Make Your Own Invitations, Cards, Announcements, and More with PurpleTrail Design Center

Why spend money on mass produced cards when you can design your own?  Friends and family will love getting one of a kind greeting cards, invitations, and announcements from you.  It’s easy to do with the PurpleTrail Design Center. You have some many creative tools at your disposal.  You can create the perfect design for your event or occasion.

What is the PurpleTrail Design Center?

With the PurpleTrail Design Center, you can choose from thousands of online designs, community submitted designs, or start from scratch and create a truly unique card or invitation.  Whether you want to make your own bridal shower invitation, wedding invitation, birthday card, or birth announcement it’s so easy to do!  Take a tour.

Design Sizes

If you want to print your design (either at home or professionally) you have two size choices:  4×6 inch postcards and 5.5×8.5 inch folded cards.  Either of these cards can be portrait or landscape orientation.  When you view one of our print card designs you can see what size of card it has been designed for.  The size is listed in the card details.

 

 

   

If you would like a design to be changed to a different card type, you can do this by personalizing the card in the PurpleTrail Design Center.  After you open the card for personalization, click to change the design type.

Design Tools

Within the design center you can add photos, embellishments, frames, background colors and text.  All of these features are customizable.  Things can be rotated, flipped, cropped, resized, and you can even change the opacity them.  Check out our design tips article to help you get started.  You can also find lots of helpful hint at our FAQ page.
You can make your design as simple or complex as you like.  Your friends and family will love get such personal cards from you.  It always makes people feel special to know you made something for them and that you put thought and effort into it.

Shower Invitations – Baby, Bridal and Beyond

Shower invitations.  Whether it’s  baby shower invitations, bridal shower invitations, or couples shower invites, it seems there are millions to choose from.  Cute themes, contemporary themes, animal themes, you name it, it’s likely to exist.  The problem with these mass produced shower invitations, is that they lack any kind of personal touch.  Sure they are pretty, but they aren’t usually personalized to the shower honoree.  The PurpleTrail Design Center is here to change that.  With the design center, you can create beautiful, unique, personalized shower invitations.

The PurpleTrail Design Center has thousands of design possibilities for your shower invitation.  You can choose from one of our online designs or community designs and then add your own personal stamp to really make the shower invitation about the shower honoree.  You can also start with a blank canvas in the design center.  A unique shower invitation is just waiting to be created by you.  You can upload photos of the shower honoree.  The design center tool include things like being able to crop, flip, rotate, change opacity, and size adjustment of both embellishments and photos.  You can essentially create a work of art for your shower invitations.  And that surpasses any mass produced shower invitation.
To print your shower invitations, you have two options; you can print at home or use let PurpleTrail print them for you.  Each is easy and produces beautiful results.  So get creative!  Make the most unique and personalized shower invitations for your next baby, bridal or beyond shower.

RateGain’s Channel Management Solution is Ready for the Year of the Dragon

In line with its strategy of being “Glocal”- global company offering customized features to cater to local needs, RateGain offers its advanced channel management solution in Chinese language specifically enhanced to meet online distribution requirements of hotels in China.
RateGain, a pioneer in technology solutions for hospitality industry, launches its channel management solution with complete customization in Chinese language. With over 11,000 hotels worldwide having access to its solutions, RateGain has a proven global track record of innovation and expertise. Following its successful launch of channel manager in Spanish earlier this year, this is a strategic move by RateGain to capture the biggest hospitality market in Asia.
Unlike other platforms, it not only offers the user interface in Chinese language but a database backend system capable of updating and retrieving their ARI & other details in Chinese characters. Other than hotels in Chinese mainland, hotels in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau that are dependent on Chinese speaking staff would also benefit substantially.
This solution helps hotels in distributing their inventory to leading local OTAs and offline channels in China to target the domestic market. Additionally, coupled with features like contract facilitation and Yuan currency support, hotels can identify and contract with international OTAs through channel manager itself, and target foreign visitors coming to China.
Mr. Aqeel Ahmed, Chief Operating Officer, RateGain commented, “With more than 2.3 million rooms and only 15% of hotels with brand affiliation, China offers the single largest retail market for hospitality products. RateGain’s success in American and European markets, along with interests from hotels in China like New Century, made it a logical decision to introduce our products in Chinese language to be able to better serve the needs of this growing market. Going forward, in order to offer an advanced and totally integrated solution catering to the needs of its existing customers like New Century Group of Hotels and Marco Polo Hotels, RateGain is in the process of integrating its channel management platform with leading Chinese CRS providers.”
About RateGain
RateGain offers web-based solutions to leading online travel agents, airlines, wholesalers and hotels across 70 countries.  RateGain products for the travel industry have earned numerous awards for innovation.   The company is a leader in SaaS based solutions in channel management, online brand reputation management, competitive price intelligence, and social media marketing. Established in 2004, RateGain is headquartered in India with offices in the US, Thailand, Spain, Dubai and the UK. For more information, please visit www.rategain.com.

Technology Breakthrough In Hotel Guest Service

Crave Interactive Ltd, a leading innovator and vendor of smart emenu solutions for the hospitality industry, today announces the worldwide launch of Crave GuestService+, a unique solution whereby hotel guests access a host of useful services via a stylish branded tablet when in-room and a Smartphone app when out and about.
Crave GuestService+ includes food and drink ordering for Room Service or in Hotel restaurants, bars, pool areas and conference rooms. Goods are charged to the room or paid by PayPal or credit card. Hotel bills can be paid without queuing for checkout.

Guests can access a vast range of concierge services in multiple languages wherever they are. Information on Hotel amenities is instantly accessible.  Ratings and feedback are encouraged with integrated social media boosting the Hotel’s on-line presence and providing valuable guest feedback. Loyalty club information is integrated and instantly accessible.

Hotels benefit from higher guest satisfaction, increased spend per customer and a brand interaction with the guest that lasts long after the visit. The Smartphone app continues to be useful to the guest after their stay, thereby extending the brand experience and enticing them to rebook. 

“The time is right for quality Hotels to embrace the popularity of tablet computers and Smartphones to provide better services to their guests in a compelling and cost effective way.” said Crave Founder and CEO, Gareth Hughes, “Crave GuestService+ provides the guest with better service and access to the information they require, wherever they are. For Hotel operators the financial and marketing benefits coupled with low implementation costs make Crave GuestService+ a game changing technology.”
 
Crave GuestService+ is powered by Crave Cloud, a powerful software platform designed for large chains as well as independent operations. Crave Cloud is integrated with POS (Point of Sale) and PMS (Property Management System) systems. The hotel operator has complete control in real time over the services offered to guests. Changes in menus or pricing are instant.

Crave Cloud includes sophisticated analytics and reporting, allowing Hotels to understand their guest’s preferences and interests in a manner not previously possible. Services and marketing offers can therefore be managed in an intelligent, personal way that guests will appreciate. The Smartphone app enables an on-going relationship with the guest.

“Crave GuestService+ provides new effective marketing opportunities and a memorable brand experience in a way that guests appreciate.” continued Hughes “The branded Smartphone app stays with the guest long after their visit. It helps entice a repeat booking and encourages recommendations to the guests’ social media friends and contacts.”

Crave GuestService+ is available in-room on Crave’s stylish 7-inch touch screen tablet with Smartphone apps for IOS (iPhone), Android, Windows and Blackberry.

Crave GuestService+ will be demonstrated at the imenuexpo at Jarvits Centre, New York November 13-15^th, and HTNG 6^thEuropean Conference 14-18^th November, Grand Hyatt, Berlin, Germany.

www.crave-emenu.com/hotel.html for brochure and high resolution images


About Crave

With its HQ in London and offices in the Netherlands and New York, Crave Interactive was formed in 2009. Its mission is to develop the very best emenu solutions for the hospitality industry.

Crave is currently the European market leader of emenu solutions with multiple installations and tens of thousands of items ordered via its systems per month.

In May 2011 Crave merged with Grenos b.v., a Dutch company that was an early innovator in mobile phone ordering technology. Crave’s management team include Founder Gareth Hughes (ex FTSE 100 Director of Psion plc) and Mark Gretton (ex Chief Technology Officer of TomTom).



Contact:

Claire Barrett, Product Manager, Crave Interactive Ltd
Claire.Barrett@crave-emenu.com
+44 2030 516090

Gareth Hughes, CEO, Crave Interactive Ltd
Gareth.Hughes@crave-emenu.com
Mobile: +44 7785 551196
 
Crave Interactive Ltd
14 Red Lion Square
London WC1R 4QF

Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Hersha Enters Miami Market with Acquisition of Courtyard Miami Beach Oceanfront

Hersha Hospitality Trust (NYSE: HT) announced that the Company has entered into a purchase contract to acquire the 263 room Courtyard Miami Beach Oceanfront and an adjacent beachfront land parcel, for $95.0 million, or $361,217 per key.
The Courtyard Miami Beach Oceanfront was originally constructed as the art deco Cadillac Hotel, and was reopened in 2004 after a complete restoration. The entire property has been renovated to the latest Courtyard brand standards this year, and remains the only franchised Marriott hotel in the Miami Beach market.

“We are excited to expand our presence into one of the strongest lodging markets in the country with the acquisition of our first hotel in Miami”

“We are excited to expand our presence into one of the strongest lodging markets in the country with the acquisition of our first hotel in Miami,” stated Jay H. Shah, Chief Executive Officer. “This is a truly unique fee-simple asset, a fully-renovated historic hotel occupying an entire block of oceanfront property. The hotel is ideally situated in the Mid-Beach submarket in a resort-style setting with easy access to the primary commercial district, the Miami Beach Convention Center and the Miami Airport. With minimal new supply, multiple transient demand generators and the continued strength of international travel, we anticipate strong growth for this hotel and this market for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, with the opportunity to develop an additional all-suite oceanfront tower, this acquisition has the potential to become one of the premier hotel destinations in Miami.”

Advertisement

Included in the acquisition is the adjacent land parcel that has received approval from the Historic Preservation Board for the construction of an additional 93 room oceanfront tower, additional meeting space and structured parking. The Company plans to commence construction of this tower in 2012 and anticipates that the construction would be completed in late 2013 with an estimated cost of $200,000 per room. Including estimated construction costs of this tower, the Company’s all-in per key cost for the 356 room hotel would be $319,101. The hotel also features a 7,200 square feet casual dining restaurant, leased to Carrabba’s Italian Grill, and the 138 seat Tiki Beach Bar. The hotel also generates income from parking, a Starbucks, 2,700 square feet of meeting facilities, onsite spa services and beach rentals.
The Miami hotel market has displayed favorable dynamics, with trailing twelve month growth of 12.7% in Revenue per Available Room (“RevPAR”). Smith Travel Research projects that Miami will be one of the leading hotel markets in 2012, and the Miami Beach Convention Center is anticipating its strongest year since opening. During the 2002 through 2007 lodging cycle, the greater Miami market registered a compounded annual growth rate of 16% in RevPAR, ranking Miami as the highest-growth top-25 market in the United States during this time period. Additionally, the market average RevPAR is still approximately 12% below its 2008 peak. Upon acquisition, the hotel will be managed by Hersha Hospitality Management, LP.
The purchase price represents a forward capitalization rate of more than 7.6% on the hotel’s projected 2012 net operating income, with the asset stabilizing at over 10%. The acquisition is anticipated to be funded by assuming $30.7 million of existing debt, cash on hand and borrowings drawn on the Company’s line of credit. The Company anticipates closing on the acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2011 and expects to refinance the first mortgage loan in June 2012.
The Company’s acquisition of the hotel is subject to a variety of conditions, including the receipt of lender and franchisor consents and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Company will complete the acquisition of the Courtyard Miami Beach Oceanfront described above on the schedule or on the terms described above or at all. In addition, no assurance can be given that construction of the oceanfront tower will be completed on time or within the Company’s current estimated budget.
Hersha Hospitality Trust is a self-advised real estate investment trust, which owns 79 hotels in major markets including New York, Washington, Boston, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. HT focuses on upscale and mid-priced hotels in urban gateway markets.


Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Red Lion Hotels To Sell Medford and Missoula Hotels

Red Lion Hotels Corporation (NYSE: RLH) has listed for sale the Red Lion Hotel Medford in Oregon and the Red Lion Inn Missoula in Montana.
"Our purchase last week from iStar Financial Inc. of the previously leased portfolio of hotels gives us the opportunity to take action toward monetizing non-core assets," said Jon E. Eliassen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Red Lion Hotels Corporation. "We will continue to look for ways to strategically position Red Lion with hotels that fit the brand going forward. Selling these two properties also furthers our effort to restructure our balance sheet, which will give the company more financial flexibility and increase shareholder value."
The Red Lion Hotel Medford is a select service property located downtown with 185 exterior entry rooms and more than 9,500 square feet of meeting space. Medford is 25 miles north of the California border in Southern Oregon's scenic Rogue Valley.
The Red Lion Inn Missoula is a limited service property with 76 exterior entry rooms, located just blocks from the city center and the University of Montana. Across the street from the hotel is Riverfront Park with walking and biking trails, a tennis court and a fishing pond.
In addition, the Red Lion Colonial Hotel in Helena, MT, was listed for sale in March 2011. The 149-room Red Lion Colonial Hotel has 15,500 square feet of meeting space, the largest group space in the market, and underwent a major renovation in 2006. It is located approximately one mile from the Montana State Capitol building.
The properties are all listed with CBRE Hotels representative Chris Burdett, the agent responsible for the successful sale of Red Lion Hotel on Fifth Avenue in Seattle in June.


Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Holiday Travel Poll: Less Spending, but Half Will Take at Least One Trip

Local consumers will be spending less on their holiday trips this season, but are about as likely as they were last year to take at least one overnight trip for the holidays in November and December, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California's Third Annual Winter Holiday Travel Poll.
Forty-nine percent of polled local residents said they plan on one or more holiday trips, compared to 47 percent last year, while 39 percent definitely won't take a trip (37 percent last year) and 12 percent are undecided (16 percent in 2010).
The 39 percent not taking a holiday trip cited several reasons, including:

• High gas prices (45 percent)
• Too many other expenses (45 percent)
• Rising price of travel (34 percent)
• Reduced household income (30 percent)

Of those who will be traveling in November and December, 60 percent plan to spend $1,000 or less on their getaways, compared to 52 percent last year who said they would spend under $1,000. Forty-nine percent of surveyed holiday travelers will take one trip in November or December, 39 percent will take two, and 12 percent will take three or more. Last year, 46 percent said they would take one trip, 43 percent were taking two, and 11 percent were taking three or more.
The survey also revealed a sharp drop in the number of travelers who said they would sightsee during their holiday trips -- 28 percent this year compared to 42 percent in 2010. The most popular holiday trip activities stayed about the same as last year -- visiting family (64 percent), celebrating the holiday (42 percent) and visiting friends (34 percent).
"We are definitely seeing more price sensitivity on the part of travelers because of the economy and high gas prices, but we also see that travel is viewed as a high priority and people will continue to fit trips into their budgets however they can," said Filomena Andre, the Auto Club's vice president for travel products and services. "Fortunately, travel providers are recognizing this also and are offering many family budget-friendly deals, such as free kids' fares on Disney Cruises and significant discounts for early bookings."
Of those polled who indicated they would travel this holiday season, 61 percent will take at least one trip within California, while 35 percent plan to visit Nevada, 20 percent will visit Arizona, eight percent will visit Hawaii and four percent will visit Mexico.
The Auto Club's Holiday Travel Poll was conducted online by the Auto Club's Marketing Research Department along with the Holiday Shopping Poll, which was released last week. The poll surveyed 557 Auto Club members between Oct. 4 and Oct. 20. It has a margin of error of +/-4 percent and the differences between 2011 and 2010 results were tested for statistical significance at a 95 percent confidence level.


Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Ed Fuller Named 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner for International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin, Germany

Ed Fuller, president and managing director at Marriott International, has been named the 2012 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 15th annual International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF), scheduled for 5-7 March, at the Hotel InterContinental Berlin, Germany.
The highly respected IHIF Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual who, over his or her lifetime, has made a significant difference in the hospitality industry by their actions, deeds, and great accomplishments.
Fuller, who has announced his retirement from Marriott International in March 2012, led Marriott's growth outside the continental United States from 16 hotels to more than 550 hotels today in more than 70 countries.
"Ed is a true leader for the industry and his book 'You can't Lead with your Feet on the Desk' is another perfect example of how he sets the standard for the rest of us to follow," stated Jonathan Worsley, Chairman and CEO of Bench Events, co-organizer of IHIF. "He is a true inspiration to us all and we are in awe of the many legendary accomplishments he has made both within Marriott and the industry at large. We congratulate him on celebrating 39 years with Marriott, and we are honored to have him join the elite list of Lifetime Achievement award winners."
The Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is selected by a committee comprised of the IHIF's Patrons, Sponsors, Hosts, and Organizers.
Previous Lifetime Achievement Award winners, in no particular order, include: Isadore Sharpe, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts; Lord Forte, Forte Hotels; Gabriel Escarrer, Sol Melia; Paul Dubrule & Gerard Pellison, Accor; Georg Rafael, Rafael Hotels; Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Carlson; PRS Oberoi, Oberoi Hotels; Kurt Ritter, Rezidor; Jim Sherwood, Orient-Express; Sir David Michels, Hilton International, Michael Hirst OBE, CB Richard Ellis Hotels and Alan Parker CBE, Chief Executive of Whitbread plc.

Jim Risoleo Appointed Executive Vice President and Managing Director – Europe for Host Hotels & Resorts

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.® (NYSE: HST) today announced that Jim Risoleo will assume a new position with the company as executive vice president and managing director – Europe, effective January 1, 2012.

This new position comes as a result of Mr. Risoleo's decision to relocate out of the D.C. area, where Host's corporate headquarters is located. Mr. Risoleo has served as executive vice president, chief investment officer since 2000, having joined Host in 1996.
In his new role, Mr. Risoleo will be responsible for the management of the Company's European business activities. His focus will be on acquisition and disposition activities for the Company as well as for the European Joint Venture in which the Company holds an interest with APG Strategic Real Estate Pool NV, a Dutch Pension Fund, and Jasmine Hotel Pte Ltd., an affiliate of the real estate investment company of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte Ltd. The European Joint Venture currently owns 13 luxury and upper-upscale hotels in seven countries. Host is a significant investor in the Venture and serves as managing partner. Mr. Risoleo will continue his role as a member of executive management of the Company.
"With a successful 15-year career at Host, I am thrilled that Jim has decided to manage our European operations and continue to be an integral member of our team," said W. Edward Walter, president and chief executive officer of Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. "His contributions have been invaluable and instrumental in our domestic and international growth and formation of our joint ventures in both Europe and Asia."
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. is an S&P 500 and Fortune 500 company and is the largest lodging real estate investment trust and one of the largest owners of luxury and upper-upscale hotels. The Company currently owns 105 properties in the United States and 16 properties internationally totaling approximately 65,000 rooms. The Company also holds non-controlling interests in a joint venture in Europe that owns 13 hotels with approximately 4,200 rooms and a joint venture in India that is developing seven hotels in three cities with approximately 1,800 rooms.

Noble Investment Group Acquires the Majority Stake of the W Atlanta - Buckhead

An affiliate of Atlanta-based Noble Investment Group has acquired the majority stake of the W Atlanta - Buckhead. Already a minority owner of the prominent 291 room hotel, Noble also completed a long-term loan modification as part of the transaction.

"We are pleased to strengthen Noble's investment position in the W Atlanta - Buckhead located in one of the Southeast's most illustrious addresses," said Mit Shah, CEO, Noble Investment Group. "With its premier location and strong market presence, the W Atlanta - Buckhead should continue to be a significant contributor to our portfolio."
The W Atlanta - Buckhead Hotel is located at 3377 Peachtree Road in the heart of Buckhead, one of Atlanta's most exclusive and most visited districts. Managed by Starwood Hotels and Resorts, the hotel features interiors by celebrity designer Thom Filicia, dining at MARKET featuring chef Jean Georges Vongerichten, and spectacular skyline views from its Whiskey Blue lounge. The W Atlanta-Buckhead is within walking distance to approximately 15 million square feet of first-class office space and some of the country's finest shops, restaurants and entertainment venues.
Founded in 1993, the Noble organization specializes in the lodging and hospitality real estate sector as a value-added investor. Through its private equity real estate funds, Noble has invested more than $2 billion in hotels and resorts throughout the United States and the organization's current discretionary real estate fund represents $310 million of capital commitments.

Loews Hotels Launches 'Location Aware' Mobile Website With HeBS Digital

Loews Hotels today launched the mobile website www.loewshotels.com/m featuring “location aware” capabilities built by HeBS Digital, the leading digital marketing and direct online strategy firm for the hospitality industry. The mobile website serves automatically on all mobile devices, has a touch-screen friendly design, is fully optimized for mobile searches, enables reservations through the Loews Hotels’ mobile booking engine and offers the ability to detect the location of the mobile device accessing the site.

“As more people use mobile searches we are adapting to provide readily available information to existing and prospective hotel guests at the time they need it most,” said Lise Struwing, Loews Hotels Director, Web Strategy. “As part of our focused mobile strategy at Loews Hotels - from a state-of-the-art mobile website to mobile marketing, geo-locating and other mobile services, we are catering to the modern mobile traveler.”

The addition of the ‘location aware’ feature to the mobile site enables Loews Hotels to provide a potential guest immediate information and data that enables them to know where the closest property is to their current proximity. A mobile device holder in New York City will automatically receive a prompt to book the Loews Regency Hotel and indicate location-specific special offers and packages. The ‘location aware’ capability helps streamline the guest experience by filling in addresses faster and providing directions personalized to the guest.

Google reports that 19 percent of all hotel queries are conducted on mobile devices, and 58 percent of mobile bookers made a hotel reservation on the same day of arrival and within 20 miles of their present location. Loews Hotels and HeBS Digital are pioneering the next generation mobile web to anticipate the needs of the hotel guest.

“What the customer wants from mobile is information that is local and immediate,” said Jason Price, Executive Vice President of HeBS Digital. “We see mobile as an opportunity to engage the customer at every stage of the travel experience. Adding a ‘location aware’ component to the mobile experience is only the beginning.”


About Loews Hotels
Headquartered in New York City, Loews Hotels owns and/or operates 18 hotels and resorts in the U.S. and Canada, including the newest 414-room Loews Atlanta Hotel opened April 1, 2010.  Located in major city centers and resort destinations from coast to coast, the Loews portfolio features one-of-a-kind properties that go beyond Four Diamond standards to delight guests with a supremely comfortable, uniquely local and vibrant travel experience. Loews boasts some of the industry's most innovative and successful travel programs, including Loews Loves Kids for families and Loews Loves Pets for discerning animals on the road. For reservations or more information on Loews Hotels, call 1-800-23-LOEWS or check www.loewshotels.com.


Follow Loews Hotels on Twitter: www.twitter.com/loews_hotels
Like Loews Hotels on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LoewsHotels
Watch Loews Hotels on YouTube: www.youtube.com/LoewsHotels

About HeBS Digital
Founded in 2001, HeBS Digital (Hospitality eBusiness Strategies) is the industry’s leading full-service hotel digital marketing, website design and direct online channel strategy firm based in New York City (www.HeBSDigital.com). HeBS Digital has pioneered many of the “best practices” in hotel Internet marketing, social and mobile marketing, and direct online channel distribution. The firm has won over 160 prestigious industry awards for its digital marketing and website design services, including numerous Adrian Awards, Davey Awards, W³ Awards, WebAwards, Magellan Awards, Summit International Awards, Interactive Media Awards, and IAC Awards. A diverse client portfolio of over 500 top tier major hotel brands, luxury and boutique hotel brands, resorts and casinos, hotel management companies, franchisees and independents, and CVBs has sought and successfully taken advantage of the hospitality Internet marketing expertise offered at HeBS Digital. Contact HeBS’ consultants at (212) 752-8186 or info@hebsdigital.com.



Contact:
Loews Hotels
Lark-Marie Anton
(212) 521-2779
lanton@loewshotels.com   
Hawkins International Public Relations
Emily Easter
(212) 255-6541
emily@hawkpr.com

HeBS Digital
Mariana Mechoso Safer
(702) 463-1857
mariana@hebsdigital.com

Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Sao Paulo awarded 2014 FIFA World Cup opening match

FIFA confirmed on Thursday that a new 65,000-seat stadium in Sao Paulo would stage the opening match and ceremony of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil while Rio de Janeiro’s famous Maracana venue would host the final of the tournament.

World football's governing body revealed that the World Cup would start on June 12 at the new Sao Paulo venue, which is currently under construction in the Itaquera district of the country's largest city after having encountered a number of delays. Brasilia and Belo Horizonte were also in the running to stage the opening match, but both cities were considered rank outsiders behind Rio and Sao Paulo. All of the tournament's 12 host cities will host at least four of the 64 matches with the final scheduled for July 13.
Five-time World Cup-winner Brazil will only be able to play at the Maracana stadium if it reaches the final. The Maracana, which was built for the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, was the scene of the national team's most infamous setback in football history when the host country lost to Uruguay in the deciding match of the tournament on home soil 61 years ago.
Despite having previously suggested that four-team groups would be based in one of four clusters to minimise travelling for squads, officials and fans, FIFA announced that teams would have to travel across the country as they did at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, with eight teams set to play in the isolated Amazonian city of Manaus. "You can have the best teams, the seeded teams, in all the host cities," FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said, according to The Associated Press.
By sending teams to different regions, the schedule will put pressure on the country's airports, which are currently in a race against time to undergo major upgrades before the start of the tournament. The earliest matches will start at 13:00 local time while the latest games will kick off at 22:00. All matches in the knockout rounds will start no later than 17:00 local time.

PGA Tour launches Latin American development series

The PGA Tour is to launch a development series in Latin America in an attempt to build on the momentum of golf’s introduction to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The “PGA Tour Latinoamerica” will start next year and feature 11 tournaments that will take place in seven countries. The series will run from September through to December in Mexico, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru. The Nationwide Tour already holds an event in Colombia and will stage a tournament in Chile next year. Golf will be added to the program for the 2016 Olympics after the sport, along with rugby sevens, received the backing of the International Olympic Committee in 2009.
The Latin American series will have 144-man fields consisting primarily of players from the region. Henrique Lavie, the commissioner of the Tour de las Americas, will be installed as executive director of the new tour, which could expand to 14 events in 2013. According to The Associated Press, Lavie said: “This potential pathway to the higher levels of professional golf is something that is an improvement for the players in the region.”
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem added: “This expansion into Latin America, when combined with what the Nationwide Tour has been able to accomplish in the region in recent years, is part of the natural progression for golf which continues to grow globally. We see this as an opportunity to help in the further development of elite players across the region.”
Finchem added: “When the decision was made to go to Rio, it certainly was a factor. I wouldn't say that it was a driver to upscale the speed of this because it's been something that's been under discussion a while. But certainly now that we're into that period ramping up to Rio, we think it's very timely and we're delighted with the juxtaposition of bringing our brand to this region during these few years leading up to the Games in Rio.” The events on the tour will offer minimum prize funds of US$100,000.

US set to secure second F1 grand prix

The United States is set to host two Formula One grands prix in 2013, with various reports stating that a race around the streets of New Jersey is likely to be announced this week.

F1 will return to the USA next year with a November event in Austin, Texas, but according to the Wall Street Journal, another race will be staged at a street circuit in Weehawken and West New York along the Hudson River in June 2013. The race will reportedly be announced by local politicians New Jersey Governor Chris Christie at a press conference on Tuesday at Port Imperial.
The last time the USA staged an F1 race was at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2007, but a race in the vicinity of New York has long been a target of the championship’s rights-holder, Bernie Ecclestone. Last year, he told Autosport: “It's happening. We are talking to them and trying to do our best. Let's see what happens.”
Reports over the weekend suggested that the Mayors of Weehawken and West New York identified an investment group led by former Yes Network executive Leo Hindery Jr. in August to spearhead the New Jersey race. A June date would allow the New Jersey race to run back-to-back with the Canadian grand prix.