A COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION AUGUST 2022 VOL. 29 NO. 3 $15.00 Expert Negotiating Can Avoid Legal Hurdles in a Post-Pandemic World FINE PRINT INSIDE ARIZONA ATLANTIC CITY NETWORKING AT HYBRID EVENTS ENGAGING AN AUDIENCE DURING DIFFICULT TIMES RETHINKING OPERATING STRATEGIES Jonathan T. Howe Founding Partner and President Howe & Hutton Ltd.Looking for a great destination for your next meeting or event? Dallas delivers. For starters, you can fly here directly from most major cities. We also have tons of fun things to see and do while you’re not working, from our walkable downtown to nearby arts and cultural districts. And, we lead the nation with the most GBAC accredited hotels and venues, so your meeting will be safe and successful. Start planning at DallasDelivers.com This news is too exciting not to share: In 2029, Dallas will unveil an expanded convention center and entertainment experience. Get an early look at VisitDallas.com/ConventionCenter Omni Dallas Hotel, DowntownINSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | AUGUST 2022 themeetingmagazines.com 3 AUGUST 2022 Vol. 29 No. 3 14 28 22 departments features 14 22 28 4 18 Connections Count Tips to Boost Networking at Hybrid Events By Maura Keller Fine Print Expert Negotiating Can Avoid Legal Hurdles in a Post-Pandemic World By Keith Loria Atlantic City The ‘Garden State’s’ Gleaming Gaming Oasis By Maura Keller Arizona A Destination Offering Boundless Desert Beauty By Nancy Mueller destinations 6 10 12 34 Publisher’s Message News & Notes Engaging Attendees During Difficult Times How to Captivate an Audience When the World is in Crisis By Melissa Forziat Adapting to the Future of Work How to Rethink Your Operating Strategies in an Age of Remote, Virtual and Online Operations By Scott Steinberg Corporate Ladder 18 ISSN 1095-9726USPS 012-991Harvey Grotsky 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 Meetings: A People-Oriented Business In this era of the computer and related technological advances in busi- ness communications, it is tempting for some meeting planners to overlook his or her most valuable asset: People. Of course, the business schedule of most planners is now a busy one after a period of crisis during the downturn of meetings and events at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In today’s marketplace, as planners struggle to catch up with bookings pre- viously canceled or postponed, I would wager that the myriad decision-making moves and activities to be conducted in a single day probably would cause a great deal of stress to comparable managers in other businesses. I would like to remind you, as well as other meetings management personnel in supportive organizations, that they must of- fer the personal touch with co-workers and outside contacts, clients and suppliers alike. I’m not suggesting that you scrap office- to-office linked computers, or multi-site video conferences, but simply put, there is a moment in any activity when dealing with people face-to-face is far more effective than communicating through electronic media. Think about it. Don’t you prefer dealing with people you’ve met per- sonally? In recalling them, it may be a gesture, a look or comment that can cement a successful relationship. Whether it’s because of a site inspection or attendance at a trade show, such as IMEX or FICP or others, be sure to take advantage of opportunities to meet the people you are working with now, and will be dealing with in the future. It’s an investment in time and money that will pay off hand- somely in long-range job effectiveness. Remember, the computer and other technological advances are de- signed to help you perform more efficiently and effectively, not replace meetings. We are in a people-oriented business — the meetings business. Let’s keep it that way! Insurance & Financial Meetings Management is published bi-monthly by Coastal Communications Corporation, 2500 N. Military Trail, Ste. 283, Boca Raton, FL 33431-6322; 561-989-0600. Single copies $15.00 U.S.A.; back cop- ies $17. Yearly subscription price is $70.00 in the U.S.A.; $135.00 in Canada. Distributed without charge to qualified personnel. Periodicals Postage Paid at Boca Raton, FL, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Insurance & Financial Meetings Management, 2500 N. Military Trail, Ste. 283, Boca Raton, FL 33431-6322. Nothing contained in this publication shall constitute an endorsement by Coastal Communications Cor- poration (Insurance & Financial Meetings Management), and the publication disclaims any liability with respect to the use of reliance on any such informa- tion. The information contained in this publication is no way to be construed as a recommendation by I&FMM of any industry standard, or as a recommenda- tion of any kind to be adopted by or 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. Subscriber: Send subscription inquiries and address changes to: Circulation Dept., Insurance & Financial Meetings Management, 2500 N. Military Trail, Ste. 283, Boca Raton, FL 33431-6322. Give old and new addresses including zip codes. Enclose address label from most recent issue and allow five weeks for change to become effective. Printed in U.S.A. © 2022 www.themeetingmagazines.com when you realize the world really is yours Charters, Meetings & Incentive 866-827-5257 or +1 206-626-9177 outside North America SeaCharIncentive@Seabourn.com When you partner with Seabourn for an event, your guests will enjoy a seamless, all-inclusive, ultra-luxury experience. Our intimate ships with just 250-600 guests, all ocean-front suites, inviting group spaces, luxurious amenities and nearly one team member for every guest converge into a voyage so beyond compare your guests will never want it to end. 0513-22SLP The Meeting Magazine Full Pg.indd 16/1/22 5:17 PM 4 AUGUST 2022 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENTthemeetingmagazines.com PUBLISHER’S MESSAGEwhen you realize the world really is yours Charters, Meetings & Incentive 866-827-5257 or +1 206-626-9177 outside North America SeaCharIncentive@Seabourn.com When you partner with Seabourn for an event, your guests will enjoy a seamless, all-inclusive, ultra-luxury experience. Our intimate ships with just 250-600 guests, all ocean-front suites, inviting group spaces, luxurious amenities and nearly one team member for every guest converge into a voyage so beyond compare your guests will never want it to end.themeetingmagazines.com 6 LAS VEGAS, NV — The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, recently announced it purchased a nearly 30,000- sf parcel of land directly to its east. Bordered to the south by Stewart Avenue and to the east/ northeast by Fourth Street, the wedge-shaped parcel provides the museum with additional space to build out much-needed facilities for administration, exhibitions, archives, educational and entertainment programs, and food and beverage facilities. With this purchase, the museum has made the first step toward its next phase by expanding the footprint of its campus. The acquisition of the new parcel allows the museum to have greater flexibility in constructing additional facilities, while respecting the integrity of the museum’s historic building. The Mob Museum provides a world-class journey through true stories — from the birth of the Mob to today’s headlines. The museum offers a provocative, contemporary look at these topics through hundreds of artifacts and immersive storylines. The museum is open daily. For more information, visit themobmuseum.org, or download the muse- um’s free mobile app. AUGUST 2022 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT LONDON, UK — A group of senior cor- porate event leaders from brands includ- ing McDonald’s, Microsoft, Siemens, Cisco Systems and Wolters Kluwer has announced a new collaboration for the global events industry in the form of the Event Leaders Exchange (ELX). ELX is a community of practice including sharing of industry research, network- ing, best practices and industry initia- tives. ELX members have already held sessions on critical topics such as DEI and sustainability to find immediate and realistic paths forward that can be shared across corporations. Meetings are held throughout the year both in-person and via cross-industry virtual sessions. In addition to the existing hot topics of DEI and sustainability, upcoming ELX sessions will center around other press- ing challenges. WASHINGTON, DC — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently eliminated its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships. The move comes as many cruise lines are loosening their COVID-19 restrictions. The program gave a red, orange, yellow or green status to vessels based on data reported by the ships and public-health authorities, such as the number of COVID-19 cases onboard and the public-health measures the vessel was following. The color-coding system was created for passengers to make an informed decision about the COVID-19 risk level aboard cruise ships. Ships that did not participate in the program were given a gray status. Current guidance from the CDC still advises all passengers to be vaccinated, take a viral COVID-19 test no more than three days prior to departure, and get tested again three to five days after the trip. HYATT SHARES PROGRESS UPDATE ACROSS ESG COMMITMENTS AND INITIATIVES CHICAGO, IL — To share progress made across World of Care, Hyatt Hotels Corporation’s Environmental, Social and Gover- nance (ESG) platform, the company recently published its 2021 World of Care Highlights and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Report to demonstrate how Hyatt is advancing care for the planet, people and responsible business. “Caring for people so they can be their best has been at the core of Hyatt’s story for 65 years. Through World of Care, we embrace our responsibility and opportunity to work together to shape a more sustainable world and future,” says Margaret Egan, executive vice president and gen- eral counsel, Hyatt. Following last year’s inaugural DE&I report, Hyatt’s 2021 workforce diversity data shows increased levels of representation of people of color across its U.S. workforce, as well as growth across nearly all races and ethnicities among colleagues, managers and lead- ers. Hyatt’s commitment to share progress annually serves as a critical benchmark to measure the strides made toward a more diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for colleagues. Hyatt continues to work toward its 2025 DE&I goals around who it employs, supports and works with, outlined as part of its Change Starts Here commitments. With a focus on improving diverse vendor representa- tion across its supply chain, Hyatt welcomed 220 new Black suppliers in 2021, with a continued focus on advancing progress looking ahead. THE MOB MUSEUM ACQUIRES ADJACENT LAND PARCEL MEETINGS LEADERS JOIN FORCES FOR EVENT LEADERS EXCHANGE CDC ENDS COVID-19 PROGRAM FOR CRUISE SHIPS Hyatt welcomed 220 new Black suppliers in 2021. INDUSTRY NEWSINSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | AUGUST 2022themeetingmagazines.com 7 ARLINGTON, VA — The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, the only luxury hotel in Arlington, Vir- ginia, is proud to debut a multimillion-dollar redesign of many of its public spaces, includ- ing the lobby, ballroom, meeting spaces and Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, Santé. The reimagined Ritz- Carlton, Pentagon City draws design inspiration from its prime location in the greater Washing- ton, D.C. region and exudes an incomparable level of comfort. The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City was designed with native design touches throughout, creating a distinct aesthetic that cannot be replicated in any city other than the nation’s capital. Design aspects such as the color palette, with its timeless blues and muted grays, pay homage to the Potomac River, while allusions to the local flora and fauna appear in meaningful design elements throughout the property. Situ- ated amidst a burgeoning retail and technology hub, stylish lighting and innova- tive art installations in the hotel make a subtle nod to some of the world’s largest retailers and corporations, and their new home in National Landing. With 17,000 sf of ballrooms, meeting rooms and event spaces, The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City is poised to host a wide range of meeting types. SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City, the first Hyatt Regency hotel in Utah, is set to debut October 2022. Located at the epicenter of Salt Lake City’s bustling downtown, the Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City will be the only hotel directly adjoining the Salt Palace Convention Center and is poised to anchor the city as a top destination for hosting world-class events. The hotel’s arrival will bring 60,000 sf of meeting space, includ- ing one of the largest hotel ballrooms and most expansive outdoor rooftop event terraces in the city. The upcoming open- ing of Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City marks the largest convention hotel to debut in nearly 20 years in Salt Lake City, cur- rently one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. The thriving cultural and culinary hub surrounded by a majestic backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains is home to many corporate headquarters and serves as a gateway to Silicon Slopes, Utah’s rapidly expanding startup and tech scene. The anticipated opening of the hotel will set a new standard for seamless gatherings, blending the local eclectic style with intui- tive design, tech-enabled conveniences, and dynamic, energizing spaces for a productive stay. Located just one block from Salt Lake City’s thriving Main Street, the 25-story hotel will feature a strik- ing glass façade. The top floors will be comprised of 700 spacious guest rooms and suites, featur- ing floor-to-ceiling win- dows with breathtaking views of the skyline and surrounding mountain peaks. Designed for both business and lei- sure travelers, accom- modations will connect guests with modern essentials along with tech-forward conve- niences such as stream- ing capabilities, a Smart Mirror vanity and digi- tal room entry via the World of Hyatt app. At the heart of Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City will be an impres- sive mix of indoor and outdoor meeting and event facilities suitable for hosting both intimate and large-scale gatherings. HYATT REGENCY SALT LAKE CITY SET TO DEBUT IN EARLY FALL THE RITZ-CARLTON, PENTAGON CITY UNVEILS MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR RENOVATION HENDERSONVILLE, TN — Hotels have had a very strong summer, with transient demand strong and business demand picking up. This uptick has been benefi- cial for hotels in the top 25 U.S. markets, where profit levels are much improved from the dismal COVID-19 pandemic performance. The latest data from STR shows the top 25 markets are now at 65% of year-to-date 2019 levels of gross oper- ating profit per available room, and are just 7 percentage points below the 2019 year-to-date gross-operating-profit mar- gin. Additionally, all these markets year to date are beyond 50% of 2019 levels in total revenue per available room and beyond 24% of 2019 GOPPAR levels. The markets consistently at the top include Miami, Orange County, Phoenix, Tampa and San Diego. All five of these top mar- kets are beyond 2019 year-to-date TRev- PAR levels and four of the five are beyond 2019 year-to-date GOPPAR levels. Miami year-to-date TRevPAR is $441, which is 128% of its 2019 year-to-date level, and Miami’s GOPPAR is $222, which is 152% of its year-to-date 2019 level. STR: U.S. HOTELS REACH 65% OF PRE-PANDEMIC PROFITABILITY LEVELSthemeetingmagazines.com 8 AUGUST 2022 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT CASA DE CAMPO RESORT & VILLAS UNVEILS NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART PREMIER CLUB SUITES LA ROMANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC — Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, the first and most exclusive resort in the Dominican Repub- lic, recently announced the unveiling of its new Premier Club at Casa de Campo. Highlighted with exclusivity, personalized service and privacy, the Premier Club at Casa de Campo sets a new stan- dard of excellence and luxury for the property’s most discerning guests. The Premier Club at Casa de Campo will include a total of 58 luxurious suites: 26 Premier Junior Suites (king-sized beds), 27 Premier Junior Suites (double beds), four Premier One-Bedroom Suites and one overly spacious Premier Presidential Suite. Each suite will offer luxurious amenities not found in other parts of the hotel, such as an exclusive Premier Club golf cart for traveling throughout the resort, private concierge service and nightly turn- down service, and a customized pillow and aromatherapy menu. OJAI VALLEY INN DEBUTS MULTIMILLION- DOLLAR RENOVATION OF CASA ELAR OJAI, CA — The Ojai Valley Inn, the historic resort located on 220 acres in the idyllic Ojai Valley, recently debuted a new design of its iconic villa, Casa Elar, alongside a brand-new luxury experience featuring private flights, a champagne and caviar experience, golf and spa treatments and more. To celebrate Casa Elar’s renovation, Ojai Valley Inn has teamed up with Southern California-based private charter company, Sun Air Jets, to debut an ultra-luxe escape package inclusive of round-trip chartered private flights and ground transpor- tation; a three-night stay at Casa Elar; a Petrossian Caviar Masterclass and Champagne tasting; unlimited golf at Ojai Valley Inn’s award-winning championship course; one spa treatment per guest at Spa Ojai; in-flight amenities and more. The exclusive package starts at $60,000 and accommodates up to 10 guests. Originally built in 2006 by the hotel’s owners as a private residence, Casa Elar has evolved into a popular destination for family reunions and intimate weddings. McCLEAN, VA — While the COVID-19 pandemic put incentive trips on hold, the 2022 IRF Destination Preferences Study shows that interest in incentive travel as a motivating sales reward has never been higher. In addition, many of the long-established practices associated with these trips are gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels. The 2022 study was conducted in early spring this year, and builds on the 2021 Destination Pref- erences Study conducted in June 2021. This year, the IRF surveyed 405 full-time salespeople who have been eligible for an incentive trip at some point within the past three years, and focused on U.S. par- ticipants. The survey asked about several areas, including perceived motivational appeal of incentive travel awards, fairness of the award process, destination prefer- ences and the aspects of an incentive trip they prioritized as being most important or motivating. Additionally, Cvent and 3D Cruise Part- ners provided booking data to determine the degree of alignment between what travel planners were booking and participant preferences. This data showed strong alignment between the trips that are cur- rently booked and what participants find most motivating. The 2021 study showed that 80% found group incentive travel to be ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ motivating.’ While this was considered quite high, the percentage rose even higher this year. In 2022, the percentage that found group incentive travel to be ‘extremely’ or ‘very motivating’ increased to 91%, with only 1% stating they did not find incentive travel to be ‘moti- vating at all.’ The data sug- gests that, currently, a group incentive travel award is a universally appealing incen- tive, with few exceptions to the rule. While there was not much room to top the appeal of group incentive travel, individual incentive travel was rated even higher as a motivational award. Ninety-six percent rated individual incentive travel as being ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ motivating, up from 84% last year. IRF STUDY: INTEREST IN INCENTIVE TRAVEL AWARDS HAS NEVER BEEN HIGHER A group incentive travel award is a universally appealing incentive. BUSINESS 3.0 WHILE RESORTS WORLD LAS VEGAS IS NEW, OUR APPROACH TO MEETINGS BOASTS DECADES OF EXPERIENCE. A high-tech suite of spaces and tools designed with a new perspective on meetings. Exclusively developed by Resorts World Las Vegas, this truly innovative paradigm sets the stage for seamless work sessions and unprecedented productivity. To learn more about Business 3.0, and how it can help your company to succeed, please contact a member of our Group Sales team today. Please call (702) 802-6460 or visit us online at rwlasvegas.com to Book Your Next Meeting at RESORTS WORLD LAS VEGAS AT RESORTS WORLD LAS VEGAS LAS VEGAS’ NEWEST HOTEL & CASINO DON’T JUST MEET. EXCEED. NEXT GEN MEETSBUSINESS 3.0 WHILE RESORTS WORLD LAS VEGAS IS NEW, OUR APPROACH TO MEETINGS BOASTS DECADES OF EXPERIENCE. A high-tech suite of spaces and tools designed with a new perspective on meetings. Exclusively developed by Resorts World Las Vegas, this truly innovative paradigm sets the stage for seamless work sessions and unprecedented productivity. To learn more about Business 3.0, and how it can help your company to succeed, please contact a member of our Group Sales team today. Please call (702) 802-6460 or visit us online at rwlasvegas.com to Book Your Next Meeting at RESORTS WORLD LAS VEGAS AT RESORTS WORLD LAS VEGAS LAS VEGAS’ NEWEST HOTEL & CASINO DON’T JUST MEET. EXCEED. NEXT GEN MEETSNext >