northwest

Vancouver’s rich past and bright future make it an excellent meeting destination for today.

The newest Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites opened its doors in Hermiston, Ore., on Dec. 7. Located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 395 and W. Hermiston Ave., the hotel is in the heart of downtown—a perfect location.

InnSight Hotel Management Group will manage the 93-room, four-story hotel. It features a number of amenities, including 18 suites, an indoor pool, fitness center, complimentary breakfast service, a meeting room, a business center and guest laundry facilities.

Visit Seattle has partnered with Experient to provide their event housing services.

“Experient is well respected in the industry and shares the same values and commitment to excellent customer service as our organization,” says Katy Willis, director of convention services, Visit Seattle. “This partnership will allow us to be even more laser focused on finding new and creative ways to differentiate Visit Seattle and the incredible services we offer.”

SWAG: We all get it (hence the acronym: stuff we all get). But do we really want all of the “it” that we get? We asked event planners and hospitality insiders to share with us their best and worst SWAG items—what they keep on hand and what gets tossed in the bin.

Best: Items that are useful, such as power banks, TSA liquids bags and thumb drives.
Worst: Toys/trinkets that end up in the waste; candy and snacks. (Don’t we get enough at the show?)

When the Boise Depot first opened in 1925, thousands turned out to see the first transcontinental engine steam into the station. Among its many visitors over the years was President Harry S. Truman, who made a stop at the depot on a tour of the West. Located in the Depot Bench neighborhood, it’s now a go-to venue for meetings and events.

Congratulations! You’ve landed a coveted industry award. You’re at the top of your game. Besides hanging your award on the wall or placing it in a place of prominence, what can you do to celebrate your achievement and use it to support marketing and recruitment efforts?

Here are five tips to extend the life of your industry recognition and gain more publicity. 

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Hilton Portland is set to undergo a huge transformation that is scheduled to be complete in spring 2017. Renovations will include updates to the guest rooms and lobby, a new restaurant and bar, and meeting space.

The 782-room hotel, located in the heart of downtown Portland, is in the early stages of its renovation. They will first update their existing 60,000 square feet of meeting space, and relocating the fitness room. They've also added a 5,500-square-foot ballroom and additional breakout space.

Despite a burgeoning craft beer scene, ample waterfront access and an abundance of meeting spaces, Shauna Stewart still points to Olympia’s people as the region’s greatest asset. “We are a community of passionate, engaged individuals all eager to make a difference,” says Stewart, executive director of the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitor & Convention Bureau (OLTVCB). 

On Oct. 24, Visit Seattle appointed Charles Pinckney as the convention sales national account director. In his new role, he will be responsible for the Chicago area and the international market.

Pinckney graduated from Western Oregon University with a degree in international studies and two minors—one in German and another in political science. Pinckney has worked as account director, global sales North America, for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide; and most recently as associate director of sales Sheraton Grand Chicago/Westin River North in Chicago.

Tessa Kalfell, the convention services manager at Visit Seattle, has been named to the Professional Convention Management Association’s “20 in their Twenties” list. This recognition is awarded to emerging industry leaders.

“I am so honored to be named one of PCMA’s 20 in their Twenties this year,” says Kalfell. “I’m looking forward to the connections I’ll make in the coming year, growing my business relationships and building a network of peers outside of Seattle who I can collaborate with and go to with questions and ideas.”