Smart Meetings

Headlines: February 2008

February 2008

Departments

Finally, It’s Open
This month, the 10,000-square-foot RockResorts Spa, with 11 treatment rooms, opens at the new Arrabelle at Vail Square, in Vail, Colo. The spa is the final phase of the 36-room luxury resort, which is centrally situated near the Eagle Bahn Gondola. Each of the guest rooms has a fireplace, a canopied bed and a flat-screen television. The 2,622-square-foot Grand Ballroom is divisible by two; the property also has four other meeting rooms that vary in size, up to 1,200 sq. ft. rockresorts.com

Henderson’s New Hotel
Two hotel brands, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and Wingate, joined forces to create a new brand—the first one debuting in Nevada. Wingate by Wyndham Henderson hotel opened in January and offers 3,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Only five miles from Las Vegas International Airport and located within the city’s business district, the 99-room hotel (including 22 suites) features a 24-hour fitness center, complimentary high-speed Internet access, a business center and a heated outdoor pool and spa. wingateinns.com

Even Better Aloha Experience
The self-service kiosks that expedite your check-in process at Aloha Airlines will now offer more options than just checking baggage and printing tickets. Customers will be able to choose on-board amenities such as in-flight meals, group check-in and upgrade purchases, among other requests—seamlessly merging with those transactions made through the Internet. Designed by IBM, the systems are being installed throughout the next few months. ibm.com

Creative Teams, Please Stand Up
Fly Clear, which created the Clear fast pass for airport security lanes, is looking for ways to improve the efficiency of their product—with a $500,000 carrot. The company is offering this hefty prize to the first team that can produce cutting-edge technology that will expedite the security line in the Clear lane, maintaining the practicality of the fast pass for travelers. The shoe scanner made by GE has been in use, but only as a pilot technology—the Transportation Security Administration has not yet approved it. Other security measures such as body scanners do not apply because, while they align with security standards, they do not accelerate a traveler’s trip through the Clear line. The winning team’s technology (which must be approved by TSA) will be purchased in bulk. This month, discussions will be held to determine what criteria Clear is seeking. flyclear.com/innovation

Web for the Waves
Groups meeting in Washington’s Puget Sound area now have more online access—on the water! Internet service began last December on the Seattle-Bremerton route, making the Washington State Ferries’ Wi-Fi system the largest commercial, over-the-water system in the world. Parsons, the engineering company that is making the service possible, also operates Wi-Fi installations in 30 airports across the U.S. and Canada. parsons.com

Ideal for VIPs
Planners looking for the ultimate in luxury and personal attention will find it at the AAA Five-Diamond Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, where the first of the new ultra-upscale Fairmont Gold brand will debut in March—the first of 20 Fairmont Hotels & Resorts worldwide. The secluded Gold enclave—a separate building that formerly housed the Scottsdale Princess’ villas—will feature 66 newly upgraded guest rooms, three parlor suites and a 2,100-square-foot private lounge. The Gold standard will include private concierge service, free continental breakfast and an honor bar. Altogether, the entire property offers 651 guest rooms, a 44,000-square-foot spa and meeting space that includes a 22,500-square-foot grand ballroom. fairmont.com/scottsdale