Meeting News - November 19, 2007 - (Page 1)

INSIDE THE INDUSTRY Energy cities partner up p. 8 CHEF TALK Joseph Elliott,Founders Inn p. 12 MN WEBCAST REPORT Relationship management p. 56 MeetingNews w w w. M e e t i n g N e w s . c o m N o v e m bJuly19, 2007 e r 16, 2007 2008 Industry Outlook Planners prepare for a tough year ahead State of the Industry Report What do you think will be the most pressing issues for the meetings industry next year? (Select up to 2 responses.) Budget pressures/rising meeting costs Executives’ perception of value of meetings/events Possible effects of airline woes (e.g., rising prices, service cutbacks) Effect of immigration policy changes on hotel staffing levels/service quality Job market/ job security for planners 15.8% 15.9% Corporate Planners 7.2% 5.3% 3.3% 8.0% Association Planners 74.6% 78.8% 38.3% 34.5% Hotels Meeting planners, traveler members of hotelier’s loyalty program gain points and other perks. see page 14 CVBs Conflict over hiring of city official with militia ties results in Hispanic group’s cancellation. see page 18 CARLSON HOTELS OFFERS LA RAZA PULLS OUT OF A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY KANSAS CITY FOR 2009 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Source: MeetingNews survey of 322 meeting planners By Elizabeth West No one ever said meeting planning was supposed to be easy. More than 320 meeting planners were asked to predict their biggest challenges in the upcoming year in MeetingNews’ Outlook 2008 survey. Rising costs for nearly every meeting line item will be planners’ most pressing concern, followed by executive scrutiny of the value of meetings and planners. But in the midst of the challenges, our survey shows a silver lining. As meeting planning becomes a more complex and demanding role, planners have a strong sense of job security, as shared by 95 percent of survey participants. Turn to page 32 for in-depth reports on industry issues facing planners in 2008. BEHEMOTH BALLROOM AT ORLANDO MARRIOTT The 2,000-room World Center Marriott gets an events facility that befits the resort’s size. see page 14 International HILTON & MARRIOTT FACE OFF IN COLOMBIA Both companies have 2009 property openings in capital of Bogota. see page 28 HIGH ON ATLANTA, LOEWS ENTERS CITY Following customer demand, hotelier breaks ground on 414room property, opening in 2010. see page 14 NEW EVENT SPACES FILL SHANGHAI’S BUND Historical and commercial road in the city is home to new a Hyatt, in addition to a new standalone facility. see page 30 NEW BOUTIQUE BRAND HAS LOFTY ASPIRATIONS Nylo, an “affordable boutique” chain, kicks off in Dallas. see page 14 Destination Insider OHIO Cleveland taps negotiator for CC talks; Crowne Plaza is expanding in the state. see page 40 Convention Centers WORKERS UNIONIZE AT HARTFORD’S BUILDING Employees at Connecticut Convention Center join Laborers Int’l—to Unite Here’s dismay. see page 22 The Fifth Element Will Terminal 5 solve Heathrow’s problems? By William Ng All Dried Out Atlanta, Southeast meetings are wrought with drought conditions By Christopher Hosford RENO & LAKE TAHOE Lake Tahoe’s North Shore bustles with property activity. see page 42 Volume 31/Number 16/$10.00 New York—London Heathrow Airport is now just five months away from the scheduled launch of its $8.7-billion Terminal 5 complex. But the March 27, 2008, opening can’t come soon enough for travelers hoping for some relief from the airport’s myriad problems. Heathrow owner BAA Ltd., in addition, intends to overhaul the maligned airport by the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. After Terminal 5 opens, BAA plans to shutter Terminal 2 and start construction on Heathrow East, continued on page 62 Atlanta—The Southeast’s current water crisis, worsened by drought and a booming water-hungry population, may slide from mere inconvenience for meetings and convention goers to a complete disruption as early as New Year’s Eve. Or not, depending on whom you listen to. Only time will tell. Erica Qualls, general manager of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, did not seem alarmed at a disaster that some are predicting. “At this time we don’t have any new information for meeting planners, and there has been no change in the operacontinued on page 62 PALM BEACH HILTON PREVAILS IN FT. LAUD HQ HOTEL BID Hotelier is chosen over Marriott to build 1,000-room property next to Broward County CC. see page 22 New CVB chief Jorge Pesquera sizes up the locale’s future. see page 44 CANADA Report takes you through Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and more. see page 46 WILMINGTON FACILITY STILL BEING DEBATED City council members continue discussions on building plan; mayor opposes taxpayer funding. see page 24 ISLAND INCENTIVES Dominica, Bermuda, Bahamas, St. Kitts, & Dominican Republic developments. see page 52 http://www.visitgreensboronc.com http://www.MeetingNews.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meeting News - November 19, 2007

Meeting News - November 19, 2007
Contents
What’s Up @ MeetingNews.com
Chef Talk
Transportation & Services
People Making News
MN Webcast Report
Successful Meetings University
Advertisers Index
Live from the Forum

Meeting News - November 19, 2007