Intel: DreamPlace coming to Fashion Show mall

DreamWorks Animation, the global family entertainment brand best known for award-winning storytelling and industry-leading innovation, will enter into the world of retail space this holiday season with the launch of DreamPlace.

DreamPlace is a 2,000-square-foot holiday cottage that combines the latest technology with magical storytelling from the minds who created “Shrek,” “Madagascar” and “How to Train Your Dragon.” DreamPlace reimagines one of the signature moments of childhood — meeting Santa Claus. The interactive experience is to debut in seven locations nationwide, including the Fashion Show mall on the Strip.

Before their mall visit, families can make appointments through an app, negating the familiar long lines for Santa before embarking on an adventure that includes an immersive journey with “Shrek” and his friends as they guide children and families to the North Pole.

“DreamPlace turns the traditional mall holiday visit on its head with an immersive, interactive approach that draws on our signature brand of technology, storytelling and, of course, humor,” DreamWorks Animation’s Chief Global Brand Officer Michael Francis said in a statement. “We are continually looking for new ways to bring our characters to life and DreamPlace will deliver an unparalleled experience, which fans will absolutely love.”

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SWEET DEAL: Honolulu Cookie Co., maker of Hawaiian premium shortbread cookies, has added flavors to its signature shortbread collection: Chocolate Chip Macadamia, Chocolate Chip Kona Coffee and Chocolate Chip Chocolate Macadamia.

Rich, semi-sweet chocolate chips infuse these crunchy, pineapple-shaped cookies, which are baked fresh daily in Honolulu and can be purchased at its store at the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian or ordered online at HonoluluCookie.com.

The cookies are available in 15 signature flavors, including hand-dipped gourmet dark, milk and white chocolate, while others have tropical fruit pieces or Kona coffee beans hand-pressed into their centers.

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SPROUTING UP: Phoenix-based Sprouts Farmers Market opened its fifth Las Vegas area store July 30 at 10000 W. Sahara Ave.

The supermarket is known for its large selection of natural and organic foods including produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, meat and seafood, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, natural body care and household items.

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HONORS FOR ROSSI: Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, will be inducted into the U.S. Travel Hall of Leaders this year.

Ralenkotter, who recently completed his 40th year with the authority, has received a number of national recognitions while guiding the organization that markets Las Vegas to the world.

He was a member of the original White House Conference on Tourism in 1995 and has served as chairman of the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and the U.S. Travel Association.

He helped organize last year’s Connecting America Through Travel transportation conference in Washington and worked with lawmakers toward the approval of the Travel Promotion Act, which established Brand USA, a public-private program that funds the marketing of the United States abroad in the same way the authority markets Las Vegas.

Ralenkotter has received lifetime achievement awards from the American Marketing Association, the Travel and Tourism Research Association and Travel Weekly and was recently inducted into the Destination Marketing Association International Hall of Fame.

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BONUS CHECK: Southwest Airlines employees received some extra cash after an extraordinary second quarter.

Southwest Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly said after last week’s earnings announcement that each employee would get a one-time $200 check because the company exceeded its goal of a 15 percent return on invested capital.

Southwest has more than 3,000 employees in Las Vegas.

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PRE-CHECK SUCCESS: More than 7,600 people have signed up for the Transportation Security Administration’s Pre-Check trusted traveler program in Las Vegas in the past six months.

An agency spokeswoman said the new McCarran International Airport Pre-Check enrollment center that opened in March is among the top 10 of 26 airports for signing up participants.

Participants pay an $85 processing fee to enroll for five years and acceptance into the program enables use of a shorter security line at which passengers don’t have to remove shoes, belts and jackets and can keep their laptop computers in their cases and liquids in plastic bags within cases.

More than 400,000 people have enrolled in the program nationwide.