Blogs

Guest Services

Teresa.Kenny — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:17:40 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

I just sold my home, and in the process of moving from one home to the next, I stayed at the Doubletree by Hilton Seattle Airport – Southcenter at 16500 Southcenter Parkway. In my exhaustion, I made a critical error that resulted in me double booking a room at a nearby hotel which I didn’t realize had happened until I arrived about 11 p.m. on Friday night.

Market Intelligence

In Honor of Boston

Market Intelligence

Teresa.Kenny — Fri, 03 May 2013 21:28:54 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

newliologo200.jpg

Image credit:

Newlio

Recently I met with Zach Schwitzky of Newlio, a customer-driven market intelligence firm based in New York City. Zach has been doing some pretty interesting work with a local venue, Cedarbrook Lodge in SeaTac, Wash., as well as some national brands in NYC.

In Honor of Boston

Survey Says…!

In Honor of Boston

Teresa.Kenny — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:02:53 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

oneboston2.jpg

Image credit:

One Boston

As I write this blog, the horrific tragedy at the Boston Marathon occurred only 48 hours ago. Our thoughts and hearts are with the residents of Boston, the runners and everyone directly affected by this act of terrorism. The response at the Boston Marathon to the disaster was nothing short of heroic; when the bombings happened, videos and photos show individuals running toward the explosions and helping those injured. It’s also been reported that many of the marathoners continued running to local hospitals to donate blood to those wounded.

Survey Says…!

Reading is Fundamental

Survey Says…!

Teresa.Kenny — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:54:46 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

remote200.jpg

Audience response systems (ARS) can be valuable tools for meetings and conferences. ARS are interactive tools that allow speakers and/or facilitators to pose multiple-choice questions to which their audiences respond anonymously via remote control devices. Research conducted by the Center for Education and Evaluation at Columbia University found that the use of the technology can “substantially improve the effectiveness of both learning and retention of concepts presented by lectures with greater student/participant satisfaction.”

Reading is Fundamental

Conference Me In!

Reading is Fundamental

Teresa.Kenny — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 22:28:01 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

book-cover-001-(1).jpg

I’m in the middle of a very engrossing read: The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. It’s a historical account of the planning of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. The author deftly juxtaposes the stories of the architect behind the fair and a killer who was preying on victims during the same time (the devil in the title).

I find myself drawn more to the story of the architect and the backstory of the trials he faced organizing this colossal, global event. Take for example this excerpt about the chosen site for the fair:

Conference Me In!

Seattle’s Hotel Ballard to Open in May 2013

Conference Me In!

Teresa.Kenny — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 23:10:35 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

Registrationbooth.jpg

How many of you were able to attend this year’s Cascadia Educational Conference? Held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland, I was lucky enough to go and the sessions I attended were packed! (A very thankful shout-out to the River’s Edge Resort and Spa for hosting me Sunday and Monday nights!)

Seattle’s Hotel Ballard to Open in May 2013

Deadlines and Deals

Seattle’s Hotel Ballard to Open in May 2013

Teresa.Kenny — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 23:03:37 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

Hotel-Exterior-Rendering.jpg

Construction is nearing completion on a four-star luxury hotel in Seattle’s popular Ballard neighborhood. Located adjacent to the Olympic Athletic Club, the appropriately named Hotel Ballard will offer 29 guest rooms and suites (including eight rooftop courtyard suites with private terraces), the street-level restaurant Stoneburner, a cozy library with stone fireplace, and private event space on its rooftop pavilion. (More information to come on the restaurant and event space.)

Deadlines and Deals

Party with Redhook!

Deadlines and Deals

ada.walton — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 22:04:54 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

NW200.jpg

Time is quickly running out to vote for your favorite vendors, venues and attractions in Northwest Meetings + Events 3rd Annual Readers’ Choice Best of Awards. The deadline to vote is February 15, 2013 at 5 p.m. This is your last chance to say THANK YOU to those businesses that help you look good! Winners will be announced in our summer issue. Vote here!

Party with Redhook!

Make Your Vote Count!

Party with Redhook!

Teresa.Kenny — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 22:57:49 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

beer200.jpg

Northwest Meetings + Events and Redhook Brewery have teamed up to award one lucky Facebook friend a party at the Woodinville brewery. The winner will receive $1,000 (yep, that’s three zeros) of credit to be used for food and beverages at a private event. You can buy a LOT of IPAs with that!

Make Your Vote Count!

Teresa.Kenny — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 21:52:13 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

NWballot200.jpg

Let your favorite venues, vendors and suppliers know you care by voting in Northwest Meetings + Events’ 3rd Annual Readers Choice Best of Awards! Voting is now live through February 15!

Holiday Inspiration Collaboration!

Get Involved With ISES

Holiday Inspiration Collaboration!

Teresa.Kenny — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 21:29:11 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

drinkdonuts.jpg

One of the things I most admire about the professionals in the meetings and events industry is their absolute enthusiasm for sharing ideas. As many of you know, Northwest Meetings + Events is part of a larger collection of meetings and events magazines around the country. In total, seven magazines are published under our media group—and all seven are free to you!

Get Involved With ISES

Happy Holidays- Now Let’s Party!

Get Involved With ISES

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:40:04 +0000

isesseattle.jpg

If one of your goals for the upcoming year is to be more involved in our industry, the International Special Events Society (ISES) has a deal for you! If you join ISES this month, you will get seven months of membership for the price of six! PLUS, they’ll waive the $50 application fee if you join before the end of the year!

Membership dues are:
$199 for members and corporate primary members
$149 for non-profits and corporate additional members
$35 for students (great deal for those of you wanting to network prior to graduation!)

Happy Holidays- Now Let’s Party!

It’s in the Bag

Happy Holidays- Now Let’s Party!

Teresa.Kenny — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:09:10 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

BusinessParty.jpg

Can you believe that the holidays are already upon us? While you’re busy planning parties for your company and your clients, be sure to take some time out to celebrate with your industry friends and colleagues! Make some room on your social calendar for these industry celebrations:

It’s in the Bag

Raise the Woof

It’s in the Bag

Teresa.Kenny — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 21:13:36 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

Last month, I traveled down to Portland for Bravo! Live. I had a great time seeing old friends and meeting new ones at the show. After I got back home and started emptying my bag of goodies, I started thinking about what makes SWAG a truly successful marketing tool for your products, services or venues. Does it have to be out-of-the-ordinary-OR-is the ordinary and everyday more effective?

Raise the Woof

Portland’s Art of the Party

Raise the Woof

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 20:38:01 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

Woody, Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club and Spa

Image credit:

Woody, Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club and Spa

What’s the perfect gift to give a faithful employee at retirement? A gold watch? Flowers? A gift basket? For one retiring Puget Sound icon, a chew toy may be more appropriate.

Portland’s Art of the Party

Top Chef Seattle!

Portland’s Art of the Party

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 15:39:38 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

EAT

Calling all creative spirits, design visionaries and décor trendsetters! Display your mad table top design skills at ISES Portland’s 3rd annual ‘Art of the Party’ Table Top competition on October 30 at the Atrium at Montgomery Park. Deadline to enter is October 19 and this year there is NO registration fee. You just have to purchase a ticket to the event.

Designs will be based on three categories:

Best Use of Theme
Best Use of Alternative Materials
People’s Choice (Chosen by the guests in attendance)

Top Chef Seattle!

Hotel FIVE Renovations

Top Chef Seattle!

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 19:32:09 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

Top Chef Seattle

Image credit:

Top Chef Seattle, Bravo, Facebook

It’s official: the 10th season of Top Chef takes place in Seattle! The James Beard Award-winning series will premiere on Wednesday, November 7 at 10 p.m. (ET/PT).

This week’s announcement was met with a resounding chorus throughout the city of: “Uh, yeah, we already figured that out.” Sightings of host Padma Lakshmi and her judges Wolfgang Puck (the newest panel member), Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, Hugh Acheson and Emeril Lagasse were reported throughout the summer, including at locations like Pike Place Market and the Comcast Bite of Seattle.

Hotel FIVE Renovations

Oh Canada!

Hotel FIVE Renovations

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 15:42:50 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

Hotel FIVE

Image credit:

Pineapple Hospitality

Hotel FIVE Renovations

Oh Canada!

The Best of the Best

Oh Canada!

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 21:33:48 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

Want to go to the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE) National Conference and Showcase in Ottawa, Ontario this November? Just tell Tourism Vancouver in 300 to 1,500 words why you would love to meet in Vancouver, B.C. or your best Vancouver meeting experience via essay or video and you may be one of five planners awarded full registration (travel and accommodations are not included). Deadline is September 7 and the winners will be announced September 24. Find out more at Tourism Vancouver.

The Best of the Best

Congrats!

The Best of the Best

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:16:11 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

and-the-winner-is.jpg

The results of the 17th annual Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards survey revealing readers’ favorite hotels, cities, islands, cruise lines, car-rental agencies, tour operators, etc. are in and the Northwest has, once again, made the list! (More than once, I might add.)

The best tour operator in the world is ROW Adventures in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

The best island in the continental U.S. is Vancouver Island in B.C.

Congrats!

Venue Crawl

Congrats!

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 14:35:57 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

NWMagBestOf.jpg

On Wednesday, June 20, a crowded house at Seattle’s Triple Door helped to celebrate the winners and nominees of our 2nd Annual Readers Choice Best of Awards. Special thanks to our sponsors, Salem Conference Center and Tulalip Resort Casino, as well as to master of ceremonies Gabe Gonzalez and our other partners: Bethany Olson Photography, Flora Nova Floral and Event Decor, ISES – Seattle Chapter, Magical Touch Media, PSAV Presentation Services, Triple Door and Wave Link Music Inc.

Venue Crawl

Half-full or half-empty?

Venue Crawl

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 14:23:08 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

Central Cinema

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be a guest at eVenue’s first Seattle Venue Crawl. Aboard one of Big Woody Limos’ decked-out buses, we visited four under-the-radar venues in Seattle: the Central Cinema, St. Mark’s Cathedral, Canlis Glass Studio and the Lake Union Yacht Club. It was a fun afternoon spent exploring some utterly marvelous venues!

Half-full or half-empty?

Ah, May!

Half-full or half-empty?

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:24:00 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

Computer_handmouse.jpg

In the past month or so, I’ve been receiving quite a few new job hire announcements for planners, as well as the general hospitality industry. For many companies and organizations, it’s not just one position filled- it’s multiple new hires. I’ve also been forwarded a number of positions that are available. Northwest Meetings + Events editorial board member Melissa Jurcan, CSEP is an excellent resource for these. She often posts career opportunities on her Facebook page.

Ah, May!

Smile!

Ah, May!

Fri, 04 May 2012 19:03:52 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

triple_door_neon.jpg

May for me is a figurative and literal breath of fresh air. It’s the month the windows go up, the screens go in and I start scouring community calendars for outdoor festivals and events to attend! Most of the seasonal farmers markets in the area open in May and Memorial Day weekend- while not the official start of summer, is plenty close enough for me.

Smile!

Start Your Engines

Smile!

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:25:19 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

Smile.jpg

Every day I walk my two dogs to a park near my house and along the way is a small center with restaurants and service businesses. One of the newest additions to the center- a small café- just opened up last year. A few days ago I noticed that it was already going out of business.

Start Your Engines

Veggie Tales

Start Your Engines

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:27:30 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

ILblog451.jpg

Recently, I had the pleasure of taking a tour of the LeMay - America’s Car Museum. I admit that I know nothing about cars—I’m truthfully not quite sure what model or year I drive, although I’m 100 percent sure it’s a Honda…or a Toyota. But even a car-neophyte like myself was drawn in by the different makes and models. It’s going to be a fantastic addition to our region’s meeting and event spaces.

Veggie Tales

Have a "heART"

Veggie Tales

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:42:54 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

Catering_veggie.jpg

Teaser:

But I admit that when I go to special luncheons or gala dinners, I pre-resign myself to having second best—which, don’t get me wrong, is often very good, just not very interesting.

I am, what I like to call, a lazy vegetarian. I don’t eat any meat, but I also won’t grill the waiter or waitress about what type oil was used to cook my dish and if I mistakenly order a salad that has bacon bits in it, I’ll simply eat around them. But I admit that when I go to special luncheons or gala dinners, I pre-resign myself to having second best—which, don’t get me wrong, is often very good, just not very interesting.

Have a "heART"

Applause! Applause!

Have a "heART"

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 06:00:00 +0000

heART.jpg

Image credit:

MPI Cascadia 2012

This week, some 300 meeting professionals from Oregon and Washington have convened on downtown Tacoma for MPI’s Cascadia Educational Conference. This year’s conference theme is ‘heART of your meeting’ fitting nicely with Tacoma’s glass-infused downtown.

Applause! Applause!

Speed Dating a la Meetings4You

Applause! Applause!

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:17:41 +0000

BO_2012_400x400.jpg

I was lucky enough to be one of the presenters at ISES Seattle’s Emerald City Awards on Wednesday, February 15. Held at the Bell Harbor Conference Center, the event was completely sold out. Congratulations to the 23 winners! Kevin Joyce and Martha Enson of EnJoy Productions were masters of ceremonies and were absolutely fabulous—the opening song was brilliant!

Speed Dating a la Meetings4You

Vote Now!

Speed Dating a la Meetings4You

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:18:48 +0000

meetings4you.jpg

Northwest Meetings + Events has partnered with Meetings4You for its 2012 hosted buyer events in Portland and Seattle. The events bring together meeting planners and luxury destinations for valuable one-on-one Q&As—sort of like speed dating for planners, except there’s none of that awkward, first-date nervous energy.

Best of all it’s free. Yes, FREE for qualified planners.

Vote Now!

Coming Up Roses

Vote Now!

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:44:59 +0000

BO_2012_400x400.jpg

Show your favorite vendors and venues some love by voting in our 2nd annual Readers’ Choice Best Of Awards. We’ve added some new categories this year, including Best Florist/Event Décor and Best Historic Venue. The results will be revealed in our summer issue as well as a summer awards party! Cast your ballot today!

Coming Up Roses

'Tis the Season to Thank Your Clients, Employees

Coming Up Roses

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:58:06 +0000

nw_blog.png

Right now, as I write this, the sky is grey, the temperature’s hovering around 40 and the weather forecast for the coming week includes the words “cloudy” or “rain” for every single day. Every. Single. Day. Sigh.

'Tis the Season to Thank Your Clients, Employees

Skamania Lodge

'Tis the Season to Thank Your Clients, Employees

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:12:43 +0000

I recently received an email from Biznik Co-founder Lara Feltin with some great ideas for saying thanks to clients beyond the tried-and-true box of chocolates, including purchasing a digital subscription to newspapers like the New York Times.

Skamania Lodge

It’s Beginning to Smell A Lot Like Christmas

Skamania Lodge

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:13:51 +0000

skamania.jpg

I was extremely fortunate to be the guest of Skamania Lodge over the Thanksgiving weekend. Located in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area—on the Washington side of the river—the lodge is a spectacular venue in an equally spectacular setting and offers 254 rooms and a 22,000-square-foot, two-level conference center. The conference center offers 23 meeting rooms, including a nearly 7,000-square-foot ballroom that, for this weekend, was set up for breakfast with Santa for the youngest lodge guests.

It’s Beginning to Smell A Lot Like Christmas

On Target Promotions

It’s Beginning to Smell A Lot Like Christmas

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:47:34 +0000

katy_perry.jpg

Image credit:

Katy Perry California Dreams World Tour

Teaser:

The premiere of the movie The Last Samurai, guests were treated to the sweet scent of cherry blossoms, while limited editions of the soundtrack CD for The Simpsons Movie smelled like—what else?—doughnuts.

I can’t believe the holidays are just around the corner! While you’re busy organizing an event that will create long-lasting memories for your guests, don’t forget to pay attention to how your event smells. It could take your event from being memorable to being unforgettable.

On Target Promotions

Happy Halloween!

On Target Promotions

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:46:22 +0000

botox_bullets.jpg

Teaser:

Making your marketing efforts stand out from the crowd is never easy. Recently, however, one of the meeting and event magazine editors from another market sent a flier along that I would have to say is a first for me.

Happy Halloween!

The Real Thing: Ships Ahoy

Happy Halloween!

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:05:08 +0000

portland_walking_tours.jpg

Teaser:

It’s that time of the year when all the ghouls and goblins (and princesses and pirates) hit the streets demanding treats and threatening tricks.

It’s that time of the year when ghouls and goblins (and princesses and pirates) hit the streets demanding treats and threatening tricks. It’s also the time of year for tickets to local ghost tours to sell-out in anticipation of All Hallow’s Eve.

Case in point: Portland Walking Tours has expanded sell-out scheduled offerings of its spooky "Beyond Bizarre" ghost-hunting tour just in time for Halloween.

The Real Thing: Ships Ahoy

New Plaza for Oregon Convention Center

The Real Thing: Ships Ahoy

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:13:27 +0000

ships_ahoy.jpg

Teaser:

The Amazing Race. Project Runway. Top Chef. I can now add one more to my list of favorite reality shows: Ships Ahoy!, featuring the Portland Spirit—one of Northwest Meetings + Events’ 2011 Reader’s Choice Best Of award winners.

New Plaza for Oregon Convention Center

Coming Soon!

New Plaza for Oregon Convention Center

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:43:04 +0000

occ_plaza.jpg

This fall Portland’s Oregon Convention Center (OCC)—one of Northwest Meetings + Events' 2011 Best of venues—is unveiling a 30,000-square-foot, fully landscaped, multi-use outdoor space directly across the street from the center’s main lobby.

The OCC Plaza has power and water hook-ups, and will balance an 11,000-square-foot paved area—perfect for booth set-ups or open-air receptions—with tree-lined streets and a grassy area.

Coming Soon!

Spotlight on the Northwest

The Roundup 9/9/11

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:00:25 +0000

nw.roundup.jpg

Teaser:

Do you have industry news you’d like to share on the Northwest Meetings + Events website? We want to hear about promotions, openings, new events and products and association news! Emailkate.smith@tigeroak.com with your announcements.

In case you missed it, our first September e-Newsletter was distributed yesterday.

Coming Soon!

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:29:44 +0000

LeMay.jpg

Teaser:

Gentlemen and ladies, start your engines!

Gentlemen and ladies, start your engines! Reservations for corporate, community and private events are now being taken for Tacoma, Wash.’s newest event venue, the LeMay – America’s Car Museum (ACM). The 165,000-square-foot museum is scheduled to open in May 2012 and is dedicated to preserving more than a century of automotive history.

Spotlight on the Northwest

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:09:32 +0000

Espritlogo-best.jpg

The Northwest was well-represented at this year’s International Special Events Society’s annual meeting held in conjunction with Eventworld in St. Louis earlier this month.

Tacoma (Wash.) based Vangard, Inc., won an Esprit Award for Best Event for a Non-Profit Organization Under $75,000 for Dreambuilder’s Ball 2010. And the Vancouver, B.C. chapter was honored with a chapter award for best in communications.

What’s Code for R.I.P.?

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:30:41 +0000

By:

Teresa Kenney

northwest_blog.jpg

In our spring issue, social media expert and marketing guru Matthew Mikulsky shared some ideas on how meeting and event planners could use QR codes. This morning I saw this article about QR codes on—of all things—headstones.

Tax Talk

Back Home Again…

Tax Talk

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 20:25:53 +0000

nw.blog_.jpg

The GBTA Foundation—the education and research foundation of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)—just released the 2011 findings from its annual study of car rental, hotel and meal taxes in the top 50 U.S. travel destination cities.

Back Home Again…

Day Tripping

Back Home Again…

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:28:38 +0000

iphone.hotspot.jpg

Teaser:

Check out the latest blog post from Northwest Meetings + Events Editor Teresa Kenney.

As I write this, I’m back home in Indiana, visiting my mom. She doesn’t have Internet access—or a computer for that matter—so before I left on my trip, I stopped by my Verizon store and asked if there was some sort of pay as you go “calling card” for the Internet.

And while currently there is no such thing (note to self: patent pay-as-you-go calling card for Internet access), apparently you CAN pay for a personal hotspot on your iPhone (which I JUST bought 2 weeks ago to replace another smartphone).

Day Tripping

Summer? Is That You?

Day Tripping

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 20:22:22 +0000

Teaser:

My cousin Phil and his family are coming to Seattle next week for vacation and his wife Colleen and I have been trading emails back and forth on must-sees and must-dos.

They are taking two overnight side trips—one to Camano Island and the second to Victoria—so that leaves just two full days in Seattle. Colleen is sifting through a mountain of brochures to put together an itinerary that will keep her family of seven—with children ranging from 15 to 24—happy. Not a small job by any means.

Summer? Is That You?

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:57:25 +0000

Teaser:

At this very moment, as I’m writing this blog entry, forecasts say that this weekend’s temps will hit 77 degrees. Yep. 77. Oh—and it’s supposed to be sunny. Yep. Sunny. I’m so excited right now, that I’m tearing up a bit.

I hate to jinx it, but does that mean summer is here?

If you go by the events calendar, it certainly is. I was speaking with Cheryl Foster Hayes at the Benson Hotel earlier today and she noted that the Portland Rose Festival is well underway, with community-wide events--culminating with the Rose Cup Races—through June 19.

Save the Date: Wednesday, June 22

Fri, 20 May 2011 16:39:28 +0000

Pink is one of my favorite colors. In fact, I bought my laptop and cell phone solely based on the fact that they are pink. So it’s only fitting that Northwest Meetings + Events’ first ever “Readers Choice Best Of” Awards party is being held at downtown Seattle’s Pink Restaurant and Ultra Lounge in Pacific Place.

Wish You Were Here

Fri, 06 May 2011 18:22:07 +0000

Teaser:

National Travel and Tourism Week is May 7-15 and for industry professionals in Washington, what better way to celebrate than by sharing your love of the Evergreen State by sending a postcard to your out-of-town friends, family or clients?

It doesn’t hurt that you could also get a year of unlimited air travel within Washington on Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air for you and a companion PLUS two roundtrip tickets to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies.

State of the Industry in the Northwest

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:07:10 +0000

Teaser:

On March 31, the new Washington Tourism Alliance (WTA) met for the first time at a summit that brought an estimated 500 industry professionals together to discuss the future of tourism marketing in the state of Washington.

State of the Industry in the Northwest

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:04:38 +0000

Teaser:

Washington State Tourism Office to Close June 30

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:11:55 +0000

Teaser:

Check out the latest blog post from Northwest Meetings + Events Editor Teresa Kenney.

Washington’s Tourism Office will close on June 30, making Washington the only state that does not promote tourism.

On March 31, the newly formed Washington Tourism Alliance (WTA) which is made up of trade and government groups will meet to discuss possible measures to take to replace the efforts and funding that will be lost with the closing of the state office.

Cascadia Conference–Share What You Learn!

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:39:08 +0000

Teaser:

MPI Cascadia 2011 is coming to Portland, March 6-8—how many of you are going to attend?

I won’t be able to attend this year’s conference because I’ll be in Houston, Texas for my niece’s wedding. But I’ve asked several people to serve as on-the-ground reporters for those of us unable to attend. If you’re there, feel free to shoot me an e-mail with any new insights gained or shared!

Top 5 Reasons to VOTE for Your Favorites

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:14:57 +0000

Teaser:

Cast your ballot HERE and don't forget—voting closes at 5 p.m. on Friday, February 25.

Top 5 Reasons to Vote for Northwest Meetings + Events' First Readers' Choice Best Of Awards:

5. You’re voting FOR not AGAINST. You’re showing your love, love, LOVE to your favorite vendors, venues and attractions.

4. No robo phone calls. You won’t rush to answer the phone, only to find you just tripped over a chair and nearly chipped a tooth to hear a pre-recorded message from us asking you to vote. Won’t happen. I don’t even know your number.

'Best Of' the Northwest

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 03:03:14 +0000

Northwest Meetings + Events first annual “Best Of” ballots are up and ready for your nominations! Now through Feb. 25 and nominate your favorite venue, attraction, vendors and much more in Washington, Oregon, B.C., Alaska and Idaho.

The winners will be announced in our summer issue!

Regional Appointment to National Board

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 23:35:35 +0000

Teaser:

Editor Teresa Kenney shares an update from the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.

Former Washington Governor and current Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke appointed Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon, one of three new members to the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.

The board advises Secretary Locke on industry-related matters and provides policy recommendations.

For Whom the Bell Tolls ...

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 20:39:40 +0000

Teaser:

Editor Teresa Kenney asks readers how to make sure our bad days don't spill over into the days of our clients.

Send not to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for civility.

Throughout 2010, I have been fascinated by how poor behavior has been getting such positive rewards. The worse you treat another human being, the higher the reality TV show ratings, the longer the fifteen minutes of fame, the more lengthy the headline.

And while normally I would just ignore it and move on, my recent trip back home to the Midwest for Christmas made me really ponder why we seem to be in an age of “no regrets” in how we treat other people.

Travel Connections

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 19:01:24 +0000

Teaser:

Editor Teresa Kenney shares highlights from the Orbitz for Business/Business Traveler Magazine Quarterly Trend Report--and the perfect present for business travelers.

When traveling for business or planning a meeting or event, what tops your list of must-haves in a hotel?

According to the Orbitz for Business / Business Traveler Magazine Quarterly Trend Report, the top five most significant factors when choosing hotel accommodations are (in order):

1. Loyalty or awards program points

2. Proximity to business meeting or event

3. On-site amenities such as Wi-Fi, on-site cleaners, exercise center, etc.

4. Lower daily rate than comparable hotels

It's the Holiday Season

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 21:04:35 +0000

Teaser:

Editor Teresa Kenney wants to know: what are some of your favorite holiday party venues in the Northwest?

Ah—the holiday season has officially begun.

Our fall issue of Northwest Meetings + Events featured some fun holiday venues that are already decked out for the festivities, all you need to do is add your own guests.

Try Clogging

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:13:18 +0000

Teaser:

Editor Teresa Kenney weighs in on Okabashi clogs.

As a writer and editor, I don’t spend much time working on my feet. So when Okabashi offered to send me a pair of their clogs to test for Northwest Meetings + Events readers, I was torn between my absolute love, love, love of shoes and my concern that I wouldn’t be able to offer an accurate review of the shoes’ comfort.

But then I remembered that I already have an in-house research team that would be happy to help me test the clogs: Cyrus and Roxie, my two energetic mutts. So I sent back an enthusiastic affirmative response and requested the shoes in red (natch).

Party Like It's 1999

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 20:42:51 +0000

Teaser:

No New Year's plans? Editor Teresa Kenney suggests purchasing the Porto Vista Hotel for the evening--for the low, low price of $160,000.

What do you get the business owner who has everything? How about his or her own hotel?

As much as I’d like to bemoan that the marketing of the holiday season begins earlier and earlier each year, the truth is it will be here before we know it.

Boo!

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 18:03:47 +0000

Teaser:

Editor Teresa Kenney suggests a few spooky venues for Halloween.

In honor of Halloween, here are just a few of the Northwest venues that offer ghost tours or (some claim) “spirit”-ed event and meeting spaces:

Thornewood Castle in Lakewood, Washington
Location for the filming of Stephen King’s mini-series “Red Rose,” the castle, according to Washington State Ghost Society’s past president Henry Bailey, “has an extremely high degree of energy and that energy is healing.”

Editor's Update: Save the Date!

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:53:48 +0000

Teaser:

Editor Teresa Kenney has our interests piqued for the Emerald City Applause Awards.

Wednesday, October 20 is the date of the Seattle Chapter of ISES’ Emerald City Applause Awards, and yesterday—Sunday, Oct. 3—I had the pleasure of judging some of the entrants (Northwest Meetings + Events is a sponsor).

I was impressed by the creative talent represented and look forward to celebrating with the winners on the 20th at Herban Feast’s venue Sodo Park. For more info on the event, check out www.isesseattle.com.

Sit Up Straight

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:03:19 +0000

Teaser:

The price of finding a cheaper airline ticket.

I heard about this a number of months ago and thought it had to be a joke. Seems like an Italian aircraft seat designer, Aviointeriors Group, is introducing the SkyRider, an airline seat that requires passengers to sit—if you can call it that—at an extreme angle with only 23 inches between your seat and the seat in front of you .

The design was introduced last week at a conference in Long Beach, Calif.

President Obama Meets with Seattle Small Business Owners

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

On Tuesday, August 17, President Barack Obama, Washington state Senator Patty Murray, and Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke met with three Washington state small business owners in Seattle. The informal discussion centered around the importance of reinvigorating small business lending to allow those businesses to grow, create jobs and build the economy.

In Tribute: Blanca Torres

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:52:09 +0000

Teaser:

Earlier this month, the meetings and events community lost a valued member, Blanca Torres.

A Tri-Cities resident, Blanca was an advocate for the Hispanic community. She died in Seattle on August 6, following surgery for a brain aneurysm. Blanca was only 39 and leaves behind her husband and two young sons.

In Boise? Head Outside for Adventure.

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:39:13 +0000

Teaser:

On the stands now, Outside Magazine’s Adventure Towns issue names Boise, Idaho “Best Overall Adventure Town in the U.S. (West).”

Some of the amenities cited that Boise offers are its greenway, the Payette and Salmon Rivers, skiing, hiking, biking trails and cultural activities. To quote the article: “Boise, to put it mildly, has been on a roll.”

Head to the Summit

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 18:50:44 +0000

Teaser:

Mark your calendars for the PCMA Northwest and MPI Washington State Chapters 9th Annual Meetings Industry Summit on September 14, 2010 at the new Conference Center meeting venue, located at 8th and Pike in Seattle across from the Washington State Convention Center.

This year’s theme is “The New Norm.” Educational sessions will look at finding balance, embracing constant change and finding new pathways for doing business in today’s environment. Keynote speakers include Kati Quigley with Microsoft Corporation and Jeff Hurt with Velvet Chainsaw Consulting.

WEC 2010

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:46:00 +0000

Teaser:

It's the end of my first full day in Vancouver for the WEC.

Take Flight

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:44:43 +0000

Teaser:

Did you know that the Boeing plant is the largest building in the world by volume? You could fit all of Disneyland into the plant with plenty of room left over for parking. Or that clouds used to form inside the building until a state-of-the-art air circulation system was installed? Apparently it's not enough for it to only rain OUTSIDE in Seattle.

These are just a few of the interesting factoids I learned this week on the Boeing tour through the Future of Flight Aviation Center in Mukilteo (35 minutes north of Seattle).

What’s the Buzz

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 05:00:00 +0000

TKAbove.jpg

Teaser:

The companies who do business in the Northwest never fail to impress me with their strong commitment to the environment and their desire to engage the people living in their communities.

Case in point: the Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver, B.C. has installed bee hives featuring artwork by area art students on its 2,100-square-foot harbor garden. The hives are home to some 400,000 honeybees and will produce an anticipated 600 lbs of honey for the hotel's restaurant and lounge this summer.

State of Affairs

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:43:39 +0000

Teaser:

Beginning Thursday, July 1, 2010, there is a one year freeze on Washington state agencies holding meetings in private facilities. The freeze is being implemented as a result of the "boards and commissions bill" (Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2617).

Here's a link to the official bill on the Office of Financial Management's web page: http://www.ofm.wa.gov/policy/10.70.htm.

Summertime in the Northwest

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:25:08 +0000

Teaser:

Summer officially begins on June 21, but for me it begins two days earlier at the Solstice Parade in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood.

Yep, nothing says summer like watching a horde of naked bicyclists, costumed toddlers, politically charged floats and rogue marching bands.

I’m back!

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:30:09 +0000

Teaser:

Some of you may (or may not) know that in addition to editing Northwest Meetings + Events for the past 10 months, Chris Winters is the managing editor of Seattle Business, the leading business magazine for Washington.

As Seattle Business has continued to grow and expand, his resources, to say the least, have been stretched. So he's decided to focus his energies on the business magazine and I've come back on board as the editor for Northwest M+E.

How Social is Your State DMO?

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:49:14 +0000

Teaser:

Have you ever wondered how your state DMO compares to others as far as social media goes?

Well, Dave Serino of Gammet Interactive has put together the "first published comprehensive measurement for destinations' presence on social media sites."

According to Serino, "What I found was, many organizations do some things really well, but there were very few organizations that do everything well."

Gov Officials Sending Wrong Message…Again

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:00:13 +0000

Teaser:

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that government meeting planners are being told to plan meetings in less "fun" destinations and instead to book in more buttoned-down cities.

Among the destinations blacklisted by certain departments: Las Vegas, Orlando and Reno.

"A Department of Justice spokeswoman said, 'We do have guidance that says avoid locations and accommodations that give the appearance of being lavish or are resort destinations.'"

Green Roofs Grab Attention

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:11:54 +0000

Teaser:

Here's a neat little article about the Olive 8 hotel in Seattle.

The article talks about how the roof provides a habitat for birds and bees as well as cutting down on energy costs.

I love how the writer also included information on why the roof looks so "tidy," even though it is covered in living material.

(Un)Convention(al) Meeting

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Even if you can't make it to this month's World Education Congress in Salt Lake City, you can still attend via MPI's Virtual Access Pass.

Kudos!

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Last Wednesday, Travel Portland held their 30th Annual Tourism and Hospitality Awards at the Oregon Convention Center.

The event honors businesses and individuals who have made significant, positive impacts on the region's tourism industry and quality of life during the previous year. This year's anniversary event also paid tribute to Travel Portland's charter members-those businesses that have worked with Travel Portland since the association's founding in 1979.

Gregoire vetoes cut in tourism spending

Thu, 28 May 2009 05:00:00 +0000

In signing the 2009-11 biennial budget, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire has vetoed the transfer of $22 million from the Washington State Convention and Trade Center account to the general fund.

The vetoed transfer would have eliminated $9 million in tourism spending.

Rally in Seattle

Mon, 11 May 2009 05:00:00 +0000

I joined the crowd at Seattle's Travel Matters rally on Tuesday, May 12. Hosted by the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau, it had a great turnout-even the sun showed up!

Seattle personality John Curley did a great job outlining all the wonderful things Seattle has to offer-in his own unique and funny way! Seattle CVB President and CEO Tom Norwalk explained that Tourism Matters was a local campaign launched last year that has grown to include the entire state and inspired the national campaign.