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Almost every group wants to give back to the cities that host them, but how can you be sure it will make a difference? Smart Meetings asked Michael Smith, general manager of Hyatt Regency New Orleans and 2019 Supplier of the Year for his secrets to effective change-making.

“We have an obligation to help,” said Smith, who lived through Hurricane Katrina and worked tirelessly to help his employees and the neighborhoods recover during the more than six years it took to reopen the property. In fact, for more than three months, the hotel was headquarters for emergency workers, the mayor, city council and Homeland Security. A $285 million investment in the property post-Katrina and post-oil spill in the middle of an economic downturn happened because Hyatt believed in the city. Smith dedicated his time, relationships and brand because he was sure this was going to be the start of a Renaissance for New Orleans. “This is where I feel that I am needed,” he said.

The 40-year veteran of the hospitality industry heralds from a big family in rural North Carolina and was one of the first to get out and go to college. His mother told him that he was “made of a special kind of wood” and that meant he had to give back. However, it was when he was 27 years old and suffered an intracerebral hemorrhage and survived that he knew he had to do something big. “I was given a second chance at life,” he said.

Smith has tirelessly supported programs dedicated to sustainability, diversity and inclusion, LGBTQ, arts and culture, education, religion and community and was honored as an unsung hero for his role in evacuating thousands of displaced residents during Hurricane Katrina. He received an honorary doctorate from Dillard University and was named a Jay A. Pritzker Award recipient. Here are his tips for philanthropy activists making the most of this one life for those around them.

1. Be a difference-maker.

Smith and his team went through a significant emotional event, and now he has the power tell the story about what needs to change from a local perspective. Whether he is collecting for United Negro College Fund, Sisters of the Holy Family or UNCF Mayors Masked Ball, he is telling that story from the heart. A few years ago, when a sister hotel in Houston flooded, he raised money from associates, customers and owners to help employees there cover their rent while the property was closed. “We had been through it and benefitted from generosity of associates in other cities,” he said. He calls giving “psychic income.” You get paid through your heart and that is more rewarding because you feel good inside and outside. You can feel it, touch it, kiss it, see it laugh and cry.

2. Don’t talk about it unless you are going to do something about it.

Smith noticed that in the early days of Food Network, no African-Americans were featured, “and we cook better than anyone,” he said. Instead of talking about it, he started an event called Taste of Heritage that featured African-American chefs together—including prominent restaurant owners—and raised money to send five up-and-coming chefs to study at Culinary Institute of America and started filling the chef funnel.

3. You can’t do it all by yourself; you have to have a team.

By creating a culture of corporate responsibility that includes employees, suppliers and customers—even politicians—Smith is able to accomplish more that he ever could on his own.

5. When charity is more than a check, participants feel emotionally invested in the cause.

Smith advocated that groups go beyond the giving of a check to find CRS opportunities that are a fit for the goals and scope of giving. Marry the needs of the community and the capacity and culture of your organization to find a project that fits. He suggested working with the host hotel and local CVB, who can act as “the glue to put it all together.” He pointed to one group that was focused on recreation and brought in 600 people to fix up a park. “Leave something there that is a direct reflection of your event,” he said.

The Business Truths Behind Michael Smith’s Charitable Work

There is a payoff for all that good work. “When you do good for people, they want you to do better,” he said. Companies that give back are more successful. Hyatt Regency New Orleans officially reopened in March of 2012 with a fundraiser featuring the actor Brad Pitt in partnership with Make it Right Foundation and raised more than $5 million to build a dozen houses in the Lower Ninth Ward.

To this day, he underwrites 12-15 events each year and now the property “owns the social market in the city and everyone knows it, so they come to us for their fundraising events,” he said.

His mantra before, during and after Katrina was that “charity is a business model and the right thing to do.”

As a champion of health and wellness, Smith recently implemented a program of mind, body and soul that has not only affected the lives of his associates, but the community as well. By helping to create a healthy menu, partnering with local gyms, and providing a meditation and relaxation room on property, Smith has truly set a standard for mental and physical wellbeing. Smith enjoys exercising daily with a favorite pastime of mountainous nature walks.

Deemed a wine connoisseur, Smith has collected more than 1,000 bottles of the finest wine over the years. He enjoys traveling the world learning about the different cultures, cuisine and traditions. When home, he loves to cook the many dishes experienced while traveling, adding his special twist, then sharing with friends and family. Through his leadership, vision and passion, Smith’s efforts have not only perpetuated economic development, but achieved long lasting and sustainable results. His desire for the betterment of the community has boasted him as a necessary attribute to any city—and especially, New Orleans.

Board and Committee Memberships

New Orleans Aviation Board– Chair Operations/DBE
New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chair & Board Member
New Orleans Chamber of Commerce– Chairman’s Council
Audubon Nature Institute, Board of Directors
Human Rights Campaign– Committee Chair 2016, 2017
United Negro College Fund (UNCF)– Chair, 2014-current (Largest fundraiser in the city of New Orleans)
New Orleans Museum of Art– Trustee
New Orleans Business Alliance, Board Member
New Orleans Tourism & Marketing Commission, Board Member
Greater New Orleans Hotel and Lodging Association, Board Member
Saints Hall of Fame, Board Member
Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center– Board Member
District of Columbia Taxi Cab Commission – Commissioner, 2001-2004

Awards

Times-Picayune— Loving Cup Award, 2019
Boys Scout of America— Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award, 2019
Jay A. Pritzker Award – Hyatt Hotels General Manager of the Year, 2017
Honorary Doctorate—Dillard University,2017
Boys Scout of America— Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award, 2017
New Orleans City Council Proclamation— Philanthropy & Civic Engagement, 2016
National Black College Hall of Fame Inductee— Chairman’s Award, 2015
Sisters of The Holy Family, 2015
National Urban League – NOLA Empowerment Award, 2014
YLC – Young Leadership – Role Model, 2014
Certificate of Recognition – Aviation Board 2013
New Orleans Urban League – 10^thAnniversary Recognition
Trumpet Award (Recognition of African Americans who has inspired success in others), 2012
New Orleans City Council Proclamation- Unsung Hero (5^thyear Anniversary for Hurricane Katrina), 2010
Numerous other recognitions and awards for community service

Few places encourage visitors to let their guard down and open themselves up to new opportunities and experiences quite like the beach. Kaanapali Beach, a mile-long stretch of Maui sand that is home to seven resorts, top-notch shopping and dining options, and activities galore is famous for having just that relaxing effect. Smart Meetings spoke to the experts at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali about best practices for taking your meeting to the oceanfront.

Meet with a View

Gorgeous views have a calming effect that is worlds above meeting in your traditional four-walled room. The Westin Maui features the 4,560-square-foot oceanfront lawn, which rests alongside Kaanapali Beach, ideal for intimate groups that will appreciate the gorgeous views of the Molokai and Lanai islands, as well as the beautiful sunsets that accompany it.

Planners can take their pick from the 20 meeting rooms and a total of 56,340 sq. ft. of indoor-outdoor space that The Westin Maui offers, many of which provide breathtaking ocean views, such as Ocean Lanai Terrace and Garden Lani Terrace. All this and an executive meeting specialist at your side during the event will make it all flow seamlessly for both you and your attendees.

Dine, Shop and Explore

Attendees will most-definitely want to take some of that island feeling back home with them. The town of Lahaina is home to Whaler’s Village—Hawaii’s only oceanfront shopping destination—which features stores, restaurants, a whaling museum and more activities. Take attendees here before or after the meeting for quality shopping, assisted by a remarkable sight of the Pacific.

No trip to Hawaii is complete until you attend a luau, an experience which Wailele Luau, The Westin Maui’s Hawaiian and Polynesian buffet, offers at their secondary outdoor location every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evening year-round, and Wednesdays during the summer and holiday season. Attendees looking for a seafood fix can check out Lahaina Grill, which also serves steak and more Hawaiian specialties.

Consider adding time in the agenda for exploration as Maui has opportunities for it in spades. Hana, a section of east Maui that is isolated from the rest of the island and is considered as one of the last unspoiled areas in the world is a must-see. Honolua Bay could serve as a location for adventure as well, offering snorkeling, scuba diving tours and incredible hiking trails throughout Honolua Valley.

Dan Carlino

Carlino is general manager of Hilton Des Moines Downtown in Iowa. Thirty-two years ago, Carlino entered the hospitality industry as a corporate systems trainer for Ramada. He later joined Red Lion Hotels as front office director, and was promoted to rooms director and later to general manager, serving at properties in California and Washington. When Carlino joined Hilton, he began as general manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Missoula–Edgewater in Montana, followed by other managerial positions in Minneapolis and Dallas.

Linda Maurer

Maurer is global account manager for Benchmark’s southwest region, a newly created position designed to help develop the company’s group sales. She will continue in her previous role as associate director of sales for La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio. Before joining these companies, Maurer was director of national accounts northeast for Terranea Resort of Rancho Palos Verdes in California. Prior to that, she was director of sales for The Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas.

Jules van Dongen

The Fontaine, A Kansas City Hotel, appointed van Dongen as director of outlets. At the age of 20, van Dongen interned with Hyatt Hotel and quickly climbed the ranks, securing supervisor and management roles with Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Kansas City. Most recently, van Dongen—a native of the Netherlands—was general manager of Hilton President Hotel in Kansas City.

Paola Zuniga

Zuniga is marketing coordinator of Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas. She received her bachelor’s degree in public relations from University of Texas at Austin in 2017. Prior to joining Hyatt Regency Lost Pines, Zuniga worked as an events intern at Caplan Miller Events and Kennedy Creative Events.

Tom Santora

Santora is chief commercial officer of Coury Hospitality, as well as managing director of Hotel Vin, an Autograph Collection, and Harvest Hall, in Grapevine, Texas, which opens summer 2020. Before joining Coury Hospitality, Santora was chief commercial officer for Associated Luxury Hotels. He also was chief marketing officer and senior vice president of sales for Omni Hotels & Resorts for eight years.

Kimberly Leary

Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California, named Leary director of incentive and Midwest sales. She recently served as national sales manager at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California. Leary has served various Utah-based properties, including director of citywide conventions at Visit Salt Lake, director of group room for Sheraton Salt Lake City, director of national accounts at The Canyons Resort in Park City and market sales manager for Salt Lake Marriott City Center.

Gabriela Van Der Lee

Van Der Lee has joined Terramar as regional director of group sales. The Los Cabos, Mexico-based hospitality expert well be responsible for selling all of Terramar’s destinations, which consists of Los Cabos, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Panama and San Francisco.

Not long ago, independent hotels were on the rise. Their ability to offer experiences different than the larger, branded hotels appealed to the younger generation, anxious to have one-of-a-kind experiences.

Roughly 30 years ago, independent hotels accounted for about two-thirds of the properties in the hospitality industry. And just two years ago, a study by Expedia found that they had a greater average daily room rate and faster overall growth than their branded counterparts. But today, independent hotels account for less than 30 percent of hospitality venues.

Multiple factors account for this decline. In “The Shifting Scene of Independent Hotels in America,” a research report by STR, a systems and tech research company, various reasons were unveiled, such as independent hotels’ lack of funding in comparison to larger brands, such as Marriott and Hilton; the steady absorption of these independent hotels by larger brands; and smaller hotels’ difficulty in keeping up with the ceaselessly changing industry.

Blurred Lines

Some boutique brands, such as Autograph Collection—which is owned by Marriott International and has more than 175 properties globally—have the benefit of both retaining their autonomy and receiving financial backing from larger parent companies. Each Autograph Collection hotel has its very own look and feel, making it improbable that most consumers can discern that any two are under the same umbrella.

Due to the degree of independence of subsidiary hotel brands, it’s sometimes difficult to distinguish between a boutique property that’s owned by a large company and one that is truly independent—financially and otherwise. And as large companies continue to grasp more control of the hospitality industry, smaller, independent hotels are suffering.

Potential for Expansion

Big brands are much more likely than small, independent hotels to buy property to build new hotels, according to the study by STR, a systems and tech research company. This is partially due to lenders viewing larger, more reputable companies as less of a financial risk, said Ting Phonsanam, founder of Momentum Hospitality Group.

Small hotels don’t have big-brand financial backing to aid them if they need renovations, expensive repairs—or a revamp after a natural disaster, which could put them out of business. According to the STR report, from 2003 to 2007—which saw more than three dozen hurricanes, in places such as the Gulf and Atlantic coastal regions of the United States—1,000 independent hotel properties faced a permanent closure.

Growth in Different Places

Despite independent hotels’ decline, the number of hotel properties in the United States has been increasing, from 38,000 in 1990 to 56,000 in 2018. Much of this growth is in midscale properties, which increased from 4,400 in 1990 to more than 16,000 in 2018, and upscale hotels, which grew from 2,500 properties in 1990 to 7,500 in 2018.

How do you convince your group to take a collective calming breath before getting down to business? Meeting on the island of Maui makes it easy. The natural beauty and relaxing sounds of the ocean waves breaking against the shore’s rocks brings a sense of serenity that is unparalleled to meeting anywhere else. Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa knows all about cultivating the island’s natural beauty, thus creating a healthy space for planners to bring their attendees, so we asked them to share their insights.

Have All the Fun

Situated on 23 acres of verdant Hawaiian oceanfront near Puu Kekaa—or Black Rock as many visitors know it—Kaanapali Beach’s lava rock formation, to which people often come to cliff dive, and snorkel with tropical fish and sea turtles, is a premier location for pre- and post-meeting activities. But that isn’t all the fun offered on this little section of the island. Sheraton Maui offers plenty more water activities, such as jet-skiing, sailing, kayaking, and a cliff diving ceremony during sunset, which has been taking place since the property’s opening in 1963.

Meetings Made Beautiful

To put it mildly, not much compares to hosting meetings in Hawaii, the meeting spaces provided across the state feature unparalleled sights of the ocean. With 12 meeting rooms and more than 42,000 sq. ft. of event space, Sheraton Maui hosts those breathtaking sights from a number of vantage points. The property’s 12,000-square-foot ocean lawn—the largest outdoor event space in Kaanapali—paired with the staff’s aloha spirit will leave attendees in awe.

The ocean is often associated with feelings of calm and relaxation, with good reason. But what if you could get this without never leaving the property? The 142-yard ocean-facing Lagoon Pool at Sheraton Maui provides that peaceful element in easy reach. That same accessibility is available poolside at Mai Tai Bar, which is just a couple of steps away from the Lagoon Pool. Several other swimming areas include a free-floating beanbag chair, lazy river, lava-rock waterways and a waterslide.

After the event has wrapped up, attendees may be unable to forget the out-of-this-world Hawaiian hospitality. They’ll find themselves counting the days until their next meeting is held in the Aloha State.

Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is opening a flurry of new attractions—including restaurants, shops and rides—that is significantly enhancing and broadening its already-enormous appeal. In fact, it’s gotten to the point where asking, “What’s new at Disney this year?” is much too huge of a question: A more appropriate one is “What’s new at Disney within the past hour?”

I asked Disney staffers the latter question this week while attending Awaken Summer—a preview of new and upcoming summer offerings—and sure enough, they came up with something. It’s a tribute to Disney that while in the midst of such rapid change, it maintains and develops tightly knit, highly energized teams that constantly collaborate on projects and maintain very high standards of excellence.

Of course, cutting-edge technology is central to many of the new attractions, but Disney has avoided falling into the trap of emphasizing it at the expense of other components and qualities, particularly depth of substance—and even wisdom.

Tree of Life

This can be seen in the Tree of Life, which has served as Animal Kingdom’s iconic feature since 1998, but recently has been transformed into a vibrant nighttime attraction. The tree displays vivid awakenings throughout each evening as animal spirits are brought to life my magical fireflies that reveal extraordinary stories. Yes, it’s all made possible by high-tech projections of nature scenes, but the experience inspires a stirring feeling of the interconnectedness of all life.

The kinship of all living things also is celebrated in the new Rivers of Light, which blends traditional Asian festivals with modern technology in a show featuring dancing fountains, glowing lanterns, magical fireflies and animal spirits. We received a preview of this dazzling work in progress, which draws of the creative, inspired genius of Disney imagineers par excellence Joe Rohde and Michael Jung, among others.

Another exceptional new feature at Animal Kingdom is Kilimanjaro Safaris After Dark, the first night safari ride offered at the park. I joined other Awaken Summer participants in a preview ride, which provided an extraordinary opportunity to view and hear lions, elephants, giraffes, African wild dogs and many other animals while many of them are most active. The experience was educational and unforgettable.

Concept art of Star Wars-themed lands

The millions of Star Wars fans around the globe are eagerly anticipating the opening of Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular in June. This highly adventurous show will feature fireworks, lasers, special effects and video projections of iconic characters and scenes from the complete saga, set to the film series’ musical score. We viewed a video about this new attraction and had a chance to have a photograph taken with a Star Wars character. Mine was taken with Chewbacca, and we bonded very quickly.

Morimoto-Asia-rendered Morimoto Asia

Last but by no means least, Downtown Disney is in the midst of a major transformation, which even involved a name change, to Disney Springs. Known for its dining, shopping and entertainment, Disney Springs has been adding more than 30 new tenants, including Morimoto Asia, which features chic style, Pan-Asian cuisine and meeting space. Special, customized group dining can be arranged.

disney-springs Rendering of Disney Springs Town Center

Disney Springs consists of three neighborhoods—The Landing, Marketplace and West Side—each with their own distinct look and feel. The district will open a fourth neighborhood, Town Center, on May 15. Centered around a series of bubbling natural springs, it will welcome guests with a new gateway featuring a signature water tower and grand entry.

This new neighborhood will feature a lushly landscaped promenade where guests can relax, and refresh at the water’s edge and Spanish Revival architecture that draws from the rich history of explorers that landed in Florida centuries ago. Our group was given a special tour of the neighborhood; it’s definitely taking shape, but many of us wondered how everything will be ready by May 15. Actually, I have a strong feeling that Disney’s magic will pull it off.

These are some of the main new additions at Walt Disney World Resort, but they’re only the tip of the iceberg: Speaking of ice, did I mention that this summer at Epcot Theme Park, the new Frozen Ever After attraction will open, enabling visitors to hop aboard an ancient Norwegian vessel and sail through Arendelle’s fantastical world of Frozen?

Exciting things just keep on happening at the resort, and at Disney properties in general. In fact, chances are, something new and fabulous just developed at the resort since you began reading this blog!

For the dedicated globetrotter, Forbes recently released an extensive list of the world’s best 44 hotel bars. While we commend international exploration, we’ve pared the tasting menu down to a palatable nine locations: All those residing right here in the U.S. of A.

More: Cheers: Trends and Traditions in Hotel Bars

While gorgeous lobby shots are always tantalizing, we ventured through the looking glass and scouted reviews to let you know what real customers had to say.

Park Lounge, Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Carlsbad, California

Yelpers rave about the lounge’s High Tea, which includes a choice of loose–leaf brew alongside the requisite finger sandwiches, pastries and tea cakes. Guests also mention loving the lounge’s live music. We’d be ordering: the Apricot Delight—with Old Forrester Bourbon, Amaro Nonino, apricot shrub, lemon juice and basil.

Z Bar, The Peninsula Chicago

Frequenters like its situation amidst the high-rises for great city views. Get there for brunch, given many shout-outs to fried chicken and waffles, plus a veritable mimosa bar. Cocktail suggestion: The Summer Sour, because apparently, it’s made of bourbon, bachelor button and magic.

33° North, Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, California

Ocean views, crafty bar bites and sun-kissed cocktails, check. Guests compliment the service—and appreciate the complimentary honey almonds, coated in nectar from the resort’s own bees. Just how many places can say they’re hive-to-table?

MO Bar + Lounge, Mandarin Oriental, Miami

Lined up along the water with palm fronds silhouetted by city views, there would be good reason to visit even if not for the wallet-happy “Social Hour”—during which the much-loved Social Punch of bourbon, spiced guava cordial, citrus and bitters, plus a spicy tuna cone, will run you less than your valet parking.

The St. Regis Bar & Wine Vault, The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, Florida

Everyone loves a good ol’ fashioned champagne saber, which is the attribute of note according to patrons of this locale—that and an impressive collection of wines from 14 different countries tucked away in temperature-controlled perfection. A dearth of reviews otherwise makes us think the bar’s breathtaking construction of fractioned gold, marble and glass simply stuns visitors into post-prandial silence.

Thirsty Camel, The Phoenician, A Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona

Numerous mentions of impeccable bartending service keep reviewers happy here. Desert-inspired cocktails are best imbibed with sunset views, which are plentiful from the firelit lounge patio. Try the Triple S, a tequila-based potion featuring watermelon, jalapeno and hickory smoked salt.

Oak Room, The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club, Sea Island, Georgia

Almost every diner effuses for a paragraph about stellar service and surprising perfection of southern comfort food favorites. The cozy, upscale-rustic atmosphere is well-received. Scotch and leather go hand-in-hand, and the lounge furnishes you with plenty of both.

Garden Room, Weekapaug Inn, Westerly, Rhode Island

In the snug living-room setting that visitors describe as “cozy upscale,” order anything from the sea to be washed in the waves of delectability that overtake reviewers of Garden Room. Attentive staff and expertly-made drinks with views of a rocky New England coastline complete the atmosphere.

The Great Room, The Ranch at Rock Creek, Philipsburg, Montana

The Great Room is just one of the watering holes dispersing libations to would-be cowboys ranch-wide—but guests kick their boots up here in particular for the game tables and social hour at 5 p.m. sharp. As you may deduce, the bar is not open to the public: The ranch is an all-inclusive experience. This might explain the mention of guzzling Glenlivet from dusk to dawn.

A record number of delegates from destinations across the globe convened in Houston Sunday for the 58^th ICCA Congress, which continues through Oct. 30. International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) is a global meetings industry network that fosters networking and peer-to-peer information sharing for the world’s top destinations and leading suppliers involved with international meetings and events.

It has more than 1,100 member companies and organizations in nearly 100 countries.

In the opening session, incoming president James Rees, executive director for ExCel London, promised the assembled attendees, “You will truly make lifelong friends in every corner of the Earth.” He noted that the Houston gathering would be the group’s most sustainable conference, and he offered a particularly warm welcome to 356 first-time ICCA congress attendees.

Senthil Gopinath, ICCA’s CEO, said it was his goal during the congress to meet at least 60 percent of the 1,000 delegates personally. Daniel Palomo, an ICCA board member and first vice president for Houston First Corp., noted that this year marks the 50^th anniversary of Astronaut Neil Armstrong’s moonwalk—which was directed from Houston’s NASA Mission Control—and also he spoke to the multicultural diversity of the host city, where 153 languages are spoken and one in every four residents was born outside of the United States. He stressed that Houston is in sync with ICCA’s dedication to welcoming and providing opportunities for all.

“You have to send the elevator down to let others come up,” Palomo said.

In addition to a full roster of education sessions and networking events during the congress, delegates will enjoy opportunities to explore the host city by touring the Museum District, George Ranch Historical Park, MD Anderson Cancer Center and Houston Space Port.

This holiday season, plenty of sales are expected to be offered early, before Black Friday, and you can save money and time by taking advantage of them.

Check out these products and stores for deals and steals before Black Friday, which falls on Nov. 29 this year.

Target’s Simple Free Shipping

Any item bought on Target.com from Nov. 1 to Dec. 21 qualifies for free shipping. No subscription is required, and some items can arrive the next day. Many major retailers offer free shipping for purchases over $25. Amazon offers free shipping with a paid Amazon Prime subscription.

Walmart’s Slashed Prices

Many items selling for $10 or more off the original price are included in Walmart’s Early Deals Drop, which was announced on Oct. 25.

One of them, George Foreman Indoor Grill and Panini Press, ideal for use by small groups and individuals, can hold nine servings and has nonstick coating (less butter or oil to heat food means healthier meals). This item is being sold for $24.99, about 50 percent off the original price, and most retailers are selling the same model for more than $50.

Nordstrom Rack’s Gift Suggestions

Preselected options and a section for gifts under $25 are available on the Nordstrom Rack website. Many items are selling at their original prices, but there are a few sales. The website is a great place to get suggestions for original gifts, including ideas for those who are hard to shop for and thank-you gifts.

One Nordstrom Rack item to consider is CYLO Jet Setter Tech Kit. It includes a pouch to carry five essential phone accessories: a three-in-one charger cable (compatible with most phones), earbuds, a phone stand and a charger.

Amazon’s Temporary Sales

Although the exact date of the Amazon Black Friday sale has not been announced, the company has been offering limited-time steals for its third-generation Echo Dot. For a couple of weeks, the speaker was offered with either a Ring 2 Doorbell System for $159 or the Tile Sticker four-pack for $59.99, but the prices have now changed.

The Echo Dot 3rd generation is still on sale for $8.98, more than an 80 percent discount, but only to Amazon Prime subscribers who have never had an Apple Music Unlimited subscription. Without Prime, new subscribers will pay around $17.98, including shipping and handling. Prime members get free two-day shipping for eligible items. The subscription offers offline listening and unlimited skips, and is compatible with Alexa.

The winter solstice is fast approaching, and with it comes longer nights, spooky attractions and better chances of interacting with nocturnal wildlife. In addition to pumpkins, skeletons and haunted houses, there are also unique opportunities to experience natural wonders when the sun goes down.

Destinations throughout the United States are offering plenty of ways for groups to embrace the night, including these attractive options.

Guided Stargazing Walks, Gulf Shores, Alabama

Alabama’s Gulf Coast is lively enough during the day, but at night, there’s even more adventure to be had. Check out the night sky’s offerings during one of Gulf Shore’s guided stargazing walks. Guests are met by a tour guide at Gulf State Park Pier to help them better understand the wonders of the stars; they may even spot a couple of creatures common to the area, such as ghost crabs and the Alabama beach mouse.

Paranormal Experience at Rockwood, Wilmington, Delaware

One Saturday per month (and multiple Saturdays in October) paranormal investigators host a gathering of up to 15 guests to explore Rockwood Museum, a haunted home built by, and home to, the Shipley family in the 1850s. During the tour, guests witness their guides communicating and tracking the spirits who allegedly occupy the house (they are said to be friendly).

Flashlight Tours of Titanic Museum Attraction, Branson, Missouri

The Titanic Museum Attraction tells the tale of the ship’s horrific end. It features more than 400 artifacts—retrieved by co-owners John Joselyn and Mary Kellogg-Joselyn during a $6 million expedition—and stories from the ship’s passengers and crew. Tours are hosted during the day, and at night guests can grab a flashlight and check out the hallways, cabins and staircases of the replica ship. Nighttime tours must be scheduled in advance.

Full Moon Hikes at South Carolina Botanical Gardens, Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson is a college town with a booming nightlife—but not in the way that most would expect. Every month when there is a full moon, South Carolina Botanical Garden hosts a nighttime trek through the gardens, with nothing but the moon to show the way. Led by naturalist James Wilkins, guests see and hear the sights and sounds of nature at night.

Bioluminescent Kayak Tours, The Buccaneer, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Groups that board The Buccaneer have much to look forward to, both day and night. They can watch the sunrise from Point Udall, the easternmost spot in the United States. Virgin Kayak Tours also offers a nighttime adventure to St. Croix’s Bioluminescent Bay, one of seven glowing bays in the world. Participants paddle in kayaks as they observe what appear to be underwater fireflies.