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Vegas Veteran Tapped to Sell Chicago

Meetings Focus - the Destination Experts
Meetings MidAmerica Newsline
MAY 19, 2011
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Industry News
Vegas Veteran Tapped to Sell Chicago
The Chicago Convention & Tourism Board hired Michael Tarr, formerly with the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, to serve as its vice president, convention sales.
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IMEX Poll Shows Meetings Optimism
According to the second IMEX America Index of Optimism poll of North American buyers and suppliers, meetings market confidence is on the rise and the outlook for the worldwide meetings, incentive travel and events industry appears brighter than at any time over the past year.
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Michigan Hotel Gets Sheraton Brand
Following an $8.5 million renovation, the 197-room Ann Arbor Four Points by Sheraton was rebranded as the Sheraton Ann Arbor Hotel.
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Hyatt Regency Chicago Completes Major Redo
The Hyatt Regency Chicago wrapped up a $90 million renovation that included a remodeling of the hotel's 2,019 guest rooms and suites.
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MeetingsFocusForum.com
Click here 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!

 
Featured Story
Detroit Metro  

Minneapolis/Saint Paul Metro

Matchless Metro

By PAUL D. KRETKOWSKI

Minneapolis and Saint Paul are as diverse and vibrant as Midwestern meetings metros get. Together, they mix Upper Midwest hospitality with urbane beauty, big corporate headquarters with tiny gourmet restaurants, and plentiful meeting spaces with precious art and artifacts in dozens of museums and galleries.

They are Minnesota's commercial and political capitals, respectively, and face each other across the Mississippi River. Though their combined population is not quite 700,000, the Twin Cities anchor a metropolitan area of nearly 3.5 million—meaning roughly two-thirds of Minnesota's population lives just a short drive from either of the two downtowns.

Read more about Minneapolis/Saint Paul Metro…
 
DMAI's Destinations Showcase
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Find the perfect location for your upcoming meetings at DMAI's Destinations Showcase. This one-day event takes place June 2--just minutes from O'Hare International Airport--and features a unique expo comprised of destinations from across the U.S. and beyond. What's more, enjoy breakout sessions, a keynote luncheon, unlimited networking, and the opportunity to earn up to 3.5 CMP credits.

Register for complimentary admission or apply for our Hosted Buyer program at www.DestinationsShowcase.com. Priority code: DS910S.

 
Site Scene

Happenings - Minneapolis/Saint Paul Metro

Minneapolis

• At press time, Kimpton Hotels was slated to finish a renovation of the Grand Hotel Minneapolis (612.288.8888) in mid-May. The initiative includes enhancements to the hotel's 140 guest rooms, corridors, lobby and other areas.

The Doubletree Guest Suites Minneapolis (612.332.6800) is nearing completion on a renovation that includes work on its rooms, lobby restaurant and entrance.

• In late June, the 821-room Hilton Minneapolis (612.376.1000) will begin a $350,000 renovation of its restaurant space to create a 3,500-square-foot ballroom. The property has also renovated its executive-level lounge and several meeting rooms.

Read more about Happenings – Minneapolis/Saint Paul Metro »

New at Meetings Focus:

Focus People

Focus People is an informal grouping of meetings industry regulars that includes frequent site visitors, contributing writers and Meetings Focus staffers. Come on in and see if you know anyone, or sign up and join our group yourself! Focus People

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Past Issues
Luxury Hotel Set for Mall of America - 05/12/2011
Sheraton Set for Peoria, Ill. - 05/05/2011
SMG to Manage McCormick Place - 04/28/2011
Convention Center Under Way in Iowa - 04/21/2011
Biz Travel Rebound Higher Than Expected - 04/14/2011
Indianapolis CVB Names New CEO - 03/31/2011
Detroit Plans Major Cobo Center Revamp - 03/17/2011
ASAE Launches Power Week - 03/10/2011
Chicago CTB Announces Key Appointments - 03/03/2011
Carlson Hotels Launches Loyalty Program - 2/24/2011
 
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LATEST VIDEOS
Meetings: On Location!

JW Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton

Eric Whitson, the National Conference Center's director of sales & marketing, said that both the hospitality industry and conference center segment are starting "Rev it up."

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Meetings Focus Poll
When deciding whether or not to accept a meal invitation or gift from a vendor, what do you do?
Go online to give us your opinion.
 
Technology: The Latest Meetings Tech Tools
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Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Keeping up with technology can seem like an endless task…because it's just that! Luckily, there are experts here to tip you off to the most important tech tools to focus on and which ones you may not need to spend as much time learning.

Sponsored by: Visit Raleigh, South San Francisco Conference Center, Marriott Kansas City Downtown, Kingston Resorts, Las Vegas Hilton, Charlotte's Got A Lot, Lowes Coronado Bay San Diego, Lowes Atlanta Hotel and Visit San Antonio.

Visit our webinar page to register or learn more.