Around Town – November 2011

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

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
Keep in mind as you move into the Christmas/Hanukah season that hotel stays and restaurant certificates make wonderful gifts for friends and family. Think hospitality!

Southeast Florida:

The Yachts of Seabourn have brought their newest vessel to Port Everglades for its U.S. debut. The Seabourn Quest began sailing in June in the Mediterranean, then crossed the Atlantic and arrived in Fort Lauderdale in November. It will operate a series of 13- and 14-day roundtrip Caribbean cruises. Like its sister ships, the Quest houses an 11,400-square foot spa -- the largest spa on any luxury vessel. The Quest features four dining venues, six bars and lounges, two swimming pools, six whirlpools, and a marina with a variety of water sport activities.

Kolter Commercial has purchased the Hyatt Place Ft. Lauderdale Airport North located near Port Everglades Cruise Terminal, the Broward County Convention Center and the International Airport. The hotel has been renamed the Hyatt Place Ft. Lauderdale 17th Street Convention Center.

Congrats to The Pillars Hotel, a Superior Small Lodging, for being voted one of the 50 best small hotels (#14 to be exact) in the US for 2011 by readers of the Conde’ Nast Traveler magazine.

The growth in hotel occupancy for Greater Fort Lauderdale continues (for the past 23 months), with the highest October hotel occupancy since 2004, outpacing Florida and the U.S. Second highest occupancy in the state at 66.8%.Year-to-date hotel occupancy is up 5.4% over 2010. Average Daily Rate has grown in past 8 months, with October ADR at $102.93, the highest October rate since 2008. Year-to-date, ADR is up 1.3% over 2010.

The Fort Lauderdale-International Airport welcomed more than 23 million visitors in FY2011, up 6.8% over FY2010. Domestic traffic was up 6% and international traffic saw double digit growth, up 11% over FY2010. The combination of larger aircraft and higher load factors were the drivers behind passenger growth for the year.

Congrats to the Breakers in Palm Beach for it’s inclusion in Fodor’s “Legendary Hotels with Superlative History and Service” list. It was one of the world’s 12 most “iconic” hotels that took into account not only rich history but also its recent performance – superlative service, timeless style, and pampering amenities.

Congrats to Dana Beth Hagendorf who was appointed CMO and Vice President of Marketing at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Most recently, Hagendorf was Founder and Principal of Gallant Media Group, a brand consulting firm.

Spanish hotel chain Room Mate Hotels, which already has 14 properties in its portfolio, now includes new Miami boutique hotel the Waldorf. On Ocean Drive in the renovated Waldorf Towers, the South Florida property opened September 16 and is the chain's second in the U.S., per BizBash reports.

The Shelborne South Beach, a 70-year-old Art Deco property was recently re-imagined to the tune of $20 million and reopened. Some of the new features: a Morris Lapidus-inspired floating porte cochere (the robotic garage will take it from there); 200 beachy-pink guest rooms; and the glass-railed catwalk from the infinity pool to a new elevated sundeck.

The Tides, which opened in 1936—and, at 10 stories, was once Miami's tallest building—underwent a makeover as recently as 2007. King & Grove, the boutique hotel group is the new management company for the hotel. It will introduce its trademark blend of luxury and casual-kitsch while building on The Tides' nostalgic vibe. Changes to guest rooms, cuisine, and public spaces—including the pool area—are all in the works.

Kimpton's has a new property debuting next month. Spanning 200 feet of oceanfront real estate in the heart of the Art Deco District, the Surfcomber Miami, opening on December 1, has rates that start as low as $149 a night. For the atmosphere and extras at the 186-room hotel—including rooms outfitted with ultra-luxe Frette linens—sounds Kimpton has two other Florida hotels, the EPIC in Downtown Miami as well as the Vero Beach Hotel & Spa.

Congrats to Miami Beach’s Soho Beach House Miami for being included in the Top 9 Picks of Fodor’s “Year’s Best New and Reinvented Hotels” list. According to Fodor’s, the property “introduced 50 oversized rooms.. cleverly uniting mint-condition period furnishings to create a modern incarnation of old Hollywood glamour.”

Miami Beach's Ritz Plaza Hotel will reopen next spring as the 142-room SLS Hotel South Beach after the renovation of the 72-year-old beachfront property is completed.

Miami International Airport’s passenger count for October was up 6.8 percent, year-over-year, to 2.85 million passengers. Year-to-date figures were up 7.21 percent. Domestic passengers were up 4.07 percent in October, while international passengers were up 6.8 percent.

Southwest Florida:

The Gasparilla Inn & Club in Boca Grande and the Tortuga Beach Club Resort on Sanibel Island earned spots on the annual list of Top 150 Large U.S. Mainland Resorts compiled by Condé Nast Traveler magazine from its Readers’ Choice Awards survey.

Ocean’s Reach Condominiums on Sanibel Island has declared January 2012 Birding Month with incentives for “empty nesters,” snowbirds, and other fly-ins to become involved with the local wildlife on-property and at J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Guests who make a donation to the refuge’s friends group receive a matching discount on their reservation (up to $400) on stays Jan. 1 through Jan. 31, 2012.

The November 2011 issue of Golf Digest, ranked the Gasparilla Inn & Club in Boca Grande #37 on its list of the 75 Best Golf Resorts in North America, and #2 within the state of Florida. The Gary Galyean’s Golf Letter also includes the inn on its 2011 list of the 10 Best Golf Hotels in the World.
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To submit items for future blog columns, please send info to jwfranklin1@gmail.com Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider

Around Town – October/November 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:
Best wishes to Valerie Burgess, former Business Development Manager at The Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale. She recently transferred (in August) to the Embassy Suites in Piscataway, NJ where she is the Corporate Sales Manager. Stop by to say hello if you’re ever up in the northeast.

Ronnie Shoua, the former GM for the Holiday Park Hotel in Deerfield Beach, now has a new company to help hotels "fight" against bed-bugs. The company is using advanced technology with a machine that disperses Cryonite in order to freeze and kill bed bugs. (Cryonite is carbon dioxide snow. It’s the same substance as dry ice, sitting at a very cold temperature of about -108 degrees Fahrenheit). You may contact Ronnie at (954) 918-9573 or check out his website: http://www.bedbugspc.com/

Sandra Edwards, the former Director of Sales of Jungle Island, has left the company. We wish her well and know she will find a new “home” in the very near future.

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau reports that September monthly figures showed 22 consecutive months of tourism growth for Broward County. Occupancy rates were 57.7% in September 2011 vs. 53.8% in that month in 2010.

The GFLCVB was in Toronto for their Santa Claus Parade, to launch “Defrost Your Swimsuit” campaign. In addition to the Toronto newspaper, radio and TV advertising and public relations efforts, three beach getaways were offered in an online contest with the Toronto Star. The CVB will also be in NYC and London this winter with the "Defrost Your Swimsuit" campaign.

The Wine Spectator's 2011Award of Excellence was presented to 3030 Ocean Restaurant at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa for their fine selection of wines. 3030 Ocean joins the list of elite eating establishments whose wine lists offer interesting selections and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers.

The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int’l Airport announced that American Airlines will begin service to Los Angeles in November and additional Chicago and Dallas service in February; Vision will begin service to Freeport in November; and Southwest will begin service to Milwaukee and Manchester (MA) in February.

The following South Florida hotels/resorts were mentioned in the Condé Nast Traveler’s 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards. Nine South Florida resorts ranked in the “Top 50 Mainland U.S. Resorts”: #18 The Breakers (Palm Beach); #44 Brazilian Court (Palm Beach); #44: Ritz-Carlton Ritz-Carlton (Palm Beach); #83 W South Beach Hotel & Residences; #85 ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa; #88: Omphoy Ocean Resort (Palm Beach); #97 Biltmore Hotel (Coral Gables); #102 Ritz-Carlton-Key Biscayne; #121: Ritz-Carlton-Fort Lauderdale;

Seven South Florida hotels were listed in the “Top 200 U.S. Hotels” list: #32: The Setai (Miami Beach); #50: Epic Hotel Miami); #75: Mandarin Oriental-Miami; #106: Four Seasons-Miami; #161: W Fort Lauderdale ; #165: Ritz-Carlton, Miami Beach; and the Seagate Hotel & Spa (Delray Beach).

For the Top 50 Small U.S. Hotels, South Florida had three mentions in the “Top 50 Small US Hotels” category: at #14: Pillars Hotel, Fort Lauderdale; #15: The Tides, Miami Beach; and #23: Sundy House, Delray Beach.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants will reopen the Surfcomber in Miami Beach on Dec. 1 after a multimillion-dollar renovation of the 63-year-old art deco hotel.

The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort will open on Jan. 19, in affluent Bal Harbour, Fla.

Hersha Hospitality is buying the Courtyard Miami Beach Oceanfront. The 263-room Art Deco hotel is at 3925 Collins Avenue and originally opened as the Cadillac. In 2004, following a renovation, it reopened as the only Marriott-franchised hotel on Miami Beach. The property has approval for adding 93 rooms in a new tower. The company also plans on expanding meeting space and parking. Construction on the additions should start in 2012.

Southwest Florida:

The Gasparilla Inn & Club in Boca Grande and the Tortuga Beach Club Resort on Sanibel Island earned spots on the annual list of “Top 150 Large U.S. Mainland Resorts” compiled by Condé Nast Traveler magazine from its Readers’ Choice Awards survey.

The November 2011 issue of Golf Digest, ranked the Gasparilla Inn & Club in Boca Grande #37 on its list of the “75 Best Golf Resorts in North America”, and #2 within the state of Florida.

The Lee County Port Authority has been honored with three recent awards at both the state and international levels. First, the Florida Public Relations Association presented the port authority with an Award of Distinction in the 2011 Golden Image Awards, for statewide recognition of its internal United Way campaign. Second, the Florida Airports Council honored the port authority with the General Aviation Airport Environmental Excellence Award for Page Field’s Pollution Prevention Program and its commitment to voluntary prevention measures during the last seven years. Lastly, RSW was honored with an award from Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) in the 2011 Excellence in Marketing and Communications Contest for its “Fly Me to the Moon” art exhibit brochure.

The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) announced that the fiscal year completed in September (October 2010 – September 2011) represents the highest bed tax collection on record with revenue of $24.2 million.

During the month of September 2011, The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel hosted 252,000 visitors, who spent $95 million. Visitors staying in paid accommodations contributed $68.2 million to the total – a 1.8 percent increase year-over-year. Total visitor expenditures for calendar year-to-year continued to show improvement over last year with a 12.7 percent gain. Average occupancy rate rose 4.7 percent year-over-year for September. RevPAR was up 2.0 percent from September 2010 to September 2011.

During September 2011, 351,881 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), a decrease of 6.1 percent compared to September 2010. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 2.7 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

“Hospitality Marketing Medley” – October/November 2011

(Editor’s Note: Here are some recent trends and hospitality marketing hints collected from various websites, releases, etc. Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider.)

Many hotel brands are redefining and redesigning their conference and/or lobby areas to meet the needs and expectations of a new breed of traveler looking for social spaces that serve multiple purposes, particularly networking and impromptu meetings. The Hotels are trying to modernize their public spaces to be extremely flexible, to encourage meeting and mingling.

Hotel companies are racing to create a better room key. The big selling point of the new keys is that they let travelers skip the front desk and go straight to their rooms. Some chains are adopting permanent keys that repeat guests can carry in their wallets and use for multiple trips at a variety of properties. Other establishments are doing away with physical keys altogether; instead, guests can open their room doors by holding their cell phone next to the lock. Hotels don't see much cost savings from the changes but expect the moves will help them stand out in customer service. So far, tests of new types of keys have been limited and it is unclear how widespread the new technologies will become.

Running on radio frequency identification technology, Smart Check-In caters to a new generation of guests on the go who are more interested in high-tech than high-touch service. This works on radio frequency id technology. Starwood Preferred Guests can use this in certain properties. On their check in day, they receive a text message to their mobile device with their room number. This allows them to skip the check-in lines and go straight to their room. Aloft Hotels, part of Starwood Hotels, was the first tech-savvy hotel group in the industry to try an automatic-check in program. They had such great success that they have expanded this service to others in their program.

Travelers are turning to personal devices instead of forking over fees for hotel-based services. Phone calls, movies, Internet access - hotels are learning that guests want to do anything but pay when it comes to in-room add-ons. The number of people bypassing hotel-based Wi-Fi has been tough to quantify. Even as more hotels offer complimentary Wi-Fi — it's more prevalent at lower-cost hotels than high-priced ones — the proliferation of Web-enabled devices is a trend to watch.

High-end hoteliers' investments are shifting away from fancy freebies like lotion and soap and toward expert service that reflects a real understanding of the guest's preferences. The recession caused luxury hotels to look at what it offered in each room and decide what current items guests would not miss.

Hotels have used scent, art and food to set themselves apart. New on the horizon: To use indie musicians as a way to define itself. The musicians can be found on playlists created by hotel groups (like Morgans or W Hotels). The playlists are meant to match emerging independent bands with each of its hotels. On the playlist for the Delano in Miami, for example, they aimed for “sexy and sophisticated” music.

Online hotel guest experience surveys have been growing in popularity recently across the industry. It is sent to guests after they have stayed at a hotel, making it very easy for them to give their feedback direct to the hotelier. If there is something they would like to say, they are able to do so when it is convenient to them and after they have completed the hotel experience. This type of survey helps hotels evolve and anticipate changing guest needs.

Travelers rated hotels nearly 3% higher than last year in the American Customer Satisfaction Index, which measures travelers' satisfaction with products and services during the first quarter of each year. Low rates and more perks such as free Wi-Fi and upgraded exercise facilities have increased satisfaction. But the rates and perks haven't made guests more loyal as more people still shop around for the best deal rather than staying loyal to one brand.

Stayed at a rundown Holiday Inn, a lackluster Sheraton, or a '70s-era Hilton? The owners of several chains are revamping their classic properties to appeal to a new crop of business travelers—and hopefully ward off brand extinction. Surveys reveal that business travelers like hotels (and pretty much despise airlines). Their decisions usually come down to one word: choice. Airlines don't give you any, but hotel chains are all about choice. But all that "segmentation” has come at a high cost. The middle ground of the hotel business has turned murky. Some big hotel chains are struggling to redefine their once-iconic full-service lodging brands.

Banish any preconceived notions you may have about retired senior citizens as merely bargain hunters, says a new Amadeus analysis of the travel market. In 2011 and in the future, this burgeoning demographic will be a driving factor in the luxury tourism industry. Amadeus also identifies senior citizens as an “important source of future income” for travel agents including the lucrative luxury travel segments. Here are some other insights into this market segment: Today’s seniors—ranging from age 50 to 90-plus—are physically fitter, healthier, have more disposable income, and are increasingly interested in experience- and destination-based journeys; Agents should cultivate face-to-face business with retired seniors by becoming “lifestyle managers” who provide high-margin, tailored services. Agents who focus on “superior” customer service and listening to what their customers have to say are likely to be the ones who prosper in the future.

There had been a dramatic increase in women business travelers and addressing the needs of this market segment has become increasingly critical for hotel companies. According to a new Cornell study, Managers should focus on how combinations of services, amenities, and facilities contribute to the desired affective responses sought by the growing women business travelers segment. Women are developing a clear and consistent message about the need to feel safe, comfortable, empowered, and pampered.

One of the easiest ways that every small business can compete with their competition is by reaching out to and soliciting business from current and past customers. In most cases, a repeat business strategy can be implemented by the company directly without the need for outside consulting. It can be as simple as calling or emailing a past-customer. This method is also very inexpensive with very little overhead. It also allows you to directly engage a large group of extremely targeted buyers who have previously purchased your services.

According to data from PKF Hospitality Research demand for U.S. hotel rooms in 2011 will increase a solid 4.9 percent, while the average daily room rate (ADR) paid by guests will rise a modest 2.4 percent.

HSMAI-SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER’S 28TH ANNUAL GALA – 2011 -- PART 2

(Editor’s Note: Here’s some additional info regarding the Annual Gala. Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider.)

As previously mentioned, Mike Hampton, Dean of the School of Hospitality & Tourism Management , FIU, received the 2011 Hospitality Legend of the Year” Award.
Other awards included:
General Manager of the Year: Heiko Dobrikow, Riverside Hotel;
Sales & Marketing Professional of the Year: Mari Garcia, Hilton Worldwide;
Revenue Manager of the Year: Denease Butt, Riverside Hotel;
HSMAI South Florida Rising Star on the Board: Alicia McCrae, SpringHill Suites Boca Raton; and the HSMAI South Florida Lifetime Achievement on the Board: Stacie Faulds, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

A new award, this year, the President’s Award, was given to Silvia Camarota, Senior Market Manager, Expedia – Miami.

We’d like to thank this year’s Event Sponsors:
Expedia
Hyatt Pier 66
Florida Atlantic University
MDG Advertising
Antares Wine

And a special “thank you” to the Chapter’s “Year-Round” Sponsors who were also honored at the event. These include:
Canmark Printing Solutions
FotoArkitekt
PSAV

Congratulations, Thanks for your support, and Best wishes to all!

Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider.
Reminder: To send info for the “Around Town” column, please forward to jwfranklin1@gmail.com
Please use same the contact info if you are interested in participating in the “An Interview with..." column.

A Conversation With….Carlos Molinet

(This is a new occasional feature of our Chapter’s blog, spotlighting key members of our hospitality industry. If you are interested in participating, please contact Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider, at jwfranklin1@gmail.com)

Name: Carlos M. Molinet, CHA
Title: General Manager
Company: Hilton Worldwide – based at Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina

HSMAInsider: How Long Have You Been at Your Current Job at This Location?
Carlos: 5 years and 2 months

HSMAInsider: Where Were You Before?
Carlos: Area GM for Hyatt Pier 66 and Bahia Mar

HSMAInsider: How Did you Get Started in the Industry?
Carlos: I started as a Front Office Cashier in NYC

HSMAInsider: What is your Favorite Thing about your job?
Carlos: The ability to mentor and develop the future leaders of our industry as well as the interaction with our guests and creating memories for their stays.

HSMAInsider: What advice, if any, would you have for someone starting out in the Hospitality Industry?
Carlos: Engage your guests daily and always look for opportunities to seek out mentors to help guide your career. Additionally, involve yourself with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, as this will help you network and build your base of contacts for future success. Finally, I would say live up to a mantra of some kind, mine is from Conrad Hilton “To fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality”

HSMAInsider: When guests/friends visit and ask you what not to miss in South Florida, you tell them not to miss:
Carlos: The Water Taxi, The beach, The Everglades, Sawgrass Mills, and a show at either the Broward Center for the Performing Arts or in Miami at the Arsht Center.

HSMAInsider: Anything else you’d like to tell our readers?
Carlos: The hospitality business is richly rewarding especially if you adopt the servant leadership model and truly serve your hotel and community. My philosophy of life is based on the Success Poem – “To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or redeemed social condition: To know that one life has breathed easier because you have lived – this is to have succeeded” - Additionally, you have the key to unlock your possibilities in life and choose to do anything that you want with this.

HSMAI-SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER RECOGNIZES MIKE HAMPTON AT 28TH ANNUAL GALA

In a 28-year tradition, the South Florida chapter of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) welcomed South Florida tourism industry members for its annual Gala and auction, this year benefiting hospitality student scholarships.

A highlight of the event, held at Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, was the presentation of the
2011 “Hospitality Legend of the Year” Award to Mike Hampton, Dean of the School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University.

Dr. Hampton was appointed Dean at FIU in January 2011. He previously was the Dean of the College of Hospitality Management for Lynn University from 2005 to 2011. With over 20 years of direct experience in the hospitality industry, he has served as a professional speaker, trainer and educator. He founded HSA International, a global training and education management organization specializing in the hospitality industry in 1986. Through his experience and educational pursuits he has become recognized as an expert in human resources development, strategic planning and sales development.

Dr. Hampton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Florida State University; a Master of Science degree in hospitality management, and an Educational Doctorate (Ed.D.) degree in adult education and human resources development from Florida International University. He has also received the designation of Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) as granted by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

Dr. Hampton has been active in industry associations, including the American Resort Development Association; the American Society for Training and Development; the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers, where he has served as president and a member of the association’s Board of Directors; the American Hotel & Lodging Association; the Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association; and the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI). He has also been involved in the Institute of Food Technologists and the American Statistical Association.

The Chapter’s “Hospitality Legend of the Year” Award is given for outstanding contributions to the local tourism/hospitality industry.

Other awards presented:

General Manager of the Year: Heiko Dobrikow, Riverside Hotel

Sales & Marketing Professional of the Year: Mari Garcia, Hilton Worldwide

Revenue Manager of the Year: Denease Butt, Riverside Hotel

HSMAI South Florida Rising Star on the Board: Alicia McCrae, SpringHill Suites Boca Raton

HSMAI South Florida Lifetime Achievement on the Board: Stacie Faulds, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Congratulations and Best wishes to all!

Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider.
Reminder: To send info for the “Around Town” column, please forward to jwfranklin1@gmail.com

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