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Located just steps from Huntington Beach Pier, Pasea Hotel & Spa is the newest addition to the Meritage Collection. The coastal luxury hotel celebrated its grand opening last week.

“We are excited to add another locally inspired property to our growing Meritage Collection,” said Kory Kramer, chief investment officer at Pacific Hospitality Group, which collaborated with R.D. Olson Development on the project. “Pasea Hotel & Spa’s opening marks a great milestone for our company as we continue to expand in destinations appealing to both business and leisure travelers.”

Pasea is one of Southern California’s newest venues for meetings and events. It offers 11 meeting rooms and more than 34,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor oceanfront event space. Pasea is home to several flexible meeting spaces.

The 3,450-square-foot Blue Room is attached to a 2,700-square-foot terrace with a fire pit and stunning ocean views. An 8,400-square-foot ballroom connects to a 14,000–square-foot ocean lawn and allows events to move from indoor to outdoor with ease. Pasea’s meeting spaces are equipped with the latest AV and technology.

Influenced by its location’s vibrant artistic culture and coastal vibe, the hotel combines a unique and modern design with casual, personalized service. All 250 guest rooms, including eight luxury one-bedroom suites and a 1,900-square-foot penthouse suite, offer spectacular views of the coast and Pacific Ocean.”

“We are excited to bring a world-class oceanfront resort to Southern California,” said Bob Olson, founder and CEO of R.D. Olson Development. “Pasea Hotel & Spa is a special development for us. We hope the community of Huntington Beach and our future guests enjoy it as much as we enjoyed creating it.”

The hotel has several unique offerings for leisure and relaxation, such as Aarna Spa, a Balinese-inspired wellness center that includes a garden, salon, relaxation room and state-of-the-art fitness center. The “I Am” Menu allows guests to personalize their stay with a variety of items and experiences. They can order forgotten travel essentials or make reservations for activities such as yoga classes or a local brewery tour.

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Just because it’s winter throughout much of the Asia/Pacific region of the world, doesn’t mean that international MICE trade shows are in hibernation.

New Zealand will host its largest MICE trade show of the year June 15-16, when Conventions and Incentive New Zealand (CINZ) Meetings takes place in Auckland at ASB Showgrounds. The 20th annual event is expected to draw 800 meeting planners and nearly 200 exhibitors for 6,000 face-to-face meetings. Last year, CINZ Meetings led to $50 million in contracted bookings.

“We attract everyone from high-end incentive travel organizers looking for bespoke luxury, to corporate professionals planning company events, and large international associations organizing multiday conferences,” says Sue Sullivan, chief executive of the event. “CINZ Meetings gives event organizers the chance to do a year’s worth of business in two days, all under one roof. We are showcasing the latest trends in food, travel, design, technology and entertainment, and treating them to an authentic taste of New Zealand hospitality – our Manaakitanga.”

Hosted planners and media from around the world are being flown to New Zealand for the event. Before the trade show begins, planners and journalists will tour various destinations within the country, such as Hamilton and Waikato, Taupo, Rotorua, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin. Auckland Convention Bureau will also show its international guests around the host city.

CINZ Meetings is a free event for planners. Start planning now to attend next year’s show because even if it’s winter in New Zealand, it’s a hot time to check out all that the country has to offer for meetings, incentive, conventions and events.

“This face-to-face time, experience and networking is at the crux of our industry,” Sullivan says. “CINZ Meetings is much more than an exhibition. We give them a total Kiwi experience from the moment they arrive.”

IBTM China is set for Sept. 7−8 in Beijing at China National Convention Center. During the 2008 Olympics, the convention center was site of the international broadcast center and several events.

Hong Kong Rewards Programs

Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong (MEHK), the MICE arm of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), has teamed up with industry partners to create a rewards program for those convening in the world-class city.

Hong Kong Rewards! features a complimentary cocktail reception for groups staying at 43 partner hotels. Other rewards include upgrades to special offers from Hong Kong’s key attractions and discounts of up to $250 per person from vendors at the Hong Kong International Airport. MEHK also facilitates complimentary cultural performances, welcome airport signage, souvenirs and maps.

“Hong Kong is one of the world’s foremost MICE destinations, offering high standards of hospitality and accommodation, as well as an unsurpassed array of leisure activities,” says Bill Flora, U.S. director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board. “To further enhance the destination experience for MICE visitors, it’s only fitting that we offer more discounts and privileges than ever for MICE groups from their arrival to their departure.”

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Trump Hotels, the luxury hotel company founded by Donald Trump and his children, Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric, has announced plans to launch a new hotel brand that will be positioned to target a younger audience. The as yet unnamed lifestyle hotel brand will not bear the Trump name.

The concept for the company’s new brand was developed in response to the massive growth of the technology-centric “we” economy, and is expected to be less opulent than properties in the Trump Hotel Collection. With a brand personality that is genuine, engaged and agile, the brand will target travelers who want to connect with others in energized social spaces.

“This is a great time for Trump Hotels as we target a new and different type of guest with the same Trump standard of quality and excellence,” said Eric Danziger, chief executive officer of Trump Hotels. “We also continue to enjoy strong performance across the portfolio and are very excited about the imminent opening of three high profile properties: Trump International Hotel Washington, D.C.; Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver; and Trump Rio de Janeiro Hotel.”

The Trump Hotels brand maintains a robust development pipeline, with opportunities in both national and global destinations including Dallas, the Dominican Republic, Frankfurt, London, Munich and Tel Aviv.

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Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie recently announced that a framework agreement has been reached to complete the unfinished Baha Mar resort in Nassau, Bahamas. The $3.5 billion project was originally scheduled to open at the end of 2014 but faced multiple delays.

In June 2015, developer Baha Mar Ltd. filed for bankruptcy and submitted a suit alleging the contractor was to blame for missed deadlines. After talks failed to restart the project, the resort was put up for sale in March 2016.

In his announcement to the Bahamas House of Assembly on May 25, Christie stated that lender Export-Import Bank of China (EXIM) and China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) have reached a framework agreement after two days of talks with Bahamian government officials. CSCEC is the parent company of Baha Mar’s general contractor, China Construction America (CCA) Bahamas. The agreement was first reported in the Bahamas Tribune.

The proposed deal would secure the financing needed to complete the project and allow CCA Bahamas to resume construction on the resort, which is already 97 percent completed. The Baha Mar resort complex is expected to consist of four new hotels with a total of 2,323 guest rooms and 200,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

In response to this announcement, the resort’s developer, BMD Holdings, released this statement criticizing the deal: “It is very discouraging that China EXIM Bank, knowing full well the serious irregularities already demonstrated by its sister company China State Construction Engineering Corp., would now turn to this very same entity to complete the work which its subsidiary, CCA, has failed to do time and again on previous schedules that it has provided.

“There is nothing in CCA’s past performance at Baha Mar that should lend confidence that they can complete Baha Mar on any schedule they provide and refrain from re-engaging in deceitful business practices, including overbilling and substituting inferior materials and systems to the detriment of the potential of this resort.”

In his latest statement on June 8, Christie confirmed that negotiations are ongoing and reaffirmed that the framework agreement provides a pathway to completion of the resort.

las-vegas-cvaWhen it’s time to get down to business, no place compares to Las Vegas. With the perfect location, top accommodations and the best convention experience in the world, you’ll see how Vegas Means Business.

It starts with the location – Las Vegas has the right space for your group, large or small. Vegas has nearly 11 million square feet of exhibit space and is home to three of the country’s largest 10 convention sites – the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Sands Expo and Convention center, and the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Vegas hosts more than 21,000 meetings, conventions and incentive programs annually, ranging in size from 10 to over 100,000.

The attractiveness of Vegas also generates strong attendance. On average, attendance increases 8 percent when conventions rotate in to Vegas and research shows that attendees spend more time in meetings and on the trade show floor when meetings are held in Vegas.

With more than 900 inbound and outbound flights per day and nonstop service from more than 130 U.S. and International cities, Vegas is easy on your time and budget. McCarran International Airport is conveniently located just two miles from Las Vegas Boulevard and just 3.5 miles from the Las Vegas Convention Center. Most of the more than 150,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas are within a 15- minute drive from the airport.

No place understands the importance of good service better than Vegas. With more than 150,000 rooms, Vegas offers the best group value proposition in the world. And with nearly 236,000 resort-industry employees who are dedication to your business Vegas provides the best convention experience in the world.

Vegas also has ideal weather, with nearly 320 days of sunshine per year and less than 5 inches of rain annually. When you factor in our service culture, convenient location and expert assistance, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better value out there. Make the most of your next meeting in Vegas. See more at VegasMeansBusiness.com.When it’s time to get down to business, no place compares to Las Vegas. With the perfect location, top accommodations and the best convention experience in the world, you’ll see how Vegas Means Business.

It starts with the location – Las Vegas has the right space for your group, large or small. Vegas has nearly 11 million square feet of exhibit space and is home to three of the country’s largest 10 convention sites – the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Sands Expo and Convention center, and the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Vegas hosts more than 21,000 meetings, conventions and incentive programs annually, ranging in size from 10 to over 100,000.

The attractiveness of Vegas also generates strong attendance. On average, attendance increases 8 percent when conventions rotate in to Vegas and research shows that attendees spend more time in meetings and on the trade show floor when meetings are held in Vegas.

With more than 900 inbound and outbound flights per day and nonstop service from more than 130 U.S. and International cities, Vegas is easy on your time and budget. McCarran International Airport is conveniently located just two miles from Las Vegas Boulevard and just 3.5 miles from the Las Vegas Convention Center. Most of the more than 150,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas are within a 15- minute drive from the airport.

No place understands the importance of good service better than Vegas. With more than 150,000 rooms, Vegas offers the best group value proposition in the world. And with nearly 236,000 resort-industry employees who are dedication to your business Vegas provides the best convention experience in the world.

Vegas also has ideal weather, with nearly 320 days of sunshine per year and less than 5 inches of rain annually. When you factor in our service culture, convenient location and expert assistance, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better value out there. Make the most of your next meeting in Vegas. See more at VegasMeansBusiness.com.

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In an announcement perfectly timed to celebrate Global Wellness Day, Hyatt Hotels Corporation is partnering with the Dr. Frank Lipman’s Be Well brand to help promote health. Hyatt’s multi-pronged program of initiatives will launch at Park Hyatt properties in New York, Chicago and Washington, DC, but will eventually extend to all hotels and brands under its umbrella.

Dr. Lipman, who founded Be Well in 2012, blends traditional and alternative methods to help followers reclaim vitality. The program focuses on supplements, cleanses, exercise and health coaching. Celebrity devotees include Gwyneth Paltrow, Bobbi Brown and Donna Karan.

Hyatt has sound business reasons for incorporating healthy initiatives into its offerings. “Our guests are embracing healthier lifestyles and are increasingly looking to integrate healthy habits into their travel experiences,” said Maryam Banikarim, Hyatt Hotels Corporation’s global chief marketing officer, in a press statement. “Working with the Be Well team is helping us bring their passion for making healthy living simple into everything we do.”

This is not Hyatt’s first foray into health and wellness. In 2014 the company launched Food Thoughtfully Sourced, Carefully Served, a global program where company chefs revamped menus to include grass-fed meats, sustainable seafood and healthier options for kids. But the Be Well partnership will take Hyatt’s commitment to wellness a step further.

What Does This Mean for Guests?

Upon arrival, Hyatt guests will be offered healthy drinks at participating properties. They will enjoy curated in-room amenities, special fitness offerings such as workout and mediation classes, as well as healthy menu options. Retreats are also being designed to provide immersive experiences for guests that want to learn more about nutrition, fitness and mindfulness.

“Wellness is more than a class or a diet—it’s a lifestyle. We are on a mission to make well-being convenient and accessible to all—on and off the road,” said Be Well’s Chief Executive Officer Brandon Shainfeld. He notes that Be Well and Hyatt “will work together on integrating health and wellness into a traveler’s experience.”

Dr. Lipman believes working together can have a meaningful impact. “I share Hyatt’s passion to care for guests’ well-being and am impressed with the approach of making it a natural part of the guest experience,” he said.

Count in All Hyatt Hotel Brands

All Hyatt Hotel brands have some sort of wellness offerings. Hyatt hotels with fitness facilities keep them open 24/7 so guests can utilize them at their convenience. Hyatt Centric hotels that lack fitness centers provide guests with access to nearby facilities where they can work out. Park Hyatt Chicago has Shred415 workout classes on premise once a week, while Park Hyatt New York will host meditation classes with MNDFL, New York City’s premier meditation studio.

orlando meeting groups

Located in the heart of Walt Disney World Resort, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is one of the country’s leading convention hotels. The hotel offers 2,267 guest rooms and over 329,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, which consists of 84 meeting rooms, including two executive boardrooms, four ballroom options, 110,500 sq. ft. of contiguous convention/exhibit space, outdoor function areas, two business centers and complimentary transportation throughout Walt Disney World Resort.

Guests of Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel also enjoy the benefit of extended hours for Disney theme parks, offering the unique opportunity to enjoy additional time in the parks at no extra charge. Groups staying at the hotel also have the opportunity to experience Mandara Spa and 17 world-class restaurants and lounges.

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel will begin a $5 million renovation of its 329,000 sq. ft. meeting space this summer to refresh all the meeting rooms at both Swan and Dolphin hotels. The renovation will include updated carpet and paint, along with the installation of new technology in the meeting space. The work will occur in phases with no impact to group programs, and is scheduled to be completed in December.

The meeting space refresh is part of the hotel’s multi-phase, multi-year $140 million redesign project. The project also includes the transformation of all 2,267 guest rooms at the hotel. In 2015, Swan guest rooms were completed, and Dolphin Hotel guest rooms are scheduled for completion by the end of 2017.

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The Meetings Mean Business Coalition will boldly move forward into the political arena during the Democratic and Republican national conventions. Seizing an opportunity to remind the public and politicians about the value of face-to-face meetings,  the coalition has created a new integrated campaign that will debut this summer.

The campaign slogan—Worth Meeting About—is designed to engage elected officials and policymakers through physical and digital advertising at both the Republican and Democratic national conventions. Meetings Mean Business intends to showcase the idea that whether it’s selecting the next U.S. president or another pivotal moment, when it’s important, it’s Worth Meeting About.

“Worth Meeting About will demonstrate how political candidates leverage the power of face-to-face meetings throughout the election cycle,” said Michael Dominguez, Meetings Mean Business co-chair and chief sales officer for MGM Resorts International. “In doing so, the campaign will highlight that while these events only happen every four years, meetings take place and positively impact people, businesses and communities every single day. The election cycle is just one example of how the most important decisions, moments and milestones are Worth Meeting About.”

The campaign’s first paid advertising will debut July 18-21 during the Republican National Convention with signage at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The Republican convention will be held at Quicken Loans Arena. Known as The Q, the multipurpose venue is visited by more than 2 million guests each year for various events, including NBA Cleveland Cavaliers home games.

Approximately 2,470 delegates, 2,302 alternate delegates, 15,000 members of the media and nearly 120 staffers will take over the arena. Altogether, around 50,000 people are expected to visit the Cleveland area during the event, with an estimated economic impact of $250 million.

The Democratic convention will take place July 25-28 at Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia. The Meetings Mean Business campaign will spread its message on signage in the Philadelphia International Airport as well as billboards along Interstate 95. Targeted digital advertising will also be deployed to reinforce the Worth Meeting About message.

Some special events will take place at Pennsylvania Convention Center. The convention center is a historic gem, incorporating the former Reading Terminal railroad station into its meeting and event space. The center boasts 1,000,000 sq. ft. of rentable space, including 82 meeting rooms and 679,000 sq. ft. spread out among seven exhibition halls. The largest of three ballrooms measures 55,408 sq. ft. A 400-seat lecture hall is perfect for presentations and product launches.

“The coalition’s expanded reach and industry leadership has allowed us to engage in this type of unique advocacy,” says Richard Harper, co-chair of Meetings Mean Business and executive vice president for HelmsBriscoe. “We’re excited to launch our first multi-faceted campaign to show the industry’s role in the election cycle and demonstrate how these important moments are only made possible by bringing people together face-to-face.”

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From corporate meetings to trade shows, Atlantis provides the expertise and resources to present your most successful conference or event. Choose from our endless selection of meeting spaces featuring two beautiful Ballrooms, the Grand Ballroom and Paradise Ballroom, 22 meeting rooms, a high-tech Executive Boardroom and a fully functional Business Center.

State-of-the-art technology in each meeting room gives meeting professionals complete control. Voted Best Special Events, Atlantis offers venues for large and small. All meeting space is conveniently located on one level, in close proximity to guest room elevators, restrooms, the Business Center and the Executive Boardroom.

Distinctly Four Diamond

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Atlantis is honored to be a recipient of the distinguished AAA Four Diamond award. This prestigious recognition signifies the beauty and attention to detail eminent throughout the entire resort. Less than five percent of the nearly 31,000 properties approved by AAA achieve this coveted designation.

Atlantis delivers a standard excellence to our guest, unmatched in northern Nevada. This distinction reflects the premier accommodations esteemed in the community and in the region. There’s always something distinctive at Atlantis. Stay. Dine. Spa. Play. In Four Diamond luxury.

Request a Proposal

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Atlantis offers two convenient options for submitting an online RFP. You may request a proposal directly from one of our experienced Meetings and Events Specialists using the Atlantis RFP. If you are a member of the SpeedRFP system, you may log in and submit your proposal using the SpeedRFP.

The north shore of Lake Tahoe – a lake split between California and Nevada in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range – has been delighting guests since it was put on the map by pioneers of cool in the 1960s, like Frank Sinatra and his rat pack crew.  Since then, it’s been a can’t-miss destination for global travelers, boasting private beaches with jaw-dropping views, world-class outdoor recreation, and a plethora of high-end and gourmet dining options. And now, with direct flights from major markets like L.A., New York and San Francisco, one north shore resort is finding a way to make events and meetings in Tahoe just as cool for groups as it is for leisure travelers.

“We thought to ourselves, ‘Why do we love Lake Tahoe, and how can we bring that magic to guests?’” says Andrea Daly, Assistant Director of Events at the lakefront Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa & Casino. “And the result is that we are rethinking everything, whether that be coffee breaks, receptions, or arrival to the resort. Everything is custom here.”

hyatt-tahoe-fire-pitDaly points to a few things her team is doing to give meeting attendees a taste of what makes Tahoe so unique, including welcome receptions on the resort’s private beach and floating pier, overlooking the lake and nearby mountains. While local Tahoe wines and beers are always on the table, so are homemade granola bars, dishes with ingredients sourced from local farmers, and a gourmet s’mores bar for attendees to sit by a campfire and make their own treats. The event can be themed to reflect anything from a rugged camping experience to a swinging celebration, like the luxurious Rat Pack parties of the 1960s.

Events for other groups have included complimentary pop-up farmers markets, group kayak race team-buildings, and even snowshoe tours through the resorts winding and wooded property.

-hyatt-lake-tahoe-Sierra-Cafe-Patio“We also wanted to rethink how guests reconnect,” adds Daly, noting that they never limit attendees meetings just to meeting room spaces. “We’ve held sessions on our private beach, lunches in our wild-west themed saloon, and even held breakout sessions on the lake aboard our private catamaran.”

“This resort and this location are both something amazingly special,” says Mike Bergin, the resort’s Assistant Director of Sales. “We have 50,000 feet of meeting space, indoor and outdoor locations, and a team that works here in the resort business because they want to share this fantastic place with our guests. Customizing every detail of the group experience is what we’re about every single day.”

Adds Daly, “This unique place is our home. And when guests our here, we want them to experience Tahoe’s magic just like we do.”