In the spirit of pride month, W Hotels announced plans on Monday to release a series of destination guides for the LGBTQ community that offer value beyond pride festivals. The company says it recognizes that LGBTQ guests are no different than other travelers—they, too, want a uniquely crafted experience.

“Many are seeking out authentic historical and social opportunities on the ground to gain deeper insight into the struggles and triumphs that have shaped the LGBTQ+ community in each place,” the company said in a press release.

The guides will incorporate video diaries from community trailblazers, such as model and activist Carmen Carrera, as well as Phillip Picardi, chief content officer of Conde Nast’s LGBTQ publication, them. The cast will explore cities with a richly diverse LGBTQ past and immerse themselves in the cultures.

The first stop on the list is Mexico City: the first place in Mexico to legalize same-sex marriage. Other cities that will be toured include Istanbul, Atlanta and Brisbane, Australia.

“With W Hotels, we have created destination guides that go beyond on-paper descriptions and bring viewers into real life and the adventures that we have lived and loved through a unique, queer lens,” Picardi said in a press release. “Through these guides, we are broadening horizons for queer travelers, breaking down boundaries to show off the incredible tastes, sights and sounds of places that aren’t the most well-known to hopefully inspire others to get up and go.”

The Angle, W Hotels’ lifestyle and travel website, will publish the first guide June 6.

This content comes as part of W Hotel’s ongoing attempt to promote inclusion and equality in the hospitality industry. Last year, the hotel introduced its Queer Me Out speaker series, which promoted discussion of LGBTQ connection and timely topics. Pablo Henderson, W Hotels’ global director of brand marketing, said the industry has a duty to educate guests amid the entertainment of events.

“People come to hotels to meet,” Henderson said at last year’s event. “They come to hotels to work. So, we’ve got really unique platform, and an opportunity, and really a responsibility to use our global footprint to amplify your voices and to continue our support of the community in general.”

In the same press release, W Hotels also announced Queer Me Out will launch globally in 2018. The hotel will organize events at its locations in New York, Barcelona, London, Amsterdam and Mexico City.

The panel is supported by Marriott International, owner of W Hotels, and its #LoveTravels campaign, which highlights how travel can promote positive and loving experiences.

“With the expansion of Queer Me Out and new, immersive content working with our incredible creative collaborator, them., we are reimagining what a world of acceptance and support could and should be through inspiring communities and a new generation of travelers around the world,” Anthony Ingham, global brand leader for W Hotels, said in a press release.

event planner goals
Photo credit: Kate Spade wallpaper

“She leaves a little sparkle wherever she goes.”—observation stenciled on the walls of Kate Spade & Company, the fashion brand owned by Coach.

Designer Kate Spade, who died tragically this week, catered to the modern woman. Vibrant hues were creatively integrated into every design—whether it be a handbag, shoe, throw pillow or pen holder. The clean lines and bold colors echoed her approach to life.

This summer, embrace the energy, fun and fashion of Kate Spade at your events.

Assemble Brilliantly

Add chic quality to your meeting by incorporating these essential planning items:

Cocktail Glass

Everyone loves an icy, refreshing cocktail on a humid summer day. The metallic stripes on this glass make a splashy impression on guests. Use the matching shaker, jigger and ice bucket to set up a sophisticated cocktail bar. The website also sells champagne, wine and beer glasses to accommodate all palates.

Plates

After the cocktail party, it’s time to serve the food—fashionably, of course. Kate Spade offers a collection of plates with floral accents that bring a summery elegance to the party. Don’t be afraid to mix and match with the other dishware to create a one-of-a-kind display.

Thank You Cards

Hopefully, the meeting was successful. You’ve said your goodbyes and sent attendees on their way. Thank them for taking the time to come with these simple thank you cards. The cards also match the theme of the other two decorations, bringing the event full circle.

Travel in Style

Luggage

Make a switch from the dull blues, grays and blacks that characterize many suitcases. Instead, opt for Kate Spade luggage on the road. Her brand is featured on a line of vintage-style luggage with unconventional pops of color that will make travel a little less mundane.

Garment Bag

Meetings mean business—which also means looking your best. Pack suits and dresses in this garment bag, designed to protect your clothing. The nylon lining helps prevent wrinkles better than a traditional suitcase.

Sunglasses

Planning a meeting outside? Don’t let the sun get in the way of important networking. The Kate Spade line of eyewear boasts more than 40 sunglass styles to accessorize any outfit.

Ace Fashion

Smartwatches

Stay updated on time, messages and caller alerts with Kate Spade’s collection of touchscreen smartwatches available eight styles, including leather, stainless steel or gold-plated metal bracelets. If an Apple Watch is already part of your ensemble, the company also sells straps to make the device undeniably you.

Earrings

Stun at your event in these statement earrings. The pair comes purposefully mismatched, which makes you stand out from the crowd. Mix this daring piece with solid colors or bright patterns.

Skirts

Kate Spade offers a vast collection of work clothing. The pieces are simple, yet have the right touch of spunk. This polka dot skirt can be easily dressed up for an event, and then just as easily dressed down for a casual night out. Looking for a one-piece fashion statement? Spring for a dress with the same pattern.

Corporate events, trade shows, meetings, oh my. The hustle and bustle can perk people up, but sometimes, attendees need a getaway to take a breather before they go back into the madness. Lounges, therefore, have become increasingly important for those who need a moment to catch their breath—and preferably not in the halls or next to the bathrooms.

Lounges can be decorated however you want and fit into any space, so take time to plan your resting space, with the help of these ideas.

Light It Up

Yes, light it up—but not with bright, fluorescent, classroom-style lighting. Drape white fairy lights along the walls, dim table lamps or hang lanterns around the room for a comfortable ambience. Blinding lights can give anyone a headache, but dim lighting helps relieve tension.

Play that Soothing Music

We’ve all been to restaurants that play slow, calm, almost meditative music as we dine. Bring this to your lounge area for a break from the cacophony of hundreds of people talking at once. Having a quiet space where attendees can zone out is beneficial to all.

Color the Room

Conferences can feel so clinical, with neutral colors dominating both clothing and decorations, and occasional pastels making for a muted palette. Break away from beige with bursts of color using neon throw pillows and decorations for a burst of fun.

Keep It Charged

Have you noticed that most electrical outlets seem to be right in the middle of everything? So have your attendees. Set up a space in a less-impacted area for those needing to charge cameras and phones. They can catch their breath, make phone calls and post to Instagram without blocking walkways and doors.

Take It to the Top

Comfy cabanas offering breathtaking views from the roof of your venue are sure to wow attendees. The rooftop is also the perfect place to clear your head, so designate the rooftop as your event’s breathing space. There’s something about being 20 stories above ground that is oddly relaxing.

Island in the Middle of Chaos

Sometimes, there’s no spare room available, but that doesn’t mean you must subject your attendees to constant sensory overload. Create a space in the middle of everything by setting up couches, strategically placing topiaries around the perimeter and offering earplugs to those who come by.

Las Vegas Culinary Union

The Culinary Union in Las Vegas has reached a tentative five-year labor deal with MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment Corp. The deals cover some 36,000 employees and 18 of the valley’s 34 resorts, where contracts for 50,000 Las Vegas hotel workers expired last Thursday.

Bartenders, food and cocktail servers, porters and cooks at both companies must still ratify the settlement.

Yet to be resolved are agreements with several smaller casino and resort operators, and including properties such as SLS Las Vegas, Treasure Island Las Vegas and Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, as well as downtown’s Golden Nugget Las Vegas, Plaza Hotel & Casino, Four Queens Hotel & Casino, Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, The D Las Vegas, Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino Las Vegas and El Cortez Hotel & Casino.

Caesars was first to reach a new accord with the union. At that time, MGM issued a statement saying it was confident it could “come to an agreement that works for all sides.” MGM is the largest employer of union workers on The Strip.

Mike Dominguez, MGM’s senior vice president and chief sales officer, told Smart Meetings that the union’s fear of jobs being replaced by robots or automation loomed large in the company’s negotiations. Other issues include an hourly wage increase and new safety measures to protect workers from sexual harassment.

No details of the terms of the agreements have yet been disclosed.

Union workers had overwhelmingly authorized a strike. The union made hundreds of strike picket signs in preparation for a possible breakdown in negotiations. If a strike had been called, it would have been the first at Las Vegas hotels in three decades.

Culinary spokeswoman Bethany Khan and an MGM Resorts representative told Las Vegas Review-Journal a joint statement would be issued later today. Khan also said the unneeded picket signs can be repurposed and recycled.

Making events fresh and exciting can pose a challenge, but crafting engaging and distinctive centerpieces can make a lasting impression on attendees.

Find inspiration in these 10 striking decorations.

1. Lightbulb Vase

How many event planners does it take to repurpose a lightbulb? Just one. Placing small plants and flowers in lightbulbs can make for a geometrically intriguing, yet simple, design. This centerpiece is also cost-effective if budget is a concern.

2. Vegetables

Go from farm to table with this centerpiece. Using the natural colors of raw vegetables and herbs can give a rustic feel, which brings comfort and ease. The choice of legumes can vary by season, so the options never run out.

3. Wine Bottle

Have leftover bottles from the last event? No need to dump them. Wash out the bottle and paint it in a matte or metallic color, or wrap it in twine. This makeshift vase is perfect for adding dimension and elegance to the table.

4. Cloche

Sweep your guests off their feet with this whimsical creation. Simply place fairy lights inside a cloche dome to make magic happen in less than five minutes.

5. Birdcages

Capture the beauty of floral decorations in a chic holder like this one. Take a block of foam and soak it in water for about five minutes. This will keep the flowers hydrated throughout the event. Put the block inside the cage, and layer with flowers and ivy until there are no visible gaps.

6. Succulents

The vibrant blues, greens and soothing purples of succulents are effortlessly stunning. Fill a shallow container with cactus mix and layer with a variety of succulents to produce this creative tabletop.

7. Tree Branches

Give attendees a breath of fresh air with metallic tree branches. Hang candles and charms from the twigs to design a stunningly intricate display. Or, opt for bare branches for a cozy night atmosphere.

8. Wheat

The wispy ends of unprocessed wheat add a delicate touch to decor. A mason jar tied with ribbon or embellished with flowers is a perfect holder. This centerpiece warmly invites guests, but doesn’t distract from the main event.

9. Aquarium

Bring life to your tables with a nautically inspired adornment, such as a mini aquarium. Placing colorful fish inside a jar layered with vivid pebbles and crystal-clear water is a scintillating decoration sure to daze.

10. iPad

Technology is a part of attendees’ daily life. Incorporating it into the event is a way to keep them engaged in the presentation. Project images and event information onto iPads to improve visibility for large crowds.

WEC18
Roger Dow is honored at WEC18’s President’s Dinner.

Roger Dow, president and CEO of U.S. Travel Association, winner of the 2018 MPI Industry Leader Award and global salesman for an industry that brings people together and employs thousands, has come a long way. At the annual President’s Dinner at Meeting Professionals International’s WEC event in Indianapolis, his contributions to the industry—and his successful career at Marriott International—were toasted by leaders in the meetings business.

MPI President and CEO Paul Van Deventer praised Dow for being a “powerful voice on Capitol Hill on behalf of our industry.” Former Industry Leader winner Michael Dominguez, senior vice president and chief sales officer for MGM Resorts International, praised Dow for stepping up when the industry needed him most. Another former winner, Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, praised Dow for his big heart and ability to serve on the world stage at a critical time in the industry’s history.

For his part, Dow praised the people around him, including his family. “We still have a lot of work to do,” he said.

A legacy put in place by Dow and the award-winners from previous years, including last year’s winner, Roy Bloom, chairman of IMEX Group, was paid forward when the room collectively pledged $110,000 for MPI Foundation scholarships.

Day 1

Meeting Professionals International has pledged to try new things on your behalf, and the annual World Education Conference in Indianapolis this week embraced that mission. MPI President and CEO Paul Van Deventer put it this way: “We are taking chances members can take back to their practices.”

Instead of isolating sponsors to a trade-show floor that attendees may or may not visit, booths are sprinkled around themed villages—innovation, experiential, leadership, social—where presentations take place in glassed “huddles.”

The integrated, high-energy concept focused on inspiration the first day (ideation and activation follow the next two days). It offered a number of lessons for planners.

1. Make a Memorable Entrance

Attendees walked into the morning pep rally at Indiana Convention Center to a cheer line of greeters. Later, moderator Dena Blizzard and speaker Visit Indy CEO Leonard Hoops bounded in wearing auto racing suits, accompanied by a drum line. Instead of talking about how to create excitement and inspiration, they showed it with a poetry slam-style speaker delivering a message about the planner’s role as artist.

Modification: If you don’t have an army of people to make some noise, find a way to make people feel welcome and energized using lights, music and a personal greeting. In a perfect world, attendees will ever again walk into a boring, silent room, wondering if they are in the right place.

2. Put Safety First

WEC18 day 1

Not everything is about break-dancers and fireworks. One of the first orders of business from the stage was making sure everyone knew where exits were located and how to use the safety button on the app. To address the larger issue of making everyone feel safe, day one ended with diversity developer Hayley Barnard. As she said, “Diversity is about commercial success.”

Modification: Review your agenda for unconscious bias in the form of panels that don’t showcase diverse points of view. Be the change.

3. Make It Unforgettable

WEC18
Snapshots of MPI’S WEC18 opening pep rally on Sunday.

Dustin Garis, “chief troublemaker” at LifeProfit, stressed the importance of jolting people out of their routines so they can “live aware.” He explained: “Most memorable companies aren’t just innovating on products. They are innovating in the human experience.”

Garis described life profit as the incremental value of a memorable experience. “Change your socks and change the world,” he said.

Modification: When you surprise and delight, you are heroes—because you literally save days of people’s lives from being forgotten. So, help people expect the unexpected.

Meeting professionals don’t have to break the bank to live the high life, because many programs make it easy for them to travel luxuriously and hassle-free at reasonable prices.

These five VIP flight experiences cut the stress out of business travel.

Clear

This service allows you to dodge the time-consuming ID check lines, so you can get to your flight quicker. When initially signing up, Clear’s machines record your biometrics, such as retinas or fingerprints. You will then be directed to its stations that use those biometrics to confirm your identity. Afterward, it’s straight to the TSA Precheck or TSA physical screening. The company says its service can get you through the whole TSA process in five minutes. Clear is offered at $15 per month in 30 U.S. cities.

JetSuiteX

JetSuiteX offers semiprivate travel at lower-than-usual fares.  This company is a smooth alternative to tense, bustling airports. Planes travel in between private hangars in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Jose, and Concord, California. As opposed to standard flights, JetSuiteX allows you to arrive minutes before your flight leaves and doesn’t charge for bags, pets or seat selection. Lounges at each hangar also supply complimentary snacks, bottle service, drinks and Bose headphones to take on the plane. Planes sit up to 30 people, so you can rent out one seat or the whole plane for your company’s attendees. One-way tickets start at a little over $100.

Corporate Traveler

It’s all about you with this airline service. Corporate Traveler uses technology and 24/7 customer service to make your trip seamless. Through its artificial intelligence system, Sam, you can receive destination guides and sightseeing suggestions or book ride-sharing services. You can also stay steadily informed with weather alerts, baggage claim information and traffic conditions.

As meeting professionals, sometimes last-minute setbacks arise. Sam allows you to quickly change your flight within your airline’s travel policies. Corporate Traveler also uses Sam to supply information about vaccines, visa requirements and currency exchanges.

Not only is traveling to an event stressful—so is planning the actual event! But there’s a subsection of the company that helps with every detail of event planning, including entertainment sourcing, venue selection and design. Corporate Traveler is based globally with teams in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

Surf Air

This flight experience brings waves of savings—in time and money. Surf Air offers the same luxury of being able to expedite airport time as JetSuiteX. But Surf Air offers an unlimited flight travel package for $1,950 a month. The company says it’s perfect for those who drive long distances frequently or fly more than two round-trip flights monthly. Scheduled routes are available for travel between California, Texas and Europe. A company package is also available that is perfect for transporting employees or attendees. For $5,000 a month, you can book up to 10 flights for an unlimited number of fliers.

Tradewind Aviation

Tradewind operates within the Northeast region of America and between the Caribbean and United States. It offers scheduled shuttle flights, which are cheaper than private charters, but still provide elevated comfort. However, the shuttles are on a season-dependent schedule. One-way fares begin at $495, but if you purchase a ticket book—a bundle of 10 or more tickets designed for regular commuters—major discounts are available. Tradewind’s flying hubs are in heavily traveled destinations, so connecting your flight is a breeze.

Some people detest them, while some absolutely love them, but it’s hard to deny that company meetings are crucial to success. They bring a team together and allow for clear communication and collaboration, bridging potential gaps between colleagues and upper management.

On occasion, however, some may be left wondering why a meeting has taken place—especially if it took significant time out of their day. Before hosting a company meeting, ask yourself the five most important questions to ensure everybody gets the most out of it.

  1. Why are you hosting the meeting in the first place? Is it truly necessary, or could its objective be taken care of within a few emails? Take a moment to reflect on the necessity of calling people together. Nobody wants to come together in a cramped room if they can avoid it, especially when deadlines are looming.
  2. What are the goals of this meeting? What will keep everyone engaged, no matter where they are on the pipeline? You want employees to feel reinvigorated and ready to succeed when they leave, rather than confused about what the overall message was. If it helps, write an agenda the day before and send it out the morning of the meeting so everyone is on the same page.
  3. Who is this relevant to? Calling a company-wide meeting is less productive than calling in the three people to whom your message is relevant. By narrowing down your audience, others can continue to work away at their tasks at hand. Having fewer people in a meeting can also cut down time, and enables all questions to be informative for everybody. You won’t have social media planners wondering why they must stick around during sales questions.
  4. When is the best time to host this meeting? Morning meetings can feel less productive, as people are still waiting for the caffeine to kick in and checking emails they’ve received hours earlier. On the other hand, meetings nearing the end of the day may lead everyone to watch the clock. Ask your employees what times they would prefer to meet.
  5. How is the meeting going to inspire the team? In the same vein as creating set goals for each meeting, add in any incentives and/or exciting news to lift your team’s spirits. Inspiration is a driving force for everyone, so give your team members that extra push to be the best that they can be in the time they have.
Sustainable Brands and Tourism Vancouver
Anthony Hatinger, co-founder of Detroit Ento, is announced winner of the Innovation Open at SB’17 Detroit.

Leading international companies will convene June 4–7 in Vancouver, B.C. to discuss how social and environmental responsibility can be incorporated into a brand’s values and actions—and meeting planners are invited.

Vancouver Convention Centre, the world’s first double LEED Platinum certified convention center, is partnering with Sustainable Brands, a community of brands dedicated to eco-friendly practices, to host the event, SB”18 Vancouver. Representatives from Proctor and Gamble, National Geographic Partners and other organizations will speak at the four-day event.

A Sustainable Event Professional Certification Course will be offered to promote change in the meetings and events industry. The two-day, eight-hour workshop will provide resources on how to plan effective, sustainable events and how to measure and market its success. Some changes that will be explored include sustainable food and beverage service, supply chain management and materials resource management for venues.

The course will highlight the influence of events on social and environmental issues. It will also explore how to engage the community to produce meaningful service projects and events.

“I walked away with the confidence to implement sustainable efforts, even if it’s not perfect,” says the founder of B. Line Events, Birgess Angelus about a previous conference. “We are now making a difference not only environmentally, but also locally in the communities in which we are planning our events in because of this confidence.”

Julie Lindsay, senior director of Global Events, agrees. Lindsay says lessons learned in this program are an essential step in creating tangible change for the world.

“For people like me who were thinking about sustainable events before it was mainstream,” Lindsay says, “it quickly became clear that the road forward requires all meeting stakeholders to be engaged in sustainability efforts; this includes planners, suppliers, exhibitors, sponsors, etc.”

Prices for the certification course start at $595, but scholarships are available for qualified meeting planners.

Vancouver Convention Center

After Monday and Tuesday, event planners are free to enjoy speakers from the rest of the conference if they choose.

The event will also feature 10 conference tracks and an interactive “Activation Hub.” This part of the expo hosts different stations that are aimed at promoting conversation and prompting questions about sustainable initiatives.

The convention expects more than 3,000 people from 30 countries to take part in this global conversation. Companies participating include Coca-Cola, Target and The North Face.

Vancouver has pledged to be the greenest city by 2020, making it a fitting host for the convention. KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz, founder and CEO of Sustainable Brands, says she’s excited to host the conference in a city where a passion for sustainability is reflected in everyday practices.

“At SB’18 Vancouver, we look forward to enabling collaboration and co-creation between global changemakers and local ones,” Skrzyniarz said in a press release.

“It is exciting and affirming to welcome so many global companies stepping up to protect the health of our planet,” Gregor Robertson, mayor of Vancouver, said in a press release.