< PreviousMake Events Engaging Think Outside the Box When Presenting to Attendees BY SCOTT STEINBERG M odern executives continue to operate in an envi- ronment of growing change and uncertainty, where we’re all being asked to absorb more infor- mation and make important decisions with less- perfect information quicker than ever. Noting that demands on our time are growing, attention spans are shrinking and we’re constantly facing new and novel challenges, we need to find more ways to fast-track learning and professional devel- opment. As a keynote speaker who trains more than 10,000 business leaders to think like a futurist and adapt to change and uncertainty each year, one thing’s become patently clear over the past two years: That the format of meetings and events needs to radically change to help working profession- als get smarter faster about today’s most pressing concerns, and make sense of new trends and technologies more rapidly. Bearing this in mind, I’ve created a new framework and methodology for evaluating, discussing and contemplating the impact of future trends. Known as POP FUTURE, it offers business leaders of all backgrounds and skill levels — includ- ing meeting and event planning — a more fun, fast and engag- ing way to communicate complex concepts while boosting learning and retention. Challenging us to put today’s most critical business concepts and thought leadership content into a more pop culture-friendly context, it offers a means to make future trends, new innovations and business concepts more approachable and easier to understand. In effect, the POP FUTURE method asks us to leverage creativity, wit, insight and other eye-catching and artistic ways to grab attendees’ attentions — such as by using animated videos, interactive games, short film skits and other creative endeavors to better grab and hold attendees’ attentions; make professional devel- opment and corporate training more exciting and approach- able, and promote employee engagement. A form of “micro-learning” — wherein small learning units and brief learning activities help audiences quickly get up to speed on new ideas and innovations — a complete guide to the POP FUTURE method is free to download at our website. It essentially helps you fast-track learning and retention and deliver much-needed information just-in-time when attendees need it. Looking to get your workforce up to speed quickly on breaking topics without having to put them through extended training courses and full-fledged learning curriculums? POP FUTURE can help you get the message across — and communicate an organization’s training manual or market research report’s worth of data and insights in just a matter of minutes. Mind you: There’s still ample room at meetings and events for deep-dive sessions such as workshops or training semi- nars to sit alongside POP FUTURE-inspired programs. But in a world of digital transformation, where attendee attention spans have been decimated by the internet and social media, it’s also important to revamp event formats to focus on enhanc- ing attendee interest and participation. Following, you’ll find just a few sample ways that, with minimal cost and legwork, programming and content formats can be tweaked in clever and ingenious ways to better command a crowd’s attention. Video Guides and Animated Explainers — As a keynote speaker, I can’t underscore the point enough: Stories can be powerful teaching tools, and when looking to communicate concepts, metaphors can serve as an immensely helpful form of mental shorthand. Case in point: It can take as little as 30 seconds for a subject to penetrate and stick in attendees’ minds when you find the right anecdote to share or analogy to use that helps an otherwise complex issue make sense in an everyday context. Quick-hit videos of no more than 3 to 5 minutes can help you turn even traditionally dry topics, such as accountability, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning into must-see set pieces, and promote learning in more rapid and user-friendly fashion. Interactive Activities and Games — Make no mistake: 10 VIEWPOINT themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJULY 2022 DEPOSITPHOTOS.COMInformation shared from the stage can be powerful. But while listening to an expert present and wax poetic can be informative, hands-on learning and experience are often the most effective teachers. As a meeting and event plan- ner, when building out content plans, think less talk, more action. It pays to build out your schedule with more learning exercises, brainstorming activ- ities and creative challenges. Heighten- ing interactivity and networking oppor- tunities can not only help you keep audiences more active and engaged, it can also help you keep energy levels high, help facilitate making connec- tions and help event attendees learn from others’ ideas and approaches. Mini-Documentaries and Short Films — Been there, done that: After seeing it a thousand times, attend- ees are increasingly nonplussed by standard-issue promo pieces and cor- porate reels. To better engage and con- nect with viewers, try taking a fresher, more upbeat and creative approach to sharing details about your marketing program or five-year strategic plan that doesn’t seem like a canned infomercial. Use music videos, comedic skits, behind the scenes looks, making ofs, getting-to-knows, crowd-sourced commentary and game show parodies. When you’re trying to raise awareness or support for an initiative, don’t be afraid to think differently in terms of approach here. Just be sure to lead with a strong hook, whether in the form of humor, urgency, impact, etc. Remem- ber, today’s attendees are increasingly tuning out anything that seems even the least bit skippable. Business Contests, Entrepre- neurial Challenges, Rapid-fire Brain- storming Sessions — Shark Tank-style innovation programs and strategic planning activities that challenge you to role-play your way through real-world scenarios that may unfold in the future are things that impact your organiza- tion. Again, think of how you can weave more opportunities to learn by adding things into your event schedule, and how you can incentivize more audi- ence participation by also weaving a healthy sense of competition and good sportsmanship into these programs. Polls, Panels, Surveys and Open Conversations — Look for more opportunities to have presenters speak with attendees, not at them. Conversa- tion is a two-way street, after all. Pos- sible options might include interactive town hall-style presentations or panels full of audience polls and questions served up on the fly to attendees. Alter- nately, they can take the form of call- and response activities, online group exercises, custom trivia games geared toward trending topics or quick-hit prototyping sessions and app-based polls or surveys. However you tackle the challenge, just remember: The less time presenters passively present to viewers, and the more they engage in active real-time discussion, the more engaging programs will be from the audience’s perspective. Graphical Representations and Summaries — No matter how engag- ing a presenter is, graphics, animations, videos, illustrations and other visual representations can communicate ideas faster than words. What’s more, no mat- ter how poetic you can wax in conversa- tion, imagery is often far easier to grasp and understand at a glance — and can promote more rapid learning and better retention by serving as a helpful form of mental shorthand. My advice: Leverage charts, graph- ics and illustrations wherever possible to simplify ideas, make otherwise dense concepts more approachable and give viewers a quick, easy entry path into any given topic. The bottom line: As a No. 1-ranked futurist keynote speaker and consul- tant, I work with hundreds of event planners and meeting pros in dozens of industries each year — all of whom are constantly sprinting to help audiences get a better handle on future trends and new innovations. Leveraging the POP FUTURE learning method to enhance events and special occasions, and apply a more creative touch to content pro- gramming, can help you quickly send attendee excitement and engagement levels soaring. Who says everything has to be deliv- ered as a dull PowerPoint presentation, or that learning has to be provided in the form of a talking head expound- ing at a crowd for 90 minutes straight? POP FUTURE provides an alternate means of teaching subjects that’s way more engaging and exciting for every- day learners — and offers a way to both fast-track knowledge transfer and jazz up any meeting or event today. | AC&F | 11 Award-winning expert witness, strategic consultant and professional speaker Scott Steinberg is among today’s best-known trends experts and futurists, and the bestselling author of “Think Like a Futurist,” “Make Change Work for You: 10 Ways to Future-Proof Yourself, Fearlessly Innovate, and Succeed Despite Uncertainty” and “Fast >> Forward: How to Turbo-Charge Business, Sales, and Career Growth.” The president and CEO of BIZDEV: The International Association for Business Development and Strategic Partnerships, his website is FuturistsSpeakers.com. JULY 2022 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES After seeing it a thousand times, attendees are increasingly nonplussed by standard- issue promo pieces.VIEWPOINT Building for the Future of Travel Education, Experience and Change Are the Keys to Growth BY GREG JUNG W e’ve navigated the twists and turns of life while in the midst of a roll- ercoaster of confusion, anxiety, anger and fear, all generated by the ongoing state of the world. In an effort to cope during these times, you may have picked up new hobbies, dis- covered your love for a number of real- ity TV series, moved across the country, made the decision to go back to school or even become one of many profession- als taking part in the Great Resignation. There is no question that this current time in our history is marked with an increasing want and need for personal and professional growth. Many chap- ters of my life have been marked by a similar desire; this has motivated me to adopt a mindset focused on differenti- ating myself from others in a positive way through a continuous pursuit of knowledge. I have learned many lessons recognizing that growth is rarely hap- penstance, broadening my capabilities through further education and finding my way into the travel industry. I pursued my first MBA two years after completing my undergraduate degree, and this decision came from a place of limited work experience. My motivation for this choice was rooted in a very academic foundation, where I anticipated that guiding principles would greatly assist in the application of my skills within the real world. Through gaining work experience and pursuing my second MBA later in life, I was able to recognize how edu- cation is truly complementary to appli- cation as work experiences taught me how, when and where my academic background could make all the differ- ence. Gaining actual work experience, especially within the travel industry, shifted my perspective and motivated me to use a more holistic approach to everything I do, and this type of approach is needed more than ever before. When I began my career, taking on a role in marketing meant that you only had a role in marketing. Now, a marketing role really can function as an umbrella title, housing responsibilities in organizational culture, operations, technology, marketing and even all the way into sales. LEADING WITH A HOLISTIC APPROACH Imagine that an organization is at the top of its game in terms of its visual marketing content; however, it 12 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJULY 2022is executing business poorly when it comes to very foundational operations, such as customer experience. When negative feedback comes around, it is not just associated with the struggling department, but it hinders the growth of the entire organization. That is why a holistic approach is so essential in today’s world. It all comes back to how today’s leaders are making their decisions and enacting change, aka using a growth mindset, relying on those learned skills of design and critical thinking, as well as problem solving. From my own experience, an excel- lent example of a holistic approach can be seen when looking at how I tackled the issue of marketing investments and travel seasonality. For this indus- try, it is typically assumed that Q2 and Q3 are the best quarters in terms of sales; therefore, impacting when and how we invest our money. However, people are traveling all the time, even more so since their previous plans were derailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this case, by adopting a holistic approach and looking at the bigger picture, I ask the question: “Is the industry forcing seasonality by how we calibrate our marketing spend?” as well as “What would happen when seasonality is no longer the driving fac- tor in determining spend?” By broad- ening the way in which I assessed this concept, it enabled me to shatter this outdated belief and instead rely on a more calculated approach based on experience and observations. THE FUTURE OF GROWTH WITHIN TRAVEL As I look ahead to the future of travel and the travel industry, there are a number of changes in the works. Like many other types of industries, travel is heavily pivoting toward a direct-to-consumer model by relying on technology. Millennials and younger generations are driving this as they want an experience where the results are immediate, meaning they have their plans set up within a few clicks and are able to digitally interact in a similar fashion. Specifically, through my role as chief growth officer for Seven Corners, I am optimistic toward a greater increase in travel knowledge among the general public. For Seven Corners, as well as other organizations, the future of travel is really focused on educating the pub- lic on how they can get back out there and do it safely. As for the next generation of talent, young professionals will be entering into an industry that is much livelier and more advanced — one that is con- stantly adapting and changing as each new generation of travelers helps to shape trends and top destinations vary every few years. For those individuals, a growth mindset will be key to their success. These are three tips that young professionals should follow as they pur- sue a career in the travel industry. • Look for career opportunities in consulting — The beauty of con- sulting or rotational programs is that you are exposed to numerous industries or multiple facets of a company. You will be much better equipped to make crucial strategic decisions as this exposure gives you the ability to visualize how prospective changes will likely impact each sector of the company. • Develop a strong understanding of analytics and digital marketing — A large portion of the work we do in this industry relates to the use of data and analytics. Addition- ally, digital marketing is a newer area that is constantly evolving. By developing familiarity with these topics, you will be better equipped than many of your peers. • Don’t overlook accounting and finance classes — This is one aspect of my education that I overlooked while working through my under- graduate degree. A background in finance and accounting is highly valued. By having the ability to understand how the financial sec- tor of your organization functions, you are better positioned to come up with effective growth strategies. As the next generation of profession- als looks to join this industry, we know that future success will be hinged on our ability to educate and connect with the public. This will always begin with edu- cating ourselves, looking inward at the industry to identify and address those vulnerabilities that block greater adop- tion. Whether it be tackling outdated beliefs, navigating a pandemic/world crisis or interpreting and catering to generational differences, travel profes- sionals must rely on a growth mindset as it is a pillar to strategic development and effective communication. | AC&F | 13 With 25+ years of experience, Greg Jung has worked for high-growth startups and multibillion-dollar corporations providing his expertise in marketing technology, digital demand generation, product marketing, brand management and communications. As chief growth officer at Seven Corners, Jung is responsible for increasing awareness of the Seven Corners brand while driving revenue and strategic growth efforts. You can reach Jung at greg.jung@sevencorners.com. JULY 2022 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES We know that future success will be hinged on our ability to educate and connect with the public.VIEWPOINT Generation Gap How to Win the War for Younger Talent in the Gig Economy BY RICK GRIMALDI S ince the gig economy exploded on the scene during the Great Recession, it has reshaped the American workforce. Con- sider that today, more than one-third of Americans report that they are participating in one way or another, with 49% of adults under 35 “gigging it.” Certainly there are pros and cons to gig work, and the subject is wracked by ongoing controversy as legislators struggle to define what it really means to be an employee. Yet, companies can’t afford to ignore the powerful lure, especially among young people, of working this way. The flexible nature of gig work appeals highly to the younger generation. To them, the work/life integration built into the gig economy is not a cool trend, but a priority, even a value. And companies competing for Gen X, Y and Z workers need to bake it into the jobs they offer. Even as people become increasingly disen- chanted with the harsher realities of gig work — like the lack of benefits and protections employees enjoy — they STILL crave many aspects of it. Young workers love setting their own hours, clocking in remotely, and being able to take off to meet fam- ily obligations, even on short notice. Organizations that provide these working conditions are the ones that will thrive in the future. The idea is to give them the best of both worlds: the financial stability that only a “job job” can offer, but the sense of freedom that comes with gig work. Many workplaces got to test these work styles in real-time because of the COVID-19 quarantines — and in many cases, the results were positive. The first surprise for many employers who’d 14 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJULY 2022 Many organizations have had to adapt to the wants and needs of younger workers, such as remote work, to keep and attract talented employees. DEPOSITPHOTOS.COMbeen reluctant to allow workers to tele- commute was that productivity actu- ally soared. When working from home is done well, psychologists emphasize that it can improve employee produc- tivity, creativity and morale. While not every workplace is able to provide work-from-home options, there are many ways for companies to compete with the gig economy. A few suggestions: Keep the No. 1 thing young employees want — work/life inte- gration — top of mind. In one survey, nearly 17% of respondents said it was the most important factor they consider when choosing a job, more than leader- ship opportunities, flexibility, profes- sional development and a laundry list of other benefits. Factor this truth into every decision you make as you shape your workplace culture. Consider allowing employees to work remotely, part or all of the time. Remote work is the single-biggest factor that gives employees the flexibil- ity to work on their own time. Quite often, this eliminates long and costly commutes, child care dilemmas, can- celed parent-teacher conferences, and more. However, this option won’t work for every position or every workplace. Be real, with yourself and with employees, about what the job requires. If the remote option works, then great, but if it doesn’t, both you and the employee will be unhappy in the long run. Often, a hybrid arrange- ment might prove to be a good solution. Let them maintain control over when they’re available. Even if a job can’t realistically be done remotely, people may still be able to tailor hours to their own schedule. For example, they might come in earlier or later and leave earlier or later. This often ensures that their work is done at the most effective times, without rushing or exhaustion, and enables employees to fulfill family obligations without interfering with their working hours. Empower men to share the bur- den of child care without career penalty. In today’s world, many men share the burden of child care, or put their own careers on the back-burner to support their wives. Allowing these employees flexibility to fulfill their fam- ily obligations can keep effective work- ers in your company, rather than losing them to the gig economy. Just like my millennial associate who told me he wasn’t interested in long hours or a fast track to making partner at our firm because his wife’s career took precedence in their fam- ily, millions of couples are struggling with how to best balance dual careers. Organizations need to recognize this as reality for employees. Don’t skimp on real time off. If you are able to let employees work from home either full-time or part-time, don’t make the mistake of thinking this format is a replacement for actual free time. It is all too easy for work-from- home jobs to morph into an expecta- tion for workers to be plugged in 24/7, but this sort of work environment will absolutely lead to burnout, and, there- fore, a lower quality of work produced. Give your employees a chance to build new skills. Many gig workers enjoy the exciting new experiences that gig work can provide and look down upon the monotony of the traditional nine-to-five. Allowing your employ- ees a chance to “shake things up” and learn something new can give your company an exciting edge over other traditional workplaces. Ask yourself: What do young people REALLY want? Then start moving your company in that direc- tion. For example, they want training and development, the opportunity to collaborate with teams, a sense of mean- ing in their work and an affiliation with socially responsible entities. They insist on fairness, equity, diversity and inclu- sion. So, take a hard look at your work- place culture and see where you’re not in alignment with these values. Move to fix any glaring problems right away. Then make long-term changes that will make you more likely to meet the needs and wants of younger generations. It’s absolutely essential that your workplace become attractive enough to young, talented workers so they will choose employment with you over the lure of gig work. Freedom and flexibil- ity are great, but like all human beings, young employees want to feel a genu- ine sense of belonging. If you can pro- vide that, you can capture their hearts and minds and maybe even earn their loyalty. | AC&F | 15 Rick Grimaldi is a workplace trends expert and the author of “FLEX: A Leader’s Guide to Staying Nimble and Mastering Transformative Change in the American Workplace.” His unique perspective comes from his diverse career in high-ranking public-service positions, as a human resources and labor relations professional for an international hi-tech company, and presently in private practice as a partner with Fisher Phillips LLP, one of America’s preeminent management side labor and employment law firms. For more information, visit FisherPhillips.com. JULY 2022 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES Don’t skimp on real time off ... Don’t make the mistake of thinking this format is a replacement for actual free time.INDUSTRYINSIGHT themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJULY 2022 s the meetings and events industry continues its recovery from the eco- nomic slump of the last two years, CVBs around the country have shown not only resilience in the face of adversity, but actually CVBs have determinedly led the way in overall recovery efforts. To put matters into perspective, con- sider the impact that the loss of tourism dollars had on local communities from those who witnessed the devastation firsthand. “Economically speaking, the COVID-19 impact was nine times worse than 9/11,” says Craig Davis, president & CEO of Visit Dallas. “Unlike an eco- nomic slowdown, the sudden and steep drop in travel due to the COVID-19 was a natural disaster that essentially shutdown the entire travel economy. We saw what Dallas looks like without tourism and meetings, and it’s devastat- ing.” In terms of numbers, Davis adds, “In the first year of the pandemic, Visit Dallas recorded a loss of more than 550 group bookings, resulting in almost a billion dollars in lost economic impact.” No state, county or city was spared the devastation. “The COVID-19 pan- demic was as devastating to Columbus’ hospitality industry as it was for desti- nations around the U.S. and the world,” says Dan Williams, chief sales officer for Experience Columbus, remind- ing industry insiders that “Meetings and conventions halted for a period, and many businesses had to tempo- rarily close or adjust their business model to survive.” Jeff Hewitt, executive vice presi- dent of sales & services for Visit Savan- nah, shares his city’s experience: “Simi- larly to all businesses everywhere, the impact on travel-related commerce has been incredibly challenging during the pandemic,” Hewitt says, citing that, for Visit Savannah, “Business declined 20% in the 2019-20 period.” GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS Once the abrupt disruption to tour- ism began to settle in, CVBs wasted no time addressing two immediate con- cerns: helping local businesses survive, and in some cases, even thrive; and addressing the concerns for health and sanitation standards that would enable a safe return to live business meetings. For the Dallas hospitality community, this meant “earning Global Biorisk Advisory Council STAR accreditation,” Davis says. Additionally, “We were recently named a Diamond Destina- tion. This designation is accomplished by a widespread adoption of the GBAC STAR Facility and Service Provider Accreditations within our community’s key infrastructure and attractions.” Visit Savannah moved forward by being flexible, but responsible, Hewitt says. “We worked diligently to address customers’ primary needs and found innovative solutions to continue to host meetings in a safe manner.” So, too, did Visit Detroit, which “helped lead the Safe Meetings in Michigan report and action plan, working with our small- and large-scale partners to ensure that meeting, convention, res- taurant and attraction sites were ready to host people safely,” says Chris Moyer, senior director of communications for Visit Detroit. “Event properties in the BACK TO BUSINESS CVBs Took Measures to Stay Strong During the Shutdown BY NANCY MUELLER 16region quickly retrofitted air filters, redesigned spaces for more spacing and airflow, and enhanced personal protective equipment for workers and attendees alike.” Williams relates the upside of the last two years: “Throughout the pan- demic, we saw our community come together in truly inspirational and cre- ative ways, from distilleries and retail- ers pivoting their business models to produce vital PPE and hand sanitizer early on, to attractions creating virtual and take-home experiences,” Williams says. “At Experience Columbus, we shifted our focus from overnight visi- tors to residents and day-trippers, and put an emphasis on health and safety.” In citing examples of the CVB’s new approach, Williams says: “We created the Live Forward Pledge, committed to by many businesses, restaurants and attractions, to assure residents and potential visitors that it was safe to patronize their locations.” And, like Visit Dallas, “many of our largest visitor touchpoints pursued third-party vali- dation through GBAC STAR Accredita- tion. The community came together to get through the crisis.” Beyond imple- menting comprehensive health and safety protocols to offer assurance to event organizers and meeting attend- ees, “During this time, we also debuted a new website and new Columbus Gift Guide for the holidays [featuring local products and experiences from busi- nesses in our vibrant communities and neighborhoods],” Williams says. In Lee County, the area south of Tampa on Florida’s southwest coast abutting the Gulf of Mexico, officials are 17 JULY 2022 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES Top, Craig Davis, president & CEO of Visit Dallas, at a recent Visit Dallas Annual Meeting. Left, Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau officials are seeing a jump in visitor numbers, such as visitor spend and room nights. COURTESY OF VISIT DALLAS PHOTO BY MATT STEEVESSOUTH SEAS ISLAND RESORT Indoors or out, our event specialists are here to help you plan and execute your next meeting or event. SouthSeas.com/Groups/ 239-579-1482 Inspirational surroundings Expert conference services team Wide variety of accommodations and meeting rooms near RSW airport Health and safety are a top priority Planning is different now. We can help. Call 1-800-237-6444 or submit an RFP at MeetInFortMyers.com YOU’RE THE ONE WHO WE HELP YOU MAKE IT LOOK EASY. LEADS THEM TO Innovation. seeing a much-welcomed resurgence in meetings. Direct visitor spending generated more than $3.7 billion in 2021, up 41.7% from 2020. Also, visi- tors generated nearly 6.4 million room nights in 2021, up 44.9% over 2020. The area is home to an array of islands, as well as the cities of Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Bonita Springs. Here, meeting planners will find more than 12,000 hotel rooms, ranging from inexpensive to full-service resort prop- erties, 290,000 total sf of meeting space and 50 miles of white-sand beaches. There are also spectacular natural attractions, as well as historical and cul- tural gems that provide unique entertain- ment options for meeting attendees. For example, when it’s time to take a break from meetings, attendees can experience guided wildlife, sunset and shelling eco- tours, or explore the more than 90 golf courses dotting the region. A top-to-bottom conversion of the former Hotel Indigo is underway, as it is transformed into the Banyan Hotel Fort Myers, Tapestry Collection by Hil- ton, featuring new meeting and event options located a mere two blocks from the Caloosa Sound Convention Center & Amphitheater. For an interesting meeting and event space, the new Top- golf in Fort Myers features 70 climate- controlled hitting bays, full-service restaurant and bars, 200 HDTVs, roof- top terrace, meeting rooms and pri- vate event space. The Lee County Visitor & Conven- tion Bureau also has implemented the Meetings Incentive Grant Program to generate a positive economic impact for the destination post-COVID through increased occupancy with small to mid-sized group meeting business. The offer does not apply to existing con- tracts, meetings moved/rebooked due to cancellation, or to social groups such as weddings, reunions, or other social events, sporting events or group tours. To qualify for the grant, the group must book a minimum of 10 rooms on peak night and a minimum of 50 total room nights. For more information, visit vis- itfortmyers.com, select Meetings, then Meeting Incentive Offers. START WITH LOCAL TRAVEL The Oklahoma Tourism & Recre- ation Department (OTRD) cited their focus on local travel as well when the pandemic first hit, says Rylie Man- suetti, research & communications specialist for OTRD. “We launched our #OKHereWeGO campaign that encour- aged Oklahomans to travel, shop, dine, cruise, stay and play local as they start to venture out. Billboards went up around the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas featuring the #OKHereWeGO hashtag.” Mansuetti continues, “Televi- sion spots highlighting Okla- homa museums, restaurants, shops and other popular tourism businesses aired in the Oklahoma City, Lawton, Sherman/Ada and Tulsa markets. Then, as time went on, we moved on to cautiously encouraging folks to travel as they felt safe doing so.” Currently, Mansuetti notes that “Our #OKHereWeGO campaign has moved into a phase we’re calling Trav- elOK Your Way, where we’re empha- sizing that everyone has their different travel styles and interests,” Mansuetti says. “As part of it, we’ve got TravelOK Your Way ad spots. The Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department has different decals for people to order to show what they love to do in Oklahoma.” Davis responds optimistically when asked what lies ahead for the meetings industry in his region. “Dallas’ future is exceedingly bright, with almost 20,000 hotel rooms in the works in the area,” he says. “The most exciting news on our horizon: Dallas has approved plans for an updated 2.5 million-sf conven- tion center located adjacent to the cur- rent Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas. Construction on the $2 billion center is expected to begin in 2024 with completion in 2029.” Davis views the convention update as “a game-changer for Dallas, which will put our city on the map as the preemi- nent large-city convention and meeting destination in the nation. The center will be the anchor for a lively new Convention Center District that will excite convention-goers and revitalize southern Downtown Dallas, making it a place for locals to enjoy alongside our convention attendees.” Among the outstanding features Davis notes are “large, elevated ballrooms with outdoor event terraces boasting views of the Trinity River and Downtown Dallas.” In addition, “The surrounding Convention Center District will connect themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJULY 2022 Dan Williams Chief Sales Officer Experience Columbus Throughout the pandemic, we saw our community come together in truly inspirational and creative ways. Christopher Moyer, far left, senior director of communications with Visit Detroit, says Detroit is seeing an increased demand for in-person meetings and events in the pandemic’s wake. COURTESY OF CHRISTOPHER MOYER 18SOUTH SEAS ISLAND RESORT Indoors or out, our event specialists are here to help you plan and execute your next meeting or event. SouthSeas.com/Groups/ 239-579-1482 Inspirational surroundings Expert conference services team Wide variety of accommodations and meeting rooms near RSW airport Health and safety are a top priority Planning is different now. We can help. Call 1-800-237-6444 or submit an RFP at MeetInFortMyers.com YOU’RE THE ONE WHO WE HELP YOU MAKE IT LOOK EASY. LEADS THEM TO Innovation.Next >