Posted by Terri Hardin under HospitalityResponses (0)

Hello

My Name Is:
Terri Hardin

For the past 11 years, I have been Destinations Editor for Successful Meetings magazine, a job that required knowledge and coverage of domestic and international cities, states, countries, mountains, valleys, oceans, lakes, the North Pole—in short, everything on Earth and, only occasionally, in outer space.

The job also entailed frequent traveling—being disgorged by cars, buses, trains, and planes; checking into numerous hotel rooms; throwing on a ballgown to join hundreds of people for cocktails and dinner.

Part of what keeps it sane is wearing a name badge. Doing so helps you converse with total strangers, network, and discover more about people at a single event than you ever would within your comfort zone of colleagues and acquaintances.

And, up until lately, I have been proud to travel to trade shows, conventions, press events, dinners, and seminars, wearing my name and that of Successful Meetings on pins, magnets, and lanyards. 

However, as of this week, I have moved over to MeetingNews, SM’s sister publication that covers the news of the industry. It was a very thrilling week as I sought to embrace new responsibilities while tying up loose ends at SM, and some things may have fallen through the cracks (happy belated birthday, Joan).

I’m excited about starting this new chapter. The next time you see me, my name badge will say:

Terri Hardin
Editor-in-Chief
MeetingNews

Posted by Lori Morris Responses (0)

On Friday night I had the honor of attending the 15^th Annual Race to Erase MS gala at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles. Hosted by Nancy Davis and Tommy Hilfiger, the evening featured emotional speeches from Davis and Terri Garr, both of whom have multiple sclerosis; an opening dance number by the gang from Dancing With the Stars; a celeb-studded fashion show from Hilfiger; a live auction led by Tom Arnold and Lisa Rinna; a rousing set from Frankie Valli and the cast of Jersey Boys; and a closing group performance of the benefit’s theme song, “Lean On Me,” from singers Aly & AJ, Eric Benet, Sylvie, the band Fallbrooke, and others.

Continue reading "Amazing Race"

Posted by Lori Morris under TravelResponses (0)

I recently got back from a wonderful weekend of amazing food, beautiful scenery, and incredible music, all courtesy of The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. The 3,000-acre resort hosted its 5th annual Earl Klugh Weekend of Jazz on April 3-5, allowing me the perfect opportunity to experience the resort’s facilities while taking in performances from legends and award-winners like Earl Klugh, Ramsey Lewis, and Boney James.
    When I arrived on Thursday afternoon, I was greeted by a slight misting of rain; by the time I was finished unpacking, large snowflakes were falling rapidly and covering the landscape. While I’m not really used to snow in April, I thought to myself, “I’m in the mountains, so I guess anything is possible.” As a first-time Colorado visitor, I didn’t realize that the area is, as Dawn Beagle, The Broadmoor’s national sales manager, told me, “more likely to have a White Easter than a White Christmas.”
      The snow ended up providing the perfect backdrop to the evening’s intimate performance by the unbelievably talented Mindi Abair (Check her out at www.mindiabair.com), which took place in the resort’s off-property Cheyenne Mountain Lodge. The stage was set up in the corner, just next to a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows that showcased a view of the snow-covered city lit up by outdoor torches and a glowing fireplace. Maybe its musical naïveté, but when I think of saxophone players, I picture large men with puffy cheeks—or Bill Clinton—but the power and energy that came out of this petite blonde woman simply blew me away. After a very appropriate mug of hot chocolate and whipped cream, I was ready to call it a night.
    Following my wake-up call the next morning, I used the digital remote on my nightstand to open my shades (fun!) and found sunny skies and an unbelievable view of the lake, the western part of the resort, and the mountains—all of which had been obscured by the previous day’s fog and snow. After white-glove room service, it was time to head down for a tour of the hotel’s expansive meeting and training facilities. We were able to take a peek into one of the many employee training rooms before heading to International Hall, Broadmoor Hall (which was being set up for the massive Space Show), and some of the smaller meeting rooms. Above Broadmoor Hall, there are planner suites with windows and microphones down to the floor, along with a full bath that allows busy planners to shower and get ready right onsite. We also checked out some of the outdoor patios and ballrooms in the main hotel building.
    John Washko, the hotel’s vice president of sales & marketing, met us for lunch and conversation at the Tavern steakhouse after our tour. He talked to us a lot about the Broadmoor Connection, a new program designed for large groups needing more than the Broadmoor’s 700 guest rooms and suites. The Broadmoor Connection partners the hotel with neighboring properties Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Hilton DoubleTree World Arena, and the Crowne Plaza Colorado Springs—all within a five-minute drive of the 100,000-square-foot Broadmoor Events Center Complex—to offer 1,700 peak night rooms. Transportation between the hotels is provided as part of the deal.
Following lunch, I headed to the Broadmoor Spa for a 90-minute hot stone massage—or, as I like to call it, heaven. The spa has 30-plus treatment rooms; sauna, steam, and aromatherapy rooms; and several relaxation rooms that feature mountain views and fireplaces.
    Dinner was at the resort’s newest restaurant, Summit, which was designed by Adam D. Tihany. Unlike most of the hotel’s other dining spots, which tend to have a more traditional feel, Summit had a contemporary look and menu. Although the food was delicious and very nicely presented, it was the bar area, with its glass design and wine tower, that really stood out to me.
    The evening’s entertainment, held in International Hall, was provided by newcomer Sophie Millman, whose lush voice made it hard to believe she was only 24 years old, and Jazz legend Ramsey Lewis. Lewis’ show made it clear why he is often referred to as “the great performer.”
    The next morning, we got an early start and headed out for a hike up one of the area’s many mountain trails. Parts of the trail still glistened with Thursday evening’s snow, while others were drenched in sunshine. The hike was strenuous (well, at least for an non-athletic person like me!), but manageable, and the view from the top made it all worth it.
    After our morning exercise, we met for lunch at the Golf Club Grille, where we ate overlooking one of the resort’s three championship golf courses. The East Course will host the U.S. Senior Open this summer. After that, I was free to explore some of The Broadmoor’s retail shops, which include high-end shoe and clothing stores, local crafts, and a store dedicated to the “Broadmoor Lifestyle,” where almost everything you see and experience at the resort is up for sale.
    Saturday night’s dinner was held in the Penrose Room, Colorado’s only AAA Five-Diamond restaurant. Diners can choose either a three-, four-, or seven-course tasting menu. Every detail of the meal – from the excellent service and the spectacular city/mountain/golf course views to the expertly paired wines and the last drop of sauce on the plate – was perfect.
    The evening came to a close with the final performance of the Weekend of Jazz, which featured Earl Klugh himself playing alongside the 35-piece Broadmoor Pops Orchestra. After Klugh gave his final bow, Boney James took the stage for a rousing set that got audience members on their feet, as he played and danced through the crowd during his final song.
    After a weekend of excellent music, food, accommodations, and activities, I sadly left serene setting of The Broadmoor on Sunday morning to head back to New York City  and all of its frenetic madness.

Posted by Terri Hardin under TravelResponses (1)

Last Thursday, I went with a group on a tour of Virginia Beach and Norfolk. It began in the back bay, where the peace is broken by occasional kayakers, scattering shoals of  fishes in their wake. We then went to the beach, a favorite for surfers, followed by nearby golf courses; then finally, the Virginia Aquarium, teeming with local varieties of fish, crustaceans, and the odd water mammal. Afterwards, we were welcomed into the Norfolk’s Botanical Garden, to the Nauticus Museum, and, finally attended a performance of the Virginia Arts Festival’s Military Tattoo, complete with Scottish dancer.

All the while, waiters trailed us, refilling our coffee cups and plying us with hors d’oeuvres. The tour, which took less than an hour, actually took place in a Manhattan loftspace, an event where the CVBs of Virginia Beach and Norfolk brought a sampling of their areas to New York for us to experience.

Continue reading "The Next Best Thing?"

Posted by Terri Hardin under Current AffairsResponses (0)

Tomorrow, March 29, people around the world will celebrate Earth Hour by turning off unnecessary lights and appliances. Last year, the first Earth Hour was held in Sydney, Australia, and the participation of nearly 2.3 million residents resulted in a 10.2-percent reduction in Sydney's energy consumption, which is the equivalent of taking 48,000 cars off the road for a year. This year, 30 million people are expected to participate, and there will be fund-raising events everywhere, with proceeds going to the World Wildlife Fund.

Since this year’s participation will occur in all time zones, 8PM is the designated Earth Hour, wherever you happen to be.

In North America this comprises Canada, Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix, San Francisco, Denver, Honolulu, and more. The following is a selection of activities; meeting planners should take note, both for eco-tips and for theme ideas:

Continue reading "Turn Off that Light!"

Posted by Terri Hardin under HospitalityResponses (0)

The New York Blood Center is after my blood. One day, they called me: “Can you donate? We really need your blood type.”

Need MY blood type? I wondered. My blood type is the equivalent of the name of Smith. Even so, I happened to be taking antibiotics and so could not donate. We set an appointment for another month, but when it came around I had the flu. I rescheduled, but the trains were late and I missed that appointment.

By the time I got to my office desk, New York Blood Center was on the phone. “Can you come by this afternoon? We really need your blood type.”

When I arrived that afternoon, it was just in time to see a healthy-looking man depart without donating because he had recently traveled in India. “Too bad,” he said, “I love to give blood.”

Then it was my turn. After going through the lengthy questionnaire, I offered up my fingertip for the “iron test.” I failed to have the requisite amount of iron in my system; apparently, the recent bout of flu had sapped me of minerals. “Too bad,” said the nurse. “Have a cookie anyway.”

That was last week, and they called me yesterday. “Can you donate? We really need your blood type.” And so I made another appointment. Then the person asked, “Is there anyone at your office who would like to donate blood as well?” I held the phone to my chest, and yelled, “Anyone want to donate blood?” After a lengthy silence, I spoke into the receiver, “Sorry, no takers.”

Like the man who had traveled to India, I’m always happy to donate blood. And while I’m a little wierded out by the Center’s unusual pursuit, I’m looking forward to my next appointment.

Why? Recently, several of my family members have undergone operations. What would have happened to them if they had needed blood and there was none available?

Donating a pint of blood is such an easy way to save someone’s life. Why don’t we all do it?

In fact, since charity is all the rage among meeting attendees, why not organize an event around everyone giving blood? Call your local blood bank today.

Posted by Terri Hardin under Current AffairsResponses (0)

This year, President’s Day came to mean more than a reason to sell cars. Between Super Tuesday, the reopening of the Lincoln’s DC cottage (and the upcoming Lincoln bicentennial), and the ongoing struggle of the 2008 candidates, this has been the most president-centric month in decades.

In Washington DC, the White House Visitors Center held a “President for a Day” on February 18. Visitors were able to “chat” with Abraham Lincoln about his decision to preserve the Union during the Civil War (or what it was like to live in a log cabin); “meet” First Lady Dolley Madison; have their pictures taken with Presidents Lincoln, Kennedy and Ford; and test their own knowledge of White House history in a game of “Who Wants to be a President?”

Perhaps it’s a good time to ponder what the role of leader means to us. And to help in that pondering, Quirk Books offers its Secret Lives of the U.S. Presidents: Trivia Card Game. Based on Cormac O’Brien’s  Secret Lives of the U.S. Presidents, this game settles all kinds of presidential hash, such as

Which president walked his pet raccoon on a leash? Which president slept for (literally) half of the day? Who worked as a cover model for Cosmopolitan magazine? Which one blamed air pollution on trees?

The Secret Lives of the U.S. Presidents: Trivia Card Game was brought to my attention at a luncheon hosted by the Washington DC CVA, which recently brought its hotel and venue partners to New York City on a media mission. The snow that fell in the Sculpture Garden of the Modern Museum of Art (seen from our private dining room at The Modern restaurant) was a subtle reminder of cherry blossoms, which each CVA member invoked. We Big Apple journalists also got our memories restoked on that truly unique destination that is DC, from the refurbished Library of Congress building and website, to the ongoing renovations throughout DC’s hotel inventory. Most importantly, with the properties' lighthearted digs at DC’s rampant partisanship (at the Madison, for example, you can have your waffles with Blue State blueberries or Red State strawberries), we got new insight into how hospitality can be the cure for inhospitality.

Who wants to be a president? Well, I can think of at least four people. But who thinks it’s a game? None of them, I hope.

 

Posted by Will Ng under GamesResponses (0)

In another example of the never-ending quest by hotels to differentiate themselves through services, Seattle's Hotel Monaco is turning its lobby every Friday evening into a rock-concert stage of sorts for guests. The hotel has hooked up an Xbox 360 game console to a 42-inch TV and, with a pair of plastic guitars, is inviting guests to unleash their inner Eddie Vedders for an hour with the hit game Guitar Hero. Which makes me think of another idea...

Continue reading "You Can Be a Hero"

Posted by Terri Hardin under TravelResponses (0)

Last night, I went to the Flamenco Festival at New York City Center, for a special performance of Mujeres that was sponsored by the Andalucia Tourist Board. After hearing from the sponsor and watching a short video about Andalucia (looking absolutely gorgeous), the lights dimmed and the crowd settled in anticipation.

Truthfully speaking, it had been a long time since I had watched flamenco dancing - a passion for which seemed to belong to another era. But once the performers began, their artistry seemed as old-fashioned as eternal love and longing.

In Mujeres, three dancers, Merche Esmeralda, Belen Maya, and Rocio Molina, appear onstage, each brandishing the traditional props of women’s flamenco (a fan, a tasseled shawl, and castanets). Next, they perform a series of vignettes. Each one is a tour de force, but one dance, featuring Rocio Molina dancing between chairs, conveys heartbreak as she flips over two chairs.

That global phenomenon, Riverdance, also uses rhythmic tapping and song to dazzle audiences, but in Mujeres, flamenco’s rigid mannerisms channel and magnify timeless passions like a Greek drama, with stellar musicians and singers (including a special performance by Diana Navarro), acting as chorus. It is stark, earthy, and emotively operatic.

Curiously, of the 26 million visitors who visited Andalucia last year, only 150,000 were from the U.S. What’s wrong with us?

Posted by Kinley Levack Responses (1)

In the most recent Springwise newsletter, I read about such a neat idea for travelers—a shop-ahead service offered by Jumeirah that allows visitors to purchase certain items in advance, which will then be packaged and waiting in their hotel room.

Guests can choose from personal care items like a toothbrush, deodorant, or sunscreen, as well a variety of books. The offerings are divided into “For Her,” “For Him,” and "For Kids”—prices are a bit high, but if you are a person who values convenience, this may be a great option; the cost of the items is simply added to your room. Then you arrive, use your new mouthwash, apply your new sunscreen, and sit down to enjoy your new copy of A Thousand Splendid Suns on a chaise, having hauled none of these items with you on your trip. I like it.

Now if only you could order things like a hair straightener, a really great hairdryer, a portable humidifier, or a laptop. Or let me rent them—please! I’ll pay an extra $20 a day not to have to lug all of that around the world or wish I had it with me.