< PreviousAlso, Wickersham finds herself trying to figure out how to be creative and flexible working with hotels that are short on staff, and therefore don’t have the time to customize solutions for their needs. “I think most would if they could, but they are stretched too thin,” she says. A great example is that recently one of her groups sold out of rooms on a shoulder day — Monday, when the convention doesn’t begin until the Wednesday. This caused the reserva- tion link to post a message across the board that the rooms were sold out, which was not true. “To add insult to injury, we have two different tiers of rooms and room rates, but the link was not set up to offer both of these at the same time,” she says. “Again, causing unnecessary alarm that the room block was sold out, not to mention numerous phone calls and angry emails for me to answer.” Another recent stressor was the inflexibility when ask- ing for creativity with menus. “I was told that I could order exactly what was listed on the menu or ‘do without,’” Wick- ersham says. “For example, I wanted to provide breakfast sandwiches instead of a full hot breakfast. I was told ‘no,’ I couldn’t order the sandwiches as they were enhancements only. I also asked about having grilling stations for an outside lunch option. Again, I was told ‘no.’ The reasoning was not enough staff. What’s frustrating is that we are still expected to spend the same on F&B budgets, but with less options, less flexibility, less bang for the buck.” Meeting and event planners need to be organized to keep stress from seeping in, and one of the best ways to do that is by creating checklists. When checklists are used properly, meeting planners will not only be organized, but will stay on track. Whether it’s a to-do list for themselves, others they work with, separated into days of the week or just someone’s own preparation system, checklists will help make sure that all the details are taken care of. After all, the more one plans ahead, the better the event will go. “When all your tasks have been listed, you will not forget any,” Hall says. “Planners get drained when they find out they missed an important activity. With a checklist, this would be avoided and gives you satisfac- tion when you have achieved all your listed tasks.” COVID-19 Comes Into Play Over the past two-plus years, the COVID-19 pandemic has created an even more stress-induced environment for meeting planners, with changes occurring daily and the need to change direction at a single moment often necessary. For instance, Hall ran an event in Puerto Rico in late winter, and COVID travel requirements were changing up to the week before the event. “Also, in this new COVID world, you don’t really have any clue what things will be like six months from now or even a week from now,” she says. “So, it’s always some- thing you are thinking about while planning your event and that adds more stress.” Goldberg notes that, since the pandemic, the events world is not what it used to be. “The same labor shortages you hear about on the news is what all our vendors — caterers, rental companies, florists, A/V specialists, etc. — are experiencing,” she says. “And the same supply-chain issues you hear about apply to the events world too. You have ordered branded tele- phone chargers for a conference, but they are coming from outside of the U.S., and get held up in production or ship- ping, or customs.” Because there is such an influx of events now that the world is reopening, vendors have not been able to ramp back up to full steam in the same way the demand for events has. Rental companies literally have zero chairs left to rent, or have run out of tables, or don’t have any more flowers or vases. “Another stressful aspect is COVID itself. How do we avoid planning a super-spreader event?” Goldberg asks. “Even with the most careful planning and protocols leading up to an event, I can’t dictate how a keynote speaker spends their days the week leading up to an event. What is plan B, C or D, and so on, should a key participant become positive?” Alleviating Stress David Jacobson, founder and CEO of TrivWorks, has been in the industry for more than 20 years, starting in political campaign events, then moving into event programming, then corporate entertainment and team building. “The events industry is inherently stressful: dead- lines, putting out fires, difficult personalities, dealing with the unexpected,” he says. “I recently had an unexpected staffing shortage on a very busy day, meaning I had to drop everything and fly cross-country to work an event myself — not easy as a business owner and single dad.” To assuage stress, Jacobson has employed sev- eral coping techniques over the years. “The first is exercise. I can’t emphasize enough how important consis- tent exercise is for relieving stress of all kinds, but especially event-related stress,” he says. “Studies have shown that car- diovascular exercise is proven to decrease anxiety, as well as increase brain function and improve sleep. When planners have a list that’s a mile long and growing, it’s so helpful to start the day with exercise to knock that anxiety level down, feel calm and level-headed, then get a good night’s sleep.” LaPorte notes when you’re running on pure adrenaline and caffeine during event days after months of endless hours of planning, it’s hard to simply shut down once an event is complete. “At the beginning of my career, it was a challenge for me to figure out what would work to help me get back to center,” she says. “I often would be going from one event to the next without so much as a 48-hour breather, so when that became untenable, I needed to learn, and quickly, how to create a business model that allowed me to operate at my best for my clients without leaving me running on fumes.” themeetingmagazines.com 20 OCTOBER 2022 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT David Jacobson Founder and CEO, TrivWorks I can’t emphasize enough how important consistent exercise is for relieving stress of all kinds, but especially event- related stress.For her, good stress management is a function of setting clear boundaries in her work, which allows her to keep stress at manageable levels without it compromising the quality or integrity of the work. “In this business, it’s easy to get over- whelmed with the amount of things on our daily to-do lists, become anxious or depressed if business is slow and you need to make adjustments all while balancing family life and everything in between,” she says. A few things LaPorte does to manage and alleviate the stress that comes from doing events year-round is setting clear boundaries within her business that, unless it’s a dire emer- gency, she doesn’t respond to work matters after hours. “In order to serve our clients with the concierge-level service they expect from us, my team and I only take on a select number of event projects each year,” LaPorte says. “This ensures that we’re not just churning out events back-to-back, but instead, that we’re being mindful and dedicating the required time for excellent execution while giving ourselves the space to breathe in between events.” Additionally, each day, regardless of how busy she might be, LaPorte takes at least 20 minutes to either meditate, listen to some music to unwind or dive into a few chapters of a good book. “The less thinking I need to do at the end of the day the better,” she says. One way Wickersham has been able to find some “new help” with stress levels is to engage DMCs. “They try to use their creativity to help add excitement and flair to events. Unfortunately, they also add to the costs,” she says. “Another way that I alleviate my stress is to partner with my HelmsBris- coe representative, who knows and understands my clients and works sometimes hours and hours trying to figure out how to help with hotel-related struggles. I’m not sure all do this, but [my representative] is the best.” Hall’s biggest tips for lessening stress are to be organized and expect the unexpected thrown at you at the last min- ute. “Don’t procrastinate and always plan ahead,” she says. “I imagine most planners like me are not only ‘a planner’ in your professional life, but in your personal life as well,” she says. “Sometimes, you just need to give yourself a break from it all. Step away from the computer, especially in the evenings. And sometimes you just need to take a day to rest your mind.” After so many years in the business, Goldberg notes you begin to recognize when the intensity is hitting you, and the difference between being stressed versus being overwhelmed or under prepared. “The intensity is normal — you have spent an enormous amount of time planning for a single day or a few hours in a day and you want it to go as planned,” Goldberg says. “That being said, as the planner, you have to be prepared that things come up and you pivot, and you make good deci- sions on behalf of your client in the moment to fix and change, and still execute. You are prepared for this and you work with your team to talk through every detail and every possibility so you can handle any surprise. And of course, post event, you decompress and celebrate with some exercise, a great massage and a glass of champagne.” Emotional Control Dealing with stress eats up valuable time that could and should be used in helping to grow the client, to help improve the client experience, and to help find and build on new indus- try challenges. When a planner is stressed, Goldberg notes, you make decisions based on a reaction to something in the moment, and your emotions or those of your client can get in the way of a sound decision. “When you can look at situation calmly — even in stressful situation — you can think more clearly about how to create solutions, rather than pushing the problem further down the road,” she says. “We spend months, even years, building trust with our clients that AE Events can and will execute the event at hand. We are like ducks — calm and serene above the water, while we paddle at a feverish pace under the water to make it all happen. You can’t absorb that pressure constantly without a personal strategy to compartmentalize and be good to your- self, your mind and your body.” Jacobson adds that when planners are stressed, that trickles down to the staff and independent contractors, which ultimately lands directly onto clients and their event attendees. “It’s ultimately the responsibility of the planner to ensure the event goes well, and if you’re in a perpetual state of stress, that’s not going to help you work at your highest level,” he says. “In fact, high levels of stress have been shown to increase the potential for conflict, which is the exact opposite of what you want to have with your stakeholders while planning an event. Give yourself the care and attention you need to lower your stress level, and you will make better decisions. You will also have better interactions with your colleagues and clients.” Remember, keeping your stress managed is important in maintaining the love for the job. “There’s so much satisfac- tion at the end of a successful event,” Hall says. “When your colleagues and members are happy with the outcome, all the stress leading up to it is worth it — and then it’s on to the next one.” I & FMM INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | OCTOBER 2022themeetingmagazines.com 21 DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM Constant demands can leave meeting planners “running on fumes,” so it’s important to find ways to alleviate stress, such as exercise or finding a way to unplug for a few moments throughout the day. Las Vegas Reno Offering a Wealth of Entertainment, Activities and Food BY DAN JOHNSON T hey’re separated by 438 miles of striking, but quiet, mostly barren desert, yet Las Vegas and Reno both boast a plethora of exciting, vibrant and unique options for financial and insurance meetings. “The financial and insurance sectors are highly valuable customers to Las Vegas,” says Laurae Clifford, senior director of convention sales, destination group sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). “The destination has been supportive of and heavily involved in organizations such as Financial & Insurance Conference Professionals (FICP) since its inception. We understand this market well and what the organization and attendee needs are.” She continues: “Whether the organization is looking for a five-star restaurant, such as the new Carversteak at Resorts World, to entertain important partners or sponsors or for a bucket-list experience, such as SPEEDVEGAS [featuring supercar driving, off-road jumping and wheel-to-wheel go- kart racing], to motivate their top performers, it can all be found in the heart of the most action-packed hospitality hub in the country.” Stephanie Glanzer, CMP, senior vice president and chief sales officer for MGM Resorts International, lauds the city’s constantly evolving offerings for financial and insur- ance meeting groups. “Las Vegas has always been a city that continues to reinvent itself,” she says. “Each time attendees return to the destination, even if their events are annual, their experience is completely different. They might discover a new restaurant, a new show, a new attraction or even entirely remodeled rooms.” Reno has also been evolving, and now has something to offer for every type of meeting group, including an abundance of rec- reational opportunities, says Mike Larragueta, vice president of sales for the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority (RSCVA). “With a diverse lineup of gaming and non-gaming properties, more than 15,000 hotel rooms and event venues of varying sizes and capabilities, the possibilities are endless,” he says. “As a four-season destination with great year-round events, skiing in the winter, and hiking and water sports in the summer, it’s always a good time to host a meeting in Reno Tahoe. John McGinnes, executive director of sales at Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, says Reno is especially well-suited to finan- cial and insurance meetings. “Knowing how stressful these particular segments can be, there is no better place to decom- press than Reno,” he says. “Have you seen how beautiful our backyard is? We simply call it Lake Tahoe.” LAS VEGAS Two of Las Vegas’ greatest assets for planners are its sheer scale and centrality. The destination features more than 100 daily direct flights and a majority of the resort corridor is within 5 miles of Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). Also, themeetingmagazines.com 22 OCTOBER 2022 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT DESTINATION REPORT &the city offers more than 14 million sf of meetings and events space. “There is also an excitement when you are planning a meeting in Las Vegas that sets the tone for your attendees and gears them up for a successful meeting,” says Sara Broderick, director of regional accounts, Midwest for Wynn Las Vegas. CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT Caesars has a strong presence in Las Vegas, with Caesars Palace Las Vegas offering 3,975 guest rooms and 300,000 sf of meeting space; CAESARS 3 offering more than 300,000 sf of space; Harrah’s Las Vegas, offering 2,540 guest rooms and 25,000 sf; Paris Las Vegas, offering 2,916 guest rooms and 140,000 sf; The LINQ Las Vegas Hotel + Experience, offering 2,252 guest rooms and 31,034 sf; and Flamingo Las Vegas, offering 3,460 guest rooms and 73,000 sf. “Caesars Palace is an icon among Las Vegas hotels, having successfully hosted tens of thousands of meetings, including those in the financial and insurance fields,” says Abby Hobbs, CMP, director of sales, Las Vegas for Caesars Entertainment. “Its luxury, combined with the flexibility of meeting space in our conference center, world-class entertainers, like Adele, and one-of-a-kind dining experiences, like Brioche by Guy Savoy and Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, make it a top-tier choice for financial and insurance group meetings.” Citizens Inc.: Security Plan brought a group of some 125 attendees to stay and meet at Caesars Palace in early spring, hiring American Guest, a company that coordinates corporate meetings in several U.S. cities, to help plan their visit.“The pro- gram began with a reception at Cowboy Club, where boots and the bluest jeans complemented the food, dancing and other fun activities,” says John Williams, president of American Guest. “On day No. 2, the group was offered several out-of-town options to choose from, with jeep rides in Red Rock Canyon and Eldo- rado Canyon, and Hoover Dam in the mix. The day also included an al fresco lunch at the famous Beer Park along The Strip. Our ‘discovery calls’ helped us appreciate the client’s goals and style, so the reception at the Cowboy Club and post-team meetings at the Beer Park were strong fits that ticked the client’s boxes.” American Guest recommended the group hold a gala event at the Keep Memory Alive Event Center, a venue that is Cleve- land Clinic Cancer Research Center’s nonprofit site in Las Vegas. “Designed by the famous Frank Geary, the venue had all the glamour and sparkle for a gala,” Williams says. “Income from the event supported the hospital and its research into cancer cures. It was truly ‘giving back’ for a great cause while having an outstanding evening.” Williams says the group was impressed with Las Vegas. “Certainly, the location of the program in Las Vegas was a major hit,” he says. “It was their first major post-COVID program for travel, and that was welcomed by all. One-hundred percent of the invitees INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | OCTOBER 2022themeetingmagazines.com 23 COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY PHOTO Resorts World Las Vegas offers 241,128 sf of meeting space and a theater that can accommodate 5,000 people. It is the first integrated resort to be built on the Las Vegas Strip in more than a decade. John Williams President, American Guest It was their first major post- COVID program for travel, and that was welcomed by all. One-hundred percent of the invitees participated, confirming the strong pull for the destination and activities. CAESARS FORUM offers a more than 100,000-sf outdoor plaza, as well as more than 300,000 sf of indoor meeting space.participated, confirming the strong pull for the destination and activities.” The Caesars Las Vegas campus, which includes Harrah’s, The LINQ and Flamingo, also provides planners with plenty of options, especially for large conferences that don’t fit under one roof in other markets. “The campus provides multiple indoor and outdoor meeting options, branding opportunities and unique group experiences, all within a short distance of Las Vegas Convention Center,” Hobbs says. Dining possibilities abound at the Caesars properties, with several high-profile spots opening at Paris Las Vegas recently. Nobu at Caesars Palace, inspired by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, opened next to Bobby’s Burgers, a fast-casual concept from Bobby Flay; Lisa Vanderpump unveiled her vision of French cuisine at Vanderpump à Paris; and Martha Stewart debuted her first-ever restaurant, The Bedford, a replica of her 1925 farmhouse inspired by her legendary gardens and love of French cooking. Hobbs says Caesars makes a special effort to help planners facilitate meetings at its properties. “We work alongside the planner to make the process as easy as possible, from offering one contract that incorporates any and all of our Las Vegas properties — which not only increases a group’s overall buying power, but also reduces the number of contracts the planner has to deal with — to offering the planner and group VIPs spe- cial Meeting Planner Diamond status with Caesars Rewards, which allows them to enjoy the perks of being a Caesars Entertainment VIP during their conference.” MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL MGM Resorts offers robust convention spaces at proper- ties such as Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, with 3,211 guest rooms and 2.1 million sf of meeting space; MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, with 4,996 guest rooms and 850,000 sf; and The Mirage Hotel & Casino, with 3,044 guest rooms and 170,000 sf. While many planners are aware of those properties, some don’t realize the company also offers luxury experiences at Bellagio Resort & Casino, which offers 4,445 guest rooms and 200,000 sf; ARIA Resort & Casino, offering 4,004 guest rooms and 500,000 sf; Vdara Hotel & Spa, offering 1,394 guest rooms and 16,500 sf; and Park MGM, offering 3,068 guest rooms and 77,000 sf, that provide a convenient way to build out dynamic, creative programming across multiple resorts. The most significant development at MGM Resorts this year has been the addition of luxury resort Cosmopolitan Las Vegas to its portfolio, which allows it to expand its offerings for premier meetings and events within close proximity to Bellagio, ARIA, Vdara and Park MGM. “This Luxury Meeting District is particu- larly attractive to our smaller and mid-size corporate groups, which make up a large part of our business,” Glanzer says. In addition to indoor facilities, MGM’s properties offer outdoor experiences catering to groups of all sizes, whether it’s an employee recognition party for 10,000 at the 11-acre Mandalay Bay Beach, or an intimate cocktail reception for 300 on Park MGM’s Central Park Terrace. During the past couple of years, MGM Resorts also has rolled out significant digital enhancements, including fully mobile digital check-in, digital queues at restaurants, mobile ordering at pools and full-in house capabilities to accommo- date hybrid events. “This allows guests to customize their experience and provides them with options on how much or how little interaction they want to have with our employees and other guests,” Glanzer says. Recently, planners have come up with some creative ideas of how to utilize MGM’s properties by including such activi- ties as yoga or meditation at Mandalay Beach and team-build- ing scavenger hunts that take attendees throughout many of the resorts. “We work closely with each planner to discover what’s important to them and what their hot buttons are for their particular group to ensure we can address all areas and customize a successful, productive event,” Glanzer says. LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER A 4.6 million-sf facility within a short distance of some 150,000 hotel rooms, the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) offers 2.5 million sf of exhibit space and 390,000 sf of meeting space in 225 meeting rooms. The expanded West Hall, which debuted last summer, adds 150,000 sf of meeting space, with the ability to create 80 breakout rooms as well as 600,000 sf of exhibit space and a 14,000-sf outdoor terrace. The convention center is also home to the Las Vegas Conven- tion Center Loop, an innovative transportation system designed to move up to 4,400 passengers per hour, per direction, through the campus. The free system transports attendees from one side of the campus to the other in just two minutes in all-electric Tesla vehicles. During its inaugural year, the system transported approximately 400,000 passengers. Funded by the LVCVA, the $52.5 million system is the first commercial project of its kind. THE VENETIAN RESORT LAS VEGAS Built to accommodate meetings and conventions, The Vene- tian Resort Las Vegas offers more than 7,000 suites in its three towers, as well as 2.25 million sf of meeting space in its Vene- tian Convention and Expo Center. “The resort has traditional meeting space, including exhibit halls, ballrooms and meeting halls,” says Karin Davis, vice president of sales. “In addition, our resort has a variety of non-traditional meeting spaces, including lounges, restaurants, pool decks and more to really provide a themeetingmagazines.com 24 OCTOBER 2022 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT 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 email us at hotelsales@rwlasvegas.com 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 MEETS COURTESY OF KARIN DAVIS Las Vegas and Reno offer everything a planner could want when it comes to bringing back face-to-face meetings. However, many venues also offer the latest technology for hybrid and virtual meetings.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 email us at hotelsales@rwlasvegas.com 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 MEETSdiverse collection of spaces for meeting planners to take advan- tage of. We recently unveiled The Stella Studio, the perfect space for hybrid meetings as well as small-to-mid-size groups.” The Venetian’s culinary team reimagines menus to reflect key trends and partners with meeting professionals to create special events, such as mixology sessions and poolside yoga. The resort has several destination restaurants from celeb- rity chefs, including Thomas Keller, Wolfgang Puck, Tetsuya Wakuda and Emeril Lagasse. WYNN/ENCORE LAS VEGAS Wynn/Encore offers plenty of unique experiences for groups, but many groups have found the Lake of Dreams show the most memorable of all. This multimedia experience takes place every half-hour after dusk and blends colorful pup- petry, an immersive soundtrack and state-of-the-art sound and lighting to create an unforgettable spectacle on Wynn’s signature water attraction. Featuring 5,500 LED lights, the 3-acre Lake of Dreams is surrounded by lounges and restau- rants — including SW Steakhouse and Lakeside, which have patios overlooking the lake — and framed by a 90-foot-high performance waterfall and 1,500 pine trees. “We also have special event venues such as Intrigue, as well as XS Nightclub, for hosting cocktail parties and VIP receptions,” Broderick says. “Encore Beach Club can host a daytime swim party or a nighttime reception. Small gatherings are well-suited for venues such as Eastside Lounge with live entertainment.” The 4,750-room property features 560,000 sf of meeting and event space, including the 84,000-sf Cristal Ballroom and an outdoor 40,000-sf event pavilion/lawn overlooking Wynn Golf Club. Wynn/Encore also has three additional ballrooms, with meeting space ranging from 20,000 sf to 50,000 sf, and 40 additional meeting rooms. Throughout the property, there are 21 signature dining experiences, as well as 11 bars and lounges. Restaurants include the popular supper club, Delilah; coastal Mexican restaurant, Casa Playa; upscale Japanese restaurant, Mizumi; and Wing Lei, the only Forbes Five Star Chinese restaurant in North America. This year, the Cocktail Collection debuted with three new lounges: Aft Cocktail Deck, Bar Parasol and Overlook Lounge. RESORTS WORLD LAS VEGAS The first integrated resort to be built on the Las Vegas Strip in more than a decade, Resorts World Las Vegas blends the technology and luxury appeal of an urban contemporary resort with the traditions and details of the international Resorts World brand. At a cost of $4.3 billion, Resorts World is the most expensive resort property ever developed in Las Vegas. It includes a 59-story tower housing three Hilton hotels: 1,774-room Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World, 1,496-room Conrad Las Vegas at Resorts World and 236-room Crockfords Las Vegas. Resorts World also offers 241,128 sf of meeting space and a theater that can accommodate 5,000 people. It also features fully customizable and private meeting spaces, including Lily Ballroom, offering 23,817 sf of meeting space, and Rose Ballroom, offering 23,478 sf. Resorts World Las Vegas provides other unique spaces with floor-to-ceiling views of The Strip, along with a rooftop experience and a pre- function area that allows for optimal engagement. Resorts World boasts a 117,000-sf casino, a 5.5-acre com- plex with nine pools and a spa, and more than 40 restaurants and bars, including Carversteak, featuring a reimagining of the classic steakhouse experience, with dry-aged American steaks from artisan producers, Japanese-certified Wagyu steaks and vegan selections. Financial and insurance meeting guests can also enjoy lounging poolside, attending immersive digital art shows and visiting an abundance of nightlife venues. FONTAINEBLEAU LAS VEGAS Scheduled to open late next year, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will be a 67-story, vertically integrated resort with more than 550,000 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting space. Among the highlights will be the pillar-less Royal Ballroom, spanning more than 105,000 sf — the largest in Las Vegas — as well as a 90,000- sf theater and Waterbleau Terrace, a 25,900-sf space boasting a casual, cool vibe elevated by lush, swaying palm trees. Located on a site previously occupied by the El Rancho Hotel and Casino and the Algiers Hotel, across from the con- vention center’s West Hall, it will offer 3,780 hotel rooms, entertainment options that include a performance theater and a nightclub, eight poolside options and the 52,000-sf Fon- tainebleau Las Vegas Spa. The catering program will draw from the property’s 27 food and beverage options, which will include everything from Asian fusion and American bistro, to farm-fresh vegan and hearty Italian. RENO Reno has several properties that are well-suited to events, ranging from 200 to 1,900 guest rooms and 10,000 sf to 20,000 sf of meeting space, as well as many attractive features that pleas- antly surprise many planners. “Reno is an incredible city that has far more to offer than many people realize,” says Don Good- man, executive director of sales, Northern Nevada for Caesars Entertainment. “Along with the beautiful landscape and nearby Tahoe, the downtown area, which is just a short walk from our properties, is packed with museums, locally owned restaurants, art galleries and a Triple-A baseball team ballpark. There’s more than enough there aesthetically and culturally to enrich any financial and insurance group’s meeting.” THE ROW The Caesars Entertainment and Eldorado Resort merger in 2020 not only created the largest casino and gaming company in the United States, but also facilitated the creation of THE ROW, three downtown Reno resorts — El Dorado, offering 814 guest rooms; Circus Circus Reno, offering 1,573 guest rooms, and Silver Legacy Resort Casino, themeetingmagazines.com 26 OCTOBER 2022 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT Stephanie Glanzer Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer MGM Resorts International We work closely with each planner to discover what’s important to them and what their hot buttons are for their particular group.INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | OCTOBER 2022themeetingmagazines.com 27 offering 1,645 guest rooms. They collectively offer 180,000 sf of meeting space, 25 restaurants, 23 bars and lounges, entertainment venues, 11 night spots, large casinos and the city’s only Topgolf Swing Suite. “THE ROW is an excellent choice for financial and insur- ance groups for three reasons: personalization, top-tier offer- ings and convenience,” Goodman says. “Our meeting spaces are incredibly flexible and can comfortably accommodate groups of any size while providing direct access to some of the best restaurants and entertainment the city has to offer.” He adds that because Caesars Entertainment treats the three resorts as a singular mega-resort, planners have the oppor- tunity to personalize their event by utilizing and combining spaces across all the properties under a single contract. Eldorado is renowned for its culinary tradition. “Food has been the star of the Eldorado experience since the Carano family opened the resort, and we continue that tradition today,” Goodman says. Two of Eldorado’s top restaurants that offer plenty of space for groups are Roxy steakhouse, which can accommodate groups of up to 155 people, and La Strada, featuring Italian dishes and room for 156 people. Eldorado also offers a couple of unique options for finan- cial and insurance groups: a 580-seat showroom, complete with a stage and state-of-the-art studio and lighting systems; and Novi, a nightclub that can accommodate groups of up to 300 across 4,000 sf. One of Silver Legacy’s leading attractions is the 3,000-sf Topgolf Swing Suite, a virtual reality venue that allows groups to play sports of their own choosing. And Circus Circus fea- tures everything from carnival midway games and three res- taurants to late-night margarita fun and casino action. RENO-SPARKS CONVENTION CENTER Situated just south of downtown Reno and many of its major hotels and resorts, The Reno-Sparks Convention Center pro- vides 600,000 sf of meeting space with 382,303 sf of ground-level exhibition space and 53 breakout rooms. Owned and operated by the RSCVA, the convention center features state-of-the-art, wireless internet with 10G speed that is accessible throughout the facility and can assist 25,000 simultaneous users. ATLANTIS CASINO RESORT SPA Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is widely known for its award- winning restaurants and spa. The Reno area is home to some 800 restaurants, and Atlantis consistently has five or more ranked among the top 10 on TripAdvisor. The AAA Four-Diamond Atlantis Steakhouse, Sky Terrace sushi and oyster bars, Bistro Napa and Manhattan Deli exchange spots within the top five on a daily basis, and Atlantis Steakhouse and Bistro Napa have both received the “recommended” rating from Forbes Travel Guide for seven consecutive years. Also, Spa Atlantis recently received its seventh consecutive Forbes Four Star Award. “Aside from the opulent dining and spa offerings at our resort, we celebrated the opening of the cocktail lounge at Atrium, where you have to try an Old Nevadan, made with bourbon from a local distillery, Frey Ranch,” McGinnes says. Atlantis offers 821 guest rooms and some 50,000 sf of meeting space, including the grand ballroom, offering 14,261 sf; Paradise Ballroom, offering 12,160 sf; Treasures Ballroom, offering 2,781 sf; and Emerald Ballroom, offering 3,920 sf. The resort is also the only one directly connected to the Reno- Sparks Convention Center. GRAND SIERRA RESORT AND CASINO Despite offering nearly 2,000 guest rooms and suites, as well as the largest casino floor in northern Nevada at 100,000 sf, Grand Sierra Resort’s greatest attraction for planners is arguably its more than 200,000 sf of meeting space, including 45 meeting rooms located in a separate wing of the resort — away from the lobby and casino area — and accessible directly from the guest room elevators. From the 1,188-sf executive-style Board Room, to the 40,500-sf Grand Ballroom, complete with crystal chandeliers and custom luxury fabrics, Grand Sierra Resort can accom- modate groups from 10 to 4,000 people with more than 45 breakout rooms. The property also offers six dining options, including Charlie Palmer Steak Reno, using advanced culinary techniques to produce neo-traditional steakhouse classics, and Rim Asian Bistro, featuring sushi and a large assortment of other Asian specialties. Activities include two escape rooms, two pools, the Grand Bay Driving Range, a bowling center and Grand Adventure Land, featuring go-karts, mini-golf and Ultimate Rush Swing, where guests are hoisted 180 feet in the air and then pull a ripcord to send themselves on a descent that feels like free flying at 65 miles per hour. I & FMM COURTESY OF JOHN WILLIAMS Caesars Palace Las Vegas offered the perfect blend of amenities and activities for Citizens Inc.: Security Plan’s recent event. The venerable resort boasts 3,975 guest rooms and 300,000 sf of meeting space.Florida Planners and Attendees Repeatedly Return for the Amenities BY DAVID SWANSON V acationers and meeting planners alike are sold on Florida, and the numbers tell the story. With 30.8 million tourist visits in the fourth quarter of last year, the state actually surpassed its tourism numbers for the same period in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s despite many foreign countries — always a big supplier for Florida’s tour- ism — having border restrictions that limited travel. And for the first quarter of this year, the visitor numbers rose to 36 million, despite the arrival of the Omicron variant. “We return to Florida again and again with different groups,” says Katherine Helder, CMP, president & co-owner, ASH Meet- ings. “The number of flights in and out of the state is hard to beat, and so many properties in Florida just get hospitality. From the sourcing, to the planning and the on-site execution, events in the ‘Sunshine State’ always seem to be a pleasure to plan, and we see great attendee turnout whenever we book a Florida property.” For Nandita Mohile, senior events director with the man- agement consulting firm Oliver Wyman, the priority for her company was a setting that would feel like a destination and excite attendees. “We also wanted a warm-weather location to host outdoor activities and create a bucket-list experience for the attendees,” Mohile says. And Lisa Bell, event strategist at Maritz Global Events, says her Los Angeles-based client wanted not just a warm des- tination, but one with international flair that would appeal to a wide variety of ages. “The attendees were arriving from all over the world, so airlift was also key,” Bell says. “They look for as many direct flights as possible, predominantly from Los Angeles, New York and London, as they prefer not to book flights with connections.” In addition to abundant connectivity, Florida consistently ranks well in one other competitive facet: airfare. Finance- Buzz looked at pricing for the nation’s 45 busiest airports and found four of the five least expensive airports are located in Florida. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) came out on top, with an average fare to depart of $233.36. No. 2 on the list of cheapest airports: Orlando Inter- national Airport (MCO) having an average fare of $241.01. To be sure, what’s driving the high tourism numbers com- ing out of the pandemic is the leisure sector. Meetings, con- ventions and incentives have had a tougher time coming back full force, though the writing is on the wall for a full recovery by next year, according to most experts. Still, some groups have “toughed it out” and met with success. Large Properties Caitlin Adams, director, meetings & membership for the Commercial Real Estate Finance Council (CREFC), says January this year was challenging timing for a conference. “CREFC’s conference was taking place just as Omicron was peaking,” Adams says. The group usually attracts around 2,000 attendees for its annual conference. This year’s event pulled in 1,400 in-person attendees, plus additional attend- ing via livestream provided for a corresponding virtual event. themeetingmagazines.com 28 OCTOBER 2022 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT DESTINATION REPORT“Anyone who registered for the in-person component could also watch the livestream if they couldn’t make it at the last minute, or if they just wanted to be in their hotel room for a little while,” Adams says. Adams adds that the Loews Miami Beach Hotel is one of her favorite properties. The iconic, 790-room resort is located on South Beach, a half-mile from the Miami Beach Conven- tion Center (MBCC). Loews Miami Beach has a 28,000-sf ballroom, which can seat more than 7,000 attendees banquet- style, plus 28 breakout rooms. There’s 65,000 sf of indoor meeting space, along with 15,000 sf of outdoor space, most of it just a stone’s throw from the world-famous beach. “Our organization likes this property because our meet- ing size is large enough to take over all of the function space and most of the sleeping rooms, so we are the only group on- site,” Adams says. “CREFC sets up outdoor cabanas for our members to host meetings throughout the conference. The ability to incorporate outdoor space into the conference is a refreshing element when so many conferences are confined to the same indoor spaces day in and day out. We also host a beach party, and that is a really nice experience for conference attendees. There is a great mix of indoor and outdoor space at the hotel, but most importantly, the staff is top-notch. Every email and phone call is returned quickly.” Adams continues: “I think one of the most important things that a venue must have is the right service level and the right approach to partnering with an event planner. The Loews Miami Beach never lacks for staff, and my counterparts at the hotel are with me every step of the way, through the planning process to the on-site execution. They never leave my side, and together we can anticipate challenges and make changes quickly if needed.” With the Omicron variant lurking, CREFC worked with Clear to provide vaccination verification, they required masks in all indoor spaces, and temperature screenings for all attend- ees. CREFC also offered on-site optional COVID-19 testing — both PCR and rapid tests. Attendees could also get a rapid COVID test kit to take in the comfort of their hotel room or for when they got home. “We also offered livestreaming for our conference,” says Adams, who notes that CREFC travels with a production team that handles all of streaming equipment and production. “I think livestreaming is an important offering, but nothing replaces in-person interactions and experiences. A hybrid conference certainly adds layers of complexity and cost to an event. It’s one thing to binge watch Netflix, but I think you would be hard pressed to find someone who will sit through 2 1/2 days of a livestreamed conference.” Adams concludes: “Pick great partners and vendors who communicate well, who under- stand what you are trying to accomplish, and will work with you to achieve a shared success. At the end of the day, it is nice to know that your hotel is one of the strongest partners you have — especially when you have so many attendees and sponsors counting on you to deliver an excep- tional experience.” INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | OCTOBER 2022themeetingmagazines.com 29 COURTESY OF NANDITA MOHILE COURTESY PHOTO For Nandita Mohile, senior events director with management consulting firm Oliver Wyman, Loews Royal Pacific and Loews Sapphire Falls resorts offered the amenities her group desired, as well as access to all of the Universal Studios Florida theme parks. Caitlin Adams Director, Meetings & Membership Commercial Real Estate Finance Council (CREFC) We also host a beach party, and that is a really nice experience for conference attendees. Palm Beach County offers a bounty of beach and ocean activities, as well as top-tier entertainment and other options.Next >