Although 2018 witnessed numerous uncertainties such as Brexit, earthquakes and floods in Japan, hurricanes in Florida and the Carolinas, wildfires in California and drought in South Africa, the latest Hotel Price Index (HPI) report from Hotels.com found that bad news didn’t stop travelers from packing their bags.

Key Global Findings

Asia retains its position as the most affordable region. The Caribbean continues its nine-year growth in prices. The Pacific also retains its position as the third-highest priced in the region, after the Caribbean and Latin America, however it is still rated as a top holiday destination for families.

United States

The HPI report reveals there has been a global hike in accommodation prices by 3 percent in 2018, reaching an all-time high level since 2004. The U.S. hotel industry saw growth among domestic travelers with average prices rising in 27 of the top 50 destinations. Compared to 2017, international travelers paid 2 percent more for their hotel accommodations in the U.S. per night, as average costs increased in 33 of the top 50 destinations.

Las Vegas was once again the “Most Popular Domestic Destinations for American Travelers” followed by New York, Orlando, Florida, San Diego and Chicago. The U.S. hotel industry reported higher visitor numbers, mostly by domestic travelers.

Canada

2018 was the best year for Canadian tourism, with international travelers surpassing 21 million for the first time. Canada recorded a whopping 14.44 million U.S. travelers in 2018, the highest since 2004.

Toronto topped the “Most Popular Canadian Destinations for International Travelers” followed by Vancouver, Montreal, Niagara Falls and Calgary.

Worldwide Destinations

HPI also revealed that travelers displayed confidence in destinations affected by unrest like Egypt, Paris and Turkey. For American and Canadian travelers, destinations like Ireland, Japan and Turkey made it to the top.

More: Top 10 International Cities: Finding the Right Recipe

Although Turkey was facing an economic and financial crisis in 2018, Turkey’s tourism boomed with Istanbul jumping more than ten spots in the top 50 most popular destinations for both American and Canadian travelers. International visitors in Turkey went up by 22 percent and Istanbul recorded the highest rise in the price paid by American travelers.

Ireland’s flexible visa requirements and a visit from Pope Francis in August helped attract a record high of more than 10 million travelers in 2018. In Dublin, American travelers paid 10 percent more on accommodations, an average of $207 per night.

Visitor numbers in Japan, Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto grew by almost 9 percent for a record high of 32 million. Osaka and Kyoto rose more than 10 spots on the U.S. and Canada’s most popular international destinations list.

Airports, by their very nature, are busy places. With so many business and leisure travelers simultaneously occupying airports, it’s hard to find a seat in the lounges, but a few special options, including the following, help address the problem.

More: Frankfurt Tops List of Healthy Airports

The Centurion Lounge

Travelers who hold an AMEX Platinum card have access to the eight Centurion lounges—including those at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas—for free at major airports. There is a steep annual fee for the card, but the lack of hassle and superb lounges make it well worth it.

Lounge Networks

With the Priority Pass, you’ll have access to more than 1,220 lounges at 629 airports in 140 countries. Generally, they aren’t quite as large and luxurious as some other airline lounges, but they’re quiet, provide great work space and are equipped with preflight food and beverages. The least expensive membership is $99, plus $32 each time you enter a lounge. You can obtain the Priority Pass membership for free with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

LoungeBuddy allows travelers to use an app to buy passes at more than 200 lounges. No membership is required, and day passes are about $50 each.

Club Airport Lounge has lounges in 11 U.S. airports and two London airports. There’s no membership fee. The $40 day passes can be used within a six-month period.

Think Outside the Club

Maybe the best place to lounge in an airport isn’t a lounge, after all. Airports have taken tremendous strides to upgrade the dining and shopping areas equipped with comfortable seating and desks. If the weather allows it, consider going outside and getting some fresh air.

Splashes of colors, drawings of iconic animals and images of native culture can be seen in some of the lively murals on Alley 5.5 in downtown Bismarck, North Dakota. Located between Fifth and Sixth streets, this creative alleyway became the hub of a vibrant street art movement in just the past three years and is one of the main attractions for groups.

Photo credit: Bismarck Alley Art

Founded in 2016, Bismarck Art Alley Program is a public art project partnership between Dakota West Arts Council, the 2016 Leadership Bismarck Mandan Project Team and the community of Bismarck. The movement’s mission is to foster ongoing efforts to create public art in the city, thereby developing a sense of place while building a stronger, more connected community.

“The project was born out of the Leadership Bismarck/Mandan Program,” says local artist Paul Noot, one of Bismarck’s eclectic personalities and an active member of the collective since its inception.“ Artists were selected through a juried process and 15 artists were part of it. Several murals have been painted since the first one in 2017, and more are being planned in the alley and other parts of Bismarck.”

While exploring the area, attendees will encounter Noot’s works. He approached each wall as a white canvas, on which he depicted ancient bison and other elements and symbols of North Dakota’s culture. Using spray colors and roll brushes, he paid tribute to the historical and modern richness of the state.

Explore the beauty

While perusing the alley, groups also will be intrigued by the work of Melissa Gordon, a local artist and representative of the program. Inspired by the beauty and legend of Aphrodite, she designed a sensual goddess on the wall of Glance Spa and Salon as well as a painting of the railroad industry as an homage to Mandan’s transportation history.

Groups traveling to the Bismarck/Mandan area have many other opportunities to immerse themselves in the contemporary art folklore of North Dakotas and discover the talented local artists who are keeping this long tradition alive while adding a personal touch.

Read more about the Dakotas’ art scene in Anna Volpicelli’s story, “The Bohemian Side of the Dakotas: An Immersive Experience into the Native American and Regional Art Culture,” in the April issue of Smart Meetings.

Chris Audia

Chris Audia

Benchmark has appointed Audia area director of marketing. He will oversee properties in Racine, Wisconsin; Boothbay Harbor, Maine; and Roanoke, Virginia. Audia previously served as area marketing manager for the company. He has numerous accolades for his performance, including the Gold and Bronze Adrian awards from Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, Best Marketing Effort Award from Benchmark and Best Marketing and Advertising Campaign from West Virginia Tourism Office.

Jana Yackel

Jana Yackel

Yackel has been appointed director of sales and marketing for Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She was regional director of sales and marketing at Executive Hotels & Resorts in the Luxury Division, where she helped open Exchange Hotel Vancouver, Seaside Hotel and Hotel Le Soleil, all located in Vancouver. She’s held sales and marketing leadership roles for Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa, Delta Hotel and Conference Center—both in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada—and Hilton Vancouver Airport.

Gabor Vida

Gabor L. Vida

Vida is now the managing director of Rosewood Washington, D.C. He began with the brand as director of operations at Rosewood London. Vida recently served as managing director of Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi in Sante Fe, New Mexico. He held the same role at Rosewood Sand Hill in Menlo Park, California; while there, the property earned several awards, including a Forbes Five Star rating.

Chris Gabaldon

Chris Gabaldon

Auberge Resorts Collection has named Galbadon chief operating officer. Recently, he served as the area vice president of Luxury Brands for America West at Marriott International. Gabaldon has served as chief sales and marketing officer for The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Edition and Bulgari Hotels. He also served The Ritz-Carlton as area vice president for the western region and Canada. He’ll be based in Washington, D.C.

James Wroblewski

James Wroblewski

Wroblewski has been appointed to general manager of Westdrift in Manhattan Beach, California. His career in hospitality began at The Westin Century Plaza and Spa in Los Angeles, where he started as the front office manager. Wroblewski served in other high-level positions, including director of operations at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. He was also general manager at W Los Angeles West Beverly Hills in California.

Kenneth Barrett

Kenneth "Trip" Barrett

Bal Harbour Village in Miami Beach has hired Barrett as chief marketing officer and director of tourism. He joins Bal Harbour after a 13-year stint with Starwood Hotels & Resorts as vice president of brand management. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, he spent three years with Amazon as director of international business development, in which he started the company’s first Spanish language product site. He also spent eight years with Walt Disney Company, where he implemented licensing, retail and marketing strategies. Prior to Disney, he was director of international business for Anheuser-Busch’s entertainment division.

Wendy Hoekwater

Wendy Hoekwater

Hoekwater is now vice president of sales for Great Wolf Resorts. Her experience in marketing spans several hotel properties. Prior to her new position, she served as vice president of marketing at Choice Hotels. She also was chief marketing officer for SpringWood Hotels—before it was acquired by Choice Hotels—and vice president of marketing and digital for Marriott International.

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David Kliman of The Kliman Group, Brian Bouchelle of Omni Hotels & Resorts and James Threlkeld of The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe gather at Global Meetings Industry Day in San Francisco on Thursday.

San Francisco showed off its multiethnic cuisine and whimsical creativity at its Global Meetings Industry Day gathering at Hilton San Francisco Union Square on Thursday.

More: GMID 2019 Live with Smart Meetings

Hundreds of meeting professionals and local leaders of other businesses attended the event. They enjoyed Pork Su Mai, authentic Italian pizza smothered with marinara sauce and other culinary selections. Meanwhile, an antigravity ball juggler roamed through the room, which featured artistic representations of some of the city’s iconic landmarks.

Lecticia Thorpe, senior manager of accounts for San Francisco Travel Association, spoke with Smart Meetings at Global Meetings Industry Day, held at Hilton San Francisco Union Square.

All the while, participants chatted about and celebrated the importance of the $1.07 global meetings industry.”What I’m seeing this year is a maturing of GMID,” said David Kliman, CMP, CMM, president of The Kliman Group in Santa Rosa, California. “Last night, I was watching GMID celebrations in places like India, Japan and Australia. They are all conveying the message that meetings mean business, and have a documentable economic impact that is enormous.”

James Threlkeld, director of national accounts for The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe, agrees.

“When I first became aware of this event, not many people were attending,” he said. “Awareness of the industry is spreading.”

Leticia Thorpe, senior manager of convention sales for San Francisco Travel Association, praises the opportunities for social interaction at the event.

“One of the most important things I’ve learned is the need to create and develop relationships,” she says. “I’ve been working for SF Travel for 11 years, and I know about 75 percent of the people in this room.”

international

As the business world continues to grow, with multi-national companies opening offices in diverse countries, meetings and industry conferences will require more international travel than ever. But crossing international boundaries can cause concern for some delegates. Will there be a language barrier? How will attendees know where to go? According to a recent white paper, The World of Female Business Travel, 54 percent of respondents stated that they were concerned about cultural etiquette and customs when visiting a different country for business.

How can meeting and conference organizers put business travelers’ minds at ease when attending international conferences?

Do Your Research

Being sensitive to all cultures is vital. Organizers will need to complete in-depth research about attendees to ensure that their different needs are anticipated as much as possible. Some of the more obvious needs, such as providing signage in different languages and ensuring that language barriers are not an issue, are a given. But what else should you research to improve the experience of international business travelers attending your event?

Dietary requirements are one place to focus your attention. Depending on where in the world your attendees are travelling from, many factors may need to be taken into consideration when planning the food that will be on offer. Some religions prohibit the consumption of meats, while others require meat that is slaughtered in a certain way.

More: Dietary Expert Urges Group to Eat Real Foods

For this reason, it is always best to have plenty of selection, including lots of vegetarian and vegan options. This can be a safer route to take than trying to accommodate various preparation requirements. Beverage preferences are also worth researching and preparing for, as again, different nationalities like to have a variety of choices available. For example, some cultures prefer tea over coffee (or vice versa). Depending on the nature of the event you may be planning on serving alcohol. Some cultures do not partake in drinking alcoholic beverages, so it’s always best to have several non-alcoholic options available.

Another area that is vital to research is what business travel looks like for each country. Provide details to attendees, taking their journey into consideration whether it’s by air, car or rail. Simple tips on which transportation hubs are most convenient, including an idea of costs and times are all fantastic ways to help business travelers prepare for the journey.

Personalize the Experience

Once you have carried out the above research, you will be in a much better position to offer personalization to attendees. This allows delegates to feel that their individual needs have been anticipated and accommodated. It helps them feel prepared for the event and gives them an idea of what they can expect. This is perhaps even more important for attendees who will be travelling internationally.

More: Top 10 International Cities: Finding the Right Recipe

Providing business travelers with a personalized itinerary ahead of the event will help them decide which talks, events or meetings are relevant to them and allow them to plan their time at the event. It’s also a good idea to provide directions to all venues to attendees in their native language so that they do not struggle to find where they need to be when they do arrive in the destination city.

Finally, providing business travelers with cultural information, including etiquette and customs, can be invaluable. Include a list of helpful details about the country in their welcome package. For example, professionals visiting France for a meeting might find it helpful to know that business attire is preferred over casual, a light handshake is preferred, and that it’s common for people to interrupt one another during meetings. This will help alleviate any concerns attendees might have about saying or doing the wrong thing in front of important contacts.

Melissa Hirst is marketing and public relations manager at CT Business Travel, experienced business travel management specialists.

GMID
 

When it came time to celebrate Global Meetings Industry Day and the power events have to fuel economies, drive medical and scientific discoveries, and create meaningful relationships, the most logical place to go was the city named top conference destination for each of the last 25 years—Las Vegas.

So, I packed my bags and headed for Southern Nevada. I soon discovered that despite the rich history of gathering and entertaining generations of attendees, we ain’t seen nothing yet. Vegas’ best days may still be ahead for three powerful reasons.

Bigger and Better

Construction on Caesars Forum.

You could say the future is bright for 3 million reasons. That is how much meeting space is being added over the next five years, according to John Schreiber, vice president of business sales at Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Those meeting rooms are being paired with an additional 10,000 guest rooms.

From the largest pillarless ballroom at Caesars Forum (550,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and 100,000 sq. ft. of outdoor terrace, opening in March 2020) to The Ideation Studio’s healthy, smart space at Park MGM, more groups than ever can book the city that attendees say they want to visit.

More: Caesars Forum Hits Another Milestone

Mike Dominguez, senior vice president at MGM Resorts, says this is good news for associations because the extra space gives his team more flexibility to book a group four years out and still have room for a corporate event that comes in less than two years ahead of a date that falls during load-in time for the association.

Ballroom at MGM Grand Conference Center expansion

Park MGM’s Conference Center, with meeting space that can be broken into 16 break-out rooms, is the last piece of an expansion project that brings a total of 850,000 sq. ft. of new space at Mandalay Bay, Aria and Park MGM. This leaves MGM Resorts with 4 million sq. ft. of meeting space on The Strip.

The extra wiggle room and more flexible ballrooms fit the demands Dominguez predicts in the wake of a wave of mergers and acquisitions. “M&A is disruptive in the short term, but good news for Las Vegas in the long term as it is one of the few cities that can hold groups that large,” he said.

Sports Explosion

Las Vegas welcomed 6.5 million visitors in 2018, and more are expected in 2019. “The destination keeps reinventing itself, giving people more reasons to come,” Schreiber said.

One of those reinventions is as a sports destination. What started with the rodeo and was a prime location for NASCAR and UFC blossomed with a beloved ice hockey team, the Golden Knights; a minor league baseball team, Las Vegas Aviators; a new home for WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces; a professional soccer team, Las Vegas Lights; and now the NFL Raiders, whose stadium is quickly growing out of the ground just steps from Mandalay Bay.

Las Vegas offers dozens of other sports, from bowling to archery. And video game championships are staking a place on The Strip, reported Jeremy Aguero, principal analyst for Applied Analysis, during a GMID19 celebration on the stage of HyperX eSports Arena, inside Luxor.

Related: San Francisco Celebrates GMID

Aguero sees the intersection of sports and meetings as a mutually beneficial one. He estimates that 300,000 seats are now available in sports venues—seats that could easily be used for conventions and closing receptions. He predicts more are on the way: “Major league basketball and baseball have been sniffing around.”

Future Focus

Las Vegas is not just building the empty boxes that made up your grandfather’s exposition hall, Dominguez told me. MGM Resorts is investing in using artificial intelligence to arm employees with the real-time data analysis needed to anticipate attendee needs, deliver the right amount of food, maintain optimum temperatures for learning and help deliver inspired content.

The Ideation Studio at Park MGM

An entire floor of MGM Grand Conference Center’s expansion is made up of Stay Well meeting spaces with air filtration systems and lighting that adjusts to fit attendee’s circadian rhythms—bluer during the day to keep them awake and warmer in the evening to relax them.

For the pods in The Ideation Studio at Park MGM, MGM Resorts worked with wellness research company Delos, furniture-maker Steelcase and computer company Cisco to outfit rooms that put people in the mood to be creative, and make it easy to access files and save brainstorms. Forget the napkin:  Ideas scribbled on these screens can be captured, encrypted and pulled back up whenever needed.

“The development being built now will allow us to do much better if there is a slowdown,” echoed Steve Blanner, senior vice president of hotel sales at Wynn and Encore, which is building a convention center with an 85,000-square-foot ballroom in the middle of a golf course just off The Strip. Attendees can step out on the 40,000-square-foot terrace and see only green and hear birds.

The event technology universe is buzzing, with streaming, task management and event communication services cropping up all over. Offering integration capabilities—such as live streaming multiple digital platforms in one place, as well as integrating travel and event information for easy access—these solutions are simplifying the event planning process.

More: Room Block Tips from Event Tech Week

Livepin

With this new livestreaming service, planners will be able to stream events across all digital platforms—including Facebook, YouTube and Instagram—simultaneously from one source. Livestream integration may be “the future,” as it’s incredibly efficient and makes streaming simple. It eliminates the need to manage multiple digital accounts when live streaming.

Nuvola

Nuvola is a software company built to optimize the guest experience. With its personal, easy-to-use tech solutions, your likelihood of a great stay is increased twofold. The platform is designed to be customizable to a specific hotels’ needs—because, for instance, a 15-room boutique hotel will have different needs than a 420-room hotel. Novula’s streamlined method of communication ensures all tasks are done in a timely manner, creating an exceptional experience for guests.

Planners benefit from this, as Nuvola can offer insight on how specific tech preferences—such as voice command and SMS chat—can make a venue better for gatherings and events.

Worktrip

Event planners that use Worktrip can rest assured that their travel will be smoother. This event technology solution serves as a centralized hub that allows you to access integrated flight, rental car and hotel reservation information with your event details.

Collaboration with team members is also made easier, as you can share photos and updates with your team in real-time. With ride-share integration, planners can grab an Uber or Lyft to the event directly from the app.

Much of the world is warming up, enticing groups to enjoy outdoor activities. Here are seven outstanding destinations where attendees can get a high dose of vitamin D, fill their body and mind with good energy and have unforgettable experiences.

Puerto Rico

In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico is now ready to welcome guests at its stunning beachfront resorts and renovated properties. Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, with 5,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, is known for the natural beauty of its surroundings and high-end design. The reserve now includes more than 300,000 native plants, which provide a tropical feel.

Related: Smart Dispatch: Puerto Rico is Ready for Anything

Renovations at the property include the 114 guest rooms, which showcase a beach allure with sea-inspired decor and ocean views. If groups want to experience more local culture, they can visit the iconic El San Juan Hotel in San Juan. Known for its vibrant music and art scene, the property has hosted concerts by legends including Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis and Liza Minelli.  It continues to entertain guests with the Brava program, which features live music and late-night dancing.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Recently opened, 115-room 1 Hotel is an eco-friendly property on Medano Beach, the only swimmable beach in Cabo. Inspired by a hacienda feel, architects and designers used sustainable and low-impact materials to build the complex and furnish the guest rooms. Seated on several hundred feet of shoreline, the property is a peaceful oasis.

Opening this month is Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, Nobu’s first hotel in Mexico. Local aesthetic and a colorful palette blends with the brand’s signature elegance, featuring Japanese style and textures. Each of the 200 guest rooms features minimal design, with natural tones and big windows that open to the water. The hotel will include 14,389 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

In February, Grand Canyon, North America’s largest park, celebrated its 100th anniversary. Spring is a perfect time to plan a trip to this natural destination. Athletic groups can explore the land by choosing among many hiking trails. Some easy options are Rim Train, one of the most popular paths, which extends from South Kaibab Trailhead to Hermits Rest, Hermit Road, a scenic route along the west end of Grand Canyon Village. Groups up for a challenge might try North Kaibab Trail (opening May 15), which requires a bit of training and a lot of energy.

Washington, D.C.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20–April 14) is welcoming spring in Washington, D.C. It is one of the most popular events in the nation’s capital and honors American and Japanese cultures. On the peak bloom date (Monday, April 1) when 70 percent of the trees surrounding the Tidal Basin open their buds, creating an unforgettable sea of pink and white flowers.

Bears Ears National Monument, Utah

Located inside Indian Creek Canyon in San Juan County, this national monument was established by President Barack Obama at the end of 2016. At the center of the canyon is Bears Ears, two sandstone buttes that rise above Cedar Mesa.  The area within the monument is mostly underdeveloped and has a wide array of historical, cultural and natural resources.

Princeville, Kauai Island, Hawaii

April is off-season in Hawaii, so flights and accommodations are generally less expensive. One leading property, Princeville Resort, is set above gorgeous Hanalei Bay. Sandy beaches, crystalline waters and fairy tale-like views make the resort a perfect sanctuary to release and recharge. It has 13,000 sq. ft. of event space.

More: Hawaii: Food Traditions, Food Trends

Cherry Spring State Park, Coudersport, Pennsylvania

Due to its very dark night skies, astronomers from around the country visit this obscure place to better study and understand the Earth’s location in the universe. During warm weather, the Milky Way comes alive every night, and groups are immersed in a profound silence and surrounded by a whimsical atmosphere.

These four new and renovated properties in Chicago and Minneapolis put modernity at the forefront, from lobby to guest room and beyond.

NR double tree

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago-Magnificent Mile

For health and wellness enthusiasts, the new Five Feet to Fitness rooms at this property are ideal—and can be booked now. In-room offerings include 11 types of fitness equipment and accessories, including an indoor bike and a Gym Rax training station that delivers workouts to guests through a digital kiosk. The property features 16,000 sq. ft. of event space, with rooms that can be combined or used separately.

NR renaissance minneapolis

Renaissance Minneapolis Bloomington Hotel

Located near the Twin Cities, this hotel’s recent revamp has resulted in a minimalist design. The 253 simply-designed rooms feature luxury wood flooring and furniture with a modern feel. Along with the 4,000 sq. ft. of event space, attendees have access to the new Club Lounge and expanded fitness center.

NR kimpton monaco

Kimpton Hotel Monaco, Chicago

High ceilings and large windows allow guests to view the city from the property’s signature window seats. The 191 guest rooms and 22 suites offer the latest technology, such as Bluetooth-compatible alarm clocks. In partnership with community organizations, the property features unique programs, including a library cart—in partnership with Newberry Library—that enables guests to check out books on Chicago art, culture and history. Three meetings rooms offer a combined 4,100 sq. ft. of space.

NR hotel essex

Hotel Essex, Chicago

Along Chicago’s Cultural Mile and a jog away from Grant Park, the steel and glass Hotel Essex—formerly Essex Inn—has undergone a beautiful transformation. The 274-room property now includes a French bistro and SX Sky Bar, which features 1,600 sq. ft. of private space for meetings, in addition to the 1,239-square-foot public space.

More: New & Renovated: NorCal Living