Smart Meetings | Page 80 of 603 | Corporate Event Planning: Business Events, Meetings, Conferences

Allseated rebrands as Prismm to launch new 3D virtual design platform

Just as a light prism offers infinite possibilities of colors, the Prismm unified SaaS platform being announced today will offer dynamic virtual digital twins of event spaces to enable collaborative sourcing, designing and planning from any computer screen. Formerly known as Allseated, the company started in 2014 as a tool for wedding planners to model seating charts and, after being used for some 500,000 events annually and significantly adding to the cataloged inventory in the U.S. and Europe, evolved into an efficient 3D spatial design and management resource for business event professionals.

“You can take a photorealistic, accurately scaled venue space and lay it out in any configuration to see it in different lights and look at different layers—electricity, guestlist, catering, AV production, anything—and show infinite possibilities using a digital twin,” said Prismm CEO Yaron Lipshitz. “That’s the source of truth, right where the virtual meets the physical,” he added.

Read More: The Metaverse and Meeting Planning

A Cost-effective, Sustainable Event Solution

Lipshitz envisions sales, marketing, catering, customer services and corporate planning teams coming together in the interactive, real-time Metaverse-like venue to plan out each part of the agenda via personalized logins and an intuitive dashboard. It would limit the need to fly teams around the world, saving time, money and greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing the creativity factor because it is easier to test different furniture, colors and configurations in a virtual environment than a physical one.

Prismm virtual event design platform — Prismm event design platform

Rich media can be inserted into any experience, including branding elements like a logo or promotional video. Collaborators can create their vision in the cloud, provide design notes and feedback, and save details in a shareable canvas. “The platform shortens sales cycles, increases conversion rates, and lowers costs, all while supporting the company’s sustainable event goals,” he explained, adding that as a budget-friendly solution that helps communication for remote teams, corporate event planners buying subscriptions for access to a set of venues with an unlimited number of collaborators have become a larger part of the customer base in recent years.

Read More: Event Tech Updates You Need Now

In addition to the time and cost savings, Lipshitz said the product has been popular with executives looking for visibility. “All CEOs want to be able to see what an event will look like, how it will flow, where customers and partners will be seated, that is huge,” he said.

Improved Catalogue and Connection

The main difference from previous tools is that all aspects will be connected. “In the old paradigm, you would have floor planning as a very separate activity from sourcing a venue and doing a site inspection. Now it is unified,” Lipshitz said.

The Prismm team also simplified the integration of venues using data sets and now counts some 75,000 venues as cataloged in 2D in the United States out of what he estimated is a universe of 100,000 meeting spaces excluding restaurants and new ones can be added in a matter of days. “We’re getting very close to having a lot of them now. The 3D visualization process is progressing in a very scalable manner and already being used in some of the largest, most luxurious properties,” he shared.

In 2021, Allseated acquired easyRAUM, a German company that expanded the company’s European and Middle Eastern operations. “This is a global solution,” Lipshitz stressed.

The combination of more efficient room modeling technology and a rapid shift back to physical events with lean staffing, limited budgets and short timelines set the stage for the embrace of virtual planning tools, he explained.

An Evolving Spatial Design Technology Market

The Prismm platform would be an alternative to Cvent Event Diagramming, which recently announced it will be adding custom inventory catalogs to its collaborative planning software toolbar.

Another event planning platform that started in the wedding planner world is Merri, which has evolved to include 3D visualization, seating chart tools and a shopping cart to create rental orders from preferred vendors.

A third platform, 3D Event Designer, offers translation of languages and metrics for international projects on its 3D “CAD-like” software.

Lipshitz included Zoom as a partial competitor because the integrated collaborative aspect of the platform would eliminate the need to bring in a streaming solution.

Quiet luxury in Southern California is personalized and healthy

Luxury hospitality is no longer limited to gold-plated toilets and diamond-crusted watches. A recent 24-hour visit to Dana Point, California, a half hour from number one-rated John Wayne Airport (SNA) and a model arbiter of quiet sophistication was a demonstration of the new, soft-spoken approach to pampering meeting attendees in body and soul and a fresh understanding of why the area is so popular with incentive travel, financial and medial meeting groups.

The Evolution of Dana Point

How did a sleepy surf town halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego reach the heights of Southern California Luxe culture? When Hobie Alter established his first surf shop there in 1950, the cove was known as Killer Dana. Engineering in the 1970s transformed the area into a bustling marina where dinner cruises in glass-bottom boats, kayaking and paddleboarding from yachts are the order of the day. In fact, Dana Point is now known more as the dolphin and whale capital of the world than as a threat to sailing vessels chronicled in the interactive exhibits at Ocean Institute and surf lessons from evangelists like Girl in the Curl are a popular visitor activity.

At 14 square miles and 32,000 residents, the four hotel properties totaling 2,200 guest rooms located in Dana Point on the Pacific Ocean encompass more chocolate-on-pillow turn-down service per capita than cities ten times as large and pets are welcomed with open arms.

A planned renovation of the harbor starting this year could bring two new hotels and the ones already gracing the sunny landscape have invested in advancing the quiet luxury aesthetic. Let’s take a closer look.

Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa

The focus in this red-roofed resort designed as an homage to the iconic Hotel del Coronado is on the namesake lagoon. All 378 guest rooms, including 15 suites, were renovated in 2019 to bring the sand and sea vibe hues indoors. More than 53,000 sq. ft. is available indoors, including a 10,000 sq. ft. ballroom, but outdoor spaces are often brought into service tented or under the oak trees in the neighboring park.

Incentive groups are frequent visitors to the 14,000-square-foot spa but dry massages and HydraFacials can be brought into any of the spaces. Four pickleball courts and a bike loaner program keep groups active.

It is the attention to detail in the design, service and food and beverage program that elevates the experience to quiet luxury. Rooms have amenities tucked into thoughtful alcoves. Outdoor patios have been transformed into Mediterranean-inspired lounges adorned with cafe lights and striped umbrellas. Specialty serving dishes keep food chilled in style and sustainable materials allow everyone to rest easier. Those subtle touches add up to an experience that is elegant and comforting as if every need was anticipated.

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

hotel lobby — The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

The 396-room Mission-style resort built in 1984 on the cliff overlooking Salt Creek Beach was completely renovated in 2021. Few pleasures beat opening French doors to your terrace to watch surfers bobbing in the sunset and hearing the sound of the waves. Ground-floor rooms include fire pits and S’mores kits. Inside, sparkling decor bring the brilliance of the water views to the bedside.

The five-diamond experience starts in the lobby where guests are greeted by a profusion of white roses. Dining experiences include the new Kahani traditional Indian cuisine in a sumptuous red and rich wood space and the intimate Taikun Omakase, which offers a curated 16-course sushi experience. Raya is Chef Richard Sandoval’s personal interpretation of coastal cuisine through sustainable seafood, local produce and pan-Latin flavors. Think lobster tacos and mussels a la chalaca with coconut aji amarillo.

The modern elegance extends to the 67,000 sq. ft. of meeting space that includes chandeliers even in many breakout rooms, more ocean views, elaborate molding and access to elevated catering menus, meaningful team building and local photographers.

Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club

outdoor hotel space next to ocean shore — Monarch Bay Beach Club

This nearby property reflagged in 2021 as part of a $30 million renovation that polished all 400 guest rooms with decor that represents the warmth of the sun and sand and coolness of the ocean as seen from the grand lawn observation deck. At the same time, the gym moved into the spa to create a holistic fitness center. The property glows with more than 100 fire pits and fireplaces paired with cozy blankets and snacks for enjoying.

If action is the love language for your attendees, there is always something to do on the property’s 175 acres of ocean-adjacent property. The 18-hole golf course can be played with an assist from GolfBoards or Phat Scooters. A trolley shuttles guests to the beachfront Club 19 and beach concierges will schlep towels and picnics to the private sand for expert tidepool experiences and an array of ocean sports. Guided electric bicycle tours, more than 40 weekly fitness yoga and meditation classes, a running app and craft and spa experiences can be personalized to add that special touch to a reception or team building. Catalina Island is an hour away by boat or 15 minutes by helicopter.

Back up at resort level, Bourbon Steak Orange County by Michael Mina is popular for sophisticated group buyouts. A cozy, stone-walled wine cave boasts some 10,000 bottles, some coveted vintages, and an outdoor terrace.

The 30,000 sq. ft. of sophisticated indoor meeting space includes three ballrooms with the largest a 12,000 square-foot European-inspired Pacific Ballroom with access to an outside garden rotunda via a sweeping staircase. Outdoors, another 80,000 sq. ft., including a concert-primed Botanical Lawn awaits.

Client services managers are trained to create an immersive Southern California experience.

Waldorf Astoria’s Spa menu includes locally-sourced broad spectrum CBD massage treatments with menthol, camphor, capsicum and mushroom extracts for pain relief.

Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Director of Sales Jean Schulte explained, “Opulence for opulence sake doesn’t resonate anymore. Hyper personalization, the luxury of time and personal meaning are the ingredients of a richer stay now.”

Grounded Luxury Hospitality

New luxury may look more like natural healing than Tiffany boxes. Rather than bougie extravagance, for many, connecting with the earth and themselves is the ultimate indulgence. Palm Springs is making that easy with four new players on the scene designed to ground guests in very different ways.

Read More: Palm Springs: Your Oasis, Your Way

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum and The Spa at Sec-he

museum facade Learning about the history of the land and the people who lived there for thousands of years before the convention center was built is an emerging best-practice in infusing a sense of place in an event. The new Agua Caliente Cultural Center and adjoining The Spa at Sec-he in Palm Springs is a compelling way to immerse visitors in the history and traditions of the Band of Cahuilla Indians who have called the natural hot springs home since time immemorial. The museum tells the story of the tribe in projected images and resin while outside the Oasis Trail replicates the canyons the Agua Caliente called home.

Indoor and outdoor meeting space incorporated into the education center add meaning to the meeting. Afterward, attendees can take the waters in float pods sourced from mineral-infused natural healing sources that started as snow on the nearby mountain peaks 12,000 years ago. Massage treatments, salt caves, Eucalyptus steam rooms, sound baths and zero-gravity chairs add to the holistic healing package. Hint, look for the basketweave symbolism all around you.

Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa

This reinvention of an Indian Wells classic resort opened in late 2023 and is the first hotel venture for the lifestyle brand. The 215 generously-sized guest rooms and villa suites in the campus setting hug two pools (one adults only) and reflect the island vibe of the namesake. Olive trees anchor a fire pit-studded outdoor area.

The 15,000 sq. ft. of meeting space inside and equal proportions outside offer views of the San Ysidro Mountains beyond. Even the carpet mirrors the background.

The approachable Southern California cuisine restaurant Grapefruit Basil, has become a favorite of locals with a fun craft cocktail program, including zero-proof versions of classics. Guests are welcome to use pickers to pluck grapefruits and oranges from the groves of trees on the property and take to the bar to be squeezed for a custom drink.

This is a property with history and Director of Sales and Marketing Robert Hatfield describes the experience of staying there as arriving at an island oasis in the desert. That is pretty luxurious.

Thompson Palm Springs

One of the most anticipated openings of 2024, Thompson Palm Springs, will fly a Hyatt flag and embrace the low-profile, mid-century aesthetic the area is famous for preserving. Craig and Kathryn Hall, the owners of Hall and Walt Wines in California’s renowned wine region of Napa, stepped in to revive what was originally going to be an Andaz hotel and the property is currently taking reservations for groups after May 1 when the first phase is scheduled to open.

Kelly Teo, director of sales and marketing, explains the down-to-earth appeal this way: “It is a mixed-generation, luxury psychographicaly relevant brand where culture is the focus.”

Picture $3 million in art, including murals from local artists, indoor-outdoor dining and meeting, modern, period-appropriate custom furnishings in oversized, unique guest rooms. Of course, there will be a ground-level Hall Winery tasting room. Activations on Palm Canyon Drive and nearby Agua Caliente Cultural Museum will connect the 8,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and penthouse, which overlooks with the happenings in the city.

An exploratory culinary focus in bohemian Lola Rose will serve up Middle Eastern and global cuisine to the private dining room.

The building incorporates natural materials, indigenous landscaping and covers two-and-a-half city blocks, resulting in a build-out that is close to the earth. In the meetings space, floor-to-ceiling windows bring the outside in and the geography adjacent to the porte cochere makes car launches a popular activity.

Sensei Porcupine Creek

In 2022, billionaire Larry Ellison opened the boutique high-tech wellness resort Sensei Porcupine Creek in Rancho Mirage. It includes a golf club, 22 luxurious guest rooms, “estate rooms,” casitas and private villas.

A wellness diagnostic center includes trained wellbeing consultants, dieticians and mindset practitioners to guide guest journeys based on personal data. Your VIPs will be encouraged to create a plan based on lifestyle practices that resonate with them.

The 230-acre retreat exudes quiet luxury with minimalist stone architecture, a spiritual landscape and Nobu dining experience. Making it an immediate hit with small corporate groups. This is the newest offering of the ultimate nourishing escape pioneered at Sensei Lana’i from Four Seasons Resort. It is exclusive luxury based on leaving guests feeling serene and centered.

Maria Daniel

Maria Daniel, Malliouhana

Daniel is appointed as director of sales at luxury Anguilla resort, Malliouhana. She brings over 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality. Now she leads the resort’s sales team to build and maintain relationships with key corporate accounts. She is known for her skill in strategic collaboration with destination affiliates to deliver innovative and effective group programming to offer outstanding meetings and incentives.

Justin Hart

Justin Hart, Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort

Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort welcomes Hart to the role of general manager. He has served in numerous prior general manager positions and developed a reputation for his commitment to excellence. Hart has consistently surpassed revenue goals, improved guest satisfaction scores and reduced costs. He is skilled in the leadership of top-performing teams and streamlining workflow.

Keith Siebenaler

Keith Siebenaler, Kimpton Claret Hotel

Siebenaler has been named general manager of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ newest Kimpton property in Denver, Kimpton Claret Hotel. Previously, he served as general manager for Kimpton Born In Denver and Kimpton Schofield, in Cleveland. He now looks forward to leading the team at Kimpton Claret Hotel, where he will oversee all aspects of the hotel’s operations through its opening and beyond.

Amanda Garziano

Amanda Garziano, Aqua-Aston Hospitality

Garziano joins Aqua-Aston Hospitality as senior manager of business development. She brings 19 years of experience and a diverse background, from hotel operations to marketing strategy and positioning. She has held numerous positions with Aqua-Aston Hospitality since 2004. Now, she will work closely with property owner service representatives and general managers across the brand’s portfolio to achieve acquisition goals and recruit property owners to the company’s rental programs.

Jim Pedone and Hannah Taito

Headshots of Hannah Taito and Jim Pedone — Hannah Taito (left) and Jim Pedone (right), The Royal Sonesta Kaua’i Resort Lihue

The Royal Sonesta Kaua’i Resort Lihue has appointed two new members to managerial roles. Taito will will serve as resort manager. Previously serving as director of rooms, she brings with her expertise in guest service and her proven ability to optimize room revenues and uphold the highest guest satisfaction.

Pedone is appointed as general manager. Earlier, he served as director of sales and marketing, and brings with him to his new role over 30 years in hospitality with extensive experience in luxury hotels. His dedicated leadership and nuanced understanding of the Hawai’i market will serve him well as he leads the hotel.

Claire Carlin and Tara Miller

Destination DC announces executive team promotions, first with Carlin as senior vice president of partnerships & alliances. Carlin joined DDC in 2015 as vice president of partnerships & alliances. She has successfully led a strong team that manages nearly 1,000 members and 30 sponsors and strategic partners. She also oversaw the creation of a successful DEI Business Fellowship program and is concurrently the executive director of DDC’s affiliate charity, the American Experience Foundation (AEF).

Miller will serve as director of global sales. Earlier the senior manager of international sales for DDC, she has drawn on her extensive experience in destination marketing to highlight what sets Washington, D.C. apart and has helped to drive the destination to its position on the global meetings stage. She now develops and executes strategy to attract international meetings and global business events in the destination.

Lynn Whitehead

Lynn Whitehead, Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau

Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) names Whitehead vice president global MCI sales & marketing. She brings over three decades of experience in hospitality sales. At HVCB, she will oversee and direct global sales and marketing efforts for both citywide and single-property meeting, convention and incentive business.

Fernando Manzano

Fernando Manzano, Velas Resorts

Manzano is appointed to the role of senior sales director for the Northeast, United States and Canada at Velas Resorts in Mexico. He will be responsible for opportunities, events and sales within the MICE industry in his region. He brings over 21 years of experience in the hospitality industry and is known for his hands-on approach and ability to make opportunities out of challenges.

Sue Yoon

Sue Yoon, The Biltmore Los Angeles

The Biltmore Los Angeles appoints Sue Yoon as director of sales and marketing. She brings over 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality, with multiple leadership positions at properties such as The Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia and Grand Hyatt Washington, D.C. In her new role, she will lead sales and marketing strategies, support The Biltmore Los Angeles’s broader business efforts and oversee room sales.

Denise Clark

Denise Clark, Visit Louisville

Louisville Tourism promotes Clark to the role of destination services coordinator from her earlier role as part-time Louisville Tourism City Information Lead. She brings extensive experience from previous positions in marketing, business development and client relations. Along with numerous new responsibilities, she will continue to coordinate the city information team and assist with incoming conventions, trade shows, meetings and events.

If you’re pursuing your CMP, you may be all too familiar with imposter syndrome; Alexandra Carvalho, CMP, says that when she was working towards the esteemed designation, she certainly was. “But,” she says, “the biggest thing is to have confidence that you can do it. In reality, the fears that come with imposter syndrome could not be farther from the truth.”

She learned of the CMP early on in her career in the meetings and events industry. At that time, she says, “I felt like I had to earn my stripes before pursuing it.” After a few years, she began to prepare. “When I saw the ‘Pass’ on the screen, it was a great moment of accomplishment for me. We all know we can do the job, and do it well, but having those three little letters after your name shouts it out to the rest of the world, and shows you are committed to your industry and your craft.”

Preparing for the Exam

Since the start, Carvalho has been committed to self-education in the events industry. She stays engaged by joining industry associations and local chapter boards as well as reading industry publications. “Attending flagship events like PCMA Convening Leaders and MPI WEC has been instrumental in staying current on the latest trends in learning, technology, and the overall landscape,” she says.

Most impactful, she says, has been learning from her peers: “industry legends and mentors,” she calls them. Their guidance has pushed her beyond her comfort zone. “It has not only shaped me professionally but has also contributed significantly to my personal growth.”

When it came time to study, those peer relationships proved instrumental. Like many CMPs, Carvalho found joining a study group key to her success.

To study on her own, she found reviewing the CMP books and CMP study tools from PCMA and MPI incredibly helpful. “Summarizing chapters in the CMP books helped me a lot,” she says. “I would study a chapter, make notes, and then summarize what I had read. Then, I would just have to go back and read my summaries when preparing for the exam.”

All-important when it comes to preparing for the exam, Carvalho says, “Don’t doubt yourself, what you know or your abilities. Have confidence and surround yourself with people who will cheer you on, encourage you, and help you get to this goal.”

Where is She Now?

Today, Carvalho serves as senior event manager, national sales events at Kaiser Permanente.

“The energy of an event day is my secret fuel,” says Carvalho. “From the tight-knit camaraderie within my team, the quiet hum of the hotel staff, the energy of the production crew and the excitement among the attendees, all this energy under one roof is where I thrive best.”

Growing up, she imagined she would one day become a fashion designer. That passion for style never went away. “I focus on creating curated experiences, refined spaces, and ensuring a sense of exclusivity, and inclusivity, for attendees,” she says. “Design guides my approach to event management. Whether it’s the dynamics of learning, socializing or networking, the deliberate infusion of design elements remains a constant.”

Once, her team planned a community health summit in San Francisco. They transformed the first floor into a mini city, complete with a theater, pharmacy, farmers market, health clinic and school. “Seeing the faces of attendees coming down from sessions upstairs, entering the experiential floor and engaging with all the elements was a highlight of my career, and a true testament to the incredible work of both my team and our partners,” says Carvalho.

Each time they organize an event, her team has begins preparing far ahead of time, meeting weekly and going through various processes and templates and ensuring they are all aligned on their progress. They assist each other in their roles if anyone needs help. Onsite, they use a comprehensive ops document, which, Carvalho says, details “each and every aspect of every part of the event.”

Post-event, her team attends a debrief with their sponsoring executives to discuss the event that took place, its impact and its legacy for the organization.

Looking Forward

Carvalho says that the events industry’s resilience is a constant source of inspiration, especially in recent years. “I see so many new faces, rock stars in their own right, starting to make an impact in the industry. It’s inspiring.”

Being a past chapter president for PCMA Northern California Chapter, she sees an infusion of new ideas, and new ways to engage via this energetic group of emerging professionals. “It makes me excited about the future. What will they do? How will they use technology to enhance and change the attendee experience? I’m excited to be a part of that.”

Her favorite quote perfectly sums up both her journey of earning the CMP and her philosophy around event planning: Erin Hanson wrote, “’What if I fall?’ ‘Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?’”

To Carvalho, this quote captures the essence of overcoming fear when faced with a challenge. “Often, we restrain ourselves from venturing into new experiences or making significant changes due to the fear of failure or the unknown,” says Carvalho. “This quote serves as a powerful reminder that our strength, resilience, and knowledge far surpass our self-perceived limitations.

“It encourages us to challenge ourselves, take risks, and recognize our inherent capabilities. Sometimes it takes a voice from the outside to remind us of how brave, special, and capable we are, and those are the people we want by our sides.”

An expert offers a perspective on the relative risk of air travel today

Five days into the new year, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 departing from Portland International Airport (PDX) was forced to make an emergency landing after a door plug ejected from the plane minutes after takeoff. This caused the cabin to depressurize, and the cockpit door to be briefly thrown open at 16,000 feet. Flight 1282 was able to return to Portland International Airport. There were no major injuries reported among the 171 passengers and six crew members onboard.

Flight safety has been an ongoing discussion as more and more travelers have been returning to airports since the pandemic. To seek out answers regarding the status of safety in our friendly skies, Smart Meetings chatted with Sheldon H. Jacobson, Ph.D., professor of computer science at the University of Illinois.

Jacobson has done extensive research in aviation security analytics, as well as multilevel aviation security passenger screenings which helped creating the building blocks for TSA Precheck.

Smart Meetings: Do the numbers show that flying has become more dangerous or are there just more stories about it?

Sheldon H. Jacobson: Flying certainly has its risks. There are more airplanes. Air Traffic Control has been stretched. The system is constantly challenged. Yet the data suggests that air travel is safer than ever. Social media amplifies every pixel of risk, making them appear larger than they may actually be.

SM: What are the percentages of flights that have problems?

SJ: Depends on how you define “problems.” Mechanical delays and cancellations occur every day, at a low rate (low single digits percentage). Checklists of issues that are examined by flight crews and maintenance set a high bar for keeping every trip safe. Even a simple light bulb that needs changing can delay a flight. Such attention to detail contributes to making air travel safe.

SM: Should we be looking up the type of aircraft before we fly?

SJ: You certainly can. Yet what will it provide? Avoiding a particular type of aircraft will cause you more inconvenience than it is worth.

SM: What should we say to potential attendees about the safety of flying?

SJ: Enjoy your flight. Listen to the crew announcements about safety. Flight attendants may be providing you with refreshments, but their real role is your safety and being available in the very unlikely chance that an emergency happens.

SM: What be done to strengthen trust?

SJ: Transparency engenders trust. For example, [airlines could] communicate their maintenance protocols in a simple and understandable way. Communication is critical.

Read More: Meetings MBA: Trust Each Other

SM: What government oversight is in place now and does it need to be expanded?

SJ: The checks-and-balances in place are quite rigorous. All stakeholders have a vested interest in keeping everyone safe. Continual improvement is achieved via vigilance by everyone and cooperation amongst all stakeholders.

SM: How often are airlines required to do safety checks on airplane equipment?

SJ: Safety checks are constantly being done, as per manufacturer specifics and airlines/FAA standards. Airplanes are being rebuilt every few years, to ensure that your flight will be safe. Remember, the flight crew wants to be safe themselves. They have a vested interest in the process.

See thepointsguy.com for a summary of what AA does.

WTP’s Frank Harrison Shares the Top Three Business Travel Trends for the Coming Year

Frank Harrison

As the travel industry around the world continues to recover post-pandemic, new business travel trends have emerged that meeting professionals will have to master to optimize attendance. Public safety expert Frank Harrison, who serves as regional security director, Americas at World Travel Protection, predicts that three central trends will shape business travel in 2024: Remote work, a focus on sustainability and budget constraints. Following are the action items you will need to add to your to-do list to protect your events.

Remote Work & Bleisure Travel

Remote work, once rare, has become commonplace. Although many workers have returned to in-person work, it’s far more common for companies to offer hybrid work schedules—some even continue to operate completely remotely. “Digital nomads” and “work from anywhere” culture is changing the equation for meeting demand. “With technology affording greater flexibility, professionals increasingly find themselves freed from traditional office confines, enabling them to work from diverse locations,” Harrison says.

Remote workers present an entirely new way to look at “bleisure travel.” Not only can bleisure travel mean taking a corporate group or business meeting to a desirable destination for meetings and team building, but remote workers can travel to these locations on their own while continuing with their regular work schedule and enjoying the destination in their off time.

Harrison explains that this style of bleisure presents both challenges and benefits for businesses: how do they face tax implications for employees working remotely in different countries? How do they ensure cybersecurity? How do they navigate timely coordination and clear communication across different time zones?

Remote work business travel trends

On the upside, employees have the opportunity to seamlessly integrate their work lives with enriching travel; this feeds into a healthier work-life balance, which promotes employee satisfaction. “By addressing these hurdles and embracing the opportunities presented by the digital nomad trend,” says Harrison, “companies can unlock new levels of employee satisfaction, productivity and global reach.”

Action Item:

Bleisure travel has the potential to redefine how meeting destinations are chosen and operated. Maybe a hybrid board travels to one member’s city of residence for a meeting and team building; maybe, with increased numbers of remote workers, meeting attendance drops as the option to attend remotely becomes more available—how do meeting planners then incentivize attendees to show up in person? How do planners integrate remote attendees with in-person attendees? This bleisure trend is an opportunity for you, meeting prof, to draw from your robust creativity and revolutionize what a meeting can be.

Sustainability & Environmental Responsibility

Like remote work, awareness of sustainability and environmental responsibility has existed for quite some time, but not until recently has it emerged as a ruling trend. The travel sector is just one of many industries that has begun to make sustainability and environmental responsibility a priority in their practices.

sustainability business travel trends “The environmental impact of business travel, including carbon emissions from flights and the ecological footprint associated with accommodation, has come under intense scrutiny,” says Harrison. “As a result, organizations are adopting eco-friendly measures, from choosing greener transportation options to selecting accommodations with robust sustainability practices.”

ESG (Environmental, Corporate and Social Governance) goals encompass a broad range of sustainable improvements, from greener practices to community empowerment. The U.N. 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) outline how all these improvements overlap and feed into one another, and it has increasingly served as a fundamental guide for businesses aiming to ramp up their sustainability efforts. Harrison says, “ESG considerations extend beyond environmental concerns to encompass social and governance aspects, influencing choices related to ethical partnerships, local community engagement and corporate governance during travel.

“This shift towards responsible and sustainable business practices reflects a broader commitment to corporate social responsibility and resonates with a growing segment of environmentally conscious consumers and employers.”

Action Item:

As the travel industry and travelers’ interests become more environmentally conscious, so do the interests of meeting attendees. Make green travel, sustainable accommodations and restorative or community give-back experiences a priority, from the RFP stage and budget, to include them in a meaningful way.

Read More: Green Airports

Business Travel Budgets

With the dawn of the new year comes the time for many companies to review their budgets, and Harrison says companies are increasingly reconsidering where business travel fits in. Just as evolving technology has transformed the possibilities of remote work, virtual meetings make frequent business trips and corporate meetings less necessary. “Travel budgets are being optimized to balance the need for face-to-face interactions with the imperative to streamline expenses,” says Harrison. “This reconsideration extends to travel policies, with an increased focus on ROI for every business trip and a strategic allocation of resources.”

Budgets aim to consolidate the most important aspects of business travel and cut unnecessary expenses, particularly in cases where those expenses might be considered, as Harrison puts it, lavish. “The traditional approach of lavish corporate travel is being reassessed considering economic uncertainties and a growing emphasis on cost-effectiveness,” he says.

Action Item:

As companies continue to reassess how best to coordinate business travel within their budgets, it is imperative to optimize business travel and offer a new set of incentives for companies to send their employees as attendees, including measurable ROI.

What Business Travel Trends Mean for Meetings

meeting professionals business travel trends So, what’s the deal? Is incentive travel out? Are destination board retreats a thing of the past? More likely, incentive travel and destination meetings are facing a redesign. They may no longer look like bringing a small corporate group to a coveted destination for days of team building and keynotes; they might evolve into working sessions in that same destination—a bleisure incentive, if you will.

Late registration, which has grown more common of late, may be a direct byproduct of digital nomads and realigned budgets. To address it, planners must reimagine what most influences people to attend events in person. What expenses, for a meeting, don’t do as much to draw attendees? What expenses do more to influence them to show up? Maybe, with increasing environmental responsibility, that’s the reassurance that their carbon footprint, by attending, is no larger than their carbon footprint in the day-to-day.

Awareness of changing trends allows meeting planners the ability to predict peoples’ needs and desires ahead of time—and then to put that awareness into action doing what they do best: bringing people together.

Walmart makes its debut at Las Vegas’ annual tech tradeshow

In June 2023, Walmart executives went to their longtime partner Leo Events with an idea: bring Walmart to CES for the first time. The Walmart team wanted to give CES attendees a peek into what the company has done and is doing in the technology field, seeing CES as an opportunity to highlight that, beyond convenience and low prices, Walmart is a tech-forward company.

After months of content building, planning and execution, a two-story 50’ x 140’ museum-like walkthrough activation emerged, which Leo Events ensured would be a memorable experience for all who took the journey. Although the original idea was brought to Leo in June, the team didn’t begin to work on the project until August, so with the event just five months out, there was little time to get things done before Jan. 9, the first day of CES.

“It takes three things to make a successful event,” says David Kenyon, senior vice president for Leo Events. “You can have high-quality investments, you can have an inexpensive investment or you can create an event in a truncated timeline but you only get two of those three. If it’s high quality that has a short timeline it’s going to incur more costs. If it’s inexpensive and a short timeline the quality will suffer. They didn’t have time on their side, and they weren’t about sacrifice quality of experience.”

The Walmart Experience

wall with dates on it — Walmart timeline activation

As soon as visitors stepped into the doors of the activation, they were met with three screens that showed several U.S. patents owned by Walmart, related to shipping and deployment of inventory.

To the right of this exhibit is where the journey began.

Visitors could see and interact with a screen that displayed a timeline running from the 1960s to 2021, noting landmark moments from the creation of discount stores in the 1960s to the formation of the Walmart Satellite Network in 1988, which remains the largest private satellite communication system in the United States to the current day. In addition to the walkthrough experience, the activation also housed five meeting spaces—three on the second floor and two on the first—where those interested in learning more could meet with Walmart executives.

After the timeline, visitors could play a pallet building game to race against the AI that packs the pallets at Walmart distribution centers to see who could stack them the fastest. Kenyon said, on average, players stacked between 12% and 16% of what the AI could. Visitors then attended a demonstration of how Walmart uses AR to update warehouse inventory, and later, could try an app that allows users to try on clothing virtually.

Making it Memorable

room with two rows of seats — Walmart Experience 4D ride

One of the most popular points of the Walmart Experience was the 4D ride that came at the end of the walkthrough, something Kenyon says almost didn’t happen. “I didn’t think it would survive the scrutiny over the year,” he said, “but it did. It stuck and it’s a hit. It’s been run about 75 times a day; it’s been packed every single day.”

Kenyon said he wanted to create a memorable experience. All the talk about drone delivery—Walmart has completed about 20,000 across seven U.S. states to date—and watching the videos of the conveyor belts in the distribution centers sparked the idea of a 4D ride. Leo partnered with a park manufacturing company that has created rides for malls and amusement parks, small and large; it uses the same technology used at Disneyworld and EPCOT.

Similar to a ride you may experience at Disneyland or Universal Studios, Walmart’s 4D ride was an immersive four-minute-and-forty-second experience that took riders along for the journey as loads of strawberries went through the supply chain: from being grown on a farm, taken through the manufacturing process in Walmart’s fulfillment centers, distributed to individual Walmart stores and eventually sold to customers.

The 4D aspect came into play throughout the entire experience. Two rows of seats moved in all directions as visitors saw aerial shots of farms and distribution centers. Mist and air emerged from vents in front of arm rests to mimic coasting through the clouds, and the smell of strawberries wafted throughout the room via air filtration and air compression of strawberry-scented pellet packs as the on-screen strawberries made their way into a cake as part of a birthday celebration.

Leo handled the production of the video, picking the facilities it would be shot in and using drones piloted by a professional drone racer to take aerial shots of the farms, distribution centers and residential neighborhoods.

According to Kelly Rothberger, senior associate producer for Leo, who played a large role in the construction of the activation, the ride will live on beyond CES. Its next stop is Arkansas, where shareholders will get to enjoy a viewing.

Sparkling beaches, rich culture and enticing cuisine await

All across Mexico, new and renovated resorts offer an unforgettable atmosphere for a flawless destination meeting.

The pristine mangrove forests along the coastline of the world’s second-largest coral reef create a space for seriously beautiful gatherings. In Mexico City, history, art and culture converge for an experience filled with fascination. And an all-inclusive stay in Nuevo-Vallarta makes certain that both fun and comfort are always within arm’s reach.

Meet at The Great Mesoamerican Reef

Meeting pre-function space at The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai — Pre-function space at The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai

The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai stands within a 620-acre nature reserve with two miles of white-sand beachfront, a mangrove forest and tropical flora. Laidback luxury is the new resort’s mission, as well as a commitment to preservation of the mangroves, lagoons, Mesoamerican Reef and ancient Mayan cities with which it shares its Yucatan Peninsula home.

Many of its 182 guest rooms, including 30 suites, feature plunge pools and terraces with views of the ocean or mangrove forest. Its 10,545-square-foot ballroom, nestled in the mangrove forest, can be partitioned into three smaller areas and features cutting-edge technology. Its floor-to ceiling glass windows welcome in abundant natural light and features terraces with ocean views.

Numerous dining concepts round out the property’s hospitality experience, with a modern Mexican dining experience at signature restaurant KI’IS, southern French and eastern Mediterranean-inspired beach club restaurant SO’OL and the all-day dining experience Kitchen at EDITION.

Connect at the Coastline

The ballroom at Wyndham Alltra Vallarta for New and Renovated — The ballroom at Wyndham Alltra Vallarta

Playa Hotels & Resorts has completed renovations of Wyndham Alltra Vallarta, formerly named Wyndham Alltra Riviera Nayarit. The property centers its commitment to offering guests a completely carefree stay, with pristine beaches and a range of activities from yoga classes to water sports. When the sun sets, the property comes alive with live entertainment, dancing and innovative culinary experiences.

Upgrades to 159 rooms center a refined, stylish design inspired by ancient Huichol culture. In addition, the hotel’s ballroom has been redesigned to seamlessly blend sophistication with functionality and versatility. The property has also upgraded five dining venues, each offering their own distinct culinary experience, from local to international flavors; guests can take in the brand-new Agave Bar or the first Mezcaleria in the Playa Hotels & Resorts portfolio.

Read More: Mexico Pacific

Experience Art Through the Ages

Kimpton Virgilio Guest Room — Guest Room at Kimpton Virgilio

Kimpton Virgilio has opened its doors in the lively heart of Mexico City, Polanquito, only steps from Lincoln Park and Presidente Masaryk Avenue. Along with 48 guest rooms, guests can enjoy the signature Spanish-inspired restaurant Pepe and the rooftop bar La Caña, which offers mixology concepts and city views. Altogether, the property creates an intimate atmosphere and signature ambience that celebrates the area’s character.

Kimpton Virgilio upholds the Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants brand by offering personalized experiences as well as the brand’s signature amenities like in-room yoga mats, complimentary bike rentals and nightly social hours. The hotel honors its namesake, Roman poet Virgil, with literary inspired design and handmade, custom art pieces from local artists. Its central location allows easy access to a range of boutiques, restaurants and art galleries.

The more than 4,200 people who attended PCMA’s 2024 Convening Leaders in San Diego this week and another 700 who registered to stream the education sessions were encouraged to “Think Bigger.” The directive was meant to be an inspiration for attendees and a mandate to lead by example for PCMA, according to Sherrif Karamat, president and CEO of Professional Convention Management Association.

That bold approach included scheduling not one, but both Clintons. President Bill Clinton and 67^th Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton took the stage on Tuesday morning to share their perspectives on everything from immigration, current global conflicts and economic trends to the weaponization of loneliness and what it is like to be a woman in the public eye today.

Watch Live: 2024 Hospitality Predictions from Mike Dominguez

President Clinton ventured that meetings could be the antidote for bad decisions being made by divided, angry people. “When you come together and acknowledge their humanity, you can learn something,” he said. “The best politics is empowerment, not victim politics.”

Secretary Clinton observed that while some progress has been made to welcome women into the workplace, more work needs to be done. “Women have to be perfect and men just have to be, well, men.”

Sherrif Karamat, CEO, PCMA — Sherrif Karamat

Karamat saw the big-name draw of the Clintons as a factor in the record attendance along with the popular sunny location, easy accessibility and desire to return to select gatherings for a big population of meeting professionals. Total registration was 66% higher than the 3,300 who signed up to attend PCMA Convening Leaders in Columbus, Ohio, last year where Viola Davis was scheduled to speak (but dropped out days before to attend an awards show).

Visit Indy CEO Leonard Hoops, incoming PCMA chairman — Leonard Hoops

Leonard Hoops, president and CEO of Visit Indy and incoming PCMA Chair, agreed. “Names like that move the needle when people are deciding whether to attend. We saw a surge after the announcement,” he said. “That made a difference.”

Beyond the gain in attendance, Karamat saw giving a platform to informed perspectives to start discussions as a valuable service. “I believe in listening to a variety of opinions,” Karamat said. In the past, PCMA has hosted Condoleezza Rice, the first female African American secretary of state and the first woman to serve as national security advisor, now director of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. The group has also shared thoughts from conservative columnist David Brooks.

This year, Karamat considered the current state of global uncertainty geopolitically, economically and socially. “These are two people I felt could touch on leadership in general. And I’m a firm believer that if we always listen to people that we agree with, we would have an echo chamber, and never grow. But if people have different points of view than our own, it will enlighten our thinking. It just made sense this audience would find their perspective interesting,” he said.

Another Kind of Intelligence

The overarching topic, however, was the impact of Generative AI on events. Secretary Clinton called the emerging technology a social, political and economic challenge. “We need more rigorous debate, regulations and guardrails so we can maximize the upside,” she said.

Author and strategic innovator Shawn Kanungo suggested that even with all of the hype, the buzz around Generative AI may actually be underrated because of the fundamental shift it will trigger. He suggested that one way to add value in the future will be to provide the human touch missing from an automated world. “In a world where friction has been removed—the soul has been sucked out—we need to be in the business of soul,” he said.

Author and former Google executive Mo Gawdat explained, “Your advantage will be your humanity—the ability to feel, respect, admire each other. The soft skills will be the ultimate skills.”

AI consultant Nina Schick predicted a mixed autonomy human and computer world working together in a multimodal model. She had her AI avatar speak for her in the end. “Be critical without being cynical,” she advised.

Looking back on the last morning, Karamat felt that some of the experiments worked and some left room for improvement. “We think that we always need an expert to come in and lecture us but the collective learning from each other is also very critical in the room and we need to do more in that area,” he said.

The Middle of the Action

Casandra Matej, CEO of Visit Orlando and Marin Bright, CEO, Smart Meetings By design, The District activations in San Diego Convention Center’s sun-bathed atrium of an Expo Hall felt more like an adult playground than a trade show floor. Karamat explained that the goal was to integrate partners into the meeting so instead of a booth with salespeople talking about rates and dates, Visit Seattle built a pickleball court and staged grudge matches to highlight that the game was invented in the Pacific Northwest. Orlando brought the citrus vibe with swing slices. Visit California took professional photos and Caesars Entertainment offered digital aura reading in their lounge. “People want to get involved. That’s how you build relationships,” Karamat said of the format.

Behind the Scenes

Rip Rippetoe and Chef in Sodexo Kitchen at San Diego Convention Center The Sodexo Live! team at San Diego Convention Center worked out of two flexible kitchens to sustainably feed 4,000 people at buffets set up in The District. Chef Sufi Karaien explained that the two full-service kitchens source largely locally in reusable containers and divert waste for food donations, animal feed and recycling.

Director of Sales Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe pointed out that the 26 million-square-foot building has experience delivering large quantities of food. During one year of the pandemic, it served 1 million meals as a shelter for adults experiencing homelessness and later for unaccompanied children seeking asylum in the United States.

Now the audience is conference attendees, including annual visits from the wildly popular original Comic-Con and more than 30,000 for the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition. The convenient location between Rady Shell at Jacobs Park (where Boys II Men played on the final night of PCMACL) on San Diego Bay, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel ad the Gaslamp Quarter helps all types of organizers draw record crowds.

Time for a Moon Shot

Hoops has a 2030 plan that includes exponential growth for PCMA from the current 8,000 members now with an engaged community of 30,000 people to 25,000 paid members and 300,000 engaged. “It’s a huge leap. Obviously, you don’t get there overnight,” he said.

“The trick is to not lose North American members while adding value that will incrementally build on what exists there,” he said. The biggest growth opportunities in his mind are international. “Asia-Pacific and Latin America, we’re just scratching the surface is that surface and all those markets,” he said.

PCMA has been growing through acquisitions of Corporate Event Marketing Association and Event Leadership Institute and partnerships with groups such as Destinations International. PCMA has become a house of brands,” he said.

Next, he plans to zero in on the different personas in terms of gender, years of experience, geographic region, type of job and grow those brands.

“We want to reenergize the senior event strategist and attract next-generation planners,” Hoops explained. That may require a more robust university connection to build a pipeline.

The launch of Project SPARK AI platform at IMEX could help meeting professionals move ahead with a tool that will improve quickly because it was built specifically for meeting professionals and will be trained by fellow event professionals.

In 2025, PCMA is bringing Convening Leaders to Houston and plans to draw on the intellectual and social capital there with participation from women leading aerospace advances, and some surprise guests.

Michele Pearce

See Monterey appoints Pearce as senior conference sales manager. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, and as a local for many years, she will support the tourism board’s multifaceted strategy to drive corporate meetings and event business to hotels and hospitality partners throughout Monterey.

Summer Shoemaker

Shoemaker takes on the role of general manager at San Diego Mission Bay Resort. She has spent the last two decades in hospitality in roles from front desk operations to senior conference service manager. Most recently, she served as general manager of La Valencia Hotel, and will now spearhead operations and resort manager at San Diego Mission Bay Resort.

Emily Hutchins

Emily Hutcins Nike at the Spa at JW Marriott Chicago — Emily Hutchins, The Spa at JW Chicago

The Spa at JW Chicago, in JW Marriott Chicago, partners with Hutchins, Nike Master Trainer and Nike+Run Coach. Hutchins will work with JW Chicago to reimagine their fitness program and offer spa members unique, results-driven experiences. She will lead four new group fitness classes: Bodyweight, Strength, Endurance Lift and Run.

Valerie Cooper

Valerie Cooper, Hilton Shreveport

Cooper is appointed general manager of Hilton Shreveport. She most recently served as general manager at Embassy Suites Santa Ana. Cooper brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry and expertise in operations, human resources, project management and leadership.

Tiffany Cohen

Tiffany Cohen, Opus Agency

Opus Agency announces that Cohen will fill the role of senior vice president of incentives and global sourcing. She has developed expertise in hospitality, operations and events throughout 20 years of experience. She most recently served as incentive group senior director at Opus Agency. In her new role, she will lead strategic sourcing and incentive initiatives for the company’s global brand experiences.

Amanda Santiago

Santiago is promoted to the role of hotel manager at Sagamore Pendry Baltimore. Earlier in her role as director of sales & marketing, she surpassed 2022 room revenues by $1.1 million, exceeded meeting and event revenue records and was the youngest member of the executive committee. She will now direct the team with a focus on driving revenue and developing innovative sales and marketing strategies.

Joshua Hargrove

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa Kā’anapali welcomes Hargrove as general manager. He brings over 17 years of hospitality experience, much of which has been spent with Marriott brands across O’ahu, Maui and Hawai’i Island. He has already successfully led the resort through its Dec. 1, 2023, public bookings reopening and its engagement in various emergency response and community relief efforts.

Chris Jacoby and Mohammed Khan

Grand Hyatt Seattle expands its executive leadership team with the appointment of Jacoby as director of sales and Khan as director of operations.

Jacoby brings over 20 years of experience in hotel sales and marketing management for the luxury and lifestyle sector. In his role at Grand Hyatt Seattle, he will focus on bringing in meeting and event planners along with business and leisure travelers, drawing on his passion for branding and positioning.

Khan, along with being a Washington local, has worked in hospitality since he was attending college. Most recently, he worked as assistant director of operations for the Hyatt group, A Seattle Collection. Now, he will ensure the highest levels of guest and employee satisfaction, building functionality and cleanliness, financial success and top-notch hospitality as director of operations at Grand Hyatt Seattle.

Christopher Guse

Christopher Guse, Hotel Van Zandt

Guse is appointed general manager at Hotel Van Zandt. He has served in multiple general manager roles, most recently at Sheraton Austin, where he oversaw a property-wide rebrand in spring 2023, consistently high employee satisfaction and a high engagement score. He now looks forward to continuing his successful leadership in the boutique Austin hotel.

Diego Hermelo Vidal

Four Seasons Resort Lanai appoints Vidal as spa director. Previously, he served as assistant spa director at Four Seasons Resort Maui, and has spent years at other Four Seasons properties around the world, from Costa Rica to Prague. In addition to overseeing all spa operations, he will lead staff training, treatments, retail, fitness programming and the resorts yoga and wellness program.