Supplier News:
Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval signed a bill that will set into motion the expansion and renovation of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center will add 600,000 sq. ft. of new exhibit space to the facility, which currently offers 2 million sq. ft. of exhibit space and 250,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. In 2015, the Las Vegas Convention Center hosted 49 events with a combined attendance of 1.3 million people.
Nancy Green Klein, FASAE, CAE, to VP of Vetted Solutions in its DC office, effective Dec. 1, from deputy executive director, American Industrial Hygiene Association. She served as interim executive director while AIHA searched for a new executive director - Larry Sloan, CAE, became AIHA executive director in August. Vetted Solutions is an executive search firm in the association space, headed by Jim Zaniello.
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board launched Virtual Discovery L.A., a new virtual reality travel platform that provides meeting professionals with immersive 360-degree viewing experiences of more than 50 venues and locations. The platform is powered by XplorIt.
Smart City Networks will provide advertising and other content services via its digital signage network throughout the main lobby of the San Diego Convention Center. The program will offer immersive branding opportunities through large format projection displays above key entrances to the exhibit halls; allow meeting planners the opportunity to engage attendees through comprehensive messaging and dynamic content; and deliver high-resolution video welcome messaging.
Marriott International will relocate its global corporate office to a new $600-million facility in downtown Bethesda, Md. Montgomery County, Maryland, where Bethesda is located just outside of D.C., has been Marriott’s home for more than 60 years. The new complex will house more than 3,500 employees in about 700,000 sq. ft. of leased office space. A final site will be selected in the first half of 2017. A 200+ room, Marriott-branded hotel will be built on the site. Marriott headquarters are currently at 10400 Fernwood Road in Bethesda. That lease is set to expire in late 2022.
Associated Luxury Hotels International released its new “ALHI 2017 Global Meeting Guide.” The 222-page meeting planner resource guide is designed to assist meeting professionals, association executives and incentive travel specialists in identifying luxury-level hotels and resorts around the world which are specifically designed and operated for meetings, incentive/recognition programs, conventions, and exhibitions. Meeting professionals and incentive specialists can contact ALHI for a complimentary copy of the new colorful and descriptive resource guide at alhi.com.
Choose Chicago - Michelle Revuelta to media relations VP, from media relations director, Tourism Toronto.
Core-apps - Wayne Crawford to sales VP for this events technology provider. He was president of Wayne Manor Group, an events technology consultancy.
Visit Baltimore - Al Hutchinson to CEO, effective Nov. 14, from CEO, Visit Mobile (Ala.). Interim CEO Ron Melton returns to his position of COO.
MGM/National Harbor - William Zeralsky to national marketing VP from casino marketing for regional operations VP, MGM Resorts. The casino/hotel is scheduled to open soon in the National Harbor complex in Oxon Hill, Md., just outside of Washington. The facility features 308 guest rooms, a 3,000- seat theater and 27,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.
Visit Spokane - Robert Enriquez sales and marketing VP, from sales, services and sports VP, Albuquerque (N.M.) CVB.
Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort - Melissa Robinson to group sales manager for the Midwest and West Coast markets, from sales and catering manager, Hollywood Beach (Fla.) Marriott.
Westin/Nashville (Tenn.) has opened. Located adjacent to the Music City Center,, the 27-story resort features 453 room, and 20,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, including a ballroom that offers reception seating for up to 500 people.
At Louisville (Ky.) CVB:
- Allison Joyce to convention sales manager from executive meeting manager, Marriott/ Downtown Louisville (Ky.)
- Nicole Twigg, from director to VP, tourism
- Mae Bower, from senior sales manager to meetings director.
Standard Mail Nonprofit rate, Global Business Travel Association Foundation, American Health Care Association, American Judges Association, Elizabeth Pearson, Democratic Governors Association, 2017 Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference, Mitt Romney, U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, Virginia Society of Association Executives, Nancy Green Klein, Meetings Mean Business Coalition, Paul Van Deventer, Roger Custer, Young Voices, NiUG International, National Catholic Educational Association, National Soccer Coaches Association of America, Toy Industry Association, TOPS Club, TEXPAC, Texas Medical Association, Brian Schramm, Mark Jones and more, including Supplier News
Congratulations:
Meetings Mean Business Coalition appointed Meeting Professionals International CEO Paul Van Deventer as the coalition co-chair, effective in January. The other co-chair is HelmsBriscoe EVP Richard Harper.
America’s Future Foundation executive director Roger Custer was named to the board of advisers for Young Voices, an organization of libertarian journalists and policy analysts younger than 30.
Awards at the NiUG International’s Discovery Conference, Sept. 26-28 in Baltimore:
Great Things Award: Advanced Solutions International recognizes associations with outstanding iMIS RiSE websites, that use iMIS to help further their missions and accomplish “great things.”
- National Catholic Educational Association (www.ncea.org)
- National Soccer Coaches Association of America (www.nscaa.org)
- Toy Industry Association (www.TheGeniusOfPlay.org)
- TOPS Club (www.tops.org)
- TEXPAC —Texas Medical Association’s bipartisan political arm (www.texpac.org)
John Howarth Memorial Award: NiUG presents this annual award to recipients who have distinguished themselves in service to the iMIS community:
- Brian Schramm, CAE, CFO, Society of Critical Care Medicine
- Mark Jones, CAE, president, enSYNC Corp.
NiUG is users group for the iMIS community.
Association News:
The Standard Mail Nonprofit rate in the U.S. Postal Service recent filing increases substantially by shape, presort level and entry point, according to the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers. For example, rates for origin-entered Automation Letters will decrease by about 3 percent to 4 percent, while rates for destination-entered Automation Letters will increase by about 3 percent to 4 percent as well. The Postal Service will maintain the current pound rates and Carrier Route Basic piece rate and increase the 5-Digit Automation Flat piece rate by 3 percent. Download updated rate charts for Nonprofit Periodicals and Standard Letters and Flats here.
Global Business Travel Association Foundation unveiled a new GBTA Request for Proposal for Car Rental, in partnership with Enterprise. The updated RFP is global, includes a sustainability module and is more efficient and easier to use. The free RFP is designed to become the new industry standard for travel professionals, simplifying and easing the RFP process. Download the new Car Rental RFP here.
American Health Care Association filed a lawsuit this week to combat the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' recently issued ban on predispute arbitration agreements in nursing homes. AHCA claims the ban directly violates the Federal Arbitration Act and goes beyond CMS' and the Department of Health and Human Services' authority.
American Judges Association selected Guam Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert J. Torres for its executive board. This is the first time that a judge from Guam has been selected.
Elizabeth Pearson, executive director of the Democratic Governors Association, will act as president of the new National Democratic Redistricting Committee, which will monitor and recommend how congressional districts are redrawn in the future. House Majority PAC executive director Ali Lapp will be VP.
The deadline Is midnight ET Oct. 31 for the call for papers for the 2017 Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference, Aug. 2-4 at the Gaylord National in Oxon Hill, Md. Details, click here. Questions:Eerik Kreek, eerik@bridgeconf.org or 703-547-1907.
Former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will deliver the keynote address at the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform 17th annual Legal Reform Summit, Oct. 26 at the Chamber’s D.C. headquarters. The Summit will also feature remarks by U.S. Chamber CEO Thomas J. Donohue, a past TRENDS Association Executive of the Year, and ILR president Lisa A. Rickard. Details, click here.
Virginia Society of Association Executives November monthly luncheon and seminar will be Nov. 4 at the Crowne Plaza Richmond Downtown. The topic will be “Being Strategic About Your Strategic Planning,” with a discussion on “Building Organizational Resiliency.” Details and to register, click here or 804-747-4971.