Category Archives: Meetings

Wisconsin Center District’s New Executive Chef and General Manager Take Food & Beverage Experience to the Next Level

Meetings

Meeting planners know five-star hospitality when they see it. And that’s exactly what a select few experienced during a private, socially-distant tasting event at Milwaukee’s convention center, the Wisconsin Center. An intimate group of Milwaukee-based meeting planners gathered to experience the completely reimagined food and beverage program available at the Wisconsin Center District’s (WCD) venues. Thanks to new leadership by Levy Restaurants’ Executive Chef Christopher Pulling and General Manager Julio Henriquez, meeting and events planners can now elevate their clients’ next experience with high-end, customizable menu options when they book an event at the Wisconsin Center.

As the Oktoberfest-themed tasting began, guests were welcomed with craft beverages and appetizers, including a mini beer stein with pub cheese, and fish and chips. Once seated at their tables, Chef Pulling engaged attendees with cooking demos of select dishes while masked servers ensured they had everything they needed to feel safe, full, and entertained. Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed WCD craft chipolata bratwurst, whispering wings quail schnitzel, MobCraft “Scutterbotch” braised beef short rib, German potato “mille fuille,” braised red cabbage custard, and to end the meal, a warm apple custard “skillet.” This specialty menu was created by Chef Pulling to showcase dishes that pay homage to Milwaukee’s cultural-melting-pot past with a nod to the city’s elevated, James Beard Award-winning present.

“Reimagining a food and beverage program in the midst of COVID-19 is no small feat,” said corporate event and meeting planner Mike Underwood, who attended the tasting. “Levy Restaurants and the Wisconsin Center District proved that focus on the client experience, while incorporating locally-sourced ingredients and products is possible with the right amount of care and thought. Strict food safety preparation and service protocols were adhered to, while inventive small-plate options were served to a discerning audience. Light-hearted and informative presentations by Levy Restaurants’ new head chef and general manager were paired with delicious food and beverage offerings.”

This intimate event was a debut of the new direction the WCD’s F&B program is headed with Pulling and Henriquez at the helm. Both bring prestigious hospitality experience and education to their roles and are dedicated to ensuring world-class dining experiences. Not only will Pulling and Henriquez cater to smaller, socially distant events, the same care and detail will be given to larger events when they begin to make a comeback.

“Our goal is to make sure that the Wisconsin Center District is always providing the highest quality, safest experience for our guests and clients,” said Marty Brooks, president and CEO of the WCD. “Although COVID-19 has pressed pause on the events industry, we’re looking to the future and are excited about the experiences we’ll be able to provide. The Wisconsin Center expansion is moving forward, we just achieved Global Biorisk Advisory Council STAR accreditation for all three of our venues, and we have brought in food and beverage experts in Chef Chris and Julio. Their gold-standard expectations for creativity and service will expand our offerings and provide second-to-none, customizable options for clients large and small.”

Crescent Hotels & Resorts Opens Le Méridien St. Louis Clayton

featured, Meetings

Crescent Hotels & Resorts has opened the 268 room, Le Méridien St. Louis Clayton. Crescent, based in Fairfax, Virginia is a nationally recognized operator of major hotels and resorts throughout the United States and Canada.

Inspired by the era of glamorous travel, Le Méridien unlocks destinations around the world, celebrating each culture through the distinctly European spirit of savoring the good life. Located in the epicenter of the chic Clayton business district – minutes from Forest Park, Washington University and downtown Saint Louis – this new hotel is where the creative minded, the culture seekers and those who live to savor the moment can unlock the destination of St. Louis.

“As travel and events evolve throughout 2020 and the coming years, this new hotel will be the perfect oasis for sophisticated business and leisure travelers,” said Michael George, Chief Executive Officer of Crescent Hotels & Resorts. “Crescent’s exceptional service and award-winning experience will maximize the potential of this hotel.”

The Le Méridien St. Louis Clayton features over 50 works of art, including several by local St. Louis artists, thoughtfully designed guest rooms, more than 17,000 square feet of event space, Café la Vie restaurant, gourmet coffee bar and cocktail bar, Le Scoop Gelato in partnership with local Gelato Di Riso, state-of-the-art fitness center with views of St. Louis skyline, and heated outdoor pool. For more information or to book your stay, visit http://www.lemeridienclayton.com.

SOURCE Crescent Hotels & Resorts

Global DMC Partners to host Virtual Connection Conference

Meetings

Global DMC Partners (GDP), the leading global network of destination management companies (DMCs) and creative event experts, is proud to announce its seventh annual Connection. This year’s event will take place virtually on November 9 and 10, in partnership with Total Brand Experience (TBX), a virtual, hybrid, and live strategic
event management and production agency. The event will focus on providing education, actionable takeaways, and best practices for live, hybrid, and virtual events as meeting planners develop and adjust their future event strategies.

“While we will dearly miss seeing our clients and DMC Partners in person this year, we are thrilled to host this event in a new, virtual setting, embracing the unique way that technology allows us to connect with one another,” says Global DMC Partners President and CEO, Catherine Chaulet. “As an expert in the digital events space, TBX is the perfect partner to work with to help us accomplish our goal of bringing together our DMC Partners and meeting planners to experience firsthand an engaging and
immersive virtual experience.”

Kicking off the event, Global DMC Partners President & CEO Catherine Chaulet will share valuable insights from the company’s most recent Meetings & Events Pulse Survey and the implications of the findings for MICE planners. The agenda will also include general sessions with a panel composed of industry leaders discussing the continued impact of the global pandemic on this trillion-dollar industry along with innovative strategies and ideas that MICE planners should consider moving forward as the industry continues to adapt and evolve. Peer-to-peer breakout discussions will provide a more intimate setting for meeting professionals to reconnect with one another and share best practices in today’s COVID-19 world. Attendees will additionally hear from inspiring and motivational keynote speaker Lucy Bloom.

Unique to this year’s Connection will be the all-new virtual destination experiences presented by GDP’s DMC partners. These online activities will not only bring a taste of the respective destinations into participants’ homes but also showcase how DMCs are successfully pivoting for virtual and hybrid events. Highlights of these virtual offerings include an art tour, yoga, an illusionist, samba and salsa dancing lessons, pierogi making, an undercover, at-home spy experience and much more.

Source Global DMC

Palace Resorts Sun Palace unveils $40 Million Transformation

featured, Meetings, Travel

Palace Resorts, the company that sets the standard in five-star, all-inclusive resort accommodations, is pleased to announce the completion of a multimillion-dollar renovation of Sun Palace, the brand’s luxury adults-only resort along the glistening turquoise waters of Cancun. Located 35 minutes from Cancun International Airport, the property has officially reopened after undergoing extensive improvements and a complete transformation to its interiors and exteriors and features a beautifully redesigned lobby, upgrades and new features to its meeting space, elegantly redesigned guest suites, luxe new dining options and new modern décor to its common spaces, bars, and lounges. 

In addition to a completely redefined look and feel, Sun Palace also offers guests a chance to unplug at the luxe 7,671 square-foot, full-service spa featuring eight treatment rooms, a relaxing hydrotherapy facility, a 2,501 square-foot fitness and wellness center new top-of-the-line equipment. The luxury resort offers three infinity pools, decadent cuisine, more than 3,210 square feet of meeting space with two breakout rooms, and much more.

“We are extremely proud of the work that was done to complete the unveiling of Sun Palace, one of our most popular adult-only resorts and one that has been recognized in the industry among the top hotels for romance as well as one of the top resorts in Cancun as designated by the TripAdvisor community,” said Gibran Chapur, executive vice president for Palace Resorts. “After13 years of continued success, we felt it was time to modernize and revamp this property to ensure it meets the demands and likes of our guests and continues to be in a caliber all its own.”

Meet in Luxury

Sun Palace features more than 3,318 sq. ft. of space for corporate and social events. Upgrades to these facilities include new inspiring décor, elegant finishes, new carpeting, upgraded wooden doors and flooring, and environmentally friendly, intelligent controls for lighting, air conditioning, and sound. New touch technology seamlessly controls audio and volume in each room. In addition, the resort offers groups the latest in technology, top-of-the-line audio-visual equipment, and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the entire resort.

Source: Palace Resorts

Hilton Americas -Houston $54 Million Renovation almost complete

featured, Meetings, Travel

Hilton Americas-Houston is placing the finishing touches on a $54 million hotel transformation project, designed with today’s multi-tasking traveller in mind and with guest safety as its highest priority.  Functionality, accessibility and comfort were focal points of the new contemporary design highlighted by premium in-room amenities including additional power and USB ports, 65” 4K ultra high-resolution Samsung TVs, multifunctional furniture, wall murals created by local artists, updated restrooms with walk-in showers and sliding barn doors, and more. “We took the opportunity during this down time to continue and move forward without interruption to complete our renovation, said General Manager Jacques D’Rovencourt. As the flagship hotel in the downtown area, we look forward to welcoming back guests and group attendees to a new and improved hotel.”

In addition to guestrooms, the hotel’s 91,500 square feet of meeting space has been revamped to create event experiences that are clean, safe, flexible and socially responsible incorporating Hilton EventReady with Hilton CleanStay. New, eye-catching carpet lines the multifunctional space, updated wall coverings add a warm touch to any event and sleek furnishings tie in the modern design. Capable of holding large numbers of people with social distancing enforced, Hilton Americas-Houston’s flexible meeting space opens the door for weddings, galas, luncheons, fundraisers, celebrations and many other meeting and event possibilities both during and post COVID-19.

Hilton Americas-Houston is proud to be a part of Hilton CleanStay, Hilton’s new industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection. Hilton CleanStay builds upon the already high standards of housekeeping and hygiene at Hilton Americas-Houston and a focus on cleanliness is visible to guests throughout their entire stay experience-guest rooms, restaurants, fitness rooms and other public spaces.

Source : Hilton Americas-Houston

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities moves forward with Virtual Event

Eductation, Meetings

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities announced their upcoming 25th Annual National Capitol Forum on Hispanic Higher Education will be held as a virtual event.


The Virtual Conference is set to begin on April 21 through April 22, 2020. The event will feature key meetings with congressional offices allowing for leaders in the Hispanic higher education to speak with their representatives.

The event brings together leaders of colleges and universities, public policymakers, key federal agency leaders, allied organizations, corporate, community and philanthropic representative at what has become a powerful national platform for winning public- and private-sector
support for Hispanic-Serving Institutions.

UnidosUS Changemakers Summit Cancellation Announcement

Meetings

UnidosUS CEO Janet Murguia made the ChangeMakers Summit Cancellation announcement in a letter dated March 11, 2020 to registered attendees.

The following is the full letter.

At UnidosUS we have been monitoring the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and its potential impact on our communities, our work and upcoming events. After careful deliberation, and following the guidance of the Washington, D.C., government and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we are making the difficult decision to cancel our 2020 UnidosUS Changemakers Summit scheduled for March 23-25 in Washington, D.C.

We recognize the impact of this decision, which we do not take lightly. Each year the UnidosUS Changemakers Summit empowers our communities to engage in our democratic process, which is so important in 2020. But considering the seriousness and changing nature of the situation, canceling the event is the best course to protect our attendees, staff, speakers, and guests, as well as all of our communities across the country.

As part of our commitment to our continued partnerships to educate and mobilize our community, we are exploring the possibility of holding some sessions that were scheduled for the Changemakers Summit via phone conference and/or online. We will be in touch with additional details and specifics soon.

If you paid your Changemakers Summit registration fee online, we will issue a full refund automatically and no further action is needed on your part. For those who paid by check, we will be issuing refunds in the same form of payment within 30-45 days.

In addition, the Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet University will reimburse your one-night room deposit automatically and no further action is needed. If you do not receive your reimbursement within 30 days, please call the hotel at (202) 651-6000.

I want to thank you again for your leadership and for being a part of our Affiliate Network. These are difficult times for our community, for the nation, and for the world. But I know that by taking the right steps and working together we will get through this. We will be in touch again soon.

Sincerely,

Janet Murguía

Source: UnidosUS

Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal appoints Tom Puntel as new Director of Sales & Marketing

Meetings, Travel

A leader in the hospitality industry with a proven track record of leading sales, luxury marketing, and revenue management teams, Tom Puntel will lead the commercial strategy of the recently transitioned Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal in his new role as director of sales & marketing.

“We are pleased to welcome Tom to the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal family,” said General Manager Fernando Flores. “His extensive knowledge of the luxury hospitality market will help us reach new heights during this exciting time, following the celebration of our 10th anniversary last year and the completion of our transition into Mexico’s first Waldorf Astoria resort.”

Puntel brings over 25 years of experience in hospitality to his new role having held positions as regional director of revenue management and director of sales, marketing and events at Hyatt Hotels, and most recently as vice president of sales and marketing at East West Hospitality. As Director of Sales and Marketing at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Puntel will lead the team’s efforts with a focus on luxury direct sales with individual travelers and groups while aligning marketing and PR efforts with the Waldorf Astoria brand team.  Collaborating with various stakeholders and internal team members to achieve sales and marketing goals is a fulfilling endeavor for Puntel, who thrives on engagement and teamwork.

Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, previously known as The Resort at Pedregal, debuted in September 2019 as the brand’s first resort to open in Mexico. Situated on Cabo San Lucas’ most coveted parcel of land – an extraordinary, 24-acre site at the southernmost tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula – the exclusive haven, accessible by Mexico’s only privately-owned Dos Mares tunnel, creates a strong sense of privacy and arrival, just minutes from bustling downtown Cabo San Lucas. This year, the elite resort has been named a Forbes Five-Star Hotel for fourth consecutive year and has received a Forbes Five Star Spa rating for its onsite spa, now named Waldorf Astoria Spa, for the third consecutive year. Featuring 115 guest rooms, the luxury resort is known for its curated Beyond the Beach curated excursions, expansive suites with ocean views and private plunge pools, elevated dining, holistic spa treatments and True Waldorf Astoria Service. 

Source: Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal

Apple Leisure Group and HOTEL expand partnership with new resort in Tulum, Mexico

Meetings, Travel

AMResorts®, an Apple Leisure Group® brand, and Grupo Hotelero Santa Fe, one of the leaders of Mexico’s hotel industry, announced today a new resort management deal that will bring Breathless® Resorts & Spas to Tulum.

AMResorts will oversee brand management, sales and marketing of the resort, while HOTEL will be responsible for operating the property. ALG is the world’s top seller of vacation packages to Mexico, Dominican Republic and Jamaica, and one of the largest to the Caribbean, from the U.S., moving 2.3 million passengers annually to these regions.

“Our strong relationship with Grupo Hotelero Santa Fe demonstrates ALG is the right resort brand management partner for owners seeking to maximize their investments through our powerful distribution channels,” said Javier Coll, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of ALG. “As Tulum welcomed more than 300,000 visitors* this summer alone, we are excited to expand our presence in one of Mexico’s top travel destinations.”

Breathless Tulum Resort & Spa, a Grand Tourism category resort as designated by the Mexican Secretary of Tourism, is slated to open in 2021 and will be comprised of 300 suites offering the brand’s Unlimited-Luxury® vacation concept where everything is included: gourmet dining, 24-hour room and concierge services, an unlimited premium beverage program, daily refreshed mini bar, daytime activities, live nighttime entertainment, included taxes and gratuities, and more – all without wristbands. The property will also boast a stunning beach club that will raise the bar to a new level in the entire region.

Source: AMResorts

Sage Hospitality Group Welcomes Daniel del Olmo as President of Sage Hotel Management

Meetings, Travel

Sage Hospitality Group, one of the nation’s leading hospitality investment, development and management companies, announced today that Daniel del Olmo has joined Sage as president of the company’s hotel management arm. In this role, del Olmo will have comprehensive oversight of Sage Hotel Management’s hotel and restaurant operations. He will be tasked with creating and executing strategies that strengthen and grow the division, as well as meeting all operational and financial goals.

“Daniel is an exemplary leader with a proven track record and expertise in leading hotel and restaurant operations to success,” said Sage Hospitality Group’s President and CEO Walter Isenberg. “He also demonstrates a passion for being on the pioneering edge of the hospitality industry, and I sincerely look forward to his contributions to our portfolio and our teams.”

Del Olmo is a senior hospitality executive with extensive experience in global business strategy, brand management, hotel/restaurant operations and business development. His expansive career includes an 11-year tenure with Wyndham Hotel Group in multiple senior and executive level roles, including Senior Vice President & Managing Director for Latin America, where he managed a portfolio of more than 115 hotels and seven brands in 11 countries.

“For years, I have admired Walter and the talented team at Sage Hospitality Group for the genuine dedication to the communities that Sage hotels and restaurants serve and for their innovative and highly relevant approach to lifestyle hospitality,” Del Olmo said. “I am both humbled and honored to join the team at such a critical juncture and am thrilled about the opportunity that lies ahead.”

Del Olmo joins Sage Hospitality at an exciting time of growth, with a number of development projects in the pipeline that will add to the company’s dynamic portfolio of more than 50 hotels across the U.S. Current projects under development include the Milwaukee Athletic Club in Milwaukee, WI, and two projects in Denver – one at McGregor Square near Coors Field and another in the RiNo Art District. To learn more about Sage Hospitality Group’s growing portfolio of hotels and restaurants, visit sagehospitality.com.

SOURCE Sage Hospitality

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