Meeting News - August 11, 2008 - (Page 14)

Social Scene MEET THE PLANNERS: The Wyndham Princeton Forrestal Hotel and Conference Center in Plainsboro, NJ, wanted to show off its renovations, so it invited meeting and event planners to sample its new F&B offerings between seminars that it hosted during an open house in late June. A reception called Chefs of the World featured globally inspired cuisine. The hotel’s $7-million renovation features a bi-level amphitheater and updated meeting rooms emphasizing “comfortable and efficient conferencing.” STAYBRIDGE TALLAHASSEE GIVES FOR A GOOD CAUSE: Staybridge Suites Tallahassee recently held a children’s event called “Gone Fishin’” that raised nearly $11,000 for the brand’s charity, Give Kids The World, to benefit children with life-threatening illnesses. Pictured are: (back row) John Schmidt, Ron Dye, George Banks, Carolyn Dotson, Mr. & Mrs. “On the Go,” Delores Thomas, and Annette Vickers; (middle row) Mary Heath, Nilsa Stewart, and Latonya Green; (front row) Doug Artusio, Lazondia Bryant, Kelli Gilbreath, Courtney Parras, and Traci Dean. CAN YOU TASTE THE XOXONOSTLE? Extensive research on traditional Mesoamerican foods was conducted, and xoxonostle, xtabentun, and pulque were ingredients used for the theme “Myths and Legends of the Aztec & Maya.” The result was an epicurean feast featuring world-class service at the Westin Los Cabos. “The Westin provided fantastic service and an incredible incentive experience for our client,” said Harith Wickrema, president of Harith Productions Ltd. The effort is a nominee for the International Special Events Society’s 2008 Creme de la Creme Award for on-premise catering. Winners will be announced at ISES’s Eventworld, Aug. 21-23 in St. Petersburg, FL. A NEW ELEMENT: Element, Starwood’s new extended-stay concept and the country's first LEED-certified hotel brand, made its world debut in Lexington, MA, last month. The grand opening was commemorated with a ribbon-cutting and flag-raising ceremony. Element Lexington, blending “smart design and eco-chic offerings,” will serve as the concept lab for the brand. At the Lexington ceremony were, from left to right: Chris Hartzell, complex general manager, aloft and element Lexington; Dave Milus, sr. VP of new builds and acquisitions; Pat Moscaritolo, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau; Mary Jo Bohart, executive director of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce; Jay R. Kaufman, MA State Representative; Paul Sacco, president of the Massachusetts Lodging Association; Colleen Keating, area managing director for Starwood; Scott Thrun, VP of Owned Prototype Development; Nick Lakas, operations manager for aloft and element; and Norman Cohen, chairman of the Lexington Board of Selectmen. 14 MeetingNews August 11, 2008 www.meetingnews.com http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - August 11, 2008

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