Industry News for June 14, 2024

People on the Move

Cordish Gaming Group, the gaming division of The Cordish Companies, announced the appointment of Jamie Williams as Director of Sales of the highly anticipated $270+ Million Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana, a world-class gaming, hotel, dining and entertainment destination set to open in early 2025. Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana will be the first land-based casino in the Shreveport-Bossier market and the first Live! branded property in Louisiana. Ms. Williams is responsible for planning and managing the overall strategic sales and marketing initiatives for the 550-room luxury Live! Hotel with a resort-style pool and fitness center and the state-of-the-art 25,000-square-foot Event Center, which is now accepting queries for meeting and event bookings. Ms. Williams is an alumna of Troy State University in Dothan, Alabama, and currently resides in Bossier City. She maintains affiliations with esteemed industry organizations including the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, the Bossier City Chamber of Commerce, Meetings Professional International, PCMA, Executive Women’s International. Ms. Williams has served on the board of directors for the Louisiana Society of Association Executives for 13 years. 

Pacifica Hotels, the largest owner and operator of over 40 brand and boutique hotels on the Pacific Coast, announced a roundup of new hires and promotions:

GoGather, a corporate event planning company, has brought on new team members based in the EMEA region to assist with client work within the area. The new division will be supporting GoGather’s current operations in the region and assisting with client business growth through events. With this expansion, GoGather is now supporting medical, biotech, associations, and other industries with local resources. 

Awards & Accolades

Europalco, the largest provider of solutions for events and shows in Southern Europe, announced the achievement of ISO 20121 certification for sustainability performance across its corporate events. This milestone consolidates the company’s position as a leading environmentally friendly and socially responsible event services provider. The ISO 20121 standard, established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), is a global framework for improving sustainable event organization practices. Its main objective is to help organizations elevate sustainability throughout the event management process. This certification highlights Europalco's focus on sustainability throughout its operations, which means adherence to strict criteria for sustainable event management. 

Hot off the Press

Tripleseat, the leading sales and event management platform for restaurants, hotels, and unique venues, has announced the acquisition of Merri, a cutting-edge 3D floor plan and event design application for restaurants, hotels, unique venues, and event planners. This strategic acquisition aims to enhance Tripleseat’s robust suite of tools, providing all venues with an all-in-one solution for seamless event planning and management. As the hospitality industry continues to grow and evolve, the need for efficient, technology-driven solutions has never been greater. By integrating Merri's innovative 3D floor plan design capabilities with Tripleseat's comprehensive event management platform, venue owners and event planners can now access a powerful toolset that simplifies the planning process and enhances guest experiences. 

On Saturday, June 15, Teen Cancer America (TCA) will host Rock’n’Polo V at historic Will Rogers Polo Club in Pacific Palisades, an event that offers an afternoon of polo and family activities including live music along with a gourmet lunch and desserts. Featuring music by Grammy-nominated Ryan Ellis, iHeart DJ Von Bellows, and other artists, the afternoon will also include tastings by Dulce Vida Tequila, Hedonistas de la Fe mezcal, The Original Southside Gin, Wine Insiders, Fall Brewing Company, and more. The event benefits the work of TCA, the national non-profit founded by rock icons Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who, which develops age-specific facilities and services for adolescents and young adults with cancer. In addition, on Friday night, June 14, the public is invited to the Meet the Players Art Gala from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Bruce Lurie Gallery in Pacific Palisades. Guests will enjoy mingling with professional polo players together with a special exhibit by artist Carol Bennett, along with refreshments and a raffle benefitting Teen Cancer America. 

Tickets are now on sale for a charity bourbon raffle hosted by the Oldham County-based nonprofit the Trent DiGiuro Foundation, featuring a 25-prize lineup of rare and allocated bourbon prizes. Set for Wednesday, June 26, proceeds from the raffle will support various scholarship initiatives in honor and memory of the foundation’s namesake. The raffle is held in partnership with Elizabethtown-based nonprofit Give 270. After raising over $1 million in support of the central Kentucky region through charitable gaming initiatives and signature events, the nonprofit launched bourbonraffles.org earlier this year. This platform aims to offer fundraising opportunities to a wider array of nonprofit organizations and worthwhile initiatives. The first raffle hosted on the platform took place in March and benefited the Louisville-based Wizdom Foundation.