Smart Meetings | Page 96 of 602 | Corporate Event Planning: Business Events, Meetings, Conferences

Editor’s Note: As we celebrate the 2023 Meeting Professionals of the Year, we thought it fitting to go back to a 2020 Meeting Professionals of the Year winner, John Cruz, senior corporate meeting planner with BlueCross of North Carolina, for some perspective.

man smiling, wearing white dress shirt and black sport coat I have been planning and producing events for over 30 years and as I start the back nine of my journey, I have been asked lately when do I think I will retire. The good news is that I have my stock answer ready to go and it is a sincere one. I say that as long as I can stay healthy, I will keep on doing what I’m doing as long as I can.

I’m one of those blessed folks who truly loves what they do and I’m so grateful to have a career doing what I truly have such a passion doing. My wish is that what I am going to share with you will offer you some hope and guidance as you start or enhance your own journey in the world of meetings and events.

Experience Everything

If I could offer my insight or advice to you as a new person to the meetings industry, I would focus on one word that will help you on your journey no matter what path it takes you…that word would be “experience.” I would say try and gain as much experience in as many areas as you can. Always strive to create a wonderful experience for your attendees and last but not least…maintain work-life balance by routinely taking the time to experience all the wonderful places and memories we get to go to and create.

I have found my journey to be so much easier and rewarding because I can say, “been there done that.” Working as a restaurant manager for Marriott and as a communication manager for GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals (GSK) and as head of audio-visual and an event management consultant afforded me the experience to take on any and all the challenges that have been thrown my way and doing so with confidence by executing effective decision making by pulling from my diverse history. I’m grateful for having my CMM and it has been beneficial career-wise so I would definitely say that industry certifications are worth it.

Deliver the Basics and the Extras

When producing a meeting, focus on delivering the basics…that is essential. Then, provide the extras that show you care. It elevates the service you are offering. Last but not least, create an experience that will make your event a memory that will stick with the attendees forever.

Today, more than ever, it is so easy to capture the journey in a photograph and we see everyone doing it. The big challenge I offer you is to actually take the next step and do something with the photo like printing and framing it or periodically sending one or two photos to your meeting sponsor or colleagues to keep the experience and memory alive!

Read More: You are an Experience Curator

Enjoy the Journey

Finally, the last suggestion is truly easier done than said…yes, I meant to say it that way. Experience your journey in the moment. Make it a priority to experience the resort even if only for a few hours. Make it a priority to experience a great meal at the venue or in the town you are having the meeting. Put on the robe…that is more a symbolic request meaning to relax and enjoy your guest room at that property you may not be able to experience on your own dime.

This may require you to take the first flight in the morning to get to the hotel early or taking a later flight after the conclusion of the meeting…believe me, it’s worth it. So much talk today is about the importance of mental wellness. A great way to keep yours is experiencing the experience. You have earned it!

These three quick tips will really go a long way toward sustaining a long and healthy experience as a meeting professional. My wish for you is to not just to survive, but to also thrive. I do so by putting my journey on “Cruz Control” and by doing so I see more, I do more and I truly “experience” the passing of time.

Newly renovated hotels embrace their buildings’ histories and local cultures

Three southern U.S. hotels located in historic buildings and locations unveil new meeting rooms and renovations. Each hotel adds its own distinct flavor to a vibrant local scene and celebrates its unique location through thoughtful design.

Cast Iron and Curated Art

New and renovated patio at The Bankers Alley Hotel Nashville — The Bankers Alley Hotel, Nashville, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Hilton announces the opening of The Bankers Alley Hotel Nashville, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. Housed in the historic Gray & Dudley building which originally served as the headquarters of the neighborhood’s Gray & Dudley Hardware Company, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was converted to a boutique lifestyle hotel in 2017. The design upholds the characteristic historic architecture to create a breathtaking environment with wooden flooring, high ceilings, arched windows and cast-iron columns.

The hotel features an onsite signature Southern-style restaurant paying homage to the building’s history with its name, Gray & Dudley. Located in downtown Nashville’s art district, the hotel includes its own onsite art museum, which groups can book for meetings and social events. The art gallery, complimentary to guests and open to the public, displays a rotating selection of curated exhibitions and site-specific installations.

Rich colors and patterned, textured materials adorn their 110 rooms and 14 suites. Their meeting spaces expand across 10,500 sq. ft. and include gallery space, private dining rooms, a terrace and the museum.

Read More: Tennessee Backstage

Railroad Rock & Soul

Rock and Soul Room at Central Station Hotel — Rock & Soul Room, Central Station Hotel

Central Station Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee opens the doors to its new Rock & Soul event and meeting space. The new meeting space totals 2,300 sq. ft. and can be divided into two smaller meeting rooms of 900 sq. ft. and 1,400 sq. ft.

Including the new Rock & Soul meeting space, the hotel now offers 11,180 total sq. ft. of meeting space with their Grand Hall, Waiting Room, Chicago room and New Orleans room. Visitors enjoy excellent onsite catering for any small to mid-size meeting, conference or event.

The hotel embraces a historic music theme to promote Memphis’s history as a hub for musicians and music lovers. It occupies a 109-year-old midcentury building which once served as a train station, and its design seeks to highlight this history. It stands in proximity to many of Memphis’s must-see locations in the South Main district.

Riverside Luxury

Outdoor patio at the Westin Riverwalk San Antonio — The Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio

After eight months, The Westin Riverwalk, San Antiono has completed a refresh to many of its spaces throughout the hotel. Renovations include their public restrooms, fitness center, guest rooms and corridors. They have completed full renovations of the Business Center and their onsite restaurant and bar, Zocca Cuisine D’Italia. 473 guest rooms provide river or city views.

Blue indigo and wooden lacquer finishes decorate the lobby and collaborative workspaces. The new Business Center includes flexible seating options to accommodate individual and small group needs. Guest rooms now feature walk-in showers with stone accents and the signature Westin heavenly shower package. Along rich clay and sand-colored axminister carpet, elevators and corridors reference Spanish medallions.

The renovated Zocca Cuisine D’Italia restaurant serves seasonal Italian-inspired dishes with a distinct Texan twist and features an indoor-outdoor integrated bar standing along the San Antonio River Walk. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and shows live music from 6:00 to 9:00 pm on Thursdays. The hotel offers 26,000 sq. ft. of versatile indoor and outdoor meeting and event space.

How APSA planners moved 1,500 sessions to makeshift spaces and created virtual panels in less than a month

The 119th American Political Science Association (APSA) Annual Meeting & Exhibition of thousands of students and academics starting today in Los Angeles has dramatically changed its plans in light of hotel worker strikes at Southern California hotels. APSA’s “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation” themed gathering was expected to draw 6,000 people and run through Sept. 3, however, many canceled their plans and venues were moved after a July 19 letter from Unite Here Local 11 to APSA Executive Director Steven Rathgeb Smith called for the group to cancel or relocate their event.

The letter, sent on behalf of the 15,000 Unite Here Local 11 members who work in Los Angeles area hotels, said members, “want to provide excellent guest service to your group, but that the hotel’s greed forces them to make another sacrifice for the greater good…We believe that unless the hotel industry shares its historic profits, we may soon have no option but to call a boycott of the City of Los Angeles.”

The letter called boycotting a powerful tool and cited improvements at Chateau Marmont in 2022 that ended after years of protests, lawsuits and canceled events by the Democratic Governors Association and Japanese American Citizens League.

The Union has been in negotiations since April with wages and benefits as the primary sticking point with workers at 40 hotels on strike, one of the largest strikes in recent history. Rising housing prices were cited as one of the reasons it is difficult for employees to live in the city where they work.

A Quick Switch

APSA moved all in-person events from JW Marriott Los Angeles LA LIVE to Los Angeles Convention Center, which is not being picketed. The 1,500 events over four days with 80 concurrent sessions had to be reconfigured in non-traditional breakout space using pipe and drape with projectors and makeshift screens to accommodate all the AV specified before the 30-day move-in deadline. “We understand that this is not ideal space, but our goal is to still allow groups to meet where presenters and attendees would not have to cross picket lines,” according to a logistics post on the APSA website.

A new mechanism will allow panels to move online. The group looked for additional hotel rooms in hotels that are not in the midst of a labor dispute.

Read More: Convention Center Labor Disputes

An Aug. 18 letter to APSA members and meeting participants from APSA President Lisa Martin and APSA President-Elect Mark E. Warren said, “Some attendees may have reservations in hotels that are subject to potential picket lines. Please check the planning page for a list of these hotels, as well as those that are not subject to union activity. Individual members are responsible for arranging their own accommodations and changing them if they desire to do so.”

It went on to explain the adjustments meeting planners had made. “In the matter of just a few short weeks, APSA staff accomplished the unprecedented task of relocating hundreds of panels and other events out of the J.W. Marriott, as UNITE HERE Local 11 requested at the end of their July 19 letter. This letter did not specify that the union was requesting relocation out of the city of Los Angeles, simply relocation. Moving to an entirely online format in such a short time was not possible. Cancellation would have cost many of our members, especially those at vulnerable career stages, the opportunity to showcase their work and to network. It would have also cost our organization millions of dollars in cancellation fees for non-struck venues, returned registration fees, and payments to vendors other than hotels.” Costs were estimated at $2.8 million at a minimum, a quarter of APSA’s annual operating budget. “They would have led to staff layoffs and undermined basic services and functions,” the letter stated.

APSA said on its website that it is standing with labor, consistent with its long-standing policy of siting its annual meetings in union venues. “APSA leadership has made concerted efforts to communicate with both management and labor and has been involved in intense and ongoing discussions with the management of the J.W. Marriott hotel, the national Marriott office, and with union representatives. These negotiations are a fluid situation that changes daily. We have also had extensive internal discussions on paths forward.”

The letter ended by saying, “We are working to learn from this experience so that it is not repeated in the future.”

Luxurious Touches Made Everyone Feel Special in The Palm Beaches

Helicopter landing on a golf course When the CEO arrives on the greens of historic PGA National Resort in Palm Beach, Florida, in a helicopter, dropping a bucket of golf balls to pick the winner of a high-stakes raffle, you know this is going to be a hosted buyer event unlike any other. Smart Meetings Florida Experience elevated the gathering at every turn. That included a gifting experience at registration that allowed all attendees to choose their own swag from a shopping lounge, feathered friends both evenings and a light show that highlighted the fun of the destination care of Go Drone Shows.

Marin Bright in an orange dress on stage at the podium — Smart Meetings CEO Marin Bright

The precise mixture of authentic connections, elevated experiences and innovative ideas is Smart Meetings CEO Marin Bright’s recipe for making everyone feel at home when they come together to get business done. As PGA National General Manager Joseph Fisher explained, the completely renovated Palm Beach Gardens retreat offers the best of the past and the possibilities of the future. In addition to six world-class golf courses, a new Venus Williams-designed 40,000-square-foot spa features private salt pools, known for their healing and relaxation qualities.

That focus on holistic wellness is fitting in a destination that developed as a healthy retreat around active, outdoor lifestyles. As Kelly Cavers, chief sales officer at Discover The Palm Beaches, explained, the 39 cities on Florida’s East Coast offer one-of-a-kind between-the-sessions experiences.

Three people in white playing croquet at National Croquet Center behind a The Palm Beaches sign To spotlight the area, team building headed to The National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach for an all-white lunch on the sweeping veranda and a whack at the competitive version of the backyard game many are familiar with. Meaningful connections ensued.

This sophisticated outing built on the friendships developed at the opening reception sponsored by A2 Events on the greens at PGA National the night before. The soiree featured the helicopter CEO drop and drones mentioned in the intro along with hedge swings, a Florida barbecue and electronic-assisted musicians. Surprise and delight followed at every turn with live flamingos (Tom and Jerry, 35-year-old brothers), branded coconuts, a server flash mob dance, sustainable sunglasses from Joycoast, unconditional support from Essential Bodywear and “wine edutainment” from Lady Somm.

Loving the buzz @SmartMeetings Florida Experience. @PGANatl #MeetSmart pic.twitter.com/6wfhaVOJ5H

— JT Long (@SmartMtgsJT) August 29, 2023

A Luxury Mindset

To bring home the message that delivering valued meetings requires understanding your audience, keynote Neen James shared her findings from her Luxury Mindset research. “Luxury is about experiences, not things,” she said.

Neen James in pink onstage laughing — Neen James

Only by personalizing, offering exclusive activities and sharing your unique compelling message on social media, will you build a brand that people will remember. “Speak the luxury language and make sure everyone feels seen and heard,” she advised.

James left the audience with one more piece of advice. Don’t forget to pamper the planner. “Elevate daily luxury for yourself,” she said. That will make it easier to take care of others.

Our feathered friends joined the festivities. Meet Tom and Jerry, 35-year-old flamingo brothers. Thanks A2 Events for all the special touches @PGANatl #MeetSmart pic.twitter.com/l7xRWhwOkF

— JT Long (@SmartMtgsJT) August 29, 2023

Travel Normalizing

engraved coconuts with Smart Experiences Not everything could be pina coladas and massages. To find out what changing occupancy rates across the country will mean for booking hotels in the future, CoStar Group Director of Hospitality Analytics Daryl Cronk shared insights from the STARreport, the essential measure of the health of the hospitality industry. The bottom line: “Hotels will probably be fine during the next financial downturn, but they will be looking to groups and the power of ‘blended trips’ to grow.” For proof, he pointed to the power of Taylor Swift to draw enormous crowds and fill hotels.

Economic update from Daryl Cronk @CoStarGroup: A recession probably won’t impact hotels as in past years. Groups, led by the example of Taylor Swift could help lift hotel futures. pic.twitter.com/Bz3rbb9E1z

— JT Long (@SmartMtgsJT) August 27, 2023

Growth may be more spread out than the initial return after COVID as urban areas are starting to see their share of conventions again. “Travel is normalizing, getting back to patterns from pre-pandemic. We still like our beaches, but we want to go to big cities and see Broadway shows, too,” he said. A lot more Americans also traveled overseas over the summer, particularly to Europe, and cruising is back above 2019 levels.

For meeting planners looking to advance their careers, veteran meeting professional Lynn Edwards, CEO of Proper Planning, led an interactive, three-hour seminar that offered best practices for everything from sourcing to contracts. That gave everyone something valuable to take home.

How to positively impact social conditions in destinations with politics that don’t align

Flashback to 2019. Elena Gerstmann, FASAE, CAE, was hungry. The only open option at the airport she was passing through on her way home from a business trip was a restaurant she had boycotted for years because of its anti-LGBTQ+ financial support. Begrudgingly, she bought a sandwich, then stewed over how much of her tab could land in the hands of someone actively working against what she believes in.

She thought, wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to help people donate money to rebalance their spending?

That thought lingered until last year, when Gerstmann’s wife, Beth Surmont, FASAE, CMP-Fellow, CAE, was about to attend a conference in a state “that had recently put forward harmful anti-LGBTQ+ policy.” Surmont thought about boycotting the event until the two of them came up with the idea of making a donation to offset the impact of her spending in the state instead.

Not long thereafter, they cofounded SocialOffset—the prototype launched at ASAE Annual Meeting in August 2022 and the pilot soft launch was this past January—a nonprofit that provides a socially conscious alternative to event and destination boycotts. Its website describes SocialOffset’s brief this way: “We are a community of people determined to stay true to our values when we travel to or host events. We help event attendees and business travelers offset spending in destinations whose laws do not align with their core values by making it easy to donate to local charities that do.”

Gerstmann, who serves as president and CEO of the organization, adds: “We know that attendees and exhibitors are conflicted between needing to engage with their professional and industry networks and not wanting to support states that have enacted restrictive legislation targeted at specific groups. SocialOffset gives everyone involved a third way. At its most basic level, SocialOffset says ‘no’ to event boycotts and ‘yes’ to making a difference.”

Offering event attendees peace of mind via an option to donate to bettering the destinations they visit, Gerstmann says, tells them their meeting hosts “know that they understand their concerns.”

Founding CVB/DMO partners of SocialOffset were Visit Seattle, Visit Austin, Nashville Music City and Visit Baltimore. Additional sponsorships to date have come from Birmingham, Alabama; Dallas; and Orlando, Florida, as well as Destinations International.

How It Works

The process begins with SocialOffset vetting local nonprofits and charities making an impact. Event organizers select the cause(s) to be offered from those SocialOffset has endorsed, then promote a custom web page on which to make offset donations. To cover the campaign costs, SocialOffset charges a flat fee of $750 for nonprofits including associations and $1,500 for for-profit corporations and other businesses. The SocialOffset website also states: “As part of our commitment to inclusion, please let us know if this fee will be a barrier so we can discuss.”

Gerstmann says her organization is currently working with more than 40 different associations to create their own SocialOffset page.

She continues: “We are very proud of the fact that 100% of the funds donated by meeting attendees are donated to one or more vetted, local nonprofits that deliver programs, services and advocacy for racial justice, LGBTQ+ equality, hunger relief, housing security, environmental sustainability and reproductive freedom.”

In a statement issued about travel to Florida, Gerstmann and her team cite Lynn Minnaert, academic director and a clinical associate professor at New York University, who says travel boycotts are not effective at achieving political change, noting that “turning away from something doesn’t necessarily make it go away.”

The SocialOffset statement concluded: “By visiting locations that have policies many of us disagree with, and making donations, we can provide vital support to mayors, community organizers and local activists who work tirelessly to bring about positive change. Staying home doesn’t always help; supporting does.”

In short, buycott, don’t boycott.

Omni Hotels & Resorts supports September Hunger Action Month

Some families are welcoming the plentifulness and bountifulness that is associated with fall and its connotation as the precursor to the excitement of the holidays, yet it is also a time for our industry to remember those who are less fortunate. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is necessary year-round, but September has become the official month known as September Hunger Action Month. Smart Meetings has recognized Omni Hotels & Resorts for their contribution to the food insecurity many Americans face every day.

Omni Hotels & Resorts has launched an initiative to increase the awareness, importance and encouragement to become involved with the Say Goodnight to Hunger program through their partnership with Feeding America.

September Hunger Action Month

The Statistics

In a statement from Sierra Lordet, public relations for Omni Hotels & Resorts, Feeding America has reported more than 34 million Americans struggle with food insecurity – an estimated nine million of those being children. The heartbreaking reality and overwhelming need for CSR to intervene motivated Omni Hotels & Resorts to partner with Feeding America and launch Say Goodnight to Hunger.

Feeding America

The Mission

Through their partnership with Feeding America, Omni Hotels & Resorts is doubling the donations towards fighting hunger in several ways in all of their 50+ locations during September Hunger Action Month with the Say Goodnight to Hunger program. For every completed stay, a family in need near the Omni location will receive a meal. According to Omni, over 20 million meals has been donated to Feeding America, providing meals for food banks.

PGA Partnership

The hotel franchise also fights food insecurity by utilizing the Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) events to contribute even further. With the “birdie-or-better” incentive, golfers are not only playing for notoriety but for much more than a sport. With each play that meets up to the high standard of the program’s name, four meals will be donated to a family in need. Omni reports that in the last golf season, almost 215,000 meals were donated to Feeding America and to the food banks in the host cities of PGA tournaments.

Roland Hamberger

As the managing director at Rosewood Vienna, the brand’s first hotel in the German-speaking market, opened in August 2022, Hamberger will lead the hotel in engaging guests with Austrian culture, providing exceptional services and amenities and reinforce the Rosewood brand’s sense of place philosophy. He served as general manager for Palais Coburg Hotel Residence Vienna for over a decade.

Mildred Amon

Amon is the new director of marketing communication at Alma Resort in Cam Ranh, in southern Vietnam. With over three decades of experience in hospitality branding, public and media relations, marketing communications and crisis communications, Amon is an experienced professional certain to establish Alma Resort as a leading destination. She comes most recently consulted for Robinsons Hotels & Resorts.

Chris Achacoso

Achacoso rejoins Tourism Australia as business development manager in their special business unit Business Events Australia. His most recent role was associate director, Americas, at Business Events Sydney. He earlier served as Business Event Specialist at Tourism Australia. In his New York-based role, he will work to implement Business Events Australia’s strategy in North America and support the global team in the UK market.

April Flagg

After five and a half years as national sales manager at The Peabody, Flagg joins The Broadmoor as the director of national accounts, northeast and international sales. Her service industry career has spanned nearly every department, from station cook to executive meeting manager. She has a dedicated clientele who continue to follow her to each place of business. She brings her dedication and integrity to The Broadmoor.

Bobbie Peppers

In her new role as general manager at The Memphian, Peppers will oversee the 106-room boutique hotel’s day-to-day operations as well as the operations of its two onsite restaurants, Tiger & Peacock and Complicated Pilgrim. She will draw on over two decades of experience in hospitality to lead and direct employee development and help to build the hotel’s brand locally and beyond.

Robert Friedl

Montage Kapalua Bay appoints Friedl as general manager. With over three decades in hospitality leadership, a dozen of which have been in Hawaii, Friedl is well-equipped to lead the resort’s daily operations. He earlier served as resort manager at Montage Kapalua Bay during its reflagging and remodeling from The Residences at Kapalua Bay.

Amro Ali

Ali brings over 15 years of experience to his new role as director of sales and marketing at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. He began his career as a front office receptionist at Dusit Thani Dubai and due to his dedication and capability, quickly climbed to the role of sales executive. He most recently served as the cluster director for sales and marketing for The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Absheron in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Ella Kent

Kent is appointed as spa director at The Spa at Sea Island. She will oversee all aspects of the spa, salon, fitness center, racquet sports and athletics to lead treatment and program development, as well as the expert staff of therapists and trainers. She has worked at Sea Island since 2014, first as spa, fitness and tennis director, then as director of rooms.

Richard Raab

Raab will draw on over 25 years of experience with Four Seasons to lead the opening of Four Seasons Cabo San Lucas at Cabo del Sol as general manager. He most recently worked as general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, and has worked on properties across the Caribbean, Los Angeles and the Middle East.

Derek Wood and Erica Totora

headshots of Derek Wood (left) and Erica Totora (right) — Derek Wood (left) and Erica Totora (right)

Wood is director of sales at JW Marriott Tampa Water Street and Tampa Marriott Water Street. Having worked at numerous Marriott-brand hotels over the past 15 years, including his former role as associate director of sales at JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa, he brings a wealth of experience to oversee all sales operations and develop strategies to maximize revenue in his new role.

Totora is promoted from her role as senior marketing manager to director of marketing at JW Marriott Tampa Water Street and Tampa Marriott Water Street. With over a decade working in luxury hospitality, Totora was a key player in elevating the properties in her former role and will bring her expertise and proven work ethic to her new role as she furthers the marketing of the properties.

Hilton Hotels from North to South renovate and rebrand

From scenic Anchorage, Alaska to sunny Santa Ynez, California, Hilton hotels unveil renovated and rebranded properties. These spaces provide guests with dreamy comfort inside, and stand in locations that inspire guests to explore their surroundings and take in all that their travels have to offer.

Suite Dreams

Renovated one bedroom suite at Homewood Suites Anchorage — Homewood Suites Anchorage

Homewood Suites by Hilton Anchorage, managed by Columbia Sussex, recently unveiled a major renovation. The public spaces include new corridor carpeting, wall fixtures and lighting and a redecorated lobby with modern finishes. 125 guest suites now include new lighting to highlight bedroom accent walls and headboards alongside Alaska-inspired artwork. Guests will get a great night’s sleep in the plush “Bed by Hilton,” wake up to a Hilton alarm clock radio with an MP3 player plug in and during the day can enjoy workstations fitted with desk-level electrical outlets. Rain showerhead fixtures and Gilchrist & Soames Zero % shampoo, conditioner and shower gel make for luxurious bathrooms. Full-length mirrors, including a backlit vanity mirror, are strategically placed throughout each suite. New dining room chairs, sofa beds and lounge chairs, along with a 49-inch screen TV make guests’ stays a true home away from home.

All of these suites, offered as studio, one and two bedrooms, include fully equipped kitchens with microwaves and full-size refrigerators. The hotel offers a 24-hour onsite pantry and daily complimentary hot breakfast, as well as a manager’s reception every Wednesday. Other amenities include an indoor pool with a hot tub and a full fitness center that includes Peloton bikes. Three meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 80 guests reception-style also come with a convenient catering menu.

Read More: Top Reasons to Meet in Anchorage

Mountain Lodge

Renovated Hampton Inn Anchorage guest room — Hampton Inn

A 101-room renovation at the Hampton Inn Anchorage, managed by Columbia Sussex, is part of the brand’s redesign to update exterior, public spaces and guestroom designs. The hotel’s exterior façade features a fresh coat of paint, a porte chochere and enlarged windows, all enhanced with updated lighting. A lodge-inspired lobby, front desk area, corridors and meeting rooms compliment the warm color palette of the redesigned guest rooms. The rooms feature space-saving alterations like mounted TVs and storage units. Like the Homewood Suites, all rooms now include the “Bed by Hilton”, a 49-inch screen TV, a Hilton alarm clock radio with MP3 player plug-in. They display strategically placed, well-lit mirrors and Alaska-inspired artwork. Bathrooms include rain showerhead fixtures and Gilchrist & Soames Zero % shampoo, conditioner and shower gel.

Along with a complimentary hot breakfast, breakfast to-go bags, a pool, fitness center and free wi-fi in every room, the hotel welcomes your pets, so you don’t need to leave your best friends behind during your travels. Guests can enjoy unmatched convenience by taking advantage of the hotel’s complimentary airport shuttle, which transports guests to and from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. The hotel offers over 1,000 total sq. ft. of meeting space.

Stay Along the Railway

A guest room at the Hadsten Solvang — The Hadsten Solvang

Formerly known as the Hadsten House, the is charming boutique hotel in Solvang, California has been rebranded to The Hadsten Solvang, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. The property celebrates its rich history through subtle hints in its design. Its logo features two railroad spikes which gesture to the Hadsten railway in Denmark. The hotel was first built in 1972, and in 2012 was purchased by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, who manage and operate it today.

The renovation includes a transformation of the hotel’s indoor swimming pool to make space for The Yard, a contemporary outdoor courtyard with lounge furniture, heaters and games. The adjacent lounge, The Boiler Room, offers craft cocktails and a wide dining menu. The hotel’s new fitness center includes Peloton bikes alongside best-in-class fitness equipment.

The hotel is just a short drive from Santa Barbara, but off the beaten path, near wineries, vineyards and tasting rooms, in the green hills of Santa Ynez.

Work hard, play hard

Labor Day denotes the social and economic achievements of American workers everywhere! In honor of the holiday, Chase Travel gathered the top Labor Day Destinations for travelers.

Smart Meetings zeroed in on the top domestic Labor Day destinations and the activities throughout the United States that meeting planners may want to utilize if they’re in the area.

Carnival Parade in New York

If you happen to be in New York City for Labor Day Weekend, you may want to check out the West Indian (or Caribbean American) Day Parade. Even though it is a part of the New York Caribbean Carnival week, it is typically held on Labor Day in Brooklyn. The original idea was started in Harlem in the 1930s but evolved into a Carnival street activity in the 1940s. Parade participants are typically dressed in “costumes” with fabric, beads and feathers and follow a theme picked by the designer.

Located in the epicenter of Times Square, New York Marriott Marquis attendees will find themselves in walking distance of Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall and the Theater District. Marriott Marquis offers 102,829 sq. ft. of event space, 40 breakout rooms and 46 event rooms.

The Sciences of San Francisco

Entrance into the California Academy of Sciences — California Academy of Sciences

San Francisco has a wide range to explore in its roughly 46 sq. mile layout. But if guests find themselves exploring Golden Gate Park in the Richmond District, they may want to check out the California Academy of Sciences. Arrive by 10:30 in the morning on Labor Day to witness the penguin feeding! Or head over to the planetarium to check out the Dark Universe exhibit to learn about dark matter and dark energy.

Omni San Francisco Hotel sits with the backdrop of downtown San Francisco, fog and all! Guests will be in distance of the famous San Francisco cable cars, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, China Town, North Beach and the Embarcadero. Omni Hotel has 11,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, which also includes a 2,800-square-foot grand ballroom, as well as 362 guest rooms and suites.

The (Labor) Force is Strong in Los Angeles

If there’s a sci-fi fan in your group, they won’t be disappointed by the two nights of Star Wars – Return of the Jedi in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl. On Sept. 1st and2nd, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and conductor David Newman will bring the cinematic music of John Williams’s to life!

If space is the question, then Los Angeles Convention Center has the answer. Los Angeles Convention Center has a total of 860,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, eight meeting rooms, a newly renovated 299-seat theatre with rear screen projection, on-site Wi-Fi, local and eco-friendly dining, and catering options on site.

A Fair to Remember in Washington

A view of a crowds enjoying the experience of the Washington State Fair — Washington State Fair.

On Labor Day, the Washington State Fair in Puyallup will open its gates till Sept. 24th. Guests will have a wide pick of options, from a Taylor Swift Tribute show, a concert from R&B singer and songwriter Kehlani, a fine arts show, and the chance to celebrate Asian Pacific Cultural Center Day by watching traditional dress, dance, and music, along with many other attractions and activities.

Seattle Convention Center’s Summit is a few blocks from the well-trafficked Pike Place Market. Summit has 573,770 sq. ft. of event space, 62 meeting rooms, and the 14,000-square-foot Garden Terrace, which can be half covered. The location also has an on-site bakery for those with a sweet tooth.

Jazz it Up in Chicago

Over the course of Labor Day Weekend, Chicago Jazz Festival will be taking place between August 31st and September 3rd at Millennium Park, downtown Chicago, Chicago Culture Center and various other venues across Chicago. Musical acts include Juan De Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All Stars, Dianne Reeves, Makaya McCraven and more! The event is free to the public.

Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park looks toward the city’s skyline, Lake Michigan and Millennium Park. The Fairmont Leaf Spa offers massage, skincare and body treatments to help balance your mind and body after a long day of meetings. Fairmont offers 63,000 sq. ft. of event space, 16 meeting rooms and 687 guest rooms.

Fireworks at Boston Harbor

fireworks over city at night — Fireworks in Boston Harbor

Boston is kicking off its festivities at Boston Harbor on Thursday Aug. 31st, at 8:30 p.m. The show is best viewed from a boat cruise, or guests can venture to Christopher Columbus Park or Long Wharf in the North End and the Downtown Waterfront. For a quieter time, the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) Boston will be offering free admission on Labor Day. It will be the last chance to check out the Simone Leigh and Guadalupe Marvilla: Mariposa Relampago exhibits.

Boston Park Plaza is located near the Boston Common, as well as the Public Garden and the Theater District. Boston Park Plaza has 70,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 35 meeting rooms and 1,060 guest rooms.

Mile High Balloon Rally in Colorado

Windsor Harvest Festival happens on Sept. 2nd-4th. On the 2nd and 3rd, a Balloon Rally consisting of 20-30 hot air balloons will take flight! The rally starts early so be sure to get there by 7 a.m. On the last day, the festival will have a parade and pie eating contest.

Colorado Convention Center (CCC) offers guests views of the Rocky Mountains and is within walking distance of 13,000 hotel rooms, 300 restaurants, the Denver Performing Arts Complex and a wide selection of shopping outlets. CCC contains 669,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and 67 meeting rooms.

Study the Spies in D.C.

street view of the main entrance and façade of the International Spy Museum — International Spy Museum

If you’re interested in how the U.S. government works in Washington, D.C., it might not be a bad idea to check out the International Spy Museum. The museum features exhibits from 39 countries. Guests can partake in their own undercover mission, learn about spies and espionage operations in history and much more.

Washington Hilton is located near Dupont Circle, Embassy Row and 100 restaurants, museums and nightlife venues. Washington Hilton offers 118,000 sq. ft. of event space, 47 meeting rooms and 1,107 rooms and suites.

All The Shows in Vegas

Las Vegas is never lacking on things to do for a three-day weekend. But for this Labor Day weekend, guests can catch rock band Weezer at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Air Supply on September 1st and 2nd at The Orleans Hotel and Casino, Adele at Caesars Palace, Luke Bryan on September 2nd and 3rd at Resorts World Las Vegas, and Drake and 21 Savage on September 1st and 2nd at T-Mobile Arena.

Mandalay Bay Resort is a mere 0.5-mile walk to Allegiant Stadium and 2 miles from the Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). Guests can check out House of Blues, and Shark Reef Aquarium. It has 2.1 million sq. ft. of meeting and exhibition space, 128 meeting rooms and 3,209 guest rooms.

Grab A Glass of Wine in San Diego

exterior of san diego convention center — San Diego Convention Center

September is California Wine Month. With that in mind, guests can have a tasting of the locally produced wines while enjoying the warm outdoor temperatures. San Diego has many tasting rooms for wine connoisseurs.

San Diego Convention Center is within walking distance of 13,000 hotel rooms. It is also near the Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village, and the historic USS Midway Museum, which offers 204,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and 72 meeting rooms. Amenities also include water fill stations, inclusive restrooms, nursing mother’s lounge and charging stations.

Delivering jaw-dropping wow on a budget is possible in today’s market—if you have a true partnership with your audiovisual service provider. Food, lodging and programming are critical factors for any meeting. The shuttle back and forth to off-site venues is also very important. But to mesmerize your audience with something they haven’t seen before, meeting planners should invest time developing a productive relationship with an AV partner.

Sometimes, unfortunately, that is easier said than done. By signing a contract with a venue, meeting planners can quickly lose their freedom to choose their AV provider. When you issue the next RFP, make sure you include requirements that protect your rights to choose your own AV partner that can deliver a memorable, cost-effective event.

After all, the right AV partner can do wonders on a budget.

Better Questions, Better Answers

Plenty of attention is spent on price and equipment lists. But those two items may not be the most important differentiators nowadays.

Instead of concentrating on the number of screens you had last year or equipment assignments per room, different questions during the preparation stage may help you find the right, long-term AV provider.

What types of customer service training are you doing for your employees?

Your AV provider’s technicians will be interacting with your staff, your presenters and your audience. Surprises only work well at birthday parties. Minimize the downside.

What does your training program look like for new hires?

There is a labor shortage in the live events industry. If you are serious about developing a long-term relationship that will show up on the bottom line, you should know how your partners are developing their employees, who will support and represent you at memorable moments through the year.

What type of support does your AV company have?

Equipment breaks down. Backup equipment breaks down. Employees leave or take leave. AV is a business where redundancies are a good thing. Your AV provider should have its own support network with other companies and institutions that believe the show must go on.

Start With The End

Producing a meeting is an involved process, one that could encourage a meeting planner to move through the first part quickly.

Early-stage, prep conversations can move fast: “Here’s the equipment list. Here’s the schedule. Here’s the location. Here are the specifications of the rooms. We’re done, right?”

Typically, our team responds with questions that introduces strategy in a space overrun by tactics. “Why do people come to your event?” we may ask. “When attendees walk away, what do they say?”

Meeting planners are the leaders of event teams. Introducing more strategy at the start would elevate the event and the meeting planner. An unforgettable event creates that kind of impact.

To ensure that strategy plays an important role, meeting planners should ask for an ideation session. It’s like the creative version of a discovery call that kicks off the process. Ideation is productive brainstorming with accountability. If you want wow on a budget, you must be organized in thought and approach when it comes to what you want to achieve. This is what ideation can do for you.

When working with creative types, make sure you define the sandbox. As soon as you can generate the boundaries with the realm of possibilities, your AV team will get to work bringing your vision to life.

Lead With Intimacy

In a large audience setting, it is very difficult for a presenter to connect with everyone in the room. You may have 1,000 attendees or more. Wow isn’t necessarily over-the-top special effects, computer-generated imagery or real-time animation. It’s about achieving intimacy with your audience.

And that’s about smashing through the theater’s “fourth wall,” the invisible, see-through barrier from which all the magic happens. In a traditional set design, there is the stage that outlines the “wall” and the seats where the audience sits and watches. Extending the stage or creating a satellite stage would move your speakers much closer to the audience.

Creating intimacy with the audience doesn’t stop with in-person experiences. It also can be achieved with remote speakers, which meeting planners can leverage to save on fees, travel and lodging. While the cameras are focused on the presenters on stage, point one camera at the audience. That way, speakers can see who they are talking to in the seats. They can also make one or two sides comments, “Hey, in the front row, I like your green shirt with the floral print” to demonstrate that it is not another pre-recorded video—and that the audience needs to be engaged—or they may be called on.

Building a mutually beneficial relationship with your AV partner is more than a smart move that will grow in value with each passing year.

It’s wow on a budget.

—

Eric Newkirk is president of Event Production Network, a group of 27 quality, audiovisual providers from across North America, as well vice president of design and creative at CEAVCO, an AVFX company, in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.