Hot News

La Quinta, CA—Embassy Suites Hotels honored its top hotels during an awards ceremony at the brand ' s annual General Manager and Directors of Sales Conference, held the La Quinta Resort and Club in January. The evening’s theme—" A Gathering of Stars "— was attended by more than 600 general managers, directors of sales, owners and corporate team members. More than 40 awards were presented to hotels chosen from the brand ' s portfolio of more than 185 hotels throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America. Each honored hotel received a trophy, monetary prize and individual recognition during the event.

Akron, Ohio —is fast becoming a meetings and convention hot spot in the Midwest. Fueling this popularity has been the John S. Knight Center, which includes an exhibition hall of approximately 30,000 square-feet, 12,000 square feet of banquet space. an additional 12,600 square-feet of meeting space and a 22,000-square-foot magnificent lobby, highlighted by the distinctive glass rotunda and spiral staircase. This venue however, is located in the heart of the very bustling, and vibrant Downtown Akron.

Virginia Beach, VA—After years of planning, debate, construction and anticipation, the final phase of the $202.5 million Virginia Beach Convention Center  officially opened in January with celebratory fanfare— City leaders, dignitaries and distinguished guests gathered  to dedicate this state-of-the-art, award-winning venue  that offers 500,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space and one of the largest meeting facilities in the state.

SPOTLIGHT: WES WESTLEY, PRESIDENT & CEO, SMG.

Philadelphia-based SMG  turns 30 this year and at last count, 202 facilities are under its management aegis—making SMG the largest company of its kind in the world. SMG controls over 1.5 million entertainment seats worldwide and manages more than 10 million square feet of convention/exhibition space, managing an array of venues including convention centers, conference centers, arenas, stadiums, civic centers, coliseums and performing arts theaters. SMG is not just the largest at what it does—it may well be the best at what it does—45 SMG venues received Prime Site Awards last year, by far more than any single facilities management firm.