Courtesy of IMEX Group A COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 VOL. 40 NO. 4 $15.00 Ray Bloom Chairman IMEX GroupVOLUME 40 NO. 4 // AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 14 20 38 24 79 46 56 66 72 IN THIS ISSUE features 4 Publisher’s Message 6 News & Notes 8 Perspective Facing Your Worst Fear: Poor Turnout BY ERIC HOLMEN 10 Perspective Redesign Your Office for Hybrid Work BY CHRISTIAN YOUNG 12 Perspective Global DMC Partners Releases Results and Key Findings of Q2 Meetings & Events Survey 82 People on the Move destinations departments TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | August/September 2022 3 Welcome Aboard The Future Looks Bright for Cruise Meetings BY MAURA KELLER Arizona A Plethora of Outdoor Activities Amid Exceptional Beauty BY NANCY MUELLER Texas Wide-Open Spaces and Diverse Venues Attract Planners and Attendees BY MAURA KELLER Doing Great Things Meetings With a CSR Component Help the Community BY MAURA KELLER 2022 Greens of Distinction Our 28th Annual Greens of Distinction Awards Special Section Florida Offering Plenty of Sun and Fun for Meeting Attendees BY MAURA KELLER The F&B Challenge Two Years Ago, Food & Beverage Offerings Changed BY MAURA KELLER IMEX America 2022 Your Preview Guide to the Largest Trade Show in the U.S. for Global Meetings, Events and Incentives Las Vegas Always an Intriguing Mix of Activities BY DAVID SWANSON 66 38 14 46 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 Bridging the Gap There’s no substitute for face-to-face contact. Surely no one understands that better than you do when you are selecting a destination or planning meetings and incentive programs. With site inspections, negotiations with hotels, evaluating talent and speakers ... the list goes on. Still, there is perhaps no professional group that continues to benefit from utilizing the often imper- sonal new technologies than meeting planners. Tasks such as making contact with CVBs, or examining floor plans of hotels and their meeting facilities can now be easily accomplished through websites without ever seeing a human being. In addition to the in- ternet and teleconferencing, there are more ways technology can help you bridge the gap today without ever having to leave your desk — most notably the much-anticipated meeting planning software. While no technology will ever replace what you do, the new software attempts to streamline the planning process while elimi- nating any unnecessary work. If you stop and think about it, bridging the gap is probably what you do best. When you plan your next meeting or incentive program, your budget might be less than the hotel re- quires to successfully achieve your goals. Also, the economies of scale might be influencing you to choose one destination over another. Through your resourcefulness, experience and ability to work on the fly, you are able to bridge all the gaps of what is delivered and what is required to succeed. Ironically, you probably did it so well that your attendees never discovered there was a gap in the first place. As we move closer to IMEX America 2022, to be held October 11-13 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, take a look at the pre-IMEX coverage in this is- sue beginning on Page 24, and plan to visit the industry suppliers listed for your convenience. See you there! 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 Cynthia Dial Dan Johnson Maura Keller Christine Loomis Keith Loria Nancy Mueller 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 REGIONAL MANAGERS Gayle Massey Bob Mitchell Jo Neese Christy Spiegel Lisa Turner DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS Michael Caffin 914-629-5860 michael.caffin@themeetingmagazines.com 4 August/September 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Harvey Grotsky Publisher FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA linkedin.com/company/ CorpIncTravel @CorpIncTravel @CorpIncTravel facebook.com/ CorpIncTravelTriple The Points, Triple The Options We invite you to meaningful, productive meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort. For any group event contracted by September 30, 2022, for arrival through December 31, 2023, we are oering: Triple Marriott Bonvoy™ points on eligible meetings. All guests enjoy full access to every amenity on property including Mandara Spa, six pools, 22 restaurants and lounges, including five signature restaurants and preferred tee times on nearby Disney® championship golf courses. 1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 | 407.934.4290 | swandolphin.com/meetings Complex total number of guest rooms 2,619 Complex total sq. ft. of meeting space 348,711 sq. . Complex total number of meeting rooms 99 Complex total number of meeting suites 149 Complex total number of restaurants & lounges 22 The view from the top of the All-New Walt Disney World Swan ReserveNEWS + NOTES // 6 August/September 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com RENOVATIONS New York Marriott Marquis Unveils Extensive Revamp NEW YORK, NY — New York Mar- riott Marquis, part of Marriott Ho- tels — the signature flag of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands — has recently complet- ed an extensive renovation. Situated at the epicenter of Times Square, the comprehensive transformation in- cludes newly designed guest rooms, restaurants, public spaces, as well as meeting and events spaces that offer respite from, but are also inspired by, the electric energy of the city. Upon arrival to the eighth-floor lobby, visi- tors will find a reoriented space de- signed for a seamless and energizing arrival experience. Each of the hotel’s 1,971 spacious guest rooms have been completely updated with a modern, thoughtful de- sign complemented by locally inspired accents to draw in the energy of the city. On the hotel’s ninth floor, The Terrace — a dramatic open event space un- der a soaring atrium, connect- ing the Marquis Ballroom to the Jolson, Cantor and Barrymore Rooms — was ex- panded to serve as an additional functional event space, complete with streetlamp-inspired lighting. Meeting spaces and pre-function event spaces on floors three through seven feature newly designed carpets and wall coverings. The largest ball- room in the city, The Broadway Ball- room, now also has a state-of the-art sound system. New York Marriott Marquis is in the heart of Times Square. Left to right: Al Hutchinson, President & CEO, Visit Baltimore; Shavonne Harding, National Sales Manager, East, Choose Chicago and Harvey Grotsky, Publisher, Corporate & Incentive Travel magazine. Kathleen Ratcliffe President Explore St. Louis David Whitaker President & CEO Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) Carol Motley Sr. Vice President of Convention Sales and Services (GMCVB) SNAPSHOTS As seen at MPI’s WEC San Francisco SAN FRANCISCO, CA — MPI’s award-winning World Education Congress (WEC), one of MPI’s annu- al signature events, took place at the Moscone Center West in San Francis- co. The in-person event featured the award-winning education and inspir- ing programming for which WEC is known. Visit MPI.org for more.ROOM TO INSPIRE Welcome to Colorado Springs, where our wide-open scenery is the stunning backdrop to your next event. From one-of-a-kind venues to endless outdoor adventures, we have what you need to create a memorable attendee experience. Here, you’ll find room to inspire, innovate and impress. Learn more at VisitCOS.com/meet. RENOVATIONS Hyatt Regency San Francisco Announces Multimillion-Dollar Renovation SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Hyatt Re- gency San Francisco, one of San Fran- cisco’s premier waterfront hotels in the Embarcadero district, is undergo- ing a multimillion-dollar guest room enhancement. The hotel will remain open during the renovation process, and is continuing to accept leisure, business and group reservations. The renovation includes a complete trans- formation of the hotel’s 821 guest rooms, which includes 45 suites. The hotel is located just a short walk from Embarcadero’s world-famous attrac- tions, premier dining and popular entertainment. As one of the city’s leading destinations for meetings and events, the hotel is home to 72,000 sf of customizable space for any and ev- ery event. RENOVATIONS Omni Homestead Resort is Now Accepting Group Bookings HOT SPRINGS, VA — The Omni Homestead Resort, the iconic one- stop, all-season lifestyle resort situ- ated on more than 2,000 acres in the breathtaking Allegheny Mountains, is now accepting group bookings for its expanded events and meetings ca- pabilities as part of an overall $140 million property-wide renovation, set to be completed late next year. A top meeting destination serving Virginia; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; Charlotte; Columbus; Nashville; Philadelphia and beyond, The Omni Homestead Resort will add 4,000 sf of function space through the opening of an all- new, indoor/outdoor Event Pavilion, while enhancing the resort’s existing 72,000 sf of meeting space with a fo- cus on advanced functionality and re- freshed interiors. INDUSTRY RESEARCH MPI Publishes Summer 2022 Meetings Outlook Report DALLAS, TX — Meeting Profession- als International (MPI) has published its Summer Meetings Outlook, a future-focused quarterly report that identifies new trends and innovations. The publication allows planners to budget and plan accordingly and en- sures a strong foundation for build- ing sound strategies that keep busi- nesses on paths to success. Meeting and event business projections remain strong, with signs of growth at a sus- tainable pace rather than the jarring ups and downs that have been seen during the past 30 months. To see the full report, visit MPI.org, then select Media, Meetings Outlook. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | August/September 2022 7V irtual exhaustion.” The very idea that it can be exhausting to sit in front of a screen all day sounds strange — but it’s real. As valuable as virtual events have been for event professionals over the last two years, people are indeed tired of them. And that’s a cause for concern as event teams feel the pressure of pro- jected lower attendance numbers this year. Low attendance numbers scare the hell out of event professionals. In late 2021, the Splash team surveyed more than 250 event professionals for an annual events outlook report, “Getting Back to Business,” and learned that their top concern, no matter the size or type of event, is low atten- dance. Their other main concern is combatting virtual event fatigue. But perhaps a more significant factor that could drive lower attendance rates in 2022 is the onslaught of in- person events this year. With the return of in-person conferences and meet- ings and a continuance of virtual events, attendees face an overwhelming number of events to choose from. That leaves event professionals facing increasing pressure to make their event the essential one to attend. To do this, there will be challenges, but they’re not insurmount- able. Here are some thoughts on how event professionals can overcome those. Your event attendees want more options The first pill to swallow for event professionals is to elim- inate a “one or other” approach — virtual versus in-person. Event attendees expect more choice now and offering them that choice is the responsible thing to do. Even as the pan- demic wanes, some attendees will still feel uncomfortable going to a large in-person gathering and prefer the relative safety of attending remotely. Rather than alienating a portion of your audience, offer both. Attendees who are still uncomfortable in person will appreciate the virtual component. Those who are present at the event venue won’t have their experience affected by the availability of a virtual option. Having that option alone could make a long-lasting impact on those attendees who still want to go virtual, building loyalty among this segment for future event programs. Another benefit of offering a virtual option is broadening the attendee pool and improving your numbers. Why give attendees an ultimatum to come to an in-person event or not at all? Give them a third box to check, a virtual choice that provides flexibility and makes the event work best for them. You want all the right attendees at your event, regard- less of the format. If they choose it, they will come After two years of canceling or postponing events, com- panies are redoubling efforts to make up for lost time — and revenue. Naturally, some attendees may feel overwhelmed by the volume of events this year. Hybrid models ease that tension by offering virtual and in-person options. Hybrid events give potential attendees additional choices when deciding which events to prioritize. They might not be able to justify the travel expense to attend an in-person event, but they could attend virtually. More hybrid event options mean more flexibility in attendees’ calendars and schedules, which facilitates them attend- ing more events overall. Another thing to consider is that choice makes for a more engaged and involved attendee. If guests choose to go virtual in a hybrid model, it’s because PERSPECTIVE // DepositPhotos.com Facing Your Worst Fear: Poor Turnout BY ERIC HOLMEN The sheer volume of returning events as the pandemic wanes might keep some potential attendees away. 8 August/September 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comthey prefer to engage in that way, as opposed to attending a virtual event that was replacing a canceled in-person event. Embrace the new tech The technology used to host virtual events has come a long way. Our 2022 event outlook survey found that nearly 6 in 10 companies are increasing their investment in event technol- ogy compared to 2021, and 46% anticipate hosting more vir- tual events this year than last. That’s the right approach — test- ing and learning new technologies to engage your audience. But the only way to combat virtual fatigue and low vir- tual attendance is to offer a virtual experience that feels new and refined. Earlier this year, we unveiled an all-in-one event platform called Splash Studio to vastly improve the backstage experience and reporting for professionals running a virtual event and elevate attendees’ screen experience. Some of the innovations we developed within a virtual set- ting include easy access for attendees to engage in polls or chat with attendees or speakers during a session. New networking features also enable several session hosts to moderate different networking circles, where attendees can also break out into private chats. Essentially, networking can be as structured or unstructured as event professionals want, from small groups to a wide-open platform for attendees to mix and mingle. Bring in-person to virtual A true hybrid experience also gets virtual attendees engaged with the in-person experience. Event profession- als can do things such as stream live in-booth interviews with exhibitors on the floor, show webcasts of live in-per- son presentations, perhaps launch a drone video of what’s happening on the ground, or stream videos of awards or other presentations. Company events can bring remote attendees to the live stage with streaming and live online chat interaction. The most important part of a true hybrid event experi- ence is integration — the virtual component must be woven into the fabric of the event itself. Too often, the virtual side of a hybrid event feels tacked on, either a static simulcast of what’s happening at the venue or a parallel program that lacks the dynamism of the in-person experience. High-per- forming hybrid events use their virtual channel to augment and complement the live show, not just replicate it. This way, those attending virtually have as full an experience as possible and get as much value from the event as their in-person counterparts. Of course, a seamlessly integrated hybrid event is hard to achieve with outdated event tech- nology. Hanging onto old tech or not paving the way for more choice is the easy option. But now is precisely the time to experiment, learn and improve. It won’t be easy, but it’s the only way to generate renewed excitement and deliver an experience that differentiates your event programs this year. Educate and educate some more Critical to the hybrid model’s success is educating attend- ees and setting expectations, explaining how the virtual and in-person components work together, and highlighting what attendees will recognize or is brand new. For event profes- sionals, this means proactive outreach and communication both before and during the event. For event managers, more interaction with both virtual and in-person attendees will be required. But the payoff in terms of engagement and atten- dance ratios will be well worth the effort. Events this year are launching with added pressure to make up for lost revenue and engagement. Securing more bodies for the show floor or log-ins for a virtual session will be tough. At the same time, companies hosting their events want to create an outstanding experience for employees, customers or partners regardless of how they participate. One thing is for sure: not building out and communicat- ing a hybrid offering will only make your job as an event marketer or professional much harder this year. Leverage the improved event technology that is available, renew the event experience for your guests, and don’t settle for a “one- or-the-other” approach. C&IT ERIC HOLMEN Eric Holmen is the CEO of Splash, a next-generation event marketing platform designed to help teams build and host virtual, in-person and hybrid events. He is responsible for driving the company’s transformative growth and positioning Splash to help its customers do what they love: create memorable experiences, new connections and business value. For more, visit splashthat.com. “ More hybrid event options mean more FLEXIBILITY in attendees’ calendars and schedules, which facilitates them ATTENDING more events overall. ” TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | August/September 2022 9Next >