WANT TO HELP SET A WORLD RECORD?

Even if you never learned to play a kazoo, this is your chance to helped set a world record. Friday, March 28, join thousands of visitors & Maconites (Macon, GA) during the annual International Cherry Blossom Festiva​l to attempt the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the Largest Kazoo Ensemble. Proceeds from the $5 admission fee (children six and under are free) to the Atrium Health Amphitheater will go to the Otis Redding Foundation & Otis Redding Center for the Arts. The program is sponsored by Visit Macon, Cherry Blossom Festival, Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, Choose Macon, Otis Redding Foundation, and many more Macon Community Organizations! The current record is 5,190 participants and was achieved in London, England in 2011. Kazoo expert Rick Hubbard​ will facilitate.  Visit Macon will provide kazoos to everyone participating/in attendance, and a keepsake upon exiting so that attendees can prove they were part of this world record attempt experience! While in Macon, visit the special  pop-up Kazoo Exhibit sponsored by Visit Macon and the Tubman African American Museum, open through March. Why the Kazoo? Legend has it that freed slave Alabama Vest created the musical instrument in Macon in the 1840s. Inspired by the African horn-mirliton or onion flute, Vest brought his original prototype- made from a simple wooden tube with a piece of paper attached to it- to local clockmaker Thaddeus Von Clegg. Together they produced a design that they officially debuted at the Georgia State Fair in Macon in 1852, calling it a “Down South Submarine.” “We are going all out for this Record and hope to bring this piece of our city’s vast music history back home to the United States and the birthplace of the instrument!” states Gary Wheat, President & CEO of Visit Macon. “It’s all about making some good noise and drawing attention to what Macon has to offer visitors!”

www.visit visitmacon.org/kazoo; contact Visit Macon’s Director of Marketing, Marisa Rodgers, at (478) 743-1074 x106 or email mrodgers@visitmacon.org.

LOCK IN YOUR LOVE IN IRVING, TX

There’s always time for romance, but Irving, TX has a sweepstakes for a luxurious romantic getaway and entries must be sent by February 25. .Here’s what the package includes: two-night stay at boutique Hotel Indigo; an intimate dinner for two at The Ranch; a private Ski Chalet Cabana experience at The Ritz-Carlton, Las Colinas ; a customized Love Lock  to seal your love forever at Irving’s Love Lock Bridge; a romantic gondola ride with Gondola Adventures along the enchanting Mandalay Canal; and a $100 AMEX gift card. Read the guidelines before entering.

https://www.irvingtexas.com/irving-the-most-romantic-city-in-texas/

COULD YOUR RECIPE BE A WINNER?

Taste of America, an official World Food Championship 2025 (WFC) qualifier, has an online recipe competition sponsored by Marcel’s Modern Pantry (MMP) is happening. Entries accepted through February 24. Recipe must contain one of these MMP products: whole milk, 2% milk, 1% milk, 1% chocolate milk, oat milk, sweetened almond milk or original almond milk. Winners announced March 4 on WFC’s Facebook page.

https://worldfoodchampionships.com/2025-taste-of-america

THEY SERVE UP DEALS! YOU SAVE!

Parents deserve time away from families, and couples will definitely receive it during Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort’s (Los Cabos, Mexico) 20^th anniversary. The 201-room hotel features an all-inclusive plan that includes not only Pacifica’s four restaurants, but also the dining outlets at three sister resorts in Cabo San Lucas, including top-rated LaFrida Restaurant at nearby Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach. Pacifica’s exclusive ‘Ultimate Parents Spring Break’ package, available in March and April features: a tequila or mezcal tasting for two with the resort’s director of spirits; a cooking class for two with Pacifica’s executive chef; a private golf class for two at the oceanfront practice facility at Quivira Golf Club, home to a world-class Jack Nicklaus Signature course; a $50 US spa credit at ARMONIA Wellness Collection, known for its rejuvenating treatments and exclusive line of organic products; and complimentary use of beach cabanas with butler service.

www.pueblobonito.com/resorts/pacifica; (800) 990-8250

New business booked for The Woodlands Resort, a Curio Collection by Hilton (Woodlands, TX), in 2025 has a plethora of amenities when booking groups. Amenities can range from double partner points, complimentary basic WiFi in guest rooms or meeting room, VIP Chef options, to valet parking, and more.

sales@twtxhotels.com; (281) 364-6389.

Take advantage of 30% savings for a minimum four-night stay at two brand new Universal Studios Resort hotels by booking by April 5 and a stay used through April 10. Universal Stella Nova Resort opened January 21 and C will open March 25. Price based on the non-discounted double occupancy before tax. Separate theme park admission required for theme park entry.

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/places-to-stay/hotels/special-offers?

Romance is in the air throughout February at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort, an adults-only beachfront property listed among “The World’s Most Romantic All-Inclusive Resorts” by Travel + Leisure. For couples looking to celebrate, the 201-room resort just 10 minutes from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and situated along a 1.2 miles of virgin beach, there are a variety of options included that evoke romance, from sparkling wine in the room upon arrival to a private dinner for two on the beach. A couple’s massage, romantic serenade by a three-piece band, a guided tequila or mezcal mixology session, and a keepsake glass heart made by the San Miguel Blown Glass Factory from recycled bottles, are additional options.

www.pueblobonito.com/resorts/pacifica

Book the new Opal Sol in Clearwater Beach, FL by March 31 and receive 30%* savings on stays of three nights or more through June 30. Use by December 31. Minimum Guest Room spend of $20,000 in 2025 for one group arrival. Number of guests attending the complimentary break must be registered hotel guests or a fee will apply. One Opal Collection Gift Card per booking.

www.OpalCollection.com/opal-sol.

Visit Dallas invites groups to Meet in Dallas with these incentives: 5% off the Master Account; 10% discount on Food & Beverage Pricing; 20% discount on In-House AV; complimentary Wi-Fi in guestrooms; and complimentary Board Meeting for up to 10 People in HQ Hotel.

(214-571-1000); sales@visitdallas.com

All-Inclusive ocean view room at the Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan in The Bahamas, that includes room, taxes, fees, and gratuities3 meals per day, snacks, unlimited beverages, and standard brand liquors if you book by June 30 and use by September 30. The complimentary welcome amenities includes fruit and cheese tray and a bottle of sparkling wine.

Teena McDonald, mcdonald.teena@grandlucayan.com; reservations@grandlucayan.com.

Save up to 25% on select rooms and villas at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, HI April 11 though June 11, 2025. Book five or more nights and receive 25% off. Stay up to four nights and receive 20% off. Bookings available by March 5 and travel must be completed by April 11. Advance rsvp required and must be consecutive-night stays. Limit two rooms per rsvp. Subject to availability as the number of rooms and Villas allocated for this offer is limited. Limit two (2) rooms per reservation and occupancy restrictions apply per room or Villa. Additional charges apply if there are more than two (2) adults per hotel room; not applicable for Suites or Villas.

(866) 443-4763 or contact your travel agent

Ready for some serious learning while having serious fun? You can with this offer from Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake Conroe (Houston, TX). Book a qualified meeting in any of these time periods to receive a cruise to the Bahamas for two aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise or a Margaritaville Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker. Partake in the “Serious Learning. Serious Fun. Serious Choices.” Program. Benefits depend on room spend. Book a meeting within the eligible dates listed here to enjoy $179 room rate and reduced $10 Guest Amenity Access. The dates for 2025 are March 2-6, 18-31 and 23-27. Also May 4-9 and May 18-23. August 3-8, 10-14, 17-22 and 24-29.

www.margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-lake-resort-lake-conroe/meetings-events/meeting-special-offers

The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (Los Angeles Tourism) offers incentives to book more than 40 hotels in multiple cities with its new “Now Playing” campaign. Planners are encouraged to book their groups through June 30, 2025 by first submitting new meeting or event requests to LA Tourism. They will be eligible for gift cards, rebates, and other financial rewards based on the number of booked rooms.

https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/meetla

Save up to 50% on bookings made now on stays through March 31, 2025 at the family-friendly, all-inclusive, and finally open Wyndham Alltra Samaná, managed by Playa Hotels & Resorts, in the charming town of Las Galeras in the Samaná province of the Dominican Republic. The 404-room resort marks Wyndham Alltra’s first resort in the Dominican Republic.  It won’t be the last. Later this year it will be joined by Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana, also to be managed by Playa. The two resorts earmark Wyndham’s rapidly growing all-inclusive portfolio, which now spans about 40 resorts worldwide. “The Dominican Republic has long been a coveted destination for travelers looking to relax amidst some of the most stunning beaches in the world,” said Fernando Mulet, Chief Investment Officer, Playa Hotels & Resorts… As we continue to add stunning resorts in the Dominican, Wyndham Alltra is the perfect brand to deliver on that promise.” The resort guest rooms and suites have private balconies and garden views.

www.alltrabyplaya.com/samana; www.wyndhamalltra.com; www.WyndhamRewards.com; www.playaresorts.com; www.wyndhamhotels.com

NOW OPEN OR COMING IN THE NEAR FUTURE

Clever marketing! Exclusive offer for meeting and convention attendees, travel agents, film production talent and film crews from businesses in Savannah, GA’s Historic District and nearby areas. The program is called “Show Us Your Badge”. Eligible participants may receive exclusive discounts on dining, shopping and tours throughout the Historic District and neighboring areas upon presenting your badge (not accessible to the general public).

https://visitsavannah.com/meetings/show-us-your-badge

In 2025

Gaylord Pacific Resort opens this Spring, seven miles from downtown San Diego, CA. It will feature 1,600 guest rooms and over 477,000 sf of meeting and event space, including lush outdoor areas. Guests can explore a 4.25-acre water park. 10 restaurants and Relâche Spa & Salon.

www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sange-gaylord-pacific-resort-and-convention-center/overview/

Macon, GA will be in the pink for its 2025 International Cherry Blossom Festival, March 21-30. The Pink Provisions Preview Party small bites event kicked off the 10-day “Pink Provisions Trail”, when 20 local restaurants and live jazz ensemble headlined by Sam Stephens of 100.9 The Creek FM will keep the festivities humming. Tickets are used instead of cash and can be bought from participating restaurants. In its 3^rd year, The Pink Provisions Trail is a collection of pink-themed food and drinks available at participating businesses throughout all of Macon-Bibb, and will be offered on the Tour Macon app.

lhughes@visitmacon.org; http://www.visitmacon.org.

Just look at all the new hotels opening in Mexico this year. in January, La Valise Reserve, El Torón, Puerto Escondido opened its seven-room retreat: a nature-forward design near coastal town beach destinations. St. Regis Los Cabos at Quivira opens this month. 120 rooms and 74 residences, with signature St. Regis Spa, personalized service and world-class dining. Also early in the year, Waldorf Astoria, San Miguel Allende opens with 120 rooms and 24 private residences in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. April, Rosewood Mandarina, Riviera Nayarit debuts 140 rooms, three pools, signature spa and three fine-dining options. Rosewood Residences Old Lighthouse, Los Cabos debuts by midway of the year. The 140 residences include a state-of-the-art spa, gourmet dining experiences, and access to pristine beaches. Opening late 2025, the 70-room and 20 residences of Chablé Sea of Cortez in La Paz are set across 15 acres of beachfront. Private terraces, plunge pools, and a luxury spa. Milaroca, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Nayarit has 57 rooms and 27 private villas within a 105-acre beachfront estate. In December, look for Hotel Sevilla, Mérida to show off the transformation of a 16^th-century colonial villa into a boutique luxury property with 22 rooms. Aken Hotels & Resorts will launch its second Mexican property, the Aken Mind, Mérida Hotel, featuring 128 guestrooms including eight signature suites, a locally inspired restaurant, rooftop pool, and event space for up to 150 people. The Unico 21°105° Puerto Vallarta is set to open this fall.  The property will host 141 rooms overlooking Banderas Bay, complete with restaurants, pools, and wellness facilities.

info@journeymexico.com

Hotel Valley Ho (Scottsdale, AZ) has completed an $18 million room renovation, the largest they’ve done since 1956. The redesign fuses mid-century with modern in a color palette of soft pinks and blues inspired by Arizona sunsets. The renovation includes new guest rooms, suites, and Cabana King Rooms with pool-facing patios. The property has indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, 3,500 sf rooftop tower for 175 or 250 receptions.

https://hotelvalleyho.com/

 Opal Sol opens in February in Clearwater Beach, FL, making it one of 21 hotels and resorts of the Opal Collection located in Florida. “Like all our Florida properties, Opal Sol offers upscale accommodations, the latest amenities, signature hospitality, superlative dining, and breathtaking Gulf view settings, but with distinctive style and guest experiences that truly set it apart,” said Nancy Cimney, Regional Director Sales & Marketing, Opal Properties. The new Opal Sol features panoramic gulf-view suites, three pools, seven restaurants, a full-service Opal Spa, and 57,194 sf of event space. Guest suites range from studios to three bedrooms.

OpalCollection.com/opal-sol.

Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center (Aurora, CO) has opened two new restaurants: Garden + Grain and The Copper Table. Copper Table showcases local ingredients and traditional flavors, such as local trout, rotisserie free-run chicken, and bison prime rib eye. Garden + Grain offers seasonal locally sourced products that alter menus from morning to the evening.

The renovation of Marriott International’s Westin Sacramento Riverfront Hotel & Spa has finished. The multimillion-dollar renovation updated all 101 guest rooms and meeting spaces. Live plants and artwork inspired by the Sacramento River utilizes natural materials and features a local artisan gift shop. Nearly 7,900 sf of indoor and outside event space. The hotel’s private marina opens this Spring.

www.marriott.WestingSacramentoRiverfront

Universal Stella Nova Resort opened January 21. Universal Terra Luna Resort opens March 25. Both at Universal Orlando Resort.

www.universalorlando.com/epicuniverse; UOMeetingsandEvents.com.

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center (Nashville, TN) plans to add 108,000 sf of meeting space by 2027, including a 31,000-sf ballroom, 38,000 sf breakout space, and about 39,000 sf of pre-function space. Once completed the resort will have 756,000 sf of meeting space. The meeting space expansion is part of a multi-phase plan. First finished was the $17 million renovation of the Governor’s Ballroom and by mid-year, a $36 million renovation and redesign of the Presidential Ballroom. By late 2025, the resort expects to have added a 550-seat sports bar, 3,000 sf pavilion, and 6,200 sf event lawn.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/bnago-gaylord-opryland-resort-and-convention-center

June 2025, our first Appellation Hotel opens in Healdsburg, CA, deep in Sonoma County in the heart of wine country.

https://www.appellationhotels.com/hotels/california-healdsburg.html

The Pueblo Vantage San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Pueblo Bonito’s first urban European Plan hotel, officially opens October 1. One of the highlighted amenities is the Aromatika Spa & Wellness, located on the courtyard level adjoining a botanical garden. “Aromatika Spa & Wellness will give guests an experience of refined renewal, allowing them to discover a multi-sensory world designed to please the senses and restore physical, mental and spiritual balance while enjoying the exclusive ambiance of San Miguel de Allende,” said Diana F. Mestre, an award-winning spa consultant from Mexico City who designed the facility with consultant Paulina Mercader and Pueblo Bonito Vantage general manager Lucy Ruiz. The name “Aromatika” honors the scents of San Miguel, notably lavender, rosemary, mint, fennel and sage, “as well as the subtle scents of wine-based therapies and exclusive skin care products” used at the spa, explained Mestre, adding that several factors will set the Aromatika Spa & Wellness apart from all other feel-good facilities. “For starters, Pueblo Bonito Vantage is embedded in the history and culture of San Miguel de Allende,” she said. “The architecture and interior design of both the hotel and the spa are an elegant take on colonial style.” Also, the state of Guanajuato has emerged as one of Mexico’s leading wine regions, and Aromatika Spa has tapped into it. Wine therapies take advantage of the beneficial properties of wine grape derivatives in treatments and rituals to give the skin a healthier improved physical appearance. The high resveratrol content of red grapes acts as a powerful antioxidant with properties that increase collagen production, allow skin regeneration and help to reduce skin irritation and blemishes. Another key spa element is the Biohacking Center, a new-age approach to organically promote the correct function of the body’s systems.

https://www.pueblobonito.com.mx/resorts/san-miguel

Costa Rica’s luxury scene expands with the openings of the Waldorf Astoria Punta Cacique and Nekajui, Ritz-Carlton Reserve on the stunning Papagayo Peninsula in early 2025. Astral Hotel (sister property of Origins) will cater specifically to family travelers in a remote area while over on the remote Osa Peninsula, the newly revamped Drake Bay Wilderness Resort will now be named Tibo Hotel.

https://journeycostarica.com/

If your idea of a great time is visiting haunted houses and having immersive scary experiences, then Universal Horror Unleashed, opening in Las Vegas, NV in 2025, should be on your travel itinerary. The year-round attraction will feature four haunted houses, each with their own terrifying stories: Universal Monsters, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Scarecrow: The Reaping, and The Exorcist: Believer. Surrounding the haunted houses are four fully themed immersive entertainment areas, each with individual live horror experiences, plus decadent food and drink offerings.

https://www.universalhorrorunleashed.com/en

Silicon Valley, CA’s Morgan Hill is the recipient for Hotel MOHI by Appellation, the culinary-first hotel brand by American chef Charlie Palmer and luxury hospitality veteran Christopher Hunsberger. The pair have joined forces with vintner Frank Léal of Léal Hospitality to develop Hotel MOHI by Appellation, expected to debut in the Fall. The five-story, 76-room urban retreat will be the first full-service luxury boutique hotel in the area. The 215-seat signature Charlie Palmer restaurant and bar plans to produce key ingredients from scratch, including roasting small-batch coffee or olive oil made from onsite trees. Additional amenities include a terrace pool and deck, marketplace, and flower shop lounge. A café and bakery will transition into a cocktail and wine bar during evenings. Also expected is a 7,730-sf ballroom with a modern organic design flex space able to become a show-kitchen for live-action culinary experiences.

https://www.appellationhotels.com/hotels-california-morgan-hill.html

Kentucky Exposition Center (Louisville, KY) is expanding. Already equipped with 1.2 million sf of meeting space and 300 acres of outdoor space and considered the sixth largest expo in the U.S, the center has broken ground for a $393 million expansion to be completed in 2025. Two new multi-purpose buildings planned. Located just minutes from downtown near the Muhammad Ali Louisville International Airport.

www.kyexpo.com

Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a 500-room Loews Hotel resort opens at Universal Epic Universe theme park (Orlando, FL) in May. The majestic Mediterranean-inspired resort is designed to blend immersion and relaxation with a rooftop bar, divine dining options, and the hotel’s very own dedicated entrance to the new theme park. There will be 4,648-sf of versatile meeting & function space. As soon as guests enter, they will be transported to a fantastical world within the palace of Helios, the Greek god of the sun, adorned with beautiful details of celestial patterns, dazzling constellations and elegant yet casual Mediterranean design elements. Through the lobby’s floor-to-ceiling windows will be a breathtaking vista of Celestial Park. Many of the rooms will offer views of Epic Universe. Unique to Universal Helios Grand Hotel will be imaginative How to Train Your Dragon Kids’ Suites. The dedicated entrance to Universal Epic Universe located off the lobby will provide direct, convenient access to and from the theme park (valid theme park admission required). Atop the roof, Bar Helios’ menu of creative tapas and familiar favorites and handcrafted specialty cocktails along with unmatched 360-degree views of Epic Universe and beyond. The resort will have a pool, fitness room and three dining options: Flora Taverna, Aurora Market, and Lotus Lagoon. Guests staying at Universal Helios Grand Hotel, or any of the other Universal Orlando hotels, receive Early Park Admission. The addition of Universal Helios Grand Hotel also brings three reimagined hotel categories to Universal Orlando. The Signature Collection – including Universal Helios Grand Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, offers full-service amenities. Prime Value Hotels – including Universal Aventura Hotel, Universal Stella Nova Resort (opened January 21) and Universal Terra Luna Resort (opening February 25), offer a mix of services and amenities made for comfort. Value Inns and Suites – including Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Universal Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites & Dockside Inn and Suites, are fun, affordable options offering standard rooms and spacious suites with kitchenettes.

www.UOMeetingsAndEvents.com.

Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles (St. Charles, MO) will have tripled the size of its meeting and convention center to 65,000 sf of event and meeting space by the end of the year.

https://ameristarstcharles.boydgaming.com/

Coming Summer to the Dominican Republic: Fiesta Americana Funeeq Punta Cana, the newest addition to the Fiesta Americana Travelty Meetings & Events resort family. The 494-guest rooms and 45 suites all-inclusive resort will have over 20,000 sf of function space, eight onsite restaurants, water park, beach access, and is adjacent to the live Aqua Beach Resort Punta Cana.
 https://fiestamericanatraveltymeetings.com/contact-us/

Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center (Chula Vista, CA) opens in late spring of 2025. Seven miles from downtown San Diego, the expansive resort fronts San Diego Bay to the west and Chula Vista Marina to the south. The sixth hotel in the Gaylord Hotels brand portfolio will have 1,600 guest rooms and suites, more than 477,000 sf of function and convention space, including a 140,000-sf carpeted exhibit and meeting Flex Hall. The hotel will have 135,000 sf of outdoor event lawns and a 4.25-acre water park.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sange-gaylord-pacific-resort-and-convention-center/overview

Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana Sun will open on Uvero Alto Beach, gearing towards newlyweds to families, in 2025 Spa, world-class fitness center, and nearly a dozen dining options with international cuisines, and a new water park will be the draw. Located about one hour from Punta Cana’s airport, the resort will offer 620 suites. “Guests today look for easy, stress-free vacations that don’t break the bank, and all-inclusive resorts can make that happen,” said Gustavo Viescas, President, Latin America and the Caribbean, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “From Dominican Republic to Mexico, Barbados and Jamaica, Wyndham allows guests to travel the world—and expanding brands like Wyndham Alltra makes international travel possible for guests of all kinds.”

www.wyndhamalltra.com; www.WyndhamRewards.com; www.playaresorts.com; www.wyndhamhotels.com

Hyatt Hotels is busy adding to their collections. The first Hyatt Studios hotel opens in Mobile, AL in 2025.

https://www.hyatt.com/brands/caption-by-hyatt

In 2026

DSRT Surf Resort is building California’s first man-made surf lagoon at Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert, CA. Using Wavegarden’s state-of-the-art Cove technology, which enables the creation of “perfect waves” in the 5.5-acre lagoon, about 70 surfers will be able to participate simultaneously. The surf lagoon, part of a 17-acre, full-scale resort with a 92-room hotel, 83 residential units, spa, golf courses, event spaces, and dining and bar venues, is being designed using sustainable processes favored by the Resort for its golf courses and pool area.

https://dsrtsurf.com/

Caption by Hyatt Chattanooga in Tennessee just broke ground and is expected to open in early 2026. Located downtown in the Southside area, the 123-room hotel is being developed by 3H Group Inc. under a franchise agreement with Hyatt. It will feature the brand’s all-day food-and-beverage concept, Talk Shop, serving as a welcome area as well as a rooftop bar and meeting space.

https://www.hyatt.com/brands/caption-by-hyatt

Hyatt Place Sonoma Wine Country, located near Charles Schulz Sonoma County Airport, is slated to open in late 2026. Plans include 165 rooms, meeting spaces, pool, fitness center, and a rooftop restaurant and bar.

Expectations are high for the summer completion of the $275 million transformation of The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resorts (Lake Buena Vista, FL) . The redo adds 120,000 sf of event space. A new, two-story annex will expand the Dolphin’s current meeting space, featuring 41,000 sf of multipurpose space and 24,000 sf of additional pre-function space on the first floor. A 41,000 sf ballroom on the second floor will also have 14,000 sf of pre-function foyer space. The expansion and upgrades to both resorts will bring total meeting space to 469,000 sf between its three buildings, the Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve.

In 2027

After 30 years in business, The Mirage Hotel & Casino (The Mirage) in Las Vegas, NV has closed and will be transformed into Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Guitar Hotel Las Vegas. The 700-foot guitar-shaped hotel will be modeled after the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL. Opening is slated for spring, 2027.

FFEA CALLS FOR SPEAKERS

The 2025 Annual Florida Festivals & Events Association Conference occurs August 19 – 21 in Orlando, FL. They seek speakers to provide inspiration and actionable insights to attendees, a diverse audience of municipalities, non-profits, independent event planners, and everything between. Two types of sessions: Breakout Session – 75 minutes (presentation, case study, panel, etc) and Learning Roundtables – 30 minutes. Submit topic by February 22.

https://ffea.memberclicks.net/2025-call-for-speakers#!/

WIN A DREAM HONEYMOON PACKAGE ON HARBOUR ISLAND

Register by February 24 to win a romantic honeymoon on Harbour Island, complete with a three-night stay in a one-bedroom garden view cottage and daily breakfast at Pink Sands Resort, in The Bahamas.

https://app.viralsweep.com/sweeps/full/af64ff-198559?framed=1

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR HOSPITALITY TECHNOLOGY START-UP PITCH COMPETITION

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) celebrates a decade of its premier hospitality technology start-up pitch competition, Entrepreneur 20X (E20X), first held at HITEC 2015 in Austin, TX. For its 10th year, E20X 2025 will be at HITEC 2025 in Indianapolis, IN. Applications to compete are now open through March 15 and startups are invited to submit their cutting-edge platforms to be considered for one of the eight competition positions. Participants compete for two awards: the Judges’ Choice Award which includes a cash prize and the People’s Choice Award, a popular vote selected by HITEC attendees. In addition, competitors are given a position in the E20X Learning Lab in the HITEC 2025 exhibit hall, where they can showcase their solutions to thousands of industry professionals. Applicants are asked to provide company background details, a video presentation, and pay a $200 USD application fee.

email e20x@hftp.org.

AND THE SURVEY SAYS: BEST & WORST STATES FOR SINGLES

WalletHub compared the 50 states across 29 key indicators of dating-friendliness. The data set ranges from the share of single adults to the unemployment rate for singles to the number of restaurants per capita. Florida ranked first for the best, followed by New York, California, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Ohio and Minnesota. As for the worst, in the 41^st spot is held by New Mexico, followed by South Carolina, Kansas, South Dakota, Alaska, Kentucky, Wyoming, North Dakota, Arkansas, and lastly, West Virginia.

www.wallethub.com if you want the full survey

MEETING PLANNING GUIDES (FREE)

Cambridge, MA – https://visitcambridgeusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/New-Branding-COT-Tradeshow-Presentation-2024.pdf

Greensboro, NC – https://www.visitgreensboronc.com/meetings-conventions-sports/request-meeting-planners-guide.aspx

Pensacola Bay, FL – Insider’s Guide. Can be delivered digitally, by mail or in person. https://www.visitpensacola.com/plan-your-trip/visitors-guide-request/

Scottsdale, AZ – www.experiencescottsdale.com/maps-guides/meeting-travel-planners-guide/

Sioux Falls, SD – https://www.experiencesiouxfalls.com/plan-your-trip/visitor-guide

Stafford, VA – https://form.jotform.com/240735819722057

Salt Lake City, UT – https://www.visitsaltlake.com/plan-your-visit/free-visitors-guide/

St Pete/Clearwater, FL – https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/sites/default/files/2023-06/MeetingPlanGuide_23-digi.pdf

Valley Forge, PA – https://www.valleyforge.org/meetings/

FESTIVALS

Oct. 16-19: The 13th Annual World Food Championships returns to the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds (Indianapolis).

https://worldfoodchampionships.com/news; www.indianastatefair.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. 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.