Top Story
Brand USA Partners with America250 to Promote Nation’s Semiquincentennial
By Todd McElwee
Enthusiastic to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026, Brand USA and America250 have announced a strategic partnership aimed at inspiring international audiences to explore the nation’s history, heritage, and culture throughout the anniversary year.
“Brand USA is proud to partner with America250 to showcase the significance of this historic celebration to the world,” said Fred Dixon, President & CEO of Brand USA. “With our expertise in international marketing and storytelling, Brand USA is uniquely positioned to highlight the spirit and significance of America250 globally. Through this partnership, we’ll inspire travelers to connect with the places, people, and moments that define our nation—and invite them to be part of this historic milestone.”
Read More
Photos of the Week
Trending Now
Industry Movers
Association NEWS
Around Associations
NBAA Congratulates Wright Brothers Trophy Recipient Joan Sullivan Garrett… The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is congratulating Joan Sullivan Garrett, a visionary in airborne emergency medical care, on her selection as the 2025 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy recipient from the National Aeronautic Association (NAA).
In 1985, Garrett drew upon her experiences as a critical-care flight nurse and chief medical officer to found MedAire, a provider of aeromedical training and global emergency telemedical services. She served as the company’s CEO until 2006.
“For decades, Joan has combined entrepreneurialism with expertise and empathy to save countless lives and make our entire industry safer and more secure,” said NBAA President & CEO Ed Bolen. “We congratulate her on this well-deserved honor.”
Today, MedAire continues to provide real-time medical, critical care and security assistance to thousands of clients, including business aviation flight departments, private and commercial maritime operators, commercial airlines and the federal government.
NBAA said Garrett’s testimony before Congress in 2001 is widely considered to have prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to require domestic airlines to carry automated external defibrillators and enhanced emergency medical kits.
Garrett served on NBAA’s Board of Directors from 2011–2015 and was both Chair and Vice Chair of the NBAA Advisory Council. In 2017, NBAA presented her with its Meritorious Service Award, the association’s highest honor. Garrett is also the recipient of the Flight Safety Foundation’s Business Aviation Meritorious Service Award. She was inducted to the National Aviation Hall of Fame Class of 2020.
The Wright Brothers Trophy has been presented by NAA in partnership with the Aero Club of Washington since 1948. The trophy, which recognizes a living American for “significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States,” is displayed at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.
The NAA’s 77th Annual Wright Memorial Dinner will be held on December 12, in Washington, D.C.
Hotel NEWS
Checking Inn
Denver-based hotel management company Stonebridge expanded its portfolio to include The MC Hotel, a member of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection in Montclair, New Jersey, the company announced on June 27. The lifestyle property boasts 159 guest rooms, panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, and more than 8,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.
“The MC Hotel, Autograph Collection is an exceptional asset in a thriving market, and we are proud to welcome it to our managed family,” said Rob Smith, President and CEO of Stonebridge. “It’s vibrant location and strong cultural ties make it a perfect fit for our lifestyle portfolio.”
Appellation, the culinary-first hotel brand, opened its first hotel, the Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa in Lodi, California, Boutique Hotelier reported on June 27.
The opening follows a renovation of the resort led by Appellation’s Christopher Hunsberger and Charlie Palmer.
The renovation includes a reimagined culinary menu in line with Appellation’s company values of prioritizing a hotel’s culinary offerings.
“More than anything, we want Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa to serve as the hub for Lodi and greater Central Valley residents, where guests rub shoulders with the growers, makers and purveyors who make up the hotel’s vibrant community,” said Hunsberger. “Our goal is to preserve the hotel’s rich heritage and welcoming setting, while putting even more emphasis on a celebration of Lodi, creating a powerful sense of ‘here’ for guests, as we aspire to do with all our hotels and resorts.”
CVB Updates
Visit Denver announced on June 18 that 2024 Denver tourism was consistent with 2023’s record-breaking year, welcoming 37.1 million domestic visitors.
Marketable trips to Denver, those Visit Denver specifically targets since this group is defined by its openness to tourism promotions, rose 14% to 8.7 million visitors.
“Tourism is vital to the Denver economy, and we are pleased to see 2024 numbers in line with 2023, which matched our expectations,” said Richard W. Scharf, President & CEO of Visit Denver. “After 2023’s strong results, where Denver’s results exceeded those of many other cities that did not fully recover until 2024, keeping pace is an accomplishment that shows the combined strength of the tourism product in Denver and the promotional efforts of the organization. We are proud that
Denver had such a strong showing with the economic headwinds last year and in an increasingly competitive market. We are equally proud that the tourism industry was able to support 73,500 jobs across the metro area last year, and to generate millions in state and local taxes.”
Overnight visitors totaled 19.8 million. Overnight leisure visitors totaled 17.4 million, consistent with 2023.
Find an older issue? Here.
