CITY BEAT
Houston
More Rooms Wanted
While a 200-room Le Meridien, a 250-room W and a 123-room Element are under construction, city officials say what Houston really needs to boost its appeal to groups is a new property near the expanded George R. Browne Convention Center. One plan being considered is to convert the Reliant Astrodome into a 1,300-room convention hotel.
Orbitz for Business
signed a deal with the American Bar Association to provide travel
management services for the ABA’s travel, meetings and events,
using a dedicated reservations website for its 400,000 members, who
also can use the program when traveling on non-ABA business.
Hilton Hotels Corp.
has, as of Feb. 1, eliminated blackout dates from its HHonors guest
reward program.
United Airlines will
begin levying a $25 service charge for checking in a second bag.
This will apply only to customers flying on nonrefundable, economy
domestic tickets and who do not have Mileage Plus or Star Alliance
status. At press time, US Airways said it, too, will charge the
extra fee in a similar manner. The policy becomes effective for
both airlines on May 5.
Apple will not exhibit
at the National Association of Broadcasters’ annual convention this
month in Las Vegas, citing its intent to cut back on trade show
participation on the strength of its retail stores and website.
Last fall, Avid Technology announced its own decision to drop out
of the NAB show.