Northwest Meetings + Events Winter 2019 by Greenspring Media

FOLLOW THESE LEADERS Get to know three industry experts and their leadership tales BUILDING BONDS Pro tips on how to build a strong team SKI-IN/SKI-OUT Meet slopeside at these 4 ski resorts MEETINGSMAGS.COM // WINTER 2019 Tacoma TURN TO THE WESTERN WASHINGTON CITY TAKES THE SPOTLIGHT

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2 NWM+E | WINTER 2019 ZELLMANNTRACITACOMA;TRAVELREVELSTOKE;RASMUSSEN;LRANDYPHOTOS: Winter 2019 6 EDITOR’S LETTER 18 TREND REPORT For your next presentation, skip the bullet points and start a conversation. By Cheryl Reid-Simons 20 VENUE REPORT This winter, plan a group meeting, retreat or team outing at a ski-in, ski-out venue. By Roger Gordon 24 DESTINATION Tacoma, Washington, is making waves in the meetings and events industry. By Cheryl Reid-Simons 48 PEOPLE PROFILE For logistics pro Audrey Fan, people are the most important detail. By Teresa Kenney DEPARTMENTS FEATURE 33 Lead On Leaders aren’t born. They’re sculpted from everyday experiences and sound advice. Read the leadership stories behind three local industry experts. By Teresa Kenney NORTHWEST MEETINGS + EVENTS MAGAZINE: IN THIS ISSUE 2420 FEATURE 28 Go Team Building and leading a team takesplanningintentionalandaction. By Julie Scagell

Beyond Your Ofﬁce, Beyond Ordinary...the Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa 4000 Westcliff Drive, Hood River, OR 97031 www.ColumbiaGorgeHotel.com The Historic Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River, just 60 miles east of Portland , is the perfect venue for your next corporate event! Do you need a casual reception space for mingling guests or a banquet hall for a formal gathering? We have just what you need. The Columbia Gorge Hotel offers over 3,000+ square feet of event space for: • Corporate Meetings • Social Events • Breakout Rooms • State-Of-The-Art AV Equipment • Onsite Northwest Private Dining • 40 Guest Rooms Contact Ashley to book your retreat today at 541.387.5421 or email her at ashleym@columbiagorgehotel.com Ordinary...

4 NWM+E | WINTER 2019 PHOTOGRAPHY;SHELBYMELISSASQUIRREL;NUTTYPHOTOS: PHOTOGRAPHYHSUVIVIAN44 2019Winter MEETING NOTES 9 PEERSPACE Online marketplace pairs planners with creative meeting spaces. By Megan Gosch 11 TRIBUTE The legacy of business giant Paul Allen 12 VENUE SPOTLIGHT The Sanctuary makes for a heavenly events setting. 14 TASTE Riff Cold Brewed Coffee opens a taproom in Bend, Oregon. 15 OPEN MIC For corporate holiday parties, January is the new December. By Lisa Dupar 16 CVB SPOTLIGHT Get to know Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority 17 FLASHBACK Portland’s Eastside Exchange is reimagined once again. ON THE COVER An aerial view of downtown Washington.Tacoma, Photo by Sean Pavone 4012 FOLLOW THESE LEADERS their leadership tales BUILDING BONDS strong team SKI-IN/SKI-OUT Tacoma TURN TO THE WESTERN WASHINGTON CITY TAKES THE SPOTLIGHT Warm up with a ski bunny at Shore Lodge pg 10 40 REGIONAL NEWS New hires, kudos earned and more 46 SNAPSHOTS Candids from Northwest Meetings + Events’ Best of 2018 party. 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

NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 5 WHERE MEETING PLANNERS BECOME HEROES If you’re planning an event, look no further than the brand new, luxury King Street Ballroom & Perch. Here you’ll find the perfect combination of natural light, modern technology, creative catering options and impeccable service. You simply won’t find any event space like this in downtown Seattle. kingstreetballroom.com – 206.859.4424 Booking inquiries:@KingStreetBallroomseaps-salesadm@hilton.comKingStBallroom

/NWMEETINGSMAGS

THERE’S ONE IN EVERY OFFICE, more if you’re lucky—that person who everyone looks to for direction and guidance. At my last office job—before I went off on my own to freelance—that person was our receptionist/office manager/notary/executive assistant/etc. He was the person who knew how everything worked and where everything was. He was quiet, unassuming, humble and trustworthy. He was a leader. I’ve also had the misfortune in my career to work with someone on the other end of the spectrum—the person with the impressive job title who is demoralizing, unreliable, chaotic and egotistical. The type of person who would walk in a room, and you could almost feel the energy drain out of everyone. Regardless of where you are in your career, you can be a leader. And no matter how far you’ve climbed up the ladder, it doesn’t make you a leader. Being a leader is a choice, not a title. In this issue, we take a look at what makes a great leader. First, we interviewed three industry professionals to find out more about their paths to success and who along the way helped shape their own leadership styles. We also look at what managers and executive leaders can do to choose, train and lead their teams to success.

Teresa Kenney, editor

Choose to Lead

6 NWM+E | WINTER 2019 EDITOR'S LETTER

Thank you for spending a bit of your time with us. We would love to hear about some of the leaders in your career, past or present, good and bad. Share them with us on our Facebook page or send me an email at Teresa.Kenney@tigeroak.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Seattle and the world lost one of its most dedicated leaders this past fall: Paul Allen. The cofounder of Microsoft, community advocate and entrepreneur will be deeply missed here at home and around the globe. His influence was felt across industries, including meetings and events. We pay tribute to his legacy on page 11. We also take a trip to Tacoma, Washington, as our meetings destination city (page 24) and explore some of the ski-in/ski-out venue options in the region (page 20). And if you are planning on leading a workshop or serving as a keynote speaker in the near future, you should definitely check out our Trend Report (page 18), which takes a look at conversational presentations.

Cheers, Find, Friend, Follow Find us online at nw.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. @NWMEETINGSMAGS /MEETINGSMAGS /MEETINGSEVENTSMAGS

TERESA.KENNEY@TIGEROAK.COM

NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 7 EDITOR Teresa Kenney MANAGING EDITOR Morgan Halaska SENIOR EDITOR Megan Gosch DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR Julianna Fazio CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Susannah Bradley, Lisa Dupar, Roger Gordon, Teresa Kenney, Cheryl Reid-Simons, Julie Scagell EDITORIAL INTERNS Jenna Barbari, Brianna Smiley, Josephine Werni, 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 SENIOR MANAGING ART DIRECTOR Courtney Nielsen ART DIRECTOR Traci Zellmann JUNIOR ART DIRECTOR Taylor Severson PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Dianne Talmage PROJECT COORDINATOR Rebeca Solares Ho CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jeremy Wieland SUBSCRIPTION MARKETING SPECIALIST Emily O’Connell EVENT MANAGER Kelsey Copeland SENIOR ACCOUNTANT Ly’Neys Hill CREDIT MANAGER April McCauley ACCOUNTANT Katie Bodin WEB DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Sandy Powell WEB ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Angela Beissel ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER– NATIONAL SALES Michelle Michelle.Derouen@tigeroak.comDerouen ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER - OREGON Heather Heather.Matheny@tigeroak.comMatheny ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER - SEATTLE Lisa Lisa.Lee@tigeroak.comLee 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 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 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 Northwest Meetings + Events, Winter 2019 © 2019 Tiger Oak Media. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. WINTER 2019 nw.meetingsmags.com Parade.TorchlightWenevermissit! Naked bicyclists: need I say more? The Fremont Solstice Parade, of WhoPumpkincourse!TheGiantRegatta.wouldn’twant to row a pumpkin with a thousandwatching?!strangers What’s“ your favoriteevent?local” My favorite local event is a summer concert at Chateau Ste Michelle. The Beer & Bacon festival! Two of my favorites, though I secretly love one more than the other. AT your FINGERTIPS. --- CALENDAR EVENTS --LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS --- PEOPLE NEWS ----- WEEKLY UPDATES --SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE AT MEETINGSMAGS.COM OUR E-NEWSLETTER

The Best of Boise, Idaho Situated in Boise’s lively downtown filled with boutique shops, restaurants and night spots, the Inn at 500 Capitol is easy walking distance to the Boise Convention Centre, City Center, and a variety of vibrant Boise experiences. innat5th.com | 541.743.4099 | Eugene, Oregon innat500.com | 208.227.0500 | Boise, Idaho Gather in Eugene, Oregon Located in the historic 5th Street Public Market, the Inn at 5th is a luxury boutique hotel that encourages guests to shop, sip, dine and unwind in the heart of Eugene.

New platform helps planners discover unconventional meeting spaces.

“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 o cer 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.”

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 more than 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 o ers 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.”

Uncovering Off-Site Gems

NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 9

—By Megan Gosch

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 e ective meetings.

PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION SIGNATURE DRINK 10 VENUE SPOTLIGHT 12 OPEN MIC 15 CVB SPOTLIGHT 16 PEERSPACEPHOTO:

PEERSPACE team@peerspace.compeerspace.com

Meeting Notes ConnectedGet

VENUE SPOTLIGHT»

On the lower floor is the Denny Ballroom with room for 300 guests. The flexible space can also be divided into two rooms. Its entrance includes a modern version of the classic grand staircase. The Sanctuary’s three state-of-the-art culi nary kitchens are overseen by award-winning chef Gavin Stephenson. The building has been garnering accolades across the country and was nominated for NAIOP’s Best Hospitality Venue for 2018. thesanctuaryseattle.com

12 NWM+E | WINTER 2019 PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION

GET ME TO THE CHURCH ON TIME

The Sanctuary offers a heavenly setting for corporate events and galas. By Teresa Kenney Host your next corporate event in the coun try’s oldest Byzantine-style church, restored and reintroduced as The Sanctuary. Located on Fifth Avenue in Seattle’s Midtown neigh borhood, the 1907 building is connected to The Mark office tower and Hotel Audrey. It’s an architectural gem, following the beauxarts classical principles and borrowing ele ments of the early Roman, Byzantine and Renaissance periods. The Sanctuary offers three levels of event space, with gorgeous detailing, including the original stained glass windows. The Blaine ballroom (which was originally used as the chapel) and balconies can host receptions for up to 760 guests and banquets for 420. It fea tures a 65-foot dome with special lighting, a stage and a projection screen that can be low ered for video presentations. Overlooking the ballroom is the Halo Bar. With space for up to 200 guests, it is the only balcony bar in Seattle.

SWIMMERLARASANCTUARY;THEPHOTOS:

NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 13 CONVENTIONS» ON SCHEDULE Groups converging on the Northwest in 2019 span the globe. The Northwest continues to be a favored destination for conventions and conferences for organizations across the country and around the world. Visit Seattle and Brand USA will host the 13th Annual U.S. – China Tourism Leadership Summit in Seattle in September 2019. More than 200 delegates are expected to attend to foster strong relationships between the countries’ tourism leaders, encourage an open exchange of ideas and promote tourism between the two countries. Other organizations heading to our region to connect, strategize and learn include: January BOISE CENTRE (Idaho): 2019 Idaho Remodel Show (Statewide) February DENA’INA CENTER (Anchorage): 21st Alaska Forum on the (Statewide)Environment March OREGON CONVENTION CENTER (Portland): Association of Writers and Writing Programs: 2019 AWP Conference & Bookfair (National) June VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE (British Columbia): Women Deliver 2019 Conference (International) July WASHINGTON STATE CONVENTION CENTER (Seattle): Society for College and University Planning Annual Conference (International) SPOKANE CONVENTION CENTER (Washington): National Association of Elementary School Principals (National) September DENA’INA CENTER (Anchorage): International Association of Women Police (International) Gateway to the Rockies GET SOMEDONE,WORKHAVEFUN. Over 60 hotels to choose from Over 12,000 guest rooms Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center. 485,000 square feet, opening December 2018 Just minutes from Denver International Airport 9 award-winning golf courses 3 sparkling reservoirs 250 ethnic restaurants 720-484-8902 VisitAurora.com

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M ore than a quarter century ago, The Lill family helped establish the boutique win ery phenomenon in Woodinville. They have garnered a loyal following for their Bordeauxstyle wines, and their DeLille Cellars Chateau in Woodinville—with its Old World ambience, rustic, romantic décor, and lush grounds dotted with gar dens, a gazebo and ponds—has long been a popular venue for special events.

In order to maintain the intimate nature of the chateau while adding amenities to respond to the increasing demand for midweek events, Greg Lill, president emeritus and co-owner of the DeLille Cellars winery, and his wife and business partner, Stacy Lill, announced that effective spring 2019, the DeLille WINERIES» WHAT’S IN A NAME? DeLille Cellars Chateau to be Chateau Lill. BY SUSANNAH BRADLEY Chateau will be renamed Chateau Lill, and the winery, which had been headquartered there, will move offsite to the former Redhook Brewery. “We wanted to address the demand for groups, meetings and events that want to retreat or celebrate in a tranquil setting,” says Stacy. The Chateau can accommodate up to 120 guests indoors and 400 outdoors. While Greg is staying on as co-owner of DeLille Cellars, he and Stacy will also continue to produce their own small-release, boutique wines under the Cashmere Partners label, which they launched in 2004. In addition, they plan to add a new line of lowerpriced wines for events, which will be available exclu sively at Chateau Lill. chateaulill.com

NORTHWEST WELCOMES WORLD’S FIRST COLD-BREW COFFEE TAPROOM.

PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION

TASTE»

ISTOCK.COM/MICROGENLILL;CHATEAUPHOTOS:

Next time you hold an event in Bend, Oregon, be sure to check out Riff Cold Brewed Coffee’s new taproom, the world’s first taproom dedicated to cold-brew coffee. Riff’s 30-tap-tower pouring system serves a wide variety of cold-brew varia tions, including nitro, sparkling, cold-brew cocktails and culinary collaborations with other craft-beverage companies. Perfect for a little pre-meeting wake-me-up or post-meeting pick-me-up. riffcoldbrewed.com

CAFFEINE ON TAP

Venues that will have everyone inspired. Yeah, we’ve got that. We’ve got more cool. VisitTri-Cities.com

NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 15

BE MORE COOL

January Is the New December When thinking of holiday parties, think outside of the calendar. BY LISA DUPAR F or 2019, resolve to rethink your company holiday party. Yes, you want to celebrate and acknowledge your team for an amazing year and all of their hard work with a well-deserved employee celebration. Pressure is on you to throw the traditional office party in December. But here’s the deal: Now more than ever, people want to be with their families and friends during the holidays. Plus, costs are a-risin’ for banquet rooms, food, hotels, flowers, bar services, caterers, entertainment, et al., and they are all at premium in the month of December. Even the availability of your first choice for a venue may be challenging, because if it’s your first choice, then it’s bound to be someone else’sGuesstoo. what? It’s now considered hip and cool to have your holiday party in January. This is a win-win-win! Your co-workers get a well-earned holidayseason evening to themselves, you get to save yourself and your company money, and you secure first choices of caterers, venues, and entertainment for January. All can be booked and paid for prior to year-end for tax purposes without having to settle for less. In January, most event specialists are feeling refreshed and available to assist your company. Private dining rooms in your favorite restaurants or venues are eager to have your first-quarter business and will give you some rockin’ deals. That goes for your caterer, florist and entertainment, too. So for 2019, make it your goal to change up how you celebrate! Award-winning chef Lisa Dupar is the owner of Dupar & Company, which includes Lisa Dupar Catering and Pomegranate Bistro in Redmond, Washington. duparandcompany.com

OPEN MIC»

Katherine Kertzman, CEO and presi dent of Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority (RTA) moved around a lot as a child—she came from a mili tary family and even spent time living over seas. Still, most of her childhood was spent in Spokane and Tacoma. As an adult, she worked in Texas as director of marketing and public relations for a hospital. Then a job brought her back to the Northwest. “I had the opportunity to join Highline Community Hospital in Burien as the direc tor of women’s health services, where I opened a new childbirth and delivery clinic. Then in 1999, I joined the City of Tukwila as the tour ism and marketing manager, where through inter-local agreements with neighboring cit ies, I developed Seattle Southside Visitor Services. In 2015, our hoteliers helped create a Tourism Promotion Area and established the Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority,” says Kertzman. Kertzman says she loves the regional community spirit of Seattle Southside. “Each city that makes up our region offers their own strengths, and, when combined together as Seattle Southside, make our des tination unique and appealing. We have a beautiful beach community, internationally diverse dining and shopping community, and a thriving international airport and hos pitality community.”

GET TO KNOW... BY

» Service: The Seattle Southside RTA staff makes it easy to plan an event. With compli mentary services like attendance marketing, welcome services, site sourcing, transporta tion assistance, group rates at attractions and discounts for groups, the stress is taken out of meeting and event planning. Get Connected SEATTLE SOUTHSIDE REGIONAL TOURISM AUTHORITY | seattlesouthside.com | 206.575.2489 southside TERESA KENNEY GROUPVT(OPPOSITE)GARDEN;BOTANICALSEATAC

PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION Seattle

» Value: Seattle Southside is affordable for planners and attendees. Hotel rates are typically 20-30 percent lower than downtown Seattle.

HIGHLINEFLIGHT;OFMUSEUMPHOTOGRAPHY;ALABASTROPHOTOS:

An avid gardener, one of Ketzman’s favorite inspirational spots to visit is the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden. “Afterwards, I visit Zenith Holland Gardens, the oldest business in Des Moines, to pick out flowers and veg etables to plant in my backyard. I finish the day off with a meal at one of the international restaurants to remind me of my childhood spent abroad,” she says. The southside region has more than 350,000 square feet of meeting space and nearly 9,000 hotel rooms. Kertzman says three more rea sons for planners to consider a meeting or event in the area are:

» Location: Seattle Southside is ideally located near the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, only 15 minutes south of downtown Seattle with three conveniently located light rail stations and free airport shuttles to hotels.

16 NWM+E | WINTER 2019

Classic architecture, picturesque stained glass, red stone walls, custom woodwork ceiling arches, pristine landscaping and a concert quality sound system is what you’ll find at this premier site for receptions, parties, fundraisers, meetings and other special events. The theater, gallery, terrace and lawn provide a variety of options that are both beautiful and affordable. Event space capable of hosting 20-200 guests.. Walters Cultural Arts Center 527 East Main Street Hillsboro, Oregon Hillsboro-Oregon.gov/WaltersRentals503.615.348597123 WALTERS CULTURAL ARTS CENTER Weddings | Graduations | Anniversaries | Fundraisers | Luncheons Executive 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

FLASHBACK»

Multitasking

One historic Portland events venue has continued to evolve in purpose and design. What do a furniture company, ice cream cone manufacturer, World War II housing project and retail distribution center all have in common? During different periods over the past 90-plus years, they have all shared the same address as Portland’s Eastside Exchange. Built in 1925, the historic property continues its reimagination, opening in 2014 as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silvercertified mixed-use building with offices, F&B café and an events venue. VT Group manages the building’s event space, which includes the Exchange Ballroom and Cascade Rooftop. The ballroom offers 6,300 square feet of columnfree space with three lighting systems, mirrored and movable walls, and tables and chairs. Contemporary details such as a blown-glass art installation by Andy Paiko share the stage with exposed old growth timbers, and a view of the iconic Portland sign serves up a perfect spot for selfies. The room can accommodate up to 300 guests for a seated gala or 425 guests for a standing reception. Up on the roof, the Cascade Rooftop boasts spectacular views of Mount Hood and downtown Portland from the eastside of Willamette River. The rooftop’s patio is crafted from sustainably harvested wood, and all around its perimeter is built-in seating with under-bench florescent lighting for nighttime events. The 2,200-square-foot patio can accommodate up to 140 guests. Additional meeting space includes the Charging Room with conference space for 10 and the Substation with conference space for 20. Both can be combined via movable walls for training or workshops of up to 140 people. exchangeballroom.com

NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 17

18 NWM+E | WINTER 2019

CAN TALK?WE

PAPE-SHELDONINGRID(OPPOSITE)ROSENBERGGIGIOFCOURTESYPHOTOS:

For your next presentation, skip the bullet points and start a dialogue.

BY CHERYL REID-SIMONS BLAME IT ON YOUR SMART PHONE. Or Facebook. Or maybe TED Talks. Whatever the culprit, the traditional conference sta ple keynote—or really any kind of lecture—is hopelessly dated. Welcome to the interactive era. Conversational presentations are the key to building and maintain ing interest, because today’s audi ences don’t just want to have a dialogue, they expect it.

“All of us who are in business have so much competition now in terms of [grabbing and holding] people’s attention,” says Portlandbased public speaking coach Gigi Rosenberg. “If we’re not riveting, people will just change the channel. When there was less competition, you didn’t have to be as on your toes. ... Now you have to be if you really want to survive.” “A few years ago, people sat and listened, and they didn’t have devices,” says Connie Miller of Seattle’s Pivotal Presentations. “If they weren’t interested, they might read the newspaper or be writing notes. The shift toward a high level of audience participation has been fascinating.”

—GIGI ROSENBERG, PUBLIC SPEAKING COACH Public speaking coach Gigi Rosenberg

TREND REPORT CONVERSATIONAL PRESENTATIONS

“If we’re not riveting, people will just change the channel. When there was less competition, you didn’t have to be as on your toes. ... Now you have to be if you really want to survive.”

FOLLOWING A WINTERY DAY OF STRATEGIZING, CONNECTING AND INNOVATING, what better place is there to burn off some pent-up energy than on the ski slopes or groomed Nordic ski trails of the Northwest?

MOUNREVELSTOKEPHOTOS: (OPPOSITE)RESORT;TAIN SCHWEITZER

Here are four ski-in/ski-out meeting destinations for your group to consider. Revelstoke Mountain Resort has a laidback, mountain-town vibe.

SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN RESORT – WHITE PINE LODGE, Idaho

20 NWM+E | WINTER 2019

The Northwest’s ski-in/ski-out venues offer an exhilarating alternative for winter meeting destinations. BY ROGER GORDON

Schweitzer Mountain Resort Idaho – White Pine Lodge is the ultimate ski-in/ski-out facil ity. “You can click into your skis at the front door,” says Dig Chrismer, marketing manager. “Ski-in/ski-out is definitely something that’s very desirable by a lot of people because it makes the experience pretty seamless. You get up, you can have breakfast in your unit and then head downstairs, put your skis on and off you go. It just makes it super easy. Guests can ski from their doors to the lift and from the bottom of the hill to their doors.” Schweitzer is a self-contained resort, and the White Pine Lodge is its condominium accom modation in the heart of the village. Available for rent are two-bedroom and three-bedroom units with full kitchens and fireplaces. “Those are nice amenities in that you can have small APRÈS YOU

VENUE REPORT SKI VENUES

for corporate meetings, social events, fundraisers and more! Credit: D.Selback Photography Everett West is a blank canvas with a spacious outdoor patio, perfect for designing your unique event. Just 20 minutes from PDX International, and within walking distance to multiple hotels, restaurants, and shopping. O ering a taste of the Paci c Northwest with seasonal cra cocktails, local beers and wines, and fully customized menu to t your style. events@everettwest.com | everettwest.com | 503.410.1461 914 NW Everett St Portland,Oregon 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

NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 21

breakout sessions in those units as a complement to the full group experience in the conference spaces,” says Chrismer. “It’s very much a casual atmosphere. Schweitzer is a very unpretentious, family-friendly destination.”

REVELSTOKE MOUNTAIN RESORT, British Columbia

Five conference spaces are available for skiseason meetings. The largest is the North Room in the Lakeview Lodge, which can accommodate up to 220 guests for a seated dinner and up to 300 for a cocktail party. The smallest space is the Selkirk Room in Selkirk Lodge, which can host up to 40 guests seated and up to 50 standing. “Groups like that everything is within steps of each other,” says Chrismer, “so you’re all together but not on top of each other.”

For a world-class yet casual atmosphere, pay a visit to Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Boasting a mountain-town vibe, the resort showcases contemporary alpine architecture and outstanding views of the Columbia River and the Monashee Mountains, as well as the bustle of the resort’s groomed lower runs. The only skiin/ski-out resort in Revelstoke, the resort is near the Revelation Gondola. The resort offers more than 3,000 acres of fall-line skiing, four high-alpine bowls and 69 named runs and areas. “Guests can access a total of 3,121 acres of terrain, including Great Northern Snowcat-skiing, guided backcountry touring and Selkirk Tangiers Heli-skiing tenure,” says Kevin Manuel, director of marketing. Five event spaces are available: three indoor and two outdoor. The largest is Revelation Lodge, which can accommodate up to 200 guests seated and up to 300 standing. The smallest is the Nelsen Room, which can host up to 40 guests seated and up to 60 standing.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort is a selfcontained resort in Idaho. polished industrial oasis in the heart of Portland’s Pearl District Available

22 NWM+E | WINTER 2019 Get Connected THE ALPINE INN AT CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN RESORT crystalhotels.com | 360.663.2262 REVELSTOKE MOUNTAIN RESORT revelstokemountainresort.com | 250.814.0087 SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN RESORT – WHITE PINE LODGE schweitzer.com/plan/groups | 208.254.4010

TIMBERLINE LODGE & SKI AREA timberlinelodge.com | 503.272.3311

VENUE REPORT SKI VENUES

The Alpine Inn at Crystal Mountain Resort is unique in that it was built to mirror an Austrian ski lodge. Located next to Alpine Inn Restaurant, Snorting Elk Cellar and Snorting Elk Deli, the lodge is a short walk to the Mount Rainier“We’reGondola.slopeside for lodging and dining and walking distance to the chairlift,” says General Manager Dee Patterson. “We’re a ski-in loca tion only, so you can ski from the bottom of the hills to the hotel. It’s not very far. In the summer months, there is a multitude of hikes that start right at guests’ doorsteps.”

TIMBERLINE LODGE & SKI AREA, Oregon Timberline Lodge is the only National Historic Landmark that still serves the purpose for which it was built: as a ski lodge, says Director of Marketing John Burton. “It’s very unique with regard to sense of place. There’s this intrinsic value of Timberline and the history of it. It was built during the Great Depression as part of the Works Progress Administration.” The lodge is popular with intermediate and beginner skiers, making it a smart option for groups. “It’s a family-friendly, high-end expe rience,” says Burton. Thirteen event spaces are available. The largest can accommodate up to 280 guests both seated and standing. The smallest can host up to 18 guests seated and up to 12 standing. There’s a second lodge, Silcox Hut, another 1,000 feet up with the same type of cascading architecture as the main lodge. It can host up to 40 guests. “There are a million neat, inspiring stories built into the lodge, carved into the lodge,” says Burton. “Because it’s an inspiring envi ronment, it fosters this collaboration around your event.”

THE ALPINE INN AT CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN RESORT, Washington

Left to right: The meeting and event space at Timberline Lodge & Ski Area can accommodate up to 280 guests; the design of Alpine Inn at Crystal Mountain Resort was inspired by an Austrian ski lodge.

The Alpine Inn lobby features complimen tary Wi-Fi, cozy, leather couches and a warm, inviting fireplace, making it the ideal place to relax, après-ski or -meeting. Several multiuse areas can be used for pri vate events. The largest space can accom modate up to 95 guests seated and up to 75 standing. The smallest space can host up to 20 guests both seated and standing. “Groups love the location and convenience,” says Patterson.

CAVENJEFFAREA;SKI&LODGETIMBERLINEPHOTOS:

NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 23

BY CHERYL REID-SIMONS

COME TOGETHER IN TACOMA

See why this South Sound city is making waves in the meetings and events industry.

The city also features an unusual array of museums that can double as off-site venues or host opening galas, closing ceremonies or group outings. “They make for a really compelling choice for meeting planners,” Wakefield says of the city’s museums, which showcase everything from modern glass art to classic cars to maritime history.

TACOMA’S GOT ITS SWAGGER BACK. After a few decades in Seattle’s shadow, western Washington’s second-largest city isn’t just known for its proximity to that town up north anymore. From its world-class museums to its revitalized waterfront and vibrant historic downtown, Tacoma offers quintessential Northwest experiences on a human scale.

Wakefield says Tacoma’s size allows the city to provide big-city amenities while offering a small-town welcome. “When a meeting is in town, they really own the downtown area. The downtown community knows they’re coming, and they really open their doors.”

24 NWM+E | WINTER 2019 TACOMATRAVELPHOTOS: DESTINATION TACOMA

The Museum of Glass offers both indoor and outdoor event space.

“We have a really compact, convenient downtown here,” says Matt Wakefield, senior communications manager for Travel Tacoma. “It’s completely walkable. We have six museums in the Museum District within walking distance of our convention hotels. And we have the ride-free Tacoma Link Light Rail that runs from the museum district to the theater district.”

26 NWM+E | WINTER 2019 TACOMATRAVELPHOTO: DESTINATION TACOMA BY THE NUMBERS 6 million VISITORS TO PIERCE COUNTY ANNUALLY 213,418 IN POPULATION 5,700 HOTEL ROOMS 2,000 POUNDS: THE WEIGHT OF THE DALE CHIHULY CHANDELIER IN UNION STATION 760 ACRES OF PARKLAND AT POINT DEFIANCE PARK If you’re inspired to make some glass art, both the Museum of Glass and the Tacoma Glass Blowing Studio offer hands-on workshops. The studio can accommodate groups from two to 10 participants. Glass blowing “can be a little intimidating if you’ve never worked around that kind of heat before,” Ferguson says. If your group wants something a little less extensive, the museum offers a fusing workshop for up to 25 people. Participants put together glass toppings on a tile, sort of like a pizza. Then museum staff heat and fuse the toppings to the tiles.

LeMay - America’s Car Museum is the largest automobile museum in North America. Guests can visit during regular hours to see everything from hot rods to Model Ts. The museum also offers virtual racing where guests can get a feel for what it’s like to race on one of several famous race tracks. Or you can relive your childhood in the slot cars. Like all of Tacoma’s museums, it’s also available for private events.

The Ruston Way Waterfront is a bustling 2-mile bike and pedestrian trail dotted with parks “like a string of pearls,” Wakefield says. In summer months, you can rent everything from a simple cruiser bike to a tandem bike to a four-person bicycle surrey. And the ever-popular Point Defiance Park is home to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Point Defiance Marina and Fort Nisqually Living History Museum And, with Mount Rainier so close by it’s always worth making time for a short group road trip. “People love to get up on the mountain when they’re here,” Wakefield says. “A day trip to Mount Rainier is within easy reach. An hour each way to get out there, and you can go rock climbing or just take a stroll among the wildflowers.” In the winter, rangers lead snowshoe hikes. With its proximity to the mountain and the water, Tacoma offers picture-postcard views that visitors and locals alike can’t seem to get enough of, says Bedier. “On a sunny day, there is no place more spec tacular than Tacoma.” Get Connected TRAVEL TACOMA | traveltacoma.com | 253.284.3254 Party among the vintage cars at Tacoma’s LeMay - America’s Car Museum.

GR O UPS & ME E TINGS START grandmoundsales@greatwolf.comCONVERSATIONTHE360.347.0028 20500 Old Highway 99 SW Centralia, WA greatwolf.com/meetings98531

28 NWM+E | WINTER 2019 Building and leading a team takes intentional planning and action. By // Julie Scagell TEAM!

Choosing Your Team

Inspiring Your Team

Once your team is on board, spend time learning about what motivates them. Bond

NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 29 PHOTONASHCOPHOTO:

hroughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work on some pretty remarkable teams—teams that seemed to naturally gel, where every single member knew what they had to con tribute to reach a common goal and did so in a way that felt effortless. It was only when I found myself in a leadership position that I realized just how challenging it is to create cohesive, collaborative groups. Of course, a leader or executive must do more than create successful teams; a leader must also inspire others to action. It seems like table stakes: If you’re in a leadership position in any industry, you should naturally inspire others to perform, innovate, collaborate and prosper. But as author and speaker Simon Sinek said, “There are leaders, and there are those who lead.” Only the latter inspires. Those who lead don’t have to be the ones with the most senior job title. But they must be able to articulate with exact precision why others should follow them. They must be able to compel team members not to just do/create/ produce, but also to care about why they are doing/creating/producing.Peoplewholeadcreate space for others to absorb their message and decide for them selves if it’s one they believe in. If it is, those team members will throw themselves into the job at hand because they understand the why and feel a part of that mission. But to be successful, says Dena Lowery, chief operating officer of Opus Agency, an experiential event agency headquartered in Portland, Oregon, every person needs to know his or her role. “Each team member needs to know their individual strengths and weaknesses and how those contribute to the overall success of a team. The most effective teams I’ve seen work in synchronicity—one unit moving in sync with our clients and themselves, always keep ing the common goal in mind,” says Lowery. Before a team can do this, she says, all its members must all understand where they are going and how they are going to get there.

As one might imagine, building a successful team starts during the recruitment process. Most hiring managers are so laser-focused on ensuring candidates have the requisite skill sets and experience a position requires that they fail to recognize a lot of those skills can be Hiretaught.with a “culture-fit first” mind-set, says Betsy Leatherman, global president of Full Circle Group, a global executive coach ing and leadership organization with clients throughout the Northwest. “You can’t hire an individual who doesn’t fit into the culture you’re creating or who doesn’t share similar principles,” she says. “These teammates will never work out long-term. Even if they’re able to contribute individually, they will never share the collective philosophies of what you’re trying to accomplish as an organization. You either succeed or fail as a team, so spend time upfront ensuring you have the right team members to set you up for success.”

''THE MOST EFFECTIVE TEAMS I'VE SEEN WORK IN SYNCHRONICITY-- O NE UNIT MOVING IN SYNC WITH OUR CLIENTS AND THEMSELVES, ALWAYS KEEPING THE COMMON GOAL IN MIND.'' // DENA LOWERY

Dena Lowery

30 NWM+E | WINTER 2019

THE READ Books to bring out the leader in you.

WORTH

Brave Leadership // by Kimberly Davis Excerpt: “Who you are as a leader has an impact. Like it or not, your behavior and actions (whether conscious or unconscious) have an effect on the people around you. Their decisions and the way they feel and perform are in direct correlation to how you show up in the world. Who is affected by your ability to lead? Your customers? Your direct reports? Your boss? Your colleagues? Your share holders? Your students? Your patients? Your team? Your family? Your community? These are the people who rely on you to be and bring your best. Their life is influenced by your performance. Picture these people in your mind. This is your audience.” them immediately with other team mem bers and the internal resources available to help them feel connected. Plan activities and events that foster personal connections. It’s one thing to spend time with someone at work but investing in them outside the office setting is critical. It seems like common sense, but not geting to know its employees is a mistake frequently made by organizations. “Often, companies don’t seem to know what people want, what strengths they bring to the table and how they are best moti vated,” says Dana Shaw-Arimoto, founder and CEO of Phoenix5 and author of Stop Settling: Settle Smart. “This is what I call absenteeism management. Get to know your people. Let them get to know you.” Loyalty is earned; it comes from years of working alongside each other and under standing the unique value every single person

Leaders Eat Last // by Simon Sinek Excerpt: “It is the company we keep, the people around us, who will determine where we invest our energy. The more we trust that the people to the left of us and the people to the right of us have our backs, the better equipped we are to face the constant threats from the outside together. Only when we feel we are in a Circle of Safety will we pull together as a unified team, better able to survive and thrive regard less of the conditions outside.”

PHOTOGRAPHYSTROLEJEAN-MARCUSPHOTO:

Dare to Lead // by BrenÉ Brown Excerpt: “If the culture in our school, organization, place of worship, or even family requires armor because of issues like racism, classism, sexism, or any manifestation of fear-based leadership, we can’t expect wholehearted engagement. Likewise, when our organization rewards armoring behaviors like blaming, shaming, cynicism, perfectionism, and emotional stoicism, we can’t expect innovative work. You can’t fully grow and contribute behind armor. It takes a massive amount of energy just to carry it around—sometimes it takes all of our energy.”

NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 31 brings to the table. For teammates to stay connected, those who lead are also adept at recognizing the type of learning, continuous education and recognition that is necessary for the teams’ overallLowerysuccess.says the goal of her organization is to be intentional about everything they do. Whether it’s continuously communicating their values, mission and vision (and how they translate into customer success), provid ing a mentor for every employee to ensure they can navigate the company effectively, or sharing individual and team accomplish ments company-wide—all is done to remind each team member of their worth to the organization. You don’t want to sound like a broken record, but sound like a broken record. Communication of any kind is better than none at all. It’s also vital to see what’s happening in the larger organization and in the industry as a whole. This often gives its members the necessary perspective to be effective in their roles and ensures the team doesn’t get tunnel vision. Encourage them to attend industry events, share idea decks and work samples across business units, have them speak to other project teams to get an idea of what’s working and not working so they have the opportunity to view their own work from other vantage points.

''MY BUSINESS IS GOING TO GROW IF MY TEAM MEMBERS ARE HAPPY. INVESTING IN THEM FROM THE VERY BEGINNING AND ACKNOWLEDGING THEIR VALUE IS CRUCIAL.'' //

In today’s market, retaining top talent is more critical than ever. It seems like a given to provide proven team members with growth opportunities to allow them to enhance their future career path. But equally important says Stuart Butler, principal and co-owner of Butler Seattle, a valet, transportation and tour com pany based in Woodinville, is to pay them what they’re worth. “My business is going to grow if my team members are happy. Investing in them from the very beginning and acknowledging their value is crucial,” he notes. Butler says in his business, there has to be a value in every single thing they do. “This helps create a less stressful environment, so our team members are able to concentrate on and exceed our clients’ expectations. In order to do this, you have to have happy employees who feel like their talent is being rewarded.” STUART BUTLER

The team at Woodinville, Washington-based Butler Seattle.

Retaining Your Team

Finally, successful teams trust each other. They may have diverse backgrounds and ideas about how to reach the end goal (which is a good thing, by the way), but they have confi dence other team members are putting in the effort and have the best interests of their team at heart. Without this mutual cooperation and support, it is impossible to deliver results.

2019 CASCADIACONFERENCEEDUCATIONAL BRIDGE THE GAP AT CEC 2019 MARCH 3-5, 2019 GREATER TACOMA CONVENTION CENTER & HOTEL MURANO TACOMA, WA REGISTRATION IS NOW MPICASCADIA.COMOPEN! 40+ Hours of quality education Up to 10 CEU credits towards your CMP! 8 One-on-one Meetings with quali ed planners with a Hosted Buyer Registration Dozens of exciting and innovative ideas to bring back to your next meeting or event! 250+ Meeting Professionals from the North West Take home new ideas and knowledge when you join us at the 2019 Cascadia Educational Conference, March 3-5, 2019 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center in Tacoma, WA.

LEADON

The meetings and events industry is especially ripe for this type of forward-thinking, collaborative work environment. The very nature of the industry requires all of us to step up, roll up our sleeves and get things done. We sat down with three industry leaders to ﬁ nd out how they got where they are today and who helped shape their own leadership styles. BY TERESA KENNEY | ILLUSTRATIONS BY TRACI ZELLMANN

NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 33 LEADERS AREN’T BORN; THEY’RE SCULPTED FROM EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES AND SOUND ADVICE. HERE ARE THE LEADERSHIP STORIES BEHIND THREE LOCAL INDUSTRY EXPERTS. I t doesn’t matter what the title is next to your name or what your responsibilities are in an organization—answering the phones or answering to stakeholders—you can always choose to lead. Robin Sharma, leadership expert and author of the national best-seller “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” observed, “A leadership culture is one where everyone thinks like an owner, a CEO or a managing director. It’s one where everyone is entrepreneurial and proactive.”

From Meydenbauer, I went on to work at the Washington State Convention Center (WSCC) as an event manager. Going to the convention center in Seattle introduced me to a different market of clients—much larger cli ents that would bring citywide business to the Seattle market. In 2013, I was introduced to a citywide program that was coming to the con vention center called the Tableau Conference. From the start, Tableau made it known that the 2014 program they were bringing to Seattle was a very important one because they were inviting all of their customers to Seattle, the location of their company’s headquarters. And so it was very important that they had a wellexecuted program. I worked all year with the team at WSCC to execute the program, and it went off without a hitch. Tableau left as a very happy client, which was exciting not only for myself but for the entire team and the hotel and city partners that worked on the event. Afterward, the logistics company who works with Tableau, MCW Events, asked if I wanted to come and work for them on the Tableau Conference specifically. What all does that entail? MCW Events oversees all of the logistics for the event. This includes but is not limited to ven dor and venue management, producing master production schedules, managing all of the space planning, supporting ancillary events, and the list could go on and on. The Tableau event is unique in the sense that they bring 1,800 of their own employees to the convention. That employee contingent creates an event within an event. Is there one person who has helped you out along your career, serving as a men tor or offering direction? One person was a guest services manager at Meydenbauer Center, Stephanie Stevenson. She now works for Atlanta Electrical at WSCC. [She] taught me the difference between a the ater set and a classroom set. But even more importantly, what she taught me that has

After Meydenbauer, where did you go?

C indy Wallace is a born-and-raised Oregonian. She was born in Oregon City, grew up in Sherwood and went to col lege at Oregon State University. She graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in speech communications and entered the meetings and events industry two years later, working as a tour planner for an educational travel company. Her experience in the industry is especially varied, having worked for a travel company, dinner cruise operator, meetings and events venue, and event producer. Tell us about your first job in the industry. The company [where I worked] is called Educational Travel Services Inc. I planned educational tours for junior high students. So, when classrooms take trips to Washington, D.C., for example, I planned those. I would curate the trips for the client—in those situa tions, the teacher—based on what they wanted the experience and educational impact to be for their classrooms. This included planning

36 NWM+E | WINTER 2019

CINDY WALLACE, CMP, CMM DIRECTOR OF SALES; Oregon Convention Center; oregoncc.org carried me through the last 10 years is the importance of thanking the teams who work for you and under you on projects. One example was simply writing “please” in BEOs (banquet event orders) at Meydenbauer Center. She emphasized how important it was to say, “Please set this room with 10 rounds of 10 chairs each.” She explained how important it was to the person setting that room to see the word “please” as they read the note. She also taught me to make sure I thanked those same people after they set the room. In the position I’m in now, leading a team of eight to 25 onsite, that’s something I’ve carried with me.

Having started at Portland Spirit in '99, joining MPI in 2001, being on the board by 2002, and then becoming president in 2010 is a clear exam ple of the power of the organization’s impact on my life. It’s actually how I got to the Oregon Convention Center: through my participation in MPI and networking. The people I met saw how I worked in a volunteer capacity, and I got offered positions because of my volunteer work.

COMPLETE THIS SENTENCE: What most people don’t know about me is … that I have dual citizenship with the United States and the United Kingdom. My father is from England, and I’ve been back a few times to visit rela tives and could live there as a citizen if I ever wanted. all of the activities and logistics from airfare and motor coach to the ticketing for events, per diems, and more. Whatever was needed to make their experience a success, I made sure it was planned and coordinated in full detail.

Want to learn more about Cindy Wallace? Read on.

WHAT WOULD THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE BE TITLED? “The Smart Woman’s Guide to a Lifetime of Fun”

How many people do you manage in your current role as director of sales and marketing at the Oregon Convention Center? I recently began managing two additional departments, so altogether 17 reports. I man age OCC’s sales team with two assistants and four sales managers, the marketing depart ment—which is a team of two—and the recep tionists, which includes two full-time staff and seven part-time staff. I lead with clear expectations for the specific role. It’s very important to provide the proper resources for my team. I am very transparent and fairly direct—people know where they stand with me. And while I provide support, I’m not a micromanager in any way. I’m a firm believer in “teach ’em how to do the job; let ’em go do the job.” I’m here to provide the OK and to help if anything needs to be escalated, but I give my team a lot of autonomy because I trust them. They’re very well trained, they’re all very self-motivated, so my leadership style is basically providing clear communication of expectations and providing the resources that are necessary for my team to succeed. When you’re hiring, what are some traits that you look for? I look for self-direction or candidates who are self-motivated, and, if it’s something that they can portray [in an interview], work with integ rity. I look for candidates who exude energy— positive energy—and can display a systematic organizational knowledge.

From there where did you go? I worked as the sales manager and event plan ner for Portland Spirit, which is a service that provides dining and sightseeing cruises in and around Portland. After my time there, I went to The Expo Center, which is a venue man aged by Metro, and transitioned to the Oregon Convention Center (OCC) (also a Metro venue) with Pacific Wild Catering in 2003. In 2005, I moved into venue sales for the conven tion center. In 2012, I left OCC to work for Opus Events Agency as an account executive until 2014. After gaining agency experience at Opus, I came back to the convention center in 2014 as director of sales and marketing. Who mentored you or influenced how you like to lead? I attribute my influences and inspiration to a wide-range of people. I would say my mem Oregon chapter was a huge influence on my career path and my education, with regard to the profession and leadership. The networking through MPI cannot be underscored enough.

COMPLETE THIS SENTENCE: The best things in life are … family, friends, love and food!

NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 37 MORECINDYABOUT

IF YOU COULD MEET ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY? Michelle Obama. She’s inspiring, intelligent and funny. Her strength to endure a world of criticism with unbelievable grace is to be admired. I like how “real” she can be, while still hold ing such command and respect.

38 NWM+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 the U.S. the No. 1 destination for meetings and events. The U.S. stands out as the destination of some of the best brand activations and experiential and corporate events. The U.S. Bureau of Labor predicts that the event industry will grow by 44 percent from 2010 to 2020, exceeding most growth predictions for other industries.Forafull list of winners visit: eventex.co/winners-2018; eventex.co/all-stars/destinations; eventex.co/all-stars. RENOVATIONS 40 PEOPLE NEWS 43 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

NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 41 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 Worthy Brewing | Bend, OR Give your team a craft brewery experience in Bend’s outdoor playground Accommodates all party sizes -5 unique spaces -Private bars, outside seating & stage-Observatory -Dedicated event planner & banquet chef - Brewery tours Worthy prioritizes its hop and ingredient sourcing to always first supply from Salmon Safe hop farms and Central Oregon food purveyors. EARTH FIRST. BEER SECOND. worthybrewing.com Contact Lindsay for help planning your next event events@worthybrewing.com

CENTRECONVENTIONVANCOUVERPHOTOS:

Ecotrust Introduces New Venues Portland’s Ecotrust Events is opening two new event venues and is accepting reservations for 2019. The two spaces are the Irving Street Studio—Pearl District’s former Patagonia store—and The Redd on Salmon Street, a working two-block campus on the central eastside. Redd East, a refurbished metal found ry, offers indoor and outdoor event space, a boardroom, community kitchen for cooking classes and team-building workshops, and a full audio-visual system. ecotrust.org

42 NWM+E | WINTER 2019

NOW OPEN» Thanks a ‘LOT’ The Vancouver Convention Centre (British Columbia) has introduced a new dining option: LOT185 Café + Wine Bar. Adjacent to Jack Poole Plaza with views of Vancouver’s Stanley Park and Coal Harbour, this new space offers a casual dining experience for event attendees and Vancouverites, as well as a unique space option for meeting planners. Inspired by the laid-back atmosphere of European cafés and tapas and wine bars, the menu at LOT185 focuses on sourcing local ingre dients. An in-house bakery serves fresh baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, and other graband-go items during the day, while tapas and Neapolitan-style pizzas are on the dinner menu. Extending over two levels, the space can accommodate 65 people. lot185.com

LOT185

REGIONAL NEWS

PEOPLE NEWS»

• Meeting venues are varied and diverse to meet your needs

• Hold meetings and events at our uncrowded beaches, picturesque parks or historic homes

Corinne Kessel, CSEP, principal with Greenscape Design & Décor in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been named to the International Live Events Association’s International Board of Governors for fiscal year 2018-19.

Motif Seattle, A Destination Hotel, has named Steve Sasso general manager. Sasso has nearly 20 years of management experience. He comes to Motif Seattle from Interstate Hotels and Resorts, where he served as general manager at The London NYC and general manager at Paramount Times Square.

Experience Olympia & Beyond, the official destination marketing organization of Thurston County, was awarded the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) seal along with other destinations at the Destinations International Conference. The accreditation program by Destinations International recognizes the organization’s commitment to industry excellence and its meeting the industry standard for performance and accountability of destination organizations around the world. experienceolympia.com

Take time to coast

CHART THE COURSE

Members come from five U.S. states, Canada and Australia. The role of the board is to govern, establish policy and make strategic decisions about the future of the organization.

NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 43

Seal of Approval

visitoxnard.com Plentiful, convenient, and aﬀordable venues make Oxnard ideal for corporate meetings and events.• Located on the Paciﬁc Coast, northwest of LA just one hour from LAX and Burbank

ACCREDITATION»

NW.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 45 AWARDS» Spaceheads Following its $100 million renovation featuring the world’s first and only revolving glass floor, Seattle’s Space Needle received the “2018 Technical Innovation Award for Excellence” from the World Federation of Great Towers (WFGT), an international association which includes some of the world’s most recognizable structures, such as the Eiffel Tower and Empire State Building. Walls, barriers and floors were removed from the Space Needle and replaced with structural glass, revealing dramatically expanded views and a new, multilevel guest experience. The openair glass panels dip out slightly with no seams between them, leaving nothing but air between visitors and the dramatic Puget Sound view. spaceneedle.com

46 NWM+E | WINTER 2019 SUBMIT YOUR EVENT PHOTOS To have your meeting or event photos featured here, contact the editor at teresa.kenney@tigeroak.com. 8976 31 5 Bravo! On October 17, 2018, Northwest Meetings + Events celebrated its Best of 2018 readers’ choice awards at the world-class King Street Ballroom & Perch. The event included the maga zine’s first inductees to our new Hall of Influencers: Niki McKay, Julie Dodds, Maria Corvallis and Rhonda Pedersen. 1. Ashley Newton, Tiger Oak Media. 2. Bill Reno and Karli Zimmermann, CORT. 3. Jana Heinrichs, CORT. 4. Nicola Alesvizos and Julie Campbell, Butler Seattle. 5. An impromptu dance party broke out among winners and finalists. 6. Teresa Kenney, Northwest Meetings + Events; Kat Uzelle, Real Time Productions; and Julie Dodds, Visit Anchorage. 7. Judi Tsuchida. 8. Kourtney Spurgeon and Althea Conyers Achem, GreenRubino. 9. Brett Robertson, SHWorldwide; Amy Adams, Clearwater Casino Resort; and Jeff Kline, Clearwater Casino Resort. —Photos by Andrew Tat 24 SNAPSHOTS NORTHWEST M+E BEST OF 2018

hen someone outside of the meetings and events industry asks event producer Audrey Fan what she does for a living, she tells them that she’s a butler who works with clients to strategize, orchestrate and complete the task at hand. The tasks at hand she’s completed over her career are mighty impressive. She’s been part of the teams to open the Meydenbauer Center, The Paramount Hotel Seattle and Elliott Grand Hyatt Seattle. She was the first corporate national account director for the Seattle Convention & Visitors Bureau (increasing the market segment by more than 4,000 percent). And she has worked logistics for everything from the national Broadway Tour of Mamma Mia in Hawaii (her home state) to two Super Bowl–bound football teams and numerous association and corporate conferences.Oneof the things Fan says she loves about the meetings and events industry is the ability to see and learn about the world through the eyes of many different cultures, industries and situations. “I love the satisfaction of providing memorable experiences for people through the meeting, conference or event, as well as providing the platform for humanity to connect with one another through these events,” sheThatsays.connection to humanity was front and center while Fan was supporting the recent Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle. “I was in charge of setting up the media center for basketball. The area was overwhelmed. I realized this father had been in the same spot, calmly talking to his son, and after 30 minutes, the young child reached out and hugged him. It is a reminder that we all need to have patience and compassion to overcome any obstacle,” she says. Get Connected AUDREY FAN | audreyrfan@gmail.com

48 NWM+E | WINTER 2019 ZELLMANNTRACIILLUSTRATION: PEOPLE PROFILE AUDREY FAN

COMPASSION AT WORK Logistics pro Audrey Fan never loses sight of the most important detail of a meeting and event: the people. BY TERESA KENNEY

Northwest Meetings + Events Winter 2019

Articles inside

PEOPLE PROFILE

SNAPSHOTS

VENUE REPORT

CVB SPOTLIGHT

TREND REPORT

TASTE

TRIBUTE

REGIONAL NEWS

PEERSPACE

EDITOR’S LETTER