The Ritz-Carlton Expands Collection of Luxury Meeting Styles with New Localized Experiences

From Honey Bees To Food Trucks, Chefs And Chandeliers On The Beach

Throughout its 32 year history, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. has always been known as a leader in luxury meetings for both corporate and incentive programs hosted in the iconic brand’s hotels and resorts worldwide.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain’s “Roadrunner” Food Truck serves everything from ice cream to street tacos and other western culinary experiences like the Chili, Salsa and Guacamole Challenges, and the Margarita Mixing Class.

“Tailoring custom experiences for attendees has always been a priority for us, and today the localization of those experiences has become extremely popular,” said John Harper, Vice President, Sales for The Ritz-Carlton. “Our meeting planners host events with specific goals in mind, whether it be retaining talent or inspiring customers. We partner with our customers to help them create stronger relationships with their attendees,” Harper continued. Once again, The Ritz-Carlton was voted #1 in guest satisfaction for 2015 by J.D. Power and Associates.

New, Innovative Food and Beverage and Authentic Local Experiences:
Around the world, The Ritz-Carlton inspires luxury meeting attendees with unique destination-inspired food and beverage experiences such as The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island‘s Honey Break served by the resort’s beekeeper with both honey comb and honey-infused treats. In Arizona, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain‘s “Roadrunner” Food Truck serves everything from ice cream to street tacos and other western culinary experiences like the Chili, Salsa and Guacamole Challenges, the Margarita Mixing Class or the “Stargazing Dessert” station filled with sky-inspired treats such as Black Hole Brownies, Lemon Moon Pies and Milky Way Cupcakes. In St. Louis, the hotel’s themed coffee breaks include pretzels, local Fitz Root Beer and Kaldi’s Coffee to the sounds of jazz and other music. In coastal Half Moon Bay, California, guests blend their own wines sourced from the nearby Santa Rita Mountains or compete in an “Iron Chef”– style cooking challenge.

Local excursions and adventures also have been curated by the hotel teams for meeting guests. For attendees looking to network with their peers, Meetings on the Grid allows participants to experience the vibrant city of Charlotte including the young city’s thriving craft beer, recreation, art and entertainment scenes in nearby neighborhoods. Dove Mountain guests venture on sunset hiking receptions where attendees journey into the magnificent Tortolita Mountains, exploring areas which the Hohokam Indians originally inhabited. Jean-Michel Cousteau‘s Ambassadors of the Environment in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands offers group excursions including the memorable “Nightlife on the Reef,” a guided nighttime snorkel using dive lights. Guests can also snorkel around the nearby island of St. John on Lady Lynsey, the resort’s sea-going catamaran.

Other special group dining experiences include Chandeliers on the Beach in Naples, Fl., set along the water’s edge. The white sand beach hosts tables lit overhead with eight foot tall chandeliers swaying while guests dine and view the sunset to the sounds of the Gulf of Mexico‘s crashing waves. The ‘Sea to Sails’ experience in St. Thomas is authentically Caribbean with guests greeting the fishermen daily as they bring their seafood ashore, delivering them into the hands of the chefs. Guests hand-select their fish and lobsters, photograph, share while chefs prepare and serve their meal.

Engaging Meeting Planners and Attendees Through Technology:
Anticipating needs of guests are core to The Ritz-Carlton service values and philosophy and that now includes digitally assisting meeting planners with the launch of ((Chime)), the new mobile app designed specifically for meeting planners.

“The Ritz-Carlton is the leader in luxury meetings globally. “((Chime)) extends that leadership into digital and mobile, allowing meeting planners around the world to schedule services and request fulfillment prior to and during their events,” said David Murphy, Vice President, Food and Beverage Design and Development.

Both meeting planners and attendees are now utilizing technology to maximize the luxury meeting experience. Planners are looking for fresh inspiration constantly and for those active on social media, Pinterest has quickly become the go to source for aspirational imagery in the meeting planning phase prior to arrival. The Ritz-Carlton has created a dedicated Art of Meetings Pinterest page to inspire planners to craft, photograph and share images of memorable events by The Ritz-Carlton. Imagery of meeting setups, food and beverage presentations and indoor and outdoor venues are curated on the page by The Ritz-Carlton social media team to inspire future visits and experiences.

Booking.com Reveals the Top 7 Emerging Food Capitals in the US

The Latest Trending Food Destinations In America As Rated By Booking.Com Travelers

Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travelers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, announces the top 7 emerging food capitals in the U.S. New data according to the experts – Booking.com travelers – confirms several U.S. cities that are pushing New York, San Francisco and New Orleans off their perch.

“There’s no doubt that there’s something exciting about discovering the newest, hidden gem foodie capitals,” says Leslie Cafferty, VP of Communications at Booking.com. Booking.com used review data that shows where travelers are rating highly for food in the U.S. “The number of incoming food endorsements we’ve seen so far in 2015 in most of these cities is more than three times what we saw in 2013.”

Off the beaten plate, there’s a chance to experience the places where the culinary scene is taking off and bringing new concepts, ingredients and tastes to the table.

Booking.com Reveals The Top 7 Emerging Food Capitals In The US – Asheville, North Carolina (PRNewsFoto/Booking.com)

ASHEVILLE

For such a small mountain city, Asheville is garnering a huge amount of praise for its creative and buzzing culinary scene. An entrepreneurial ambiance means a rapidly-growing selection of new restaurants, farmers’ markets and foodie start-ups, producing everything from artisanal cheese to chocolate and preserves. And a visit to Asheville’s grand Biltmore Estate, a châteauesque mansion built by the mighty Vanderbilt family in 1895, is great to explore once you can’t eat anymore.

What To Try

The craft beer movement has really taken off here so order everything with a pint of local brew. Chai Pani (22 Battery Park Ave, Asheville, NC 28801), an Indian streetfood-style hotspot, was recommended by several Booking.com travelers and has been featured in GQ and The New York Times. And stop off at the Gourmet Chip Company (43 Broadway, Asheville, NC 28801) to try the irresistible Napa (lavender honey, blue cheese crumbles, sea salt) or Parisian (white truffles, herbed goat cheese, sea salt) potato chips.

Booking.com Reveals The Top 7 Emerging Food Capitals In The US – Savannah, Georgia (PRNewsFoto/Booking.com)

SAVANNAH

Oozing Southern charm, the historic coastal city of Savannah is hardly new on the tourist trail. Its grand colonial architecture, pretty squares and parks filled with magnolia blossoms have been attracting visitors for years. But its food endorsements from Booking.com customers have been growing at such a rate that it is now a big player on the U.S. foodie scene. Its culinary prowess lies largely in its seafood offering (Savannah crab cakes are the stuff of dreams) but also in its high standard of home comfort food eateries.

What To Try

Back in the Day Bakery (2403 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401) is a prime example of traditional Southern fare with a menu offering enticing baked goods such as Bourbon Bread Pudding and Chocolate Heaven Cupcakes. The bakery also serves savory specialties, heavily featuring bacon in true Savannah style. Booking.com reviewers lauded Mrs. Wilkes restaurant ( 107 W Jones St, Savannah, GA 31401), where BBQ pork, sweet potato soufflé, fried chicken and other Southern classics are served up buffet-style.

Booking.com Reveals The Top 7 Emerging Food Capitals In The US – Santa Fe, New Mexico (PRNewsFoto/Booking.com)

SANTA FE

As the second-oldest city in the U.S., New Mexico’s eccentric capital has spent centuries developing a vibrant culinary culture blending the best of Native American, mainstream American and Mexican flavors. While staying true to its chili and chorizo roots, Santa Fe also offers a dynamic dining scene with new restaurants constantly cropping up and lots of mouth-watering street food.

Caesars Palace Las Vegas Announces New $75 Million Julius Tower; The Newest Luxury Rooms On The Strip

Original Roman Tower Undergoing Full Renovation And Renamed Julius Tower, As Caesars Palace Enters 50th Golden Anniversary Year

As the 50^th Golden Anniversary beckons, the evolution of Caesars Palace Las Vegas continues with the reimagining of the iconic hotel’s original tower, the Roman Tower, to be completely reborn as the new Julius Tower. Never resting on its laurels, the $75 million Las Vegas hotel tower renovation is part of an ongoing brand transformation of the Las Vegas resort that has welcomed millions of visitors from its center Strip vantage point beginning August 5, 1966. Expected to welcome its first guests January 1, 2016 with rates starting at $149, the new 587-room Julius Tower will feature new design-savvy, modern rooms and suites. The Julius Tower is the latest piece of a $1 billion investment, cementing Caesars Palace as the premier resort at the center of the Las Vegas Strip.

Drawing from Roman history, the name of the new Julius Tower pays homage to Julius Caesar, the first and perhaps most widely known of all the Caesars. He was a pivotal figure in ancient Rome, credited with laying the foundation for the Roman Empire. Fittingly, the new Julius Tower represents a rebirth of the original tower at Caesars Palace, around which the legendary casino resort has expanded into its own Las Vegas Empire. Today, Julius Tower is located at the heart of Caesars Palace, with easy access to the casino floor and all of the resort’s world-class amenities.

“As we enter into our milestone golden anniversary year, we continue to reinvent Rome…and Las Vegas,” said Gary Selesner, Caesars Palace regional president. “We set the standard of luxury when we first opened our doors almost 50 years ago and are proud to continue to raise the bar for excellence in every way. Caesars Palace has a well-earned reputation for providing guests with impressive accommodations, unmatched culinary offerings, and the best in gaming and entertainment. With this renovation of our original tower, we are proud to continue this tradition and can’t wait for guests to experience the all-new Julius Tower.”

Designed by Michael Medeiros of KNA Design, the classically inspired yet modern interiors of the new Julius Tower rooms are made up of a soothing neutral palette with a pop of freesia yellow and a touch of Aegean blue. The all-new rooms in the Julius Tower combine textured and lightly reflective fabrics, creating a calm respite from the excitement of the casino. The focal point of the room is a custom-upholstered headboard incorporating bronzed framed mirror panels adding sparkle and reflection to the space. Highlights of Julius Tower guest room amenities will include 55″ TVs, luxurious Beautyrest Bouvet Island Mattresses, a specially-curated mini bar and English-themed Gilchrist & Soames in-room toiletries and amenities.

The entry and bathroom walls feature a two-toned stone pattern creating an expanded feel to the bathroom and features a double sink floating vanity. A stone shower with glass enclosure features two sides of glass for an open feeling with both handheld shower and shower head. The custom lighted vanity mirrors are designed and inspired by a modern interpretation of an iconic column of Caesars Palace with some guest rooms featuring a custom-designed chaise lounge inspired by a Greek Klismos chair. The new Julius Tower rooms also feature custom artwork that combines photographs of roman statues with artistic hand drawn costumes meant to inspire the notion of a Caesars Palace themed Vegas “show girl.”

Renderings of New Julius Bathroom; Photo Credit Caesars Palace Las Vegas (PRNewsFoto/Caesars Palace Las Vegas)

Renderings of New Julius Tower King Room; Photo Credit: Caesars Palace Las Vegas (PRNewsFoto/Caesars Palace Las Vegas)

World-renowned Las Vegas hotel and casino and voted “Best Strip Hotel” by the readers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Caesars Palace features 3,980 hotel guest rooms and suites, including the all-new Julius Tower welcoming its first guests January 1, 2016, the 181-room Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace and Forbes Star Award-winning The Laurel Collection by Caesars Palace. The 85-acre resort offers 25 diverse dining options including the award-winning Bacchanal Buffet, as well as celebrity chef-branded restaurants by Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay, Nobu Matsuhisa, Guy Savoy, Searsucker Las Vegas, and the highly-anticipated December 15, 2015 debut of MR CHOW Las Vegas. The resort also features nearly 130,000 square-feet of casino space, a five-acre Garden of the Gods pool oasis, the luxurious Qua Baths & Spa and the new 75,000 square-foot OMNIA Nightclub. The 4,300-seat Colosseum, Billboard Magazine‘s Venue of the Decade, spotlights world-class entertainers including Celine Dion, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Reba, Brooks & Dunn, Mariah Carey and Jerry Seinfeld. The Forum Shops at Caesars has more than 160 boutiques and restaurants. For more information, please visit www.caesarspalace.com. 

JURA IMPRESSA C65 Platinum Brings New Elegance to Automatic Coffee Centers

JURA presents a new bean-to-cup automatic coffee center with the sophisticated look of platinum. The new IMPRESSA C65 Platinum stands out for its metallic silver-toned side panels, which make it a focal point on the countertop, and its uncompromising quality.

The IMPRESSA C65 Platinum makes it intuitively easy to brew the best in espresso-based beverages that are freshly ground, never capsuled. A simple Rotary Switch and text display let you choose the type of coffee specialty, amount of water and coffee strength. Just turn, press and enjoy – that’s how easy it is.

JURA IMPRESSA C65 Platinum (PRNewsFoto/JURA)

Ease of use, simplicity and elegance are the hallmarks of the IMPRESSA C65 Platinum. Compact design is another advantage, for those with limited counter space. Advanced features include a high-performance conical burr grinder and high-speed thermoblock system that produce delicious specialty beverages in a flash.

The machine features JURA’s revolutionary fine foam technology that ensures milk foam quality with a fine, feather-light consistency. Its coffee spout can be adjusted between 2 ½ inches and 4 1/2 inches, ideal for small espresso cups to large coffee cups.

Made with high-quality materials and unsurpassed workmanship, the IMPRESSA C65 Platinum it is 11 by 13.6 by 16.1 inches, and is easy to program and maintain.

JURA offers a variety of automatic coffee centers, with actual retail prices ranging from $799 to $5,599. For more information, visit www.jura.com.

Toyota and Lexus Celebrate 15 Years of Hybrids and Hollywood

Fifteen years ago, Toyota launched a hybrid no one had heard of…the Prius. Shortly after launch, the Environmental Media Association (EMA) and Toyota connected to help bring the hybrid to Hollywood. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

2016 Toyota Prius

On Saturday, October 24, Toyota and Lexus celebrated 15 years of partnership with EMA, and the 15th anniversary of the Prius, at the 25rd annual Environmental Media Awards at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif. The all-new 2016 Prius also made its Hollywood debut at the green carpet event.

The award ceremony honors film and television productions that communicate environmental messages in creative and influential ways. This year’s honorees include Don Henley, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kristin Davis, Van Jones, Zem and James Joaquin, and a special tribute to 25 years The Simpsons‘ series excellence in environmental messaging.

“The entertainment industry elevated Prius to a cultural icon and made hybrids cool,” said Bob Carter, senior vice president, automotive operations, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “Toyota and Lexus are proud to support and celebrate Hollywood’s positive influence and impact on the planet.”

The completely redesigned 2016 Prius boasts striking design, smarter technology, and impressive MPG in a vehicle that is more fun to drive than ever. Lexus will be showcasing two vehicles for the evening. The NX 300h AWD, a luxury hybrid with class-leading MPG efficiency and innovative design and the CT F SPORT Special Edition, with sport-tuned suspension, exclusive F SPORT styling and impressive fuel efficiency.

The hydrogen powered Mirai fuel cell vehicle, which hit the streets of California this week, is also attending the party. The Mirai combines two elements – hydrogen and oxygen – to produce electricity that can power the car for an estimated 312 miles on a single fill-up. The best part is what leaves the tailpipe: only water vapor.

The Environmental Media Association (EMA), organizer and host of the awards, is a non-profit founded by Cindy and Alan Horn and Lyn and Norman Lear in 1989. EMA’s mission is to mobilize the entertainment industry in educating people about environmental issues. Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. is a member of the EMA Corporate Board.

For more information on Toyota and Lexus environmental initiatives, please visit www.toyota.com/about/environment. The complete Environmental Media Awards ceremony will be broadcast on Fusion Network at a later date.

Martha Stewart’s Fourth Annual American Made Program Announces 2015 Honorees

Ten Awards Will Be Given To The Country’s Most Innovative Entrepreneurs Across Food, Crafts, Style And Design Categories

This fall, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. will host its American Made program for the fourth consecutive year. The nationally recognized program celebrates the next generation of makers who have turned their passions for handcrafted, well-designed goods into small businesses and proudly make their products in America. Martha Stewart and the editors of Martha Stewart Living magazine are pleased to announce this year’s American Made Honorees and Audience Choice Winner. The 2015 American Made Honorees, past winners, and VIP guests will join Martha and the editors at an exclusive reception on Friday, November 6, at the World Trade Center Observatory.

Martha Stewart Announces Fourth Annual American Made Program (PRNewsFoto/Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia,)

Martha and the panel of judges have carefully selected 10 companies from across the country as honorees in the fields of Food, Crafts, Style and Design. From revolutionizing the urban food landscape in New York City and Chicago, to bringing new jobs to Fort Payne, Ala. with a thriving sustainable sock business, these honorees are not only dedicated to creating beautiful, quality products and building successful businesses, but also making a difference in their local communities, ultimately changing the way Americans eat, shop, work and live.

This year’s honorees will be celebrated at the 2015 Martha Stewart American Made Summit on Saturday, November 7 – a day packed with educational, inspirational panels and talks for creative entrepreneurs held at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia‘s headquarters in New York City. Newly confirmed speakers, who will join an impressive roster of industry leaders and innovators such as Arianna Huffington, Dylan Lauren and Emeril Lagasse, include:

• Maxine Bedat, Co-Founder, Zady
• Christian Birkey, Founder of Lazlo
• Mika Brzezinski, co-host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”
• Avi Flombaum, Dean, Flatiron School
• Piera Gelardi, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Refinery29
• Michelle Klein, Head of Marketing for North America at Facebook
• Chris Morris, Creative Director, The Dirt Label
• Veronika Scott, Founder of the Empowerment Plan
• Daniel Silverstein, Creative Director and Founder, Design Star
• Tina Wells, CEO and Founder, Buzz Marketing Group

In addition to being celebrated at the Summit, these accomplished honorees will each be awarded a cash prize of $10,000, a trip for two to New York City for the Summit, and the opportunity to be featured in Martha Stewart Living magazine and on MarthaStewart.com, all to help promote and grow their businesses.

2015 American Made Honorees (who will be featured in the December 2015/January 2016 issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine):

• Annie’s Annuals and Perennials, Annie Hayes–Richmond, California
  With her catalog of rare and unusual annuals and perennials—including an extensive selection of California natives and old-fashioned cottage flowers—Hayes is helping to diversify the gardening landscape of the U.S.
• Fruitscapes and Pine Island Tropicals, Steve Cucura and Jesse Avolos and Donna and Gary Schneider – Bokeelia,Florida
  Since 1993 Pine Island Tropics, has been selling tropical organic plants, fruits, and homemade food products. Newcomer Fruitscapes specializes in new varieties of mangoes and other unusual fruits and plants. Together these two companies are building a successful market for unusual mangoes and other rarities in Southwest Florida.
• Gotham Greens, Viraj Puri, Eric Haley, and Jennifer Nelkin Frymark – New York City
  Puri, Haley and Frymark are trying to revolutionize the urban food landscape by converting unused city rooftops into verdant greenhouses that grow fresh, pesticide-free produce year-round in New York City and Chicago.
• Leontine Linens, Jane Scott Hodges – New Orleans, Louisiana
  For Hodges, “every piece of linen tells a story.” And so, inspired by her great-grandmother’s own monogrammed collection, she started a company that handcrafts heirloom-quality linens featuring modern color and patterns.
• Little River Sock Mill, Gina Locklear – Fort Payne, Alabama
  Growing up in a town formerly known as “the world’s sock capital,” Locklear witnessed as much of the town’s manufacturing moved overseas. Determined to stem this tide, she set out to revitalize her family’s own sock business by producing high-quality organic cotton socks sustainably, and, in doing so, bring jobs back to the community.
• Portola, Jamie Davis and Casey Davis – Los Angeles, California
  The Davis brothers are admittedly obsessed with color. Together they have turned their father’s small paint shop into a thriving environmentally conscious business where each color is blended by hand and each customer gets personalized treatment.
• Rainbow Iris Farm, Kelly Norris – Bedford, Iowa
  Norris’s childhood dream came true at age 15, when he talked his parents into buying an iris farm. Thirteen years later, the mail-order company specializing in unusual irises that he owns and operates with his parents is still going strong. Today Norris is focusing on breeding unique varieties.
• Sandback, Peter Sandback – Harrisville, New Hampshire
  The forms may be simple, but Sandback’s tables are anything but. For his current collection, the artist and inventor embellishes each handmade piece of furniture with inlaid nails, inspired by old fabrics or Japanese stencils.
• Smith Family Farm, Margaret and Lucian Smith – Bar Harbor, Maine
  At Mount Desert Island‘s only remaining dairy farm, the Smith family raises Jersey cows and heritage pigs, and grow heirloom apples and vegetables. They offer the fruits of their labor—artisanal raw milk, yogurts, cheeses, butter, meats, fruits and vegetables—to their local community.

The 2015 Audience Choice Winner, Baiser Beauty from Miami Beach, Florida, will also be celebrated at the American Made Summit and attend the exclusive reception. Baiser Beauty was chosen from over 500 finalists by popular vote online and will also receive a cash prize of $10,000 and a trip for two to New York City for the Summit.

Martha Stewart’s 2015 American Made program is presented with support by sponsors including Intuit QuickBooks, The UPS Store, Toyota and Triscuit. For additional information about the 2015 American Made Program please visit the American Made website.

Absolut® Labs Releases “State of Nightlife 2015” Report Highlighting Inclusivity And Diversity

100 Industry Leaders Highlight The Opportunities And Challenges That Technology Brings; A Desire For Unique Venues And Memorable Experiences; And New Voices Fueling New Subcultures

Absolut® – a brand that’s had its finger on the pulse of nightlife since the Eighties – released a “State of Nightlife 2015” report as an output of Absolut Labs, an idea incubator and think tank for cutting-edge ideas, products and technology that help push nightlife forward. The report identifies emerging trends and consistent themes resonating across the landscape as described by 100 of the country’s most influential leaders in the space. (You can read the full “State of Nightlife 2015” report at theabsolutlabs.com/research)

From promoters to DJs, entrepreneurs to creatives, these influencers give voice to the challenges facing the industry and the rising possibilities. The report finds that the once-dominant exclusive, bottle-service model is evolving into more inclusive, diverse and exciting scenes than ever before.

The study, conducted between May and August 2015, features insights from a diverse array of Absolut’s ‘tribes,’ or “Nightlife Fuelers,” including Beatmakers (emerging DJs and producers) and Visual Stage Acts (multi-media artists, programmers, performers and designers) and “Nightlife Makers,” including Party Fixers (concept creators, promoters) and Nightclub Owners.

Through one-on-one interviews, these influencers shared insights into consumer behaviors and motivations as well as personal experiences grounded in business-driven nighttime ventures. As a result, nine trends emerged across the three primary drivers of the industry: Music, Venue and Experience.

Music: Extended nightlife hours and a desire for an immersive experience are driving both sonic and audience diversity.

• EDM is evolving to blend new production techniques with live instrumentation and merging with other genres like rock and R&B.
• Diversified playlists are fueling Open Format parties which, in turn, draw more diverse, “melting pot”-type crowds.
• Visuals are now becoming as important as the music, with new technology providing more epic, cinematic experiences than ever before.

Venue: A desire for authenticity and meaningful experiences is informing venue choices, from intimate get-togethers to large scale festivals.

• Nostalgia for house parties is rising with consumers looking for nights that come together more organically.
• Mega-Clubs are waning, surprise off-the-grid venues are in.
• Festivals are diversifying, offering more versatile musical line-ups for inclusive, collective experiences that span mindfulness, fitness and entrepreneurship.

Experiences: Experience is the new luxury, especially when it’s tailored and in-the-moment.

• Hosts are starting to require their guests to detach from their devices and focus on forging connections with those around them.
• While nightlife experiences were franchised in mega clubs in the past, trends are now starting on a local level and then tailored to each new community as they expand.
• Nightlife is becoming more heterogeneous and eclectic with niche communities rapidly shaping mainstream tastes.