Events around town!

 Mecum Auction December 12 & 13, 2014

Audio Visual provided by Markey's Rental & Staging

Showcase floor of the Mecum Auction

Rachel, Ashlee, May and Ashley (sales coordinator) went to celebrate 50 years of the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park.  A long standing tradition of holiday cheer. 

Part of the tradition is to spin under the Zilker Tree

May went to see Willie Nelson in conert at the Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater in the Second Street District.  While she had the last row, the view was still great!

Willie Nelson on December 30, 2014 at ACL Live at the Moody Theater

Catching a band at the White Horse

Located in East Austin, The White Horse is a live country music venue with full bar and a Taco Food Truck outside

Antonelli's Cheese Shop is a great spot for a private cheese tasting like the one shown below 

Hello My Name is

left to right: Emily Wethington, Rachel Bolka, Misti Crooks, Ray Gilbertson, Nicole Kovacs, Ashlee Ernst, Jeff Stutts, May Wong

Ray Gilberston

Director of Event Management

Ray was the opening Director of Event Management for the JW Marriott Indianapolis and has done an outstanding job in this role. He and his Indy events team created a culture of excellence that has helped the hotel, and Indianapolis, become known as one of the great convention destinations in the country. Under Ray’s leadership the JW Indy earned the Gold Key Award from Meetings and Conventions Magazine, the Pinnacle Award from Successful Meetings Magazine, and the Platinum Choice Award from Smart Meetings Magazine.

Jeff Stutts

Director of Event Planning

Jeff Stutts brings more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry to the JW Marriott Austin including more than 15 years of experience in hotel event planning. Prior to joining the JW Marriott Austin, he held event management leadership positions at various Marriott International hotels, including the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa, the JW Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton at LA Live and the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter.

Brad Sinder

Senior Event Manager

Brad was a huge asset opening Indianapolis with over 20 years experience in the meetings arena with Marriott. In his spare time Brad enjoys time traveling all over the U.S. and abroad. Brad also enjoys the outdoors and dropping a line in the pond or an ocean whenever he has a chance.

Nicole Kovacs

Senior Event Manager

Nicole has spent the last 10 years with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in Catering/Convention Services roles. Nicole comes from a “Hospitality Industry” family, so it’s in her DNA – and we can’t be more excited to have her join the team!

Mayying Wong

Senior Event Manager

May joins our team from the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Resort, were she has been a Senior Convention Services Manager for several years.  Prior to her time there, May was with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts for 10 years.  May enjoys hosting dinner parties at her home.   

Rachel Bolka

Event Manager

Rachel has been a member of the Event Management Team at the JW Marriott Indianapolis since the summer of 2011,  Rachel will run the Dallas Marathon on December 11, Let's wish her luck on this accomplishment!

Ashlee Ernst

Event Manager

Ashlee joins us from The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, prior to her time at The Cosmopolitan, Ashlee spent 3 years as an Conference Catering Manager at The Venetian & Palazzo Hotels.  Ashlee is a big music buff (from country to indie), and is excited to be here in Austin to experience the Live Music Capitol of the World first-hand!

Misti Crooks

Group Housing Manager

Misti , joins us from the Renaissance Austin Hotel, where she has been a leader on their Group Housing Team for the past year and a half.  And unlike the rest of us Misti is a true Austinite. 

Emily Wethington

Event Administrative Assistant

Emily joins us from the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown where she was a Banquet Captain and Beverage Captain for over a year.  She graduated Cum Laude from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.  In her spare time Emily enjoys reading and Country line dancing but her passion is Family time and Coaching Softball.

Concerts, Festivals, Parades Oh My!

left to right: Ashlee and Nicole

Ashlee and Nicole experienced Austin City Limits Music Festival 2014 to its fullest seeing concerts by; Outkast, Foster the People, Sam Smith, Calvin Harris and Pearl Jam.

May enjoyed a day at the races for Formula 1 US Grand Prix at the Circuit if the Americas, check out the opening lap! 

First Annual Duck Derby benefiting the Boys and Girls Club on November 15

Just outside of our doors on Congress Street were two parades this November.

November 11, Veteran’s Day Parade

November 29, Children Giving to Children Parade

Greetings from Austin!

As the Events Team gets settled into the neighborhood, thought we would share our journey's

(left to right Rachel; May; Ashlee)

Mayying Wong:

I’ve been here for a little over a month and have barely scratched the surface of all things Austin.

But my favorite my favorite Brunch surprise entrée has been the Kangaroo Benedict at Franks, classic English muffin with slow roasted kangaroo topped with poached egg and mixed greens.  Franks is just a few blocks away in the Warehouse District.  It’s a Brunch special so not listed on the menu or always available but definitely a must try when they do have it.  

You’ve never been tailgating like the University of Texas does Tailgating!  3 members of the events team (Ashlee, May & Emily) ventured to the University of Texas Campus where we were welcomed with open arms by a sea of excited UT Fans.  Several of the Tailgating tents are open to the public with a nominal donation to partake but there are other venues nearby where you can enjoy the spirit of the game such as Scholz Garten .  Can’t wait for UT Football season 2015!! 

1. Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium

Rachel Bolka:

The possibilities of things to do and places to eat in Austin, Texas are endless.  Right when you think you have found the best Tex-Mex, BBQ, or had the best meal of your life, the experience repeats itself at a new spot.  But to be honest, I have in fact found the best taco joint.  (And yes I know that is a bold statement.)  Your trip to Austin must include breakfast, lunch or dinner at Fresa’s.  This drive –thru and walk-up window restaurant offers a fabulous array of tacos, salads, tortas and fried churros that will cause your taste buds to explode with happiness.  They grill all of their meats and vegetables over a post oak wood burning grill.  My favorite breakfast taco is The Tomas, and for lunch or dinner, I suggest The Fresas and El Presidente.  (Rumor is the name came from our current President on his last visit to Austin.)  And don’t forget to accompany your meal with a side of crispy Brussels sprouts and a salsa trio!

Your trip to Austin is also not complete with a nights spent dancing at the Broken Spoke.  4 members of our events team had themselves “a big Texas Time” while visiting the Spoke during their 50^th anniversary celebration.  Voted the “Best Honky-Tonk in Texas” you will find this dance hall filled with couples two-stepping to some good ole fashion country music.  George Strait, Ernest Tubb and Willie Nelson have played over the years at the Spoke and it is currently a favorite hangout of local Austin country musicians.  During your visit to the Spoke, you will likely see owner James White dancing with his wife or enjoying a beer with his customers.  As James likes to say “We ain’t fancy, but we’re damn sure country.  Ya’ll come!”

Nicole Kovacs:

Not in downtown, but about 30 minutes west is Jester King Brewery in Dripping Springs. Not only is there is a fantastic venue with beer making onsite but also Stanley’s Farmhouse Pizza with some of the best pizza in Austin. Stanley’s also gives the option of wines and other local beers in case the Jester King brews are not quite your forte. There is a huge barn with seating for probably 300 guests that is covered, plus a huge outdoor area that is all the property where you can walk around and enjoy the Texas Hill Country. This is great for an afternoon visit, lunch and they also do private events and full buy-outs of the space. Jester King also works with local restaurants for food-paring dinners to bring the local Texas flair from Dripping into the city.  Also, if you’re out in the area, you can swing by the Deep Eddy Vodka Distillery for vodka flights and then drive into Driftwood to visit Saltlick BBQ for world famous open-pit Texas Barbecue!

Stay tuned for our next adventures!