Discussing the Importance of Different Perspectives A COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION JULY 2021 VOL. 14 NO. 4 $13.00 DEI TAKES CENTER STAGE RETHINKING SUSTAINABILITY VIRTUAL TEAMBUILDING MAKING SENSE OF SURVEY DATA CONTRACTS DURING COVID-19 ATLANTIC CITY UPDATE New Louisville Tourism President and CEO Cleo Battle, right, with former president and CEO Karen Williams and former Louisville Tourism board chair Donald Lassere. Battle is proud of Louisville Tourism’s diversity initiatives.DEPARTMENTS DESTINATIONS FEATURES 38 44 22 10 VIEWPOINT ONE-ON-ONE 10 Moving Forward Talking Pandemic Recovery With Michael Massari COMPILED BY RACHEL GALVIN 14 What Will the Post-Pandemic Leader Look Like? BY EDWARD D. HESS 12 Bring the Experience Directly to the Customer Custom Experiential Marketing Environments Fill a Trade Show Gap and Give Vendors An Exciting New Platform to Engage Customers When Exhibiting Returns BY MARK D. STEELE 16 DEI Takes Center Stage Discussing the Importance of Different Perspectives BY NANCY MUELLER 22 Rethinking Sustainability Green Practices Will Shape the Future of Meetings BY NANCY MUELLER 28 Virtual Teamwork Team Building Can Work, Even in Online Meetings BY CHRISTINE LOOMIS 32 Number Crunching Survey Data Helps You Understand Your Audience BY MAURA KELLER 38 Contracts During COVID-19 Negotiation Tactics in Flux As the Pandemic Wanes BY CHRISTINE LOOMIS 4 Publisher’s Message 6 News & Notes 50 Career Track 44 Atlantic City A Great Deal for Meeting and Conference Attendees BY KEITH LORIA ISSN 21628831 | USPS 003500 | A COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION | JULY 2021 | VOLUME 14 | NUMBER 4 JULY 2021 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES 3 ISSUECONTENTSA COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Harvey Grotsky harvey.grotsky @ themeetingmagazines.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kristin Bjornsen kristin.bjornsen @ themeetingmagazines.com MANAGING EDITOR Henry Fitzgerald henry.fitzgerald @ themeetingmagazines.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Rachel Galvin rachel.galvin @ themeetingmagazines.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Sophia Bennett Sara Churchville Cynthia Dial Maura Keller Christine Loomis Nancy Mueller Derek Reveron Patrick Simms David Swanson PRESIDENT & CEO Harvey Grotsky VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS David Middlebrook david.middlebrook @ themeetingmagazines.com ADVERTISING SALES OFFICES 2700 N. 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Provide old and new addresses including zip code. Enclose address label from most recent issue and please allow five weeks for the change to become effective. Printed in U.S.A. ©2021 Harvey Grotsky Publisher linkedin.com/company/ ACFacilities @ACFacilities @ACFacilities facebook.com/ ACFacilities linkedin.com/company/ ACFacilities @ACFacilities @ACFacilities facebook.com/ ACFacilities FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJULY 2021 PUBLISHER’SMESSAGE 4 The Return to Face-to-Face Meetings I f you didn’t attend the recent Meeting Professionals International WEC 2021 event at CAESARS FORUM in Las Vegas, you missed a great educational and networking opportunity. With nearly 2,000 total attendees, the event was orchestrated with the utmost health-care concerns, which included attendees having their temperature checked every morning upon entering the facility. The upbeat atmosphere reflected the excite- ment of attendees to have the face-to-face meeting opportunity. It appears that we are on the brink of much hope and excitement in the meet- ings industry, as the pandemic recovery is well on its way to being a past hardship. Every day, I get reports that more major events are happening across the country. With booking activity returning to nor- mal, reports are also coming in that inter- national destinations are beginning to lift travel restrictions. Our cover story this month is a worth- while read. Research shows that associa- tions that invest in DEI outperform orga- nizations that do not. It has often been said that diversity, equity and inclusion provides an opportunity for unique perspec- tives and experiences. Beyond diversity definitions, Roger Dow, president & CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, notes the link between diversity and the meetings industry. He says “Our industry stands for hospitality, which means embracing people from every walk of life and from every background. We have a real oppor- tunity for ourselves and others to walk the talk when it comes to compassion.” He’s right. Moving forward, we need to make the effort to be more intentional in implementing and expanding diversity. That’s the Royale Treatment. Stay in newly redesigned suites. Meet with space to spread out. eet at the newly reimagined Caribe Royale Orlando and welcome guests to an all- suite hotel where they can spread out in style. Treat them to redesigned guest suites with space to spare, plus the perks of a property with multiple towers spanning 60 acres. All this along with incredible service, meeting space on one continuous level and a new ballroom that’s now open, so we’re ready to sweep guests off their feet whenever you are. M CARIBEROYALE.COM Square Feet of Meeting Space on One Continuous Level Square-Foot Brand-New Ballroom Now Open Acres of Serene Tropical Property 60 220,000 50,000 F A S T FA C T SThat’s the Royale Treatment. Stay in newly redesigned suites. Meet with space to spread out. eet at the newly reimagined Caribe Royale Orlando and welcome guests to an all- suite hotel where they can spread out in style. Treat them to redesigned guest suites with space to spare, plus the perks of a property with multiple towers spanning 60 acres. All this along with incredible service, meeting space on one continuous level and a new ballroom that’s now open, so we’re ready to sweep guests off their feet whenever you are. M CARIBEROYALE.COM Square Feet of Meeting Space on One Continuous Level Square-Foot Brand-New Ballroom Now Open Acres of Serene Tropical Property 60 220,000 50,000 F A S T FA C T Sthemeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJULY 2021 LAS VEGAS, NV — Follow- ing a completed investment of more than $200 million, Harrah’s Las Vegas now fea- tures 2,542 redesigned guest rooms, a complete casino floor remodel and two new LED marquees at the north and south entrances. Guests can also enjoy a variety of hotel, dining and entertain- ment offerings, including The Spa at Harrah’s Las Vegas, PizzaCake by Buddy Valas- tro and Donny Osmond’s first-ever solo residency. Additionally, the center-Strip resort provides convenient, direct access to the CAESARS FORUM conference center. “As a flagship loca- tion of the iconic gaming and hospitality brand, revamping Harrah’s Las Vegas not only enhances the guest experience, but also further reflects the fun and energy that makes Las Vegas such a unique travel destination,” says Dan Walsh, senior vice president and general manager of Harrah’s Las Vegas. “We look forward to seeing our guests enjoy all that Harrah’s Las Vegas offers, especially this summer.” Following the first two reno- vation phases of 1,622 Valley Tower rooms in 2016 and 2018, Harrah’s Las Vegas completed the redesign of all 2,542 rooms and suites in 2020, including the Mountain Tower with an additional investment of $70 million. Guests can also enjoy stunning views of the city or the High Roller Obser- vation Wheel in select rooms. Harrah’s Las Vegas has also enhanced the guest experi- ence with an elegant casino floor featuring upgraded lighting, floor and ceiling tiling, carpeting and modern restrooms. The CAESARS FORUM Sky- bridge conveniently connects Harrah’s Las Vegas to the 550,000-sf conference center, which offers the two largest pillar- less ballrooms in the world. Harrah’s Las Vegas Unveils a $200M Renovation, Including Enhanced Accommodations and More LAS VEGAS, NV — After revolutionizing the Las Vegas hospi- tality experience decades ago, Hilton is building on its storied legacy by almost doubling its presence in the sought-after global destination over the past three years. The company is slated to have more than 30 hotels and more than 11,000 rooms across 12 brands in the market by the end of 2021. On the heels of the debuts of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Curio Collection by Hilton and the Resorts World Las Vegas complex, Hilton has committed to continue its expansion in the market with a pipeline of seven hotels and nearly 4,000 rooms across five brands, which will increase its footprint by more than 50% by 2023. Hilton Doubles Down on Las Vegas Growth With Return to the Strip ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) recently released the findings from its 20th COVID-19 poll assessing how GBTA members are managing the return to business travel, post pandemic. Forty percent of respondents say their company’s plan to resume non-essential domestic business travel has “already happened” in the country where they are based — compared with 34% allowing “some” domes- tic travel. An additional 33% say their company has finalized a date (8%), or is working to finalize a date (25%), to resume domestic business travel. For more poll results, visit gbta.org. WASHINGTON, D.C. — Despite an uptick in leisure travel, a new report released by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) shows that the road to recovery for the hotel industry is long, with 21 of the top 25 U.S. hotel markets remaining in a depression or recession. The new data shows urban hotels are still in a “depression” cycle while the overall U.S. hotel indus- try remains in a “recession.” Urban markets, which rely heavily on business from events and group meetings, continue to face a severe financial crisis as they have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. To see the full report, visit ahla.com. Companies Make Summer Plans to Resume Domestic Business Travel Report: 21 of Top 25 U.S. Hotel Markets in Depression or Recession 6 NEWS&NOTES The casino floor of the newly opened Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.JULY 2021 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES LAS VEGAS, NV — MGM Resorts International, a global leader in the battle against climate change, has launched its 100-megawatt solar array, the hospitality industry’s largest, directly sourced renewable electricity project worldwide. The array’s clean energy now pro- duces up to 90% of MGM Resorts’ Las Vegas daytime power needs, spanning 65 million sf of buildings across 13 properties and more than 36,000 rooms on the Las Vegas Strip, including Bellagio, ARIA, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand and The Mirage, among others. The launch marks a milestone in MGM Resorts’ long-term climate strategy and significantly accelerates progress toward its 2025 goal to reduce the company’s emissions by 45% per square foot. Located in the desert north of Las Vegas, MGM Resorts’ Mega Solar Array features 323,000 panels arranged across 640 acres. The array’s renewable electricity pro- duction will be equivalent to the amount of power used by approximately 27,000 average U.S. homes annually. MGM Resorts Launches Solar Array That Delivers Daytime Power HONOLULU, HI — Hawaii has launched a vaccination exception program for domestic, Hawaii-bound travelers vaccinated in the United States or U.S. territories. The program allows these trav- elers to bypass the state’s quarantine requirement with proof of vaccination. Travelers vaccinated in the U.S. or U.S. territories may participate in the exception program starting on the 15th day after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or starting the 15th day after they’ve received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Hawaii-bound travelers should upload to their Safe Travels Hawaii account prior to traveling to Hawaii: a CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, VAMS printout, or a DOD DD Form 2766C. Travelers must sign the online legal attestations on Safe Travels Hawaii confirming the uploaded documentation is true and accurate. They must also bring a hard copy of their vaccination documentation to show screeners at the gate prior to boarding and/or upon arrival. PHOENIX, AZ — The Phoenix Convention Center, along with Visit Phoenix and downtown hotel partners, welcomed the first convention since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The convention group, American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), hosted nearly 1,000 attendees during its recent 2021 Annual Conference. While temporarily closed, the Phoenix Con- vention Center implemented new health and safety measures, which include enhanced cleaning, contactless transactions and joined some of the largest and most successful facilities in the United States by becoming the first public venue in Arizona to receive GBAC STAR accreditation. Despite the 2020 shutdown, the collective downtown partners booked 72+ conventions and a record number of delegates to Phoenix in future meeting years. These bookings represent more than $90 million esti- mated direct spend generated by delegates. Hawaii Launches Vaccination Exception Program for Travelers Phoenix Convention Center Welcomes the Return of Conventions 7 From left to right, U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen; MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle; U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto; and Board Chair for the Energy Foundation, Rose McKinney-James. Aerial View of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Kaunaoa Bay. ISLAND OF HAWAII VISITORS BUREAU (IHVB) / TYLER SCHMITTWELCOME BACK! IT’S TIME TO GET BACK TO DOING WHAT WE DO BEST themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJULY 20218 NEWS&NOTES NEW ORLEANS, LA — Readers of New Orleans CityBusiness, a weekly busi- ness newspaper, have named the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Cen- ter (NOENMCC) as the top winner of the Best Event & Meeting Facility category of the 2021 Reader Ranking Awards. This marks the second top award won in the Reader Rankings by the NOENMCC, and the fifth consecutive time that the facility was a top placing entity in the Event and Meeting Facility category. In 2021, nearly 6,000 business professionals cast their vote. “We are ecstatic that our efforts to help rebuild the New Orleans tourism indus- try have been recognized by thousands of business professionals,” says Michael J. Sawaya, convention center president. “Our ever-growing trophy case proves that we are one of the premiere event facilities in the city, state and country, and we have our exceptional staff to thank for their diligent work in ensuring our con- vention center remains at the forefront of the meetings and convention industry.” The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Conven- tion Center was named a National Top Workplace for 2021, as well as one of New Orleans’ Best Places to Work, and four members of the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhi- bition Hall Authority were named to the 2021 City- Business tourism industry Power 25, highlighting them as some of the most influential people in the local tourism industry. New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Wins Best Event Venue LOS ANGELES, CA — Group business is back in the City of Angeles, as Los Angeles is now fully reopen for meet- ings and events. The milestone arrives as Los Angeles County aligns with the State of California in adopting new safety protocols that ease mask mandates and lift both capacity limits and physical distancing requirements. Under the new protocols, L.A. is now able to welcome groups of any size to the destination. Presently, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will be required for indoor events with more than 5,000 attendees, and the same restrictions are recommended for outdoor events with more than 10,000 attendees. L.A. has been able to rebook and retain most of the groups that could not meet in 2020 and 2021. As business returns, the focus on clients and client health will continue. Los Angeles Now Fully Reopen for Meetings and Events NATIONAL HARBOR, MD — Following an expansive $64 million guest room renovation, Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center is welcoming guests to the Potomac River waterfront at National Har- bor. Just minutes away from Downtown D.C., all of Gaylord National Resort’s 1,996 guest rooms and suites have been fully renovated. From the resort’s newly renovated Presidential Suite to its iconic 16,000-sf Riverview Ballroom, Gaylord National delivers breathtaking, flexible indoor and outdoor venues for gatherings both large and small. With more than 600,000 sf of meeting and exhibit space, the resort is the largest non-gaming resort on the East Coast. Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center Completes $64 Million RenovationWELCOME BACK! IT’S TIME TO GET BACK TO DOING WHAT WE DO BESTNext >