How Hurricane Dorian Is Impacting Meetings and Trade Shows
August 29, 2019
Hurricane Dorian whipped through Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands yesterday, bringing heavy rains and high winds. As a Category 1 storm, it spared much of the main island of Puerto Rico from extensive damage, though islands off the eastern coast were hit harder.
Dorian will continue on its path heading toward the coast of Florida over the weekend through Tuesday. Forecasters are predicting it may grow into a Category 4 hurricane as it moves through warm waters.
With Labor Day weekend upon us, it’s a relatively slow time for meetings and conventions, CVBs report. While poor for business, this has worked out in the best interest of the safety of attendees.
Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan reports postponing three social events previously scheduled this week to September and October. However, the convention center resumed operations after being closed yesterday. A larger event planned for this weekend, the Caribbean International Auto Expo, will still take place as planned.
A statement released by Discover Puerto Rico today included the following: “Travel planners with upcoming events in Puerto Rico can be confident that their plans will not be affected. Hotels, including those in Vieques and Culebra, are operational, and most businesses are planning to reopen today. Airports and cruise ports are open, and airlines and cruises have resumed, or are starting to resume normal routes.”
In Turks & Caicos, The Sandals Global Sales Conference, which was slated to take place Aug. 28-Sept. 1 at Beaches Turks & Caicos, has been postponed. New proposed dates are pending, says Jennifer Pardo, senior marketing executive with the Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board.
In Florida, Daytona Beach has no cancellations currently, according to Kate Holcomb, director of communications for the Daytona Beach Area CVB. The Palm Beaches and Orlando also have no reported cancellations at this time.
“Because this is a holiday weekend and we are a beach destination, there are not a lot of conferences and conventions typically scheduled for this weekend,” says Holcomb. “We will keep in touch with upcoming groups to be sure they have the most up to date information. We encourage everyone to watch the weather and contact their hotel directly for more information.”
Fort Lauderdale reports having eight groups in town currently, and so far, none have reported cancellations, according to Kara Franker, senior vice president of marketing and communications with Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB.
This weekend also happened to be a quiet one at Tampa Convention Center, according to Kevin Wiatrowsky, public relations with Visit Tampa Bay. “We have nothing on our calendar to be affected by the storm,” he says.
The same goes for Jacksonville, which reports having no large groups in town this weekend.
One meeting has been reported postponed to later this month along Florida’s Historic Coast, according to Barbara Golden, communications manager with St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau. “We are in full prep mode,” she says.
In Orlando, Rosen Hotels & Resorts is opening the doors of its eight Orlando-area properties with special distress rates starting at $60 per night for those displaced by Hurricane Dorian. The company is also working to help evacuees find a safe home away from home. Call 866-377-6736 for assistance.
TSNN will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
Photo credit: David Mark/Pixabay
Partner Voices
HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates.
Water Stewardship Efforts
MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship.
In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step.
MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas.
MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030.
From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts.
Caring for One Another
MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include:
Unserved perishable prepared foods from events
Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens
Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses
The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community.
Fostering Diversity and Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.
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