Smart Meetings | Page 539 of 604 | Corporate Event Planning: Business Events, Meetings, Conferences

Atlantic City is a hidden gem along the New Jersey shoreline, offering visitors much more than a seaside destination. As Atlantic City has gone through numerous transitions, the destination is in the midst of the dawn of a new era, drawing from its rich history to meet the demands of the future.

Atlantic City offers round-the-clock fun and excitement after the work and meetings are through. Take a stroll on the famous historic Boardwalk, bask in the glowing sun or take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean. You can unwind and dine with plentiful dining options all customized to fit your convention delegates taste bud from brand name eateries to celebrity chef restaurants. The Entertainment Capital of the Jersey Shore will have you laughing, singing and dancing all night long. Shopaholics can shop till they drop at our tax free outlet shopping, Tanger Outlets The Walk with over 100 retail stores that won’t disappoint with incredible deals and just steps out of the convention center. While in town, try your luck on the table games or slot machines at any of our eight casino resorts.

Atlantic City is made up of over 16,400 first-class hotel rooms that will suit the perfect accommodations for your attendee’s complete comfort and relaxation. The Atlantic City Convention Center provides over 600,000 square feet of exhibit space, as well as 45 meeting rooms, ample pre-function space and all the amenities you would expect. Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center is the largest convention center-hotel complex from Baltimore to Boston with its two 50,000-square-foot ballrooms, which offer state-of-the-art, technologically advanced meetings space that can be utilized by up to 5,000 attendees. Resorts Conference Center has added an additional 15,000 sq. ft. of meeting space spread over 12 rooms. The new conference center brings the total offerings at Resorts to 24 meeting and function rooms with more than 64,000 sq. ft. of usable space, most featuring natural light and ocean views.

Historic Boardwalk Hall, formerly known as Atlantic City Convention Hall is Atlantic City’s first convention center and an iconic landmark to Atlantic City that was built in 1929. Home of the Miss America Pageant, it played host to the city’s growing convention industry. Boardwalk Hall has hosted an amazing list of dazzling entertainers and knockout sporting events throughout its 85 year history.

Atlantic City is 60 miles from Philadelphia, 125 miles from New York, and 175 miles from Washington, DC. Any way you look at it, Atlantic City guarantees fast-paced excitement and non-stop year-round activities. Meet AC will be happy to help you locate the right space, assist with attendance building, housing and much more.

Explore the new, along with reminiscing on the long-standing history for which Atlantic City is best known. We know that America’s favorite playground will have a special place in your heart after you visit.

Most companies expect innovative thinking from the people in their organization. And if you are looking for equally innovative ideas for planning your next meeting or retreat, the last thing you need is a venue that’s same old, same old. At Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa, there’s no chance of that.

The reason: we simply offer too many distinctive, even unexpected options – both inside and out.

To start with, the setting is 300 acres of a genuine 19^th century Texas ranch, which preserves the character of the land and pays tribute to its history throughout the resort. As a result, the feeling here is pastoral, “gently rugged,” the kind of natural environment where it’s not surprising at all to see black squirrels, red hawks and other creatures fully at home. In fact, we’ve been designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary!

Yet for all this rustic beauty, we haven’t ignored 21^st century conveniences, either in the luxury of our guest rooms or the sophistication of our conference facilities.

After all, we know that you expect to get down to business. So in keeping with our promise of the unexpected, we offer 100,000+ sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space. All indoor facilities are fully modern, beautifully equipped, and can be configured to suit any type of meeting, from large assemblies to intimate gatherings. Plus, enjoy enhanced cell phone reception as well as personal support from a tenured staff with a strong desire to serve your every need.

At the end of each day’s session, when it’s time to unwind, you can explore a wide range of truly extraordinary options. Like an 1800s-style saloon, with the longest copper-top bar in Texas and one of the largest selections of regional craft beer around, and an upscale restaurant famous for bison, elk and other exotic game on its extraordinarily refined menu. In the barn outside (yes, the barn!), there’s a resort spa so sophisticated, it was selected as one of the nation’s 100 best by Condé Nast Traveler readers.

In addition, there are 27 challenging holes of golf, surfing in the hill country, hiking trails that invite guests to wander the habitats of local wildlife, and even a lazy river running throughout the property, just waiting for exploration via inner tube.

Yet as remote and relaxing as all this feels, this resort is actually just 20 minutes from the River Walk and all the other attractions of downtown San Antonio. Some of the area’s most popular theme parks and tourist destinations are even closer. And access from San Antonio International Airport, offering 110 daily non-stop flights to 35 destinations, is faster and easier than most of our guests ever imagined.

So if you’re looking to impress your attendees with a venue that’s as beautifully remote as a 19^th century landscape – yet modern in every convenience and comfort – opt for a resort that offers both extremes and everything in between. There really is nothing ordinary about it!

Book now and get free meeting space Internet and a 3% rebate to the master bill for any event held by December 31, 2016!

Call 210 520 4030 or email [email protected] to book your next event at Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa.

Cindy Hart

Cindy Hart joined Hotel Boulderado in Boulder, Colorado, as director of sales and marketing. She has been a development leader in the hotel sales industry for more than 20 years, most recently as director of sales for Saratoga Resort and Spa in Wyoming. She previously served on the opening team in the same role for SpringHill Suites Denver at Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado. Hart was also dual director of sales for White Lodging Services, where she hired, trained and mentored sales teams for Courtyard Denver West/Golden in Golden, Colorado. She is a third-generation native of Boulder.

Fernando Garcia

AMResorts welcomed Fernando Garcia as area commercial director for Jamaica and director of sales for Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay and Secrets St. James Montego Bay in Jamaica. Fernando most recently served as the director of sales and marketing for Catalonia Hotels & Resorts in Barcelona, Spain. He was responsible for sales in North America, the Caribbean and Latin America. Fernando has a strong history of driving sales and marketing strategies while managing and motivating his team.

Amanda Hawkins-Vogel

Marriott Napa Valley Hotel & Spa announced Amanda Hawkins-Vogel as general manager of the newly renovated property. She has worked in various management and leadership positions at international hotels, and worked for The Camberley Hotel Company in Atlanta; West Baden Springs Hotel in Indiana; Residence Inn Fort Lauderdale Intracoastal/Il Lugano in Florida; and Hilton San Diego Del Mar. At the San Diego hotel, she and her team were awarded the 2015 Sage Leadership Award for Excellence in revenue performance, profit performance and associate engagement.

David Givens

Hilton Waikoloa Village hired David Givens as general manager of the 1,240-room oceanfront resort on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii Island. He joins the hotel from Interstate Hotels & Resorts, where he was vice president of operations, overseeing multiple branded properties and ownership groups. Prior to that, he was vice president of operations and general manager for Interstate’s China Division, and managed DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Shanghai-Pudong. He has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

Karen Fey

Plano Centre named Karen Fey as sales representative for the convention center in North Texas. It has more than 12,500 sq. ft. of flexible function space. Previously, Fey served as public information specialist for Visit Plano, the destination marketing department for the City of Plano. She has also worked for Texas Instruments, Texas Health Resources and Travelers Insurance.

“We are excited to add Karen to our sales team,” said Mark Jarrell, general manager of Plano Centre. “Her customer service and sales background is a beneficial asset in our efforts to attract additional meeting and events clients to Plano Centre.”

Heather Bailey

Heather Bailey has been appointed director of program development for MC&A, Hawaii’s largest full-service destination and event management company, based in Honolulu. Bailey develops programs and events for new and existing clients, as well as managing the program development department. She has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including working for hotels, restaurants, golf clubs and destination management companies.

“We are very excited to have Heather join us at MC&A. Her DMC operations and systems experience will be greatly appreciated as we continue to identify new and improved ways to service our customers in Hawaii,” said Mike Dolan, general manager of MC&A group business.

Ken Barnes

Omni Hotels & Resorts hired Ken Barnes as chief information officer for the luxury hotel brand, headquartered in Dallas. He is responsible for strategic direction and oversight of all information technology. Barnes joins Omni Hotels & Resorts from GuestTek Interactive in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where he served as the senior vice president of global service responsible for managing technology service and support for the company. Prior to that, he worked for White Lodging Services for two decades, most recently serving as vice president of information technology.

“In our fast-paced and constantly evolving business environment, it is more important now than it has ever been before to have a clear, succinct IT strategy,” said Mike Deitemeyer, president of Omni Hotels & Resorts. “Ken is a proven leader who will ensure we have an IT strategy that helps meet our business objectives and works to exceed our guests’ expectations.”

Elie Kik

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel in New York City appointed Elie Kik as director of sales and marketing. He has more than 20 years of luxury hospitality experience, and will be responsible for developing and implementing sales and marketing strategies. Kik joins The Carlyle from The St. Regis New York, where he established and oversaw the sales department. He previously worked for La Cigale Hotel Beirut, Hotel President Wilson in Geneva and Starwood Hotels New York City. Kik attended Ecole Hoteliere de Geneve in Switzerland, where he received a bachelor’s degree hotel management.

“With Elie’s depth of luxury hospitality experience in both sales and operations, he is the perfect match for The Carlyle,” said Giovanni Beretta, managing director. “I am thrilled to welcome him to the team and we look forward to the exciting initiatives he will bring to our renowned hotel.”

Jana McGee

Jana McGee joined The Chattanoogan hotel as conference planning manager, where she is responsible for planning meetings and conferences at the upscale hotel in Tennessee. For the past six years, she was employed at The Sheraton Read House in Chattanooga, serving as assistant general manager, convention services manager and outlet manager. McGee is a member of National Association of Professional Women and Lutheran Women’s Mission League.

“We are extremely pleased that Jana has joined the team at The Chattanoogan,” says Tom Cupo, regional managing director. “She knows the Chattanooga market very well and has extensive experience managing all aspects of successful meetings, conferences and events.”

Kathleen Bernesby

Kathleen Bernesby was named senior director of sales and marketing for Planet Hollywood International, Inc. in Orlando, Florida. She is responsible for day-to-day sales operations for the brand, including spearheading the relaunch of its newly redesigned flagship restaurant, Planet Hollywood Observatory at Disney Springs. Bernesby will be implementing strategic marketing and sales tactics, while growing group sales for the corporate, convention and association markets.

Prior to her current role, Bernesby served as director of marketing for Loews Miami Beach Hotel, located in Miami’s South Beach. She began her career with the Walt Disney World Company, working as a senior sales manager, followed by a 10 year stint with The Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin in Orlando. She has also worked in a global capacity with The Ritz-Carlton and served as director of sales and marketing for The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Florida.

cuba-flights

The first U.S. commercial flight to Cuba in more than 50 years landed in Santa Clara on Wednesday morning, and passengers were greeted with a ceremonial water cannon shower from Cuban fire engines.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx was first among the 150 passengers to disembark, and presented Cuban officials with a model airplane. Santa Clara city officials gave him a painting of the city.

A JetBlue Airbus 320 plane made the 51-minute flight, which began at 9:45 a.m. at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida. Cuban music, fresh guava pastries and dignitaries created a festive atmosphere before takeoff.

JetBlue plans to offer up to seven daily flights to Cuba starting this fall, although most of them initially will go to cities other than Havana, such as Holguin and Camaguey. Nine other U.S. airlines will offer their own routes, which could result in up to 100 daily flights to Cuba.

The flights will originate from Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, New York City and seven other U.S. cities. One-way fares will start at $99.

Silver Airways, a commuter airline, on Thursday will begin offering three weekly flights to Santa Clara, and later this fall will begin flights to Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba, Cayo Coco, Varadero, Cayo Largo and Manzanillo. American Airlines will begin service to Cienfuegos and Hoguin on Sept. 7, and will add flights to three more Cuban cities later this year.

Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Sun Country Airlines also have been approved for flights.

The Department of Transportation is expected to announce on Wednesday which U.S. airlines will be able to fly to Havana.

The United States and Cuba re-established diplomatic relations in December 2014, and since then many changes have occurred, including the reopening of embassies in Washington, DC, and Havana, and U.S. businesses signing new deals with Cuba.

The U.S. still maintains an economic embargo on Cuba, however, and Americans are not allowed to take leisure trips there: They must affirm that their visit falls under one of 12 categories, such as educational, religious and humanitarian projects.

health-and-wellness-for-groups

Health and wellness has become a major component of the meetings industry, and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, it’s expanding 50 percent faster than the overall tourism industry and is expected to become a $680 billion niche by next year, according to Global Wellness Summit, an international organization.

So, meeting planners have no problem finding places that offer outdoor activities, healthy cuisines, and massages and other treatments. But it’s challenging to find places that offer truly unique wellness options. Here are a few of the best.

Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee, brings farm-to-table dining to life by showcasing its bakery, butchery, creamery and gardens in multicourse meals. Plus, guests are able to roll up their sleeves to participate in farm activities, or simply observe. They can spend time with farmstead artisans from all around property, including the garden and kitchen.

Like some other hotel companies, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts provides complimentary jogging and walking tours, but some of its properties take it a step further by designing courses that pass by city landmarks and other historical sites—thereby adding an educational element.

Miraval Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona, offers an unforgettable massage experience. Thai massage masters use strands of hanging colored silk as an extension of their body that enable them to suspend themselves and support the client. This Naga healing experience involves deep massage and stretching that restores circulation and relaxes the client.

In Krun, Germany, Schloss Elmau Luxury Spa, Retreat and Cultural Hideaway features a Turkish hamam containing domed rooms with hot stones, tubs, steam baths and a tea lounge.

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) not only has a yoga room with mats, mirrors and bamboo to create a calming space for your practice, but also a 900-square-foot soilless aeroponic garden that springs up vertically from the mezzanine level of Terminal 3. A farmer manages the garden’s crops.

Lobby of The Art, A Hotel

We at Smart Meetings have been putting a lot of emphasis on how quickly hotels are evolving to satisfy their guests lately—from the disappearing front desk to robot concierges. But one of the most inspired changes happening in hotels is taking guests by surprise the second they walk in the door.

The lobby, once populated with phone banks, check-in desks and elevators, are transforming into—well, whatever the hotel wants: A cozy living room, a happening bar with lots of networking nooks, offices for business travelers always on the job, and even galleries.

The great thing about this for groups is that guests aren’t checking in and heading straight for their rooms. Without having to create (and pay for) a time and place to mingle, these hotels offer spaces to network effortlessly.

First Stop: Exhibit

In Denver, Colorado’s bustling Art District, The Art, A Hotel welcomes guests on the ground floor with two art exhibits—but not before they pull up to the main entrance, defined by a 22,000-LED light art installation by Leo Villareal.

The exhibits, with 37 pieces gathered by curator Dianne Vanderlip, encompass the entire ground floor. An elevator takes guests to the fourth floor, where they can check in and check out more art, as well as the terrace and FIRE Restaurant and Lounge, separated by an accordion-style glass door that overlooks downtown Denver.

A traveling Manhattan bar lets guests taste several versions of the classic cocktail, and weekly events like Wine Wednesdays allow guests to network on the terrace and even socialize with the hotel’s general manager.

Welcome to the Clift

clift-lobby Clift Hotel lobby

The panhandlers, the traffic and the buzzing tourists of San Francisco are a thing of the past the moment you walk into the Clift Hotel, part of Morgans Hotel Group. While the check-in desk is still immediately to your left, guests’ attention is overtaken by of one of the world’s most stunning and expensive chair collections, just begging them to sit and stay a while.

Nearly every detail of the lobby is reflective of something in Northern California, from the Yosemite-inspired caste bronze fireplace to the redwood-esque mahogany. Designer Philippe Starck designed the hotel to be a clash of classic and modern, with Art Deco light fixtures and a Salvador Dali coffee table and lamps.

Giant doors open into the infamous Redwood Room, where guests can perch in front of the sprawling redwood bar for libations and seasonal bites.

Action-Packed and Social

ashbury_hotel The Ashbury lobby

Ping-pong, pinball machines, board games – and a communal table are the first things guests see when they walk into The Ashbury, a boutique hotel in Ashbury Park, New Jersey.

The lobby-level is equally action-packed; the front desk and check-in doubles as The Counter, a grab-and-go kitchen where guests can fetch keys, order coffee, or buy something from the retail store.

one-world-observatory One World Observatory at the World Trade Center, New York City

TripAdvisor’s latest research into online search activity for hot attractions in the United States has revealed two trends that meeting planners should be pretty familiar with:

1. New attractions and landmarks that reinvent themselves are always popular with business and leisure travelers.

2. Neighborhoods can make the meeting.

While some places listed among TripAdvisor’s hot attractions are parks that are well-suited for leisure travel and attendees with downtime, other spots are perfect for private events that will make meetings planners look like super stars.

Hot Attractions Trending Online

Ranking No. 1 among TripAdvisors’ Top 25 Attractions on the Rise was One World Observatory at the World Trade Center in New York City. The observatory takes over three levels at the top of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Standing at 1,776 feet, the observatory features 9,000 sq. ft. of rentable event space on the 102nd floor. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows offer views in all directions, providing a stunning and unforgettable setting for up to 300 guests.

In September, New York City will observe the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attack that devastated Manhattan. The neighborhood has experienced an incredible renaissance with new hotels, fantastic shopping, celebrity chef–owned restaurants and record-breaking attraction openings such as One World Observatory.

“Lower Manhattan’s remarkable revitalization over the last 15 years is a cornerstone of the ‘new’ New York City,” says Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “With tourism reaching record levels in New York City, visitors and locals have more choices to explore, shop, stay and dine than ever before in this newly reimagined downtown neighborhood.”

Chicago landed several attractions in the top 25. Coming at No. 2 was Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, a 13-block district for shopping, dining and entertainment. No. 12 was the Chicago 360 observation deck, which is located on the 94th floor of the historic John Hancock Center. Chicago’s observation desk has four spaces for private events, with the entire 94th floor available for buyout and the ability to host up to 550.

Few places in the United States meetings market are hotter than Nashville, Tennessee. Earning the No. 8 spot on TripAdvisor’s list was Grand Ole Opry, a favorite among musicians and music lovers. There’s a VIP backstage tour that is a big hit with groups. The venue, which seats 4,400, is also available for private events. Receptions that take place on the actual stage can host up to 275.

Denver’s Union Station ranked No. 14. It features shops, restaurants and bars. There are a variety of meeting spaces, including 5,400 sq. ft. of function space on the lower level of the station. There’s a 1920s-era gallery that can hold up to 150 for receptions.

In Orlando, Florida, Disney Springs, formally Downtown Disney, came in at No. 16. It has added more than 30 new tenants, including Morimoto Asia, which features chic style, Pan-Asian cuisine and meeting space. Special, customized group dining can be arranged. Disney Springs consists of four neighborhoods—The Landing, Marketplace, West Side and Town Center—each with their own distinct look and feel.

In Hollywood, California, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour ranked No. 25 among surging online searches. Groups tours make for an exciting offsite experience when meeting in Southern California. Warner Bros. hosts a variety of galas and special events, especially fundraisers for charitable organizations.

cavallo-point luxury meeting properties

Virtuoso, a network of international luxury travel experts, announced its 2016 Best of the Best awards during its 28th annual Travel Week Aug. 6-12 in Las Vegas. It’s no surprise that some of the top U.S. luxury meeting properties were among the award winners. The 10th annual awards are the result of input from more than 390 Virtuoso travel agencies.

Smart Meetings always enjoys showing some love to luxury meeting properties that are our San Francisco Bay Area neighbors. This year’s Virtuoso awards feature Cavallo Point–The Lodge at Golden Gate, which is located in our hometown of Sausalito, California. Cavallo Point was among the properties honored for Sustainable Tourism Leadership.

As its name suggests, Cavallo Point offers views of Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline. Formerly a military base that was built between 1901 and 1915, the resort opened in 2008 and is LEED Gold certified. It has 74 historic guest rooms and suites and 29,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space.

“Cavallo Point Lodge is a top-rated property and it is an honor to be a part of this award-winning and committed team,” said Brendan Carlin, general manager. “It’s a destination that embodies the most luxurious and environmentally sustainable experience possible for guests.”

the-farmhouse

Also in our neck of the woods is The Farmhouse Restaurant at Farmhouse Inn, which is tucked away in the town of Forestville in Sonoma County. The restaurant was Virtuoso’s winner for Best Culinary Experience. Set amid wine country, the Michelin starred restaurant is housed in a restored 1873 farmhouse.

Besides award-winning cuisine, Farmhouse Inn features 25 guest rooms and a spa. Even though Farmhouse doesn’t have traditional meeting rooms, it is perfect for executive retreats, with space for up to 20 in the dining room and about 10 in the living rooms of its suites.

Carmel Valley Ranch in Monterey County, California, a few hours south of the Smart Meetings headquarters, was among the top vote-getters for Most Innovative Guest Experiences. Here’s a sampling of what groups can do at the 181-suite Carmel Valley Ranch, which has more than 46,500 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space.

• Bee Experience: With over 60,000 Italian honeybees in the onsite apiary, groups up to 20 can don a beekeepers suit with a resident beekeeper and learn how the honeybees diligently forage for the pollen and nectar in every flower at The Ranch.

• Photography Excursion with a National Geographic Photographer: Join a landscape photography expert on a photo adventure and hike along beautiful coastal trails, learning about friendly “neighbors” such as sea otters, seals and birds.

• The Equine Perspective: Groups from four to 75 experience a series of exercises designed to develop self-awareness and authentic communication with specially chosen horses.

Top Luxury Meeting Properties

Faena Hotel Miami Beach in Florida won for Best Achievement in Design. The Best Bar was The New York Edition in New York City.

The Mayflower Grace in Washington, Connecticut, was a runner-up for Best Spa. Those honored among the Hoteliers of the Year were Deborah Yager Fleming from Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach in Miami Beach and Philip Barnes from Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, Canada.

Aloft-voice-activated-hotel-rooms

Imagine asking a hotel room to turn up the air conditioning when it gets too hot or to turn on the lights before getting out of bed. Well, the future is here and it just checked in at Aloft Hotels. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has unveiled the results of its top secret “Project: Jetson” experiment, and are excited to debut the first-ever voice activated hotel room, giving guests entirely new ways to interact using “Hey Siri.” Each Aloft Voice-Activated Hotel Room is equipped with an iPad running a custom Aloft app used for controlling the in-room guest experience, with HomeKit-enabled accessories including room temperature, lighting options and more. These new rooms are available today at Aloft Boston Seaport and at Aloft Santa Clara.

“Forget the phrase ‘at the touch of your fingertips.’ Today’s early adopter, hyper-connected global traveler wants a level of personalization unlike ever before, and that means being able to control their hotel experience with the sound of their voice,” said Brian McGuinness, Global Brand Leader, Aloft Hotels. “We’re thrilled to be the first hotel brand to bring voice-activation to our guests in this way, using Siri to control room temperature, lighting and more during their stay.”

“At Aloft, we are constantly pushing the envelope, our imaginations and the adaptation of technology to reinvent the hotel stay of today and tomorrow,” said Sarah Downing, Vice President, Global Guest Initiatives & Innovation, Aloft Hotels. “We love working with companies like DigiValet to help bring our visions to life. The new Aloft Voice Activated Hotel Rooms are going to change the way that our guests interact, literally, with their room during their stay with us. It’s the latest way Aloft is changing the way we all travel.”

When guests arrive, they will launch a custom Aloft app on their in-room iPad to control various aspects of their voice-activated room. A personalized welcome screen will advise guests on how to set up their room and use their own voice with “Hey Siri.” Each iPad also offers a simple tutorial to guide guests through the setup process and answer any questions they may have.

Here is a sampling of what the smartest hotel room in the world can do:

• Control Temperature – Wake up hot at 2 am? Simply ask Siri to adjust the temperature on the Ecobee HomeKit-enabled thermostat by saying “Hey Siri, cool the room” to your desired setting.
• Adjust Lighting – Watching a movie or reading in bed? Use Homekit-enabled Philips Hue lights to select preset lighting options for every mood including: Re:set (standard lighting); Re:lax (evening); Re:view (movie theater); and Re:vive (morning). Just ask Siri to turn on the lights, turn off the lights, or simply say good morning.
• Set the Mood (Music) – Singing in the shower but want a new track? Say “Hey Siri, put on my morning playlist.” To use this feature, guests must be signed into their iTunes account on the iPad. Music plays through the guest’s personal device.
• Explore Local Attractions – Need a virtual concierge? Just ask “Hey Siri, what are some attractions near me?” so you can navigate the area like a local.

The new Aloft Voice-Activated Hotel Rooms also allow guests to browse the internet, check the weather and more. At the end of each stay, all iPads are reset and all personal preferences are removed from the device.

The results of “Project: Jetson” are the latest innovation from the team of dreamers and doers at Aloft Hotels and were brought to life in collaboration with DigiValet, the iPad-based guest room solution for luxury hotels. Always ahead of the curve, other tech-forward offerings from Aloft have included: Botlr, the world’s first robotic butler, currently employed at Aloft Cupertino and Aloft Silicon Valley; TiGi (“text it, get it”) the world’s first Emoji-only room service menu; and SPG Keyless, which allows guests to utilize their smartphones as room keys.

New Orleans has been selected to host NBA All-Star 2017, the organization announced today. The 66th NBA All-Star Game will be played on Feb. 19, at Smoothie King Center, home of the NBA New Orleans Pelicans. The game was previously scheduled to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was pulled from the state after its passage of the controversial HB2 law, which has been criticized for being discriminatory toward the LGBT community. The All-Star game is expected to generate more than $100 million in statewide economic impact.

“New Orleans is a world-class destination for sports and entertainment and we are very appreciative that the city is once again hosting our All-Star festivities,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “We are grateful to Tom and Gayle Benson, the Pelicans organization, Governor John Bel Edwards, Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation for inviting us back for what promises to be another exciting and memorable celebration of the game.”

In addition to the game, Smoothie King Center will host the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge on Feb. 17 and State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on Feb. 18, while the NBA All-Star Practice, NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and NBA Development League All-Star Game will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. This will mark the third time Crescent City has been the site of the league’s annual midseason celebration, having previously hosted the event in 2008 and 2014.

In the wake of the devastating floods that have affected tens of thousands of Louisiana residents, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) have joined the Pelicans and New Orleans Saints to provide financial and other ongoing support of the flood rescue, relief and rebuilding efforts.

“Even in the midst of a historic crisis, I am excited that the NBA has recognized how great the City of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana are,” said Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards. “In Louisiana, one of the strongest bonds that unite all of us is our passion for sports. Not only will NBA fans be able to participate in the All-Star Game events, they will also be a part of our world-famous Mardi Gras festivities. The fan experience can’t get any better than that.

“While we move into the recovery phase of this disaster, I want to thank the NBA for the vote of confidence in our state to host this event and their support of the relief efforts currently underway. I want to congratulate Mayor Landrieu, the City of New Orleans and the Pelicans for working in short order to make this all possible.”

NBA All-Star on-court festivities tip off on Feb. 17, with the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge, where the league’s top rookies and second-year players will compete in a U.S. versus world game format for the third consecutive year. On Feb. 18, State Farm All-Star Saturday Night will feature current NBA players showcasing their unique abilities in exciting basketball competitions, including the Taco Bell Skills Challenge; Foot Locker Three-Point Contest; and Verizon Slam Dunk. The weekend concludes on Feb. 19 with the NBA All-Star Game.

“When we learned that we had an opportunity to host next year’s NBA All-Star Game, we went straight to work to lay the groundwork for 2017,” said President and CEO of New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau Stephen Perry. “Our tourism industry is second-to-none at planning and accommodating massive events like this. Within three weeks, we were able to assure the NBA that all the pieces were in place to make the 2017 NBA All-Star Game an unforgettable experience that will combine our world famous Mardi Gras with all the excitement that the NBA All-Star Game delivers.”

The NBA will continue to honor its commitment to social responsibility during All-Star 2017 with a full schedule of NBA Cares and Jr. NBA events in and around New Orleans throughout the week. By working with local schools, government agencies and nonprofits, the NBA will engage thousands of children and families and provide important resources to community-based programs.