Meeting News - May 5, 2008 - 1

INSIDE THE INDUSTRY Planner tech studied p. 6 GOLF MEETINGS New course in Oregon p. 19 MN WEBCAST REPORT Cutting carbon footprint p. 31 NEWSMAKER Doing the right thing: Carlson Hotels’ new head of responsible biz tackles the job with fervor. page 10 MeetingNews w w w. M e e t i n g N e w s . c o m May 5, 2008 July 16, 2007 Sky-High Merger Delta and Northwest agree on a $3-billion deal to create world’s largest airline, pending approval By Lori Morris Hotels & Resorts MARRIOTT MAKES A HOST OF BIG GREEN MOVES Company promises to offer green meetings program and to help preserve Brazilian rainforest. see page 12 International ANIMAL ADVENTURES NOT INCLUDED In South Africa, safaris are not the only option for incentive programs. see page 16 HONG KONG CC FINISHING MAJOR EXPANSION Facility eyeing big groups as it will be almost a million sf by next spring. see page 16 New York—On April 14, Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines announced a $3-billion merger that is sending ripples through the airline industry. In the wake of this agreement, it is expected that other airlines could forge similar deals, leading to concerns about a new monopolistic air system with less service, higher fares, and more Delta CEO Richard Anderson (left) and frustration for passengers. Northwest CEO Douglas Steeland (right) With airlines facing huge losses due to increasspeak to the press on April 15. ing fuel charges—for every penny per barrel that fuel costs go up, airlines stand to lose as much as $200 million annually—and a general economic slowdown, cost-cutting strategies are at the forefront of every company’s minds. For Delta and Northwest, a merger would save the companies an estimated $1 billion a year. And in a time where smaller airlines are declaring bankruptcy and ceasing operations (see April 21 MN cover story), and the number one airline is reporting losses of $328 million in just the first quarter of continued on page 32 GAYLORD SAYS GOODBYE TO LA CANTERA PROJECT Hotelier pulls the plug on a deal for the second time in the last two years. see page 12 LAS VEGAS GETS ANOTHER JEWEL IN ITS CROWN Intercon’s Crowne Plaza brand comes to Sin City. see page 12 Destination Insider EAST TENNESSEE $30-million entertainment complex in the offing. see page 21 ORLANDO Transportation & Svcs AA, AND MEETINGS, GRIND TO A HALT Groups scramble after American cuts thousands of flights over five days. see page 14 JET BLUE WELCOMES GROUPS OF ALL TYPES Carrier expands corporate meeting program to associations. see page 14 Wal-Mart Exposed of the tapes not only to other businesses, but also to labor unions and attorneys with agenCompany sees 30 years worth of das that could seriously harm the host cominternal meetings footage made public; pany’s brand image and financial health. could this happen to other firms? Such a situation has struck one of the largest By Robert Carey corporations in the world—Wal-Mart. The New York—It’s a situation that would buckle meeting content that’s for sale comes not from the knees of even the most steel-nerved plan- a single event, but from nearly 30 years of Walner: An outside vendor is hired to videotape Mart’s internal sessions, including annual sales the proceedings of a company’s internal and executive meetings. Worse, the Bentonville, meeting. Afterwards, the vendor sells copies AR-based retail giant does not appear to have continued MeetingNews Exclusive Research on page 33 More 61.6% Trio of hotels comes to the OCCC; more new properties open around Disney; Universal adds a touch of blue. see page 22 SAN FRANCISCO Moscone Center gets 550-room InterContinental. see page 26 TEXAS Hilton Anatole upgrades before hitting 30; new hotel duo in Arlington. see page 27 Have food and beverage events become more or less challenging in the past year? Volume 32/Number 9/$10.00 Slicing & Dicing 2% Less 36.4% Stayed the same Source:MeetingNews survey of 398 meeting planners Budgetary scrutiny and a tight economy is pushing the limits of F&B creativity, according to our latest study. see page 18

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Meeting News - May 5, 2008