What’s happening in your part of the world when it comes to events, destinations, promotions, travel, and trends? In my active commitments with Meeting Professionals International and International Live Events Association, I hear positivity that business has been bursting with bookings for the past few months. Companies are eager to host events, groups want to meet in person, and people are being recalled back into offices. What I see personally is a bit of a different story. I hear about layoffs or industry folk unable to find work in their specialty. As a psychic who works corporate and social events, I see gigs cancelled, pay levels offered for less than I worked for many years ago (and won’t do), and events that do occur are on a smaller scale. I also see people pretending that Covid-19 has disappeared, when I personally know many people or friends/family members across the globe suffering from it. Which is why I am asking: what is happening in your neighborhood?

HOT DEALS!

Valentine’s Day may not be celebrated across the world, but at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort (Los Cabos, Mexico), love is always in the air. The all-inclusive adults-only beachfront resort encourages couples’ loving commitments with a Romance Package that must be booked by February 28 but is good for use through December 19. The Romance Package can be boosted with enhanced amenities, but here are just some of the amenities included with the original offer. Couples massage, a bottle of sparkling wine waiting in-room on arrival, private dinner for two on the beach, a guided tequila or mezcal mixology session, and a keepsake glass heart made by the San Miguel Blown Glass Factory from recycled bottles sourced from Pueblo Bonito Resorts, completing a circle of sustainability.

www.pueblobonito.com;  (800) 990-8259

Maybe the name of iconic Inn on Fifth & Club Level Suites’ new “To the Nines” package should have had the word “opulence” included in the title. If you are seeking to have a vacation that is “to the moon and back” luxurious, check out this offer that is available until May 31, 2023. The Naples, FL boutique property is offering luxury experiences that showcase the best of the Naples lifestyle. Designed for two, the package centers on a three-night stay in either the King Supreme Suite or the elegant Presidential Suite, both with spacious verandahs overlooking Fifth Avenue South. Club Level amenities include deluxe continental breakfast each morning, chef-driven hors d’oeuvres, artisan cheese & charcuterie boards, full bar and desserts each evening in the Club Level lounge, as well as a personal concierge, secluded rooftop retreat, turndown service and more. The “To the Nines” package includes an hour-long private helicopter tour of the Florida Gold Coast; a two-hour sunset cruise aboard Sweet Liberty, a sleek 53-foot catamaran; dinner ($300 dining credit) at Ocean Prime Naples; and use of a luxury car for a self-guided day tour of the area. The package also includes chauffeured transportation to and from Southwest Florida Regional Airport or Naples Airport, and an array of Club Level amenities. The Inn on Fifth & Club Level Suites is a AAA Four-Diamond, Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star property.

www.InnOnFifth.com; (239) 403-8777

HFTP INCREASING PARTNERSHIPS AND OFFERINGS

The Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) has added two new cities to its convention roster, collocating with the Hospitality sales and Marketing Association International Commercial Strategy Week. The new dates and times for the 2024 and 2024 dates for the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) are as follows: June 24-27, 2024, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC and June 16-19, 2025 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. “We look forward to co-locating HSMAI’s Commercial Strategy events with HITEC,” said Robert A. Gilbert, President and CEO, HSMAI. “We think that the opportunity to bring together commercial leaders from hotel brands, management companies, and ownership groups with their technology and finance peers provides a unique time for them to collaborate and look at potential solutions for their future success.” HFTP has also signed a 10-year agreement to jointly produce the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI). The USALI is used all over the world as the “standard” for hospitality accounting, and today’s announcement reverses HFTP’s decision earlier this year to publish the next USALI edition without AHLA’s formal involvement. AHLA and HFTP have reengaged the joint Global Finance Committee that is responsible for creating content for USALI’s 12th edition – to be released in 2023 – as well as all subsequent editions. “After our decision to publish on our own, many in the industry contacted both HFTP and AHLA to see if we could find a way to work together,” said Frank Wolfe, CAE, HFTP’s CEO. “Both organizations had the willingness to work together, but like any business deal the decision was in the details. Associations are a bit different animal than corporate enterprises. Today we may work together on one project and tomorrow will be dead on competitors so there were lots of details to refine. The good news is that both organizations worked exceptionally hard to put those competitive differences aside and advance the industry.”

www.hftp.org; www.hsmai.org; www.ahla.com

CALL FOR SPEAKERS

The 29th Annual Florida Festivals & Events Association Conference (August 22-24 in Bonita Springs, FL at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point) is seeking speakers. They want
inspiration and actionable insights for our attendees.” The audience ranges from Municipalities to non-profits to Independent Event Planners. Successful past topics have included sponsorship recruitment and retention, marketing and social media strategies, event operations and logistics, volunteer management, technology and professional development. FFEA event attendees are event management professionals and industry suppliers. Members attend to both improve their careers through professional development and to gain fresh perspective and new ideas for their events. There are three types of sessions: Breakout Session – 75 minutes (can be presentation, case study, panel, etc); Learning Roundtables – 30 minutes; and Microsessions – three slides, three minutes per slide. February 22 is the deadline for speaker applications. March 12, speakers are notified of acceptance.

https://www.ffea.com/p/convention/call-for-speakers; https://cdn.saffire.com/files.ashx?t=fg&rid=FFEA&f=Speaker_Agreement_Terms_and_Conditions(7).pdf; https://www.ffea.com/p/convention/agenda-registration. (407) 203-1334; info@ffea.com

$500 DISCOUNT FOR TRYING EVENTENY

First-time Eventeny planners who sign-up for the annual Eventeny Pro Plan by February 10 are eligible to receive $500 off the first year’s subscription. Must meet with an Eventeny rep to apply the promotion. Offer cannot be combined with another promotion or offer. Questions or to book: marketing@eventeny.com.

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2023 ENTREPRENEUR 20X NORTH AMERICA

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), producers of the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), has opened the application process for the North American Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) start-up pitch competition that will be held June 28, 2023 at HITEC North America in Toronto, Canada. Deadline to apply is March 15. Established in 2015, E20X gives innovative hospitality technology startups an opportunity to pitch their cutting-edge ideas to a room full of HITEC attendees and a panel of expert judges. Two awards will be presented to the top competitors: the Judges’ Choice Award, selected by the panel of judges, and the People’s Choice Award, selected by popular vote. The application asks potential participants for company details including a business description and history; as well as how their solution relates to hospitality and its competitive landscape. Applicants are also asked to submit a three-minute pitch video. There is a $200 USD application fee. Selected participants will have access to a team of mentors before the competition. Additionally, 2023 competitors will be given space in the E20X pavilion in the HITEC exhibit hall June 27–29 to demonstrate their solution to HITEC attendees. HFTP will also hold an E20X competition in 2023 at HITEC Dubai at The Hotel Show Dubai, May 23-24, located at the Dubai World Trade Center. HITEC North America will take place on June 26–29 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto. HITEC is the world’s largest hospitality technology exposition and conference. It offers a unique combination of top-notch hospitality technology education, led by industry peers and experts, and an unparalleled trade show showcasing the latest hospitality technology products and services.

www.hftp.org.

PUEBLO BONITTO IS OVER THE MOON FOR PREGNANT MOMS-TO-BE

Pueblo Bonito knows expectant women need a pampering vacation before the realities of sleepless nights and free time fly away to the tune of lullabies and the drone of The Baby Shark song. The Los Cabos, Mexico deluxe all-inclusive, couples-only Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort has a soothing solution. They are offering a Blissful Babymoon Package. “We’ve created this package to cater to millennials, a key generation roughly 26 to 41 years of age, who have a tendency to spend money on experiences rather than material possessions,” said René Virgilio, general manager of Pueblo Bonito Pacifica. The four-night, five-day package features the option of a deluxe guest room at Pacifica or a private pool suite in The Towers, the luxury accommodations within the resort hotel. Included in the package of amenities are private transportation from and back to the Los Cabos International Airport (arrival and departure), an all-inclusive guest room and food & beverage program, including specialty ‘mocktails’; welcome signage (in room and with amenity); and a special gift (baby booties, logo onesie newborn pajamas). There will also be an expectant mother massage and couples massage at the wellness inspired Armonia Spa, spa man-pedi for the mother-to-be; access to cabana beach beds, with butler service; and a private chef’s dinner for two on the beach. Additionally, there will be exclusive access to Quivira Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course (one tee time); mini-maternity sunset photo shoot (15 fully edited images); and all taxes and gratuities. The package is available through April 2023.

FESTIVALS

May 25-29, 2023: The world’s largest tribute to The Beatles, Abbey Road on the River returns to the Big Four Station Park in Jeffersonville, IN. Already scheduled

are Legends Live! Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals (“Good Lovin,” “I’ve Been Lonely Too Long,” “Groovin,” “A Beautiful Morning,” “A Girl Like You,” and “People Got to Be Free.”) and Micky Dolenz of The Monkees (“Daydream Believer,” “Last Train to Clarksville,” “I’m a Believer,” and many more.) The 2023 line-up also includes Tony Kishman, creator and band leader of Live and Let Die, a full multimedia experience with five multi-talented musicians paying tribute to the music of Paul McCartney. Other headlining acts include Colombia’s Classicstone performing hits from Queen, The Beatles, and more, and Chicago’s BritBeat: A Tribute to the Beatles.  More than 50 bands from around the world will perform at event, including homegrown Kentuckiana acts Erin Hill, Laren Rapp and Co., DoorWay, Nick Peay, The Rigby’s, Mary’s Dad’s Band, CMN Trio and The School of Rock. Abbey Road on the River is sponsored by the City of Jeffersonville Parks Department, Southern Indiana Tourism, WAVE, The Radisson Hotel, The Sheraton Hotel, Budweiser, Seagrams 7, Clark Memorial Health, The News & Tribune, and WAKY radio. www.arotr.com

May 30–July 18: The 54^th annual World Series of Poker ^® (WSOP^®) will be held for the second consecutive summer at its new home of Paris Las Vegas and the future Horseshoe Las Vegas.  The 54^th annual edition of the tournament builds onto the legacy of Caesars Entertainment’s WSOP, as the first tournament was played at the original Horseshoe Las Vegas in 1970. “The historic debut of the WSOP on the Las Vegas Strip delivered in a big way, and we’re excited to announce our Summer 2023 dates in time for the holidays,” said World Series of Poker Senior Vice President and Executive Director Ty Stewart. The 2023 WSOP schedule will feature the always anticipated $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em World Championship, best known as “The Main Event^®,” along with new events and the return of timeless classics. The flagship opening event is being billed as “Mystery Millions,” a $1,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament featuring mystery bounties from $10,000 to $1 million for each knockout and a $1 million guaranteed first prize through the traditional prize pool. Last summer’s first mystery bounty event was a stunning success with a total of 14,112 entries and a $1,000,000 bounty won by poker pro Matt Glantz.
www/wsop.com

Karen Kuzsel is a writer-editor based in the Orlando area who specializes in the hospitality, entertainment, meetings & events industries.  She is an active member of International Live Events Association, Meeting Professionals International and the Society of Professional Journalists. She is now serving on the 2022-2023 MPI Independent and Small Business Owners Advisory Board. Karen writes about food & wine, spas, destinations, venues, meetings & events. A career journalist, she has owned magazines, written for newspapers, trade publications, radio and TV. As her alter-ego, Natasha, The Psychic Lady, she is a featured entertainer for corporate and social events. Karen@KarenKuzsel.com; www.karenkuzsel.com; www.ThePsychicLady.com; @karenkuzsel; @thepsychiclady.