ASAE / Nick Hagen Photography A COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION SEPTEMBER 2022 VOL. 15 NO. 5 $15.00 SPECIAL SECTIONMEET IN BOURBON CITY With new hotels, 2 GBAC Star accredited convention centers, more direct flights, and new event venues - from bourbon distilleries to an indoor track & field complex - Bourbon City has the recipe for success for your next meeting or event. Learn more at GoToLouisville.com/Meet. DEPARTMENTS DESTINATIONS FEATURES 24 20 28 16 VIEWPOINT 12 Ready to Lead Women Are Built to Seize the Reins BY DEB BOELKES 14 A Captive Audience 5 Tips to Make Your Virtual Meetings More Engaging BY ED STEVENS 16 A Good Cause The Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility BY MAURA KELLER 20 ADA Advice It’s Important to Make Meetings Accessible to All BY KEITH LORIA 24 Navigating a Crisis Leaders Learned About Themselves and Their Organizations BY NANCY MUELLER 28 Medical Attention Med/Pharma Meeting Planners Adjust to Challenges BY CHRISTINE LOOMIS 32 Keeping Stress at Bay The Proper Mindset Helps Planners Cope BY MAURA KELLER 42 2022 Distinctive Achievement Awards Celebrating the Best of the Best BY AC&F STAFF 4 Publisher’s Message 6 News & Notes 10 ASAE Highlights 66 Career Track 36 Atlantic City Looking Forward to a Strong Recovery BY CHRISTINE LOOMIS 32 ISSN 21628831 | USPS 003500 | A COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION | SEPTEMBER 2022 | VOLUME 15 | NUMBER 5 SEPTEMBER 2022 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES 3 ISSUECONTENTSA COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Harvey Grotsky harvey.grotsky @ themeetingmagazines.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kristin Bjornsen kristin.bjornsen @ themeetingmagazines.com MANAGING EDITOR Henry Fitzgerald henry.fitzgerald @ themeetingmagazines.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Rachel Galvin rachel.galvin @ themeetingmagazines.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Sophia Bennett Cynthia Dial Dan Johnson Maura Keller Christine Loomis Keith Loria Nancy Mueller David Swanson PRESIDENT & CEO Harvey Grotsky VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS David Middlebrook david.middlebrook @ themeetingmagazines.com ADVERTISING SALES OFFICES 2500 N. Military Trail, Suite 283 Boca Raton, FL 33431-6322 561-989-0600 Fax: 561-989-9509 advertising@themeetingmagazines.com REGIONAL MANAGERS Gayle Massey Bob Mitchell Jo Neese Christy Spiegel Lisa Turner DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS Michael Caffin 914-629-5860 michael.caffin@themeetingmagazines.com Association Conventions & Facilities is published bi-monthly by Coastal Communications Corporation, 2500 North Military Trail — Suite 283, Boca Raton, FL 33431-6322; 561-989-0600. Single copies $15.00 U.S.A. only. Yearly subscription price is $65.00 in the U.S.A. Canada and foreign is $135.00. Back copies $14.00 plus shipping and handling, U.S.A. only. Distributed without charge to qualified personnel. Periodicals Postage Paid at Boca Raton, FL, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send Form 3579 address changes to Association Conventions & Facilities, 2500 North Military Trail — Suite 283, Boca Raton, FL 33431- 6322. Nothing contained in this publication shall constitute an endorsement by Coastal Communications Corporation (Association Conventions & Facilities), and the publication disclaims any liability with respect to the use of or reliance on any such information. The information contained in this publication is in no way to be construed as a recommendation by AC&F of any industry standard, or as a recommendation of any kind to be adopted by or to be binding upon any advertiser or subscriber. Reproduction of any portion of this publication by any means is strictly forbidden. Editorial contributions must be accompanied by return postage and will be handled with reasonable care. However, the publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited photographs or manuscripts. Subscribers: Send subscription inquiries and address changes to: Circulation Department, Association Conventions & Facilities, 2500 North Military Trail — Suite 283, Boca Raton, FL 33431-6322. Provide old and new addresses including zip code. Enclose address label from most recent issue and please allow five weeks for the change to become effective. Printed in U.S.A. ©2022 Harvey Grotsky Publisher ROOM TO INSPIRE KATHY REAK, CFMP Vice President of Sales Kathy@VisitCOS.com | 719.685.7632 Welcome to Colorado Springs, Olympic City USA, where stunning, wide-open scenery is the backdrop to your next meeting or event. From unique venues and properties to outdoor adventure and delicious dining, Colorado Springs has what you need to create a memorable experience for your attendees. Here, you’ll find room to inspire, innovate and reconnect. The Colorado Meetings & Events Incentive program has been extended, offering a 10% rebate on eligible hard costs. See our website for details. Learn more at VisitCOS.com/meet linkedin.com/company/ ACFacilities @ACFacilities @ACFacilities facebook.com/ ACFacilities FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESSEPTEMBER 2022 PUBLISHER’SMESSAGE 4 Be All That You Can Be I doubt that I will spur any dissenting opinions with my contention that today’s most successful association meeting planners are those who bring an innate sense of responsibility, a flair for creativity, a background of years of meeting industry experience and a passion for occupational excellence to their chosen profession. In that sense, you, as today’s association meeting and convention planners, can count yourselves blessed with not one, but three professional associations standing ready to inform, educate and assist you in any number of ways. Since knowledge is the key to a brighter future on both a personal and professional level, education and career training is understandably the cornerstone of efforts on your behalf by the meeting industry professional associations. ASAE and the other organizations, for example, offer dedicated training personnel to lead the education and certification crusade. A prime example of this was presented at the recently concluded ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition in Nashville, where nearly 5,000 attendees gathered for the three-day event. Those of you who were fortunate enough to attend had an opportunity to sharpen your meeting management skills, as well as review a host of related industry concerns. As ASAE and the other industry organizations provide the tools for success, the net result is irrefutable evidence that meeting and convention planning as an industry is well on its way to recovery. I look forward to seeing you next year at the ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition in Atlanta!ROOM TO INSPIRE KATHY REAK, CFMP Vice President of Sales Kathy@VisitCOS.com | 719.685.7632 Welcome to Colorado Springs, Olympic City USA, where stunning, wide-open scenery is the backdrop to your next meeting or event. From unique venues and properties to outdoor adventure and delicious dining, Colorado Springs has what you need to create a memorable experience for your attendees. Here, you’ll find room to inspire, innovate and reconnect. The Colorado Meetings & Events Incentive program has been extended, offering a 10% rebate on eligible hard costs. See our website for details. Learn more at VisitCOS.com/meetthemeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESSEPTEMBER 2022 HOT SPRINGS, VA — The Omni Homestead Resort, the iconic one- stop, all-season lifestyle resort situated on more than 2,000 acres in the breathtaking Allegheny Mountains, is now accepting group bookings for its expanded events and meetings capabilities as part of an overall $140 million property-wide renovation, set to be completed late next year. A top meeting destination serving Virginia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Charlotte, Columbus, Nashville, Philadelphia and beyond, The Omni Homestead Resort will add 4,000 sf of function space through the opening of an all-new, indoor/outdoor Event Pavilion, while enhancing the resort’s exist- ing 72,000 sf of meeting space with a focus on advanced func- tionality and refreshed interiors. Poised to satisfy the demands of meeting groups, additional renovations will include new carpets, refinishing of the wood floors, fresh paint, wall coverings, acous- tic ceiling tiles and replacement of light fixtures. Enhancements involving food and beverage venues include Pioneer Picnic, a fast-casual, family-friendly dining experience; Martha’s Market, the property’s grab-and-go café; The Lobby Bar, which will soon become a new speakeasy-style lounge; Jefferson’s Restaurant and Taproom; Rubino’s at The Cascades and The Dining Room. Omni Homestead Resort is Now Accepting Group Bookings WASHINGTON, DC — The Events Industry Council has announced its 2022 Global Awards, in which Butch Spyridon, CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp., was named a Hall of Lead- ers inductee. The Hall of Leaders award is the premier recognition program in the meetings, conventions, exhibitions, hospitality and travel industry — the industry’s “lifetime achievement award.” The award recognizes outstanding leaders who have undoubtedly shaped the industry. The defining quality among these leaders is that the industry would not be what it is today without their contributions. Each inductee is honored at the Hall of Leaders Rec- ognition Pavilion, located permanently in the Washington (DC) Convention Center. The pavilion contains a short tribute video to each inductee, highlighting his or her career. “This is a totally unexpected and humbling honor. I’m not often speech- less, but I’m not sure I have the words,” Spyridon says. Also, of note, Spyridon was recognized by the PRSA Nashville chapter during the recent 2022 Parthe- non Awards as the recipient of the Apollo Award for Communications Leadership. The Apollo Award recognizes a Middle Tennessee executive who strives to implement sound communication practices in their orga- nization and the community. Events Industry Council Names Butch Spyridon to Hall of Leaders VERONA, NY — Turning Stone Resort Casino is set to undergo its largest expan- sion in two decades. The massive, multi- year project will nearly double the exist- ing convention and meeting space at the resort. To support the increase of conven- tion guests, the expansion will also include a new hotel at Turning Stone, roughly the same size as the Tower Hotel, with approx- imately 250 guest rooms, as well as new dining options, outdoor spaces and addi- tional amenities. Together, these additions will help attract even more regional and national events from across the country, further increasing tourism to the region. The expansion project at Turning Stone will result in millions of dollars spent with local businesses and vendors. The Oneida Indian Nation, which has invested more than $1 billion in Central New York, will create hundreds of local construction jobs, and the expansion will also support the continued growth of the Oneida Indian Nation’s workforce, with hundreds of new permanent jobs once completed. Plan- ning for the multiyear expansion is already underway, with groundbreaking expected to take place next year. Turning Stone Resort Casino Planning Major Expansion 6 NEWS&NOTES SpyridonLAS VEGAS, NV — The Venetian Resort Las Vegas welcomes Tony Yousfito its pioneering executive team as chief sales officer. Yousfi’s previous roles earned him nationwide recogni- tion for long-term success in hotel sales, convention services, catering and large-scale project management. Yousfibrings 18 years of valuable hospitality experi- ence, including his most recent roles as senior vice president of sales, catering and conference services for Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Previous positions include chief growth officer of Carver Road Hospitality and vice president of sales, services, catering, group dining and weddings for MGM Resorts International. Beginning his career as a national sales manager, Yousfiaccelerated his career through his vital contributions to various multimillion-dollar, large-scale projects. In 2019, Yousfiwas awarded the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Top 25 Award for his exhibition of exceptional leadership and contributions to the hospitality industry. Yousfi’s long history as a leader in Las Vegas hospitality, combined with his knowledge of strategic planning, will aid The Resort’s continued expansion and dedicated efforts to enhancing the overall customer experience. SEPTEMBER 2022 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES Yousfi 7 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Visit Lauderdale, the destination marketing organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale (Broward County), made an impressive showing at the recent annual Flor- ida Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Each year, VISIT FLOR- IDA hosts the Flagler Awards to honor organizations that show exemplary skills in marketing Florida as one of the world’s top travel destinations. This year, Visit Lau- derdale won the highest honor with the “Henry” for its print advertising campaign and for the special event category. Other awards included a Silver Flagler for a niche marketing campaign to the LGBTQ+ audience and a Bronze Flagler for a mixed-media campaign. The Flagler awards honor the best marketing and advertising in the state of Florida, but the awards are not based on creativity alone, they are also based on results. Visit Lauder- dale has seen tremendous results, finishing up 2021 with hotel revenue up 29% over 2019 (pre-pandemic), totaling $1.36 billion. Visit Lauderdale Wins Top Honors From VISIT FLORIDA The Venetian Resort Las Vegas Names Tony YousfiChief Sales Officer CENTRE’D AROUND YOU. Make an impact with your next event at Boise Centre. Our versatile meeting and event spaces, modern amenities, and expert event planning team is at your service to ensure an unforgettable event experience. Located in the middle of the city’s energetic, walkable downtown Boise Centre is surrounded by local breweries, restaurants, shops, hotels and is minutes from outdoor adventures. boisecentre.com • Convenient downtown location • Numerous direct flights and seven minutes from the airport • Surrounded by restaurants, breweries, and nightlife • Over 1,300 hotel rooms within walking distance • Outdoor activities close by including hiking, rafting, biking, and moreBook your next conference with us. Allow Westin’s extraordinary guest service and events team to create an unparalleled experience. Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa features: • 110,000 square feet of thoughtfully laid out meeting space • 20,000 square foot, pillarless ballroom • 35 breakout rooms, including stunning outdoor venues overlooking the lake and mountains • An award winning culinary team to delight your attendees • Spacious guest rooms and suites overlooking picturesque scenery • Group activities can include Reflection Bay Championship Golf course, g Aveda Spa Lago, water activities or a night on The Strip • Located just 30-minutes from the glitz and glam of Vegas Enjoy complimentary round trip transportation to The Strip or a Welcome Reception for your group. ©2019 Marriott International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. All names, marks and logos are the trademarks of Marriott International, Inc., or its affiliates. For full terms and conditions, visit westinlakelasvegas.com THE WESTIN LAKE LAS VEGAS 101 Montelago Blvd Henderson, NV 89011 T 702.567.6118 westinlakelasvegas.com CONTACT OUR SALES EXPERTS FOR OFFER DETAILS AND TO EARN DOUBLE BONVOY POINTS AT 760.567.6118 OR SALES@LV.WESTINLAKELASVEGAS.COM. @WestinLakeLasVegas @westinlakelasvegas themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESSEPTEMBER 2022 SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Hyatt Regency San Fran- cisco, one of San Francisco’s premier waterfront hotels in the Embarcadero district, is undergoing a multimillion- dollar guest room enhance- ment. The hotel will remain open during the renovation process, and is continuing to accept leisure, business and group reservations. The reno- vation includes a complete transformation of the hotel’s 821 guest rooms, which includes 45 suites. Guests will be greeted with modernized rooms, high- lighted by spacious floor-to-ceiling win- dows spanning waterfront or city views. Each revamped guest room will feature new beds and platform bed frames with integrated sconces, up-lighting, internal power units and motion-activated night lights at the bed base. New contemporary furniture in every guest room includes an 84-inch chaise lounge chair, stone- surface desks, wood coffee tables that double as working desks and oversized wall-mounted high-definition televisions. Additional updates include new plush carpet accented by smooth porcelain tile in the entryway and bath- room. The guest room bath- rooms will offer new spacious showers, refreshing rainfall shower heads, stone counter- tops and large, 44-inch vanity mirrors with internal lighting. The hotel is located just a short walk from Embarcade- ro’s world-famous attractions, premier dining and popular entertainment. As one of the city’s leading destinations for meetings and events, the hotel is home to 72,000 sf of customizable space for any and every event. With on-site event professionals to help with planning, it’s the perfect venue for all occasions. Hyatt Regency San Francisco Announces Multimillion-Dollar Renovation LAS VEGAS, NV — New York-New York recently launched a $63 million room remodel of its 1,830 rooms and 155 of its suites. When completed next summer, the accommodations will fea- ture vibrant new designs and upgraded in-room amenities that will appeal to travelers from around the world. The design aes- thetic draws inspiration from the energy and excitement of two of the world’s great cities — Las Vegas and New York City. The remodel features design details that harken to New York City, such as rooms with exposed faux brick walls and accent colors. These elements subtly bring the ‘City that Never Sleeps’ to life in the Entertainment Capital of the World. Reflecting a thought- ful use of space, rooms will incorporate modern conveniences. Completion is scheduled for next summer. MIAMI BEACH, FL — The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC), where global business and creative collaboration get a spark of tropical inspiration, is offering a Full-Day Meeting Package for those seeking a modern and spacious venue to hold their event. The Full-Day Meeting Package allows guests to reserve and use the space for eight hours at $189 per person (inclusive of taxes & fees), designed for groups of 100 to 250 attendees and based on space availability. This unconventional space located in the Heart of Miami Beach hosts corporate events, meetings, board retreats and conferences. This offer is for new business accounts and valid only for July, August and September 2023, and must be booked by December 30. Call 786-276-2600 or email sales@miamibeachconvention.com. New York-New York Hotel & Casino Launches $63M Remodel Miami Beach Convention Center Offers Meeting Package Promotion WASHINGTON, DC — Destinations International, the world’s largest resource for official destination organizations and con- vention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), and the Tourism Indus- try Association of Canada (TIAC), announce a partnership to elevate awareness of the role and impact of destination organi- zations in Canada. Founded in 1930 to encourage the develop- ment of tourism in Canada, TIAC serves today as the national private-sector advocate for this once $105 billion sector. Based in Ottawa, TIAC takes action on behalf of Canadian tourism busi- nesses and promotes positive measures that help the industry grow and prosper. Visit destinationsinternational.org for more. LAS VEGAS, NV — Under an educational theme of Pathways to Clarity, learning at the upcoming IMEX America 2022 will be delivered in four simple tracks, reduced from 10: Respect for People and Planet; Future Self; Innovation and Creativity and Event Planner Toolkit. More than 100 sessions are available. The learning will take place in a variety of formats, which include: Campfire, Seminar, Private 1:1 Conversation and Workshop, to name a few. IMEX America also recently released its sustain- ability report from last year’s show. Prepared by sustainability partners, MeetGreen, the report benchmarks each edition of IMEX America against industry-best practices. Destinations International Announces TIAC Partnership IMEX Launches Education Program; Releases Sustainability Report 8 NEWS&NOTESBook your next conference with us. Allow Westin’s extraordinary guest service and events team to create an unparalleled experience. Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa features: • 110,000 square feet of thoughtfully laid out meeting space • 20,000 square foot, pillarless ballroom • 35 breakout rooms, including stunning outdoor venues overlooking the lake and mountains • An award winning culinary team to delight your attendees • Spacious guest rooms and suites overlooking picturesque scenery • Group activities can include Reflection Bay Championship Golf course, g Aveda Spa Lago, water activities or a night on The Strip • Located just 30-minutes from the glitz and glam of Vegas Enjoy complimentary round trip transportation to The Strip or a Welcome Reception for your group. ©2019 Marriott International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. All names, marks and logos are the trademarks of Marriott International, Inc., or its affiliates. For full terms and conditions, visit westinlakelasvegas.com THE WESTIN LAKE LAS VEGAS 101 Montelago Blvd Henderson, NV 89011 T 702.567.6118 westinlakelasvegas.com CONTACT OUR SALES EXPERTS FOR OFFER DETAILS AND TO EARN DOUBLE BONVOY POINTS AT 760.567.6118 OR SALES@LV.WESTINLAKELASVEGAS.COM. @WestinLakeLasVegas @westinlakelasvegasNext >