Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal

Celebrating Our Success

Last night, we headed over to the Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley for the annual Minnesota Magazine & Publications Association (MMPA) excellence awards event. Hosted by WCCO's Jason DeRusha, the 13th annual event awarded magazines in 88 categories (including, design, edit, photography and overall excellence). Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal earned three awards. 

BRONZE Overall Excellence

SILVER Best Overall Design

GOLD Best Use of Visuals/Photography (Spring '09, "Design Showcase")

In total, our custom publishing department earned four awards and our company, Greenspring Media Group, pulled in 22.

Great job, team!

Behind the Numbers

The writers over at MinnPost have started a series called Behind the Numbers, which shares various stories of how individuals are coping during these difficult times. One such profile is of Christina Anderson, a meeting planner in Shakopee.

These difficult times are affecting us all, but can it be true that the current economy is actually good for a meeting planner's business. Budgets may be shrinking, but when it comes to wedding planning, the money for a professional planner is actually money well spent.

"Couples are trying to save more money these days, she said, but they are still hiring wedding planners to organize their budgets and help them find the most efficient ways to pay for the big day."

According to the story, Anderson's business has grown considerably over the past five years. She planned 10 events during her first year in business, and this year she will likely plan between 40 and 45 events.

Do you have a similar story to tell? We'd love to hear it. Also, watch for our annual State of the Industry report in our upcoming winter issue, where we will provide our own look behind the numbers.

-Joel Schettler
Editor

SOI Event Preview: Our Keynote Speaker

 

Details are coming together for our annual State of the Industry Event. We're excited to announce that we selected Joan Eisenstodt, chief strategist, Eisenstodt Associates, LLC, as our keynote speaker. Eisenstodt is a respected expert in the hospitality industry; she founded Eisenstodt Associates, a planning and management support company, in 1981. Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal previously consulted with Eisenstodt for "Contingency Planning 101" in last year's winter issue. Learn more about Eisenstodt by following her on Twitter and reading her Meetings Collaborative blog then mark your calendar for the State of the Industry Event on February 2, 2010, when you can hear her give a keynote speech touching on the future of the industry and host a breakout session. Stay tuned for future announcements about the speakers at this year's event ...

--Ellie M. Bayrd, Associate Editor

Special Time of Year

Tomorrow, candy and costumes rule then we all rush to our alarm clocks to "fall back"--a busy weekend. Fall is a great time of year for some hospitality venues. This Halloween Forbes Traveler lists 10 Vampire Vacations; last year they presented a list of America's Haunted Hotels to check out for the holiday. When its time to change the clock, Historic Hotels of America celebrates with its Fall Back in Time promotion to help you decide what to do with that extra hour. Deals for each of the participating hotels center around pricing that matches the year the hotel first opened (For example 1913 =  rates of $191.30). How will you celebrate this weekend?

--Ellie M. Bayrd, Associate Editor

Vision Awards: Event Recap

Last night Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal welcomed nearly 200 attendees from all sectors of the hospitality industry (planner, vendor, venue...) to the Chambers Hotel for the first annual Vision Awards. After snacking on hors d'oeuvres and tasting our signature drink, attendees gathered in the ART room to celebrate our many nominees. Editor Joel Schettler kicked off the event by talking about the importance of honoring best practices in our industry. After learning of our seven winners (see list below) attendees networked and mingled in the Eden patio and ART room. Thank you very much to all our sponsors and our hosts at Chambers. It was an amazing evening and we are so happy to celebrate our nominees and winners. For a play-by-play of the evening's events, please check our Twitter feed in this post or search #mnvisionawards on Twitter.

AND THE VISION AWARDS GO TO ...

• INNOVATION: Aimee Cheek, Corporate Marketing Manager, CSM Lodging
• INSPIRATION: Jim Saccoman, General Manager, Ramada Mall of America
• PLANNER'S CHOICE-MY FAVORITE VENDOR: Heather Farrier, Floral Design & Decor Manager and the team from Festivities
• LEADERSHIP: Robb Hall, General Manager, Depot Minneapolis
• CUSTOMER SERVICE: Merry Beckmann Butikis, Convention Services Manager, Saint Paul Convention and Visitors Authority
• STEWARDSHIP: Scott Herold, CEO of Rock the Cause
• EVENT OF THE YEAR: Jennifer Braun, Director of Strategic Events, TRIAD Conferences

Read all about these winners and why they received these honors in the fall issue of the magazine. Congratulations all!

UPDATE: Check out photographer Katrina Hanneman's favorite photos of the event on her blog. Thanks, Katrina.

State of the Industry Survey Countdown

On Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, we'll be closing down our State of the Industry Survey and begin examining the results of the sixth annual survey. So much has changed over the past year that we are really looking forward to comparing last year's results to this year's results. Last year we asked planners and vendors to share how their budgets had changed over 2008.  Here's what our survey participants said:

What do you think? How different are budgets now? Click on over to our survey and tell us what you think about that and several other topics related to the local hospitality industry and your role in the industry. Then pick up our winter issue in a few months to learn what we found out and see how the status of the hospitality industry in Minnesota compares nationally.

Anyone who plays a role in the local hospitality industry is encouraged to participate. That includes full- and part-time planners (you count even if "planner" isn't your official title) and anyone who provides services to the industry. All survey participants are eligible to win a weekend getaway at Cove Point Lodge and all receive $10 off admission to our State of the Industry Event. 

We look forward to hearing from you and hope you will be able to attend our State of the Industry Event on Feb. 2, 2010, at Saint Paul RiverCentre.

Thanks, the editors of Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal

Hopes and Dreams for the Minnesota Zoo

It was a goal of mine this past summer to make it to the Minnesota Zoo. The temporary Africa exhibit, with its giraffes and zebra, was the main reason, but those lovable grizzlies of Russia's Grizzly Coast came in a close second. After experiencing the grizzly den for the first time last year (when it opened), I applauded the zoo for making such a brilliant move. The Northern Trail was always good for some exercise, but it was always hit or miss for what you'd see (besides those crazy prairie dogs). But with Grizzly Coast and the way it's constructed, you're almost guaranteed an up-close view of those big brown bears - even if it's just to watch them slumber. Again, this addition to the zoo was long overdue, and with such an increase in attendance over the past year, obviously a brilliant move.

I have to also mention the recently renovated Minnesota Trail, with its log-cabin-like entrance, cushion-soft flooring and up-close views of bobcats and otters. No longer do you feel like you're walking in a dark, leaky hallway which just happens to have some animals to view along the way. Now it's cozy, modern, more roomy and, maybe it's just me, but the animals seem more active, too.

As we walked through the Tropics Trail, different sections were closed for renovations. It made it a tad disappointing for this trip to the zoo, but when I compared in my head the Tropics to the Minnesota Trail and Grizzly Coast, I was actually glad to learn they were working on improvements there, too. I was anxious to see what was in store.

And that's why this article from Sunday's Star Tribune made me smile. It profiles Lee Ehmke, CEO of the zoo, and talks about his big dreams for his home away from home: A new entrance (the current one has always seemed blah and crowded), a new theater and beautifully constructed public areas. You must read the article and hear Ehmke's passion for our zoo, and watch the video of what he hopes it will look like in the future. It nearly gave me chills it was so exciting to imagine. 

So, what's your favorite part of the Minnesota Zoo? If you haven't made it there in awhile, I encourage you to add it to your fun list.

--Amanda Fretheim Gates
Managing Editor

Favre Fever

It's only been a couple of days, but Brett Favre joining the Minnesota Vikings is already beginning to have an impact on the region's hospitality industry. In my in-box this morning I received a promotion that is just underway at The Hotel Minneapolis that hopes to capitalize on a bit of the Favre Fever.

From the press release: "Guests who stay three nights at The Hotel Minneapolis and trade in their old Brett Favre Green Bay Packers jersey (any NFL jersey will do) will receive a third night stay for just $4.  The jerseys will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club. This package, with rates starting at $99 per night, is available for Friday to Sunday stays, is subject to availability and will be available throughout the NFL season.  It is a pre-paid, non-refundable package.  Jerseys must be given to The Hotel Minneapolis upon check-in. 

Being an ardent Green Bay Packer fan, Brian Schmechel, General Manager of The Hotel Minneapolis, states, "I feel it is paramount that we reach out to both those who are elated and deflated at this latest and unexpected turn of events. With such a great deal, everyone wins!"

--Joel Schettler

Editor

All The News That's Fit to Blog

Several local hospitality-related news bits today:

• This caught my eye because I stayed at a Radisson this past weekend. The Star Tribune reports that Minneapolis-based Radisson Hotels & Resorts has announced its computer system was hacked between November 2008 and May 2009. Whether guests' names and credit card numbers have been compromised is still uncertain but the company is advising customers to monitor their credit accounts and report unauthorized activity to their banks. For more, visit Radisson's FAQ page on the incident.
• Finance and Commerce reports that the developers of the Hotel Ivy is playing a "he-sued, she-sued" game with their lenders. The article explains: "Minneapolis-based Dougherty Funding claims that the developers are in default on their hotel loan and owe $1.8 million in principal and penalties. The developers claim Dougherty is holding onto more than $1.4 million in 'excess proceeds' from condo sales."
• And to top off this big bummer blog post, the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal reports that Delta is going to stop directly serving Duluth by the end of August.    

On the upside, we didn't get swept away in the tornado that hit near our office today.

--Marni Ginther
Assistant Editor

Why You Should Take Our Survey

We hope that, between our e-blasts (Don't receive these? Sign up here.), Twitter reminders, blog posts and Web site links, you are already aware of our sixth annual State of the Industry Survey. Whether the survey is old news or new to you, we hope you will take the time to participate (10 or so minutes).

Wondering WHY? Well, here are a few good reasons:

+ The data we collect helps us all examine the status of the local hospitality industry and find out what has changed over the past six years.
+ Your contributions inform our annual winter State of the Industry Report (see last year's results) and inspire the topics of conversation at our annual State of the Industry Event (Feb. 2, 2010, at Saint Paul RiverCentre).
+ The data and discussions could help you learn from others in the industry about how they are faring in this economy or help you become a better planner or vendor.
+ By reflecting about the last year of your career and answering these questions, you may learn something about yourself.
+ The information and opinions you share help us better write about the local hospitality industry.

That's not all ...
+ Participants who complete the survey receive $10 off admission to the State of the Industry Event and are entered into a drawing for a weekend getaway "up north."

Convinced? Get to clicking and answering. Remember, this survey is for all of you in the local hospitality industry: full- and part-time planners (even those of you without "planner" in your official title) and vendors (that's anyone who provides services to the local hospitality industry).

Your time and thoughtful responses are very much appreciated.

Thank you,
The Editors of Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal