Top speakers on hot topics, excellent networking opportunities and the area’s widely acclaimed farm-to-table F&B highlighted DMA West Education Summit & Vendor Showcase in Sacramento this week.
The event—which was held at Hyatt Regency Sacramento Oct. 2 to 4—drew participants from throughout California as well as from Alaska, Colorado, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona and Utah. And they all came back with a taste, literally, and much more of what the Sacramento area offers.
John Reyes
“One of the things that we’ve really been promoting is our farm-to-table movement, and during the planning process, we really wanted to showcase it,” said John Reyes, chief operating officer for Visit Sacramento. “Through all the events, I think that the attendees have seen that there are great opportunities to enjoy really fresh produce and fresh products from the Sacramento area.
“Many times, we’re mainly known as a government town. But farm-to-table is a real movement here. And we did three experiential tours that showcased our public arts, craft breweries and best-kept fruit secrets—and people really enjoyed them.”
One of the highlights was a visit to Bogle Winery, located in nearby Clarksville, on Thursday night. Participants chatted while enjoying savory farm-to-fork and farm-to-glass selections. The gathering took place outdoors in a picturesque, rural setting by the Sacramento River.
“It was a quintessential California night—great food, great friends and great wines,” Reyes said.
Education sessions covered compelling topics such as overtourism, the global and local economies, multicultural marketing and sustainability. Speakers included Jack Johnson, chief advocacy officer for Destinations International; Nicole Newman, vice president of SearchWide Global; and Aran Ryan, director of lodging analytics for Tourism Economics.
“For the educational part, we looked to our counterparts for resources, and made sure we brought in top-level speakers that I believe offered great educational content,” Reyes said.
He hopes that participants now will spread the word about Sacramento.
“For us in Sacramento, it’s really our passion to say something is happening in the Capital City,” Reyes said. “We not only wanted DMA delegates to enjoy it: We want others to enjoy it, as well.”
With plenty of programs making it easier than ever to get through airport security swiftly, it’s a wonder why anyone would pass on them, although it may not be worth the cost for those who don’t fly as often. But even those without such programs as Clear can get through airport security swiftly by following these six steps.
Double Check the TSA List
Remember how many ounces of liquids you can bring (3.4 in a one-quart bag), which items are forbidden and which items must be taken out and placed in bins to avoid the toss-of-shame. For items that must be taken out of your carry-ons, place them on top of the rest of your luggage so they are easy to access when removing and repacking.
Dress for Success
We get it: You want to look professional for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you’ll be heading to a social hour directly after you land, or you might just like to look the part of an important businessperson. You don’t have to sacrifice fashion for ease, but there are a few ways you can avoid being delayed. Keep all large jewelry in your carry-on until you pass through security, wear shoes that slip on and off easily, avoid accessorizing too much and pack your jacket rather than wear it. Not only will you fly through, but others will be grateful to you for your quick exit.
Arrive ASAP
If you’ve flown before, you know that the airport security lines will be long, people will meander to their gates slowly and boarding begins about 20 minutes before take-off. Take this all into account when deciding on what time to arrive at the airport. A 30-minute excursion through the airport can easily turn into an hour, so plan ahead. It’s better to be sitting around than missing your flight.
Use Your Phone
Many apps now allow you to access your plane ticket electronically. This can reduce time standing around, locating your confirmation code among tens of other emails and typing in the code to print your ticket. Self-kiosks may be more efficient than waiting for an attendant, but having your ticket ready on your phone can help you glide through the check-in process.
Analyze the Lines
Unless you’re there for the first and last flights, it’s likely that the lines will be long, leaving you tapping your foot. So, look ahead at your fellow peers. Avoid lines with children, as they can be difficult to get through security without a hassle; stand behind fellow businesspeople who are wanting to get through as quickly as you do; and check for those who aren’t traveling with others, thus limiting the number of bags they have.
Put the Walk in Moving Walkways
If you’re running through the airport to locate your gate, it may be tempting to catch your breath on the moving walkway. The rest may be nice, but you can lessen the time reaching your gate by power-walking along walkways, giving you more time to sit and relax as you wait for your flight—eliminating stress while giving your feet a break.
The government shutdown is leaving airports cross the United States with understaffed security checkpoints and long lines as some Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents are refusing to work after weeks of not being paid. TSA announced this morning that the national rate of unscheduled absences is at 6.8 percent, compared to last year’s rate of 2.5 percent.
Tiffany Dowd, founder and president of Luxe Social Media, suggests arriving extra-early to your flights—as much as 3 hours early in some cases. “While airport security checkpoint lines can vary by city, you can check the status of wait times by downloading the My TSA app so that you can see if TSA lanes are open and available,” Dowd says.
The travel expert also warns that people looking to apply for or renew a Global Entry or Precheck membership may have to reschedule their interview after the shutdown ends, but opportunity are available to interview in select U.S. and Canadian airports when they arrive from an international flight.
Tweeting the Line
As lines get longer, and with no end to the shutdown in sight, agitated passengers are sharing TSA line experiences on social media.
Travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) face lengthy lines for TSA checkpoints. ATL advised departing travelers to give a three-hour leeway to get through security.
#ATL is experiencing longer than usual wait times during peak travel. Please plan ahead and give yourself 3 hours to clear security. ✈️
ATL is not alone in the long line dilemma. Airports in New York, Minneapolis and Houston are troubled with growing lines and checkpoint closures.
This is the TSA screening line for Terminal 2 at MSP this morning. It extends out to the parking garage. MSP officials are missing in action. Thanks Trump. pic.twitter.com/XJfyKhcEXW
On Friday, Miami International Airport closed Terminal G, one of six terminals, for the weekend. The airport advised travelers to arrive two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. Concourse G re-opened on Monday morning.
LONG TSA lines—Miami International Airport. Expect a wait. Lack of TSA workers causing backups at security. Terminal G set to close after 1pm today @WPLGLocal10pic.twitter.com/5E1sOPebpR
Travelers fume in long lines at Miami International airport in govt shutdownhttps://t.co/1KOBSyyNkK
Passengers queue up at a checkpoint at Miami International Airport. A shortage of security agents forced the airport to shut down Terminal G pic.twitter.com/2wVcR0qxkF
What has your experience been? Tag us on social #MeetSmart with your pictures.
Back in my college days at the University of California, Berkeley, I enrolled in a class on American history, hoping that it would be more interesting and inspiring than many of the other history classes I had taken.
My concern was that it might be a bit dull, filled with plenty of details strewn together in an unimaginative manner. Well, as it turned out, the professor, Leon Litwack, exceeded all my expectations. His presentations were presented in a serious manner, but his style of delivery and passion were so compelling that I and the other students were mesmerized. In fact, he received a standing ovation after every lecture!
Docent educator Zito Cup Choy has this same compelling presence when leading tours of Iolani Palace in Honolulu. A descendant of a longtime Hawaiian family, Choy has been giving tours of the palace for 38 years, as well as been deeply involved in its research projects. She is a walking encyclopedia of the place–the center of the Hawaiian Kingdom from 1882 to 1893–and has a flair for the dramatic. As we entered each stunning room of the palace, she let us know we were about to see something magnificent–and she was right.
I came to the palace without much knowledge of it, and not expecting much. After Choy’s tour, I was hungry to learn much more. For, as she conveyed, the palace is much more than the former residence of the elite: It is a vital part of Hawaiian history in general and its many cultures.
Group tour rates are available.
With its pleasant climate, first-class convention centers, plethora of hotels and burgeoning food scene, it’s no wonder Greater Phoenix is a darling of meeting planners. The region boasts a wide variety of great indoor and outdoor venues in which to host events. Here are 11 unique ideas for planners orchestrating events in the Phoenix/Mesa area:
Courtesy Phoenix Convention Center, North Ballroom at Phoenix Convention Center
The Phoenix Convention Center could double as an art museum. Interesting murals, sculptures and art installations permeate the three-building campus, which boasts a total of almost 900,000 sq. ft. of meeting and exhibition space. The colors and textures of the newly expanded convention center were inspired by the Grand Canyon. The North Ballroom is a particularly elegant space that features whimsical ceiling kites that ripple and flow like the desert wind. The light colored kites are set against a dark blue ceiling, representing the night sky. Small lights provide the sensation of stars. The flexible meeting space has a total capacity of 45,600 sq. ft.
Courtesy of Phoenician, Camelback Ballroom at the Phoenician
The Phoenician is a Five Diamond luxury resort spread over 250-acres, featuring 160,000 sq. ft. of interior and exterior meeting space. Whether organizing an intimate meeting, corporate conference, annual convention or gala celebration, planners will find a variety of great venues at the Scottsdale property. Of particular note is Camelback Ballroom, which has high windows that offer a glimpse of majestic Camelback Mountain. Gazing out the windows, sharp-eyed attendees may spot a saguaro cactus, spreading its long arms towards the sky. Inside, the 15,000-square-foot ballroom can be subdivided into seven separate function spaces, and is complemented by a veranda for outdoor breakout sessions and receptions.
Photo courtesy of Tomasos, Tomasos Italian Restaurant
Tomaso’s in central Phoenix has been voted Best Italian Restaurant in the Valley for 38 consecutive years. Diners can enjoy large portions of regional Italian cuisine from Chef Tomaso Maggiore in a country Tuscan atmosphere. Service is stellar. Planners can buy out some, or all, of the restaurant. The main dining room, featuring original oil paintings by Aldo Longo, seats 120. The Sarina Room, which has a drop down projection screen and wireless Internet, seats 55. The casual and intimate Garden Room seats 20 and can be used for cocktail receptions. The semi-private Cove seats 22.
Hot Air Balloon Breakfast
Photo Courtesy of Hot Air Expeditions, Ballooning over the Sonora Desert
Wow executives on a corporate retreat, or reward staff members who have won incentive trips, with an unforgettable experience by arranging for them to soar 6,000 feet above the Sonora Desert at sunrise in a hot air balloon. Hot Air Expeditions is one of many tour companies in the Phoenix region offering the unique experience. Participants will get to view the rugged desert terrain and dry mountain ranges from a whole new perspective. Traveling at speeds of five to six miles per hour, riders will feel virtually no sensation of motion because they are flying with the wind. When the pilot gently lands the 1,200-lb. wicker basket, the ground crew will scramble to assemble and serve a continental breakfast, complete with champagne. Hot Air Expeditions can accommodate up to 100 riders at a time, in a variety of colorful balloons.
The Heard Museum is conveniently located on the light rail line that runs through Phoenix and Mesa. The elegant museum features Spanish Colonial architecture, lush lawns and a variety of shaded courtyards. Many of the exhibit galleries and outdoor courtyards can be bought out for meetings and events. Of particular note is the 5,000-square-foot Central Courtyard, which is surrounded by arched walkways and boasts striking water features. It seats 300 for banquets and can accommodate 500 for cocktail receptions. The museum features rotating exhibits and has one of the best permanent collections of Native American artifacts in the world. Traditional and contemporary art and sculpture from the Southwest abounds. Air conditioned meeting rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art AV equipment, and Native American artists, dancers and musicians can be hired to perform or demonstrate their crafts.
Photo by Susan Jacobs, Ace bowler Doug MacKenzie of Visit Phoenix
Planners seeking a fun and relaxing group activity when meetings wind down in the evening need look no further than Lucky Strike Phoenix. The hip, modern facility will bowl your group over! Your meeting attendees can eat, drink and roll strikes in this clean, well-equipped bowling alley/nightclub. For an added touch, put your corporate logo on the big television screens that hang over each of the 12 high-tech lanes. The 18,000-square-foot venue features comfortable couches, billiard tables and arcade games, in addition to two bars. Divide your group into teams and stage a bowling competition, complete with bowling shirts or prizes.
Agritopia is a unique urban farming community located in Gilbert, Arizona, on what used to be the Johnston family farm. Four generations of Johnstons still live there. Visionary Joe Johnston has transformed the land into a neighborly collective model that harks back to simpler times. Meeting groups are invited to tour the property and enjoy an elegant farm-to-table dinner in the orchard. Joe (or another member of the community) can lecture about sustainable agriculture or landscape design. The pedestrian-friendly community was purposely designed to connect homes, gardens and people. They grow organic fruit, vegetables and herbs, and raise livestock, on 160 acres. Produce is sold on an honor system at the Farm Stand. Residents live in single family homes (there are 452 of them), or in Generations, a new, 117-unit assisted and independent senior living center. Agritopia has two restaurants: The Coffee Shop sells award-winning cupcakes; Joe’s Farm Grill, a retro eatery (with famous bathrooms) utilizes Agritopia’s produce and has been featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” Plans are underway to add a small winery, and a brewery with a beer garden.
Photo by Susan Jacobs, Commemorative Air Force Museum Arizona Wing
Mesa, Arizona has a rich aviation history. Interested individuals can learn more about it at the Commemorative Air Force Museum Arizona Wing, which opened in 1978. The museum houses approximately 30 rare, restored aircraft from WWI through the Vietnam War. The piece de resistance is a B-17 bomber from WWII. Of 12,731 built, only 7 are still in flying condition. If the budget allows, planners can fulfill bucket-list dreams to fly on a B-17, or any of the other working aircraft the museum has available. Planners can also buy out the 28,000-square-foot indoor hangar space (with or without planes) for casual or black-tie events. It can accommodate up to 1,500 guests. Some organizations have staged trade shows inside the facility, which features a sophisticated lighting system. Outdoors, there is an additional 60,000 sq. ft. of usable space.
Courtesy Visit Mesa, Sloan Park, Chicago Cubs spring training facility
Spring training baseball is a big draw in Mesa. The Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West is a player, giving visitors a bird’s-eye view of Sloan Park, the Chicago Cubs’ spring training stadium. The new hotel , which opened April 15, has 180 guest rooms and 37,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including a 12,000-square-foot ballroom. Sports-themed venues at the property include Stats Sports Grill, Legends fine dining, Curves bar and the On Deck lounge. The conveniently-located property is minutes from Mesa Convention Center and Mesa Arts Center, and is within walking distance of the Mesa Riverview shopping and entertainment complex. It is less than 8 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
No trip to Arizona is complete without the opportunity to experience some its spectacular scenery. The state’s most famous natural wonder is the Grand Canyon, but there are plenty of other smaller venues where planners and their groups can admire Arizona’s natural beauty. Usuary Mountain Regional Park in Mesa is one such place. The sparsely populated park, which is affiliated with the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department, features miles of pristine hiking trails. Planners can work with park rangers to coordinate early morning hikes where attendees can take in breathtaking vistas. They can also arrange for full moon hikes or evening flashlight walks. Thrill the more adventurous with a guided scorpion hunt. Rangers are available to lecture on topics such as bald eagles or native plants of the Sonora desert.
The modern and immaculate Mesa Arts Center, which opened 10 years ago, is the largest arts and cultural complex in the Southwest. The 212,755 sq. ft. facility features performing and visual arts shows and exhibitions in a variety of indoor and outdoor venues that can be bought out. A central gathering space for students, artists and patrons, visitors can enjoy rotating exhibits and colorful, accessible permanent artwork. The expansive campus includes four theaters, numerous galleries and exhibition spaces, art studios and state-of-the art classrooms where members of the community can study with art masters in a variety of disciplines. There are many options for planners interested in staging spectacular events at the impressive Mesa Arts Center.
This summer, United Airlines will debut its first long-haul flight between San Francisco and Singapore, opening up new doors to Asia and North America. The new route, from San Francisco International Airport to Singapore Changi Airport, will offer daily nonstop service across 8,446 miles—the longest scheduled flight operated by any U.S. carrier.
“We are very excited about introducing nonstop flights between San Francisco and Singapore,” said Marcel Fuchs, vice president of Atlantic and Pacific sales for United Airlines. “This long-awaited service has been made possible by the newest version of our customer-pleasing Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and will offer unique benefits to customers traveling between our West Coast hub at San Francisco and Singapore. Customers arriving to San Francisco will have dozens of options to connect to other cities across the Americas.”
The trans-Pacific flight will depart San Francisco at 11:25 p.m. and arrive in Singapore at 6:45 a.m. two days later. The return flight departs Singapore at 8:45 a.m. and arrives in San Francisco at 9:15 a.m. the same day. It will take approximately 15 hours and 30 minutes eastbound and 16 hours and 20 minutes westbound.
The new nonstop service connects Asia-bound passengers to more one-stop flights from the Americas. Within the U.S., more than 40 cities, including 26 cities currently without one-stop service to Singapore, will have increased connectivity to the Southeast Asian hub. United and United Express operate more than 270 daily flights from San Francisco to 80 destinations throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
After the Singapore-San Francisco route becomes effective June 1, 2016, United will cease service from San Francisco International Airport to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport. However, the airline will maintain daily flights between Singapore and Hong Kong. Travelers from San Francisco will be able to make connections in Tokyo via All Nippon Airways (ANA).
Actors and hotel owners Robert De Niro and Leonardo Dicaprio
When you are Robert De Niro and have an estimated net worth of $150 million, there only so many race cars and diamond necklaces you can buy before you begin looking for other ways to spend your fortune. Like De Niro, a growing number of celebrities are investing in hotels. While they are keeping their day jobs, the optimistic stars are sinking a considerable amount of cash into the hospitality industry. Leonardo DiCaprio, for example, purchased an island in Belize for a cool $1.75 million. He plans to build an eco-resort there, scheduled to open in 2018.
While some celebrities have found success in the hotel business, others have not been so fortunate. Robert Redford’s Sundance Resort in Utah garners rave reviews from travelers, however The Nobu Hotel in Manila, which opened in May and is co-owned by Robert De Niro, was recently named the world’s worst by Luxury Travel Intelligence. Actor Rupert Grint, who achieved fame as Harry Potter’s fictional friend Ron Weasley, was less successful as a hotelier. He was the sole shareholder of Rigsby’s Guest House in Hertfordshire, UK, which closed.
Planners looking for unusual properties to house VIPs at an executive retreat, for example, may want to consider some of the luxury properties owned by celebrities. In addition to being situated in some of the most beautiful parts of the world, they come with some pretty impressive bragging rights.
Writer Adeline Duff has compiled the following roundup of hotels owned by celebrities:
1. Gwinganna Health Retreat, located on Queensland’s Gold Coast in Australia
This retreat is co-owned by Hugh Jackman; who stayed there for two months while preparing for his role in the film Wolverine. The wellness resort offers spa treatments, outdoor activities and stress therapy.
2.The Cromlix Hotel, Scotland
This property is owned by tennis star and Olympic gold medalist Andy Murray, who bought the Victorian country estate and transformed it into a five-star luxury property.
3.The Bedford Post Inn, Bedford, NY Richard Gere, who lives in the area, co-owns this charming historic property, which dates back to the 1860s.
4.Ariel Sands Resort, Bermuda Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones co-own this beachfront resort, which is currently undergoing a renovation and is expected to reopen in 2017. The green property will feature beachside cottages, a salon and spa.
5.Mission Ranch Hotel, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
This hotel, which was converted from a 19th-century dairy house, is owned by actor Clint Eastwood. The expansive ranch is set on 22 acres and features 31 guest rooms, a tennis court and a fitness center.
6.The Cypress Inn, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Hollywood darling Doris Day also owns a property in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Her boutique inn welcomes pets and features a lovely garden courtyard.
7. The Big Sleep, UK
Actor John Malkovich has always been somewhat quirky. Rather than invest in a luxury property, he is a primary investor in this chain of budget hotels with locations in Cardiff, Wales, and Cheltenham and Eastbourne in England.
8.Number 11 Cadogan Gardens, London
Model and actress Elizabeth Hurley owns this velvet-decorated boutique hotel in London’s posh Knightsbridge neighborhood.
9.Hotel Rival, Stockholm
ABBA band member Benny Andersson owns this hotel in Stockholm, which is reportedly one of the city’s best places to stay.
10.Goldeneye Resort, Jamaica
Music producer and Island Records founder Chris Blackwell owns this resort, which was previously owned by Jamaica’s favorite son, Bob Marley.
11.Gaia Retreat & Spa, New South Wales, Australia Olivia Newton-John, who starred in Grease, co-owns this health retreat, which features spa treatments, yoga, organic cooking classes, boxing, meditation and clay sculpting.
12.Palazzo Versace, Australia’s Gold Coast
Designer Donatella Versace owns this property south of Brisbane, Australia, and has plans to open two more; one in Macau and one in Dubai.
13.Sundance Mountain Resort, Sundance, Utah
Veteran actor, director and founder of the Sundance Film Festival, Robert Redford, owns this picturesque mountain resort that features outdoor activities such as river rafting, horseback riding, fly fishing and skiing.
14.Blackadore Caye, Belize
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio bought an island and is building an eco-retreat on it. The projected opening is 2018.
15.Greenwich Hotel, New York City
Actor Robert De Niro has reaped a lot of success with the Greenwich Hotel, located in New York City’s hopping Tribeca neighborhood. He has had less success overseas, where his Nobu Hotel in Manila has received less-than-favorable reviews.
16.Terrace Beach Resort , British Columbia, Canada Jason Priestley owns this woodsy property in Ucluelet, British Columbia, nestled in a pristine portion of Canada.
17.Costa d’Este Beach Resort & Spa, Vero Beach, Florida
Grammy award-winning couple Gloria and Emilio Estefan own this pet-friendly property in Vero Beach, Florida, which features gorgeous waterfront views, a luxury spa and paddle boarding and snorkeling.
18.The Clarence Hotel, Dublin, Ireland
This boutique hotel, located in Dublin’s vibrant Temple Bar neighborhood, is co-owned by U2’s Bono and The Edge.
19. Multiple properties around the world
Director Francis Ford Coppola owns five resorts around the world. The Francis Ford Coppola Presents lifestyle brand includes the Blancaneaux Lodge and the Turtle Inn in Belize, Palazzo Margherita in Italy, La Lancha in Guatemala and Jardin Escondido in Argentina.
San Francisco is one of the most popular destinations in the country; when a new property opens in the City By the Bay, people want to hear more. Here are some details on three exciting new San Francisco hotel happenings.
This century-old iconic San Francisco landmark, situated right in the heart of the action in bustling Union Square, opened in 1904. The grand dame has received a $6 million renovation of her 50,000 sq. ft. of meeting and special event space.
In total 30 rooms were renovated, including the 10,763-square-foot Grand Ballroom; the Colonial Room; the Italian Room; the Borgia Room; and the St. Francis Suite. Additions include new carpet, custom-crafted chandelier and wall sconces, drapery/window treatments and artwork. The aesthetic is fresh and modern, while still paying tribute to the historic qualities of the hotel. The color palette blends silvers and greys with bronze, cream and gold tones, providing a rich yet neutral backdrop for the deep red-gold tones found within the vintage architectural ceiling details. Electronically, all rooms were outfitted with energy-efficient LED lighting and high speed Internet.
The Westin St. Francis has 1,195 guest rooms and suites spread throughout its two towers. The historic Landmark Building features high ceilings and ornate woodwork, supplemented by modern furnishings. The Tower Building, which underwent a $20 million renovation in 2014, is more contemporary, with marble bathrooms and large bay windows.
The location of the property gives guests access to world-class shopping, restaurants and theatres, as well as attractions such as Chinatown and North Beach. Charming cable cars stop at the front door. The hotel is 30 minutes from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and 40 minutes from Oakland International Airport (OAK).
In celebration of its renovated meeting and event space, The Westin St. Francis is offering a special promotion to planners who book 200 or more guest rooms on select dates from May 27, 2016 through December 30, 2017. To take advantage of this “Hot Dates” promotion, contact Director of Group Sales Michelle Thomas at 415-733-1215 or [email protected].
Viceroy Hotel Group has refurbished and rebranded the former Prescott Hotel, also in the Union Square area. The boutique property will reopen in March as Hotel Zeppelin.
The hotel, which closed in November, was formerly owned by Kimpton. Kimpton opened the Prescott, along with the esteemed Wolfgang Puck restaurant Postrio, in 1989. Postrio closed in 2009. When the Kimpton brand was acquired last year by InterContinental Hotels Group, it lost seven of its nine San Francisco properties, including the Prescott.
The 196-room, pet-friendly property was redesigned with what the hotel calls a “mischievous approach.” Its new tagline is “A revolutionary hotel for bold personalities.” Inspired by San Francisco artists, writers, poets, and musicians who broke the rules and altered the world, the property is vivid and progressive. It features a café, game room, fitness center, record players and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Planners can bring change makers together to meet in creative, customizable spaces nicknamed Peace, Love and Soul. The colorful venues combine for up to 4,000 sq. ft. of artistic meeting space conducive for board meetings, training sessions or cocktail parties.
Host Hotels & Resorts has unveiled the new, full remodeled Axiom Hotel, a LEED-certified project managed by Kokua Hospitality. The tech-inspired, boutique property has 152 guest rooms boasting many tech-forward amenities such as Samsung Smart TVs with Apple TV, smartphone docking stations, Kube Bluetooth clock radios and complimentary Wi-Fi, as well as mini fridges and moveable task desks.
Public spaces are equally unique; merging old and new in a refreshingly different way. The first level and lobby area, aka the Hallidie Library, features vintage photographs, a collection of books and a deconstructed Golden Gate Bridge. On the mezzanine, aka the Cloud, guests can play classic arcade games, take some shots at a selfie station with a live social media feed, order F&B via an iPad station, and work or network at a communal table with outlets for device charging.
Other amenities include a fitness center, 826 sq. ft. of meeting space and The Turn Café, which serves meals as well as organic juices, micro-roast coffee, hand-crafted cocktails and local wines.
As Smart Meetings reported last year, Axiom Hotel was formerly known as the Powell Hotel. Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. acquired the Powell Hotel in early 2014. The property is located on a popular corner steps from the cable car turnaround and just three blocks from the Moscone Center, where many conventions and meetings are held.
Struan B. Robertson, executive vice president and chief investment officer of Host Hotels & Resorts, said, “The hotel was acquired as part of our strategy of narrowing our investment markets, primarily focusing on gateway cities and urban and resort/conference markets, while establishing a deeper foothold in those markets by expanding our investments to include upscale properties that may be operated by an independent manager or without a major brand affiliation. The Axiom Hotel is a great example of this strategy.”
Dubai Tourism’s 2016 tourism figures, released in February, show 14.9 million overnight visitors, a 5 percent year-over-year increase—that’s twice the global average. That number also makes Dubai the fourth most-visited city in the world.
Dubai tourism director highlights strategy
“Collaboration with our industry partners and key government stakeholders is integral for sustained growth, and 2017 will see an even greater impetus as our collective efforts will define our ability to stay ahead of the curve in the months ahead,” His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Dubai Tourism’s director general said in a statement.
“From a governmental perspective, in addition to streamlining visa requirements and easing barriers to entry for tourists from all parts of the world, we have also been working on enabling airlift and direct connectivity to Dubai to ensure that we, as a destination, are able to offer the convenience and accessibility that are key decision-triggers for prospective travelers,” he added.
“Additionally, we continue to work very closely with airline partners, the travel trade and the hotel sector to create compelling transit programs for stopover-specific markets such as Australia, USA and the Far East,” he said.
The government’s efforts are paying off. Of the noteworthy conferences that are coming to the city, Dubai Business Events (DBE) has recently added World Congress of Cardiology 2018, Lions Clubs International ISAAME Forum 2018 and International Federation of Health Information Management Associations International Congress 2019.
Dubai snaps up meetings awards
Dubai’s recent awards also underscore the success of its business-travel program. The city has been recognized as the Overseas Luxury MICE Destination of the Year 2016 at the China Travel & Meetings Industry Awards—Business Travel & MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) and was named the Middle East’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination 2016 at the World Travel Awards Middle East.
“Our ultimate goal is aimed at not just attracting tourists, but also at capturing the highest value, ensuring that tourism contribution to the economy is further amplified,” Almarri said.
“The solid foundations that we have put in place through diversification of markets, a broadening portfolio of attractions and facilities and a collaborative approach between the hotel and hospitality sectors and the retail community, as well as the collective contribution of government, public and private enterprises will allow us to accelerate the pace of growth in 2017 and well into the future,” he said.
The most difficult part of many flights is arriving jetlagged and groggy just to go sit in traffic for hours before finally making it to your destination. Big metropolises such as New York City can be the worst, especially if you’re flying into John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)—a 45-minute drive from Manhattan with no traffic (and let’s be honest, when is there no traffic?). To help weary travelers and time-constrained business people make that trip more manageable, Uber is introducing helicopter taxis that will ferry passengers to and from JFK in a fraction of the time it would take to drive.
A Helicopter Taxi?
Yes. An Uber that is actually a helicopter. Helicopters have long been used in big cities to get those willing to pay from place to place, but this is a first for easy-to-use, relatively affordable air transport for the masses. The Uber Copter service has actually been available to Uber Platinum and Diamond members since July, but the feature is being released for all Uber users next week.
According to New York Post, the scheme will only be available for trips to the southern tip of Lower Manhattan (think: Wall Street). This is to prevent the journey from being too long as passengers will still have to use ground transportation from the helipad to their final destination, and if that destination is outside Manhattan, the trip might not be worth it.
The Details
Time: The helicopter ride is roughly eight minutes from JFK to a helipad in Lower Manhattan. Cost: The trip costs between $200 and $250 per person for door-to-door service, including rides to and from the helipad. Company: Uber has partnered with local firm HeliFlite Shares who provide the helicopters and two pilots per flight. Logistics: Passengers are allowed one small suitcase each and must watch a short safety video (similar to those showed on airplanes) before take-off. The helipad is located near Terminal 8 at JFK and transportation to it from the terminal is provided.
What’s to Come?
JFK is just the first test subject in what the company hopes will be the beginning of a new kind of travel. Los Angeles, Melbourne and Dallas have all been pegged as hopeful next locations for Uber Copter. If all goes well for the company, Uber Air could very well be in common use in the years to come as more passengers opt for helicopter rides within cities. Welcome to the future of air travel.
Courtesy Phoenix Convention Center, North Ballroom at Phoenix Convention Center
Photo Courtesy of Hot Air Expeditions, Ballooning over the Sonora Desert
Photo by Susan Jacobs, Ace bowler Doug MacKenzie of 
Photo by Susan Jacobs, Commemorative Air Force Museum Arizona Wing
Photo by Michelle Streeter, Usery Mountain Park
Courtesy Mesa Arts Center, Mesa Arts Center
