Marriott-bellevueGreater Seattle’s hotel scene—and meeting planners—received a big boost this month with the opening of Seattle Marriott Bellevue, with 384 luxurious guest rooms and 21,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Guest rooms at the property, the first-full service Marriott in downtown Bellevue, feature spectacular views, hard-surface flooring, high-speed Wi-Fi, 55-inch LCD flat-panel televisions, glass-enclosed bathrooms with rainfall shower heads, open closets and floating, luxe beds.

The meeting space provides the latest in audiovisual technology, featuring high-capacity, high-speed Internet access. A 6,240-square-foot Washington Grand Ballroom and 17 breakout rooms are available for groups. Catering services can be arranged.

Based on Marriott’s Great Room concept, the lobby space is innovatively designed, with areas for mingling with colleagues, friends and family seamlessly flowing into quieter zones that are ideal for working and relaxing. The space also provides media centers, free Wi-Fi access and tech-friendly features.

Adjacent to the lobby, Amuse Restaurant & Bar features fresh farm-to-table regional cuisine, as well as craft beers, signature cocktails and local wines. Besides table chairs and bar stools, novel seating options are available, including long-slung couches and ottomans.

Seattle Marriott Bellevue also includes the upscale M Club Concierge Lounge, a fitness center and an indoor pool. Bellevue Crossroads Par 3 Golf, a nine-hole course, is 3.4 miles from the hotel and the Golf Club at Redmond Ridge, an 18-hole course, is 15 miles away.

The hotel is conveniently located, near the University of Washington, Meydenbauer Center, Microsoft’s Redmond campus, the Seattle Waterfront, Bellevue Art Museum, the Space Needle and The Bellevue Collection, a shopping and dining area.

“We are both honored and excited to join the Bellevue community,” says General Manager Rob Morgan. “We believe our attentive service and modern amenities, not to mention our contemporary aesthetic, will complement the neighborhood as well as offer a relevant guest experience for years to come.”

 

 

WEC 2015San Francisco Travel Association is rolling out the red carpet for the 2015 Meeting Professionals International (MPI) World Education Congress, which runs Aug. 1-4 at Moscone Center.

Smart Meetings will help you stay on top of all the news, education sessions and fun events through social media and online coverage provided by our talented team of editors. As you can imagine, there are lots of grand gatherings taking place throughout the four-day conference, including the opening night celebration at Pier 48 on Saturday and the closing gala on Tuesday at San Francisco City Hall.

Our editors will also attend the many education sessions to report on updates from MPI leaders, predications in the meetings and events industry, and trends that every planner needs to know about. To learn more about #WEC15, following us through the event hashtag or visit our website for continual updates.

Smart Meetings is much more than a news organization providing live coverage of MPI’s annual educational convention. Moscone Center is a short drive from our Sausalito office and our friends at San Francisco Travel Association are the hosts. We share in SF Travel’s warmest welcome as meeting planners and suppliers from around the world visit the Bay Area.

Live Updates from WEC 2015


American Cities for Sports

Using its own data combined with information from SeatGeek, ratings were based on an algorithm that considered the total number of sporting event tickets sold (professional and college), average ticket prices, destination popularity and average hotel prices.

Fans of the NBA Washington Wizards will cheer the fact that Washington, D.C., came out on top in this survey. The average ticket price of a sporting event in the nation’s capital in 2014 was $51, while the average hotel cost $160 per night. Detroit came in second place, while Los Angeles ranked third. Rounding out the other top five cities were Tampa, Florida, and St. Louis, Missouri. While Boston is a huge sports town, it ranked lower in the study due to higher-than-average ticket prices and hotel rates.

Overall, the most affordable destination for sports travel was Augusta, Georgia, site of the PGA Masters. In 2014 fans could purchase a ticket to the golf tournament for $68 and find a hotel room for $96, combining for an affordable total of $164. Other bargain sports destinations in 2014 were Milwaukee ($165), Tampa ($166) and Cincinnati ($168). The most expensive city for sports travel was New York, where an average ticket cost $124 and lodging was $271, for a grand total of $395.

Cashing In Airline Perks

Airlines are wooing members with rewards that go well beyond seat upgrades, although in some cases you can even get the seats!

– For 9,000 miles, Air France passengers can secure a fashionable bright-yellow wallet made from a recycled life vest. Hobbit fans can redeem 145 Air New Zealand points for a replica of the magic silver scarf worn by Gandalf in The Hobbit. (pictured)

– Cash in 747,000 miles and All Nippon Airways (ANA) will give you an actual set of business-class seats from a 747. ANA members can also trade 15,000 miles for a four-course meal and a bottle of champagne at a Lexus dealership in Tokyo.

– Avianca fliers can trade 5,803 miles for a walking tour of pizzerias in Manhattan. Visitors to Beijing can use 35,500 Quantas points for a city tour and lunch at a 600-year-old former Buddhist temple.

– Want to pop The Question 25,000 feet in the air? Purchase a marriage proposal kit from El Al for 120 points, plus $60. It includes wine, elegant glasses and premium chocolates.

– Cathay Pacific passengers can exchange 15,000 miles for a Made in Hong Kong Tour that includes visits to a suit tailor, shoemaker and wood engraver.

– Aviation enthusiasts can take advantage of EVA Air’s 90-minute flight simulator experience for 100,000 miles.

—Information courtesy of IdeaWorksCompany.com

Leonardo Dicaprio

DiCaprio is taking on a new trailblazing role, this time as an hotelier. Last Friday, the Oscar-nominated actor announced intentions to develop a 104-acre private island off the coast of Belize.

In a report from the New York Times, DiCaprio and his partner revealed plans to transform Blackadore Caye into a luxury eco-resort to open in 2018. In partnership with Delos, the real estate pioneer in healthy indoor living, they will construct 68 resort villas and 48 private houses. Initial renderings show an arc-shaped string of separate villas on a platform over the water, as well as artificial reefs with fish shelters underneath.

Some properties are expected to be sold privately, and cost between $5-15 million each, while others will be available to guests. To reach the island, visitors would take a 15-minute boat ride from San Pedro, a vacation spot in Belize. Stays at nearby luxury resorts cost around $2,000 per night.

Nearly 10 years ago, the movie star purchased the island for $1.75 million with Jeff Gram, the owner of Cayo Espanto Island Resort, another private island property. The project is Dicaprio’s latest crusade of environmental activism. He also intends to rehabilitate the island which has suffered from over-fishing, deforestation and an eroding coastline. Blackadore Caye is the first resort to follow guidelines under the Living Building Challenge, a rigorous sustainability standard for building projects.

Plans to restore the area’s ecosystem include a nursery that will grow indigenous marine grass for manatee conservation. Mangrove trees will also be replanted in place of an invasive species. The resort’s impact on the island’s environment will be closely monitored by a team of scientists, engineers and landscape architects.

business-hotels

Most business meetings and trainings take place in business hotels. There are sound reasons for this.

Privacy
Business hotel conference areas are usually located on separate, quiet floors.

Ready-to-Use Equipment
In addition to tables and chairs, they generally have conference phones, Wi-Fi accessibility, writing charts and protector screens.

Food and Beverage Options
Most offer banquet services with customizable menus.

Experienced Staff
Your meeting or event is not the hotel’s first event (and hopefully won’t be its last!) Staff is trained to quickly resolve room assignment issues, food concerns, technical difficulties, etc.

Professional Environment
Business hotels generally steer clear of nightclubs in order to ensure that all visitors can sleep and work the next day. Some, like The Forum in South Florida, are alcohol free.

Easy Access
Guests simply take the elevator to the meeting room; no need to hassle with traffic.

Better Incentives
In addition to discounted group rates, planners booking business hotels can negotiate for deals on food and beverage, spa services, etc., especially during off-peak times.

Powerful Networking
Meeting in a hotel conference room, where colleagues can interact face-to-face, is often more impactful than teleconferencing.

Change up the Routine
Business travel offers employees a break in the routine, which can lead to increased productivity and new ideas.

Team Building
When the whole group is together, there is greater opportunity for brainstorming and team building.

lied-lodge-conference-centerLocated less than an hour from Omaha, Nebraska, the all-new Lied Lodge & Conference Center invites you to see first-hand what a seamless meeting experience should be. Nestled on Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City, Nebraska, the fully renovated Lied Lodge will inspire you with timbered meeting rooms, exceptional service and locally-sourced food.

Multimillion Dollar Renewal

A nearly $9 million renovation is now complete. From guest rooms and conference spaces to the grand lobby, guests will appreciate the refreshed and updated interior. Suites and executive king rooms have been reconfigured, making it easy to welcome smaller groups. All conference rooms boast views of nature.

When it’s time to break from the agenda, meeting attendees will find plenty of options beyond the four walls of the conference room. Explore, team build, refocus and refuel on the 260-acre campus. Exercise in the indoor, Olympic-sized swimming pool, play golf on one of three nearby courses, tour Arbor Lodge, a historic mansion adjacent to the conference center, or hike more than 2.5 miles of forested trails.

Meeting Packages to Suit Every Need

Planning a meeting is not a one-size-fits-all assignment. Your group is unique, your time is precious and your goals are specific. Meeting packages are tailored to your needs, giving you the ROI your next meeting deserves. Let Lied Lodge’s experienced meeting planners design an experience that fits your needs and your budget.

Lied Lodge & Conference Center at Arbor Day Farm

2700 Sylvan Road
Nebraska City, NE 68410
800-546-5433
liedlodge.org
-140 guest rooms, including hospitality suite, junior suite and executive king room
-14,000-plus sq. ft. of adjustable meeting & banquet space
-Conference Planning Managers and highly trained staff, intuitive to your needs
-Wi-Fi, onsite A/V equipment/support
-Indoor Olympic-sized pool, fitness center, spa
-Airport shuttle service from Omaha’s Eppley Airfield

Getting There: Lied Lodge & Conference Center is a 45-minute drive from Eppley Airfield (OMA)

Smart Meetings Content Manager Holly Woolard is enjoying an exclusive VIP media experience hosted by Visit Orlando during the U.S. Travel Association’s annual IPW trade show.

Fam trips come in every shape and size, and Smart Meetings’ staff members are privy to behind-the-scenes tours at amazing properties and attractions around the world. The fam trip being sponsored by Visit Orlando includes stops at many of the city’s renowned attractions, including Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld. We’ll also visit the new I-Drive 360 entertainment complex, which features the 400-foot high Orlando Eye. Join the party by following Smart Meetings Content Manager Holly Woolard at @SmartMtgsHolly or visiting us here online.

Last Updated June 2, 2015 – 6:23 PM

 

 

 

 

 

Carnival launches voluntourism cruisesIn what is becoming a trend of “voluntourism” (volunteering combined with tourism), Carnival is launching a new brand and  introducing a series of week-long  trips designed to attract younger people to cruising . On the inaugural voyage departing from Miami in April 2016, 710 participants will perform up to three days of organized humanitarian work in the Puerto Plata region of the Dominican Republic.

The unique “voluntourism” trips are being designed for individuals who want to help those less fortunate, but want to do something more hands-on and humanitarian than simply writing a check. En route to the Caribbean on the ship MV Adonia, passengers will receive basic Spanish lessons and orientation in preparation for their volunteer work, which may range from teaching English to cultivating cacao plants and organic fertilizer at a women’s cooperative, or helping produce clay water filters. They will also have the opportunity to participate in more traditional tourist excursions from Amber Cove, an $85 million Dominican cruise center being developed by Carnival and other investors, set to open in October.

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New Brand is Named fathom

Carnival has named the newly-branded cruises fathom. The Associated Press reports that Tara Russell was named president of fathom and given the title of global impact lead for Carnival Corp. According to Russell, fathom will “mobilize, educate and equip 700 travelers on every trip, allowing for thousands of impact activity days per week, and tens of thousands of travelers a year.”

In addition to fathom, Carnival owns nine other brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard, Holland America, P&O, Costa and Princess.

To make sure that customers are doing meaningful work with reputable partners, the company is developing relationships with what it terms “proven, trusted local organizations” in the Dominican Republic. According to Carnival, a portion of the proceeds from every fathom ticket sale will go to partner organizations in the country to help fund their missions.

Voluntourism Attracts a New Clientele

Carnival predicts that 40 percent of the passengers on fathom cruises will be first-timers on the seas, and many of them will be significantly younger than the average cruise passenger, who is 49. This is a good way for Carnival to build its future business, as the Cruise Lines International Association says 62 percent of passengers are repeat customers.

Prices are expected to start at $1,540 per person, which will include accommodations, meals and three on-shore volunteer activities.

Open up the doors and let a little outside in! Welcome to the Whitney Peak Hotel – a new landmark hotel that caters to the free spirit in all of us. The hotel is the only luxury boutique non gaming non smoking hotel in Reno. The hotel is centrally located just two blocks from the beautiful Truckee River Walk and adjacent to the historic Reno Arch as well as just a short 45 minute drive to beautiful Lake Tahoe.

Featuring eleven meeting rooms including the 5,400-square-foot Whitney Peak Ballroom, over 20,000 square feet of event space and two outdoor balconies overlooking the iconic Reno Arch, the hotel can host groups up to 400 guests. The hotel provides industry leading wireless internet technology to ensure a flawless and productive meeting event. Create a memorable corporate at Cargo, our 5,000 sq. ft. world-class live music venue or enjoy the new 5,400 square foot Whitney Peak Ballroom which is part of the entire 3rd Floor conference and event center which can be completely opened up to host social events for up to 800 guests.

Specializing in hosting intimate meetings as well as high-level corporate events the hotel is poised to provide meeting attendees with an unparalleled meeting event with the best “team-building” venue in the industry – BaseCamp, which features the world’s tallest exterior climbing wall (16 stories tall) and a 7,000-square-foot indoor climbing bouldering park. After you have rocked to the top, the Whitney Peak Hotel offers catering services by our very own James Beard-nominated Chef, Mark Estee, to meet every group’s needs and budget. Each of the 310 guest rooms and suites offer panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada mountains as well as either two queen beds or one king bed. Our 19 Suites boast over 600 sq. ft. and provide access for all guests to our exclusive Concierge Lounge on the 15th floor. Each guest room and suite offers our signature guest beds, a sitting area, complimentary wireless internet access, in room laptop compatible safes, working desk as well as complimentary bottled water, coffee and tea.

At Heritage Restaurant, James Beard nominated Chef Mark Estee brings the freshest and finest in American Cuisine to Whitney Peak. Heritage offers a unique experience by embracing local area farms and ranches for products as well as local history for its inspiration. Prepared not processed, Heritage Restaurant offers a naturally inspired menu of extraordinary seafood, poultry and beef dishes that change daily. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. For that special one of a kind team building even world-class climbing has been brought to the heart of downtown Reno. BaseCamp is home to the world’s tallest climbing wall (coming in at 164′) as well as our 7,000-square-foot indoor bouldering park. At BaseCamp, we built everything to accommodate everyone from first-timers to the most experienced climbers. And if climbing is not your passion, check out our slackline and take part in the revolutionary balance sport. BaseCamp also offers a complimentary fitness center for all hotel guests as well as a wide assortment of fitness classes on a daily basis. And for those who enjoy live entertainment there is no better venue than Cargo Concert Hall, a signature component of the Whitney Peak Hotel and Reno’s preeminent live concert venue. Cargo features award-winning artists, nationally and internationally touring rock bands, and the very best local talent. The 1,000-capacity venue showcases musical talent on a dynamic stage with unobstructed sightlines and state-of-the-art audio, video and lighting that brings every show to life.

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