My work over the past 5 years.

2. CHEF TALK: Food Kings Throw Down Advice for Planner Customers p. 6
80%
MeetingNews 70%
60%
w w w. M e e t i n g N e w s . c o m
50% D e c e m b e r 15, 2008 Starts on page 43
40%
30%
Gloom Looms for Rooms International
Hotels & Resorts
20%
DOLCE OFFERS TO REBUILD DOWNTURN DEALS SANDS
10%
Punditry blizzard reveals scope of occupancy chill, MEETINGS IN BUDGET CRISIS A BAD HAND IN MACAU
but the deck remains stacked for planners in 2009 Hotelier’s “advice line” gives free Gaming operator suspends work
0%
phone help to those who need to on eight hotels in its Cotai Strip
replan meetings affected by the area just after a Four Seasons
severity that had hotel market analysts
By William Ng and Robert Carey
economy. makes its debut. see page 22
see page 8
The hotel industry has enjoyed a profitable downgrading already dampened forecasts.
supplier’s market in recent years, but the “Our outlook for the lodging industry has CVBs Destination Insider
good times are ending, with lodging demand deteriorated dramatically in a fairly short
PHOENIX
heading into a potentially deep decline, as the period of time,” said Mark Woodworth, CHARLOTTE’S TIM NEWMAN
Convention center expansion
CULTIVATES A GREEN TEAM
economy continues its tailspin. president of100%Hospitality Research. PKF-
PKF
coincides with launches of
Visitors bureau CEO, along with
The market erosion began earlier this year HR, which bases its forecasts on indicators
1,000-room Sheraton and
a planner, ignite a citywide eco-
as the economy started to slow, but Septem- by Smith Travel Research, in October had to
light-rail system, sparking new
movement in Charlotte.
ber’s financial and credit market collapse revise its 2009 outlook released in Septem-
80% downtown vitality.
see page 20
underscored the economic downturn’s continued on page 14 see page 38
Insider Reports Incentive Reports
60%
Sixth Homeland Defense
MeetingNews AFFORDABLE LAS VEGAS EUROPE
ExclusiveResearch And Security Symposium’s Sin City’s hospitality, from major Brussels prepares for a new expo
40%
Career Summit Welcomes hotels like Harrah’s and MGM center; Zaragoza, Spain, courts
What are your professional New Year’s
Resolutions? Mirage to the upscale Four Sea- groups with attractions from
Hurt Soldiers to Broadmoor
Receive recognition sons, are offering deals and price recent world’s fair.
20%
for the job I do
breaks. see page 30 see page 40
26.6% By Diana Rowe
Can’t plan that
far ahead
Retool our
Twenty-three-year-old Marine Caleb Wood
0% SKI DESTINATIONS
20.8%
meetings
GALVESTON
was focused, ready to do the right thing for
program
Reno-Lake Tahoe packs slopes,
28.6% In its post-Ike cleanup, the island
his country and his family, until his recent gaming, and nightlife; Whistler,
11.7% is committed to bouncing back
deployment from southern California’s
Find a
BC, builds up 2010 Winter
with improved amenities.
7.8% new job
Camp Pendleton to Iraq turned his four-year Olympics. see page 42
26.3% see page 37
military career into a label: wounded soldier.
Complete my
His injury brought him back
degree
Other
Volume 32/Number 20/$10.00
to the U.S. to recuperate, only
Source: 308 of MeetingNews survey respondents
to find that he had a dim future
Wishing & Hoping ahead of him. “I’m ready to
work and have experience in
radio communication,” Wood
Leveraging technology, gaining said.“Yet the resources to find a
recognition by executives, and civilian job haven’t been
professional improvement are
available.” 80%
some planners’ goals. see page 26
continued on page 4
70%
60%

3. 100
30Years
MAY 8, 2006 80
Celebrating
60
TM
40
20
0
®
www.MiMegasite.com
[ MEETINGNEWS EXCLUSIVE RESEARCH ]
Hotel Biz
The Big Green Debate
Breaks Bank
Green meetings Agree 67.3%
are economically
On the whole, efficient Disagree 32.7%
do you agree Green meetings Agree 45.9%
or disagree are too much
Construction & renovation
54.1%
trouble to plan Disagree
with these
projects fill the landscape
Green meetings Agree
statements? 31.7%
are just a
68.3%
passing trend Disagree
Source: MeetingNews
survey of 235 meetings
By Rayna Katz
buyers 85.0%
Green meetings Agree
The current hotel sellers’ market and the resulting high room
are a noble cause
Disagree 15.0%
rates sting meeting planners and attendees when they pay their
Holding green
57.8%
meetings is a use- Agree bills. But a tangible payoff is developing: an avalanche of new
ful public relations Disagree 42.4%
and improved inventory.
or marketing tool
for my organization 0% Construction will begin on more new hotel rooms in 2006
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
than in any year since 2000. At the
Despite the many benefits of holding environmentally responsible
same time, more money is being
“We’re probably
meetings, the vast majority of groups don’t hold them. page 12
spent on renovation this year than
in the sweet
ever before, according to Pricewater-
spot of this cur-
houseCoopers. (See charts, page 33.)
“Having new hotels to consider
rent industry
offers planners new opportunities
cycle. Investors
and gives our attendees additional
see an opportu-
options for price points and product
type,” said Karen Malone, director of
nity to make
meeting services at the Healthcare
money.”
Information and Management Sys-
tems Society. “It also reinforces the
— Hilton vice president
trend that the meetings industry is Bill Fortier
on a positive track.”
Bjorn Hanson, global hospitality industry leader for PwC,
said, “We’ll see occupancies escalate in 2006 to their highest level
since 1996, and they will make this a year of record profitability.”.
That boosts the appeal of building new properties — or, for
some owners and investors, taking over existing hotels, which
NOT SO FAST: Officials at U.S. and Canada border checkpoints are typically precedes renovation.
delaying or denying entry for some meeting planners. page 8 continued on page 33
I Money magazine’s list of the 50
Best Jobs includes “meeting
Volume 30/ Number 7 / $10.00
planner.” page 9
I A pictorial collection of cool
exhibit-design ideas from the
New York Auto Show. page 14
I A look back: 1995 article disputed
The New York Times. page 15
I Great golf that won’t break the
budget. page 19

4. Show Drives Cutting
Edge of Booth Design
The New York Auto Show, which ran
at the Jacob K. Javits Convention
Center from April 14-23, annually
displays some of the most visually
compelling exhibits to be found on
any show floor. We sent a photogra-
pher to capture some images that
may provide food for thought for
RICHARD PRESTIA
exhibit designs applicable to a wide
variety of shows.
14

5. TRANSPORTATION GREEN BEAT MN WEBCAST REPORT
In-flight F&B is ‘pitiful’ Hotel has Green Seal & LEED p. 19 Meetings: The Next Generation p. 72 NEWSMAKER
p. 17
After nearly
MeetingNews
three decades,
Susan Sarfati
bids farewell
to ASAE.
page 8
w w w. M e e t i n g N e w s . c o m July 21, 2008
July 16, 2007
Oil Is Number One Factor International
Hotels & Resorts
WESTIN TIMES SQUARE COCONUT BAY BRINGS OUT
Affecting Industry in 2008 KEEPS PEDAL TO METTLE SWEET TASTE OF ST. LUCIA
In city that never sleeps, hotel will Leisure resort now targets groups
finish meeting space upgrades by offering plethora of outdoor
Soaring fuel prices, surcharges, & related costs next month before more room teambuilding options and event/
roil meeting budgets in a vicious domino effect renovations begin. see page 14 meeting spaces. see page 18
‘CALLING ALL CHEFS’ TO A
Coming up with noted that many of the large pharmaceutical Destination Insider
CHALLENGE IN BOCA RATON
our list of the 25 firms are canceling travel for staff:“Speakers are
Most Powerful withdrawing due to the elimination of non- Attendees at Boca Raton Resort HAWAII’S GROUP SUPPORT
was a challenge, critical travel.”And fuel costs have brought the & Club can cook against each As leisure arrivals continue to
because of the airlines to their knees. other—or against a property drop, the islands look to meet-
diversity of the Acknowledging the fuel-price hardship, the chef and vintner. see page 14 ings to carry them through the
industry. But one Internal Revenue Service this month raised the
short term. see page 21
choice was clear: fuel mileage rate, from 50.5 to 58.5 cents. IRS
Convention Centers
With U.S. gasoline commissioner Doug Shulman declared, “We
L.A. & THE BEACHES
prices averaging $4.10 a gallon and a barrel of want the reimbursement rate to be fair. Rising
crude oil at a record $146-plus, it’s safe to say gas prices are majorly impacting Americans.” CRY FROM THE HEARTLAND Redondo Beach and Ventura
that fuel prices now dictate every aspect of But while this represents an overall 36- offer cost-friendly meetings
Destinations in the region push
meetings and events. percent increase over six close to LAX. see page 22
for more convention space.
For Ken Deans, a years, it has not kept see page 15
Los Angeles-based pace with skyrock-
trade show man- eting fuel prices, MeetingNews
CVBs
ager, items that which have more Exclusive Research
used to cost $3,500 than doubled.
Are you planning to take all of your
in shipping each For more on DMAI IS PUTTING ‘DMAP’ allotted vacation days this year?
way from L.A. to the people and CERTIFICATION ON THE MAP
New York now forces that Yes
Destination Marketing 63.2%
cost $8,000. Peter are affecting Accreditation Program now has
Huggins, planner meetings, turn to close to 60 members.
for the American the MeetingNews 36.8%
see page 16 No
Chemical Society, 25 Most Power-
based in DC, ful on page 10.
HOUSTON FLICK HONORED Source: MeetingNews survey of
310 meeting planners
“One Day in Houston” short film
Cedar Rapids: ‘Half Our Visitors Guide Is Obsolete’ wins public relations award. Bailing Out On Vacation
see page 16
Midwest flooding washes away Heartland venues see page 20
unscathed, others had to alter
By Rayna Katz
Volume 32/Number 13/$10.00
Like many other dramatic weather catastro- their plans, and still more are
phies, the floods that struck the Midwest this weighing their options.
summer left some areas unharmed while oth- Several of Iowa’s cities were
ers were submerged and will be repairing the hit hard by the unforgiving
damage for some time to come. waters after months of heavy
Similarly, among meetings and events that rain. “The floods rendered our
were taking place as the region’s rivers over- downtown, and about half of
flowed—as well as those scheduled for the our visitors guide, obsolete,”
coming weeks and months—some went continued on page 73

6. MeetingNews 25 Most Powerful
ahead in Dubai.
Gary Sain, President and CEO, Orlando/
Martin Sirk, CEO, International Congress &
That’s not all. MPI has enacted an alliance with
Orange County CVB
Convention Association, Amsterdam
Messe Berlin, organizer of the ITB Berlin travel
“I don’t think of myself as a Following on the two-decade legacy of retired CVB
trade show, in creating the inaugural and back-to-
particularly ‘powerful’ indi- legend Bill Peeper is tough for anyone, but Gary
back ITB Asia show and Asia Meetings and Events
vidual,” said Martin Sirk, Sain has been tackling that job since February 2007,
Conference this October in Singapore.
head of the International when he stepped in as Orlando’s tourism chief. His
Convention & Congress tenure so far has not been
Association (ICCA), “but I without challenges: The Paul Kennedy, Group Exhibition Director,
do believe that ICCA has economic downturn has Reed Travel Exhibitions, Surrey, England
become an extremely influ- triggered declines in both Managed by Paul Kennedy, Reed Travel Exhibitions
ential global community.” meetings and leisure busi- runs the formidable European Incentive, Business
As head of ICCA, Martin Sirk is a symbol of the ness. But Sain, with his Travel & Meetings Exhibition (EIBTM) industry
international growth of the meetings industry. The diverse sales and marketing trade show held annually in Barcelona. In the last
association will hold its first education and network- experience and massive couple of years, however, RTE has entrenched itself
ing event in Dubai in late August. The number of budget—will be aggressively in two potentially huge meetings markets: China
ICCA members in the Persian Gulf and Middle East singing Orlando’s praises through stepped-up pro- and the Middle East. Attendance at the second
has grown from four members in 2000 to 14 in 2007, motional campaigns. The latest of these is “Creative annual Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings
and Sirk expects to have 20 mem- Minds,” focusing on Orlando’s Exposition (GIBTM), held this past April in Abu
bers in the region by year’s end. ability to provide unconven- Dhabi, grew by more than 30 percent. In China, the
“We now have over 850 compa- tional meeting and event CIBTM expo—canceled this
nies and organizations in mem- spaces—no doubt bolstered by year because of the Summer
bership in 83 countries around Disney’s offerings. Sain also has Olympics—has the potential
the world, covering all the indus- been trumpeting the upscale of becoming the country’s
try supplier sectors,” he said. transformation of hospitality top industry show. Add to
product as Orlando’s next evo- these the longtime Asia-
lutionary step, as some $2.2 bil- Pacific Incentives & Meetings
Wolfgang Puck, Chef and
lion in new hotels and attrac- Expo (AIME) and the Inter-
Restaurateur,Beverly Hills,CA
tions is expected to go onstream national Congress & Con-
“Just like a painter or artist,
in the next few years. vention Association (ICCA) Exhibition, and RTE
every chef does something a
has a powerful show lineup. Kennedy is also a high-
little bit different to make it interesting,” Wolfgang
profile figure for Meeting Professionals Internation-
Puck said at his restaurant opening in MGM Grand Bruce MacMillan, President and CEO,
al, having just completed his service on the 2007-08
Detroit. Famous for affordable, creative fine dining, Meeting Professionals International, Dallas
international board of directors executive commit-
Puck has raised the bar for Bruce MacMillan has had one global year. Under
tee, and representing the first-ever European winner
banquet F&B, inspiring plan- his stewardship, MPI opened a Singapore office,
of two MPI awards in 2000 and 2004, respectively.
ners to ask for sustainable, created a South Korean chapter, and forged part-
local ingredients when possi- nerships with IMEX (Europe’s largest meetings
ble. His business enterprises industry exhibition) and Reed Travel Exhibitions, Ben Bernanke, Chairman, U.S. Federal Reserve,
have saturated the meetings organizer of the fledgling Gulf Incentive, Business Washington, DC
industry, catering (literally) Travel, & Meetings Exhibi- Dollar not going as far as it
to prominent venues like the tion (GIBTM), to gain more used to? Home values plum-
Kodak Theatre in Holly- prominent positions in meting? In the wake of the
wood and Minneapolis’ Walker Art Center, and to Europe and the Mideast. subprime mortgage crisis—
the convention centers of Sacramento, CA, and MPI overhauled its Euro- the worst financial disaster
Washington, DC, and more. His restaurants at pean education event, to hit the nation since the
resorts in Atlantic City and Las Vegas are favorites renamed it the European Great Depression, according
among meeting planners for events. Meetings and Events Con- to Time magazine—one
This year, Puck was named chef of the year by the ference, and held it in Lon- man has been the focus of
Culinary Institute of America. And, earlier this don just before Frankfurt’s IMEX for maximum U.S. economic policy: Ben Bernanke.
month, Doubletree Hotels began offering in-room exposure. And, with Reed’s support, MPI piggy- Bernanke, head of the U.S. Federal Reserve, has
Wolfgang Puck Estate Grown Coffee at more than backed its new Gulf Meetings and Events Confer- taken plenty of criticism as he navigates the country
190 North American properties. ence onto Abu Dhabi-based GIBTM just days through uncertain financial waters, but he also
10 MeetingNews July 21, 2008 www.meetingnews.com

8. CVBS INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE MEETINGS
Recession survival steps Unification on terminology Buoyant budgets & incentives p. 18 CHEF TALK
p. 10 p. 13
Ocean’s Eleven:
Sean O’Connell
MeetingNews presides over
Fontainebleau
Miami Beach’s
11 restaurants.
page 5
w w w. M e e t i n g N e w s . c o m F e b r uJuly 16, 2007
a r y 2, 2009
Of Presidential Proportions Insider Report
Hotels & Resorts
BEVY OF SUPPLIERS LAUNCH GAMING DESTINATIONS
Obama’s inauguration creates monster citywide ONLINE BOOKING SYSTEMS CES co-location in Las Vegas;
Nikko Hotels, Choice Hotels’ new Wynn launches Encore; a new
pendent experts claimed it was closer to 1.3
Ascend Collection, and a Boston ice lounge; Q&A session with
Photo: U.S. Department of Defense/Chad J. McNeeley
million. But more important, the event fore- collective each has established Tropicana Las Vegas; Reno’s
shadowed a promise to pump new life to the web portals for group bookings. transformation still going strong;
U.S. political process—and Washington, DC. Detroit’s arts and cultural sites
see page 8
round out group activities; giant
“The [president] and the Presidential Inau-
Convention Centers solar-panel installation infuses
gural Committee wanted to make it the most
Atlantic City Convention Center
accessible of any inauguration in history,”said PHILADELPHIA EXPECTS with energy.
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Bill 0% 10% 20% president and CEO of Destina-
Hanbury, 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% A BOOM IN CENTER CITY starts on page 20
tion DC, the capital’s convention bureau.“You Anticipating its convention
Incentive Report
center expansion in 2011, the
can see that with the Neighborhood Ball (an
city works to secure hoteliers for
official ball that had an everyman guest list ISLAND DESTINATIONS
The new commander-in-chief was sworn lodging support.
and hip entertainment like Mary J. Blige, Bey-
in on Jan. 20 in front of a record crowd. Belize offers feel of exclusivity;
see page 9
once, and Jay-Z). You can certainly see it with the natural side of Puerto Rico;
the Jumbotrons called for on the [National]
By Brad Crawford Park Hyatt confirms project in
SEATTLE’S WSCTC HAS PLAN
President Barack Obama’s swearing-in on Mall.” Bermuda, while Tucker’s Point
IN THE HOPPER FOR 2014
Hotel sets its debut for April;
Jan. 20 broke the attendance record set by Lyn- Hanbury said 70 percent of the parade Early proposal seeks to double Aruba Marriott’s major
don Johnson’s 1965 inauguration—the official route was open to the general public. “In the exhibit space to about 400,000 sf; renovation work yields a
tally was 1.8 million revelers, though inde- continued on page 38 meanwhile, a 1,200-room hotel hotel-within-hotel.
is being mulled. see page 34
see page 9
Sluggish CES a Shock to the Vegas Circuit MeetingNews ExclusiveResearch
Retrenchments at electronics show reflect economic woes
International Compared to 2008, the number of
attendees at international programs
Vegas Convention Center,
By Michael Goldstein you are planning in 2009 will:
Inertia
“
The Pink Taco at the Hard
In Vegas, you the carpetsbig empty spots were wider and
Stay the
Our survey of planners
Rock Hotel & Casino had 15 there were same
have leverage you (especially in the South Hall) 60.4%
about how they tackle
empty bar stools and six Increase
haven’t0% 10% 20% 30%and big “conversation areas.”
40% 50% 60% Increase
had in a the nuts 11.3% bolts of
and
empty tables at 10 o’clock on 15.1%
international meetings Decrease
long time. Supply
a Saturday night. There were While the Consumer 24.6%
produces surprising
empty spaces in the parking exceeds demand. Electronics Association,
” see page 16
results.
lots, streets were devoid of the consortium behind Source: 338 of MeetingNews survey respondents
—Chris O’Malley, partner, Pepcom Inc.,
pedestrians, and seats at the Experience! press and exhibitor the Digital
co-producer and co-owner of
CES, reported over 2,700
event at CES
blackjack tables were unoccu- global
Volume 33/Number 2/$10.00
pied. Slot machines stood like sentinels, wait- exhibitors (including 300
ing for someone—anyone—to try their luck. first-timers), which unveiled
The Consumer Electronics Show was in 20,000 new products across
town again, but for once, there was plenty of 1.7 million sf of exhibit space,
elbow room. Attendees compared their the number of exhibitors was
negotiated room rates unfavorably to dis- still down from last year’s
counts created by oversupply. At the Las continued on page 20

9. JANUARY 29, 2007
30Years
Celebrating
TM
®
www.MiMegasite.com
[ MEETINGNEWS EXCLUSIVE RESEARCH ]
Smarten Up!
Which of the following do you think would
be most valuable to a planner’s career?*
43.6%
Industry
certifications
49.2%
(i.e., CMP, CMM, CSEP, CAE)
40.4%
Education at
industry
32.8%
conferences
20.2%
Meetings/hospitality-
related college degrees 22.1%
Check-in, 2037: This just might be what a hotel room looks like
30 years from now. For more future looks, see page 22. 15.4%
College degree, not
necessarily related to
19.7%
meetings/hospitality
The Big Three-Oh! Individual 15.4%
meetings/ Corporate
hospitality courses
11.5%
Our list of major milestones at local colleges
Association
in the history of meetings & events 12.8%
None of
the above
hash out the 30 most important
By Robert Carey 16.4%
inventions and happenings that
This month marks the 30th anniver-
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
shaped the meetings and events busi-
sary of MeetingNews’ first issue. To
*Respondents were asked to select up to two responses.
ness as it exists today.
commemorate that milestone in a
Source: MeetingNews survey of 310 meetings planners
We hope that the list gives you a
way befitting our mission — to deliv-
perspective on how far meetings and
er in-depth perspectives that help Most planners agree that industry education is a useful tool for
events have come, not just in the
our readers do their jobs better now them to have in their arsenal. Certification beat out a degree, but
30 years of MN’s existence, but since
and in the future — our editors sat either puts planners ahead of the game. more on page 12
the early part of the 20th century.
down in a conference room one
recent afternoon and attempted to continued on page 16
I Some longtime veterans recall
what the industry was like when
Volume 31/ Number 1 / $10.00
MN first hit the scene. page 18
I Then vs. Now: A look at how
much meeting goods and
services cost in 1977 compared
to today. page 20
I Report from PCMA’s recent
annual meeting, the first held
outside the U.S. page 10

10. MeetingNews
30Years
Celebrating
Back to the Future
1
2
3
4
From 1977 to 2037
As MeetingNews looks back to 30 years ago,
we also offer a glimpse 30 years ahead.
5
1. A deluxe guest room for your convention-
eers circa 1977 Hot stuff.
.
2. Incentive winners in ‘77 were pampered
with a beachfront resort guest room. The bal-
cony allows guests to escape the décor.
3. A conference chair in 2037 as featured in a
,
recent issue of Hospitality Design magazine.
It comes with speakers in the headrest, read-
ing lights, fold-up tablet tray table, and video
camera in the antenna on the chair arm. Eat
your heart out, Captain Kirk.
4. A bathroom in 2037 complete with 3-D
,
projection on the wall to make you feel like
you’re showering somewhere else.
5. A 2037 guest room, with a bed that rises
to the ceiling and tables that fold into the
wall when not in use and guest-customiz-
able wall artwork.
MeetingNews MiMegasite.com • January 29, 2007
22

11. SUPPLEMENT TO MEETINGNEWS
meeting planners’
handbook 2006
A Logistics & Management Resource

12. 2008 Meeting Planners Handbook
Real Life Lessons
Featuring Emily Lewis & Alison Golub

13. Destination Insider: Cleveland Edited by William Ng
william.ng@nielsen.com
City Inches Toward New Convention Center The county has taken the unprecedented step
of tapping a private partner in Merchandise Mart
Plan with Merchandise Mart Properties still targets a building launch in 2012 Properties Inc., the Chicago-based property and
trade show management firm, which will be inte-
gral in any new convention center. It is helping
assess both proposed convention center sites and
handling negotiations for land and contracting.
MMPI’s concept is called Medical Mart, sim-
ilar to the Merchandise Mart it has for furniture
and home suppliers in Chicago. Medical Mart
would attract 50 small and midsize medical con-
ventions annually.
“[MMPI and Cuyahoga County are] one
organization in many respects,” MMPI senior VP
Mark Falanga said.“We’ve got a common objec-
tive, and they’ll be actively involved in any nego-
tiations we’re having.”
Falanga said both proposed sites remain viable,
Terminal Tower is one of two proposed sites for Cleveland’s new convention center. and indicated his team will be looking for ways to
The glacial pace toward a new convention center access to hotels and civic amenities. The mall site, trim the project’s estimated $500-million to $600-
in Cleveland continues, frustrating business though, would entail fewer land acquisition costs million cost—which continues to rise as the build-
owners, civic boosters, and, perhaps most of all, and greater future expansion potential than the out is extended—in order to stay in line with pro-
planners whose meetings would make sense oth- more constrained Terminal Tower site. jected revenues from a sales tax increase.
erwise in the city.“We should have movement in
the next couple of weeks,” after the local elec-
Bus Links Downtown with Univ. Circle Medical Hub
tions, said Cuyahoga County administrator Jim
McCafferty. He said the county is still aiming for The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Author- kicked in a combined $6.25 million for its nam-
completion in late 2012. ity’s “HealthLine”—so called for its sponsorship ing rights. The HealthLine is credited with help-
In August, the chamber of commerce’s site- by and service to the city’s two leading medical ing spur $4.3 billion in developments along the
selection committee recommended locating the facilities, the Cleveland Clinic and University Euclid corridor, according to the Cleveland Plain
Dealer’s estimates. H
convention center at Public Square, between the Hospitals—has come on.
Cuyahoga River and Terminal Tower, Cleveland’s The line runs along Euclid Avenue from Pub- —Section written by Brad Crawford
landmark building. The other site the commit- lic Square, one of the potential Station stops on the HealthLine will be on the center median.
tee studied extensively was an outdoor mall on sites for the new convention
the downtown lakefront, home to the current, center, to East Cleveland, seven
underground convention center—an outdated miles away. On the way, it con-
structure with numerous pillars and interference nects downtown with University
issues for cell phones. Circle, the medical hub and
The Terminal Tower site has the notable advan- home to Case Western Reserve
tage of access to much of the city’s infrastructure: University.
a direct train to Hopkins International Airport, Sleek, diesel-electric buses
and enclosed access to Progressive Field, Quicken make the trip from downtown to
Loans Arena, and other venues in the Gateway University Circle in 20 minutes.
District. The committee’s study suggested a Termi- The route is arguably the most
nal Tower-sited convention center could be done important in the RTA system—
for perhaps $40 million less than a mall-sited cen- visible enough that the Cleveland
ter while providing visitors with more convenient Clinic and University Hospitals
30 MeetingNews November 10, 2008 www.meetingnews.com

14. Destination Insider: Reno-Lake Tahoe Edited by Lori Morris
lori.morris@nielsen.com
Reno Revival Continues
More Deliciousness on Attendees’ Plates
New projects still fueling downtown
New eateries satisfy foodie trend in the Reno-Lake Tahoe meetings scene
The urban revitalization that began a few years ago
in downtown Reno shows no signs of slowing
down, with a steady stream of new projects being
announced as others wrap up. While the new Reno
Ballroom officially opened earlier this year, multi-
million-dollar projects have been announced to
spruce up office buildings, streetscape beautification
efforts continue, and new restaurants and shops are
consistently opening in the Truckee River District.
Construction is fully under way on a new 10,000-
seat Triple-A Baseball stadium that will serve as the
anchor of the $81-million Reno Baseball Stadium
District. Scheduled to open next spring, the tradi-
tional brick-style ballpark will be the home of a
Pacific Coast League team. Shops, businesses, and a
variety of entertainment options are slated to open
throughout the surrounding blocks over the next
few years. Also, construction will begin this sum-
mer on a 148-unit Hyatt Summerfield Suites Hotel
adjacent to the new ballpark.
The 351-room Fitzgeralds Hotel and Casino
recently changed ownership and is being complete-
ly revamped. A $3-million renovation will make
immediate improvements, and the management
Charlie Palmer has given Reno celebrity-chef flair with Charlie Palmer Steak and Fin Fish.
team is in the process of developing a master plan
room seats up to 20 people, while a group of 100 that will include upgrades to the property’s guest
The Reno-Lake Tahoe area has increased it restau-
can take over the entire restaurant. rooms, restaurants, and entertainment.
rants offerings and culinary activities to cater to the
Last fall, Reno’s first celebrity chef arrived at the In downtown Sparks, 1,600-room John Ascua-
discerning palates of the increasing number of
1,975-room Grand Sierra Resort and Casino. Char- ga’s Nugget completed a $17-million East Tower
“food-as-entertainment” folks coming to the region
lie Palmer opened two of his restaurants: Fin Fish, remodel in February. All 600 guest rooms in that
for meeting and incentive programs.
his premier seafood concept, and Charlie Palmer tower received a floor-to-ceiling renovation, featur-
“We find groups often want to explore the cuisine
Steak, which has a private room that accommo- ing modern design, plasma televisions, granite
and dining experiences that are unique to this
dates 60 people. accents, marble flooring, luxury bedding, and busi-
region,” said Philip D’Amico, Reno-Sparks Conven-
Restaurants at two popular North Tahoe meet- ness-friendly features such as Wi-Fi.
tion & Visitors Authority’s vice president of conven-
ings resorts have also begun to embrace the foodie
tion sales. “Meeting attendees are drawn to the
Reno’s Baseball Stadium District
trend. The 422-room Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe
emerging dining scene along Reno’s revitalized
offers a winemakers’ dinner that showcases region-
downtown Truckee River, and the truly adventurous
al wineries at its lakefront Lone Eagle Grille, while
eaters tend to go for the region’s Basque cuisine.”
and the Six Peaks Grille at the 405-room Resort at
Upscale specialty restaurants are definitely in,
Squaw Creek recently introduced a five-course
according to Steve Lowe, director of sales for the
chef’s table meal available for up to 10 people.
513-room Harrah’s and the 758-room Harveys in
On the lake, the newly renovated Tahoe Gal, a
South Lake Tahoe. In the year since the resorts’ Gi
historic paddle wheeler, has added wine tasting and
Fu Loh restaurant opened, the $5.9-million high-
end Cantonese eatery has become a favored group bourbon tasting cruises. Cooking classes can be
choice.“It is very popular with groups, because it is arranged at two new venues. Chefs at Mikuni
very authentic, yet has a Caucasian flair, and the Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar, which just
service is impeccable,” said Lowe. Its private dining continued on page 26
20 MeetingNews May 19, 2008 www.meetingnews.com