Black Meetings & Tourism - Monterey Conference CenterRenovation Schedule Announced

Facilities Update
Monterey Conference CenterRenovation Schedule Announced
\ The City of Monterey recently released the schedule and additional details regarding the renovation of the Monterey Conference Center. The release indicated the renovation will begin in late November of this year with the first floor of the revitalized center planned to reopen by late summer 2016 and the grand opening of the entire renovated facility in early 2017. The renovation will infuse up to $45 million in physical and technological improvements. "The Monterey Conference Center renovation will dramatically improve the destination's position as a desirable location for meetings and conferences. We already know from our clients that Monterey's scenic beauty and unique characteristics provide inspiration and enhance the desire for meeting planners to book their conferences in our extraordinary destination. This renovation provides an advanced facility sought after by meeting planners to compliment their memorable meeting and destination experience," said Tammy Blount, president & CEO of the Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCCVB). This renovation is in part a response to valuable meeting and conference clients who have either used the facility in the past or wish to bring their business to Monterey County in the future but require an upgraded facility. While under construction, neighboring hotels, the Monterey Marriott and the Portola Hotel & Spa, are open for business and do not anticipate being affected by the remodel. Once complete, the renovated Conference Center will have the ability to host multiple meetings simultaneously with flexible meeting space and more usable pre-function space. The Silver LEED-certified building will offer advanced technology with a contemporary exterior that evokes the Monterey style. The re-design is led by the firm, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, one of the largest and most influential architecture firms in the world with award-winning projects including convention and conference centers in Hong Kong, Seoul, Virginia Beach, Chicago and San Francisco's Moscone Center among others. "We are excited to see that the renovation of the Conference Center is moving forward. The increased technological capability and additional options for meeting room configuration allow us to attract more conferences and retain our valuable meeting planner relationships," said Bob Cowdrey, general manager of the Monterey Conference Center. Visit www.SeeMonterey.com/conference-center/ for the latest renovation updates. ABOUT MONTEREY COUNTY Monterey County is located 120 miles/192 km south of San Francisco and 345 miles/552 km north of Los Angeles along the classic California corridor. The region boasts 99 miles of prime Pacific Coastline, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, three historic missions, 40,000 acres of premium vineyards, more than 40 tasting rooms, 26 golf courses and over 250 lodging properties. Monterey County includes the Monterey Peninsula, Big Sur, North County and the Salinas Valley. The Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), just three miles from historic downtown Monterey and minutes from the area's major attractions, is served by non-stop flights to and from Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix (PHX), Los Angeles (LAX), San Diego (SAN) and San Francisco (SFO). www.SeeMonterey.com ABOUT MONTEREY CONFERENCE CENTER The Monterey Conference Center is centrally located in the City of Monterey, within steps of the waterfront and serves as a beacon to the downtown. The Conference Center boasts 41,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and is adjacent to the 379-room Portola Hotel and Spa and connected to the 341-room Monterey Marriott. Its ideal location also puts it within walking distance to a diverse list of iconic attractions including the Old Fisherman's Wharf and an incredible array of restaurants and shops. The Center is also convenient to a number of other hotels ranging from the boutique Hotel Pacific to the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa as well as dozens of other area lodging options which make the facility a centerpiece for group business in the region. Visit www.seemonterey.com/conference-center/ for the latest renovation updates.

Facilities Update

Monterey Conference CenterRenovation Schedule Announced

The City of Monterey recently released the schedule and additional details regarding the renovation of the Monterey Conference Center. The release indicated the renovation will begin in late November of this year with the first floor of the revitalized center planned to reopen by late summer 2016 and the grand opening of the entire renovated facility in early 2017. The renovation will infuse up to $45 million in physical and technological improvements.

"The Monterey Conference Center renovation will dramatically improve the destination's position as a desirable location for meetings and conferences. We already know from our clients that Monterey's scenic beauty and unique characteristics provide inspiration and enhance the desire for meeting planners to book their conferences in our extraordinary destination. This renovation provides an advanced facility sought after by meeting planners to compliment their memorable meeting and destination experience," said Tammy Blount, president & CEO of the Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCCVB).

This renovation is in part a response to valuable meeting and conference clients who have either used the facility in the past or wish to bring their business to Monterey County in the future but require an upgraded facility. While under construction, neighboring hotels, the Monterey Marriott and the Portola Hotel & Spa, are open for business and do not anticipate being affected by the remodel.

Once complete, the renovated Conference Center will have the ability to host multiple meetings simultaneously with flexible meeting space and more usable pre-function space. The Silver LEED-certified building will offer advanced technology with a contemporary exterior that evokes the Monterey style. The re-design is led by the firm, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, one of the largest and most influential architecture firms in the world with award-winning projects including convention and conference centers in Hong Kong, Seoul, Virginia Beach, Chicago and San Francisco's Moscone Center among others.

"We are excited to see that the renovation of the Conference Center is moving forward. The increased technological capability and additional options for meeting room configuration allow us to attract more conferences and retain our valuable meeting planner relationships," said Bob Cowdrey, general manager of the Monterey Conference Center.

Visit www.SeeMonterey.com/conference-center/ for the latest renovation updates.

ABOUT MONTEREY COUNTY
Monterey County is located 120 miles/192 km south of San Francisco and 345 miles/552 km north of Los Angeles along the classic California corridor. The region boasts 99 miles of prime Pacific Coastline, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, three historic missions, 40,000 acres of premium vineyards, more than 40 tasting rooms, 26 golf courses and over 250 lodging properties. Monterey County includes the Monterey Peninsula, Big Sur, North County and the Salinas Valley. The Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), just three miles from historic downtown Monterey and minutes from the area's major attractions, is served by non-stop flights to and from Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix (PHX), Los Angeles (LAX), San Diego (SAN) and San Francisco (SFO). www.SeeMonterey.com

ABOUT MONTEREY CONFERENCE CENTER
The Monterey Conference Center is centrally located in the City of Monterey, within steps of the waterfront and serves as a beacon to the downtown. The Conference Center boasts 41,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and is adjacent to the 379-room Portola Hotel and Spa and connected to the 341-room Monterey Marriott. Its ideal location also puts it within walking distance to a diverse list of iconic attractions including the Old Fisherman's Wharf and an incredible array of restaurants and shops. The Center is also convenient to a number of other hotels ranging from the boutique Hotel Pacific to the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa as well as dozens of other area lodging options which make the facility a centerpiece for group business in the region. Visit www.seemonterey.com/conference-center/ for the latest renovation updates.