The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) held its third largest International Convention & Exposition in the association’s history this week in San Diego. More than 5,600 corporate travel professionals, including more than 1,240 travel buyers, filled the San Diego Convention Center to attend more than 65 ground-breaking education sessions and visit with more than 400 exhibitors on the show floor.
Randell A. Smith, CEO of STR, based in Hendersonville, Tenn., will be honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), January 25-27, 2010, in recognition of his legacy in pioneering global hotel benchmarking, the foundation of the company he co-founded.
The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) – the largest association of business travel professionals – announced today that more than 1000 corporate travel buyers have registered for the 2009 NBTA International Convention & Exposition, which is directly on par with registration numbers compared to previous years.
Francisco Villa, a line cook at the Hotel Indigo, stacked plates in the downtown hotel's Phi Bar and Bistro kitchen. When the 210-room Hotel Indigo opens its doors Monday, its corporate owners are hoping guests will be wowed by the ballpark and bay views, hip decor, colorful murals and energy-efficient design. It's even dog-friendly, with plans to begin hosting a “Canine Cocktails” happy hour come September. But all that cutting-edge design and an assortment of intriguing gimmicks may not be enough to overcome an ailing economy that has hit high-end hotels especially hard. San Diego's downtown luxury hotels have acknowledged becoming more aggressive in looking for ways to boost business in the face of declining revenues.
At the tranquil Four Seasons Resort Aviara north of San Diego, a heated struggle for control of the deluxe hotel's future is playing out in a rare public spat. The increasingly nasty tussle at the Carlsbad resort is indicative of tensions throughout the higher end of the hotel industry, as travelers cut way back on spendingAt issue is the very definition of luxury. The real estate investors who own the hotel say Four Seasons, which manages the property, is spending too much money keeping up appearances. They want to eject the fancy hotelier and bring in an operator they control.
Why did the owners of the stylish, luxury W San Diego decide to abandon the hotel after buying it three years ago? A new San Diego Union-Tribune article sheds light on Sunstone Hotel Investors' decision to stop paying the mortgage and give the W (right) back to its lender. The recession, of course, is main reason.
After handing the keys back to a lender of one of its distressed hotels, Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc. (SHO) said Monday it's not looking to abandon a lot more properties, but indicated more forfeits could be in store. "We would like to point out that it is not our (intent) to convey a significant number of our hotels back to the lenders," said Ken Cruse, chief financial officer of Sunstone Hotel, during a conference call.
The City of San Diego has named Embassy Suites San Diego – La Jolla 2009 Recycler of the Year in the 17th Annual Waste Reduction and Recycling Awards sponsored by the City’s Environmental Services Department. This is the hotel’s first win of the prestigious award. The hotel was recognized for the significant strides they have made, thanks to the guidance of General Manager Michael McGilligan, who recently received the Embassy Suites General Manager of the Year award for outstanding leadership for 2008. Some of the 2009 Recycler of the Year recipients include Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego International Airport, Sea World, and PETCO Park -San Diego Padres. The hotel received the award and congratulations from Mayor Jerry Sanders during a ceremony.
The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) announced today that Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger, III will welcome corporate travel professionals to the 2009 NBTA International Convention & Exposition, to be held August 23-26 in San Diego. During a Convention welcome session sponsored by VISA, Captain Sullenberger will inspire Convention attendees with details of his masterful landing of U.S. Airways flight 1549 on the Hudson River, which saved the lives of 155 people.
TIG Global, the leading interactive marketing company for hospitality and travel, was selected as the Internet marketing provider for the San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB). TIG Global will provide the Destination with a search engine optimized, custom website design and strategic marketing program tailored to its distinct business initiatives.
As Director of Sales and Marketing, Pat McTigue – Jones’ clean up hitter and right-hand man – will lead the sales team. A longtime San Diego resident with more than eight years hospitality experience, McTigue is responsible for training the sales staff to exceed the property’s goals in customer satisfaction and leading the hotel’s marketing efforts. Prior to joining Hotel Indigo, McTigue held positions in sales and marketing at three IHG/Staybridge Suites properties in San Diego. Currently under construction, Hotel Indigo San Diego is located at 509 9th Ave., just one block from PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres, and less than a mile from the San Diego Convention Center,
A seasoned player in the hospitality industry, Jones’ top priority will be ensuring guests and employees feel welcome and comfortable. Jones, who joined the IHG family in 2004, served as general manager at three Staybridge Suites properties in San Diego and most recently was the general manager of Holiday Inn Santa Monica Beach. Jones began his 11 year hospitality career in Colorado, where he held titles including general manager and director of sales and marketing with hotel companies such as Mill Creek Management and Durango Mountain Resort. A former resident of San Diego, Jones is delighted to be back in San Diego and at the helm of Hotel Indigo’s new flagship property. “As the neighborhood hotel, we’re excited about joining the community and really showcasing the neighborhood and region to our guests,“ said Jones. “One way we plan to do this is through the artwork in the hotel. We are working with local artists to infuse visual elements reflective of the region into the overall design, including a beautiful exterior wall mural of indigo glass panels to mimic the waves and ripples of the Pacific Ocean.”
The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) – the largest association of business travel professionals – today announced that Larry Kellner, Continental Airlines Chairman and CEO, and Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines President and CEO, will be featured on this year’s Airline CEO Panel at the 2009 NBTA International Convention & Exposition to be held August 23-26 in San Diego. Moderated again by Peter Greenberg, travel editor for NBC’s Today Show, the Airline CEO Panel will address current aviation industry trends in today’s slowing global economy and unique business environment.
The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) announced today that Dara Torres, 5-time Olympic swimmer and winner of 12 Olympic medals, will be featured as a keynote speaker at the 2009 NBTA International Convention & Exposition, to be held August 23-26 in San Diego. At age 41, Torres was the oldest female swimmer to make the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, winning three silver medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Torres’ appearance during the Convention’s Monday General Session is made possible by Sabre Travel Network, GetThere & Travelocity Business.
Jim Durbin, general manager of the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter, was named the 2008 Outstanding General Manager of the Year, Large Property at the Stars of the Industry Awards by the California Hotel & Lodging Association (CH&LA).
The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) announced today that President Bill Clinton will speak at the 2009 NBTA International Convention & Exposition, to be held August 23-26 in San Diego. President Clinton, whose appearance is being sponsored by Amadeus IT Group, will provide a presidential perspective into current and future global politics and economics.
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif | Hilton Hotels Corporation today announced that its newest Hilton brand property, the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, has officially opened its doors for business. The 30-story, 1,190 room hotel is situated on nearly 13 acres of seaside landowned by the Port of San Diego, and was designed by Portman and Associates. Its interior boasts 165,000 square feet of meeting and event space, signature restaurants, a 7,300 square-foot health club and spa, a 2,400-square-foot business center and San Diego's first saltwater hotel swimming pool. Its position adjacent to the San Diego Convention Center and a short walk to downtown's famed Gaslamp Quarter is ideal for business and leisure travelers alike.