< PreviousWernli says. “What if all the names aren’t known? What if the number of team members changes? How do you manage refunds? All of these are important considerations to mitigate as events are implemented.” Another area of tech event management is in conference apps. Wernli’s group recently refined its Progressive Web Apps (PWA). Instead of being tied to an external app, a PWA can be run as a mobile on-site tool through Swoogo. What this means, Wernli says, is that “all data is stored in one central place, and there’s no need to worry about additional [applica- tion programming interfaces] (APIs). Groups are able to keep their full branding customization and specify designs based on their [user experience] needs, and instead of hunting through an app store, there’s a call-to-action on the home page of the PWA that prompts to install on mobile directly.” He continues, “Additionally, the PWA can host agendas, venue maps, social integrations, surveys and much more based on a group’s needs and desires. As robust as this is, we are also working to push out the ability to add in notifications for early [this year].” As for VR, Wernli says it may not be a critical element today, but he thinks it will soon grow in importance. “Earlier [last] year, we created a task force to explore this new and devel- oping technology. We’ve been doing research, and are excited for the next steps of how VR can be leveraged for events as a whole. While VR can require some technical investment on the part of attendees, we don’t discount the impact VR will have on events in the near future.” Audience interaction and participation during confer- ences and events has been a crucial part of content delivery and audience engagement for many years. That remains espe- cially true for virtual attendees. “One of the key metrics when judging a virtual event’s success is attendee retention,” Wernli says. “We’ve recently expanded our arcade of virtual games to include classics like Galaga, Pac-Man and Minesweeper, as well as a dozen other games to allow attendees to interact with while enjoying event content.” Wernli says several notable companies are shaking up the industry with their innovation and development in engage- ment and retention. “Walls.io has a very clever social wall API that planners and organizers should know about. It’s clean, implements well to the page and offers a great attendee expe- rience. Additionally, we recently used eventmoji at a hybrid event, and it was an absolute game-changer for audience reten- tion.” He continues, “Essentially, users are able to create hero avatars that represent them throughout the event platform. These avatars are then used throughout the site in gamifica- tion and also appear next to digital content to represent who is watching the session. A leaderboard, for example, can be powered by eventmoji. At the center of all these tools,” Wernli says, “is a focus on connection, personalization and promoting fun to complement event content.” CONTINUING TO EVOLVE It’s a given that event technology will continue to change. Wernli is most excited about the development of an on-site solu- tion that can be a one-stop-shop for all on-site data gathering, meaning attendees can check in, print their badges, scan into sessions and talk to sponsors all while having their information gathered into one system. “ShowUp shines with its data gath- ering of the on-site experience. Phase one launched [last] fall. We recently released ShowUp’s lead-retrieval system, and we’re excited to deploy our session-scanning solution [early this year].” Some changes within tech are less exciting and more chal- lenging. Martin Bay, senior vice president, meetings & exposi- tions, with association manage- ment company Kellen, is looking forward to improvements in RFPs and sourcing, but notes that chal- lenges are created when long- used, tried-and-true platforms are taken offline, such as Pathable. Another frustration has to do with access to room-block reservation data — or not. “Many systems have online portals in place,” he says. “However, many don’t. And that means you have no choice but to send requests to the hotels themselves to provide reports.” Elissa Ewers, senior director, digital strategy with PRA, whose DMC offices across the globe work with associations and others on effective business conferences and events, is a go-to for meeting tech solutions. Like others, she sees things swinging back toward “normal” as the pandemic wanes. “Planners are getting back into solutions that helped make their lives easier and didn’t get a lot of attention during the virtual-event boom. They’re going back to the staples of event management solutions, looking for solutions that will engage and assist attendees for seamless on-site experiences.” Staffing in the service industry, however, continues to be a challenge, but tech can help mitigate that to some degree. “Self-service platforms allowing attendees to help themselves make it easier for attendees to change their itinerary without having to talk to a person,” Ewers says. Some technology has been around for years, but is only now making a substantial impact. As Ewers puts it, “The QR code revolution has finally happened. If one good thing came out of themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJANUARY 2023 The wide-scale adoption of QR codes has made many processes — such as registration and check in — much more streamlined and efficient. ADOBE STOCK 30COVID, it was the wide-scale adoption of QR codes. For reg- istration platforms, this is huge for the check-in process, both for the event and for specific sessions for which a user is reg- istered,” she says. “It makes it a lot easier to deploy staff with their own devices to scan users. It also empowers scanning for item redemption to ensure that one person didn’t visit the gift- ing table to do all their holiday shopping. Attendee adoption wasn’t as common as it has become now.” FRESH OPPORTUNITIES Tech can create opportunity for planners and groups. One example is the increased use of wearable technology. “I remember several years ago attending an event where we handed out electronic pedometers as a health challenge. With the expansion of wearable technology where users are bring- ing their own devices, this is still a huge opportunity to tap into what is already on their wrist,” Ewers says. “Most wearables we see are for temporary use and wristbands are issued for either check-in or item redemption. Some large events are leveraging wristbands as on-site payment to go cashless on-site. This is helping improve operations and expedite checkouts.” While products, platforms and systems naturally come and go, Ewers says fewer organizations are depending on one “ulti- mate” system to meet their needs. “I’m seeing clients moving from a one-solution suite to a mixed basket of tools to find best- in-class experiences for the attendees. The idea of monolithic systems that serve a client from beginning to end is becoming the exception,” she says. “The deeper integrations and partnerships with solutions that enhance a solution suite are great because they offer clients choices on solutions that will best serve them without losing core solutions that help deliver events at scale.” In terms of audience interaction and participation, Ewers says it’s manageable on a smaller scale, but not yet on a very large scale. Still, there are good products out there for engage- ment that planners should know about. “Products and compa- nies are trying to move upstream to larger scale events, or at least attempting to reach scale,” Ewers says. “Q&A had already started migrating to a virtual version, but how do you engage a conference of many thousands on the same engagement solu- tion? The answer is, right now you don’t. The risk of the con- nectivity on-site not working makes trying to do something large and simultaneously either expensive or a non-starter.” What works well for a very large event, Ewers says, is breaking it down to make it feel smaller. “Using audience- response systems like Glisser or Poll Everywhere in a breakout is more manageable than trying to do it in the keynote session. I’m seeing a demand for more contests on a team level within the audience-response systems,” she says. “TINT has released some great social media and contest experiences that help tap into social media aggregation in a fun way that encourages participation. TINT’s Tag-o-War enables the use of hashtags as a voting mechanism for a large group of attendees. Photo contests promote specific photos for social platforms while providing a giveaway to attendees.” In addition to changing technology, Ewers says she’s seeing the format of meetings themselves changing, a shift to what’s being called the “11-1 model.” “That means 11 smaller web con- ferences to maintain year-round engagement, and one large in- person event to help build relationships and promote network- ing. This model works well for associations and corporations alike,” she says. Although Augmented Reality (AR) and VR may not yet be commonplace, Ewers says large trade shows are ideal for AR, some of it already well used. “22Miles has been offering AR wayfinding for large shows, helping attendees find a specific booth or room, which adds utility to the AR side,” she says. “It’s a great way for larger shows to incorporate AR into the overall event. The problem with VR,” she adds, “is that many people feel nauseous if they stay in more than 30 minutes, which is why it leans to a short experience instead of a longer experience.” Technology evolves so quickly that most of us can’t keep up with all of it. So what are three tech trends that every planner should know about? Ewers offers this list: • Web3: In some form, there will be a revolution to data own- ership and identity that upends the current paradigm of the internet. Whether it is the current Web3 as we know it or another form, expect regulations and privacy concerns to drive changes in how we connect to different solutions. It’s important for event planners to understand this shift, as it will also change how they engage with people online. This won’t happen overnight, but it’s already happening in other areas of the web. • Solving Hybrid: With the trends shifting on remote work and how it overlaps with in-person work, that impact is going to extend into the events space. Figuring out the hybrid best practices will likely be a priority, and an evolving space for the next one to two years. Where there’s chaos, there’s oppor- tunity for experimentation — new tools, functionality, start- ups — which will all require a tolerance to try something new. • ESG: Ask your digital providers to provide any environ- mental, social or governance details. More organizations are looking for these details and for suppliers who under- stand how to quantify and report on these metrics. Suppli- ers who have this information handy will make it easier to meet client demands rather than trying to pull it together after the request has been made. Much is new, but traditional technology still must perform, particularly Wi-Fi and internet connectivity, which must work for all attendees. “In order for many attendee solutions to work seamlessly, quality connectivity is critical,” Ewers says. “For large audience-response system experiences, I need all 20,000-plus attendees to be able respond, and I need to see those responses in real time.” | AC&F | 31 JANUARY 2023 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES One new tech innovation is Virtual Reality, or VR. It can be used to do virtual familiarization trips or site visits so planners don’t have to travel to the actual hotel or venue. ADOBE STOCKArizona Great Winter Weather, Outdoor Activities and Attractive Surroundings themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJANUARY 2023 COURTESY PHOTO DESTINATIONREPORT Tucson is set amid the Sonoran Desert, and surrounded by mountain ranges that invite outdoor activities in neighboring Saguaro National Park. 32SCOTTSDALE “Arizona is an attractive destination for our membership,” says Kerry Cosover, director, events and travel for the NFL Players Association. “Weather, airlift and stakeholder inter- est make Arizona a repeat destination for the Annual Board of Player Representatives Meeting. We selected Scottsdale because the location offered a myriad of activities to meet every attendee — players and their families — where they’re at, including golf, hiking, history, wellness and culture.” With 400 attendees for its meeting early last spring, the association used the 643-room The Phoenician, a Luxury Col- lection Resort, Scottsdale. The resort boasts approximately 160,000 sf of signature indoor and outdoor space, including the Grand Ballroom, which hosts up to 2,500 for gala celebrations. “Amidst the diverse ecosystem of the Sonoran Desert, the Phoenician provided uniquely integrated and flexible event spaces for hospitality and wellness functions while providing our group with the requisite privacy to conduct impactful busi- ness meetings,” Cosover says. “There were also family-friendly options at the resort, which were critical to our attendees.” She notes that the association had a quick runway for contracting and planning the board meeting, meaning it was critical for the hotel staff to become an extension of the team. “I cannot underscore enough the significance of anticipatory versus reactive service, and The Phoenician showcased the former throughout our program,” Cosover says. “On a macro level, we knew the hotel had enough meeting space, but we had to ensure it was the right combination to meet our needs. A multitude of rooms had double doors to allow for easy load in/ out of meeting materials. Moreover, we haven’t often encoun- tered properties that have not one, but two conference rooms that seat 18-plus around a built-in circular table to allow for productive conversations. The on-site Jokake Inn space offers a unique venue for outdoor functions, as well.” Cosover cautions that conducting the meeting in March meant sharing Scottsdale resources with transient and Spring Break travelers. “Hotels are full, restaurants are packed and vendors are busy,” Cosover says. “Also, everything is very spread out within the city, so everyone who wants to explore should be ready to drive or take ride-share.” But she suggests leaning into The Phoenician’s unique set- ting. “Situated at the base of Camelback Mountain, use the time when walking to and from the meeting space each day to reset and recharge in the beautiful surroundings.” Another group that used Scottsdale last year is the Medical Professional Liability Association (MPLA). Jenna Hummell, CMP, manager, meetings & education for the association, also flags that the destination is pricey in March. “All the hotels are completely sold out, so we really have to stay on top of our attendees to make sure they make their room reserva- tions early,” says Hummell, who adds that her attendees enjoy coming to Scottsdale. “We welcome guests from all over the U.S. and abroad, and they love the weather, shopping oppor- tunities, golf courses and the ability to go to [Major League Baseball] spring training games in March. Also, the Phoenix- Scottsdale airport is convenient and offers flights from all over the country.” Welcoming about 100 CEOs, COOs and board directors annually each March, the MPLA’s CEO/COO Meeting and Board Governance Roundtable has met in Scottsdale for 30 years, allowing Hummell to work with a number of area prop- erties, including The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa and Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch. “We choose the hotels based on quality of their sleeping rooms and meet- ing space,” Hummell says. “We also look at resorts that have nice amenities such as good restaurants, nearby shopping, golf courses, pools and spas. Our attendees are well traveled, and they like a high-end destination.” Last year, MPLA used the 293-room Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, a Mediterranean-inspired property set against the backdrop of Camelback Mountain and surrounded by desert landscape. The property has more than 102,000 sf of meeting space, including the 9,216-sf Alhambra Ballroom. This year, the resort will undergo a multimillion-dollar “reimagin- ing” of guest rooms and meeting spaces, drawing inspiration from an Andalusian Courtyard. The work is expected to wrap up in the fall. “Service is always outstanding at these hotels. The atmosphere for our receptions — the outdoor setting and 33 JANUARY 2023 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES By David Swanson Jenna Hummell, CMP, Manager, Meetings & Education for the Medical Professional Liability Association (MPLA), right, says Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia met their needs for their recent annual event. COURTESY OF JENNA HUMMELL A s the chill of winter settles over most of the U.S., one state can be counted on to be enjoying milder months and outdoor environments at their peak: Arizona. An enviable blend of desert and mountain settings, Mexican and Native American cultures and iconic sights ranging from the Grand Canyon to Monument Valley, Arizona offers a surprisingly exotic backdrop for memorable meetings. views — is stunning and the food has always been top-notch,” Hummell says. “Our attendees love the local Southwest flair we try to incorporate in all of our meal functions. We try to give them the most authentic and local experience we can. These hotels always have great options to help us achieve this goal, and our attendees really appreciate it.” In neighboring Tempe, just 10 minutes east of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the $125 million Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU will open in the spring, bringing some of the largest conference and meeting space to Tempe’s revitalized downtown area. The new hotel will feature 330 guest rooms, four dining outlets, a spacious pool deck, and almost 36,000 sf of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space, offering expan- sive views of the Arizona State University campus and the Phoenix-Scottsdale cityscape. MESA Just east of Tempe, another bedroom community in the Greater Phoenix area is Mesa, and Dávid Kolozár, director, national sales at Visit Mesa, cites affordability as a key lure for smaller association events. “We share the same lift into the destination, but on average, Mesa hotel prices are at least 10% to 15% below Phoenix-Scottsdale,” Kolozár says. “In Mesa, if you’re a group of 150 or 200 rooms, you’re the only one in town, and you’ll have the full support of the DMO. Also, that size group can get more financial support from the destination, versus Phoenix or Scottsdale, with up to $5,000 credit back to the group’s master account.” Groups using the Mesa Convention Center tend to bunk down at the adjacent, 275-room Delta Hotels Phoenix Mesa, which offers 45,212 sf of event space, but the 180-room Shera- ton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West is also available, offer- ing almost 21,000 sf of meeting space, including the 12,480-sf Canyon Ballroom. Immediately next door is Sloan Park, the spring training facility for Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs, offering additional off-site space for functions. The Mesa Convention Center is 4 miles away from the Sheraton, but, Kolozár says: “For citywides, we get creative and ask the outlying hotels to offer a $10 to $15 rebate to support transportation.” Becky Miller, executive director of the Ari- zona Transit Association (ATA), says Mesa is great to work with, as the ATA is a regular in Mesa for the annual Statewide Transit Confer- ence. “Mesa has financial incentives for choosing a hotel for our event.” In addition to offering the larg- est meeting facilities in the area and “exceptional” A/V through Premier Audio Visual, Miller notes that the Sheraton was able to offer a day meeting package that was competitive. “We are able to book the entire Sheraton Mesa Hotel and meet- ing space for our exclusive event.” PHOENIX For its Annual Conference and Exposition held last spring, the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA) brought just under 1,000 attendees to the downtown Phoenix Convention Center, a facility with 900,000 sf of total meeting space. “The association did not meet in 2020 or 2021,” says Lisa Altamira, CMP, CTA, senior director with MCI USA, and who planned the event for the ASHHRA. “Coming out of the tail- end of the pandemic, they really needed to come together and get accredited. Phoenix lent itself to the event — it’s a nice overall destination with good in-out access for people coming from the East and West coasts, and not too hot in April. People are familiar with the Phoenix area, so it was a really a good fit.” themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJANUARY 2023 Sheraton Phoenix Downtown offers more than 110,000 sf of flexible event space, 26 event rooms, 20 breakout rooms and the 27,000-sf Phoenix Ballroom. The hotel was one of three which the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration used for its recent event. 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. COURTESY PHOTO Jenna Hummell, CMP Manager, Meetings & Education Medical Professional Liability Association Our attendees love the local Southwest flair we try to incorporate in all of our meal functions. We try to give them the most authentic and local experience we can. 34See 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.Using three hotels — the Hyatt Regency Phoenix, the newly renovated Sheraton Phoenix Downtown and the Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Downtown — Altamira adds that the asso- ciation was able to negotiate very good room rates. “We try and stay under the $250 price point, and we were definitely able to accommodate that between the three properties. The hotels are so close to the convention center that it was walking distance, so we didn’t have to provide transport.” She adds that Phoenix has a terrific street ambassadors pro- gram, so attendees could find their way around downtown easily. “We toured several different off-site venues for evening social events, and The Duce really rolled out the red carpet,” Altamira says. “It’s a private event space less than a mile away — there’s in- house catering, they have entertainment they can bring in, and it’s a fun, lively venue, so I didn’t have to decorate. On the site visit, they came out with five different samples of the food, told us about the different packages and price points. We were very impressed with how they wanted our business. People could walk to the Duce if they wanted to, but maybe nighttime is not the best time to walk back by yourself. Fortunately, they provided transportation and were able to drop off at all three hotels.” The conference utilized the convention center’s South Building, an older section of the facility. “We set up full reg- istration in the lobby, with direct access to exhibit space, so it was conducive and all worked together,” Altamira says. “Meet- ing spaces were to the left or right, and the spaces could be locked off or opened up. There was an outside patio where we held another reception. We needed some internal signage, but the convention center did outdoor signage.” TUCSON While the Phoenix-Scotts- dale metropolitan area, home to more than two-thirds of Arizona’s population, holds the bulk of the state’s meeting space, don’t overlook outlying cities for something differ- ent, especially for small and mid-sized events. Tucson is set amid the Sonoran Desert, and surrounded by mountain ranges that invite outdoor activities in neighboring Saguaro National Park. During the pandemic, the city saw a fleet of improve- ments and additions of interest to meeting planners, start- ing with a $65 million expansion and renovation project at the Tucson Convention Center, completed late last year. The project included a face-lift for the center’s 89,760-sf exhibit halls, renovation of the 20,164-sf ballroom, updating the Leo Rich Theatre and the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, and adding 32,000 sf of meeting rooms, restrooms and lobbies. Also underway: Tucson’s tallest downtown skyscraper and most iconic building is being transformed into The Leo Kent Hotel, a 150-room boutique hotel opening soon. Located less than a quarter-mile from the convention center, the Marriott Tribute portfolio property will span nine of the tower’s 23 floors and draw upon the hotel’s unique location in Tucson in its design, culinary and group offerings. Late last year, the Color Marketing Group chose Tucson for its 2022 International Summit, selecting the JW Marriott Tuc- son Starr Pass Resort & Spa to host 135 attendees. “A key goal is to find a location that is appealing to our members who, in fall, typically prefer warmer climates,” says Sharon Griffis, execu- tive director, Color Marketing Group. “Arizona meets this need with its pleasant fall weather, and also offers a unique cultural experience, which is appealing to our international guests. Our members are creatives — designers and color professionals driven by inspiration, innovation and exploration. Tucson is abundant in beauty, culture, cuisine, arts and entertainment, fueling our members’ creativity.” The 575-room JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort is the city’s largest hotel, located in the foothills overlooking Tucson, themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJANUARY 2023 The Color Marketing Group selected the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa to host its 2022 International Summit. The property offers nearly 84,000 sf of event space, including the nearly 20,000-sf Arizona Ballroom. COURTESY OF SHARON GRIFFIS Becky Miller, Executive Director of the Arizona Transit Association (ATA), says Visit Mesa is great to work with, as the ATA is a regular in Mesa for the annual Statewide Transit Conference. IVAN MARTINEZ 36yet just 6 miles from downtown and 12 miles from the airport. The property has 83,732 sf of event space, including the 19,836- sf Arizona Ballroom, while other features include 27 holes of championship golf at the Starr Pass Golf Club and a 20,000-sf full-service spa. Hiking trails lead right from the porte cochère into the spectacular, saguaro cactus-dotted scenery of Tucson Mountain Park. “Our first priority is to ensure that the meeting space can accommodate all aspects of our event, which includes an exhibition, general session and workshop areas, as well as customary catering,” Griffis says. “We have a very hands-on program, where our guests collaborate in workshop sessions, so we need more than just banquet and sit-down meeting facilities. Our program is also very dynamic, with guests transitioning from session to workshop, to networking to catering, so we need a meeting space that can support that, where our guests are in one large area rather than having long transitions from one space to another.” Griffis continues: “The JW Marriott offered us suf- ficient meeting room space to accommodate not just the size of our group, but our need for a diverse range of meeting rooms to hold an exhibition, workshops and full stage setup for our theater- style general session. Having on-site A/V sup- port is also helpful, as we offer a full multimedia presentation to our guests across three days, so we need technical expertise to manage all com- ponents of that.” Griffis notes that Tucson isn’t as accessible to international guests as larger U.S. cities. “But the destina- tion is worth the effort,” says Griffis, who lauded the support her organization received from Visit Tucson. “We held sev- eral casual, off-site networking events at various restaurants around Tucson, and the feedback was extremely positive. Our guests enjoyed a myriad of different tastes and flavors from local and authentic cuisine to more traditional American fare.” SEDONA Renowned for its scenic beauty and ideal for smaller meetings, Sedona is set amid red-rock landscapes and sway- ing sycamore trees, and tempting with endless outdoor adventure activities. Just three Sedona hotels offer more than 8,000 sf of meeting space, including the 137-room Poco Diablo Resort & Conference Center and the 221-room Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock, which has 25,000 sf of meet- ing facilities. For a recent workshop, Anne-Marie Kahrovic, CMP, associate executive director of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), brought 185 members to Sedona, staying at Enchantment Resort. “Sedona is a magical destination,” says Kahrovic, who notes that the location and resort drives higher attendance than other cities ISMRM has used. “Enchantment Resort offers an attendee experience that will never be forgotten and leave them long- ing to return.” The 218-room resort offers a variety of conference facilities located within the Meeting Village, including three separate ballrooms ranging up to 4,880 sf, and each with floor-to-ceil- ing windows. In total, Enchantment offers 12,000 sf of indoor meeting space and an additional 32,000 sf of outdoor function space, perfect for events under the stars. Activities at the 70-acre resort include golf and yoga, with hiking and mountain biking on abundant trails. Plus, there’s Enchantment’s adjacent sister property, the renowned spa resort, Mii amo, which will reopen soon following a $40 mil- lion expansion and renovation. Kahrovic says attendance numbers exceeded expectations for her event. “The venue and destination sells itself with just one marketing photo to promote it,” she says. “Enchantment is a bit of a distance from the Phoenix Airport, but our attendees don’t mind — it [did not] hurt [our] attendance numbers.” | AC&F | 37 JANUARY 2023 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES Downtown Tucson is undergoing a renaissance with a vibrant nightlife, new restaurants and hotels, music, art and events. COURTESY PHOTO Dávid Kolozár Director, National Sales Visit Mesa In Mesa, if you’re a group of 150 or 200 rooms, you’re the only one in town, and you’ll have the full support of the DMO.DESTINATIONREPORT Florida From Beaches to Theme Parks, There is Something for Everyone By Maura Keller themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJANUARY 2023 COURTESY PHOTO Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers 120,000 sf of meeting space, including a 38,000-sf, carpeted exhibition hall capable of hosting any size trade show. W hen it comes to the ideal location for an association meeting or event, Florida reigns supreme, thanks to its beautiful weather, easy accessibility and awe- inspiring venues. Just ask Lisa DeGolyer, meeting planner and deputy executive vice president at the Association of Destina- tion Management Executives Interna- tional (ADMEI), which recently held its annual conference at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. Association members from around the world gathered for educa- tion, networking and collaboration to further define and advance the indus- try. The three-day conference included in-person networking events, tailored education, three team-building events 38— two of which were CSR activities — fantastic food and bever- age and an awards program for DMCs and their professionals. “Tampa is a very attractive destination, especially in Febru- ary. The city has great airlift, which helps with members who are flying in from all over the world,” DeGolyer says, adding that ADMEI makes a point to take its conference to a region with plenty of association members. “ADMEI is so fortunate to tap into the creative talents of its DMC members in Tampa and around Florida while planning this annual conference.” MEET ME IN MIAMI When it comes to mixing business with pleasure, no city does it quite like Miami. Miami’s world-class meeting facili- ties, surrounded by a sophisticated tropical playground, draw convention and business travelers in droves each year — more than 1.3 million to be exact. Carol Motley, senior vice president, convention sales and services at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), says by offering great business amenities and an endless array of entertainment day and night, Miami is a sure bet for meeting planners looking to build attendance. “Our destination has more than 58,000 hotel rooms — from chic boutiques to the luxury beach and golf resorts for all bud- gets and ample meeting, convention and trade show options — along with truly unique and stunning off-site venues that offer flexible indoor and outdoor meeting spaces,” Motley says. “Our destination also provides easy accessibility, with over 400+ flights daily through Miami International Airport.” The Miami area also offers a wealth of hotel and resort options. According to Maria Daniel, director of sales for Trump International Beach Resort Miami, one of the biggest reasons meeting and event planners should consider their resort for events is because of its privileged location. “We are a beachfront resort located just north of Miami Beach, but on a much quieter area, on the beautiful barrier- island of Sunny Isles Beach. Not only do we offer captivating indoor and outdoor venues, but attendees can combine busi- ness with pleasure with a variety of water- and land-based sports, full-service spa, eclectic dining and more,” Daniel says. Trump International Beach Resort Miami just recently added a new dining venue to its offerings, Azurro Italian Restaurant & Bar, offering dishes that draw inspiration from Italy’s great cities, such as homemade pastas, Mediterranean seafood dishes and a perfectly cooked selection of meat plates. “My advice to association meeting planners is to begin plan- ning as early as possible to secure the desired venue and date in Florida,” Daniel says. “When planning an outdoor event, keep in mind that the weather in South Florida can be unpredict- able. Be sure to stay in communication with the venue host and have a backup plan in case attendees need to move indoors.” Maria Orozco, director of group sales at Trump National Doral Miami, says there are a number of reasons to consider the resort when planning a meeting or event. In addition to its convenient location, minutes from Miami International Airport, as well as South Florida’s beaches and attractions, Trump National Doral Miami also offers first-class recre- ational opportunities for groups. Attendees can enjoy four championship golf courses, including the famous Blue Monster, which has hosted the PGA Tour for 55 consecutive years. This course also recently hosted the 2022 LIV Golf Miami Team Championship. The resort also boasts Har-Tru tennis courts, retail shops and a full-service spa. “Meeting planners will have a choice of more than 100,000 sf of reimagined meeting space, including more than 75,000 sf of outdoor space,” Orozco says. “In addition to state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, groups have access to full-scale pro- duction services. Events are complemented by modern accom- modations and world-class catering.” Orozco advises association meeting planners to work hand- in-hand with the resort team to come up with memorable, creative, out-of-the-box activities, such as moonlight golf, golf and tennis clinics and uniquely South Florida-inspired ban- quet menus. “We advise planners to build enough free time to enjoy the on-site resort amenities such as the pool and spa,” Orozco says. “Planners don’t have to worry about losing a cap- tive audience as everything is on-site.” For organizers looking beyond conference dates — great weather, beaches, more than 1.1 million acres of outdoors to explore, eclectic dining options and a thriving cultural scene throughout Miami’s unique neighborhoods are only some of Miami’s endless possibilities for entertainment and exploration. “The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) sits on a slice of paradise with spectacular beaches, world-class hotels, fine dining, exciting nightlife, diverse shopping experiences and historic architecture, making Miami one of the most sought out meetings destination in the world,” Motley says. Recently, the MBCC underwent a $620 million renovation and expansion, and includes nearly 500,000 sf of exhibit space, a new 60,000-sf Grand Ballroom, up to 84 breakout rooms, a 20,000-sf rooftop specialty space, and 9 acres of green space that can serve as incremental event space. Along with the MBCC as its anchor, the Miami Beach Con- vention Center District will also feature a new headquarters hotel, the Grand Hyatt Miami Beach, an 800-room property set to offer visitors attending events at MBCC with another hospitality option by fall 2025. In addition to the MBCC, the Miami Convention Center 39 JANUARY 2023 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES Linda Adams, FCHP, COO with the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association, says Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center perfectly meets the needs of her association’s annual The Landscape Show. COURTESY OF LINDA ADAMSNext >