Hotel Polaris, set to open late this year in Colorado Springs, CO, offers 26,000 sf of meeting space on one floor. Courtesy Photo

Beyond the allure of the new venues and spaces, today’s corporate meeting attendees want more than a destination; they seek new experiences unlike any other — a true paradise retreat. Thanks to a wealth of new, renovated and “coming soon” properties, meeting planners have an unparalleled canvas to offer them for their next meeting or event. From urban gems to serene retreats, there’s an array of new options already known for their gracious service and elevated experiences.

Jessica Cole, CMP, vice president of event operations at Impact XM, has over 14 years of hospitality experience in event management and plays a leading role in large-scale client event programs. Impact XM is a global, full-service event and experiential marketing agency with 50 years of creating ownable experiences custom-made for company brands. Impact XM clients operate across a variety of industries, including the healthcare, technology and industrial sectors.

Through her extensive experience, Cole has had the opportunity to plan events at new and renovated venues.

“Our clients love to be in the newest locations to keep their events new and exciting so that attendees want to keep coming back year after year,” Cole says. When it comes to renovated spaces, there are certain highlights that attract attendees to these venues.

Cole looks for new carpet, fresh spaces and clean modern designs at renovated venues. Sometimes, spaces can look “tired” over time, so she tries to ensure they are still in the best shape for the events that Impact XM plans.

“We are always looking for new technology built into the event space, clean modern designs and open floor plans so we can truly push the envelope and get creative with what we bring in for the event,” Cole says.

Take Note

Meeting planners should not book an event too close to the opening dates when evaluating new and renovated spaces.

Cole advises that if you have an existing contract, look at any new clauses the venue may try to add in or review the old contract to make sure the contract and clauses still apply to the renovated space.

“I highly recommend a site inspection once the space opens or re-opens to ensure it’s the quality you expect, and the venue meets all your expectations before your event day,” Cole says.

New and renovated venues are just that — “new,” meaning that some challenges may arise when orchestrating an event.

Cole always asks for the venue’s opening dates and tends to avoid the first few months after opening. Time and time again, she has seen too many construction delays and doesn’t want to get caught in that situation.

“Once the new venue opens, staff tend not to be as familiar yet with the space and rules. It’s nice to give the venue a little time to open and work out any kinks before we are in the space,” Cole says. “In addition, we are seeing some new venues are not even offering proposals until after they open. I believe they are doing this to ensure the sales team is up to speed with the new venue and everything is in place to be successful.”

Venues across the country are being newly built and/or renovated to meet the evolving needs and trends of the corporate meeting and event industry.

Recently, Station Casinos opened the Durango Casino & Resort in Southwest Las Vegas. The state-of-the-art resort boasts an 83,000 sf casino, more than 200 guestrooms and suites, convention and meeting spaces, a luxurious pool with private cabanas, outdoor social areas and free parking.

“Having placed multiple programs throughout the years at varying Station Casinos Hotels & Resorts, I have been eagerly awaiting a boutique, luxury option for my corporate clients who seek a more elevated experience during their meeting,” says Michael Uhl, regional vice president at HelmsBriscoe.

“For my upcoming corporate retreat taking place in Q2 of 2024, Durango Resort & Casino was the best fit. A perfect environment for a group of 75 executives to take ownership of innovative function space, unparalleled food and beverage options both inside the meeting space and on the resort grounds, and a level of exclusiveness only attainable at a smaller, high-end resort. The destination has needed a property like Durango for quite some time.”

Durango offers over 25,000 sf of indoor/ outdoor meeting and event space featuring more than 15,000 sf of ballroom space, a pre-function foyer, breakout rooms and a boardroom equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

The Pendry Newport Beach in California is a stylish urban resort that celebrated a grand opening last fall. Courtesy Photo

Newport Beach, CA, is now home to The Pendry Newport Beach, a stylish urban resort in Orange County. Boasting sweeping ocean views, Pendry Newport Beach reflects the area’s Southern California lifestyle.

“Our company held our year-end PacWest Executive Leadership meeting at the Pendry Newport Beach,” says Terence Cruz, executive assistant and senior analyst at Ally. “There were 30+ executives from all over the US in attendance. The Pendry was gorgeous and breathtaking. As soon as you enter the hotel, you feel the luxurious ambiance. Facilities that include the bar and lobby were nicely updated with modern and contemporary touches. The menu had a great variety and the food was delicious. Sevice was superb and on point. No complaints, just praises.”

For events on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the new Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor features a new 60,000 sf event space. The event space includes innovative breakout areas, various indoor and outdoor spaces and beautiful waterfront views of Charlotte Harbor.

And when it’s time to relax and unwind, the Sunseeker Resort offers championship golf, private charter sailboats, a rooftop lounge and pool oasis, an ultra-lux resort style pool, a fitness center and a spa.

If Texas calls for the next corporate event being planned, look no further than the brand new Omni PGA Frisco Resort in Frisco, TX. The recently completed resort features two stunning ballrooms boasting nearly 34,000 sf of event space, an indoor/outdoor pavilion, and 19 meeting rooms ideal for smaller-scale gatherings.

The resort features nine outdoor venues that offer an array of scenic backdrops. All total, Omni PGA Frisco Resort offers 127,000 sf of event space, as well as 10 private ranch houses for smaller gatherings.

The Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority recently decided to hold their upcoming Preview Las Vegas event at the new Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

“The Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority is thrilled to join forces with Fontainebleau Las Vegas as our host for this year’s Preview Las Vegas, the region’s premier business forecasting event,” says Las Vegas Chamber President and CEO Mary Beth Sewald. “With more than 1,500 attendees, Fontainebleau Las Vegas is the perfect venue with its all-new state-of-the-art meeting and convention space, providing our event with a diverse and flexible space for all attendees to experience.”

Fontainebleau Las Vegas’s meeting space is in its campus-like area, allowing attendees to keep their business and entertainment experiences separate when staying at the resort. For meetings and events, Fontainebleau features 550,000 sf of customizable indoor and outdoor meeting and convention space throughout the resort, including ballrooms, boardrooms, theatre-style spaces and breakout rooms.

For attendees looking to work some and dine, relax and play some more, they will enjoy the new 150,000 sf gaming venue, as well as many restaurants, shops, pools, spa and fitness center.

Evermore Orlando Resort in Orlando, FL, features luxury resort accommodations from beach villas to 11-bedroom houses, as well as stunning hotel options. And when it comes to the meeting spaces themselves, Evermore offers something for every type of corporate gathering. Many of the spaces at the Evermore offer a more intimate feel for meetings and each event space exudes a different aesthetic that celebrates the beautiful environment of the resort.

The recently completed Omni PGA Frisco boasts 127,000 sf of event space. Photo by Werner Segarra

Renovated Venues

Harrah’s Las Vegas unveiled a $200 million renovation that will bring meetings and events held at this revered venue to a new level. In addition to redesigning more than 2,500 guest rooms, Harrah’s features new dining, entertainment and spa experiences and direct access to CAESARS FORUM Conference Center, which features the two largest pillarless ballrooms in the world.

Harrah’s Las Vegas features more than 25,000 sf of meeting and convention space. When it comes time for relaxation and entertainment, meeting attendees can enjoy multiple on-site restaurants and a wide variety of entertainment options, including Harrah’s outdoor bar, Carnaval Court, which brings high energy to the Las Vegas Strip with live music and some of the world’s top flair bartenders.

For planners looking for a mountain escape for attendees, the newly renovated Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA, is nestled in the Allegheny Mountains. It has expanded its preeminent meeting and event spaces as part of its property-wide renovation. While staying true to the resort’s historic presence, the new renovations include a 4,000-sf indoor and outdoor event pavilion that pays tribute to the resort’s classic architecture, while offering breathtaking mountain views.

Omni also updated the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia in Scottsdale, AZ, by redesigning over 100,000 sf of the resort’s indoor and outdoor event spaces, resulting in an ideal pre-function space. From new wall coverings to new carpeting, to new furniture, the newly renovated spaces usher attendees in and make them feel welcome amidst stunning views of the surrounding Arizona landscapes.

Coming Soon

There are several venues that are currently under construction or renovation that will be opening this year. The new Pier Sixty-Six Resort in Fort Lauderdale will be opening in late 2024. The upscale resort amenities will provide attendees with many entertainment options — from large conferences to small meetings, various ballrooms and outdoor lawn space.

Universal Stella Nova Resort in Orlando and the Universal Terra Luna Resort will open next year. The two hotels near Universal Epic Universe will feature 750 guest rooms each, and both will be located adjacent to the future site of the new Universal Epic Universe theme park, also opening in late 2025.

Set to open in late 2024, Hotel Polaris in Colorado Springs, CO, will offer 26,000 sf of meeting spaces, and many unique entertainment options for attendees to explore. Thanks to being on the Air Force Academy campus, Hotel Polaris will include two in-house flight simulations, providing attendees with an experience that they will talk about long after the corporate event has concluded.

Hard Rock Hotel Long Beach, the first new build in 30 years in Southern California, will open in mid-2027. Standing 31 stories high and featuring a rooftop bar with 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean, Hard Rock Hotel Long Beach will comprise more than 400 bedrooms and be located a block from the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center.

With direct access to the Georgia World Congress Center, Signia by Hilton Atlanta will boast six food and beverage experiences and 100,000 sf of flexible meeting space.The venue will also include the largest hotel ballroom in Georgia, as well as outdoor event deck that will allow attendees to enjoy downtown Atlanta’s skyline. As more and more events are being held outdoors when possible, Hilton Atlanta’s outdoor event lawn will also offer a unique venue for corporate gatherings.

Two trends continuing to shape the hospitality industry are a growing focus on sustainability and concepts that blend the ultimate fusion of business and leisure — bleisure. Unique settings allow meeting and event planners to design fabulous events with indoor and outdoor spaces and allow attendees to embrace an elevated and yet relaxed experience unlike any other. C&IT