What's New in San Diego - Meeting & Convention News
Joe Timko (619) 557-2812
Kate Buska (619) 557-2889
Darla Davis (619) 557-2834
Stephenie Medina (619) 557-2838
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SEPTEMBER 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WHAT’S NEW IN SAN DIEGO — MEETING & CONVENTION NEWS
SAN DIEGO CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU NEWS
San Diego CVB Names New Senior Vice President of Sales
Margaret Sitton was recently hired for the newly created position of Senior Vice President of Sales. Sitton, who most recently served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Starwood Hotels & Resorts, will direct the Bureau’s Hotel Meetings Sales Division, which includes remote offices in such cities as Washington D.C., Chicago, New York City and Atlanta, just to name a few. Sitton will set and oversee the strategic direction for the Bureau’s local and remote sales and services team, which is tasked with individual hotel meeting sales to San Diego.
San Diego CVB to Increase Sales Staff and Target New Domestic Markets
Over the next 6 months, the San Diego CVB will add 6 new national sales directors, 2 new client services specialists and a sales development manager. Based on market research and analysis, the national sales directors will be deployed in new geographic markets (i.e., Dallas, Sacramento, Southern California and a fourth location TBD) and added to existing ones (i.e., Northeast and Midwest U.S.). The new sales development manager will oversee a three person team charged with identifying new business opportunities nationwide. The Bureau will also increase the number of annual client events, hosting key customers in new markets like Atlanta, Los Angeles, Denver and Portland. The Bureau’s additional sales efforts are a result of increased funding through the establishment of a new San Diego Tourism Marketing District.
San Diego CVB to Target the International Group Meetings Market
For the first time, the San Diego CVB is actively targeting the international group meetings market. In April 2008, the Bureau attended IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany and plans to return to IMEX in 2009. To target key customers in the United Kingdom, San Diego’s leading international market, the Bureau is holding a client event in October 2008 in London when the San Diego Chargers battle the New Orleans Saints in Wembley Stadium. Also, the Bureau is a member of the International Congress and Convention Association and is utilizing the organization’s member database for international lead prospects.
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DESTINATION NEWS
Downtown San Diego has undergone dynamic changes over the past 10 years and remains one of the fastest growing and most desirable locations in the city for leisure travel, meetings and conventions. The unique location of the San Diego Convention Center provides an unmatched experience for convention attendees. Located just steps from the Gaslamp Quarter, visitors can experience urban living at its finest with diverse hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shopping all within blocks of each other. For any interest – whether it be a casual cocktail, fine dining or hosting a meeting at the perfect venue – The Gaslamp Quarter has it all. Recent additions to the Gaslamp Quarter include the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, featuring over 40,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor meetings space, and diverse restaurants such as La Puerta, Tabule and Nobu Sushi, perfect for after- meeting cocktails and fabulous cuisine. In all, the Gaslamp Quarter is home to over 150 restaurants, nightclubs and bars.
For more information, visit www.gaslamp.org. For media inquiries, contact Heather Ashby, Marketing Manager, Gaslamp Quarter Association, 619-233-5227, heather@gaslamp.org.
HOTEL AND RESORT NEWS
Downtown San Diego’s Omni San Diego Hotel offers new options for meeting planners who want to plan green meetings with conscience. New initiatives include laptops and recycled Omni notepads for “No Paper” meetings, Omni Nalgene Bottles filled with cold-filtered water, energy- efficient lighting in the meeting rooms, recycling bins readily available in the meeting space and hybrid cars that can be arranged for off-site events and meals. In fall 2008, Omni San Diego Hotel will launch a new "Group Offerings Menu" with three new unique team building activities. The “Switch Your Suits” outing will take groups to the beach for surfing or boogie board lessons; the package will include wetsuits, beach amenities and round-trip transportation. The “Play Ball” outing will take groups to a San Diego Padre’s baseball game at PETCO Park; the package will include baseball tickets to a Padres game of choice, Cracker Jacks, a disposable camera and drink ticket for Omni’s rooftop bar. “A Segway to the City” outing will allow groups to take guided Segway tours of San Diego’s famed Gaslamp Quarter; the package will include a take-home map of San Diego, sunscreen and disposable camera to capture the day.
For more information, visit www.omnisandiegohotel.com, or call 619- 231-6664. For media inquiries, contact Landry Fuller, Public Relations, Murphy O’Brien, 310-586-7174, landry@murphyobrien.com.
The recent opening of the 45,000 sq. ft. Grand Exhibit Hall at Mission Valley’s Town and Country Resort & Convention Center marks a new measure of space, service and success now available to meeting planners and groups looking to add San Diego to their meeting calendar. The Grand Exhibit Hall, contiguous with the existing Town and Country Convention Center, compliments the resort’s 24,000 sq. ft. Atlas Ballroom and 17,000 sq. ft. Grand Ballroom, allowing groups up to 5,000 people to meet in San Diego’s historic and affordable Mission Valley. The resort also restyled and refreshed its guestrooms and suites, added a new entrance to the Royal Palm Tower for improved
curb appeal and made improvements to the pedestrian promenade that connects the resort property to the light-rail San Diego Trolley.
For more information, visit www.towncountry.com, or call 1-800-445-2324. For media inquiries, contact Barbara T. Whitlock, Sales & Marketing Coordinator, Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, 619-291-2232, bwhitlock@towncountry.com.
The Keating Hotel in downtown’s San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter recently unveiled 3,000 sq. ft. of meeting space in the historic Mercantile Building, located adjacent to the hotel. Built in 1892, the Mercantile Building was restored back to its original historic roots with touches of the Keating’s modern, signature red and black design elements. Ascending from the meeting space is a wooden staircase leading to a 1,000 sq. ft atrium-like foyer that serves as an ideal location for business conferences, session refreshment breaks and cocktail parties. Surrounding the foyer are four flexible brick-walled meeting rooms ranging from 185 to 850 sq. ft. Each meeting space is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, interactive audio visual equipment, HD LCD projector and screen and Wi-Fi high speed internet.
For more information, visit www.thekeating.com, or call 619-814-5700. For media inquiries, contact Shanann Klaver, Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator, The Keating Hotel 619-814-5700, sklaver@thekeating.com.
The Hilton San Diego Bayfront is scheduled to open on December 3, 2008. Rising 30 stories above the edge of San Diego Bay, the Hilton is the West Coast’s newest waterfront hotel. Fusing a dynamic waterfront location, sun and sea-inspired design and casually sophisticated vibe, the Hilton San Diego Bayfront will offer an immersion into the essence of San Diego’s unique coastal culture and lifestyle. Also, the Hilton San Diego Bayfront will open a front-door to San Diego’s vibrant waterfront, providing unparalleled views and direct access to San Diego Bay. The hotel is adjacent to the San Diego Convention Center, across the street from PETCO Park and minutes from the San Diego Airport. It is a short walk from downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter and its many entertainment and recreational amenities. The hotel features 1,190 guest rooms, including 356 king rooms, 804 queen/queen rooms and 30 luxury suites; each offer breathtaking views of San Diego Bay, upscale amenities and state-of-the-art technology.
For more information, visit www.sandiegobayfront.hilton.com, or call 619-270-2601. For media inquiries, contact Nicole Sharp, Marketing Manager, Hilton Hotels, 619-270-2628, nicole.sharp@hilton.com.
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RESTAURANT NEWS
Cohn Restaurant Group owns and operates 12 San Diego restaurants including its long-time family-favorite Corvette Diner. Currently located in Hillcrest near Balboa Park, this classic eatery will soon move across town and reside at Liberty Station in Point Loma. Meanwhile, construction has begun on Cohn’s newest venture, 333 Pacific, a steak and seafood restaurant offering waterfront dining across from the Oceanside Pier in North San Diego County. The restaurant will have two private rooms for banquets and meetings and an oceanfront patio for dining or special events for up to 250 guests. The Cohn Restaurant Group has also partnered with Sunroad Harbor Island to undergo a $9 million overhaul of the former Reuben E. Lee floating restaurant. Construction on this LEED certified restaurant and event space is slated to begin in early 2009 and finish in early 2010.
For more information, visit www.dinecrg.com. For media inquiries, contact Beth Hoggard, Special Events Manager, Cohn Restaurant Group, 619-236-1299 x 205, beth@dinecrg.com.
After extensive renovation, the 40-year-old Star of the Sea restaurant was transformed into a premier waterfront Event Center. Adjacent to Anthony’s Fish Grotto along San Diego Bay, the new event venue offers serene views of the bay, catering, a full bar and wine service. The event space accommodates up to 150 guests depending on table and chair formation.
For more information, call 619-291-7254, or visit www.starofthesea.com. For media inquiries, contact Gwen Hollister, Event Sales Manager, Star of the Sea, 619-232-7408, ghollister@starofthesea.com.
The tri-level Jade Theater restaurant, nightclub and lounge opened in December 2007 in downtown San Diego and offers several distinct dining and entertaining areas within its 14,000 sq. ft. of space. Designed to accommodate events ranging from private dinners to full-scale functions, a full-venue buyout, including outdoor space, can accommodate up to 1,100 guests. Private dining rooms and presentation spaces with 50" plasma screens are also available, and menus can be customized to fit each event.
For more information, call 619-814-5125, or visit www.jadetheater.com. For media inquiries, contact Shannon O’Connor, Sales and Marketing, Jade Theatre, 619-814-5125, shannon@jadetheatre.com.
DMC NEWS
With more than 20 years of experience in producing corporate events, The Event Team provides
creative team building activities and ice-breakers that are cleverly designed to promote fun. The Event Team recently added new events to its already-diverse repertoire, California Coastal Wine Party” and So You Think You Can Rock? The California Coastal Wine Party is a fun and interactive wine-themed murder mystery event in which guests play the role of the most reputable winemakers along California’s Highway 101. Guests must find clues and solve the mystery as they explore the wines of each region and sample some of California’s most popular cuisines. So You Think You Can Rock? teambuilding challenge splits groups into two teams for an all-out Battle of the Bands in which teams form their own rock bands and work with professionals to write lyrics, choreograph, style and perform a two-minute song and dance.
For more information, visit www.eventteam.com, or call 888-383-6888. For media inquiries, contact Matt Robbins, President, The Event Team, 619-785-5828, mrobbins@eventteam.com.
Pacific Event Productions (PEP), one of the nation’s largest full-service event production companies, recently expanded its services and now has offices located in Southern California, Arizona and Nevada. As a tri-state force, PEP’s collective production and inventory warehouse capacity now reaches nearly 100,000 sq. ft. and increases their reach and ease of special event production across the nation. PEP’s vertical integration creates a one-stop-shop for event production, utilizing in-house linen and drapery rentals with custom manufacturing capabilities, lighting and special effects design, lounge furniture, scenic construction, floral treatments, entertainment production and booking and thematic props. With over 300 event professionals under one three-state roof, Pacific Event Productions is extremely well-positioned to serve its clients throughout the upcoming years.
For more information, visit www.pacificevents.com, or call 858-458-9908. For media inquiries, contact Courtney Faughnan, Executive Assistant, Pacific Event Productions, 858-450-7706, courtney.faughnan@pacificevents.com.
Far more than a DMC, Destination Concepts, inc. provides everything accept ordinary events and program concepts with the idea that extraordinary vision is possible regardless of budget parameters. DCi is committed to identifying the industry standard for effective event design and surpassing it in every capacity. The company functions as a creative solutions company, developing innovative and customized answers to all program needs and then positions itself as a seamless extension of their clients. DCi offers extraordinary services in multiple spectrums including efficient transportation, unique activities, inspirational teambuilding, awe-inspiring events, VIP arrangements, custom amenities, in-house graphic design and copywriting services.
For more information, visit www.destinationconcepts.com, or call 800-272-3775. For media inquiries, contact Regina Key, Creative Services Manager, Destination Concepts inc., 800-272-3775, regina@destinationconcepts.com.
