reno foodie takeover

Photo of Shore Room Restaurant at Renaissance Reno Downtown

The foodie takeover is not isolated to Vegas. In Reno, fine dining is a growing part of the attraction for tourists and groups with local celebrity chefs building on their experience in the hotels to expand dining choices.

The heart of Reno’s casino district is being reimagined. Eldorado Resort Casino Reno, Silver Legacy Resort and Casino and Circus Circus Reno properties are in the midst of $50 million in renovations, including new event/meeting space and 4,100 guest rooms. The three major linked hotel-casino properties span eight city blocks in the downtown Reno area and offer a variety of dining options.

Gary Carano, Eldorado Resort’s chairman and CEO, cites Reno’s strong economic upturn and a “travel, tourism and cultural renaissance with healthy year-over-year-growth” along with expanded flights in and out of nearby Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) as supporting the climate for these investments. Eldorado has been in the region since 1973, but only last year emerged as full owner of Silver Legacy and Circus Circus.

New dining experiences have already opened on the property. L.A.’s famous Canter’s Deli opened a Nevada outlet in Silver Legacy in May. Kokopelli’s Cantina, a mix of a Kanpai Sushi and El Jefe’s Cantina burrito bar that turns into a nightclub after hours, opened in February at Circus Circus. Also popular are Silver Legacy’s Sterling’s Seafood Steakhouse and Eldorado Reno’s Roxy bistro.

On the Sparks side of the line, Marnell Gaming, owner of Nugget Casino Resort, broke ground on its own $25 million renovation, which will include the west tower hotel rooms and 110,000 sq. ft. of convention space.

At Grand Sierra Resort, James Beard Award-winning chef Charlie Palmer’s group runs the Briscola Italian restaurant as a Roman-style social club with leather chairs and exposed brick walls.

Steps from Reno-Sparks Convention Center’s half-million sq. ft. of meeting space, meats from the Allen Brothers of Chicago are the stars at Atlantis Steakhouse inside Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. For those holding events at the legendary National Bowling Stadium, Levy Restaurants at RSCVA is proud to offer the catering expertise of Executive Chef Taylor Park, who in past lives fed the Seattle Seahawks and the Golden State Warriors.

Renaissance Reno Downtown has brought back a revitalized version of the Shore Room overlooking the Truckee River that was a Rat Pack-era tradition at The Holiday. Chef Jacob Burton comes from Stella restaurant down the road in Truckee.

Another chef from Truckee who has made a name on the Reno dining scene is Mark Estee, who is a James Beard Award finalist and has appeared on the Food Network. He opened one of the first restaurants in the only nongaming, nonsmoking independent option in town, Whitney Peak Hotel, and currently owns Chez Louie at Nevada Museum of Art—a great place to rent for groups looking for a sophisticated vibe.

Further Reading:

Nevada Meetings: Served on a Silver Platter

In a city where the new thing is sometimes the only thing, those hoping to share hot new nuggets with their group have a lot to choose from.

The biggest thing to hit The Strip last year was the opening of the $375 million T-Mobile Arena—home to the National Hockey League expansion team the Vegas Golden Knights—and adjoining retail and dining space, The Park. The 650,000-square-foot arena can hold 20,000 people and feeds them in the 18,000-square-foot Hyde Lounge.

Celebrity mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim designed the signature cocktails for the venue. More than 50 club seats and 44 luxury boxes offer VIP and group options. Two outdoor stages at the Toshiba Plaza entrance can also be rented for events. The adjoining retail strip features casual outdoor dining. The development is a collaboration between MGM Resorts International and Anschutz Entertainment Group and designed to impress. A private event space for up to 500 people at the new Sake Rok offers balcony-style views of arena activities.

Photo of Lucky Dragon Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas

Lucky Dragon Hotel and Casino opened at the end of last year at the north end of The Strip. The 204-room property is marketed as an “authentic Asian cultural and gaming experience.” It features an outdoor Tea Garden with teas curated by Vegas’ only tea sommelier and five Asian-inspired restaurants, including a “night market.”
The long-awaited arrival of W Las Vegas as a tower inside SLS Las Vegas in the former Sahara space at the north end of The Strip includes celebrity chef Katsuya Uechi’s Katsuya sushi innovation plus two 5,000-square-foot convention rooms in walking distance to Las Vegas Convention Center.

Meanwhile, at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, James Beard Foundation award-winning chef Shawn McClain recently opened Libertine Social gastropub.

By late 2018, Monte Carlo Resort and Casino will rebrand as two hotels, NoMad Las Vegas and Park MGM. The transformation will unveil two new restaurants, including an outpost of New York City’s Eataly market, a food market, fishmonger, espresso bar, vegetable butcher and restaurant The New York Times called an Italian food hall. In the meantime, the new Park Theater inside Monte Carlo will entertain groups between performances from Bruno Mars, Cher and Ricky Martin.

Wynn Plaza is currently building out more than 75,000 sq. ft. of street-facing luxury retail and restaurant space at a price of $54 million. This is in addition to the $1.5 billion, 1,000-room expansion of the nameplate hotel known as Paradise Park. When it opens in 2018, rumors are that the Manhattan glitterati haunt Cipriani and L.A. experiential coffeehouse Urth Caffe could take their place next to Tableau, Andrea’s, Mizumi and Sinatra.

Over at Aria Resort & Casino, $154 million is what it will take to cook up an additional 200,000 sq. ft. of new, technologically advanced, flexible meeting space across four stories. This LEED Gold option is steps away from Julian Serrano Tapas, with its classic Spanish masterpieces of seafood, and will open in February 2018.

This winter, Gordon Ramsay will open a 300-seat Hell’s Kitchen restaurant, named after his popular television show at Caesars Palace. He will be joined next year by Charles Phan with San Francisco’s modern Vietnamese favorite, The Slanted Door. Another celebrity chef, Robert Irvine, will open Public House, his pub concept, in Tropicana Las Vegas this year.
Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas recently welcomed guests to three new restaurants. Momofuku, David Chang’s first West Coast venture; Christina Tosi’s Milk Bar bakery; and Rainer Becker’s Zuma sushi bar and robata grill.

Just off The Strip, Red Rock Resorts’ face-lift and 33,000 sq. ft. of new space at Palace Station will include new meeting and convention space, a new 14,446-square-foot buffet dining room, two new restaurants and a 9,099-square-foot bingo hall. They should all be “soup-ed up” by 2018.

From the remains of the former Stardust, Malaysia-based Genting Group is investing $4 billion in Resorts World Las Vegas to create a 3,000-room, modern Chinese-style tower complex that will open in 2020.

Farther off The Strip, Alexis Park Resort, the only major nongaming venue, will begin renovation of its 496 suites and 50,000 sq. ft. of meeting space in November.

Celebrity Beginnings

Jim Begley, a food and drink enthusiast who writes for the in-hotel magazine, About Las Vegas, remembers the days when visitors had only three options for eating on The Strip: coffee shops, steakhouses and buffets. Then, in 1992, chef-to-the-stars Wolfgang Puck brought his seasonal cuisine and global influences to town with the opening of Spago at The Forum Shops at Caesars.

fresh food las vegas

Photo of Picasso Restaurant at Bellagio Las Vegas

Steve Wynn raised the bar on the idea of celebrity chefs-in-residence when he convinced superstar chefs Todd English, Jean Georges Vongerichten and Michael Mina to open branded eateries at Bellagio Las Vegas. He went on to set international dining standards with the creation of Picasso under Julian Serrano, a name that has become synonymous with award-winning cuisine. Wynn eventually sold his property to MGM Resorts International, but when he opened his eponymous resort, the rule was that the chefs had to be physically at the property and many became part of the community, nurturing a new generation of culinary talent in the desert.

“That ignited an arms race,” Begley says. Now images of celebrity chefs flash larger than life on marquees along with musical acts. Giada de Laurentiis (The Cromwell Hotel), Bobby Flay (Caesars Palace Las Vegas), Guy Savoy (Caesars Palace), Tom Colicchio (MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel & Casino and Mirage), Mario Batali (The Venetian and The Palazzo), Emeril Lagasse (MGM Grand initially and now at The Venetian and The Palazzo), and, as of last October, Iron Chef Morimoto (MGM Grand), turned their kitchen credentials into big draws for a city that used to be known for a different type of sin.

It was not all wine and rosemary, however. The recession hit the travel industry—and Las Vegas in particular—hard. That ended up being good news for the local foodie scene. When things slowed down in 2008, restaurants let a lot of that top, expensive talent go. Some creative cooks filtered to the neighborhoods where they began starting off-The Strip restaurants such as chef Sheridan Su’s classic-American-diner-meets-Asian-comfort-food concept restaurant Fat Choy and Mitsuo Endo’s charcoal grill house Aburiya Raku.

As the local economy has started bouncing back, some of the talent is returning to the glass towers, Begley says. Still, some chefs enjoy the opportunities for creativity away from The Strip, so stepping away from the neon could have its benefits for an adventurous group.

Further Reading:

Nevada Meetings: Served on a Silver Platter

culinary celebrations

Food and wine festivals regularly spill out into the streets of Las Vegas. Almost 15,000 people attended beer, wine or whisky festivals last year. Including Vegas Uncork’d, which brought 6,000 people to The Park, The Cromwell or The Cosmopolitan for celebrity meals prepared by the likes of Giada De Laurentiis, Gordon Ramsay and Scott Conant. Wine Spectator hosted a grand tasting at The Mirage for 4,000 people.

For planners looking to move attendees out to where the famous flavors live, Lip Smacking Foodie Tours offer culinary adventures with names like Savors of the Strip. Sundance Helicopters pairs aerial tours with dinner for savory bites and neon lights.

The presence of some of the world’s best restaurants clustered right outside (and sometimes inside) the hotel lobby is a great opportunity to indulge attendees’ taste for exploration. Your concierge can offer suggestions for different price ranges and food preferences that can turn breathing space in a program into an adventure.

Celebrity Chef Culture Feeds Bottom Line

Chris Meyer, vice president of global business sales for Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), says that his agency’s studies show visitors are getting younger and bringing new expectations for what a trip to the city will include. The average age is still the mid-40s, but last year visitors were three years younger, on average, than the year before. “This trend has been going on for the last five years,” he says.

Travelers are spending serious money when they come. The LVCVA’s 2016 Visitor Profile Study found that the 42.9 million visitors last year had an economic impact of $60 billion. That is more than the GDP for the entire country of Luxembourg.

For the 23rd year in a row, the oasis in the Nevada desert was named the No. 1 trade show destination in the country by the Trade Show News Network. It hosted 57 of the 250 largest trade shows, more than the next two—Orlando and Chicago—combined.

Altogether, Las Vegas hosted nearly 22,000 meetings, conventions and trade shows, drawing a record-breaking 6.3 million delegates to 150,000 hotel rooms. And the fun capital is still growing. More than $9 billion in hospitality space is under construction or in development for opening in the next few years.

They come for the amenities, the gaming, the shows and the business. But they stay for the food. “When people travel, they are looking for unique experiences,” Meyer says. “Food is a great way to provide that.”

Photo of Rx Boiler Room

Welcoming Groups

Many Zagat-starred restaurants are not limiting themselves to whoever might wander in off the street (or in some cases plan ahead a year to secure a coveted Saturday night table). They see the opportunity to showcase their skills to larger audiences in off hours by catering to groups and are opening their doors wide to the meeting industry, happily reports Chris Meyer, vice president of global business sales for Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Some restaurants that are open to the public only for dinner host exclusive breakfasts or lunches mixing fun and business. Working with these culinary geniuses to make the most of these special spaces can be a recipe for a unique experience people will savor—and more importantly, post to their social media and go back home and tell other people in the office about.

“People are craving authentic group experiences that aren’t cookie-cutter, and we provide a unique culinary aspect,” says Michael Frauenheim, director of operations at local celebrity favorite Rick Moonen’s RM Seafood and Rx Boiler Room in Mandalay Bay.

At Rx Boiler Room, everything can be moved out to create a custom space to accommodate groups as small as 10 or as large as 300. Many of those groups bring special requests. “We created a neon yellow cocktail for Pella Windows to match their bright yellow company logo,” Frauenheim recalls. The restaurant also recently hosted a Bombay Sapphire mixologist competition to create appetizers and desserts. Cooking and cocktail demos, book and cutlery giveaways are also popular with groups.

“The end result is that groups come away feeling like the experience was custom-made for them,” Frauenheim says. “Group business is crucial to Rx Boiler Room’s success and we pull out all of the stops as needed.”

Craftkitchen, a 65-seat restaurant in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson, often sells out the restaurant in the evening for group events and makes custom healthy menus to fit the event’s needs. “We once hosted a company’s new product launch,” says Chef/Owner Jaret Blinn. “We had to create a seven-course dinner menu incorporating pairings with their companies’ products—four wines, one sake and two beers. It turned out really great.”

Further Reading:

Nevada Meetings: Served on a Silver Platter

foodie destination Nevada

Lunch

Mark Estee’s Chez Louie at Nevada Museum of Art

While digesting the architectural and cultural offerings of the magnificent space in downtown Reno, nourish the body with sole meuniere or baked phyllo Napoleon (open for early bird dinners on Thursday nights).

Milos Las Vegas at The Cosmopolitan

Professional foodie Jim Begely calls the pre-fixe lunch deal the best value on The Strip. Indulge in three courses, including grilled Mediterranean octopus, Dorade Royale, authentic Karidopita and incredible views.

Drinks

Roxy’s at Eldorado Resort

This local favorite offers 102 different types of martini drinks; you know you have always wanted to try a blueberry cobbler martini. Order dinner from next door and enjoy live music and dancing without leaving the French bistro vibe behind.

Dinner

Ciera Steak and Chop House at Montbleu Resort Casino & Spa

Splurge on the $60 prix fixe menu of lobster bisque with aged sherry and a touch of cognac, escargot bourguinon with burgundy butter and a pastry crown, carpaccio of bison tenderloin and Asian smoked Muscovy duck breast with a raspberry-balsamic glace.

Andre’s Bistro & Bar

Eat like a local when you venture into the heart of downtown Las Vegas to experience Golden Trout Amandine with green beans and Beurre Noisette (peanut butter).

Bazaar Meat by Jose Andres in W/SLS

Although this steakhouse is known for its flaming grills and bison carpaccio, Begley says it is one of best vegetarian meals in town. Ask for the beefsteak tomato tartares with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, cucumber and black olives.

Further Reading:

Nevada Meetings: Served on a Silver Platter

healthcare event

As she presented a session at the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) most recent World Education Congress, titled “The Future of Healthcare Meetings,” Pat Schaumann made a telling comment.

“There is really no way to predict the future beyond trying to extrapolate on present trends—regulations or technology or some other element could be completely different in this niche a year from now,” she said.

For instance, the enhanced restrictions on foreign visitors instituted by the U.S. government in early 2017 are still being argued in the courts. However, the initial implementation has not only affected attendance numbers at U.S. health-care events this year: It’s also affecting site-selection decisions for meetings scheduled over the next few years.

5 Things Venues Need for Seamless Med/Pharma Meetings with Presenter Pat Schaumann

What’s more, Schaumann—senior director of health-care compliance for Maritz Travel and author of Breaking the Code to Healthcare Compliance—says that virtual meetings will “absolutely” see growth because of these restrictions.

“There will be more broadcasting to remote locations from international conferences,” she said, adding that host organizations will have to rethink the pricing for both in-person and remote attendees so that they maintain the desired revenue from their events.

Another area where video technology is gaining momentum is in the “dinner discussions” hosted by pharmaceutical companies, medical device makers and other suppliers who use restaurants to engage doctors and nurses. Schaumann says that nearly 100,000 such dinners take place annually in the United States and that some chains—including Fleming’s Steakhouse and Fogo de Chao—have installed telepresence capability across most of their outlets so that remote presenters can participate.

Lastly, Schumann notes that compliance by health-care event planners is so difficult because many other countries—and even seven U.S. states—have regulations that differ in some ways from the U.S. Open Payments law enacted in 2013.

“[But] planners need to get back to focusing on the attendee experience,” she says. “Our focus the past few years has been so much on compliance and reporting; it had to be that way. But the future strength of health-care meetings relies on giving the industry’s professionals what they need in terms of education and networking.”

With its cosmopolitan atmosphere, first-rate food scene and distinct European flair, Montréal enjoys a distinguished position amongst the world’s most exciting cities. But what some may not know is that Canada’s second-most populous city owes much of its inimitable style to the unique architectural structures of Expo 67. Billed as the most successful World’s Fair of the 20th century, the spectacular event that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year left a legacy of magnificent event venues.

Just minutes from downtown Montréal on Île Sainte-Hélène in the heart of the Saint Lawrence River, these iconic venues with their distinct late-sixties style are guaranteed to make any event stand out. Take your pick!

La Toundra: Formerly the Canada Pavilion, La Toundra Hall is tucked into a verdant garden and offers magnificent views of downtown Montréal from its mezzanine. The locale boasts space for up to 350 people, a terrace, two bar areas and much more.

Pavillon de la Jamaïque: The former home of the Jamaican delegation enjoys a cozy setting in a wooded area of the gardens. The completely renovated building can hold up to 150 people and is surrounded by a beautiful terrace.

Montréal Biosphère: Originally the pavilion for the United States, this geodesic dome that was once a closed structure of steel and acrylic cells is now home to the Montréal Biosphère, North America’s only environment museum.

Casino de Montréal: Canada’s largest casino served as the French Pavilion during Expo 67. A multitude of venue options are available for groups of up to 800 as well as fabulous on-site entertainment options and cuisine led by a world-renowned chef.

On-island and ideally positioned between downtown and Old Montréal are two more exceptional venues from the heyday of Expo 67:

Place Bonaventure: One of Montréal’s largest and most welcoming exhibition centres also claimed the title of the world’s largest building at the time of its completion in 1967, exceeding even the Empire State Building. More than 200,000 square feet of flexible space is available.

Marriott Château Champlain: Built to accommodate the flood of visitors expected for Expo 67, the Château Champlain hotel offers almost 36,000 square feet of space and three distinct meeting room options.

Whichever venue you find most appealing, they’re all just minutes from the heart of Montréal’s vibrant city centre. North America’s second-busiest subway system facilitates transit to every corner of the island and beyond, including Île Sainte-Hélène. And from kayaking around the casino to trying your luck inside it, an eclectic array of team building and entertainment activities is also right at hand.

With Montréal’s 375th anniversary celebrations in full swing and a favourable exchange rate on the US dollar, it’s an even more enticing time to turn an eye to hosting your next event in the city that’s been voted number one in the Americas for international events for five years running.[1]

Contact us to discover how we can turn your plans into an unforgettable event!

1-514-844-4085
1-800-230-0001 X 2310
[email protected]

[1] Union of International Associations, 2011 to 2015

California state travel ban

California has just announced an addition to its ban on state-funded and state-sponsored travel to states with LGBTQ discriminating laws. The original state measure, AB 1887, was put into effect as a law this past January. The law originally included Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee. As of June 22, Alabama, Kentucky, South Dakota and Texas are now included on the list. The ban puts restrictions on state-funded or state-sponsored travel to the listed states.

The law says California is “a leader in protecting civil rights and preventing discrimination” and should not support or finance “discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.”

The travel ban does not prohibit personally funded travel to any of the states. There are also exceptions to the ban. For instance, travel that is required for maintaining grant funding or licensure, or for auditing and revenue collection purposes, will continue to be allowed.

Why Now?

The travel ban additions were created largely in response to recent legislation in Alabama, South Dakota and Texas that may potentially keep LGBT parents from adopting or fostering children. Kentucky, on the other hand, recently passed a religious freedom bill permitting students to exclude LGBTQ peers from campus groups. The ban also extends to states which California sees as religiously intolerant, such as  states that don’t protect religious freedom or use religious freedom as a basis for discrimination.

“Our country has made great strides in dismantling prejudicial laws that have deprived too many of our fellow Americans of their precious rights. Sadly, that is not the case in all parts of our nation, even in the 21st century,” says California Attorney General Xavier Becerra in a public statement.

Reactions from Texas

In response to Becerra’s decision, Republican lawmakers from Texas have begun calling for their own legislation to ban state-funded travel to California.

John Wittman, a spokesman for Texas’ Republican Gov. Greg Abbott says, “California may be able to stop their state employees, but they can’t stop all the businesses that are fleeing over taxation and regulation, and relocating to Texas.”

Not everyone in Texas is on the defensive, though. Texas Competes, a coalition of pro-LGBT businesses in Texas, has expressed concern over the impact of California’s travel ban. The organization is especially concerned about the impact this will have on future meetings, conventions, and sporting events, as University of California and California State University systems are included in the ban. Texas Competes released the following statement on its Twitter page:

“Tourism is Texas’ second-largest industry. Half our tourism revenue comes from outside visitors. Losses in this industry have real impacts on Texans, with ripple effects felt by small businesses, workers, and local and state budgets. To ignore or belittle the risks to this industry is to ignore both the health of the state budget and the countless small businesses and families that rely on a thriving tourism economy to stay afloat.

What is clear, and what has been clear for some time, is that a discriminatory brand creates significant and unnecessary economic risk for the state of Texas. Texas Competes will continue to call for a welcoming, inclusive state as a matter of economic competitiveness and long-term health.”

Tod Chambers Tod Chambers

Tod Chambers was appointed managing director of Waldorf Astoria Chicago and Conrad Chicago. Chambers, who has 25 years of experience with the Hilton brand, will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the luxury hotels, both located within The Magnificent Mile. Chambers most recently served as general manager of The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel. He was named General Manager of the Year for four consecutive years (2012–2015) by Hilton’s Luxury Division.

Alexis Dinyovszky Alexis Dinyovszky

The LGBT Meeting Professionals Association (LGBT MPA) named Alexis Dinyovszky as a new member of the board of directors. Dinyovszky currently serves as the president of the board of directors for Southern Comfort (SoCo) Conference Organization and chairman of TGV Holidays, LLC, a booking agent for ocean cruises and travel. In her roles, she consults with the Broward County, Florida, personnel about travel issues regarding the transgender community. As a transgender woman, Dinyovszky is politically active in her home state of North Carolina.

Richard GrayRichard Gray

The LGBT Meeting Professionals Association (LGBT MPA) announced that Richard Gray is a new member of the board of directors. Gray serves as the managing director of Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau in Florida. The award-winning travel and meeting planner professional has worked to help welcome more than 1.5 million LGBT travelers to South Florida. Gray is an active board member of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association.

Kristin McGrathKristen McGrath

Newly rebranded Visit Albuquerque (formally Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau) in New Mexico hired Kristen McGrath as the vice president of convention sales, services and sports. McGrath joined the teamed after serving as vice president of sales and services for Richmond Region Tourism in Virginia. McGrath also worked in multiple positions for Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau in Rhode Island. In her new role, she will oversee the sales, services and sports divisions responsible for generating leads that are then dispersed to Albuquerque’s hotels, Albuquerque Convention Center, and event and sports facilities in the area.

Dustin IrwinDustin Irwin

Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California, announced the appointment of Dustin Irwin as director of golf operations. A 25-year veteran of the golf industry, Irwin will oversee the golf-related programs and the two 18-hole golf courses and staff. Irwin previously held the position of director of golf and membership at Turnberry Isle Miami resort. Irwin’s diverse background includes senior leadership positions in golf operations, sales, marketing, training, golf course maintenance, golf course construction and facility operations.

Do you have an announcement about a new executive-level job appointment? Email us the good news at [email protected].

Fast-growing Phoenix has long been a draw for meetings and events. The city offers an award-winning downtown convention center and urban core, easy air access, sun-drenched beauty and unmatched value. Lately an infusion of youthful energy and new investment has propelled downtown Phoenix into the spotlight as a modern urban center.

Meeting Facilities

The Phoenix Convention Center is one of the nation’s most-acclaimed convention centers, offering nearly 900,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space. Inspired by the Grand Canyon, the convention center makes use of natural colors and textures that mirror surrounding desert and canyon landscapes, and incorporates energy-efficient design principles and ongoing sustainability programs.

Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, can accommodate catered dinners and expositions on its infield, with the stadium’s retractable roof open or closed. Located a block from the convention center, Chase Field also features a swimming pool and a 136-by-46-feet video board. Other distinct event options include American Indian hoop dancing at the Heard Museum, a Mexican rodeo show at Corona Ranch or a sunset reception at Desert Botanical Garden.

Dining & Accommodations

Since 2009, every major hotel in downtown Phoenix has undergone an extensive renovation, been reflagged, or is a completely new property. In all, downtown Phoenix is home to more than 3,000 rooms within its walkable core. From all-American diners, authentic rum bars and modern, Asian-inspired eateries to ambitious, chef-driven restaurants where anything goes, Phoenix’s dining scene is blossoming as never before. One focus of activity just two blocks from the convention center is CityScape, a sophisticated mixed-use shopping, dining and entertainment complex.

2019 Phoenix Meetings Offer

Visit Phoenix has introduced a special offer to “Meet Your Million,” for citywide conventions in 2019. Created in partnership with the Phoenix Convention Center, the Sheraton Grand Phoenix, the Hyatt Regency Phoenix and the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown, “Meet Your Million” offers qualified groups up to one million Loyalty Reward Points, up to a $50,000 credit towards an opening reception, complimentary meeting room Wi-Fi at the convention center, complimentary guest room Wi-Fi and waived attrition at the participating hotels. For terms and conditions, visit visitphoenix.com/meet2019.

visit bellevue

Bellevue, Washington has hosted a strong corporate meetings market for years, but increasing growth in the tech sector has made this edge-city across the lake from Seattle a Pacific Northwest destination of its own. As the locals say, it’s the perfect place to experience natural outdoor beauty plus convenient city amenities before they reach the bottom of their morning cup of coffee.

Three new hotels opening in the summer of 2017 will increase downtown Bellevue’s total hotel rooms to 4,000, making Bellevue’s downtown core one of the most desirable housing packages in the region. The downtown core is a walkable one-mile square containing 250,000 square feet of meeting space, including the 54,000 square foot Meydenbauer Convention Center.

Alongside these new hotels, local and national businesses have been locating in downtown Bellevue as the workforce and visitor population grows. One of the most vibrant and successful shopping centers in the country, The Bellevue Collection has expanded its unique mix of social, dining and shopping options to include a 1.5 million square foot expansion to Bellevue’s Lincoln Square with tenants opening throughout 2017. Tenants include the new W Bellevue Hotel, chef-owned restaurants, a SoulCycle spin studio, and corporate offices for tech companies like Valve and Pokémon as well as co-working giant WeWork. The range of additions to Bellevue’s food scene include speakeasy bar concepts, rooftop restaurants, and an artisan food hall focused on locally-sourced products.

Off-site meeting options have also proliferated in Bellevue. Groups enjoy exploring downtown after their events with a buyout of KidsQuest Children’s Museum or the bowling lounge at Lucky Strike within walking distance of Meydenbauer Center and nearby hotels.

Despite the plethora of new developments, Bellevue has retained its greenery with walkable access to its many public parks. In coming years, the city will finish developments that include expanding public beach parks and creating a pedestrian and biking path from the waterfront through the heart of downtown. If a group is more adventurous, Bellevue is just minutes away from mountain trails, waterfalls and winter sports.

The more Bellevue grows, the more the city becomes known as a convenient and accessible starting point for Northwest meetings and explorations. To start planning your event in Bellevue, talk to the team at Visit Bellevue Washington at visitbellevuewashington.com/meetings.