I confess. I have read all the Harry Potter books twice and have seen all the movies more often. I have traveled on the Hogwarts Express between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventures in Orlando, FL and I’ve peered in all the shops at Diagon Alley, so you can just imagine how excited I am that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, will be one of the themed worlds when Universal Orlando Resort opens its fourth theme park – Universal Epic Universe, on May 22, 2025.

Within the five themed worlds: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Dark Universe, there will be more than 50 interactive and innovative experiences. Yes, I know that anchoring the park is Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, a majestic 500-room property with one-of-a-kind views of the park and will have its very own dedicated entrance into Epic Universe , as well as nearly 5,000 sf of versatile space, but I am eager to “live” in this detailed world of Harry, even when he faces the wicked Dolores Umbridge at her trial. Will I emerge safely at the Ministry from the the Métro-Floo–think transportation that unloads you from a fireplace (and if you watch the Food Channel’s Harry Potter- the Wizards of Baking show you can see those chefs arrive that same manner). I want to gape at the Ministry of Magic’s grand atrium and read the latest edition of the Daily Prophet, before riding the omnidirectional lift through the Ministry. My excitement grows as the months slip by. See you there?

www.UOMeetingsAndEvents.com/

THEY SERVE UP DEALS! YOU SAVE!

Save up to 25% on select rooms and villas at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, HI from January 4 – April 10, 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.

(866) 443-4763 or contact your travel agent to take advantage of this special offer.

15% Off Your Stay at The Ansonborough (Charleston, SC). Book a minimum two-night stay at least three days before arrival. This exclusive, non-refundable offer is valid through the December 31 with some restrictions.

(843) 723-1655; info@ansonboroughinn.com; https://www.theansonborough.com/hotel-charleston-historic-district

Valley Forge’s new Room for Meetings, Room for More! Incentive program encourages you to confirm new bookings by December 31 to receive rewards. Rewards vary by the number of rooms booked using any of our 80+ Montgomery County, PA hotels and confirming a group of at least 25 total contracts hotel room nights.

meet@valleyforge.org; www.meet.valleyforge.org; (800) 441-3549

d. 50,000 bonus points, one complimentary room upgrade, a waived resort fee, and two coffee breaks. Group must spend a minimum of $10,000 F&B to qualify for coffee breaks (before tax and gratuity). Three-night minimum stay with 40 rooms peak to qualify. Resort has over 100,000 sf event space, six ballrooms, three conference centers, and near Orlando attractions.

https://www.dtresortorlando.com/orlando-hotel-deals/corporate-offer

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 are December 8-11 and 15-23.  Promo 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

You can still enter Irving’s 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways. The final date is December 12. No purchase necessary to enter or win, but must be at least 18. Winner will be selected by a random drawing under the supervision of Visit Irving. Winner will be notified by email within three (3) days following selection of Winner.

https://www.irvingtexas.com/12-days-giveaway/social-media-giveaway-rules/

Book an air-inclusive getaway of four nights or more at a participating hotel or resort in The Bahamas and score instant savings of $300. The booking window is Dec 3 – 20, 2024, for travel from Dec. 9, 2024, through May 31, 2025. Terms and conditions apply.

www.travel@bahamas.com

Disney Cruises has special promotional offers from 20 to 30% off for sailings from Florida, Texas, New Zealand, and Australia. The discounts vary depending on whether you are a Florida resident, from, or a member of the military. You can see the full lineup of discounts for yourself.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/special-offers/

Mainsail Lodging & Development entices the senses with taste and experiential activities at three of its most popular Florida boutiques hotels: the historic jazz-inspired Fenway Hotel in Dunedin, foodie-focused Epicurean Hotel in Tampa, and riverfront Luminary Hotel & Co. in downtown Fort Myers. Each property has a promotional offer designed to captivate. “We take great pride in the unique character and style of our hotels and the thoughtful planning that goes into designing experiences for each type of traveler,” said Joe Collier, President and Founder of Mainsail Lodging & Development. “From the classic ambiance and jazz culture of Dunedin to the culinary adventures in Tampa and the dynamic urban setting of Fort Myers, our hotels are crafted to provide memorable and enriching getaways that embrace each community’s local charm.” Luminary Hotel & Co. has a range of special offers, including the Chips Sports Pub & Topgolf Swing Suite Package that includes a $25 gift card, the Stay for Breakfast package featuring breakfast at Ella Mae’s Diner, and exclusive Sunshine State savings with the Florida Resident Rate. Fenway Hotel has special offers such as the STEAK-cation Dunedin Package, the Fenway Sunset Package, and the Florida Resident Rate offering exclusive discounts and perks. Special sports events for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Lightning or the inaugural season of the Tampa Bay Sun FC professional women’s soccer team may be good enticements to book a holiday or meeting. The recent $21 million expansion of the Epicurean Hotel offers the STEAK-cation package or enjoy up to 30% savings and two complimentary glasses of wine or beer with the Florida Resident rate. The same sports activities listed for The Fenway would work for a stay here as well.

https://www.fenwayhotel.com/; https://www.epicureanhotel.com/; https://www.luminaryhotel.com/

Earn 12% commission for booking Montego Bay, Jamaica resorts for your new group meeting. 20+ rooms for a minimum of three nights. Contract by December 31, 2024 and use by December 31, 2026 for JOIA Rose Hall by Iberostar, Iberostar Waves Rose Hall Beach and Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites.

https://www.iberostar.com/en/meetings-events-groups/

Get your FREE Winter Escape Card And receive discounted adventures in Pensacola, FL. Cards become available December 15. Submit your application to link below or pick one up at any Pensacola Visitor Information Center.

https://www.visitpensacola.com/wintervisit-register/; (800) 874-1234

Once upon a time, a hotel in Colorado Springs, CO served as the region’s stock exchange for gold and silver. It has been renovated into a 128-room hotel, opening as the first Wyndham Registry Collection Hotel in the United States. The renovations include exposed brick and marble finishes to guest rooms. There is an art gallery called The Vault, and 15,000 sf of conference and event space. Today, Wyndham Rewards members can earn double points and a $25 nightly credit with a booking by December 31 and using by May 31, 2025.

www.miningexchangehotel.com

Journey Brazil, a new Destination Management Company specializing in high-end to ultra-luxury travel, officially launches operations in December under the leadership of Co-Founder and Managing Director Mikael Castro, in partnership with Zachary Rabinor, CEO and Co-Founder of Journey Mexico, Journey Costa Rica, and now Journey Brazil.
+55 21 96640-5457, hello@journeybrazil.com; www.journeybrazil.com; www.journeymexico.com; www.journeycostarica.com

Save 25% on your next small board meeting or annual conference. SmallConferences.com’s Exclusive Nonprofit Discount program helps companies save with cost-effective site selection & creating memorable moments. Owner Robert Kraus has been a member of the hospitality industry for 20 years, sharing his knowledge by teaching Hospitality at local Miami homeless shelters and Event Planning for Nonprofits. He’s been featured in USA Today, Hotels Magazine, Meetings Outlook, Hospitality & Tourism News, Washington City Paper & on the Today Show because of my expertise in hospitality.

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/success-secrets-for-events-7166886820624982016/

Contract your new meeting or event at the Walt Disney World Swam and/or Dolphin (Lake Buena Vista, FL) by December 31 this year and use by December 31, 2025 to receive Triple Marriott Bonvoy™ Points, complimentary Planning Meeting for up to 12 Guests for up to two nights, round trip airport transfers, F&B, and a VIP Epcot Fireworks Yacht Cruise for up to 12 guests. Cruise and Board Meeting offer eligible for groups of 500+ total room nights. Between the two adjacent properties there are 99 meeting rooms, 149 meeting suites, and 23 restaurants and lounges. Guests have full access to the Mandara Spa, six pools, and preferred tee times on Disney® championship golf courses.

https://swandolphin.com/meetings/request-for-proposal/

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

Scottsdale, AZ isn’t pretending that temperatures in the city don’t soar during summer months, but they want to cool down the heat by offering a Sizzling Summer Rebate Program, based on having a minimum of 125 total group rooms and actualizing during these time periods: May 26 – September 12, 2025; and May 25 – September 11, 2026. The RFP must be sourced through Experience Scottsdale. Total rebate, up to $5,000 max, is credited to the client’s master bill. Rebates only apply to new meetings and there must be written confirmation of eligibility from Experience Scottsdale.

www.experiencescottsdale.com/meetings/summer/

The beaches of St. Petersburg, FL may be a strong attraction, but in this case, perhaps the reason to book one of the TradeWinds Island Resorts could be the promotional incentive to book your group’s meeting by December 20. The meeting for a minimum of 50 rooms on peak must also be used by December 20. There are at least a dozen incentives offered, and when you book, you get to choose six of them. Incentives may include 4% rebate to the master, donation to the charity of your choice, 10% discount on published Banquet Food & Beverage spend; 10% discount on published A/V spend; Complimentary break for staff office; or a Complimentary 2-night stay certificate for meeting planner.

https://www.tradewindsresort.com/offers

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– 2025: 11/18/2024 – 04/17/2025; and 2026: 11/17/2025 – 03/31/2026.

sales@meetboston.com; www.meetBoston.com

Florida Festivals & Events Association (FFEA) seeks committee volunteers. Must be a member of the organization in good standing. There are 12 committees needing volunteers. Fill out the application form.

https://www.ffea.com/f/67

NEW AND PUTTING ON A NEW FACE

Halloween is over but the monsters are still emerging at Universal Orlando Resort’s Dark Universe’s “Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.” The groundbreaking ride will feature 14 of the most ambitious and life-like animated figures ever created – each one depicting one of the legendary Monsters that will prey upon guests. Attendees will be taken deep into the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor, where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, the great-great-granddaughter of the infamous Henry Frankenstein, conducts her twisted and misguided experiments. She invites guests to witness a demonstration of her ability to control monsters, but accidentally unleashes a horde of enraged monsters. Created by science and feared by most, Frankenstein’s Monster walks tall at nine feet and weighs over 800 pounds. Guests will first encounter this figure within the queue of the attraction where he will actually walk within Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s lab during the preshow. Then there’s Dracula, the most dangerous monster Dr. Frankenstein tries to control. Wolf Man displays his razor-sharp teeth and jagged claws in the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor and guests will see “Gill-man” emerge from the inky depths of the Black Lagoon. Too nervous to meet these monsters in the manor? There will be meet, greet and photos for these monsters and others, such as the Bride of Frankenstein, as they wander throughout the village.

www.UOMeetingsAndEvents.com/

Hotel Alpenrock Breckenridge, Curio Collection by Hilton has opened in Breckenridge, CO at the base of Peak 9. 205 rooms. 10,000 sf of event space.

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/qkbbrqq-alpenrock-breckenridge

In 2025

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

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

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 February 15. 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

Disney Creative Studio is being reimagined at Walt Disney World Resort (Lake Buena Vista, FL). Disney Meetings & Events team will collaborate with meeting planners here at this stand-alone facility. Services from entertainment, décor, floral, AV etc will be under one roof.

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 group 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 2025. 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 (opening January 21, 2025) and Universal Terra Luna Resort (opening February 25, 2025), 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.

By the end of 2024, Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles (St. Charles, MO) will have finished its refresh and upgrade of the resort’s 397 guest rooms. By fall of 2025, the property will have tripled the size of its meeting and convention center to 65,000 sf of event and meeting space.

https://ameristarstcharles.boydgaming.com/

Super Nintendo World, one of five worlds at Universal Epic Universe (Orlando, FL), will open in 2025.

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/epic-universe/worlds/super-nintendo-world?

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

The seven floors of 182 guestrooms and suites in The St. Regis Washington, D.C. (downtown D.C) have been redesigned and refreshed with a light creamy palate and pops of blues, grays and gold. The 2,508-sf Astor Ballroom and 2,500-sf Astor Terrace have both also received restoring touches. Next up: the hotel’s onsite contemporary Mediterranean restaurant, Alhambra, gets a new outdoor terrace, and there will be updates to the St. Regis Bar, as well as redesigns to the Food & Beverage venues in 2025.

www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/wassx-the-st-regis-washington-dc

 Opal Sol, an all-suite luxury resort, comes to Clearwater Beach, FL in 2025. The resort will have floor-to-ceiling Gulf views from every suite and more than 57,000 sf of event space. When combined with its sister property, Opal Sands, via the sky bridge, there will be more than 106,000 sf of event space and 478 luxury rooms and suites.

https://www.opalcollection.com/opal-sol; Danielle Silva, Associate Director Of Sales: (727) 674-4104, danielle.silva@ophotels.com

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.

ICE! RETURNS TO GAYLORD HOTELS

ICE! Returns to six Gaylord Hotels, beginning with Frosty the Snowman at Gaylord Opryland (Nashville, TN) on November 8 and running until January 4. Charlie Brown Christmas runs November 15-December 28 at Gaylord National (National Harbor, MD); Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is at Gaylord Texan (Grapevine, TX), from November 15-January 5; and Elf is at Gaylord Palms (Kissimmee, FL) from November 15-January 4. The Polar Express is at Gaylord Rockies (Aurora, CO) from November 22 – January 1 and How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa (San Antonio, TX) runs from November 23 – January 5.

www.GaylordHotels.com

EVENTENY HOSTS NEW AWARDS COMPETITION

You have until January 1, 2025 to nominate 2024’s top art shows, markets, conventions, and concerts across the U.S. and Canada. Categories include Best Market, Art Show, Convention, and Music Festival. Eventeny was founded to remove event organizers from being the 5th most stressful job in the world. The virtual awards ceremony will be January 10th at 12:00 PM EST.
https://product.eventeny.com/evawards-2024?

VISIT PLANO, TX HOLIDAY GIVEWAYS

To enter for a chance to win, follow them on Facebook or Instagram, like their giveaway posts, and tag a friend in the comments! Each week, competition named on Tuesday and winners are announced on Fridays. December 10: Dinner at Legacy West + a $100 Shopping VISA gift card; and December 17: Cinemark holiday movie tickets + a Cinemark dining gift card.

TOP 20 AMERICAN FUN CITIES

Is your idea of a fun city one in which you visit the hottest tourist spots, has the best restaurants or attractions, or are you more chill and want a place to camp, hike, or discover an off-the-beaten-path treasure? When personal finance website, WalletHub, compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 65 key metrics, ranging from fitness clubs per capita to movie costs to the average business hours of breweries, they received survey responses covering all those reasons… and more. Tyra Burton, Senior Lecturer, Kennesaw State University, suggested folks looking for fun and affordable cities, “Look for a city that engages both its residents and visitors. Check out city visitor websites as well as the website for residents. An active local government or tourist center that plans entertainment and family events can help provide fun activities for your trip. Look for green spaces like parks, rec areas, lakes, and beaches for places to bring your packed lunch and reconnect with nature. If it is a bigger city, public transportation can help you get from one place to another while saving dollars. Research ticket combos for main attractions to help lower costs. Don’t be afraid to try an off-the-beaten-path destination or something different.” Here are the top 20 fun cities, beginning with Las Vegas, NV and then Orlando, FL; Miami, FL; Atlanta, GA; New Orleans, LA; Austin, TX; San Francisco, CA; Chicago, IL; Houston, TX; New York, NY; Fort Lauderdale, FL; St. Louis, MO; Denver, CO; Portland, OR; Cincinnati, OH; Honolulu, HI; Tampa, FL; Los Angeles, CA; Seattle, WA; and Washington DC.
www.wallethub.com

HFTP PROGRAM TO IDENTIFY AUTHORIZED SOFTWARE PRODUCT PROVIDERS

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) has introduced a new program to identify authorized providers of software products and services which use elements from the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI™), a guidance for standardized industry financial reporting and analysis. HFTP recently released the USALI 12th Revised Edition, which has a focus on increased reporting transparency. The mandatory adoption date for this edition is January 1, 2026; however, companies that choose to do so may adopt sooner. “Our hotel customers and technology partners all over the world trust our team at PAS to understand the most current version of USALI and help them update their account classifications and operating statements with the most accurate formats available,” said Gayle Edwards, president and CEO of PAS. Jill Wilder, president of Aptech, said, “Aptech has been a back office and accounting solution leader in the hospitality industry for more than 50 years, and our commitment to ongoing education, solution development, and support of our incredible industry associations like HFTP and AHLA are very important to our team.” HFTP is the publisher of the USALI and protects this standard under copyright law. With the addition of the USALI Licensing Stamp program, it officially designates companies who are authorized users of the USALI elements. Participating companies enter into a limited license agreement and follow the USALI Stamp Usage Guidelines included in the agreement. The USALI is accessible through a digital subscription service or as a soft-cover book (anticipated release in late 2024). The digital version offers versatility, compatible with smartphones, tablets, and PCs. Users can actively engage with the content, leveraging features to personalize notes and comments directly within the digital platform.

Visit the https://usali.hftp.org/ to purchase the book and view supplemental resources. Questions? usali@hftp.org or +1 (512) 220-4020.

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

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

Now -December 28: 4th annual Lights on the Farm! Over 1 million dazzling lights and unique holiday elements on the quarter mile stroll through the Heritage Farmstead Museum. Meet Santa Claus, indulge in delicious s’mores, hot cocoa, donuts, popcorn and more.

https://events.visitplano.com/event/lights-on-the-farm-2024

Now– January 5, 2025: Winter Wonderland at Falls Park (Sioux Falls, SD). 338,000 total LEDs and lights, 260 trees decorated, 215 light poles decorated and over a mile of garland. Free!

https://www.experiencesiouxfalls.com/winter-wonderland?

December 18: Legendary saxophonist Kenny G performs fan favorites, holiday standards, and contemporary classics from his chart-topping, 50-year career at Caloosa Sound Amphitheater (Fort Myers, FL). Concert goers receive a 10% discount off their bill at select restaurants.

https://www.tixr.com/groups/caloosasoundamp/events/kenny-g-117248

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 2023-2024 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.