incentive trips

Anyone who has attended a Super Bowl party or a pregame tailgate gathering knows that sporting events have a way of bringing people together. The game-day playbook involves frenzied anticipation, spirited debate, camaraderie and indulgent food and drink—plus the communal experience of watching a live event unfold, a relative novelty now that many consume recorded, streamed and on-demand entertainment.

Meeting professionals can adapt that game plan to their next incentive outing or corporate retreat by building the trip around a top-tier sporting event. “As major sporting events often offer a history-making moment, they create a unique opportunity for employees to bond over the shared, once-in-a-lifetime experience,” says Bryan Pettigrew, senior vice president of marketing and sponsorship for the Breeders’ Cup Thoroughbred horse races.

Some competitions take place at the same venue every year, as in the case of the U.S. Open, held at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, in late August through early September, and the Masters golf tournament, held at Georgia’s Augusta National Golf Club in April.

Sporting events held at rotating locations, such as the Super Bowl, professional all-star games and certain major collegiate postseason contests, announce host cities years in advance, giving both destinations and planners ample time to prepare.

“Host cities often invest a significant amount of time and resources into community-wide infrastructure surrounding a major sporting event that’s primed to bring a lot of visitors to their streets, making for the best time to arrange a trip to the destination,” Pettigrew says.

These spectacles of sport don’t appeal only to super-fans. “Many high-level sporting events have developed from a one-dimensional match or race into an all-inclusive lifestyle experience, boasting the best of cuisine, entertainment and hospitality, thereby ensuring a positive experience for all attendees, whether they have a proclivity toward sports or not,” Pettigrew says.

For example, the 2017 Breeders’ Cup World Championships coming to Del Mar, California, November 3–4 will follow a week-long Breeders’ Cup Festival featuring culinary events, parties, art exhibitions, golf tournaments and more. In 2018, the event heads to Churchill Downs in Louisville, the storied home of the Kentucky Derby.

Planners in need of incentive trip inspiration should keep these marquee events on their radar for 2018.

  • Super Bowl 52, Feb. 4, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis
  • NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four, March 31–April 2, at the Alamodome in San Antonio
  • The Masters Tournament, April 5–8, at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia
  • S. Open Tennis Championships, Aug. 31–Sept. 11, at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York

Read more about incentive travel in the October issue of Smart Meetings.

best of imex day 1

Couldn’t make it to Vegas for the biggest event industry show of the year? We have your highlights from the first official day of IMEX America right here. Plus, let’s be honest, even if you are here, it is impossible to see everything. IMEX reports a record 3,300 companies from around the world were there to share their story. Roll the sizzle reel.

1. Safe and Strong

From the abundance of uniformed security guards–and their dogs–to the #LiveStrong T-shirts, the heightened sense of caution and unity after the tragic attack the previous week was evident. Led by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, leaders from the hospitality industry showed solidarity for the important role planners play in bringing people together and the thousands of jobs and families they support. MGM Resorts International Chairman and CEO Jim Maureen may have said it best when he stated, “We are heartbroken, but not broken.”

2. New and Better

Destinations and suppliers used the event as a platform to announce new products and initiatives. From Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board‘s update on the improvements in the works to prepare for the arrival of the Olympic teams in 2028 and how that will benefit planners to Scotland’s announcement of the hashtag #IdeasBecomeLegend to promote the blend of history and innovation in the entire country. Plus, JW Marriott Minneapolis, Radisson Blu and Mall of America teamed up to promote holding meetings “under one roof” to save planners time and money. IMEX America was the platform for announcing what’s new.

3. Open for Business

Destinations from The Caribbean, Florida and Texas were eager to let people know they are open and hosting events. The most effective thing we can do as event professionals is to do what we do best and continue plan and go to experiences in these places.

day of the girl

Today marks International Day of the Girl. The United Nations sanctioned this date in 2012 as an initiative to empower girls who have been victimized by a variety of circumstances, ranging from violence to natural disasters.

UN Women—an organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women—issued a statement saying, “On the International Day of the Girl Child, let us commit to investing in skills training and education for girls and livelihood activities for young women around the world who are facing crises. Far from being passive recipients of assistance, these girls are leaders who will use the skills that they develop today to rebuild their communities, and create a better future for all of us.”

Let’s begin by situating ourselves—after all, our field is far from exempt. Planners certainly feel the brunt of gender inequality, especially in their professional work. Data USA shows that 77.4 percent of meeting, convention and event planners are female. However, annual compensation is more than $8,000, or 20 percent, higher for males on average.

It’s impossible to find an area where Day of the Girl isn’t relevant. According to the International Center for Research on Women, every 10 minutes, a teenage girl dies as a result of violence, and 130 million girls from age 6 to 17 are not in school. This is a problem for everyone—gender, age and culture alike.

The Day of the Girl website is a fantastic place to get educated and involved. It provides a variety of resources for specific organizations on the wide range of issues women face, ways of supporting the cause, blogs and relevant campaigns.

It also lists the Day of the Girl’s core principles:

  1. Girls are the experts on issues that affect girls.
  2. Girls from marginalized communities must be central in conversations about social justice issues involving those communities.
  3. Truly effective social change cannot come without girls’ leadership.
  4. Girls’ issues are intersectional. We must intentionally include people who are different from ourselves in our social change work.

Clearly, it’s time to fight for a world that is more welcoming, accommodating and simply fair to girls. Here are a few ways you can begin encouraging change.

Familiarize with Issues and Organizations

Education is always an essential first step. Start researching organizations that aid unique challenges faced by girls globally. Some of these issues include ending child marriage, providing girls’ education, supplying health care and fighting poverty. Next, read up on these issues or speak to members of these organizations. Find out the best strategies for donating, raising awareness and volunteering. You might be surprised by how many ways there are to do this.

Incorporate the Cause

Initiating a fundraiser at your meeting or event is a fantastic opportunity to support girls, and one that is unique to planners. Not only will this encourage donations, but you will also be spreading vital awareness and knowledge.  A few major organizations relating to these issues include the Malala Fund, She’s The First, CARE International, Camfed and Girls Not Brides.

Show Your Support

Although it may often be a small gesture, it’s crucial to show your support whenever the chance rises. Whether it is attending a local event or simply supporting the girls in your life through conversations, these actions can accumulate into a movement.  Don’t forget to get the men involved, as well—their support is equally important.  From Turkey to the Dominican Republic, there are special events throughout the world today. Yet, there are still plenty of events throughout the year that you can find through a little research.

Be Part of the Conversation—Make a Statement

Get involved online and join the conversation!

Today the hashtags #DayOfTheGirl and #GirlTakeover are trending. It is also encouraged to take a selfie where you think women belong, and pair it with #GirlBelongHere. Go ahead and tag the women and girls who inspire you in these posts—they deserve the shout out. Ultimately, it’s all about participating in the community and signifying a stance.

Remember that today is simply a reminder of a year-round effort. Continuously express yourself on blogs and social media. Offline, open up dialogues—give these issues a voice. And, most importantly, keep asking yourself the essential question: How can we support girls?

Here are some moving ways organizations, companies and women are using social media to show their support:

tropical storm nate

Tropical Storm Nate is expected to directly hit Louisiana as a hurricane late Saturday or early Sunday, triggering precautions throughout much of the Gulf Coast.

Nate killed at least 21 people as it passed Thursday over Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras, where it caused widespread flash flooding and mudslides. Nate is expected to gain strength as it approaches the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico Friday and likely strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane by the time it makes landfall along the Gulf Coast.

The eye of the storm is likely to hit about 50 miles east of New Orleans, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The Hurricane National Hurricane Center issued a storm surge warning for Morgan City, Louisiana, to the Alabama-Florida line, as well as for the northern and western shores of Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana.

“Residents in these areas should heed any evacuation instructions given by local officials,” the hurricane center said, adding that Nate will bring winds, storm surge and heavy rainfall.

Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for all of Louisiana and Mayor Mitch Landrieu did the same for New Orleans.

“There is no need to panic,” Landrieu tweeted. “Be ready and prepare. Get a plan. Prepare to protect your personal property.”

Louisiana National Guard soldiers have been in Puerto Rico, helping with recovery efforts from Hurricane Maria. More than 1,000 state guardsmen have been mobilized in preparations for Nate, with some going to New Orleans to monitor drainage pumps that are already damaged.

Florida, still reeling from Hurricane Irma, is largely out of the forecast cone, but hurricane, tropical storm and storm surge watches were issued late Friday from the state’s border with Alabama east as far as Indian Pass. Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for 29 counties and cautioned residents to be prepared in case Nate’s forecast track changes. Evacuations could be needed, he said.

Five luxury properties—ranging from relaxing resorts to urban landmarks—have been identified as the world’s next great upscale hotels by experiential travel network Virtuoso.

These properties, all of which will open or re-open between late 2017 and late 2018, were chosen by Virtuoso and its more than 16,000 travel advisors in more than 45 countries.

Bulgari Hotel Shanghai

Bulgari Hotel Shanghai is in the heart of the city, but in a peaceful riverside location. Featuring stunning views of the city’s skyline, it is just a few minutes from many top attractions, such as the Bund waterfront area and the museums on People’s Square. The hotel’s 82 guest rooms and suites are located on the top eight floors of a 40-story building that is also home to The Bulgari Residences. Highlights include a 21,527-square-foot spa and fitness center, rooftop Italian restaurant, fine-dining Chinese restaurant and 5,167-square-foot ballroom. Bulgari is scheduled to open in late 2017.

Hotel Lutetia

When Hotel Lutetia opened on the Left Bank in Paris in 1910, it included luxury at its very finest, including China from Haviland, silver from Christofle and crystal from Baccarat. The design of the hotel was a daring transition from Art Nouveau to the emerging Art Deco style. The hotel attracted hundreds of celebrities over the years. Hotel Lutetia, which will re-open in spring 2018, will offer 184 rooms, fitness facilities, a jazz bar and Lutetia Brasserie, featuring a private dining room, show kitchen, bar and terrace.

Raffles Europejski Warsaw

Also scheduled to re-open in spring 2018, Raffles Europejski Warsaw in Poland immediately was acclaimed as one of the most luxurious hotels in the Russian Empire when it debuted in 1857. It was almost completely destroyed during World War II, and was re-built in stages throughout the 1950s, eventually re-opening in 1962. It now is undergoing restoration to preserve its heritage and character. Located in the historic district of Warsaw, next to the Presidential Palace, the elegant hotel will offer 106 guest rooms, a restaurant with an outdoor terrace, a bar and cigar lounge, a patisserie and a spa with six treatment rooms.

Montage Los Cabos

Situated on the sweeping shores of Mexico’s Santa Maria Bay, Montage Los Cabos will provide 122 expansive guest rooms, featuring a palette of natural desert tones and native materials inspired by local ambiance. The dining venues will highlight abundant seafood and artisanal dishes offering ingredients sourced from nearby organic fields. Wellness programs and treatments will be available at the signature Spa Montage, complementing an array of fitness offerings, including tennis and recreational lawn facilities. Montage, which will open in the spring of 2018, will have 6,100 sq. ft. of indoor event space and expansive oceanfront gathering areas.

Six Senses Bhutan

Six Senses Bhutan, slated to open in late 2018, will include five unique lodges, collectively providing 82 suites. The lodges will feature the signature Six Senses qualities, including eco-friendly design, world-class cuisine, wellness and personalized service. Guests will visit the heritage and hospitality of five intimate lodges—Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang and Par. Each of them was identified with a specific and appropriate theme, such as culture, so that as guests move between them they experience a journey through all their senses.

 

Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel & Meeting Center has just completed a $10 million renovation that includes refreshed guest rooms, a redesigned lobby, a transformed pool area and custom-built meeting space.

The hotel, the closest one to Miami International Airport (MIA), has transformed its 405 guest rooms by featuring a primarily neutral palette, eclectic furniture, a Herman Miller ergonomic chair, the signature Sheraton sleep experience and updated bathrooms. Many guest rooms also feature superb views of Miami.

A renovated entryway and porte cochere leads to the chic lobby, which, features striking geometric shapes, colorful art work and lush greenery. The lobby provides comfortable lounge seating, partly screened by partial link walls that provide both privacy while facilitating socializing.

The pool area has been transformed into a tropical paradise that includes indigenous plants, luxurious fabrics and a variety of seating options. Guests are able to enjoy a quintessential South Florida experience—dipping toes in the sand while sipping a cocktail—at  the white sandy beach installation.

The 17,000 sq. ft. of renovated meeting space is located on one floor, and accommodates up to 300 people. Sheraton Miami is the only International Association of Conference Centers-certified facility in South Florida.

Additional amenities at the property are a 24-hour club lounge, a fitness center, a 24-hour airport shuttle, and preferred rates at the renowned Melreese Golf Course.

October is the month for all things spooky. And what’s more quintessentially creepy than a haunted hotel? Whether you’re planning a meeting or an event for next year’s scary season, or just looking for a place where your attendees will enjoy some thrills, kick things up a notch at these haunted hotels. Added bonus—these aren’t just any ole hauntings. These ghosts have earned some serious notoriety either during their lifetime or postmortem.

1. Kate Morgan, Hotel del Coronado (San Diego)

Hotel del Coronado is known for its extensive history, which dates back to the 1800s. Specifically, Kate Morgan has been haunting the hotel since she passed in 1892. At this time, she was waiting for her husband and partner in crime (both were traveling con artists). He never arrived, and four days later, the pregnant Morgan was found at the bottom of the outdoor staircase with a self-inflicted blow to the head. Since then, there has been an abundance of paranormal reports. Guests have reported seeing the ghost of Morgan wandering the property. The most “active” area is Room 3327 (formerly Room 3312).

2. Freelan Oscar and Flora Stanley, The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park, Colorado)

It would only make sense to include the hotel that inspired Stephen King’s The Shining on the list. Freelan Oscar Stanley was an inventor, hotelier and businessman. Although he invented several things throughout his lifetime, such as photographic plates, he is most famous for co-founding Stanley Motor Carriage Company and The Stanley Hotel with his twin brother, Francis Edgar Stanley. Paranormal activity began in the 1970s—leading to numerous investigations. Reports are mainly about the ghosts of Freelan and his wife, Flora. These generally take place in the Billiards Room or in the Music Room—where, apparently, the piano inexplicably plays. After staying in room 217 in 1974, King wrote his horror novel.

3. Marian Hooper Adams, The Hay-Adams (Washington, D.C.)

The Hay-Adams is an upscale hotel that has hosted many politicians. Before the famous hotel was built, John Hay (Abraham Lincoln’s private secretary and later a secretary of state) and his best friend, Henry Adams (author and descendant of John Quincy Adams) built their home on that plot in 1884. Marian Hooper Adams, Adams’ wife, has committed suicide on this land in 1885, and in 1927, the houses were demolished and replaced by the hotel. Guests claim to experience her ghost haunting the hotel. These accounts involve sounds of a woman softly crying, along with other mysterious voices.

4. John Belushi, Chateau Marmont (Hollywood, California)

The Saturday Night Live star was known for partying quite frequently at Chateau Marmont. Many speculate that perhaps this is why he refuses to leave, even in the afterlife. Bungalow 3 is the site where he overdosed in 1982. Since his death, many have encountered oddities in the area. Perhaps most significantly, a toddler appeared to be interacting with a ghost who he called “the funny man,” while his family was staying at the hotel. It gets more bizarre—when browsing through pictures of celebrity guests, the toddler pointed to Belushi and exclaimed, “That’s the funny man!”

5. Thomas “Fatty” Walsh, The Biltmore Miami-Coral Gables

This hotel has seen several changes throughout its long history. In the 1920s, it hosted wealthy socialites, celebrities and even gangsters. The hotel was shut down during the 1940s, in order for it to be used as a hospital for war soldiers. In the 1970s, it was unrecognizable—completely abandoned and decrepit.

Now, the Biltmore is a top luxury hotel, restored back to its former glory.  Remnants of its past remain, though—specifically the ghost of one notorious mobster. In 1929, Thomas “Fatty” Walsh was murdered over a gambling debt in the hotel. Many of those who have stayed and worked at The Biltmore  Miami-Coral Gables report ghostly incidents in the elevator, such as doors opening and closing, and flickering lights. This is especially true on the 13th floor—where Walsh was killed.

IMEX smart monday lessons

Photo from Play with a Purpose Room, Smart Monday of IMEX 2017

IMEX America launched its 2017 event in Las Vegas with a full schedule of educational content—powered by MPI—for the 1,000 planners who arrived on Monday, a day before the show opened. Participants were able to take advantage of 43 sessions, focused on the latest in planning purposeful meetings. Smart Meetings sent a team to do some early reconnaissance, and the top lessons learned included the following.

1. How People Think is as Important as What They Think

Keynote speaker Janet Sperstad, program director at Madison College in Wisconsin, explained that human-centric experiences deliver lasting impact by tapping into behavioral science, meeting design, technology, health and well-being, and CSR in new and interesting ways. She has found that planners who consider how the brain processes information are more successful than those who plan based on what they want to force onto the attendee.

2. Security is job No. 1.

From the moment of silence taken as leaders took the stage before the welcome address to the numerous breakout sessions, with tips for preparing and reacting for worst-case scenarios, recent natural and terrorist events cast a shadow over the event. #VegasStrong was always in the room.

3. We Learn by Touching

Whether it’s learning contraption theory by building Lego chairs in the Live zone, defining play with help from Play with a Purpose or frolicking with puppies sponsored by Visit Norfolk, Virginia, doing something with your hands is always more powerful that hearing about it from stage.

4. Sustainability Could be a Winning Differentiator

When it comes to conserving resources, preserving quality of life for residents and giving attendees a reason to attend, sustainability could be the unique feature that brings events to town without sacrificing quality of life. Just ask Copenhagen.

5. Time Management is Success Management

Planners may have to learn to outsource some logistics for management if they are going to get everything done. That could be particularly important over the next few days as hosted buyer appointments and networking sessions dominate the calendar.

What did you learn on day 1? Please share at #SmartMtgs and look for more reports from Sands Expo on our Twitter feed in the coming days.

A post shared by Yoga + Beer® (@yogaandbeer) on

Aren’t you always looking for an activity that’s engaging and fun that your group has never heard of before? Well, do you know about Yoga & Beer? It’s an Oregon-based yoga community (with chapters in eight cities) that comes together several times a month to celebrate its love for yoga and equal appreciation for local, craft beers. The yoga studio is a brewery. Post-class refreshment is…well, take a guess.

It makes sense, in a weird way, that this is a concept born of the Pacific Northwest, which values well-being and craft brew in equal measure.

In fact, the beer yogis recently completed their second annual, five day, four night Yoga + Beer Retreat in beer-loving Bend, Oregon. You can look it up on their bubbly website, cheersandnamaste.com.

A post shared by Yoga + Beer® (@yogaandbeer) on

They called it a detox plus retox vacation. It included two yoga classes a day, outdoor adventures and brewery tours. All levels of yoga practice and beer-tasting welcome.

The 2018 retreat is next August 15-19, in Bend again. But why wait? Find your own beer-lovin’ yogi, and build this into your next group meeting.

Or consider these variations:

Yoga & Strawberry Margaritas

Yoga & Banana Splits

Yoga & Potato Chips

Namaste! Urp!

Checklist for a Productive IMEX Trip

For those packing to go to IMEX America in Las Vegas next week to see more than 12,000 of their best friends in the event and hospitality industry, we put together a checklist of things you will want to make sure to bring along.

1. Comfortable shoes. Sands Expo and Convention Center covers 2.25 million sq. ft. and many meetings will be in the surrounding blocks. More than 3,000 suppliers will be exhibiting, and you don’t want to miss connecting with any of them, do you? It would be a shame if you had blisters after the first day.

2. Lots of business cards. This annual meeting of the minds is a unique opportunity to make meaningful connections with people from all over the world. Come prepared to tell your story.

3. An open mind. On Smart Monday alone, you can earn your Event Design Certificate, participate in a PCMA Business School session and network with your peers at SITE Nite for a good cause. Workshops cover everything from career development and event tech to trends in food and beverage. Keynotes from WhiteSpace at Work CEO Juliet Funt and economist Todd Bucholz will inspire and challenge. Be ready to take it all in.

4. Thoughts and prayers. In the aftermath of the tragic shooting in Las Vegas last week, empathy and security are on everyone’s mind. IMEX has planned enhanced, visible security at the entrances, and Sands is coordinating internal security teams with local law enforcement. #VegasStrong has emerged as the message of unity behind fundraising to aid victims and their families.

5. Extra luggage. You will need to carry back all the swag you will be collecting. Mementos of your chats with convention bureaus, hospitality companies, technology providers and potential partners will be reminders of the productive discussions you had over the three days.

6. Did we mention comfortable shoes?