Smart Meetings | Page 130 of 602 | Corporate Event Planning: Business Events, Meetings, Conferences

Mike Rivera

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La Concha Resort in San Juan, Puerto Rico, named Rivera general manager. Before La Concha, Rivera was vice president of operations for The Condado Collection (of which La Concha is a part). He also worked as vice president of operations for Encanto Restaurants and Empresas Cordero Badillo, as well as director of operations for TRICON Restaurants International.

Juan Gonzalez Izquierdo

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Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead named Izquierdo general manager. He brings more than 19 years of experience to his new position, previously working as hotel manager for Conrad New York, which won the Connie Award in 2021 and Conrad Brighter Better recognition in Q1 of 2021 and 2022. Izquierdo has also worked in food and beverage at The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel in New York City, as well as The Peninsula New York, Hotel Arts Barcelona and The Ritz-Carlton London.

Carlo F. Chavez

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Chavez is general manager for Condado Ocean Club in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Chavez was most recently with The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, where he worked as director of hotel operations. He has also worked in sales and managerial roles at and Excalibur Hotel and Casino, and MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, both in Las Vegas.

Lavon Minor

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Minor is director of sales for Agua Caliente Casinos, where she will lead the brand’s three properties in the California’s Coachella Valley. Minor has hotel sales and marketing experience with Marriott International and Hyatt Regency properties.

Manfred Steuerwald

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Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley, California, named Steuerwald general manager. Steuerwald comes from Hyatt Regency Calgary in Alberta, Canada, where he worked as general manager. He has also worked as director of food and beverage at Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, as well as Hyatt Regency Denver and Hyatt Regency San Francisco, where he worked as executive chef positions.

Steuerwald has been a member of several hotel and culinary boards, including director of the board for Calgary Hotel Association, president of Cayman Island Culinary Association and director of Caribbean Culinary Federation.

Nivel Felicien

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Felicien is head golf professional at Cabot Saint Lucia’s Point Hardy Golf Club, slated to open in 2023. For the last six years, Felicien worked as lead assistant golf professional at Los Angeles Country Club. He also worked at other U.S.-based golf clubs, including Nantucket Golf Club in Massachusetts and Trump National Doral in Miami.

Sara Scott

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Scott has joined Hawaii’s King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort as director of sales and marketing. She joins the property from Outrigger Kona Resort, where she worked as director of sales and marketing. Before moving to Hawaii, Scott held director of sales and marketing roles at Marriott Pleasanton, Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa and Sheraton Pleasanton, all in Northern California.

Arabella El Barkouki

London-based Dorchester Collection named El Barkouki global director of sales, marking a return to the brand. In 2008, she worked as regional director of sales for the collection. Most recently, she was vice president of global sales partners for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. She also worked for Le Richemond, Geneva as director of sales and marketing.

Anna Yan

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Yan is communications manager for Visit Pasadena in California. Yan previously worked with Diamond Public Relations in Los Angeles, where she held the role of senior account executive. Before this, she was the public relations manager for Sonoma County Tourism in Northern California. She began her career working with nonprofits and luxury brands, including The Geffen Playhouse, The Boys & Girls Clubs, The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, The Cancer Support Community of Pasadena.

Tom Haines, Charlie Albanos and Becky Hayes

Tom Haines (left), Charlie Albanos (center) and Becky Hayes (right)

Haines is vice president of operations and Albanos is corporate director of operations for Mainsail Lodging & Development; and Hayes is general manager and director of sales for the Mainsail-managed Residence Inn Tampa Wesley Chapel in Florida.

Haines has been with Mainsail since 2012, previously working as general manager of Epicurean Hotel, Autograph Collection in Tampa, Florida. He has also worked with Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando.

Albanos was corporate director of operations for Mainsail over the last two years. He came from Marriott International, most recently working at Fort Lauderdale Harbor Beach Resort Spa in Florida, where he worked as resident manager; before this, he worked at JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort in Florida as director of food and beverage.

Hayes brings a series of leading sales positions to this new role, most recently as market sales manager at McKibbon Hospitality. She has also worked as director of sales at Hilton Garden Inn in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Springhill Suites by Marriott Tampa North in Florida.

Around 1,500 cultural heritage experts from around the world are set to meet in Sydney for the General Assembly of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS GA2023) in September 2023, marking the first time the event is held in Australia or the Pacific region.

Here is seven ways local host Australia ICOMOS is incorporating sustainability into GA2023.

Achieving Carbon Neutrality

Australia ICOMOS aims to make GA2023 a carbon-neutral event. This means action will be taken to minimize its carbon footprint; then, net carbon emissions caused by the event will be offset by purchasing carbon credits.

The event’s collaborators will be making their contributions, as well. GA2023 corporate patron EarthCheck will manage ICOMOS GA2023’s carbon neutral calculations. Arinex, Australia ICOMOS’s event management company, is already certified carbon neutral.

ICOMOS is encouraging attendees to purchase carbon offsets for their travel to and from the event, to use public transport during the event or stay at hotels within walking distance of the venue.

Offsetting Travel with Airline Partner

Australia ICOMOS has the support of Qantas, through the airline’s Future Planet Program, to match every carbon offset purchased by attendees of GA2023. Qantas will also track and report on the carbon impact of any Qantas travel associated with the general assembly and on any offsetting that attendees purchase.

Qantas will provide special discounts for attendees on every available Qantas flight internationally and domestically for 10 days either side of GA2023.

Developing a Sustainability Guide

Australia ICOMOS has developed a sustainability guide which contains recommendations to assist in the sustainable organization of the event.

The guide covers all aspects of an event, from planning and choice of venue to event promotion and catering, with options to save energy and minimize waste.

Prioritizing Aboriginal Procurement

An Aboriginal Procurement Policy is creating opportunities for Aboriginal-owned businesses and encouraging Aboriginal employment through the supply chain of GA2023.

For example, Aboriginal suppliers are being sourced for sustainable event satchels, as well as catering for a day tour to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

Australia ICOMOS will report on its performance in achieving Aboriginal procurement targets to the GA2023 Indigenous Advisory Panel and the GA2023 Organizing Committee.

Minimizing Paper and Plastic

Australia ICOMOS aims to minimize the use of paper and plastic throughout the event.

Attendees will receive sustainable name badges with bamboo ribbon lanyards. The lanyards can be repurposed after the event for use as USB lanyards. The event will supply reusable water bottles and delegates will be encouraged to bring their own cups.

Paper programs and other hand-outs will be minimized by using a GA2023 app and website, which will include the conference program and abstracts.

Selecting a Sustainable Venue

GA2023’s main venue, the ICC Sydney, is part of a recognized Green Precinct, awarded six stars under the Green Building Council of Australia’s Green Star Communities certification, and with a Gold LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

ICC Sydney’s waste reduction program targets 75% of operational waste diversion from the landfill. Bottled water has been replaced by water stations to allow attendees to refill their reusable bottles. Rainwater collected from the exhibition roof provides 100% of irrigation demands and 63% of toilet flushing demands.

The venue also receives 5% of its energy from a community-funded solar energy project, equivalent to powering more than 100 homes every year.

Sourcing Local Catering

Food and wine provided by ICC Sydney is sourced from local producers, reducing food miles and energy emissions. Solar hot water is supplied to kitchens. All uneaten food is donated to charity partners Mathew Talbot Hostel and OzHarvest, to feed those in need or repurposed as fertilizer and green energy.

Once defined by sun and sand, San Diego has become a hotbed of cutting-edge innovation and entrepreneurial activity over the last decade. Combining a world-renowned destination and laidback lifestyle with a strong tech sector, business-friendly climate, and vibrant creative culture, the city has created an open and inspiring environment where anything feels possible and all are free to shine.

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Life Science Capitol

San Diego leads the way in the life science industry with an impressive mix of highly skilled scientists, visionary companies, and state-of-the-art facilities. According to Rick Fultz, CEO of Biocom, “San Diego is typically ranked third in the country in Life Sciences, only behind Boston and the San Francisco Bay Area.” That could soon change to number one.

In 2023, the city’s bayfront will be transformed into a life science hub thanks to the addition of the Research and Development District (RaDD). This eight-acre campus will offer unmatched amenities, and access to downtown and the nearby airport, as well as provide vital connections to the vast and formidable research resources located across the region. Whether it’s providing lab space or meeting space, San Diego makes the perfect ecosystem to hatch life-changing ideas.

Business-friendly Climate

San Diego’s spirit of collaboration and synergy between companies, sectors, and communities ranks second to none. According to Forbes, San Diego is the best place to launch a startup. The financial magazine also ranked San Diego as the fifth-best overall business community in the country.

Fresh new ideas come naturally thanks to the 70 miles of wide-open coastline that create endless options for networking, socializing and outdoor recreation. Inspired by San Diego’s blue-sky thinking, many homegrown companies like Qualcomm and Illumina, and local brands like Vuori and Coola Suncare, have made names for themselves across the world. If San Diego’s sunny outlook can inspire these brands, imagine how they can inspire yours.

Natural Meeting Place

The whole city seems as if it were designed to act as an open-air community center—a meeting place that brings locals and visitors alike together to inspire, educate, connect and share in the abundance of natural beauty. A welcoming wave of both new and completely reimagined places and venues has brought a fresh breath of sea air to the city’s event and meeting offerings. The most buzz-worthy addition is The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park.

Combining stunning, panoramic views of the waterfront and downtown skyline with acoustic perfection, the outdoor home of the San Diego symphony sits steps away from the bay and is an inviting place to take in a concert, soak up the scenery and host a private event or upcoming keynote address.

Looking to discover more about America’s Brightest City? Check out sandiego.org/meeting and connect with an event specialist.

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Funded in part with City of San Diego Tourism Marketing District Assessment Funds.

When 112 million viewers tuned in to watch the Super Bowl 2022 pre-game at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in February, they were treated to a reminder to Dream Big as a flying “Alex” floated up and down the state.

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With an assist from entertainment personality Mario Lopez, MLB San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford and actor Anthony Anderson, she flies above the Golden Gate Bridge, checks out whales along the coast, floats with colorful hot air balloons in Napa, indulges in forest bathing in Santa Cruz and lands poolside in Hollywood. The sequence was a vivid reminder set to the beat of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” that California has one of the most diverse landscapes imaginable with something to charm for every visitor.

That message of diversity, abundance and welcoming is even more applicable for groups looking to return to in-person meetings safely and dynamically.

Marketing conferences is more complicated now than it was two years ago. Today, the competition isn’t just from other educational events, but from the kitchen table where everyone has gotten used to streaming speakers, team meetings and even happy hours. Luring people away from their homes and screens will require confidence that gathering can be done safely. Potential attendees are looking for reassurance that the destination is taking health concerns seriously.

They also need to know that the trip will be worth their time and effort. Choosing a compelling destination can go a long way to creating fear of missing out (FOMO) that they will regret not being part of an exciting adventure.

And after all the industry has been through, many are keen to confirm that they will be helping, rather than hurting the community by attending. They are looking for venues and practices that are earth-friendly and give back to the culture they are packing a bag to visit.

This trifecta of mandates is leading more meeting professionals to California, a state that would comprise the fifth largest economy in the world if it were a country. The diverse landscape ranges from beach to vineyard and mountain, urban to wilderness and everywhere in between paired with a temperate climate that makes taking the meeting outdoors the preferred alternative.

Leaders were cautious and protocols are in place at venues and in the community. The state is leading efforts on environmental and social initiatives that align with many organizations’ priorities. And, since it is the innovation capital, technology solutions to bring at-home and in-person audiences together are abundant.

Smart Meetings surveyed the options and brought back this report about how the growing hospitality infrastructure in the state is meeting high expectations for what is possible.

A History of Innovation

From Hollywood’s Golden Age of storytelling in Southern California to the Summer of Love exploration in San Francisco in 1967, the state has always embraced new perspectives and fresh ideas. It was the birthplace of the gay rights movement and the first massive marathon music concert (Monterey Pop Festival), also in 1967. Residents repeatedly prove that the only limits are individual imagination.

For decades, California cities have dominated lists of places with the most minority-owned businesses. The culture and economy have benefitted from the introduction of fusion cuisine, diverse music, art and entertainment options and a melting pot of experiences.

Also a draw, the enduring commitment to inventing, improving and inspiring in the state that invented blue jeans, hot rods, Mickey Mouse, the waterbed and the pet rock.

The front of SpaceX headquarters. It is a gray warehouse with a small hedge

Jet Propulsion Laboratory started testing rockets for NASA in Southern California in the 1930s. Today, SpaceX carries on the legacy 30 miles away in Hawthorne. The first laser beam (originally called a maser) flipped the switch on focused light and power at Hughes Research Laboratory in sunny Malibu in 1960.

Northern California’s Silicon Valley has incubated three generations of technology advances from to the first Intel microprocessor in 1971 and Atari computer game that same year to the first iPhone demonstrated by then-CEO Steve Jobs in 2007. Significantly for the health advances now needed to restart in-person meetings, advances toward mapping human DNA in 1999 occurred at Joint Genome Institute in Walnut Creek in San Francisco’s East Bay.

The first message sent over the nascent internet came from University of California Los Angeles to Stanford University. That platform and a host of venture capitalists launched a million dotcom companies solving business and retail problems for the world. Students and engineers at world-class universities in Northern and Southern California keep the quest alive for better, frictionless ways to live and work and lend events an educated base for drawing on research, speakers and inspiration.

Just as California-based Apple Macintosh brought the world PowerPoint (originally called Presenter) in 1987, an estimated 489 video streaming companies, including virtual event platform Hubilo and virtual networking company twine are headquartered in California today. They are inventing new virtual and hybrid solutions that will lead to more productive meetings everywhere.

Read More: California: A Shining Diamond

Green Meetings

A large waterfall in Yosemite National Park, California

In addition to being an event tech powerhouse, the state is a green tech leader and California venues are early adopters of energy-efficient, sustainably built and operated spaces.

Protecting natural resources comes naturally when you are home to two of the three oldest national parks in the country—Sequoia and Yosemite. In fact, the one of the leading climate change research labs, Scripps Institution of Oceanography is located in California.

The state has the most Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings from the U.S. Green Building Council, more than twice as many as number two on the list, New York. Of the 1,253 LEED hotels in the country, the state with the largest concentration (209) is, you guessed it, California. The next state with the most LEED-certified hotels is Florida with 101.

California is also leading the way in adopting Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR accreditation for cleanliness standards from ISSA. That big football game in Los Angeles mentioned at the beginning of the story, it took place in a city where the major gateway, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), is GBAC certified. So are six area hotels, Crypto.com Arena and The Forum.

Inclusive, innovative and safe: In California, there’s always an open invitation to meet what’s possible.

Lets Plan!

Returning to Rosen means returning to creative meetings, bold vision, and the ability to take an idea and not only execute it, but elevate it beyond your dreams. Here, Rosen Centre’s award-winning events team knows how to turn a challenge into a triumph, using talent, innovation, and the ability to adapt quickly.

Connected to the Orange County Convention Center and standing tall in the center of Orlando’s meetings and convention district, Rosen Centre is THE ideal place for meeting planners looking for that balance of business and bonding. With 150,000 sq. ft. of impressive, technologically advanced space, the Rosen Centre team brings elegance and innovation to any world-class meeting. Whether you are holding your event in the 35,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom or in one of the nearly three dozen state-of-the-art meeting rooms, complete with modern décor, it is easy to see why the Rosen Centre team earned numerous awards of excellence. Planners can even get creative by utilizing Rosen Centre’s outdoor event space and tropical pool patios

As planners spent the year juggling between having a meeting in person or not, the team at Rosen Centre calmly guided them through the process, seamlessly, relieving the pressure of, what if? “Just when it seemed we would not be able to have an in-person meeting in 2022 things abruptly changed… Excellent communication was instrumental for us being able to keep those dates reserved and quickly put our plans into action,” said Julie Schallert, Marketing Manager for Bruker Scientific. (The) positive attitude was a breath of fresh air,” she added. Positivity, without pause. Years of experience in the meetings and convention industry are on display when you need that expertise the most.

Rosen Centre also impresses business leaders with its collection of suites, designed to take those power meetings to a more personal level. Amongst the hotel’s 1,334 guest rooms, Rosen Centre proudly offers 80 suites, including three Presidential, 20 Executive, 43 VIP, and 14 Hospitality, complete with sleek furnishings. Each room combines all the comforts of home with technology to keep you connected, streaming services, and endless entertainment options. Also impressive, is the two-story, recently remodeled VIP Concierge Lounge with top-shelf amenities and soaring, magnificent views from the hotel’s top two floors.

Your event will also have the personalized attention of Rosen Centre’s award-winning culinary team led by Executive Chef Michael McMullen. Whether you are dining on finely crafted steaks at Everglades Restaurant, Caribbean-Cuban fusion flavors at Harry’s Poolside Bar & Grill, or at an event for thousands, Chef McMullen delivers excellence every time. “For me, I challenge myself to deliver a meal experience where our guests will say, ‘That entrée was outstanding, so flavorful and fresh.’ That’s especially so when I use my favorite ingredient, seafood. Seafood is so delicate, you have to season it correctly and you can’t overdo it. It’s like a science,” McMullen said.

Outstanding service, attention to detail and guest-centered creativity are three reasons planners put Rosen Centre at the top of their list.

Contact

Julie Ryczak

Director of Sales & Marketing, Rosen Centre

[email protected]

407-996-2305

Plan with Confidence

Toronto’s renowned multiculturalism is at the root of its inclusive and collaborative spirit, something visitors sense upon arrival. A modern, progressive city with a vibrant downtown core that is safe, walkable, and diverse. Meeting in Toronto puts you at the innovative and cultural heart of Canada.

No other destination has Toronto’s unique DNA.

A combination of cultural diversity and the potential alchemy that comes from mixing and remixing together to produce something entirely new. What you’ll find in Toronto is a kaleidoscope of cultures—each unique, and when combined with views and perspectives from attendees, the potential to experience innovation like never before.

A Global Intersection That’s Easy to Get To

As North America’s fourth-largest city, Toronto is a gateway to an entire nation and home to quintessentially Canadian experiences. Toronto is easy to access, with service to over 180 global destinations in 55 countries via two best-in-class international airports. It is only a 90-minute flight for more than 100 million Americans. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) has been named the best large airport in North America for four years straight by Airports Council International (ACI World) and is only 30 minutes from the downtown core via the UP Express train.

Read More: Eastern Canada: Northern Exposure

Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ), Toronto’s downtown airport, is located on the Toronto Islands and is easily accessible by ferry and underwater pedestrian tunnel. Billy Bishop Airport is renowned for its unique travel experience, efficiency, and customer service and has won a series of passenger-driven awards, including the Airports Council International Environmental Achievement Award.

Industry-leading Venues

Sustainability is a top priority for Toronto’s convention centres, venues, and meeting spaces.

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) is Canada’s leading convention and trade show facility. This world-class venue features over 442,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, 77 meeting rooms, multipurpose ballrooms and a fully equipped theatre. Every year the MTCC reduces its environmental footprint by diverting 90 percent of event waste from landfills and decreasing energy consumption.

Exhibition Place has also raked in numerous awards and accolades for its sustainability efforts.

The entire facility has signed the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge. In addition to the facility’s GREENSmart initiative, which started in 2004 and focuses on implementing sustainable development practices across the site, its Enercare Centre and Beanfield Centre venues have earned LEED Platinum and Silver certification, respectively.

Powerful Partnerships

Partner with Destination Toronto to work with a dedicated group of ambassadors that love to share their knowledge and design your event around the city’s unique attractions. Destination Toronto’s 6ix Stack Attendance Marketing program is a comprehensive attendance marketing program that offers a range of services, from 24/7 on-demand assets to highly customized assets. Connect with Destination Toronto’s team to tap into a wealth of tips, resources, and local expertise to serve your needs.

Learn more about bringing your next meeting to Toronto here.

Editor’s note: This Week in Travel (TWT) is your essential guide to smoothing the road from here to there for your attendees and yourself.

‘It Pays to Travel,’ Say Airlines’ Third Quarter Earnings Calls

In October third-quarter earnings calls, four major U.S. airlines (United, Delta, JetBlue and American) all reported a return to profitability despite flight schedules that have been affected by pilot shortages, weather and air traffic control.

United Airlines said that its third-quarter results, “solidly beat expectations.”

“Looking forward through the end of the year, the airline expects the strong Covid recovery trends to continue to overcome the recessionary pressures in the macroeconomic environment,” United’s release on the earnings statement said.

“The company believes there are three durable trends for air travel demand that are more than fully offsetting any economic headwinds: air travel is still in the Covid recovery phase, hybrid work gives customers the freedom and flexibility to travel for leisure more often, and external supply challenges will limit industry supply for years to come.”

United said its third-quarter operational performance was, “one of the best of any third quarter in the company’s history.”

The airline pointed to its new United Club at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, its purchase of 200 four-seat electric aircraft for 2026 delivery and its Business Blueprint corporate customer platform as highpoints on its performance.

Similarly, Delta Air Lines reported, “a strong September quarter with record quarterly revenues and a double-digit operating margin. “The travel recovery continues as consumer spend shifts to experiences and demand improves in corporate and international,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive officer on the call.

“With strong demand and a return to best-in-class operational performance, we are ahead of our plan for the year on profitability…We’re working towards full network restoration by summer of 2023.”

The airline pointed to the launch of Delta business, an “all-encompassing travel brand…featuring premium benefits” and Delta Premium Select enhancements for the onboard experience as high points affecting business travelers.

American Airlines also reported a return to profitability in its third-quarter earnings call, stating that it had flown a “schedule that was more than 25% larger than its closest competitor as measured by total departures.”

American’s CEO Robert Isom said on the call that, “Demand remains strong and it’s clear that customers in the U.S. and other parts of the world continue to value air travel and the ability to reconnect post-pandemic. American has the youngest, most fuel-efficient fleet among U.S. network carriers and we are well-positioned for the future because of the incredible efforts of our team.”

Finally, JetBlue also recorded a return to profitability saying that it, “continues to unlock consumer benefits by providing customers with more choice as a true third competitor in the Northeast.”

“For the third quarter, we reached an important milestone in our recovery as we generated our first quarterly adjusted profit since the start of the pandemic. Looking ahead, we expect our profitability to carry through to another solid quarter of mid-single-digit, pre-tax margins in the fourth quarter, and we’ll look to expand on that further in 2023 as we continue to restore our earnings power,” said Robin Hayes, JetBlue’s CEO.

Hayes also pointed to the impending merger with Spirit (barring governmental interference, broadly seen as unlikely) as an engine for that profitability.

On a global level IATA (International Air Transport Association) reported data for August 2022 that showed “continued momentum in the air travel recovery.”

Total traffic in August 2022 was up 67% compared to August 2021, reported the agency. Globally, traffic is now at 73.7% of pre-crisis levels.

“The Northern Hemisphere peak summer travel season finished on a high note. Considering the prevailing economic uncertainties, travel demand is progressing well. And the removal or easing of travel restrictions at some key Asian destinations, including Japan, will certainly accelerate the recovery in Asia. The mainland of China is the last major market retaining severe Covid entry restrictions,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general.

Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger Warns Against Pilot Inexperience

In a recent editorial in The Hill, “miracle on the Hudson” Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger along with Capt. Joseph G. DePete, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, International warn against impending moves by airlines to reduce or diminish requirements for pilot and first officers. “

“To be an effective leader on the flight deck, one must be the master of the aircraft,” the authors write. “This includes each of its component systems; its crew, passengers and cargo; and the constantly changing environment that surrounds it. Whether during an extraordinary emergency or routine conditions, safety is paramount for airline pilots—and the ability to ensure safety starts with training and experience. Unfortunately, not everyone in our industry shares this view.”

Sullenberger and DePete go on to cite a bid by regional airline SkyWest Airlines to fly to its rural and small community routes under a different set of safety regulations with less-experienced pilots.

“The airline received government contracts under one set of rules, but to avoid the higher safety standards, it’s asking—midflight—to change the rules. This airline’s bait-and-switch scheme must also be rejected by the Department of Transportation,” write the pilots.

In a recent cover story Smart Meetings reported aviation expert and consumer advocate William McGee, senior fellow for aviation, American Economic Liberties Project saying that, “Overwhelmingly the problems (summer airline chaos) are the airlines’ faults. It’s about shortage of pilots. We gave them $54 billion, with one caveat. Make sure you keep your staffing up. They found a loophole. They encouraged early retirements, so now there’s a shortage of pilots.”

Roland Duerr

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Duerr is managing director for Rosewood Munich, scheduled to open in 2023. He has been with Rosewood for more than 10 years, currently working as managing director for Rosewood Abu Dhabi. Before Rosewood, Duerr held leading positions with Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Burj Al Arab in Dubai, Four Seasons Hotel Berlin and Jumeirah Essex House in New York City.

Jason Perkins

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Perkins is general manager for The Karol Hotel in Pinellas County, Florida. Perkins comes from Lexington Marriott City Center & Residence Inn in Kentucky. His experience working with the Marriott International is extensive, having also worked as director of services at Charlotte Marriott City Center in North Carolina, as well as Hotel Adagio in San Francisco and W Atlanta Downtown.

Adam Duffey

headshot of adam duffey

Before his new position as general manager for Fenway Hotel in Dunedin, Florida, Duffey was opening general manager of The Karol Hotel (which Jason Perkins now holds, see above), recognized as TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice and AAA Four Diamond. Duffey also worked in leading roles for Staybridge Suites Hotels and Marriott International in the Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida, area.

Kerry Murtaugh

headshot of kerry murtaugh

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront in Florida named Murtaugh senior sales manager. Murtaugh previously worked at Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook Chicago as group sales manager. Before this, she worked with Hyatt Regency Lisle in Illinois, where she led group business in the corporate and SMERF markets, as well as The Drake Hotel in Oak Brook, Illinois, where her career began.

Friedrich Von Schonburg

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Rosewood Villa Magna in Madrid, Spain, appointed von Schonburg managing director. Von Schonburg was previously general manager for El Palace Barcelona. Before this, he spent a decade working in London, including COMO Metropolitan London, The Savoy and Rosewood London, working as opening director of guest relations, as well as The Connaught and Claridge’s as director of rooms.

Isabel Anderson

headshot of isabel anderson

Anderson is director of sales and marketing for Hilton Alexandria Mark Center in Virginia. She comes from DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sunrise of Sawgrass Mills in Florida, where she was director of sales and marketing. Before this, she worked as senior sales manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Ocean Point Resort and Spa, and DoubleTree by Hilton Guest Suites.

Heather Nelson

headshot of heather nelson

Entire Productions Inc. in San Francisco named Nelson business development manager. Nelson has a long history working in the Bay Area, having worked with Encore Event Rentals—which serves the northern Bay Area—prior to her new position. She also worked as event and sales manager for Sheraton Sonoma County in California.

Laurent Myter, Martin Koerner and (Peter) Ye Chang Sheng

three headshots (left to right): laurent myter, martin koerner and ye chang sheng — Laurent Myter (left), Martin Koerner (center) and Ye Chang Sheng (Peter, right)

Myter is group general manager, Koerner is group commercial director and Sheng is resort manager for The Anam Muiu Ne in Cam Ranh, Vietnam.

Myter comes from YTL Hotels, where he spent the last 26 years, most recently working as executive vice president of operations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He has also been president of Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s International Advisory Board of Hoteliers.

Before this move, Koerner helped establish Optimum Hospitality, a hotel and resort asset management and hospitality consultancy company, working as a principal partner in the operation. He also worked as Alma Resort Cam Ranh’s commercial director.

Sheng previously worked as executive assistant manager for Anam Cam Ranh, having initially joined the property as executive chef. He has also worked as a chef at InterContinental Hotels and Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties in South Africa, as well as Mia Resort Nha Trang in Vietnam as executive chef.

Chris Riccardi

headshot of chris riccardi

Riccardi has been named senior vice president of global sales strategy by KSL Resorts. Riccardi previously worked as senior vice president for Outrigger Hospitality Group. Before this, he was executive vice president for Associated Luxury Hotels International, director of sales for The Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Florida, and senior sales manager for Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort in Maui.

Laurent Ebzant

image of friedrich von schonburg

Park Hyatt New York named Ebzant general manager. Ebzant previously worked as general manager at Grand Hyatt Rio De Janeiro, and before this as general manager for Hyatt Regency Casablanca in Morocco, as well as Kempinski Hotels in Accra, Ghana; and Geneva.

The biggest events conference in the world is a marathon in itself with participants reporting that they recorded 10,000, 20,000 or more steps walking the floor and hoofing it to after-parties. But a growing attendee segment at IMEX America in Las Vegas was looking for a more intentionally healthy experience.

That fitness mindset was evident in the popularity of VOQIN-developed IMEXrun 5K on The Strip at dawn on Wednesday, Oct. 13. Others participated in morning yoga and Orangetheory HIIT workouts in Mandalay Bay Convention Center. And Two-minute Moves held between sessions in the Inspiration Hub turned attendees into action figures. The Be Well Lounge offered meditation and mindfulness from Leadership Solutions International and deep relaxation from In House Physicians.

Maritz Global Events Wellbeing Leader Rachael Riggs reported that the sustainability challenge executed in partnership with Heka Health from IMEX Frankfurt was back on and very popular. Participants tracked steps and earned points for eating plant-based food or taking a walking tour using an app.

Smart Meetings talked to some attendees who made careful plans to ensure they could stick to their goals and found welcome partners in the quest.

The Long Game

For some, nothing could stand in the way of their training goals. Sophie Garneau, senior sales manager at Four Seasons Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, was in the midst of training for the New York City Marathon, scheduled for three short weeks after the closing session. She has been actively working with a trainer for her second full marathon and asked her to develop some manageable workouts that could squeeze between client dinners and meetings on the show floor.

Garneau called the experience “dry IMEX,” but found that she was not alone in passing on the champagne. Bartenders often had non-alcoholic, functional juice-based beverages available. When it came time for dinner, she found that most Las Vegas restaurants have options for everyone, so it wasn’t a challenge to find healthy meals if you looked hard enough even at buffet receptions where people could make their own choices—good and bad. She did warn about the portion sizes, however, saying plates were often enough for two people.

“Overall, people are trying to be more health-conscience,” Garneu said. “It is easier now than was five years ago.” Then she added with a laugh, “I did indulge in dessert a few times, but that is OK, too.”

Garneau participated in the Destination Vancouver-sponsored run with colleagues who supported her commitment. Short, interval run programs for the treadmill were the same effort if not more than a long run and fit into the limited time available. Her trainer kept her accountable, even at a distance.

In the past, Garneau has hosted spin classes at a local Soul Cycle with clients. “At the end of the week, they are tired of drinking and eating. It is energizing,” she reported.

Plan Ahead

Another meetings veteran who took healthy IMEX seriously is David T. Stevens, PMED, new director of field marketing and global events with data.world and leader of the Wellbeing Campfire “Increase ROI by Increasing Wellness.” Stevens is a four-time winner of Fittest male #Eventrprof and earned a Delos Wellness for Meetings and Events certificate. But he still plans carefully when attending a major conference to ensure he can maintain his goals.

He practices intermittent fasting to reduce overall calorie intake and travels with protein powder, shakes and bars so he doesn’t have to pay a “protein premium” for food on the show floor. “Finding food on the floor is often the hardest thing,” he said.

IMEX heard the message at previous shows and offered a range of vegan and vegetarian options in the cafe on the show floor along with a misfit smoothie and juice bar.

Stevens also participated in the run on Wednesday and hosted a Body Weight Bootcamp on Thursday morning to help people get their blood flowing and benefit from a dose of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) to help them remember more throughout the day. He also checked in at the gym at Delano Las Vegas and found it packed at 6:30 a.m. “Hotels are going to have to start building larger gyms,” he said.

The other shift Stevens found refreshing: a commitment to getting enough sleep. “No longer is it a badge of honor to go to all the parties and stay up all night,” he said. He made a point of being back in his room by 10 p.m. so he could start the next day fresh and found many others doing the same. “It is great to see people being protective of their own objectives.”

Meeting professionals rely heavily on the event servicing teams behind the scenes to execute on the best-laid plans for effective meetings. To ensure that those support networks are skilled in current best practices, a new Event Service Professional Certification (ESPC) from Event Service Professionals Association (ESPA) will help everyone sleep easier at night.

“The new ESPC certification for the often-overlooked profession of event servicing is historic on many levels,” said Paola Bowman, CMP, CMM, who serves as president of ESPA and director of client services and events at Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau in Texas.

In addition to evaluating for proficiency in the areas of event design, principles of meeting planning, association objectives and business principles, it will also be a tool to develop the next generation of meeting professional.

Richmond Region Tourism Vice President of Visitor Experience Matt Robinette, CMP, believes the industry certification is about growing the industry. “This is codifying best practices through robust continuing education programs, which will result in better service to clients, unambiguous internal metrics and career growth,” he said.

“In addition to the program contributing to better outcomes, the program will build a network of professionals that will work together to craft the future of the industry,” Robinette added.

In a post-pandemic events setting, experienced and credentialed event service professionals can help meeting planners, who face new audiences in different places through hybrid technology, attendance building challenges, expanded safety needs and city-wide labor shortages.

What ESPC Proves

ESPC members have either taken the Event Service Professional Foundational Training Program or demonstrated at least 10 years of professional event service experience and comprehension of event servicing in convention centers, hotels and CVBs.

In addition, 20 hours of continuing education, which focuses on event servicing topics, is required over three years. They have also completed a comprehensive capstone project in a chosen “challenge area” that demonstrates collaboration and an ability to impact measurable outcomes or achievements.

Individuals will be recertified every five years and meeting planners can find a list of candidates on ESPA’s website.

ESPA’s curriculum provides foundational training for individuals new to event/convention services—and experienced professionals at convention centers, hotels and CVBs looking to broaden their understanding of event service across segments.

Videos are available on-demand, enabling event service professionals to go through the training on their own schedule. A certificate of completion and continuing education credits can be earned by demonstrating participation through a post-training evaluation. The 13-lesson program provides material on servicing unique markets, emerging trends and performance measurements.

For Carol Gagnon, CMP, CEM, director of Event Operations at Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, the ESPC is about highlighting an industry resource. “As event service professionals we represent a far-reaching network of professionals supporting the hospitality industry via our clients, partners, vendors and our own colleagues. Earning the privilege to post the ESPC designation to our name will ignite awareness allowing us to build on that network,” she said.

Building the Pipeline

Louisville Tourism Vice President of Destination Services Zack Davis, CMP, said the new certification is about recognizing the valuable contributions provided by event service professionals.

“The certification provides a validation for those looking at the career path of an event service professional. It supports the event service professional’s place in the industry and the importance and relevancy of our profession,” he said.

Robinette said the certification will show younger professionals that there is a future in the industry, outside of their own organization. “Professionals working in the event services industry are on their own when they join a new organization,” said Robinette. “Each vertical of the industry (center, hotel, DMO) trains young professionals in their ‘in-house’ programs which prepares them for the day-to-day work. ESPC to defines industry standards and works to provide continuing education to further expand what it means to be an event services professional.”

Davis said the new certification is like a reward for younger event service professionals. “The ESPC provides an incentive for those newer to the industry to complete foundational training programs and expedite their knowledge and experience,” said Davis, who served on the certification task force along with Robinette and Gagnon.

ESPA’s certification helps seasoned event service professionals build a network and be more effective. “Our roles are inimitable as we touch multiple facets of the hospitality industry,” Gagnon said.

It will provide structure to train new hires and offers industry leaders the framework to evaluate direct reports’ effectiveness.