< Previousin the near future, so they should move quickly to propose dates,” Carbonell says. “We also expect buyouts to grow, which have always been very popular on more intimate ships. With our two brands, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours [which includes our ultra-luxury Dis- covery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse], and Emerald Cruises, we have a total fleet of 25 ships at this point [and growing], and we’re eager and ready to fulfill that increased demand.” Carbonell thinks MICE bookings will continue on an upward trend. “When 2020 began, it was one of the most profitable and exciting times in the MICE business. We’re already see- ing strong interest and fully expect travel enthusiasm to return in full force as we get beyond the pandemic.” Holland America is also seeing a surge of corporate interest. “Compa- nies are building strategies for the next several years, and that includes moti- vating and incentivizing employees and customers alike,” Coleman says. “The past 18 months have helped many of us understand the value of travel to our health and outlook. It will certainly be the most desired reward in the incen- tive arena for the foreseeable future.” Like others, Vogt is looking beyond 2021. “We’re seeing very busy 2022 and 2023 seasons. Meeting planners more than ever want to reenergize their attendees and provide time for team building — especially as so many participants have been apart from each other for so long.” Freddy Muller, AVP global corpo- rate, incentive & charter sales with Royal Caribbean International, is also seeing meeting and incentive bookings beyond the current year on the rise. “At Royal Caribbean, we’re starting to see an uptick in RFPs for 2022 and 2023, which is highly encouraging.” Carnival, too, sees a healthy future for meetings and incentive programs at sea. “There’s been tremendous pent- up demand for Carnival cruises,” Duffy says. “In fact, our bookings for 2022 are surpassing the pace we saw one year out ahead of 2019. We’re seeing MICE and charter bookings well into 2023.” Health & Safety Cruise lines have taken a deep dive into onboard health and safety, and there’s every reason for meeting and incentive planners to feel safe book- ing programs at sea. “The health and safety of our guests, crew and communities we visit, and operating in compliance with all regulatory requirements, are our top priority, and we’ve imple- mented a wide range of onboard pro- tocols and procedures,” Duffy says. “We’re following the Centers for Dis- ease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and we’ve initially opted to sail with 95% of our guests vacci- nated because, in the end, we feel it provides the best experience for our guests under the current guidelines. Under these guidelines, vaccinated guests don’t have to wear masks on board, nor are there physical-distanc- ing requirements. Self-service buf- fets operate as usual. We’ve put all printed materials on QR codes, which not only provides a contactless expe- rience, but is more environmentally friendly.” She adds, “There are some physical distancing guidelines that have been rolled out, with entertain- ers staying roughly 6 feet from guests when performing. Overall, the cruise experience is similar to what guests expect, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.” At Holland America, Coleman says, “Our highest priorities are compli- ance, environmental protection and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the communi- ties we visit. All of our 2021 cruises are available for guests with proof of having received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vac- cine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise. While these cruises will be very much a typical cruise, much goes on behind the scenes. We’ve enhanced environmental sanitation, meaning pub- lic areas and staterooms will be thoroughly and frequently cleaned using a safe disinfectant proven to kill coronaviruses,” he says. “Our highly trained medical staff Courtesy of Scenic Group USA The ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse, is an example of the more intimate ships that are popular for buyouts for smaller groups. 20 August/September 2021 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com It’s important for those booking MICE to realize that, due to pent up [market] demand, we’re seeing a shortage of charterable dates in the near future ... MAGGIE CARBONELL VP marketing Scenic Group USAincludes doctors and nurses capable of caring for a broad range of medi- cal conditions, including dealing with COVID-19 patients. Medical centers will be equipped with COVID appro- priate testing and treatment capa- bilities. Ships now have enhanced air filtration with a combination of increased fresh air and upgraded HVAC units with MERV13 (F7) fil- ters throughout. Our onboard medi- cal centers will have HEPA filtra- tion and UV lighting technology for air circulation.” Vogt says, “Vaccinations are adding an important layer of protection for all passengers and crew. We’ve also made changes to our food offerings to be more service oriented and less self-serve, and there’s 100% fresh air in all staterooms and even more sanitation than our already-high standards at Celebrity.” Royal Caribbean has “a thoughtful, robust and multi-layered approach in place to make our cruises the safest possible for everyone,” Muller says. “We’ve developed measures to pro- tect the health and safety of guests, crew and the destinations we visit. All cruises will depart with all crew being vaccinated, and testing and health questionnaires in place. Technology also plays a role. Royal’s mobile app has allowed us to accelerate game- changers, such as Muster 2.0, that will add to the guest experience and encourage healthy and safe practices. Behind the scenes,” he adds, pro- tocols and practices include “100% fresh, filtered air with maximum ven- tilation, enhanced cleaning standards and expanded expert medical care, as well as agreements to ensure no pro- longed stay onboard.” On Scenic and Emerald cruises, Carbonell, says, “We continue to follow the protocols and suggestions made by the CDC, World Health Organization (WHO) and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well as working with multiple countries’ health agen- cies to ensure we go above and beyond for our guests and crew. The environ- ment is ever-changing, and we’ll remain flexible in response. Many of the basics are already in place, including PCR testing, new hygiene protocols, cabins set aside for quarantine needs, excur- sions adjusted and organized to be the safest possible, and dining and social events done with proper protocols.” At this time, Carbonell adds, “Guests are required to be fully vaccinated to sail and our crews are tested daily. Upon embarkation, guests will be informed of the latest health and safety procedures during safety briefings, and our crew is thoroughly trained on all aspects of these procedures. We’re doing every- thing possible to make sure guests are well and safe while still giving them a feeling of being welcomed as family.” Reason for Optimism All the insiders see some reasons for positivity. Vaughn is cautious as long as the pandemic is still with us given that cruise lines are impacted by the vac- cination and immunity rates of other countries. And social distancing on ships is often difficult. Still, he says he remains “moderately optimistic.” Carbonell, meanwhile, says she thinks travel will return to pre-pan- demic levels and that it will happen faster than any previous recovery. “We see how excited our loyal guests are to get back on our ships. They can’t wait to explore the world again without severe restrictions. We’re an ‘in-person’ company. Our regional sales directors always made in-per- son contact with travel advisers and agencies, and our crews are happy to greet new and returning guests,” she says. “We’re truly optimistic that as we move through what seems to be a transition year [2021], we’ll be able to again see our clients, shake their hand [or bump elbows], break bread and raise a glass. It’s so important to have that in-person connection in this business.” Coleman thinks this is the begin- ning of the end of the pandemic problems. “It’s been nearly a year and a half of no sailings and no travel in general. Holland America Line’s first Alaska sailing in July was a big moment — the first step to bringing our ships back into operation and a return to normalcy. The excitement we feel from staff and guests is over- whelming. After being limited for so long, there’s a real excitement and eagerness to travel, stretch our legs and embrace new experiences.” Celebrity Cruise Lines The Celebrity Edge sailed from Fort Lauderdale in early summer, making it the first ship to sail from a U.S. port in more than a year. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | August/September 2021 21Duffy says everyone at Carnival is “happy to be back to doing what we do best — providing our guests with a chance to reconnect with their friends, families and professional networks. We’re also pleased that our crew mem- bers are back on board and able to sup- port their families back home. Between being repatriated from the ships and the pause in guest operations, it’s been challenging for crew members, and we’re so pleased to have them back,” she says. “In addition to the new Mardi Gras, featuring the first roller coaster at sea and powered by liquefied natu- ral gas, Carnival Celebration is set to debut in late 2022, coinciding with our 50th anniversary, as is an as-yet- unnamed Excel-class ship in 2023. We also recently announced that Costa Magica of our sister company, Costa Cruises, will be joining our fleet in 2022 following an extensive multimillion- dollar upgrade.” For Vogt, it’s simple: There’s opti- mism for “being back in the water and the energy surrounding our industry,” she says. “New ships, new destinations, new clients — it’s an exciting time after 15 months.” Muller echoes similar enthusiasm. “Royal Caribbean is excited to be back. Our first sailing from a U.S. port was July 2 on Freedom of the Seas; Adventure of the Seas has been sailing out of Nas- sau since June, and we continue to operate in Singapore [since December 2020]. The newest addition to the Royal Carib- bean fleet, Odyssey of the Seas, debuted this summer from the U.S., sailing to the Caribbean. As the world continues to open, we couldn’t be more excited to again deliver amazing expe- riences for our passengers.” A Word to Planners “My advice — don’t wait,” Coleman says. “If you have clients who customarily operate incentive or meet- ing programs, they’re ready to look to the future. If you don’t know where to start, we’re eager to assist. The Hol- land America Line charter & incentive team is standing by to discuss options and opportunities. As demand ramps up, space and fares may not be as flex- ible as before, so now is the time to lock in a group for 2022 and even 2023. The time is now for us to collaborate and get moving.” With so much demand and ships being gradually introduced, Duffy also encourages planners to start now on future programs. “We have a very tal- ented team at Carnival who specializes in working with meeting and incentive planners to find the cruise, itinerary and ship that’s right for them.” Vogt encourages planners to book a program that’s meaningful for attend- ees, that gives them “something they can take back with them and will remember for life,” while Vaughn cau- tions planners who have never booked a program on a ship not to go it alone because executing a meeting on a ship is simply more difficult than on land. “Use a professional familiar with the cruise industry and cruise ships,” Vaughn advises. “Ships are basically a leisure product, and their programs and space are allocated to meet that objective. MICE events have to com- pete with that to ensure having the space and times to make programs work. You have to know the indus- try to ensure successful meetings on ships,” he says. Carbonell keeps the emphasis on health and safety. “The best piece of advice is that safety and well-being are absolutely essential and have always been our highest priority,” she says. “Make sure the company you book with makes that their priority as well and that they’ve taken every sensible precaution. That’s what we’ve been doing since the start of this pandemic.” Bottom line, she adds, “You want your clients to be safe and to provide them with a unique, well-executed cruise experience.” That, in a nutshell, is what every cruise line also wants for meeting and incentive attendees and the planners who work with them — and exactly what they think they’re finally able to deliver once again. C&IT Celebrity Cruises Ships across the Celebrity fleet are utilizing the latest cleaning and heath and safety technology to make sure passengers can have a worry-free experience while aboard. 22 August/September 2021 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com As the world continues to open, we couldn’t be more excited to again deliver amazing experiences for our passengers. FREDDY MULLER AVP Global Corporate, Incentive & Charter Sales Royal Caribbean InternationalINTIMATE ULTRA LUXURY SHIPS. OVER 900 DESTINATIONS. UNFORGETTABLE CLIENT EVENTS. INSPIRE. INDULGE. INTRIGUE. Smaller ships introduce you to the world the way it was meant to be experienced. The intimacy. The camaraderie. The excitement of venturing into cozy harbors and remote hideaways where others cannot go. With 9 intimate ships sailing to over 900 destinations, Silversea Cruises has set the standard in corporate and incentive travel. Whether you desire a limited number of suites for an exclusive reward, recognition program or a fullship charter, Silversea can accommodate your next event at an extraordinary value. Let Silversea inspire, indulge and intrigue your top performers with exquisite style. #ThisIsSilversea For more information call Silversea at 954.713.3910, email freddym@silversea.com or visit Silversea.com/Inspire SILVERSEA’S ALL-INCLUSIVE LIFESTYLE • Multiple restaurants, diverse cuisine, open seating dining • Meeting spaces with all audiovisual equipment • Shore Excursions included starting in 2022 • Spacious, ocean-view suites • Inclusive room service • Onboard gratuities • Beverages in suite and throughout the ship, including champagne, select wines and spirits • Butler service in every suite • Personalized service – nearly one crew member for every guest • Complimentary Wi-Fi for all suites W hile the pandemic has roiled the meet- ings industry over the past several months, planners continue to demonstrate both resiliency and resolve when it comes to booking events that meet client needs. Whether planning hybrid or face-to-face meetings, small or mid-sized venues, ask any planner what tops their list of desirables, and health and safety protocols, accessibil- ity, affordability and all-inclusive amenities win out every time. Enter gaming resorts, which continue to thrive even during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a popular venue choice for plan- ners. Despite some challenges from the uncertainty of the ever-changing pandemic landscape, gaming resort site managers have remained flexible and open-minded in creating the best pos- sible attendee experiences. HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO ATLANTIC CITY ATLANTIC CITY, NJ Michael Woodside, vice president of entertainment and marketing services at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlan- tic City, credits team members who “have done an amazing job handling the record number of cus- tomers coming to our property as of late.” He describes how the company’s SAFE+SOUND protocols were estab- lished “to help ensure good, clean fun while staying at our resort” and remain a top priority “not just for guests, but for our employees as well.” In fact, Wood- side says, “I’m proud that over 80% of our team members have already been vaccinated and that Hard Rock Inter- national created a compelling incen- tive program for employees who have been vaccinated,” adding, “Our team has spent countless hours learning how to efficiently navigate the COVID land- scape, and I couldn’t be prouder of how we’ve responded to these challenges.” Easily accessible by plane and rail, Hard Rock is located just 20 minutes from Atlantic City International Airport, 75 minutes from Philadelphia Interna- tional Airport and 10 minutes from the Atlantic City Rail Terminal. Hard Rock offers 2,000 rooms with 290 suites and more than 150,000 sf of flexible meet- ing and event space at the Conference Center. Included are 30 meeting rooms and 15,000 sf of outdoor space, which can be adapted for social distancing needs. Covering 63,000 sf, Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena can host general ses- sions up to 7,000 people or 300+ booth trade shows and expo events. Whether planning an intimate board meeting or larger-scale events with an entertaining backdrop, Hard Rock provides abundant meeting venues. Gaming Resorts Remain an Attractive Option for Planners BY NANCY MUELLER INDUSTRY NEWS // GAMING 24 August/September 2021 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comAnd when it’s time to play after meeting hours, opportunities for high- energy, endless entertainment abound: a 1,000 foot-long amusement park at the Steel Pier on the Boardwalk across from the hotel; a 120,000-sf casino featuring 2,115 slot machines, plus 120 table games; an exclusive indoor/out- door pool for up to 200 people; 24-hour Body Rock fitness center; nationally recognized Rock Spa & Salon; an array of award-winning restaurants, ranging from Robert’s Steakhouse to Il Mulino (Italian) and Asian eateries such as Kuro (Japanese), Sòng (Chinese) and YouYu (Noodle Bar); drinking spaces, such as The Lobby Bar, Whammy Bar and Beach Bar; live performances at DAER Night- club and world-class acts at Etess Arena. “In addition to executing great events,” Woodside says, “Hard Rock Atlantic City creates a lively, energy-filled environment before and after meetings that is simply unmatched in the region. We have an unparal- leled commitment to live entertainment seven days a week, 365 days a year.” And for the record, Woodside says, “Headliner entertainment is back and bigger than ever here at Hard Rock Atlantic City.” For example, “This fall and winter, we’ve got legendary acts like Guns N’ Roses, Pit- bull, and Earth, Wind & Fire” with Rod Stewart and Alicia Keys on deck for 2022. With an eye toward planning future events at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the company has started a $20 million capital investment to enhance the prop- erty. This includes a “full renovation of 91 suites and an upgrade of some of our meeting spaces with new carpet, and lighting and audio systems,” Woodside says. Improvements also extend to an expansion of the casino floor and cashier areas, adding table games and slot machines, and gaming units in the High Limit and other sections. In addition to beach replenishment projects ear- lier this year, new restrooms and more than 1,000 beach chairs are among the upgrades to the Hard Rock Beach Bar. “I think one of the biggest things meeting planners can do to help resorts like us is to provide more insight into what the industry trends are in terms of safety protocols, as they know their clients best,” Woodside says. “We know that no meeting or conference is the same, but we still want to make sure everyone attending a meeting or confer- ence here at Hard Rock feels that their safety is our No. 1 priority. Also, we’d love to bring in more large groups and con- ventions to the property midweek, espe- cially during the fall and winter months.” SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD, FL Its sister resort, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hol- lywood offers simi- lar amenities. After its recent $1.5 billion resort-wide expansion, Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood now boasts 120,000 sf of meeting and convention space and is primed to remain one of the top destinations for events in South Flor- ida. With a seasoned team with decades of experience, Seminole Hard Rock can tai- lor and produce events of any size for any occasion. More than 1,200 guest rooms at the Seminole Hard Rock, including more than 600 in the iconic Guitar Hotel, are available to book through the resort’s res- ervations website, and several restaurant venues are open with social distancing requirements in place. The casino at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood features 150,000 sf of gam- ing space with 195 tables, including a Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel’s casino floor. Inset, Hard Rock Atlantic City’s view, left; Seminole Hard Rock’s Guitar Hotel, right. GALORE TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | August/September 2021 25variety of games, such as blackjack, mini- baccarat and all of the favorite specialty games. The casino also offers 3,100 of the most popular slots, as well as video poker, video roulette, electronic roulette and electronic craps. A premier destina- tion for players around the world, Semi- nole Hard Rock Hollywood is home to a 45-table Poker Room with an eight-table, semi-private area. The Poker Room is open 24/7 with first-rate amenities, includ- ing more than 50 65-inch high- resolution televisions to catch all the sports action, a private cage with five windows for accessibil- ity and delicious food selections for players on the go. The resort is located within close proximity to South Florida’s major airports: 15 minutes from Fort Lauderdale- Hollywood International Airport (FLL); 45 minutes from Miami International Airport (MIA) and an hour from Palm Beach Inter- national Airport (PBI). TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO VERONA, NY A renowned, award-winning desti- nation resort in upstate New York, the Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino features world-class ame- nities, including four hotels, two luxuri- ous spas, five golf courses, more than 20 dining options, a 125,000-sf Las Vegas- style gaming floor, a cabaret-style Show- room, a 5,000-seat arena and several nightlife venues. Conveniently located 30 miles east of Syracuse, Turning Stone, adding to its 480+ public awards, has earned new recognitions this year, including multiple Forbes’ Four-Star Awards and being named among the Top 5 New York Resorts by US News. It was also named “Best Countryside Hotel/Lodge” in 2017 by Condé Nast Johansens, and the No. 1 Best Gaming Resort in New York by Casino Player Magazine in 2019. In addition, Turning Stone has earned the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Four Star Award for The Lodge, Wildflowers restaurant and Skana spa, Forbes Recommended Rat- ings for TS Steakhouse and, for more than a decade, the AAA Four Diamond Award for The Lodge, The Tower Hotel and Wildflowers restaurant. With more than 125,000 sf of meet- ing space, the resort’s 22,000-sf Confer- ence Center is perfect for exhibits, sem- inars, meetings, company parties and group meals. The flexible design makes it easy to move from pre-function recep- tion to daytime exhibit to post- function gathering with ease. Seven boardrooms, ranging from 400 sf to 900 sf, make this the ideal setting for small-group discussions, seminars and board- room-style meetings. A short escala- tor ride shuttles participants back and forth from the parking garage, hotels and main Conference Center. The sprawling 33,000-sf Event Center can host everything from conventions to exhibits, to vendor events. Featuring a premier entertainment stage, this open space can be configured to match any need. The 15,000-sf Atrium is ideal for registration and pre- and post-event functions. As for gaming, there are 2,000 slot machines, 66 Vegas-style table games, one of the top three Bingo Halls in the world and the largest poker room in New York State. PECHANGA RESORT CASINO TEMECULA, CA Like other resorts coping with these unprecedented times, adapting to change is the name of the game at Pechanga Resort Casino, and often on a moment’s notice. With health and safety at the forefront of its operations, Pechanga’s Jon Chir, director of catering, notes, “We have a Tribal and leadership team that care- fully monitors the situation, and implements changes for guests and safety that are often ahead of county or state officials’ guide- lines.” In a further nod to the importance of health and safety protocols on-site, “We also cre- ated a specialized position within the resort, the Public Health Initiatives Manager, to better help the property and our individual team members navigate through this time with someone helping them whenever the need may arise,” Chir says. In addition to its Pechanga Cares program, which provides “enhanced cleaning and disinfecting throughout the entire resort,” the property has been actively coordinating vaccination clinics for team members on-site over the last six months, incentivizing with $100 Visa gift cards to fully vaccinated personnel. “The most important thing is safety, and we’ve been ready to pivot, and have pivoted, at so many points during the last year and a half.” Chir cites exam- ples, such as switching gears within a few days of an event, from planning a sit-down menu to paring back to offer- ing grab-and-go items instead. For Chir and his team, he says, “We just want to make sure we are giving our meeting planners and attendees the best service we possibly can, and also ensuring we keep the lines of communication open with them so they’re aware of any safety Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood 26 August/September 2021 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com discover your rhythm. Take center stage on your next event and escape the everyday in a truly extraordinary getaway with limitless possibilities. Contact our Sales Team today to learn more and book your group. 800.937.0156 | HardRockHolly.com | #GuitarHotel award winner 2020 FINE-TUNE YOUR NEXT MEETING. 21-SHRH-03684 - June The Meetings Mag Ad_rev1.indd 16/22/2021 6:14:29 PM Pechanga is really the perfect place to host a mid-sized event. Our staff is always excited to attend events here ... they maintain the facility beautifully. PAM RENTZ Director of Special Events Springs Charter Schoolsdiscover your rhythm. Take center stage on your next event and escape the everyday in a truly extraordinary getaway with limitless possibilities. Contact our Sales Team today to learn more and book your group. 800.937.0156 | HardRockHolly.com | #GuitarHotel award winner 2020 FINE-TUNE YOUR NEXT MEETING. 21-SHRH-03684 - June The Meetings Mag Ad_rev1.indd 16/22/2021 6:14:29 PMchanges that have transpired since the last time we spoke about their events.” Chir cites the longevity and loyalty of its team of banquet and catering profes- sionals, many of whom have been with the resort for more than 10 years, as one of the resort’s most valuable assets. “That means a lot to our meeting plan- ners,” says Chir “because they often return to book meetings and events year after year and tell us they look forward to coming back.” It’s a sentiment echoed by Pam Rentz, director of special events for Springs Charter Schools, and repeat client at Pechanga, who appreciates “Pechanga’s encompassing approach to safety for all of their guests.” She adds: “Pechanga is really the perfect place to host a mid- sized event. Our staff is always excited to attend events here because they maintain the facility beautifully, they get guest service and there’s a feeling of loy- alty we receive there. I have worked with the same people there for years and they know me, they know what my group likes and wants, unlike other venues, where at times you may feel like you need to prove yourself and that you have all your ducks in a row. They don’t do that at Pechanga, which is why we keep coming back — that and their great amenities. It makes me look good to my staff.” The AAA Four-Diamond-rated resort recently completed significant room ren- ovations in the Pechanga Casino Tower, bringing the total number of guest rooms to 1,100, the most of any resort casino in Southern California. Upgrades include new furnishings, flooring, quartz coun- ters and added USB, USB-C ports, among the many amenities. Deluxe rooms also include 55-inch, flat-screen TVs, while suites have an additional 65-inch tele- vision. The 275,000 sf of meeting space includes 23 meeting rooms, 150,000 sf of outdoor space and 40,000 sf of exhibit space. “There are always improvements happening at the resort; whether that’s changing the hours of the pool com- plex to better suit guests, adding more spa treatments to the menu, keeping the lineup of slot machines fresh on the casino floor or seasonally enhancing our catering menus, Pechanga continually strives to make the experience better for our visitors,” Chir says. From fine dining to casual, Pechanga hosts a number of enticing dining options. For starters, Chef Jose Men- doza heads the culinary team at Pechan- ga’s upscale AAA Four-Diamond dining destination, Great Oak Steakhouse, noted for its sumptuous 100% Prime Black Angus beef and for its exceptional wine list by Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast magazines. At the famed Umi & Sushi Bar, sushi and sashimi, oys- ters on the half shell and seafood plat- ters take center stage under the culinary direction of Chef Kiyokuni Ikeda. Addi- tional restaurant venues include Jour- ney’s End at the golf course clubhouse and Kelsey’s sports venue. Surrounded by rolling hills, vine- yards and mountain ranges, plus plenty of scenic hiking and biking trails, Pechanga Resort Casino attracts attend- ees who appreciate good wine and out- door adventures. Yet visitors need not go far as recreational opportunities are all within reach at Pechanga: an 18-hole golf course, Journey at Pechanga; Spa Pechanga, integrating “the healing powers of nature and the highest qual- ity of service,” and The Cove, Pechan- ga’s 4.5-acre resort pool oasis, offer- ing “four pools, three whirlpools, two twisty waterslides, an improved family pool and an inviting swim up bar.” MOUNT AIRY CASINO RESORT MT. POCONO, PA AAA Four-Diamond Mount Airy Casino Resort lies in the heart of Penn- sylvania’s Pocono Mountains, accessible by car or bus from major hubs New York Turning Stone Resort Casino offers 2,000 slots, one of the world’s top three Bingo Halls and the largest poker room in New York State. Mount Airy Casino Resort offers more than 70 table games, ranging from blackjack to baccarat and more than 1,800 slots. 28 August/September 2021 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comCity, Northern New Jersey and Philadel- phia in just two hours or less. Like oth- ers in the gaming resort industry, Glenn Cademartori, vice president of market- ing, remains hopeful that COVID-19 limitations and restrictions will con- tinue to ease in the coming months. In the meantime, however, he assures meeting planners that they are “continu- ously adjusting our offerings and finding new ways to cater to our guests’ every need.” For example, he says, “Whether it is being overly flexible with timelines, contracts or group size, we will do what- ever it takes to ensure that we exceed our guests’ expectations.” The premier full-service destination provides a total of 25,000 sf of “mul- tifunctional, state-of-the-art” venue space for banquets, private and corpo- rate events, weddings and entertain- ment serving groups for 1,000+ people. Nearly 300 spacious guest rooms have been beautifully appointed to reflect the colors and serenity of the surround- ing mountain landscape. Plush furnish- ings, luxurious shower amenities, flat- screen, 55-inch LCD TVs (two in the King Suite) and free high-speed inter- net access are among the many upscale guest room features. Additional meeting space includes an outdoor patio over- looking the Poconos at Mount Airy’s nationally recognized golf course club- house — “perfect for outdoor corporate events, dinners, and receptions and seated groups up to 100 people” — and a 15,000-sf tented area nearby that is “perfect for a variety of large gatherings such as trade shows and concerts.” Cademartori describes how the team at Mount Airy is think- ing outside the box when it comes to exploring the different ways for groups to be interactive while socially distanced, “whether that is through unique set ups, getting creative with our outdoor space, or utilizing our state-of- the-art video wall to make sure that all guests, including those who may be vir- tual, are included in all aspects of work events or that special day.” New develop- ments at the property include Last Call, a grab-and-go beverage store, that opened in the spring offering bottles of wine and beer, Mount Airy glassware and other treats for guests. Higher-end selections feature a bottle of 2007 Chateau Latour and a 2004 bottle of Chateau Margaux, with plans to expand the inventory in the next few months. In creating new unique guest experiences, the resort has also begun offering wine dinners at the Event Center, such as the upcoming experi- ence featuring Kim Crawford wines in the early fall. Plus, “We’re excited to see some of our concert lovers, theatergoers TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | August/September 2021 29 THE PERFECT MEETING PLACE Mount Airy Casino Resort offers a AAA Four-Diamond experience in the pristine scenery of the Pocono Mountains. With 30,000 square feet of meeting space, over 1,000 acres of resort amenities, and the most exciting dining and entertainment in Northeast Pennsylvania, we’ve got everything you need to make your next meeting extraordinAIRY. For more information, visit mountairycasino.com/meetings-weddings or call 570-243-5173. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. CASINO | HOTEL | DINING | ENTERTAINMENT | SPA | GOLF Whether it is being overly flexible with timelines, contracts or group size, we will ... ensure that we exceed our guests’ expectations. GLENN CADEMARTORI Vice President of Marketing Mount Airy Casino ResortNext >