Smart Meetings | Page 385 of 603 | Corporate Event Planning: Business Events, Meetings, Conferences

New York City is offering more than 50 events this month in what is being called the largest Pride celebration in the world, Stonewall 50-WorldPride 2019.

Pride is celebrated in New York City and other worldwide locations to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising—a seminal moment in history—when gay rights activists rioted against a police raid at Stonewall Inn in New York City on June 28, 1969. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the uprising, and groups meeting in the Big Apple in June can break for the wide variety of events, such as human rights conferences, Stonewall commemorative ceremonies, a tour and toast of Stonewall, LGBTQ history, art shows, musicals and films going on throughout the city. Many of the events are great reasons for team building, to boot.

Several New York City hotels are participating in Pride events. They are offering special events and packages throughout June—but they get bonus points for being LGBT-welcoming all year long. In honor of Stonewall 50-WorldPride, here are four LGBT-friendly accommodations for groups in the Big Apple.

Kimpton Hotels

Kimpton Hotels’ website states, “Since our founding in San Francisco over three decades ago, in 1981, we’ve embraced the LGBTQ community and have made a commitment to helping affect positive change by partnering with organizations that can make a difference….” True to its words, the hotel has partnered with The Trevor Project to provide drag brunches at some of its properties in New York City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Austin, Texas, from June through October. In New York City, Brunch will be held June 29 at Kimpton Eventi.

All of Kimpton Hotels’ New York City properties—Eventi, Ink48 and Muse—offer boutique charm; chic, modern interiors; and are perfect for groups of 10–25. Pride packages at all three hotels include Pride-themed cocktails, body paint, rainbow cookies and rainbow sunglasses, and a $10 Metro credit.

JW Marriott Essex House New York

A rainbow of flowers in the form of the hotel’s six-story sign greets guests in the lobby of JW Marriott Essex House New York. The iconic hotel, right off Central Park, offers newly redesigned rooms with an Art Deco flair, as well as many updated suites, including the 2,000-square-foot JW Terrace Suite, with executive lounge access. The property also offers 14 meeting rooms for a total of 17,544 sq. ft. of versatile event space. Pride packages are available through Dec. 31, and rainbow bandanas are free throughout WorldPride 2019.

Hyatt

Sixteen of Hyatt’s New York properties are giving out 20-percent discounts from June 21 through Sept. 8, and the brand is offering VIP packages for WorldPride 2019. Each hotel offers several meeting spaces, and each is celebrating Pride in its own way—from Source Pride, a presentation of artwork by Keith Haring at Park Hyatt through Sept. 3 and a library of books by notable LGBT+ authors at Andaz 5th Avenue, to specialty cocktails at several locations.

W Hotels

All W New York hotels: W Downtown (3,152 sq. ft. total meeting space), W Hoboken (8,919 sq. ft.), W Times Square (2,401 sq. ft.) and W Union Square (4,828 sq. ft.) are going big, with a WorldPride package that includes two spots on the W Hotels float at the WorldPride march on June 30. The package includes exclusive swag bags as well as custom costumes for your Instagram photo shoot. While there, groups can also meet at W Union Square on June 29 for #NOH8WORLDWIDE for an open photo shoot to help fight for equal rights.

It isn’t just a fad; sustainability is the new normal for meetings. This is great for Mother Earth, but, as this means plenty of fun and inventive activities, it’s also great for groups. Through creating a clean environment groups will also create life-long bonds. Here are some places that make it easy to be kind to the earth.

Farm Sanctuary, Watkins Glen, New York

Guests at Farm Sanctuary will get the opportunity to help care for turkeys, chickens, cows, goats and pigs—perfect for the animal lovers in the group. On-site cabins and tiny homes are available for booking, with 346 sq. ft. and 384 sq. ft., respectively, and plenty of more traditional accommodations nearby.

Baker’s Cay Resort, West Largo, Florida

This resort offers groups multiple options for eco-friendly collaboration. With the help of local government organizations, groups can learn how to dive and help rebuild the area’s coral reefs with Coral Restoration Foundation, tour the everglades with The Everglades Foundation and get close to dolphins with the Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Rescue.

The Moorings Village, Islamorada, Florida

The property reopened in January 2018, following the destruction of Hurricane Irma. This 18-villa resort lost a majestic stand of coconut trees and is still in the process of rebuilding. Groups interested in giving back can rebuild the plantation by picking a spot and planting a seed, or they can retrieve fallen coconuts and replant those as well.

Crocodile Bay Resort, Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica

Visitors to this property will have the chance to interact with exotic rainforest creatures, such as two- and three-toe sloths, spider and howler monkeys, toucans and macaws. They also offer a Sea Turtle Rescue Tour, in which guests spend an entire day helping researchers gather and analyze data, by swimming with, holding and examining them in their natural habitat.

The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village, Florida

With the use of kayaks equipped with cleaning equipment, groups are invited to participate in cleaning up Cape Coral’s 400 miles of canals and waterways a little bit at a time.

Panama Jack Resorts Cancun

In preparation for turtle hatching season, which begins in May, the property forms the “Turtle Protection Committee,” to ensure beaches are in mint condition for nesting; the committee leads group activities, such as beach cleaning. At the start of the season, the committee begins building nests at the resort’s on-site turtle farm, and when the time comes, guests can watch the hatchings and baby turtles arrive on the beach for the first time.

Club Med Cancun Yucatan

Groups can participate in various beach and lagoon cleanups at Cancun’s only resort with three private beachfront spaces. In addition to the practice, guests also get a chance to learn about the theory: In meetings led by a Club Med employee—also a certified turtle-handler by the local ecological department—guests can learn about local nesting turtles and local biodiversity. The resort also offers sessions to view nesting sea turtles and learn about the ways this impacts the environment.

Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, Florida

In collaboration with the Museum of Discovery & Science, groups are taught about the nesting and conservation of sea turtles. Indulge and donate when you purchase a Tipsy Turtle at Sea Level Bar, $1 of each sold is donated to Sea Turtle Conservancy. Through this, the resort has donated almost $13,000.

Important insights into health-care professionals (HCPs) and tips on how to host an event that will attract and retain them were among the highlights of Jocelyn Cote’s recent Smart Meetings webinar.

Cote, global managing director of strategic meetings management for American Express Meetings and Events, hosted the webinar “Drive Attendance at Your Medical Meetings” on June 13. She outlined several key factors that influence a HCP’s likeliness to attend an event, and therefore, things for planners to consider when planning one.

Cote bases most of her claims on a 2016 study in which 16 health-care professionals across America and Europe gave in-depth interviews regarding their preferences at, and opinions of, medical meetings. This qualitative analysis bolsters a quantitative survey of 505 HCPs across the world and allows researchers to uncover ‘deeper nuances about meeting preferences.’

The HCP: A Unique Attendee

Health Care Professionals include dentists, doctors, nurses and psychologists. They are professionals responsible for the care of others, mostly in a medical environment. Additionally, they all went through many years of education to enter their chosen profession.

According to Cote, this means two things for the planner. First, HCPs like education. “They just can’t get enough education, and meetings play a vital role in HCP’s career-long quest for education,” she says. Second, HCPs have a lot of experience with education. They know what works and what doesn’t, and they will not waste their time with meetings that are less than great.

In 2017, HCPs received 1 million hours of instruction worldwide and about 163,000 educational events were held in the United States. With all this choice, Cote finds it important to give some tips to make sure your event invitation breaks through the noise—or clutter of inboxes.

Use easy, interest-peaking subject lines in email invitations (maybe the name of a prominent speaker).
Keep your invitation short and sweet.
Keep in mind the time of day that an email is sent out (avoid Monday mornings).
Consider cultural norms surrounding invitations (often, potential attendees in Mexico expect a follow-up phone call after an email invitation is sent).

Content, Content, Content

Quality content is the most important aspect of a medical meeting. Here are a few tips from Cote:

Provide quality speakers who are credible, published and engaging.
Do your research! Make sure your content is relevant, up to date and can be applicable to patients today. Maybe include a few sessions on off-beat topics that attendees won’t find in a medical journal.
Avoid the cardinal sin of reading slides during a presentation. Instead, make a presentation hands-on, interactive and entertaining.
Encourage “curbside consults,” where attendees can discuss grey areas of medicine and interact with their peers.
Encourage use of mobile phones and devices for scheduling, connecting attendees, uploading presentations, etc.

Meeting Design and Regulations

While content is the most important aspect of any meeting, how it is delivered is key in attracting HCPs to your event. Cote discusses the pros and cons of different kinds of meetings, according to HCPs. She states that while dinner meetings are popular—as attendees do not have to travel and leave their families and patients—professionals are often tired after a long day of work and may not be motivated to attend.

Alternatively, she says that often, professionals choose certain events based in “vacation-worthy” or exciting cities. This, however, contradicts specific guidelines that most pharmaceutical organizations adhere to regarding HCP invitations. Such guidelines specify that an invitation does not include guests and that travel itineraries are booked so that participants arrive and depart within the meeting parameters.

Cote states that despite guidelines, “HCPs may work directly with airlines to change their flights to accommodate personal travel,” although this is not supported by pharma companies.

Medical meetings are often sponsored by pharma companies, hospitals, universities and other firms, businesses and organizations, so they must adhere to certain regulations that may constrain planners. The common constraint of funding is not an issue for such companies, however, so planners have more freedom with spending.

Get more smart tips and tricks by accessing the full webinar here.

Travel between the United States and Cuba came to an abrupt stop last week when the Trump Administration imposed new travel-related restrictions.

Cruise ships en route to, in or planning to embark for Cuba were diverted or canceled in response to a statement from the U.S. State Department on June 4 that reversed an Obama-era travel license authorizing “group people-to-people educational” travel. The change effectively banned cruise travel to Cuba from the United States

What This Means for Cruise Lines

According to Cruise Lines International Association, the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, nearly 800,000 bookings have been affected by the ban. Cruise companies quickly made alternative itineraries for their guests and are offering compensation for the inconveniences, such as a 50 percent refund offered by Royal Caribbean International to passengers willing to continue sailing with a new itinerary.

Carnival Cruise Line has offered guests a full refund if they wish to cancel their upcoming trips and on-board credit for those willing to sail with alternative itineraries. Destination swaps are a well-rehearsed tactic for cruise companies due to the frequency with which they must accommodate for weather or social disruption in certain regions. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings shares fell 3.5 percent while Carnival Cruise Line declined 2.7 percent and Royal Caribbean International dropped 3 percent, reflecting the economic damage caused by the restrictions.

More: New Rules for Planning a Corporate Meeting in Cuba in 2019

Takeaways for Planners and Attendees

The logistical nightmare that this ban represented for cruise line companies may also be felt by planners, as the restriction will impact meetings not only in Cuba, but also meeting spaces and hotel availability in countries and cities that will absorb the drifting tourists.

While this ban spells bad news for cruise lines, it does not apply to everyone. Lauren Precker, senior manager of public relations and social media at The Center for Association Leadership (ASAE), noted that “’professional research and professional meetings’ is still one of the 12 approved categories of authorized travel to Cuba.” Despite this approval, Precker said “it’s possible there will be some impact on attendance at international conferences that have been booked in Havana.”

Although increased political tension between the United States and Cuba could dissuade business relations, Andy Ortiz, president of Global Incentive Management DMC, claims there will be “business as usual for MICE businesses, as long as they follow the rules.”

Ortiz is confident in the future of business in Cuba and stresses that if attendees and planners follow the proper rules and regulations for their approved category of travel, their plans should continue uninterrupted. Ortiz mentioned the need of a visa (which can be obtained through an airline), an affidavit and an agenda for planners and individuals attending meetings or conducting business in Cuba.

It’s not all business when you plan a meeting in our casual and picturesque region, Temecula Valley! Recently, awarded by Wine Enthusiast as a Top 10 Wine Travel Destination, Temecula Valley is the ideal location for your next meeting. Temecula Valley is conveniently located in the center of Southern California, with all major airports and cities just about an hour away! Featuring a historic Old Town with specialty shops and a culinary paradise; peaceful resorts set among rolling vineyards and casual wineries with barrel-boardrooms; and the exhilarating Pechanga Resort Casino – a high-tech casino property offering expansive views of the valley. Temecula Valley has Southern California meetings covered, offering a combined 2,800 guest rooms and over 350,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. Explore a variety of relaxed and refreshing venues from poolside; garden views; and unique experiences.

Poolside Meetings & Receptions

Meeting planners can make a splash at a poolside venue under the golden sun. Several Temecula Valley wineries and resorts offer just what a meeting needs for a refreshing approach. Pechanga Resort Casino’s 4.5 acres pool complex is perfect for large groups, complete with cabanas, umbrellas and couch seating. Adjacent to the pool complex is a 26,000 square foot lawn space that can host everything from boot camps to group meetings to breakout sessions and receptions. Embassy Suites by Hilton Temecula Valley Wine Country has been a popular site for poolside meetings and receptions, in addition to a lower patio for a pondside setting.

Breathtaking Spaces & Garden Views

A fireside chat under the stars is a great way to stimulate interaction. Meeting goers warm up in this natural setting offered at several Temecula Valley locations. Temecula Creek Inn has two compelling fireside locations, Cork|Fire Kitchen patio with views of the golf greens and fireside patio in the meeting area under the stars with strings of lights draped overhead. Pechanga Resort Casino’s roof top garden on the fourth floor is home to indigenous plants and Native-inspired cultural installations. This is a memorable setting for meetings, sunset receptions, sunrise yoga, and boot camps.

Unique Experiences

Our destination offers unique and innovative wine-themed experiences including educational wine blending labs, behind-the-scenes viticultural tours, and wellness yoga in the vines. Meeting attendees will be inspired after waking up to panoramic views of the vineyards at South Coast Winery Resort and Spa. Temecula Valley is where meetings rise above – literally, float in a hot air balloon or just take in the open space of wine country for a refreshing event!

Our sunny, relaxed destination welcomes groups with Temecula Valley’s Show Your Lanyard program. Simply show your attendee lanyard at participating locations and enjoy exclusive perks and discounts to discover all the different things to do in the region. The Visit Temecula Valley team can assist with planning every detail of your event. From site selections to proposal requests, itinerary planning to activity arrangements, we are dedicated to ensuring your event in Southern California Wine Country is a success.

Photo credit: Meeting Professionals International

In the spirit of the theme of Meeting Professionals International’s World Education Conference 2019 in Toronto, the Smart Meetings team gathered lessons from the main stage and The Village floor to share with event professionals who couldn’t attend.

Marry the Head and the Heart

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Use motivational hot buttons to help attendees reach their full potential, suggested Janet Traphagen, president of Creative Group. That includes the drive to innovate and create, acquire new skills and bond. By tapping into these internal motivators, we can more effectively deliver our messages and changing behavior. She added that in addition to using planning skills we have learned over the years, we also need to use our heart. By approaching people authentically, we connect deeper.

Or, as Carina Bower, CEO of IMEX, explained in her opening remarks from the main stage, “When we share emotional experiences, it changes the dynamics of the group.”

Look to the Future

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Just outside the trade show floor, IACC turned its recent research on what people want to see in meetings in the coming decade into a colorful, flexible space with lots of fun conversation areas. Taking more tips from the pages of IACC’s new Meeting Rooms of the Future 2019 report, the team provided food and beverage options that appeal to all the senses, are sustainable and will keep people alert and happy. Mark Cooper, CEO of IACC, spent the day sharing findings on everything from cybersecurity to pleasing millennials in a series of “practice explorations” that attendees could bring back to their suppliers to discuss.

More: New IACC Report: Meeting Room of the Future will be Green

Lead with Stories

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Regardless of your title, you can make a difference in people’s lives by connecting with them on a human level. Michael Dominguez, senior vice president and chief sales officer for MGM Resorts International, explained this with examples from his beloved San Antonio Spurs.

More: Mike Dominguez’s Predictions for 2019

“Leadership is hard, and we don’t talk about it enough, but as change is coming faster every day, it is even more important,” he said. He explained that like a coach who is thinking of what is best for the team while caring about each individual, leading requires humility and trust. “Fear of insignificance is the biggest fear people have. Make them feel appreciated,” he said. “Say, ‘thank you.’”

That message of connecting with genuine stories was echoed from the main stage as Robert Fogarty, founder of Dear World, explained the power of storytelling. He also led attendees in an exercise to share their pivotal experiences and boil them down to a word or phrase they could write on their body. “Everyone has a story,” he said.

World Trade Centers Day 2019 at WTC Las Vegas — Photo credit: World Trade Centers Day 2019

World Trade Center Las Vegas (WTC Las Vegas) gathered more than 100 business and community leaders on June 12 for a networking event to support World Trade Center Association’s (WTCA) World Trade Centers Day.

“As World Trade Center Las Vegas moves into its 10th year, we wanted to celebrate World Trade Centers Day with valued partners we have connected with through the World Trade Centers Association as we continue elevating Las Vegas’ reputation as a leading business destination,” said Chris Meyer, vice president of global sales for Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and executive director of WTC Las Vegas.

Established more than 50 years ago, World Trade Centers Association envisions that conducting business globally should be as easy as doing business down the street and that Las Vegas could not be a better place for encouraging those global connections.

More: Tropicana Las Vegas: All the Space You Need

WTC Las Vegas is a partnership between LVCVA and Consumer Technology Association (CTA), owner and producer of CES, which is the largest and most influential global technology event. LVCVA not only controls the branding and marketing of Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination, but also oversees Las Vegas Convention Center, one of the largest convention centers in the United States and the only one designed as a World Trade Center site.

Marketing Las Vegas Internationally

Under the World Trade Center brand, LVCVA and CTA market Las Vegas to business travelers around the world.

“Las Vegas has more international conventions than any other city in the United States, and the World Trade Center Las Vegas continues to attract in international presence,” said Karen Chupka, CES’ executive vice president.

WTC Las Vegas has successfully used its partnership through WTCA to attract groups to attend and exhibit at the destination’s nearly 24,000 meetings and conventions every year.

Attendees at WTC Las Vegas for World Trade Centers Day — Photo credit: World Trade Centers Day 2019

“We had over 175,000 industry professionals attend CES 2019, and more than 61,000 came from more than 150 countries outside of the United States,” Chupka said, “and we look forward to growing that number at CES 2020 in January.”

Attendees of the Las Vegas World Trade Centers Day event represented industries and organizations with a common interest in promoting international business relationships and stimulating the economy.

Top leaders from WTC Las Vegas, LVCVA, CTA, WTCA, U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration, Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce and Tencent/WeChat were among organizations putting on presentations detailing relevant development and economic updates in southern Nevada and beyond.

Network of Partnerships

Tencent, a leading provider of internet services in China, provided compelling remarks about its recent efforts to enhance the experience of travelers from China visiting Las Vegas. It partnered with WeMeet to launch the “Smart Event Smart Travel” campaign.

This campaign aims to attract more Chinese visitors and elevate business travelers’ experiences though WeChat, China’s largest social media platform, owned by Tencent. The campaign’s goal is to explore more collaborative efforts to make Las Vegas an innovation leader.

More: 10 Reasons to Meet in Vegas

WTC Las Vegas also noted its vast network of partnerships, which contains nearly 20 Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with key agencies focused on growing global business opportunities and attracting more visitors to Las Vegas. WTC Las Vegas recently signed MOU agreements with WTC Dublin and WTC Queretaro during the World Trade Centers Association’s 50th General Assembly in Mexico.

“As we continue our year-long commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the World Trade Centers Association, we are consistently and regularly reminded that this network was built—and still stands for—collaboration,” said Scott Ferguson, WTCA’s CEO. “We congratulate World Trade Center Las Vegas as they build even closer ties within our network. Their efforts are a prime example of the cooperation at the heart of our celebration of half a century of global trade connectivity.”

Chris Meyer, LVCVA vice president of global sales at WTC Las Vegas — Photo credit: World Trade Centers Day 2019

Additionally, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce became WTC Las Vegas’ official business club earlier this year after signing a MOU. Also, to promote travel and tourism exports, the LVCVA has a MOU agreement with the U.S Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.

The 2019 WTCA Trade and Investment Report was released by the WTCA on World Trade Centers Day. The report found that WTC cities represent more than 35 percent of the global gross domestic product.

Looking for a place to celebrate the ultimate VIP—your dad? Or maybe it is time to reward yourself after nurturing others all year? Whether you are a father, grandfather, father figure or child of a proud papa, plan on taking advantage of these Father’s Day specials at some of the properties you know best as outstanding meeting venues. Maybe you could even find time for a site visit while you are there. After the complimentary cocktail, of course.

HarbourView Inn, Charleston, South Carolina

If a relaxing weekend sipping cocktails on a rooftop bar is all dad wants this weekend, the HarbourView Inn has got you covered. Not only do they offer 15 percent off for dads, your first two cocktails are complimentary with the HarbourView Inn’s Sip & Save package. A rotating daily program of local beer tastings and live music on their private rooftop terrace means dad can relax with the view above and the entertainment is planned for you.

Conrad Cartagena, Colombia

Just a quick flight from most major East Coast airports lies Conrad Cartagena. Any dad would love a weekend at this five-star hotel in Columbia’s historic UNESCO World Heritage Site. This Father’s Day, Conrad Cartagena is offering a special package (starting at $699), including 3-night accommodation with breakfast, a round of golf at TPC Nicklaus Design 18-hole course followed by lunch at Sea Salt Grill. The trip is rounded out by rum tasting at the on-site rum bar, leaving dad relaxed and replenished after a great South American getaway.

More: Your June Smart Style Has Arrived

Panama Jack Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Give all those fathers you know a much-deserved break and let them relax on a beautiful beach in Mexico’s Playa del Carmen. Panama Jack Playa Del Carmen’s “Jack’s Vacay Sale” offers free kids stays and greatly reduced nightly rates this Father’s Day weekend, so why not book that last-minute trip?

Sole Miami, Florida

Sole Miami, A Noble House Resort, is offering live steel drums and a Caribbean-style barbecue this Father’s Day, so you can ‘give Dad the gift of the beach!’ Celebrate the flavors of the world and head down to Sunny Isles beach on Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for drinks and drums on the shore.

More: 4 Famous Dads Share Advice Planners Will Appreciate

Zuma Miami, Florida

If a weekend away isn’t on the cards this year, show your appreciation for dad with Zuma Miami’s famed Japanese-inspired brunch. Choose one of three tiered-off menus (Classic: $125, Signature: $175, and Premium: $395) for an unforgettable brunch experience. Start off with a choice of spicy beef tenderloin, salmon teriyaki, Chilean seabass, spicy fried tofu, or go all out with Japanese wagyu, roasted lobster or grilled vegetable donburi. Signature and premium entrees are paired with a traditional Japanese truffle hot pot served table side.

The Jefferson, Washington, D.C.

Celebrate Father’s Day with the whole family this weekend at the The Jefferson, Washington, DC with their Suite Summer Offer. Get 20% off an adjoining room for families or large groups as well as hotel credit for a lazy Sunday breakfast at the Greenhouse restaurant or a day of pampering at the Petite Spa.

Boar's Head Resort, Charlottesville, Virginia

The facelift of this property consists of a renewed lobby, main entrance, restaurant and bar. The Mill Room restaurant, formerly the Old Mill Room, features increased natural lighting. The space includes seating for 200 guests, an upgraded porch room, a private-dining area and more space in the banquet area for larger groups.

Isla Bella Beach Resort, Marathon, Florida

Sitting on 24 acres of land, Isla Bella is the first full-service luxury hotel in Marathon and the first property built in the area since Hurricane Irma in 2017. The 199-room property offers a upgraded amenities, including five swimming pools, four dining options, nearly one-mile of private beach and 24,000 sq. ft. of event space.

Huntington Lodge, Bend, Oregon

An addition to the Pronghorn Resort, the Huntington Lodge features 104 guestrooms that provide a fantastic view of the surrounding forests and mountains. A prime location for the adventurous, this property is in proximity to plenty of activities around Central Oregon’s landscape, including hiking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, paddleboarding, skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Bachelor.

Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico

The property’s multiphase renovation project, which included the guestrooms, lobby and public spaces, finished with a $3.3 million renovation to its meeting spaces. All 12 of the resort’s meeting spaces have been updated—the 12,000 sq. ft. Tamaya Ballroom and the House of the Hummingbird, a 7,500 sq. ft. lawn, among them. The property features a total of 54,000 sq. ft. of indoor-outdoor meeting space.

Omni Barton Creek Exterior Overlooking Golf Course 3

Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin, Texas

Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa reopened with a brand-new look. Included in the property’s renovation are 493 redesigned guest rooms and suites, a new conference center and a new 5,500-square-foot outdoor pavilion, giving the space 76,192 sq. ft. of space for planners to work with. Other featured amenities include a Mokara Spa with an adults-only rooftop pool, a multitiered infinity pool and a renewed tennis complex, which features 10 courts with LED lighting.

Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa, Lake Arrowhead, California

This property’s recent renovations were done with guest experience in mind. The upgrades to the property include a redesigned fitness studio with Rally Bounce flooring—shock-absorbent vinyl laminate, and new equipment from Life Fitness, which features “Halo Fitness,” an app that helps exercisers get more engaged with their workouts. New pool deck furniture and group beach activities are also available.

Editor’s note: This is part two of a two-part series revealing how food can be used to create unique and memorable event experiences. You can see 9 Inspired Sweet Treat Ideas here.

Experiences. That’s the unicorn we event planners chase with each event we plan. We analyze every detail to ensure it is adding to the story we’re trying to tell in pursuit of creating a unique and memorable experience.

But which details can you get the most bang for your buck? The food, for starters! The bulk of most event budgets lies in food. Therefore, it makes sense to put extra effort into creative food offerings. This doesn’t need to increase your budget if you can get creative about how it is presented. Give your guests choices, engage them and cater to their individual tastes as much as you can. Let them explore.

Below are 12 inspired ideas to use food to connect people in a dynamic way.

? Painting with Sauces

People like to personalize their meals. Why not make dressing salads, pastas and desserts fun? Instead of dispensing sauces with a ladle, what if you let people paint their own sauces onto plates? It’s like a delicious kindergarten art class!

? Burger Bar

Burgers might be the most crowd-pleasing food ever invented. Start with a plethora of options for toppings and condiments, including veggie patties. No two will be the same.

? Salad Bar

Salad might not elicit the unabashed joy of ice cream or burgers, but they’re pretty darned fan-friendly. If your salad bar has enough variety—think savory and sweet—you won’t leave anyone disappointed.

“The key here is personalization. Allowing attendees to customize their food to their specifications is a slam dunk recipe for a memorable event experience.”

? Bruschetta Bar

This one is a little different, but no less tasty than anything mentioned so far. You can offer many variations of veggies, spreads, nuts and more. Bruschetta isn’t just for tomatoes anymore, folks.

? BBQ Bar

Get a big crowd together, and a barbecue debate is almost sure to break out. Some prefer Carolina, others Kansas City, and don’t forget about Memphis…the list goes on. Fortunately, your BBQ bar can offer a variety of sauces to satisfy every palette.

? Nacho Bar

Nachos are a tricky dish to perfect. The cheese to chip distribution has to be just right, with too little cheese a disappointment and too much making the nachos difficult to eat. Let guests make the nachos themselves and you put them in charge of their own destiny.

? Pasta Bar

Alfredo, marinara, pesto … mmmmmmm. Everyone loves pasta, right? Don’t forget the cheese.

? Mashed Potato Bar

Everyone loves mashed potatoes as well, but they don’t order them nearly as often. Offer bacon, sour cream, chives, cheese and some more unusual ingredients—tri-tip and peppers anyone? Your guests will be clamoring for more.

?️ Chili Bar

Chili is another one of those “fun with toppings” kinds of foods. As long as the basic chili is solid, your guests can add a flavor punch with cheese, sour cream, Fritos and more.

? Sandwich Bar

This do-it-yourself station allows your guests to take the bland—say, ham and cheese—and add wow—flavored jams and craft pickles are popular additions—to their heart’s desire. It is also a budget-friendly lunch choice.

? Biscuit Bar

Before you ask, this event attraction isn’t just for those in the South. Biscuits are delicious, as are the toppings ranging from cheese to honey. Just make sure the biscuits aren’t too crumbly, y’all.

Angela Skeen is a certified award-winning event professional, event blogger and the founder of Eventfully Angela LLC, a full-service event company that allows her to carry out her event nerd fantasies.