OPEN AND COMING SOON!

Having been an active member of the movie & TV industries and organizations, I know that location scouts find and secure private estates for production companies. You don’t have to be in the film/TV business to enjoy the benefits of booking private estates in Costa Rica, thanks to the services of Journey Costa Rica, one of the few companies with access to these exclusive rentals. The private estates often have eight or 10 bedrooms are luxuriously situated. Take for example, Hacienda Costa Rica, situated on a 1,700-acre peninsula surrounded by miles of beaches, citrus groves, lagoons, and cattle-grazing fields south of the Papagayo Peninsula in Costa Rica´s Guanacaste region, located around an hour´s drive from Liberia (LIR) international airport. The property features five structures called ´ranchos´ with thatched roofs and crisp white facades. Four of these are two-story accommodations some 50 yards from the beach, sleeping up to 16 guests. Perfect for an incentive, executive group or personal group getaway, the household staff includes concierge, maids, gardeners, and horsemen, as well as a chef, sous-chef, and waiters to take care of all meals. Also, access to a 4×4 car and a naturalist guide to illuminate local Costa Rican nature on hikes and explorations.

www.journeycostarica.com

Steaks will be a highlight but not the only reason to visit Stanton Social Prime when it opens March 21 in Caesars Palace (Las Vegas, NV). Tao Group Hospitality and Chef Chris Santos have refined the menu with new and favorite dishes. Chef Santos’ brings signature sharable dishes, such as the return of the Famous French Onion Soup Dumplings topped with Gruyère cheese and garlic croutons, as well as Pierogies made with potato, goat cheese and truffle. New creations include the Smoked Butter Board with Thumbelina crudités, Maldon Sea salt flakes and sourdough demi baguette, and the ‘Al Pastor’ Yellowtail Crudo, which features grilled pineapple, cilantro, lime and pineapple ponzu. Stanton Social Prime’s steaks are seasoned with house dry rub, rested in a bath of Beurre de Baratte, finished with pink Himalayan salt and served with roasted black garlic. Prime dry-aged steaks for the table include ‘Pretty in Pink,’ a 10-ounce filet with pink peppercorn sauce, pink oyster mushrooms, and decadent sides such as the Dirty Tots with caviar and lobster crème fraîche. Guests can choose from a selection of sauces in vintage perfume bottles to drizzle onto their steaks, like the Eau de Poivre and Chanterelle No. 5. But let’s not forget the memorable theatrical tableside presentations, from desserts and craft cocktails. Try The Black Regiment, a unique cocktail served in a bottle, made with Bulleit rye whiskey, Carpano Antica vermouth, Amaro Montenegro liqueur and cinnamon. A signature zero-proof beverage is Strawberry Rhode, created with Kin Euphorics High Rhode, strawberry puree, elderflower, and lemon juice. The 200-seat restaurant, designed by architecture and design firm Rockwell Group, draws inspiration from the original restaurant on New York’s Lower East Side and the Las Vegas Strip, with a modern nod to Art Deco style and dramatic showmanship. The 10-seat bar spotlights top-shelf spirits and a globe-spanning wine list. Additionally, the two private dining rooms transport guests to their own backstage salon with decorative paneling evocative of a dressing room screen.
caesars.com/caesars-palace/restaurants/stanton-social-prime

Thirty minutes from the Cancun Airport along the beachfront in Riviera Maya is the newly redesigned 72-room Maroma, a Belmond Hotel. Remodeled by designer Tara Bernerd, the reopening of the luxury property is slated for May. Next up will be 10 brand new waterfront suites, a nature-focused wellness experience, and new sustainability initiatives. The property will have five restaurants and bars serving Mexican favorites and international woodfired cuisine.

https://www.journeymexico.com/hotel/maroma-resort-spa?

The Global Finance Committee (GFC), jointly sponsored by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), have restarted its work on the 12^th Revised Edition of the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI). One of the most significant changes is the new sustainability-focused reporting, which migrates the Utilities Schedule to Energy, Water, and Waste Schedule (EWW). The new EWW Schedule provides improved monitoring and benchmarking of EWW cost and usage while providing a road map to track a hotel’s greenhouse gas emissions. The GFC is also working on reporting enhancements for digital marketing, labor, brand and operator costs. First published in 1926, the USALI is available as a digital subscription service or a soft-cover book. Before the release of the 12^th Revised Edition, HFTP will make available a new, cloud-based platform for USALI subscribers. Users will have the opportunity for content engagement with the ability to add personalized notes and comments to the digital content. The subscription also provides access to a library with past editions, FAQs, supplemental resources, and an expense dictionary. The USALI is the global guide used for financial and operational reporting. Its primary purpose is to offer operating statements formatted to provide hotel owners, managers and other interested parties with operational information pertinent to the lodging industry

usali@hftp.org; +1 (512) 220-4020.

Through September 30, Visit Plano (TX) has a FREE and limited-time foodie pass! Accumulate points for checking-in at participating restaurants and redeeming coupons. Points can be cashed in for prizes. Once you check-in to 20 restaurants, you are automatically entered into the “Fit for a Foodie” sweepstakes, which includes a Chef’s Table Dinner Experience, amazing hotel stays, and up to $500 in restaurant gift cards!

www.visitplano.com/tasteofplano to register.

JOBS!

TRAVEL.STAFF is seeking people with a travel background who would like to become recruiters. Can be located anywhere in America or Canada.  We train them in recruitment and provide all the tools. Must have a computer and internet access. We pay commission only, but we do expect our recruiters to earn $100k per annum. Takes about 90 days for training and to fill their pipeline before they start earning.

Alex Mortensen _ alex@travelstaff.net; Nick Reid _ nick@travelstaff.net

Event Technology Manager, with demonstrated sales success, event or conference services and customer service background along with at least an Associate’s degree. AV or IT technical sales, 3+ years in hospitality and a Bachelor’s degree is preferred. Must be currently residing in, or able to quickly relocate to, the metro Orlando area. We offer competitive salary, commission, full benefits and outstanding opportunities for personal and career growth.

Submit your qualifications to xpohr@xpodigital.com

TRAVEL.JOBS is a new job board for the Travel Industry.  All applicants are screened before they gain access to the job board and can apply for jobs.  Employers can stop sifting through hundreds of unqualified applicants. Application is free for the job seeker and $95 for an employer to post a job for 30 days.

Imelda Bermudez_ imelda@travelstaff.net; Nick Reid _ nick@travelstaff.net

HOT DEALS!

Book a cruise by the end of May to the Arctic or Antarctica aboard the all-suite 114-passenger Sea Spirit for 2024 from Poseidon Expeditions and receive up to 20% off regular rates. Poseidon Expeditions focuses on remote polar cruise exploration in the high latitudes. From June through the end of October, these discounts will be reduced by five percent, still a considerable savings for polar adventurers. The trip includes airfare between Oslo, Norway and Longyearbyen, Svalbard, where the cruise begins and ends. The Sea Spirit has two multi-purpose lounges for educational programming and entertainment, a restaurant that can accommodate all passengers in one seating, a well-stocked polar library, and ample outdoor deck space to enjoy the polar landscapes and wildlife. Activities on and off the ship are directed by a team of experienced, bilingual polar guides, scientists, and educators. Shore landings provide the chance to explore and to partake in guide-led interpretive walks and photography workshops. Optional Sea kayaking and Zodiac cruising are offered in both polar regions and optional camping can be arranged in Antarctica. The ship’s expedition staff-to-passenger ratio of 1:9 is one of the most generous in the business. There are lots of packages and destination events.

https://poseidonexpeditions.com/; SalesUSA@poseidonexpeditions.com; (347) 801-2610. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland: Anfrage@poseidonexpeditions.com; +49-40-7566-8555. In the UK and elsewhere on the globe, Sales@poseidonexpeditions.com; +44-870-068-9142.

Eventeny salutes women with $500.00 off Eventeny Pro during the month of March. Eventeny says “70% of all event planners and coordinators currently employed in the United States are women. Women greatly impact our history, culture, society, and event industry, and that is worth celebrating.” That is why the company is gifting women-led events. There are eligibility requirements.

www.eventeny.com

“Fall in Love on Fifth”, a new two-night romance package at the iconic Inn on Fifth in downtown Naples, FL is available through the Spring. In addition to the Club Level stay in a King suite with a spacious verandah that overlooks the Avenue in the AAA Four-Diamond, Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star property, you receive a bottle of champagne with rose petal turndown, romantic dinner for two on private balcony or in the privacy of your suite, a couples massage at Spa on Fifth, and an engraved keepsake. Club Level amenities automatically include deluxe continental breakfast each morning, chef-driven hors d’oeuvres, artisan cheese and charcuterie boards, full bar and desserts each evening in the Club Level lounge, a personal concierge, and secluded rooftop retreat.

www.InnOnFifth.com/naples-hotel-special-offers; (239) 403-8777

Stay three nights and receive the fourth night free or stay five nights and receive the sixth and seventh nights free at the One&Only Palmilla resort, just a short distance from the Los Cabos (SJD) international airport. The resort is located on a secluded stretch of Los Cabos´ dramatic coastline between the Sea of Cortez and beautiful tropical gardens. This promotional package is good for use through December 18, 2023. The luxe resort has a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course, 13 private spa treatment rooms, and multiple restaurants, including signature Seared restaurant, created by Michelin-star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, indoor-outdoor cliffside dining at Agua, casual poolside menu at Breeze, and modern Japanese cuisine at Suviche.

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

TRADEWINDS ISLAND RESORTS GIVES BACK!

“The Florida tourism community is a family, and we are thrilled we were able to give back from our shore to theirs,” said Travis Johnson, Hotel Manager of the TRadeWinds Island Resorts, as he and others presented a check for $21,000 to the Florida Disaster Relief Fund. From October through December 2022, the TradeWinds Island Resorts (Island Grand and RumFish Beach Resort) donated $20 per room, per night to benefit their “Shore to Shore” give back program supporting response and recovery activities for communities impacted by Hurricane Ian. Johnson added, ““Our guests responded in a big way to the ‘Shore to Shore’ program, booking more than 1,000 room nights to assist our friends just south of us.” The resort group are located on the Gulf of Mexico on St. Pete Beach, FL.

www.TradeWindsResort.com; (877) 669-7058.

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK REQUIRES ADVANCE RESERVATIONS

No, you can’t just decide on the spur of the moment to go camping or hiking through any of the 2,000 arches in the Arches National Park (Moab, UT), but that does not stop you from visiting.  Initially a 2022 policy to upgrade the visitor experience by eliminating overcrowding worked so well that now it is a permanent plan. From April 1 through October 1, visitors must have a timed entry reservation made three months prior to date of choice to enter Arches National Park between 7 am and 4 pm. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis at www.Recreation.gov. A single booking of a timed entry ticket covers each registered visitor. The only cost visitors incur is a $2 Recreation.gov processing fee to obtain the ticket as well as paying the standard park entry fee. Missed registering? No worries. The timed entry program does not apply to tour operators such as Moab Adventure Center who have concessions contracts. Moab Adventure Center is a division of Western River Expeditions, an adventure travel company headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT with operations and offices in Moab and Fredonia, AZ.

https://www.moabadventurecenter.com/arches-national-park; https://www.moabadventurecenter.com/; http://www.westernriver.com/

ARE YOU FEELING HAPPY?

March 20 is International Day of Happiness, but with so many stresses on people, personal finance website WalletHub’s latest survey, 2023’s Happiest Cities in America, compared more than 180 of the largest U.S. cities across 30 key indicators of happiness. The data set ranges from depression rate to income-growth rate to average leisure time spent per day. Fremont, CA has the lowest depression rate, some 2.5x lower than Huntington, WV (the highest). Newark, NJ has the lowest number of suicides per 100,000 residents, which is 7.9x lower than Casper, WY. Fremont also has the lowest separation & divorce rate, 4.6x lower than Cleveland, OH. Focusing on the positive, here are the top 20 Happiest Cities in America, beginning with Fremont, CA. It’s followed by San Jose, CA; Madison, WI; Overland Park, KS; San Francisco, CA; Irvine, CA; Columbia, MD; Sioux Falls, SD; South Burlington, VT; Burlington, VT; Seattle, WA; Bismarck, ND; Oakland, CA; Huntington Beach, CA; San Diego, CA; Scottsdale, AZ; Minneapolis, MN; Yonkers, NY; Aurora, IL and finally, Fargo, ND.
https://wallethub.com/edu/happiest-places-to-live/32619
APPLICATIONS OPEN

Calling all entertainers interested in showcasing to more than 300 event professionals during the Annual Florida Festivals & Events Association Conference (August 22-24) in Bonita Springs, FL at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point. The attendees represent events, festivals and fairs, as well as industry suppliers and sponsors. The conference hosts are seeking music, dance, visual and novelty acts. There are options for smaller stage acts, roving acts, and video showcases. Deadline to apply is April 2.

https://www.ffea.com/p/convention/entertainment-showcase; 407.203.1334; www.ffea.com

Calling all event-oriented students. You may be eligible for one of two scholarship programs offered by the Florida Festivals & Events Association. Winning may provide free attendance at the Annual Conference at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs, FL, August 22-24, and the chance to learn with the FFEA Community. The Harvey Franklin Campbell Student Scholarship Award is open to current students at who are studying in an event management related program. The Emerging Leader Scholarship Award is open to first-time conference attendees who have been employed in the industry for less than three years and have demonstrated a strong desire to positively affect the future of the event planning profession. The deadline to apply for either of these is March 31.

https://www.ffea.com/p/convention/scholarships/student-scholarship; https://www.ffea.com/p/convention/scholarships/emerging-leader

Call for entries for the 2023 Esprit Awards. Presented and owned by the International Live Events Association (ILEA) to recognize and award the most outstanding live events in the industry each year. The 2023 Esprit Awards include 16 categories recognizing all aspects of live events, from planning to production, from design to event. Deadline to apply is May 31.

https://ileahub.com/EspritAwards

Call for speakers and trainers for the LDI Conference 2023, from November 30 – December 5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, West Hall. Be a part of the LDInstitute (full day or two-day classes, from hands-on training on lighting consoles, media servers, or the latest software, to rigging, projection, pixel mapping, and more. Application deadline April 3. Speakers needed for the Conference (December 2 -4). Sessions are usually 30-90 minutes long and can range from a solo talk to a panel discussion on entertainment design and technology subjects. We are especially open to sessions led by an ETCP recognized trainer or with ETCP credits, so certified riggers and electricians can attend LDI to obtain renewal credits. LDI will be co-located with our sister show, DSE (Digital Signage Experience), so please consider sessions that would appeal to both audiences (projection on large LED screens; content creation; pixel mapping, etc…) Submission deadline is April 17.

https://questex.surveysparrow.com/s/LDI-2023-Call-for-Speakers/tt-5MqBmKcFSpyW7ifkyS5NkC?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=LDI-Show-LDI+Show

HOLIDAY RIVER EXPEDITIONS ACTIVATES LEARNING

When I have thought about river rafting my first thoughts are of wild rides down rapids and me ending up at the bottom of the river, splayed against jutting rocks. Apparently, I am quite mistaken about river rafting always being quite so volatile and Holiday River Expeditions has taken on the challenge of guiding river rafting journeys specifically geared towards camping newbies or scaredy-cats like me. The Salt Lake City, UT-based company has a new Intro to Overnight Rafting on the Colorado River tour that pays particular attention to easing all those anxieties. “Whitewater rafting looks exciting but can feel intimidating if you’re new to it. We designed our Intro to Overnight Rafting trip to welcome individuals or families to the river lifestyle. Expert guides and the casual pace of this trip make it accessible and fun, even if it’s someone’s first time rafting, camping, or both,” explains Trip Leader, Liz Hall, who helped design this new program. There are two 2023 departures for this tour: July 18-20 and August 8-10. Children welcome from age 5. The journey covers 25 scenic river miles. The expedition travels through red sandstone cliffs, dubbed Ruby and Horsethief Canyons, on the border of Colorado and Utah. This stretch of river offers stunning wilderness and teems with wildlife such as bighorn sheep, river otters, cliff swallows and bald eagles. Guides will point out sections of metamorphic Vishnu Schist (black) and Zoroaster Granite (pink) while floating Horsethief and Ruby Canyons, the only places on the Colorado River outside of the Grand Canyon where these Precambrian rocks are exposed. Guides will also share their knowledge of the river and the human history of the canyon. This region is the traditional homeland of the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) people who still occupy small portions of these ancestral lands.

For a copy of the 2023 catalog, (800) 624-6323; info.holidayriver@gmail.com; https://www.bikeraft.com/family-rafting-trips/intro-to-overnight-rafting/

Responding to the needs of vacationers who want to add learning to their outdoor experiences, Holiday River Expeditions has increased their offerings. “We have simply expanded opportunities for our most inquisitive and active guests,” says Karen Johnson, veteran Holiday office manager since 1991, explaining that the company “Incorporates history and geology into all of our trips and make sure our guests appreciate that they are traveling through Indigenous lands.” A number of new trips are scheduled to meet the requests to add learning. Aug 29-Sept 1: Raft through the heart of Dinosaur National Monument with artist Michal Onyon, who will help guests improve watercolor artistry with instruction on how to capture the endless visual inspiration around every bend. https://www.bikeraft.com/specialty-river-rafting-trips/watercolor-workshop/. Sept. 9-11: three–day Women’s Mountain Biking Skills Clinic on the White Rim Trail. https://www.bikeraft.com/mountain-biking-trips/womens-mountain-biking-clinic/. June 12-16: 5 Day Yampa River Stargazing Trip. http://www.bikeraft.com/.
(800) 624-6323 for catalog and queries.

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

April 27-30: Pensacola, FL is the last stop for the Tall Ships. A fleet of five ships available for onboard tours, sail-aways, private parties and more.

May 25-29,: 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.