//EVENTS+MEETINGSNORTHWESTSUMMER2019NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM NO DISTRACTIONS Get away from it all at these 5 remote venues //PLANNINGREMOTECENTRAL&EASTERNOREGON SLICE OF HEAVEN Coeur d’Alene is a planner’s paradise OFF THE BEATEN PATH Discover the charm of central and eastern Oregon LONG DISTANCE Pro tips on planning destination events and teleworking MEETINGSMAGS.COM // SUMMER 2019
HAVE STORIES TO TELL. Exceeding expectations by creating experiences. Contact the Sales Department at 800.994.5900 or visit us at atlantiscasino.com/nwmeetings to submit an RFP. Make plans for holding your event at Atlantis Casino Resort Spa Reno. The stories you’ll tell will be endless. Top notch service complete with state-of-the-art meeting rooms, tech savvy amenities and the only resort connected to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. Dine in top-ranked restaurants and unwind at Spa Atlantis, the only Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star spa in northern Nevada. Book a world-class experience today.
Book your next corporate meeting or event at Shore Lodge and strike the perfect balance between inspiration and aspiration. Call 208.630.0231 or visit ShoreLodge.com/meetings Spirited Meetings 14 expertly-appointed venues afford you the perfect space for your needs. Host intimate meetings in a private dining room, deliver stunning presentations in a state-of-the-art theater with seating for 43, or hold more formal affairs in the scenic Upper and Lower Pavilions, with a capacity of 300. Signature Moments Treat your team with a host of unparalleled Corporate Breaks that create unique opportunities for networking and socializing. Enjoy a Whiskey Tasting Break, unwind with a Spa Wellness Break, have some fun with a Pub Trivia Game Night and more. Every meeting deserves memorable moments, and at Shore Lodge, our luxurious setting in the wilds of Western Idaho ensures the opportunities for key takeaways are plentiful. Especially once you break out of the boardroom.
2 NWM+E | SUMMER 2019 RESORTD’ALENECOEURTHEZAITZ;DAVIDCROWLEY;ADAMPHOTOS: Summer 2019 NORTHWEST MEETINGS + EVENTS MAGAZINE: IN THIS ISSUE 6 EDITOR’S LETTER 20 TREND REPORT Tips and tools telecommuting.for By Heather Larson 22 VENUE REPORT Secluded getaways for meetings and retreats. By Roger Gordon 26 DESTINATION Coeur d’Alene promises event planners a four-season playground. By Greg Freitas & Natalie Compagno 48 PROFILE Shelly Tolo’s clients are a loyal bunch—with good reason. By Teresa Kenney DEPARTMENTS 22 FEATURES 30 Mapping Out YourMeetingOregon For the simple charms of the Old West, head east in Oregon. By Natalie Compagno & Greg Freitas 26 36 From a Distance Experts share tips on planning events and meetings remotely. By Teresa Kenney
MEETING SPACES Large event center and additional meeting rooms with advanced VEGAS-STYLE GAMING Over 1,200 slots with all the latest reels and your favorite table games. FINE DINING Five restaurants on-site with a delicious array of food choices. AV technology. Management reserves all rights to alter, suspend or withdraw promotions/offers at any time. 03112.BS.6.19 CASINO • HOTEL • GOLF • CINEPLEX • RV• MUSEUM • DINING • TRAVEL PLAZA 800.654.9453 • Pendleton, OR I-84 Exit 216 • wildhorseresort.com F BUSINESS, At Wildhorse, our 14,000 square feet of flexible meeting space is all business. Our 1,200 Vegas-style slots, tables games and scenic golf course is where all the pleasure begins. meet PLEASURE
4 NWM+E | SUMMER 2019 44 2019Summer MEETING NOTES 9 PIN IT A sampling of Pinterest’s top 100 trends from 2019. By Megan Gosch 10 BEYOND THE BORDER Grab your group and your passport and head to Puerto Vallarta. By Teresa Kenney 12 FLASHBACK Seattle’s Smith Tower is a city icon. By Teresa Kenney 16 SIGNATURE DRINK Mia’s Joke, from Thompson Seattle’s restaurant, Conversation, is a real crowd pleaser. 18 BOOK REVIEW Andrea Driessen’s newest book is a must-read. 18 IT’S YOUR BIZ The Northwest Event Show continues to evolve. By Stuart Butler INDUSTRY UPDATE 40 INFOGRAPHIC “The Future of Meetings & Events” identifies five macro-trends that will impact the future of meetings and events. Research courtesy of PCMA Foundation and Marriott International 42 REGIONAL NEWS What’s happening in the local community. Compiled by Teresa Kenney 46 SNAPSHOTS A look back at the 2019 Emerald City Applause Awards. ON THE COVER The Painted Hills in Mitchell, Oregon, is one of the state’s natural wonders. Photo by Russ Roca 1242 NO DISTRACTIONS Get away from all these SLICE OF HEAVEN OFF THE BEATEN PATH Discover the charm of central and eastern Oregon LONG DISTANCE Pro tips on planning destination the Sound Hotel in Seattle’s Belltown Neighborhood Is Open for Business pg 14
NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 7 EDITOR Teresa Kenney MANAGING EDITOR Morgan Halaska SENIOR EDITOR Megan Gosch ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kassidy Tarala DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR Julianna Fazio CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Stuart Butler, Natalie Compagno, Greg Freitas, Roger Gordon, Heather Larson EDITORIAL INTERNS Taylor Hafner, Kendall Van Horne EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Stuart Butler, Butler Seattle • Lisa Dupar, Dupar & Company • Audrey Fan, eVenues Dennis Galloway, Semiahmoo Resort, Golf and Spa • Jennifer Giansante, Bridgewood Event Rentals Melissa Jurcan, CSEP, Seafair • Michael Noesen, pointb • Dwayne Thomas, Greenlight Creative Shelly Tolo, Tolo Events • Sheri Harbour de Vos, Ron Tonkin Gran Tarismo DESIGN DIRECTOR Courtney Nielsen ART DIRECTORS Traci Zellmann, Taylor Kilgore PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Dianne Talmage PROJECT COORDINATOR Brittni Dye CREATIVE SERVICES COORDINATIOR Alex Kotlarek CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jeremy Wieland SUBSCRIPTION MARKETING SPECIALIST Emily O’Connell DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & EVENTS Lauren Madeja MARKETING & EVENTS COORDINATOR Jen McIlvaine CREDIT MANAGER April McCauley ACCOUNTANT Jared Lawson WEB DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Sandy Powell WEB ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Angela Beissel ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER– NATIONAL SALES Jim jim.younger@tigeroak.com612.548.3874Younger 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 • 612.548.3148 Mountain Meetings • 303.617.0548 Northeast Meetings + Events • 586.416.4195 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 Northwest 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 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Bill Nelson 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 Northwest Meetings + Events, Summer 2019 © 2019 Tiger Oak Media. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. SUMMER 2019 nw.meetingsmags.com I attendedjust a luncheon with Hillary Clinton as the keynote.ing!InspirBillcorrespondentNPRMartin,Rachelformernationalsecurityandcur-renthostofNPR’sMorningEditionSundayClinton favoriteWho’s“yourkeynotespeaker?” Queer Eye’s Karamo Brown at PCMA LeadersEmerging2019 WHY DIGITAL? AVAILABLE ANYWHERE YOU HAVE INTERNET ACCESS HYPERLINKSLIVE TOREFERENCESANDRESOURCESSTORY ZOOM IMAGES AND TEXT FOR EASY READING SIGN UP FOR GONEMEETINGSMAGS.COMSUBSCRIPTIONFREEYOURTODAYATNORTHWESTMEETINGS+EVENTSHASDIGITAL!
Meeting Notes IT’S YOUR BIZ
ANTIDOTE:UNEXPECTEDWell-known for its medicinal qualities, the elderberry is your next new superfruit. With plenty of vitamin C, antioxidants and antiinflammatory qualities, this berry adds a healthy boost to meeting break smoothies, colorful salads and creative cocktails.
GLOW UP: From cheeky custom messaging and unexpected ofcreatetakescolorfulphotoopportunitiesbrandingtoglowingbackdropsanduplighting,neoncenterstagetotheperfectpopcolor.
HIGH RISE: Greenery is always a welcome addition to any event space, but living walls are having a moment. Transform raw or blank spaces with floor-toceiling vertical gardens for a lush urban jungle aesthetic.
LLOYDNICKYSANTJE09,WACOMKA;JAKUS,GORANISTOCK.COM,PHOTOS: BUSINESS.PINTEREST.COM/EN/BLOG/100-PINTEREST-TRENDS-FOR-2019REPORT:FULL
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PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION SIGNATURE DRINK 16
PHOTOBOMB: For instant intrigue, smoke bombs are on the rise. Opt for a simple white haze to create an backdrop.forofeffordramaticunexpectedmomenttailorthesmokeyectwithburstscolorfulplumesaplayfulphoto
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BEYOND THE BORDER »
THE SENSE OF ARRIVAL SETS THE TONE FOR ANY DESTINATION, and the all-inclusive resort Velas Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, has got that down pat. Its expansive, airy lobby-slash-gathering space boasts soaring coved ceilings and grand arches. In lieu of doors, the outside and inside intermingle, allowing a tropical breeze to beckon you to hurry up— the beach awaits! As you take in your first impression of the resort, your host will offer you a fresh glass of refreshing hibiscus juice. ¶ You have most certainly arrived.
VALLARTAVELAS(OPPOSITE)VALLARTA;VELASELIAS;VICTORPHOTOS:
Grab your team and your passports for a Mexican retreat.
If you happen to have forgotten sunscreen— or are looking for a magazine to read under a cabana on the sand—the resort has a small market with essentials. Forgot your hat or looking to dress up a tad more for dinner? It also offers an elegant boutique. And at several spots throughout the resort and on the beach you’ll find Mexican artisan vendors.
BY TERESA KENNEY
The Group-Stay Experience For groups, Velas Vallarta goes to even greater lengths to roll out the proverbial red carpet. Digital signage welcomes you as soon as you step inside the lobby—and is repeated through out the grounds—and a dedicated reception area for your guests makes for a smooth checkin. As they mingle at arrival, your business team can enjoy an interactive guacamole and salsa bar with offerings freshly made as they watch. Or if you prefer, choose a craft beer and cheese tasting welcome for your VIPs. The resort is particularly well-suited for incentive trips and business retreats. The suites boast lanais—perfect for an intimate evening reception with the sounds of the ocean as the party’s soundtrack. All of the 345 studio to three-bedroom suites have kitchens or kitchenettes with fully stocked bars and snack trays that are replenished daily. And the gracious living areas provide a comfortable space to relax after a day of meetings or to commiserate with colleagues before heading out for dinner.
The Resort Experience Velas Vallarta has the rest of the resort experi ence down to a science, as well. The lush court yard gardens are home to resident peacocks and peahens, and meandering paths connect guests to the beach and amenities. Oh, and that hawk you see overhead? That’s just the resident Harris hawk, keeping the pigeons and blackbirds at bay. The resort has three pools that are con nected via one shared lazy “river.” One is perfect for kids, another has a swim-up bar for poolside libations. And wait staff make the rounds during the day, refreshing drinks or bringing you a snack to nosh on while you’re engrossed in a beach read. Additional amenities include daily family activities and entertainment, tennis courts, and a spa (the spa’s menu of services includes beach mas sages so close to the water, you may feel a soft mist of ocean spray).
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PUERTODESTINATIONVALLARTA
The Business Experience
hyattregencyportlandocc.com
Scheduled to be complete in early 2020, the Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center will be located directly across from the con vention center and will feature 600 rooms and more than 32,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The main ballroom (at 11,822 square feet) can be divided into four smaller sections, and the junior ballroom (at 4,896 square feet) can be divided into three smaller sections. The hotel offers 20 additional meeting, office and boardroom options. Also, an onsite restaurant will be available on the street level. The hotel offers easy access to bus lines, a streetcar line, the MAX Light Rail (providing easy air port access), and a bike-share station.
cafenordo.com/the-knife-room COMING SOON» HotelConvention
Velas Vallarta simplifies getting down to busi ness (that’s why you came, remember?). The resort’s conference center has room for up to 1,250 for a reception and 600 for an awards banquet. Spaces are also available for breakout sessions of up to 30 delegates classroom-style.
NOW OPEN» Cutting Edge The Knife is part of Seattle’s underground. Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square neighborhood has welcomed a new venue for events and private par ties: The Knife Room. Located at (or more precisely: beneath) First and Main, on Seattle’s original street level, the 4,000-square-foot sub terranean space features brick facades and archways and can comfortably accommodate up to 100 for a seated event and 150 for a reception. The Knife Room is a sister space of Nordo’s Culinarium.
NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 11
Cellphone Concierge services are available for meeting and convention attendees, which allow busy executives to leave their phones with a professional concierge who filters incoming calls and messages, only alerting execs when there’s an urgent matter. Before scheduled meetings, executives can specify which calls must be answered and which email contacts their personal concierge should respond to promptly. For group team-building, the meeting and event staff are at your service. Want to learn how to paint traditional Mexican pottery or create the pre-Hispanic technique of Arte en Popotillo (straw mosaics)? Looking to whip up some competitive team spirit with a beach volleyball tournament or cooking competition? Velas Vallarta’s events team can assist. Depending on when you visit, you can also take a behind-the-scenes ecotour of the resort, including the sea turtle nurs ery, where baby turtles are protected before being released back into the water. (Last year, nearly 24,000 baby turtles were raised andAndreleased.)whenit’s time to head out, your Checkout Concierge will help your group with print ing boarding passes and transportation to nearby Puerto Vallarta International Airport, where direct flights are available to and from Seattle and Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna, BritishFromColumbia.thefirstwelcome to final goodbye, it’s a destination meeting experience like no other.
For dinner, Velas Vallarta has two restau rants open year-round: Andrea and La Ribera. The seasonal cantina offers a more intimate, fine dining option and is open November through Easter. Post-dinner, live entertain ment is available in the Alhambra lobby bar. Grab a table and a cocktail and enjoy mariachi bands and other musicians. As an added convenience, you can exchange currency right at the hotel, and two ATMs, one for U.S. dollars and the other for Mexican pesos, are available in the lobby.
FOR YOUR NEXT GROUP OUTING, AIM HIGH.
Smith Tower is a Seattle icon. On July 4, 105 years ago, Seattle’s Smith Tower first opened to the public. On that day, more than 4,000 people paid 25 cents to ride the elevator to the 35th-floor observatory (in the same Otis elevator in operation today, by the way). The tower included 540 offices, six stores, two telegraph offices and a public telephone station.
GROUP TOURS»
High Tours5
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Portland, Oregon-based High 5 Tours, a cannabis tour company, offers your group an insider look at the city’s cannabis industry. Tours include visits to city dispensaries, Multnomah Falls and Green Choice Farms, a family-owned and -operated cannabis production facility that practices sustainable growing methods. Groups can also rent the High 5 bus as a private smoking lounge for up to 14 people. high5tours.com
TOURS;5HIGHPHOTOS: TOWERSMITH
MR.FLASHBACK»SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON
Today, Smith Tower offers a historical backdrop for private events of up to 80 guests. Choose from two spaces: the 35th-floor bar named The Observatory (of course), or the 22nd-floor Lookout Lounge and deck. On the 35th floor, you’ll also find the tower’s famed “Wishing Chair,” which was rumored to have been gifted to the tower’s original owner and namesake, L.C. Smith, by China’s Empress Dowager Cixi. Legend has it that if you sit in the chair and you’re single, you’ll be married within the year. The tower can also be a fun afternoon excursion for your group through its Talking Tower Tours. Seeing as its past includes connections to infamous rum-running radio hosts and a one-armed parachuting stuntman, there’s plenty for your guests to talk about long after the tour has ended. smithtower.com
PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION
KISMETIT’S
Seattle’s Sound NEW HOTEL OPENS IN BELLTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD.
Located in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood, a half-mile from Pike Place Market and the Space Needle and 1 mile from the Washington State Convention Center, The Sound Hotel Seattle Belltown opened for business earlier this year. The hotel is the first Tapestry Collection by Hilton on the West Coast and offers 142 rooms and a 770-square-foot board/training room with room for up to 35 guests. The ground-level restaurant, Currant Bistro, features a menu of shareable plates developed by chef Jon Langley (formerly of Thackeray, Purple Café, and The Commons) and his culinary team. Some of the hotel’s rooms and all of its seventh-floor meeting and special event space offer unobstructed views of the Space Needle. A select number of guest rooms face a mural commissioned by local graffiti artist Weirdocult. tapestrycollection3.hilton.com
BELLTOWNSEATTLEHOTELSOUNDTHEPHOTOS:
Set sail on Kelley Moore’sventure.latest For intimate groups, lifestyle and events guru Kelley Moore is introducing the Kismet, a 1977 Carver Cabin Cruiser infused with Moore’s signature style. Available for charters this summer, Moore has partnered with chefs to provide signa ture picnics and desserts. kelleylmoore.com
SMALL GROUPS»
NOW OPEN»
PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION
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• Largest convention center east of the Cascades, with room for groups with up to 1,600 guests • Variety of room sizes to t every need • Silver LEED Certi ed convention center • 41,000 square feet of exible indoor space • Ideal Central Oregon location overlooking the Deschutes River • Combines the dramatic natural beauty of Bend with the Northwest contemporary style CALL NOW FOR A PROMOTIONAL OFFER* 855.798.5811 | RIVERHOUSE.com *For new business booked and consumed in 2019 only. Subject to availability.
16 NWM+E | SUMMER 2019 PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION NEW EVENT SPACE» Meet You at The Corner Downtown Portland, Oregon’s newest meeting and event space, The Corner, is located inside of Mother’s Velvet Lounge & Café. Available for private gatherings, business meetings, seminars, conferences and team-building, the venue offers two packages: the basic space rental for alcohol- and food-free meetings and events, and full space rental, which includes a fully stocked bar. mothersbistro.com SIGNATURE DRINK» SMALL TALK? BIG TASTE! Need a conversation starter? Try Mia’s Joke from Thompson Hotel’s new restaurant Conversation. We’re pretty sure you’ll get the joke. *Tomato Syrup Ingredients —500g chopped Roma tomatoes —250ml water —1000g superfine sugar Directions: Blend tomatoes on high until almost liquid. Combine tomatoes, water, and sugar into a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir together until the sugar has fully dissolved. Strain syrup through a fine chinois. Allow to cool at room temperature and then refrigerate. Will keep for 48 hours. **Parsley Oil Ingredients —1 bunch parsley —1 pint olive oil Directions: Spin parsley and olive oil in a blender until hot. Strain through a coffee filter or cheesecloth. KOHCHARLSCORNER;THEPHOTOS: I NGREDIENTS —.75 oz. Pasote Blanco —.75 oz. Bols Genever —.5 oz. tomato syrup* —.5 oz. lemon juice —.5 oz. Amontillado Sherry —.125 oz. St Germain —.25 oz. grapefruit juice —.25 oz. Campari —1 dash Peychaud’s bitters —garnish: 3 drops of parsley oil** DIRECTIONS Shake all ingredients together with ice and strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with parsley oil and serve.
We are halfway between Portland, Boise, Spokane, Seattle and Bend. Host your next meeting here! PENDLETONCONVENTIONCENTER.COM | 800-863-9358 | PAT.BEARD@CI.PENDLETON.OR.US Committed to Your Event ’s Success! Pendleton is one of the 20 “must visit” towns in the US! (Smithsonian Magazine 2018) NINE BREAKOUT ROOMS • MAIN HALL • AV AND SOUND ATTENTIVE STAFF COMMITTED TO CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD-WINNING CATERING ON SITE 1200 MOTEL ROOMS IN PENDLETON
IT’S YOUR BIZ» TRADING PLACES
Northwest Event Show continues to evolve. BY STUART BUTLER ALREADY THE REGION’S LARGEST AND MOST PROMINENT industry trade show for meeting and event professionals, the Northwest Event Show is evolving into an essential show for business leaders and corpo rate strategists. Businesses use meetings and events to connect with their clients, their team and their community. The potential impact of businessrelated events is limitless.
For exhibitors, the Northwest Event Show is the only trade show to consistently deliver a substantial pool of qualified and engaged planners. With the expansion of the show, exhibitors will play an even more signifi cant role in the overall experience. Highlights include an enhanced Tech Alley, a Wellness Pavilion and targeted panel discussions cov ering a wide range of topics. This year’s show is kicking off with an infusion of inspiration and event planning trends for 2020 from Julius Solaris at the keynote breakfast on NovemberAttending13.the Northwest Event Show is the ultimate networking experience with more than 4,000 like-minded professionals mixing and mingling. Discover your inspiration at the Northwest Event Show, November 13 and 14 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. nweventshow.com
18 NWM+E | SUMMER 2019 PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION BOOK REVIEW» MUST READ “The ThatForGuideNon-ObvioustoEventPlanning:Kick-AssGatheringsInspirePeople”
» Personal development through certification
Andrea Driessen, chief bore dom buster at No More Boring Meetings based out of Seattle, has written a helpful book about creating hugely entertaining events. This is a guide for both the newbie and seasoned event planner. Chapters include “When You Need Events—And When You Don’t,” “Unconventional Event Formats that Boost Engagement,” and “How to Curate a Kick-Ass Speaker Lineup.” The book is liberally sprinkled with smart plan ning tips about everything from engaging audiences across gen erations to improving your event’s Q&A, and Driessen offers tem plates and resources online that can be downloaded to accom pany the information. The book is available through her website at nomoreboringmeetings.com or wherever books are sold.
Recognizing an opportunity to grow the rela tionship between the event and business com munities, this year the Northwest Event Show is pivoting focus by expanding to two full days of networking, education and access to more than 300 exhibitors on the show floor. Attendees will discover resources every busi ness can use to their advantage, from creative inspiration to tangible solutions. Seattle is a hotbed of innovation, and we see huge growth for our region in the next five years. With the new expansion of the Washington State Convention Center and the accelerating hotel boom—almost 2,500 new rooms over 2018-2019, according to Visit Seattle—the city is perfectly situated to become a national leader in event innovation and trendsetting. The Northwest Event Show has a five-year vision designed to pace this burgeon ing growth through a multifaceted model of educational and development opportunities: » Innovations in event technology » Sustainable catering and event production
» Branding and marketing trends An exciting addition in 2019 is the selec tion of the Northwest Event Show to host the exclusive and sought-after Event Innovation Lab, presented by Julius Solaris of the Event Manager Blog. The Event Innovation Lab is an immersive event-planning training workshop aimed at high-performance agencies and corporate event teams look ing to inject innovation into their events. Admission to the lab is through an applica tion, and the activities of each workshop are designed around the challenges those attendees are experiencing, making it a hyper-targeted training.
» Targeted networking and panel discussions » Focused workshop sessions » Keynote speakers from around the globe
ASANAWORKFROM;(OPPOSITE)ISTOCK.COM/@FILADENDRON;PHOTOS:
TREND REPORT TELECOMMUTING
WORK Tips and tools for telecommuting. BY HEATHER LARSON
RELATIONSHIPSLONG-DISTANCEcab.THAT
ONE OF OUR INDUSTRY’S SUPERPOWERS is the ability to bring people together virtually anywhere in the world. And thanks to the nature of our jobs, we’re also good at doing all of that from virtually anywhere in the world: behind the desks in our offices, post-workday on the living room couch, squeezed into an airplane seat or heading to another meeting in the back of a
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tips and suggestions for working and planning remotely from experts in the technology and events industries.
NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 21
Buckner also has some recommendations for other virtual tools you should use when working“Slack,remotely.Asanaand Google Drive each make it easy to collaborate, plan and produce con tent,” says Buckner. “These tools are quite popular with remote workers and are often present in their daily workflow.”
WORKFROM | workfrom.co Workfrom allows you to find the right space for working remotely outside of the home. Asana helps you track and manage projects from start to finish.
“Up-to-date virus protection is also essen tial,” Ball says. “And if you’ll be working in coffee shops, you should consider a virtual pri vate network (VPN).” A VPN encrypts your connection over the internet making it safe to send sensitive data. With a VPN, you can work remotely and not worry about eavesdrop pers—virtual or otherwise. Working as a Team from Afar When working on a project with colleagues, Dropbox, a cloud-based file-hosting service, can be used to share files back and forth. In addition, Dropbox is handy for sharing too-large-to-email PowerPoint presentations, documents and high-resolution photos. And a good quality, high-definition video camera for conference calls is a smart invest ment, as well. Denise Ker Waldron, president and CEO of Viva! Events in Portland, Oregon, also asks the telecommuters on her team to have quality headsets at their disposal. At Viva! Events, all five planners work remotely on Fridays. To stay efficient and organized, they use Google Drive to share files, Toggl for tracking client hours, DocuSign to obtain virtual signatures, SmartSheets for collaboration and work management, and Dropbox. Zoom and Instant Messaging con nect them to the Viva! Events’ office. “Keep things simple and streamlined,” rec ommends Waldron. Ball notes he uses Microsoft Office Outlook quite extensively and that the program has helpful tools most people don’t use because they aren’t aware of Outlook’s full capabilities. He recommends planners take some online training to realize the email program’s full features. Taking the time to learn the software makes you more efficient, he explains. “There’s so much out there that addresses every aspect of the planning process,” says Ball. “You have to make the best choices for what you’re doing.”
Getting Started Darren Buckner has created a nifty app for locating a workspace outside of the home or work office called Workfrom. Through the app, you can type in your city or zip code and filter the results by public or private spaces, Wi-Fi speed and the location’s noise level.
Buckner also suggests Workfrom’s recently launched Homebase (workfrom.co/homebase), a pay-as-you-go coworking space booking ser vice with no memberships or recurring fees. To access Buckner’s suggestions and other tools, you’ll need some basic equipment. Assuming you have a desktop computer and/ or a laptop, Corbin Ball, owner of Corbin Ball and Company—an events technology, speak ing and writing firm located in Bellingham, Washington—suggests dual monitors for the computer in your home office. “Two monitors can increase efficiency by 30 percent because you can go back and forth,” says Ball, whose daily commute is from his bedroom, past the coffeepot and into his homeYouoffice.alsoneed reliable high-speed internet access, he says. And Ball can’t stress enough the importance of backing up your work. He recommends saving each day’s work every night on a USB 3.0 external hard drive. A cloud-based backup system is also advised.
VIVA! EVENTS | viva-consult.com
As a teleworker, whether full- or part-time, it’s essential to have the right technology tools in your arsenal to be successful. Some tech offerings keep you organized or help you col laborate with coworkers and clients. Others ensure the safety and security of your intel lectualHereproperty.areafew
Get Connected CORBIN BALL AND COMPANY | corbinball.com
REMOTE GETAWAY
22 NWM+E | SUMMER 2019 LODGESTILLPOINTPHOTO: VENUE REPORT REMOTE SPACES
To get to Stillpoint Lodge in Halibut Cove, you have to take a plane or boat.
Looking for a secluded getaway for a business retreat or private event? We found five for you. BY ROGER GORDON SOMETIMES WORKING REMOTELY MEANS less video conferencing, Skyping and texting and more peace and quiet in secluded places. So Northwest Meetings + Events sought out our region’s most hidden venues. Some take some effort getting to; others are right around the corner but seemingly miles away from the hustle and bustle. Here are five you should definitely consider when your group is looking for an extraordinary retreat.
CANADIAN ADVENTURESWILDERNESS
Whistler, British Columbia It may take you some time to get to these venues, but, oh, are you rewarded upon your arrival. Canadian Wilderness Adventures is one of the premier activity operators in Whistler and offers two mountaintop venues in the resort during the summer season: Sproatt Cabin and Crystal Hut. Crystal Hut is accessible only by ATV, four-wheel drive or helicopter, and Sproatt Cabin is accessible by ATV, off-road buggy or four-wheel drive. Guided tours are available for groups as small as 10 and as large as 400. Three additional venues are available outside the village—The Barn, Choppers and The Caboose—and can be used for events for groups of 15-299. “To get to those three venues, transportation needs to be organized whether by small buses or shuttles. It takes about 25 minutes to get there [from Whistler Resort],” says Director of Sales and Marketing Kristal Taylor.Team-building activities include
ax throwExecutive Transportation Featuring BMW 7 Sedans and Lincoln Navigator SUV’s 24 hour dispatch and reservations Executive Shuttle and Tour Featuring Mercedes Sprinters City and Wine Tours up to 14 passengers Seattle, WA | 206.343.5466 www.blackstonelimo.com | info@blackstonelimo.com BLACKSTONE LIMOUSINE 6 WEST ROSE STREET, WALLA WALLA, WA 99362 | 509. 524. 5107 marcuswhitmanhotel.com e Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center is Southeast Washington’s premier meeting and event venue. Imagine the possibilities with over 13,000 square feet of meeting & event space, 133 luxurious guest rooms, and a full catering and kitchen sta . For more information, please email our Director of Sales & Marketing at dosm@mwhcc.com - or call (509) 524-5107
Halibut Cove, Alaska Unlike Rome, all roads don’t lead to Stillpoint Lodge—you need to take a boat or plane. “Stillpoint Lodge is about 6 miles from the mainland. There are no roads to get there,” says General Manager Beka Thoning. Located in Kachemak Bay and surrounded by Kachemak Bay State Park, Stillpoint Lodge is set within a very mountainous area. “It’s not connected to any road system. It’s a pretty unique spot,” Thoning says. The lodge is open from mid-May to midSeptember. There are 10 cabins: four two-bedroom cabins and six one-bedroom options. The main lodge is a shared space with a dining room, an open kitchen and a lounge with a full bar and an intimate sitting area. Meetings are held in an open space at the lodge. The entire lodge can accommodate up to 60 guests for a seated dinner and up to 100 for a cocktail party. And don’t worry about having to order delivery—catering is provided in-house.
STILLPOINT LODGE
NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 23
SILVER FALLS LODGE & CONFERENCE CENTER
The conference center has four guest lodges, which can each sleep up to 12 guests. There are also 10 cabins and a cottage suite. The confer ence center has two meeting halls, the largest of which can accommodate up to 85 guests seated and up to 120 standing. The smaller space can host up to 35 guests seated. Through Silver Falls Lodge, you can also reserve the Old Ranch and the New Ranch. Both of these rustic, dormitory-style lodgings (the Old Ranch was built in the 1880s as a sheep barn) can sleep about 75 guests.
The Sawtooth National Recreation Area, 60 miles from Sun Valley, is known worldwide for its backpacking and hiking, and Redfish Lake Lodge, 6 miles south of Stanley, is located right smack in the middle of it all. “Groups like that they’re completely separated from the normal societal day-in, day-out life. This is rustic, a getaway from it all, very authentic. It’s stun ning,” says General Manager Jeff Clegg. Open from the Friday before Memorial Day through the first week of October, Redfish Lake Lodge has eight guest rooms. An additional 32 units are a blend of private cabins, duplex-style suites and motel rooms. “We have many walking trails,” Clegg says. “There is also fishing, river rafting, horseback riding, swimming, sunset appetizer cruises and a tour of Redfish Lake.”
TREEHOUSE POINT Issaquah, Washington Although it’s only 30 minutes from Seattle in Issaquah, TreeHouse Point, a private event center and overnight retreat, treats guests to a secluded escape. The property is on approxi mately four acres of forest along the Raging River and hidden from neighboring properties.
REDFISH LAKE LODGE Stanley, Idaho
Two event spaces are available in the visi tor’s center. One can accommodate up to 80 guests, the other up to 50. Meals, provided by an in-house caterer, are in the lodge, which can seat up to 120. For larger groups, an outside tent can accommodate 200 guests.
Located in Silver Falls State Park, Silver Falls is about 90 miles from Portland and 35 miles from Salem. “Those drives aren’t too far, but it feels totally different up here,” Blomgren says. “It’s a temperate rainforest and a differ ent atmosphere.”
“Groups enjoy the Pond Room, the rentable event space, as it provides the opportunity
Left to right: Canadian Wilderness Adventures’ Sproatt Cabin is located on the mountaintop in Whistler, British Columbia; Treehouse Point in Issaquah, Washington, is hidden within a forest along Raging River.
CROWLEYADAMADVENTURES;WILDERNESSCANADIANPHOTOS:
24 NWM+E | SUMMER 2019 ing, air-gun shooting and archery. “We can also do a wilderness survival-type skills activ ity,” Taylor says.
VENUE REPORT REMOTE SPACES
Sublimity, Oregon Groups that visit Silver Falls Lodge & Conference Center in Sublimity fall in love with its sublime setting. “They love being surrounded by woods and waterfalls,” says General Manager Adrienne Blomgren. “It’s pretty tough to beat. It’s a treat to be here.”
NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 25 to disengage from the business of day-to-day life and truly engage with nature,” says Bree Monahan, general manager. “The Pond Room is equipped to host off-site business meetings and is located centrally in the forest.” Five treehouses sleep two guests each, and one treehouse sleeps four. Each has an electric teakettle and a mini hot beverage bar. The Pond Room can accommodate up to 40 guests seated and up to 80 standing. Get Connected CANADIAN WILDERNESS ADVENTURES canadianwilderness.com | 604.938.1616 REDFISH LAKE LODGE redfishlake.com | 208.774.3536 SILVER FALLS LODGE & CONFERENCE CENTER silverfallslodge.com | 866.575.8875 STILLPOINT LODGE stillpointlodge.com | 907.299.7240 TREEHOUSE POINT treehousepoint.com | 425.441.8087 Meetings, Conferences and Corporate Events Contact us! 503.232.2759 | info@themelodyeventcenter.com evate Yo Downtown Views. Uptown Service. Centrally located in vibrant downtown Boise, the newly expanded Boise Centre has a variety of customizable meeting spaces, modern amenities, exceptional culinary services and a warm and hospitable staff ready to make your next meeting an unforgettable experience. LEARN MORE: boisecentre.com
JOURNALIST BARBARA WALTERS famously dubbed Coeur d’Alene “a little slice of heaven.” After falling in love with its charm and beauty, she put it on her list of the five most fascinating places to visit. Smart move.
This jewel of the Inland Northwest promises event planners a four-season playground.
26 NWM+E | SUMMER 2019 RESORTD’ALENECOEURTHEPHOTOS:
The resort staff handles every moment with a smile—from gourmet food and beverage to sound, seating and logistics. “We provide pro fessional destination management services, a full menu of activities and adventures, as well as award-winning dining, golf and spa escapes for all to enjoy. Here at The Coeur d’Alene Resort, it’s your meeting—let us handle the details,” says Jamie Cornell, director of sales andWithmarketing.more than 32,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space in 25 separate rooms, The Coeur d’Alene Resort allows the meeting planner maximum flexibility. The 15,000-square-foot ballroom comes with its own dedicated catering kitchen, while the
DESTINATION COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO
Coeur d’Alene Resort is set on the shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene, the second largest lake in northern Idaho.
THE CHARM OF COEUR D’ALENE
BY GREG FREITAS & NATALIE COMPAGNO
Postcard-perfect and located in the north Idaho panhandle, Coeur d’Alene combines a drop-dead gorgeous lake with hills and trails as far as the eye can see. With just over 50,000 residents, the city packs a punch, making Mark Robitaille’s job of marketing it easy. The execu tive director of Coeur d’Alene’s Convention & Visitor Bureau notes that event planners have a plethora of options, “from world-class accom modations with significant meeting space to a vibrant downtown with delectable dining options, unique art galleries, year-round activi ties, and the Northwest’s largest theme park just up the road,” says Robitaille. Where to Meet Located on the north shore of the lake, The Coeur d’Alene Resort features world-class accommodations, conference and business facilities, golf, spa, recreational activities, shopping, dining and nightlife. And its talent ed team excels at staging well-executed events.
NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 27 BY THE NUMBERS 52,218 IN POPULATION AS OF 2018 30,000 GERANIUMS PLANTED AT THE GOLF COURSE 2,190 CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE COEUR D’ALENE INDIAN TRIBE 2,157 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL 1887 THE YEAR OF INCORPORATION 135 MILES OF LAKESHORE 30 MILES FROM SPOKANE, WASHINGTON 25 MILES IS THE LENGTH OF LAKE COEUR D’ALENE 14 th THE NUMBER OF THE HOLE OF THE COEUR D’ALENE RESORT’S FLOATING GREEN 10 MILES IS THE WIDTH OF THE LAKE AT ITS WIDEST POINT executive boardrooms, as well as Hagadone Event Center, overlook the lake. Planners can even make use of the resort’s cruise boats for serene, uninterruptible floating meetings. Speaking of floating: The resort’s worldfamous golf course also features the world’s only recently renovated floating green. Other amenities include a high-end spa, convention facilities, a marina with boat rentals, a fitness center, pools (as in plural), shops, restaurants and nightlife within walking distance. All feature excellent service and frameable views. “We’re located on the shore of one of the world’s most beautiful lakes, so we truly offer an incredible guest experience for leisure and business travelers alike,” says Cornell. Elsewhere in town, Coeur d’Alene Cellars can host groups from as small as five to as large as 300 people in an upscale, festive state-of-the-art facility with a beautiful winery garden. Taste its 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon—it received a 91 from Wine Enthusiast. Art Spirit Gallery can provide 4,000 square feet of space for group buyouts in a vibrant environment featuring Native American and contemporary art. Likewise, the North Idaho Museum gives groups the chance to meet in a space filled with the most extensive collection of local history and artifacts. Coeur d’Alene also abounds in collective mixed-use spaces, and Elk Point (accommodating up to 175), Innovation Den
Natural beauty and lively attractions pull groups to Coeur d’Alene in the first place, but what keeps them coming back are the locals. “People are very friendly and always willing to lend a hand and help a neighbor or an organization in need,” says Robitaille. “While there is an abundance of things to do and see all year long in Coeur d’Alene, I think the people are what truly make it special.” Get Connected COEUR D’ALENE CONVENTION AND VISITOR BUREAU | coeurdalene.org
What to Do When it’s time to go outside and play, Timberline Adventures offers guests a safe and exhilarating way to zip line through the local forests. Or take the whitewater rafting trip of a lifetime with Row Adventures Silverwood Theme Park is the largest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest and boasts more than 70 thrill rides and a water park during the summer. Silver Mountain Resort provides 12 months of adrenaline with skiing and snowboarding in winter and epic mountain biking trails during the warmer months. For something genuinely different, visit the Oasis Bordello Museum, housed in a building that served as the “offices” of the world’s oldest profession until 1988. Coeur d’Alene’s art scene is as kaleidoscopic as its natural environs. With such a desirable location, the city has attracted nationally renowned artists, musicians, filmmakers, painters and writers for decades. Groups can enjoy music festivals, live music, theater, museums, art galleries and more on a scale to rival larger cities.
THE COEUR D’ALENE RESORT | cdaresort.com Coeur d’Alene’s unique setting allows for plenty of outdoor group adventures, including zip lining (top) and boat cruises (bottom).
28 NWM+E | SUMMER 2019 DESTINATION COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO (accommodating up to 225) and the Kroc Center (a theater with 400 seats) each offers something different for planners. For a sure bet, book rooms at Coeur d’Alene Casino. The 300-room resort is located 30 minutes south of the city, giving groups the chance to focus while also enjoying the tables and nearby city life. What happens at Coeur d’Alene Casino, stays at Coeur d’Alene Casino.
RESORTD’ALENECOEURTHEPHOTOS:
Indoor multipurpose event space: 200,000 sq. ft. Meeting space: 114,000 sq. ft., with 10 breakout rooms Banquet & reception capacity: 25-2,000 Highly rated in house Catering & Concessions Region-wide lodging inventory: 7,555 rooms On-site full service Expo RV Park Neighboring the regional airport Non profit & Government discounts Located in the Heart of CentralEXPO.DESCHUTES.ORGOregon! 541 548 2711 REDMOND, OREGON Inviting you to come enjoy the views at Deschutes Expo Center and stay to play in the heart of Central Oregon! Our 320 acre site features spaces for events of all sizes and sunny views of seven mountain peaks promising an unforgettable event Threeatmosphere!Sisters Conference Center Our three main halls are named after the three beautiful mountains in our panorama. With 114,000 square feet of meeting space surrounded by 10 breakout rooms, our Three Sisters Conference Center can accommodate a wide range and size of events and banquets, while providing customized functionality. Each hall features built in audiovisual and Wi Fi to make these spaces transformable to your designs. First Interstate Bank Event Center Our flexible 80,000 square foot indoor venue offers over 10,000 seat capacity and room for 280 booth spaces. The arena and stages are equipped with audiovisual and broadcast features, all presenting a space easily tailored to your specifications. Catering & Concessions From Garden to Table: our on site catering and concessions are dedicated to providing exceptional quality for all events. Customize your menu with us! Indoor multipurpose event space: 200,000 sq. ft. Meeting space: 114,000 sq. ft., with 10 breakout rooms Banquet & reception capacity: 25-2,000 Highly rated in-house Catering & Concessions Region wide lodging inventory: 7,555 rooms On-site full service Expo RV Park Neighboring the regional airport Non-profit & Government discounts Located in the Heart of CentralEXPO.DESCHUTES.ORGOregon! 541 548 2711 REDMOND, OREGON Inviting you to come enjoy the views at Deschutes Expo Center and stay to play in the heart of Central Oregon! Our 320 acre site features spaces for events of all sizes and sunny views of seven mountain peaks promising an unforgettable event Threeatmosphere!Sisters Conference Center Our three main halls are named after the three beautiful mountains in our panorama. With 114,000 square feet of meeting space surrounded by 10 breakout rooms, our Three Sisters Conference Center can accommodate a wide range and size of events and banquets, while providing customized functionality. Each hall features built in audiovisual and Wi Fi to make these spaces transformable to your designs. First Interstate Bank Event Center Our flexible 80,000 square foot indoor venue offers over 10,000 seat capacity and room for 280 booth spaces. The arena and stages are equipped with audiovisual and broadcast features, all presenting a space easily tailored to your specifications. Catering & Concessions From Garden to Table: our on site catering and concessions are dedicated to providing exceptional quality for all events. Customize your menu with us!
30 NWM+E | SUMMER 2019 OUTMAPPINGYOURMEETING Oregon Elk Lake Worthy Brewing
Looking for outdoor splendor and the simple charms of the Old West? Head east in Oregon.
NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 31
Riverhouse on the Deschutes is a riverfront
hile western Oregon may have the big cities and the coast, central and eastern Oregon aren’t slackers in the appeal department. The regions boast grassy plains, snowcapped peaks, North America’s deepest river gorge and a fascinating history. Groups will also find plenty of urban sophistication, with swank lodgings, museums, art galleries and microbreweries scattered throughout.
BATTANDYROCA;RUSSKABANA;JONIBREWING;WORTHYPHOTOS: Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway
Central Oregon is the perfect base camp for out door adventures of every kind regardless of when you“Centralvisit. Oregon offers a different quality of life.
Bend/Redmond Bend is booming. The sixth-fastest growing city in the country has doubled its population in 20 years. The town of 95,000 residents has both Facebook and Apple stamping their digi tal footprints. Bend is also home to Central Oregon Community College and Oregon State University-Cascades, which are less than 30 min utes south of Redmond. Here, you’ll find yourself at the epicenter of the craft beer craze. Deschutes Brewery started the whole thing in 1988, while others from Crux Fermentation Project to 10 Barrel have picked up the keg and carried it to new heights. To sample the flavors of the region, embark on the Bend Ale Trail—10 stamps in the passport earn a special commemorative glass. For something truly memorable, Worthy Brewing built a three-story observatory and installed a 16-inch reflecting telescope. Run by a local astronomer, the “Hopservatory” is available for groups and charged with the far-out mission of humbling and amazing visitors with the beauty of the “Groupsgalaxy.enjoy creative bonding events, perhaps through the Hopservatory to stargaze and enjoy a pint at Worthy Brewing,” says Johnson, “or dining lakeside followed by a moonlight canoe trip with Wanderlust Tours, or touring the historic Bend area on electric bikes.”
NATALIE COMPAGNO & GREG FREITAS
W
OREGONCENTRAL
With recreation out our back door, attendees can choose between hiking, biking, golfing, rafting, canoeing, cave tours, a cycle pub, skiing, snowmo biling and more to create memorable experienc es,” says Katie Johnson, communications manager with Visit Central Oregon. “Our state-of-the-art facilities and professional planners will provide the space for your group to be successful inside and in the great outdoors. It’s an environment that encourages togetherness.” The region is home to Mount Bachelor and the Deschutes River, and Golf Digest named it one of the “Top 25 Golf Destinations” in the world. It also provides more than 8,000 hotel rooms to welcome groups of any size.
Rovey Goat Dairy, La Grande
Bend hotel and convention center complex in a prime location. The hotel offers 221 rooms, while its convention center can accommodate up to 1,600 guests with more than 41,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor space. The con vention center is the largest convention center facility east of the Cascades and the only one to be certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver.
Tetherow is a 700-acre Bend resort that borders the Deschutes National Forest and boasts an award-winning 18-hole golf course, 50-room boutique hotel, pool, three restaurants, fitness facility, event pavilion andFurtherresidences.north, Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center is located by the airport in Redmond. Facilities include the Barn Complex, the High Desert Activity Center, Middle Sister, North Sister, South Sister, Center Circle and outdoor arenas. Big groups will head to the expo’s First Interstate Bank Center, a multipurpose indoor arena extend ing 80,000 square feet. It can handle up to 7,800 people for a concert or 280 booth spaces, and can easily transform from trade show to rodeo to antiques fair and back again.
Sunriver Resort has more than 44,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting and banquet space. This is in addition to four championship golf courses, a spa, a rec reation department and full-service business center. Plus, you’ll receive complimentary basic wireless internet access in all meeting areas.
32 NWM+E | SUMMER 2019 PHOTOGRAPHER;WATTSPAULAPHOTOS: OREGONTRAVELNYBERG;KATHLEEN
Eagle Crest Resort, also near the airport, features three golf courses, a spa, hiking and biking, and horseback riding. The resort’s conference center provides 10,000 square feet of flexible space with ballroom or banquet capacity from 360 to 425.
Northwest favorite McMenamins convert ed downtown Bend’s 1936 Old St. Francis School into a hotel complete with a pub, brew ery, movie theater, meeting and event space, and gorgeous soaking pool.
NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 33
The 640-acre Pronghorn Resort just opened Huntington Lodge this past spring. Featuring 104 guest rooms and suites and a full-service spa, the lodge overlooks the 18th hole of one of the resort’s two golf courses. It features a renovated Cascada signature res taurant with small plates served through out the afternoon and evening. In addition, the resort’s former restaurant, Chanterelle, has been transformed into flexible event and meeting space. Additional enhancements include a lodge bar and a new outdoor pool created for year-round use with a spacious deck and a central fireplace. Sisters The charming town of Sisters is a smaller alternative to Bend. The lavishly recreated Old West town offers unparalleled vistas with the Three Sisters mountain peaks—each over 10,000 feet—as the backdrop. FivePine Lodge & Conference Center makes an ideal corporate retreat locale with 4,800 square feet of flexible meeting space for up to 200 guests. Besides the spa, brewpub and movie theater, guests can work out at the Sisters Athletic Club (which includes indoor pools and fitness classes) and take advantage of the complimentary cruiser bikes to get around the resort.
Clockwise: Tour the FivePine Lodge & Conference Center on cruiser bikes courtesy of the lodge; relax post-meeting in the soothing soaking tub of the 1936 Old St. Francis School; the 700-acre Tetherow offers three restaurants.
BENDREDMONDSISTERS
Eight miles from town, Black Butte Ranch awaits in an idyllic setting among aspens and ponderosa pines. Golf, tennis and swimming pools are augmented by yoga classes, and inti mate private meeting rooms keep the group focused. The Lodge Deck can seat up to 250, and the restaurant can seat 120. But why stay inside? The 1,800-acre resort has outdoor gath ering spaces, so your options are wide open. Have a barbecue in the sports field pavilion or a group lunch on the Glaze Meadow Golf Course deck. The ranch also offers group activities and competitions, including a biking “Tour de Ranch,” the “Black Butte Posse” guided horse back-riding excursion and fly fishing trips.
Clockwise from top left: Pendleton Convention Center is a popular option for trade shows; Silvies Valley Ranch is an eco-resort and cattle ranch providing a true Western experience; the Sheep Rock area in the John Day River territory has rocks dating back as far as 89 million years.
BAKER CITY JOHN DAY
34 NWM+E | SUMMER 2019 PENDLETONLAGRANDEONTARIOJOSEPH
“Eastern Oregon is one of the most geologi cally diverse regions in our state—you can find everything from arid deserts to snowcapped mountains, lush forests, wild and scenic rivers to rolling sagebrush,” says Jaime Eder from TravelFormingOregon.most of the border with Idaho, the Snake River cuts one of the deepest river-carved gorges in the world. The Blue Mountains and Wallowa Mountains to the east and the surrounding prairie give visitors a window into the Old West—although writers and artists now come to the region as often as ranch hands and cowboys. “It’s an expansive, often remote part of the state—which is part of what makes it so appealing,” says Eder. “It truly feels like an escape where one can unplug and enjoy the scenic beauty.”
Pendleton
John Day Four and a half hours south in the town of John Day, Silvies Valley Ranch offers groups the chance to get away from it all at an eco-resort that is also an authentic cattle ranch. Situated at the midway point of Boise, Idaho and Bend, the 34-room full-service resort offers Western experiences—such as riding, roping and shooting—as well as a full-service spa and two 18-hole links-style golf courses. The brandnew conference facility holds groups of up to 36 in comfort, and the award-winning restaurant features over 110 whiskeys—the most exten sive selection in the region. Time for a tasting!
La Grande Planners can choose from a variety of spaces on the campus of Eastern Oregon University in La Grande. Event specialists work with planners to accommodate everything from small groups to several hundred. For lodging, the newly renovated boutique Landing Hotel, one block south of the historic district, pro vides an excellent home base.
GET CONNECTED TRAVEL OREGON | visiteasternoregon.com
Joseph Eastern Oregon is the ancestral home of Chief Joseph, the great leader of the Nez Perce nation. The town that bears his name is filled with art galleries, antique shops and—you guessed it—brewpubs. Joseph lies at the base of the beautiful Wallowa Mountains, an out door playground for nature lovers.
Wallowa Lake is also home to the Wallowa Lake Monster, the centuries-old tale of a gentle leviathan from Nez Perce culture. Groups can stay at the refurbished 1923 manor Wallowa Lake Lodge, which exudes a cozy authentic period atmosphere. Don’t miss the Wallowa Lake Tramway, which zips visitors by gon dola up to the 8,200-foot summit of Mount Howard. At the top, the Summit Grill, billed as the highest restaurant in the Northwest, is available for group buyouts and special events.
Baker City Further east and well worth the trip, the Geiser Grand Hotel in Baker City has been welcoming groups with traditional hospitality since 1889. The National Historic Landmark has a plethora of meetings options, from The Library to the Swans Room to the Queen City Room, holding 20-200 guests. Ontario Ontario is located less than an hour away from Boise by car. Looking out over the Snake River that divides the two states, the Four Rivers Cultural Center has a formal Japanese garden and a 30,000-square-foot conference center with multiple meeting rooms. Well, that’s it. We’ve run out of Oregon roads. But now that you’ve traveled along central and eastern Oregon with us, where are you plan ning to meet next?
OREGONEASTERN
The town associated with high-end woolens and rodeo is also the gateway to the east. With 16,500 residents, Pendleton is one of the larg est communities in the region, and its prox imity to Washington wine country makes it a must destination. The Native American pop ulation is a cultural focal point and provided the inspiration for the now world-famous eponymous blankets, originally based on tribalWithdesigns.40,000 square feet of space and 11 meeting rooms, the Pendleton Convention Center has groups of all sizes covered. The center offers event-planning services, and catering and bar service are provided by CG Public House and Catering. The main hall can hold 600 guests for a banquet and 800 classroom-style. Looking for a little more room? No problem, the Happy Canyon Arena can hold 4,500 for an outdoor concert. Lucky for you, the center also has 500 park ingThespaces.10-story Wildhorse Resort & Casino on the Umatilla Reservation offers gam ing excitement alongside more than 14,000 square feet of meeting space and 301 guest rooms. Two of its most popular meeting spac es—Rivers Event Center and Cayuse Hall— can accommodate banquets for up to 430 and 230, respectively. The resort is expanding its space by an additional 18,000 square feet, further optimizing options for planners. “We provide complimentary audio-visual equip ment for our groups,” says Sales Executive Leandra Hopkins, adding, “Our golf course is a popular amenity that some of our groups take advantage of during spring, summer and early fall. It is available for groups to hold a tournament before or after their meetings or Andevents.”when work is done, groups can explore the town’s hardscrabble past via Pendleton Underground Tours. Make your way through the tunnels underneath the downtown his toric district and learn about the opium dens, bootleggers, gamblers and prospectors of years past.
TRAVEL PENDLETON | travelpendleton.com
NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 35
VISIT CENTRAL OREGON | visitcentraloregon.com
KABANAJONIPHOTOGRAPHY;ZAITZDAVIDPENDLETON;TRAVELPHOTOS:
36 NWM+E | SUMMER 2019 PLANNING MEETINGS AND EVENTS OUTSIDE OF YOUR TIME ZONE CAN BE TRICKY. TWO EXPERTS SHARE THEIR TIPS. From a DISTANCE KENNEYTERESABY
PRESIDENT, Tolo Events
What types of events and meetings do you produce?
TOLO: First, picking the right vendor partners. Sometimes we are working with a different office of one of our national vendors, so that is easy. But when in a new city, finding the right vendor for smaller needs sometimes takes a little longer as we want to make sure they are the right fit. Next, making sure your out-of-town AS PLANNERS, WE CAN’T BE EVERYWHERE AT ONCE, REGARDLESS OF WHAT OUR CLIENTS REQUEST. SO HOW DO YOU PLAN AN EVENT IN A CITY, STATE OR COUNTRY THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY? NORTHWEST MEETINGS + EVENTS SAT DOWN WITH TWO OF OUR INDUSTRY’S MOST PROLIFIC PLANNERS—SHELLY TOLO WITH TOLO EVENTS AND CAROLINE KAY WITH C.KAY INTERNATIONAL—WHO FIND PLANNING DESTINATION EVENTS A SNAP. THEY SHARED WITH US THEIR APPROACHES TO ORGANIZING PROGRAMS AND PARTIES FROM AFAR.
TOLO: Galas, parties, conferences, conventions, etc. To date, in 2019, we are contracted for four fundraising galas, one golf tournament and three parties. KAY: Business conferences, corporate parties and retreats, incentive travel, eSports events, and more. What are three of the top challenges you face planning remotely?
TOLO: Typically seven or eight. In addition to Washington state, this year we’ll produce events in Pennsylvania, New York and California.
KRACOVWILLIAMNAKAMURA;MIKEPHOTOS:
Planners
PRESIDENT, C.KAY International Caroline Kay is a conference and event planning mastermind with more than 20 years of event and operations management experience. Her clients include such powerhouses as Microsoft, Siemens, Avanade, GSK, HP and American Express. She’s produced one-of-a-kind conferences and events around the globe, drawing on an extensive international network of colleagues and experts in their respective fields.
NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 37
Shelly Tolo*
How many meetings and events do you plan remotely each year and where have you worked?
KAY: Ten to 15 remote events each year. I’ve been lucky to have delivered events in many places all over the world, including Germany, China, Ukraine, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, U.K., South Africa, the Caribbean and most major cities in Europe.
Shelly Tolo launched Tolo Events in 2002 after a 12-year career as a development officer and event planner for nonprofit organizations. She holds a master’s degree in public management from Carnegie Mellon University with a concentration in nonprofit organizations. In addition to her business savvy, Tolo has a keen eye for design and is recognized as a leading event designer.
Caroline Kay
*Read more about Tolo on page 48
KAY: We actually don’t find organizing a remote event that much more challeng ing than arranging a local one. In both cases, it’s all about merciless planning (every detail noted in spreadsheets), clear communications, and regular plan ning and contact with the on-site team. But planning events remotely and then traveling to produce them can mean long travel hours, and jet lag can get in the way. I work hard to get enough rest to recover from the travel before diving into the final event planning. And, of course, language barriers can create challenges. They add a layer of complexity and uncertainty to commu nications and planning. It’s always tough when you order one thing for the event and arrive to find something else has been delivered. What are your top tips for planning events or meetings remotely?
4. Be on location two days before the event. Especially in the winter, we always fly a minimum of two days in advance just in case of weather delays. Plus being on-site early enables us to offer on-the-ground assistance to our client for running errands, etc.
TOLO: 1. Having regularly scheduled plan ning calls with your client so they know their event is top of mind. Video conferencing is the best, as then you can see your client.
2. If it is a venue you’ve never been to and it is a large event, you need to do a site visit very early on in the planning process.
C.KAY International produced the Technology Impact Awards in Vancouver, British Columbia, last year.
3. I like to have at least two in-person meetings during the planning process. If we’re planning a gala, we’d typically have one of those in-person meetings be the menu tasting because then you can show all of the decor and have face-to-face time with the venue staff, too.
EVANSJONATHANPHOTO:
38 NWM+E | SUMMER 2019 client can easily see their return on investment. For example, we want our fundraising gala clients to see that they are exceeding fundraising goals at their event. Especially with fundraising galas, we are experts in our field. Out-ofWashington nonprofits who need to fix a failing event, need to take their fund raising to a new level or are starting a fundraising gala from scratch—these are the nonprofits who typically hire us to be a part of their team. And finally traveling: You've got to love it or planning remotely isn't for you.
ATTENDEESWHATWANT New study identifies five macro-trends that will impact the future of meetings and events. Research courtesy of PCMA Foundation and InternationalMarriott
1. EMOTIONAL Intelligence Designing with the end-user in mind
SUPPORTING SUB-TRENDS AI and Tech to Unlock Intelligence Employee Agency to Act on Their EQ
2.
HOTEL NEWS 42 PEOPLE NEWS 44 SNAPSHOTS 46 PEOPLE PROFILE 48 Industry Update
“There’s that whole concept of ‘sweatworking’—like SoulCycle—let’s arrange a workout in the morning that fosters some serendipitous connection. That’s how you end up meeting people that you wouldn’t normally meet. I like those things where people who are organizing these structured events are actually thinking beyond the event itself. What will people do outside of our programming? How can we structure that? The point of this whole event is to create these human collisions.” —Amy Blackman, senior advisor, A Hundred Years
SUPPORTING SUB-TRENDS: Create Human Collisions Leverage Context Embrace Natural Serendipity Deprioritize Convenience
Meetings and events will need to move past reactive adjustments to adopt a proactive approach to personalized experiences, understanding the needs of participants before they arrive. At meetings and events, participants can no longer be treated as a homogeneous crowd or a series of behavioral data points, but instead must be recognized as an individual, understood on a deeper emotional level, and treated accordingly.
“THE MEETINGS AND EVENTS industry’s future is being shaped by so many factors—from people’s desire to be part of a broader community to their expectations when they travel.
[‘The Future of Meetings & Events’] brings a real-world and provocative lens to where planners, attendees and suppliers will be heading in the years to come,” says Tammy Routh, senior vice president for global sales at Marriott International. Download the full report at pd.pcma.org/FutureTrends2019.
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ORCHESTRATED Serendipity Engineering and embracing the unexpected for more meaningful moments Experiences must embrace freedom and surprise, freeing consumers from the constant constraint of schedules or agendas. By embracing the unexpected, we can engage participants and leave a lasting impression.
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5. CLEAR SENSE OF Place Leveraging geography for deeper enrichment
SUPPORTING SUB-TRENDS Design Space that Assumes Change Design for Differences Sensorial Tech to Enable Empathy
4.
SUPPORTING SUB-TRENDS Be DesignPolarizingDown to the Details
BIGGER THAN Oneself Acting on a messagemeaningful You can’t just provide content anymore. Every event must have a message. Participants want to understand what’s important to a business and experience events that deliver that message down to the smallest Accordingdetail.toa 2018 Mintel report on responsible brands, 51% of consumers in the U.S. agree that an environmentally responsible product is worth paying more for. “The devil is in the details. I see these organizations that put on events about sustainability, but then they don’t give you a refillable water bottle and have disposable plastic all over the place. You’ve got to pay attention to the details. It’s credibility. Follow through.” —Amy Blackman, senior advisor, A Hundred Years
The most memorable events celebrate local surrounding, enriching visitors, exposing them to the local culture, and connecting them with the community to increase “It’sengagement.notjustabout utilizing the convention center anymore, and instead, it’s about utilizing all the assets within the city to create that really personalized experience based on the interest of the participants that are going to the conference.” —Sherrif Karamat, CEO, PCMA
3. MULTIMODAL Design Designing for adaptation and iteration Every event has a unique objective and audience, and a space must reflect each event’s specific personality and needs. From technological infrastructure, to architecture, to furniture and fixtures, space is critical to any event and should be designed to adapt to the ways that participants will engage with one another, with the content of the event, and with the space itself. Investment management company Jones Lang LaSalle predicts that by 2030, 30% of all commercial office space will be consumed as “flexible space” that can transform to fit the needs of individual employees, as well as collaborative group dynamics.
INFOGRAPHIC
SUPPORTING SUB-TRENDS Honor the Place—Keep It Local Distance Helps Disconnection Don’t Forget Human Nature
Let’s Head Outside Hyatt Regency Lake Washington has part nered with Compass Outdoor Adventures to offer group experiences before, during and after meetings, including kayaking on Lake Washington, build-a-bike scavenger hunts, snowshoeing in Snoqualmie Pass and a water fall and wine tour. Located on the shore of Lake Washington in Renton, Washington, just south of Seattle, the hotel offers more than 60,000 square feet of meeting and event space, as well as 347 guest rooms.
lakewashington.regency.hyatt.com
BREAKINGRECORD-
42 NWM+E | SUMMER 2019 NYCGOODALLPHOTOS:
For the ninth year in a row, Seattle and King County saw record visitor volume, expenditures, tax contribu tions and travel-related employment in 2018. The results were released at Visit Seattle’s 2019 Annual Meeting at Benaroya Hall on March 4, 2019. Visit Seattle President and CEO Tom Norwalk and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan welcomed more than 700 tourism and business professionals to the annual event. Guest speakers included NHL Seattle CEO Tod Leiweke, Sheraton Grand Seattle General Manager Keri Robinson, MMGY Global CEO Clayton Reid, and Alaska Air Group Chairman and CEO Brad Tilden. The Visit Seattle report was created in conjunction with its national research firms, Tourism Economics and Longwoods International. Preliminary 2018 estimates for topline metrics indicate that a total of 40.9 million visitors came to the city and county in 2018, up 2.5 percent from the previous year. Overnight visitors increased by 2.3 percent to 21.3Thosemillion.visitors spent $7.9 billion in the city and county in 2018, an increase of 5.8 percent from the previous year. Visitors paid $806 million in state and local taxes in 2018, an increase of 5.7 percent of the prior Tourism-relatedyear. jobs also grew in the city and county in 2018: Locally, there were 78,400 travel-related jobs (up by 3.1 percent) in Seattle and King County. Final data from the study was released on May 7.
Coming Soon Benchmark will operate the newly announced Avenue Bellevue InterContinental Hotel. Part of a new billion-dollar condo, hotel and retail development in downtown Bellevue, Washington, the property will be InterContinental Hotels & Resorts’ first ven ture in the Pacific Northwest. Construction is scheduled to begin mid-2019. When complete, the property will feature 332 luxury residences and 85,000 square feet of high-end retail, food and nightlife, including a new restau rant from a three-Michelin-star chef. Avenue Bellevue will also feature the 252-guest room InterContinental Hotel, with full-service spa and fitness center, meeting space and other amenities. The developer of the proj ect is Bellevue-based Fortress Development. liveatavenue.com NEWS»
Conversation at Thompson Seattle
HOTEL NEWS» Thompson Seattle Unveils Its New Signature Restaurant Following an extensive redesign and rebrand of Scout PNW, which closed its doors in January 2019, Thompson Seattle has a new signature restaurant concept: Conversation. Open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Conversation intends to create an environment where the human connection takesThepriority.restaurant is helmed by executive chef Derek Simcik and executive pastry chef Kate Sigel. Menu items reflect foods Simcik’s family enjoyed together while abroad. For a sample of one of its handcrafted cocktails, check out the signature drink recipe on page 16. thompsonseattle.com
REGIONAL NEWS TOURISM
NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 43 KEEP TALKING ABOUT FROM FIRST GLACIER TO FINAL MOOSE Learn more at VisitAnchorage.net/meetings THE MEETING THEY’LL www.meetincda.orgAll just 30 minutes from Spokane International Airport. So Much More > Lakefront conference & meeting spaces > Northwest’s largest theme park > World’s only floating golf green > Luxurious spas and world-class dining > World class accommodations > Downtown boutique shopping > Ski resorts, scenic trails, beaches and much more! THAN JUST AN AMAZING MEETING & EVENT LOCATION
REGIONAL NEWS
Knox (CEO of the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games), Alan Silverman (founder of Festivals Inc.) and the Seattle Center were inducted into the Washington Festivals and Events Association Hall of Fame at the awards dinner (presented by Grand Event Rentals) dur ing the WFEA annual confer ence this past April in Bellevue, Washington.
Make Your Mark
» Stitch with Revive Designs: Revive Designs & Upholstery will help you select custom fabric and design elements. You’ll learn how to make your own buttons, which you’ll individually hand-stitch onto take-away shams.
The inductees were recognized for making significant contributions to the events industry. “We are proud to be a part of the induction of these individuals,” says Eddie Redman of Grand Event Rentals and a WFEA Board mem ber. “They have made a profound difference in the communities they serve and have worked
HOTEL
44 NWM+E | SUMMER 2019 PEOPLE NEWS»
PHOTOGRAPHYRANSOMKIMBERLIPHOTO:
Ten years ago, the Vancouver Convention Centre opened the doors to its West building. Since then, 5,561 events later, the building has welcomed more than 9 million guests, including the high-profile attendees of the TED conference. The center has injected $2.4 billion in direct spending into the local economy and has hosted com munity and charitable events that raised more than $75 million for local causes. It also was the world’s first double Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certified convention center and is officially Great Place to Workcertified. Well done, and here’s to the next 10 years of success!
vancouverconventioncentre.com
Newly ElectedCamille Ferguson, economic development director for the Sitka Tribe of Alaska and, until recently, the executive director of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, and Deb Hickok, president and CEO of Explore Fairbanks, were recently elected to threeyear terms on the board of directors of the U.S. Travel Association, a national, non profit organization that represents all compo nents of the travel industry. Ferguson is Tlingit from the Kiksadi Clan and a citizen of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska. During her 31-year career in the tourism industry, she has served as the economic development director for Sitka Tribe of Alaska and on the board of the Sitka Convention & Visitors Bureau. Ferguson founded the annual Alaska Heritage and Cultural Tourism Conference and served as general manager for Shee Atika Corporation’s Totem Square Inn, a native-owned hotel. Hickok has been a professional in the field of destination marketing and management for nearly 37 years. She worked in Pennsylvania tourism until moving to Alaska in 1999 to become CEO of Explore Fairbanks. Under her guidance, Explore Fairbanks has received numerous awards, including the Governor of Alaska’s Exporter of the Year Award and the Destiny Award from the U.S. Travel Destinations Council. Both Ferguson and Hickok are recipi ents of the Denali Award from the Alaska Travel Industry Association. They are the first Alaskans to serve on the U.S. Travel Board.
Hall of FamersBeth
» Terrarium Workshop: The experts from Portland Bloem will teach you tips and techniques for planting and caring for house plants. Plus you’ll come away with a terrarium of your very own. Kimpton RiverPlace meeting spaces range from the 2,672-square-foot Marina Ballroom that can accommodate up to 200 people to a 339-square-foot space for up to 30. riverplacehotel.com NEWS» NEWS» ANNIVERSARY
VENUE
» Build Your Own Bitters: Learn everything you need to know about bitters, from ingredients to application, in this course with Portland Bitters Project. Build your own bitter concoction as a takeaway.
HAPPY
Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel has launched a new “maker menu” for meeting groups. The lineup of unique experiences reflect Portland and celebrate the city’s talented craftspeople. EXPERIENCES INCLUDE:
Bellevue Washington has appointed Justin Lynch director of marketing and communications. Lynch comes to the CVB from Visit Syracuse in Syracuse, New York, where he was the organization’s digital branding manager. Visit
e Industry’s Most Powerful Resource Tool 150,000 Resource Listings One-Click RFP Expert Advice Weekly Local City/DestinationNationalNewsNews meetingsmags.comProfiles meetingsmags.com LYNNWOODCC .com425-778-7155
NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 45 many a long day to bring citizens together of all backgrounds to celebrate together.”
The WFEA annual conference is held annually and features educational presentations on industry best practices. The inductees join three others who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame: Mike Brennan, the former CEO of the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce, David Doxtater, head of Workshop, and the late Ed Neunherz, former executive director of the Spokane Lilac Festival. wfea.org Kudos Patrick Rice received the 2019 Spirit of Hospitality Award from the Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau as part of its annual Recognition of Service Excellence (ROSE) Awards. The ROSE Awards honor employees in the service and hospitality industry who enhance visitor experiences with their enthusiasm and exemplary service. Rice is executive director of Boise Centre and the Greater Boise Auditorium District. New Hires & Promotions
Coast Hilltop Inn has promoted Michael Crowder to front office manager. Crowder brings two years of hospitality experience to his new role, including as front desk agent for Coast HilltopVisitInn.
Bellevue Washington has appointed Alexis Scheinman as its communications manager. Scheinman previously served as marketing and public relations director for Bellevue Medical Imaging and has worked at public relations agencies in London and Las Vegas.
46 NWM+E | SUMMER 2019 SUBMIT YOUR EVENT PHOTOS To have your meeting or event photos featured here, contact the editor at teresa.kenney@tigeroak.com.87 9 6 3 1 5 Applause Awards ILEA Seattle held its annual Emerald City Applause Awards on March 28 at the Arctic Club Seattle. Congratulations to this year’s winners: BEST CATERED EVENT: Foodz Catering BEST CORPORATE EVENT: Eventions BEST CREATIVE SOLUTION: Alexander Party Rentals BEST DESIGNED EVENT: Tolo Events BEST EVENT MARKETING: Sunny Umbrella Design Company BEST EVENT SUPPORT SERVICES: CORT Party Rental BEST INDUSTRY INNOVATION: Tentwood Events BEST LIVE EVENT ENTERTAINMENT: Animate Objects Productions BEST MEETING/CONFERENCE: Microsoft Eventions BEST NON-PROFIT EVENT OVER $50,000: XPL BEST NON-PROFIT EVENT UNDER $50,000: GFS Events BEST PHOTOGRAPHY: Be Good Event Photography BEST PUBLIC EVENT: GFS Events BEST TEAM EFFORT: XPL BEST VIDEOGRAPHY:Junefilms BEST WEDDING: Perfectly Posh Events: Seattle + Portland Wedding Planner HALL OF FAME: Melissa Jurcan 1. Kelsey Von Stubbe, Tentwood Events. 2. Clea Hersberger, Crimson Haze Event Lighting. 3. Nat Seymour, Be Good Event Photography and Robin Guffey, CORT Party Rental. 4. Karli Zimmerman, CORT Events and Jodi Westwater, Microsoft. 5. Lindsey Larson, Melissa Jurcan and Jennie Schwarter, Compass Group at Microsoft. 6. Kevin White, XPL. 7. Kavitha Peters, Sarah Janssen and Gazala Uradnik, GFS Events. 8. Carissa Linn and Andrew Wilson, Eurest. 9. Todd Korb, Blue Ink; Brock Rylander and Ileigh Reynolds, Animate Objects Productions; and Amanda Korb, Blue Ink. —Photos by Alabastro Photography 4 2 SNAPSHOTS EMERALD CITY APPLAUSE AWARDS
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“Some people love writing grants or prospecting for major gifts. I really love raising money through events—the building of relationships and creating experiences. When I started doing the gala for the hospital as the director of development, within a few years, I was raising $7 million. Going off on my own meant I would have the opportunity to do the same for other organizations,” she says. In 2004, she moved to Seattle for her husband’s job. “When I first moved here, I knew no one except for a distant cousin of my husband’s,” she says. So she started networking, first with her real estate agent, who introduced her to a woman who consulted with nonprofits. “She met me for coffee and introduced me to the team at Evergreen Health Foundation. They were the first fundraising gala that I contracted within the Pacific Northwest,” says Tolo. They also continue to be a client to this day.
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I was raising $7 million. Going off on my In 2004, she moved to first first with her real estate the Pacific Northwest,” says Tolo. They ducing events in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, lion or more,” she says. She loves the ability to bring her and her client’s inspiration to life. For one cliCornish College of the Arts to dance the Business? Absolutely. Ideas? Never. Shelly Tolo’s clients are a loyal bunch, with good reason.
PEOPLE PROFILE SHELLY TOLO
helly Tolo, founder of Tolo Events, was the director of development and major events for the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh when she decided to launch her own company in 2002 and submitted her resignation. The hospital’s executive team hung onto her for another six months, however, initially unwilling to let her go. When they finally did, she asked administrators if she could continue to produce the hospital’s annual gala, a favorite project of hers. They said yes. In fact, they’ve been saying yes to her producing many of their events for the past 17 years.
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Currently, Tolo and her team are producing events in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Seattle and New York. “Ten of the galas we produced or designed in 2018 raised $1 milShe loves the ability to bring her and her client’s inspiration to life. For one client who wanted a “Moulin Rouge”-inspired décor, Tolo hired dancers from Seattle’s Cornish College of the Arts to dance the exact choreography that was in the movie. As the Cornish dancers performed during the event, the same scene from the film was simultaneously playing on screen. “I was actually bringing the movie to life. It was a really fun way of bringing entertainment to the event. That is what is exciting to me. We rarely ever repeat a theme because we want to keep things fresh and new. You can be as creative as your mind and your client’s budget allows,” says Tolo. toloevents.com; 206.962.0012
BY TERESA KENNEY
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florally yours, We adore Events
