News
Starwood Puts a W in Arizona
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. continues with its expansion, as the new 300,000-square-foot W Hotel in Scottsdale, Ariz., is now under construction.
A year ago, Starwood – operator of hundreds of hotels under several brands – announced the planned opening of 70 new hotels in 2005 and 2006. The W brand now has 20 locations in the United States, Australia and Mexico. The Scottsdale facility is the first W in Arizona.
The W Scottsdale Hotel and Residences will consist of a seven-story building on two acres, featuring 224 guest rooms, a spa, restaurant, two bars and 18 luxury residences.
Three meeting rooms, a 3,500-square-foot ballroom, a 2,500-square-foot lounge and a 2,000-square-foot outdoor terrace will be on the first floor, while the second floor will be dedicated to the massive pool, sand beaches and other entertainment venues.
Scharff Weisberg Lights up ‘The Colbert Report’
Viewers of the Comedy Central hit “The Colbert Report” likely focus on the sprightly host Stephen Colbert, but part of the show’s success can be found in the background.
Lighting designer Stan Crocker called on Scharff Weisberg Lighting to transform the studio previously used by “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” to a signature look for Colbert’s show.
Colbert and the producers wanted a bit of a rock ’n’ roll edge to the lighting, Crocker said. “They wanted movement and color changes that would be a little over the top like the character that Stephen portrays.”
To achieve Crocker’s goals, Scharff provided a moving-light and LED package for the studio, including Vari-Light VL3000 and Martin Mac 250 Profile moving lights. The complement of LEDs included Color Kenetics Color Blaze units.
The final design energizes the studio audience, and Colbert feeds off that energy, said Crocker. “It all carries on to the
television audience.”
Partyin’ in the Windy City
Midwest powerhouse Chicago Party Rental just got bigger with its acquisition of Events Chicago, which adds to the depth of tent expertise to Chicago Party’s stable of services.
Events Chicago has been providing long-term and short-term tent environments for Chicago-area events for 25 years.
The purchase solidifies Chicago Party’s positioning as a one-stop event equipment rental provider, following the purchase of prop and décor equipment rental firm Theme Machine Inc. in October 2004.
“We are all very excited about this venture, as it will allow us further growth and rental opportunities to even better service our clients,” said Ben Shipper IV, president of the Chicago Party Rental/Events Chicago operation.
N.O. Gets Vote of Confidence From Realtors
Despite the devastation at one of the nation’s top event destinations, the National Association of Realtors will take its 2006 Annual Conference & Expo to New Orleans.
With 26,000 attendees planned for the week-long shindig, a decision had to be made last month.
When NAR officials did a site tour, they found much of the city’s event infrastructure operational.
The Central Business District, French Quarter and Garden District weren’t flooded, and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and nearly all hotels in the area are operational and for now are filled with storm-repair workers, said Kitty Ratcliffe, executive vice president of the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Once assured of the city’s commitment, the association’s leadership voted not to seek an alternative site, and to hold the estimated $34 million event in New Orleans.
“Our annual meeting will help to provide jobs for residents to rebuild their lives and revenues for the city to restore services,” said Tom Stevens, president of the association. “We will have a wonderful conference as we celebrate the rebirth of this legendary American city.”
Big Things in Big Packages in 2006
DMC Growth Expected Globally and Locally
Destination management companies expect to see increased revenue from corporate meeting planners in 2006, according to a survey by Washington, D.C.-based Global Events Partners (GEP).
The survey of 60 partner DMCs in 40 countries showed that more than 80 percent of respondents expected revenues from corporate events to increase in the year ahead. Approximately two-thirds of respondents expected that the number of large corporate events with more than 200 attendees would increase in 2006, according to the survey.
That is good news for the DMC industry, according to Chris White, CEO of GEP.
“We have a sweet spot in markets around the world,” said White. “Europe is hot, emerging markets are strong, and of course, leading destinations in the U.S. continue to book business.”
Respondents to the survey also said that Las Vegas and Orlando would continue to be strong destinations for corporate meetings and events. Interestingly, less than 10 percent of respondents said New York City and San Francisco would be popular destinations for groups from within their regions in 2006.
At the same time, a second tier of desirable destinations
is emerging, according to Michael Lyons, CEO of GEP’s
Philadelphia office.
“People are taking a second look at cities like ours, thanks to a unique combination of location, history, destination offerings and easy access,” said Lyons. “In Philly, it is possible to do a group meeting that avails itself of first-class restaurants, culture and shopping, all within easy walking distance of the main venue. And Manhattan, if you want it, is less than 90 minutes away.”
GEP’s Philly office was founded in 2001, and since that time has doubled its destination management revenues, year over year, in each year of its existence.
“Philadelphia, like a handful of other cities, continues to outperform expectations,” White added.
If the 2006 survey is any indication, when all the numbers are in, the same might be said of the entire DMC industry in 2006.