New and Renovated Properties
City Slickers

by MARIA LENHART

· Few developments breathe new life into a city’s downtown like an aging hotel that has been carefully restored to its former glory or given an updated look and feel. Despite the economy, there are plenty of prime examples of hotels going beyond renovation to reinvention, emerging as entirely new gathering places for visitors and locals alike.

Millennium Bostonian Hotel
Opened in 1982, the Millennium Bostonian Hotel is far from old by Boston standards, yet it needed a total makeover to meet the new demands of both business and leisure guests, says Edward Carey, director of sales and marketing.

Sponsor

The Newport Marriott

The Newport Marriott is located on the harbor in the heart of historic downtown Newport, R.I., and offers 24,800 square feet of space, 317 rooms and seven suites. The renovated space features 16 rooms, a grand ballroom and the latest in audiovisual, including video conferencing and high-speed Internet. Rooms feature Marriott’s Revive^® beds, 32-inch TVs and plug-in-panels. Guests can also enjoy the Spa at Newport Marriott, a pool, a fitness room, racquetball courts, a restaurant, a gift shop, a business center and concierge services.

For more information, visit www.newportmarriott.com.

Site Scene

Pennsylvania

· An $8 million renovation of the 333-room Crowne Plaza Philadelphia-City Avenue, formerly a Holiday Inn, was recently completed. The renovation included all guest rooms, the indoor and outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center and meeting space. The hotel provides 7,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and a 24-hour business center. Additional amenities include complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access throughout the hotel. For more information, call 215.477.0200 or visit www.ichotelsgroup.com.

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Planning in a Tough Economy Webinar
Wednesday, January 27, 2010

In today’s economy you need to plan like your job depends on it, because more than ever, it does! Learn ways to trim your budget without dampening the attendee experience and how to show the savings you gained to the organization you plan for. By employing a few simple cost-cutting strategies from this webinar, you can provide a quality meeting without breaking the bank. In this webinar, Joan Eisenstodt, a premier meetings industry educator and consultant, will let you know how you can make the most with less both for your attendees and the bottom line.
Join Meetings Media for this free webinar Wednesday, Jan. 27, and learn more. There is no fee to register.

Visit MeetingsFocus.com/webinars to register or learn more.

Sponsored by: The Scottsdale Plaza Resort and Glen Cove Mansion Hotel & Conference Center.

Airport Properties
Flying High

by DANA ENFINGER

· More than accessible and affordable alternatives to downtown hotels, airport properties and their surroundings are evolving into full-fledged destinations, where one might find IACC-certified conference centers, upscale bistros, performing arts venues, golf courses and more.

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