Merilee Kern, MBA is a brand strategist and analyst who reports on industry change makers, movers, shakers and innovators: field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations and events. Merilee is also founder, executive editor and producer of “The Luxe List,” as well as host of both the “Savvy Ventures” business TV show that airs nationally on FOX Business TV and Bloomberg TV, and the “Savvy Living” lifestyle TV show airing in top U.S. markets. Connect with her at TheLuxeList.com, SavvyLiving.tv, at LuxeListReports on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and on LinkedIn at MerileeKern.

In today’s tumultuous business-scape amid increasingly intricate, and often vexing, marketplace conditions, curating and mining data to drive analytics-based decision making is just no longer enough. For competing with maximum, sustained impact and mitigated opportunity loss, it’s rapidly monetizing data that’s now the name of the game — particularly when spurred by artificial intelligence (AI). Indeed, emerging AI methodologies are helping forward-thinking companies achieve and sustain true agility, fuel growth and compete far more aggressively than ever before.

AI is critical as a means toward those ends and also certainly with respect to aptly predicting, preparing and responding to prospective crises. In fact, Gartner recently cited the need for “smarter, faster, more responsible AI” as its No. 1 top trend that data and analytics leaders should focus on — particularly those looking to “make essential investments to prepare for a post-pandemic reset.” Gartner underscored just how impactful AI will become, predicting that, “by the end of 2024, 75% of enterprises will shift from piloting to operationalizing AI, driving a 5X increase in streaming data and analytics infrastructures.”

However, employing AI techniques like machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP) to glean insights and render projections is simply no longer “enough” to get the job done — especially for organizations seeking to compete efficiently on a national, multi-national or global scale. Today’s organizations must endeavor toward a culture of AI-driven data literacy that directly and positively influences their top and bottom lines.

“To help data monetization-minded enterprises better future-proof their operations and asset-amplify their data value chain, there are a few key ways to implement and elevate machine intelligence so that it’s far smarter, faster and more accountable than protocols past,” says Microsoft alum Irfan Khan, founder and CEO of CLOUDSUFI — an AI solutions firm automating data supply chains to propel and actualize data monetization.

Below, Khan details five benefits of leveraging AI data-driven insights and technology in a way that will create actual and actionable value right now — the kind of insights that enable new and evolved business models and empower companies to increase both revenue and profitability.

Manifesting new market opportunities

Today’s machine learning capabilities allow people to sift through data that previously could not be accessed, all at speeds faster than ever before. This can not only significantly reduce expenses, but it can also create new market opportunities. With COVID-19 as one recent example, algorithms speedily sifted through an extraordinary amount of data to identify diseases and potential cures that presented as similar, which allowed those methodologies to be readily tested against the coronavirus.

Machine learning advancements also help companies better monetize their data and establish new revenue streams.

Reconcile emotions with actualities

Data generates value, which leads to the generation of money. Previously, it was difficult to sift through mass amounts of data and pinpoint relationships. Today’s analytics call for gaining a true understanding of what extracted data actually means. How do you convert data into a story you can actually tell? Often, decisions are made based on emotional foundations. Leaders are getting quicker insights that decisively validate or invalidate their thinking, while also prompting them to ask new questions. So, garnering meaning out of a company’s own data provides tremendous advantages.

Scale statistical models for actionable models

Neural networks connect the “human decision-making process” to factuals — a simulation practice that helps us make better decisions. Previously, we would look at data sets like demographics, customer behaviors and such in silos. But, when these multiple data sets are connected, it becomes quite evident that no two humans — or customers — are exactly alike.

Technology is now allowing us to understand trends on a factual level and then project outward. In the health realm, some companies are using this key learning to project whether or not a person is likely to suffer a certain affliction. It’s also allowing for far more efficacious “if this then what?” scenarios. If a diabetic person takes insulin controls, then their diet, the treatment protocol will change. This is enabling highly personalized medicine. But, the same processes, principles and benefits hold true in non-health categories as well — encompassing all industries, across the board.

Future-proof, anti-fragile data supply chains

From data connectors to pipelines; data lakes to statistical models; AI to Quantum; visual storyboards to data driven automation; ML to NLP to Neural Networks and more, there are highly effective methods for future-proofing your data value chain. The data supply chain is quite complex and, to make it future-proof and non-fragile, it requires thoughtful processing from the point of creation to the point of consumption of actionable insights.

It starts with data acquisition — garnering a wide variety and volume of data from a number of internal and external sources where data is being generated by the millisecond. Once the data is identified and ingested, it needs to brought to a central point where it can be explored, cleansed, transformed, augmented and enriched, and finally modelled for use toward a purpose. Then comes statistical and heuristic modeling.

Multimedia monetization

Up to now, we have been able to write algorithms, generate immense amounts of numerical or written data and make sense of it. However, there is a significant amount of data that comes as images or voice, which has not been easy to process and manage until recent developments. The applications for the processing of visual and auditory inputs are endless.  In fact, retail and finance industries have been early adopters of this technology — and with good reason. They’ve seen costs go down, engagement go up, sales increase and benefitted from other highly substantial points of monetization.

Now, a large department store can digitize their video data every night and determine that “X” amount of people saw “X” number of jeans, but they had to walk further to get to it.  As a result, the department store can put those items closer to the door and walkways to determine if sales increase in kind.

Even the education realm is tapping AI-driven data. The technology is tracking retina movement to discern if kids are engaged amid the remote learning paradigm ushered in by the pandemic. They’re exploring how to measure the retina to determine whether or not a child is actually engaged in the lesson.

Perhaps the future mandate for AI should not only focus on becoming smarter, faster and more accountable than predecessors, but actually bridge the gap between human intuition and data-backed decisions. Doing so will assuredly advance an organization’s ability to transact with utmost trust. C&IT

The renovated main entrance at Caesars Palace. Photo by Tory Kooyman

Where can you plan a corporate meeting or incentive event in a location that truly has something for everyone? Why, Las Vegas, of course.

“This shining city in the desert has continually reinvented itself, setting new standards by delivering top-notch amenities and offerings that exceed customer expectations time and time again,” says Lenny Talarico, CEO at Lenny Talarico Events. “Las Vegas possesses a unique ability to attract meeting and incentive programs, a feat few other destinations in the world can match.”

Indeed, as Talarico explains, since the mid-20th century, Las Vegas has been known as “the world’s playground,” drawing meeting and event attendees eager to indulge in its luxurious resorts, dining establishments, entertainment and sports attractions.

“The city boasts an unparalleled diversity of luxury accommodations, including some of the most iconic hotels in the world, such as Bellagio, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Wynn Resorts, The Venetian, Aria and Mandalay Bay,” Talarico says. Additionally, Las Vegas offers world-class culinary experiences from renowned chefs, attracting gourmands from all over the globe. The city is also home to premier shopping and spas, and is a mecca for entertainment. These reasons alone are enough to convince any savvy meeting planner of the value that Las Vegas has to offer.”

Lenny Talarico Events offers event planning and execution services for a range of events, from social gatherings to non-profit functions. However, the company’s primary business focus is on serving the corporate market, with a specialization in meetings and incentive events.

“Leveraging our background in the live entertainment field, we strive to incorporate dynamic elements into nearly every experience we produce,” Talarico says. “I’ve been fortunate to work on a wide variety of client projects, each with their own unique objectives and solutions. In fact, I’ve played a role in Las Vegas resort openings since The Mirage in 1989, up to Resorts World in 2021.”

Throughout his career, Talarico designed event experiences that have helped launch resident shows for iconic performers like Bruno Mars, Cher and Lady Gaga, as well as staging the opening of the 20,000 seat T-Mobile Arena.

“Some of my most memorable corporate events include producing the annual Event Industry Council Hall of Leaders ceremony at MGM Resorts over multiple years, as well as executing the World Travel and Tourism conference on behalf of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority,” Talarico says. “I’ve also organized incentive programs for clients across diverse industries, such as finance, insurance, pharmaceuticals and multi-level marketing organizations.”

One unique evening that Talarico orchestrated several years ago for a national retailer’s brand featured a visit to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway where attendees were surprised as the Flying Elvis descended from above to start a mock NASCAR race.

“Of course, the client’s branded car triumphantly won the mock racing experience,” Talarico says. “Regardless of the project, my approach is always to understand the client’s objectives and help them tell their unique story using the many tools Las Vegas has to offer. By finding the right mix of accommodation, venue, culinary offerings, entertainment and technology, I strive to create an unforgettable experience that sets Las Vegas apart from any other destination. It’s this commitment to excellence that keeps Las Vegas at the top of the list for event planners and attendees alike.”

The Fortuna Pool at Caesars Palace. Courtesy Photo

Joe Pol, event producer and founder at MoonShakers Productions, says that, in general, the city of Las Vegas has seen a great boom post-pandemic, for both business and leisure events.

“It has truly experienced the perfect storm, in terms of what the city has to offer, not only to business professionals, but also to families and single travelers,” Pol says.

From a geographical point of view, everything attendees can hope for is within reach. As Pol explains, Las Vegas has made great effort into making the city a destination for all, both on and off the Strip.

“The resorts offer great spaces for conventions, meetings and social events, and many wonderful non-resort venues are available within the Las Vegas Strip’s reach,” Pol says. “The phenomenon of artist’s residencies, celebrity chef’s restaurants and sporting events has made Las Vegas the perfect destination. While the casual traveler might enjoy a nice afternoon poolside or a visit to Hoover Dam, business travelers can unwind by catching a show or a nice meal during their downtime. Many corporations offer their associates these perks in order to boost morale, and promote harmony and teamwork within their company. Everywhere you turn, there is something for everyone.”

MoonShakers Productions is a full event planning company. As such, Pol and his team have developed events for many local and non-Nevada- based corporations from the ground up.

“Our clients have relied on us to orchestrate cocktail and dinner events, as well as corporate meetings, UNLV events and Clark County School District events at such venues as Caesar’s Palace and Aria, to name a few,” Pol says. “Building an event from the ground up is a gigantic undertaking, especially with clients that travel from out of state. It is our mission to not only develop and present our clients with a perfect product, but also to create a wonderful and memorable experience.”

MoonShakers Productions held an event last year in which attendees had to be shuttled from the Aria Resort & Casino to a specific destination off the Las Vegas Strip. The event coordinators escorted the attendees via shuttle buses from Aria to said destination 15 minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip where they were met with an exquisite three-piece string orchestra, breathtaking atmosphere and a wonderful dinner hosted by Wolfgang Puck. It was truly a night to remember.

Robin Kleban, senior vice president at George P. Johnson (GPJ), a company that specializes in event and experience marketing, agrees that there’s just something about Las Vegas and it’s not solely the spectacle of the Strip.

“It’s the unique combination of so many factors: the ease of doing business, the proximity of properties to the airport and to each other, the expansive choice of venues of all shapes and sizes, and the limitless possibilities of entertainment for event attendees,” Kleban says. “There’s truly something for everyone.”

The team at GPJ has worked with Caesars Entertainment for years.

“We’ve supported client events from small-scale surround activities to large-scale conferences. Each project had its own set of dependencies and requirements,” Kleban says. “Our most recent initiative was held at CAESARS FORUM. It was a large-scale conference with two waves of about 18,000 attendees each. The event had everything from a sizable show floor to breakout rooms, to self-standing activations and even merchandise stores.”

Resorts World Las Vegas has more than 250,000 sf of flexible space, six ballrooms, and a 5,000-capacity theater. Courtesy Photo

Successful Events in Las Vegas

Choosing the right partners for an event can make all the difference between its success or failure. However, Talarico points out that it’s not just about finding a service provider to execute the logistics of the event. It’s about finding subject matter experts who can bring unique perspectives and value to the table.

“As a savvy planner, it’s important to understand those differences. While a service provider may have the technical skills to execute certain tasks, a subject matter expert brings a deep understanding of the industry, the latest trends and best practices,” Talarico says. “They can offer guidance on how to achieve the desired outcomes, create memorable experiences for attendees and demonstrate ROI to stakeholders.”

Pol’s advice to potential businesses and corporations considering hosting an event in Las Vegas is to be as transparent as possible with the event coordinator. “Do you want to showcase the city as the entertainment capital of the world, or as an undiscovered natural oasis? Do you want to present team-building activities, such as off-roading and rock climbing at the Red Rock Canyon, or delicious food tastings and helicopter rides above the Las Vegas Strip skyline? Do you want to host meetings in spacious and conveniently located [spaces] within the Las Vegas Strip resorts, or at outdoor botanical gardens in Springs Preserve to escape the everyday hustle and bustle?” Pol asks, adding, “All in all, anything is possible in Las Vegas!”

And Kleban advises that because Las Vegas has so much to offer, it can be overwhelming if you aren’t grounded in a strategy. “You really have to know your audience and design the event around them,” Kleban says.

Tropicana Las Vegas’ conference facility can be divided into as many as 38 breakout rooms and includes a 25,000 sf ballroom and a 55,000 sf pavilion. Photo by Marshall Williams

“Las Vegas has everything you need to make a meeting successful, from great airlift, world-class resorts and convention centers,” adds Usha James, CMP, VP of Operations for Shoptalk & Groceryshop. “With an abundance of space to fit any program size, it’s a natural attendee draw, which is great for your room pickup. You definitely can’t leave out the great weather.”

Each year, Shoptalk unites retail decision-makers. Hosted at Mandalay Bay, the world’s biggest, most influential and rising retailers and brands convene at Shoptalk for unrivaled business-critical connections, conversations, insights and extraordinary shared experiences to reimagine the future together.

“This year, we introduced a game changer … Meetup at Shoptalk: the largest and most advanced meetings program to ever exist in retail,” James says. “With 50,000 meetings completed, there is simply no better way to make lasting connections.”

And while the decision to host an event in Las Vegas can seem daunting with all the options, it is important to choose a true venue partner who is willing to change and grow with you.

“Embrace what the property has to offer and don’t fight the Vegas aesthetic,” James says. “Think outside the box and use spaces in unorthodox ways to create more compelling experiences.”

Venetian Meetings offers more than 2.25 million sf of featured event space for any occasion. Courtesy of The Venetian Resort® Las Vegas

What’s New In Las Vegas

The city of Las Vegas seems to consistently be renewing itself. From brand new hotels and resorts to innovative sports facilities, to the renovation of gems that have been favorites for years, Las Vegas is always be introducing something new.

Mandalay Bay

Mandalay Bay recently invested $100 million in renovation its convention center to reflect the evolving needs and preferences of contemporary meetings. The remodel includes significant technology upgrades, including new Cat6 Ethernet cabling, dynamic digital signage and a fresh, new design complementing Mandalay Bay’s tropical ambiance.

Bellagio

One of the favorite locales on the Strip, Bellagio recently announced details surrounding the $110 million transformation of all rooms and suites within its luxurious Spa Tower. Following the resort’s remodel of guest rooms in its main tower, the Spa Tower redesign is slated for completion this fall, with the first collection of rooms available for guest stays this summer.

New York-New York

A $63 million room remodel has also recently been announced by New York-New York. Expected to be completed this summer, the remodel includes redesigned accommodations, including motifs that celebrate the Big Apple, such as faux brick walls and up-graded in-room amenities.

MGM Grand. Photo by Shannon Keene / 501 Studios

MGM Grand

The Studio Tower at MGM Grand will also be undergoing a room remodel, expected to be completed this winter. Boasting mid-century modern aesthetics, the new rooms will offer a respite  for business and leisure travelers.

Caesars Palace

Caesars Palace’s multimillion dollar remodeling of its main entrance now offers a dramatic and lavish experience for meeting and event attendees. In addition to redesigned gaming areas and a new Galleria Bar in the lobby, the  arrival area also boasts a 15-foot-tall Carrara marble statue of Augustus Caesar, hand-painted artwork of Roman gods gracing the ceiling and a chandelier with 70,000 crystals to welcome attendees.

The Venetian

When it’s time for meeting attendees to relax and unwind, they can head to The Venetian Resort’s newly European-inspired renovated pool deck, complete with sculptural art pieces, delightful gardens, private plunge pools and awe-inspiring amenities.

Tropicana Las Vegas

With Bally’s recent acquisition of Tropicana Las Vegas, meeting planners can continue to rely on the longstanding venue’s historic role in the meeting and events environment in Las Vegas. One of the most celebrated spaces for meetings is the Tropicana Las Vegas Havana Room, which boasts 40 unique banquette-seating areas. An ideal spot for both intimate gatherings and soirees for hundreds, the Havana Room also boasts state-of-the-art AV technology for corporate presentations and experiences.

Allegiant Stadium

Another unique Las Vegas venue, Allegiant Stadium, is not only home to the Las Vegas Raiders, but also is available for private events. It has become a favorite location for planners, thanks in part to its 10 different event spaces that can host everything from small 25-person events to over 65,000-person venue buyout. C&IT

California Dreaming? Long Beach, pictured, has had a 35% increase in conference attendance above projections. Courtesy Photo

Destinations are integral to meeting success. They impact attendance, budget and attendee satisfaction in multiple ways. Convention and visitor bureaus sit at the intersection of the hospitality, travel and meetings industries, uniquely positioned to offer planners insights and actionable ideas as they make decisions about their meetings now and into the future. We asked CVBs large and small across the country what opportunities and challenges they’re seeing in their destinations and what the meetings landscape might look like in coming months. Outlooks were both varied and similar.

California

Steve Goodling, president & CEO of the Long Beach CVB, says trends in his destination include ticket sales for special events and concerts substantially ahead of 2019 and a 35% pick up over booked room blocks. Additionally, attendees are still seeking unique experiences as part of their conference or added component to their trip.

Not surprising, he says, “Hiring continues to be a challenge for all business in Southern California, including within the hospitality and meetings industries, but is improving.” That said, Goodling adds that group bookings for 2023 and 2024 are near or above pre-pandemic levels depending on the season.

Looking ahead, Goodling says, “Since the conclusion of pandemic-era restrictions and reopening of the economy, our experience has been that there’s a very strong desire to get back out there, start securing business deals, to revive existing business relationships and, of course, to create new ones. This is why, on average, we’ve had a 35% increase in conference attendance above projections. What we’re hearing on the trade show floor is that attendees were eager to get back out and start growing their businesses again.”

What that means for planners is that demand is high. Goodling advises, “Book early and book quick.”

The Moscone Center in San Francsico has more than 502,000 sf of contiguous space. Photo by Tim Griffith

Bay Area Attracts Bleisure

In the Bay Area, the trend is for blending business with leisure travel, or bleisure. “Business travelers are interested in locations that have an interesting leisure component to them — whether that’s outdoor activity options or arts and culture offerings — and we’re seeing them stay a few extra days after conferences or events to explore on their own,” says Nicole Rogers, executive vice president and chief sales officer with San Francisco Travel. Additionally, she says, “The lead time for booking has shortened overall.”

Rogers says the CVB is keeping an eye on potential challenges. “One of the biggest potential headwinds for us over the next year is going to be battling any setbacks that come as a result of inflation and a potential recession. As of now, these economic worries haven’t had an impact on our forecasts but we’re watching them closely.”

Although numbers for 2023 and 2024 are still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels, Rogers says they’re moving in the right direction. “Businesses are realizing the importance of gathering in person, and while we still have some progress to make, we’re hopeful for a strong future. Hotel rooms nights associated with our major convention center, Moscone Center, will almost double in 2023.”

One of San Francisco Travel’s current goals is to broaden its reach. “We’re focused on targeting smaller group events in the coming year and expanding our efforts to attract luxury and international group business,” Rogers says. “Most encouraging is the expected full opening of the Asia market, our No. 1 international market. San Francisco will be on the world’s biggest stage as we welcome back the Asia Pacific market with Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in 2023.”

Staffing remains a challenge but that, too, is changing. “Right now, there’s high demand for talent in our city’s hospitality industry as we prepare for a busy summer travel season. Businesses in our region are offering higher wages and new, improved benefits to help close the talent gap, which is an encouraging sign,” she adds. The San Francisco Travel team itself is a good example. “The rebound of business travel and events has helped us rapidly expand our team in the last year. In 2021, we had a team of 12 and today we’re a team of 23, allowing us to better serve our clients and expand our business into new markets.”

While most planners know the many things that make San Francisco a desirable location for events, Rogers says one lesser-known offering is the Welcome Ambassador Program, loved by locals and attendees alike. “The program’s ambassadors are assigned locations around our city and are friendly faces tasked with helping visitors with everything from directions and public transportation to translation requests. They also assist with events in our downtown area, helping direct business and event [attendees] between meetings. The program has tremendously enhanced visitor and attendee experience in San Francisco.”

Nevada

Like many cities, Las Vegas has come out of the pandemic with new challenges and opportunities. One overriding trend is the return to in-person meetings, which help drive innovation, company culture, team building and training. “Las Vegas is the perfect destination to support innovation, team building and bringing together workforces,” says Lisa Messina, chief sales officer with the Las Vegas Convention & Visitor Authority.  “With over 14 million sf of flexible meeting space for daytime programming coupled with our evening entertainment and attractions, we make hosting unforgettable meetings easy.”

The Fontainebleau Las Vegas will open near the Las Vegas Convention Center campus by year-end. Courtesy Photo

A new challenge for planners, Messina notes, is meeting the needs of more diverse audiences with diverse characteristics and goals, from more generations in the labor market to religious and cultural food preferences driving menus, to the increased emphasis on DEI. “This means planners must take into consideration multiple preferences, viewpoints and attitudes to plan a successful event,” she says. “Las Vegas takes the stress off our planners by providing a vast array of options to meet those multicultural, multigenerational needs of our attendee base. The idea that one resort can provide an array of options under one roof or is easily connected to one right next door for alternate needs is a standout feature for the destination. Las Vegas is the definition of diversity as it relates to accommodating the needs of all travelers.”

While convention bookings aren’t yet at pre-pandemic levels, recovery is strong. “Our resort partners have suggested that recent combined leisure and group segments translated to another robust, if not record-breaking, month. Harry Reid International Airport posted its single largest visitor volume passenger tally in February 2023.”

As for staffing, Messina says, “Our employees love what they do. Full-time positions are well staffed, though some temporary positions still ebb and flow with the arrival and departure of major trade shows and events. So far, customer-service scores across the destination have remained positive demonstrating our commitment to provide an unparalleled visitor experience.”

An ever-changing tableau on which to build meetings is another factor in the city’s success. “In 2023, we’ll open the MSG Sphere with rock band U2 as headline entertainment. Formula 1 will come to Las Vegas for the first time and provide an unbelievable experience for meeting and incentive customers, as well as a permanent building to activate when the race is over. The Fontainebleau Las Vegas will open near the Las Vegas Convention Center campus by year-end. And it doesn’t end there. Super Bowl will kick off 2024, and the Las Vegas Convention Center will start its renovation of the North and Central Halls,” Messina says.

In San Antonio, the River Walk, the state’s No. 1 attraction, is full of dining, shopping and cultural experiences. Courtesy of Lance Wheeler

Texas

Like Rogers in San Francisco, Lance Wheeler, vice president of corporate and intermediary sales for Visit San Antonio, is seeing the trend of shorter booking windows.  “The lead time from the request for proposal formally being sent to event actualization continues to shrink.” In addition, he adds, “We’re seeing groups dropping their total contracted rooms to help mitigate potential risk.”

Wheeler says addressing the significant demand coming in short-term in regard to leads and bookings will be one of San Antonio’s biggest challenges in the coming months. “Availability exists, but finding the right match in business will take finesse and extra time to fit the puzzle pieces together effectively. We’ve redeployed our sales team to address this demand and are adding two additional key jobs to support short-term demand while allowing the team to also stay focused on our long-term customers.”

Challenges aside, positives abound. “Within the corporate segment, our city is performing at and above pre-pandemic levels, depending on the time of year. Overall, within the citywide segment, we have the same number of large-scale corporate events booked to take place in 2023 as we did in 2018,” Wheeler says.

There’s also much new, including a $2.5 billion plan to build a new terminal at San Antonio International Airport with expected completion in 2028. “This will greatly increase our number of gates and flights. Meanwhile, short-term improvements to the airport include three additional gates being added to the existing terminal facility, an expansion of the baggage claim system and new enhanced concessions. In addition, as part of Hemifair’s three-phase renovation, Civic Park, adjacent to Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, is slated for completion this fall. This five-acre park, designed to match the grandeur of parks such as Millennium Park in Chicago and Prospect Park in Brooklyn, will connect portions of downtown that have been visually divided for years. It will include a sprawling lawn, a promenade and water features. The outdoor amenities will be able to host 10,000 – 15,000 people for large events,” Wheeler adds.

The city still sees staffing shortages across the hospitality industry, yet, Wheeler says, “Our community has done a great job restoring many pre-pandemic amenities and services, even with this decrease in overall staffing. We continue to focus on workforce development, as well as educational awareness of the successes of the hospitality industry to promote opportunities within our local industry. Hospitality represents the third largest industry for San Antonio and continued attention and resources are allocated to support it accordingly.  Within the next few years, multiple new higher-end hotel products will be opening in our downtown corridor. Civic Park will be complete, our airport is undergoing a major expansion – these shifts provide a fantastic, updated slate for corporate and incentive meetings to launch from.”

Wheeler advises planners to provide as much flexibility in RFPs as possible. “If there are incentives or elements that would help support additional, event-function space flexibility, include those details so our sales team can exhaust all potential options for your event.”

Memphis is known as an affordable destination filled with music and culture, like B.B. King’s Blues Club on Beale Street. Andrea Zucker Photography / Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

Tennessee

Kevin Kane, president & CEO of Memphis Tourism, is seeing growth and affordability trends in his city. “Memphis has experienced a flurry of new full-service hotel development that has created renewed interest in the market for site visits, and additional new hotel inventory is on the way,” he says. “This has encouraged existing hoteliers to invest in their properties to keep up with the evolving market of fresh new-build inventory.”

Memphis, Kane notes, is known as an affordable destination for both leisure and business travelers increasingly looking for ways to save money and time with both accommodations and transportation options. He says, “This has led to an increase in the need for and availability of ride-sharing services, new routes and expanded frequencies by airlines and increased competition by low-cost carriers entering the market.”

In terms of growth, Kane labels this “the year of the river in Memphis,” with the enhancement of the riverfront and Tom Lee Park among the city’s biggest projects. “The new park design is grounded and inspired by the dynamic ecological features of the Mississippi River,” he says.

Among its features will be a 20,000 sf Civic Canopy offering a covered space for recreation and events, meditative paths weaving through the riverside forest creating intimate gathering spaces, 1,000 new trees, shoreline pollinator plantings and an endangered butterfly habitat. The park is scheduled to open Labor Day weekend.

Additionally, more docks are under construction to facilitate increased cruise traffic on the river. The city also recently invested $200 million to renovate the convention center, there’s a new concourse at Memphis International Airport and a new $60 million-plus youth and amateur sports complex aimed at bringing sports tournaments to the city.

Staffing remains an issue. “While many industries were able to shift to a remote workforce, hotels, restaurants and airlines faced major layoffs and demand fluctuations and are now playing catch up. Hiring and training staff in a tight market remains a challenge, even though tourism and hospitality jobs now exceed 2019 numbers.”

On the good news front, Kane says that, last year, the local tourism industry recovered by more than 102% of 2019 levels, and the city’s recovery trajectory outpaced U.S. recovery rates by more than 5%. “While corporate has been the slowest market to return, meetings and group business are coming back strong in Memphis, tourism infrastructure was planned and in progress as the pandemic began, and we were ready with new assets as the world started traveling and meeting in person once again. Our destination remains focused on infrastructure development that supports our industry, such as new hotel development, which, while challenging, is not impossible. More than anything, our partnerships with the Greater Memphis Chamber, our business community and local airport authority have grown stronger as we work together as a unit to rebuild critical business and address air-service needs for our destination.”

In Nashville, trends include attendees wanting to experience the destination in unique, interactive ways.

Adrienne Siemers, chief sales officer with Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation, says, “Our community is constantly brainstorming custom behind-the-scenes experiences at attractions and venues, partnerships with award-winning local chefs and, of course, unique experiences involving our local music scene.”

Nashville’s music and honky-tonk scene is well known and loved, but Siemers says the city is starting to attract a new upscale clientele thanks to an increase in high-end hotels, including Four Seasons, Conrad, the 1 Hotel and Southall Farm & Inn. A Ritz-Carlton will open in 2025. “Hotel inventory has increased by 18% since 2020,” Siemers says, “so there are several new options available for those who have sourced us previously.”

Nashville International Airport recently unveiled its new 200,000 sf Grand Lobby with a single TSA checkpoint with 24 security lanes and new scanner technology that allows passengers to keep electronics and liquids in their bags. All airport projects and amenities should be completed by the end of the year.

Not surprising, Nashville is also challenged by short booking windows, resulting in groups facing a lack of preferred date availability in 2023 and 2024. “We’d love to see planners start booking out further into the future — 2025 and beyond,” Siemers says. She also advises planners to not underestimate the Nashville Effect. “Book larger blocks than you anticipate in order to accommodate additional attendance due to destination appeal,” Siemers says. “We’re a city in high demand.”

Increased bookings validate that statement. She continues, “In March 2023, STR reported Nashville’s hotel group segment demand was up 19% vs. March 2022 and up 5% vs. March 2019. We were thrilled to see record-breaking hotel performance in 2022. Forecasts indicate we’ll exceed this record room demand in 2023, so we’re encouraged.”

Siemers says there’s light at the end of the tunnel in terms of staffing shortages. “Leisure and hospitality job opportunity in Nashville has increased 14% year over year,” she says. “Most sales teams are now fully staffed. However, there’s still work to do in hiring additional frontline staff, but there’s progress. Hotels are raising wages and providing additional benefits to attract new employees, and we recently hosted another successful job fair to support their hiring efforts.”

Looking forward, Siemers says the sky is the limit. “Nashville is a community full of creatives — musicians, chefs and designers. I’m inspired every day to watch our community work to find creative, custom options for groups. Our city continues to evolve and change for the better with new product. That’s a huge benefit for groups looking to create new experiences. If you’ve not been to Nashville lately, come see the changes firsthand.”

The Miami Beach Convention Center offers 500,000 sf of exhibit space. Courtesy Photo

Florida

Orlando

Casandra Matej, president & CEO of Visit Orlando, also points to new building projects. “This year, we’ll welcome several new hotels, including the Conrad Orlando, part of the expansive Evermore Orlando Resort,” she says. “We also offer increased accessibility for business travelers with the addition of high-speed rail connecting Miami to Orlando, and health services are elevated with the new Orlando Health Virtual Care Center at the Orange County Convention Center.”

Matej says bookings for city-wide events are on par with pre-pandemic levels in 2023, and well ahead of them for 2024. Through February 2023, Orange County Convention Center citywide attendance exceeded the prior year by 27% with 27 events and exceeded pre-pandemic (2019) performance by 4%. Demand for convention hotels through February YTD exceeded the prior year by 31% and surpassed 2019 February YTD figures by 1%. Advance hotel bookings for group business are pacing ahead of 2022 during every month of this year so far.

Matej emphasizes that the future for meetings in Orlando is bright. “As a destination that values meetings, we know it’s vital that we continuously expand and evolve to offer new options for planners to create memorable meetings and incentive trips that will keep them coming back. For example, we have an entirely new theme park, Epic Universe from Universal Orlando Resort, opening in 2025, and the MICHELIN Guide is adding new Orlando restaurants for the 2023 edition. We like to say the only thing that limits you in Orlando is your imagination. As a city committed to hospitality, we’ll continue to expand our imagination to welcome meeting and incentive groups from around the world.”

As for planners, she adds, all they need to do is partner with Visit Orlando. “We provide planners with a set of ‘boots on the ground’ to help craft unforgettable events for attendees in our city; we are at a planner’s service.”

Miami

In Miami, short booking windows are also an issue. David Whitaker, president & CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, says, “The decision-making and commitment timeline to confirm a destination continues to dramatically shorten, exacerbating a long trend, but now literally as close in as six to nine months. In such uncertain and fluid times, meeting planners and key decision-makers have to continue to balance uncertain times with the more predictable and forecastable needs and expectations of the lodging and venue industry. Flexibility and predictability are in a constant push and pull.”

An ancillary challenge to the short booking-window issue is the remaining backlog of meetings and events canceled or postponed in the past two years. On the upside for those on the hospitality and event supply side, Whitaker says there’s a renewed need for face-to-face engagement and interaction. Another positive, he notes, is the much-anticipated groundbreaking and construction of the new on-campus host hotel at the Miami Beach Convention Center, which begins in earnest this summer.

Despite challenges, Whitaker says interest in meeting in Miami and Miami Beach has never been stronger, driven in part by the $640 million renovation and expansion of the Miami Beach Convention Center and scheduled 800-room attached hotel. “But the other key factor is the emerging popularity of the destination,” he says, “Miami and Miami Beach are coming off two consecutive years of record levels in hotel occupancy and demand. Dozens of businesses, some quite large and many international in scale, are relocating here and expanding our talent pool.”

With the convention center located just steps from Miami Beach, he adds, “Events held here are reporting record attendance and growing participation, especially from international markets.”

The future indicates continued strong interest, which Whitaker attributes to the destination and CVBs’ “commitment to customer service and overcoming any and all obstacles,” so that planners and their delegates thrive. And, he adds, “That success is a two-way street for our partners.”

Attendees gather for a networking event at The Sagamore’s outdoor space overlooking Lake George in Bolton Landing, NY. Courtesy of Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB

New York State

The Empire State is far more than its famous namesake city. Many planners and groups are well aware of the beauty — and comparative affordability — of the upstate region. Gina Mintzer, executive director of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB, says the trends she sees include more blending of business and leisure travel, a desire by business travelers to connect with each other and the community outside of meetings, as well as to get a close-up look at the inner workings of hotels and other businesses – back-of-the-house tours and presentations on various topics, such as financials, marketing and staffing.

She’s excited about increased investment in her region. “Several partners in our destination are completing multi-million dollar re-investment in properties and new meeting spaces that can accommodate more people, including the newly expanded Queensbury Hotel ballroom and meeting space and the soon-to-open Carriage House at the Fort William Henry Hotel and Conference Center.  Both properties now have over 15,000 sf of conference and event space,” says Mintzer.

She adds that the biggest challenges are driven by a sellers’ market. “Property rates have increased tremendously due to inflation, staffing, and cost of food and other goods. Additionally,” she says, “leisure travel and special-event demands are strong, so meetings that begin mid-week with a weekend component may need more negotiation and lead time for planning and booking. Winter, late spring and late fall are the best times in terms of space, rates and engaging activities.”

Corporate groups are coming back stronger than ever, Mintzer notes, and average attendance has been on the rise. “There’s pent-up demand for connections, especially for those corporations that are investing in their remote staff to attend and feel the connections,” she says.

Fortunately, the pre-summer season hiring is up compared to the last two years, and Mintzer says destination partners are excited about the quantity and quality of new hires, leading to some businesses forecasting success for the coming months. “With more qualified candidates, hotels and venues are anticipating greater revenue opportunities.”

Mintzer is very positive about the future. “The Lake George area offers a variety of options for groups to meet and retreat. In addition to unique venues, planners can also find unique activities to enhance the attendee experience. We’ll be able to host larger events because of the continued investment in properties by our partners.”

CVBs across the nation are experiencing many of the same challenges, from short booking timelines to staffing issues. Yet, the overall picture as they see it is encouraging for destinations, as well as for the planners. None of us has a crystal ball, but the signs for a positive 2023 and beyond are encouraging. C&IT

Attendees are greeted by hostesses in festive attire to match the theme of an incentive event at the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois. Courtesy of Dave Minnelli

Incentive programs are a proven business strategy touching everything from employee engagement and retention to productivity and ultimately the corporate bottom line.

Yet, the pandemic created a host of challenges for many businesses, including reduced revenue streams and tightened budgets. So, how are incentive programs faring today? How have they changed — or not — and how are incentive planners adjusting programs to meet today’s reality? Most important, are incentive programs still able to provide solid ROI to the companies that invest in them and how is that ROI delivered?

Rhonda Brewer, CITP, vice president of sales at Illinois-based Motivation Excellence and a SITE Board of Trustees member, notes that the pandemic has created some changes, but incentive programs are still going strong. “Depending on the industry, qualifier numbers have increased as well. After not having this tool to reward top performers for a couple years, businesses are eager to reconnect with their people,” Brewer says.

Incentive planners have always had to create extraordinary programs within a company’s budget but with many budgets decreased, they have to be even more creative today. “Our planners at Motivation Excellence are always looking at how we can deliver wow-inspiring programs within a client’s budget parameters,” Brewer says, “and one way to do that is by working effectively with strategic partners in the industry to provide value that planners can pass onto clients. That might be concessions in a contract or being able to commit to multiple incentive experiences with the same hotel partner, or our clients might sign a multi-year deal with our company. We’re always looking for ways to increase the value of an experience without blowing out a budget.”

Brewer says proving ROI on incentive programs is about data and analysis.  There are several key factors. “The most important things to focus on are identifying what you want to measure, making sure you have the right data to measure ROI, executive level support and having a strong engagement plan.”

Having access to the right data is critical. “Is the data in one central resource or do we have to pull it from multiple sources to effectively measure? We’ve found that the process is most effective when we can help a client centralize all the information necessary to make the smartest financial deductions. It can be a huge bonus to an incentive program when we can offer this kind of business intelligence. When we have access to historical trends within a company and its vertical, we can make better recommendations on program rule structure,” Brewer says, adding, “Having regular meetings with our clients to see if anything needs to be adjusted is important.”

The economy has been an ever-changing dynamic in the past couple of years, and it can have an impact on programs. But what Brewer has found is that incentives work regardless.  “No matter the economy, those participating in an incentive program out-perform those who are not participating, proving without a doubt the programs are effective.”

Because incentives are often set in exotic destinations, it might seem that destinations themselves can affect ROI; however, Brewer says what destinations actually impact is ROE — return on engagement. “With the right destination appeal, your engagement level increases,” she says.  That too supports success because employees are motivated to produce in order to qualify for trips to those types of destinations.

What also impacts incentives in this post-pandemic world are ongoing supply-chain issues and lack of product availability. Brewer says product availability could potentially affect programs through 2024. The work-around comes down to creating the right rule structure and goal for a program. “Goals and objectives can change and that can make it more difficult at times to achieve. I think the hardest thing now is creating rule structures for some industries where product availability is a challenge. We’ve seen a lot of supply-chain issues, and that decreases the availability of producing products in some verticals.”

For companies where sales productivity is the standard measure, that’s a problem. But there are options. “In that scenario, we offer alternatives to rewarding on sales. Training, engagement and loyalty can be maintained during the times when sales are stagnant due to supply. And actually,” Brewer says, “although ROI is talked about a lot, many incentives are structured as loyalty programs.”

Regardless of how a program is structured, she says a strong communications plan is important so everyone understands the rules and how they can win.

Dahlton Bennington, CMP, CMM, managing director, PROfound Planning in Orlando, says the pandemic changed a lot, yet incentives remain as important as ever  “Incentive, recognition and reward programs are being employed more than ever to align remote and decentralized employees, and are relied upon for engagement, retention and building culture.”

Team members connect during a sunset beach cocktail reception at a meeting in San Diego, California. Courtesy of Dave Minnelli

Proving ROI

Bennington believes there are three main things incentive planners should focus on in terms of ensuring ROI. The first is fiscal responsibility and budget alignment. The second is 360 degrees of stakeholder overall satisfaction and planned action resulting from the program. “For me,” she explains, “incentive stakeholders include those who are incentive eligible, who qualify for the incentive and attend, as well as those who host the program and/or leadership.” The third focus is the business impact achieved as a result of employee motivation.

While Bennington doesn’t believe the pandemic impacted how ROI is proven for incentive programs, she does believe it created a more urgent need to do so. “As leaders are more focused on developing positive organizational culture, recognizing employees and striving to retain top performers, incentive programs are a natural fit.”

Bennington sees the role of destinations as an important one in terms of driving employees to achieve. “The desirability of a destination and selected property drives incentive-eligible associate performance.”

There are also outside factors affecting incentive success today. “Limited hotel availability, lack of experienced workforce and increased supply-chain costs are our biggest challenges in curating unique, personalized incentive experiences that drive attendee satisfaction,” Bennington says. “This is, of course, directly linked to a program’s ROI.”

Staffing issues can be a factor as well, depending on where the shortages are. “I believe staffing issues are a contributor to the increased value of incentives to drive organizational performance and retention,” she says. “At the same time, lack of labor for key destination suppliers is a great hardship to incentive planners.”

The economy itself can be a factor but less so than one might think. “Incentive programs deliver extraordinary value to the organizations that employ them and often do so regardless of the status of the overall economy,” Bennington points out. “At the same time, smart organizations will align their reward plans and spend to the performance of the organization and perception of incentives at the current time.”

She also notes that the overall economy is less a factor in employees being able to qualify than what is happening within the company itself. “For our clients, I would say an incentive-eligible associate’s ability to qualify is much more relative to the organization’s current business levels than anything else. While some organizations are thriving and orders are pouring in, others are experiencing a softening market and are working harder to stimulate business. When the metrics are set correctly, the caliber of qualifiers should be consistent.”

The pandemic hasn’t appeared to change how hard it is to qualify or how much employees want to qualify. The drive to be the best or most successful remains pretty much the same regardless of massive world changes in the past three years. Incentive programs are still doing for companies what they have always done.

“I would say the bragging rights of being No. 1 or best in class is certainly the most coveted and something that top performers will strive for,” Bennington says.

Alex Eckerle, director of product and solution design with Maritz Motivation, references many of the same factors others have when it comes to proving ROI: “Help clients identify their optimum business objectives and outcomes, design a strategic program focused on company objectives and build a rule structure that drives behavior toward those objectives. Like others, she points out that the objectives must be measurable and supported with data to prove ROI, and that having access to the right data is important.

Eckerle says a client’s budget is still the biggest factor in creating a rule structure to determine qualifiers, but how to use the budget has changed somewhat since the pandemic. “A fixed budget typically requires rule structures that focus on incenting a defined percentage of your population (for instance, X$ in spend per person times number of qualifiers = total budget).

However, she continues, “A desire for greater personalization and rewards that are meaningful to an individual post-pandemic means thinking differently about how to spend the budget.”

One option is to add budget flexibility for open-ended structures, such as anyone who hits their target wins. “These open-ended rule structures, while having the potential to have more winners and thus drive a larger budget, are designed to pay for themselves as you don’t win unless your individual impact is much greater than the cost of the individual reward,” Eckerle says.

Adjusting the Program

Dave Minnelli, senior director, event analytics, with Maritz Global Events, has a somewhat different take on the big picture of incentives today in the post-pandemic world. “Organizations are evaluating the design of their programs. More and more clients are asking questions around rule-structure design, data and how to measure whether their program is meeting their objectives,” he says.

He adds, “Although some clients have reduced the overall number and/or size of their incentive travel programs, just as many have increased the number or size of their programs.  Some clients have also shifted to other types of incentives, such as individual incentive travel or points-based programs to reward their teams.”

In today’s economic reality of rising costs, Minnelli says some clients are adjusting programs. “In some cases, they’re reducing the number of qualifiers to maintain their budget and in other instances they’re increasing their budget to account for the higher cost of travel, while maintaining incentive program size and high-quality experiences.”

While he doesn’t believe that the pandemic has impacted how hard it is to qualify or how exactly employees qualify, he does believe it has created an opportunity to help prove ROI. “KPIs may be different based on the intended behaviors — sales growth, market share growth, product penetration, etc. Crafting the right program design, the right mix of incentives and the right budget is key to successful ROI.”

Minnelli says that while the overall economy doesn’t impact incentives significantly, inflation and supply-chain issues do. He explains, “Incentive programs are more resilient to a recession because they are tied to sales and revenue. When companies have to make cuts, they’re less likely to cut incentive trips. However, it’s more expensive to execute incentive programs given inflation throughout the travel and rewards supply chain. Event budget cuts due to inflation are forcing attendance reductions in some cases.”

And, he adds, “In some industries that rely heavily on supply chains that have been constrained since the pandemic, including automotive and manufactured goods, incentive participants are having more difficulty achieving sales goals due to product backlogs.”

Staffing shortages, too, have been a negative factor according to Minnelli. “The pandemic hit the travel industry hard, with the in-person events industry essentially shutting down for 18 months. Subsequently, our industry has been challenged to rebuild talent quickly post-pandemic.  While many of the individuals hired in the industry are veterans returning to work, nearly half are new to the industry, which creates some training and continuity challenges.  Incentive travel program attendees are VIP guests and worked hard to win, thus they expect a great experience. I’m happy to say the industry is finally moving past this, so we’re now seeing very few ‘hiccups’ across the entire travel supply chain and quality experiences our guests deserve.”

Minnelli says, “A top-end recognition program, if not supplemented with other ways individuals can earn, can sometimes drive less ROI.  A rule of thumb is that a top-performer program will typically motivate double the number of individuals who can achieve it.  Let’s say a company is recognizing the top 5% of its sales force in an incentive travel program. That typically means that the top 10% are motivated to achieve the incentive, while the remaining 90% are not motivated and may not perform to their potential. Supplementing incentive travel with other incentive programs that reward behaviors through individual travel, merchandise, gift cards, etc., can help move the middle by motivating the next 70% of the organization. A 5% improvement in the middle 70% of your population will drive more impact than a 5% improvement in the top 10%.”

The Importance of Incentives

Crystal Zawilinski, CMP, CMM, CEM, sales director, meetings and incentives at Fox World Travel in Wisconsin, says the pandemic actually proved to organizations the strong need for incentive travel, “The need to bring together top performers or customers became more even apparent when in-person events were absent. At the same time, companies are making incentive travel a priority, so qualifiers are even more motivated by travel than they were pre-pandemic,” she says. “Even further, companies are prioritizing unique experiences and potential qualifiers are taking notice. At Fox World Travel, we’ve seen strong engagement from potential qualifiers and great excitement after they qualify for the trip.”

She also says the number of qualifiers varies depending on the industry and how the company is doing. “The results are mixed because the pandemic affected each industry in a different way. Some industries had record years and are seeing large qualification numbers while others struggled and are producing slightly smaller programs.”

As for ensuring ROI, Zawilinski says it comes down to careful analysis. “Any incentive program needs to start with smart goals, ones that carefully identify the areas in which the company wants to grow its business, whether it’s increasing sales in a profitable product category, incentivizing a sales team to increase productivity or boosting margin on existing sales. Companies need to present a clear picture of how to track these numbers at key times prior to, during and after the implementation. Using specific metrics during each phase of implementation will present a true picture of the success of an overall incentive program.”

However, she cautions, success is about more than revenue gains. “While many organizations only evaluate revenue increases when looking at the success of incentive programs, it’s important to measure other successes, such as employee engagement/retention or customer/brand loyalty. Taking a holistic approach to this evaluation will provide a better understanding of the overall ROI and success of the incentive program.”

While some companies have reacted to the overall economic instability in the world today by scaling back or eliminating incentive programs, Zawilinski cautions against taking that “drastic measure.” In fact, she points out, as others have, “A properly designed incentive program can recover costs or even increase revenue for the organization.” She adds, “Having an incentive program in place can jump-start the positive momentum necessary to properly emerge from economic downturns.”

She adds, “One of the biggest trends we’ve observed over the past few years is more younger qualifiers than we’ve seen in the past. As tenured workers are retiring, this has enabled larger numbers of younger associates to qualify for incentive programs. With this change, companies must continue to evaluate their ROI, metrics and attendee demographics to keep their programs fresh and enticing.”

Experts across the board believe not only that incentive programs provide valuable ROI, but that current economic uncertainties make them more important and valuable than ever. The data, they say, is the key to measuring ROI. If incentive planners have the data, they can prove the ROI. C&IT

Ultimate Ventures held a “Deep in the Heart” Festival recently at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. It was their Texas twist on a boho/Coachella festival. Courtesy of Delaney Lovelace

Texas has long been celebrated for offering “big” hospitality to travelers from across the globe. And recently, more and more meeting planners are setting their sights on Texas as the destination for corporate meeting and incentive events – and rightfully, so. Texas puts out a big welcome to visitors and corporate travelers, and its cultural traditions, cuisine, venues and entertainment make corporate and incentive travel experiences ones to remember.

Dallas

Dallas is home to cutting-edge companies, world-class buildings, exceptional green spaces, and a vibrant arts and historic districts. And Visit Dallas, the city’s convention and visitor’s bureau says Dallas has been named the No. 1 business-friendly city in the U.S. Add to that the plethora of event venues, and Dallas offers the ideal locale for corporate and incentive events. In fact, Dallas’ downtown is quite compact and can be easily accessed by attendees via the light rail system.

Dallas also has some world-famous hotels, among which is the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, which offers sophisticated conference and meeting event spaces, including intimate outdoor event spaces. The array of hotels and resorts within the Dallas area is truly expansive and is only getting bigger, with 165 new hotel projects currently in the pipeline as of 2022, per Visit Dallas.

Once its expansion is complete, the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center will feature a new, walkable entertainment district. Courtesy Photo

Of course, Dallas’ enormous Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center is the ideal location for tradeshows and events. Every year, over one million visitors are welcomed at the convention center and enjoy tradeshows, conventions, meetings, shows and concerts in the heart of downtown Dallas. There is over 1 million sf of exhibit space at the center, with 88 meeting rooms and three ballrooms. The biggest news facing the convention center is its upcoming expansion, which is set to be completed in 2028 and will feature a new, walkable entertainment district.

More and more planners are turning to Dallas for innovative meeting options.

“The list is long when it comes to reasons to meet in Texas, especially in the Dallas-Fort Worth area,” Delaney Lovelace, DMCP, director of sales at Ultimate Ventures, says. “First of all, it’s easy to get here. With our enviable location in the center of the country, travel time to Dallas-Fort Worth is less than four hours from across the United States.”

In addition, the Dallas-Fort Worth area is literally seven destinations in one, each with its own unique personality. “Although cosmopolitan Dallas and cowboy-cool Fort Worth normally get top billing, there are also amazing experiences to be had in Arlington, Irving, Plano, Frisco and Grapevine,” Lovelace says.

Also, Dallas-Fort Worth is expanding exponentially, with a wealth of new hotels and resorts available for meetings of all sizes.

“We’re growing by leaps and bounds,” she adds. “Dallas currently leads the nation in new hotel projects, which translates to more choices for incoming groups.”

Regarding the recently opened Omni PGA Frisco Resort, with 510 rooms, Lovelace says, “This a game changer, especially when it comes to incentive programs. With two 18-hole championship golf courses; a lighted 10-hole, par-three short course; and a two-acre putting course and entertainment area, it’s a golfer’s paradise!”

The newly opened Omni PGA Frisco offers 127,000 sf of conference space and 500 guest rooms. Photo by Werner Segarra

The new resort also boasts 127,000 sf of meeting and private event space, including a 22,000 sf grand ballroom and a 5,000 sf pavilion with an adjoining patio and event lawn.

Their specialty at Ultimate Ventures is creating unique, custom events that match the tone and goals of their clients. Whether the event occurs in a hotel ballroom, offsite at a destination’s exceptional venues, or in a restaurant setting, the options are truly endless.

“Team-building activities are also quite popular as well as tours that sample the local cuisine, like “Tacos & Margaritas” or “BBQ & Beer,” Lovelace says.

In 2021, Ultimate Ventures worked with a client that brought their 900-person national conference to Dallas. This multi-faceted three-day program (including multiple off-site and onsite events, transportation, six tours, shopping shuttles and VIP airport transfers) featured some of the best venues and activities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Their first night’s Oktoberfest themed welcome event at Gilley’s Dallas was full of interactive entertainment and festive decor. On days two and three, Ultimate Ventures provided tour and activity options for VIPs and guests of attendees. Tours included a trip to Waco to get the “Chip and Joanna Gaines treatment;” a local BBQ and Beer tasting tour of the city; and visits to popular history and science museums. Shuttles to the Bishop Arts District and Northpark Mall, two of Dallas’s hottest shopping destinations, were also provided on both days.

“On the second night, we provided décor, entertainment and dessert for an after-dinner ‘glow’ event on the Omni Dallas Hotel Lawn,” Lovelace says. “The final night’s event was held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington where guests were given the VIP treatment, complete with an appearance by Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith.”

Rachael Glaws, principal and creative director at RGI Events, points out that everything is at your fingertips in Texas. “The hotel properties are top-notch with sophisticated production amenities. Activities and natural wonder for impactful, offsites abound. Food and beverage helps impart a sense of place to an event and some of the best in the world is available in Texas,” Glaws says.  “Locations themselves throughout the state are diverse and cater to a broad array of tastes, which is incredibly helpful in ensuring you please a crowd. And there’s no substitution for Texas hospitality.”

Recently, RGI Events orchestrated an incentives trip for a global beauty brand that was truly a hit. As Glaws explains, it was a multi-day event, full of entertainment, offsites and activities — not to mention fantastic food with a deep authentic Texas flair.

“We took full advantage of, in this case, all that Austin had to offer,” Glaws says. “All the guests were asking how they could ship barbecue back to their home states.”

According to Brittany Curry, event planner and co-owner at Uniquely Set Event Management, Texas has always been a state that stands out in people’s minds as a destination location. “You can point it out on any map and people would know what state it is,” Curry says. “There’s a multitude of styles of events and large cities that make for easy planning and accommodations. And the hospitality you’d find when working with groups to plan a Texas location is unlike any group you’d meet.”

Uniquely Set Event Management is one of the only coordination companies in the Bryan/College Station area of Texas that offers team-building events.

“We curated a set of activities that have proved to be fun and memorable amongst companies that take the mundane out of normal team-building ideas,” Curry says. “We curate every event to each group’s needs.”

San Antonio

Texas has plenty of great cities to choose from and San Antonio is at the top of many lists. With its charming River Walk, historic old Spanish missions and beautiful Hill Country, San Antonio simply can’t be beat as a corporate meeting destination. Sure, the region boasts extraordinary culinary delights and meeting venues aplenty, but it also offers a wealth of activities for attendees to enjoy long after the business events conclude. For example, groups can venture off to explore Alamo, which evokes the spirit of Texas’ colonial era. Or perhaps they wander along the extensive River Walk, which is complete with waterside walkways, charming shops and delightful eateries at every turn.

When is time to get down to business, San Antonio offers some of the area’s best options for events. Its recently renovated convention center is front and center in San Antonio’s walkable downtown area. The Henry B. González Convention Center (HBGCC) features 514,000 sf of contiguous exhibit space, along with an 86,500 sf column-free multipurpose space, 70 meeting and event spaces, and the largest ballroom in Texas, at 54,000 sf. The HBGCC is also within walking distance of the infamous River Walk and numerous historic attractions in the heart of San Antonio. The convention center’s recent expansion and modernization has resulted in even more technologically advanced flexible event spaces.

The last few years have seen a wealth of additions to San Antonio’s venue offerings. A few years ago, Canopy by Hilton opened and features 1,148 sf of meeting spaces. Their outdoor terrace overlooking the River Walk is an ideal option for smaller gatherings.

Another unique option is the Red Berry Estate. A short drive from downtown San Antonio, the Red Berry Estate has been renovated to its former glory and features more than 15,000 sf of event space. The adjacent lake is a wonderful backdrop for outdoor events being held on the lawns, veranda or fountain areas.

Austin

Although Austin is the state capitol of Texas, it has a laid-back vibe all its own. Exceedingly popular among meeting and event planners, Austin has experienced a recent boom in downtown redevelopment. While Austin is growing, it’s downtown is relatively east to get around.

The capitol offers some unique venue options including the Blanton Museum of Art, the Austin Convention Center, Palmer Events Center and the Moody Center at the University of Texas, to name a few. The city’s Q2 Stadium, which houses major league soccer, also offers an outdoor amphitheater, an ideal spot to enjoy the city’s vistas in the great outdoors.

Fort Worth

Although Fort Worth celebrates its cattle-trading roots, it also has become a modern, sophisticated city that it teeming with wonderful options for meetings and event experiences. One special group experience is available at Fort Worth’s Stockyards National Historic District. Charm abounds along the cobblestone streets, which feature gaslights reminiscent of decades past. Attendees can explore the restored cattle pens and enjoy the artisan-made wares gracing the many shops. Other group outings can include the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo or the Will Rogers Memorial Center.

According to the Fort Worth Conventions & Visitors Bureau, the downtown area of the city is bustling with corporate meetings and events thanks to the recently completed Dickies Arena, which is adjacent to the Will Rogers Memorial Center. The arena has 90,000 sf of exhibit space and includes a 10,500 sf exhibit hall.

For smaller affairs, Mule Alley, which is located in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, offers an array of restaurants, entertainment venues and creative spaces to host events.

The 888-room Loews Arlington Hotel is scheduled to open in 2024. Courtesy Photo

Arlington

Although Arlington is separate town, it’s close proximity to Fort Worth means meetings and events held in this smaller locale can also enjoy all that Fort Worth has to offer. But within Arlington proper, you will find Choctaw Stadium, which is the home to the Texas Ranger and also has evolved into a full-fledged entertainment complex complete with several different event spaces.

The Arlington Convention Center is also a wonderful venue for events and boasts an awe-inspiring 30,000-sf Grand Hall, and several other meeting room spaces. Adjacent to the convention center is the new Loews Arlington hotel, which is connected to the convention center via skywalk. Together, they feature 251,000 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space.

Houston

Houston, the largest city in Texas, is a financial hub, has a bustling port and has grown into a sprawling metropolis that boasts a wealth of attractions for meeting and event attendees. As the country’s fourth-largest and fastest-growing city, Houston offers many diverse activities, beyond just meetings and conventions, including its much-celebrated culinary scene, world-renowned theater and performing arts district, a wealth of outdoor spaces and natural environments, professional and semi-pro sports teams, and iconic attractions like the United States’ largest Texas-shaped lazy river, and Space Center Houston.

Houston also boasts two premiere convention centers — George R. Brown Convention Center, with 1.2 million sf of meeting space, and NRG Park, with 706,000 sf of contiguous exhibit space — that can successfully accommodate both small and large-scale events. Located downtown, the George R. Brown Convention Center is connected to headquarter hotel via sky-bridges. The site also features Avenida Houston, the state’s largest convention and entertainment campus, which is available for outdoor programming and events, and steps away from a massive urban park that offers free concerts and a ton of outdoor fun for attendees.

Grapevine

Also near Fort Worth is the charming little town of Grapevine. In addition to numerous wineries in the area, Grapevine boasts more than 1 million sf of meeting space across nearly two dozen hotels within the city. In addition to hotels, Grapevine also offers some unique venues that will add a memorable flair to any event. Some of these include the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, Grape Vine Springs Winery, Grapevine Convention Center and the Grand Gallery. The Grapevine Botanical Gardens at Heritage Park and the Grapevine Lake are great outdoor spaces for more intimate gatherings.

Irving

Located between Dallas’s two international airports, Irving is an ideal location for corporate meeting and event planners looking for a smaller-scale and easily accessible location near Dallas.

Located on 40 sprawling acres, the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas offers nearly 100,000 sf of event space and is part of the planned mixed-use entertainment district, which includes an indoor/outdoor amphitheater and the Westin Convention Center Hotel. The adjacent Toyota Music Factory offers wonderful team-building opportunities and event spaces for groups up to 4,000.

Savvy Planning

When it comes to planning a meeting or event in Texas, Lovelace advises corporate and incentive meeting planners to plan ahead. “Business travel is back in Texas, and we are busy,” Lovelace says. “Some of our favorite venues and vendors are booked months in advance.”

In addition, Glaws advises meeting planners to lean into the destination – whether it be San Antonio, Houston or Dallas. “Embrace amenities that make an event feel truly Texan. Travelers attending events are looking for an experience,” Glaws says. “There’s so much available to you in Texas that will give them just that.”

Also, Curry advises planner to not take away the things that makes Texas truly great. “Mix in the amazing food and incorporate the scenic views,” she says, “and it’s guaranteed to be memorable.” C&IT

The new trend, says Michele Polci of Caesars Entertainment, is being reducetarian, or committed to eating less meat and dairy. Courtesy of Caesars Entertainment

What is one of the most talked about aspects of a meeting or event? The food and beverage (F&B). With some creativity, give your attendees something to talk about, and remember. F&B must be appealing, filling, accessible to all and healthy.

What’s trending? Being together. “For so long we couldn’t celebrate being together, and we really didn’t want to go over the top, but now I’m seeing gatherings where people are embracing each other. They’re so happy to be together again in person. I call it ‘extra extra’— really getting into thematic events, getting into more of the experience and the touch and feel, and getting back to some really memorable food and beverage events,” says Michele Polci, CPCE, CMP, director of citywide catering sales, Las Vegas, Caesars Entertainment.

One of the most important things is to know your audience. Vegan, vegetarian, pescetarian, halal, kosher, gluten-free and food allergens — the options that must be included in your offerings are extensive and always evolving and you must know the needs of your audience.

There are more than 170 foods that have been reported to cause allergic reactions, according to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), but the vast majority are caused by the “Big Nine” – milk, eggs, nuts, fish, crustaceans, shellfish, soy and sesame.

In registration materials, be sure to include at least the top common food allergies for attendees to check off. Some planners stick to the top eight the FDA regulates in the U.S. An open-ended box is a good idea for those who have food allergies outside the top eight to have the opportunity to explain.

Consider the catering department and chef as team members and the lines of communication with them must be wide open. Let all know as soon as possible what allergies your attendees have to consider when preparing meals. When it comes to vegetarian meals, let the kitchen staff know they should prepare extras. Meeting professionals say that it happens without fail that someone gets a vegetarian meal and the others at the table decide it looks better or tastier than theirs and they request the same. This scenario can turn F&B counts upside down.

Caesars Entertainment supports offering more healthy F&B options that have lower emissions. Courtesy of Caesars Entertainment

Reducetarians Are Trending

Flexitarians have been around since last year, says Polci. They want a flexible eating style with a focus on adding plant or plant-based foods and beverages, incorporating dairy and eggs with smaller meat portions. The new trend, she says, is reducetarian, being committed to eating less meat and dairy and fewer eggs. Vegans and vegetarians are considered reducetarians. “So, you’re flexible but you’re going dial it back a few steps more and become a reducetarian. The goal is to shrink our footprint, doing what’s best for the environment and health,” says Polci. “Plus, people want to know where their food is coming from, where is it grown, how is it grown, and if it is sustainable.”

Be Sustainable

Caesars supports offering more veggies and grains and healthy offerings that have lower emissions. Its chefs are given the charge to deliver everything to everybody. “When we source, we are looking at carbon emissions and looking at providing more meat-less items. So, back in the day, there was less focus on this and maybe we would offer tofu and less innovative plant-based menus. But now healthy, meatless and sustainable menus have become so sought after. Our chefs have stepped up their game and are creating unique and beautiful menus with this in mind,” says Polci. “Planners have laundry lists of likes and dislikes from their attendees, items that this person can’t have or can have, and planners eliminate the outliers to accommodate everyone. The culinary team is flexible and offers many options to accommodate all the different dietary needs. It goes beyond zucchini noodles. It goes beyond embracing the seasons. It’s challenging in Las Vegas as we are in the middle of the desert. In Atlantic City, where we also have three properties, we are in the Garden State, so our options are quite different.”

Make it an Experience

Why plan a typical F&B function when you can orchestrate an experience, asks Dianne Devitt, a consultant and author of the book, “What Color Is Your Event? The Industry Resource on How to Think and Plan Creatively.” One of the most memorable F&B functions she planned was for a board of directors meeting in The Berkshires. The seven-course meal included a chocolate tasting with a different type served with each course. “We encouraged the group to take a bite of their food, then enjoy a piece of the chocolate, and then a sip of their wine,” said Devitt. “It was the ultimate experience. The evening ended in a separate room where port was served, and a Shakespearean actor entertained with famous sonnets.”

There are a few questions planners should consider in planning their F&B functions, said Devitt, included in her book. They include: “How will food choices encourage interaction and participation among the guests? What will give people something to talk about that is different? How will the F&B portion of the event impact its theme? Its energy? What can be done that hasn’t been done before?”

She orchestrates participation during her F&B functions with tastings. A balsamic vinegar and olive oil tasting was especially well received, and the attendees enjoyed receiving a bottle of aged balsamic after the event, something that was in their kitchen for months to come.

Salt, tea, pizza and even water tastings have been successful activations Devitt has planned. “The history of the product and how it impacted the destination gets the group talking. Think tea and the story of the Boston Tea Party shared during a New England meeting,” explains Devitt.

Courtesy of Caesars Entertainment

Creating Wow Moments

Melissa Johnson, VP of Cameron Mitchell Premier Events (CMPE) and community relations at Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, stresses the importance of adding a wow factor to F&B functions.

“Using the senses to guide the culinary journey creates a fun and memorable moment. By mixing current and classic trends you can curate unforeseen and pleasing adventures for guests to discover throughout the entire event,” says Johnson. “Food and beverages should always be visually appealing, but when you add an action element, the food becomes experiential, an added wow.”

She uses CMPE’s pasta dalla forma station as an example. The chef starts with a fresh wheel of carved-out Parmesan cheese, flambés the inside of the wheel to melt the cheese, and then adds the hot pasta and stirs it around. This allows the melted cheese to stick onto the pasta.

“Seeing the large wheel of cheese ignite from the flambe’ provides attendees with a showstopper moment,” says Johnson. “Add in the smell of the melting cheese and then taste all the comforting goodness and you have a mouthwatering dish guests will talk about and remember. This is great on station style events.  Our latest version is a Carbonara style with chicken, alfredo, smoked bacon, asparagus, onions and chili flakes, in addition to all the parmesan. You can offer gluten-free pasta for an added crowd-pleasing experience.”

CMPE also mingles together unexpected flavors. An example are hot chicken donuts. “Our chef uses fresh glazed yeast donuts from a local bakery, and this becomes the bun for our sandwich.  He double fries some pickled juicy chicken breasts with a spice blend that is just hot enough to awaken your tastebuds. That crunchy spicy chicken with the soft sweet donut is almost the perfect combination. To finish the taste sensation, chef adds some tangy umami with pickle slices, creating the ultimate taste and texture experience for the tastebuds,” she says.

Consider Higher Prices

Higher food prices are impacting today’s F&B functions. Take the egg shortage for instance. Skyrocketing prices have forced many chefs to become creative with their menus. The average price of food in the United States increased 8.5% in the 12 months ending in March, after posting an annual increase of 9.5% in February, according to the latest inflation data published by the U.S Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Work with the chef, catering and F&B departments to keep costs down. Give the chef permission to be creative with fruits and vegetables that are in season that will be cheaper than those that have to be shipped in. Be sure to order early.

Have Alcohol-Free Alternatives

Give as much thought to the beverages that are free of alcohol as you do the others. Don’t just serve water. Infuse it with fruit and create a water station.

Mocktails with different fruits and juices are well-received and will often be enjoyed by even those who drink alcohol. Hotels and convention centers are responding to the trend toward non-alcoholic drinks at meetings. Take Hyatt. It has a Zero Proof, Zero Judgment line of non-alcoholic cocktails featuring products from Ritual Zero Proof and Fever-Tree. Each participating hotel has created unique, non-alcoholic beverages using a variety of the spirit alternatives and mixers, as well as seasonal ingredients and flavors for guests and locals to enjoy – from a delicious beverage featuring Ritual Zero Proof Gin Alternative, basil, cucumber, lime and ginger at Hyatt Centric Times Square New York’s Bar 54, to an enticing option comprised of Ritual Zero Proof Rum Alternative, blueberry, honey, lime and Fever-Tree Ginger Beer at Thompson Savannah’s Lobby Bar.

Make it Fun

Although it is important that the F&B at your meetings and events is healthy to keep your attendees engaged and on task, that doesn’t mean it has to be lacking in fun. CMPE creates fun little sushi bites that focus on all one’s senses. For touch, each sushi piece is placed on mini bamboo chopsticks that add a tactile experience that are placed in colored glass chargers that complement the vibrant ingredients.  All the guest does is squeeze and enjoy the various textures that make the sushi a standout culinary bite. “It is a mess free and playful way to enjoy popular sushi rolls during a cocktail hour or standing reception,” says Johnson. “For example, we serve vegetable sushi with tempura sweet potato, cream cheese and avocado. This bite is so flavorful, appeals to many and is a unique twist on familiar sushi.”

Stay Away from Sugary, Carb-Heavy Food

Danish, sweetened yogurt, donuts? These are not a good idea for your meetings and conferences. Your attendees are sure to have a sugar rush, but what will happen when it plummets? They will be sluggish and less likely to retain information. Meeting professionals are focused on the intersection of food and beverage, and health and wellness more than ever for good reason. Healthy foods keep attendees minds fresh and clear. The right selections can help attendees focus, stay on task and be energized throughout the day.

Experience Local Flavors

Today’s convention and meeting attendees want authentic dining experiences with a focus on local. Be sure to include at least one F&B function that focuses on the food of the given location. Remember, fancy isn’t always better. Attendees want to experience “real” food — street food, cooking demonstrations, food trucks.

Jambalaya and crawfish etouffee or other Cajun specialties are expected during New Orleans meetings and conventions. Cheesesteaks and pretzels should be part of a Philadelphia menu. Salmon, shellfish and other fresh seafood are perfect for Pacific Northwest gatherings.

Offer Variety

Smaller portion sizes are increasingly being requested as they allow guests to sample a variety of offerings. Plus, smaller portions give the guest the opportunity to try a variety of dishes. Interesting and novel presentations should be a focus. Think of appetizers on a stick, bites on a spoon or mini anything. Sliders, dessert samplers artfully arranged in unique containers, mini cups, edible spoons are also ideal. C&IT

Caesars Entertainment team members volunteer during a Global Meetings Industry Day event in Las Vegas. Photo by Sam Morris / LVCVA. See all the photo highlights from GMID 2023 in our digital edition.

March 30th was a day of celebration for the meetings industry. Global Meetings Industry Day recognized the importance of the meetings industry and its impact on local, state and the global economy.

“Business leaders know the most persuasive communication doesn’t happen through a screen — it happens when you meet face-to-face,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “Even in a tight economy, face-to-face meetings matter for businesses and workers.”

According to a survey by J.D. Power and Tourism Economics, 81% of executives view business travel as essential to their company operations — with good reason. A study reported in the Harvard Business Review found that face-to-face requests are 34 times more effective than emailed ones.

GMID is powered by the U.S. Travel Association’s “Meetings Mean Business Coalition” co-chaired by Meet Boston President & CEO Martha Sheridan and MGM Resorts International Sr. Vice President & Chief Sales Officer Stephanie Glanzer.

Coastal Communications Corporation, a leading meetings industry publisher for over 40 years, renews our commitment to support the meetings and events industry. See all the highlights from GMID 2023 in our digital edition.   C&IT

Tonto National Monument in Roosevelt, Arizona. Courtesy of Visit Arizona

With spectacular views of the Sonoran Desert, surrounding mountains and stunning sunsets, Arizona is a beautiful destination for corporate meetings or incentive experiences. The stunning scenery of the Grand Canyon State helps set the stage for what is to come. And luckily Arizona offers a plethora of splendid entertaining locales — complete with wonderful accouterments that surprise and delight at every turn.

“Cocktail hours outside on picturesque patios offering sunset views, delicious southwest cuisine to taste, as well as local wine from some of the state’s wineries, are just some reasons why Arizona is a great option,” says Lisa Foster, event planner and owner of Stylish Events by Lisa in Phoenix, AZ. “Arizona offers something for everyone. We also have amazing five-star spa and golf experiences for attendees if they have any down time while in Phoenix for an event.”

Stylish Events by Lisa is a full-service event planning company, offering event planning, design and logistics for many corporate and social events. Foster and her team have coordinated an array of business events in Arizona and beyond — from company holiday parties, to nightly receptions at conferences, to even traveling with their corporate partners and providing destination services for them out of state.

Recently, Stylish Events by Lisa orchestrated a destination corporate event for a medical firm traveling to Arizona for a conference.

“They requested an off-site dinner event for 100 of their top executives at a unique venue. They wanted a full Arizona experience and that is what we delivered,” says Foster, who booked the group at the renowned Wrigley Mansion. The destination was originally built in 1932 by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr., while extensive renovations were completed in 2021.

The Wrigley Mansion has premier dining and special event venues, including the restaurant, Christoper’s, located in an adjacent all-glass building. James Beard award-winning Chef Christopher Gross and his team offer a unique dining experience in a spectacular setting.

“The mansion is perched on top of a hillside overlooking the valley and Camelback Mountain,” Foster says. “[Attendees] were shuttled in and enjoyed a welcome cocktail hour with  signature jalapeño margaritas, while experiencing the stunning sunset views from the window-lined dining room. Dinner followed with an elegant and delicious chef-forward menu and afterward attendees were allowed to tour the almost 100-year-old mansion and take in all its unique charm and beauty.”

Ana Rodriguez, senior design & development manager, Arizona, at 360 Destination Group, says with over 300 sunny days in Arizona, things are different in the desert — the sky is bigger, the stars are brighter, the sunsets are surprising.

“Arizona still has real cowboys and rugged mountains and the kind of cactus most people see only in cartoons,” Rodriguez says. “There are cherished landscapes to explore and fun destinations to discover in every area of the state, from urban experiences in our downtown settings, to outdoor adventures in the vast Sonoran Desert. Not to mention, Arizona has the highest concentration of luxury, four- and five-star resorts in the country.”

360 Destination Group’s Director of Sales in Arizona Emily White says that Arizona has a strong sense of place due to its cultural heritage rooted in Spanish, Mexican and Western influences.

“We love to incorporate these themes into our events, whether that’s a relaxed desert retreat at a welcome reception, a cowboy cookout under the stars at an offsite dinner or a final night colorful fiesta,” White says.

360 Destination Group recently hosted an offsite dinner for 500 people last fall in Arizona, calling it a Harvest Fiesta.

“We immersed [attendees] in the Mexican heritage by incorporating rich wood tones, colorful papel picado banners and glowing candlelight,” Rodriguez says. “The attendees celebrated the night away with mariachi entertainers, a DJ, a cigar roller, a 360-degree photo booth and a Mexican hot chocolate station. The weather was perfect and the attendees were all smiles.”

Arizona Offers Cultural Venues & Wide Open Spaces

For corporate meeting planners looking to host a meeting or incentive event, Foster recommends they focus on the unique aspects that Arizona regionally offers, especially its natural surroundings.

“Venues with a view, local Arizona wine tasting, cultural festivities … once [attendees] experience the full uniqueness of the Sonoran Desert, they will always want to come back for more,” Foster says.

Also, White advises that meeting planners shouldn’t be afraid to plan Arizona-based events and incentives that allow attendees to get outside, kick the dust up and have some fun.

“Your attendees want to come to Arizona to embrace the wonder of the desert — so take them to an offsite dinner location, and plan group activities such as hot air ballooning, hiking, biking and UTV rides [an off-road vehicle bigger than an ATV],” White says. “That’s when the memories are made.”

In addition, from border to border, Arizona offers golfers of all skill levels an array of challenging  golf courses. From formidable courses that test their skill level at every hole to wide-open courses with fairways designed for high-handicap golfers, event attendees will find it in the Grand Canyon State.

Camelback Mountain in Phoenix is popular due to its hiking trails and panoramic city views, as well as partially famous because of its resemblance to a camel hump. Photo by D2 Productions / Courtesy of Visit Phoenix

Phoenix

Phoenix has outstanding weather, great outdoor venues and spaces, signature hotels and resort choices with sophisticated service, and a variety of entertainment and activities. Phoenix is one of a handful of cities that has a thriving downtown environment for both urban meetings and conventions, along with dozens of resort choices.

Of course, entertainment options are key to any corporate meeting or incentive event and Phoenix offers several concert venues, art galleries and live theatre options. With the majestic Sonoran Desert as the city’s backyard, hiking, biking, hot air ballooning and other desert-themed adventures are available for attendees to enjoy.

Phoenix’s hotels and resorts also offer ideal options for meetings and events of all sizes and the area is celebrating an influx of new development and renovations within the hotel and resorts inventory. According to Visit Phoenix, the region is boasting over 34 new properties that have been developed since 2020, which means meeting planners have an array of properties from which to choose.

The Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley, which is scheduled to open in the fall, offers more than 20 acres overlooking Camelback Mountain. Attendees will enjoy the spacious guest rooms, expansive spa and the enhanced health and fitness center.

Slated to open next year in Glendale, about 10 miles northwest of Phoenix, the VAI Resort will have more than 40,000 sf of flexible event and meeting spaces.

The Global Ambassador is also expected to make its entrance into the Phoenix market this year and will feature 141 guest rooms. The venue’s 18,000 sf rooftop restaurant is bound to be a venue for events, thanks in part to its views of Camelback Mountain.

Camelback Mountain is the highest point in the Phoenix Mountains. It’s popular due to its hiking trails and panoramic city views, as well as partially famous because of its name and resemblance to a camel hump.

Scottsdale

Situated within the Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale is about 10 miles or less from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The city offers attendees inspiring outdoor recreation options amidst the region’s wide-open spaces, diverse vegetation and stunning sunsets. Mix in an outstanding array of world-class resorts and lodgings, complete with golf courses, luxurious spaces and sophisticated meeting venues and attendees will be eager to come back for more.

Set high above Paradise Valley — Phoenix’s wealthiest city and suburb — Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa can be an ideal indoor/outdoor meeting and event venue. The resort is an elegant and secluded option for intimate meetings, events and corporate retreats.

Another favorite locale for many corporate meeting planners is the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia. Nestled at the base of Camelback Mountain, the hotel features 102,000 sf of meeting and event space. Attendees can also take part in team-building events, food drives and other unique community-focused experiences that can add new meaning to a traditional meeting or incentive event.

The Phoenician is also an idyllic location for meetings and events. This Scottsdale masterpiece is complete with over 160,000 sf of indoor and outdoor event space. In addition to large-scale ballrooms and smaller meeting rooms, The Phoenician offers other unique indoor venues, such the Praying Monk, a working wine cellar for dining. When not gathering in groups, attendees can enjoy the resort’s modern athletic center, pool, golf course and others.

Now imagine hosting an event amongst ancient boulder formations nestled in the Sonoran Desert. That’s just what attendees will experience at the Boulders Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, which offers one of the most unique landscapes in the Scottsdale area. There’s also space for indoor/outdoor events.

Many corporations set their sights on wellness benefits for their employees, so the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale features an idyllic respite. Truly a wellness retreat, the Westin Kierland is located in North Scottsdale’s masterplanned Kierland community, which is complete with shopping, eateries, golf, dining and spa. When it is time to get down to business, the Westin Kierland boasts 41 event rooms with more than 172,000 sf of event space and pre-event function space.

In addition to well-established resorts in Scottsdale, there are ample new entrants to the venue landscape. Recently, the Hilton North Scottsdale at Cavasson opened and features rooftop executive lounges and a 15,000 sf event center. Attendees can sip and socialize, while admiring the McDowell Mountains in the hotel bar.

Caesars Entertainment is also making its mark on the Scottsdale meeting and event space with its new Caesars Republic Scottsdale. Set to open later this year, this is the first non-gaming Caesars branded hotel in the U.S. The column-free, 7,000-sf ballroom will offer towering sliding glass doors, which open out to outdoor event spaces so that attendees enjoy the beauty of Scottsdale’s surroundings.

It also was recently announced that next year Hyatt Hotels Corp. will be rebranding Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch to Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa. It will invest about $110 million in renovations across the destination to reflect the Grand Hyatt brand.

Tempe

Set to open soon, Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU will amplify the city’s revitalized downtown area, and bring some of the largest conference and meeting space to the city. The hotel features 330 guest rooms, including 11 suites, four dining outlets, a spacious pool deck, retail, and about 36,000 sf of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space — with expansive views of the Arizona State University campus and the cityscape.

Just 10 miles from Phoenix, Tempe is a wonderful option for smaller scale meeting and incentive events. With the Sonoran Desert as a backdrop, Tempe offers several unique venue options, as well as a wealth of annual events, festivals, shops and restaurants. When not enjoying resort amenities or indoor experiences, attendees at events in Tempe can head to the hills and enjoy a day of climbing on the area’s buttes.

Courtesy of Visit Tucson

Tucson

Recently named the Top 50 Meeting Destinations in the U.S., Tucson features a topnotch combination of natural beauty, urban amenities, and exceptional meeting and event venues. In addition, the Tucson Convention Center is in the heart of Tucson’s hip downtown, where attendees can enjoy great entertainment, arts, nightlight and eateries.

As far as the resorts and venues available for corporate and incentive events, Tucson has many options from which to choose.

Located on 100 acres, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson features 398 guest rooms, including 27 suites overlooking the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. In addition to over 37,000 sf of indoor meeting space, the resort offers many outdoor event venues to take advantage of the paradise on which the resort resides. When not at scheduled meetings or events, attendees can enjoy the resort’s two championship golf courses, full-service spa or go hiking on the nearby Ventana Canyon Trail.

The Westin La Paloma also doesn’t disappoint planners and attendees, thanks to its ideal location in the heart of Tucson and the Sonoran Desert, where attendees can work, play and relax. The resort features beautiful outdoor spaces including five pools, as well as more than 92,000 sf of event space.

Also recently completed are the multimillion dollar renovations at Omni Tucson National Resort. Located at the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Omni Tucson National Resort’s transformation included updates to meetings spaces, restaurants, the lobby, fitness center and others. The resort’s two new meeting rooms provide an additional 25,000 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting space.

Boutique Hotels Opening

The Tucson landscape of meeting and event venues is continuously being expanded and revitalized. Leo Kent is set to open soon. It is a new boutique hotel that is resulting from the conversion of Tucson’s tallest downtown skyscraper. Owned by Marriott, Leo Kent will span nine of the skyscraper’s 23 floors and offer flexible event spaces in the heart of downtown Tucson.

Another boutique hotel, The Eddy Hotel Tucson, part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, opened recently in Tucson’s Catalina Foothills. Ideal for smaller events, the hotel features 3,000 sf of meeting space with stunning mountain views.  C&IT

Adobe Stock

Meeting planners need to consider many issues, including the crucial one of choosing the right location. From airport accessibility and venue accommodations to entertainment and cultural experiences, what a location offers to both attendees and planners is paramount for an event’s success. And Miami, FL – with its array of resorts and unique venue offerings, cultural attractions and overall natural beauty – is the quintessential destination for corporate and incentive gatherings of all sizes.

Miami is known as the gateway to Latin America, says Gladys Mezrahi, founder and president of Indigo Events: “With more direct flights than any other city in the U.S., it is one of the pieces that Miami has to offer. The other element to consider is the overall experience of a meeting, and how we can make it more appealing and can create that sense of, ‘I want to come,’ as opposed to ‘I have to,’ [then] definitely Miami is the place.”

“Miami’s got a flair,” says Beth Miller, meeting planner and director of global accounts at ConferenceDirect, “The culture, food, vibe is like no other. The beaches, waterways, swaying palm trees, a mixture of retro and cosmopolitan, just makes everything exciting and different.”

During her career as a meeting planner, Miller has executed many Miami-based events. “Miami has a cool vibe with a Latin influence,” she says. “You can create themes easily around the local culture and surroundings. You can have meals on the beach, even have your conference right on the sand. Something about the surrounding water, soft breezes, warm, comforting air and bright crystal colors add special touches to meetings.”

As Nathalie Cadet-James, founder and CEO at Luxe Fête Event Planning and Design Studio, adds, Miami is a location that meeting and event planners should consider because it is a city with world-class accommodations, beautiful beaches and a vibrant multicultural vibe.

“These are ingredients for a memorable event experience,” says Cadet-James, who recently hosted a corporate group at the Faena Hotel in Miami Beach for a three-day offsite retreat.

“Mornings started with breath work, sound bath and yoga sessions on the beach at sunrise, followed by a traditional Cuban breakfast in one of the hotel’s beautiful restaurants,” Cadet-James says. “Our breakout sessions in various areas of the property made attendees feel like they were on vacation. Our final night of the event, we started at an off-property location and then walked a few blocks (led by flamingo-clad stilt walkers on Ocean Drive) to a full-moon beach-party at the Faena Hotel. No one wanted to leave. Everyone felt the lifetime memories we created. And most important for us, we watched an environment that we created foster genuine connections. Miami makes that easy.”

Two Convention Centers Near Cultural Hot Spots

As Carol Motley, senior vice president of conventions sales and services at Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), explains, Miami and Miami Beach also have state-of-the-art convention centers to meet planners’ needs. The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) features four main exhibition halls, with 491,654 sf, including an elegant 60,000 sf ballroom.

“Meeting planners will find the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) district includes the 5.8-acre Pride Park, across from the MBCC, offering incremental unique event space,” Motley says. “The campus is also home to Miami Beach Botanical Garden and several other attractions for event attendees to enjoy at their leisure or program as part of their event.”

MBCC General Manager Freddie Peterson adds that the MBCC has been renovated to include a new grand ballroom, four junior ballrooms, almost 500,000 sf of exhibition space, an expanded Grand Lobby, pre-function areas that are bathed in natural light, up to 84 breakout rooms and about 800 roof-deck parking spaces.

“The MBCC campus includes two new event spaces: Venu, a space for elegant private events and upscale meetings, and Rum Room, a 1920s restaurant with an enticing tapas-style menu and local South Florida rums,” Peterson says. “The MBCC is proud to have earned Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR Facility Accreditation and LEED Silver Certification as part of the venue’s $640-million-dollar expansion project, which includes many environmentally friendly features.”

In addition to its many meeting spaces, the MBCC is located near amenities that make it a seamless experience for attendees, including fine dining, beaches and world-class cultural attractions. This makes planning events outside of the MBCC effortless and creates a stronger draw for attendees.

Motley also points out that Lincoln Road, which is a short walk from the MBCC, offers eight blocks of walkable outdoor dining and shopping that has become a staple for visitors in Miami Beach. A soon-to-be $60 million reimagining of Lincoln Road will add new fountains, green space and unique event venues.

“For those food-loving delegates, Lincoln Road now offers the culinary event smorgasbord – a culinary fusion event to offer new dining options,” Motley says. “It bills itself as the nation’s largest open-air market. … These attractions are great resources for planners looking to organize creative activities beyond the footprint of traditional meeting spaces.”

Planners can tap into the same memorable experiences that draw leisure travelers to Miami and Miami Beach. “Our multicultural neighborhoods like Little Havana and Little Haiti showcase the traditions, sights, sounds and foods reflective of our diverse and international community,” Motley adds.

Trump National Doral Miami offers more than 100,000 sf of reimagined meeting space, including the 24,000-sf Donald J. Trump Grand Ballroom. Photo courtesy of Trump National Doral Miami

Miami and Miami Beach Offer Some 64,000 Hotel Rooms

Another thing planners can count on in Miami and Miami Beach is global-hotel brands calling the destination home. For example, the Arlo Wynwood, which opened last year, is a 217-room property and is one of the first opened in the cultural district. In addition, there’s the new Loews Coral Gables Hotel, opened last year, with 242 guest rooms as well as a spa, a fitness center and a rooftop pool featuring city views.

“Also, the new Elser Hotel & Residences, which features 646 rooms and suites, all just steps from museums, parks, Art Deco South Beach, the Miami Design District and Wynwood, offers planners expanded options,” Motley says. “In total, Miami and Miami Beach is home to more than 64,000 rooms.”

At the Trump International Beach Resort, the meeting space is spread across two floors in the building, making for quick access to all breakout sessions. The layout also keeps the meeting events separate from the leisure activities. The Ocean Ballroom has views of the ocean, and the Bay Ballroom has a panorama of Miami from Aventura to Bal Harbor. With 22,000 sf of function space to choose, planners can find the right fit for each group. Outdoor options include a lawn space for activities, two pool decks for cocktail receptions and the beach with the open-air Gili’s Beach Club restaurant serving as a unique location near the sand.

The resort has recently completed several renovation projects, including updating all pool and beach cabanas, adding a pool-level spa-cabana, a refresh to the Aquanox Spa with enhanced spa treatments. And it offers live entertainment and recreation activities, including pool DJs, live singers and musicians at dining outlets and the lobby, water sports, Zumba classes and more.

At Trump National Doral Miami, meeting planners have a choice of more than 100,000 sf of reimagined meeting space, including more than 75,000 sf of outdoor space. In addition to state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, groups have access to full-scale production services. Events are complemented by modern accommodations and world-class catering.

The resort also offers four championship golf courses, including the famous Blue Monster, which hosted the PGA Tour for 55 consecutive years, and most recently the 2022 LIV Golf Miami Team Championship. Additionally, groups can enjoy four Har-Tru green clay tennis courts, retail shops and a full-service spa. It also offers different themed yoga and meditation classes every month on the lawn of the Blue Monster, which can offer groups a relaxing break.

In nearby Aventura, the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa boasts a new conference center, featuring 120,000-plus sf of flexible spaces, 40 flexible meeting rooms, two grand ballrooms and vast outdoor terraces and venues. The new conference center offers its own porte cochere and kitchen. The award-wining resort also offers several outdoor terraces with unique features and views of the golf course.

In addition to the new conference center, JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa underwent renovations throughout. A complete $300-million resort-wide renovation added the new 16-story Orchid Tower and 325 guest rooms and suites. Two of the resort’s championship golf courses, Soffer and Miller, have been updated, and there’s the new five-acre waterpark, Tidal Cove.

Of course, The Biltmore Hotel is an ideal meeting and event venue, located in the historic Coral Gables neighborhood. With 23 various meeting spaces, including the hotel and the adjacent Conference Center of the Americas, The Biltmore Hotel, features more than 75,000 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting space. The 11,280 sf of outdoor event space offers environments for gatherings of all types. It includes grand terraces and private outdoor cabanas, which are ideal for breakout sessions.

South Beach. Photo courtesy of the GMCVB

Making the Most of Miami, While Avoiding the Snowbirds

Weinberg advises meeting planners that Miami is still somewhat seasonal with the best weather from December to March, so there are a lot of snowbirds who rent for a month or more during this time, creating traffic at different times of the day.

“There are also currently many building and construction projects in Miami, creating additional traffic considerations when planning,” Weinberg says.

She also advises planners check the Miami Events calendar online to see what large events are scheduled, such as Art Basel Miami Beach in December, South Beach Wine and Food Festival in February, the Ultra Music Festival in March, and others. During such events hotel rates usually increase.

“Depending on the size of the group, contacting the Miami Beach Chamber of  Commerce (MBCC)  or the Greater Miami Visitors & Convention Bureau (GMVCB), who have staff to assist with recommendations, is a great idea as well,” Weinberg says.

For those planning meetings in Miami, Mezrahi suggests looking into the big festivals that are already scheduled, so planners can piggyback.

“For example, if the group consists of foodie lovers, there is the South Beach Wine and Food Festival,” she says. “Or if the group enjoys art, there is Art Deco, Art Basel, etc. For a unique experience that only Miami has to offer, consider The Boat Show, or even the Model Volleyball tournament; and for the Latin lovers, there’s nothing like Calle Ocho to experience the music and the flavors of the Hispanic culture.”  C&IT

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Meeting in Milan. Strategizing in Spain. Incentivizing in Ireland. Over the past several years, changes in the meetings and events industry have created more choices than ever for meetings and incentive programs to be held internationally.

According to Melissa Park, owner of Melissa Park Events, there are many factors to consider when planning international events, but her top five would be: cultural differences, language barriers, regional laws, the event budget and ensuring local promotional messaging.

“What works in one [destination], doesn’t necessarily work in another,” Park says. “If you’re producing a roadshow-style event, it’s imperative that you lean on your local team to review your entire program and make any necessary adjustments to better fit your audience.”

Where you don’t have an existing team, Park stresses that venue suppliers can be a source of reliable information.

Several years ago, Park produced a conference in multiple destinations around the world. In addition to translation requirements, her local contacts recommended that she delay the start time in Japan to mid-morning and run through into the evening, rather than following the standard programming they had been delivering elsewhere.

“The program commenced with keynotes that shared key information and announcements we wanted everyone to hear, so had we not received this helpful tip, we would have been presenting our most important content to an empty room,” Park says.

Another challenge is ensuring your messaging translates in tone and language. In certain destinations, such as New York and Paris, being direct is appreciated; however, this can be interpreted as rude and abrupt in other locations.

“The attendee-experience should be a focal point when planning,” Park says. “Creating Instagrammable moments to encourage attendees to capture a certain element of the event and share it on social media has become as standard as a coffee break. However, did you know that taking selfies and the use of selfie sticks is illegal in many countries around the world? A fact you’d likely never look up before investing in a cool photo opportunity, but could also get you in big trouble without knowing it.”

By taking the time to talk through event plans with key individuals who understand the culture of a particular locale, meeting planners will be able to ask the key question: Is there anything programmed that should be modified or removed altogether?

“Doing so will allow you to quickly learn if any element of your event is not a fit,” Park says.

And when it comes to budgeting for international events, planners should make every dollar work for them. At the same time, it’s imperative that planners communicate to their client that if there’s an economic crisis, they will need backup funds.

“Something like this is completely out of a host’s hands, but unfortunately it’s a real factor that needs to be considered,” Park says.

Thomas Samuels, president of Cardinal Expo, a full-service meetings, trade show and exhibit services company, says when planning international events, a big consideration is accounting for the travel-time and shipping-needs of speakers, exhibitors and attendees.

“People who come to your event from abroad will likely need a little extra time to get over their jet lag before they’re ready to participate in the event,” he says. “If you’re offering a discounted block of hotel rooms associated with your event, make sure that the date range for the deal accounts for this extra time. …If you’re putting up any international speakers or presenters, fly them over at least one full day before your event starts so they can get acclimated. You may also want to send them information in advance about what kind of weather to expect so they pack accordingly.”

If your event includes an expo, Samuels recommends planners make sure that exhibitors from abroad have the time they need to ship internationally their booths and materials. These exhibitors might not be able to get their shipments timed precisely enough to ship directly to the event site, so try to make sure there is a generous window for them to ship to a warehouse in advance. “When your exhibitors are less stressed and have everything they need, the event performs better and benefits exhibitors and attendees alike,” Samuels says.

Meeting planners also need to consider access, says Sue Gill, founder and meeting planner at YES (Your Event Solutions).

“With the reduction of services into regions, it is key to be knowledgeable on the capabilities of access to prevent a chore in the travel aspect and risks for it delaying their conference or event,” Gill says. “They also should take into account not just the facilities of the venue they are booking, but why someone would want to visit that destination, what it has it to offer, what makes it special or unique and more. Make the experiential moments part of the big event.”

Gill and her team at YES have planned many international events in the last three years. Currently, they have a group in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, where they have invited their top 50 customers from the U.K. to enjoy the Alps complete with exclusive ski guides.

“We also offer great lunch and dinner venues, husky sledding and walking the Aiguille du Midi, along with personalized notes and gifting for all winners,” Gill says.

Sue Gill, founder and meeting planner at YES (Your Event Solutions) has planned many international events in the last few years, including Athens, Greece (pictured) and Dubrovnik — located on the Adriatic Sea coast in southern Croatia. Courtesy of Sue Gill

Plan For Challenges: Language and Cultural Barriers

If you’re hosting an event with speakers, exhibitors and attendees from around the world, you should be prepared for the possibility of language barriers and cultural differences. Samuels says one of the great appeals of conferences and other meetings is being able to learn and network, both of which require the ability to communicate.

“Staff your event with translators and interpreters to make sure that all [attendees] are comfortable and can experience the event,” he says. “When planning your event, you might also engage the services of a cultural consultant. This can help you to make sure that your event’s activities do not accidentally offend or clash with someone from another culture, as well as identify opportunities to be more inclusive and welcoming.”

Alyssa Miller Kolat, CMP, director of meetings and logistics at The T!LT Group, says that even when using international chains, contracting terms can differ greatly outside of the U.S. Foremost, there is typically a full-deposit schedule prior to arriving onsite.

“Making those payments and arranging wire transfers with a favorable exchange rate is a gamble,” Kolat says. “Cancellation clauses can favor the hotel, not the client. I have seen clauses that require full payment prior to arrival, including no-show fees for the full booking, in which case, the property double dips the full fee of the stay and is able to resell the room.”

She advises talking through terms and conditions along the site-selection journey.

“You cannot assume that a handshake agreement in the early stages of contracting will be honored,” Kolat says. “Rarely have I seen the ability to negotiate early check-ins, no-show waivers or date changes.”

If you are planning an international event, you’ll have more hoops to jump through. Samuels recommends taking a trip before the event or hiring staff in the country to help you. “You’ll also need to familiarize yourself with any laws or regulations that might affect your event, including permits, safety regulations and insurance requirements,” Samuels says.

Kolat stresses that site inspections do not mirror the onsite experience. If you do not have an opportunity to travel to the location and establish relationships with your suppliers, you are at a disadvantage, she says.

“Properties and DMCs will show you their best on a site inspection, and rightly so, but the on-the-ground experience may lack the customer care that you received while on the site visit,” Kolat says. “Include all the amenities offered during the site visit, and although tedious, take copious notes and photos. Use your time wisely, if you encounter a property and/ or venue opportunity that you find is not a fit, take your onsite champion aside and move on. Travel time and expense are precious. Make the most of it.”

Gill points out another basic challenge involves enticing the potential attendees to travel, after participating virtually for the last few years.

“The availability is tight at many of the locations unless booked far out,” she says. “Leisure travel is booming and the MICE venues are not now reliant on corporate business. Also, rates are higher than pre-COVID, which is a sell job to the end client having to explain cost-of-living increases.”

“Consider a super guest speaker,” Gill suggest. “At the moment, international rugby legend Scott Gibbs is hosting trips and offering incredible personal experiences for the C-suite and coaching. In a nutshell: stand out. Look for ways to do something different when planning international events.”

International Locations To Consider

While many meeting planners set their sights on international favorites such as London, Paris or Tokyo, there are many other gems.

Ireland

With its endless green expanses, spectacular coastlines and welcoming atmosphere, Ireland has become a favorite choice for international meetings and incentive programs. Larger cities, such as Dublin, Killarney and Galway, certainly boast a wealth of venues and accommodations. Ireland also has many smaller gems dotting the Emerald Isle that can host events. Renovated castles, historic hotels and large convention centers offer cultural experiences throughout the country.

According to Meet in Ireland, the official business events brand, the country features two convention centers (Dublin and Killarney), 60,000 hotel rooms and more than 230 venues and hotel-event spaces. It’s home to 1,200 multinational companies.

Hong Kong

Known for its international business community, where English is the first language of business, Hong Kong has emerged as a favorite gathering spot for events in Asia. The region offers easy international travel accommodations and also boasts no VAT-hotel tax, customs tariffs or sales tax, making it a cost-effective option.

The AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong offers a wealth of different spaces for events, including an indoor arena that provides seating for 14,000. Nearby, the Kowloonbay International Trade and Exhibition Center also offers an expansive number of flexible event spaces, including a massive convention center space.

Dubai

While some meeting planners may consider that hosting an event in the Arabian Peninsula is complicated, think again. Dubai has quickly become a beacon for meetings and events in part to its luxurious venues, state-of-the-art technology and rich history.

Recently, Expo City Dubai has emerged as the ideal space for educational, retail, cultural and entertainment experiences. There’s also the Dubai Exhibition Centre, which boasts 468,000 sf of exhibition space. In addition, the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre offers more than 1.3 million sf of event space and is located in the heart of Dubai.

According to Dubai Business Events, the city’s official convention bureau, Dubai provides, “a dynamic business event offering made up of global connectivity, state-of-the-art hotels and venues, first-class infrastructure and great hospitality — in addition to the city’s diverse knowledge base across all industry verticals, including healthcare, education, technology, transport, clean energy, water and space.”

Italy

Italy is teeming with historic gems, but the country also offers some amazing meeting and event options in places like Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice and the Amalfi coast.

As one of Europe’s most visited destinations, Rome is easily accessible from all over the world and offers an extensive railway. One favorite Roman venue for meetings, events and conventions is the Palazzo dei Congressi, which features vast meeting halls and an auditorium. Various Roman hotels also are favorite venues for international meetings and events, offering multi-functional rooms for sessions.

Gatherings in Florence are ideal for groups looking to venture into the Tuscan countryside. Meetings in southern Italy, along the Amalfi Coast, can be lush with breathtaking vistas, cultural experiences and seaside delights.

Singapore

Singapore was recently ranked the Top Asia-Pacific Meeting City by the International Congress and Convention Association, according to the Singapore Tourism Board. Rightfully so. With ease of accessibility, streamlined venue options, excellent connectivity and cultural experiences aplenty, Singapore offers innovative meeting and event travel options. The city’s tourism offerings bode well for attendees who are eager to work some and play some.

The Changi Exhibition Centre, Art Science Museum, Gardens by the Bay and National Gallery Singapore are a few favorite venues among meeting planners.

Korea

Considered to be a top convention destination, Korea celebrates a unique pairing of its cultural traditions and state-of-the-art technology. Accessible from most major international cities, Korea offers a wide range of venue options, vibrant entertainment and enhanced public safety. The country’s wealth of world heritage sites, unique cultural experiences, and beautiful sights and sounds of Korean culture will leave an imprint on attendees. C&IT