Smart Meetings

marriott

Marriott International has launched a new initiative to make meeting planners’ lives easier: European Convention Network (ECN). Its purpose is to provide planners with a single point of contact for simplified access to all of the resources within the network, leading to a more personalized process, improved efficiency and greater cost effectiveness.

Made up of 14 convention hotels in gateway cities across Europe, the network offers more than 613,500 sq. ft. of meeting space and 7,800 guest rooms. Marriott Rome Park, capable of handling up to 2,800 attendees, is the largest property included in the network..
The selected hotels are located in top meetings destinations such as London, Madrid, Paris and Berlin. Several Marriott brands are represented, including JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels and Renaissance Hotels, and all have extensive experience holding large-scale meetings and events.

“Our customers have told us they want to save time when planning large annual or biannual events in different cities by having one account manager that works with them regularly and understands their business,” said Pauline Bronkhorst, head of European Convention Network. “They do not want to contact individual hotels and explain working practices, but have one point of contact that values their business, and knows who they are and how they source and contract their event.”

The network offers other new features, including online planning tools and apps that allow organizers to manage events in real-time from any Web-enabled device. In order to consistently maintain high standards for customer service and events, ECN also conducts a review after each event to identify strengths and weaknesses and develop strategies to improve the process for future events.

ECN is modeled on Marriott’s U.S.-based Convention and Resort Network (CRN), which was established 25 years ago for the express purpose of streamlining processes for meeting planners. Today, the CRN represents more than 6.7 million sq. ft. and 62,000 guest rooms.

cruise meetings

This story is the first in a series that focuses on meetings and events at sea. Parts 2 and 3 will highlight some of the unique benefits of having a meeting on a cruise ship.

These days, the cruise industry is moving along at full throttle. According to an industry analysis by Moody’s, cruise lines overall enjoyed 18 percent growth in earnings from 2014 to 2015, and will likely see another 13 percent of growth in 2016.

Lower fuel prices are partly responsible for this, but rising demand that stretches beyond the leisure segment is also a factor. In fact, within the business-group niche, Celebrity Cruises has experienced at least 20 percent growth for six straight years, says Ron Gulaskey, the cruise line’s global director of corporate, incentive and charter sales. Lori Cassidy, director of corporate, incentive and charter sales for Royal Caribbean International, reports that her firm has seen similar growth. Business-group revenue for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has risen 120 percent since 2010, according to Katina Athanasiou, the brand’s vice president of charters, meetings and incentives.

To keep pace, ships now feature advanced technology for onboard business and remarkable new vessels, as the cruise industry fully embraces meetings.

Meetings-Focused Initiatives

royal-caribbean-rock-climbing Rock climbing obstacle at a Royal Caribbean cruise ship

Cindy D’Aoust, acting CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and former chief operating officer of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), coordinated dozens of cruise meetings during her 20-plus years as a planner and supervisor. She now has a leading role in educating meeting planners on using cruise ships by helping to create MPI’s Meetings and Events at Sea certificate program in conjunction with CLIA.

“If you think of cruise lines in the same way you would the different brands among land-based hotels, you’ll see there are the same opportunities for meeting success,” D’Aoust says. “There are products that are better matches for different types of meetings. The cruise lines have so many different options that a board retreat, a customer-appreciation program, or even an event on a chartered ship with 3,000 cabins and a fully customized itinerary can all be executed really well by using the right product.

“As long as you know what experience you want, which of your event specs are flexible and which cruise products work best for which types of itineraries, there’s nothing that would limit your success.”

In late October, Norwegian Escape debuted reimagined public spaces to better serve groups, and now features a private dining room for up to 100 attendees, according to Athanasiou.

Ann Sedgwick, divisional vice president of charter, corporate and incentive sales for Carnival Cruise Lines, says that the Carnival Vista is set to join the brand’s fleet in May 2016. “We’re also seeing a great deal of excitement for our new social impact brand, Fathom, which begins service next spring.”

Royal Caribbean has six ships coming out in the next two years, and they’re more compatible with the needs of meetings, according to Cassidy. “Onboard activities would shock most planners. There’s everything from Broadway-style shows to ice skating, ziplines, surfing simulators and skydiving castles, all of which groups can use.

MPI and CLIA Deliver Cruising Education

One of the first initiatives that Cindy D’Aoust focused on when she joined CLIA in 2014 was the Meetings & Events at Sea curriculum for meeting planners. That’s because she was already deeply involved in developing the program while at her previous position as chief operating officer of MPI. The joint program was rolled out at the 2015 MPI World Education Congress.

“My motivation for working on this educational program was to help planners who have not planned cruises before, or who have not done so in a long time,” D’Aoust says. “We know that planners are challenged to find new ways to deliver great experiences that meet business objectives, but within constrained budgets.

“Many planners have been comfortable using cruises for incentives, but they weren’t sure about using them for other types of meetings. What was missing from our industry was a detailed lesson on what cruising is like today, because it’s so different than just five years ago.”

The CLIA/MPI certificate program includes content about the value of cruise meetings, as well as insights to determine the right prospective events. It also will help planners understand the types of cruise products available, booking and planning processes, and ROI calculations.

“Planners come away knowing how to match the right type of cruise product to the right type of meeting, how to achieve different meeting objectives on board, and who to call to take the next steps in the process,” D’Aoust says.

For the 2015 MPI WEC, the two associations also debuted an electronic editorial supplement to capture much of the program content for future referral by MPI members. For more information on the Meetings & Events at Sea program, visit mpiweb.org.

Shirley Dunn Hanks

Auberge Resorts Collection appointed Shirley Dunn Hanks as director of sales and marketing for new resort Vievage Los Cabos in Los Cabos, Mexico. The beachfront hotel and villa resort is slated to open later this year. She will oversee all marketing, communications and sales for the 22-acre resort. Prior to her new position, Dunn Hanks was national leisure sales director for Auberge Resort Collections’ western region and director of sales and marketing for Capella Pedregal Resort and Spa in Cabo San Lucas.

“Shirley brings great leadership and sense of passion to our Los Cabos project,” said Caroline MacDonald, chief marketing officer of Auberge Resorts Collection. “In addition to her connections in the travel industry, Shirley has strong experience in the Mexican luxury sales market, including her work with Capella Pedregal Resort and Auriga Spa in Cabo San Lucas, which makes her well suited to debut VieVage Los Cabos.”

Rochelle Samms

Rochelle Samms was made director of sales and marketing for Radisson Hotel Phoenix North. Samms has 15 years of experience in hotel management, sales, customer service and marketing. She is responsible for business and marketing strategies in the corporate, leisure and group travel sectors. Samms will also promote Phoenix Metrocenter as a business and leisure destination. Radisson Hotel Phoenix North has 284 guest rooms and 14,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Victor Freeman

New York Hilton Midtown welcomed Victor Freeman as hotel manager of the New York City property. Freeman brings more than 25 years of experience to his role, which includes overseeing all aspects of the guest experience. He previously held management positions at New York City hotels, including The Surrey, Affinia 50, The Benjamin and The Mark.

“Victor’s proven leadership and expertise in management, coupled with his commitment to outstanding customer service, will ensure the New York Hilton Midtown’s proven track record in the competitive midtown hotel market with continued success,” said Laurens Zieren, general manager of New York Hilton Midtown.

Nicole Beykirch

Benchmark Hospitality International promoted Nicole Beykirch to global sales director of the U.S.-based hospitality management company. Most recently, she was regional accounts director for the Midwest market. She has held senior sales positions for DuPage Convention & Visitor Bureau, The Herrington Inn & Spa in Geneva, Illinois and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Beykirch is an active member of Meeting Professional International’s Chicago chapter.

“It is with tremendous pleasure that I announce Nicole’s promotion within Benchmark Hospitality’s expanding global sales organization,” said Ted Davis, chief sales and marketing officer of Benchmark Hospitality International. “She has an extraordinary ability to develop and grow strategic business relationships, partnering with the professional meeting community to source and service world-class meeting experiences. It’s a rare combination of commitment, communication, action and consistent follow up and that drives her remarkable success.”

Kerry Cooper

L.E. Hotels hired Kerry Cooper as vice president of business development. Cooper has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. In his new position, he is responsible for reviewing and engaging prospective portfolio properties. He will also grow the Luxe Collection, which includes select properties with high rankings.

“Kerry’s unique business development strategies, coupled with his impressive work with hotels in Los Angeles and abroad, make him an important asset to the L.E. Hotels team,” said L.E. Hotels Founder and Chairman Efrem Harkham. “We are always on the lookout for fresh ideas at L.E. Hotels and I know that Kerry will be invaluable in contributing to this.”

Maribeth Grandpre

Maribeth Grandpre was appointed as manager of business development for Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Part of her role includes promotion of the property’s new conference center, which opened last fall with more than 64,000 sq. ft. of event space. Grandpre has more than 20 years of experience working for conference centers. Most recently, she was vice president of national sales for Conference Solutions Network.

“We are delighted to have Maribeth join us in promoting and developing our new conference center and all-inclusive meeting packages, which are unique in Atlantic City,” said William Jackson, director of sales and marketing for Resorts Casino Hotel. “The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States are two of the most high demand conference center areas in the nation. We feel that with Maribeth’s many years of experience in this unique segment of the hospitality industry, she is singularly qualified to introduce these conference center users to our new enhanced venue for meetings and conferences.”

Lesli Reynolds

Omni Hotels & Resorts promoted Lesli Reynolds as senior vice president of revenue. Reynolds is a 25-year hospitality industry veteran and most recently served as senior vice president of operations for the brand. She also worked directly with properties, including Omni Dallas Hotel, Omni Fort Worth Hotel and Omni San Diego Hotel. Reynolds received the Omni Intensity Award in 2010 for driving change in the organization and for her overall passion to deliver results.

“Lesli has been a proven leader within the Omni family for the last two decades,” said Peter Strebel, chief marketing officer and senior vice president of sales for Omni Hotels & Resorts. “Her passion for our business and knowledge of the industry are unmatched. With Lesli overseeing the revenue, digital and travel industry sales teams, I am confident Omni will continue to grow its revenue while capturing a disproportionate share of the market.”

David Wahba

David Wahba was hired as director of sales for Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. Wahba has nearly 20 years of managerial sales experience and will lead group room sales for both hotels, which together offer 1,498 guest rooms and a total of 175,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. He previously worked for a number of Florida-based properties, including Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando and Westin Beach Resort Fort Lauderdale.

“We are excited to welcome David and know he will make a great addition to the sales team,” said Peter Kacheris, managing director of Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. “An avid marathon runner, David employs the same race training determination in the workplace, coaching our team to continued success.”

Kathy Heneghan

Hilton Chicago promoted Kathy Heneghan to hotel manager. In her new role, she will oversee day-to-day management of travel industry relations, quality assurance, guest satisfaction, partnerships, building the meeting and events portfolio and will also support hotel staff as the 1,544-room finishes renovations. Previously, Heneghan served as the hotel’s director of catering and events.

“I am thrilled to have Kathy at the helm of our management team,” said John Wells, general manager of Hilton Chicago. “With extensive experience at Hilton Worldwide’s Chicago properties and a history of excellent leadership, results-oriented focus and passion to inspire others, I have the utmost confidence Kathy will excel in her new role.”

Maria Lourdes Delgado

Visit Phoenix promoted Maria Lourdes Delgado to director of tourism. She will spearhead tourism efforts with trade partners as well as destination marketing for the Greater Phoenix area. Delgado has served at Visit Phoenix for 12 year, playing an integral role in creating strategic partnerships and increasing Phoenix’s presence in the Mexico market.

hotels-rooms-without-desks Rendering of Hilton Tru guest room

An interesting trend has been cropping up in hotels around the country, and it has some business travelers in an uproar. According to a new Associated Press report, several top hotel chains have quietly been eliminating desks from their rooms and replacing them with flexible workspaces such as laptop trays and multipurpose surfaces such as shelves, tables and even headboards.

The shift away from dedicated work spaces is part of a bid to win over millennials, which consultants believe prefer to work in more casual, flexible spaces. Hotels are working hard to capture this age group by doing hip, modern redesigns or launching new younger-skewing brands, as Hilton and Best Western have recently done.

In December, Marriott announced a chainwide redesign that involves removing desks from rooms in most of the company’s properties and replacing them with tables. Kimpton hotels’ recently redesigned rooms are equipped with sofas and coffee tables, but have no desks in sight. Hilton’s new Tru brand is replacing desks with chairs that incorporate laptop trays, while Best Western’s Vib uses headboards that double as desks. The goal is to create a more modern vibe that draws in a younger crowd. But is this change actually alienating other travelers?

These redesigns offer modern travelers greater flexibility to work wherever they want, whether they’re sitting in bed with a laptop, lounging on the couch with an iPad or working in one of the hotel’s communal spaces. However, this shift is leaving some business travelers out in the cold. Frequent-flyer forums have compiled lists of deskless hotel properties to avoid. Blog posts pleading for the return of the desk—and arguing that some millennials actually prefer desks—have gone viral.

In spite of a few vocal complaints, hotels are sticking with their new strategy. In some cases, these redesigns do even more than give the customers what they want. They also bring in major cost savings. Eliminating things such as desks and closets can save tens of thousands of dollars in each room’s construction costs. Best Western CEO David Kong told AP, “They are more concerned about the (construction) cost, because they don’t have enough time to make that up if we hit a downturn.” It should come as no surprise that Hilton’s Tru will cost just $84,000 per room to build, compared to its Hampton Inn brand, which comes in at $110,000 per room. All in all, this seems like a win for hotels.

spring-break-destinations Panama City, Panama

Hip beach escapes like Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Cancun, Mexico have long been considered the go-to Spring Break destinations for college students ready to let out steam. But a recent survey conducted by Orbitz Insider Index revealed that both the travel demographic and their desires are evolving. The study examined Spring Break trends and destinations that have experienced growth over the past five years based on Orbitz.com hotel bookings.

Despite the mosh-like scenes MTV network displays during Spring Break, 53 percent of today’s travelers are looking for a laid back experience that gives them a chance to relax and unwind. 61 percent of those surveyed said they are traveling with a spouse, family or children—undoubtedly a large part of the reason party destinations aren’t as sought after.

“The need across America to get off the fast track is driving travelers to seek a new Spring Break experience,” Jeanenne Tornatore, senior editor of Orbitz.com, told Travel and Tour World. “While crowd favorites like Cancun and Orlando will keep their status as top spring break destinations, we are seeing people take a more thoughtful approach to their spring break options, expanding their trips to locations like Mesa, Ariz., Houston, Texas and even international destinations like Dublin and Panama City.”

These 10 destinations have seen a minimum of 50 percent increase in hotel bookings between March 1 – April 15 over the last five years, according to Orbitz.com data:

1. Panama City, Panama
2. Riviera Maya, Mexico
3. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
4. Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
5. Dublin, Ireland
6. Paris, France
7. Toronto, Canada
8. Mesa, Arizona
9. Carlsbad, California
10. Houston, Texas

Thirty percent of travelers listed either cheaper airfare or cheaper gas as key influencers of their Spring Break travel plans in 2016. Mexico destinations are a great example of this; short flights and affordable airfare and hotels make both high-energy and relaxing Mexico vacations possible.

A strong U.S. dollar is a major factor in the push toward international travel. Panama City, Paris and Dublin have all seen an influx of travelers in recent years, due to favorable exchange rates across the board.

Classic Hot Spots

Of course, the traditional spring break destinations are still seeing a tourist boom every March and April. This year, Florida accounts for 40 percent of the top Spring Break destinations, with Fort Myers and Tampa joining Orlando and Miami in the top ten rankings. (Orlando is No. 1, and saw a 21 percent increase in hotel bookings year over year.) Cancun, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Los Angeles round out the top five cities, respectively.

cruise-meetings Carnival Cruise Ship

This story is the second in a series that focuses on meetings and events at sea. Parts 1 and 3 highlight some of the unique benefits of having a meeting on a cruise ship.

Creative Cruise Line Spaces

Planners who have never used a cruise ship for a meeting might be surprised to learn that negotiation of the various event elements is actually more streamlined than for a land-based meeting.

According to Cindy D’Aoust, acting CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and former chief operating officer of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), “Planners have so much to work with on a ship, yet they don’t have to build their event from scratch as they must do for land-based meetings.”

Connie Vo, cruise manager for Northwest Seminars based in Pasco, Washington, conducts 25 medical meetings each year, ranging from 20 to 200 attendees and guests, across several cruise lines. She offers an alternative to negotiating for everything and having to build out estimated cost for each line item.

”It’s easier to get cost certainty on cruises because they work on a price-per-cabin basis.” Vo says. “And it’s often more cost effective because you’re not paying additional for event space, audiovisual, entertainment or meals.”

Some restaurants on board might require an upcharge, though, while an optional surcharge would cover unlimited beverage consumption by attendees and their guests. For events in which Vo chooses not to pay that surcharge, she negotiates at least one free cocktail party for her groups.

royal-caribbean-dinner Royal Caribbean dinner set up

While meeting space is indeed complimentary, many ship-based events are too large to place all of their sessions within the dedicated meeting space on board. Then again, given the number of restaurants and lounges, as well as entertainment venues found on most vessels, planners of larger events need to use only a bit of creativity as they partner with a cruise line’s group-sales coordinator to make business sessions work.

“We are starting to get more requests from associations for their annual conferences and they require concurrent breakouts,” Royal Caribbean’s Cassidy says. “We don’t have one big ballroom that can break out to 20 different rooms. But if a planner goes with the flow of a ship’s layout, there are many opportunities to use dining and lounge spaces during off-peak hours, as well as large theaters that are beautifully decorated and have professional production quality.”

D’Aoust points out food outlets can be transformed into great meeting spaces because the seating is comfortable and flexible, and many rooms have water views to create interesting experiences. “And the studies that address what make meetings successful often mention flexible formats that encourage interactivity, and ships can do that.”

Improved Connectivity

The quality of Internet connectivity on cruise ships has definitely improved. Royal Caribbean’s most robust connectivity product on selected ships, called VOOM, costs $15 per attendee per day. “We have land-speed connectivity through satellite broadband,” Cassidy says

Norwegian’s “capabilities have catapulted over the past few years, to the point that we have hosted conferences that simultaneously linked to land-based events,” Athanasiou says.

Carnival’s advancements in Internet and Wi-Fi capabilities have brought more speed, new social-media packages starting at $5 per person per day, and the ability to host applications such as Skype and group chat.

Enjoy Ports of Call

The allure of memorable shared experiences when attendees partake in activities at a ship’s scheduled ports can be a real highlight for groups. For example, the ability to see several European cities during a Mediterranean cruise provides unforgettable memories and bang for the buck.

Some cruise lines even have their own private tropical destinations where they offer a full day of beach activities, water sports and barbecue for passengers. In fact, meeting groups can cordon off an area and host an exclusive event there, too.

Holland America Line has implemented a similar concept on its Alaskan cruises by combining days on the ocean with exciting overland adventures in some of Alaska’s most stunning locations. Groups can relax at the cruise line’s Base Camp, which includes a 7,800 sq. ft. restaurant, amphitheaters for live shows and walking paths around the property.

To make the most of these off-ship experiences, planners must arrange the times of their meeting sessions to accommodate the ship’s port schedule. On days when the ship is at sea all day, groups tend to schedule several hours of meetings.

“If a cruise gets into port at noon, we’ll do morning meetings,” Vo says. “Or if we leave a port at 3 p.m., we’ll do an early evening session. We have to get in 20 hours of business sessions, so we work around each cruise’s itinerary.”

Fathom Brand Features Corporate Social Responsibility

CSR

Cruise lines continue to strengthened their onboard group-business amenities. For example, Carnival Corporation has announced a new development that should appeal to many meeting groups, especially millennials. Starting in April 2016, the new Fathom brand will offer socially responsible volunteer activities for groups that want to make a positive impact in the destinations they visit.

Carnival’s first stop will be the Dominican Republic, an island with abundant natural beauty and tourist amenities, but in need of helping hands with various infrastructure, farming and other projects aimed at residents. The 710-passenger MV Adonia will conduct seven-day itineraries out of Miami to Puerta Plata. For more information, visit www.fathom.org.

SXSW Citywide

sxsw-jw-marriott

Austin’s top luxury downtown property is in the middle of all the action, making it a great choice as a headquarters hotel for a record label or any major event. The hotel offers 1,012 guest rooms. Expansive meeting space takes up 120,000 sq. ft., including a 30,000-square-foot ballroom and a 23,000-square-foot exhibition area. The 6,000-square-foot terrace creates a unique outdoor space for receptions and live music. To be a part of the action, but out of the fray, JW Marriott’s rooftop pool is expected to be a popular hangout during the festival.

JW Marriott Austin is two blocks from the Austin Convention Center and in the popular South Congress entertainment district, which features live music venues, restaurants and galleries.

Orlando Meetings Groups

During a recent trip to Orlando, I was finally able to experience for myself why the world-famous destination is consistently ranked No. 1. Last year, Orlando was named the top meeting city by Cvent in 2015 and is among the most visited cities in the United States.

A sense of fun and adventure permeates Orlando and its popular theme parks, including SeaWorld, Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Excitement and anticipation is in the air as several new attractions and venues are proving to be game-changers when it comes to hosting meeting groups.

orlando meeting groups

All Things Disney

Walt Disney Swan & Dolphin Resorts is a unique Disney partner property that is operated by Starwood, which means that business groups can experience as much or as little Disney magic as they like. The two swan and dolphin buildings are in the midst of a $125 million renovation, which includes refreshed guest rooms and updated meeting spaces, as well as lobby enhancements that will continue over the next few years.

Orlando Meeting Groups

Our group had a taste of one of the resort’s best features—a five-star gastronomic experience courtesy of the food and beverage team. We feasted on a five course menu that included dishes such as Yellow Fin Tuna carpaccio with Iberico Ham chutney and lemon verbena caviar; crispy black sea bass with braised veal cheek and roasted garlic jus lie; and for dessert, a lemongrass coconut panacotta served with candied pineapple, pulled sugar, passion fruit beignet and Grand Cru ganache. The delectable dinner was paired with equally stellar domestic and international wines.

Orlando Meeting Groups

Amazing food and culinary trends continued as we toured the latest Disney expansion, Disney Springs. The free-to-enter grounds are already proving to be a big hit with locals and tourists alike. Retail, dining and entertainment venues line the outdoor complex and surround spring water pools inspired by Florida’s own natural springs. Several more private-event spaces and dining venues will open in various phases throughout 2016.

Orlando Meeting Groups

Morimoto Asia is one of the first fine dining restaurants to arrive in Disney Springs. The creation of Iron Chef Winner Masaharu Morimoto offers a Japanese-style setting for groups to feast on artful sushi platters and tempura delicacies. The two-tier restaurant also has outdoor lounge space, an intimate bar and a private dining area.

Even more creative dining concepts are in store for the new complex. This summer, Chef Rick Bayless, six-time James Beard Foundation winner, will open a gourmet Mexican restaurant called Tablas Frontera. Disney Springs will also receive its own modern steakhouse later this year. STK will be a two-story establishment with signature dining and nightly entertainment.

Orlando Meeting Groups

The Food Fest Continues

As more visitors flock to Orlando, the rest of the city is also seeing a surge in culinary talent and independent restaurants. Urbaine 40 is a dining hotspot decked out in retro glamour and comfortable elegance. Our group dined on cast iron skillet roasted mussels, and European-inspired dishes such as bass meuniere, wild mushroom risotto and slow-cooked Bolognese.

Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant serves authentic Spanish dishes in a rustic setting with high wooden beams. Of course, ceviche is on the menu, but there are also more than 50 different tapas and traditional dishes, such as paella that’s made four different ways.

Around the corner, our group headed to The Rusty Spoon, a chef-owned restaurant by three-time James Beard Foundation Nominee Kathleen Blake. Her menu is based on Southern cuisine made with local ingredients, such as slow-roasted chicken with Italian sausage, pickled hot house peppers and grit fries.

On the other side of the spectrum is Sugar Factory Orlando—the place to be for anyone with a sweet tooth. The menu is filled with sweet treats, such as couture pops, smoking goblet drinks, candy infused cocktails and a sundae with 16 scoops of ice cream. Photos of celebrities who have graced the restaurant adorn the walls and menu as pop music pumps from the speakers.

Orlando Meeting Groups

Entertainment Worth the Hype

The Sugar Factory is one of many new restaurants to open up at I-Drive 360, the year-old entertainment complex located just past the convention corridor. I-Drive 360 is anchored by the 400-foot-tall Orlando Eye, which offers views across Greater Orlando inside 30 capsules that combine to hold up to 450 passengers.

Orlando Meeting Groups

After taking a whirl around the Eye, visitors can pose among celebrity look-alikes in Madame Tussauds wax museum, located on the ground floor of the complex. The Orlando location holds statues of President Barak Obama, Elvis Pressley, Madonna, Taylor Swift and more prominent figures. Across the way, Sea Life Orlando’s aquarium includes a 360-degree underwater tunnel where groups can stand face-to-face with sharks and other ocean creatures.

Skeletons: Animals Unveiled! is another museum in I-Drive 360 that explores the fascination with bones and skeletons that have been humanely collected from more than 450 animals. Skeletons are arranged in poses and dioramas to educate visitors about the lifecycles of various species. The museum makes no bones about its appeal as a unique offsite. It is available for corporate buyouts or even sleepovers with the skeletons.

Orlando Meeting Groups

Meeting attendees can let loose after hours at Mango’s Tropical Café. The newly opened venue brings Latin flavor to International Drive. Performers on stage dance to everything from Michael Jackson hits and Top 40 songs to swinging salsa beats. The two-level club can host private events for up to 2,000 and has outdoor dining space, a dance floor, indoor restaurant and nightly musical performances.

Our visit to Orlando was capped off with a show-stopping performance of Kinky Boots, the Tony-award winning Broadway musical that tells the story of an English shoe manufacturer who teams up with a transvestite to construct a racy line of boots. The popular musical showcased the brand new $400 million Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, a stunning theater and arts center that should not be missed during a visit to Orlando.

team-building-ideas Peacock Egg cocktail, Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Team-building activities cover the whole gamut, from exciting outdoor excursions to challenging indoor projects. One common denominator is that most all of them take place either during daylight hours or in well-lit rooms.

But a hot new trend is team building in the dark, including nocturnal kayak adventures and glow-in-the-dark outdoor lawn games. Here’s a list of some of the most intriguing activities, adapted from a list compiled by Quinn public relations agency.

Lawn games: When the sun goes down at Hilton West Palm Beach, a new type of fun begins. A team of experts has created several glow-in-the-dark lawn games, including bocce ball, ladder golf and bean bag toss. Participants can enjoy them while sipping Prohibition-themed cocktails and star gazing.

LED cocktail: Groups relish socializing at Peacock Alley, a lounge and night spot in Waldorf Astoria Orlando. The experience becomes even more fun while enjoying a Peacock Egg cocktail, composed of hollowed egg-shaped ice, lavender syrup, blue curacao, Bombay Sapphire gin and fresh lemonade. A LED light, customizable by color, is placed in the bottom of the glass, buried in sugar.

Night golf: The 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at The Westin Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona, not only offers night golf, but upon request, groups can use golf balls that glow in the dark for a more interactive experience.

Glow golf: Golf enthusiasts love the 18-hole golf course at Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort in Herradura, Costa Rica. And they don’t need to stop when the sun goes down: The course, designed by Ted Robinson Jr., is illuminated with multicolored lights. The green is situated adjacent to a 1,100-acre tropical rain forest, teeming with five microclimates.

Glowing cocktail: One of nature’s most brilliant displays occurs at night in the waters of Mosquito Bay, one of three bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico. The waters contain 160,000 microscopic plankton per liter, and when they come into contact with another organism or shake, they produce an incredible bright burst of blue light. Groups can simply observe the phenomenon or accentuate the experience by enjoying a glowing cocktail at Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino.

Bioluminescent kayaking: Another great way to experience the bioluminescent phenomenon is by kayak. Wyndham Grand Rio Bar Beach Resort & Spa in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, collaborates with Rico Sun Tours to offer kayak excursions in which groups can watch plankton light up the waters 14 miles from Mosquito Bay.

Close to the Action

skyline-austin_v2

During the day, visitors can enjoy the capital city’s many historical attractions, including the State Capitol, the LBJ Presidential Library, the Texas State History Museum, the Blanton Museum of Art, and many more museums and art galleries. Or, one can experience the beauty of central Texas, captured by downtown’s Lady Bird Lake, bordered by ten miles of trails enjoyed by runners, walkers and cyclists. Surrounded by three lakes and a network of parks, Austin offers the perfect environment for enjoying the best of nature.
After conventions and meetings wrap-up each night, attendees may choose to enjoy Austin’s entertainment districts – Second Street, the Warehouse District and famous Sixth Street. The Austin Convention Center is just a short walk from over 7,500 downtown hotel rooms—as well as the city’s vibrant nightlife, where visitors can also enjoy everything from fine dining in four-star restaurants, to down-home barbecue and authentic Tex-Mex. As the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin echoes with the sound of country, rock ‘n’ roll, blues, jazz and Tejano. On any given evening, one can find live music playing in nearly 250 different venues.

Keeping You Connected

convention

Rated one of the most technologically advanced convention centers in the country, this gigabit rated facility moves voice, video, and data at over one billion bits per second. The Center’s high-tech capabilities help to create the perfect Technology Partner for the annual SXSW international convention. It offers a variety of in-house services including complimentary Wireless Internet access, redundant high-speed Internet II access, plug and play capabilities, and an on-site technical staff to help with networking needs.

From Cocktail Service to Galas

dinningroom

At the Austin Convention Center, the Austin Convention Center Catering team prides themselves on not only meeting their customers’ needs, but exceeding them. Whether producing a buffet banquet for an international crowd, serving hundreds of kegs of beer at public dances or the finest cutting edge culinary experiences for the most sophisticated palates—we are ready to meet any challenge.

In addition to bringing in independent operators, the Austin Convention Center Catering team works with area vendors to procure local ingredients for catering menus. Among the most popular items—more than 90 percent of which are produced in-house—are street-style tacos, smoked meats and Tex-Mex.