Being away from home during the holidays can be tough. Most meeting and event planners have probably experienced this at least once or twice with their travel schedules. Luckily hotels are rolling out some real home-cooked hospitality with Thanksgiving meal offerings. So whether you’re far from loved ones, or just looking to get a killer meal minus the mayhem, these top hotels are offering your favorite Turkeyday dishes.

The St. Regis, San Francisco

The Grill Restaurant at the St. Regis cooks up a sophisticated, four-course dinner. The meal offers indulgent classics such as a pecan pie with bourbon Chantilly. For those who just want a taste, the hotel also serves a “nutcracker afternoon tea”. The tea party includes a cozy plethora of baked goods and seasonal teas.

Caribe Royale Orlando, Florida

The Tropicale restaurant at Caribe Royale Orlando whips up a full Thanksgiving buffet that spans from 1 to 7 p.m. Live jazz accompanies delectable fall dishes. There are multiple carving stations and side dishes include maple syrup candied yams and brown sugar glazed acorn squash. Plus, Florida residents receive 20 percent off.

ITC Maurya, New Delhi, India

ITC Maurya’s poolside restaurant The Pavillon serves global cuisine so delicious, it might just redefine Thanksgiving. Dishes include the classics like roast turkey and pumpkin, but incorporate Indian staples and spices as well.

Taj Boston

The hotel’s extravagant prix-fixe brunch is an elegant Thanksgiving experience. To honor the holiday, Taj Boston hosts the feast in its Grand Ballroom, which overlooks the Public Garden. Some options include roast turkey, sugar-glazed ham, a raw bar, cheese and charcuterie. To accommodate the kiddies, Taj Boston is also putting on a puppet show prior to eating time.

Gleneagles

If you find yourself in Scotland this year, you can still get in on some of America’s most delicious traditions. In the stunning highlands, the Gleneagles hosts a three-course Thanksgiving meal.

The Plaza, New York City

First of all, if you’re at The Plaza on the 4th Thursday of November, then you better be hitting the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! Book a lavish Thanksgiving meal in The Palm Court or in The Todd English Restaurant for your return though. The festive food includes whipped potatoes, cornbread stuffing, pumpkin and duck confit risotto, rolled ribeye, parsnip puree, seasonal vegetables and, you guessed it, roasted turkey!

The Curtain Hotel, London, England

Even across the pond you can find Thanksgiving classics. In The Curtain Hotel’s Red Rooster Shoreditch, Americans and Europeans alike indulge in the holiday’s best treats, such as cornbread, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, green beans—you get the idea.

The Driskill Hotel, Austin, Texas

Everything is bigger in Texas. Apparently even the length of their Thanksgiving feast. At the Driskill in Austin, visitors can eat brunch, dinner or both. The hotel even accommodates those who aren’t fans of the bird. The menu also includes more modern recipes such as salmon croquette, smoked prime rib and deviled eggs with caviar.

jingle bell walk

Holiday season in New York City is all about walking the sidewalks. The chill in the air, chestnut vendors on the street corners, steam swirling from sidewalk subway grates…and, of course, those amazing store window displays. But where to go? What’s not to be missed?

Dilemma solved: Triumph Hotels, a collection of historic hotels across Manhattan, is offering its guests a “jingle bell walk” highlighting the best store windows, as well as other perennial New York Christmas favorites such as the tree at Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park’s holiday market. The tour is part of the hotel group’s complimentary walking tour program, which varies by property (itineraries include “the hidden gems” of Times Square, a stroll to Central Park’s Strawberry Fields and the Union Square Greenmarket).

Macy’s is credited with inventing window displays in the 1870s. Lord & Taylor, the oldest luxury department store in the United States, debuted its first Christmas-themed windows in 1938, and Fifth Avenue stores have competed ever since to have the most spectacular holiday displays. Each window has its own style and theme, changing from year to year. Andy Warhol is one of several artists who have designed holiday windows.

Highlights from tours of years past include visiting the antiques collection at Bergdorf Goodman and a children’s book theme at Saks Fifth Avenue. The tour is conducted in partnership with Streetwise New York, a company that specializes in unique walking tours.

Another option is conducted by Free Tours by Boot, a group of fun-loving guides who work for tips. Its two-hour, pay-what-you-like walking tour includes store displays, Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Glide into winter on a glistening sheet of ice. Hotels around the world have constructed rinks for the holiday season and many are available for private events. Here’s 12 of our favorite picks (no judging scandal involved).

The Arrabelle at Vail Square, A RockResort in Vail, Colorado

Show off your triple axel at Alderhof Ice Rink, just a few strokes outside of The Arrabelle at Vail Square. Now, that would be a great party trick. Guests will feel like they were transported to a European village at this picturesque rink. The Arabelle has 81 guest rooms and 5,200 sq. ft. of meeting space.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Las Vegas is known for lucky sevens, but you can perfect your figure eights at The Cosmopolitan. Ice skating is all the rage on The Strip now that the NHL expanded to Sin City. It’s the inaugural season for the Golden Knights, but the sixth year of The Cosmopolitan’s rooftop winter wonderland, which is open from Nov. 20 to Jan. 10. Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi will be on hand to light the Christmas tree on Dec. 4. The 4,2000-square-foot ice surface has 13 rinkside fire pits available for group reservations to roast s’mores, in addition to a menu of wintery cocktails such as Egg Noggy Nog, Scrooged and Rebel Without a Clause. The Cosmopolitan has 3,027 guest rooms and 150,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Dolder Grand in Zurich, Switzerland

Sharpen your blades cause it’s time to skate at Dolder Grand in Zurich. Built in 1930, the 64,000-square-foot Dolder Kunsteisbahn is the largest open-air ice rink in all of Europe. It is lit with 11,000 LED lights and torches. In addition to skating, Dolder Sports offers activities for groups of up to 150 guests, including curling and snow sculpture building. Guests can enjoy fondue and other treats at the rinkside chalet. The hotel has 175 guest rooms and 30,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, Arizona

Go for the gold at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, where you can skate in the middle of the desert. The 6,000-square-foot rink invites ice princesses (and princes) to skate under the stars each night from Nov. 22-Dec. 31 during the annual Christmas at the Princess festival. Luxury fire pits are available for rental to roast s’mores and cozy up underneath warm blankets. Local figure skaters entertain during the “Magical Moments on Ice” recital. Through Cox Charities, the winter celebration is raising money for the #LoveUp Foundation, which supports foster children. The AAA Five Diamond resort has 750 guest rooms and more than 150,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, the most of any property in the worldwide brand.

Grand Hyatt Seoul in Seoul, South Korea

Get in Olympic shape in time for February’s Winter Olympics in South Korea. The ice rink at Grand Hyatt Seoul will return on Dec. 1 for its 21st season and close in late February, 2018. Up to 150 skaters can take laps on the rink, which is the site of the hotel’s pool in the summertime. The cliffside venue offers such beautiful views of the city, it has been featured in films and is a popular, romantic proposal site. Grand Hyatt Seoul has 601 guest rooms and 35,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Hotel del Coronado in San Diego

At Hotel del Coronado, you can skate right next to the Pacific Ocean. Skating by the Sea is the hotel’s beachfront rink. Returning for its 13th year on Nov. 23 until Jan. 1, the seaside skating rink has pledged to donate a portion of its proceeds to Make-A-Wish San Diego. Group discounts and private party reservations are available. Hotel del Coronado has 679 guest rooms, plus 78 cottages and villas, along with 65,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris

Paris is at the cutting edge of high fashion…and skating. From Nov. 26 through Jan. 29, put on your best lace and sequined skating dress and go for a spin at Hotel Plaza Athenee’s quaint La Cour Jardin ice rink. According to The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, the hotel’s Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée eatery ranks no. 13. The hotel has 208 guest rooms and 4,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Keystone Lodge & Spa in Keystone, Colorado

Straight out of a scene from a holiday card or Hallmark Channel movie, the 5-acre frozen lake at Keystone Lodge & Spa is the largest Zamboni-maintained outdoor rink on North America. Located at the Lakeside Village, skates, hockey sticks and pucks are available to rent in the Adventure Center. Keystone has not only one, but two ice skating rinks. A second skating surface is located in nearby Dercum Square at River Run Village. Keystone Resort & Conference Center is the largest meeting venue in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. It has 150 guest rooms and more than 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, New York

The Zamboni is the vehicle of choice at Mohonk Mountain House’s award-winning skating rink. While guests rest their aching feet, they can stay warm next to a 39-foot-tall stone fireplace and enjoy the sites of this castle-like winter paradise. Besides traditional skating, meeting professionals can book a special team-building exercise called human ice bowling. One person sits on a saucer sled and gets bushed across the ice to slide into bowling pins. Admission and rental skates are complementary to overnight hotel guests. Mohonk has been hosting meetings since 1869. It has 259 guest rooms and suites, in addition to five cottages, and 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

Lace up at Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire until March 26. Admission is free to hotel guests, but skates cost $10 to rent. The rink is also available to book for private events. Omni Mount Washington has 200 guest rooms and 30,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

The St. Regis Atlanta

Careful not to slip at The St. Regis Atlanta. Skate under the big top at the Astor Holiday Ice Rink beginning November 24. Meeting professionals can rent the rink for private functions and treat their guests to a full menu of tasty delights. The AAA Five Diamond hotel has 151 guest rooms and more than 16,800 sq. ft. of meeting space.

The Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C.

One of the liquids you’ll find at The Watergate Hotel this winter is frozen. In its inaugural season, Top of the Skate lets you skate right up to the ledge of the roof and up to the Top of the Gate bar for a drink. The synthetic ice surface is much smaller than a traditional rink, but it offers 360-degree views of the nation’s capital unlike any other. When not gliding around, guests can make a reservation to kick back in four heated igloos that seat up to eight people apiece. Four dining experiences are offered, ranging from a three-course tasting menu with wine or tea pairing to a whisky flight accompanied by burgers and cigars or afternoon tea. The Watergate Hotel has 336 guest rooms and 27,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.


Katherine Barcsay

On a scale of one to Pink, the pop superstar’s American Music Awards performance on Sunday night was off the charts at 26. Twenty-six stories, that is. That’s how high up the songstress and her dancers were dangling off the side of the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live as they scaled the hotel during an intricately choreographed, jaw-dropping routine to her hit song “Beautiful Trauma.” The exterior of the 878-guest-room hotel served as their dance floor. Pink and her entourage waved to some unsuspecting lucky guests who scored front row seats from their room windows. So, just how can meeting professionals draw from this awe-inspiring performance?

BANDALOOP

The sky isn’t even the limit for Oakland, California-based BANDALOOP, which performed alongside Pink. They have set up their rigging on skyscrapers, bridges, cliffs and the Seattle Space Needle as well as inside ballrooms and convention centers. Meeting professionals can hire them to wow the crowd for a fully customizable show. It takes a lot for Mother Nature to stand in the way. The mountain-climbing trained troupe can withstand most inclement weather conditions, including wind and a blizzard in the Arctic Circle. “They are as strong as the audience,” Rika Iino, founder, producer and director of artist development for Sozo Artists, the agency that represents BANDALOOP, tells Smart Meetings.

A representative from the vertical dance company conducts site inspections to determine how best to perform at your event and work out the logistics and technicalities, including rigging, lighting and sound. They assess safety measures and risk management. The performers rehearse on-site for two to three days ahead of the event and the quantity of dancers and entourage, as well as the duration of the performance, varies show-to-show.

An immersive aerial experience can turn attendees into marionette puppets and help your team bond. Sir Richard Branson, who appears on the cover of the November issue of Smart Meetings, gave The BANDALOOP Experience a shot with members of his Virgin Galactic Spaceport staff. He described the exhilarating workshop as “delightful, fun, professional [and] artistic.”

The half- or full-day class can take place at their Oakland studio or any place that can accommodate rigging. While dancing on walls, participants will learn valuable lessons about innovation, communication and risk management in a customized curriculum designed to reinforce the meeting’s goals. It is amazing how quickly barriers break down when the CEO is challenged to scale a sheer wall.

BANDALOOP artistic director Amelia Rudolph is available to deliver keynote addresses to discuss how she conceived this concept more than 26 years ago by marrying the artforms of climbing and dancing. Considered to be a pioneer of vertical dance, Rudolph has used it to build and enrich communities. In her address, she shares her personal story and the goals of the dance troupe. Rudolph’s resume includes speaking engagements at TEDx in Yosemite and Sonoma County.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHSiG9_4LJM&feature=youtu.be

Cirque du Soleil

World-renowned Cirque du Soleil has a global events company called 45 DEGREES that enables meeting professionals to book acts for private appearances. Planners can also take groups to Cirque resident and touring shows and arrange for priority seating and exclusive behind-the-scenes tours. In Riviera Maya, Mexico, their dinner-theater show, JOYÀ, combines all five senses to create an immersive culinary and performance experience for the audience. Groups can dine and sip champagne as they take in breathtaking entertainment.

https://vimeo.com/140197603

Headquartered in Montreal, Cirque du Soleil invites teams into their training gym to experience a day-in-the-life of a performer, including learning choreography, costume fitting and auditioning. Meeting professionals can further educate attendees with a presentation called “The Business of Cirque: Creating Magical, Memorable, and Immersive Customer Experiences,” which provides a backstage tour and conversations with performers, technicians and management.

Las Vegas plays host to countless meetings and is home to numerous Cirque du Soleil residencies. The company offers SPARK Sessions in Sin City as a team-building exercise. It gives participants the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get on the equipment used by the skilled performers in the shows and learn from the experts. The sessions place emphasis on operational excellence, customer experience and employee engagement.

At Club Med, a popular destination for all-inclusive meetings, 45 Degrees installed an elaborate circus-themed playground called Creactive by Cirque du Soleil at resorts in Punta Cana and Opio en Provence in France. Trained staff members teach guests the art of trapeze, trampoline, aerial silks and tightrope walking.

Trapeze School New York

If you want your meeting guests to fly through the air with the greatest of ease, consider scheduling a team-building outing to Trapeze School New York (TSNY). With locations in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, D.C., TSNY builds team spirit, cooperation and group dynamics while helping new flyers conquer fears. They can swing and flip their way to success and hone a newfound sense of bravery to take on the world. Pink herself has even been spotted training at the Santa Monica Pier location and a “Sex and the City” scene featuring Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw was filmed at the Pier 40 set-up in NYC.

Salesforce’s Dreamforce Convention, which attracted some 170,000 participants to San Francisco at the beginning of November, was full of great lessons for planners on everything from creating agendas to branding strategies. Here are some takeaways.

Incorporate Divine Decor

Consider using the season as inspiration. For Dreamforce, which had a National Park theme this year, holding the event in the fall meant utilizing warm colors with a focus on getting outside and into nature. Dreamforce attendees entered the heart of Moscone Center in San Francisco by passing through a big, tawny faux-stone arch. Event mascot Einstein watched from the top of the rock.

Keep it Hands-on

Another element prominently featured at Dreamforce was simulation. For example, Alaska Airlines offered airplane simulations. Lightning, Salesforce’s next-generation user interface, had swings and a massive display that mimicked the thrill of creating custom user interfaces (imagine Disney’s Soarin’ Over California, but for techies). Hands-on opportunities help participants learn by doing.

Make Metaphor Your Friend

The National Park theme was visible in details large and small, including an indoor waterfall. Unexpected extras can add a wow factor and meaning. Dreamforce’s trailhead visitor center provided different learning “paths” members could take, much like paths they would take on a hike. It is also helpful to have two to three big-picture themes. For Dreamforce, the focus was on partnership, women in leadership and social consciousness.

Maximize Technology

Because Dreamforce is a tech convention, it seems natural to include lots of tech elements. Audiences enjoy using their phones to feel more involved. Digital programs save paper and make takeaways more portable—more likely to be saved. Be warned, however, that it can be easy to want to place everything on a “go big or go home” scale; but including a mix of big and small displays limits the tendency for attendees to feel overwhelmed when deciding where to focus attention.

Lockdown Your Layout

With an event as large as Dreamforce, it is critical that there is a breakdown of the agenda into speakers, breakaways and tutorials so that nothing feels monotonous. Including an array of activities throughout the event makes it easier to digest.

Know Your Numbers

Dreamforce drew 170,000 attendees and offered more than 2,700 breakout sessions, training and certification opportunities, hands-on demos, and hundreds of partners and solutions. With massive audiences, it’s important to plan so you can budget appropriately for food, space and transportation.

Plan an Unveiling

We all want our events to have a wow factor, and one surefire way to do that is to make a big announcement. Dreamforce provided several companies with opportunities to unveil their newest products to eager crowds. An element of freshness keeps the crowd on the edge of their seats.

Mix Work and Play

Dreamforce had a music stage with different performers all day, which in the past included U2, Foo Fighters, John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Bruno Mars and Green Day. Featuring strong leaders as speakers makes the podium more powerful. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff led the chats with Michelle Obama, IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, and Google’s Diane Greene at this year’s Dreamforce panels. This year’s Dreamforce speakers also included Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman.

Stay Woke

Audiences are looking for companies with clear messages and a goal to make change. putting social consciousness front and center demonstrates that you are a force for good. Dreamforce made an active effort to educate the audience about specific organizations, such as the Girl Scouts of America and Code for Change.

Socialize

Promoting on SM before, during and after the event maximizes buzz. Photos weren’t allowed inside the event, but before the entrance, fun photo ops, including a chance to take a selfie with Lilou the Pig, ensured lots of retweets. Before your event even begins, make an effort to name drop in order to increase anticipation and FOMO. The Dreamforce website states, “The world’s brightest, most innovative minds come to Dreamforce every year to share their expertise and wow attendees. Past speakers include Hillary Clinton, Melinda Gates, Al Gore, and Arianna Huffington.”

At the end of the day, your event should focus on the attendees, and the experience should reflect what they want to gain from the experience. We hope you find this helpful in planning your next event. Let us know what strategy you look forward to using most!

Wine Militia

Looking to put the “fun” back in “function”? Wine-themed team-building can add a refined, celebratory feel to any event. The team enjoys sampling wines, and the experience is made all the better by learning a thing or two. However, it is important to keep meeting goals front-and-center. We asked experts for tips on right and wrong ways to add vino to an event.

Mission Critical Enjoyment

Lamar Engel, founder of The Wine Militia in Napa, understands the realities of venue logistics, including F&B minimums. That is why he designed a series of self-contained experiences that are easy to program into an agenda, while being customizable enough that they dovetail with the culture and goals of the meeting. Wine-tasting education sessions are designed to boost morale and help people feel engaged. “People learn more when they are having fun,” he says.

One of his most popular team-building experiences is a wine-blending competition. Groups break into teams tasked with coming up with a blended product that is relevant for a defined market. This requires tasting an array of wines, debating the merits of each and the benefits of blending in different configurations. Participants can even be encouraged to dress the part and come up with team names. This exercises communication and collaboration skills—the wine can’t be “released” until everyone has given input. The final product is judged in a blind tasting. The winning team takes home a bottle with a custom label, including the company logo and the names of all the amateur vintners. The other take-home is a reminder long afterwards that great things can be gained by working together.

“It is important that any activities are relevant and aligned with the company’s goals,” Engel says. In other words, there must be a lesson that goes beyond drinking wine. Even if it is a meet-and-greet, adding the educational component can make the time more memorable and meaningful.

Educated Guess

Roxanne Langer, director of sales and marketing and winery sommelier at Moraga Estate in Bel Air, California, stresses the importance of educating without intimidating. She pairs information about wine varietals—where they come from, where they are currently grown, their flavor profiles—with a cheat sheet on wine vocabulary guests can take home with them. Then she walks through the steps of how to taste and describe a wine. Teams work together to determine which varietals are in each glass. How can a team not bond when they are swirling, sloshing and spitting together? She stresses the importance of offering activities for people who do not drink wine, as well as a food component, such as cheese to be paired with each varietal.

“Wine can be intimidating enough on its own.  Be careful when responding to questions to encourage guests. Affirm them rather than telling them everything you know about wine,” she says.

Location Specific

Janet Rudolph, founder of Team Building Unlimited in the San Francisco Bay Area, offers wine-themed team-building to help people capture the sense of place when they hold meetings in the wine regions springing up all over the country. One of the programs she offers is a Winery Mystery Party called Fatal Fermentation. The interactive murder mystery format includes guests, wine jargon and the meeting theme in the plot. “Your group’s raison d’etre is reinforced with the added excitement and vitality of interactive theater!” she enthuses in her description.

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

Photo credit: Multi-Hub Meetings 

Is getting everyone is the same room more difficult than herding caffeinated cats with a fear of enclosed places? Perhaps the solution for your group is a multi-hub meeting. As distributed companies with lots of remote workers become more prevalent, hybrid meetings that link groups of participants in different cities using a package of real-time audiovisual technology are a cost-saving way to help everyone feel connected. They combine the benefits of face-to-face interaction with the convenience of gathering in groups or hubs.

Planning a successful hybrid meeting that goes beyond a video call or webcast requires balancing location, cost and technology. Nienke Verwer, sales and marketing manager at Belgium-based Multi-Hub Meetings, says the key to a successful meeting is engagement. Her company provides technology packages that include cameras, microphones—and most importantly, technicians to run them—for distributed meetings. “We can never replace f2f events with virtual or hybrid events, because it’s the highest form of interaction. But we can still be engaging when we’re considering increasing our reach. Hybrid meetings [can be] the closest thing to f2f interaction.”

Multi-Hub Meetings recently helped produce an event with more than 300 participants, in 18 locations. Needless to say, that would have been impossible logistically without a technology solution.

Photo credit: Multi-Hub Meetings 

Verwer suggests considering the following when planning multi-city events:

1. Ensure all participants are seen and heard by all hubs when they speak. This is as simple as zooming in on people as they speak, and giving them a mic.

2. Make every hub as important as the others, so even when people are merely watching a screen in one location, they still feel as if they’re a part of the overall meeting (just as they would if everyone was in the same place). A multi-hub meeting is a live, zero-delay, hear-all-and-see-all event.

3. Effective ways to connect locations with each other—and foster an active connection—include using mobile apps for voting, creating a shared space for discussions and holding a competition.

4. Invest in a strong Internet connection to ensure no frustrating delay. Avoid using Wi-Fi unless absolutely necessary.

avoiding spam folder

When you’ve devoted hours of time, creative energy and strategic thinking to developing an event marketing email, you intend for it to be seen. So it’s pretty infuriating that your masterpiece will most likely be tossed in the spam folder. Not to mention, this isn’t what recipients want. According to a ReturnPath study, 79 percent of legitimate, permission-based marketing emails never reach the inbox. So you might have the most engaging email ever, but that doesn’t matter if you never reach an audience. Here are expert tactics for avoiding the spam folder like the plague.

Have Permission!

This isn’t exactly a tip—it’s a law. Before sending out any type of email marketing campaign, you must get permission to email first. No, you cannot just add contacts from business cards or buy a list of emails. Those types of tactics violate the CAN-SPAM Act, which could result in a fine up to $16,000.

Be a Humanoid

Always include a subject line. Without one, an email automatically gets filtered by the firewall. And in this subject line, be tactful with your language. Avoid terms which sound automatic such as “Click Below,” and “Full Month Trial”. For more no-no’s, check out this Hubspot list.

It’s also essential to use a person-sounding name rather than a “no reply” address. To avoid potentially flooding your inbox, either redirect responses to a company account or make up an alias. Plus, this will increase the likelihood of being added to an address book—even better!

Fully Evaluate Your Software

Unfortunately, many email design programs are notorious for spamming due to user ratings and complaints. Even if your company’s reputation is pristine, the program you’re using might be harmful. How can you tell which program is best? See what other customers are saying in ratings and online forums.

Keep Visuals to a Minimum

Be selective with the images—one or two are best at 600-800 pixels. An image-rich email takes much longer to download. Plus systems often assume it’s something explicit. Similarly, make sure your font is simple (Arial, Verdana, Georgia and Times New Roman) and the HTML code is clean.

Target Your List

The rate of active to inactive email accounts on your email list counts for spam filtering algorithms. If a significant portion of your emails are going to abandoned accounts, this could get you flagged. So be mindful of who isn’t engaging with your campaigns and proactive about keeping your list neat.

Aim for Consistency

Try to keep things as similar as possible across emails. This means logos, verbiage, subject lines and even typography. This will help users recognize you and therefore not immediately reject your message.

Make it Easy to Unsubscribe

Although this seems counter-intuitive, it’s actually pretty important and beneficial to have a clear “Unsubscribe” button. Opting out of one will not only result in many complaints, but a potential fine as well.

Maintain a Positive Cycle

The more your emails are opened, the more likely they are to avoid the spam folder. In fact, this affects as much as 26 percent of incorrect email flags, according to Return Path. So kick things off properly by crafting engaging subject lines, targeted lists and thoughtful timing.

Track Your Success

Once you implement these changes, continue measuring the success of your email campaigns on a regular basis. Internal testing is essential as automated systems are constantly evolving.

A few positive indicators of success are when emails are opened, replied to, moved to a folder or added to a contact list. Meanwhile, being moved to the junk folder or deleted without opening usually means it’s time to rethink your strategy.

You can monitor individual email scores. For instance, if a person always opens your emails, they can be identified as your power users. The same thing goes for email providers. If Gmail users have a habit of opening your emails, then Gmail will rank your emails highly.

’Tis the season to be jolly, and cities are certainly decking the halls with boughs of holly. We’ve rounded up some of the best tree-lighting ceremonies this season has to offer. Whether you’re traveling to one of these cities for work or one of them is your home base, get ready to put on your warm coat and watch that city go up in lights. These tree lightings have already been scheduled, so planners have a rare chance to sit back and enjoy the Christmas magic.

New York City

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be lit on Nov. 29, and will offer live performances from 7 to 9 p.m. Watch the ceremony between West 48th and West  51st streets, and Fifth and Sixth avenues.

This is your chance to act out that scene from Elf, where Buddy and Jovie run around looking at all the big Christmas trees until they end up at this one.

Union Fare provides an industrial-chic, light-filled dining space that you could use to host your next holiday party, or make your next meeting aesthetically pleasing.

Washington, D.C.

National Christmas Tree Lighting takes place in President’s Park on Nov. 30. Here’s your opportunity to put aside political differences for one magical night, full of twinkly lights that will make even your Scroogiest friends crack a smile.

Consider buying out the ice rink at Pentagon Row for your holiday Christmas party. The rink can hold up to 100 party-goers.

Newport Beach

Leave it to Southern California to find a way to make it snow while it’s sunny and 75 degrees. On November 17 and 18 at Fashion Island, the tree lighting comes complete with Mario Lopez as a host, a live musical show, Santa—and, of course, the aforementioned “snowfall.”

Balboa Bay Resort can host large and small events, with a range of spaces that can accommodate from 50 to 500 guests. More than 21,000 sq. ft. of indoor space and 20,000 sq. ft. of potential space outdoors gives you the chance to create your own winter wonderland.

San Francisco

This year’s Union Square Tree Lighting Ceremony (Macy’s 27th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony) is on Nov. 24. Festivities begin at 6 p.m., with the tree lighting scheduled for 6:40 p.m. Get to Union Square early for the best spot. The tree illuminates every night throughout the holidays.

You can book the Union Square ice rink to get up close and personal with the tree, and then meander over to the nearby Slanted Door restaurant and bar. The space can host a dinner for up to 50; your co-workers will need sustenance after all that skating.

Orlando

The annual Tree Lighting Celebration will be held on Dec. 1 at Lake Eola Park and feature a countdown to light the 72-foot Christmas tree, live performances and food from TheDailyCity.com Food Truck Bazaar.

Check out Icebar Orlando for you next event, and embrace the chill of socializing in an ice palace. This is probably the closest you’ll get to the castle from Frozen without leaving the country. The venue provides ample space to accommodate groups of up to 1,200 guests within its Icebar, Fire Lounge and outdoor patio.

Chicago

Get ready for Nov. 17 at Millennium Park, where the City of Chicago is proud to present the 104th Anniversary of the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Chez is a contemporary loft event space that can be easily transformed for any event. Situated two blocks from the Magnificent Mile, the 5,000-square-foot main floor provides tall ceilings, polished concrete floors, floor-to-ceiling windows and brilliant white brick walls—essentially the perfect blank canvas to build your next event around.

There is space for 200 at a seated dinner, 180 at a seated dinner with dance floor or 300 at a cocktail reception.

Atlanta

As the weather gets chillier and the smells of hot chocolate pour out of Kilwin’s, it’s clear that Atlantic Station will soon become a winter wonderland! Look forward to enjoying seasonal favorites and a few new, exciting holiday activities, beginning with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Nov. 18.

If your team is ready to play some reindeer games, head on over to Whirly Ball to play the most fun sport you’ve never heard of.

Whirlyball combines the best of whiffle ball, basketball and bumper cars into an action-packed sport that’s almost as fun to watch as it is to play. And of course, the space has a full bar, a party room and a stage for your karaoke-inclined office mates’ performances.

Dallas

Galleria Dallas is home to what is billed as America’s tallest indoor Christmas tree, sparkling with nearly a half-million lights and more than 10,000 ornaments.

Macy’s Grand Tree Lighting Ceremony, which repeats five times from Nov. 28 to Dec. 20, features skating Santa Missile Toes, who will shoot sparks from his skates and do some back-flips in free ice shows that also feature Olympic, world and national champions at Galleria Dallas Ice Skating Center in the mall’s center court.

With a whopping 5,080 sq. ft. of outdoor space, City View Terrace at the Renaissance Hotel is a breathtaking space for your holiday shindig. Enjoy panoramic views of downtown Dallas, grab a cocktail from the bar, or just bathe in the attractive modern decor.

The two spaces are set apart from the rest of the hotel, with guest access via a separate set of elevators and escalators, giving your party ultimate privacy.

Nashville

Enjoy the annual Nashville Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. in Nashville’s Public Square Park in the downtown area. There will be live music, food and tons of family fun.

The Cordelle isn’t your everyday venue, but that’s what makes it special. This former home-turned-event space has Victorian charm that is hard to find anywhere else in Nashville. Surrounding the gorgeous property are ample grounds, perfect for a tent if you want outdoor access during your party. The combined indoor and outdoor areas at The Cordelle allow for a total capacity of 400 attendees.

Boston

Mayor Marty Walsh will turn on the 50,000 glowing blue and white lights along the 260 foot trellis and 14 nearby trees on Nov. 20 at 5:30 pm in Christopher Columbus Park. Witness the transformation of the waterfront park into a magical light garden. The event includes music, entertainment and refreshments.

The State Room: A Longwood Venue, is a downtown urban space that has been the scene for exceptional events in Boston for quite some time. Planners will especially love the expansive and unobstructed view of Boston’s Bay from the Great Room on the 33rd floor.  The space can accommodate 50 to 1,000 guests.

Seattle

Each year, Pike Place Market gets in on the holiday action with its Magic in the Market event. This year, you and your crew can meet Santa under the Market’s iconic sign and take free photos with the jolly ole fella, plus decorate cookies in Market Atrium Kitchen and listen to festive caroling choirs.

Everyone will enjoy noshing on delish food from Market vendors while shopping for locally made gifts. At 5 p.m., Santa will lead a countdown to the lighting of the 20-foot holiday tree and lights throughout the Market.

Swoon over the sweeping views of Seattle’s mountains and city skyline from the light and airy Olympic Rooftop Pavilion on the fifth floor of the elegant 29-room Hotel Ballard. Gather your team of up to 150 (standing room) for a wine tasting, because the holidays practically demand vino.

Portland

On Nov. 24, thousands of Portlanders will gather at the Pioneer Courthouse Square to celebrate 30 years of lighting of the spectacular 75-foot-tall tree provided by Stimson Lumber Company.  This year’s event will feature a holiday sing-a-long featuring Thomas Lauderdale and other members of Pink Martini, Oregon’s Own 234th Army Band and Pacific Youth Choir.

Andina serves tasty Peruvian food and has four different private event spaces from which to choose. The family-style tapas menus are a natural fit for festive celebrations of all kinds. There is space for 66 seated and 100 standing, with the smallest room accommodating 14 seated.

San Jose

The annual start to Christmas in the Park is a tree lighting event held the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 24 this year) and features the official arrival of Santa Claus in downtown San Jose. All the fun and excitement kicks off at 6 p.m.

Special tree lighters will be Polina Edmunds and Rudy Galindo representing the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, being held in San Jose in January.

The Glasshouse is the perfect venue to host a crowd, whether that means 30 or 300 people.

At 12,000 sq. ft., the venue contains three lounges, two dining areas and a beautiful outdoor patio right in the heart of downtown San Jose, which also means right next to Christmas in the Park.

Keep the celebrations going there after watching all of the lights go up at Christmas in the Park.

Anaheim

The holidays begin in fashion at Disneyland Resort, and you can help light up the park in a new way on Friday, Nov. 17, without having to make a trip there. Be part of the holiday magic by helping light the Main Street Christmas Tree on Facebook Live with Disney’s holiday campaign, Likes for Lights.

Instead of Christmas magic, the park is using likes to make lights. Your Facebook reactions will light up the spectacular 60-foot-tall tree in real time.

Spread the holiday cheer by liking and sharing, and join in at 5 p.m. PST on Nov. 17, on Disneyland Facebook to turn your likes into lights on the Main Street Christmas Tree.

Las Vegas

In commemoration of winter and the return of one of Las Vegas’ top holiday destinations, On December 4th The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas presents the resort’s inaugural tree lighting ceremony with special host Olympic figure-skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi. The lighting of the 36’ tall Christmas tree will take place at 7 p.m.

Reserve a fire pit next to the ice rink to stay cozy while you experience snowfall from 7 p.m. to midnight on Tuesdays, beginning Nov. 20 and running through Jan. 10.

Where do you plan to be to watch these festive lights go up? Let us know!