Smart Meetings | Page 61 of 603 | Corporate Event Planning: Business Events, Meetings, Conferences

Brennan restaurant group offers lesson in setting standards for quality, culture and service

Steve Pettus wearing suit — Steve Pettus

True hospitality starts with making a friend, according to the Brennan philosophy of running world-class New Orleans restaurants. Culinary matriarch Miss Ella and her siblings, Dorothy (“Dottie”), Dick and John Brennan, understood that when they took over at landmark Commander’s Palace restaurant in the Garden District in 1974. The stately museum-like space has served as home to chefs Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse and is still run by Brennan family members Claire “Lally” Brennan and Ti Adelaide Martin.

Dick’s son retained that key hospitality ingredient when he started his namesake Dickie Brennan & Company in 1991 with his sister. Now the family is expanding the interpretation of that vision with a fifth restaurant. We asked Managing Partner Steve Pettus, who works with Dickie and Lauren Brennan Brower, about the signature approach to serving locals and visitors at Palace Cafe, Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse, Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House, Tableau and, now, Pascal’s Manale.

The Friend Zone

“Dick Brennan used to say, first you make a friend, not with the intention of what am I going to get out of this but to make a connection even if you never see the person again for the rest of your life,” explained Pettus, a lawyer by training.

The secret to making a real friend is to relax, according to Pettus. Often that happens over a meal, especially one that has heart at the center. His touchstone is remembering all the big Sunday suppers in Europe, where all the kids brought friends and the friends brought friends and his mother was always welcoming.

“That is hospitality, the joy of watching people eat food made with care. It fills your soul and all the other worries go away for a little while,” he said. “We are just happy to be part of that.”

Teaching staff at all levels to fulfill that mandate by always looking for ways to go above and beyond is one of the Brennan trademarks. “We say, ‘It’s never about you. It’s always about them. It’s better to give than to receive,’” said Pettus.

“Each of our 600 employees is an individual, and it takes individual care to make sure that everyone is doing what they’re supposed to be doing and understand why they are doing it,” he said.

Aligned with that culture of respect is the recent establishment of a non-qualified employee benefit plan so tenured employees can participate in the success of the operation.

“The care and consideration we show for each other is completely within our control,” said Pettus. “When I get to work in the morning, I feel safe. I’m surrounded by people who care for me, have my best interests at heart and know I care for them.”

Learn More: Lessons from an Immersive New Orleans Experience

By safe, he doesn’t just mean from physical harm, but nurtured. Training everyone to live up to that ideal is even more important than the etiquette rules of presenting, the technical aspects, the philosophy that you underpromise and overdeliver, ensuring the best product arrives at the back door and that it is handled properly. Those things are the ticket to entry. “You always strive to exceed the guest’s expectations, but never by so much that it gets in the way,” he said.

Pettus always brings the conversation back to the people. Dining has to be a human experience, right down to answering the phone. It can’t be a memorized script. “The individual has to come out in every experience. Because if they’re just a bunch of robots, that’s not who we are,” he said.

A Culture of Nourishing

Pascals Manale exterior — Pascals Manale

“New Orleans is a little bit like a foreign land to many visitors, with all its flavors and traditions,” said Pettus. Brennan kitchens and dining rooms combine the history of the area with fresh interpretations and Southern charm.

Each restaurant has just a little bit of a different flavor. Palace Cafe is in a 1905 French Quarter building that once housed the oldest music store in America and is an institution on Canal Street. Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse is in the basement of a garage that is the oldest pre-formed concrete building in the state. Tableau “oozes charm” in Pettus’ words, with history going back to when the area was a Spanish territory.

When bringing an existing business into the group as they recently did with Pascal’s Manale, they have to add the Brennan charm without alienating those who already love that place. The 111-year old Italian restaurant is known as the birthplace of New Orleans-style barbecued shrimp and that won’t change, but some of the sourcing may be stepped up a bit. “You can polish the jewel, but don’t change the jewel,” Pettus said.

Similarly, at another new venture, Audubon Clubhouse by Dickie Brennan & Co., in Orland Park, the team is bringing elevated hospitality to catering at an Acadian-style venue with a wraparound porch in the midst of oak trees and a golf course. Whether serving at Audubon Aquarium & Insectarium, Acorn Cafe in New Orleans City Park next to Louisiana Children’s Museum, at The Commissary Kitchen + Market in the Garden District or at a catering gig, the ethos is the same. Make friends. “People just like walking in and hugging you,” he said.

That warmth is for locals and visitors alike. A third of group travelers who come in are from business events, and they have an outsized impact on the success of the outlets.

“In banquets, it’s about the presentation details. When a person trusts you with some of the most special days, it is a big deal. Our job is to say, ‘I’ve got this; your job is to relax and enjoy.’”

Putting guests at ease and letting them know that you’re going to have a great time is an art. “You have to set the expectation and then deliver that expectation and go beyond that,” he said. He pointed to little touches like reusing flowers from a previous event and not charging, and making sure every technical detail is right. “We are constantly trying to up our game,” he said.

After the recent growth, the team is hyper-focusing on quality. Pettus declared: “It’s time to clear our eyes and start with a clean slate, rethink everything we’re doing and find a better way.”

Pioneering hospitality leaders forged new paths to top of LA hotel world

The hospitality landscape in Los Angeles is filled with bold female leaders brave enough to break away from the Mad Men norm to bring their unique leadership styles forward for the benefit of their organizations, the industry and future hospitality professionals. We asked a quartet of these pioneers how they got their start, what has changed and what is next.

Karen Strgacich

National Director, Hotel Sales, Southwest and Southern California for Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LAT&CB)

Despite falling into the industry by talking her way into a sales job at Hyatt after majoring in—and quickly becoming bored with—interior design, Karen Strgacich found that hospitality was a perfect fit for her talents, creativity and “spunk.”

After consulting an advisor at Cal State Long Beach, her alma mater, she earned her hospitality certificate. It helped that she found some forward-thinking male and female mentors who encouraged her to build a sustainable life despite not seeing many women in leadership roles. Most ambitious women were unmarried and had no time for children or pets because they were married to their careers.

“In the beginning, I was one of the only married women and was urged to hide my pregnancy for fear of not being seen as dedicated to the job,” she said. Female GMs were few and far between, and the ones who had reached those hospitality heights operated like men, but worked twice as hard as those men and still had to go home and take care of their own houses and pay their own mortgages.

“I struggled to fit in at first, because the women who were in the office at that time managed with a focus on control, right down to circulating a ‘Glamour Dos and Don’ts List’ when the decision to allow pants on Fridays was made (to ensure no one would show up in ripped jeans). Women have made leaps and bounds forward since then in showing the courage to manage based on their strengths to the benefit of young women coming in today,” she said.

Strgacich turned to her mother as a mentor. “I was a tomboy with a twin who was very different, and she encouraged us to evolve our own personalities. When there were rough days during the start of my career, she was the one I would lean into for advice,” she said.

“Other men and women I respected may not have even known they were my role models. We often don’t know how much impact we have negatively or positively until later,” she added, noting that she loves working for a team at LAT&CB, including President and CEO Adam Burke, “who is so evolved, believes in balancing people’s lives and making a workplace you just want to come to. These are leaders with the foresight and the intelligence to recognize the importance of leveraging all talent, versus seeing women as somebody to get your coffee. Here, we don’t have to hide our pregnancies anymore.”

Strgacich continued: “There is still a long way to go, as a heavy roof remains in our industry of males swimming in that archaic management style, but some doors are opening. There is still fear that if you speak too much or too loudly, you will be labeled as a troublemaker or an extremist, but hard conversations have to take place.”

Instead of fearing that women will take jobs from men, Strgacich suggested focusing on the possibility that when everyone is empowered to use all their skills, bigger opportunities are created all the way around.

Strgacich’ s auspicious beginnings inspired her to take a chance and give people a shot if they have the passion, even if they lack the experience on paper, thus advancing the careers of many over the years. “When I mentor young women and speak at my alma mater, I go back to the importance of being your authentic self. Be respectful, but don’t be fearful. Do your homework, go in prepared, present yourself with confidence. Competence will get you everywhere in life, but you have to believe in yourself first, even when you have zero experience, as I did in my first interview. I did have spunk.”

She concluded, “I stand on a lot of shoulders, as we all do. Most of those are men. I want to be the shoulders that some of these women stand on.”

Heather Allison

Vice President of Sales, Premium & Luxury Brands, Southwest Region, Marriott International

How did you get started in the hospitality industry? After graduating from college, I got a job as the receptionist in a hotel sales department as I worked on completing my master’s degree in a completely unrelated field. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with the industry and be given an opportunity to advance my career.

Did you have a role model/mentor and how did they help you find your path? There wasn’t one person who shaped my journey but rather a collection of incredible hospitality professionals who embody everything I strive to be. Richard Bosworth was an interim GM at the first hotel I worked at after the property was sold; we worked together for a very short time, but more than 30 years later, I still remember his approach with the associates in what was a very challenging transition. Ralph Aruzza took a chance by giving me my first leadership position despite relatively limited sales experience and mentored me as I stumbled through my first year. John Harper recognized my potential for luxury and hired me from outside the company into The Ritz-Carlton. Javier Cano, with whom I served eight years at L.A. LIVE is an extraordinary leader and advocated for my career growth within Marriott. I would not be where I am today without him.

How have the opportunities for women in hospitality changed over the years? The fact that the role models and mentors who shaped my career are all male says a lot about where our industry was 20 years ago. There were very few women in high-level positions who could advocate for you or advance your career. I was often the only woman on the hotel’s senior leadership team throughout the early part of my career. Marriott has a commitment to having women equitably represented across all levels of leadership, and the company has proactive measures in place across all disciplines.

How are you giving back at this point in your career? My current role provides me with the opportunity to identify talent and encourage growth and development in our organization. Often, women are overlooked simply because they don’t raise their hands. They may think they don’t meet 100% of the job qualifications, or they don’t believe they would be seriously considered for the role. I strive to give our high-potential leaders the confidence to pursue their goals and grow their careers.

What are the next goals you are tackling? Anyone who knows me knows that I truly love Los Angeles. It is an incredible, world-class city, and putting Los Angeles top-of-mind for meeting and event professionals is a priority. I am finishing up my second year in this role and would like to continue to deepen my knowledge to best serve my stakeholders. On a personal level, my goal is to embrace the gift of travel and spend as much time as possible with friends and family in places I have never been.

Elizabeth Caragay Watts-Russell

CEO, SiteSelectionStrategists

How did you get started in the hospitality industry? My first-ever hotel job was as a guest relations officer (GRO) at InterContinental Manila, the first five-star hotel in the posh district of Makati and the second InterContinental hotel in Asia. The GRO was a very new concept back then, and fresh out of college, I felt like I won a beauty contest. I was euphoric. That was when I caught the hotel bug which has since been ingrained in my DNA.

When I moved to Los Angeles in 1984, I immediately dove back into the industry, growing from admin positions to sales with a number of stellar properties, interrupted by the best 14-year hiatus to raise three boys, then bounced right back into hotel sales. In spite of efforts to switch to other trades, there was no denying the lure of the industry. I eventually switched aisles from hotel sales to a third-party working for a major intermediary entity for six years. Then Covid hit. The world stopped. I did not. Through the bleak financial hemorrhage, I saw the silver lining, and my very own site selection company came to be. Entrepreneurship—which had always intimidated me—had become my track of choice.

Did you have a role model/mentor and how did they help you find your path? No one in particular. Before I got into hotel sales, I’ve always admired hotel salespeople peripherally. The seemingly heady, endless flurry of events, travel, entertainment, always at their finest. I just knew in my core that was my trajectory. There was perhaps one director of sales who made an impression on me more than others. She was akin to my Professor Higgins in the trade.

How have the opportunities for women in hospitality changed over the years? Undoubtedly, the industry has embraced women magnanimously over the years. Where in the distant past, top industry positions were predominantly male-dominated, they are now—and have been for a while—driven by strong, inspiring women.

How are you giving back at this point in your career? The ultimate give-back is my passionate dedication to servicing my clients, who place their trust in me to find the best home for their programs—no mean feat in a market that has been a seller space for the longest time.

What are the next goals you are tackling? My goal is to continue to espouse growth in this ever-evolving industry so that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) rise from the obscurity of a cool acronym buzzword to greater, active implementation across all programs. This presents tremendous growth potential such that every cog in the wheel that we all are should strive to inculcate in the soul of the industry, in all its facets, from human resources to program design.

Anne Marie Doyle

General Manager, Pendry West Hollywood

How did you get started in the industry? I started working at 17, playing the harp in a small hotel in County Wicklow, just outside Dublin, and instead of applying for music, which I thought was what I wanted to do as a career, I refocused and applied for hotel management with marketing. This began my passion for hospitality.

Did you have a role model/mentor and how did they help you find your path? I’m lucky and proud to have a few in my life, but my most influential role model was my father. His character, kindness, hard work and entrepreneurship played a huge role in the dedication and passion I have for my career and those I work alongside.

How have the opportunities for women in hospitality changed over the years? It has come a long way. When I started out, there were none or very few women holding executive leadership positions, apart from perhaps human resources. Now, women play an important role in our industry, as they are making their presence known at colleges and universities by getting the best education possible. The industry is more balanced and approachable with many companies offering reasonable schedules and ensuring a slightly more equitable succession and promotion track for women. We are not there yet, and while the industry is certainly more inclusive and we are certainly going in the right positive direction, we cannot give up on ensuring we stay balanced and welcoming in our approach to succession planning and talent development for all.

How are you giving back at this point in your career? I served most recently on the board of the Boys and Girls Club in Laguna Beach for five years and on the executive board for two of those years. After moving to Los Angeles, I look forward to continuing to mentor several leaders I have worked with over the years, both here and in Ireland, and to finding my new charity to support here in West Hollywood now that I am settled into the Pendry West Hollywood community.

What are the next goals you are tackling? Continuing to ensure that I am developing the talent we have working alongside me at the hotel. Finding new ways to be creative and drive new and existing revenue streams into our new meeting and event spaces, while also enjoying time to get to know my team by hosting my Dining with Doyler sessions bi-monthly. Watching a little football in my downtime is also very fun.

Authentic connections made with respect paved the way for business getting done

The most important deliverable for a meeting is that everyone feels welcome. Everything else depends on that. Smart Meetings Inclusive Experience at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa this week started with the hospitality basics. The expansive property embraced the boutique group of top meeting professionals to offer an intimate setting for getting to know each other better in and out of the one-on-one meetings. As much as everyone was there to learn from their peers, hearing from subject matter experts helped to put everything in perspective and empowered all in attendance to become super connectors.

Skyworx Drone Shows performance at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa

Love, Empathy and Respect

When the world feels hopelessly divided, the smallest gestures can make a big difference. Whether the playing field is national politics, a Southern California crime scene or a hotel contract negotiation, leading with love, empathy and respect is the fast track to building relationships across what might otherwise feel like unfathomable divides, according to keynote Corporal Ryan Tillman. As the founder of Breaking Barriers United and host of the #ItsNeeded podcast, the police officer, author and YouTube sensation has dedicated his career to advocating for equality and unity.

Ryan Tillman on inclusion — Corporal Ryan Tillman

“In a society that often demands choosing sides, we need to return to the lost art of building relationships with those who differ from us,” he said to the meeting planners and suppliers gathered in the room.

His parting tip? It also helps to dance it out—and he left with everyone on their feet.

The Art of Small Talk

We may have good intentions for reaching out at cocktail parties, but starting a conversation requires taking a risk, and it is much easier to find the people we know and stick with them, or better yet, skip the meet-and-greet altogether. Author, keynote and communication expert Debra Fine used humor and insight to convince everyone that shaking hands and making introductions could actually be fun.

Learn More: What One Thing? Podcast with Debra Fine

Mike Lyons with Debra Fine behind the Scenes Smart Meetings TV Be Bright Together — Smart Meetings TV host Mike Lyons with keynote and author Debra Fine

She shared tips for asking questions that are open enough to invite conversation, but neutral enough to avoid embarrassment. She also offered tips on getting out the conversation gracefully, if needed. Some highlights that go beyond talking about the weather include:

Offer the gift of your name and a nugget of information so they don’t have to panic about remembering and can choose whether to continue the line of conversation or not.
Use the free conversation starters around you, like how many years they have been coming to the conference/destination or how they know the person hosting the event.
What do you do when you aren’t at a conference or for fun?
Catch me up on your job/family since I last saw you.

Salsa Lessons organized by Kirkland Event and Destination Services — Salsa lessons organized by Kirkland Event and Destination Services

AV Gone Creative

Audiovisual could be a highlight of the conference if thought about creatively. Scott Frankel, president of Animatic Media, a Smart Meetings partner at the Inclusive Experience and the instructor for a special deep dive into AV contracting in the pre-conference education session, is an advocate of thinking differently. “Be creative—challenge your partners,” he advised.

Read More: 2023 Catalyst Awards

New technology trends to consider as a way to get your message across in a memorable way include:

Mist Projection: Playing videos on a white screen may be the most obvious way to share information, but how about projecting onto a semi-transparent one or a continuous spray of mist that people walk through? This takes the logo off the wall and makes people notice.
Robotic Video Walls: While still a little pricy and requiring sophisticated content development, the resulting programming will not be forgotten when parts of the presentation physically move in and out in a pre-programmed cycle.
Select Shades Gifting

Holographic Video: This has been coming for a while, but mixing live and holographic speakers, images and even drummers in interactive presentations can make people sit up and question what is real and what is recorded.

Anthony Duggan and Christina Richardson

Smart Moves headshots of Anthony Duggan (left) and Christina Richardson (right) — Anthony Duggan (left) and Christina Richardson (right), Grand Hyatt Deer Valley

Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, set to open November 2024, welcomes two leaders to its opening team.

Duggan will serve as general manager. He brings over 25 years of experience and passion for the hospitality industry and global travel, and is known for his skill in elevating operational performance and leading teams with strong staff engagement that have incredible guest satisfaction ratings. He has worked for some of the world’s leading luxury hospitality brands, from InterContinental to Fairmont and more.

Richardson takes on the role of director of sales, marketing & events. She has spent her career so far at world-class resorts, including Carmel Valley Ranch, Hyatt Regency Maui and the Marriott Waikiki Complex. She is an expert in crafting successful sales and marketing strategies in the luxury hospitality sector and has a proven track record of driving revenue growth and fostering strong client relationships.

Alex Carvalho

Alex Carvalho, PG&E

After 11 years as senior event manager, national sales events at Kaiser Permanente, Carvalho joins Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) as manager of the corporate events team. She will draw on her extensive event expertise to lead the corporate events team and contribute to PG&E’s purpose of delivering for its hometown, serving the planet and providing safe, reliable and clean energy throughout California.

Frank Verilli

Frank Verrilli, Impact XM

Global event and experiential marketing agency Impact XM promotes Verrilli to the role of senior vice president of new business development from his earlier role as vice president of new business development. He will continue to lead new business initiatives, explore future opportunities and secure new client partnerships. In addition, he will continue to lead the creation and execution of strategic sales action plans while overseeing the entire new business pipeline.

Ron Phifer

Ron Phifer, Dreamscape Hospitality

Phifer takes on the role of vice president of business development at Dreamscape Hospitality. He brings over 20 years of experience in business development, sales and marketing. Phifer will identify new management opportunities, foster relationships with key stakeholders, and drive the company’s growth initiatives, with a strategic approach and deep understanding of hospitality’s evolving market dynamics.

Janell Davies

Janell Davies, The Broadmoor

Davies is appointed director of insurance and incentive sales at The Broadmoor. She brings over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, from which she will draw to enhance the sales team’s commitment to excellence and innovation as she leads the team in developing new strategies and programs to leverage sales-growth initiatives and the guest experience. She served as the director of national accounts for Fontainebleau Miami Beach for over 15 years.

Fred Sawyers

Fred Sawyers, Evermore Orlando Resort

Evermore Orlando Resort welcomes Sawyers as managing director, where he will lead the resort’s day-to-day operations. He has spent the last decade successfully running Disney-area resorts for two renowned hotel brands. He brings with him a wealth of experience and deep understanding of the Orlando market and has led multi-faceted resort complexes.

Jeffrey Church

Jeffrey Church, Visit Berkeley

Church is the new president & CEO of Visit Berkeley. He is the organization’s second chief executive, following Barbara Hillman, who took on the role in 1992 and now celebrates her retirement. Church was born and raised in California and is an alum of the University of California, Berkeley. He formerly served as Visit Berkeley’s director of partnership development and has proven himself to be an incredible leader who holds strong relationships with local leaders.

Francisco Macedo

Francisco Macedo, Iconic Luxury Hotels

Iconic Luxury Hotels – International promotes Macedo to the newly created role of senior vice president asset management. Formerly serving as the general manager of Cliveden House and group operations director of Iconic Luxury Hotels, Macedo will work with the executive team as the organization leans into its future development plans, and will continue to oversee Cliveden House.

Bruce Rosenburg

Bruce Rosenburg, The Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa

Rosenburg is appointed director of operations at The Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa. He will oversee staff across various departments. He is new to the hotel industry, but brings rich experience in customer service leadership positions and is passionate about creating an environment where guest relations is prioritized. As a Jackson Hole resident for over 30 years, he is a local expert and is excited to be part of the local family-owned luxury hotel.

Ebrahim Ansari

Ebrahim Ansari, Le Méridian and AC Hotel Denver Downtown

Ansari takes on the role of dual general manager of Le Méridian and AC Hotel Denver Downtown. He brings nearly a decade of expertise to the role and has successfully managed operations for numerous hotels across the U.S. He will oversee all operations, work to develop senior leaders and manage financial aspects of the properties, including revenue generation, budgeting, forecasting and strategic decision-making.

From edible glitter to custom made cocktails, for your next intimate after-hours

During one of my recent FAM trips, I had the privilege of visiting Irvine, California. I was hosted at Marriott Irvine. While there, I was treated to an experience at the hotel’s speakeasy YNK (You Never Know). During my brief but memorable visit, I got to experience a wonderful array of quick eats and a sample of some of the unique beverages currently available to guests.

As someone who always appreciates a good snack and drink, I really liked the presentation and the fact that there was edible glitter (!) in my drink.

Benjamin Paparella, YNK bartender (left), and Sean Milan, F&B manager (right)

I chatted with Sean Milan, food and beverage manager at Marriott Irvine, about the team’s process and what planners looking to host an intimate gathering at YNK can expect.

Eming Piansay When I was at YNK someone said it takes four months to craft a menu. What is that like?

Sean Milan It’s a roller coaster for sure. A lot of things change, and there’s a lot of research that we do to make sure that the finished product that we’re giving out is satisfactory to us.

There are always the what ifs and can we make it better? It’s like a forever learning process.

We’re continuously just trying to figure out if we can top ourselves and or top each other. Whose cocktails are better?

We draw inspiration a lot from a lot of different things. It can be from a friend, or a co-worker, or a family member or an Instagram reel that you see. I want to do that, but I want to make it my way. What I might like may not be what somebody else likes. [We’re] working together in the process of how we get from this inspiration to a finished product.

EP What does the usual process look like for you?

SM At YNK, we’re constantly changing our menu every quarter. We also have a couple of seasonal menus. Once the new menu development begins, we just start with the destination. Right now, it is Latin America, We think of every single country or continent that is a part of Latin America, and we kind of dive down into, what are their signature cocktails? We also look at ingredients that we want to use.

Recently, we just learned what Café de Olla is: that’s a pot coffee made by boiling black coffee and cinnamon sticks. Then we just take it and do it our way. We try to make it craftier.

A month of just working on how we make this Café de Olla perfect for the cocktail? Do we sous vide? What temperature do we sous vide at? How long do we sous vide the cinnamon sticks in the coffee? What kind of coffee are we going to use for the French press? These little details are what makes the product great.

EP You really think about the experience of the customer, then.

SM Exactly. If someone’s going to spend $18 on a cocktail, we want to make sure that they’re getting their money’s worth. A lot of other places will use cheap coffee to try to cut costs and try to come up with something that’s lavish and nice and appealing, but we focus mainly on what we are using. That’s how we provide value, in a sense.

EP What else do you use for research and inspiration?

SM I’m a believer that if you have a strong foundation of base knowledge of cocktails, you can expand on it.

EP Are you able to create custom menus for groups and guests?

SM We can make it happen. We like to try to focus on guests first. Our menu is pretty small, but whenever we do have meetings or businesses come in, and they want to have a social hour at YNK, but they want a specific type of drink where they want, like, Tito’s Vodka, we talk to whoever the head of the group is and figure out what they want.

EP Do you have any big plans for the future of YNK?

SM Our plan is just to be the best cocktail bar in Irvine or Orange County.

shrimp in small glasses There’s a lot of great bars out there. How do we stay up with the trends? How do we level ourselves up? It’s a forever learning process for us. I think we just want to sell products that have value, that people want to come and see and drink. We want people to enjoy their time here.

What keeps us moving forward is the guests. We want to give them something that they haven’t seen before, give them something that they see as valuable, but with a YNK personality to it.

EP What sets you apart from other speakeasies and bars?

SM I think that we try to challenge the status quo. We just want to stay true to our concept, which is YNK, You Never Know. You never know what to expect when you come to YNK.

We want to give a little bit more of an elevated experience. We want to give more of an intimate experience. That’s what kind of keeps us unique in a sense, because it’s not easy to copy us. We’re trying to stay unique to who we are.

Lynn Miles, CMP Fellow, is an adventurer. On her off days, you’ll probably find her ziplining, parasailing, skydiving, or taking it easy on a hot air balloon ride. But her off days aren’t where the adventure stops: her career journey is just as exciting.

“The hospitality industry was in my blood from the start,” she says. She began as a restaurant busgirl and hostess at 16, and from then on, she would explore all the industry had to offer.

After gaining a degree in restaurant and hotel management, she worked her way up the ranks in the hotel business at esteemed brands including Marriott, Hilton and Disney. She then set her sights on event management company APCO International; through all her work with DMOs, she was well equipped for her next move into a sales and supplier role with the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Today, she works as a sales manager with Ocean Center Daytona Beach, and, day-in and day-out, enjoys the vibrant convention, tradeshow and event management world.

The Importance of Mentorship

Miles became a CMP in 2004. At the time, she was with APCO International. On her very first day on the job, she met the conference and exposition director who would go on to become Miles’s mentor of many years. “On my first day of work,” says Miles, “she told me I needed to get my CMP.”

That sense of adventure lit up. “I started on the path to earning my CMP designation immediately,” Miles remembers.

Mentorship is an essential component of the CMP community. Not only do CMPs serve as mentors for their fellow colleagues and professional community, but many of today’s successful CMPs cite a mentor who made all the difference. Miles says of her own mentor, “She encouraged me to learn all I could about event management and supported my travel to attend full-day in-person CMP Workshops.

“Obtaining my CMP is one of the best pieces of career advice anyone has ever given me. Her leadership and direction have guided me through this wonderful 30-year journey.”

Becoming a CMP

For the next generation of CMPs, Miles offers this piece of advice: Don’t wait. “Get working on your CMP application process as soon as possible. Don’t put off the decision. Start to obtain the study materials.”

While imposter syndrome is real, and newer professionals may doubt their ability, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible; it’s a challenge and an opportunity—and to come out on the other end having pushed themselves, done the hard work and accomplished the goals is what sets CMPs apart.

“This designation does not come easy, and you will have to work for it,” says Miles. “Take the time to invest in yourself. You won’t regret it.”

The CMP Fellow

After 18 years as a CMP, Mills was a member of the inaugural class of CMP Fellows in 2022.

EIC established the CMP Fellows Program to distinguish CMPs who have advanced their careers and made significant contributions to the meetings and events industry through education and service.

When the new designation was announced, Miles remembers, “I realized that I met all the qualifications to apply. I was thrilled to learn that I would be selected as part of the inaugural class. It is truly an honor to be in the company of these incredibly successful leaders and pioneers of our industry.”

Miles says, “Being a CMP has always been a source of pride and dedication to my personal career growth. The CMP Fellow designation has solidified my commitment to continued education, to improving my work performance and to my personal goals.”

For the past three years, she has been a committee member of the IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum. She looks forward to seeing women in the industry continue to grow in confidence and authority, saying, “It’s exciting to see how women have been empowered to shape the events world. We are seeing strides towards equal pay and greater opportunity for higher level career advancement into C-Suite positions.”

Miles is an example of the fearlessness that drives the professionals in the meetings and events industry forward. Equipped with her adventurous spirit and dedicated passion, this CMP Fellow’s journey is nowhere near over.

Read More: Get to Know Ronda Keys, CMP Fellow

These summertime grand openings evoke wellness and glee

Here we are: right in the heat of summer. Now is the time of beach days, sunlight and lemonade. How do you infuse the upbeat yet relaxed persona of summer into your meetings and events?

These new and renovated hotels in South Florida, Santa Barbara and Spain are the answer, each with their own individual ways of highlighting their sunny destinations, optimizing wellness and creating the perfect atmosphere to connect.

Wellness by the Water

Amrit Ocean Resort for New and Renovated — Amrit Ocean Resort

South Florida’s newest luxury wellness resort on the beachfront, Amrit Ocean Resort, is all about incorporating its wellness ethos and programming into meetings and events. The resort stands on Singer Island and spans seven acres of beachfront—only a 20 minute drive from Palm Beach International Airport and within 20 minutes of the West Palm Beach Brightline station. Upon arrival, guests find themselves among sand dunes and wildlife preservation areas; they will leave with a newfound understanding of the five pillars of wellness: mindfulness, nutrition, fitness, relaxation and sleep.

Every experience on property, from the 155 guest rooms to the five distinct dining concepts, are anchored in these pillars. The meeting and event spaces, while upholding functionality, embrace tranquility throughout the design. Attendees can enter the 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space via designated elevators or by a grand spiral staircase, anchored by a sparkling chandelier.

Meeting and event spaces are versatile to suit a range of meeting needs. The bright and airy Hibiscus Foyer is embellished with “floating” glass pendants and leads into the 4,300-square-foot Hibiscus Ballroom. Alternatively, the Iris Room spans 485 sq. ft., ideal for an intimate boardroom meeting. The Lotus Room, at 860 sq. ft., is directly connected to the hotel’s beachside restaurant, TAAZA.

Fun in the Sun

Steps from State Street, in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone neighborhood, comes brand new hotel, Moxy Santa Barbara. With 31 guest rooms, the exclusive hotel immerses guests in a colorful, playful environment. Its beginnings as a youth hostel inform its present-day character of fun, eclectic coastal energy.

When guests arrive, they check in at the Bar Moxy, and receive a complimentary signature cocktail alongside their room key. The 24-hour marketplace offers convenience in the form of grab-and-go food service for snacks and beverages. If guests choose to explore the culinary and shopping destination that is State Street, or wider Santa Barbara, they have the option of hopping on the hotel’s beach cruiser bikes.

All guest rooms feature comfortable bedding, flat screen TVs, walk-in showers, open wall closets and thoughtfully designed wall features to maximize hanging and storage choices. The hotel’s social space is ideal for both work and play, with free WiFi, a communal kitchen with top-tier appliances and a wide selection of outdoor and board games. 1,550 sq. ft. of event space, all outdoor around the pool area, makes Moxy Santa Barbara an exclusive event destination perfect for taking in that spectacular SoCal sunshine.

Get Sporty by the Sea

ZEL Costa Brava New and Renovated — ZEL Costa Brava

Through a collaboration between Meliá Hotels International and Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal comes lifestyle brand ZEL, which debuts its second property with ZEL Costa Brava. The hotel promises “fiesta and siesta”—the perfect balance of fun and relaxation—and combines the essence of the lifestyle brand property with a Mediterranean ethos on Spain’s Cala Giverola coast.

The cliffside the property stands on was once the film site for Hollywood classics, such as “Pandora and the Flying Dutchman.” It’s home to iconic landmarks like the Tossa del Mar castle and the Vila Vella. Although the location feels pristine and exclusive, the hotel is only 20 miles from the Girona-Costa Brava International Airport.

The wellness-driven hotel concept offers a full gym with personalized or group training sessions, as well as an expansive spa complete with steam rooms, saunas, treatments and a heated pool that overlooks the mountains. Ample sporting opportunities are available, from tennis to Nordic walking and cycling. Further programming includes creative cooking classes and festive experiences in the property’s leisure and dining spaces. Dining options include the lobby bar, a food truck, a beach bar and the hotel’s signature Beach Club at Cala Giverola, which specializes in Mediterranean fare.

No matter which of the 214 nature-inspired guest rooms and suites guests finds themselves in, they’ll enjoy pristine views of the sea, mountains or gardens. One spacious meeting room can be divided into three separate spaces, rounding out the property’s ability to host spectacular meeting, event and incentive experiences.

6 tips for budget-friendly, memorable rewards programs that are easy on the meeting prof

Smart Meetings Vice President JT Long sat down with Melissa Moten, vice president of experience and event solutions at The Collective by BCD M&E, to discuss some key elements of planning a smooth and successful incentive trip. If you missed the webinar, fear not—below are six takeaways.

Be sure to check out our other upcoming webinars and register here.

1. Different generations want different things

While a tropical getaway is often a sure bet, many younger professionals say they want to step out of their comfort zones and experience new cultures. “Elements such as language barriers and complex cuisine are not considered a hurdle, but rather an added benefit that allows for a more exciting experience,” Moten shared.

With the money saved through an incentive package, meeting profs have more to work with when arranging experiential elements. Moten’s research on the current definition of luxury has found that younger professionals tend to prefer more downtime and flexibility in the schedule, which is also beneficial to a planner’s budget. A four-hour plated dinner event might not only be expensive, but also something your attendees would rather not see on the itinerary. A shorter buffet or family-style setup may better fit your attendees’ preferences and be friendlier to company coffers.

2. The positive evolution of all-inclusive properties

Many luxury properties have caught on to the market demand for all-inclusive options. Moten says, “The hotel scene has done an incredible job, truly, of finding ways to stand out differently.” F&B programs used to be very rigid. Properties have realized this is a great market for them will work with you on how you package your food and beverage. “It’s not just the standard all-inclusive package; they’re willing to stretch that boundary with you and I think that’s made a huge difference because the food part was a big detractor.”

It’s not just F&B options that have vastly improved. Moten points to “what if” elements such as weather disruptions, which could result in a $20,000 tent fee as a backup for planners. Now, properties are investing more in multi-use indoor spaces that can protect both attendees and budgets. Moten says, “Maybe they just realized that corporate is a great client to have. And we aren’t just doing honeymooners.”

3. Transparency is an asset when negotiating with vendors

Incentive packages have greatly improved over the years in both quality and customization. Using transparency in your negotiation process isn’t just appropriate, it is often expected, as many vendors offer a surprising amount of flexibility.

As Moten tells JT, “If you’re really open, the negotiations come easy after that because you’ve shown up as a partner from the very beginning.”

Considerations such as sustainability and F&B add-ons can be integrated into your finalized contract terms.

4. How to work around restrictive budgets

Moten points out one strategy that can make a significant dent in expenses and include other benefits: hosting a dry event. Eliminating alcohol reduces costs, especially at highly regulated pharma events and it puts the focus on the learning and the education. The medical industry isn’t the only relevant sector for this strategy. Moten uses the direct selling market, which often puts on dry events, as another example: “They come in droves and it’s a very, very positive sales kickoff/incentive experience for them. They have a great time. And it makes you have to be more creative and intentional with your networking events. It’s not just a case of rolling a cart of liquor in and having them talk to each other.”

5. Adapt your “Know Before You Go” to suit your audience

Every meeting prof has experienced attendee confusion that was (supposed to be) prevented by a complete “Know Before You Go” packet. Moten stresses the importance of knowing your audience when designing and implementing your pre-trip info. Consider options such as video and infographics to hold attendees’ attention and prevent last-minute confusion that can commence upon touchdown.

When expectations are set appropriately about all the resources that are included, everyone is happier.

6. Feedback is crucial: Set your surveys up for success

To maximize the potential of your next incentive trip, it is crucial to have a solid understanding of how your attendees feel about the last one. Moten suggests strategies such as incentivizing survey completion and making sure questions include a focus on social elements and enjoyability. An incentive really is about emotions, about motivation, about behavioral science. It’s not just checking a box and doing it. It’s really incentivizing people.

Putting time into your post-trip surveys can ultimately save money and boost the overall success of your next incentive.

When my plane touches down in Cleveland for the ASAE Annual Meeting & Expo in early August, it will be my homecoming. It was there, in that Northern Ohio city on Lake Erie, that my journalism career took off. Many decades have passed, so I’m a now prodigal son of what’s often called The Land, a nickname from the city’s hip-hop scene. (NBA legend LeBron James, who has been leading the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team in Paris, is another prodigal son, and he calls it The Land—so, that’s good enough for me.)

Back when I was a young reporter at the Cleveland Plain Dealer—isn’t that the coolest name for a newspaper?—and later at Cleveland Magazine, the local electric company’s marketing slogan was Best Location in the Nation. Sheer hyperbole, but so was its antonym of Mistake on the Lake.

These days, make no mistake, Cleveland is on a major roll. It’s on hosts of “best of” and “must see” lists, and if you’ll be at ASAE Annual, too, you’re going to love it.

Here are a few reasons why.

Where We’ll Meet

LEED Gold-certified Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, as part of a $49 million upgrade with a grand opening just in time for ASAE, will boost available space from 475,000 sq. ft. to 553,000 sq. ft. The grand renovation adds a 12,000-square-foot covered outdoor terrace with views of downtown. One of its ballrooms doubles in size, and across the property, visitors will see new infrastructure, including meeting room tech.

Where We’ll Play

On the evening of Aug. 12, a benefit for ASAE Research Foundation boogies to the city’s most famous attraction, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame—known to Clevelanders as Rock Hall—which attracts roughly half a million visitors a year. The iconic 1995 building designed by I.M. Pei, one of America’s greatest 20th-century architects, is bursting at the seams with its collection of priceless rock history, and late last year it broke ground once again with a $135 million-plus expansion designed by one of today’s best-known architects, Vishaan Chakrabarti, founder and creative director of New York-based PAU, the Practice for Architecture and Urbanism.

A new wing will echo Pei’s vision and increase the museum’s footprint by a third. Other upgrades are aimed at making Rock Hall even more inviting and memorable. Construction will be ongoing until late 2025 or early 2026, but without major disruption in the original hall.

Learn More: ASAE Annual 23 Focused on Purpose

On the last night of ASAE, the closing celebration heads down to the Flats East Bank Entertainment District. I remember the Flats as a gritty area with an Industrial Revolution-vibe and a smattering of beer joints and party bars edging the serpentine Cuyahoga River, deftly navigated by giant freighters on their way to and from the steel mills. Those were the days when the river was so polluted it caught fire.

But long before the Seine in Paris, the Cuyahoga was cleaned up and today is used for boat tours, recreational boating and kayaking—and the always-high-drama freighter traffic.

The Flats is a booming fun zone, a worthy salute to the Cleveland music history that has transpired there over the years. One of the earliest of those hot spots, the Cove, opened in the early 1970s in a former warehouse where John D. Rockefeller started his first business. Other Flats clubs hosted groups like Jane’s Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers and R.E.M. before they broke into the arena circuit. Not to mention, the Flats was and remains home to a parade of nationally known as well as regional country, rap and hip-hop artists.

Of course, the city’s most incandescent musical moment never happened. That would be the scene in Rob Reiner’s “rockumentary” classic, “This Is Spinal Tap,” when his spoof of a heavy metal band, hopelessly lost in a labyrinthine backstage maze, shouts out, “Hello, Cleveland! Hello, Cleveland!” to the muffled roars of the unseen crowd.

Learn More: ASAE’s Inaugural Women’s Experience ‘The Exchange’ Got Real, Real

Where to Eat & Drink

Cleveland’s culinary scene has more than kept pace with other reinvented rustbelt cities. Some of the best restaurants are downtown, like Cordelia in the Warehouse District, where chef-partner Vinnie Cimino was nominated for a James Beard Award for his “modern grandma” concept of sourcing locally and creating new riffs on Midwest standards.

Another standout, Fahrenheit, moved to Public Square, the heart of downtown, last year to be “the sexy, chic spot to impress a date, land a client, celebrate a major life event or just treat yo’self,” in the words of a local food writer.

At The 9, beneath the Cleveland Trust Rotunda on E. Ninth Street, century-old bank vaults are now one of the city’s coolest upscale cocktail lounges.

If food tourism is high on your list, don’t miss West Side Market on the edge of what’s known as Ohio City. This European-style covered public market has delighted Clevelanders and out-of-towners who venture inside since 1912, and its dozens of vendors at permanent stalls sell fresh and smoked meats, cheeses, seafood, baked goods, handmade ice cream, flowers and much more. Plus, some of the city’s choicest restaurants and libation spots are close by along W. 25th Street.

A section of Ohio City called Hingetown is max trendy, boasting Larder Delicatessen and Bakery in a 1800s-era firehouse; Amba, with Indian-inspired small plates; and Alea, with wood-fired Mediterranean plates amid galleries and shops.

What to See

It’s worth building in extra time to catch the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in University Circle, which Travel + Leisure named a top spot to visit in 2024 as it completes a $150 million expansion. A short walk away, Cleveland Museum of Art is the only major gallery in the country with free admission to its permanent collection, which consists of 45,000 works spanning 6,000 years of history.

There’s much more, but this seems a perfect closer: How many times have you and your family tuned in to watch “A Christmas Story” during the holiday season? The house featured in that seasonal perennial, meticulously restored to its original movie appearance, is located just five minutes from downtown in the Tremont neighborhood. It’s open year-round, seven days a week. It has a gift shop. And, yes, you can buy a Red Ryder Model 1938 Air Rifle BB Gun—but don’t shoot your eye out!

Melissa Mahon and Aaron Levinthal

Global experience agency MAS promotes experienced leaders to chief officer roles.

Mahon will serve as chief operating officer. She has been with MAS for over seven years, most recently serving as EVP, business and operations. She brings extensive experience in live event production, finance, operations and sustainability. Mahon is also a 2021 Smart Woman in Meetings: Innovator award winner.

Levinthal takes on the role of chief experiential officer. He brings over 30 years of experience leading large-scale events all over the world. Most recently having served as EVP of production at MAS, he brings a comprehensive understanding of creative and production complexities as well as the importance of key partners and team building.

Angela Blackstock

Angela Blackstock, Limelight Boulder

Limelight Hotels’ forthcoming property, Limelight Boulder, has appointed Blackstock as director of sales and marketing. With over 30 years of experience in the hotel industry, including serving on opening teams in the same position at both Embassy Suites Boulder and Hilton Garden Inn Boulder, she will now be part of the team opening the first hotel project on the University of Colorado, Boulder campus in 2025.

Bradley Cance

Bradley Cance, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

Cance takes on the role of general manager at The Ritz Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara. Throughout his over three decades in luxury hospitality, he has managed a number of prestigious properties. He is known for his focus on employee, guest and owner engagement, and has led hotels through significant renovations and achieved top ratings for his hotels. He was also recently appointed as a board member for Visit Santa Barbara.

Phoenix Porcelli and James Frankis

Headshots of Phoenix Porchelli (left) and James Frankis (right) — Phoenix Porchelli (left) and James Frankis (right), Convene

Convene, a hospitality company that manages and designs meeting, event and office spaces, promotes two senior leadership team members.

Porcelli will serve as head of sales. She will lead a team of 83 meeting and event sales professionals in 37 locations across nine cities around the world. When Convene acquired etc.venues in 2023, she played a key role in integrating the sales teams. She has worked with Convene for seven years, during which she has led the development and expansion of a global Enterprise Sales Team and an Inbound Sales Team, created a new incentive and commission structure and opened 17 new venues.

Frankis is appointed head of product, and will oversee the design, product standards, customer experience and packaging across Convene’s portfolio. He will lead a seven-person team to design meeting and event spaces, define product metrics and pricing and work cross-functionally to curate experience delivery and brand standards. In addition, he will help to inform the company’s expansion strategy, create brand identities and standards and manage a Client Advisory Board to design and implement the product roadmap. He has worked with Convene for six years.

Chandra Allison

Chandra Allison, Sphere Entertainment

Sphere Entertainment welcomes Allison as executive vice president, sales and service. With 30 years of experience in the hospitality and events industries and a reputation as a distinguished sales and marketing leader, Allison will drive Sphere’s sales strategies, developing and implementing sales and service strategies aligned with the company’s overall business objectives and strategic direction and work to develop a corporate conference business for product launches and other events.

Read More: By the Lights of the Sphere

Jamie Williams

Jamie Williams, Live! Casino & Hotel Las Vegas

The gaming division of The Cordish Companies, Cordish Gaming Group, appoints Williams as director of sales of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana, the first Live! branded property in Louisiana. She will plan and manage the overall strategic sales and marketing initiatives for the property, leading the sales and marketing team and working closely with the food and beverage team to advise on event execution and strategy.

Kristie Byrd

Kristie Byrd, Concord Hospitality

Hotel management and development company Concord Hospitality promotes Byrd to divisional vice president of sales and marketing. Byrd has worked with Concord Hospitality for 13 years, and her portfolio spans renowned brands including Marriott, Hilton, Choice, Hyatt and IHG. She will continue to assist and oversee these brands in her new role, working with each hotels’ general managers to impellent divisional sales and marketing strategies.

James Robinson

James Robinson, Visit Anaheim

Visit Anaheim promotes Robinson to senior director of meeting sales. He joined Visit Anaheim in 2022 as part of the convention sales team after over six years with the sales team at Visit Long Beach, where he handled various markets and group sizes. He has also spent many years in the hospitality industry, serving as director of group sales for the Westin Long Beach and as a senior sales manager for Sheraton Park Anaheim.

Justin Deyo

Justin Deyo, Hospitality America

Hospitality America promotes Deyo to corporate director of operations. He will focus on mentoring and developing hotel leaders, driving the organization’s performance standards and providing strategic support for renovations and new hotel openings. Deyo joined Hospitality America in 2013, and also has served as the inaugural chair of Hospitality America’s Leadership Council.

Janet Broomfield

Janet Broomfield, ALHI

Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) welcomes Broomfield as director of global sales. With experience across brands including Anantara, Corinthia Hotels and Rocco Fore Hotels, and in key positions at Moevenprick Hotels & Resorts and Marriott Hotels, she brings extensive experience in the hospitality market, particularly in the UK, and demonstrates excellence in driving sales and visibility.