Conventions.net News Network

click to view all press releases Click Here to Submit your Press Release

Cleveland Convention Center Celebrates Ribbon Cutting The new Cleveland Convention Center made its public debut on June 14 during a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony. HCEA Names Top 50 Medical Meetings of 2012 The Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association has released its list of the top 50 largest U.S. medical meetings held in 2012. Tampa Convention Center Approved as ENERGY STAR Partner The Tampa Convention Center in downtown Tampa, Fla., has been approved as an ENERGY STAR partner. Cvent Names 100 Most Popular Resorts in North America, the Caribbean Cvent has published its list of the top 100 resorts in North America and the Caribbean. IAEE Launches 'IAEE-TV' The International Association of Exhibitions and Events has launched a bi-monthly newscast highlighting industry best practices. Ravella Returns as Hilton Lake Las Vegas Ravella at Lake Las Vegas is now the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa. Exhibition Industry Reports Positive but Modest Growth The exhibition industry grew in the first quarter of 2013, but slower than the overall U.S. economy, according to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research. Orlando Sets Another Tourism Record A record 57 million visitors in 2012 was mirrored by major investments in Orlando. White Paper: Travel Incentives, Events 'Move Business' Site has published a new white paper outlining the business benefits of incentive travel and motivational events. EventMobi Adds Attendee Networking Feature Mobile event app hopes to encourage more attendee networking before, during, and after meetings. Your Travel Insider Acquired by Northstar Travel Media Travel firm specializes in digital content delivery to consumers. Louisiana Lawmakers Increase Funding to New Orleans CVB Louisiana legislators have passed legislation creating an optional hotel assessment that could increase funding to the city's destination marketing organizations. AIBTM Sees Big Boost AIBTM experienced significant growth over last year. IBTM Research: Meeting Planners Report Increased Events, Attendance, Budgets U.S. meeting planners are planning more meetings with bigger budgets attended by more attendees, according to Reed Travel Exhibitions. Caesars Entertainment Spotlights Atlantic City The gaming and resorts giant helps the local Boys & Girls Club and showcases the seaside destination to more than 100 meeting planners from across the country. U.S. Travel Celebrates Record International Pow Wow, Announces Future Host Cities The U.S. Travel Association reported record attendance at this year's International Pow Wow event. AIBTM Hosts 'Great Association Debate' The future of the face-to-face meeting is a hot topic at AIBTM. Freeman Launches Experiential Marketing Agency, Integrated Online Events Platform Event production company Freeman has formed FreemanXP, a boutique experiential marketing agency. Reed Travel Exhibitions Creates Africa Travel Week Reed Travel Exhibitions will promote Africa as a leisure, luxury and meetings destination during "Africa Travel Week." Meetings in Japan: An Update We talk to Akira Segawa, president of Japanese hotelier Fujita Kanko, to get a better sense of the meetings industry in Japan. Chicago Hosts Near-Record Tourists in 2012 Chicago hosted 46.2 million visitors in 2012. ON24 Introduces Benchmarking Solution for Webcasts Virtual meetings company ON24 has launched what it says is the industry's first benchmarking solution for webcasts. Scientific Associations Ask Congress to Ease Restrictions on Government Travel The leaders of 64 scientific associations have sent a letter to Congress asking it to reform current rules restricting the attendance of government employees at meetings. Hyatt, MGM Resorts International Form Loyalty Program Partnership Hyatt Hotels Corp. and MGM Resorts International have formed what's expected to be the largest loyalty program collaboration in Las Vegas. More Than 15,000 Hotels Adopt Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative More than 15,000 hotels around the world have adopted the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative methodology. SPINCon Converges on Atlantic City Annual senior planners' gathering focuses on creating community, conquering challenges, and educational opportunities. Sequestration Did Not Cause Flight Delays, Report Shows Budget sequestration did not cause significant flight delays in May, according to a new analysis by FlightStats. TSA Drops Knives Plan The Transportation Security Administration has abandoned its plan to allow pocketknives and sporting equipment aboard U.S. airplanes. Cedar Rapids Welcomes New Convention Center, Hotel The new Cedar Rapids Convention Complex opened on May 31 in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Cruise Industry Adopts Passenger Bill of Rights The cruise industry has adopted a "Cruise Industry Passenger Bill of Rights" ensuring cruise lines' commitment to passengers' safety, comfort and care. Travel Industry Achieved Trade Surplus in April The travel industry continues to outperform the rest of the U.S. economy in the area of international trade. Forecast: Airlines to Earn Just $4 Profit Per Passenger, but $12.7 Billion Overall in 2013 Despite razor-thin margins, airlines are poised for profitability in 2013. Government Report Chides IRS for 'Excessive' Conference Spending An Inspector General audit accuses the Internal Revenue Service of over-spending on meetings and events. Le Meridien Plans New Orleans Debut Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide will open Le Meridien New Orleans in fall 2014. ALHI Adds Luxury Cruise Ships to Meetings Portfolio Associated Luxury Hotels International has launched a new collection of "floating resorts." Meetings Industry Leaders to Debate Industry Issues During AIBTM High-profile executives from meetings industry associations will debate future trends and challenges during a special panel discussion at the upcoming Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition. Salamander Resort & Spa Plans August Opening Salamander Resort & Spa is set to open this August in the heart of Virginia wine and horse country. Obama Administration Releases New Guidelines on Federal Travel, Conferences The U.S. Office of Management and Budget has provided federal agencies with additional guidance on travel and conferences. VISIT Milwaukee Builds, Donates Bikes for Troubled Youth VISIT Milwaukee recently donated 20 bikes to children at the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Wisconsin. New Website Updates Meetings Industry on Labor Relations in Las Vegas The Las Vegas casino workers union has launched a new website to update the travel industry about labor issues affecting Sin City casinos. Las Vegas Sands Plans 'Convention Center to the World' in Madrid Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson has released details of his new Vegas-style European gaming resort. Survey Examines Generational Preferences of Meeting Buyers A new survey by the International Association of Conference Centres explores generational differences among meeting planners. AIBTM Launches Video Daily Reed Travel Exhibitions has partnered with Meeting the World to launch daily video reports at AIBTM 2013. San Diego Tourism Authority to Close Update: San Diego Mayor Bob Filner has saved the San Diego Tourism Authority from an imminent shut-down. Beyond Connectivity The use of smartphones and tablet computers has exploded over the past three to five years. With it, the strain on the wireless Internet infrastructure of convention centers, hotel meetings facilities, and other venues continues to grow. The Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas is responding to that pressure by completely replacing its Wi-Fi network. The 1.2-million-square-foot convention center has some big competition in town, notably the nearly 1.7-million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center and 2.1-million-square-foot Las Vegas Convention Center. Increasingly, Wi-Fi quality is becoming a key factor in the Sands Expo’s ability to attract business, says Justin Herrman, the facility’s IT director. “Our clients are large event producers, and their clients are their attendees and exhibitors,” he says. “They need to stay cutting-edge and competitive. To do that, they need to enable sophisticated wireless applications, deliver an always-on wireless experience, provide mobile location services, and deliver any service with essentially real-time responsiveness.”To ensure it can meet these needs, the Sands Expo turned to Xirrus to replace its Wi-Fi infrastructure as part of a larger renovation project. In 2004, a year before Apple’s release of the incredibly popular iPhone, Xirrus was founded to start “developing infrastructure for wireless that can scale to high-performance in high densities, and ultimately replace wired connections,” says Bruce Miller, vice president of product marketing for Thousand Oaks, CA-based Xirrus. “In 2004 that was down the road, and a lot of money was going in to developing the smartphones and tablets and everything else, without a lot of forward thinking with respect to the infrastructure.”Xirrus now specializes in rewiring venues where a lot of people are packed in together and using their mobile devices, such as schools, stadiums, and convention centers. Last year, temporary Xirrus Arrays were brought in for densely packed venues at the South by Southwest festival in Austin. The company’s biggest selling point, Miller says, is that its array technology can provide bandwidth with a fraction of the hardware as its competitors. “What Xirrus can do with one array, a competitor requires 10, 20, or even 30 [Wi-Fi] access points to do,” says Herrman. But the Sands Expo plans to provide more than just Wi-Fi, Miller says. “What the Sands is doing that is interesting and forward-thinking is providing services on top of that,” he says. The Wi-Fi system can act like an indoor version of GPS, “and you can find out where a user is located and, based on that, push specific advertising or information to him or her.” This can include directions in the massive facility — essentially mapping where she is and directing her to another exhibition booth, rather than making her look up each one on a map. It can also allow organizers to push custom content tothe user when she enters a specific booth or area, as well as tracking attendees at learning sessions for professional certification credits. It can also push location-based ads. “It can be something specific to the venue like, ‘come back and buy tickets for the next [sporting] event.’ It could be a coupon — a barcode or QR code — that you can scan at the refreshment stand to get food or drinks,” Miller says. “That interaction is captive because the user is connecting through [the venue’s] device.” Hawaii VCB Appoints New VP for Meetings, Stresses Value of Meeting in Hawaii Starwood veteran Karen Hughes assumes the brand-new position of VP of Meet Hawaii and Travel Industry Partnerships. U.S. Reps Introduce Bill to Stop Federal Blacklisting of Resort Destinations Nevada's delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives has introduced legislation to stop federal agencies from canceling or avoiding meetings at resorts and casinos. New MeetingMetrics Service Lets Independent Planners Measure ROI for Clients Meetings measurement company MeetingMetrics has introduced a new partnership program for independent meeting planners. San Francisco Bay Area to Host Super Bowl 50 The National Football League has chosen the San Francisco Bay Area to host Super Bowl 50 in 2016. Congress on American Airlines Merger: Regulation Could Hurt Small Cities Requiring American Airlines and US Airways to give up airport slots when they merge could hurt small destinations, U.S. lawmakers argue. ICCA Announces Destination for 2016 Congress The International Congress and Convention Association has chosen Kuching, Malaysia, as the site for its 2016 annual meeting. Speakers' Gallery: Comic Relief These speakers rely on their quick wits and hilarious jokes to deliver powerful messages. Colombia and Brazil Shine Brazil and Colombia are making vast infrastructure improvements to attract more meetings and events. Western Florida Update From new hotels to award winning beaches, here’s what is happening in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater. Research: Scouting Sites, Online and In Person Web-based site selection tools are convenient but have limitations, survey finds. Choosing the Right Vendor for Interpretation Equipment In selecting interpretation equipment, planners should seek out several key offerings. Meals on Wheels: Capitalizing on the Food Truck Trend Food trucks offer casual and quirky additions to the usual meeting fare. Exploring Florida's Gulf Coast From the Panhandle down to Naples, there are plenty of new things to see on the Gulf Coast. How Convention Hotels Can Streamline Your Meeting Convention hotels' connections to convention centers offer planners advantages in logistics, flexibility, and more. The Meeting of the Future When it comes to predicting what meetings will be like in the future, it's a good bet that technology will be involved. Chicago Is Ready for Meetings The Windy City will blow you away with its flurry of new hotels and rich restaurant offerings. California's Reinvention The Golden State continues to reinvent itself with a range of new experiences. Third-Party Companies Worth Watching Here are many people in the meetings and events businesses who do creative, successful, and groundbreaking work. Atlanta Heats Up Often called "Hotlanta" because of its hot weather and nightlife, a huge visitor increase has given this moniker new meaning. 3 Days in Seoul Here's a guide to three days in vibrant Seoul, Korea. Northern Florida Update From new hotels to award winning beaches, here's what is happening in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater. Marriott Hawaii Properties Focus on Meetings Marriott International's Hawaiian properties continue to make meetings a top priority on the islands. Convention Center Hotel Gets New Life in Oshkosh, Wis. The City Center Hotel in Oshkosh, Wis., has reopened as a Best Western Premier following a $16 million renovation. Hotel Developer John Q. Hammons Dies at 94 Prominent hotel developer John Q. Hammons passed away on May 26. Study Uncovers Companies' Meeting-Planning Risks Sizable gaps exist between companies' meeting-planning policies and practices, finds a new study by American Express Meetings & Events. Chicago's Palmer House Hilton for Sale The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago is up for sale, according to local media reports. 7 More Predictions About the Future of Meetings Here are experts' predictions about the future of the industry. Cvent Opens First European Office in London Meetings technology company Cvent has opened a new office in London. Terranea Is Ready for Meetings The sprawling Southern California coastal retreat has breathtaking views and meeting spaces to match. CityPASS Offers Discounts for Meetings Groups Throughout U.S. The popular bundled admission booklets can be easily used for meetings and conventions groups. IMEX Frankfurt Wraps The German meetings and conventions trade show sees substantial growth. Atlanta Omni to Manage Meetings at New College Football Hall of Fame The Omni Hotel at CNN Center in downtown Atlanta has been named the official hotel and caterer of the new College Football Hall of Fame. U.S. Hotels Generated Increased Profits in 2012 Following a welcome increase in 2011, profits at U.S. hotels were up again in 2012, according to Smith Travel Research. David Williams Named Global Meetings Executive of the Year The Professional Convention Management Association has named David Williams of the International Association for Energy Economics its "Global Executive of the Year." Oklahoma City Open for Business After Tornado Despite a deadly tornado in the surrounding suburbs, Oklahoma City remains open to visitors. Germany Hosted 362 Million Meeting Attendees in 2012 The meetings industry is doing its part to fortify the German economy, according to a new study by the German Convention Bureau. PCMA Forms Global Partnership with IAPCO The Professional Convention Management Association has formed a partnership with the International Association of Professional Congress Organizers. IMEX in Frankfurt Off to Strong Start with More, Expanded Booths Organizers opened IMEX in Frankfurt by announcing an increase in new exhibitors at this year's show. Viceroy Hotel Group Plans Dubai Property Viceroy Hotel Group will open its first hotel in Dubai in 2017. Survey: Air Passengers Willing to Pay More for Personal Space Comfort trumps costs for most air passengers, finds a new survey by Harris Interactive. Amtrak Upgrades Passenger Wi-Fi Amtrak is upgrading its on-train Wi-Fi to 4G technology. Wisconsin’s Tourism Economy Grew 5 Percent in 2012 Tourism in Wisconsin had a total economic impact of $16.8 billion last year, according to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. Certain Inc. Takes 'Personalized' Approach to Event Management Certain Inc. has made several enhancements to its enterprise event management platform, the goal of which is personalizing the event experience for attendees. PCMA Announces AIBTM Education Program The Professional Convention Management Association has announced its education lineup for the Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition. Dallas Convention Center Renamed for Retired U.S. Senator The Dallas Convention Center is now the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. AIBTM Confirms More Than 50 New Exhibitors for 2013 The 2013 edition of the Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition will feature more than 50 first-time exhibitors. Group Travel Lags Transient Bookings, TravelClick Reports Hotel bookings by individual travelers are outpacing those of groups, according to TravelClick. Melbourne Seeks U.S. Events Business The Melbourne Convention Bureau has appointed a new representation agency in North America. IMEX America Expects More Hosted Buyers, Exhibitors in 2013 To date, one-third of all contracts received by IMEX America for 2013 have included increased booth space. SmithBucklin Acquires Inventures Inc. Association management company SmithBucklin has acquired alliance management company Inventures Inc. Dead Gaylord Hotel Project Lives Again in Denver Stalled plans to build a Gaylord convention center and hotel in suburban Denver are back on, according to news reports. DoubleDutch to Create Mobile App for Inaugural Meetings Show UK The Meetings Show UK has selected DoubleDutch to develop the mobile app for its inaugural event. Former Starwood Executive Matthew Avril Named to Zentila Board of Directors Zentila has named veteran hotel executive Matthew Avril to its board of directors. ICCA Names Top 20 International Meeting Destinations of 2012 The International Congress and Convention Association has released its annual rankings of the world's most popular international association meeting destinations. RecertTrack Publishes Guide to Association, Meetings Industry Certifications RecertTrack has published a new guide to association and meetings industry certifications.