Sign up for our newswire newsletter

 

Convention Hotel Set for Birmingham, Ala.

Click Here
Meetings Focus - the Destination Experts
Meetings South Newsline
JANUARY 20, 2011
View the most recent Digital Editions View upcoming Webinars View Destination, News and Tip Videos
View Facility Listings View Facility Hot Deals Get Connected with Social Media
Industry News
Convention Hotel Set for Birmingham, Ala.
A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled Jan. 24 for a 300-room Westin hotel and entertainment district to be part of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.
Read more »
NBTA Predicts Rising Travel Spend
Business travel spending is expected to increase by 5 percent in 2011, according to a quarterly outlook report issued by the NBTA Foundation, the research arm of the National Business Travel Association.
Read more »
Hilton in Talks for New Savannah CC Hotel
Hilton Worldwide is negotiating with the authority that oversees the Savannah [Ga.] International Trade and Convention Center to operate a 500-room convention hotel, according to a report in the Savannah Morning News.
Read more »
HSMAI Sets Affordable Meetings Agenda
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International announced the dates for its upcoming Affordable Meetings conference series this year.
Read more »
 
Bay Pointe Marriott Resort
Visit our Sponsor Situated on a 1,100-acre wildlife sanctuary and boasting over 40,000 square feet of function space, the Bay Pointe Marriott Resort in Panama City Beach, Fla., is an ideal place for any conference or retreat! Enjoy breathtaking views of the pristine, protected St. Andrew's Bay, two 18-hole golf courses, a full-service spa and four on-site dining options. For a limited time, take advantage of our Perk Up Your Meeting promotion offering a variety of perks for your next meeting.

For more information, click here.

 
Featured Story
Northwest Florida  

Northwest Florida

Fabulous Find

By LISA SIMUNDSON

What a surprise! That might be the sentiment group members express the next time you take them to Northwest Florida, known for its sugar-white beaches but prized for its lesser-known treasures.

No matter where you land on the peninsula's "panhandle" region, which includes the capital city of Tallahassee and the state's westernmost metropolis, Pensacola, the unexpected is waiting just beyond the familiar activities and attractions.

Read more about Northwest Florida ...

 
Sandestin
Visit our Sponsor Everything You Want in a Meeting—and More. For less! Sandestin packs in value with a host of complimentary amenities. The new Have a Ball and Have it All promotion offers big discounts for meetings and many added-value benefits. Forget about the laundry list of options most packages are offering right now and have it all with a host of value-added items, including complimentary continental breakfast, 15 percent off banquet menus, 15 percent off audiovisual pricing and much more.

For more information, click here.

 
Site Scene

Short Takes

Attractions

Plans are moving forward to build a more than $40 million Water Magic attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Construction is slated to start early this year with a targeted opening by summer 2013. More than a waterpark, Water Magic will offer myriad water attractions. The first stop for visitors will be Emporium Square, a two-story atrium with a kaleidoscope of water-driven gadgetry such as fountains synchronized to music. The Water Theater will feature water-based productions and guests will even be able to orchestrate their own water symphonies. The entire attraction will recycle its water as well. For more information, call 865.453.8574 .

Read more Short Takes »

Site Scene

Oklahoma

The former 455-key Crowne Plaza Tulsa is wrapping up a renovation and has been converted to a Hyatt Regency. Featuring 38,000 square feet of conference facilities, the Hyatt Regency Tulsa offers a new day spa. For more information, call 918.582.9000.

Read more Site Scene »

 
MeetingsFocusForum.com
Visit our Sponsor Log on now and get in on the conversation with Joan Eisenstodt, industry education leader, and your fellow meeting planners. Talk about planning issues, destination dilemmas, issues with contracts, ROI, CSR and more. Just join in, post your question, and we know you'll find the answer!

MeetingsFocusForum.com is live!

 
Past Issues

PCMA Names Cities for Future Conferences - 01/13/2011
Georgia WCC Hires Sustainability Guru - 01/06/2011
Orlando CVB Becomes Visit Orlando - 12/29/2010
Ground Breaks on Jekyll Island CC - 12/15/2010
Dallas Hilton Unveils Major Redo - 12/08/2010
ASAE Purchases Convene Green Alliance - 12/02/2010
Memphis CVB to Manage Convention Center - 11/30/2010
Gaylord Opryland Reopens - 11/17/2010
Marriott, Hilton Chart Ambitious Growth - 11/10/2010
Feds to Establish Virtual Meeting Centers - 11/03/2010

 
Click here
 

LATEST VIDEOS
Meetings: On Location!

Deborah Sexton
Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson caught up with PCMA President & CEO Deborah Sexton, who presided over a Convening Leaders annual convention that boasted the highest attendance in the history of the association, and also featured the first co-partnered Virtual Edge Summit.
 
Meetings Focus Poll
Compared to 2010, how do you expect your attendance to fare in 2011?
Go online to give us your opinion >>
 
Corporate Social Responsibility: "Good" Business Practices
Click here
Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011
Join Meetings Focus and nationally acclaimed author and speaker Tim Sanders—probably the foremost authority on CSR meetings programs—for this webinar examining the latest CSR trends and how you can communicate the importance of these programs to the stakeholders in your organization.

Sponsored by: Cedar Rapids Area CVB, Marriott Kansas City Downtown, Wisconsin Dells, The Inn on Fifth and Hotel Contessa.

Visit our webinar page to register or learn more.

 

Meetings South
Hot Deals

Mobile, AL
Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa
$139
3/13/2011 - 3/15/2011
Destin, FL
Seascape Golf, Beach & Tennis Resort
$150
3/5/2011 - 3/12/2011
Point Clear, AL
Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa
$149
3/20/2011 - 3/31/2011