Raleigh firms behind new chatbot for New Bern’s official website

The thing is, Ellie isn’t actually real. It’s an automated chatbot created by a partnership between digital marketing firm BluePrint Business Communications and software platform Ellie for New Bern’s official tourism website. Home to Tryon Palace and the birthplace of Pepsi Cola, the city is located about 112 miles east of Raleigh. “We have programmed [the tool] to serve as a one-stop-shop for all things New Bern,” said BluePrint’s founder and president Brice Connors.
“With a website as large as New Bern’s, it is easy for users to run into navigational issues,” he added. “This is where Ellie streamlines the process and provides the user with what they want when they want. Whether you are planning your trip six months in advance or you just happened to come to town, Ellie takes the hassle out of traveling.”

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Ennismore and Shivom LLC Announces Signing a New Mama Shelter in LA

ENNISMORE | September 20, 2023

Ennismore and Shivom LLC to Launch Mama Shelter Downtown LA in 2026, the Second of Its Kind in the City: Ennismore and its partner Shivom LLC are set to open Mama Shelter Downtown LA in 2026, following the success of Mama Shelter LA in 2015. Mama Shelter Downtown LA, housed in the transformed Mart South Building in Downtown LA, will offer 149 keys, including 145 standard rooms and four suites, known for its lively design, exceptional dining, and entertainment. Guests can enjoy three lively F&B outlets, including a ground-floor all-day dining restaurant and café, a rooftop bar and terrace with city views, an on-site fitness center, and a parking garage. Positioned in the heart of Los Angeles' Fashion District, the hotel provides convenient access to over 4,000 retailers, local and national restaurants, iconic venues like the California Market Center, and nearby shopping corridors, enhancing the guest experience in the entertainment capital. Ennismore, a creative hospitality company, and its partner Shivom LLC have announced the forthcoming Mama Shelter Downtown LA. This venture, set to launch in 2026, marks the second establishment of the popular Mama Shelter brand within the city, following the successful debut of Mama Shelter LA in May 2015. The new Mama Shelter, situated within the transformed Mart South Building in Downtown LA, is poised to offer a dynamic and immersive hospitality experience. Boasting 149 keys, including 145 standard rooms and four suites, it will embody Mama Shelter's signature style, combining vivacious design with exceptional dining and entertainment options. Cédric Gobilliard, Head of Central & Southern Europe and COO of Ennismore, commented, "We are thrilled to be opening a second Mama Shelter in LA. Los Angeles is a place to live life to the fullest, carrying so many fundamental values of the Mama brand, including her irreverent, popular, sassy and sexy personality; which fits perfectly with the glamour of LA. We look forward to bringing Mama's spirit to the city again with partner Shivom LLC." [Source – Cision PR Newswrire] Mama Shelter Downtown LA will offer three festive F&B outlets to party and play, including an all-day dining restaurant and café on the ground floor, as well as a rooftop bar and terrace with city views. Guests at the hotel will also have access to and use an on-site fitness centre and parking garage. Mama's exuberant interior decorations, homemade, high-quality menus and year-round happenings have become a staple in every one of the destinations. Guests will find all the design elements that distinguish a Mama Shelter, including graffiti carpets and ceilings, comfortable chairs, cartoon masks and one-of-a-kind decorations that reflect Mama's personality, signature food, and Mama nights to get the party started. As the world's entertainment capital, Los Angeles is an unrivaled cultural center with over 100 museums. Mama Shelter Downtown LA enjoys a prime location within the city's Fashion District, surrounded by more than 4,000 independently owned retailers and a thriving selection of local and national restaurants. Adjacent to the hotel, the California Market Center (CMC) stands as an iconic DTLA landmark, known for hosting premier events and epitomizing the city's rich fashion industry heritage. For those seeking retail therapy, Santee Alley, a shopping corridor, and the Los Angeles Flower District, the largest flower marketplace in the United States, are just a stroll away from Mama Shelter Downtown LA. This strategic positioning ensures that guests have access to an array of attractions and experiences within arm's reach, enriching their stay in this dynamic metropolis.

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Hospitality Management

Aimbridge EMEA Named First Third-Party Manager of Costa Blanca Resort Grand Luxor Hotel & Village

PR Newswire | October 20, 2023

Aimbridge Hospitality EMEA, a division of global management leader Aimbridge Hospitality, has been appointed by Santa Maria Group to manage its independent, 402-key Grand Luxor Hotel & Village resort on the Costa Blanca beginning October 1, 2023. The deal marks a major milestone for both companies, signaling their joint ambition to accelerate growth and provide exceptional experiences in the market. A leading hospitality management company and the world's largest third-party hotel operator, Aimbridge EMEA is expected to bring its two decades of operational expertise and award-winning talent development to the four-star rated resort. The Grand Luxor Hotel & Village houses a 300-guest room hotel, including two Presidential Suites, five food and beverage outlets and 102 villas, boasting both communal and private swimming pools. Located adjacent to the Terra Mitica theme park, and a 40-minute drive away from Alicante Airport, the resort also offers a spa, a gym, three outdoor pools, mini golf, a kids' club, and more than 1,500 sqm of meetings and events space. The hotel will benefit from the Terra Mitica Convention Centre and world class event spaces, totalling 12,000sqm, including an Iberian Village, and a 3,000 sqm Circus Maximus Auditorium. Terra Mitica is under the same ownership group and the theme park is a key destination for family tourism in the area. David Anderson, Divisional President at Aimbridge EMEA, said: "We are incredibly excited to partner with Santa Maria Group and announce our entry into the Spanish market. The Grand Luxor Hotel & Village, located on the Costa Blanca - one of Spain's most popular tourist destinations - is an impressive and sought-out resort, and we look forward to helping the owners meet their growth goals." Formerly known as Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Aimbridge EMEA has seen development deals across Europe soar over the last six months, as travel returns to pre-pandemic levels and investors regain confidence in the hotel and tourism sectors. "As a division of global powerhouse Aimbridge Hospitality, this deal also reflects our commitment to accelerate growth across the region. The Iberian Peninsula has been a major focus for our development plans over the last 12 months, and we have made sizable investments in the market, including several new hires in key locations, such as Madrid and Barcelona," Anderson continued. "We see many opportunities to bring our management expertise to the Spanish region and beyond, utilising Aimbridge's industry-leading technologies, systems and talent to create great experiences for guests, and superior returns for investors and owners." In addition to its entry into Spain, the company has also announced a number of new additions to its EMEA portfolio in recent months, including the Holiday Inn Eindhoven Airport, the Adagio Aparthotel Antwerp City Centre, and the Alliance Palace in Batumi, Georgia. Last month, the business welcomed industry veteran, Niall Kelly, who has been appointed as Head of Development – EMEA, bringing more than 25 years of significant deal-making experience within international markets to his role. Anderson added: "We're focused on attracting top talent with expertise in multiple languages and across all verticals, building on our relationships with both existing and new hotel owners to create returns and unlock more opportunities for their properties. "The strong growth in project numbers that we're seeing across Europe is testament to this approach, and the many benefits Aimbridge's global scale and industry experience can offer owners within the hospitality space." The Aimbridge Hospitality global portfolio, inclusive of managed and pipeline properties, includes approximately 1,500 hotels in 20 countries around the world.

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Destination and Tourism

Spirit Airlines and Liberty University Join Forces for Pilot Pathway

Spirit Airlines | September 15, 2023

Spirit Airlines partners with Liberty University to launch the Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway program, focusing on nurturing the next generation of skilled pilots. Liberty University aviation students can apply for the program after their sophomore year and a faculty recommendation, gaining conditional employment offers from Spirit Airlines, mentorship, and essential resources. The program enhances the academic experience at Liberty University and aligns with Spirit Airlines' commitment to developing a proficient and motivated pilot workforce. The company emphasizes its growth, new aircraft acquisitions, and improved pilot benefits, offering a promising future for Liberty Aeronautics graduates. On September 14, 2023, Spirit Airlines, a leading customizable travel options provider, has announced a collaboration with Liberty University to cultivate the next generation of pilots. Spirit Airlines has unveiled the Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway program, a strategic initiative to expand its pool of skilled aviators. This innovative program, hosted at Liberty University's School of Aeronautics in Lynchburg, Virginia, marks a significant milestone in the airline's mission to bolster its ranks of professional pilots. Liberty University students pursuing aviation degrees benefit from this partnership. Students may apply to the Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway program after completing their sophomore year and obtaining a faculty recommendation. Successful candidates will receive conditional employment offers from Spirit Airlines, essential resources like a Spirit Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) and invaluable mentorship opportunities. As they progress through their academic journey and accumulate flight hours, program participants will ultimately step into the role of a Spirit First Officer, contributing to the airline's commitment to excellence in aviation. This initiative enhances the educational experience at Liberty University and reinforces Spirit Airlines' dedication to cultivating a highly skilled and motivated pilot workforce. Ryan Rodosta, Senior Director of Flight Operations and System Chief Pilot at Spirit Airlines, shared, We put a lot of hard work into developing the Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway program and assembling a great group of partners making it incredibly rewarding to reach this key milestone. Liberty University offers a premier pilot training program designed to provide graduates with the skills to lead in the aviation field, and Spirit's growth creates opportunities for those graduates to achieve their dreams with us." [Source – Cision PR Newswire] Spirit's Pilots fly some of the industry's newest, most fuel-efficient aircraft to 90+ destinations across the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. Eight brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2023, creating opportunities for First Officers to get promoted to Captain quickly. Recently, Spirit's pilots ratified a contract that includes a substantial pay raise and improved benefits. In addition to industry-leading training, Spirit provides its pilots with an exceptional quality of life. The partnership would open exceptional prospects for their graduates, offering Liberty-trained aviation professionals a distinctive pathway to Spirit Airlines upon meeting the requisite training and experience standards. Rick Roof, Dean of the School of Aeronautics, emphasized that Spirit Airlines would gain access to pilots distinguished by their outstanding technical competencies and character, making them valuable contributors to the aerospace sector. He further noted that Liberty Aeronautics graduates could envision themselves as integral members of the Spirit team, enjoying the advantages of being associated with a renowned industry leader and operating some of the most advanced aircraft worldwide.

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