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ASAE Foundation Launches Scholarship Program for Young Professionals
By Todd McElwee
The Future Leaders Professional Development Scholarship, developed to support the career advancement of young association professionals, has been introduced by the ASAE Research Foundation.
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NRF Reports Import Cargo Numbers Back on Track After Red Sea, Panama Canal Disruptions… Cargo shippers are adjusting to disruptions in the Red Sea and Panama Canal in order to put container port imports back on track toward showing year-over-year increases for the first half of 2024, according to a March 8 Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) in partnership with Hackett Associates.
Imports had previously been disrupted in the Red Sea, an inlet of the Indian Ocean to the south of Egypt where ships have been targeted by Houthi rebels from Iran, and the Panama Canal, where authorities have reduced shipping capacity due to low water levels.
According to the NRF, carriers are traveling south of Africa around the Cape of Good Hope, or shipping from the Pacific to the American West coast, in order to avoid the two problem areas. “Cargo has been rerouted and goods are arriving where they are needed and in time to meet consumer demand despite the ongoing challenges,” said Jonathan Gold, NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy. “Fear of an inflationary impact due to the raised cost of transportation should be alleviated by now.”
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Hyatt Hotels Corp. has launched a personal training platform at 26 Hyatt Regency properties in the US, the hotel company announced on March 7.
The platform is part of a collaboration between Hyatt Regency and Future, a personal training platform that connects users with fitness coaches, in order to create virtual customized workouts. The collaboration offers workouts of many levels of intensity designed to work with equipment available at each respective Hyatt Regency fitness center.
“With travelers continuing to seek ways to prioritize their wellbeing and find convenient and productive ways to exercise and maintain their routines while away from home, we understand the importance of seamlessly integrating this into the guest experience,” said Emily Wright, Vice President and Global Brand Leader for Hyatt.
Members of Hyatt’s loyalty program, World of Hyatt, and guests who complete a custom, on-property workout through the Future app will also receive a complimentary one-month membership with Future, valued at $199.
Wynn Las Vegas announced on March 6 that the hotel-casino will host a new culinary festival, Revelry, this summer. The festival will be held June 5–8 and will feature intimate master classes, collaborative dinners, a speakeasy concept called the Living Room, and will conclude with a “grand” tasting event called Revelry: The Feast, the casino-resort said.
“Wynn Las Vegas is known for creating innovative, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and our inaugural Revelry festival will be no exception,” said Steve Weitman, President of Wynn Las Vegas. “The array of events coupled with the unique pairing of world-renowned chefs will offer guests an unparalleled culinary adventure.”
Revelry: The Feast, which will be held on June 8, will include four distinct culinary experiences including Four Sixes Ranch Country Cookout, which offers barbecue prepared on wood-burning rotisserie and a custom-built outdoor smoker; Road to Tulum, highlighting coastal Mexican cuisine; The Casbah Marketplace, featuring savory dishes, freshly baked pastries and signature beverages inspired by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors; and Shibuya Crossing, offering inventive sushi and elevated takes on Japanese street foods.
Convention Bureau/Center NEWS
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Visit Knoxville has released “Welcome to Barxville, A Knoxville Dogumentary.” This short film, specially crafted for dogs and their human companions, was created to showcase the dog friendliness of Knoxville through the eyes, ears, nose, and paws of a dog.
The star of the film, Hank, a loveable golden retriever, takes us on his journey through Knoxville, highlighting various dog-friendly hotels, parks, restaurants, trails, and iconic sites. Hank and his fellow furry friends are brought to life by the voice talents of football legend Peyton Manning; singer-songwriters Drew and Ellie Holcomb; head coach of the Lady Vols basketball team Kellie Jolly Harper; and former Director of Women’s Athletics at the University of Tennessee Joan Cronan—all of whom hold close ties to Knoxville.
A recent survey shows approximately 78% of Americans who have pets choose to bring them along on their vacations, according to Visit Knoxville. Spotting this trend, the film showcases Knoxville’s abundant pet-friendly offerings, providing a unique travel experience for both pets and their owners.
“Many know and love Knoxville for its Southern hospitality, and our four-legged friends are no exception,” said Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville. “From dog-friendly hotels, patios, and shops to parks, trails, and Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness, this town has something to help every furry member of the family feel at home.”