trump-inauguration

In just one month, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. On Friday, Jan. 20, the nation’s capital will host the inauguration ceremony, and local hotels and Airbnb rentals are expected to win big. The president-elect’s own property, Trump International Hotel Washington DC, is fully booked.

According to a survey from cheaphotels.org, 15 percent of hotels in the Washington, DC, metro area are listing vacancies for inauguration day. However, these rooms come at a steep price—according to the data, inauguration-goers will pay more than three times the usual rates.

Some hotels are raising prices even more than that. One hotel, which is situated in a prime location less than half a mile from the Capitol, would typically charge $143 per night for a deluxe room. During the inauguration, it will cost guests $1499 per night—more than 10 times the typical rate.

Inauguration-goers looking to book now should expect to spend around $500 a night for centrally located accommodations. For more affordable options, travelers should look at hotels in the city outskirts.

Although Airbnb is known as an affordable alternative to hotels and resorts, particularly when hotel rooms are experiencing peak demand, the room-sharing service may not be a good option in this situation. According to CBS DC, the average price for a one-guest rental on Jan. 20 is $699, and just 9 percent of listings are still available.

NBC Washington reports that Airbnb expects hosts in the metropolitan DC area to earn $3.5 million over inauguration weekend. Airbnb projects that more than 10,000 inauguration attendees will stay with Airbnb hosts.

face-to-face-meetings

Recognizing the need to obtain solid data showing the importance of in-person meetings to government workers, Meetings Mean Business recently conducted a survey of them—and got exactly what it wanted.

The survey, which was conducted among 100 employees representing 35 federal agencies, shows that they regard face-to-face interaction at meetings, conferences and events as vital for them to successfully do their jobs.

Ninety-eight percent of those surveyed said that in-person meetings are important for advancing their agency’s mission and 98 percent said that face-to-face interactions with colleagues, peers, partners and vendors improves their ability to work effectively. And two in three say that collaborating and innovating is best done face to face.

“Face-to-face meetings are the best way to establish personal connections and drive positive outcomes,” says David Peckinpaugh, president of Maritz Travel Company and co-chair of Meetings Mean Business. “These results clearly show that federal government employees feel the same way.”

During the past few years, however, restrictions have been placed on travel for governmental meetings due to criticisms that many of them are excessive and waste taxpayers’ money. Peckinpaugh agrees that there have been instances of abuse, but asserts that they have been isolated cases.

In response to the criticisms, Meetings Mean Business—a coalition of meetings businesses and organizations—was created in 2009 by the U.S. Travel Association to showcase the value that business meetings, conferences and events bring to the U.S. economy.

The new survey is particularly significant because it addresses one of the main obstacles to achieving this goal.

“Politicians like to see data, and this survey helps them understand how federal employees feel about in-person meetings,” says Bill Dalbec, deputy managing director for APCO Insight, which collaborated with Meetings Mean Business to conduct the poll. “The survey helps them go from having only anecdotal information to putting a number on the impact of face-to-face meetings on policies.”

Peckinpaugh acknowledges that virtual meetings and teleconferences can be valuable in some cases, “but they’re not effective substitutes for face-to-face meetings,” he says.

He feels that by disseminating the survey results on the Meetings Mean Business website (meetingsmeanbusiness.com) and in presentations at events, they will play a major role in illustrating the importance of in-person meetings to federal employees—and subsequently loosen restrictions on travel and provide more funding for governmental meetings.

“This gives us more in our arsenal, particularly for the naysayers on Capitol Hill,” he says. “This is a long slow fight, and we need support from Capitol Hill.

Smart Meeting Events

los-cabos-and-la-paz-convention-centers

In an effort to provide a better experience for meeting planners and attendees, the state government of Baja California Sur in Mexico has opened an international bid for management and operations of the Los Cabos and La Paz convention centers.

Genaro Ruiz, Baja California Sur’s Secretary of Tourism, stressed that this call for professional management will contribute to strengthen the link between economic development and tourism in La Paz and Los Cabos by encouraging an influx of meetings and conventions. The Ministry of Tourism strongly believes that formal operation of the convention centers will lead to an increase in visitors throughout the year and stable hotel occupancy, which will improve the destinations’ economies and create new jobs.

Ruiz added that since the beginning of Governor Carlos Mendoza Davis’ administration, efforts have been made to formalize and launch the operations of the convention centers. Along with an integral assessment, a comprehensive strategy and data analysis of the meetings market and its potential in the region, the administration has organized community workshops to better connect demand and supply, alleviate challenges and create more opportunities for boosting meetings and conventions offerings in La Paz and Los Cabos.

Xperience Design Project

This month, ASAE hosted a successful pilot for their newest event, Xperience Design Project (XDP) on Dec. 16. The exclusive, one-day sneak peek of XDP was held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland. More than 80 association meeting, marketing, programming, and technology professionals, including industry partners, were brought together to test and fine tune the new format. The inaugural event, May 23-24, is expected to attract upwards of 1,800 attendees.

“XDP is an innovative, business-focused experience that will be a unique opportunity for the association industry and our members,” said John H. Graham, IV, FASAE, CAE, president and CEO of ASAE. “The pilot gave us the ability to see how the different aspects of XDP played out, so we can provide attendees with an exceptional experience in May.”

The format of the pilot was a summarized version of the two-day XDP experience. Attendees were able to participate in The Lab—an immersive, facilitated learning journey around core industry topics, each led by a prominent industry leader.

-Experience Design and Event Innovation: James H Gilmore, co-founder of Strategic Horizons LLP and adjunct faculty at UVA Darden Business School

-Content Strategy and Learning Design: Jonathan Finkelstein, CEO of Credly

-Marketing and Technology: Reggie Aggarwal, CEO and founder of Cvent

-Location and Logistics: Michael Dominguez, chief sales officer of MGM Resorts International (will be added in May).

Afterwards, pilot participants took part in the Business Exchange, a series of one-on-one conversations with industry partners. Participants could engage in one of three fast-paced accelerator labs that were focused on embracing change and experience enhancements they could implement at future events. It was followed by two unique “Surprise and Delight” team-created activities.

“With XDP, ASAE has built a creative environment that fosters collaboration and business between association professionals and the industry partners with whom they work,” said Lisa Kay Solomon, author, strategist and host of XDP. “The best part is that it’s a true ‘learning by doing’ approach, where participants get exposed to new concepts and ideas through conversations and then build on them through immersive experiences. Guests will discuss proven best practices and co-create new solutions they can take back to their offices and implement immediately.”

ASAE partnered with 360 Live Media, a marketing and experience design agency based in Washington, D.C., to create the XDP pilot and upcoming event in May. For more than a year, ASAE and 360 Live Media have been conducting research, developing the experience design strategy and building partnerships within the association meetings industry in order to successfully launch XDP in 2017.

“ASAE is changing the game with XDP because it’s the only experience that integrates the principles of design thinking in order to help association professionals deliver more impactful events that will [provide] even more value to their members,” said Don Neal, founder and CEO of 360 Live Media. “We are proud to partner with ASAE in creating an unprecedented format that challenges guests to transform their traditional association meetings, trade shows and conferences into experiences that will inspire their audiences and improve their organization’s bottom line.”

asheville-north-carolina-best-places-to-visitAsheville, North Carolina

When planning meetings for 2017, make sure you know which destinations are trending, which cities travelers are eager to visit and which locales will guarantee a fantastic event that attendees will be talking about for the rest of the year.

Lonely Planet has compiled a list of 10 U.S. destinations that will be hot in 2017. These places are either up and coming, overlooked or have recently added exciting reasons to visit.

“Whether travelers want to escape to the mountains, get transported back in time or relax by the beach, these are the destinations to be excited about” said Rebecca Warren, managing editor of Lonely Planet magazine. “Some of them are on the public’s radar, while others are recently emerging. They all offer compelling reasons to visit in 2017.”

1. Asheville, North Carolina
One of the country’s most offbeat and innovative small cities is finally receiving the attention it deserves. With its artistic vibe, welcoming atmosphere and close proximity to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville has earned the top ranking.

The River Arts District is home to more than 200 artists, while craft beers and spirits complement a modern dining scene that includes numerous world-class chefs. Groups looking for outdoor adventures are also spoiled with all the choices in Asheville, where the French Broad River and nearby mountain ranges provide opportunities for kayaking, hiking and much more.

2. Western Washington
From cosmopolitan yet quirky Seattle to small towns such as North Bend and idyllic natural attractions such as Mount Rainier National Park, Western Washington is making a comeback.

The region has long been a haven for fabulous outdoor exploration amid lush forests and vibrant waters. These days, it’s quickly gaining a reputation for eclectic fun thanks to Seattle’s newest pot shops, micro-distilleries and craft cider manufacturers.

3. Lincoln, Nebraska
When thinking of Nebraska, many travelers imagine corn fields, but they should be imagining the fresh and funky atmosphere of Lincoln. Thanks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the city is home to a young, vibrant and diverse community.

The city’s downtown Haymarket District houses unique specialty shops such as Licorice International, the country’s largest licorice retailer, iconic century-old brick warehouses that have been converted into modern art galleries and more. Lincoln also offers 130 miles of trails that are perfect for cycling and hiking. In 2017, the city will be a can’t-miss destination as it celebrates its 150th birthday with parades and parties galore.

4. California’s Low Desert
From fabulous Palm Springs to the ultra-popular Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Coachella Valley is known to make a splash. New and renovated hotels, lovingly restored celebrity rental homes and a playful midcentury vibe are breathing new life into Palm Springs.

The area is great for groups looking for something different, such as Salvation Mountain, a famously quirky attraction near the Salton Sea. The 100-foot-high hill is made of concrete and adobe that’s been covered in colorful paint and a variety of found objects such as tires and telephone poles.

Outdoor adventurers can also experience Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which takes visitors up a 2.5-mile ascent for a spectacular view, and world-famous Joshua Tree National Park.

5. Montana’s Flathead Valley
For hikers, bikers, skiers and more, this region of northwestern Montana is heaven. As one the largest wilderness areas in the continental United States, it has a lot to discover.

World-famous Glacier National Park is home to vibrant lakes, meadows full of wildflowers and glacial peaks. The park’s glaciers are rapidly melting—some experts estimate they will be gone by 2020—so visit while you still can.

6. Atlanta
Exciting changes are happening in Atlanta, making it an even more attractive city for groups. In 2017, the metropolis will welcome a state-of-the-art sports stadium, as well as a new Major League Soccer team.

The notoriously gridlocked city is also adding the BeltLine, a 33-mile network of trails meant for walking, jogging and biking. It’s a welcome addition that makes the city much more walkable. Local arts and dining are booming with unique modern installations and innovative brew pubs and restaurants.

7. The Adirondacks, New York
New York City gets most of the headlines, but other parts of New York are winning meeting destinations, as well. The Adirondacks in Upstate New York boast 42 peaks over 4000 feet, as well as streams and lakes that are perfect for fishing, and deep forests meant for exploring. Take a stroll on the Wild Center’s High Line to get fantastic views of the mountains, or try a rail bike ride on converted train tracks.

The region also offers some unique accommodations, including log cabins and former Winter Olympics facilities in Lake Placid.

8. Texas Hill Country’s wine region
Did you know that Texas has its own wine country? The Lone Star State’s Hill Country wine region, centered in Fredericksburg, is dotted with wineries producing world-class wines. Wine Road 290 offers a scenic drive that connects 15 Texas wineries.

Planners looking for immersive local experiences can also take advantage of Dripping Springs Wine and Food Festival and Kerrville Folk Festival.

9. Denver
Denver has been a trending destination for a few years now, but the city known for the Rocky Mountains, snow and quirky fun is adding new developments that will make it an even better place to visit.

Denver’s renovated Union Station is a modern transport hub that continues to evolve. In 2017, the station will add the Ski Train to its schedule to deliver skiers directly to Winter Park Resort, 67 miles northwest of Denver. Eclectic arts districts such as River North and Lower Highlands boast fantastic local dining, shopping and entertainment.

10. Florida’s Emerald Coast
This 100-mile stretch of beautiful beaches and cozy beachfront towns is growing up in a big way. New condos and hotels are popping up all over the place. The city of Destin recently welcomed Henderson Beach Resort, a luxurious property in the Salamander Hotels & Resorts portfolio.

stay-healthy-while-traveling-during-the-holidays

This holiday season, more than 38 million people will travel on domestic airlines, according to industry trade organization Airlines for America. That means it’s more important than ever to stay healthy during the winter travel period, which also coincides with the peak of the flu season, between December and February.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends receiving an annual flu shot, especially for travelers in close contact with other passengers. But there are a number of preventive steps travelers can take build up their immune systems and stay in top shape. Dr. Luis Navarro of The Vein Treatment Center also provides tips for preventing circulation problems while seated on an airplane.

Here are 9 ways to stay healthy while traveling during the holidays:

1. During a flight, walk around the cabin each hour to promote circulation.

2. Passengers can also employ a number of stretches while seated. It also helps to rotate and flex ankles, feet and toes whenever possible.

3. If you are able to, raise feet 6 to 12 inches above heart-level to assist blood flow. Wearing compression stockings can also have a similar effect.

4. Foods that are high in salt can cause constipation, and put added pressure on the circulatory system.

5. When traveling, contact lens wearers should opt for glasses instead. In addition to dry, recycled cabin air, contact lenses can also dry out eyes and make them susceptible to outside bacteria.

6. Wash hands frequently or keep hand sanitizer readily available, especially when touching high-contact areas. Overhead bin handles, armrests, tray tables and bathroom faucets and door handles often contain many strains of bacteria.

7. Eat foods with high nutritional value, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Supplements that include garlic, Echinacea, ginseng and probiotics can also bolster the immune system.

8. Getting less than six hours of sleep increases the odds of catching a cold. If you have trouble falling asleep on airplanes, try sticking to your normal bedtime routine, such as brushing teeth or reading a book. Don’t forget to bring neck pillows, a blanket, earplugs and a sleeping mask.

9. Dressing for comfort can also help ease you into sleep. Wearing comfortable clothes is also better while traveling, because tight cloths can cut off blood flow.

Banyan Tree and AccorHotels

Banyan Tree Holdings has entered into a heads of agreement with AccorHotels, which will develop and manage 43 Banyan Tree branded resorts and hotels located in 28 countries. Under a long-term partnership, AccorHotels will invest $16.7 million in Banyan Tree, giving it a 5 percent stake in the Singapore-based hotel group, with the option to purchase an additional 5 percent.

“This agreement is not only transformational for Banyan Tree, but is also an innovation for the global hospitality industry,” said Ho Kwon Ping, executive chairman of Banyan Tree. “Our strategic alliance with AccorHotels allows us to remain an independent company, enabling us to continue securing hotel management agreements on our own and yet accelerating Banyan Tree’s speed and scope of expansion, but with AccorHotels helping us to grow our brands around the world. We believe this agreement will propel our brands rapidly to global reach and range, and strengthen our ability to embrace change and innovation in the hospitality industry with a strong global partner.”

Guests of Banyan Tree and Angsana resorts will also have access to AccorHotels’ global reservations and sales network, as well as its loyalty programme Le Club AccorHotels. The international hospitality group owns properties across Asia Pacific and Latin America, including China, Thailand, Mexico and United Arab Emirates. Banyan Tree Holdings also operates Cassia, a holiday apartment concept.

Earlier this year AccorHotels purchased FRHI holdings, the parent company of the Fairmont, Swissotel and Raffles brands. The three FRHI brands consist of 115 hotels and resorts and 43,000 guest rooms, as well as an additional 40 hotels in development that will provide 13,000 rooms. AccorHotels has nearly 500 properties throughout the world.

Marriott new luxury propertiesW Tel Aviv rendering

As Marriott International enters a new hospitality landscape upon the closing of its merger with Starwood, the largest hotel company in the world announced this week that it will debut 30 new properties under eight different luxury brands in 2017. The new hotels are part of a pipeline of 180 properties in development, representing 20 new countries for Marriott, including Iceland, Nepal and Cuba.

“Spanning the world from the most iconic hot spots to the ultimate undiscovered gems, the unmatched breadth and depth of our luxury portfolio uniquely positions us to cater to the increased demand of the rapidly-expanding cadre of affluent travelers,” said Tina Edmundson, global brand officer for Marriott International. “With luxury travel up nearly 50 percent over the past five years, we see a long runway for growth at the high-end and have a world-class, dedicated luxury structure in place to nurture and strengthen this coveted portfolio of eight diverse luxury brands.”

Starwood Hotels & Resorts expands Marriott’s luxury brand portfolio with iconic hotel brands such as St. Regis, The Luxury Collection and W Hotels located in 61 countries.  The Ritz-Carlton, which has 92 hotels around the world, will open four new hotels next year, including The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi in Malaysia and The Ritz-Carlton, Astana in Kazakhstan. St. Regis will add to its portfolio of 38 hotels with 21 new properties in the pipeline.  The brand unveiled St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort in November and is slated to make debuts in five destinations in 2017, including Shanghai, Changsha and Cairo.

W Hotels continues to expand with the recent opening of W Punta de Mita in Nayarit, Mexico, and W Las Vegas last month, marking 50 hotels under the brand. W Goa in India is set to debut Dec. 12. The brand has 33 hotels in the pipeline with six anticipated openings in places such as Tel Aviv, Panama City and Shanghai.

The Edition brand, designed for a new generation of destination-centric travelers, has locations in London, New York and Miami Beach. It most recently premiered The Sanya Edition on Hainan Island in Southern China, the brand’s first hotel in Asia. It will open additional properties in Bangkok and Barcelona by the end of 2017.

An ensemble of 102 hotels in more than 30 countries around the world, The Luxury Collection includes unique properties in former palaces in Venice and Vienna to contemporary masterpieces such as the Frank Gehry-designed Marques de Riscal in Spain’s Rioja wine region. The brand will continue to expand its footprint next year with the opening of Hotel Inglaterra in Havana, Cuba, after a complete renovation. Nine other destinations for The Luxury Collection include Singapore, Panama City and Napa Valley, California.

Today, JW Marriott offers 79 hotels and resorts in 27 countries, including the recent openings of JW Marriott Venice and JW Marriott Los Cabos. In 2017, the brand will debut in Vietnam with the opening of JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa. Additionally, JW Marriott will open JW Marriott Parq Vancouver by the end of next year.

make meetings accessible

An estimated 54 million Americans ages 16 to 65 have a disability that they were either born with or acquired. Many are active members of the workforce who want to participate in offsite meetings and conventions. Legally and morally, event planners must make good-faith efforts to accommodate them. An article in the March issue of Smart Meetings magazine examined this issue in more depth. Click here to read it. Below are some other tips:

–Make preparations to accommodate those with hearing loss by arranging for assistive listening systems, interpreters and/or real-time captioning. For those with vision challenges, have printed materials available in Braille, large print or on CDs.
–In advance of the meeting provide interpreters and captioners with the agenda, background information and a list of participants.
–Before the meeting begins, check the technology to ensure that assistive listening systems have sufficient battery power to last for all sessions. Adjust the lighting for those with low vision.
–Ensure that registration tables are accessible, with handouts in easy reach.
–Make sure there are several paths through meeting rooms so the blind and those with wheelchairs or crutches are not relegated to the outer positions. Aisles must be at least 36 inches wide and have several 60-inch diameter circular turning spaces.
–Instead of simply placing a microphone in the middle of room where those in a wheelchair can’t reach it, supplement with a roaming mic.
–Beware of tables with central stems that wheelchairs can’t fit under. Avoid high tops, which exclude wheelchair users and little people from social interaction.
–At buffet tables avoid billowing tablecloths that could be hazardous, and arrange items within easy reach. Provide standard glasses instead of stemware for those with hand mobility issues, and straws for those who need them.
–Include personal assistants in all seating and meal arrangements.

More information can be found at http://www.ada.gov/business/accessiblemtg.pdf

Smart Meetings Magazine Subsciption

alaska_air_group_different_works

Alaska Air Group has now completed its acquisition of Virgin America. The merger was first announced in April, then approved by Virgin America shareholders in July. In the coming year, the two airlines will need to secure a Federal Aviation Administration certification in order to operate as a single carrier. Regional carrier Horizon Air, also owned by Alaska Air, will continue to operate with its own certificate.

The acquisition was a coup for Alaska, which had to overcome a fierce bidding war with JetBlue in April. Alaska purchased Virgin for $57 a share, for a total equity value of $2.6 billion.

The combined airline boasts a greatly expanded network with close to 1,200 daily flights to 118 destinations in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica and Cuba, although Americans’ access to Cuba may be in jeopardy during the incoming Trump presidency. During his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump vowed to reverse thawing relations between the two countries.

Although the two airlines will operate as one, they will remain two distinct brands. To celebrate the merger, Alaska has debuted a special co-branded Boeing 737 that combines Virgin’s colors of red and purple with Alaska’s blue. In the coming year, Alaska plans to do market research and make a decision on the future of the Virgin America brand.

Currently, both airlines’ loyalty programs will remain intact, though there will be some overlap. From Dec. 19, Virgin America Elevate members and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can earn rewards on both airlines’ flights, and elite members will receive priority check-in and boarding privileges on both airlines. Travelers will also be able to purchase tickets for Virgin America flights on Alaska’s website.

“Alaska Airlines and Virgin America are different airlines, but we believe different works—and we’re confident fliers will agree,” said Brad Tilden, CEO of Alaska Air Group. “Together, we’ll offer more flights, with low fares, more rewards and more for customers to love, as we continue to offer a distinctive travel experience. The two airlines may look different, but our core customer and employee focus is very much the same.”