Posted by Will Ng under Current AffairsResponses (0)

On Monday, Japan did the unthinkable of naming Hello Kitty a tourism ambassador. It marked the first time the country picked a fictional character to go around promoting Japanese tourism.

Luckily for America, Hello Kitty's too-cute-for-this-country's exploits will be limited to cute-crazed China and Hong Kong for now. According to Japan, China and Hong Kong nationals accounted for 16.5 percent of foreign visitors last year, and the 8.35 million foreign tourists the country saw in 2007 was a record high.

Japan is confident that young Chinese women and kids will get lightheaded at the sight of a life-sized Hello Kitty decked out in a kimono, and that will translate to even more tourist arrivals from China and Hong Kong—I presume by way of youngsters pleading incessantly to their parents to take them to the promised land of Sanrio.

Hello Kitty first appeared on a plastic coin purse in 1974, and the rest is history. Today, the feline is a brand icon, reaching some 60 countries (and serving as inspiration for countless unlicensed and knockoff Chinese products).  But that won't stop her from making her rounds in China this year. Another incarnation, "Hello Kitty's Dream Light Fantasy," a multimillion-dollar musical, will also tour China, before moving on to Malaysia, Singapore, and the U.S.

If Japan ever decides to make Hello Kitty a U.S. ambassador, in the interest of cultural exchange, I haphazardly came up with a short list of American icons we can send over to Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda to promote tourism on these shores:

Powerpuff Girls - Ounce for ounce, these three kindergarten girls with special powers are probably as cute as Kitty. And, they're no slouches on the product front, with videogames and lunchboxes. Plus, they have Emmy Awards as credentials. But wait, the Powerpuff Girls are actually a spoof of Japanese anime. The goal is not to insult the Japanese, so scratch that.

Pamela Anderson - She's a cartoon character, no? OK, bad idea.

Bob & Patty, Your Friendly Airport TSA Agents - I bet the Bush Administration would do well by creating a dynamic duo who undoes all those injustices suffered by U.S. foreign arrivals at the hands of those bad bad airport agents.  Let's right those wrongs and start promoting America again.

Posted by Terri Hardin under HospitalityResponses (3)

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.

The entire evening was truly inspiring. After being inundated by magazines filled celebrity scandals, it was amazing to watch Hollywood actually come together for a very important cause.

             The event was held on the Century Plaza’s California level, which featured spacious separate areas for each aspect of the evening: celebrity arrivals on the orange carpet (the night’s theme color) in the California Lounge prefunction area (check out me standing behind Paris Hilton!), a silent auction with hundreds of luxury items in the California Showroom, and the main event in the Los Angeles Ballroom, with tables for about 2,000 guests and a stage set up with a runway.

            During my stay at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, I also got to explore the rest of the newly renovated hotel, which took inspiration for its redesign from the days of old Hollywood glamour. The new look hits guests right away as you walk into the completely redone lobby, with seating clusters that give an air of privacy while still allowing guests to “see and be seen.” The Lobby Court also features an intimate patio, lit at night by a fireplace and well-placed candles.

On the far right of the lobby, next to a smaller entrance, is the exclusive new Regency Club concierge lounge and X Bar, already a local hotspot. To the far left, also with its own entrance, is the new, award-winning Breeze restaurant, featuring California cuisine and a sushi bar. Due to the hotel’s close proximity to movie studios and top agencies, Breeze is awash with Hollywood power players during the week.

Behind the hotel is the pool area, which will soon get its own upgrade with new high-tech cabanas and other updated touches. Past the pool lies the new Equinox Fitness Club & Spa, where I had the best massage I’ve ever received—and I’ve had the pleasure of testing out many spas.

Another recent addition to the hotel is the 9,100-square-foot Plaza Pavilion, a tented area draped in lush chocolate fabric and decorated with amazing chandeliers. Meeting planners will also soon be able to benefit from the hotel’s Executive Conference Center, with its smaller meeting rooms and boardrooms that are in the midst of receiving new tables, chairs, wall coverings, and light fixtures.

Along with enjoying the hotel, I also got to see a bit of Los Angeles. The hotel is directly across the street from the upscale Westfield Century City mall, which was also renovated recently; a stone’s throw away from Tom Colicchio’s Craft restaurant (where we ate next to the amazing James Caan!); and just a short drive from Rodeo Drive. Between celebrity sightings at the gala and around town, the VIP feeling that pervades the hotel, and all of the sun and relaxation, it was the perfect L.A. weekend.

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.