< PreviousHonored as the No. 1 hotel in Arizona by U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 Best Hotels, Sanc- tuary Camelback Mountain, a Gurney’s Resort & Spa spans 53 acres 15 minutes from the Phoe- nix Sky Harbor International Airport. Lush, serene and magi- cal describes the luxury resort’s soothing setting, which features 109 casita-style accommodations and eight private vil- las surrounded by desert flora and fauna. Casita room amenities include stylish modern furnishings, natural finishes and tile flooring, as well as oversized soaking tubs and desert artwork. Private villas feature expan- sive outdoor patios, infinity-edge pools and hot tubs. A diversity of exceptional event spaces await attendees on-site, whether attending an intimate cor- porate retreat or team-building meeting. At 3,024 sf, Views Ballroom offers the largest event space complete with a private lobby reception area, and an expansive outdoor terrace ideally suited for evening receptions and outdoor dinners with built-in outdoor bars and indoor/outdoor fireplace. From coffee breaks to buffets and plated meals, award-winning catering services are among the resort’s event amenities. Sanctuary’s upscale dining venue, elements, presents American food fare with an Asian twist and delectable seasonal menus showcasing local organic produce and sus- tainable seafood. For unique craft cocktails and cuisine, jade bar offers an inviting place to meet with colleagues after business hours in a fun, relaxing atmosphere. Attendees can lounge deck-side at Sanctu- ary’s infinity pool, play a game of tennis or pickle- ball, or join a movement class at the state-of-the-art fitness center. Lavish, luxurious wellness experiences await interested attendees at Sanctuary Spa, featuring a Zen meditation garden and tranquil reflecting pond among its plentiful indulgent amenities. TUCSON Arizona’s wild desert beauty and spectacular moun- tain ranges alone set the stage for inspired events and entertainment, balanced by rest, relaxation and rejuve- nation. Cindy Aguilar, PR & communications manager at Visit Tucson, says: “The familiar Tucson tag lines of ‘Wide Open Spaces’ and ‘Beyond the Ballroom’ resonate with professional planners for a reason. Surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides and bordered on the east and west by Saguaro National Park, Tucson has always been a destination that puts a premium on outdoor spaces. Groups can take advantage of the weather and terrain with outdoor activities, which include a guided mountain-bike ride in the desert, hiking in a canyon to a series of waterfalls, riding an ATV through a slot canyon, skeet shooting at an Olympic-class facility or horseback riding in a national park.” She adds, “Private events on the grounds of the Arizona-Sonora Desert themeetingmagazines.com 30 AUGUST 2022 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT Taylour Miller Senior Manager of Events & Corporate Communications United Planners Financial Services Downtown has so many venues, restaurants and attractions to go and be a part of the Phoenix scene, and all within walking distance of the hotel. Taylour Miller, second from left, says Hyatt Regency Phoenix offered everything her company needed for its recently restarted annual event. Below, attendees mingle at a recent event in Tucson. COURTESY OF TAYLOUR MILLER COURTESY OF CINDY AGUILARFIND OUT MORETucsonOnUs.com See why Tucson’s one-of-a-kind culture creates an experience that extends beyond the ballroom. Book now through 2025 and earn up to $15,000 OFF your Master Account.Museum allow guests to mingle with the wild creatures that call the Sonoran Desert home while enjoying cocktails and a catered chef’s dinner beneath the stars. Out east, the Tanque Verde Ranch’s Cottonwood Grove can accommodate up to 300 attendees for an authentic dude ranch barbecue. These venues have always been popular with planners, but are in greater demand as outdoor events become the standard.” In Tucson near the University of Arizona, Loews Ven- tana Canyon Resort offers captivating panoramic views of the Catalina Mountains enhanced by the distinct aromatic air of the Sonoran Desert. The resort’s 398 spacious guest rooms each come with its own private patio or balcony, oversized soaking tub and stunning views of the desert night sky and natural beauty of the Catalina Mountains. On-site event experts assist planners in creating an unforgettable, transformative attendee experience at the luxury resort. A diversity of flexible function venues spans 37,000 sf indoor and nearly 46,000 sf outdoor space, which includes the 8,875-sf Grand Ballroom, which is divisible into seven separate sections. The 3,139-sf Catalina Ballroom is divisible into three sections, the 800-sf Executive Board- room offers plenty of natural light and patio access, plus three additional 532 sf in each of three rooms: Sabino, Santa Rita and Rincon, also with patio access and natural light. Southwestern-inspired meals highlight customized planning menus at Loews Ventana Canyon, which are designed to meet dietary needs and budgets while signa- ture team-building receptions like the Wholly Guacamole!, Chili Cookoff, Quesadilla & Salsa Challenge or the Cocktails Smackdown! foster collaboration, camaraderie and friendly competition among meeting attendees. Recreational opportunities abound for play time after business hours. Two Tom Fazio-designed, 18-hole champi- onship golf courses weave through the property’s unique desert and canyon landscape, earning the courses the cov- eted title of 2021 Golf Digest Editors’ Choice Award Winner. In addition to golf, attendees in their free time can explore miles of hiking trails, go horseback riding, play tennis or go cycling. The can also enjoy a swim in the Serenity Pool or get in a cardio workout at the fitness center-with-a-view, then balance the day with a ultimate body or facial treatment at Lakeside Spa in one of eight treatment rooms, including two wet rooms with private showers. PHOENIX Taylour Miller, senior manager of events & corporate com- munications at United Planners Financial Services, selected Hyatt Regency Phoenix prior to the pandemic as the site for the group’s annual Connect National Conference, which hit a record-breaking attendance number of 542 in late spring, she says. “We had to push back our national meetings for 2020 and 2021, ultimately hosting the meeting in May 2022.” She adds, “Location was a huge factor in the decision making. As we continue to grow, we are needing more meeting space. At the time of signing, the [Hyatt Regency Phoenix] was conduct- ing a renovation that included the expansion of their breakout rooms, making it a perfect niche for our group.” She contin- ues, “The hotel has an atrium on the second floor, and after the initial walk-through, I knew it would be a unique experi- ence for our attendees to host our exhibit hall in the space. Not to mention the renovation also included the upgrade to the guest rooms, satisfying my attendees’ expectations.” Located in the heart of downtown across from the Phoe- nix Convention Center (PCC), Hyatt Regency Phoenix’s proximity to shops and entertainment venues also proved beneficial to Miller’s group. “Regarding location, it was per- fect. Downtown has so many venues, restaurants and attrac- tions to go and be a part of the Phoenix scene, and all within walking distance of the hotel.” Hyatt Regency Phoenix’s 693 guest rooms include 12 suites offering reimagined residential design with expansive win- dows to take in the surrounding cityscape and mountains. The 50,000 sf of event space ranges from ballrooms to boardrooms and more than 30 meeting rooms with flexible room configu- rations, while customizable catering menus allow planners to meet budget and attendee dietary needs. “We all know food costs are on the rise, and what used to be $42 is now either $50 or $55,” Miller says. “The Hyatt has put together ‘Meals of the Day,’ where they have specific meals designated to break- fast and lunch to help keep costs and waste down.” Miller says they were open and honest with their expec- themeetingmagazines.com 32 AUGUST 2022 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT Tucson has always put a premium on outdoor spaces, and offers a trove of outdoor events and activities. COURTESY OF VISIT TUCSONtations for F&B, but the news is great so far. “We are still col- lecting survey entries, but I have not heard any complaints about the food from my attendees,” she says. “Even during the conference, I was told, ‘This is the best food we have had at a conference.’” Dining options at the Hyatt Regency include Compass Lounge and Compass Arizona Grill, a revolving rooftop venue with stunning views of the city and surrounding mountains; Barrel & Bushel on the street-side patio offering local craft brews, cocktails and comfort food; and B&B Market for grab ‘n’ go selections. For Miller, selecting Arizona and Hyatt Regency Phoe- nix as the group’s conference destination proved an inspired choice. “Overall, this was the best conference we have had in our firm’s 35-year history,” she says. “Between our record-hitting registration, the 35th anniversary, the room night pick-up we had — and most importantly, we were back to meeting in person after over 1,100 days — I do not think any of us could have asked for a better conference.” Miller cites another essential aspect of her group’s experi- ence with Hyatt Regency Phoenix: “This might not be unique to the attendees, but the experience as an event planner and the partnership with this hotel was something I am truly grateful for,” she says. “As previously stated, we canceled our national conference in 2020 and 2021, and I think I can speak for most planners, becoming a contract lawyer overnight was not on my career trajectory. The Hyatt however, never made me feel alone in the process of trying to figure out [what to do]. Could we make 2021 work? Could we push for later in [this] year? Could we push out our contract to 2023, etc.? I felt as if it was a true partnership. It was not all sunshine and roses, but having open and honest conversations about where we all stood in the process of making a conference work was beautiful. Their ability to be that partner has made me consider going back to them for a third-year extension in 2024.” Miller adds: “The Greater Phoenix area has a phe- nomenal network of people here to make your event come to life. Events might be big, the Greater Phoenix area consists of many different cities, and I might work at a financial firm, but the events industry is small, and we all heavily rely on cultivating our relationships with one another.” Trusted partnerships extend beyond the boundaries of the hotel properties themselves notes Deborah Lahti, director of hotel & resort sales for Visit Phoenix. “We offer the best of both worlds — a walkable, urban downtown and an unrivaled resort collection. Most recently, a conference we hosted in the destination wanted to create a memorable dinner for their attendees. We partnered with a local dining group, Cloth & Flame, that puts on meals in unique spaces, which meant we brought a beautiful dinner to Papago Park and watched the sun cascade over the red buttes behind us. It was just the most perfect example of how our destination is unlike others.” WHAT’S NEW Among CVBs in Arizona, the top tip for event organizers is to plan early, as the meetings industry regains its footing after a two-year hiatus and open dates are closing fast. With a quali- fied RFP, planners can take advantage of Tucson’s “You Fly, We Buy” program or Experience Scottsdale’s “Site See & Fly Free” promotion, which allows the planners to check out the region, properties and attractions to book the right group fit. Arizona offers a host of innovative and new dining con- cepts. New restaurant openings include Scottsdale’s Cala at Senna House, under the direction of internationally known chef and Food Network personality Beau MacMillan and Tucson’s The Delta, led by Chef Travis Peters, of award- winning Parish Restaurant Concepts. There are also hotel openings and reimaginings that include Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town and Senna House Scottsdale, Curio Collection by Hilton, and the Omni Tucson National Resort, which entice seasoned and new planners alike to discover why Arizona continues to excite meeting planners and attendees seeking the ideal business and leisure getaway. I & FMM INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | AUGUST 2022themeetingmagazines.com 33 Hyatt Regency Phoenix, rear, is conveniently close to the Phoenix Convention Center. COURTESY OF HYATT REGENCY PHOENIXthemeetingmagazines.com 34 AUGUST 2022 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT The Broadmoor has promoted Mike Silvestro to director of national sales for Texas, Oklahoma and Golf Groups. Silvestro has been with The Broadmoor since 1999, working in various depart- ments, including as conference manager, a position he held for the last 20 years. He graduated from Wake Forest University with a Bachelor’s degree in Analytical Finance. Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, has brought on Cliff Brutus as director of sales and marketing. Brutus, who has more than 25 years of experience, has worked at many high-end resorts and award-winning boutique hotels through the years. Most recently, he worked for nine years at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas. The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota has appointed two new people to its executive sales team. Jillian Dampier is director of group and catering sales, and Peter Francis is director of transient sales. They both have extensive experience in the business. Dampier has been in the business for 20 years working with other Hyatt, Conrad Hotels and Resorts and Marriott Bonvoy properties. Francis, meanwhile, has spent 28 years in the business, not only for many Ritz-Carlton properties, but also other Marriott Bonvoy brands. He got his start at Walt Disney World. The St. Regis Washington, D.C. has brought on Kasia Bronisz as director of sales & marketing. Before this role, she worked at the Mandarin Oriental Washington, D.C. She has also worked with Riggs Washington D.C., Park Hyatt Washington, D.C., Car- mel Valley Ranch in California, Mandarin Oriental Atlanta in Georgia and Mandarin Oriental Prague in the Czech Republic. Hilton San Antonio Hill Country has hired Julie De Leon as new director of sales & marketing. This industry veteran has 25 years of experience. She has worked in many positions within Hilton, most recently with Homewood Suites by Hilton Lack- land AFB/SeaWorld in San Antonio. She has also worked with Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Airport and elsewhere. IHG Hotels & Resorts, Atlanta, Georgia, has appointed Mark Sergot as senior vice president, global sales. Sergot began with IHG in 2020 as vice president of global sales operations & enable- ment. Before IHG, he worked for more than 16 years with Fair- mont Hotels & Resorts. He also worked with Associated Luxury Hotels International. JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa has pro- moted industry veteran Vince Waddill to director of event man- agement. He has worked with this resort since 2015 as director of event planning. He began working with Marriott in 1990 and has worked in many different roles in various locations ever since. PRA has announced that Ramel Kelly has been hired as global sales director. Prior to this position, Kelly worked as executive director national accounts, Northeast at Loews Hotels & Co. In her new role, she will drive sales efforts to North American mar- ket, focusing on new business development, as well as supporting clients’ needs. CoralTree Hospitality Group, in Denver, Colorado, has hired Dorothea Calabrese to be part of the global sales team. She will be handling group and corporate business accounts in the North- eastern United States. Before this, she was the senior buyer for Maritz Global Events in St. Louis, Missouri. She also worked with The Greenbrier, Nemacolin Woodlands and Loews Hotel. I & FMM CORPORATE LADDER CALABRESEKELLY DE LEONBRONISZ WADDILLSERGOT FRANCISDAMPIER BRUTUSSILVESTRO• 220,000+ sq. ft. of meeting & event space, including the new 50,000 sq. ft. Palms Ballroom • New networking spaces, including an on-property Starbucks® & Rum Bar featuring BACARDÍ Rum • 1,335 newly reimagined one-bedroom suites & two-bedroom villas • Team of creative meeting professionals bringing your vision to life CARIBEROYALEMEETINGS.COM 407 2388000 IMAGINE YOUR ORLANDO MEETING EFFORTLESSLY Reimagined Discover a dierent level of luxury during your next gathering at the all-new Caribe Royale Orlando. Emerging from a $127 million renovation project that’s touched immersive atmospheres and innovative experiences, this Floridian-inspired destination brings productivity, play and imagination together like never before. Imagery and messaging may not accurately reflect onboard and destination experiences, offerings, features, or itineraries. These may not be available during your voyage, may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice. For complete details on our safety protocols on board, visit healthyatsea.com. * Visit celebrity.com for full terms and conditions. Always Included Pricing Packages apply to inside, ocean view, veranda, Concierge Class, or AquaClass® stateroom (“Eligible Bookings”). All guests in an Eligible Booking who choose the “Always Included” pricing package will receive a Classic Beverage Package, Gratuities (“Tips”) Included, and an unlimited Surf Internet package. All guests with an Eligible Booking in The Retreat will receive the Indulge Package at no additional charge including Premium Beverage Package, Tips Included, OBC and an unlimited Stream Internet package, for all guests in the stateroom. OBC amount varies by length of sailing. ©2022 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador. CALL | VISIT CELEBRITYCORPORATEKIT COM OR CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL PARTNER Looking for new ways to motivate and incentivize your team? Celebrity Cruises creates extraordinary events tailored to your group’s specific needs. Our stunning ships offer all the amenities of the world’s most prestigious hotels and resorts, while traveling to the world’s most popular destinations. To maximize event effectiveness, you can choose from a variety of turnkey spaces, from intimate board rooms to our grand theaters with high-impact audiovisual systems. Your team members will also enjoy luxury accommodations along with the finest dining at sea, featuring menus craed by our Michelin-starred chef, and original entertainment. Plus, for additional convenience, drinks, Wi-Fi, and tips are Always Included SM for every guest. * Make your next corporate gathering an experience that helps your team collaborate to accomplish your company’s goals while leaving them more excited and inspired than ever. CORPORATE AWARD TRIPS REIMAGINEDNext >