Jerry Cito
In the 16 years NYC & Company Senior Vice President of Convention Development Jerry Cito has been promoting this very busy city, he has seen a shift in the way delegates engage and interact. Emerging technology and a shift to more experiential meetings allow attendees to connect with one another in a shared experience. The constant has been the desire to come together, face-to-face.
In recent years, New York City has seen unprecedented development in infrastructure, hotels, venues, attractions and restaurants across the city’s five boroughs. With the most active hotel development pipeline in the United States, the “new” New York City is home to more than 113,000 hotel rooms, with another 24,000 coming online by the end of 2019. This added inventory means more places to stay and meet than ever before, while maintaining reasonable price-point options.
Some of the city’s most exciting developments this year are in the “new” Midtown Manhattan, including interactive miniature world Gulliver’s Gate (opened in May), National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey (opening in October), and the NFL Experience Times Square (debuting in November).
Cultural meeting options are expanding in The City that Never Sleeps, as well. The Museum of Modern Art is embarking on a $400 million renovation that will add 50,000 sq. ft. of space by 2019. A $1.6 billion redevelopment is turning Staten Island into Destination St. George, home to New York Wheel and Empire Outlets. On Manhattan’s Far West Side, Hudson Yards will feature The Shed, the city’s first Neiman Marcus, a variety of restaurants and a signature hotel by fitness brand Equinox.
Meanwhile, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is undergoing a massive expansion adjacent that will add more than 1 million sq. ft. of event space, including a 500,000-square-foot exhibition hall, a rooftop terrace, additional meeting rooms and a 60,000-square-foot ballroom—the largest of its kind in the Northeast. Cito is particularly upbeat about renovations planned at all three major airports in the coming years.
Smart Moves
Christophe Roshardt
Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, California, named Christophe Roshardt as its general manager. He was vice president of F&B for Marriott International; general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix; and director of operations at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel in Texas.
Tod Chambers
Waldorf Astoria Chicago and Conrad Chicago, both located within The Magnificent Mile, named Tod Chambers managing director. He has 25 years of experience with the Hilton brand and most recently served as general manager of The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
Alastair McAlpine
Four Seasons named Alastair McAlpine general manager of Four Seasons Resorts Lanai, Hawaii and Four Seasons Resort Lanai, The Lodge at Koele. Originally from Northern Ireland, he will be returning to Lanai after spending time in Hangzhou, China; Langkawi, Malasia; and the Maldives and Seychelles.
Matthew La Vine
Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton in Palm Springs, California, named Matthew La Vine as its general manager. He was previously at The Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder in New Mexico and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. He has also worked in Texas, Florida and Toronto.
