Meeting News - October 20, 2008 - (Page Cover1)

INSIDE THE INDUSTRY Less Motivation & AIBTM p. 6 GREEN BEAT Golf courses on eco-recovery p. 22 INSIDER REPORT The latest in gaming markets p. 48 CHEF TALK Big on Big Meals: Craig Bianco fights perception that convention center banquets mean subpar food. page 8 MeetingNews w w w. M e e t i n g N e w s . c o m October 20, 2008 July 16, 2007 IACC Unfazed by Dolce’s Decision to De-Emphasize But are conference centers being undermined? By Julie Barker Hotels & Resorts WYNDHAM CLEARS THE AIR Hotelier adopts Pure Solutions’ ClearAir system to remove room allergens. see page 12 RITZ-CARLTON GUESTS CAN LEAVE WITHOUT IT In Chicago, guests can stow away personal belongings for their next visit. see page 12 International HILTON GETS AGGRESSIVE IN CARIBBEAN, S. AMERICA Hotelier plans to quadruple its presence in the two regions over next five years. see page 16 On Aug. 13, Dolce Hotels & Resorts announced that it is pulling away from its pure conference center roots in a broad re-branding effort. The former Dolce International is now well on its way to incorporating in all its conference centers the types of amenities, design elements, and services that today’s business travelers expect in a four-star hotel experience. The Dolce portfolio now has two divisions, with 16 hotels and resorts and eight conference properties. To some in the meetings industry, the decision felt like the end of an era. “There are things in this industry that I trusted,” said meetings and hospitality consultant Joan Eisenstodt, of Washington, DC-based Eisenstodt Associates LLC. “[The International Association of Conference Centers continued on page 60 Destination Insider FLORIDA COAST TO COAST Reports on Orlando, Miami, Palm Beach, Tampa, and southwestern Florida. see page 24 Convention Centers SANTA FE UNWRAPS BRAND-NEW BUILDING Downtown venue offers 40,000 sf of total event space and LEED Silver features. see page 14 BAHAMAS Baha Mar megaresort is still going forward, says developer. see page 42 Dolce Chantilly helps usher in new era. CVBs HAWAII TOURISM CHIEF RESIGNS IN E-MAIL FLAP Embattled Rex Johnson vacates Hawaii Tourism Authority post after new revelations in e-mail scandal. see page 14 MARKET CONDITIONS CUT SAN DIEGO’S ’09 AMBITION Aggressive domestic and international business plans are put on hold after the tumbles of Zoom Airlines and Wall Street. see page 15 CALIFORNIA The OC plays nice, as properties in marketing alliance plot to keep groups happy. see page 44 MeetingNews ExclusiveResearch What’s your perception of Halloween? Non-controversial holiday - we like to hold parties 50.6% Taxi Drivers Add Fuel Surcharge Rides in major cities jump by $1.00 to $1.50, while others debate fare hikes By Gretchen Kelly YUCATAN Placido Domingo sings at Chichen Itza; Tulum hotels fight battle with army. see page 46 MYRTLE BEACH New options and value in a tough economy have planners combing the beach. see page 58 Controversial makes some attendees uncomfortable 12.3% Trouble - all the crazies come out 5.4% Volume 32/Number 18/$10.00 Other 31.6% Source: 332 of MeetingNews survey respondents It’s a Scary Good Time Majority of planners say let the ghoul times roll, indicating that Halloween presents a good event see page 18 opportunity. Any attendee who is taking a cab to a meeting point in Chicago; Dallas; Pittsburgh; Philadelphia; Seattle; Washington, DC; Houston; Miami; or Fort Worth will notice an extra dollar or so tagged on as a fuel surcharge. For cabs in Las Vegas, San Diego, Cleveland, and Orlando, the metered rate is higher for the same reason— the price of gas. “Most taxi drivers pay for their own fuel—an expense directly out of their own pockets,” said Alfred Lagasse, CEO continued on page 60 http://www.MeetingNews.com http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/research/index.jsp

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Meeting News - October 20, 2008 Contents Letters to the Editor What's Up @ MeetingNews.com People Making News Transportation & Services Conference Centers Advertisers Index Live From the Forum

Meeting News - October 20, 2008

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