QE2 to become a floating hotel in Dubai
Final Docking Place
Ship to shore: The Queen Elizabeth II will open as a hotel in 2011.
Better Yet
Event planning blogs
There’s an excess of advice, trend spotting and pontification by and for planners on the web, but the insightful
blogs described below consistently are
worth reading.
1. NEXT GENERATION EVENT. URL:
nextgenerationevent.com. Description: “
Enviro-conscious and tech-forward ideas for tomorrow’s
events.” Author: Alli Gerkman, ex-attorney who
plans legal education conferences. Avg. posts per
month: 16.
Late next month, Cunard’s
longest-serving cruise ship,
the Queen Elizabeth II, will
sail its final nautical mile and permanently berth at a specially constructed dock at the world’s largest man-made island, the Palm
Jumeirah in Dubai.
Dubai World, the investment
company that purchased the storied ocean liner for $100 million,
plans to revamp the ship into a
luxury hotel and entertainment
destination featuring public promenades, retail outlets, restaurants
and a museum detailing the history of the 41-year-old vessel. The
hotel will open in 2011. ■ J.N.D.
2. GATHERING. URL: krysslovacek.word
press.com. Description: “Ideas and information
to help us in our everyday lives — both personally
and professionally.” Author: Krys Slovacek, planner for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Avg. posts per month: 10.
ILLUS TRATION: DAVE WHEELER
TravelTaxonomy
FOLLOWING ARE THE U.S. CITIES WITH THE HIGHEST AND LOWEST TOTAL
TAXES ON MEALS, LODGING AND CAR RENTALS, INCLUDING SALES TAX.
LOWEST TAXES HIGHEST TAXES
1. Honolulu 1. Chicago
2. Portland, Ore. 2. Nashville
3. Fort Lauderdale 3. Charlotte, N.C.
4. Fort Myers, Fla. 4. Seattle
5. West Palm Beach, Fla. 5. Houston
Source: National Business Travel Association
3. FRESH EVENT TIPS. URL: bonjour
events.com/thefreshtips. Description: “Event
templates and practical tips.” Author: Rose
Lanham, California-based planner, formerly with
Yahoo! Avg. posts per month: 13.
4. EVENTIVE. URL: banquetevent.com
(click on blog link). Description: creative ideas
for planners, with an emphasis on the Seattle area.
Authors: employees at Seattle-based Banquet &
Event Resource. Avg. posts per month: 23. ■ T.I.
OCTOBER 2008
MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS / MCMAG.COM
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