Bring your ap-PIE-tite to meetings today! It’s March 14 (3/14), which means it’s Pi Day, the annual celebration of the mathematical constant 3.14. People all over the country mark this occasion by digging into pies…or at least that’s their excuse for indulging in this scrumptious treat. Silly holidays such as this have become as American as, well, apple pie, but specialty pies can be found all over the country.

Pie is such a large part of our heritage that the American Pie Council (APC)—yes, there is one—has been hosting the APC National Pie Championships since 1995. Its annual industry convention and competition will be heating up ovens next month at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando. Located next to the Orange County Convention Center, the hotel offers more than 150,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and 1,254 guest rooms. Although the organization acknowledges Pi Day, it has registered January 23 as National Pie Day.

Here’s a pie-ographical tour of the nation.

Arizona: Prickly Pear Pie

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain in Tucson, Arizona, is known for its prickly pear margarita, but the pastry chef would be happy to custom-make the pie version for a catered event. The resort has more than 44,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor meeting space.

Massachusetts: Boston Cream Pie

According to the American Pie Council, Boston Cream Pie is a cake, not a pie. It was the culinary creation of the chef at Omni Parker House in Boston in the mid-1800s. Meeting professionals can order the hotel’s iconic dessert to be delivered anywhere nationwide. Omni Parker House has 23,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and 551 guest rooms. In 1996, Boston Cream Pie was proclaimed the official state dessert of Massachusetts.

California: Boysenberry Pie

Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, is the birthplace of the boysenberry. It will hosting the annual Knott’s Boysenberry Festival March 16-April 8. The amusement park is available for buyout and can accommodate more than 5,000 guests in its corporate event venues.

Florida: Key Lime Pie

Florida adopted key lime pie as its official pie in 2006, and Key West is known as the place to go to sample the sour-sweet dessert. If you’re in the Southernmost Point for a meeting, drop in at one of the many bakeries or cafes. Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel has 13,123 sq. ft. of meeting space, and homemade key lime pie is on their catering menu.

Idaho: Huckleberry Pie

Idaho is known for its potatoes—think shepherd’s pie—but a fourth-grade class proposed last month that the state legislature declare huckleberry pie as the state’s official pie, according to The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries are already the state’s official fruit. Hill’s Resort in Priest Lake, Idaho, claims to be famous for its huckleberry pies. The resort has conference facilities and a range of guest room types, including cabins, condos and chalets.

Montana also prides itself in its huckleberry population. The Huckleberry Days Festival is hosted in Whitefish, Montana, each summer. Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish offers 11,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and 144 guest rooms.

Illinois: Pumpkin Pie

Although some may argue that Connecticut is the go-to pumpkin pie destination, this fall classic became the official state pie of Illinois in 2015. The governor of Illinois signed a proclamation in 1978 deeming the city of Morton as the Pumpkin Capital of the World. The annual Morton Pumpkin Festival takes place each September. Less than two miles away, Park Inn by Radisson Morton has more than 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and 96 guest rooms.

Maine: Blueberry Pie

The Maine State Legislature named blueberry pie the official state dessert in 2011. Wild blueberries are harvested in Maine from late July to early September. Two Fat Cats Bakery in Portland bakes blueberry pies daily and has been featured in magazines and on television.

Michigan: Cherry Pie

A tradition since 1926, the National Cherry Festival takes place each summer in Traverse City, Michigan, where you can learn to make cherry pie or participate in a pie-eating contest. Each year more than 500,000 people attend over an eight-day period. It’s so major, it has attracted former United States presidents and celebrities. The waterfront West Bay Beach, a Holiday Inn Resort, Traverse City Hotel offers more than 5,800 sq. ft. of meeting space and 179 guest rooms. It’s close to Hagerty Conference Center.

Minnesota: Banana Cream Pie

Bananas in Minnesota? Well, celebrity chef Guy Fieri thinks so. He stopped in at Duluth Grill in Minnesota on an episode of his show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives to sample its banana cream pie. The restaurant can cater events of up to 400 people, and the North Shore Scenic Railroad hired the restaurant to bake miniature pies for its dinner train. The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) has 250,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. More than 600 hotel rooms are connected to DECC via skywalks, and a total of 1,300 guest rooms are within walking distance.

New York: Pizza Pie

Ask any New Yorker: Pizza is not simply pizza; the correct term is pizza pie. Step into just about any pizzeria, and you’re in for a thin-crust treat. New York City has approximately 116,000 hotel rooms as of January 2018. The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, nicknamed the “Marketplace for the World,” is the busiest convention center in the United States. It currently offers 102 meeting rooms and 760,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space. One million sq. ft. of space will be added by 2021.

North Carolina: Sweet Potato Pie

Charlotte, North Carolina-based restaurant franchise Bojangles has a special Pi Day promotion for its sweet potato pie, which is specially priced at $3.14. The 550,000-square-foot Charlotte Convention Center is walking distance from more than 5,000 hotel rooms, including the 700-room The Westin Charlotte across the street.

Tennessee: Mud Pie

Mississippi Mud Pie is obviously named after Mississippi, but pastry chef Andrew Manchester of Omni Nashville Hotel claims to have perfected it. He renamed it Music City Mud Pie at his Kitchen Notes Restaurant. The hotel has 80,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and 800 guest rooms.

Texas: Pecan Pie

Cut yourself an extra-large piece of pecan pie in the state where everything is bigger. It’s been the state’s official pie since 2013. To be official, only Texas pecans can be used and no chocolate. The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa’s pastry chef Catherine Rodriguez is behind the hotel’s famous pecan pie. It’s served at two on-site restaurants, Olivette and The Manor House. There’s 32,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and a selection of guest-room types.

Vermont: Apple Pie

Apple pie become the official state pie of Vermont in 1999. The act passed by Vermont’s General Assembly stipulates that a “good faith” effort must be made to serve apple pie with a glass of cold milk, a slice of cheddar cheese weighing at least ½ ounce and/or with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream. Ma Bean’s apple pie was rated the best in the state by Yankee Magazine. They’re available at the family-owned Red Fox Inn in Bondville, Vermont. The lodge sleeps 20 guests and can host events for up to 300 people.

Credit: VisitStPeteClearwater.com

Baseball players aren’t much different than Grandma and Grandpa, who flock to warmer climes in winter. These youthful, athletic snowbirds build nests in destinations such as Scottsdale and the Tampa Bay Area each February and March for spring training. The annual camps and pre-season games are a major tourist draw, giving fans an up-close-and-personal experience with their favorite superstar players.

If you hold a meeting in a spring training city, here are six ways to hit your event out of the ballpark.

1. Take Them Out to the Ballgame

Florida is a hub for MLB teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays at Dunedin’s Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, Philadelphia Phillies at Spectrum Field in Clearwater and New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Group tickets are available to games, and meeting professionals can book behind-the-scenes stadium tours. Additionally, George M. Steinbrenner Field has more than 60,000 sq. ft. of event space in a ballroom, terraces, plaza, suites, cabanas, concourse and more for trade shows, conferences and social functions.

In Arizona, Scottsdale Stadium is the spring training home of the San Francisco Giants. Offering breathtaking views of the McDowell Mountains, the press box and patio are great event spaces for meetings and receptions. A new team store added 2,600 sq. ft. of meeting space to the venue. The stadium is available for rental from April 15-December 31.

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies call Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, also in Scottsdale, their training destination. Located on 140 acres of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, it has expansive space to accommodate up to 600 guests on its 460,000-square-foot field or in its parking lots, banquet rooms, suites, dining room or locker room.

2. Buy Peanuts & Cracker Jacks

Throw a tailgate party at your meeting. Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia has created a spring training menu inspired by popular stadium foods, such as hot dogs, chicken wings, corn on the cob and pulled pork. They can also devise offerings based on a specific team’s hometown cuisine.

Ice-cold beer, ice-cold beer! Nothing sounds more like a baseball game than a vendor’s shouts echoing through the stands. At The Boulders Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, it’ll sound more like a donkey. Meet Mija and Burrito, the Boulder’s Beer Burros, who carry coolers full of…yes, ice-cold beer. They’re also more than happy to pose for a selfie with fans.

3. Cover Your Bases in Decor

A design specialist at Omni Scottsdale can work with a meeting professional to execute a baseball-themed event with furniture. Think diamond-shaped seating arrangement. Or, what about stadium seats as chairs? Food can be served in baseball caps, and napkins can be made to resemble bases.

4. Divide Day into Nine Innings

Why not schedule your meeting day into nine segments? It’s kind of like the changing of periods in high school.

5. Let’s Play Ball

Draft your meeting recruits for your own Cactus League-style wiffle ball game at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale. Kierland Ballpark is available for private rental for a team-building game or homerun derby. To give it a nostalgic ballpark feel, it has a retro scoreboard and bleachers for fans to root from the stands.

6. Seventh-Inning Stretch

To avoid an afternoon slump at your meeting, encourage attendees to get on their feet and stretch midway through the day. Adding a spirited “Chicken Dance” or “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” will get the blood flowing and keep them alert until the very end—especially if accompanied by Cracker Jack and bags of peanuts. It’s also great to reward tired bodies with a massage, just like many baseball players do after a game. Stretch and condition those muscles with a soothing treatment at Joya Spa at Omni Scottsdale. They also offer Quench Therapy administered intravenously, including an athlete-specific remedy that consists of amino acids, minerals and B vitamins to help optimize performance and reduce soreness.

Meeting Planners Unite, a group that started as a social-media reaction to Marriott International’s announcement in January that it will reduce commissions from 10 percent to 7 percent for third-party planners, released details of its shift to an official advocacy organization designed to lobby and serve independent planners on a whole range of issues.

Organizer David Bruce, managing director of CMP Meeting Services, said in early March that he has filed paperwork to form a nonprofit that “looks like an association.” In announcing the two-tiered membership structure that would charge $249 for independent, corporate and association planners, and $499 for hoteliers, convention bureaus and other suppliers, he told prospective members that “the opportunity to change the mindset of the industry starts with this organization.” He added, “MPU will be wholly and completely centered around the needs of our third-party clients.”

In addition to lobbying about commission issues, he plans to offer members access to group pricing for wireless, legal, accounting and transportation services. “These are challenges third parties face that we can help them solve,” he said from his offices in Dallas. He hopes to leverage a critical mass of independent members as numerous as any of the big four site-selection companies, to secure better pricing than any of the members can get on their own.

Bruce is also planning an annual conference for members that will address their unique concerns. “What I am most excited about is the chance to help people through a charity,” he said. “This is a difficult business, and we want to be there to help people when they need it.” He plans to offer the help in the form of loans and gifts.

As you probably already know, we’re all about inspiring brilliant experiences here. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. When planning a meeting or event, the pressure is dialed up to the max. What activities will attendees actually enjoy? How can participation be encouraged?

It’s useful to review first-hand consumer feedback when putting together a group itinerary. Yet, scanning the web for this information can be overwhelming and tedious.

Recently, TripAdvisor released its report of top global experiences. The report is based on feedback from travelers worldwide, vetting the most memorable travel activities. Here’s a look at the top four experiences in the United States.

          1. Chicago Architecture River Cruise

Enjoy prime views of Chicago’s stunning cityscape and learn about the city’s rich history from an expert guide—all while cruising on a boat. The cruise is specifically architecture-focused. But even if you’re not a buildings nerd, a new appreciation of Chicago is guaranteed. The river tour also supplies an abundance of photo ops for a stellar Instagram post at Willis (Sears) Tower, Old Post Office, 360 Chicago Observation Deck, Wrigley Building and Aon Center. Some cruises include a full bar.

          2. Empire State Building

Give your group a view from the very top. Located centrally in Midtown Manhattan, groups can easily book group tours of the iconic Empire State Building. Enjoy 360-degree views of the Greater New York Area. Embrace your inner Meg Ryan and reenact the classic Sleepless in Seattle scene. Whatever lures you to this remarkable view, one thing’s certain—you’ll never see New York City the same again. The building offers a variety of tours and discounts for groups.

          3. One World Observatory

Looking to take in all the Big Apple’s sights at once?  The One World Observatory in lower Manhattan is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Ride to the top on a Sky Pod and enjoy the nation’s most striking skyline as you enjoy a drink at One Mix. Learn the city’s secrets from an expert. It’s sure to be an exhilarating outing.

          4. USS Midway Museum

Located within America’s longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, the USS Midway Museum is berthed off downtown San Diego. The museum offers an interactive experience that draws on the actual service of the 225,000 young men who shipped aboard the Midway. And if that’s not cool enough, the extensive flight deck provides a city-like landscape as you float in San Diego Harbor.

With admission, the Battle of Midway Theater provides an experience of its own—a self-guided audio tour narrated by Midway sailors in English, Mandarin, Spanish, Japanese, French and German.

The Orient Jerusalem; Jerusalem, Israel

Located in one of Jerusalem’s most upscale and vibrant neighborhoods, this brand-new property marks the arrival of the historic city’s most luxurious hotel, boasting 243 lavish accommodations, opulent design, a sumptuous spa and a rooftop infinity pool. It also offers a variety of multipurpose venue and meeting rooms, including a conference and banquet facility for up to 900 people, largest of any 5-star hotel in Jerusalem.

Shangri-la, Colombo; Colombo, Sri Lanka

Targeted to large conferences and events, this new, luxury Shangri-La property aims to puts Sri Lanka on the global meetings map. It sits on 10 acres that will also boast a high-end shopping mall. More than 36,000 sq. ft. of meeting space includes the region’s largest pillar-less ballroom (17,000 sq. ft.). Most of the hotel’s 500 guest rooms feature uninterrupted Indian Ocean views.

Gansevoort Villas Gansevoort; Turks & Caicos

Perfect for smaller groups and incentives, these new luxury additions to Gansevoort Turks & Caicos resort are tucked into a hillside overlooking the turquoise bay at Turtle Tail. Each villa sits on about a half-acre and features expansive indoor-outdoor living areas, its own infinity pool, outdoor fire-pit lounge and private swimming platforms at ocean level. A private chef is available for evening events.

OD Barcelona; Barcelona, Spain

The newest hotel from Balearic boutique hotel group OD Hotels has opened in heart of Barcelona’s L’Eixample District. It features 98 rooms, all stocked with a selection of Spanish wines and regional snacks. The design of the hotel is light, spacious and airy, with floor-to-ceiling windows throughout. It’s already won an award for Top Sustainable Hotel Development Project in Spain. It can accommodate meetings and events for up to 400 guests.

Conrad Cartagena; Cartagena, Columbia

This new oceanfront oasis features 268 accommodations in the historic fortress city that edges the Caribbean Sea. It offers more than 24,000 sq. ft. of flexible event space, including a 9,000-square-foot grand ballroom and five 700-square-foot meetings rooms, each in tones reminiscent of the surrounding beaches. The brand’s first hotel in Columbia can handle conventions and events for up to 1,400 guests.

Nikki Beach Barbados; Barbados

In Port Ferdinand, on the northwest part of the Caribbean island, this luxury property features a restaurant dedicated to using seasonal, local ingredients that are organic whenever possible to support the Barbados community. Beach access includes oceanfront seating for up to 200 guests. A music program includes resident DJs, in-house saxophonist, percussionist and violinist and more than 50 speakers to keep the place jammin’.

In March, Visit Dallas invited a locally based company known for making people feel welcome 3,000 miles in the air—Southwest Airlines—to talk to the destination team on the ground about how to engage visitors in new ways. The program, tellingly called It’s Hospitality Y’All, has lessons that can help planners focused on improving event experiences anywhere in the world.

Empower Employees to Smile

The foundation of hospitality is making people feel cared for. Steve Goldberg, senior vice president of operations and hospitality at Southwest Airlines, says doing that is not difficult, but it also can’t be assumed that employees know how to do so. Employers have to empower them to engage—smile, look people in the eye and do what is right. “Genuine hospitality is not transactional. It is conversational,” he says.

In a world that moves so quickly, an interaction may be brief, so taking a moment to be present when talking to someone can make all the difference, he says. “Listening is a dying art, but really hearing a customer or a co-worker creates an environment where people feel welcome.” People remember when you connect with them, he says.

Tell Stories

Your staff is your best weapon in the battle to connect with people at an event. Sharing their stories creates a personal link with attendees, and makes the people registering them and helping them find their way to the restroom feel that what they do matters. Brooks Thomas, social business advisor at Southwest Airlines and a former broadcast journalist, says giving a human face to the organization is a great way to engage. “There is a distinct emotional and physical dynamic associated with a conference, and it is important to set the right tone,” he says.

Thomas does this on the airlines’ website through video and stories. It can also be done at the event, from the main stage and in an app. Digital can be an important part of enhancing in-person experience. Like a Disney parade, which is just a well-organized way of moving people from one part of the park to another, Brooks suggests orchestrating events the same way: Create a sense of excitement to keep people engaged and foster relationships.

“Connecting on social media requires more than just using a hashtag,” he says. It requires having speakers address the digital audience as part of presentations, translating on-the-ground events beyond the conference room.

Connect Before, During and After an Event

“Think about all the phases,” Brooks suggests. An app can include layers of engagement that start at registration by gathering information and telling stories using testimonials, and connecting them with fellow travelers who will be on the event journey. On the day of the event, let the attendees own the experience by giving them choices about where they go and how they want to interact.

Just as you would on-board a new employee, Brooks suggests treating the first interaction at an event the way you would the first day of welcoming a team member—what Southwest calls flight class. To ensure that people preserve the sense of wonderment, you should guide them through the experience, rather than just giving them an agenda and letting them find their own way. That is where a little hospitality can make all the difference.

Then, use technology to keep the community together post-conference by delivering bonus content and sizzle reels. “That will make events more than a one-hit wonder,” Brooks concludes.

Everybody uses social media now. You can have giveaways on Twitter, connect with potential clients on LinkedIn and engage with your followers on your Facebook page. But how can you stand out from the rest? What makes you special? These are questions Liz King Caruso, founder of techsytalk and Liz King Events, has answers to. Smart Meetings talked to King Caruso about how to add value to your social media presence and engage with your audiences across different platforms. Here is what she had to say.

The Age of Influence

We live in an age where social media is king. Everybody has a Facebook or Instagram account and consumers are eager to follow brands across all platforms. While it’s easy to simply cater to people without much thought, you must keep in mind that your followers have audiences of their own. This is invaluable—if you can draw people in and use social media to bring them to your event, they will share this new discovery with their own network.

People pay attention to online ratings. When people are deciding where to eat, what to wear or which events to attend, they head online to find reviews and recommendations. Building an online presence that showcases positive reactions is key.

Stand Out Among the Rest

The first question you must ask yourself is, “How do I stand out?” What can people learn from you? What do you want people to know? Delve into the quality of your content and what you can teach others that they won’t find anywhere else. Catching attention on social media can be difficult when there is so much information, so find your strengths and show them off.

Finding your voice is equally important. Are you an outgoing brand? Or do you stick to a smooth, professional aesthetic? Identify with a tone and run with it. You can then implement this voice throughout all your social media posts, keeping your brand’s output cohesive. Be careful when outsourcing social media—you want your voice to remain consistent even when being handled by somebody outside of your brand.

Bring Everything Back to Your Brand

Be consistent and make sure every post comes back to your brand’s values and mission. From posting Instagram photos to retweeting other companies’ posts, everything must connect back to your brand’s core. When you’re consistent, people will associate all your media—from blog posts to videos—with your brand and its voice.

Put the Social in Social Media

It’s easy to retreat to marketing strategies as your sole posts, but people want to connect. Though many sites have switched from conversational to marketing platforms, don’t lose your humanity. If somebody mentions your brand, reach out and thank them personally. Ask a question and begin a discussion when answers come in. Engage in meaningful ways.

Promote others through your channels. If you have multiple keynote speakers at your event, state what they’ve been working on recently. The same goes for sponsors—show your gratitude through meaningful promotion. Consider using features, such as interviews, to give an in-depth look into an industry professional’s background. This can benefit you as well—those who are featured will share the article with their network, and there’s a large chance of reciprocation in the future.

For more information on how to utilize social media platforms to receive positive results, view King Caruso’s full webinar on SmartMeetings.com.

Smart Meetings could have guessed that ultra violet would be named Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2018. It’s a color we love and feature frequently within our magazine, digital media and events. Here’s how you, too, can add this super shade of purple to your world.

In the Office

 

Cozy up on a velvet ultra violet loveseat. Clients and colleagues will be impressed by your style. baxtonstudiooutlet.com

Count your steps and heart rate as you run from meeting to meeting with the Fitbit Charge 2. target.com

For a classy look, Purple Trail’s mixture of marble and pastel pink makes the purple pop. purpletrail.com

If you’re looking for a statement piece, this flower is sure to capture attention. touchofclass.com

In Event Decor

Floral arrangements are a classic for a reason—they go with everything. Let the violets speak for themselves.

Go for a subtle bit of flair with purple candle holders. It’s the perfect dose of regal ambience.

Choose a purple tablecloth and hold off on the fancy centerpiece—it will make the color stand out.

‘Tis the season? Consider a leafy arrangement with bobbles, adding a pretty dash of purple.

Incentives love beach resorts, and conferences are big at big-box hotels in the bustle of busy cities. But isn’t it time for a change of scenery? Why not head up into the mountains, into the woods and into the wide-open plains?

Need convincing? Studies have shown that being in the outdoors is immensely beneficial for physical and mental health. It helps to improve concentration, vision and creative thinking, and it can reboot mental energy, boost immune systems and reduce the stress brought in from the corporate world. Taking a hike, riding a horse or simply sitting on the back porch of a cabin can have a noticeably positive impact.

Many guest ranches throughout the American West and Southwest cater to groups of all sizes and offer activities for everyone. From the most seasoned cowgirls and cowboys to a tenderfoot’s first rodeo, these ranch resorts will give your group an experience they will never forget. But that doesn’t mean they have to rough it. These ranches bring luxury to the rugged. With game rooms, spas, private cabins and morning yoga sessions, guests can relax outdoors without sacrificing luxurious amenities.

Don Strange of Texas

Located 45 minutes outside of downtown San Antonio, the historic Don Strange Ranch is a working longhorn cattle ranch that’s perfect for corporate events. With its own catering company for private dinners or parties of hundreds, this is the place to enjoy some of the best cowboy comfort food in Texas. On arrival, guests choose their own cowboy hats, and activities include longhorn feeding, line dancing, a full Texas rodeo, kayaking and a ridin’ a mechanical bull.

The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana

Located just outside Philipsburg, Montana, this full-on ranch experience has been honored with a Forbes Five Star Award and is a member of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World. It can host 125 guests in its 29 unique accommodations of glamping cabins, a granite lodge, a historic barn and Western-style luxury homes. Guests can go horseback riding, fly fish, take a Montana photography workshop and a master naturalist class—all amid a breathtaking, big-sky landscape.

Vermejo Park Ranch, Raton, New Mexico

This true cowboy ranch sits on 920 square miles of Southwestern glory. Guests can participate in horseback riding, photography classes, sport shooting, fishing in more than 17 lakes and 30 miles of streams and experience world-class dining. An 800-square-foot meeting space can hold up to 50 people. This getaway will have your guests leaving with an extra giddy-up in their step.

Devil’s Thumb Ranch, Tabernash, Colorado

Devil’s Thumb encourages teams to bond through outdoor activities. But before they play, they can meet in the many breakout meeting rooms. Other indoor activities include a billiard room, bowling alley and a 37-seat movie theater. The adventurous can opt for zipline tours; the mellow can relax with yoga and a spa. And it wouldn’t be a home on the range without lessons on horse care and shoeing, fly fishing and hiking tours.

Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort, Solvang, California

There are still California cowboys, and many nestle into the heart of Santa Barbara wine country. This ranch and resort offers 50 miles of horseback riding tours, a 100-acre, spring-fed lake, tennis courts, two 18-hole golf courses, a spa and 73 pastoral suites and studios. Minutes away from some of California’s best vineyards, Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort offers many event and group packages and is just a few hours’ drive from Los Angeles.

Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Nestled in the natural beauty of the Rincon Mountains between Saguaro National Park and Coronado National Forest, the Tanque Verde Ranch offers awe-inspiring scenic views. With a variety of meeting venues, exceptional catering, an array of indoor and outdoor team-building activities (including yoga and nature guides) and deluxe, Southwestern-style accommodations, this ranch leaves no cow pie unturned when it comes to guest activities and comfort.

Brush Creek Ranch, Saratoga, Wyoming

Experience 30,000 acres of wide-open Wyoming wilderness. Groups will be treated to a private transfer from the Denver International Airport, as well as a private destination dinner with cigars and whiskey tasting. Brush Creek offers luxury Trailhead Lodge rooms, cabin suites and cabin residences. All meals are preceded with a full open bar. In addition to Western activities, the ranch offers paintball and rock-climbing walls, as well as a full fitness center and yoga classes.

While the Northeast suffers through a major snowstorm, it may be hard to believe spring is right around the corner. Soon, we’ll hear birds chirping and see flowers blooming. No flowers signal spring more exuberantly than cherry blossoms. From Washington, D.C., to Las Vegas to San Francisco and around the globe to Tokyo, cherry blossom festivals delight tourists and locals annually. If you have a meeting scheduled in one of these cities, budget time for an afternoon stroll amid these flowering beauties.

The National Park Service predicts that peak bloom of cherry trees in Washington, D.C., will be from March 17 until March 20 at the National Cherry Blossom Festival—although the celebration continues through April 15. The festival represents friendship between the United States and Japan because the Asian nation gifted more than 3,000 of these emblematic trees to America in 1912. In Japanese culture, the short glory of the blossoms symbolizes the preciousness and fragility of life.

“Springtime jumpstarts D.C.’s spectacular events calendar. Our mild weather and blooms are two more invitations to explore our neighborhoods,” says Elliott L. Ferguson II, president and CEO of Destination DC (DDC). “The Wharf will be a major draw for cherry blossoms, as well as a destination for outdoor dining, concerts and nightlife.”

Hop on the cherry blossom bandwagon and have an explosion of pink at your meeting this spring. Meeting professionals, get inspired to carry the theme through decor, treats, tea and cocktails.

Event Design

MGM National Harbor; Photo Credit: Tracy Brown

Exude pink in every pore with pastel-colored mood lighting and cherry blossom floral arrangements. The Pink Tie Party in Washington, D.C., is the cherry on the cake on March 15 in Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, which has 65,000 sq. ft. of event space. The annual event is a fundraiser for the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

It’s sponsored by MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, whose resident deejay will be spinning at the event. In addition to 50,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, a 4,000-seat theater and 234 guest rooms, the gaming property is also home to Blossom, a cocktail lounge inspired by cherry blossoms. Enjoy cocktails and brews in its pink-hued ambiance.

DDC also partners with other hotels in the nation’s capital and neighboring states to curate special packages and amenities associated with the festival.

At another property owned by MGM, Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden in Las Vegas is currently constructing a breathtaking floral display dedicated to Japanese spring. To watch its team of expert horticulturists hard at work, check out the live camera on the property’s website. The big reveal is only days away, on March 10, and it’ll remain open until June 2. The 3,933-room property is a popular meeting destination in Sin City, with more than 200,000 sq. ft. of convention space.

Food & Beverage

The Peninsula Tokyo fully embraces cherry blossoms, or sakura, as the Japanese call them. The Sakura Afternoon Tea in the hotel’s lobby embodies the season. Continuing until April 15, guests sip on a selection of 20 teas and a glass of Deutz Sakura Rose Champagne. The chef has prepared a special sakura-inspired menu of sakura strawberry lamington, cherry biscuit choux, lemon-blueberry tartlet, sakura jelly panna cotta, savory croque-madame, smoked salmon sandwich and sakura scones accented with salted cherry petals.

Throughout the celebration, The Peninsula Tokyo will have the blossoms on display, and special food and beverage offerings throughout all its eateries. It’s also giving away a commemorative pen and offering tours of the city. The hotel has 314 guest rooms and more than 14,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.