FOURTH OF JULY SETS OFF FIREWORKS WITH GREAT DEALS

Spark up the 4^th with a party at Luminary Hotel & Co (Fort Myers, FL) with a special party package and great viewing of the fireworks from the pool deck. I’d go just for the food. Some of the extensive menu includes Redneck cheese & charcuterie; salads such as one with arugula, apple, goat cheese, spiced cashews and tops with a maple sherry vinaigrette; Whole Hog BBQ, smoked pork and chicken wings, beef ribs, and pimento mac & cheese.

https://www.luminaryhotel.com/events/july-4th-party-on-the-pool-deck/; (239) 314-3723

Daytona Beach, FL celebrates Independence Day with its 2^nd Annual Splash Bash, a family-friendly event that includes a Red, White, and Blue Beach Ball Drop and special discounts on attractions such as $4 Mini Golf games, $4 Laser Tag rounds, and a special Beach BBQ Menu. Season Passholders are welcome to bring a friend in for the day for the discounted ticket price of $21.99. Daytona Lagoon has teamed up with Stroud’s Bar-b-q to open a full-service restaurant and bar.

https://daytonalagoon.com/specials.

Celebrate America, the Pensacola, FL community, and the military with a free Sparks & Stars concert featuring the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra! Bring chairs and blankets. Pensacola’s Community Maritime Park and along the city’s vibrant, downtown waterfront at the Hunter Amphitheater, presented by Attorney Peter J. Mougey of Levin Papantonio Rafferty law firm.
https://www.visitpensacola.com/events/symphony-sparks-stars/

HOT DEALS!

Rentyl Resorts has summer deals that sizzle, whether you are looking to vacation in Orlando, FL, Portugal, Belize, Spain, Barbados, Mexico, Italy, Costa Rica, Cambodia, and others. Hundreds of properties, each with its own promotional offer.

https://rentylresorts.com/deals-packages/

Book a meeting by July 31 with Vail Resorts collection of unique mountain resorts and receive great rewards including discounted resort fees, attrition up to 20%, and more!

https://www.snow.com/info/meetings-and-events.aspx; groups@vailresorts.com

Bowling anyone? If you’re in the Orlando, FL area this summer and have an urge to bowl with friends, family, or teammates, Boardwalk Bowl has daily promotions. Mondays are 50% off for hospitality members. Sundays have a family package price. Daily food, game, and arcade offers.

www.boardwalkbowlfun.com; (407) 384-0003

Summer is arriving and with it comes special promotional prices, such as this package by Mystic Country, CT’s Mohegan Sun. The resort has 275K sf of meeting space, 1,600 guest rooms, 40 restaurants, and 16 private dining rooms under the roof of a 5.5-million sf of space. free parking, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and coffee for just $51 a gallon. Book a mid-week group of at least 50 rooms for a stay from June through September and receive complimentary opening night reception with open bar & hors d’oeuvres, one suite upgrade per 20 rooms booked, and 10% off in-house AV equipment (but not labor).

https://meetings.mohegansun.com/

Book any group meeting or event by June 30, 2023 and used by December 31, 2024 at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort Hotels and receive triple Marriott Bonvoy points on eligible meetings, complimentary board meeting for up to 12 guests, and receive a VIP Fantasy Fireworks Yacht Cruise for up to 12 guests (restrictions apply). There are 2,619 guest rooms on the property, 348,711 sf of meeting and function space, 23 restaurants and lounges, and more than 128,000 sf of outdoor space. All guests have full access to amenities on both properties.

www.SwanDolphin.com/meetings; meetings@swandolphin.com; (407) 934-4290

Book the Garden Villa in Winter Park, FL any day of the week in June, July, or August for only $1,000. (New clients only.) The Garden Villa at Florida Federation of Garden Clubs features a banquet hall, chef-presented food, spectacular gardens, professional planners onsite, and a relaxing ambiance. 125-person max. Weddings and corporate events.

Events@TheGardenVilla.com; (407) 745-5718

Visit Florida hotel/resort members have many promotional packages available. You can see the whole list here: https://www.orlandomeeting.com/plan/meeting-offers/?utm_term=Learn%20More&utm_campaign=TEST-Orlando%20is%20the%20%5Cu201CNatural%5Cu201D%20Choice%20for%20Meetings&utm_conten. But one example would be at Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek. With this offer, which must be booked by May 31 and which is valid from June 1 through September 30, you get a choice of one reward with 25-5- peak room, two rewards with up to 75 rooms, and three rewards if you book more than 76 rooms. You also get double Wyndham Rewards points for hotel stays, gift cards or charitable donations; 3% rebate to the master account; one roundtrip VIP airport transfer; and up to 20 complimentary welcome drink at Bar 1521 or Back Bay. New bookings only. Get all the details. Use offer code VOSUMR23

salesleads@wyndhamgrandorlando.com; (407) 390-2480.

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.

July 12-15.

https://visitboise.com/meetings/fam-application/

GIVE BACK WHILE HAVING FUN

June 25: Chesapeake Films in association with Where Our Children Play presents a Charity Event at Soul Belly BBQ in Las Vegas, NV! The charity event is in support of the cheer program local teacher Mr. McClure has created for the youth of Gilbert Elementary School. Sponsors describe Mr. McClure as a “true inspiration, dedicating his own time and money to create new opportunities for his students. From track to West African dance, his programs have not only allowed children to discover new passions but have also helped them build confidence, teamwork skills, and healthy habits. Soul Belly BBQ will host the event, serving their famous southern cuisine, and providing a lively atmosphere with music and entertainment. To participate in the event, purchase your tickets online for $10, or pay $15 at the door.

https://where-our-children-play.ticketleap.com/

CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT FIRES UP NEW NEVADA RESTAURANTS

Multi-Michelin-starred chef and television personality Gordon Ramsay will open two new restaurants at The ROW in Reno, NV this year. Ramsay’s Kitchen and Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips will open inside Silver Legacy, the 16th and 17th restaurants with Caesars Entertainment. His first restaurants in the Reno market, Ramsay’s Kitchen will offer a mix of original specialties inspired by Chef Ramsay’s travels, specifically curated for The ROW while Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips will showcase authentic English street food with a bit of flair. Ramsay’s Kitchen will have more than 260 seats and Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips’ fast-casual approach will have room for 60. Both restaurants will be on the mezzanine level of Silver Legacy, where the buffet was previously located, on the 50-yard line of The ROW.

https://www.caesars.com/the-row-reno

Restaurateur, television star, and philanthropist Lisa Vanderpump debuts her first Lake Tahoe, NV restaurant, Wolf by Vanderpump at Harveys Lake Tahoe. Expected to open this winter adjacent to Hell’s Kitchen on the south side of Harveys, it is her third project in partnership with Caesars Entertainment. “Wolf will be filled with bold and unique design, taking elements from the character and identity of the wolf itself. This opportunity to create a rich and indulgent space inspired by the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe was one I couldn’t resist. Through our design company Vanderpump Alain, Wolf will feature stunning lighting, bespoke furniture, and epic visual statements. Wolf has additional meaning as it is a family name and the middle name of my grandson Teddy,” said Vanderpump. Elements of every part of this venue will tie into the wolf, a highly intelligent and complex animal that is bold, strong, playful, mischievous, vicious, caring and devoted to family. The seasonal menu will use some regionally sourced and inspired ingredients.

Joining the all-star culinary offerings at the soon-to-be Caesars New Orleans, Emeril Lagasse is set to open Emeril’s Brasserie, his first restaurant with Caesars Entertainment. The three-meal, French Creole-inspired restaurant is expected to open in late 2023 as part of the property’s multimillion-dollar transformation from Harrah’s New Orleans to Caesars New Orleans. The restaurant will encompass full-service breakfast, lunch, and dinner dining options, as well as a fast-casual coffee shop and bakery called the Petite Brasserie. “As my first French influenced concept, I had so much fun creating this menu and going back to my roots to pay homage to some of my own mentors,” said Chef Emeril Lagasse. “Guests will find classic French dishes with New Orleans influence throughout the menu.” The restaurant will be accessible from both the casino floor and Canal Street and will be available for all ages. The coffee shop and bakery will offer a quick-service option and will be accessible from the casino floor – guests must be over the age of 21 to access.

HOTEL REWARDS PROGRAMS CAN MAXIMIZE YOUR SAVINGS

Depend on the folks at personal finance website WalletHub to help make decisions which, or if, hotel awards program you should join. Their latest survey ranked the 10 largest U.S. hotel chains’ rewards programs based on 21 key metrics, including the average value of a point, point expiration policies, and the volatility of award-night pricing. Radisson placed first for travelers earning a rating of 73 out of 100. Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst, said “The next best options after Radisson are Wyndham Rewards and World of Hyatt.” Gonzalez also said “Hotel rewards programs are free to join, and members save an average of $12 for every $100 spent, so it’s definitely worth signing up for your favorite hotels’ loyalty programs and using your account to book stays whenever you travel. In addition to saving money, loyalty program members benefit from perks such as early check-in, late check-out, free room upgrades, and special access to amenities such as health clubs and spas.” The survey notes that eight of the top 10 hotel rewards programs allow members to redeem points for award nights at all brands/properties (Marriott Bonvoy and Choice Privileges are the exceptions). Best Western is the only major hotel chain whose points do not expire due to account inactivity. “Points from nearly all major hotel rewards programs can expire if you do not earn or redeem any points for a certain period of time – usually 24 months. The fact that most hotel points can expire underscores the importance of redeeming regularly rather than stockpiling points for a far-off vacation,” explained Gonzalez. And which Hotel Credit Card of 2023 is rated the best? The World of Hyatt Credit Card is 2023’s best hotel credit card because it can save the average person roughly $1,400 over the course of two years.

https://wallethub.com/edu/best-hotel-rewards-program/25939/

CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT INVESTED $400 MILLION IN ATLANTIC CITY, NJ

Caesars Entertainment is calling the investment of $400 million as the East Coast Reimagined. Three properties, Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Atlantic City, and the Tropicana Atlantic City have a total of 300,000 sf of flexible meeting space and 6,500 guest rooms. Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center is the largest hotel conference center complex from Boston to Baltimore, Nobu Restaurant has opened at Caesars Atlantic City, and Spiegelworld presents The Hook, Atlantic City’s first-ever permanent entertainment residency, opens this month. The Tropicana Atlantic City has a marketplace venue full of color and sass called The Quarter, and The Boardwalk Hall organ is allegedly the largest musical instrument in the world with more than 30,000 pipes.

www.Caesars.com

WHAT IF A GUEST REFUSES TO SIGN YOUR WAIVERSIGN FORM?

If someone books an activity but then doesn’t want to sign the waiver, Chun T. Wright, legal counsel for businesses across the country, said the best thing to do is “Give them a refund. A reluctance to sign indicates that they are uncomfortable with the risks of the activity.” That is just one piece of advice given by Wright when hired by Salt Lake City, UT-based WaiverSign. The attorney said one person signing on behalf of a group doesn’t usually hold up in court. “The purpose of the waiver is to inform the signer of risks involved with an activity and to give the signer a chance to release the tour operator from liability. If only one person reads and signs, there’s no guarantee that others have been properly informed. Also, without individual signatures, no one else has officially waived their rights.” Wright indicates that getting waivers signed protects the guest and the company. “Email the digital waiver to guests after they have booked and paid for an activity. This gives them time to focus on the waiver, then to read and to sign.” As for walk-ins, If businesses ask clients to sign after walk-ins and they are required to sign during a time crunch before a tour departs, those clients may make a “signing-under-duress” argument later in court. This is something to consider when thinking about the timing of signing or electronically delivering the waiver prior to departure when possible.” There are many aspects of WaiverSign that both companies and clients should know. For instance, Wright says the “Statutes of limitations for someone to bring a lawsuit against you vary by state and nation (think global customers). In certain jurisdictions, minors can potentially retain the right to sue when they become of age. This means some years can pass from the time of the alleged incident to a lawsuit. WaiverSign offers indefinite storage, making it easy to exceed the statute of limitations.” On the question of tracking clients to ensure they’ve signed, use the RESMARK booking system with WaiverSign. Those online bookings are sent emails to collect the waivers. If someone hasn’t signed by a certain date, the system tracks that and will continue to remind the participant about collecting a signature. There are many more answers to questions and how to be prepared for most eventualities. For the full breadth of what to expect and how to prevent any issues, contract the company directly.

https://www.waiversign.com/; (877) 741-7705.

COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FFEA

Florida Festivals & Events Association seeks volunteers for the Membership and Ambassador committees. The Membership Recruitment & Retention Committee works with the FFEA Staff and Board by welcoming new members, connecting with existing members and promoting FFEA membership through various outlets and partnerships. The Ambassador Committee consists of regional leaders who serve as a local point of contact for FFEA. Ambassadors act as a resource to the members in their region and host regional networking events, meetups, tours, and workshops.

suzanne@ffea.com

APPLICATIONS FOR EVENT MARKETER’S 2023 IT LIST

Event marketing agencies from across North America are invited to enter (for free) Event Marketer’s 2023 Top 100 IT List by the June 30 deadline. The magazine’s Editors will gather intelligence about the applicants, review case studies, make their selections, and mesh the data into a special report out in September that will showcase the who’s-who and the what’s-what of the experiential marketing agency landscape. IT List agencies will be covered in Event Marketer magazine and online at eventmarketer.com with detailed coverage of each agency’s core capabilities.

Questions: Kait at kshea@accessintel.com; https://itlist.secure-platform.com/a

APPLICATIONS FOR EVENT MARKETER’S top 50 FABRICATORS

You have until June 30 to submit your free application to be named one of the Top 50 Fabricators serving corporate North America. Fabricators and exhibit builders should apply for the 2023 List.

Questions: Contact Kait at kshea@accessintel.com

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR EVENTENY’S NON-PROFIT PROGRAM?

501c3 organizations are eligible for Eventeny’s Non-Profit Program to get one year free of Eventeny Pro with a three-year contract (worth $2,800). Offer only valid for new customers. Deadline to apply is June 23.

https://www.eventeny.com/demo/?utm_campaign=Lead&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=259055002&_hsenc=p2ANqtz–SjcSbPo3C_xzzdus1eIynY4rQ1Cn_Xwyb8U9GUpXGpqZEVBF

FESTIVALS

Now through 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.