team-building

According to a new survey of 405 corporate, association, government and independent planners, team building is a key consideration when choosing a destination and venue for meetings, especially as more millennials become attendees.

The fifth annual “State of the Meetings Industry” survey by Destination Hotels helps identify how planning duties and meetings will change in 2017, providing valuable insights for the brand’s collection of luxury and upscale properties. Earlier this year, Destination Hotels and Commune Hotels merged to become Two Roads Hospitality.

The survey reveals that nearly 60 percent of planners are most interested in adventure and active team building options. Active community service projects with built-in team building components, such as beach cleanups and school refurbishment projects, were rated as highly desirable by 37 percent of respondents.

Attendees’ desires to thoroughly experience a destination has resulted in an increase of meeting-goers extending their stays for leisure purposes. Based on 2015 evaluations, 61 percent of planners reported that more than one out of 10 attendees either arrived before the scheduled meeting or stayed an extra day or so to relax and enjoy recreation opportunities.

Onsite technology and digital resources, such as a property’s website, are very important to planners. Although there’s no replacement for site visits, 72 percent of planners reported that a property’s website is where they get most of their information when researching a host site.

Location and room rate are the two most critical factors when selecting a property. Food and beverage pricing, which came in at No. 3, is an area where Destination Hotels shine, according to Carrie Drost, director of public relations for Two Roads Hospitality.

“By actively developing relationships with local purveyors of food and beverage, the culinary teams at Destination Hotels create not just menus, but also decor and themes that reinforce the unique qualities of the destination,” Dost says.

According to the survey, meeting budgets will increase in 2017, but instead of using the extra funding on per meeting spend, planners will likely use it to stage more events. Flexibility to shift dates one or two weeks in either direction was very important as more meetings are being scheduled.

The need for flexibility extends to space configurations, with nearly 73 percent of respondents rating this area as a priority. Planners emphasized the importance of making use of as many spaces as possible at a host property for business sessions as well as receptions and networking opportunities.

Destination Hotels are so meeting friendly that they have devised their own convention services management certification program: Destination Event Producer (DEP).

“To create our DEP certification, we took what we think are the best elements of the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program, plus other industry certification programs, then added several elements we want to focus on as a brand,” says Kevin Barosso, vice president of global groups sales for Two Roads Hospitality.

florida-encounter

Visit Florida is so pro meetings that it has a hashtag for that very market: #MeetFL.

This week, almost all of the Florida meeting folks are attending the annual Florida Encounter taking place at the luxurious Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. Part networking and part experiential opportunity, Florida Encounter is so all-encompassing that every state should create their own version of a convention that caters to the meetings industry.

Besides getting amazing participation from its in-state suppliers, including CVBs, hotels and resorts, Florida Encounter draws meeting planners from throughout the United States, plus a few select journalists. I’m representing Smart Meetings to learn more about the state that seemingly hosts the most meetings and events anywhere.

Experience Kissimmee is taking a lead role, offering a one-day fam trip on Thursday. The day concludes with a dining experience at Disney Springs, the up-and-coming entertainment village that is perfect for offsites when meeting in the Orlando area.

So even if you were unable to make it to Florida Encounter this year, follow all the action on Twitter at @SmartMtgsHolly and via Smart Meetings posts. There’s so much to know about #MeetFL.

Last Updated December 2, 2016 – 10:47 AM

visit-napa-valley

A location can absolutely make the trip, and within the Napa Valley are some amazing sites that will garner plenty of excitement from your team. Over the trip, your team will be inspired by the culture-rich atmosphere, picturesque views and who can forget the wine? In this unique oasis where world-class and laid-back luxury come together, the work week will feel like it can’t be long enough—and, after all, “I’m going on a business trip to the Napa Valley” has a pretty nice ring to it.

dallas-and-fort-worth

The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is an intersection of cosmopolitan sophistication and bonafide cowboy culture best experienced in these two metropolitan cities. Millions of visitors pass through Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), one of the busiest airports in the world, to encounter cattle runs, Western saloons and rodeos. Once there, however, they come to find that there is more to Texas than tall tales of the Wild West. These days, Dallas and Fort Worth are honoring their roots while embracing the new, and meeting groups can come along for the ride.

dallas-and-fort-worth

Begin a tour of Dallas at one of the tallest points in the city atop the GeO-Deck at Reunion Tower. The 470-foot-tall spherical structure provides 360-degree views of Dallas proper, including the striking Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge with its white double-curved arches that run across the Trinity River. Groups can buyout the observation deck including Five Sixty, an award-winning Asian-fusion fine dining restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows and equally spectacular views.

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Next door, the Sixth Floor Museum takes visitors back to a fateful day on November 22, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated below the building in Dealey Plaza. What was once the Texas School Book Depository has become a space dedicated to the life and legacy of America’s 35th president.  Guided audio tours of exhibits and artifacts spread across the sixth and seventh floors are available to the public. The museum also serves as a historic setting for events with 1,800 sq. ft. of space at the visitor’s center and 5,000 sq. ft. of space on the seventh floor.

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Dallas Museum of Art is the core city’s art district, the largest in the nation, spanning 19 blocks of museums, performance halls, theaters and community spaces. The museum was established in 1903, long before the surrounding district, and holds more than 23,000 works spanning 5,000 years of history. Most of the halls, featuring European, Asian, American and Modern masterpieces are available to view with no admission cost, except for rotating exhibits such as Divine Felines: Cats of Egypt, on display until Jan. 8. The museum is also an exquisite event venue with 67,100 sq. ft. of space split between the auditorium, atrium, sculpture garden and outdoor plaza.

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In nearby Frisco, one of the fastest growing suburbs in the country, the talk of the town is the new Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters at The Star. The gleaming practice facility for the NFL team is a 91-acre campus that offers myriad event spaces, restaurants, shops and the Omni Frisco Hotel that’s scheduled to open next summer. The Ford Center is a state-of-the-art 510,000-square-foot stadium that will host community football games and events overlooking the practice field when not in use by the Dallas Cowboys. Tours of the facility will begin in January, providing a one-of-a-kind fan experience to the public.

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Fort Worth is where several only-in-Texas memories can be made. The historic army outpost, which sits on the Trinity River, was part of a network of 10 forts designated to safeguard the American Frontier following the end of the Mexican-American War in 1849. After it became a stop on the Chisholm Trail, the cattle trade and stockyards took hold of the city, and it became the center of the ranching industry earning Fort Worth the nickname Cowtown.

With the cowboys came boom times, however it also led to the city’s fair share of problems. After merchants stocked up on provisions, they headed to local saloons, dance halls and brothels in Fort Worth’s red light district. It became known as Hell’s Half-Acre—no thanks to the motley crew of brawlers, hunters, crooks, robbers and outlaws that took up residence near the old Union Station train depot.

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Acre Distilling Co. keeps these bawdy tales alive in a restored 1920s building that was once the site of drunken brawls and general debauchery. Owner Tony Formby hangs a photograph of the Sundance Kid, Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch in the entrance, a replica of one of the earliest mugshots that eventually led to their capture. Patrons can sip on spirits distilled onsite, including single-barrel select bourbon whiskey, straight bourbon whiskey, dry gin and vodka made with various infusions. A cafe by day and bar by night, the venue can be bought out for private events of up to 50 people; up to 30 people can tour the distillery.

Fort Worth Convention Center is located less than one block away from the distillery, with entrances facing downtown and Sundance Square, a 35-block district of boutiques, restaurants, theaters, galleries and historic landmarks. The convention center embraces its Lone star spirit with state emblems and cowboy themes represented in artwork, carpeting and even the ceiling. There is more than 250,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space for various groups, including a 28,160-square-foot ballroom, 55,000-square-foot plaza and a dome-shaped arena with a seating capacity for up to 12,918.

According to Charles Mayer, director of sales and marketing for the convention center, the building will eventually undergo a renovation and expansion by 2024. An enlarged footprint would replace the arena with additional exhibit space and another 50,000-square-foot ballroom, with the ability to host two large concurrent groups on either end of the convention center. The Omni Fort Worth headquarters hotel offers 400,000 sq. ft. of additional meeting space and 614 guest rooms. Next year, a 254-room Hampton Inn & Suites will join the number of nearby hotels.

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Cap off the evening with a visit to the Stockyards, where riding and roping are a regular occurrence. Twice a day, drovers lead a herd of cattle down Exchange Avenue, between the Fort Worth Exchange Building and then back to the holding pens. The National Historic District was the heart of the livestock industry when the Fort Worth Union Stockyards started business in the late 1800s. Cows, sheep and pigs were bought, sold and slaughtered until the 1950s.

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The area retains its Western heritage in places such as Billy Bob’s Texas, a working rodeo and live music venue where famous country musicians including Blake Shelton, Waylon Jennings, Janie Fricke and Willie Nelson have performed. The 100,000-square-foot honkytonk and bull-riding arena offers a quintessential experience of Texas under one roof, and can host up to 6,000 people for special events.

meetings industry
Ashley Ongsmart moves

Ashley Ong has been hired as group sales manager for The Modern Honolulu. Ong was previously a guest experience manager at St. Regis Princeville Resort after completing Starwood Hotels and Resorts’ management training program with the St. Regis brand.

She discovered her affinity for sales while working as a temporary sales coordinator at Aulani Disney Resort & Spa. Ong is a graduate of the travel industry management school at the University of Hawaii.

Vik Khokarsmart moves

The JW Marriott Chicago welcomes Vik Khokar as director of event planning. Khokar brings more than 15 years of hotel management experience to the position. He previously spent four years at Dolce Hotels and Resorts as assistant general manager and director of operations. He has also worked at The Pfister Hotel, Ballantyne Resort and The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis.

Khokhar says, “The JW Marriott Chicago already sets a standard for excellence and superior luxury service for events. As I start my new role with the hotel, I hope to challenge my team to think creatively and develop personalized, new experiences for our guests. I strive every day to showcase my passion for event hospitality through service excellence, quality and innovation.”

Judy Kentsmart moves

Connections Housing, which provides meetings convention and travel services, welcomes Judy Kent as vice president of strategic sales. In her new position will focus on new business development in the Chicago, Washington D.C. and the mid-Atlantic region. Kent brings more than 20 years of hospitality, sales and business development experience to Connections Housing.

She previously spent 10 years as a strategic sales executive of association sales at Experiment, a Maritz Travel company. She was also regional director of Midwest/West convention sales for Tourism Toronto.
“We are excited to welcome Judy to our growing team,” says Brad Weaber, chief innovation officer of Connections Housing. “Chicago, DC and the entire Mid-Atlantic region are pivotal growth markets for us and Judy is the perfect candidate for this important new position. Her long-term industry relationships, extensive experience and energetic leadership style promise to help us reach our goals.”

Tricia Vecchiosmart moves

The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau has hired Tricia Vecchio as its new destination sales manager. Vecchio will generate leads and book conventions and trade shows that require more than 1,200 hotel rooms. She will also conduct site visits and work closely with remote sales team members in Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Vecchio previously worked at the InterContinental Los Angeles as sales manager for domestic and international business and leisure travel. She began her hospitality career with Tourico Holidays, an international wholesale travel company.

Hans Rittensmart moves

Omni Hotels & Resorts has hired Hans Ritten as general manager of the Omni Chicago Hotel. Ritten will manage all operations including sales, marketing, food and beverage and future growth efforts. The hotel is currently undergoing a multi-year, multi-million dollar renovation.

Ritten previously served at Remington Hotels, where he was general manager of the Silversmith Hotel for the last three years. While there, he was very involved with renovations and managing development of the hotel’s new restaurant. Ritten has also held managerial positions at One Ocean Resort, Marriott International and Interstate Hotels & Resorts. “We welcome Hans to the Omni Chicago Hotel and the Omni family,” said Lesli Reynolds, senior vice president for Omni Hotels & Resorts. “He is an accomplished hotelier who has amassed great experience working with some very well-known brands—the hotel will achieve great success under his leadership.”

meditation-in-the-workplace

Meeting professionals’ jobs can be very demanding, which can create stress and lead to health problems. One of the most encouraging trends in the meetings industry is the expansion of efforts to help address this issue through health and wellness programs, including meditation at workplaces—but it’s important to proceed with caution.

Lodro Rinzler, a the co-founder and chief spiritual officer at New York City’s MNDFL meditation studio and founder of the Institute for Compassionate Leadership, described a conversation he had with another meditation teacher.

“You wouldn’t necessarily say, ‘Hey, let’s do some yoga. I invented these stretches,’” the teacher said to Rinzler. Except in situations involving very advanced teachers, inventing techniques can be not only ineffective, but also dangerous.

“There’s a million apps [for meditation] out there these days, but you should use trained instructors that come in person to guide people, at least at first, until they learn how to do it on their own,” Rinzler says.

Businesses and organizations looking to bring in a trained meditation teacher to get the ball rolling usually have many options. It’s important to do some exploring to find a teacher whose meditation technique is well-suited to the vast majority of employees who want to participate. (And yes, participating should be an option, not a requirement.)

It’s also important to find a teacher whose personality and style blends in well with your group. Even the most skilled meditation teachers won’t help your employees much unless they have an easy, comfortable rapport with them.

With business groups, teachers often are faced with the challenge of instructing people with widely varying degrees of meditation experience. So, to be as inclusive as possible, it’s usually necessary to start with very basic and accessible techniques, and for short periods—perhaps 10 minutes.

Some employees might already be very dedicated to a particular meditation practice. Of course, those who want to practice their own technique during group meditation sessions should be accommodated.

Once they start meditating, other employees might begin exploring different techniques. This should be encouraged because it indicates a desire to enhance their meditation by finding the particular practice that best suits them. After all, the ultimate objective is to provide the best practice for each person who participates.

glacier-national-park-montana-winter-activities

Whoever decided winter is the time to batten down the hatches and snuggle up never spent a winter in Glacier County, Montana.

Nestled between the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains, Glacier County encompasses the Blackfeet reservation, Glacier National Park and Lewis & Clark National Forest. In other words, the perfect location for rugged, exhilarating outdoor adventures. So if your group is heading to the area for a meeting, retreat or offsite and you’re not quite ready to hibernate, there are lots of great options to consider. Here are just some of the ways groups enjoy and explore the great outdoors.

1. Dog Sledding

Mush! If you really want to give your group a memorable experience, consider group tours via dog sled. Everything from guided half-day to multi-night adventures can be arranged. Or, if you can watch these amazing canines from the sidelines, Race to the Sky and the Lincoln-Seeley Lake Sled Dog Races are both annual dog sledding events in Montana that take teams and their mushers across trails, through the backcountry and through local communities.

Dog Sled Adventures and Winter Woods Dog Sled Tours, both located in Whitefish, offer tours.

2. Sleigh Rides

Several area ranches offer sleigh rides through town under the stars, and they can pick you up at most ski resorts on the mountain. Bundle up, grab a hot cocoa and head to Bar W Guest Ranch in Whitefish, Cripple Creek Horse Ranch in Trego, or Double Arrow Lodge in Seeley Lake to start your horse-drawn sleigh adventure.

3. Distillery, Brewery and Winery Hopping

Did you know Montana’s trail system includes 23 breweries, eight wineries and eight distilleries? After a day of hitting the slopes, there’s no better cure for sore muscles and frozen fingers than testing some of the area’s finest whiskeys and wines. Just in Missoula alone you can sample brews from Bayrern Brewing Company, Big Sky Brewing Company, Draught Works and Kettlehouse Brewing Company. Glacier Distillery in Coram offers tours and tasting flights inside The Whiskey Barn.

Mission Mountain, Glacier Sun and Flathead Lake Wineries offer a range of wines from locally grown Montana fruit to Northwest pinots and merlots, and many selections can be found on local restaurant menus.

4. Snowmobiling

There are lots of rental companies ready and willing to accommodate group snowmobiling—for beginners, experts and everything in between. Plus there are more than 2,000 miles of forest service roads that are closed to vehicles during winter snowfall, which means your group can explore freely through the back country.

5. Skiing, Snowboarding & Snowshoeing

Whether your group is looking for downhill ski adventures, cross-country excursions or snowboarding, Western Montana does it all. (With 300 plus inches of snowfall each year, how could they not?) Western Montana features six well-rounded, full-service downhill areas for skiing and snowboarding, and well-groomed trails perfect for cross-country skiing, skate-skiing and snowshoeing.

Plus with full-service resorts like Whitefish Mountain Resort right on Big Mountain, it’s easy to hit the fresh powder as soon as the meeting is finished.

6. Ice Skating and Hockey

Get your team involved in some face-to-face competition with a day on the rink. Ice Skating and hockey are favorite winter pastimes in Kalispell. Woodland Park, right in downtown Kalispell, offers a hockey rink as well as skating on a large pond that is maintained and open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

kauai843

National Geographic Traveler magazine has revealed its Best of the World list of 21 must-see destinations, and there are some pretty happy meeting cities that made the cut. Smart Meetings must be keeping great company because many of our good friends find themselves among the elite destinations of the world.

We’d like to send out special congratulations to the following: Hawaiian Island of Kauai; the state of Georgia; Anchorage, Alaska; Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada; Cartagena, Colombia; Hamburg, Germany; and Madrid, Spain.

“We think this year’s Best of the World list represents a carefully curated selection of forward-leaning places that reveal the bright future of travel,” says George Stone, National Geographic Traveler editor. “This list is all about exploration and discovery. It’s not just about where to go, but why to go now and how to make 2017 a year of enlightenment through travel.”

Chosen by the National Geographic Traveler editors, the world’s best destinations will be published in the December 2016/January 2017 issue of the magazine.

“It’s a great honor for Kauai to be recognized by National Geographic Traveler and such an esteemed group of travel professionals,” says Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kauai Visitors Bureau. “With Kauai’s tropical weather year-round, scenic wonders including the Kalalau Lookout, Waimea Canyon and the Napali Coast, diverse range of hiking trails, and rich, cultural history, the Garden Isle is an ideal destination for all explorers. Kauai allows travelers to rejuvenate their spirit, reconnect with family and friends and discover Kauai’s natural beauty.”

Georgia is featured in the Best of the World list for its live music and music heritage. Georgia Tourism was already celebrating 2016 as “Year of Georgia Music” and now they have something else to toast. The state has focused much of its marketing on its rich music heritage, world-class venues and unique festivals. Georgia is home to more than a thousand live music venues, seating anywhere from 100 to 20,000 people per performance.

“It is an honor that National Geographic Traveler has selected Georgia as one of 21 of the world’s best destinations,” says Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. “From our mountains to our coasts, Georgia is home to talented musicians, world-class artists and others who help make our state a top tourist destination and a wonderful place to call home. We are proud that Georgia is on the mind of so many, both here and around the world.”

National Geographic Traveler liked Banff National Park so much it put a picture of iconic Moraine Lake on the cover of its Best of the World issue. The Rocky Mountain park is the only Canadian destination included on the list.

las-vegas-holiday-attractionsTree lighting ceremony at The LINQ Promenade

As a larger than life desert oasis, Las Vegas is not usually the first place that comes to mind when considering where to celebrate this season of snow and cozy family gatherings—but maybe it should be. The meetings capital of the world has gotten into the holiday spirit in a big way with hotels and resorts introducing spectacular winter wonderlands chock-full of unique attractions. From beautiful trees to ice rinks, awe-inspiring seasonal displays and even snow, Las Vegas has a little something for everyone to enjoy this winter.

Neon Museum, which was highlighted in our feature on unusual Las Vegas attractions, will hold a December to Remember celebration where groups are invited to enjoy the illuminated Neon Museum Boneyard, make their own tree ornaments, sip hot chocolate and enjoy traditional caroling by the Las Vegas Academy choir.

MGM Resorts International’s The Park is bringing a modern twist to the holidays. The eco-friendly outdoor destination connecting New York-New York, Monte Carlo and T-Mobile Arena invites guests to enter through 16-foot tall tunnels bedecked with ornaments. Once through the tunnels, visitors will encounter a festive outdoor space decorated with lights, icicles, crystal blooms and a 60-foot tree with 3,000 ornaments and 13,000 lights.

Groups looking for ice-skating fun have options in Las Vegas. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Toshiba Plaza, located just outside T-Mobile Arena, will each be hosting ice rinks this season. The Cosmopolitan’s rink will also including opportunities to roast s’mores by a fire, enjoy snow showers and watch classic holiday movies.

The LINQ Promenade, part of The LINQ’s casino, hotel and shopping complex, has transformed into Winter PARQ, an extravagant outdoor experience complete with 35-foot tree, a light show with more than 2,000 lights, live entertainment and nightly snow fall.

Wynn Las Vegas is one of several resorts that will put on beautiful winter-themed displays. The resort will blossom into an awe-inspiring spectacle with five fantasy villages, 33 holiday trees and thousands of poinsettias scattered throughout the property. The Palazzo, MGM Grand Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, the Mirage and the Bellagio will also debut fabulous displays of holiday decor. This year, the Bellagio Conservatory will feature a polar bear family, 42-foot tree and train station.

trump presidency impact on travel

After Donald Trump’s historic presidential election win, reactions ranging from positive to cautiously optimistic have been coming in from around the travel industry.

Roger Dow, president and CEO of U.S. Travel Association, released a statement congratulating President-elect Trump, commending his extensive experience in hospitality, and looking ahead at the possibility of collaboration and cooperation with the future president.

“I congratulate President-elect Trump on behalf of the U.S. travel and tourism community, and am confident that he will be a valuable ally in advancing some of our industry’s key priorities,” Dow said. “Mr. Trump demonstrated throughout his campaign that travel and infrastructure issues have his attention, and we stand ready to advise his administration on achieving his stated aims in these areas.

“We are encouraged that Mr. Trump’s extensive business and hospitality background—not to mention that travel accounts for 10 percent of all U.S. exports and creates jobs in every single congressional district—will make him a ready and receptive ear for our agenda.”

In a separate statement, Dow highlighted the importance of travel to the country’s economy.

“The election may be over, but our work has just begun. New and returning lawmakers arriving here need to know how crucial our industry is for America’s health, wealth and diplomatic relations as they begin their work for the coming years,” Dow said. “Our industry looks forward to working with the Trump administration on policies that will keep travelers moving and keep our country a welcoming destination—and in doing so, create jobs and help fulfill the very campaign promises they made en route to Washington.”

U.S. Travel Association has announced a new campaign aimed at raising awareness of the travel industry among incoming lawmakers. New ads touting the association’s pro-connectivity, pro-growth and pro-traveler policy priorities  will appear in various airport terminals from November through January.

Skift spoke to a number of travel industry leaders and found that many are encouraging a cautious “wait and see” attitude.

Marriott International told Skift, “The outcome of the elections and the potential to impact our business depends on the Administration and Congress working together to govern, and it is too early to tell how those relationships will develop and which policies will surface as priorities.

“We remain focused on advancing our policy priorities to support our business and associates: comprehensive immigration reform, infrastructure investment, equality in the workplace, growing travel, protecting our ability to do business in Cuba and adopting tax policies that strengthen the American economy.”

The day before the election, Reuters spoke with Enrique de la Madrid Cordero, Mexico’s secretary of tourism, who said that Mexico is prepared to work with the future president, with no regard to party affiliation. He also cautioned that the industry should wait to see which campaign promises would actually become policy.

Following the announcement of election results, Travel Pulse surveyed travel agents and discovered a wide variety of reactions. Some expect Trump to enact policies that favor hospitality, while others are concerned that a change in the economy could make Americans reluctant to travel.

Travel Pulse also collected comments from several travel industry voices around the world, from Cuba to Mexico. Insight Cuba CEO Tom Popper told Travel Pulse, “In my opinion, and while much is difficult to predict with any certainty, I don’t believe the new president-elect will strive to undo the gains with regard to travel and trade as a result of Obama’s effort to normalize ties with Cuba.”

In other news, the Federal Aviation Administration has made Trump Tower a no-fly zone as a security precaution for the president-elect. Similar flight restrictions over Vice President-elect Mike Pence’s Indiana residence are also in effect. This is a common flight restriction for current and former presidents who live outside the White House.

The no-fly orders will expire Jan. 21, one day after the inauguration. The order for New York prohibits flights below 3,000 feet in midtown Manhattan, although military, Secret Service and emergency aircraft are exempt. Drones are also subject to these new restrictions.