Event Planning & Event Marketing

One Partner, a new program from Gaylord Hotels, allows meeting groups to lock in savings on upcoming meetings booked in 2009 or 2010, providing associations with the critical components they need to make planning meetings easier, including immediate flexibility as well as security for the future. 

“Associations understand the full value of partnership and serving the needs of their members, and know that these qualities are intrinsically linked to their success,” said Mike Mason, senior vice president of sales for Gaylord Hotels.  “We get that because our business is built on partnership, too; the one we have with our customers to create highly successful meetings that deliver all of their key objectives.”

New meetings booked in 2009 and 2010 will receive a credit equal to 10 percent of the actualized cost of that meeting (master plus room revenue plus resort fee) to offset the cost of any attrition for that meeting or to be used for another meeting booked and actualized by the end of 2011. One Partner credits can be used for up to 50 percent of the value of the future meeting. Terms and conditions apply. 

Existing meetings on the books for 2009 or 2010 can unlock the One Partner credit benefits for that meeting by booking another meeting of at least 25 percent of the value of the currently signed meeting. Earned credits will be equal to 10 percent of the actualized costs of the existing and new meetings (master plus room revenue plus resort fee) to create a One Partner credit bank for future meetings booked and actualized by the end of 2011. One Partner credits can be used for up to 50 percent of the value of the future meeting. Terms and conditions apply. 
 
“With so much uncertainty, we wanted to provide some immediate, effective solutions,” said Mason.  “One Partner is a powerful tool, because it enables associations to control costs for short-term meeting needs like board meetings and training sessions, and have ‘money’ in the bank for future events.” 

For meeting planners and event attendees who travel often and want to stay connected while they are flying around the world the long wait for Internet access while in flight is almost over.

Southwest Airlines announced plans to rollout Wi-Fi service on its planes beginning in the first quarter of 2010.

The airline has been testing the service on four aircraft since last February and has been testing a variety of price points for the service. Those interested in using the service during the test period have had the opportunity to log on to the service via their own personal Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as laptops and Wi-Fi-enabled smart phones.
 

Hawaii has been having a tought time with the recession drawing visitors.  But many hotel chains are investing heavily in the tropical paradise.  Starwood is planning to have 11 hotels in hawaii, spread out over four islands.

Starwood seems to be taking over the tropical paradise with four properties on Oahu, three on Maui, and four on Kauai. With that many choices, Starwood thinks there will be something for everyone.

Among the chain’s many properties is the flagship Royal Hawaiian, with its signature pink façade. The hotel was built in 1927 by a cruise ship company, and has been welcoming visitors to the sands of Waikiki Beach ever since. However, you can get an even better view of famous Diamond Head just down the road at the 30th-story restaurant, Twist at Hanohano, at Starwood’s Sheraton Waikiki.

Perhaps the most exciting news is the scheduled October opening of the St. Regis in Princeville on the cliffs of Kauai. The resort will be the first St. Regis in the Hawaii, and is practically carved into the Princeville bluffs above the ocean, with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.