Expanded Virginia Museum Of Fine Arts To Open
RICHMOND, Va.—The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) is putting the final touches on a large-scale expansion that will add some 165,000 square feet to its pre-existing 380,000-square-foot building, placing it among the top ten comprehensive art museums in the United States. After almost five years of construction, the museum will celebrate its re-opening May 1.
New Hotel Opening In West Raleigh
RALEIGH, N.C.—A 99-room Wingate Inn and Suites is scheduled for an October opening, according to a local news report. The hotel will be located near the 700,000-square-foot RBC Center.
A 133-room Hyatt Place and a 368-room hotel that has yet to claim a brand have also be proposed for the same area.
The Greenbrier’s Casino Complex Set For Spring Opening
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va.—The Greenbrier is still anticipating a spring opening for its casino complex, according to a local news report, despite setbacks due to harsh winter weather. The complex will be located under the resort’s front lawn and will include a Monte Carlo-style gaming area, as well as a lounge, shops and restaurants.
Blue Grass Airport Completes Terminal Renovations
LEXINGTON, Ky.—Blue Grass Airport has unveiled the latest renovations to the airport terminal’s lobby level. Renovations of approximately $2.6 million were completed, including the terrazzo floor in front of the security checkpoint that charts the sire lineage of the thoroughbred. Terminal renovations also included new airline ticket counters conforming to Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines, replacement of the ceiling system, updated signage, relocation of the Information Center and new floor and wall finishes.
The Shores Names Two DOS To Management Team
DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla.—The Shores Resort and Spa has appointed Francis Purvey as the new director of leisure sales and marketing, and Mary Hutchcraft as the new director of sales, groups.
Purvey will focus on driving wholesale business, increasing leisure travel visitation. He will also provide strategic leadership for leisure travel efforts. Hutchcraft will direct the hotel’s sales and catering teams to increase meeting business.
Kimpton’s Palomar Names Mireille Dizard DoSM
ATLANTA—Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar Atlanta Midtown has announced Mireille Dizard as the new director of sales and marketing. Dizard brings over six years of hospitality experience, including nearly three years in the Atlanta market, to Kimpton’s first and only property in the city.
Jekyll Island Club Hotel To Add Conference Center To Meeting Facilities
JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga.— The Jekyll Island Club Hotel will open a new conference facility in June. The Morgan Indoor Tennis Court is being completely renovated and transformed into a dual-level conference center that will host groups of 350 people on the lower level—4,900 square feet—and 120 or more on the upper level Morgan Center Mezzanine. “We are pleased to add this facility with its larger capacity for conferences and events to the hotel’s meeting space,” said General Manager Kevin Runner.
Chattanooga Could See More Downtown Hotels
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.— Downtown Chattanooga could see at least four new hotels, according to a local news report, to complement a long list of new hotels that have opened in the past decade. The economic recession has delayed construction on many of the projects. One of the projects is a $24 million hotel and condominium revamp that is slated for a start this year, as well as another development proposed for the Maclellan Building that would include a 12-story hotel.
Opening Of City Plaza Creates New Outdoor Meeting Space
RALEIGH, N.C.—Outside the doors of the Raleigh Convention Center, the Raleigh Marriott City Center Hotel and Sheraton Raleigh Hotel is a new outdoor meeting space for Downtown Raleigh—City Plaza. The space features design elements, including four glass pavilions with food and retail space, flexible seating and more. “This space can used for outdoor events and receptions and allow visitors to experience our dynamic downtown with City Plaza being constantly used for markets, concerts and special events,” said Denny Edwards, president/CEO of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Morgantown Event Center At Waterfront Place Opening In Spring
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.—Set to open in the spring of 2010, is the Morgantown Event Center, which will offer more than 30,000 square feet of convention space, making it the second largest in West Virginia, according to local tourism officials. The Waterfront Place Hotel offers 205 guest rooms with 10,000 square feet of additional meeting space.
Collingwood Library And Museum Features New Meeting Space
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Long known as a wedding venue, the Collingwood Library and Museum is now available for off-site meetings, retreats, conferences and business events. The new American Legacy Center seats 208 guests in rounds and 240 in classroom style and includes audio/visual equipment and food service, said Tamra Talmadge-Anderson, director of public relations, Virginia Tourism. The main building and grounds, which were once part of George Washington’s River Farm, are also available for events.
Eau Spa Opens At Ritz-Carlton
PALM BEACH, Fla.—Eau Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach and Cornelia Fifth Avenue, New York have united to create Eau Spa by Cornelia. “Eau Spa by Cornelia will continue to break the spa mold by going beyond the traditional spa experience,” said Simon Lewis, owner of The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach and Eau Spa by Cornelia. The hotel features 310 guest rooms and 23,000 square feet of indoor meeting space.
Green-Friendly Holiday Inn Opens
CHARLESTON, S.C.—Located at the foot of the cooper River Bridge between the Isle of Palms and Historic Charleston, the Holiday Inn Express Mount Pleasant – Charleston has opened as the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified hotel in South Carolina. The hotel offers 116 guest rooms and 696 square feet of meeting space.
WKU Hotel One Step Closer
BOWLING GREEN, Ky.—The Bowling Green City Commission voted to rezone an area on the north side of Western Kentucky University that would allow the construction of a parking garage and a hotel, according to a local news report. The area between 13th Avenue, 14th Avenue, Kentucky Street and Center Street—also known as Block 12—was rezoned for planned unit development.
Georgia World Congress Center Names New Assistant General Manager
ATLANTA—Patrick Skaggs has been named the assistant general manager of the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) effective December 1. As assistant general manager, Skaggs will be responsible for public safety, maintenance and repair, housekeeping and setup operations, show utility services and parking operations at the 3.9-million-square-foot convention center. “We are so pleased,” said GWCC General Manager Mark Zimmerman, “He brings exceptional experience to the position, and we look forward to his strong leadership at the helm of our day-to-day operations.”
Convention Center Could Begin Construction In 2010
OWENSBORO, Ky.—Daviess County officials hope to break ground on a new convention center by next fall, according to a local news report. The county is still ironing out details to borrow more than $20 million for the project and hope to secure the money by late January. The city is also purchasing property for a new downtown hotel that will be adjacent to the new center.
Hotel Proposal Reconsidered In NC Triad
GREENSBORO, N.C.—The Greensboro city council is considering selling 2.75 acres for a proposed luxury hotel project, according to a local news report. The proposed development would include a $47 million, 200-room hotel that would include a restaurant, a lobby bar, a pool and 7,400 square feet of meeting space. An adjacent parking garage is also planned.
GM Named For New Miami ‘Luxury’ Hotel
MIAMI—The JW Marriott Marquis Miami and Hotel Beaux Arts Miami have appointed hotel industry veteran Florencia Tabeni as general manager for both properties. As general manager, Tabeni will oversee the development and operations of both the JW Marriott Marquis Miami and Hotel Beaux Arts Miami, scheduled to open in mid-2010.
New Hilton In Virginia Capital Ones
RICHIMOND, Va.—The Hilton Richmond Hotel and Spa opened in early December with 254 guest rooms and suites and more than 22,000 square feet of meeting space, including a ballroom accommodating more than 1,300. Other amenities include a Shula’s restaurant, and a coffee and wine bar.
Hutton Hotel Wins ‘Green’ Award
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Hutton Hotel, a Four-Star independent hotel, was recently honored with the Tennessee Hospitality Association’s Good Earthkeeping Award, Large Property. “There are a lot of hotels that talk about doing green things, but we built our hotel green and our daily routines are actually green,” said Steven André, general manager. Hutton Hotel, which received the accolade for its innovative environmental management practices, will go on to compete for the national Good Earthkeeping Award from the American Hospitality and Lodging Association, presented June 2010.
Greenbrier Casino Still In Works
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va.—The new 82,000-square-foot underground casino at The Greenbrier is still under construction and still on track for an April 1 opening, according to a local news report. The new Monte Carlo-style casino will include nine shops, an Italian restaurant, a coffee shop and a lounge area, as well as a gaming area and a sushi bar. The casino will only be open to overnight guests and The Greenbrier’s Sporting Club and Golf and Tennis Club members, as well as event attendees staying off-property when more than 400 rooms are sold.
Kingston Plantation/Shores Are Green Certified
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.—Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort at Kingston Shores and Embassy Suites at Kingston Plantation are now green certified by the Green Hospitality Alliance. They are the only hotels to receive the distinction in Myrtle Beach. “These efforts are part of our commitment to reuse, reduce and recycle whenever possible. We are thrilled to have the official designation from the state and to be leaders in Myrtle Beach,” said Bob Barenberg, managing director of Kingston Plantation and Kingston Shores.
New Hilton Garden Inn In Blacksburg
BLACKSBURG, Va.-The recently opened 137-room Hilton Garden Inn Blacksburg offers 1,280 square feet of meeting space plus an additional 850 square feet of pre-function space that opens to an outdoor patio. For dining, the Great American Grill is open for breakfast and dinner, and the Pavilion Lounge for cocktails. There is also the Pavilion Pantry for sundry items, and room service and onsite catering is available.
Raleigh Convention Center Grabs LEED Silver Certification
RALEIGH, N.C.-Committed to helping customers "green" their meetings, the Raleigh Convention Center (RCC) exceeded its own goals, attaining the Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification. The award puts the RCC alongside six other U.S. centers that have achieved a degree of LEED certification.
College Football Hall of Fame Relocates to Atlanta
ATLANTA-The College Football Hall of Fame has announced that the attraction will relocate to Atlanta in September 2012. The new location will be on the edge of Centennial Olympic Park in downtown. The new 50,000-square-foot facility anticipates 500,000 visitors annually.
Northwest Florida Conference Center Names Convention Services Manager
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla.- Carol Kathleen Foley, CMP, has been promoted to the position of convention services manager at the Emerald Coast Conference Center. Foley has worked at the center since opening its doors in April of 2003. In her new role as convention services manager, Foley is responsible for the events, security and box office divisions along with the responsibility of overseeing departmental goals and recommending guidelines, policies and procedures to better serve customers. She will also assist with expanding the business mix at the center.
Radisson Hotel Columbia & Conference Center Names New General Manager
COLUMBIA, S.C.-The Radisson Hotel Columbia and Conference Center has named Matt Ricker the new General Manager for the 238-room property. For the past four years, Ricker was the manager at the sister property, Marriot Riverfront in Augusta, Ga.Ê
Finalists Chosen For Downtown Hotel
OWENSBORO, Ky.-Three finalists have been chosen to build a convention-styled hotel in downtown Owensboro, Ky, according to a local news report. The hotel will feature 150 to 175 guest rooms. All three developers have local ties. A decision was expected in 30 to 60 days in the beginning of November.
Stonewall Resort Place In Top Golf Resorts In America List
ROANOKE, W.Va.-The 208-room Stonewall Resort with its Arnold Palmer Signature Course nabbed the 22nd spot on the recently released Golf World Readers Choice Top 50 Golf Resorts in America List for 2010. An Arnold Palmer Signature Course, the Championship Golf Course at Stonewall Resort is ranked as a Top 100 Public Course in America by Golf Digest as well. In 2009, for the second time the course was designated a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary program of Audubon International. The resort features 22,000 square feet of meeting space.
Hyatt Regency Sarasota Receives Awards
SARASOTA, Fla.-Following an extensive renovation that transformed Hyatt Regency Sarasota, the hotel has earned a Four-Diamond rating, making it the only Four-Diamond hotel in the Sarasota area. "This is an extraordinary accomplishment that illustrates how far the hotel has come in the past year," said General Manager Mark Becker.
The hotel has also received a One Palm designation from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Green Lodging program. The Hyatt's 32-slip private marina has also been awarded a Clean Marina designation from the Florida DEP.
Chattanooga Convention Center Implements Buy Fresh, Buy Local Program
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.-The Chattanooga Convention Center recently began a new program to offer conventioneers fresh seasonal produce, breads, meat, cheese, locally roasted coffee and more from local and in-state purveyors. Dexter King, Executive Director of the International Association of Assembly Managers, Inc. said, "This is the first convention center that I'm aware of that has a program this extensive."
In the banquet phase of deciding the menu, center staff will sit down with the client and use a produce calendar to determine what is available during the month of their meeting. The center provides the broker with their needs and the farmers can actually plant and harvest the specific produce to accommodate the center's clients. The other products are obtained directly from the local bakeries and purveyors on an as-needed basis.
