Meeting Planners will be interested in knowing that the Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis recently completed several major improvement projects that have expanded its meeting and event facilities. The Fjord Ballroom has been renovated and features over 6000 square-feet of elegant meeting or special event space.  The elegantly understated design of the Fjord is a counterpoint to the more opulent Scandinavian Ballroom and boardroom spaces on the third level of the hotel and brings the total meeting space at the Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis to 21,000 square-feet conveniently. The Fjord's flexible space can accommodate 500 guests for a reception, 400 for a seated dinner affair, or can be sub-divided into five smaller conference rooms

For business meetings or conferences, the elegant interior furnishings provide a peaceful backdrop, while a state-of-the art technical operation, including easy plug & play audio-visual systems, built-in screens and ceiling mounted LCD projectors, allow the best conditions for dynamic presentations.  The Radisson's signature "Your Office Solution" business and meeting support services allows planners to place orders for printing, copying, binding, office supplies, and promotional items ahead of time, with preferred Radisson event planner pricing.  The hotel also offers a 24-hour on-site business center and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access throughout the hotel.
 
In addition to the completion of the Fjord Ballroom, the Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis has undergone several other upgrades. The 17th floor is now home to an expansive fitness center featuring a stunning panoramic view of downtown Minneapolis, in addition to an array of state-of-the-art fitness equipment.

FireLake Restaurant Grill & Cocktail Bar, located on the street level of the hotel, where Executive Chef Paul Lynch is known for his award-winning, creative renderings of heartland classics, his innovative use of wood grilling techniques, and his passion for using fresh produce, fish and game from local sustainable sources.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily in the main dining room with open-kitchen views of the real wood-burning ovens and rotisserie.  In addition to the main dining room, the restaurant has two private rooms.

The Radisson Plaza Hotel is the Radisson brand's marquee property and will celebrate its 100th year in 2009.  The hotel was developed by Carlson founder Curtis L. Carlson on the site of the original Radisson Hotel dating back to 1909. He acquired the hotel in 1962, which was later razed in the 1980's to build the Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis. The hotel was developed as part of the $108 million Plaza VII development with a 325,000 square foot office tower, to meet the city's demand for more meeting space, larger contemporary guest rooms and more expansive parking facilities. The hotel conveniently connects to the city's famous Skyway system, 80 blocks of interior walkways linking downtown retail business and office complexes. 
 
To book a meeting or find out more information vist: www.radisson.com/minneapolismn_plaza 

or call (612)-339-4900/(800) 444-3344.

Although a series of “soft opening” events are scheduled throughout late Summer, the famed Los Angles rock band, the Eagles, (left-to-right: Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit and  Don Henley) will be the first official event t the 18,041-seat BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

When the SMG-Managed BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma officially opens in September, the city will jump right into “Life In he Fast Lane.” Los Angeles rock legend the Eagles will be the inaugural act at the grand opening of downtown Tulsa’s BOK Center Arena on September 6th. With five Number 1 singles and six Number 1 albums, the Eagles were one of the most successful recording artists of the 1970s and two of their albums, Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 1971–1975 and Hotel California are ranked among the ten best-selling albums of all time.  In 2007, the Eagles released Long Road out of Eden, their first full studio album in 28 years and have been on the road drawing sold-out crowds.  The The BOK Center is Tulsa’s state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue. The 18,041-seat venue will be home to the Af2 Tulsa Talons and the CHL Tulsa Oilers. The BOK Center was designed to host major concerts, family shows, ice shows and other world-class entertainment. The Eagles  will be the first of several concerts already announced for the arena which include including Rascal Flatts, Celine Dion and Carrie Underwood.

The state-of-the-art BOK Center, managed by SMG, will open in September.

The 2008 Facilities & Event Management premiers at the IAAM’s 83rd Annual Conference & Trade Show, which will be taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California July 25-29. This new resource publication features a comprehensive directory of products & services currently available to venue managers. The special International Association of Assembly Managers show edition includes the special Anaheim Section, highlighting show events as well as where to eat, shop and have fun in the “NEW” Anaheim. To get your free F&EM issue, stop by BOOTH 456!

Chicago SITE sees Acapulco: (left to right) Jeffrey M. Weinman with  Summit Event Management, Inc.;  Bich-Lien Kaldahl, President Meeting, Incentive & Group Sales Manager Continental Airlines and President SITE Chicago; Francisco Rodriguez, Director,  OMA Acapulco Airport;  Miguel Aguirre, Director, Acapulco Tourism Director;  Teresa Matamoros  with Mexico Tourism-Chicago Office,  Daniel Martinez de  Pinillos V.Groups & Conventions/Acapulco CVB; Mario Mathieu, General Director, Fairmont Acapulco; Piquis Rochin,  International Promotion & Flight Support Acapulco CVB, and Elias Edid, Operation  Manager, Mundo Imperial.

The Windy City Went South of the border in June when the Acapulco Convention & Visitors Bureau  in conjunction with Mexican Tourism Board hosted the Chicago chapter of  SITE (Society of Incentive and Travel Executives) for its annual Education Retreat. Over the course of these three days, in addition to seminars and discussions on the advantages of meeting in Mexico's  largest and most dazzling seaside resort, the Chicago Site members visited the destination's top hotels, including  the Fairmont Acapulco Princess, Camino Real Hotel, Quinta Real, Las  Brisas, Crowne  Plaza Hotel Acapulco, Mundo Imperial, and Casa Arabesque.  The chi-town planners also dined in world-class restaurants and enjoyed the Acapulco Bay tours and Cliff Divers show.

Las Brisas Acapulco was one of the several hotels and meeting sites visited by Chicago SITE during its recent educational & networking event in Acapulco.

They’re back! And, they’re the “biggest” family touring acts around.  WALKING WITH DINOSAURS – The Live Experience, an extraordinary arena spectacle based on an award-winning BBC Television Series, blends stunning special effects with excitement and information. WALKING WITH DINOSAURS – The Live Experience, brought to North America by The Creature Production Company, is currently on tour—the show was conceived in Australia where it premiered and played for several sold-out months—and has been receiving rave reviews ever since. Among the stops for this fascinating prehistoric extravaganza will be the Honda Center, in Anaheim California, and one of the stars came by the venue to make the announcement and pose with key staff personnel. Pictured above( left-to-right): Steve Obert, VP of Sales and Marketing, Honda Center; Tim Ryan, President/CEO, Honda Center; T-Rex, Merit Tully (kneeling), Director of Media and Communications, Honda Center; Kevin Starkey, VP of Operations, Honda Center; Kent French, Host/Producer Honda Center; Jo-Ann Armstrong, Director of Booking, Honda Center; Joel Hobson, Director of Marketing