Smart Meetings | Page 78 of 603 | Corporate Event Planning: Business Events, Meetings, Conferences

Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming partner with Twentyfour-Seven Inc.

“It’s a hard reality that the industry has to face but we have to acknowledge it. We have to ask ourselves, ‘What do we do to combat?'” – Paul Pellizzari, Vice President of global social responsibility, Hard Rock International

One of the ugly truths of the hospitality and gaming industries is the prevalence of human trafficking victims and perpetrators passing through hotels and casinos, more often than anyone would want to know. Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming have acknowledged the issue and have implemented Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) programs to train employees to spot certain warning signs that could possibly be an alert of human trafficking situations. Paul Pellizzari, vice president of global social responsibility for Hard Rock International, sat down with Smart Meetings to discuss the partnerships Hard Rock has acquired to fight human trafficking and how the company is furthering its efforts both domestically and internationally.

Q: How did you get your start in hospitality and Corporate Social Responsibility?

Read More: CSR Fights Hunger

A: I joined the company for my background and the work I was doing in social responsibility. I started off doing evaluations of companies, what today would be called ESG. I was recruited by the biggest gaming company in Canada called Ontario Lottery and Gaming. They were having a problem with gambling and they needed their social responsibility programming across all areas built up with a focus on the gambling problem. That’s when I entered the space in 2007.

Q: How did the partnership between Hard Rock International and Twentyfour-Seven Inc. to fight human trafficking in the hospitality and gaming industries begin?

A: The founder of Twentyfour-Seven Inc. is a woman named Tsvetelina “Lina” Thompson. She is a trafficking survivor and I met her through our networks in Florida. We are part of the broader community dealing with human trafficking in South Florida. That includes law enforcement, support agencies, and groups like FLITE Center. It is through these types of events that I met Lina and she told me her story.

Q: What were some of the ways in which the partnership with Twentyfour-Seven Inc. contributed to Hard Rock International’s CSR and ESG programs?

A: Lena told me about the QR code. You may have seen, if you have been in the airport or other places, posters that say, “Be aware of human trafficking, if you see something call this 1-800 number,” right? What Lena was putting forward was a much more effective way of connecting potential victims to help resources. So, we just immediately said, “we have to learn more about this.” When I found out that there was no hospitality company that was actually implementing it, I said, “Well, we’re going to be the first one.”

We have to train front of house to recognize the signs. We have to train for people who are in the bathrooms, elevators, parking garages—places that are accessible and that someone who is being trafficked can discreetly be able to pull out their phone and scan.

Q: What are some of the most successful programs to combat human trafficking that Hard Rock International has implemented?

A: Social Identity Quest is a mandatory part of educational curriculum. It is designed to speak to teenagers and youth about their experiences on social media. It’s important. It’s an important area for us to address because a lot of human traffic luring is happening on social media. So, the whole idea is—how do we improve online safety literacy amongst youth? So we find the right partners, which we have, and we create a great education program and get it into schools.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect new estimates of visitors to the destination and the teams playing.

Speaking with Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee’s leading decision-makers

Las Vegas’ first Super Bowl could draw as many as 330,000 people to the city to see the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs play under what could be a rare case of showers in the desert Sunday at Allegiant Stadium. In addition to Taylor Swift and halftime performer Usher, Las Vegas is poised to show its locals, as well as hundreds of thousands of visitors, why Las Vegas has the reputation it does. The NFL wasn’t always destined for Las Vegas—not so soon anyway.

Originally scheduled for New Orleans, when the NFL Player’s Association’s new bargaining agreement added an extra regular game to the schedule, the Super Bowl was bumped into Mardi Gras, triggering the fine print and shifting the game to the next available date. New Orleans’ NFL bid is now scheduled for 2025, the city’s 11th time hosting.

Smart Meetings caught up with Sam Joffray, founder of event and media solutions company Concept Matters and president and CEO of the Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee, and Bill McConnell, chief operations officer for the Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee, to discuss the role the host committee plays, how it feels to bring such a heavily attended/watched event to the city and how the Super Bowl is giving back to the local community, among other things.

Smart Meetings: What is the role of the Las Vegas Host Committee?

Sam Joffray: The Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization that works as liaison between the NFL and the city’s officials and major stakeholders to fulfill the obligations Las Vegas has made to the NFL when the Super Bowl was awarded to Las Vegas.

We work closely with Clark County, the State of Nevada and other local jurisdictions and agencies to ensure we provide a seamless and unforgettable Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. The Host Committee’s goal is to maximize opportunities surrounding the Super Bowl to drive lasting social, cultural, and economic impact across the region.

SM: How does it feel to be leading such a huge first-time event in Las Vegas?

SJ: It’s been an incredible honor to be leading this team of talented individuals as we prepare for Las Vegas’ first Super Bowl. LVCVA (Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority) asked me to assist them through the bidding process, so to be able to see it through to the finish has been an amazing experience. This city takes hosting and hospitality to an entirely new level, and I’ve been so impressed with what this small team has been able to pull off. Las Vegas is truly the sports and entertainment capital of the world, and we hope everyone sees that on Feb. 11.

SM: What has been the reception to the Super Bowl been by Las Vegas locals? There was a bit of grief (due to increased car and foot traffic, relatively high-ticket prices) from locals when Formula 1 came around. Has there been anything like that regarding the Super Bowl?

SJ: We have seen an overwhelmingly positive response from the community. Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure the Super Bowl leaves a long and lasting positive impact on the Southern Nevada community.

From the Business Connect program with more than 200 diverse small businesses having the opportunity to work with NFL vendors, to our UNLV paid internship program, and our NFL Green initiatives, the Host Committee has kept the community top of mind for both environmental and economic impact. We also had an amazing response to our TEAM LV volunteer program with more than 8,000 volunteers signed up to assist our team during Super Bowl Week. It is truly a testament to how excited the community is to be part of this historic event.

SM: In what ways is the event giving back to the Las Vegas community?

Bill McConnell: Sam hit on many of those, but the Host Committee’s legacy program has been a top priority. Some exciting initiatives include the Super Bowl LVIII Business Connect program, which has given more than 200 minority, women, LGBTQ+, persons with disabilities and veteran-owned local business owners the opportunity to bid on NFL Super Bowl business opportunities and participate in professional networking and development programming.

NFL Green program will leave a lasting impact here in the Valley through 14 community greening projects throughout Clark County for Super Bowl LVIII creating greenspace, enhancing the natural environment, building community gardens and creating shade, cooling and beautification in traditionally under-resourced neighborhoods. TEAM LV, which has recruited thousands of local individuals to proudly serve as ambassadors for Las Vegas leading up to and during the week of Super Bowl LVIII, has emerged as a critical part of the Super Bowl team and we expect the program to continue even after the Super Bowl is over.

SM: What do you hope to achieve with this first Super Bowl?

BM: Through this Super Bowl, we are determined to present Las Vegas as the world-class destination for major events and show the world that Las Vegas is the preeminent leader in hospitality and entertainment. Our goal is to deliver an exceptional, unforgettable and safe Super Bowl experience to all—for Las Vegas locals as well as the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to join us.

Our entire community has embraced Super Bowl LVIII since day one and we could not successfully produce this event without their support. We’re ready to show the world that there is no place better equipped to host the Super Bowl than Las Vegas.

SM: Anything you’d like to add?

BM: Get ready… It’s happening here!

Marin Bright often told the story of how she launched the meetings and events industry’s first lifestyle magazine in 2002, a few months after the devastating attacks on 9/11 and the downturn in the travel industry. Over 22 years, through economic recessions, a global pandemic and personal health issues, as CEO of Bright Business Media, LLC and Smart Meetings, she continued to exemplify the resiliency and grit required to build the Smart Meetings community into the most engaged in the industry by innovating and leading based on delivering value to the industry she loved so much.

Marin Bright September 14, 1958 – January 28, 2024

That overwhelming force of life made her loss on January 28, 2024, even more devastating to those who knew her. She overcame obstacles and fought for what she believed in. Her tireless initiative, humor and zest for life were legendary.

She pioneered the first one-on-one, hosted-buyer appointment-based events in the United States for hotels and planners, launched one of the first websites in meetings media and encouraged diversity in the industry by kicking off the Smart Women in Meetings Awards—a cause near to her heart at all times.

Listen More: Marin Bright shares her lessons from 20 years of publishing

Bright has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 40 years—first serving hotels and establishing herself as the top salesperson, then launching nine magazines.

Marin Bright, CEO Smart Meetings Her role in elevating the discussion did not go unnoticed. She has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious WPA Distinction in Leadership Award and two consecutive Folio Top Women in Media Awards as a corporate visionary. Bright has been honored as a Legend in the Northern California chapter of PCMA’s Bay Area Meetings Industry Excellence Awards and named to Eventex’s list of 100 Most Influential People in the Event Industry.

On a personal level, her successes and accomplishments include winning a battle with breast cancer several years ago. She shared her story in the inaugural What One Thing podcast last year. She will be sorely missed.

See more photos of meetings industry pioneer Marin Bright and add your own in this memorial album.

In lieu of flowers, the friends and family of Marin have asked that donations go to SEARCH Foundation to continue to assist industry individuals in crisis.

Join the Be Bright Together movement to lift up the industry by sharing positive affirmations. Buy your butterfly pin today to support the cause.

Planners come together for three days of networking, learning and all-out joy

While a warm wind brushed the fronds of palm trees and the warm water of the White Bank crashed on the shore of Paradise Island, a group of 29 meeting professionals and 17 representatives from Marriott CRN member hotels gathered to share insights, ideas and inspiration at Marriott’s first Meet with Momentum event of 2024 at Atlantis Bahamas this past January.

Meet with Momentum

Bob Pfeffer, senior director at Marriott CRN, says, “We know that gaining knowledge is important. At Meet with Momentum, planners learn about Marriott, about the industry and what is changing in the industry. They learn how to become better planners and how they can become better partners with Marriott.”

Meet with Momentum debuted in May 2021 to promote the distinction among Marriott CRN’s leading hotels and resorts, and each event is different. From experiential events, like the New Orleans Jazz Fest, to city spotlights, planners who attend a Meet with Momentum walk away with a refreshed understanding of what it is like to be a customer on property. “What can they see, and taste and feel?” asks Pfeffer, as he explains what Meet with Momentum helps attendees discover. “We want to spotlight cities and destinations that are doing amazing and wonderful things. We can talk about what these cities and destinations are doing, but it makes a big difference when these planners can see it in action.”

Takeaways from Industry Leaders

Day two of Atlantis Meet with Momentum opened with a panel of the best and brightest in Marriott CRN: Bob Pfeffer; Shonda Johnson-Issac, general manager at Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center; Lorraine Mahoney, global account manager at Marriott International; Michelle Liu, senior vice president of marine and water park operations at Atlantis; Russel Miller, executive vice president of operations at Atlantis; and moderated by Amy Painter, director of sales and leisure programming at Marriott CRN.

Trade show at Meet with Momentum — Trade Show at Meet with Momentum

The panel discussed at length how to curate experiences that are not cookie-cutter—it gives planners a reason to stay on property and is an opportunity to involve the local community. Room availability is a challenge; hotels are struggling to manage huge demand. In the face of these challenges, hotels are reimagining how they do business. Room resales and sliding cancellations are things of the past.

Multiple representatives on the panel advised planners to evaluate contracts more carefully than ever—don’t pre-assume anything as a given if it isn’t explicitly stated in the contract. And prioritize. Pick your battles. What does your group actually need? Pin a dollar amount to that need, then talk to the hotel about your budget and see what they can offer.

During the open Q&A, planners aired frustrations—contracts are time-consuming already. Communication is difficult because staff is limited. The hospitality industry lost key players throughout the pandemic and is still working to match pre-pandemic levels of expertise as they recruit and train new professionals.

The panel came to the conclusion that the key solution to this issue is strong relationships between planners and hotels. These relationships enable conversation, which is essential for understanding the why: planners can get input on the hotel’s side and then share it with their clients.

Insights from the Team at Atlantis

Michelle Liu led a comprehensive presentation on Atlantis’s sustainability programs. It’s one thing to visit Dolphin Cay and get in the water with their rescue dolphins, or to look down from your hotel balcony to the sea turtles swimming in the man-made lagoon directly below your hotel room balcony, as I did.

It’s another when you find that a portion of the proceeds from every marine interaction activity and water park ticket, plus select F&B and retail purchases go to Atlantis Blue Project Foundation (ABPF), a private nonprofit that works to preserve and conserve Bahamian coral reefs and marine life through research, education and community outreach.

Sea Turtles at Atlantis Bahamas — Sea Turtles in the Royal Ray Lagoon at Atlantis Bahamas

Currently, Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) is ripping through Bahamian coral reefs, killing corals—which have been growing for centuries—within days. ABPF is working on a massive coral reef preservation project, taking samples of corals and reproducing them in labs so coral reefs that have been lost to SCTLD can be replanted when the time comes.

When I spoke to Liu after her presentation, she shared that Atlantis has been engaging in sustainability initiatives since “before it was cool.” The resort has been fully invested in sustainability since its very inception. She said, “It is simply part of our DNA.”

Read More: Sustainability as a Practice

The Value of the Panel

Presentations like these are just one of the things that made this Meet with Momentum event so impactful. Pfeffer remarks that these panel discussions consistently receive the highest ratings of any Meet with Momentum activity.

Not only did planners make valuable connections and gain powerful insight into the present state of the industry, but they were offered a deep dive (pun intended) into just how their business positions Atlantis to contribute to the world in positive ways, and the understanding that looking for hotels with initiatives like these is a key way planners can be more sustainable.

Pfeffer explains that the panel discussion is a pivotal moment at every Meet with Momentum event. “What makes the biggest difference is to walk away with something that goes deeper than pure business…the panel discussions have genuine empathy and care. We feel we have a responsibility to be stewards in the industry, to take meetings to the next level, address concerns and give planners and panel representatives [the chance to] to ask questions unscripted.”

Discovering Atlantis

A trade show followed the panel, and afterwards, planners took time to explore the property; some indulged in a personalized massage at the Mandara Spa, and others, like myself, visited the rescue dolphins in Dolphin Cay.

Jon Dorenbos Keynote Speaker at Meet with Momentum Atlantis Bahamas — Jon Dorenbos onstage at Meet with Momentum

That evening, the group gathered for a keynote speech from Jon Dorenbos. He was once an NFL long snapper, until a medical condition put an end to his career, but before that and still today, he is a professional magician. He spoke to the crowd, incorporating inexplicable card tricks into his speech—so much so that it teased the thought, “Maybe magic really is real!”

The group split off for a dine-around, some enjoying upscale Mediterranean-Bahamian fusion fare at Silan, others indulging in sushi and seafood from celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s restaurant, Nobu. Following dinner, the group came back together in one of the property’s expansive suites and nearly everyone gathered around the dining table, where Dorenbos once again showed off his card tricks, this time up close—still mind-blowing.

Attendees spent the next day exploring the many more incredible opportunities the resort has to offer. That evening, they gathered for an extraordinary farewell event at Ocean’s Edge, an outdoor event venue right on the coast. From the live band to the freshly made conch fritters to the open tent where they dined, lined with string lights, attendees saw just how extravagant and whimsical an event experience at Atlantis could be.

Connections that Last

Farewell Dinner at Ocean’s Edge, Cay Focus Photography; Decor by IslandDMC

All good things must come to an end, yet still, even as I ran into attendees in the airport, waiting for flights, the energy and enthusiasm of the prior few days remained. Among smiling goodbyes, we all boarded our flights home filled with fresh ideas and gratitude for a brilliant event spent on Paradise Island.

Pfeffer explains that the element that stands out the most throughout every Meet with Momentum event is its human aspect. Every Meet with Momentum welcomes a small group to the hosting hotel, which facilitates closer networking and enables the development of truly lasting relationships; attendees walk away with not only new business partners, but real connections.

Dr. Romie

Board-certified physician, award-winning wellness speaker and founder of brainSHIFT, Dr. Romie, begins a new role as chief wellness officer for Great Wolf Resorts. She will build on the resort organization’s people-driven culture to improve the physical and mental wellness culture throughout the organization using data-driven solutions.

Listen to What One Thing? podcast with Dr. Romie.

Scott Kawasaki

Scott Kawasaki, Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa

Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa appoints Kawasaki as director of sales and marketing. He will draw on his over three decades of experience in the hospitality industry to lead all sales efforts, maximize revenue and overall profit and will oversee all marketing and public relations strategies.

Christy Loy

Christy Loy, Meet Minneapolis

Loy takes on the role of senior vice president of destination sales at Meet Minneapolis. She has an extensive background in the hospitality industry, especially with hotel management and sales. Loy brings deep connections in the tourism and hospitality communities as a result of her past roles leading the Greater Minneapolis Hotel Association and serving as secretary/treasurer of the Meet Minneapolis board.

Al Snow

Al Snow, Destination Ann Arbor

Destination Ann Arbor appoints Snow as director of sales & service. Throughout his career, he has developed expertise across various sectors of the tourism industry, including convention and meeting sales and destination partner relations. He has seen significant achievements in driving sales goals and developing innovative sales strategies.

Scott Siebert

Scott Siebert, Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center

Siebert takes on the role of general manager at Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, expected to open in 2025. He has served the hospitality industry for 35 years. Previously, he served as area general manager over five Marriott International-managed properties in Charlotte, NC. He has overseen numerous large-scale resort openings, an experience which he will draw from as he oversees this resort through and beyond its opening.

Jason Lusk

Jason Lusk, Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau

Lusk joins Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) as vice president, sales. He will lead the organization’s sales initiatives through events, lead generation and customer engagement and work to increase hotel bookings across the city. He has worked in the hospitality industry for nearly 30 years, most recently serving as associate vice president of convention sales and director of sales at Visit Denver.

Brendan Dwyer

Brendan Dwyer, Hutton Brickyards

Hutton Brickyards appoints Dwyer as general manager. He began working at the Hudson Valley destination over five years ago, serving as director of facilities following its 2021 opening, and earlier working closely with the team preparing for the opening. He will now oversee all aspects of the property’s operations, from guest services to events, and will develop and implement strategies to enhance the guest experience.

Brittney Cobb

Brittney Cobb, INNOV8 Meetings + Events

Cobb is promoted to the role of director, global accounts at INNOV8 Meetings + Events. During her time with the company, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a visionary approach while expanding her reach in the hospitality industry, increasing revenue and spearheading a number of successful global initiatives. She looks forward to further elevating the company’s global presence and fortifying client relationships.

Monica Broglia and Deborah Farmer

Play Social Inc. welcomes Brogila and Farmer as the leadership duo of the event sales team for Play Playground, an immersive playground at 15,000 sq. ft. in Las Vegas’s Luxor Hotel and Casino.

Brogila was born and raised in Las Vegas. After graduating from California Culinary Academy, she worked in the events industry in New York before returning to Las Vegas and creating SOCIAL events + branding, which develops and executes high-profile events.

Farmer holds a degree in hospitality management with a concentration in meeting and event planning from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and has lived in the city for over a decade. Before joining Play Social Inc., she worked at Topgolf Las Vegas, where she eventually was promoted to the role of event sales manager due to her passion for creating fun, memorable experiences.

Jon Ushijima

Jon Ushijima, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, promotes Ushijima to the role of director of international sales. He will lead all the resort’s strategic sales initiatives in key international markets. He brings nearly 30 years of combined experience in hospitality operations and sales, and joined the resort in 2015 as director of resort sales for Asia.

How “Intermissions” could launch brilliant second halves of event careers

When you have reached the heights of the hospitality ladder like MGM Resorts International Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer Stephanie Glanzer, where do you go? Thanks to MGM Resorts’ sabbatical program called The Intermission, this longtime leader in Las Vegas was able to recapture the excitement of going to work by taking some time to reconnect with family—and herself.

The Science Behind the Break

woman posing in front of ocean shore and homes on hill — Stephanie Glanzer

The program, which rolled out in 2022 following an intense couple of years navigating the pandemic, is part of a cultural journey at MGM Resorts to provide employees with the one thing that can never be replaced—time. Leaders are given the option to take up to six weeks of sabbatical based on the number of years with the company to focus on what matters to them and rejoin the company feeling renewed and rejuvenated.

The program has two primary objectives. It provides employees with the opportunity to truly detach from work and connect and focus on whatever they desire–whether that’s travel, educational pursuits, philanthropy or simply just relaxing and resting. It also provides development opportunities to other employees by allowing them to take on new responsibilities and expanded scopes of work in the absence of colleagues and leaders.

After two years of the practice that dates back to early agricultural times when the land was given a break every seven years to keep it fertile and popular for humans in academia, MGM reported that it reduced stress and burn-out, sparked creativity, added to the general skill level of teams and helped the company attract and retain talent.

The exercise helps to strengthen and test succession and development plans by giving interim leaders the chance to work in the role and train others in new tasks.

The initiative ladders back to MGM Resorts’ Focus on What Matters credo that includes the environment, guests, communities and the people who make it all happen–employees. “We understand employees have passions and goals outside of work. This program allows longtime employees the opportunity to step away from the day-to-day demands of work and foster those interests, whatever they may be,” was the explanation in a statement from MGM Resorts.

Sabbatical Lessons for Meeting Profs

Glanzer, who has been with MGM Resorts for 25 years, took the time to disconnect, spend time with her family and travel. “I soon realized how much I needed to just sit in a lounge chair in Italy overlooking the ocean, reading, sleeping and spending quality time with my family, including my 10-year-old when I am not on my phone constantly,” she said. “I came back a better leader, a better mom, a better friend, a better employee because I was re-energized.”

That is an insight busy meeting professionals can embrace. Sometimes, you don’t know how much you need to step away until you try it. The trick is to take the structured time before an emergency forces the break.

The process of disengaging was not an immediate one. “When I left the first day, I looked at my phone and I was about to press ‘reply to all’ on an email to my direct reports before stopping myself,” Glanzer shared. “I thought, if I do this now, it’s going to show them that I’m going to be looking at my email, and I’m not trusting them.” From that moment, other than a weekly check-in with her assistant, she did not look at email and they never sent her anything. “You have to use it for what it is for—disconnecting—or you won’t see the benefits,” she explained.

“It was life-changing for me,” Glanzer reported. “I reflected on what matters and I was really intentional.”

In addition to bringing new perspective when she returned, Glanzer found that because she created a clear plan about what items would go to what teams, she had fewer emails once she returned because her team had been empowered to handle things. “It was like starting fresh,” she said.

It also benefitted the team members left behind who now have that valuable experience if they apply for another role and can show the level they operated at. They are now connected to leadership and in the communications loop in a new way. Everyone had a chance to grow.

The aha moments went beyond the benefits of six weeks away. It included adjusting daily standard operating procedures to be more sustainable for everyone.

“It made me realize that what we do as an industry, the expectations that seven days a week we are expected to look at email first thing in the morning and late at night isn’t good for us.” Glanzer made it clear she is not suggesting that everyone delay response times, but not all emails are urgent.

7 Suggestions for Meeting Prof Wellness

woman relaxing on patio in front of beach and homes on hill Some of Glanzer’s suggestions on her LinkedIn post on returning:

Prioritize work-life integration. There will never be balance but be intentional on the give and take.
If you feel you need to take a break in your day, a long weekend or a week off, do it with zero guilt. The pace at which we all choose to go at times is not sustainable or healthy and most of the time we do it to ourselves.
Don’t be concerned about what others think about you. As long as you are “showing up” and performing at the highest level as you represent your personal brand consistently, just be you!
Don’t judge or make assumptions. Giving others or situations the benefit of the doubt will only lead to a more positive mindset.
Being organized in all aspects of your life allows better productivity and it just feels good!
Self-care and self-love are crucial.
In summary, give yourself and others some grace. We are all doing the very best we can.

Across the board, new meeting spaces make for premium, curated events.

New and renovated meeting spaces and hotels debut with immersive experiences in mind. Virtual Reality takes center stage in Orlando, where attendees can meet and celebrate like never before. A Charleston art hotel offers options for everyone to take in art however they choose. Georgia sees the opening of a meeting venue that emulates sophisticated style within a driven commitment to environmental stewardship and conservation.

Visionary Spaces

Stadium Club for New and Renovated — Stadium Club at Caribe Royal Orlando Resort

Caribe Royal Orlando Resort debuts Stadium Club, a high-tech, immersive experiential sports-themed venue. Stadium Club emulates the vibrant energy of a nightclub with the comfortable atmosphere one would find in a local sports bar. The two-floor venue spans 9,000 sq. ft. and, in addition to two bars, implements virtual reality entertainment, including eight pro-level sports simulators by Full Swing Golf, two 165-inch XHD projector displays and a 110-foot long ribbon display television for 360-degree viewing. Stadium Club offers over 500 seats and a selection of multi-venue private buy-out areas, including an exclusive SkyBox with its own dedicated VR suite.

Caribe Royal Orlando is the only AAA Four Diamond all-suite meetings resort in Orlando. In addition to Stadium Club, the property recently completed a $140 million property-wide renovation that enhanced all 1,217 one-bedroom suites, public areas and dining outlets. The renovation also significantly expanded all meeting and event spaces. As a whole, the resort offers 240,000 sq. ft. meeting and event space, including a brand new 50,000-square-foot ballroom.

Art for Every Taste

Open meeting space at The Enclave at The Vendue — The Enclave at The Vendue

Charleston art hotel, The Vendue, completes a comprehensive renovation with the debut of The Enclave. Once an annex of The Vendue, The Enclave has been redesigned to offer an alternative to The Vendue’s bold, vibrant energy with a quieter, more exclusive and private feel. The new design celebrates the building’s history with original exposed brick walls and wooden beams. Warm colors and soft velvet textures serve to create the calming atmosphere. The Enclave also offers a few windowless rooms for interested guests, as well as exclusive access to The Vendue’s artist-in-residence studio.

Guests at The Enclave enjoy a range of personalized touches, from assistance securing reservations at under-the-radar local hotspots and a glass of Sherry, poured from a crystal decanter, upon arrival.

Stewardship with Style

Oakfuskee Conservation Center for New and Renovated — Oakfuskee Conservation Center

Oakfuskee Conservation Center recently opened to the public in LaGrange, Georgia, an hour south of Atlanta. It occupies a picturesque area that offers unobstructed views of West Point Lake and the forests of Pyne Road Park. The multi-use, two-story facility offers 25,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space with customizable floor plans and can host groups of over 300 attendees.

The center celebrates its commitment to environmental stewardship through a design inspired by its natural surroundings. Beneath high ceilings, visitors can take in the structure of the building through exposed beams. Wood and stone motifs and shades of green throughout the entire space make for a atmospheric meeting experience. The center has plans to soon construct an outdoor amphitheater, which will host sustainable food festivals and concerts. Also in the works are lodging options, a wildlife viewing deck, a new dock and expanded trails for horseback riding.

In this special edition of Smart Moves, get to know Kim Niederman, the new CEO of GlobalMeet

GlobalMeet, a leader in virtual event technology, announces Kim Niederman will serve as the company’s CEO. GlobalMeet’s event technology makes fully interactive, live events available for audiences numbering over 100,000. It is used by five out of the 10 largest US banks, half of Fortune 500 pharmaceutical and biotech companies and all Big Four Consulting Firms, which audit 90% of all Fortune 500 companies. Niederman, as CEO, will work to steer expand the company’s reach as the digital events space sees growth in market opportunities like never before.

Niederman’s Career

Headshot of Kim Niederman for Smart Moves GlobalMeet CEO Niederman has a reputation as a growth accelerator. He has proven himself skilled in refining products and go-to-market strategies that expand a company’s influence. Throughout his career, he has served as president at 8×8, CEO at FreeWave Technologies, Anagran and LongBoard and has held senior executive positions at Polycom and Cisco. Prior to joining GlobalMeet, Niederman successfully scaled five public and private companies, bringing many of them to an over one-billion-dollar market capitalization.

GlobalMeet’s Future

“I was drawn to GlobalMeet because of its extremely loyal customer base and highly rated solutions and services,” said Niederman. “I’m excited by the opportunity to expand GlobalMeet’s already unparalleled offerings by deploying innovative applications of AI and other emerging technologies. I look forward to building upon a world-class company that is poised to take the virtual events industry by storm.”

Pivotal Group, the company’s private equity sponsor, is working to find qualified and passionate leaders to assist GlobalMeet as it continues to expand its size and impact. “With Kim’s contemporary vision and determined approach, GlobalMeet will undoubtedly surpass the milestones that lay ahead,” says Francis Najafi, founder and CEO of Pivotal Group. “This crucial step for GlobalMeet reinforces its brand of being an innovative industry leader and will enable the company to focus on bringing to fruition its strategic roadmap, consistently creating value for customers over the long term. We are ecstatic to welcome him aboard.”

The future of events in Las Vegas looks bright

Industry professionals from all sectors of the hospitality industry got together Jan. 24 at Las Vegas newest property, Fontainebleau Las Vegas, to discuss the success of last year’s major events and what lies ahead in the city in 2024.

Key moments of Preview Las Vegas 2024 included appearances by Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, Las Vegas Chamber President and CEO Mary Beth Sewald, Applied Analytics Principal Analyst Jeremy Aguero, MLB A’s President John Fisher, and F1’s Renee Wilm and Betsy Fretwell.

Post-F1 Recap

“Who comes to an F1 race?” Wilm asked during her and Fretwell’s fireside chat with Aguero. Along with the ~316,000 tickets the November event sold, there were also other visitation stats to consider: the influx of Las Vegas visitors excited to be a part of the weekend with no direct connection to the race, as well as F1 mechanics, engineers, sponsors and caterers, all of whom have free time around the race.

“They do get a little bit of downtime throughout race weekend,” Wilm said. “It’s often referred to as a traveling circus that moves when Formula 1 moves around the world. We were so excited to be able to bring that quantity of people here to Las Vegas to enjoy everything the town has to offer.”

Aguero noted that fact that of those ~316,000 tickets sold, roughly 145,000 of those were unique visitors that came to the city. “These are folks who said ‘I would not have come to Las Vegas,’ but for being here [at F1], which is pretty terrific,” he said.

Read More: Ultraluxury Checks into Las Vegas

In addition to bringing so many visitors to the event in person, F1 Las Vegas also brought one of the highest numbers of TV viewers across the entire season—1.3 million on ESPN, which was the most viewed F1 race since June’s Canadian Grand Prix on ABC, which had 1.76 million viewers. Wilm said it was “particularly unusual” at that point in the season.

“Max [Verstappen, Belgian-Dutch F1 racer] already won the driver championship, and to still have this kind of level of viewership just shows the incredible demand and interest in the Las Vegas Grand Prix that we found worldwide,” Wilm said. “The last race of the year in Abu Dhabi always has a high rating because that’s when all the champions are crowned, both the team and driver.” Wilm’s fascination with the viewership was also due to the time of the race. “When you think about the East Coast, it was a 1 a.m. start time, that was rough. We have tremendous viewership on the East Coast.”

For those who may’ve not been aware, Wilm brought attention to why there was such a late start time, which was to allow the event’s legacy fans in Europe to watch the race with a cup of coffee, the same way American fans may watch the Europeans.

Wilm assured the audience that many of the initial preparations made over the 16 months it took to make F1 happen—which resulted in severe traffic delays (two out of three families were impacted, based on survey results)—no longer need to be made. “That was a year-one pain point for so many, Wilm said. “We are so grateful for the patience and tenacity of this town in allowing us to get that work done.…But as I said, we don’t need to do all of this again. We’re not going to be burying phone lines, we’re not going to be surfacing the entirety of the track.

“We think this is going to be a substantially less difficult build leading up to year two of the Grand Prix. There was a total of nine months of roadwork, that’s not going to happen this year. There’s a three-month build, but even in those three months the footprint of what we will need to do will be substantially reduced.”

According to Wilm, the results showed that a majority of Vegas Valley residents—53%—want Formula 1 to return for a second year and beyond.

A’s Coming to The Strip

man dressed as elephant crossing arms and posing for picture — A’s mascot poses for picture

In this Q&A, Sewald sat down with Fisher to talk about the baseball team’s move to Las Vegas and the local support he has seen coming from Las Vegas locals toward the city’s established sports teams.

Fisher grew up in the Bay Area. Being so far away from Las Vegas and having never been, his understanding of the city was like many others’: it’s all about The Strip. “When I started coming back here and really getting to know the community and spending time off The Strip, whether it be downtown, out in Summerlin, Henderson or other communities in and around Las Vegas, I think what got me most excited was the strength of the local market,” he said.

“It’s something not everybody from outside Las Vegas understands or appreciates….Seeing how the other professional sports teams, whether it be the [WNBA’s] Aces, [NFL’s] Raiders or [NHL’s] Golden Knights, that degree of local support has just been incredible. I’ve been to a couple of Golden Knights games and, you know, I couldn’t even hear myself talk over the excitement from what was a predominantly local group of fans.”

For a sports team—really any corporation in business—to be successful, you really need to engage and become part of the local community. That’s an important goal of ours,” Fisher said. “The success of the A’s is going to depend upon the community really embracing us and feeling like we are part of the community. Seeing in particular how the Golden Knights have done that is a great example for us to look up to, Bill Foley [Golden Knights owner] has done a fantastic job there.”

The A’s are currently proposing a 30,000-seat ballpark on the south end Strip, where Tropicana Las Vegas now sits, estimated to cost $1.5 billion. On April 2, the property will cease operations, but it is not known when demolition of the property will begin. The new ballpark, which will also have an on-property hotel, is scheduled to open in 2028.

Formula 1’s Permanent Las Vegas Footprint

elevator entrance to large building — Entrance to F1’s Paddock building

Formula 1 will has a permanent building just off The Strip. Named Grand Prix Plaza, the 39-acre site includes the 300,000-square-foot Paddock building, the largest pit building out of all 24 Formula 1 races on the calendar. Year-round and outside of the late-year Formula 1 event, meeting profs will be able to host events at the plaza. According to Fretwell, the space will present not only opportunities for hospitality events but also for families interested in the sport.

The Paddock also features rooftop and second-floor terraces, customizable screens near its entry and on the rooftop terrace, and 14 garages that can also be used as part of an event. Of the three Formula 1 racetracks in the United States, the Las Vegas track is the only one that is a street track, the track in Austin, Texas, has a dedicated track and Miami’s races take place in Hard Rock Stadium.

Forget quiet luxury, Las Vegas goes big on experiences and a quartet of new entries to the venue menu prove the point. From new dining and entertainment options to upgraded meeting space and world-class sports infrastructure, the Smart Meetings team toured the latest and greatest while in town for Preview Las Vegas 2024 and sent back highlights to add to your next site visit.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas

wide shot at hotel property at night — Fontainebleau Las Vegas

Long-awaited Fontainebleau Las Vegas opened its doors on Dec. 13, 2023, with a celebration attended by Las Vegas executives, local government officials and A-list celebrities. The Miami-glam vibe in the glass tower steps from Las Vegas Convention Center and Las Vegas Convention Center is unlike anything else on The Strip. Event profs can count on 3,644 guest rooms and 550,000 sq. ft. of meeting space surrounded by over-the-top art, dining and entertainment.

Restaurants such as Asian-inspired and wood-fired KYU, Don’s Prime steakhouse (featured image above) and Evan Funke’s dramatic Mother Wolf Roman classics set the stage for memorable meals morning, noon and night.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas Vice President of Sales, Carmen Rubio describes the approach to hospitality in Las Vegas and Fontainebleau in particular as a distinctive atmosphere. “Fontainebleau Las Vegas is creating a luxury hospitality experience that’s synonymous with excellence in service, entertainment and accessibility.” Indoor and outdoor meeting spaces can be configured for boutique-like settings for smaller groups or opened up at scale for events on a grand scale. Royal Ballroom offers a sweeping 105,0000 sq. ft. of pillarless ballroom canvas.

“Fontainebleau Las Vegas prioritizes both business and pleasure, so guests can make a seamless transition from their rooms to our meeting spaces, with a podium-like design that allows seamless navigation throughout the resort. When business is over, guests can enjoy our state-of-the-art fitness center, Lapis Spa, and a restaurant collection that raises the standard in Las Vegas,” Rubio said.

The 24.5-acre property was designed by architect to the hospitality stars Bergman Walls and Associates and broke ground in 2007 as the brainchild of Fontainebleau Resorts owner Jeff Soffer before the economic downturn stalled the skeleton in 2008. The project went through a couple of different ownership groups before Soffer bought it back and resumed construction in 2021, reinstating the original name and vision as the second-most expensive resort in Vegas.

Since opening, Rubio has seen a major uptick in corporate meetings, particularly in the IT, fintech, medical, and incentive trip sectors. The location, adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall, allows the property to complement to The Strip’s calendar of tradeshows and events, including World of Concrete which was in town during Preview. “Fontainebleau Las Vegas is a global brand, so our reach extends internationally, and we’ve become a preferred destination for business travel, particularly within the financial, insurance, and technology fields. The global appeal of Fontainebleau reflects our ability to cater to a wide range of industries and interests, making us a versatile and sought-after venue for events,” he said.

Insider Tip: Try counting the ubiquitous blow ties in the chandeliers, carpeting, even the artwork. These little reminders of the brand’s commitment to hospitality date back to Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s architect Morris Lapidus in 1954.

MGM Resorts International

convention center foyer — Mandalay Bay Convention Center Islander Foyer

Almost $500 million invested in guest room renovations, new dining options and upgraded conference room technology up and down The Strip have added to the ultra-luxury appeal of MGM Resorts properties. The brand’s Luxury Meetings District of Bellagio Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas totals 10,000 guest rooms, 926,500 sq. ft. of indoor-outdoor meeting space, 44 restaurants, 16 pools and 19 unique venues. A new interior walkway opened last year to streamline the walk from Park MGM to Bellagio, making all that meetings space more accessible.

Investments in 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center left the home of IMEX America lighter, more energy-efficient and with more powerful connectivity. Nearby, enhancements to dining experiences include Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, an 8,445-square-foot restaurant; renovation of Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak; and Retro by Voltaggio, a fun take on pop culture of the 80s and 90s with classic American dishes. An exciting addition planned for the fall is Swingers, a 40,000-square-foot oasis of street food, miniature golf and art.

The Vault at Bellagio is another example of uber-glam, a speakeasy-style lounge with an oversized modern chandelier at the center, exclusive spirits behind the bar and VIPs that can afford the rare and gold-dusted in the velvet booths.

Insider Tip: While drinks at The Vault average $55, ask to see the bottle of Highland Park 50 Year Old, which goes for a reported $30,000 a bottle.

Caesars Entertainment

front door of restaurant The celebrity chefs at Caesars Entertainment has been turning up the volume on dining for the last year. At Paris, Las Vegas, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa opened a second Las Vegas location for his signature restaurant. Real Housewife Lisa Vanderpump opened Vanderpump at Paris after the popularity of her Vanderpump Cocktail Garden at Caesars Palace. And hospitality legend Martha Stewart opened her first restaurant, The Bedford.

Another advance, Peter Luger Steak House inside Caesars Palace took the place of Rao’s Italian restaurant. The oversize space imported the focus on family-style, on-site dry-aged meats from the 135-year-old New York City icon without the gruff waiters.

A recent multimillion-dollar renovation of Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace by Rockwell Group included penthouse spaces Hakone, Sake, Nobu and Nobu Villa suites.

Nearby, Harrah’s, which is connected to Caesars Forum via an enclosed pedestrian walkway, has been reimagined with a $200-million makeover of the 2,442 guest rooms, lobby and public spaces. A new Ramsay’s Kitchen there is inspired by the celebrity chef’s international travels.

Insider Tip: Brasserie B by Bobby Flay at Caesars Palace Las Vegas may have the best French fries in Las Vegas. Try them for brunch or late night in a European setting that will transport your taste buds across the pond

The Sphere

street view of large spherical building — Sphere

Nothing says over-the-top like a 366-ft. tall video programmable dome that is 516 ft. wide, the largest spherical building in the world. The Sphere opened in the shadow of The Venetian in September, 2023 and hosted a residency for the band U2 along with the movie Postcard from Earth.

Read More: A Game-changing Visual Experience

Inside, a 16K resolution wraparound LED screen is the largest in the world and the 4D effects include vibration and wind effects for up to 18,600 people. Beam-forming wave synthesis audio broadcasts through 1,600 speakers, including from the floor, creating an immersive experience that may leave you clutching your stomach during deep dives into nature scenes.

During World of Concrete, the power tool company DeWalt bought the branding space on the exosphere with an eye-catching video that was visible all over The Strip and sent attendees to experience the show inside.

Insider Tip: Check out Aura the Robot in the lobby of The Sphere. A total of five expressive humanoid robots greet guests using AI technology to tell the history of innovation.