Attendees Network At Largest One-Day Expo In Meetings Industry

WASHINGTON, DC — As the 2010 Springtime Expo came to a conclusion on May 27, nearly 4,000 meeting and industry professionals covered the floor at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center during the largest one-day meeting in the hospitality industry. Attendees walked away enriched with new knowledge on meetings management from the education sessions, and new business contacts and solutions from the expo hall.

The total number of 3,908 participants included 2,030 attendees and 1,878 exhibitors who represented 538 exhibiting companies. The ratio at the expo hall was a solid 52 percent of buyers (association staff) to 48 percent sellers (industry partners).

At the opening brunch keynote session, Janine Driver, founder, president and lead instructor for the Body Language Institute, spoke about nonverbal communications and how people express their thoughts and feelings without saying a word. For the first time, two education sessions were added to the afternoon portion of the expo to add additional value for meeting professionals.

“There is nothing better than networking at face-to-face events like Springtime,” said ASAE & The Center President and CEO John H. Graham IV, CAE. “Springtime is the biggest one-day show in the meetings industry and a great opportunity for exhibitors and members of the association community to connect, develop new contacts and learn about new association services. With lots of great energy throughout the day, this year’s event was clearly a success. Thanks to everyone for the continued support of this pivotal gathering.” www.asaecenter.org

New Projects Revitalize St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, MO — According to the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission, downtown St. Louis continues to reinvent itself with new development projects currently underway.

Historic buildings in the Gateway City’s central business district are undergoing transformations that will add new life and new visitors to the America’s Center convention complex district.

The Laurel, a 630,000-square-foot development adjacent to America’s Center, will be transformed into a 212-room Embassy Suites Hotel, apartments and street-level retail. These new projects are part of the Gateway City’s continued revitalization, joining such recent additions to the local hospitality package as the new Moonrise Hotel, River City Casino, and the Four Seasons Hotel. The 135-room Moonrise Hotel features the Rooftop Bar and the Eclipse restaurant.

Missouri’s only Four Seasons hotel offers 200 guest rooms, a 12,000-square-foot spa, a fitness center, pool, a 24-hour business center and restaurant Cielo. The former Adam’s Mark Hotel has been renovated and rebranded as the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch. The hotel underwent a $63 million building-wide renovation, and the 910-room property serves as a signature group and convention-oriented destination hotel for St. Louis’ business, convention and leisure visitor market. The former Hyatt Regency at Union Station is now the St. Louis Union Station Marriott. The hotel will undergo a $25 million restoration including all guest rooms, meeting space and public space, and add 20,000 square feet to the current floor plan. Included in the restoration will be the relocation of the front entrance, a new lobby, lounge and restaurant, which will all be street level and has undergone an $8 million upgrade of its garden rooms and a $1.2 million renovation to its historic Regency Club rooms. www.explorestlouis.com.

Boston And Cambridge Recognized As Top U.S. Destination For International Association Meetings

BOSTON, MA— For the second consecutive year, Boston and Cambridge have been named the Top Destination in the United States for International Association Meetings by the International Congress and Convention Association. In 2009, Boston and Cambridge hosted a record 36 international meetings, making it the No. 1 destination for international association meetings in the U.S.

“This top ranking is the result of the bureau’s partnerships targeting the international association meetings market,” said Patrick B. Moscaritolo, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB). “The GBCVB and Cambridge Office for Tourism continue to collaborate on programs to grow our international market share. Clearly, as this top ranking and overall growth in 2009 once again demonstrates, our dedicated sales and marketing campaign is paying dividends.”

The GBCVB’s overall international meetings campaign initiative revolves around partnerships that have been developed with the Cambridge Office for Tourism, Boston and Cambridge hotel members, Massport, the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, and the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. Campaign elements include attendance at international trade shows, such as IMEX and EIBTM, sales missions with GBCVB members, educational trips and dedicated staff to head up the overall sales and marketing effort. www.bostonusa.com

Sullivan Marks 20 Years At Colorado Springs CVB

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Terry Sullivan, the president and CEO of the Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, which markets itself as Experience Colorado Springs, recently marked his 20th service anniversary, Sullivan also announced his intention to retire at the end of this year. Sullivan’s career experiences include extensive sales and marketing in airline management and resort marketing in the Caribbean and Mexico. In addition to his tourism background, he was an Army aviator in Vietnam followed by service in the National Guard and Army Reserves. He is rated as a Master Aviator with approximately 3,000 flying hours.

Under his leadership, Sullivan consistently garnered awards for the CVB, including The Governor’s 2005 Tourism Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution to Colorado Tourism. In 2006, he was elected to serve as the president of the Tourism Industry Association of Colorado.

Described as a dedicated leader and a tremendous asset to the community, Sullivan has drawn praise for bringing credibility and recognition to the Colorado hospitality industry. His stated goals included pursuing an increased air-service network, attracting more sports-related events to the Pikes Peak region and assuring the development of a community infrastructure that will meet the future needs of a growing and healthy tourism industry.

“With my 20-year anniversary approaching in July, it’s difficult to sum up all that it means to be a part of the travel and tourism industry,” said Sullivan. “I’ve seen some tremendous things take place at the state level as well as in the Pikes Peak region. General William Jackson Palmer built this area in 1871 with the grand vision of creating a world-class resort town. I’ve endeavored to carry on that vision throughout my tenure. With scenery such as Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, Garden of the Gods Park and Seven Falls, over 50 attractions and a wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities, we have plenty to appeal to family, group and business travelers. To be part of a sector that employs 14,000 of our citizens, generates over $100 in economic activity for every $1 invested, and provides special and lasting memories to the 6 million visitors we welcome each year is a special and fulfilling responsibility. It has been an honor and a privilege to lead the Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau for these past 20 years,” Sullivan concluded. www.visitcos.com

New Amphitheater Opens In Raleigh

The Raleigh Amphitheater. © RDP3 Photography

RALEIGH, NC — The Raleigh Amphitheater recently opened across the street from the Raleigh Convention Center, which is now flanked by the amphitheater to the west, the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts to the south and Marriott and Sheraton hotels to the east.

“Bringing a meeting to Raleigh means landing in the middle of incredible resources and energy,” said director of marketing Laurie Okun. “Four fantastic resources now share a four-block radius — our convention center, our performing arts center, our hotels and our amphitheater. With our bustling downtown and nearby universities, it doesn’t get more dynamic than Raleigh.”

The 5,500-seat Raleigh Amphitheater is beside the convention center’s signature Cree Shimmer Wall (a massive LED-illuminated attraction pictured above) and beneath the bright lights of downtown’s tallest buildings. www.raleighconvention.com