< Previouscity. An attendee does not necessarily need to leave the hotel to be engaged throughout their stay. “Some of the most popular activities attendees like to do outside of meeting times are golfing, spa treatments, shopping or sightseeing some local attractions,” Jenkins says. “For example, a tour of Hoover Dam is popular for Las Vegas attendees. For the more adventurous attendees, off-roading in ATV rentals and zip lining over Fremont Street at SlotZilla are options.” Anmuth-Hunt notes her clients’ programs are all different, with each having a different level of downtime. But, no matter which gaming resort she chooses, there is always something for everyone. “I enjoy working with ven- ues like these gaming resorts that have a variety of options,” she says. Venues that offer flexible meeting space, but also have restaurants on-site, golf, spa and other activities makes it easy to plan a group event or offer options for guests during their downtime. “With some, we are planning events even after sessions are over, and with others, people are more on their own,” Anmuth-Hunt says. “With the Atlantic City gaming properties, there is shopping and the beach. We have even planned morning activities on the beach. With a resort like Mount Airy, there is a beauti- ful golf course, and we’ve planned group activities there as well.” Las Vegas is No. 1 H. Fletch Brunelle, vice president of marketing and sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), thinks Las Vegas is the ideal destination for hosting corporate meet- ings and incentive travel because of the extensive offerings and experiences that planners, exhibitors and attendees simply won’t find anywhere else. “With 150,000 hotel rooms and 14 million sf of meetings and events space, Las Vegas offers a value proposition unlike any other destination, with something for every budget and taste,” he says. “Add to that state-of-the-art facilities, world- class dining and attractions, endless entertainment and sports options, and it’s clear why Las Vegas has been named the No. 1 trade show destination for 26 consecutive years.” After all, Las Vegas is home to unparalleled restaurants, unique enter- tainment options, world-class sporting events and venues, premier shopping and spas, and fantastic golf and outdoor activities. All of these options provide great opportunities to continue net- working outside of the boardroom or trade show floor, or unwind when busi- ness is done for the day. “Our hospital- ity professionals are among the most experienced in the world, so not only do planners enjoy the ease and con- venience of choosing between ample exhibit and accommodation spaces, but they can also rely on the expertise and world-class care that only Las Vegas can provide,” Brunelle says. “Planners will also likely see a boost in attendance if they choose to host here. On average, attendance increased by 9% when con- ventions rotate to Las Vegas, proving that the venues, amenities, accommo- dations and entertainment offered here can’t be found anywhere else.” Kellie Jewett, vice president, project management for Beaverton, Oregon- based Opus Agency, also has been plan- ning events in Las Vegas and at gaming resorts for well over two decades. “One of the primary benefits of hosting our programs at these resorts are really the opportunities they offer to the attendees as well as the creative programming we can do as event organizers,” she says. “We see a lot of our partners and sponsors hosting after-hours receptions and net- working events in conjunction with our program. Since most gaming resorts also offer renowned restaurants and celebrity shows, they are a draw to attendees and advantageous to those hosting.” Bravo Productions has staged numerous events in Las Vegas, from a year-end company event to a prod- uct launch for a mobile carrier, to an awards event for a paper, plastic and janitorial services association. For the latter, the awards event was held at the Wynn Las Vegas in conjunction with the association’s annual convention and trade show for 2,000 attendees. “One of the appeals was hosting the function in a city where attendees could remain in a resort and be entertained, or if leav- ing the premises, have a plethora of options to choose from,” Jenkins says. “The group’s historical trends show that Vegas has always been a popular destination for their attendees.” As part of the program, entertainment Photo by J.C. Getz Creative One of the primary benefits of hosting our programs at these resorts are really the opportunities they offer to the attendees as well as the creative programming. KELLIE JEWETT Vice President, Project Management Opus Agency Mount Airy Casino Resort’s casino boasts more than 1,700 slot machines. 40 February/March 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comdiscover your rhythm. Take center stage on your next event and escape the everyday in a truly extraordinary getaway with limitless possibilities. Contact our Sales Team today to learn more and book your group. 800.937.0156 | HardRockHolly.com | #GuitarHotel FINE-TUNE YOUR NEXT MEETING. © 2021. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call 1.888.ADMIT.ITincluded a hypnotist. Part of his delivery was comedic, which set the tone and made attendees feel comfortable — then randomly drawing 10 names from a raffle drum to come on stage to be a part of the hypnotist’s show. “Audience members were skeptical at first, however, as the show progressed, the attendees were intrigued by the performance,” Jenkins says. “It went over extremely well to much applause and positive feedback.” Chandra Allison, senior vice presi- dent of sales at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, notes the Venetian Convention and Expo Center offers 2.25 million sf of meetings space, providing flexibility for meetings and events of all shapes and sizes. “We’re committed to creat- ing innovative and inspiring spaces and experiences,” she says. “Being a fully integrated resort gives meeting profes- sionals innovative options for engaging their attendees outside of the tradi- tional meeting space, with everything from restaurants to lounges, and even our 5-acre pool deck for events.” It’s no secret that Las Vegas was built to handle large events. The desti- nation is constantly investing in infra- structure and facilities to continue to be the top destination for trade shows year after year. “In addition, there are so many entertainment, dining and unique venue options that are avail- able,” Allison says. “Not only that, but with a warm and dry climate for most of the year, groups can program group activities at outdoor venues, including Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Lake Mead, Mt. Charleston and more.” One of the most appealing elements of MGM Resorts in Las Vegas is the sheer amount of options available for meetings and events of all sizes. “While many plan- ners are aware of our robust convention spaces at Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand and The Mirage, many may not know we offer a seamless luxury experience at Bellagio, ARIA, Vdara and Park MGM that provides a convenient way to build out dynamic, creative programming across multiple resorts,” says Stephanie Glanzer, senior vice president & chief sales officer for MGM Resorts Interna- tional. “This luxury meetings district is particularly attractive to our smaller and mid-size corporate groups, which make up a large part of our business.” She adds that Las Vegas has always been a city that continues to reinvent itself, and each time attendees return to the destination, even if their events are annual, their experience is completely different every time. “They might dis- cover a hot, new restaurant, a new show, a new attraction or even entirely remodeled rooms,” Glanzer says. “Addi- tionally, the level of service guests and attendees will find here is unparalleled to anything else in the travel industry.” Deanna Burgess, CMP, CEM, CRME, corporate vice president of sales for Station Casinos LLC in Las Vegas, notes the company has a variety of properties that can host events, including ballrooms, intimate lounges, music venues that are perfect for presentations, outdoor terraces for breakouts, and sprawling outdoor spaces to mix and mingle. “With more than 320 days of sunshine yearly, the climate in our desert destination makes it easy to host event indoors and outdoors all year long,” she says. “Business travelers enjoy the convenience of Las Vegas being open 24/7 as well.” The Allure of Atlantic City The famous Atlantic City Board- walk with its iconic Steel Pier is often a reason why planners choose to host events in Atlantic City, as guests can not only enjoy gaming, but they can enjoy a nice walk, run or bike ride along the ocean during their downtime. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City regularly hosts conven- tions and meetings thanks to its 150,000 sf of meetings and events space. There are also a variety of venues available to amplify programs, such as the Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena, which can stage gen- eral sessions of 7,000 people or 300-plus- booth trade shows and expo events. “The continuous energy of Atlantic City is what attracts people to the destination,” says Donna Ward, vice president of sales at the resort. “There is something for everyone, and the opportunity to have any experience at your fingertips is what sets us apart from other cities known for their meetings and events.” Another iconic gaming resort in Atlantic City is Resorts Casino Hotel, offering 64,000 sf of flexible space, which features 24 meetings and events rooms, 14 of which will have natural light and Atlantic Ocean views. Also, the new Resorts Conference Center added 12,500 sf of technologically advanced conference space. Eateries run the gamut from quick bites at Famiglia Pizza and Ruby’s Dinette, to fine din- ing at Capriccio Italian Restaurant and Dougherty’s Steakhouse & Raw Bar. As for gaming, the casino offers 80,000 sf of slots and table games. Meanwhile, at Jimmy Buffet’s Margari- taville Entertainment Complex, Mar- garitaville Café and LandShark Bar & Grill — the only year-round, beachside restaurant in Atlantic City — are both available for private parties. Photo by D2 Productions Talking Stick Golf Club offers 36 holes of championship golf on courses designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Moore. 42 February/March 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comAlmost Paradise Atlantis, Paradise Island in the Bahamas offers groups built-in entertainment offerings, a multi- tude of restaurants and bars, and gaming options — even by the pool — all in one convenient loca- tion. Plus, there is ample indoor and outdoor meetings space across a variety of venues that can accommodate groups of any size. The resort also offers unfor- gettable authentic Bahamian experiences to groups of all sizes, including complimentary open- ing reception entertainment with tra- ditional Bahamian fire dancers, limbo dancers and Junkanoo rush perform- ers. Therefore, meeting attendees are drawn to Atlantis as a place to relax and enjoy the Caribbean while experienc- ing Bahamian culture and nature. “In addition to the award-winning Atlantis Casino, the resort also offers a variety of other amenities that meetings groups can take advantage of, including 5 miles of white-sand beaches, a diverse dining selection from fine dining to Bahamian cafes, shopping, spa, golf, multiple pools and more,” says Bryan Gay, senior vice president of group sales for Atlantis Paradise Island. “With so many attrac- tions, experiences, dining and other amenities, the resort is an ideal mix of work, play and relaxation.” Liz Lathan, CMP, CMO of Haute Companies, held a corporate meeting earlier this year at Atlantis, and appre- ciated the endless supply of meetings and gathering locations, both indoors and outdoors. “We were able to keep all of our activities outdoors to take full advantage of the incredible scenery and the property,” she says. “We put our educational sessions in the mornings and at night so we could enjoy the outdoor activi- ties and team building during the sunshine hours of the day.” Additionally, the property’s safety protocols were also incredibly appeal- ing to the company. “As the Bahamas requires everyone to have a negative test to enter, we were able to feel a sense of security around our group,” Lathan says. “We masked while indoors and in public areas, and were able to enjoy being outside with our private group during the day.” During downtime, meeting Courtesy of Mohegan Sun Gaming resorts offer attendees gaming, shows, shopping, fine dining, spas and more all under one roof. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | February/March 2022 43 THE PERFECT MEETING PLACE Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. CASINO | HOTEL | DINING | ENTERTAINMENT | SPA | GOLF Mount Airy Casino Resort offers a AAA Four- Diamond experience in the pristine scenery of the Pocono Mountains. With 30,000 square feet of meeting space that can accommodate groups from 10 to 1,000, plus over 1,000 acres of resort amenities, and the most exciting dining and entertainment in Northeast Pennsylvania, we’ve got everything you need to make your next meeting extraordinAIRY. For more information, visit mountairycasino.com/meetings-weddings or call 570-243-5173.attendees took advantage of Dolphin Cay, hosting behind-the-scenes tours of the fish hospital and the marine mammal center, along with some other incredible back-of-house experiences, including meeting the K-9 security team. “We also planned small group activities one afternoon, giving our participants the opportunity to choose paddleboarding or kayaking with the dolphins, feeding the stingrays, snorkeling in the ocean or lagoon, hitting the casino and/or the spa, enjoying the waterpark and enjoying non-motorized watercraft on the lagoon,” Lathan says. Perfection in the Poconos Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mt. Pocono, Pennsylvania, offers more than 25,000 sf of flexible events space, able to be artfully arranged to host anything from small, intimate board meetings to large corporate retreats. Plus, the meet- ings and convention center includes a state-of-the-art video wall to make sure virtual attendees are involved in all aspects of the event. Outside of the meetings and con- vention center, guests can experience signature restaurant options, including Guy Fieri’s Mt. Pocono Kitchen; the award-winning Bistecca by Il Mulino; a Sports Illustrated-recognized, lake- front 18-hole golf course; a rejuvenating spa, salon and exercise facility; a luxury, indoor/outdoor pool; and a covered deck and tented area. And for those so inclined, the casino boasts more than 70 table games and nearly 1,700 of the hottest slots in Northern Pennsylvania. “The picturesque Pocono Mountains provide the perfect backdrop for a wide range of events,” says Glenn Cademar- tori, vice president of marketing for the resort. “As a peaceful, relaxing and secluded destination, Mount Pocono is perfect for regrouping and/or relaxing as a team or an entire company.” Those are just some of the reasons Anmuth-Hunt chooses to host meet- ings at the Pocono resort. “For all events, the in-house team also includes an executive chef who can organize and provide the best food and beverage for the occasion at hand — whether that be a continental breakfast or a formal, multicourse dinner,” she says. Roll the Dice in the Florida Sun The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood’s events center boasts 120,000 sf of meetings space, including a 38,000-sf carpeted exhibition hall that can host trade shows, conventions, large corporate groups and social fundraisers. “Beyond the excitement on the expansive gaming floor, the integrated resort also features award-winning restaurants, a world-class Rock Spa & Salon, a state-of-the-art Hard Rock Live, and 18 acres of water recreation,” says Mark Tascione, director of sales and catering. Being within close proximity to three international airports — Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Miami International Airport and Palm Beach International Airport, also make it a great choice for national and international groups. An Arizona Gem Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona offers 113,000 sf of flexible indoor and outdoor meetings space, which includes the nearly 25,000-sf Salt River Grand Ballroom. Its casino offers more than 50 table games, 800 slot machines and poker tournaments almost every day. Dining includes six unique restaurants, such as Tash, for Medi- terranean-inspired tapas, seafood and meats; Orange Sky, for dishes inspired by earth, water, air and fire and offer- ing 360-degree views of the surround- ing landscape; and Ocean Trail, which offers classic New Orleans-style meals. Other amenities include golf at Talking Stick Golf Club, which offers 36 holes of championship golf on courses designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Moore; and the Spa at Talking Stick, voted one of the 10-best spas in Scotts- dale by USA Today. Secrets of Success Like planning any meeting, conven- tion or event for gaming resorts, the planner must start off with defining his or her goals and objectives. “Depending Courtesy of Haute Companies Liz Lathan, CMP, CMO of Haute Companies, held a corporate meeting earlier this year at Atlantis, Paradise Island, and appreciated the many activities. 44 February/March 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comon those goals, a gaming resort might be ideal, or may not be the best fit to support those goals or for their audi- ence demographics,” Jenkins says. Questions to ask include: What appeals to the group? How many people attended previous meetings? Are there enough rooms? How were the gaming resort services? What activities outside of the meeting will appeal to your group, and does the city offer those options? What are the takeaways you want attendees to leave with after the meeting or event at a gaming resort? “Understand that cit- ies such as Las Vegas operate with union labor,” Jenkins says. “A planner must know what provisions they can bring to a meeting, and what they must secure through the resort. For example, one might be able to bring in their own show director, but all lighting, A/V and tech- nical support must be secured through the venue. Those costs can be steep and should be configured into the budget at the onset of planning the function.” Planners of events in gaming resorts often say their attendees got distracted by the activities and attendance suf- fered in classes. Jewett says planners shouldn’t fight the distractions, but embrace them. “Attendees will always be lured by all the resort has to offer,” she says. “Finding a way to incorporate them into the programming and lever- aging them to your benefit is a win-win.” One thing that meetings planners need to keep an eye on at gaming resorts is that attendees aren’t all over the place and too overwhelmed by their surroundings that they miss the important parts of the meetings. Or conversely, that they don’t get the chance to take advantage of what’s available. “You need to have bal- ance — balancing meeting time, networking time and downtime,” Anmuth-Hunt says. “Many of our clients select these types of resorts because of the abundance of things to do. But if a meeting attendee is stuck in the meeting room for three days straight, they will not be able to get the full expe- rience. So, having the correct balance of educational sessions, networking oppor- tunities and downtime is key. We typi- cally will send out information on the property prior to the event so attendees can take time to look at what’s available and what they can do. We also will offer some group activities that we set up for our groups only. This gives them the chance to enjoy a resort activity while networking with their peers.” C&IT We put our educational sessions in the mornings and at night so we could enjoy the outdoor activities and team building during the sunshine hours of the day. LIZ LATHAN, CMP CMO, Haute Companies TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | February/March 2022 45 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ ONE OF A KIND. SHARECARE HEALTH SECURITY VERIFIED® WITH FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE ONE OF A KIND EVENT. MOHEGAN SUN KIND OF EXPERIENCE. With an award-winning staff and an unmatched variety of dining and entertainment options, Resorts Casino Hotel is the one of a kind choice for your next event. Let us help you plan your own unique experience in our 64,000 square feet of flexible space, with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. All in one of the most acclaimed locations anywhere, the famed Atlantic City Boardwalk, and featuring the quality, service and style of a Mohegan Sun property. Just minutes from two international airports. CALL 609.340.7850, VISIT MEETATRESORTSAC.COM OR EMAIL SALES@RESORTSAC.COM TO BOOK YOUR COMPLIMENTARY SITE VISIT.New Orleans DESTINATION // 46 February/March 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comW ith a new $1.3 billion airport, an ongoing face-lift for the conven- tion center and a fleet of new hotels offering an array of meet- ings spaces, this year promises to be a transformative one for one of America’s favorite destinations, New Orleans. As the city eases away from COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, New Orleans is looking ahead to new devel- opments that will continue to certify the “Crescent City” as a bucket-list destination for those who’ve never been, and polish the offerings to its legion of fans. Chief among its regulars: meeting planners. “New Orleans is an amaz- ing city for hosting an event,” says Chad Carey, corpo- rate travel & events manager for FireMon LLC, a network security platform. Ease of accessibility, plentiful nonstop flights and an array of entertainment options after dark are among the lures Carey cites. “The options are limit- less — take a walk down Bourbon Street, and you’ll be greatly entertained. Whether you are interested in jazz, Southern rock or looking for an LGBTQ bar, you’ll have your choice on Bourbon Street.” FireMon worked with New Orleans & Company, the city’s DMC, for venue recommendations, choosing the destination to host its All Company/Sales Kick Off early this year. With 110 attending in person, FireMon was also able to take advantage of an incentive/rebate offer based on the number of room nights utilized for the event. Carey adds: “We also wanted a location that embodied an interesting segment of U.S. culture, as we had about 20 international employees traveling for the event. New Orleans provides not only great food and entertainment, but also a unique view into a cultural subset of the U.S. We selected the New Orleans Marriott on Canal Street based on our budget, its location and the flexibility of their team to work with our needs. The team at the Marriott was on- point with regards to room availability, the banquet teams provided excellent service, and the food was top-notch.” Carey adds, “The Marriott location is perfect. It’s not on Bourbon Street — which was ideal due to noise — but Bourbon Street in New Orleans is world-renowned for its atmosphere, and makes the city a bucket-list visit for millions of attendees. Courtesy of New Orleans & Company New and Improved Venues Ready for Events BY DAVID SWANSON TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | February/March 2022 47it’s close. The hotel’s meeting spaces have been recently renovated and are easily accessible from both towers of the hotel. F&B was willing to keep both the restaurant and bar open later due to our group being in house, which was a wonderful gesture.” The group hosted a welcome happy hour on the hotel’s 41st floor, which offered views of the Missis- sippi River and city lights. “Since this was the first event, staff were on-site to verify that all of our employees were either vaccinated and/or had tested neg- ative within the previous 72 hours. This helped to alleviate the concerns of mine, and of many employees, who were reti- cent to attend due to the ongoing pan- demic.” The 1,333-room New Orleans Marriott offers 85,877 sf of meeting space, including a 27,089-sf Grand Ball- room. Carey says the hotel ballrooms were clean, room temperature was com- fortable, and A/V was excellent. During the conference, FireMon hosted one off-site event at Bourbon Vieux, a storied bar that claims the lon- gest balcony in New Orleans. “The staff, the food, the drinks and the entertain- ment were phenomenal,” Carey says. “We felt welcomed and the location pro- vided a great view of Bourbon Street. Although the weather was a little chilly, we still had an opportunity to hang out on the balcony with drinks and toss a few beads. After Bourbon Vieux, we made our way down Bourbon Street to The Famous Door bar for an extended visit, enjoying numerous cocktails and a [great] band. The staff was friendly and truly wanted you to step in and enjoy the bar, music and city.” When planned attendance of 300 employees didn’t work out, due to the Omicron variant rearing its head, Carey says the hotel’s events manager and group housing partner assisted with providing alternatives for the smaller group. “We had a wonderful sales experience ...,” Carey says. “[One employee] was quick to offer solutions when we had to adjust our overall room nights — easy to speak with and always accessible.” As the Omicron variant forced scheduled attendees to reconsider, FireMon opted to switch to a hybrid version of the event, causing a reduc- tion in the number of contracted room nights. The Marriott team was flexible with favorable revised contract terms, he notes. Additionally, two of the inter- national employees tested positive for COVID. “This required quar- antine and several additional nights at the hotel. [The hotel] was constantly in contact with me to provide updates and to find out if they needed anything while they were in quarantine. This was extremely helpful, as both employees were not from the U.S. and were unaware of how our health-care system worked, in the event it was needed. She did a great job of alleviating their concerns, and mine as well. You can tell that the citizens of NOLA are proud of their town and happy to have visitors back again,” Carey says. “Southern hospital- ity was in full swing.” What’s New New on the scene is the New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts Dis- trict hotel, formerly the New Orleans Downtown Marriott at the Convention Center, which early this year debuted a multiphased, full-scale redesign. The reimagined guest rooms include locally inspired accents to reflect the atmo- sphere of the trendy Warehouse Arts District, functional work areas, hard- surface flooring, new seating areas and contemporary furniture. The hotel’s former concierge lounge on the third floor has been converted into an addi- tional presidential suite with a lounge area, a king guest room and a private courtyard that’s big enough to accom- modate small events. The 332-room facility offers 24,751 sf of meeting space, including two reimagined ballrooms, housed within a 200-year-old historic warehouse adjoining the modern hotel. With exposed brick walls and stunning crystal chandeliers, the ballrooms present an industrial, yet sophisticated and elegant ambiance for gatherings. The Warehouse Arts District is within walking distance to James Beard- winning restaurants, art galleries, Courtesy of the New Orleans Marriott The 1,333-room New Orleans Marriott on Canal Street offers 85,877 sf of meetings and events space. 48 February/March 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com These are not the meeting spaces you’re used to. From historic rooms and courtyards, to breathtaking architecture with a view, New Orleans spaces are Built to Host. We treat thousands of attendees with the same attention and hospitality given to a single, lifelong friend. We have access to the best locations to inspire meaningful interactions that continue long after you’ve left town. And we can do all of it within walking distance of world-class hotels. Call the New Orleans & Company Convention Sales Team at 877.393.5836 or visit NewOrleans.com PLAN YOUR MEETING WITH NEW ORLEANS © 2021 New Orleans & Company All Rights Reserved. NewOrleans.com | @VisitNewOrleans New Orleans is an amazing city for hosting an event. The options are limitless — take a walk down Bourbon Street, and you’ll be greatly entertained. CHAD CAREY Corporate Travel & Events Manager FireMon LLCThese are not the meeting spaces you’re used to. From historic rooms and courtyards, to breathtaking architecture with a view, New Orleans spaces are Built to Host. We treat thousands of attendees with the same attention and hospitality given to a single, lifelong friend. We have access to the best locations to inspire meaningful interactions that continue long after you’ve left town. And we can do all of it within walking distance of world-class hotels. Call the New Orleans & Company Convention Sales Team at 877.393.5836 or visit NewOrleans.com PLAN YOUR MEETING WITH NEW ORLEANS © 2021 New Orleans & Company All Rights Reserved. NewOrleans.com | @VisitNewOrleansNext >