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Palm Springs is a unique destination, with luxury properties, imaginative meeting spaces, cutting-edge restaurants, fascinating architecture and world-class spas. It becomes all the more special at the start of each year when it hosts the world-renowned Palm Springs International Film Festival and its glamorous gala, which this year will include Tom Hanks, Natalie Portman, Amy Adams, Nicole Kidman, Casey Affleck and many other celebrities.

Smart Meetings will be in Palm Springs Jan. 1 to 4 to cover the film festival and discover the city’s many attractions for meeting groups. We’ll be tweeting regularly, so stay tuned!

Last Updated January 4, 2017 – 10:51 AM

visit-seattleAs a meetings professional, you know attendees love access to great food, drinks and shopping within easy walking distance to the convention venue and hotels. They’re enticed to come early, stay late and take advantage of what the destination has to offer.

The Washington State Convention Center lies at the heart of Downtown Seattle’s retail/entertainment core. Within a six-block radius of the center, you’ll find many of the city’s top restaurants and hotels, three theaters, a symphony hall, many live music venues and local and national retailers.

Ground Zero for Shopping

Seattle convention-retail district features the Nordstrom flagship store (full remodel complete Spring 2016) and, next door, the multi-level Pacific Place shopping center where you’ll find national brands like Tiffany and Co. and Club Monaco, as well as local favorites like women’s tailored shirt maker Farinaz Taghavi. Fashion-forward boutiques just down the street include Marios Seattle and German clothier OSKA. Trendy “athleisure” apparel is found at local Do the Extraordinary (DTE) and Canadian Kit & Ace.

Historic Farmers Market

Just west, the historic Pike Place Market is perched near Puget Sound and not only is a famous farmers market with fresh seafood, produce and crafts, but is home to local favorites for lunch, dinner and cocktail spots. Many of these celebrated eateries offer choice views of either the Public Market sign or Puget Sound.

Modern Markets and Trendy Food Halls

Just east of the convention center on Capitol Hill, Melrose Market, is a prime example of a repurposed building brought back to life as a curated collection of shops, bars, restaurants, butcher, florist and more. Peruse the shops and then stop for a glass of sparkling wine and fresh oysters. Farm-to-table dinner awaits at Sitka and Spruce and its next door sister wine spot, Bar Ferd’nand. Private event space Melrose Market Studios is located just below the market (receptions up to 250 people), and carries the same hip, urban feel as the upstairs market.

Neighborhood for Nightlife

The Capitol Hill neighborhood boasts some of the city’s hottest restaurants and star chefs, not to mention coffee bars, cideries, wine bars, distilleries and live music venues. You’ll share the experience with the locals – musicians, artists, chefs and their foodie followers. And, it’s a few blocks from the convention center and hotels. Most meeting attendees walk a few blocks from the center or hotels or take a short cab ride.

Video Inspiration Before You Go

Visit Seattle makes trip planning easy, fun and much more visual via VISITSEATTLE.tv. Watch it for insider Seattle music and travel videos, including the popular “Sounds by the Sound” series, currently in its fifth and final season on Revolt TV, which explores Seattle through the filter of music. Also featured is “Seattle First Takes”, a series of films featuring first-time Seattle visitors being introduced to city-specific experiences like Pike Place Market, the Seattle Great Wheel, a ferry trip and more. “Culture Trippers” explores Seattle’s take on dance, street food and more through the eyes of locals and visitors. And “Been There, Made That” follows makers who draw inspiration in the Emerald City.

URL: www.visitseattle.org / www.VISITSEATTLE.tv

boston-plaza-new-and-renovated-meeting-propertiesBoston Park Plaza

Smart Meetings prides itself on uncovering new and renovated properties capable of hosting incredible meetings and events. Our monthly report in our magazine is one of the most popular features in each issue.

As a salute to 2016 and glance into the crystal ball for what may be in 2017, here’s a look back at few new and renovated properties that caught our attention this year:

Historic Properties Add Elegance to Downtown Locations: Boston Park Plaza

Boston Park Plaza has hosted such political and cultural icons as Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Katharine Hepburn and Judy Garland. Formerly The Statler Hotel, which opened in 1927, the property completed a $100 million renovation in June to usher in a new era of hospitality. The renovation added 6,000 sq. ft. of meeting and prefunction space, bringing its total to 50,480 sq. ft. The transformation also included updates to the property’s 1,060 guest rooms, corridors, main entrances, lobby, existing meeting spaces and mezzanine levels, and the addition of a library room…More

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Boutique properties are accented by times gone by: Union Station Hotel Nashville

Once a bustling train station, historic Union Station Hotel wrapped up a property-wide, $15.5 million transformation in October. The new design is seamlessly woven into the building’s distinguished architecture that dates to 1900. For example, while the lavish grand lobby features commissioned art inspired by Nashville’s legendary music scene, it’s juxtaposed by the preserved, soaring barrel-vaulted stained-glass ceiling…More

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Striking properties complement key meeting destinations: Marriott Marquis Houston

Opened in November in the Houston convention district, Marriott Marquis is an example of a hotel that is coming online during a city’s game-changing renaissance. The 1,000-room property is located in the heart of downtown and connected via skybridge to George R. Brown Convention Center. It adds more than 100,000 sq. ft. of event space to the convention district, including Houston’s largest ballroom at 39,000 sq. ft. Among the amenities are a Texas-shaped lazy river and Biggio’s, a two-level sports bar…More

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Thriving Destinations are Served by Chic Hotels: ME Miami

Melia Hotels International unveiled its first ME by Melia property in the United States in July when ME Miami opened downtown. The 129-room luxury hotel offers more than 1,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and features a 14th-floor sundeck and pool area with a bar and lounge. The property includes steakhouse STK Miami. ME Miami is located in the heart of bustling downtown, within a stone’s throw of major cultural institutions including Perez Art Museum Miami, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, and Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science…More

better-team-building

Corporate meeting planners, forget trust falls and tug of war. If you’re looking for better ways to boost team-building events, give sandcastle-building, glow-in-the-dark lawn games and heartwarming CSR activities a try. Attendees will appreciate the change of pace and your team will have some well-deserved fun and bonding experiences.

1. 9 Impactful Possibilities

With these high-impact activities, your next corporate meeting will surely be smooth sailing. Fun yet challenging sailing lessons, opportunities to horse around in an equine learning center and high-speed races at a professional driving school are just a few of the out-of-the-box options you can explore.

2. 5 CSR Activities That Boost Team Building

CSR-based team-building events are a win-win for everyone involved. Your company and team members can give back to the community while getting a memorable, relationship-building experience in return. Constructing beehive frames and building hygiene kits for those in need are two ways to contribute.

3. Got Class? Group Learning Through Team Building

Here’s another way your team-building events can be doubly beneficial. Choose activities that facilitate learning. Whether it’s discovering art history through graffiti street art, learning a foreign language or picking up a few new dance moves, these enriching experiences will leave groups with a sense of accomplishment.

4. Team Building that Glows in the Dark

This playful twist on team-building activities will give employees something to talk about. Planners can choose from inventive games and outdoor activities such as glow-in-the-dark golf and bioluminescence kayaking, which involves kayaking in a bay lit up by glowing plankton .

5. 5 Local Adventures to Engage Groups

At the moment, one of the hottest trends in meetings and events is local experiences. Attendees are clamoring for event itineraries that incorporate local cuisine, culture and outdoor adventures. Surf lessons and shark dives are two of the more adventurous options.

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The fifth annual Global Pharmaceutical Medical Meetings Summit will take place at Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Jan. 31−Feb. 2.

The boutique conference has built quite the following, drawing the most influential managers in the medical meetings market. Not only does the event provide ample time for peer networking, but it’s also a great way to get updates on compliance regulations, share best practices, and learn about venues and properties that cater to the industry.

The speaker list reads like a who’s who of the entire meeting industry, not just medical meetings. Michael Dominguez, senior vice president and chief sales officer for MGM Resorts International, is one of the headliners. Dominguez’s presentation on Feb. 1 is entitled “Demand, Drones & Disruption-Driving Forces in Meetings & Events.” Dominguez also will deliver the closing keynote on Feb. 2.

Presenters will include meeting management thought leaders from Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eisai, Eli Lilly and Company, Genentech, Medtronic, Merck & Co., Novartis and Pfizer.

There’s an opportunity for planners to earn the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Healthcare Meeting Compliance Certificate (HMCC) through a four-hour educational and training program on Jan. 31. The workshop will be led by Pat Schaumann, CMP, CSEP, DMCP, HMCC, senior director of health care compliance for Maritz Travel. Schaumann, chairperson for the summit, will lead a medical meetings webinar for Smart Meetings on July 25. To register, go to smartmeetings.com/webinars.

Use promo code SMARTM to get a $200 discount on registration for the Global Pharmaceutical Medical Meetings Summit.

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meeting-and-event-trends

These meeting trends have already made an appearance in 2016, but some experts suggest they’ll really blossom in the coming year. Ofer Yatziv from Better Venues, a U.K.-based event venue company, shares his thoughts on the latest trends for those in the meeting and events industry.

1. The 5-minute meeting
Are your clients sick of meetings about meetings? Some think meetings are a big waste of time and resources, and I’m inclined to agree. I’m seeing a lot of companies complain about how long their meetings take. What are they doing to fix it? Well, quite simply, streamlining them down. Instead of a half-hour Monday morning meeting, firms are embracing the 5-minute meeting—a super-quick catch-up where everyone says what they’re going to do and when they’re going to do it.

2. The meet-and-greet
From Al Pacino to the latest YouTube sensation, the meet-and-greet is fast becoming one of the hottest trends in events. ‘Evenings with’ events allow fans to get intimate and up close and personal with their favorite stars, with packages ranging from backstage chats to much bigger deals comprising flights and hotels.

3. The wow factor
Particularly prominent among bigger brands with decent marketing resources, the wow factor sees companies showcase amazing, one-off ‘happenings’ at conference venues as they promote a new service or launch a new product. Taking experiential marketing to the extreme can have a huge impact and digital cut-through.

4. The pop-up
We’re familiar with food pop-ups—those cool, tasty street vendors that are, by now, a common site in many of our major cities. London is a great example of this – head to the Southbank Centre on a weekend or one of the city’s many street markets and you’ll see what I mean. But brands are also doing lots of pop-up marketing events, with companies like Red Bull and Just Eat heading to the streets to launch innovative pop-up experiences. The pop-up is also finding its way into the retail sector, with lots of retail parks and shopping centers allocating space to a range of pop-up food vendors.

5. The live-tweet
The popularity of smartphones has sparked one interesting trend: people sharing insight and takeaways from corporate events, conferences, speeches, meetings and presentations. More and more, we’re seeing people stay connected while listening to a talk. Instead of switching their phones off, they keep them on, and they become a vital part of corporate events, with people transmitting the latest insight out into the social media sphere.

6. The sustainability set
In festival management particularly, sustainability has become an increasingly important part of the agenda. Green practices, like solar-powered showers, recycling areas and compost toilets, are becoming more and more prevalent.

7. The what’s-in-it-for-me
Or, networking. It’s true that some people attend events not for the talks, discussions and round-tables, but for the opportunity to network with industry peers and potential customers. In turn, it’s hoped such networking will lead to new business, sales, ideas, products and the like. Event managers are realizing this—the quality of the networking opportunities on offer at conferences is now a prominent metric for success among many attendees.

8. The goodie-bag
Last but by no means least. The goodie-bag (the proper, physical ones) seemed to fall out of favor a little bit in recent years, as event professionals started recommending more tangible takeaway gifts and incentives, like shopping vouchers, in return for filling out satisfaction surveys. Nothing wrong with that, but I’m glad to see the creeping (in the nicest possible way) of the corporate goodie bag. There’s something very earnestly exciting about them—and you can always do with an extra biro.

Ofer Yatziv is an events and marketing manager at Better Venues. Ofer has over 15 years of experience working within events, specializing in weddings, corporate parties and bespoke entertainment. He has also worked on numerous roles as a producer of live events and festivals, including national and international theater tours.

best-webinars-for-meeting-planners

Webinars that provide CEU credits are a great resource for planners looking to expand their knowledge and further their careers. Smart Meetings regularly offers free webinars that cover a range of valuable topics, from contract negotiation to sourcing strategies. These are a few of our most popular webinars from 2016.

1. Problem Contract Clauses and How to Avoid Them

Some event contract clauses that are popular among planners are actually more trouble than they’re worth, according to contracts expert Lisa Sommer Devlin, JD. This session examined clauses involving renovation, competitors, rate parity and more, to show you how to draft more effective clauses.

2. Key Strategies to Streamline Your Sourcing Process

Site and venue sourcing is one of the most important aspects of planning an event. In this webinar, Smart Meetings 360’s sourcing experts teach you how to narrow down destination options, get the most out of site visits and make your RFPs more desirable to hotels.

3. 2017 Hospitality Trends

Andrew Freeman, President of Andrew Freeman & Co., and a leader in the hospitality industry, shows you what to expect in the coming year, including food and beverage trends, business insights and meeting and event predictions.

4. Improving Contract Negotiation Skills

In her second webinar, Lisa Sommer Devlin, JD, shares valuable tips to help planners and suppliers reach an agreement that is a win-win for both sides. Planners will learn the best way to approach suppliers to get what you need, as well as what mistakes can make negotiations harder.

5. Meetings & Tradeshow Automation

There are countless options for meeting planning software, apps and tools that can make your job easier. The challenge is picking the right one for your specific needs. Meeting tech expert Corbin Ball provides a detailed overview and comparative analysis.

in-and-out-in-2017

Before you get swept away in the whirlwind of holiday parties, New Year’s events and the usual year-end festivities, it’s important to get ready for the upcoming year. The year 2017 will be here before you know it, along with new trends, so make sure your events aren’t stuck in 2016. Kindred Resorts & Hotels has compiled a list for meeting planners to find out what’s in and out in 2017.

What’s In

1. Destination-focused, experiential team building
In 2016, we wrote about the rise of destination-focused experiences in team building. In 2017, this trend will be more popular than ever. More and more attendees, especially millennials, are tired of the usual trust falls and brainstorming sessions—they want immersive, authentic experiences to remember. Cooking classes, community service projects that benefit the local community and cultural food tours are all great options to boost camaraderie.

2. Outdoor activities
What better way to experience a destination than to take your team outdoors? Attendees will appreciate the opportunity to get fresh air, explore the location and possibly burn a few calories, as well. Try whale watching off the Washington state coast, walking through majestic redwood forests in Northern California or whitewater rafting in Colorado Springs.

3. Healthy, local food and beverage
With terms such as gluten-free, organic and local sweeping through grocery stores across America, it’s no surprise that attendees are demanding more health-conscious meal and snack choices.

Thirty percent of Kindred properties surveyed reported a decrease in requests for soda and an increase in demand for healthier options such as water, smoothies and organic juices. As for dietary preferences and restrictions, gluten-free menus have been the most requested option at Kindred hotels, followed by vegetarian menus.

What’s Out

1. Formal events
Formal black-tie events are on the decline as planners are choosing to hold more casual gatherings such as beach barbecues and clambakes. Though these casual events don’t work for every group, they occasionally offer a nice change of pace from the traditional suit and tie gatherings. Attendees also appreciate the increased flexibility to mingle and network among their peers.

2. Traditional meeting rooms
Although there will always be strong demand for traditional meeting spaces, planners are beginning to embrace more flexible, experimental and unique venues. Planners we’ve talked to emphasized the need for a “wow” factor that makes a hotel or venue stand out from the competition. Attendees demanding one-of-a-kind experiences will love flexible indoor-outdoor spaces and renovated classics such as a repurposed brewery and revamped train station.

“Across the board, 2017 booked business is up and the group trends we are seeing are centered around experiences and health,” said Bree Brostko, managing director of Kindred Resorts & Hotels. “Meeting planners are looking to break off from the traditional boardroom conferences and offerings and [instead] get outside, experience the destination and truly get a taste of the local culture and cuisine.”

best-airport-hotelsSheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel

One of the biggest meeting trends Smart Meetings saw this year was the rise of new and improved airport hotels. Throughout the world, really, airport hotels are emerging as key meeting venues that are both convenient and cutting-edge.

We’re not playing favorites, but we believe The Westin Denver International Airport reflects the airport hotels trend to a “T.”  The resort-style property, which opened about a year ago, is five minutes from Denver International Airport and just 37-minutes from downtown by commuter rail.

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The Westin’s award-winning architecture is a large factor in its popularity, featuring a stunning, towering glass and steel structure for an innovative vibe that brings out the best in meetings. The 519 guest rooms and suites are soundproof, with panoramic views of the Rockies, downtown and the airport.

The hotel and airport have the only open-air event plaza in the country. The 80,000-square-foot plaza has helped Denver elevate its status as a global meetings destination and gives planners unique options for special events. The Westin also boasts 37,500 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, including a 7,168-square-foot ballroom.

“Having exceeded our revenue predictions for 2016, we look forward to hosting even more meetings and conferences in this coming year,” says Tom Curley, general manager of The Westin Denver International Airport. “Guests next year will see more food and beverage options and even more exciting events activated on our outdoor plaza.”

Several airport hotels near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) have upgraded with meetings in mind. Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel completed a multimillion-dollar renovation in July, elevating guest experiences by combining a fresh design and new technologies, according to Bill Sinclair, general manager. The 802-room Sheraton features 50,000 sq. ft. of newly upgraded meeting space, including an 11,400-square-foot ballroom.

Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport expects to complete a $75 million renovation Jan. 1. The former Concourse Hotel, which was rebranded in October, offers more than 50,000 sq. ft. meeting space, including one of the largest ballrooms in the LAX market, at 14,000 sq. ft. There’s an outdoor lawn that can host up to 750 and a new state-of-the-art conference center with more than 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The 580-room hotel features 24-hour shuttle service to and from LAX, adding a much-appreciated convenience for business travelers.

“Our hotel is not only helping to transform Century Boulevard, but it is elevating the hotel experience for travelers who want the convenience of staying close to the airport,” says Jeff Rostek, managing director for the Hyatt Regency. “We offer a level of upscale quality and a fine attention to detail with the hotel’s design and service. Our reimagined public spaces, guest room design and anticipatory service will remind guests why it’s good not to be home.”

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Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport completed a top-to-bottom, multimillion-dollar transformation in October. San Francisco’s thriving F&B scene will be evident at 3 Sixty, an all-in-one dining experience that features a bar, lounge, restaurant and market. Menus will change seasonally, ensuring sustainable purchases and practices that support Northern California farmers and purveyors.

“We want to offer an experience where our guests can connect and make things happen, while enjoying modern comforts that they expect when traveling including amenities like free Wi-Fi, a state of the-art-fitness facility and seasonal, locally sourced dining options,” says Irby Morvant, general manager.

The 789-room Hyatt Regency has added two ballrooms that showcase views of San Francisco Bay. The property’s 69,285 sq. ft. of event space also includes a spacious foyer, seven-story atrium and poolside pavilion.

Airport hotels are upping their games and Smart Meetings definitely took notice in 2016.

 

create-your-own-luck

Some people seem to be have all the luck, whether it be in their professional or personal life. As others struggle, they always seem to come out on top, regardless of the obstacles they face.

At first glance, it appears that this happens purely by chance, as is they are the beneficiaries of some sort of divine intervention. But a closer look reveals that for the most part, they have put themselves in position to succeed through hard work and keen insights. Here are a few ways that meeting professionals and others—even seemingly very unlucky people—can put Lady Luck on their side.

1. Be positive: Perhaps the most important way to achieve success is to maintain positive energy in everything you do. This enables you to gain momentum when working on projects, and extends beyond yourself: Others will be uplifted by your positive energy, thereby strengthening collaborative work with them. As a result, positive things seem to keep happening, almost magically. Negative energy, on the other hand, consistently leads to unsuccessful work, though some people mistake this for simply being due to bad luck.

2. Be social: While personal reflection has its place, and can lead to great insights that improve your professional and personal life, it’s also important to be actively social. By developing more social contacts, you will not only benefit from the stimulation of new ideas and perspectives, but also be more connected, and connections bring opportunities. People who seem to constantly have new opportunities come their way aren’t simply lucky: They’re well-connected.

3. Be adventurous: From time to time, all people feel stuck in a rut, without the ability to generate new and creative ideas. But some professionals seem to do so quite regularly, consistently—and seemingly effortlessly. Actually, in many cases their success is largely due to their curiosity and openness. They are willing to step out of their comfort zones by trying new things and welcoming different perspectives. Really, this is a way of life that opens them up to worlds of possibilities, and it carries over to their workplace, where they usually have no trouble coming up with new ideas and approaches.

4. Be patient: Everyone experiences struggles, and periods when they seem down on their luck. What matters is how we deal with these situations. Avoid letting negativity set in by finding a way to lift your spirits. Focus on something that you’re successful at, go for a walk to clear your head, or talk with a close co-worker or friend. This can totally change the way you feel, and put you back on track for success. Regardless of how down you feel, remember that whatever emotional state you find yourself in is temporary, and can and will change—possibly much sooner than you think.