“Around Town” Column – January 2010

Here’s a collection of newsworthy items happening recently “Around Town” from our industry members and South Florida community.

Broward County

The Liberty Suites in Dania Beach has won a 2009 Pink Choice Award. Pink Choice rates gay and gay-friendly hotels, inns and guest houses, according to the opinions and scores submitted by gay and lesbian travelers. Based on these ratings, Pink Choice Awards are presented to those properties determined to have provided the very best in guest amenities and services. These awards are presented at the end of each calendar year.

This weekend (January 29th through 31st) is the 2010 Dania Beach Folk Art and Antique Festival along with a Vintage Motorcycle Show. In addition, Dania Jai Alai is hosting the Florida Arcade and Pinball Expo this weekend. This event is being promoted as the “largest gathering of pinball machines and classic video games in Florida”.

The "Award Winning" Hampton Inn Plantation, for the second year in a row has won the prestigious Lighthouse Award for service and accommodations. This was awarded in 2008 and now in 2009. They are ranked #20 out of over 1700 Hampton Inns Worldwide. (In addition, they still have availability of Super Bowl if anyone is sold out and gets a call for reservations, would appreciate them being passed on to Susan Stern at 954-382-4500.)

Lawrence Of Florida Entertainment and Events has two new additions to their offerings: Up Lighting. As most venues have very neutral walls, they can provide new lighting packages which will change the room venue to virtually any color that a client can imagine. The second new item, which works for corporate events as well as social parties, is their version of Jeopardy. It can be set up for 3 to 6 players or an entire audience. The game is fast moving, fun and does NOT require a “brain trust” to join in the action. They bring the whole package – the Jeopardy board, the lights, sound system and the MC. According to Larry Rodkin, they can even tailor or design the questions/answers to fit a particular theme or the company’s background to personalize the event.

Miami-Dade

Karen Weiner Escalera, President, KWE Group in Coral Gables (and one of the top 25 extraordinary minds in sales and marketing in 2008 HSMAI) has had her “Reinvention Revolution” trends letter was featured in the Luxury Society’s annual Global Experts issue on luxury lifestyle trends. The European-based Luxury Society is a by invitation only online community of worldwide leaders in luxury products and services.

Southwest Coast:

The Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau is inviting football fans traveling to the Pro Bowl or the Super Bowl to extend their trip with a visit to the Paradise Coast. They’ve put together a number of deals under the heading “Miami Bowl Packages”. In addition, for the winter, they are promoting “Paradise Priced Perfectly” hotel packages (see my floridasavings.com).

Jorian Weiner has been appointed to be the new manager of public relations for The Ritz-Carlton Resorts of Naples.

Sarina Buonannata has joined Sunstream Hotels & Resorts as communications specialist.

The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club has introduced an all-new "Beach Club Card." This new gift card can be purchased in any denomination, and used at the resort's spa, golf course, beachfront restaurant, bars, in any of the resort's gift shops, and for stays at the resort.

Visitor Research for Collier Country for November 2009 saw a climb in visitation from the Northeast, Midwest and Canada. December 2009 followed with significant increases in those markets, along with Markets of Opportunity, or visitors from west of the Mississippi River.
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To submit items for future editions, send to jwfranklin1@gmail.com
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider