HOT DEALS!

Romance is in the air at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico and the Pacific Ocean resort has an enticing offer if you book a stay by February 28 for travel now through December 19. The promotional Romance package is for two persons, all-inclusive. The adults-only beachfront property with each room having an ocean-view terrace or balcony, includes such amenities as sparkling wine in-room upon arrival; flower petals on the bed; a couples massage at the award-winning Armonia Spa; private dinner for two on the beach; and a golf lesson for two at Quivira Golf Club’s oceanfront practice facility. The romantic perks also include gourmet confections from El Chocolate at The Market at Quivira 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. There are different levels to the Romance package, with pricing dependent on the level and availability.

www.pueblobonito.com; (800)-990-8259

Book the recently renovated Woodlands Resort (Houston, TX) with new business by April 15 and receive double points and up to 1% rebate to the master bill for up to 100 total room nights. The more room nights, the better the incentives. Woodlands Resort is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. It has 402 rooms; 75,000 sf of meeting space divided among 55 unique venues and sits on 350 acres.

www.woodlandsresort.com/meetings/; (281) 364-6389.

Florida and Georgia residents only: Buy a 2-Park 1-Day Park-to-Park and get two days free at Universal Studios Orlando and Universal Islands of Adventure. (Hint: if you are a Harry Potter Wizarding World fan as I am, you must have tickets to both parks to receive the full experience). Must be used by June 26, 2024. Blockout dates March 25through April 6. Unused days will be forfeited. Guest must present valid proof of Florida or Georgia residency at time of purchase, ticket pick-up and redemption. This promo is only online.

www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/tickets-packages/offers/ticketoffer

Book a new meeting by March 31 at the Palm Beach Convention Center (The Palm Beaches, FL) with minimum contracted room nights of 300 rooms for two or more nights and receive up to $20 per room night. Event must be actualized by the end of 2026.

www.thepalmbeaches.com/meetings/meetings-offers

Planners who book a group for a Western River Expeditions’ rafting adventure in 2024 get the entire trip for free.  The charters are for river rafting trips in Southern Utah destinations such as Desolation Canyon and Cataract Canyon as well as through Moab. Early bird bookings have the best selection of departure dates and destinations. User-friendly links also come with supplemental trip information, all designed to make the organizer’s task stress-free. Each group member uses this private link to sign up and pay for their own reservation. “A private charter is a great option for groups ranging from extended family to corporate to non-profit. The benefit of going with your own group is the promise of building deeper bonds through shared adventures with family, co-workers, or others. Salt Lake City-based Western River Expeditions offers one of the few travel experiences that allows everyone to be doing the same thing at the same time in an extraordinary place – with absolutely no distractions,” says Brandon Lake, co-owner and CMO.
https://www.westernriver.com/group-rafting-trip; (866) 904-1160 (Local: (801) 942-6669); http://www.westernriver.com/.

The all-inclusive market in Mexico and the Caribbean just received a boost from Playa Hotels & Resorts with the completion of extensive renovations at the newly renamed Wyndham Alltra Vallarta in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. To celebrate the grand unveiling, Wyndham Alltra Vallarta if offering a 40% discount on bookings, valid for stays through December 20, 2024. Owner and operator of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean, Playa Hotels & Resorts has drawn inspiration for the property (formerly known as Wyndham Alltra Riviera Nayarit) from ancient Huichol culture. The renovation includes 159 rooms, including all Junior Suites. The Alltra VIP Club for club level guests has speeded up its semi-private check-in (and out) service, enhanced its concierge assistance and personalized cocktail service. Club guestrooms receive upgraded minibars, in-suite Nespresso coffee makers and a complimentary hydrotherapy spa experience. Five dining venues have been revamped. The brand introduces its new Agave Bar and the first Mezcaleria in the chain’s portfolio.

www.AlltraByPlaya.com; www.WyndhamAlltra.com

Book new business in a Boston or Cambridge (MA) hotel and receive a 10% rebate off the banquet master bill and 10% off all rooms booked. Here are the eligible program dates to qualify: 2024: now through 03/31/2024; 2025: 11/18/2024 – 04/17/2025; and 2026: 11/17/2025 – 03/31/2026.

sales@meetboston.com; www.meetBoston.com

Book a meeting within specified dates at Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe (Houston, TX) and receive a complimentary cruise for two on the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise or a Margaritaville Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker. Mar. 14-29; and Mar. 31-Apr. 4. What gifts you are eligible for depends on the amount spent for the booking. There are other promotional incentives, from 20% off any team building activity (sans F&B), self-parking, and complimentary meeting room rental with minimum F&B spend.

https://www.margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-lake-resort-lake-conroe/meetings-events/request-for-proposal

Check out this ‘Wealth of Wellness’ package offered by Pueblo Bonito Golf & Spa Resorts, located within the luxury residential development Quivira Los Cabos at the tip of the Baja Peninsula. The updated-for-2024-package integrates numerous wellness components available within the resort community. The exclusive five-day “Wealth of Wellness” package, available through December of 2024, includes all-inclusive F&B, two 50-minute organic massages or facials, mountain bike tour for two, use of beach cabanas with personal butler service, a cooking class for two, and shuttle service and access to sister properties, which also have all-inclusive F&B.

www.pueblobonito.com; (800) -990-8259

IT’S ALL ABOUT ROMANCE IN THE BAHAMAS TRIP CONTEST

Don’t wait any longer to enter The Bahamas’ Trip for Two Giveaway, a tailor-made experience that could win you a romantic three-day/two-night stay at Embrace Resort (nestled on the idyllic Staniel Cay in the heart of the Exumas). Deadline is February 26 to enter. The prize package also includes an Adventurous Day at Sea exploring the most iconic attractions of the Exumas, and just in case you need to relax after all the excitement, a couples spa session is included.

https://app.viralsweep.com/sweeps/full/b0cd6f-152427?framed=1

CONFERENCE PROPOSALS SOUGHT

Submit your Conference Planning Services RFP for the 16th Canadian Science Policy Conference 2024 (CSCP). Proposals are to provide event planning and coordination. The CSCP takes place in Ottawa, November 20-22^nd. CSPC’s vision is to ensure systematic connectivity between Canada’s diverse scientific enterprises and policymakers at both the bureaucracy and political levels. Application deadline is February 23.
Proposals can be submitted to info@sciencepolicy.ca

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is seeking input from industry professionals and presenters for the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) scheduled for June 24-27 in Charlotte, NC. Presentation proposals should be industry-specific and unique to HITEC, crafted for seasoned hospitality professionals. Topics may include (but are not limited to) artificial intelligence, sustainability and renewable resources, best practices regarding ethics, operational back-office solutions, and personal development. For HITEC 2024, the council is incorporating a new hybrid approach to its program planning to ensure attending professionals will have access to industry guidance of great interest. Presenters will receive a complimentary HITEC 2024 registration in exchange for speaking. They will then be responsible for their own participatory travel and hotel expenses. Applications are still being accepted to compete in the remaining two E20X contests at HITEC Charlotte and HITEC Dubai this June. Deadline is March 15.

www.education@hftp.org; e20x@hftp.org

HOSPITALITY TECH EXECS TO CONNECT WITH INVESTMENT COMMUNITY

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) introduces the HITEC Investment Conference (HITEC-IC), a new event designed to connect hospitality technology company executives with the investment community. Scheduled for June 27–28, the conference will be co-located with the 2024 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) where 325+ companies, from start-ups to established global brands, will present the latest innovative technology solutions to the hospitality industry. “HFTP continually strives to move the industry forward and aims to do so efficiently and effectively with our industry partners,” said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE. “HITEC-IC will offer an experience which creates synergies between investors and technology companies to network, learn and establish years-long relationships that present potential partnerships. These groups will represent the best of the best of the best in their respective segments — all under one roof.” An orientation and overview of hospitality technology will be presented by Floor Bleeker, group chief technology officer for ACCOR. Wolfe said, “There are some really good investment conferences being produced for the industry like The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, The Lodging Conference and ALIS which we strongly support. HITEC-IC is a very niche investment conference due to the uniqueness of hospitality technology. And with it co-located at HITEC, this is an opportunity for the investment community to observe leading hospitality technology by participating in the program’s aggregated tours of the exhibit hall.” “This event is long overdue,” said Dave Berkus, manager of four investment funds and an inductee to the HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame. “Having been involved with HFTP since 1978, but for the last 30 years focused upon private company investments, there has been no dedicated event exposing investors to this important growth segment over the years. Travel-hospitality makes up one of the largest segments of the economy. Investor focus upon this dynamic and growing cohort is long overdue.” The event is widely-supported by industry organizations through sponsorships at varying levels, begging with Platinum sponsors HSMAI, AAHOA and Hospitality Upgrade;  BLLA and ICHRIE are Bronze sponsors; and Hospitality Net is the Digital Media sponsor. HITEC-IC is an invitation-only event and has limited attendance. Individuals interested in the event can register their interest.

For questions, please send an email to hitec-ic@hftp.org

WORLD FOOD CHAMPIONSHIPS MOVES TO INDIANAPOLIS

“This is an exciting day for World Food Championships (WFC) and Food Sport in general,” commented Mike McCloud, WFC’s founder and chief operating officer. “Indianapolis is a place where champions are crowned in all types of sporting events and professional leagues. That reputation, in addition to the diverse culinary scene that has blossomed over the years, makes Indy a perfect home for our Main Event, where we crown the best cooks and chefs from around the globe in iconic categories of food.” Dates for the 12th Annual WFC, formerly held in Dallas, TX, have been set for Nov 8-12, utilizing a weekend for opening round entertainment to delight food and sporting fans alike. Finals for the event’s 12 categories will occur Monday, Nov. 11 – Tuesday, Nov 12. This multi-day, live event culinary competition showcases some of the world’s best cooks who compete for food, fame, and fortune in 12 categories (Bacon, Barbecue, Burger, Chef, Dessert, Live Fire, Rice, Noodle, Sandwich, Seafood, Soup and Vegetarian). Each year as Food Sport kicks off in January, thousands of cook teams try to earn their way into WFC by winning a Golden Ticket at an official qualifier. Almost 40 countries and every state in America have been represented at WFC’s main event since its inception in 2012.

www.worldfoodchampionships.com ; @WorldFoodChamp (on X); Facebook or Instagram (@WorldFoodChampionships; info@WorldFoodChampionships.com.

FESTIVALS

March 1-2: Laguna’s Music Festival 2024 at Laguna’s Adventure Park at Laguna’s Beach Bar and Grill, Pensacola Beach, FL. Performances by What so not (live); Sidepiece; Blossom; DJ Susan; Felix Cartel; Glass Petals; The Sponges; Tvboo and more.

(850) 677-3905; enews@visitpensacola.com

March 26: The Marshall Tucker Band with special guests, The Georgia Thunderbolts, star in the 2024 Rockin’ on the River Concert Series at Caloosa Sound Amphitheater.

https://www.tixr.com/groups/caloosasoundamp/events/the-marshall-tucker-band-90413

May 23-27: Abbey Road on the River (AROTR) celebrates over 60 years since The Beatles revolutionized music on The Ed Sullivan Show stage in front of 74 million television viewers. AROTR has honored Beatlemania for the past 20 years. This year at Big Four Station Park in Jeffersonville, IN, 50 bands from all around the world will perform on six stages. The festival will feature Beatles tribute band, The Fab Four, as well as other tribute bands like Jan & Dean’s Beach Party, Tony Kishman’s Live and Let Die: the music of Paul McCartney, and tributes to Queen, Joe Cocker, Bruce Springsteen, The Monkees, Chicago, CSNY, Buddy Holly, and Elvis Presley. Local acts will include harpist Erin Hill, Louisville School Of Rock, The Rigbys, CMN Trio, Louisville Brass and Electric, The Get Down, Doorway, Nick Peay, The Kukes, Paulie Felice, and Laren Rapp.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased with a $20 discount through February 29 by using code LOVE at www.arotr.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. She is also active with Experience Kissimmee CVB and Wedding Venue Map..