New Hotels The Chihuly Garden and Glass museum
Another trend Leeson is seeing is demand from events clients for greater ROI (return on investment). “They are also looking to ensure their event agencies are helping them to engage attendees before, during and after the event – for as much as four to six weeks. “It’s critical that our engagement with clients – and the attendees’ engagement with them – doesn’t stop the minute the event ends,” says Leeson. “It’s at that point attendees are most invested in the client, and the potential to influence behaviour and perception is at a high.”
Good advice, but what makes Seattle so attractive to events bookers? “Seattle – and the Pacific Northwest in general – has been showcased in many TV shows and movies, which has piqued interest,” he says. “It’s a very clean, attractive city and beyond it the Pacific Northwest offers tons of outdoor activities. It also doesn’t suffer from the same ‘destination fatigue’ as cities like Orlando, Chicago or Las Vegas.” He adds: “Logistically, it also has a lot
to offer, including good flight availability for domestic and international, and great hotel and convention centre availability – with many meeting-friendly hotels and continued development on the horizon.”
That’s not to say Seattle doesn’t have a couple of negatives, admits Leeson. Apart from the infamous Seattle rain, “while it’s reasonably priced in winter, it can be very expensive in the summer season.” He says another disadvantage is the north- west location – travelling is easier to more central cities, but Port of Seattle’s Denny counters that flight times from Heathrow are comparable to Miami on the east coast. Local journalists and politicians express concern about a downside of the tech boom
– the rising cost of living and resulting social problems. As Pacific NW magazine writer Tyrone Beason put it: “Forty-storey apartment towers and tent villages: both say something about how we’ve managed our emergence as a globally important tech hub and real-estate investment destination.” He wrote that finding a balance is a challenge for a city that has an average annual income reaching a record $80,000, soaring property prices and a serious homeless problem.
Virgin Atlantic hosted the inaugural party at the Chihuly Garden and Glass, a museum featuring the stunning works of world- renowned glass sculptor Dale Chihuly. Other eye-catching event venues include the iconic Jetsons-style Space Needle, with its panoramic views from 160m up, while memorable activities include tours of the famous Boeing factory in nearby Everett. Built in the 1960s and the birthplace of the iconic B747, it’s still the world’s largest building by volume and a fascinating place to visit, with Dreamliners and B777s inching down state-of-the-art production lines, swarmed over by man and machine. The historic Pike Place waterfront market is a hub for artisan food and crafts, and has both meetings and tour options, while striking out from the city there is whale watching in Puget Sound and the pick of more than 900 wineries in the state. Perhaps the last word on the city should go to Richard Branson, speaking when his first flight touched down at Sea-Tac. “As home to Microsoft, Amazon and, of course, Boeing, Seattle’s one of the fastest growing cities in the US – and as a mecca for entrepreneurs and innovators, it’s a perfect fit for the Virgin Atlantic brand.”
is due to open in November. Located midtown, it will feature Philippe Starck design, a 16th floor cocktail lounge and Ciel Spa, plus conference and event spaces in an imaginatively restored 1908 former First United Methodist Church.
opened its first property in the region in 2016. Thompson Seattle, located near Pike Place market, has 158 rooms, views of Puget Sound, a rooftop cocktail lounge and six meeting spaces.
will be Seattle’s largest hotel, with 1,260 guest rooms. It’s due to open next year in the downtown area, adjacent to a planned expansion of the Washington State Convention Center.
is due to open in the South Lake Union neighbourhood at the end of this year, offering 147 tech-friendly rooms, communal areas and grab-and-go food and drinks.
Starwood brand W Hotels opened a new property in the tech hub of Bellevue, five miles east of Seattle, in August. It has 231 guest- rooms and a range of meeting spaces for up to 500 delegates theatre-style.
is due to open the 151-room Hotel Theodore at 7th and Pine Street in downtown Seattle in November – in the landmark 1929 building previously known as the Roosevelt Hotel, and showcasing an art collection reflecting Seattle’s “pioneering spirit”.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158
