Detroit Metro CVB Announces Rise In Convention Bookings and Hotel Room Nights In Metro Detroit

Detroit, Mich. — Convention bookings and hotel room nights in metro Detroit are up for 2014, and an impressive list of major conventions are headed to the region in the coming years, the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCVB) announced this week at its 2014 Annual Membership Meeting at Cobo Center.

“The hospitality industry has gone through much adversity over the past few years, but we’ve made the turn,” said Larry Alexander, DMCVB President & CEO. “Through an economic downturn and serious financial issues in our core city, we’ve turned adversity into opportunity,” he said. 

According to the DMCVB, bookings are running at 208 percent of pace for 2014 and 2015. The Bureau has confirmed 236,000 room nights for 2014 compared to 129,000 in all of 2013. Metro Detroit will host 12 multiple hotel meetings in 2014, which is more than double of what was hosted in 2013.

In 2013, metro Detroit also set an all-time record in the number of rooms occupied in the history of the region. For 2015, there are 165,000 room nights on the books with another 258,000 in various stages of the bid process. The Bureau also reported that the booking pace is ahead for 2014 through 2018.   

Alexander attributes the rise in bookings in part to the expansion underway at Cobo Center and new investment from the private sector, which is transforming Detroit into a vibrant city center with considerable appeal to meeting planners. He also said the DMCVB’s marketing campaign themed “America’s Great Comeback City,” that tells the story of new development in the region, has resonated with planners and visitors.

Upcoming major conventions booked by the DMCVB sales team in 2013 include:   

·         Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses International District Assembly, June 6-8, 2014 and July 24-27, 2014, 60,000 room nights and 90,000 total attendance

·         USA Volleyball Open National Championships, May 18-27, 2015, 14,000 room nights and 10,000 total attendance

·         Communications Workers of America 75th Convention, June 1-11, 2015, 8,700 room nights, 1,400 total attendance 

·         American Communications Network, Inc. ACN/GE Planning, Sept. 6-10, 2017 and Sept. 4-8, 2019, 8,000-plus room nights each year and 18,000 in attendance each year

·         Automotive Services Association NACE-CARS Industry Week, July 25-Aug. 5, 2014 and July 17-28, 2015, 8,400 room nights and 800 in attendance each year

·         Nation of Islam The Saviours’ Day, Feb. 20-23, 2014, 7,000 room nights and 5,000 total attendance

·         NeighborWorks America Training Institute, Aug. 7-12, 2016, 7,800 room nights and 1,200 total attendance

Alexander also said that the Detroit Sports Commission, a subsidiary of the DMCVB, will pursue opportunities to bring individual Olympic sports organizations together and create one multi-sport competitive event in 2014, as well as pursue college events and identify new regional facilities so they can grow this important sports market in the region.

The DMCVB Annual Meeting featured an energetic five-person panel of dedicated advocates and influencers in the region including Faye Alexander Nelson, President & CEO, Detroit RiverFront Conservancy; Deb Dansby, Vice President, Rock Ventures; Sue Mosey, President, Midtown Detroit, Inc.; Melissa Roy, Assistant County Executive, Macomb County; and Bridget Russo, Marketing Director, Shinola. The panel was moderated by Christy McDonald, MiWeek Anchor for WTVS.

SAA Resumes Non-Stop Johannesburg-New York Flights

Ft. Lauderdale, FL – January 29, 2014 - South African Airways (SAA), Africa’s most awarded airline, has announced that it is resuming its popular non-stop flights between Johannesburg, South Africa, and New York – JFK International Airport.  The non-stop flight will resume on March 9^th, nearly three weeks ahead of its original schedule of March 28th.

While SAA’s New York-Johannesburg flight has continued to operate on a non-stop daily basis, the return flight has been temporarily making a 1-hr refuelling stop in Dakar, Senegal, due in part to lower travel demand during the winter months. The non-stop flight will be timed to arrive in New York in the early morning, allowing customers to quickly connect on flights to points throughout North America.

The nonstop flight schedule is as follows (all times are local):

Flight SA203 departs Johannesburg at 8:25 pm, arrives New York JFK at 6:40 am the next day

Flight SA204 departs New York JFK at 11:15 am, arrives Johannesburg at 8:00 am the next day

“We’re pleased to be able to resume the northbound non-stop flight ahead of schedule,” said Marc Cavaliere, executive vice president, North America for South African Airways. “Over the years, this service has become exceptionally popular, with our customers praising the combination of its schedule, the ease of connections both throughout the African continent and in the United States, as well as the unique South African hospitality on board.”

Customers with questions about the flight schedule or connecting flights should contact South African Airways’ North America Reservations Center at (800) 722-9675. For travel professionals, the new non-stop flight schedule is available for booking via the GDS.

About SAA

South African Airways (SAA), Africa’s most awarded airline, operates to 42 destinations worldwide, including daily nonstop flights from New York, and daily direct flights from Washington, DC (via Dakar) to Johannesburg. In its domestic market SAA has an extensive schedule operating 660 flights in total per week between Johannesburg – Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth, from its Johannesburg hub, as well as code-shared flights between Lanseria – Cape Town and Durban. SAA offers more frequencies than any other airline in South Africa. Regionally, SAA offers 26 destinations across the African continent including Abidjan, Accra, Blantyre, Brazzaville, Cotonou, Dakar, Dar es Salaam, Douala, Entebbe, Harare, Kinshasa, Lagos, Libreville, Lilongwe, Livingstone, Luanda, Lusaka, Maputo, Mauritius, Nairobi, Ndola, Pointe Noire, Victoria Falls and Windhoek. SAA’s international network creates links to all major continents from South Africa through 11 direct routes and code shares, with daily flights from Johannesburg to London (Heathrow), Frankfurt, Munich, Mumbai, Perth, Hong Kong, Beijing, New York, Washington, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires. SAA has codes share agreements with 27 other airlines across the markets it serves, including partnerships with United, US Airways, Air Canada and JetBlue in North America, which offer convenient connections from more than 30 cities to SAA’s flights. SAA’s core business is the provision of passenger airline and cargo transport services together with related services, which are provided through SAA and its four wholly owned subsidiaries: SAA Technical; Mango its low cost carrier; Air Chefs, the catering entity of SAA and South African Travel Centre (SATC). SAA is a Star Alliance member which offers more than 21,900 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195 countries. SAA is the winner of the 'Best Airline in Africa’ Award in the regional category for eleven consecutive years. Mango and SAA hold the number one and number two successive spots as South Africa’s most on-time airlines. For more information, call 1-800-722-9675, or visit www.flysaa.com.

Island Packer Cruises, A Portal To Channel Islands

(Santa Barbara Channel, CA) - Since 1968, Island Packer Cruises have been providing Southern California with reliable, enjoyable transportation between the Ventura/Oxnard Harbors and the Channel Islands National Park & Marine Sanctuary. Visitors and locals alike have the option, year round, of hopping on board one of Island Packer's numerous vessels and experiencing one of Southern California's best kept secret treasures - the Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary. Island Packers has scheduled trips departing out of the Ventura and Oxnard Harbors and is the only exclusive boat concessioner with authorization to transport guests to the Channel Islands National Park. Three 145-capacity catamarans and one 80-passenger mono hull vessel provide half and whole day trips year round to the Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands, with trips to the Santa Barbara, Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands from mid-April through the fall months. Marine Wildlife Cruises (which do not land on the island) depart from the Harbor for 3 hour narrated cruises along the shores of Anacapa or Santa Cruz Island within the Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary. Highlights include sightings of sea lions, harbor seals and marine birdlife, along with the opportunity to view whales and dolphins during the channel crossing. Island Packers also offers whale watching cruises - which, depending on the time of year, are a once in a lifetime opportunity to see some of the Pacific's most magnificent creatures. While pods of dolphins can be seen nearly year-round, whales are a far more seasonal bunch: Late December-Mid April: Gray whales April-September: Humpback and Minke whales Summer & Fall: Giant Blue whales- not only the earth's largest mammal, but thought to be the largest known animal ever to have existed.  Whales aren't all these cruises have to offer, however. A trip to the Channel Islands can also mean sightings of rare birds! Though difficult, pelagic birding can be incredibly rewarding - but the real treasure trove is on the Islands themselves. The following highlights can be found during the fast-approaching nesting season: The rare Blue-footed and Brown boobies, usually found off of Baja California Easy-to-spot nesting birds: Brown Pelicans, Western Gulls, Pelagic, Brandt's, and Double Crested Cormorants Smaller visiting nesters: Scripps's Murrelet, Cassin's Auklet, Pigeon Guillemot and the scarce Ashy Storm Petrel  Santa Cruz Island is also home to the gem of the Channel Islands birding community - the Island Scrub-jay! The Island is the only place in the world this bird is found, and is highly sought after for avid bird enthusiast's 'life lists.'   Picturesque hikes that showcase breathtaking views; kayaking along the shore and exploring sea caves; and snorkeling and diving in the protected waters, are popular ways to enjoy the islands. The Nature Conservancy works closely with Island Packers to provide an informative and entertaining experience for visitors on their land outside the park boundaries, offering naturalist led hikes that showcase the natural beauty of Santa Cruz Island. This summer there will be ALL NEW trips to Nature Conservancy land, providing special access to parts of Santa Cruz that has never been available to the public before. They include Cueva Valdez Anchorage which includes a narrated cruise to visit the Painted Cave on west Santa Cruz Island with several hours ashore for picnicking, a guided hike, and beach and sea cave exploration. In addition, trips will be scheduled to the isolated cove at Willow's Anchorage on the south shore of Santa Cruz. Considered the best beach on the island, Willow's is protected from wind and ocean swell because of its location. This new landing trip will provide great opportunities to hike with naturalists, swim in calm waters and spot wildlife. For schedules, directions, tickets and more information, visit http://www.islandpackers.com, or call (805) 642-1393. Excursion prices range are $59 adult, $54 senior, $41 child for island landings; wildlife and whale watching are $36 adult, $32 senior, $26 child. Gift cards are available over the phone or at the Island Packers office. Office hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

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SAA Receives 4-Star Skytrax Ranking for 12th Year

South African Airways (SAA), the leading airline on the African continent, has been awarded the 4-Star Airline ranking for 2014 by Skytrax, the independent, global airline rating organisation, for the 12^th year in a row.

SAA also remains the only carrier on the African continent to achieve this high level 4-Star Airline rating.

Providing Excellent Customer Service is one of five strategic objectives of SAA’s Long-Term Turnaround Strategy, named Gaining Altitude.

Skytrax is the leading, independent authority on airline quality and assessment, and completed quality audit checks with SAA examining in detail all product and service delivery areas across both international and domestic routes. The Skytrax Star ranking audit examines more than 800 areas of product and service delivery, across both airport operations and the cabin experience.

SAA’s 4-Star ranking signifies that the airline has achieved a good standard of product across all travel categories, with standards of staff service delivery in both the onboard and airport environments also being well ranked.

“SAA staff is dedicated in providing our customers the best service possible. We have worked hard to ensure this ranking and will implement further improvements. Our position as the leading carrier on the continent is confirmed by the fact that we are still the only carrier on the African continent to have achieved the high level 4-Star airline rating,” says Monwabisi Kalawe, SAA Group CEO.

Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax said: “SAA has both maintained and improved quality levels throughout the past year, and continue to deliver world-class product and service standard to their customers, making their 4-Star ranking well-deserved.

“This 4-Star Ranking demonstrates that South African Airways passengers can look forward to a high quality of product and service. The Skytrax ranking provides an accurate and independent guide for travellers around the world, and the 4-Star Airline status is a most respected category. SAA has been ranked a 4-Star Airline for a number of years, and we are delighted to see them retain this status for 2014.” 

About South African Airways

South African Airways (SAA), Africa’s most awarded airline, operates to 42 destinations worldwide. In its domestic market SAA has an extensive schedule operating 660 flights in total per week between Johannesburg – Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth, from its Johannesburg hub, as well as code-shared flights between Lanseria – Cape Town and Durban. SAA offers more frequencies than any other airline in South Africa. Regionally, SAA offers 26 destinations across the African continent including Abidjan, Accra, Blantyre, Brazzaville, Cotonou, Dakar, Dar es Salaam, Douala, Entebbe, Harare, Kinshasa, Lagos, Libreville, Lilongwe, Livingstone, Luanda, Lusaka, Maputo, Mauritius, Nairobi, Ndola, Pointe Noire, Victoria Falls and Windhoek. SAA’s international network creates links to all major continents from South Africa through 11 direct routes and code shares, with daily flights from Johannesburg to London (Heathrow), Frankfurt, Munich, Mumbai, Perth, Hong Kong, Beijing, New York, Washington, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires. SAA has codes share agreements with 27 other airlines across the markets it serves. SAA’s core business is the provision of passenger airline and cargo transport services together with related services, which are provided through SAA and its four wholly owned subsidiaries: SAA Technical; Mango its low cost carrier; Air Chefs, the catering entity of SAA and South African Travel Centre (SATC). SAA is a Star Alliance member which offers more than 21,900 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195 countries. SAA is the winner of the 'Best Airline in Africa’ Award in the regional category for eleven consecutive years. Mango and SAA hold the number one and number two successive spots as South Africa’s most on-time airlines.

In Arizona, It's All About Scottsdale!

DROP THE LEATHER-BOUND BOOK, GRAB A SCOTCH While reading is important, Scottsdale resorts are building libraries without books. Instead, they’re filling the shelves with rare and exclusive alcohols.         Much like everyone’s favorite anchorman Ron Burgundy, we love Scotch. The Westin Kierland loves it too, so much so that the resort is now offering more than 130 labels of the smooth libation. The newly unveiled Scotch Library houses 100 single malts and 25 blends imported from the six whisky regions of Scotland, continuing the resort’s homage to Scotsmen and women who immigrated to early Arizona. If you’re a Scotch novice, asks the librarians— dubbed “Scotch Library Ambassadors”—for their expert advice on how to select your two-ounce pour. The Scotch Library is open from 5-7 p.m. nightly in the lobby. Prices range from $10 to $475 per serving.         You don’t need the Dewey Decimal System to navigate the wide selection of tequilas at The Phoenician’s Relish Burger Bistro. But with more than 250 labels of tequila, you may need a menu. Relish hosts one of the largest tequila collections in Arizona. The Phoenician also has its own private label of tequila available, El Tesoro. If tequila isn’t your poison of choice, perhaps the restaurant’s 70-plus beers will tempt you instead.        If you haven’t had your fill of tequila, stop by the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess’ Tequila Bar at La Hacienda. The bar offers nightly artisan tastings with selections from more than 200 varieties of tequila on the weekends. A Tequila God or Goddess will present the 36 different labels.  TAKE ME OUT… AFTER THE BALL GAME Think spring break is just for college kids? Think again. There are more than 15 teams in the Valley of the Sun, three of which call Scottsdale and the nearby Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian Community home, during the month of March for Cactus League Spring Training.        Celebrate the opening weekend of the season at the Spring Training Festival. From noon to 5 p.m. on Feb. 22, Scottsdale Civic Center Park in downtown will host baseball greats, Cactus League merchandise and memorabilia. Care to enjoy a stadium hotdog or two? Or maybe three? Then you may want to partake in this year’s stadium hot dog tasting. Rock out to tunes performed by Rock ‘n’ Roll High School students, and witness the “Science of Baseball” through demonstrations from Arizona SciTech Fest.         Get an intimate look at the history and characters of Cactus League Spring Training with a self-guided tour of downtown Scottsdale’s legendary baseball hangouts on the Cactus League Legacy Trail. Throw one back at Karsen’s Grill, where umpires tend to gather. Admire the jerseys, shoes, baseballs and autographs signed by Hall of Famers at Don and Charlie’s restaurant. Then, chow down on the Baseball Winner Parfait— marshmallow topping, strawberry and mint chocolate chip ice cream, hot fudge, whip cream, and a maraschino cherry— at Sugar Bowl, a hangout for rookie players since the 1950s. Your stomach and your inner fan will thank you. Or stop by the newly renovated Pink Pony, which opens in February. Despite new ownership, the restaurant will continue to display the original restaurant’s historic Cactus League memorabilia.         After all that, you may want to run off some of those calories. Sign up for The Scottsdale Giant Race, sponsored by the Scottsdale Charros. This inaugural event on March 8 takes participants on 9K or 3-miles runs around Scottsdale Stadium. Slide into the finish line to the sound of cheering spectators in the stands as you end the race on the Scottsdale Stadium field.  BOOTS, CHAPS AND COWBOY HATS Some may challenge Scottsdale’s claim of the title, “The West’s Most Western Town,” but every year Scottsdale proves those naysayers wrong as it shuts down the city’s main corridor for the world's largest horse drawn parade, the Parada del Sol Rodeo and Parade.The 61-year-old tradition has seen some upgrades, but it continues to stay true to its roots. And this year is no different.         Jumpstart your day and get your heart racing before the big parade on Feb. 8, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. by participating in the Fun Run, a brand new event. People of all ages are invited to walk, run or bike along the parade route before the horses come marching. Afterward, stick around for the inaugural Cattle Drive before directing your attention to the Parada Del Sol Parade. Once the horses have moved on, keep the festivities going at the Trails End Celebration with live music, food and drinks, a kids’ zone, and an accompanying car show featuring more than 100 cars on display. The parade begins at 10 a.m. in downtown Scottsdale.          The parade leads up to the big event— the Feb. 27 through March 2, 2014, Parada Del Sol Rodeo at WestWorld of Scottsdale. This year the rodeo will be extended an extra day to accommodate the Champions Challenge, a part of the National Finals Rodeo. In the Champions Challenge, some of the country’s best rodeo cowboys compete for victory in eight different challenges. Throughout the weekend enjoy family days and a free rodeo dance. Tickets cost $15 for people over the age of 13.           After the dust settles and the cowboys have hung up their hats, stop by a cowboy hangout for some county music and brews, such as The Western Bar and Restaurant, the Rusty Spur Saloon and Handlebar J.   CULINARY LEGENDS OPEN DOORS AT NEW CONCEPTS With more than 600 restaurants in the city, it can be hard to choose where to head for dinner. This winter, the decision got even harder when two of the area’s leading chefs opened the doors of their new restaurants.        Executive Chef Michael Dei Maggi joined forces with Joey Maggiore, son of Tomaso Maggiore of Phoenix’s Tomaso’s, at Cuttlefish Ocean Kitchen to provide Scottsdale with ocean-inspired Italian cuisine. Dei Maggi has international experience as a chef from places such as France, New York and California and has always practiced sustainable cooking, which he continues at Cuttlefish with Maggiore’s help. Even in this landlocked city, the menu features coastal Italian dishes such as Octopus Sopressata and Live Catalina Sea Urchin made with environmentally-conscious seafood flown in daily.         For years, foodies have been begging beloved local chef Kevin Binkley to open a restaurant in Scottsdale. In December, Bink’s Scottsdale finally became a reality. It’s Binkley’s fourth venture to open in the Phoenix area, two of which opened last year. He’s been busy. Bink’s Scottsdale will incorporate many familiar favorites from his other concepts, while still maintaining a distinct identity.         If you’re familiar with Dave Andrea and Payton Curry’s Brat Haüs, then you’ll be chomping at the bit to try their newest endeavor, Taco Haus. Instead of bratwurst and beers, you’ll be reveling in handcrafted margaritas and tasty tacos at this sister restaurant. Taste Chef Curry’s Latin cuisine, stop by the Ceviche Bar and pair your meal with the House Horchata. LATE NIGHT EATS Hear that sound? After a long night of drinking and dancing in Scottsdale’s entertainment district, your stomach is starting to growl. Despite the late hour, you don’t need to settle for greasy fast food; some of Scottsdale’s top eateries are open into the wee hours of the morning to alleviate those hunger pangs.        At 1 a.m., nothing sounds quite as appetizing as a burrito made with pork green chile, quesillo cheese and crema fresca imported from Mexico— except for maybe a carne asada burrito or Sonoran-style hot dog, served street-style. Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza knows those party-goers are hungry, and that’s why Barrio Queen is serving that and more on its new late-night menu until 3 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.            Before the witching hour, walk over to FnB to taste some of Chef Charleen Badman’s flavorful creations. The restaurant set in the heart of downtown Scottsdale is open until from 10 p.m. to midnight for “Late Night Love” on Saturdays. FnB’s seasonally changing menu features meals made with fresh ingredients.         You can satisfy those late night cravings Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 1:30 a.m. at Citizen Public House, perhaps after a few drinks at the restaurant’s speakeasy upstairs, R+D. Snack on beer-infused fondue made with Four Peaks Brewery’s Kiltlifter— a favorite amongst locals— or the pork belly pastrami.

NYC's 'Take Me Out' Rated Number One By Trip Advisor

Planning an epic bachelor or bachelorette party, birthday, anniversary or just a fun night out on the town? It can be challenging to decide on the best bars to let your hair down and soak in the city that never sleeps. Take Me Out tour in New York City plans the celebration for attendees worry-free and now they have something new to celebrate. The tour ranked number one out of 704 places on Trip Advisor for the best nightlife attraction!

Take Me Out takes provides nightly tours to all of the best cocktail bars, nightclubs, pubs and restaurants in New York City. The tour handles everything from transportation to reservations at each location planned for the night.
Trip Advisor is the world's largest traveling site and guides travelers through trip-planning by highlighting the most favorable places reviewed by the public. The site attracted Kate Kelly to give the tour a try.

"It was the best part of my trip to New York City," Kelly said. "We were taken to the most exclusive bars by a limousine, I felt like a rock star! I would recommend this to anyone interested in seeing what the city has to offer after dark. I would never have been able to get in and receive the VIP treatment without the tour."

Take Me Out Tours currently offers five existing tours on their roster, but also offers custom events. Attendees can expect on average three stops per tour and each starts from $100-$150 per person. Tours run most nights of the week, starting as early as 5pm, with most starting around 9pm.

"When this business was born back in 2012, I expected a great outcome," said Ori Mor, the founder of Take Me Out tours. "But, I never expected to be the number one nightlife attraction in such a short amount of time! It truly is an honor to be recognized in such a large city with so many amazing things to do, we're very excited about being named number one."

For more information on Take Me Out, visit www.takemeoutnyc.com to book your next tour.