|
|
New Pulse Survey Tracks Incentive Industry Trends In 2010
In April, the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) conducted a Pulse Survey that asked industry professionals about incentive travel programs, merchandise/non-cash programs and ROI/budget considerations. The most promising data show that respondents appear to be more optimistic about the current economic climate than they were in either the summer or fall of last year. When asked, “In your opinion, what impact will the economy have on your ability to plan and implement incentive travel programs?” 69 percent said it will have a positive impact vs. only 33 percent in the fall of 2009 and just 24 percent in the summer of 2009. Similarly, those who said that the economy will have a positive impact on merchandise/non-cash incentive programs increased from 20 percent (summer ’09) and 26 percent (fall ’09) to 41 percent this year. However, one-third of those surveyed predicted that budgets for incentive travel will decrease this year, and 37 percent said they’ll remain unchanged. Things were a little better on the merchandise/non-cash side — only 22 percent expected a decline (down from 51 percent), while 40 percent predicted an increase and 37 percent said they don’t see a change in budgets. According to an IRF spokesperson, these results indicate that although there’s an uptick in optimism about the economy in general, it may not translate into more money for programs — at least not yet. www.theirf.org
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.
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
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
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
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
The Plaza's Guest
Rooms 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
Primerica
Inc.'s 50,000-Strong Convention Returns To Atlanta
Primerica Inc., based in Duluth,
GA, recently announced the return of
their convention to Atlanta June 15–18, 2011. The biennial Primerica
convention is Atlanta's largest corporate meeting, with an expected
50,000 attendees, generating an economic impact of more than $57.8
million. “Signing for our 2011 convention signifies a triumphant return
as a Georgia-based public company,” said John A. Addison, chairman of
Primerica Distribution, and co-CEO and director of Primerica.
“Primerica’s representatives from all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico
value this convention as an investment in their businesses, and we are
thrilled to be back and able to provide this opportunity for
professional development.” The Primerica convention will utilize all
three wings of the Georgia World Congress Center, totaling 1.4 million
square feet of exhibition space. The convention also includes general
sessions in the Georgia Dome. Primerica began holding meetings and
conventions in Atlanta in 1993. www.atlanta.net
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/
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
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
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
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.
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
IRF Study Supports Effectiveness Of Travel Incentives
A recently conducted analysis of one company’s long-standing use of
travel awards as a motivational tool by The Incentive Research
Foundation (IRF) shows that such incentives have a clear, measurable
and positive impact on corporate culture and employee performance, as
well as a broader “ripple effect” on the economy of the region where an
incentive travel program (ITP) is held. Outside of providing networking
opportunities and building participant motivation, researchers found
that the incentive travel program afforded XYZ Corporation the
following benefits: positive organizational culture; employee
recognition; retention of top performers; increased motivation to meet
or exceed financial and non-financial objectives. To request a copy of
the white paper, Anatomy of a Successful Incentive Travel Program,
please contact Lois Russo at lrusso@sellingcommunications.com.
Meetings Industry Outlook Brightens
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has released its April 2010
Business Barometer, an MPI and American Express study, which reports on
the climate of the meeting and business event industry. The majority of
resondents (57 percent) indicate current business conditions are better
than a year ago. At the same time, 64 percent project better future
business conditions than a year ago. Shorter lead times have become the
most often mentioned trend affecting the meetings and events industry,
according to Barometer participants. The Barometer, which is a
bimonthly update of the 2010 FutureWatch findings, is now available for
MPI members at not cost at www.mpiweb.org.
Wynn And Encore Host Meeting Professionals
Wynn Las Vegas and Encore recently hosted an Education Familiarization
Tour dedicated to meeting and event professionals. Participants of the
exclusive workshop discovered how to improve their organizations’
programs with insightful seminars led by Theresa Breining all while
learning more about the signature offerings at Wynn and Encore by
experiencing the property. The curriculum was focused on providing
various methods to achieve the best Return On Investment as well as
emphasizing the importance of continuing to host meetings and events to
better advance their business. “I have great respect for Wynn and
Encore for producing this level of education for the meetings and
events industry and am pleased to have partnered with them,” said Terry
Briening, principal with Breining Group LLC. “Their dedication and
admiration for wanting to support our business demonstrates
appreciation for the industry." Wynn and Encore plan on hosting a
supplementary Educational Familiarization Tour in the third quarter of
2010. Meeting planners interested in attending, please contact Andre
Link at 702-770-7800 for more information.
Hilton Anatole Begins $25 Million Transformation
The
1,606-room Hilton Anatole, Dallas, TX, is embarking on a
multimillion-dollar transformation to its largest common area, Atrium
II. The new space will include completely redesigned public seating
areas and indoor landscaping, a new entryway and two new restaurants.
In addition, a large reflecting pool will accentuate the main
centerpiece of Atrium II: a dramatic, kinetic sculpture suspended fifty
feet above the ground designed by renowned sculptor Reuben Margolin.
The renovated space is the final touch following a multi-year series of
transformational projects representing a total investment in excess of
$125 million. To date, the hotel has redesigned its 714 Asian-inspired
guest rooms in the hotel Tower, added the Gossip Bar lounge and
introduced an Executive Lounge on the 25th floor, offering panoramic
views of the Dallas skyline. Prefunction areas in the Tower, and
breakout rooms and ballroom areas also were renovated. The hotel offers
a total of 500,000 square feet of meeting space. www.hiltonanatole.com
Fort Worth Hotels Post Record Demand
The Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau announced that through
the end of first quarter 2010, Fort Worth’s hotels experienced the
highest first quarter occupancy and demand in the city’s history.
According to the latest report by Smith Travel Research, in first
quarter 2010, occupancy for hotels across the U.S. was 51.9 percent,
with Fort Worth’s occupancy at 57.6 percent citywide and occupancy for
the city’s downtown hotels at 67 percent. For the same time period,
hotel demand (total rooms occupied) across the U.S. was up 5.3 percent.
Demand for Fort Worth hotels was up 5.4 percent citywide while demand
for downtown hotels was up 26.2 percent. The Fort Worth CVB achieved
record-breaking results In 2008-2009, including: hosted meetings and
convention room nights went from 162,000 to 192,000, an 18 percent
increase. Group tour definite room nights also increased in 2008-2009
to 3,500 up from 2,300, a 50 percent increase. www.fortworth.com
Marina Bay Sands Opens In Singapore
On
April 27, 2010, Las Vegas Sands Corporation Chairman and CEO Sheldon G.
Adelson and company officials snipped the celebratory ribbon to open
the doors of Marina Bay Sands, one of only two government-approved
integrated resorts in the Southeast Asian city-state. The first phase
to open includes 963 hotel guest rooms, parts of the shopping mall and
convention center, some restaurants and bars, the Event Plaza along
Marina Bay and the casino. On June 23, during the official grand
opening celebration, the remainder of the property’s 2,560 guest rooms,
more shops, additional dining and nightlife options will open. The
Sands SkyPark, a unique park with meeting space that is perched atop
the property’s three 60-story hotel towers, will also debut on June 23.
In October, one of the property’s two state-of-the-art theaters will
welcome Disney’s The Lion King. The second theater, which will also
open later this year, will be home to a variety of special events and
famous headline acts. To date, Marina Bay Sands has more than 160
events booked in its Sands Expo and Convention Center. Those events,
beginning in May 2010, are expected to draw more than 250,000 total
attendees. www.marinabaysands.com
• In related news,
the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced its forecasts for the
tourism industry for 2010: 11.5 to 12.5 million in visitor arrivals and
S$12.6 – S$13.3 billion in tourism receipts. The optimistic forecast
can be attributed to Singapore’s dramatic transformation as a result of
multibillion-dollar investments in new tourism infrastructure. 2010
will mark the year of grand openings in Singapore: from two integrated
resorts — the $5.5 billion Marina Bay Sands and the $4.4 billion
Resorts World Sentosa — to Gardens by the Bay, three major waterfront
gardens aimed at cementing the Lion City’s reputation as “The City in a
Garden.” The island nation’s new International Cruise Terminal, a
$320–$350 million facility which is expected to be unveiled in 2011,
will double the city’s cruise-handling capacity and be able to
accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships, such as the Oasis class
ships which are currently being built by Royal Caribbean Cruises. www.stb.com.sg
Landry & Kling's Jo Kling Joins CLIA Advisory Board
Jo
Kling, CEO of the cruise meetings online portal Seasite.com and
co-founder of cruise event specialists Landry & Kling Inc., was
recently named as the only corporate/incentive market representative on the 23-member Cruise Lines International Associations's (CLIA) Travel Agent Advisory Board.
Serving through 2012, Kling will provide perspective on cruise industry
trends and issues as they relate to meeting professionals. Said Kling,
"I hope to hear from cruise meeting specialists and incentive cruise
buyers so I can represent their interests to CLIA and the 25 member
cruise lines. The potential in the meeting and incentive market is
huge, and if all of us who are devoting resources to this sector work
closely together with the cruise lines, we can really make a
difference." www.landrykling.com, www.seasite.com
Encore At Wynn Macau Opens
Steve Wynn has unveiled Encore, his new, all-suites boutique hotel
adjacent to sister resort Wynn Macau, a destination casino resort in
the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of
China. Encore includes 414 suites and villas in a residential setting.
Encore introduces two new restaurants to the Wynn dining family, and
the Spa at Encore offers treatments in eight private therapy suites.
The Shopping Esplanade is home to three signature stores: Cartier,
Chanel and Piaget. www.wynnmacau.com
Loews Atlanta Hotel Makes Its Debut
Located in the heart of Midtown Atlanta, the Loews Atlanta Hotel opened
April 1, 2010 as the anchor of 12th and Midtown, a local urban,
mixed-use development. As the first new-build hotel opening for Loews
Hotels in more than five years and the brand's first property in
Georgia, Loews Atlanta Hotel features 414 guest rooms including 44
suites complemented by Eleven and Bar Eleven, the hotel's signature
restaurant and bar, more than 25,000 square feet of meeting space and
exhale Spa and Fitness Center, opening later this year. www.loewshotels.com/atlanta
Convention Industry Council Launches New Research Effort
The Convention Industry Council (CIC) has issued a comprehensive survey
to meeting planners that will develop data necessary to determine the
economic significance meetings represent and to produce a basis for
ongoing benchmarking and analysis of the meetings sector. The study is
being conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, and the survey is being sent
to planner members of CIC's member organization. An alliance of 11 of
CIC's 32-member organizations is funding the study. This is the most
comprehensive study to ever be undertaken for the meetings,
conventions, exhibitions and events industry," said Deborah Sexton,
2010 CIC Chair and president and CEO of the Professional Convention
Management Association (PCMA), one of the organizations that is funding
the research."The results of this study, along with the recently
launched "Face Time" messaging campaign, will provide the data and tell
the story about the economic, business and human value of face-to-face
meetings and events. I urge everyone who receives the survey to fill it
out and be part of this vital industry initiative." Those planners who
complete the survey will receive an executive summary of the results as
well as the option to have their name and organization's name listed in
the acknowledgement. www.conventionindustry.org
Fairmont Pittsburgh Opens
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of the Fairmont
Pittsburgh, the city’s first premier luxury hotel. Featuring 185 guest
rooms, 12,000 square feet of event space and a 6,000-square-foot health
club, Fairmont Pittsburgh has made its home at Three PNC Plaza, one of
the largest mixed-use buildings to be certified by the U.S. Green
Building Council in accordance with its LEED rating system. Later this
year, Fairmont Pittsburgh expects to receive LEED certification at a
Gold level, which complements the company’s industry leading Green
Partnership, a program focused on operational sustainability and
responsible tourism practices. Guest rooms and suites offer spacious
living and work areas and feature views of the city landscape and
rivers through floor-to-ceiling windows, a first for any hotel in the
city. www.fairmont.com
Island Resort & Casino Expands Meeting Space
The Island Resort & Casino, located one hour south of Marquette,
MI, is set to undergo a $2 million convention center expansion and
renovation. Preliminary construction will begin mid-July 2010 with an
anticipated completion date of April 2011. Square footage will extend
from 9,500 to more than 17,400, and seating capacity will increase from
350 to 828. The current convention center will hold its last event
November 3, 2010. Short-term bookings for the existing convention
center are being accepted as are bookings for the new convention center
space, with limited accommodations available in-house during the
expansion project. In other news, the Sweetgrass Golf Club at the
Island Resort & Casino was receently honored by Golfweek as a "Best Casino Course in America." www.islandresortandcasino.com, www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com
|
|