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5,000 attendees gathered in Atlanta to prepare for the future of associations

The second in-person ASAE Annual Meeting and Exposition since the pandemic landed this week in Atlanta at an expanded Georgia World Congress Center. It was fitting for a program with the theme of Shaping Your Purpose to be in this progressive, fast-growing city where new hospitality infrastructure in the form of a convention hotel and diverse restaurants is taking shape.

man smiling and posing for picture — William Pate

Discover Atlanta President and CEO William Pate shared that 60% of events in the city are association conventions and he was eager to help attendees visualize what event might look like in the new Signia by Hilton Atlanta scheduled to open in January with direct connections to the convention center and access to Mercedes-Benz Stadium (which rocked Atlanta’s own TLC band for the opening reception, displaying the full flavor of local hospitality). A total of 13,000 hotel rooms and 300 restaurants are within walking distance of this meeting treasure trove.

The estimated 5,000 people in attendance had their choice of education sessions focused on everything from AI to Gen Z while the keynotes narrowed in on how leveraging what makes you special is the key to success.

“We are living in dynamic times. This is a pivotal moment for associations as the world is changing and the role of membership groups must change as well,” said Michelle Mason, CEO of The Center for Association Leadership, addressing the crowd at the opening session. “Trust your inner voice; believe in your instincts and deliver,” she advocated. The goal of the event, for Mason, was for attendees to find one new peer, learn one new thing and, most importantly, understand how their missions are driving societal change to have a global impact.

A fitting tribute to Mark Vaughan @ATLMeetings on his retirement in the form of a $5,000 donation to @ASAEcenter Foundation at @ASAEannual pic.twitter.com/kALhKeM5Dr

— JT Long (@SmartMtgsJT) August 6, 2023

The business of associations also took center stage with updates on programs such as Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition, which recently launched with more than 500 member organizations to advocate to pass the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act, a bid to transform 529 accounts from “college savings plans” into “career savings plans” to pay for education, training and credentials.

Another new resource, micro-credentials in DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility) and Conscious Inclusion will arm meeting professionals with the tools they need to be more effective. Plus, a new ReadyMe program will help associations fill gaps in DEI training and NextGen will help under resourced schools prepare students for dynamic careers.

Go Beyond

How do you go from a kid in Queens with a hip-hop dream to a celebrated angel investor? If you are Daymond John “The People’s Shark” from the hit show “Shark Tank,” you focus on being great at doing what you can do and finding partners who are great at what you can’t do, something associations were built to facilitate. “That is how you can go beyond your limitations,” he said.

Then he shared five tips for succeeding in even the choppiest of waters.

5 Shark Points

Set a goal. You become what you think about the most. If you don’t set a goal, others will set it for you. Take inventory of yourself, your assets and your liabilities. Right now, there is a level playing field. Everyone can learn artificial intelligence in their spare time. Figure out how to make whatever is threatening you, work for you.
Homework. There is nothing new, just better, faster stronger. Associations help members research to understand what came before and figure out how to add value in the future. We need other people’s mind power.
Amor—love what you do and give back.
Remember, you are the brand. What are your 2-5 words that define you? Ask your members, friends and kids. Do their responses align with what you want your mark to be?
Keep swimming.

Blind Ambition

“Resilience revolves around our perspectives,” wise words from keynote and entrepreneur Chad E. Foster, who went blind when he was in college and used the insight his condition provided to excel. “The best way to see the world through a different lens is not to look all around you, but inside you,” he said.

Don’t let other people tell you what you are capable of. Follow your Blind Ambition like Chad Foster. Turn your disadvantages into advantages. @ASAEannual pic.twitter.com/5jsYqh0CmN

— JT Long (@SmartMtgsJT) August 7, 2023

“Excuses are for losers,” Foster cautioned. “Wouldn’t you rather be someone who broke through barriers?” He reminded the audience of association professionals that while the facts may be unchanging and no one is responsible for their circumstances, your attitude is up to you.

He continued, “Happiness is not a feeling. It is a decision you make every day. You hold the power to choose your perspective, your response or your attitude. We will all become our stories, so choose them wisely.”

The behavioral trick he was describing is cognitive reframing. The practice is based on visualizing greatness and not letting others tell you what you are capable of doing—or not doing. “Innovative leadership requires taking some chances; the willingness to try attracts support.”

Finally, he advocated for getting comfortable with discomfort. “A life without obstacles removes the opportunity for growth. Turn disadvantages into advantages.”

Smart Woman Summit connected, supported and celebrated leaders

“I see you. I hear you. I’ve got you.” Some days that is what leaders need to hear before returning to the public planning stage. The 8th annual Smart Woman Summit at New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square was dedicated to event professionals who perform at the highest levels.

“By recognizing brilliance, we encourage more exceptional work and normalize stepping up, innovating and taking chances,” said Marin Bright, Smart Meetings founder and CEO. “By leveraging our collective resources to elevate each other, we benefit the entire industry. You are like colorful butterflies transforming after too long in your chrysalises, emerging into the light, ready to take flight.”

Women who have been there and learned a thing or two along the way shared actionable tips about resilience and grit. It was a day that addressed the hearts and minds of attendees.

Time for a Brain Shift

Dr. Romie Romila Mushtaq, who spoke the two sentences that kicked off this story, is a triple board-certified brain doctor, award-winning speaker and chief wellness officer with Evolution Hospitality and an expert in calming the busy brain. Her brainSHIFT for your brain, body and team called for setting up a regular time to sleep and wake up, turning off devices, journaling or brainDUMPing (“If you think it, ink it.”) and learning to take a brainPAUSE. “You are responsible for the energy you bring into the room,” she said. “Choose calm.”

Learn More: Listen to Smart Chat Live! Wellness Matters Webinar with Dr. Romie

The Science of Achieving

woman speaking on a stage — Michelle Roark

Michelle Roark, an Olympic athlete, scientist and CEO of Phia Lab, shared her experience overcoming homelessness to achieve her dreams of being an Olympic athlete, a chemical engineer and an entrepreneur, helping others tap into their constructive frequencies. “When you are in alignment and consistent and positive, the universe sends you what you need at the right time,” she said. By creating a “family” of people who believed in her, she was able to make exceptional achievements. Developing the resources you need is the secret to being a force regardless of where you start.

Learn More: Listen to What One Thing Podcast with Michelle Roark on Overcoming the Unthinkable

Trust Yourself

Michele Rigby Assad is a former undercover CIA agent and author of “Breaking Cover.” She served in treacherous areas throughout the Middle East where the threats were real and the missions were perilous. She relied on her team and her instincts to understand when someone was not being honest and learned to manage her interactions with known terrorists in a country where power players were not accustomed to doing business with a woman.

She shared her success secrets for managing emergencies in high-stakes situations. “Prepare extensively and then trust your gut,” she said. By envisioning everything that could go wrong, you put your brain in a state of mind to solve problems. Then put all of that aside and walk confidently into the room focused on the motivations and body language of your counterpart, knowing that even if something unexpected happens, you are prepared.

The Wisdom of Provocateurs

It would be a tragedy to not tap into the collective wisdom of the gathered hospitality experts so, over lunch sponsored by Maritz, trained Provocateurs led conversations to circumvent the biggest roadblocks in the areas of stress and sustainability, employee/attendee engagement best practices and well-being leadership.

Marriott Bonvoy brought the Power of Play in the form of slime from Sloomoo Institute to free the creative mind by keeping the senses engaged.

The exercise was the beginning of a discussion that will continue through Smart Woman VIP Club all year long.

The Gift of Care

To make everyone feel special, a Champagne-fueled Gifting Lounge featured personalized experiences from Citizen Watch America, Essential Bodywear, Joycoast, Phia Lab, Vionic, Halo Branded Solutions, Johnny Cupcakes, Astor Chocolate and Kate’s Single Batch Toffee.

To prove that education and entertainment (“edutainment”) are not mutually exclusive, Roxanne Langer brought her Lady Somm experience to teach the finer points of savoring and enjoying wine.

Learn More: The Gifting Lounge Trend has Arrived

Celebrating Excellence

While the day was dedicated to learning and connecting, the evening shifted to glam mode as we celebrated top meeting professionals in seven categories at The Edison Ballroom with an assist from production master Scott Frankel’s Animatic Media, Atomic Design and Terramar DMC.

What would a Smart Women in Meetings Awards Gala be without entertainment? The Water Coolers had everyone nodding their heads in recognition, tapping their feet and laughing out loud as the trio combined original Broadway singing with corporate comedy.

“When we come together, we can accomplish anything,” said Bright, already looking forward to next year’s Smart Woman Summit event.

Welcoming spaces, easy tech and bleisure-based design are trending in 2023

What’s the first thing you notice when you walk into a hotel? The flooring, hotel lobby furniture, lighting, number of windows in meeting spaces? All of this is of the utmost importance to those who create these large and small touches to enhance the visitor experience. One of those people is Paige Harris.

red-haired woman sitting down — Paige Harris

Harris joined Valor Hospitality Partners in 2021 as corporate director of design and development and has been in the hotel design world for more than 25 years. In this time, she has seen designs from all over the globe and, as a result, is able to provide different points of approach to the design process. Through offering alternative ways to approach the hotel design process, she hopes to encourage her partners to think outside of the norm and inspire creative thinking.

This creative thinking has taken Harris beyond just the four walls of the guest room. “Hotel design is no longer focused on rooms alone,” Harris says. “The guest journey, from arrival to their room to the F&B outlets they will visit during their stay, must all be well thought out and designed with unique touchpoints to create a truly memorable experience.”

A Space That Says ‘Welcome’

The atmosphere of the meeting space is everything. You can make it as dark and dreary or as light, airy and welcoming as you please. If you’re going for the latter—which I hope you are—Harris made a several suggestions for meeting professionals to create a space that feels like an open embrace.

“Meeting and event planners are more than ever looking for modern, easy and functional technology in event spaces that aren’t intrusive if not being used,” she says. “[As well as] intuitive, wireless interfaces that make it easy to connect to a display without having to have a degree in electrical engineering.”

In addition to this, Harris named several other elements that’ll give your space a more welcoming atmosphere:

An abundance of thoughtfully positioned electrical outlets.
Ergonomic and comfortable seating.
Natural light with blackout blinds when needed.
Ability to change lighting in a space depending on the need/event type. Colored lighting options offer planners a wide variety of mood lighting without having to rent and set-up traditional event lighting. This saves money and time and tends to be more reliable.
For smaller meetings: Having a section of the room equipped with comfortable lounge seating for guests to have more intimate conversations.
Colorful accents such as artwork, pillows and florals that are not heavily arranged.
Built in AV, including stereo and surround sound.
Water stations to fill reusable bottles.

As for hoteliers themselves, Harris recommends they look more into local community engagement. “It’s no longer enough to create spaces that reflect the local culture or promote local artisans,” she says. “What we at Valor strive to do is create an environment which brings the locals to our hotel for work, socialization, and to drink and dine.”

The Biggest Trends, Now and Beyond

According to Harris, bleisure is still going strong, as employers continue to allow staff to work remotely and the travel industry continues to recovery from the pandemic.

“Today’s guests are working and vacationing in the same place,” Harris says. “Professionals are seeking lodging where they can work and relax in equal measure. Flexible lounge spaces are a must so guests can plug in and work within the common areas while also connecting with others. Guest room design is shifting away from traditional desks in lieu of true laptop-style FF&E with means of connectivity.”

As for the years ahead, Harris says the next generation of travelers are looking for a sense of the real. “The newer traveler is seeking authentic experiences, a place to relax and reconnect,” she says. “This means connecting to nature, luxurious gardens to explore, interior green spaces, biophilia. We see this in rooftop bars that feature flower and herb gardens that are tended to by the chef of the restaurant, and outdoor lounge spaces, including hammock gardens or meditation areas.”

Joelle Park

Park is appointed to the role of senior vice president and chief marketing officer at BWH Hotels. In this executive role, Park will lead the company’s global marketing, brand strategy and communications. Her over two decades of marketing experience, with a specialization in hospitality, make her a strong leader to oversee strategic and innovative marketing at BWH Hotels and ensure teams across the company achieve their goals.

Shelby Luzzi

Luzzi is the first senior manager, sustainability, of Destination DC (DDC). In this role, she will develop and implement strategies for sustainable travel practices in meetings, conventions and leisure travel to Washington, D.C. Luzzi previously worked as DDC’s convention sales and services coordinator and has spearheaded DDC’s internal sustainability task force since 2022. She leads DDC’s annual Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index application, which assesses the social, economic and environmental performances of 101 participating global destinations and drives sustainable progress.

Jason Suitt and Bridget Gaffney

Suitt joins Visit Baton Rouge as director of sports development. He comes from a role as director of sports marketing and strategic partnerships at national multiunit restaurant group Walk-Ons Sports Bistreaux. With 21 years of experience in college athletics in the realms of marketing, promotions, advertising, sponsorship sales and activation, graphics, licensing and event production, Suitt provides unsurpassed expertise. He will draw on this expertise to identify, develop and execute sports tourism strategy in Baton Rouge.

Visit Baton Rouge welcomes Gaffney as client relationship manager. In this role, she will oversee every aspect of the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and will serve as the point of contact for every staff member and industry partner using the CRM system. Her background in marketing, communication and customer relations, and Bachelor of Arts in Marketing, equips her well to drive positive and thoughtful client relationships at Visit Baton Rouge.

Mark Yanke

Yanke brings nearly 40 years of rich experience to his new role as general manager of Hotel Crescent Court in Dallas, where he will lead the hotel team and oversee all its operations, including F&B and the exclusive Cresent Club. In his career, he has seen numerous successful hotel openings and has held several leadership positions, most recently as general manager of The Joseph Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. He has received an honorary doctoral degree from Northwood University in Midland, Michigan.

Charles Kingston, Jr.

Kingston, Jr. joins The Grove Resort and Water Park as general manager. His over 25 years of experience include leadership roles at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate, and the Wyndham Grand Resort in Rio Mar Puerto Rico. He most recently worked as Regional Vice President Operations at Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and upheld the distinctive quality of their upscale lifestyle brands.

Carolyn Horton and Karen Donatelli

Horton is appointed director of sales at Omni Amelia Island Resort. In this role, she will oversee the Midwest and select third parties. Over her 25 years of experience in hospitality, she has held roles in high end hotels and resorts and focused on catering, conventions, and group sales. Horton holds a CMP and is a recipient of the Hilton Brand “Circle of Excellence Award” and the Westin Brand “Sales Incentive Award.”

Donatelli is promoted to director, national accounts, after her six previous years at Omni Hotels & Resorts. She was the first hire at the Omni Hotel at Battery Atlanta and was on the property’s opening team in 2018. Along with her team, she won sales team of the year in 2019. She was promoted to National Sales Manager in 2021, then transferred to Omni Louisville Hotel in 2022 with the same title. In this role, Donatelli will oversee the Southeast market.

Anne Marie Doyle

Doyle is promoted to the position of hotel manager of Montage Laguna Beach from the role of director of sales and marketing, which she held for four years. Almost two decades ago, she served as general manager of The Glenview Hotel in her home country of Ireland, before transitioning into sales and marketing roles. Now, she is prepared to lead the resort in all daily operations to create an unforgettable guest experience, alongside Managing Director and Area General Manager Mary Rogers.

Sibylle Jenny

JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley, Arizona appoints Jenny as director of sales and marketing. She will build on the property’s existing success and strategically direct the sales team to drive revenue, with a special focus on VIP relations, group and leisure clients and industry partners. Jenny’s goals for this position include implementing new sales and marketing strategies, programs, activations and partnerships to raise the property’s position in local and global markets.

Robert Lowe

Lowe joins Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid as general manager. He will additionally retain his current position as Area Vice President Operations and will now oversee Mandarin Oriental hotels in Barcelona and Canouan as well as the opening of the Costa Navarino location. He earlier served as general manager of the New York property. With over 30 years of experience in the industry and several hotel manager roles, Lowe is certain to bring excellent leadership to Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid.

Tim Paulus

Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, Delaware, appoints Paulus as director of sales and marketing. His three decades of experience in sales and operations at luxury brands enables him to offer outstanding market vision, provide a strategic business perspective and lead the marketing team to develop business relationships and bolster revenue. He will oversee direct sales, marketing and public relations. He comes most recently from his role at Hilton Hotels and Resorts in San Francisco.

Creating a memorable experience is easy when you know what you’re looking for

Three incredibly unique each provide a distinct experience. These hotels unveil renovations to guest rooms and beyond. Stay in a penthouse at the top of a 500-foot tower in New York City; bring the whole family along to a water park resort in the Pacific Northwest; or take in the spectacular art in the heart of Denver’s cultural scene.

Suites in the Sky

new and renovated penthouse suite with city views at the Ritz-Carlton NoMad — The Ritz-Carlton New York NoMad

The Ritz-Carlton New York NoMad unveils 16 limited pied-à-terre penthouse residences, “for those who never want to leave.” On the top four floors of the 500-foot tower, guests can take in breathtaking views of New York City. Designed by world-renowned architect Rafael Viñoly, the penthouses range from 950 to 1,850 sq. ft. and feature expansive ceilings, wide living spaces, luxurious primary and secondary bathrooms, with rain showers and tubs, and kitchens equipped with premium appliances. Guests can opt in to enjoy a pantry hand-picked by Michelin-starred chef José Andres, who manages the hotel’s outstanding restaurants and bars.

The hotel itself offers over 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. This space expands across two floors and a private outdoor terrace. In their free time, guests can nurture their minds and bodies at the 6,800 sq. ft. Ritz-Carlton Spa and Fitness Center. Afterwards, they can enjoy an unforgettable meal at either of the hotel’s two restaurants, Zaytinya and The Bazaar, or socialize over spectacular cocktails at Nubeluz, the hotel’s rooftop bar, 500 feet above the ground.

R&R in the PNW

New and renovated guestroom at Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound — Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound

The Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound, in Grand Mound, Washington, completes a $12-million upgrade to their guest rooms and suites, the first of a $40-million renovation project of the whole resort, being completed in phases. The guest room renovations include new flooring, furniture, mattresses, lighting and drapes in 398 existing guest suites, as well as the addition of 9 brand-new guest suites. New artwork inspired by Great Wolf Lodge’s animated feature film, The Great Wolf Pack, decorates guest rooms and invites a welcoming charm.

The renovation project now turns to the resort’s public spaces. Upcoming renovations include the Cub Paw Pool and whooping Hollow attraction, expected to be completed Summer 2023.

An endlessly popular destination for Pacific Northwest families, featuring a water park, numerous family-friendly attractions and daily events, the Great Wolf Lodge is also an incredible Pacific Northwest meeting destination. Located just by Olympia, Washington, the resort offers 20,214 sq. ft. of versatile meeting space, including 13 breakout rooms.

An Art Haven

New and renovated meeting space in The Art Hotel Denver — The Art Hotel Denver

Located in Denver’s Golden Triangle Museum District, The Art Hotel Denver, Curio Collection by Hilton completes a $3 million property-wide renovation. 165 guest rooms and suites now feature navy, textured carpet accented by colorful bedding, window drapery and furniture. A new national partnership with Soothe provides guests with the opportunity to enjoy spa-quality massages in the comfort of their own guest rooms. The hotel’s 24-hour fitness center now includes Peloton bikes, along with new rubber flooring, wall covering and finishes.

The hotel’s 7,500 sq. ft. of meeting and event space now includes new furniture, carpet, lighting, paint and AV upgrades. Their 3,100-square-foot ballroom can be divided into three sections. More event space includes conference rooms, a boardroom, private dining spaces and an outdoor terrace.

This hotel in the center of Denver’s arts scene features a new and enhanced art collection curated by Dianne Vanderlip, former curator of modern and contemporary art at Denver Art Museum. It displays an eclectic art collection of original art by 20^th and 21^st century artists from all over the world.

Bring joy into your meetings

Joy is contagious. Often joy and happiness are rooted in memorable shared experiences with other people. Using WalletHub’s list of the happiest cities in America, Smart Meetings gathered some of the top locations, venues and locations that are sure to bring a smile to your attendees’ faces.

The Sound of Music in Fremont, California

The Bay Area has a lot to offer meeting professionals within a relatively short distance, except for traffic of course. For planners looking for fun activities to offer their attendees near Fremont, California, Bay Philharmonic is an experience worth checking out. On Oct. 1st,Bay Philharmonic will be hosting its venue’s grand opening with Broadway’s Best, which includes Julius Thomas III, the lead star of Hamilton, as well as Jason Gotay, who appeared in Spiderman: Turn off the Dark, and Lissa deGuzman, who performed in Wicked. The grand opening will include hits from Funny Girl, Sound of Music and Les Misérables.

Only a few miles from the heart of Silicon Valley, Courtyard Fremont Silicon Valley offers 1,050 sq. ft. of meeting space, two event rooms, a wild selection of food options, high-speed internet, a six-foot built-in screen, an LCD projector and Polycom speakerphone, both available to rent.

Read More: Hear the Event

Mystery in San Jose, California

If puzzlement is preferable, meeting planners have the option of inviting attendees to explore Winchester Mystery House. After the death of her husband, Sarah Lockwood Pardee moved to San Jose and began the world’s longest renovation process from 1886 to 1922. At the time of its completion Winchester Mystery House would contain 24,000 sq. ft. of space, 10,000 windows, 2,000 doors and 13 bedrooms. Tours are daily and there are also fun, spooky events scheduled throughout the year.

Winchester Mystery House

San Jose is also home to San Jose Convention Center, which features 520,00 sq. ft. of meeting and event space and 43 breakout rooms. There are also 2,200 committable downtown hotel rooms during peak times.

The Joy of Nature in Madison, Wisconsin

After a long day of socializing, attendees may feel inclined to dial it back a few notches. For that they could check out Olbrich Botanical Gardens, which offers visitors a wide variety of activities, including special exhibits, plant sales and live music.

Olbrich Botanical Garden

Located in downtown Madison, The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club, guests can get a view of the Wisconsin State Capitol. The Madison Concourse Hotel is 5 miles from Dane County Regional Airport (MSN). It is also within walking distance of the farmer’s market, music venues and Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Guest are welcomed to partake in the events such as learning about butterflies, tai chi meditation and yoga.

Fly High in Overland, Kansas

Ever wanted to jump out of an airplane, but sans airplane? Curious groups can check out iFLY, a one-of-a-kind indoor skydiving experience. Attendees can learn how to do stable back flying, rolls, flips, and even participate in some body flight competitions. Visitors can also try out its Flight School and learn about leadership, teamwork and goal setting.

Overland, Kansas

Found near Overland Convention Center, Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at the Convention Center is a short drive from both Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and Kansas City. In addition to beautiful views of Overland Park from several of the guest rooms, guests also get an indoor pool and whirlpool, available in the property’s 24-hour fitness center. Planners will have 21,663 sq. ft. of event space at their disposal, 14 event rooms and nine breakout rooms.

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California

San Francisco may be an expensive place to live, but there’s one thing that is completely free and worth the time. The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in San Francisco only costs the price of a ride there, or the number of steps you can track on your personal fitness watch. If you happen to be there on a foggy night, the Golden Gate Bridge offers a hauntingly beautiful glow that is perfect for snapshots.

Golden Gate Bridge

In the heart of San Francisco’s busy downtown, Moscone Center offers more than 502,00 sq. ft. of contiguous space, two ballrooms, 82 meeting rooms. It’s also LEED Platinum certified with the largest rooftop solar panels in The City.

Take a Spin on the Giant Wheel in Irvine, California

If variety is the name of the game, then visitors to Irvine, California, need look no further than Irvine Spectrum Center. The facility offers a range of choices of activities, including dining, shopping and attractions such as the Giant Wheel, an enormous Ferris wheel that features an LED interface with 52,000 energy-efficient lights, as well as a carousel.

kid running toward giant ferris wheel — Giant Wheel in Irvine, California

Marriot Irvine is nearly 4 miles away from Upper Newport Bay and 12 miles from Huntington Beach and a 3-mile drive to UC Irvine. Marriot Irvine has 30,375 sq. ft. of event space, 32 meeting rooms and 20 breakout rooms. The hotel also offers a series of support features such as AV equipment, event and catering services.

A Merry Time in Merriweather

Located in Merriweather District in downtown Columbia, Maryland, offers visitors a wide variety of activities from food, gaming and outdoor activities. In August, a Summer Fit Series will be held for those interested in yoga. On Aug. 3rd, Merriweather District will host Amped in the Park, an on-going series of free weekly live music.

Columbia, Maryland

Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel, Autograph Collection overlooks Lake Kittamaqundi and is located within seven wooded acres. Guests have access to a nearby golf course. Merriweather Lake House Hotel has 12,492 sq. ft. of event space, 10 breakout rooms and six event rooms.

Chase Waterfalls in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

In the 90s we were encouraged not to chase waterfalls, but if you find yourself in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, you definitely should. Falls Park is a public park found in north central Sioux Falls. The park consists of over 128 acres along the Big Sioux River. On average, about 7,400 gallons of water falls 100 feet per second. Visitors can view from many points of the park, including a five-story observation tower.

Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls Convention Center offers a total of 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 13 meeting rooms, and exhibit halls and ballrooms that total 50,400 sq. ft. The convention center is also attached to Denny Sanford PREMIER Center and Arena.

Set Sail in Burlington, Vermont

After being indoors for so long, it may be fun to invite your attendees outside. In Burlington, Vermont, attendees can venture out to Lake Champlain, sometimes referred to as the Sixth Great Lake. There, they have the ability to participate in fishing, sailing and a private cruise.

Lake Champlain

Champlain College Conference and Event Center is within walking distance of Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace. The center offers a diverse variety of rooms, from Victorian-era to modern. The facility offers 52,766 sq. ft. of meeting space, 60 rooms, a classroom capacity of 270, and 940 sleeping rooms. Attendees will be able to enjoy panoramic views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains.

Samuel Spurrier

Spurrier is appointed as The Westin Maui Resort and Spa Ka’anapali’s director of sales and marketing. In his most recent role as the director of group sales at Westin Maui, his work contributed to impressive growth in the Average Daily Rate. He has led an outstanding sales team that achieved 116 percent of the room revenue booking goal in 2022. He has received numerous awards including the President’s Award for Sales Excellence. Spurrier looks forward to embracing Hawaii’s unique culture and resources alongside his team to promote The Westin Maui as a phenomenal experiential destination.

Jordan Howell

Howell joins Lotte New York Palace as hotel manager. He comes from his role as general manager of THE JACX and JACX & co. After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality Business at Michigan State University, Howell worked in numerous hotels across New York City before relocating to Utah, where he served as director of learning and development and later director of rooms at Waldorf Astoria Park City. In his role with Lotte New York Palace, Howell looks forward to providing the highest of excellence in service and property operations.

Margaux Helm

Helm steps in as marketing manager for meetings at Visit Seattle, the city’s tourism and promotion bureau. She most recently worked as the senior marketing manager at Sur la Table, where she handled the Seattle-based retail brand’s social and content team. She earlier worked at Visit Seattle and WE Communications. Her over 10 years of experience managing digitally focused omnichannel campaigns equips her to bring the bright positivity of meetings and events to this creative city.

Ray Guyton

Guyton joins Blossom Hotel Houston as director of sales and marketing. With over three decades of travel and hospitality experience, Guyton is exceptionally prepared to oversee a dedicated sales team and to manage media relations, community engagement and social media functions for the luxury hotel. His experience includes roles as a director of sales and marketing in Houston and Washington, D.C., at Dallas-based Remington Hospitality, at Houston’s Hotel Alessandra (now The Laura) and more. He is certain to bring a wealth of experience to establish Blossom Hotel as a Houston hospitality leader.

Deepak Mehra

Conrad Los Angeles appoints Mehra as general manager. His over 25 years of experience include his previous role as area general manager at Viceroy Hotels & Resorts, where he oversaw commercial, operational and financial performance and an over $75 million revenue between the brand’s two hotels. Before this, he has worked as general manager for Hilton Woodland Hills and Kimpton Hotels, as director of operations for Raffles L’Ermitage in Beverly Hills and in various positions at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts around the world, from New Delhi to Singapore.

Karen Earp

Hotel Barrière Fouquet New York welcomes Earp as general manager. Along with a Bachelor of Science in hotel, restaurant and tourism management and an MBA with a specialty in marketing and finance, Earp brings over 40 years of experience in hospitality. She has held positions around the globe at Pierre Hotel in New York, Disneyland Paris and Four Seasons Hotel in Istanbul. She will pave the way for Hotel Barrière Fouquet to be a leader in New York’s luxury hotels in its second year of operation.

Gia Polo

Polo has been appointed general manager of Kimpton Schofield in Cleveland. Born and raised in Ohio, she brings her love for the city along with nearly two decades of hospitality experience. She began her career while a full-time student at Cleveland State University, and later was opening general manager of a newly built property in Washington, D.C. She served as corporate task force general manager at Interstate Hotels and Resorts where she demonstrated her tactful ability to help struggling or transitional hotels, and she looks forward to providing the warmth that makes guests’ stays incredibly memorable.

Kimberli Krutsch

Krutsch joins Visit Bentonville as director of sales. With over two decades of experience in hospitality and accommodations, she is well-equipped to serve the tourism and promotion center of Bentonville. She has previously served as director of sales for Courtyard by Marriott Bentonville and Towneplace Suites by Marriott Bentonville. In this role, she will focus on expanding niche markets such as the aviation and medical industries to promote Bentonville as an excellent conference and convention destination.

Jim Perrin

Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) brings in Perrin as vice president of sales for the Mid-Atlantic region. His over 30 years of experience in the industry includes event service and sales with ALHI member hotels, a role as the co-chair of PCMA’s EduCon Committee and a seat on the ASAE Meeting and Exposition Section Council. He currently serves on AMCI’s Annual Meeting Committee. His deep understanding of ALHI and successful track record prepares him phenomenally for this role.

David Emig

Emig is promoted to general manager of Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort. He has previously served as resort manager of the wellness retreat at Sensei Lanai. His over two decades of experience also includes numerous senior management positions in the Maldives, London, Shanghai, Singapore and Austin. His nuanced understanding of guest service and hospitality equips him to lead Sensei Lanai in creating an outstanding guest experience.

Loren Christie

Christie is appointed as the new managing director for BestCities Global Alliance. With over 25 years of experience in travel, tourism and business events, and in leadership roles with Starwood Hotels and Resorts and Destination Toronto, he brings extensive experience to oversee BestCities operations, focusing on their values of legacy, sustainability and advancement of the global impact of meeting events.

Yojainna Otero

Yojainna Otero returns to Omni La Mansión del Rio and Mokara Hotel & Spa as director of catering and conference services. She joined Omni La Mansión del Rio upon her graduation from University of Texas San Antonio, working up to a position as Convention Service Manager. She also was part of the opening team for Mokara Hotel & Spa, then known as The Watermark Hotel. She brings over two decades of experience to her new role to lead her team to achieve revenue goals and host unforgettable events.

Scott Dawson & Matt Skaletsky

Headshots of Scott Dawson and Matt Skaletsky — Scott Dawson (left) and Matt Skaletsky (right)

Islamorada Resort Collection announces a new executive team, headed by Dawson as vice president and managing director. Over his 30 years in the industry, Dawson has held numerous executive positions across resorts in the southern United States, most recently in hospitality consulting, where he paved the way in building strategic, productive teams and a welcoming work environment.

Skaletsky will work closely with Dawson as resort manager of Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina and Pelican Cove Resort & Marina. Having worked as a chef across several luxury properties, including Ritz-Carlton and Montage locations, he holds extensive culinary experience as well as leadership experience through his role as executive chef at Moonlight Basin in Montana and as general manager at Semiahmoo Resort in Washington.

Christopher Cestari

The Pierre NY, A Taj Hotel, welcomes Cestari as director of luxury leisure and corporate sales. In this role, he will call on his more than two decades of experience in sales management, New York hotels and the cruise industry to build on existing client relationships and expand the hotel’s business opportunities in luxury leisure and corporate sales.

Mikio Akiyama

Zentis Osaka appoints Akiyama as general manager. His more than 25 years of experience in hospitality and sales across Japan, Singapore and Thailand—ten of which he has spent with owning company Palace Hotel Co., Ltd.—equips him well to oversee the growth of Zentis Osaka’s appeal to luxury lifestyle, following the full opening of Japan’s borders this past May, after the pandemic put a damper on the hotel’s opening in July 2020.

Denise Florio

Florio will oversee the sales, marketing and events team and drive revenue at Park Hyatt New York as director of sales and marketing after over 20 years of experience at numerous Hyatt properties. She comes from her role as director of sales and marketing at Hyatt Recency Aruba Resort & Casino. In this role, she will work with General Manager Laurent Ebzant to expand guestroom sales, meetings and on-property experiences and partnerships.

Katy Zamesnik

Zamesnik has been promoted from chief administrative officer to assistant director at Austin Convention Center Department, and she will continue her work of managing financial operations and partner relations with the Redevelopment and Expansion Project Team, and of overseeing ACCD’s Community Engagement and Arts Programs. She also maintains her role as liaison and contract manager for Visit Austin.

Kimberly Johnson

Johnson has been promoted to events manager at Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe. She joined Lake Conroe as a food and beverage manager in August 2021 to provide tremendous food and beverage service and now looks forward to overseeing events hosted on the resorts 72,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space to uphold its status as a spectacular meeting and event space.

Anna Williams

Williams joins DMC Network as director of global sales. She brings a global mindset and strong appreciation for diversity to her new role. She has been actively involved with Meeting Professionals International (MPI), who recognized her leadership with their prestigious Shining Star award, and has sat on the board of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Southeast Chapter.

Nicholas Squire

Squire will join Kimpton Taconic Hotel as general manager. Originally from England, Squire has embraced the characteristic spirit of New England hospitality, serving in hotels across Vermont and most recently in his role as general manager at Mill Falls at the Lake in New Hampshire. His over 20 years of experience includes management of multiple properties that embrace guests with genuine warmth.

AI is here. It’s not a separate technology but a discipline and you’ll find it baked into an escalating amount of new and old tools. The genie is out of the bottle and it’s only going to be more pervasive and invisible as well. What does that mean for the meetings industry? It might be our salvation.

While there are books, movies and endless lectures on the potential dystopian outcomes of wholesale adoption of artificial intelligence, I like to take the optimistic viewpoint. Maybe because I was raised on Star Trek, but I see AI as our companion and a bridge to a more human future. That might seem like an oxymoron, something artificial enabling us to be more human… but what is more human than the creation of tools? Tools are what separate us from the rest of the animal kingdom and with them, we’ve advanced to discover our place in the universe. Tools enable us to come together and work on something greater than ourselves, as do meetings.

Time and Resources

I see the tools of AI giving the meeting planner something they’ve never had in any real abundance before, time and resources. The mundane tasks like creating first drafts of agendas, booking travel accommodations, modifying headshots and the endless list of unfulfilling boxes to check can be handled through AI without knowledge of coding or degrees in development.

Our designed experiences can be richer with AI tools in the mix enabling attendees to meet who they were meant to meet, suggesting the best sessions to attend, and answering questions instantly. This adds up to less distractions, more focus and more mindfulness. We aren’t more human when we have to wait in long lines or suffer when our needs are not anticipated. AI can solve these common problems and much more.

Read More: Adding AI to Your Next Meeting

The post-event work that planners look forward to the least can now be sources of empowerment as AI-derived data can help tell more nuanced stories. Meetings have never had their full potential realized in the business world because it’s always been difficult to unpack experience ROI. With discriminative deep learning models, passive data collection of participants can reveal hidden truths about the experiences we design. Generative AI has the ability to reveal different perspectives on almost all aspects of your event. Asking AI how a neurodivergent individual might feel about a theater in the round or a nightclub venue for your networking event, could reveal jumping-off points for important discussions about inclusion.

The health and well-being of the planner themselves is something the industry has been pointing at for years now without a silver bullet emerging as the solution. Maybe an equilibrium can come through the adoption of AI? With time saved, ambiguity of the event’s results made clearer, and an increased sense of belonging amongst meeting participants, would the planner not be enriched? The business of bringing people together is as complicated as any profession in the world. Isn’t it about time technology lessened this burden as opposed to adding more to it?

Blurring of Humanity and Technology

On a protracted scale (and with exponentially increasing innovation likely sooner than we think), AI could be revolutionary for the growth and maturity of the entire hospitality and experiences industries. With an overall decrease in time spent in repetitive tasks, what remains are the soft or “human” skills. Coming together and having experiential emotional exchanges could gain untold traction in a world with more personalization, empirical return and inclusionary design. As many industries predict they could fold into the ominous gravity of the technology industry, could it actually go the other way for the world of experience design?

With no-code development platforms and the accessibility of on-demand generation of complex software, the next generation might be coding as easily as we text and send voice commands today. What isn’t threatened by large language processing and generation’s ability to serve answers instantaneously is the human desire to both come together and be changed through experiences. There isn’t an AI that will replace those innate needs. What will change is the relationship between planners and attendees.

The demands of attendees, who also have access to generative AI, are going to change. Content will be easier to come by than ever before. It will take a backseat to shared experiences. With on-demand, contextualized and more potent content available by just asking questions in a natural way, lectures and other typical meeting delivery mechanisms will be tolerated less. Planners need to think of experiences first with the fostering of connecting, participating and the energy of a shared space as the priority of our designs. Planners need to invest heavily in a feedback loop to take the temperature of a shifting attendance base as their tastes change in response to AI adoption. Deeper listening through AI-powered surveys and attendee facial analysis could be a game-changer.

AI is improving lives every day, giving us more time to pursue our passions while having a better understanding of others’ perspectives. At the beginning of this new technological evolution, it’s more important than ever to hold on to our humanity and to remember that tools are mirrors of their makers. We may just be entering a golden age of gatherings.

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Nick Borelli is the director of marketing for Zenus, the leader in ethical facial analytics. He has spent over two decades at the intersection of marketing, events and tech. He is also the instructor for PCMA’s “Enhancing Events with AI” Certificate Course. You can see Nick and the Zenus team next as they deploy their AI technologies at the CEMA Summit and IMEX America.

At Connect 2023, Cvent showcased new features planners will love

Opening the first day of Cvent Connect 2023 with a Broadway performance by experience company Broadway Plus was fitting.

As the performers of the opening show sang about the joys of connecting and networking with likeminded meeting and hospitality industry professionals, those very professionals in attendance both live and in person likely sung just as joyously about the new event tech products that were showcased at Cvent’s latest conference and tradeshow at Las Vegas’ Caesars Forum, which included tools that will allow meeting profs to have more control over their event content, keep attendees engaged year-round and be more productive with the use of AI.

New Cvent Products

The new digital products rolling out from Cvent place a great emphasis on year-round engagement among attendees, with the rollout of Cvent Webinar and Cvent Events+, which have numerous features that will allow planners to keep engagement high before, during and after an event.

With Cvent Webinar, event organizers can now host webinars directly on Cvent’s platform, allowing planners to manage their events and webinars in one place. The solution makes it easy for meeting profs with no prior experience creating webinars, offering tools like lower thirds, backgrounds, scene transitions and embedded media files to create a better experience. It will also have features that can foster interactivity, such as live polls, Q&A, interactive chat and feedback surveys. It will also integrate with marketing platforms and CRM systems to allow for better measurement of webinar success.

people in ballroom talking

Cvent Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer David Quattrone said the team is excited about what planners and customers will be able to do with the webinar tool. “It’s designed in a way that’s simple,” he said. “You don’t have to overburden your internal events team. You can allow end users to have some of that content. If they want to get some of those interactions going, they can do it and manage it on their own.”

Cvent’s new Cvent Events+ will also be used to foster year-round engagement and generate more engagement among attendees, displaying upcoming events and webinars, as well as on-demand video and highlights for those who weren’t in attendance. Video content will also be easier to handle through Events+, as event planners will be able to edit and promote their video content from the platform.

The use of AI plays into the operation of Cvent Events+ in several ways. Writing event and speaker descriptions are an important part of creating events, but it’s also an area where many event planners would prefer not to spend extended periods of time. Cvent’s AI feature will be able to help with this. Using what’s called “seed text,” a sentence or two (or longer, if necessary) containing your main message, you will then use AI to make the text longer, more concise or give a different tone. AI can also be used to write video descriptions by analyzing the video’s content.

No dates were announced for when these products will be out, although representatives said they will be available for use within six months.

Personalization and the Future of Tech

The future of event technology is both exciting and a bit uncertain. Brian Ludwig, senior vice president at Cvent, expressed this excitement when talking about the future of event tech, some of which may be here in the near future, while others may be decades away.

“No one’s going to debate whether or not AI is going to take off,” Ludwig said. “Really, the question is which areas are going to become most pervasive, like will AI for venue sourcing become a thing, instead of doing it the more traditional way. Will recommendations around sessions and speakers and people that you should meet get smarter and more personalized? I think we all agree those things are going to happen. Really just how much more digitized are events going to get? The pandemic sped it up, and I think over the next five to 10 years, it’s just going to keep going in the exact same direction.”

The simultaneous consumption of content among attendees is something Ludwig believes will continue, although he admitted he has a hard time wrapping his head around it, battling whether the attendee is actually engaged and paying attention to the content. Acceptance that attendees are being pulled in multiple directions is likely the solution.

“We have to come to expect that they’re looking at the deck [on their phone], they’re texting someone they just met about having a conversation about the topic. We have to embrace that people’s attention spans are short, and they’re going to be pulled in lots of different directions; they’re going to be getting [opportunities for] content collaboration coming at them from all angles.”

The flood of information attendees receive during events isn’t useful to everyone equally, and Ludwig toyed with the idea of optimizing someone’s experience so they can take it all in, analyze it and walk away with only what they need and want. “We don’t do a great job of this today,” he said. “What I envision is if I met 27 people and went to 15 sessions, and I loved the first five minutes of that one and seven minutes of this one….” Ludwig sees a time when all that content can be funneled to give each attendee only what they need, so they can walk away from a conference with an A-to-Z of what happened, what the interesting moments were and use AI to draft that into a write-up.

Personalization is always a huge topic and technology can be used to make it even better, but Ludwig said this personalization requires more participation on the part of attendees. “It starts with having people fill out a robust profile,” he said. “Today, even though they can do it, a lot of people sign up for the event, go into the app and don’t fill out personal preferences, interests, background detail, they don’t upload a profile picture and they don’t upload their LinkedIn profile.

“The more we can get people to give during registration or when they first log into something like a mobile app allows us to then see out to their connections, where they went to school, who they’re connected to, what interests they have. When you gather all that unstructured data, and bring it together via AI, then you can start offering the right things for the right people at the right time.”

Choice Hotels International Joins Cvent’s Instant Book Platform

In Q3 2023, Choice Hotels International will join Cvent’s Instant Book platform, allowing meeting profs to easily find and book guest room blocks for small events at Choice Hotels properties. With this new integration, planners with small and simple events will be able to search, compare real-time rates and availability without the need to send RFPs, normally required for larger, complex events.

“Choice is a very tech-forward type of company,” said Jim Abramson, vice president of product management for Cvent. “One of the things that’s happened since the pandemic is higher response times, and with higher response times, the RFPs planners send need a faster turnaround. So, they look at technology as a way to help them respond faster—and there’s really nothing faster than instant.”

Abramson said they’re going to continue working with Choice to find out what works and what doesn’t, as well as work with other chains and hotels to grow the marketplace.

“This is an industry change,” Abramson said. “For an industry to change, you need to have everybody in the industry change it together. Choice is one of those [brands] that’s more on the early side. But both planners and hotels need to adopt this to be ubiquitous over time. I don’t know if it’s five years, seven years, 10 years, but at some point, Instant Booking is going to be just a normal thing that we all do in this industry.”