< Previousmeetings or events where brands are trying to learn more about their target consumers. Because gamification is typically deployed using digital tools, it can be a powerful way to quantitatively measure engagement. Gamification Delivers Results Park is one of the many events plan- ners who has seen gamification deliver powerful results. “For a tech client’s vir- tual conference in 2020, we used gamifi- cation to encourage participation across all elements of the virtual event,” she says. “Attendees received points for par- ticipating in each event element, such as three points for session attendance, two points for completing a survey or leaving a comment/question in a session’s chat roll, five points per sponsor booth visit and one point per photo booth visit.” Those points could be redeemed for event-branded swag in the platform’s online store. She saw a massive spike in the length of time attendees stayed logged into the event and the number of elements they actively participated in previous virtual events. Pre-COVID, 1Huddle worked with the International Franchise Associa- tion to gamify an annual convention with more than 5,000 attendees. The group’s goal was to turn the whole con- vention into one giant game to increase engagement with the educational ses- sions, and create more of a sense of community among attendees. “They used 1Huddle to create a daily compe- tition around the content for the day,” Caucci says. “The game opened every day to educate people about what was happening that day and provide a recap of the day before.” A leaderboard showed the names of the people who participated the most, and the win- ners got prizes from sponsors — giving those companies extra exposure. Not only was there more attention paid to educational content at the event, attendees could use the app to interact with exhibitors, so they saw a boost in engagement as well. The gamification effort was a huge success. “We saw close to 70% of attendees download, log in and play,” Caucci says. It seemed to meet the goal of increasing socializing among attendees as well. At the happy hour, people recognized the names of people who had appeared on the leaderboard and felt more comfortable approaching them. When the company switched to a digital con- vention in 2020, it worked with 1Huddle again and got similarly positive results. “We even left the game on [after the event ended] so people could continue to engage with the con- tent,” Caucci says. Gamification can also provide an opportunity for attendees to partici- pate in a pre-check-in process, watch videos and access documents before the event ever starts, Bihet says. All of these activities can go toward earning points that can be redeemed for prizes or recognition throughout the event. Games can provide attendees with the opportunity to do something totally new and different, or it can be very familiar. One of Winstead’s recommen- dations is to customize a bingo game for a meeting. “This will require you to tap into company culture a bit,” he says. “Create a bingo card with com- mon terminology your company uses. This could range from corporate jargon to silly things such as ‘Sorry, I was on mute’ or other phrases we use in Zoom meetings. Distribute bingo cards to attendees before the meeting digitally. Set a prize for whoever can get bingo first by marking off the card as they hear the words and phrases from their card. Attendees will work hard to fill their cards, meaning they will be tuned in to every word the speaker utters. And someone eventually shouting “bingo!” will add a layer of fun to the event. Don’t Let Gamers Game the System Gamification can be a boon to event managers, but it can also be a Courtesy of Sam Caucci Sam Caucci, founder & CEO of 1Huddle, says gamification is a great way to engage younger and older attendees who like challenges. 30 February/March 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com To guarantee success, you need to ensure that the way the game is set up and delivered is simple, easy to follow and fun. MELISSA PARK Global Event Producer Melissa Park Eventsdistraction or lead to real problems. “It’s like a recipe in the kitchen,” Bihet says. “If you put too much oil in your mayonnaise, it will not work. You need the right proportion of everything to make it work right. Too much gamification can kill the gamification.” When looking into creating a game, one of the top things leaders need to reflect on is their goals. “Like all ele- ments of your event, gamification needs to serve a purpose,” Park says. “If you throw it in for the sake of having it or as an afterthought, attendees will be able to tell, and you will receive a very low participation rate. To guarantee success, you need to ensure that the way the game is set up and delivered is simple, easy to follow and fun.” In other words, you need to have a goal in mind. “You want to make sure that the gamification is focused on your targeted outcome,” Winstead says. “Don’t let the rewards, badges, etc., overshadow what you’re trying to achieve. The gamification elements need to have an obvious connection to the information you are trying to con- vey. Otherwise, it’s just a game.” So, the challenge should be thought- fully calibrated to the target audience. “If a game is too hard, people quit,” Caucci says. “If it’s too easy, attendees will quickly get bored with it.” Once the game is set, it’s vital to estab- lish rules and make sure they are clearly explained to event attendees from the beginning, Bihet says. A feeling that the game is rigged or unfair will also quickly turn people off from the experience. “A lot of people know how to hack the system to get on top of the leader- board,” Jain says. “You have to make action items in such a way that people can’t do that.” There also needs to be some type of penalty for people who break the rules. To ferret out potential problems or pitfalls with a game before they become overwhelming, Jain rec- ommends planners try it out at a small event first. Learn what the issues are, or where the gaps lie, and come up with solutions to fix them before taking the games to a major gathering. One of the mistakes Caucci sees peo- ple make is focusing the game too much on the company’s needs rather than the players’ needs. 1Huddle works with call centers, and Caucci has observed that gamification designed to motivate peo- ple to make a certain number of calls a day quickly falls flat because they don’t help the player achieve their personal objectives. Instead, planners should think about the needs of the attend- ees and how they can dovetail with the desires of sponsors, senior execu- tives and others. “Look at your reward program. Are they rewards that people crave?” Caucci asks. Does the game engage people’s minds and provide them some level of auton- omy? “The best games allow the players freedom to choose,” Caucci says, point- ing to the popular online game The Sims as an example. “There has to be a certain level of strategy so the player feels like they control the outcome.” In an event app, attendees might be given multiple ways to earn points based on the activi- ties that help them learn, network or achieve their own goals at the gathering. Avoid Gamification Problems On a more practical note, Bihet advises planners to do a thorough search for the right platform before imple- menting an online game at an event. Get recommendations from colleagues, and ask about things such as engagement levels, feedback from attendees, how easy it is to use and the level of customer service if something goes wrong. “If your tool relies on Wi-Fi, make sure you have ample allocation of high- speed internet within your space,” Park says. “I’ve seen way too many failed attempts due to the Wi-Fi signal not being strong enough for the number of attendees using it, which is not only embarrassing for the host, but can also negatively impact a speaker’s entire session if they were reliant on a poll’s results for their presentation.” One of Bihet’s tips for making gamifi- cation more engaging is to tie it into pop- ular culture. A game based on a popular television show such as “The Masked Singer” may do more to pique people’s interest than a run-of-the-mill activity. “Be alert for these trends,” she advises. “Everything is about experience.” That’s especially true right now, when people feel like they’ve been missing out on experiences for the last few years. Gamification is definitely something that takes careful planning. “This isn’t something you can do to spice things up last minute,” Winstead says. “Ensure that you have a well-thought-out plan for how you will include gamification elements so that they make sense and add to the event, rather than detract from it. Poorly planned gamifica- tion can lead to chaos and result in meeting failure.” From there, have fun. Games should be entertaining as well as educational. There are no reasons planners can’t have just as much fun dreaming them up as attendees have playing them. C&IT Courtesy of Valerie Bihet Valerie Bihet, director/ founder of VIBE Agency, right, says successful gamification requires planners to find the right platform for the game. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | February/March 2022 31Celebrity Cruises assures planners that its health protocols mean attendees can meet and sail safely. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. is looking toward the future with new ships, such as the Norwegian Viva, set to sail in 2023. SEA WATCH Cruise Lines Show Resolve as They Sail Into 2022 BY NANCY MUELLER INDUSTRY INSIGHT // 32 February/March 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comI magine sailing aboard a luxury cruise ship, where every day prom- ises a new adventure in an ever- changing landscape … an effortless, resort environment, only on water instead of land, where attend- ees and planners can escape to the far away together. For Nancy G. McAllister, who held her meeting for a group of 90 on Celeb- rity Equinox late last fall, she knew she had hit it out of the park when attend- ees said they couldn’t wait until the next cruise. McAllister says the sail- away party brought everyone together in the same space with the excitement to see one another again — after two long years — along with the promise of fun, sunshine and good times ahead. LAYERS OF ADDED PROTECTION In an industry hard-hit by the tur- bulence of the global COVID-19 pan- demic, cruising’s comeback has been an ongoing story of resiliency, collabora- tion, resourcefulness — and confusion. Learning to navigate new COVID-19 norms and variants, while ensuring passenger trust in the safety of cruise travel after an unexpected, forced hia- tus has been challenging at best. Just as things seemed to be turning the corner late last year, along comes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendation to “avoid cruise travel, regardless of vaccination status.” The announce- ment has proven perplexing to the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) and its members, especially considering that cases identified on cruise ships consistently make up a very slim minority of the total popula- tion onboard — far fewer than on land. Also, the majority of those cases are asymptomatic or mild in nature, posing little to no burden on medical resources onboard or onshore. In CLIA’s view: “No setting can be immune from this virus — however, it is also the case that a cruise provides one of the highest levels of demonstrated mitigation against the virus. Cruise ships offer a highly controlled environ- ment with science-backed measures, known testing and vaccination levels far above other venues or modes of transportation and travel, and signifi- cantly lower incidence rates than land.” Despite CLIA’s disappointment in the CDC’s decision to single out the cruise industry by raising the risk of cruising to Level 4 — the highest — “CLIA and our ocean-going cruise line members remain committed to work- ing collaboratively with the CDC in the interest of public health and safety.” The CDC recently downgraded the risk to Level 3. CLIA’s response is no surprise for advocates of hosting corporate meet- ings on cruise ships, such as Sandra Barnhart, president of University at Sea. She was aboard Celebrity Apex, the newest ship in Celebrity Cruise’s Edge- class luxury fleet, when news broke about the CDC’s cruise travel advisory. Barnhart, whose company typically hosts 100+ meetings at sea annually for a variety of professions, looks at the bright side. “I suppose one good thing that has come from all this, is that the general public is more conscious of their own cleanliness,” she says. “We have been operating our cruise meet- ings on Celebrity and Royal Caribbean since June ... with zero issues.” Clearly, McAllister’s group also enjoyed their meeting at sea — so much so that several attendees regis- tered for their 2022 cruise while still onboard “because of the high quality of food, service, cleanliness and over- all positive experience,” she says. As a former IBM major meetings planner and now president of World Wings International Inc., McAllister speaks with the assurance that 40+ years of travel industry and meeting plan- ning experiences brings, she says. She expresses her confidence in hosting meetings with the cruise line, say- ing: “Like the willow tree, Celebrity is incredibly adept at bending to this evolving pandemic, demonstrating the utmost understanding.” Anthony Diaz, SVP of charters, meetings & incentives for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., says the change in the CDC recommendation has not impacted scheduled itinerar- ies, nor the company’s stringent health and safety protocols, which include full vaccination of 100% of guests and crew. “Prior to our relaunch last summer, we worked with the leading experts of our SailSAFE Global Wellness Council ... to develop some of the most robust pro- tocols in the industry,” Diaz says. “Our mandatory vaccination policy is cou- pled with universal pre-embarkation testing of guests at the terminal, mask requirements onboard, and numerous additional layers of protection against COVID-19. As a result of our compre- hensive health and safety protocols, we believe that vacationing onboard any one of our cruise ships is safer, and guests are better protected from con- tacting COVID-19, than in any other general population setting.” Others say the CDC recommendation Courtesy of Ron Gulaskey Cruise meetings offer attendees plenty of time to network amid all the fun, sun and good times. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | February/March 2022 33has caused misplaced concern industry wide for planners. “[But] ships are quite literally the only aspect of the travel industry that are required to report to the CDC,” says Karen Devine, CITP, founder & CEO of 3D Cruise Partners. “We know the numbers of cases on ships, however, [and] that isn’t a bad thing if people look at the stats. The number of cases is approximately 33% less than land. And no other venue — airplane, event space, etc. — requires 100% of crew/staff to be fully vaccinated and masked at all times; requires all guests [over 12] to be vaccinated; and requires all staff/crew and guests to be tested prior to and during the cruise.” Devine suggests planners and potential cruise meeting attendees pay no attention to the headlines. “We con- tinuously see headlines of ‘outbreaks,’ yet, when you read the article ... it is so minuscule a number of cases to guests,” she says. “Most less than 1%, and none more than 2% ... That’s because the protocols are working — far better than any other aspect of travel, and for that matter, far, far better than any city in the U.S.” Diaz sums up Norwegian’s confi- dence in cruise travel on their fleet of ships. “We take health and safety mat- ters extremely seriously, and will con- tinue to work closely with the CDC and other global and domestic authori- ties to protect our guests, crew and the communities we visit.” BENEFITS OF MEETING AT SEA Meeting attendees and experienced cruise planners tout the many benefits of hosting corporate and incentive travel events at sea. “From my per- sonal point of view as a planner,” Barn- hart says, “when we host at hotels, we have to transport our clients off-site to entertainment venues. I just attended a meeting myself at a hotel, and had to take a taxi two of the three evenings to restaurants. Having a variety of res- taurants and entertainment in walking distance [aboard a ship] is a plus for my conferees, and greatly simplifies my planning and reduces my costs.” The chance for attendees to bring along their families is also “perfect for cruising,” Barnhart says, since there is plenty for family members to do. “Spa, shop, sun ... and the ships have camps for all ages of kids.” Barnhart recalls how worrying it was for her as a single mom to think about her two “mischie- vous boys in the hotel room waiting for me” when she needed to attend meetings. “On a ship, there is never concern about your chil- dren. They have amazing staff in the camps, and the kids love the experience.” Devine wants meeting plan- ners to know that it is possible to run a well-orchestrated meeting at sea. “The space is there; the infrastructure for meeting needs is there. The value is immense given the all-inclusive nature [including most A/V] of a cruise. Barnhart agrees. Flexible seating and state-of-the-art technology onboard “saves us a lot of money, [as well as] not having to bring an A/V team with us.” From her experience booking with Celebrity, McAllister says that for meetings or conventions that can be accommodated on a ship, the choice encompasses everything, while elimi- nating certain aspects of meeting planning, which makes a planner’s job easier. “[There are] no menus to plan, no separate venues to book, A/V is expertly done, little or zero décor to concern yourself with, ground trans- portation is either handled, eliminated or minimized once the cruise begins, and attendee ‘down time’ offers many options,” she says. “The onboard hotel directors offer extensive operations knowledge, with the crew expertly implementing requests and anticipating the needs of meeting planners and pas- sengers. Should any issues occur, they’re immediately and positively addressed with solutions or alternatives.” Barnhart concurs: “They are excep- tionally well run and always deliver on their promises,” she says. “You can know ahead of time exactly what your budget will be. The service is very efficient and [someone is] always available to assist.” Courtesy of Ron Gulaskey The variety of entertainment options and activities aboard a cruise ship often generates high marks on attendee surveys, planners say. 34 February/March 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com PLANFORSUCCESS ABOARDOURSHIPS Exceed expectations. Start planning spectacular meetings and events with us. We can’t wait to welcome you back aboard our luxury ships, with all the amenities of leading hotels and resorts, plus much more. Turnkey spaces, from intimate board rooms to our grand theaters with high- impact audiovisual systems, are included. Fine dining, with menus craed by our Michelin-starred chef, is included. Exciting original entertainment—music, comedy, drama—is included. And now, drinks, Wi-Fi, and tips are Always Inlcuded SM for every guest, too. * Accommodations are luxurious, destinations change daily, and our top priority is your health and safety. *Visit celebritycorporatekit.com for complete terms and conditions. Always IncludedSM applies to sailings booked and departing on or after November 17, 2020, excluding Galapagos cruises, in an inside through AquaClass® stateroom (“Eligible Bookings”). All guests in an Eligible Booking who choose the Always Included pricing package will receive a Classic Beverage Package, an Unlimited Surf Internet Package, and tips included. All guests in a stateroom must choose the same pricing package. Offers are nontransferable. Changes to a booking may result in removal of a package. Pricing and packages are subject to availability, cancellation, or change without notice at any time. Imagery and messaging may not accurately reflect onboard and destination experiences, offerings, features, or itineraries. These may not be available during your voyage, may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice. ©2022 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador. CALL |VISITCELEBRITYCORPORATEKITCOMORCONTACTYOURTRAVELPARTNER We continuously see headlines of ‘outbreaks,’ yet, when you read the article and do the math, it is so minuscule a number of cases to guests. KAREN DEVINE, CITP Founder & CEO 3D Cruise PartnersPLANFORSUCCESS ABOARDOURSHIPS Exceed expectations. Start planning spectacular meetings and events with us. We can’t wait to welcome you back aboard our luxury ships, with all the amenities of leading hotels and resorts, plus much more. Turnkey spaces, from intimate board rooms to our grand theaters with high- impact audiovisual systems, are included. Fine dining, with menus craed by our Michelin-starred chef, is included. Exciting original entertainment—music, comedy, drama—is included. And now, drinks, Wi-Fi, and tips are Always Inlcuded SM for every guest, too. * Accommodations are luxurious, destinations change daily, and our top priority is your health and safety. *Visit celebritycorporatekit.com for complete terms and conditions. Always IncludedSM applies to sailings booked and departing on or after November 17, 2020, excluding Galapagos cruises, in an inside through AquaClass® stateroom (“Eligible Bookings”). All guests in an Eligible Booking who choose the Always Included pricing package will receive a Classic Beverage Package, an Unlimited Surf Internet Package, and tips included. All guests in a stateroom must choose the same pricing package. Offers are nontransferable. Changes to a booking may result in removal of a package. Pricing and packages are subject to availability, cancellation, or change without notice at any time. Imagery and messaging may not accurately reflect onboard and destination experiences, offerings, features, or itineraries. These may not be available during your voyage, may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice. ©2022 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador. CALL |VISITCELEBRITYCORPORATEKITCOMORCONTACTYOURTRAVELPARTNERHaving multiple meeting venues, theaters and restaurants onboard is a key benefit for planners, says Freddy I. Muller, AVP of global corporate, incen- tive & charter sales for Royal Caribbean International. “Special venues such as Royal Caribbean’s neighborhoods to host top incentive winners and an Aqua Theater that provides shows unlike any- thing you will find on land, [and] signa- ture shows to keep your guests enter- tained ... Each of these activities is at no cost, again adding additional value to any meeting or incentive group,” he says. Barnhart describes the entertainment options on Celebrity ships as “Very forward thinking, multisensory productions. [The show] ‘Crystalize,’ for instance, has a pop violinist, dancers and aerialists. The choreography is amazing.” While dazzling entertainment venues have their place, Barnhart adds, “If you simply want a cocktail and to listen to music, there are many venues with a variety of music — classical, pop, rock, all with very professional entertainers.” McAllister found the intimate Celebrity Central Theater as perfect for the size of her group. “We also used Sky A & B for various things, beginning with onboard registration, our Presi- dent’s Forum, and for our final execu- tive board meeting.” And let’s not forget the range of din- ing options as modest or extravagant as the clientele expects, Barnhart says. “The Apex has 29 restaurants, bars and lounges.” Her favorites? “For dinners, I love ‘Luminae’ in the Retreat and ‘Blue’ for the Aqua-class cabins. ‘LeGrand Bistro’ specializes in French cuisine. The ‘Rooftop Garden’ is very enjoy- able at the top of the ship in an open- air area,” she says. “It’s very lovely for dinner or just a quiet cocktail. All meals are included in the formal dining room, casual cafés and the buffet area, as well as in-room dining. In addition, there are optional private, speciality restau- rants for special occasions. Very impor- tantly, they service all kinds of special needs: low sugar for diabetic needs, vegans, halal, kosher, etc.” Devine shares a similar experience with Royal Caribbean’s services: “The F&B team was outstanding in response to customers’ needs — customizing some onboard offerings to the taste and appeal of the customer.” For McAllister, highlights of F&B included room service that was “deliv- ered at the requested time, always complete, hot and nicely presented.” In mentioning several outstanding restaurants, two factors stood out for McAllister: the epitome of service and the beautiful ambiance. She gives a spe- cial nod to Blue “because of the setting, the service and the imaginative, superb dishes presented on unique, beauti- ful dishware,” she says. “Also, there’s something to be said for a venue like Café Al Bacio that never fails to trans- port me to the Via Veneto with their excellent coffees and pastries.” Add the Courtesy of Ron Gulaskey Courtesy of Ron Gulaskey Foodies can appreciate the various dining experiences offered aboard cruise ships. Cruise ships offer an abundance of meeting spaces, and planners say there is often no need to bring along your own A/V team. 36 February/March 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comship’s ample supplies of Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc — which became known as “Nancy’s wine” after previously men- tioning it to the ship’s team — it’s no wonder stellar service tops the list of attendees’ feedback. To maximize benefits, Devine advises planners to work with an expert who knows the ‘ins and outs’ of a cruise meeting at sea ... someone who under- stands how ships work to guide and explain throughout the process. She adds: “The cruise line also loves this as they appreciate the ‘ask’ from an experi- enced eye that saves both the customer and the planning teams a ton of time.” Previewing a dedicated website to planners who may be considering hosting a corporate travel and incen- tive program on a ship can be helpful to start the process, Muller suggests. “This will provide helpful tools and resources to get ideas flowing. Many incentives are awarded based on cre- ativity and thinking outside the box, and we host many Symposiums at Sea for qualified planners to experience our product firsthand.” WHAT’S AHEAD FOR MEETINGS AT SEA In the last two years, cruise lines have responded to organizational needs well beyond elevating health and safety protocols, meeting space and entertainment. “We are seeing a desire to focus on more than meetings,” Diaz says. “There is a shift toward pri- oritizing team building, connection, escape, entertainment and engagement within groups.” Ron Gulaskey, AVP of global cor- porate, incentive and charter sales for Celebrity Cruises, has found the same trends among Celebrity’s clien- tele. “Since for many companies the attendees have not seen each other for a long time, the trend has been to book meaningful experiences such as team- building events, a give back program in one of our Shorex programs and lots of brainstorming sessions in per- son to revamp and excel their companies’ goals and reener- gize their people. More and more participants want expe- riential events, and dining is a big component of that experience,” he says. “To meet this growing need, Celebrity offers one of the most unique dining events in the world aboard all ships — Le Petit Chef ... is a true pinnacle of the custom 3D animation art form, beauti- fully choreographed with an elegant menu created by our Michelin- starred chef.” And for those attendees who want to connect with the envi- ronment, the all-suite Celebrity Flora in the Galapagos is also an incredible experience for incentive travel win- ners and an amazing gift to offer those attendees, Gulaskey says. At Norwegian, Diaz finds that food halls are really resonating with guests. “They are an excellent option for guests to experience something new or the next thing in the ever-exciting culinary scene,” he says. “[This] summer, NCL will unveil the first ship of its next groundbreaking class, Norwegian Prima, where the com- pany will debut its first Indulge Food Hall, a bustling marketplace that will invite guests to enjoy a culinary escapade featuring 11 different venues.” Planners and attendees are excited to get back out to sea, and cruise lines are ready to welcome them back with world-class service, exciting new venues and exceptionally engaging experiences. C&IT TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | February/March 2022 37 Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas is adding eight new unique neighborhoods to its Oasis class, including the all-new Suite Neighborhood. Additional features include a completely redesigned pool deck, new entertainment in the Aqua Theater, and an all-new underwater Wonder Play- scape with slides, climbing walls and games. Celebrity Coming up, Celebrity Beyond will join the Edge Class along- side Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex. Highlights include a first-ever Daniel Boulud fine-dining restaurant at sea, an expanded Rooftop Garden and stunning Resort Deck featuring unique cantilevered float pools. Norwegian This summer, Norwegian Prima begins her inaugural season as the first of six ships within NCL’s all-new Prima class, offering voyages from Europe and the Caribbean the first season. Highlights feature the world’s first venue that transforms from a three-story theater into a Vegas-style nightclub, free-fall dry slides and the largest race track at sea. Guests will enjoy the Tony Award-nominated musical “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” as its interactive headlining act. C&IT Having a variety of restaurants and entertainment in walking distance is a plus for my conferees, and greatly simplifies my planning and reduces my costs. SANDRA BARNHART President, University at Sea Over the Horizon As the cruise industry moves into 2022, additional new initiatives abound. Here’s a peek at what’s ahead: Celebrity BeyondA Full House Gaming Resorts Continue to Attract Attendees By Keith Loria GAMING RESORTS // Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood’s Guitar Hotel beckons attendees. 38 February/March 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comT hey may say, “What hap- pens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas,” but one secret that’s not kept is just how successful meetings and events are when being held in one of the country’s most popular destinations. But it’s not just Las Vegas that’s a hot spot for meetings, literally any city that offers gaming and all the high-class amenities that come with gaming resorts do well with attendance numbers, be it Atlantic City, the Bahamas, Connecticut or in the Poconos. “Gaming cities and resorts have vast appeal,” says Greg Jen- kins, a partner in Long Beach, California- based Bravo Productions. The company has staged meetings and events in gam- ing resorts for more than two decades. “Foremost, these cities have more than an ample amount of hotel rooms, along with large convention centers — and convention and meetings space at each of the properties.” Debbie Anmuth-Hunt, president of Abington, Pennsylvania-based Even- tive Productions Inc., has been produc- ing meetings and events for more than 20 years, and frequently uses resorts in Atlantic City, as well as Mount Airy Casino Resort in the Poconos and Wind Creek Bethlehem, for clients’ programs. “These are great because the entertain- ment is built right in,” she says. “While these properties are gambling proper- ties, there are so many more options. As a planner, we can absolutely plan group activities, but it’s also good to give attendees downtime after the pro- gram ends for the day, and attendees don’t have to drive anywhere to see a show, go to a great restaurant or find something else fun to do.” This past year, Mount Airy hosted one of her client’s events during the pandemic, and the property was selected specifically because of the size of the ballroom and outdoor activity options. “The staff was able to create a safe environment for our guests during the program, and also host a variety of networking events outdoors by the pool and on the golf course,” Anmuth-Hunt says. “There were about 125 people for this one. Lower than a normal year, but we offered a hybrid option during COVID-19. Attendees who were com- fortable going out had a variety of res- taurants to choose from, and the casino floor as well. These resorts offer so many options for guests.” Benefits of Gaming Resorts Gaming resorts typically offer a full range of in-house services, including audiovisual, prop and floral depart- ments, lighting and technicians, cater- ing, planners to coordinate banquets, and a concierge to help arrange for group team-building and recreational activi- ties, to name a few. “Gaming resorts also provide an entertainment appeal for attendees,” Jenkins says. “The resorts have celebrity A-list performers with shows each day of the week, there’s theme attractions within each hotel, shopping, restaurants serving diverse cuisine that will appeal to everyone’s pal- ate, and of course — the gambling.” Plus, the resorts are a city within a TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | February/March 2022 39 SCOTTSDALE | 877.724.4687 TALKINGSTICKRESORT.COM Locally owned and caringly operated by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. 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