Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand, has announced 13 new properties scheduled to launch in 2018. These properties span the globe, from Houston and Shanghai, to Vienna and Charleston and will join more than 650 properties in 85 countries under the Preferred quality standards and rewards program umbrella. Each location offers an original experience that is sure to deliver #ThePreferredLife to wanderlust-filled groups everywhere.

Bobby Hotel

Photo credit: Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Steps from the famous Printer’s Alley in downtown Nashville, the nine-story Bobby Hotel will open in spring of 2018, featuring 144 guestrooms and suites. Patrons will have four drinking and dining options, including a cafe, an all-day restaurant, a cocktail bar serving light bites, and a rooftop bar complete with a 1956 Greyhound tour bus. The uniquely repurposed tour bus plays into the property’s fun aesthetic and evokes a musician’s life on the road. The bus will offer guests and the local creative set a bird’s eye view of downtown Nashville.

How to live #ThePreferredLife in Nashville: Situated in the internationally-acclaimed Arts District, culture seekers can easily explore the city’s world-class art museums, take in a concert at multiple live music venues, and discover local brews.

The Post Oak at Uptown Houston

Photo credit: Preferred Hotels & Resorts

With more than 250 rooms and suites, 20 executive residences, high-end fashion stores, a Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Bugatti showroom, this unique destination scheduled to open in spring of 2018 will be home to several restaurants, including Mastro’s Steakhouse and Willie G’s, a spa, and co-working spaces. For those who want to go all out for their stay in The Lone Star State, the hotel also features a 5,000-square-foot presidential suite with a media room, personal gym, and private elevator access, as well as a helipad for big entrances. Everything is bigger in Texas.

How to live #ThePreferredLife Houston style: Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy inspiring scenery while walking or dining al fresco around the hotel grounds, which are awash in greenery, mature oak trees, paths and water fountains.

Montage Los Cabos

Photo credit: Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Located on 39 acres of pristine beachfront in Cabo San Lucas’ Santa Maria Bay, when this luxury resort opens in spring of 2018, it will feature 122 expansive guestrooms and suites, as well as 52 Montage Residences. Guests can be pampered at Spa Montage, swim in two state-of-the-art pools, and eat in multiple dining venues.

Discover #ThePreferredLife a la Cabo: Ideal for those looking to explore the area below sea level, Santa Maria Bay and its gentle waters present some of the finest swimming, diving and snorkeling opportunities in the region.

PhilsPlace

Photo credit: Preferred Hotels & Resorts 

Located in the heart of Vienna, in the former Philips headquarters, PhilsPlace will offer 135 full-service apartments ideal for business travelers and vacationers when it opens in spring of 2018. The building was designed by post-war architect Karl Schwanzer, and has been carefully preserved with change only to the interiors, which feature sweeping views from the city center.

Discover #ThePreferredLife en Vienna: From mountain biking and hiking at Wienerberg to sipping award-winning wines atop the open-air terrace, guests enjoy a true home away from home experience that extends beyond the property to the city.

Pestana Amsterdam Riverside

Located in the historic former town hall in the heart of the De Pijp neighborhood, Pestana Amsterdam Riverside will open in February of 2018 near Albert Cuypmarkt and within walking distance of the city’s key landmarks. The hotel is made up of 154 rooms, suites and apartments with interiors and furnishings designed by Studio Linse to flatter the building’s neo-Dutch Renaissance architecture. Guests will also enjoy what is set to be Amsterdam’s preeminent rooftop, as well as an indoor pool, spa with two sauna options, and a well-equipped gym.

Discover #ThePreferredLife river style: Under the supervision of Dutch Chef Peter Lute, foodies can indulge in creative and contemporary dishes at Pestana Amsterdam Riverside’s restaurant, ARC.

The Middle House

Photo credit: Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Launching in early 2018 in the heart of Shanghai’s commercial district, The Middle House will offer 111 rooms as well as 102 serviced apartments, with interiors created by Milan-based architect and furniture designer Piero Lissoni. The property incorporates an abundance of outdoor spaces, providing an elegant oasis against the backdrop of one of Asia’s most dynamic cities. Continuing the group’s successful collaboration with New York-based Chef Gray Kunz, The Middle House will feature signature restaurant Cafe Gray Deluxe.

Discover #ThePreferredLife luxury: For the utmost opulence, guests can reserve the sprawling penthouse. Located on the 14th floor, it overlooks fashionable Nanjing Road (West) and features two bedrooms, an open bathroom with a freestanding bathtub, and an expansive private terrace with a private show kitchen, ideal for private parties.

Sherwood Suites

Ideally situated in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s District 3, Sherwood Suites launches this month. It is an all-suite, luxury residence and hotel offering 157 serviced apartments in studio and one- or two-bedroom configurations. Facilities in every apartment include fully equipped kitchens, designer Italian furniture, marble bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows. All guests have access to a 24-hour gym, pool deck with cocktail bar and restaurant serving Mediterranean and Asian cuisines.

Discover spicy #ThePreferredLife: Sherwood Suites offers guests free, hourly shuttles with stops at prominent landmarks such as the Reunification Palace and the city center’s top dining and entertainment neighborhoods. So much easier to achieve #travelgoals this way.

Other 2018 openings from Preferred Hotels & Resorts include:

  • The Primus Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao, Shanghai, China (launching January 2018)
  • Las Olas Ocean Resort, Fort Lauderdale, Florida (launching May 2018)
  • Hotel Bennett, Charleston, South Carolina (launching summer 2018)
  • Hotel Monville, Montreal, Canada (launching July 2018)
  • Hotel Sophy, Chicago (launching July 2018)
  • Garza Blanca Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (launching July 2018)

what’s Open and What’s Closed Due to SoCal Wildfires and Winds?

Rapidly spreading wildfires sparked in the Southern California counties of Los Angeles and Ventura this week, causing structural loss, evacuations, closures and cancellations. Homes, businesses, schools, television production studios and the NFL’s L.A. Rams’ practice have all been impacted. As of press time, the most significant impact on meetings is the closure of the northbound 405 freeway between the 10 and 101 freeways. The southbound lanes have reopened.

This stretch of road, known as the Sepulveda Pass, is heavily trafficked for commuters to major meeting hotels along its route and to get to and from two of Los Angeles’ major airports. Frederick Badlissi, the public information officer for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), tells Smart Meetings that the Van Nuys route of their LAX FlyAway service is delayed due to the route closure. Passengers should budget extra time for re-routing and expect to tack on 50 percent additional commute time. However, the airport itself remained undisrupted.

Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) is also “open and remains operational,” Rachael A. Warecki, public relations and media specialist for the airport, says. She does encourage passengers to periodically check with their air carrier for the latest information, as flight status is subject to change based on the spread of the fire.

Major meeting hotels mere miles from the blaze, such as W Los Angeles–West Beverly Hills, The Beverly Hilton and Luxe Hotel Sunset remain open for business, but are closely monitoring the situation as it continues to develop. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) spokesperson Kim Hughes tells Smart Meetings that she is unaware of any hotels or conference facilities without power due to high winds. LADWP does sometimes have to turn off electricity at the request of fire officials for safety reasons, but that is not the case at the moment.

Some meeting venues and popular tourist attractions are within danger zones and have been forced to cease operations until further notice. The Getty Center, which sits atop a hill along the 405 freeway, was surrounded by flames early this morning. “The fire is northeast of the Getty Center and east of the San Diego Freeway,” the museum Tweeted. “Air filtration systems are protecting the galleries from smoke.  We continue to monitor the situation and will issue updates as we have them.” Their other property, Getty Villa, in Pacific Palisades is also closed.

Skirball Cultural Center, which is also located near the 405, shut down until given the all-clear. “Our thoughts are with all our neighbors, and our thanks to the first responders working to keep us all safe,” they Tweeted.

North of Los Angeles, in Ventura County, Valencia’s Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park has locked their gates. Flames could be seen alarmingly close to the rollercoasters on news broadcasts. According to their website, the theme park plans to reopen on Dec. 9 for their Holiday in the Park celebration.

Many of these fires are zero percent or very minimally contained, so evacuation suggestions and orders can change rapidly. People in or traveling to the Los Angeles area can register to receive alerts with the most up-to-date information by texting the word “READY” to 888-777. In a press conference this morning, Mayor Eric Garcetti referred concerned people to visit lausd.net and lacity.org for the latest details and maps.

time person of the year movement campaign

Billy & Hells for TIME

Did you hear the news? The winner of Time’s Person of the Year cover treatment is the #MeToo movement.

The five women featured on the Time cover are actress Ashley Judd, singer Taylor Swift, former Uber software engineer Susan Fowler, California lobbyist Adama Iwu, and strawberry picker Isabel Pascual. Each of these women have spoken up about sexual assault in their respective work places this year.

There’s an interesting detail on the cover though, that you just might miss if you’re not looking for it. In the far right of the cover, there is an elbow, perched on a table that isn’t attached to a visible person. It’s a very intentional and symbolic move though, not a photoshop error. Time national correspondent Charlotte Alter says: “That’s an anonymous woman who is a hospital worker, who was experiencing harassment and didn’t feel that she could come forward [publicly].” The elbow represents the women who still feel unable to tell their stories publicly, for fear of losing their livelihood.

Why Now?

The issue of consent, sexual assault, and abuse of power has been around for decades, across all workplaces, but it is only now that women are starting to feel comfortable speaking up for themselves. The implications of this movement are far reaching, both in the events industry and beyond. It began with a tweet by Alyssa Milano. She posted a picture captioned:

“If all the women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted wrote “me too” as a status, we might give people a sense of the magnitude of this problem.” She suggested that people who had been sexually harassed or assaulted, write “me too” as a reply.

Milano woke up to over 50,000 responses. These responders sparked, not just a moment, but a movement. And as the number of guilty men accounted for in media alone rises past 70, a new light is being shed on the pervasiveness of power abuse and inequality across all industries.

Why is this Significant?

The announcement that a group of women are winners of “Person of the Year” holds tremendous weight when you consider that until the year 1999, Time named Man of the Year. The change to the gender-neutral Person of the Year didn’t occur until 1999 (72 years after the first Man of the Year issue was published.) Even when Wallas Simpson became the first Woman of the Year in 1936, the title was only changed for that issue, and it would take 70-plus years before the permanent gender-neutral change.

Despite the 1999 change to “Person of the Year,” only four women have won the title— two more times than inanimate objects (the personal computer and the environment) and three more than when the world collectively won as “You” in 2006.

What is the Deal with the Elbow?

The absent face reminds us of all the women who still feel too fearful to speak out.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a government agency responsible for processing sexual harassment complaints, says nearly one-third of the 90,000 complaints received in 2015 included a harassment allegation—but the agency notes that that number is far too low to reflect reality. The agency estimates that 75 percent of all workplace harassment incidents go unreported altogether.

And in 2016, the EEOC released a comprehensive study of workplace harassment in the United States, which concluded that “anywhere from 25 percent to 85 percent of women report having experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.” It’s a strikingly wide gap, but one that is very substantial even in its most conservative estimate—statistically predicting one in four people are affected by workplace sexual harassment.

What can Planners Do?

You can help the elbow women out there by creating a safe space at your events. Start by creating a comprehensive sexual harassment policy, training your team on what it means and following up on reports of problem behavior.

Never be a bystander. You planned this event, meaning you’re responsible for anything that occurs during it. It’s your job to refuse to let rumors, suspicions or even inappropriate humor slip. Keep your eyes and ears open, follow up, and investigate.

Educate yourself on the issue. What verbiage is best to use? What might trigger victims? How can legal action be taken? Being able to answer these questions adds value to your role in and outside of the industry. Don’t be afraid to ask respectful questions in order to stay informed.

You can also incorporate charitable resources and fundraisers for social justice causes in events. You can also reinforce your position by partnering with companies who donate to the cause.

What Else?

  • Some examples include women’s shelters, RAINN and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline.
  • Offer support to victims and be mindful of language when speaking to them.
  • Avoid phrases which may sound judgmental.
  • Listen and sympathize.

“I have determined that it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” President Donald Trump said in a statement from the White House Diplomatic Reception room today, Dec. 6.

With this, the U.S. Embassy will be moving from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem—a pretty big deal. The extreme nature of this decision is believed to isolate the United States regarding a delicate diplomatic topic. Consequently, warnings of violent protests and potential threats have emerged.

A Little Background

Ever since capturing east Jerusalem in 1967 during the Six Day War, Israel identifies Jerusalem as its capital. Yet the international community maintains that the territory should be left open, and resolved through peaceful discussions and agreements. The ambiguity is largely due to the land’s strong religious significance to Jews, Muslims and Christians. So in order to avoid conflict, countries have kept their embassies in Tel Aviv. Until now.

The World Responds

Arab and European leaders are very concerned and criticism has accumulated globally. Pope Francis expressed fear about the potential violence that this declaration spurs, not only in Israel, but across the region.

On Tuesday, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel told USA Today, “Recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel does not calm a conflict; rather it fuels it even more. It’s in everyone’s interest that this does not happen.”

Protestors have already taken to the streets in the Gaza Strip. With protestors demonstrating outrage through chants and burnings of the American and Israeli flags.

The U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem published a security message for U.S. citizens yesterday. In the statement, the Consulate warns:

“We recommend that U.S. citizens take into consideration these restrictions and the additional guidance contained in the Department of State’s travel warning for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza when making decisions regarding their travel.”

Planning in Israel?

What does this mean for planner who have already booked an event in Israel for the upcoming months or frequently hold events in Israel? One of the first moves should be reaching out to attendees.

Natalie Abraham, an event planner in Israel, told Smart Meetings, “The current headline is a very big deal, so I would definitely reach out to attendees if you’re planning an event in Jerusalem in the coming days, only to make sure they are up to date with the news. This is part of our responsibility.”

On potentially relocating the event, Abraham advises, “I personally wouldn’t relocate my event in Jerusalem; I would just add security to my vendor’s team, from the buses to the venues. I would avoid touring in Jerusalem, but only for the coming weeks. It’s still a little early to understand the reality of what will happen next and only time will tell how long any expected violence will last.”

During this time of uncertainty the best thing to do is stay updated. Here are essential resources to make that easy.

U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv

@USembassyta

il.usembassy.gov

011-972-3-519-7575

[email protected]

U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem

@USCGJerusalem

jru.usconsulate.gov

011-972-2-622-7230

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

@Israel

mfa.gov.il

011-972-2-5303111

U.S. Department of State—Bureau of Consular Affairs

travel.state.gov

@TravelGov

Israel Ministry of Tourism

@IsraelTourism

new.goisrael.com

New York – 1-646-779-6766 [email protected]

Los Angeles – 1-323-658-7463 [email protected]

Atlanta – 1-404-541-2770 [email protected]

Chicago – 1-312-803-7078 [email protected]

Canada – 1-416-964-3784 [email protected]

Jerusalem CVB

@JerusalemCVB

jerusalemcvb.com

011-972-2-6298456

[email protected]

 

Natalie Abraham is a UK-born wedding and event planner in Israel, where her event company, Dreamcatcher, operates. Abraham is considered one of the best wedding/bar mitzvah/bat mitzvah planners in the country.

natalieabrahamdreamcatcher.com

See Natalie in action!

face to face meetings

Reinforcing the meetings industry’s emphasis on the importance of face-to-face meetings, nearly two-third of respondents in a recent survey said that one of the top aspects of business travel is having such meetings with colleagues, customers, suppliers and prospects.

This was one of the key findings in the recently released American Express Business Travel Survey, which was based on online responses from 251 U.S. adults who traveled for business at least five times in the last year, including at least two trips abroad.

“Most U.S. business travelers feel that face-to-face meetings are essential to achieving their business objectives, and thus it is important that business travel must be a stress-free and seamless experience,” said Shane Berry, senior vice president of the global client group for global commercial payments at American Express. “Supporting business travelers by continuing to innovate premium travel services that encourage productivity, connectivity and relaxation can have a lasting impact on executive well-being as well as increasing their company’s bottom line.”

Consistent with the meetings’ industry’s increased emphasis on diversity, 67 percent of respondents said that experiencing new countries is one of the three personal aspects of business travel that they enjoy the most, followed by developing a wider cultural skill set (49 percent) and meeting new people (40 percent).

Survey participants recognized the challenges and preparations needed when visiting other countries and cultures. Some 46 percent of them admitted to making a cultural faux pas when traveling abroad, but other findings indicate that they are making concerted efforts to avoid them. Eighty-five percent reported doing some research before taking a business trip to a country they haven’t visited and 39 percent said they always research local business customs. Eighty-six percent said that being aware of cultural differences helps them achieve business objectives, and indicated that the most important local customs to observe are how people should be addressed (46 percent), understanding the dress code (44 percent) and being aware of nuances in communication styles (24 percent).

Here are some of the main logistical issues respondents face that can hamper productivity:

  • Seventy-seven percent said that last-minute travel are the most common problem, followed by connectivity and technology issues (61 percent) and last-minute changes to business agendas and meeting locations (60 percent).
  • Respondents reported that the most important premium provisions are traveling in business class (58 percent), access to hotel “club floors” specifically for business travelers (47 percent) and access to airport lounges (46 percent).

Best for the Window Seat: Therm-a-Rest Compressible

1

Amazon

Tell your standard bulky neck pillow to move over. This badboy folds up to one fifth of its size, which makes it perfect for traveling. The fabric is also cozy instead of scratchy, guaranteeing prime shut eye.

Best for the Bobblehead Sleeper: GoSleep Eye Mask and Pillow Kit

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Amazon

Say goodbye to bobbing-induced neck pain! The eye mask in this kit attaches to the back of your headrest, with an adjustable elastic cord. It’s worth noting that it may only be usable when there’s not a screen on your seat back, so it’s a preferable option for shorter flights or car rides.

Best for the middle seater: Travelrest Ultimate

3

Amazon

This pillow is anything but basic. Its unique shape may be initially off putting: once inflated, it’s shaped like a long apostrophe that tucks right above your shoulder and across your body or down your side. If you’re in the middle seat though, this unique shape ensures you still have neck support, without needing a window wall or your neighbors shoulder. They’ll thank you later. Bonus: upon arrival, it easily deflates into a small roll designed to snap right onto your carry-on’s handle.

Best for Saving Space: AirComfy Travel Pillow

4

Amazon

No matter what sleeping pain you may typically incur, the AirComfy Travel Pillow has your back (or neck). The pillow is designed to provide either lumbar support or neck support, with an elastic band to secure it to your headrest. It will helpfully inflate to the firmness you prefer, and can be compacted once you land.

Best for Minimalists: Tumi Packable Jacket

5,-zappos

Zappos

We all have that one friend who insists on bringing “only the necessities” on a trip. The Tumi Pax On-The-Go Packable Jacket is for that friend. This jacket rolls into a hidden pouch at the collar to do double duty as a travel pillow. Could things get better? Yes! When worn as a jacket, it’s both wind- and water-resistant with quilted duck down insulation. Talk about necessity.

Best for Shoulder Snoozers: J Pillow

6

Amazon

The innovative shape of this pillow has helped place it as the number one best-selling travel pillow on Amazon. It’s widely praised by avid travelers online, and is specifically designed to cradle your head, chin included, from the side. The unique whale tale shape differentiates it from the standard airport pillows, and provides a variety of available sleeping positions, and extra comfort.

Best for Light Sleepers: AERIS Memory Foam Kit

7

Amazon

We’ve all been there: you JUST passed out in your problematic aisle seat, and then the drink cart whams into your elbow. Fortunately, the AERIS memory foam kit was made for the light sleeper. Its ventilated memory foam molds to the contours of your neck and it comes equipped with a soft sleep mask and a pair of foam earplugs. So, keep your elbows in, and you’re guaranteed a restful journey.

Best for Avoiding Tray Table Bacteria: Comroll Travel Pillow

8

Amazon

Tray table devotees, this pillow is the real MVP. The woolip was developed with help from yoga teachers and physiotherapists. It’s a frontal pillow that’s the weight of a smartphone, but able to support your head and upper body when you lean forward. Cozy never looked so compact.

Best for chin support: Bcozzy Chin Supporting Travel Pillow

9,-bed-bath-deluxe

Bed Bath Deluxe

The internet is buzzing with praise for this cozy number. Pretzel-like in shape, this pillow’s biggest perk is that it provides necessary chin support that standard U pillows just can’t even.

new travel ban

The travel industry is watching what impact a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Monday will have on travelers and pending cases challenging the Trump administration’s most recent version of a travel ban. In the meantime, the Supreme Court said travel restrictions on residents from eight countries (Chad, Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, North Korea and Venezuela) could be enforced.

In reaction, John H. Graham IV, president & CEO of ASAE, said, “We’ll have to see what impact full enforcement of the travel ban has on international travel to the United States.” He said he will be monitoring travel not just from the affected countries, but from others as well. He added, “We’re concerned about the impact this ban and other traveler-vetting procedures are having on international travel to the U.S. Hopefully, we can get to a point where we’re addressing our national security concerns without discouraging people from coming here for tourism or business.”

A representative from U.S. Travel said that organization did not plan to update its statement from June urging the administration to “draw a brighter line” between its efforts to bolster national security and its desire to continue attracting valuable international business and leisure travelers “because the broader court case is proceeding.”

A spokesman from the White House told reporters he was “not surprised” by the Supreme Court decision permitting “immediate enforcement of the President’s proclamation limiting travel from countries presenting heightened risks of terrorism.” He called the third, and most recent version, of the ban “lawful and essential to protecting our homeland.”

Appeals pending in Hawaii and Maryland will be heard as early as this week.

Sponsored by Visit Phoenix.

Phoenix & Scottsdale: Circle of Life

The phoenix is a mythical bird said to rise from the ashes, symbolizing immortality and resurrection. The name was chosen for Arizona’s capital city because it was built on top of the ruins of an ancient civilization that vanished into history.

The area also has deep roots in Native-American culture. Thus, it’s easy to breathe new life into meetings by tapping into this vibrant heritage. One example: a team-building Hoop Dance led by 2009 World Champion Brian Hammill, a Phoenix resident available for bookings. The hoop represents five principles: self, family, work, friendship, and hobbies or beliefs. With Brian’s guidance, all participants make individual hoops about their own life stories and then combine hoops with those of their peers to weave together life’s intricate details.

Many other exciting possibilities await, not only in Phoenix but also in nearby communities. A multitude of venues in Scottsdale, Chandler and Glendale can touch any gathering with a deep, grounded vibe that will be remembered long after guests return to their offices.

Chandler

Every October, the City of Chandler proudly puts its Native-American ancestry on full display at the annual Chandler Indian Art Market. The festival features art, jewelry, ceramics, sculptures, carving, photography, food, arts and crafts, and entertainment. Year-round, guests can pay a visit to The Zelma Basha Salmeri Gallery of Western American and American Indian Art to soak in history and view artifacts. The gallery, which is the largest private collection of its kind in the United States, is available to rent for catered events.
Another way to immerse yourself in Native-American culture is to visit nearby Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass (pictured above), which is owned by the Gila River Indian Community.

Architecture, design, art and more from the Akimel O’otham and Pee Posh tribes can be found around every bend of this 2,400-acre property located on the 372,000-acre reservation. Guests can dine at Kai, the only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star restaurant in Arizona, unwind at award-winning Aji Spa, tee off on the 36-hole golf course or go for a horseback ride at the equestrian center. The resort features 100,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor event space named after Sonoran Desert animals and mountain ranges.

Glendale

Showcasing the largest collection of Native American petroglyphs (rock carvings) in the Phoenix area, Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve is set to reopen this fall after undergoing renovations. Spanning 47-acres across the Sonoran Desert, this archaeology museum is a key piece of Glendale history.

The 115,085 sq. ft. of meeting space at The Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa (pictured above) makes it the premier conference resort destination in Glendale. Conveniently located in the heart of the city, guests can easily explore the town by foot. It’s within walking distance to NHL Arizona Coyotes’ Gila River Arena, NFL Arizona Cardinals’ University of Phoenix Stadium as well as Westgate Entertainment District, with plenty of dining, shopping and entertainment options.

Phoenix and Scottsdale

Twenty-two Native American tribes call Arizona home. The Hohokams were the first people to live in Scottsdale year-round. Today, the Yavapai Nation and Pima-Maricopa Indian Community are central to the Native-American culture of Phoenix and Scottsdale. Each spring, Scottsdale plays host to Native Trails at Civic Center Plaza. The annual festival showcases customs, arts and entertainment.

Visitors can learn about the culture through team-building activities, including a teepee building contest that taps into your group’s competitive spirit. Event Team Inc.’s “head chief” leads participants as they come up with a tribal name and chant.

Fort McDowell Adventures (pictured above) offers a variety of venues and excursions to give visitors a taste of the Yavapai. Gail Manginelli of public relations firm GM & Associates suggests channeling your inner cowboy or cowgirl by heading to the wild, wild west to herd cattle across the Verde River or by saddling up for a trail ride through the desert.

La Puesta Del Sol is the perfect setting to witness stunning sunsets. The space features retractable walls, a saloon, a photo parlor, fire pits, a stage, barbecues and more. Over at the Rosa’s Ranch event space, board the Tequila Bus and da Rum Bus for a spirited time. Fire up the barbecue, sip a prickly-pear margarita and do some boot-tappin’ to mariachis.

Guests can stay nearby in the 246 guest rooms at We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center, where you’ll see Yavapai touches at every turn. The expansive property offers 25,000 sq. ft. of meeting space across its 19 venues. But the real landmark is outside—breathtaking views of Four Peaks mountain crest, known as We-Ko-Pa. Visitors can also enjoy a round of golf, spa treatments and gambling.

In the Cultural Center of Talking Stick Resort & Casino, guests will find an actual talking stick, which is passed from hand to hand to symbolize a right to speak. Learn, too, about the calendar stick used by tribal leaders to mark major events in nature, such as floods and eclipses. Situated in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the resort combines a history lesson with the modern-day luxuries offered by 496 well-appointed guest rooms and 113,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

For a dramatic mixture of stunning Sonoran desert views, Native-American artistic inspiration and luxurious meeting spaces, The Phoenician Scottsdale is home to a 45,000-square-foot Camelback Ballroom Complex in addition to 64,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space and outdoor patios. Sculptures by Chiricahua Apache artist Allan Houser celebrate everything from the desert harvest to the future.

Phoenix itself is a hotel mecca, with more than 3,000 guest rooms near the 900,000-square-foot Phoenix Convention Center & Venues. The main exhibit hall offers 312,500 sq. ft. of space, in addition to 99 meeting rooms and a 46,000-square-foot ballroom.

Spooky and Sweet

Bring your sweet tooth to Glendale, where “Life is Sweeter” at Cerreta Candy Company (pictured above). This family-owned candy factory has hand-made chocolate, roasted nuts and more for almost 50 years. It offers guided tours and private chocolate pizza-building events.

World-renowned psychic medium and astrologer Dave Campbell hosts monthly group medium nights at The Astrology Store in historic downtown Glendale. He’s said to tap into clairvoyant spirits to communicate with the “other side.”

Phoenix Ghost Tours and Phoenix Rising Tour Company offer a walking ghost tour for groups through downtown Phoenix. The tour begins at the former Professional Building (now Hilton Garden Inn) and gives you the scoop about reported paranormal activity.

marriott's splash of brillliance

Photo credit: Marriott

Few things are as universal as the “shower thought.” For those unfamiliar with the term, it’s used to describe a stroke of genius or a creative breakthrough that hits when preoccupied with a routine activity like driving or showering. The only problem in such scenarios is that there’s usually no place to capture it.

However, one hotel brand is making it easier to record those insightful moments. In Marriott’s 2017 international survey of 5,000 international travelers, 51 percent of business travelers reported that their best thoughts occur while showering. In response, Marriott is testing a new “smart” shower door technology. Fittingly called Splash of Brilliance, the touch-screen technology currently resides at the Irvine Marriott in California.

According to a Business Traveller report, Matthew Carroll, vice president and global brand manager, Marriott Hotels, stated:

“Marriott Hotels promises to embrace the pace of change. We are constantly looking for new ways to use technology to enhance our guest experience. Our M Beta hotel in Charlotte started our journey of testing and trying and this shower door technology pushes the limit of our thinking in an imaginative and fun way.”

A “canvas” is created using the build-up of steam on the shower door. Not only can guests record and review their ideas with their finger, they can also send them as an email attachment from the comfort of a warm shower. In a statement, the hotel said that guests can, “scribe or sketch their brilliant ideas and send it to themselves before they get washed down the drain.”

The technology is in the process of being tested for usage, feedback and satisfaction score from the guests staying in the Splash of Brilliance room. See more about the wildly brilliant feature below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=25&v=MLz_B0MkAy4

Caesars Forum Conference Center Announced in Las Vegas

Photo credit: Caesars Entertainment 

Caesars Entertainment Corporation has a vision for 2020, and meeting professionals will be winning big. The company announced plans today to construct a brand-new conference center called Caesars Forum in Las Vegas for a high-rolling price tag of $375 million.

The new building will house a grand total of 300,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space. To help put this into perspective, it adds up to more than five football fields. It’ll feature the world’s two largest pillar-less ballrooms, each measuring 108,000 sq. ft., in addition to dual 40,000-square-foot ballrooms.

Outdoors, guests will be able to get fresh air and enjoy a breakfast, cocktail party or evening reception on a 100,000-square-foot plaza. The entire Caesars Forum can accommodate mega-groups of more than 10,000 attendees for a buy-out, or multiple smaller groups simultaneously. Chief Sales Officer Michael Massari tells Smart Meetings that flexibility is one of Caesars’ tenets. “The latest in technology about us is in the air wall system,” he says. “It is the key technological advancement that allows customers to do what they need to do.”

An exact number is yet to be determined, but there won’t be a lack of breakout space either. Massari estimates the property will include about 200 individual breakout rooms and 1,000 different meeting room configurations. The expansive conference center will be sprawled out on one level, making for easy load in and load out. Caesars acquired 18.4 acres in transactions with VICI Properties to make way for this large structure. Designers are still working out details of the interior, but Massari anticipates it to have an “airy and open” feel with “lots of glass” and a “seamless connectivity to the outside.”

“Building the two largest ballrooms in the world demonstrates our continued commitment to the meetings industry,” says Massari. “We are excited to provide our customers with a new experience and look forward to building relationships with future clients.”

Caesars Forum will be located on the east side of the Strip and feature a pedestrian bridge to connect it to Harrah’s, LINQ, the LINQ Promenade and Flamingo Las Vegas. This’ll give meeting-goers easy access to more than 8,500 guest rooms at those three hotel properties, which Massari says, “are really under reserved for the meetings customer because of lack of meeting space…We’ve got a lot of groups that outgrow our meeting spaces and a lot of groups we can’t go after. A lot reside at our competitors or other parts of the country.”

Massari tells Smart Meetings that the plot of land is currently a parking lot, so no structure will be demolished to make room for this addition. Some of the parking spots will be replaced. It is located off to the side, so he doesn’t anticipate that it will impact the guest experience at hotels or on the promenade during construction. They are set to break ground on the project in the second quarter of 2018.

“We are excited to be investing in the meetings business in Las Vegas as we continue to see this industry as a strong driver for Caesars Entertainment and our city,” Bob Morse, president of hospitality with Caesars Entertainment, says in a press release. “With its mid-strip location and state-of-the-art design, the Caesars Forum will be the ideal location for anyone looking to host meetings and events in Las Vegas.”

This isn’t only good news for meeting professionals. Caesars Forum will boost the Las Vegas economy through job creation. During construction, the project will employ 1,000 locals and hire 450 permanent positions to staff the facility.

Want to be the meeting professional that sets the standard for the future of meetings? “The sales team is geared up and ready” to take bookings for Caesars Forum, Massari eagerly tells Smart Meetings. He says they already have a wish list of the business they’d love to win, but he is keeping a poker face for now.