You're the Boss

One of Canadian Outback Adventure's most popular new team-building acitivities is called "Cake Boss". Loosely based on the television show of the same name it allows participants to get down and sticky with icing and fondant to achieve a wide variety of goals and objectives.  The above entry is a confectionary depiction of one of Canadian Outback's other successful events, the Olympic Challenge.

Hot Hot Hot!

Congratulations to the Thompson Toronto for being the only Canadian hotel to make it on Conde Nast Traveler's 15th Annual Hot List of new hotels.

Other "hot" properties in North America include:

• the exciting new Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas, with almost 3,000 guestrooms and already famous Chandelier Bar.

• the luxurious Rosewood San Miguel de Allende in historic central Mexico.
 
• the JW Marriott Chicago - an architectural masterpiece repurposed with $396 million in restorations

• the Waikiki Edition in Honolulu - designed by Ian Schrager in partnership with Marriott.

 
•  Starwood's funkiest brand in Texas's funkiest city: the W Hotel Austin

• Andaz 5th Avenue - representing Hyatt's foray into the lifestyle/business hotel
  concept.

 
See the full list of 124 hot new hotels and resorts worldwide here.

Free Wi-Fi Everywhere (!)

I seem to spend a lot of time at airports. Luckily most of them, like Toronto's Pearson, offer complimentary and hassle-free Internet service - but seriously?  Is this really necessary?

Into the Swing of Things

A sure sign that Spring has Sprung?  It was wall-to-wall GOLF in the travel section of the Globe and Mail today.

Although golfing in England was the cover story, four North American resorts were cited for having the "most mojo" - and not just for their courses.

The Torrey Pines Hilton - La Jolla, California, where Globe sports editor Tom Maloney suggests taking "a break from golf to hike the bluffs down to Black's Beach."

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Jasper National Park, Alberta. According to golf travel writer Brian Kendall: "The only thing missing from this iconic Canadian setting is a red-coated mountie standing on guard at the first tee." 

Half Moon Bay Ritz Carlton - Half Moon Bay, California. "Sit on the cliffs at sunset watching the ocean, sipping a find Napa cab..." suggests hockey writer and golfer Bruce Dowbiggin.

Fox Harb'r - Wallace, Nova Scotia. John Marcheson, editor of Golfcanada.ca recommends "indulging in one of the signature spa treatments". The Spa at Fox Harb'r also offers a Men's Executive Menu of services such as Sports Pedicures and Man-icures, as well as a wide range of therepeutic massages.

All of the above resorts have meeting facilities of course, offering an environment in which to focus clearly on agenda items before any much-needed R&R.

Hockey Night in Western Canada

'Nucks fans in Vancouver can watch the playoffs in style in the Shangri-la hotel Vancouver's state-of-the-art Blue Moon Theatre. From just $500 you can book this private screening room with 9x5 foot screen, plush leather seating, private bartender, and complimentary Truffle popcorn. Beverages and additional food charged on consumption, and if you don't want to have to worry about driving - you can get a room.

Meetings Matter 2011

Meetings Matter was the theme of ConferenceDirect's Annual Partner Meeting, held this year at the historic Omni Shoreham Hotel during the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., and like all good conference themes it was supported by content that reminded us of the economic impact meetings have on communities, associations, and businesses of all kind. We also discussed meeting trends such as virtual meeting (as adjuncts to face-to-face meetings),  mobile applications specifically for meetings and conferences, and managing costs through building Stratigic Meetings Management Programs (SMMPs) - and specifically how ConferenceDirect can deliver these solutions to our clients.

Our opening night Awards Gala (hosted by Hyatt Hotels) was held - not in a hotel - but in the National Museum of Women in the Arts. It was a beautiful and fitting venue, since more female ConferenceDirect Associates were honoured this year than in any other year of the company's history.

Another off-site highlight was the W Washington, formerly the esteemed Washington Hotel. We enjoyed a casual lunch in a function room on the top floor adjacent to the popular P.O.V. Lounge with a view of the White House.

"Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler"

They're partying in Brazil - and in New Orleans - where the tradition of celebrating Mardi Gras can be traced back to French-Canadian explorers in 1703.

It was about three years ago that ConferenceDirect held its Annual Partner Meeting in "N'Awlins", and my colleague Kelly Cyr and I spent a day exploring some of the city's finest hotels. The Quarter - post-Katrina - was looking better than I'd ever seen it, and since then air lift from Canada has improved considerably.

HOTEL MONTELONE
One of only three 4-Diamond hotels located in the famed French Quarter, this historic property is 4th generation family owned and operated and has recently undergone $65 million in renovations. With 600 guestrooms and more than 21,000 sq.ft. of meeting space, the hotel offers a wide range of modern amenities including a business centre and wireless internet access amid a decidedly historic ambiance (complete with requisite ghostly sightings!). The barstools of the famous Carousel Bar are brightly painted with circus animals, and the bar itself, covered with a gilded canopy, actually revolves like a real carousel.

THE RITZ CARLTON NEW ORLEANSComparable in size (with 527 guestrooms and over 23,000 sq.ft. of meeting space) and replete with original artworks, this luxury property is located on Canal Street, at the edge of the French Quarter and three blocks away from the Garden District. Elegant and luxurious, the hotel showed beautifully. Even the green and purple Mardi-gras colour scheme in some of the guest rooms worked. Billed as the city’s only full-service spa, the Ritz-Carlton Spa is a 20,000 sq.ft facility featuring its own Fitness and Wellness Centre, Beauty Salon, and Café which can be used for companion programs and lunches.

JW MARRIOTT NEW ORLEANS
I remember this hotel when it was Le Meridien New Orleans, and although re-flagged, the property retains its European sensibilities, including an intimate lobby and Gallic touches such as the signature “Ile de France” Ballroom. The 494 rooms and suites feature Marriott Revive beds and linens, and there’s 19,000 sq.ft. of meeting space. Like the Ritz, the JW Marriott is located on Canal Street, across from the French Quarter, and within walking distance of various attractions and a wide variety of shopping options.

WINDSOR COURT
Topping the Ritz ever-so-slightly on the luxury meter, the Windsor Court is the only hotel in New Orleans rated with both 4 Stars and 4 Diamonds. With a disproportionate number of suites (264) versus regular/deluxe guestrooms (58) guests are treated to an exceptional VIP experience. The largest “Chinoiserie” ballroom is just over 4,500 sq.ft. and is representative of the intimate and elegant function space available. Located just behind Harrah’s Casino, The Windsor Court is a short walk from the French Quarter, shopping, and riverfront attractions.

RENAISSANCE ARTS HOTELCan you say “Tchoupitoulas Street”? That’s where this boutique-like property is located, in what’s known as the city’s “Warehouse District”, a stone’s throw from the New Orleans Convention Centre. In fact the hotel itself is built in a remodeled 1910 warehouse, updated with modern amenities, a whimsical décor, and original contemporary art, much of it local. With just over 200 guestrooms and 5,000 sq.ft. of meeting space, the Renaissance Arts is compact in size but “full” on service.