Meeting professionals and convention attendees often spend more time on the road than with their families. They may be out of sight, but they certainly are not out of mind. Loved ones can kick that FOMO to the curb by being part of the trip from a distance. Here are some creative ways to make thoughtful gestures easy.
Message Delivery
It’s not healthy to bottle up your emotions…or is it? Sheraton Hotels & Resorts and Coca-Cola have found a way to quench a thirst for homesickness with a special program called “Message in a Bottle.” Loved ones can write a personal message to their favorite jet-setter and have the hotel concierge deliver it to their hotel room, rolled up in a classic glass Coke bottle. The labels can also be customized with a few short words up to 18 characters.
“We all know that business travel can be tough on families and loved ones,” says Indy Adenaw, vice president and global brand manager for Sheraton. “As a brand, we are committed to going above and beyond for our guests to make them comfortable and at home, and we feel this exciting program allows us to do something extra special for business travelers this holiday season.”
Sweet Surprises
Westin Hotels & Resorts’ Thoughtful Touches initiative gives secret admirers and meeting professionals alike the opportunity to purchase an in-room amenity to be delivered to a hotel guest’s room. Options vary property-to-property, but some offerings include food items unique to the destination. For example, The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit offers a selection of Detroit-themed gift packages. “The Detroiter” includes a Detroit shirt/hoodie, two local beers and popcorn, while “Welcome to Detroit” showers the recipient with memorabilia of the city, Germack nuts, Better Made chips, Faygo soda and Sanders fudge.
Disney Hotels & Resorts are common destinations to hold meetings and nothing’s more magical than opening your hotel room door to a Mickey Mouse ambush. The Disney Floral & Gifts department has various in-room celebration options that meeting professionals or families can book for guests. Unbeknownst to them, visitors will be loaded up with Disney swag upon arrival that will surely leave them grinning from ear-to-ear.
Hosts frequently drop logo items off in hotel rooms during turndown service for guests on Fam trips, so make sure to leave some extra space in your suitcase because you’re likely to return home with more than you came with.
