Lancaster County Convention Center and Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square Lancaster, Pa.

The News: The new, integrated $177 million facility opened in June after approximately two years of construction.

Specs: The convention center and 299-room hotel offer a combined 90,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 46,500-square-foot exhibition hall, and a 9,000-square-foot ballroom. The hotel features two business centers, a restaurant and lounge, indoor pool, and a spa.

The Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas Irving, Texas

The News: This new $133 million center is scheduled to open at the end of 2010.

Specs: The 275,000-square-foot facility has a 50,000-square-foot, column-free exhibit hall; 20,000 square feet of breakout space; and a 20,000-square-foot ballroom.

Newsmakers:

• Lawrence McCue has been named director of group sales for the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles. McCue most recently served as director of sales and marketing at the Keystone Resort and Conference Center in Colorado.

• Sheila Hayden has been named director of sales and marketing at the Royal Sonesta Hotel Boston in Cambridge, Mass. Hayden most recently served as director of sales and marketing at the Lenox Hotel and Swissôtel Boston.