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Join the party at Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, a vibrant, chic and modern all-suite resort for adults, opening May 6, 2016. Just 15 minutes from Cancun International Airport, this oceanfront resort features a unique layout consisting of three horseshoe-shaped buildings and areas, each with their own personality and atmosphere. Breathe deep in the xhale club section, mix and mingle in our social section and party all day and night in the freestyle swim and entertainment zone. Stay in one of 526 ultra-contemporary suites with private and scenic terraces offering stunning tropical and ocean views. Nine chic dining venues tantalize palates with international cuisines, while seven bars and lounges pour premium spirits, all without limit and gratuities.

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Entertainment That Never Ends

Welcome to the party. At Breathless Riviera Cancun, groups will live big with non-stop entertainment and thrilling monthly themes that create a party atmosphere like no other. During the day, snorkel, kayak and sail in the Caribbean Sea or sunbathe by any of the resorts’ three stunning pools, including an xhale club pool, a social pool and our one-and-only party pool. Join the party at night with live music shows, beach parties, acrobatic performances and mega dance parties. Continue the fun from the previous night with complimentary greens fees at the Grand Coral Riviera Maya golf course, created by PGA champion and golf course designer, Nick Price. If deep relaxation is more to your liking, be pampered at our full-service Breathless Spa by Pevonia®, offering the most luxurious and à la carte treatments.

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Unlimited-Luxury® Inclusions

Treat your clients to the many pleasures of Unlimited-Luxury®, an elevated level of all inclusive, with all taxes and gratuities factored in. It features limitless access to gourmet á la carte dining options with no reservations required, unlimited international and domestic top-shelf spirits, as well as natural fruit juices and soft drinks, 24-hour room and concierge services, pool and beach wait service, a mini-bar refreshed daily with beverages, daily maid service, endless daytime activities and live nightly entertainment, theme parties, oceanfront bars and entertainment venues, no wristbands required, and free Wi-Fi and international calling to the U.S. and Canada.

Elegant Meetings, Spectacular Events

Breathless Riviera Cancun has over 16,000 square feet of flexible meeting and function space, including two divisible Grand Ballrooms, a theatre, three boardrooms and beautiful outdoor event spaces with exquisite views. The resort welcomes groups of up to 600 people or 300 rooms and offers a wide array of memorable group functions including creative theme parties, exciting excursions, elegant gala dinners and productive teambuilding activities. Most importantly, the resort provides on-site group event planners who offer their personalized attention and assistance every step of the way.

Visit AMRMeetings.com to book your next meeting or event at Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa.

hawaii

This week, Smart Meetings heads to the Hawaiian Islands of Maui and Kaui to visit four spectacular Starwood hotels that bring the Aloha spirit to meeting groups and executive retreats. On the island of Maui, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa on Ka’anapali Beach presents an array of meeting facilities amid an 87,000 sq. ft. aquatic playground for groups to indulge in. Down the shore, The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is nestled on 23 lush acres of tropical gardens, and makes an ideal setting for company retreats and intimate business meetings. Smart Meetings will also explore Maui by air, land and sea; sailing along the coast, riding high above during a helicopter tour and visiting organic farms near the steep slopes of Haleakala Crater.

On the smaller island of Kauai, we’ll tour Sheraton Kaui Resort, which is housed in eight buildings no taller than a mature coconut tree. The rest of the week includes a tour of Mana Waiapuna and Waimea Canyon—two natural wonders in the Garden Island’s famed tropical rainforest. Smart Meetings will also visit St. Regis Princeville, the hotel brand’s first resort in Hawaii. The luxury property is located in the 9,000-acre resort community of Princeville at Hanalei. From May 9-14, stay tuned for island hotspots, one-of-a-kind offsites and amazing Hawaiian sunsets by following @smartmtgsmeena on Twitter.

Last Updated May 14, 2016 – 11:22 PM

salamander resort

History, horses, wine country and luxurious relaxation.

Middleburg, Virginia, home to Salamander Resort & Spa, offers all of the above and more. With half of its business tied to groups, the 168-room Salamander has emerged as a comprehensive wellness refuge that is well-suited for small conferences and executive retreats.

Let’s begin with local history: Middleburg has been a key thoroughfare since before the Revolutionary War. Located amid a quaint village with antique shops and remnants of Virginia’s storied past, Red Fox Inn dates to 1728. President George Washington was once a guest along with many, many Washington politicians. There are lots of photos of President John F. Kennedy visiting town with his family, and I was told First Lady Michelle Obama makes the hour drive to town to pick up wine at her favorite vineyard.

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I’m intrigued by the longevity of Red Fox Inn, which ranks as the longest continuously operated inn in the United States. Turn the hospitality history book pages to 2013, when the Salamander opened, and it’s easy to connect the dots on how invaluable this Northern Virginia region is as a respite from the hustle and bustle of Washington, DC.

During a recent fam trip to Salamander, we gained insights into Loudoun County’s role in all things equestrian. This blog isn’t the place to debate which area of the United States stands as the ultimate horse country, but suffice it to say that Loudoun County will give any destination a run for its money.

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Salamander exudes equestrian pride with its own stables and horses. Onsite activities include guided trail rides, carriage rides and lessons. Perhaps the most creative use of horses and natural horsemanship is Salamander’s one-of-a-kind Equi-Spective program, which teaches energy management through nonverbal communications. The half-day course is perfect for executive retreats, leadership training and team building. (We were warned that someone was going to cry and that actually did happen.)

According to Sheryl Jordan, equestrian director at the Salamander, Equi-Spective can be life changing for some and promotes emotional and physical healing among others. Following an indoor workshop that focuses on the impact of our energy, especially amid small groups, we headed outside to practice what we learned in a ring with a horse. Summoning up warmth and trust from our cores, we communicated with the horse to follow us around the ring. Walk methodically and Stella (our horse) would follow; break into a run and Stella sped things up. For those who doubted the process, Stella would stand still or head in the opposite direction.

“One of the reasons horses are so important in this is they are highly sophisticated,” Jordan says. “They teach us to be more aware.”

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It just so happens that during our fam trip, the Virginia Gold Cup took place at Great Meadows in The Plains, a sister town of Middleburg. The event annually draws more than 50,000 horse lovers and revelers for steeplechase races. The spring races are always scheduled on the same day as the Kentucky Derby. One of the many hospitality tents was hosted by the Salamander, which served up specialties with the same integrity as the resort’s eating establishments. In addition to betting on races and partying, the Gold Cup brings out some of the finest hats in the South, replete with a hat contest.

We were completely spoiled during our opening-night dinner in Salamander’s intimate Cooking School. Wine was provided by nearby Greenhill Winery, which is developing quite the following. Our First Lady is partial to the winery’s seyval blanc. Even more impressive is that Greenhill’s sparkling wine made its way into swag bags for the 2016 Oscar nominees. (Don’t tell anyone, but 22 members of Congress recently had a private dinner in Greenhill’s manor house, which dates back to 1763.)

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For groups (or individuals) meeting at Salamander, the winery makes a great offsite, transporting participants from luxury to the very best of Virginia wine country. New barrel and tasting rooms will be completed by end of year, allowing Greenhill to host up to 120.

Salamander offers 12,000 sq. ft. of indoor event space, including a 5,000-square-foot ballroom. Groups are drawn to the resort because of its luxurious environment that magically induces relaxation.

Property owner Sheila C. Johnson developed the 340-acre property as a getaway from the hectic lifestyles of DC movers and shakers. The resort boasts a full-service spa, millions of dollars of artwork, some from Johnson’s private collection and other pieces that were commissioned, and trails that allow guests to explore the former farmland on foot, mountain bikes and horses.

On our 10-minute walk from the resort into town, we saw a red fox trotting across a grassy field. Just as the Red Fox Inn has comforted weary travelers since the 18th century, it’s Salamander’s turn to nourish bodies and souls with Southern charm and class befitting of world leaders.

“The expected or customary does little to inspire,” Johnson has been quoted as saying. “Stepping outside the norm is a mighty motivator.”

etihad the residence most expensive flight

Aboard Etihad Airways’ A380s, you can have the most spectacular flight of your life—for a hefty price. The $38,000 per seat cost for The Residence suite on Etihad Airways’ New York-Mumbai service is now the most expensive airline fare in the world. That price is for a one-way ticket, so passengers need to shell out a whopping $76,000 for a round-trip journey. The United Arab Emirates national carrier also held the previous record for world’s priciest flight, a $32,000 ticket between New York City and Abu Dhabi.

What will $38,000 get you? The Residence is an extravagant three-room suite designed for a maximum of two passengers. Each Etihad Airbus A380 aircraft has only one suite, making this the most exclusive way to fly. Passengers can relax in the living room, which features a 32-inch flat-screen TV, rest in the bedroom’s comfortable double bed, and freshen up in the bathroom’s full shower.

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In addition to this sumptuous environment, service is where The Residence truly shines. Every aspect of the flight service can be tailor-made to the passenger’s requirements.

From the moment they book their flight until they arrive at their destination, The Residence’s guests are taken care of by Etihad’s VIP travel concierge service, which can help travelers make hotel and restaurant reservations, as well as other travel arrangements. As part of the package, travelers can also enjoy chauffeur service. The Residence ticket holders even have their own private check-in and exclusive airport lounge.

Once they’re in the air, passengers’ every need is handled by a Savoy-trained butler. Gourmet cuisine is served up by an in-flight personal chef who can prepare travelers’ favorite dishes, even if they aren’t on the menu. Turndown service is also provided to add an extra bit of comfort.

For those who have the money to spare, this opportunity to fly at the height of luxury may well be worth every penny.

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With summer fast approaching, meeting planners have many exciting options to change things up. Many team-building activities have been done over and over, so why not try something different? Attendees everywhere will appreciate the chance to try new activities, escape the meeting room and get a glimpse of the great outdoors. Here are four summer team-building activities that capture the essence of the season.

1. Night hikes
Night hikes present an interesting twist on standard hiking activities. With the shift from day to night, participants are challenged to step out of their comfort zone and experience their environment in an entirely new way. Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, Pennsylvania, takes night hikes for groups to a whole new level by adding blindfolds. Because participants are blindfolded, they must complete the hike with a rope in one hand and the other hand firmly on the shoulder of the teammate in front of them. The activity aims to help colleagues develop a vision for the workplace and experience greater sensory awareness.

2. Wine blending
Invite employees to cool down at the end of a corporate retreat with a relaxing glass of wine—and a competitive wine-blending challenge that harnesses their creativity and cooperation skills. The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge in Charlotte, North Carolina, offers a wide variety of food-based activities for groups, including cooking classes and competitions.

One of their most interesting options is the wine-blending challenge, which can accommodate up to 60 participants. Groups are divided into teams of up to 10 members. Each team receives six different varietals of wine and other materials for bottling and labeling. After learning about wine-blending methods, each team creates its own custom wine blend. The winning wine is selected based on taste, quality and creative labeling.

3. Rock climbing
Rock climbing is one of the most adventurous options for team building. Participants work together, support each other and solve problems to scale a wall. Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in Texas organizes rock-climbing activities for groups at McKinney Roughs Nature Park, which has a 40-foot climbing tower. Planners can opt for an activity that combines an obstacle course with rock climbing. The two courses present participants with a variety of mental and physical challenges.

4. GPS scavenger hunts
Scavenger hunts are a common activity for corporate retreats everywhere. They’re effective, fun and highly adaptable. Attendees get to work on their leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills while bonding and having a good time. Using technology such as mobile apps and GPS is a great way to enhance scavenger hunt activities. Destinations by Outside, a destination management company on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, offers a high-tech GPS scavenger hunt for groups. Teams of 15 or fewer are equipped with a GPS unit, camera, map and clues. With these tools and their creative-thinking skills, the teams work together to find hidden caches and complete additional challenges.

hotel trends

In an ever-expanding digital age where it is believed that most people prefer to consume media from mobile devices and electronic platforms, the notion that paper products still draw an audience might seem improbable. But when it comes to tourism maps and brochures—especially those placed in hotels—hard copy is king.

According to a new study commissioned by the International Association of Professional Brochure Distributors, printed tourism materials are far from becoming relics. In the hospitality industry, pamphlets remain the most effective way for hotel staff to convey information to guests. Results were based on a survey conducted by The Center for Marketing Technology at Bentley University. Researchers received 1,560 responses from hospitality professionals in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland and Greece.

But in today’s digital world, curated web-based travel guides created by platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat have increasingly dominated content marketing strategies, especially in the hotel industry. It has led many to believe that online communities are the preferred method of keeping travelers informed. However, the study has found that the use of electronic kiosks at properties is much lower than predicted. It may suggest that guests conduct online travel-based research on their own mobile devices.

“In the age of mobile phones and devices, guests still look to the front desk for printed, tangible brochures and visitor maps. Data suggests the importance of well-placed printed materials in displays catches the attention of guests and fosters interaction with front desk staff,” says Ian Cross, director of The Center for Marketing Technology.

Among the findings:

–98 percent of front desk staff favor the use of printed media.

–94 percent of hotels surveyed provide visitor information for their guests using a brochure display.

–83 percent of respondents overwhelming support the availability of print media, ranking it extremely important for their guests.

–If the favorability of in-room printed materials is considered, then printed materials outperform hotel electronic kiosks and other information by a margin of 88 percent to 12 percent.

–83 percent of respondents who have visitor information available for their guests by way of a brochure displays consider providing tourism information extremely important.

–Guests still look to the front desk for printed maps and attractions (55 percent) rather than kiosks (11 percent).

–Printed brochures and maps are the most popular choice for guests and concierge staff. Brochures are slightly favored (27 percent), followed by maps (26 percent) and then place-based guides (22 percent). When observing how often hotel guests use brochures survey respondents cited (40 percent) always, (46 percent) often, (13 percent) sometimes and (1 percent) never.

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For six decades, the Disneyland Resort in Southern California has held a special place in the hearts of Disney fans everywhere. Currently celebrating its 60th anniversary Diamond Celebration now through the end of Summer 2016, a glittering new nighttime parade, a new firework spectacular and all-new “World of Color” show have continued to dazzle guests and keep them forever young.

For meeting and event professionals, these new additions have only continued to enhance the experience their attendees have when they attend a meeting, conference or private event held at one of Disney’s three onsite convention hotels, including the iconic Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.

Perhaps, no one knows this better than Dave Stern, senior executive at a southern California-based insurance claims organization, which has held its educational conference at the Disneyland Hotel for the past 17 years. The annual conference attracts more than 1,500 attendees every year.

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“I think that one of the reasons why we are the world’s largest conference [in our industry] is not only because we have excellent subject matter and speakers, but it’s also because of the venue that we picked,” said Stern. “We wanted to set ourselves apart from our competitors, and Disney is an important part of that equation. It goes beyond just the technological, the entertainment, the audio/visual, and the food; it’s an experience to come to Disney for our guests. [They] look forward to it every year because of the location,” he added.

According to Stern, the quality of service that the Disneyland Hotel team provides is an important factor in contributing to the conference’s 17 years of success.

“One of the things that we really enjoy about Disney is the service,” said Stern. “We look at our attendees similarly to the way Disney looks at the people who are coming to its hotels and parks; we look at them as our guests. From the very first time that a bellman takes a bag from one of our guests, we want that experience to be excellent. One of the things that we consistently hear from our attendees is they are very complimentary about the level of service here.”

Another reason Stern cites for their success is the convenience of planning the event itself, aided by Disney creative resources – including award-winning show producers, writers, set designers, florists, entertainers and artists, as well as the latest audio-visual technology, services and production.

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“Prior to coming to Disney 17 years ago, we did a lot of other seminars, events and conventions elsewhere,” said Stern. “We went to the standard-fare hotels, as well as the specialty event venues, and we found that we spent a lot of time outsourcing a lot of the things that we needed; the audio/visual, the food, whatever specialty support. Disney brings it all together, and is really a one-stop shop for us,” he added.

When it comes to choosing a location for their next conference, meeting or event, Stern shares his thoughts for others who might be considering a Disney destination as the venue:

“The reason why we keep coming back… and the reason why I think other [conference groups] should come to Disney and have the Disney experience is because you’re going to have a quality event,” said Stern. “Your attendees are going to have a great experience, and the people that you were going to deal with in the various departments are also going to give you as the meeting or convention planner a great experience. Everything is intertwined. That’s [their] competitive edge. It’s magic, and you feel the magic.”

exclusive-san-antonio-resort-1Most companies expect innovative thinking from the people in their organization. And if you are looking for equally innovative ideas for planning your next meeting or retreat, the last thing you need is a venue that’s same old, same old. At Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa, there’s no chance of that.

The reason: we simply offer too many distinctive, even unexpected options – both inside and out.

To start with, the setting is 300 acres of a genuine 19th century Texas ranch, which preserves the character of the land and pays tribute to its history throughout the resort. As a result, the feeling here is pastoral, “gently rugged,” the kind of natural environment where it’s not surprising at all to see black squirrels, red hawks and other creatures fully at home. In fact, we’ve been designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary!

Yet for all this rustic beauty, we haven’t ignored 21st century conveniences, either in the luxury of our guest rooms or the sophistication of our conference facilities.

a-san-antonio-resortAfter all, we know that you expect to get down to business. So in keeping with our promise of the unexpected, we offer 100,000+ square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. All indoor facilities are fully modern, beautifully equipped, and can be configured to suit any type of meeting, from large assemblies to intimate gatherings. Plus, enjoy enhanced cell phone reception (and free meeting space Internet – an offer exclusive to qualified groups at Hyatt Regency Hill Country this year) as well as personal support from a tenured staff with a strong desire to serve your every need.

At the end of each day’s session, when it’s time to unwind, you can explore a wide range of truly extraordinary options. Like an 1800s-style saloon, with the longest copper-top bar in Texas and one of the largest selections of regional craft beer around, and an upscale restaurant famous for bison, elk and other exotic game on its extraordinarily refined menu. In the barn outside (yes, the barn!), there’s a resort spa so sophisticated, it was selected as one of the nation’s 100 best by Condé Nast Traveler readers.

san-antonio-resort-3In addition, there are 27 challenging holes of golf, surfing in the hill country, hiking trails that invite guests to wander the habitats of local wildlife, and even a lazy river running throughout the property, just waiting for exploration via inner tube.

Yet as remote and relaxing as all this feels, this resort is actually just 20 minutes from the River Walk and all the other attractions of downtown San Antonio. Some of the area’s most popular theme parks and tourist destinations are even closer. And access from San Antonio International Airport, offering 110 daily non-stop flights to 35 destinations, is faster and easier than most of our guests ever imagined.

So if you’re looking to impress your attendees with a venue that’s as beautifully remote as a 19th century landscape – yet modern in every convenience and comfort – opt for a resort that offers both extremes and everything in between. There really is nothing ordinary about it!

Call 210 520 4030 or email [email protected] to book your next event at Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa.

 

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Smart Meetings, the leading media company and most trusted resource for meeting professionals, is the proud recipient of two Western Publishing Association (WPA) Maggie Awards for their print and digital accomplishments in 2015.

The annual awards promote the pursuit of excellence among publishing and media professionals. For more than sixty years, WPA has bestowed awards of excellence to deserving individuals and companies whose work is deemed “The Best in the West” in a wide variety of publishing categories.

Over 100 categories included every form of media from digital newsletters to print supplements to editorial layouts and full magazine issues. The categories for which Smart Meetings won are as follows:

– Non-paid trade publication: October 2015 Issue

– Best Web eNewsletter: Smart Meetings Newsletter

Winners were announced May 6 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel at LAX.

About Smart Meetings:

Smart Meetings is the leading media company and the most trusted resource for professionals in the meetings industry. Providing best-in-class service, Smart Meetings publishes cutting-edge meetings content in print and digital magazines, hosts world-class networking events, features thought-leading and interactive webinars, provides a complimentary site-selection service (Smart Meetings 360) and offers myriad digital resources.

Smart Meetings pioneered the widely celebrated one-on-one hosted buyer program and has become the most effective media company to connect meeting professionals with premier hotels and destinations.

Interesting Facts About Air TravelMeeting planners who spend a lot of time on airplanes may think they know all about air travel, but there a lot of myths and secrets in the commercial aviation industry. Writer Megan Snedden of Roadwarriorvoices.com has come up with some fascinating, little-known facts about air travel. How many of these were you aware of?

1. For years folks have complained about the taste of airline food, but there may be some scientific merit to their arguments. In a recently published study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, researchers at Cornell University suggest that the loud ambient noise inside a plane alters our perception of food while in flight. In experiments they found that the ability to discern salty and sweet flavors decreases while on a plane; although the ability to taste spicy, sour and bitter flavors remains about the same. In addition, other factors come into play. Air cabin pressure can reduce taste bud sensitivity by up to one third, and dryness attacks the nose, reducing the sense of smell, which is integral to the sense of taste. All of this conspires to make that little tray of food seem less appealing.

2. The captain and copilot never consume the same meal in-flight, but not because they are eager to sample everything on the menu. This is done as a precaution for food poisoning. If one pilot eats a contaminated meal and becomes sick, the other can still fly the aircraft. In terms of what they eat, the pilot generally receives the first class meal; the copilot gets what business class passengers are served.

3. Speaking of pilots and copilots, on most international flights there are actually two such teams because law requires that they have mandatory rest periods on flights  lasting 12 hours or more. On such long haul journeys the pilots sleep in shifts in facilities outside of the cockpit. Domestically, pilots are legally required to get at least 10 hours of rest between shifts; 8 of those hours must involve uninterrupted sleep.

4. Although movies have been made portraying characters flinging open the airplane door while in flight, it is actually impossible to do so because cabin pressure seals them shut. In addition, for safety purposes most aircraft doors are designed so that the door is slightly larger than the opening. It must be pushed in and rotated slightly before it can actually be pushed out and opened.

5. The perception that there is more turbulence in the sky today than in years past is actually true, and scientists predict that flights may get even bumpier in the future. The smoothness of a flight depends in part on the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. As climatologists have been warning us, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is rising dangerously. They say it may cause turbulence to intensify in North America between 10 and 40% by 2050.

More Interesting Facts About Air Travel

6. Who was the first person to take a commercial flight? That would be Abram C. Pheil, former mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida, who paid $400 for the privilege on January 1, 1914. The pilot, Tony Jannus, flew a bi-wing airboat across the bay from St. Petersburg to Tampa. The entire journey took 23 minutes.

7. As the first, second and third in the chain of command, America’s President, Vice President and Speaker of the House of Representatives never fly together because if the plane crashes and they are all killed, the government could come to a screeching halt. Similarly, Britain’s Prince Charles and Prince William do not fly together, as they are respectively second and third in line to the throne.

8. Many people are afraid of flying, however the annual risk of being killed in a plane crash for the average American is 1 in 11 million. The risk of being killed in a car accident is 1 in 5,000. Those who do experience a plane crash should hope they are sitting in the back of the aircraft. Popular Mechanics calculates that passengers who sit near the tail are 40 percent more likely to survive a crash.

9. Speaking of disasters, it is highly unlikely that lightning would be a culprit in bringing down an airplane. Pilots track and avoid most storms by flying around or above them. In the rare cases where they must fly through electrical storms, the metal from the plane serves as protection. In addition, all aircraft have built-in lightning protection systems that defend against electrical build-up.

10. In the 1980’s, Robert L. Crandall, then head of American Airlines saved the company $40,000 a year by removing one olive from each in-flight dinner salad served to passengers. He figured that they would never notice and/or complain about it… and he was right!

11. Hiring standards for flight attendants used to be extremely strict. In the late 1930s, cabin crew had to be women under the age of 30. They could not weigh more than 118 pounds, and for a period of time they also had to be registered nurses.

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