Spotlight on Nashville: 2019 a Big Year for Hotels

The hotel development in Nashville has reached an all-time high with 20 hotels set to open by the end of this year. After the opening of the Music City Center six years ago, hotel companies have flocked to this unique city to get in on the action. Known for its lively music and art scenes, Nashville has welcomed a variety of major brands such as the Four Seasons which is set to begin the development of its first Tennessee property in April. With the addition of this hotel, this will bring the grand total of rooms being added in 2019 to 3,245. As we watch the major growth occurring in Nashville, we are eager to assist clients with site selection in this area!

For more information, please visit: http://www.meetings-conventions.com/News/Hotels-and-Resorts/20-hotels-to-open-in-nashville-in-2019/

“United Meetings”: Airline Launches Online Portal to Drive Business

As the Meeting industry continues to bring in high levels of business for airlines, many companies are starting to take notice. In a move to stay ahead of competitors, United Airlines has introduced “United Meetings”, an online platform created specifically for the travel of meeting attendees. As an extension of its existing web portal known as Jetstream, United has promised to bring even more value by offering features such as discounts that can be credited towards amenities and a dashboard making it easy to track past and future travel plans. With this new offering, United’s goal is to be the go-to airline for meeting planners. As a company that manages meetings all over the world, we love to see major airline companies introducing innovative services for those in need of air travel to get to their next meeting!

 For more information, please visit: https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/United-launches-meetings-portal

Viva Las Vegas: MGM’s ‘Grand’ Expansion

After almost two years, MGM Resorts International has revealed an impressive 250,000 square foot addition to its MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Included within the three-level expansion, are two massive ballrooms that can be divided into 16 breakout rooms, floor to ceiling windows, and an entire level dedicated to health and wellness programs. Bringing the total size of the MGM Grand Conference Center to 850,000 square feet, the company’s goal was to create a meeting space with a wide variety of possibilities and integrate it flawlessly with the existing venue. MGM’s undertaking of this colossal development coincides with the company’s commitment to continue its meeting space growth at other local sister properties which include Mandalay Bay, ARIA, and Park MGM. With such a major investment in meeting space, our clients are looking forward to the endless possibilities MGM has to offer!

For more information, please visit: https://www.meetingstoday.com/newsevents/industrynews/industrynewsdetails/articleid/33284/title/mgm-grand-conference-center-wraps-innovative-expansion

Signia Hilton, A New Brand with Meetings in Mind

At a recent press conference, Hilton announced the development of a new hotel brand, Signia Hilton, the company’s solution to providing a space specifically for meetings and events. After analyzing feedback from meeting professionals, Hilton has pinpointed main areas for improvement that they plan on targeting with the development of the Signia Hilton brand. Signia branded hotels will have a minimum of 500 guest rooms and 75 square feet per room of meeting and event space as well as a signature restaurant, premium wellness facilities and a "wow" factor. Focusing on modern design, smart technology, and culinary experience, Hilton intends to launch the brand with existing hotels in Indianapolis, Atlanta, and Orlando at a date not yet disclosed. With such a big push in innovation, we at Meeting Sites Pro, Inc. are excited to see how this affects the rest of the industry and if others will follow suit!

For more information visit https://www.pcma.org/hilton-introduces-signia-hilton-meetings-events-focused-hotel-brand/

Looking forward to the Hyatt acquisition of Two Roads Hospitality

Last month, Hyatt Hotels announced that they would be acquiring Two Roads Hospitality in a move that will add multiple brands including Alila, Destination, Joie de Vivre, and Thompson to the World of Hyatt Portfolio. While a merger such as this always begets a period of transition, we are excited for the benefits this partnership will bring to the hospitality community. Hyatt is going to gain a great collection of upscale and unique properties where the Two Roads properties gains the partnership of a hospitality giant and its rewards program. Change is in the air!

https://newsroom.hyatt.com/news-releases?item=123739