(Editor’s Note: Here’s a collection of newsworthy items from our industry members and the South Florida community. HSMAInsider, Julie Wernick)
Southeast Florida:
Congrats to Cindy Malin who was named as Head of Business Development at ME Productions. She will be promoting ME Productions as South Florida's premier event production and destination management company. Cindy previously held positions of
Communications Manager and Marketing Consultant for the Seminole Tribe of Florida; Communications Manager at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau; and assisted SportsMark in providing destination management services to the U.S. Olympics' "Dream Team" and Americans attending the games.
The Miami Beach Convention Center was ranked first on the South Florida Business Journal's list of largest convention and meeting sites, as published Oct. 8th. The Miami Beach Convention Center was first on the list based on its 627,000 square feet of total meeting space. Also in the top 5 are: Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center; Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood; Miami-Dade County Fair Expo Center; The Doubletree Hotel; and the Miami Airport Convention Center. The complete list included 25 convention and meeting sites with contact information.
The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau said 10,000 attendees were at the Jewelers International Showcase, which took place at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Oct. 8-11. The event had an estimated $595,700 economic impact.
BizBash reported that the University of Miami celebrated the grand opening of the Robert and Judi Prokop Newman Alumni Center in Coral Gables. The 72,000-square-foot building, which houses the university's alumni relations department, can be booked for private events by alumni and non-alums alike. There are six spaces suited for meetings, cocktail parties, dinners, and other special events for groups of 35 to 500.
NCL’s Norwegian Sun, which was based in Miami was moved (in October) to Port Canaveral. NCL had based its biggest ship, the Epic, in Miami this past summer. In fact, the arrival of the Epic helped the Port of Miami breaks its own record for cruise traffic in a fiscal year. The port processed 4,145,053 passengers in the year ended Sept. 30, up from 4,110,100 for the prior year – an increase of 34,953. The July-September quarter was up 10 percent, which coincided with the arrival of the Epic.
After six years at Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, Wannado City announced it would be closing in the near future.
According to officials at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport: FLL will have 7.7 percent more seating capacity during the first quarter of the 2011. FLL will then be the fastest-growing airport in Florida, and the fourth-fastest-growing airport in the U.S. for capacity. Capacity will begin ramping up in the fall to correspond with the high travel season. There will be an additional 6,200 roundtrip seats a day in January, 2011.
In other FLL airport news/statistics: The airport handled 10.3 percent more passengers in September than it did during the same month last year. FLL grew total passengers to 1.44 million from 1.31 million last year.
From January through September, the airport handled 5.1 percent more passengers than during the same time last year. The rise in September marks 13 straight months of passenger growth, which started in September 2009 after 14 straight months of losses that began in July 2008. Overall, the number of international passengers has grown at a faster percentage rate than domestic passengers this year.
October marked the second month in a row that FLL Airport had double-digit percentage passenger growth. The airport added 164,000 passengers in October, growing 10.7 percent over October 2009, according to airport data. That was the largest percentage gain so far this year, exceeding September’s growth.
In other airline news, American Eagle added two daily non-stops from MIA to Cleveland in November and Delta announced it would begin MIA – Jacksonville service in March 2011.
According to STR (formerly Smith Travel Research): Occupancy and rates grew at local hotels in September, compared to the prior year period. Miami Dade: 59.3 % (up from 52.9); Broward 53.6% (up from 49.5%); Palm Beach 46.4% (up from 44.3%). Occupancy across the U.S. grew to 59.9 %.
Occupancy and rates grew October: Occupancy in Broward County grew to 66.5 % from 60.6 percent in the prior-year period. Occupancy in Miami-Dade grew to 68.2 % from 62.3 %. In Palm Beach County, it grew to 55.1 % from 50.7 %.
Southwest Florida:
According to the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB, lingering misperceptions about the Gulf Coast oil spill continued to cause some risk aversion impacts to visitation to Collier County, according to the September visitation report from Research Data Services. Visitation for September 2010 was down 1.0 percent from September 2009. On the positive side, the economic impact from visitors for the month increased by 1.2 percent to $37,743,323.
Congrats to the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club who received a prestigious honor as it was presented with "The Green to Gold Award" by the Economic Development Council (EDC) of Collier County, Florida, for "best exemplifying green leadership." The award was presented to the Southwest Florida resort during the EDC's "27th Annual Excellence in Industry Awards."
Three Paradise Coast resorts appeared in the Conde Nast Traveler 2010 Readers Choice Top 100 List for Mainland U.S. Large Resorts. The Ritz-Carlton, Naples beach resort is number 14; The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples is number 18; and the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa is number 70 on the list. The designation is reached by surveying readers of Conde Nast Traveler.
The Hawthorn Suites of Naples was honored as the Hotel of the Year for 2010 by the Wyndham Hotel Group. The boutique all suites hotel was honored with the award during a dinner at the Wyndham Hotel Group's global conference in Las Vegas.
The Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) was recently recognized by Airline and Airport News & Analysis with a U.S. Annie Prize 2010 for the "Fastest Growing Airport in the 5 to 10 Million Passenger" category.
The Naples Botanical Garden opened its new cultivated gardens of Asia and Florida and a new water garden on Nov. 13. This marked the final stage of the major redevelopment of Naples Botanical Garden as a new area attraction.
Naples Bay Resort, a Four Diamond property on Florida's Paradise Coast, has announced a special winter spa package ideal for couples looking to refresh, renew and relax. Named Blissful Intervention, included is pampering at Naples Bay Resort's Spa, lounging at the resort's pool complex in a private cabana, lunch poolside, and guest accommodations.
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To submit items for future editions, send to jwfranklin1@gmail.comBest, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider
Showing posts with label HSMAI-South Florida. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HSMAI-South Florida. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Florida Department of Law Enforcement: Florida Hotel Security Initiative
(…and just in time for the holidays…Best, Julie Wernick,HSMAInsider)
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are joining together to conduct a Hotel Industry Security Forum on December 2, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. Federal, State, county and local law enforcement will provide our lodging partners in Florida the opportunity to receive information briefings on lodging security threat dynamics and protective measures. It will also provide a great opportunity for the hotel industry in Florida to develop partnerships with government agencies.
If you have properties in Orlando or the State, please share this information with your Loss Prevention Directors and Security Leaders.
Please follow this link for additional details, the official invitation and instructions on how to register: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Content/BusinesSAFE/Menu/About-BusinesSafe.aspx
For more information contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Office of Domestic Security, P.O. Box 1489 - Tallahassee, FL 32302.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are joining together to conduct a Hotel Industry Security Forum on December 2, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. Federal, State, county and local law enforcement will provide our lodging partners in Florida the opportunity to receive information briefings on lodging security threat dynamics and protective measures. It will also provide a great opportunity for the hotel industry in Florida to develop partnerships with government agencies.
If you have properties in Orlando or the State, please share this information with your Loss Prevention Directors and Security Leaders.
Please follow this link for additional details, the official invitation and instructions on how to register: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Content/BusinesSAFE/Menu/About-BusinesSafe.aspx
For more information contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Office of Domestic Security, P.O. Box 1489 - Tallahassee, FL 32302.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Marketing Medley - August/September 2010
(Editor's Note: Here are some recent trends, stats, and hospitality marketing "hints" collected from various websites, press releases, etc. Best, HSMAInsider, Julie Wernick)
Finding the perfect rate to achieve larger revenue gains is an hotelier’s biggest challenge. The key is to have a flexible strategy and use accurate forecasts, consider market prices, and know which consumers are in your market. Hotels can no longer set just one rate and that’s it. Factors change – sometimes even daily!
The price elasticity of hotel rooms is generally high. So if you set a rate slightly lower than your “comp set”, you may achieve a significantly higher occupancy that other hotels in that “set”. This is a way that hotels, especially luxury ones, can reach a different segment of customers who are increasingly looking for “value” and/or are taking advantage of upscale bargains.
This summer, rates were almost what it was last summer and with a few more restrictions. Hotel seemed to be offering low rates as opposed to deals.
In June, a USAToday/Gallup Poll noted that 27% of Americans said they will travel less this year (compared to last year); 18% said they’ll travel more.
And a US Travel Association survey said more consumers are ready to take a break from home (this summer) – with 2.3% more vacation travel expected. Even though travel will not reach levels of 2006 or 2007, it will still improve.
A survey by Smith Travel Research projected overall occupancy this year to increase 3.6% (to 56.7%); ADR to end the year flat; and Revenue per daily room to rise 3% in the US (to $55.13). The luxury chains will be the best performers of the chains for REVPAR growth according to their survey results.
Lodging forecasts by Pricewaterhouse suggested moderate “recovery of demand” and the ability to increase room rates returning in 2011.
According to Travel Market Report, it is an unspoken fact that travel agents favor hotels where they know the GM or the Sales Manager. They feel this ensures that their clients will be treated well. The importance of maintaining a personal relationship with retail travel agents will be reciprocated 4 or 5 times over. This can be done via individual emails, responding to special requests, meeting the agents, etc. It was noted that happy repeat customers usually spend more money on their second trip to your property.
A recent study by SRI International showed that more than 80% of consumers are at least “very interested” in improving their personal wellness. The $2 trillion global market for spa travel and “well being” is only expected to get larger.What is a consumer most likely to do? Exercise, eat better, and visit a spa. Astute hoteliers can take advantage of these trends.
An Amadeus report noted that the relationship between guests and hotels is becoming more complex as guest knowledge and expectations increase.
Not sure if these trends translate “across the pond”, but a recent survey of business travelers in England showed that 86% of them would prefer to spend a night in a hotel rather than stay at home before an early meeting. They saw hotels as a place to get work done with minimal distractions, and to relax away from office distractions. Hotels can capitalize on these trends by giving business travelers the right location with the latest technology and the right environment to both relax and work.
Finding the perfect rate to achieve larger revenue gains is an hotelier’s biggest challenge. The key is to have a flexible strategy and use accurate forecasts, consider market prices, and know which consumers are in your market. Hotels can no longer set just one rate and that’s it. Factors change – sometimes even daily!
The price elasticity of hotel rooms is generally high. So if you set a rate slightly lower than your “comp set”, you may achieve a significantly higher occupancy that other hotels in that “set”. This is a way that hotels, especially luxury ones, can reach a different segment of customers who are increasingly looking for “value” and/or are taking advantage of upscale bargains.
This summer, rates were almost what it was last summer and with a few more restrictions. Hotel seemed to be offering low rates as opposed to deals.
In June, a USAToday/Gallup Poll noted that 27% of Americans said they will travel less this year (compared to last year); 18% said they’ll travel more.
And a US Travel Association survey said more consumers are ready to take a break from home (this summer) – with 2.3% more vacation travel expected. Even though travel will not reach levels of 2006 or 2007, it will still improve.
A survey by Smith Travel Research projected overall occupancy this year to increase 3.6% (to 56.7%); ADR to end the year flat; and Revenue per daily room to rise 3% in the US (to $55.13). The luxury chains will be the best performers of the chains for REVPAR growth according to their survey results.
Lodging forecasts by Pricewaterhouse suggested moderate “recovery of demand” and the ability to increase room rates returning in 2011.
According to Travel Market Report, it is an unspoken fact that travel agents favor hotels where they know the GM or the Sales Manager. They feel this ensures that their clients will be treated well. The importance of maintaining a personal relationship with retail travel agents will be reciprocated 4 or 5 times over. This can be done via individual emails, responding to special requests, meeting the agents, etc. It was noted that happy repeat customers usually spend more money on their second trip to your property.
A recent study by SRI International showed that more than 80% of consumers are at least “very interested” in improving their personal wellness. The $2 trillion global market for spa travel and “well being” is only expected to get larger.What is a consumer most likely to do? Exercise, eat better, and visit a spa. Astute hoteliers can take advantage of these trends.
An Amadeus report noted that the relationship between guests and hotels is becoming more complex as guest knowledge and expectations increase.
Not sure if these trends translate “across the pond”, but a recent survey of business travelers in England showed that 86% of them would prefer to spend a night in a hotel rather than stay at home before an early meeting. They saw hotels as a place to get work done with minimal distractions, and to relax away from office distractions. Hotels can capitalize on these trends by giving business travelers the right location with the latest technology and the right environment to both relax and work.
Friday, July 2, 2010
“Around Town” Column – June 2010
Editor’s Note: Here’s a collection of newsworthy items happening recently “Around Town” from our industry members and South Florida community. JWF
Southeast Florida:
Jay H. Guttveg has been awarded the prestigious South Florida Meeting Professionals International (SFMPI) 2009-2010 "Supplier of the Year" Award.
In MPI, he has held various committee and VP positions, most recently as VP of Leadership Development (2009/10). This year he will serve as VP of Administration (2010/2011). In addition, Jay is currently serving on our HSMAI-South Florida Board as our “official” photographer and on our Communications Committee. Congrats, Jay!
Wayne Gales, DOS for Embassy Suites Deerfield Beach and a member of the GFLCVB’s Marketing Advisory Committee, is also an author. His new novel “Doorstop on A Houseboat in Key West” has received great reader feedback. He will have his first book signing at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort in Key West on Wednesday, July 21. If you’re in the neighborhood, drop by. For more info and a sample chapter, visit his website at: http://www.keywestdoorstop.com/
The GFLCVB is promoting: “VACATION LIKE A V.I.P. IN GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE THIS SUMMER”. They are highlighting major savings, innovative packages, and indulgent extras. Consumers are directed to visit www.sunny.org/VIP for their "Vacation like a V.I.P." card and dozens of "two for one" offers from luxury spas and championship golf to Scuba diving, kayaking, and cultural events, to museums, unique attractions, etc. If they
book a value-packed hotel vacation package with JetBlue Getaways (it started 6/16) June 16 at www.jetblue.com/vacations, they will receive a free, customized "Beach Chic" vacation starter kit complete with beach towel, flip-flops, beach ball; a "Vacation Like a V.I.P" card; a $25 travel credit per booking for future travel, plus exclusive free room upgrades and much more at participating hotels. The GFL’s Lauderdale Luxe Collection of properties group include The Atlantic Hotel; Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa; Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort; Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina; Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center & Spa; Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six Resort & Spa; Lago Mar Resort & Club; The Pillars at New River Sound; The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale; Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; W Fort Lauderdale; The Westin Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale; and The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa.
The Holiday Park Hotel & Suites in Deerfield Beach is facing foreclosure according to an article in South Florida Business Journal.
The Fairmont at Turnberry Isle will be the site of Taste of the Nation-Miami on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 7 pm.
In February, Myles Chefetz, owner of restaurant Prime One Twelve opened the 14-room Prime Hotel adjacent to his eatery in Miami Beach's South of Fifth neighborhood. The first floor of the hotel is a lounge extension of the restaurant's dining room. Each guest room has views of the ocean or South Beach, a private balcony, an iPod dock, high-speed wireless Internet, and a 46-inch flat-screen TV. There are also fold-out desks that can accommodate six for a meeting or private dining experience.
The Daddy O Hotel opened in March, just blocks from the Bal Harbour Shops. The 46-room property has been renovated since its days as the Bay Harbour Inn & Suites hotel and now boasts Wi-Fi, bamboo floors, and Skype phones in each room.
VISIT FLORIDA is planning for the 30th Annual Florida Encounter to be held at the Fontainebleau on Miami Beach, November 14 – 17th. Florida Encounter is the premier appointment-based tradeshow showcasing all the Sunshine State has to offer meeting and incentive professional. Florida suppliers, have you reserved your booth already? Space is filling up fast. Go to FloridaEncounter.com to reserve yours. Also, there are available sponsorship opportunities and an overview on their website.
Southwest Florida:
The Paradise Coast (Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB) is promoting “Find Your Summer Paradise”. This promotion offers visitors dozens of ways to save during a trip including resort credits, low nightly rates, free golf, fabulous packages and more. On top of listing great deals, discover the Summer Fun Guide and the Days of Summer events calendar, along with the VIP - Value in Paradise card is offering thousands in savings at shops, restaurants, tours and attractions.
Dolphin Transportation Specialists of Naples has unveiled a new trolley voyage, The Historic Naples Trolley Tour, which takes passengers from Baron's cattle drives and Flagler's raw conquest of the Everglades to Glen Sample's dogged creation of Port Royal, the area's first enclave of the rich and famous.
Marco Beach Ocean Resort announced the completion of the resort's renovation project of the guest suites, corridors, fitness center and lobby. Each of the resort's 98 suites received a full makeover, including new décor, new suite and patio furniture, i-Pod docking station, flat-screen LCD televisions and wireless internet technology. Additionally, new state-of-the-art exercise equipment has been installed in the Resort's Fitness Center. The resort has also been named to the Florida Green Lodging Program by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club recently completed its all-new $5 million beachfront pool complex. The new pool area features two new whirlpools, a new pool bar with food service, new restrooms, new locker facilities and a new pool shop. The pool renovation is on the heels of the multi-million dollar renovation and remodeling of the hotel's guest rooms and suites in January. The club is offering two incentive offers to groups for meetings or programs booked and held by Dec. 31, 2010. The "Check In Meeting Offer" enables groups to receive up to $5,000 toward their program at the club. Additionally, the "Meeting Stimulus Package" includes no attrition for qualified meetings, free daily meeting room rental, a complimentary afternoon break, one complimentary guest room for every 25 paid, free entrance for attendees to the fitness center (with use of the exercise room, whirlpool, sauna and steam room), free wireless Internet access in all guestrooms, 25 percent off audio/visual services and 25 percent off golf greens fees.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To submit items for future editions, send to jwfranklin1@gmail.com
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider
Southeast Florida:
Jay H. Guttveg has been awarded the prestigious South Florida Meeting Professionals International (SFMPI) 2009-2010 "Supplier of the Year" Award.
In MPI, he has held various committee and VP positions, most recently as VP of Leadership Development (2009/10). This year he will serve as VP of Administration (2010/2011). In addition, Jay is currently serving on our HSMAI-South Florida Board as our “official” photographer and on our Communications Committee. Congrats, Jay!
Wayne Gales, DOS for Embassy Suites Deerfield Beach and a member of the GFLCVB’s Marketing Advisory Committee, is also an author. His new novel “Doorstop on A Houseboat in Key West” has received great reader feedback. He will have his first book signing at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort in Key West on Wednesday, July 21. If you’re in the neighborhood, drop by. For more info and a sample chapter, visit his website at: http://www.keywestdoorstop.com/
The GFLCVB is promoting: “VACATION LIKE A V.I.P. IN GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE THIS SUMMER”. They are highlighting major savings, innovative packages, and indulgent extras. Consumers are directed to visit www.sunny.org/VIP for their "Vacation like a V.I.P." card and dozens of "two for one" offers from luxury spas and championship golf to Scuba diving, kayaking, and cultural events, to museums, unique attractions, etc. If they
book a value-packed hotel vacation package with JetBlue Getaways (it started 6/16) June 16 at www.jetblue.com/vacations, they will receive a free, customized "Beach Chic" vacation starter kit complete with beach towel, flip-flops, beach ball; a "Vacation Like a V.I.P" card; a $25 travel credit per booking for future travel, plus exclusive free room upgrades and much more at participating hotels. The GFL’s Lauderdale Luxe Collection of properties group include The Atlantic Hotel; Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa; Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort; Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina; Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center & Spa; Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six Resort & Spa; Lago Mar Resort & Club; The Pillars at New River Sound; The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale; Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; W Fort Lauderdale; The Westin Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale; and The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa.
The Holiday Park Hotel & Suites in Deerfield Beach is facing foreclosure according to an article in South Florida Business Journal.
The Fairmont at Turnberry Isle will be the site of Taste of the Nation-Miami on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 7 pm.
In February, Myles Chefetz, owner of restaurant Prime One Twelve opened the 14-room Prime Hotel adjacent to his eatery in Miami Beach's South of Fifth neighborhood. The first floor of the hotel is a lounge extension of the restaurant's dining room. Each guest room has views of the ocean or South Beach, a private balcony, an iPod dock, high-speed wireless Internet, and a 46-inch flat-screen TV. There are also fold-out desks that can accommodate six for a meeting or private dining experience.
The Daddy O Hotel opened in March, just blocks from the Bal Harbour Shops. The 46-room property has been renovated since its days as the Bay Harbour Inn & Suites hotel and now boasts Wi-Fi, bamboo floors, and Skype phones in each room.
VISIT FLORIDA is planning for the 30th Annual Florida Encounter to be held at the Fontainebleau on Miami Beach, November 14 – 17th. Florida Encounter is the premier appointment-based tradeshow showcasing all the Sunshine State has to offer meeting and incentive professional. Florida suppliers, have you reserved your booth already? Space is filling up fast. Go to FloridaEncounter.com to reserve yours. Also, there are available sponsorship opportunities and an overview on their website.
Southwest Florida:
The Paradise Coast (Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB) is promoting “Find Your Summer Paradise”. This promotion offers visitors dozens of ways to save during a trip including resort credits, low nightly rates, free golf, fabulous packages and more. On top of listing great deals, discover the Summer Fun Guide and the Days of Summer events calendar, along with the VIP - Value in Paradise card is offering thousands in savings at shops, restaurants, tours and attractions.
Dolphin Transportation Specialists of Naples has unveiled a new trolley voyage, The Historic Naples Trolley Tour, which takes passengers from Baron's cattle drives and Flagler's raw conquest of the Everglades to Glen Sample's dogged creation of Port Royal, the area's first enclave of the rich and famous.
Marco Beach Ocean Resort announced the completion of the resort's renovation project of the guest suites, corridors, fitness center and lobby. Each of the resort's 98 suites received a full makeover, including new décor, new suite and patio furniture, i-Pod docking station, flat-screen LCD televisions and wireless internet technology. Additionally, new state-of-the-art exercise equipment has been installed in the Resort's Fitness Center. The resort has also been named to the Florida Green Lodging Program by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club recently completed its all-new $5 million beachfront pool complex. The new pool area features two new whirlpools, a new pool bar with food service, new restrooms, new locker facilities and a new pool shop. The pool renovation is on the heels of the multi-million dollar renovation and remodeling of the hotel's guest rooms and suites in January. The club is offering two incentive offers to groups for meetings or programs booked and held by Dec. 31, 2010. The "Check In Meeting Offer" enables groups to receive up to $5,000 toward their program at the club. Additionally, the "Meeting Stimulus Package" includes no attrition for qualified meetings, free daily meeting room rental, a complimentary afternoon break, one complimentary guest room for every 25 paid, free entrance for attendees to the fitness center (with use of the exercise room, whirlpool, sauna and steam room), free wireless Internet access in all guestrooms, 25 percent off audio/visual services and 25 percent off golf greens fees.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To submit items for future editions, send to jwfranklin1@gmail.com
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider
Friday, January 29, 2010
“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
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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Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider
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