contents 83 CONVENE ON LOCATION Tampa

This charming waterfront city faces strong competition from its neighboring destinations — and is upping its game. Last year, Tampa hosted the Republican National Convention, and with a rebranded CVB and $177

million in new development dramatically reshaping downtown, the city has a whole new story to tell. Jennifer N. Dienst

17

Departments PLENARY

The March on Washington conference. Pre Con: American Society for Cell Biology. Post Con: Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. The Intersection: The redesign imperative. Room Set: The beauty of BEAUTIQUE. Plus: How exhibi- tors give, how attendees get; Convene On Site.

Special Sections

89 INCENTIVE MEETINGS Destinations that will surpass your group’s expectations

90 Interview with Site’s new chief staff officer 92 Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and The Water Club 94 Calgary 96 Miami 98 Rosen Centre 100 Kansas City 102 Malaysia 104 Paradisus Resorts 106 Omni Hotels & Resorts 108 Singapore 110 Tulalip Resort Casino Jennifer N. Dienst

PCMA PARTNERS

116 Ascend Integrated Media Dallas

117 Omaha Vancouver Katie Kervin

34 FORWARD THINKING The Sponsorship Whisperer Dave Lutz, CMP

36 GIVING BACK ‘Not Your Grandma’s ADA Provider’ Sarah Beauchamp

38 ONLINE

Did Someone Say Virtual?

Christopher Durso

PCMA Convene (USPS 25438) is published 12 times per year. © Copyright 2013 by the Professional Convention Management Association. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PCMA Convene, 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60601. PCMA Convene is the oficial magazine of the Professional Convention Management Association, an international nonprofit organization of meeting professionals. Members receive PCMA Convene as a membership benefit, paid by membership dues. Nonmembers may subscribe to PCMA Convene for $50 annually; international nonmembers for $99 annually. Periodicals postage paid in Chicago, IL, and at additional mailing ofices.

Contacting Convene and PCMA (pcma.org) SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES: online at pcma.org or call PCMA Convene subscriptions at (312) 423-7246; email: convene@publicationpartners.com. FILE CHANGE OF ADDRESS with the US Postal Service online: moversguide.com. PCMA CONVENE ONLINE LIBRARY: convn.org/convene-archives. REPRINT ANDBACK ISSUE REQUESTS: Michelle Russell, mrussell@pcma.org, (312) 423-7275.

4 PCMA CONVENE OCTOBER 2013

30 URBAN PLANNER Atlanta Sarah Beauchamp

32 WORKING SMARTER All Abuzz at SHRM Sarah Beauchamp

40 INNOVATIVE MEETINGS Local News Katie Kervin

120 THERE’S A MEETING FOR THAT Drawn Together Barbara Palmer

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 7

Comments 8 Behind the Scenes

10 To the Point 12 PCMA Today 14

Planner’s Notebook 118 Advertiser Index

October 2013 Volume 27, Issue 10

In Atlanta, all roads lead to Peachtree, p. 30.

PCMA.ORG