Seatrade Cruise Global Unveils 2016 Conference Details

Seatrade Cruise Global has released details of its 2016 Conference program. According to the announcement, the program will offer attendees a comprehensive roster of panel discussions and workshops featuring experts and thought leaders. 

The conference is set for March 14–17 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Registration is open to attendees at a reduced rate through the Early Bird Discount available until 31 January 2016.

Freeman Grows Creative Management Team for Europe, Middle East, Africa

Company's Appointments to Senior Leadership Support Growth in International Sectors

In a move the company says shows a commitment to invest in and grow its global network of talent, Freeman announced three new hires last week for its Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) team: Business Development Director Greg Cherry, Creative Director Tez Patel and Client Solutions Director Jackie Brown. 

To service clients with an enhanced worldwide presence and consistent brand experiences, Freeman characterizes these management team additions as part of a continuing investment in a global infrastructure, extending its leadership team to enhance value for customers to effectively manage global growth.

National Religious Broadcasters Announces 2016 Media Award Recipients

Winners to be Honored in March at Proclaim 16, the NRB International Christian Media Convention

The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) has announced the recipients of the 2016 NRB Media Awards, which recognize this year’s most outstanding ministries, facilities, and programs/producers in the world’s preeminent association of Christian broadcasters and communicators.

NRB’s Annual Media Awards program is designed to encourage excellence in production, service to the community, faithfulness to the mission, commitment to the Gospel, and personal integrity. There are seven areas of focus for the 2016 awards: Church Media, Intercollegiate, International, Internet, Radio, Television, and Special Service.

Press Registration Now Open for American Chemical Society's Spring National Meeting

The American Chemical Society (ACS) announced Monday that registration for press credentials is now open for journalists planning to attend the organization's 251st National Meeting & Exposition (San Diego Convention Center, March 13–17).

Thousands of scientists and others are expected to gather for more than 12,500 presentations on a wide variety of new discoveries. Many of the findings have implications for everyday life, offering print, broadcast and online journalists a rich assortment of spot news and feature possibilities. The topics include food and nutrition, medicine, health, energy, the environment and other fields where chemistry plays a central role. Some of those presentations will connect with the meeting’s theme, “Computers in Chemistry.”

Fraud Charges Against Construction Company Involve Hotel, Convention Center, Casino Projects

Projects Included the World Trade Center Towers, the Plaza Hotel Renovation, the Javits Convention Center Expansion and Renovation Project, and the Aqueduct Casino

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York filed fraud charges last week in Brooklyn federal court against Tishman Construction Corporation (“Tishman Construction”), one of the largest construction companies in New York City.

Tishman Construction is charged with mail and wire fraud conspiracy for improperly billing its clients more than $5 million over a ten-year period for hours not worked and at rates that were in excess of the agreed upon contract rate.

Hotels.com Offers Predictions for Travel Industry in 2016

According to Hotels.com 2016 Travel Predictions,
Queens will overtake Brooklyn as the most popular
outer borough for travelers visiting New York
in the new year.

A spike for Anaheim due to a convention center expansion and the ascendancy of Buffalo and Milwaukee as top travel destinations are among the predictions that travel website Hotels.com is making for the travel industry next year.

In a constantly evolving tourism industry, new offerings, attractions and experiences are making travelers more apt to explore unique and underrated destinations to satisfy their inner wanderlust, the online booking service for lodging accommodations said in a statement.

As 2016 rapidly approaches, Hotels.com is revealing its Top 10 Travel Predictions for the new year through an analysis of travel demand changes over the last two years* on the website.

Show Organizer Pronounces Debut of Drone World Expo "An Overwhelming Success"

The debut of Drone World Expo, a new trade show for the unmanned aircraft industry, was an "overwhelming success," according to JD Events, organizer of the convention and exhibition.

Drone World Expo ran from November 17-19 at the San Jose Convention Center.

Professional Convention Management Association to Recognize Three Lifetime Achievement Honorees in April

The Professional Convention  Management Association announced last week that it will honor Johnnie C. White Jr., CMP, MBA, Janet L. Jakobsen, CMP, MBA, and James E. Rooney at the 2016 Visionary Awards (Marriott Marquis, Washington, D.C., April 27, 2016).

Over 1,000 industry professionals will gather this spring at the re-designed Foundation awards event, the 2016 Visionary Awards, to honor these luminaries’ extraordinary contributions. Attendees will experience an Oscars-like evening with red carpet arrival, awards show, and after party, hosted by the PCMA Education Foundation and presented in partnership with the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau and Austin Convention Center.

White Lodging Holds Ground-Breaking Ceremony for New Marriott, Le Méridien Branded Properties Near Denver's Convention Center

Executives break ground Tuesday for the dual-branded
AC Hotel Denver and Le Meridien Denver,

In a ground-breaking ceremony Tuesday, White Lodging began construction on two hotels near Denver's convention facility, the Colorado Convention Center. The dual-branded complex will feature two hotels, one branded as an AC Hotel by Marriott and the other as Le Méridien Hotel.

Le Méridien is a brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, which, as announced earlier this week, is in the process of being acquired by Marriott International.

The two hotels will add 495 rooms to the heart of the city at 15^th Street and California, just one block from the Colorado Convention Center. Le Méridien Denver and AC Hotel Denver will be located at the center of the city's business district, steps away from Denver's famed 16th Street entertainment district and Colorado's state capital complex.

Also nearby are leading attractions including the LoDo Historic District, the Denver Performing Arts Complex, and sports venues such as Pepsi Center, Coors Field and Sports Authority Field at Mile High – home of the NFL's Denver Broncos. Each hotel will have its own distinct entry, lobby and bar led food and beverage outlets. Le Méridien will offer more than 8,000 –square-feet of state-of-the-art banquet and meeting space, including a 5,000-square-foot ballroom.  It will be managed by White Lodging Services Corporation.

Theme Park Convention Spotlights Technologies and Innovations in Amusement Rides, Games and Attractions

The IAAPA Attractions Expo 2015, running in Orlando through November 20, is putting the spotlight on new thrill rides, immersive games, entertainment, technology, and other dimensions of the theme park and amusements industry. 

BREAKING: Marriott International Acquiring Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Some big news today related to the meeting venues, lodging, and hospitality areas of the industry! 

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today that the boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement under which the companies will create the world's largest hotel company.

The transaction combines Starwood's leading lifestyle brands and international footprint with Marriott's strong presence in the luxury and select-service tiers, as well as the convention and resort segment, creating a more comprehensive portfolio. The merged company will offer broader choice for guests, greater opportunities for associates and should unlock additional value for Marriott and Starwood shareholders. Combined, the companies operate or franchise more than 5,500 hotels with 1.1 million rooms worldwide. The combined company's pro forma fee revenue for the 12 months ended September 30, 2015 totals over $2.7 billion.

For further details, see the full press release from Marriott International, Inc., on PR Newswire.

UTC Aerospace Systems to Spotlight Cabin Interior Products at Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition

UTC Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp., will showcase capabilities in the business segment of the aircraft market at the Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (Las Vegas, November 17-19), produced by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).

TEAMS Conference Partners with the National Congress of State Games

NCSG's Annual Convention to Co-Locate with TEAMS '16 in Atlantic City 

The TEAMS Conference & Expo, a conference and exposition for the sports-event industry, has entered a three-year co-location agreement with the National Congress of State Games.

Hosted by the Atlantic City Sports Commission and Meet AC, TEAMS '16 will be held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, September 26–29.

Gulfstream's New G500 Jet Debuts at Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition

The G500, a new business jet from  Gulstream Aerospace Corp., made its maiden cross-country flight to debut at the 2015 National Business Aviation Association's Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2015).

The flight test aircraft arrived at Henderson Executive Airport on Nov. 13 to join the G650ER, G550, G450, G280 and G150 in Gulfstream's static display.

Unified Professional Education Sessions Slated for Work Truck Show, Green Truck Summit

Want an opportunity to catch up on some of the latest developments in the world of work trucks and green trucks? Then consider the professional education sessions at the Work Truck Show 2016, which will feature a unified educational schedule allowing Work Truck Show and Green Truck Summit attendees to learn about a wider range of topics affecting their organizations.

Bellavita Italian Food & Beverage Expo to Make U.S. Debut at NRA Show 2016

Through an alliance with Quiris Media, representing Bellavita Expo, the National Restaurant Association will host the Italian food & beverage industry event for its premier U.S. appearance at the NRA Show 2016 (Chicago, May 21-24).

KeHE's Invitation-Only Holiday & Product Innovation Show Recognized on Fastest Growing Trade Show Lists

Trade Show News Network (TSNN) has recognized KeHE Distributors, a distributor  of natural & organic, specialty and fresh products, with two awards for the Holiday & Product Innovation Show.

The invitation-only event  was named to TNSS' list of, "2015 Top 25 Fastest Growing Trade Shows in Attendance" and its list of, "2015 Fastest Growing For-Profit Show in Attendance." The show was chosen based on year-over-year attendance growth between 2012 and 2014. This is the first time KeHE has received these two awards. In 2013, the Company's Summer Selling Show was named to TSNN's list of the "Top 25 Fastest-Growing Trade Shows in Attendance."

National Association of Broadcasters Rebrands Content & Communications World Trade Show as "NAB Show New York"

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced Wednesday that the trade show formerly known as Content & Communications World (CCW) has been rebranded as NAB Show New York. 

Attracting some 7,000 attendees annually and showcasing a full range of next-generation technology for media and entertainment professionals, the newly named NAB Show New York took place Wednesday and Thursday at the Javits Convention Center in New York City.

Department of Veterans Affairs Small Business Event Opens November 17 in Pittsburgh

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh will be the setting of the 5th annual National Veterans Small Business Engagement Event (November 17–19), sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in collaboration with other federal agencies.

Construction Award Winners Honored at Concrete Convention and Exposition

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) honored winners of the 2015 Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards Monday during the Concrete Convention and Exposition (Denver, November 7-11, 2015).