< PreviousFinding great entertainment has always been difficult. Hybrid and virtual events made it tougher. Courtesy of Grace Good engaging entertainment It Takes Unique Amusement to Captivate Virtual Attendees BY KEITH LORIA INDUSTRY INSIGHT // 28 April/May 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comW hen looking for enter- tainment options for meetings and con- ventions, meeting planners are often bombarded with resumes of magicians, as they histori- cally have been a go-to option for many conferences. Nothing against magi- cians, but in today’s world, there are so many entertainment possibilities that no planner should ever have to hear the words “hocus pocus” again. Of course, with so many meet- ings recently being virtual or hybrid, it creates some problems with book- ing acts. After all, you want entertain- ment that can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of what medium they use to attend the event. Patrick Perry, director of events, sales and partnerships for Virbela, which partners with meeting orga- nizers enabling them to host confer- ences, expos and trade shows in the virtual world, suggests working with an event-production team or partner- ing with an outside vendor to ideate on a venue and source talent. “You could also ask your network for recommen- dations — LinkedIn is a great way to solicit input — or reach out to one of the meeting planning associations like MPI or PCMA,” he says. MAKE THEM LAUGH Adam Christing, chief entertain- ment officer of Clean Comedians, has booked both virtual and live events for companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Insperity and nonprofit groups such as Mercy Ships and many more. “I don’t think we’re ever going fully back to in- person events, and I think this hybrid concept of in-person and virtual will be with us for a long time,” he says. “Our motto is, ‘It doesn’t have to be filthy to be funny,’ so it’s a real safe, positive option for meeting planners. There’s an old saying that ‘A smile is the shortest distance between two people.’ So, when you want to create community in your audience of people, laugh together.” Karen Millard, senior loyalty advi- sor, marketing and business devel- opment, for Insperity and a veteran corporate events planner, has worked with internal teams to coordinate hun- dreds of small business meetings, trade shows and national conventions. Cur- rently, she plans and executes high- level live and virtual experiences, and has utilized Clean Comedians numer- ous times. “Clean Comedians consis- tently delivers top-quality, clean enter- tainment that captivates, inspires and revitalizes live and virtual audiences of any size and industry,” she says. “They offer an extensive menu of entertain- ment and speaker options, which enables them to provide exactly what your meeting needs. The highlight, for me, is seeing our guests leave happy and energized.” THE MUSIC IN ME Virbela launched The Virbela Speakeasy in 2020, a virtual live enter- tainment venue that’s ideal for group events and large gatherings for thou- sands of attendees. The space includes a large stage and multiple screens for viewing live performances, a dance floor, balcony, retractable roof, light- ing options and a VIP backstage area. To attend an event, participants cre- ate and customize their own avatar in Virbela, which allows them to explore, socialize and enjoy the event with other attendees — just as they would in the real world. They can even hit the dance floor as every avatar has 10 dif- ferent dance moves. “We’ve partnered with companies like The Economist to host an after party in The Virbela Speakeasy after their virtual meetings and events, with DJ Jazzy Jeff as the entertainment,” Perry says. “What’s also great about the space is that there are dozens of branding opportunities. Organizations can customize the name of the venue, add their logo, and curate images, videos and posters throughout the event space.” Izolda Trakhtenberg, workshop facilitator, singer and speaker for Izol- daT, provides live interactive music and singing for the participants, and gets them singing too. “By the time we’re done, I have the entire group singing in three-part harmony, even if they’ve never sung before,” she says. “I also sing in 15+ languages, so I’m particu- larly compelling to multinational cor- porations because their employees will have the chance to hear music in their native language.” Trakhtenberg also provides a Mindful Creative workshop that gets everyone creating art and writing mindfully. They get involved hands-on, and everyone learns some- thing about themselves and leaves the event with unique art they created. All they need is a pencil and a piece of paper, and their creativity blossoms. Courtesy of Mollie Plotkin Comedians have always been a popular entertainment choice for events. Luckily, making people laugh translates to hybrid/virtual events. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | April/May 2022 29A PLETHORA OF OPTIONS Having hosted 3,000-plus events over the past two years, Millard notes comedy is just the tip of the iceberg for entertainment options. “Meetings that work are those in which participants stay engaged, leave motivated, and with a clear understanding of the intended message,” she says. Natasha Miller, CEO, founder and chief experience designer of San Francisco-based Entire Productions, responded to the pandemic-era “Zoom Gloom” by curating and programming a faster-paced, more engaging virtual meeting event with team-building segments seasoned with a scintillat- ing musical performance, celebrity appearances, giveaways and more. “Our EntireVariety format works well with our team of videographers, editors and switchers to create a broadcast TV- quality experience for your town halls, launch and customer announcements, but we can also create a more modest production with engaging messaging and a faster-paced presentation style,” she says. “Our world-class talent and vendors are experts at engagement, and will have your attendees on the edge of their seats craving more.” Many meeting planners and hosts are using video conferencing or video streaming, and that just isn’t a replace- ment for live events. Quite simply, these kinds of solutions are not as engaging or immersive, and they don’t allow for networking and spontane- ous run-ins, which are vital to any in- person experience. “At Virbela, we’re focused on helping event planners create unique and memorable virtual event experiences that provide value to attendees,” Perry says. “Through our virtual worlds and event spaces [from an expo hall for trade shows to live concert venues where artists and DJs can perform on a stage], we offer expansive environments for people to move around, mingle, dance and have fun, just like they would in real life. We believe environments that allow for this kind of movement and inter- action are key to putting on a great virtual event.” Grace Good is an entertainer who is bringing virtual and hybrid meet- ings to life with her flaming hoops, a big red ball, and all the excitement of the circus. “What is the greatest show on earth? The circus, of course,” says Good, owner of Grace Good Cirque Entertainment. “I provide an excit- ing, one-of-a-kind virtual and hybrid experience for meetings and conven- tions. And I’ve learned how to bring the excitement of the circus to attendees, whether in person or remote. Not only that, I’m able to engage the meeting audience in a fun, interactive event that creates a shared experience and makes everyone feel more connected.” Her virtual and hybrid shows are adaptable to meet the needs of the audience. They can include acts per- formed on the “Go-Big Show” or “Game of Talents” from television, ele- ments from Good’s international tour with Cirque Dreams, or other popular acts, including a Dragon Staff routine. “I can perform a variety of feats atop my big red ball, including hula-hoop tricks, acrobatics and fire stunts. I can stun audiences with multiple spin- ning hula hoops, fiery acts, aerials and acrobatics,” Good says. “I can float into the air while hula hooping, or per- form while suspended upside down from one ankle.” One of the most popular elements she offers is an interactive hula-hoop- ing lesson that gets everyone out of their seats, moving and having fun. “With employees struggling with iso- lation and many gyms closed, hula hooping has many physical and mental health benefits, and I share fun, simple ways attendees can challenge them- selves with new skills while enjoying an entertaining, effective new workout at home,” she says. “I also often include an Ask Grace Anything-Q&A session. People love to hear what life is like from someone else’s perspective, and I’m always ready to answer questions about how I ran away from college to join the circus, how much I train or what it’s like to eat fire.” As an example, Good recently pro- duced a virtual event for Morgan Stan- ley — a 45-minute show that included a 20-minute performance, a 15-min- ute hula-hoop lesson and a 10-minute Q&A. “It was so much fun that remote attendees began bringing their spouses and children onto the feed to watch the show and participate,” she says. “They’ve already rebooked me for two shows. One of the next virtual events I do for them will be similar to [that] show, and another will be a hula-hoop workshop for the kids of the attendees.” Krissy Garber, co-founder of Even if it Kills Me, a company that offers immersive murder mysteries for team- or company-bonding events, utilizes a format that allows it to not feel like a virtual event, and lets the participants communicate as if they are in the same room as each other. “We try to eliminate the awkwardness of a typical Courtesy of Krissy Garber Nothing keeps attendees entertained and engaged like a thrilling murder-mystery. 30 April/May 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com LEGENDARY MEETINGS CUSTOMIZED AND REIMAGINED WITH ISLAND ENCHANTMENT. MAKA ALA LOBBY‘ KAIONA BALLROOM KA WA A, A LU AU‘‘ 18-HOLE CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE AULANI CONFERENCE CENTER Kaiona Ballroom 4,590 sq ft Ka ala Ballroom 2,885 sq ft Covered Pre-Function 4,715 sq ft Kipuka Lawn 5,195 sq ft Kipuka Courtyard 3,633 sq ft Na auao Room 240 sq ft Total 21,258 sq ft OUTDOOR VENUES Wailana Pool 9,250 sq ft Rainbow Reef Patio 1,766 sq ft Kula Wai 3,000 sq ft Ka Maka Landing 16,000 sq ft Halawai Lawn 12,800 sq ft Aulani Beach 20,000+* sq ft AMA AMA Patio 4,869 sq ft AMA AMA Veranda Alohi Point Total 76,685 sq ft • Additional function space may be available, depending on specific event configuration. ‘ ‘ ‘‘ ‘‘ When you partner with AULANI, A Disney Resort & Spa, our expert planners work with you every step of the way, to make sure your event isn’t just fully customizable, but brings the sights and sounds of the Hawaiian culture to your meeting attendees. Set on the pristine western coastline of O‘ahu, this 21-acre oceanfront resort offers more than 76,000 square feet of stunning outdoor venues and 21,258 square feet of meeting and event space. Add to that the award-winning Laniwai Spa, fine dining and shopping, KA WA‘A, A Lu‘au, Ko Olina Marina, an 18-hole championship golf course, Hawaiian-style excursions specifically designed for groups and the comfort of 832 rooms you’ve got everything you could want to create a magical event with a Hawaiian flair. For more information, call 321-939-4031 or visit disneymeetings.com/Aulani. AULANI, A DISNEY RESORT & SPA HONOLULU WAIKIKI OAHU ‘ NORTH SHOREMAKA ALA LOBBY‘ KAIONA BALLROOM KA WA A, A LU AU‘‘ 18-HOLE CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE AULANI CONFERENCE CENTER Kaiona Ballroom 4,590 sq ft Ka ala Ballroom 2,885 sq ft Covered Pre-Function 4,715 sq ft Kipuka Lawn 5,195 sq ft Kipuka Courtyard 3,633 sq ft Na auao Room 240 sq ft Total 21,258 sq ft OUTDOOR VENUES Wailana Pool 9,250 sq ft Rainbow Reef Patio 1,766 sq ft Kula Wai 3,000 sq ft Ka Maka Landing 16,000 sq ft Halawai Lawn 12,800 sq ft Aulani Beach 20,000+* sq ft AMA AMA Patio 4,869 sq ft AMA AMA Veranda Alohi Point Total 76,685 sq ft • Additional function space may be available, depending on specific event configuration. ‘ ‘ ‘‘ ‘‘ When you partner with AULANI, A Disney Resort & Spa, our expert planners work with you every step of the way, to make sure your event isn’t just fully customizable, but brings the sights and sounds of the Hawaiian culture to your meeting attendees. Set on the pristine western coastline of O‘ahu, this 21-acre oceanfront resort offers more than 76,000 square feet of stunning outdoor venues and 21,258 square feet of meeting and event space. Add to that the award-winning Laniwai Spa, fine dining and shopping, KA WA‘A, A Lu‘au, Ko Olina Marina, an 18-hole championship golf course, Hawaiian-style excursions specifically designed for groups and the comfort of 832 rooms you’ve got everything you could want to create a magical event with a Hawaiian flair. For more information, call 321-939-4031 or visit disneymeetings.com/Aulani. AULANI, A DISNEY RESORT & SPA HONOLULU WAIKIKI OAHU ‘ NORTH SHOREZoom meeting,” she says. “It’s great to see people do something so different than what they’re used to, and see how quickly immersed they become in this fictional world. We really embrace the technology and use it as an asset instead of a hindrance.” For example, utilizing Zoom, the participants communicate on the site via chat, have active polls, use breakout rooms to have private time between certain mem- bers and can easily see 10 people at once. “Even when we have people in- person for hybrid events, we have them on Zoom using their phones to use chat and the other fea- tures while they are able to speak to each other in person,” Garber says. Mollie Plotkin, owner of the Mollie Plotkin Group, serves as an agent for high-profile keynote speakers in the celebrity realm. “We do a series of short videos asking ques- tions for the audience to think about, providing fun facts or bits of inspi- ration and motivation,” she says. “By doing so, the audience is aware of who they are going to be lis- tening to, what they may be learning about and left with a genuine feel- ing of wanting to know more. Doing so provides a greater success rate in people logging in and staying logged in.” Stephanie Malek, host lead for San Fran- cisco-based Avital: Vir- tual, has come up with three great entertainment activities for hybrid meetings: a mixology class, a water tasting, and their virtual tongue twister tasting, formerly known as the flavor tripping experience. For the lat- ter, attendees eat a fruit or a pill that makes sweet things bitter and bitter things sweet. “We offer ingredient delivery internationally, so we are allowing for teams to connect across the world, no matter how many peo- ple are able to be in the same room,” she says. “Our water tasting and vir- tual tongue twister tasting are espe- cially well received for virtual/hybrid meetings. Allowing people to experi- ence something new and surprising together really unites groups. This allows us to keep teams connected, even as offices open up globally.” EXPLORING LIMITATIONS The main purpose of meetings is human interaction, but the pan- demic has created a plague of isola- tion. Virtual and hybrid meetings are an attempt to capture as much of that interaction as possible. The biggest limitation of virtual and hybrid meet- ings is the lack of touch — shaking hands with a new acquaintance or giv- ing a bear hug to a friend you’re glad to see. Vir- tual and hybrid meetings have no way to replicate the in-person ability to give a colleague a pat on the back, but they are one of the best ways to create opportunities for human interaction when being in-person isn’t possible, especially when it comes to shared experiences. One of the things that’s more difficult with virtual event for- mats is the interactivity and audience involve- ment that’s more inher- ent with live in-person entertainment. However, this is not insurmount- able by any means. For some entertainers, it can be more challenging to read the room in virtual/ hybrid meetings. So, the entertainer can have a tougher time gauging the room and amend- ing their show accord- ingly. “Audience engage- ment is a challenge, but hands-on activities bring them back to focus on the meeting in a fun and creative way,” Tra- khtenberg says. “Plus, people discover and share their hid- den talents so everyone gets a chance to shine. Additionally, people in hybrid/ virtual meetings feel disconnected. These shows/activities reconnect them and supercharge their creative mind- set for their work and their personal Photo courtesy of Grace Good An act that includes fire eating, acrobatics and hula-hoop lessons always keeps them coming back for more. 32 April/May 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comlives. The experience enriches all of the participants.” Planning a good act is itself a big task for an entertainer, and when it comes to organizing on a virtual platform, it becomes more challenging to man- age. Miller notes some of the biggest limitations for virtual/hybrid meetings are poor technology or a poor connec- tion, and not enough opportunities for engagement. “Everyone knows the best way to lose everyone’s attention during a virtual meeting is for the tech to go haywire,” she says. “Nothing draws you out of a meeting more than poor Wi-Fi, sound or video quality — which is sometimes unavoidable, as we’ve seen with even some of the largest events.” Plus, because of technology, you can only really have one person speaking at a time, otherwise the feed cuts out. “Because of this, we try to give natural cues that let people know when they can jump in,” Garber says. “Addition- ally, it can feel difficult to feel con- nected to the people you are speaking to when you’re not physically in the same space. We try to mitigate that hurdle by throwing everyone completely out of their element and letting them experi- ence something new together.” Another limitation with virtual/ hybrid events is a lack of opportunity for engagement. So often, content is streamed without a chat function, polls, Q&As, games, giveaways, etc., which can be extremely boring for viewers. Miller tries to design each meeting or event holistically, so that there isn’t a virtual event and an in-person event, but an equally engaging experience that can be done online or in-person. She says extra incentives for virtual participants, such as exclusive content, special invita- tions and mailed gifts, are a great way to ensure they get the most out of the event. Another challenge, Perry notes, is that virtual attendees of hybrid events may feel like “forgotten attendees.” “They might be able to stream content, but the experience isn’t as immersive or collaborative as it is for in-person attendees,” he says. “Virbela allows for your virtual attendees to also receive an elevated event experience that focuses on content, but also networking and collaborating just like in the real world, no matter where they are located and tuning into the event from.” There may also be limitations in the traditional event format of general session, followed by breakouts, ending with evening networking or a recep- tion, and its translation into the virtual world. Most solutions for virtual event planning rely heavily on video conferencing, which does not allow for one-to-one con- versation in a casual setting. Plotkin notes the great- est limitation in virtual/ hybrid meetings is that you can’t “read” the audi- ence. “When people turn their webcam off, that makes that even more dif- ficult,” she says. “The goal for a great hybrid meeting is to make sure you keep your audience tuned in, cam- eras on and engaged/interactive.” WORKING WITH PLANNERS The secret for entertainment acts to establish a relationship with a meet- ing planner is to continue to add value to the connection. “Most of the time, meeting planners just need their lives to be simpler, so help them out by offer- ing solutions to their problems and making the process simple and enjoy- able,” Miller says. Good notes that entertainers need to listen to what planners want and not try to force something else down their throats. “Meeting planners have a lot at stake. They want to deliver entertain- ment that tops everything their cli- ent has experienced before,” she says. “They want the entertainment they book to ‘wow’ attendees and be the act to beat for years to come. They know their client best, so I pay close atten- tion to what they are looking for, the vision they cast and the atmosphere they want to create.” The biggest way to ensure that participants get the most out of what entertainers offer, both in person and virtually, is by letting them experience something new together. “A shared, brand-new, experience transcends when you’re able to attend in person or virtually, and gives you something to talk about later with each other and a new way to bond,” Garber says. C&IT Courtesy of Stephanie Malek A Virtual Mixology class, with the ingredients shipped to virtual attendees, is a great activity for an in-person and online audience. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | April/May 2022 33 Nothing draws you out of a meeting more than poor Wi-Fi, sound or video quality — which is sometimes unavoidable. NATASHA MILLER CEO and Founder Entire ProductionsBoats are excellent for hosting small incentives, meetings and executive retreats. INDUSTRY INSIGHT // 34 April/May 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comCourtesy of Val Streif Small Meetings, Big Impact By Nancy Mueller S mall. Simple. Short. As the meetings industry awakens from the shock, uncertainty and upheaval caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, events organizers are reinventing ways to build community, celebrate achievements, and engage attendees for positive and productive results. To survey respondents of the “2021 Global Meetings and Events Forecast” sponsored by Amer- ican Express — 560+ meetings and events profes- sionals and 16 industry experts — this means a focus on small, simple meetings of shorter duration than previous years, and “in all formats, i.e., in-person, hybrid and virtual.” Other trends cited in the sur- vey results include continued emphasis on health and safety protocols, as well as increased bookings at local, non-traditional venues, and outdoor spaces in inspirational settings. Maureen Sloan, CTA, manager, global accounts for HelmsBriscoe, agrees that “Meeting sizes are smaller now. In executive retreats, where spouses were previously also attending, they’re now excluded in some cases,” perhaps due to budget constraints, COVID fallout or a combination of both. “Or in the case of incentive trips for sales professionals, the qualifications may be even tougher to get to go on the trips,” she says. Sloan also sees a shift in select- ing meeting locations among her clients. “Whereas some retreats were further away, requiring airfare, they now opt to use a destination within a two-hour drive distance.” Ronnie Weber, area director of operations for Convene, a company providing world-class meeting and conference venues, says, when it comes to tim- ing, the industry is just now starting to see booking windows as far as three months out for meetings that can be planned on short notice. From a big- picture perspective, “As more companies gear up to return to work, confidence is growing and people are planning for either their return to the office, team gatherings, board meetings or in-person client meetings,” she says. Despite the trend toward small, simple meetings of shorter duration, industry insiders, such as Carol Galle, president and CEO of Special D Events, say that doesn’t make things easier, whether coordinating events for five, 25 or 50 participants. “As every planner knows, planning a small meeting can be just as time consuming as a large one,” she says. As a business owner herself, who says she left her brick-and-mortar building in 2020, like her clients, she wonders, “How do I reinforce our culture and build a team when we don’t see each other on a daily basis?” She says, “As a leader, I will need to work harder to build community.” Galle’s solution, and for many of her clients, is regular face-to-face meetings and events. “We plan to hold face-to-face events quarterly, for instance,” she says. These Events Play an Important Role in the Industry TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | April/May 2022 35“So, I predict employee meetings will soar in the coming months. Work from home isn’t going away. With employees at all levels of organizations working remotely now, having smaller, more personal and more frequent meet-ups can replace that sense of community people lose when they are no longer face-to-face on a daily basis.” To build community, Weber finds that more emphasis is being placed on the ‘post-event’ with happy hour and receptions complementing meetings and events again. “As people start to come back together for the first time, they are looking to connect and pre- fer to keep this portion at the same venue to avoid transportation and the need for additional contact at a second venue,” she says. SMALL MEETING VENUES Showcasing small meetings pro- vides an exceptional opportunity for events organizers to plan differently when it comes to choosing meeting sites. For client meetings, Galle prefers something that is isolated and inspira- tional for retreats. Sloan agrees: “When executives are away from the respon- sibilities of everyday work, in an envi- ronment conducive to relaxation and inspiration, so much more gets done in a tranquil setting,” she says. “The togetherness, cuisine, views and off- site experiences can bring colleagues closer together. Inspiration, productiv- ity and camaraderie should result.” As far as the particular type of desired venues for small meetings and executive retreats, Weber recommends a distraction-free environment that has been thoughtfully designed to foster collaboration. The amenities conducive for the best brainstorming run every- where from “natural light in the room, to ample built-in power for laptops and cell phones, to whiteboards for collabo- ration and all-day coffee and beverage service, and snacks that are always available for that extra kick to keep the creative juices flowing,” she says. Galle says, “Non-traditional ven- ues can be interesting for one-day ses- sions, but for multi-day events, we rec- ommend a smaller resort or boutique hotel.” Sloan’s preference for her client meetings is also a mid- to small-sized hotel that has ample meeting space, that is also tech-friendly with a flexible A/V team, and in a nice setting, such as a beach, mountain or wine country where there are options for dining and entertain- ment in the evenings. “A knowledgeable and atten- tive sales manager is key also,” she says. In the sphere of non-tradi- tional meeting venues, Val Streif, marketing manager for GetMyBoat, observes: “Boat rentals have grown in popularity drastically over the past 18 months, as people have been in need of venues for small events that are socially distanced, outdoors, and regularly cleaned and sanitized,” she says. “Even with the pandemic subsiding in many locations, boats have remained a popu- lar choice for hosting events, even for businesses. Yachts are a fantastic way to show your employees appreciation for their hard work and host business- related events.” Most importantly, keep in mind, Galle says, “If team building or provid- ing a sense of community is one of the meeting goals, ‘right sizing’ is key.” She adds, “Bringing a smaller group to a large hotel just isn’t the right vibe. Con- sider the benefits of choosing a venue in which you will be a ‘big fish.’ If you need service on-site and you are the smallest group in house, you may find it challenging.” Service comes into play in other ways as well, advises Sloan: “Some hotels are quite large, with many meet- ing rooms, and would rather save meet- ing space for groups that will occupy more sleeping rooms, which equals more revenue for them,” she says. “They may turn down these groups, or charge higher rates on food and sleep- ing rooms. When they do accept them, the attendees may feel overlooked by busy conference service manag- ers (CSM’s) managing all the meeting Courtesy of Ronnie Weber Planning a small meeting or executive retreat can be a challenge, as the size of the venue plays a big role in the success of the event. 36 April/May 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com To ensure a seamless meeting, you still want to have the best technology, food and beverage and, most importantly, a hospitality team to welcome and serve your guests. RONNIE WEBER Area Director of Operations Convenespaces as a result. Or if they opt to book a smaller hotel to be the ‘big group,’ the meeting space in these properties may be limited or not available.” SMALL MEETING BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES Unlike Galle, Weber thinks the benefit of having a small meeting is that they are seamless to plan and execute. “But there is a common mis- conception that a boardroom or more intimate gathering should be inexpen- sive,” Weber says. “To ensure a seam- less meeting, you still want to have the best technology, food and beverage and, most importantly, a hospitality team to welcome and serve your guests.” Yet, Sloan suggests that maybe some businesses don’t have the bud- get they had pre-COVID, so they might be forced to spend less with reduced budgets. She finds that many executive retreats choose leisure destinations, which have been especially inundated with visitors since the vaccines became available. “Prices have really sky- rocketed at resort properties” such as Hawaii, she says. Still, Weber says that, among her clientele, most recently, they are see- ing a “65% increase in physical, vir- tual and hybrid events booked for the trailing 12 weeks, with banking and financial services, nonprofits/associa- tions, e-learning an education, technol- ogy, pharma & health care leading the return, in that order. And companies are investing more in each event.” She adds, “Our 2022 booked meetings rev- enue is pacing 155% ahead of where we were at over the same period in 2019, with the average revenue per event increasing by 70%.” In her experience, Galle also notes that smaller groups don’t have the same buying power as groups hosting larger meetings, a potential hurdle that she thinks can be minimized by using a meeting planning agency. For instance, “Instead of just bringing one small meeting to a hotel,” she says, “we bring multiple programs and our clients reap the financial benefits.” In addition to minimizing costs, Weber says another benefit of coordinat- ing meeting services with a single com- pany “means we absorb a lot of the com- plexity that comes with hosting hybrid meetings, which comes with small meet- ings, too,” she says. “From start to finish, you don’t have to worry about any tech issues, presentations or designing the space to ensure everyone is engaged each step of the way.” Plus, Weber notes, “We’re also able to share our insights with the team after the meeting finishes to show how engaged attendees were.” Streif mentions another potential challenge for meeting attendees aboard boat rentals: Not every boat outing is accompanied by fair winds and calm seas, for example. “Unfortunately, not everyone loves being on the water, and people who experience seasickness might not appreciate being on a boat,” she says. “It is also far more dependent on weather conditions than traditional meeting places/event venues.” SMALL MEETING AMENITIES Events organizers cite a host of desirable client amenities when book- ing small meetings and executive retreats, similar to those planners seek for larger meetings. Weber cites cli- ent requests for “beautifully designed spaces, delicious, nourishing meal options and access to technology. We know that food is an important part of communities, and this isn’t forgot- ten in the boardroom,” she says. “Our executive chefs work with local food suppliers and partner-farms to create inspired renditions of classic dishes for clients and teams to bond over.” Sloan’s clients appreciate having breakfast included, as well as “free bottled water Courtesy of Val Streif One great tip for hosting a meeting on a boat: Hire a captain so you can focus on your team. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | April/May 2022 37Next >