Renaissance Harborplace

Three years ago, Bell Atlantic took a hard look at small businesses and found some unexpected trends: women were starting new businesses at a faster rate than men and were adapting to new technology more easily.Now, in an attempt to encourage its women-owned business customers to keep phoning, faxing and paging, the regional telephone company has tailored a motivational program for women and taken it on the road.Yesterday, Bell Atlantic executives and author and entrepreneur Rebecca Maddox stopped in Baltimore to urge about 150 women who either own a business or want to start one to invest in themselves as well as their work.

A former hockey player who made it to the top of his industry without the imprimatur of an M.B.A. degree will be honored tonight as Loyola College's "Business Leader of the Year," a prestigious designation awarded annually by the Sellinger School of Business and Management. Robert J. Lawless, chairman, president and chief executive of McCormick & Co. Inc., will receive the honor at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore. With 1,000 tickets sold at $100 each, it is the largest turnout in the event's 17-year history.

Some of the prettiest restaurants in Baltimore can be found in the hotels that hug the Inner Harbor. Windows, at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel, is a lovely place to dine, especially if you reserve a table overlooking Pratt Street.Floor-to-ceiling windows let in the bright lights and bustle of the harbor. Mirrors, blond wood and crystal chandeliers create an atmosphere of modern, streamlined elegance. The restaurant was just as inviting recently as it had been on a visit last year.Executive chef Timothy P. Mullen and new restaurant chef Mitch Cooper have kept the emphasis at Windows on fresh seafood and Chesapeake region specialties.

The Holiday Inn at the Inner Harbor has laid off more than a quarter of its workers, and other big hotels such as the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel and the Renaissance Harborplace are trimming staff hours as the city's hospitality industry tries to weather the decline in business caused by last week's terrorist attacks. Many hotels in and around Baltimore's Inner Harbor are coping with the kind of drop in occupancy that usually isn't seen until winter, if it happens at all. How the Baltimore Convention Center fares in retaining scheduled events in coming months will have a big impact on many area businesses.

A former hockey player who made it to the top of his industry without the imprimatur of an M.B.A. degree will be honored tonight as Loyola College's "Business Leader of the Year," a prestigious designation awarded annually by the Sellinger School of Business and Management. Robert J. Lawless, chairman, president and chief executive of McCormick & Co. Inc., will receive the honor at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore. With 1,000 tickets sold at $100 each, it is the largest turnout in the event's 17-year history.

BaltimoreAug. 15-18 International Cake Exploration Society annual convention, Sheraton Inner Harbor.Aug. 18-23 The Hamilton Agency ATM forum, Renaissance Harborplace. Contact: Lisa Gutierrez, 1105 Cabrillo Drive, Santa Ana, Calif. 92701.lTC Pub Date: 8/12/96

Nov 12-17American Orchid Society national convention, Renaissance Harborplace, Pratt and South streets. Contact: Bob Marshall. Expected attendance: 1,000Nov. 15-17American Towmen trade show and exposition, Convention Center. Contact: Steve Calitri. Expected attendance: 10,000Nov. 20-23Southern Medical Association scientific assembly, Renaissance Harborplace. Contact: Cynthia Lenoir, 35 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, Ala. 35219-0088. Expected attendance: 9,000Pub Date: 11/11/96

April 30-May 4 Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association development conference, Stouffer Renaissance Harborplace Hotel. Contact: Tom Fahey. Expected attendance: 200May 3-7 ServiStar Corp. trade show, Baltimore Convention Center. Contact: Jan Schofield. Expected attendance: 12,000May 6-8 GSE System users meeting, Stouffer Renaissance Harborplace Hotel. Contact: Beth Trudel, 8930 Stanford Blvd., Columbia, Md. 21045. Expected attendance: 250May 6-9 American Electroplaters and Surface Finishers Society, steel strip plating workshop, Stouffer Renaissance Harborplace Hotel.

May 6-8 GSE System users meeting, Renaissance Harborplace Hotel. Contact: Beth Trudel. Expected attendance: 250May 6-9 American Electroplaters & Surface Finishers Society, plating workshop, Renaissance Harborplace. Contact: Anne Gaither. Expected attendance: 225May 8-10 Futures Industry Association, law and compliance workshop, Renaissance Harborplace. Contact: Julia Greenway. Expected attendance: 280May 10-13 Classic Festivals and Tours, BWI-Marriott. Contact: Nancy Davis, 560 Stokes Road, Ironside Village 13A, Medford, N.J. 08055-2905.

BaltimoreJune 10-13 Federation of Tax Administrators, Renaissance Harborplace Hotel. Contact: Jenny Pardoe, P.O. Box 460, Annapolis, Md. 21401. Expected attendance: 500June 16-19 Sales & Marketing Institute, Hyatt Regency. Contact: Mike Muldoon, Suite 100, 2751 Prosperity Ave., Fairfax, Va. 22031. Expected attendance: 300June 21-24 American Guernsey Association national convention, Renaissance Harborplace. Contact: Karen Albright, 15630 Old York Road, Monkton, Md. 21111. Expected attendance: 400June 26-29 National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, Renaissance Harborplace.

Baltimore Jan. 12-16 National Soccer Coaches Association of America convention and exhibition, Hyatt Regency, 300 Light St. Contact: Bob Robinson, 610-688-1537. Estimated attendance: 2,500 Jan. 26-30 United States Pony Clubs annual meeting, Renaissance Harborplace, Pratt and Commerce streets. Contact: Peggy Entrekin, 606-254-7669. Estimated attendance: 300 Information The Sun lists selected conventions of general interest or with exhibits open to the public from those provided by the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association.

Sixteen Baltimore firms were honored yesterday by Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke for their support of community organizations and the initiation of community service programs.The awards program, held at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel, was sponsored by the Greater Baltimore Committee, the mayor's office and the Baltimore Development Corp."In honoring these businesses, we also pay tribute to the many others like them who, frankly, are the heart and soul of our city and its commerce," GBC President Donald P. Hutchinson told the audience.

ProfessionalSiegfried is partner at Ernst & YoungErnst & Young named Alan N. Siegfried a partner for internal audit services for its Baltimore-based mid-Atlantic area. He is responsible for leading internal audits in various industries, including health care, finance, government and construction. He formerly was a regional director for Deloitte & Touche. A Crofton resident, he is a University of Maryland MBA graduate and certified public accountant. He also is certified as an information systems auditor, bank auditor, internal auditor, financial services auditor and computer professional.

New positionsAdams Express elects Rishel vice president for researchThe Adams Express Co. elected Barbara L. Rishel as vice president, research, for the Baltimore-based equity investment company.Formerly an equity analyst with Mercantile-Safe Deposit and Trust Co., Rishel is an MBA graduate of the University of Baltimore. She is a native of Baltimore.Baptiste is a vice president for Comcast CablevisionComcast Cablevision appointed Michael A. Baptiste as mid-Atlantic region vice president for advertising.

New positionsRenaissance Harborplace selects operations directorRenaissance Harborplace Hotel appointed Steve K. Smith director of operations. He will oversee the rooms division, including front office, housekeeping, guest services and valet, and supervise a staff of 200. A resident of Silver Spring, he most recently was director of services at the Renaissance Washington Hotel.New operations manager at Bel Air Athletic ClubBel Air Athletic Club named Michael Meehan operations manager. A certified physical instructor and personal trainer, he is an active member of the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise.

Some of the prettiest restaurants in Baltimore can be found in the hotels that hug the Inner Harbor. Windows, at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel, is a lovely place to dine, especially if you reserve a table overlooking Pratt Street.Floor-to-ceiling windows let in the bright lights and bustle of the harbor. Mirrors, blond wood and crystal chandeliers create an atmosphere of modern, streamlined elegance. The restaurant was just as inviting recently as it had been on a visit last year.Executive chef Timothy P. Mullen and new restaurant chef Mitch Cooper have kept the emphasis at Windows on fresh seafood and Chesapeake region specialties.

Oct. 2-5 International Antique & Classic Boat Society, Renaissance Harborplace. Contact: Tab Miller, 1-202-636-9289. Expected attendance: 100Oct. 6-10 National Institute of Standards & Technology computer security conference, Convention Center. Contact: Sara Torrence, 1-301-975-2774. Expected attendance: 2,000Oct. 10-16 Master Brewers Association of the Americas, Hyatt Regency. Contact: Cathy Beug,1-414-774-8558. Expected attendance: 900Oct. 13-17 BT Alex. Brown & Sons technology seminar, Renaissance Harborplace.

Oct. 28-30National Association of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty, Renaissance Harborplace. Contact: Marcy Dausch, 13873 Park Center Road, Herndon, Va. 22071. Expected attendance: 250Nov. 6-9National Exchange Club parent aide conference, Sheraton Towson, 903 Dulaney Valley Road. Contact: Robin Klingler, 3050 Central Ave., Toledo, Ohio 43606. Expected attendance: 150Nov 12-17American Orchid Society national convention, Renaissance Harborplace, Pratt and South streets. Contact: Bob Marshall, 17 Maxa Court, Baltimore, Md. 21220.

MEMBERS OF THE Baltimore Ravens football team scored big for the Baltimore Regional Burn Center, thanks to the Ravens Wives Association. A "FANtastic" fund-raiser was held for the center at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel. It consisted of dinner, dancing, auctions and chitchat with Ravens players and their wives.The football team became interested in the Burn Center last year after player Anthony Pleasant and his wife, Renita, established a fund in honor of their baby, Hannah, who had been treated there.