Thursday, August 27, I had the pleasure of attending the Wedding Planner FAM at the Loews Hotels at Universal Studios. Just a little background on these properties…..I actually started my hospitality career at Loews Hotels so these properties hold a special place in my heart. We started off with Drinks and Apps at the Hard Rock along with a Tour of the Property and all of their venues. Next we hopped on a bus and headed to Royal Pacific. Lots of exciting stuff going on there as they are finally getting rid of the tent and adding another ballroom as well as having a air conditioned walkway to the new Sapphire Falls which will have additional rooms and meeting space. A tour ended with drinks and food in the Wantilan Pavilion, presented by Chef Nando Belmonte. Our last stop was the beautiful Portofino Bay Hotel. This is where things got interesting in an Iron Chef inspired cocktail competition. I teamed up with Michele Butler of Michele Butler Events and Elisa Delgardio of A Flair for Affairs. We created a Watermelon, Mint, Gin and Tonic Drink and won First Place. Faye Novick of Festive Occasions by Faye and Susan Southerland of Just Marry won Second Place and Jeffrey and Lisa Stoner of E Events won Third Place. We took the boat back to the Hard Rock and were greeted by a Pop Rock cocktail and off on our merry way to Velvet Sessions we went to see John Waite.