USAE
THE WEEKLY COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF ASSOCIATIONS, CVBs AND HOTELS VOLUME 43, ISSUE 10
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Kristen Reynolds Tapped to Lead Choose Chicago By Jonathan Trager
countries by March 21. Officials were directed to target countries for which “vetting and screening information is deficient as to warrant a partial or full suspension of the admission of nationals from those countries.” That date, however, came and went without any announcement. Bruce told media members that date
Choose Chicago announced on April 3 that Kristen Reynolds, CDME, will represent one of the nation’s top tourism and convention destinations as the organization’s new President & CEO. A 27-year veteran of the travel and tourism industry, Reynolds joins Choose Chicago after serving as President & CEO of Discover Long Island in New York. She starts her new job on May 5, taking over for interim CEO Rich Gamble, a Choose Chicago board member. “Chicago is a world-class city with unparalleled cultural, culinary, and business assets, and I am honored to take on this leadership role at Choose Chicago,” Reynolds said. “I look forward to working with the incredible team, city officials, and industry partners to continue elevating Chicago’s global reputation, attracting visitors and driving economic impact across Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods.” Reynolds takes the reins of the group “at a pivotal time as Chicago builds on record-breaking tourism momentum” Choose Chicago said. In 2024, Chicago earned the Condé Nast Traveler “Best Big City in the
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Orlando joined the annual worldwide recognition of Global Meetings Industry Day on April 3. Visit Orlando celebrated the impact the meetings industry has on the Central Florida small business community. The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) celebrated embarking on a $560 million expansion project to the North-South Building. Pictured here: Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, Visit Orlando (second row, far left), and Eric Blanc, Deputy Director, Orange County Convention Center (back row, checkered jacket and goatee), along with staff members from Visit Orlando and the OCCC. See story on page 3
Federal Travel Restrictions Inexplicably Delayed By Jonathan Trager A Trump administration plan that would restrict citizens from certain countries from entering the United States has been postponed indefinitely without explanation. On March 31, administration spokeswoman Tammy Bruch spoke on the matter at a State Department
press briefing. She told journalists that although the department is working on developing a plan, there is no date set for it to be submitted. President Trump had signed an executive order on January 20— his first day in office—requesting recommendations from federal departments on which new visa restrictions should be applied to which
Informa Connect Spring Marketplace Built for Domestic Events Sector By Todd McElwee Organizers of the Informa Connect Spring Marketplace are clear on its mission: serving as a catalyst for domestic business. Running from April 22– 24 at the Wynn & Encore Las Vegas, and encompassing a full commercial, learning and social agenda, 2,000 will be onsite with north of 23,000 appointments expected. “It’s timed for action, not optics,” Matt Johnson, Managing Director, Infor-
ma Connect, told USAE. “Spring Marketplace hits right as domestic decision-makers are planning and spending—not just walking show floors.” Johnson added the event will feature a one-to-one supplier-to-buyer ratio, and the company’s largest hosted buyer audience ever (the show’s website lists 750). Connect Spring Marketplace organizers sought a wholistic approach to the domestic meetings sector, Please turn to page 4
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Associations Luminary LaRue V. Frye Dies By USAE Staff
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Page 2 Historic Arizona Inn Hits the Market Page 4 Westgate Resorts Founder Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from ARDA Page 5 AHLA Announces New Appointments to Leadership Team Page 7 U.S. Travel Recognizes Members of Congress as Travel Champions
LaRue V. Frye, of Augusta, W.V.; Martinsburg, W.V.; and Washington, D.C., passed away on March 27 at her beloved farm home near Augusta, W.V. She was 86. Born at Little Capon Frye Farm in 1938, Frye’s life reads like a fascinating book—it has many chapters. She was an internationally known expert on meetings and convention management; a real estate developer of historic properties; the restorer and operator of the Historic Boydville Plantation Inn & Estate in Martinsburg,
W.V.; a prolific writer; a civic leader; a catalyst for creation of the Martinsburg Roundhouse Authority when Mayor Ernie Sparks appointed her Chairman of the Martinsburg Roundhouse Committee; a mentor to many; and an authentic and loving farm girl. Frye was very demanding of herself and had high standards. That said, she also had a kind and caring heart for others and boosted many to successful careers and personal excellence. According to Ross E. HellPlease turn to page 8