ConventionSouth Magazine

11/01/2024

Drury Hotels opens first property in Chattanooga, Tenn. https://buff.ly/3NQ6NuA

ST. LOUIS—Drury Hotels Co. LLC has opened Drury Plaza Hotel Chattanooga Hamilton Place. It is the first Drury Hotel in Chattanooga and the fifth Drury Hotel in Tennessee. Cassandra Osbourne is the hotel’s general manager.

10/31/2024

The Moran CITYCENTRE unveils first phase of multimillion-dollar renovation https://buff.ly/3BZTmFB

HOUSTON—Midway, a privately owned, fully integrated real estate investment and development firm, announces the partial completion of The Moran CITYCENTRE’s transformative renovation. The multimillion-dollar renovation, aimed at enhancing the overall guest experience, features a new restaurant co...

10/31/2024

HEY, BOO!🫵
We’re brewing up something special for Rendezvous South, and we can’t wait to see you there! October may be all about spooky surprises, but our February getaway to Panama City Beach is guaranteed to be a TREAT🍬

As we get closer, expect more event details to start creeping in, so grab a pumpkin spice latte, sit back, and get ready for more exciting updates. We’re dying to make this event one to remember – no ghosting allowed👻

Happy Halloween from your RS team🎃

10/30/2024

Top MICE destinations for 2024 include six Southern cities https://buff.ly/3YKLZuT

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Global DMC Partners, the largest global network of independent Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and specialized event service providers, has unveiled its 2024 Global Destination Index, highlighting the most popular MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) d...

10/29/2024

The Singer Oceanfront Resort celebrates grand opening https://buff.ly/4hrvIlw

SINGER ISLAND, Fla.—The Singer Oceanfront Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception on October 24. The event included members of Riviera Beach City Council, Chamber of Commerce, Discover the Palm Beaches, the hotel’s leadership t...

10/28/2024

CoralTree Hospitality to manage The Islands of Islamorada https://buff.ly/40n4Zkb

DENVER—CoralTree Hospitality has been awarded management of The Islands of Islamorada resort in Florida. The resort is the seventh CoralTree Hospitality property in Florida.

10/25/2024

Destination DC announces expanded Special Agent Academy tourism training platform https://buff.ly/48m3tRc

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, D.C., announces its expanded Special Agent Academy training platform designed to equip travel agents, tour operators, and local hospitality workers with the essential knowledge and tools to effec...

10/24/2024

New Orleans Saints partners with BBC Events for community engagement https://buff.ly/4hkbhHu

New Orleans—New Orleans Saints football has selected BBC Events, a New Orleans-based destination marketing company and expert in the meetings and events industry, as a small business partner. BBC Events delivers creative, impactful solutions for corporate, incentive, and large-scale events.

10/23/2024

Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead welcomes new spa director https://buff.ly/3BXea0D

10/22/2024

Oak View Group names new general manager of Mobile’s convention center and Saenger Theatre https://buff.ly/4fwGKEH

MOBILE, Ala.—Oak View Group, operator of Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center and Mobile Saenger Theatre, has named Renee' Browning as new general manager of the two venues. Browning is a former executive at the Mobile Civic Center.

10/21/2024

The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach and The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour, Miami announce new GM https://buff.ly/40eJFgG

MIAMI—The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach and The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour, Miami have appointed Stephen Power as general manager of both properties. Power will oversee operations of both hotels.

10/18/2024

MLB teams promote ‘More Than a Ballpark’ collaboration for meetings and events https://buff.ly/3YsIfOb

Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced a new strategic partnership, “More Than a Ballpark,” with select teams and destinations to promote meetings, events, concerts, and other non-baseball gatherings at their ballparks throughout the year.

10/17/2024

Cobb Galleria Centre plans major renovation, expansion of convention facilities https://buff.ly/4099G0T

ATLANTA—Cobb Galleria Centre, a mid-size convention venue for trade shows, meetings, and special events in metro Atlanta's Cobb County, will undergo an expansion and renovation to transform the convention facility. The project is expected to begin in 2025 and be completed in early 2027.

10/16/2024

Fairmont Dallas announces Jessica Gaskin as director of operations https://buff.ly/4haKrRN

DALLAS—Fairmont Dallas announces the hiring of Jessica Gaskin as the hotel’s new director of operations. In addition to overseeing hotel operations, Gaskin will join the hotel’s executive committee.

10/15/2024

Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans appoints new general manager https://buff.ly/400C8C4

NEW ORLEANS—Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans has appointed Esther Oh Kostecky as its new general manager. Kostecky brings more than 25 years of dedicated service within Four Seasons to its New Orleans hotel.

10/14/2024

Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans appoints Esther Oh Kostecky as new general manager https://buff.ly/4h5Y3xD

NEW ORLEANS—Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans has appointed Esther Oh Kostecky as its new general manager. Kostecky brings more than 25 years of dedicated service within Four Seasons to its New Orleans hotel.

10/12/2024

Owensboro https://buff.ly/4005ekU

“Owensboro is a small town with big-city amenities,” says Dave Kirk, who oversees destination management for Visit Owensboro.

10/11/2024

Choice Hotels International Unveils Lobby in a Box Hotel Conversion https://buff.ly/4803F8F

NORTH BETHESDA, Md.—Choice Hotels International Inc., one of the largest hotel franchisors in the world, is expanding its portfolio of innovative solutions for its extended-stay hotel conversions with the introduction of Lobby in a Box. The proprietary and exclusive to Choice modular design packag...

10/11/2024

Mainsail Lodging & Development promotes Henry Tapia to F&B director at Epicurean Atlanta https://buff.ly/4ezYmiT

ATLANTA, Ga.—Mainsail Lodging & Development has promoted Henry Tapia to F&B director for the company’s Epicurean Atlanta in midtown Atlanta. Tapia previously served as the hotel’s executive chef.

10/10/2024

Disney Meetings & Events unveils new teambuilding experiences and event products https://buff.ly/4h1RTPl

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.—Disney Meetings & Events is launching new products and resources designed to create engaging and impactful moments for meeting professionals and their attendees. The new offerings include new teambuilding experiences and an array of new program openers available at Disney de...

10/10/2024

Dolly Parton and partners donate millions to support flood relief efforts https://buff.ly/3zMfCSP

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—Dolly Parton, along with officials from Dollywood Parks & Resorts, The Dollywood Foundation, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Pirates Voyage, and Walmart, announced millions in donations to flood relief following Hurricane Helene. The announcement was made during a special event Frid...

10/09/2024

Meeting Wellness at Marriott Myrtle Beach https://buff.ly/4dAj40C

Escape to the Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes and discover oceanfront bliss! The luxury hotel boasts 45,000 square feet of venue space, perfect for all events, from intimate to grand.

10/09/2024

Fairfax, Va.: Where All the Lines Intersect for Meeting Planners https://buff.ly/3TUx7an

Fairfax County, Va., is where all the lines intersect for meeting planners. With the nation’s capital at our doorstep; two major airports and the Washington Metrorail system; and an incredible collection of three- and four-star meeting hotels, Fairfax County checks all the boxes on every planner.....

10/08/2024

Discover North Florida’s Hidden Gem https://buff.ly/3BAc2vt

An unforgettable getaway awaits you at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa. Ideally situated in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., just a short distance from Jacksonville, our resort offers exclusive privileges to TPC Sawgrass, home of The PLAYERS Championship, and to our private oceanfront Cabana Beach Clu...

10/08/2024

Little Rock CVB names new VP of marketing and communications https://buff.ly/4eRTJQW

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB) has announced the hiring of Ryan Callison as its vice president of marketing and communications. A career destination marketer who previously worked at travel-focused agencies in Arizona, Texas, and Arkansas, Callison aims to bring...