Teresa Shaw's Blog
Posted by Teresa Shaw
Packing my suitcase for a business trip is always a challenge -- I never want to check luggage but I don't want to leave out any essentials. So I've created a packing list that I keep for every trip, and devised a guide for how to pack the necessities into business luggage while still traveling light.
What are your secrets to packing light -- without leaving anything out? Please leave a comment!
Posted by Teresa Shaw
One might not think of southeastern Ohio as a destination for business meetings; I didn't. But after visiting the Hocking Hills area of Ohio, I've changed my tune. Not only are there ample resorts and lodges catering to everyone from the outdoorsy hiker to business executives, but many inns offer business centers and conference facilities.
The Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls has 5,000 square feet of space in its new meeting center, with seating for up to 50 people and a flat-screen television. The space offers a rustic yet sophisticated log cabin setting and ample natural light and wireless Internet service -- a must in a region where cell phone coverage is spotty at best.
The facility also promotes environmental awareness by providing many “green” details, including recycling gray water, natural light, renewable resources and more. What's more, the drive to the area is beautiful -- lush forests line the country highways, which twist and turn as they wrap around the scenic hills. It's definitely worth the drive.
The area is a beautiful one-hour drive from Port Columbus airport and a nice road trip from Ohio or Pennsylvania.
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Posted by Teresa Shaw
Executive Travel readers have voted Hilton Hotels the 2009 Best Hotel for Meetings and Best Hotel for Business Service. Hilton also earned second place honors in the Best Hotel Chain category and its guest loyalty program, Hilton HHonors, was named one of the top three frequent guest programs.
“We are proud to be the top choice of these frequent travelers,” said Dave Horton, Global Head – Hilton brand in a press release.
“With innovative offerings such as our e-Events online booking portal and Hilton Meetings, we continue to raise the industry standard and enable our guests around the world to be at their best 24/7.”
Last year, Hilton introduced Hilton Meetings at its properties throughout North America following a successful international launch. Hilton Meetings was devised to help business travelers to organize productive, hassle-free meetings for groups of 50 guests or fewer. The service provides individual meeting specialists and features technologically advanced room designs that help meeting planners minimize environmental impact.
Posted by Teresa Shaw
The August issue of Travel + Leisure names the top 10 U.S. and Canadian cities for 2009:
- New York
- San Francisco
- Quebec City
- Charleston, SC
- Santa Fe
- Chicago
- Savannah
- Victoria, British Columbia
- Montreal
- Seattle
Seattle was a newcomer to the list, not having been ranked the previous year. Chicago and Quebec City swapped positions, with Chicago previously number 3 and Quebec City number 6 in 2008.
Cities were selected through a survey sent to Travel + Leisure readers. Cities were ranked based on sights, culture/arts, restaurants/food, people, shopping, and value.
The entire results of the T+L World's Best awards are available on the web or in the August issue.
Posted by Teresa Shaw
What's the buzz in the hotel industry? The Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C., recently checked in 105,000 new guests: Italian honeybees. The bees are settling into hives atop the hotel’s roof for the purpose of providing honey to the culinary program and pollinating the fresh herbs and edible flowers in the Fairmont’s interior courtyard garden.
Honey bees populations have been on the decline for several years now, but there are plenty of things everyone can do. From planting a bee-friendly garden to supporting local beekeepers to, yes, staying at the Fairmont, we can all do some good to the bees that do so much good for us.
