After a while on the convention circuit, every city starts to blur together – until you get to Phoenix. Unhurried and unexpected, Phoenix is a place where connections are made in boardrooms or on urban trails. The city is a mix of outdoor beauty and urban sophistication, a combination not found in many meetings destinations. Inspiration looms around every corner in the form of breathtaking desert vistas, stunning skies and colorful murals.

In its downtown urban core, Phoenix emits a trendy, yet unpretentious, vibe. A spacious, award-winning convention center and three major hotels anchor the area which is filled with dining and entertainment options for attendees to enjoy during their free time.

Downtown Phoenix is growing and evolving daily. Thanks to an influx of entrepreneurs, visionaries, students and artists, the city is brimming with youthful energy and new investment. A brand-new hotel is slated for a summer 2018 opening with another beginning construction next year. Also on the horizon for 2019 is the completion of Block 23, a mixed-used development that will include downtown Phoenix’s first grocery store. And all of it is within walking distance of the Phoenix Convention Center.

When it comes to getting here and getting around, few meetings and event destinations rival Phoenix for ease and convenience. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is served by 16 airlines with more than 1,200 daily flights. American Airlines, Southwest and Frontier, as well as international carriers British Airways, Condor Airlines and Air Canada, are all adding new flights in 2018. Terminal 3 is undergoing an extensive $590 million modernization. Phase 1 has been completed with Phases 2 and 3 scheduled for completion in early 2019 and 2020, respectively.

Sky Harbor is just four miles from downtown and 15 to 30 minutes from most area hotels and resorts. Arriving meeting attendees can take the free PHX Sky Train from the airport to the nearest Valley Metro Light Rail station, which can move people around town all day for only $4.

We know you’re not looking for another breakout – you want a breakthrough. When you meet in Phoenix, success can be found at every turn. Learn more at visitphoenix.com/meetings.

Meeting planners, brands, and prospective visitors can now experience everything Atlantic City’s convention scene has to offer from the comfort of their chairs, thanks to a new virtual reality (VR) experience created through Meet AC’s partnership with YouVisit.

The YouVisit experience will ultimately assist the Meet AC sales team to meet their yearly room night goals, while focusing on bookings at the Atlantic City Convention Center, newly opened properties and re-branded products. The YouVisit experience will offer meeting planners a clearer, more immersive view of Atlantic City as they virtually experience the Convention Center and surrounding destinations using this engaging and effective technology.

“We are thrilled to partner with YouVisit and make full use of their advanced virtual reality technology. Meeting planners will have the opportunity to not only virtually experience the Atlantic City Convention Center from any device, but will also be able to experience Atlantic City’s iconic sites throughout the experience,” said Jim Wood, president and CEO of Meet AC. “Meeting planners have evolved a new outlook when it comes to site selection, and this platform of virtual interaction will make their decision easier.”

YouVisit creates virtual experiences for businesses and institutions around the world that can be viewed from multiple platforms, including leading virtual reality headsets, mobile devices, and web browsers. YouVisit’s virtual experiences are designed to replicate and enhance real-life experiences through rich media, including professional photos, videos, 360-degree panoramas and much more.

“With a picturesque seaside location and an award-winning convention center, Atlantic City is one of the premiere meeting and events destinations in the world. It was a true pleasure for our team to bring all the sights and sounds to life in live 360° and VR,” said Gordon Meyer, director of marketing of YouVisit. “Event planners’ choice of Atlantic City will be made even easier now that they can explore it for themselves in 360° without ever having to leave the office.”

In addition, another component of Meet AC’s interactive floorplans is an App that can be found in the Apple iTunes Store or Google Play Store titled Meet AC. The viewer will experience a custom virtual reality app of our interactive experience at the Atlantic City Convention Center, Boardwalk Hall and surrounding area.

View the “Meet Atlantic City Experience” at meetac.com/#virtualtour. For more information regarding Meet AC, please visit meetac.com.

The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston is the city’s newest destination and singular mixed-use development for the discerning traveler. Set on 10 oak-studded acres, the sleek 38-story tower boasts 250 ultra-modern guestrooms and suites; executive residences; and an elegant conference facility, including the largest ballroom in the Uptown Houston area. Located mere steps from The Galleria and River Oaks District, The Post Oak Hotel caters to business and leisure travelers alike with lavish accommodations, five-fixture deluxe bathrooms, three televisions, sophisticated technology, and unobstructed views. While the standard guestroom offers 500 square feet of luxurious and abundant living space, the immense 5,000 square-foot, two-bedroom Presidential Suite is the most opulent of them all and serves as Houston’s unmatched, ultra-luxurious suite offering extra concealment and discretion with private elevator access, media room, exercise room and secluded terrace.

Whether planning a formal gala, executive board meeting or conference, the newest luxury destination boasts the most elegant and conference meeting space in Uptown Houston. The Grand Ballroom, which boasts an impressive 16,000-square-feet of space, is complemented by two expansive pre-function areas, a second level 3,000-square-foot Post Oak Ballroom and 10,000 square feet of conference and breakout room space. A separate executive boardroom is also available, along with a business center, and a curated library that offers a comfortable setting for enjoying art, books, or work in a lounge-style atmosphere. The conference space is equipped with ergonomic chairs and the latest audio visual technology.  Adding to the many luxe amenities is an elegant women’s lounge, a private, sweeping terrace, and an exclusive entrance where guests are introduced to a breathtaking display of Rolls-Royce automobiles.

Four restaurants and bars on the first floor provide a wide array of dining choices, from fresh-baked pastries to haute cuisine. Bloom & Bee, the hotel’s main restaurant, emphasizes fresh locally-inspired cuisine and H Bar now serves up light bites with fine spirits and exotic cocktails. Craft F & B offers a variety of pub-style fare with wood-fire pizzas, delicious burgers and craft brews while Bouchée Patisserie offers freshly-baked pastries, specialty coffee and Parisian-inspired indulgences. Adjacent to the hotel you will find two of Houston’s premier restaurants, Mastro’s Steakhouse and Willie G’s Seafood.

For the guest looking for something extra special, more than 20,000 bottles are available and can be quickly delivered to any of the property’s restaurants or the guest’s room from the hotel’s massive wine cellar, The Cellar at The Post Oak. With over 2,000 labels and rare vintages dating back to the 1800s, Master Sommelier Keith Goldston is available for recommendations on the very best wines from the cellar’s staggering $3 million inventory.

Unique amenities include a two-story Rolls-Royce showroom and on-site Bentley and Bugatti dealership.  Additional offerings include the indulgent Post Oak Spa, Salon, and the hotel’s fashion-forward boutique, 29o North. The Post Oak Hotel is among 35 properties in the nation honored in the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legends Collection, receiving the brand’s top-level accreditation for its high-quality standards and unparalleled service.

At Mohegan Sun, the possibilities are endless. Situated along the Thames River in southern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, 2 world-class spas, a golf course, over 90 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues.

Unmatched Meetings & Conventions:

Mohegan Sun delivers unmatched services and space that can be customized to fit a multitude of needs. Mohegan Sun is home to over 100,000 square feet of meeting and conventions space and is only a few months away from doubling that capacity.  The property features an immaculate 38,000 square-foot Uncas Ballroom, where everything from massive conferences, gala receptions and private parties of various kinds can be held in style.  The catering menus offer everything from casual café fare to uniquely elegant entrées.

Mohegan Sun’s meeting and conventions space is expanding, when the all-new, 155,200 square – foot Mohegan Sun Expo Center opens its doors in June of 2018. The centerpiece, will be the new 125,000 square – foot Expo Hall for large vendor showcases and major events.  The new Expo Center Complex will provide more meeting spaces & board rooms, outdoor area with a wrap-around terrace and 20,000 square feet of space earmarked for an entertainment and/or dining venue.  This significant addition will complement the Convention Center that already sits near Mohegan Sun’s 1,200-room Sky Tower.

Accommodations:

Mohegan Sun offers 1,600 hotel rooms spread across two towers, the 1,200-room Sky Tower and 400-room Earth Tower. Every room at Mohegan Sun is equipped with top-end technology from the likes of in-room iPads, multiple data ports, ultra-fast wi-fi and dual-line telephones. Mohegan Sun’s suites range from 800 square feet to up to 3,500 and are also perfect for entertaining prior to an evening reception, dinner or show.

Dining and Activities:

Right on – site, there are 40 dining options, featuring Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain, Todd English’s Tuscany, BALLO Italian Restaurant, Michael Jordan’s Steak House and more.  Each restaurant features a variety of private dining options to accommodate various group sizes.

Mohegan Sun’s Earth Tower is home to the luxurious Mandara Spa, with 7 treatment rooms, a couple’s suite and an array of signature services. In the spring of 2018, Mandara will open their newly renovated Spa & Salon on the 3rd floor of Sky Tower adding an additional 13 treatment rooms, where the fitness center, 10,000 square-foot pool and 17,500 square-foot outdoor terrace are located also.

Steps from the hotel and convention center sits the 10,000-seat Mohegan Sun Arena, ranked #3 of facilities its size by Venues Today and hosts over 130 events per year ranging from collegiate and professional sports to concerts, some of which include Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake. Groups utilize this venue for a variety of events, such as award presentations, unique theme dinners and team building.  Mohegan Sun Golf Club, stretching along the hills of southeastern Connecticut, has the capacity to customize packages, extraordinary experiences and great value for group outings.

Book your next event in Arlington, Texas, and experience the best of both worlds – a city geared for successful events that’s also famous for fun.

Arlington’s iconic venues and central U.S. location (no more than two time zones away from everywhere in the continental United States, and about 10 minutes from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport) make it a premier destination for events of all sizes.

Whether you’re planning a small meeting or a major convention, Arlington has the facilities and services to make it a success. Not to mention, your attendees will appreciate the ease and convenience afforded by the small footprint of Arlington’s convention and entertainment district.

Speaking of entertainment, attendees will have a lot of options when deciding how they want to fill their downtime. In addition to the things we’re famous for, like the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers and Six Flags Over Texas, when you look closer you find that Arlington is a world of wonderful. We’re home to a renowned international dining scene, a thriving arts community and great nightlife. While most people come to Arlington for big thrills, it’s often the hidden gems that keep them coming back.

But for meeting planners, the best part of the Arlington experience might be the award-winning Sales & Services Team – an experienced team of friendly professionals that’s with you every step of the way. From site tours to transportation coordination, event entertainment and more, this team understands what it takes to coordinate the logistics and takes pride in exceeding expectations.

Be on the lookout for Texas Live! anchored by Live! by Loews. Texas Live! is part of a $4 billion vision for the Arlington Entertainment District that includes the new $1 billion Texas Rangers ballpark. Perfectly situated between the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Park and the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, Texas Live! anchors a resort-style destination for sports fans, visitors, and families, and will serve as a spectacular location for meetings, special events and conventions. Construction is underway and on schedule for completion in late 2018.

Organizers of the MomoCon—a popular games, animation, and comics convention—hold their annual event not in Los Angeles or Las Vegas, but in Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center, fourth-largest convention center in the United States.

“From a national perspective, a lot of people would think that Atlanta is a very typical southern, conservative, traditional city—and it’s very much not,” says Jessica Merriman, one of the founders of MomoCon. “Atlanta is very progressive and very modern, and it has a lot of amenities, including walkability and hotel density, which is important for larger meetings. It also has multiple convention centers in different parts of the city.”

About 53 million people visit Atlanta each year, according to Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB), and many of them come to enjoy the city’s thriving restaurant scene, nightclubs, high-end shopping, as well as tourist attractions like 20-story SkyView Ferris Wheel and World of Coca-Cola, a museum-like exhibition hall dedicated to a certain fizzy beverage maker.

It helps that Atlanta is one of the most accessible cities in the country, thanks in part to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the busiest airport in the world.

“Atlanta has evolved into a cool, cosmopolitan, young professional city that is really thriving,” says Mark Vaughan, executive vice president and chief sales officer for ACVB. “Major fortune 500 companies are moving here, and the airport allows us to be that type of city where you can get anywhere in the world on any day.”

Meeting planners can take advantage of Atlanta’s many unique offerings to create memorable moments. From classes at the Center for Puppetry Arts to tours of filming locations for The Walking Dead and Black Panther, to the birth home of Martin Luther King Jr., Atlanta has a wide variety of one-of-a-kind attractions and venues for groups of all sizes.

If you feel like you’ve “been there and done that” in Atlanta, rest assured, the city is constantly evolving. “There are a multitude of new dining options, hotels, event venues and attractions,” Vaughan says. “When guests arrive in Atlanta, they are surprised how much the city has transformed.”

A covered lunch area at Hacienda Sarapampa allows guests to relax after immersive activities. Photo Credit: Hacienda Sarapampa

Some important trends have been emerging in the financial services and insurance sector of the meetings industry, with major implications for planners. Here are two of the most significant trends.

International programs have more active and immersive elements

At Hacienda Sarapampa, a woman and a Chalan mounted on a Peruvian Paso demonstrate the marinera, a Peruvian coastal dance. Photo Credit: Hacienda Sarapampa

With demographics changing across the American workforce, the preferences that incentive winners have for their reward experiences is also changing. Shelia Cleary, associate vice president of recognition and conferences for National Life Group in Montpelier, Vermont, finds that with her international incentive programs, less-traveled destinations are gaining appeal, along with opportunities for participants to become immersed in local culture.

“We have taken groups to Rome and Florence in the past, but we’re always looking for places that people might not think to experience on their own,” Cleary says. “So, we did Taormina, Sicily two years ago with 150 participants; it’s among the most beautiful and memorable places I’ve seen.”

To deepen the impact of the experience, Cleary organized cooking classes for 20 people at a time in which a local chef first explained why the region was ideal for growing certain produce plus wine grapes, and offered samples for tasting. He then included participants in various aspects of meal preparation so they could recreate the experience back at home.

In the Sacred Valley of Peru—located between Cuzco, the capital of the Incas, and Machu Picchu, the spectacular, remote mountaintop settlement the Incas built in the 16th century—incentive groups can enjoy the same type of immersive culinary experience. At Hacienda Sarapampa, a family that has worked the land for generations will demonstrate its singular techniques for growing agriculture and livestock at high altitude, and then offer a five-course lunch in a setting that includes a performance of a traditional courtship dance between a woman and a chalan (master horseman), whose horses are a central part of the ritual.

Program marketing strikes a balance to entice qualifiers as well as their families

As technology becomes more robust yet easier to use, incentive marketing is taking on new formats for maximum effect.

“For the past 40 years we’ve been sending mailers to the home along with small gifts to connect advisors and spouses psychologically to the trip,” says Koleen Roach, director of meeting and conference management for Securian Financial Group in St. Paul, Minnesota. “But now, a lot of that has gone digital, and the most appealing aspects are video and the event app, for which we offer access to spouses, too. To do that, we ask for a second email address during preregistration.”

On the other hand, Roach still uses print materials at certain intervals to make a deep impact. “Our advisors are on their computers 60 to 70 hours a week, so they don’t want to be looking at too much stuff online,” she says. “And for spouses, the print products are great to sit with and absorb at their leisure.”

Cleary also continues to mixes in print materials with digital marketing assets (“there is value to having our custom brochures sitting in their den for a while,” she says), though she does think hard about how frequently she should deliver new materials to potential qualifiers and spouses. “You have to be selective, because people receive so much stuff in their email boxes that each of ours has to be special,” Cleary says.


Read more about the subject in Rob Carey’s story, “4 Trends Rocking Financial and Insurance Incentives,” in the April issue of Smart Meetings.

With 400,000 square feet of meeting space and 16+ million gallons of water fun in indoor and outdoor waterparks, there’s no reason business and pleasure can’t mix in “The Waterpark Capital of the World!®”. Attract a crowd with an unforgettable meeting in Wisconsin Dells.

MEETING SPACE

In addition to being a top destination for tourism, Wisconsin Dells is a top destination for meetings. The Dells hosts more than 5,600 meetings and conventions each year. The unique meeting and convention venues range in size from 250 sq. ft. to 90,000 sq. ft., with state-of-the-art-facilities and personalized planning services. Newer conference facilities at many of the area’s waterpark resorts and convention centers inspire business groups, making it easy to meet there.

ACCOMMODATIONS

With more than 8,000 rooms, from hotel suites, to a rustic retreat, to lakeside condominiums, Wisconsin Dells offers a wide variety of lodging options for groups of all sizes. However, it’s the waterpark resorts that are the biggest draw. They’re great fun for grown-ups and a plus for attendees who want to bring along the kids and spouse.

ATTRACTIONS

There’s nothing like a waterpark to rev up attendance and Wisconsin Dells knows waterparks. It’s home to more than 200 waterslides in just 19-square miles. In addition to being home to America’s largest outdoor waterpark and the largest combination indoor/outdoor waterpark resort, the area boasts a variety of other distinctive activities as well. Attendees may enjoy a relaxing trip down the Wisconsin River on one of the scenic boat or “Duck tours,” roll the dice at the casino, unwind at a spa, or play a round of golf on one of the world-class courses. Add hiking and horseback riding, four-season amusement parks, great restaurants, unique shopping, live shows and more; and they’ve got you covered no matter your group’s range of interests, budgets, or needs.

Take advantage of free personalized planning materials and assistance when organizing your next meeting or convention. Call (888) 339-3822, ext. 342, or visit MeetInTheDells.com to start planning today!

Keeping your group engaged can be a daunting task when they find themselves meeting in the same old venues and destinations. That’s why it’s important to find a location that can impress attendees while keeping them focused on the business at hand. Fortunately, it’s easy to balance fun with productivity when you plan your meeting in Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades.

Known as Florida’s Paradise Coast, the area has many beautiful resorts and hotels with elegant ballrooms, state-of-the-art conference rooms, stunning outdoor spaces and plenty of breakout rooms to suit any of your event’s needs. Many of our accommodations offer features like beach access, spas, restaurants, golf courses, fitness centers and more­—making it easy for your attendees to have fun when the work is done.

For a truly one-of-a-kind meeting, Florida’s Paradise Coast offers many spectacular off-site venues. Hold a reception on a white sand beach along sparkling turquoise Gulf waters. Throw a floral-inspired evening at Naples Botanical Garden. Get wild at the Naples Zoo or NGALA Wildlife Preserve, where guests can feed exotic animals like giraffes, rhinos, tortoises and more. Host a classic affair surrounded by vintage cars at the Revs Institute. Or give attendees a dinner and a show with a breathtaking sunset dinner cruise aboard the Naples Princess or Macro Island Princess. Any one of these offsite venues are enough to turn an incredible meeting into an unforgettable one.

Full stomachs lead to focused minds, and Florida’s Paradise Coast is also a foodie Paradise! Naples is consistently listed among the top dining destinations in the United States, and with good reason. With many award-winning chefs and restaurants throughout the region, your attendees will be wowed by fresh-from-the-Gulf seafood, local produce, international cuisine, downhome cooking, decadent desserts and more.

Best of all, meetings booked from May-December can enjoy attractive seasonal rates, allowing you to pass the savings on to your attendees. And since the destination can provide you with free group attendance promotional (GAP) materials like postcards, email templates and maps and more, it’s easy than ever to ensure an excellent turnout for your events.

Give your attendees a meeting experience they’ll never forget. Come fall in love with Paradise and plan your next meeting on Florida’s Paradise Coast today. Contact Debi DeBenedetto at (239) 252-2379 or email at [email protected]. Learn more at MeetinParadise.com.

 

When you partner with the Hyatt Convention Alliance, you’re gaining more than access to premier locations, unparalleled catering and breathtaking spaces – you’re joining forces with a dedicated team that communicates seamlessly with colleagues across the country to exchange insights surrounding your individual needs, ensuring that your next event, wherever it may be, is just as flawless as the first. When your first event is over, we’re already gearing up for the next one. Our skilled and experienced Sales Managers listen carefully to your unique concerns, working tirelessly alongside you to ensure that no detail gets lost in the shuffle. You want a seamless event and we are here to make sure that happens.

The Hyatt Convention Alliance boasts 10 Hyatt meetings properties in 9 key markets across the country. From 60,000 square feet to 316,000 square feet of functional event space – with 4 that directly connect to larger convention centers – and from 1,003 to 2,032 beautifully appointed guest rooms, our teams are committed to you. We built the Hyatt Convention Alliance as a direct result of conversations with our meeting planner partners. We are a dedicated, intimate group of event professionals who know our accounts and their specific needs and think of solutions before you know you need them. We will focus on every last detail to ensure your event is a resounding success. See the value in booking with the Hyatt Convention Alliance.