Gaylord Hotels celebrated in a big way on April 25, the grand opening of its newest property, the $865 million Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. The largest combined hotel and convention center on the Eastern Seaboard, it has 2,000 guest rooms and its 470,000 square feet of meeting, convention, and exhibit space includes the 50,000-square-foot Potomac Ballroom and the 180,000-square-foot Prince George's Exhibit Hall. On site are seven restaurants and eateries; the 20,000-square-foot Relâche Spa & Fitness Center, with 12 treatments rooms, massage rooms, and a health club; Pose, a nightclub on the 18th floor featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with dramatic vistas of the Potomac River and Washington, D.C.; and a private marina on the Potomac (water taxi service runs continuously throughout the day).

Venues in the News: What's New

The Liberty Science Center

Jersey City, N.J.

The News: A $109 million expansion and renovation has recently been wrapped up.

Specs: The project included the addition of a 1,440-square-foot “green” roof. The center's new boardroom accommodates 40 guests. Its theaters, exhibition spaces, and conference rooms can be rented for meetings and private events. For events, the entire facility is available for rental, accommodating groups of as many as 5,000 people for a sit-down dinner or an evening of dancing and activities. Catering is also available.

NEWS MAKERS:

• Rosen Hotels & Resorts, Orlando, Fla., has promoted Leslie Menichini to the new position of vice president of sales and marketing for Rosen Hotels & Resorts Convention Hotels. She will remain director of sales and marketing at Rosen Shingle Creek.

• Tulalip Resort Casino, north of Seattle, has named Tracy Banfield (top), Sam Samuelson (left), and Donna Cappa (lower right) national sales managers for its hotel, spa, and meeting and conference facilities, opening in August.