Smart Meetings | Page 535 of 604 | Corporate Event Planning: Business Events, Meetings, Conferences

Many people go on vacation to decompress, de-stress and take a mental break from the rigors of work. According to international respondents of the Global Travel Tracker from Marriott Rewards, while a vast majority of people choose a nap over getting the heart rate pumping with a long run (67 percent vs. 33 percent), it’s not as cut and dry in how to return to work more relaxed. Coinciding with Marriott’s Global Travel Day on Friday, October 14, and in celebration of the recent, historic acquisition of Starwood by Marriott International, the global travel tracker is a new survey that illustrates trends among travelers worldwide.

More than 6,600 travelers in 14 international cities including Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington, DC, Toronto, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Paris, Dubai, Tokyo, Shanghai and Munich participated in the online survey that show trends in traveler’s habits on the road.

“It’s fascinating to see that the habits formed and stories gathered might be personal in nature, but universal in experience,” said Karin Timpone, Global Marketing Officer, Marriott International. “Global Travel Day celebrates the merger of Marriott and Starwood and the linking of our loyalty programs, so now travelers everywhere can find the perfect hotel almost anywhere around the world.”

Technavio, a global market research company that studies emerging market trends across various industries, has identified five rising trends that are expected to impact the hospitality market for the next several years.

1. Leveraging technology to improve guest experiences: From keyless check-in and robot concierges to mobile apps and messenger-based booking, top hotel chains are continuously experimenting with new technology to enhance travelers’ experiences, from booking to check-out. These days, hotels’ mobile apps have an impressive list of features. Check-in by phone, which has long been an option at major hotel chains such as Starwood and Hilton, is highly valued by planners for streamlining attendees’ arrival experiences and reducing wait times.

2. Greater adoption of green practices: Sustainability has become increasingly important to the travel and hospitality industries, as well as their customers. With innovative practices such as installing solar-powered pool heaters and offering locally sourced toiletries, hotels and resorts are finding more creative and cost-effective ways to make their facilities, events and other services as green as possible. With climate change continuing to make headlines, green isn’t going away anytime soon.

3. Personalized services for travelers: Personalization has become one of the biggest trends of 2016. Hotels and CVBs are using data to personalize their services to better suit guests. Aloft Hotels has introduced voice-activated hotel rooms that enable guests to customize temperature and lighting, as well as explore local attractions. Another great example is Visit Orlando’s new app, which uses artificial intelligence and augmented reality to provide personalized dining and entertainment experiences for visitors.

4. Growth in last-minute bookings: According to Technavio, about 44 percent of U.S. business travelers in 2015 made last-minute trips. Over the next few years, this number is expected to grow due to the rise of globalization in a volatile economic climate. New booking services, search tools and applications that focus on last-minute bookings also make it easier for businesses to control travel and accommodation costs on last-minute business trips.

5. Increased focus on health and wellness offerings: Health and wellness is not a new trend in hospitality, but it’s certainly been gaining momentum over the last few years. Business and leisure travelers of all ages are increasingly concerned with staying healthy and fit on the road. Generally, constantly connected, always-online millennials crave out-of-the-box wellness options, while baby boomers call for more relaxing, rejuvenating amenities. From healthy and locally sourced dining options to world-renowned spa facilities, hotels and resorts are expected to continue to boost their wellness offerings.

That’s where Tourisme Montréal comes in. We know the nooks and crannies of this city, and we thrive on helping you — the busy event planner — find the setting that will make your event shine.

To get your idea juices flowing, here are five themes that Montréal does best! You can also download the Official 2016 Offsite Venue Brochure to get more details.

Creative

Montréal is a creative city. Our status as an innovative destination has become a big selling point for a wide variety of meetings and conventions. This makes sense. With a fertile startup scene and a plethora of art festivals, our metropolis has earned the reputation as Canada’s capital of creativity. Host an event in an art gallery or a startup den!

Outdoor

Montréal is an outdoor playground. From the tree-lined mountain at the hub of the city to the iconic river that flows at its front step, nature is never far. Host a business meeting with an “Island” theme or enjoy an outdoors happy hour at one of these cocktail-friendly venues.

Cultural

Montréal is a mosaic of cultures and people. Welcome your guests into an 18th century French colonial garden or host an immersive technology event under a dome that forms a spherical 360-degree projection screen. In Montréal, “culture” comes in many shapes and sizes (and faces and venues)!

Green

Montréal takes sustainability seriously. Many of the city’s key tourism industry partners have taken major steps to soften their ecological footprint. Key players like the Hotel Association of Greater Montréal, the Palais des congrès de Montréal (the Convention Centre) and Tourisme Montréal (that’s us!) are available to support you in your efforts to promote sustainability.

Historic

Montréal is one of North America’s most historic cities. As a planner, you can put Montréal’s heritage front and centre by choosing one of the city’s historical venues for your group’s events. From regal to rustic, there is something for every organization and every type of meeting. Discover these 10 historical venues!

Spotlight On Montréal’s Newest Event Venue: Au Sommet Place Ville Marie

There’s something spectacular about seeing a city from the top of a tall building. From this perspective, one can gain a sense of the geography of the area. From this height, one can also observe the movement of people — riding in buses, hailing taxis, strolling during lunch breaks — and these movements subsequently tell the story of the city.

Montréal has a new rooftop venue and it’s perfect for boisterous team gatherings!

Located in the heart of Montréal’s downtown, Place Ville Marie is a 47-storey, cruciform office tower. It was constructed in 1962 as headquarters for the Royal Bank of Canada and, over the years, has maintained its status one of Canada’s most distinctive tall-rise buildings. On the roof of Place Ville Marie, a beacon rotates four white horizontal beams (much like a lighthouse) and can be seen as far as 50 km away. In that sense, the skyscraper is truly a Montréal landmark.

The top-floor venue, formally known as Au Sommet Place Ville Marie, offers event planners an entirely new way to “wow” their attendees. Watch the sunset. Learn about the history of Montréal. Gain perspective over one of North America’s oldest cities. Celebrate a team accomplishment. Treat a client to lunch. These are all the ways that the space can be used for recreational or professional pursuits.

hyatt-regency-los-angeles-international-airport

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the brand transition of The Concourse Hotel at Los Angeles Airport from a Hyatt affiliated hotel to Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport. The 580-room hotel is undergoing an extensive $75 million renovation, which will be completed by Jan. 1, 2017.

Currently open and accepting guests, Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport is under the direction of Managing Director Jeff Rostek with the support of Prism Hotels & Resorts.

“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 Rostek. “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.”

Located less than one block from the Los Angeles International Airport, Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport is the closest hotel to the airport. The new redesign introduces vibrant mid-century modern furnishings in each guestroom, including the Hyatt Grand Bed, wall-mounted 55-inch television with HDMI streaming capabilities, free high-speed Wi-Fi internet, and tranquility sliding door on a well-lit modern bathroom with rain shower head. The guestrooms feature quadruple-pane windows to eliminate air traffic and airport noise. All spaces have been thoughtfully designed for ease of working, relaxing and staying connected to who, and what, is most important to guests at any time.

The hotel offers more than 50,000 square feet of meeting space, including one of the largest ballrooms in the LAX market at 14,000 square feet, as well as the only outdoor event lawns in the area, accommodating up to 750 guests. Additionally, a newly built state-of-the-art conference center features more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space, where people can meet, connect and get inspired.

Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport is the only airport hotel with direct shuttle service, which is provided complimentary to registered hotel guests and runs every 10 minutes between the hotel and airport.

collaboration-meeting-planning

One-half (49 percent) of event planners surprisingly report marketing departments at their respective companies are always or often involved in the planning and execution of events, and an overwhelming majority (91 percent) find value in this type of partnership. Today, the GBTA Foundation, the education and research arm of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), in partnership with Cvent, released new research that explores the prevalence and types of collaboration between event planners and marketing departments.

“Like any cross-company collaboration, getting to a good working relationship often comes with challenges along the way including lack of communication, control issues, budget constraints and delays,” said Kate Vasiloff, GBTA Foundation Director of Research. “While there is no single roadmap to successful collaboration between marketing and event planning teams, establishing clear lines of communication, demonstrating an openness to fresh ideas and accounting for time and money spent is a good place to start.”

“Events are critical to business’ bottom line, so marketing and event planning functions must be in sync to ensure that events deliver on the marketing department’s goals,” said Stacey Fontenot, Vice President of Platform Marketing. “Business-to-business marketers rely heavily on events, so event planners can create significant business value by collaborating with their marketing peers, elevating the importance of the event planning team within an organization.”

More than half (53 percent) of event planners feel setting objectives to support overall business goals is the most important factor to consider when planning a meeting or event. This happens to be an area event planners excel at and are well-equipped to handle. The design and content of a meeting or event, often less familiar for event planners, can be equally vital to its overall success. This is where collaboration across departments comes into play and can help companies enhance the success of their meetings and events.

When you look at the opportunities for collaboration, currently the highest level of collaboration (59 percent) is around email communication. During the planning stages of the event, marketing teams and event planners frequently work together to determine the event’s theme (49 percent), logo (49 percent) and color scheme (37 percent). A majority continue to work together on-site with signage (54 percent), but collaboration drops off when it comes to post-event communications (41 percent) and the event debrief (33 percent), showing opportunities to continue collaboration to determine event success.

Challenges identified among those currently collaborating across departments include lack of communication (43 percent), control issues between departments (42 percent) and budget constraints (41 percent). Those interviewed shared best practices to tackle these challenges such as identifying one person from each department to serve as a main point of contact and formalizing a partnership between departments with buy-in from leadership. For better budgeting purposes, planners recommended tracking meeting and event spend, including marketing efforts, to better understand the sheer volume of resources going into an event.

As every meeting planner knows, business trips are usually jam-packed with important schedules. Planners are often rushing from one appointment, lunch meeting or site inspection to another. Add jetlag and travel fatigue to the equation, and it’s a mystery how event professionals keep their energy up all day. These five tips will help you stay energized while traveling, so you can be at your best during every meeting.

Read More: Secrets for Beating Jet Lag

Eat Smart

Pack healthy snacks, choose well-balanced meals and drink lots of water. There’s no denying that typical airplane snacks and fast-food meals are convenient for busy professionals. However, they might leave you satisfied for a short time, but it won’t be long before your energy level takes a deep dive.

Pack healthy snacks such as crackers, granola or carrot sticks, and you’ll find yourself feeling energized for longer periods of time—without having to worry about a sugar crash or food coma causing you to fall asleep in the middle of your next meeting.

Read More: Diet Tips from an RDN

Get Comfortable

Whether you’re flying, driving or taking another mode of transportation, make sure to wear your most comfortable outfit. Spending hours in transit is draining enough—there’s no need to add extra stress and discomfort by wearing a stylish but uncomfortable outfit and footwear. You’d be surprised by how much a comfy sweater and favorite pair of sneakers can boost your mood.

Get Moving

Exercising while on the road is one of the best ways to improve your energy and mood. Starting off with a quick workout will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day ahead.

Fortunately, hotels and resorts know that many travelers have wellness on the mind, and are finding exciting new ways to make it easy for guests to stay fit. From updated gyms and spas equipped with the latest technology to in-room yoga and exercise options, there’s something for everyone.

Pencil in “Me” Time

In between all of your busy tasks, make sure to squeeze in a little time for yourself. Whether you take a few hours to explore a new city or spare just 20 minutes for a meditative breather, every little bit counts. Taking a break will clear your mind, refresh your senses and ensure you’re ready to tackle whatever’s next on the schedule.

Get Your Beauty Sleep

It may seem obvious, but getting a good night’s sleep is important if you want to be at your best. However, it’s not always easy to get enough quality sleep while traveling. If sleeping in an unfamiliar bed and locale keeps you up at night, bring some familiar items—an eye mask, a comforting book or a favorite tea—to make yourself feel more at home.

Also, don’t forget to unplug. When you’re on the road, it’s natural to want to check emails, catch up on work and keep up with everything happening back at headquarters. Don’t sacrifice your sleep to complete these tasks! They’ll still be there when you return from your trip, so when it’s time for bed, turn off your laptop and silence your phone.

Debating whether a one-day or two-day event is the right fit for your meeting’s purpose? There are many things to consider beyond the cost of each, such as how often all of your team is in the same room and the benefits of prolonged one-on-one time. This infographic breaks down the perks of staying overnight:

Infographic provided by Event Essex.

Make your next event an experience that sets your brand above others. Discover the first destination resort in Paso Robles, California, recently awarded Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast and Best Wine Country Town by Sunset Magazine. The Allegretto Vineyard Resort, featuring 171 rooms and suites, is nestled on a 20 acre estate, just a short drive from the pristine beaches of the Pacific Ocean, providing unlimited possibilities to make your next meeting or event memorable. Conveniently located mid-way between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and near the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) and the Paso Robles Municipal Airport, the Allegretto Vineyard Resort is closer than you think.

With more than 40,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, there is no shortage of inspired presentation platforms. The 3,933 square-foot Veneto Ballroom & Conference Center is available for large events of up to 350, and can be divided into three spaces for three for breakouts and more intimate gatherings. The elegant 1,200 square-foot Veneto pre-function space opens onto the Piazza Magica, offering a multitude of possibilities for pre- and post-event gatherings. The space is a stage for a diverse collection of art and artifacts from around the world, including Russian impressionism, East Indian artifacts, and contemporary California art, among others. The Piazza Magica, in the center of the resort, connects through the Romeo and Juliet tunnel onto vineyard views and boasts 12,000 sq. ft. for gatherings, meals, performances, break-outs and more.

Beyond traditional meeting space, the Allegretto Vineyard Resort offers unique places for your gatherings. The 583 square-foot Abbaye de Lerins, a magical setting inspired by a French Countryside abbey, offers a distinctive setting for dinners, meetings, team building experiences, fitness, musical performances and more, for up to 50 guests. The Dylan Boardroom and Murano Private Dining Room, each with a guest capacity of 22, provide intimate settings for meetings and gatherings.

The Fontainebleau pool deck and seasonal café at the base of the estate’s vineyards are accompanied by six private cabanas and hot tub. The spacious and immaculately tailored 20-acre estate is home to eight acres of vineyards stewarded to create the Allegretto wines, an olive orchard with more than 200 trees cultivated to craft the resort’s signature olive oil, along with fruit trees and chef’s garden grown to enrich Chef Eric Olson’s culinary creations. The 35,000 sq. ft. of outdoor space, combined with the region’s exceptional weather, provide a multitude of options for personalized ceremonies and curated team building exercises and events, or mindful relaxation via the resort’s two labyrinths, majestic gardens or a lighthearted game of bocce ball.

Cello Ristorante & Bar, under the direction of Executive Chef Eric Olson, is focused on regional and seasonal ingredients. The Northern Italian menu is augmented with creative culinary compositions masterfully presented with exotic spices and forged ingredients, designed to pair with the expansive wine list and award winning craft cocktails. Whether in the dining room or hosted, your guests will delight in the culinary creations available at the Allegretto.

The Allegretto’s own wines can be sampled or enjoyed by the glass in the Willow Creek Tasting Room. Guests can experience the Viognier, Chardonnay, Tannat, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec either in the tasting room or the nearby Piazza Magica. These wines are also available in the dining room, as well as in-room and during events. Guests wanting to revisit their Paso Robles tasting experience can have the Allegretto wines shipped to their home.

Once you have imagined your perfect meeting space, our experienced team will partner with you to bring your vision to reality, and exceed your expectations. Our concierge service can arrange for customized off-site experiences, including a majestic Highway 1 tour with stunning ocean vistas and a tour of Hearst Castle, curated winery experiences, marine or land-based outdoor adventures, or visits to quaint small towns with artisan galleries and unique cultural attractions. The Allegretto Vineyard Resort invites you to host your next event, large or small, at the resort and to experience the unmatched attention to detail and warm hospitality the property and its staff have to offer.

hotel terra executive retreats in jackson, wyoming Hotel Terra, Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Companies looking to take their top earners on a memorable executive retreat are looking for a place that offers myriad luxury experiences and leaves their guests feeling pampered and satisfied. There are countless reasons why Jackson Hole is that place. Why do the likes of Harrison Ford, Sandra Bullock, Dick Cheney and other celebrities call Jackson, Wyoming, home? We can’t say, for sure, but the jaw-dropping views coupled with charming western lifestyle lend a hint.

Here are some of the most alluring attractions for executive retreats.

1. Once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters. At dusk and at dawn, when the air is cool and quiet, the elk, bison, mule deer, moose, coyote, birds of prey and other wildlife come out of hiding. Getting up before the sun to embark on a peaceful safari in Grand Teton National Park is truly an unforgettable experience.

2. Variety of lodging experiences. Jackson Hole is extremely approachable no matter the bottom line, thanks the range of hotel options nearly as vast as the surrounding plains. From the Five-Star, AAA Five Diamond Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole (124 rooms and suites) to the 202-room Wyoming-chic Snow King Resort, upscale boutique Hotel Terra Jackson Hole, family-friendly Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa, to the many condos, inns, luxury homes and townhomes offered by Jackson Hole Resort Lodging management company.

3. Arguably one of the greatest landing experiences at an airport. Jackson Hole is the only airport in the country that is located entirely within a national park, and its one of the few that require passengers to board and exit outside via ramp. The backdrop stepping off the plane can only be described as awe-inspiring–there is nothing quite like it.

The best part is, the airport itself is lodge-like, decorated in overstuffed leather recliners and bookended with fire places. It offers nonstop flights to twelve major US cities, to boot.

jh-map

4. Ski-in meetings. The central village at the bottom of the Tetons is walking distance from the majority of hotels and resorts, and heated sidewalks lead the way to myriad restaurants, spas and event spaces. Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa is just one of the properties where attendees can literally ski or board right up to the side of the meeting room, hang up their skis, set their boots on dryers and plop down in the boardroom. You can’t come up with a more invigorating breakout session than that.

5. Tram happy hour. Groups can arrange for beverage service before boarding an aerial tram. Just picture your group sipping spiked hot cocoa while soaring more than 4,000 vertical feet en route to a catered dinner on top of the mountain.

6. Three places to golf. Take your pick: the 18-hole, Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club; 18-hole Arnold Palmer & Ed Seay-designed Teton Pines Country Club; or the Tom Fazio-designed Shooting Star Jackson Hole Golf Club. Unbelievable backdrops are guaranteed at all three.

7. So much more than skiing. The activities available in Jackson Hole are endless. Snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sleigh rides, winter (and summer) biking tours, paragliding, hot air ballooning, camping, park tours, running trails, rafting, fishing–and that’s just the list of things to do outdoors. The options for museums, galleries, shopping, spas, restaurants and nightlife in downtown Jackson are just as long.

8. Truly unique meeting spaces. We’ve all heard “a ballroom is a ballroom,”–there isn’t a whole lot you can do to spruce up a ballroom or a boardroom. But when they outdoors is as beautiful as it is in Jackson Hole, the best thing you can do for your event space is show off the great outdoors. And that’s exactly what Hotel Terra did with it’s three meeting rooms. Floor-to-ceiling windows, french doors, stone fireplaces and warm, earthy carpets and drapes create intimate settings that don’t look like any other hotel meeting room.

What is an office-friendly snack, you ask? One that requires little to no preparation, carries little to no odor, and ideally can be tucked into a desk drawer for the moments throughout the day when hunger calls.

Studies have shown that people tend to select healthier foods for themselves when purchasing them in advance, versus when selecting food they plan to immediately eat. The lesson there is to pack a lunch whenever possible instead of making a trip to the grocery store or ordering take-out for lunch. The same goes for the snacks you store in the office. When that 3:00 PM hunger hits, you want to crush your cravings but also provide the necessary energy to get you through the rest of the day at optimum efficiency.

Finding foods that accomplish all of the above aren’t as difficult as you might think. The biggest challenge is to stock your office with them and stay away from the heavier snacks that could lead to a sugar-induced coma.

1. Nuts

Most nuts, when eaten in moderation, provide a filling and healthy snacking alternative. Walnuts lower bad cholesterol, and are linked to reduced biomarkers associated with stress.

Almonds can also help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. They are a source of vitamin E, copper, magnesium, and high-quality protein; they also contain high levels of healthy unsaturated fatty acids along with high levels of bioactive molecules.

2. Peanut Butter

Whether on a piece of toast or spread over apple slices or celery, peanut butter is a delicious way to snack and stay focused, providing healthy fats and vitamin E.

3. Blueberries

Blueberries are an easy snack to store in the fridge, can cure a sweet tooth, and have been linked to improved short-term memory in animal studies.

4. Dark chocolate

In small doses, dark chocolate provides a decadent and beneficial pick-me-up. It offers a little caffeine, a lot of flavonols, and antioxidant-rich cacao.

5. Seeds

Like nuts, several different kinds of seeds are a convenient snack that can be stored in a desk drawer. Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc, which can help boost memory and cognitive function. They also contain magnesium, B vitamins and tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin, a mood-boosting brain chemical.

6. Avocado

Never considered avocado as a snack? You should! It’s easy to pack and prepare, and it’s full of monounsaturated fats and is an excellent source of vitamin E, which research suggests might help lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. There are lots of ways to transform avocado, too. If making it ahead of time, you can add tomatoes, jalapenos, lime juice and seasoning for a quick guacamole, or dice and spread on toast with a drizzle of olive oil and dash of salt and pepper.