The Online Weekly Community Newspaper of Associations, CVBs, and Hotels
Top Story
Healthcare Associations React to UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s Murder
By Todd McElwee
In the wake of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s murder in New York City earlier this month, USAE conducted an e-mail, website, Google and social media search for reactions to the crime from healthcare industry associations.
Numerous offerings of condolences were found, though the overwhelmingly majority of organizations USAE contacted directly declined to comment or did not respond to messages. Out of the 10 associations, which spanned a wide swath of the healthcare sector, USAE contacted directly only AHIP, an association for health insurers, responded with a comment: two LinkedIn posts from President & CEO Michael Tuffin.
Read More
Photos of the Week
Trending Now
Industry Movers
Dianna Waldroup
Dianna Waldroup is now Destination DC’s (DDC) Vice President of Convention Services. She has spent more than 35 years at DDC. She oversees a team of more than 120 temporary personnel, known as “Redcoats,” who provide on-site assistance at events. Her new role will enhance customer experience and strengthen partnerships with local stakeholders. In 2020, Waldroup was honored as one of Connect Corporate’s “15 Over 50,” recognizing her contributions and leadership.
Leslie Lotten
Leslie Lotten is the new Director of Event Services at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC). She’ll oversee the comprehensive management and execution of all event-related services at the convention center, including event services, exhibit services, UPS Store, and box office operations. Lotten has nearly 40 years of experience at the NOENMCC, including her most recent role as assistant director of event services.
Charles Beirne
Charles Beirne is now General Manager & CEO of the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority in Georgia. He has more than 25 years of experience and will be responsible for the Cobb Galleria Centre, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Galleria Specialty Shops and ArtsBridge Foundation. Beirne joins the organization from the Broward County Convention Center Expansion and Hotel Project, where he was the regional general manager.
Aaron Ide
Aaron Ide is now General Manager of Hotel Drover, an Autograph Collection hotel located in the Fort Worth Stockyards. He is a hospitality veteran with more than 25 years of experience in luxury hotel operations. Before joining Hotel Drover, Ide was the general manager at Thompson Dallas. Ide has also held leadership roles at the Four Seasons New York, Four Seasons Boston and the Waldorf Astoria New York.
Ryan Kingston
David J. Cronin, CMP, is now the General Manager at W Scottsdale. He has more than 30 years of experience in the industry, including postings in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Houston, Minneapolis and Nashville. Most recently, Cronin served as resort manager at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. Cronin also spent four years in Germany at the Frankfurt Marriott Hotel as senior catering sales manager.
Chef Daniel Bennett
Chef Daniel Bennett has been appointed executive chef at the Washington Hilton. During his 20-year career he has worked at the Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton in California and Hilton Austin. He joins the property from Hilton Austin, where he was executive chef. He studied at the Secchia Institute of Culinary Education in Michigan. His duties in Washington will include overseeing the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.
Association NEWS
Around Associations
U.S. Airlines to Transport Record Number of Travelers Over Winter Holiday Period… Airlines for America (A4A) projects U.S. airlines will see record air travel throughout the holiday season and expects more than 54 million passengers to fly on U.S. carriers from December 19–January 6. Domestic carriers are prepared to fly more than 2.8 million passengers per day on average—up 6% from last year’s holiday period.
“This holiday travel season is expected to be one of the busiest ever, and U.S. airlines have been diligently preparing to ensure passengers and cargo reach their destinations safely and on time,” said Rebecca Spicer, A4A’s Sr. Vice President of Communications. “We’re incredibly grateful for the commitment of over 1 million airline employees who work every day to connect millions of travelers and deliver goods.”
To meet demand, U.S. airlines are offering 140,000 more seats each day than they did during the 2023 holiday period. A4A expects the busiest days to fly will be December 20, 22, 26, 27 and 29.
Find more information at a4a.org.
Hotel NEWS
Checking Inn
The Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino in Okeechobee, Florida, announced that it will hold its grand opening in February 2025, and guests can now make reservations for stays beginning March 2025.
The property is replacing the existing Seminole Casino Brighton, representatives from the property said, which first opened in 1980.
“Opening up reservations is yet another exciting step towards our grand opening,” said Marty Johns, General Manager. “We can’t wait to open the doors to this incredible property.”
The new property will offer a 100-room hotel complete with a fitness center and three suites, several casino dining options, including a 24-hour restaurant, Ee-To-Lee-Kee Grill; a steak house, Josiah Steakhouse; a coffee bar, Constant Grind Bistro; and a pizza kitchen, Slice. The Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino also has an indoor event space that can seat 400 for banquet events, and 900 for performance hall set-up.
The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills hotel has partnered with Beverly Hills Car Rental to provide guests with a new experience: “The Suite Ride.”
Beginning at $1,470, the Suite Ride package offers guests a stay in one of the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills 51 suites, as well as the opportunity to drive one of 12 luxury Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls Royce, Porsche or Mercedes vehicles.
“Our guests are seeking the very best of the California good life and these incredible bespoke automobiles are yet another way we are able to enhance their hotel—and destination—experience,” said Joyce Louie, Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills’ Director of Hotel Operations. “This special offer aligns perfectly with the hotel’s luxury amenities.”
Convention Bureau/Center NEWS
CVB Update
Visit Myrtle Beach on December 17 announced its recognition as one of nine travel organizations and one of only two U.S.-based destination marketing organizations to receive a 2024 Travel Vanguard Award from Afar magazine.
Established in 2016, the award honors organizations that are transforming the travel industry through innovative and impactful initiatives. Visit Myrtle Beach was specifically recognized for its efforts to make vacations more accessible and enjoyable for neurodivergent individuals and their families.
Among the attributes mentioned are the area’s certified autism-friendly municipalities, hospitality-related businesses, tourism board staff, first responders and beach lifeguards, all of whom are “fostering a community-wide commitment to inclusivity.”
In addition, the article touted Visit Myrtle Beach’s “The Beach is for everyBODY: Sensory-Friendly Pledge,” which is supported by more than 160 area businesses and the recent premiere of the docuseries “Traveling the Spectrum” on Peacock.
“Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach and surrounding communities have created a place that’s comfortable for people with autism, mobility issues and visual impairments—who don’t often travel—because we believe that travel is transformative and everyone deserves to experience our 60 miles of beaches plus so much more,” said Stuart Butler, Chief Marketing Officer of Visit Myrtle Beach.
