Artisan Business Group, Inc. has invited leading experts to speak at “The Midwest Conference on Foreign Investment: EB-5 & FDI” on Feb 17 in St. Louis. The event aims to help U.S. companies tap into foreign capital sources, with the ultimate goal of stimulating the economy and creating American jobs. The all-day meeting will feature some of the most highly-renowned and experienced international investment professionals. The keynote speaker of the event will be Mr. Frank W. McNeil, Director of Office Business and Workforce Diversity for the Illinois Department of Transportation. Other scheduled speakers include Mr. Brian Su, CEO of Artisan Business Group, Inc., Mr. Kevin Wright, President of Wright Johnson LLC, Dr. Nitish Singh, Associate Professor of International Business at the Boeing Institute of International Business at St. Louis University, and Dr. J. Mark Munoz, Associate Professor of International Business at Millikin University. More speakers are to be announced prior to the event.

We have assisted a large number of EB-5 projects in seeking capital in Asia, there are more projects that are considering to use foreign capital, international investors are also interested such opportunities, says Brian Su, CEO of Artisan Business Group, Inc., an Illinois based Sino-US investment expert.

The conference will provide valuable insight and networking opportunities to those with previous international investment experience, as well as to first-time capital seekers. This years event is being hosted and sponsored by Artisan Business Group, Inc., and will be held at the Embassy Suites St. Louis Airport Hotel. Those attending the event also have the opportunity to meet the prior day with Artisan Business Groups CEO, Mr. Brian Su, for a 1-hour private consultation.

To see more details about the event and registration, visit http://www.InvestmentfromAsia.com.

Press Contact:

San Franciscans have always held a special place in their hearts for great Italian food, and love is in the airand the foodthis Valentines Day at Downtown San Franciscos Palio dAsti. The restaurant , which has been voted one of the top three best San Francisco Italian restaurants in the Bay Area by SFGate readers, is hosting a very specialand very Italianfour-course, prix fixe dinner for lovers on Tuesday, February 14 with reservations taken for seating between 5 and 9 pm.

Palios inviting, Michelin-approved ambiancecomplete with elegant white tablecloth tables and cozy booths, artfully crafted cocktails, and a Wine Spectator award-winning wine listis always popular with Bay Area residents and visitors, especially for celebrating special occasions like an intimate Valentines Day dinner. A founding member of Slow Foods San Francisco, Palios menu focuses on authentic, regional Italian cuisine utilizing local, organic and sustainable artisan ingredients.

This special Valentines four-course dinner is $ 88 per couple or $ 50 per individual (slightly higher to adapt for individual dessert offering). The menu includes:

APRIBOCCHE (MOUTH-OPENERS):

The Italian version of an amuse bouche to share. Includes a Saffron Risotto Ball, Crab Croquette and Veal Meatball.

FIRST COURSE CHOICE OF:

Insalata Romana: Hearts of Romaine with Dates, Walnuts, Goat Cheese and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Fedelini con Granchio: Linguini with Dungeness Crab, San Marzano Tomato Sauce, Calabrese Chilies and Oregano
Oyster and Baccala Chowder: with Scallions and Fried Shallots
Or the very Valentines dinner appropriate Neapolitan Wedding Soup, which marries five preparations of Pork Braised with Greens, Garlic, Chile and Parmigiano.

ENTR

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) has long been a popular choice for technology conferences, civic events, and nonprofit fundraisers, but YBCAs downtown San Francisco event venues are increasingly being booked by creative industries including design, marketing and cultural gatherings. Four recently announced events scheduled for 2012TYPO SF, KA Connect, PromaxBDA Game Marketing Summit, and AIGAs Gain: Design for Social Value Conferencetypify this trend.

As a contemporary art center, YBCAs visual and performing arts programs are not about consumption, but about provoking audiences to rethink their aesthetic experience, said Scott Rowitz, YBCAs Managing Director. Many design and cultural gatherings want their own guests to have this same experience, and are therefore booking YBCA as opposed to traditional hotels or convention centers.

TYPO, one of Europes most successful design conferences, has added an annual event in San Francisco at YBCA on April 5-6, 2012 centered on the theme Connect. TYPO San Francisco brings together incredible speakers from both European and American design communities to share their work and insights on what it means to connect.

KA Connect 2012, The Future of Practice: Research, Marketing, and Technology in the AEC Industry, coming up on April 11, is a knowledge and information management conference for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. The focus will be on three intersecting trends driving the future of practiceresearch, marketing, and technology. Knowledge leaders from all over the world will come together to share case studies, best practices, and ideas about how they organize information and manage knowledge in their firms.

On April 17, YBCA welcomes the PromaxBDA Game Marketing Summit, a must-attend annual event for marketing professionals focused on the issues, trends and emerging opportunities crucial to success in the video gaming space. With a mission to lead the conversation about the role that marketing, promotion, media and advertising play in the monetization of video game and interactive entertainment, this one-day event has become a critical, all-inclusive forum for common thought, bond and community for game marketing professionals since its inception.

And later in the year, AIGA will host the two-day Gain: Design for Social Value Conference at YBCA. Guests will hear leaders in design, business, and social innovation share their visionary approaches to creating social value. Presenters will demonstrate the broadening role design plays in institutional strategy, leadership, process and service, and product and message. Attendees will learn how the creative attributes of designers provide special advantages to tackling socially relevant projects and enhancing the human experience.

Event planners looking to deepen their audience experiences by utilizing artistic, design-heavy venues can book a variety of event spaceswith consecutive datesat YBCA.

YBCA offers rentals of two landmark San Francisco event spaces located along the west side of Third Street between Mission and Howard: the Galleries and Forum Building and the Novellus Theater.

The Galleries and Forum Building, a San Francisco event venue designed by Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki, houses three event spaces. The 6,700 square-foot Forum is a contemporary, spacious, elegant and flexible space that offers diverse possibilities for any performance, lecture, meeting, social gathering or other special event. The intimate 94-seat Screening Room offers state-of-the-art equipment for screenings, lectures and a variety of presentations. The spectacular two-story-tall Grand Lobby, which opens into the heart of Yerba Buena Gardens, offers reception and special event space for up to 350 guests.

YBCA offers rentals year-round to all types of organizations and conferences. To learn more about available dates for YBCA event and meeting spaces, the application and contracting process, plus standard fees for venues, staffing and equipment, call (415) 513-1226, e-mail events(at)ybca(dot)org, or visit YBCA at http://www.ybca.org/rentals.

About Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, located in San Francisco’s Yerba Buena cultural district, is one of the nation’s leading multidisciplinary contemporary arts centers. With a belief that contemporary art is at the heart of community life, YBCA brings audiences and artists of all backgrounds together to express and experience creativity. The organization is known for nurturing emerging artists at the forefront of their fields and presenting works that blend art forms and explore the events and ideas of our time. As part of its commitment to the San Francisco Bay Area, YBCA supports the local arts community and reflects the region’s diversity of people and thought through its arts and public programming. YBCA presents programming year-round in the Forum, Screening Room, Galleries and Novellus Theater. For tickets and information, call 415.978.ARTS (2787) or visit http://www.ybca.org.

###

Related Hotels Press Releases

Rocky Mountain high brings on new meaning for Colorado, Spring 2012, as the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, Canon City, home to one of the world’s highest suspension bridges, and hosting over 25 million visitors since 1929, installs its newest thrill seeker attraction, the Soaring Eagle Zip Line racing 1,400 feet over granite walls a thousand feet high.

The Soaring Eagle is under construction now according to Mike Bandera, Vice-President and General Manager, and will be ready for the public as early as the end of April 2012. “We can hardly wait,” said Bandera. We found the perfect thrill ride that enhances the great experiences of the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, and its family-friendly.

Sitting on the North side of the Royal Gorge Bridge, The Soaring Eagle Zip Line will be perched on a 1,000 foot granite wall. Two zip lines carrying two riders each zip 700 feet over canyon walls from 1,000 to 800 feet above the Arkansas River, and then zip back at approximately 35 miles per hour. Unlike a typical canopy type zip line tour, riders are secured into a chair that gives guests freedom of movement for the arms and legs.

Otalo has expanded its vacation rental search index to include over 1.6 million vacation home rental listings in 164 countries of the world. Otalo also announced the addition of partners such as airbnb.com, TripAdvisor.com, Flipkey.com, Holiday-Rentals.co.uk, iStopOver.com, HomeGetaways.com, Niumba.com, RedAwning.com, SkipJump.com, and PerfectFloridaVillas.com.

“No one likes to show up on vacation and see a bunch of rental houses that you wish you had rented but never saw online.” said Baer Tierkel, one of Otalo’s founders. “The key to finding the perfect rental is to be able to see all your options in a single click.

1.6 Million Vacation Rental Listings

Otalos website (http://www.otalo.com) enables travelers to use a single search for their vacation house preferences and immediately search over 1.6 million vacation rental listings from the many different rental websites on the web. There is no need to wade through hundreds of different websites trying to find a great vacation rental. Travelers can search using their computer, iPad, or smartphone. Otalo also gives travelers a central place to save their favorites as well as share the homes theyve found with their friends and family, making the vacation planning process much easier. Otalo has been called the kayak of vacation rentals.

“Looking for a vacation rental at the beach in the cold of February should be fun and not tedious,” said co-founder Mike Giles, “It’s actually a lot of fun to browse through all the great photos of cool homes in faraway warm places.” As the world-wide economy continues to be tough on vacationers, rentals serve as a great alternative to more costly hotels and resorts

Otalos crawlers search the web constantly, looking for vacation rentals to include in its index. The search index currently contains 1,615,253 listings that represent 735,728 vacation rentals; 79,003 homes with swimming pools; 37,750 waterfront houses and condos; 367,766 rentals that are smoking-free; 51,170 rentals that allow smoking; 353,637 rentals that do not allow pets; and 149,934 that are pet-friendly.

The Otalo search index contains rentals in 164 countries. Europe leads the world with 392,456 vacation rentals; North America has 260,000; the South Pacific has 22,704; the Caribbean has 19,548; South America has 17,888; Africa has 7,818; Asia has 5,072; Central America has 4,873; Southeast Asia has 3,737; and the Middle East has the fewest with 1,632. The United States is the most popular country with 237,991 vacation rentals, and Spain is next with 107,661. The U.S.s most popular destination is Kissimmee, Florida, which is near Orlando, with 4,097 vacation rentals. Spains most popular destination is Barcelona with 4,834 rentals.

The most expensive vacation rental that Otalo has found on the web is Necker Island, which will cost you $ 273,000/week for your holiday. Accessible only by helicopter, it sleeps 28 in a Great House and multiple guest villas on the island with a number of pools, a beach house, and Crocodile Pavilion. Close behind in cost is Musha Cay which will only cost you $ 263,000/week, but you do get room for 24 friends and family to play on the 7 beaches on this 150 acres private island.

New Partners

With the addition of properties from airBnb.com, TripAdvisor.com, Flipkey.com, Holiday-Rentals.co.uk, iStopOver.com, HomeGetaways.com, Niumba.com, RedAwning.com, SkipJump.com, and PerfectFloridaVillas.com, Otalo is helping more and more vacation rental websites by delivering highly qualified vacation renters directly to their websites for bookings and information. Otalo has been described as the Kayak of vacation rentals, due to their model of providing a single point of search to travellers, while sending traffic to the source sites of those rentals.

About Otalo

Otalo was founded by Baer Tierkel and Mike Giles, veteran software industry entrepreneurs who enjoy to travel – but prefer staying in other folks houses over hotels. Otalo is a search engine built specifically for travelers looking for the perfect vacation rental by enabling the traveler to search 1.6 million vacation rental listings in a single click.

For additional information about the next-generation Otalo search engine for vacation rentals, you can contact Baer Tierkel at +1 413 658 8133 or visit Otalo on the web at:

Otalo – http://www.otalo.com

The Otalo Blog – http://www.otalo.com/blog.jsp

Follow Otalo on Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/otalo

Otalo on Facebook – http://facebook.com/vacationrentalsearch

###

More Hotels Press Releases

When Jerry and Robin Trustuheimer decided to rent out their new vacation home in Florida, they hired a local real estate agent to hunt for renters, but they also paid $ 300 to list the house on specialized websites.

The Trustuheimer agreed to pay the agent a 25% commission on any rentals they got, even ones that they found online.

“Every tenant came through my listings on Rent My Vacation Home

Sales on the popular online shop, HeatedTowelRails.co.uk continue to rise as the winter really begins to close in on the UK.

It’s possible people may be reading this article not even knowing what a heated towel rail is, but be sure by the end of this towel rails will all be common knowledge. Some refer to these devices as towel radiators, others may say, towel heaters or rails; regardless of name, the prime objective of this equipment is to heat towels and keep them warm in an efficient manner.

Obviously some people prefer to use a radiator to heat towels, or drape them over a standard towel rail which is situated near a radiator; but neither have the same effect as a dedicated heated towel rail. It is possible to choose from centrally heated rails or an electric towel rail, whichever lends itself best to the layout of the intended room.

ShovelShop has discussed the latest sales figures which have increased tremendously over the last week as more and more people have been exposed to the weather forecasts of imminent freezing temperatures. A positive correlation has been observed between sales and cold weather forecasts; hopefully much more detailed information will come to surface soon.

Scott Morris, E-Commerce Manager at the HeatedTowelRails website commented on the increase in sales; Since the winter period has dealt us some cold weather, more and more visitors have been coming to the site, resulting in an increased amount of sales. I think the weather does influence peoples purchasing habits and with the current forecast of 2-3 weeks of extremely cold weather, we can only imagine this trend in sales will continue.

Originally heated towel rails could only be found in European hotels and this quickly shifted towards the UK market as retailers were being bombarded with requests and queries from customers asking where they could get a hold of such products. Now there are many retailers in the online market selling these innovative products, as the competition is quite high, the prices continue to drop, making these items a brilliant buy for the customer.

A heated towel to some is a luxury, whereas others may see it as a necessity in a bathroom, or even cloakroom. One large plus point to these products is that theyre very diverse in the environment they can be placed in; they even look the part in the kitchen, as well as the bathroom. Now all the buyer has to do, is decide where to put it.

Emma Longbury from Accounting provided an insight into the towel rail she has fitted: I got my heated towel rail about 8 months ago and its still probably my favourite item in our house! Never thought something so simple could make such a huge difference. When stepping out the shower into a blazing hot towel, you realise just what a good buy it is and if this isnt enough, it also heats the room quite well, whilst being efficient. On top of all this, the amount of towels it holds still blows me away, we can fit a least 3 full size towels on ours and I havent even mentioned how good it is for drying washing!

Heated Towel Rails is part of the Plumbworld Network. Plumbworld was an early pioneer of online trading, started by James and Anita Hickman in 1999 and was sold to the Grafton Group PLC in December 2006, Plumbworld now employs more than 50 people in its purpose built warehouse and offices and boasts an astonishing 50+ websites selling everything from work wear and bathrooms to barbecues and drain rods. The business has a turnover in excess of

Magnuson Hotel Baton Rouge offers a free two-night Valentine’s Day hotel stay to one lucky couple that enters the Magnuson Hotels’ Facebook sweepstakes. Right in the heart of the city, close to downtown’s historic center, the hotel is the ideal location for a romantic Valentine’s Day celebration.

The sweepstakes begins Saturday, February 4, 2012 and ends on Friday, February 10, 2012. The drawing will take place February 11, 2012 and the winner will be announced online and via email the same day. The winner will get a free two-night stay at Magnuson Hotel Baton Rouge, with complimentary champagne and chocolate.

To enter the sweepstakes, participants are invited to find Magnuson Hotels on Facebook, enter the Magnuson Hotel Baton Rouge Valentine’s Day giveaway on Facebook (http://apps.facebook.com/sweepstakeshq/contests/192591), and describe how they imagine the perfect Valentine’s Day.

To be eligible, all entries must be submitted by the closing date, on the sweepstakes page. No purchase is necessary to participate. Participants must be over 18 years old and legal residents of the USA or Canada. There will be only one winner, selected at random via draw. The winner will be awarded with a 3 days-2 nights stay for two at Magnuson Hotel Baton Rouge, free of charge, between February 14 and March 4, 2012. Guests will also enjoy free Internet access, free hot breakfast served from 6 am to 9 am, free local calls and room service from 9 am to 3 pm. Complimentary chocolates, and champagne are also included. The prize is not redeemable in cash, and must be accepted as awarded.

About Magnuson Hotels:

In only eight years, Magnuson Hotels has become the world’s largest independent hotel group, representing nearly 2,000 UK and North American hotels with assets in excess of $ 5.5 Billion. One of the top 5 global hotel chains, Magnuson Hotels is the #1 Hotel Company of Inc. Magazine’s 5,000 fastest growing private U.S. companies. For more information visit magnusonhotels.com, Magnuson Hotels on Facebook, or follow Magnuson Hotels on Twitter @MagnusonHotels

###

Related Hotels Press Releases

From the lobby to McMahons Restaurant, the refurbishment is instantly recognisable. The lobbys bold, striking carpets and oversized arm chairs and couches ooze Manhattan-style panache, thanks to John Croft Designs.

Take a ride up the elevator to one of the hotels 60 apartments and executive suites and find an oasis of calm as the city buzzes below. Taking full advantage of sweeping vistas across the Botanic Gardens and Kangaroo Point Cliffs, the overriding concept for the room redesign was to bring the gardens in. Shades of sand and beech-wood make up key furniture pieces, while light green hues have been incorporated into the soft furnishings to compliment the unrivalled garden outlook enjoyed from every apartment.

Technology updates have seen Philips 42 Digital LCD TVs installed into the living rooms and bedrooms and iPod docking stations adorn all guestrooms.

Answering the call of many guests looking to customise their stay, Quay West Suites Brisbane hotel has introduced a new premium room concept, combining their most requested offerings stunning views, high floors, breakfast and broadband internet.

Premium guestrooms are located on the upper floors of the hotel offering uninterrupted views of the Botanic Gardens, Brisbane River and beyond. Unlimited daily internet will be provided as well as breakfast in McMahons Restaurant complimentary for those staying in this new concept room.

Quay West Suites Brisbanes conference and event facilities have also had a makeover, breathing new life into three of the citys most elegant, sophisticated meeting spaces.

One of the most popular areas at the Brisbane hotel, the recreation deck with spa, sauna, fully equipped gymnasium and heated lagoon-style swimming pool with waterfall and sundeck, retains its plush, Mediterranean look and feel.

For further information, call (07) 3853 6000 or visit http://www.mirvachotels.com

###

Find More Hotels Press Releases

The Tour Operators industry struggled in 2009, when industry revenue declined by 11.3% as the recession decimated demand. According to IBISWorld industry analyst and report author Nima Samadi, the industry has turned the corner over the last few years, with tour operators’ revenue growing 4.0% and 2.1% in 2010 and 2011, respectively. The industry is expected to grow an additional 3.8% in 2012 to $ 3.8 billion. Nevertheless, the industry’s overall performance in the five years to 2012 will not be positive, with revenue decreasing at an average annual rate of 1.3%.

As well as tough economic condition, including high unemployment and lower consumer spending, the industry has had to contend with falling domestic travel and international arrivals into the United States. In 2009, inbound travel declined, with 5.2% fewer people visiting the United States than in 2008. Domestic travel also declined 5.1% that year. With fewer people coming and going, tour operators’ revenue dropped. However, domestic and inbound travel rates have improved over the course of 2010 and 2011. In 2012, domestic and inbound travel are forecast to grow an additional 3.3% and 5.4%, respectively. Improving domestic and international travel rates have led to higher demand for tour operators’ services.

The Tour Operators industry is experiencing increased competition from consumers directly booking travel accommodations online. Many tourists, Samadi says, want flexible tour packages and itineraries: more travelers desire self-discovery time in line with their own interests, which requires them to travel at a relaxed pace. Given this trend, the demand for niche and special-interest tours is rising, which often command a premium.

This industry has a low level of concentration. The top four players are estimated by IBISWorld to capture les than 38% of the available market share in 2012. Industry major players include Flight Centre and The Mark Travel Corporation. Over the five years to 2017, high levels of concentration will put pressure on industry participants. Competition from internet-based transport and accommodation providers will compound this pressure. Industry operators are also anticipated to experience increasing demands from customers in relation to services and pricing. Industry consolidation is therefore expected to continue due to competitive pressures, and other travel firms will be acquired by larger players wanting to extend their geographical reach, increase brand name recognition, boost product offerings (e.g. by accessing limited-capacity destinations) and cut operational costs

For more information visit IBISWorlds Tour Operators in the US industry page

Follow IBISWorld on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/IBISWorld

Friend IBISWorld on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/IBISWorld/121347533189

IBISWorld industry Report Key Topics

Businesses in this industry plan, package, market and sell multiple vacation elements, including air or surface transportation arrangements and accommodations. Package tours are generally sold to the public through travel agents, and tour or wholesale operators are included in this industry. Suppliers primarily engaged in providing accommodations, such as owners or operators of hotels, resorts and cruise lines, are not included in this industry.

Industry Performance

Executive Summary

Key External Drivers

Current Performance

Industry Outlook

Industry Life Cycle

Products & Markets

Supply Chain

Products & Services

Major Markets

Globalization & Trade

Business Locations

Competitive Landscape

Market Share Concentration

Key Success Factors

Cost Structure Benchmarks

Barriers to Entry

Major Companies

Operating Conditions

Capital Intensity

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Annual Change

Key Ratios

About IBISWorld Inc.

Recognized as the nations most trusted independent source of industry and market research, IBISWorld offers a comprehensive database of unique information and analysis on every US industry. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, the company equips clients with the insight necessary to make better business decisions. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IBISWorld serves a range of business, professional service and government organizations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ibisworld.com or call 1-800-330-3772.

###