For news and product introductions that will help to make your job easier, follow our editors up and down the aisles of our industry's biggest trade show, held September 27 to 29 in Chicago.

PRIVATE JET SERVICES

Planners think the cost of an aircraft charter is out of reach. But Private Jet Services Group, a Hampton, N.H. — based air charter company with first-class and coach-configured aircraft, launched a competitive preferred-pricing program with Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts last month that pledges first-class service at commercial airline prices. The PJS and Sol Meliá partnership also provides door-to-door luggage transfers and ground transportation for all joint bookings. Incentive-group bookings to many popular but hard-to-reach destinations have been on the rise this year, said David Goodman, PJS director of sales, citing a recent program that flew 140 attendees from Boston to Curaçao. Goodman cites a 92 percent repeat-client rate. www.pjsgroup.com

ARUBA: On the Move

The Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association has announced the official launch of Meet Aruba, its new marketing division aimed at increasing meeting and incentive business by delivering a wide range of customized services to planners, said Jorge Pesquera, president and CEO of AHATA. Scott Wiggins, who will maintain his responsibilities as senior director of sales and marketing for AHATA, adds a new role as Meet Aruba's executive director. www.ahata.com/ahata/do/home.html

Reopening in December after a $25 million investment in the former Allegro Aruba, the new 391-room Occidental Grand will raise the bar for luxury on this popular island. A spectacular entryway with views of Palm Beach will set the mood for arriving visitors. Inside are seven restaurants, a casino, and meeting space, including a 9,068-square-foot grand ballroom. The Royal Club level, with amenities such as concierge service and champagne and strawberries for breakfast, promises to be “the best-quality all-inclusive in Aruba — perhaps in the entire Caribbean,” said Werner Hein, general manager. www.occidentalhotels.com

MONACO: Old Is New

Business is thriving in the principality of Monaco, with lots of requests for proposals for 2006 and 2007 North American incentive programs and, to a lesser extent, for top-echelon corporate meetings, according to Cindy Hoddeson, director, meeting and incentive sales, Monaco Government Tourist Office. “Within the last few years, there has been an enormous improvement to the infrastructure, with hotel expansions, renovations, and rebranding,” she said. The big news: Monaco's first new resort hotel in 75 years, the $260 million Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, opened in October. The 334-room property has 10 conference rooms for as many as 80 attendees; a flexible, 2,700-square-foot multipurpose room with a stunning view over Cap-Marin; and a 4,320-square-foot banquet hall.

In other hotel news, the reflagged Fairmont Monte Carlo, the biggest hotel on the French Riviera, began renovating all 619 guest rooms this month. And all Monaco hotels will continue to offer U.S.-dollar guaranteed rates until the end of 2007, said Hoddeson. www.visitmonaco.com

BAHAMAS: Out Islands

As the new executive director of group travel for the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism — a position that has not existed in 10 years — James Malcolm has a mission: to drive business to the Out Islands, what he calls “The Bahamas' best-kept secret,” and to improve the service levels and attitudes of existing suppliers. His office will be the meeting-planner contact for all groups coming into the islands and will work with them at every stage of planning and afterward to make sure they have the best possible experience. He is also creating an “approved supplier” program for DMCs, tour operators, and venues. The Out Islands have incredible potential for incentive groups, he says, with Conrad having just signed an agreement to open a 200-room resort in Bimini and Starwood to build a Luxury Collection resort, Cotton Bay Estates, in Eleuthera, both joining the 183-room Four Seasons Great Exuma at Emerald Bay. www.bahamas.com

JAMAICA: Let's Get Together…

Hotel improvements and expanded airlift that makes it easier than ever to fly nonstop to Montego Bay are helping to position the area as the “Gold Coast” for meetings and incentives, according to Marcia Bullock, regional director, groups and conventions, the Jamaica Tourist Board. Among the upgrades: The Wyndham Rose Hall has been renamed Rose Hall Resort & Country Club after a $30 million renovation of all 488 guest rooms. Islandwide, about 5,000 new guest rooms, including luxury condos, will become available during the next five years. As for activities, soft adventure — particularly canopy tours and river rafting — is right up there with golf and spa, Bullock noted. www.visitjamaica.com

SINGAPORE: New Casinos

The Singapore government has approved development of two casinos as part of mixed-use projects, one in the Marina Bay District and the other in Sentosa Island. These would be the first gaming facilities in the country, and already, said Justin Chew, regional director, Americas, Singapore Tourism Board, many major gaming companies have expressed interest in putting down stakes there. Chew expects the first license to be granted by the end of this year. Singapore has seen a 10 percent increase this year in visitors from the U.S. www.visitsingapore.com

PUERTO RICO: Big Changes

The eagerly anticipated Puerto Rico Convention Center officially opens November 17 — at 580,000 square feet, the largest and most technologically advanced convention center in the Caribbean. Its first major convention will be the Caribbean Hotel Association Marketplace in January 2006. As the center ramps up, groups as large as 3,500 will be welcomed to the island. The new center is part of a huge revitalization of San Juan, which includes a 500-room Starwood headquarters hotel that breaks ground this month. www.meetpuertorico.com

The final phase of $16 million in capital improvements at the Westin Rio Mar Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, is due for completion in December. Among the upgrades: opening of the world-class Mandara Spa. To celebrate the resort's 10th anniversary, 2006 pricing will roll back to 1996 levels (with some restrictions). www.westinriomar.com

ORLANDO: Updated

Universal Orlando Resort has launched Universal Orlando Resort Meetings & Events, to provide a “worry-free environment for meeting planners,” said Vincent LaRuffa, vice president, resort sales and marketing. Planners can choose from three Loews Hotels — Portofino Bay Hotel, undergoing a $5.5 million room renovation; The Hard Rock Hotel; and Royal Pacific Resort — two theme parks (Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventures) and an entertainment complex (CityWalk); more than 250,000 square feet of meeting space; and several event venues. Groups staying at any of the three Loews hotels get complimentary transportation to four area golf courses, plus use the services of a dedicated golf event director. www.uomeetingsandevents.com.

Less than a year from opening, the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando has completed the first phase of construction. The resort will feature 1,500 guest rooms; 250,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 95,000-square-foot, column-free ballroom; and a 13,000-square-foot spa and health club. Already open is the 18-hole championship Shingle Creek Golf Club. www.rosenshinglecreek.com.