Meeting News - November 5, 2007 - (Page 1)

OTHER SUPPLIERS DFW airport’s Open Skies p. 13 MN WEBCAST REPORT Small meetings’advantages p. 22 LIVE FROM THE FORUM Mercenary podium speakers p. 27 $1.5 billion in new developments. (That’s right. Billion. With a B.) MeetingNews w w w. M e e t i n g N e w s . c o m November 5,16, 2007 July 2007 DO SOMETHING ORIGINAL. www.gotolouisville.com • 1-800-626-5646 Feeling the Squeeze Prices rising in 2008; buyers prepare By Rayna Katz Hotels/Resorts 29671_2_25x2_ValueAd.indd 1 CVBs 9/19/07 12:48 TRUMP GOES GLOBAL WITH HIS HOTEL BRAND The Donald seeks world dominance with 12 properties in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, & Europe. see page 8 GREG ORTALE MAKES RETURN TO HOUSTON Chief of Meet Minneapolis will be the skipper for Houston, where he was number two 1979-1987. see page 10 New York—Meeting planners expecting a break on meeting costs in 2008, after contending with a sellers’ market in recent years, are in for a disappointment. American Express Business Travel (AEBT), along with two travel industry analysts, last month released forecasts for next year and, by all accounts, the airline, hotel, and related industries are still going gangbusters—which means higher rates and continuing challenges for planners in finding dates and space. However, armed with this information, meeting planners can make decisions now that will save them money next year, industry watchers said. MeetingNews “We’ll see little reprieve [from Exclusive Research continued on page 26 Which of these best describes your organization’s program for tracking total meeting/event spending? Corporate Planners BIGGER GARDEN OF EDEN EX-FRESNO BOOKKEEPER ON MIA’S SOUTH BEACH GETS TIME BEHIND BARS Miami’s Eden Roc resort is working on $170-million project that will yield a new 283-room tower. see page 8 Money manager who embezzled $50K for shopping spree is sentenced to three months in jail plus fines. see page 10 Excellent 40.4% Good 33.6% Hotels Endure San Diego Fires By Ron Donoho CATSKILLS PROJECT OUT OF THE WOODS Downscaled to appease ecological concerns, Belleayre Resort lands approval from New York State. see page 8 LIFE SCIENCES IN PHILLY GET A DOSE OF PROMO CVB teams up with city’s health field to push for more medical meetings. see page 10 Fair Poor 7.6% 18.4% Association Planners Excellent 54.8% Good 28.7% Fair 11.3% Poor 5.2% Source: MeetingNews survey of 338 meeting planners Getting On Track By Robert Carey Companies are capturing total meetings spend better but are still short of leveraged see page 16 procurement. Volume 31/Number 15/$10.00 San Diego—The numbers are staggering. Wildfires that sparked to life Oct. 22 in San Diego County—and took a week to abate—claimed seven lives and caused more than $1 billion in property damage. A half-million people responded to mandatory or voluntary calls to evacuate. Blazes burned 400,000 acres of land, and more than 1,500 homes were destroyed. While the tragedy will be felt by residents for some time—particularly those living north and east of the city—the good news for the region is that downtown San Diego and most of the tourist and convention infrastructure was left untouched by flames. “We plan to be very proactive in contacting about 80 groups that were continued on page 25 International MARRIOTT ABOUT TO GET A LOT BIGGER IN ASIA Sixty new properties mark hotelier’s ambitions in China, India, and Thailand. see page 14 Convention Centers EXPANSION FOR BCEC IN BOSTON PERCOLATES Massachusetts hires consultant team to figure out by 2008 a route for enlarging the center. see page 12 PRIVATE EQUITY FUND SIGNS CARLSON HOTELS Lotus Hotel Investment eyes Asia’s INDIANA WANTS TO KEEP markets with Carlson’s brands. REMNANTS OF RCA DOME see page 14 Old stadium in Indianapolis, facing wrecking ball to make CC space, is to be kept alive through salvaged pieces. see page 12 Destination Insider GEORGIA The latest in Atlanta, Athens, and Savannah is part of this report. see page 18 MILWAUKEE’S BUILDING FAILING TO GET FUNDS Proposed $184-million expansion is on the table, but feasibility study has yet to gain approval. see page 12 SAN JOSE McEnery Convention Center expansion is being studied. see page 20 http://www.gotolouisville.com http://www.MeetingNews.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meeting News - November 5, 2007

Meeting News - November 5, 2007
What’s Up @ MeetingNews.com
Contents
People Making News
Meetings Marketplace
Advertisers Index
Live from the Forum

Meeting News - November 5, 2007