Diana Rowe, Editor of Motorcycle Rider News

By Diana Rowe – September 2009
http://www.event-solutions-digital.com/event-solutions/200909/?sub_id=efEMFGApTN66&folio=32

IS THE SOCIAL EVENT MARKET FOR YOU?   Could social events be an opportunity when corporate and other business is slow? ES delves into how event pros around the country are making it work – and how you can too

Photo Credit Motorcycle Rider News Cover September 2009

By Diana Rowe
http://www.travels.com/destinations/mexico/tucancun-beach-all-inclusive-reviews/

The clock tower of The Balmoral
With a view of this capital city’s historic landmarks, a clock tower reigns atop Rocco Forte The Balmoral, a luxury, 188-room hotel in the heart of Edinburgh and across from Waverly Station. Its long history began in 1902 as the North British Hotel (or NB), catering to the passengers from two now-demolished train stations.

Besides its prime location in bustling Edinburgh, The Balmoral also lays claim to a famous guest, author J.K. Rowling of “Harry Potter” fame, who finished the last book in the series as a guest at the five-star hotel.

By Diana Rowe
http://www.travels.com/destinations/usa/snowmass-colorado-trip-reviews/

Snowmass, Colorado
Surrounded by Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area and Elk Mountain Range, Snowmass is often overshadowed by its glitzy neighbor, Aspen. Included in the town’s 25 square miles is Snowmass Village, the second largest ski mountain in Colorado. Accommodations range from charming boutiques to resorts to time shares.

This European-style village is continually refreshing its mountain face, recently adding five restaurants in the new $1 billion base village, additional condominium lodging and on-mountain restaurant, new recreation center and Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center. Public transportation includes free village shuttles and buses to Aspen for a small fee (free during ski season).

By Diana Rowe
http://www.travels.com/destinations/mexico/fiesta-americana-coral-beach-cancun/

Luxury oceanfront accommodations on a secluded beach
Located in the center of Cancun’s bustling entertainment district, the five-diamond, 602-all-suite Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach combines luxury oceanfront accommodations with 984 feet of secluded beachfront indulgence. Superb amenities, delicious cuisine and adventures for all ages blend to make the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach Cancun a vacation stop for guests of all ages.

By Diana Rowe
http://www.travels.com/destinations/mexico/tucancun-beach-all-inclusive-reviews/

The pool with its view of the Caribbean Sea, steps from white sand beaches
Located a block from Cancun’s popular “Hotel Zone,” Barceló Tucancun Beach is an all-inclusive resort boasting a Caribbean Sea address and the famous white sand beaches. The Barcelo Tucancun Beach offers its guests three seaside, outdoor swimming pools, five bars and four dining options. Its front lobby is mere steps away from the exclusive Kukulkan Plaza shopping center and a myriad of dining, shopping and nightlife choices.

By Diana Rowe
http://www.travels.com/destinations/mexico/tucancun-beach-all-inclusive-reviews/

Harbour View suites Pan Pacific Vancouver
The 23-story Pan Pacific Vancouver is a popular, landmark, downtown waterfront hotel. This luxury hotel consistently earns a five-diamond rating from the American Automobile Association. All 503 luxurious guest rooms (including 39 suites) offer amazing views of the Coastal Mountains, Coal Harbour and/or the Vancouver city skyline. Connected to the Vancouver Convention Centre & Exhibition Centre, the hotel shares its prestigious Canada Place complex address with CN IMAX theatre, the World Trade Centre office complex and Vancouver’s Cruise Ship Terminal. Guests also have convenient access to Stanley Park, shopping, theatres and the financial district.

By Diana Rowe
http://www.travels.com/destinations/caribbean/traveling-puerto-rico/

About Traveling to Puerto Rico
When traveling to Puerto Rico, you are entering the gateway to the Caribbean, just 1,000 miles southeast of Miami. Its economy is based on the production and exportation of manufactured goods, high-technology equipment and pharmaceuticals.
Geography
Only 100 miles long and 35 miles wide, Puerto Rico is between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea and is home to almost 4 million people, with 1.5 million residing in San Juan.

By Diana Rowe
http://www.travels.com/destinations/usa/history-brown-palace-hotel/

The History of the Brown Palace Hotel
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa has been an integral part of downtown Denver’s history since its opening Aug. 12, 1892. Over its long history, The Brown (as it is known by locals) has welcomed guests from all walks of life, including presidents

The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs: “Our Princess Land”
http://blogs.away.com/travel/2009/07/the-broadmoor-in-colorado-springs-our-princess-land.html

By Guest Blogger07/16/2009
Diana Rowe

“Welcome to my princess land, Gramma” is how my four-year-old granddaughter greeted me at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs on our recent visit there. I could see how the historic towers might resemble a castle to a four-year-old enthralled with the storybook world of princesses and princes. Perhaps the only missing structures were a drawbridge and moat, but Kaydence didn’t seem to notice.
And it’s no stretch of the imagination that the attention you receive from the uniformed staff is fit for a princess. A security guard greets you first, and from that moment, you’re whisked away into your own magical kingdom with what seems like your own personal servants. This wasn’t my first visit to the luxurious Broadmoor, but it was my first hotel adventure with my two grandchildren, Kaydence and two-year-old Ryland.

The Broadmoor magazine 2009-2010
http://thebroadmoor.digitalpubfor.me/issues/2/

Exploring the Affordable; U.S. National Parks

http://www.travelersanonymous.com article

Riviera Maya Makes Entire Families Happy
August 2009 TravelersAnonymous.com

July 2009 Event Solutions Magazine Talent Talk
www.event-solutions-digital.com article

More Than A Game: Golf programs combine serious Business & Teambuilding
http://www.themeetingmagazines.com/index/Default.aspx?tabid=1197
“Which scenario do you think yields the highest return on investment?” asked Stephanie Nagami. ” Five minutes of conversation at cocktail hour with the hum of dozens of other conversations buzzing around you, or four hours of bonding with the same three players on a pristinely landscaped, signature golf course? My vote is for golf programs.” Nagami is vice president, Ohana Services, The Pacific Bridge Companies Inc., a Monrovia, CA-based financial services company.

Summer in the City

Diana Rowe finds that summers in Denver are action-packed too
Business Traveler – May 2009 published, online June 2009

When the Democratic National Convention (DNC) selected Denver as its host city, and some 50,000 delegates and visitors descended on the city last summer, many speculated that the seven-county metro area couldn’t carry it off. But the success of the pivotal four-day convention has helped put this old mining town back on travelers’ maps.
Says Mayor John Hickenlooper, “Denver is the largest city in a 600-mile radius, so we have become the cultural, sports, shopping and nightlife capital for a vast region of the country. The DNC allowed us to showcase our great city.”

June 2009 TravelersAnonymous.com Featured Special Interest

Dude Ranch: For The Good Old Fashioned Outdoors

A herd of horses neigh at your approach while the sun gently slips behind the surrounding mountains. The distant clanging of a bell announces dinner. Slightly sweaty but exhilarated and astride your own mount, you challenge your teenagers to a race back to the ranch.

Leave the “wish you were here” postcards at the general store and bring the whole family along. Who wants to read about your vacation when they can experience it first-hand themselves? Perhaps that’s why multi-generational vacations are one of the most popular travel trends today. Families are made to cowgirl- and cowboy-up at dude ranches, which offer an outdoor invitation to relax and enjoy an Old West experience with your entire family.

Dude ranches are scattered throughout the West and come in all shapes and size. Arguably these ranches are the best setting for your multi-generational family to kick up their heels or kick-back, dude ranches give travelers a first-hand taste of the good old fashioned outdoors – ranch-style.

Don’t get caught up in the stereotypes as dude ranches are not limited to horse people, providing multiple activities for those horse-shy family members, such as hiking or fishing. The great outdoors provides tons of activities, although some ranches opt to stock their lakes or streams.

June 2009 Next-Generation Meetings:

 HOW WEB 2.0 IS REVOLUTIONIZING MEETINGS  The Web 2.0 revolution isn’t just confined to the online space — it’s changing the way we meet. Find out how you should be rethinking your meeting and event strategy
http://www.event-solutions-digital.com/event-solutions/200906/?sub_id=efEMFGApTN66&folio=24

http://www.event-solutions-digital.com/event-solutions/200906/?pm=2&z=fw&pvieww=992&zin=172&u1=texterity&sub_id=efEMFGApTN66&pg=26&fm=1

OR: http://bit.ly/MaHEA

Planner Wire * News * Information * Community

Big Fish, Little Pond – May 2009
http://www.plannerwire.com/article_template.cfm?aid=1021&sid=30

A shrinking budget relocates a meeting faster than a speeding bullet, according to Tom Stiles. “It’s a sign of the economy,” explains Stiles, vice president of advertising, West Coast, for the Santa Monica, CA-based Nickelodeon Kids & Family Group.

With meetings under intense scrutiny and budgets ever tightening, planners are detouring from first- (and even second-) tier cities, making stops in off-the-beaten-path destinations and hotels to stay under budget and under the radar.

These days, it seems more and more girls just want to play golf, so why not play golf where the game started – or at least nearby in Wales, where “golf is as it should be” is the country’s slogan? A four-day whirlwind visit allowed me to discover that Wales, the home of the 2010 Ryder Cup, is indeed a golfing gal’s new best friend.

Attendees at a sales meeting take a much-needed break and play a round of golf. An hour into the game, the players high-five after one of them hits a perfect shot that lands on the green inches from the cup. One hole back, another group can’t help laughing as one sales rep’s drive sails through the air, hits a tree and plunks into the pond. At a scenic 3-par around the bend, another foursome pauses for a moment as a red-tailed fox races across the fairway. Roughly four hours later, they meet in the clubhouse for awards and a casual buffet. The attendees engage in good-natured back-slapping and friendly chatter — a 180-degree turn from the early shotgun start when most of them met for the first time. The dramatic change is the result of a few relaxing hours of camaraderie, teambuilding and new relationships that can only be forged on a golf course.

The annual meeting is a given. But unfortunately, the economy isn’t. Some members are struggling with the fiscal fallout and its effects on their own organizations, which may or may not elect to subsidize association membership and travel costs. For their part, meeting planners are challenged with trimmed-down staff and marketing and meeting budgets.

Sending The Right Message
AC&F April/May 2009
http://acf.themeetingmagazines.com/acf/20090405Feat3/tabid/194/Default.aspx

Two years ago the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) was searching for an alternative to the standard charity golf tournament that traditionally preceded their annual conference. “We wanted ‘something’ that gave back to the community,” said Maureen Cameron, marketing director, conventions, seminars and forums for NBAA.

April 2009 – Florida
http://www.themeetingmagazines.com/index/Default.aspx?tabid=1125

Singing For Their Supper
http://www.themeetingmagazines.com/index/Default.aspx?tabid=1109

Diana In The News – March/April 2009
Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas article

Release Date: 01/13/2009 – Article in Denver Travel Examiner

Dierks Bentley “Sideways”

By The Georgia Jukebox * March 7, 2009 – Review by Diana Rowe
http://www.thegeorgiajukebox.com/2009/03/07/dierks-bentley-sideways/

Phoenix native Dierks Bentley released his second single from his #1 album, Feel that Fire. The title is “Sideways” (Songwriters: Jim Beavers & Dierks Bentley) – and it lives up to its name.

Granddad, Grandma, Aunts, Uncles, Mom, Dad, and the kids: As travelers of all ages are discovering, a family that plays together has more fun

Convention Centers
http://acf.themeetingmagazines.com/acf/20081201Feature/ConCent/tabid/162/Default.aspx

Meetings On The Fly
http://www.themeetingmagazines.com/index/Default.aspx?tabid=1037
Meetings on the fly have never looked so good. The benefits of booking meetings at airport-adjacent hotels: Value, convenience, efficiency and minimal ground travel time, to name a few, have always attracted attention from meeting planners.

The Art Of Matching Speakers With Your Audience
http://www.themeetingmagazines.com/index/Default.aspx?tabid=980
A New York Times best-selling author with more than a dozen books to his name took the stage as the much-hyped motivational speaker for the evening. He stared into the faces of more than 300 excited employees of a Fortune 500 company. All the attendees had received his new release as their welcome gift. Most had read his books already. As the old saying goes, “you could have heard a pin drop” as everyone waited to hear and be moved by his motivational speech. And waited. And waited. And waited.

Imagine the ultimate Baja Mexico experience, racing through changing terrain on segments of the famous Baja 1000 racecourse. Turn the adventure into a meeting. Add a full day of brainstorming and networking, mix in a celebrity VIP as guest speaker, and you’ve just presented your attendees with a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience. The challenge is choosing an exceptional, once-in-a-lifetime speaker to put an exclamation point on this memorable event.

In today’s hectic world of tight corporate budgets and increased workload, one person is often required to wear several hats. So many hats, in fact, that Paul Valenta, sales manager for Calmac Manufacturing Corporation, recently lamented, “There just isn’t another hook to hang a meeting planner’s hat, too. We plan meetings infrequently enough that we knew it was a good business decision to hire a third-party planning company.”
 

Princess Pampering At Ireland’s Ashford Castle
http://www.tatianastravelcorner.com article
Tuesday, 30 September 2008 15:55

Imagine the hit your incentive program would be if you could offer a buffet of cultural feasts filled with landscapes that have inspired travelers for centuries — and your attendees only have to unpack their bags once.

For planners who are looking for one simple solution with multiple destinations that excite and motivate, cruises are fast becoming the all-inclusive floating hotel of choice. Whether you want to explore the great rivers and waterways of Europe, Russia, China and Egypt on a Costa Cruise or Viking River Cruise, or have some fun in the Caribbean sun and do business while traveling with your family on a Disney Cruise Line, cruises offer planners a unique, efficient and cost-effective venue for their meetings, accommodating groups up to 3,800.

“Meeting planners should take note,” said Mary Jo Valentine Blythe, CMP, “because Chicago is going through a major transformation. From massive restorations returning historic hotels like the Palmer House Hilton to their original grandeur, to increasing meeting space at The Fairmont Chicago and Swissôtel Chicago continues to secure its top ranking as a U.S. destination for meetings.”

Maybe it’s symbolic that the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers so naturally convene in Grand Junction. There’s certainly a majestic allure to this place that falls in the shadow of the red-rock walled Colorado National Monument: the activity afforded by natural wonders, the generous space (outdoors and in), the accessibility of acclaimed cuisine and entertainment. For meeting and event planners, every one of Grand Junction’s varied elements blends to create a natural choice for gatherings

In today’s corporate world, a meeting planner’s to-do list often reads more like an impossible to-do list: selecting sites, negotiating rates and space, analyzing contracts, sending out requests for proposals, planning programs, and making food and beverage decisions. Then, the planner has to hunker down, offer an intriguing educational, training or incentive program and then promote the meeting to every potential attendee possible.

Las Vegas
http://www.themeetingmagazines.com/index/Default.aspx?tabid=936

When it’s time to crunch numbers, W. Douglas Hitt, CMP, president of local, full-service planning company Event Management Solutions said, “It’s a great time to make a deal in Las Vegas.” A 30-year resident with a career including stints at area resorts, Hitt was the first Las Vegas independent CMP. “Planners not looking at Las Vegas are missing the best value-oriented convention destination in the world,” Hitt continued.

Planning Golf Programs ***
http://www.themeetingmagazines.com/index/Default.aspx?tabid=933

Simply put, when your meeting objective is to develop and strengthen business relationships among your clients, sales teams and executives, golf is the answer — especially in the insurance and financial sectors of corporate America. A well-organized and well-executed golf program can produce long-lasting relationships and seal a deal more effectively than days in the boardroom.

There’s at least one certainty in this iffy economy — the corporate mandate to get “more bang for the buck.” However, this mandate sounds more and more like a mantra chanted by meeting planners who are increasingly challenged to trim costs without shortchanging the corporate objective or attendee experience. Paradoxically, when planners don’t want to gamble on whether a destination will meet the mandate, they turn to gaming resorts.

Diana Rowe (www.dianarowe.com) is a Denver-based freelance writer and a contributing editor to several meetings trade publications.Culinary delights, high thread counts, turndown service, and spa services are great, but what planners really want today are organic food, biodegradable soap, high-impact fluorescent light bulbs, and recycle bins. All across the globe, corporations are making their mark through investments aimed at improving the planet’s social and environmental problems.

That’s why planners are making conscious decisions to select cities and venues that are environmentally-conscious, and Denver (www.denver.org), the Mile-High city, is up for the green challenge.

How many times have meeting planners had to endure groans and eye-rolling when attendees learn that teambuilding is on the agenda? That’s because tried-and-true approaches are beginning to lose their luster with overworked attendees who would rather be checking their BlackBerrys than “playing games” to satisfy the corporate mandate of developing motivated, productive employees. To compete for attendees’ attention, planners are charged with finding innovative activities that put the BlackBerry on the back burner.