Keeping up with the ebb and flow of trends and best practices for meetings and events during the past few years has been like running a Colorado trail race without a map or directional signage. Where do you turn left, turn right, go straight, or temporarily stop at an aid station to take a breath and renourish?
Meet Minneapolis and Spong, were recognized for Twitter Communications when they were named finalists in the PR News Digital Awards in New York. The award reflects a strong understanding and skill for social strategy and campaign management.
The organizations are being recognized after teaming up during the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Week to create a social media command center as an expected 160,000 visitors were coming to Minneapolis.
For the week surrounding the MLB All-Star Game, visitors used #askMPLS to inquire about lodging, activity or restaurant recommendations from Minneapolis tourism experts. Notable guest tweeters including Mayor Betsy Hodges and local television anchor and social-media-extraordinaire Jason DeRusha also took the helm and answered visitors’ questions as @MeetMinneapolis.
“Our goals for the social media command center and #askMPLS were to engage visitors through the entire Minneapolis experience,” said Melvin Tennant, president and CEO, Meet Minneapolis. “It is an honor to be recognized for being a real-time resource to visitors and residents in our great city.”
Spong led the social engagement efforts from its headquarters at the center of downtown Minneapolis and the All-Star Action. Meet Minneapolis helped recruit social media professionals from the Twin Cities to join the Spong social media experts in answering the thousands of visitors expected to attend All-Star Week events. The success of #askMPLS continues on past All-Star Week, as Meet Minneapolis continues to provide expertise to those exploring Minneapolis.
The Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre completed its $24 million renovation of the entire hotel and conference center. Renovations began in 2020.
The North Dallas conference center hotel renovation includes a full redesign of all 503 guest rooms, lobby and public areas, and food and beverage outlets. Additionally, the hotel’s 55,000-square-feet of meeting space was updated with new furnishings, technology upgrades, and the addition of a new 6,600-square-foot Lakeside Ballroom.
While many know Colorado as a big craft beer state (fifth place ranking in the United States for number of craft breweries) and the founding place of Coors, its place on the nation’s wine map continues to expand. Just as some people prefer an IPA to a stout, some folks are more sauvignon black than merlot. What’s a meeting and event planner to do?
Go local