Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/443780
B M & T ••• September/October 2014 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 12 C onveniently situat- ed in the heart of downtown Port of Spain, Hyatt Regency Trinidad is at the center of one of the most dominant business and political destinations in the region. The hotel, managed by Russell George since its opening in 2008, earned its spot on the business meetings map after hosting the Sustainable Tourism Conference as well as United States Vice President Joe Biden this past year. With state-of-the-art equipment, multilingual staff and stunning water- front views, there is no better place to take care of business. Below, Mr. George shares some insight on a variety of topics, including factors that make Port of Spain a business capital and recent changes in travel trends. Q: How does the hotel fit into the tourism offerings in Trinidad? A: The hotel offers the most expansive meeting space in the English-speaking Caribbean. Located in downtown Port of Spain, we are ideally situated for busi- ness travelers and those looking to be near the activity of the city while still providing a resort feel. Hyatt Regency Trinidad's flexible event space makes it an ideal venue for meetings and conventions of any size. In addi- tion, we offer state-of-the-art facilities that make it sim- ple for guests to be productive while attending meetings without ever leaving the property. The hotel caters to both the leisure and business traveler with luxurious guest rooms, rooftop pool, spa and four food and bev- erage outlets located within the hotel. Q: This past year, the hotel has hosted major con- ferences and prominent guests. Why do you think they chose Hyatt Regency Trinidad? A: As one of the largest conference centers in the Caribbean, Hyatt Regency Trinidad is an unrivaled loca- tion for international conferences and events. We offer a number of venue options: the 16,000-sq. ft. Regency Ballroom, accommodating more than 1,600 guests for a reception or 1,300 guests for a banquet; a 10,000-sq. ft. multi- purpose facility; seven banquet rooms offering 3,000 sq. ft. of interior space; four meeting rooms ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 sq. ft.; and two executive board- rooms. All meeting spaces feature access to reliable high speed and wireless Internet, individual climate controls and advanced audio/visual capabilities. Our facilities, coupled with the breathtaking views and ideal location, make Hyatt Regency Trinidad the perfect hotel for an event of any size. Q: A growing trend is business travel- ers mixing corporate needs with family travel needs. How does Hyatt Regency Trinidad fit into this? A: We have seen the growing demand for family offerings during business travel; a travel trend the hotel not only accommodates, but encourages to offer a more authentic expe- rience the whole family can enjoy. Travelers looking to participate in leisure-focused activities can take advantage of all of the hotel's lux- ury amenities, including the exclusive rooftop infinity pool and bar overlooking the Gulf of Paria, indulgent spa treatments with organic ingredients at Spa Esencia, state-of-the-art equipment at the 24- hour StayFit fitness center as well as a variety of culinary offerings. Guests hungry to explore more of the dual-island nation can catch a quick flight to sister-island Tobago for a day filled with relaxing on a scenic beach, a variety of water sports such as diving, paddleboard- ing and surfing, or visiting one of the island's cocoa plantations. BEHIND THE SCENES AT HYATT REGENCY TRINIDAD A CONVERSATION WITH RUSSELL GEORGE Q & A