A Magazine for Meeting Professionals Vol. IX Number 1 Spring 2017

AN IN-DEPTH LOOKThe newly designed Empire Suite, all-new lobby

and the freshly unveiled Foundry Kitchen & Bar of The Westin New York at Times Square

Plus:The World’s Largest

Hotel Company:Marriott International

acquires Starwood Hotels & Resorts

EMPIRESTATE OF MIND

AREA SALES NETWORK

Let this dedicated sales team put their years of experience to work for you. They are happy to help check availability for you at any of these unique properties.

These popular destinations offer exciting options whether you're planning one event or prefer to rotate between cities securing your meeting needs for years to come.

Submit your RFP at tishman.com/hotelsales

Call us at 800.746.1561 for more information.

From left to right - Roslyn Pedreira (Manager, Area Sales Network), Christina Epifano, Tara Kinney & Sara Grant

CHICAGO NEW YORK ORLANDO PUERTO RICO• Art Institute of Chicago

• Navy Pier

• Millennium Park

• Michigan Avenue

• Buckingham Fountain

• Lincoln Park Zoo

• Chicago Theatre

• Field Museum

• Wrigley Field

• Cloud Gate

• Museum of Science and Industry

• 360 Observation Deck

• Broadway Theater District

• Times Square

• Central Park

• Radio City Musical Hall

• Grand Central Station

• Rockefeller Center

• Carnegie Hall

• Empire State Building

• Statue of Liberty

• Metropolitan Museum of Art

• The National 9/11 Memorial and Museum

• St. Patrick’s Cathedral

• Walt Disney World®

• Disney Springs®

• Universal Orlando®

• Sea World Orlando®

• Discovery Cove

• I-Drive 360

• Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center

• Amway Arena

• Orlando City Soccer

• Orlando Science Center

• Historic Winter Park

• Kennedy Space Center

• Historic Old San Juan

• Bacardi Distillery

• Bioluminescent Bay

• Castillo de San Cristobal

• Castillo San Filipe Del Morro

• El Yunque Rainforest

• Plaza de Armas (Arms Square)

• Bahia Urbana

• Del Cristo Chapel

• Centro de Bellas Artes

• Puerto Rico Museum of Art

• Beautiful Beaches

ON THE COVERThe newly designed Empire Suite at The Westin New York at Times Square

LET US KNOWWe print this publication using recycled materials. If you would rather receive an electronic version of Meeting Excellence in the future, we’d like to know. Please call Roslyn at 800.746.1561 or e-mail rpedreira@tishman.com.

Book your next event with us and receive any combination of the following options based upon the size and scope of your program:

REST ASSURED, WE'LL HELP YOU PUT YOUR MEETING PLANNING NEEDS TO BED!

EXCLUSIVE

EXCLUSIVE VIP VALUE OFFERS FOR MOTIVATED MEETING PROFESSIONALS

*For new business only. Based upon availability and may not be combined with any other offer. Restrictions apply.

CALL 800.746.1561to receive this EXCLUSIVE offer at any of these featured properties.

• Sheraton Signature® or Westin Heavenly® Pillows• Sheraton Signature® or Westin Heavenly® Sheet Sets• Sheraton Signature® or Westin Heavenly® Bed• Up to 100,000 Starpoints® Signing Bonus

Options include:

It gets even better when you book multi-year and/or multi-city agreements

CONTENTS5 Worth The Wait - Sheraton Grand Chicago

7 Suite Inspiration - Westin New York At Times Square

8 Taste Of Times Square - Foundry Kitchen & Bar

9 A Slice Of New York - Waitress The Broadway Musical

11 Raise A Glass - Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

13 The Island Of Enchantment - Sheraton Old San Juan

14 Experience The Magic - Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

15 Movers And Shakers

FAST FACTS• 1,218 guest rooms and suites featuring Sheraton Signature®

Sleep Experience• Located on the Chicago River in the heart of downtown,

just minutes from McCormick Place• 125,000 sq. ft. of flexible function space• 43 meeting and breakout rooms• 40,000 sq. ft. Sheraton Chicago Ballroom, the largest

hotel ballroom in Chicago • 35,000 sq. ft. Riverwalk Exhibit and Event Space• 5 distinctive restaurants and bars including

Shula’s Steak House• LB Bistro & Pâtisserie• Business center• Complimentary 24-hour Sheraton Fitness Center• Exclusive bi-level Sheraton Club Lounge, featuring

stunning views of the Chicago skyline• Indoor pool, sun deck, and sauna

800.746.1561 sheratonchicago.com

Connect with us: @SheratonChicago SheratonGrandChicago @SheratonGrandChicago

Recently, Meeting Excellence sat down with Mark Lauer, General Manager

of the Sheraton Grand Chicago, to talk about hosting the 32nd Annual Chicago Cubs Convention in January.

How large was the Cubs Convention and what hotel spaces did it utilize?The Cubs Convention took over the Sheraton Grand Chicago in its entirety; all guest rooms, meeting space, the ballroom, and our restaurants and bars were dedicated to the event. Plus, two heated tents were added to accommodate attendees. One tent featured the World Series Trophy for viewing and photo opportunities. The

second tent hosted food and beverage, including a bar where guests could watch all this past season’s play-off and World Series games on a continuous loop to relive the highlights and magic.

Every square inch of the hotel was occupied by the convention attendees. We got creative and used space not typically taken over by groups, such as an entire fl oor of the parking garage for autograph signing. Over 12,000 autographs were signed during the Chicago Cubs Convention.

There were 9,500 people in attendance over the course of three days so the hotel was set up to accommodate seating for thousands of people.

What diff erentiated the Cubs Convention from other events at the Sheraton Grand Chicago?Most other conventions have a professional slant and attendees are there for a business purpose. More often than not, the company foots the bill for guests to be here. In this case the event was purely leisure focused; life-long Cubs fans came and paid their own way because of their passion for the team and sport.

A portion of the guest room rate went towards Cubs Charities, a non-profi t organization and the philanthropic arm of the Cubs, which was another unique touch for a convention.

What was the most enjoyable part of hosting the Cubs Convention?The excitement of the attendees was by far the best part of this experience. They voluntarily attended the sessions and were passionate about every aspect of the team and its development, including the minor league sessions. The people in attendance all had a common bond in sharing the same love for one team.

Their excitement and passion were palpable, which took the energy level here to new heights.

There were some great touches, such as the organist from Wrigley Field playing in the lobby and Louisville Slugger® was on site carving bats to order for fans.

Why was the Sheraton Grand a great place to host the Cubs Convention?Sheraton Grand Chicago’s riverfront and central location made it an ideal place to host the Cubs Convention. With the largest ballroom in the city and our hotel team's experience handling groups of this size, it all came together to create a natural fi t. The added synergy of Sheraton® being the offi cial hotel brand of MLB and Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG) being a major sponsor of the Cubs brought the convention full circle.

Photos courtesy of the Chicago Cubs.

Q & AWITH MARK LAUER, GM OF THE

SHERATON GRAND CHICAGO

WORTH THE WAITTHE SHERATON GRAND CHICAGO HOSTS ANNUAL CHICAGO CUBS CONVENTION

5

Did you know?The World Series Cubs will sport championship rings

featuring 108 diamonds, signifying the 108-year wait for a third championship.

FAST FACTS• 873 luxurious guest rooms and suites, featuring

Westin Heavenly® Beds and Westin Heavenly® Baths• 126 Grand Deluxe rooms and suites• 34,000 sq. ft. of newly designed flexible meeting space• 32 meeting and breakout rooms• Located in the heart of the Broadway District, within

walking distance of 40 theatres• Easy access to all of New York City’s airports and

major transportation• NEW Foundry Kitchen & Bar• Full-service FedEx business center• Complimentary 24-hour WestinWORKOUT® Health Club

800.746.1561 westinny.com

Connect with us: @Westin_New_York WestinNewYork @WestinNewYorkTimesSquare

The Westin New York at Times Square, has unveiled a new 45th floor Empire

Suite, stunning lobby and a new culinary concept with the launch of Foundry Kitchen & Bar. The trio of enhancements at the 873-room luxury hotel in the heart of Manhattan’s famed Times Square mark the conclusion of a multi-phase, top-to-bottom renovation totaling over $39 million dollars.

We are extremely proud that our hotel has become an iconic, modern day oasis in one of New York City’s busiest neighborhoods,” said Sean Verney, General Manager of The Westin New York at Times Square. “We are diligent about continually updating and improving the guest experience and the customer feedback has been outstanding.”

The Empire Suite, gets top billing in the renovation, literally and figuratively, as it spans 1,800 square feet atop the hotel, 45 floors above the action of Times Square. With sky-high, sweeping views of Manhattan, the designers created an urban loft that is a chameleon for a variety of functions, from board meetings and executive retreats to intimate events and cocktail parties. It has a casual elegance that is reflective of its location and is complimented with the use of steel, glass, and metal accents throughout.

Highlights of the Empire Suite include a glass writing wall for meetings, a fireplace that both accentuates and frames the view, and a bedroom headboard feature wall to reflect the stunning skyline. Custom lighting, case goods and artwork by Museum Additions are some of the touches that set this space apart from the other suites. The Empire Suite features one bedroom, a sitting area, a living room, kitchenette and two bathrooms.

The re-energized lobby is certainly a telltale sign that the renovation is complete and this is the NEW Westin New York at Times Square. The ICRAVE design team created a fresh new identity

for the lobby, certainly the heart of the hotel, that combines nature-inspired elements with a sophisticated urban design. A pair of 1,000 pound tables made from a salvaged Teak tree in Indonesia are focal points in the lobby.

The selection of furniture and the arrangement into what the design team refers to as “camps” was purposeful with all of the hotel’s guests in mind. Couples or families might opt to take over a sofa nook in front of the candlelit fireplace, while business travelers can work and mingle at large communal tables in the lobby’s media lounge. An expansive bookcase within the media lounge creates a large textural backdrop while offering up books to read, an invitation of sorts to take a break and enjoy the calm amidst the excitement of Times Square. Camouflaged throughout, virtually all of the furniture offers convenient outlets and USB ports to meet the expectations of today’s travelers.

Robert Snyder, President, Tishman Hotel Corporation, said, “We are committed to continuous improvements and investments to keep The Westin New York at Times Square top of mind. The renovation was meticulously planned and executed and we are thrilled with the results.”

7

SUITE INSPIRATIONTHE WESTIN NEW YORK AT TIMES SQUARE COMPLETES MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR RENOVATION

Did you know?Numerous television shows including USA Network’s

Falling Water and Netflix’s hit series Orange is the New Black have filmed in the Empire Suite.

The new Foundry Kitchen & Bar of The Westin New York at Times Square,

is an energy center for the hotel and a favorite gathering spot for guests.

For breakfast, guests can visit Foundry Kitchen for a full, hot breakfast buffet featuring farm fresh eggs, deep-dish pancakes, signature Westin SuperFoods and more. Foundry Kitchen offers a contemporary setting with modern, light surroundings, pantry-inspired features and multiple large LCD TVs.

Designed to be a respite from Times Square, while having a bird’s eye view of the magic that makes this one of the most visited areas of New York City, the modern Foundry Bar has fast become a convenient spot where guests and locals alike gather. The menu features house-made shareable plates, from freshly made ricotta with cracked black pepper, sea salt and toasted almonds, to the steel pressed chicken quesadilla and

nearly a dozen other choices. There are New York flash-fired pizzas, sandwiches, salads and signature SuperFoods, in addition to Foundry favorites that are a must-try.

As delicious as the food is to taste, the design is something to see. True to the name, old metal pulleys, wheels, and hinges sourced from upstate New York are used as artwork on the walls. The objects have oxidized with use over time, resulting in a beautiful weathered patina that adds a rich textural backdrop to the space. An oversized globe chandelier, stretching nine feet long, is a new beacon for the bar and hotel, captivating and drawing people in from

the street. Warm walnut paneling, glossy grey tile, and cracked copper bar die all fuse together to create an industrial feel with polished edges. Glowing bottle walls flank both sides of the bar creating a warm, intimately lit atmosphere, where the cocktail magic happens. The drinks, served with New York distilled rye, gin and other spirits, are hand crafted and served in a cold glass with a warm spirit.

With The Westin New York at Times Square’s $39 million, multi-phase renovation now complete, one could say the addition of its new culinary concept, Foundry Kitchen & Bar, is the topping on the Big Apple’s pie.

Connect with us: @FoundryKitchenBar

TASTE OF TIMES SQUARETHE WESTIN NEW YORK AT TIMES SQUARE UNVEILS FOUNDRY KITCHEN & BAR

A SLICE OF NEW YORKWAITRESS SERVES UP THE BRILLIANCE OF BROADWAY

Located in the heart of the theatre district, The Westin New York

at Times Square creates unique experiences by bringing meeting attendees the best of Broadway. The Westin New York at Times Square welcomed guests and cast members from Broadway’s hit show WAITRESS to enjoy an evening and unveil the hotel’s recently renovated lobby and restaurant, Foundry Kitchen & Bar. Guests were wowed by the space’s transformation, and enjoyed WAITRESS-themed Midnight Blue Pie martinis and small bites from the brand new Foundry Bar while being treated to a performance by some of Broadway’s brightest talent.

WAITRESS cast members Ryan Vasquez, Stephanie Torns, and Charity Angel Dawson serenaded guests with performances of ‘What Baking Can Do,’ ‘It Only Takes a Taste,’ ‘I Didn’t Plan It’, and ‘Bad Idea’, and all guests received a mason jar apple pie (featured in the production) as a parting gift.

MIDNIGHT BLUE PIE MARTINI RECIPE• 1/2 oz Frangelico• 2 oz Stoli Blueberry• 2 oz Red Cranberry Juice• Splash of Blue Curaçao• Shake with ice and strain into

martini glass• Garnish with blueberries• (optional) rim glass with

crushed graham crackers

Sean Verney, GM of the Westin New York at Times Square, poses with some of his “supporting cast.”

Polly Irving, The Westin New York at Times Square (L), Pam Strung, First @ Bank of America (C) and Sean Verney, GM of The Westin New York at Times Square

Carla Caccavale, Caccavale PR Firm and Greg Oates, Skift9

Did you know?WAITRESS is Broadway’s only show nominated for

every BEST MUSICAL award of the 2016 season.

FAST FACTS• 2,267 guest rooms and suites featuring Westin Heavenly®

Beds and Westin Heavenly® Baths• 329,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including four ballrooms• 110,500 sq. ft. of contiguous and divisible indoor exhibit space• 84 meeting and breakout rooms• The Balinese-inspired Mandara Spa • 17 restaurants and lounges including Todd English’s

bluezoo, Shula’s Steak House, Il Mulino New York Trattoria• Tropical outdoor venues for themed parties and events• Online group reservations system• Two full-service business centers• On-site AV and DMC services• 2 full-service fitness centers• Unique Disney Differences

800.746.1561 swandolphinmeetings.com

All-New Walt Disney World Dolphin Lobby

Scheduled for completion in Sept. 2017

Preview the completed lobby at swandolphinmeetings.com/lobby

Connect with us: @SwanDolphinMeetings SwanAndDolphin @SwanDolphin

Each October, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin celebrates their

Food and Wine Classic featuring 50 food and wine stations, 10 educational seminars and opportunities to meet the award-winning chefs behind featured culinary masterpieces. Guests delight in numerous opportunities to sip and savor along the resort’s causeway, private lake, and white sand beach all weekend while enjoying live entertainment.

Delectable culinary offerings headline the two-night event, featuring cuisine from the resort’s own award-winning restaurants: Il Mulino New York Trattoria, Shula’s Steak House, Todd English’s bluezoo, Kimonos and more, with wine and spirits samplings from around the globe.

“Each year we seek to give our guests something new and exciting to experience and taste.” said the resort’s Director of Food & Beverage Tony Porcellini. “We pride ourselves on being able to offer our guests unique and creative food and drink options and more fun than ever before.

Adds Tony, "Meeting professionals often request personalizing components of our Food & Wine Classic to be integrated into their group’s welcome reception, signature event, or closing banquet. Our educational beverage seminars are especially popular with attendees.”

A new immersive area transports guests’ palates to the streets of San Francisco’s Chinatown with décor and dishes inspired by the famous neighborhood. The hotel’s Crescent Terrace transforms into a beer garden, featuring a variety of local and seasonal brews from around the world, alongside Oktoberfest-inspired cuisine made by the resort’s culinary experts.

Another new feature is Sunday Bubbles Brunch at Il Mulino New York Trattoria, featuring a lavish menu of traditional and unconventional dishes alike.

This October, both nights of the event will feature menus full of new and unique dishes, and favorite dishes from past years such as the shrimp cocktail steamroller. The resort’s World Champion Pastry Chef, Laurent Branlard, provides a sweeter side to the event with decadent desserts.

Guests look forward to a meet and greet with celebrity chef Todd English, the namesake of the resort’s Todd English’s bluezoo restaurant.

Hands-on educational seminars, taught by members of the resort’s award-winning food and beverage team, add

to the excitement. The Craft Cocktails seminar educates guests on the origins of traditional cocktails and how to make them. More than Malbec introduces the world of popular Argentinian wines with tastings and tips for pairing. Popular returning seminar topics include wine blending, Italian wines, champagne, beer, tequila, pasta making, sushi and sake and wine and cheese pairing.

With 17 restaurants and lounges, a distinguished culinary and beverage team and unmatched customer service, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort continually receives national recognition for its food and beverage program.

RAISE A GLASSTHE WALT DISNEY WORLD SWAN AND DOLPHIN HOSTS ANNUAL FOOD & WINE CLASSIC

11

Call your sales representative about attending this year’s event!800.746.1561

Tony Porcellini Director of Food and Beverage & Certified Sommelier

Celebrity Chef, Todd English (C), Exec. Chef, Robert Ciborowski (L) & Exec. Sous Chef, Arnaud Violtat

Did you know?The resort boasts more than 70 certified

wine sommeliers and 1,400 wine selections, including organic and rare vintages.

FAST FACTS• 240 guest rooms and suites featuring Sheraton Signature®

Sleep Experience• Located in the heart of Old San Juan, close to popular

shops, restaurants, art galleries, museums and nightlife • Short 20 minute ride from airport• Over 9,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space • Beautiful ballroom, offering spacious pre-function area• Nine meeting and breakout rooms• Link@Sheraton Internet lounge• Palio Restaurant with bayfront terrace • Rooftop pool and fitness center

800.746.1561 sheratonoldsanjuan.com

No U.S. Passport Required!

Connect with us: @SheratonOSJ SheratonOldSanJuanHotel @SheratonOSJ

It’s exotic, exhilarating, and feels like you’re a million miles away. The

surprising thing is, Puerto Rico is one of the easiest and most affordable places to travel to and one of the most accommodating destinations for meetings. Plus, there’s no U.S. passport, customs or currency exchange required, and English and Spanish are both official languages of the island. With spectacular beaches, lush rainforests and historical venues, the setting will definitely take your breath away, but it’s the hospitality that brings meeting attendees back every time.

The Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel is enveloped by history and charm, and now, stepping inside the newly renovated hotel brings guests all the comforts of brand-new. The hotel is on the final phase of a significant year-long renovation of its facilities following a multi-million dollar investment that includes guest rooms, suites, public areas, meeting and banquet facilities as well as the pool area.

The remodeling of the 240 rooms and suites of The Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel will provide its customers with a warm and modern atmosphere that matches the unique location. Included was the installation of the comfortable new Sheraton Signature® Beds, perfect for rest after a day of enjoying the island and historic Old San Juan, the Caribbean’s most visited city.

Elegant details were noted in the furnishings and decoration and all guest rooms will now include a mini-refrigerator. Guest rooms and suites will be completed by May, 2017. All other areas such as meeting and banquet space, pre-function areas, and all public space have been completed.

“This huge investment represents our commitment and confidence in our loyal customers and the tourism industry in Puerto Rico. With this extensive remodeling, we put our property at the forefront in terms of hotel offerings in the San Juan area, both for visitors who come to the island either for pleasure or business, as well as for our corporate and repeat customers who have made our property a favorite destination for all business and social events,” said Larry Vitale, General Manager of the hotel.

Over 9,000 sq. ft. of meeting and banquet space features new tables, chairs, decorative accessories, carpet,

lamps, wall covering, doors, and overall accents. All of the enhancements compliment the new, elegant ambiance of the hotel.

The lobby and signature staircase has also been renovated with new colors, furnishings, and a communal table for working – or networking. USB ports are included making electrical outlets easily accessible to guests. The rooftop pool also has new tables and loungers for enjoying warm weather and spectacular views of San Juan Bay and the new Bahia Urbana Boardwalk.

Enchanting indeed.

THE ISLAND OF ENCHANTMENTTHE NEW SHERATON OLD SAN JUAN

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Did you know?You do not need a United States Passport

to visit the island of Puerto Rico.

EXPERIENCE THE MAGICMARRIOTT EXECUTIVES VISIT THE WALT DISNEY WORLD SWAN AND DOLPHIN

CREATING THE WORLD’S LARGEST HOTEL COMPANYWith the acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International will boast 1.1 million rooms in more than 5,500 hotels, spanning the globe in over 100 countries with 30 Leading brands providing

guests unmatched choices.

From left to right - Sami Abuzeid, Area Vice President – Americas, Eastern Region, David Marriott, Chief Operations Officer – Americas, Eastern Region, Amy Ray, Regional Vice President Human Resources – Americas, Eastern Region & Mark Gaber, Regional Vice President Finance – Americas, Eastern Region

Bill Marriott, Executive Chariman of Marriott International (foreground), and David Marriott, Chief Operations Officer – Americas, Eastern Region (background), pose for a picture with some of the cast members at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

MEET OUR NEWEST

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

HOLIDAY SHOWCASESHERATON GRAND CHICAGO HOSTS HOLIDAY SHOWCASE BREAKFAST

Tiff any Ryan, St. Regis Washington DC (L), Phyllis Coneset, Institute of Real Estate Management (C), and Robin Samkoff , Westin New York at Times Square (R)

Courtney Landl (L) and Hilary Rosenthal (R), Sheraton Grand Chicago

15Event photos courtesy of Elizabeth Fraiberg | e3 Photography | www.photographye3.com

Holiday Showcase Breakfast at the Sheraton Grand Chicago

Tammy Routh (L) and Gladys O’Mahony (R), Marriott International

Vince Fattore, Sheraton Grand Chicago (L), Lara Rooney, Westin Mission Hills (R)

Director of Sales and Marketing

ALEXANDRA WALSH

Director of Sales

ROBIN GRAYSON

CHICAGO

Director of Sales

AARON WEEGAR

Director of Group Sales

NICK ANDERSON

Tishman Hotel Corporation1200 Epcot Resorts Blvd.Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

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Walt Disney World Swan and DolphinSwanDolphinMeetings.com

Sheraton Grand ChicagoSheratonChicago.com

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