Meeting News - March 9, 2009 - (Page 38)

Planners Guide to Florida There Is No Shortage of Deals In the Gulf Coast This Spring From local hotels to national chains to convention bureaus, there are plenty of partners eager to do business with budget-constrained planners in search of discounts for their Florida meetings. “Our hotels are in the same situation as most businesses,” said Karen Rangel, a sales director for three Sarasota properties, of the challenging economic climate. “We’re looking to find ways where we can save, as well; we want to do the same for our customers.” Rangel’s properties—the Hilton Longboat Key Beachfront Resort, Lido Beach Holiday Inn, and Lido Beach Resort—are among nearly two dozen hotels and resorts featured at www.saveonfloridameetings.com, a website offering deals in southern Florida. “We certainly have been as flexible as we can with all of our groups,” said Rangel. “We figure that we’re all in this together, so we will get through it together.” Meanwhile, the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, through the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, is offering discounts for groups actualizing in the second half of 2009. For meetings from June 1 through Dec. 15, groups are eligible to receive a 5-percent credit on their total actualized room revenue that is applied toward an evening reception. The offer applies to new bookings with a minimum of 25 rooms per night for three consecutive nights. Participating properties include the Crowne Plaza Fort Myers and DiamondHead Beach Resort, as well as various properties on Sanibel and Captiva islands. More information can be found at www.leevcb.com. As well, Hyatt properties in Tampa, Naples, Fort Myers, and Sarasota are offering rebates targeted at both short-term and longer-term meetings. Companies and associations can receive 6 percent off their master bills for qualified meetings booked and held before March 31, 2010. Participating properties include the Hyatt Regency Tampa, Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, and Hyatt Regency Sarasota (see property story on p. 34). The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, in Bonita Springs, meanwhile, is offering a 10-percent rebate. The Hyatt offer is valid for new bookings with 10 or more paid room nights on peak. More information on terms and eligible properties can be found at www.sixpercentrebate.hyatt.com. —Phillip Hennessey We looked into it. The sun’s coming up tomorrow, the air is still breathable, and it may not be easy, but business will soldier on. Which means now is the time for clear, focused thinking. Away from the negative distractions and doomsayers at the office. So come on down. We’re a rest stop on the road to recovery. 800-723-2791 www.pierhouse.com 38 MeetingNews March 9, 2009 www.meetingnews.com http://www.saveonfloridameetings.com http://www.saveonfloridameetings.com http://www.leevcb.com http://www.sixpercentrebate.hyatt.com http://www.pierhouse.com http://www.pierhouse.com http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - March 9, 2009

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