Smart Meetings | Page 595 of 604 | Corporate Event Planning: Business Events, Meetings, Conferences

First Marriott Hotel in Makkah Makkah, also known as Mecca and regarded as the holiest city in the religion of Islam, is in the Hejaz region in Saudi Arabia, about 40 miles from Jeddah. In 2012 its population was about 2 million, but that number triples every year during the Hajj (pilgrimage) held in the twelfth Muslim lunar month.

Pilgrims will have more lodging options now that the first Marriott Hotel in Makkah has opened. The 426-guest-room property, with an arabesque theme, is on a hilltop overlooking the Holy City. In a press release, Marriott describes its hotel as a “futuristic, comfortable and convenient place to stay while [customers undertake] one of the most important journeys in their lives.”

Marriott says the regular guest rooms are larger than other hotels in the Holy City and furnished with modern conveniences. The Greatroom lobby is part of Marriott’s wider initiative to transform lobbies from formal spaces to local destinations, where guests relax and socialize. Technology features include mobile check-in and check-out. The hotel, which has 2,050 sq. ft. of meeting space, offers shuttle service to Haram (the holy site) several times a day.

Most significantly, Marriott has stepped up its service to a growing audience. The annual pilgrimage of Hajj and Umrah (a pilgrimmage that can be undertaken at any time) is a tradition that Muslims from all over the world need to fulfill at least once in their lifetime. The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) forecasts that domestic tourism will grow to 128 million trips and 640 million nights by 2019.

“It’s very fitting that our flagship brand, Marriott Hotels, is seeing a rapid expansion in the Kingdom. The opening of a Marriott Hotel in Makkah is part of our commitment to fill a growing gap in the religious tourism sector in the region, which experts estimate will exponentially increase as the population of the Islamic faith grows. We are privileged to have opened our first-ever Marriott Hotel in this Holy City to serve millions of global pilgrims over the years to come,” said Alex Kyriakidis, president, Middle East & Africa of Marriott International.

Other hotel brands are capitalizing on the growth as well. Abraj Kudai will be the world’s largest hotel by room count when it opens in 2017 in Makkah. The $3.5 billion site will have 12 towers, 10,000 rooms and 70 restaurants, plus helipads and a full-size convention center.

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San Antonio, Texas, got some exciting news on Sunday when the Alamo and four other Spanish Colonial missions were awarded the distinction of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Not only are the missions the only World Heritage Sites in Texas, but the honor marks just the 23rd sites in the United States to receive such notoriety. San Antonio officials traveled to Germany for the annual United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) meetings to push for their missions’ inclusion and be on hand when it was announced that the Alamo is a new UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“It has incredible significance,” said Ivy Taylor, mayor of San Antonio, via a video. “It means that they recognize the cultural and historical significance of our Spanish Colonial missions, and we invite everyone to visit them.”

UNESCO helps identify, protect and preserve cultural and national heritage around the world.

More than 1,000 sites are part of this rich designation. Among the other U.S. World Heritage Sites are the Stature of Liberty, Yellowstone National Park and Grand Canyon National Park.

The San Antonio missions had to meet demanding selection criteria to verify their importance in the region, state, nation and world. San Antonio Conservation Society launched its UNESCO campaign in 2006, and nine years the Alamo is a World Heritage Site. The financial impact of the designation is substantial, valued at $105 million in the next 10 years.

“The San Antonio Missions are also an example of the interweaving of Spanish and Coahuiltecan cultures, illustrated by a variety of features, including the decorative elements of churches, which combine Catholic symbols with indigenous designs inspired by nature,” according to the UNESCO website.

Catholic priests from Spain built five missions along the San Antonio River in the 18th century. Mission San Antonio de Valero (best known as the Alamo), Mission San Jose, Mission Concepcion, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada represent the largest concentration of Spanish Colonial missions in North America.

Singapore Botanical Gardens also received World Heritage Site designation during the UNESCO meetings in Germany. The famous gardens have been an important center for science, research and plant conservation, notably in connection with the cultivation of rubber plantations, in Southeast Asia since 1875.

It’s believed that those born between the years 1982 and 2004, commonly referred to as Millennials, will make up 75% of the workforce within the next 10 years. These social media babies, tethered to Smartphones and weaned on instant gratification, are ripe for experiences and adventures which will challenge meeting planners when building future sales incentive travel programs. But no matter the demographic they are targeting, incentive travel programs always need to stay fresh. Because those who refuse to keep moving forward in this business aren’t standing still, they’re actually going backwards.

Don’t be afraid to push the envelope, and never ever automatically assume that someone won’t enjoy doing something. You may be surprised.

A number of years ago for an incentive travel program in Costa Rica we decided to include a zip line tour. Keep in mind at that time zip line tours were not as common as they are now. No one in our group had ever done a zip line in the past so it was definitely a novelty. The group ages ran from 20’s to 60’s and there was some concern that the older members of the group would not partake. The platforms were very high up in the trees and I could tell during the instruction phase that some members of the group, both young and old, were starting to look a little pale. However, no one backed out. By the time the 40-member group had completed the course, there was a heightened sense of excitement. One couple who had been on all past trips thought this was the greatest ice breaker ever. The Tarzan calls could be heard throughout the jungle and everyone mingled and cheered each other on. We kept this camaraderie going with an outdoor barbeque dinner, open bar and a great band. They literally danced the night away.

Many times when options are presented to an incentive client, it’s a good idea to include a wild card or two. A wild card is something different from the usual program profile. It doesn’t have to be completely off the charts—not everyone may enjoy wrestling alligators—but have some fun with it. Make it memorable.

One time we had a client request an incentive program that included a four-night stay at a warm weather golf destination in the Caribbean. A pretty standard request as a destination. We decided it needed a wild card to really amp up the interest of the sales team. When the head of sales announced instead that the destination for the following year’s trip would be Paris, the sales team erupted in yelling and screaming worthy of the 1927 landing of Charles Lindbergh. The contest wouldn’t be for another 10 months or so, but that excitement never waned. Even though we had to make some adjustments to the program to fit the budget, no one had any complaints. The program was such a huge success that it changed the destination profile for the future.

Another example of thinking outside the incentive box occurred when a Massachusetts-based company enticingly dangled a huge carrot in front of their prospective sales incentive winners – the use of a $70,000 Porsche sports car for one year for all those that qualified. On the day the winners were announced, the client lined up 20 Porsches of all different colors outside the corporate headquarters ready for their lucky winners to jump into. This “out of the box” prize for increasing sales drew nationwide TV coverage for its ingenuity and great excitement for those that made their quota. It increased sales and garnered phenomenal PR as an added bonus. But don’t be intimated by the price-tag, I am guessing your incentive leaders would be just as happy tooling around town in a more budget palpable $30,000 Ford Mustang.

Although most people would love visiting Paris, and who wouldn’t enjoy pulling up in front of their high school reunion in a glittering Porsche, there are numerous other creative ideas that can be included to make your sales incentive program a little more unique and yet cost effective for your budget.

Consider changing up your program a little. Instead of a golf tournament during the day how about an evening golf tournament; putting under the lights. Or perhaps combine a fun incentive with some humanitarian efforts. Your group can still have a ball enjoying Mardi Gras in New Orleans while also remembering the thousands who were affected, and are still affected by Hurricane Katrina. Take the time between dancing in the streets and enjoying jambalaya by chipping in to help rebuild a home—and a life—that was ravished by Mother Nature. It’s a win-win for your employees, and your company.

Maryellen Malo is Vice President in EQ Travel’s Boston office. She has more than 30 years of experience in the meeting, incentive, event and special interest group areas. Maryellen can be reached at [email protected]. For more information visit www.eqtravel.com

meeting-planners-sf-hotels Two of San Francisco’s largest and most historic hotels are teaming up to create a program for conventions that will provide meeting planners with more flexibility by spreading meeting space and guest rooms across the properties.

Grand Hyatt San Francisco and The Westin St. Francis announced the partnership, Union Square Alliance, to satisfy the growing need to better accommodate mid-sized meetings in the city. Both properties are also very popular among business and leisure travelers.

Grand Hyatt has 660 guest rooms, including 29 suites, and 27,000 sq. ft. of flexible function space. The event space on the 36th floor provides six rooms with 360-degree views of San Francisco. The Westin, which opened in 1904, boasts 1,195 guest rooms and 56,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The 32nd floor, which contains 7,955 sq. ft. of meeting space, has spectacular wraparound views of the city, framed by 14-foot floor-to-ceiling windows.

The properties are located a block apart on San Francisco’s Union Square, which boasts many attractive entertainment and dining options. The hotels’ location enables groups to also use Union Square’s plaza, which can accommodate up to 1,000 people for a private, tented event. Union Square is also near the city’s mid-Market Street tech hub.

San Francisco has been thriving as a tourism destination. The city attracted 18.01 million tourists in 2014, an increase of 6.5 percent from 2013, according to the San Francisco Travel Association. This resulted in 10.67 billion in spending, a 13.7 percent rise from the previous year.

The city has been attracting many large conventions and meetings, partly due to the facilities and space available at Moscone Center, which provides 992,000 sq. ft. of meeting and exhibit space, including 107 meeting rooms, three ballrooms and more than 151,000 sq. ft. of prefunction lobbies.

Recently, San Francisco’s Nob Hill neighborhood has also been emerging as a popular location for meetings and conventions. The neighborhood’s Masonic Center is within walking distance of several large luxury hotels, and together, they can handle groups of up to 100,000.

Hard to believe, but 35 years ago today “Airplane!” premiered in movie theaters across the country. The plot concerned the inane flight crew and a motley group of passengers; the movie made air travel and human condition raucously funny – and not the grueling, uncomfortable process it is today.

The anniversary of Airplane, as CNN notes, brings us back to the summer of 1980. The film grossed a surprising $83 million (about $240 million in today’s money) and ranked as the No. 4 film of the year, behind “Empire Strikes Back,” “9 to 5” and “Stir Crazy.”

The movie’s manic energy, running gags and stupid, laugh-out-loud dialog have only become more ingrained in pop culture consciousness. People still recite lines such as:

“You’d better tell the Captain we’ve got to land as soon as we can. This woman has to be gotten to a hospital.” “A hospital? What is it?” “It’s a big building with patients, but that’s not important right now.”

And: “Surely, you can’t be serious?” “I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley.”

Who can forget the little girl who, upon being offered cream with her coffee, says “No, thank you, I take it black, like my men.”

Or the elegant older woman who speaks jive and translates for the stewardess and a jive dude: “He said that he’s in great pain and he wants to know if you can help him.” “…tell him to just relax and I’ll be back as soon as I can with some medicine…” [To the jive dude:] “Jus’ hang loose, blood. She gonna catch ya up on da rebound on da med side.” [Jive dude:] “What it is, big mama? My mama no raise no dummies. I dug her rap!” “Cut me some slack, Jack! Chump don’ want no help, chump don’t GET da help!” “Say ‘e can’t hang, say seven up!” “Jive-*** dude don’t got no brains anyhow!”

Serious, well-regarded actors of the day such as Robert Stack, Peter Graves and Leslie Nielsen deadpanned their way through the movie. Somehow, writers/directors Jim Abrahams and David and Jerry Zucker managed to make outrageous fun and not offend.

The mayhem present in “Airplane!” is actually not that far off from what transpires on many flights today. But it was funnier then!

The Great Wall of China, perhaps the country’s most iconic attraction, is gradually disappearing due to a variety of factors. It is estimated that one-third of the wall, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been destroyed. Whole sections have large, gaping holes, while other sections have crumbled apart.

“The destruction of the Great Wall has natural and human causes,” Dong Yaohui, vice chairman of the nonprofit Great Wall Society, told NBC News. “The urgent task is to protect what is left.”

Government efforts to protect the dilapidated wall face obstacles partially because the wall stretches between 5,600 and 13,000 miles. Concerned historians are calling for a systematic conservation plan.

Fall of the Great Wall of China

There are numerous reasons the Great Wall of China has fallen into such a state of disrepair. Some of the causes are entirely natural—the wall is constantly exposed to the elements and has weathered over the course of many years. Sun and wind have taken their tolls, and mud sections of the structure have collapsed and washed away during heavy rainstorms. Wild plants are growing on certain parts of the wall, further deteriorating it. In addition, the wall is subject to erosion from sandstorms. In some places, the wall height has shrunk from 16 feet to less than 7 feet.

The Great Wall is also subject to human challenges. Some sections, especially near major cities, were unceremoniously knocked down because they sat in the path of construction. A huge influx of tourists from China and abroad have added to the damage—parts of the wall have been vandalized with graffiti, and many tourists pocket “souvenirs” of the wall, even though they are not supposed to. Poor Chinese villagers in the provinces are also to blame for destruction of the wall. Many steal bricks to build homes for themselves, or to sell to tourists.

Officially the Chinese government can fine anyone 5,000 yuan ($805) for tampering with bricks from the Great Wall of China, however no specific organization oversees this and the regulations are rarely enforced.

History

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, originally built along the northern borders of China to protect the empires against invasions. Some of the oldest parts of the wall were built 220–206 BC by the first Emperor of China, however little of that original wall remains. Over the years, many parts of the wall have been rebuilt or enhanced.

Most of the existing wall today was built between the 14th and 17th centuries, during the Ming dynasty. Unlike earlier portions of the wall, sections built during this time period were made from bricks instead of mud, so they were stronger.

Floating Designs Photo Courtesy of Salt & Water

A Serbia-based architecture firm has introduced a floating hotel design that would enable guests to explore water areas worldwide that are largely neglected due to their inaccessibility.

Salt & Water‘s concept, which won this year’s Millennium Yacht Design Award in the Dream Boats Division, features a main structure containing a reception area, a restaurant, a cafe, an event hall and staff offices. The building is linked to a docking station for several yachts that serve as luxury guest suites. The yachts are 16.7 by 13.8 feet, and the highest point measures 11.5 feet from the floor.

Each yacht would contain a sleeping area above a salon, along with a gallery, a bathroom, a hall with storage space and 154 sq. ft. of open-air space. The crafts have a terrace at the stern and a “beach platform” at the stem. Hotel patrons would be able to relax outdoors on the platform, from which they could enjoy the water for swimming, diving, fishing, and sun bathing.

The catamarans would accommodate two to four people, and could be partially customized to satisfy guests’ needs. Clients would be able to navigate the schooners themselves or arrange for onsite skippers to do so.

The concept, which centers on navigating inland waters without disrupting the harmony of the surroundings, was originally submitted as a rough proposal to a regional government seeking ways to utilize a deserted lake. The idea received such a positive response three award-winning professionals at Salt & Water further developed and refined the concept.

No specific plans are in the works to create a product based on the design, but Svetlana Mojic, Salt & Water’s design director, has expressed confidence that it will happen.

Aviation's Impact on the environment Some environmentalists are criticizing the impact that the aviation industry is having on our planet. They claim that aircraft emissions are hazardous to human health and are contributing to global warming. The Center for Biological Diversity is just one of many organizations in the process of suing the Environmental Protection Agency for failing to protect the public.

A fundamental concern is that carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides released into the atmosphere from airplanes create toxic smog, which can lead to potentially serious health conditions such as emphysema and asthma. They also point out that the pollution results in ocean acidification, which is killing algae and causing coral bleaching.

Fox News reports that the EPA has issued a preliminary finding of endangerment that will ultimately lay the groundwork for the government to establish federal regulations. Proposed U.S. regulations would apply only to large planes like airliners and cargo jets; smaller jets, piston-engine planes, helicopters and military aircraft would be exempt.

A Call for Global Standards

Concern about aviation’s impact on the environment extends beyond the U.S. Nancy Young of Airlines for America believes that it is “critical” that global emissions standards are established. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a branch of the United Nations, is working on international emissions standards. A final proposal is expected in February 2016, however regulations would not go into effect until 2020, at the earliest.

Although older aircraft are being phased out as Boeing and Airbus unveil lighter planes for domestic flights, and more fuel-efficient planes for long-distance international routes, a point of contention is that proposed ICAO standards would not apply to the older aircraft. Since planes generally remain in service for 20 years or more, it could be decades before the skies would be filled with planes meeting ICAO’s global standards.

Reducing the Carbon Footprint

When compared to automobiles, however, aviation is relatively clean. According to the Air Transport Action Group, the aviation industry produces about 2% of total annual global greenhouse gas emissions. Aviation is responsible for 12% of carbon dioxide emissions, compared to 74% from road transport.

As Megan Snedden reports on roadwarriorvoices.com, the aviation industry is making some strides in terms of lessening its environmental impact. Between 1978 and 2014, U.S. airlines improved fuel efficiency by more than 120%. The industry is also working closely with sustainable biofuel companies to develop jet fuel alternatives that will not only reduce carbon emissions, but also provide some security against price fluctuations and dependency on foreign oil.

Air Transport Action Group reports that jets in service today are 70% more fuel efficient than jets in the 1960s. It is predicted that increased use of biofuels could help the industry achieve target standards. For example, if commercial aviation can get 6% of its fuel supply from biofuel by 2020, it could reduce its overall carbon footprint by 5%.

baha-mar-files-for-bankruptcy More trouble for the mega luxury resort Baha Mar on Nassau in the Bahamas: Yesterday it announced it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Today its developer Baha Mar Ltd. filed a claim against lead contractor China Construction America, saying CCA was to blame for delays and missed deadlines.

Baha Mar has been much anticipated by the meetings industry. Set on 1,000 acres, it includes a convention center, four new hotels (Baha Mar Casino & Hotel, Grand Hyatt, SLS Lux and Rosewood) with 2,323 rooms, 700 refurbished rooms at an existing Melia hotel, a casino, a golf course, private residences and more than 40 restaurants, bars and clubs.

Indoor and outdoor meeting space would total more than 200,000 sq. ft. Baha Mar Convention Arts & Entertainment Center would account for 82,000 sq. ft. of the space, with three separate ballrooms that could be divided into multiple breakout rooms. The center is also planned to have sizable prefunction space, outdoor pavilions and gardens that can accommodate events.

Baha Mar files for bankruptcy as it nears the end of construction. According to reports, its board said that filing for Chapter 11 was the only way the $3.5 billion resort could be completed. Chapter 11 requires suppliers and other creditors to continue working with Baha Mar while it secures financing of up to $80 million to continue to pay workers, suppliers and vendors. Sarkis Izmirlian, the developer’s chairman and CEO, will provide the loan.

CCA alleges in court papers that Baha Mar owes it $140 million.

The resort was supposed to open in December 2014. It later missed announced openings in March, May and June of this year, angering customers who had booked rooms.

Baha Mar plays a major role in the Bahamas’ future economy. Its projected annual payroll of $130 million will equal 12 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

In 2011, the Export-Import Bank of China financed the long-delayed resort for $2.4 billion, and the plan was for mostly Chinese workers to build it. The massive project would revitalize tourism in the Bahamas and provide thousands of local jobs.

Marilyn Monroe Spa in Maui/Photo Courtesy of Hyatt Regency Maui

Although pop icon Marilyn Monroe died more than 50 years ago, the beauty queen is drawing women who want to channel their inner Marilyns to Hyatt Resort beauty spas across the country.

As HotelChatter.com contributing editor Linda Marsiano reports, Hyatt Resorts in Maui, Monterey, San Diego, New York/Times Square and Orlando have partnered with Marilyn Monroe Spas to add the themed spas to their properties.

A Different Take on a Spa

The bright and cheerful spas feature treatment rooms, as well as special glamour rooms where patrons can have their hair and makeup done in a lively, social atmosphere. Unlike traditional spas where guests are expected to speak softly and not disturb others, women in the glamour room are encouraged to chitchat and have fun. The concept is for gal pals to enjoy a glam bonding experience or girl’s night out together.

Marilyn Monroe Spa 2 Marilyn Monroe Spa in Maui/Photo Courtesy of Hyatt Regency Maui

Treatment options include Marilyn’s Signature Massage (a combination of relaxation and aromatherapy), Marilyn’s Must-Have Body Treatment (which relaxes, rehydrates and restores the body) and the Day With Marilyn package, which includes a massage, facial, makeup application, blow dry and a mani/pedi.