Holiday Inn Opens In South Mississippi
MERIDIAN, Miss.—Slated for an April opening is the Holiday Inn Meridian. The hotel will feature 122 guest rooms on five floors, a restaurant and lounge, a fitness center and a 2,400-square-foot conference room that divides into three sections, according to hotel officials.
Courtyard Opens In Downtown Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn.—A Marriott Courtyard has opened in downtown Memphis offering 131 guest rooms and The Bistro at Court Square, a new “business bar” concept with outdoor seating, communal tables and a business center. The hotel also offers more than 5,000 square feet of meeting space.
Homewood Suites Opens In North Louisiana
SHREVEPORT, La.—A 123-suite Homewood Suites by Hilton has opened as the first of its brand in Northern Louisiana. The hotel features a swimming pool, a sports court and 2,046 square feet of meeting space. General Manger Tom Lubbe has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 25 years and is joined by Director of Sales Adrienne Thorpe.
Whitfield’s Steakhouse Opens At Oasis Hotel
SHORTER, Ala.—Whitfield’s Steakhouse has opened at the Oasis Hotel, offering 170 seats, and specially cut steaks, fresh gulf seafood and 170 fine wines from around the world. Described as an elegant fine dining eatery with a casual feel, Whitfield’s uses local purveyors and an award-winning chef to bring diners a taste of land and sea. “We’ve spent a lot of time finding the best cuts of meat, the freshest fish and the largest variety of fine wines from top inland purveyors in Alabama and Chicago,” said Food and Beverage Director Erik Mrdak.
Hotel And Lodging Association Names New President
HOUSTON—The Hotel and Lodging Association of Greater Houston (HLAGH) has selected Stephanie Haynes as its new president, the first time the office has changed hands in 10 years. Haynes, whose career spans 25 years in the hospitality industry and related fields, was selected by the HLAGH board of directors following an extensive search to replace Joan Johnson, and has been serving as HLAGH director of programs and special events since 2003.
Green Hotel Event Comes To Bentonville
BENTONVILLE, Ark.—The Bentonville Convention and Visitors Bureau and EcoGreenHotel teamed up to bring the local hotel community an educational look inside the green hospitality movement. EcoGreenHotel’s Jeff Kiec, corporate director of sustainability, presented examples of hotel energy efficiency, innovative technologies and green marketing. “These proven solutions help general managers and building engineers increase their occupancy while lowering their overall costs,” he said. Kiec will also speak at similar events will be held in Arlington, Texas, on Feb. 16, or Plano, Texas, Feb.18.
SCPRT Introduces New Advertising Campaign
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.—South Carolina is Made For Vacation. That’s the message the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (SCPRT) will be delivering to consumers in a new tourism advertising campaign, and it’s one that the state is ready to back up. The campaign launches this month and will include television, magazine and online advertising in markets east of the Mississippi River, including eight targeted spot markets. Additionally, the state will have an “experiential” presence with programs in upscale malls in three of those spot markets.
Oklahoma Tourism Unveils New Website
OKLAHOMA CITY—The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD) has unveiled its newly redesigned and improved website, www.TravelOK.com. “TravelOK.com is the source for trip planning and event information, and is now easier than ever to use,” said Hardy Watkins, executive director.
The re-launched site also includes enhanced city pages, event information and hotel listings, all searchable by location or interest, as well as expert blogs and articles on statewide events and destinations.
ALHI Establishes Top Luxury Collection
WASHINGTON—Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) has launched the “ALHI Level 5 Collection,” consisting of ALHI’s 14 member hotels and resorts which have earned a Five-Diamond rating and/or a Forbes Mobil Five-Star rating, and ALHI’s newly-opened hotels that are designed to achieve one of these ratings when they ultimately become eligible for the ratings following their first year of operations. The collection features a total of more than 12,500 “Level 5” rooms and suites, and more than 1.5 million square feet of meeting space, making it one of the largest “Level 5” collections available to meeting professionals and incentive specialists in North America, said ALHI officials.
Staple Brands Look To Acquire New Brands
WASHINGTON—In recent months, Choice Hotels International, Hyatt Hotels and Wyndham Worldwide have all expressed interest in acquiring a brand, according to Reuters. Buying a brand allows a company to offer additional hotels at different prices, give frequent guests more options and helps a hotel company break into new markets without the cost of developing a chain from scratch. Smith Travel Research projects supply will grow 1.8 percent this year and 1 percent in 2011. Last year, the number of new rooms grew 3.2 percent.
General Manager Named For Dallas Convention Center Project
DALLAS, Texas—Ed Netzhammer, regional vice president of Omni Hotels and Resorts, has been named the general manager of Omni Hotel Dallas—the planned $500 million project next to the Dallas Convention Center, according to local news reports. The 1,000-room hotel is set for a 2012 opening.
Little Rock CVB Appoints New Director of Diversity Sales
LITTLE ROCK— Monica Robinson has been appointed the new director of diversity sales at the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). Robinson has 15 years of experience in the field and her professional affiliations include membership in National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners (NCBMP), Meeting Professionals International (MPI) as well as the International Special Events Society (ISES).
Glavan Named Hotel Manager Of The Year
JACKSON, Miss.—From greeting guests by name, mentoring high school students considering a career in tourism or supporting tourism related events, Kenny Glavan has undertaken a number of roles that earned him the title of General Manager of the Year by the Mississippi Hotel and Lodging Association at their annual convention held in Jackson in November 2009. He was also selected to serve as an advisor to the advertising and marketing committee for the Harrison County Tourism Commission. Glavan works at the 137-room Hilton Garden Inn Gulfport in 2008.
Oklahoma Releases Helpful Guides
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.—The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department has published two new comprehensive publications to assist travelers in planning trips to Oklahoma. The 2010 Oklahoma Travel Guide is a 192-page magazine featuring helpful tips, photography, contact information and travel ideas covering the entire state. The Integris’ Discover Oklahoma Destination Dining Guide is the ultimate guide to exploring more than 100 uniquely Oklahoman diners, kitchens, drive-ins and restaurants. “These attractive, easy-to-read guides are filled with information about our great state from border-to-border and are essential planning resources for travelers,” said Hardy Watkins, executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.
Alabama Tourism Announces Top 10 Events For 2010
MONTGOMERY, Ala.—Movie producer George Lucas’ collection of “Star Wars” movie props, Indy Racing League driver Danica Patrick’s first competition in Alabama and anniversaries for “To Kill A Mockingbird” join the Great Alabama Homecoming on a list of the Top Ten Tourism Events for 2010. The Top 10 Events of 2010 include the Mardi Gras in Mobile, Opp’s 50th Annual Rattlesnake Rodeo, Monroeville’s 50th Anniversary of the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Rickwood Field’s Centennial Birthday Celebration, the Christmas Light Festival at the Montgomery Zoo and The Great Alabama Homecoming. “These 10 events celebrate milestones in tourism in Alabama,” said Tourism Director, Lee Sentell. “These events run the gamut as we showcase our state’s rich heritage in 2010, The Year of Small Towns and Downtowns.”
Windsor Court Returns To Local Ownership
NEW ORLEANS, La.—For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Windsor Court Hotel in downtown New Orleans is back in local hands. The new local ownership team, led by The Berger Company of New Orleans, closed on the storied 322-room property recently. The new owners plan to carry out a major renovation and improvement program at the Windsor Court during the next two years. The hotel features 10,000 square feet of meeting space.
Hampton Inn And Suites Selected As Franchise For Orange Beach Hotel
ORANGE BEACH, Ala.—Balmaquien Hospitality, LLC, an Innisfree affiliate, has announced that Hampton Inn and Suites has been selected as the franchise for their latest development in Orange Beach. Preliminary work at the site, located directly across from the Shoppes at Palm Pointe, has already begun. “The addition of a new hotel project fills a niche in our community and definitely fits a need that currently exists,” said Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon. After its completion in early 2011, the hotel will feature more than 5,000 square feet of meeting space and 160 guest rooms.
Updated Website And Plano Perks Card Introduced
PLANO, Texas—The Plano Convention and Visitors Bureau has two new resources to help business travelers. The Plano Perks Card is a complimentary cell phone-based concierge service that provides personal assistance 24 hours a day, said destination officials; and the revamped website (www.planocvb.com) offers a new link titled “Business Travelers” that features information on accommodations, restaurants and what to see and do while in Plano and a booking engine that allows travelers to reserve hotel rooms as well as meeting rooms.
First Four-Star Hotel Awarded In Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Forbes Travel Guide, formerly Mobil Travel Guide, has named the Peabody Little Rock as Arkansas’ first Four-Star hotel. The 2010 star award winners include only 147 Four-Star hotels in North America, and the Forbes Travel Guide has never named one in Arkansas, until now. Gregg Herning, general manager, said, “Our staff has worked tirelessly to provide exceptional service and luxury accommodations for our guests, and this honor would not have been possible without them.”
Demolition And Construction Begin On New ‘World-Class’ Destination
KINGSTON, Okla.—The planned $750 million Pointe Vista lakeside resort community is now underway after Lake Texoma State Lodge demolition has begun, according to local news reports. The new “world class” tourist destination and upscale neighborhood will include 3,000 acres of lakefront properties and amenities, including a hotel, a conference center, golf courses and a marina.
Hotel Indigo Downtown Baton Rouge Riverfront Construction Begins
BATON ROUGE, La.—Hotel Indigo and Baton Rouge developers have commenced renovations to the former Hotel King property in downtown Baton Rouge. Scheduled to open in late 2010, the 48,000-square-foot building will become a 93-room Hotel Indigo.
Jackson CVB Introduces Lodging Certification
JACKSON, Miss.—The Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is launching a new initiative, the Hospitality Certified Program, aimed to ensure visitors’ lodging expectations are met while staying in the city, said destination officials. Mississippi is the first state in the nation to adopt this program statewide. In January 2010, CVB officials anticipate the initiative to be in full swing. “Jackson is bursting at the seams with developments that can significantly enhance our city,” added Wanda Collier-Wilson, CVB CEO/president.
Doubletree Expands Dallas Portfolio With Hotel Opening In Richardson
RICHARDSON, Texas- Doubletree Hotels has announced the opening of the 296-room Doubletree Hotel Dallas/Richardson. Situated along the Richardson Telecom Corridor approximately 15 miles north of downtown Dallas, this newest Texas Doubletree features more than 11,700 square feet of event space, including a 6,900-square-foot Texas Star Ballroom, which can accommodate more than 700.
Louisiana Resort Opens New Outdoor Amenities For Groups
MANY, La.-Cypress Bend Resort, located along the shores of Toledo Bend Lake in northwest Louisiana, has added a selection of new outdoor activities for groups. Set on 400 wooded acres, the resort recently completed a winding trail for bird watching and hiking. For more adventurous attendees, the resort is also building a second, seven-mile mountain bike trail designed to accommodate all experience levels. In the evenings, groups gather around the new outdoor fire pit. "While most properties have postponed improvements this year, we've used our natural resources to provide planners with activities designed to bring attendees together," said Ron Gwin, general manager. Meeting space at the 67-room resort totals 11,000 square feet of space.
Wyndham Brand Enters Oklahoma With Opening Of New Hotel
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.-The 244-room Wyndham Garden Hotel Oklahoma City Airport recently opened as the first Wyndham branded hotel in the state. Guest rooms feature complimentary high-speed wireless Internet and 32-inch flat-screen TVs. The property also features a 24-hour airport shuttle, state-of-the-art business and fitness centers, a heated indoor pool and more than 7,000 square feet of meeting space, with the largest room capable of accommodating up to 500 guests.
Convention Center Expansion Nominated For Award
BILOXI, Miss.-The Mississippi Coast Convention Center has won a regional competition and is in the running for a national award for its wavy roof and other architectural elements that mimic the coastline, according to a local news report. The expansion is set for an April 2010 completion and will include a new exhibit hall.
New Tourism Hires In Alabama
DECATUR, Ala.- Kayla Kiser Riggs is the new director of special events and sports marketing for the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). Riggs will serve as the CVB's liaison to special events in Morgan County as well as assist in attracting new sporting events.
Also, John Dersham was recently hired as the new executive director of the DeKalb County Tourist Association.
Arkansas Tourism Launches New Technology
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism has embraced cutting edge technology by utilizing the latest in mobile linking software. On Oct. 1, 2009, the Tourism Division introduced Quick Response (QR) codes into all social marketing efforts. QR codes, or mobile tagging, allow visitors to take advantage of URL shortcuts to travel information. This code uses two-dimensional graphics to form a bar code image. Information such as Web addresses, text, pictures, and maps are encrypted into the image that is placed in a print or Internet advertisement. Consumers scan the image via a mobile smart phone and the scan opens a Web page.
The Arkansas Tourism Division is now using these codes to create shortcut links to various Arkansas.com pages and niche Web sites, scenic driving ideas and maps.
Starwood Hotels And American Airlines Announce New Group Offer
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.-Starwood Hotels and Resorts and American Airlines Group and Meeting Travel have announced a partnership for groups. Now through December 31, 2009, meeting planners will receive 4 percent off their master bill and one complimentary room for every 25 rooms booked at participating Starwood properties. Additionally, for every 25 airline flights booked with American Airlines, a free airline flight will be credited to the meeting planner for future travel needs.Ê
Benchmark Appoints Vice President Food & Beverage
THE WOODLANDS, Texas-Benchmark Hospitality International has named Giorgi Di Lemis vice president food and beverage. "He comes to our company with a distinct passion for the culinary arts and a thorough understanding of restaurant and hotel operations, which is a unique combination of talents," said Greg Champion, chief operating officer.
IMEX Launches New Us Show - IMEX America
LAS VEGAS-A brand new trade show for the U.S. meetings industry was announced in Las Vegas recently by Ray Bloom, chairman of the IMEX Group. Bloom was joined by Bruce MacMillan, CEO of Meeting Professionals International, IMEX America's strategic partner and Chris Meyer, vice president of sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority in announcing the launch of IMEX America - America's worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events.
The new show will take place at the Sands Expo Convention Center at the Venetian/Palazzo from Oct. 11-13, 2011. will be run as part of the IMEX Group of exhibitions and, as such, will be characterized by an uncompromising focus on business, international hosted buyer programs and industry-wide collaboration.
