Sign up for our newswire newsletter

 

Schrager Launches Hotel Brand in Chicago

Meetings Focus - the Destination Experts
Meetings MidAmerica Newsline
MAY 26, 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
Schrager Launches Hotel Brand in Chicago
Hotelier Ian Schrager announced plans for Public, a new luxury hotel brand that will have its first location in Chicago's iconic Ambassador East.
Read more »
Hotel Profits Rose in 2010
After two years of declining profits, U.S. hotels enjoyed a 9.8 percent bottom line increase in 2010, according to a new report from PKF Hospitality Research.
Read more »
U.S. Chamber Supports Travel Coalition
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced its support for the Discover America Partnership, a new coalition of industry organizations, including U.S. Travel Association and American Hotel and Lodgin Association, designed to advance visa and entry reforms for international travelers.
Read more »
Rising Costs Drive Up Biz Travel Budgets
Rising airfares and hotel rates are leading to an increase in corporate travel budgets, according to a recent survey of North American travel buyers by the GBTA Research Foundation.
Read more »
 
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  

Central Illinois

Cultural and Compelling

By KATIE MORELL

With everything from Abraham Lincoln sights to Chicago's world-renowned architecture, Illinois is one of the Midwest's most intriguing destinations when it comes to history and culture.
The central part of the state is no exception, with a wealth of off-site venues for groups seeking unique places to convene. From Springfield to Decatur and Peoria to Bloomington, groups are sure to find a venue to suit their tastes. Following are 10 great choices for discovering a bit of Illinois history and culture.

Read more about Central Illinois…
 
Subscribe Today!
Click here

Don't miss out on a wealth of information that will make your job as a meeting planner more efficient and rewarding, such as:

  • Planning information you can actually utilize with articles on new properties, expansions and interesting facilities
  • Feature stories that deliver crucial meetings information to help improve your performance
  • Programs and packages that will save valuable meetings dollars and make you invaluable

Now available in digital, subscribe today.

 
Site Scene

Going Green

"R" You Saving Green?

By NANCY J. ZAVADA

Sustainable meeting strategies are just another filter for decision-making—strategies that can save you valuable time, money and human resources. Purchasing is at the heart of your ability to successfully produce a green meeting that will save you money, so using the framework of rethink, reduce, reuse and recycle in a methodical approach will maximize results. Let's take a look at each of what I call the "4 R's."

1. Rethink
Haven't we all been rethinking our events lately? We still need to connect, educate and inform our participants—but what is the best way given current economic, societal and environmental considerations? Whether or not you have been using green practices, you have most likely been very strategic in your development of meetings. Rethinking is key because if there is a way to eliminate it from the beginning there will be no need to reduce, reuse or recycle it!

Read more Going Green »

Short Takes

Event Calendar

Chicago will host the third-annual Lincoln Park Arts & Music Festival from July 16-17. The works of nearly 100 juried artists will be a highlight at this year's festival, located in the heart of the upscale Lincoln Park/DePaul neighborhood. The festival will also feature an eclectic music stage lineup and food vendors. For more information, call 773.868.3010. MFMA

Read more Short Takes »

Past Issues
Vegas Veteran Tapped to Sell Chicago - 05/19/2011
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
 
Click Here
 

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."

Click here to view.

 
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.
 
ROE is the new ROI
Click here
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
For years, producing excellent live meetings, on budget and with some basic evaluation tools, was enough for most of us to be successful. But with the recent economic meltdown, the advance of technology, the hassles of travel and the poverty of time, the drum beat is loud and strong that knowing your Return on Event (ROE) and using it as a planning tool is critical to your success.

Sponsored by: Visit Hershey Meeting.

Visit our webinar page to register or learn more.