MEETINGSMAGS.COM // WINTER 2019 Head South THAT’S JUST RIGHT FOR YOUR GROUP STEEL CITY Pittsburgh is stronger than everSKI BREAK Meet slopeside at these 4 ski resorts
2 NEM+E | WINTER 2019 Take your meetings to THE NEXT LEVEL COMING SPRING 2019 Mount Airy Casino Resort is less than 90 minutes from New York City and northern New Jersey. For meeting inquiries contact Sarah Farrell, Director of Hotel Sales at sfarrell@mtairycasino.com, call 570-243-5173, or visit mountairycasino.com ♦ 100 new guest rooms ♦ 4 Executive Suites ♦ 5 Junior Suites ♦ An additional 16,000-square-foot meeting and convention center ♦ Accommodates 750 guests for seated dinners ♦ Holds 1,200 attendees for events and concerts ♦ Packages are available for elopements, groups and parties Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. mountairycasino.com 1-877-MTAIRY-1
celebration, conference or magnificent gala for 350, the Kartrite achieves the perfect balance of discriminating taste with the flexibility to accommodate meetings and events of all sizes. resort & indoor waterpark Meet us in the Catskills groups@thekartrite.com 845.397.2500 555 Resorts World Drive Monticello, NY 12701 thekartrite.com • 7,500 sq ft of flexible meeting space • Expansive pre-function and outdoor event space • Business center • Complimentary Wi-Fi • On-site audio/visual
2 NEM+E | WINTER 2019 COUNTLESS ADVENTURES. ONE RESORT. CAMELBACKRESORT.COM • 855.515.1283 TAKE YOUR NEXT MEETING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX. WAY, WAY OUTSIDE. MEET. PLAY. SPLASH. LAUGH. TEAM BUILD. RELAX. • 20,000 sq/ft of meeting space • USA’s longest twin zip lines • America’s #1 Adventure Resort • Team Building Center • Award Winning Spa • Mountain Coaster • 2 waterparks • 7 Restaurants • Luxury Lodge
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 3
4 NEM+E | WINTER 2019 STUDIOGELSOBELLOPAULSANIBEL;ANDMYERSFORTOFBEACHESTHELODGE;WHITEFACEPHOTOS: Winter 2019 NORTHEAST MEETINGS + EVENTS MAGAZINE: IN THIS ISSUE 8 EDITOR’S LETTER 18 VENUE REPORT Hit the slopes at these area ski resorts. By Keith Loria 22 DESTINATION Once an industrial city, Pittsburgh appeals to the meetings and events industry. By Brittany Trevick 48 PEOPLE PROFILE Meet Julie Sawitz, 21 Club’s director of private dining. By Nancy DePalma DEPARTMENTS 18 FEATURES 26 fromGreetingsFlorida Get to know the Sunshine State’s destinations. By Morgan Halaska 25
6 NEM+E | WINTER 2019 44 2019Winter MEETING NOTES 11 PEERSPACE The online marketplace pairs planners with creative, one-of-a-kind meeting spaces. By Megan Gosch 12 TIPS FROM A PRO Catering isn’t always the easiest part of planning. By Susan Dunkelman 13 EVENT SPOTLIGHT NYC goes green for its 10th Climate Week. By Morgan Halaska 14 BEYOND THE BORDER Sister properties shine in the Dominican Republic. By Julianna Fazio 16 EXPERT ADVICE Five strategies to improve engagement in meetings. By J. Elise Keith 17 SIGNATURE DRINK Brooklyn’s Cooler, courtesy of RFTP at Pod Brooklyn INDUSTRY UPDATE 38 INFOGRAPHIC USA is ranked the No. 1 destination in the Eventex Top 20 Destinations for Meetings and Events Index. Research courtesy of Eventex 40 REGIONAL NEWS What’s happening in the local industry. Compiled by Morgan Halaska 46 SNAPSHOTS Photos from Northeast M+E ’s Best of 2018 readers’ choice awards ON THE COVER Discover tions.meeting/eventFlorida’sdestinaIllustration by Traci Zellmann 4041 ISTOCK.COM/@ALISAFAROV;RACEWAY;RPMPHOTOS: LANESASBURYHead FIND THE FLORIDA DESTINATION South THAT’S JUST RIGHT FOR YOUR GROUP STEEL CITYSKI BREAK Get the recipe for Brooklyn’s Cooler pg 17
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 7 State Theatre New Jersey iPlay America
Finally, a note about the artist responsible for my illustrated photo. Elke Reva Sudin founded her company, Drawing Booth, in 2014. Juxtaposing the use of technology and good old-fashioned drawing by hand, she made a business out of her passion for drawing flash-portraits. She captivated everyone who attended the Northeast Meetings + Events Best of 2018 event (photos on page 46) with her ability to work a room and sketch her subjects in just a few minutes; with offices in New York, LA, Chicago and London, she and her team of artists are available across the country to digitize hand-drawn portraits on the spot (drawingbooth.com).
FIRST, A QUICK INTRODUCTION: I’m the managing editor of the Meetings + Events Media group (in which we have nine regional titles) and am filling in for former editor Nancy DePalma as she moves on to bigger and better endeavors. Nancy helped shape this magazine into what it is today, launching New Jersey Meetings + Events and Pennsylvania Meetings + Events five years ago with former associate publisher Maureen Hennessey. Today, Northeast Meetings + Events covers a larger area than in its original iteration (New York City’s five boroughs and Westchester and Rockland counties; Connecticut around Stamford/Greenwich; New Jersey; and now Pennsylvania) and I’m thrilled to be part of it. In this issue, though, we’re going south to the Sunshine State. Florida might get a bad rap for its strange news stories but dig deeper and you’ll discover it’s a pretty magical place (and no, not just because of Disney World). Take the rare coastal dune lakes in South Walton for example, or the fact that Miami used to be a mangrove swamp before being developed in the 1920s (not to mention that it’s the only place in the U.S. that’s bordered by two national parks). St. Petersburg holds the Guinness World Record for logging the most consecutive days of sunshine ever recorded and St. Augustine is the oldest city in the U.S. Tampa is completely overhauling its downtown waterfront area, and downtown Jacksonville is booming with a planned 1,100 hotel rooms. When it comes to meetings and events, there are endless options to accommo date your group’s size and interest; flip to page 26 to learn more.
Morgan Halaska, editor MORGAN.HALASKA@TIGEROAK.COM
Florida in Wintertimethe
/NEMEETINGSMAGS @NEMEETINGSMAGS /MEETINGSMAGS /MEETINGSEVENTSMAGS EDITOR'S LETTER
Find, Friend, Follow Find us online at ne.meetingsmags.com, and make sure to “like” us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram to stay in the loop between issues.
8 NEM+E | WINTER 2019 SUDINREVAELKEILLUSTRATION:
9 EDITOR Morgan Halaska SENIOR EDITOR Megan Gosch DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR Julianna Fazio CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Nancy DePalma, Susan Dunkelman, J. Elise Keith, Keith Loria, Brittany Trevick EDITORIAL INTERNS Jenna Barbari, Holly Fritz, Brianna Smiley, Kendall Van Horne EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Sarah Anello, Center City District Parks • Je rey Cesari, Bristol-Myers Squibb Kristen George Landmark Hospitality • Matthew Holt, Arena Americas • Mark Ickes, Explore Altoona Tara Marcus, Dillon Marcus • Marc Kaminetsky, Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board Justin Panzer, Eventuosity • Michael Shannon, Destination Canada Patty Stern, PattyStern.Com Creative Marketing Solutions • Scott Sussman, The Peacock Inn SENIOR MANAGING ART DIRECTOR Courtney Nielsen ART DIRECTOR Traci Zellmann JUNIOR ART DIRECTOR Taylor Severson PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Dianne Talmage PROJECT COORDINATORS Brittni Dye, Alex Kotlarek CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jeremy Wieland SUBSCRIPTION MARKETING SPECIALIST Rebekah Gregorich EVENT MANAGER Kelsey Copeland SENIOR ACCOUNTANT Ly’Neys Hill CREDIT MANAGER April McCauley ACCOUNTANT Katie Bodin DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Kristin Mastantuono WEB DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Sandy Powell WEB ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Angela Beissel ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER– NATIONAL SALES Laurie laurieburger@comcast.net586.416.4195Burger California Meetings + Events • 303.617.0548 Colorado Meetings + Events • 303.617.0548 Illinois Meetings + Events • 312.755.1133 Michigan Meetings + Events • 586.416.4195 Minnesota Meetings + Events • 612.787.3148 Mountain Meetings • 303.617.0548 | 425.429.8200 Northwest Meetings + Events • 425.429.8200 Texas Meetings + Events • 469.264.7657 Reprints: For high-quality reprints of 500 or more call 1-800-637-0334 or email reprints@tigeroak.com. For address changes, ordering single copies, cancellations, or general questions about your subscription please contact customer service at 1-800-637-0334 or customerservice@tigeroak.com Northeast Meetings + Events accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork; they will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. TIGER OAK MEDIA FOUNDER & CEO R. Craig Bednar PRESIDENT Tony Bednar CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Barb Steinhauser VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT Susan Isay DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & Jim Younger BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 900 South Third St., Minneapolis, MN 55415 Phone: 612.548.3180 Fax: 612.548.3181 Published quarterly Northeast Meetings + Events, Winter 2019 © 2019 Tiger Oak Media. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. WINTER 2019 ne.meetingsmags.com One of my favorite events is the Revolutionary Run at Valley Forge National Historical Park. This 5-mile race produced by the VFTCB raised over $55,000 for the park in 2018 (page 42). The Best of Philly event. Guests have the opportunity to taste food from Philadelphia’s best restaurants, enjoy live entertainment, and take part in some of the ‘best’ things Philly has to o er. It also raises money for the Center City Foundation.District What’s“ your favoriteevent?local” Quikcheck Balloon Festival (NJ) and Doylestown Art Show andFaireRenaissance(PA) From conferences with creative team building sessions like mushroom cook-offs to intimate board retreats and reunions at Longwood Gardens, planners and guests alike will be impressed. Courtney Babcock Director of Sales | Courtney@BrandywineValley.com484.840.7213BrandywineValley.com/meetings A mix of BrandywineChesterThatandinnovation,history,charmhospitality.isCounty'sValley
CONVENTION CENTER | HOTEL | GREAT LOCATION OUR MEETING EXPECTATIONS ARE AS HIGH AS YOURS. Located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, our 20,000 square-foot Convention Center, hotel, luxury spa and attention to detail will make your next business conference more than memorable. Book your meeting or conference today at mohegansunpocono.com or call 1.855.MEET.MSP. Gambling Problem? Call 1.800.GAMBLER.
PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION TIPS FROM A PRO 12 EVENT SPOTLIGHT 13 EXPERT ADVICE 16 SIGNATURE DRINK 17 PEERSPACEPHOTO: ConnectedGet PEERSPACE team@peerspace.compeerspace.com
Uncovering Off-Site Gems
AS meetings and events trend toward out-of-the-box, interactive experiences in nontraditional venues, planners are on the hunt for new and creative locales. Enter Peerspace: the Airbnb-style space sharing platform, pairing planners with unconventional and underutilized venues that fuel more effective meetings.
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 11
Those looking to break away from windowless conference rooms and drab ballrooms can find hidden gems in the local art galleries, lofts, photography studios, warehouses, museums and even movie set locations listed on the platform. Users simply scroll through the platform’s online marketplace (which currently hosts over 8,000 listings in 46 states) to find the perfect space to host anything from workshops and corporate retreats to teambuilding events and fitness classes. Venues are Peerspace reviewed and approved, and include a detailed description of the space, guest capacity, rental price and user reviews, as well as high-quality photos (Peerspace offers professional photography for high-potential listings). Venues can be booked online at the click of a button. “We’ve made finding and booking a space as simple and streamlined as possible so planners can actually enjoy that process of discovery,” says Chammas. “We want to make discovering and working in new and unique spaces easy and exciting.” —By Megan Gosch
Meeting Notes
“Peerspace was founded on the idea (and research shows) that location is key when it comes to meeting productivity,” says Rony Chammas, co-founder and chief product officer of Peerspace. “Meeting in a unique or comfortable space with features like natural light, plants or interesting artwork or architecture can boost inspiration and productivity. It’s all about finding those one-of-a-kind, unexpected spaces to help your team meet more creatively.”
New platform helps planners discover unconventional meeting spaces.
BY SUSAN DUNKELMAN
12 NEM+E | WINTER 2019
PRIOR TO FORMING THE CHARLES GROUP INC. IN 1987, SUSAN DUNKELMAN SERVED AS DIRECTOR OF CONFERENCES FOR THE RISK AND INSURANCE MANAGEMENT SOCIETY (RIMS), AN ASSOCIATION OF OVER 4,000-MEMBER CORPORATIONS, AND WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING THE RIMS ANNUAL CONFERENCE WITH 12,000 PARTICIPANTS. SHE ALSO DIRECTED SIMILAR ACTIVITIES FOR RIMS IN EUROPE AND ASIA. SHE ALSO PARTICIPATES AS A MEMBER OF ILEA.
The first step is to request a formal tasting. This is a perfect opportunity to not only taste the food in advance, but to also meet the staff that you will be working with leading up to and during the event. The best thing you can do is entice the caterer with your vision and appeal to their creative side so that they get personally invested and motivated to make your event a success. Working with a caterer requires a special balance between what they do best and the menu that you envision for your theme and location. It’s fine to ask if they can create unique dishes and most willingly do, but if you go too far out of their comfort zone it can end in a not so pleasurable dining experi ence for your guests. For example, a simple Philly cheesesteak could be turned into a more impressive presentation using filet mignon. Ask them what makes them stand out from their competitors and what items they think will work best for your goals.
TIPS FROM A PRO» FOOD FOR THOUGHT Don’t always assume hiring the caterer is the easiest part of planning your event.
THEFORDANIELLEJORDAN(OPPOSITE)GROUP;CHARLESPHOTOS: RICKMICHELLEGROUP;CLIMATE
WHETHER YOU ARE PLANNING A SMALL OR LARGE EVENT, food and beverages play a large role in the enjoyment of your guests. The mistake that most people make is that they hire a well-recommended caterer and then automatically assume that a great meal will be provided for their guests. Even if you are working with a large venue and their required ca tering vendor, there are still things you can do to ensure a successful and delicious presentation! Besides crafting your menu, a tasting is the perfect time to talk about the logistics of the event. Every detail must be addressed in advance, starting with where the caterer and his equipment will be located within the event venue. This can affect the timeliness of serv ing your guests, and the overall appearance of the food, especially if you have a large crowd. What looks delicious on a small plate at a tast ing must be able to translate well into what is being served to the entire group of attendees. Your conversation must also cover the rental equipment that is being used. If you are doing a themed event, the last thing you want to have happen is the waitstaff coming out with dishes that contrast rather than complement yourAnotherdécor. important discussion to have is about your staff-to-guest ratio. You may be serving your guests the best food in the world, but if it isn’t presented in a timely manner, that will be the takeaway of your attendees. While it’s tempting to skip on waitstaff, captains or even busboys if you have a limited budget, doing so will affect the successful outcome of your event. It’s also a good idea to ask about any of their experiences when something went wrong and how they were able to remedy it on-site. This can provide a good window into how resourceful and well thought out the staff is that you will ultimately be working with. Lastly, there are the usual questions to cover including the dietary needs of your guests; setup and breakdown time; waitstaff attire; and all of the other small yet crucial details to ensure a delightful and delicious event.
PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 13
At the same time, NYC & Company’s Convention Development team visited four European cities (London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam) to showcase the city’s commitment to becoming “the Capital City of a Responsible World” to influential European buyers for its 2018 annual European MICE Road Show.
“Having welcomed 6.2 million del egates who chose to ‘Make it NYC’ in 2017, we’re inspired to educate lead ing event professionals in Europe—our most valuable international visitor market—on the city’s pledge to be sus tainable and to showcase how travel ers to New York City can get involved in protecting our destination and the planet,” says Jerry Cito, senior vice president of convention development, NYC & Company. nycgo.com/greenmeetingsguideclimateweeknyc.org;
EVENT SPOTLIGHT»
GOINGLITERALLYGREEN
NYC’s iconic buildings go green for Climate Week NYC. By Morgan Halaska It wasn’t envy that turned NYC’s sky line green. Notable buildings across New York City (Javits Center Crystal Palace, Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, One Bryant Park, One Five One, One World Trade Center, Pier 17 and Landmarked Coney Island Parachute Drop) were lit green on Sept. 23 in awareness of the 10th Climate Week NYC. Climate Week NYC is the largest cli mate week in the world, with over 140 events and approximately 10,000 attend ees from over 40 countries. The event sees international leaders from across the public, private and government sectors gather to showcase and discuss global climate action in New York City, with sup port from NYC & Company.
Nogal Executive Boardroom at JW Marriott Hotel Santo Domingo Pool at Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino Club Lounge at Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino
SANTO DOMINGO IS THE CAPITAL OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC and prides itself on being the first European city in the New World. It remains today as one of the most populous cities in the Caribbean and is home to expansive hotels, a bustling downtown, both ocean and mountain views, and a vibrant cultural atmosphere, making it a perfect destination for meetings and events.
For groups looking to travel to Santo Domingo, two Marriott properties wait to fill all your event needs. Whether you’re looking for a more business-focused hotel or colorful property to host a large group, Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino and JW Marriott Hotel Santo Domingo have you covered. Located in the Piantini District, the JW Marriott Hotel Santo Domingo sits on top of the city’s BlueMall and is perfectly suited for the luxury or business traveler. Walk into the lobby, and you’re greeted by a glass-floored terrace, sweeping views of downtown Santo Domingo and a rooftop infinity pool. Seven meeting and event spaces total up to 7,309 total square feet with room capacities ranging from 15 to 360 guests. The real treat of the JW Marriott Hotel BEYOND THE BORDER»
SANTO DOMINGO Sister properties shine in the Dominican Republic. BY JULIANNA FAZIO
14 NEM+E | WINTER 2019 INTERNATIONALMARRIOTTPHOTOS: PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION
Manor we offer exceptional experiences that will invigorate your team for a fresh start. Whether your vision includes a team building adventure, social responsibility event or culinary workshop, our team, along with 30,000 square feet of unique function space, stand ready to assist your team down to the last detail. 3,000 ACRES OF MOUNTAIN SCENERY | 18-HOLE CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF FULL-SERVICE SPA | RIDING STABLES | RESTUARANTS & BARS OUTDOOR ADVENTURES | TEAM BUILDING Contact our Sales Team and take your meeting to new heights! Call 800.233.8150 Ext. 7672 or by email at GroupSales@PoconoManor.com Manor Meetings ESCAPE NATURALLY RENEW. REFOCUS. RE-ENERGIZE. PoconoManor.com/Meetings One Manor Drive | Pocono Manor, PA 18349 | 800.233.8150 AT your FINGERTIPS SUBSCRIBE FOR MEETINGSMAGS.COMFREE! OUR E-NEWSLETTER »LOCAL EVENTS »LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS »PEOPLE NEWS »WEEKLY UPDATES
Santo Domingo is the ability to experience a variety of gastronomic and entertainment experiences without ever leaving the property.
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 15
For a more colorful and relaxed Caribbean experience, head to the Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino, where the ocean can be seen from almost every corner of the Dubbedproperty.“theicon of the city,” the Renaissance Santo Domingo was one of the first hotels in the city and is one of the only hotels in the area that can hold large groups. The hotel offers over 45,000 square feet of flexible indoor space, scenic outdoor venues and La Fiesta Theatre, the Dominican Republic’s largest and most versatile venue with room for 1,100 individuals. After going through a major renovation in 2015 that included all guest rooms and event spaces, the property has transformed into a colorful, warm oasis filled with any amenity a traveler or group might need. On-site eateries include Luan Bar & Restaurant where dishes are crafted with local products and focus on traditional Dominican flavors, Sol Pool Lounge & Restaurant, the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a light lunch, and Bohio Coffee House where groups can fuel up in the morning accompanied by homemade snacks and pastries. Located in the heart of the capital city, Renaissance Santo Domingo is just a short drive away from the historical epicenter of Santo Domingo. The Colonial Zone is the most important tourist destination of the city and is home to many ancient landmarks. Set up a tour for your group through a Renaissance Navigator and explore sites such as the Alcázar de Colón and Los Tres Ojos. After a tour through town, sit down at a local restaurant like Pat’e Palo European Brasserie to truly get a taste of the Dominican Republic. For more, visit border-santo-domingo-z.meetingsmags.com/beyondPocono
At
The hotel’s Winston Grill & Patio offers an inventive menu filled with international flavors and an on-site catering team takes care of all your event’s culinary needs. The attached BlueMall allows guests to venture out of the hotel and just be steps away from an array of restaurants, shops and cultural attractions.
Remember, you must explicitly ask for engagement to get engagement.
Most importantly, make sure contributions made during the meeting impact what hap pens after the meeting. With our high-stakes meetings, this is a no-brainer. Can you imag ine a sales person failing to send over a con tract after a successful demo? Hardly. In these cases, we know that the decisions we make in the meeting will result in action after the meeting.Thatshouldn’t be different for other meet ings, and yet too often it is. For example, strategic planning workshops are notorious for creating a significant out come that never gets used, and not because they fail to engage participants. It’s possible to run a fabulously engaging workshop to build out your company’s strategic plan, only to then have that plan sit on the shelf for a year. When it comes to engagement, the rule is use it or lose it. Clever facilitation tricks can’t get people engaged if they learn it doesn’t mat ter. When people see they made a difference, however, they’ll contribute again. PLACES EXPERT ADVICE»
16 NEM+E | WINTER 2019
5 steps to improve meeting attendee engagement.
Do you want written feedback? Verbal input in a go-around? A show of hands? Get specific and provide examples. This seems obvious, and that’s actually the problem. To the person leading the meet ing, it’s obvious how things should play out because they thought about it in advance. Meeting leaders frequently forget to fill every one else in, though. They don’t give people advance notice about how to prepare for the meeting, and don’t ask clear questions during the meeting, then get frustrated when no one participates.
1. Define What You Want People to Contribute Get clear about what you want to help each person actively do or say during the meeting. Engagement involves more than simply pay ing attention; active engagement results in observable behavior. It helps to visualize the meeting in advance and think through everyone invited. Picture in your mind what each person will do in your best-case scenario. That’s the engage ment you want.
& INSPIRATION
When everyone in the room understands what’s at stake, engagement is automatic. We don’t worry about engagement in these situa tions. Instead, we focus on success. When you are clear about why your group needs to meet and what you want to accom plish together, engagement is natural. Sadly, many meetings lack this clarity. The good news: Every meeting can be as focused, compelling and engaging as the highstakes meetings listed above when you follow these five steps:
4. Acknowledge Contributions At the very least, people who make a contribu tion to the meeting deserve thanks. For many individuals, speaking up in a group means taking a personal risk. Some people are shy, and some environments are hostile. Whether the risk arises from internal or external factors, it still takes courage and effort to overcome. When this contribution is then glossed over, when it’s dismissed, or when you haven’t made time for it, people learn that the risk was not worth the effort. Many high-performing teams make a point of reserving time at the end of each meeting for sharing appreciations, where individuals publicly thank one another for specific con tributions. This is a fabulous way to acknowl edge the value people bring, improve team relationships, and reinforce the benefits of contributing for those who might be reluctant to speak up.
2. Ask for Engagement
PROMOTE PARTICIPATION
3. Make Space for People to Engage Make sure you have enough meeting time for engagement. For example, to get feedback from 10 people with each speaking for just two minutes, you need 20 minutes. Many leaders prefer meetings with five or fewer people precisely because it’s far easier to make sure everyone has a chance to contribute in a small group. We can’t keep all meetings tiny, though. With more people involved, you have three options: » Make the meeting longer so everyone has time to speak. » Break out some facilitation skills. There are great ways to engage large groups, all of which require advance planning and some know-how to pull off. » Accept that you’re going to basically ignore some of the people in the meeting. This last option is the default choice in most corporations. It’s also a lousy way to treat people
5. Use What You Receive
J. ELISE KEITH IS THE CO-FOUNDER OF LUCID MEETINGS AND THE AUTHOR OF “WHERE THE ACTION IS: THE MEETINGS THAT MAKE OR BREAK YOUR ORGANIZATION.” FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT, LUCIDMEETINGS. COM AND CONNECT WITH HER ON TWITTER AT @ELISEID8.
PRODUCTS,
BY J. ELISE KEITH THE INTERVIEW FOR THAT NEW JOB YOU’RE HOPING TO GET. The coffee date with your personal hero, and hopefully, future mentor. The make-or-break sales demo with that perfect-fit client. The last-ditch at tempt to mend a broken partnership.
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 17 SIGNATURE DRINK» CoolerBrooklyn’s COURTESY OF RFTP AT POD BROOKLYN INGREDIENTS: —1.5 oz. Hendrick’s Gin —soda—mint—cucumber—lemonadeleaveswater DIRECTIONS: In a glass, take a handful of mint and tear leaves apart to release the oils and aroma. Add slices of cucumber and ice. Pour gin and top with lemonade. Finish with a splash of soda. Serve and enjoy. Atop the new Pod Brooklyn is RFTP, a bar and lounge with views of Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood and the Manhattan skyline. Much like the Pod Hotels brand, RFTP is modern, minimal and cool. With a zinc bar and cushioned wooden “banquettes,” the space can host private events for up to 200 guests. thepodhotel.com/pod-brooklyn PENN2, NEW YORK, NY 10121 THE PENNSY FEATURES: • 8,000 SF of curated culinary concepts • 4,000 SF of outdoor terrace space with tenting capabilities • Adjacent to Madison Square Garden , with street level entrance at the corner of 33rd Street and 7th Avenue and a private entrance in the south side of the Pennsy • Full or partial buy-outs & street permitting available 6,000 SF of fully customizable private event space AT THE A PRIVATE EVENT SPACE THE • Product Launches • Brand Activations • Cocktail Receptions • Corporate Events • Media Premieres • Fashion Shows • Non-Profit Events • Holiday Parties AMERICAN IDOL PRODUCTIONS: NYC AUDITIONS COVER GIRL PROMOTION 60TH ANNUAL GRAMMYS® PRE-PARTYUPSTAIRS AT THE PENNSY FENTY BY RIHANNA CORPORATE EVENT FOR MORE INFORMATION & EVENT INQUIRIES: JENNIEL DAVIS, GENERAL MANAGER 646.778.3211 | JDAVIS@VNO.COM THE
18 NEM+E | WINTER 2019 GEROSKIDAYLEPHOTO:
The resort features 17 different meeting and event space options and styles, consisting of more than 25,000 square feet—perfect for trade shows, banquets, receptions and meetings of all sizes. There’s also a full range of A/V support, including Wi-Fi internet, wireless, multichan nel sound reinforcement, LCD projection and screens, video players and monitors. “Each offers generous windows, plenty of light and beautiful views of the mountains and slopes,” Vitale says. “Skiing and winter activi ties can be easily added into any event or meet ing, including such winter activities as snow tubing, winter rock climbing and repelling, and the winter zip line and adventure tower.”
SKI SUNDOWN New Hartford, Connecticut With miles of freestyle terrain available on its mountain, Ski Sundown features jumps, hits, HIT THE SLOPES
Groups of all skill levels can hit the slopes at Hunter Mountain in upstate New York.
The Northeast offers some great resorts for skiing and winter activities when it’s time to take a break from the meeting room. BY KEITH LORIA
VENUE REPORT SKI RESORTS
For companies looking to add some excitement to their meetings or an event planner who wants to liven things up from the typical dinner/dance ballroom, the winter months in the Northeast provide the perfect opportunity to do so. ¶ With some great mountain ranges ideal for skiing and a host of winter activities that meeting par ticipants and event guests can be a part of, the region is the perfect place to marry some fun along with any corporate meeting or event.
HUNTER MOUNTAIN Hunter, New York Chris Vitale, corporate sales manager for Hunter Mountain, notes the difference between an exciting, energizing meeting and one that falls flat depends on where it takes place. “Hunter Mountain is located in the beauti ful Catskill Mountains, only 2.5 hours from New York City,” he says. “We offer luxury ski-in, ski-out accommodations, conference/ meeting rooms, a variety of meal and break options, audio-visual equipment, and a variety of activities with group discounts.”
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 19 MONTAGE MOUNTAIN RESORTS STEAMTOWN NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE SCRANTON CULTURAL CENTER PNC FIELD VISITNEPA .ORG 1.800.22.WELCOME Meet Outside the Box ! TWO HOUR DRIVE FROM NEW YORK CITY & PHILADELPHIA
VENUE REPORT SKI RESORTS
20 NEM+E | WINTER 2019
WHITEFACE LODGE Lake Placid, New York With an extraordinary setting in the High Peaks region of Lake Placid, Whiteface Lodge is the only all-suite resort in the Adirondacks. “With a prime location near both Lake Placid and the mountains, groups can tailor each visit to their own set of selected experiences, like a day on the ski slopes, world-class spa services or high-octane Olympic experiences like bobsledding,” says Elissa Fornasiero, director of sales and marketing. “Back at the resort, groups love taking advantage of Whiteface Lodge’s many amenities that are complimentary to guests.”
For example, the resort boasts a two-lane bowling alley, a game room with shuffleboard, a 54-seat surround sound movie theater and a boathouse with kayaks. Groups can also opt to rent from a fleet of boats that come with a captain—great for a dusk sunset cruise or daytime retreat. A year-round destination, Whiteface Lodge’s facilities are great for conferences, business retreats and social gatherings for
There are 70 skiable acres at Ski Sundown in New Hartford, Connecticut.
LODGEWHITEFACE(OPPOSITE)PHOTOGRAPHY;WAYNELUKEPHOTOS: ramps, fun boxes, jibs, rails, quarter pipes, mogul terrain and an assortment of great skiingIntrails. addition to the terrific activities on the mountain, the resort also is the perfect place to host a corporate meeting or event. “Companies love to come out and hold a meeting and then let their employees spend the rest of the day skiing,” says Patty Dionne, base operations manager. Ski Sundown’s 5,000-square-foot Banquet Center features large windows with picturesque views of the mountain. Its 2,300-squarefoot Pondview Room holds nearly 200 guests and is recommended for small corporate meetings, while its 3,000-square-foot Pondside Room holds 230 and boasts panoramic mountain views. It also offers a mezzanine level with limited seating capacity, perfect for a smaller gathering. Ski Sundown is available to corporate groups and banquets Monday through Thursday up until 2 p.m. during the ski season, with groups of 20 or more receiving discounted rates on lift tickets, group lessons, equipment rentals and lift/lesson/rental packages. During the off-season, the facilities are available day and night. “Corporate meetings historically would be a meeting followed by golf, but I think more companies are finding the value of doing skiing instead,” Dionne says. “It appeals to more people, it can be done later in the year for end-of-year corporate retreats and it’s just something fun to do in the winter months, letting people get out of the office.”
BEAR MOUNTAINCREEKRESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER
Get Connected BEAR CREEK MOUNTAIN RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER bcmountainresort.com | 610.682.7100 HUNTER MOUNTAIN huntermtn.com | 518.263.5580 SKI SUNDOWN skisundown.com | 860.379.7669 WHITEFACE LODGE thewhitefacelodge.com | 518.523.0505
Whiteface Lodge works closely with the Olympic Regional Development Authority, which is the state organization that runs the Olympic Venues in Lake Placid. Guests can be shuttled to the venues to experience various winter activities like the Olympic bobsled and skeleton run, extreme tubing or curling on ice. “All experiences are highly recommend ed for groups looking to do team-building exercises or just create a lasting memory of their group trip,” Fornasiero says. “The winter activities appeal to groups looking to add some ‘wow’ factor to the business experience.”
“We have three different ballrooms and more than 26,000 square feet of banquet space on 330 wooded acres,” says Gary Kline, events and activities manager. “It’s a beautiful prop erty, and it feels like you are at a true country resort because of the setting of the property, and who wouldn’t want to hold a meeting in a place this beautiful? We offer discounted rates for anyone who brings their meeting here, whether it’s a skiing package or tubing package and enjoy sometime out in the snow.” Bear Creek offers the 6,640-square-foot Mountain Ballroom, which accommodates up to 450. It features high ceilings and large win dows offering breathtaking mountain views. Then there’s the 5,170-square-foot Woodland Ballroom, which accommodates 400 and offers scenic views from the outdoor deck overlooking the heated outdoor pool. There are also two executive ballrooms that hold up to 14 guests and offer slope-side views. “We can handle any audio or video needs that any corporate guest would want,” Kline says. “We do a lot of corporate events and handle more than 130 weddings a year, so we have a very large catering staff that can do anything needed.”
The KANU Dining Room at Whiteface Lodge boasts a warm and rustic aesthetic.
Whiteface Mountain is an obvious draw for winter sports fans as it has hosted two Winter Olympics. It also features the largest vertical drop east of the Rocky Mountains.
Macungie, Pennsylvania Situated in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic, Bear Creek Mountain Resort & Conference Center offers skiing or snowboarding on more than 86 acres of slopes, trails and terrain parks, as well as a lodge with a 116-bed hotel, two res taurants and a spa, making it a premier “learn to ski and ride” area in the region.
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 21 up to 200 guests.
“We offer indoor and outdoor event and meeting space of all shapes and settings, including dedicated corporate meeting room with a luxury rustic ambiance and a threestory Great Room with large stone fireplaces ideal for fine dining,” Fornasiero says. “We can create custom catering menus to suit the needs of each event or meeting and offer on-site event assistance to ensure all details exceed the client’s expectations. Audio-visual packages are provided to suit any group needs for a turnkey experience.”
“Located at the confluence of three spar kling rivers and banked on all sides by green hills, Pittsburgh has earned its reputation as one of America’s most livable cities as it has undergone an amazing transformation,” says Kristin Wenger, communications director, Visit Pittsburgh. “Pittsburgh has something forIt’severyone.”nosurprise then that Pittsburgh has grown in the meeting and events industry. Opened in 2004, its new David L. Lawrence Convention Center tripled in size. There are 20 hotels within 1 mile of the center with easy access to restaurants, museums and more. The city is walkable and can accommodate meetings and events of all sizes and desires. Interestingly, the city is within 500 miles of more than 50 percent of the North American population, making its inbound flight around two hours for many around the country.
PITTSBURGH, ONCE KNOWN FOR PRODUCING steel, iron and glass, was born as an industrial city, perhaps lacking in the culture found in similar-sized cities. Pittsburgh’s skyline
THE CITY OF STEEL Pittsburgh is more than just its industrial roots. BY BRITTANY TREVICK
DESTINATION PITTSBURGH
“The meetings/events scene in Pittsburgh has really taken off over the last 10 years,” says Wenger. “Our city’s midsize can allow for larger groups to really take over our city and feel like they are the big fish in town. They get a real sense of their event being special.”
Where to Eat Five-and-a-half years ago, a tiny Argentinian restaurant opened up with counter seating for only about eight people. Through word of mouth, a line quickly started out the door. Now, what was that little restaurant serves as the kitchen for the expanded Gaucho Parrilla Argentina in the Strip District. With space for 100, that line out the door continues to snake out the entrance. Its food—wood-fired and Argentinianinspired—has received raving reviews since its opening in publications both local and nation al. On the menu you’ll find a bevy of options, including meat and fish plates, shared plates
22 NEM+E | WINTER 2019 PAVONESEANPHOTO:
Today, the city has taken a turn. It is now buoyed more by technology in medicine, edu cation, energy finance and tourism more so than its former industrial economy. There is an abundance of diverse neighborhoods and restaurants that rival some of the best across the country. The arts and culture scene has grown and visitors and residents alike can participate in a bevy of more activities not found in the past. Its 14-square-block Culture District fea tures Broadway productions and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. There’s even outdoor adventures such as kayaking and hiking for those craving something more physical.
The restaurant isn’t your standard tableside service. Here, customers order at the counter and are then ushered to their tables by a mem ber of the team. Porters walk around for refills, questions and anything else that may pop up. This attentiveness to service—along with their food—is what has allowed them to remain so popular to this day. “Everyone you see loves what they do and believe in our restaurant,” says Isaac. “Customers always comment that everyone they’ve encoun tered is friendly, smiling and accommodating no matter how busy we appear to be.”
14 -SQUARE-BLOCK CULTURAL DISTRICT IN DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH such as picada and empanadas, sandwiches made with steak, chicken or other options, salads, and side dishes like roasted cauliflower.
Where to Stay Bringing your pet with you on your visit to Pittsburgh? Not a problem at the Hyatt House Pittsburgh South-Side, where all animals are welcome and some even attend events at the riverfront hotel. With a picturesque setting—the hotel is located directly on the Allegheny River with views of the Greater Allegheny Trail. Naturally, the hotel has a terrace overlooking the river, perfect for events. The terrace can hold up to 160 seated, and they also have a 40-foot-by-60-foot tent featuring Edison bis tro lights for a reception. The hotel also offers 900 square feet of meeting space that can host up to 100 people. “Our riverfront location is a big plus and makes for gorgeous events,” says Julie Hutto, events manager. “[Guests] love the view and how ideally located the hotel is.”
DESTINATION PITTSBURGH
24 NEM+E | WINTER 2019 LIMITTHESKY’SMILLIRON;ADAMPHOTOS: GELSOBELLOPAULPHOTOGRAPHY; PITTSBURGH BY THE NUMBERS WITHIN 500 MILES OF MORE THAN 50 PERCENT OF THE NORTH AMERICAN POPULATION 90 DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOODS 20 HOTELS WITHIN 1 MILE OF THE DAVID L. LAWRENCE CONVENTION CENTER
For guests and planners looking for some thing smaller and more intimate, Mansions on Fifth is an ideal option. With 22 rooms, the boutique hotel has an elegantly simple vibe. Once a single-family residence in the early 1900s, the mansion still retains its intricate carved woodwork, stained-glass windows and grand“Westaircase.oftenhear how beautiful our hotel is and how shocked guests are to imagine the hotel when it was a single-family residence,”
“What makes Gaucho unique and what keeps people coming back is our food—it is fresh and straight forward,” says Erica Isaac, general manager. “We use the best ingredients we can find and let it speak for itself.”
Cure serves contemporary Mediterranean food that reflects the seasons in Western Pennsylvania and its local farms.
Regularly topping best-of lists in local and national publications, Cure in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh serves up Mediterranean food that is sourced from the offerings of Western Pennsylvania and its local farms. It opened in 2011. The restaurant is available in full buyouts and can seat“When60. we opened Cure in Lawrenceville, there wasn’t much here,” says chef Justin Severino. “We were one of the first restaurants to serve contemporary, urban Mediterranean in Pittsburgh and we’re proud to be a part of the city’s growth as a food destination.”
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 25 Get Connected CURE | curepittsburgh.com | 412.252.2595 GAUCHO PARRILLA ARGENTINA eat-gaucho.com | 412.709.6622 HYATT HOUSE PITTSBURGH SOUTH-SIDE pittsburghsouthside.house.hyatt.com | 412.390.2477 JAMES GALLERY jamesgallery.net | 412.922.9800 KIMPTON HOTEL MONACO monaco-pittsburgh.com | 412.230.4730 MANSIONS ON FIFTH mansionsonfifth.com | 412.381.5105 PITTSBURGH BOTANIC GARDEN pittsburghbotanicgarden.org | 412.444.4464 VISIT PITTSBURGH visitpittsburgh.com | 412.281.7711
hear that it’s both the design and the passion of our team that set us apart from others,” says Rob Mallinger, general manager. “We hear compliments from experienced meeting planners but also hear that we are able to make planners newer to the business feel comfortable and at ease.”
says Marissa Musico, senior catering manager. “Being inside a turn-of-the-century mansion that was once a single-family residence is by far the most unique feature of the Mansions on Fifth Hotel.” The entire main level of the mansion can be rented out for 120 seated; a cocktail-style event can hold 180 guests. Individual rooms also located on the main level can be rented for smaller, more intimate affairs. Featuring interior décor inspired by the Steel City and a beaux-arts design, the threeyear-old Kimpton Hotel Monaco is located close to Mellon Square Park and walking distance to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center as well as several museums and local activities. As with other Kimpton Hotel brands, an emphasis is placed on high-quality service with staff that genuinely care about their guests—both for leisure and business, most importantly including meeting and event“Weplanners.consistently
The hotel has 11,300 square feet of meeting and event space across seven different rooms on the first and ninth floor, which can accom modate up to 200 people for a seated event. Planners can also utilize a 1,067-square-foot rooftop and open-air patio that can hold up to 200 people reception-style. What to Do Located in the West End Village area, the James Gallery is a unique and eclectic space for an event. Originally, the company started as a framing gallery in 1975. Now, it’s a fullfledged fine art gallery featuring stunning pieces—regional, national and international— with rotating exhibits. The 3,500-square-foot space can hold up to 125 for a cocktail-style event and 50 for a seated meal. An outdoor sculpture garden and courtyard also is available. “Our business model as a gallery is dynam ic. Art is exceptional,” says James Frederick, owner. “The gallery is a charming venue.” Pittsburgh is known for its industrial past and its rough-looking landscape. The 460acre Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is helping to beautify the area and allow the city to escape a bit from its roots. The garden features 3 miles of trails, which when traversed, visitors will experience the Lotus Pond and the Margaret Lawrence Simon Dogwood Meadow with a log home and apple orchard. Only 10 minutes away from all major Pittsburgh hotels, the garden is an easy-to-reach space. In the Peirce Family Celebration Garden, guests will find a restored barn built in the 1870s now named the Davidson Event Center, which can accommodate up to 100 guests for a seated event with a dance floor (and up to 130 for events without a dance floor). If the garden’s tent is included, 220 guests can be accommodated.“Ourexclusive rental company has plenty of options to make the space feel unique yours,” says Ashley Cyprowski, event sales manager. “Since our space is full of blooms, greenery and beautiful wood from the original barn, it does not require a lot of additional décor. You can add as much or a little to the space and it is still beautiful.”
Left to right: The Davidson Event Center at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden; a guest room at Kimpton Hotel Monaco
26 NEM+E | WINTER 2019 StateSunshineThe GET TO DESTINATIONS.MEETINGFLORIDA’SKNOW By HalaskaMorgan
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 27
Florida’s Emerald Coast The Emerald Coast, characterized by its sugar-white sand and emerald-green water, is a fisherman’s dream. In fact, many restaurants in the Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island area will even take cleaned catches and prepare it for patrons, making for true Gulf-to-table Accommodationsfare. range from elite hotels to multiroom vacation rentals right on the beach, with more than 13,000 rooms total. The 35,000-square-foot Emerald Coast Convention Center is Northwest Florida’s only convention center (see right sidebar for more information). The CVB: The Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau helps planners explore venue choices and activities. Groups large and small are treated like “big fish” on the Emerald Coast. emeraldcoastfl.com/groups-meetings
Getting There: Destin - Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS)
The CVB: The Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau offers a Flights for Sites program that allows meeting planners the opportunity to be reimbursed for airfare booked to visit meeting properties. ameliaisland.com
BUREAUVISITORSANDCONVENTIONCOASTEMERALDPHOTO:
BY THE NUMBERS: EMERALD COAST CONVENTION CENTER 30,000 -square-foot outdoor venue overlooks the Choctawhatchee Bay 21,200 Emerald Grande Ballroom-square-foot (1,330 banquet seating and 2,350 theater-style) 6,180 square feet of prefunction space 2,400 capacity 600 total parking spaces in the underbuilding parking garage and outdoor lot 100 pounds per square foot: the floorload capacity 24-foot ceilings in the flexible, columnfree meeting and exhibition space 12 meeting rooms ranging from 425 to 21,200 square feet
Contact: Tisha Maraj; Convention Sales Manager; sales@myokaloosa.com; 877.574.5123
The island is home to Fernandina Beach, a former Victorian seaport village that’s escaped 20th-century commercialization. The 50-block Victorian National Historic District features original Victorian-style mansions and cottages dating back to the late 19th century and boutique shopping on its historic Centre Street. The Amelia Island CVB offers a self-guided walking tour of the town with 43 stops. Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort was named a Silver Medal Golf Resort by Golf Magazine; it boasts 36 championship holes and each course is recognized as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. The resort is the largest conference center on the island, featuring 80,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. Meeting space includes a new 16,825-square-foot ballroom, an additional 13,200-squarefoot prefunction space, and a new 11,000-square-foot event lawn.
EMERALD
North AMELIA ISLAND
Off the coast of northeast Florida is Amelia Island, a barrier island known for its beauty and history. Also known as the Isle of 8 Flags, Amelia Island is the only place in the U.S. where eight different flags have flown (French, Spanish, British, Patriots, Green Cross, Mexican Revolutionary, Confederate and the U.S. flag).
Submit an RFP: meetings/request-informationameliaisland.com/
Getting There: Amelia Island is a 30-minute drive from Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). BY THE NUMBERS 140,000 -plus total square feet of meeting space 10,000 feet: the bird’s-eye view of the island offered by Skydive Amelia Island 90 -plus restaurants 13 miles of beaches 2 bridges connect the island to the mainland COAST
Here’s some trivia for you: St. Augustine, founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers, is the oldest city in the U.S. Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort, is just one of the 60 historic sites in the Alongsidearea.the Spanish colonial architecture are more than a dozen golf courses for beginners and seasoned pros alike. Ponte Vedra Beach is home to the PGA Tour, TPC Sawgrass and The Players Championship, and St. Augustine boasts the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Getting There: Jacksonville International Airport (JAX): ~50 minutes north of St. Augustine, 30 minutes from Ponte Vedra Beach; Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB): ~50 minutes to the south of St. Augustine; Northeast Florida Regional Airport (UST): 10-minute drive to St. Augustine or Ponte Vedra Beach (for those traveling on private planes) BY THE NUMBERS $25 million renovation at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa 184,000 square feet of meeting space, including the 40,000-square-foot St. Johns County Convention Center 6,312 total hotel rooms 80,000 -gallon Snorkel Adventure at the St. Augustine Aquarium 450 years of history 95 -plus restaurants 42 miles of unspoiled Atlantic beaches
28 NEM+E | WINTER 2019
Contact: William McBroom; Director of Conference Sales; wmcbroom@floridashistoriccoast.com; 904.209.4432
BY THE NUMBERS: PANAMA CITY BEACH 160,000 square feet of flexible meeting space 1,800 rooms available in the conference resorts 20,000 -plus additional rooms in hotels and condos ~250 group rooms on peak is the “sweet spot”
Panama CityBeach Hurricane Michael, a category four hurricane that hit ground in the area this past October, had minimal damage on Panama City Beach, allowing it to provide shelter and resources for the surrounding communities. “Many restaurants, businesses and properties have reopened with a focus on serving first responders and displaced residents,” says Catie Feeney, public relations manager, Visit Panama City Beach. “At this time, Visit Panama City Beach encourages visitors to be patient throughout this process, and check with individual accommodations for lodging availability. Please know that our situation is improving each day, and we look forward to welcoming visitors full time on our beautiful, sugar-white sand beaches as early as this holiday season.”
The CVB: Visit Panama City Beach is a full-service bureau. It offers registration and concierge assistance upon arrival and extracurricular activities and outings, and connects meeting planners with accommodations, activities and restaurants within the area. visitpanamacitybeach.com/groups Contact: Renee LalanneWuerdeman; Director of Conference and Group Sales; panamacitybeach.com;rwuerdeman@visit-850.248.5070
Getting There: Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) is about 15 minutes from the West End of Panama City Beach. ST. AUGUSTINE
PENSACOLAVISITBEACH;CITYPANAMAVISITHASTINGS;GLENNPHOTOS:
FLORIDA’S HISTORIC COAST
The Beaches span from Ponte Vedra in the north to Marineland in the south. The seaside Anastasia State Park has more than 1,600 acres of natural habitat with 4 miles of pristine beach, a tidal salt marsh, and a maritime and upland hammock. This stretch of Atlantic shoreline has been listed in TripAdvisor’s Top 10 U.S. Beaches. The CVB: St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau checks hotel availability, assists with off-site selections, provides meeting facility specifics and helps plan itineraries. It also connects planners with destination management companies, transportation, entertainment, dining, and audio-visual and décor vendors. myfloridameetings.com
Getting There: The Pensacola International Airport (PNS) is the largest airport along the Gulf Coast between New Orleans and Jacksonville and is just minutes from downtown and beach properties. American, Delta, Silver, Southwest, and United, provide air service to Pensacola and offer direct flights from Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Nashville, Tampa, Orlando, Denver and Miami.
PENSACOLA
The westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle, Pensacola was one of the earli est European settlements in the U.S. The Historic Pensacola Village is a collection of 28 historic buildings and museums in downtown. Museum of Commerce, a recon structed 1890s-era Pensacola streetscape, has 1,500 square feet of meeting and event space and a collection of horse-drawn bug gies and an antique trolley car. “The area’s pristine white-sand beaches, ease of getting here, and more than 450 years of history, culture and Southern charm grabs the attention of both planners and attendees, often joined by family members to experience ‘bleisure’ travel at its best,” says Nicole Stacey, director of marketing and communications, Visit Pensacola. The CVB: Visit Pensacola is the destination management organization for Escambia County, which includes Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. It is a one-stop shop for planners by offer ing a multitude of complimentary services including assisting with hotel and venue proposals, arranging site visits, and pro viding VIP baskets and welcome bags. visitpensacola.com/group-travel/meetings Contact: Lori Coppels; Destination Sales Manager; pensacola.com;Director850.432.4209;lcoppels@visitpensacola.com;JenniferJackson-Keating;ofSales&Services;jjackson@visit850.435.8704
BY THE PENSACOLANUMBERS: 123,430 -plus square feet of meeting space at unique venues 91,000 -plus square feet of hotel meeting space 22,000 square feet of meeting space at Pensacola Bay Center 50 -plus traditional and unique venues accommo dating from 10-200 guests 18 miles of beaches bor dered by the Gulf of Mexico “The area’s pristine white-sand beaches, ease of getting here, and more than 450 years of history, culture, and southern charm, grabs the attention of both planners and attendees, often joined by family members to experience ‘bleisure’ travel at its best.”
The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, once the city’s train terminal, now boasts 265,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. It is less than a mile from more than 2,000 hotel rooms and offers a Skyway monorail connection to the Omni Jacksonville (354 rooms, 14,000 square feet of meeting space). TIAA Bank Field, home of the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars, is located in the heart of downtown and has seven meeting rooms, with its largest space at 60,000 square feet. The CVB: Visit Jacksonville and the Beaches’ Sales & Services Team prides itself on its great relationships with the destination’s first-class companies and community resources, allowing them to seamlessly connect planners to all the resources needed to pull off a meeting or convention. visitjacksonville.com/meetings Contact: Bob Doering; Senior National Accounts Manager; bdoering@visitjacksonville.com; 904.798.9123
Getting There: The Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is 15 minutes from downtown. JAX provides nonstop flights to more than 30 major U.S. cities plus 100 daily arrivals and departures on all major domestic air carriers and a network of regional carriers.
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 29 Jacksonville Jacksonville, the River City by the Sea, is Florida’s youngest—and one of its hippest—cities. A vibrant city centered on the banks of the St. Johns River, “Jax” is experiencing something of a renaissance with its new restaurants, breweries, craft distilleries, museums and meetings venues. In the next 18-24 months, more than 1,100 hotel rooms are planned to be added downtown.
Nicole Stacey DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS, VISIT PENSACOA
BY THE NUMBERS 110,000 square feet of total meeting space and 966 rooms at the newly renovated Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront 840 square miles, making it the largest city in the continental U.S. 450 city parks, 7 state parks and 2 national parks (the largest urban park system in the nation) 160 hotels and resorts 22 miles of beaches Groups of 10-10,000 guests can be accommodated
30 NEM+E | WINTER 2019
TALLAHASSEE Situated in the Florida Panhandle, Tallahassee is 25 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico and 14 miles south of Georgia. Groups of 10-1,200 find an abundance of options in the state capital. With a median age of 26.5 and 43.5 percent holding a bachelor’s degree, Tallahassee is one of the youngest cities in Florida as well as one of the most educated. Tallahassee currently has 62 hotels with more projects in the works. “The expansive growth of the tourism industry is easily visible through the amount of hotel construction the city is seeing,” says Kerri Post, executive director of Visit Tallahassee. “Two new hotels have already opened this year, and six more are underway.”
The CVB: The Visit Tallahassee staff has longterm, in-market relationships with the local industry. It will prepare and distribute customized requests for proposals on planners’ behalf; coordinate site visits and tours; provide expertise and assistance with lodging and venue selection; assist with citywide event planning, including off-site venues and selection of activities; offer recommendations and/ or personalized itineraries; and provide complimentary welcome bags and visitor information for all groups. visittallahassee.com
Contact: Janet Roach; Meetings & Conventions Director; 850.606.2320janet.roach@visittallahassee.com; Getting There: Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) is less than 8 miles from downtown and served by three major airlines (American, Delta and Silver). There is a full-service facility for private charter planes nearby.
GIESE/DAYTONATONY(OPPOSITE)FOX;LONELYBARFIELD/THEDAVIDPHOTOS: BUREAUVISITORSANDCONVENTIONAREABEACH
Contact: Dawn Truemper; Director of Sales and Events; dawn@visitsouthwalton.com; 850.267.1216
South Walton In this corner of the Florida Panhandle, you’ll find something that’s only otherwise found in Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand and Oregon: coastal dune lakes, in which South Walton has 15 along its 26 miles of coastline. These rare natural formations are believed to be as old as 10,000 years and serve as a habitat for a unique mix of flora and fauna. Preservation is paramount here, and more than 40 percent of Walton County’s total acreage (56,000 acres) is dedicated to preservation through state parks and forests. Also unique to the area is the Underwater Museum of Art off Grayton Beach, the first of its kind in the U.S. The museum opened in June 2018 and is 55 feet below the surface and contains seven sculptures. The CVB: Visit South Walton ensures that RFPs are distributed to the South Walton meeting properties that are best equipped to accommodate each group. The staff assists in arranging site inspections of the hotels and resorts, as well as provides suggestions for off-site event venues, group activities and dine-arounds. Its ToolKit for planners is complete with digital and print assets that serve as an easy and cost-effective way to share the beauty of South Walton with potential attendees. visitsouthwalton.com/groups
Getting There: The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) is located in Panama City Beach, approximately 35 minutes east of South Walton. The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) is situated in Fort Walton Beach, approximately 35 minutes west of South Walton. BY THE NUMBERS 135,000 -plus square feet of event space at hotels and resorts 10,000-plus accommodations 140 -plus restaurants 200 -plus guests can participate in a sandcastle team-building activity 200 -plus holes of championship golf 26 miles of sugar-white beaches 16 beach neighborhoods Groups of 10-1,500 guests can be accommodated
BY THE TALLAHASSEENUMBERS: 550,000-plus square feet of meeting space 45,000 -plus artifacts and permanent exhibits at the Museum of Florida History 6,000 hotel rooms
DAYTONA BEACH
Marriott Beach Resort & Marina 30,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space 200 -acre resort 274 villa-style guest rooms with private balconies 77-slip private marina 18-hole executive golf course Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa 8,000 square feet of meeting and event space 500 attendees can be accommodated 178 guest rooms BY THE NUMBERS 1,000,000 -plus square feet of meeting space 45,000 -plus accom modations 22,000 -plus vacation homes (dubbed the Vacation Home Capital of the World) ~300 venues Central DAYTONA BEACH
Getting There: Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) is served by Delta, JetBlue and American Airlines and is only 5 miles from the beach.
BY THE NUMBERS Hutchinson
The Ocean Center, the fifth largest convention center in the state, boasts 205,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space and is 400 feet from the Atlantic Ocean.
Contact: Linda McMahon; Director of Group Sales; lmcmahon@daytonabeach.com; 386.255.0415
The Daytona International Speedway, the world’s first motorsports sta dium where the Daytona 500 takes place, recently completed a $400 million investment to improve the experience and add new and unique meeting and event space.
Getting There: Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM) or Orlando International Airport (MCO) is 25 minutes away.
Port Salerno, Stuart, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Indiantown, Jupiter Island, Hobe Sound and Hutchinson Island make up Martin County, part of Florida’s Treasure Coast. Natural beauty abounds in its 22 miles of beaches on the Atlantic and 100,000-plus acres of parks and con servationHutchinsonland.Island, a barrier island that stretches for 23 miles, is virtually untouched and a wildlife sanctuary. The CVB: The Martin County Office of Tourism and Marketing can provide brochures, make reservations, and help plan interactive itineraries for your event. meetings-conventionsdiscovermartin.com/plan/
Known as the Festival Capital of Florida with over 60 annual festivals, Daytona Beach is no stranger to events. The East Central Florida city may perhaps be best known for its racing.
BY THE NUMBERS 120,000 -plus square feet of flexible meeting space at Daytona International Speedway 60,000 square feet of meeting space in hotels 12,000 -plus guest rooms 200 -plus hotels and resorts Kissimmee “[Kissimmee is] close enough to Central Florida’s popular attractions, but far enough away to create a stress-free, secluded professional meeting experience,” says Michelle Moore, CMP, HMCC, director of sales, ExperienceKissimmeeKissimmee.featuresfour primary meeting properties: Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South (300 rooms, 40,000 square feet of meeting space); Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center (1,416 rooms, 400,000 square feet of flexible space); Reunion Resort (270 villas, 25,000 square feet of meet ing space); and Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate (862 rooms, 248,111 square feet of meeting space). The CVB: Experience Kissimmee is the offi cial tourism authority for Osceola County (CVB). It offers complimentary meeting services through the entire meeting planning process. It Pays to Meet in Kissimmee is a meeting incentive program for large group bookings that offers to $10,000 cash back. experiencekissimmee.com/meetings
Contact: Experience Kissimmee Meeting Sales; meet ingsales@experiencekissimmee.com; 407.569.4800
Contact: Nerissa Okiye; Tourism & Marketing Manager; 877.585.0085 Getting There: 45 minutes from Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), an hour from Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport (FLL), 90 minutes from Miami International Airport (MIA), two hours from Orlando International Airport (MCO) Island
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 31
ONE DAYTONA, the dining, retail and entertainment complex across from the speedway, opened in late 2017 and includes two hotels (the 105-room Fairfield Inn & Suites Daytona Beach Speedway/Airport opened in January and the 145-room Marriott Autograph Collection hotel called The DAYTONA will open in 2019).
The CVB: The Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau team helps planners develop services customized to their group. daytonabeachmeetings.com
MARTIN COUNTY
The CVB: Visit Orlando’s team of destination experts can assist with everything from comprehensive site inspections to attendance building. The team can help planners with professional convention services such as providing highly qualified staffing, assisting with turnkey CSR programs, finding vendors and assisting with accommodating services for attendees with special needs. orlandomeeting.com
OCALA/MARION
Known
Getting There: Orlando International Airport (MCO) provides nonstop service from more than 150 cities around the world. COUNTY as the Horse Capital of the World, County’s landscape features rolling green pastures dotted with horses in paddocks; as such, the area abounds in a variety of horse farm tours as well as horse and carriage rides. The Ocala National Forest, the southernmost forest in the continental U.S., is known for its intricate trail systems and multiple fresh water springs where visitors can swim, snorkel and dive in crystalline water that stays 72 degrees year-round. The CVB: The Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau provides a booking incentive program, Meet and Save in Ocala/Marion County, which offers up to a maximum of $1,500 to businesses and/or organizations that book a new meeting with an Ocala/Marion County meeting property, facility or venue through the Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau.
The 28-acre DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld recently underwent a multimillion-dollar transformation, building an additional 40,000 square feet of conference center and event space, bringing the property’s total meeting space to more than 100,000 square feet. The hotel, with 1,020 refreshed guest rooms, can now handle about 2,000 meeting attendees.
planners.ocalamarion.com Contact: 888.356.2252sales@marioncountyfl.org;
Getting There: Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tampa International Airport (TPA) are approximately 1.5 hours away from Ocala/Marion County. Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is about 2 hours away and Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) is about 40 minutes north. BY THE NUMBERS 354,353 in population (the county is about the same size as Rhode Island) 195,000 acres of horse breeding and training grounds and 600 -plus thoroughbred farms ~4,000 rooms Groups of 400- 4,000 guests can be accommodated BY THE NUMBERS 7 million square feet of space at the Orange County Convention Center, the second largest convention center in the U.S. 450 hotels and resorts with more than 121,000 rooms 150 meeting hotels that offer 5 million-plus square feet of flexible meeting space 11 world-class theme parks and water adventure parks
DOUBLETREE BY HILTON SEAWORLDORLANDOHOTELAT
CLARKHERBW.DOLE;RICHARD(OPPOSITE)PHOTOGRAPHY;BROOKSJOEPHOTOS:
Universal Orlando Resort opened its sixth hotel on property, bringing the total number of on-site hotel rooms at Universal Orlando to 6,200.
Ocala/Marion
32 NEM+E | WINTER 2019 Orlando Orlando is the land of theme parks—11 to be exact, including Walt Disney World and Universal. Here, anything is possible: a welcome reception in the shadow of Universal’s Volcano Bay; a networking event in the courtyard of the 400-foot ICON Orlando 360 Observation Wheel; or a behind-the-scenes look at SeaWorld Orlando’s manatee rehabilitation area. Planners can create a unique experience at every budget with branded character moments and inspirational themes. Rates are some of the most affordable across the U.S., with airfares among the lowest of the 50 largest airports.
The Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort recently completed a $140 million multiyear redesign project to transform all 2,267 guest rooms, as well as a new lobby, additional food and beverage options, and renovated meeting space.
Contact: Sales: convention.sales@visitorlando.com; Destination Meeting Services: meeting.services@visitorlando.com
A Tru by Hilton property is set to open in 2019 next to the Marriott Residence Inn, which is locat ed on Little Lake Jackson. There are plans to build a lakefront event space between the two hotels.
Getting There: The closest airport is Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB); nearby airports include Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB); Amtrak Auto Train is an option, and by car the area has convenient access to major highways including I-95 and I-4. BY THE
ORLANDO NORTH/SEMINOLE COUNTY
Getting There: Several airports are within a 90-120-minute drive, including Orlando International Airport (MCO), Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), Tampa International Airport (TPA) and Palm Beach International Airport (PBI).
Located about 60 miles south of the frenzy of Disney World is Sebring, where life moves at a moderate speed. That’s not considering, of course, the Sebring International Raceway—one of the oldest continuously operating racetracks in the United States with its first race in 1950.
The Château Élan Hotel & Conference Center, which sits amongst the racetracks of the Sebring International Raceway, has 123 guest rooms and more than 7,000 square feet of meeting space. Citrus Golf Trail is a collection of affordable golf clubs, with options for every budget and player. Ron Garl, renowned golf course architect, describes the area as “an undiscovered gem.”
The CVB: Visit Sebring helps planers on a caseby-case basis. visitsebring.com/meeting-planners
Natural attractions include the Wekiva River (one of only two National Wild and Scenic Rivers in the state), Wekiva Springs State Park, Lake Jesup and the St. Johns River (where the endangered Florida manatee feeds on aquatic vegetation in winter months). There are more than 30 parks and preserves, making it a destination for hik ing, biking, bird watching, wildlife study, nature photography and more.
NUMBERSBYTHENUMBERS: SEBRING 9,000 acres and 15 distinct natu ral communities in Highlands Hammock State Park 1,000 -plus hotel rooms 100 freshwater lakes 100,000-plus square feet of meeting space ( 25 event venues) ~5,000 hotel rooms (43 hotels ranging from luxury hotels to historic B&Bs) 500 -plus restaurants 345 square miles, 36 of which are water 72 degrees the constant temperature of the Wekiva River 17 properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places 9 golf coursesWEKIVA SPRINGS STATE PARK
Contact: Dana Knight; Tourism Administrative Assistant; info@visitsebring.com; 800.545.6021
Orlando North is 45 minutes from Disney, 25 minutes from downtown Orlando, 45 minutes from Daytona Beach and approximately one hour from the Kennedy Space Center; a nature-lover, though, won’t want to leave “Orlando’s Natural Oasis.”
Sebring
Contact: Danny Trosset; Director of Sports Tourism, Marketing and Meetings; dtrosset@seminolecountyfl.gov; 407.665.2902
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 33
The Tourism Bureau: The Orlando North, Seminole County Tourism team extends personalized service to group and event planners and coordinates arrangements for familiarization tours. The team can also assist with locating the right hotel and meeting facility, arrange transportation to off-site venues, coordinate publicity with email and banner ad templates, provide welcome packets, and help secure discounted attraction packages for accompanying family members. meetorlandonorth.com
JW Marriott Tampa is one of the hotels under construction and is expected to open in late 2020. It will have 519 rooms, more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space and a 26th floor rooftop bar. Marriott Edition, a five-star luxury hotel with 173 rooms, is slated to open in early 2021.
ST. CLEARWATERPETERSBURG/ Located on the central west coast of Florida is St. Petersburg and Clearwater— where the Gulf of Mexico is on one side and Tampa Bay on the other. On the western border of Pinellas County is a 35-mile barrier island, with powdersugar sand and turquoise Gulf waters, where you’ll find the U.S.’s top award-winning beaches. If that’s not enough of a draw, St. Pete holds the Guinness World Record for logging the most consecutive days of sunshine ever recorded (768 days in row), earning it “The Sunshine City” moniker. The Dali Museum in St. Pete is the second-largest collection of Salvador Dali’s works in the world and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is a working aquarium, dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick and injured marine animals (CMA’s resident star, Winter, is the first dolphin in the world to receive a prosthetic tail after losing hers in crab trap). The CVB: Visit Petersburg/ClearwaterSt. (VSPC) provides all the expected, standard services a CVB would offer, and services are complimentary. The booking incentive program is offered on a case-by-case basis and offers financial assistance that, when approved, is applied as a credit to the groups master account. The CVB offers these monetary incentives to enhance hotels’ proposals to generate more competitive bids for group business opportunities. meetings. visitstpeteclearwater.com
The state’s third largest city is currently undergoing a complete overhaul of its downtown waterfront area. Water Street Tampa, a $3 billion visionary redevelopment, will be adding hundreds of new hotel rooms along with new residential, retail and gathering spaces.
Getting There: Tampa International Airport (TPA) is 6 miles from downtown and served by hundreds of regular nonstop flights, including multiple flights per day from Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Denver, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles.
34 NEM+E | WINTER 2019 Tampa
BY THE NUMBERS: THE COLLECTIONTREASURE 752,000 square feet of meeting space (including the Tampa Convention Center) Another 100,000 -plus square feet is on the horizon 3,600 rooms ( 2,000 group committable within five blocks of TCC) 13 hotels within minutes of TCC ST. PETERSBURG TAMPA (OPPOSITE)BAY;TAMPAVISITPETERSBURG/CLEARWATER;ST.VISITPHOTOS: CVBEVERGLADESISLANDMARCONAPLESCOTTON;AMANDA
Contact: Adam DePiro; Director of Convention Sales; adepiro@visittampabay.com; 813.342.4061
A 345-room combined Hyatt Place/Hyatt House is under construction on as an urban in-fill project downtown with 3,400 square feet of meeting space (opening date TBA). Aparium Hotel Group, known for its location-inspired hotels, has begun work on a 176-room full-service hotel in historic Ybor City (opening date TBA). The CVB: Visit Tampa Bay’s staff are the local experts when it comes to the needs of meeting planners. The Convention Sales and Services teams are well-versed in supporting gatherings of all sizes with anything they might need, whether audio-visual specialists, off-site venues or transportation options. Destination sales professionals assist in the site selection process, distributing events specifications local industry partners equipped to host. They collate responses and provide planners with a one-stop solution to placing a meeting in Tampa Bay. They conduct site visits, arrange the appropriate introductions to hospitality professionals that will create a one of a kind experience. visittampabay.com/meeting-planners
BY THE NUMBERS 608 square miles (the second smallest county in Florida) 17 hotels/resorts with a significant amount of meeting space and rooms (ranging from 7,500 square feet to 70,000-plus square feet of meeting space and 77-620 rooms)
Contact: Messerschmidt;JeanineSenior Sales Manager; jeanine@visitspc. com; 727.464.7382 Getting There: Two international airports: Tampa International Airport (TPA) and the St. InternationalPete-ClearwaterAirport(PIE)
Contact: Georgia Turner; Executive Director; gturner@visitwestvolusia.com; 386.734.0162
Getting There: Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) and Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB) are both within 30 minutes of West Volusia; Orlando International Airport (MCO) is an hour away. BY THE NUMBERS: FLORIDA’S PARADISE COAST 400,290 square feet of meeting space [including 100,000 square feet of event space at the new JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort] 2021 a new sports stadium with meeting space is slated to open 91 18-hole golf courses 30 miles of white sand beaches 6 major beach resorts South
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 35
FLORIDA’S PARADISE COAST
BY THE NUMBERS 2,600 acres at Blue Spring State Park (including the largest spring on the St. Johns River) 4 large hotels (as well as boutique hotels, B&Bs and “fish camps”) 2 conference centers (Sanborn Center in DeLand and The Center at Deltona) West Volusia Situated between Daytona Beach and Orlando is West Volusia, which comprises 14 commu nities in the western part of the county along the St. Johns River. “Our motto is ‘Old Florida, New Vibe,’ because we have both ecotourism offerings (three state parks, a wildlife refuge, lots of eco-tours along the river) as well as a vibrant, award-winning MainStreet in DeLand,” says Georgia Turner, executive director, West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority. “We are a great place for small meetings.” “The most popular activity in our area is cooking pancakes at DeLeon Springs State Park,” says Turner. The Old Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant, opened in 1961, is located inside the park and features a griddle in the middle of each table. Manatee viewing is also a popular activity at Blue Spring State Park—a designated manatee refuge and the winter home to a growing population of West Indian Manatees. During manatee season (mid-November to March) several hundred manatees can be viewed from the spring’s overlooks. The Tourism Bureau: West Volusia Tourism can contact hotels, attractions and caterers, among other services. visitwestvolusia.com
Made up of three main areas (Naples, Marco Island and the Gulf Coast portion of the Everglades), Florida’s Paradise Coast juxtaposes luxury with wilderness; 70 per cent of the area within Collier County is dedicated to parks and nature preserves. Naples is a luxurious resort city on the coast; its iconic pier on Naples Beach stretches 1,000 feet into the Gulf of Mexico. Marco Island is the largest and only devel oped barrier island of the Ten Thousand Islands—a pristine labyrinth of water and mangroves. The Everglades National Park (the only subtropical preserve in North America) is directly south of the island and a habitat for many rare and endangered species like manatees, American crocodiles and Florida panthers. The CVB: The Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB provides FAMs, RFP assistance, destination experts, site itin eraries, and incentives and marketing. meetinparadise.com Contact: Debi DeBenedetto; Group Sales & Marketing Manager; debi.de@colliercoun tyfl.gov; 239.252.2379 Getting There: Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers (RSW) is about a 30-minute drive to Naples and 50 minutes to Marco Island; the airport pro vides nonstop service to 54 destinations on 16 air carriers.
The CVB: If groups are using the Broward County Convention Center, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau will provide a concierge during meeting registration hours to provide information on transportation, attractions, restaurants, shopping and cultural activities. If meetings require registration assistance, ground operators, special event producers, musicians, yacht charters, off-site venues or more, the referral program will speed up the selection process. sunny.org/meetings
The CVB: Download the Meeting Planner Guide at fla-keys.com/meeting-planners
FORT LAUDERDALE
ISTOCK.COM/@MEINZAHNCVB;MIAMIGREATER(OPPOSITE)CVB;LAUDERDALEFORTGREATERPHOTOS:
FORT LAUDERDALE
Contact: Ed Simon; Senior Vice President, Convention Sales and Services; esimon@broward.org; 954.767.2459
Getting There: Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is in Fort Myers and Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) is just to the north in Charlotte County.
Contact: Jack Meier; Sales Manager; jack@fla-keys.com
BY THE NUMBERS 250,000 -plus square feet of total meeting space 12,000 -plus committable guest rooms ~90 area golf courses
36 NEM+E | WINTER 2019
fortmyers-sanibel.com/meetings
Getting There: The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is located minutes from downtown, the beaches, the convention center and the port. The airport offers ease of direct flight access from more than 165 domestic and international cities.
Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Convention Center District boasts more than 3,000-plus hotel rooms within a 1.5-mile radius of the Broward County Convention Center; there is also more than 14,000 group and meeting hotel rooms in the area.
FORT MYERS AND SANIBEL ISLAND
Unspoiled white sand beaches, exotic wildlife and lush subtropical foliage define the Fort Myers and Sanibel Island area, found in Southwest Florida along the Gulf Coast. “Here, visitors escape the more congested areas of the state for a feel of old Florida that no longer exists,” says Jill Vance, director of sales, Lee County VCB. “[The area] is proving to be the perfect sanctuary for families to reconnect with loved ones in a quiet, natural setting. With surroundings conducive to refocusing on what’s really important in life, visitors are finding a sense of inner peace as they submerse themselves in alluring natural wilderness.”
Contact: Jill Vance; Director of Sales; 239.691.3500jvance@leevcb.com;
The Florida KeysLocated off the southern coast of Florida is the coral cay archipelago known as the Florida Keys. While it’s the southernmost part of the continental U.S., the Keys more closely resemble the Caribbean in climate. “In the Florida Keys and Key West, it’s all about simply finding the right fit for your group,” says Jack Meier, group sales manager for the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. “The Keys offer an experience that’s a world away from a typical meeting experience at a mega-metro convention center.”
Nicknamed the “Venice of America,” Greater Fort Lauderdale is dubbed the Yachting Capital of the World for its canal system. With 300 miles of scenic navigable waterways along the Atlantic Coast, the area offers private yacht charters that are ideal for an afternoon breakout session or sunset wind down.
BY THE NUMBERS 1,047,000 square feet of meeting space at hotels (with 120,000 square feet under construction or in planning) 200,000 -square-foot Xtreme Action Park, Florida’s largest indoor entertainment venue 40,000 square feet of flexible space at the Gallery of Amazing Things 34,000 hotel rooms and 562 hotels 4,000-plus eateries 3,000 hours of annual sunshine 77 average temperature
The VCB: The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, aka the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, offers meeting planners imaginative services and solutions for events throughout the entire planning process including site selection assistance, premeeting planning, attendancebuilding support, marketing materials, spouse and youth activities and ambassadors to assist with conference services.
Miami The only destination in the U.S. that’s bordered by two national parks (Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park), Miami was once a mangrove swamp before it began development in the 1920s that led it to the premier international hub it is today.
BY THE NUMBERS: MIAMI 1.3 million-plus convention and business travelers visit Miami annually ~1 million square feet of meeting space in 3 convention centers 54,816 rooms in the 428 hotels and motels 800 -plus parks 150 -plus ethnicities and 60 -plus languages 76ºF average temperature 74 specialized meeting venues 50 diveable wreck sites (the Wreckreational Diving Capital of the World)
BY THE NUMBERS: THE FLORIDA KEYS 127 miles the length of the Overseas Highway (connecting the regions) Key Largo is 58 miles from Miami International Airport & Key West is 160 miles from Miami International Airport 10 Keymandments guide visitors into have meaningful experiences while respecting and preserving the environment 5 regions (Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, The Lower Keys and Key West)
Getting There: The Key West International Airport (EYW) has commercial service and is served by major airlines. Florida Keys Marathon International Airport (MTH) welcomes ondemand small charter aircraft. Visitors can also fly into Miami International Airport (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and take an airport shuttle bus or rent a car. fla-keys.com/how-to-get-here
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 37
Likewise, the culturally rich Miami Beach used to be a Coconut Grove Plantation; the man-made island now boasts 800-plus art deco buildings in its Art Deco District, the world’s largest collection.TheMiami Beach Convention Center (MBCC), which underwent a $620 million renovation, reopened in September 2018 and features a sustainable design and eco-conscious operational procedures. MBCC now boasts nearly 500,000 square feet of exhibit space, a new 60,000-square-foot grand ballroom, 81 breakout rooms, a 20,000-square-foot rooftop specialty space, and an adjacent 6-acre park. It’s also committed to the arts, investing about $7 million in public art. The CVB: Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Convention Services Team provides complimentary site selection assistance, business services referrals and destination materials. miamimeetings.com Getting There: Miami International Airport (MIA) welcomed a total of 21.7 million arrivals in 2017. More carriers fly into MIA than any other airport in the country. Both the airport and PortMiami are conveniently located 10 minutes from downtown.
38 NEM+E | WINTER 2019 THE EVENTEX AWARDS, founded in 2009, celebrate the most innovative, creative and effective events from around the world. Since its inception, more than a thousand entries from over 85 countries have competed in the awards. In this year’s ranking of destinations, Eventex named USA the No. 1 destination for meetings and events. USA stands out as the destination of some of the best brand activations, experiential and corporate events. This is a growing trend, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor predicts that the event industry will grow by 44 per cent from 2010 to 2020, exceeding most growth predictions for other industries. For a full list of winners visit: eventex.co/winners-2018; eventex.co/all-stars/destinations; eventex.co/all-stars VENUE NEWS 40 PEOPLE NEWS 44 SNAPSHOTS 46 PEOPLE PROFILE 48 Industry Update 1. USA (760) 2. UNITED KINGDOM (670 - tie) 2. NETHERLANDS (670 - tie) 4. AUSTRIA (540) 5. ITALY (480) BEST OF THE BEST USA is ranked the No. 1 destination in the Eventex Top 20 Destinations for Meetings and Events Index. Research courtesy of Eventex Top Destinations20forMeetings&Events Rank DESTINATION (Score) 1. U SA » ( 760) 2. UNITED KINGDOM » (670) 2. NE THERLANDS » (670) 4. AUSTRIA » (540) 5. ITALY » (4 80) 6. P OLAND » (410) 7. B ELGIUM » (4 00) 8. RUSSIA » ( 380) 9. I RELAND » (33 0) 10. FRANCE » ( 270) 11. PORTUGAL » ( 170) 12 SLOVAKIA » ( 150) 12 SPAIN » ( 150) 14. GERMANY » ( 140) 15. INDIA » ( 110) 15. CZECH REPUBLIC » ( 110) 17. TURKEY » ( 100) 17. COSTA RICA » ( 100) 17. ISRAEL » ( 100) 20. FINLAND » (80) The index takes into account the number of wins over the past two years and allocates a weighted score for gold, silver, bronze trophies and Goldparticipation.isworth100points,silverisworth50points,bronzeisworth30points,participationisworth10points. rankingsFull
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 39 INFOGRAPHIC Three U.S. companies appeared in the Top 20 Event Organizers & Agencies The index takes into account the number of wins over the past three years and allocates a weighted score for gold, silver and bronze trophies. Gold is worth 100 points, silver is worth 50 points, bronze is worth 30 points. 11. IM CREATIVE (230) 18. EXPERIENCE WILLOW LLC (150) 18. THE OVAL OFFICE BVBA (150) USA’s 2018 honors included: BEST EVENT (THIRD PLACE) Dodge Demon Launch at the New York Auto Show George P. Johnson MarketingExperience BEST FESTIVAL (THIRD PLACE) Magical Winter Lights Houston People Generation, Inc. BEST SPORTING EVENT (SECOND PLACE) 2017 FISA World Rowing Championship Opening Ceremony BadAss Media & Meetings BEST TECH EVENT (THIRD PLACE) ONWARD17 Yext, Inc. BEST GALA (THIRD PLACE) Temple University Hospital 125th Anniversary “Acres of Diamonds” Gala Tolo Events BEST INTERACTIVE OUTDOOR EVENT (THIRD PLACE) Fortune 500 International Sales & Marketing Conference Russell Harris Event Group BEST POP-UP EVENT (THIRD PLACE) Bone Appetit Tolo Events BEST PRODUCT(WINNER)LAUNCH Dodge Demon Launch at the New York Auto Show George P. Johnson Experience Marketing
REGIONAL NEWS
VENUE NEWS» Asbury
40 NEM+E | WINTER 2019
The iconic Asbury Lanes, which faced dan ger of closing/demolition, recently reopened after undergoing a restoration. Asbury Lanes opened in the 1960s as an 18-lane bowling alley and became an alternative music and arts venue in the early 2000s. “Everyone has an Asbury Lanes story,” says David Bowd, Salt Hotels, which oper ates the Lanes. “Emotions ran higher with this project than with anything we’ve under taken. What mattered to them matters to us: keeping the soul of this incredible venue while making changes necessary to guaran tee its future.”
nybg.org/learn/edible-academy
The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is expanding its garden-based education program with the opening of a new $28 million Edible Academy. The indoor-outdoor campus, designed by the architecture firm Cooper Robertson, will double NYBG’s capacity to 100,000 people annu ally and operate year-round. The Edible Academy, with the existing Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden as its cen terpiece, features a 5,300-square-foot class room building with a demonstration kitchen and a high-tech classroom; a teaching green house; two outdoor pavilions for programs, including one at treetop level offering a vista of the Garden’s old-growth forest and the Bronx River; a tiered lawn amphitheater designed to seat 350; and spacious gardens.
bayfrontlanding.com Lanes
The Perelman Quadrangle at the University of Pennsylvania recently underwent a $15 million renovation to preserve the original features of Houston Hall and Penn Commons. Houston Hall was built in 1896 and is the oldest student union in the country. A mul timillion-dollar renovation in 2000 restored the building back to its 19th-century charm, while updating the facilities to meet the needs of the 21st. Penn Commons offers ample room for large events, cocktail hours, team-building, and meet and greets, and is able to host a tented option for up to 600.
The Edible Academy Opens at
The New York Botanical Garden
Erie Unveils New Bayfront Landing Bayfront Landing, Erie’s convention and waterfront district located on the shores of Lake Erie’s Presque Isle Bay, is a new branding initiative aimed to showcase Erie’s bayfront properties as the destination for a variety of events year-round. “We have something truly unique here in Erie,” says Gus Pine, general manager of the Bayfront Convention Center. “Not only can we offer a beautiful waterfront district as the setting for your next event, but with a thriving downtown full of shops and restaurants, and year-round sports and activi ties all in close proximity—there’s something for everyone to enjoy during their stay.”
University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman Quadrangle Unveils Renovations
At the center of Erie’s new Bayfront Landing is the Bayfront Convention Center, northwest ern Pennsylvania’s largest banquet venue. The center is connected to the award-winning Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel featuring 200 guest rooms and the new Courtyard Marriott Erie Bayfront Hotel with 192 guest rooms.
Asbury Lanes Reopens
RACEWAYRPM(OPPOSITE)LANES;ASBURYPHOTOS:
A “secret” passage will run between the Lanes and The Asbury Hotel, which was the first part of the multibillion-dollar redevelop ment of Asbury Park by real-estate investment company iStar. Anda Andrei, president of Anda Andrei Design, serves as the creative lead for the Asbury Park redevelopment project and over saw the restoration of Asbury Lanes. “This is going to be the fun, open, wild Lanes everyone loves, except we won’t have to worry that it might cave in,” she says. Asbury Lanes can hold large events includ ing dinners for over 700. asburylanes.com
“The excitement around the Stamford opening has been building for quite some time, so we are thrilled to finally open our newest state-of-the-art facility where guests can fully immerse themselves in a variety of high-end racing, dining and entertainment options. We look forward to opening our doors and hosting the great people in and around Stamford for many years to come,” says Davis-Farage.Largecorporate/team-building events can be hosted in the venue’s event spaces. rpmraceway.com; 203.323.7223
RPM Raceway Opens in Stamford RPM Raceway, an indoor electric karting and entertainment destination, opened in Stamford, Connecticut, this past June. Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Eyal Farage and Karen Davis-Farage, the new twolevel, 90,000-square-foot facility with two quarter-mile racing tracks is RPM Raceway’s first location in the state and its sixth throughout the Northeast. The competitive kart racing venue will be the first of the company’s locations to offer dining operations with 138 seats at The Clutch Sportsbar, which features a chef-driven take on upscale bar food using fresh, high-quality ingredients and 12 local craft beers on tap.
Must be 21 years of age or older to enter the Sands Casino. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER. MEETINGS | ENTERTAINMENT | DINING | OUTLETS | HOTEL Business is a breeze at Sands Bethlehem, thanks to our dedicated Events Team and state-of-the-art facilities. Over 12,000 sq ft of meeting space and 14,000 sq ft of tradeshow space is at your disposal, and can be customized to meet your needs. Savor award-winning cuisine or unwind in one of our lavish hotel rooms to make your visit even more unforgettable! Book your meeting or conference today by contacting Alyssa Lippincott at 484.777.7497 or Alyssa.Lippincott@sands.com WE MEAN BUSINESS » trend reports on F&B, décor, team-building activities and technology » new venue spotlights » people profiles » expert advice from top meeting and event professionals » local and “beyond the border” destinations FORSUBSCRIBEFREE and receive quarterly issues chockful of regional content on topics like: Do you love it? en keep it coming. MEETINGSMAGS.COM/SUBSCRIBE PEOPLE TOGETHER (45) NEWBIES MOREWITH HONOREESUP-AND-COMING MEETINGSMAGS.COM HOTELSHIPDETROIT ROUNDS OUT ITS HOTEL BASEWITH NEW BOUTIQUE HOTELS (32) MEETINGSMAGS.COM O BeatenthePath SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SHARE THEIRSUCCESS STORIES (38) CREATIVE EXPRESSIONMinnesota aboundswith artsy venues (47) FEELS LIKE HOMEFind comfort the little thingsthese hotels and VENUES HONOREES + MEETINGSMAGS.COM WATERSIDE VENUES LAKES AND RIVERS SPOTS FOR GROUPS RAISING THE BAR THE NEXT LEVEL EXPERIENCE ECONOMY CHANGE DIRECTIONGrand County’s beauty and activities chart the course BREAK MINDFULNESSFOR rechargesduringPushingmeetingsattendees FRESH POW ski slopesto bear OUTSIDE Traveling to meansmore options MEETINGSMAGS.COM WINTER HOLIDAYS EXTENDEDPlanparties Trend FORECAST page 30 to meet the Impossible Burger, plant-basedpatty that replicates See what’s new for 2018 in food, andtechnologydécor,venues PLANNERS VENDORSPro tips building and maintainingrelationships with vendors ADVENTURE ABOUNDSExplore vast wildernessof Alaska MOUNTAIN BUT DIFFERENT localnamescities MEETINGSMAGS.COM Majesty ELEVATE EVENT EXPERIENCESAT THESE 5 MOUNTAIN RESORTS VEGAN AND RESTAURANTSVEGETARIANPACKFLAVORFULPUNCH $6.00 BLANK CANVASArt galleries make forinspiring event PLANNERS GONNA PLANWear ofdi erentprofessionalsindustry STAY IN STAMFORD elicitsConnecticuthighpraisemeeting-goers PLEASE Veggies,
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 41
The dual-branded Hampton Inn by Hilton Teaneck Glenpointe and Homewood Suites by Hilton Teaneck Glenpointe recently opened in New Jersey, bringing a total of 350 new rooms to the Meadowlands area. The hotel adds even more versatile lodging options for guests visiting New Jersey, which increased to 101 million trav elers in “New2017.Jersey’s booming tourism gives us a promising opportunity to expand our footprint in the Garden State, and this dual-branded property diversifies our presence in the market,” says Shruti Buckley, global head, Hampton by Hilton. “Travelers visiting this prime area of Northern New Jersey—just 15 minutes away from the heart of New York City—will enjoy the outstanding guest experience our brands are known for.”
The hotel also offers shared meet ing space that can accommodate up to 100 people.
VFTCB Makes Large Donation to Valley Forge National Historical Park
42 NEM+E | WINTER 2019 VFTCBPHOTOS: REGIONAL NEWS
The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB) presented its largest dona tion to date—$55,500—to Valley Forge National Historical Park. The annual dona tion is raised through the Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-Mile Run (Rev Run). The Rev Run included more than 1,500 partici pants this year. “We’re honored to receive these signifi cant contributions, and we consider ourselves fortunate to have a committed park partner like we have in the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board,” says Valley Forge National Historical Park Superintendent Steve Sims. “As a three-time Rev Run participant, I look forward to seeing the race, and the benefits it provides to the visitor experience continue for years to come.” Since its inception in 2006, Rev Run has raised more than $400,000 for park infra structure improvement projects and program ming to enhance visitor experience. In 2017, the Park attracted 2.2 million visitors and contributed $46.5 million in economic output and 426 jobs to the local economy.
TOURISM» HOTEL NEWS»
Flatiron District Open to Visitors Following the recovery of a steam pipe explo sion, the Flatiron District is open for busi ness once again. “Despite the recent steam pipe incident, New York City’s Flatiron has bounced back and is eager to welcome visi tors and locals to one of the City’s most beautiful neighborhoods,” says Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “Everyone can discover or rediscover the Flatiron’s unparalleled offerings—from its iconic Flatiron Building to the beautiful Madison Square Park to many cultural, retail and restaurant offerings.”
Developed and owned by Alfred Sanzari Enterprises and man aged by White Lodging, Hampton Inn by Hilton Teaneck Glenpointe and Homewood Suites by Hilton Teaneck Glenpointe is close to Interstate 95 and Interstate 80, Newark Liberty International and LaGuardia Airports, and local attractions such as MetLife Stadium, New York City, Yankee Stadium and CitiField. The hotels feature The Lodge—a restaurant and lounge area for guests to meet, eat or just relax—as well as a shared lobby area, 24-hour fitness center and indoor pool for guests to unwind.
VFTCB presents its donation to the Valley Forge National Historical Park.
New Hotels in Northern New Jersey
“While the July 19 steam pipe incident caused significant impact and certainly incon venience, many of the district’s retail, restau rant and cultural attractions were not affected and nearly all of those that were are now open for business again,” says Jennifer Brown, executive director of the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership Business Improvement District.
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 43 DINE AMONG DINOSAURS Only at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University! events@ansp.org • 215-299-1047 • ansp.org Treat your guests to a spectacular event they won’t forget. Enjoy a memorable evening paired with amazing food, superior service and a setting unlike any other in Philadelphia. The Academy has partnered with 12th St. Catering, named Best Caterer by Pennsylvania Meetings + Events Best of 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards, to offer one-stop planning for all events. 12th St. Catering is pleased to offer fresh and innovative menus, tailor-made for each client, to create a unique experience for your guests.
The Dominick Hotel Expands Its Sales Team
TRANSPORTATION»
44 NEM+E | WINTER 2019 TRAVELERROYALPHOTO: REGIONAL NEWS PEOPLE NEWS»
Royal Traveler’s direct service has no specific boundaries but is designated for travel across the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. and is looking to expand between Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Palm Springs in early 2019. “If the event is within four hours of New York or D.C, Royal Traveler can do it,” says Nagle. Planners can book online, over the phone or through specific travel agents. royaltraveler.com —Brianna Smiley
Royal Traveler Launches New Direct Service
Traveling from the New York to the D.C. area is a common inconvenience for planners and professionals when it comes to events. Planners have been searching for new ways to get clients from their New York offices to their D.C. meetings without the stresses or expenses of trains and planes. Royal Traveler Direct, launched this spring, offers personalized options for professionals to arrive at their next event in style, without breaking the bank. Says Mark Nagle, general manager of Royal Traveler: “Our priority is safely getting customers to their events and ensuring they have a good experience on the way. We offer the drivers, the vehicles, and the expertise to ensure that we are the company our clients can count on for their nextRoyalevent.”Traveler
Direct is the door-to-door service planners have been requesting. Each vehicle features Wi-Fi, USB charging ports and water bottles so travelers can work on the way. The consistent, firstclass experience offers professional drivers, specialized time and route recommendations, and starting under $500, a reasonable price for a luxury service.
The Dominick, located between New York City’s West Village and TriBeCa neighbor hoods, recently appointed two additions to its sales leadership team. Nico Fournier, the director of MICE and travel industry sales inter national, will oversee relationships with interna tional leisure consortia accounts, the wholesale market, as well as specialized industries within the group segment. Fournier previously served as the assistant director of sales at The Surrey, a Relais & Châteaux property in New York and the global account director at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company inAsLondon.thetravel industry sales manager, Ece Bayram will work closely with the luxury leisure consortias based in the United States and Canada. Bayram previously served as vice president of A2B Travel New York. She was also the travel industry and international sales manager at The New York Palace“TheseHotel.two sales experts bring strong indus try knowledge, and will help spread the word as we continue to unveil exciting new offerings and solidify The Dominick as an unparalleled option for group, business and leisure travel ers,” says Dant Hirsch, general manager. NYC & Company New Hires NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization, recently announced two key marketing appointments. Nancy Mammana joins the team as senior vice president, marketing, where she will oversee the organization’s mar keting areas including global marketing strat egy, branding, promotions, advertising, cre ative services and e-commerce. Mammana most recently served as vice president, market ing for Patina Restaurant Group. Janette Roush joins as managing director, market ing and will oversee tourism marketing, meetings and convention marketing, and vibrancy campaign promo tion strategy. She spent the last eight years as vice president, insights and marketing at AKA, where she led strategy for leading Broadway shows and launched a market research arm for the“Weagency.look forward to capitalizing on Nancy and Janette’s talents to continue to position New York City as one of the world’s most aspi rational travel and meeting destinations, and at the same time, create urgency to visit now,” says Fred Dixon, president and CEO.
New SVP and COO at Spectra Richard Schneider joins Spectra as its new senior vice president and chief operating officer of food services and hospitality. In this newly cre ated role, Schneider will over
SIGN
MEETINGSNORTHEAST+EVENTS HAS GONE DIGITAL! UP FOR
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 45 see Spectra’s day-to-day food-related operations and support functions, including culinary, procurement and technology, serving nearly 250 Spectra food venues in North America. He will be responsible for developing strategic programs, operational initiatives and innovations to enhance and grow operations that span sports arenas and stadiums, convention centers, casinos, performing arts centers, specialty catering, and major fairs and“I’mattractions.delighted to join Spectra’s leadership team,” says Schneider. “With such vast opportunity in the depth and variety of our food clients, my goal is to drive the quality and value of our services, and to universally elevate the guest experience. I also look forward to improving existing programs and designing new initiatives that cultivate highperformingPreviously,employees.”Schneider was with Delaware North as its COO of sports and entertainment subsidiary Sportservice and airport food and retail business, and vice president of hospitality and guest services, gaming and entertainment. Schneider currently sits on the Board of Directors of the National Restaurant Association. New Executive Director at Central Pennsylvania CVB Fritz Smith has been appointed the executive director of Central Pennsylvania Convention & Visitors Bureau (CPCVB). Smith is a hospitality industry expert having worked in state government as the director of tourism operations and as the deputy secretary for tourism, film and economic development.Smithalso served as vice president of tourism for the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau and most recently as vice president of research and hotel initiatives for Visit“WePhiladelphia.arethrilled to have found Fritz to lead the continued growth in tourism within our county; he is a true reflection of a hospitality expert,” says Edward Tubbs, president of the CPCVB Board of Directors.
MEETINGSMAGS.COMSUBSCRIPTIONFREEYOURTODAYAT
46 NEM+E | WINTER 2019 SUBMIT YOUR EVENT PHOTOS To have your meeting or event photos featured here, contact the editor at morgan.halaska@tigeroak.com. 7 8 9 6 31 5 Northeast M+E Best of 2018 Sixty-two guests gathered for the Northeast M+E Best of 2018 readers’ choice awards on Aug. 16 at Upstairs at The Pennsy in New York City. The event’s presenting sponsor was Kalahari Resorts & Conventions; the bar sponsor was Bear Creek Mountain Resort & Conference Center; and the “green” carpet sponsor was Topgolf. Event partners included Acute Inflections, Jamie Rosler from ComedySportz, Drawing Booth, Eclipse Events, Flowerful Events, Pat LaFrieda, The Pennsy Food Hall, Sabi Sushi and Wizard Studios. 1. Corrine Statia with Absolute Events by Corrine accepts the award for Best Individual Meeting/Event Planner. 2. Acute Inflections. 3. Steven Calascione, Eclipse Events and Jamie Rosler, emcee. 4. Kathryn Miller and Bobbi Dahlstrom with their Drawing Booth illustrations. 5. The Charles Group, Inc. team, win ner of the Best Meeting/Event Planning Company. 6. Kelsey Copeland and Lana Aleixo, Topgolf. 7. Emma Tietze, Courtney Redo, LaurenAnn Barbarino, Dimitra Trakellis and Alexandra Harvazinski. 8. Elke Reva Sudin with Drawing Booth sketches Michael Heifez, Flowerful Events (Best Floral & Event Décor Provider winner). 9. Kelsey Copeland, Morgan Halaska and Jim Younger, Meetings + Events Media. —Photos by Craig Marson 4 2 SNAPSHOTS NORTHEAST M+E BEST OF 2018
NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 47 No matter how many times you’ve visited State College, home to Penn State University, we always have a surprise for you. See our shows. Explore our museums. Sample the local flavors. The ideal place to get started is at MeetinStateCollege.com or contact Shirley Smith (shirleys@visitpennstate.org) or Brenda Hall (brendah@visitpennstate.org). You can also call us at 814 -231-1401. Let’s Meet in State College! • 190,000 Square Feet of Meeting Space • 3600 Guest Rooms • Affordable Meeting Space • Diverse Dining & Entertainment Opportunities • Convenient Access to I-80, I-99 and 322 • Trade Show Space at the Bryce Jordan Center for 375 Exhibitors • RFP ComplimentaryDistribution,Site Visits
There are restaurants and then there is the 21 Club. This iconic Midtown Manhattan restaurant has been a club of sorts for everyone from movie stars and business tycoons to American presidents. There are 10 private dining rooms within the 21 Club, but the restaurant is most famous for its Bar Room, notable for the toys suspended from the ceiling reflecting the various companies run by regular patrons. The room has graced the silver screen many times, but it’s the legend ary wine cellar, once a speakeasy dur ing Prohibition, that remains the most buzzed-about space.
21club.com
BY NANCY DEPALMA
Presiding over all of this is Julie Sawitz, 21 Club’s director of private din ing. Despite it being a “six days a week kind of job,” Sawitz clearly loves what she does. It’s a good thing too, since she handles around 2,000 events a year. “I’ve done everything from product launches and movie openings to board dinners, financial company roadshows … you name it.” Sawitz has been with the 21 Club for 25 years and she’s planned events for just about anyone who is anyone. While there are very few celebrities she hasn’t met or planned an event for, Sawitz is particularly adept at making everyone feel like an A-lister regardless of their social standing or bank account. “My job is to make memories for people.” Indeed, Sawitz’s personal touch is not only palpable, but keeps a steady stream of clients coming back for more. Some have become friends over the years. “I’ve actually attended weddings of the chil dren of clients,” she says.
PEOPLE PROFILE JULIE SAWITZ
In an often transient industry, Sawitz’s 25 years of service is indeed impres sive, but it’s clear she could never leave. Whether it’s planning a top-notch event or showing off the wine cellar (accessed through an unassuming but heavy brick door secured with a meat skewer) she never tires of the pace—or the place. “Sure, I’ve seen the wine cellar a million times, but that reaction people get when they first push open the door and get a peek inside … it just never gets old.”
It’s all in a day’s work for Julie Sawitz, the 21 Club’s director of private dining.
LUNCHES FOR LEGENDS AND DINNERSDIVASFOR
48 NEM+E | WINTER 2019 ZELLMANNTRACIILLUSTRATION:
THE ATLANTIC CITY READY TO ELEVATE YOUR MEETINGS To book your meeting or convention, call 1-844-855-6338 or visit meetac.com today! Over 17,500 Hotel Rooms Within Driving Distance to 20% of the Nation’s Business Addresses Modernized Assortment of Casino & Non-casino Meeting Facilities Experience
ACCOMPLISH ALL OF YOUR GOALS AT A DESTINATION THAT HAS IT ALL. THE BEST OF MOHEGAN SUN, RIGHT ON THE BOARDWALK. FEATURING 64,000+ SQUARE FEET OF FLEXIBLE MEETING & FUNCTION SPACE, INCLUDING 17 BREAKOUT ROOMS, 4 BALLROOMS AND THE TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED, ALL-DIGITAL RESORTS CONFERENCE CENTER. LOCATED ON THE WORLD FAMOUS ATLANTIC CITY BEACH & BOARDWALK, MINUTES FROM 2 INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS. CALL 609.340.7850, VISIT US AT MEETATRESORTSAC.COM OR EMAIL SALES@RESORTSAC.COM TO BOOK YOUR COMPLIMENTARY SITE VISIT. 1133 BOARDWALK, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ 08401
