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emergency preparedness dmc

Whether it is hurricanes, fires, live shooters or picketers, most event professionals will eventually find themselves in the situation of putting into action emergency measures developed with the hope that they would never be used. At ADMEI 2019, the annual gathering of DMCs from around the world, four people who lived through worst-case scenarios in Houston, Puerto Rico, New Orleans and Las Vegas described their experiences—and the lessons learned.

1. Strangers Stepped Up

Visit Houston President and CEO Mike Waterman described the first months of 2017 as “bad ass.” A successful Super Bowl had just raised the profile of the city and groups were lining up to visit. Then Hurricane Harvey dropped two feet of rain in 24 hours and put one-third of the city under water.

The good news is that this coastal metropolis had faced hurricanes before, and so a plan was in place.

Days before landfall, Waterman got the word that George R. Brown Convention Center would be turned into an emergency center. He immediately reached out to partners to order enough food and rations for 4,000 people, to last four days. “We needed every bit of those supplies,” he said. By the time Red Cross took over two days after the storm hit, his team had served 100,000 meals to 10,500 people who were seeking shelter there at peak.

The better news is that the floodwaters and evacuees both receded quickly, and because of the tremendous outpouring of support after television news stations told the stories of strangers helping strangers, the city actually had too many rations on their hands.

On the conference front, Waterman immediately went into triage mode. He created videos showing himself in front of the high and dry downtown convention center, and explained the importance of conventions following through on their planned arrivals. He had 11 conventions due to arrive that month. “As soon as the first one agreed to go through with their conference, we knew the others couldn’t object, and we were going to get through this,” he said.

Meanwhile, Visit Houston worked with Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Houston and Greater Houston Restaurant Association to create a Houston Hospitality Employee Relief Fund to provide supplemental support to anyone who may have incurred losses because of vacancies.

“We marketed around traveling with a purpose,” Waterman said. The campaign told the story of how the city is open and stronger than ever. “At end of day, it was a brand-builder for the city,” he said.

2. Meeting for a Good Cause Mattered

When Hurricane Maria’s 160 mph, category 5 winds hit the island of Puerto Rico that same month, wiping out electricity, most cell coverage, and access from airports and seaports, that was more difficult to recover from than Houston’s experience, according to Berk Tanal, senior account executive for Group Services Puerto Rico. “Communication was extremely difficult; we couldn’t move supplies on-island or evacuate people, because of a lack of fuel. We basically became a cash economy with no internet connection or banks open, so people had trouble buying what was available,” he said.

More: How New Orleans Recovered after a Natural Disaster

Tanal’s team had prepared by stockpiling water and fuel, setting up meeting spots in advance and relying on apps to coordinate rescue work, but the hit to the hospitality sector was painful. “The meeting industry was down 80 percent for 16 months,” he said. That made putting people back to work the first order of business once everyone was safe. “Emergency plans have to include ways to keep people employed during downtime,” he said.

As freshly renovated properties began to reopen, the newly formed CVB, Discover Puerto Rico, made getting word out that island was open and ready to receive guests better than ever. Philanthropic tourism became a marketing message, with CSR opportunities to give back to the community a popular addition to group agendas.

3. Humor Helped Overcome Negative Images

preparedness emergency

Some 13 years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans’ hospitality sector is still struggling with images in the media of flooding, looting and devastation. “It was a study in worst practices by the government agencies,” said Terry Epton, executive vice president and global brand ambassador for Hosts Global. Epton’s team went from 22 employees to one in week. Many were displaced and he found himself responsible for making sure they had somewhere to sleep by reaching out to DMCs in other cities.

In the aftermath of the event, the hospitality industry launched a series of marketing messages—”New Orleans is open—to just about anything,” “Soul is waterproof,” “New Orleans Forever”—to counter the negative images. New Orleans & Company took the message to influencers across the country. Others were flown in for a Seeing is Believing initiative.

The DMC now has a formal visitor-emergency evacuation plan that will allow groups to get airline seats out of town before residents who might have more options. “The CVB and travel industry have to speak with one voice and be the primary source of reliable information,” Epton said.

4. #Hospitality Strong Won Day

emergency preparedness

Las Vegas is known for having some of most advanced security technology in place in the world. “It is discreet, but present,” said Joshua Jones, regional president of Hosts Las Vegas. That is why it was such a shock when at 10 at night on Oct. 1, 2017, shots rang out for 10 minutes straight, killing 58 people and injuring 851. It was the largest mass shooting in U.S. history.

The DMC team turned to the emergency phone tree to find out if its co-workers and groups were safe. “We quickly realized that as much as we had done, we were woefully unprepared,” Jones said. “Everyone in town was touched by it.” The hotels hosted families for free and everyone came together at IMEX America the following week to show their #VegasStrong support with campaigns, fund-raisers and T-shirts.

Jones described how that incident changed the way planners now approach emergency preparedness. “It is a difficult conversation to have, but emergency plans are now a standard part of any event plan,” he stressed. To be effective, however, he now knows preparation requires more than sharing contact information and going over floor plans and exit routes. “You have to test and practice so it is instinctual—everyone knows the rendezvous points and where hospitals are located. We owe it to our clients,” he concluded.

Association of Destination Management Executives International (ADMEI) wrapped up its 2019 annual conference at Four Seasons Houston with a pledge to increase the visibility of the association globally.

Robert Lee, director of sales at Spaintacular, a Global DMC Partner and incoming ADMEI president, stressed the power of expanding ADMEI education and outreach. “We will be offering our emergency preparedness certificate program at IMEX Frankfurt and other locations in the United States,” he said of the training program that leverages the local knowledge of program logistics professionals to help event managers design and execute effective security plans.

The association is also making its Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP) designation program more accessible by offering testing at IBTM in Barcelona in November. And a new initiative will bring ADMEI education to the university level. “We are building the next generation of future leaders,” Lee said.

Outgoing president Marty MacKay, president of Hosts Global Alliance in Washington, D.C., called ADMEI the best kept secret in the events world—one she hopes will no longer be a secret. “The education provided globally is a resource for planners and the rest of the sector,” she said.

Excellence Recognized

When more than 180 destination marketing professionals gathered for education and networking sessions, the topics covered everything from technology tools to economic impact. The business meeting ended with a gala dinner honoring those who have advanced the field.

Winners included Mosaix Group, a DMC Network Company in Charlotte, North Carolina; Red Velvet Events, a Global DMC Partner from Austin, Texas; PRA Nashville; Koncept Events of Oakland Park, Florida; and PRA Northern California from San Francisco for Best Innovative Event at different sizes.

Red Velvet Events and Realize Colorado, a Global DMC Partner, paired up for Best Collaborative Event. Ultimate Ventures, a DMC Network Company took home Best Corporate Social Responsibility award for Winter Wonderland, a giveback benefiting the children of Dallas. Accent Indy, a DMC Network Company, took home Best Destination marketing Award for The Superbowl of FAMs. FM&A Events out of Boston won for Best Logistics after managing a re-imagined luxury train event.

Hadler DMC Scandinavia, a Hosts Global Member, from Copenhagen, won Best Overall Program for a truck dealer excellence event. Roberts Event Group, a Hosts Global Member, from Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, won Best Public Event. Realize Colorado won for Best Recreational Activity—ice climbing. Maple Ridge Events, a Hosts Global Member, based in Nashville, Tennessee, won for Best Team Building Activity. PRA Orlando won Best Tour Program. Roberts Event Group, a Hosts Global Member, from Jenkintown, Pennsylvania was the Members’ Choice winner.

Excellence awards went to Hadler DMC Scandinavia; Imprint Events Group, a DMC Network Company in Denver; Hosts DC, a Hosts Global Member in Washington, D.C.; PRA Orlando; Newport Hospitality, a DMC Network Company in Rhode Island; Accent Indy; and CSI Florida. Excellence in Site Inspection went to the team of Destination South Meetings & Events, a DMC Network Company; Juice Studios, a Hosts Global Company; PRA Atlanta; and Presenting Atlanta.

Megan Johnson, DMCP, from Accent Indy was named Destination Management Rising Star. Michelle Castady Orlando, DMCP, from 360 Destination Group in Chicago was selected Destination Management Professional of the Year. Pat Owings, DMCP, CMP, from Maple Ridge Events took home ADMEI Volunteer of the Year honors. Carol A. Norfleet, DMCP, CMP, of PRA Nashville was awarded the Joanne O’Connor President’s Award and Terry Epton, DMCP, CIS, CITE, from Hosts New Orleans, a Hosts Global member, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Next Gen DMC

Also attending were two Linda Thompson Memorial Scholarship winners, an award named in honor of the late longtime chair of the DMC Network and president and CEO of Cappa and Graham in San Francisco. The award winners, Hannah Patterson, a student at University of Central Florida majoring in hospitality management and leadership studies, and Ekaterina Anotonva, a student at The Saint Petersburg University of Economics in Russia, both plan to pursue careers in destination management, according to Robyn Bass, president and CEO of Maple Ridge Events, the scholarship award committee chairperson.

Related: The 411 on DMCs

Patterson described the DMC worlds as “a whirlwind of bright and exciting opportunities” and saw the opportunity to participate in the conference as a “significant impact on the trajectory” of her career. Antonova, similarly, labeled the two days as “one of the most informative and productive ones” she has experienced.

Look for the 2020 ADMEI Annual Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico as part of a push to support destinations that have experienced natural disasters.

More: New & Renovated: Downtown Hotels

Unlike energy, buildings can be both created and destroyed. Lucky for us, this has resulted in the creation of gorgeous properties. These four formerly neglected buildings have been transformed into hotels everyone will want to frequent.

Element Detroit at the Metropolitan

Part of Marriott International, Element Hotels debuted its first hotel in Detroit. The project is a revitalization of the 92-year-old Metropolitan Building, set in Detroit’s entertainment district. The property has been turned into a 110-room eco-friendly hotel, where guests can enjoy views of downtown Detroit from The Monarch Club, the hotel’s rooftop bar. Groups can enjoy the nearly 3,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Downtown LA Proper Hotel

Boasting 148 rooms and 13 floors, this former YWCA building-turned-Proper Hotel will turn some heads. It was constructed in 1926 as Commercial Club of Southern California. The property kept some well-loved features from its past, such as double-height spaces, which will be turned into suites and public areas. The rooftop of the property will include a restaurant, along with a bar and swimming pool.

Proper Hospitality

The Hoxton, Downtown LA

Originally the Los Angeles Railway building, constructed in 1920, this property had many other faces before becoming The Hoxton, Downtown LA: from garment manufacturer to candy shop, restaurant and most recently, grocery store. From the wall paneling to the chevron flooring, the property’s French inspiration is palpable and House of Hackney printed textiles pay homage to the brand’s East London origin. The 174-room property will house ground-floor and rooftop restaurants, and a basement bar for exciting late-night festivities.

AC Hotel Beverly Hills

Located on well-known Wilshire Boulevard, AC Hotel features 142 guest rooms spread across 11 stories. The property that once functioned as an office tower in the 1950s is just 2 miles from Rodeo Drive and the Golden Triangle of Beverly Hills, and just a short walk to the museums on the Miracle Mile. The hotel features a rooftop pool, a fitness center, an AC lounge and an amenity that’s much less common: AC the Robot, which will bring small items—such as refreshments, shampoo, towels and snacks—to guests when summoned. Four event rooms and 1,146 sq. ft. of meeting space are provided for groups.

Hualalai four seasons best hotels u.s. — Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in Kailua-Kona on the Island of Hawaii was named Best Hotel in the United States for the seventh time in U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 Best Hotels rankings.

The hotel was praised for its high-quality service, elegance and functionality of on-site amenities, and remarkable view. The Peninsula Chicago was ranked No. 2, followed by The Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, Surfside, Florida.

Esperanza, an Auberge Resort in Cabo San Lucas, was named Best Hotel in Mexico, while Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun was selected Best All-Inclusive Resort in Mexico.

Jade Mountain in St. Lucia, with stunning architecture and pool sanctuaries, was selected Best Hotel in the Caribbean and Best All-Inclusive Resort in the Caribbean. The Loren at Pink Beach in Tuckers’ Town was named Best Hotel in Bermuda and, for the second time, Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver was named Best Hotel in Canada.

La Reserve Paris-Hotel and Spa, with Michelin two-star restaurant Gabriel, was named Best Hotel in Europe, followed by Hotel Sanders in Copenhagen and the glamorous Hotel Eden in Rome.

More than 30,000 luxury hotels and resorts in 400 destinations in the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean are evaluated for U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hotels rankings, which began in 2011. A comprehensive methodology is used that is based on hotels’ stars ratings, industry accolades and guest reviews.

“In order to create these lists, we first look at a hotel’s class and then take into consideration what recent guests are saying and what industry awards the hotel has won throughout the year [ranging from TripAdvisor’s Travelers Choice Awards to AAA Five Diamond Awards]. We also rank resorts [including all-inclusives] in Mexico, Canada, the U.S. and the Caribbean, and provide information on all of the top hotel chains around the globe, along with where their properties rank on our lists,” says Hannah Cheney, travel editor at U.S. News & World Report.

“We’ve had a four-star rating cutoff,” she added. “We decided to expand our content this year to include 3.5-star hotels in select destinations throughout the U.S. to offer more affordable options to our readers.”

This consists of a curated selection of accessible and smaller accommodations.

Top 15 US Hotels

Are you looking for an outstanding meeting space for your next event? Here are the top 15 U.S hotels, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 Best Hotels rankings.

Four Season Resort Hualalai, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii (243 guest rooms, 37,037 sq. ft. of meeting space)
The Peninsula Chicago (339 guest rooms, 15,973 sq. ft.)
Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, Surfside, Miami (105 guest rooms, 531 sq. ft.)
Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Hawaii (213 guest rooms, 55,682 sq. ft.)
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago (345 guest rooms, 23,757 sq. ft.)
Aqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida (54 guest rooms, 3,644 sq. ft.)
The Langham Chicago (268 guest rooms, 15,000 sq. ft.)
Montage Kapalua Bay, Maui, Hawaii (59 guest rooms, 50,000 sq. ft.)
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, Santa Fe, California (49 guest rooms, 12,000 sq. ft.)
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, California (170 guest rooms, 5,600 sq. ft.)
The Peninsula Beverly Hills, California (195 guest rooms, 3,398 sq. ft.)
The Inn & Club at Harbour Town-The Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (60 guest rooms, 20,000 sq. ft.)
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Hawaii (383 guest rooms, 30,806 sq. ft.)
Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego (249 guest rooms, 20,000 sq. ft.)
Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC (222 guest rooms, 22,925 sq. ft.)

What’s the trick to creating a memorable team-building experience? It has everything to do with deviating from the norm. Team-building exercises are often memorable because they allow attendees see each other in a different context.

Team building should be memorable not merely getting for out of the office, and doesn’t always have to be conventional. Experiences can intellectually challenge participants in an escape room or physically challenge them during a hike during a hike. Here are a few other team-building ideas that go against the grain.

Have an Adventure!

Staying indoors while engaged in any team-building exercise can be fun, but it’s more prone to become stale. After all, attendees spend much of their time indoors as it is, so taking a break from enclosure may be welcomed; technically it’s still work for them, but taking the meeting outside will take the pressure off and remind everyone that it’s supposed to be fun.

While you’re outside, why not go on an adventure? There’s plenty of fun waiting to be had. Many hotels and resorts offer a broad range of activities from which to choose.

Emerson Resort & Spa in Mount Tremper, New York, has a plethora of options for fun-loving attendees, no matter the season. Just south of the property is Belleayre Mountain, where winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing are offered; and there’s just as much to do for summer lovers, including hiking, mountain biking and swimming.

Seascape Resort in Monterey Bay, California also offers many outdoor activities. Attendees who love to spend time in the water can take surfing and stand-up paddleboard lessons or go on a kayak voyage if they’re feeling particularly risky. If it’s action-packed competition you’re looking for, there’s archery tag—a cross between dodge-ball and paintball—played with bows and foam-tipped arrows.

Escape!

If being in a room is a requirement—because it’s raining, for example— your team-building meeting, what’s better y than to make the room a game? One option, escape rooms, a relatively new, creative and intellectually challenging way to get attendees together— were introduced to North America in 2012 and have been gaining popularity ever since. There are escape rooms across the globe, from Los Angeles to Kyoto, Japan, and each provide their own twist to the game.

An escape room is a physical adventure game that involves players solving riddles and puzzles using hints and clues that are found in the room. Groups of three to 10 players are given a nerve-wracking, one-hour time limit to escape. Each escape room has its own distinct theme, with its own backstory that answers why you’re there to begin with. Escape rooms offer a unique team-building experience. They’re an inventive way for attendees to learn about their team members, and more interestingly, learn how they think under pressure.

Hotels have noticed the attention escape rooms bring. Greece is home to two hotels that feature escape rooms, Apollo Resort Art Hotel in Kiparissia and Elysium Resort & Spa in Faliraki. Apollo Resort features one escape room, Immortality. Elysium features two escape rooms, The Alchemist, which also has immortality as its theme, and Taken.

Cruise and Build

A cruise is an adventure in itself—add some team-building activities, and you have a party. Cruise lines, such as Celebrity Cruises, provide a host of F&B experiences and many activities for attendees to enjoy, from treasure hunting to lawn club games, such as bocce ball and cornhole, to classes on ballroom and line dancing.

For attendees who would rather not get physical, there is still much from which to choose. You can awaken the true artist in them with a hands-on hot glass class, where they work with a gaffer to create glass art. They can test their knowledge on a wide range of topics, including daily trivia or on popular game shows, such as Family Feud.

The F&B experiences allow attendees to get creative and flex their culinary chops. Attendees can roll sushi, decorate a cake or even learn how to grill the perfect steak. Cocktail enthusiasts can find out how to make the alcoholic beverages from learned mixologists. If wine is more their thing, they can become vintners for a day and craft their very own wine or become a pairing expert by learning what makes the ideal wine and food combination.

Tech Out

Contrary to the claims that modern technology is the reason we’re all so disconnected (which have some basis) when used properly, it can connect attendees through heavy engagement and collaboration. Activities such as video games can bring everyone together when there is a mutual goal in mind—to win.

By using virtual reality, team-building company Play with a Purpose has been able to bring team members closer through collaboration and healthy competition. The team-building company’s The Infinite Loop is a virtual reality game involving a rescue mission that requires individuals to work together if they want to come out on top. “While extremely engaging and fun, The Infinite Loop is designed for a strong learning purpose” says Sharon Fisher,” chief idea sparker for Play with a Purpose. The game enables members to learn how to communicate and work together effectively.

Digital scavenger hunts mix the age-old game of clue-finding with the ever-present Internet, and its vessel, the smartphone. There are plenty of apps for scavenger hunts, such as City SmartHunt, in which each team is given a tablet and must explore their city, looking for clues to beat other teams. The teams must travel around, find items and landmarks, and document their adventures (or misadventures), with the use of text messaging, GPS and FaceTime to help complete challenges.

Team building can help companies and organizations create a work team that functions together efficiently. When planning your event next time, go outside of the box. It can create lifelong friendships among team members, as well as make that lasting impression you’re seeking.

From West Hollywood to Dominica, hotel and resort properties are cropping up, providing unparalleled luxury, gorgeous views and redesigned guest experiences, not to mention plenty of locations for groups to meet. By their tech savviness, unique choice of location or ability to stay true to their history, some properties are making themselves stand out. Here are eight—or nine, if you count a dual-brand as two hotels—that are doing things differently.

Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski Dominica—Dominican Republic

hotels boosting guest experiences — Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski Dominica

This property will be Kempinski’s second venture on the Caribbean Islands and Dominica’s first beachfront resort. In addition to its 152 guest rooms, Cabrits will feature three oceanfront meeting rooms that will provide a beautiful view of the Caribbean Sea. For the adventurous, there will be plenty of opportunities to get out into nature, including a hiking trail—the property is surrounded by Cabrits National Park—as well as motorized and nonmotorized water sports, and a private lake. It’s set to open in October.

The West Hollywood Edition—Los Angeles

In collaboration with Marriot International and entrepreneur and hotelier Ian Schrager, The West Hollywood Edition is set to open this spring on Los Angeles’ popular Sunset Boulevard. Boasting 190 guest rooms and 20 residences, the John Pawson-designed hotel will feature a signature restaurant in addition to an art-filled lobby lounge and bar. Guests will be able to enjoy six-treatment room spa and fitness center, accompanied by an immersive panoramic view of the City of Dreams.

Hotel Indigo Coachella—California

This hotel is scheduled to open just in time for the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April. A few short steps away from Coachella fairgrounds, the property will feature 35 acres of resort space. The centerpiece of the property will be a 10,000-square-foot pool, complete with a stage and catwalk.

Amenities will include four- and six-bedroom spaces with shared living rooms, as well as plenty of areas for entertainment and a cocktail lounge, marijuana dispensary, spa, gym and yoga studio. Eleven acres will be provided for hosting corporate and private events.

The Last Hotel—St. Louis

Originally the Roberts, Johnson & Rand Shoe Company in 1909, this historic and culturally conscious property will soon be renovated into a boutique hotel and will reflect all that St. Louis holds dear. The Last Hotel will feature The Last Kitchen, a restaurant and bar, and The Last Rooftop, a rooftop bar and lounge. The 142-room hotel will be the hot spot for those itching to feel the history of St. Louis. This property will boast more than 6,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Guests will have the opportunity to explore the local and house-made baked goods stocked in The Pantry. The property will include a blue roof system, a rooftop pool, movie screening room and a teaching kitchen.

C. Baldwin—Houston

This summer, where downtown, midtown and Buffalo Bayou park intersect, there will be a new hotel, C. Baldwin, named after Charlotte Baldwin Allen, an unknown Houston hero. Boasting 354 rooms, this property will be at the center of the reimagined 3.2 million-square-foot Allen Center campus, which is still undergoing upgrades and renovations. Highlights include a signature restaurant, a nail salon, an activated green space, and 14,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space.

Hotel Distil and Moxy Louisville—Louisville, Kentucky

Hotel Distil Moxy; Photo credit: HKS Architects

Scheduled to open in September and located on Louisville’s historical Whiskey Row, the dual-pad Hotel Distil and Moxy Louisville will feature a combined 300 rooms. The properties will bridge two different generations, since Hotel Distil will preserve its original facade from its Civil War-era past, while the boutique-style Moxy Louisville will cater to the new generation with its unconventional style and fun, edgy design. Hotel Distil will offer a rooftop bar and 7,500 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Live! By Loews-Arlington, Texas

Anchored to Texas Live! in Arlington Entertainment District, this 14-story property will provide guests with beautiful views of the entertainment district—which sits between the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Park and Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium—through the abundance of floor-to-ceiling glass windows from all 302 guest rooms. For meetings and events, Live! includes 21,000 sq. ft. of indoor space, along with 8,000 sq. ft. of outdoor space with a covered terrace bar and pool.

Snowpine Lodge—Alta, Utah

Just 40 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City and scheduled to open at the end of January, guests can experience the mountains like never before in this property, which provides 58 guest rooms and suites. Amenities include a movie room, fitness and yoga studio, heated outdoor pool and jetted spas. Some 30,000 sq. ft. of meeting space will be provided.

In addition, during the winter guests can go cross-country or even helicopter skiing, as the property is linked to Snowbird ski resort, and in the summer, they can choose from an array of activities, such as fly-fishing and mountain biking.

rising sun hottest trends

Tokyo is eager to attract more of the international meetings market, and a high-tech entertainment hub on an artificial island in Tokyo Bay could play a more important role.

The island, Odaiba, has steadily developed since the 1990s as a commercial, leisure and residential area. It features Hilton Tokyo Odaiba and other leading hotels, as well as a beach at Seaside Park, views of Mount Fuji from Daikanransha Ferris wheel, sushi bars along the waterfront, robots that are ready to interact with visitors at Miraikan science museum, and the Aqua City and Venice-themed VenusFort malls.

“Odaiba wants to make it as a top international destination,” said Kazutoshi Takatani, general manager for Fujisankei Communications International, Inc.—the American arm of Fujisankei Communications Group, a Japanese media conglomerate—during a wide-ranging conversation at the Smart Meetings office in Sausalito, California, last week.

Like many destinations in Japan, however, Odaiba needs to attract more foreign visitors, including meeting professionals.

More: Will One of These Japanese Cities be Your Next Event Destination?

“We have 30 million visitors now, twice the number we had 10 years ago, but only 5 percent come from the United States and Europe,” said Takatani, who is based in Los Angeles. “The other 95 percent are from Asian countries, such as Malaysia, China, Korea and Indonesia.

“Tokyo wants more of the American market.”

Insights into a Changing Culture

Takatani provided the following insights into other Japanese trends, based on his experience with Fujisankei and travel agencies.

An ever-growing number of Tokyo’s visitors consist of China’s upwardly mobile young professionals. Takatani said that many of them are wealthy, and are particularly fond of nice hotels, cosmetics, ramen, Kobe beef, Japanese barbecue and five-star restaurants. Young American professionals share their Chinese counterparts’ love of ramen, but generally gravitate toward inexpensive lodging such as guest houses, as well as pop culture, and Kinokuniya and other Japanese bookstores, he said.

Many restaurants in the Tokyo area are modifying the ingredients used in foods to better accommodate the culinary habits of not only tourists, but the growing number of foreign workers, such as Malaysians, most of whom are Muslims, and therefore do not eat pork or drink alcohol.

Japan’s population is aging, which has created a challenge to fill jobs. “More foreigners are being hired, but they are used to a different work style,” he said, adding that this has required more training, especially given’s the country’s continuing emphasis on solid teamwork.

Taxi fares have dipped in the Tokyo area by about 10 percent recently due to more people opting for subway trains and buses.

Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft haven’t been able to gain much foothold in Japan, mainly due to the strength of the Japanese Taxi Drivers union.

Inspired by the positive benefits, many Japanese companies are offering employees incentive trips to foreign destinations.

One of the hottest trends among visitors to Japan is sharing meals and conversation with Japanese families in their homes.

Japan has been a world leader in introducing robot employees in hotels and restaurants, and Toyota has been experimenting with driverless cars, although they may not be widespread any time soon. “There is a lot of traffic in Tokyo,” Takatani said.

usta

The U.S. Travel Association (USTA) reacted swiftly to the announcement that an agreement has been reached to reopen the federal government for three weeks.

More: Deal Reached to Temporarily Open Federal Government

“The U.S. travel community thanks the president and congressional leaders for reaching an agreement that hopefully averts further disruption to air transportation, which undoubtedly would have begun to generate downstream economic damage throughout the country,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the USTA. “Likewise, the reopening of national parks, plus the resumption of government travel and government-related business travel, will halt the estimated $100 million in daily cost the loss of those activities has been imposing on the economy.”

Jason Briefel, executive director of Senior Executives Association (SEA)—a nonprofit professional association that advocates the interests of career federal executives, among other things—welcomed the reopening, but expressed concern about the big picture.

“Great news,” he said. “But the federal government isn’t a switch that can be turned on and off. It takes a lot of time to bring operations back up to full speed.”

Both large and small events involving federal employees were cancelled or postponed during the shutdown. Briefel noted that the training of workers at Air Traffic Control Academy was interrupted by a previous shutdown, and that other training and research often is interrupted by shutdowns.

Briefel serves as SEA’s legislative director, representing the organization and its members on Capitol Hill and with the Administration. He also represents SEA with the Federal-Postal Coalition and the Government Managers Coalition, and is board director of the Federal Employees Education and Assistance Fund.

As a lobbyist, he strives to ensure the welfare of federal employees and that the work of the federal government remains unimpeded. He is concerned about the effect of shutdowns on employees.

“The resilience of the workforce is depleted by these types of situations,” he said. “I’ve focused on reopening the government and getting people to act like adults by working out their differences through democratic processes.”

He’s hopeful that a new deal will be reached regarding the current situation.

“We’ll see what happens in the next three weeks,” he says. “Hopefully, a broader deal can be put in place before the situation becomes compounded and magnified.”

More: New & Renovated: Multimillion-Dollar Renovations

With so much to explore, both inside and outside hotel rooms today, inventive lobbies and creative culinary options make staying on-property more appealing than ever. When guests finally do decide to venture out, they need not go far with so much to explore just outside the door. Following are four new West Coast options.

Moxy San Diego

This nine-story 126-room property is the first to open in the Golden State under Moxy, Marriott International’s experiential hotel brand. In addition to a small meeting space, this property’s unconventional and lively lobby is sure to grab attention the moment attendees step inside. Shuffle boards, 80s arcade machines, life-size Jenga and Twister games, as well as daily, weekly and monthly events beckon.

Hyatt Place Pasadena

The first Hyatt branded property in the city is just a brisk walk to Pasadena Convention Center and 12 miles from Downtown Los Angeles. Hyatt Place Pasadena features 189 rooms and 3,000 sq. ft. of meeting space with easy access to the Rose Bowl Stadium and various museums, including The Norton Simon Museum (previously known as the Pasadena Art Institute).

Galleria Park Hotel, San Francisco

Newly renovated Galleria Park Hotel is located smack dab in the heart of downtown San Francisco between Union Square and the Financial District. Three Green Meeting-certified spaces, totaling more than 2,000 sq. ft. with an outdoor terrace, offer easy access to the expanded Moscone Convention Center and several world-class museums.

The Hoxton, Portland

This London-based hotel recently opened the doors to its second U.S. property in Stumptown, and two more are one the way. The 119-guest room building is in Portland’s historic Old Town Chinatown and features three restaurants, including the rooftop venue Tope. All the rooms are oriented to allow natural light to flood in through floor-to-ceiling windows. Four event spaces open onto a central pantry kitchen, which can be rented out for up to 90 people. Visitors can feel the local vibe by joining Hox Friends, which connects guests to locals—business owners, residents and artists.

retailers hoteliers

The hospitality industry is booming, and retailers are taking notice. Brands known for being luxury watchmakers, specialists in home decor and pushers of simple apparel are all trying their hand in the hospitality industry.

As consumer’s expectations for quality products and service continue to heighten, so is their demand for an engaging experience. Event planners know this world well, as what’s expected of them from attendees is no different.

Since their conception, hotels have sought to create a personalized experience for their guests. Brand loyalty is generally a thing of the past, as consumers are now looking for an engagement rather than another fancy product to buy. Several retailers have picked up on this, pushing them to take a dip (for others, a dive) in the hospitality industry, where experience is everything. Established brands—which many of these are—that have a loyal fanbase will find no difficulty in attracting guests. They already have a head start.

Domestic Companies

After unveiling its 90,000-square-foot gallery last year in New York City’s Meatpacking District, home furnishing company Restoration Hardware revealed it will be opening its first hotel, RH Guesthouse, in Manhattan this summer, just around the corner from the gallery. The project will be a five-story, 14-room boutique hotel and restaurant, which will also serve as a showroom for the company’s products.

After nearly two years of construction, Detroit-based luxury watchmaker Shinola opened its doors Jan. 2. The 129-room building is located within the city’s historic Woodward Avenue shopping district and is within walking distance of Ford Field, Comerica Park and Little Caesars Arena. Once home to the Singer Sewing Company, this property includes three event spaces that accommodate groups ranging from 12 to 200.

West Elm, founded in Brooklyn in 2002, plans to open a line of hotels in 2020. It does not plan on a subtle transition into the industry, as it has already scheduled six openings, with the first planned for late this year. Guests will be sleeping in and sitting in West Elm products throughout their stay (a reality the company will likely capitalize on).

Foreign Firms

The first Muji Hotel opened in Shenzhen, China, last January, followed by another in Beijing. This month, there are plans for Muji to open its third hotel, with 79 guest rooms, in Tokyo’s Ginza District on April 4. The location will be home to the largest Muji flagship store, which will be on the first six floors of the 10-story property. The hotel will be located on a portion of the sixth floor and the top four floors. The simple concept and design of the property follows Muji’s “antigorgeous, anticheap” philosophy, as the brand calls it.

IKEA, which opened its first hotel in 2016, is arguably one of the pioneers of the hotel-to-hospitality trend. The Swedish retailer opened its doors in Almhult, Sweden, where IKEA was founded (and where you can also visit the IKEA museum and IKEA outlet store). It has been rumored that IKEA has its hospitality eyes set on expanding outside of Sweden—to New Haven, Conn.

That’s just the retail industry. Plenty of other brands in the food and fashion industry are making moves into the hospitality sector. Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant Nobu has multiple hotels around the globe, its first being Nobu Hotel in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Armani has properties in Dubai and Milan; Versace in Dubai and the Gold Coast of Australia.

Since consumer’s expectations of what a brand should be are constantly in flux, retailers must make the appropriate changes to remain in step with those expectations. The line that separates retail from hospitality has been getting increasingly blurry over the years, but this may not be such a bad thing. Consumers, retailers and people generally are always searching for the next big thing, and retailers just might be onto something.