
The New Holland Pavilions include 7,900 sq. ft. of pre-function area for banquets and receptions, a 90,000 sq. ft. heated pavilion and a 200,000 sq. ft. pavilion.
“This is a wonderful new addition to our already amazing array of assets in the Greater Madison avenue,” said Deb Archer, President and CEO of the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This is a significant investment and the state-of-the-art pavilions are a game-changer for what this facility can now do. If you haven’t taken a look at how your group may be able to use this multi-use space, I urge you to pay attention to this great new feature.” www.alliantenergycenter.com

The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel will unveil a $14 million renovation to the 285-room Glass Tower in December 2014 which includes two distinct designs, providing hotel guests with a variety of options during their stay.
“With more groups and visitors coming into Grand Rapids, The Amway Grand Plaza now has an array of room options to cater to the whim of every type of traveler,” says Richard Winn, president of Amway Hotel Corporation. “Whether guests are seeking classic or contemporary design, the new Glass Tower renovation adds a new level of luxury, comfort and quality to the property.” www.amwaygrand.com

An $11 million renovation of The Cornhusker has been completed which includes 46,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space.
“Having been a part of the Lincoln community for nearly 90 years, we are extremely excited to present the newly refurbished Cornhusker Hotel to the Lincoln community and our guests,” said Bob Megazzini, general manager. “From the 27 meeting rooms to the elegant lobby and updated guest rooms, The Cornhusker will be the place for business travelers, social events, galas and weddings alike.” www.marriott.com/lnkfs

With the completed addition to the conference center wing, The Osthoff Resort’s function space now totals 38,000 sq. ft. The Grand Libelle can accommodate groups as large as 1,500 theatre-style and 800 for banquets.
“You might say it was a good dilemma to have, that built-in high demand plus potential for more and larger meetings, that made the expansion a very sound business decision,” said Lola Roeh, the resort’s general manager. “It’s also good for the entire community, adding to the tourism base that largely defines the economy of Elkhart Lake.” www.osthoff.com

The resort features 31,500 sq. ft. of meeting space and has renovated space for group functions in the Main Lodge with updated lighting, new carpet and fresh paint and has a refreshed hotel lobby. The Bartley House hotel and Heather Highlands Inn condo-hotel also offers two newly remodeled pools for resort lodging guests.
"BOYNE is and has always been committed to consistent capital improvement throughout our entire hotel and resort operations. We realize the importance of offering our guests a consistently high quality product, and by combining first-class facilities with team members that have passion for our customers and products, we can exceed our guests expectations," said Matt Alagna, BOYNE's director of sales. www.boyne.com/boynehighlands

A $1.6 million renovation of The Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at the Convention Center is complete. Owned by The Overland Park Development Corp, the 412-room hotel has undergone a comprehensive enhancement of its meeting and public spaces, now infused with Sheraton’s signature amenities and services, to provide a differentiated, exceptional guest experience.
“We are thrilled to debut The Sheraton Overland Park Hotel’s latest updates which showcases Sheraton’s signature experiences,” said Bruce Boettcher, General Manager, Sheraton Overland Park Hotel. “We are confident the investment in our meeting and public space will enhance and create a comfortable and productive experience for all of our guests.” www.sheratonoverlandpark.com

Opened in September 2014, the 90-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott is the first Fairfield Inn & Suites in the area to feature the brand’s new design and decor. Featuring 1,353 sq. ft. of meeting space, the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott is close to Ft. Leavenworth and Historic Downtown Leavenworth Main Street.
“Guests can look forward to complimentary wireless and wired Internet and our meeting room that can be divided into two spaces of equal size, each with its own wet bar and sink,” said Kandi Hardt, general manager. “Additionally we have an outdoor salt water pool and The Market, and these are just the highlights.” www.marriott.com

More than 3,000 sq. ft. of meeting space is available with additional private event space such as a heated terrace and an outdoor heated patio. This atypical hotel offers incredible style, modern conveniences and an adjoining restaurant called The J Bar which boasts exceptional culinary talent, a collection of craft cocktails and an extensive wine selection. The J Bar restaurant provides a wide array of cuisine for meetings, banquets and special events.
Chief Operating Executive David Legrand stated, “We are very pleased to bring a product of this caliber to the Quad Cities market. We continuously receive comments from our guests about our hotel being comparable to upscale hotels found in Chicago and larger cities.” www.ihg.com

Ideal for travelers who need accommodations for longer stays, the TownePlace Suites Springfield offers studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens that have stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, as well as separate living/working and sleeping areas. Additionally, the property features 1,296 sq. ft. of meeting space, complimentary wireless Internet throughout the hotel and onsite business services.
“As an extended stay property, TownePlace Suites is conveniently located near many popular Springfield attractions,” said Robert Babst, general manager. “Whether your travel needs are for business or leisure, we can accommodate you and your family.” www.marriott.com

Opening January 2015
Virgin Hotels Chicago will be located in the heart of Chicago's Loop district in the historic Old Dearborn Bank Building. The 27-story Art Deco building, a Chicago landmark designed by C.W. and George L. Rapp Architects in 1928, will offer 250 guest rooms, 40 one-bedroom suites and two rock star suites. Additionally the hotel will feature three flexible meeting spaces - The Manor with 1,430 sq. ft., The Sandbox with 625 sq. ft. and the Founder’s Room with 245 sq. ft.
Virgin Hotels President and COO Raul Leal said, “Chicago is a top destination for pleasure and business, with all the qualities we look for in Virgin Hotels locations: it’s economically vibrant, culturally exciting, and a sports and entertainment hub. But it also has a world-renowned architectural heritage, and we are eager to contribute to its continued acclaim.” virginhotels.com

Opening 2015
Canopy by Hilton will develop through new-build and conversion projects in key urban neighborhoods and vibrant secondary markets around the world with properties expected to begin opening in 2015. Canopy by Hilton has 11 signed letters of intent to open in several neighborhoods, including City Centre in Indianapolis. Each hotel will be unique to its city with varying meeting sizes, but most will have approximately 3,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.
“Built on extensive market research, our highly anticipated Canopy by Hilton brand delivers a fresh approach to hospitality and the guest experience,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton Worldwide. “We saw an opportunity to not only enter the lifestyle space by developing a new brand, but also to redefine this category by creating a more accessible lifestyle brand. We identified the need to take the emphasis off of capital-intensive design and deliver exactly what the target consumer desires: an energizing, comfortable stay with more included value.” www.canopybyhilton.com

Opening February 2015
Hyatt The Loop Chicago is on track to open its doors to the public in February 2015 and will feature 3,540 sq. ft. of meeting space. The hotel, which is currently undergoing a transformative renovation from a historic office building, will showcase elements of the area’s rich cultural and architectural past while offering guests a full range of modern amenities.
“As the birthplace of the modern skyscraper, Chicago’s Loop has long been one of the world’s most dynamic and distinctive urban neighborhoods,” said Karen McGuigan, general manager, Hyatt The Loop Chicago. “This historical context has played a significant role in the development of the hotel and will remain an inspiration for its future. We are even keeping the cow path—used by the original landowner when the area was pastureland instead of skyscrapers—right next to the front entrance of the hotel.” www.theloopchicago.hyatt.com

Opening August 2015
Offering signature Radisson brand amenities such as a business center and complimentary high-speed Internet access, the new Radisson Hotel Schuamburg will be located just minutes from popular attractions.
“The signing of the Radisson Hotel Schaumburg demonstrates our desire to continue enhancing the brand’s portfolio, and further expand our presence in the Chicagoland market,” said Javier Rosenberg, chief operating officer, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Americas. “The village of Schaumburg is an important regional commercial and retail hub, and further enhances the presence of our brands in the state of Illinois.” www.radisson.com

Hilton Hotels & Resorts has announced the official opening of Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center, formerly Oak Brook Hills Resort, with 42,500 sq. ft. of IACC-certified meeting space.
“We are excited to join the Hilton Worldwide portfolio and extend the brand’s world-renowned hospitality to our locally owned and operated property,” said Stefan Mühle, General Manager, Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center. “Whether our guests are planning large conferences or escaping to a tranquil resort, we look forward to providing exceptional experiences with our state-of-the-art facilities, amenities and extremely flexible meeting space.” www.oakbrookhillsresortchicago.com

Dolce Hotels and Resorts has been named manager of the Q Center which features 150,000 sq.ft. of IACC-certified meeting space.
Dolce will focus on increasing occupancy at Q Center and introducing signature service elements based on the highest industry standards in technology and facilities. Those elements include Thoughtful Foods for Thoughtful MindsSM, a food-and-beverage program offering customizable culinary experiences for meeting attendees, as well as Nourishment HubsSM, featuring fresh and energizing refreshments throughout the day. Meeting planners will be provided with convenient, flexible options to plan meals for their attendees as well as all-inclusive pricing for easy budget planning.
“We will leverage more than 30 years of experience in the meetings and training space with the features of a renowned facility,” said Steven A. Rudnitsky, Dolce president and chief executive officer. “We will develop an enhanced offering for meeting planners and groups who count on Q Center to offer a state-of-the-art experience. The features that make Q Center a preferred destination for meetings will be complemented by the service elements and operational skills that distinguish the Dolce brand name.” www.qcenter.com