+ Gather at the Walker Art Center announced that D'Amico Kitchen's Justin Frederick and Tilia's Steven Brown will be the chefs-in-residence for April and May, respectively.
In our Fall 2011 issue, we had a Podium column about the importance of offering gluten-free options at your event, as well as the importance of making these menu choices as easy on the planner as possible.
Now several Twin Cities food trucks have gotten the message and offer many menu items for those who can't digest gluten.
Stay tuned for our Spring issue, hitting your desk within days. In my feature story on food & beverage trends for 2012, not only do my sources mention gluten-free menu items, but also food trucks at events.
A few years ago we held our Vision Awards event (pictured, right) at the Saint Paul Hotel. Their ballroom space allowed room for all of the events activities, from the awards and food stations to music, dancing and mingling. But the 3,900-square-foot Promenade Ballroom (500, reception) is only one of the options available at the historic venue.
The Saint Paul Hotel, which celebrated 100 years a few years ago, has a variety of spaces for meetings, events, private dining, weddings and more. The hotel features more than 14,000 square feet of function space and 15 unique, newly renovated event room options. The facility has onsite catering, high-speed wireless Interent, a 24-hour business center, video conferencing capabilities, an onsite audiovisual company and more. Spaces range from the M St Cafe and the St. Paul Grill to the Archbishop Ireland (100, reception), Summit (175, reception) Lexington (50, reception) and James J. Hill rooms (120, reception).
We certainly had a blast there in 2010. Take a look and see if it's right for your next gathering.
--Ellie M. Bayrd Associate Editor
[Top photo: Vision Awards by Todd Buchanan. Bottom photos: Archbishop Ireland room (left) and Summit room (right) courtesy of Morrissey Hospitality]
+ We've all gotten used to the idea of bidding on a hotel room, but what about the opposite? Hotel Chatter explains that BackBid has hotels bid for your reservation.
+ Jaunted shares some of the results of J.D. Power & Associates' Customer Service rankings. Southwest Airlines, Virgin America and JetBlue are this year's Customer Service Champions.
+ Lolapalooza, the large outdoor music festival, extended its contract and will continue to run in Chicago's Grant Park through at least 2021. Numerous changes are in place for this year and will lead to a rise in ticket prices.
+ 10 local restaurants are participating in UNICEF's Tap Project during Water Week next week, including Edina Grill, Tucci Benucch and Cafe Maude. Dine at one of these restaurants and donate $1 for your free tap water and the proceeds will go to providing clean water to vulnerable populations.
+ Next Thursday, check out Growing the Local Food Economy, an event that discusses the local food movement here in the Twin Cities. Enjoy food from Birchwood Cafe, Brasa and more; hear from Mayor Rybak, Eureka Recycling and the Minneapolis Health Department; and watch a new documentary called "Dirty Work" featuring Alex Roberts's father (and farmer) Don.
+ You can now buy a growler at Fulton Brewery near the Target Field.
Each month, Multimedia of the Month spotlights photos, video and more that capture our attention.
I was excited last week when I discovered the Greater Mankato CVB's video blog. The first vlog focuses on family fun activities in Mankato. I love the kids being a part of the video and that they didn't edit out anything. It's a true vlog and a lot of fun!
We prepared the following video to run before Steve Fox, president and publisher at Greenspring Media Group (our publisher) accepted the Spirit of Hospitality Award at last night's Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau Diamond Service Awards (photos and recap) but it didn't make the final cut at the event. Take a look and learn a bit more about what Greenspring does for the hospitality industry through our various hospitality-focused magazines.
Last night, March 11, 2012, the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau held its 16th annual Diamond Service Awards at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington-Minneapolis South. The event, which we sponsor, rewards customer service staff at hotels, restaurants, attractions and more in the city. The awards include: Best Food Safety, Best Heart of House Personnel, Best Hotel Reservations/Guest Services, Best Valet/Driver, Best Hospitality Administration, Best Retail Sales Associate, Best Guest Relations, Best Busser/Dishwasher, best Host/Hostess, Best Food Production Personnel, Best Hotel Housekeeping, Best Engineer/Maintenance, Best Bartender and Best Server. In addition to celebrating the hard work and positive attitude of Bloomington's hospitality industry, this year's awards also brought the laughs. Besides goofy videos and the banter between Bloomington president and CEO Bonnie Carlson and emcee Jim Cunningham (who you can meet in our spring issue), the event included a stand-up performance from Minnesota's own Louie Anderson. Anderson joked about travel and Minnesota Nice, even proclaiming that "Minnesota invented hospitality."
This year's Hospitality Hall of Fame Award celebrated Joseph Skluzacek from Ramada Mall of America. You can learn all about Joe and his challenges and triumphs from our summer 2008 feature "The Front Lines of Hospitality."
Our own company had the honor of receiving the Spirit of Hospitality Award. Steve Fox, president and publisher of Greenspring Media Group (pictured), accepted the award.
"The Spirit of Hospitality is presented to an individual or company who has made a significant contribution to the travel and hospitality industry. This award embodies the spirit of commitment to the success and future of Minnesota and Bloomington as elite visitor destinations. This year's recipient, Mr. Steve Fox, president and publisher of Greenspring Media Group, has dedicated the last 23 years as publisher promoting and elevating hospitality and travel publications. Celebrating its 45th year, Greenspring Media Group publishes 12 consumer and business-to-business publications and the majority are dedicated to the hospitality industry.... Steve and Greenspring have also been dedicated supporters of the Bloomington Diamond Service Awards program and were the first sponsor 16 years ago. The Bloomington Diamond Service Awards committee is proud to present the 2012 Spirit of Hospitality Award to Mr. Steve Fox."
+ Don't miss the upcoming MN MPI meeting on March 21. Two great speakers! Sebastien Tondeur is MPI's past-European Council President and currently serves as Chairman of the MPI International Board of Directors and shares his insights into the present and future directions for MPI locally and internationally Mark Scharenbroich's "Nice Bike" principle connects management to the front line—connects team member to team member—company to customer—and educator to student. Mark will share his Harley-Davidson 100th anniversary celebration story.
Recent Comments