< Previousdiverse enough for us to create two exceptional and distinctive confer- ences without having to relocate.” Raspa says the team at Discover Puerto Rico brings tremendous value for event planners. “From site selection and facility negotiation, to resourcing the best local vendors, to incorporating the genuine flare of the island, Discover Puerto Rico is committed to serving event producers. They don’t just sell the island. Each member of the team believes this is ‘their’ island, their homeland, for which they are proud, enthusiastic and unapologetic. Discover Puerto Rico is a partner in our success.” El Conquistador Resort, Raspa notes, is one of the largest properties on the island. “There are three distinct sections, which allows meeting planners to create an ‘off-site experience’ while remaining on property. All have been recently ren- ovated and upgraded. The main building includes multiple ballrooms, breakout rooms, restaurants, pools and amenities. The marina area has restaurants, a water park and oceanfront lodging. Palomino Island is a private oasis 10 minutes off the coast with dining, white beaches and outdoor function space. The guest rooms are well appointed, and the views are stunning.” He calls the staff a plea- sure to work with. “Some of the resort’s event planners and sales representatives have been on staff for 20+ years, bring- ing a wealth of experience and knowl- edge of the property.” Raspa says people are clamoring to again meet face to face. “There is power for meeting in person. Our attendees crave the opportunity to collaborate and build professional relationships with others in ways that online conferences cannot replicate. Our attendees are ask- ing for in-real-life events and they’re showing up. Our mainland U.S. events have strong registration numbers as well. Those who want to meet in-per- son — pandemic or not — will meet.” He advises planners to leverage Discover Puerto Rico, local DMCs and local vendors. “They’ve figured out how to navigate this pandemic and make unforgettable events on the island. Doing it on your own or with foreign vendors will be far more challenging.” The Bahamas Made up of 16 major and countless smaller islands, a group can visit The Bahamas repeatedly with a different experience each time. New proper- ties include Sandals Royal Bahamian on Nassau and the reopening of The Cove, Eleuthera, while Ritz-Carlton announced plans for a new Ritz-Carl- ton Reserve on Eleuthera. No one is more of a cheerleader for these islands than the Honourable I. Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and Bahamas minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation. “The Islands of The Bahamas are an ideal setting for an array of meetings and group opportunities,” he says. “We’re seeing an uptick in interest in this sector as our beautiful country can accommodate groups of all shapes and sizes. Our partners and meetings experts are available to ensure every need is met and no detail is left behind. Everything from accommodations and meeting spaces, as well as experiences and activities, are at your fingertips and can be seamlessly executed.” Suzanne Houghtaling, founder and CEO of Sunsplash Events, DMC Event Production Company, has been involved with Insight Global’s annual Incentive Rewards Conference at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau for 10 years. “We began with a 200-person group; it has grown now to 2,800 to 3,200 persons.” Among the Bahamas’ assets is ease of flights. “It’s very close to the U.S., with more than enough nonstop flights from all major U.S. hubs. There are many fabulous hotels to choose from, ranging from smaller boutique proper- ties to the larger Grand Hyatt Baha Mar and Atlantis, Paradise Island.” About Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, Houghtaling says, “Our client chose Grand Hyatt Baha Mar because of the many activities on and off property, as well as the perfect white beaches and shallow, crystal-clear water. The new water park with its lazy river, wave pool, many water slides, surfing pool and poolside gambling offers some- thing for everyone.” And, she says, “There are several pools, as well as food-trucks, and food and drink outlets throughout the property. The Grand Hyatt has an energetic casino, many fine dining options and the service is superb. Conference facilities also stand out. There’s a standalone conference center close to the hotel rooms, with indoor and outdoor spaces.” Houghtaling says one thing planners should know is that tips are included in almost all hotel charges. “There’s a 12% VAT added to everything. We do tip Courtesy of Paul Michael Raspa Jr. El Conquistador Resort in Puerto Rico offered unique entertainment at The Guardians Inc.’s Annual Retreat. 48 June/July 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com WHERE MODERN WONDERS MEET THE WONDERS OF OUR WORLD. MAKE YOUR MEETINGSWHERE MODERN WONDERS MEET THE WONDERS OF OUR WORLD. MAKE YOUR MEETINGSlocals, such as taxi drivers and outside servers, about 20% to 25%. If you have to ship in conference materials,” she contin- ues, “be sure to use the hotel’s preferred suppliers or connect with your DMC, as there are quite a few logistical steps you should be sure to follow. I also suggest allowing at least one day for guests to venture out and experience our local cul- ture, and a night to have dinner on their own to try some local hot spots. Reserva- tions are strongly recommended.” Atlantis, Paradise Island offers more than 500,000 sf of meeting space, a casino, golf course, retail complexes, more than 20 restaurants, an aquarium and the largest water park in the Baha- mas. The 3,401-room resort recently announced plans for a multimillion-dol- lar renovation. Enhancements include the redevelopment of The Beach Tower and all Royal Tower guest rooms and suites, and a reimagined Atlantis Casino. Renovation of all guest rooms and suites in The Royal East Tower will be complete later this summer, closely followed by newly renovated rooms and suites in The Royal West Tower. The Royal’s world-famous Bridge Suite is on track for total renovation and completion next year, and looking beyond 2022, Atlantis will open a brand- new “oasis within an oasis,” resort dubbed Somewhere Else. Replacing the current site of The Beach Tower, this unique oceanfront escape, opening in 2024, will offer 400 guest rooms and suites alongside top-tier dining ven- ues, lushly landscaped grounds, mul- tiple pools, recreation areas, upscale amenities and live performances — all within easy reach of the myriad of din- ing and entertainment options synony- mous with Atlantis. Although Nassau and Paradise Island have plenty to keep groups busy, Houghtaling encourages attendees to venture out for snorkeling and island hopping to some of the many out islands and cays or, for example, to Exuma for swimming with the famous pigs. Who wouldn’t want to swim with pigs? U.S. Virgin Islands The three major and many smaller islands that make up the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) are a U.S. territory, mak- ing planning, contracts, currency and entry easy for U.S. citizens. Utah-based Christy Froehlich, CMP, principal/ owner and senior planner at Precision Planners. After two rebookings, she recently brought an incentive group from a California-based company to St. Thomas in mid-spring to The Ritz- Carlton, St. Thomas, which has come back better than ever after a two-year shutdown and property-wide renova- tion following the 2017 hurricanes. Froehlich gives many reasons for choosing the USVI for this fully in-person meeting. “Ease of access and airlift were big decision factors,” she says. “The client loves that we’ll get that Caribbean, far-away feeling, yet at the same time the convenience of being in the U.S. for currency, language and COVID purposes is very attractive. There are so many recreational activity options and unique special-event venues that it has been very easy to create a spectacular program. This particular incentive trip [was] a five-night pattern, and I had a hard time deciding how to fit all the St. Thomas experiences into the agenda.” Froehlich’s client likes The Ritz- Carlton brand “for its continuity in prod- uct offerings and service level,” with the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas especially attractive. “The fact that the Ritz-Carl- ton, St. Thomas is a ‘new’ product given the massive $100 million renovation that took place after Hurricane Irma was very attractive,” Froehlich says. “Brand new rooms, meeting spaces and restaurants are so refreshing.” And there’s the fact that The Ritz-Carlton beach is available as function space and for evening events. “From my perspective as the plan- ner,” she continues, “I love that Cruz Bay Sports is on-site, and that the majority of ground transportation and daytime activities [water and land-based] are arranged through them. It’s so conve- nient. The flexibility and understanding from the hotel’s perspective were greatly appreciated in such tumultuous times.” Froehlich says flexibility and cre- ativity during the pandemic made it one of the best experiences among all of her 2020-2022 rebookings. In terms of meeting space at the resort, Froehlich points to some pros and minor cons. “Pro: Beautiful spaces that are all newly renovated and incorporate lots of natu- ral light. Con: The hotel is quite spread out. Walking from one end to the other is a jaunt. However, the hotel’s bell staff stands ready to transport guests in golf carts whenever requested.” To planners, she says, “Just book it. The planning has been a snap, aside from the multiple COVID rebookings. The cli- ent [was] very pleased with how excited the attendees [were] to attend this event. The ROI relative to their meeting spend will be particularly tangible this year.” Bottom line: Islands offer planners alluring destinations where culture, history, activities and fantastic set- tings create the foundation for meeting success. Magic and ROI are not mutu- ally exclusive. C&IT Paul Michael Raspa Jr., The Guardians Inc.’s COO, says El Conquistador Resort offers ‘off- site’ activities while attendees can remain on the property. Courtesy of Paul Michael Raspa Jr. 50 June/July 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com your event can MAKE A DIFFERENCE Atlantis is proud to support World Central Kitchen (WCK) and their mission to use the power of food to nourish communities and strengthen economies in times of crisis and beyond. When you hold your event at Atlantis you can help further the humanitarian efforts of World Central Kitchen. Simply choose the WCK banquet option and a donation will be made in your organization’s name along with a matching donation from Atlantis. For more information visit MeetingsAtAtlantis.com or call 800.722.2449your event can MAKE A DIFFERENCE Atlantis is proud to support World Central Kitchen (WCK) and their mission to use the power of food to nourish communities and strengthen economies in times of crisis and beyond. When you hold your event at Atlantis you can help further the humanitarian efforts of World Central Kitchen. Simply choose the WCK banquet option and a donation will be made in your organization’s name along with a matching donation from Atlantis. For more information visit MeetingsAtAtlantis.com or call 800.722.2449C alifornia has no lack of excellent cities, towns and hotels for meetings of every type and size. From a small group of 14 to a large gathering of thousands, planners have found much to recommend in the “Golden State.” SAN JOSE The Bay Area’s most-populous city, San Jose, is a popular site for the many tech companies in the region as well as every other type of corporate group. Kelley Schmidt, director of event man- agement for FNTECH, a full-service event planning company with more than a decade in the area, has worked with many groups over the years. She says proximity to three major airports, a lively downtown and excellent conven- tion center are among San Jose’s assets. Late last fall, she worked on a group’s annual summit with several thousand attendees, some in-person and others virtual. The meeting was set primarily at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center (SJMCC) with the San Jose Marriott as the base hotel. “The flex- ibility of the space [at the SJMCC] and extraordinary service keep us and our clients coming back again and again. Until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2019, FNTECH averaged several large conferences at the SJMCC each year. Perhaps the center’s greatest asset, however, she says, is its flexibility. “This applies to the space itself, but also to the people who make it run. Everyone is accommodating. When we want to try something new for a client — some- thing that hasn’t been done before — we are consistently met with a ‘How-can- we-make-it-happen?’ attitude. Team San Jose is willing to go the extra mile to help make our events successful. There is always room to brainstorm, debate ideas and negotiate services. On a strictly production front, the new Exhibit Hall ceiling and sound upgrade was very much appreciated.” San Jose has a full range of hotels, many of them downtown, and Schmidt has worked with most of them. “From an event-space perspective, the hotels we use most are the San Jose Marriott and the Hilton San Jose, which are attached to the convention center. This allows for a smooth install/dismantle process, because we can easily move equipment between spaces. We’re also able to con- nect the Wi-Fi in all three spaces, so it’s a seamless transition for attendees, staff and crew in terms of networking.” The ‘Golden State’ Welcomes Back Meetings California DESTINATION // 52 June/July 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comHistorically, Schmidt notes, “San Jose hotels have been solid partners on our large events, but perhaps a hid- den gem, from a planner’s perspective, are the post-event audits. This helps us capture attendee reservations that may have been made outside the sleeping- room block, which often alleviates attrition. Since the pandemic, we have been even more strategic with cancel- lation clauses. I would advise planners to lean-in and ask Team San Jose for insight and support in this area.” Schmidt has high praise for Team San Jose, the city’s DMO. “Over the years, we’ve formed an amazing working relationship with them. Together we’ve accomplished some very unique and specific catering requests, complicated room turns, tremendous internet requirements, massive security measures, extremely tight installations and strikes, just to name a few collaborations,” she says. “When our first in-person event post COVID-lockdown was planned for the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, we were confident that our collective team would be able to navigate the constantly changing environment. It wasn’t easy, and there were some unavoidable hiccups, but this team leaned heavily on our ability to band together, make needed adjustments and keep moving forward. From all accounts, it was a smashing success. Attendees left healthy, educated and motivated. Our planning team left re-energized, proud of a job well done and looking toward the future. Truly, we can’t imagine a better partnership.” In terms of how COVID challenges were handled, Schmidt says Team San Jose has stayed in constant communication with city officials on all pandemic updates. “When the city of San Jose mandated proof of vaccine and masks indoors, we immediately met via video conference to discuss logistics. This helped us properly plan our compliance and keep our clients in the loop so their comms were accurate and up-to-date. We did have concerns with staffing, but the open communication with [Team San Jose] helped us pivot [a few times] to ensure all areas were covered. We know they are always in the trenches with us.” As any planner knows, even with the best partners and planning, there are likely to be a few challenges in the course of planning a meeting. It’s how you handle them that makes the dif- ference. “I can remember a few speed bumps along the way relating to cater- ing, graphics and staffing shortages,” comes Back Meetings ornia BY CHRISTINE LOOMIS SeeMonterey.com Pictured, Monterey Bay Harbor Sunset. California has long been a destination favored by planners and attendees. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | June/July 2022 53Schmidt says. “However, all these chal- lenges were met quickly, and solutions were cohesively implemented. We’ve found it’s not the problems themselves that crush you, it’s how we as one team respond to in those situations — no pointing fingers, just helping hands. Many years ago, we implemented a full-transparency rule when things go wrong. We immediately notify all par- ties involved and, when possible, get everyone together in the space and work together to course correct. This allows clients to rest easy knowing we have their backs and we’re all pushing toward the same goals.” Looking ahead, Schmidt is opti- mistic. “We’re optimistic about future in-person meetings [through] 2022. While many of our spring events have changed to completely virtual … we feel the direction the pandemic is tak- ing will allow us to produce more in- person events … this year. We also feel the safety measures we’ve put in place with Team San Jose allow each per- son — attendee, speaker, sponsor, staff and crew member — to experience the event in the way they’re most comfort- able with, be that social distancing, wearing masks, etc.” To planners, Schmidt’s primary advice is to partner with Team San Jose. “Stay in close contact with Team San Jose on the current pandemic situ- ation. They have the latest information from the city and state, but also can provide new ideas and share best practices, so you can have a safe and successful show what- ever the current landscape.” SAN LUIS OBISPO To the south, along Cal- ifornia’s oft-photographed coast, is San Luis Obispo, aka SLO. The town sits in the middle of the spectacular Central Coast region, which spans from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz. SLO offers planners small-town charm, all the expansive and dramatic scenery along the coast, and plenty of activi- ties and options for meetings. Marci Miller, MBA, chief administrative offi- cer, Radiology Associates, worked on the group’s monthly board of directors’ meetings as well as the annual retreat. Meetings were held at Hotel Cerro in San Luis Obispo in the spring and late fall of last year. As COVID continues to impact in- person meetings, Miller says Hotel Cerro is a good choice. “During the past year, we’ve used Hotel Cerro for many different in-person events. The venue is perfect for a private event and the staff adhered to safety pro- tocols by wearing masks at all times when serving food and beverage. The hotel, which is very clean, provided the appreciated sanitization for all people attending the meeting.” Miller says Hotel Cerro’s meet- ing space is ideal for multiple reasons, including the fact that there’s built-in A/V equipment, which makes presen- tations and teleconferences easy. And the hotel can provide a range of room setups that work for various groups. Catering is also convenient, thanks to the hotel’s on-site restaurant, Brasse- rie SLO. The group especially likes that the large glass windows separating the indoor space and outdoor patio can be opened and pushed all the way out to create an expansive indoor/outdoor space with excellent airflow. In addi- tion to the regular catering the hotel provides, if a group is looking for a special wine or food to be served, hotel staff will source it for them. In spite of 2021’s challenges, Miller is looking forward in the rest of 2022 and through 2023. “We’re optimistic about having in-person meetings again in the future,” she says. “There is no replacement for in-person meetings … we remain optimistic and are ready to gather in person and plan for our com- panies’ futures.” As for tips on planning while COVID continues, she advises planners to “Try to pick locations that have either an outdoor setting or split rooms to The Open Compute Project Global Summit was held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center late last fall. Courtesy of Kelley Schmidt 56 June/July 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com There is no replacement for in- person meetings … we remain optimistic and are ready to gather in person and plan for our companies’ futures. MARCI MILLER Chief Administrative Officer Radiology Associatesmaximize the airflow at the event. It’s important to have multiple serving sta- tions to allow for less gathering while still interacting with fellow attendees, and it’s also nice to have a separate location for attendee arrivals and a private restroom to limit the number of contacts. Lastly, make sure the facil- ity is following the current protocols for safety by wearing the appreciated masks and available hand sanitizer.” MONTEREY Visitors here — about 100 miles south of San Francisco and about 50 miles from San Jose — will discover iconic landmarks, a storied history, sus- tainable and diverse culinary offerings, top-notch vineyards and wineries, var- ied landscapes such as scenic coastal views and rugged terrain, world-class art and more. Looking for prime Pacific coastline? There are 99 miles of it here, along with the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, 45,000 acres of pre- mium vineyards, 65 tasting rooms, 82 wineries and more than 20 golf courses, including the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links. Major attractions include the 17-Mile Drive scenic coastal driving tour of Pebble Beach with lookouts and famous golf courses; Big Sur, the iconic area encompassing a 70-mile stretch of breathtaking, dramatic Pacific coast- line with inns, restaurants, camping spots, beaches and hiking trails along Highway 1; and Cannery Row, one of the most popular destinations in the Central Coast and named for John Steinbeck’s novel. Cannery Row offers waterfront luxury hotels, boutiques, restaurants and the aforementioned Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Monterey Conference Center, which encompasses the adjoining Mon- terey Marriott and the Portola Hotel & Spa, has recently undergone a $60 mil- lion renovation. Together, these water- front properties offer more than 80,000 sf of flexible meeting space, 19,000 sf of exhibition space and 700 hotel rooms. The center can accommodate meetings of various sizes up to 1,700 attendees. LOS ANGELES The Los Angeles Convention Cen- ter (LACC) offers more than 720,000 sf of exhibit hall space, and 147,000 sf of meeting space, allowing it to host events ranging from conventions, trade shows, exhibitions and meet- ings of all sizes. The Los Angeles Plan- ning Commission recently approved a $1 billon plan to expand and upgrade the convention center and the adja- cent JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE. The $500 million convention center upgrade would add 700,000 sf and a new span connecting the South and West Halls. The $500 million JW Marriott upgrade would add a 37-story tower with 861 rooms, adding to the 1,000 rooms at the Marriott and The Ritz Carlton, Los Angeles. Plans also include a 228,000-sf conference cen- ter. The JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE now offers 134,143 sf of meetings space, while The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles now offers more than 100,000 sf of modern events space. ORANGE COUNTY Orange County (OC) offers an eclectic group of towns and cities, from the gorgeous beaches and luxury properties of Laguna Beach, to surf- ing paradise Huntington Beach and Anaheim, with the largest convention The Open Compute Project Global Summit, one of the first tech events to return to an in-person format, drew attendees of all ages. Courtesy of Kelley Schmidt TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | June/July 2022 57Next >