Meeting News - April 20, 2009 - (Page Cover1)

INSIDE THE INDUSTRY DMCs discuss business p. 10 THIRTY UNDER 30 Rising stars of the industry p. 12 GREEN BEAT Greenest Planner profile p. 24 TAKE ADVANTAGE MeetingNews w w w. M e e t i n g N e w s . c o m CAPABILITY SEE PAGES 5 & 7 FOR OUR ADS. OF BOSTON AND OUR A p r i l 2 0 , 2009 2007 July 16, Hawaii Speaks Hotels & Resorts BILTMORE MAKES CULINARY PROGRAM FOR MEETINGS Creating an interactive guest experience, the South Florida hotel opens up a cooking school. see page 14 International U.S. OUTBOUND MEETINGS TAKE HIT FROM ECONOMY Overseas meetings whittle down. see page 19 The Industry Strikes Back, Pt III Even as the Aloha State celebrates its 50th anniversary and native son Barack Obama ascended to presidency, the economic downturn, coupled with long tail of the AIG Effect, is shedding gloom on the Island Paradise. Governor Linda Lingle and Hawaiian tourism leaders, from Outrigger’s Robert Solomon to Ronald Williams of Atlantis Submarines, tell their story. Linda Lingle Governor, Hawaii Destinations CARIBBEAN see page 20 Convention Centers JAVITS CENTER PROJECT IS PROPOSED YET AGAIN A scaled-down expansion of the convention center in New York City could begin immediately if approved by the state. see page 16 KANSAS CITY, MO see page 23 Robert L. Solomon Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer Outrigger Enterprises Group NEW JERSEY see page 35 While we understand the need for balance, accountability, and transparency in programs supported by government funding, tourism is an industry that employs many workers who have lost—and will continue to lose—their jobs as travel declines. Excerpted from letter to president Obama, signed by the governor and 95 government and industry leaders MYRTLE BEACH, SC see page 36 James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. Lieutenant Governor, Hawaii Volume 33/Number 7/$10.00 Hawaii is a great place to do business, and we believe the tone coming out of Washington should be reflective of that. Businesses come to Hawaii for more than our beautiful beaches and spirit of aloha. They come to Hawaii to promote creativity and innovation, as well as to strengthen business relationships and performance. The jawboning from Washington and the backpedaling by corporate clients, especially public companies and bailout recipients, will eventually subside because they are equally illfounded and have unintended and painfully adverse consequences. Fearmongering and defensive posturing are also indiscriminate and, one way or another, they affect almost all competitive and desirable destinations. Once we’re past the panic stage, Hawaii’s enduring appeal and strong value proposition will help win back our fair share of this important market segment. For those planners and clients who take the time to evaluate the current situation on the merits, it should be very clear that the values in Hawaii are better continued on page 53 MeetingNews ExclusiveResearch How does the majority of your audience attend your off-site meetings and events? see page 22 Source: 382 industry professionals In person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91.9% Through web-based conferencing programs like WebEx . . . . . . . . . 4.7% Through video uplinks . . . . . . . . 0.8% Access the information later through archives or podcasts . . 0.8% Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.8% http://www.meetingnews.com http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/research/index.jsp

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meeting News - April 20, 2009

Meeting News - April 20, 2009
Contents
What’s Up in the MeetingNews Community
Inside the Industry
People Making News
Thirty Under 30
Hotels & Resorts
Chef Talk
Convention Centers
International
Destinations: Caribbean
Destinations: Kansas City, MO
Green Beat
Destinations: New Jersey
Destinations: Myrtle Beach, SC
Live from the Forum

Meeting News - April 20, 2009