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Proposal to Remake Salt Lake City Convention Center Stirs Controversy
By Jonathan Trager
A proposal from the mayor of Salt Lake County to divert millions of dollars in transportation funds for a Salt Palace Convention Center rebuild has met with pushback from some local leaders.
The Salt Lake County Council voted 7-2 on November 5 to allocate $10.5 million to explore a convention center renovation using money from a transportation fund. The idea is part of the revitalization project in downtown Salt Lake City with Smith Entertainment Group.
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Vanessa Ledesma
Vanessa Ledesma has been appointed CEO of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). She has spent 25 years with the association. Ledesma has served as CHTA’s Acting CEO and Director General for three years. Starting her career with CHTA as a meeting planner, she quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the first woman in an executive role within the organization. Ledesma is the organization’s first Spanish-speaking CEO.
Anne Leroux
Anne Leroux has been hired as Bishop-McCann’s Vice President of Creative and Production. She has 25 years of experience in the creative industry and joins Bishop-McCann following her tenure as Sr. Vice President, Creative Director of August Jackson. While there, she led events and communications across global biopharma and consulting firm accounts. Her leadership was instrumental in securing some of the agency’s largest new business in its 21-year history.
Joshua Nudd
Joshua Nudd joins Sensei Porcupine Creek in Rancho Mirage, California, as executive chef. He arrives after serving as director of food and beverage at the Little Nell in Aspen, California and MacArthur Place in Sonoma. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, he has served as Executive Chef of Abaco Club, a club in the Bahamas. He also worked at Temple House in Chengdu, China.
Molly Cano
Molly Cano is now Visit SLO CAL’s (VSC) Vice President of Marketing. She most recently served as the economic development and tourism manager at the city of San Luis Obispo, where she led key initiatives to strengthen tourism and support local economic growth for more than 12 years. During her tenure, she was an active member of VSC’s Marketing Committee, representing the city of San Luis Obispo.
Max Spradlin
Max Spradlin was recently promoted to an account manager at Visit Indy. He’s been with the bureau for nearly two years. An Indy transplant, Spradlin remains focused on initiatives with accounts on the East Coast, including Washington, D.C.; Virginia; and Maryland. He graduated from the University of Southern Indiana and worked in field maintenance for the Evansville Otters, a pro baseball team competing in the Frontier League.
Josh Baer
Josh Baer is now the Sr. Accounting Manager at the Atlanta CVB (ACVB). Baer will oversee the daily operations of the accounting department, including accounts payable and receivable as well as the general ledger, ensuring the accurate and timely preparation of financial statements. Baer brings more than 20 years of accounting experience to this role. Prior to the CVB, Baer served as controller at Piedmont Driving Club.
Association NEWS
Around Associations
American Lung Association Highlighting Essential Tips to Support Lung Health for Veterans… This November, in recognition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month and Veterans Day on November 11, the American Lung Association is spotlighting the need for lung health awareness and prevention, particularly among veterans. The Lung Association is also offering four essential tips to help Veterans improve lung health, prevent disease, and prioritize care.
Respiratory diseases are a prominent health issue for veterans, with the Department of Veterans Affairs diagnosing approximately 7,700 cases of lung cancer annually among veterans and an estimated 900,000 at risk due to factors like age, smoking, and environmental conditions. In 2023, 55% of veterans had smoked, compared to 32% of civilians, underscoring the need for increased lung health awareness and preventive care.
“Lung health has historically been impacted by high smoking rates among Veterans,” says Joel Nations, MD, Volunteer Spokesperson for the American Lung Association, Pulmonologist, Washington D.C. VA Medical Center. “This is especially true for military personnel during deployment, though many Veterans reduce smoking or quit altogether after leaving the service. However, their history of smoking keeps them at elevated risk for lung cancer. The most important steps are to avoid smoking, quit if you do smoke, and get screened if you’re at high risk.”
To support veterans, the American Lung Association recommends four steps to enhance lung health: get regular check-ups, quit smoking, take the lung cancer screening quiz and limit exposure to harmful substances.
Additionally, on November 19, the Lung Association will release its seventh annual State of Lung Cancer report, which shows the toll ln cancer takes on each state in the country. The report examines new case rates, survival rates, early diagnosis, surgical treatment, access to care, and biomarker testing, and highlights opportunities for states and the federal government to act in the effort to end lung cancer.
Find more information at lung.org.
Hotel NEWS
Checking Inn
The Four Season Hotel St. Louis in St. Louis, Missouri, announced the David Yurman Radiant Romance Experience package will be available November now through March 1, 2025.
The $2,500 luxury package centered around celebrated American jewelry company David Yurman includes a two-night stay in an Arch One Bedroom Suite, one bottle of Prosecco and David Yurman chocolates, a David Yurman Cable Book, daily breakfast, $100 in dining credit, private transfer to the David Yurman Frontenac Store via the Four Season house car, and a $500 David Yurman gift card valid at the St. Louis Frontenac storefront.
The Pass Casino in Henderson, Nevada will host a grand opening for its new Atwell Suites Henderson, an IHG hotel, on November 21. The new 90-room hotel will be “the first major hospitality brand on Water Street,” according to DeSimone Gaming, the casino’s owner.
“The Atwell Suites is expected to be a welcome addition to the explosive growth of the Henderson area,” said Joe DeSimone, founder of DeSimone Gaming. “It is the only all-suite accommodation in close proximity to the Pass Casino servicing the Water Street District, and we are excited to, once again, align with IHG.
The Marker Hotel near San Francisco’s Union Square is prepared to wow guests this holiday season with Dickensian activations,and a partnership with the American Conservatory Theatre.
Throughout the holiday season, The Marker will host the award-winning Mistletoe Carolers decked out in costumes, festive specialty cocktails inspired by family recipes, including nonalcoholic Dickensian eggnog, gingerbread martinis and spice cranberry rum old fashions.
The holiday cocktail menu launches on November 22, just four days ahead of the American Conservatory Theatre’s opening night of “A Whynot Christmas Carol.”
“We are thrilled to create a truly immersive holiday experience this year, one designed for our local residents and out-of-town visitors alike,” said Brian Fenwick, Managing Director of The Marker Hotel. “We are decking our halls with music, mirth and a plethora of merry cocktails. Plus, our association with A.C.T. reflects our commitment to honoring San Francisco’s artistic legacy, and we can’t wait for guests to feel the magic of the holidays through this unique collaboration.”
Convention Bureau/Center NEWS
CVB Update
Discover Long Island (DLI) in New York has launched its latest campaign, “#IYKYK,” which is designed to make Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) the gateway-of-choice for incoming travelers from Florida this holiday season.
This campaign positions ISP as a premier entry point to Long Island’s fall and winter offerings with a digital marketing campaign that directs to a customized website featuring information on flight options as well as downtowns, festive events, wine country, local shopping, dining, and more.
The campaign uses the trending hashtag #IYKYK (If You Know You Know) to speak directly to Long Islanders now living in Florida by highlighting Long Island’s distinctive experiences, landmarks, traditions, and sayings.
“Discover Long Island is thrilled to launch this new and creative #IYKYK campaign that educates visiting friends and relatives from Florida about the many new opportunities available to fly directly and affordably into Long Island MacArthur Airport this holiday season,” said Discover Long Island President & CEO Kristen Reynolds. “While Long Islanders love the new flight connections to Florida, it’s equally important to fill the planes coming into Long Island and this new campaign tugs at the heartstrings of former Long Island residents who are missing home while showcasing the year-round beauty and magic of our region to prospective new visitors.”
For more information, visit DiscoverLongIsland.com/iykyk.
