Meeting in the Great Outdoors

CAESARS FORUM hosts ConferenceDirect’s 2020 Annual Partner Meeting in its Forum Plaza

These venues afford both fresh air and peace of mind in the age of social distancing

It goes without saying that the world is a much different place today than it was in January. We are fortunate to see events begin to return, often in smaller numbers and exhibiting tremendous care for attendees’ health and safety. We hope the trend continues throughout the months ahead.

While medical information about the transmission of COVID-19 changes quite frequently, professionals have advised that it is less likely to contract the virus outdoors. When you’re outside, fresh air is constantly moving, dispersing potentially infectious respiratory droplets containing the virus. A tangential benefit of being outdoors is that “it offers an emotional boost and can help you feel less tense, stressed, angry or depressed,” according to the Mayo Clinic. Indeed, while outdoor event space was always something of an added benefit when planners looked at staging their functions, it has become a sought-after commodity as a result of the pandemic.

LET’S RAISE A GLASS ... Recently, Caesars Entertainment inaugurated CAESARS FORUM, Las Vegas’ newest convention facility (highlighted as the cover feature of the F&D 2020 Summer issue). In addition to housing the two largest pillarless ballrooms in the world, one of CAESARS FORUM’s selling points, noted during our pre-opening tour, is its “garage doors” that open to extend available space into the 100,000-sq.-ft. Forum Plaza. Allowing groups to gather under the stars and in the shadow of the High Roller observation wheel, the plaza was integral to the resounding success of ConferenceDirect’s recent conference (see page 17). No doubt, Forum Plaza will attract larger groups looking for a venue that can cater to their needs and as well as the needs of the day.

I’LL DRINK TO THAT ... In January, following the conclusion of PCMA Convening Leaders at San Francisco’s recently expanded Moscone Center, we joined many of our industry colleagues to explore Napa and Sonoma, an hour north of the San Francisco Bay area. Our visit to Napa commenced with a stop at the awardwinning Hagafen Cellars, where in addition to a tasting of wines and olives (grown alongside the winery’s vineyards), we received a most informative and entertaining introduction to the region’s winemaking history. These days, planners do well to supplement the boutique winery’s tasting room with its patio, which facilitates social distancing.

Napa’s Meritage Resort and Spa and sister property Vista Collina have a combined 467 guestrooms, and are set

amidst the former’s vineyards — Trinitas Cellars. Wines has additional rooms available at its sister property, the served to groups utilizing the resort’s over 80,000 sq. ft. of Orchards Inn. indoor and outdoor function space often include its own L’Auberge de Sedona also offers the over 3,000-sq.special vintages. In addition to traditional function space ft. Creekhouse, which includes five bedrooms that can such as the over 10,000-sq.-ft. Meritage Ballroom, the resort be utilized as function spaces. The Creekhouse’s highhas some unique spaces, including an underground cavern ceilinged common area opens to a spacious terrace. Stairs — the Grand Estate Cave — from the terrace can further where dinner events can be extend the space down to an hosted among wine barrels. open lawn, one of many areas

Returning to our focus on alongside the creek suitable outdoor spaces, the Meritage for events. has an over 1,900-sq.-ft. deck More traditional functions and more than 1,300 sq. ft. of can be staged within the pre-function space peering 2,400-sq.-ft. Monet Ballroom, out into its vineyards. The L’Auberge’s largest indoor Vista Collina’s Rooftop space. The ballroom has Terrace similarly looks out Group functions are complemented by vineyards and expansive large windows to allow an upon row after row of plush Napa skies at The Meritage Resort and Spa abundance of natural light, greenery and farms whose a wood-burning fireplace produce covers the nearby for crisper evenings, as well hillsides. The 16,000-sq.- as patio doors to extend the ft. Vista Collina Lawn is space outdoors an additional the largest event space 3,100 sq. ft. L’Auberge’s and allows attendees to 2,670-sq.-ft. SpiritSong experience Napa without Terrace is solely an outdoor leaving the property. area that overlooks Sedona’s Surrounded by tasting “Snoopy Rock” (so named for rooms from local vineyards, its said similarity to the famed guests can spend time in Peanuts cartoon dog sleeping a contained open-air environment and enjoy a variety of atop his doghouse). The scenic lawn enables planners wines from celebrated vintners. to stage receptions and other events that make a lasting ON THE ROCKS ... As planners cautiously determine their path to return Outdoor meetings are a natural choice when in Sedona, to indoor spaces, knowing that there are facilities offering AZ. The town’s monolithic red rock formations seemingly compelling outdoor spaces along with well-developed health change colors throughout the day, while the night skies are and safety measures is comforting. This sampling of venues a stargazer’s paradise. With gathering outdoors becoming in the western United States can be supplemented with the standard, properties like L’Auberge de Sedona scores of others across North America and beyond. Here’s to have become even more attractive. The 88-room luxury hoping that future features can take our focus back indoors. resort, now part of the Hyatt portfolio, is secluded in a Cheers! —D.K. valley alongside Oak Creek and rests in the shadows of picturesque rock formations. Ideal for buyouts, the property impression.

Sedona’s natural environs can become part of the meeting experience at L’Auberge de Sedona