HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – JULY 2019

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa

HOT DEALS!

Summer isn’t the only time Florida Resident discount rates will be available at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa, minutes from Naples, FL. A seven-day advance purchase is required, but the rates are available through December 31 by using the code CPFLR. The 26-acre property can host meetings up to 1500 people, has an 18-hole golf course, Camp Hyatt kids club, two firepits and is close to the airport. There is a three-acre pool area with waterslides, lazy river, adults-only pool, hot tub, and both a walk-in adventure and waterfall pools.

www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/florida/hyatt-regency-coconut-point-resort-and-spa/napm; (239) 444-1234.

Book your stay directly with Pueblo Bonito Golf & Spa Resorts for one of the company’s all-inclusive luxury resorts in Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas and get up to $150 in spa credits at Armonia Spa, as well as other perks.  Up to $75 for a 4-5 night stay and $150 for six or more nights at The Towers at Pacifica, Montecristo Estates Luxury Villas, or Emerald Estates Luxury Villas. Get $50 spa credit for 4-5 night stay and $75 for six or more nights at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, Rose, Los Cabos, Sunset Beach, or Emerald Bay.

www.pueblobonito.com

Conrad Indianapolis lobby

Choose from many incentives when you book a minimum of 10 guest rooms on peak nights at Conrad Indianapolis. The hotel has 15,000 sf of versatile function space, featuring 13 individual meeting rooms, plus the adjoining Artsgarden, a glass-domed function space with picturesque views. From boardrooms to the Vienna Ballroom, Conrad Indianapolis’ event spaces accommodate meetings up to 225, dinners up to 350 and receptions up to 1,000. Some of the possible perks include a 1 complimentary round trip airport transfer to the Indianapolis International Airport, 20% discount on AV Wi-Fi if the hotel’s AV is used for all events, and

15% discount onF&B on evening events (after 5pm).

www.Hilton.com/ConradIndianapolis

ARRIVING AT A CITY (MAYBE) NEAR YOU!

Quest Events has just opened its 25^th office in Indianapolis, IN and is already looking to open a Denver, CO location by August. The Indianapolis office will serve up it rental solutions to the Greater Indianapolis area, Cincinnati and Columbus (OH), Louisville (KY), and St. Louis, MO markets.

www.questevents.com

MixOnWheels brings the party to you and with their newest VWXtreme Retro Party Bus, the vibe kicks back to the 60s and 70s. The lime green and white van is outfitted with a 40” LCD TV for logo or video playback, DJ mixer with wireless microphone, built-in SMS photo booth with props, optional built-in beverage bar, as well as internal and external party lights.

www.MixOnWheels.com; (407) 490-5757

FAMILY FUN UNDER THE SUMMER SUN

I just couldn’t resist sharing this with you. Austin on a Budget: 50 Free & Cheap Things To Do is a collection of information useful if you happen to be visiting Austin, TX this summer. The descriptions of what to do inexpensively range from walking tours to museums etc. Check it out for yourself.

www.austintexas.org/austin-insider-blog/post/austin-on-a-budget-50-free-cheap-things-to-do/

Buzzsaw at Branson Sawmill

The Branson Sawmill entertainment complex (Branson, MO) just added more thrills and eats at the new Heartwood restaurant. FACE Amusement Group describes The Branson Buzzsaw that takes thrill seekers more than 120 feet high. The open-air swings each seat two riders, lifting a total of 24 guests to the top of a 123-foot tower where they spin at 10 revolutions per minute.  Replicating the early pioneer lifestyle, the 15-acre Branson Sawmill entertainment center conveys the look and feel of the 1870s era with modern twists. For the remainder of the year, annual pass holders can receive unlimited admission on the Branson Buzzsaw and Branson Coaster, with a 20% discount at The Heartwood restaurant. Additionally, pass holders get unlimited admission to Mirror Maize and 7D Dark Adventure Ride located at the Branson Landing. For a limited time, The Branson Sawmill is offering a “Grand Opening Special Pricing” deal which allows guests to purchase an all-day, all you can ride, pass for $29.99.

www.thebransoncoaster.com; (417) 544-8068.

Moonrise Hotel Terrace

Man’s first walk on the moon is an everyday reason to celebrate at St. Louis’ Moonrise Hotel, but the approaching 50^th anniversary will amp up the party on July 20. The boutique Missouri hotel is filled with moon and space memorabilia and art ranging from rare to kitschy. Joe Edwards, owner, has been obsessed with space since a child and built the hotel themed around the moon and space. The rooftop bears a 3,000-lb revolving beacon. Themed attractions are in the Boeing Prologue Room, Challenger Learning Center and St. Louis Science Center. Some of the memorabilia includes a tiny piece of the moon and a patch taken on the Apollo 11 mission and signed by all three astronauts. There’s a telegram signed by both Orville and Wilbur Wright and a letter from aviator Charles Lindbergh of Spirit of St. Louis. There are photos of Edwards with many astronauts including Neil Armstrong, who first walked on the moon. The hotel’s free rooftop party on July 20 will run from 3 pm to 1 am. Guests are encouraged to wear their best moon and space themed clothes to take part in the costume contest. The best themed attire can win a hotel gift certificate for a future one-night stay.

 www.moonrisehotel.com.

Scallop season began July 1, but when you use promo code ‘springfling‘ you can still book a scallop adventure for the whole family with River Ventures and Safaris. Options include departures from both their Crystal River and Homosassa, FL locations. Double the day’s fun with their ‘Ultimate Voyage’ that combines a scallop excursion with their manatee adventure.

www.riverventures.com

WHAT’S IN YOUR WALLET FOR SUMMER ROAD TRIPS?

WalletHub is a personal finance company that surveys, researches and analyzes what confumers want or need to know, from which airlines have the best frequent traveler programs to where are the destinations most often visited. Just in time for the summer road trips many take across the United States comes this latest report on which are the best and worst states for a road trip, and how will paying for the gas affect credit cards. First off, according to CEO Odysseas Papadimitriou reports that the top states for summer road trips are North Carolina, followed by Wyoming, Minnesota, Virginia, and then Texas. Arkansas leads the pack for the worst, followed by Hawaii, Connecticut, Delaware, and then Rhode Island. WalletHub also details that 11X more people want gas rewards from a credit card than rewards for Uber/Lyft rides and that 63% of people want rewards on gas more than any other type of travel purchase. 63% of people want rewards on gas more than any other type of travel purchase, and the leading best gas reward card is The Wells Fargo Propel Card, a no annual fee card that offers 3% back on gas, travel, dining, and rideshares, along with 1% back on other purchases and a $300 initial bonus.

www.wallethub.com

Christmas as HIllsborough Castle and Gardens in the U.K

ARE WE ALREADY TALKING THE HOLIDAYS?

This Christmas, Historic Royal Palaces wants you to take a step back in time to celebrate. From Dec. 27 -31, the Tower of London wants you to join in festivities from the time of Charles Dickens and Queen Victoria in 1859, brushing shoulders and hearing tales from an array of characters before gathering in “The Salt” pub to make merry with singing and dancing. Kensington Palace’s traditional Victorian activities will run from Dec. 21 – Jan. 5. When else do you think you could meet the future Queen and members of her household as they prepare for and celebrate the season, defined by the trends of her age. Nov. 9 – Jan. 5, join residents from upstairs and downstairs as they prepare for the 12 days of Christmas at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. The elegant State Rooms will be decorated and lit by candlelight. Guests will be able to make a seasonal wreath to take home. Not to be outdone, join the Christmas celebration, Tudor style, at Hampton Court Palace, Dec. 21 – Jan. 5. Elizabeth I’s court will be serving seasonal treats prepared in the Great Kitchens. All activities are included in admission to the palaces. Groups are admitted by timed admission slots at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens and Kensington Palace. For the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace, you simply need to book the date.

www.hrp.org.uk/travel-trade; groupsandtraveltrade@hrp.org.uk

Brocket Hall at Christmas

Promotional packages are already available for Christmas bookings at any of the three Brockett Hall Estate properties in the U.K. Choose the Auberge du Lac, Brockett Hall, or the Melbourne Club. The 543 acres of Hertfordshire countryside offer vintage celebrations for up to 150 guests.

www.events@brocket-hall.co.uk

TECHNOLOGY LIVENS UP EXPERIENCES

While on a cruise to Alaska, I marveled at the real-time cameras that allowed us to sit on our balcony and not miss out on the plethora of sea life frolicking in the ocean. Now comes similar technology that will allow guests to access stunning live views and daily time-lapse video from their locations throughout their chosen resort, thanks to the installment of Deckchair Livecam Technology at five Mainsail Lodging & development Autograph Collection Hotels. The hotels are Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina in the British Virgin Islands; the boutique, food-focused Epicurean Hotel (Tampa, FL); Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club (Anna Maria Island, FL); the historic Fenway Hotel (Dunedin, FL), as well as Luminary Hotel & Co. (Fort Myers, FL), scheduled to open in 2020. “The innovative Deckchair live cam allows us to share live video and high-quality image and video content through our website and other digital channels, inspiring travelers to come experience the destination in person,” said Joe Collier, president of Mainsail Lodging & Development.

www.epicureanhotel.com/webcam/; www.fenwayhotel.com/webcam/; www.waterlineresort.com/webcam/; www.scrubisland.com/webcam/; camera.deckchair.com/luminary-hotel-florida-usa (monitor daily construction progress); www.MainsailHotels.com.

The Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has launched a new interactive experience utilizing the latest in Augmented Reality (AR) technology. The Amelia Island, FL AR will visitors to scan special signage at six different locations around the island to trigger custom-designed, three-dimensional animations. Each location activation uses authentic characters and stories to bring to life some interesting aspect of Amelia’s many unique natural or historical treasures. The new on-island activations are the latest addition to the CVB’s groundbreaking Amelia Island Mobile App released this past Spring. After installing the free app, readers can access a compelling combination of 360-degree time lapse video, 3D animations, user-generated content and other digital content revealing the island’s natural beauty, culture, history and other “spirited” surprises. “With the visitor guide, you just point your mobile device at the cover and an animated beachgoer comes to life to welcome you in a three-dimensional shoreline setting, complete with sun, sand, surf and local sea life,” said Langley. “Whether experienced in the printed guide or in person at the various locations around the island, the AR activations are entertaining, informative and thoroughly engaging,” said Gil Langley, President and CEO of the Amelia Island CVB. Designed to work with iPhone (iOS 11 or higher) and Android (version 7.0 or higher) devices with augmented reality capabilities, the app also offers an enhanced travel planning experience for earlier versions and older devices, with rich content and bonus features.

www.AmeliaIsland.com/app.

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 ILEA and MPI and is now serving on the 2019 – 2020 MPI Global Advisory Board for The Meeting Professional Magazine for the second consecutive year. 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. karenkuzsel@earthlink.net; www.ThePsychicLady.com; @karenkuzsel; @thepsychiclady.