Industry News for December 20, 2024

Venue News

Curator Hotel & Resort Collection, a distinct collection of over 100 independent hotels, resorts, and experiences, is expanding its portfolio with the addition of One Ocean Resort & Spa, a beachside respite in Atlantic Beach, Florida. This luxurious oceanfront resort is one of the few properties in the peaceful coastal town of Atlantic Beach, Florida, a destination expected to experience continued growth in the coming years. 

People on the Move

AC Hotel Pasadena, the 194-room new-build property set to debut in February 2025 as part of the design-led lifestyle brand AC Hotels by Marriott®, has appointed Ben Spaulding as General Manager and Kristin Shelton as Director of Sales and Marketing. Ben Spaulding is a seasoned hospitality leader with over a decade of experience. Kristin Shelton has over 15 years of diverse hospitality experience. Set to open in February, the AC Hotel Pasadena, developed by Welcome Group, Inc., will offer a stylish and comfortable retreat in the heart of Pasadena’s Playhouse Village. Ideally located on Colorado Boulevard, near the Pasadena Convention Center and directly on the Rose Parade route, the hotel’s minimalist design will provide a sleek retreat for both business and leisure travelers. 

Full-service creative communications agency M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment North America announced the appointment of Sarah Beth Parlier as its new Events & Experiential Production lead. Sarah Beth will oversee all live Production output at the agency. Her remit will be wide-ranging, from the curation of media and influencer experiences to the development of large-scale consumer activations. Production services are widespread across the agency’s roster of brands including Oakley, Bowers & Wilkins, and Blundstone. 

Hot off the Press

Mod Op, a full-service digital marketing agency known for driving client growth through creativity, data science, and innovation, announced its acquisition of Image Media, a premier experiential and events agency renowned for its large-scale corporate events and campaigns. The acquisition enhances Mod Op’s existing services, integrating world-class event design and production, solidifying the agency’s position as a comprehensive, one-stop shop for engaging and powerful brand communications.   

Mexico Grand Hotels has been recognized by AAA with the prestigious Four Diamond Award for 2024. This honor was awarded to three of its premier properties: Vista Encantada Spa Resort & Residences, Hacienda Encantada Resort & Residences, and The Residences at Hacienda Encantada. AAA’s professional inspectors evaluate properties based on four main criteria: Quality, Cleanliness & Condition, and Hospitality. A Four Diamond designation represents upscale style and amenities paired with thoughtful, personalized service. 

Products on the Market

Limbic Media announced MaestroDMX V1.4, the most significant update yet to its groundbreaking AI-based lighting designer. Packed with innovative features, this update introduces the transformative FX Palettes, making professional-grade lighting design more accessible than ever. The FX Palettes tool empowers users to effortlessly trigger or automate multiple static lighting scenes precisely and easily. Whether manually controlling key moments or syncing lighting to audio events, MaestroDMX ensures every moment is unforgettable. 

In Memoriam

We are sad to announce the passing of San Antonio business icon Rosemary Kowalski. Founder of The RK Group and Rosemary's Catering, Kowalski was Catersource’s 2022 Michael Roman Lifetime Achievement.