Saint Paul Convention and Visitors Bureau

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Saint Paul Announces Major Hotel Renovations and Openings
(Saint Paul, MN) The Saint Paul Convention and Visitors Bureau finalized its merger with the RiverCentre Authority, the entity which oversees the city's RiverCentre convention and entertainment complex. The new organization is called the Saint Paul RiverCentre Convention and Visitors Authority (SPRVCA) and also sports a new website and URL, which is www.visitsaintpaul.com. The purpose of the merger is to strengthen the Bureau so that it can better compete in today's aggressive marketplace by streamlining operations and investing in additional sales and marketing staff and programming. The city is excited to announce several hotel renovations, as well as new attractions, which will increase Saint Paul's appeal as a major Midwest convention and tourism destination. The city has also hired a new Sports Marketing Director and continues to attract major sporting events and national competitions to the Xcel Energy Center. Saint Paul Area Hotel News The Radisson Riverfront Hotel and the Radisson City Center Hotel have been sold to Trinity Hotel Investors Inc. of New York, and will be managed by Crestline Hotels & Resorts. The 479-room Radisson Riverfront Hotel has been rebranded as The Crowne Plaza Hotel St. Paul Riverfront and the 251-room Radisson City Center St. Paul Hotel will be temporarily operated as an independent hotel while it undergoes a major renovation to begin in late 2006. The renovations are expected to be completed by March 2007, at which time the hotel will be rebranded. The Riverfront property, which was completely renovated in the fall of 2000, will also be updated by late 2006. Embassy Suites Hotel-Saint Paul Renovation The 210-suite Embassy Suites Hotel-Saint Paul Downtown completed a $2.2 million renovation of its guest suites and public areas in November, 2005. The renovation in the public space consists of a restored lobby entrance, new exterior awnings, and new carpet in the corridors as well as in Cork's Pub. Renovation to the guest suites includes new bathroom wall vinyl and towel rack/bars, marble & porcelain restoration, curved shower rods, suite carpet, parlor sofa sleepers, parlor and activity chairs, living room and bedroom draperies and sheers, bedroom televisions and the Embassy Suites 'Suite Dreams' bed package consisting of new mattresses & box springs. La Quinta Inn Suites Opens in Saint Paul Saint Paul will open its first La Quinta Inn Suites in early summer, 2006. This 134-room property will boast 20 suites, a full service restaurant, complimentary continental breakfast, indoor pool and Jacuzzi and 11,000 sq. ft of meeting space. This newly renovated property, formerly a Travel Lodge, is located just five minutes from downtown Saint Paul along I-94. La Quinta Inn Suites 1870 Old Hudson Road Saint Paul, MN 55119 651-735-2333 General Manager: Najib Mailatyar The Saint Paul Hotel has opened "M" Street Café. This popular restaurant serves breakfast and lunch in a casual atmosphere - perfect for business meetings throughout the day. Order off the menu or take advantage of the quick service lunch buffet offering grilled meats, fish, fresh salads, vegetables and roast meats daily. The Holiday Inn RiverCentre added a 260 stall parking ramp to fully accommodate parking needs for its 195 guest rooms. The St. James Hotel Red Wing, MN is celebrating its 130^th Anniversary and is seeking "memorable experiences" from its past guests. These can be keepsakes, mementos, photos, letters, journal entries or just a written record of an experience at the St. James. Send to Director of Sales Jennifer Nelson at [email protected]. Saint Paul Sports Council Names New Director The SPRCVA named Marcus Lyons as the new Sports Marketing and Sales Director. Lyons will oversee the year-old Saint Paul Sports Council, which seeks to attract high profile sporting events to the city. Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center will host the USA Gymnastics VISA Championships from August 16-19, 2006, the USA Figure Skating Championships in January, 2008 and the WCHA Tournaments from 2007-2011. Since it opened in 2000 as home to the NHL Minnesota Wild, the Xcel Energy Center, located within the RiverCentre convention complex, has received accolades from players, spectators, performers and media, and was recently rated the top arena in the nation by ESPN The Magazine, as having the "best stadium experience." The Xcel Energy Center has successfully hosted several high-profile events, including the 2002 NCAA Frozen Four, 2001-05 WCHA Final Five Hockey Tournaments, 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs, 2003-04 TJ Maxx Tour of Gymnastics Champions, 2004 Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic, the NHL All Star Weekend and World Cup of Hockey in 2004 and the 2005 National Junior Weightlifting Championships. New Attractions/Restaurants Lo-To, Matty B's, Chico Chica The new Lo-To restaurant located in Galtier Plaza in downtown's Lowertown district overlooks lovely Mears Park and offers an array of entrees, soups, salads, appetizers, pizza by the slice, and single servings of deli items such as meatballs and spreads. Lo-To is known for its breads and large selections of specialty coffees and features a comfortable coffee bar and bakery - packed with tempting pasties, croissants and baguettes. Matty B's offers a traditional supper club atmosphere with standard American fare including steaks, chops and seafood. Conveniently located on Wabasha Street near the Crowne Plaza Riverfront and City Hall, this favorite Saint Paul location features historic Saint Paul photos as well as images from the city's infamous gangster era. A great new restaurant choice near the Xcel Energy Center is Chico Chica. The menu is Tex-Mex with a casual twist. Burgers, steaks and Mexican specialties lend a decidedly southwestern flair to West 7^th Street. The huge outdoor patio makes this one of the best people watching spots in town - especially before or after a concert or sporting event at Xcel Energy Center Lowry Theatre - Actors Theatre Company opens in a new space in the historic renovated Lowry Building located in downtown's core near the Saint Paul Hotel. This intimate space hosts the play We Gotta Bingo through 2006. Perfect for corporate groups, this interactive comedy invites guests to a church Bingo and supper. For more information on the Saint Paul RiverCentre Convention and Visitors Authority, or go obtain images, visit www.visitsaintpaul.com or call 651-265-4900 or 1-800-627-6101.