Smart Meetings | Page 457 of 603 | Corporate Event Planning: Business Events, Meetings, Conferences

There are the AAA Five Diamond Awards for hotels, the Oscars for film, the Emmy’s for television and the James Beard Awards for the culinary industry. If you are looking for something to make your next event’s F&B experience indelible, this list of nominees is where you should look.

The James Beard Foundation recently announced this year’s semifinalists, after an intense panel review process. With eateries and chefs around the country getting the nod in the semifinals, there is likely a Beard-recognized establishment close to you. Only

Whether you are looking for a guest chef to cater a special dinner or you’re planning an incentive prize of an extraordinary tasting menu that might take hours to serve, keep these culinary stars in mind. Attendees will push back from the table with smiles on their face and itching to brag to their friends and colleagues.

History of The James Beard Awards

Named the “foremost champion of American cooking” by The New York Times, James Beard was a leader of the food revolution that has put America in the pantheon of global gastronomy. After James Beard’s death in 1985, a group of his friends and colleagues, led by cooking school founder Peter Kump and chef icon Julia Child, wanted to do something with Beard’s legendary house in Greenwich Village, New York. On November 5, 1986, the James Beard Foundation was created to offer Beard’s house as a center of inspiration for all aspects of cuisine. Today the Foundation hosts more than 250 events at Beard House annually.

The awards were established in 1990 to recognize top culinary professionals around the country, and to further the Foundation’s mission of celebrating, nurturing and honoring chefs and other leaders who make America’s food culture more delicious, diverse and sustainable.

It’s a Process

Beginning each October, The James Beard Foundation holds an open call online for entries. This year, more than 20,000 entries were received. The Restaurant and Chef Committee reviews this list to determine eligibility and regional representation. Ultimately, the list of semifinalists is then sent to an independent volunteer panel of more than 600 judges from across the country.

The panel members consist of leading regional restaurant critics, food and wine editors, culinary educators, and past James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Award winners. These individuals vote on specific award categories to determine the final five nominees in each category.

The categories represent a wide range of culinary talent and service skill, from exceptional chefs and dining destinations, to the best new restaurants, outstanding bar programs, bakers, pastry chefs, outstanding wine program, outstanding service and rising chef stars (age 30 or younger). The list of nominees covers all aspects of dining, from all parts of the country, making all kinds of food.

So regardless of where you are located, you can find a James Beard-nominated chef. Regional best-chefs are named for the Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New York City, Northeast, Northwest, South, Southeast, Southwest and West.

When the Winners are Announced

On Wednesday, March 14, the Foundation will announce the final nominees for all award categories during a press conference at Parc, hosted by James Beard Award–winning restaurateur Stephen Starr, in Philadelphia. The nominee announcement will begin at 9:30 a.m. EST and will be streamed live online. Nominees will also be announced in real time on The James Beard Foundation’s Twitter feed.

The 2018 James Beard Awards Gala, where the final winners will be announced and honored, will take place on Monday, May 7, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The 2018 Media Awards will be held on Friday, April 27, at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers in New York City. Tune it to see who made the finals and get the jump on booking your event…before all the Instagram foodies beat you to it.

Emily Cornelious

St. Jane, in Chicago, appointed Emily Cornelious director of sales and marketing. Emily’s resume includes The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Morgans Hotel Group and The Peninsula Hotels. The property is scheduled to open in spring 2018.

Hector M. Jeyakaran

Hector M. Jeyakaran was named general manager of the 253-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston, in West Virginia. Jeyakaran was general manager of Residence Inn by Marriott Raleigh Downtown, in North Carolina.

Tina Gaccetta

Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), in Chicago, appointed Tina Gaccetta head of events. Gaccetta has served as vice president, client services for One10 marketing.

Troy Longwith

Troy Longwith was named regional director of operations at Staypineapple, a hospitality company based in the Pacific Northwest. Longwith brings to his new role more than 23 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

Aretha Kelly

Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), in Washington D.C., appointed Aretha Kelly director of sales. Kelly was business development consultant for CaseWorthy, Inc., in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Zack Davis

Zack Davis was named vice president of destination services at Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau. Davis is a certified meeting planner and a certified tourism ambassador.

Do you have an announcement about a new executive-level job appointment? Email us the good news at [email protected].

Jennifer Milliron

Teneo Hospitality Group appointed Jennifer Milliron director of sales for the southwest region. Jennifer held the role of global account director for Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Miguel Waldo

Amara Cay Resort in Islamorada, Florida, named Miguel Waldo general manager. Miguel brings 22 years of industry experience to his new role at the 110-room resort. Waldo held the role of general manager at Courtyard by Marriott Key Largo in Florida.

Jim Swaim

Jim Swaim was named general manager at the 335-room Ramada Plaza Fort Walton Beach Resort/Destin. Swaim comes to his new role from St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater in Florida, where he was director of hotel operations.

Greg Stafford

Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center, which is expected to open this fall, named Greg Stafford general manager. Stafford held the role of general manager at The Logan Philadelphia, where he oversaw the property’s $60 million renovation.

Jerry Gibson

Jerry Gibson was appointed vice president and managing director of Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu, Hawaii. Gibson brings 38 years of hospitality leadership experience to his new role, including 25 years in the Hawaii market.

Do you have an announcement about a new executive-level job appointment? Email us the good news at [email protected].

Your event went smoothly—everything planned was executed flawlessly, your attendees had an inspiring time and are now leaving with a smile. What’s that last thing to achieve a lasting impression? A killer swag bag!

Items will vary by budget, but a little something indulgent is always well received. A new skin-care kit, a voucher for a personal trainer or a high-end chocolate assortment are just a few examples of these types of treats.

All the nominees at last night’s Oscars received bags with similar swag, plus so much more. Astoundingly, their bags were worth almost $100,000. Each. Two of the items were a commissioned original painting from Reian Wiliams Fine Art and a year of fruit deliveries from Epifruit.

The Oscar bag was put together by Distinctive Assets, a Los Angeles-based marketing company that has curated nominee gifts for 16 years. Some items are defiantly movie star-ish, yet others can be incorporated by any planner. Here are details on what the stars received—and how you can bring this swag brilliance to your next event.

Star Safaris

A big item in the Oscar swag bag was an all-inclusive trip to a fabulous destination, such as Tanzania, Hawaii, Zanzibar or Greece. Perhaps the most lavish trip was to Tanzania, where top nominees such as Best Director nominee Greta Gerwig will have the opportunity to stay at Serengeti Migration Camp for 12 nights. She and a lucky guest will be treated to private meals, spa services, a hot-air balloon safari with a champagne breakfast, private safari guide and vehicle, chef-guided cooking lessons, wild game drives and walking safaris, horseback riding and snorkeling.

Trips to the world’s special places may not make it into everyone’s bag at your meeting, but offering at least one as a raffle prize will be sure to make a memory with your attendees.

Look Good, Feel Better

You don’t have to be a movie star to look and feel good. Here are some of the items in the stars’ bags that could be in yours, as well. For example, a Blush and Whumsy magical lipstick, which changes color based on your body’s pH and temperature of your skin. It retails for $22.

Each bag also included Oxygenating Foundation ($66), Oxygenating Hydro Matrix ($70), My Magic Mud toothpaste ($20)—the first toothpaste to combine activated coconut shell charcoal and bentonite clay—and a 23 and Me health and ancestry kit ($99 to $199).

Health did not get second billing, either. Quincy Herbals SlimMax Detox Tea was in the bag, as was 10 personal sessions with celebrity trainer Alexis Seletzky. To decompress after those workouts, the stars were gifted a week’s worth of spa treatments at Golden Door spa and resort.

When planning your swag items, attendees will remember and enjoy a day at the spa or a coupon for a discounted stay. Why not make it a prize for the winner of a social media contest?

Think it’s all glitz and fun being a movie star? Also included were underarm sweat patches, pepper spray and a gift certificate for a session with a “phobia relief expert.”

Everyone Has a Sweet Tooth

Of course, every swag bag must contain something sweet. This year’s nominees got a Chocolatines’ Chocouture Jewlery Box ($86). The collection combines French sweets with a bottle of Rogue Maple Syrup, a high-end French-Canadian product.

Miscellaneous Goodies

A few items defy categorization. For instance, a “wearable” water bottle (it fits on your forearm like a sleeve).

Even if they didn’t take home the gold statue, all this year’s nominees still copped a few things worth being excited about.

The United States is still a great place to have a meeting. That’s the message ASAE President and CEO John Graham is working hard to broadcast to the world. In the wake of reports that the U.S. has been losing market share in the international tourism space—down 4 percent from January to July 2017—his organization teamed up with Visit U.S. Coalition. The downturn is costing the economy tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in revenue.

“We want to make sure we are sending a welcoming message,” Graham says.

The Coalition is promoting policies that support President Donald Trump’s announcement that “America is open for business.” Those policies include streamlining travel and screening processes and embracing travel as a national priority.

“The president knows our business, because it’s his business; he understands how important travelers and their spending are to the American economy,” said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association. “When a traveler from abroad visits one of our great destinations, it’s not just money injected into the hotel and travel industry, but the restaurants they dine in, the shops where they purchase a souvenir. Tourism dollars support so many industries and jobs, and it’s critical we regain our market share.”

The Coalition attributes the falloff in international visitors to a strong dollar and concerning statements about visitors from some countries not being welcome. Historically, the American share of global travel has been 88 million international visitors—and $294 billion in spending.

Graham is particularly concerned about the impact on big medical and scientific meetings, many of which are going to Canada, where the pharmaceutical industry has more legal access to doctors than in the U.S.

Nonetheless, Graham believes those who are staying away as to protest the Trump travel ban can be wooed back. “We need to communicate that the administration is trying to keep everyone safe and protect our borders, and that the free flow of information is more important than any protest,” he said.

Others may be staying away because they fear not all their international delegates—and in medical and scientific meetings these can be as much as 50 percent of attendees—will be able to get into the country, or they won’t be able to get back out once they get in.

The latter concern is easier to overcome, Graham believes. Visitors from visa-waiver countries should see no difference in procedure from pre-Trump administration days. Those from non-visa-waiver countries, however, will need to allot more time to take care of the paperwork. “They just may have to plan farther in advance,” he said.

Experiential marketing is on fire right now as a trendy topic for breakout sessions and as a budget item. But what does the increased emphasis on blending a human experience with a marketing goal mean to event professionals?

As experts in creating memorable experiences, planners are in the perfect position to benefit from connecting audiences with messaging in meaningful ways. More experience focused marketing dollars equals more events that need planning.

Here are some key reasons for developing an experiential marketing strategy today.

Marketers expect to allocate up to 50 percent of their marketing budgets to experiential over the next 3-5 years. (Freeeman)
80 percent of attendees report that live demonstrations and free samples significantly help define their purchasing decision. (EventTrack)
Event technology (including apps that can personalize messaging) can help increase event attendance by 20 percent, increase productivity by 27 percent and decrease costs by 20-30 percent. (Enterprise Event Marketing)
76 percent of marketers report that their event and experiential marketing initiatives are integrated with their other marketing campaigns. (EventTrack)
Customers who have great experiences spend 140 percent more than customers who have poor experiences. (Harvard Business Review)

The ocean is a mysterious place. For most, it is a deep, dark wonder, decorated by coral and seaweed and inhabited by animals ranging from shrimp to sharks. But some hotels plumb the mysteries of the deep by placing guest underwater amongst actual sea life. Be it under an aquarium or lake, you’re sure to enjoy sleeping with the fishes in these unique destinations.

Atlantis The Palm, Dubai

Atlantis The Palm offers a truly immersive experience. The suite offers a view of 65,000 marine animals, from sizable sharks to sting rays, through ceiling-to-floor windows. By booking the suite, you also receive a wide range of complimentary amenities, including Dolphin Bay Dolphin Encounters, a massage and access to private cabanas.

The Manta Resort, Tanzania, Africa

A variety of rooms are available, but the stand-out choice has to be the Underwater Room. However, it’s less of a room and more of a mini, three-level suite. Climb onto the roof to sunbathe during the day and stargaze at night. At sea level, you’ll find panoramic views of the ocean. And when it comes time to rest, you’ll find yourself underwater, attracting creatures like reef fish and even the occasional octopus.

Utter Inn, Vasteras, Sweden

Hidden underwater in Lake Maralen, local artist and sculptor Mikael Genberg created Utter Inn. It’s tiny, with only two twin beds and a table, but that’s a plus when you’re looking for a cozy getaway. You’ll have panoramic views from the bedroom, where you can watch lake-dwellers swim around you all day and night.

Jules’ Undersea Lodge, Key Largo, Florida

While the other hotels require a boat ride to reach their underwater rooms, Jules’ Undersea Lodge is a bit different. To access the hotel in Key Largo, you’ll need to scuba dive 21 ft. underwater to enter the wet room. Once you’re in, you’re welcome to a hot shower and stocked kitchen. Not scuba-certified? You can book the Scuba diving program as well. It’s sure to be an experiential trip.

Lovers Deep Submarine, Caribbean

The Lovers Deep Submarine can be docked throughout the Caribbean, including the islands of Martinique, St. Lucia and Barbados. The appeal is the romantic aspect of being alone underwater with your lover. The hefty price tag also includes an onboard crew to tend to your needs, as well as an aphrodisiac-filled menu, including oysters and chocolate fondant.

Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore

If you’re looking for a resort that feels like home, but looks like the sea, Resort World Sentosa is where you want to be. But book soon—there are only 11 suites. Modeled like two-story townhouses, the upper level has a living area with comfy couches and a television, as well as an outdoor patio with a Jacuzzi. The first floor is where you’ll find the bedroom. Where you would normally find a window is a floor-to-ceiling window giving you a glimpse at 40,000 fishes. It’s the best view to fall asleep to.

Following the warning of a “nor’easter,” which is expected to hit the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast shores on Friday, many airlines are waiving change and cancel fees for passengers.

It’s no surprise: with expected winds of at least 40 mph, inland snow, flooding and heavy rain, potential flights are destined to be grounded. Though each airline has different qualifications for rescheduling, most passengers will not be penalized for changing their schedules.

JetBlue announced the company will be waiving fees for those traveling March 2 and March 3 from airports in New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Original travel must have been booked on or before February 28, and the rebooked travel must be no later than March 6. American Airlines is following JetBlue’s lead, though the original travel must have been booked by February 27.

Southwest will be waiving fees for flights scheduled on Friday or Saturday from 12 airports, including LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP). Those with cancelled flights may request a refund for their ticket.

If you’re flying Delta from T.F. Green Airport (PVD), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) or another of their nine listed airports, you may reschedule by March 6 so long as you had planned to travel on or prior to February 28.

Two out of three planners do not know all the requirements of the new EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) law going into effect May 25. That is the finding of the latest Eventsforce study of 120 event planners. A new survey by the Washington, D.C.-based event management software company showed that the new regulation has a lot of planners scratching their heads about what changes need to be made before the rapidly approaching deadline, and how they are going to abide by them.

What is GDPR?

GDPR is a new, stricter European data privacy law designed to protect individual privacy. It will completely change the way events globally collect, process and protect the personal data of attendees coming from the EU. “GDPR is one of the most important changes facing our industry today,” George Sirius, CEO of Eventsforce, said in a press release.

But, I’m Not in Europe

Regardless of your location, you can still be affected by GDPR. Compliance applies to anyone transacting with anyone in the EU. If you provide goods or services in the EU, you must adhere, regardless of where you are located.

“It is a major global issue and one that is vital for organizers to understand and prepare for, as ignoring it could lead to some very serious financial consequences,” Sirius said.

With a maximum financial penalty of 4 percent of a company’s annual global revenue, or 20 million pounds, whichever is greater, this is a big worry for 63 percent of event planners who are still unsure about GDPR’s requirements. Another 42 percent of planners surveyed said they are worried the steps they are taking are not enough and they might not meet the requirements.

The Impact on Marketing

The impact that GDPR will have on event marketing was another area the survey investigated. A top concern for 45 percent of event planners was losing chunks of their marketing mailing lists, while others were worried it would slow down processes and limit their personalization efforts, making prospecting more difficult.

However, 30 percent felt GDPR will make their marketing communications a lot more relevant to attendees, with another 24 percent claiming it would improve both the quality and creativity of their marketing campaigns.

“Survey findings show that GDPR clearly presents some challenges for our industry–but there are opportunities too. Event planners will need to think and act very differently,” siad Sirius. “Those that can show they’re dealing with personal data in a transparent and secure way and have respect for the privacy of individuals will succeed in building a new level of trust. And this will be key in deciding which organizations people choose to deal with in the future.”

Additional findings from the survey include:

2 out of 3 respondents said they didn’t understand all the requirements of GDPR, despite 60 percent holding responsibility for compliance.
90 percent have started GDPR preparations, but many are concerned about meeting the deadline.
Creating awareness, running data audits and updating consent boxes on registration forms and websites are key steps event planners are currently taking.
81 percent said data security will become a bigger priority, yet fewer than 30 percent have updated their data security practices or prepared for a data breach.
Only 41 percent say their event technology systems meet the new GDPR requirements today.
Perceived long-term benefits of GDPR include better data management, transparency with suppliers, and improved reputation.

Those interested in more details of the survey findings and the impact of the new regulation can get attain a copy of the ‘Event Planner’s Guide to GDPR Compliance’.

This past December, The San Francisco Museum of Ice Cream sold out through its final days in February. The museum’s remarkable popularity made it clear just how much people enjoy the unexpected in a museum. While classic museums filled with art and historical artifacts are both enticing and informative, it’s refreshing to get up-close to out-of-the-ordinary objects. When booking your next event, why not book near a museum that colors outside the lines? Not only will it be a fun excursion, but a memorable one as well.

The Neon Museum, Las Vegas

Where do neon signs rest in peace? The Neon Museum in Las Vegas. Enter the bright graveyard and find old neon signs that have been abandoned. The museum has also restored 11 neon signs, which have been installed along Las Vegas Boulevard in a partnership with the City of Las Vegas.

Stay at Caesars Palace and host an extravagant event in its 300,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The Octavius and Forum Ballrooms can be split up into 25 breakout rooms, or combine the two to fit 5,555 guests.

Museo Subacuatico de Arte, Mexico

Looking for a museum outside of the box? Does underwater work? In 2009, more than 500 life-sized sculptures were installed in the oceans surrounding Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc. The monuments are made of materials to promote coral life, with the museum aiming to “demonstrate the interaction between art and environmental science.” You can even scuba or snorkel to get an “in-depth” look.

Head two minutes north and stay at The Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort Villas and Spa to host an event on the beach. The space can fit up to 100 guests and includes catering and audiovisual services.

Torture Museum, Amsterdam

If you want to explore the darker side of Amsterdam, take a tour through the Torture Museum. View more than 40 instruments of torture, from the inquisition chair to the aptly-named skullcracker. It’s certainly not conventional, but sickly appealing nevertheless.

Escape from the Torture Museum to The Dylan Amsterdam, a luxury hotel to host your event. The Courtyard can hold a reception of 75 people, while the Ariana room can hold 80 people theater-style or a 150-person reception.

National Museum of Roller Skating, Lincoln, Nebraska

If you’re a fan of rolling around the skating rink, you’re bound to enjoy the National Museum of Roller Skating. Watch highlights of roller skating competitions while learning about the evolution of roller derby, inline skating and speed skating.

Host an event in the Regents Ballroom of Embassy Suites by Hilton Lincoln, where you can fit 1,490 people in 11,932 sq. ft. of space. The Alumni Room is 1,125 sq. ft. and can fit 140 reception-style or 100 theater-style.

Sulabh International Museum of Toilets, New Delhi

We know, we know—it’s weird. But stay with us. It was Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak’s dream to build a museum dedicated to the history of toilets. After three years of planning and plenty of research, it became a reality. Featuring facts, pictures and objects dating back to 2500 BC, you’ll see the historic evolution of toilets unfold before your eyes. Consider it an outlandish story to bring back home.

Shangri-La’s–Eros Hotel, New Delhi boasts a ballroom that can hold a 400-guest reception, while the Ganga space can host a reception of up to 100.

The Museum of Bad Art, Boston

If you still want to go to an art museum, but are looking for something different, stop by the Museum of Bad Art (MOBA). Founded in 1993, the museum is “dedicated to the collection, preservation, exhibition and celebration of bad art in all its forms and in all its glory.” Don’t take it too seriously—the museum certainly doesn’t.

Stay at Boston Marriott Copley Place. You’ll find 61,085 sq. ft. of event space, with 45 breakout rooms. The Back Bay Conference and exhibition center can hold up to 1,400 banquet-style.

Museum of Broken Relationships, Zagreb, Croatia

If you’re heartbroken, nostalgic, or simply want to experience the twisted beauty and pain of a break up, Museum of Broken Relationships is for you. With donated items from old relationships featuring stories of the relationships and their aftermath, it’s hard not to feel genuine sympathy for the participants. Donate your own mementos if you’re in the purging spirit.

Stay at The Westin Zagreb, which features 18,643 sq. ft. of event space with a maximum capacity of 1,000. Host a reception of 300 in the Crystal Ballroom or give a presentation in the 2,799-square-foot Panorama to 100 attendees classroom-style.

International Spy Museum, Washington, D.C.

Boasting its title as the only public museum in the United States dedicated to espionage, The Spy Museum features a variety of international artifacts. Browse through items used to shed light on missions and espionage actions. You’ll walk away feeling like the next James (or Jane) Bond.

Retreat to Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill for 38,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. With full-service catering and event planners and multilingual staff on-site, your event will go off without a hitch.

Cupnoodles Museum, Yokohama, Japan

Everyone enjoys ramen, the ultimate comfort food. Cupnoodles Museum celebrates Momofuku Ando’s global success while giving guests an interactive adventure. Make chicken ramen by hand in the factory, which includes kneading and steaming the dough. You can also create your own original cupnoodles package, selecting from four flavors and a variety of toppings.

InterContinental Yokohama Grand caters to almost any meeting size, from large events to intimate affairs. Host up to 430 guests in the InterContinental Ballroom or 26 attendees in the Carlton space.