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HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS –NOVEMBER 2024

Universal Epic Universe Opens May 22 2025

Universal Orlando Resort’s fourth theme park – Universal Epic Universeofficially opens May 22, 2025. More than 50 incredible experiences, Epic Universe will present a level of theme park immersion and innovation unmatched across 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. 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 feature

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS –OCTOBER 2024

NO CAR, BUT HOTEL CHARGED MANDATORY VALET PARKING FEE!

No car, but parking fee charged anyway.

Robert Kraus, travel professional, event planner, and owner of Small Conferences LLC took an “expensive van service from the airport to a Florida hotel for a three-day educational conference aimed at meeting planners,” he explains. In his LinkedIn post, Kraus said the property was “near a beach that literally brags about how most of the properties there do not charge a “resort fee” and even offer free parking. The actual town I stayed in offers a surplus of complimentary parking along the main strip with no parking restrictions – welcoming guests to drive and stay there (as they are an hour away from the closest regional airport).” Along with his key and information about the complimentary breakfast

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS –JUNE 2024

Just one of the extraordinary inflatables by Disco Designer.

Occasionally, I see event props and décor that are over-the-top incredible. I have worked functions with enormous inflatables that enhance a theme but the ones from Peter Yordanov’s Disco Designer group soar to new levels of creativity, vivid colors, imagination, and yes, size. While there are many enormous inflatables on his FaceBook and LinkedIn

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – JUNE 2023

RENOVATED AND COMING SOON

Bobby Flay to open Brasserie B in Caesars Palace by late 2023

Award-winning Chef Bobby Flay will introduce a new French concept at Caesars Palace. Brasserie B by Bobby Flay’s menu will be an intersection of French cuisine. “I’m thrilled to create my vision of a classic French brasserie for my long-time partners at Caesars Palace,” said Bobby Flay. “The design of Brasserie B by Bobby Flay will entice that classic Parisian feel. The energy will be bustling with casual professionalism, and the food will be a mix of brasserie staples and, of course, some flavor surprises I’ve become known for over the years.” Designed by Olivia Jane Design & Interiors, Brasserie B will feature an L-shaped, 20-seat

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – MAY 2023

HOT DEALS!

Garden tower at Villa Lilly in Italy has special pricing for four-night stays throughout May.

Rentyl Resorts has an extensive inventory of resort homes with as many as 13 bedrooms in many countries. I can’t list all their packages, but here are a couple to entice you to check their site out for yourself. Enjoy a discount for a four-night stay at Villa Lilly in Italy or maybe use booking code TIXCREDIT at The Bear’s Den Resort Orlando, for which you’ll get $200 towards two tickets to the theme park

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – MARCH 2022

Music to stir the soul while trekking in the outdoors.

NEWLY OPENED AND COMING SOON

Music to your ears on your outdoor vacation adventure? Holiday River Expeditions has added the sweet sounds of music to accompany trips down the Colorado and Utah canyons, and while river rafting or biking. Bringing live music into the equation really takes the splendor and fun of a wilderness rafting experience to a whole new level,” says Karen Johnson of Holiday River Expeditions (Salt Lake City, UT). “Our first such trip in 2021 was an overwhelming success so we decided to expand the offering in 2022 and will likely continue to do so in the years to come.” The trips are selling out fast, and the musical groups may change, so contact the company for the available offerings.

EVENT INSIDER: pandemic slowdown spurs new businesses

A short while back there was a viral-bound joke that if vaccination site managers wanted to have their operations, appointments and follow through go smoothly, they should turn to meeting and event planners. The joke continued that not only would the task be done skillfully and to everyone’s satisfaction, but all those seniors who had endured standing in long lines, (sometimes throughout the night), unsure if they’d even score a shot, would have been served snacks, a drink and maybe even a chair. I was likely among the meetings & event Insiders who didn’t see the surface humor in the proposition. I had discussed that same “duh moment” ad nauseum with industry friends and my husband and wondered why no one in charge hadn’t already figured that out. Who better to strategize all the minutia of appointments, parking, cue lines, qualified staff, and follow up visits to fulfillment, than a planner?

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – SEPTEMBER 2020

Work From Paradise provides safety, designated work space, and time for fun later at TradeWinds Island Grand Resort.

Fall has dropped in the United States. I heard that in Denver, CO the temperature on the weekend was 101 and by three days later was to plunge to the 30s and snow. Where I am based, we are still dealing with the sauna bath known as Florida summer that sometimes seems like that last 10 pounds on a diet—nothing you do can make it disappear! For some reason, my husband keeps saying “It’s Fall… things should be cooling down from the humidity-soaking 100+ degrees we still face daily.” I remind him that I have worked Halloween gigs (as my alter ego, Natasha, The Psychic Lady) wearing sleeveless blouses because temperatures have barely taken a dip into the low 90s.

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – JUNE 2019

The Met Hotel in Greece is both an art gallery and upscale hotel.


When I first began writing this column, I was working regularly for a high end travel magazine that catered to the hospitality, meetings & events industries. Over time I have realized that not all travellers visit destinations or plan events because they are part of a corporate or social group. This edition (and likely more in the future) will feature some personal travel options for adults and families.
HOT DEALS!
It’s an art gallery. No, it’s a hotel. No, actually The Met Hotel in the ancient coastal city of Thessaloniki, Greece is both. While Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – JUNE, 2018

 

Vineyard Tower is a $120 million expansion to Gaylord Texas Resort & Convention Center

FEED CENTRAL FLORIDA YOUTHS THIS SUMMER

Orlando, FL area restaurants and the Central Florida chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) are partnering to make the Summer of Dreams come true for homeless Central Florida youths. The annual “Round Up For Kids” fundraiser for the Orlando After-School All-Stars initiative will provide meals, academic enrichment, tutoring, mentoring, and a backpack filled with school supplies for the upcoming school term. Last year, the Summer of Dreams program served 1,151 Central Florida homeless students. Diners can help just by letting participating restaurants know you want to support the cause by Read more