In North Carolina, the economic impact of the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act, also known as HB2, continues to mount. A newly released Associated Press analysis estimates that business losses resulting from the law will exceed $3.76 billion over 12 years. By the end of this year, lost business will total $525 million. Because the lost funds represent economic activity relocated elsewhere, they cannot be recovered.

But North Carolina’s economy is hardly failing. The state’s gross domestic product is estimated to surpass $500 billion annually. Few large companies already operating within the state have publicly initiated financial penalties.

If not for the fallout from HB2, however, the North Carolina economic outlook would be even more robust. Numerous high-profile events and corporate development projects have been either canceled or moved outside the state in protest of the controversial legislation, which limits LGBT protections. HB2 is directly responsible for the forfeiture of more than 2,900 jobs.

While the AP analysis is the most complete quantification of HB2’s economic impact, it likely still underestimates the overall effect. The total includes only those projects whose cancellation was definitively tied to HB2 via public records or interviews. It’s impossible to know how many private discussions cited HB2 as a deciding or contributing factor, and how many times North Carolina was simply eliminated from consideration because of the law. Other forfeited plans were omitted from the analysis due to lack of data on their financial ramifications.

Notable business losses

Like the law itself, the losses affect communities across the state. Business losses conclusively attributed to HB2 include the following:

–Adidas considered High Point, North Carolina, as the site of its first domestic sports shoe factory, but opted to move the project and its 160 jobs to the Atlanta area instead.

–PayPal canceled an expansion project that would have brought 400 jobs to Charlotte. Before HB2 was passed, the North Carolina Commerce Department expected the project to generate an economic impact $200 million annually, and a total of $2.66 billion by the end of 2028.

–Commercial real estate firm CoStar broke off negotiations to provide 732 Charlotte-area jobs, which instead went to neighboring Virginia. The move cost North Carolina $250 over the next six years.

–Duetsche Bank dropped plans to introduce 250 jobs in and around Raleigh, which would have made a $543 million economic impact by the end of 2027.

–Voxpro added hundreds of customer support workers in Athens, Georgia, instead of Raleigh.

–Cancelled conventions, concerts and sporting events—such as the 2017 NBA All-Star Game set to be played in Charlotte, and two San Francisco Symphony concerts booked in Chapel Hill—account for more than $196 million in lost business. Such cancellations negatively impact hotel and restaurant spending, as well as facility employees’ wages.

irving convention center

The city of Irving just took a big Texas step toward completion of its modern convention center. The Westin Convention Center Hotel at Las Colinas began construction this week on a 350-room property.

Scheduled to open in late 2018, the upscale hotel will include 16,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and a 10,000-square-foot ballroom. The $113 million property, located between Irving Convention Center and The Music Factory, will feature 12 stories.

The hotel, operated by Marriott International, is expected to serve the growing business needs of the 275,000-square-foot Irving Convention Center, which opened in 2011 and hosts an estimated 305 annual events.

Developed by Garfield Public/Private LLC, the hotel is committed to attracting business clientele to Irving, which is providing $22.5 million in bond proceeds for the construction of city-owned public meeting facilities. The city is also committing $13.7 million toward the construction of a public parking garage.

“This is the right agreement at the right time, with the right players,” said Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne. “The hotel will help fuel the growth of our convention business while simultaneously serving as a tremendous addition to our ever-evolving city.”

Plenty of parking and entertainment

Designed by architectural firm BOKAPowell, The Westin at Los Colinas is expected to complement Irving Convention Center’s award-winning contemporary aesthetic. As part of the business-oriented project, the city plans to build an 840-space parking garage to accommodate hotel and convention center activity.

Much of that business activity is expected to center on The Music Factory, a dining and entertainment destination scheduled for completion this fall. The venue will include a Live Nation amphitheater and various restaurants, situated on 40 acres of pedestrian-friendly property.

In addition to lots of dining options for business travelers, The Music Factory will serve as a nearby venue for opening- and closing-night events, Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau announced in a press release.

“News of Westin as the flag and Marriott as its operator was well-received by our customers,” said Maura Allen Gast, executive director of the CVB. “The hotel represents the final piece of Irving’s vision for a distinctive visitor district.”

trump scion hotel

Last year, Trump Hotels announced plans to launch a new millennial-focused hotel brand. Dubbed Scion, the chain will be the first of the company’s brands to not bear the Trump name. In January, Trump Hotels CEO Eric Danziger told The Wall Street Journal that 17 letters of intent had already been signed with potential Scion hotel owners.

Trump Hotels has also released additional details about the brand. Aside from being a business hotel chain, Scion will be positioned as a lifestyle brand that targets millennials. In a departure from Trump Hotels’ ultra-luxurious properties, Scion hotels will be smaller, have more communal spaces and offer lower nightly rates. Rooms will be priced from $200 to $300 per night.

According to the Associated Press, an aggressive roll-out of the Scion brand should be expected. Trump Hotels plans to open 100 of properties within three years. In a recent statement to the Associated Press, Danziger said the project is going “…full steam ahead.”

In February, Dallas News reported that a Dallas development company was in negotiations with Trump Hotels to build a $50 million Scion property in downtown Dallas. “It’s the next-generation business hotel for cost-conscious travelers,” developer Mike Sarimsakci told Dallas News.

A controversy in the making?

Critics have questioned President Trump’s involvement in the Trump Organization. The president previously stated that he would not talk to his children about the business. In January, he relinquished control to his sons, but continues to maintain his stake in the company. However, Eric Trump recently contradicted that in an interview with Forbes, stating that he will give his father quarterly reports on “the bottom line, profitability… and stuff like that…”

Potential funding conflicts are also raising concerns. As is common with major hotel chains, Trump Hotels will not be funding the Scion properties. Local developers will be expected to find investors to pay for these projects. Naturally, this raises questions of investors spending money on Trump Hotels in an effort to curry favor with the White House. In a comment to Forbes, Richard Painter, President George W. Bush’s former chief ethics lawyer, said that “…at the end of the day, he owns the business. He has the conflicts that come with it.”

PlacePass users can tour Downton Abbey filming locations

Meeting planners have a new tool to entice business travelers who attend corporate events, thanks to Marriott International. The world’s largest hotel company announced this week it has invested in PlacePass, a Cambridge, Massachusetts, travel-tech company.

PlacePass has developed a web-based meta-search platform to assist travelers in selecting unusual local experiences as personal destinations to the places they visit. Marriott calls these “experiential travel opportunities.”

The tours comprise 800 worldwide destinations and will soon include an additional 100,000 local experiences. The packages run the gamut of exotic regions and extreme climates—from enjoying a champagne picnic in Arizona’s Grand Canyon to exploring the snowy wilderness of Norway on a dog sled.

The partnership with PlacePass gives Marriott guests access to an online database that enables them to offer interesting itineraries. Meetings planners who reserve rooms and meeting spaces at one of Marriott International’s many hotel brands can promote PlacePass as an added benefit for attendees who want to combine business with pleasure trips.

A few Marriott-PlacePass local packages include:

–Exploring filming locations for the hit series Downton Abbey on a VIP guided tour from London, including Highclere Castle and Bampton
–Visiting Cambodia’s iconic temples on a sunrise mountain-biking tour through Angkor Archaeological Park
–Perfecting pasta-making skills alongside a local Italian chef at a Tuscan chateau, home to a Florentine cooking school in the Dolomites region of Italy

“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to partner with Marriott,” said Emily Bernard, chief brand officer and co-founder of PlacePass. “We will connect guests to great experiences so they make the most of their travels, connect with locals and discover the world in new ways.”

The investment in PlacePass coincides with a significant milestone for Marriott International, which has more than 6,000 hotels in 122 countries and territories. The company announced membership in its Marriott Rewards loyalty programs—including The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest—recently surpassed 100 million members.

“The addition of PlacePass activities and tours beginning later this year reflects Marriott’s commitment to giving our guests a complete travel experience,” said Stephanie Linnartz, global chief commercial officer for Marriott International, which owns Westin, Sheraton, Renaissance Hotels and many other well-known brands.

Experiences have never been more popular. Millennial travelers crave purposeful experiences. Attendees call for unique adventures they can’t find anywhere else. As this shift changes the landscape of events, the way we measure event ROI must change along with it.

So what can planners do to ensure solid event ROI? AgencyEA, an agency that specializes in event and experiential marketing, has created a handy checklist to help.

sponsoring an event

Brand marketers know that sponsoring an event can pay big dividends for boosting reach and enhancing brand awareness. Of course, supporting a 5K run or music festival has its benefits. But have you ever considered sponsoring an event attended by meeting planners?

Becoming a sponsor for an event that hosts meeting planners is actually one of the best ways to market your products and boost ROI. We’ll show you why.

What’s in it for me?

The meeting planning industry is a lot bigger than you think. When event planning comes to mind, many think of weddings rather than corporate meetings. But even though they might not sound as idyllic as beachfront wedding ceremonies, these meetings, conferences and exhibitions mean big business. Meetings Mean Business reports that in 2015, the meetings and events industry contributed nearly $122 billion in direct travel expenditures in the United States. The industry also supported one million travel-related jobs.

Meeting planners have the widest reach. If you’re looking to put your products in as many hands as possible, win over a meeting planner. Some corporate meeting planners produce conventions with hundreds of thousands of attendees, while others organize smaller corporate events such as team-building retreats and regional meetings several times a year. If a planner decides to distribute your product at an event, your goods might make their way into thousands of gift bags. And because planners often plan more than one event in a year, your opportunities could be multiplied.

Corporate meeting planners also organize retreats and board meetings for executives. If you’re focusing on the luxury market, impressing planners can get your products on the fast track to the C-suite.

Planners are always looking for something new and unique. One of the challenges planners face is keeping things exciting for attendees who go to multiple meetings and events throughout the year. After attending a few events, swag bags filled with water bottles and USB drives all start to look the same. Whether it’s new technology, healthy snacks or an out-of-the-box gift idea, meeting planners are very receptive to inventive products with standout packaging, design and functionality.

Now where do I begin?

Now that you’re convinced of the benefits of sponsoring an event for meeting planners, you may be wondering where to start looking for these opportunities. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. Smart Meetings is the industry leader in hosted buyer events that bring meeting planners together for one-on-one appointments with hotel and venue suppliers. Smart Meeting events are held in key meeting destinations around the country. To learn more about our unique sponsorship opportunities, click here.

rosewood hotels and resorts hoi an

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is undergoing a major global expansion, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. The hotel group currently has 19 properties in development around the world, with 11 planned for Asia. The most recent addition is Rosewood Hoi An, which is scheduled to join the collection in 2019.

Rosewood Hoi An is located on Vietnam’s central coast. The property will be part of an integrated resort complex currently being constructed south of the city of Hoi An, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hoi An is an ideal destination that infuses ancient history with modern luxuries. Visitors can explore more than 800 historic Chinese mansions, colonial-era architecture, the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge and the beautiful Thu Bon River.

“We are very grateful to Hoi An South Development Limited for this opportunity for Rosewood to open near such a unique and charming destination,” says Sonia Cheng, chief executive officer of Rosewood Hotel Group. “It will be a perfect match for Rosewood’s ‘A Sense of Place’ concept and another opportunity for us to offer travelers an inspirational journey of discovery.”

The property will offer 70 beachfront guest rooms and 30 residences. Taking luxury to the next level, five of those residences will have their own private spa rooms. Rosewood plans to include several dining options onsite, including a poolside restaurant and bar featuring spectacular ocean views.

The resort’s flexible indoor-outdoor event space, The Pavilion, will feature an outdoor lawn and enclosed function space—both with unobstructed views of the ocean.

Of course, no ultra-luxurious resort would be complete without spa and golf amenities. On the spa side, Rosewood Hoi An will house Asaya, Rosewood’s unique integrated wellness facility. The spa will hold 14 single and double treatment rooms, a wellness lounge, yoga pavilion and more. As for golf, the planned resort is adjacent to an 18-hole golf course designed by famed golf course architecture firm Robert Trent Jones II.

A cushy new corporate perk is coming to the 2017 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The annual event held in Indio, California, has exploded into a cultural phenomenon since its debut in 1999. Last year, nearly 200,000 revelers attended the festival, which spans two consecutive three-day weekends in April. This year’s headliners include Lady Gaga, Radiohead and Kendrick Lamar.

All of those attendees need somewhere to stay. Many camp onsite in their own tents or cars. Others stay at area hotels and campgrounds and commute to the festival grounds via shuttle. Choosing between these two main options comes down to a decision between convenience and comfort.

Enter Marriott. The hotel brand has partnered with festival organizers to bring eight luxury safari-style pop-up tents to the festival grounds. Each distinct tent will feature a design inspired by individual brands in the Marriott portfolio, from Aloft to the Autograph Collection.

After a packed day of concerts in the Colorado Desert, lucky lodgers can retreat to air-conditioned accommodations complete with electricity, high-quality linens and quirky design features. And when they wake up the next morning, they’ll be right in the middle of the action—no commute required.

But there is a catch. Prospective glampers must bid at auction for a chance to stay in Marriott’s luxury pop-up tents. Starwood Preferred Guests members have an edge. Four of the tents are up for bid online at SPG Moments, where the going currency is Starwood hotel reward points. (Marriott acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts last September.) You’ll need a surplus stash of reward points to compete. Bids currently top 100,000 points.

Bidding on the AC Hotels, Autograph Collection and Renaissance Hotels tents is taking place on the Marriott Rewards Experience Marketplace platform. As of now, high bids range from 152,000 to 202,500 reward points.

Winners get more than chic digs. Marriott’s Experience Coachella package includes access to VIP viewing areas and hospitality tents, private bathrooms and showers, and golf cart shuttles. The glamping option applies to the festival’s second weekend, April 20–24. Both auctions close April 6.

And that eighth tent? It’s being given away via sweepstakes.

Less than one month from Coachella’s 2017 kickoff, anticipation is building.

“We’re excited about bringing yet another ‘industry first’ to our loyal members, festival attendees and those who share our love of music,” said Jennifer Utz Ilecki, vice president of buzz marketing and global partnerships at Marriott.

March Madness F&B

March Madness is in full swing! For those not familiar with the sporting event, it’s the premier single-elimination tournament for men’s college basketball teams. In its current format, 68 Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) teams compete for the championship each year. The games are played at a number of different sites around the country. This year, games are being held at some seriously delicious foodie destinations. If you are considering planning an event in one of them, we’ve got the best food and drink orders ready for you.

P.S. Wishing you the best of luck with your brackets!

march madness F&B

Buffalo, New York

Buffalo is home to a booming food truck scene, 21 acres of historic waterfront, a four-season climate perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and, best of all, the creator of the Buffalo wing—the quintessential food of sports-viewing parties all over America.

Food: Buffalo wings

There are several conflicting stories as to how Buffalo wings were invented, but there’s no doubt they came from Buffalo, New York. If you’re in Buffalo, you better have this classic finger food.

Drink: Pac Gem IPA from Resurgence Brewing Co.

Resurgence Brewing is one of the top craft breweries in Buffalo. Its Pac Gem IPA is a single-hop IPA that features fruity hints of papaya and prickly pear.

March Madness F&B

Greensboro, North Carolina

The historical city’s namesake, Major General Nathanael Greene, was a war hero who led rebels in the Battle of the Guilford Courthouse. Fun fact: Greensboro is also home to The Barn Dinner Theater, the longest continually operating dinner theater in the United States.

Food: Pulled pork and coleslaw

Barbecue food is characteristic of the South, but North Carolina has a distinct and controversial history with the cuisine. In fact, some say Rufus Edmisten lost the election for governor in 1984 because he called barbecue “that damnable stuff.” Whether or not barbecue dictates your political decisions, North Carolina is seriously good at it.

Drink: Catdaddy Carolina

Being in the South and having the small Piedmont Distillers nearby is as good a reason as any for a spiced ‘shine drink. It’s not the illegal stuff—just moonshine-flavored whiskey, so it can actually be ordered in a bar. The taste has been described as spicy and sweet with an apple pie and vanilla spice finish.

march madness F&B

Memphis, Tennessee

Much of American musical heritage originated in Memphis; the evolution of blues and rock ‘n roll is certainly grounded in the city. Memphis offers top-notch southern eats, natural scenery and the annual Beale Street Music Festival, a world-renowned international music festival.

Food: Barbecue Nachos

Have you ever heard of barbecue nachos? If not, that’s probably because you’re not from Memphis. As a major barbecue city, the locals have gotten fairly creative with the art. Barbecue pulled pork has been put on top of spaghetti, pizza and more, but this iteration is even more experimental. Barbecue nachos are a delicious concoction of tortilla chips topped with pulled pork shoulder, nacho cheese, shredded cheese, barbecue sauce and spices. Central BBQ, a smoked meat emporium on Central Avenue, is known for serving this signature item.

Drink: Memphis Blues Martini (vodka, Blue Curacao, Blueberry Schnapps and an orange slice)

Originally served at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, this is a refreshing choice for a scorching Tennessee day. Plus, the blue color is an accurate representation of the music Memphis is perhaps best known for.

march madness food

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Beer, cheese, baseball and the Fonz–what more could you ask for? The city-wide enthusiasm for beer can be attributed to the many German immigrants who arrived there in the mid-19th century.

Food: Butter Burger

The butter burger is pretty self-explanatory, although it has never been officially determined whether the butter belongs on the toasted buns, the patty or both. The butter burger is served at many steakhouses, pubs, and fast food joints throughout Milwaukee,but Kroll’s Burger in Green Bay is widely acknowledged as the first spot to serve the dish in 1936.

Drink: Old Milwaukee

Milwaukee residents take pride in having brewed this brand of classic American beer for more than 160 years. Plus, the name of the award-winning beer is a dead giveaway as to its roots.

march madness food

New York, New York

The city that never sleeps is known for many things. New York City is chock-full of art, diverse culture, unique food options, history, skyscrapers, yellow taxis and lots (and lots) of people.

Food: A slice of pizza

What makes pizza in the Big Apple so great? New York-style pizza is its own breed, characteristically hand-tossed with a thin crust and sold in wide slices that are easy to eat while on-the-go. You know it’s a New York slice when the crust is crispy but the body remains soft and foldable. As with the bagels in New York, many attribute the superb dough consistency to the minerals in the tap water supply.

Drink: Manhattan

Many have fallen for the myth that the drink was first concocted at the Manhattan Club. As the story goes, Dr. Iain Marshall invented the drink at a banquet hosted by Jennie Jerome (mother of Winston Churchill) to honor presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden in the mid-1870s. It’s a fun but most likely false anecdote. Regardless, this drink has its origins in New York City, as many takes on the cocktail popped up in the area during this time.

march madness drink

Orlando, Florida

As the home of Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios, Orlando is a super fun destination. Also, tropical weather can be enjoyed year-round—just watch out for gators!

Food: Conch Fritters

Conch Fritters are made using a large shellfish which lives inside a spiral shell. The conch meat and various vegetables are chopped and fried into balls. Even though it’s a state-wide delicacy, the dish can be found everywhere in Orlando.

Drink: Tequila Sunrise (tequila, orange juice, grenadine, ice cubes, an orange slice and 1 maraschino cherry)

It’s not a Florida drink without at least some OJ. This fruity drink exemplifies the laid-back, beachy attitude we’ve come to know and love about central Florida. Plus, when you’re visiting the Sunshine State it makes sense to get a sunrise beverage.

march madness food utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City is shedding its reputation as a quiet, uneventful city. According to legend, Salt Lake City is home to the North Shore Monster, a beast with the body of a crocodile and the head of a horse.

Food: Funeral Potatoes (casserole with potatoes, cheese, sour cream and cornflake crusting)

In the Mormon community, funeral potatoes are commonly served at after-funeral dinners. However, the popular Salt Lake City staple can be enjoyed during any occasion. In fact, during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, one of the souvenir “food pins” depicted funeral potatoes.

Drink: Dry Martini using High West 7000 vodka

This vodka comes from the High West Distillery in Park City, Utah. The distillery advises that the vodka be used in drinks where it is the primary ingredient so that the rich taste can be savored. The name High West 7000 is derived from the high-altitude, mountainous and snow-filled environment the vodka is produced in. The 80-proof liquor is described by the distillery as being “soft with subtle vanilla, sweet grain and faint lemon rind.”

march madness F&B tulsa

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa is esteemed as the culture and arts center of Oklahoma. The city boasts a great deal of art deco architecture, two major museums and a professional opera and ballet. Historically, the city’s economy depended on being the country’s “oil capital,” but business is now diversified.

Food: Fried Catfish
Since Oklahoma is known for both barbecue and fish, this blend is an ideal order. Fried catfish can be found at various convenience stores in Tulsa, and prominent food bloggers report that this convenience store delicacy is surprisingly delicious. If that’s a little too bold for your taste, some of the best places to go for fried catfish include White River Fish Market & Seafood, Sweet Lisa’s Café, Celebrity Club Fine Dining, Atlas Grill, Charleston’s and more.

Drink: Valkyrie House Old-Fashioned (Elijah Craig bourbon, Rittenhouse 100 Bonded rye, Demerara syrup, Angostura bitters and an orange twist for garnish)

The New York Times published this recipe, also detailing the creation of the new Old-Fashioned. Aaron Post, the owner of Valkyrie in Tulsa, came up with this concoction after several attempts at revamping the classic cocktail. What makes it unique is that Post’s drink includes both bourbon and rye.

new and renovatedRendering courtesy of mosconeexpansion.com

Now past the halfway point, the multiyear, $500 million expansion of San Francisco’s Moscone Center is making progress toward a late 2018 completion date. We recently talked with John Reyes, executive vice president and chief sales officer for San Francisco Travel, who filled us in on construction plans and facility upgrades. Here’s what planners need to know:

Partial Closures Ahead

As March nears its end, the center is preparing for the planned closure of Moscone North and South. The adjacent underground halls located beneath Yerba Buena Gardens will go dark from April through August. Expect work to follow that timeline as closely as possible. Any delays would jeopardize existing fall bookings.

At Moscone West, business will continue as usual. “Moscone West will stay open during that entire time,” says Reyes.

Planners considering San Francisco as a destination but unable to book Moscone do have options. “In the meantime, our hotel community has rallied to create what’s called neighborhood connections,” says Reyes.

In this collaborative effort, groups of nearby hotels pool their resources to form miniature convention centers. The five districts offering neighborhood connections during the convention center renovations are Downtown, Moscone, Nob Hill, SoMa and Union Square. These groupings include some of the city’s most iconic hotels, such as Fairmont San Francisco and Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco.

New Features

The Moscone expansion project, which began in 2014, aims to address space constraints that sent potential customers searching for larger facilities with more contiguous exhibition space.

“We did it because our customers were outgrowing us, and they said in order for them to stay, this is what they want us to do. After expansion, it’s going to be a very different space,” Reyes says.

In total, the expansion will add 157,340 gross square feet to the convention center. The expanded square footage impacts the following areas:

–Exhibition space will increase by 62,914 sq. ft.
–Widened lobbies and enlarged prefunction spaces will occupy 39,276 sq. ft.
–A new ballroom and a third level of meeting rooms, which will provide more spaces for breakouts, combine to account for 30,020 sq. ft.
–Roof terraces that will increase flow between indoors and outdoors and let in more natural light represent 25,130 sq. ft.