< Previouswe now have a walkable convention center district with multiple hotels, 12 gastronomic concepts and an innovative nightlife complex.” Distrito T-Mobile is a 5-acre entertainment and retail district complex adjacent to the Puerto Rico Convention Center (PRCC) that opened last year, offering entertainment, dining, shopping, a 177-room Aloft San Juan hotel and the Coca Cola Music Hall, a mixed-use performance venue with space for more than 6,000 attendees. Including the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, Hyatt Place San Juan and Hyatt House San Juan, there are now thousands of rooms within a two-minute walk from the 600,000-sf convention center, the most technologically advanced facility in the Caribbean. “All of this gives planners unprecedented control, allowing them to stage an epic gathering,” Dean says. But Dean doesn’t expect meetings or their attendees to stay within the con- fines of the Convention Center District. “Puerto Rico is celebrating its 500th anniversary, and planners are able to weave in some of the historical attrac- tions, such as El Morro, for example,” Dean says. The Castillo San Felipe del Morro citadel, built by Spaniards and dating to the 16th century, is a World Heritage Site guarding the entrance to San Juan Bay. “If you’re meeting in the Condado or the Convention Center District, you’re just an Uber or taxi ride away from Old San Juan, another unique asset,” Dean says. “We’re hearing more and more from clients that they’ve got to maximize on-site attendance, so when you look at the proximity of what we have for unique experiences, Puerto Rico becomes a very compelling pack- age for planners, whether we’re com- peting with other Caribbean islands or U.S. mainland destinations.” El Yunque National Forest, located 45 minutes from San Juan and 3,000 feet above sea level, is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. The island’s bioluminescent bays are another attraction well suited for an evening event, and ToroVerde Adventure Park is the largest adventure park in the Caribbean, offering a vari- ety of team-building options, including El Monstruo, which, at 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles), is the third-longest zip line in the world. Dean also cites San Juan’s connec- tivity to the mainland U.S. as another advantage, with 100 daily flights from 24 different cities nonstop. “By enhanc- ing the air service, that’s made it easier and more cost-effective for planners to stage events in Puerto Rico,” Dean says, noting that the lodging sector has added mid-tier hotel product, making the destination more attractive from a cost standpoint. “In terms of hotel cost, if you look at average daily rate, we’re right near the average for major-tier destinations. And, as a result of funding we received last year, we’ve increased the incentive we’re able to offer plan- ners who bring in groups,” he says. “We recognize that, in comparing us against mainland destinations, there may be some situations when there’s a bit of additional costs, such as shipping booths or materials. Now we’re able to provide financial incentives to offset themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESMARCH 2022 The Puerto Rico Convention Center, above, is considered the most technologically advanced facility in the Caribbean. Distrito T-Mobile, left, is a 5-acre entertainment and retail district. Brad Dean Chief Executive Officer Discover Puerto Rico Puerto Rico is celebrating its 500th anniversary, and planners are able to weave in some of the historical attractions. MEET IN PUERTO RICO. The colors of Puerto Rico are ready to inspire you. Green to encourage balance. Blue to improve performance. Orange to promote enthusiasm. Our vivid color palette, along with vibrant immersive experiences, creates the perfect backdrop for your next meeting. You won’t even need a passport to get inspired. Meet in full color in Puerto Rico. Learn more at DiscoverPuertoRico.com/Meetings. COURTESY OF DISCOVER PUERTO RICO COURTESY OF DISCOVER PUERTO RICO 60MEET IN PUERTO RICO. The colors of Puerto Rico are ready to inspire you. Green to encourage balance. Blue to improve performance. Orange to promote enthusiasm. Our vivid color palette, along with vibrant immersive experiences, creates the perfect backdrop for your next meeting. You won’t even need a passport to get inspired. Meet in full color in Puerto Rico. Learn more at DiscoverPuertoRico.com/Meetings.those costs.” For groups using 100 or more rooms, meetings booked by the end of May — for 2023 and beyond — are eli- gible for the incentives, which range as high as $20 off per room for events from June through December. Visit the Discover Puerto Rico website for more information. While meetings planners may cite the annual June-November hurricane season as a reason to avoid summer and fall months, for CHTA’s Madden-Greig, setting a meeting in San Juan in Octo- ber does not give her pause. “While hurricane season is something to pay attention to, I have done many, many international events during hurricane season,” Madden-Greig says. “Most hotels have a cancellation policy in the event of a storm, and there are very good rates in the off-season months — as much as 50% less.” Madden-Greig points to San Juan’s recovery following the devastation of Hurricane Maria. “We had our last event in San Juan in January 2018, right after the hurricane,” Madden-Greig says. “The island’s abil- ity to recover and deliver was excellent. When you consider a pandemic, or the ash fallout in Europe, you have to have built into your contract the ways to remedy, so that if anything happens you have recourse.” Madden-Greig, who runs a small chain of hotels in Jamaica, cites a unique advantage the region has over many traditional meeting locations: destination wedding infrastructure. “The Caribbean has good DMCs — full- service companies that provide both transportation and off-site logistics for these events. Some of the weddings are large-scale, and the companies build huge stages, they do pyrotech- nics, and provide photo and videog- raphy services.” JAMAICA John Woolcock, the Jamaica Tourist Board’s manager of groups & conven- tions, says his island has seen strong growth in the convention sector, with a number of hotels, particularly in all- inclusive brands, adding ballrooms and other facilities to attract MICE busi- ness. “Hotels like Sandals Montego Bay have completely refurbished, and they put in a brand new convention center,” Woolcock says. The 3,000-sf facility has its own lobby and modern kitchen, and can seat up to 300 attendees. “You also have amazing great houses that lend themselves to unique off-site venues for an evening event or welcome reception. These have become a strong part of our product offering.” Woolcock cites Jamaica’s history, culture and geography as leading assets for meetings planners to leverage. “The sun-sea-sand experience is only part of it,” Woolcock says. “In Jamaica, you’re looking at the third-largest island in the Caribbean, with an elevation up to 7,402 feet and amazing rivers and water- falls. And the culture is very strong, with African roots and the East Indies reflected in our cuisine and culture. When you think of Caribbean music, you think of reggae music. Where did that come from? Jamaica.” Woolcock also notes that Jamaica has a tax treaty with the U.S. dating to 1981. “Anything that can be written off taxes in the U.S. can be written off when doing a meet- ing in Jamaica. It has been a strong sell- ing point for us.” The island has two convention cen- ters: The Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston and the 85,000-sf Montego Bay Conference Centre, built in 2011. But most events utilize the island’s beachfront resorts along the Northern Coast, between Negril and Ocho Rios. Most of the resorts operate on an all- inclusive basis, building in many of the extras that can make a budget spiral. themeetingmagazines.com ASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES MARCH 2022 Left, Eclipse at Half Moon is a hotel-within- a-hotel at Half Moon resort in Jamaica. Half Moon offers more than 15,000 sf of meetings space. Bottom, Grand Lucayan in Freeport, Bahamas offers 40,000 sf of events space. COURTESY OF THE BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND AVIATION 62The 295-room Iberostar Grand Rose Hall hotel offers the largest resort-based meeting facility, with a 45,370-sf con- vention center. Other hotels with meet- ings spaces exceeding 10,000 sf include Moon Palace Jamaica; the Hyatt Ziva/ Zilara Rose Hall; Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay; the Royalton Blue Waters Montego Bay, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort; and Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa. The 210-room Half Moon, one of Jamaica’s iconic resorts since its opening in 1955, used the pandemic to refresh its Hibiscus section. The resort also opened a new hotel-within-the- hotel, Eclipse at Half Moon, which offers its own restaurants and bars sit- ting on the beach at the center of the 400-acre property. In all, the resort has more than 15,000 sf of meetings space. “Eclipse is a fabulous new area for Half Moon,” says Vashti Henriques, MBA, CMP, and president/CEO of Meeting Consultants LLC. Henriques first vis- ited Half Moon 40 years ago, and has been bringing meetings and incentives to the hotel ever since. “I do meetings from Cannes to Hawaii, and they know how to facilitate things at Half Moon in the event of any inconvenience. The food is always fantastic and fresh, and the service is tremendous. They have outdoor venues, and you can have your opening reception or an awards event with dinner and dancing outside on the terrace.” For 15 years, Henriques has been bringing a regional meeting of the National Medical Association for Continuing Medical Education to Half Moon, and will be back again in late spring. “We block 50 rooms, but we usually wind up with 100 or more rooms,” Henriques says. “We’re not in high season, so there’s not a worry about rooms not being available.” The meeting will also be a hybrid, telecast live, and the resort provides all the A/V services, while working to accommo- date a demanding group. “We have a couple of doctors who are vegetarian, and the cooks will do something special for them.” Henriques adds, “If you take a site visit, you’ll be hooked. They’ll give you an honest impression of what you can do with a group, whether it’s on the beach or in the conference center. Be sure to go on a Friday, when they have their barbecue event. It’s $50, but such a value, with the entertainment included. I went straight for the shrimp and, honestly, I think I ate $200 worth of shrimp alone.” BAHAMAS Fred Lounsberry, CEO for the Nas- sau Paradise Island Promotion Board, says all of the islands of the Bahamas have their own unique personality, cul- ture and entertainment. “These are the friendliest people in the world, and it’s a more relaxed atmosphere — an island experi- ence instead of a city experience — while still providing great facilities for serious business,” Lounsberry says. “When it’s time for a break, whether it’s a half day or full-day out, they’re going to enjoy beau- tiful weather, beaches and fishing, instead of a theme park or museum. And our water is second to none in the world. I’ve been with the promo- tion board for 17 years, and I never get tired of seeing that water.” While the Bahamas are a decidedly international destination, Nassau is just 185 miles from South Florida. “One of the first questions we get, is, ‘What’s the air service?’ But proximity is one of our best assets,” says Lounsberry, who notes that nonstop flights are available from most major Eastern-U.S. airports. It’s also convenient: Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport was the first airport outside of the U.S. to imple- ment TSA PreCheck, allowing eligible travelers to pass through security more quickly, along with Global Entry for expedited clearance. “Los Angeles is one of our top-10 markets for visitors, which might seem strange, but when you think about it, we’re about the same distance from the West Coast as Hawaii,” he says. MARCH 2022 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES Nassau, like other Bahamian islands, is less than 200 miles from South Florida. The island chain’s proximity to the Unites States makes them extremely popular for planners and attendees looking for a quick getaway. Fred Lounsberry, CEO Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board These are the friendliest people in the world, and it’s a more relaxed atmosphere — an island experience instead of a city experience. COURTESY OF THE BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND AVIATION 63your event can MAKE A DIFFERENCE Atlantis is proud to support World Central Kitchen (WCK) and their mission to use the power of food to nourish communities and strengthen economies in times of crisis and beyond. When you hold your event at Atlantis you can help further the humanitarian efforts of World Central Kitchen. Simply choose the WCK banquet option and a donation will be made in your organization’s name along with a matching donation from Atlantis. For more information visit MeetingsAtAtlantis.com or call 800.722.2449 Nassau Paradise Island also has two of the largest meeting facilities in the Caribbean region, starting with the 3,401-room Atlantis, Paradise Island, with more then 500,000 sf of meetings space. The 171-acre resort, now part of Marriott’s Autograph Col- lection, includes a casino, golf course, retail complexes, more than 20 res- taurants, an aquarium and the largest water theme park in the islands. Another large convention resort in the Bahamas is Baha Mar, a complex that sprawls more than 1,000 acres along Cable Beach, just west of Nas- sau on New Providence Island. The $4 billion project opened in 2017 with the 1,800-room Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, followed soon after by the 299-room SLS Baha Mar and 233-room Rosewood Baha Mar. The Grand Hyatt hosts the bulk of the meetings facilities, which includes three nautical-inspired ball- rooms and a 2,000-seat entertainment venue — 85,000 sf of meetings space in all. The Rosewood features an addi- tional 27,000 sf of meetings space. Last year, the island also saw the debut of Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau, located at the entrance to downtown, with two towers total- ing 300 rooms. It’s also an option for groups, with 40,000 sf of indoor and outdoor space, including the 5,000-sf Compass Rose Ballroom. A dedicated sales and events team is available to coordinate custom concepts. “Pre- pandemic, MICE business represented 20% of our room nights on Nassau Para- dise Island,” Lounsberry says. “So it’s a very important sector for our tourism. Obviously, everything went away dur- ing the pandemic, and the MICE seg- ment has been the last piece to come back, but we’re seeing real strength for 2023 and 2024. We’re very upbeat about what’s coming.” BARBADOS While the Caribbean’s major meet- ings destinations — Puerto Rico, Nas- sau Paradise Island, Jamaica — offer facilities to host events of almost any size, don’t overlook the smaller desti- nations that can provide a memorable backdrop for more intimate gatherings. For instance, Barbados, located 3.5 hours from Miami, has been cultivating tourism since 1751, when George Wash- ington traveled to the island to convalesce with his tubercular brother Lawrence. Major meet- ings facilities today include the posh Sandy Lane hotel for very high-end gatherings, along with Sandals Royal Barba- dos, and the Hilton Barba- dos Resort, offering 10,200 sf of meetings space. Later this year, Wyndham will reopen Sam Lord’s Castle, which promises special events venues in the 19th-century castle. Barbados also boasts a noteworthy dining scene, and the island is mar- keted as the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.” “We’ve got more restau- rants per capita than any other island in the region,” says Eusi Skeete, director, USA with Barbados Tourism Market- ing Inc. “From fine dining to a shack on the beach, we have so many local chefs who use our local products, and people can come here and really get a taste of Barbados.” Skeete points to sustainability as a distinguishing element for Barbados. “It’s not just the environment, but the social and economic components of sustainability are a key part,” Skeete says. “We’ve got rum distilleries using solar panels, we’re protecting our reefs, and we’ve banned single-use plastics. It’s not a fad or a trend, but something we believe in — not just in word but in deed.” Skeete adds that his island “really works” for meetings and conferences. “Our infrastructure works, moving around the island is easy, we’ve got the fastest internet service in the Caribbean, and Barbados has the highest literacy rate,” Skeete says. “When executing any kind of program, one of the things that will resonate is that attendees have the key things they need at home, but you have them in a tropical paradise. In Barbados, visitors are integrated into the island experience, you’re not stuck behind the walls of a resort. From taxi drivers to someone you meet ran- domly on the street, there’s a genuine warmth and engagement everywhere you go.” | AC&F | themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESMARCH 2022 The Bahamas offers activities running the gamut from sailing, left, scuba diving and parasailing to hiking, biking and team-building exercises on the beach. Eusi Skeete Director, USA Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. One of the things that will resonate is that attendees have the key things they need at home, but you have them in a tropical paradise. COURTESY OF THE BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND AVIATION 64your event can MAKE A DIFFERENCE Atlantis is proud to support World Central Kitchen (WCK) and their mission to use the power of food to nourish communities and strengthen economies in times of crisis and beyond. When you hold your event at Atlantis you can help further the humanitarian efforts of World Central Kitchen. Simply choose the WCK banquet option and a donation will be made in your organization’s name along with a matching donation from Atlantis. For more information visit MeetingsAtAtlantis.com or call 800.722.2449CAREERTRACK 66 The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau has hired Danielle Appley-Epstein as national sales manager. Prior to this, Appley- Epstein was the national sales manager at Omni Atlantic Hotel at the CNN Center. In her new position, she will be focusing on the East Coast markets marketing Atlanta as a prime location for group meetings. Destination DC (DDC) appointed William Adams as director of convention sales. Adams has more than 20 years of experience in the industry. His last position was as national sales manager with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. He also has worked for Norfolk Convention & Visitors Bureau, Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Annapolis Convention and Visitors Bureau. Virgin Hotels has hired Alyssa Maselli as global director of group sales. She will focus on bringing in group meetings and incentive opportunities for all locations. Maselli’s last position was at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group as the director of global sales in the Northeast region. She has more than two decades of experience. The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) has added to its sales team, hiring several new employees. Shane Jackson has joined the PHLCVB as national accounts manager for the Northeast market. A more than 20-year veteran of the Philadelphia tourism and hospitality industry, Jackson previously served as senior sales executive for the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. Before joining Marriott in 2007, he worked as mar- keting manager for Talley Management Group and national sales manager for the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Caryn Mousley has been promoted to destination services manager. Mousley’s new role is devoted to servicing the PHLCVB’s large convention groups and city-wides, liaising between clients, vendors, city ser- vices and hotel partners. Anthony Nelson has been promoted to national accounts director. In his new role, Nelson is responsible for booking city-wide conventions for the Western half of the U.S., focusing primarily on association and corporate markets. He is also handling the Southeast market and a vertical in the sports market. Nicholas Rigas has been promoted to the PHLCVB’s director of events and experiences. As Philadelphia gets back to business, Rigas will lead a dedicated events team to coordinate and execute events for partners, clients and external stakeholders. The Fort Worth Convention Center has hired Shanda Cart- wright as sales and events manager. Before this, she worked with The Broadmoor, as well as working with the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center, the Denver Broncos and helping to open the Cowboys (now AT&T) stadium in Texas, among other positions. VISIT Milwaukee has brought on board Chad Chappell as national account executive. Chappell will be focusing on the Washington, D.C. market. In the past, he has worked with the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Visit Baltimore and The Expo Group. He has more than 20 years of experience. Choose Chicago appointed Lynn Osmond as new CEO, effec- tive May 9. Osmond, the first woman to helm the city’s tourism agency, was most recently the president & CEO at the Chicago Architecture Center. Osmond was appointed after a global search overseen by a 13-member committee of Choose Chicago Board members representing a cross-section of the tourism hospitality community. | AC&F | themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESMARCH 2022 OSMONDCHAPPELL NELSONMOUSLEY CARTWRIGHTRIGAS JACKSONMASELLI ADAMSAPPLEY-EPSTEINWhen you meet in Detroit, you get to meet Detroit and 50,000 Black-owned businesses, the people and places transforming our city. Case in point: DOSE of Detroit, a retail collective that features emerging and BIPOC-operated brands. The historic Avenue of Fashion is one of the oldest and largest shopping districts of Black-owned businesses in the country where you’ll feast your eyes on boutiques and galleries, and your appetite for delicious eats. Learn how Detroit Dirt converts food, green and other organic waste into nutrient-rich compost to create a more sustainable community. Connect with our people and immerse yourself in the vibes you’ll only find here. Plan your meeting in Detroit. MEET DETROIT’S CULTURE OF INNOVATION DOSE OF DETROIT THREE THIRTEEN NOW MORE THAN EVER, IT’S GO TIME. Scan to explore more Photo by Nick Hagen NARROW WAY CAFE Photo by Nick Hagen Photo by Alma Davila-ToroNext >