Puerto Rico to Host Connect 2021
June 11, 2019
Adding a page to the comeback story of Puerto Rico, Connect announced it has selected the destination as host of Connect 2021.
Formerly known as Collinson Media & Events (and also now owned by Corporate Event News’ parent company, Tarsus Group), Connect is known for its national marketplace-style shows for meeting planners in the corporate, sports, diversity, association and faith sectors.
Connect 2021 is expected to bring 3,500 planners, suppliers and other industry leaders to Puerto Rico for face-to-face meetings, education, networking and its signature lively receptions.
“We are confident Puerto Rico will deliver an unparalleled experience, as we anticipate another year of providing Connect attendees the exposure and face-to-face opportunities that are crucial in this industry,” said Chris Collinson, president of Connect.
This event will mark the first time Connect has been held in Puerto Rico. As TSNN previously reported in this interview with Discover Puerto Rico CEO Brad Dean, the island is on the upswing for meetings and conventions: Q1 business this year was better than three- and five-year averages for the island, exceeding even pre-Hurricane Maria levels.
Naturally, Dean is enthusiastic about the idea of this many meeting planners descending on the island to see its incredible recovery with their own eyes — with the hope they’ll want to return with their own groups.
“We’re thrilled to host Connect 2021 and have the opportunity to open Puerto Rico’s doors to the industry’s best meetings and events experts,” said Dean. “Welcoming the Connect community will be a testament to Puerto Rico being a strong force in the space — it will further elevate our status as the most technologically advanced destination in the Caribbean that offers the ease of traveling to a U.S. territory, combined with unparalleled culture and diverse natural offerings.”
Currently, Puerto Rico has 150 hotels, nearly 1,900 restaurants and bars, and 13 golf courses. A planned Times Square-inspired entertainment complex in San Juan called El Distrito, currently under construction, will feature a state-of-the-art performance center, a hotel and many entertainment options for groups when it opens in the coming year.
El Distrito is adjacent to the Puerto Rico Convention Center, where the majority of Connect 2021 events will take place. The PRCC has 600,000 square feet of convention space, a new lobby lounge, 15 meeting rooms, 29 breakout rooms and high-tech capabilities.
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Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino recently completed a $63M redesign and remodel of its 1,830 guest rooms and 155 suites.
Down the street, Bellagio Las Vegas is sporting renovated rooms in the Spa Tower with sunrise-inspired decor and luxurious soaking tubs in Premier King rooms after a $110-million transformation.
Reinvented Luxury Experiences
The Luxury Meetings District, made up of Bellagio Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas, is now more connected than ever before. A new interior walkway opened this October for a seamless attendee experience – connecting Vdara, Bellagio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, guests can now walk from Park MGM to Bellagio in around 15 minutes.
New on the scene in the Luxury Meetings District is Cathedrale at ARIA, TAO Group’s upscale establishment specializing in exquisite French-Mediterranean cuisine offering elevated private dining experiences that opened in May.
Heralded by World’s Best 50 Restaurants, GQ and VOGUE, LPM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is opening this fall and will deliver its signature spontaneity and imaginative celebration of France’s Mediterranean cuisine, art, and culture to the unique luxury resort in impeccable fashion.
A “New Wave for Mandalay Bay
A new wave of enhancements and experiences has arrived at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, including Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, an 8,445-square-foot restaurant that opened this June, perfect for pre- and post-game eats and drinks. Event planner’s favorite, Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak, received a full renovation and now includes one of the largest private dining rooms on The Strip. Retro by Voltaggio debuts a one-year residency with a fun take on pop culture of the 80s and 90s with classic American dishes. An exciting addition planned for 2024 is Swingers, a 40,000-square-foot oasis of street food, miniature golf and art at Mandalay Bay.
Most exciting for meeting planners, the 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center is undergoing a complete refresh, with lightened space, added eye-catching art, and improved technology infrastructure for even more flexible space. Energy-efficient digital signage now leads the way with faster internet speeds and new AV options.
From renovated guest rooms and meeting spaces to celebrated dining options and dedicated teams, MGM Resorts is dedicated to delivering exceptional and innovative meeting experiences.
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