Opened earlier this year, Toronto Congress Centre North brings Toronto Congress Centre's trade and convention space to a total of more than one million square feet, making it one of the largest such facilities in Canada. At the forefront of the “green” design movement, the TCCN has incorporated zero-waste construction, environmentally friendly purchasing policies, reduced energy use, storm water recirculation, and green-roof technology. Norr Architects of Toronto re-engineered a derelict building with the goal of turning it into an eco-friendly, multipurpose facility that uses less energy, less water, more fresh air, and more natural light, with fewer toxins and less waste than other facilities of its kind. Located north of the existing Toronto Congress Centre, the expansion includes a massive lobby area that offers plenty of natural light, 500,000 square feet of exhibition space, 40 meeting rooms, and a 25,000-square-foot ballroom.

In The News

New and Updated

Waterfront Tower at Harrah's Resort Atlantic City

Atlantic City, N.J.

The News: The new 960-room, 44-story tower opened with a ribbon-cutting in March.

Specs: This is the final phase of the property's $550 million renovation and expansion project. The tower, the tallest building in Atlantic City, boosts Harrah's guest capacity by 60 percent, which now totals 2,950 guest rooms.

Extra: A new 23,000-square-foot Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa has 23 treatment rooms; The Waterfront Shops at Harrah's features upscale shopping; The Pool Entertainment Complex features Atlantic City's largest indoor pool area, with a 90-foot-high, glass-dome-enclosed tropical “oasis,” including a 23,000-square-foot pool, six Jacuzzis, 12 cabanas, and the Pool Bar.

Hilton Anaheim

Anaheim, Calif.

The News: Orange County's largest hotel is getting a $60 million renovation.

Specs: The first phase was completed with the reopening of the California and Pacific Ballrooms. In the coming months, all remaining 100,000 square feet of the hotel's meeting space, including 51 breakout rooms, will be upgraded, and all 1,572 guest rooms and publics spaces will be renewed.

Time Frame: August 2008 completion

Extra: The Anaheim Convention Center is adjacent to the hotel.

International Plaza Resort & Spa

Orlando

The News: The 28-acre resort and spa opened in October 2007.

Specs: More than 60,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space and more than 1,100 guest rooms. The Oceans Conference Center has about 36,500 square feet of function space, including the 12,000-square-foot Oceans Ballroom. The Lakes Conference Center features nearly 13,000 square feet of event space, including the 10,000-square-foot Great Lakes Ballroom.

Extra: Located across the Bee Line Expressway from the 2.1 million-square-foot Orange County Convention Center

Crowne Plaza Memphis

Memphis, Tenn.

The News: The 11-story hotel in downtown is being renovated and converted from a Wyndham Garden Hotel.

Specs: 230 guest rooms, 5 meeting rooms with more than 5,000 square feet of space

Time Frame: Accepting reservations for arrivals after April 25, 2008

Extra: The hotel is within walking distance to Memphis Cook Convention Center.

Hotel Monaco Alexandria

Alexandria, Va.

The News: This new 241-room hotel, converted from a former Holiday Inn Select, opened recently.

Specs: 5,045 square feet of indoor meeting space and a 3,000-square-foot outdoor courtyard for seasonal events

Indianapolis Marriott Downtown

The News: The city's largest hotel has completed a $9.5 million renovation to all 662 guest rooms, public space, and 40,000 square feet of meeting space.

Extra: The hotel is connected to the Indiana Convention Center via climate-controlled skywalk.

Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa

Galena, Ill.

The News: Recent renovations to meeting and event space have been completed.

Specs: More than 15,000 square feet of newly renovated function space includes 14 meeting rooms and three executive boardrooms. New décor and upgraded lighting and technical capabilities have been added throughout the conference center.

Extra: On site are 63 holes of golf and the Stonedrift Spa.

News Makers:

• At Omni Interlocken Resort and Spa, just outside of Boulder, Colo., Carolyn Israel (right) has been appointed director of group sales. Also, Tara Seech has joined the resort as convention services manager.

• Chris Garratt was named associate director of sales at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel. He joins the Sheraton from Seattle's Convention and Visitor's Bureau, where he spent two years as convention sales manager.

• The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau has appointed Bethani Blair, Mary Calvert, and Carol Daugherty to the convention sales department. The newly created Southwest regional office will be based in Dallas, with Blair serving as sales manager.

• Lois McLaughlin has returned to the Pennsylvania Convention Center as director of event services. She served on the event services team in 1993. McLaughlin was event services manager for the Minneapolis Convention Center.