Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Wigwam invites Meeting Planners to enjoy nine ways to save

To celebrate its 90th anniversary, the historic Arizona resort is offering 9 ways to save on everything that goes into group stays, including guest rooms, food & beverage, spa services, golf and more.

In celebration of 90 years as a Southwestern oasis resort, The Wigwam is excited to continue its incredible generosity by offering groups and meeting planners unbeatable perks through 2019. Complete with extensive meeting facilities, easy convenience to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, downtown Phoenix and Scottsdale, the historic 440-acre desert oasis’ new 2019 offerings for groups and meeting planners – 9 Ways to Save – is offering incredible incentives and savings.

As the authentic Southwestern retreat celebrates 90 years of welcoming guests, The Wigwam’s newest promotion is offering 9 different deals and steals on all group travel for stays from April 1 – December 31, 2019. The resort can prorate all benefits to fit groups of any size, including the small and intimate. The historic milestone brings more than incredible savings on room nights with 9 benefits including:

$9.00 rebate per full price group rate credit to the master
$9.00 resort fee (normally $30.00)
90% retail pricing on audio-visual
90% retail pricing on standard banquet menus
9 upgrades to suites per 100 rooms
9 complimentary VIP amenities per 100 rooms
$90 staff room rates – 1:90 ratio
90% retail pricing on contracted golf
90% retail pricing on spa block treatments

Book now through April 30, 2019 to receive this offer. Cannot be combined with any additional offers and concessions. Existing contracts may not be amended. Based on availability.

The Wigwam is an ideal destination for productive and inspiring meetings year-round. The resort has 30,000 square feet of indoor meeting space and 55,000 square feet of outdoor event space, which consists of 25 separate meeting rooms and 10 intimate outdoor spaces.

For more information on the 9 Ways to Save promotion or to book meetings and events at The Wigwam, call (833)721-5047 or email WigwamSalesOnline@wigwamarizona.com.

Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort & Spa Reopens

HILTON MARCO ISLAND BEACH RESORT & SPA REOPENS FOR WINTER HOLIDAY SEASON 2018/19 FOLLOWING $60 MILLION TRANSFORMATION

Olshan Properties, one of the country’s leading private owners, developers and managers of commercial real estate today announced that the AAA Four Diamond Award winning, Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort & Spa will reopen its doors to guests in time for the Thanksgiving holiday following completion of an expansive $60 million interior and exterior transformation. The beloved 310-key resort enjoys an irreplaceable beach front location on Marco Island, which, with its unique blend of sugar white sand, crystal clear blue waters, award-winning dining.

“We’re thrilled to be reopening our doors to generations of holiday makers at the Hilton Marco Island,” commented Olshan Properties’ CEO, Andrea Olshan. “Having spent many of my own childhood family vacations at this unique oasis, the resort has a very special place in my heart. Now, showcasing a refined boutique-hotel style design and amenities completely reimagined for 21st century tastes, we’re excited to welcome guests of all ages to experience the exciting transformation of this cherished resort and to begin building their own long lasting memories.”

Added Olshan Properties’ Head of Hospitality, Ernie Catanzaro: “The entire team here at the Hilton Marco Island and myself are incredibly excited to unveil our newly reimagined resort to the local community, holiday makers and business groups alike. Throughout the renovation, even as the resort was closed to overnight guests, our team members –many of whom are the most talented managers in their fields in the country –have worked tirelessly above and beyond their professional responsibilities, taking on advanced training, and obtaining the highest level certifications in all their necessary fields to ensure the ultimate in service standards. It is therefore with immense pride that on behalf of the team here we today re¬introduce the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort & Spa as the leading resort on the West Coast of Florida and one of Hilton’s preeminent American properties.”

Tapestry Collection By Hilton Announces its first property in Illinois

THE ROSE HOTEL CHICAGO O’HARE

Located in Rosemont, just one mile from O’Hare International Airport, the new build hotel offers tasteful design and amenities for business and leisure travelers

Tapestry Collection by Hilton welcomes its first property in the state of Illinois to its portfolio of upscale, unique hotels, with the opening of The Rose Hotel Chicago O’Hare, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. The new build hotel will be operated by Chicago-based Janko Hospitality.

Designed by The Gettys Group, The Rose Hotel is a 165-room hotel that incorporates fine art-inspired elements, coupled with a contemporary design and unique features. The lobby encompasses a Zebra wall that is 44 ft. long and over 11 ft. high, as well as two abstract wallcoverings featuring the Chicago skyline leading to eight, modern meeting and event spaces – each named after roses – totaling 6,000 sq. ft. of functional, flexible space.

“The Rose Hotel is a fantastic addition to Tapestry Collection and Rosemont’s newly developed Pearl District mixed-use complex, featuring eye-catching elements and a stunning design that genuinely embodies the local spirit,” said Jenna Hackett, global head, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. “As the 14th Tapestry Collection property, the opening of The Rose Hotel is a monumental moment for the growth of the collection in a key destination, and we look forward to welcoming guests, residents and Hilton Honors members to this stunning new hotel.”

Located in Rosemont’s Pearl District and just one mile from O’Hare International Airport, The Rose is one of the closest properties to the airport, second to Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport, and also offers a complimentary shuttle every half hour from 5:00 a.m. to Midnight to the airport, as well as regular shuttles to nearby public transit for guests looking to explore downtown Chicago and beyond. On the go business travelers, meeting and event attendees and guests traveling for leisure can each enjoy on-site amenities including a large fitness center as well as locally-inspired dining and drink options, including R Bar, offering new American cuisine, craft beer and hand-crafted cocktails, in-room dining or enjoy grab and go options at The Market.

“With hundreds of thousands of business and leisure travelers arriving at O’Hare from across the globe, it is an exciting time for The Rose Hotel,” said Chief Operating Officer, John Brooke. “We look forward to offering travelers a modern new boutique hotel in Rosemont, where local business is supported by such a strong community.”

Until December 31, 2018, guests can purchase a ‘Snack, Shop and Slumber with The Rose’ Shopping Package that includes complimentary breakfast for two, shuttle to/from The Fashion Outlets of Chicago as well as passes for coat/bag check with The Fashion Outlets Concierge, and a Fashion Outlets Savings Pass (worth up to $800 in exclusive savings). Additionally, The Rose is offering a special group rate in December 2018 and January 2019 for those enjoying holiday parties in the Pearl District. For booking information, please visit https://tapestrycollection3.hilton.com/tc/the-rose-chicago.

Launched in 2017 with Hotel Skyler in Syracuse, New York, Tapestry Collection by Hilton has since added 13 additional hotels to the portfolio, with 43 in the pipeline. In just over a year, the brand has experienced impressive growth, including the recent announcement of its first international signings of two hotels in Lima, Peru, slated to open in 2021. This growth reinforces Tapestry Collection by Hilton’s commitment to expanding its portfolio to provide travelers with the opportunity to stay in original, unique hotels both domestically and internationally, that are backed by the reassurance of Hilton and connected to its award-winning Hilton Honors program.

Source: Hilton Hotels

The Association of Latino Professionals for America Latina Summit

The Association of Latino Professionals for America will host “The Most Powerful Latina” Summit on April 23, 2018 in New York City with Fortune Magazine, Columbia University, People en Español and Latino Leaders Magazine. They will bring together leading women from across the globe.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from top national speakers, experience one-on-one interviews, panel discussions and interactive small group discussions.

This summit will focus on Building a Legacy and Developing the Next Generation of Latinas. The day-long Summit convenes 150 of the most powerful Latinas in corporate America and Rising Stars, which represent the next generation of Latinas.

Source: ALPFA

Former U.S. HUD Secretary Julian Castro to keynote Hispanicize Event

The organizers of Hispanicize Event, the annual Latino trends event for advertising, social media, film and music, announced today that former U.S. HUD Secretary Julián Castro will serve as keynote speaker of its annual Positive Impact Awards program at the 2018 Hispanicize Event taking place in Miami April 17 -19, 2018.

Now in its fifth year, the Positive Impact Awards is the premier VIP gala event during Hispanicize week celebrating community heroes who have done extraordinary work and championed issues in their communities and nationwide.

Through his lifelong commitment to public service, Secretary Julián Castro embodies the spirit of the Positive Impact Awards. As former U.S. HUD Secretary, it was Castro’s mission to ensure that the department offered everyone new opportunities to thrive in their communities, regardless of their social or economic standing. Previously, Castro served as the Mayor of the City of San Antonio, during which he demonstrated his commitment to improving quality of life through the creation and implementation of SA2020, a community-wide visioning effort that sought to improve housing, health, and environment for the residents of San Antonio with the goal of becoming a world class city by the goal date of 2020. Castro also invested in the future of the community through educational programs, including College Cafe, which offers college guidance to San Antonio Students, and expanded the offering of Pre-K education in the city.

ATLANTIS, PARADISE ISLAND ANNOUNCES 2017 MEETING & INCENTIVE OFFER

Atlantis, Paradise Island announces unprecedented savings for 2017 group bookings with its 2017 Meeting & Incentive Offer.Applicable to 2017 meetings and incentive trips booked before July 1, 2016, this limited-time offer is in conjunction with the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board and guarantees deep savings on the group’s master account at Atlantis and airfare to Nassau.

2017 Meetings & Incentive Rebate:

– Up to $80,000 master account rebate or up to $250 airfare rebate per room, based on number of room nights traveled
– Applicable for all new group bookings for stays in 2017
– Bookable through July 1, 2016
– For more details visit MeetingsatAtlantis.com

About Atlantis Meetings and Events
Atlantis, Paradise Island is a premier destination for meetings and events, providing exceptional team building experiences in an unrivaled setting to ensure an unforgettable stay for groups. Atlantis serves as a world-class conference center and home to the largest ballrooms in The Bahamas. With over 500,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor function space, including outdoor venues, boardrooms, meeting and breakout rooms, Atlantis’ group events can accommodate up to 4,000 guests.

For more details on meetings at Atlantis visit www.MeetingsatAtlantis.com. Atlantis Meetings can be found on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AtlantisMeetings.

About Atlantis, Paradise Island resort, The Bahamas
Atlantis, Paradise Island is a unique, ocean-themed destination located on Paradise Island, The Bahamas, and features a variety of accommodations, all built around a 141-acre waterscape comprised of over 20 million gallons of fresh and saltwater lagoons, pools and habitats. Home to the largest open-air marine habitat in the world, there are over 50,000 marine animals in lagoons and displays, including The Dig, a maze of underwater corridors and passageways providing a journey through ancient Atlantis. Atlantis is home to Aquaventure, a non-stop water experience consisting of thrilling water slides, a mile-long river ride with high intensity rapids and wave surges, and never-before-seen special effects. Dolphin Cay, the resort’s interaction and education center, was created with the goal of enlightening visitors about the wonders of these remarkable ocean inhabitants.

The Cove Atlantis, a 600-room resort, features oversized rooms with a step down living space, spectacular designs by acclaimed interior architects Jeffrey Beers and David Rockwell, unprecedented services and amenities, private all-adult and family pools, lavish cabanas and breathtaking views of the ocean. Atlantis is also known as THE culinary destination in The Caribbean with a collection of restaurants from world-renowned chefs including Nobu Matsuhisa, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and Todd English. The resort boasts an impressive collection of luxury boutiques and shops, casino, and the largest conference center, meeting and convention facilities in The Caribbean.

For further information about Atlantis, Paradise Island, visit AtlantisBahamas.com. For reservations, call your travel agent or 800-ATLANTIS.

SHERATON HACIENDA DEL MAR NAMED TO SHERATON GRAND COLLECTION

Popular Los Cabos Destination Resort Joins Best In Class Category

The Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Golf & Spa Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico has been named to the Sheraton Grand tier by Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. The Grand category is Sheraton Hotels & Resorts’ new premier designation of hotels recognized for enticing destinations, distinguished designs and excellence in service and guest experiences. Now, renamed Sheraton Grand Los Cabos, Hacienda del Mar, the iconic resort is the newest addition to the Sheraton Grand collection and the only property in Mexico and one of only three in Central and South America to receive this designation.

“Our authentic, Mexican Hacienda-style resort set on more than 26 acres of oceanfront property, with beautiful gardens and seemingly endless array of guest amenities, has long been a sought after destination resort in Los Cabos,” said Renato Mendonca, General Manager of Sheraton Grand Los Cabos, Hacienda del Mar. “Equally, or even more importantly, we pride ourselves in offering superior service. We are very proud of this incredible acknowledgement.”

The new designation of Sheraton Grand Los Cabos, Hacienda del Mar is the result of the property’s excellence in service and hospitality, its idyllic location on the beaches of Los Cabos and its luxurious, authentic Mexican architecture and design. The property features 270 exquisite guest rooms and suites with traditional Mexican décor; a collection of mouthwatering restaurants, which include two Five Star Diamond Award-winning restaurants, De Cortez Grill and Restaurant and Pitahayas Restaurant; and over 18,000 square feet of space for meetings, events and weddings of all sizes. The Sheraton Grand Los Cabos, Hacienda del Mar is a popular destination for business travelers, couples and families, with amenities that accommodate every itinerary, and as Mexico’s only Sheraton Grand property, the hotel will treat its guests to an unparalleled level of service, hospitality and luxury during their stay.

Showcasing the Best of the Sheraton Brand around the World
Having launched in August 2015, Sheraton Grand celebrates the brand’s best-in-class hotels, each hand-selected based on a specific list of criteria ranging from sophisticated design and sought-after destinations, to unrivaled standards of service and impressive hotel amenities.

A Clear Vision
Sheraton Grand is just one of many initiatives currently underway for Sheraton 2020, a comprehensive 10-point plan revealed in June 2015 designed to put Sheraton Hotels and Resorts firmly back into the global spotlight. A nod to the plan’s clear five year vision, Sheraton 2020 also includes a new multi-million Sheraton-focused marketing campaign; the launch of a new elevated food and beverage lobby program, Paired; continuous innovation of the Sheraton guest experience; an unwavering commitment to service excellence; the implementation of revenue and profit-driving initiatives to benefit owners and developers; and a goal of adding more than 150 new Sheraton hotels worldwide by 2020.

For more information on Sheraton Grand Los Cabos, Hacienda del Mar, visitwww.sheratonhaciendadelmar.com, facebook.com/sheratonloscabos or follow the property on Twitter attwitter.com/sheratoncabos and Instagram at instagram.com/sheratonhaciendadelmar.

About Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, the largest and most global brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., makes it easy for guests to explore, relax and enjoy the possibilities of travel through smart solutions and effortless experiences at more than 440 hotels in more than 72 countries around the world. The brand is currently in the midst of implementing Sheraton 2020, a 10 point plan designed to make Sheraton the global hotel brand of choice, everywhere. Sheraton recently launched “Where Actions Speak Louder,” a multi-channel, multi-million dollar advertising campaign that highlights the brand’s ongoing enhancements to its guest experience, including new products and partnerships, and a renewed focus on service. With work well underway, the brand has already rolled out a variety of initiatives under Sheraton 2020, including Paired , a new imaginative lobby bar menu; the richest SPG promotion in the brand’s history; and Sheraton Grand, a new premier tier that recognizes exceptional Sheraton hotels and resorts. To learn more, visitwww.sheraton.com. Stay connected to Sheraton: @sheratonhotels on Twitter and Instagram andfacebook.com/Sheraton.

THE WESTIN ST. FRANCIS COMPLETES $6 MILLION RENOVATION OF MEETING & EVENT SPACE

San Francisco’s iconic Westin St. Francis has completed an extensive renovation of 50,000 square feet of meeting and special event space in both the Landmark and Tower buildings. Since opening more than a century ago on March 21, 1904, The Westin St. Francis has been at the center of San Francisco’s social, theatrical and business life, hosting socialites, royalty and business leaders for their most important meetings and celebrations.

“The renovation gives our meeting space a more contemporary look and feel,” said Westin St. Francis Director of Sales & Marketing Elaine Clancy. “The design and color palette are much more cohesive throughout.”

Thirty rooms were renovated including: the Grand Ballroom, ideal for large celebrations; the Colonial Room appointed with classic Italian murals, elaborate candelabras, and gold-leafed columns separating regal opera balconies; the elaborate Italian Room; the Borgia Room with its jewel-like ceiling was originally the hotel chapel; and the sophisticated St. Francis Suite, the former home of the Pope Family for many years.

Designed by Whitespace Interiors, the meeting rooms and event space reflect a “new classic” aesthetic that is fresh and modern while paying tribute to the historic qualities of the hotel. Edwardian and Art Deco-era patterns and motifs found within the architecture of the spaces helped establish the spirit of the new design. Each of the 30 rooms showcase a sophisticated color palette that cohesively blends cool silvers and greys with warm bronze, cream and gold tones, providing a rich yet neutral backdrop for the deep red-gold tones found within the vintage architectural ceiling details.

Design highlights include: woven Axminster carpet with a custom designed pattern unique to the characteristics and vintage of each room; custom crafted chandelier and wall sconces with cast glass, bronze, and nickel finishes imported from Czech Republic; elegant drapery and window treatments designed to provide a soft filtered light perfect for meetings; and artwork curated to provide a modern counterpoint to some of the traditional interior elements. All of the rooms have been outfitted with energy efficient LED architectural lighting and are wired for top performance high speed internet.

The Westin St. Francis boasts 1,195 guestrooms, including 41 suites. The hotel consists of two buildings, providing guests with a choice of staying in the historic Landmark Building or the contemporary Tower, which completed a $20 million renovation in 2014. Guestrooms in the Landmark Building showcase San Francisco’s history and charm with high ceilings, chandeliers and ornate woodwork supplemented by modern furnishings and premier views of Union Square. Tower guestrooms offer spacious accommodations with contemporary finishes, marble bathrooms and large bay windows, plus breathtaking views of famous San Francisco icons.

Located in the heart of downtown San Francisco, The Westin St. Francis is the only hotel situated directly on Union Square. World-class shopping, restaurants and theatres are just steps from the hotel offering visitors many diverse options for activities and attractions; the Financial District, Chinatown and North Beach are just a quick walk. San Francisco’s famous cable cars stop right at the front door with direct access to Fisherman’s Wharf. Conveniently located near two international airports, the hotel is just thirty minutes (12 miles) to San Francisco International Airport and 40 minutes (15 miles) to Oakland International Airport.

NHCC Summit Focuses on Corporate Diversity and Inclusion

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Aiming to expand diversity and inclusion in the workplace, The National Hispanic Corporate Council (NHCC) will hold it 2015 Fall Summit in San Diego from Oct. 14-16, 2015.

The summit, entitled “Corporate Diversity & Inclusion: The Future is Now,” will take place at the Paradise Point Resort and Spa on Mission Bay.

“This important event will bring together subject matter experts in the areas of diversity and inclusion, marketing, and supplier diversity,” said Octavio Hinojosa, Executive Director of the NHCC. “Our objective is to identify key opportunities and challenges for stronger cooperation between these two highly-interlinked fields and share the latest corporate best practices.”

Summit highlights:

Thursday, Oct. 15

Address: “The Future of Corporate Diversity and Inclusion” by Maria G. Arias, Vice President, Comcast Corporation

Address: “Think Different – Effectively Engaging Your Latino Talent to Drive Growth” by Trini Monistere, Director, Insights and Strategy, SMU Cox Latino Leadership Institute.

Address: “Case Study: How Diversity & Inclusion Increases the Bottom Line” by Jose Montero, President, the Montero Group

Friday, Oct. 16

Supplier Diversity Session: “A Conversation on Supplier Development” led by Joset Wright-Lacy, President/CEO, National Minority Supplier Development Council Diversity and Inclusion Session: “Leveraging Latino Leadership as the Voice of the Brand” led by Audrie Ponzio, Founding Partner, APC Collective.

To register for the summit, go to nhcchq.org. For accommodations at the Paradise Point Resort and Spa, go to paradisepoint.com or call 800-344-2626.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Octavio Hinojosa with the NHCC, at 202-528-7229 or ohinojosamier@nhcchq.org.

About NHCC
Founded in 1985 with the vision to be our corporate members leading resource for maximizing the Hispanic market opportunity. Today, NHCC (www.nhcchq.org) provides our corporate members broad access to a collaborative community that shares resources, knowledge, best practices, and innovative solutions to grow talent, customers, and suppliers. NHCC is the premier resource on effectively maximizing the Hispanic market opportunity through marketing, community relations, human resources, and procurement within the foundation of corporate social responsibility. Follow us on Twitter @NHCCorg.

Visit KC Appoints New Vice President of Sales & Services

Cori Day to oversee company’s largest team beginning Aug. 31

Following last week’s appointments of two other leadership positions, Visit KC announces today that Cori Day will assume the role of Vice President of Sales & Services. Day brings to the tourism organization more than 16 years of experience in hospitality sales and marketing. Her hire continues the strategic growth of Visit KC’s management team and combines the organization’s convention sales and services team into a single department.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated hospitality professional to lead our sales and services efforts,” said Visit KC President and CEO Ronnie Burt. “I am confident that Cori’s leadership experience will take us to the next level as a meeting and convention destination.”

Day comes to Visit KC from the Independence Tourism Department in Independence, Mo., where she served as tourism director for four years. During her tenure, the organization witnessed a 60-percent increase in guest tax revenues. She also oversaw the reorganization of Independence’s group sales efforts, the creation of a convention services department and the founding of a sports commission.

Day’s diverse hospitality experience also includes 12 years of sales management experience with the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau in Columbia, Mo., the Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center in Independence and the Best Western Columbia Inn.

As Vice President of Sales and Services, Day will lead the destination’s sales and services teams, promoting Kansas City as a convention destination through short and long-range booking strategies, improving delivery of services to convention planners and maintaining relationships with area hotel and facility management teams.
Active in regional tourism organizations, Day serves as president-elect of the Missouri Travel Council and as a board member of the Missouri Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus. A resident of Blue Springs, Mo., Day is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Day’s first day with Visit KC will be Aug. 31. Her hire bookends the appointment of two other new leaders within the organization— Ashley Jones, Vice President of Partnerships & Events; and Traci Preus, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications, joining Visit KC on Aug. 17 and 24, respectively.

About Visit KC
Visit KC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to ignite global passion for visiting Kansas City. Through marketing, sales and service of the convention and tourism industries, Visit KC supports a vital and growing component of the local economy—generating more than 45,000 jobs and $4.6 billion in economic impact annually. For more information about the organization or Kansas City, go to VisitKC.com.