The new Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, opened Dec. 18, 2018, adds another option for large-scale meetings in the Denver area.  The Gaylord Rockies, the largest combined resort and convention center in Colorado, is the first Gaylord Hotels property to open in ten years and the fifth addition to the chain, which is owned by Marriott International. 

Not all that long ago, all meetings were conducted face-to-face. More recently, technology enabled virtual meetings. Today, a hybrid model allows for more participants spread across a wider geographical area, but the challenge has continued to be around engagement. How do you keep remote participants engaged and how do you keep and share the data generated within the meeting?

Located 50 miles from Milwaukee and 80 miles from Chicago, the Lake Geneva area of Wisconsin is best known for its historic mansions, or perhaps for being the location of the first Playboy resort. Or — if you’re a gamer — for being the site of the annual Gary Con, a celebration of Dungeons and Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax. But, as I discovered first-hand in October, Lake Geneva is also a great location for corporate events.

Even planners looking for a Pacific Northwest hotel able to accommodate all their meeting guests might want to take a look at the Hyatt Regency Seattle. The new 45-story downtown property, which is now the largest hotel in the region, opened its doors on Dec. 10.

Located just two blocks from the Washington State Convention Center and adjacent to The Summit, the planned convention center expansion building slated to open Spring 2022, Hyatt Regency Seattle offers more than 103,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space.

Harrah's Resort Atlantic City has announced plans for a $56 million guest room and suite renovation in its Coastal Tower. The room and suite upgrades are part of Caesars Entertainment's total investment of over $250 million into its Atlantic City casino-resorts over the last four years.

Harrah's Resort Atlantic City will re-design and enhance 507 guest rooms and suites in the current Harbour Tower, partnering with a local design house, MPM Studios.

Indianapolis is no stranger to convention business. USA Today’s top ranked convention city, Indy already has a robust infrastructure in place to support large events. But the city is aiming for even bigger and even better, with new plans for significant expansion.

The Indiana Convention Center already boasts 12 connected properties and 4,700 connected rooms. But last month, an expansion project was green-lighted that will include adding a 50,000 square foot convention center ballroom — the largest in the state — and two new hotel towers connected to the Convention Center.  

As the desire for sustainable meetings grows, so does the desire for sustainable cities in which to hold them. The city of Brussels, Belgium was ranked ninth in the 2009 European Green City Index, and now, a decade later, the city is well on its way towards its goal of becoming the “Green city of Europe” by 2024.

“As Europe’s leading terminal for international high-speed trains, Brussels is becoming a greener place to meet,” said Elisabeth Van Ingelgem, director, convention & association bureau at visit.brussels.

We all know that the preferred place to gather is in the kitchen. We eat, talk, learn and connect in this favorite spot.

The Omni Montelucia in Scottsdale captures the true essence of this connection in their Chef’s Kitchen Dinner Series — a monthly intimate gathering of up to 20 participants.

“Here at Omni Montelucia, we wanted to bring the concept of an intimate gathering to our resort, where there is an opportunity to learn, eat well, and introduce new foods and cocktails to fellow participants,” said Patrick Brophy, General Manager at Omni Montelucia.

Last month, NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization and Discover Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico’s newly established destination marketing organization, signed a first-ever partnership to boost tourism between the two destinations

Trump International Hotel & Tower® New York has completed renovations of its guest rooms, suites and common spaces.

“This renovation confirms our commitment to maintain our status as one of the elite luxury hotels in the city and around the world,” said Prince A. Sanders, general manager of Trump International Hotel & Tower New York.  “The new finishes and materials infuse every aspect of the guest experience with the refined aesthetic that envelops guests when they arrive at our hotel.”