Industry News for December 13, 2024

Venue News

Park Hyatt New York, the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star award-winning hotel on Billionaire’s Row, has unveiled its latest masterpiece, the Manhattan Suite, located on the hotel’s 25th floor and now available for stays starting at $50,000 per night with a two-night minimum. Representing a $10 million investment, this exclusive suite, complemented by two additional connecting suites, forms an expansive 3,500-square-foot retreat with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, two powder rooms, and two balconies, accommodating up to 10 guests. With sophisticated furnishings and distinctive design elements, the Manhattan Suite offers an unparalleled residential experience, exuding refined elegance and showcasing breathtaking 180-degree views of Manhattan’s iconic skyline. Debuting during the hotel’s 10th anniversary this year, the suite marks a significant milestone in Park Hyatt New York’s multi-million-dollar renovation, celebrating a decade of luxury and innovation.

Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, a spacious resort located between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, announced a multi-million-dollar renovation to its guestrooms beginning January 2025. The enhancements are expected to be completed in March 2025. Along with the renovations to be completed in the spring, Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa offers an unforgettable getaway with signature experiences such as horseback rides exploring the Rio Grande, Bosque cottonwood forest, and cultural sites. The resort also showcases educational and cultural experiences highlighting the Santa Ana Pueblo, including activities led by tribe members, traditional bread baking, and a comprehensive Tamaya Cultural Learning Center displaying Native American artifacts and art pieces throughout the property.

Hot off the Press

Europalco, the largest provider of solutions for events and shows in Southern Europe, recently demonstrated its expertise in large-scale event production by working for Belron, the global leader in vehicle glass repair and replacement, at the Best of Belron 2024 competition held at Lisbon’s MEO Arena. Europalco suspended 411 motors across the venue, each playing a crucial role in the dynamic audiovisual setup. These motors, spanning over three kilometers with 1,795 pieces of truss, hung 100 tons of equipment from the ceiling and illuminated the arena with 1,100 light fixtures. The dynamic audiovisual setup captivated over 1,700 attendees, featuring 48 high-resolution video projectors and 19 screens.

Event service professionals should mark their calendars for the 2025 Event Service Professionals Association (ESPA) Annual Conference, which will happen in Louisville, Kentucky, from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2. This premier event is designed to empower CVB, hotel, convention center and venue event service managers with cutting-edge education, networking and professional development opportunities. This year’s theme, Delivering Championship Services, promises an inspiring and dynamic program for those who strive to exceed client expectations. Learn more at www.espaonline.org.

Events.com, an industry-leading event management platform, announced the acquisition of the renowned Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival, a marquee cultural event in the heart of San Diego. This acquisition underscores Events.com's commitment to enhancing the live event experience and expanding its influence within Southern California's vibrant festival landscape. Read the full press release here.

GlobalMeet, a leader in virtual event technology, announced significant enhancements to its Live Studio Control Room and Presenter List features, designed to give event organizers more control, flexibility, and ease of use when managing virtual and hybrid events. These upgrades provide a seamless and high-quality presenter experience that allows for more dynamic event presentations to engage audiences and reduce event production risks. GlobalMeet's Live Studio Control Room improvements give event hosts greater command of the presenter stage with streamlined controls for event transitions and formatting. Updates to the GlobalMeet Live Studio include: Controlled Stage Management, Presenter and Media Layouts Options, and One-Click Transitions.

Sustainability has become a core responsibility in event and live marketing. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide an internationally recognized framework to make event solutions more sustainable. The connection between events and the 17 SDGs is now emphasized in the updated international standard ISO 20121:2024. VOK DAMS, the event and live marketing specialist, has addressed these developments with the introduction of the "SDG Event Compass." This practical tool helps event managers integrate sustainability measures into their event and live marketing strategies while systematically aligning them with the United Nations’ SDGs. The goal of the SDG Event Compass is to provide clear and structured guidance for making events future-oriented and measurably more sustainable.