Experts predict a growing demand for meeting planners who can plan meetings and incentives that support corporate engagement goals. Sandra Daniel, president and CEO of Fire Light Group, a WI-based meeting planning and incentive consulting firm, explains why: “Corporations are driving engagement, not meeting planners. But planners are becoming a piece of engagement strategy. Many planners have a background in moving people from place to place efficiently, but that is completely different from engagement. Planners who aren’t well versed in engagement need to partner with somebody who is or get educated on it. Planners who don’t could be left behind in coming years,” says Daniel.

Companies increasingly want planners who are also knowledgeable about the business strategy of engagement — increasing employees’ emotional and intellectual attachment to an organization’s goals and mission. Engagement also applies to the level of attachment that customers, vendors and clients have to products and services.

Michael J. Kelly is CEO of On Call International, which for nearly 20 years, has provided fully customized travel assistance plans protecting millions of travelers, their families and the companies they work for. www.oncallinternational.com

Traveling outside of the United States nowadays requires a great deal of planning and forethought. Whether your group is small or large, these 10 valuable points will help ensure a safe and successful journey.

1. Always carry an IDP. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), International Driving Permits (IDPs) are valid in more than 150 countries and can be necessary if you plan to drive during your travels, since many countries do not recognize U.S. driver’s licenses. Note that applicants must be at least 18 years of age, present two passport-sized photographs and a valid U.S. driver’s license to avoid any hassles. An IDP from AAA or the National Automobile Club costs approximately $15 and can be paid by check, money order or major credit card. While traveling, I recommend keeping the IDP in a safe place as sometimes it can be just as valuable as your passport.

2. Protect your passport. Your passport is the most important document to pack when traveling overseas.  I suggest having a few copies in different places. I always keep a copy in my overseas suitcase and with my family members at home. I also have a picture of it stored in my phone for emergency purposes. Make sure you have your destination’s U.S. embassy contact information on hand just in case your passport is lost or stolen. Having a travel assistance membership also can help. For example, On Call International assists with lost and stolen documents, which can aid in the passport retrieval process.

3. Enroll in STEP. In addition to sharing your itinerary with a trusted friend and/or family member, don’t forget to register your trip with the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) if you’ll be traveling out of the country. It only takes a few minutes to fill out the online form, and you’ll not only automatically receive timely updates on travel alerts, but the information you enter (including your emergency contacts) can help the embassy or consulate locate you in the event of an emergency.

4. Protect your luggage. While you can use a normal lock for your suitcase, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has the right to cut it off if they need to inspect it. Consider investing in TSA-approved luggage locks, which are sold in airports and retail stores nationwide.  That way, you still have a lock after the inspection because TSA officials use a universal master key to open it (they are also required to leave you a note before re-locking it). Also, make sure your luggage is properly identified with your contact information including full name, current address and phone number. Because black luggage is most common in the airport, it is important to have a key distinguishing feature on your suitcase, whether it be the stitching, a ribbon or just a different color or print. I recommend taking a quick photo with your smartphone of your items such as luggage, purse, etc., so you can easily show these to others in the event you misplace them or they go missing. If you misplace your bags in the airport, the first thing you should do is report it missing to a TSA official and your airline. Next, if you have On Call International’s services or those of another travel assistance company, notify them immediately so they can start hunting it down with your airline while you continue your travels. Do not miss your flight if you still can’t find your bags. Your stuff can always get on the flight, although you may not be able to.

5. Understand the risks. Different places require different levels of precaution. For example, Western women traveling to some parts of India have reported incidents of verbal and physical harassment by groups of men in crowded locations such as market places, train stations, buses and public streets. And some large cities in India such as Delhi experience the highest number of crimes against women. Before your next trip, check out the Department of State’s Country Specific Information page for trustworthy guidance regarding the security landscape of your destination. Having a good handle on the security nuances of your destination can go a long way in preventing potential security mishaps from occurring on your trip.

6. Develop cultural awareness. An important part of traveling abroad is paying close (and sensitive) attention to a country’s culture. For example, consider learning some important key words and phrases in the country’s language, such as “please,” “thank you” and “help me.” Google Translator is a great site to reference. They even have a mobile app that you can download and use on the fly. In addition to the language, learn anything and everything you can about the country’s cultural norms, values and customs. This can include dress codes, local attitudes toward women, appropriate (and inappropriate) hand gestures, views on timeliness, limitations of local law enforcement and more. In addition to your trusted information sources, CultureCrossing.net is a great place to go for cultural information on commonly visited countries around the world.

7. Be street smart. Pickpockets are very common in all parts of the world. Unfortunately, pickpockets can happen in any large crowd environment. I suggest that women wear cross-body bags to have more control of their belongings, and men put a rubber band around their wallet to create resistance against their pants while sightseeing or navigating crowded public venues. Limit fancy jewelry or handbags and follow the local cultural standards so you blend in and are less of a target. Pickpockets are often well trained, so keep an eye on your personal belongings at all times.

8. Keep a closed-door policy. Most hotels will be filled to capacity and guests should expect constant foot traffic in and out of hotels. Think of your room as your home, and if someone is knocking on the door, make sure to ask the individual on the other end why they need to come in. If you didn’t request a hotel bellhop to bring up towels or shampoo, it’s best to stay safe and communicate via phone or through the door. Don’t open your hotel door to so-called “room inspectors” who will swipe a valuable or two as they pretend to check the quality of housekeeping. When leaving your room for the day, keep your hotel key with you, instead of at the front desk, and leave the do-not-disturb sign on your door so your room appears occupied.

9. Mix up your money. While credit cards are useful when visiting any foreign destination, it’s also beneficial to have some currency from the place you are visiting. Don’t use an ATM machine if someone is standing around you. Make sure to watch out for suspicious cameras meant to record your movements and/or the keyboard as you enter a PIN. Don’t keep all your valuables in one place. In the event something gets stolen, you should have some extra cash or credit cards stored in the hotel safe or another secret, secure place. Credit card companies can provide travelers with a new card very quickly; be sure to check which cards have the best policies before heading abroad. Travel assistance companies also can assist travelers with credit card replacement and obtaining emergency funds in the event a wallet or purse is lost or stolen.

10. Get covered. Travel assistance companies provide proactive travel assistance to prepare for travels abroad before travelers leave home. On Call International also provides assistance for travelers who may experience emergencies of all kinds, including emergency medical evacuations back home or to a safe and qualified local hospital, access to a 24-hour nurse helpline, security assistance including political and natural disaster evacuation, as well as worldwide legal assistance, translation and interpreter assistance, and help with lost or stolen travel documents and credit cards. C&IT

Colonial Williamsburg’s fife and drum corps escorted TriSept meeting attendees from the Williamsburg Lodge to the taverns. Credit: Axel Edling and David Spicer

Corporate planners have long used the “themed event” as the centerpiece to their meetings. Typically, it’s an awards ceremony or final-night banquet that is inspired by anything from cultural or historical periods such as ’50s America, to concepts such as “breaking barriers” or “embracing the future,” to color schemes such as the elegant black-and-white motif. But the entire meeting, not just a night or two, is made memorable when staged at one of the country’s great theme parks.

There are the familiar bastions of amusement created by Disney and Universal, and parks with more specific themes, such as SeaWorld and Colonial Williamsburg. And the industry is still growing, with developers recently announcing plans to open a Grand Texas theme park in the spring of 2015 on 600 acres of land 30 miles northeast of downtown Houston. Grand Texas is expected to include a ballpark for an independent minor league team and a water park.

Whether the theme is the Lone Star State or the Magic Kingdom, some planners feel less pressure when staging a meeting at a theme park, as the opportunities for group events and diversions are all at their fingertips.

Walt Disney World Resort

“It does make my job a little easier,” remarks Jackie Lang, Event Planning Manager at Lakeville-Middleboro, MA-based Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. Just this March, the company held its North American National Sales Meeting at Walt Disney World Resort for the fourth time, bringing just over 100 attendees to the 867-room Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

“There are so many entertainment options offered by Disney,” she continues. “Even if attendees didn’t go on theme park adventures, they had plenty of beautiful pools to lounge by. I didn’t have to go out and source any convention bureaus; it was a one-stop shop.” The Disney events team was very “hands-on,” she adds. “I would give them a budget for an event, and they would come back to me with what they felt would best fit for my group, along with other suggestions. They really do a deep dive into who their attendees will be for that function, their ages and preferences.”

The wealth of venues and entertainment surrounding the group may lighten the planning load, but at the same time, there is often the concern that it will distract from business. Lang, however, feels that once attendees are in a well-appointed meeting room that is removed from the commotion of leisure guests, it will be business as usual.

“The Grand Floridian has a separate conference area. We had no distractions, so it worked out extremely well,” she says. All of the hotel’s 40,000 sf of meeting space, including its 18,219-sf Grand Floridian Ballroom, 5,885-sf St. Augustine Hall and 16 meeting rooms, is on one contiguous level. What’s more, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection recently renewed the Green Lodging designation for the Grand Floridian, along with all other Disney-owned and operated resorts in the state.

Universal Orlando Resort

Attendees who have been to Universal Orlando Resort many times have new attractions to explore with this summer’s opening of Transformers: The Ride-3D based on the popular Transformers films; and Springfield, an environment themed after The Simpsons animated series. And next year, they’ll be able to board The Hogwarts Express and commute between the two Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme parks, Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, the latter also opening next year.

Universal Orlando is not short on meeting space, with a total of 250,000 sf. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel contributes 42,000 sf to that figure, and its 750 guest rooms and suites were completely renovated with a new Mediterranean-inspired design last April. Next summer, Universal Orlando will debut Cabana Bay Beach Resort, offering value rates and a theme reflecting nostalgic Americana. The property will house 900 guest rooms and 900 family suites. While no traditional meeting space will be onsite, Cabana Bay will feature several informal gathering spots designed for groups, according to Universal Orlando.

SeaWorld Orlando

Last year, SeaWorld Orlando officially became part of SeaWorld Parks & Resorts, which also includes Discovery Cove, an all-inclusive swim-with-dolphins resort, and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s water park. Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin is SeaWorld’s newest addition, which debuted last spring. The tuxedoed inhabitants fit right in when attendees enjoy reception-style events in the “coldest theme park attraction in the world” (accommodating up to 750 people), including entertainment from the Iceberg Stage.

Planners also can arrange tours for 40–100 attendees at a time, and secure front-line access to rides such as Kraken, Journey to Atlantis, Wild Arctic and Manta. A two-hour teambuilding activity is also available, where groups of 15–250 participants set out on various “missions” throughout the park, whether searching for flamingoes or taking pictures with dolphins.

SeaWorld is complemented by the 1,094-room DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld, with 60,000 sf of meeting space, but the park has its own specialized venue for groups: Ports of Call. Here, groups of 100–750 can enjoy a covered patio, tropical gardens, and convene in a 12,000-sf ballroom, divisible into three sections.

Colonial Williamsburg

Chantilly, VA-based TriSept Corpor­ation, a systems engineering services provider, has held one of its corporate getaways at Walt Disney World Resort, but more recently took 65 attendees, including employees and spouses, to a very different kind of theme park in the company’s home state: Colonial Williamsburg. While the focus was “strategic planning,” says TriSept President Robert Spicer, the meeting was also “my way of saying thank you to our folks for all their hard work and extra hours. So we have the all-day company meeting, but we also give them free time to go enjoy the theme park.” Moreover, Colonial Williamsburg fit the group demographically. “They are very patriotic people to begin with, and we visited over the July 4th weekend. We figured, what a great place to learn about where our country began.” Of course, pride in being American doesn’t necessarily go along with a deep interest in American history. “Some of our people weren’t big history buffs,” noted Cathy Spicer, TriSept’s vice president of contracts, “but they absolutely had a great time, and it actually inspired them to get more interested in the history.”

In the same way that the Disney events team gave Lang very personalized planning assistance, Colonial Williamsburg’s team was instrumental in designing TriSept’s corporate getaway. “They had a lot of great ideas, and they really helped out by explaining all the different events they had going on there,” says Robert Spicer. “They actually encouraged us to go to Yorktown and Jamestown and places nearby, including Busch Gardens (free bus service is available to these destinations). So they helped us plan out what we were going to do that entire weekend.” For example, “we didn’t know the fife and drum was available as an escort from the Williamsburg Lodge to the taverns. They helped us with that and set up the tavern night,” adds Cathy Spicer. “If you do it yourself, there are many things you wouldn’t even know are available.”

While planners can be surprised by what Colonial Williamsburg offers, so can attendees. As the TriSept group was enjoying dessert one evening, “Patrick Henry” popped in to tell a story from revolutionary history. The Founding Father and post-colonial governor of Virginia even encouraged questions from the attendees, Robert Spicer relates, adding that other Founding Fathers, such as Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, also are available to add even more colonial authenticity to a meeting, and their speeches can be customized to relate to corporate objectives.

Speaking of corporate objectives, Colonial Williamsburg offers a variety of meeting spaces to complement its various hotels, including the Williamsburg Inn, Colonial Houses, Williamsburg Lodge, and Woodlands Hotel & Suites, which comprise 1,060 guest rooms. The Lodge features a 70,000-sf conference center, part of a total 105,000 sf of function space at the theme park, and the 12,000-sf Virginia Lawn.

Hersheypark

Farther up the East Coast is a theme park that celebrates the sweet side of American history. Milton S. Hershey built the world’s first modern chocolate factory 110 years ago in Hershey, PA, and today’s Hersheypark is a tribute to the success of that endeavor. The park has long been a reliable mid-Atlantic site choice for planners, particularly with the consolidated services of Hershey Meetings. The team helps clients find the best lodging and meeting spaces across Hersheypark’s properties: the 665-room Hershey Lodge (100,000 sf), the 276-room Hotel Hershey (25,000 sf), and Hershey Country Club (10,672 sf). Teambuilding activities, from kayaking to paintball, are coordinated through Hershey Outfitters and the Hershey Leadership and Development Center.

For attendees who just want to unwind, there is The Spa At The Hotel Hershey, designed as an homage to High Point Mansion, the home of Milton and Catherine Hershey.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Theme parks such as Colonial Williamsburg and Hersheypark are integrated with hotels, which does tend to make the planning process more streamlined. But nearby hoteliers see their share of theme park-bound groups, and are typically quite well versed in what the park offers. Such is the case with the 489-room, AAA Four Diamond Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, located just a block away from the entrance to Universal Studios Hollywood. Trissa Weiser, director of corporate communications for North Hollywood, CA-based IPC: The Hospitalist Company, also serves as meeting planner for the national physicians group practice. She regularly works with the Hilton, which is a “very value added” property that easily accommodates her meetings’ various breakouts with 60,000 sf of indoor and outdoor function space, including the 16,000-sf Sierra Ballroom.

“I do a lot of events without an assistant or a staff. When I go to negotiate with a property, I look for partnership above everything else, and the Hilton is outstanding (in that regard),” Weiser comments. “They feel comfortable providing input to me, from the space to the setup to the meal selection. For example, someone will call me back and say, ‘You’ve made great lunch selections, but we noticed that the dessert served at lunch on day one is the same as day three, so we’re going to go ahead and change that for you.’ They put a lot of thought into my program and take ownership of it. Also, our company is very culturally diverse, so I always need to have kosher, vegan and other meal options, and they’re able to accommodate all of our needs in a very delicious manner.”

On the last night of their leadership retreat, the IPC group takes the 5-10 minute stroll to Universal Studios Hollywood, where Weiser rents the bowling alley at Jillian’s in CityWalk for three to four hours. The venue accommodates up to 1,200 attendees and offers 10 lanes of bowling, pool tables and arcade games, catering, two full-service bars and a private suite for groups. Overall, the proximity to Universal Studios serves to make the program more attractive, especially for attendees flying in from towns that lack major theme parks. “For somebody that has never been here before, say from Kansas City or St. Louis, Universal Studios is a huge deal for them and has strong brand recognition,” says Weiser, adding that “10-15 percent of the time they’ll bring their families out and stay the weekend, since we have a Wednesday through Friday program.”

Adults have plenty of diversions on hand with The Blues Brothers ride, the Studio Tour, The NBCUniversal Experience and CityWalk with more than 60 restaurants, shops and nightclubs, while children can look forward to Water World, Shrek 4-D, Transformers: The Ride 3-D and much more.

For some events, such as Ocean Spray’s growers meeting, the “family factor” does tip the scales in favor of theme parks. “Ocean Spray is a cooperative owned by our growers, and so many of the owners are family-run cranberry farms,” Lang explains. “So they will come to the meeting with spouses and kids.” The March 2012 growers meeting went so well, says Lang, that she rebooked Disney World for 2016 and will be expecting more than 600 attendees.

Disneyland Resort

Just as Disney World properties are busy maintaining their Green Lodging designations, Disneyland Resort, in Anaheim, CA, is also making strides on the eco front. This April, the venerable theme park was honored by the Clean the World Foundation Inc. for donating nearly 20,000 pounds of partially used soap and bottled bath amenities last year. And in June, the four-year transformation of the Disneyland Hotel was capped off with the opening of the Blue Sky Suite in the Fantasy Tower. Designed by Walt Disney Imagineering, the 3,000-sf space is intended to encourage “blue sky” thinking for groups of up to 15 attendees. Situated on the 11th floor, the suite offers panoramic views and an open-air lanai; bright, modern furnishings and classic Disney artwork; and built-in audio-visual equipment including three televisions, two of which feature 55-inch screens that can be programmed to show presentations simultaneously. Complimentary Wi-Fi is also available. The AAA Four Diamond Disneyland Hotel offers 969 newly refurbished guest rooms and a 136,000-sf convention center, along with two new private event lawns totaling 20,000 sf.

A Culture of Creativity

The Blue Sky Suite is born from Disney’s culture of creativity, another factor that motivates Lang and her company to bring meetings to Disney. “One of our values as a company is respect for innovation. And I think Disney shares that value,” she notes. In a similar vein, Colonial Williamsburg is an embodiment of TriSept’s patriotic spirit, and so the site choice is a natural fit. In general, planners do well to consider whether the concept and inspiration behind a theme park in some way reflects their corporate values or culture. Granted, attendees can likely have both fun and a productive meeting at any of the major parks. But why not make the site choice that much more meaningful? C&IT

Arthur Backal is CEO and founder of Backal Management Group, which brings exceptional event management services to Apella. With more than 20 years of experience in the event and hospitality industry, Backal is the new senior advisor and investor in Union Square Events (USE), the events business of Danny Meyer’s restaurant family Union Square Hospitality Group. Backal has worked with some of New York’s most renowned hotels and venues, including The Pierre, The Plaza, The Waldorf-Astoria and The Rainbow Room. Since 2003, Backal has served as the consulting director of catering for the Mandarin Oriental, New York. www.backalgroup.com

Apella at Alexandria Center is an innovative meeting and event space in New York City that offers 10 impressive private rooms with unprecedented contemporary interiors and sweeping views of the East River. With this venue in mind, I have compiled my top 10 ways to plan a successful holiday party.

1. Plan ahead and book early. There are only so many days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and prime dates at great venues book up fast as many organizations often book one year in advance.
2. Consider Mondays and Tuesdays. Wednesdays, Thurs­days and Fridays are the most popular evenings for holiday parties. If you’re looking to cut down on costs, ask if discounts apply for holiday parties on weekdays.
3. Great atmosphere. Creating a mood that wows doesn’t need to cost a great deal of money. Consult with your venue for help. Look for a venue with special, built-in features such as those found at Apella, including sophisticated lounge furniture, a built-in sound system, existing projection screens, custom lighting on the bars and gorgeous views — all of which create a beautiful and special atmosphere for an event.
4. Delicious food. A memorable party always includes great food whether the holiday celebration is an intimate cocktail party or an exquisite dinner. Go first-class whenever possible. For example, Apella’s exclusive caterer is Riverpark, a Tom Colicchio Restaurant.
5. Interactive dining. Holiday parties are a great time for mingling and catching up. To make sure all your guests have the opportunity to network, consider coordinating seasonal, local and/or themed food and beverage pairing stations. Learning about the food and wine you’re consuming can be a great conversation starter!
6. Specialty cocktails. Specialty cocktails are a great way to incorporate the festive spirit in a fun way. Make sure your venue has a mixologist who can assist in creating custom cocktails. White chocolate and candy cane martinis have been popular at Apella.
7. Lighting. Lighting is a relatively easy and cost-effective way to transform the look and feel of a room. Consider lighting in warm colors and/or projected graphic imagery like pine trees and snowflakes for your next holiday party.
8. Be the disc jockey. Music can make all the difference at a party! Many venues offer built-in sound systems and use Pandora or Spotify to easily arrange the perfect mix for the evening. This can offer considerable cost savings.
9. Teambuilding. A holiday party is the perfect time for teambuilding such as Build-a-Bike. Teams work together to build bicycles and then donate them to underprivileged children. Teambuilding exercises offer the perfect feel-good activity prior to imbibing at the after-party.
10. Seasonal favors. Offer guests warm apple cider or hot chocolate as they depart. Pair with sweet treats for a delicious note to leave on. C&IT

The Switch employee Field Day, which has been held annually for the past seven years, features “at least one activity that involves a social component, and I don’t mean social media,” says Switch Chief Creative Officer Annie Castellano. “I mean getting to know the people that you work with on a personal level.” Credit: Switch: Liberate Your Brand

Much of the teamwork that happens in corporate America today is through virtual communications, with the work force becoming increasingly remote and decentralized. But it is teamwork nonetheless, and when employees do gather for a face-to-face meeting, it bears emphasizing the value of effective collaboration. A teambuilding activity, one that serves as a metaphor for workplace performance, has long been a means to that end.

Given its value, one might wonder why a company would eschew teambuilding at an internal meeting, assuming that the agenda allows for it. Economic factors can influence that decision, according to Kim Silberman, senior vice president of New York, NY-based Madison Performance Group. “The cost of a teambuilding event can be prohibitive because it is an added expense. And for incentives, since most companies have cut back on their incentive travel, they elect to reward individuals with leisure time instead of a structured activity, which they would rather include in a meeting,” she explains.

Indeed, teambuilding has a hard time competing with leisure as a reward for top producers. Yet a key to successful teambuilding is that it should not be diametrically opposed to leisure; it should not feel purely business-related, from the attendee’s perspective.

The economy is rebounding, and the hotel industry with it.

A recent analysis by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) predicts that revenue per available room will increase by 5.9 percent this year and 6.2 percent in 2014. Occupancy rates are expected to climb to 62.2 percent in 2013, the highest level since the pre-recessionary days of 2007.

At the same time, PwC expects companies to book even more meetings and events going forward. All in all — as it’s becoming increasingly apparent to corporate meeting planners — we are in the midst of a strong seller’s market, and some planners feel as if they’ve become very junior members of a partnership with hotel sales managers who no longer need their business the way they did a few years ago. It’s making them a bit peevish as they wonder whether hotel sales managers are doing all they can to win their business.

Brooke Sommers, CMP, CMM, is owner/strategist of Strategic Conferences & Events LLC. She has been planning meetings for more than 20 years and is currently focusing on Strategic Meetings Management and the value of meetings and events for corporations. www.strategicconferences.net. Hospitality veteran David Rayment, national account director at Experient in Denver, provided additional hotel sales insight for this column. www.experient-inc.com

No matter what the industry, the No. 1 most important part of sales is building the relationship. However, relationship building seems to be dwindling due to higher quotas, more clients, limited time and lower sales budgets.

What I miss the most is the sales touch: the actual building of the relationship:

• When a hotel salesperson took the time to get to know the meeting planner.
• When the national salespeople came to our meeting planning departments and spent time getting to know our needs and us.
• When we became friends with our sales reps.

I still get the sales calls. The problem is they are impersonal, and no effort is expended toward building the relationship. They usually go something like this: “Hello Brooke, I see that you were at my hotel in 2010. Do you have anything coming back this way?”

Really, did you do one iota of research on me? Salespeople can take advantage of the age of technology by checking out my LinkedIn page and/or other social media streams where I have a presence. Then they may be able to catch my attention by starting the conversation with, “Hello Brooke, I just read your article on your ‘Top 10 Meeting Planning Pet Peeves.’ ” (See C&IT March 2013). Now you have my attention.

The Trust Factor

I buy from people I know and trust, and I believe that is the case with most meeting planners. The best sales relationship I have had was with my national sales rep from Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Jane Jordan. My relationship with Jane was different. No matter where I was in my career, Hyatt did not change my sales rep. Jane and Hyatt knew the importance of the relationship and discovered along the way that the relationship, more than anything else, was what drove me to want to do business with them.

The distinctive, triple-towered Marina Bay Sands in Singapore features SkyPark, a rooftop venue the size of three football fields. Credit: Marina Bay Sands

When a global powerhouse like Starwood chooses Macau, China, as the site of its largest property in the world, it’s a sure bet that this destination is worth a closer look. As the gaming capital of Asia, Macau is filled with glamorous hotels and exciting nightlife. In fact, its gaming revenue is reported to be six times that of Las Vegas. But there’s much more to this intriguing destination than slot machines and gaming tables. Macau was a Portuguese colony for hundreds of years, so it offers a unique blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures, earning its historic city center a well-deserved place on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Macau

Nu Skin, a global direct selling company that develops and distributes personal care products and nutritional supplements, brought its 2013 incentive training academy to Macau in September. “The event attracted over 5,000 business partners from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan with a total investment of HKD 80 million (the equivalent of more than $10 million U.S.), and it took a taskforce of 500 company event specialists to manage and arrange the event,” says a Nu Skin representative.

The beach firepit at Omni Amelia Island Plantation.

Although Florida offers a long list of popular, well-established meeting destinations, from north to south and from the Atlantic Coast to the Gulf of Mexico, it also features a trio of less well-known destinations along its Northeast Coast.

However, each year more planners discover — and swear allegiance to — the practical benefits and unique appeal of meeting in Jacksonville, Amelia Island and St. Augustine/Ponte Vedra Beach.

Jacksonville

For planners unfamiliar with the destination, there are many surprises to be found in Jacksonville. For example, Jacksonville is the largest city by landmass in the continental U.S. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the St. Johns River, the sprawling waterfront metropolis boasts 21 miles of beaches and more than three miles of riverfront public spaces in its laidback downtown. Jacksonville also offers the largest public park system in the country, with more than 85,000 acres of recreation space, and is nationally recognized as one of the top 25 arts cities in the U.S.

Keystone Resort & Conference Center in Keystone, CO, provides 100,000 sf of meeting, exhibit and function space.

Conference centers weathered the economic downturn due in large part to their business-focused, budget-friendly model. And now that the economy is on the upswing, the corporate demand for conference centers is rising right along with it. The International Association of Con­ference Centers (IACC) estimates that 70 percent of conference center business is derived from corporate meetings and events, according to its CEO, Mark Cooper.

This proportion of overall conference center bookings has been consistent, even indicating a new resiliency as the economy and the meetings industry as a whole continues its recovery. What the past 18 months have shown is a small but notable uptick in business, reversing trends of corporate meeting sluggishness and meeting budget cutbacks that had stymied the corporate meeting conference center business since 2008, the beginning of the economic downtown.

Upswing Signs

“In 2012,” Cooper observes, “members reported a 7.3 percent increase in occupancy, a clear sign that meetings and conference business was improving. Rates improved marginally as well, showing 5 percent increases on 2011 rates, supporting the view that the meetings industry has turned a corner. The improvement in top-line sales and bottom-line profitability is a clear sign that the industry is benefiting from the wider economic recovery and returning to a stable and improving global economy.”