UNITE HERE union workers in San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, San Jose, Honolulu and Maui are holding strike authorization votes on Marriott properties across the U.S. The votes will determine whether union workers can move forward with a strike in each city. This article will be updated with voting results as they are announced so be sure to check back in for updates!

Omni Hotels & Resorts launched a new meeting planner loyalty program modeled after its Omni Select Guest program, which awards amenities and tier levels for free stays for planner activity. The program was announced August 20, 2018 at ASAE’s Annual Meeting & Exposition in Chicago.

Now a year-round destination, Epic Discovery is Vail Mountain’s playground, with ziplining, summer tubing, a mountain coaster and miles of trails for hiking and biking. This wasn’t my summer vacation, but rather part of a Marriott Convention & Resort Network (CRN) press trip in Colorado. Over the three days, we saw meeting space, amenities and group offerings at the collection’s properties in the state—including the soon-to-open Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center.

The TWA Hotel is gearing up for its spring 2019 opening at John F. Kennedy International Airport by offering planners a first look at its 50,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces. The overall project, led by MCR and MORSE Development, is restoring and reimagining Eero Saarinen’s landmark 1962 TWA Flight Center at JFK Airport and transforming it into a 512-room hotel.

Late founder Bill Kimpton, who held heartfelt compassion for his guests, would be proud. Holding a commanding position in D.C., its top market for nearly two decades, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants offers some 55,000 square feet of combined space in 11 Capital Region properties, including flagship Hotel Topaz (2001) in D.C. and Lorien Hotel & Spa in Old Town Alexandria.

AccorHotels signed an agreement to acquire 85 percent of 21c Museum Hotels, an award-winning hospitality management company that melds the hotel world with a museum experience. The 21c company features a multi-venue contemporary art museum, boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants, with 11 properties currently open and under development across the U.S.

Marriott International is merging its three customer loyalty programs August 18, 2018, according to the company. On that date, Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) programs will be combined into one program.

Marriott International unveiled a new vision for Sheraton Hotels and Resorts. The brand announced its new look will transform the lobby and public areas into gathering places for locals and guests.

In December 2018, the newest Gaylord Hotels property and latest member to Marriott’s Convention & Resort Network is set to open its doors. Just after leaving the Denver International Airport you can’t miss the massive structure standing alone in the distance that will soon debut as the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center. Less than 20 miles from downtown Denver, the resort offers easy access to and from the airport, downtown Denver and the outdoor playground that are the Rocky Mountains.

Floating 5,200 feet above ground in a basket with 15 other people is not how I usually spend Saturday mornings. As we pulled up to the open field in Temecula, California, before 6 a.m. and I watched a large red balloon to inflate to the equivalent of an 11-story building, I wasn’t sure why I had committed to this excursion. Once the initial anxiety wore off, I was able to enjoy the calm ride and serene views of the vineyards below and surrounding mountains.