Smart Meetings | Page 129 of 602 | Corporate Event Planning: Business Events, Meetings, Conferences

Editor’s Note: As part of our Back Light series of industry leaders sharing their perspective, we asked Bill Stone, CEO at AllClear Healthcare, to share his take on best practices for keeping attendees safe today.

After well over two years, many people are understandably tired of hearing about Covid. Just as many people are excited about the possibility of getting back to the before times, when mask-wearing and social distancing

Bill Stone

weren’t the first considerations for corporate events, and you could gather 2,000 or more people together without worrying about creating a superspreader event.

Still, some experts worry it is too early to lift all restrictions. The current variants of Covid continue to kill about 400 Americans every day and sicken 40,000. Out of those 40,000, over 26,000 will become hospitalized, contributing to the strain on the health care system. Plus, the number of cases is probably much higher than the official counts, since home tests are widely used and their results underreported.

Let’s take a closer look at where we’re at with Covid today and how you can get back to normal corporate events with best-in-class certainty that you will be able to protect your attendees’ health and safety.

Variants and Vaccines Today

It’s easy to watch the news and assume that the pandemic is pretty much over. You might think, sure, Covid was a huge problem early on, but now, hospitalizations and deaths are way less than they used to be. So, the virus is clearly no longer a major threat. Right? Or you might think that you and your family members are 100% safe from Covid, since you all got vaccinated or received an updated booster.

When it comes to variants, you’d be partly right. In the early days of the pandemic, the devastating delta variant produced an incredible number of severe cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Most of the variants and subvariants circulating today are much less likely to cause severe illness because of vaccinations and boosters. Unfortunately, they’re no less likely to cause long-Covid.

Long-Covid happens when symptoms last longer than three months after the initial infection. Unfortunately, this condition affects up to 20%-30% of all those who get Covid, and a small percentage of individuals who suffer from Covid could have life-altering symptoms for years to come (recent estimates are between 0.5 to 2.5 percent).

Long-Covid has already prompted a significant increase in government-funded research and widespread concern, especially since it has taken four million Americans out of the workforce for the foreseeable future. Since current variants are more transmissible than ever, your chance of getting long-Covid at an event is likely higher than before—especially if you attend multiple events without best-in-class technology and protocols.

A high percentage of Americans have been vaccinated against Covid, and updated boosters provide even stronger protection against current variants and subvariants. Still, it’s important to understand that the purpose of the vaccines is to prevent serious cases, hospitalizations and deaths. While they’re very effective for that purpose, vaccines and boosters don’t necessarily prevent you from contracting or spreading Covid, or protect you from Long-Covid. Unfortunately, since vaccinated people tend to be asymptomatic, they could actually end up being silent spreaders of the virus, meaning anyone around them could still be at risk.

Covid Safety for Today’s Events

Indoor corporate events are a particularly complex setting where Covid safety is concerned. The goals of such events are various but include increasing productivity, innovation, morale, bringing together your team and cultivating client relationships. All of those goals are very difficult to meet in a masked, socially distanced environment.

What are some ways you can increase safety while still getting a great return-on-investment for your events? First, keep track of Covid prevalence numbers, both in the area you plan to hold your event and in the areas from which attendees may be traveling. It’s easy to tune out Covid news at this point in the pandemic, but staying informed is still key to safety. Is there a surge or a new variant? You may need to take special precautions. Depending on local restrictions, you may need to reduce attendance as well.

Second, you can use point-of-care (POC) testing to identify infections. The FDA recently made it clear that a single home test isn’t enough to provide safety for events, simply because home tests are so inaccurate. Look for a more accurate option like POC, PCR or ultra-high accuracy microfluidics antigen tests (M-Ag) which track closely to PCR and return results in minutes. By testing at the point of entry with rapid and accurate tests you will have created a high degree of certainty that no spreaders will be in the room.

Third, if you don’t have access to accurate POC testing, you should implement mask protocols, arrange for social distancing, and maybe reconsider having a buffet lunch. No one knows exactly what might be coming this winter regarding the virus. If you want to be prepared, you can maintain the safety of your attendees by keeping informed about Covid developments and planning your events accordingly.

—

Bill Stone, CEO at AllClear Healthcare, a next-generation personalized health diagnostics company providing rapid, highly accurate and affordable Covid, gastrointestinal and respiratory testing to the general public and corporate partners.

It’s always a funny moment. Excited audience members, fresh off of being unexpectedly inspired (and sometimes a little tipsy) are more than happy to tell me stuff I never asked them.

“We thought you were gonna be sooooo boring!”

“Thank God you’re not anything like yesterday’s keynote.”

“I actually listened to you from start to finish, that was so exciting!”

“I can’t believe I took three pages of notes!”

And, they go on and on. I’d be embarrassed by all the gushing if I wasn’t keenly focusing in on something else.

What the heck is happening in these other keynotes? I’ve asked myself that a hundred times now. And why aren’t they telling the powers-that-be the same thing they’re so eager to tell me? I had questions, I got answers. Take note. Here’s what your audience members aren’t telling you.

1. They don’t want to be talked at, even when you bring in an expert. They want to be talked to.

Audiences are telling me they don’t need a lecture, they’d prefer something that feels like a conversation. I’m not talking about adding more fireside chats (they’re getting tired of those, too). I’m talking about experiences that feel like the speaker’s info is being shared with peers, not taught to students.

2. The first sign that the person on stage has given this “talk” a million times in the last week and they go somewhere else in their minds!

Audiences are loving it when it feels like the speaker truly did their homework on them. They can see through “title customization”, that’s what I call it when the speaker simply swaps out the name of the company in a few key places versus actually learning about the industry and the audience’s pain points. They are crying out desperately to be seen and when it feels like they are being regurgitated to, just like the last audience, they disinvest from the moment. They only come to once the applause starts signaling an end is near.

3. They really want to feel something…other than being dead inside!

Clients have a bad habit of thinking their audiences are too intelligent to be inspired, that the smarter they are the less they want content that aims for the heart as well as the mind. I can tell you from the lines of men and women who cry afterwards when they try to tell me what hit home, people really want to be connected to on a deeper level. They want to experience emotion, feel inspired, and have some sort of emotional release during your keynote’s time on stage. This doesn’t mean it needs to be mushy or emotionally manipulative, but they want speakers who can hit funny bones, pull heartstrings, and make them feel like they can do anything!

4. Your audience is not as impressed by the big names as you think.

From former NFL players to best-selling authors and established leadership gurus, they are all getting side-eyes in secret from your audience, and often from the client when all is said and done. They want to be surprised and delighted, not just impressed by a name. If that name does not have the skill to inspire, reconsider inviting them to your event.

Instead, pay attention to what audiences are saying about some of the more unknown, but credible speakers out there. Look for comments about being moved, thinking and believing differently, or about the speakers attention to detail. You’ll probably end up making a larger impact, and potentially saving a good chunk of change while you’re at it.

In the end, audiences are smarter than we are giving them credit for. They are more jaded by the conference experience than we are willing to admit. They have other places they would rather or really need to be, so whatever experience we are creating for them must snatch them out of their heads and center them right where they are. They’ve grown quiet about what they want because they don’t believe the agenda is really about them anymore. It’s a tall order, but if we listen in to what audiences are saying, we can craft a more powerful experience. It’s what they deserve.

—

Jade Simmons is a classical concert pianist and acclaimed creator of mind-blowing transformational experiences.

After the waves of changes that have washed over the meetings industry this year, where better to gather than in the sand, set our collective sights on the horizon and plan to ride the next killer events wave than at Smart Meetings 3-Day National Experience at Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach, a completely transformed Curio Collection by Hilton property in Oxnard, California?

Local partners at Ventura County Coast went all-in this week on locally inspired cuisine (Have you explored the Oxnard Taco Trail?), and activations (custom graffitied water bottles, Folklorico dancers and bouncing lowriders). A surprise drone show from Go Drone Shows had all eyes on the sky at the opening reception. An award-winning stage setting featuring a VW bus front and worn leather couch kept everything fun and cozy.

Awesome swag from partners such as Halo Branded Solutions, Boundless Networks and Citizen Watch America, kept the inspired ideas going. In addition to the connections being made in the color-blocked comfy seating in the ballroom and at the off-site in an airplane hangar in Camarillo, attendees were “macking” on the “radical nugs” of wisdom being shared daily. We captured some of those rolling insights here for those who couldn’t make it to the shore.

Give Beck

smart meetings editorial director interviewing james beck — James Beck

What is the best way to reshape your brain and heal the universal pain of rage, insecurity and shame? TEDx Speaker James Beck shared the trick to growing positive mental connections: service. When you make others feel priceless, you reap the richness of reinforcing your inherent goodness. Start by asking, “How can I help you?” he suggested.

After giving away all his possessions, Beck started touring the 50 U.S. states on a pay-it-forward campaign to start a positive domino effect. “You never know what act of kindness will lead to another act of kindness,” he attested.

Read More: California: A Shining Diamond

His advice for meeting professionals looking to take care of their attendees? “Serve with reckless abandon. Live by giving.”

The group did just that, taking an afternoon to band together to paint surfboards that would be auctioned off for local charity, leaving the community better than when they arrived. Cue the Shaka thumb and pinkie sign.

Genuine, Authentic and Ethical

Keeping it real was also the message from Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph’s University professor Michael R. Solomon, who shared that the good news from his research is that people want to get back to meeting in-person. However, they are busy and overwhelmed after being exposed to an average of 3,500 messages a day. “Just getting people’s attention is the challenge,” he said.

When it comes to younger attendees, generations Y, Z and Alpha, social media interactions are just as real to them as in-person conversations. To attract them to the ballroom, the experience has to be seen as genuine, authentic and ethical. “They don’t want luxury; they want value,” he said.

And forget about marketing to them based on traditional buckets such as age, gender, race. “It is all a continuum now,” Solomon explained.

What does work is getting prospective attendees personally involved in the event. “You have to deliver something they connect with,” he said. “Cult products are at the high end of the involvement continuum,” Those who don’t reach Big Kahuna status in a given industry have to work harder. That means controlling the environment by controlling the temperature, seating arrangement, even the scent and finding novel ways to interest them, what Solomon called, “Edutainment.”

The most effective tools to move people through a post-Covid meeting engagement funnel from awareness to interest to desire to registration are:

Gamification—give badges and awards for taking action. Offer certifications and memberships in exchange for attendance.

Resonance—evolving from “sage on the stage” programs to “guide on the side” roundtables with the attendee as co-creator of the agenda.

Time to Business Up

image of gary hernbroth — Gary Hernbroth

“It is like a meteor hit the world. What did we learn and how can we move forward?” asked Gary Hernbroth, business coach and speaker with Training for Winners, reflecting on the fallout from Covid-related disruptions of compression, staffing shortages and supply-chain challenges, to name a few.

“It’s time to business up,” he advised. That means all parties prioritize honest, open communication, flexibility and creativity. “We need each other to do our jobs,” he said, encouraging mutual effort from everyone in the events industry.

When “shift” happens, it is time to have proactive conversations, call on alliance partners and get in front of the problem. That is how you make one plus one equal three.

The launch this week of Bizzabo’s SmartBadge technology, branded as Klik Experiential wearables, is the next step in delivering virtual meeting-level data at in-person events. More robust tracking can more meaningfully bring events into the marketing funnel securely and sustainably.

“As in-person events gain momentum, attendee expectations are higher than ever. On-site check-in should be painless. Sessions should be easily accessible. Content should be simple to download. Exhibitor interactions should be effortless. Sustainability should be a demonstrated priority,” said Eran Ben-Shushan, CEO and co-founder of Bizzabo, in a written statement.

Smart Meetings looked at the range of ways meeting professionals are elevating the productivity of the humble name badge.

For the Love of Lanyards

IMEX Group worked with pc/nametag to manage registration for the 12,000 attendees who descended on Las Vegas for IMEX America in October. Delegates were encouraged to print their paper badges at home and pick up a lanyard and sleeve on-site. Some on-demand printing was available.

Badges included QR codes that were scanned as attendees accessed the show floor and education sessions, helping organizers understand what was popular based on actual behavior. Exhibitors could use a badge scanner to make lead retrieval easier, a big step up from collecting business cards.

Event technology company CadmiumCD built lead retrieval into its conference website technology, allowing attendee-to-attendee networking, downloading of speaker presentations and badge scanning using an existing Android or iOS phone.

Stova‘s badge technology (formerly MeetingPlay + Aventri + eventcore) is compatible with QR code and near-field communication (NFC) technology accessed through iPhone or android devices or rented readers. The information can be loaded directly into CRMs, such as Salesforce, HubSpot and Marketo.

Cvent offers badge scanning using handheld devices, Tap-N-Go DIY solutions and passive RFID tracking, depending on budget and goals.

Bizzabo’s Klik Experiential wearable integrates into the company’s registration, check-in and lead-retrieval data flow to capture behavioral data.

Attendee Benefits

Access: Technology-enabled name tags could allow attendees to touch badges or click a button to exchange contact information, download speaker presentations and check-in on site. Bizzabo’s OneKlik Touchpoint eliminates the need for standard URLs or shipping and printing.

Interactivity: Bizzabo’s Audience Lights feature remotely lights up attendee SmartBadges to heighten engagement in large sessions or use customized colors for defined groups, such as attendee types.

Automatic Credits: By checking in for a session, attendees can get credited with CEUs to meet educational requirements without the hassle of signing in or uploading after the fact.

Security: Since personal information isn’t stored on the SmartBadge, Ben-Shushan explained that data privacy is built in, as a lost or stolen badge can’t be mined for cybercrime.

Organizer/Sponsor Benefits

Real-time Data: Exhibitors can capture, access and use simplified, robust lead retrieval through seamless interactions. Digital heatmaps allow organizers to visualize attendee engagement in near real-time on event dashboards to better identify popular sessions and exhibitors.

“Event organizers can capture unparalleled attendee behavioral data through passive tracking and streamline session management, leveraging data to make decisions about and activate in-the-moment adjustments,” said Ben-Shushan.

Gamification: Touchpoints, session attendance or Klik networking can enhance experiences and provide increased opportunities for branded sponsorship. Rewarding attendees for desired behaviors can increase interaction with sponsors and messaging.

Access Control: Session attendance can be managed based on ticket level or attendee type.

Analytics: Customized dashboards can give organizers and exhibitors meaningful windows into leads during and after the event.

Environmental Benefits

Reduced Paper: Delivering content digitally eliminates unnecessary paper items and shipping. The SmartBadge is also reusable, allowing organizers to return badges to Bizzabo to be reset and recycled as needed.

“Marketers discovered the value of detailed, real-time data insights when they pivoted to virtual events,” Ben-Shushan said. “With the introduction of Klik Experiential, we’re inviting organizers to build on what they learned from virtual events to make the new era of in-person events even brighter. Just because in-person events are back doesn’t mean the data is gone.”

U.S. Travel Says Visa Wait Times Stalling Arrivals

U.S. Travel Association has announced the Nov. 28 debut of their new campaign, #TheyWaitWeLose to highlight the fact that “outrageous wait times of more than 400 days for visitor visa applicants is delaying the recovery of the critically important international travel sector.”

The nonprofit advocacy organization says that U.S. visa wait times now average 400-plus days for first-time visitor visa applicants in the largest countries for inbound travel. Visa interview wait times for travelers from Brazil, India and Mexico are currently 317, 757 and 601 days, says the group.

According to their data, U.S. Travel says the country will lose up to 7 million potential visitors and $12 billion in projected spending in 2023 due to the wait times.

Inbound travel is projected to remain far below pre-pandemic levels in 2022 and 2023—resulting in a loss of nearly 50 million visitors over the two years and $140 billion in inflation adjusted travel spending. This reflects a downgrade of 8 million visitors in 2022 and 2023 combined—and $28 billion in travel spending—from the June 2022 forecast.

“The forecast is further proof that the U.S. simply cannot afford to turn away high-spending international travelers,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman in a release. “While other economic factors may be out of our control, reducing visitor visa wait times is easily within the Biden administration’s reach if only they would make it a priority.”

The campaign will include a custom website, in English and other languages, to capture the perspectives of potential visitors as well as U.S. businesses.

It will also be featured on social media across multiple platforms using the hashtag #TheyWaitWeLose.

“A year ago, the images of planes and travelers headed to the U.S. were cause for celebration after nearly two years of border closures,” said Freeman. “Today, a full year since that joyful moment, a massive visa backlog has driven many of our potential visitors to go elsewhere. It’s a setback the Biden administration should be fully committed to solving.”

The organization has a list of solutions for government to solve the program which includes setting up “a dedicated process to provide faster visa processing for large tour groups, conventions and events taking place in the U.S.”

Key takeaway for planners: Inbound arrivals for meetings is one of the last remaining pieces of travel recovery essential for robust meetings. U.S. Travel’s campaign to expedite arrivals is an important component of getting attendees in from neighboring nations.

PreCheck Worth Much More Than Sticker Price

two graphs showing how tsa precheck users feel about the program and how often tsa precheck users experience shorter lines

A new survey from FinanceBuzz says TSA PreCheck members would pay up to $224 for a membership, which is over twice the actual price ($78).

graph showing major reasons americans don't have tsa precheck

Other graphics associated with their survey say that 32% of members almost always experience shorter lines, and that 59% of those surveyed said that the only reason they don’t sign up is that they don’t fly enough to make the service pay.

Ron Pietruszka

headshot of Ron Pietruszka

Pietruszka is executive chef for Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. Before this, he held executive culinary roles at The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel in New York City; The Ritz-Carlton Dubai; The Ritz-Carlton Osaka; and The Regent Hotels & Resorts. Pietruszka is a recipient of various accolades, including being a first-place winner in the American Culinary Gold Cup and being awarded honors at the Bocuse d’Or in Lyon, France.

Derrin Abac

headshot of derrin abac

Hotel Wailea in Maui named Abac food and beverage director. He previously worked as general manager at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago in Maui. An interest in food and wine tastings led Abac to pursue his designation as Advanced Sommelier in 2020.

William F. Whitney

image of william f whitney

Whitney is Icicle Village Resort’s executive chef. He comes to the property in Leavenworth, Washington, from O’Grady’s Pantry in Leavenworth and Cafe Mela in Wanatchee, Washington. He’s also worked in his hometown of Kailua, Hawaii, in food and catering at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii and Arancino di Mare and Chef Chai’s Asian Fusion in Honolulu.

Robert F. DeMaria

headshot of robert demaria

DeMaria is director of catering for The Pierre New York, a Taj Hotel. DeMaria comes from New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott, where he worked as director of sales. DeMaria also worked as director of catering at Warwick New York, Westin Times Square, InterContinental Hotel Barclay and Westin Grand Central in New York City.

Nicola van Heemsbergen

image of Nicola van Heemsbergen

Van Heemsbergen is executive chef for Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh in Cambodia. He most recently worked as chef de cuisine at Marineau in Antwerp, Belgium, his country of origin. Van Heemsbergen has also had stints as Lasserre in Paris and La Pyramide in Vienne, France, as well as Burj Al Arab in Dubai, Raffles Singapore, The Peninsula in Manila and Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti in Tanzania.

Andrew Chadwick

headshot of Andrew Chadwick

Chadwick is executive chef for Chatham Bars Inn in Massachusetts, marking a return from 2016, when he worked as executive sous chef for the property. Before making his way back, Chadwick worked as executive chef at Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Chadwick has numerous accolades, including Maine’s 2022 Chef of the Year Award, New York City’s 2018 Guest Chef at The James Beard House Outstanding Manager of the Year from Massachusetts Lodging Association.

Fleetwood Covington

image of fleetwood covington

Covington is executive chef for Hilton Sandestin Beach Gold Resort & Spa’s Seager’s Prime Steak & Seafood in Miramar Beach, Florida. Covington joined the team in 2017, working in the kitchen’s sauce station and working his way up to chef de cuisine, his most recent position.

The holiday season lends itself to sourcing cozy winter destinations. WalletHub has released a list of the best warmest and coldest locations during the winter, based on several key indicators including cost and travel time. We researched the top meeting venues in each of these destinations.

City of Lights and Over 22,000 Conventions

aerial view of Las Vegas Strip

Many travelers head to Las Vegas for the unending nightlife, but the City of Lights has much more to offer. (It may the worst kept secret since 41 million people visit every year!)

Las Vegas Convention Center’s 4.6 million-square-foot facility is served by 150,000 guest rooms within a 3-mile radius. After a major expansion in 2021, the original footprint of the convention center will be updated to match starting in 2024. The Vegas Loop already in action in high-performance Tesla electric vehicles is expanding to cover even more of The Strip.

The Other Sunshine State

If you’re planning on hosting your next event in Texas this winter season, you can leave your mittens at home. Austin is known for shining 300 days a year, with the average temperature for November sitting at a decent 71°F.

Fairmont Austin sits by the plush shrubbery of Palm Park and Waller Creek with easy access to Austin Convention Center. The hotel features nearly 140,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Guests may want to take advantage of full-service salon and spa after a full day of activities!

A Boat Parade of Lights!

exterior of San Diego convention center — San Diego Convention Center

After long day of work this winter, your guests may want to head out to Ferry Landing to catch the San Diego Parade of Lights as they travel across the bay to the island of Coronado.

Potential clients for San Diego Convention Center will have access to over 2.6 million total sq. ft. of space for their event. The exhibit hall features state-of-the-art dimmable LED lighting for larger group events. The Convention Center offers clients 72 meeting rooms totaling 204,000 sq. ft. for flexibility.

The “Triple D” City

Dallas, Texas: home of the first 7/11, NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and the MLB’s Texas Rangers. Visitors can peak into the folds of history at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza that showcases the legacy of President John F. Kennedy or wander through the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden.

Sheraton Dallas Hotel’s meeting space embodies a distinct sense of technology and style. The facility offers 222,715 sq. ft. of meeting space, 52 event rooms and 60 break out rooms. Local attractions include The Dallas World Aquarium and George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.

Home of The Alamo and Tex-Mex

Winter in San Antonio, Texas, offers strolling San Antonio’s River Walk amid the holiday lights. Guests can also visit The Alamo memorial that features interactive tours and reenactments. For lunch, seek out a Tex-Mex-style restaurant.

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center lives in the heart of downtown San Antonio, Texas, by the banks of San Antonio River Walk. The convention center hosts more than 300 events a year. The facility offers 514,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and over 70 meeting rooms. The convention center also has the largest ballroom in Texas: Stars at Night Ballroom stands at 54,000 sq. ft.

Concrete Jungle Covered in Snow

New York City captures the spirit of the holidays. January temperatures usually sit between 24 degrees and 39 degrees. Guests can visit the Union Square Holiday Market, ice skate at Rockefeller Ice Rink or retreat in the warmth of a Broadway musical.

Read More: New York: All That Glitters

Directly around the corner from New York’s Times Square, Millennium Hotel Broadway Times Square lives in the center of tourism and commerce. The facility consists of 52,000 sq. ft. and 43 rooms for meetings. Gallery 8 offers a 360-degree view of the cityscape along with 11,980 sq. ft. of meeting space. At the end of the event, guests can take in a show on Broadway or try get in with the live crowd at a Good Morning America broadcast.

He Had a Dream…

aerial view of centennial olympic park — Centennial Olympic Park

While in Atlanta, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Park and Ebenezer Baptist Church, bring EDI to life along with National Center for Civil and Human Right.

A few blocks from Centennial Olympic Park, Hyatt Regency Atlanta offers event planners 181,173 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, including the largest ballroom in Georgia. The hotel offers 1,260 guest rooms and is connected to Peachtree Center station, providing guests direct service to and from Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

O’ National Christmas Tree

If your event has you bound for Washington D.C. this winter season, try checking out the National Christmas Tree, or visit the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink.

Since it’s opening in 2003, Walter E. Washington Convention Center has hosted industry conventions, pop culture festivals and presidential inaugural balls. The center offers event promoters 2.3 million sq. ft. of space, a space equivalent to six football fields. It is powered by a central plant that can support a town of 7,500 so everyone will stay warm and cozy..

Hit the Slopes in St. Louis

exterior of america's center complex — America’s Center Complex

If your guests are hankering to hit the ice while in St. Louis, the Steinberg Skating Rink and the Sioux Passage Park are open.

Located in the heart of downtown St. Louis and close to the Mississippi River, America’s Center Convention Complex encompasses 502,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, a 28,000-square-foot ballroom, Cervantes Convention Center, the 67,000-seat Dome at America’s Center, St. Louis Exclusive Conference Center and 1,400-seat Ferrara Theatre. A $210-million expansion will add a 61,000-square-foot ballroom and outdoor pavilion.

Several hundred million years ago, tectonic plates smashed and cracked into each other and what emerged from that collision formed the stunning landscape of what’s known as Greater Zion. The Southwest region of Utah’s Washington County offers a unique blend of exceptional meeting spaces and thrilling activities—all immersed in natural surroundings that are nothing short of mind-blowing. One can’t help but feel the sensation of being swept away by such a force of nature. And there are a lot of fun activities to do there as well.

More recently, Greater Zion was host to the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, which ran in late October, welcoming high-caliber athletic competitions. The area has also attracted other events such as Huntsman World Senior Games, Red Bull Rampage, True Grit Epic and 25 Hours in Frog Hollow—proving to be a choice playground for those who appreciate the desert gateway in the Southwest corner of Utah.

Arriving at St. George Regional Airport

The scene is set for groups large or small and is a dream come true for planners seeking to create a memorable and productive experience for attendees. Direct flights to St. George Regional Airport (SGU) are available from the major travel hubs of Salt Lake City International (SLC), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Denver International Airport (DEN) and Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW).

Meeting in Greater Zion

ballroom space at dixie convention center — Ballroom at Dixie Convention Center

Meeting producers can rely on the expansive and flexible meeting space quartered at the Dixie Convention Center in St. George with a 46,550-square-foot, column-free exhibit hall, which can accommodate up to 6,000 guests for special events, a 13,200-square-foot ballroom and 13,000 sq. ft. of additional meeting space spanning 19 flexible meeting rooms.

Additionally, Dixie Convention Center is surrounded by over 5,000 hotel rooms and nearly 200 restaurants, many of which are only a 10-minute walk from the convention center. The Heritage catering team provides planners with customized menus to fit group needs and themes.

Rooms With Incredible Views

It’s nearly impossible to find lodging in the Greater Zion region that lacks amazing views. Cable Mountain Lodge in the town of Springdale is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream come true. Situated next door to the entrance of Greater Zion National Park atop 12 acres of pristine land, groups can traverse the park and get glimpses of the park’s majestic wildlife surrounded by mountainous terrain. The park features excursions for every skill level from hiking The Narrows to climbing to the top of Observation Point.

Read More: Utah: The Land of Incentives

For VIPs at Cable Mountain, a 2,000-square-foot Grand Residence features a 1,100-square-foot private balcony with a hot tub and views of Zion canyons. Grand Residences also include full kitchens and laundry facilities, ensuring guests have everything they need following an adventurous day out. The property also offers studios and suites to accommodate any budget with 78 rooms total. Planners can also curate small meetings in the property’s conference room with space for up to 52 people.

A Unique Blend of Spirituality and Luxury

Located in Utah’s red rock bluffs in St. George, Red Mountain Resort offers all-inclusive packages that help streamline the process for planners while providing attendees with an inspiring retreat through the services of a dedicated staff. “We all have our unique passions and we get to blend them all together here,” says Red Mountain Resort General Manager Tracy Welsh.

people taking pictures on mountain at red mountain resort — Candy Cliffs Hiking Adventure

Attendees can connect with nature during hikes through Utah’s Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness on the Candy Cliffs Hiking Adventure offered through the property, allowing guests to explore the fascinating rock formations of red sandstone that were created 190 million years ago. Other opportunities are available to explore including, biking, rock climbing and kayaking.

The property’s 2,182-square-foot Snow Canyon Room, 850-square-foot Bryce Canyon Room, 456-square-foot Arches Room and 1,900-square-foot Glen Canyon Gazebo—boast stunning views of the red canyons.

What Red Mountain Resort is most well-known for is placing an emphasis on the physical, mental and spiritual health of its guests. Welsh explains that one of the resort’s goals is to help guests answer the question of “What’s next?” adding, that many guests come during a time of major life changes and can “find relaxation, restore and re-center,” she says.

The resort takes pride in its wellness programs from yoga in nearby Snow Canyon State Park, 90-minute mediation sessions in Ancient Puebloan Pottery—using the ancient techniques of the Puebloan people and various body and massage treatments. And the resort is constantly. “The best is yet to come,” Welsh says. “We’re constantly changing and listening to our guests to provide the best experience.”

The resort is also home to the Canyon Breeze Restaurant, serving dishes that are aligned with the resort’s emphasis on clean and sustainable practices, providing guests with whole foods that are locally sourced, along with a wide selection of beer, wine and custom cocktails. The Mountain Breeze features indoor and outdoor seating with multiple fireplaces, as well as a separate dining room for private events.

Adventure Takes Flight in Greater Zion

two utility terrain vehicles driving on dirt road — UTV tours

The incredible scenery in Greater Zion is so abundant and far-reaching that it can be difficult to take in from the ground level. Luckily a panoramic perspective is available aboard a tour with Zion Helicopters, which takes off out of Virgin with 15, 35, 55 and 100-mile flights available. Passengers can gain a unique perspective through panoramic views of the surrounding areas, including Virgin River valley, Smith Mesa, Zion National Park, Kolob Canyons and other natural spaces on an amazing aerial adventure.

helicopter on helipad — Helicopter tours

And what’s Flying Monkey Trail you ask? Well, in the 1960s, the U.S. Government was hard at work developing ejection seats for fighter planes using crash test dummies until they decided they needed live subjects, so they introduced primates into the equation and a team of aerospace scientists began developing the technology atop Hurricane Mesa above Virgin, Utah. Luckily, no animals were harmed during the tests, but the odd-looking testing site still remains to this day. An abandoned 12,000-foot -long track used as a rocket sled is still visible, along with an abandoned runway—lending a unique perspective into a strange chapter of U.S. military history—all visible from a Zion Helicopter tour.

For adventure seekers looking to stay a bit more grounded, Mad Moose Rentals and Tours offers exhilarating excursions with utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) through Sand Mountain, Warner Valley, Quail Creek and more. While this adventure isn’t airborne, the views will provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience across an available 50,000 acres of trails, rock and sand in Southwest Utah.

Editor’s note: This Week in Travel (TWT) is your essential guide to smoothing the road from here to there for your attendees and yourself.

TSA PreCheck Gets Cheaper

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that its current enrollment provider, IDEMIA has reduced enrollment and in-person renewal fees from $85 to $78.

Renewal online is still $70. The membership is for five years if approved.

“For individuals and families with plans to fly this holiday season, now is the time to enroll or renew in TSA PreCheck,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “TSA PreCheck offers significant benefits to those who meet its enrollment standards—less physical contact, fewer items on the conveyor belt and faster screening.”

There are over 500 enrollment centers nationwide. Following an in-person enrollment appointment, most applicants will receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) in about three to five days. Passengers must add their KTN to their flight reservations to get the expedited security screening, which allows travelers to leave on shoes, jackets and belts. TSA PreCheck screening lanes move more quickly than standard screening lanes and passengers who have TSA PreCheck may keep their electronics and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in their carry-on bags.

The agency says that in September 2022, 93% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes at airport security checkpoints nationwide.

Travelers enrolling online can visit tsa.gov/precheck.

Universal Closes Some Attractions

Universal Orlando Resort announced on Nov. 1 that it would be closing Fieval’s Playland, Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster, Curious George Goes to Town, DreamWorks Destination and Shrek and Donkey’s Meet & Greet. The attractions will permanently close on Jan. 15, 2023. E.T. Adventure, Animal Actors on Location!, SpongeBob StorePants and KidZone Pizza Company will remain open.

The closing attractions are making way for “exciting new family entertainment” and Universal said that details of the new experience would be revealed “in the coming months.”

Cruise Lines Roll Back Covid Rules

Royal Caribbean has announced that it will no longer require pre-cruise testing on most sailings. Vaccine requirements were dropped for most sailings in September, however, travelers who were not vaccinated needed to test before sailing.

The cruise line says that at this time, only the following sailings have pre-cruise testing requirements: cruises from the U.S. and Caribbean with stops in Colombia, Haiti, or Honduras; Transatlantic cruises; cruises from Australia.

Guests age 12 and up who are not fully vaccinated have three days to take a test before their cruise, regardless of the duration of the cruise, guests under the age of 12 do not have any testing requirements.

Required testing can be completed using any type of PCR or antigen Covid test. It can be professionally proctored at doctor or drugstore, or it can be a test administered at home without supervision.

Tests must be arranged by customers and are at their own expense.

The cruise line says guests are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. two shots of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc., or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). Vaccines must be approved for use by the WHO or U.S. FDA, with the exception of CanSino.

Disney is reporting on its website that for sailings from the U.S. beginning on or after Nov. 14, 2022, the “Cruise Line will no longer require guests to be tested for Covid-19 regardless of vaccination status.”

As the pandemic moves into a more manageable phase for most travelers, the event planning space is poised for a massive return in 2023. Based on National Geographic’s list of the 25 breathtaking places around the world, these event locations offer space for future events and the possibility of memorable snapshots for your Instagram and TikTok accounts.

Historical, Southern Charm

Rainbow Row in Charleston, South Carolina, — Rainbow Row in Charleston, South Carolina

North Charleston, South Carolina, is the definition of history and southern charm. Geographically, visitors have the option of a fun afternoon downtown window shopping or a day trip to the beach. Whether you are a foodie, history geek or beer connoisseur: there is plenty for your guests in North Charleston!

Charleston Area Convention Center Campus is an ideal spot for promoters looking for flexibility in hosting a TedTalk-esque event. Its 76,960 sq. ft. of meeting and exhibit space adjusts to a banquet or theater style. There are also several restaurants within less than a mile of the Convention Campus.

A stone’s throw and a free shuttle ride from Charleston International Airport (CHS), Northern Charleston Marriott boasts a meeting space of 12,380 sq. ft. divided into 8 meeting rooms and 10 break out rooms as well as on-site support for hosting your future meetings.

The Shire = New Zealand

Auckland City skyline in New Zealand — Auckland City, New Zealand

Are you a true Hobbit fan at heart? Or are you just interested in exploring a new culture? Either way, New Zealand is the nexus of entertainment, culture and nature.

New Zealand International Convention Centre contains 350,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Guests will enjoy panoramic views from meeting areas that can be flexibly converted to the vendor’s needs during setup. Attendees will get astonishing views of Auckland from the boardrooms during their visit.

Renovated in 2021, Cordis, Auckland is surrounded by a lively neighborhood including museums and galleries. It provides 21,528 sq. ft. of meeting space for galas, conferences or smaller assemblies.

I Left My Heart in San Francisco… (possibly near Powell Street)

Hyde Street Cable Car in san francisco — San Francisco Hyde Street Cable Car

The true heart of San Francisco resides in a colorful blend of technology, food and cultural diversity. The City by the Bay is home to 36 neighborhoods, each with its own charm.

San Francisco’s Moscone Center lives smack dab in the middle of the lush tech hub of downtown San Francisco. The recently expanded 1,139,854 sq. ft. of meeting and expo space spans three blocks. The buildings are surrounded by a wide variety of hotels and restaurants and are within walking distance of robust public transportation options. If you’re a big tech agency looking to show off what you got, Moscone Center is a rite-of-passage.

In the middle of the fast-faced downtown San Francisco, InterContinental San Francisco offers clients a total of 46,495 sq. ft. of meeting space, including an Executive Boardroom and Grand Ballroom. The meeting space, 556 guest rooms and 14 suites were renovated in early 2020. The hotel prides its status as the most technology-advanced conference facility in the city and offers high speed internet access and climate controls.

Milwaukee Bucks, Curd and More!

Kinnickinnic Avenue in the Bay View district — Kinnickinnic Avenue, Bay View district

Whether you’re in the mood to find some A-list cheese curds, take-in a game with the Milwaukee Bucks over a pint of locally tapped beer or if you just want a place to convene a meeting, Milwaukee has the scene you’re looking for.

Miller High Life Theatre offers event organizers a wide range of choices in 58,407 sq. ft. The main lobby, balcony, grand rotunda, main stage and a selection of halls serve as backdrops for awards programs, town halls and performances. If your guests are in the mood for exploring, AHL Milwaukee Admirals’ Panther Arena is an 11 minute walk from the city center.

The historic Hilton Milwaukee City Center’s 729 guest rooms is set in the Art Deco style, and contains 28,925 sq. ft. of meeting space. The 17 meeting rooms allow potential customers to host a speaker talk in the Crystal Ballroom or break out into smaller groups. The hotel is surrounded by a range of restaurants to fit the appetites of a diverse crowd.

The Sunniest City in Canada

Walterdale Bridge in edmonton — Walterdale Bridge in Edmonton

Not only is Edmonton the largest area of urban parkland in North America (20 times the size of Central Park in New York City!), but it is also one of the sunniest cities in Canada! If you’re a fan of hockey, expect to find a few kindred spirits while you’re here.

Edmonton Convention Centre is located in the heart of downtown with 150,000 sq. ft. of sustainable meeting space. More than half a million guests are treated to views of North Saskatchewan River Valley from the oversize picture windows.

Located adjacent to downtown Edmonton, JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District contains advanced audiovisual set-up for customers looking for an immersive experience. The facility offers 15,720 sq. ft. of event space, including 13 breakout rooms and 10 event rooms.