A COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION APRIL/MAY 2022 VOL. 40 NO. 2 $15.00 IN THIS ISSUE SPORTS INCENTIVES THE IMPACT OF SMALL MEETINGS PLANNER ETHICS LAS VEGAS ARIZONA MIAMI It Takes Unique Amusement to Captivate Virtual Attendees Adam Christing Chief Entertainment Officer Clean Comedians ENGAGE & ENTERTAINMONTEREY COUNTY, CA IN THE BIRTHPLACE OF OUTDOOR MEETINGS ARE ALWAYS IN. STATE PARKSHPLACE OF S ARE ALWAYS IN. PARKS With abundant sunshine, wide-open landscapes, an inclusive spirit and anything-goes attitude, it's no wonder California is a magnet for innovation and creativity. This place brings out the big thinker in everyone. And with all the green hotels, open-air venues and industry-leading technology, it's no coincidence that California is a hotbed for groundbreaking ideas. Around here, the impossible becomes possible. And whys become why nots. So discover the perfect environment for getting the most out of your next event. Meet what's possible for your next meeting at VisitCalifornia.com/meetings. CALIFORNIA HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE BIRTHPLACE OF WHAT'S NEXT. WHICH MAKES IT THE PERFECT SETTING FOR YOUR NEXT MEETING.• 220,000 + sq. ft. of meeting & event space, including the new 50,000 sq. ft. Palms Ballroom • New networking spaces, including an on-property Starbucks® & Rum Bar by Bacardi® • 1,335 newly reimagined one-bedroom suites & two-bedroom villas • Team of creative meeting professionals bringing your vision to life CARIBEROYALEMEETINGS.COM 407 2388000 IMAGINE YOUR ORLANDO MEETING EFFORTLESSLY Reimagined Discover a dierent level of luxury during your next gathering at the all-new Caribe Royale Orlando. Emerging from a $127 million renovation project that’s touched immersive atmospheres and innovative experiences, this Floridian-inspired destination brings productivity, play and imagination together like never before. VOLUME 40 NO. 2 // APRIL/MAY 2022 IN THIS ISSUE features 44 54 60 4 Publisher’s Message 6 News & Notes 10 Perspective How to Leverage the Power of an Older and Younger Workforce (and Why You Should) BY RICK GRIMALDI 12 Perspective How to Overcome 3 Common Problems in Event Management BY CHRIS FEDERSPIEL 14 Perspective Secrets to Improving Virtual All-Hands Meetings BY ED STEVENS 16 Perspective Tracking Business Travel’s Recovery BY SUZANNE NEUFANG 66 People on the Move destinations departments Engaging Entertainment It Takes Unique Amusement to Captivate Virtual Attendees BY KEITH LORIA Las Vegas New Features Emerge From the Pandemic Pause BY DAN JOHNSON Arizona Looking Forward to a Strong Recovery BY CHRISTINE LOOMIS Miami “The Gateway to the Americas” Offers Plenty of Amenities BY KEITH LORIA TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | April/May 2022 3 Endgame Skilled Planners Keep Attendees Engaged Through the Last Day BY NANCY MUELLER The High Road Honesty is the Best Policy in the Meetings Industry BY NANCY MUELLER A Sporting Chance Sports Incentives Offer Unforgettable Experiences BY MAURA KELLER Small Meetings, Big Impact These Events Play an Important Role in the Industry BY NANCY MUELLER 60 28 18 34 1834 2440 28 ISSN 0739-1587 // USPS 716-450Corporate & Incentive Travel (USPS 716-450) is published bimonthly 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 $135.00 in the U.S.A.; Canada and foreign is $175.00. Back copies $17.00 U.S.A. only. Distributed without charge to qualified personnel. Periodicals Postage Paid at Boca Raton, FL, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Corporate & Incentive Travel, 2500 North Military Trail — Suite 283, Boca Raton, FL 33431-6322. Nothing contained in this publication shall constitute an endorsement by Coastal Communications Corporation (Corporate & Incentive Travel), 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 C&IT of any industry standard, or as a recommendation of any kind to be adopted, by or to be binding upon, any corporate/ incentive travel planner or agent. 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, Corporate & Incentive Travel, 2500 North Military Trail — Suite 283, Boca Raton, FL 33431- 6322. Provide old and new addresses including zip codes. Enclose address label from most recent issue and please allow five weeks for the change to become effective. Printed in U.S.A. © 2022 Offer an Entertaining Alternative There’s nothing wrong with the traditional approach to hiring entertain- ment for your meeting or incentive program. A talented band or comedian certainly can put the exclamation point on the final night of your event. If you really want to create a memorable experience for attendees, dare to be differ- ent, like having an impersonator of the president whose dead-on impression fools even the most discerning audience members. Randy Nolen Artists, a California-based entertainment provider, offered a George W. Bush imper- sonator who was so realistic, the audience at my function believed it was re- ally him. Break the mold, and watch the faces of the attendees shine with delight. Our cover story, “Engage and Entertain,” features unique entertainment focused on delighting and engaging the audience by put- ting some pizzazz in your meeting and in- centive programs. Planning meeting and incentive programs is challenging even under the best of circum- stances. I’m hearing a complaint from some planners these days that seems to be taking on a life of its own: stress. But, let’s keep it in perspective. Avoid stress with expertise and the proper preparation. That said, I realize that planners labor in what can be one of the most challenging professions there is. If you didn’t need every detail of your program to go right, the planning function would be easy. The reality, how- ever, is that many of you experience daily pressure of knowing that you can’t afford to have anything go wrong. If you are suffering from stress, allow me to prescribe my treatment for your condition: One is called “expertise,” while the other goes by “preparation.” Finally, don’t miss the destination reports in this issue, which offer varied and viable choices for your next meeting or incentive program. PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE // A 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 Sara Churchville Cynthia Dial Maura Keller Christine Loomis Nancy Mueller Patrick Simms 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 IL | IN | WI REGIONAL MANAGER Bob Mitchell 630-541-3388 • Mobile: 630-235-0126 bob.mitchell@themeetingmagazines.com DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS Michael Caffin 914-629-5860 michael.caffin@themeetingmagazines.com 4 April/May 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Harvey Grotsky Publisher FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA linkedin.com/company/ CorpIncTravel @CorpIncTravel @CorpIncTravel facebook.com/ CorpIncTravelWhen you partner with Disney for your meeting or event, you get access to best-in-class planners, industry-leading technology, world-class culinary experts and unforgettable entertainment. But, most importantly, you’ll get Disney’s legendary creativity, storytelling and attention to detail. When you use our imagination, you will transform your meeting into something incredible only found at Disney. Use Our Imagination. Visit us at disneymeetingsandevents.comNEWS + NOTES // 6 April/May 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com RENOVATIONS Grand Orlando Resort at Celebration Announces $35 Million Renovation CELEBRATION, FL — The Grand Orlando Resort at Celebration is un- der new ownership and management. The 718-room property, located just 1.5 miles from Walt Disney World Re- sort, is undergoing a $35 million ren- ovation, which includes guest rooms and suites, outdoor pool areas, a res- taurant and on-site conference center. Completion is expected in early 2023. The room renovation construction is contained to one of the hotel’s six tow- ers at a time, to avoid interruptions to the guest experience. The lobby and two of the six towers have already been completed. The newly renovated resort will be flagged a Delta by Marri- ott. Positioned on a 20-acre landscape, the renovated property will appeal to both leisure and business travelers. Business travelers can take advantage of an on-site conference center com- prised of 11,632 sf of flexible meeting space, including additional expansive options for outdoor events. SURVEY DATA Survey: 84% of Business Travelers Plan to Attend Events Soon WASHINGTON, DC — Key findings from a new survey reveal that 84% of business travelers expect to take at least one trip to attend a conference, convention or trade show in the next six months. Business travelers also expect to resume traveling at a slightly slower pace compared to pre-pandemic levels, averaging about 1.6 trips per month compared to 1.7 monthly trips pre-pandemic. The latest data shows a clear shift in American business travelers’ desire to return to in-person meetings. For more informa- tion, visit us travel.org. ANNOUNCEMENTS SITE Global Conference to be Held in New York City Next Year DUBLIN, IRELAND — Following on the heels of the recent incredibly successful SITE Global Conference in Dublin, Ireland, the Society for Incentive Travel Excel- lence (SITE) announced its 2023 Global Conference will be held in New York City in February. “We are thrilled to welcome the SITE Global Conference back to New York City next year,” says Fred Dixon, NYC & Company presi- dent and CEO. Next year’s SITE Global Conference will take place the week of February 13, 2023, with registration set to open later this year. REOPENINGS Palms Casino Resort Las Vegas Now Open for Reservations LAS VEGAS, NV — Palms Casino Resort recently reopened, and the leg- endary Las Vegas property is now ac- cepting room and suite reservations. Having undergone a more than $600 million renovation in 2019, Palms Casino Resort boasts a diverse mix of bars and restaurants, featuring the return of popular outlets such as the highly acclaimed Scotch 80 Prime and Mabel’s BBQ by Chef Michael Sy- mon. Casual dining options include Send Noodles and the debut of Ser- rano Vista Cafe. Palms Casino Resort is making history as the first resort in Las Vegas fully owned and operated by a Native American Tribe. The re- sort includes more than 190,000 sf of meeting and event space; the Pearl, a 2,500-seat theater; an expansive pool and spa area; the Brenden Theatres 14-screen cinema and nearly 600 units at Palms Place condominiums.MAKE MEETINGS A BREEZE. Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa provides a destination that pairs modern luxury with a breathtaking waterfront location. Over 30,000 square feet of sea-inspired meeting space is available for you to customize and make your own. We also offer our own private yacht, ideal for receptions and post meeting events that are sure to wow attendees. SANIBEL HARBOUR MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA 17260 HARBOUR POINTE DRIVE, FT. MYERS, FL 33908 239.466.4000 SANIBELMARRIOTT.COM NEW HIRES Kristin McGrath, CDME, Joins Visit Pasadena as Executive Director PASADENA, CA — Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau (Visit Pasadena) welcomes des- tination marketing veteran Kristin McGrath as the organization’s new executive director. Mc- Grath steps into the role of executive director at a critical time as the tourism industry rebuilds from COVID-19. In this role, McGrath will function as the chief administrative officer for the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau, and be respon- sible for its management, organizational develop- ment, planning and direction. She brings more than 20 years in the tourism industry, specializ- ing in destination management, sales and mar- keting. For the past five years, she served as the vice president of sales, services & sports at Visit Albuquerque. ANNOUNCEMENTS Tropicana Atlantic City to Debut Eight New Dining and Entertainment Offerings ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — On the heels of its 40th anniversary cel- ebration last year, Tropicana Atlantic City is further strengthening its position as a leading destination on the East Coast. The casino- hotel has announced that it will be debuting eight new dining and entertainment concepts starting this summer, and undergoing gam- ing enhancements to further the resort’s evolution as a casino of the future. The new additions and enhancements are part of Caesars Entertainment’s commitment to invest $400 million into its Atlantic City resorts by 2023. New dining arrivals this year are Wild Honey Smokehouse and Tavern, Ossu Japanese Tavern, Hash House A Go Go, Purple Zebra, Gin Rickey’s, The Royce Social Hall, Il Verdi and Hawthorne & Cork. McGrath TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | April/May 2022 7Next >