Meeting News - December 15, 2008 - (Page Cover1)

CHEF TALK: Food Kings Throw Down Advice for Planner Customers p. 6 MeetingNews w w w. M e e t i n g N e w s . c o m D e c e m b e r 15, 2008 Starts on page 43 Gloom Looms for Rooms Punditry blizzard reveals scope of occupancy chill, but the deck remains stacked for planners in 2009 By William Ng and Robert Carey Hotels & Resorts DOLCE OFFERS TO REBUILD MEETINGS IN BUDGET CRISIS Hotelier’s “advice line” gives free phone help to those who need to replan meetings affected by the economy. see page 8 International DOWNTURN DEALS SANDS A BAD HAND IN MACAU Gaming operator suspends work on eight hotels in its Cotai Strip area just after a Four Seasons makes its debut. see page 22 The hotel industry has enjoyed a profitable supplier’s market in recent years, but the good times are ending, with lodging demand heading into a potentially deep decline, as the economy continues its tailspin. The market erosion began earlier this year as the economy started to slow, but September’s financial and credit market collapse underscored the economic downturn’s severity that had hotel market analysts downgrading already dampened forecasts. “Our outlook for the lodging industry has deteriorated dramatically in a fairly short period of time,” said Mark Woodworth, president of PKF Hospitality Research. PKFHR, which bases its forecasts on indicators by Smith Travel Research, in October had to revise its 2009 outlook released in Septemcontinued on page 14 CVBs CHARLOTTE’S TIM NEWMAN CULTIVATES A GREEN TEAM Visitors bureau CEO, along with a planner, ignite a citywide ecomovement in Charlotte. see page 20 Destination Insider PHOENIX Convention center expansion coincides with launches of 1,000-room Sheraton and light-rail system, sparking new downtown vitality. see page 38 MeetingNews ExclusiveResearch What are your professional New Year’s Resolutions? Receive recognition for the job I do 26.6% Retool our meetings program 28.6% 11.7% 7.8% 26.3% Other Complete my degree Find a new job Can’t plan that far ahead 20.8% Sixth Homeland Defense And Security Symposium’s Career Summit Welcomes Hurt Soldiers to Broadmoor By Diana Rowe Insider Reports AFFORDABLE LAS VEGAS Sin City’s hospitality, from major hotels like Harrah’s and MGM Mirage to the upscale Four Seasons, are offering deals and price breaks. see page 30 GALVESTON In its post-Ike cleanup, the island is committed to bouncing back with improved amenities. see page 37 Incentive Reports EUROPE Brussels prepares for a new expo center; Zaragoza, Spain, courts groups with attractions from recent world’s fair. see page 40 Source: 308 of MeetingNews survey respondents Wishing & Hoping Leveraging technology, gaining recognition by executives, and professional improvement are some planners’ goals. see page 26 Twenty-three-year-old Marine Caleb Wood was focused, ready to do the right thing for his country and his family, until his recent deployment from southern California’s Camp Pendleton to Iraq turned his four-year military career into a label: wounded soldier. His injury brought him back to the U.S. to recuperate, only to find that he had a dim future ahead of him. “I’m ready to work and have experience in radio communication,” Wood said.“Yet the resources to find a civilian job haven’t been available.” continued on page 4 SKI DESTINATIONS Reno-Lake Tahoe packs slopes, gaming, and nightlife; Whistler, BC, builds up 2010 Winter Olympics. see page 42 Volume 32/Number 20/$10.00 http://www.MeetingNews.com http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/research/index.jsp http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/research/index.jsp

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Meeting News - December 15, 2008 Gloom Looms for Rooms Sixth Homeland Defense and Security Symposium's Career Summit... Perspectives What’s Up @ MeetingNews.com Chef Talk People Making News Hotels & Resorts %20%20%20%20%20Dolce Offers to Rebuild Meetings in Public Crisis CVBs %20%20%20%20%20Charlotte's Tim Newman Cultivates a Green Team International %20%20%20%20%20Downturn Deals Sands a Bad Hand in Macau Transportation & Services MN Exclusive Research Green Beat Insider Reports %20%20%20%20%20Affordable Las Vegas %20%20%20%20%20Galveston Destination Insider %20%20%20%20%20Phoenix Incentive Reports %20%20%20%20%20Europe %20%20%20%20%20Ski Destinations Meeting News Planners' Choice Awards Advertisers Index Live from the Forum

Meeting News - December 15, 2008

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