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High Tech Hotels

June 30, 2009
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide announced a partnership today with Tata Communications, a provider of new world communications. This strategic alliance is part of an innovative plan to introduce Cisco’s TelePresence (a live, virtual face-to-face meeting service) to the international public via Starwood hotels. Ten new facilities are projected to open in the brand’s hotels by the end of 2009 including The Westin Los Angeles Airport in the West. Tata Communications’ TelePresence service will allow Starwood guests to meet in real time, in person over a network, from around the world.
starwoodhotels.com

Clearly Gone

June 23, 2009
Passengers wishing to expedite their security check process at airports through Clear Lanes will now have to wait in line like everyone else. According to Clear’s website, the company selling prescreened security fast passes through a designated check-in lane, ceased operations at 11:00 p.m. last night due to credit issues. At this point Clear will not issue refunds to its estimated 250,000 members and “will continue to secure such information and will take appropriate steps to delete the information,” the website states. The service that cost members $199 per year was available in 20 airports across the county. flyclear.com

Fontainebleau's Faulty Fina...

June 16, 2009
Fontainebleau Las Vegas filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week. The $2.9 billion, 4,000-room resort that is only about 70-percent complete has paused construction. Its financial troubles arose from several funding snafus and a group of lenders who withdrew an $800-million loan. Fotainebleau had previously filed a $3-billion lawsuit against these lenders including Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase Bank. Company spokesman Lance Ignon says, "It allows us to restructure our debt, so we can emerge as a stable project. It improves our ability to bring in new financing, which we are actively undertaking right now."
fontainebleau.com

A United Front

June 16, 2009
United Airlines launched twice daily flights from Spokane, Wash. to San Francisco on June 4. At the same time, the airline also added daily flights from Denver to Redmond, Ore. and twice daily flights from Pasco, Wash. to San Francisco.
united.com

Courtyard goes Tropical

June 16, 2009
Formerly the Wyland Waikiki, the 400-room Oahu hotel reopened on June 4 as the Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach. The property will be the Courtyard brand’s first Hawaiian hotel located near Diamond Head Crater. It features a high-tech boardroom with full A/V, a 52-inch flat screen TV and Internet access in addition to ample outdoor event space.
marriott.com

SMARTER EDGE - MiFi

Having trouble staying connected on the road? Well, Novatel Wireless has come out with a device (besides your mobile handheld) to get you online. The tiny, but powerful, MiFi 2200 - Intelligent Mobile Hotspot offers reliable, instantaneous Internet access from almost anywhere in the U.S. It fits in your palm and will come in handy when your cell just doesn’t cut it. Plus your entourage of about four can also jump on the mobile network.
novatelwireless.com

A Strategic Alliance

June 2, 2009
American Express Business Travel and Maritz Travel announced yesterday a preliminary agreement to launch MaXvantage, a start-to-finish strategic meetings management program. The program will help corporations manage their global meeting, event and incentive travel expenses, increase transparency and much more, in a climate of heightened scrutiny over meetings.
maritz.com

Crossing Borders Reminder

June 2, 2009
The second phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative took effect on June 1. This law requires all people traveling by air to present a passport or other valid travel document (dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/#0) to enter or re-enter the U.S. The WHTI affects travel to and from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean nations. The agency recommends knowing the entry requirements of the country you plan to visit prior to your trip.
travel.state.gov

Huntington Beach's Newest A...

June 2, 2009
Joie de Vivre’s latest hotel, the Shorebreak will hold a grand opening on June 11. The 157-room property is located just off of Main Street in Huntington Beach, Calif. Calling on the strong surfer culture of the area, the hotel has a surfer chic-vibe (complete with surfboard racks outside) and a wide-open feel. It offers 8,000 sq. ft. of total function space, including a 3,000-square-foot ballroom, and can arrange a variety of recreational activities, including surf lessons, beach volleyball and beach-cruiser biking.
shorebreakhotel.com

SMARTER EDGE - CableCar USB

What packs 16 gigabytes of storage space, is small enough to fit in your hand and is shaped like a San Francisco cable car? The CableCar USB from Active Media. The compact flash drive is two inches long and 1.2 inches wide and comes with 30 photos of San Francisco attractions. The company also makes other fun digital storage devices like a waterproof drive with a  hologram of President Obama (complete with one hour of landmark speeches in MP3); a chrome-plated, steel-cased I Heart Hawaii drive; and a Statue of Liberty flash drive. These artistic little digital storage devices are also key chains and could make fun (and practical) giveaways at your  next event.
activemp.com