Breaking News

New Octavius Tower At Caesars Palace Tops Off
Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV, celebrated the topping off of its sixth high-rise tower, the Octavius Tower. The topping-off beam, signed by Caesars Palace employees, was raised following a conference hosted by Gary Selesner, property president. The new tower will house 665 guest rooms including 71 suites and is part of a $1 billion expansion plan that includes adding 263,000 square feet of meeting space for a total of 300,000 square feet. The Octavius Tower will open in summer 2009 for bookings. For more information, visit www.harrahs.com.

MGM Grand Skylofts And Joel Robuchon Win AAA Five Diamond Award
For the third consecutive year, AAA has awarded Skylofts at MGM Grand and Joel Robuchon the Five Diamond Award, placing both the property's accommodations and restaurant in the upper echelon of the world's hotels and dining establishments. The Skylofts are 51 two-story luxury accommodations offering expansive views of the Las Vegas skylnine. Amenities include personalized butler service, luggage packing and unpacking, and pre-engraved stationery. Joel Robuchon opened his eponymous restaurant in 2005, his first restaurant to open in the U.S. Criteria for selecting winning hotels of the Five Diamond Award include quality of exterior, guest rooms, public spaces and amenities; for restaurants, criteria include quality of food, service, decor and ambience. For more information, go to www.mgmmirage.com.

MPI's MeetDifferent Prepares Planners For The Future
Meetings Professional International (MPI) will host MeetDifferent from February 7-10, 2009 in Atlanta, GA, at the Georgia World Congress Center. MeetDifferent will explore the new generation of meetings and events, and will focus on how industry professionals can find real solutions to real problems during the economic downturn. Programs and forums addressed at MeetDifferent will address three main topics: Finding Solid Ground in An Uncertain Economy, Stand Out Through Leadership, and Creative and Cost-Cutting Solutions. For more information and a full schedule, go to www.mpiweb.org.

Denver CVB Changes Name To Visit Denver
The Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau has officially changed its name to Visit Denver. The bureau will also be redirecting online traffic to a new website, www.visitdenver.com as its primary URL.

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel To Reopen In Late December
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Big Island, HI, will reopen in late December after earthquake damage and a subsequent renovation closed the property in fall 2006. The property will feature 250 guest rooms and suites, a Rees Jones-upgraded golf course, 13 tennis courts and other amenities. A Grand Opening celebration is planned for March 2009. For more information, visit www.maunakeapreview.com.

Benchmark Hospitality Wins Estrella Award
Benchmark Hospitality International has been named the "Hispanic Hotel Management Company of the Year" by the Hispanic Hotel Owners Association (HHOA) as part of the association's Estrella Awards Competition. The award was presented at a gala held during HHOA's first Global Hotel Investment, Development, Management Conference held in Miami, FL. The Estrella Awards spotlight outstanding Hispanic achievements within the hotel industry. For more information, go to www.hhoa.org. (Left) Burt Cabañas, founder, chairman and CEO of Benchmark Hospitality International, accepted the Estrella Award at the first Estrella Awards Competition gala held in Miami, FL.

APEX Launches New Web Site
The Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX), an initiative of the Convention Industry Council (CIC), announced the launch of its new Web site. The new site combines user functionality  and graphics to deliver a wealth of information on everything APEX-related. New features include an events calendar, testimonials, CIC facts, and planner and supplier testimonials. Planners can sign up to receive APEX e-news updates, as well as order APEX Powershop, a new tool designed to streamline the planning process. To access the new APEX Web site and for more information, visit www.apexsolution.org.

InterContinental Hotels Opens First U.S. Resort In AZ
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has opened its first resort property in the U.S. in Paradise Valley, AZ, the InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa. The 34-acre resort includes 253 guest rooms, 27,000 square feet of meeting space, six restaurants, a 31,000-square-foot salon and spa, five pools and other amenities. For more information, go to www.icmontelucia.com.

Wynn's Encore Now Accepting Reservations For 2009
Encore, the new Las Vegas, NV, signature resort in the Wynn Collection, is now accepting reservations for stays starting on January 12, 2009. Encore includes five restaurants, 11 retail outlets, a nightclub, a spa and salon, and 60,000 square feet of meeting space. The property offers 2,034 suites and is located next to Wynn Las Vegas, the brand's flagship property, which offers an additional 2,716 guest rooms, 200,000 square feet of meeting space, 111,000 square feet of gaming, an 18-hole golf course and 22 dining options, among other amenities. For reservations and more information, go to www.encorelasvegas.com.

Update On Airline Checked-Bag Fees
Delta Air Lines has announced it will implement a $15 first-bag-checked fee for domestic passengers starting on December 5th. The company will cut other fees as it aligns its policies with those of Northwest Airlines, which it acquired on October 29th. The airline will charge $25 for the second checked bag on domestic flights. Passengers who book flights on or after December 5th will be charged $50 for the second checked bag, but will be able to check their first bag without charge. Customers flying first or business class, including SkyMiles Medallion and WorldPerks Elite members, will be able to check up to three bags (at 70 pounds each) for free. Effective immediately, Delta will eliminate the $25-$100 fuel surcharges assessed for SkyMiles and WorldPerks ticket travel originating in the U.S. and Canada. United Airlines has revoked its plan to increase its fee to $50 for coach passengers to check a second bag, and will maintain its $25 charge already in effect. The airline also will offer customers a 20 percent discount on the fee to check a first bag when they pay for it on www.united.com between Nov. 10, 2008 and Jan. 31, 2009. For more information, go to www.united.com or www.delta.com.

Palm Beach County CVB Announces Marketing Plan
The Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau recently unveiled a 2009 marketing and business plan outlining the bureau's plans for the upcoming fiscal year. However, presentations of the CVB's plans have included a long-term planning approach to improving the destination's position as a prime meetings location, as well as having increased effects on the county's tourism revenue. Key elements of the proposed plan, named 2020 Vision, include increasing the following: economic impact on the county, visitors, number of available hotel guest rooms and occupancy levels, as well as making all changes sustainable throughout the county. For more information, visit www.palmbeachfl.com.

JW Marriott At L.A. Live Project Gets Visit From Bill Marriott
Construction on the JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. Live has completed 44 floors and is currently on track to open in early 2010. Marriott International Chairman and CEO Bill Marriott met with officials from leading sports and entertainment presenter AEG, along with local business and community leaders for a luncheon meeting at the Nokia Theater at L.A. Live to discuss current and future development efforts throughout the city. L.A. Live is a $2.5 billion downtown Los Angeles entertainment and sports complex adjacent to the Staples Center. Once completed, it will include the JW Marriott at L.A. Live, with 878 guest rooms and 77,000 square feet of meeting space; a Ritz-Carlton hotel and residences, restaurants and entertainment complexes within walking distance to many of Los Angeles' sights and attractions.

Voters Give The Greenbrier The Green Light For Gaming
Greenbrier County voters gave the go-ahead for The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV, to start offering casino games if the convention hotel wants to go that route. Following the vote, management sent a letter to employees indicating it will retain a third-party advisor to evaluate gaming’s potential impacts on the resort.

Starwood Hotels To Partner With Worktopia For Online Bookings
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Worktopia to offer a new online booking system for small meeting rooms at 63 of its properties. Additional properties will be added in the future. The collaboration was designed to help Starwood increase sales of small meeting rooms, as well as overnight guest rooms. Worktopia's Universal Meeting Solution (UMS) is the first completely automated process for meeting planners to search, compare and book meeting space online. Starwood Hotels & Resorts includes 900 properties in its global portfolio of owned and managed hotels and resorts. To access Worktopia's online database of meeting spaces, go to www.worktopia.com. For more information on Starwood, visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

Orlando Rosen Hotels & Resorts Unveil Eco-Friendly Online Initiative
Rosen Hotels & Resorts in Orlando, FL, has launched a new  environmentally friendly meetings initiative Web site, RosenGreenMeetings.com. The program will assist meeting planners with reducing the amount of by-product waste that large meetings generate. The site includes "green" tips, links for more information on going green and direct access to sales staff. Rosen properties in the Orlando area include the Rosen Plaza, with 800 guest rooms; Rosen Centre, with 1,334 guest rooms; and Rosen Shingle Creek, with 1,500 guest rooms. Combined, the properties offer more than 600,000 square feet of meeting and event space and close proximity to the Orange County Convention Center. For more information, visit www.rosengreenmeetings.com.

PCMA Announces 2008 Achievement Award Winners
The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) has announced the winners of the 2008 Achievement Awards, who will be recognized at the 53rd Annual PCMA Meeting in New Orleans, LA, in January 2009. Select winners are listed below. For more information and the full list of winners, go to www.pcma.org/awards.

2008 Distinguished Member of the Year- Valerie Sumner, principal of VRS Meetings & Events Inc.
2008 Distinguished Meeting Professional of the Year- Susan Katz, director of corporate events for True Value Company
2008 Educator of the Year- Cynthia Vannucci, Ph.D., CHME, CHSP, CMP
2008 Environmental Leadership Award- Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, for their Green Partnership Program

Palace Resorts Announces Updates For 2009
Palace Resorts has announced several new developments throughout its line of properties as 2009 approaches. Moon Palace Casino, Golf & Spa Resort will open in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, in January 2009 and offer 1,791 guest rooms, oceanfront golf and 60,000 square feet of meeting space. Select Palace Resorts properties will feature a concierge level with upgraded amenities and flexible check-in/check-out times, available to guests for an additional fee. The brand has also created a supervisory "green" committee to maintain and implement eco-friendly practices throughout the Palace Resorts portfolio. For more news and information, go to www.palaceresorts.com.

ACTE Partners With Hotel Sourcing Alliance For Hotel Rating Systems
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) has partnered with the Hotel Sourcing Alliance (HSA) to provide ACTE's members with access to a hotel program rating system. The HSA rating system provides a scorecard that graphically displays the percentage of expected value for parties in the hotel vendor-buyer relationship. Scores can be assessed and compared against value maps to give an overview in just one glance. Members can access the rating system in the "Members Only" section of the ACTE website at www.acte.org/about/membership_index.php. ACTE members also can register to have access through the HSA website at www.hotelsourcing.com.

The Westin La Cantera Resort Begins Guest Room Renovation
The Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio, TX, has finalized plans for a $10 million renovation to all of the property's 508 guest rooms, in addition to the work currently being done to the resort's public meeting rooms and spaces. Guest rooms will be outfitted with new decorative detailing such as leather headboards, new furniture and flat-screen televisions. The final stage of the renovation will be remodeling the 17,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom. The guest room remodeling will be completed in spring 2009, and the resort will limit the number of rooms pulled out of inventory at one time for renovation to ensure there is no disruption to guests or meetings and events taking place at the property. The resort currently offers 39,000 square feet of meeting space. For more information, visit www.westinlacantera.com.

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Begins Ballroom Expansion
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island in FL has commenced a $22.1 million expansion of its ballroom. Upon completion in the fall of 2009, the expansion will add 12,000 square feet to the property's current 32,000 square feet of meeting and event space, bringing the total to 44,000 square feet. The property features 444 guest rooms as well as luxury amenities. For more information, go to www.ritzcarlton.com.

NBTA's Roeder Becomes Chair of AMP's Directors
Hank Roeder, senior vice president of the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) has begun a one-year term as Chair of the board of directors for the Association of Meeting Professionals (AMPs), a nonprofit association representing the meeting professionals in the Washington, DC metro area. Roeder has been a member of AMPs' board of directors for five years, has been a member of AMPs for nearly eight years and has served on its program committee. Roeder has directed meetings and convention activities at NBTA for 16 years, including NBTA's annual International Convention & Exposition. For more information, go to www.ampsweb.org.

Mohegan Sun Puts Project Horizon Plans On Hold
Mohegan Sun resort and casino in Uncasville, CT, has placed its Project Horizon expansion plans on hold indefinitely until the economic downturn improves. Plans included a new 919-room hotel tower, a music hall, a spa, retail shops and a parking garage. Mohegan Sun is an all-inclusive gaming property featuring more than 360,000 square feet of gaming space, 1,200 guest rooms and suites, and more than 100,000 square feet of high-tech meeting space. For more information, visit www.mohegansun.com.

Fairmont Battery Wharf In Boston To Open In December
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced it will manage the new Fairmont Battery Wharf located on the waterfront in Boston, MA, adjacent to the city's historic North End. The property is scheduled to open in December and will be the brand's second property in Boston, along with the Fairmont Copley Plaza. The Fairmont Battery Wharf will include 150 guest rooms and 6,000 square feet of meeting space. For more information, go to www.fairmont.com.

SLS Hotel At Beverly Hills Now Accepting Reservations
The SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, CA, has begun accepting reservations for meetings and social events for its 30,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space. The hotel is expected to open in November and  will be a member of The Luxury Collection, a portfolio of 69 of the world's finest hotels and resorts in more than 26 countries. The SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills was designed by Philippe Starck and features 297 guest rooms and a restaurant developed by Chef Jose Andres, and will be managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. For more information, visit www.slshotels.com.

William Pate Becomes President/CEO Of Atlanta CVB
William Pate has been selected by the board of directors of the Atlanta (GA) Convention & Visitors Bureau to fill the position of president and CEO effective January 1, 2009. Pate will begin work at the ACVB in October and hold the title of president-elect. The ACVB's current president and CEO, Spurgeon Richardson will retire in December 31st. For more information, visit www.atlanta.net.

CityCenter To Showcase Hi-Tech Rooms
Upon opening in late 2009, CityCenter in Las Vegas, NV, will debut the most advanced guest room technology in the country at Aria Resort & Casino, Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas and The Harmon Hotel, Spa & Residences. The development project has teamed with Control4 Corporation to develop personalized automation for every guest room controlled by CityCenter's development-wide bandwidth networking. Features include: in-room controls that synchronize to guests' arrival and departure to and from guest rooms; one-touch control of room temperature, television systems, music, and wake up calls; and keyless locks using RFID technology. Complimentary Wi-Fi will be available in all guest rooms using the project's one gigabyte of of bandwidth as well as "green" features such as converting rooms to "checkout" status by automatically turning down the heating/cooling system and turning off the televisions, lights and appliances. For more information, go to www.citycenter.com.

Mirage Plans New Volcano Spectacle
The Mirage in Las Vegas, NV, has announced a new redesign to its signature volcano. The resort has teamed with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, Indian tabla artist Zakir Hussain and WET, design firm of the Bellagio's fountains, to create an all-new audio-visual spectacle. The transformation is set for completion in late 2008. The Mirage's volcano has been an iconic part of the Las Vegas Strip since 1989. The team behind the redesign will create and perform a new soundtrack arranged exclusively for the attraction's eruptions. Additional improvements include 12-foot-high shooting blasts and a state-of-the-art Meyer Sound system. The Mirage is a full-service gaming property with 2,765 guest rooms and 170,000 square feet of meeting space, and houses the LOVE Theater, home to Cirque du Soleil's musical tribute show, "The Beatles LOVE." For more information, visit www.mirage.com.

Washington, DC Convention Center Offers New Meetings Program Package
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC has announced the launch of its new Distinctive Meetings program, which combines all essential meetings and conference services and amenities into one consolidated cost per attendee. Planners will be able to coordinate with convention center staff with one single point of contact, and will enjoy a full spectrum of catering services, access to the onsite business center, state-of-the-art audio-visual and Internet services, and complimentary Wi-Fi. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center offers 2.3 million square feet of space, including: 66 meeting rooms (150,000 square feet), a 52,000-square-foot ballroom and 703,000 square feet of exhibit space. For more information, visit www.dcconvention.com.

Orlando's Bonnet Creek Complex Offers Private Island For Events
The Waldorf=Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek in Orlando, FL, will offer a private island for outdoor meetings and events. The 25,000-square-foot island will complement the 150,000 square feet of combined function space for both properties, which includes three ballrooms and eight outdoor event areas. The Waldorf=Astoria Orlando will offer 482 guest rooms and the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek will include 1,001 guest rooms when both properties open in 2009. For more information, go to www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com or www.bonnetcreekresort.hilton.com.

Doubletree Hotel Nashville Completes Additions
The Doubletree Hotel Nashville, TN, has recently completed an addition of a performance venue to Swank's, the hotel's martini lounge and wine bar, which will offer live music nightly. The hotel has also introduced a number of promotional packages designed to highlight the property's improvements. The Doubletree Hotel Nashville features 337 guest rooms, well-appointed meeting spaces for groups, and is within walking distance to many of Nashville's popular attractions such as the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame, as well as the Nashville Convention Center. For more information, go to www.doubletree.com.

The Broadmoor Announces New Group Offers
ThIn an effort to attract groups needing a large venue and a variety of guest room offerings that peak at 1,700 rooms, the historic Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, CO, has created the Broadmoor Connection program. Broadmoor partners include Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Hilton Doubletree World Arena and the Crowne Plaza Colorado Springs Hotel. All three hotels are within five minutes of the 60,000-square-foot pillarless, carpeted Broadmoor Hall, which accommodates up to 3,800 attendees banquet-style or up to 350 booths for trade shows. For information, visit www.broadmoorconnection.com. The 700-room Broadmoor, which together with the Broadmoor Hall, offers up to 185,000 square feet of meeting space, has announced the following select value dates for 2008. For more information, contact David Fine, director of sales and marketing, dfine@broadmoor.com.

Rates from $169:
November 22 - December 3
December 14 - December 20
Rates from $145:
December 21 - December 31

Albuquerque Considers Building Convention Hotel
A report by PKF Consulting says Albuquerque, NM, would be able to support a new 550-room Sheraton convention hotel if city officials agree on new facilities nearby. The report examined market demand by studying population trends, tourist attractions and local hotel data, the Albuquerque Journal reported. This is the first of several reports that are part of a viability assessment by the city.

Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel & Yacht Club Announces Redesign
The Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel & Yacht Club has completed a $70 million redesign and now features 589 redesigned guest rooms and meeting spaces. The renovations have merged the property's natural design elements with modern technological updates. Located on the Intracoastal Waterway, the property offers 21,000 square feet of Wi-Fi-enabled meeting space. For more information, go to www.luxuryresorts.com.

Arizona Grand Resort Announces New Planner Incentive
As the property undergoes a $52 million renovation to its guest rooms and meeting space, the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix, AZ is launching its Grand Planners Deal, valid through December 31st. Meeting planners who book the deal and complete a meeting by the 31st will receive a 12 percent commission, one free round of golf per attendee, 20 percent off audio-visual rentals, 20 percent off spa treatments, a meal package starting at $80 per day and a one-hour resort-hosted reception. Arizona Grand Resort features more than 117,000 square feet of meeting space and 640 guest suites. When renovations are completed, the resort will have refurbished its existing onsite amenities and add 52 Arizona Grand Villas to its accommodation options. For more information, visit www.arizonagrandresort.com.