Donloe's AMAZING THAILAND

 

          Sawasdee kaa!!! (hello in Thai)

          Just Imagine!

          Thailand! 

You’ve heard stories about its beauty and its mysteries. You’ve researched its culture. You’ve salivated over tasty authentic Thai cuisine. You’ve dreamed of getting an authentic Thai massage.

Thailand has a charm and allure that sets it apart from anywhere else in the world with its unique cultural identity and natural bounty.

It’s a must visit!!!!

You don’t have to merely imagine Thailand!  Experience Thailand and all its wonderment for yourself! 

Whether you want to spend your days lying on the beach, watching the sun kiss the ocean, or you want to explore the culture and history, you’ll find that Thailand’s slogan, ‘Amazing Thailand….Amazing Value,’ is, well, amazingly accurate!

Here’s why.

Even as you arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport in BANGKOK, you’ll feel something special is about to happen.

From there, make your way to the BAAN AMPHAWA RESORT & SPA  www.baanamphawa.com

The resort, located on the bank of the Maeklong river (only 65 kilometers south of Bangkok) has comfortable and relaxing privacy in its home-like traditional Thai and 12 contemporary Rattanakosin style houses. 

There are 42 guest rooms and suites.

The Suphannika Spa will leave you in a pool of joy. There is a range of mind and body treatments including Thai aromatherapy, massages and facials.

When you’re done, enjoy a great meal at Saba-Nga restaurant and Lotus bar.

Places To Stay

The SUKHOTHAI (A Beaufort Hotel), a luxury 5-star retreat in the center of Bangkok, is a stunningly beautiful hotel. 

This hotel is a maze of low pavilions, pools, and courtyards, deftly combining crisp, contemporary lines with Thai silks, and rich tones. Colonnaded corridors surround lotus pools adorned with close together brick chedis; the terra-cotta bands along the wall and the celadon ceramics are all motifs borrowed from its namesake city.

The large guest rooms are decked out with silk walls, teak furniture and rustic floor tiles; all have double bathrooms with oversize bathtubs, a separate shower, and toilet.

Suites have private balconies or sun terraces overlooking the lotus ponds, courtyard garden and pools. They range in size from 66 square metres to 198 square metres.

The executive suite is 76 sq. metres and has an open-plan bedroom and living room combination.

Most rooms have personal fax machines and Internet connections. 

       Business can take place in secluded Garden Villas with boardrooms overlooking tranquil gardens. There are venues to accommodate any meeting size. 

      The two-story Garden Villa includes four dedicated meeting spaces. The garden space is ideal for cocktail parties, weddings and other special events of up to 500 guests, as well as coffee and lunch breaks.

       The newest garden venue, The Lawn, provides outdoor space suitable for the needs of a diverse clientele. It’s ideal for events such as automobile launches, team-building activities, luxury product displays and promotions. It’s suitable for

open-air cocktail parties for up to 300 guests.

 

       Located on the 6th & 7th floor of the Terrace Wing, the Executive Floor meeting rooms are spacious, filled with natural light and command panoramic views of Bangkok’s city skyline. The facilities comprise Sila and Chulalux meeting rooms, each 119 sqm and able to accommodate up to 100 people; as well as The Mahamek, Kireemas and Nalinee meeting rooms, each able to accommodate up to 80, 80 and 48 persons, respectively. 

       The Bussabong Business Centre offers six fully furnished meeting rooms along with a full suite of business services that includes

printing, photocopying, internet access and secretarial services. Internet access is available.

       The Ballroom, adjacent to the Chedi pond, is the ideal venue for sit-down dinner banquets for up to 200 guests and cocktail parties, lectures or launch events for up to 400 guests. The space can also be separated into two smaller ballrooms.

            Ideal for special occasions, the Private Dining Room enjoys a relaxing garden view and has its own discreet entrance and bathroom facilities.

       The room is perfect for intimate banquets, cocktail parties and special product launches for A-list clients.

When it’s time to eat, just know the food is absolutely exquisite.

Of course, catering is available, but there are also two main restaurants, Celadon and La Scala. In the Celadon Restaurant you can dine on prawn spring rolls, fried minced port wrapped with egg net, spicy live black garoupa soup, sautéed Phuket lobster with young pepper corns, onion and red chilies and/or dried red curry of slow duck, stuffed rambutan with pineapple. Yum!!!  (www.sukhothaihotel.com)

ANANTARA HUA HIN
 

The ANANTARA HUA HIN (http://huahin.anantara.com) has lots to offer. Besides the 187 rooms and suites, there is the Anantara Spa, tennis courts, Bill Bensley designed landscape gardens, private lagoon pool for Lagoon Room and Suite guests, cooking school, Baan Thalia (Italian cuisine), Sai Thong (fresh seafood, barbeque, Thai favorites), Rim Nam (traditional Thai and Thai fusion cuisine), golf at a choice of world-class courses, elephant trekking and mountain biking.

Luxury lives at Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa (www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hhqmc-hua-hin-marriott-resort-and-spa)

As one of the leading Hua Hin resorts, Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa’s rooms come decorated with Thai silks combined with exotic views of the beach. The Thai inspired interiors are designed with both style and comfort in mind, equipped with terrazzo tubs in the bathrooms and large private terraces outdoors. Whether looking out on the garden or with stunning sea views, all imbue a sense of laid-back luxury.

Take your pick from any number of views including: deluxe garden view, premium garden  view, premium sea view, superior lagoon, deluxe lagoon and the Anantara Suites.

The resort boasts its commitment to protecting the environment and preserving local culture through education, innovation and empowerment in the resort’s adherence to the requirements of Green Globe standards.

Whether you are planning an executive meeting, beachside company retreat, gala dinner, or an inspiring themed event, the Anantara Hotels & Resorts can accommodate.

When it’s time to get down to business, the resort is only three hours from Bangkok’s central business district by car (or a 45-minute flight). Hua Hin meeting venues have easy access to the city’s commercial hub.

The Ruen Anantara is a spacious room large enough to host a small office retreat, conference, banquet, seminar or other event and can seat up to 90.

The Ruen Nok is the newest conference venue with projection and audio capabilities including a separate sound booth. It can seat up to 54 people classroom-style.

The stylish Ruen Thon seminar room can seat up to 50 people theatre-style or 36 classroom-style.

       The smallest meeting room with a capacity of 30, is the Ruen Thai.

LET'S SEA HUA HIN AL FRESCO RESORT

LET’S SEA HUA HIN AL FRESCO RESORT is a place unlike any other. It’s a hotel that literally goes beyond design. You can actually swim up to your home. It’s brilliant!

 All intuitively-designed rooms feature a  'laZzzzz' bed, mood lighting in the expansive terrazzo bathroom and an oversized tub and separate rain shower for two. In-room technology includes hi-speed broadband internet access, a DVD/ VCD player and a big screen LCD TV.

From the Moon Deck Suite guests can enjoy a private rooftop retreat, which includes easy access to the swimming lagoon.

From the Studio Pier guests can enjoy direct access to the swimming lagoon from their own personal piers.

Z-Luxe Club guests will enjoy:

    * gourmet breakfasts served in-room or at our beachfront restaurant.

    * 24-hour complimentary tea, coffee, soft drink refreshments at the Breeze Bar.

    * Complimentary cocktail hour daily from 5-7 p.m. at the lobby bar called Breeze.

    * Free hi-speed internet throughout the resort.

    * Free scheduled shuttle transfer to Hua Hin town centre (subject to availability)

    * 15% discount on all Gaia Spa treatments; all food and beverages at resort outlets and in-room dining; all laundry, dry cleaning, and pressing; and all al fresco activities including cooking classes, cocktail classes at the pool bar? and Thai massage lessons.

Other resort highlights include: airport transfers, Broadband internet access throughout the hotel, car rental, fitness garden, foreign currency exchange, laundry/ valet service, sightseeing tours on request, spa, steam room, swimming pool (L.W.D: 120 x 10.2 x 1.2m), Thai cooking classes on request.  www.letussea.com.

The 193 room HUA HIM MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA is located on the beach side of Hua Hin. It is within easy access on foot or by car to the local market, shops and restaurants and is only about a four-hour drive from Bangkok.

Rooms are large and have private balconies facing the ocean, pool or gardens.

There are four several types of restaurants in the resort, including Italian delicacies, coffee shops and The Grill Room.

Resort offers a giant swimming pool, children's pool with plenty of chairs and sundecks. It is voted as one of the resorts with the most beautiful white sand beach area and magnificent garden. 

EVASON HUA HIN

Another hotel to consider in Bangkok is the  EVASON HUA HIN. 

Evason Hua Hin is located in the quiet area of Pranburi to the south of Hua Hin and provides calming views of the Gulf of Siam. It is set amongst 20-acres of landscaped lush tropical gardens with lotus ponds. King Rama VII built a palace in Hua Hin in 1926 and it remains the Thai Royal family Summer Palace to this day.  CONVENTION BANGKOK CONVENTION CENTRE         The Bangkok Convention Centre and the Centara Grand, both state of the art facilities, are integrated with a Five Star Hotel and world-class shopping and entertainment facilities.  There are a number of attractions within walking distance, as well as the BTS (Skytrain).        The Convention Hall has 6,000 seats (theatre style), the World Ballroom has 800 seats (banquet style), the Boardroom has 19 seats (boardroom style), while the Lotus Suites have 10-400 seats (theatre style).      There are any number of rooms and configurations available. For more information: www.centarahotelsresorts.com.

BANGKOK HIGHLIGHTS

FLOATING MARKET

          The Floating Market - “Talat Nam Yam Yen” is an afternoon floating market where vendors gather every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Boats are packed with food and drinks, fried sea mussels, noodles, coffee, Thai sweets and more.  Here you can experience true “Thainess” while enjoying a cruising tour on a long-tail boat.

Another must see is the Royal Initiative Project at Maruekhathaiyawan Palace in Cha Am (Phetchaburi).  Built by King Rama VI as his summer palace by the seaside resort of Cha-Am, this wooden palace with a panoramic view of the Gulf of Thailand was recently restored and opened to the public as a museum and more.

You can explore and do some sightseeing at Khoa Chong Krachok / Ao Manao /

Sam Roi Yot National Park, or “the mountain of 300 peaks”, a coastal national park of limestone mountains, mangrove swamps and beaches which stands as a landmark for seaman. 

HAT BAN KRUT

Take it E-Z at Hat Ban Krut – a quiet beach area situated mid-way between Amphoe Thap Sakae and Bang Saphan. A good view of the beach can be seen from the top of Thong Chai Mountain where a huge sitting Buddha image is situated. Accommodations are available along the beach.

CHIANG MAI 

WAT PHRA SING

What an enchanting city! There is lots to see and do in Chiang Mai. Visit Wat Phra Sing famous for its Lanna-style, or Northern Thai style, architecture, beautiful wood carvings and superb murals.  Also call on Wat Chedi Luang, which lost the top of its massive Chedi, or pagoda, to an earthquake, reportedly, more than 400 years ago. Don’t forget Doi Suthep, considered one of the most important and famous Chiang Mai landmarks. Built in 1383, this mountaintop temple has a Chedi that houses holy Buddha relics.

If you’re into arts and crafts, make your way to the handicraft village at San Kampeng District.

You can stay anywhere in Chiang Mai, called the Rose of the North, but why not stay at the best? For an exceptional place to stay, make reservations at SHANGRI-LA HOTEL CHIANG MAI (www.shangri-la.com). It’s first class all the way.

SHANGRI-LA HOTEL CHIANG MAI  

This is, without exception, one of the best hotels on the planet.  First and foremost is because of the staff. It’s as if they know what I want before I do.  They were professional, attentive, accommodating and friendly.

The 281 room hotel with 35,000 meeting space, is located within the bustling center of the city and is close to numerous temples, shops and art galleries.

The rooms reflect contemporary Northern Thai design and décor. The bedrooms have plenty of throw pillows, comfortable Shangri-La beds and mood lighting. Premier guestrooms also feature daybeds. Special touches include local celadon tea sets with Thai silk pillows, bed runners and artwork.

Meeting at the Shangri-La Chiang Mai is no problem. The hotel offers a wide range of venues suitable for an event.

Venues include: 

• The Grand Lanna Ballroom (Chiang Mai’s largest at 1,515 sqm, max 2,000 guests)
• Sukothai Room (425 sqm)
• Phayao Room (155 sqm)
• 99-seat state-of the art auditorium with a stage and audiovisual equipment for seminars, lectures, theatrical and musical performances.

The Group Check-in Lounge and VIP Lounges are all conveniently located near the function rooms.

Dhala is a halal certified dining venue, the only one of its kind within a five-star hotel in Chiang Mai. It offers certified halal meals for meetings and special occasions.

All of the conference and function rooms feature state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment including:

• Complimentary wireless broadband Internet access
• Direct projector
• LCD, overhead and slide projectors
• Satellite and teleconferencing available upon request
• Simultaneous translation system available upon request

After a long day of meetings, guests can rejuvenate their senses at CHI, the Spa at Shangri-La. Indulge in a traditional Thai massage. The combination of gentle rocking, deep stretching movements and compression of the spine energizes yet relaxes you.

Another hotel to consider in Chiang Mai is the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi and the Rarinjinda Wellness Spa Resort (www.rarinjinda.com)

RARINJINDA WELLNESS SPA RESORT

 

About 20 minutes east of central Chiang Mai, the RARINJINDA WELLNESS SPA RESORT is designed like an enclosed Lanna city, complete with a small moat, grand city gate, lush gardens and flowering trees. Horse-drawn carts or modern golf carts bring guests to a palatial lobby. The resort comprises immaculate suites and a bevy of rustic, free-standing villas, all sumptuously decorated. Standard perks in the villas include a sauna, piano, sun deck, and Jacuzzi. Around a working rice paddy lie delightful pool villas with outdoor pavilions, and even hill-tribe-style stilt cottages next to a working vegetable patch. All units have large balconies, but the rice barns offer two stories of teak-lined luxury. Colonial suites are nearer the main lobby and have Persian rugs, pretty fretwork, high ceilings, and delightful pastel hues.

Lets Eat

Time for dinner? Enjoy international cuisine at Kad Kafe named after the local word for “market”. There you find a delicious international spread that includes Thai, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, European and Mediterranean specialties.

     Highlights of the hotel include the pool bar, where you can have a quiet drink. Start the day by taking a rickshaw ride down the small quiet lanes within the old town to explore the many curio and antique shops nestled in teakwood houses. Wander around shady tree-lined lanes that lead to numerous Thai Buddhist temples.

What a way to start the day.

If you’re an early riser, experience “Thainess” by visiting the fresh market. Also visit Wat Phra Sing famous for its Lanna-style, or Northern Thai style, architecture, beautiful wood carvings and superb murals. Go to Wat Chedi Luang, which lost the top of its massive Chedi, or pagoda, to an earthquake more than 400 years ago.  Doi Suthep, the most important and famous Chiang Mai landmark should also be on the itinerary. Built in 1383, this mountaintop temple has a chedi that houses holy Buddha relics.

       There is a handicraft village in the San Kampeng District. 

A true highlight is visiting the Elephant Camp and enjoying Elephant Trekking. 

Words can’t really begin to communicate such an awesome place. You can’t read about the many things Thailand has to offer. It’s an experience like no other.

Sawatdee!

For more information on Thailand: www.tourismthailand.org/la 

Royal Caribbean Announces New Summer 2014 Cruise Vacations

Vacationers enjoy award-winning dining, entertainment and onboard amenities
found only on Royal Caribbean ships that are “Designed for WOW!”

MIAMI, Feb. 07, 2013 – Royal Caribbean International today announced new summer 2014 cruise vacations, sailing from the New York metropolitan area, Baltimore, and Port Canaveral and Port Everglades in Florida. Known for the most exciting itineraries to compelling destinations and friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service, the cruise line will offer unforgettable vacations geared to families on five- to nine-night itineraries to Bermuda, The Bahamas and the Caribbean, aboard five of the industry’s most innovative ships, Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas. Royal Caribbean has opened 67 sailings through August 2014 for bookings aboard these five industry-leading ships.
            “Summertime is the best season for the entire family to share in a vacation that combines the award-winning entertainment and innovative amenities that can only be found on Royal Caribbean,” said Lisa Bauer, executive vice president of Sales and Marketing for Royal Caribbean International. “These new summer 2014 cruises continue our year-round commitment to Northeast and mid-Atlantic vacationers, as well as to vacationers from the U.S., Canada and around the world. Guests will enjoy an incomparable experience aboard these industry-acclaimed ships that are designed for WOW.”
            In the Northeast U.S., vacationers can choose seven-night Bermuda or Bahamas itineraries aboard the newly revitalized Grandeur of the Seas, departing every Friday from Baltimore. For those who don’t want to wait and wish to experience Grandeur of the Seas during its inaugural year serving Baltimore, Royal Caribbean is offering up to $200 onboard credit for all May through December 2013 sailings. The onboard credit offer applies to all new individual bookings made between February 1 through 28, 2013. Guests can enjoy $50 onboard credit per Oceanview or Inside stateroom (Option Code: SLY1); $100 per Stateroom with Balcony (Option Code: SLY2); and $200 per Suite-category stateroom (Option Code: SLY3.) Offers are not combinable with any other promotion and additional restrictions may apply.
            Explorer of the Seas also will offer convenient cruise getaways for New York metropolitan area vacationers. The ship will alternate five-night Bermuda itineraries and nine-night Bermuda and Caribbean itineraries on Saturdays and Thursday, respectively, departing from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, N.J.
            Freedom of the Seas also will alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, departing every Sunday from Port Canaveral along Florida’s Space Coast. Vacationers also can combine the best of land and sea into one amazing vacation with a three- or four-night pre- or post-cruise stay at Universal Orlando Resorts and enjoying unparalleled savings. Guests booking the package will experience award-winning attractions at both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, spectacularly themed on-site hotels and a nighttime entertainment complex. Guests choosing to stay at one of Universal’s three on-site hotels also will enjoy included Universal Express ride access to skip the regular lines at both theme parks.
            From Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the world’s largest and most innovative ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas will respectively sail Saturdays and Sundays and alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Freedom of the Seas are among six Royal Caribbean ships that exclusively offer the DreamWorks Experience, featuring parades, themed activities and events based on DreamWorks Animation’s popular feature-film characters, including Po of “Kung Fu Panda;” Shrek, Fiona and Puss In Boots of “Shrek;” and Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, and the Penguins from “Madagascar.” Each ship also is equipped with a 3-D movie theater playing the latest DreamWorks Animation films.
Guests aboard Grandeur of the Seas enjoy more of Royal Caribbean’s acclaimed entertainment, dining and onboard amenities that debuted aboard the Oasis-class ships. The ship’s recent bow-to-stern revitalization includes the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, technological upgrades, an outdoor movie screen overlooking the pool deck, refreshed furniture, carpet, upholstery and staterooms, as well as new spectacular aerial entertainment in its six-deck Centrum. The cruise line’s suite guests and valued Crown & Anchor Society members also can enjoy Grandeur of the Seas’ new Concierge Lounge and Diamond Lounge. Furthermore, guests can savor new onboard dining choices, including Giovanni’s Table family-style Italian restaurant, Izumi Asian Cuisine, Park Café, Chops Grille steakhouse, an exclusive and intimate Chef’s Table co-hosted by the Executive Chef and Sommelier for a five-course, wine-pairing experience, and a transformed Viking Crown Lounge that features a new menu of bite-size delectables, as well as a stunning new design.
            Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 22 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand. Royal Caribbean provides a world-class vacation experience with a wide range of signature onboard amenities, entertainment, and award-winning family programming.
            The cruise line has a 40-year history of delivery to guests the Royal Advantage – the most innovative cruise ships, exciting itineraries to popular destinations, and world-renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service. Royal Caribbean has been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 10 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards. For additional information or to make reservations, call your travel agent, visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. Follow Royal Caribbean on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/RoyalCaribbean or on Twitter, @RoyalCaribbean. Travel professionals should visit www.CruisingPower.com.
            Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE/OSE: RCL) is a global cruise vacation company that owns Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Club Cruises and CDF Croisières de France, as well as TUI Cruises through a 50 percent joint venture. Together, these six brands operate a combined total of 41 ships with four under construction. They operate diverse itineraries around the world that call on approximately 460 destinations on all seven continents.

Ernest Wooden, Jr. Named President and CEO of the LA Tourism & Convention Bd

PRESIDENT ERNEST WOODEN, JR.

 

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Jan. 3, 2013) – Ernest (Ernie) Wooden, Jr., a long-time senior hospitality industry executive and Los Angeles-area resident since 1999, has been named President and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LA Tourism), it was announced today by Tom Mullen, LA Tourism’s Chairman of the Board.  He succeeds Mark Liberman who served in the role since 2003 and announced his retirement this past May.

Wooden has spent his entire career in the hospitality industry, including more than a decade in senior leadership positions in both global brand management and operations with Hilton Hotels Corporation.  As Executive Vice President, Global Brand Management for Hilton, based in Beverly Hills, Calif., he led all worldwide branding initiatives for the well-known hotel corporation, working with 3,000 properties in 80 countries.  His operations roles at Hilton included overseeing territories in Mexico, the Caribbean and across the U.S.  In addition, Wooden has also worked with such top hospitality brands as Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, Omni Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree by Hilton and Promus Hotel Corporation.  Currently, he is the Chief Executive Officer of Creative Consulting, a hotel consulting practice providing hotel operation, valuation and brand selection and analysis services.  Prior to forming the consulting practice, he was Executive Vice President and Senior Managing Director at Alagem Capital Group, a privately owned, diversified investment group which owns the Beverly Hilton Hotel, amongst other high-profile properties, where he was responsible for identifying and exploring potential international hospitality investments.

“Tourism is a cornerstone of the City’s bright future given the many exciting developments on the horizon," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "Ernie has the industry experience and knowledge to help us grow our convention and tourism business -- ensuring Los Angeles is a leading destination of choice for visitors from around the world for years to come.”

"At the helm of our tourism engine, Mark successfully steered our industry through and out of the recession to enjoy record highs, including record-breaking hotel occupancy this year on our way to another projected record-high visitation year.  I have enjoyed working closely with Mark and congratulate him on his successes over the years,” said Mullen. "Moving forward, we are very pleased to welcome someone with Ernie’s depth of global hospitality branding and operations experience.   He is known in the industry for building relationships and driving business results, and we look forward to working with him to capitalize on the momentum our tourism industry is enjoying.”

A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Wooden holds both a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in management science from Thomas Edison State College and is currently pursuing a doctorate from the International School of Management, Paris, France.  He will officially join LA Tourism in January, 2013.

Last year, Los Angeles welcomed a record 40.4 million visitors from around the globe, making it one of the most visited destinations in the U.S. and with the second highest share of overseas visitors to the U.S. (13.1 percent).  LA Tourism expects to set another visitation record in 2012, with projected visitation exceeding 41.3 million. Tourism is a leading industry in Los Angeles, supporting 372,000 jobs and contributing more than $15 billion in economic impact.

The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board was created in 1977 as a private, not-for-profit business association.  It is recognized as the official branding, sales and marketing organization for Los Angeles, responsible for developing leisure and meetings business for the economic benefit of the community.

Chrysler Group Introduces '13 Dodge Dart

MOPAR '13 DART

• Select Mopar parts and accessories outfit new Mopar ’13 Dart
• Performance upgrades include lowered sport suspension, revised steering calibration, sport-tuned exhaust, ground-effects kit, and premium brake kit with slotted rotors
• Custom leather Mopar driver’s seat
• Industry-first wireless charging for smartphones
• 500 numbered units to be built at company’s assembly plant in Belvidere, Ill.
• Limited-edition vehicle to be displayed at Chicago Auto Show
• Mopar ’13 information to go live at  http://www.dodge.com/en/2013//dart-mopar13/ tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 1

January 31, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler Group LLC today introduced the limited-edition Mopar ’13 Dart, marking the fourth special-edition Mopar-badged vehicle created since the company partnered with Fiat S.p.A in 2009. The car will be shown at next week’s Chicago Auto Show.

Building on the success of the Mopar ’10 Challenger, Mopar ’11 Charger and the Mopar ’12 300, the limited-edition Mopar ’13 Dart will be built and customized with Mopar performance parts and accessories. Production for a limited run of 500 units will begin this spring at the company’s assembly plant in Belvidere, Ill.

“Our new Mopar ’13 Dart will turn heads and stand out from the crowd,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “For this special, limited-edition vehicle, we specifically kept the driver in mind as we added select Mopar parts and accessories.”

Inspired by the tuner scene, the Mopar ’13 Dart is designed for driving enthusiasts. Powered by a 1.4-liter MultiAir® intercooled turbo engine with a manual transmission, the Mopar ’13 sports a gloss-black finish with a pair of car-length Mopar Blue stripes, which mirror each of the three previous Mopar-themed models.

For enhanced handling, upgrades include a performance steering-gear calibration, a 7 millimeter-lowered suspension and low-profile 40 aspect performance tires (225/40R18). From the racing scene, Mopar added a premium brake kit with slotted rotors. Engine breathing is enhanced with a performance-tuned exhaust and to further optimize aerodynamics and increase downforce, the custom Dart features Mopar’s ground-effects kit, which includes a front-chin spoiler, one-piece deck-lid spoiler, as well as a unique and aggressively styled rear diffuser.

Unique exterior elements include a Mopar badge in the crosshair grille and gloss-black 18-inch wheels with a Mopar logo on the wheel center caps. The vehicle’s unique interior, featuring a serialized plate, gives the driver a custom Mopar Blue leather seat with black accents. To keep the emphasis on the driver, the driver seat is Mopar Blue while all other seats are black with blue accent stitching. The centerpiece of the interior is a floating island bezel that is accented with Mopar Blue paint and lighting. The interior is further enhanced with rich details, including Mopar Blue accent thread, as well as light-black chrome and gloss-black elements.

Along with a Mopar serialized badge on the dash, the special-edition Mopar ’13 includes industry-first wireless charging for smartphones, a blue-stitched leather-wrapped steering wheel with an identically garnished shifter knob, a bright sport-pedal kit, premium Mopar carpet floor mats, door-sill guards and an 8.4-inch navigation screen.

The limited-edition Mopar ’13 Dart will be delivered to each customer with a personalized owner kit. Assembled in a custom-made black case, contents include a personalized plate with vehicle specifications, the date of manufacture and the unique identification number (of 500) of the vehicle. Along with a Mopar ’13 brochure and other memorabilia, the kit will include a limited-edition sketch of the vehicle signed by Mark Trostle, Chrysler Group Chief Designer for the Mopar Brand.

Information on the Mopar ’13 will be go live at  http://www.dodge.com/en/2013//dart-mopar13/ tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 1

Mopar-first Features
Mopar has introduced numerous industry-first features including:

• Vehicle-information apps: first to introduce smartphone vehicle-information applications, a new channel of communication with consumers
• Electronic owner manuals: first to introduce traditional owner manuals in a DVD and brief user-guide format and first to offer complete vehicle-information kits in Spanish
• Wi-Fi: first to offer customers the ability to make their vehicle a wireless hot spot
• Wireless charging: first to introduce in-vehicle wireless charging for portable devices
• Electronic Vehicle Tracking System (EVTS): first to market with a new interactive vehicle tracking device that sends owner a text when vehicle is driven too fast or too far based on pre-set parameters
• 2011 Mopar Challenger Drag Pak: first to introduce a 500-plus cubic-inch V-10 drag-race package car
• Brand-specific customer care telephone lines: first to offer Sunday service hours for customers
• WiTECH: first to support vehicle diagnosis and software updates leveraging off-the-shelf personal computers and a dedicated wireless tool network
   

About the Mopar Brand
Mopar is Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. With the creation of the Chrysler Group and Fiat S.p.A partnership, Mopar is extending its global reach, integrating service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance dealer and customer support worldwide. Combined with Fiat S.p.A, Mopar’s global portfolio includes more than 500,000 parts and accessories that are distributed in more than 130 countries. Mopar is the source for all genuine parts and accessories for Chrysler Group and Fiat SpA brands.

Mopar parts are unique in that they are engineered with the same teams that create factory-authorized vehicle specifications for Chrysler Group and Fiat SpA vehicles — a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide. A complete list of Mopar accessories and performance parts is available at www.mopar.com.

More than 75 Years of Mopar
Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was trademarked for antifreeze product in 1937. The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960s — the muscle-car era. The Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth “package cars” equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of “special parts” for super-stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use. The brand has expanded to include technical service and customer support.

ASPEN MEADOWS RESORT LAUNCHES NEW INTERNET TECHNOLOGY FOR GROUPS, MEETINGS AND BUSINESS TRAVELERS

To keep ahead of the increasing demand of technology in the meeting industry, the Aspen Meadows Resort updated their internet connection speed this week from a T3 45MB to a 100MB Ethernet connection. All hotel rooms and meeting facilities at the Aspen Meadows Resort have access to the improved high speed internet bandwidth.

“As a nationally recognized meetings and conventions destination, we are in constant pursuit of the most cutting edge technology to meet all of our guests’ needs,” said Doug Crawford, Director of Sales at Aspen Meadows Resort. “We are leaders in the hospitality technology industry.”

“The additional internet bandwidth not only helps our guests have seamless, reliable internet speeds, it also helps us operationally as a resort property,” said Crawford. “This then in turn provides a positive experience for all guests and staff.”

Aspen Meadows Resort’s conference facilities are certified by the International Association of Conference Centers and the Doerr-Hosier Center is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. For exclusive Aspen Meadows Resort meeting package offerings, visit http://www.aspenmeadows.com/meetings/packages.asp or call 970-925-4240.

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About Aspen Meadows Resort: Aspen Meadows Resort, home of the Aspen Institute, has been a mainstay in Aspen for more than 50 years.  Located on 40 scenic acres along the Roaring Fork River in the historic West End, Aspen Meadows Resort’s 98 guest suites are rich in amenities and decorated in clean and crisp Bauhaus style.  Nearly every mountain activity imaginable is found at its doorstep or can be easily arranged through guest services at the resort.  Guests at Aspen Meadows are treated to numerous amenities including complimentary high-speed wireless Internet, 24-hour shuttle service and access to the resort’s state-of-the-art health club.  A world-class meetings and conference facility, Aspen Meadows Resort boasts 22,000 square feet of International Association of Conference Centers (IACC) approved meeting space.  The 14 dedicated meeting rooms can accommodate events for groups ranging in size from 20 to 800 people.  Aspen Meadows Resort is also home to Plato’s, an intimate restaurant that offers cuisine to stimulate both the palate and the intellect. The rotating menu at Plato’s features a delectable array of internationally inspired fare created with locally and regionally sourced seasonal ingredients.

About Dolce Hotels and Resorts:  Dolce Hotels and Resorts, a privately held operator of 27 upscale hotels, resorts and conference hotels in North America and Europe founded in 1981, is majority-owned by Broadreach Capital Partners. The company, headquartered in Rockleigh, N.J., employs more than 4,000 worldwide. Additional information is available at www.dolce.com.

Dolce’s portfolio includes properties in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Colorado, California, Ontario, Texas, Nevada, Belgium, France, Spain and Germany.

As a leader in the meetings industry, Dolce hosts some 30,000 events and 4 million group clients globally every year.  The company’s founder pioneered the conference center concept and Complete Meeting Package, both now embraced as standards by the International Association of Conference Centers.

The company’s vision is to create inspiring environments that bring people together, and its mission is to delight its guests, challenge its associates, reward its owners and serve as a role model in its communities.

Northern New Mexico Is Celebrated At Harwood Museum of Art

Taos, N.M. —Red Willow:  Portraits of a Town,  Eah-Ha-Wa (Eva Mirabal) and Jonathan Warm Day Coming and Eli Levin:  Social Realism and The Harwood Suite open at the Harwood Museum of Art Saturday, February 9 and will remain on view through Sunday, May 5, 2013. The exhibitions tell the stories of some of Northern New Mexico’s most interesting people. 

“We stagger the exhibitions at the Harwood in a pendulum type fashion—from Red Willow:  Portraits of a Town which is home grown and local—to international and unexpected,” says Harwood Museum of Art Curator of Collections and Exhibitions Jina Brenneman.  “This spring, it’s all about Northern New Mexico. Our permanent collection has a strong representation of traditional portraiture—many of which have not been out of storage. There are also some magnificent examples in local collections – and we have many generous lenders in this community.  Each portrait in the exhibition is a narrative waiting to be told – both subject and artist are often important historic figures.”

Red Willow: Portraits of a Town in the Mandelman-Ribak Gallery presents portraits of the many compelling historic and contemporary members of the Taos community. Artists from around the world have visited Taos to capture the iconic and exotic faces of the people. Portraits include both the native Tiwa people from the Taos Pueblo and the Hispanic and Anglo populations that now form the majority of Taos' population. Taken together, these three groups have made Taos a tri-cultural and tri-lingual community.

“With Red Willow:  Portraits of a Town, we celebrate the heart of Northern New Mexico and the region’s tri-cultures, “says Brenneman. “The material for portraiture was, and is, plentiful.  ‘The Man in a Green Hat:  Portrait of Raymond De Puy’ by Leslie Brown is like much of the work in the exhibition because of the story the portrait tells. I want to stand in front of a painting and be able to story tell with my own imagination—this piece elicits the best of your imagination.”

Eah-Ha-Wa (Eva Mirabal) and Jonathan Warm Day Coming in the Peter and Madeleine Martin Gallery explores the work of Taos Pueblo artists Eah-Ha-Wa (Eva Mirabal), one of the first American female cartoonists and a renowned muralist, and her son, the celebrated artist, storyteller and writer Jonathan Warm Day Coming. “We are fortunate to be able to do very grassroots driven ‘research exhibitions’ such as Eah-Ha-Wa (Eva Mirabal) and Jonathan Warm Day Coming, planting the seed for what we hope becomes a subject for a larger museum exhibition,” states Brenneman. “This exhibition is an example of this, and it also ties closely to the efforts we are making to exhibit local and regional treasures during this time of the year.”

The telling of stories through storyboards and the expression of cultural history through pictures were central to Eah-Ha-Wa's style. Her murals would serve the same ends as her cartoons. Eah-Ha-Wa's mural work began as early as the late 1930s. Eah-Ha-Wa received instruction in working on large murals at the Santa Fe Indian School, often working with political themes, and became a sought-after muralist. Eah-Ha-Wa's art tradition is being carried on by her son Jonathan Warm Day Coming, a Taos Pueblo artist, storyteller and writer. Jonathan Warm Day Coming is considered a deeply influential voice for his family’s homeland, the Taos Pueblo. He is primarily known for his colorful acrylic paintings, which provide a visual narrative of the daily experiences and spiritual life drawn from his many childhood memories. Currently Warm Day Coming is devoting part of his time to researching and gathering a collection of his mother’s artwork, holding true to the Pueblo’s religious and cultural traditions, and looking forward to the completion of his first novel.

Eli Levin: Social Realism and the Harwood Suite in the George E. Foster, Jr. Gallery of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs focuses on some of the iconic, dramatic illustrations that Levin created to depict Northern New Mexico.  Eli Levin was born in 1938 to Meyer Levin, the well-known author, and Mabel Schamp, scientist and dedicated communist. He was raised in New York in an intellectual milieu, went to Music and Arts High School, and was influenced by the artistic movements of Social Realism and Regionalism. He studied with several politically leftist realist painters, including Raphael Soyer and George Grosz.

The Mandelman-Ribak Foundation Oral History Project in the Caroline Lee and Bob Ellis Gallery originated in 1999 as a collaboration with Douglas Dreishpoon, Chief Curator at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, NY. The project’s initial concept called for a series of videotaped interviews with individuals who had been associated with the Taos Moderns, a group of artists living in Taos during the 1940s and 1950s that included Beatrice Mandelman and Louis Ribak. As the Oral History Project evolved, the objective for the interviews broadened to encompass subsequent generations, including the influx of artists and writers who came to Taos in the 1960s and 1970s, and others who have contributed to the culture and arts in Taos. The project has recorded 44 interviews, all of which have been transcribed.   For this installation, selected videotaped interviews will be looped on three flat screens. Interviewees include Larry Bell, Malcolm Brown, Ron Cooper, John DePuy, Ted Egri, Rosa Ellis Clark, Dennis Hopper, Paul O’Connor, Robert Ray, Mildred Tolbert, Jenny Vincent, and Jim Wagner.

Curator’s Wall:  Deborah Rael-Buckley The Curator’s Wall is reserved for imagination and the creative process. Deborah Rael-Buckley has responded to this challenge by creating an installation based on the dimensions of this wall, keeping in mind the impact on the viewer.  “Deborah took this challenge to new ‘heights’ utilizing the space with individual sculptures that span the length and height of the wall,” states Jina Brenneman.  “The pieces combine to create an individual work of art.”

Joyce and Sherman Scott Gallery:  Taos Clay:  Hank Saxe Hank Saxe has been a dominant figure in the Taos clay scene - having provided the means and technique for a better part of the anagama advent, an enigmatic process of clay that stems from a blend of wood kiln firing with erratic color and intricate texture compositions. Saxe is known for public art, primarily ceramic work that he produces for architecture.

New Acquisition Installation  John DePuyWhen John DePuy first moved to Taos, still under the influence of his teacher, Hans Hofmann, his painting was entirely abstract. Over time Hofmann's influence receded, but his advice to paint from nature remained. For DePuy, the influence of New Mexico on his art was "mainly the land" and the inspiration provided by Taos Pueblo Indians' connection with that land.

OPENING RECEPTION INFORMATION
Alliance Members’ Opening Reception: Friday, February 8, 5-7 p.m.
Director’s Circles Preview: Friday, February 8, 4-5 p.m.

HoursTuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m; Sunday, 12 – 5 p.m.

General Admission $10 adults, $8 seniors (65+) and students; Free to children age 12 and under, members of the Harwood Museum Alliance, University of New Mexico students and staff, and Taos County residents on Sundays. $25 Museum Association of Taos ticket is available for admission to the Harwood Museum of Art, the Taos Art Museum, the Millicent Rogers Museum, the Blumenschein Home and Museum, and La Hacienda de los Martinez.

Where: The Harwood Museum of Art , 238 Ledoux Street, Taos, NM

Info: 575-758-9826, www.harwoodmuseum.org

LA Travel & Adventure Show Announces New World Challenge Game

 

The World Challenge is an interactive social media game designed to take participants on a virtual journey around the world

LONG BEACH, Calif. – An all-new interactive game kicks off The Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show, challenging attendees to experience destinations around the world in a whole new way. The game prompts visitors to go to specific booths and areas on the show floor where they will perform tasks, share it on social media outlets, and be entered to win prizes. Challenges include tasting regional delicacies and taking virtual tours to exotic destinations.

The TAS: World Challenge game runs throughout the show series in Los Angeles, Chicago, Santa Clara, and Washington, D.C. now through March 10, 2013. Dozens of travel-related deals and giveaways will make the game as rewarding as it is fun for participants.

Player points are tallied online and at the Travel & Adventure Show expos, but you don’t have to attend the expos to join in and play. To get started now: join the game on the Travel & Adventure Show’s Facebook or Twitter pages and answer trivia questions to win prizes. AND at the Show: Using a smartphone or the official game card you have the opportunity for more chances to win by participation in interactive challenges on the show floor.

The show is more than booths and games, though. The weekend event also features a number of great speakers, including Rick Steves, host of Rick Steves’ Europe; Jean-Michel Cousteau, world famous explorer, diver, and environmentalist; Pauline Frommer, Guidebook author; Peter Greenberg, America’s most recognized travel journalist; Richard Wiese, host of Born to Explore with Richard Wiese; Patricia Schultz, author of the best-selling 1,000 Places to See Before You Die; and longtime host of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, Chris Harrison.

Stop by Booth 112 at the Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show, January 12 or 13, 2013, or visit www.adventureexpo.com/worldchallenge for more information about how you can join the onsite World Challenge for your chance to win accommodations at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach, lift tickets to Mammoth Mountain, or a Ventura vacation that includes two nights at the Marriott Ventura Beach Hotel and a ‘Caves & Coves’ guided kayaking tour at Santa Cruz Island.

The TAS: World Challenge is brought to you in part by Aria, official social media and digital agency of the Travel and Adventure Show. Prizes are courtesy of Hyatt Regency Long Beach, Mammoth Lakes Tourism, Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau, and Marriott Ventura Beach Hotel.  

The 2013 Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show^TM will take place January 12-13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802.  Tickets are available online for $9 with Promo Code “LAPR” or at the door for $12.  Children under 16 years old are free.  For tickets and event information, visit www.LAtravelshow.com, email info@LAtravelshow.com, or call 203-878-2577.

Unicomm LLC is an independent business-to-business communications company specializing in originating and managing world class trade shows and conferences in underserved and nascent markets.  Founded in 1998 in Milford, CT, Unicomm enjoys an impressive track record of dozens of successful show launches and hundreds of event productions.  Unicomm’s properties include the 3D Entertainment Summit™, and the MultiScreen Summit™; the Travel & Adventure Show™ in Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco Bay Area.  For more information:  www.unicomm.org.

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