< PreviousSituated near the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, the Omni Tucson National Resort has 10,500 sf of indoor meeting space, plus an addi- tional 12,900 sf of outdoor areas suit- able for gatherings. Amenities include a full-service spa, two swimming pools and the Omni Tucson National Golf Course. The Catalina Course serves as the host course for the PGA Tour Champions Cologuard Classic, while the Sonoran course features a des- ert-style layout. “Since this is a smaller meeting, we really liked the size of this property,” Renfroe says. “I like the intimate feel- ing that our members will get. The Omni has great outdoor space that we can use for network- ing events in the evening, which is a huge plus, and they offered us a com- petitive rate and ameni- ties, and this led to us ultimately picking this property. We have almost all of their rooms reserved for our meeting.” TUCSON EXPANDING ITS CONVENTION CENTER Although, as every- where, Tucson’s meeting business slowed consid- erably in 2020, the desti- nation has seen a fleet of improvements and addi- tions that will be of inter- est to meeting planners, starting with an ongoing $65 million expansion and renovation project at the Tucson Convention Center, projected to be completed in 2022. A face-lift for the center’s 89,760-sf exhibit hall is nearing completion, as is renovation of the 20,164-sf ballroom. The center’s existing meeting rooms have been refreshed with new carpet, window dressings, air walls and state- of-the-art technology, while a new building starting construction this year will add additional meeting rooms on the west side of the facility adjacent to Exhibit Hall C. And, the DoubleTree by Hilton Tucson Downtown Convention Center, which opened in the spring, is the first hotel adjoining the facility. The 170-room hotel has 3,800 sf of meeting space, including a conference room with full windows and views of downtown Tucson. Last October, El Conquistador Tuc- son, a Hilton Resort, unveiled a multi- million-dollar amenity, SpaWell. The newly constructed spa facility features a salt therapy room, pool deck with mountain views and wet steam room. The adults-only sanctuary offers a total of eight treatment rooms, including two facial rooms and a couples treatment area. The design and décor incorporates the Sonoran desert through the use of natural wood touches, refined finishes, and soaring ceilings offering natural light and accentuating the resort’s moun- tainous backdrop. SCENIC SEDONA Another Arizona loca- tion renowned for its sce- nic beauty but perfect for smaller meetings is Sedona, a city of just 10,000 residents set amid red-rock landscapes and swaying sycamore trees, and tempting with endless outdoor adventure activities. Three Sedona hotels have more than 5,000 sf of meeting space, includ- ing the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock, which offers 14,400 sf of meeting facilities, plus outdoor venues. Other properties are upgrading. The 137-room Poco Dia- blo Resort and Spa is undergoing a complete renovation. The first phase is designed to open up public areas, including the lobby, gal- lery and restaurant, and was recently completed. This will be followed by the addition of a resort- style pool and room renovations. The resort features 8,500 sf of flex- ible indoor-outdoor meeting space. Earlier this year, Enchantment Resort closed its renowned spa Mii amo for a com- plete refresh. The existing 16 treat- ment rooms are being renovated and new facilities will be added, arranged around private courtyards that create an intimate spa experience in a mag- nificent setting — set to reopen next spring. The 218-room resort offers a variety of conference facilities located within the Meeting Village, includ- ing three separate ballrooms ranging up to 4,880 sf, each with floor-to- ceiling windows. In total, Enchant- ment has 12,000 sf of indoor meeting space and an additional 32,000 sf of outdoor function space, perfect for events under the stars. In addition to the renowned spa, activities at the themeetingmagazines.com 30 OCTOBER 2021 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT Amelia Renfroe Member Services Manager CPAmerica Inc. 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. Omni Tucson National Resort’s Sonoran Course features a desert-style layout.70-acre resort include golf and yoga, with hiking and mountain biking on abundant trails. Other Sedona properties with more limited meeting facilities include Amara, L’Auberge de Sedona and Sedona Rouge. Ambiente, a Landscape Hotel, is set to open at the end of this year. Combining luxury with environmental sustain- ability, the locally owned hotel is comprised of 40 cube-shaped atriums sitting off the ground, each constructed of matte charcoal or rust metal and floor-to-ceil- ing bronze-tinted glass. Each of the accommo- dations can be rotated, allowing guests to enjoy 360-degree views of the treasured landscape. VENUES WERE ACCOMMODATING Although most meet- ing planners have spent the past year pushing conference dates into the future and pivot- ing to virtual meetings, some have been lucky enough to move forward where state reopening mandates allowed. One such event was a trip offered by Guaranty Home Mortgage Corporation in February, a gathering of top executives and top- performing sales executives. “State and local regulations were important to me for this group, because it was the first event in almost a year where our employees would come together,” says Pamela Lopez, director of events and creative planning for Guaranty Home Mortgage Corporation. “I also wanted a location that would allow for as many outdoor gatherings as pos- sible, and if not completely outdoors, a facility capable of having an outdoor- indoor area. We considered locations in California, Florida, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Upon deciding for Arizona, I toured quite a few proper- ties to decide what resort could best accommodate all my guests, keeping COVID-19 regulations in mind.” While many resorts had capacity limitations or amenities closed, Lopez says Sanc- tuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa in Scottsdale was best suited for her needs. Sanctuary offers 109 casitas and suites, and seven private villas, spread across a 53-acre property at the foot of iconic Camelback Mountain. The resort’s Sanctuary Spa has 12 treat- ment rooms, a Watsu immersion pool for hydro treatments, fitness center, lap pool and the spa provides con- sultations for yoga, fitness, nutrition, astrology and numerology. Meeting and event space is housed in a sepa- rate building accommodating up to 200 guests, and includes a 3,500-sf ballroom, The Views, which provides an outdoor panorama through floor- to-ceiling windows. “The staff and service made the difference,” Lopez says. “When planning events, service matters, and the service we experi- enced at Sanctuary received five stars from my entire group. Furthermore, this boutique resort was very outdoorsy, but small enough to keep my group close to each other. All the rooms are like private homes, with enough space to make everyone feel safe and comfortable. I also knew that being at a smaller resort would mean that my 70-per- son group would be a big portion of the guest count, and it would keep things more private and COVID-safe.” Lopez says she never considered a hybrid option for the meeting. “I wanted a hotel that would allow me to plan outdoor events as much as possible, while still providing an intimate environment. I did not plan any events in the city or in a restaurant, or enclosed venue that would require the group to be sepa- rated, but I did plan one event off-site at an outdoor venue. This desert site allowed seclusion and safety, and pro- vided me with a blank canvas to create an intimate dinner under the stars.” Lopez adds that Sanctuary did not feel crowded with guests, and the resort was able to accommodate her group’s special needs. “There were many food allergies and special considerations that were made, and fulfilled with everyone’s comfort and safety in mind. Ground transportation was socially distanced. While transportation could usually transfer all guests at once, we decided to minimize it to one-third capacity to allow for ample space and social distancing.” VALUABLE EXPERIENCES Experiences like this were valuable to meeting planners who scheduled events for spring, such as Advantage Credit, which hosted its annual retreat INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | OCTOBER 2021themeetingmagazines.com 31 Pamela Lopez Director of Events and Creative Planning Guaranty Home Mortgage Corporation This desert site allowed seclusion and safety, and provided me with a blank canvas to create an intimate dinner under the stars. Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort’s Sanctuary Spa has a Watsu immersion pool and more.The Pima County Health Department is dedicated to protecting the public health. As businesses reopen or resume more normal operations, it is imperative that they take measures to protect employees and the public from the spread of COVID-19. The County has adopted a set of minimum protective health and safety measures for restaurants, bars, fitness centers, and hotel and resort pools to follow. Participating businesses have pledged to adhere to these guidelines and are certified for compliance by the Pima County Health Department. Our shared responsibility to protect public health FIND OUT MORETucsonOnUs.com in Phoenix. Originally scheduled for September 2020, owner Don Unger says he was able to move the event to April, and stuck with the original location, The Wigwam. “They were very accommodating,” Unger says. “They are dealing with a lot of clients that [were] having to cancel trips and events. On the other hand, we were postponing, so they weren’t losing a client.” Advantage Credit is a fast- growing credit reporting company of about 260 employees that operates vir- tually, so the annual gathering is vital for building esprit de corps. “If you’re an employee, you’re invited. Typically, we’ll get 70% of our employees taking us up on it, and the rest have other obligations or don’t like to travel.” Set west of the Phoenix metro area in the suburb of Litchfield Park, The Wigwam is a historic hotel, originally built in 1929 as an intimate guest ranch for employees of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Today, the Wigwam features 331 guest rooms, three restau- rants, three pools, nine tennis courts, 54 holes of championship golf and a 26,000-sf spa, spread across 440 lush acres. Advantage Credit has previously held its annual retreat in Mexico and Texas, but Phoenix remains a favorite. “Travel-wise, it’s one of the best air- ports for most of the country to get to, and costs are generally less than average for accommodations,” Unger says. “And it’s warm, usually. A lot of our employ- ees are from Colorado or Northern climes, so they enjoy going to Phoenix.” He adds, “We’ve tried to find boutique properties when we can, and we like smaller hotels, but The Wigwam kind of fits the bill for us with our size today. The Oasis area has about 130 rooms set around a pool, so we get to have that boutique feel within a somewhat larger hotel. We look for an area that every- one’s going to be going through during the course of the day, so that you’re always running into someone. In bigger hotels, you spend all your time on eleva- tors. Wigwam offered a pretty good mix of accommodations with services like a big hotel, with multiple restaurants and dining areas, while allowing us to have our accommodations in a semi- private area.” Although an off-site activity is usu- ally planned for the group, Unger says this year he did not load the group onto buses. “We just decided to stay on property,” he says, “We’re not a golfing group — it’s mostly women over age 50 that don’t play golf.” The retreat is not strictly an incentive; there are meet- ings over two of the days. He adds, “We [operated] within the guidelines of the resort, so [we had] a slightly larger room than we originally contracted for. I can’t say enough about how Wigwam managed this.” With his entire team working remotely, Unger says the annual retreat is important. “When we went virtual 12 years ago, with everyone working from home and spread out across country, I felt these retreats were even more important to create a bit of bonding with people who didn’t get to see each other otherwise. We want to be able to have some hugs and drinks together. We want to have fun,” Unger says. “I can’t prove this scientifically, but I stand by my theory that the retreat more than pays for itself in camaraderie and the ability to work together because they saw each other face-to-face.” EVENTS NOW TAKE CAREFUL PLANNING Pamela Lopez’s experience shows that meetings and incentives can go forward in Arizona — with care- ful planning. And she offers tips for those plunging into their first event as the pandemic starts to move into the rear-view mirror. “Keep an open mind — you will encounter more obstacles than anticipated,” Lopez says. “You must consider that while some peo- ple might not be as nervous about COVID as others, some guests have to be extremely cautious due to health or other reasons. Make sure to think about all types of guests and anticipate cancellations.” Lopez continues: “Find great vendors with amazing staff willing to accommodate all needs. Privately owned resorts might have more flex- ibility with amenities than bigger chain resorts, but regulations are changing daily, so do your research thoroughly. We are still going through a pandemic and last-minute changes are going to happen, so be prepared and ready to roll with the changes,” she says. “Above all, keep your creativity alive and a posi- tive attitude. Creating a magical experi- ence is what it is all about. With COVID impacting everyone, these events keep spirits up and are more important now than ever.” I & FMM themeetingmagazines.com 32 OCTOBER 2021 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT Don Unger Owner, Advantage Credit I felt these retreats were even more important to create a bit of bonding with people who didn’t get to see each other otherwise. El Conquistador Tucson, a Hilton Resort, offers 54,870 sf of total meeting and event space.The Pima County Health Department is dedicated to protecting the public health. As businesses reopen or resume more normal operations, it is imperative that they take measures to protect employees and the public from the spread of COVID-19. The County has adopted a set of minimum protective health and safety measures for restaurants, bars, fitness centers, and hotel and resort pools to follow. Participating businesses have pledged to adhere to these guidelines and are certified for compliance by the Pima County Health Department. Our shared responsibility to protect public health FIND OUT MORETucsonOnUs.comThe Broadmoor has hired Maria J. Saavedra as director of northeast and international sales. Saavedra has more than 25 years of experi- ence, most recently working at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. She also has held positions with Marriott International, Caribe Royale All Suites Resort, Rosen Hotels & Resorts and Fontaineb- leau Miami Beach. ADERO Scottsdale, an Auto- graph Collection hotel, has appointed Stacey Kokosinski to director of sales and marketing for the Dark Sky Zone resort. Koko- sinski has more than 25 years of experience. Prior to joining ADERO Scottsdale, Kokosinski was the task force director of sales and market- ing at Evolution Hospitality. She also worked at Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix and elsewhere. The Hawaii Visitors and Conven- tion Bureau (HVCB) has hired Lynn Whitehead as Meet Hawaii’s senior director, citywide sales. Whitehead has more than 30 years of experience in the industry, most recently work- ing as national sales director, eastern region for the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA). Prior to SDTA, she worked with the San Diego Con- vention Center Corporation. Visit Seattle has announced that it is promoting hospitality veteran Kelly Saling to SVP/chief sales officer. Saling joined Visit Seattle in 2009, most recently serving as vice president of convention sales & services. Saling will continue to manage and strategize sales opera- tions for future business booked into the Washington State Con- vention Center. Sheraton Grand Chicago has hired Jordan Bakovic as director of sales and marketing. The former professional basketball player has also been in the hospitality industry for a decade, working for Marriott International at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel in vari- ous roles, most recently as director of sales and marketing. Jonny Westom has joined Sonoma County Tourism (SCT) as vice president, business develop- ment. Prior to his arrival at Sonoma County Tourism, Westom served as president of Visit Dana Point. Westom also served as execu- tive director of the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau. Additionally, his background in destination market- ing includes a decade with Visit Greater Palm Springs. Choose Chicago announced that Eric Kincaid has come aboard. Based in Washington, D.C., he will handle the large-scale convention market, focusing on conventions meeting at McCormick Place. Kin- caid joins Choose Chicago from Destination D.C. (DDC), where he served as national account director of citywide sales. He also worked at Marriott International for more than 10 years. I & FMM CORPORATELADDER themeetingmagazines.com 34 OCTOBER 2021 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT SAAVEDRAKOKOSINSKIWHITEHEADSALINGBAKOVICWESTOMKINCAID U.S. Postal Service Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation 1.Publication Title: Insurance & Financial Meetings Management 2. Publication Number: 012-991 3. Filing Date: September 17,2021 4. Issue Frequency: Bi-Monthly 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 6 6. Annual Subscription Price: N/A 7.Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 2700 North Military Trail, Suite 120, Boca Raton, FL 33431-6394 Contact Person: Harvey Grotsky Telephone: 561-989-0600 ext. 106 8.Complete Mailing Address or General Business Office of Publisher: 2700 North Military Trail, Suite 120, Boca Raton, FL 33431-6394 9. 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I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).• 2,619 luxurious guest rooms • 348,711 sq. ft. of meeting & event function space • 22 award-winning restaurants and lounges on-site • 128,200 sq. ft. of outdoor event space • Balinese-inspired Mandara Spa • 3 fully-equipped fitness centers • 6 Sparkling Pools • Daily fitness classes and themed activities • Marriott Bonvoy® • Exclusive Walt Disney World® Resort Benefits Complex Fast Facts: Magic ADD SOME TO YOUR Event 1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 407.934.4290 | SwanDolphin.com/Meetings An Ideal Location Signature Dining Options Flexible Function Spaces Booking Your Next Program At The: All-New Walt Disney World Swan Reserve!Offering 285 guest rooms, access to multi-million dollar residences and more than 40,000 square feet of function space. With a long list of activities immediately outside our back-door including ski in/ski out access to Vail Mountain and a scenic path along Gore Creek to Vail Village, Grand Hyatt Vail is the inspiration behind memorable meetings and events. GRAND HYAT T VAIL & VAIL RESIDENCES AT CASCADE VILLAGE — Hyatt and Grand Hyatt names, designs and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. © 2018 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved. For more Information 970.479.1032 | egegh-rfp@hyatt.com GHV_FullPage_3lIMG_NM_SmartMeetings_resized.indd 19/16/2021 1:24:21 PM GRAND MEETINGS START HERE.Next >