Corporate & Incentive Travel

Breaking News

Marriott Claims First LEED Green Hotel Prototype
The Courtyard Charleston/Summerville in South Carolina will be the first hotel built using Marriott International's green hotel prototype, in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This will dramatically accelerate the company's goal to have 300 LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) hotels by 2015. Marriott is the first in the hospitality industry to launch a green hotel prototype that has been pre-approved by USGBC as part of its LEED Volume program, meaning that any Marriott hotel that follows these plans will earn basic LEED certification, or possibly higher, upon USGBC final approval. The new Courtyard hotel will open in early 2012. Currently, Marriott has nearly 50 hotels that are LEED-certified or registered by the USGBC. www.marriott.com/environment

Disney's Aulani Accepting Reservations For 2011 Opening
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawaii, will begin accepting reservations for hotel rooms August 2, 2010, through the Walt Disney Travel Company. Aulani will welcome its first guests on August 29, 2011. The resort will feature 359 hotel guest rooms and 481 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas. Rooms are housed in two 15-story towers with views of the ocean, mountains and 21-acre property. The resort offers more than 50,000 square feet of ballroom/meeting space and event lawns including a 14,000-square-foot conference center. For group sales information, call the Resort Sales team at 321-939-7129. www.disneymeetings.com/hawaii

Gaylord Opryland Announces Reopening Dates
Gaylord Entertainment Co. recently released updates on its extensive restoration efforts following the flood damage experienced in May at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Grand Ole Opry and the company's other Nashville-area facilities. Total rebuilding costs will range from between $215 million and $225 million and will include total renovation of 117 guest rooms that were flooded; extensive cleaning of the ground floor exhibition space and replacement of technology infrastructure; and restoration of the Grand Ole Opry. The planned timeline for the reopening of Gaylord's Nashville properties is: The Wildhorse Saloon and General Jackson, June 5, 2010; Grand Ole Opry House, October 1, 2010; Gaylord Opryland, November 15, 2010. Gaylord Opryland had more than 329,900 room nights booked for convention travelers at the hotel over the next six months. Whenever possible, conventions are being relocated to other hotels within the Gaylord network, including the Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, FL, Gaylord National near Washington, DC, and Gaylord Texan in Grapevine. Gaylord Opryland offers 2,881 guest rooms and 600,000 square feet of convention and meeting space, representing 10 percent of the total number of hotel rooms in the city of Nashville. www.gaylordhotels.com

Hilton Columbus Downtown Breaks Ground
A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held for the new Hilton Columbus Downtown located in Columbus, OH. The convention headquarters hotel will be located across from the SMG-managed Greater Columbus Convention Center and near Nationwide Arena. The project is a collaboration among the Franklin County Commissioners, Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, City of Columbus and Nationwide Realty Investors, Inc. The $140 million, full-service convention hotel is expected to open in fall 2012 and will feature 532 rooms, 48 suites and 22,800 square feet of meeting space, including a 12,000-square-foot ballroom. The property will be owned and developed by the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority and operated by Hilton Worldwide. www.ColumbusConventions.com, www.hiltonworldwide.com, www.experiencecolumbus.com

Viking River Cruises Announces New Ships And Discounts
Viking River Cruises has announced its new 2011 Early Booking Discount and expiration date. Viking’s 2011 Early Booking Discount is: 2-FOR-1 cruises plus up to 2-FOR-1 pricing on all-inclusive roundtrip international air plus complimentary wine with dinner aboard. The offer is valid for reservations made by the July 31, 2010 deadline. For 2011, Viking is launching two new ships and refurbishing two ships for 2011. Viking Prestige, a 188-passenger sister ship to the company’s flagship Viking Legend, the industry’s first “green” river cruise vessel, will sail the popular 8-day Romantic Danube itinerary from Budapest to Nuremberg. Viking Emerald is the newest ship sailing China’s Yangtze River. The 264-guest vessel will feature the largest suites in river cruising and play host to the company’s three China itineraries. The two completely refurbished ships are Viking Pakhomov in Russia and Viking Schumann sailing the Elbe River. Ship details and deck plans as well as itinerary information, can be found on the company’s website at: www.vikingrivercruises.com/agents.

InterContinental Times Square Now Open
The newest addition to the iconic New York City skyline is the 36-story, 607-room InterContinental New York Times Square, the largest new-build hotel to open in Manhattan since 2002. The property will be the largest hotel in New York to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, providing guests with a full-service, luxury hotel experience that is also environmentally responsible. Located on 44th Street just west of Times Square, the hotel is in the heart of the Broadway Theatre district, and a short stroll from Fifth Avenue shopping and world-class museums. As one of the hotels closest to Javits Center, the property boasts 10 meeting rooms totaling 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, inclusive of a 4,000-square-foot ballroom. Additionally, there are 25 flexible suites available that can be utilized as event space. www.interconny.com

Meetings Stigma Impacts Conference Centers
According to the recently released 2010 Trends in the Conference Center Industry report prepared by Colliers PKF Consulting USA, the average center in the survey sample reported a decline in net operating income of 43.5 percent in 2009 compared to an average hotel income decline of 35.4 percent for the nation as a whole. Said Dave Arnold, CEO East, Colliers PKF Consulting USA, "...never before have we seen the stigma attached to organizations that attempted to hold valuable training and planning conferences." The ratio of conference demand dropped from 72.2 percent in 2008 to 63.9 percent in 2009, "...meaning that conference centers relied on transient business to fill over one-third of its rooms last year," Arnold said. However, for 2010, conference center managers expect occupancy levels to rise by 4.8 percent, but room and package rates to lag, with an expected 0.5 percent increase. "It's still a buyer's market in the short term. This is good news for meeting planners, but still presents challenges for property owners and operators," Arnold concluded. Copies of the 2010 Trends in the Conference Center Industry report are available for purchase and immediate download at www.pkfc.com/store or by calling 866-842-8754.

Site Nite North America Gears Up For Motivation Show
The Site International Foundation will host its 3rd Annual Site Nite North America at the W Chicago - City Center on Tuesday, October 12. In concert with the Motivation Show in Chicago, IL, the event will welcome more than 500 professionals from the motivational events, meetings and hospitality industry as well as the corporate executives who use events to motivate and reward employees. Site Nite provides delegates networking opportunities while celebrating and fundraising for the foundation’s research and education efforts. www.siteglobal.com, www.motivationshow.com

Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB Executive Tapped For MPI Post
Christine Tascione, vice president, convention and group sales at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau (GFLCVB), has been named president of the South Florida chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) for 2010-2011. The South Florida MPI chapter has 450 members, 15 board members, and about 80 active volunteers, executing six educational programs, three yearly special events, and multiple social networking activities in its area of membership, which includes Broward, Palm Beach, Miami/Dade, Monroe and Collier counties. www.sfmpi.org, www.sunny.org

Conrad New York Coming In 2011
Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Worldwide's global luxury brand, will debut in New York's financial district in the fourth quarter of 2011. Located at the current site of the Embassy Suites New York, situated at 102 North End Avenue (at Vesey Street), the hotel will house 463 luxury rooms averaging 550 square feet each. The hotel will offer more than 17,000 square feet of meeting space including a 6,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom. “The Conrad New York marks the brand’s entry into Manhattan and is an important strategic milestone for us as we continue to grow this brand,” said John T. A. Vanderslice, global head of luxury and lifestyle brands for Hilton Worldwide. www.conradhotels.com

Cosmopolitan Of Las Vegas Sets Opening Date
The 2,995-room Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is currently taking reservations for its opening on December 15, 2010. The Cosmopolitan, located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, will feature two 50-story towers showcasing oversized residential-style living space and expansive private terraces. Resort features include 167,000 square feet for meetings; 100,000 square feet of casino space; 60,000 square feet of shopping; a 43,000-square-foot spa; three pool experiences; multi-level integrated nightclubs and signature restaurants. www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

Windstar's Wind Surf Sails The Greek Isles
Windstar Cruises, which operates a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts, offers guests opportunities to experience the mythical beauty of the Greek Isles aboard seven-day voyages on Wind Surf in 2011. "The Greek Isles sailings on our 148-guest Wind Star and Wind Spirit have been popular with our guests and due to demand we are pleased to offer special voyages on our 312-guest Wind Surf," said Hans Birkholz, CEO of Windstar Cruises. Wind Surf seven-day itineraries will include Athens, Greece to Istanbul; Istanbul, Turkey to Athens, Greece; Athens, Greece to Rome, Italy;Venice, Italy to Athens, Greece. www.windstarcruises.com

Mandarin Oriental, Macau Opens
The new 213-room Mandarin Oriental, Macau recently celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark its opening in South China. The hotel, which offers panoramic views of Taipa Island, Nam Van Lake, Macau Tower and the hills of the South China coastline, has a holistic Spa at Mandarin Oriental, fitness center, outdoor pool, a range of stylish event space and the vibrant Vida Rica restaurant and bar. Mandarin Oriental, Macau is situated in the heart of Macau's business, entertainment and high-end retail districts. www.mandarinoriental.com

Disney Resorts Score Top Spot In Hospitality Survey
A pool of 35,000 surveyed customers awarded Walt Disney Resorts the highest rating in the hotel upper upscale category. The results are from the Market Metrix Hospitality Index, the largest and most in-depth measure of hospitality company performance available today. For the first quarter of 2010, Disney received an 89.7 numerical rating out of 100 points in the hotel category. “Taking the survey’s top spot is a testament to our world-class facilities, remarkable attention to detail and knowledgeable Cast Members, all of which sets us well above the rest in the meetings industry,” said George Aguel, senior vice president for Disney Destinations. “The impeccable services and accommodations Disney offers make way for one-of-a-kind experiences for meeting attendees, conventioneers and other business professionals. That’s what makes us uniquely Disney." www.disneymeetings.com

Four Seasons Denver Now Taking Reservations For Meeting Spaces
With the opening of Four Seasons Hotel Denver only a few short months away, the hotel has announced meeting and event spaces available for booking beginning in November 2010 .Now through October 31, 2010, groups who book space are entitled to the hotel’s special introductory offer. The "Perfect 10 Package," offering a series of value-adds, is valid for any group booking 10 rooms a night or more for programs through December 2011. For more information on available event spaces at Four Seasons Hotel Denver and the introductory offer visit: http://press.fourseasons.com/denver/hotel-news/introducing-the-grand-ballroom-and-meeting-space-at-four-seasons-hotel-denver-and-a-special-offer/

CWT Survey Reveals Meetings Management Deficiencies
Carlson Wagonlit Travel's Travel Management Institute surveyed 222 meeting planners in 15 countries between September 2009 and March 2010 regarding meeting-spend practices in their companies. Two-thirds of respondents said that they do not have a centralized meetings management policy. "A lot of meetings spend is fragmented through every P&L within a company: It's between sales, it's between communications and marketing, it's everywhere," CWT North America Director of Meetings and Events Terry Sloan said. "The challenge there is getting your arms around it and finding a way to track it, and technology is a greater enabler of doing that." Sloan indicated that best practices begin with centralizing management and aggregate spending. The centralization enables effective control over policy, budgets, supplier sourcing and facilitates putting companywide processes in place for meeting approvals, attendee registration and payment, the CWT report said. The report added that adopting best practices can bring 10–25 percent savings while increasing return on investment. http://www.carlsonwagonlit.com/en/global/tmi/etm/meetings_and_events.html

Atlanta Airport Marriott At Gateway Center Set To Open
Guests will feel well-connected when choosing to stay at the new 403-room Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway, which opens August 4, 2010. A two-minute ride on the ATL SkyTrain, a complimentary light rail line, whisks passengers arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport directly to the mixed-use Gateway Center, where the Atlanta Airport Marriott resides. The LEED-registered hotel, which offers 21,000 square feet of meeting space, is connected by covered walkway to the George International Convention Center, which provides another 400,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. Early-bird planners who book a meeting with at least 75 rooms per night by August 31, 2010 and hold it by December 31, 2010 are offered a choice of two of the following values: complimentary wireless Internet access in paid guest rooms; complimentary morning or afternoon coffee break for up to 100 attendees; two upgrades to concierge level at the group rate; complimentary meeting room rental. www.atlantaairportgatewaymeeting.com

Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Completes Refurbishment
As Sheraton Hotels and Resorts continues a $6 billion global enhancement of its brand, the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel in Weehawken, NJ, will be one of the first NY/NJ hotels to complete the refurbishment. The Sheraton Lincoln Harbor will embrace the brand’s new upgraded standards with an $18 million revitalization touching virtually every aspect of the contemporary riverfront property. Among the hotel’s enhancements: the introduction of the Link@Sheraton, the brand’s new lobby-based connectivity hub; a new restaurant overlooking the Hudson River; and 347 eco-friendly, tech-savvy guest rooms with keyless entry, “green” wallpaper and CFL-lit workspaces. The property, which is a five-minute ferry ride from midtown Manhattan, has 9,800 square feet of renovated meeting space.

New Orleans Posts Nation's Highest RevPar Change
New Orleans ranked first in growth out of the top 25 U.S. markets for January–May 2010, ahead of destinations such as New York, Boston and Chicago. According to May year-to-date data from Smith Travel Research (STR) the organization that measures and reports on hotel performance nationally and internationally, New Orleans posted a 15 percent increase in RevPar over the same period in 2009. (RevPar is a standard industry measure of hotel occupancy multiplied by average daily rate.) The STR rankings illustrate the momentum gained as a result of a hard-fought image battle led by the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. www.neworleanscvb.com, www.str.com

The Plaza's GuestRooms To Feature iPad Concierge
Beginning in September 2010, New York City's Plaza hotel will offer iPads in all guest rooms and suites featuring a virtual concierge application. The iPads will feature a multimedia video welcome and provide guests easy, touchscreen access to control their entire hotel experience including room service, restaurant reservations, wake-up calls, destination guides, airline schedules and even the ability to print boarding passes. www.theplaza.com

Norwegian Epic Celebrates Inaugural Cruise
Norwegian Cruise Line's new Norwegian Epic ship has set sail on her inaugural trans-Atlantic crossing to New York, arriving on July 1 for her christening by entertainer Reba McEntire July 2. Norwegian Epic is the cruise line's largest Freestyle Cruising ship, which allows guests more freedom and flexibility. Beginning July 10, Norwegian Epic will sail alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami through April 30, 2011. The 2011 cruise season from May–October will have Norwegian Epic sailing a series of seven-day Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona. www.epic.ncl.com

Four Seasons Hotel Denver To Open Fall 2010
The 293-room Four Seasons Hotel Denver and 102 Four Seasons Private Residences are set to debut in fall 2010. Distinctive features include a rooftop terrace and pool deck, 17,000 square feet of meeting and event space and a spa. The hotel will be located one block from the Denver Performing Arts Complex and two blocks from the Colorado Convention Center.

Elbow Beach, Bermuda Completes Renovation
The completion of a $5.5 million refurbishment project positions the 98-room Elbow Beach, Bermuda as a more intimate resort, following the closure of the hotel's 101-year-old main building guest rooms and the Seahorse Grill. Guest rooms and suites have been enhanced with the addition of advanced in-room entertainment systems and upgraded bathroom facilities. Other renovations included improvements to public areas within the main building, poolside area, beachfront, meeting rooms and roadways. The free-standing Bermuda Room was transformed into a luxurious meeting and banqueting venue for groups. The renovation for the historic main building remains in development. The property encompasses 50 lush gardens that slope down to its signature pink sand beach. http://www.mandarinoriental.com/bermuda/

Doubletree Hotel Dulles Airport-Sterling Opens
The Doubletree Hotel Dulles-Airport Sterling in Sterling, VA, recently celebrated its grand opening. Located less than 10 minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport and 45 minutes from Washington, DC, this Doubletree is the only full-service hotel product serving the Dulles Town Center shopping and entertainment districk with 171 guest rooms and 5,000 square feet of event space. http://dullesairportsterling.doubletree.com

MGM Mirage Changes Name To MGM Resorts International
MGM Mirage shareholders approved at their annual meeting a proposal to rebrand the iconic hospitality leader “MGM Resorts International.” In addition, the company announced that it will relaunch its Players Club loyalty program as M Life. "We believe this evolution honors our entertainment heritage, better represents the growing global presence our company has today and positions us to move forward under a unified brand strategy," said Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International. "The new MGM Resorts International name will create better clarity and awareness for our collection of assets globally thereby maximizing our best-in-class portfolio of resorts." Key to the new M life Players Club is a tiered system that rewards players with richer benefits and rewards the more they engage with the company's brands. The expected roll-out of the M life Players Club is late summer in MGM Resorts' U.S. regional markets and this fall in Las Vegas. www.mgmresorts.com

Royal Caribbean And DreamWorks Animation Team Up

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) cruise line announced that it has formed a strategic alliance with DreamWorks Animation to offer a variety of new shows and activities on ships in the RCI fleet, beginning with the cruise line's newest ship, Allure of the Seas, which will debut in December 2010. Year round, "celebrity" characters including Shrek, Fiona and Puss In Boots of "Shrek"; Alex, Mort and the Penguins of "Madagascar"; Po of "Kung Fu Panda" and Hiccup of "How to Train Your Dragon" will engage guests of all ages, day and night, with unique experiences, including exclusive special events and energetic parades, as well as through interactive character meals in the main dining room and photo opportunities. In addition, RCI will install 3D screens in ships' theaters, which will feature DreamWorks movies. www.royalcaribbean.com

Meeting Planner Survey Reveals Upbeat News For Meetings Industry
After 18 months of declining demand and an uncertain horizon, it appears the U.S. meetings industry outlook is improving according to a new survey commissioned by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), the PCMA Education Foundation and American Express. The national survey of 505 professional meeting planners located throughout the U.S., 56 percent of whom were association planners and 44 percent of whom were corporate, incentive and independent planners, as well as procurement specialists, was conducted during the April to May time frame in 2010 by Ypartnership. Respondents indicated they booked a net increase of 15 percent more meetings or approximately an average of 17 more meetings per planner in 2010, and a net increase of 24 percent more meetings or approximately an average of 17 more meetings per planner in 2011. Only 6 percent stated they were planning to postpone, cancel or re-book any meetings they had already booked in 2010 and 2011 — versus 54 percent who shared this sentiment in 2009. For the full report, go to www.pcma.org.

Disney Unveils Plans For Art Of Animation Resort
Walt Disney World Resort has announced plans for a new animation-themed resort hotel that will open in late 2012. Offering new accommodations for incentive winners and leisure groups, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will feature 1,120 suites and 864 traditional rooms designed around four themes: The Lion King, Cars, Finding Nemo and The Little Mermaid. Crowning the resort’s exterior will be a 35-foot-tall model of King Triton from Disney’s animated classic, The Little Mermaid. “This project underscores our optimism about the future and faith in the long-term prospects for leisure groups and incentive travel,” said George Aguel, senior vice president for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “It’s also a direct response to the growing trend of multi-generational families traveling together and continues the Disney tradition of providing great guest experiences for every taste and budget." www.disneymeetings.com

NBTA Legislative Summit Breaks Attendance Record
On June 9–10 the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) welcomed more than 100 corporate travel professionals to the 8th Annual NBTA Legislative Summit in Washington, DC, an increase in attendance of more than 50 percent compared to last year. Delegates learned about current legislative affairs affecting the business travel industry. Delegates also met with their representatives on Capitol Hill to discuss aviation infrastructure updates and how effective management of government travel can save taxpayer money. http://www2.nbta.org/usa/Events/Pages/LegislativeSummit.aspx

Hyatt Regency St. Louis Unveils New Event Space
The 910-room Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch recently completed a top-to-bottom renovation that includes the new 18th floor Gateway Room, which offers impressive views of the St. Louis Arch. The space is two ballrooms with an outdoor terrace that features a translucent, color-changing floor. All large ballrooms, foyers and smaller conference spaces have new carpet, lighting and airwalls that have been soundproofed, updated with energy-efficient HVAC and new banquet chairs. Additional features in meeting rooms include floor-to-ceiling windows for natural lighting and Wi-Fi. The hotel offers a total of more than 83,000 square feet of meeting and event space. www.stlouisarch.hyatt.com

Doubletree Resort Lancaster/Willow Valley Opens
Doubletree Hotels has announced the opening of the Doubletree Resort Lancaster/Willow Valley in scenic Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Just three miles from historic downtown Lancaster and 90 minutes from both Baltimore and Philadelphia, this newest Doubletree features more than 16,000 square feet of meeting and event space including the popular 10,000-square-foot Open Atrium that can host up to 1,200 guests theater-style. Two 6,500- and 4,600-square-foot ballrooms provide the flexibility to hold additional events for up to 500 guests reception-style. The Doubletree Resort is operated by Willow Valley Associates, Inc. under a franchise agreement with a subsidiary of Hilton Worldwide. www.doubletree.com

Site Index Advises Increased ROI/ROO Measurement
The Site International Foundation released its newest Site Index survey, "Site Index: Focus on the Measurement of ROI/ROO," which addressed the application of Return on Investment (ROI) and Return on Objectives (ROO) in the motivational events industry. The survey examined current measurement activity and provides predictions for the future. Seventy-five percent of survey respondents confirmed that the number of programs for which ROI/ROO is measured will increase in the next three to five years. This fact must be considered with data from the earlier "Site Index: Focus on the Economy" survey that showed more senior management engagement in motivational event programs. Together, these surveys send a clear message that there is an increased focus on motivational events spending. Providers and users of these programs must clearly communicate to management not only the expected return from spending, but how this return will be measured. Complete survey results are available at www.siteglobal.com.

IRF Partners With Motivation Show
The Motivation Show and the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) have announced that they will partner to provide a forum for the IRF to share relevant, actionable research with the show's attendees that addresss the increased corporate scrutiny of incentive ROI. The Motivation Show meets October 12 through October 14 in Chicago's McCormick Place West. For information on the IRF programming at The Motivation Show, visit the Show website at www.motivationshow.com.

Mock Retires From Daytona Beach Area CVB
In January of this year, Sharon Mock announced her plans to retire May 21 as president and chief executive officer of the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. During the bureau's May 12 celebration of National Tourism week she received accolades from industry leaders and a standing ovation from the 175 participants in attendance. "Sharon has been an amazing resource to the Halifax Area Advertising Authority and to our community,” said Larry Fornari, who chairs the HAAA, an organization which oversees the CVB. "We will surely miss her.” Sharon joined the staff of the CVB as assistant director in 1987 and brought with her 20 years of hotel marketing experience. For more information, call 386-255-0415.

Rocky Gap Lodge And Golf Resort Reports Group Business Growth
The 215-room Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort, Flintstone, MD, reports that business is up and operations have improved compared to hotel industry performance nationwide. This report, released by the resort management, defies recent rumors that the resort’s future may be in jeopardy. Tim Grambley, Lodge general manager, reports that, “For the first quarter of this year our group business was up 14.6 percent compared to the same period in 2009, and our spa income has increased more than 10 percent. These increases come at a time when we experienced some of the area’s worst weather in decades, making the growth even more impactful." Grambley reports that for calendar year 2009, revenue per available room did experience a decline, but at 8.9 percent that is less than half of the national average decline of 18 percent. Rocky Gap offers 15,000 square feet of event space. www.rockygapresort.com

Russo Named IACC's 'Legend of the Industry'
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IACC) is pleased to announce that Jacqueline Russo has been selected as the 2010 "Legend of the Industry" for this year’s IAEE Robert L. Krakoff Future Leaders Institute to be held 6–8 August 2010 at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa,San Antonio, TX. IAEE and official sponsor, Champion Exposition Services, will provide career development for industry professionals who were selected by the Future Leaders Committee as up-and-comers based on their application and extensive review. Each year, IAEE selects a "Legend of the Industry" whose contributions, innovation and leadership have been truly unique and remarkable. An informal setting then allows each Institute participant one-on-one time with this industry leader. For more information, visit www.iaee.com/futureleaders.