Celebrity Edge

Meeting planners who’ve handled the logistics for a meeting or incentive program know how challenging it can be to assemble the many and various pieces for a successful event. Between room blocks, transportation, dining venues, meeting rooms, A/V requirements and activities to appeal to a multifaceted group, fitting together the puzzle pieces requires a commitment of time, energy and money.

But cruise-based programs streamline many elements of event planning. And, by assembling the disparate functions under one umbrella, logistics can be contained and budgeting is more predictable. Meeting planners we’ve spoken to say that such bundling also usually leads to cost savings over comparable land-based meeting options.

No wonder a growing number of companies are finding that corporate events at sea sometimes offer an edge over traditional land-based programs.

THE CRUISE ADVANTAGE

“The No. 1 advantage of a cruise incentive over land is the inclusiveness of the product,” explains Karen Devine, CITP, CEO and founder of Chicago-based 3D Cruise Partners. With a background in hotel, DMC and cruise events, Devine founded her company 15 years ago and specializes in cruise solutions for the meetings industry. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a mass-market line or luxury. The food is included, some or all of your drink is included, A/V is included and there’s function space you don’t have to pay for.”

“The No. 1 advantage of a cruise incentive over land is the inclusiveness of the product.” Karen Devine

Devine continues: “And, you don’t need to worry about losing your participants. You choose the intensive itinerary and bring everybody together in a space and then let them go off on their own. If the client wants a more port-intensive itinerary, they can do that; if it’s more of a meeting group than an incentive, you can choose an itinerary with a couple of sea days.”

The advantages of a cruise aren’t limited to meeting planners. Devine says the participants love them.

“Your participants will unpack once, but they’ll wake up somewhere different every day,” she adds. “You’re giving them multiple experiences, even on a three- or four-night cruise.”

For an incentive program organized on behalf of a national flooring company last year, Devine worked with Silversea, chartering Silver Muse, the line’s newest ship, with capacity for 596 passengers. Featuring eight different restaurants, cabins that start at generous 334 sf, and with a high ratio of crew to passengers, Silver Muse is among the most luxurious ships sailing the seven seas. A twin, Silver Moon, will arrive later this year. “The client needed close to 300 cabins,” Devine says. “One of the beauties of Silversea was their ability to cut and customize a Caribbean itinerary.” The client wanted a five-night itinerary, rather than seven nights, as is customary in the Caribbean, and wanted to sail out of San Juan, an embarkation port that avails a greater variety of nearby islands than the Florida ports. “Of course, to do this, we needed to book about 18-20 months ahead of the operation, just prior to them publishing their schedule.”

She continues, “Something that Silversea excels in is the flexibility they show toward group and charter events — the willingness of the onboard crew to customize. The secret is the willingness of the client to allow the ship to do what it does best.”

Most cruise ships built today do not have a single space where all passengers can congregate — even the theater and main dining room are not usually designed to accommodate all passengers at once. This can be a problem for a chartering group that wants to gather all passengers at one time.

“Although Royal Caribbean ships have conference centers, most ships don’t,” Devine explains. “So you’re looking at using a lounge space or theater. Make sure they block that space — usually during contract.”

Devine continues, “One of things we had to do with Silver Muse was identify a space that fit everybody, and the only space was the top deck. The client had hired a decor and entertainment company that caters to ships to design an incredible, beautiful deck event. The challenge: What if it rained? Well, just as we were setting up, it poured. Somehow, we were able to move the entire event inside. But then, after the rain stopped, the crew moved all of the event decor back out onto the deck for an after-party, with all the centerpieces and florals.”

In terms of cost, how do cruise programs compare against traditional land-based events? Devine says the important comparison is bottom line.

“You can’t look at room rate against cruise fare,” Devine suggests. “Take it to the bottom line, look at the inclusiveness. A cruise includes all your food, all your entertainment and, in some cases, your shore excursions. There aren’t many hotel programs that are going to provide all that. On an apples-to-apples comparison, the cruise is going to win every single time.”

 MEETINGS AT SEA ON THE RISE  

In its annual State of the Industry report, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced that the number of passengers projected to cruise in 2020 will reach 32 million, up almost 30% over the last five years, fueled by a growing supply of new and bigger ships.

That value-added proposition Devine cites is helping the industry sell an increasing number of cabins to the corporate and incentive market, according to industry insiders.

A record 25 new ocean cruise ships will debut in 2020, according to Cruise Industry News. These range from Scarlet Lady, the first of three 2,860-passenger ships for Virgin Voyages, to the inaugural ship from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Evrima. From luxe, Zodiac-equipped expedition vessels, like Ponant’s 180-passenger Le Bellot and its twin Le Jacques Cartier, to crowd-pleasing Carnival Cruise Line’s 5,200-passenger Mardi Gras debuting this fall. But with so many brands, where does one start?

“Choosing a cruise is like matchmaking,” suggests Jeffrey Broudy, president of Philadelphia-based United Incentives Inc., a company that has been in the group incentive space since 1984. “It requires a deep understanding of the clients and cruise lines culture, values, benefits, proximity and style. In essence, it is a decision to align brands.”

He continues, “In the incentive space, while there may be a meeting, the experience is a reward. It’s an exchange for extraordinary performance. Our goal is to actively engage our participants in a way that reinforces the brand promise of their sponsor. Even while surrounded by 4,000 of your closest friends, on cruises there is a greater sense of community, surprise and shared experiences that drives home the value of achievement.”

A recent project for dealers had Broudy seeking an aspirational destination, along with a cruise line that would amplify that experience. The solution? An Alaska itinerary aboard Celebrity Solstice last summer.

“The typical cruise features a good itinerary, embarkation port, pricing and accommodations,” Broudy says. “Based on timing, we needed a round trip out of Seattle — a ship with the facilities to have multiple private cocktail receptions and a large general session, and very strong F&B and CSM teams that understood the value of corporate groups. Once we identified the cruise lines with the physical requirements, we had to narrow down the choices based on the brand alignment. And nothing speaks to brand alignment as clearly as culture. Our experience is that Celebrity Cruises is a brand both humble and hungry, which aligns nicely to our client’s persona.”

Adds Broudy, “We didn’t want to charter a smaller ship and felt Celebrity Solstice would make our 700 participants feel special, heard and accommodated.” The 2,850-passenger ship offers six different restaurants, eight bars, and lounges ranging from a sunset perch to an ice-topped bar, plus a lush Canyon Ranch spa and sprawling fitness center. The 12-year old ship, which alternates seasonally between various regions of the Pacific, is due for an extensive renovation next year.

Unique elements of Broudy’s program for this global luxury brand included fitting in general sessions with heavy audiovisual requirements within the ship’s rigid structured entertainment program. “This effort requires a deep knowledge of tech and onboard equipment among clients, planners, cruise line operations and ship operations,” he says. “Another unique requirement we had was securing and scheduling a custom, invitation-only entertainment experience. Celebrity succeeded on both counts.”

Broudy continues, “One thing I love about Celebrity Cruises is how they reward a ship’s crew with cash bonuses based on the sailing’s total passenger satisfaction rating, as well as recognizing the individual crew members with rewards and recognition. In this way, all passengers are served well instead of those who are just tipping heavily. Celebrity Solstice is a great ship, and the customer-facing experience defines the cruise, not necessarily the ‘wow’ public spaces or gadgetry.”

He adds, “Participants come home and talk about how they felt. — a measure very much on the agenda for Celebrity Cruises.”

In 2018, Celebrity debuted the well-received Celebrity Edge, the line’s first new ship in six years. This spring, a sibling arrives — Celebrity Apex, another ship that will continue many of the design concepts that made the 2,910-passenger Edge a hit — innovative accommodations that meld indoor and outdoor living, a terraced pool deck, rooftop garden, and a ‘Magic Carpet’ on the right side that is a tender boat access and a dining option. Both Edge-class ships, like most of the Celebrity fleet, have dedicated meeting venues — in this case, the 1,970-sf Meeting Place, situated to provide ocean views. The space can be configured for general sessions, conferences, banquets or cocktail seating, and is equipped with top-notch audiovisual technology.

MORE NEW INVENTORY

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is about to launch its second Explorer-class ship, Seven Seas Splendor, to be christened by godmother Christie Brinkley. The ship continues the opulence exhibited aboard Seven Seas Explorer, which arrived to much fanfare a few years ago. Splendor will similarly boast about a $5 million art collection featuring works by Picasso, Miro and others, lavish suites, including the 4,443-sf Regent Suite, and a Culinary Arts Kitchen with 18 stations for hands-on gourmet cooking demonstrations. A sixth Explorer-class ship will arrive for the Regent fleet in 2023.

Regent is but one jewel in the crown of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. Oceania Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) round out the company’s complete inventory, for a total of 28 ships. Each of the lines cater to a unique audience, and Katina Athanasiou, Norwegian’s chief sales officer, works to match planners with the right brand and ship for their audience and budget.

A two-year, $100 million refurbishment of the entire six-ship Oceania fleet will be completed this year, when Nautica comes out of dry dock following a reimagining designed to create a more modern, sophisticated and airy feel. Also on the horizon: two new, $650 million ships, the Allura-class, have been ordered. The 1,200-passenger ships will be delivered in 2022 and 2025.

NCL’s largest ship ever, the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Encore, arrived last fall and, following a brief building hiatus, the line will have six new ships debuting annually again starting in 2022. During Norwegian Encore’s inaugural call to NCL’s private, 270-acre Bahamian island Great Stirrup Cay, the company introduced Silver Cove, an oceanfront lagoon with a Mandara Spa and 38 air-conditioned beachfront villas. The villas range from studios to one- and two-bedroom villas, each equipped with a full bathroom, daybed, club chairs, TV with on-demand entertainment and outdoor patio and lounge seating.

Terry Purcell, senior account executive, CIS, CIPT, MBA at Maritz Global Events, was tasked with overseeing an incentive program for a manufacturing group last year. The size: 1,650 attendees with a variety of ages — from young children to those at or near retirement. Fortunately, Purcell had two full years of lead time for planning, choosing Royal Caribbean based on a past successful experience.

“This group used Allure of the Seas 10 years ago and they gave the ship high marks,” Purcell says. “The newer Symphony of the Seas offered enhancements including specialty restaurants new Broadway entertainment, state-of-the-art technology, ice shows and activities that would entertain any age group.”

Symphony of the Seas is not quite a twin of Allure — the new ship is slightly larger, holding 5,518 passengers, the largest capacity at sea, meaning Purcell’s group represented about a quarter of the overall passengers. Symphony of the Seas has four conference rooms holding up to 369 guests, plus decks, lounges and three theaters with seating accommodating up to 1,411, meaning there were plenty of places for the participants to gather.

“Royal Caribbean permitted several buyouts of the Boardwalk,” Purcell says. “They provided exclusive ice shows, a private Broadway show, a performance in the Aqua Theater, plus exclusive use of the Solarium for receptions. This meant the group was together daily, so that leadership could express their thanks for their loyalty.”

Purcell says the exclusive access provided by Royal Caribbean even allowed ample time for branding each event, highlighting the sponsoring company of the incentive program.

Adds Purcell, “The attitude of the ship’s leadership was ‘All hands on deck,’ to assure that even the smallest detail was not overlooked. Since this program was in its planning stages for 24 months, there was seamless support, including from the corporate office, to assure no communications were lost between land/ship during such a long process.”

Devine says that such intensive planning, coupled with on-board research, is critical to a successful cruise event.

“It can be incredibly intimidating,” Devine says. “Where do you start? How do you even know where to start?”

She continues, “The most common comment I hear planners come back with ‘They wish they had known the onboard experience better.’ Some don’t do a site inspection. When you get on a ship and the ship sails away, you’re on a city by itself.”

Devine adds, “It’s ideal to sail, but people don’t always have the time for that. But you can do a day visit. Go on the ship when it’s in port — meet the people, see the spaces, have lunch, get a feel for the F&B and get an idea of the service level. Then, you can’t say you didn’t know what the ship was like. Frankly, push the buttons. If you see something you like, like a function space, or a special cabin, or something on the menu, ask for it. So much can get accomplished in a five- or six-hour day visit.”

 OTHER CRUISE LINES

Crystal Cruises offers eight ships across its luxury fleet, which includes: two ocean liners, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony; four river ships, Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Ravel; one yacht, Crystal Esprit; and one expedition ship, Crystal Endeavor.

Want to take a river cruise along the Danube in Budapest or the Rhine in Amsterdam? Crystal’s river cruises offer tantalizing excursions in some of Europe’s most beautiful and historic cities. Enjoy the Serenity or Symphony on ocean cruises from Quebec City to Miami or from Rome to Barcelona.

In a nod to sustainability issues, Crystal has eliminated plastic straws across its entire fleet of ocean and river ships as well as Crystal Esprit. Crystal is also committed to preserving and serving the communities they visit. The cruise company has partnered with Clean the World, the toiletry recycling program that fights deadly illness in sanitation-challenged communities. C&IT

Brooklyn Bowl in Las Vegas hosts both big-name concerts and private events, with 32 bowling lanes on site and space for up to 2,500 attendees.

“I love it when a venue can help create wonderful memories for my attendees,” says Lupe Downing, senior sales event manager at Quotient Technology Inc., summing up why a venue’s unique characteristics matter.

Whether that unique quality derives from the venue’s location, decor, architecture, history, ambience or other attributes, the result is the same. A venue that takes attendees away from the ordinary and into the extraordinary creates memories that stay with them long after the event — and helps them to retain the goals and purpose of the event as well.

“I love it when a venue can help create wonderful memories for my attendees,” Lupe Downing

As lovely as some ballrooms, pool decks and event lawns can be, they’re all essentially the same, and it doesn’t take even a novice attendee long to experience them as ‘same old.’ That’s exactly why planners are always on the lookout for that singular venue that stands out and elevates an event far above the expected.

WINE CAVE

Quotient Technology Inc.’s national sales meeting early last year, which included 188 attendees, was set at Meritage Resort and Spa in California’s Napa Valley. To start, the destination and resort were an excellent fit for this group.

“Napa Valley is always an appealing location, especially since my group comes from all over the United States,” Downing says. “And the resort checked off many boxes of things I was looking for to run a successful program. It encompasses everything needed to create a great experience for a large, diverse group. Its amenities, charm, layout and service level make it a top choice for my program.”

And, she adds, “While the Meritage is tucked away in a business park, you would never know it. You truly feel like you’re in a fancy resort in wine country. It does a great job of marrying wine country appeal and business.”

Downing notes that having two ballrooms available to her was ideal as it allowed for multiple breakouts and varying setups required for different parts of the meeting. “Two ballrooms met the needs of our ever-changing schedule. From a boardroom meeting to a large general session and everything in between, the resort was able to accommodate.”

Within the resort’s 80,000 sf of indoor and outdoor event space, Downing says Carneros Ballroom is a favorite. “Carneros Ballroom was my go-to choice as it’s beautiful, well laid out and fit all of my breakout needs as well.”

But Spa Terra and Grand Estate Cave really set the bar high for the meeting. “The spa and wine cave are true jewels of the property,” Downing says. “My guests were wowed by them.”

The wine cave served as the setting for an awards dinner. Approximately 125 guests attended. Downing describes the set-up as a mix of tall and low farm tables, benches and chairs, as well as a small stage for the DJ, a dance floor, buffet/bar and selfie wall. “There was white with green ambience up-lighting, and the decor was simple and rustic, with plaid linens and succulent centerpieces.”

The group used A/V for sound, “and there were videos playing on a few LCD screens on poles,” Downing notes. “The wine cave at The Meritage, while being a unique venue, lends itself well for a variety of events. No matter what takes place here, the one constant is its warm and welcoming ambiance.”

In addition to the wine cave, Downing points out that there are other exceptional spots for different kinds of activities. “We can’t forget bowling at Crush Lounge, the resort’s casual venue with six bowling lanes, and there’s the well-thought-out [tasting] Village across the street,” she says.

She added that her attendees also appreciated, “wine upon check-in, being able to walk in a vineyard and all of the resort’s unique spaces.”

To anyone considering the Meritage Resort and Spa, Downing says, “Absolutely utilize the unique venue spaces. Get creative as to where you host your meeting; weather permitting, use the outside venues. Your guests will love it. Crush Lounge and the taco truck for a casual event are a must. There are also several great wineries not far from the resort in Carneros Valley, including Domaine Carneros, Artesa and Etude, all of which can handle large groups, so you’re covered.”

My goal, she says, “is always to bring this group together in a setting where they can have successful, impactful, motivating meetings while also having an equal balance of taking in the local culture, cuisine and more. The Meritage Resort and Spa has exactly what’s needed.”

INDOOR ‘GARDEN’

Kathryn Gleesing, MBA, CMP, president and CEO of DM-Connection & Events in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, worked with a corporate group from Georgia last fall. There were 450 attendees and the group was based at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center.

“Milwaukee in a very affordable and accessible destination and is centrally located within a day’s drive of 1/3 of the U.S. population,” Gleesing says. “Milwaukee provides great value for your meeting dollar with hotel, food and beverage, and top-notch entertainment options, for attendees. With hotel rooms connected by skywalk to the convention center and additional rooms within a 1⁄2 mile of the center, Milwaukee has hotel properties to meet any need. There are also more than 200 restaurants in downtown Milwaukee, providing plenty of food options. Fiserv Forum, the new state-of-the art arena and home to the Milwaukee Bucks, hosts many top-name concert acts, and there’s also a theater district downtown where you can enjoy a Broadway play.”

The Hilton Milwaukee City Center is connected by skywalk to the Wisconsin Center and centrally located downtown, making it a good location for the group. But when it was time to choose a space for a reception, the choice was The Garden, across the river.

“The venue was chosen because my client wanted a unique space for a reception with the option to take attendees to a restaurant close by. This venue and restaurant are owned by the same group, so it worked out well for the private event. The space has a floor-to-ceiling sculpture and a lighting system that will turn the sculpture into any color for the event. In this case, my client wanted a gold tone look to complement the decor we selected for the evening reception.”

This group, Gleesing adds, “always seeks out unique venues for its event. We were on the hunt a year before the conference to identify and book that unique space, and we eventually found it at The Garden.”

It was definitely a success. “The attendees loved The Garden and commented on the decor, lighting and entertainment we had that evening, the Jenny Thiel Trio,” Gleesing says. “We used lighting to provide warmth to the room, and added elements in the linens and table decor and furniture to pull in the upscale sophistication theme for the evening. The addition of a light jazz trio for background music really brought the room alive while still allowing attendees to mingle.”

Gleesing says staff at The Garden was responsive on the evening of the event and helped make everything run smoothly. “And the waitstaff/bartenders at Carnevor restaurant were exceptional and worked well together as each pre-selected entrée was served to the guests”

Gleesing encourages planners to consider The Garden, as well as Milwaukee itself, which she says has many unique spaces from which to choose. “Milwaukee is a hidden gem sitting on the shores of Lake Michigan, otherwise known as ‘The Fresh Coast.’ Being home to many famous beer barons, a favorite place to hold a small reception is the historic Miller Caves, an underground area within the MillerCoors Brewery complex. There’s also the Capt. Frederick Pabst Mansion, an 1892 historic mansion where many themes and costumes can make your event memorable. And you can hold a street party on the grounds of the Harley-Davidson Museum,” Gleesing says.

In addition, she adds, “There’s Discovery World, a new pavilion event space where you can have a thunderstorm during your event and not get wet and Milwaukee County Zoo, where you can have a ‘feast with the beasts.’”

VISIT Milwaukee, the city’s CVB, also has a list of new meeting and event venues, as well as venues that have recently been renovated or updated. Once you choose a venue, Gleesing advises planners to work with local experts who know the city, including a preferred catering vendor. “They know the venue well and can be a great resource for your event,” she says.

HISTORIC STABLE

In San Antonio, Texas, there are also many venues that could rightly be labeled unique. River Walk is a one-of-a-kind place for an event. But Kimberly Wichern, owner of Brentwood, Tennessee-based Regius Events, has another option that also fits that bill: Pearl Stable. That’s where she organized a function for a group of 120 based at Omni La Mansión del Rio. “My client’s attendees are primarily West Coast-based, so the San Antonio area is conducive and cost effective for air travel. In addition, the Southwestern climate and River Walk venue allowed for numerous after-hours leisure activities,” Wichern says.

With nearly all major carriers offering multiple daily flights into the city, she says, “San Antonio is easily accessible. The Omni La Mansión del Rio is beautifully situated along the popular River Walk, providing access to restaurants, nightlife, shopping and activities all within walking distance. This convenience mitigates much of the additional transportation costs associated with large group meetings.”

The Pearl Stable, located north of downtown, is a 22-acre, mixed-use site that served as a brewery operation from 1883 to 2001. The historic site was a rather grand home to the brewery’s draft horses in the late 1800s. The fact that the client was in the international agriculture industry made it a good fit, but the complex has great appeal for other reasons as well.

“As a mixed-use destination, the Pearl Stable offered the attendees a wide variety of on-site dining, shopping and entertainment options while also accommodating the client’s specific conference and business needs,” Wichern says. “The proximity to River Walk and downtown San Antonio added another layer of multifaceted entertainment that covered the full spectrum of individual tastes.”

She says the history behind Pearl Stable added to the intrigue and appeal to her client. “This venue was a perfect blend of rustic charm with modern conveniences. The spacious dining areas were complemented by some of the original fixtures, which added to the allure,” Wichern says.

They looked at a number of venues in the San Antonio area, but Pearl Stable checked all the right boxes. “The Pearl Stable stood out as a unique combination of functional dining and mingling areas with a rustic charm and comfortable feel. It also allowed for a variety of conversation areas to accommodate different group sizes, which made it ideal for my client. I’m always looking for that ‘wow’ factor for my clients when I plan an event, and The Pearl Stable gave my attendees just that,” Wichern says.

The group used the lower-level dining area and the foyer/entry for initial gatherings and networking. Some guests explored the upper level for viewing and photos. “Our clients were very pleased with Pearl Stable, from both a business functionality perspective, and entertainment and leisure perspective,” Wichern notes. “We received comments about the unique charm and appeal the venue has.”

To planners considering The Pearl Stable, she advises, “Be sure to take advantage of the available space and layout options to maximize the effectiveness of your meetings. Think outside the box when it comes to speakers, presentations or award ceremonies. The Pearl Stable is a unique and impressive venue that Regius would recommend without reservation.”

MORE UNIQUE VENUES

Happily for planners, destinations across the country and beyond have out-of-the-ordinary spaces. In New York City, there’s only one Grand Central Station, an impressive architectural gem with its vaulted painted ceilings, arches, tiles and chandeliers. Vanderbilt Hall, off the 42nd Street and Park Avenue entrance, is a stunning space ideal for corporate receptions and events. It can be viewable to the public, such as for product launches, or closed off for a very private awards or fundraising affair. It also hosts corporate-sponsored indoor sports events.

Ellis Island and Liberty Island need no introduction as unique settings. Because they are national monuments, working with a local DMC familiar with regulations governing their use is highly recommended. Small groups might choose the conference space overlooking Ellis Island’s Great Hall or the newer Statue of Liberty Museum. The islands accommodate 50 to 1,200 attendees.

Not only does Baha Mar in the Bahamas have three distinct hotels — Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, SLS Baha Mar and Rosewood Baha Mar — it also has a private island and two yachts. Long Cay is a 15-acre island a short boat ride from the hotels, where attendees can relax in the sun, splash in the sea, get massages, play sports, dine and sip tropical drinks. The island is fully staffed with butlers and attendants — and is ideal for an activity-filled day trip or barefoot-elegant cocktail party. Don’t forget the sunscreen and logoed hats, towels or beach cover-ups.

The 213-foot Eternity I and 65-foot Eternity II can remain docked or sail through the turquoise waters while guests enjoy cocktails and the sublime views. Both can also accommodate single-day or multi-day private trips for groups. Eternity I has a 20-foot pool and every luxury appointment desired — including onboard staff to cater to participants.

Industrial loft conversions may share architectural attributes, but they’re not all the same. The 15,000-sf Moonlight Studios in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood provides an urban chic ambience with exposed brick walls and high ceilings and can be divided between multiple rooms. The largest space is 6,000 sf. Complimentary basic lighting, traveling I-beam crane system, high-capacity rigging system, catwalks and Wi-Fi are available.

Greenhouse Loft in Avondale is the choice for groups with sustainability as a priority. With LEED Platinum certification, it’s Chicago’s most sustainable meeting and event venue. Hardwood floors, refurbished vintage furniture and soaring, floor-to-ceiling windows provide an inspired backdrop. The glasshouse and loft portions together accommodate 250 attendees for a reception or 200 theater-style. The 8,000-sf outdoor garden can be reserved for private events after 5 p.m.

Brooklyn Bowl in Las Vegas is undeniably cool with its vintage design and 32 bowling lanes. The space accommodates up to 2,500 attendees and there are VIP areas if privacy is key. No fancy dining here; it’s all about comfort food with fried chicken and traditional sides. Production capabilities are state-of-the-art.

At The Neon Museum, the huge collection of iconic Las Vegas signs is the unique backdrop for business events. The facility can handle up to 250. If you book the outdoor ‘boneyard’ space, you’ll have access to a security team.

Located downtown, MEET Las Vegas accommodates up to 1,000 and offers plenty of tech options, including digital media displays and excellent Wi-Fi connectivity. The three-story, 40,000-sf venue can be customized to a planner’s specifications, meaning a group can use it more than once and have a different experience each time.

The 1,500-acre Presidio in San Francisco offers glorious close-up views of the Golden Gate Bridge. A former military post, many of the Presidio’s original structures remain, and a golf course is among the amenities. Planners have multiple unique spaces to choose from, including the Golden Gate Club, Log Cabin, Commissary and Presidio Officer’s Club. Built in 1949, the Golden Gate Club’s options include a buyout of all 8,587 sf accommodating up to 845 attendees, or booking individual spaces range from 300 sf to 2,736 sf. The Log Cabin was constructed in 1937. Rustic with a Spanish red-tile roof, this popular venue accommodates up to 200 standing, 150 for a banquet. There’s also a classroom, theater and boardroom, along with outdoor space.

The James R. Herman Cruise Terminal at Pier 27 has been the setting for many spectacular events. The massive terminal can accommodate up to 4,000 cruise ship passengers, but when no ship is in port, it serves as a nearly blank canvas for whatever theme, decor or entertainment a planner can imagine. Multiple entrance lobbies allow for multiple events; security screening equipment is available for high-security functions, and there are mobile check-in booths. Highly flexible, the space can be divided in multiple ways.

In San Diego, the USS Midway Museum’s most impressive space is the massive 4-acre flight deck rising 50 feet above the water and featuring a 360-degree panorama, restored naval aircraft and remarkable history. Attendee capacity is up to 4,000 for receptions, up to 1,200 for seated functions. Indoors, the hangar deck gives attendees the opportunity to climb into a variety of cockpit exhibits and experience a flight simulator. It accommodates 150 to 1,500 depending on the format. Multiple conference and breakout rooms can also be booked in the ship’s meeting center.

Setting a function in a unique space enhances any event. It takes a little research, but the good news for planners is that it’s possible to find them in nearly every destination. C&IT

Kingsmill Resort offers a nice mix of Golf & Spa activities for attendees.

With the ongoing frantic pace of life, corporate professionals continue to seek ways to alleviate stress and rejuvenate their minds, bodies and spirits. As a result, many meeting planners are considering golf and spa resorts as the ideal venue. Not only do these locales offer exemplary meeting spaces, but they also provide ample amenities to work and play.

For Sheri Trotter, senior vice president of Programs & Special Events at Williamsburg, Virginia-based Snow Companies, Kingsmill Resort, in Williamsburg, offered her 300 attendees what they wanted in a resort for the company’s annual Employee Appreciation Party.

“We are a local company and we needed an exceptional venue for such a special event to honor our employees for a job well done,” she says. “The water view is magical. It provides a certain level of peace when on breaks or when having a meal and, after hours of meetings, that is a great respite. And it automatically comes with every package.”

Kingsmill has two 18-hole golf courses — The River Course and The Plantation Course — and offers the Golf Channel Academy. The Spa at Kingsmill offers facials, massages, body wraps, and salon and beauty treatments, as well as wellness and body treatments.

“Kingsmill is a location where your group will get the business done and will be able to relax as well,” Trotter says. “The amenities offered, the environmental beauty and the attention to detail from all aspects makes a well-rounded meeting/event.”

She adds, “We used a considerable amount of the event space at Kingsmill. The flow is exceptional, ambience is lovely and the service is always spot on. Now, let me tell you about the food. It isn’t your typical conference facility food; it is so much more. It is fresh, creative, plentiful and always good, really good. The culinary crew is very good at what they do.”

Craig Dooley, president at SDI Meetings and Incentives, says golf and spa resorts offer a memorable experience for meeting attendees. As Dooley explains, every meeting and event, no matter the size, requires the basic components — the building blocks to make it productive and valuable for the attendees and the organization.

“The environment in which you wrap those basics are what make good and productive meetings/events great and memorable experiences, and resorts with golf and spa services allow the planner attractive ways to do just that,” Dooley says. Regardless of destination, two of the more popular activities tend to be the spa — and by extension the trendier ‘wellness’ — and golf, so resorts that offer them can help to increase attendance with one or both of them appealing to the attendees.

Krista Emmons, CMP, operations manager of Meetings & Events at Travel Leaders Corporate, has planned both high-level leadership conferences and incentive groups at golf and spa resorts. As such, Emmons says that if leisure activities are incorporated into the meeting or event, hosting an event at a golf/spa resort can help reduce costs as the events are on property, eliminating additional costs of transportation.

“In addition, golf/spa discounts, inclusions and additional concessions can be negotiated during the contractual phase,” Emmons says. If leisure events are optional, the location provides easy access for free time activities for attendees or for potential guests who are not participating in the official program.

Sarah Pinkowski, CMP, meetings manager of the Meetings & Travel department at Enterprise Holdings Inc. in St. Louis, Missouri, recently held an event at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida for about 650 attendees. She looks for venues that provide a high level of customer service.

“Our events are primarily for our employees, and Enterprise has high customer service expectations of its employees, so we look for partners that also value and deliver it well,” Pinkowski says. “Rosen Shingle Creek has been a reliable partner to us since they opened their doors. They know our attendees, anticipate our needs and deliver in every area of their hotel. Their meeting space is ample and allows us to deliver content in a comfortable learning environment. And their culinary and banquet teams work seamlessly together to deliver exceptional dining experiences to large groups. They have fantastic guest rooms, various restaurants, unique shops, a relaxing spa and a beautiful golf course — the total package. In addition, we are able to keep all of our attendees under one roof due to their expansive footprint.”

With the help of Rosen Shingle Creek and Hello! Florida teams, Enterprise Holdings designed two evening events. One took place after the awards ceremony on the Gatlin Terrace, the other took place in the pool areas. “The Rosen’s outdoor areas, exceptional staff and delicious food and beverage options achieved our goal of allowing attendees plenty of time and space to connect with each other but also gave them the chance to get outside and enjoy the beautiful fall Orlando weather,” Pinkowski says.

Pinkowski stresses that golf and spa resorts tend to have unique spaces to host a variety of events with varying group sizes. In the past, Enterprise Holdings has arranged golf tournaments and spa activities for different audiences and meetings. “We’ve included a chipping or putting contest with an outdoor reception,” Pinkowski says. “Having these options on property gives variety to our planned activities, and saves time and money in transfer fees versus other off-site options.”

Golf and spa resorts are great destinations for meetings and events mostly because they offer built-in connection activities. Heather Pilcher, CSEP, CMP, CEO and executive producer at Blue Spark Event Design, says her clients consistently tell her that if you can spend 5 1/2 hours on a golf course with a potential or current customer, you provide an opportunity to make a stronger connection with them. “It’s important to help your attendees bond over a common experience, whether it be getting refreshed or relaxed in a spa together or by lifting the competitive spirit at a game — that even the most unathletic folks can play,” Pilcher says. “Plus, there’s always driving the golf cart if you want to connect, but don’t want to play. Whether the event is small or large, both activities are great options for conference attendees.”

GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL

Having a meeting or event at a golf resort sets the tone for a meeting. As Carolyn Davis, CMP, owner at Strategic Meeting Partners LLC in San Diego, California, says, compared to a meeting in a downtown convention hotel, a golf- or spa-oriented event speaks volumes as to what an attendee can expect. “These resorts lend themselves to a more health-conscious meeting,” Davis says. “They speak to wellness through exercise and relaxation.”

These resorts lend themselves to a more health-conscious meeting,” Carolyn Davis 

One such resort is Sea Island, a golf resort in Georgia that has been providing memorable golf experiences since 1928. In addition, the island resort offers 42,000 sf of flexible indoor meeting space for groups from 5 to 500, as well as a wealth of outdoor meeting venues. Two of Sea Island’s golf courses — Seaside and Plantation — are the site of the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic.

“Courses are beginning to understand the dynamics of meetings and events, and are tailoring their offerings to accommodate differently skilled players and non-golfers in the mix,” Davis says.

Twice a year, The OrthoForum, a national physician specialty organization, holds conferences to allow attendees to engage in activities that advance each group’s presence in its local and regional market through benchmarking, innovation, business ventures, networking and best practices.

According to Tina Cakmes, director of conferences, The OrthoForum is a loyal customer of The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, California — having a conference at the resort annually since 2014, with attendance ranging from 200 to 500. “The OrthoForum members always prefer first-class accommodations, top-notch service starting from pre-conference planning, to ease of check-in, excellent banquet service and unmatched customer service,” Cakmes says. “The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel always exceeds our expectations.” As Cakmes explains, after long days in meetings, these types of resorts provide OrthoForum attendees with many options to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of a golf/spa resort.

“This allows them to be refreshed and productive for the next day,” Cakmes says. “We have always enjoyed using a golf/spa resort for our meetings, even though we sometimes alternate to a city location. We find that the hustle and bustle of the large city can take away from the focus of the meeting, and even affect attendance at our evening social events.” Cakmes suggests meeting planners take advantage of what the resort has to offer in their planning. For example, Laguna Niguel has such spectacular weather that “The OrthoForum is able to plan all of our meals outside, looking over the California coastline.”

Because of its ocean proximity, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel features spa treatments borrowed from the ocean to restore balance and nurture the body. The spa features marine collagen, sea salt, smoothed beach stones and seaweed among other natural ingredients.

There is also a collection of top golf courses located around the resort, though many guests choose to play at the adjacent Monarch Beach Golf Links only minutes from the hotel. Among the few ocean courses in the area, Monarch Beach offers a Scottish links-style course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. that presents players with sweeping ocean views.

Located about 90 minutes north of Los Angeles, and tucked within the Topa Mountains, lies the Ojai Valley Inn — a favorite among meeting planners looking for an exquisite golf/spa meeting venue. The resort recently introduced The Farmhouse at Ojai Valley Inn, a 20,000-sf epicurean event center, connecting world-class food culture, indoor/outdoor settings and various events.

The Ojai Valley Inn’s year-round activities include golf on the George C. Thomas Jr.-designed 18-hole championship course and unlimited use of the resorts’ driving range, a full-service tennis center with four hard courts, and swimming, or lounging, at four heated swimming pools and whirlpools. The Inn’s 31,000-sf day spa is the focal point of the resort and boasts two pools, a fully equipped workout room, mind and body studio, spa boutique and an artist’s cottage.

The Southwestern U.S. offers a wealth of spa resorts that have made a name for themselves within the corporate and incentive travel industry. Once such property is The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale. Together, The Phoenician and The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician — the property’s AAA Five Diamond/Forbes Five Star boutique hotel on the resort grounds — can accommodate meetings of all sizes and needs. Combined with the resort’s breathtaking setting at the base of Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale Arizona, the property is able to host signature events designed to exceed each group’s expectations year after year.

And to make the attendee experience that much better, The Phoenician and The Canyon Suites recently completed an extensive three-year transformation — the largest in the resort’s 31-year history. The property was refreshed, with a redesigned main lobby, lounge, pool area, guest rooms and retail corridor; new restaurants; a premiere, three-story Phoenician Spa; a new, two-story construction, The Phoenician Athletic Club, featuring a 4,600-sf fitness center with tennis and pickleball courts, and a restructured 18-hole golf course.

Redesigned and rerouted, The Phoenician Golf Club is an 18-hole course that creates more of a contiguous pattern of play and showcases the beauty of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. There is also a new Club Car featuring the ‘Shark Experience,’ which allows golfers to stream music, live sports, news and entertainment and Greg Norman golf tips. The Phoenician Golf Club also offers updated locker rooms and a refreshed 19th Hole snack shop.

Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale, Curio Collection by Hilton also offers top-notch golf and spa amenities. Its two courses — the 6,811-yard North Course and the South Course, at 6,726 yards — feature boulder formations and other natural, Sonoran Desert terrain that offers challenging play for golfers of all skill levels. In addition, players can get a lesson taught by expert PGA- and LPGA-certified instructors. Attendees looking to relax via a shamanic tipi, meditation labyrinth, organic garden and/or reflecting pond should visit the 33,000-sf spa, which offers  24 treatment rooms, a spa café and learning center.

MAKING THE MOST OF A GOLF-SPA EXPERIENCE

As the golf arena continues to evolve, golf course owners and operators recognize the need to customize their offerings to help make golf events memorable for all involved. Set in the Cheyenne Mountains, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado makes a concerted effort to entice all members of a group — golfers and non-golfers alike — to participate in various activities to make a memorable experience for all. Recently, The Broadmoor announced that they would soon be offering a luxurious trade show and exhibition hall. Set to debut this spring, the more than 110,000 sf of exhibition space and associated breakout rooms will continue The Broadmoor’s reputation of being a top destination for events.

Of course, The Broadmoor’s two iconic golf courses are ranked among the best in the world. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Donald Ross, these award-winning courses are ideal for golfers of all levels. And, after a round or two of golf, attendees can enjoy visiting together in the 185,000 sf of event space within The Broadmoor’s exquisite meeting areas.

Paulina Curto, manager of the Meetings & Events team at Cvent, says that golf/spa resorts continue to be popular options for meetings and events simply because they typically offer such a wide range of unique offerings and activities. Additionally, many attendees like to blend their business events with their leisure travel — ‘bleisure’ — and booking a venue that caters to a family or leisure vacation can encourage greater event attendance.

“For larger groups, golf/spa resorts offer more options and greater flexibility in accommodating a wide array of needs and schedules while, for smaller groups, these types of resorts often host exclusive experiences like private tee times, custom fitness classes or spa parties — ‘sparties’ — where smaller groups get the VIP treatment in a private area of the spa. The options are endless,” Curto says.

So how can meeting planners make a golf and spa experience not only productive but also pleasant? Dooley suggests the following:

• Pre-block spa and golf tee times to allocate to your attendees.

• Use the event’s web registration system to gather interest and finalize participation.

• Negotiate spa and golf discounts for your group.

• Identify optional wellness activities related to the spa that can be offered as group activities, such as yoga or meditation sessions.

Also, check any routine maintenance for golf courses, especially if considering a shoulder or low season. Are they aerating the course? Reseeding? And if the property is holding a tournament, what are the fees? For the spa, ask about the number of treatment rooms. If you have a large group and going to the spa is going to be a part of the event, make sure the property can accommodate your needs during your time frame.

“Know your audience,” Pinkowski says. “If this is something that would further engage your attendees, then it becomes a great opportunity to collaborate with the venue’s team. Relay your goals and objectives and allow them to create ideas that will work best with the space based on what they’ve done in the past. They are most familiar with all the options available to you so keep communication open when changes happen so that they may adjust accordingly. And give them your vision but allow room for the ideas to grow in order to fully impact the attendee experience.”

Curto says it is important to compare group size with resort size. If you’re hosting a smaller group, you don’t want them to feel overwhelmed in a huge resort and, on the flip side, you might not want to host thousands of people at a boutique resort that may not be able to accommodate everyone’s unique needs.

“Look at offerings and accommodations. If you’re hosting a group that is more focused on wellness, are the spa offerings unique enough and do they offer enough treatment rooms to accommodate your guests?” Curto asks. “If they are a more active group, are there enough tee times, fitness classes, etc., to support all attendees?”

And don’t forget to look at shoulder season or off-season opportunities. Room rates can skyrocket during a resort’s high season, and golf/spa appointments can be more difficult to schedule. If your event dates are flexible, ask about off-season rates. During a slower time period, your guests will enjoy a more exclusive VIP experience on-site and have greater flexibility in scheduling the activities that fit within their agendas.

“Don’t forget about the attendee experience. As an event planner, it’s hard sometimes to remove our preferences from the planning and sourcing process,” Curto says. “While we may think a golf/spa resort sounds like a great idea, if the event is more about getting business done and prioritizing face-to-face meetings, then any golf and spa offerings really don’t matter and the focus should be on finding a venue that has an incredible event space that supports more engaging and impactful meetings.” C&IT

Lisa Messina, vice president of sales at Caesars Entertainment, says, “There’s been a collective movement within business in general to support women rising up.

The meetings industry is overwhelmingly populated by women. So why are there still gender discrepancies in so many areas of the industry?

At IMEX America 2019, part of Smart Monday was devoted to the organization’s She Means Business initiative, and, yes, men were invited to participate. Topics included lessons from influential women in business, the gender pay gap and the still-in-place glass ceiling. Women spoke on why diversity and inclusion matter and the challenges of balancing career and family. One session, ‘What I Wish I Knew Then,’ focused on how to get more women into leadership roles, noting that the already small number of female Fortune 500 CEOs dropped from 2017 to 2018.

Recently, Bizzabo released its gender diversity study, which found, among other things, that, in spite of women’s dominance in the events industry, 66% of all speakers are men. Some countries had even worse numbers, and the tech segment of the industry is the worst with 76% of speakers being men. Why does the gender breakdown of speakers matter? Because speakers are the acknowledged experts and leaders in their fields, and women should be in that mix too, experts say.

All of these studies and education sessions should be applauded. But, perhaps, the place to start is at the beginning. How can the industry empower young women today so they’re ready to change the dynamic tomorrow — or sooner?

 THE PATH TO EMPOWERMENT

Linda McNairy, global vice president of American Express Meetings & Events, says there are several ways companies can empower young women:

• “Aligning and introducing the next generation of women to mentors within our industry. Females can benefit from both male and female mentors, and I recommend both.

• “Fostering organizational cultures where all voices and points-of-view are valued — even those outside our industry. As an avid fan of innovation, I recently sat down with the CEO of a start-up meetings tech company who is in his 20s and never worked in our industry. It was fascinating to hear his views of how he’s designing a technology solution for our industry. Collaboration at all levels is key and I believe women often do this more naturally.

• “Continue to emphasize the business impact of our industry. Sadly, some still perceive it as ‘party planning,’ which is unfortunately augmented by the higher number of females in our industry. It’s vital that the next generation of women can articulate the business impact of the industry and the value we’re delivering.

• “Championing social responsibility and supporting key women’s causes and movements, such as International Women’s Day.

“Empowering the next generation begins with the ability to recognize and develop top talent across the organization,” McNairy says. “There are always team members who are eager to learn as much as possible and take on additional responsibilities while remaining collaborative. It’s key that leaders spot these individuals and provide them with professional development opportunities and experiences that will be both challenging and rewarding.”

Michael Dominguez, president and CEO at Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), thinks the industry must be proactive and outreach in new and creative ways. “So many organizations are focused on what this generation needs and we need to find better ways of bringing that voice into the conversation,” he says. “We have so many seasoned professionals who have much to offer in terms of challenges and approaches for this next generation. We need to work together to determine a better way to formalize a connection and mentor programs to capitalize on this experience. A mentor program would impact both men and women, and it’s imperative that we focus on behavior and leadership skills that will shape future leaders.”

Jessie States, CMP, CMM, director of the MPI Academy, points to three key elements that support empowerment of women — and others. “Businesses that successfully empower young leaders offer:

• Mentorship programs with diverse leaders who authentically and transparently teach and coach the next generation.

• Professional development opportunities and funds that fuel future-ready and senior-level skills.

• Access to evidence-based leadership, diversity and inclusion training programs.”

Beyond that, she continues, “Organizations should offer flexible schedules and focus on productivity rather than face time. “Doing so can empower women to grow professionally without impacting their family decisions,” she notes. “Also impactful are active mentorship programs and human resource materials and policies that reduce conscious and unconscious bias.”

And diversity, States says, doesn’t just help individuals. “Our industry’s businesses, organizations and nonprofits should also ensure diversity of employment at all levels, for a variety of people — not just women. The more diverse an organization, the more profitable it is. It’s not just the right thing to do; it makes business sense.”

Lisa Messina, vice president of sales at Caesars Entertainment, thinks the industry is going in the right direction. “At Caesars Entertainment specifically, we have an initiative to ensure that 50% of our director-level positions and above are occupied by women. Other hospitality companies and organizations have similar initiatives,” she says. “Within the last three to five years, I’ve seen a large movement of female-focused seminars, workshops, education and conferences. There’s been a collective movement within business in general to support women rising up — networking groups, learning from trailblazers, mentorship programs — things that did not exist or weren’t readily available to us even five years ago.”

Like most experts, she points to work-life balance as critical to empowerment. “First and foremost, I support anybody who has the baseline desire to start a career path in hospitality. If they desire to grow and achieve positions like mine, I will figure out a way to support them, even if it’s differentiated from my own personal desires and needs.”

Messina has firsthand experience making that work. “Most of the 11 women who directly report to me are working mothers and, in some instances, the financial head of the household. Respecting these women and the fact that they essentially have two careers is crucial. Additionally, providing them the tools, resources and support to function at those two jobs is critical. That allows you to open a larger pool of applicants and talent. If you say, ‘I’m not going to be flexible, pick one’ or ‘I’m not going to allow time off when you need it most,’ then you’re going to shut off a highly talented pool of women.”

That said, Messina echoes States in noting that this type of flexibility is good business, too. “You must make sure to support women in whatever those passions outside of work are. For example, one of my direct reports is an aspiring pro golfer. She has produced at the workplace, so what do I care if she takes time off in the summer to practice golf? I’m glad I can provide that sort of benefit to my team because I think I get better people as a result.”

Regardless of how the industry is performing on empowerment, States says there’s always room to improve. “Our industry’s leaders should continue to ensure that they elevate women’s voices in the industry and within their own organizations. If we look around the boardroom or C-suite and there are no women, there’s likely an endemic or unconscious bias that should be addressed. Start the conversation at your organization about the lack of women in leadership positions in our industry and beyond. There are a record 33 women CEOs of Fortune 500 companies this year — cause for celebration, of course — but still less than 10%. The problem isn’t just in meetings, hospitality and travel, it’s pervasive in business. That doesn’t mean our industry can’t or shouldn’t be the one to step up and be part of a positive solution.”

 HOW EMPOWERMENT IS STYMIED

Lack of empowerment is often rooted in company culture. “If young men and women don’t feel valued,” McNairy says, “if they’re in a company that doesn’t focus on professional growth and work-life balance, I’ve seen them become frustrated and not perform to their full potential. And some organizations may not encourage a diverse management or leadership team, which could make it more difficult for a young woman to advance.”

Candie Beane, DMCP, vice president of business development of Hosts Las Vegas, a Hosts Global member, agrees there are multiple reasons young employees don’t feel empowered — but there are ways to counteract them. “It could be lack of self-confidence, self-limiting beliefs, or feeling intimidated or fearful to speak up and act. Looking back on my career, I realize that I was recognized by leadership when I confidently provided my honest opinion, even if that meant going against popular opinion. Today, I encourage others to do the same.”

Yet, young workers often aren’t listened to, despite the diverse and unique experiences they bring to the table, which can lead them to disengage,” States says. “Employees who are heard, acknowledged and empowered are much more likely to buy-in and work for the common good of their colleagues, their businesses and their clients.”

 WHAT YOUNG WOMEN CAN DO

McNairy thinks learning from failures is important, and businesses need to allow that to happen. But, perhaps most important is helping the next generation understand and be comfortable with who they are. “It’s a balance,” she says. “You need to learn, grow, challenge yourself and adapt; yet, all of these behaviors must take place within the authentic person you are. I’ve worked with emerging leaders who felt they needed to be ‘different’ to lead people and, suddenly, when put in that role, they lose the essence of who they naturally are. It’s critical that we embrace our own authenticity as we improve ourselves along the way.”

McNairy advises young workers to pick a mentor who will challenge them, make them “uncomfortable” at times and push them to look honestly at themselves. “Be willing to learn from that introspection and make changes in the way you conduct yourself to continue growing,” she says. “Share your point of view, take ownership of your work, think outside of your current role and understand the bigger picture.”

States advises young women to focus on what they can control — leadership core competencies, continued professional development, strategies and solutions that positively impact their businesses and bottom lines. “Consider your role as the strategist who helps your organization use the business tool of meetings to solve problems no one else has yet solved. Document and measure your successes, and use data to show your value.”

Being open to learning from others is key. “Always be open to learning from anyone and anything that you come across,” Messina advises. “Listen to others who have done well in their careers and ask about their journey. You might learn the steps you can emulate, or some pitfalls that you want to avoid. Talking to others and having a strong network is really important. That’s been my baseline for finding success in this industry.”

Dominguez says it’s important for any young leader “to understand that there’s a preparation, experience and learning curve that’s necessary if you’re going to have an impact when you have ‘a seat.’ It’s about influence and contribution and knowing what you’re going to contribute. The greatest lesson about having that seat is that it can’t be about you.”

THE POWER OF MENTORING

The importance of mentorship can’t be overstated. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without my mentor,” Beane says. “Good mentors teach you more than the responsibilities of the job. They teach life skills that help you navigate our ever-changing industry, like how to lead and challenge others to get the best out of them and how to embrace change even when you want to resist. They give you the autonomy to make critical decisions and provide guidance and support along the way. Mentoring creates confident future leaders and is an incredible opportunity to pay it forward.”

She continues, “My approach is to always be open and available, patient and a good listener. I ask mentees questions to learn their thought process and provide support to encourage their confidence. I challenge them to think differently and find alternative solutions to issues, and I hold them accountable when needed. I also genuinely care about their growth and success, which ultimately fosters a relationship built on trust and respect.”

McNairy calls mentoring “vital” and also encourages mentees to invest in a personal coach. “Most highly successful people I know have enjoyed the benefits of having a mentor and are more than willing to pay this back to those developing their own careers. I’m extremely grateful for the many mentors and my personal coach who have helped me along the way,” she says. “I make it a point to be a mentor to help empower young women. My door is always open if they need advice or would like to develop a more formal mentor/mentee relationship. I’m inspired by the courage and confidence so many young women in our organization have.”

States notes that mentoring is critical for young leaders as they look to not only hone leadership skills but to develop the cross-function abilities of tomorrow’s professional. “My team is primarily women, and I encourage them to apply smart goals to their careers as well as their jobs. I ask where they want to be in the next three to five years — even if that’s sitting in my seat; what net-new skills they want to adapt, accelerate or acquire, and how I can help their growth. I empower them to be problem solvers, agents of change management and strategic thinkers to elevate the critical skills necessary as they move into leadership roles.”

If young leaders don’t find these types of programs at their organizations or within their networks, States says professional associations are an ideal platform for experimenting and growing, including leadership roles on the boards of local and regional chapters and international boards of directors.

One professional association invested in mentorship is MPI. Says States, “MPI’s membership is largely women in business — be that corporate, association, government or NGO. Our business is the growth of women and we take that role seriously. From the recent codification of our women’s community and our future-ready skills training to our Women in Leadership and Meeting and Event Strategist certificate programs, we strive every day to elevate the role of women in business. Key to this are our Certificate in Meeting Management offered by Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and the master’s degree program MPI supports at San Diego State University.”

Dominguez has been fortunate to have many mentors in his journey up through the industry. “I talk to this often as there have been many mentors in my life. But a gentleman named Brad Poncher with Hyatt Hotels pulled me out of F&B operations, which was nine years of my career, and drove me into sales. I can confidently say that we would not be having this interview if it weren’t for Brad.”

Mentorship, many also note, is a two-way street. “Time is the greatest gift we can give,” Dominguez says. “I’ve always had a policy where anyone can get on my calendar. Those conversations are for advice both personally and professionally. The rewarding part to this approach is that the learning and fulfillment are reciprocal.”

Paul Van Deventer, MBA, president and CEO of MPI, puts it this way: “I’ve been blessed to have a number of inspirational and influential mentors and have invested a lot in nurturing my network. Being in a position to pay-it-forward and help others with their careers and professional growth is both personally fulfilling and central to building a meaningful legacy, so I welcome opportunities to mentor and educate those who seek guidance and advancement.”

Messina also calls herself blessed to have had so many people in her personal and professional life who are a part of who she is today. “I try to make every interaction a learning experience, whether I encounter you in a brief meeting or work with you over a long period of time.”

TODAY’S SUCCESS IS A FIRST STEP

Although many steps are yet to be taken, changes are in place. “When I was coming up as a young salesperson, many reporting up in organizations saw only men in leadership positions,” Messina says. “Men were the vice presidents of meetings and exhibits. Men were the directors of sales and marketing, essentially controlling all aspects of big convention hotels. Now, when you look around the country, on the customer and supplier side, we’re seeing women occupying jobs that were not available to them 10 years ago. When you get more women into those roles, you end up recruiting that way.”

Messina is proud of what Caesars Entertainment does on that front, but says there are others, too. “That’s something that stands out compared to even five years ago; the mindset of corporations has changed. We’re now doing whatever we can to ensure that women have opportunities, not only at the entry level but also the bigger roles.”

And, she adds, those changes don’t just benefit women. “The way we approach work-life and allow for balance is beneficial to all. It’s come full circle to help men as well, as Caesars Entertainment and other hospitality companies now offer paternity leave.”

Dominguez notes that while some organizations have made strides, others need more support. “I do believe there are differences in different sectors of our industry due to scale, maturity of the organization and formalized programming. Many larger organizations are doing really great work and making impact in this area. Since our industry is made up of many independently owned and small businesses, I think there’s an opportunity to share these lessons and structure to help support more businesses.”

With all of the industry willingness to support future female leaders, perhaps a look back on this issue in a couple of years will show that things have moved forward significantly. C&IT

Cybercriminals come in all shapes and sizes — and from any number of demographic backgrounds. But what they’re looking for is simple: They want access to personal information and data they can use  to extort payment, infect computers with malware and other fraudulent purposes, such as identity theft and financial gain.

And, within the meeting and events arena, cybercriminals can easily take advantage of an unprotected network where there are multiple users connected to the same network. Open Wi-Fi networks, such as those found at a meeting or convention, allow cybercriminals to easily distribute malicious software to everyone connected in the blink of an eye.

According to Paul Lipman, CEO of the consumer cybersecurity company BullGuard in Redwood Shores, California, many conferences do not require passwords on conference Wi-Fi, which leaves anyone who connects open to hacks. “Additionally, even if a password is used, many times the password is easy to guess or is shared via paper or in a brochure with attendees,” Lipman says. “Any person at the conference — even if they are not an attendee and are just in the lobby or close enough to pick up a Wi-Fi signal — can easily ask an attendee to give them the password, and many attendees would offer it to be friendly.” They could, in fact, be giving a fraudster or hacker easy access to the network and leaving anyone who is accessing the Wi-Fi open to having their data and other personal information at risk for a potential hack or breach.

Unfortunately, the security technology within the meetings and events industry hasn’t changed much in recent years, and it certainly has a long way to go. Andrew Tyler, senior consulting engineer at Kelser Corporation in Glastonbury, Connecticut, was recently at a conference — a cybersecurity conference of all things — and the conference organizers provided an unsecure, general access wireless network.

“There was no preregistration for this network and the password was distributed freely to attendees. Most attendees wound up using the hotspots on their phones,” Tyler says. “More events need to implement Wi-Fi registration and access tracking to help secure wireless network users.”

“For many years, security technology was tied to a firewall. And the firewall handled all security issues.” Douglas C. Williams

Indeed, meetings and events planners and the software they utilize continue to be adversely impacted by security and safety threats. As Douglas C. Williams, president and CEO of Los Angeles-based Williams Data Management, explains, cybersecurity is always top of mind considering the very nature of the meeting business and the fact that so many attendees are connecting to unsecured event Wi-Fi networks. “For many years, security technology was tied to a firewall. And the firewall handled all security issues,” Williams says. “Since then, cybersecurity threats have grown exponentially, so that the firewall design can no longer handle security threats alone. New technology is being developed to handle those parts of security that easily bypass the firewall.”

EMBRACING PROTECTIVE MEASURES

Cybersecurity used to be viewed as an ‘IT problem’ but, as the threats have changed, meeting planners need to evolve into a multidisciplinary cybersecurity management team. The good news is that meeting and event attendees recognize the amount of data and information that can be gleaned from any size event and are eager to embrace cybersecurity measures.

Likewise, meeting planners are increasingly becoming aware that if a crime is committed using a specific internet access network, then the person or organization offering the service could be liable. “As a result, meeting planners are looking to solve liability issues stemming from providing unsecured or unmanaged wireless networking services that could well be used for illegal purposes,” Tyler says.

One of the best approaches to convince clients and other decision makers that funding directed at cybersecurity is essential is by developing and following a ‘best practices’ cybersecurity framework. Secured and regulated access, as opposed to open guest access, is a huge trend in network security, and conferences and events are a perfect example of a setting where this is a must. “There are a number of systems that make it easy for individual attendees to have their own login credentials for the network. If this isn’t the case, the conference Wi-Fi and anyone using it is vulnerable,” Tyler says.

In addition, Dave Warnick, COO at CMIT Solutions of Upper Cheseapeake — Columbia in Bel Air, Maryland, says there is a big trend in the meetings environment in the ability to have secure wireless communication and have it with adequate bandwidth for everyone demanding it. What’s more, meeting planners are worried about their participants and concerned about their own technology, particularly if accepting credit cards during the event.

“This requires PCI compliance, meaning a minimum security stance needs to be maintained,” Warnick says. “Today’s demonstrations are more connected and cloud-based than ever before. Vendors want to have the ability to demo their web-based products and pull up promotional materials at kiosks or show videos. They expect the event sponsors to provide a reasonably secure internet connection.”

One key step to take in securing the digital environment is for planners to ensure there is a WPA2 password on the Wi-Fi used at a conference. Lipman says meeting planners should also recommend attendees use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) solution as another layer of protection.

“VPNs enable consumers to safeguard their online privacy — flying under the radar and surfing the internet in stealth mode while retaining complete anonymity via military-grade encryption,” Lipman says. “VPN works by hiding a consumer’s origin IP address, preventing others — including ISPs and government organizations — from monitoring their online browsing activity, which websites they visit, what they download, or which services and applications they use.”

Attendees should always ask for the official convention Wi-Fi login details and the regularly changing password, and not assume the first ‘public Wi-Fi’ to pop up in their search is the correct one to use.

“To keep themselves even more protected, attendees could be encouraged to use their own personal VPN on their laptops, tablets and phones to protect themselves from potential cyber attacks,” Lipman says. “It’s actually really simple for hackers to set up a fake malicious network and pretend to be ‘Free SFO Airport Wi-Fi network’ or ‘Starbucks Wi-Fi.’ A personal VPN allows conference attendees to avoid putting themselves at risk while connecting to an unknown network.”

And, in the event that an event planner suspects some sort of breach may have happened, attendees should be notified so they can run anti-virus and other software to ensure their laptops, tablets and mobile phones have not been hacked.

Lipman says they should also take measures to change their passwords across their email, financial and social media accounts — and that their passwords are extremely difficult with a variety of letters, numbers and special characters. They should also keep a close watch on their financial accounts and credit, and consider putting a block on credit requests or inbound requests for credit.

At a recent security conference Tyler attended, it appeared that the wireless access network was set up and left to run. It did not appear to be actively managed, which is what Tyler would recommend. “Any public access internet service should be monitored and managed for malicious activity or inappropriate browsing,” Tyler says. “There are tools that can assist with this so that it is not a major drain on the event staff’s time.”

In fact, rather than assuming your event hasn’t attracted the attention of cybercriminals, assume that it has. “Don’t provide an open, unmanaged network,” Tyler says. Regulate who can log on, manage the environment, make it clear to attendees the service has no guarantee of privacy, and that it should be treated as a hostile environment for all users.

MISTAKES TO AVOID

One of the common mistakes Warnick sees meeting planners make is not ensuring there is adequate security around critical technology, such as credit card processing capabilities. Planners should make facility operators accountable to provide adequate secure connections for planners, vendors and participants alike.

“Planners should also require the facility to provide separate Wi-Fi SSIDs for the event planners, vendors and participants,” Warnick says. “This allows some segregation of data types and can allow you to at least limit access to certain types of data to a lower number of people.”

Robert Siciliano, security awareness expert and CEO of Safr.Me, says there is still a significant lack of security awareness training amongst associations, meeting planners and attendees. “For example, many are still using the same password across multiple accounts. This allows criminals to gain access to email and various databases which, in turn, facilitates various frauds and schemes,” Siciliano says. “When being approached by various vendors with different solutions designed to solve a problem, meeting planners should check in with other industry partners to determine if the various vendors and their solutions have provided value for the investment.”

George Baldonado, president and CEO of Oasis Technology in Camarillo, California, says the most prevalent mistake he sees meeting planners make is looking to old technology to solve the new challenges. “The solution no longer resides with a single department, device or simple plan,” Baldonado says. “IT professionals and meeting planners often do not want to adopt new approaches, devices, procedures or mindsets.”

Baldonado suggests the solution to this entire problem is a company and group effort that requires the buy-in cooperation of the entire enterprise.

“A layered approach is the most effective. The approach needs to combine several devices, plans, training and vendor cooperation to solve the problem,” Baldonado says. “The problem will continue to grow, and everyone must continue to evolve with the problem.”

So, as the cybersecurity issue continues to take center stage, meeting planners are looking to get their arms around how big the problem really is and how much impact it has on their job, the company, their clients, financial risks, their own future and the future of cybersecurity. And, once a meeting professional has policies and procedures in place, they need to train, test and drill partners, and others, on those policies and procedures to instill confidence in the meeting planners and in the systems themselves.

Of course, partnering with cybersecurity professionals is paramount to ensure the safety and security of an event. When evaluating partners, keep in mind that cybersecurity professionals need to have a broad range of skills beyond IT, including business process, vendor management, physical security, threat awareness and business continuity management, not just disaster recovery. As such, recruitment strategies should include security organizations, such as the International Association of Privacy Professionals. For privacy in particular, meeting planners should also look at professional associations because that’s where they will find qualified people who have the ability and expertise to hit the ground running.

ON THE HORIZON

Significant strides are continually made to improve cybersecurity technology to meet the changing needs of the meetings and events environment. Just as would-be thieves become more adept at their efforts, so too do the cybersecurity systems used to stop them. It pays for meeting professionals to do their homework and learn about the technological options available for their specific situation.

So what does the future look like for the cybersecurity of meetings and events? Rafael Moscatel, managing director at Compliance and Privacy Partners in Los Angeles, says securing private data is turning out to be one of the top concerns for planners in 2020, especially in light of the EU’s adoption of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), as well as stateside laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). “These new regulations have tightened the access rules around gathering information and the use of attendee data for marketing and promotional purposes,” Moscatel says. “There are very real penalties for misuse of this data, and we should expect stricter regulations to follow.”

As a result, it won’t be long before open versions of internet access services will be found to be of little value to the educated public. Tyler thinks that, in the meetings and events industry, it will soon become the norm for users to be required to register for Wi-Fi at events and give specific device details to gain access.

In addition, new tools using augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) are already finding their way into meeting and events, and helping engage attendees and enhance overall event security. “The best advice is for meeting planners to share what has worked for them and others that are engaged in this cybersecurity battle,” Moscatel says.

Tyler says, “Users will have to acknowledge that access is at no charge, use it at your own risk, and that the environment is managed and monitored. These steps will make it easier to catch cybercriminals who will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

And take note that threats are becoming more sophisticated. “It is likely future malware will spread through devices at an event just like the flu would through the participants,” Warnick says. Those in the events industry are going to have to anticipate that and utilize technology to mitigate that risk, or face exposure through reputational and possible financial risk.

“Unfortunately, large data breaches continue to occur as a result of the ‘It-can’t-happen-to-me’ syndrome, which means industry leaders who aren’t taking decisive action and putting necessary systems in place become high-value targets,” Siciliano says. “And until additional security awareness training becomes a fundamental part of doing business, the meetings industry will continue to be targeted.”

Experts also hope that cybersecurity in the meetings and events industry will switch from a reactive posture to one that is proactive, allowing organizations to better combat threats to data security. “The need for dedicated, excellent, flexible, well-rounded cybersecurity experts will only continue to grow,” Williams says. “Product, software and service development also needs to fold security into their design. New security testing measures also need to be developed and incorporated. I see that this market will also become segmented into different areas as it continues to grow. No single person or department will ever have all of the answers.” C&IT

Going global successfully is part art, part science — and a lot of hard work. In a world without boundaries, companies with international meetings and events must contend with a complex set of requirements. As a result, globalization of meetings has created an enormous need for contacts, knowledge and guidance in the international arena.

Of course, businesses that choose to ‘go global’ with their meetings face myriad strategic decisions as they contemplate their multinational meeting and event experiences. Meeting experts agree that there is no one right way to go global. Strategies will vary with the unique opportunities and environment surrounding each company, meeting or event being organized.

“An unfamiliar foreign location with little or no existing local network can be a major roadblock in ensuring a high-quality event, the importance of which cannot be understated to engage attendees.” Jennifer Nelson

According to Jennifer Nelson, director of Business Development and Global Event Services at American Express Global Business Travel – Meetings & Events in Jersey City, New Jersey, global meetings involve higher levels of logistical coordination — visas, local regulations and police, etc. That can potentially take away time and attention from the attendee experience aspect of the event, which remains on top of the list for event planners.

“An unfamiliar foreign location with little or no existing local network can be a major roadblock in ensuring a high-quality event, the importance of which cannot be understated to engage attendees,” Nelson says. “However, when possible, meeting professionals should rely on their local network of supplier partners in these destinations to help navigate potential issues.”

As Nelson explains, what can make the process more challenging is planning in the midst of economic and political uncertainty, and in an environment where foreign relations can change so quickly.

“Although we can’t predict the future, planners should try to avoid planning meetings in countries or regions that are more vulnerable, or are experiencing tensions with their own base country, to mitigate risk,” Nelson says.

In some cases, accessibility of a global destination can also be a challenge if it relies heavily on airlift into the prospective host city. Seasonal schedules need to be accounted for as well, as this does impact budget. Additionally, as Nelson explains, when reviewing destinations, depending on the size of the event, venue sizes and hotel capacities can be challenging in some destinations. A larger group may be limited to first-tier cities based on the established infrastructure.

“Providing a more valuable experience for attendees remains a struggle across the globe,” Nelson says. “Meetings spend is expected to rise this year, according to the American Express Meetings & Events 2020 Global Meetings & Events Forecast, but we’re still not clear if it will keep pace with demand or rising costs — which means meeting planners will continue to be required to do more with less.”

Aside from air and venue challenges, planners must consider transportation issues, as the movement of a large number of attendees between hotels, venues and convention centers is always a challenge. “Planners must consider the best way to move large groups by understanding a destination’s traffic flow and if there are restrictions on vehicle size in certain international cities,” Nelson says. “Depending on the size of the group and the number of vehicles required, a city may require police escorts to help with transit.”

Jo Kelly, events operations director at CR Worldwide, says one of the main factors to consider is logistics. Getting people and equipment from one place to another has its challenges. “For example, if you have to ship equipment across countries or continents it can get ‘stuck’ in customs and add to time and cost. For people logistics, there are visa considerations for delegates and attendees, which includes allowing plenty of time to get visa applications approved ahead of time,” Kelly says.

In addition, working with different currencies offers challenges aplenty. If you have a global budget in one currency with meetings or events taking place in different countries with different currencies, then budgeting, forecasting and reconciliations can be a bit of a challenge, and there should be a plan to organize this system.

CR Worldwide recently held one of Europe, the Middle East and Africa’s (EMEA) largest data-storage conferences for a client that delivers software, systems and services to manage and store data. Their annual conference aims to engage customers, partners and tech teams as a single community to fuel business growth.

“As Germany was the brand’s biggest market in EMEA, it was a desirable destination to hold the annual four-day conference,” Kelly says. “Berlin was the ideal location as it was easily accessible for delegates from across the EMEA region.” There were 3,600 attendees from 62 different countries, and 92% of attendees downloaded the event app, in a move toward digitalization.

The four main components implemented within the conference were general sessions featuring keynote presentations from executives and external speakers; large scale, live instructor, presenter-led training on technical and solution developments; exhibitions with more than 100 key partners alongside the client’s own field experts; and networking opportunities with peers, partners and leadership.

“Expectation versus reality in certain areas of the world can be difficult, mainly in terms of the quality of products and services, especially with the pressure of maintaining consistency of quality and events across geographical regions,” Kelly says. “Additionally, there are areas that are not as equipped to handle conferences or events as others.”

Sam Marks, CEO of Coworker.com, a platform for finding, booking and reviewing coworking spaces in 171 countries worldwide, says two of the biggest challenges with international meetings are time zone changes and cultural differences. As Marks explains, in a world where we are beginning to expect instant services, such as same-day shipping, it is growing increasingly difficult to wait patiently for responses when you are working in different time zones. Coworker.com has partnered with TEDx, offering TEDx event planners the option to partner with coworking spaces in the worldwide network to not only host their events, but also to help with planning and promotion.

“Even with the best planning, organizing global events can come down to last-minute execution because of the various time zone differences of the participating parties,” Marks says. Additionally, getting used to different cultural intricacies can prove to be quite challenging. Everything from dietary preferences to business etiquette is important to keep in mind as you navigate foreign cultures.”

Every culture and place has its own unique traits. Depending on where you come from, a lot of things add complexities, including language, politics, religion, geography, food and drink or in some cultures, no drinks.

This is why Marks says it is so important to hire local help, or you may not think twice about hosting a wine tasting event in a Muslim country or serving beef to Hindus.

“As an example, our friends at Kilowatt Events have a story about working with a scaffolding company in Abu Dhabi, and the workers would only wear sandals,” Marks says. “In the U.S., OSHA requires steel-toed boots and harnesses in this type of setting. Without proper planning, these rule sets can lead to big trouble for global event planners.”

In addition, there are certain global locales that are far more challenging than others to host a meeting. For example, for people coming from the U.S., organizing an event in the MENA region — the Middle East and North Africa — can be more difficult because many of the countries require obtaining a visa before arriving. Make sure to know the local policies about permissions before organizing an event. Also, be ready to compromise. Make a list of what’s really important to provide to the meeting participants, and what’s desirable but not crucial. Be flexible with the terms that are not crucial for the success of the meeting.

MAKING EVENTS MEMORABLE

A truly memorable global event is made when all the elements that make a meeting fall into place with balance. The complete experience starts with boarding the plane and ends with the hotel checkout. That’s why it’s also important to offer cultural activities for attendees to experience.

Considering the logistics involved for both meeting planners and attendees who need to travel to international events, it is imperative the meeting or event itself is as memorable as possible. That said, the key to making global events more memorable is to create a unique or personalized experience that deeply resonates with attendees.

“When it comes to international meetings where attendees are likely experiencing a new destination, pulling in local customs and traditions can spark a connection and offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Nelson says. “Creating highly personalized experiences with the help of evolving technology and hotel and airline suppliers can also make events truly memorable.” For example, small things, such as using first names for app notifications, to hotel rooms offering preferred amenities or a favorite snack, can make attendees feel more valued. Effective post-event engagement can also be accomplished using a mobile app that allows attendees to give feedback through polling.

Another strategy Nelson suggests event managers adopt is to plan smaller meetings to both meet their budgets and engage more deeply with customers. Smaller events allow for more flexibility in destination, venue, experience design and attendee engagement — offering new opportunities to connect in real and personal ways with their target audience.

Kelly suggests that personalization and multisensory experiences are key to engage and excite attendees. Unique activities, once-in-a-lifetime events and embracing new technology will help take attendee experiences to the next level.

“Start by creating content that tells a story and can relate to the attendees,” Kelly says. “Provide plenty of networking opportunities with speakers, peers and, more importantly, executives/VIPs. Getting valuable face-to-face time with influential people is key to memorable experiences. You can also incorporate ‘surprise’ elements along the way by giving them something they don’t expect at the event to create that element of surprise and an ‘I-wasn’t-expecting-that!’ factor.”

A few common mistakes Nelson says meeting planners make when it comes to orchestrating international events include the following:

• Overspending. This could be due to not proactively managing the event budget and keeping track of expenses or even last-minute production changes, such as additional hours for A/V crew, added equipment like lighting and cameras, etc.

• Failure to determine when traditional holidays/PTO may be occurring in a destination, as this would impact service levels leading up to and during the event, as well as attendee participation.

• Failure to check the availability of common resources in the destinations. For example, the destination city may not have an office supply store that you can access easily.

• Not working with local networks to understand cultural nuances and to provide local language support

Jamie Gelbtuch, founder of Cultural Mixology, says it is important for meeting planners to keep up with current events. For example, a cosmopolitan location such as Hong Kong would not typically present issues; however, the protests there have been going on for six months.

“It’s only been about six weeks, but Santiago, Chile finds itself in the same situation,” Gelbtuch says. “And France is notorious for strikes that shut down transportation systems, museums, etc. It’s impossible to foresee events such as these, but it’s important to keep your finger on the pulse of local situations so that you can adapt event plans as necessary.”

In addition, planners need to pay attention to any communication restrictions in the meeting location. For example, VoIP services such as Skype and WhatsApp are not permitted in the UAE for voice calls. Common social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and sites such as Netflix and Google, is blocked in China. “Sometimes, a VPN network can get around these restrictions, so be aware of each country’s laws,” Gelbtuch says. “VPNs are legal in the UAE, but not in China, where you will incur a fine.”

LOOKING AT THE FUTURE

The future of global meetings and events depends largely on the future of global business. Meeting professionals, when surveyed in American Express’ 2020 Global Meetings and Events Forecast, are very optimistic about the meetings and events industry when looking to 2020.

As Nelson explains, while economic and political uncertainty is surging, making the global business environment more tense, meeting professionals are predicting the industry will remain steady into 2020. Time will tell how these factors will impact the volume and scale of global events.

For the meetings and events industry globally, like many other industries, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) will be growing priorities. “Our 2020 Global Meetings and Events Forecast reveals that increased awareness of climate change is influencing destination selection for global meetings,” Nelson says. “Meeting professionals in several regions, particularly in Europe, are choosing to hold events in local destinations that attendees can get to by train rather than air.”

From a meeting planner’s standpoint, a continued focus for international meetings will be improving on-site experience and providing more value with restricted resources.

And technology is obviously making it possible for people to connect in unique and remote ways, but this has also made real, human, face-to-face engagement even more valuable in this digital era. Of course, with the rise of the remote workforce, many companies realize that, even though they can get business done remotely, it’s essential to have face-to-face meetings once or twice a year.

“I think there will always be a need to get people together to build relationships and connect face-to-face. However, with budgets being cut, pollution and sustainability issues, and the speed at which technology is able to advance, more and more meetings will happen digitally via ‘online-based’ content/live links,” Kelly says. “In the very least, there will be an increasing mixture of live and digital touch points. Technology advances continue at such a fast pace year-after-year, and we see this continuing in the future.” C&IT

Berwald, vice president, Food & Beverage with Benchmark, came to the company with a distinguished, two-decade career of food and beverage leadership. He received his formal culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France. He earned his B.S. in Hospitality Administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and attended Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, focusing on Hospitality Finance and Marketing. Berwald is active within the American Hotel & Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association.

BENCHMARK is looking to the future with its Top-10 Dining Trends for 2020. The trends were observed by Benchmark’s executive chefs and culinary experts at the company’s 80 luxury hotels, resorts and restaurants coast to coast, offshore and internationally.

In addition to offering engaging experiences to each and every guest, Benchmark’s position on food and beverage is to offer the opportunity to learn, focus on wellness and be part of something greater.

2020 DINING TREND #1 | NOTORIOUS CBD

The CBD food trend has exploded in the last 12 months. Coffee shops and cafes are now boasting a startling array of offerings infused with CBD oil, aimed at attracting customers interested in trying new, eco-friendly, plant-based ingredients. Restaurants have also begun to incorporate the oil into their menus, both for drinks and food. CBD-infused drinks are also quickly gaining momentum as serious contenders in the popular beverage market, including: sparkling waters, coffees, teas, energy drinks, beer, wine and mixed alcoholic beverages.

 2020 DINING TREND #2 | THE PLANT ECOSYSTEM

More people are choosing to move away from beef, pork and poultry as plant-based food alternatives are being provided for meat and dairy. Chefs are re-creating meat and dairy flavors from non-meat and non-dairy products such as soy, peas, cashews and almonds.

2020 DINING TREND #3 | PUFFED THE MAGIC SNACK

We have always been told chips are an unhealthy snack option and to stay away from them. There are new products on the market, however, that are providing healthier versions of chips. With ingredients such as chickpeas, beets, quinoa and kale, these snacks are going to make ‘snacking’ OK.

2020 DINING TREND #4 | JACKFRUIT — NOW & BEYOND

The newest go-to meat substitute is jackfruit. Already being used as an alternative for barbecue pulled pork, jackfruit, from Southeast Asia, is a great source of iron, calcium and B vitamins. The texture mimics pulled pork and will soon become a force in the food industry as a meat alternative.

2020 DINING TREND #5 | FRUIT FORWARD

Unique fruit flavors, such as cactus, are taking mixology ideation by storm. Spiny cactus fruits such as prickly pear and dragon fruit are piquing consumer interest. Prickly pear yields a flavorful, ruby-colored juice, while dragon fruit gets attention because of its sweet/sour flavor. Consumers are also exploring bergamot orange, yuzu, calamansi, citron, makrut lime, pomelo, Meyer lemon, blood orange and ugli fruit.

2020 DINING TREND #6 | DAIRY REMIX

Oat milk is now the golden child of alternative milks. It’s terrific in coffees, and baristas can barely keep it in stock. So, it makes sense that companies are launching other oat milk products to help minimize the environmental impacts associated with animal husbandry.

2020 DINING TREND #7 | SPARKLING RESULTS

Sparkling water demand is exploding. Operators looking to harness these trends and turn them into more traffic or higher check averages should offer these beverages and make sure to promote them on social media. By ensuring diners — particularly younger influencers — know what new and exciting drinks are available, operators can count on attracting these new and affluent repeat beverage consumers.

2020 DINING TREND #8 | BRIGHT & BOLD

Color generates emotional appeal with food — it may be as important as taste. Color and functionality collide with ingredients such as blue algae, beet, matcha and butterfly pea flower tea, which changes color from blue to purple when acidity is added to it.

2020 DINING TREND #9 | MORE TRACEABILITY

Consumers are now demanding sustainability in packaging. Whether it’s swapping out Styrofoam and plastic for paper or bamboo, or buying ingredients from sustainable sources, sustainability will sweep the entire industry. The heightened focus on single-use plastics is not just a fad, but a reality that goes beyond the purge of the plastic straw.

2020 DINING TREND #10 | UGLY PRODUCE

Food is a terrible thing to waste, and yet 40% of all the food produced in the U.S. goes uneaten because it is imperfect. Now, consumers are finally accepting misshapen and bruised foods as edible. Start-up food companies that send boxes of said fruit and vegetables directly to the customer’s home will encourage consumers to buy nutritious produce that tastes fine, but is physically flawed. C&IT

A Junkanoo Band at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas is just one of the many activities attendees can enjoy at the resort.

The promise of hot sun, sandy beaches and beautiful scenery is enough to lure many planners to the islands of the Bahamas, Caribbean and Puerto Rico. But there are plenty of other reasons to plan a meeting or incentive trip in this area.

“Who doesn’t get excited about a visit to the Caribbean?” asks Carolina Voullieme León, director of Sales and Marketing at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. “A trip to a tropical island is a big motivator for incentive trips, and further excites corporate groups for their event. We tend to see attendees in high spirits and really enjoying themselves, which ultimately enhances the overall ambiance of their corporate event.”

“Nassau is an ideal meeting and incentive destination in the Caribbean that feels remote while also being easily accessible.” Braedan Quigley

Given that tourism is a major focus in the region, there are plenty of properties for planners to consider. The hospitality provided by locals is unmatched. Foodies will revel in the local cuisine, and attendees excited to learn about different cultures can do it without traveling too far from home.

Bahamas

Mabelle Catania, director of Sales and Marketing for the SLS Baha Mar in Nassau, provides a summary of the Bahamas’ geography and attractiveness to planners. “The Bahamas is an archipelago with more than 700 islands and cays starting just 50 miles southeast of the coast of Florida. It is a safe and welcoming destination. Easily accessible from many cities in the United States, the Bahamas are just a 35-minute flight from Miami and less than three hours from New York City. With hundreds of direct flights from major cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Denver, as well as Canada and the U.K., the Bahamas is an unbeatable location to host meetings and incentive groups.”

“Nassau is an ideal meeting and incentive destination in the Caribbean that feels remote while also being easily accessible,” says Braedan Quigley, director of Sales and Marketing at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. “International companies with a global presence also appreciate its excellent international flight access and relaxed visa requirements for visitors from Asian countries. Corporate and incentive travelers seeking an international destination with its own distinct culture and vibe who also value modern amenities necessary for business travel  — high-speed Wi-Fi, bilingual hotel staff, infrastructure to host large-scale events — appreciate the ‘best of both worlds’ atmosphere the Caribbean offers.”

The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is an 1,800-room hotel that features the Caribbean’s largest casino, the Caribbean’s first and only flagship ESPA spa, the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Royal Blue Golf Course and Racquet Club, six multilevel pools and more than 40 food and beverage outlets. The adjacent Performing Arts and Convention Center offers 200,000 sf of flexible indoor and outdoor spaces.

Norma Baumann, a senior account manager at BI Worldwide, worked with a large company to host its President’s Club at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar last summer. The nearly 1,800 guests who attended had an outstanding experience.

“As we were planning a President’s Club event, the quality of lodging had to be suitable for our attendees,” she says. “With 1,800 luxury rooms, Grand Hyatt Baha Mar had the inventory to keep our entire group together, and the high-end resort feel was aligned with what we were looking for.” Guests appreciated the Bahamian-inspired artwork and colors in the airy rooms, many of which had ocean views and balconies for enjoying the nice weather.

“The convention center’s meeting space is incredible, as there is a lot to work with,” Baumann says. “The sales office provided excellent support throughout the planning process. We understand that the process takes a village, and their willingness to listen helped quell our worries for the event. While on property, we always had one direct on-site contact, who proved to be absolutely great. He was incredibly responsive and truly understood our program and what we were trying to achieve. We were also pleased with the resort’s catering capabilities — the presentation, timing and taste were fantastic.”

SLS Baha Mar features 299 guest rooms, 109 of which are suites, and several dining and drinking options, including Skybar, the only rooftop lounge in the Caribbean. It shares many of the amenities located on the Baha Mar properties, including the spa, casino, golf course, championship racquet club and luxury stores. The hotel itself has 12,000 sf of event space.

The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) recently took 280 incentive travel professionals to Baha Mar for its annual SITE Classic, a fundraiser to support research and education in the industry. “Baha Mar is simply breathtaking — from the art-filled spaces to the views of fountains, beaches, palm trees and pools, and an overall vibe that ranges from the action of the casino to the serenity of the ocean breezes,” says Tahira Endean, CMP, CED, DES, the organization’s head of events. “The resort destination itself is fantastic, and the infrastructure to support incentive programs internally and with DMC and ground support exceeds expectations.”

The setting, food and overall hospitality provided by the staff were described as highlights of the hotel. The property also provided guests with some pretty memorable experiences, including flamingo yoga on the lawn, learning about and tasting local bush teas, and taking painting classes from the resident artists at Baha Mar’s art space, The Current Gallery & Art Center.

The group wanted to do a CSR activity, and they found a deeply meaningful experience in helping victims of Hurricane Dorian. “We worked with one of our DMC partners, Cacique International, who identified six shelters in need of helping hands,” Endean says. A large portion of the group spent one afternoon sorting clothing, building closets, warehousing food, cleaning and handing out supplies, and washing and walking dogs.

Outside of Nassau, the ethereal-looking Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas is another option for meeting planners. The resort features five hotels — one of which is similar in appearance to artists’ renderings of the Lost City. Offerings include: a casino, spa, golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf, 20 swimming areas, beach access, regular live shows and plenty of other entertainment options.

The insurance company WoodmenLife held its 2019 incentive trip at Atlantis. People who had reached the President’s Club level stayed for four nights; those at the President’s Cabinet level were given an entire week at the property.

“WoodmenLife is a very family-oriented company,” says Jodi Lilly, corporate meeting coordinator. “Atlantis attracted our group because of the multiple activities available to guests of all ages without having to ever leave the property.” For example, the resort has a 141-acre water park called the Aquaventure, has a water-play fort, multiple water slides and pools, and a lazy river. The resort is very focused on marine conservation, so there is an area that houses rescued dolphins and sea lions and engages in marine rehabilitation activities.

Everything about the event, which drew 750 people, went very well, according to Lilly. “All of our meeting rooms, events and food stations were set up on time and as requested. I also loved the two assistants that were designated to our group. Atlantis is very focused on providing authentic Bahamian experiences for their guests. From Junkanoo to local cuisine, everyone gets to learn something about the beautiful traditions they have here.”

According to Catania, temperatures are great year-round, she says, the islands experience their lowest temperatures from December to the beginning of March. Travelers wanting to find deals should book from September to mid-November.

“Those interested in local Bahamian traditions who also want to escape the cold should visit in December to experience Junkanoo, the largest street parade across the island, featuring traditional music and colorful, elaborate costumes,” Quigley says. Junkanoo bands can be hired to provide entertainment at events throughout the year.

Caribbean

The Caribbean also offers great airlift, a number of high-quality properties and interesting cultural experiences. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic has more than 1,700 guest rooms and 65,000 sf of indoor meeting space. This all-inclusive resort includes a casino, bowling alleys, escape rooms, award-winning golf course, fun activities for kids, a full-fledged spa and 13 different swimming pools.

“In Punta Cana, high season basically is the beginning of the year to just after Easter,” says Kevin Edmunds, vice president of meetings & incentives for AIC Hotel Group, which owns the property. He recommends visiting in May, before schools are out for the summer and tourism increases, and in September, when rates are favorable and warm weather is still abundant.

The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino has 414 recently-renovated guest rooms and suites, including the largest sleeping rooms on the island, and more than 26,000 sf of indoor and outdoor special event space. In the past two years, the property has made upgrades to the adults-only Tradewinds Club, dining facilities, Bazaar gift shop, fitness center and outdoor spaces. Updates to the porte cochere and ballrooms are planned for this year. The rooms and suites will get another face-lift in two years.

“The beauty of Aruba is that it’s located below the hurricane belt, which means that our weather is fairly constant year-round,” Voullieme León says. “Group planners especially love this since it significantly reduces the chances of unfortunate weather disrupting an event.”

The Marriott recently put together an experience where guests can re-create a traditional Aruban dish called keshi yena, which is a ball of cheese stuffed with spiced meat. “We’ve worked with groups to bring the outdoor setting of Aruba indoors and have even gone as far as to bring a jeep into a conference room and set up tables surrounding the vehicle with food displayed on the jeep,” Voullieme León says. “Carnival is an island-wide tradition that takes place every February, where the streets are filled with parades, over-the-top costumes and lively music. We re-create this on a smaller scale every Thursday at our La Vista restaurant for leisure guests, though we can incorporate the ‘Carnival’ theme into a private dinner or special event for a local touch.”

Half Moon, located on a 400-acre plot of beachfront property in Jamaica, recently plans to open a new luxury resort experience called Eclipse at Half Moon in spring. It will include 57 guest rooms and suites, four new dining venues and a spa offering massages and yoga classes.

“Jamaica is a stunning and culturally-rich destination with access to direct flights from North America, the U.K. and Europe,” says general manager Shernette Crichton. “With such travel ease, visitors may take advantage of what Jamaica and, in particular, Half Moon, have to offer. We are looking forward to introducing a new and highly-anticipated luxury experience that will surely cement Half Moon’s position as one of the Caribbean’s most iconic resort destinations.”

Both the Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort & Spa and Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas have undertaken extensive renovations since they were damaged by hurricanes. The Renaissance, which is expected to fully reopen this year, made changes to its guest rooms, dining areas, lobby and other public areas, and outdoor landscaping. Local artwork and artisan products are highlighted in the updated spaces. The Ritz-Carlton, which reopened to full capacity in the fall, has made significant upgrades to its guest rooms, meeting space, lobby and dining facilities. There is a new, family swimming pool with a splash pad and luxury pool cabanas.

Puerto Rico

“Puerto Rico is a great place for groups because it offers diverse topography with beach, city and rainforest all within a pretty short drive; great authentic cuisine; friendly locals; and a rich culture that can be felt through its music, food, art and celebrations,” says Betty Gonzalez, communications manager for the Caribe Hilton. “San Juan is just a short flight from many major U.S. cities, including New York, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta and Boston. English is widely spoken. There’s no currency exchange and no passports required. Here, groups get the benefit of an exotic, tropical escape without the hassle of having to travel abroad.”

The Caribe Hilton remains one of the island’s most iconic properties. It was the first Hilton hotel outside of the continental U.S., and is the birthplace of the piña colada. Last year, the property wrapped up a $150 million renovation that included changes to all 652 guest rooms, pools and landscaping, the spa and its 11 dining concepts.

Late last year, Fairfax, Virginia-based NetHope, a collective that focuses on improving IT connectivity among humanitarian organizations, hosted its annual Global Summit at Caribe Hilton. More than 500 participants spent five days hearing from keynote speakers, attending breakout sessions and workshops, networking and engaging in community service projects.

“NetHope was drawn to Puerto Rico as a Summit destination given our work in the region during the response and recovery to Hurricanes Maria and Irma,” says event manager Elizabeth Bamber. “In March of 2018 — less than six months after the hurricanes — we conducted an extensive site visit to six hotels and determined the Caribe Hilton offered us the best of the best. Though the property was under extensive repair and renovation, the location and campus were unparalleled. The potential of what Caribe Hilton could offer for meeting space, guest rooms and amenities was clear.”

Bamber never regretted that decision. “Coming from a hotel background, I am very aware of the training and support it takes to create and sustain an excellent team of service professionals. Caribe Hilton has succeeded in delivering this team at every level and in every department. From the banquet and bar staff to the bellmen, concierge and front desk, along with housekeeping and the resort staff, I was extremely well cared for as a planner and our guests as attendees.”

One of the highlights of the event is always the NetHope Community Celebration, which highlights the organization’s partners as well as the culture, people, cuisine and music of the host community. “This year’s celebration — held on-property — was beautifully themed, with local musicians, regional cuisine and the Caribe Hilton’s signature piña colada,” Bamber says. Interactive DMC Puerto Rico was an important partner in sourcing and executing the celebration.

NetHope also offered attendees the opportunity to volunteer for service projects with local nonprofits. Activities included: home remodeling and repair, tree planting, farm labor assistance and helping to clean up and revitalize a school severely damaged by Hurricane Maria.

Bamber highly recommends the Caribbean as a whole in addition to the Caribe Hilton. “The region is well positioned with infrastructure and hotel and resort properties to accommodate a diverse slate of meetings, conventions and events,” she says. “Its natural beauty, rich cultures and welcoming citizens are an additional bonus to any planner or attendee experience.”

Puerto Rico is a prime destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and events — and will be more so especially when El Distrito opens in the spring. The district will feature a zip line, restaurants, bars, lounges, the first day/night disco and eight premium movie theaters. The 360,000-sf state-of-the-art entertainment, retail and dining project combines the best in art, music, technology and hospitality.

“A perfect visit to Puerto Rico isn’t complete without checking out the beautiful beaches, bustling Old San Juan city center, and El Yunque rainforest, which is home to lots of local wildlife,” Gonzalez says. “There are also great under-the-radar neighborhoods and towns like Santurce, Calle Loiza and La Perla that are worth visiting when you want to go more off-the-beaten-path. We’re known for having one of the longest festive seasons, with celebrations that run from Christmas though February. The entire city comes alive this time of year. C&IT

Las Vegas Convention Center - The new West Hall will provide 600,000 square feet of trade show exhibit space as well as an additional 150,000 square feet of meeting room space. The first application of an underground transportation system will move passengers conveniently throughout the campus via electric vehicles

We know Las Vegas for its showgirls and crooners, its casino life and pool scene. But the city that is already firmly positioned as one of the world’s top entertainment, meeting and convention destinations is quickly adopting a new guise that promises to expand its dedicated fan base even further.

This April, the Las Vegas Strip will host the 85th annual NFL Draft, one of the most anticipated events on the sports calendar. And in September, the Raiders move to Las Vegas to play next season’s home games at the new, $1.9 billion Allegiant Stadium, now in its final stages of construction just off the Strip.

“Las Vegas is great because it’s arguably the event and convention capital in the U.S.” Samantha Kearns, CMM

“Las Vegas is a place where you can experience sports and entertainment in a way that’s totally different than anywhere else on earth,” says Chris Meyer, CEM, CMP, vice president of Global Sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). “We’ve evolved into a year-round professional sports city with the introduction of the NHL’s Las Vegas Golden Knights and the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces in the past couple of years, and next fall we’ll welcome the NFL’s Raiders.”

It’s not like Las Vegas needed to add another dimension to its entertainment package. But there’s no question that major league sports teams will help further diversify the city’s attractions — and provide meeting and convention planners with new angles to utilize in producing dynamic and memorable events.

“Las Vegas is great because it’s arguably the event and convention capital in the U.S.,” suggests Samantha Kearns, CMM, owner of Kearns & Company, a San Diego-based corporate event planning company. “The city is incredibly well versed in moving mass amounts of people quickly, the number of hotel options make pricing very competitive, and food and beverage options and customizations are essentially endless.”

Kearns adds: “I have yet to have a client ask for something — no matter how outlandish it seems — that can’t be done in Las Vegas. From experiential events to corporate meetings, everything is doable.”

The Caesars properties have been Kearns’ go-to when bringing corporate groups to Las Vegas for larger tech conferences such as CES or IWCE — groups of 20 to 60 that may walk the show floor or have meeting spaces on-site, but don’t always have an exhibit in the show.

“Caesars has helped me pull off events and meetings that at times felt impossible,” Kearns says. “The properties are always accommodating my meeting needs and last-minute alterations to guest room blocks, food and beverage, and the change of plans that sometimes happen in the 11th hour of the planning process.”

Kearns says, from a planner’s perspective, she particularly likes The LINQ Hotel + Experience. “The impossibly easy access to a variety of restaurants, shops, Monorail transportation, and the Strip make it an easy choice,” Kearns explains. “Oftentimes my corporate groups are in a meeting room or at the convention center all day and The LINQ allows them to stroll the promenade, zip line or take a ride on the High Roller, and experience some of the fun that Las Vegas offers without having to travel far. Easy access to the Monorail is also a budget saver — I can buy passes for my sales teams and cut down on overall transportation costs so we can funnel that spend into different areas of the budget.”

Kearns values being able to offer her groups concessions tailored to their interests — be it room upgrades, or offering Platinum or Diamond status to the C-suite. And, she adds, her requests never generate a hard “No” from the Caesars properties.

“They are always willing to work with my requests, no matter how large or last-minute, to make sure I’m happy with the solution,” Kearns says. “Whether it’s a sudden increase in meeting space for a new product launch party, an on-site revision to my A/V needs, or an addition to my guest room block, they have always made my vision come to life, and made my clients very happy. Since closed mouths don’t get fed, I keep a very open dialogue going with my on-site event and catering managers so they can work in stride with me to make sure we are exceeding my client’s expectations.”

Adds Kearns, “The groups that I bring to The LINQ expect that we go back again the following year. We consistently come in under budget, achieve our event and meeting objectives, and everyone leaves having had a great time socially.”

Come spring, Caesars Entertainment will have even more to attract meetings and conventions with the debut of Caesars FORUM, a $375 million conference facility located adjacent to the High Roller observation wheel. The 550,000-sf facility will provide direct access to 8,500 hotel rooms at Harrah’s Las Vegas, the LINQ and Flamingo Hotel and Casino Las Vegas, and will offer the two largest pillar-free ballrooms in the world, each 110,000 sf, plus more than 100 breakout rooms. Since announcing the project, Caesars reports that more than $390 million in meetings and events have been signed to utilize the facility, with more than 70% of those contracts representing new business.

With 4 million sf of meeting and convention space within a 2-mile stretch on the Las Vegas Strip, MGM Resorts remains the dominant player for the meetings market. Over the last two years, 850,000 sf of meeting space has been added at ARIA Resort & Casino, MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Las Vegas and Park MGM Las Vegas. With its increased flexibility, the new meeting space allows for more robust and creative meeting options to meet the ever-changing needs for collaborative and productive work spaces.

Just more than a year ago, the MGM Grand expanded its conference center by 250,000 sf in a $130 million expansion. Last year, the new Park MGM also debuted a 77,000-sf conference space with a combination of non-traditional spaces, an outdoor terrace and flexible design, filling an unmet need in Las Vegas for small groups, while also offering spaces to host up to 5,000 attendees in the Park Theater.

At the other end of the Strip, the venerable Tropicana Las Vegas — a DoubleTree by Hilton, is preparing for a soft renovation of its 100,000-sf convention center and all guest rooms, slated to begin in the first quarter of this year. The resort has already added three new F&B options during the last two years, including Robert Irvine’s Public House, a partnership with the Food Network that gives the titular chef a chance to provide his spin on American pub cuisine. The 300-seat venue has a private room that accommodates up to 100 patrons, providing two options for groups to take over the space. Next door, the Red Lotus Asian Kitchen serves soups and noodle dishes with roots in the cuisine of China, Vietnam, Thailand and Korea. And last year, the Tropicana debuted the Trago Lounge, a high-end, redo of the former Tropicana Lounge, specializing in craft cocktails, bourbons and scotch whiskeys.

Last summer, the main tower pool deck at the The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino was redesigned, creating a Mediterranean oasis in the city. Taking design cues from the Italian Riviera, with sculptural art pieces and quaint gardens — the five pools provide the look and feel of a European escape. The addition of 10, well-appointed premium poolside cabanas provide over-the-top amenities, some of which feature private plunge pools — reflecting the needs of the resort’s most discerning guests.

The Venetian was home to the annual user’s conference for San Francisco-based software company Splunk Inc. The conference drew 11,000 Splunk Enthusiasts for 400 education sessions held at the Venetian and adjacent Sands Expo & Convention Center. Leslie Hasvold, Splunk’s director of Corporate Event Marketing, says the conference will be returning to the Venetian this year.

“Our customers’ and partners’ experience across the Venetian and the Sands is seamless, providing them with the right space and journey for a conference of our size,” Hasvold says. “For planners, the teams at the properties are great partners, and the suite room concept at the hotels is a huge plus.”

Hasvold was impressed with how The Venetian handled one particular aspect of Splunk’s list of priorities.

“As a company and a conference, we take our diversity and inclusion efforts very seriously,” Hasvold says. “The Venetian jumped in with both feet and supported our efforts in creating gender-neutral restrooms, a multifaith room complete with a qibla, mothers’ rooms, and a wellness and relaxation space.”

The Venetian and Palazzo resort complex includes more than 7,000 rooms, with 2.25 million sf of meeting space spread between the hotels and the adjacent Sands, allowing the integrated property to cater events of almost any size under one roof. This is helpful, as keeping attentions focused can be a struggle in a glittery location such as Las Vegas.

“One challenge of the city as a whole is the sheer quantity of distractions our attendees face,” Hasvold says. “It is especially important in Las Vegas to make sure our content and activities are compelling enough to hold our attendees’ interest.” The city’s ability to handle large groups with ease tops the list of advantages for meeting planners like Hasvold. “Beyond that, the large meeting and convention hotels, the reasonable sleeping room pricing, the airlift, and the city’s constant improvements for planners and travelers” all help make Las Vegas a good fit for Splunk.

Stephanie Hannah agrees. The  vice president of Field Marketing for Irvine, California-based IT company Trace3 says: “Las Vegas has been the perfect destination for the Evolve Leadership and Technology Conference for 10 years. Whether it’s a hotel, a dining experience or entertainment, the advantage of working with this city is that there are so many great options to choose from. The entertainment and dining is unparalleled. I produce an award event, and work with Fernando Quevado and Kelly Hamilton from Q Productions to help me produce an Oscar-worthy show every year. Kelly also does a laser show that opens my events — it is incredible. And, a dining event that we have repeated several times is the Lip-Smacking Foodie Tour. My guests get to embark on a five-star dining experience around Las Vegas and end the evening with Champagne and a helicopter ride down the Las Vegas Strip.”

The Evolve conference draws 1,500 attendees to the city annually, and the event is scheduled again in June at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, now part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. The 3,042-room hotel occupies a prime location near the center of the Strip, and features more than 240,000 sf of meeting space.

“I chose the Cosmopolitan Hotel because the location is great, the meeting space fits all my needs, and the food choices are the highest quality,” Hannah says. “The hotel itself is modern, and continuously updated, and the room product is one of the best — it has just been refreshed and the rooms look fantastic.”

Hannah also lauds the hotel’s staff. “The sales manager was great to work with during the contracting process,” she adds.

One of the Cosmopolitan’s unique venues is The Chelsea, a working, transformable theater inspired by an abandoned glass factory. The 40,000-sf concert hall, split over two levels, offers an avant-garde approach to meetings and entertainment, with cast glass chandeliers, a vintage lobby bar, private VIP opera boxes, and a decorative grand staircase.

“The Chelsea has amazing sound and visuals,” Hannah says. But, she cautions: “It’s extremely costly — make sure you negotiate a set load-in and load-out and daily usage fee.”

One option for trimming distractions is moving to a hotel off the Strip. Although the M Resort Spa Casino is on Las Vegas Boulevard, it’s also about 9 miles south of the airport, well away from the usual bustle and traffic of the Strip.

Debbie Welder, GLP, GTP, global corporate travel manager for Rimini Street, says M Resort was a great fit for her company, a third-party software support company, in part due to Rimini Street being based in Las Vegas. “But, we find that our employees enjoy after-hours leisure activities as well as dining options,” she says. “The hotel is only 15 minutes from the airport, so it is easily accessible, and we don’t deal with most of the traffic around the Strip.”

It is also still relatively accessible to most of the off-site activities Las Vegas visitors count on. For a 90-person, new-hire training event in the summer, Rimini Street held one off-site event at Topgolf Las Vegas.

“It is the No. 1 request from our staff and always highly rated on surveys,” Welder says. “Topgolf is for players of all skill levels, and offers an all-inclusive package which makes planning easy. We’re holding another large event in February, and will be offering Hoover Dam Tours, exotic car rides, a Cirque show, Topgolf and the Mob Museum.”

M Resort is one example of how planners may be able to tap into the city’s growing sports focus. The hotel sits in close proximity to the Raiders practice facility, which is expected to yield opportunities for corporate planners and casino players alike. Starting in the summer, M Resort will be designated the ‘Official Raiders Team Headquarters Hotel,’ and exclusive access to experiences with the Raiders organization are in the works. An official Raiders Bar & Grill will open at M Resort this summer, complimenting the hotel’s popular 16 Rooftop Bar, which opened last year.

The 390-room M Resort offers more than 92,000 sf of meeting space, including a 25,000-sf pavilion, grand ballroom, outdoor terraces and multiple reception areas.

“The resort has any size meeting room you could need, from the large pavilion to the board room,” Welder says. “They also have solid relationships with third-party vendors if extra décor or entertainment is needed. Rimini Street likes to brand heavily at events and the M Resort had great suggestions as well as an on-site vendor who could assist with printing and installation.”

Welder found the resort’s catering staff to be quite flexible, and the food outstanding. “We are putting together an ‘Around the World’ dinner for our global employees, and the catering staff has been instrumental in presenting menus that incorporate dishes from our office locations.”

Welder adds, “The meetings and events staff is extremely helpful, professional and flexible, as well. We have many changes to our meetings, and the hotel responded quickly. Nothing is off limits — public spaces can be closed off, custom menus or drinks can be created, and unusual event set up is possible. All you have to do is ask, and the hotel staff can give you great advice on how other companies have used the space.”

Formerly the SLS Las Vegas, the new SAHARA Las Vegas officially took on its original name last year, and is undergoing a $150 million refreshing. It spreads its 1,600 guest rooms among the Blanca Tower, Marra Tower, or AAA Four Diamond Alexandria Tower, each offering a distinct attendee experience. For foodies, SAHARA has a variety of restaurants sure to satiate any appetite, including the award-winning Bazaar Meat by José Andrés, which has a room to accommodate groups of 12 or more for private dining; Beers and Bets; Northside Café & Chinese Kitchen; Uno Más Street Tacos + Spirits; and Bella Bistro. Bars include Paradise Lounge and CASBAR Lounge, which offers live entertainment Thursday through Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

As for meetings and events, SAHARA offers more than 80,000 sf of indoor-outdoor event space, including a 9,000-sf ballroom, and 30,000 sf of dedicated meeting space. There are also two pools; the Amina Spa, with 10 treatment rooms; and a 1,600-sf Fitness Studio open around the clock.

For planners and attendees seeking more than gaming and nightlife, Wynn Las Vegas recently resurrected the Wynn Golf Club and its new Tom Fazio golf course. The 18-hole championship course includes reimagined topography throughout.

“Tom Fazio has outdone himself designing a beautiful and unique new course that is even better than the one before,” says Marilyn Spiegel, president of Wynn Las Vegas and Encore. “We look forward to welcoming players back with a world-class golf experience that captures both the luxury of our resort and the excitement of Las Vegas.”

The course sits on 129 acres of the resort’s private backyard, with eight all-new holes and 10 revamped holes. Completing the experience is a professional caddie program staffed with several PGA members, a new on-course culinary program, lithium-powered golf carts, expansive pro shop, and luxury clubhouse.

As for the resort, Wynn and Encore Las Vegas consist of two hotel towers with a total of 4,748 guest rooms, suites and villas. It offers about 192,000 sf of casino space, 22 signature dining experiences, 11 bars, two award-winning spas, about 290,000 sf of meeting and convention space, about 160,000 sf of retail space as well as two theaters, two nightclubs, a beach club and recreation and leisure facilities. .

Wynn Las Vegas has also embraced the environmental movement, last year the resort opened the Wynn Solar Field, which offsets up to 75% of the resort’s peak energy needs. The solar facility will eventually be used to power the resort’s new meetings and conventions space expansion, set to open in the spring, with 100% renewable energy.

 RENO AS AN ALTERNATIVE CHOICE

A popular Reno destination, Peppermill Resort Spa Casino recently renovated the guest rooms and lobbies of Peppermill North and West wings; the Florence and Pisa hospitality suites; there is now a new, private dining room that can accommodate up to 50 guests at Café Milano; and the two-story, 17th-floor suites were redone to include luxurious amenities, custom décor and exceptional views.

The resort, which sprawls over 45 acres, offers 82,000 sf of gaming action, 106,000 sf of meeting and entertainment space, which features its newly renovated Sorrento, Naples and Capri ballrooms. In addition to offering one of Nevada’s largest clear-span meeting spaces, Peppermill also boasts a two-story executive boardroom, two resort pools, 10 award-winning restaurants, 15 themed bars and lounges, the world-class, 33,000-sf Spa Toscana and a fitness center.

The 1,900-room Grand Sierra Resort and Casino is Reno’s largest property, with 200,000 sf of meeting space. The resort’s Grand Theatre can hold up to 4,000 attendees. It also offers 45 breakout rooms for smaller groups, but can handle groups ranging from 10 to 4,000 people.

Grand Sierra also offers 11 food-and-beverage options, from a fine-dining steakhouse to casual eateries, including a Round Table Pizza Italian restaurant that features gourmet pizzas.

A self-contained Nevada Conference & Exhibition Center features 44,115 sf of meeting and exhibit space, including 12 breakout rooms. The resort complex also features a state-of-the-art spa, as well as a bowling complex, a cinema, indoor golf and a driving range.

For Elemental LED Inc., an engineering and technology company that produces linear lighting, Reno offered the solution for monthly training events for groups of 30 to 50 dealers representing Elemental products. The Reno-based company holds the two-day events at the 824-room Atlantis Casino Resort Spa.

“The service provided by the Atlantis matches that of Elemental LED’s mission statement: ‘Make it easy for customers to do business with us,’” says James Chau, senior technical training manager. “The Atlantis is classic Reno in physical form. The appeal is fun and cheesy, and modern enough for comfort.”

Adds Chau: “The Atlantis gave us a full coordination team which made communications really simple and direct — no need to send to a generic inbox for answers. There’s one person for initial contact, one for coordination, and one for billing. In addition, the SMERF sales manager has introduced additional items to make the stay for our guests more personal, such as a welcome letter upon checking in, and gift baskets or goodies waiting in each of their hotel rooms — small gestures, big impact. The sales manager continued to provide constant communication when details, forms, or other items are missing. All of this is ingrained with her team. Not once were these team members unavailable to be contacted if anything went wrong or if additional assistance was needed.”

When it comes to rooms, Chau advises being specific in communicating requests to your coordinator. “They will absolutely be accommodating in every way possible. For example, I had one guest who was afraid of elevators and required a room that was on a floor accessible by stairs. With less than one day notice they were able to handle it quickly.” Chau adds that the entire Atlantis facility is always clean throughout, and he lauds the hotel’s spa. “Hands down, it’s the best massage you’ll find in Reno. Many of my guests rave about it during a survey recap following each of the events.”

Although Chau says Reno is a very active town, he cites its “limited cultural expanse” as a shortcoming for the city. “Though slowly growing, there is little to offer for those of other ethnic decent,” Chau says. “What is currently present is non-authentic and mostly used as a tourist gimmick. This becomes a challenge when we host our international VIPs who are craving a bit of home during long stints.”

While Nevada’s second-largest city may not have quite the flash of the Las Vegas Strip, the destination still provides unexpected activities like tackling the world’s tallest outdoor rock-climbing wall at Whitney Peak Hotel or a beer tasting at Great Basin Brewing Co., the oldest brewery in Nevada.

“Reno is full of events every day,” Chau adds. “Contacting local coordinators early will give you the best bang for your dollar, but also grant you and your guests the best experience possible. No hiccups, no incidents — just pure comfort.” C&IT

Dallas offers more than 80,000 hotel rooms, 13,000 of which are in downtown.

Texas is a spectacular destination for corporate events, conferences and meetings. With its one-of-a-kind indoor and outdoor venues, state-of-the-art convention centers, and an array of hotels from which to choose, Texas offers meeting and event planners — and attendees — unique, memorable and impactful experiences.

 DESTINATION DALLAS

For Suzanne Swanson, CMP, CMM, meeting manager of Events at AVID Center in San Diego, California, Dallas offers a wealth of options for the summer institute that AVID hosts each year. In fact, for the last 12 years, AVID has orchestrated at least one summer institute in downtown Dallas each summer.

“We have used the Hyatt Regency Dallas, Omni Dallas Hotel and Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.” Suzanne Swanson, CMP, CMM

“We have used the Hyatt Regency Dallas, Omni Dallas Hotel and Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. We also use the Hilton Anatole for our National Conference,” Swanson says.

At each AVID institute, about 5,000 adult educators, including teachers, principals and administrators, attend the three-day institute to learn strategies that they can take back to their schools in the fall.

“We have a general session on Day 2 to feature a couple of AVID students and one AVID teacher who share their experiences with AVID and how it has impacted their lives and communities,” Swanson says. “We usually have two general sessions at the Hyatt Regency’s Landmark Ballroom, which is beautiful.”

One of the key reasons Dallas is a popular venue for AVID is because it is centrally located in the U.S. and is convenient for larger Dallas school districts.

“We have very responsive hotel and convention center partners that know our event, so it is a true partnership,” Swanson says. “We are tax-exempt in Texas, which saves us money. And one of the biggest draws is the amount of available meeting space in close proximity to the convention center. We need 85 to 90 meeting rooms concurrently over a three-day period.”

Named one of the Trade Show Executive magazine’s Top 10 convention centers, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD) is one of the largest convention centers in the nation and connects to the 1,001-room Omni Dallas Hotel via an expansive sky bridge. Omni Dallas Hotel offers 142,000 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, eight restaurants, a full-service Mokara Spa, and a heated infinity swimming pool and terrace.

With over 1 million sf of exhibit space, the KBHCCD offers three large ballrooms and a 221,290-sf arena with 9,816 seats. In addition, Dallas offers more than 80,000 hotel rooms, 13,000 of which are in downtown Dallas. Also, 12 newly opened hotels offer even more options for attendees.

“Our institutes run until 5 p.m. each day, so many of our attendees visit restaurants located downtown and uptown,” Swanson says. In the past, some attendees have visited AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, while others have visited the downtown art museum and attended live performances. In fact, Dallas boasts the largest urban arts district in the nation, spanning 19 square blocks. What’s more, the city’s expansive amount of green spaces and walkable neighborhoods offer a myriad of entertainment options, as do the city’s six professional sports teams, 200 golf courses, and more than 12,000 restaurants.

“We’ve been hosting events in Dallas for at least 12 years and our partners make us feel special. It is fairly central in the U.S. with two easily accessible airports,” Swanson says. “If your attendees are local, the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) is an affordable way to get downtown.”

In North Dallas sits the Renaissance Dallas Addison Hotel, which offers 101,117 sf of event space. That includes the 25,520-sf Crystal Ballroom, which can accommodate 3,000 attendees theater-style. Looking for a little shopping or to visit a museum? Less than a mile away are the Galleria Dallas and the Cavanaugh Flight Museum.

 DESTINATION FORT WORTH

Chelsey Berend, vice president of Field Experience at Kynect in Dallas, recently planned Kynect’s annual convention, Kynection, where the company recognizes their sales channel with awards, dinners, parties and training. Held at the Fort Worth Convention Center, more than 4,000 attended.

“Kynection is Kynect’s premier annual, multiday event bringing thousands of independent associates and their guest from across the country to Texas for an unforgettable experience, full of training, networking, recognition, entertainment and world-renowned speakers,” Berend says.

While Fort Worth is close to Kynect’s corporate location of Dallas, the venue location also was in an optimal city with the right event space availability for the organization’s agenda.

“The downtown Fort Worth location is safe, walkable and has many restaurants and shops to entertain our attendees,” Berend says. “They explored Sundance Square and Cow Town. Fort Worth is a perfect location for meetings and events because it is laid out to accommodate foot traffic and is easily accessible by the DFW Metroplex, as well as, close to DFW Airport. The city has friendly people, its clean and safe and also has lots of culture to offer.”

In addition to its walkable downtown, Fort Worth is truly an urban oasis home to several entertainment districts, including the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive. According to the Fort Worth CVB, the growth of Fort Worth’s downtown area, which includes the 35-block Sundance Square shopping and entertainment center, has helped boost the demand for meetings and conventions. The recently completed Dickies Arena, located in the city’s cultural district amid the Will Rogers Memorial Center Campus, offers entertainment options including sporting events, concerts and various family events. In addition, with 91,315 sf of meeting space, Dickies Arena accommodates conventions, exhibit events, business meetings and private events.

“The Fort Worth CVB is also extremely helpful, and they are very engaged in the meetings and events industry,” Berend says. “They come with knowledge of partners in the area, and also offer assistance with meeting and event planning. They make you feel like family and make sure that all groups are taken care of in their city that they are so proud of.”

DESTINATION SAN ANTONIO

Boasting more than 14,000 downtown hotel rooms and the Henry B. González Convention Center, San Antonio has proven to be a wonderful option for meetings and events.

Thanks in part to the delightful San Antonio River Walk, meeting attendees have easy access to dozens of hotels as well as the 1.6 million-sf convention center, which has recently undergone a $325 million transformation.

Stuart Ruff-Lyon, CMP, DES, vice president of Events and Exhibitions at RIMS, recently organized a RIMS Annual Conference & Exhibition at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. “We attracted some 10,000 delegates from 70 countries,” Ruff-Lyon says. “The center itself is beautifully done in a modern, stylish manner that is pleasing to attendees.”

The RIMS attendees enjoyed visiting the Alamo, but really were impressed with the Riverwalk. They were able to visit shopping, dining and nightlife — all within a five-minute walk from the convention center.

“My advice to meeting planners considering San Antonio for a meeting or event is to partner with Visit San Antonio as much as possible. “The CVB provided a wonderful experience to help us make full use of the destination,” Ruff-Lyons says. The RIMS conference enjoyed hundreds of off-site events and parties, including the opening party at the historic Sunset Station.

“It remains our best opening party to date,” Ruff-Lyons says. “The city is full of skilled, professional event partners ready to assist you in your planning experience. We would not have been successful without the support of the community and all of our event partners, particularly our DMC, Hosts Global Alliance.”

 DESTINATION PLANO

Designated the ‘least stressed city in Texas,’ Plano provides a unique hospitality all its own. From state-of-the-art meeting spaces to a wealth of hotel options, Plano hosts every type of event — from small, intimate meetings and soirées to major conventions, trade shows and conferences. Just 20 minutes north of Dallas, Plano is easily accessible on the DART light rail line, allowing attendees to travel throughout the region and explore.

Known for its plethora of walking districts and neighborhoods, Plano boasts the Shops at Legacy, which is within walking distance of more than 100 restaurants and various shops and its anchor hotel, Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center. Nearby, Legacy West offers an additional mixed-use, 225-acre development teeming with shops, restaurants and the Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel. In addition, the new 30,000-sf Boardwalk features various eateries and a local brewery. A short drive from the Plano Event Center, attendees can also explore the Downtown Plano arts district, offering additional retail and entertainment options.

DESTINATION AUSTIN

Each year, more than 2,300 people attend Orangetheory Fitness’ annual convention in Austin. Jennifer Tate, director of corporate events for Orangetheory Fitness, says the purpose of the event is to bring together the Orangetheory Fitness network from across the globe to celebrate the company’s successes and highlight the organization’s innovation ideas for the future.

“Our attendees hear expert advice, learn proven strategies, network with like-minded people and get inspired with their peers,” Tate says. The event was held at the Austin Convention Center (ACC), Fairmont Austin, Hilton Austin and The Long Center.

“We chose Austin because it met all of our needs — enough sleeping rooms, enough meeting space, ease of travel, lots to offer our attendees in restaurants and nightlife options all in an exciting environment,” Tate says. “Austin is a great city for a young audience who like to have fun and explore the area. Take the time to explore all the city has to offer as it surely has something for everyone.”

Indeed, as the state capital of Texas, Austin is filled with exciting venues and eclectic hot spots. While known as a popular leisure locale, Austin also offers wonderful options for meetings and events of all sizes. The ACC is a state-of-the-art facility that boasts a wealth of in-house technology capabilities that will help deliver an event that keeps attendees coming back for more. Located in close proximity to the convention center are 11,000 hotel rooms and shops, restaurants and entertainment venues aplenty. The greater Austin area features more than 39,000 hotel rooms.

Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa offers 493 of those guest rooms and suites at its 4,000-acre property, which includes four championship golf courses from which golf-loving attendees can select: Fazio Canyons, Fazio Foothills, Coore Crenshaw and Palmer Lakeside.

The resort also offers four pools, including an indoor pool available year-round; 76,192 sf of meeting and event space; a new, 13,000-sf Mokara Spa with an exclusive pool and rooftop deck; and a 3,000-sf fitness center. As for dining, the resort offers seven signature restaurants, including Blind Salamander Kitchen & Bar and Bob’s Steak & Chop House.

In addition to a wealth of traditional meeting venues, Austin also offers many eclectic, unique venue options for meetings and events, including favorite Texas barbecue hot spots, racetracks, stages, a draft house or even lakeside. The city is also home to more than 250 live music venues — adding to its appeal as a popular hot spot for attendees of all ages.

DESTINATION IRVING

Home to more than 12,000 hotel rooms, Irving is the ideal destination thanks to its proximity to downtown Dallas. One of the city’s ideal locales for meetings and events is the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas (ICCLC). With more than 275,000 sf, the ICCLC offers elegant ballrooms, a leading-edge exhibit hall, several breakout rooms and a vast amount of pre-function space. Beyond the confines of the convention center, Irving offers an additional 200,000 sf of meeting and event space.

Of course, the convention center’s centralized location means that attendees revel in the area’s mixed-use entertainment district, including the Toyota Music Factory, with its indoor-outdoor amphitheater and 50,000-sf plaza with stage. The area also boasts a vast amount of entertainment, retail and restaurant spaces, including a movie theater and comedy club.

Recently the $110 million Westin Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas hotel opened and offers 350 guest rooms, the 10,000-sf Harmony Ballroom, and 30,000 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space.

DESTINATION HOUSTON

When Joe Martin, executive director of THSCA was planning his organization’s convention, the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRBCC) in Houston was the ideal locale for 13,714 attendees, the majority of whom were coaches, with the remainder being exhibitors. This ‘Coaching School’ is an annual event providing professional development, networking and buying opportunities for coaches.

“Houston First has been a tremendous partner and the GRBCC campus is a fabulous facility where our coaches have the opportunity to bring family, park their car and walk to our convention as well as to entertainment and restaurant venues,” Martin says. “The GRBCC campus allows for adequate entertainment and food options.” With more than 1.2 million sf of exhibit, meeting and registration space, including 639,000 sf of contiguous exhibit space and 88 meeting rooms, Houston’s convention center is a haven for events of all sizes. Of course, the convention center is just one venue that can house conventions as the city of Houston boasts more than 4.4 million sf of convention facilities. Another favorite convention facility is the NRG Park, formerly Reliant Park, which includes 2.1 million sf of exhibit and meeting space.

In addition, the Houston area has more than 80,000 hotel rooms with approximately 8,000 in the downtown area.

Martin believes pitching the idea of parking your vehicle and having the ability to walk to all venues is huge. “The Marriott Marquis Houston is a great venue for families in the warm months due to the pool and multiple restaurants,” Martin says. “Don’t let the size of the city concern you — once you arrive onto this campus it seems like a small city.”

For those eager to venture around the region, downtown Houston is sure to please. Downtown Houston features a thriving professional arts scene and an expansive museum district featuring 18 venues located in close proximity to each other. Houston’s Memorial Park is home to a public golf course, trails and tennis courts.

DESTINATION EL PASO

If hosting a meeting off the beaten path sounds more appealing, El Paso offers the idyllic Texan experience for meeting planners and attendees alike. Teeming with history, attendees offer a unique historical and cultural experience all its own. A recent multimillion-dollar investment has revitalized downtown El Paso to include a multipurpose performing arts venue, Hispanic cultural center, and public art projects — all within walking distance to the El Paso Convention Center.

DESTINATION ARLINGTON

The Arlington City Council voted recently to approve a $550 million addition to the city’s Entertainment District that will include a new hotel, a publicly owned convention center and a parking facility. Construction is expected to begin early this year, with completion slated for 2023.

The hotel will have 888 guest rooms, and it will be called the Loews Arlington. All told, the project will result in 150,000 sf of indoor convention space, 66,000 sf of outdoor space and a future expo hall that will connect via a skybridge to the new 300-room Live! by Loews Hotel and its convention space, resulting in a roughly 1,200-room hotel. A public-private partnership between Loews, the Texas Rangers, Cordish Cos., the City of Arlington and Tarrant County is funding the project.

There are also plans to develop the southwest corner of Globe Life Park stadium into 200,000 sf of office space, including 280 residential units along with 100,000 sf of restaurant, retail, parking and small business incubator space on the southeast corner of the intersection. Development of this project will move forward once a tenant is in place, officials said.

The Arlington Entertainment District contains such tourism attractions as the Dallas Cowboy’s AT&T Stadium, the new Texas Rangers Globe Life Field, the $250 million Texas Live! entertainment complex, Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. The $150 million flagship Live! by Loews Arlington luxury hotel opened in August, offering guests walkable access to the Entertainment District’s offerings. Arlington was also recently selected as the future home of the National Medal of Honor Museum, which will also be in the Entertainment District.

DESTINATION GRAPEVINE

Another Texas option teeming with charm and character is Grapevine. Located in the Northern part of the state, Grapevine is home to more than 20 hotels, 11,000 area hotel rooms and 1 million sf of meeting space — all within minutes of the Dallas-Fort Worth airport. From the Grapevine Convention Center to the Palace Arts Center to the Grapevine Concourse Event Center, the variety of meeting and event spaces in Grapevine is celebrated by meeting planners from across the U.S. When work is complete for the day, event attendees can enjoy a visit to the Sea Life Aquarium or embark on the historic Grapevine Vintage Railroad or tour many of the area’s winery tasting rooms. C&IT