new york

The leader of New York City’s official destination marketing organization strongly condemned Tuesday’s terrorist attack, but assured meeting groups and tourists that the city remains safe and welcoming.

“We condemn this senseless act of violence here and those in other destinations around the globe,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company, in a statement. “We are a strong, united and resilient community. New York City remains a safe and welcoming destination for leisure visitors and meetings delegates, and we encourage travelers to continue with their plans here and elsewhere.”

The city’s resilience was on full display during Tuesday night’s 44th Annual Village Halloween Parade in the Greenwich Village neighborhood. The traditional vampires, witches and ghosts were joined by jellyfish, dinosaurs and a goldfish in a bowl—refusing to be deterred by the mass murder earlier in the day.

Tens of thousands of people took part in the celebration, and while the crowd of onlookers was a bit smaller and more wary than usual, parade performers were as exuberant as ever. The prevailing spirit was to show fortitude and solidarity with the victims.

“Tonight we’re at a Halloween parade to say you didn’t win and you didn’t affect us. We’re doing what New Yorkers do,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo told CNN. “We’re living our lives because we’re not going to allow the terrorists to win, period. And that’s why I’m here marching in the parade, not because I have a great costume.”

The New York Police Department (NYPD) provided additional officers at the parade site and throughout the rest of the city after Sayfullo Saipov, 29, drove a rental truck down the bike path along the Hudson River, killing eight people, before hitting a school bus and being shot by a police officer.

“We are deeply saddened by the terrible attack of October 31, and are thankful and reassured by the swift actions of the NYPD and first responders,” Dixon said. “Our deepest sympathies are with all the victims and their families. It is profoundly disheartening to learn of the five Argentineans and the Belgian who were among those who lost their lives and of the other injured or affected visitors—all simply here to experience and enjoy our incredible city.”

starwood uber

Meeting professionals soon will be unable to use Uber rides to earn Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) points, but the transportation company may offer other loyalty program options.

Marriott International, which purchased Starwood in 2016, issued a statement Tuesday indicating that the Starwood-Uber partnership will not be renewed in 2018. Starpoints that already have been earned through Uber will not be affected, and registered SPG members who have stays posted with their accounts through the end of this year can earn Starpoints for Uber rides until 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 17.

The partnership between Starwood and Uber was established in 2015, and allowed customers to link the two accounts. The arrangement allowed 0.5 hotel points to be earned for each dollar spent on Uber rides. Promotions were later added that enabled customers to multiply the points earned.

This arrangement was considered highly significant because it was the first between a hotel company and a ridesharing firm. It was popular among meeting professionals and other business travelers, in particular, because Uber and Starwood are leading companies in their respective fields.

Skift stated that it’s unclear whether or not Uber is planning to link up with another loyalty program and speculated that it may want to switch its loyalty program to more of an internal platform. Earlier this week, Uber announced that it is launching its own branded credit card, which could indicate that it wants more control over how points are earned and spent.

This could indicate that Uber’s partnership with American Express—which provides platinum cardholders with a $200 annual credit and membership reward points for every ride—could be discontinued in the future.

“Inclusion Drives Innovation” is the theme of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), which is honored in October and has existed in some form since 1945.

“Each day, millions of Americans with disabilities go to work and know firsthand the independence, pride and sense of community that comes with a job,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta in a press release. “Their daily contributions are proof that inclusion helps drive American innovation.”

NDEAM is promoted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy.

Many organizations pitch in to help during NDEAM. Best Buddies International, a Miami-based nonprofit organization founded by Anthony K. Shriver in 1989, has expanded to worldwide outreach in more than 50 countries. Shriver and Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, “put their heads together…about their desire to really embrace inclusion,” Dominique Ianni, director of operations for Best Buddies Nevada, told Smart Meetings.

MGM Resorts International joined forces with the Best Buddies Jobs program in Nevada in 2014 to employ individuals with intellectual disabilities, such as Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury.

Ianni says this initiative seeks to provide opportunities for this population of people to make competitive wages with benefits, and squash the perception that they are only capable of being “grocery baggers.” Ianni says that they work in spas as receptionists or attendants, and as front desk ambassadors and gym attendants, as well as in the pool and culinary areas. 

“[We’ve also] been looking at positions in their accounting department,” she said.

One success story is that of Paul Brooks, who works as a gym attendant at Bellagio Resorts and Casino. He is very forward-facing with the guests and helps with the towels. At the 2016 Best Buddies International Leadership Conference, he was honored with the Jobs Program Participant of the Year Award for his stellar service. Ianni calls him “one of our shining stars.”

“Our partnership with Best Buddies Nevada helps promote a more diverse and inclusive workplace and allows individuals like Paul Brooks to showcase their incredible talents and abilities,” said Shelley Gitomer, vice president of philanthropy and community engagement for MGM Resorts International.

Across the country in Leesburg, Virginia, The National Conference Center paired up with Loudoun County Public School System and the nonprofit organization Didlake for a similar program, Project Search, to help people with intellectual delays transition from high school to the real world. Participants take part in a 10-month internship to learn various areas of hospitality through classes and hands-on training. 

“We placed our nine interns in a variety of departments, including culinary, engineering, housekeeping, audiovisual, grounds and event services,” said Geoff Lawson, vice president and general manager for The National, regarding the program’s first graduating class in June. Three of the participants were hired by the conference center upon completion of their internships and a new group of students are currently enrolled in training.

It’s unanimous. Every respondent in a recent IACC survey confirmed that requests for gluten-free options—especially for desserts—are rising. Vegan requests followed, with some 83 percent saying they have received more requests for meals free of dairy, fish, meat or eggs.

While some requests are due to lifestyle choices, many are because of serious allergies, so the majority of venues responding to the survey said they have made a point of asking attendees in advance as part of the registration process or upon arrival.

gluten free food trends

IACC graph of food trends requested more today than two years ago

Venues are responding by increasing options. A super-majority (87 percent) said they have made changes or additions to their menus based on health and wellness principles—even if planners and attendees don’t always choose the healthy options. Ron Stoddard, chef at Summit Executive Centre in Chicago told surveyors, “We (still) try to have that one indulgent item on the menu. Maybe it could be macaroni and cheese, a creamy soup or possibly bacon.”

The report concluded that the role of the venue is to give delegates an opportunity to “nourish themselves through food and beverage in whichever way they prefer.”

Just as what people are eating has become highly personalized, the “when” is also increasingly being left up to the attendee to decide. Jessie States, manager of professional development at MPI, said, “Meeting professionals are increasingly asking for continuous food breaks to fuel their attendees. The nutritional needs of an audience are as diverse as the individuals who comprise it.” Tables of brain foods, such as nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables, along with hydration stations of mint-infused water, allow people to keep energy levels stable during long conference sessions.

Also trending was a focus on how the food is prepared. Farm-to-table has come to the meeting space. Another supermajority (84 percent) said event professionals are requesting—and are willing to pay more for—locally sourced foods.

Healthy Shape Shifting

There was unanimity in a focus on considering overall attendee health and well-being when making design decisions. Many said the construction of the spaces where meetings are held is changing to fit a new focus on fitness.

Daniel Techman, director of sales and marketing at President Abraham Lincoln Springfield-a DoubleTree by Hilton, shared that when his property recently renovated, its public meeting space was reconfigured to provide both areas where people can stay connected and have private space.

Other properties are including more natural light in meeting rooms, patios for fresh air and walking trails for solo or group exercise.

Every week, we write about new and renovated properties all over the world. Many hotels offer breathtaking amenities and unique stories, but we want to call out a few that demonstrate a deep understanding of three things that matter most to people putting on events in those spaces.

Location is Everything

When we bring people from hinder and yon to achieve important business goals, we don’t want to spend unnecessary time shuttling people from place to place. So, they need to stay in a convenient location.

Pool at Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport 

The newly renovated Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport calls itself #unquestionablyunairport, but the fact that it is a block from one of the major airports in the world, with views of the runways, downtown and the ocean, adds to the appeal of a property that after a $75 million reinvention feels like a midcentury luxury escape. Did we mention direct shuttles leave every 10 minutes to whisk guests to their gate?

The new, all-suite Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach makes the most of its location on North Beach, overlooking the Atlantic with panoramic views from the sixth-floor, 20,000-foot Sky Deck. With four on-site restaurants and easy access to Las Olas Boulevard, Broward Center for Performing Arts, and Museum of Discovery and Science, it can serve as a home base or a home away from home.

Size Matters

An event space needs to be flexible and attractive, but if it isn’t big enough to hold the group, it is a nonstarter. The newly opened Parq Vancouver boasts 62,000 sq. ft. of event space, including Vancouver’s largest hotel ballroom. The meeting space is all on one floor and breakout rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows to bring in lots of natural light.

Las Vegas, already home to one of the largest chunks of meeting space in the world, will soon see another 850,000 sq. ft. of innovative spaces designed to reflect how people meet today. MGM Resorts recently completed 350,000 sq. ft. of meetings space at Mandalay Bay and is in the process of adding 200,000 sq. ft. at Aria, complete with operable glass walls and a 7,000-square-foot outdoor terrace. Meanwhile, at MGM Grand, $130 million will go into adding 250,000 sq. ft., including a second-floor Stay Well Meetings area.

Lobby at Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport 

Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport encompasses 50,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including the largest room in the area (14,000 sq. ft.), a 10,000-square-foot conference center, and a boardroom with runway views and stunning sunsets. It is topped with a penthouse event space that offers 360-degree views in the round.

Sleep is Sacred

Planners and attendees need their beauty rest to be refreshed for meetings, so having a reliable retreat is essential.

Hyatt Regency Los Angeles Airport’s 580 guest rooms are fitted with quadruple-paned, soundproof windows to ensure a quiet night’s sleep while planes land and take off just yards away.

Park MGM offers Stay Well Rooms with contouring support, natural memory, foam mattresses; enhanced air purification systems; aromatherapy; circadian lighting; access to Cleveland Clinic Wellness programs online; and access to Jiyo, Deepak Chopra’s personal well-being mobile app.

Travelers in 2018 will rely more on artificial intelligence and digital technology before booking a trip, and will increasingly emphasize health and wellness during their stay, according to a study by Booking.com.

The study, which was based on customer insights from more than 1 million guest reviews as well as research from some 19,000 travelers across 26 countries around the world, resulted in eight major travel predictions for 2018. The predictions pertain to many types of travelers, including groups.

  1. Tech trip planning: Higher levels of tech trip planning are forecast for next year. Some 29 percent of global travelers say they are comfortable letting a computer plan an upcoming trip based on data from their personal history, and 50 percent don’t care whether arrangements are made by a person or a computer, as long as their questions are answered.
  2. Health and wellness: Some 20 percent of travelers plan to take health and wellness trips in 2018, compared with 10 percent in 2017. Walking and hiking are likely to be the top healthy activities, with 56 percent of travelers saying they plan to do one or the other.
  3. Financial considerations: Some 48 percent of travelers say they will think about the economic climate of a destination before making the decision to travel there, and 47 percent of travelers plan to take currency exchange rates into consideration
  4. Realizing dreams: Some 45 percent of travelers have a travel bucket list of destinations, and 82 percent of them will aim to visit one or more of them next year. The most popular items that travelers plan to tick off their bucket list are: visiting one of the wonders of the world (47 percent), trying a local food delicacy (35 percent), staying at an island paradise (34 percent), visiting a famous theme park (34 percent), experiencing a unique cultural event (28 percent), learning a new skill (27 percent), going on an epic road or rail journey (25 percent) and visiting a remote or challenging location (25 percent).
  5. Retro experiences: One-third of travelers say they are may visit a place they experienced as a child. Some 44 percent of millennials hope to travel back to destinations that were family favorites. Sixty percent of travelers intend to post on social media each day, which could result in many nostalgic places being spotlighted during the course of the year.
  6. Pop culture influence: Films, television shows and social media are likely to have a more significant impact on booking decisions. Some 39 percent of travelers get ideas from watching YouTube recommendations and 36 percent get them from television, film or music videos.
  7. Rental homes: Rental homes are expected to be popular, with 33 percent of travelers saying they would prefer to stay in one of them rather than a hotel, and 21 percent of those surveyed reporting that they would consider listing their home on a travel accommodation site. Some 25 percent of travelers say that it would be important for their host to have a strong knowledge about local food and places to visit.
  8. Companionship: When asked who their travel companions were likely to be, the segment showing the biggest increase from 2017 to 2018 was a group of friends, which increased from 21 to 25 percent.

Booking.com, which was established in Amsterdam in 1996, is one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world.

The appeal of holiday themes is that they can be silly and playful, but event professionals walk a fine line between embracing a festive spirit and entering childish territory (or worse, cheesy). Here are some guidelines from design experts around the web for maintaining this balance.

Set the Tone with a Festive Invite

The invite should signify the theme so attendees know what to expect. Rather than simply stating it though, this is an opportunity to show off some high-quality creativity.  If the invite is going to incorporate the theme, go big.  Metallic signage, glitter, ribbons, thick paper, sequins—anything that looks out of the ordinary will signify the holiday season. If you want to get really out-of-the-box with it, try a different format entirely. The coffin box above is a great example. Some other eccentric ideas we’ve seen around are a message in a mini bottle, paper fan and even a balloon (guests are instructed to blow up for event details).

Dress up the Table

The table is always central to any holiday party. Plus, it’s where attendees will be getting up close and personal with your decor. Incorporating natural elements gives that sought-after Pinterest style. When deciding on natural elements to incorporate, keep it seasonal with plants such as lush garland, cinnamon or pinecones. To ensure it looks neat, keep the table balanced and stay within the color scheme.

Placecards indicate the formality of the event so dazzle them up if you want to show off the event’s sophistication. Metallics may be mixed for table items, but keep in mind how this fits with the rest of your pallet. Silver and gold each have their own strengths, a frosty versus warm glow respectively. So picking a metal depends on the particular mood you’re setting.

Light up the Venue 

Lighting is crucial to setting the mood. Be sure to diversify lighting, and always choosing candles that appeal to smell and sight equally. If candles are a hazardous option for your particular event, some safe alternatives include: electric tea candles, string “fairy” lights, flameless LED lights, oil warmers, reed diffusers and air freshener dispensers. Also be mindful of which lighting you’re trying to highlight—will it be a frosty, warm or colorful and festive? Don’t forget to dazzle up the outdoors as well.

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Lighting isn’t restricted to the traditional. A plethora of 3-D projections can set a celebratory mood. For instance, Gobos can project different light shapes using stencils onto the floor.

Incorporate a Modern Flare

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Play with geometric shapes, metals, plant varieties, wool materials, faux fur—anything you can imagine. Gone are the days of old-school wreaths and ornaments. Juxtaposing traditional items with a modern spin can add an element of surprise. Plus, more responsible, energy-efficient options are now available. For instance, opt for LED bulbs and use them with motion detectors or timers.

Avoid Overwhelming

No clutter and no tchotchkes! Use the decorations to accentuate the structure and design of the venue. Don’t just place a giant inflatable snowman smack in the middle of the room. Make the elements interact by putting decorations in bowls and boxes. String lights around pillars. If you’re unsure, then use the rule of threes. For example, three primary colors for the scheme, three scents and three types of plants.

Open geometric and glass objects are terrific options when avoiding too many materials and patterns. Also mix up the layers and heights. If the table has objects that vary in height, it won’t look overcrowded. And by all means, go wild with ornaments! Just be mindful about scattering them around the venue so that they don’t end up looking untidy.

Give the People What They Want: Instagram Photo-Ops

Nowadays, it seems like the entire point of any outing is to post about it on social media. So you might as well succumb to the craze and offer a photo station. Both digital and Polaroids are good options for a holiday photo booth. As for the background, all colors pop against white and metallic. Not to mention, this eliminates any concerns about an outfit clashing. Inject playful hints of the holiday using sparkles, logos, props or effects.

Keep an Open Mind

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Holiday parties are all about letting lose and embracing a joyful celebration. Let your quirky ideas flourish with holiday themes. Sure there are some basic rules to keep in mind, but what beats going with your instinct?

bridge reopens big sur

An enclave of popular event venues in California’s Big Sur region are now accessible again—and in the case of Ventana Big Sur, greatly improved—after the fast-tracking of Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge. The critical link on California’s scenic Highway 1 was severely damaged in early February during a series of landslides, and has been rebuilt over the last seven months by the California Department of Transportation at a cost of $24 million.

A project of this magnitude can often take seven to eight years, but because 35 miles of the highway to the south was inaccessible to vehicles and visitors, a new bridge designed to be less vulnerable to landslides was expedited. The closure left a tourism-dependent town out of business for the entire peak season. Locals began calling the places separated by the bridge closure “Big Sur Island,” because the town was very isolated.

Back to Business as Usual

This section of Monterey attracts many of the 4.6 million people who visit the county each year to hike the Redwoods and take in sweeping views of the Pacific. Businesses south of the bridge that are now open for business again include Esalen Institute, Hawthorne Gallery, Nepenthe, Big Sur Deli, Big Sur Taphouse and The Phoenix Shop.

Ventana Big Sur took advantage of the lull in tourism while roads were being repaired to invest in a reimagining of all 59 rooms and 12,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space, including an ocean meadow for glamping in the redwoods. It will reopen as part of Alila Hotels & Resort. Event planners can once again provide a peaceful retreat for attendees, complete with coastal views, serene beaches and jaw-dropping sunsets.

The bridge’s reopening has helped much of Big Sur get back on its feet, while hotel and restaurant owners look forward to a return to normalcy after an unintended off-season. Tourists look forward to return to picturesque beaches, sweeping views and tranquility the great outdoors offers.

While the bridge provides much better access to Big Sur, there is still work to be done. Highway 1 in Big Sur remains closed at Salmon Creek near the San Luis Obispo County border due to the massive Mud Creek slide, and won’t open to traffic until late summer. The new roadway—which  will traverse over the slide area, using a series of embankments, berms, rocks, netting, culverts and other stabilizing material—will  cost an estimated $40 million.

Harold Lloyd Estate

The former Palms Springs retreat of legendary silent film comedian, actor and director Harold Lloyd—can anyone forget him dangling from the hands of a huge bell-tower clock in Safety Last?—has been renovated as a special events venue for up to 200 people. The 1.1-acre property was built in 1925 and includes a 5,100-square-foot main house, guest houses and lots of Hollywood-inspired photography.

Normandy Farm Hotel & Conference Center

One of the largest and most popular conference centers in the Greater Philadelphia area, this Blue Bell, Pennsylvania property has overhauled 113 guest rooms in the main complex, upgraded its tech, and spruced up lobby and hotel corridors. Normandy Farm’s IACC-certified conference center offers more than 30,000 sq. ft. of meeting space within a classically restored gentleman’s farm.

Basin Harbor Club

This 129-year-old property on Vermont’s Lake Champlain is well into a multiyear rejuventation that includes 144 guest rooms and cottages, two major public and meeting spaces, plus resort-wide Wi-Fi. An old hay loft is now Town Hall, with 17-foot ceilings, towering windows and three chandeliers. “New” design accents feature oars, croquet clubs, steamer trunks and old mahogany water skis found in the attics.

Yemaya Island Hideaway and Spa

Photo credit: Colibri Boutique Hotels

Little Corn Island awaits in emerald-green waters 50 miles off the coast of Nicaragua, and Yemaya Island guests now arrive on a brand-new, custom-built ferry. The barefoot luxury resort has undergone extensive refurbishment and added five new oceanfront suites with plunge pools. The motor-vehicle-free island’s natural beauty is further enhanced by food and beverage based on organic produce from the resort’s own garden.

It’s not at all unusual for politicians from competing cities to make friendly wagers on major sporting events—but in what could become a trend, the convention and visitors bureaus are venturing into the mix during the 2017 World Series by making a social media bet.

Visit Houston and Discover Los Angeles have agreed to allow the winning city’s CVB to take over the Twitter, Facebook and Instagram feeds for the losing city’s CVB for one day.

Before the series began, Discover Los Angeles tweeted,

And shortly after, Houston responded,

The conversation continued until Los Angeles announced,

The first two games were played in Los Angeles, with each team winning one game. Beginning Friday, the next three games will be played in Houston.

As usual, politicians have made bets on the series.

Cruz replied,

California’s Democratic governor, Edmund G. Brown Jr., and his Texas counterpart, Greg Abbott, also made a wager. If the Dodgers win, Abbott will send Brown a six-pack of Houston-brewed beer and Texas barbecue. If the Astros win, Brown will send Abbott a selection of wine from wineries in the Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino regions impacted by recent wildfires.

“In the spirit of bipartisanship and in recognition of the resilience of the communities impacted by the recent wildfires in California and Hurricane Harvey in Texas, the governors are wagering wine, beer and food from businesses in regions impacted by these disasters and encouraging the public to see, taste and experience what their respective states have to offer,” Brown said in a statement. “While we don’t expect to have to send any vino to Texas, we hope travelers from all over the world—yes, even the Lone Star State—will continue to visit California.”

Abbott said, “Texas and California are recovering from some of the worst natural disasters our states have ever encountered. As we work to overcome these challenges, our two states are united by America’s pastime as we cheer on our home teams in the World Series. Go Astros!”