Meeting News - March 10, 2008 - (Page 1)

NEWSMAKER Castle Group’s Sandy Lish p. 10 CONVENTION CENTERS Minority report in Philly p. 14 INTERNATIONAL New players in the Caribbean p. 19 MeetingNews w w w. M e e t i n g N e w s . c o m March 10, 2008 July 16, 2007 The Skies Are Opening Up Flight pact between U.S. and EU takes effect this month; planners optimistic about increased service and competition—despite merger talks Murphy, a Washington, DC-based aviation conNew York—The skies above us have never sulting firm.“I think the long-term effect will be been so open, or so scrutinized. all kinds of new services, comWith the pending debut of petition, and consolidation. the Open Skies agreement, The long-term The consequences are going to between the United States and be pretty interesting and posieffect will be all tive for the consumer.” the European Union, at the end of the month, most onlookers kinds of new servicThe Open Skies agreement are optimistic that completely essentially eliminates the deregulated international trav- es, competition, and restrictions on which carriers el between the continents will could fly to other countries. consolidation. offer more options to groups —Pat Murphy, partner at aviation Open Skies means any Euroconsultancy Gerchick-Murphy and, perhaps, lower prices. pean Union-based carrier will “Open Skies means airlines be able to fly passengers to any are free to fly as much as, and wherever, they American city and vice versa. continued on page 70 want,” said Pat Murphy, partner at GerchickBy Christopher Hosford Hotels & Resorts MARRIOTT ONLINE EASES SMALL GROUP BOOKINGS Brand introduces Web-based booking system for small meetings . see page 12 ICONIC PLAZA HOTEL REOPENS IN BIG APPLE One of Manhattan’s most storied properties begins a new chapter. see page 12 TURNING UP THE HEAT IN SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO As Marriott completes $38M redo, Crowne Plaza announces 2009 property opening. see page 12 Florida Green Guide FACILITY INITIATIVES Hospitality suppliers across the state are making sustainability good business. see page 23 FOOD AND BEVERAGE From organic menu options to eco-friendly serviceware, a green revolution in F&B is occurring. see page 36 RECREATION AND TEAMBUILDING Eco-tours excite but also educate attendees. see page 42 “ ” Destination Insider DALLAS-FORT WORTH Dallas goes for hotel land deal; Omni Fort Worth pushes on. CVBs MeetingNews Exclusive Research Top-notch convention centers have sprung up in mid-tier cities around the U.S. in the last 5 years. How has this affected your 56.2% program planning? 29.8% Do not use covention centers Consider many more cities now Rotate programs to more geographical regions Have not looked elsewhere Easier to negotiate with surrounding hotels because the convention center needs the business0% 23.7% 18.6% 14.4% 7.4% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% see page 56 Tisch Steps Down From NYC & Co. By Rayna Katz SAN DIEGO WEST COAST CUSTOMS: LONG BEACH’S WEB WORK Bureau creates micro-websites that let groups tweak messages and features. see page 17 KOREAN BUSINESS IS IN ‘SEOUL’ OF SAN FRANCISCO SFCVB co-opens rep office in Seoul in anticipation of South Korea’s participation in Visa Waiver Program. see page 17 Hotel news, and public events in which groups can take part. see page 60 50.3% Volume 32/Number 5/$10.00 Source:MeetingNews survey of 312 meeting planners Convention Nation By Phillip Hennessey Slew of venues in smaller cities look to gain favor of planners. see page 22 New York—Although NYC & Company officials seemingly have nothing but praise for the work done by Jonathan Tisch during his sixyear tenure as chairman and board member of the organization—which serves as the city’s convention bureau—its officials last month announced that he was stepping down from both posts, effective immediately. Tisch, chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels, remains involved with two national tourismlobbying groups: the Travel Business Roundtable, of which he is chairman, and the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board. His NYC & Company role will be taken over on an interim basis by Tim Zagat, pioneer (along with wife Nina) of the Zagat Survey, while the bureau searches for a permanent replacement. The announcement comes continued on page 70 TENNESSEE The latest in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. see page 63 BOSTON Renaissance Waterfront makes high-tech meetings its catch. see page 66 http://www.visitgreensboronc.com http://www.MeetingNews.com http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/research/index.jsp

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meeting News - March 10, 2008

Meeting News - March 10, 2008
Contents
What’s Up @ MeetingNews.com
Advertisers Index
MN Webcast Report
Successful Meetings University
Live from the Forum
PASSPORT: Guide to Int'l Marketplace

Meeting News - March 10, 2008