Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/244474
•pg_3-12__BMT_pg3-58 1/8/14 6:20 PM Page 10 H OT E L H A P P E N I N G S SAN ANTONIO MARRIOTT RIVERWALK COMPLETES MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BALLROOM RENOVATION The San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk has just completed a multi-million dollar ballroom renovation, it was announced recently by Jim Quinn, general manager. The renovation project encompassed the 9,800-sq. ft. Alamo Ballroom as well as the hotel's breakout rooms and pre-function areas, all of which received new carpeting, wall coverings, and paint. Automated light sensors were added so that the lights turn off automatically when the rooms are not occupied to conserve energy, hang points were added to the Alamo Ballroom to enable three different meeting configurations, new linenless buffet tables will now be used for all of the breaks and food stations to conserve on laundry use, and new chocolate brown suede will be used for the conference tables. The audio/visual system was refurbished, an enhanced sound system was added, as well as a new lighting and dimming system. Additional upgrades include new banquet chairs, new artwork and mirrors, and new furniture in the ballroom's pre-function space. Overall the hotel features a total of 14,976 sq. ft. of function space and 15 meeting rooms. Marriott is on a mission to Lead The Future of Meetings and one of its most recent innovations involves rolling out a Meeting Services App which allows customers to manage their meetings more effectively. The Meeting Services App is currently available at the San Antonio Riverwalk. The San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk is located in the heart of downtown San Antonio, with sweeping balcony views of San Antonio's fabulous Riverwalk district. The 30-story hotel features a contemporary lobby with Texas flair featuring chili-red walls, dark-wood trim, and wrought-iron accents. A recipient of Meetings & Conventions Magazine's Gold Award, the hotel is adjacent to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, and just three blocks from the Alamo. Facilities include 507 guest rooms and suites, Cactus Flower Restaurant, The Bar, a Starbucks® Coffee House, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a fitness center. For additional information on the San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk, call (210) 224-4555 or visit marriott.com/hotels/travel/satdt-san-antonio-marriott-riverwalk/. LAS VEGAS HIGH ROLLER OBSERVATION WHEEL REACHES NEW HEIGHTS Focal point of The LINQ, Caesars Entertainment's $550 Million Center-Strip Development, Meets Major Construction Milestone The Las Vegas High Roller reached new heights as the observation wheel's first passenger cabin was rotated to the highest point on the wheel's rim. At 550 ft., the rotation of the cabin to the mid-center point of the rim officially makes the High Roller the world's tallest observation wheel. As the focal point of The LINQ, Caesars Entertainment's $550 million outdoor retail, dining and entertainment district, this recent feat marks a major milestone for the Las Vegas Strip attraction. "This was a significant step for us. The level of technical precision and detailed planning to attach a 22-ton passenger cabin to the rim is tremendous," said David Codiga, executive project director for The LINQ. "Seeing the cabin rotate to the top of wheel is not only very satisfying for our team, who has spent years working very hard to get to this point; but it also signifies we're just that much closer to becoming operational. We're all very eager to welcome passengers to the tallest and most advanced wheel in the world and this gets us one step closer." Ahead of the day's first center-point rotation, the 44,000-pound, spherical, glass-enclosed cabin had to travel to the wheel site from its assembly warehouse. Transferred via police escort provided by the Nevada Highway Patrol, it took approximately three hours to travel the 10 B M & T ••• November/December 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com