. ft., accented with terrazzo floors and soaring glass ceilings. Food Services: Centerplate, Javits’ exclusive caterer, is one of the largest hospitality companies in the world with more than 140 venues in North America alone. At the Javits Center, Centerplate offers a range of cuisines at varying price points for meetings — large or small — conferences, banquets, receptions and tradeshows. There are also three permanent and several mobile food kiosks as well as a full-service Starbucks outlet located on the concourse level (next to Super Shuttle). A second Starbucks location has opened in the Crystal Palace, providing attendees with even more food and beverage options. Business Center: FedEx Office, located on the concourse level, is open during show hours and most move-in and move-out days. American Express Open® Business Lounge: Located on the 4E terrace on the south side of the Crystal Palace, the lounge offers American Express Open® card members and those who apply for the card onsite business amenities, such as free WiFi, refreshments, computers and comfortable seating. 62

Vital Facts Total Exhibition Space: 760,000 gross sq. ft. Total Meeting Space: 28,050 gross sq. ft. permanent; 132,000 gross sq. ft. flexible.

11th Ave., Between 34th St. & 39 St., New York, NY 10001 (212) 216-2335 javitscenter.com

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

M A R K E T P L A C E F O R

T H E

W O R L D New York’s Javits Center is busier than ever. With 760,000 square feet of flexible exhibit space, we host more than 170 events, from trade shows and corporate meetings, to benefits and public events. And our new high density Wi-Fi system provides access to over 70,000 users at a time. There are over 30,000 hotel rooms within a one mile radius of the Javits Center, and when it comes to travel options, the metropolitan area’s three major airports, ferry service and public transportation make getting here easier than you ever thought possible. Nowhere else will you find all the ingredients for success on one iconic stage, right in the heart of the greatest city in the world. Ready to elevate your event?

Eleventh Avenue between West 34th and 40th Streets sales@javitscenter.com • 212-216-2000

JAVITSCENTER.COM

NORTHEAST

meadowlands exposition center

he SMG-managed Meadowlands Exposition Center at Harmon Meadow is proud to be the premier New Jersey convention center that meeting planners and tradeshow producers prefer. Since opening its doors in 1990, the MEC has consistently exceeded the expectations of planners, exhibitors and attendees. The MEC is • Five miles from Manhattan; • Accessible to all major interstate arteries, including the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway; • Minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport and Teterboro Jetport; and • Serviced by New York/New Jersey Transit, with bus stops located at the front entrance of the facility. Groups have at their disposal 61,000 sq. ft. of obstruction-free, dedicated convention space with 20-ft.-high ceilings; fully carpeted seminar rooms with airwalls that can be utilized individually or opened to one large room; and two drive-in doors (14 ft. by 16 ft.) with four loading docks at street level. Full and half-hall rates are available. Meadowlands Exposition Center staff will work with each group to address their individual needs and budget in relation to calendar and availability of dates and space. Professional event coordinators will guide the show manager through the entire event. The in-house decorator has its office in the

Convention Center and maintains a full warehouse on the premises, guaranteeing exhibitors a full range of decorating services. In addition, the in-house caterer provides world-class food service for 50 to 5,000 attendees. The Meadowlands Exposition Center operates three concession stands that offer a wide variety of options. Located only minutes to Manhattan and Newark Liberty International Airport in Northern New Jersey, the Meadowlands Exposition Center at Harmon Meadow establishes a spacious campuslike environment for visitors with the best amenities: hotels, dining, shopping and entertainment — all within walking distance of each other. There are six national hotel chains within walking distance, with rates that average 30 percent lower than New York City. Major retailers and a variety of restaurants provide an ideal location to relax or conduct business. Take in a movie at Kerasotes ShowPlace 14 Theatres and dinner at a nearby restaurant or work out in LA Fitness Signature Club (Full Service Fitness Club). Incoming groups will enjoy easy access from the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 3, plus multiple transportation options and free parking right outside the Center’s door. So come on in and look around and find out more about the MEC’s upcoming events. And when you’re ready to book your next event, call (201) 330-7773 and the staff will be happy to assist you in planning your most successful event ever.

355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ 07094 • (201) 330-7773; Fax: (201) 330-1172 • mecexpo.com 64

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

MEADOWLANDS EXPOSITION CENTER New Jersey’s Premier Event Center

• 61,000 sq. ft. of obstruction-free Exhibit Space, large multi-purpose Lobby and flexible Meeting Rooms • Just five miles from Midtown Manhattan • Cost Effective Alternative to NYC • Dedicated, Professional Staff of Event Coordinators • Minutes away from Newark International Airport • Surrounded by Hotels, Restaurants & Shopping all within walking distance • Free Parking and Public Transportation right outside our door

The Meadowlands Exposition Center offers one of the most complete and convenient facility packages in the northeast region. By offering the drawing power of the Metropolitan area, your event, exhibitors and attendees can all take advantage by booking your event at an affordable price.

Planning an Event? Let us know how we can help!

355 Plaza Drive Secaucus NJ 07094 • 201.330.7773 • sales@mecexpo.com

MID-ATLANTIC

EVENTS DC

WA S H I NG T ON DC ’S NEW E ST V E NUE TH E E N T E R TA I NM E NT & S P OR TS A R E NA - C OMI NG TH I S FALL

onstruction is underway on the new Entertainment

entertainment, the demand for multipurpose venues and

& Sports Arena in Congress Heights, DC. In collabo-

experiences across the city has also increased. The 4,200-seat,

ration with the Executive Office of the District of

130,000-sq.-ft. arena will serve as the first multipurpose venue

Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and Monumental Sports

of its kind. The state-of-the-art facility will be the home to the

and Entertainment and Events DC, the official convention

WNBA’s Washington Mystics, practice location for the NBA

and sports authority of the District of Columbia, the Arena

Washington Wizards, and DC’s new NBA Development League

is expected to be DC’s newest center of attention.

team, Capital City Go-Go. Additionally, it will be the hub for many event experiences in sports and entertainment, includ-

With three diverse lines of business — conventions & meet-

ing boxing, esports and concerts. This project will serve as a

ings, sports & entertainment and special events — Events

year-round destination within one of DC’s most underserved

DC already owns, operates and manages landmark venues

communities, opening doors to cultural and community-based

throughout the city, including the Walter E. Washington

events and giving residents and visitors the opportunity to

Convention Center, the historic Robert F. Kennedy Stadi-

enjoy the rich diversity of the District in a new space.

um-Armory Campus, DC Armory, Nationals Park and more. The Arena opens in the fall of 2018. For more information on As the city continues to grow and attract more world-class

the Entertainment and Sports Arena, visit ESAontheRise.com.

801 Mount Vernon Place NW, Washington, DC 20001 • (202) 249-3311 • eventsdc.com 66

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

MID-ATLANTIC

GREATER RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTER

THE PLACE TO BE!

he Greater Richmond Convention Center has the location, size and service to make it the premier meeting and event venue in Virginia. At the junction of Interstates 64 and 95, Richmond is within a half-day’s drive of 50 percent of the U.S. population, including major metropolitan areas such as New York City and Atlanta. It’s also within a two-hour drive of the Atlantic Ocean, Blue Ridge Mountains and the nation’s capital, Washington, DC. The Greater Richmond Convention Center is situated in the heart of downtown Richmond. Just steps away from the GRCC you’ll find well-appointed hotels and a neighborhood full of restaurants, arts and culture. Richmond’s craft brewery scene has exploded in recent years, with tastings and tours to entice event attendees and travelers alike. The GRCC is the ideal location for conventions, business meetings, trade and consumer shows, competitive sports and a myriad of other special occasions. With more than 300,000 sq. ft. of flexible exhibit halls, ballrooms and meeting rooms, the Greater Richmond Convention Center can be configured to suit the needs of any savvy event planner. The facility is non-union and Virginia Green Certified. Special features include an atrium-style main lobby, lecture hall, lactation lounge, two cafés and 20 loading dock bays. A recent technology upgrade increased bandwidth and extended complimentary wireless to all public spaces, making planners and attendees happy to connect. The GRCC is dedicated to making every event a success. The experienced sales, events and catering professionals guide clients through the planning process, helping them choose the best spaces, schedules, setups and menus. The staff is committed to client satisfaction and consistently receives five-star ratings on meeting planner surveys and online reviews. Getting to Richmond is a breeze. Just 15 minutes from the GRCC,

and eight miles from the city’s central business district, Richmond International Airport (RIC) offers 170 daily nonstop flights on airlines including American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United, Allegiant and Spirit. The region also has three Amtrak stations to transport guests by rail. Richmond is home to the only triple rail crossing in the country. Also located onsite is the Richmond Region Visitors Center and Gift Shop. Extend your stay and enjoy excursions with the entire family. Travel counselors are on-hand to assist with maximizing your Richmond experience. Give GRCC a call today and find out why the GRCC is the place to be.

403 N. 3rd Street, Richmond, VA 23219 • (804) 783-7335 • richmondcenter.com

TOP 10

REASONS TO HAVE YOUR EVENT AT THE GRCC

“The GRCC Team is attentive, flexible and accommodating to our every event need. We look forward to returning year after year for the top-notch service!” — Lindsay Myers Borge, Virginia Chamber of Commerce

info@greaterrichmondcc.com | 804-783-7334 | richmondcenter.com/fdmag FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

MID-ATLANTIC

ROLAND E. POWELL CONVENTION CENTER E VE RYT H I NG ’ S B E T T E R AT TH E B EA C H ! specially when that beach is in Ocean City, ENumber Maryland. Ocean City is “The East Coast’s One Family Resort,” with waves of activities and events. With 10 miles of white sand and waves, a three-mile boardwalk, nightlife, 17 championship golf courses, restaurants, shopping and more, there’s no end to the fun when the meetings are over.

In addition to the city’s great beach, the Ocean City Convention Center keeps getting better. The new state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center can seat 1,200 attendees for keynote addresses or general sessions. In addition to the performing arts center, the Roland E. Powell Convention Center has over 214,000 sq. ft. of space, which includes a 45,000-sq.-ft., column-free exhibit hall, a 20,000-sq.ft. bayfront ballroom, and 22 meeting rooms. Ocean City can accommodate many different events, including conventions, meetings, tradeshows and athletic events. The center also features onsite food and beverage service along with full-service catering by Centerplate, a veteran convention staff, free Wi-Fi service throughout the center, and free parking for more than 1,000 cars and buses. Ocean City offers business travelers a choice of accommodations, including 9,500 hotel rooms and more than 29,000 rentable condos; of these, 4,850 are year-round committable rooms.

4001 Coastal Highway Ocean City, MD 21842 (800) 626-2326 ococean.com

Every season offers a reason to make your next meeting a vacation. So plan your next convention in Ocean City, where you’ll find everything you want — whether you’re in meetings or on the beach. For more information, contact the Ocean City Convention Center’s sales team at (410) 289-2800 or (800) OC-OCEAN or visit ococean.com.

Plan

THE ROLAND E. POWELL CONVENTION CENTER

A CONVENTION WITH A VIEW.

WE MAKE IT EASY TO WORK HARD. The Roland E. Powell Convention Center has been designed from the ground up to provide a seamless environment for any event. With 1,200 on-site parking spaces and additional parking lots for crowds of all sizes spread over 214,000 square feet, it’s the perfect venue for all of your needs.

Main Exhibit Hall – 45,500+ sq. ft. of column-free, flexible halls Bayfront Ballroom –19,126 sq. ft. • Exhibit Hall –14,000 sq. ft. of flexible space • 21 meeting rooms • Brand-new Performing Arts Center–1,200 seats with state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment, box office, concession area, and spacious dressing rooms • •

Plus, we are less than three hours from Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia and 30 minutes from the Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico Regional Airport (SBY).

THE ROLAND E. POWELL CONVENTION CENTER

BOOK WITH US TODAY!

Visit OCMDCONVENTIONCENTER.COM, or call 1.800.OC.OCEAN.

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FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK 4/19/16 10:56 AM

SOUTHEAST

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex

he Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex is Alabama’s foremost convention, meeting and entertainment center. Events and meetings of all types can be accommodated in its Arena, Concert Hall, Theater, Exhibition Halls and Ballroom. The complex embraces a beautiful central piazza used for outdoor events. The Exhibition Halls cover 220,000+ sq. ft. for major tradeshows and exhibitions. For smaller shows, this space can be divided into seven different configurations. The Complex offers full catering service for any size group, ranging from casual box lunches to elaborate cocktail receptions and formal dinners. With the new Uptown Entertainment District, the complex also includes six restaurants with cuisines ranging from fine dining to Southern cooking, plus a premium coffee shop with full-service bar. Two skywalks and an interior corridor stretching over 1,000 ft. connect the BJCC Exhibition Halls, Meeting Rooms and Arena with the adjacent 757-room Sheraton Birmingham Hotel. Connected to the Sheraton via skywalk is the all-new Westin Birmingham Hotel with an additional 294 rooms, bringing total onsite accommodations to 1,051 rooms.

The BJCC offers videoconferencing, satellite, teleconferencing, in-house Ethernet for event use, microwave and satellite connectivity, wireless access to an exhibitor network and a fully staffed, broadcastquality studio with pre- and post-production capabilities. Total Exhibition Space = 220,000+ sq. ft. with 20 ft.-30ft. ceilings Number of Meeting Rooms = 90 • Largest Ballroom = 25,000 sq. ft. • Banquet Seating Capacity • 8,800 seats Event Space • 2,800-seat Concert Hall • 1,000-seat Theater; 276-seat Forum Theater • 18,000-seat Arena

2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, Birmingham, AL 35203 • (205) 458-8400 • bjcc.org FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

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GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE CVB/ BROWARD COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER

5 Ways to Make Your Meeting

a Destination Experience As the meetings and conventions industry continues to flourish and evolve, event planners are seeking new ideas and capitalizing on current trends to make their events truly stand out. When creating a holistic guest experience becomes the ultimate goal, how can meeting planners keep up and elevate their events to new heights? These tips and tricks can help make your next meeting a true destination experience.

1Immerse yourself in the location

In an age when both work and play are must-haves in the meetings and conventions industry, more and more event professionals are finding it hard to resist meeting locations that offer the whole package. Some may opt for the glam and lights of Sin City while others may go for theme parks in Orlando, but few attendees can resist the call of tropical, beachy paradises such as Greater Fort Lauderdale. The Greater Fort Lauderdale / Broward County Convention offers far more than just meeting space-- it presents an unparalleled destination experience. Surrounded by a convention center district with exceptional restaurants, shopping, arts and cultural attractions, pristine beaches, and hotels for every taste and budget, this South Florida venue represents an ideal meeting location. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) helps guests make the most of the destination’s offerings from before they arrive until departure, providing tools to book exciting excursions, reserve tables at award-winning restaurants, and redeem special offers from local businesses, in addition to an onsite concierge for recommendations and assistance.

2 Arrive by land, sea or air

It’s no secret that transportation can make or break your event experience. Events need to be not only educational and economical, but also highly accessible. A venue reachable by more than one form of transportation offers added value that attendees will surely appreciate. In South Florida, the Greater Fort Lauderdale / Broward County Convention Center is accessible via all forms of transportation, from boats and cruise ships to planes, trains and automobiles. Located just three miles from Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport, visitors can touch down in Fort Lauderdale and arrive at the venue within minutes. Fort Lauderdale’s Sun Trolley allows guests to conveniently experience the convention center’s entertainment district, while water taxis offer access via the city’s scenic waterways. Other alternative modes of transportation serve as fun, unique ways to see the city. Bikes, Segways and rickshaws can give attendees the full experience of meeting in paradise. Guests can further explore South Florida with the new Brightline express train, which offers riders premium travel from downtown Fort Lauderdale to Miami or Palm Beach and soon, all the way to Orlando. And with the

Convention Center adjacent to Port Everglades, a major cruising hub, attendees can end their meeting with a bang by setting sail for a week of leisure!

3 Meet outside the box

The days of traditional banquet rounds and “rubber chicken” dinners are long gone. Nowadays, the industry is exhibiting more creative dining concepts and novel, interactive details. Kitchens are providing a variety of on-trend catering such as farm-to-table cuisine with menus that are artistic and imaginative. Guests are often invited to enjoy samplings of innovative food and beverage creations in more personal settings. Other ideas include event sets and décor that are more evocative of night clubs than formal sit-down dinners, traditional ballrooms transformed into vibrant productions, and unique site features such as fountains and atriums serving as backdrops for one-of-a-kind cocktail receptions or networking events.

4 Gauge your success

The guest experience is the very crux of an event. The ultimate goal is to create a lasting impression and memorable experience for attendees. But how do you measure experience? Through engagement! Whether it’s social media or a dedicated meeting app, visitors should be encouraged to use digital tools to document their experience in real time. Ideas include an official event hashtag, photo contests and more. The Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB inspires guest engagement through a variety of touchpoints including social media, targeted promotions and soon, a new app. Many other destinations are following suit with interactive digital platforms tailored to guest preferences.

5 Make them feel at home

In large venues and exhibit halls, the intimacy of an event and connection among attendees can sometimes become lost. Providing the highest level of service and communication is a great way to make guests feel at home. For example, the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB promotes SUNsational Service®, offering tools and specialized training to hospitality professionals to ensure excellence. The human element is often the most appreciated and impactful for meeting planners and attendees alike. Individuals who provide SUNsational Service go above and beyond to ensure that guests have the best experience possible, contributing to Greater Fort Lauderdale’s success and popularity all year long. These are just a few ideas to help you enhance the guest experience, attract new attendees, and make your next meeting truly unforgettable. If you’re eager to learn more about hosting events at the Greater Fort Lauderdale / Broward County Convention Center, visit FTLauderdaleCC.com or call 954.765.5900. FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

THRILLING, STUNNING, TRANSFORMATIVE. THERE ARE WORDS TO DESCRIBE IT.

Find 500,000 square feet of reimagined exhibit space, a 60,000 square foot ballroom and 84 breakout rooms. The Miami Beach Convention Center is the perfect space for your business. New space. New possibilities. Coming September 2018.

Learn more at MiamiMeetings.com Meetings@MiamiMeetings.com I 800-933-8448 ext. 3071

SOUTHEAST

GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

vibrant and dynamic global hub, Miami offers a stunning array of creative venue options for even the largest meeting needs, including the new Miami Beach Convention Center coming in 2018. Located in the heart of South Beach, the new Miami Beach Convention Center, coming September 2018, will be a bright, glass-encased facility as innovative and tech-rich as it is beautiful. In addition to the 500,000 sq. ft. of versatile exhibition space and more than 180,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, the new Miami Beach Convention Center also will include a 60,000-sq.-ft. grand ballroom, a 20,000-sq.-ft. junior ballroom and 84 breakout rooms. The space will feature a terrace where attendees can step out, mingle and soak up the city’s signature sunshine and ocean breeze. The new Miami Beach Convention Center is also environmentally friendly and LEED Silver certified.

WH AT ’ S NEW

Along with the new Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami continues to reinvent itself with new hotels, meeting spaces and enhanced infrastructure. Some of the recent additions to the city include:

• B RIC K E L L CI TY C E N T R E

Spanning 9.1 acres, Brickell City Centre includes a 352-room hotel, an open-air shopping center, two luxury condo towers, two office buildings and an entertainment center.

• B RIG HTL I N E

The new express train service will provide intercity travel in Florida. In May, Brightline began service connecting Miami,

Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, with service between Miami and Orlando to follow soon.

• FROS T S CIENCE MUSEU M

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science opened its doors to the public in May 2017 at its new home in downtown Miami’s Museum Park. The 250,000-sq.-ft. facility combines a planetarium, aquarium and science museum on one campus.

E NDL E S S P OS S I B I L I T I E S

Along with its world-famous weather and beaches, the city also offers nearly endless possibilities for entertainment and exploration. From unique hotel and dining experiences to culturally diverse neighborhoods and a thriving arts scene, Miami seamlessly blends the benefits of a sophisticated international destination with the natural beauty of the tropics. And it’s easy to get to, with Miami International Airport (MIA) offering more than 400 flights from around the globe daily and serving more airlines than any other airport in the United States. These are just a few of the memorable and magical highlights awaiting any meeting planner thinking of Miami. Visit MiamiMeetings.com to learn more.

C I T YW I DE FACT S & FE AT URE S Guestrooms: 55,394 Hotels/Resorts: 426 Meeting Space: 1.2 million sq. ft.

CONVE NT I ON CE NT E R

Located in the heart of South Beach, the new Miami Beach Convention Center will open in 2018. This innovative and techrich facility will feature 500,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space.

CONTACT: BARRY MOSKOWITZ, VICE PRESIDENT, SALES (305) 539-3042 • Fax: (305) 530-4276 • barry@gmcvb.com • MiamiMeetings.com 72

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

SOUTHEAST

ARTHUR R. OUTLAW MOBILE CONVENTION CENTER

he Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center anchors a lively downtown offering world-class accommodations, lush parks and squares, retail shops, restaurants, museums and art galleries. The 300,000-sq.-ft. Center offers 18 meeting rooms, two ballrooms and two exhibit halls totaling 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space. Winner of numerous architectural awards, the Center takes full advantage of its superb waterfront setting with terraces and riverwalks, while the prefunction area’s expansive windows afford magnificent views of passing ships on the Mobile River. The Center has also mastered the requirements of accessibility, flexibility and liberally placed amenities to accommodate a variety of conventions, meetings, trade and consumer shows. From service-corridor access to conveniently located registration lobbies, the state-of-the-art facility offers all services necessary to ensure the success of every event. Within walking distance are six hotels that offer more than 1,100 sleeping rooms, including the AAA Four Diamond, 363-room Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel, which is connected via SkyWalk to the Convention Center. Accommodations include reasonably priced hotel chains, a historic inn, a bed & breakfast and a modern high-rise. Three regional airports service the Mobile Bay area: Mobile Regional Airport, Pensacola Regional Airport and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. All three airports are within driving distance of the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center. Mobile Bay is home to numerous one-of-a-kind attractions for guests to discover, including Alabama’s top-rated USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park and the Gulf Coast Exploreum and IMAX Theater. The beautiful Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Alligator Alley, 5 Rivers: Delta Resource Center, Hank Aaron Stadium, Civil War Trail, Oakleigh Historic District and several museums are also favorites of visitors, including the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf Coast. Attendees can now enjoy more than 90 exhibits dedicated to the Gulf Coast’s rich maritime traditions. Guests can also play on several award-winning golf courses. FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

One S. Water Street, Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 208-2100 mobileconventions.com

SOUTHEAST

NEW ORLEANS ERNEST N. MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER

ew Orleans is an award-winning city steeped in culture, culinary excellence and centuries-old architecture, and its meeting facilities are no exception. Events held in New Orleans are unlike any other, and the city’s exquisite and unique venues as well as unmatched Southern hospitality are just a few of the reasons. The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is the sixth largest and one of the most technologically advanced convention facilities in the country. With over 1.1 million sq. ft. of prime contiguous exhibit space, 140 meetings rooms, two multipurpose ballrooms and a 4,000-seat divisible performing arts theater, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has been tested by the most demanding clients from all event segments. The Great Hall boasts 60,000 column-free sq. ft., with 25,000 sq. ft. of pre-function space and interior and exterior balconies served by a large outdoor pedestrian plaza and grand entrance. State-of-the-art lighting systems feature energy efficient lighting that can create nearly endless color combinations to transform any event. The grand entrance is overlooked by a high-definition video display board promoting the event. Plans for the exciting transformation of Convention Center Boulevard in New Orleans, which will connect the bustling Warehouse/ Arts District with the historic French Quarter and dramatically transform the guest experience at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, are becoming a reality. A new $65 million linear park will update the urban environment with a tree-lined pedestrian plaza, bike lanes, covered porches, outdoor event spaces, water features, green walls, water walls, public art and shaded sitting areas for visitors. Two key components of the transformation are a transportation center where shuttles will more efficiently move attendees to and from the Center, and improvements to several roads and intersections on shuttle routes within the Warehouse District. More than 1,400 restaurants in the city mean that delegates never have to travel far for a good meal. With Centerplate, MCCNO’s culinary partner, they don’t even have to leave the show floor. Centerplate is committed to providing the essence of the New Orleans food experience through three onsite restaurants featuring live local music and menus of iconic Louisiana dishes by award-winning chef Donald Link.

After business ends, the Center is just a stone’s throw from the newly renovated Outlet Collection at the Riverwalk, the historic Warehouse District and French Quarter, and the National World War II Museum. As a consistent Top 10 host of the largest number of conventions and tradeshows annually, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is an expert in hosting groups of all sizes and industries. The Crescent City, The Big Easy, a sportsman’s paradise — whatever you call New Orleans, call it your next meeting destination. FOOD & BEVERAGE SERVICES One of New Orleans’ most enticing attributes is its unique dining experiences, and the Center lives up to that expectation through its food and beverage partner Centerplate, providing a wide range of culinary options to satisfy the most discerning customers. In addition to the customary service on the exhibit floor, several exclusive dining options are available, including the breathtakingly elegant Ma Maison. BUSINESS CENTER Located in Lobby F, the UPS Store at the Convention Center is selfservice or full-service, depending on the customer’s needs. Remote business centers can be set up at event registration areas. Hours are tailored to meet the needs of show managers and attendees. A wide range of supplies and services including shipping, high-volume copying, faxing, badge chains, etc., are available.

900 Convention Center Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 19107 • (504) 582-3023 mccno.com 74

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

SOUTHEAST

OCEAN CENTER CONVENTION CENTER

f you are looking for a Florida venue, Daytona Beach has you covered. The Ocean Center Convention Center is at the forefront of today’s meeting locations. With sweeping architecture, dramatic pre-event areas, captivating permanent and rotating art galleries, the Ocean Center is your perfect venue. A dynamite location situated in the core area of Daytona Beach, the Ocean Center promises spectacular sunrises, beautiful beaches and plentiful dining and entertainment options. The Atlantic Ocean is only steps away and is the site of first-class accommodations. Ocean Walk Shoppes are adjacent and offer an abundance of dining and entertainment options such as Sloppy Joe’s, Johnny Rockets, Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Company and many other choices. The area is easily accessible and is serviced by Daytona Beach International Airport, located only minutes away with airlift provided by JetBlue, Delta and American Airlines. Daytona Beach lies at the crossroads of Central Florida, with easy access to Interstates 4 and 95. It is also 60 minutes from Orlando. The Ocean Center’s 200,000 sq. ft. of space provides flexibility and adjustability. The center offers a 93,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall, a 42,000-sq.-ft. arena, a 14,000-sq.-ft. ballroom that seats 900, and 32 meeting rooms. The center is known for its knowledgeable staff with many years of hospitality service, and one-on-one event planning assistance from their staff. Qualifying clients can also take advantage of complimentary site visits and possible financial assistance. Creating successful events is a specialty. An outstanding catering staff delivers delectable menus, themed events and eye-appealing presentations.

There are beach bonus days for first-time clients during the months of September through December. On certain dates, the Ocean Center is able to give bonuses like a choice of a refreshment break, free Wi-Fi, move-in or move-out, 15 percent catering discount or breakout rooms. Offer available only on certain dates and for first-time clients. Subject to availability and change. Not available with other discounts or offers. Offer available for rental of exhibit hall and/or arena only. Minimum of 350 room nights on peak. Allow the Ocean Center to host your next meeting. Its unique architectural style, mouth-watering cuisine and superior service will ensure your next meeting will be a resounding success.

FA S T FA C TS

• •• •• •• •• ••

Complimentary site visits and possible financial assistance available to qualifying clients. Over 200,000 sq. ft. of space 93,000-sq.-ft. Exhibit Hall 42,000-sq.-ft. Arena 14,000-sq.-ft. Ballroom, seats 900 32 meeting rooms with over 32,000 sq. ft. of space Executive Suite Outstanding catering Personalized event planning 400 ft. from the Atlantic Ocean and spectacular beaches Year-round warm weather and over 300 days of sunshine

And remember, when the meeting breaks the ocean awaits.

101 North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118 • (386) 254-4522; Fax: (386) 254-4512 • oceancenter.com 76

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

The Great Florida Venue D A Y T O N A

B E A C H

The Ocean Center is located in the heart of one of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite family destinations. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the perfect venue for meetings and conventions large and small, exhibitions, entertainment events and sporting competitions. And when the meeting breaks, the ocean awaits. Book the Ocean Center and the best staff in the business will make your next event your best event.

The great Florida venue! 101 N. Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach, FL 32118 800.858.6444 oceancenter.com

SOUTHEAST

VISIT ORLANDO

isit Orlando President & CEO George Aguel recently spoke about Orlando’s record-breaking 2017 and what’s next for the destination. From convention center improvements to new lands at its world-class theme parks, Orlando is on the move. “Orlando has never been a city that rests on its laurels,” says Aguel. “Our business leaders are relentlessly innovating and raising the bar with new projects, renovations, facelifts and expansions to help meeting professionals offer the best possible experience to attendees. Just when you think you’ve got us all figured out, we’ve got more surprises up our sleeve.” In most convention cities, any one of these new developments would be big news, but in Orlando they’re simply part of the city’s ever-changing landscape. In fact, hospitality officials have a favorite buzzword they use to describe what’s going on in The City Beautiful right now: momentum. Aguel isn’t the only one talking about Orlando’s unique ability to host unforgettable meetings. Between the city’s state-of-the-art convention center, the world’s greatest theme parks and attractions, more than a dozen awardwinning celebrity chefs, and seven million-plus sq. ft. of meeting space, it’s no wonder Orlando has been Cvent’s Top Meetings Destination for four straight years. It never stops improving, either. Since 1995, Orlando’s hotel inventory has jumped by more than 40 percent, with more than 121,000 rooms now available at a variety of price points. Passenger volume has increased by over 72 percent to more than 44 million annually at Orlando International Airport, which offers nonstop service from more than 130 domestic and international locations and was just ranked #1 Mega Airport for Customer Satisfaction by J.D. Power. But it’s not just the city’s hospitality infrastructure that is ever evolving. The entertainment district and venues also continue to serve new offerings to surprise and delight. One highlight is the new London-based, motor-themed Ace Cafe Orlando, which

recently opened its doors in downtown Orlando. “The Ace” features scratch cooking, live music, a rare motorcycle collection and multiple creative spaces for group events. An investment is also underway in the city’s popular entertainment districts: More than $1 billion in high-profile developments are planned through 2020 for the International Drive resort area. Locals describe Orlando’s culinary scene as “unmatched.” The city was named “Best Foodie City” by Wallethub. In the past few years, Orlando has become a foodie hotspot with award-winning restaurants, James Beard Award-winning celebrity chefs like Masaharu Morimoto and Rick Bayless, and chic wine bars to satisfy just about any taste. Furthermore, The City Beautiful continues its reign as Theme Park Capital of the WorldSM with the opening of new and expanded attractions/venues. A noteworthy event was the May 2017 opening of Universal’s Volcano Bay™, a revolutionary water theme park anchored by a 200-ft. volcano. In addition, Universal Orlando Resort™ has added two hotels in the last four years, with another one coming in 2018, for a total of six new hotels. Finally, the city’s theme parks continue to add one-of-a-kind, immersive-experience elements to elevate the “wow” factor of your meetings and private events. In short, there’s never been a better time to meet in Orlando. Discover a world of possibilities at www.OrlandoMeeting.com or contact the Convention Sales team at convention.sales@visitorlando.com to see how Visit Orlando can create an unforgettable meeting for your group.

6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32821 • (800) 643-0482 • OrlandoMeeting.com 78

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

SOUTHEAST

PALM BEACH COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER BU SINES S H APPE N S HE RE he Palm Beach County Convention Center sits in the heart of West Palm Beach, making it the perfect location to balance business and pleasure. With some of the best amenities at your fingertips, you and your attendees will enjoy exceptional services, amazing local foods and the ultimate environment for meeting collaboration and engagement. Our team is here to assist you with designing and executing the best event experience for your attendees. All will enjoy our Free Wi-Fi services available throughout the venue. If you’re traveling from out of town, fly into Palm Beach International Airport, only eight minutes away or shuttle over to the Hilton West Palm Beach connected directly to the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

THE WES T PAL M BE AC H EX P ER I EN C E Opened in 2004, the 350,000-sq.-ft. venue creates a story that depicts West Palm Beach. You’ll be welcomed by the warmth of the facility when walking through the extravagant main entrance or parking in the 2,500-space garage. Masterfully designed to replicate a cruise ship, the convention center has high Brazilian wood ceilings, contemporary chandeliers, a spacious main lobby with marble floors, and blue wave-patterned carpet. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows bring the natural light through the entire two-story building for you and your attendees to enjoy the Florida sunshine. CREATIN G YO UR PE RF E C T EV EN T Located on both floors, the center’s 19 standard meeting rooms range from 600 sq. ft. to 1,700 sq. ft. These 14-ft.-ceiling rooms can provide a more open layout by utilizing connecting room options. Book the Executive Boardroom that overlooks the exhibit hall area with the perfect aerial view. Walk up the stunning marble grand staircase to the public north pre-function area and ballroom. The 22,000-sq.-ft. room can be divided into four spaces to offer additional options. The 24-ft.-

tall ceilings are elaborately designed with intricate white beams that gives that extra touch. For tradeshows, exhibits or other large events, the exhibit hall is ideal. The space is 100,000 sq. ft. and features two expansive main entrances. The air wall can separate the hall into two equal-sized spaces if needed. Located conveniently in the back of the hall is the loading dock with 11 dock bays and 21-ft.-wide slider doors. This area provides a blank canvas for any kind of event you wish to host. With the Palm Beach Convention Center’s high standards, the staff is always happy to assist to make sure your conference, meeting or social gathering is a success. At the Palm Beach County Convention Center, hosting any event is always a pleasure. FAS T FACT S • In-house award-winning culinary department with the finest service • Complimentary WiFi • 12 LCD TVs for displaying events • Courtyard space for a stunning outside opportunity • Second floor outside terrace with beautiful city views

650 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33410 • (561) 366-3000; Fax: (561) 366-3001 • pbconventioncenter.com

BUSINESS HAPPENS HERE

PALM BEACH COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER (561) 366-3000 pbconventioncenter.com FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

SOUTHEAST

VISIT SAVANNAH

B R IN G YOU R CON VENT I ON AT T END EES T O A BUC KE T LIS T D E S TIN ATIO N

ith ample meeting venues of all sizes in a city steeped in history, and with an amazing food culture and charming places to stay, you’ll please your convention crowd by making Savannah the spot for your next meeting. Savannah’s unique venues are ready to accommodate events of all sizes. The Savannah Convention Center is situated on the Savannah River and offers fantastic waterfront views as well as plenty of space, including a 100,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall, a 25,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, a 376-seat auditorium and 21 customizable breakout rooms. When combined with other facilities like the Savannah Civic Center and the Coastal Georgia Center, as well as all of Savannah’s restaurants and offsite offerings, the whole city is your group’s playground. All of the venues and meeting spaces, from the riverside terraces to the rooftop ballrooms, feature the technology you need to have a remarkable event. There are a variety of convention hotels throughout the city, including The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa (403 rooms), Savannah Marriott Riverfront (383 rooms), Hyatt Regency Savannah (347 rooms) and The DeSoto Hotel (246 rooms). Nearly 5,000 rooms are available at various hotels in the Historic District, and there are more than 15,000 total hotel rooms in the greater Savannah area. All hotels and meeting spaces in the Historic District are located within walking distance of numerous boutiques, galleries, restaurants and more. Savannah’s many award-winning restaurants are ready to host your networking breakfast events, executive lunches and reward dinners in style. This city is famous for its unique coastal cuisine, with restaurants serving fresh crab legs and oysters as well as peel-and-eat shrimp and succulent lobster tails. Whatever your group is craving, these places have you

covered, with restaurants specializing in everything from traditional Southern favorites to some of the finest international cuisine available. Many restaurants can also accommodate large groups: The Olde Pink House can seat up to 400, and Moon River Brewing Company has enough room for large-scale events as well as live entertainment. No matter where you’re coming from or how you arrive, you and your guests will find it’s easy to get to Savannah. The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is located only 15 miles from the city center and is served by many major airlines, including Delta, Jet Blue, United Airlines and Air Canada. Frontier Airlines recently introduced new routes from Denver and Philadelphia. And if your guests are traveling from south Florida, they can hop on one of American Airlines’ new daily flights from Miami. The city is also easily accessible by major highways like Interstates 95 and 16, and has direct daily rail connections to New York and Miami. Once you and your attendees arrive, you’ll find that Savannah is easy to navigate on foot and with local transportation. Of course, the Visit Savannah team is also happy to help arrange bus and car transfers to restaurants and offsite activities for you. Start planning your meeting today and VisitSavannah.com! Meetings Contact: Jeff Hewitt, Senior VP of Sales & Services, JHewitt@VisitSavannah.com, (912) 644-6416

101 East Bay Street, Savannah, GA 31401 • (877) SAVANNAH; (912) 644-6424 • savannahmeetings.com; savannahvisit.com 80

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

100,000 square feet of exhibit space in one of america’s bucket list cities. watch your attendance grow.

VISITSAVANNAH.COM

THIS ISN’T ORDINARY. THIS IS SAVANNAH.

V I E W F R O M T H E S AVA N N A H C O N V E N T I O N C E N T E R

SOUTHEAST

WALT DISNEY WORLD SWAN AND DOLPHIN

AN A L L- N EW PE RSP EC T I VE ON MEET I NGS AN D E V E N TS AT THE WA LT D IS N E Y W O R LD S WA N A N D D O LP HI N

n 2017, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort underwent a comprehensive renovation of the Walt Disney World Dolphin lobby. This $12 million redesign was the final stage of the largest makeover in the resort’s history. The new lobby has been completely transformed into a sleek contemporary space, and features new dining and beverage options as well as more space for attendees to socialize. “This lobby marked the final piece of an exciting transformation for the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort,” said General Manager Fred Sawyers. “This space is designed specifically to cater to today’s guests and offers an inviting place where they can come together to relax, network and grab something to eat or drink.” The centerpiece of the new lobby is a dazzling custom crystal chandelier that sparkles above the fountain. Other new features include an exciting new geometric ceiling, increased lighting, all-new contemporary décor and furnishings, with more than double the amount of seating. The lobby redesign is the final stage of a total $150 million project that also includes the transformation of all 2,270 guestrooms, along with upgrades to the hotel’s meeting space. The renovated guestrooms feature all of the latest technology, including large HD TVs, and all-new upgraded furniture centered on the famous Westin Heavenly Bed®. The design continues into a completely new bathroom, featuring residential style vanities and a backlit mirror on iridescent glass tiles. A recipient of many prestigious meeting and other awards, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is a nation-

ally respected and recognized leader in the convention resort arena. The resort offers more than 331,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 86 breakout rooms and 2,270 guestrooms and suites. When it comes to the business of meetings, the award-winning team is highly regarded for their ability to exceed expectations. Meetings are supported by an award-winning banquet, catering and culinary team that delivers customized solutions with a passion for each customer. Whether your event is in the ballroom, on the beach, on the causeway or in one of the signature restaurants, the creative opportunities abound. For the adventurous, nothing beats a private event in the theme parks to add that magical touch while supporting the meeting theme. The resort is recognized as a top “foodie” destination in Orlando, featuring 16 world-class restaurants and lounges, including celebrity Chef Todd English’s bluezoo, Il Mulino New York Trattoria, and Shula’s Steak House, which serves the best beef money can buy. The resort is situated in the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort, within footsteps of both Epcot®, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Boardwalk. Complimentary transportation is provided throughout the resort and guests enjoy the Extra Magic Hours Benefit and FASTPASS+ access. On property, guests can enjoy one of the resort’s five pools, two health clubs, tennis courts or indulge at the luxurious Balinese-inspired Mandara Spa. Contact: Gino Marasco, Director of Sales and Marketing; (800) 5244939 or (407) 934-4290; meetings@swandolphin.com

1500 Epcot Resorts Boulevard • Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 • (800) 524-4939; (407) 934-4290 SwanDolphinMeetings.com 82

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

AN ALL-NEW PERSPECTIVE ON

MEETINGS AND EVENTS

All-New Walt Disney World Dolphin Lobby

The Walt Disney World Dolphin lobby has undergone a $12 million re-design, the final stage of a $150 million renovation project, the largest makeover in the resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history. It has completely transformed into a sleek, contemporary space featuring new food and beverage options and offer an inviting area for guests to relax or network. A recipient of the prestigious Meetings & Conventions Hall of Fame Award, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is a nationally respected and recognized leader in the convention resort arena. The resort offers more than 331,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 86 meeting rooms, and 2,270 guest rooms and suites which feature the Westin HeavenlyÂŽ Bed. Attendees can also relax in the luxurious Mandara Spa, indulge in one of our 17 world-class restaurants and lounges or enjoy our unique Disney Differences.

Award-Winning Dining

1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd. Lake Buena Vista, FL, 32830 800.524.4939 | 407.934.4290 swandolphinmeetings.com

All-New Guest Rooms And Suites

Impressive Meeting Venues

SOUTHEAST

DURHAM CONVENTION CENTER

DOWNTOWN DURHAM’S PREMIER MEETING & EVENT DESTINATION 35,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space Connected full service hotel Delectable cuisine offers flexibility and creativity Located in a vibrant downtown and entertainment district Easily accessible via I-85 14 miles from Raleigh-Durham International Airport 301 West Morgan Street, Durham, NC 27701 919.956.9404•durhamconventioncenter.com

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS

Please consider the following criteria when voting: • Attractiveness & Functionality of Meeting Venue • Size & Quality of Meeting Space • Technological Capabilities • Quality of Staff • Food & Beverage Options • Lighting, Acoustics, & Internet Access • Other Meeting/Event Support Services • Amenities • Recreational Activities • Dining & Entertainment Options • Lodging Quality • Accessibility to Airport • Ease of Travel within Destination Fill Out Form & Mail, Email or Fax Your Vote: Facilities & Destinations 152 Madison Avenue, Suite 802, New York, NY 10016 Fax: (212) 213-6382 Email: ballots@facilitiesonline.com 84

Awards of Excellence Ballot

Name of Nominee____________________________________________________ Check Award You want to nominate the above for: Prime Site

Top Destination

Your Name & Title____________________________________________________ Organization_________________________________________________________ Phone________________________________________________________________ Email________________________________________________________________ Name of Nominee____________________________________________________ Check Award You want to nominate the above for: Prime Site

Top Destination

MIDWEST

Greater Akron, Ohio, is home to the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most convenient and affordable facilities for conventions, banquets and special events. Easily

Defiantly Different Greater Akron Ohio

accessible from the interstate, turnpike and two airports, Summit County features 13 full-service hotels with more than 5,500 guest rooms, plus a remarkable range of impressive gathering spaces, including the John S. Knight

Convention Center. Call 800.245.4254 today to plan your next event with a member of our destination sales team. For more information, visit akron.travel.

A K R O N

/ S U M M I T

Convention & Visitors Bureau

800.245.4254 / akron.travel playeatshop.org / summitbrewpath.com

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U N I Q U E A R C H I T EC T U R E. E XC E P T IO NA L S P AC E S . L E G E N DA R Y S E R V I C E.

WWW.CENT URYCE NT ER.OR G

75,000 SQ. FT. OF FLEXIBLE UNIQUE MEETING SPACES

Anchoring the downtown South Bend convention district is Century Center an award winning convention center featuring over 75,000 square feet of adaptive, beautiful, meeting spaces. Surrounded by three hotels with over 600 rooms and amazing waterfront views. 120 South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | South Bend, IN | 46601 Phone (574) 235-9711

Fax (574) 235-9185

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

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COBO CENTER Centered around you. THE NEW COBO CENTER The $279 Million Renovation was completed in 2015 and brings many head-turning additions:

723,000 sq. ft. of Exhibit Space. More robust technology, with Free WiFi and enough connectivity for 30,000 simultaneous users.

The new 40,000 sq. ft. Grand Riverview Ballroom with floor Spectacular Outdoor to ceiling views of the Video Walls – 3X as large Detroit River and over 200,000 sq. ft. of flex space. as billboards. An Outdoor Event Plaza facing the downtown skyline, connected to a terrace overlooking the river.

Voted Best Sports City in the U.S. by USA Today, Detroit is home to the Lions, Tigers and Red Wings – all a short walk from Cobo. The Red Wings will move to a new arena and event center in The District Detroit.

2. South Atrium Renovation 3. Outdoor Video Walls 4. Shinola City Clock

SO, WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN THE ABILITY OF AN ENTIRE CITY TO TURN AROUND. 3

THE CORE OF THE CITY’S CENTER IS ALIVE WITH NEW BUSINESSES AND NEW RESIDENTS, THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO SEE.

Our Riverfront – which of course is right outside Cobo – has just been voted one of the Best 10 Riverfronts in the Country by USA today.

managed facility

Cobo-2017-Advertorial-F+D.indd 1

1. Cobo Center Entrance and Outdoor Video Board

An In-house Broadcast Studio with a soundstage and satellite uplink to distribute your meeting content to stakeholders.

THIS IS A DIFFERENT DETROIT

OTHER CITIES CAN TOUT GREAT VIEWS AND RESTAURANTS LIKE US. SPECTACULAR BALLROOMS AND MEETING SPACE. WIFI AND FOOD COURTS. BUT WHAT THIS TOWN AND THIS CENTER HAVE, IS CHARACTER. THE KIND OF CAN-DO SPIRIT THAT SAYS, “WHAT MATTERS TO YOU, MATTERS TO US.” BECAUSE HERE, YOU MATTER. THAT’S WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT.

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

Retail is popping, including the first Midwest Boutique for John Varvatos just a few blocks away and Shinola and Filson in Midtown, just a short ride up the soon to open M-1 RAIL Streetcar. (2017)

Over 30 new restaurants and bars have opened within walking distance and no more than a 5-minute ride away.

cobocenter.com | Downtown Detroit

4/5/17 1:38 PM

MIDWEST Café features the Smartfarm, which provides 2.5 tons of herbs and vegetables annually for culinary use. Chefs can grow plantings to meet specific event needs of customers. Live at Lunch! is a musical series highlighting local entertainers on the first Thursday of every month. The GCCC operates more than 4,000 total parking spaces in five locations, with the Ohio Center Garage to add 650 spaces upon completion. The GCCC is the first convention center to display real-time parking availability in the parking section of its mobile-friendly website. The parking garages and convention center include artwork from the largest contemporary collection of central Ohio art, including the interactive sculpture “As We Are” by Matthew Mohr. Guests step into the photo booth within the sculpture and then emerge to see their 14-ft. portrait displayed in 850,000 LED ribbon lights, which would be the proportional size of the head of a person 94 ft. tall. The sculpture has become a popular destination for selfie photos! The GCCC established a freestanding room dedicated to nursing mothers and reserved parking for nursing mothers and veterans. Two Guest Services Centers provide a variety of services, including mobility scooters, photocopies and South Café & Marketplace Cash gift certificates. Arnold Plaza includes a statue of actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, co-founder of the GCCC’s largest annual event, the Arnold Sports Festival. Arnold Plaza accommodates a tent for outdoor gatherings. Event planners are enthused by the flexible, linear space the facility offers, along with the city’s largest contingent of friendly and knowledgeable staff of Certified Tourism Ambassadors assisting guests throughout their stay. A new survey platform enables GCCC staff to respond to guest feedback as it is received. Strategically located within a one-day drive or 90-minute flight of the majority of the nation’s population and 10 minutes from John Glenn Columbus International Airport, the GCCC is nestled within a vibrant entertainment area, including the Arena District and Short North Arts District. Connected to five hotels by enclosed walkway, the GCCC is owned and developed by the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (FCCFA). The GCCC is one of the largest convention centers in SMG’s portfolio and is looking forward to the additional hotel properties joining the skyline in the thriving city of Columbus.

GREATER COLUMBUS CONVENTION CENTER

he award-winning, SMG-managed Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC) continues to receive accolades for the $140 million renovation and expansion completed in 2017 and the resulting amenities created. One of the busiest convention centers in North America, the GCCC now measures 1.8 million sq. ft. and features 373,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space. Nine additional meeting rooms with outside-facing windows were added, increasing the total to 75 meeting rooms. Three ballrooms totaling 114,000 sq. ft. all offer colorful LED ceiling fin lights that can project a variety of color combinations and effects to personalize the experience. In addition to the 74,000-sq.-ft. Battelle Grand — the largest multipurpose ballroom in Ohio — the ballrooms include 15,000-sq.-ft. Short North and 25,000-sq.-ft. Union Station, featuring upscale carpeting, wall coverings and finishes, and retractable walls to divide the rooms into sections. Upper-level show offices enable show managers to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the tradeshow floor below while enjoying a private space above the exhibit halls for meetings and entertaining. Node walls in the main concourse can be programmed to display colorful lighting of the event planner’s choice. The South Café & Marketplace offers a spacious destination with shops, quick-service restaurants, a florist, barber and hairstylists, shoe shiner, Segway tours, televised programs, mobile device chargers and a variety of seating configurations. Friday Fun in the South Café & Marketplace brings weekly entertainment during lunchtime. Service partners located on Level 1 include Mills James, the production services company, and Fern, the general services provider. Levy, the facility’s exclusive caterer, operates Discovery Café, composed of the Homegrown Market, Columbus Grille, Crimson Cup and the CBUS Tap Room. Discovery

400 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215 • (800) 626-0241 • columbusconventions.com 88

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

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GRAND WAYNE CONVENTION CENTER here’s something about Fort Wayne, Indiana. Aside from its honest Hoosier hospitality and amazing affordability, Fort TWayne’s enterprising, entertaining spirit delights visitors and busi-

nesses. As Indiana’s second-largest city, this is a startup kind of town. Fresh ideas and friendly faces create a diverse urban vibe that thrives on the belief that everything’s possible here. In the heart of it all is Grand Wayne Convention Center, the Midwest’s premier event facility. With its enhanced technology, creativity and reputation for customer experience, Grand Wayne Center boasts an 80 percent rebooking rate. A team of seasoned sales professionals and event managers help planners navigate their best options from floor plans to food plates. In-house AV experts create virtually any special effect from simple to spectacular. And Grand Wayne Center’s own Guest Experience Team provides complimentary add-on services to enhance every guest’s experience. Grand Wayne Center’s 225,000 sq. ft. of meeting spaces is maintained by a 24-hour, on-staff engineering crew. All meeting spaces are fully carpeted, luxuriously finished, climate controlled and powered to make each event its most creative and comfortable. Prefunction areas are complimentary with reserved rooms and offer sleek architectural details, abundant natural light, and additional gathering spaces to continue conversations or take a moment to reconnect. Intuitive floor plans, free high-performance WiFi, free downloadable Guest Experience App, and awardwinning event hosts help attendees feel and stay connected within the Center and with Fort Wayne’s welcoming downtown establishments. Most noticeable is Grand Wayne Center’s level of experience and foresight. With 18 meeting spaces ranging from a luxuriously appointed boardroom to a 50,000-sq.-ft., carpeted Convention

and Expo Hall, event planners are encouraged to imagine the possibilities in every detail. The 12,000-sq.-ft. gourmet kitchen and professional catering staff easily accommodate any dietary wish for up to 3,100 guests in a single banquet setting or multiple, simultaneous functions day and night. Additionally, the Center easily accommodates 4,500 theater-style and 2,900 classroom-style configurations. By design, Grand Wayne Center is connected to 500 full-service guestrooms with covered garage parking, with additional downtown guestrooms coming in the near future. Overall, Fort Wayne offers 5,000 guestrooms to accommodate larger groups and citywide events. Fort Wayne is located within an easy day’s drive of at least one-third of the U.S. population, and Fort Wayne International Airport is mere minutes away from the downtown and Grand Wayne Convention Center.

120 West Jefferson Boulevard, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 (260) 426-4100 • grandwayne.com

ESCAPE THE ORDINARY Grand Wayne Center is more than an event facility — it’s an experience, carefully crafted to simplify every event planner’s To-Do list with: • Luxurious, carpeted meeting and expo spaces • On-site AV, catering, and event management • Free high performance WiFi for up to 5,000 users • Fort Wayne, Indiana’s friendly, bustling downtown amenities

STATS: • 225,000 sf of divisible, carpeted, fully equipped event spaces • 4500 theatre • 3100 banquet • 2880 classroom • 18 meeting rooms • 500 attached guest rooms and covered parking • Free WiFi and Room set • Complimentary event hosting and Guest experience enhancements.

Marcy McKinley Director of Sales

Kim Kelso Event Manager

90 GWCC-Fac&Dest HalfPgH.indd

Jeremy Bugge A/V Technician

Becca Kaufeld Guest Experience Manager

The Midwest’s Favorite Drive-To Destination! Easy by Air via Fort Wayne International (FWA).

120 West Jefferson Boulevard | Fort Wayne, IN 46802 | grandwayne.com | 260.426.4100

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK 6/13/18 4:25 PM

Where

Unconventional Meets

Technology

As event technology gets better, so do we. Benefit from one of the most technologically advanced convention centers with a network capable of hosting more than 15,000 simultaneous connections, redundant Cisco core network components, high-density WIFI and state-of-the-art audio, video and lighting. Oh...and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget our holographic tour guide, Jennifer!

Find us at: www.clevelandconventions.com | www.theglobalcenter.com

MIDWEST

KANSAS CITY CONVENTION & ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES

THE GRAND BALLROOM

• One of the nation’s largest • Features one of the most eco-friendly ballrooms at sophisticated lighting 46,484 sq. ft. systems in the world.

ith a creative energy all its own, Kansas City is anything but business as usual. It’s a convention destination where friendly people, affordable prices and a central location are a given. Where creativity can be found around every corner. A place with a spirited personality and a genuine heart that’s a breath of fresh air. We’d like you to meet Kansas City. To friends, it’s just KC. Great meetings happen at the Kansas City Convention and Entertainment Facilities. The eightsquare-block convention and special events facility can accommodate every need with 388,800 sq. ft. of column-free exhibit space on one floor; 48 state-of-the-art meeting rooms; a 2,400-seat fine arts theater; an arena that seats more than 10,700 people; and a unique outdoor festival plaza. And not only is it all in one location, but the complex is also connected to major downtown hotels and parking by skywalks and underground walkways. Encompassing more than 800,000 sq. ft., the Kansas City Convention & Entertainment Facilities can serve all your meeting needs under one roof. One of America’s largest green ballrooms — the 46,484-sq.-ft. Grand Ballroom — is certified LEED Silver, boasting waterless plumbing, energy-efficient heating and cooling, and one of the most sophisticated lighting systems in the world. That’s enough to make other cities turn green with envy.

301 West 13th Street, Suite 100 Kansas City, MO 64105 (816) 513-5000 kcconvention.com

I O WA E V E N T S C E N T E R Des Moines, IA

• Total Meeting Space: 286,300 sq ft • Exhibit Hall: 150,000 sq ft • Ballroom: 28,800 sq ft • Number of Meeting Rooms: 37 • Pre-function Space : 60,300 sq ft

• Tax-exempt convention center facility • Attached Hilton Hotel - Brand New! • Over 2,300 hotel rooms within one mile of the Iowa Events Center. 13,000+ hotel rooms in the Greater Des Moines Metro area. • Arena: 16,980 seats

For more information visit www.iowaeventscenter.com or give us a call at 515-564-8000.

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

With a creative energy all its own, Kansas City is anything but business as usual. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a convention destination centrally located in the thriving downtown of Kansas City, Missouri where friendly people, affordable prices and local cultural are a given. The eight-square-block Kansas City Convention & Entertainment Facilities can accommodate every need with 388,800 sq. ft. of column-free exhibit space on one floor; 48 state-of-art meeting rooms; a 2,400-seat fine arts theatre; an arena that seats more than 10,700 people and a unique outdoor festival plaza. And not only is it all in one location, the complex is connected to major hotels and parking by skywalks and underground walkways. Encompassing more than 800,000 sq. ft. total, the Kansas City Convention & Entertainment Facilities can serve all of your meeting needs under one roof.

301 West 13 th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105 | 816-513-5000 | kcconvention.com

MIDWEST

MONONA TERRACE CONVENTION CENTER

A SPACE THAT ENERGIZES.

A city that entertains.

Frank Lloyd Wright designed this building to be different. Its views, its

MA D IS O N , W IS C O N S IN : A N IN S P IR IN G P LA C E F O R S MA R T ME E TIN G S .

curves, its location. Every feature was

adison combines exceptional facilities with the intellectual and emotional capital needed for meeting success. Home to the M renowned University of Wisconsin–Madison, the vision of Frank

chosen with one purpose: to inspire. It’s a space that encourages team building by day, in a location that fosters team bonding by night. Visit MononaTerrace.com.

Lloyd Wright, the insight of Aldo Leopold and a majestic Capitol built upon an isthmus alive with cultural arts, engaging intellectual pursuits and a wealth of recreational opportunities, Madison is the place for smart meetings. Monona Terrace®, a crown jewel of Madison’s isthmus, earned the prestigious Gold Level LEED status. In 2007, Monona Terrace became the first convention center in the nation to be LEED-EBcertified at the Silver Level by the U.S. Green Building Council. The additional certification at the Gold Level affirms the facility’s commitment to the environment. The facility actively uses sustainable practices such as purchasing 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. Monona Terrace is a symbol of sustainability for the community and an inspiration to all those who choose to visit the city.

A C C O MMO D ATIO N S

More than 8,000 hotel rooms are available to groups in Madison, with 1,000 rooms within walking distance of Monona Terrace. Accommodation styles run the gamut from first-class convention hotels, such as the 240-room Hilton Madison (the headquarters hotel for the convention center), to limited-service hotels and budget-conscious lodging. Bed and breakfasts are another attractive choice in Madison, and several provide services and amenities appropriate for executive attendees.

C O N V E N TIO N FA C ILITIE S

The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace Convention Center is a touchstone for both the Madison community and groups coming to the city. Sweeping lines and vast, arched windows typify the structure, which offers dramatic surroundings for groups. In total, Monona Terrace Convention Center offers 85,000 sq. ft. of meeting and exhibition space. Highlights of the center include: • 37,200-sq.-ft. Exhibition Hall that accommodates 212, 10 ft.-by-10 ft. booths • 13,524-sq.-ft. Madison Ballroom, divisible by four • 7,000-sq.-ft. Grand Terrace • 68,000 sq. ft. of rooftop gardens that may also be reserved for events

{MADISON, WI}

One John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53703 (608) 261-4000 • mononaterrace.com FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

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5/22/18 2:19 PM

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Explore St. Louis

n the heart of a revitalized downtown, a vibrant new hospitality

that is just steps from the America’s Center Convention Complex.

district continues to grow. With world-class hotels, restaurants,

The museum is an interactive treasure trove of sights and sounds

museums and entertainment venues, you’ll find that St. Louis is a

saluting the country’s indigenous music with numerous galleries

great choice for your next meeting or event. St. Louis is an acces-

and an intimate performance space for concerts to provide

sible and affordable destination that will keep delegates enter-

entertainment for meeting groups and special events. A 2,500-sq.-

tained with magnificent theater, live music, sports and more that

ft. private room offers flexible space for receptions or dining.

are all within reach. St. Louis is a foodie’s delight, with an endless array of diverse dining Located in the heart of downtown, the America’s Center conven-

options along Washington Avenue. Attendees will enjoy Peruvian,

tion complex provides more than 502,000 sq. ft. of continuous

Italian, French, Mediterranean and more cuisine varieties from

exhibit space with 80 versatile meeting rooms, 1,400-seat Ferrara

around the world, all within walking distance of the America’s Center.

Theatre and the 67,000-seat Dome at America’s Center, providing planners with unparalleled flexibility and accessibility.

Arch 2018 World Premiere Program After five years in the making, St. Louis’ Gateway Arch has been

With some of the most Premier hotel brands in the industry, includ-

completely transformed with biking and running trails, space for

ing Marriott, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Hilton, Westin and Hyatt,

outdoor concerts and indoor events, and a new state-of-the-art

there are more than 7,000 available guestrooms in downtown St.

museum commemorating the westward expansion of the United

Louis and more than 38,000 rooms in the metropolitan area. If you

States. Through the Arch 2018 World Premiere program, plan-

are looking for that ideal single hotel or need 4,500 rooms peak for

ners and their attendees can benefit from VIP experiences at the

your citywide event, St. Louis can accommodate you.

Gateway Arch, as well as a series of incentives from hotels and event venues, and the America’s Center Convention Complex.

St. Louis is filled with unique offsite venues to meet the needs of

To learn more about the program, visit www.explorestlouis.com/

your group. One must-see venue is the National Blues Museum

bookstl.

701 Convention Plaza, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63101 • (800) 916-8938 • explorestlouis.com FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

WEST

AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER L O C ATED IN TH E HEART OF T H E CAPITAL CI T Y ’S DOW N TOW N , TH E LEED ® G O LD CERTIFIED CON VEN TION CEN TER S PAN S SIX CIT Y B L OCKS

FA S T FA C TS : FACILIT Y • Location: Downtown Austin • Total Area: Six city blocks • 369,132 sq. ft. of exhibit and meeting space • Exhibit Space: 247,052 contiguous sq. ft., column free • Ballrooms: 40,510 sq. ft. level 4; 23,418 sq. ft. level 1 • Meeting Space: 54 meeting rooms totaling over 58,000 sq. ft. • Technology: Gigabit-rated facility, wireless Internet access, plug-and-play capabilities

winner of the Prime Site Award every year since 1995, the Austin Convention Center, a LEED® Goldcertified building, has emerged as a leader in the convention and meeting industry. A premier facility located in the heart of the capital city’s downtown business district, the Center spans six city blocks with 369,132 sq. ft. of exhibit and meeting space. The five column-free exhibit halls, totaling 247,052 sq. ft., accommodate 1,289 10 ft.-by-10 ft. exhibit booths. Seven ballrooms ranging from 3,896 sq. ft. to 40,510 sq. ft. in size and 54 meeting rooms and show offices totaling over 58,000 sq. ft. complete the four-story convention center. Ample parking is provided in two parking garages with a total capacity of 1,700 spaces. TECHNOL O G I C AL F E AT URE S : Rated one of the most technologically advanced convention centers in the country, this gigabit-rated facility moves voice, video and data at over one billion bits per second. The Center’s high-tech capabilities help to create the perfect technology partner for the annual SXSW international multimedia festival. The facility offers a variety of in-house services including complimentary wireless Internet access, redundant high-speed Internet II access, plug-and-play capabilities and an onsite technical staff to help with networking needs. HOTEL S: Austin offers more than 36,000 hotel rooms, with 9,500 located downtown, including the 800room Hilton Austin adjacent to the Austin Convention Center and connected by the new Hilton Overhead Walkway. Additional nearby hotels include: Four Seasons Hotel Austin, JW Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown, Radisson Hotel & Suites, Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown, Driskill Hotel, Omni Austin Hotel Downtown, Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel, W Austin, Hyatt Place Downtown Austin, Westin Austin Downtown, and the Fairmont Austin. The latter hotel is North America’s largest Fairmont property and is connected directly to the Austin Convention Center via the Fairmont Canopy Walk. AU STIN BY N I G H T: After conventions and meetings wrap up each night, attendees may choose to enjoy Austin’s entertainment districts — Second Street, the Warehouse District, Rainey Street and the worldfamous Sixth Street. The Austin Convention Center is just down the street from the city’s vibrant nightlife, where visitors can also enjoy everything from fine dining in four-star restaurants to down-home barbecue and authentic Tex-Mex. As the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin echoes with the sound of country, rock ‘n’ roll, blues, jazz and Tejano. On any given evening, one can find live music playing in nearly 250 different venues. AU STIN BY D AY: During the day, visitors can enjoy the capital city’s many historical attractions, including the State Capitol, the LBJ Presidential Library, the Texas State History Museum, the Blanton Museum of Art, and many more museums and art galleries. Or, one can experience the beauty of central Texas, captured by downtown’s Lady Bird Lake, bordered by 10 miles of trails enjoyed by runners, walkers and cyclists. Surrounded by three lakes and a network of parks, Austin offers the perfect environment for enjoying the best of nature. 96

AU S T IN • Hotels: 9,500 downtown hotel rooms; connected to Hilton Austin and Fairmont Austin via Hilton Overhead Walkway and Fairmont Canopy Walk, respectively • Airport: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, eight miles from facility • Nearby Attractions: State Capitol, Sixth Street Entertainment District, Warehouse Entertainment District, University of Texas, LBJ Presidential Library, more than 20 museums including The Texas State History Museum, dozens of art galleries and historical attractions, Lady Bird Lake CO NTACT INFO R M ATION • Mark Tester, Director Austin Convention Center Department • Paul Barnes, ACCD Deputy Director/Chief Operating Officer • Amy Harris, Director of Sales

500 East Cesar Chavez Street Austin, TX 78701 (512) 404-4200 austin conventioncenter.com

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BOISE CENTRE eeting planners have much to celebrate in Boise — Idaho’s growing capital city. Boise Centre, Idaho’s premier convenM tion center, recently completed a $47.5 million expansion and

now offers planners more than 80,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and event spaces. Three new hotels recently opened near the convention center to accommodate an increasing number of visitors. Getting to Boise is a breeze with nonstop air service from 20 major cities in the United States. MEETING AND EVENT SPACE Located just seven minutes from the airport is Boise Centre, Idaho’s largest convention and event venue. A much anticipated convention center expansion opened in summer 2017 and includes nine new meeting rooms and a new ballroom with a spacious glass-enclosed lobby overlooking the city’s focal point, The Grove Plaza and fountain. In total, Boise Centre offers 31 versatile meeting rooms and event spaces all with a modern and contemporary design. Many rooms feature natural daylight with views of the nearby Boise Foothills or downtown skyline. At Boise Centre logistics are the staff’s specialty. The professional event team is highly experienced in hosting a variety of events from 20 to 1,500 guests. The convention center has built a reputation for providing exceptional culinary services with fresh, locally inspired menus, the latest in technology and audiovisual services, and the highest levels of guest service. HOTELS Boise has a wide variety of hotels ranging from luxury to modern and boutique. Three new hotels have opened within walking distance to Boise Centre, increasing the total number of hotel rooms in the down-

town to 1,200. Thousands more hotel rooms are available within a short distance of downtown. COMPACT, WALKABLE DOWNTOWN Surrounding Boise Centre is a compact, walkable downtown filled with cultural attractions, hotels, entertainment venues, more than 100 shops, 80 restaurants, and a number of microbreweries. Boise is also home to a lively nightlife scene, giving the city a fun and hip vibe. Historic and cultural food tours, wine tasting, free outdoor concerts and farmer’s markets are just a few of the city’s highlights. Visit the interactive floor plans at boisecentre.com or contact Cliff Clinger, Director of Marketing and Sales, at (208) 489-3680 or cclinger@boisecentre.com.

450 West Front St., Boise, ID 83702 • (208) 336-8900 • boisecentre.com Looking for a unique venue offering choices and flexibility? We invite you to discover Idaho’s premier convention facility. • Situated in downtown Boise, just 7 minutes from the airport

We Deliver Unconventional Experiences.

• Surrounded by restaurants, shops, hotels, culture and entertainment • Newly expanded 86,000 sq. ft. of customizable event space • Exceptional culinary services and a diverse menu with many locally sourced ingredients • The meeting space, atmosphere and professional event staff to deliver unconventional experiences Visit boisecentre.com to view interactive floor plans or to submit an event inquiry. FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

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HAWAI‘I CONVENTION CENTER

here’s no question that Hawai‘i is a beautiful place to hold a meeting. It’s a vibrant business destination with exceptional meeting venues — the crown jewel of which is the Hawai‘i Convention Center (HCC). The HCC is a spectacular, open-air structure that combines the latest in cutting-edge technology with an authentic Hawai‘i ambience. Satisfaction ratings from meeting planners are consistently above 95 percent. The HCC’s event venues include: • The 200,000-sq.-ft. Kamehameha Exhibit Hall and 35,000-sq.-ft. Kalakaua Ballroom, both divisible into thirds • 47 meeting rooms, many with shaded lanai (verandas) or direct courtyard access • Two tiered-seating theaters for up to 329 and 467 people • A 2.5-acre rooftop events garden, accommodating 1,000-person banquets or 2,500-person receptions overlooking the city. Here are additional reasons why you should consider the Hawai‘i Convention Center for your next meeting:

CE N T RAL H ON OL U L U LOC AT I ON

HCC is located in the heart of cosmopolitan Honolulu, surrounded by museums, cultural centers and more than 100 diverse dine-around options.

C O M P R E HE N S IV E HO TE L PA C K A G E

There are more than 30,000 overnight rooms in Waikiki, just steps from its picture-perfect and iconic crescentshaped beach. Of these rooms, 28,000 are within a 1.5-mile radius of the HCC.

A C C E S S IB ILITY

Getting people and materials to Hawai‘i is easier than you might think. Nearly every major U.S. carrier and 19 international carriers provide year-round scheduled nonstop service to Hawai‘i from 49 gateway cities across North America and Asia-Pacific, making it easy to connect here from just about anywhere in the world.

IN S P IR IN G ATMO S P HE R E

The inspiring atmosphere of Hawai‘i and the HCC itself provides a nurturing setting and environment that encourages networking and allows delegates to be open and receptive to the sharing of new ideas and concepts.

P R O F E S S IO N A L ME E TIN G S E RV IC E S

The highly experienced and knowledgeable HCC Team is ready to help develop a detailed proposal for your event, coordinate site visits, provide promotional materials, and arrange onsite support services for both planners and attendees. Book now at (808) 943-3500 or hawaiiconvention.com.

1801 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815 • (808) 943-3500 • hawaiiconvention.com 98

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LONG BEACH CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

LONG BEACH — CALIFORNIA FRESH, URBAN COAST

The Pacific Room, one of the region’s premier venues, revolutionized the platform design for event spaces. The “loft-style” ballroom utilizes the 45,000-sq.-ft. floor space of the Long Beach Arena. This completely customizable event space uses a floating tension grid ceiling and moveable, floor-to-ceiling curtain walls to create the perfect environment for any group. The adaptable, electronic walls are able to accommodate groups of all types, from an intimate gathering to a grand and lavish 5,500-person reception.

A campus atmosphere in downtown Long Beach encourages the development and sharing of ideas. This campus includes newly renovated hotels just steps from the convention center and the surrounding waterfront entertainment district, which includes shopping venues, entertainment and nightlife. More than 125 quality restaurants, many with spectacular oceanfront views, are within a compact, very walkable eight-block area surrounding the Convention Center.

A built-in, $1.6 million state-of-the-art sound, light and video system is included in the rental of the Pacific Room, providing substantial cost savings. The Pacific Room’s catchphrase is “Your Canvas! Your Show!”

Long Beach is an innovative leader in creating “a new essence of meeting style” with its $50 million renovation of the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. Using many of the concepts pioneered by the revolutionary TED conference, which Long Beach hosted for five years, the city created an open, collaborative and comfortable, all-inclusive environment where people can easily connect.

WalkScore.com rates Long Beach among its top “Most Walkable Cities in America.” Spacious palm-lined pedestrian promenades and bike paths are well-lit at night with colorful LED light displays. The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, with more than 400,000 sq. ft. of modern, versatile exhibit and meeting space, is located in the center of the downtown waterfront with sweeping harbor views and is designed to give guests a warm, stylish and welcoming social experience offering flexible and multiple event options. Recent renovations and upgrades at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center bring new and versatile special event options such as Bogart & Co. (a sophisticated and stylish space to relax and recharge), plus outdoor tropical plazas and patios, highlighting the best in innovative “plein air” event space decor. The newly revamped Pacific Lounge includes chic pod seating with customized lighting.

Long Beach is LA’s “Urban Waterfront Playground,” located in the center of Southern California. All of the attractions of Los Angeles and Orange County are just minutes from the downtown waterfront. But Long Beach has its own world-class attractions: The Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Pike Outlets at Rainbow Harbor, Shoreline Village, harbor cruises, whale watching tours, every type of boating and on-the-water activity imaginable, plus four distinctive museums and two historic ranchos. Getting to Long Beach is a breeze thanks to the newly modernized Long Beach Airport, which offers a resort feel while welcoming daily nationwide commercial flights. A 2013 renovation and major building project created a modern gateway to better accommodate the airport’s three million annual passengers, who can enjoy a relaxed, resort-like atmosphere as they walk through an open courtyard with fire pits, lounge-style seating, a wine bar and a garden walkway with California native vegetation. A new Food Marché provides travelers a taste of Long Beach, offering local eateries at street prices. Guests can order and have meals delivered gate-side through the iPad Bar. Long Beach is guaranteed to please visitors looking for those special experiences that create lasting memories.

301 E. Ocean Blvd., Suite 1900, Long Beach, CA 90802 • (562) 436-3645 • visitlongbeach.com FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

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LOS ANGELES CONVENTION CENTER

Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) attracts millions annually and is renowned internationally as a prime Tsiteheofforvisitors conventions, tradeshows and exhibitions. The AEG

Facilities-managed venue offers clients multi-functional event space, advanced technological functionality and first-class service. “Our commitment to excellence is evident by the services we provide and the caliber of events we help our clients produce. Events hosted at the LACC can expect elevated service standards coupled with a stellar location in the heart of the entertainment capital of the world,” commented Brad Gessner, SVP of AEG Facilities and General Manager of the LACC.

M U LT I - FU N CTION EVE NT SPAC E

With over 860,000 sq. ft. of flexible space, the LACC is the ideal backdrop to host incredible events; the Center offers 720,000 sq. ft. of exhibit hall space, 64 column-free meeting rooms totaling 147,000 sq. ft., and a newly renovated 299-seat theater. The Center regularly hosts more than 300 events annually, ranging from the LA Auto Show to E3 to Anime Expo to USGBC’s Greenbuild to medical conventions and professional examinations. In order to enhance facility functionality and aesthetics, AEG Facilities and the Department of Convention and Tourism Development actively collaborate to complete Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) and Alteration & Improvement Projects. In 2016, $20 million in CIPs were completed.

E NV IR ON MEN TAL IN IT I AT I VES

The LACC strives to reduce its environmental impact while providing a positive experience to clients and guests. As of 2015, the LACC is proud to be the first convention center of its size in the United States to achieve LEED – EBOM Gold recertification. The venue has continually grown sustainable practices and procedures, obtaining an impressive 75 percent average waste diversion rate for 2016. The Center works to educate clients, guests and staff about environmental issues and encourages them to engage in sustainable practices. The LACC regularly participates in largescale, global environmental events such as American Recycles

Day, Earth Hour and Earth Day. “The LACC is committed to taking advantage of its position in the community to raise awareness of environmental issues and inspire others to take action. We invest heavily in sustainable products, technology and practices to reduce negative environmental impact,” added Gessner.

F IR S T- C LA S S S E RV IC E

The LACC team specializes in creating successful events that exceed clients’ expectations. In order to achieve this, the facility partners with industry experts to provide clients and guests with superior services. Taste of L.A. by Levy Restaurants is the LACC’s signature and exclusive dining experience. Taste of L.A. is committed to sourcing local products, using the freshest ingredients available, and preparing exquisite meals to deliver heartfelt joy to guests. Offering concessions, catering, portable options, food truck alleys, exhibit booth service, customized staff meal options and so much more, Taste of L.A. delivers excellent food inspired by the City of Angels. Smart City is the exclusive, in-house telecommunications provider and offers clients and attendees unparalleled expertise and service. The LACC also offers a full-service business center operated by Los Angeles-based Image Quest Plus.

LO C ATIO N

Experience the L.A. Difference. Discover the allure of cosmopolitan L.A., where culture, history and innovation fuse to provide clients and guests with an unparalleled experience. Conveniently located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Convention Center is minutes from airports such as LAX and Bob Hope Airport, and is easily accessible by car and public transportation. The Center is also only a short walk away from many downtown L.A. hotels. A perfect blend of historical charm and modernity, this desirable location offers first-class accommodations and attractions, complete with endless dining, shopping, hotel and entertainment options. Contact the LACC team today to learn how they can bring your event vision to life.

1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 • (213) 741-1151 • lacclink.com 100

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PASADENA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

here’s a reason Pasadena is the perfect choice for meetings. The weather is idyllic. Mountain views and blue skies abound. Intimate neighborhood allure is infused with modern energy and metropolitan offerings that make it a destination in itself. Pasadena is located just 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles, and is conveniently accessible from all LA area airports and freeways. The Gold Line light rail transports passengers from Pasadena to downtown Los Angeles and points in between. The state-of-the-art Pasadena Convention Center features 130,000 sq. ft. of space for meetings of all sizes, with spacious exhibit halls, an expansive ballroom and 29 meeting rooms. Over 2,500 hotel rooms are available within the city to fit all budgets, 1,200 within walking distance of the Convention Center. Recent changes in Pasadena include a $20 million renovation of guestrooms, lobby and meeting spaces at Sheraton Pasadena; a $25 million renovation of guestrooms, lobby, bar and meeting spaces at Hilton Pasadena; an $11 million guestroom beautification at Westin Pasadena; construction of a rooftop pool, meeting space, fitness center and 25 new rooms at dusitD2 Hotel Constance Pasadena; and a new 186-room upscale Hyatt Place hotel in Pasadena’s most popular retail and entertainment center, The Paseo. The downtown six-story hotel is scheduled for completion by the end of 2018. Pasadena provides the rare opportunity to host more personalized meetings, with all the benefits of the big city. Unique social breakout experiences run the gamut from local

teambuilding activities like hiking Eaton Canyon, to popular wine bars, shopping excursions and cultural events with special group rates. The city’s convenient layout, in conjunction with an array of world-class business and entertainment venues, makes Pasadena the perfect destination. An eclectic mix of shopping, theaters, golf, museums and gardens is conveniently just steps away from Pasadena’s Civic Center. There’s literally something significant around every corner, whether you’re into architecture, music, theater, museums or galleries. Pasadena is the heartbeat of SoCal’s cultural side. Art connoisseurs can explore a myriad of landmark museums and galleries, housing everything from European masters to early California Impressionists to modern art. Literary lovers can peruse rare books and manuscripts. Explore mile upon mile of stunning botanical gardens, top-notch arts performances and live concert venues. A tour of the town will lead to a beautiful tree-lined shopping district along South Lake Avenue, galleries and specialty shops in the Playhouse District, 19th century structures and quaint alleyways in Old Pasadena, and an open-air urban village in Paseo Colorado. Pasadena could easily be called “Foodie City,” with more than 500 restaurants — more per capita than New York City. Some of the world’s greatest minds have chosen to live and work in Pasadena. Plan your next meeting here and imagine the possibilities. The destination experts at the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) offer a variety of personalized services to meeting planners. For more information, visit www.PasadenaMeetings.com or call (800) 307-7977.

300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 • (800) 307-7977 • PasadenaMeetings.com 102

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DISCOVERY AROUND EVERY CORNER Pasadena delivers the convenience of a big city with a charming neighborhood feel. A short drive from all the major Los Angeles airports, Pasadena offers a historic, walkable downtown, a stateof-the-art 130,000 square foot convention center, and 2,500 hotel rooms and unique venues. Pasadena is a city teeming with unexpected experiences just waiting to be discovered.

PASADENAMEETINGS.COM I 800-307-7977

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PHOENIX CONVENTION CENTER & VENUES

ocated in the fifth-largest city in the United States, the award-winning Phoenix Convention Center is in the heart of Downtown Phoenix, just four miles from Sky Harbor International Airport. The center is within walking distance of major convention hotels, shopping, entertainment, sports and theater venues, and has its own dedicated stop on the Metro Light Rail line.

E X P E CT MORE FROM YOUR MEET I NG SPAC E

From national conventions to more niche events, the Phoenix Convention Center can accommodate it. The flexible meeting and event venue includes a 312,500-sq.-ft. main exhibit hall and a 46,000-sq.-ft. ballroom — not to mention 99 meeting rooms, 61 loading docks and exhibit halls with pre-scored floors. All in all, the Phoenix Convention Center has more than 900,000 sq. ft. of dynamic space to handle any event with ease.

V E NU ES AN D EVEN TS

Need something to better fit the arts? The Phoenix Convention Center is complemented by the 2,312-seat Symphony Hall and the 1,364-seat historic Orpheum Theatre. Both venues are located close by, right in beautiful downtown Phoenix. Sports fans will love how close the center is to Chase Field, home of the MLB Arizona Diamondbacks, and Talking Stick Resort Arena, home to the NBA Phoenix Suns, WNBA Phoenix Mercury and AFL Arizona Rattlers. And, with over 150 restaurants in downtown Phoenix, there are many choices to satisfy any taste.

U N IQ U E P LA N N IN G O P TIO N S

The Phoenix Convention Center staff and event managers are here to make your event special. Individually assigned event managers will attend to your every need to ensure the success of your meeting. The Innovation Kitchen allows you to connect with the chef to create unique menu options that will take your meeting to the next level.

AWA R D -W IN N IN G A C C O MMO D ATIO N S

With more than 325 days of sunshine a year, the weather accommodates indoor and outdoor activities year-round. Recognized in the top 10 destinations on Cvent’s list of Top 50 U.S. Meeting Destinations, the Phoenix Convention Center is also the recipient of the Southwest Alliance for Excellence service excellence award. Phoenix was also rated as one of the top 10 Large Convention Cities in the U.S. by MeetingSource.com. There are so many things to do, and with an average temperature of 72 degrees, it’s easy to see why Phoenix is an ideal destination for your next event.

100 North Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004 • (602) 262-6225; (800) 282-4842 phoenixconventioncenter.com

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&experiences

extraordinary SERVICE

EXCEPTIONAL

The Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center

Owned by Port Corpus Christi and professionally managed by Spectra Food Services & Hospitality.

Located on the Port of Corpus Christi, The Ortiz International Center celebrates a proud shipping heritage as it embraces its role as a strikingly modern meeting and banquet facility.

IDEAL SPACES FOR

From weddings and private parties, to business meetings, trade shows, and fundraisers we can accommodate it all. Our on-site full service catering offers a variety of menu options, that sure to impress you and your guests.

Weddings

The experienced and professional staff at the Ortiz Center offers the best of South Texas hospitality with the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many conveniences. State of the Art Audio/Visual System Coming Summer 2018!

Luncheons

Tradeshows Meetings and Trainings

CONTACT OUR SALES TEAM TODAY

402 Harbor Drive Corpus Christi, Texas 78414

www.OrtizCenter.com | Info@OrtizCenter.com | 361-879-0125

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SACRAMENTO CONVENTION CENTER

acramento is America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital and the only star on the map of California. With a character all its own, California’s State Capital fuses together urban farms, farm-tofork dining, a hip and modern central city historic landmarks and natural beauty to create an exciting and down-to-earth meeting experience for any size group.

Several other properties can be found within a few blocks of the Center, including the Marriott Residence Inn at Capitol Park, Holiday Inn at Capitol Park, Best Western Sutter House, Holiday Inn Express, Clarion, Embassy Suites Waterfront and Kimpton Sawyer Hotel.

C O NV EN TION CEN TER C OMP LEX

With over 600 events and approximately one million visitors annually, Sacramento offers something for everyone. The city is strategically located in Northern California — 90 minutes northeast of San Francisco. It offers a wealth of cultural activities, professional sports and a wide range of family attractions. Take time to walk in the city and stroll through Capitol Park. Visit the many shops, relax on a riverboat or water taxi, and don’t forget to experience Old Sacramento where wooden boardwalks, cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages will transport you back in time.

Located in the State Capital of California, the Sacramento Convention Center is just 20 minutes from the Sacramento International Airport, and located in the heart of downtown. The Sacramento Convention Center offers over 134,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit hall space on one floor, and another 61,000 sq. ft. of additional meeting space with 31 meeting rooms on three levels. A 2,400-seat Community Center Theater and 4,000-seat Memorial Auditorium are close by. All three facilities are within walking distance to major downtown hotels, shops and restaurants. For those driving into town, a Convention Center parking garage is located just two short blocks to the main entrance of the Center.

H O T E L IN VEN TORY

Within walking distance of the Convention Center (or a short shuttle ride away) are more than 2,000 rooms and a dozen hotel properties. Only a pedestrian walkway separates the Sheraton Grand and the Hyatt Regency from the entrance to the Center.

ATTR A C TIO N S

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Award-winning Classique Catering is the celebrated caterer at the Convention Center and manages the onsite Starbucks coffeehouse. Classique Catering is a division of Centerplate and pride themselves on excellent service and quality product. For more information, call (916) 808-5291 or visit sacramentoconventioncenter.com.

1030 15th Street, Ste. 100, Sacramento, CA 95814 • (916) 808-5291• sacramentoconventioncenter.com 106

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DISCOVER THE SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, CONVENTION PACKAGE

Accessible and affordable, California’s Capital is served by Sacramento International Airport which offers 130 flights per day. Once you’ve arrived, you’re just minutes from the downtown Sacramento Convention Center, which offers flexible meeting space, award-winning farm-to-fork catering from Classique Catering – a Centerplate Company – plus, an on-site Starbucks and APizza café. More than 1,000 first-class hotel guest rooms are located just steps from the Convention Center and another 1,000 guest rooms within walking distance. To experience Sacramento call us today at 916-808-5291. SACRAMENTOCONVENTIONCENTER.COM

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SPOKANE CONVENTION CENTER

he Spokane Convention Center is one of the most beautiful meeting locations in the country. Situated on the south bank of the Spokane River gorge, the Convention Center’s floor-toceiling windows offer attendees sweeping views of the river in its Riverfront Park setting. The 100-acre park is home to the country’s second-largest urban waterfall, and, to be sure, the Spokane Falls will stop attendees in their tracks as they experience the jawdropping beauty. The Convention Center, which is 100 percent wind powered, is a recently renovated 500,000-sq.-ft. facility. There are 40 breakout rooms, three ballrooms, two connected hotels and a direct connection to the 2,700-seat INB Performing Arts Center. The Convention Center is bigger and better thanks to its $55 million expansion in 2015. An additional 20,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space was added along with 12 meeting rooms, an executive boardroom, a new ballroom and a skybridge to a second connected hotel. A section of the 40-mile long Centennial Trail and riverbank were also completely updated as part of the renovation. The Center is surrounded by three unique hotel experiences. The DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center, the Hotel RL Spokane at the Park and The Davenport Grand — three more reasons that make meetings in Spokane a breeze. In addition to the usual meeting spaces, the convention center has a rooftop deck for hosting events. A floating river stage with stairs that seats more than 1,000 people is also available. Art and sculptures created by local artists are scattered throughout and around the facility. Planners can count on a Convention Center District that is in a safe, walkable downtown core. In their free time, attendees can take a bite of Spokane’s nationally recognized culinary scene. The Wall St. Journal named Spokane one of 6 Great Small Cities for Food Lovers. With so many great restaurants to choose from,

attendees will long for more free time. They can sip their way through the downtown Cork District with its 15+ tasting rooms, or tap the Inland Northwest Ale Trail, which features 40+ local craft breweries. Take a break and listen to live music at local venues or wander down to the Spokane Comedy Club to catch big-name acts. Spokane has local professional theater, the Spokane Symphony in the iconic Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, or Best of Broadway at the INB Performing Arts Center. Want to shop? Spokane has locally owned boutiques and major stores any selective shopper will love. With the ease of access to the outdoors, attendees can be biking, jogging, paddle boarding or hiking within 20 minutes of stepping out of the hotel. Go ziplining at Mica Moon Zip Tours. The 2.5-hour zip trip in Liberty Lake, just outside Spokane, offers group tours and even nighttime tours. Rock climbing or whitewater rafting also abound in the region. With a state-of-the-art convention center, luxury hotels, fine dining and a multitude of activities in a safe, walkable city, it’s easy to see why Spokane is truly the perfect meeting place.

334 West Spokane Falls Boulevard, Spokane, WA 99201 • (509) 279-7000 • spokanecenter.com 108

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Good to the last session. Book the Spokane Convention Center now to get free coffee and WiFi* for your event. Our expanded Convention Center -- more than 500,000sf -- and the great downtown location will make your meeting a standout. Your attendees will love the riverfront location and the 80+ restaurants within walking distance of the Convention Center. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll love the free coffee and WiFi. * 450+ room nights on peak and event must actualize by 12/31/19

To take advantage of this great offer, go to VisitSpokane.com/freecoffee 800.662.0084 |

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WINTER / SPRING 2018 DIGITAL

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FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 FALL ISSUE

FOR ASSOCIATION & CORPORATE MEETING PLANNERS & TRADESHOW PROFESSIONALS

EMPOWERING THE BUSINESS EVENT STRATEGIST PCMA’S NEW LEADER ENVISIONS A MORE GLOBALIZED, AUDIENCE-CENTRIC ORGANIZATION 12

Chattanooga 14

Monterey, Mexico 16

South Korea 19

Toronto

22 Venue Reviews:

The ART, Denver, CO 24

Keystone Resort Cliff House, Maine 27

Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, Mexico

Sherrif Karamat, CAE Chief Executive Officer Professional Convention Management Association

INTRODUCING

F&D DIGITAL This spring, Facilities & Destinations launched a biannual digital publication as a supplement to our quarterly print magazine. The meetings industry is fast paced, and these new issues will help you stay current on everything from facility renovations to the latest planning strategies. Read the 2018 Winter/Spring F&D Digital issue on www.facilitiesonline.com FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

Featuring: IMEX Section with coverage of this year’s show and features on several exhibiting destinations

• • • • •

The annual Mid-Market Review, profiling some of the country’s best second-tier meeting sites F&D Forums: In-depth Q&As with industry leaders on the move The latest meeting industry updates from Honolulu, Atlantic City, New York and Arizona Planning tips from the pros 111

CARIBBEAN

MONTEGO BAY CONVENTION CENTRE

A STANDOUT FACILITY IN THE HEART OF THE CARIBBEAN

he award-winning Montego Bay Convention Centre (MBCC), the largest convention facility of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean, has won the World Travel Award for the “Caribbean’s Leading Meeting and Conference Centre” for the last seven consecutive years, from 2011 to 2017. Throughout 2016 and 2017, the MBCC hosted several significant international events across various industries, including FOROMIC 2016, Jamaica Classic 2017, IOSCO 2017 and the UNWTO Global Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism. Opened in 2011, the SMG-managed facility is one of a select few in the Caribbean to offer both comprehensive meeting spaces and modern amenities. The center’s more than 139,00 sq. ft. of space has been designed to accommodate exhibitions, conventions and galas. Technological capabilities were recently boosted with the acquisition of the best audiovisual equipment to further improve the overall conference experience. Besides its intelligent design, the MBCC is also visually striking. The open-air layout of the facility — the meeting, exhibition and ballroom spaces are housed in three separate buildings and connected via outdoor walkways — gives attendees the chance to get outside more than the typical convention center might allow. Many of the MBCC’s indoor spaces feature plenty of natural light, and the property offers a number of outdoor event spaces, like the 17,000-sq.-ft. Ocean View Terrace — which accommodates up to 1,500 guests for banquet-style functions — and the 25,000-sq.-ft. courtyard, capable of accommodating up to 2,600 guests for receptions. The MBCC’s largest space, the 57,525-sq.-ft. Exhibition Hall, spans two buildings and offers room for 282 booths as well as 4,700 guests seated banquet style or 6,200 seated theater style. For special events, the 18,684-sq.-ft. Grand

Ballroom can seat up to 1,580 for banquets. For meetings, nine meeting rooms offer 10,161 sq. ft., with the largest accommodating up to 600 attendees. The center’s entire pre-function lobby areas come outfitted with built-in reception desks and comfortable seating. Supporting these spaces are the MBCC’s well-equipped catering facilities. A 15,000-sq.-ft. kitchen, along with additional prep spaces, means that everything from tea breaks to five-course banquets run seamlessly. Ample parking, coach bays, and freight access in the Exhibition Hall offer added convenience for larger events. As for onsite technology, all of the MBCC’s meeting, exhibit and ballroom spaces come equipped with videoconferencing capabilities and high-speed Internet. A full-service business center, a fully integrated broadcast and teleconference system, and an onsite team of audiovisual technicians all help ensure that meetings and events run smoothly while groups are in house. Sangster International Airport, the Caribbean’s leading airport, is a mere 15 minutes away and offers worldwide airlift from over 30 cities. Surrounding the center are more than 6,000 hotel rooms, including the world-renowned Half Moon Hotel, Jewel Grande, Sandals Resorts, RIU Hotels and Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping centers and three championship 18-hole golf courses. Montego Bay, the tourism capital and second-largest city in Jamaica, also offers groups conveniences such as duty-free shopping — as well as plenty to do and see. Groups can cruise the bioluminescent Luminous Lagoon, snorkel or swim in the pale aqua waters of Doctor’s Cave Beach, enjoy excursions with CHUKKA or Island Routes, or hit the nightclubs that line the “Hip Strip.” In addition, meeting-related expenses incurred in Jamaica by U.S.-based groups qualify as tax-deductible.

Half Moon P.O. Box 4058, Rose Hall, St. James, Jamaica, West Indies (876) 622-9330; Fax: (876) 622-9360 • mbconventioncentre.com 112

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

CARIBBEAN

PUERTO RICO CONVENTION CENTER

ocated in San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital city, the Puerto Rico Convention Center Pedro Rosselló, managed by AEG Facilities, is the largest and most technologically advanced facility of its kind in the Caribbean. The winner of 12 Prime Site Awards offers 600,000 sq. ft. of beautiful and flexible event space, which makes it the ideal meeting place for entrepreneurs, business and public organizations from around the world. The state-of-the-art facility includes a 152,700-sq.-ft. exhibit hall, divisible into three sections, the largest one being 72,000 sq. ft.; a total of 39,551 sq. ft. of ballroom space; 30 meeting rooms; and an outdoor terrace. The convention center can service small meetings or large conventions with modern technology, accommodations and transportation. TECHNOL O G I C AL F E AT URE S PSAV is the leading provider of audiovisual and event technology support for the Puerto Rico Convention Center. It serves as the preferred provider of AV, Internet and telecommunications, including high-speed Internet (wireless Internet access to thousands of devices and dedicated bandwidth), display multiple screens, sophisticated lighting services, audio system and digital recording system. HOTELS Puerto Rico offers more than 150 hotels. Over 700 hotel rooms are within the Convention District. The Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino with 503 rooms is just steps away from the Center and is one of the many hotels in the Metropolitan San Juan area that offers high-end services to delegates. The Hyatt Place, San Juan offers 149 rooms and the Hyatt House, San Juan offers 126 rooms, all within the Convention District area. SAN JU A N D I S T RI C T ’S C UR R EN T EX P ER I EN C ES The Puerto Rico Convention Center is just steps away from a rich array of cultural attractions, historic treasures and architectural masterpieces, some of which date back centuries to when the city was a Spanish military stronghold. But it’s not just the city’s rich history that attracts visitors. San Juan is also home to numerous fine dining and casual restaurants offering a variety of cuisine from around the globe, a lively nightlife scene, shops and attractions.

S AN J U AN DIS T R ICT ’S U P CO M ING E XP E R IE NCE S In the fall of 2019, the PRCC & Convention Center District will have a new attraction to offer, District Live!, where business meets fun. The project consists of a performance venue for 6,000 patrons and more than 80,000 sq. ft. of other entertainment spaces, as well as a 175-room hotel. The hotel integrates perfectly with the entertainment spaces and offers guests a unique urban hotel experience, adjacent to the bustling Time Square-esque atmosphere of the complex. With its fresh design, the proposed Aloft hotel offers quiet relaxation spaces and a rooftop swimming pool overlooking the Convention Center building and district grounds. FAS T FACT S : FACI LI TY

Motto: Do Meetings. Do Conventions. Do Connections. Do it at the Puerto Rico Convention Center. Do Your Thing Location: Convention Center District, Puerto Rico Total Area: 600k sq. ft. of exhibit and meeting space Exhibit Space: 153k sq. ft. Ballrooms: Ballroom AB - 39,551 sq. ft.; Ballroom A - 25,563 sq. ft.; Ballroom B - 14,000 sq. ft. Meeting Space: 30 meeting rooms totaling over 23,000 sq. ft. Theater Seating in Exhibit Hall: Seats more than 16,000 Technology: In-house PSAV team, high-speed Internet access, display multiple screens, lighting services, audio system and digital recording system SAN JUAN

Airport: The city of San Juan has two airports, Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Domestic Airport, which is four minutes away from the PRCC, and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) which is 15 minutes away from the District. Transportation: Getting around the Island is a breeze. Rental car agencies can be found near the airport and hotels. Also, taxi service and Uber are efficient ways to see the Island’s numerous districts. Contact Jorge L. Pérez, General Manager, or Margaret Colón, Sales & Marketing Director. Email: info@prconvention.com.

1000 Convention Boulevard, San Juan, PR 00907 • (787) 641-7722 • prconvention.com 114

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

SITES & CITIES DIRECTORY OHIO

Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau

77 East Mill Street, Akron, OH 44308 (330) 374-8900 / (800) 245-4254; Fax: (330) 374-8971 johnsknightcenter.org VP of Sales: Dirk Breiding The Center of an All-America City NEW YORK

Albany Capital Center

55 Eagle St., Albany, NY 12207 (518) 487-2155 albanycapitalcenter.com Director of Sales: Shannon Licygiewicz

NEW JERSEY

Atlantic City Convention Center

1 Convention Boulevard, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 449-7136; (888) 222-3683; Fax: (609) 345-3685 meetac.com President and CEO: Jim Wood Your Northeast Business Address

TEXAS

Austin Convention Center

500 E. Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX 78701 (512) 404-4200; Fax: (512) 404-4220 austinconventioncenter.com Director of Sales: Amy Harris Live Music Capital of the World

ALABAMA

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex

2100 Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard North Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 458-8400 bjcc.org Director of Sales and Marketing: Susette Hunter IDAHO

Boise Centre

850 West Front St., Boise, ID 83702 (208) 336-8900; Fax: (208) 336-8803 boisecentre.com Director of Marketing and Sales: Cliff Clinger

Greater Akron – where metropolitan amenities meet breathtaking natural vistas just steps away in Ohio’s only national park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The John S. Knight Center is located in the heart of downtown Akron and boasts a team with more than 270 years of combined experience. Features include: in-house culinary department; 30,000-sq.-ft. exhibition hall; 12,000-sq.-ft. ballroom; 17,000 sq. ft. of additional breakout rooms; and a 3,000-sq.-ft. two-story glass rotunda with spiral staircase. 5,500+ guestrooms county-wide. Let’s start planning! PAGE 85

The new, SMG-managed Albany Capital Center is located in the heart of downtown, offering visitors the ease of walkability to world-class cuisine, entertainment, professional services and historic attractions. The facility houses 28,000 sq. ft. of ballroom/exhibit space, 9,200 sq. ft. of meeting space and 12,000 sq. ft. of pre-function space. Tech features include LED lighting, digital signage and free high-speed Wi-Fi. Mazzone Hospitality is the exclusive in-house caterer. The Albany Capital Center has 130 parking spaces available within three underground levels right below the building. The ACC’s parking garage PAGE will be connected to the Times Union Center’s 950-space parking garage. 57 Atlantic City is a hidden gem along the New Jersey shoreline, offering visitors much more than a seaside destination. Atlantic City is made up of more than 15,500 first-class hotel rooms that will suit the perfect accommodations for your attendees’ complete comfort and relaxation. The Atlantic City Convention Center is located within a few hours’ drive of nearly one third of the nation’s population and 20 percent of the country’s business addresses. The Atlantic City Convention Center provides 600,000 contiguous sq. ft. of exhibit space, as well as 45 meeting rooms, ample pre-function space and all the amenities you PAGE would expect. 129 A LEED® Gold-certified, technologically advanced convention center located near downtown’s famous entertainment districts. Multi-level facility spans six city blocks; features 369,132 sq. ft. of meeting/exhibit space, including five column-free, contiguous exhibit halls (247,052 sq. ft. of total exhibit space), seven ballrooms (40,510 sq. ft. is largest) and 54 meeting rooms. Complimentary high-speed, high-density wireless services throughout; onsite engineers; proven ability to handle 7,000 simultaneous connections. Pre-function spaces offer downtown views. Hilton Austin and Fairmont Austin connected to conPAGE vention center via pedestrian walkways. Close to 9,500 downtown hotel rooms. C2 Alabama’s largest convention facility, one of the best values in the South, offers 220,000+ sq. ft. of exhibition space, over 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 90 meeting rooms, a 25,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, 18,000-seat arena, 2,800-seat concert hall, 1,000-seat theater and 276-seat theater, and The Forum, a 10-story tower featuring high-tech meeting rooms. A 3,800-sq.-ft. broadcast studio offers live TV and satellite uplink capabilities. There are 1,051 onsite hotel rooms. Attractions: Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, award-winning Robert Trent Jones Golf courses. PAGE 31

Come experience the newly expanded Boise Centre, offering 86,000 sq. ft. of highly flexible meeting/event spaces. The facility houses 31 highly flexible meeting/event spaces all with a modern, contemporary design and the latest in technology; largest room is 24,426 sq. ft. Full-service catering services; professional event services team to assist with every detail. Located seven minutes from the airport in downtown Boise with multiple hotels within walking distance. A compact, walkable downtown surrounds Boise Centre with over 100 restaurants, shops, microbreweries and activities. PAGE 97

NEVADA

Caesars Palace

3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109 (855) 633-8238 CaesarsMeansBusiness.com

INDIANA

Century Center South Bend

120 South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., South Bend IN 46601 (574) 235-9711 centurycenter.org Director of Sales & Marketing: Jacob Hamman Unique Architecture. Exceptional Experiences. FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

Caesars Palace recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. With more than 300,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, Caesars Palace has the capacity to host groups of all sizes. Special events can be held at the five-acre Garden of the Gods pool oasis, Qua Baths & Spa, and suites reaching up to 13,000 sq. ft. The 4,000-seat Colosseum at Caesars Palace is home to world-famous headliners such as Elton John, Celine Dion and Mariah Carey. Enhancements include the newly renovated Julius Tower, formerly the Roman Tower, including 587 modern guestrooms; MR CHOW, a luxurious restaurant featuring Beijing cuisine; the PAGE 75,000-sq.-ft. OMNIA nightclub; and Montecristo Cigar Bar. 7 The Century Center, built on the banks of the West Race canal, overlooks the St. Joseph River and is attached to the 11-acre Island Pavilion, completed in May 2013, as well as the 292-room DoubleTree by Hilton, renovated in 2013. The Century Center features over 75,000 sq. ft. of convention space, including a 25,000-sq.-ft. Convention Hall that can be split into two smaller halls, 41,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, a 700-seat theater, 16,640-sq.-ft. ballroom and 18 meeting rooms. The 12,000-sq.-ft. Discovery Ballroom can be separated into two equal halls. Free basic WiFi available. Main entrance renovated in 2013, lighting retrofit completed in 2013 and PAGE carpet replacement completed in 2014. 86 115

MICHIGAN

Cobo Center

1 Washington Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 877-8777; Fax: (313) 877-8577 cobocenter.com Director of Sales: Greg DeSandy

COBO CENTER

TEXAS

Greatness comes from within.

Congressman Solomon THE P. Ortiz NEW COBO CENTER International Center We are not done yet – $279 Million Renovation is nearly complete and brings with it lots of head-turning additions: The new 40,000 sq. ft. Grand Riverview Ballroom with floor to ceiling views of the Detroit River and over 50,000 sq. ft. of flex space. An Outdoor Event Plaza facing the downtown skyline, connected to a terrace overlooking the river.

402 Harbor Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78414 (361) 879-0125; Fax: (361) 879-0565 ortizcenter.com

CONNECTICUT

Worldwide Leader in Convention Center Management

Connecticut Convention Center

100 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT 06103 THIS IS A DIFFERENT DETROIT (860) 249-6000; Fax: (860) 249-6161 ctconventions.com Director of Sales & Marketing: Michelle Hughes The CENTER of it all

OKLAHOMA

Cox Convention Center

One Myriad Gardens, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 managed facility (405) 602-8500; Fax: (405) 602-8505 an coxconventioncenter.com Director of Sales and Marketing: Tim Linville Cobo_Advertorial_F&D.indd 1

on Centers

723,000 sq. ft. of Exhibit Space. More robust technology, with Free WiFi and enough connectivity for 30,000 simultaneous users. Spectacular Outdoor Video Walls – 3X as large as billboards. An In-house Broadcast Studio with a soundstage and satellite uplink to distribute your meeting content to stakeholders.

PENNSYLVANIA

Cross Insurance Center Springfield, MassMutual Center antic City, Atlantic City Convention Center ara Falls, Conference Center Niagara Falls ndiana, Kovalchick1000 Convention & AthleticBoulevard, Complex, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Ft. Duquesne rsity of Pennsylvania

David L. Lawrence Convention Center

(412) 325-6174; Fax: (412) 565-6104 pittsburghcc.com Beach, Miami Beach Convention Built Green. Center Working Green. Every Day!

GION

alm Beach, Palm Beach County Convention Center sboro, Owensboro Convention Center Durham, Durham Convention Center Fayetteville, Crown Complex OHIO d, Enid Event Center hristi, Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center hristi (Robstown), Richard Borchard Exhibition Complex 525 ElmM.Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 ond, Greater Richmond Convention Center (513) 419-7300; Fax: (513) 419-7327 ke, Berglund Center

Duke Energy Convention Center duke-energycenter.com Director of Sales & Marketing: Justin Markle

With Us Today!

88.456.2599 or email alsales@global-spectrum.com NORTH CAROLINA -spectrum.com

Durham Convention Center

301 West Morgan Street, Durham, NC 27701 (919) 956-9404 durhamconventioncenter.com Downtown Durham’s Premier Meeting & Event Destination

WASHINGTON, DC

Events DC

801 Mount Vernon Place NW, Washington, DC 20001 (202) 249-3311 eventsdc.com salesinfo@eventsdc.com Events DC: Powerful City | Unforgettable Events

116

Overlooking the Detroit River and our international neighbor, the Cobo Center’s elegant banquet rooms and over 100 meeting rooms total 200,000 sq. ft., accommodating from 25 to 2,500 attendees. The Center is physically linked to all downtown Detroit hotels and entertainment districts by the Detroit People Mover on the fourth floor, and an elevated railway system and station. The Grand Ballroom is 40,000 sq. ft., dividable with a retractable wall. Features 40-foot ceiling height with built-in rigging points, color-programmable LEDs and 21,000 sq. ft. of meeting space below the ballroom. 2

PAGE 13

OTHER CITIES CAN TOUT GREAT VIEWS AND RESTAURANTS LIKE US. SPECTACULAR BALLROOMS AND MEETING SPACE. WIFI AND FOOD COURTS. BUT WHAT THIS TOWN AND THIS CENTER HAVE, IS CHARACTER. AND THAT COMES FROM WITHIN. THAT’S WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT.

Managed by Spectra Venue Management and Food Services & Hospitality, the Ortiz International Center is a strikingly modern meeting and banquet facility located on the Port of Corpus Christi. The special character of the Ortiz Center is perfectly complemented by the professional and attentive staff. Housing 23,000 sq. ft. of overall meeting space, the SO, WHAT WE WANT TO SAY IS THANK YOU. Book Usexhibit Today! facility features aWith 16,500-sq.-ft. hall. All meeting rooms are equipped with ceilingFOR BELIEVING IN THE ABILITY OF AN projectors, wireless microphones and projection screens. The Ortiz Center plans to ENTIRE CITY TO TURN AROUND. mounted Call 888.456.2599 or email make AV upgrades in fall 2018. nationalsales@global-spectrum.com 1 Rendering of Cobo Center Riverside Entrance (now open) 2 South Atrium Renovation 3 Outdoor Video Walls 4 Shinola City Clock

PAGE 105

The views are stunning, the space is immense, and the ease of booking an event is superior. 205,000 sq. ft. of meeting/exhibit space; dramatic riverfront setting; accessible to 23+ million people within a 2 ½-hour drive. 19 meeting rooms; 40,000-sq.-ft. ballroom; 180,000 THE CORE OF THE CITY’S CENTER IS ALIVE WITH NEW BUSINESSES AND sq.TO SEE. ft. of exhibit space/140,000-sq.-ft. main exhibit hall; 3,200-seat ballroom; attached NEW RESIDENTS, THINGS TO DO AND PLACES Center to Convention 409-room Marriott Hotel. 1,600 rooms (downtown); 6,500 rooms (within 30 miles). Attractions: FrontOH Street District, Dunkin’ Donuts Park, Connecticut Science Center, Cincinnati, The Old State House, Wadsworth Atheneum, Mark Twain House, Bushnell Park, PAGE New England Air Museum. C4

Our Riverfront – which of course is right outside Cobo – has just been voted one of the Best 10 Riverfronts in the Country by USA today.

Duke Energy

Retail is popping, including the first Midwest Boutique for John Varvatos just a few blocks away and Shinola and Willys in Midtown, just a short ride up the soon to open M-1 RAIL Streetcar. (2016)

cobocenter.com | Downtown Detroit

Over 30 new restaurants and bars have opened within walking distance and no more than a 5-minute ride away.

Spanning more thanExhibit one million ft. and four city blocks, this complex is located Hall: sq. 195,000 sq. ft. at the heart of downtown Oklahoma City, a city both accommodating and affordable. 40,000 sq. ft. Multipurpose venueBallroom: hosts everything from intimate meetings to major conventions, & 17,500 sq. ft. tradeshows, concerts and sporting events. 27 meeting rooms; 25,000-sq.-ft. ballroom; Breakouts: 30 100,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall; 15,000-seat arena. Free WiFi available; Internet access Total Meeting Space: 96,600 sq.hotel ft. rooms are across the speeds up to one Gb; 1,400 of Oklahoma City’s 15,000+ street. From arts andHotel adventure to cowboy culture and family fun, Oklahoma City offers Rooms: 3,500 walkable an eclectic mix of heritage and hotspots. Downtown: Located in heart 4/27/15 9:57 AM

of downtown Cincinnati, the

Located in downtown Pittsburgh’s cultural district alongCenter the Allegheny River, the enviDuke Energy Convention brings Midwestern hospitality ronmentally smart, Gold/Platinum LEED® certified, SMG-managed David L. Lawrence to life in thesq. Center of a space vibrant Convention Center features 313,000 ft. of exhibit with 37 loading docks, 53 meetCity core full of shopping, ing rooms and a 31,000-sq.-ft. ballroom. The center’s restaurants, culture and dynamic architectural design offers breathtaking views, open andattractions. column-free space. Technology: Recently refreshed bigterraces league CISCO infrastructure supporting complimentary WiFi for attendees and a full catalog of exhibitor products and services from high-density wireless buyouts to customizable PAGE only has the Global Spectrum team live streaming “Not options. 123 delivered, they have succeeded in developing a relationship where we feel

The Spectra-managed Duke Energy Convention Center isare located in the heart of Downtown our input, suggestions and expertise Cincinnati, andvalued.” can be easily accessed from I-71, I-74 and I-75. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is just 10 minutes Featuring over 750,000 sq. ft. of Wandaaway. Bowling, Director, exhibit, meeting and entertainment space, the DukeMeeting Energy Convention Center is flanked & Convention Planner, by more than $2 billion in new infrastructure, including the new Fountain Square entertainWestern Southern Financial Group ment district and more than 3,000 hotel rooms within three blocks of the Center. Onsite Green Team dedicated to sustainability initiatives. PAGE 28

The Durham Convention Center offers 35,000 sq. ft. of flexible space to accommodate duke-energycenter.com from 5-1,500 meeting attendees. The venue houses a 14,500-sq.-ft. Grand Ballroom, a 1,800-seat theater and eight meeting rooms that can be converted into 17. The Durham global-spectrum.com Convention Center is located steps away from the Carolina Theater and near the Durham Performing Arts Center, a nationally respected arts center. Attendees can enjoy unique restaurants, shopping, art galleries, museums or a baseball game at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. A 189-room Marriott is available for groups, and a 125-room 21C hotel and PAGE 53-room Durham Hotel recently opened. 84 The Walter E. Washington Convention Center offers five exhibit halls totalling 703,000 sq. ft., 198,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space with a total of 77 breakout rooms, and the largest ballroom in the region. The facility is connected by an underground pedestrian walkway to the 1,175-room Marriott Marquis, which offers 105,000 sq. ft. of meeting space (83 meeting rooms), five retail and restaurants spaces, and LEED Silver Certification. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center is also the first convention center in the country to launch a mobile ordering platform. Other tech features include complimentary PAGE Wi-Fi available in common spaces and digital signage throughout the building. 33 FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

With world-class hotels, restaurants, museums and entertainment venues, you’ll find that St. Louis is a great choice for your next meeting or event. St. Louis is an accessible and affordable destination that will keep delegates entertained with magnificent theater, live music, sports and more that are all within reach. The America’s Center Convention Complex offers 502,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, 80 meeting rooms, a 28,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, the St. Louis Executive Conference Center and the 67,000-seat Dome at America’s Center. There are more than 38,000 hotel rooms in metropolitan St. Louis. Downtown St. Louis has 7,000 hotel PAGE rooms, with more than 1,750 of those rooms within steps of America’s Center. C3

MISSOURI

Explore St. Louis

America’s Center Convention Complex, 701 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63101 (314) 421-1023; (800) 916-8938 explorestlouis.com President: Kathleen Ratcliffe

The iconic Flamingo Las Vegas is where The Strip began. Its rich history, dating back to 1946, makes it a special location for groups. Flamingo’s 75,000-sq.-ft. Corporate Convention Center and Executive Conference Center features sleek, contemporary decor and offers the latest in communications and presentation technology. The Wildlife Habitat is a unique venue option for groups and offers a 15 acre tropical playground. In addition, the Flamingo Showroom can be used for receptions for up to 750 people and features headliners such as Vegas’ favorite brother and sister act Donny and Marie Osmond. A $90 million guestroom renovation begins this summer.

NEVADA

Flamingo Las Vegas

3555 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas, NV 89109 (855) MEET-CET CaesarsMeansBusiness.com

A focal point for healthcare meetings, the Global Center for Health Innovation is home to 45 of the world’s leading healthcare, health IT and medical innovation brands. Connecting meeting planners with industry leaders, the Global Center’s Tenant Partners provide access to healthcare-related content and speakers for educational programming. In addition to providing industry resources, the Global Center offers 20,000 sq. ft. of ballroom and atrium space along with multiple breakout rooms. The facility is connected to the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. PAGE

OHIO

Global Center for Health Innovation 1 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114 (216) 928-1600 clevelandconventions.com Director of Sales and Marketing: Judy Kent (216) 920-1449

Why Fort Wayne, Indiana? Affordable and accessible — events save nearly 15 percent more in expenses across the board than other major cities, and Fort Wayne is within 500 miles of half the U.S. population. Hospitality abounds in restaurants, pubs, lodgings, shops and entertainment venues. In the heart of it all is the Grand Wayne Convention Center, housing 225,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, a 50,000-sq.-ft. Convention Hall and 18 meeting rooms. The center offers in-house AV technicians and in-house gourmet catering for up to 3,100 banquet guests. New carpeting in the Convention Hall and Anthony Wayne PAGE Ballroom; new free, high-performance WiFi for up to 5,000 simultaneous users. 90

INDIANA

Grand Wayne Convention Center 120 West Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 (260) 426-4100; Fax: (260) 420-9080 grandwayne.com Director of Sales & Marketing: Marcy McKinley Beyond Convention. Beyond Expectation™

The city’s largest contingent of Certified Tourism Ambassadors welcomes guests to the SMGmanaged Greater Columbus Convention Center, now featuring 373,000 contiguous sq. ft. of exhibit space, 75 meeting rooms, three ballrooms totaling 114,000 sq. ft., and the largest contemporary collection of Central Ohio art. Located near John Glenn Columbus International Airport, across the street from entertainment districts and within a 90-minute flight or a day’s drive of the majority of the nation’s population, the GCCC is connected to five hotels and more than 4,000 parking spaces. Levy’s Smartfarm, an indoor vertical hydroponic garden, grows PAGE 2.5 tons of vegetables and herbs annually to be included in culinary selections. 89

OHIO

Greater Columbus Convention Center

400 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 827-2500; (800) 626-0241 columbusconventions.com Director of Sales: Anna Nash, CTA

CC-Facil&Dest-ADVERTORIAL.qxp_Layout 1 5/24/18 12:16 PM Page 1

The 600,000-sq.-ft., SMG-managed Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center offers exceptional service, state-of the-art technology and catering by Savor in a LEED Gold-certified facility located just five minutes from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. Function space consists of four exhibit halls, two ballrooms and 31 meeting rooms that can be configured in a variety of ways. A 2,500-space parking garage is connected to the Center via two enclosed, air-conditioned skywalks. The convention center partners with six nearby upscale hotels providing 2,700 guestrooms.

FLORIDA

Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward 5 Ways to Make Your Meeting County Convention Center

a Destination Experience

950 Eisenhower Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 765-5900 ftlauderdalecc.com

As the meetings and conventions industry continues to flourish and evolve, event planners are seeking new ideas and capitalizing on current trends to make their events truly stand out. When creating a holistic guest experience FLORIDA becomes the ultimate goal, how can meeting planners keep up and elevate their events to new heights? These tips and tricks can help make your next meeting a true destination experience.

Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau

1Immerse yourself in the location

Convention Center adjacent to Port Everglades, a major cruising hub, attendees can end their meeting with a bang by setting sail for a week of leisure!

3 Meet outside the box

701 Brickell Avenue, Ste. 2700, Miami, FL 33131

Greater Miami is a vibrant area whose renowned neighborhoods include South Beach, Coconut Grove and Little Havana. Among the area’s major attractions are American Airlines Arena, Pérez Art Museum, MiMo in North Beach, Bal Harbour and two national parks: Biscayne National Preserve and Everglades National Park. There are a total of 50,134 hotel rooms, and the Miami Worldcenter will add an 1,800-room Marriott Marquis when it opens in 2020. The Convention Center currently offers 500,000 sq. ft. of total exhibit space and 81 meeting rooms. The Greater Miami CVB offers groups banners, airport signs, destiPAGE nation, material, registration personnel services, website, promotions and more. 27

In an age when both work and play are must-haves in (305) 539-3042 the meetings and conventions industry, more and more event professionals MiamiMeetings.com are finding it hard to resist meeting locations Moskowitz, Vice President, Sales that offer theBarry whole package. Some may opt for the glam and lights of Sin City while others may go for theme parks in barry@gmcvb.com Orlando, but few attendees can resist the call of tropical, beachy paradises such as Greater Fort Lauderdale. The Greater Fort Lauderdale / Broward County VIRGINIA Convention offers far more than just meeting Gauge your success space-- it presents an unparalleled destination The guest experience is the very crux experience. Surrounded by a convention center of an event. The ultimate goal is to create a district with exceptional restaurants, lasting impression and memorable experience shopping, arts and cultural attractions, for attendees. But how do you measure 403andN.hotels 3rdforStreet, Richmond, VA 23219 pristine beaches, every taste and experience? Through engagement! Whether (804)Florida 783-7335 budget, this South venue represents an it’s social media or a dedicated meeting app, ideal meetingrichmondcenter.com location. The Greater Fort visitors should be encouraged to use digital Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau& (CVB) Director of Sales Marketing: Linné DiIorio, CMP tools to document their experience in real helps guests make the most of the dos@greaterrichmondcc.com time. Ideas include an official event hashtag, destination’s offerings from before they arrive photo contests and more. The Greater Fort until departure, providing tools to book exciting excursions, Lauderdale CVB inspires guest engagement through a variety reserve tables at award-winning restaurants, and redeem FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS SUPERBOOKof touchpoints including social media, targeted promotions special offers from local businesses, in addition to an onsite and soon, a new app. Many other destinations are following concierge for recommendations and assistance. suit with interactive digital platforms tailored to guest preferences. Arrive by land, sea or air It’s no secret that transportation can make or break

Greater Richmond Convention Center

2018

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As Virginia’s largest meeting and exhibition facility, the GRCC features 178,159 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, a 30,550-sq.-ft. Grand Ballroom, and 50,000 sq. ft. of additional meeting space. Visitors enjoy free WiFi in all public spaces, a lactation lounge, two onsite cafés, natural light, attached parking and walkable hotels. Awardwinning dining, attractions and entertainment are just steps away. The GRCC is a Spectra-managed facility. PAGE 67

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HAWAII

Hawaii Convention Center 1801 Kalãkaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 (808) 943-3500; Fax: (808) 943-3099 hawaiiconvention.com info@hccaeg.com Where Business and Aloha Meet

OHIO

Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland and Global Center for Health Innovation 1 St. Clair Avenue NE, Cleveland, OH 44114 (216) 920-1600; Fax: (216) 920-1451 clevelandconventions.com theglobalcenter.com INDIANA

Indiana Convention Center

100 South Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46224-1071 (317) 262-3361 ICCLOS.com Convention Center Director: Debbie Hennessey

ONTARIO, CANADA

The International Centre

6900 Airport Road, Suite 120 Mississauga, ON. L4V 1E8 (905) 677-6131; (800) 567-1199; Fax: (905) 677-3089 internationalcentre.com Director of Sales: Sandra Martin There’s Something Happening Here! IOWA

Iowa Events Center

730 Third Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 (515) 564-8000; Fax: (515) 564-8001 iowaeventscenter.com

NEW YORK

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center 655 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001 (212) 216-2000; Fax: (212) 216-2588 javitscenter.com SVP Sales & Marketing: Doreen Guerin Marketplace for the World

Its “Where Business and Aloha Meet” — and in a winning way. Located just eight miles from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, the 1.1 million-sq.-ft. Hawaii Convention Center provides organizations from around the globe with a setting that is distinctly Hawaii in style while being spacious, modern and flexible. Facilities include a 200,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall, 35,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, 47 meeting rooms, the 459-seat Lili’u Theater and the 322seat Emalani Theater. Full facility and high-density WiFi 802.11 a/g/n/ac network; free light-use WiFi in all public spaces; temporary LAN/WAN/VPN networks. More than PAGE 28,000 overnight rooms sit within a 1.5-mile radius of the center. 98 The Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland and Global Center for Health Innovation connects meeting planners to 390,000 total sq. ft. of prime space, including a 225,000-sq.ft. exhibit hall. Connected to the 600-room Hilton Cleveland Downtown, within walking distance of an additional 5,000 hotel rooms, and just 15 miles from Cleveland Hopkins Airport, the campus is a convenient meetings destination. The center houses an 88,500-sq.ft. exhibit hall, a 32,200-sq.-ft. ballroom and 34 meeting rooms. Tech features include a Cisco Core Network, videoconferencing and streaming, touch-screen controls in PAGE rooms, and a high-tech conference center. 91 The Indiana Convention Center (ICC) is top tier in terms of configurable meeting space, superior amenities, convenience and hospitality. With 749,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, 11 halls, three ballrooms, 71 meeting rooms and 49 loading docks, ICC regularly hosts events from marching band competitions and concerts to opening sessions, conferences of all sizes, VIP events and tradeshows. Guests enjoy year-round comfort and mobility through climate-controlled skywalks connecting ICC to nearly 5,000 hotel rooms, hundreds of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. With six Cultural Districts along a Cultural Trail, fabulous food finds, shopping, live music, DJs and more, there is something for everyone here. #icclosconnect Located three minutes from Toronto Pearson International Airport, The International Centre offers 548,000 sq. ft. of expansive and versatile function space, an exceptional culinary experience and a team of dedicated and knowledgeable professionals, many with CEM and CMP designations. Thirty-three meeting rooms, 125,500-sq.-ft. main exhibit hall, 48,000 sq. ft. of conference center space. State-of-the-industry AV equipment built in, ultra high-speed Internet, complimentary Wi-Fi in the Grand Lobby. Forty brand-name hotels nearby, providing over 10,000 rooms. Recently completed Phase 1 of a $7 million improvement project that renovated Hall 1, added a new Connector building to Hall 5 and more. The Iowa Events Center is a state-of-the-art venue able to meet the needs of events of all types and sizes. The facility offers excellent service, catering, onsite AV and an inhouse marketing agency. To top it off, the convention center facilities are tax-exempt. The center’s overall meeting space of 286,300 sq. ft. includes a 150,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall, 28,800-sq.-ft. ballroom and 37 meeting rooms. The center is attached to the Hilton Des Moines Downtown, with over 2,300 hotel rooms in one-mile radius and 13,000+ rooms in the Greater Des Moines Metro area. Des Moines is home to Broadway shows, the PAGE Downtown Farmers’ Market, locally owned restaurants and live music venues. 92 New York City is the cultural, finance, fashion, publishing and entertainment capital of the world with 28,000 restaurants and 100,000+ hotel rooms citywide. The Javits Convention Center’s glass-enclosed structure, located in Manhattan’s Hudson Yards, stretches five city blocks and divisible into nine self-contained halls. The addition of a column-free exhibit hall increases the total gross square footage of exhibition space to 760,000 on four levels; 160,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 40 permanent, 53 multipurpose meeting rooms. Wi-Fi service is available throughout building.

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NEW YORK

Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center 123 East Main Street, Rochester, NY 14604 (585) 232-7200; Fax: (585) 232-1510 rrcc.com Director of Sales: Kris Hughes

The Floreano Center is conveniently located in upstate New York, in the heart of downtown Rochester. 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting/exhibition space features a 50,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall, 10,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, 22 meeting rooms of various sizes, in-house food service, themed décor and floral services, as well as dedicated wireless Internet connection over fiber optics. Over 1,100 hotel rooms, with 800 directly connected by an enclosed skyway. Surrounded by entertainment districts with restaurants, pubs, theaters and more. Rochester offers planners a compact convention district, and New York State’s only one-stop convention facility. PAGE 61

MISSOURI

Kansas City Convention Center 301 West 13th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105 (800) 821-7060; Fax: (816) 513-5001 kcconvention.com Director of Sales: Gemma Zook

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An energetic city forged by a rich history, Kansas City has a central location, is highly affordable and is brimming with eclectic cuisine, swinging jazz, one-of-a-kind museums, a thriving arts scene and fantastic shopping. One million-sq.-ft. Kansas City Convention Center accommodates everything from mid-sized meetings to citywide conventions – 388,800-sq.-ft., column-free exhibit space, 142,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 46,484-sq.-ft. state-of-the-art Grand Ballroom, 48 meeting rooms. Arena houses 7,316 permanent seats, 2,405 seats on risers plus capacity for 1,000 theater-style on main floor. 946 guestPAGE rooms nearby; 3,500 downtown hotel rooms; 26,000 citywide. 93 FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

ARKANSAS

Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau

101 S. Spring Street, 4th Floor, Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 376-4781; (800) 844-4781 LittleRockMeetings.com Vice President Sales & Services: Alan Sims Meetings are better with a Southern accent CALIFORNIA

Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau

301 E. Ocean Blvd., Suite 1900, Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 436-3645 visitlongbeach.com President & CEO: Steve Goodling

CALIFORNIA

Los Angeles Convention Center 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015 (213) 741-1151 lacclink.com Director of Sales: Sandra Lady

NEW JERSEY

Meadowlands Exposition Center 355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ 07094 (201) 330-7773; (800) 400-3976; Fax: (201) 330-1172 mecexpo.com Regional General Manager: Robin Cuneo Your cost effective alternative to NYC

As the state capital, Little Rock is renowned for its hospitality, culture and charm. There are approximately 9,500 rooms in the greater Little Rock metropolitan area. Major local attractions include the William J. Clinton Presidential Center & Park, Arkansas Arts Center, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, Old State House Museum, and Heifer International and Heifer Village. The Statehouse Convention Center offers 82,892 sq. ft. total exhibit space; 16 meeting rooms. The 418-room Little Rock Marriott is physically connected to the Convention Center. Additionally, Arkansas’s premier performing arts facility, the Robinson Center, completed a $70 million reimagining and expansion in November 2016. The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, with over 400,000 sq. ft. of modern, flexible exhibit and meeting space, is located in the center of the downtown waterfront with sweeping harbor views. Groups have 4,500 hotel rooms at their disposal, 3,000 within walking distance of the Convention Center. With more than 11 miles of sandy beachfront, inland waterways and bays, Long Beach is a watersport paradise. Attractions include The Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, The Pike Outlets, Shoreline Village, Whale Watching and Harbor Tours, Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach Museum of Art, PAGE Belmont Shore, Retro Row, and downtown dining and nightlife. 39 The Los Angeles Convention Center attracts millions of visitors annually and is renowned internationally as a prime site for conventions, tradeshows and exhibitions. Located in the cultural, business and entertainment mecca of Downtown Los Angeles, the LACC is the largest U.S. convention center to achieve LEED Gold EB-OM recertification. The facility offers multifunctional event space, advanced technological functionality and first-class service. The LACC houses 867,000 sq. ft. of event space, including 64 meeting rooms; large exhibit halls; and a newly renovated 299-seat theater. Neighboring the LACC is PAGE downtown L.A.’s sports and entertainment district, L.A. LIVE. 41 With an outstanding location five miles outside Manhattan, the Meadowlands Exposition Center is accessible to public transportation and major highways and only minutes from Newark Liberty Airport. 61,000 sq. ft. of continuous exhibition space; five seminar rooms. 65,000 sq. ft. of meeting/exhibition space, including five meeting rooms; theater seating: 5,000. Internet, Wifi, and all audiovisual needs; onsite decorator. Catering for up to 5,000. 1,500+ hotel rooms. Free parking. Attractions: MetLife Stadium, IZOD Center, Meadowlands Racetrack, Secaucus Outlet Center, 25+ restaurants, 16 movie screens, health club. PAGE 65

NEW JERSEY

Meet AC

2314 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 449-7100; (844) 855-6338 (MEET); Fax: (609) 345-6704 meetac.com President and CEO: Jim Wood Your Northeast Business Address FLORIDA

Miami Beach Convention Center

1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (786) 276-2600; (305) 673-7435 miamibeachconvention.com Director of Sales & Marketing: Ileana Garcia

ALABAMA

Mobile Convention Center

One South Water Street, Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 208-2001 mobileconventions.com Director Sales & Marketing: Cheryl Ann Gee Service, Style, Success

Atlantic City is a hidden gem along the New Jersey shoreline, offering visitors much more than a seaside destination. Atlantic City is made up of more than 15,500 first-class hotel rooms that will suit the perfect accommodations for your attendees’ complete comfort and relaxation. The Atlantic City Convention Center is located within a few hours’ drive of nearly one third of the nation’s population and 20 percent of the country’s business addresses. The Atlantic City Convention Center provides 600,000 contiguous sq. ft. of exhibit space, as well as 45 meeting rooms, ample pre-function space and all the amenities you PAGE 11 would expect. The Miami Beach Convention Center is undergoing a $615 million renovation and expansion, which will set a high standard of excellence and redefine meeting and entertainment solutions when hosting large-scale business, trade, civic and cultural events. Built in 1957, the center has expanded from its original 108,000 sq. ft. to its current size of 1.2 million sq. ft. The new 1.4 million-sq.-ft., LEED-certified facility will include a 60,000-sq.-ft. grand ballroom, additional meeting rooms, a 20,000-sq.-ft. glass rooftop junior ballroom, advanced technology, and new versatile indoor/outdoor public spaces. The reimagined Miami PAGE Beach Convention Center is unveiling in 2018 but open for business now. 71 Winner of numerous architectural awards, the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center takes full advantage of its waterfront setting with outdoor terraces, riverwalks and expansive riverfront windows affording panoramic views from pre-function areas. The facility offers 319,000 sq. ft. of function space, including a 100,000-sq.-ft. Main Exhibit Hall, 15,000-sq.-ft. ballroom and 18 breakout rooms. Mobile Bay is home to numerous unique attractions such as USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park, the Gulf Coast Exploreum, Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Civil War Trail and more.

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STATE

Mohegan Sun

1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, CT 06382 (877) 204-7100 mohegansun.com Vice President of Exhibitions & Convention Sales: John Washko hotelsales@mohegansun.com FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

In June, Mohegan Sun opened the Earth Expo & Convention Center, which includes the 125,000-sq.-ft. Expo Center, 20,000-sq.-ft. Earth Ballroom and 15 meeting rooms. The new facility complements the Sky Convention Center and brings the total meeting space to 275,000 sq. ft., including 145,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, two highly divisible ballrooms and 46 breakout/meeting rooms. The property offers 1,600 guestrooms between the Sky Tower and Earth Tower, three casinos, two Mandara spas, an 18-hole golf course and over 80 dining and retail outlets. Four entertainment venues are onsite: the 325-seat Comix comedy club, PAGE 350-seat Wolf Den, 400-seat Cabaret Theatre and the 10,000-seat Mohegan Sun Arena. 3 119

WISCONSIN

Monona Terrace Convention Center

One John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53703 (608) 261-4000; Fax: (608) 261-4049 mononaterrace.com Sales/Event Services Manager: Laura MacIsaac, CMP Where Business and Inspiration Meet JAMAICA

Montego Bay Convention Centre Half Moon P.O. Box 4058, Rose Hall, St. James, Jamaica, West Indies (876) 622-9330; Fax: (876) 622-9360 mbconventioncentre.com A World Class Convention Centre in the Heart of Jamaica

LOUISIANA

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 900 Convention Center Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 19107 (504) 582-3023; Fax: (504) 582-3032 mccno.com Director of Sales: Elaine Williams, CMP FLORIDA

Ocean Center Convention Center 101 North Atlantic Avenue Daytona Beach, FL 32118 (386) 254-4522; Fax: (386) 254-4512 oceancenter.com Director of Sales: Lori Hunter The Great Florida Venue! FLORIDA

Orange County Convention Center West Concourse – 9800 International Drive, South Concourse – 9899 International Drive, North Concourse – 9400 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32819 (407) 685-9800, (800) 345-9845; Fax: (407) 685-9876 occc.net Director of Sales: Rodney Gutierrez, CMP OREGON

Oregon Convention Center

777 NE MLK, Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR 97232 (503) 235-7575; Fax: (503) 731-7802 oregoncc.org Director of Sales: Cindy Wallace, CMP, CMM

FLORIDA

Palm Beach County Convention Center

650 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33410 (561) 366-3000; Fax: (561) 366-3001 pbconventioncenter.com sales@pbconventioncenter.com The Best of Everything for Every Event CALIFORNIA

Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau

300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 (800) 307-7977; Fax: (626) 795-9656 PasadenaMeetings.com Executive Director: Jeanne O’Grady Goldschmidt

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Located in the heart of Madison’s vibrant downtown on the shore of Lake Monona, this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed, spectacular five-level structure features public promenades, meeting rooms with striking lake views, extensive rooftop gardens and the attached 240-room Hilton Madison (1,000+ rooms within walking distance); 250,000 sq. ft., including 85,000 sq. ft. of meeting/exhibit space; 23 meeting rooms; 40,000-sq.-ft. main exhibit hall; 5,540-sq.-ft., 315seat lecture hall; 14,000-sq.-ft. ballroom; 68,000 sq. ft. of rooftop gardens available for events. Wireless access throughout – Internet 2 access; business center, gift shop, art/exhibit PAGE area and expansive areas for registration/information needs. 94 A beautiful, lively city, Montego Bay offers a memorable experience for meeting attendees; excellent hotels, inns and guest houses; and great golf, music and a vibrant culture. With an oceanfront location and breathtaking views, the state-of-the-art Montego Bay Convention Centre features 139,000 sq. ft. of meeting, exhibition, ballroom and plenary space, including: 57,525 sq. ft. of dedicated exhibition space; a 18,684-sq.-ft. ballroom; nine meeting rooms; 6,000-seat theater; a large, full-service kitchen within the facility; and more than 4,000 PAGE hotel rooms nearby. 113 The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is located in the Warehouse/Arts District, in walking distance to 20,000 hotel rooms and the historic French Quarter. The Center houses 1.1 million sq. ft. of exhibit space; a 60,300 sq. ft. divisible, column-free ballroom; 140 meeting rooms; a 4,000-seat theater; and a 1-gigabit per-second fiber-optic Internet backbone that is 100-percent redundant. Plans are currently underway for a new $65 million linear park that will update the urban environment with a tree-lined pedestrian plaza, outdoor event space and fountains. Plans also call for a multi-modal transportation hub where shuttles will collect and attendees will PAGE experience a grand new covered entrance with a series of moving sidewalks. 75 With sweeping architecture, dramatic pre-event areas and captivating art galleries, the Ocean Center Convention Center in Daytona Beach goes far beyond the average venue to offer an engaging experience that is both local and unique. The facility offers 200,000 sq. ft. of flexible space, including a 93,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall, 42,000-sq.-ft. arena, 14,000-sq.ft. ballroom and 32 meeting rooms. Impressive catered functions are a specialty, and qualifying clients can also take advantage of complimentary site visits and possible financial assistance. Upscale hotels and group-friendly restaurants are adjacent and a 10-minute PAGE drive away. Daytona Beach International Airport is serviced by major airlines. 77 The second-largest convention center in the nation, the award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is known as “The Center of Hospitality,” where it’s all about your experience. Come experience seven million total sq. ft. of meeting space, including 2.1 million sq. ft. of total exhibition space, 74 meeting rooms/235 breakout meeting rooms, the 48,961-sq.-ft. Tangerine Ballroom, the newly renovated 62,182-sq.-ft. Valencia Ballroom and the state-of-the-art networking Destination Lounge. Additionally, the OCCC boasts a 2,643-seat theater and a 160-seat lecture hall. Directly connected by pedestrian PAGE bridge to 5,000 luxury guestrooms. 45 Oregon Convention Center (OCC) features a one million-sq.-ft. campus with 255,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, 52 meeting rooms, two VIP suites, and two grand ballrooms. High ceilings accommodate audiovisual, high-speed Internet/Wi-Fi and ample electrical connections throughout. A wide variety of concessions, two Portland Roasting cafes and the Stir Bistro & Lounge serve the exhibit halls and lobbies. A LEED Platinum-certified building, OCC has installed one of the largest solar power arrays on a convention center in the U.S. and recently upgraded many lighting fixtures with energy-efficient LEDs. The new 600-room block PAGE Hyatt Regency Portland hotel is scheduled to open across the street by January 2020. 101 Spanning 350,000 sq. ft., the Palm Beach County Convention Center houses 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, a 12,321-sq.-ft. Grand Ballroom and 19 meeting rooms. The 400-room Hilton West Palm Beach is connected by an enclosed corridor. Surrounding entertainment destinations include CityPlace, featuring a variety of restaurants, shopping, theater and other activities; Kravis Center for the Performing Arts; Clematis Street, with restaurants and nightlife; and Palm Beach Island, located one mile from the beach. Palm Beach International Airport is 4.1 miles away. Recent renovations and upgrades include LED lighting throughout the entire exhibit hall, PAGE new carpeting, front courtyard and a separate 2,500 parking space garage. 79 Pasadena offers groups year-long warm weather, five-star accommodations, endless shopping and entertainment options, and more restaurants per capita than New York City. There are over 2,500 guestrooms citywide, more than 1,200 of which are within walking distance of the Pasadena Convention Center. The expanded Pasadena Convention Center features a 55,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall (expandable to 80,000 sq. ft.), a newly restored 17,000-sq.-ft. historic exhibit hall, 25,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, 29 meeting rooms, 3,000-seat Civic Auditorium and a 22,000-sq.-ft. outdoor plaza. Major local attractions include the Historic Rose Bowl PAGE Stadium, Pasadena Playhouse, Norton Simon Museum and Pacific Asia Museum. 103 FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania Convention Center 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 418-4700 meetphl.com President and CEO: Julie Coker Graham The Complete Package ARIZONA

Phoenix Convention Center & Venues 100 North Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 262-6225; Fax: (800) 282-4842 phoenixconventioncenter.com Deputy Director: Jerry Harper Commitment to Excellence COLORADO

Pueblo Convention Center 320 Central Main St., Pueblo, CO 81003 (719) 542-1100; Fax: (719) 583-9351 puebloconventioncenter.com Director of Sales: Katera Buckland

The LEED-certified Pennsylvania Convention Center features one million sq. ft. of saleable space, the ability to host two major tradeshows simultaneously, 82 meeting rooms, 528,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, two ballrooms (including the 55,408-sq.-ft. Terrace Ballroom) and a Grand Hall housed in the historic Reading Railroad train shed. More than 9,000 hotel rooms are within a 15-minute walk of the center, whose North Broad Street entrance connects to the Avenue of the Arts and Museum Mile. Nearby are the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rodin PAGE Museum, Franklin Institute and other major cultural institutions. 6 The award-winning Phoenix Convention Center & Venues (PCC&V) is within walking distance of shopping, entertainment, sports and theater venues, and is just four miles from Sky Harbor International Airport. There are more than 3,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of the center and more that 6,000 hotel rooms located along the Metro Light Rail System. Named one of the top-10 convention center facilities in the country, PCC&V offers more than 900,000 sq. ft. of meeting and exhibit space, including a 312,500-sq.-ft. main exhibit hall and a 46,000-sq.-ft. ballroom — all complemented by the 2,312-seat PAGE Symphony Hall and the 1,364-seat historic Orpheum Theatre. 1 The Pueblo Convention Center, managed by Spectra, currently offers over 20,000 sq. ft. of function space, including 16,200 sq. ft. of premium exhibit hall and ballroom space, 3,000 sq. ft. in five inviting meeting rooms and a generous 2,120-sq.-ft. pre-function lounge, making the facility ideal destination for your next meeting, conference, convention, tradeshow or banquet. Complemented by a 166-room Courtyard Marriott, the Pueblo Convention Center is scheduled for an expansion in 2018. PAGE 111

PUERTO RICO

Puerto Rico Convention Center

100 Convention Boulevard, San Juan, PR 00907 (787) 641-7722; Fax: (787) 300-6736 prconvention.com Director of Sales & Marketing: Margaret Colon Do Your Thing

MARYLAND

Roland E. Powell Convention Center

4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842 (800) 626-2326; Fax: (410) 289-0058 ococean.com

CALIFORNIA

Sacramento Convention Center 1030 15th Street, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 808-5291; Fax: (916) 808-7687 sacramentoconventioncenter.com

MISSOURI

St. Charles Convention Center

One Convention Center Plaza, St. Charles, MO 63303 (636) 669-3000; Fax: (636) 669-3001 stcharlesconventioncenter.com Director of Sales & Marketing: Katie Conoyer, CMP Your Experience is Our Promise

LOUISIANA

Shreveport Convention Center 400 Caddo St., Shreveport, LA 71101 (318) 841-4000; Fax: (318) 841-4040 shreveportcenter.com Director of Sales & Marketing: Erika Wysong

The Puerto Rico Convention Center offers a total of 600,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including 153,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, a 26,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, 30 meeting rooms a 600-capacity theater. PSAV provides audiovisual and event technology support to the facility. High-speed Internet access offered throughout. VIP Lounge opened in March 2018. The Convention District includes the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, Hyatt Place San Juan and Hyatt House San Juan. The convention center is four minutes away from domestic airport Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci and 15 minutes away from Luis Muñoz Marín PAGE International Airport. 9 Ocean City, MD, offers some of the world’s best golf courses, a free beach, seasonal festivals and fishing. Its contemporary convention center has expanded to 214,000 sq. ft. of meeting/exhibition space with 25 meeting rooms including two executive boardrooms; a 45,000-sq.-ft. Main Exhibit Hall (76,000 sq. ft. total exhibit space); and a 30,000-sq.-ft. Grand Ballroom with 35-ft. ceilings and panoramic bay-views. Offers wireless Internet and 1,000+ free parking spaces. Ocean City Information & Welcome Center onsite; catering and beverage services; 9,500 hotel rooms and 29,000 rentable condos. Located 28 miles PAGE from Salisbury-Ocean City Airport. 68 Small-town friendly with big-city amenities, Sacramento hosts over six million visitors annually. Located in the heart of downtown, the Sacramento Convention Center features 31 meeting rooms; two 10,000-sq.-ft. registration/pre-function areas; Exhibit Hall – 134,000 sq. ft. contiguous space/divisible into five separate areas; 25,000-sq.-ft. ballroom (1,500 banquet-style/2,500 theater style), divisible into 10 meeting rooms. Activity Building is a fully carpeted, 11,200-sq.-ft. facility with 12 meeting rooms, connected by concourse to the exhibit hall. 4,000-seat Memorial Auditorium; 2,452-seat Community Center Theater. 2,000 hotels within walking distance; PAGE 10,000 citywide. Classique Catering; Starbucks. 107 Managed by Spectra Venue Management since opening in 2005, the Saint Charles Convention Center boasts 154,000 sq. ft. of flexible space, accommodating a wide range of events from 10-3,000 attendees. An IAVM Venue Excellence Award Winner, the Center offers 1,200 free parking spaces, 21 meeting rooms and breakouts, two elegant ballrooms, and an expandable exhibit hall with carpet and drape options. In-house services include delicious F&B, experienced event planners, audiovisual, decorating, onsite security, marketing and more. Attached to the 296-suite Embassy Suites – Saint Charles Hotel, part PAGE of the 2,100 hotel rooms within one mile of the facility. 37 The Shreveport Convention Center is a multipurpose, state-of-the-art 350,000-sq.-ft. facility designed to accommodate any event, from major conventions and tradeshows to intimate gatherings. The Center houses 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, a 18,212-sq.-ft. ballroom and 10 meeting rooms. It’s located just blocks from restaurants and clubs in the Red River Entertainment District, the dancing water fountains of River View Park, and the familyfriendly entertainment at Sci-Port Discovery Center. The 313-room Hilton Hotel Shreveport is connected to the Shreveport Convention Center. PAGE 84

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

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Spokane is one part urban, one part raw, natural beauty. This gorgeous, bustling city connects meeting attendees with a walkable downtown filled with stores, restaurants, tasting rooms and craft breweries. Spokane offers planners and attendees what many cities can’t: luxury and affordability. You’ll find some of the most beautiful hotels and fine dining that rival anything you’ll find in bigger cities, but at a better value. With three hotels connected to the Convention Center, it’s simple to stay, work and play. Traffic isn’t an issue. Spokane International Airport (named one of the Top 10 most efficient in the country) is less PAGE than 10 minutes from downtown Spokane and the Convention Center District. 109

WASHINGTON

Spokane Convention Center

334 West Spokane Falls Boulevard, Spokane, WA 99201 (509) 279-7000 spokanecenter.com Director of National Accounts: Jessica Deri

As the Capital of Silicon Valley, San Jose is known as a business mecca, but also offers a variety of sophisticated entertainment options for delegates. The Winchester Mystery House, Tech Museum of Innovation, Levi’s Stadium, Center for Performing Arts, San Pedro Square Market and San Jose Museum of Art are all in easy access of the city’s 8,000 hotel rooms (4,000 committable on peak). Rather than handing planners off to other organizations once the meeting is booked, Team San Jose does it all, from housing, convention center and facility event services to customized F&B menus, permits and special events.

CALIFORNIA

Team San Jose

408 Almaden Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95110 (800) SAN-JOSE sanjose.org Director of Sales: Mark McMinn

The Utah Valley Convention Center is located just 45 minutes south of Salt Lake City in historic Downtown Provo. Surrounded by over 1,300 hotel rooms, this LEED Silver-certified building offers flexible exhibit and meeting space, including: 16 meeting rooms, 20,000-sq.ft. Exhibit Hall, 17,000-sq.-ft. Grand Ballroom, and rooftop garden terrace with panoramic mountain views of the Wasatch Mountains. The Utah Valley Convention Center offers inhouse catering and audiovisual, complimentary Wi-Fi, and exhibitor and decorator services. Two national chain hotels and more than 55 unique restaurants are within walking PAGE distance to the convention center. 110

UTAH

Utah Valley Convention Center

220 W. Center Street, Suite 200, Provo, UT 84601 (801) 851-2200; Fax: (801) 851-2220 UtahValleyCC.com Director of Sales & Marketing: Suzanne Stratton We make meetings matter!

Jackson offers one of the region’s lowest tourism taxes, and provides one of the best complimentary meeting services packages in the nation. With new properties like the Westin Jackson and the Residence Inn, two new museums — the Mississippi Museum of History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, and a smorgasbord of restaurant offerings, Jackson is revitalized. The Jackson Convention Complex features 330,000 sq. ft. of flexible exhibit, ballroom and meeting space. A LEED-certified facility, the Complex offers first-rate amenities, state-of-the-art technologies and in-house catering services by SAVOR…Jackson. There are 4,300 hotel rooms citywide, including four convention hotels with 968 total guestrooms.

MISSISSIPPI

Visit Jackson

111 E Capitol Street, Ste. 102, Jackson, MS 39201 (800) 354-7695, (601) 960-1891; Fax: (601) 960-1827 visitjackson.com Vice President of Sales: Shun Hatten Where Mississippi Meets the World

As one of the leading meeting destinations in the country, Orlando offers a world of possibilities for unique meetings and events. From low-cost accessibility and a top-rated convention center to a wide variety of hotels and world-class entertainment options, Orlando is an exciting gateway city for meetings of all sizes. Whether networking with colleagues at 400 ft. atop the ICON Orlando or hosting a private event in one of the world-class theme parks, no other destination delivers excitement quite like Orlando. With over 200 unique venues amongst the city’s five retail, dining and entertainment complexes, as well as its three major theme parks, PAGE Orlando will elevate the “wow” factor of your next meeting. 17

FLORIDA

Visit Orlando

6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32821 (800) 643-0482 OrlandoMeeting.com Senior Vice President, Convention Sales & Services: Fred Shea

Savannah, Georgia’s oldest city, charms visitors with its 22 historic squares, canopy of live oaks veiled in Spanish moss, ornate historic homes and leisurely pace of life. The city has the capacity to accommodate large groups in its meeting facilities, the largest being the Savannah Convention Center. Total event space: 330,000 sq. ft.; exhibit space: 100,000 sq. ft.; ballroom: 25,000 sq. ft.; pre-function space: 6,600 sq. ft.; meetings rooms: 13. 14,000 hotel rooms citywide and growing.

GEORGIA

Visit Savannah

101 East Bay Street, Savannah, GA 31401 (877) SAVANNAH; (912) 644-6424; Fax: (912) 644-6499 SavannahMeetings.com VisitSavannah.com VP Business Development & Services: Jeff Hewitt

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Situated in the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin houses 2,270 guestrooms and suites with the finest amenities. Recently, the hotel completed a $150 million renovation of all guestrooms, meeting and public spaces. Groups have over 331,000 sq. ft. of meeting and function space including 86 meeting rooms, 110,500 sq. ft. of contiguous convention/exhibit space, outdoor areas and two business centers. There are 17 world-class restaurants and lounges onsite including Todd English’s bluezoo, the famed Il Mulino New York Trattoria and Shula’s Steak House. Unique PAGE SON benefits make the hotel the perfect location for a meeting or event. Disney EA 83 -S IN S AY E ALW

FLORIDA

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

1500 Epcot Resorts Boulevard Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 WHERE (800) 524-4939; (407) 934-4290 SwanDolphinMeetings.com Director of Sales and Marketing: Gino Marasco NEW JERSEY

SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS

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AND EVEN

Wildwoods Convention Center

4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260 (800) 992-9732; (609) 729-9000; Fax: (609) 846-2631 wildwoodscc.com

Located on the world famous Wildwoods Boardwalk directly overlooking the beach and ocean, the 260,000-sq.-ft. Wildwoods Convention Center accommodates groups as small as 100 or as large as 10,000. Located within a day’s drive of one-third of America’s population, the venue includes a 75,000-sq.-ft. exhibition hall that can be split into two 37,500-sq.-ft. areas; 20,000 sq. ft. of ballroom and meeting space; a 6,600-sq.-ft. oceanfront deck for pre-functions; and 30,000 sq. ft. of lobby and pre-function space. Voice and data communication in exhibit hall floor boxes. Full in-house catering/concession services. Onsite PAGE parking for over 700 vehicles. Free WiFi for attendees. 36 FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

122 treats to

s, and car show t to antique eting and even me concerts big time r year after year Center! de ntion

FROM STEEL TO SUSTAINABLE Located in Downtown Pittsburgh, the LEEDÂŽ Platinum Certified David L. Lawrence Convention Center effectively blends unparalleled space, functionality, and flexibility to offer event producers, exhibitors, and visitors a location for an extraordinary event experience.

THE ALLIANCE DIFFERENCE The Pittsburgh Alliance is comprised of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, VisitPittsburgh, & major hotels in downtown. We are committed to understanding your organizational vision & mission and are ready to deliver an exceptional guest experience. Our customized approach focuses on your distinct needs, and promises to provide quality and cost savings at your next major event.

Contact Kelli Donahoe, CMP, Director of Sales & Marketing David L Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA (412) 325-6174 pittsburghcc.com

HOW TO CREATE AN IMMERSIVE BRAND EXPERIENCE From venue selection to subtle design elements, it’s a multifaceted project By Annie Rector, CMP and Kristin Hems, CMP

Annie Rector (right) and Kristin Hems

lanning an event that delivers a brand experience can seem extremely daunting at first. Full immersion with a brand requires strong visuals, engagement opportunities and so much more. You want to make sure that branding is easily visible to attendees, but without forcing logos in their face everywhere they turn. It has taken us a lot of practice and years of experience to get a grip on this concept, and we are still learning new techniques to this day. We have a few guidelines that help us prepare for any branded event we plan, and we want to share those tips with you. We hope these guidelines can assist you in creating a successful brand experience.

FIND OUT WHAT THE EVENT HOST WANTS

This is clearly the first step for any event you plan. You want to make sure that you are on the same page as the meeting owner and that your ideas are cohesive with the overall objective. Once you have a solid understanding of their goals and objectives, you can begin with the fun part, planning!

VENUE IS KEY

We cannot overemphasize the importance of the venue to any successful event. Once you determine the type of branding the meeting owner is looking for, try to find a venue that fits the specific event. You should always have an idea 124

E HAV E P LA CED SM A LL LO GO ST ICKS IN FLO R A L A R R A NGEM ENT S O UT SID E HO T EL R O O M S, BR A ND ED P ENS A ND NO T ECA R D S, A ND EV EN P UT FR O ST ED LO GO ST ICKER S O N HOTEL GLA SS D O O R S. WHEN IT CO M ES T O IM M ER SIV E BR A ND ING, AT T ENT IO N T O D ETA IL IS KEY.

in mind of what you want in a venue before you begin to research sites, so you can more easily find one that provides you with the best opportunity. Here are some pointers when searching for that perfect venue: Find a hotel on theme. You want to pick a site that flows with the overall event. For instance, if your event is for a company or brand that is known for luxury, find a hotel that is known for its elegance and luxurious amenities. Partnering with an ideal venue means that you don’t have to put as much effort into trying to get the venue to fit the brand. More hotel rooms allow for more branding opportunities. If a hotel allows for complete buyouts for events, it will provide you with the opportunity to fully transform the venue. In the past, we have gone as far as placing hotel workers in uniforms that express the event theme; branding room keys, cocktail napkins and elevator buttons; and even creating specialty cocktails at the hotel bar that fit the brand and/or theme. Completely branding a venue is where you can let your creativity flow. Look for individual branding opportunities at hotels. When looking for a venue, you want to keep an eye out for individual branding opportunities the hotel provides. Keep these questions in mind when hunting for a venue: • Does the hotel allow for the use of AV technology to play or loop commercials for the brand?

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• Does the hotel offer an opportunity for signage or other simple ways to brand? • What can you bring into the venue to tie onto existing signage? In the past, we have staged vehicles in the hotel lobby and, more simply, utilized chalkboards in sleeping rooms to draw a company logo and welcome message.

SUBTLE BRANDING

While some of the suggestions we have provided might not seem so subtle (like placing hotel staff in themed uniforms or putting a car in the lobby), it is crucial to use subtle branding elements whenever you can. An important point to keep in mind is that branding does not always have to mean a logo. Branding can be as simple as matching style to the overall theme (e.g., finding a hotel already on brand). Subtle branding can include going from a circle to a square in signage, or changing colors around the venue to match the event theme. Subtle branding varies from hotel to hotel, so this is another thing to keep in mind when searching for that perfect venue. As explained in the section above, look for individual opportunities at the hotel that can allow for subtle branding. For example, we have made the simple change of switching pillows on pool lounge furniture to be more in line with a brand. A quick and simple change like this transforms the

space to be more brand-centric. We have also incorporated branded stir sticks and customized coffee sleeves, placed small logo sticks in floral arrangements outside hotel rooms, branded pens and notecards, and even put frosted logo stickers on hotel glass doors. When it comes to immersive branding, attention to detail is key. We know that the challenge of creating a compelling brand experience can seem overwhelming. But if you follow these tips throughout your events, eventually you’ll become a branding pro. Annie Rector and Kristin Hems are the owners of Third Avenue Events. Third Avenue Events is a thirdparty event management company launched in late 2014 with the Women Business Enterprise certification. The company focuses on planning logistics and onsite execution for a broad range of events: meetings for five to 5,000, incentive trips, tradeshows, product launches and more. Together, Rector and Hems bring over 20 years of planning experience to each event they plan. They have both earned, and maintain, the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation, showing a commitment to meetings and event industry standards.

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BUDGETING BEST PRACTICES Manage meeting finances from start to finish with these 4 guidelines By Dani Korth, CMP

rom the very first thought about holding a meeting all the way through the post-conference portion, financial management is a key component. Putting together a budget is the first step to any meeting, whether there is an initial budget outcome in mind or the budget is the tool to figure out what a meeting will cost. The budget can either be built from scratch if it is a first-time meeting, or built from prior years’ budgets if the meeting has a history. The following best practices are very important when it comes to building a meeting budget and using it as a tool throughout the planning process.

1. DETERMINING THE FINANCIAL OUTCOME

There are three possible financial outcomes for a meeting that will essentially build the big picture. The organization needs to determine which one applies before numbers hit the spreadsheet. Profit: The meeting will make money; income will exceed expenses Break-even: The meeting will balance out, with equal income and expenses Loss: The meeting will lose money; expenses will exceed income Once the outcome is determined, the budget begins to take form.

• • •

2. BREAKING DOWN THE BUDGET

Each part of the budget has a certain role and needs to be monitored consistently and frequently throughout the planning process to keep track of the end goal. There are several categories of expenses, and it is important to recognize the difference. TYPES OF EXPENSES

• Variable Costs: Those expenses that do change based on the number of attendees (e.g., food and beverage, transportation and hotel lodging)

DETAILED LISTING OF EXPENSES

When drafting a budget, including every expense, no matter how small, will only benefit the budget in the end. Compiling the most accurate information and numbers will take time and research. Expenses should always include tax and service charge where applicable, as leaving these additions out can really hurt the budget by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Below are some examples of line items to include: Sleeping rooms Offsite functions (including tax) Security Audiovisual Photographer/ Audience response videographer systems Signs Printing Badges Marketing Administrative/ Transportation management fees Staffing Website and Gratuities registration system Food and beverage Décor Union fees Entertainment Electrical and power fees Room/facility rental Shipping Internet Speaker expenses Gifts/giveaways

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Each meeting and organization has unique needs and expenses; a budget template that includes all of the above categories that can be customized from program to program will be a critical tool for success. INCOME

If the financial goal for your meeting is to break even or be profitable, it is essential to have an informed yet conservative estimation of income. Finding creative sources of income — beyond registration fees — is a way to overcome deficits or to make money on a conference that has many expenses. Some of these include: Meal fees: A per-meal fee that attendees can choose to sign up for and pay based on what they select Pre-conference event fees: Additional fees for specialized workshops, on top of the flat registration fee

• Indirect Costs: “Back of the house” costs such as overhead and administrative expenses • Fixed Costs: Expenses that will remain the same no • matter how many attendees come (e.g., signage, décor • and audiovisual)

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R • Sponsorships • In-kind donations • Silent auction • • • •

E - P RO J E CT I N G F O R U N E X PE CT E D E X PE N S E S A N D T RA CK I N G AT T E N D AN CE N U M B E RS U P U N T I L T H E D AY B E F O RE T H E M E E T I N G AND ONSITE WILL HELP TO A L L E V I AT E A N Y S U RP RI S E S AT THE END OF THE MEETING

within the conference Product sales Exhibit booth or table-top sales (for meetings with limited exhibit space) Rebates or commissions from the hotel Complimentary sleeping room allotment, if it is allowable to apply these to the master account

In summary, every meeting benefits from a well-organized budget put in place at the very beginning of the planning process. Whether one is planning for a deficit, to make money or to break-even, the budget is an important tool to making any meeting a success. Dani Korth, CMP, is a Meeting Architect at Kinsley Meetings in Littleton, CO. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Tourism and Events at Metropolitan State University and has over seven years of experience in the meetings industry. She works with a wide variety of clients, from association to corporate, and on meetings of all sizes.

3. MONITORING THE BUDGET

Keeping a close eye on the budget as you prepare and plan for the meeting is one of the most important steps in the budget process. Re-projecting for unexpected expenses and tracking attendance numbers up until the day before the meeting and onsite will help to alleviate any surprises at the end of the meeting. Preparing a meeting owner for budget variations — whether an internal boss or a client for an external planner — is a key role for a meeting manager.

CARTOON CORNER

4. AVOIDING MISTAKES

Knowing how to avoid mistakes in the first place is the best way to budget and prevent those unpleasant surprises at the end. Here are some typical errors: Budgeting too late in the planning process Overestimating income Not including fees, service fees and taxes Including tax if the end client is tax exempt Not adding a percentage increase to food and beverage costs for a meeting that is in the future. Prices tend to increase yearly, and if not accounted for, the increases can negatively affect the bottom line Not taking into account hidden fees within food and beverage menus (e.g., chef attendant fee, additional fee for smaller groups, extra alcohol taxes) Calculating a variable expense as a fixed expense Not negotiating deals and costs with the hotel before signing a contract Using the contracted food and beverage minimum as the actual expense

• • • • • • • • •

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BRINGING THE BEST ON STAGE Tips on sourcing and working with speakers from a National Speakers Association planner By Ceré Netters, CMP

rom finding the right speakers to preparing them for the event to measuring the ROI from their presentations, the speaker component of a meeting is not something to take lightly. Speakers and their content are among the primary reasons people attend events. I’m often asked what goes through my mind when I’m sourcing and working with speakers — especially now that I work for the National Speakers Association (NSA). Here are some typical questions in this key area of meeting planning:

WHERE DO I FIND THE RIGHT SPEAKERS?

Speaker bureaus are a good place to start because they represent a variety of speakers; however, they don’t always represent newer speakers who are transitioning to a full-time speaking career but are very much subject matter experts because of their extensive professional background. Speakers belong to so many different organizations and associations outside of bureaus. Consider looking into organizations that focus on the topic you’re interested in. Events industry organizations such as MPI, PCMA, HSMAI and IAEE are also great resources. Not to toot my own horn, but NSA is home to many of these amazing speakers that cover every topic imaginable from different backgrounds. And don’t forget the power of word of mouth. Ask around! The best referrals can often come from your peers and industry partners.

SHOULD I HIRE A CELEBRITY SPEAKER?

Depending on who they are and their background, celebrity speakers can easily create a buzz and bring in registrations. However, I often see groups contracting celebrities who have almost nothing do with the educational focus of their event. This can be beneficial, or it could harm your entire event. Anyone in the limelight is always subject to public scrutiny. If that speaker has a bad reputation, or earns one before your event, it could have serious repercussions on your attendance if the speaker has already been contracted and publicized. On the other hand, celebrity speakers can 128

often create a different level of excitement that can generate more attendance (and revenue) for your event. My advice would be to make sure you know your audience first and decide if a celebrity speaker would help motivate them to register. When considering a celebrity speaker, also think about any additional costs that should be accounted for, such as private security, a more luxurious guestroom or private transportation.

HOW SHOULD VETTING A SPEAKER WORK?

It’s important to thoroughly read the description of the presentation the speaker has submitted. Ask for video snippets of speeches, testimonials and references. In my experience, most speakers will ask for the demographics of your audience — assuming it wasn’t already provided in the RFP — to help them determine if they would be a good fit. There are many questions to consider once you’re interested in a proposal: Is the speaker able to customize his or her presentation for your group? Will the speaker provide your attendees with a copy of the presentation? Are you paying for the speaker’s travel costs? Where will the speaker be before your event? Are you planning on recording the session, and is the speaker OK with that?

• • • •

After you’ve started conversations with the potential speaker, explain what’s important to your audience and your organization. You’ll often find that the right speaker will identify with your goals, and that will translate to a stronger presentation.

HOW ARE SPEAKER FEES TRENDING?

The speaking industry is changing, and many speakers recognize that organizations are asking for fewer keynotes and more brief, interactive sessions. Technology and virtual engagement are becoming a serious game-changer, and speakers are having to keep up with the trends to ensure they remain relevant and competitive. Speaker fees are changing as well. Technology can either drive up costs or lower them. It really depends on what you as the planner are asking from the presenter. Live face-to-face FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

HE N P R OMOTI N G S P E AK E RS , D O N ’ T F O RGE T TO L EA N ON THE M AS W E L L . T H E Y O F T E N H AV E SI GNIF IC A NT R EA C H W I T H I N T H E I R N E T W O RK S A N D AR E W IL L ING TO P R O M O T E Y O U R E V E N T AS L O N G A S T HEY CAN HIG HL IG HT THAT T H E Y ARE P RE S E N T I N G. presentation fees seem to be steady, but tend to fluctuate based on the speaker’s popularity, demand and travel costs. When considering a speaker, think about the benefits you have to offer the presenter that amount to little or no cost to your organization. Those value-adds can be used as a negotiation tool to help find a speaker that meets your event budget. Is your organization a nonprofit? Some speakers have special fees for nonprofits. Would you consider booking the speaker for more than one engagement? Discounts can often come with bundling opportunities.

HOW CAN I PREPARE AND PROMOTE THE SPEAKER?

Planners play a vital role in this regard. They are often the main or only contact a presenter has before arriving onsite or delivering a virtual presentation. Planners need to remember to keep the speaker aware of major changes that may affect their travel, presentation, attire, audience or overall experience. Remember that this may be the first time they have interacted with a group like yours. Giving them any additional insight can be beneficial, so they are not blindsided on the platform — those situations not only reflect poorly on the speaker, but also on your organization. When promoting speakers, don’t forget to lean on them as well. They often have significant reach within their networks and are willing to promote your event as long as they can highlight that they are presenting. In the contract phase, ask for the speaker’s headshot, and any form of marketing materials that he or she is willing to share with you. Remember that this is a partnership, not just a client-vendor relationship. Your success is also theirs.

HOW DO I MEASURE SPEAKER ROI?

Determine what the metrics are for your event first; those should come from your overall objectives. Then, while developing content ideas and finding speakers that align with your goals, determine what your ideal audience takeaways should be. Should they be motivated, inspired or have a better educational understanding on a specific topic? Whatever the takeaways are, your metrics should reflect those. Most planners use surveys with basic Likert scale or yes-or-no questions. Dig deeper and consider more impactful questions that make attendees remember their experience. For example, instead of “What was your opinion of this session?” try, “What’s one thing you can implement right away that you learned from this session?” Instead of, “Did you find this session relevant?” try, “What was the most useful component of this presentation?” FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

Also consider using engagement as a metric: Did your audience ask questions? How many questions on average in relation to the audience size? How many poll replies did you receive? How many attendees downloaded the event app? Were the audience questions about content, or were they more about the speaker? Finding the right speaker is not always a simple task, but it’s a crucial one. The professionals in the speaking industry make a living off sharing their expertise and their story. It’s not easy to get up on a platform and speak to the masses; it takes both talent and years of practice. If you put in the work to properly source and prepare speakers, they’ll take your event to the next level. Ceré Netters, CMP, is the Director of Education and Events for the National Speakers Association and a graduate of the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. An Arizona native, she has visited 30 states and plans to visit all 50. She is a lifelong learner and is always striving to learn more about the meetings industry, which she discovered as a college sophomore.

ATLANTIC CITY CONVENTION CENTER TOTAL MEETING SPACE: , SQ FT EXHIBIT HALLS:   WHICH RANGE FROM , TO , SQ FT MEETING ROOMS:  LOCATED WITHIN A FEW HOURS’ DRIVE OF NEARLY ONE THIRD OF THE NATION'S POPULATLON. CENT CENTRAL TO SHOPPING, ENTERTAINMENT AND  RESTAURANTS.

 CONVENTION BLVD. ATLANTIC CITY, NJ  .. MEETAC.COM

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SHALL WE MAKE IT A DATE? We love that your enthusiasm and ambition just keep soaring. That’s why our team is prepping now to kick our eighth show—and your success—up yet another notch. Keep on revolutionizing. Before you know it, October will be here, and we’ll see each other again!

Be the first to register your interest in joining us as at imexamerica.com

#IMEX18

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I N D E X

Akron/Summit CVB....................................................................................................85 Albany Capital Center............................................................................................... 57 Atlantic City Convention Center................................................................... 129 Austin Convention Center................................................................................... C2 Boise Centre..................................................................................................................... 97 Caesars Entertainment............................................................................................... 7 Century Center............................................................................................................... 86 Cobo Center...................................................................................................................... 13 Connecticut Convention Center..................................................................... C4 David L. Lawrence Convention Center...................................................... 123 Duke Energy Convention Center.................................................................... 28 Durham Convention Center................................................................................ 84 Events DC.......................................................................................................................... 33 Explore St. Louis........................................................................................................... C3 Greater Birmingham CVB...................................................................................... 31 Greater Columbus Convention Center....................................................... 89 Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center........ C2 Greater Miami CVB..................................................................................................... 27 Greater Richmond Convention Center....................................................... 67 Grand Wayne Convention Center.................................................................. 90 Hawaii Convention Center.................................................................................... 98 Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland........................................ 91 Iowa Events Center...................................................................................................... 92 IMEX.................................................................................................................................... 130 Javits Center.................................................................................................................... 63 Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center.....61 Kansas City Convention Center....................................................................... 93 Little Rock CVB.............................................................................................................131 Long Beach CVB.......................................................................................................... 39 Los Angeles Convention Center....................................................................... 41

Meadowlands Expo Center................................................................................... 65 Meet AC............................................................................................................................... 11 Miami Beach Convention Center..................................................................... 71 Mobile Convention Center.....................................................................................73 Mohegan Sun..................................................................................................................... 3 Monona Terrace Convention Center............................................................ 94 Montego Bay Convention Center................................................................... 113 New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center............................ 75 Ocean Center................................................................................................................... 77 Orange County Convention Center.............................................................. 45 Oregon Convention Center............................................................................... 101 Palm Beach County Convention Center.................................................... 79 Pasadena CVB.............................................................................................................. 103 Pennsylvania Convention Center....................................................................... 6 Phoenix Convention Center.................................................................................... 1 Pueblo Convention Center.................................................................................. 111 Puerto Rico Convention Center........................................................................... 9 Roland Powell Convention Center/Ocean City CVB...................... 68 Sacramento Convention Center..................................................................... 107 Saint Charles Convention Center.................................................................... 37 Shreveport Convention Center......................................................................... 84 SMG......................................................................................................................................... 14 Solomon Ortiz Convention Center............................................................... 105 Spectra.................................................................................................................................. 24 Utah Valley Convention Center........................................................................110 Visit Orlando.................................................................................................................... 17 Visit Savannah................................................................................................................. 81 Visit Spokane................................................................................................................. 109 Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort....................................... 83 Wildwoods Convention Center......................................................................... 36

Like seeing the city’s beautifully illuminated bridges for the first time, our meeting in Little Rock was unforgettable. Attending an elegant opening reception in the Clinton Presidential Center. Riding the METRO Streetcar to explore the breweries, clubs and restaurants in the River Market. Filling the Statehouse Convention Center with applause. Our meeting here felt different – and such a pleasant surprise. All centered around the personal attention and charming hospitality of Little Rock. “TOP TEN U.S. BEST VALUE DESTINATIONS” TRIVAGO.COM, 2015 – 2017

“MOST TRAVEL-WORTHY STATE CAPITALS” USA TODAY, 2015

“TEN THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT LITTLE ROCK” NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER, 2016

“FIVE SECRET FOODIE CITIES” FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE, 2014

< River Lights in the Rock To see more, go to LittleRock.com

PHOTO: PAUL BARROW

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KELLY CARR

General Manager The Oncenter & Lakeview Amphitheater Syracuse NY elly Carr is General Manager of the Oncenter, which includes the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center. He directed the opening of the Lakeview Amphitheater in 2015. Carr previously served as the Director of Sales & Marketing at the Albuquerque Convention Center in New Mexico. He currently serves on the Visit Syracuse Board of Directors.

DEAN DENNIS

General Manager Atlantic City Convention Center Atlantic City, NJ pectra named Dean Dennis General Manager of the Atlantic City Convention Center in November 2016. He previously served as General Manager of the Owensboro Convention Center, where he and his team doubled the projected number of conventions. Prior to that role, Dennis served as Regional VP, Business Development with Global Spectrum for 13 years.

DOUGLAS M. M CCLAINE

General Manager Albany Capital Center Albany, NY MG promoted Doug McClaine to his current position in July 2016. McClaine continues to serve as Assistant General Manager of the Times Union Center, where he has worked for 18 years in numerous capacities. An active member of the community, McClaine recently received the Voice of Hope Award at the American Cancer Society Capital Region Coaches vs. Cancer Basket “Ball.”

MICHAEL COSTELLI

General Manager Connecticut Convention Center Hartford, CT ichael Costelli, a Connecticut native who has been with Waterford Hotel Group since 1988, is a Certified Hotel Administrator and two-time recipient of Waterford’s General Manager of the Year award. Prior to his appointment at the Connecticut Convention Center, he served in a regional capacity, overseeing 13 properties throughout the Northeast.

F&D -LIST

NORTHEAST CONVENTION CENTER EXECUTIVES JOHN J. M C NICHOL

President & CEO Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority Philadelphia, PA he Pennsylvania Convention Center hosts about 200 events annually, delivering a yearly regional economic impact that exceeds $700 million. John McNichol, who has served as President and CEO since February 2014, has implemented customercentric changes including increased technology and enhancements to the Center’s event-planning services.

FRED PETERSON

Deputy Director Massachusetts Convention Center Authority Boston, MA red Peterson provides strategic leadership and guidance while working to manage and coordinate the goals and polices of the MCCA. Throughout his 18-year career at the organization, Peterson has held a number of roles, including Community Liaison, Director of Business Government & Community Relations, Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Director of Facilities Operations.

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ROBIN CUNEO

Executive Director Meadowlands Exposition Center Secaucus, NJ or over 20 years, Robin Cuneo has been responsible for overseeing all phases of operations and sales/marketing for the Meadowlands Exposition Center and SMG Exposition Services, a full service, inhouse decorating company. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce, where she is the 2016 Legacy Award Honoree.

BLAKE HENRY

General Manager Cross Insurance Center Bangor, ME

n March, Blake Henry joined the City of Bangor and Spectra Venue Management as General Manager of the Cross Insurance Center. A 20-year industry veteran, Henry most recently served as General Manager of the Owensboro Convention Center. Prior to that role, he served as Director of Operations at the Baton Rouge Convention Center, and assisted in the development of the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA.

PAUL MURPHY

General Manager Buffalo Niagara Convention Center Buffalo, NY aul Murphy, a graduate of Florida International University, is a tourism industry veteran of both New York City and Western New York. Prior to rejoining the Buffalo Convention Center in 2001, Murphy was Vice President, Sales & Marketing and General Manager of Beaver Hollow Conference Center in Java Center, NY.

ALAN STEEL

President & CEO Javits Center New York, NY

lan Steel has spent more than 30 years as an event management executive and U.K. trade development official. Prior to his tenure at Javits, Steel was President of tradeshow company GLM (acquired by Emerald Expositions in 2014). The International Association of Exhibitors and Events has presented Steel with the King’s Glove award for his contributions to the tradeshow industry in New York and beyond.

AMANDA WILMOUTH

Assistant General Manager Rhode Island Convention Center & Dunkin’ Donuts Center Providence, RI manda Wilmouth supervises complexwide operations, sales, event services, information technology, and food and beverage. She began her time at the Rhode Island Convention Center as an intern and has advanced to positions of increasing responsibility over the past 12 years. She also served as a Sales Manager with a focus on acquiring new corporate events.

FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2018 SUPERBOOK

AFTER A GOOD MEETING, A GREAT NIGHT’S NEVER FAR AWAY Step outside America’s Center to discover a city begging to be explored. Grab a slice at Pi Pizza, ride the bull at Ballpark Village, or catch a live show at the National Blues Museum. Take a break and find fun right around the corner. Turn your good meeting into a great adventure at explorestlouis.com/meet.

DEFY

EXPECTATIONS YOUR CONVENTION IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

YOUR CONVENTION CENTER SHOULD BE TOO.

www.ctconventions.com Spectacular downtown riverfront location

20 minutes from the airport to downtown

23 million people within 2 1/2 hours

540,000 sq. ft. convention facility, including 140,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space divisible into two halls

HARTFORD, CT

2018 Facilities & Destinations SuperBook

Articles inside

Mohegan Sun