Meeting News - April 7, 2008 - (Page 18)

Insider Report: New England MeetingNews Q & A: Connecticut Casinos Go Head to Head How do the recent improvements of your property give you an edge over other meetings facilities in the region? Both of the major casino resorts in Connecticut—Foxwoods and the Mohegan Sun—are expanding again: The 824-room MGM Grand at Foxwoods hotel and casino opens in May, while the Mohegan Sun is adding a new 919-room hotel tower in 2010. MeetingNews recently chatted with Foxwoods executive director of resort sales Joan Esneault and Chris Perry, vice president of hotel sales and marketing at Mohegan Sun. From a meeting planner’s perspective, what is the most important recent development at your property? Q Q Joan Esneault: The MGM Grand will add a 50,000sf ballroom, a 15,000-sf ballroom, and outdoor meeting space, and bring a well-known national brand for entertainment and the convention business. Esneault: Under one roof, we’ll have 160,000 sf of meeting space, celebrity-chef restaurants, a spa, and outdoor meeting space—all in a Las Vegas-style atmosphere. We’ll have the largest pillarless ballroom in New England plus 2,200 guest rooms in one property. Perry: Our service is extraordinarily consistent; we’ve had virtually zero staff turnover since we opened in 2001. And the product is only going to get better. For example, we just bought a golf course last year to make this more of a destination resort. How will the expansion and improvements at your property change your appeal to meeting planners? Chris Perry: The expansion is going to bring more of everything our repeat guests have enjoyed, including 11,000 sf of new meeting space and a 1,500-seat House of Blues theater. Plus, we’re doing great things with our Mohegan Sun Arena, allowing groups to use MGM Grand at Foxwoods will debut next month with 824 rooms it for exhibitions, receptions, and a Las Vegas feel. even teambuilding. Q A LANGHAM LEGACY OFHISTORIC MEETINGS. Well-appointed function rooms fit for business occasions of any scale. Private dining facilities that will impress both the palate and your partners. A storied legacy that has inspired leaders of business throughout history. ENCHANTINGENCOUNTERS. SINCE 1865 langhamhotels.com 250 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 (617) 451 1900 bos.sales@langhamhotels.com Auckland Boston Hong Kong London Melbourne Pasadena Shanghai (2008) 18 MeetingNews April 7, 2008 www.meetingnews.com http://www.langhamhotels.com http://www.langhamhotels.com http://www.meetingnews.com

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