Around Town – September/October 2011

(Editor’s Note: Here’s another collection of newsworthy items from our industry members and the South Florida community. HSMAInsider, Julie Wernick)

Southeast Florida:

Congrats to Melody Dixon, CHSP, on her new position as Group Sales Manager at the Comfort Inn Ft. Lauderdale Airport Cruise Port on Stirling Road in Hollywood. Best wishes!

Congrats to Rod Kukurudz, the new Vice President of Event Sales, at ME Productions.
Prior to immigrating to the US, Rod was co-owner for 18 years of a marketing and event agency in France, creating and producing events with up to a half-million spectators.

Bahia Mar Beach Resort & Yachting Center, which recently gained approval for a Waldorf Astoria hotel, is in the middle of a multimillion-dollar upgrade of the existing landmark hotel building. The renovated hotel will be gaining the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel brand. In addition to the rooms, the resort’s 8,200 square-foot Commodore Ballroom will also be updated, including lighting, sound and internet connectivity.

The Atlantic Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale soon will be home to a new French bistro. Executive Chef Steve Zobel is opening East End Brasserie in the former Trina space on Oct. 27. The restaurant is being designed to reflect an authentic Parisian bistro.

Greater “Fork” Lauderdale celebrates its fifth consecutive year of Dine Out Lauderdale, a six-week culinary event promoting the area’s gourmet restaurants and renowned chefs. From October 1 through November 10, three-course meals are available at a $35 prix fixe at more than 35+ restaurants.

Fort Lauderdale-based IBC Travel has launched scheduled air service between West Palm Beach and Marsh Harbour, Bahamas. The flights are scheduled to operate year-round on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays with roundtrip fares from $359, including taxes and fees.

JetBlue Airways announced new nonstop service between West Palm Beach and Hartford, Connecticut. Beginning January 12, travelers can fly direct between West Palm Beach International Airport and Bradley International Airport in Hartford. JetBlue will offer a 2:30 p.m. flight from West Palm Beach that arrives in Hartford at 5:15 p.m., and a flight departing Hartford at 6 p.m. and arriving in West Palm Beach at 9:10 p.m.

The Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Brickell Downtown opened in late September with more than 3,800 square feet of meeting space, comprised of five rooms, each of which is named after types of birds. When combined, the meeting space can accommodate 300 people in their joint space of 2,300 square feet. All rooms feature audiovisual equipment and complimentary Internet access.

Starwood’s eco-friendly Element brand opens at the Miami International Airport in December. Traveler-friendly amenities at Element Miami International Airport will include a 24-hour grab-and-go gourmet pantry, a laundry room, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms have work spaces and kitchens. There will also be a palm-lined pool outside.

The recently renovated Shelborne South Beach now has the Starlight Ballroom and three other event areas that offer flexible meeting space accommodations. Designed by ADD Inc., the 3,500-square-foot ballroom has an Art Deco theme and can hold 370 guests.

A multi-million dollar renovation is currently underway at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center, which boasts more than 155,000 square feet of meeting space.

The Regent Seven Seas is moving from Port Everglades to the Port of Miami in Fall 2012 to join its sister company, Oceania Cruises to berth at the Port’s newly renovated Cruise Terminal J. Both companies are owned by Prestige Cruise Holdings. The move to Miami was cited due to the popularity of Miami as a homeport for cruise passengers globally and the increased international airlift offered at MIA.

In November, Sun Air International Airlines will begin 18 weekly flights from MIA to five destinations in the Bahamas. In addition, Mexican low-cost carriers VivaAerobus and Interjet will also begin service in November. VivaAerobus will launch two weekly non-stop flights from Monterrey, Mexico every Monday and Friday. Interjet will offer daily non-stop service from Mexico City.

Southwest Florida:

MLT Vacations awarded Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa and Outrigger Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach 2011 Quality Assurance Awards at a special ceremony in St. Paul, Minn. The Quality Assurance Award recognizes a very select group of hotels that achieve a 99 percent customer satisfaction score and 99 percent delivery of product performance.

The American Bus Association (ABA) announced that Edison & Ford Holiday Nights, Dec. 2-31, 2011, has been designated as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2012 by an experienced expert tourism industry selection committee.

The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) earned a “Henry Award,” the highest award for imaginative destination marketing, along with three Silver Awards, at the 44th Annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism Flagler Awards Competition.

During the month of August 2011, The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel hosted 304,174 visitors, who spent about $157.4 million. Total visitation decreased 22.2 percent from August 2010, but calendar year-to-date 2011, paid accommodations visitation was almost 8 percent ahead of the same period last year. Total expenditures are up by 13.5 percent over the same period last year.

During August 2011, 420,105 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), a decrease of 5.5 percent compared to August 2010. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 3.3 percent from the same period last year.
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To submit items for future blog columns, please send info to jwfranklin1@gmail.com
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider