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WHAT’S NEW IN SAN JOSE
SAN JOSE, CA (February 3, 2009) – The San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau and Team San Jose, in celebration of the renewal of a five-year contract with the City of San Jose to run the convention and cultural facilities (with the option to renew for an additional six years), and the CVB’s 25th anniversary, announced the following industry promotions and developments:
HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROMOTIONS
25th Anniversary Short-term booking promotion (Meetings and Events)
To celebrate its 25th anniversary and to help clients out during tough economic times, the San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau has created a short-term booking promotion for its convention and cultural facilities and hotels for 2009. The offer includes facility discounts for meetings which are booked and take place in 2009. Discounts range from 50 percent off faculty rentals for meetings with 1,000+ rooms on peak, down to 15 percent discount for 1-150 rooms on peak. An additional 10-20 percent discount will be given for events which book and take place by June 30, 2009. Nine hotels are also offering special concessions for events taking place in 2009. Offerings include complimentary internet access in all public spaces and guest rooms, 1 per 30 comp policy and 2008 menu pricing for all food and beverage functions. Participating hotels include Clarion Hotel San Jose Airport, Crowne Plaza Hotel San Jose, Dolce Hayes Mansion, Hilton San Jose, Holiday Inn, Fairmont San Jose, San Jose Marriott, Sainte Claire Hotel and Wyndham San Jose.
Renovations and News
Hilton San Jose just completed an $11 million total property transformation. The design is new classic - modern, yet evocative of the region's rich history. Design elements throughout the hotel have traditional Hispanic color accents and patterns, reinterpreted in the high-tech, streamlined style, suffused in the visual language of Silicon Valley and its products. In addition, the restaurant has been reinvented. The new Affinity restaurant matches the styling of the hotel and offers a myriad European-inspired cuisine, yet made with rich, local ingredients. Dine either in a casual table service in the dining room, al fresco in the beautiful patio, or for the jetsetters, an easy 'to go' offering of tasty hot or cold options. For more information visit www.sanjosehilton.com.
TANQ, downtown’s newest hip bar will open the end of February 2009. Located at the San Jose Marriott downtown, this new bar/lounge, an under-water themed destination, gives customers an uplifting, soul-satisfying experience by combining innovative small-plate gourmet cuisine and handcrafted cocktails and engaging service. For more information visit www.marriott.com.
Hotel Valencia Santana Row is expanding its eco-friendly and sustainable program by enhancing building features such as lighting, electricity and resources for the restaurant. Since its inception, the hotel has been a leader in contributions for a more eco-friendly and sustainable environment for guests and the city of San Jose. From January 2008 through May 2008, Hotel Valencia Santana Row was noted by Energystar.gov to have reduced its carbon imprint by 47,740 pounds. The hotel was one of the first in the area to install an advanced Ozone laundry system, designed to reduce water usage by as much as 35 percent and dryer time by as much as 60 percent. Sustainable and organic practices also extend to Hotel Valencia’s Citrus Restaurant. Executive Chef Victor Lopez relies on local farmers and fishermen to obtain the freshest ingredients, thus decreasing emissions associated with shipping. Hotel Valencia Santana Row continues to research additional sustainability initiatives and products. For more information, contact Bonnie Best at bbest@valenciagroup.com or (408) 551-0010.
Hotel Promotions and Awards
Hotel Valencia Santana Row is offering a new, grown-up twist on the all-girls slumber party tradition. It’s the “Girlfriends’ Getaway,” and it’s a package designed to let best friends get away from it all in style. The package includes an overnight stay at the Santana Row luxury hotel, including two complimentary cocktails, breakfast for two in the hotel’s restaurant, Citrus, and two Valencia cinch shopping bags filled with goodies to make the slumber party complete. The package starts at $225, runs throughout 2009 and is based on availability. For reservations call 866.842.0100 or go to www.hotelvalencia.com and enter promotional ID: PKGGG. Each room will receive two black Hotel Valencia cinch bags filled with special items from Santana Row merchants. In addition to the package goodies, the hotel puts girlfriends in a prime location to have fun and pamper themselves.
The Fairmont San Joe’s value-added winter offer lets visitors cozy up and celebrate this winter with its ever-popular “Only One Way Winter” program rates, offering savings of up to 20%, or receive a free night when booking the best available rate for three nights or more. And as an extra incentive to get away this winter, guests booking Only One Way Winter rates may also take advantage of double airline miles at Aeroplan, American Airlines, AAdvantage and United Mileage Plus. Starting from $119 and good through April 15, 2009. Based on availability. Call 1-800-346-5550. www.fairmont.com/sanjose
Dolce Hayes Mansion was recently awarded the prestigious Platinum Choice Award from Smart Meetings magazine readers who noted properties with exceptional ambience, amenities, service and technology. This unique, green hotel is offering great rates and packages this winter and spring, such as: “It’s Not Easy Being Green” at $169 per night, $10 of which goes to Carbon Offsetting (LEEDS), good through 2009; “Advance Purchase Package” at $125 weekdays and $99 weekends, good through 2009 with at least three days notice; “Dolce Bed & Breakfast” at $165 with champagne or sparkling cider and breakfast for two, good through 2009; “President’s Day B&B Special” at $109 with Breakfast for two from Feb. 12-16, 2009; “Easter B&B Special” at $119 with Breakfast for two from April 9-12, 2009; and “Weekend 25% Off Special” where guests can stay 3-4 days beginning Thursday, Friday, or Saturday and get 25 percent off their stay. For more information on these and other specials visit www.dolce-hayes-mansion-hotel.com.
SHOPPING SPECIALS
Go Red for Women Promotion at Santana Row: Shop and dine at Santana
Row during the month of February to benefit Go Red for Women, a
fundraising branch of the American Heart Association. Donate $10 or more to
receive an exclusive "Heart Card," good for a minimum of15% off at select
Santana Row shops and restaurants for the month of February, including
Atelier Aveda, Tourneau, Pink Stripes, Vintage Wine Bar, Boutique Harajuku
and Cole Haan. Proceeds from the Heart Cards will benefit Go Red for Women. Visit the Concierge Center in the Via of Santana Heights behind Left Bank Brasserie and Sino for more details or call 408-551-4611 or visit www.santanarow.com
SPORTS SHORTS
The 2009 Amgen Tour of California—with a Stage Start, noon, Feb. 17 in San Jose—will once again bring together a world-class field of cycling teams from multiple nations, including eight of the sport’s top-rated ProTour teams. Race organizers confirmed that entries for the fourth annual race will include Lance Armstrong and the Amgen Tour of California’s two-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer’s team, Astana, along with two of the top U.S.-based teams, Garmin-Slipstream (new to the ProTour circuit) and Team Columbia (formerly Team High Road). The 2009 race is said to be the ‘Best Field Ever to Compete on U.S. Soil Anticipated For Nine Day Stage Race’. The recently expanded 750-mile, nine-day stage race, considered to be the most important and popular race held on U.S. soil, will take the world’s top professional cycling teams from Sacramento to San Diego County from February 14-22, 2009. In San Jose, the race will begin its Stage 3 start, noon, Tuesday, February 17, at San Fernando and Almaden. Riders will then make their way through the central and northeastern part of the City to Sierra Road en route to their final destination in Modesto. For information on great San Jose sites and activities for visitors to enjoy during Amgen, call 1-800-SAN-JOSE.
Coinciding with the Amgen Tour, the San Jose Office of Economic Development-produced San Jose Cycling Classic takes place Feb. 14-21 in Downtown San Jose. With a myriad of events for cyclists of all levels as well as some for those thinking about dusting off their bikes, or simply wanting to enjoy the competitive spectacle, there is something for everyone. Registration is now open and more information is available on the official event site www.sanjosecyclingclassic.com.
The San Jose Sharks are off to an amazing start to the 2008-2009 season. With HP Pavilion as home ice, San Jose fans have plenty of opportunities to catch all the action this season. Upcoming home games at HP Pavilion: Feb. 5, 17, 19, 21; March 3, 5, 14, 19, 21, 22, 28; April 4, 7, 9. www.sharks.nhl.com
CULTURAL CORNUCOPIA
New Public Art Celebrates San Jose Culture, History & Community: Fernanda d'Agostino created Garden of Strength for the new Mayfair Community Center, a suite of three distinct artwork elements that are free and open to the public. D'Agostino was inspired by the diversity and the rich cultural history of the Mayfair area neighborhoods and by the spirit of growth and renewal embodied in the flourishing Mayfair Community Garden adjacent to the site, one of the City's oldest community gardens. The new Mayfair Community Center is at 2039 Kammerer Ave, San José 95116. Call (408) 794-1060. www.sanjoseca.gov
Visitors can now access a printable pdf version of the San Jose Downtown Public Art Map on the Public Art webpage of the Office of Cultural Affairs website www.sanjoseculture.org.
WINE COUNTRY NEWS
Ultimate Winemakers Dinner: Feb. 24, 2009. Up to 25 winemakers in the Santa Cruz Mountain Wine Region near San Jose offer exclusive tastes of their wines in the Shadowbrook Restaurant's Rock Room Lounge and then join guests for an intimate gourmet meal in the spectacular setting of this Capitola restaurant, which is closed to the general public for this very special event. Cost is $105, all inclusive (meal, tax, wine and gratuity). Reservations required. Call Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Association at (831) 685-8463.
TRANSPORTATION TIDBITS
The $1.3 billion modernization of Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) terminal facilities remains on schedule and on budget, and is moving quickly to the finish line next year. SJC will reach major milestones for the project in 2009, especially the upgrades at Terminal A that will be completed by the end of the year. Terminal A milestones include: new ticketing lobbies to open in May which will offer 60 percent more stations for more efficient service; expanded security checkpoint to open this fall, featuring eight new lanes which are wider with more modern equipment; new restaurants and shops this summer, as well as upgraded lounges; and a $23 million replacement of its baggage security system late this year which will make it a state-of-the-art automated system with greater capacity and efficiency for both TSA and our airlines.
Terminal B/North Concourse milestones include; Interim Opening of North Concourse of Terminal B this Summer, including the opening of five gates in the new North Concourse in July to serve Southwest Airlines while workers complete Terminal A renovations. Until Terminal B is ready to completely open, Southwest passengers will continue to check in at Terminal A, and the airline also will continue to board passengers from its other gates in Terminal A. Terminal B on Schedule for Full Opening in Mid-2010. Construction is making fast progress on Terminal B, and we expect open the new terminal next summer.
There is also rapid progress on the Consolidated Rental Car Garage. Currently construction crews are placing the fourth deck of the ConRAC, and all seven decks are scheduled to be in place this summer. The new structure is across the road from the new Terminal B, and it will have 3,000 spaces for rental car companies and 350 spaces for public parking. Project completion currently is scheduled fall 2010.
The modernization will ensure that SJC is comfortable, convenient, and competitive with a capacity for growth. For current information about construction impacts to the airport, call (408) 501-0630.
About Team San Jose
Team San Jose's mission is to ensure that San Jose's Convention Center and Cultural Facilities are effectively managed to reduce costs, improve the local economy, and add value for our customers, residents, workers, and businesses within the City of San Jose. Team San Jose's board includes local hoteliers, organized labor, the arts and the Convention & Visitors Bureau.
About The San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau (SJCVB)
The San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau (SJCVB) mission is to enhance the image and economic well being of San Jose by marketing San Jose as a globally recognized destination. The SJCVB offers meeting planners, tour operators, and individual visitors a wide range of services to ensure a successful event and fun visit to San Jose. To receive a copy of the Bureau's Meeting Planning Guide or Official Visitors Guide, please contact the SJCVB at 1.800.SAN.JOSE (1.800.726.5673) or visit http://www.sanjose.org. |
