America's Premier Shopping Places, a unique collection of tourism-oriented shopping and dining destinations owned and managed by General Growth Properties, Inc (NYSE: GGP), are welcoming an increasing number of group travelers who enjoy exploring shops and tasting cuisines they can't experience at home. In addition, group planners are seeking an alternative to traditional hotel conference rooms for their events.  Due to the scenic locations of many of America's Premier Shopping Places, including shopping and dining, group itineraries continues to flourish.

Imagine an outdoor event overlooking Baltimore's famous Inner Harbor, tropical gardens in Hawaii, the waterfront view of Biscayne Bay in Miami, or the replicated Grand Canal of Venice, to suggest just a few.  Centers such as Ala Moana Center in Honolulu, Fashion Show and The Grand Canal Shoppes in Las Vegas, The Shops at La Cantera in San Antonio, Water Tower Place in Chicago,  Harborplace and The Gallery in  Baltimore,  Bayside Marketplace in Miami and others are working with travel professionals to customize events and activities onsite to meet a group's needs. The marketing teams at America's Premier Shopping Places are experts in coordinating not only venues, but catering and entertainment as well as support group event requests.

In addition to site rentals, some centers have amphitheaters or performing stages for presentations.  Fashion Show Las Vegas boasts a state-of-the-art indoor event venue with an 80-foot retractable runway and stage box, LED screens suspended from the ceiling with theatrical lighting, sound and special effects.  Performance stages are popular with student/youth travelers and international performing groups seeking access to public appearances in centers such as Harborplace in Baltimore, Bayside Marketplace in Miami and other marketplace center environments. America's Premier Shopping Places' marketing professionals also assist group planners in developing spouse programs and activities that include retailers and restaurants at the center, such as wardrobe seminars, fashion shows and beauty makeovers, or chef demos, wine tastings, and cooking classes to provide attendees a unique and memorable experience during their meeting or event.

Motor coach and convention group planners are delighted to find many of America's Premier Marketplaces located in urban areas or along America's Highways and By-ways, near historic landmarks and attractions as well. Pioneer Place in downtown Portland offers tax-free shopping and public transportation from the Convention Center. Bellis Fair, located in Washington just 90 minutes south of Vancouver, welcomes many motor coaches from Canada. The Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place in Chicago offers group rates for performances after fabulous shopping and dining. Providence Place is Rhode Island's ultimate retail destination coupled with an array of river activities and events including their famous WaterFire performances each summer. Other centers are located near theme parks, sporting venues and gaming casinos as well.  
 

All group visitors to America's Premier Shopping Places are eligible to receive a Premier Passport Packet filled with hundreds of dollars in shopping and dining savings, special offers and amenities from participating retailers and restaurants in each location.  Simply request the Packets be sent to your group leader in advance of the visit at no charge by emailing Marcia Shelton shoppingplaces@aol.com.  For a complete listing of destinations and further information, along with high-resolution photos, visit www.AmericasShoppingPlaces.com  or contact Kathy Anderson, Travel and Tourism Manager at kathy@retailtourism.com.

 
GGP is the second largest shopping center owner in the United States. GGP has ownership and management of a 136 regional and super regional shopping mall portfolio in 41 states. The company portfolio totals approximately 140 million square feet of space. A publicly-traded real estate investment trust (REIT), GGP is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GGP.

Media Contact:
Kathy Anderson
shoppingplaces@aol.com
+1-602-678-1007