Meeting News - July 7, 2008 - (Page 4)

What’s Up @ MeetingNews.com Web Top 5: June 15 – June 21, 2008 #2 Airlines Begin Collecting Checked-Bag Fees The latest in what analysts are calling It keeps getting more expensive to fly—one small fee at a time. “stealth” price increases is a fee for passengers that check their luggage. (June 16, 2008) CONTINENTAL CUTS CAPACITY, SERVICE FROM HUB CITIES #1 #3 Hard Rock Hotel Embarks on Funding Its Next Expansionon $620 million in conMorgans Hotel Group Co. (MHG) announced this week that it has closed struction financing to pay for a $760 million expansion of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. (June 12, 2008) In a memo to employees on Thursday, Houston-based Continental Airlines presented details on flight reductions first announced last week. Starting Sept. 3, upon conclusion of the peak summer travel season, the carrier will reduce its domestic capacity by 11 percent in response to record-high fuel prices that are impacting the airline industry. (June 13, 2008) The Web Top 5 and other breaking stories, feature articles, and blogs are available 24/7 at MeetingNews.com. #4 NBTA Profiles Successful Meeting Management Programs the latest paper The National Business Travel Association’s Groups & Meetings Committee published this week in its Framework for Success: Strategic Meetings Management Programs series, which introduced the concept of strategic meetings management in 2004 in order to examine best practices for consolidating and procuring meetings services. The paper, Models for Success: Profiles in Strategic Meetings Management, examines the strategic meetings management programs (SMMPs) at three different companies: PricewaterhouseCoopers, Xerox Corporation and Scotts Miracle-Gro. (June 11, 2008) Association Teams with Effort #5 Travel Industry Association (TIA) and AmericanAmEx for Sustainabilitythat they have The Travel Industry Express announced yesterday partnered in order to develop what they’re calling the Travel Sustainability Initiative. The program is a comprehensive plan designed to help the industry assure sustainability in travel as well as tourism. (June 17, 2008) Soapbox Camp OCeanfront Posted by Terri Hardin I have been in Orange County since Wednesday, where I was invited to experience the OCeanfront, a collection of 12 upscale to luxury properties that dot the Pacific coastline from Huntington Beach to Dana Point. So of course, I’ve been experiencing stellar cuisine, top-of-the-line spas, and luxe accommodations—all in gorgeous surroundings. But what I didn't expect was to engage in teambuilding activities like chocolate appreciation, arts and crafts, and sandcastle building. At the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, our group sat down at ENO, the property's wine, cheese, and chocolate tasting restaurant, where we strung beads for wine charms and pasted glass pieces together to make our own wine stoppers. Afterwards, we sampled California artisanal chocolate while a wine sommelier taught us about proper chocolate pairings (the cheesemonger was out). The restaurant frequently presents lecturing California vintners who bring three or four samples. At Huntington Beach, we met up with Dig It, a husband and wife team of sandcastle builders, who shared their castle-building expertise and gave us tools and guidance on how to turn out a fairly decent ephemeral structure. As a team building exercise, it showed who were the take-charge leaders of the group (not me) and who were the teamplayers (guilty). As I write this, I am preparing to rejoin the group for a Dynamic Poolside Stretch at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa. I have been told that this activity is very popular with meeting attendees who want to start the day invigorated. After that, we are embarking on another activity in which I know I will be leading the way—shopping at South Coast Plaza. Off to the Dynamic Poolside Stretch. Of course, if it is possible to have too much fun, I may be pretty close to it. Hot Deals meetingnews.com/hotdeals * MEETING PACKAGE: Bahamas Offers Fall Incentives for Group Travel Grand Bahama Island is offering cash rebates and other incentives for meeting planners who book groups at select hotels for fall 2008 or fall 2009. * MEETING PACKAGE: Sheraton Chicago Northwest Offers Meetings Rewards The Sheraton Chicago Northwest, northwest of Chicago in Arlington Heights, IL, is offering meeting buyers a series of discounts and rewards. * MEETING PACKAGE: Beverly Hilton Offers Four Star Group Package Following an $80 million reinvention, the Beverly Hilton has a new meeting package. * MEETING PACKAGE: Marriott Gives Amex Cardholders 25,000 Points Marriott Rewards members can earn a bonus of 25,000 points when they pay for meetings or events using an American Express card. * MEETING PACKAGE: Regal Airport Hotel Offers Summer Upgrades Hong Kong’s Regal Airport Hotel Meeting & Conference Centre is offering bonuses and upgrades until Aug. 31, 2008. *Please call to confirm all prices and terms. www.meetingnews.com 4 MeetingNews July 7, 2008 http://www.meetingnews.com http://www.meetingnews.com http://www.meetingnews.com/hotdeals http://www.misoapbox.com/ http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - July 7, 2008

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