Smart Meetings | Page 46 of 603 | Corporate Event Planning: Business Events, Meetings, Conferences

The ways in which health and wellness fit into the events industry continue to evolve. In the past few years, there has been a major shift from wellness being simply about a good spa day (though, who could say no to that?) to prioritizing the day-to-day well-being of people.

The past year’s health and wellness stories have focused on matters of growing concern, from neurodiversity and accessibility to how people can build their sense of happiness in work as well as in life.

How can planners help their attendees to feel a sense of genuine belonging through their event design? What’s the business case for having consistent wellness programming in events? The health and wellness stories of 2024 have the answers.

Neuroinclusion: Events for Everyone

best of 2024 wellness neuroinclusive events

The term “neuroinclusion” builds on the concept of neurodiversity—the understanding that neurological differences are not pathological but simply differences in cognition—to incorporate the understanding that neurodiversity will always exist in an audience into event design.

Megan Henshall, global event solutions, strategic lead at Google and co-lead of the Google Experience Institute (Google Xi) spoke to Smart Meetings about her pioneering work in neuroinclusive event design. In this February 2024 magazine feature story, Henshall’s insights provide guidance to planners around how to create neuroinclusive events and why it’s crucial as the industry evolves. Plus, discover resources for further learning, such as “An Event Professional’s Guide to Neuroinclusion,” a handbook for neuroinclusive event design developed by The Neu Project, an offshoot of Google Xi.

The Convergence of the Events and Wellness Industries: Why Meeting Planners Should Care

best of 2024 wellness convergence of events and wellness industries

Co-founder of event-wellness consulting firm Olympian Meeting and leader in the wellness space David T. Stevens penned this article evaluating the link between the events and wellness industries. When Cvent CEO Reggie Agarwal shared in late spring 2024 that business events has become a $1.6 trillion industry, Stevens explains, the wellness industry has become a $1.8 trillion industry—and that linking the two industries provides a major opportunity to build a mutually beneficial relationship.

Discover the impact that planners can have on attendees and ROI by incorporating wellness into events, alongside practical ways to do so.

Is There a Formula for Happiness? Arthur Brooks Shares Insights at DIAC24

Best of 2024 health and wellness arthur brooks

Arthur Brooks, a Harvard School of Business professor and known “happiness expert,” stepped in as the opening keynote speaker at Destinations International’s Annual Conference (DIAC24) in Tampa Bay in July 2024. At the Harvard School of Business, he teaches a course on the science of happiness, how the human brain processes it and how people can get more of it in their lives. It is one of the most popular classes at the school, with hundreds on the waiting list every semester. At DIAC24, Brooks offered the audience a crash course.

Lucky for you, Smart Meetings was there furiously taking notes to bring his expertise back to you. Read this story to discover the most impactful ways to create more happiness in your life and the lives of others.

Elevating Meetings Through Wellness

best of 2024: health and wellness elevating events with wellness

In this interview-format article, hear it right from the experts themselves: how wellness-focused properties are innovating to make wellness even more accessible for event attendees.

With so many wellness resorts on the market, it can be hard to find the right one to suit your group’s specific needs and preferences. Professionals representing Calabash Cove Resort & Spa in St. Lucia, Las Catalinas in Costa Rica, Ananda in the Himalayas in India and Hotel Belmar in Costa Rica speak to their properties’ unique set of wellness opportunities.

Whether your attendees are hardcore outdoor adventurers or frequent visitors of the spa, this story addresses how different wellness offerings can benefit attendees and how the trend itself is evolving in meetings and events.

Alone in the Crowd? It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way

Best of 2024 image for loneliness epidemic story

The scope of loneliness throughout the modern-day world is no secret. In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an advisory calling loneliness, isolation and lack of connection a public health crisis. This November 2024 magazine feature story digs into the impact of widespread loneliness on the world of events, as well as where it came from and the power the events industry has to counteract some of the major effects.

Hear from leading experts in connection facilitation, including Naomi Clare Crellin, founder and CEO of Storycraft Lab; Victoria Matey, event psychology advisor and co-founder of Matey Events; Lisa Belanger, Ph.D., EMBA, founder and CEO of ConsciousWorks; and Will Curran, creator of #EventProfs Community.

Plus, discover exciting developments in the industry geared towards inspiring ever more genuine and lasting connection, like the recent publication of The Belonging Playbook, a reference guide to creating belonging in event design developed as a collaboration between Storycraft Labs and the Google Experience Institute.

As meeting profs and vendors gear up for a new year of gifting, we spoke to several industry insiders about what 2024 brought and what they think 2025 will bring.

What Vendors Saw in 2024

Personalization

Laurie Amigo, director of branding, events and activations at HALO Branded Solutions, told us, “2024 was the year of personalized gifting. Pop-up shops and select-a-gift programs have become very popular throughout the year and especially during the holidays. Some organizations will offer an online pop-up shop with gifts to be picked up at the office or at the event. This allows the recipient to select their gift with enough time to brand with the company logo but allows the recipient to collect their gifts at a social event such as a sales meeting or holiday party. With five different generations in the workforce now, the days of one gift fits all are over.”

Some ways to personalize gifting are:

–Name personalization: monogramming, custom packaging or handwritten notes

–Personal Preference Tailoring: pre-gift surveys, recipient choice platforms and custom bundles

–Lifestyle and Interest-Based Customization: gifts for hobbies and interests (e.g., fitness gear, gourmet cooking tools, art supplies, travel essentials etc.), wellness and self-care (e.g., aromatherapy kits, mindfulness journals, etc.) and tech-savvy personalization (accessories that match the recipient’s tech preferences, such as smart home devices).

–Cultural and Regional Relevance: local touches such as regional products or artisanal goods

–Experiential Personalization: personalized virtual classes (e.g., wine tastings or cooking workshops), memberships and subscription services (e.g., monthly gourmet boxes, book clubs etc.) or digital extras gifted through QR codes or other technology.

–Professional Roles: Customize gifts to suit the giftee’s role in a company (e.g. stylish desk accessories for executives or practical gear for on-the-go sales professionals, etc.).

–Bespoke Gifting: Collaborate with luxury brands to offer limited-edition, personalized gifts such as leather goods or engraved items, and use elegant packaging tailored to the recipient’s aesthetic.

Experiential Gifting

Amigo points to the bottom line in 2024, saying, “Experiential gifting requests have more than doubled.” Benefits of this approach include improving employee engagement, creating emotional impact, fostering a work-life balance, strengthening loyalty and promoting company culture.

Some examples of experiential gifting are:

–Wellness Week, where employees are offered virtual access to daily mindfulness classes, spa vouchers and other means of promoting well-being.

–Celebrating milestones, such as a 5-year work anniversary, by gifting experiences such as cooking classes or weekend getaways shows recipients they are seen and valued.

–Recognition programs based on performance can allow recipients to choose from adventure options or skill-building experiences.

Philanthropy

Amigo says, “Another trend for 2024 was gifts with a give-back message or other intentional sourcing. It may be meaningful to the buyer but if the recipient is not educated on the give-back, an opportunity is lost. I’ve seen bag screen-printed inside with ‘This bag helps provide 5 school lunches around the world.’ Another gift I’ve seen had a hangtag letting the recipient know their gift donated to the ‘Shelter to Soldier’ program which saves two lives by training a shelter dog to become a service dog to a veteran. I see more trends that are intentional and purposeful focused on givebacks, sustainability and diverse or locally sourced. I can only see the trends in these spaces to grow.”

Some ways to incorporate philanthropy into a gifting program are:

–Vendor partnerships that generate donations from gift proceeds to charities or causes, such as those mentioned by Amigo

–Cause-specific products such as handmade goods created by marginalized communities or eco-friendly products from sustainable brands

–Charitable donations made in the recipient’s name

–Charity gift cards that allow recipients to donate to a cause of their choice

–Sustainable gifts such as reusable water bottles, plantable gifts like seed kits or gifts made from upcycled materials

–Employee volunteer experiences such as a charity walk, a day spent at a food bank or time spent assembling care packages by employees

What Vendors Predict for 2025

Pricing Uncertainty

Amigo points to politics potentially affecting the industry, saying, “As 2025 draws near, we are cautiously awaiting to see if tariffs will go into effect. This may create another shift in gifting as the costs of goods may increase. Locally sourced gift sales may increase while gifting budgets may be adjusted or become more creative if budgets stay the same with an increase of costs.”

Summer Fritz, account manager and “vibe guru” at Stackable Solutions, predicts Near Field Communication (NFC) will become more ubiquitous as QR codes go the way of the Dodo. She says, “NFC Technology is making its way to the world of gifting and merchandise. Using NFC technology in products such as wristbands, pens, hats, t-shirts, jackets, notebooks and more brings a static product to life and allows you to communicate and engage with your audience and end users beyond your first interaction.” Perhaps the most widely recognized example of NFC technology can be found in Disney’s MagicBands, which allow guests to do everything from enter their hotel room to purchase items at a gift store, and more.

Second-Life Packaging and Sustainability

Fritz also sees eco-consciousness expanding even further into the industry, saying, “When choosing gifts for clients, prospects, attendees and more, why not go beyond the product and think about how the packaging the item comes in can also be something useful? At Stackable Sensations, we have a line of products that are made from sustainable and recycled materials and come packaged in boxes that transform into an everyday useful item, giving people the option to lessen their carbon footprint and feel better about the items they receive. Choosing items that are made from recycled and sustainable materials was all the rage in 2024 and surely [will be in] 2025. We are adding another layer to a more ‘positive planet’ and incorporating dynamic packaging that can have a second life use.”

Learning from the trials and tribulations of others is incredibly valuable, giving insight into the problems encountered and solutions found so others can plan their events a little better prepared than before. Each year, all kinds of events around the United States are held, and each comes with lessons of their own (or maybe even a nugget of an idea you can introduce at your own event), several of which are shared below.

Event Case Study: Walmart Experience at CES 2024

large walmart building

For its first time, Walmart took to the technology conference CES in Las Vegas. Tapping long-time partners Leo Events, Walmart’s executives wanted to debut their presence with something memorable. What emerged was a two-story 50’ x 140’ museum-like walkthrough activation, with a history of the company, a showcasing of new technologies the company is using and a 4D experience that took visitors on a product’s journey from its beginnings to the customer’s refrigerator.

Event Case Study: MPI Southern California WeCon 2024

two pairs of colorfully dressed people spreading arms at entrance to WeCon Southern California

MPI’s Southern California WeCon 2024 in Newport Beach, California, was a practice in reinvention. After contacting Visit Newport Beach, the team at MPI SoCal was able to make the changes they had in mind, such as appealing to the personal lives of attendees and creating personalized experiences. Jennifer Minzey, vice president of education for MPI Southern California, also shares a few lessons she learned from planning the event this time around.

ARVO Conference in Seattle Opened Eyes to Lingering International Travel Challenges

group in ballroom listening to keynote

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology’s annual conference is known as one of the event titans for sharing research in the industry. Given that reputation, its international attendance is high—before Covid that is. Since cancelling in 2020, the conference, like many others, has had its ups and downs but given that so many attendees are coming out of the United States, it has had its unique logistical struggles.

APEC and Dreamforce Showed Off Forward-looking San Francisco

APEC’s theme, “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All,” addressed trade, investment, facilitation, the digital economy, clean energy and climate, health and more. We spoke with John R. McKinnon, CSEP, DMCP, president of Voila Events and 2024 Meeting Professional of the Year, about the process of gathering 45,000 people, including government officials and celebrities, in San Francisco.

Case Study: The Art of Crafting Holiday Magic

Dickens on Centre is a now decade-long four-day holiday event held in Fernanda Beach, Florida. Mariela Murphy, CMP, special events director for Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, who’s now in her fourth year leading the event, shares her insights from planning the event.

Revitalized spaces amplify long-celebrated luxury

These new and renovated debuts stand in iconic buildings that have been fixtures of their communities for generations. Thanks to recent refreshes, stepping inside is like taking a trip back in time, without sacrificing any modern day conveniences. Whether getting into the academic atmosphere of Duke University, taking a journey through the history of the railroad or celebrating Cleveland’s history while making a positive impact in its future, these spaces are nothing short of memorable.

Step Inside The Great American Railroad

Guestroom at Omni Severin Hotel — Guest room, Omni Severin Hotel

Downtown Indianapolis sees a newly debuted renovation at the iconic Omni Severin Hotel. The property has stood as a downtown staple since it was built in 1913. Now, its $24 million renovation revives the property’s past luxury while infusing modern conveniences.

The renovation brings the property’s original art deco style to life through new layering of textures, materials and colors alongside thoughtful details. 424 guest rooms draw inspiration from the era of the railroad with subtle eclectic design elements alongside features aimed at maximizing a feel of tranquility. 36 suites include unique features like lofts and floor-to-ceiling windows.

The reimagined hotel lobby connects two dining offerings on either side of the reception desk, which features a mural depicting the billowing smoke from a train engine. On the left, guests will find Bar Cardinale, which offers dinner and specialty drinks in an inviting atmosphere with a design that features cardinals, Indiana’s state bird, throughout. On the right is the newly opened 8^th Notch Café & Market, in the style of a 1900s corner diner, which offers grab-and-go food items, local coffee, chef curated-meals and local goods. The property offers a total of 17,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

A Haven for the History Buffs

guestroom at Fidelity Hotel for New and Renovated — Guest room, Fidelity Hotel

Fidelity Hotel is Cleveland’s newest lifestyle hotel, slated to open its doors in January 2025. An adaptive reuse of the historic 103-year-old Baker Building, the location on Cleveland’s Euclid Avenue historic district places guests steps away from major sporting arenas and ample shopping, dining and entertainment options.

The boutique hotel offers 97 guest rooms, where visitors will find a unique blend of historic charm with modern amenities. The design, led by Curioso and Looney & Associates, features rich colors and patterns, unlacquered brass, hardwood and marble floors and antique mirrors in guest rooms, suites and public spaces. The property offers distinct meeting spaces that can accommodate up to 80 guests in formats from private dinners to full property buy-outs. Meetings and events enjoy in-house catering, AV specialists and equipment and a dedicated in-house events team, plus options to take advantage of hospitality suites and custom event furniture, dinnerware, glassware and silverware.

Guests will enjoy hotel amenities including 24-hour concierge and guest services, a 24-hour fitness center, locally-sourced mini bars and even complimentary newspapers. The property is also committed to making a positive impact in its community, with a range of social initiatives and partnerships, such as a program where a percentage of bookings will benefit local nonprofits focused on food security, workforce development and community revitalization. One such program is the Community Love package, through which $10 of each paid room night will be donated to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

Academic Excellence and Luxurious Elegance

Presidential suite at Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club for New and Renovated — Presidential Suite, Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club

Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, a luxury inn owned by Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, unveils newly renovated specialty suites and meeting spaces. A fixture of Durham for nearly 40 years, the inn’s transformation emphasizes a focus on its heritage.

Throughout the property, guests will find a distinctive design with elements created by commissioned local and regional artists, including handcrafted drapery designed by Jeff Hall and, at the property’s award-winning Fairview Dining Room, cast iron chair rails created by metal artist Aaron Gibbons.

The Fairview offers an elevated fine dining atmosphere serving regional American specialties. Further design elements include new custom mahogany furniture, gothic décor and lighting fixtures with quatrefoils, nodding to the light fixtures in Duke Chapel.

The property offers 271 guest rooms. The redesigned Presidential Suite, Homestead Suite and five Terrace Suites feature timeless furnishings and deluxe amenities alongside their updates. For onsite meetings, groups will feel extra classy while meeting in the beautiful Executive Conference Center. It offers 24,300 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space, with 20 individual conference rooms, two ballrooms, plus terrace and pre-function areas.

Why free time, authenticity and immersion are redefining program inclusions

What are the latest trends emerging for incentive travel 2025 and beyond? Smart Meetings sat down with Annette Gregg, CEO of SITE and SITE Foundation, to explore the trends among budget, program inclusion, coming challenges and destination selection for the coming year, courtesy of the Incentive Travel Index Survey Results from SITE Foundation.

Click here to watch the entire webinar.

Business Outlook is Good

The state of the world has been unpredictable with the post-pandemic, a new incoming U.S. governing body, geopolitical conflict worldwide, and an erratic stock market. However, business is thriving.

“We’re really at an all-time high with numbers now, both in occupancy in luxury and upscale, which is the hot sector that most incentive programs are looking at,” says Gregg.

Lucky for planners, incentive travel is growing. Only 8% of North American corporate and agency buyers report decreased activity over 2024 and 2025, and only 6% have reported decreases for 2026.

“Now everybody’s kind of doubling down on their investment in [incentive] programs,” says Gregg.

Gregg cited the budget allocations for 2023 versus 2024, looking at the different areas of a budget that planners typically work with. Hotels and F&B are still big in-demand players, and they saw an uptick, with hotels seeing a 7% variance and F&B a 12% variance from 2023 to 2024.

The Evolving Workplace

The pandemic shook things up for office culture, and companies are still trying to find the best recipe to build an office culture in a hybrid and remote work environment.

“[Because of that], owners of incentive travel programs are using these programs to build a culture to get people more loyal to the company, as recruiting tactics, not just retention tactics,” says Gregg.

What does that mean for program inclusions?

“For the first time, we’re seeing that free time is now a top inclusion,” says Gregg.

Aside from free time, planners are also considering program inclusions such as time with their spouse, immersive cultural activity, gifting and gala dinners/awards as some of the top selections.

Attendees are still looking for cultural points to be included in an incentive program when attending an incentive experience.

“They still want to be immersed in that destination and see the key historical and cultural assets,” says Gregg.

One question about incentive travel and companies is how it drives loyalty and confidence to recruit top talent.

Rising costs and recruitment are challenges facing many employers today, as are sustainability and climate. However, AI and staffing issues remain the most prevalent.

“Attracting and retaining talent continues to be a huge problem in our industry. With the return to work mandates, people will be switching [jobs] more, making it harder to do business.”

Be Authentic

According to Wakefield Research, in 2023, 45% of polled participants, including 67% of Millennials, want their experiences to be authentic.

90% believe experiencing the destination as a local is essential, and 95% want to spend at least three hours a day in a new and different experience.

“I want to experience it as the locals do, and I also want something new and unique. Don’t just take me on the same catamaran experience. How are you going to add something new and different to it?” says Gregg. “We have to continue to push and experience design to something they can’t get on Viator or TripAdvisor on their own.”

Destination Selection

According to PricewaterhouseCoopers, by 2030, more than 50% of the global workforce will be under 40 years old. What does that mean for incentive travel?

“We have an overwhelming amount of respondents saying, ‘Hey, we’re ready to go somewhere new,’” says Gregg.

All-inclusive resorts have also seen an uptick in interest.

“All-inclusive resorts have leveled up, and you’re seeing a huge amount of interest in those for incentives, mainly because of [rising] food and beverage costs,” Gregg continues.

Even though the demand for new destinations is high, attendees aren’t necessarily excited about taking a 16-hour flight.

“They’re still concerned about cost and the attendee experience,” Gregg continues. They are choosing new destinations not used before, but it might be a nine-hour flight radius.”

Cutting Budgets

Sometimes, making cuts is necessary to get the most out of an event for the planners and the attendees, especially when the budget demands it. Since attendees are trending towards more free time, 52% of participants chose reduced activities, and 50% chose reduced gifting to save on budgets.

“They can just go lay by the pool or explore the town or what have you,” says Gregg.

At Smart Meeting, we pride ourselves on bringing the best content, voices and tools to your fingertips and computer screens.

In 2024, we invited industry experts to offer their insights, tips and trends to help planners create the best event possible. Our webinars, the Knowledge Exchange, brought us essential insights on AI, incentives, wellness and contracts, just to name a few!

How to Avoid Wellness-Washing

vegetables and beans

Being aware of your attendees’ wellness needs is an essential ingredient. Our February webinar highlighted the importance of incorporating mindfulness, physical activity, healthy food choices, relaxation spaces and wellness programs into an event’s structure.

Allowing attendees to explore these wellness options within the event space shows them that they aren’t just warm bodies in a room but co-creators of a memorable experience.

Design for Impact

person typing on calculator and writing on notepad

How do you create something that you know will leave an impression? Devon Montgomery Pasha, CMP, CED, director of North America for Event Design Collective, joined Smart Meetings to highlight the most significant challenges planners face in growing engagement.

Pasha explored the issues of purposeful design, sustainability, innovation, flexible seating and data-driven adjustments.

How to Empower a New Generation of Association Leaders

Leadership supporting their employee with fellow coworkers

According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), 67% of hotels are experiencing staffing issues. Additionally, 68% of planners are new to this industry, resulting in a demand for a skilled and talented workforce.

Smart Meetings chatted with Maisha Hogue of the American Society of Interior Designers and Mariel Solomon, M.S., CC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist, to understand how planners can find and retain qualified staff.

Incentive Secrets: Tips for All-Inclusive Smooth Sailing

cocktails and towels next to hotel pool

What are the perks of all-inclusive incentive travel? Smart Meetings interviewed Melissa Moten, vice president of experience and event solutions at The Collective by BCD M&E.

Moten explored the benefits, which include budget predictability, convenience and the option for group bonding experiences. She also delved into the challenges, such as hidden costs.

Moten also touched on the best practices planners should consider, such as clear communication, accommodating diverse interests and working closely with the resort’s staff.

How to Plan Must-Attend Healthcare Conferences

laptop screen shows doctors on video call

Smart Meetings spoke to Ariana Reed, director of global strategic partnerships at American Express Global Business Travel, and Andre Hoag, category manager of commercial meetings and events at Biogen, to help planners navigate their next medical conference.

Hoag and Reed explored F&B suggestions such as choosing mocktails over cocktails, how planners should consider international events regarding compliance and regulations, and how local laws may impact their events.

Want to stay ahead of the curve when selecting a destination for your next meeting? Consider a fabulous new option nestled in the capital of Armenia. Looking for an out-of-the-ordinary, nature-heavy venue option? Marriott has just teamed up with Postcard Cabins to change the game when it comes to meetings in the great outdoors. Wish your attendees could just levitate from the airport to the meeting? A cool $660 million has just gone toward making that dream a reality. Read on for the latest in travel news, brought to you by Smart Travel.

Dubai Marks Progress in Tourism, Events and Sustainability in 2024

With nearly 15 million overnight visitors as of October 2024, Dubai has hit its stride as a top international destination for tourism, meetings and events. The city has also established a balanced appeal, with travelers from Western Europe (20%), South Asia (17%), and the GCC (15%).

Dubai has made a concerted effort to emphasize its capacity growth, and its average 77% occupancy rate across 152,532 rooms is evidence of this successful strategy. Investments have been made across hotel tiers, with luxury, mid-range and budget accommodation options making the city more accessible to a number of meetings and events profs.

These developments come as no surprise to those who’ve had their eye on Dubai; Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards named it the #1 Global Destination for the third consecutive time this year, and it earned wins from World Travel Awards as a Leading Shopping Destination and World’s Leading Exhibition Destination 2024.

Sustainability is also at the forefront of Dubai’s development, with projects such as Dubai Can, which has saved over 25 million single-use plastic bottles, introduced 50 refill stations across the city and converted 220 hotels to plastic-bottle alternatives.

In a Landmark Moment for Outdoor Hospitality, Marriott Acquires Postcard Cabins Brand

Marriott International Inc. has acquired the Postcard Cabins brand, formerly known as Getaway. The outdoor hospitality brand was founded in 2015 with a mission to redefine the great outdoors experience and offer guests a unique opportunity to disconnect from daily life. They found success, with visitors logging over 40 million hours across Postcard Cabins’ 1,200+ cabins located in 29 outposts.

“In joining Marriott, we’re excited to bring the Postcard Cabins experience to a global audience seeking exactly what we offer—a place to slow down, disconnect from the everyday and invest in the relationships that matter most. What started a decade ago with a small group of believers in the power of spending free time in nature, has grown into a national movement, which we expect will only gather steam with Marriott’s expansive reach,” said Jon Staff, founder and CEO of Postcard Cabins.

Leeny Oberg, chief financial officer and executive vice president, development of Marriott International, seconded the excitement, saying, “Marriott has long been committed to offering incredible travel experiences for every trip purpose. As guests are increasingly interested in nature-immersive travel, we are excited to build on the incredible breadth of our portfolio and welcome Postcard Cabins to Marriott Bonvoy as we deliver more accommodations and experiences in awe-inspiring destinations.”

Flying Taxi Startup Raises $430 Million in Funding

Archer Aviation has brought its 2024 funding total to $660 million, following a combined $430 million contributed by investors that include Stellantis, United Airlines and Wellington Management, alongside 2PointZero, a subsidiary of IHP, which is the UAE’s largest public company. Archer Aviation has completed more than 400 test flights and has signed manufacturing contracts worth over $6 billion so far.

Meeting profs may soon be adding flying taxis to their attendee transport options, as the California-based company has unveiled plans for an air taxi network in Los Angeles in preparation for the 2028 World Cup, Super Bowl 2027 and 2028’s Summer Olympics. Archer is currently developing an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft they have dubbed “Midnight.” With space for a pilot, four passengers and luggage, you might soon find Midnight delivering guests to your event rather than Uber.

Armenia’s Capital Debuts New Five-Star, Award-Winning Luxury Destination

view of colorful skyline in Yerevan, Armenia

Seven Visions Resorts & Places, The Dvin has opened in Yerevan to thunderous applause, signaling a new era of Armenian luxury. Infused with the country’s signature charm and located within walking distance of iconic landmarks, The Dvin has already won the 2024 World Travel Award for World’s Leading Hotel Dining and Entertainment Experience—making it a top choice for on-trend meeting profs.

Guests can make their way to Saryan Street, world-renowned for its wine shops and art galleries, or visit Republic Square to take in the musical fountains and stunning architecture. Other must-sees include the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre as well as the Sergei Parajanov Museum. The Dvin also offers several signature restaurants serving up both Armenian and international cuisine, and features live jazz, Armenian cultural performances, celebrity appearances and a number of other entertainment options. With four meeting spaces that can accommodate from 180 to 3,000 guests, The Dvin is quickly making its mark as a top-tier events destination.

Sonesta Miami Airport Celebrates Completion of Five-Month-Long, Multi-Million-Dollar Renovation

After a five-month, multimillion-dollar renovation, Sonesta Miami Airport held its ribbon-cutting celebration ceremony this week. DiLeonardo’s design team led the project, which includes a complete transformation of the hotel’s 309 guest rooms, each appointed with luxurious touches of leather, neutral tones and modern art.

“Today marks an exciting new chapter for Sonesta Miami Airport,” said Alex Alvarez, the hotel’s general manager. “As an airport hotel, many of our guests are only with us briefly, but despite that, we wanted to create a space that feels welcoming and uniquely Miami. From the vibrant colors and textures in our guestrooms to the authentic local flavors on our menus, every detail was designed to immerse guests in the spirit of Miami. Our hotel is not just a place to rest between flights—it’s an experience where you can truly feel the energy and culture of the city, even if you’re only here for one night.”

Smart Meetings made history by convening top meeting professionals in an iconic location fresh off an almost $200 million renovation to experience the best motivational practices employed today. Smart Meetings Incentive Experience at Phoenix’s Arizona Biltmore , a Platinum Choice Award-winning property, was a festive way to end the year with the gift of new and renewed connections, and a trove of insights that will make 2025 the best event season yet.

By taking care of guests’ needs at this iconic Four Diamond property, attendees could focus on forging new relationships and opening their minds to fun exercises like competitive tree trimming—yes, that is now a thing, thanks to the mobile flower artists at Wondry, Terramar DMC and the generosity of Michaels Stores.

Arizona Biltmore exterior

From the cottages to the villas, all 703 guest rooms were renovated. The new Tierra Luna Spa, the outdoor Spire Bar, a waterpark and 200,000 sq. ft. of historic and modern conference center space offered something for attendees and their guests while they were meeting.

Meeting on Purpose

Joshua M. Evans speaking on stage — Joshua M. Evans

How do you take an event from a shared space to a shared purpose? Author, TEDx programmer, adventure seeker, speaker and proud father Joshua M. Evans proposed focusing on perception. “Instead of being governed by our preconceptions, we need to be open to the realities of others,” he advised. When Evans’ son was diagnosed with autism, he learned that neurodivergent people’s way of seeing things in ways you don’t is a gift.

He later advised managing the influences that come at us every day in order to see situations more clearly and positively. That could mean limiting news, social media—and conflicts with spouses—first thing in the morning. “We are bombarded with 10,000 pieces of information each day. If you don’t manage your influences, your influences will manage you,” he said.

Learn More: From Networking to Lasting Bonds—Practical Tips for Forging Authentic Relationships

Similarly, he suggested being cognizant of how you influence others. A smile in the hallway can make or break someone’s day. Think about what you want your legacy to be.

When we focus on what our work means to others rather than what our job happens to be on a given day, then we build an emotional connection that results in a foundation for deeper fulfillment. And isn’t that what all of us want for ourselves, our teams and our attendees?

Despite our best efforts, we all lose control from time to time. Evans, a former rafting guide, had a message for the assembled leaders. “It’s OK to lose your paddle sometimes. You can always recover it downstream later.”

Incentive Travel Chaos Explained

Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) Global CEO Annette Gregg, CMM, MBA, shared insights from the association’s recent Incentive Travel Index Report about how meeting professionals are motivating performers at companies of all sizes.

“Corporations are thriving and events are back despite the chaos. That means decisions may happen a little later,” she said. It helps that these corporations often have larger budgets to cover rising costs and a desire to go places they have never been before.

Learn More: Annette Gregg Shared Trending Insights in This Knowledge Exchange Webinar

The biggest trend is a hands-off approach, as free time is at the top of the list of attendee requests, helping manage event budgets and giving the destination and venue a chance to show off their amenities. Also at the top of the preferred activities list: Time with a spouse, immersive cultural activities and gifting.

Make It Special

Kate Patay speaking on stage — Kate Patay

A parting favor was a fun, fast-paced presentation from Terramar DMC Vice President of Global Engagement Kate Patay, who shared tips for making incentives even more motivating.

#1 Focus on the Little Touches: Branding from gobo lights and decor to notebooks and gifts are a subtle way of reinforcing the sense of community.

#2 Personalize It: Leave monogrammed note paper and favorite snacks gleaned from the registration materials in their rooms.

#3 Manage Expectations: Send know-before-you-go messages that show in photos what the dress code will be, where to get weather updates and reminders about packing everything from sunscreen to passports.

The world of sustainable events is bigger than ever. As more planners and partners in hospitality and tourism incorporate sustainability into their business models, it becomes a need-to-have, rather than a nice-to-have.

This year, Smart Meetings published a repertoire of sustainability content geared especially around how-tos and making sure everyone has access to the knowledge and resources to feel confident talking about sustainability and implementing it into their business practices.

Your Complete Guide to Sustainability

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This January 2024 piece aims to offer a comprehensive, introductory, concise, guidebook-style overview of sustainability. Wondering how to start carbon tracking? What counts as scope three emissions? Where do carbon emissions even come from? With a list of “need to know” sustainability terms, straightforward explanations and tips for incorporating sustainable practices into your event planning strategy, this article is a tool you’ll want to keep bookmarked.

Sustainability Tools for Easier Green Planning

small earth held by two pairs of hands

Planning sustainable events isn’t a small task. Working with partners can help take much of the load off. In this article, Smart Meetings compiled a list of some of the timeliest and most impactful partners and tools you’ll want to work with as you build your green meeting.

Earth Day is a Call to Action

Earth Day 2024 story feature image — credit: Shutterstock

Think of Earth Day as a “green New Year’s.” With the New Year coming right up, it feels even more relevant to adopt this mindset again. These days, disposable plastic has gone out of style. In this article, you’ll learn more about the environmental impacts of plastic that tell us why. Plus, with some shoutouts to major sustainability achievements across the board that took place in 2024, there’s plenty of cause for celebration that you definitely want to know about.

Sustainable Event Planning: Action Steps to Lasting Strategy

Sustainable event planning feature image of Group of businesspeople in team brainstorm meeting discussion on ESG (Environmental, social, corporate governance) organization planning. Sustainable business, coworker people teamwork. Close up

In October, Smart Meetings hosted a webinar with sustainability thought leaders in the tourism and meetings industries: Ellie Hurley, events director at Financial and Insurance Conference Professionals (FICP); Tiffany Eck, associate director, destination services at Visit Denver; and Lori Allen, vice president of global event operations at MetLife.

They discussed how they each have created actionable sustainability strategies and seen successful outcomes at their companies. This article breaks down their conversation. As an added bonus, you can stream the webinar here.

Healthy World: Overtourism and Crowd Avoidance

blue paper plane gets out of line of white paper planes

Sustainability isn’t just about the earth. It’s also about the people who live on it. This article’s assessment of overtourism, using the protests in Barcelona in summer 2024 as an example, demonstrates how care for the earth and care for people exist in tandem. And once establishing an understanding of the intersecting elements of sustainability in this way, it offers some actionable steps planners can take to be part of the solution.

Refreshes where comfort and ease meet real ROI

Discover new and renovated properties that provide a breath-of-fresh-air feel and the perfect spaces to get the work done, and have fun—without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re headed to discover waterfalls in Chattanooga, Tennessee, looking to lounge beachside in Dana Point, California, or seeking “Rocky Mountain High” success in Denver, Colorado, find your next meeting destination here.

Living Easy in Tennessee

Dury Plaza Hotel Chattanooga Hamilton Place for new and renovated — Exterior, Drury Plaza Hotel Chattanooga Hamilton Place

Drury Hotels Company opens its premier Chattanooga property, and fifth property in Tennessee, with the Drury Plaza Hotel Chattanooga Hamilton Place. This opening marks Drury’s third in 2024. Its convenient location situates visitors only four miles from Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport and offers easy access to key attractions such as the Tennessee Aquarium and Ruby Falls.

Guests will find ease in signature Drury offerings like free hot breakfast, dinnertime snacks and beverages and Drury’s signature 5:30 Kickback®, Wi-Fi and parking. The property’s signature restaurant, The Kitchen + Bar, is located in the lobby and open late every night, making it easy to work around busy meeting schedules. Plus, the 24-hour fitness center and business center only add to the convenience.

The property will also participate in Drury Hotels’ newly launched Meetings with More program, which offers free Wi-Fi in meeting rooms for all attendees and no food and beverage minimums. At Drury Plaza Hotel Chattanooga Hamilton Place, planes will find 210 guest rooms and suites and a variety of meeting and event space, totaling over 2,500 sq. ft., with customizable set-up options, plus catering and audiovisual options.

Read More: 6 Warm Cities to Visit This Spring

Take Your Board Meetings Beachside

King room at Hilton Garden Inn Dana Point Doheny Beach — Guestroom, Hilton Garden Inn Dana Point Doheny Beach

Hilton Garden Inn Dana Point Doheny Beach completes a comprehensive renovation and rebrand. Formerly a Doubletree Suites, the redesign encompasses all-new guest rooms and bathrooms, redesigned public spaces and upgraded food and beverage spaces.

The design makes luxury feel more accessible than ever, with a soothing color palette reminiscent of the surrounding coastal atmosphere. All 198 guest rooms now feature new furniture, carpeting, upgraded balcony amenities and more. Public spaces also reflect the coastal style, with a transformed atrium lobby housing a new lobby bar. Onsite amenities include an expanded fitness center and an updated outdoor pool.

The property’s signature restaurant, Doheny Surf, offers fare made from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients in a coastal-inspired atmosphere. Further dining options include the fourth floor Longboard Rooftop Lounge, where guests can enjoy ocean views alongside seafood-forward dishes.

All meeting spaces now feature sleek blue chairs, natural wood tables and refreshed carpeting and wallcoverings. The property offers a total of 8,821 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, with eight meeting rooms. The renovation also debuts a brand new boardroom, seating 12, with high-back chairs and a table equipped with integrated power.

Rocky Mountain High Hospitality

Guest suite for new and renovated Hometown Suites by Hilton Denver Downtown-Convention Center and Hampton Inn & Suites Denver Downtown-Convention Center — Guest suite, Hometown Suites by Hilton Denver Downtown-Convention Center and Hampton Inn & Suites Denver Downtown-Convention Center

The dual-branded Homewood Suites by Hilton Denver Downtown-Convention Center and Hampton Inn & Suites Denver Downtown-Convention Center, operated by Noble Investment Group, complete a multi-million dollar renovation, both amplifying Denver’s ability to go above and beyond for business travelers.

The properties are directly connected with a shared lobby and stand only steps away from the Colorado Convention Center. Together, they offer nearly 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space in addition to this convention center access, and they stand in Denver’s central business district. Beyond the convenience of proximity to the convention center, the location invites guests to explore the area, with nearby Michelin-starred restaurants and the Arts District.

The Homewood Suites property offers 182 King Suites, now even more spacious and enhanced with new furnishings and a modern design and full in-suite kitchens.

The Hampton Inn & Suites offers 120 guest rooms, with 52 Queen guestrooms and 68 King guest rooms, with all the amenities a modern traveler wants. It is also home to 550 Bar & Patio, which now showcases a fresh new look and offers signature cocktails and bites. Guests can enjoy the upgraded fitness center and indoor pool, as well.