San Diego's Meeting News
Meetings make a difference at Loews
The landmark Lafayette Hotel
Affordable meetings at Days Hotel
Joe Timko (619) 557-2812
Kate Buska (619) 557-2889
Stephenie Medina (619) 557-2838
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SEPTEMBER 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SAN DIEGO MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS
VENUES
Seaport Village Now Available for Events
In August 2009, Seaport Village, a 14-acre waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment complex nestled along San Diego Bay in downtown San Diego, announced a new partnership with Restaurant Events, a free site selection and restaurant planning company, which will allow the use of the entire Seaport Village complex for small and large-scale events. For the first time ever, Seaport Village’s stunning backdrop, unique retail shops, upscale restaurants and casual eateries can provide a perfect waterfront venue and event space within close proximity to the San Diego Convention Center and many downtown accommodation properties. Bookings are currently available for weekday evenings. For more information, contact Restaurant Events at 619-531-0151, or visit www.restaurantevents.com.
New Marriott Hotel Brings New Meeting Space to Downtown San Diego
The new Residence Inn San Diego Gaslamp will open in November 2009 in downtown San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter. The 14-story, 240-room hotel will feature signature Marriott services and amenities in addition to 1,305 sq.-ft. of meeting and event space that will include wireless high speed internet, a DMX music system, LCD wall-mounted TVs and an experienced event technology staff to assist with audio visual needs. The newly designed meeting room will accommodate up to 120 meeting attendees or 110 guests for banquet seating; the room can also be divided into two separate meeting spaces for more intimate gatherings. For more information, contact the Residence Inn San Diego Gaslamp sales staff at 619-487-1203, or visit www.marriott.com.
Exclusive Meeting Space on the 32nd Floor of the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
In early 2009, the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego in downtown San Diego introduced two new, exclusive meeting spaces on the 32nd floor of the hotel’s Seaport Tower; the 32nd Floor Boardroom and the 32nd Floor Dining Room and Lounge offer breathtaking views of San Diego Bay in intimate, upscale settings. The Boardroom is available for select groups of up to 15 guests for half- or full-day rentals, while the Dining Room and Lounge can accommodate up to 60 guests within the inside space and adjoining outdoor private terrace. For more information, contact the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego sales department at 619-232-1234, or visit manchestergrand.hyatt.com.
Historic Meeting Spaces at NTC Promenade
The meeting venues of NTC Promenade in Point Loma, located just a few miles from downtown San Diego and adjacent to the San Diego International Airport, are both historic and accommodating. NTC Promenade is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and its meeting and event spaces lie in the historic heart of what was once the Naval Training Center San Diego. The event spaces include the 8,700 sq.-ft. Corky McMillin Companies Event Center with a large screen, flown projector, high-quality sound system, wireless microphones, free Wi-Fi and free T1. Also available is the NTC Command Center, which has been restored into an executive conference center, complete with six meeting rooms, each with a flat screen TV monitor, laptop computer hook ups, free Wi-Fi, free T1 and free domestic conference calling. In addition to these indoor spaces, the grounds of NTC Promenade have been revitalized into a park-like setting of spacious lawns and commemorative courtyards that can accommodate everything from festivals and galas to 5K walks and picnics. For more information, contact the NTC Promenade venue sales team at 619-573-9260, or visit www.ntcpromenade.com.
Fiesta de Reyes Has Two Delicious Locations for Meetings and Gatherings
In May 2009, Fiesta de Reyes in Old Town San Diego finished remodeling the Casa de Reyes restaurant and opened a new restaurant, Barra Barra Saloon; both restaurants provide unique venue settings for festive events in historic Old Town. Casa de Reyes offers a one-of-a-kind outdoor venue and restaurant, perfect for hosting a business meeting or social gathering. With the capacity to accommodate up to 300 guests, the old ranch-style restaurant and courtyard was redesigned to be an inviting open air venue. The dining patio features a shade arbor, tortilla factory, mariachi stage and firepits as well as torches to carry the festive atmosphere into the night hours. Along with the transformed setting, Casa de Reyes has a new culinary team who specializes in catering and can accommodate any group’s needs or size. For indoor events, Fiesta de Reyes’ Barra Barra Saloon offers banquets in its indoor dining room and can accommodate groups of 100 guests or more. For more information, contact Fiesta de Reyes at 619-297-3100, or visit www.fiestadereyes.com.
PACKAGES AND DEALS
Holiday Inn San Diego on the Bay Offers a New “Get Back To Meeting” Package
With the summer season ending, the Holiday Inn San Diego on the Bay in downtown San Diego has put together a new meetings offer to help organizations “Get Back to Meeting,” while the kids are back in school. Groups of 20 or more that hold a meeting between now and December 30, 2009 can receive discounted group rates, a 10% discount off the master bill, one complimentary guest room for every 35 occupied rooms, complimentary meeting room rental, 1,000 bonus points for each meeting attendee and matching Priority Club Meeting Rewards points for the third party meeting planner, if applicable. For more information, contact the Holiday Inn San Diego on the Bay sales department at 619-232-3861, or visit www.hisandiegoonthebay.com.
San Diego Airport/Harbor Island has Group Rates for $99
In September 2009, the Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island began offering a new group booking promotion for groups of 10 or more attendees that hold their meeting before December 30, 2009. With rates starting as low as $99 per person, per night, planners can also choose two, three or four listed incentives and discounts depending on the number of rooms they book. Offered incentives include a 15% discount on audio visual equipment, complimentary meeting space, complimentary meeting room internet, 50% off self parking and more. To take advantage of this promotion, meetings must be contracted and actualized between September 4 – 28, October 5 – 26 or November 11 – December 30, 2009. For more information, contact the Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island sales office at 619-542-5125, or visit www.hilton.com.
Group Rates Starting at $20 Per Person at Days Hotel – Hotel Circle SeaWorld
The Days Hotel – Hotel Circle SeaWorld in Mission Valley is offering an affordable “Best Value Meeting Package” for meeting groups of five or more attendees. For $20 per person, per night, the package includes a meeting room, deluxe continental breakfast, complimentary screen projector and white board, an afternoon break with snacks and free parking for overnight guests and local attendees. In addition, planners can receive 500 bonus Wyndham Rewards points for meetings booked and actualized between now and December 30, 2009. For more information, contact the Days Hotel – Hotel Circle SeaWorld sales office at 619-220-5102, or visit www.dayshotelhc.com.
Loews’ “Flexible Meetings” Program Combines Great Rates and Added Value
Loews Coronado Bay Resort on Coronado is offering a new “Flexible Meetings” program that allows meeting planners to negotiate competitive rates and receive 10% of the total room revenue in value savings of their choosing from a complete menu of services. The “Flexible Meetings” added value can be applied towards over 20 fixed offers that include diverse services like airport transports, $500 in audio visual equipment, access to VIP amenities, meal upgrades and a one-hour Loews Hotels Signature Cocktail reception. The “Flexible Meetings” program is available now through December 31, 2009 for meetings taking place by December 31, 2010. For more information, contact the Loews Coronado Bay Resort sales department at 619-424-4405, or visit www.loewshotels.com/coronadobay.
“Meetings with More” Package at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara
In August 2009, Four Seasons Resort Aviara in Carlsbad began offering a new meetings package that provides meeting planner more value for less. With the “Meetings with More” package, planners and attendees receive five-star service from the Four Seasons staff, complimentary continental breakfast daily, 10% savings on banquet menus, complimentary internet access in guest rooms and the general session meeting room, one complimentary room per 30 occupied room nights and 23% attrition allowance. In addition, 10% of the event’s actual room revenue can be credited toward the meeting planner’s next event at any Four Seasons property worldwide. For more information, contact the Four Seasons Resort Aviara sales department at 760-603-6888, or visit www.fourseasons.com/aviara.
Morgan Run’s All-Inclusive Meetings Package
At Morgan Run Resort and Club in Rancho Santa Fe in San Diego’s North County, groups that book 20 or more rooms on their peak event night can receive an all-inclusive package of meeting incentives and premiums. Ideal for a business function, the meetings package includes complimentary meeting room, flexible food and beverage options, complimentary high-speed internet connection in the meeting room, a dedicated Event Services Manager to assist with event coordination, a complimentary room for the program manager, an additional complimentary room per every 20 paying rooms, a complimentary upgrade to a spacious suite per every 20 paying rooms and 25% discount on a golf, tennis or spa services. Group contracts must be signed by November 30, 2009, and the room block must be paid for by December 31, 2009. For more information, contact the Morgan Run group sales department at 858-759-5496, or visit www.morganrun.com.
Have an Executive Experience in the Landmark Lafayette Hotel
The historic colonial-style Lafayette Hotel in San Diego’s uptown neighborhood of University Heights boasts a variety of meeting and banquet space for groups of 10 to 500 guests. When groups of 15 or more book a meeting between now and March 31, 2010, they can receive one complimentary upgrade to an executive suite, a 50% discount on the meeting room rental, complimentary coffee break and complimentary upgrade on their meal function. For more information, contact the Lafayette Hotel sales team at 619-296-2101, or visit www.lafayettehotelsd.com.
“Vintage Productivity” at South Coast Winery
In the spirit of the fall harvest, South Coast Winery in Temecula Valley is offering a “Vintage Productivity” meetings package for groups of 10 or more guests. With unique venues like the Vineyard Arbor Garden and Barrel Room, the setting at South Coast Winery is the perfect escape for “harvesting new ideas.” For $129 per person, per night, the “Vintage Productivity” package includes private villa lodging, discounted specialty meal options, a free mid-week wine-themed teambuilding session and behind-the-scenes winery excursions and tastings; group contracts must be booked and actualized by September 30, 2009. For more information, contact South Coast Winery event coordinators at 951-491-8075, or visit www.southcoastwinery.com.
A Retreating Meeting at Rancho Valencia
Rancho Valencia Resort in Rancho Santa Fe in San Diego’s North County offers an enjoyable retreat for meeting groups of 10 or more guests. The resort’s current group offers include a number of complimentary amenities and socially responsible teambuilding opportunities like bike building, furniture building and assemblage of care kits for underprivileged children. For $375 per person, per night, groups receive daily complimentary continental breakfast, complimentary daily newspapers, a complimentary one-hour bocce or croquet reception and complimentary wireless internet in guestrooms and meeting rooms. In addition, the group can receive a fabulous prize package giveaway as an added benefit; meetings must be contracted and actualized before December 30, 2009. For more information, contact the Rancho Valencia sales office at 858-759-6259, or visit www.ranchovalencia.com.
A Per Person Plan at The Bristol Hotel
The Bristol Hotel in downtown San Diego has crafted a package for planners who need price breakdowns per meeting attendee. For $154 per person, per night, the package includes overnight accommodations, meeting space rental, continental breakfast served in the meeting room, a morning and afternoon break and complimentary Wi-Fi internet throughout the hotel. This package offer is valid now through December 28, 2009. For more information, contact the Bristol Hotel director of sales at 619-232-1472, or visit www.thebristolsandiego.com.
Save 10% Off Your Master Bill at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
Located in downtown San Diego, the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego is offering a new group discount in light of the current economic challenges. Groups of 10 paid guests or more can receive 10% off their master bill, including meeting facilities, guest rooms, catering and technology when they book or conduct a meeting between now and March 31, 2010. For more information, contact the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego sales department at 619-232-1234, or visit manchestergrand.hyatt.com.
AUDIO VISUAL
New 3-Dimensional Holographic Theatre at AV Concepts
In August 2009, AV Concepts partnered with Illusio Technologies and announced the opening of a new 3-Dimensional Holographic Demonstration Theatre in AC Concepts’ San Diego office. The new theatre uses a combination of screens and live video feeds to present 3-D images for interactive meetings between speakers and their audiences who are based in different locations. Appearing as 3-D holograms, speakers are able to see, view and interact with their remote audience, making this an ideal tool for conferences, trade shows, retail displays, keynote speeches, visitor attractions and other forms of entertainment. For more information, contact AV Concepts at 800-473-6828, or visit www.avconcepts.com.
TEAMBUILDING
Teambuilding While Sightseeing with San Diego GoCar Tours
San Diego GoCar Tours, located in downtown San Diego’s Little Italy neihborhood, welcomes groups to experience an exciting team building opportunity while exploring San Diego. Now through October 30, 2009, groups of eight or more guests that book a tour can receive 25% off the total rental price. GoCar Tours is a great way to escape the board rooms and get outside for a fascinating driving tour of “America’s Finest City.” For more information, contact GoCar Tours at 1-800-91-GoCar, or visit www.gocartours.com/sandiego.
Loews’ “Memorable Meetings” Make a Difference
Loews Coronado Bay Resort offers three teambuilding activities with the resort’s “Memorable Meetings” program that allow groups to make their meeting truly memorable. The program allows groups to work together and make a difference by helping charity organizations or the environment. The program’s first activity includes creating a television commercial, in which groups are broken into teams and tasked to create a company commercial with a small stipend. At the end of the challenge, teams present their commercials to a panel of judges, and the winning team is awarded a prize and an additional amount of money to contribute to a charity of their choosing. The second option is the Casino Night Challenge where group attendees donate their own money and purchase “play” money to use as casino chips at a variety of Black Jack and Craps tables. At the end of the evening, casino chips are turned in for prizes, and all donations are given to a charity of the groups’ choosing. Thirdly, groups can join a State Park Environmental Educator for an interactive tour of the neighboring Silver Strand State Beach to learn about the rare plants, animals and birds that inhabit the area. Afterwards, group members participate in a hands-on beach clean-up or restoration project. For more information, contact the Loews Coronado Bay Resort’s sales department at 619-424-4405 or visit www.loewshotels.com/coronadobay.
Happy happens in San Diego with over 120 conference and convention hotels in a variety of settings and complementary meetings services and venues. For more information on San Diego’s meeting and event offerings, visit the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau's Web site at www.sandiego.org/meetings or call 619-236-1212.
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