Industry News for September 20, 2024

Venue News

Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina, a waterfront resort located on 342 acres of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, announces the completion of a turf renovation at its River Marsh Golf Club. This upgrade to more durable and sustainable bermudagrass will provide an enhanced golf experience for both members and guests year-round. The golf course has officially reopened to the public and is open to play. Tee times are available by visiting https://www.rivermarshgolfclub.com/. 

People on the Move

Alexander Hotel announces the appointment of Alejandro Gallegos as General Manager of its newly-opened luxury boutique property in Mexico City’s iconic Torre Virreyes skyscraper. Alejandro brings over 20 years of extensive experience in hotel management, having held leadership roles across Mexico, Argentina, and Uruguay, and is now tasked with leading the hotel as it makes its mark on the city’s vibrant hospitality scene. 

Products on the Market

Global DMC Partners (GDP), the largest global network of independent destination management companies (DMCs) and specialized event service providers, announced the latest in its GDP University offerings. GDP University is a fully complimentary online learning platform that features comprehensive education for anyone in the event, meeting, and travel industry. From the basics of planning a meeting or event to learning about the newest global trends like event tech and sustainability, professionals can enroll in GDP University to level up their career. The next session will be “How to Negotiate in an Age of Non-Negotiation,” held September 24 at 11:30 am EST. 

Hot off the Press

The ARA Show will make a return to the Las Vegas Convention Center in 2025, featuring a mid-week schedule and Future of Equipment Rental. Registration for The ARA Show 2025 opens Tuesday, September 24. The American Rental Association’s (ARA) annual trade show is a can’t miss event for those looking to discover what’s next in rental. The trade show has a few twists in store with a shift to a mid-week schedule in 2025 and the return of Future of Equipment Rental. The schedule kicks off with Future of Equipment Rental on Tuesday, January 28; a full day of education sessions planned for Wednesday, January 29; and a three-day trade show will take place from Thursday, January 30 to Saturday, February 1. 

EventWorks, the Southeast's premier event rental provider, and Quest Events, the nation's leading drape and scenic elements provider (collectively, the “Company”), announced the acquisition of certain assets of Marquee Event Group Inc. and its affiliates (the “Acquisition”). The Acquisition will broaden the Company’s presence in its existing markets of Dallas, Austin and San Antonio in Texas and extend its presence to Kansas City. The Acquisition also will enhance and deepen the Company’s event rental inventory by adding unique tenting and other products to serve large-scale corporate and social events. In time, the Company will integrate the Acquisition’s products and services, expanding its selection to a broad clientele across multiple locations. The combined organization will employ approximately 1,000 team members and manage over 1,000,000 square feet of warehouse space, supporting approximately 50,000 events annually.  

Preferred DMCs, the boutique consortium of selected Destination & Event Management Companies from around Europe specializing in bespoke high-end incentive travel, special interest groups, VIP travel, events, meetings and conferences, has added another member to its portfolio: the prestigious agency Insight Events, one of the major Destination and Event Management Companies in Bulgaria. Preferred DMCs partners are fully professional, well-established, certified and/or accredited, well-known in the global MICE industry, and enthusiastic about being part of this very fine group of DMC's that delivers excellent business opportunities to its partners. To be noted that partnership is by-invitation only. 

24 Carrots Catering & Events announces their transition to a 100% employee-owned company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This new structure, which takes effect immediately, allows the company's employees to become co-owners, emphasizing the company’s people-first culture that rewards dedication, service excellence, and collaboration. Under the ESOP, eligible 24 Carrots employees will now hold shares in the company, directly benefiting from its growth and success. This move is part of the company's ongoing commitment to fostering a collaborative, engaged, and empowered workforce.