< Previousprogram for all of our meeting and event spaces. Also, in our renovated meeting space, we have installed 86-inch flat screen monitors with an integrated A/V presentation technology that is virtually contactless with individual presentations coming directly from a laptop or mobile phone.” He adds: “We kind of hope there is not another crisis for a while. But “From the onset of COVID- 19, we have consistently followed CDC guidelines and taken additional steps to keep our guests and employees safe. We will continue to monitor and stay ahead as we have in the past.” The property provides planners with numerous guest room possibilities as well, such as 414 guest rooms and luxu- rious suites featuring upscale amenities in comfortable surroundings in the hotel. Most come with private balconies and each includes complimentary Wi-Fi and flat-screen televisions. In addition, more than 250 condos ranging from one to four bedrooms, 11 private rustic cottages and 16 chalets are available with com- plimentary parking and shuttle service offered. For fine dining, Helen’s Restau- rant showcases fresh, local ingredients, while the Slopeside Restaurant features stunning slope views and all-American food fare in a family friendly atmosphere. For casual ambience, guests can select from among four bistro-like settings at Bavarian Lounge, Grille at Sporting Clays, Mountain Pizza and Mountain Perk. Meeting attendees will find no shortage of resort activities for fun entertainment during their stay, from the high-flying Adventure Center, Laurel Ridgeline Can- opy Experience and Screaming Hawk Zipline to Sporting Clays, playing golf, or opting for a more tranquil and serene surrender at the Trillium Spa. “We continue to press forward with re-investment in the resort to enhance the guest experience, including a brand new quad chairlift on our Avalanche slope, which will debut this winter season,” Taggart says. “Winter meet- ings have been growing [prior to the pandemic] as our group guests enjoy the picturesque winter setting full of unique mountain experiences they won’t find elsewhere.” THE RITZ-CARLTON, DOVE MOUNTAIN When Michael Burke, CMP, direc- tor, conference & travel services for The Hanover Insurance Group, considers a site for his company’s meetings, like most planners, he has specific require- ments in mind. “Our President’s Club program recognizes the achievements of our very best partner agents,” he says. “As such, we like to select properties that will make our agents and their guests feel special and will offer a unique experi- ence.” The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, Burke says, “does just that.” He adds, “We also like more intimate properties where we are the primary group and our guests are able to interact with each other.” Here, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain delivers yet again. As far as the location itself, Burke thinks the property “appeals to those who are looking for a sense of adventure, as well as those who may be seeking a more relaxed environment. Culturally, the history of the area is embraced and shared in a way that enhances a stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain.” Burke describes the Tucson area and The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Moun- tain as “authentic” Arizona. Why? “The landscape is spectacular. The architecture blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The sunsets are magical and create an amaz- ing feeling of peace and solitude,” he says. Two of Burke’s groups have been hosted at the property, and “With both groups, we utilized all resort ameni- ties, including restaurants, spa, golf, pools, outdoor venues and the major- ity of the resort’s first-class meeting space,” he adds. Set in Marana, near Tucson, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain neverthe- less feels worlds away, a luxury resort in a secluded location nestled in the Tor- tolita Mountains. Understated, casual elegance defines the guest room decor, complete with comfortable furnishings reflecting the beauty of the surrounding desert landscape. The property includes more than 44,000 sf of flexible indoor/ outdoor meeting space with several unique scenic locations. Between the 17,000-sf spa and fitness center, world- class, 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf course, more than 20 miles of hik- ing and biking trails, and three swim- ming pools, it’s easy for guests to find ways to relax, unwind, and re-energize. Michael Aylmer, director of sales & marketing, recognizes that The Ritz- Carlton brand, “as well as our seven-year standing as a Forbes Five-Star property,” together with “the enhanced safety and cleanliness measures we established last year with Marriott’s Commitment to Clean program,” gives guests “tre- mendous confidence” when it comes to choosing a meeting destination. This past year, Aylmer says, “we’ve focused themeetingmagazines.com 20 OCTOBER 2021 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT Learn more at VisitCOS.com/meet Welcome to Colorado Springs, where our wide-open spaces and stunning natural scenery are the inspirational backdrop to your next meeting. Hold a spectacular event at The Broadmoor’s new 125,000 sq. ft. Bartolin Hall. You’ll enjoy higher attendance, and attendees will enjoy riding the reimagined Broadmoor Pikes Peak and Manitou Cog Railway to the new Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center at 14,115’ elevation. Let us help you create a successful and memorable attendee experience. Here you’ll find room to inspire, innovate, connect and re-energize. INSPIRE ROOM TO Michael Burke, CMP Director, Conference & Travel Services The Hanover Insurance Group We like to select properties that will make our agents and their guests feel special and will offer a unique experience. The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain offers a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf course and 44,000 sf of indoor/outdoor space.Learn more at VisitCOS.com/meet Welcome to Colorado Springs, where our wide-open spaces and stunning natural scenery are the inspirational backdrop to your next meeting. Hold a spectacular event at The Broadmoor’s new 125,000 sq. ft. Bartolin Hall. You’ll enjoy higher attendance, and attendees will enjoy riding the reimagined Broadmoor Pikes Peak and Manitou Cog Railway to the new Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center at 14,115’ elevation. Let us help you create a successful and memorable attendee experience. Here you’ll find room to inspire, innovate, connect and re-energize. INSPIRE ROOM TOon our core values of ser- vice and experience,” noting that “While we have always emphasized our desert des- tination, we’ve found oppor- tunities to enhance and expand programming that addresses what guests cur- rently seek — such as more outdoor and family activities, flexible options for meetings and social occasions, and an increased use of digital plat- forms for communication.” Food and dining takes center stage at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, whether enjoying a break- fast at Core Kitchen & Wine Bar, where guests are invited to pick their own citrus from the site’s 42-tree orchard; Latin food fare at Turquesa Latin Grill; live music and pub food at Ignite; craft beers at Cayton’s Burger Bistro; or a quick coffee, tea or smoothie at TOIGO. “A noteworthy surprise to come out of this year has been our food and bev- erage team’s refocus on incorporat- ing hyper-local ingredients into our menus,” Aylmer says. “The hotel now grows all herbs on-site and forages cactus fruit and prickly pear from the surrounding desert. And while fruit has always been gathered from our on- site orchard, now we also harvest the flowers for citrus blossom oil. Both our restaurant and banquet menus have been elevated with ingre- dients from local farms and nearby artisan businesses.” He adds, “We understand our guest have lofty expecta- tions, and when they chose to stay with us, they expect the very best experience. Our ladies and gentlemen delight in exceeding their every expectation every day.” MOHONK MOUNTAIN HOUSE The 2020-2021 global pandemic isn’t the first time Mohonk Mountain House has endured such adversity, says Barbara Stirewalt, vice president and general man- ager. “Mohonk Mountain House survived the Spanish Flu in 1918 at a time when the epidemic was at its worst in New York City and came out even stronger. I think this is a true testament to Mohonk’s adaptability and strength.” Located 90 miles north of New York City, the award-winning Hudson Val- ley National Historic Landmark resort covers 40,000 acres of pristine forested wilderness. For planners seeking an inti- mate site for both relaxation and explo- ration, from wellness to adventure, culi- nary distinction or a rich historic setting, Mohonk Mountain House offers an ideal destination getaway. A variety of guest accommodations include Grove Lodge, with six 700-sf guest rooms — four with two queen beds, two with one king bed — and one Great Room. Private stone patios, stone fire- places and expansive 180-sf tile bathrooms offer the ulti- mate in luxury. Victorian and Tower rooms include wood- burning fireplaces, while most suites also feature pri- vate balconies, as do the Vic- torian rooms. Special room enhancements, such as fresh flowers and sweet treats, are also available. The main dining room overlooks pan- oramic views of the Catskill Mountains and spotlights original 1893 woodwork. For breakfast to go, Lakeview Breakfast provides a conti- nental menu that includes eggs, bacon and potatoes, which guests can enjoy “al fresco” over- looking Lake Mohonk on the Lake Porch or Parlor Porch. Wind down the day with signature handcrafted cocktails in a warm, intimate ambience at The Car- riage Lounge, or opt outside at Spirits on the Sunset on the Sunset Porch. For casual outdoor dining, The Granary fea- tures tasty picnic food fare on wooden picnic tables with checkered tablecloths, while The Old-Fashioned Soda Fountain is the perfect spot for a morning latte or espresso, or late-night snack. “We’re looking forward to bringing back Mohonk’s Victorian Holidays this holiday season after an extremely suc- cessful inaugural year in 2020,” Stirewalt says. “The holidays are always a magical time at the Mountain House, and we’re excited to bring families together to cel- ebrate. Next year, we hope to build on Mohonk’s vast calendar of events with new programs, activities and partnerships that we hope our guests will love.” While understanding that moving forward for the foreseeable future means that meeting planners most likely will keep groups small, Stire- walt notes: “We have a vast array of programming avail- able for meetings groups and look forward to hosting these groups, and giving them a chance to reconnect and themeetingmagazines.com 22 OCTOBER 2021 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT Mohonk Mountain House, 90 miles north of New York City, offers a 7,200-sf dining room. The Hythe, Luxury Collection Hotel, Vail is in the final phase of a $40 million renovation, which will debut four new food and beverage concepts.build stronger teams. We have staff dedi- cated to meetings coordination, so any leisure and business travelers interested in booking meetings at Mohonk can rest assured that our team won’t miss a single detail for their meetings and team-build- ing activities,” such as “ropes courses to tricycle polo, to scavenger hunts.” THE HYTHE, LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, VAIL Beautiful The Hythe Vail (formerly Vail Marriott Mountain Resort) in Vail Village and nearby Lionshead Village sets the tone for relaxed sophistication in a natural setting, attracting guests who seek outdoor adventures, rest and relaxation, or state-of-the-art event and meeting spaces. While many consider Vail a premier winter sports destination, Sean McAdams, director of sales, notes: “You don’t need to be a skier, snow- boarder, mountain biker or passionate hiker to enjoy Vail. Spending time in the mountains is healing for your soul, regardless of how you spend your day. Whether it’s a quiet walk listening to the gentle flow of our gold medal trout stream, Gore Creek, or a day spent shop- ping at our world-class boutiques with friends, there are amazing options for all of our guests, whatever their passion.” The property features more than 28,000 sf of space in 20 flexible breakout rooms and 13 event spaces. Stylish hotel guest rooms offer spectacular views of the mountain landscape while spacious suites provide full kitchenettes and pri- vate stone fireplaces. Dining services include American and French food fare at Tavern on the Square with sig- nature dishes, such as Buffalo Meatloaf, Grilled Elk Lettuce Wraps and Lobster Mac & Cheese; Garfinkel’s for pub food, such as burg- ers and sandwiches; and Cucina Rustica, located inside the hotel, featuring hearty American traditions. Endless outdoor recre- ational activities await guests year-round, providing plenty of opportunities for inspired meeting breaks. Located just 150 yards from the Eagle Bahn Gondola, skiers of all levels have easy access to the top of the moun- tain. Other popular resort activities include fly-fishing, hiking and biking, and swimming in the outdoor heated pool. Indoor amenities feature the Well & Being Spa, offering a full menu of beauty and wellness treatments, and state-of- the-art fitness center complete with cardiovascular equipment, free weights, stationary bikes and FitnessOnDemand. With the completion of the final phase of a $40 million renovation, the resort will mark its highly anticipated debut as The Hythe, Luxury Collection Hotel, Vail this winter. Joining Mar- riott International’s luxury brands, the resort’s reinvention will offer a Euro- pean-Swiss inspired mountain refuge in soothing alpine splendor. Four new food and beverage concepts, an elevated welcoming arrival and lobby experience, and exclusive mountain excursions, are all set to permeate the property in year- round celebration and adventure. COLORADO SPRINGS One destination that offers top- notch mountain venues and activities is Colorado Springs, Colorado. The second-largest city in Colorado — which in 2021 celebrated the 150-year anniversary of its founding — has a population of 478,221, and as many as 738,939 in the metro area. There are 14,500 lodging rooms in the Pikes Peak Region as well as 450,000+ sf of meeting space. Annual visitors reach 24 million, and they can find lodging at popular hotels and resorts such as The Cliff House at Pikes Peak, Glen Erie Castle and Cheyenne Mountain Colorado Springs, A Dolce Resort. Popular larger convention venues include The Broadmoor, which offers 315,000+ sf of meeting space; the aforementioned Cheyenne Mountain Colorado Springs, which offers 40,000 sf; DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Colorado Springs, which offers 31,000+ sf of total event space; and Colorado Springs Marriott, which offers 24,000 sf. Attractions in the area consistently win Top-10 accolades, such as #5 Best Hotel Pool, #6 Best Romantic Hotel and #10 Best Historic Hotel for The Broadmoor from USA Today’s 2021 10Best. Other venues and attractions placing in the USA Today’s 2021 10Best include #2 Best New Museum, for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum; #4 Best Zoo, for Cheyenne Mountain Zoo; and #3 Best Wildlife Safari Park, for the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center. Other attractions include the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, Pikes Peak — America’s Mountain, Garden of the Gods Park, Seven Falls and Cave of the Winds. The region also offers whitewater raft- ing and fishing on the Arkansas River, biking, hiking and horseback riding through Garden of the Gods Park. I & FMM INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | OCTOBER 2021themeetingmagazines.com 23 Sean McAdams Director of Sales The Hythe, Luxury Collection Hotel, Vail Spending time in the mountains is healing for your soul, regardless of how you spend your day. The Broadmoor, which won #5 Best Hotel Pool, #6 Best Romantic Hotel and #10 Best Historic Hotel from USA Today’s 2021 10Best awards, offers 315,000+ sf of meeting space.A mericans are more stressed than ever. As a result, according to the American Institute of Stress, 48% of Americans surveyed say stress has a negative impact on their personal and professional life. In addition, 77% of people regularly experience physical symptoms caused by stress. In fact, a steady diet of stress is responsible for the majority of illnesses, and has been linked to such life-threatening condi- tions as heart disease, cancer, stroke and immune-system disorders. Emotional problems, such as depression, anxiety and insomnia are often traced back to stress. Unfortu- nately, the meetings and events plan- ning industry is considered by many to be a very stressful industry, as profes- sional planners must deal with a mul- titude of details and deadlines that are frequently in flux. But stress can impede a planner’s ability to do their job effec- tively. And in the meetings industry, job effectiveness and customer satisfaction are paramount to a planner’s success. “What we do is innately stressful — and I don’t think anyone in our industry would be surprised that our career path consistently earns us a ranking among the most stressful jobs,” says Heather Herrig, CMP, president and chief event strategist at Every Last Detail Events. “The pressure’s on to get it right, and the buck stops with you if it isn’t.” Everything meeting and event planners do could be considered a key stress-producing area: Planners are always on deadline, they’re trying to please multiple stakeholders at once; and they’re trying to make it all come in at or under budget. “And at the end of the day, so much falls outside of our con- trol, yet we keep pushing on,” Herrig says. “That’s pretty stressful. But being aware of these stressors, in addition to our reactions, is key to maintaining our sense of well-being — including both mental and physical health.” Herrig admits that being an event professional was stressful before, but in Q1 of 2020, the stress multiplied expo- nentially, thanks to the global pandemic that gripped the world. “First and fore- most, we take duty of care seriously, and work toward creating safe and healthy spaces for gatherings and meetings. So when COVID-19 first came on the radar as a threat to our meetings and events [and, of course, those potentially in attendance], we had to re-evaluate everything about how we planned and executed events,” Herrig says. This planning evolution has only intensified over the past 18 months, so planners today are constantly reading and learning all they can, which, while necessary, is extraordinarily overwhelming. Planners are also continuously faced with the threat of canceled events, lost income and job loss. “The recent COVID variants [like Delta] have shown us, unfortunately, that we still need to be on high alert and prepare ourselves for anything,” Herrig says. In addition, the increase in virtual and hybrid options has pushed many planners to learn completely new ways of planning and hosting events, and with that comes the learning of countless tech platforms, enhancements, add-ons and related strategies. “In essence, not only have we had to deal with the threat of Heather Herrig, CMP President and Chief Event Strategist Every Last Detail Events We take duty of care seriously, and work toward creating safe and healthy spaces for gatherings and meetings. Fallout From the COVID-19 Pandemic Added to an Already-Stressful Career INDUSTRYINSIGHT themeetingmagazines.com 24 OCTOBER 2021 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENTlosing our livelihoods and what we are so passionate about, but in order to preserve what we can, we’ve had to relearn pretty much everything about what we do,” Herrig says. “Stress levels are at an all-time high.” RESTRICTIONS CONSTANTLY CHANGE Genny Castleberry, CMP, director of sourcing at Brightspot Incentives & Events, agrees that the ever-changing COVID-related restrictions, from national to local regulations, are one of the leading causes of stress in the meet- ing planning industry today. “Additional focus on attendees’ well-being and safety protocols, on top of all the other program elements and logistics; how to deal with HIPAA regulations; vaccine requirements to attend in-person events and ensuring well-being of attendees’ experiences, are also stressful ele- ments,” Castleberry says. “We also have to stay on top of emergency protocols in the event attendees test positive for COVID on-site during the event and how to manage such situations. Also working through hotel inventory short- ages is making it very difficult to find space and attractive rates for clients’ programs during the sourcing phase. Finally, the repercussions of the short- age of staff during program operations brings service-level challenges.” Castleberry adds that in today’s meetings and events environment, a lot more scrutiny on a venue’s health, hygiene and cleaning protocols are top of mind. “We also have to plan for fewer guests in vehicles for airport transfers — to ensure social distancing, as well as the higher cost of driving budget expenditures, making it more stress- ful for planners. And the hotel inven- tory shortage is really pushing clients to make buying decisions much more quickly. Essentially, working through hotel and other local partners’ shortage of qualified staff is making it more dif- ficult to pull off a flawless event.” For Chris Chan, founder and CEO of the event planning and management firm 3C Strategies LLC, uncertainty is definitely a key stress producer for today’s meeting and event planners. With the challenges surrounding people’s willingness to get together in large groups, there’s a lot of uncer- tainty about how to plan a meeting or event, including whether or not to plan one at all. “Planners need to keep stress top of mind because a lot of the stress we are dealing with is outside of our control,” Chan says. Where indus- try professionals are used to being the “fixer,” today’s planners need to recognize that they can’t fix some of the key decision points in the industry today, such as if people feel comfort- able in mass gatherings, or a govern- ment mandating new mass gathering capacity limits. Meeting planners also agree that technological advancements have made many event planners technolo- gists, forcing many into unfamiliar ter- ritory. In addition, hybrid events add a layer of stress as planners now have to essentially plan two events in one. Chan points out that figuring out the level of social distancing that’s accept- able to an event’s audience can be dif- ficult. In addition, decisions to cancel or postpone events are even more difficult than in 2020, when venues were more sympathetic and willing to work with meeting planners. INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | OCTOBER 2021themeetingmagazines.com 25 The employees at Brightspot Incentives & Events often do team-building exercises to help alleviate job stress.“Remember, even the best fixer isn’t able to fix everything,” Chan says. “It’s important to remind yourself that some factors are out of your control.” Also be sure to educate key stake- holders early in the planning process about changes in the way plans are now developed. A major stress factor can be a lack of knowledge from clients or superiors about how much more complicated planning an event is in these times. “It’s a mistake to assume clients or supervisors are cognizant of the changes in event planning,” Chan says. “Saying you’re only allow- ing vaccinated people in an event is easy; implementing a system to check and verify is much more complicated and expensive.” STRESS-REDUCING TECHNIQUES Too much stress creates negative frenzy, which impairs our brain’s resources, hampering our ability to be focused, organized, creative and pro- ductive. Our memory doesn’t work as well, we make more errors, and we find it more difficult to connect with others. On top of all of this, chronic stress damages our health, and we are more likely to get colds and flu. “A lot of planners I talk to, myself included, frequently feel triggered by all of this uncertainty and stress, which makes it hard to think clearly,” says Allie Magyar, chief product officer, Notified. “Meet- ing planners are great at reacting — we solve prob- lems and put out fires like it’s nothing. It’s our super- power,” Magyar says. “But sometimes that can hold us back from strategy and planning a path forward. We get can caught up in a cycle of reacting to every challenge that pops up, never having the space to break the cycle and forge a future.” There are many techniques that meeting planners can employ to help mitigate and manage their stress lev- els. First, it’s extremely important to acknowledge your stress and be aware of your mental state. “Know that whatever you’re feeling, you are not alone,” Herrig says. “We are all going through this time together.” Accordingly, holding tight to commu- nity is a critical technique — talking to others [friends, colleagues, and, of course, mental health professionals], sharing what you’re going through, asking for advice and help, and just expressing yourself is vitally impor- tant and beneficial. There are also countless other techniques, and it’s good to try them out and see what works. Some exam- ples are meditation, physical activity such as yoga, jogging and other types of fitness, etc., connecting with the outdoors and nature, positive self- talk, healthy eating, drinking plenty of water, getting adequate rest, smil- ing and laughing, aromatherapy, doing things you love and that make you happy, and last, but not least, breath- ing. “By default, we are doers, and we want to take care of everything,” Herrig says. “The biggest mistake you can make is trying to push through it or deal with your stress on your own. Lean on your community and take care of yourself. Don’t be afraid to set boundaries in order to priori- tize your health.” Castleberry recommends taking deep breaths, starting the day with some meditation or allowing yourself 10 minutes at the beginning of the day without any email or external interrup- tions. “Give yourself the opportunity to get focused on the tasks and don’t let yourself dwell on the ‘what if’s,’” Castleberry says. “Most importantly, know that you are doing all that you can and things will continue to evolve where you may not have control of it, and that’s OK.” Chan also says the meetings and events industry works in waves of peak stress with valleys in between. Often event and meeting planners excuse the craziness of the moment by saying they’ll have time to decom- press when they’re less busy. “Plan- ners should encourage themselves and their staff to take self-care seri- ously during peak times of stress, not themeetingmagazines.com 26 OCTOBER 2021 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT Genny Castleberry, CMP Director of Sourcing Brightspot Incentives & Events Give yourself the opportunity to get focused on the tasks and don’t let yourself dwell on the ‘what if’s.’ Allie Magyar, chief product officer at Notified, says it’s important to schedule time in the day to take breaks or to simply focus on a specific task or duties at work — and to stick to that schedule.just in between events,” Chan says. “Make time during the busiest times for working out, relaxing, meditating or whatever helps you decompress. And don’t think that there’s going to be a good time for a break — make your breaks happen.” And Magyar suggests meeting planners make sure they’re not in meetings 15 hours a day. Leverage your calendar to create space and time for you to either take a break or simply get your work done. “I block off time for workouts, lunch, hikes or simply breathing breaks. If there is a project that I need to focus on, I’ll block off half a day or often an entire one, mark- ing myself as out of office or throwing on a ‘do not disturb’ status so people know not to bother me,” Magyar says. “Then, stand by your calendar and enforce the time you block off. I men- tioned earlier that event planners can solve problems like no one else. That’s partly because we love to solve prob- lems. It’s also partly because we are Type-A personalities that like to con- trol every aspect, so when something goes wrong, we are ready to jump in and fix it. But that also means that when people recruit us to help solve their problems, we say ‘yes.’ We say ‘yes’ to the point that we end up with 15 hours of meetings a day and no time to solve our own problems.” And specific to the financial and insurance meetings and events indus- try, planners need to recognize that there are a lot of compliance and con- trol considerations to financial and insurance-based meetings — all of which add to a planner’s stress level. “Now that those meetings are hosted digitally, there are new rules and requirements. So, planners not only have to learn these new rules, but also we have to get in these weeds to under- stand every element of the tech that runs these meetings,” Magyar says. “Because if we use tech that either doesn’t meet the new compliance- and-control considerations or set up the tech incorrectly, then we put our- selves at risk. Set aside enough time to thoroughly learn the tech and experi- ment with it. Finally, the tech is always evolving and improving, so don’t train up and then think you are good to go. Subscribe to product updates, news- letters, and get demos of new features and releases.” I & FMM themeetingmagazines.comINSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | OCTOBER 2021 27 STRESS RELIEF These days, the three bandits that rob productivity are stress, time constraints and procrastination. STRESS Stress is the body’s normal response to anything that disturbs its natural physical, emotional or mental balance. When evaluating stress levels, ask the following three questions: • How well are you avoiding unnecessary stress? • How well are you responding to unavoidable stress? • How well are you practicing good health? Some remedies to reduce stress include: • Getting organized. • Doing relaxation exercises such as deep breathing, stretching or massage. • Getting out of a rut or routine. • Taking walking breaks. • Incorporating music or a favorite song into your day. • Taking up a hobby that’s significantly different from your job. • Continue to smile and laugh often. TIME MANAGEMENT “I don’t have enough time.” Have you ever said that? It means you want more hours in the day, or you’re not using your allotted time to your best advantage. The reality is that most people don’t need more time, they just need to reprioritize the time they’ve got. Time is rationed out to everyone at the same rate — 1,440 minutes a day, 365 days a year. What makes good or bad time managers is how we use those minutes. Some people view time management as a quick gimmick to cram more activities into their day. But effective time management can help keep stress at bay. Here are a few tips to help manage time more effectively. • Take a few hours to plan the next few months. • Invest in one, easy-to-use time-management system and keep the planner close at hand. • Create and maintain a “to-do” list. • Do first things first. Determine what is urgent and what is the most important. These may not be the same things. • Delegate responsibility. • Know your biological clock. Determine if you are more effective in the morning, afternoon or evening, and schedule tasks accordingly. • Continually ask yourself, “What is the best use of my time right now?” PROCRASTINATION When it comes to procrastination, most are quick to acknowledge the problem, but slow to do something about it. Everyone has been plagued by procrastination at one time or another. For some, it’s a chronic problem. Oth- ers find that it hits only some areas of their lives. The net results, though, are usually the same — wasted time, missed opportunities, poor performance, self-deprecation or increased stress. Essentially, procrastination is letting the low-priority tasks get in the way of high-priority ones. When we perceive tasks as difficult, inconvenient or scary, we may shift into our procrastination mode. The problem is that if you continually put off projects, then you end up having more crises to deal with and your stress level increases. • Try writing a commitment contract that indicates the rewards or penalties for procrastination. • Get honest about the problem and how much procrastination is costing you financially, physically and emotionally. • Set empowering goals that motivate you to get things done. • Engage in flexible time management.ARIZONA Scenic Beauty and a Multitude of Outdoor Activities themeetingmagazines.com 28 OCTOBER 2021 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT DESTINATIONREPORT W ith idyllic weather almost year-round, championship golf courses and a panoply of lodging choices ranging from rustic west- ern ranches to rejuvenating spa resorts, to modern high-rise hotels, Arizona is flush with options that keep meeting and incen- tive planners coming back for more. While the Phoenix-Scottsdale metropolitan area is the state’s hub, and home to the major airport, outlying cities offer something different, especially for small and mid- sized events. Amelia Renfroe, member services manager for CPAmerica Inc., says although her group of CPAs held its 2020 gatherings virtually, she is looking forward to the annual CPAConnect Roundtable, to be held in Tucson this fall. The city is set amid the Sonora Desert and surrounded by mountain ranges that invite outdoor activities in neigh- boring Saguaro National Park. “We alternate West Coast and East Coast each year,” Renfroe says. “This group has not been to Arizona yet, so we are excited to show them the beauty that Tucson has to offer. It was a good fit for this specific event, because of its affordability — we are able to hold this meeting at a beautiful resort while staying in budget.” Renfroe’s event, the CPAConnect Roundtable, focuses on ways to strengthen practice management, share best prac- tices and network. She chose the 128-room Omni Tucson National Resort for the three-day event, although it wasn’t where she initially expected the group to land. “Site visits are so important,” Renfroe says. “The Omni Tucson National Resort was at the bottom of my list before making a trip to Tucson.” Renfroe says that, in her experience, meetings she has planned that were preceded by a site visit wind up being more successful than those where she didn’t tour in advance. “Site visits really help you visualize your event. There is huge value in seeing the meeting space and getting to know your event staff prior to planning.” BY DAVID SWANSONINSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | OCTOBER 2021themeetingmagazines.com 29 Enchantment Resort in Sedona offers 44,000 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting space.Next >