Lilly Rocha has covered a lot of ground during more than 17 years in global and local event management by helping clients reach their marketing goals.
“I’ve traveled all over the globe, everywhere from Europe to Latin America to the Middle East,” Rocha says. “I used to travel a lot, learning the event lingo in different languages. There were so many awesome things like that. Booths are very different in other countries from the U.S.”
Rocha, who has worked with a variety of organizations, currently is the CEO and owner of Space67 Productions, as well as trade show director of The Sabor Latino Food Industry Trade Show, the only Latin food trade show in Los Angeles. The show also occurs annually in Dallas, New York and Orlando.
Rocha is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and a member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), and participates in International Special Events Society (ISES) and Certificate in Meeting Management (CMM) continuing education events. She earned her CMM Certification from MPI in 2011. Her event-planning covers a wide range of skills, including trade show management, event management, marketing, special site inspection and detailed event project plans.
Rocha, a longtime resident of California, lived in London while studying marketing at St. Mary’s University. She received her undergraduate degree from University of California, Berkeley, but her extracurricular work influenced her career trajectory.
“I worked in restaurants part-time throughout college and really liked the training, the parties and catering,” she says. “I found myself drawn to the back-of-house operations.”
While she was growing up, her parents owned a restaurant. “I spent a lot of time in that environment and became familiar with the setting early on,” she says.
Rocha initially worked in tech after she graduated from UC Berkeley. The peak of the dot-com bubble in Silicon Valley found Rocha working as an event manager for Nokia in Mountain View, California. Her technological skills proved helpful, as evidenced by her proficiency in project management software.
Rocha’s best advice to someone considering a career in event planning is to learn as much as possible about the industry and clients.
“It’s always nice to have that extra piece of knowledge,” she says. “I’m one of those people who always likes to keep learning and getting a better perspective.”
Smart Moves
Colin Clark
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, welcomes hospitality leader Colin Clark as general manager. Clark will oversee all aspects of the Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond oceanfront resort, including the 243 guest rooms (including 51 suites), five dining services, seven pools, award-winning spa, Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course and fitness center. Clark has served in various roles for the Four Seasons over the past 27 years.
Diarmud Dwyer
Diarmuid Dwyer began serving as general manager of Manhattan’s New York Hilton Midtown on April 3. In this role, Dwyer manages day-to-day operations of the 1,931-room hotel. He has held a prominent role in the Hilton family for more than a decade. His experiences include a 13-year tenure at Waldorf Astoria New York in New York City. Most recently, Dwyer worked as a hotel manager and executive director of Waldorf Towers, a 181-room luxury property within Waldorf Astoria. A native of Ireland, he began his hospitality career at Killarney Park Hotel there.
Matt Schalk
Hyatt Regency Chicago announced Matt Schalk as its hotel manager on March 30. He has more than 25 years of experience, including various roles with Hyatt. Most recently, Schalk worked for Hyatt Hotels Corporation as regional vice president of sales and marketing for the west region. He has worked in several revenue management positions at Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Schalk graduated from Hyatt’s Corporate Management Training Program in 1996.
Marin Bright, founder, CEO and editorial director of Smart Meetings, shared her insights on the travel industry with millions of readers June 26 as a featured columnist in Business Travel & Events, a special insert in USA Today’s print and online editions.
“Like Smart Meetings readers, I spend a lot of time on the road and over the years have learned that to be productive, I need to put the pieces in place in advance to be as efficient as possible,” said Bright. “Smart Meetings is all about building a community that shares ideas for creating better meetings. I am passionate about this industry and providing resources to make everyone more successful.”
AHC+Hospitality in Grand Rapids, Michigan, appointed Ashley Savransky marketing coordinator. Savransky will work in collaboration with the marketing team for the brand’s properties in the U.S. and internationally.
AHC+Hospitality
Kevin F. Smith
The recently renovated Hilton Fort Collins in Colorado named Kevin F. Smith general manager. Most recently, Smith served as general manager of Capitol Plaza Hotel Topeka in Kansas.
Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Michele Comete-Schonemann
Belmond Charleston Place named Michele Comete-Schonemann senior national sales manager, responsible for the Midwest, West Coast and Canadian markets. Most recently, Michele held the role of group account director at The St. Regis Princeville in Hawaii.
Belmond Charleston Place
Emily Engel
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort appointed Emily Engel group account director. Emily brings more than ten years of hospitality sales experience, and previously served as senior sales executive at Marriott Marquis Houston.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
Do you have an announcement about a new executive-level job appointment? Email us the good news at [email protected].
Joseph Bell
Joseph Bell was appointed travel industry sales manager at Four Seasons Resort Lanai. He will join a team effort in overseeing sales at both Four Seasons Resort Lanai and the under-renovation Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Koele. He most recently served as leisure sales manager for The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, California.
Photo credit: Four Seasons Resort Lanai
Michael Connolly
Hawks Cay Resort, currently undergoing renovation, appointed Michael Connolly to director of national accounts. He will aid groups in creating successful meetings and events in New England, the Midwest and along the West Coast by establishing and fostering partnerships.
Ashley Gochnauer
Viceroy Hotel Group named Ashley Gochnauer as general manager of Hotel Zelos San Francisco. She re-joins the company, having previously served as director of guest serves at Viceroy Santa Monica. Most recently, she was opening general manager of Kimpton Everly Hotel Hollywood.
Ryan Walker
Dream Hotel Group has announced Ryan Walker as vice president of e-commerce and digital strategy. His responsibilities will include overseeing all online sales and marketing initiatives for corporate and brand websites, and development and management of eCommerce initiatives across the company’s 18 international properties. He brings 15 years of experience driving performance through new and emerging technologies.
Photo credit: Dream Hotel Group
Anthony Damiano
Following 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Anthony Damiano was announced as general manager of The Time Nyack in New York. He previously was general manager of Hyatt House White Plains, where he was nominated for General Manager of the Year.
Photo credit: The Time Nyack
Old Blue Eyes said that if you can make it in New York City, you can make it anywhere. More women than ever seem to be making their way to the top of the hospitality industry in the town known for tall towers and tailored suits at the door.
An Executive Vice President’s Point of View
Photo Credit: NYC & Company
NYC & Company Executive Vice President Kelly Curtin describes the city’s $65 billion travel and tourism industry as an opportunity for women at all levels—including the highest leadership positions of hotels, attractions, dining, retail, culture, performing arts and special events. As examples, she points to Debora L. Spar, president of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Ellen Futter, president of the American Museum of Natural History; and Emily Rafferty, chair of NYC & Company’s board and president emerita of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
“There are more opportunities today, and the heights women can achieve are even greater,” Curtin says. She attributes this, in part, to more jobs being available as the city has grown from 47.1 million visitors in 2008 to 62.8 million in 2017; during the same period, the hotel industry has grown 52 percent, opening up opportunities for women along the way.
“When I started in the business 21 years ago, I knew of no female general managers of big-box hotels in New York City,” she says. Now NYC & Company is aware of 73 GMs across a variety of hotels, from boutique to big-box, design-oriented, luxury and budget properties.
Curtin also attributes the success of women in the industry to the emergence of small businesses owned and operated by women. “I’m thrilled to see that as companies outsource services like meeting planning, public relations and digital marketing, it has provided the catalyst for evolution and growth, and has enabled women to play by their own rules,” she says.
Curtin was the first full-time NYC & Company employee to work from home one-day-a-week. That was a decade ago. She is proud of the flexibility and support for family the local hospitality industry has extended to men and women. “It’s really important that management create an inclusive culture and support a healthy work-life balance for all employees,” she says. “Our industry doesn’t exist without women.”
NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon describes Curtin as a role model for junior staff and industry colleagues in the city and across the country. “New York City has always championed empowered women—from artists to politicians, to urban activists, LGBTQ luminaries and more. I’m proud that our tourism industry continues to be light years ahead when it comes to leadership opportunities for women, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for the young leaders in our midst.”
VPs Speak Up
Four female NYC & Company vice presidents echoed the collaborative approach at the destination office. They are Sara Simkin, vice president of destination services; Trudy Singh, regional vice president of sales, mid- Atlantic; Lisa Lopez, regional vice president of sales, Midwest; and Patricia Herrera, regional director for southeast and global MICE. All confirm that, as part of Senior Vice President of Convention Development Jerry Cito’s team, they are empowered to work together and try new things.
“I never feel like I’m going to fail, because my actions always derive from a sincere, unique perspective,” Herrera says.
“We work closely to ensure that all convention and trade show clients are well taken care of from start to finish,” Kelly Curtin adds. “Beyond tourism, I want the movement taking place culturally to extend to future generations and throughout all industries. As an executive of a well-respected organization—and as a woman who has always spoken up for equality and for progress—it is so important for me to be a role model for both my own daughter and the leaders of tomorrow.”
Female GMs Share Opportunities and Challenges
Smart Meetings worked with NYC & Company to survey several successful New York City executives about their trailblazing paths—in the hope that it would point the way for others looking to follow or find their own way.
Hospitality roots: I was part of the opening team at Hotel Victor South Beach in Miami. A lifetime ago, I worked for the airline industry and as a travel agent as well, but that’s a whole other story!
Advice to your younger self: Nurture yourself first before you can nurture others. Make time to do your favorite things, spend time with your family without feeling guilty—basically find your fun.
Most influential person: One of my role models in our industry is Niki Leondakis [CEO of Equinox], someone I had the great pleasure working with for a while. I admire her leadership skills, her empathy towards others, her efforts to better community.
Opportunities for women in the hospitality industry in New York City today: More companies are taking the initiative to develop young women in our industry as future leaders. We hear of more mentoring opportunities within organizations—this is all great, and hopefully just the beginning of fast-tracking more women to future GM and C-level positions.
Hospitality roots: Funny but true, I got my start by default. I graduated from St. John’s University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and English and earned my master’s degree in reading there. In my early career, I was an elementary school teacher. I was also working part-time for my husband’s company. He actually graduated six months early to open the first Everything Yogurt store on Wall Street in downtown Manhattan. I went to work there full-time because it was too expensive to hire a bookkeeper, and payroll companies charged too much.
We grew this company to 250 locations nationally and internationally. We also developed a Class A office building on Staten Island to house our company, which was focused on selling franchises. We continued building offices and answered an RFP for a complex that would include another office building and a hotel. Our original plan was to lease the property to a hotel developer; however, no hotel developer wanted to build a project on Staten Island, so we became “reluctant” hoteliers. After almost 17 years, we have expanded our Hilton Garden Inn twice, added a Hampton Inn & Suites on the property—and discovered we love the business. We love making memories for our guests.
Advice to your younger self: Continue to work hard for what you want, and life will be good.
Most influential person: That would be my husband, Richard. In addition to being the love of my life, my soulmate and my best friend, he is my business partner and my partner in life. He changed my life and had confidence in me to work with him to build our company—and we did. Together, we make a great team. In addition to our two hotels, we own more than 1 million sq. ft. of office space in The Corporate Park of Staten Island, making us the largest private developers on the island.
But the most rewarding thing that we do centers around Corporate Social Responsibility. Our foundation is funded by our Commons cafe. We donate 100 percent of profits from this quick-service eatery to the Lois and Richard Nicotra Foundation to support Staten Island charities, and to our employees’ children and grandchildren for their college educations. We have 500 employees who are like family and are our greatest assets. We always say that we want to make a difference in their lives; we want to make their lives better. And our foundation is just one way we can do that.
Opportunities for women in the hospitality industry in New York City today: In my company, most of the management roles are filled by women. We have a talented team of hard- working, dedicated employees. The hospitality industry requires work on nights, weekends and holidays. I admire the women that work for me, especially those juggling a family and career.
Hospitality roots: I started at a very early age! My mom and dad owned a travel agency in Jerusalem. As far back as I can remember, I was greeting travelers at the airport or hosting group dinners with my parents. Hospitality literally runs in my blood. I decided to go the route of hotel management and ended up in Hawaii—the island of the Aloha spirit. My first hotel was the Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, which we called the Pink Palace of the Pacific. That’s where I officially started my career at the reception desk. Twenty years and 12 hotels later, I’m here at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, the flagship of our nature-inspired and mission-driven brand (which also happens to be my favorite hotel yet).
Advice to your younger self: As someone who strives for perfection, I would have loved to have been exposed to Vince Lombardi’s quote: “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” I would have been less harsh on myself early on in my career.
Most influential person: I’ve been lucky to work with some amazing leaders throughout my career. I’ve also worked with some that taught me what kind of a leader I don’t want to be! What I can say is that in working three years for Barry Sternlicht, I’ve been the most inspired and challenged to live up to our brand’s commitments, both professionally and personally. Opportunities for women in the hospitality industry in New York City today: I think the opportunities for women here are endless. So many hotels, old and new, offer avenues for any career a driven woman wants to take. If you have a passion for hospitality and understand that the work life is actually a lifestyle, then you can take it as far as you want.
Hospitality roots: I knew I wanted to be in hospitality since I was five years old, serving breakfast in bed to my parents or setting up a juice bar in my parlor. I moved on to paying jobs as a high school and college student, where I worked as a housekeeper, a room-service server, a table busser and front-desk agent. These positions were mostly in smaller, countryside properties in Upstate New York. Upon graduation, I moved to the largest city I knew, New York City, and worked my way up through many rooms-division positions in Affinia, Starwood and Ritz-Carlton Hotels.
Advice to your younger self: I am very happy with the path I have taken and would have told myself to stay with it. I worked in many different entry-level positions and learned the work from the beginning. This made it much easier to become a leader in these positions later in life, because I had done the work from the start. I still believe integrity and hard work ultimately helps you realize your dreams. Picture yourself in the job you want someday. Really picture it. What will your surroundings look like? What will you be wearing? What kind of person will you be? It really helps you to achieve your vision.
Most influential: It starts with my parents and their encouragement and support of my dreams. My sister, who helped me prepare to be lucky and be in the right place, at the right time. And then one of my very first bosses in New York City, who saw talent in my abilities and kept trusting me in situations where I needed to make decisions and explain why I made them.
Opportunities for women in hospitality industry in New York City today: I believe there are so many opportunities today in hospitality. This industry is a place where countless career paths exist. Finance, business, real estate, sciences, education, technology and, of course, guest services can all exist in hospitality. We should continue to mentor people just starting in this industry, and become inspiring examples of what success looks like. In order to keep moving careers forward, we need to show our female colleagues how to balance work and family, and to use all the available resources for support.
Hospitality roots: While I was in college, I worked part-time for a bus tour company in Brooklyn called All State Tours. When I was ready for a full-time position, my boss (at that time) contacted one of his hotel colleagues, and she hired me as a secretary. Within a month, I was promoted to group coordinator. Three years later, I left there for my first sales manager position. After many years in sales, I aspired to be a general manager. My first GM position was at Holiday Inn Express New York City-Fifth Avenue.
Advice to your younger self: Go to hospitality school. I did not go, so all my experience is work-related. Although I have been successful, I am sure a hospitality degree could have helped me be successful sooner.
Most influential person: Lucille Yokell, director of sales and marketing at Wellington Hotel. She is the person who hired me as a secretary after my job at All State Tours. She has been a mentor in my career and close friend for more than 30 years.
Opportunities for women in hospitality industry in New York City today: Excellent opportunities exist for women in the hospitality industry. I would say it may a bit harder for a GM position, but for other department-head positions, there are many women in these positions. Just continue to apply for the positions that you want. Be persistent, and don’t give up just because you think the odds may be against you.
Sima Patel made history this month when she became the first elected chair of the Visit California board of directors. A recent bill signed by California Governor Jerry Brown has changed the way Visit California leadership is determined, moving away from appointed commissioners to the election of the board chair.
Patel had already made an impression on her peers as the first Indian woman to chair a national or state lodging association in the United States when she was elected chairperson of the California State Lodging Association in 2004.
“I am humbled to be elected to such a prestigious role within Visit California,” Patel says. “Visit California is committed to driving tourism to the state, and I am excited to help further the organization’s reach to both consumers and tourism industry stakeholders.”
Formerly fromSurat, India, Patel moved to Oakland, California, at 17. Carving out a career in the hospitality industry, Patel is CEO of Ridgemont Hospitality and has more than 30 years of experience in hotels, including a decade on the Visit California board. Visit California is the largest state tourism marketing organization in the country.
Patel began working in her husband’s family-owned hotel soon after moving to the United States. In 1985, Patel and her husband built their first hotel, The Regency Inn, marking the first property in their new company, Ridgemont Hospitality.
Patel’s company now runs Inn at Temescal, Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn & Suites in Oakland, and Hotel Vue in Mountain View. The Oakland Planning Commission has approved the construction Patel’s 110-room Hampton Inn in the heart of downtown Oakland. Expected to be completed by 2018, the property will be the first new hotel in downtown Oakland in years.
Patel began serving on the California Travel & Tourism Commission, which operates Visit California, in 2006. She is very active in the San Francisco Bay Area as a board member of Visit Oakland and the Independent Lodging Industry Association. She also is a member of Oakland Rotary Club and Oakland Airport Area Business Association.
“Sima has been a true pioneer in our industry,” says Caroline Beteta, president and CEO for Visit California. “She epitomizes what it means to dream big in California. Hers is the quintessential American success story and proves the tourism industry supports jobs and builds leaders. I am absolutely thrilled for her continued leadership in her new role.”
John Willard “Bill” Marriott, Jr., executive chairman and chairman of the board of Marriott International has been chosen by leading international accounting firm Ernst & Young to receive the 2016 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the real estate, hospitality and construction category and the U.S. Entrepreneur of the Year Overall Award. Marriott was selected for pursuing business excellence and his achievement in innovation, fiscal growth and serving his company and community. In an uncertain year of mergers and acquisitions, the hospitality icon was also recognized for his role in Marriott International’s attainment of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, making it the largest hotel company in the world.
A panel of judges identified the hospitality industry icon as an exemplary model of these characteristics and recognized his leadership at the annual EY Entrepreneur of the Year Gala. Earlier this year, Marriott was recognized as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Mid-Atlantic region, which qualified him to be considered for the Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 national program. As the U.S. Entrepreneur of the Year Overall Award winner, Mr. Marriott moves on to compete for the World Entrepreneur of the Year Award that will be announced in Monaco in June 2017.
“I am humbled by this honor and that it underscores the philosophy of our company–that success is never final,” said Marriott. “It was wonderful to share the stage with so many remarkable business people doing such innovative work. And the theme of the night was deep gratitude for the countless people who stand behind these entrepreneurs helping their companies flourish and grow. For Marriott International, that has always been our associates who every day take care of our guests in over 6,000 hotels around the world.”
Since 1986, Ernst & Young has honored entrepreneurs whose ingenuity, spirit of innovation and discipline have propelled their companies’ success, invigorated their industries and benefited their communities. Now in its 30th year, the program has honored the inspirational leadership of such entrepreneurs as Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company, Robert Unanue of Goya Foods and Mindy Grossman of HSN. Recent U.S. national winners include Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn; Hamdi Ulukaya, founder of Chobani; and 2015 winners Andreas Bechtolsheim and Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks.
Editor’s note: We’re trying something new! We handpicked a few of our stories from the March issue and decided to give you a sneak peek. You can expect the entire issue online on March 1. Enjoy!
Even by multihyphenate standards, Michael J. Lyons is an overachiever. As the 40-plus-year meetings industry veteran and Smart Meetings TV host has pursued his passions, his career has expanded into acting, motivational speaking, singing, hosting, and meetings and events consulting. With the Feb. 24 release of his new book, Set Yourself Free: Daydream It…Believe It…Achieve It!, Lyons adds the title of author to that list.
Based on one of his popular speaking topics, the book aims to help people reflect on their life and career goals, assess where they stand, and implement manageable techniques to help maintain focus. Material draws upon Lyons’ own successes and failures, as well as anecdotes about famous people who overcame hardship and obstacles to achieve their goals, such as Oprah Winfrey, McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc and Richard Branson.
“Set Yourself Free is about how to create greater opportunities in your life while removing obstacles, excuses and the paralysis of fear,” Lyons says. “Once you take charge of your life and empower yourself to make the right choices, you can achieve the things you want. Life is too short to squander your potential.”
The book delivers practical steps to help readers accomplish their goals. Several of Lyons’ other speaking topics also address this theme. For example, his talk “The Brand of You” applies business branding principles to the process of creating, developing, managing and protecting your personal brand, and “Getting Yourself Camera Ready” offers tips and techniques to enhance ease when speaking on camera.
As an actor and host, Lyons possesses undeniable on-camera expertise. His credits include film, television and commercial work, including roles on television series such as House of Cards, Veep and Outsiders. He has made more than 350 live appearances on the home-shopping network QVC.
Additionally, Lyons has contributed numerous articles to travel industry trade journals and consumer magazines. Media outlets frequently consult him for expert commentary on the meetings and events industry.
Lyons will be the keynote speaker at Smart Meeting East National event at Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek on May 23. To find more information and to register, visit smartmeetings.com.
To learn more about Set Yourself Free, go to lyonsspeaker.com.
Why not take your next group to a beautiful country where the whiskey flows just as freely as the wind beneath your kilt. Despite its size, Scotland has something for every group—from golf to seaside huts, cozy cottages, castles, culture and untamed wilderness. Here is a guide to some hot spots in Scotland and some can’t-miss activities for groups.
📍 Smart Fact: The national animal of Scotland is the unicorn.
Lowlands
St. Andrews, Scotland
Starting at the bottom (of the country) the lowlands lie on the border of Scotland and England and encompass Scotland’s two biggest, most popular business hubs: Glasgow and Edinburgh. Both cities have much to offer planners for meetings or incentive trips but are just two of the many cities and towns that make up the lowlands.
Venturing out from the bigger cities you can find the “borders,” dotted with quaint villages, working farms and lovely seaside towns. One of these towns in particular, St. Andrews, is a big draw for business travelers for one very specific reason: golf. Below is an unpacking of these three cities and the must-see sights that make them the popular tourist destinations that they are.
Scotland’s capital is home to castles, gardens and thousands of years of history. Edinburgh is situated in southern Scotland, a stone’s throw from the North Sea. The city is defined by cobble-stone streets, stone buildings and deep cultural roots balanced by modern innovation and progress. Filled with old world charm, perhaps one of the most unexpected things about Edinburgh is the innovation that pulses through the city, evident in everything from sustainability efforts to international business presences and an active representation of the arts (Fringe Festival anyone?).
A trip to the country would almost seem incomplete without a stay in Edinburgh—the most famous city in Scotland. Book iconic accommodations at The Balmoral Edinburgh, a hotel that claims it is “a symbol of its city” and lies next to the historic downtown Waverly train station. With 187 rooms and suites that will make your attendees feel like Scottish royalty and multiple event spaces that can hold up to 450 guests, all your meeting needs will be met. As it is literally in the heart of the city, guests are just a short walk away from pubs, restaurants, museums and Edinburgh castle.
For a perhaps less iconic, but more practical option for those with larger groups, Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket is just a five-minute walk from the Edinburgh International Convention Centre. For accommodations a little farther afield, Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club has 215 rooms, 12,376 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space and lies on 1,000 acres of land 20 minutes from the city center.
Glasgow
The biggest city in Scotland, Glasgow is best described as Edinburgh’s cool younger sibling. With the biggest convention center in the country, Glasgow is a practical choice for larger meetings, conventions and trade shows. The Scottish Event Campus (SEC) encompasses the SEC Hydro arena, the SEC Center which boasts more than 200,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and event halls, and the SEC Armadillo, a bespoke architectural building that hosts smaller groups with more than 30,000 sq. ft of meeting space. The SEC is an example of the modernization and innovation that Glasgow is known for.
Whether you decide to check out the city center’s mural trail, pop by Kelingrove Art Gallery and Museum or catch a glimpse of some of Europe’s finest Victorian architecture in George square, there is plenty to see downtown. There is also plenty to hear. Glasgow is a UNESCO city of music and everything from piping bands to rock to opera make the city the iconic music hub it is today. For a top-notch stay in Glasgow, head to one of the 94 rooms in Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel or stay in the iconic Glasgow Central Hotel, adjacent to Glasgow Central Station at Glasgow Central Hotel.
St. Andrews
St. Andrews is a town with two things: a university—Scotland’s oldest university, in fact, and (the reason why tourists flock there every year) the Old Course. The Old Course is the world’s oldest golf course and host to many golf tournaments throughout the year. The prestigious and historic green is as beautiful as the coast that it borders and the town that it is in. A trip to St. Andrews would be heaven for any golf enthusiast, and those who are less interested in golf will still love the beaches, castle ruins and sunshine (which is not easy to come by, and therefore all the more appreciated in Scotland).
Just an hour’s train ride or a 90-minute drive from Edinburgh over the famous Firth of Fourth, home to the Fourth Bridge, St. Andrews is very accessible to groups. Filled with boutique hotels that would be perfect for incentive trips, the town also boasts two large hotels to accommodate larger groups; The Old Course Hotel St. Andrews and Fairmont St. Andrews. These properties are both situated on golf courses, with the Old Course Hotel overlooking the famous—you guessed it—Old Course. As St. Andrews is a small town and space is limited, you might prefer to head east and stay at luxurious Gleneagles. Its 232 rooms and suites are situated in a manor-esque building surrounded by what the property describes as ‘a glorious playground’ of golf courses, gardens and much more. The property hosted the 2005 G8 summit and is well-known around the world for its prestige.
Getting there: Glasgow and Edinburgh both have international airports with routes from just about anywhere in the world. From the airport, train and bus systems around the country are very well developed, however (seeing as the country is quite small) cars or buses are perfect for day-trips into the highlands or for getting to your castle getaways.
Highlands
The Highlands are the real heart of Scotland. Rugged yet majestic, a trip to the highlands could include everything from hunting to shearing sheep to cups of tea by an old fireplace, and any of the above activities would be an apt depiction of traditional Scottish life. Here are some smart activities for groups in the highlands.
Whiskey
Take your attendees up into the highlands and follow Scotland’s famous whiskey trail. More than 40 famous distilleries are nestled in the moors that define the area. The oldest and perhaps most famous distillery in this area is Glenturret, where Famous Grouse is made, but the area is full of well-known names such as Cardhu, Dalwhinnie, Highland Park and Macallan.
Smart tip: take the back roads from distillery to distillery and you might just happen upon a field of highland cows, an old wool mill or a grouse shooting forest.
Wilderness
The Scottish highlands have long been an oasis for outdoorsy folk on the British isles. The moody weather and beautifully rough and rugged terrain lend perfectly to mountaineering and hill walking. A hub for outdoor adventures in Scotland is the Cairngorms, a mountain range and national park known for hiking, skiing and climbing. Aviemore, a small town located in the northern part of the park is the perfect base for exploring the Cairngorms.
Not only is Aviemore a beautiful, secluded town that accurately represents the highlands, it also boasts the ‘largest residential conference center in Scotland’ with 455 rooms and ample event space. So your guests can go from meetings to hikes in the highlands to a whiskey tasting and be back in time for a supper of haggis, neeps (rutabaga) and tatties (potatoes). Just make sure to buy some famous Scottish woolen jumpers to stay cozy on those windy walks.
Castles
After a few drams of whiskey and a brisk walk over the moors, your guests will want nothing more than a good night’s sleep. What better place to rest your head than in an old castle? Scotland is full of castles, from historic ruins to those still used as family homes, to others that have been turned into hotels and event spaces.
Nestled along a river just south of the Cairngorms lies Fonab Castle Hotel and Spa. With 42 bedrooms and suites, this renovated castle brings contemporary efficiency and comfort to Victorian charm.
Some more options to live like a king during your trip to Scotland include a stay at Knock Castle, just a short drive from major cities in the Lowlands, or Achnagairn Estate for adventures further north. Many of these properties offer various activities, such as clay-pigeon shooting, horse riding, helicopter rides and gala dinners followed by traditional ceilidh dancing.
Things to Eat:
Haggis (just don’t ask what it is…)
Scotch eggs; ideally halfway through a football match with a pint of lager
Full Scottish breakfast
Try some gin. Scotland is known for scotch but don’t overlook their gin distilleries. Gin production is said to be rivaling scotch production in Scotland.
Sticky toffee pudding
Fish and chips—Make sure to say ‘yes’ when asked if you want salt and vinegar
Tea and biscuits. Some say Yorkshire Gold and dark chocolate Digestives but some prefer Jaffa Cakes or Hob-Nobs; best just try them all.
With so much vying for the attention of your audience today, it is more important than ever to create an experience at your events that will captivate and engage guests. Mixed reality can help you enhance guest experience at your event, leaving your audience awe-struck and inspired.
Mixed Reality Events
Incorporating virtual reality (VR) technology to create a new experience for your audience will produce a memorable and unique platform to help you stand out from all others in your space. There are many benefits of using mixed reality at a variety of events, but we’ve chosen three of the most important ones.
1. Generate Buzz
Integrating mixed reality technology into the pitch of your products at an event or trade show will help you connect with attendees and give them something to talk about.
2. Captivate Attention
Once word gets out about the experience you have developed, people will be lining up to give it a try themselves. While they wait, you can use the time to provide demonstrations of your product and have meaningful conversations with your guests.
3. Showcase Features
In addition to using mixed reality to grab and keep your audience’s attention, you can also use it to develop a hands-on product interaction that won’t just tell a customer or attendee what your product can do but will let them experience it for themselves.
Tips for Augmented Reality Events
There are a few guidelines to be aware of as you consider how you will integrate mixed reality technology at your events:
Understand the Technology
Develop a deeper understanding of what it is capable of and how it works.
Make Sure it Adds Value
During the planning and design phases of your mixed reality environment, be sure that the concept aligns with the rest of your presentation.
Start Simple
You will need to test and adjust a number of iterations before you find what works best, so start simple and build on the experience from there.
Find the Right Partner
Finding a technology partner can help you save time, as opposed to creating the various elements yourself.
Vario Reality
At Vario, we work with clients to create unique event experiences that will delight and inspire guests using a variety of tools and technologies. That is why we have developed our newest offering, Vario Reality, to help upgrade your guest experience with rich, enticing and immersive content.
Contact us today to start developing interactive experiences at your next event. Our team is well-versed in all mixed reality technologies and will guide you through the process of selecting, designing and building your next great mixed reality event.
Take your attendees up into the highlands and follow Scotland’s famous whiskey trail. More than 40 famous distilleries are nestled in the moors that define the area. The oldest and perhaps most famous distillery in this area is Glenturret, where Famous Grouse is made, but the area is full of well-known names such as Cardhu, Dalwhinnie, Highland Park and Macallan.
After a few drams of whiskey and a brisk walk over the moors, your guests will want nothing more than a good night’s sleep. What better place to rest your head than in an old castle? Scotland is full of castles, from historic ruins to those still used as family homes, to others that have been turned into hotels and event spaces.
