Reader's Survey Results for Smart Stars of 2013 Winners Revealed in 25 Categories by Smart Meetings Magazine

SAUSALITO, Calif., Aug. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Smart Meetings magazine has announced the winners of the inaugural 2013 Smart Stars Awards celebrating the best premier meetings hotels, resorts, cruise lines, event venues, and convention and conference centers in North America across 25 categories.

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"We wanted to give meeting professionals and properties the opportunity to celebrate the best of the best in categories where they shine for group business," says Marin Bright, CEO and Founder of Bright Business Media, LLC, publisher of the meetings industry trade publication. "It is also an opportunity to focus on specific attributes that make meetings and events memorable at these top-notch properties."

The gold, silver and bronze awards are given in the following categories based on subscriber votes. For a complete list of winners, visit smartmeetings.com/smart-stars.

Smart Stars Gold Winners:
Best Airport Hotel – Hyatt Regency DFW
Best Attraction/Theme Park – Universal Orlando Resort
Best Ballroom – The Grand Del Mar
Best Beach Resort – Hotel del Coronado
Best City Hotel – The Mayflower Renaissance Washington DC Hotel
Best Coastal Hotel – The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
Best Conference Center – Apella, Event Space at Alexandria Center
Best Convention Center – McCormick Place
Best Convention Center Hotel – Hyatt Regency New Orleans
Best Cruise Line for Meetings – Royal Caribbean International
Best Desert Hotel and Resort – The Phoenician
Best Eco/Green Property – Hyatt at Olive 8
Best Executive Retreat – Parker Palm Springs
Best Family-Friendly Hotel/Resort – Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
Best Gaming/Casino Hotel – Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Hotel
Best Golf Resort – The Broadmoor
Best Hotel Chef – Julian Serrano, Picasso, Bellagio Las Vegas
Best Hotel Pool – Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
Best Hotel Spa – Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village
Best Incentive Resort – The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Best Island Hotel – Caneel Bay, A Rosewood Resort, St. John
Best Mountain/Ski Resort – St. Regis Aspen Resort
Best Outdoor Event Space – NBC Universal Backlot
Best Pet-Friendly Hotel – Loews Coronado Bay
Best Special Event Venue – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Smart Meetings is published monthly in print and online, by Bright Business Media, LLC, a multimedia company based in Sausalito, Calif. BBM also hosts www.smartmeetings.com, an award-winning interactive website, Smart Site Selector for RFP submissions, and produces Smart Events, live events connecting meeting professionals with premier hotel and destination representatives. 415-339-9355.

Media contact: Christine Loomis, 415-339-9355

SOURCE Smart Meetings