SMALL BUT MIGHTY, MODEST-SIZED MEETINGS PACK

SAN JUAN, P.R., March 16, 2011 – More than eighty-percent of corporate off-site gatherings are meetings with less than fifty attendees. But beyond corporations, small meeting groups can include government conclaves, incentive reward travel, small association leader and educational retreats as well as school groups and family reunions.Whether looking for a cool, hip beachside hotel, high-end luxury resorts, budget-friendly inn or transformed historic space offering an unparalleled experience, Puerto Rico’s wide range of accommodations can meet the needs of every small meeting group type imaginable.

In addition, planning a group gathering, corporate meeting or educational conference for groups of ten or more is easy when using the services of the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau. This award-winning team of professionals is dedicated to helping people who plan meetings look good. Dedicated to the concept of SMOOTH, the Bureau helps planners liaise with its more than 300 member-suppliers, assisting with finding the right property with the right services and amenities to best serve a group of any size or budget all at no cost to the planner.

Following is an overview of some of Puerto Rico’s top small meeting properties:

Caribbean Cool:

• La Concha – A Renaissance Resort was recently selected as one of the Hottest Caribbean Escapes by The Travel Channel (2009) and is located in the heart of the hip Condado beach area of San Juan. Following a $220 million renovation, this architecturally-significant retro urban landmark features 483 guestrooms with five on-site restaurants (including the renowned Perla, set in the property’s distinctive “floating seashell” room), a state-of-the-art casino, complimentary wireless high speed internet access, as well as 20,000 square feet (1,858 m2) of creative and functional meeting space including a ballroom for events for up to 300 people, and a twelve-person board room.

• The San Juan Water & Beach Club Hotel is a beachfront boutique hotel in the heart of the Isla Verde section of San Juan. The 78-room property features intimate and relaxed meeting spaces for meetings and other functions, as well as a boardroom. Two floors dedicated to business guests provide guests with additional desk space and a mobile computer desk. In addition, meeting guests enjoy complimentary high-speed Internet access, on-site dining, a rooftop pool, Jacuzzi with bar and fitness center all located just one mile from the Luis Munoz Marin airport.

• In the spring of 2010, the first Starwood-brand W property in Puerto Rico opened its doors. The intimate 157-room W Retreat & Spa, Vieques Island features four flexible meeting rooms with more than  3,500 square feet (325m2) of meeting space in a conference center setting. For business, the resort also offers a warm welcome and refreshments at the Vieques airport in the W Airport Lounge, WIRED Business Center and high-speed Internet. Other on-site amenities include an infinity pool, the AWAY SPA by W Hotels, SWING tennis courts, the SWEAT fitness center as well as Alain Ducasse’s newest restaurant, miXe at the beach.

Convention Center District:

• Celebrating five years of operations, the Puerto Rico Convention Center represents a new era for meetings and conventions on the Island. As the largest convention facility in the Caribbean and the most technologically-advanced facility of its kind in the Caribbean and Latin America, the Center is the cornerstone of a multi-use District that combines tourism, commercial, business, entertainment and residential space.

• Currently under construction within the Puerto Rico Convention Center District is a 252-room hotel property, as well as a 300-room hotel to compliment the already existing 503-room headquarter hotel. These new properties will offer budget accommodations and upon opening, bring the total guest room inventory within the District to 1,055.

High-End Luxury:

• Las Casitas Village, part of the El Conquistador, A Waldorf-Astoria Resort, is an enclave of 157 one- to three-bedroom spacious ‘casitas’ with panoramic ocean views, fully-equipped kitchens and 24-hour butler service. Set apart from the larger El Conquistator property, guests enjoy a VIP atmosphere as well as access to amenities such as an Arthur Hills golf course; 26,000 square foot (2,415 m2) Golden Door Spa; 10,000 square foot Casino (929 m2); private pool; high-speed boat transport to the resort’s private Palomino Island; Coqui water park as well as more than 100,000 square feet (9,290 m2) of flexible meeting space ranging from beautiful outdoor terraces to modern board rooms with natural lighting.

• For high-level corporate gatherings to top-echelon incentive retreats, the recently-opened five-star St. Regis Bahía Beach Resort offers superlative surroundings for a high-end corporate retreat or incentive reward. The property, which opened in late 2010, features 139 suites with more than 5,000 square feet (465m2) of ballroom and meeting space. Home to a Trent Jones Jr. Golf Course and 10,000 square foot (929m2) Rémede Spa , this intimate property is also the home of Fern, serving the culinary creations of Chef Jean Georges, one of the top restaurateurs of the world.

Value-Conscious:

• Mixing value with full-service amenities and one of the best beachfront locations in San Juan, the Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort features five meeting rooms with more than 33,000  square-feet of meeting space to accommodate up to 200 delegates. Guest rooms feature a work desk with ergonomic chair, two phones with data ports, complimentary wireless Internet service, newspaper, a refrigerator, VCR/DVD and CD players. In addition to an outdoor pool with swim-up bar and whirlpools, the property also features an exercise room, a 14,000 sq. ft. casino and several on-site, casual dining options.

• Geared towards the business traveler, the 184-room Doubletree by Hilton San Juan is a modern full-service hotel located just three miles from the Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport (SJU), Old San Juan, the Puerto Rico Convention Center District as well as the financial district of San Juan. Four meeting rooms include a dedicated boardroom able to seat up to fourteen executives and event space for conferences, receptions or other events up to 60 guests. Amenities include complimentary wireless Internet, a business center, fitness center and spa treatment facility, pool, as well as many modern in-room conveniences such as flat screen TV, MP3 clock radio, microwave, mini-fridge as well as four on-site dining options.

• The 299-room Embassy Suites Hotel San Juan is located just two blocks from the beach and is just 15 minutes from Old San Juan and San Juan’s business district. With 10,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space, 24-hour casino, a lagoon pool and business and fitness centers. The property also offers a daily complimentary full breakfast and evening reception. On-site dining options include Outback Steakhouse, Embassy Grill and two lounges.

• The Embassy Suites Hotel Dorado Beach Resort and Golf Resort offers 174 all-suite guestrooms with balconies situated on the beach and adjacent to a Chi Chi Rodriguez 18-hole golf course. With easy access to San Juan, the property offers more than 12,500 square feet of meeting space able to accommodate intimate groups as well as receptions for up to 700 delegates. Services include a daily complimentary full breakfast and evening reception, as well as high-speed Internet, fitness center, tennis and three on-site dining options.

• The 201-room Hampton Inn & Suites San Juan is located in the center of the Isla Verde tourist district conveniently located within walking distance to beaches and nightlife. Close to the airport, Old San Juan and other area attractions, the property features a boardroom with seating up to twelve executives as well as additional meeting space for up to 25 attendees in a conference setting. A pool, outdoor grill, business center and complimentary breakfast bar are also available on-site.

• Conceived for the leisure and business traveler and located in the heart of the Isla Verde section of San Juan just minutes from the beach and airport, the independent full-service 222-room Verdanza Hotel features 15,000 square feet (1,394m2) of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space, including two ballrooms, nine meeting rooms and an outside garden for receptions and other events. Other amenities complimentary Internet access, a fitness center, several on-site dining options as well as a pool area with whirlpool, SprayPark, and poolside food and beverage service.

Unique Spaces:

• Located in the Heart of Old San Juan, El Convento is a former Carmelite convent that has been transformed into a luxurious boutique-style hotel. A member of Historic Hotels of America and Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the 58-room property has been recognized by Conde Nast as one of the Top 10 Hotels in the Caribbean and features six distinctive meeting spaces for banquets, board meetings and executive retreats. Rooms include complimentary Wi-Fi Internet, flat-panel TV, Bose radio and CD player, a spacious work desk, refrigerator, coffeemaker as well as plush bathrobes, goose down pillows and elegant marble bathrooms.

• Also located in the heart of Old San Juan, the 22-room Gallery Inn sits high aloft the city’s north wall and offers stunning Atlantic and San Juan views in an artist’s residence with brick patios, antique arches, sculptured fountains and other architectural details. Able to accommodate private dinners and banquets for groups as small as eight and as large as 250 guests, amenities include complimentary breakfast, wireless Internet, swimming pool as well as one of the most unique accommodation options available on the Island.