Courtesy of Alicia Esposito A COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION MARCH 2023 VOL. 16 NO. 2 $15.00 IN THIS ISSUE TIPS FOR TRADESHOWS ADA-FRIENDLY MEETINGS PURSUING CAE CERTIFICATION LAS VEGAS & RENO TEXAS BRIDGING THE GAP Tips For Designing Meetings That Will Keep Generations Y and Z EngagedSouthwest Florida’s inspirational surroundings help you lead more productive meetings Expert conference services team for a seamless experience between planning and event Wide variety of accommodations and meeting rooms near Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) Ready to connect? We can help. Call 1-800-237-6444 or submit an RFP at MeetInFortMyers.com Innovation. YOU’RE THE ONE WHO WE HELP YOU MAKE IT LOOK EASY. LEADS THEM TODEPARTMENTS DESTINATIONS FEATURES 30 34 20 16 26 VIEWPOINT 10 Embrace Equity For Women’s History Month, Advice From Women Mentors BY DEB BOELKES 12 Mind Games Leaders, Are Your Private Thoughts Sabotaging Your Team? BY MICHAEL E. FRISINA, PhD 14 Diversity Check Don’t Let a Shaky Economy Derail Your DEI Efforts BY AMRI B. JOHNSON 16 Bridging the Gap Tips For Designing Meetings That Will Keep Generations Y and Z engaged BY KATHY MONTE 20 Transform Your Next Tradeshow How to Create the “Wow” Event That Brings Attendees Back For More BY MAURA KELLER 26 All Access Going Beyond ADA Compliance BY DAVID SWANSON 30 Opening Doors A Certified Association Executive Credential Will Take You to the Next Level BY CHRISTINE LOOMIS 4 Publisher’s Message 6 News & Notes 50 Career Track 34 Las Vegas & Reno A Winning Combination For Planners And Attendees BY CHRISTINE LOOMIS 42 Texas From Convention Centers to Hotel Projects, Check Out the Latest Offerings From the Lone Star State BY MAURA KELLER ISSN 21628831 | USPS 003500 | A COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION | MARCH 2023 | VOLUME 16 | NUMBER 2 MARCH 2023 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES 3 ISSUECONTENTSA COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Harvey Grotsky harvey.grotsky @ themeetingmagazines.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kristin Bjornsen kristin.bjornsen @ themeetingmagazines.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Rachel Galvin rachel.galvin @ themeetingmagazines.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Sophia Bennett Cynthia Dial Dan Johnson Maura Keller Christine Loomis Keith Loria Kathy Monte Nancy Mueller David Swanson PRESIDENT & CEO Harvey Grotsky VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS David Middlebrook david.middlebrook @ themeetingmagazines.com ADVERTISING SALES OFFICES 2500 N. 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Provide old and new addresses including zip code. Enclose address label from most recent issue and please allow five weeks for the change to become effective. Printed in U.S.A. ©2023 Harvey Grotsky Publisher Create your memorable meeting experience at Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace. This Official Walt Disney World ® Hotel features an incredible location, steps from Disney Springs ® , with over 150 shopping, dining, and entertainment options. With 120,000 sq. ft. of newly redesigned meeting and event space, combined with our award-winning catering & events team, your next meeting or event will stand out above the rest. SPECIAL TEAM BUILDING EVENT OFFER & GET 5X HILTON HONORS POINTS Experience Meetings Above the Rest Offer applicable to meetings contracted by December 31, 2023 and actualized between 2023 and 2024. Applicable to new bookings only. Offer is not retroactive on previously contracted business. Minimum of ten (10) rooms on peak required to qualify. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Some restrictions apply. 1900 E. Buena Vista Drive Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 | www.buenavistapalace.com (407) 827-2727 | mcobu-salesadm@hilton.com linkedin.com/company/ ACFacilities @ACFacilities @ACFacilities facebook.com/ ACFacilities linkedin.com/company/ ACFacilities @ACFacilities @ACFacilities facebook.com/ ACFacilities FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESMARCH 2023 PUBLISHER’SMESSAGE 4 Odds-On Favorite For Meetings T he stakes are always high for association meeting planners who are charged with attracting the greatest number of attendees possible to their association’s meetings and conventions. Gaming resorts are a sure bet to do just that, making it easy for planners and attendees to get everything they need, all under one roof. But nowadays, whether it’s Las Vegas, Reno or another gaming destina- tion or facility, the draw is much more than the casino. These resorts are aggres- sively marketing to association groups based on their premier meeting facilities and diversified amenities, from luxurious spas to world-class dining facilities and diversified entertainment. What may come as a surprise to some planners is the increasing value gaming resorts and other destinations are placing on smaller meetings. Destinations such as Texas, for example, do everything in a big way, whether it’s a big convention in sophisticated cities like Houston or Dallas, or a smaller meeting with a more down- home feel in areas such as Austin, Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, Grapevine, San Antonio or El Paso. No matter what destination you choose, your negotiating skills and crises man- agement expertise will keep you out of hot water from well before you sign on the dotted line until the final night of your safe, secure and successful event.Create your memorable meeting experience at Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace. This Official Walt Disney World ® Hotel features an incredible location, steps from Disney Springs ® , with over 150 shopping, dining, and entertainment options. With 120,000 sq. ft. of newly redesigned meeting and event space, combined with our award-winning catering & events team, your next meeting or event will stand out above the rest. SPECIAL TEAM BUILDING EVENT OFFER & GET 5X HILTON HONORS POINTS Experience Meetings Above the Rest Offer applicable to meetings contracted by December 31, 2023 and actualized between 2023 and 2024. Applicable to new bookings only. Offer is not retroactive on previously contracted business. Minimum of ten (10) rooms on peak required to qualify. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Some restrictions apply. 1900 E. Buena Vista Drive Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 | www.buenavistapalace.com (407) 827-2727 | mcobu-salesadm@hilton.comthemeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESMARCH 20236 NEWS&NOTES 23-Monterey-Association Conventions & Facilities_v1.indd 111/16/22 10:17 AM SAVANNAH, GA — The Savannah Conven- tion Center held a topping out ceremony for its $276 million expansion project earlier this month. Representatives from the Savannah-Georgia Convention Cen- ter Authority Board, Visit Savannah and elected officials signed the steel beam and celebrated the milestone. Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp was on hand to participate in the day of celebration. “The topping out ceremony is a way of recognizing and appreciating the hard work of the construction teams work- ing on the Savannah Convention Center expansion project,” says Joseph Marinelli, president of Visit Savannah and Vice- Chairman of the SGCCA Board. “It is a time-honored tradition that celebrates the completion of the highest point of a structure and marks the progress of the project. This milestone also sends our customers and prospects a message that this project is progressing as planned and will be open in January 2024.” When complete, the expansion project will double the convention center’s exhibit hall space to 200,000 sf, add an additional 40,000 sf ballroom, a new 900-space parking garage and more. “The expansion of the Savannah Con- vention Center is a welcome development for the city and its citizens, thanks to Gov- ernor Kemp,” says Mark Smith, chairman of the Savannah-Georgia Convention Center Authority Board. “Not only will it provide an impressive upgrade to the existing facil- ity, but the project has also created jobs for Georgians with more than 1,168,000 man-hours already logged on the project.” Officials Celebrate Savannah Convention Center Expansion With Topping Out Ceremony CENTRE’D AROUND YOU. Make an impact with your next event at Boise Centre. Our versatile meeting and event spaces, modern amenities, and expert event planning team is at your service to ensure an unforgettable event experience. Located in the middle of the city’s energetic, walkable downtown Boise Centre is surrounded by local breweries, restaurants, shops, hotels and is minutes from outdoor adventures. boisecentre.com • Convenient downtown location • Numerous direct flights and seven minutes from the airport • Surrounded by restaurants, breweries, and nightlife • Over 1,300 hotel rooms within walking distance • Outdoor activities close by including hiking, rafting, biking, and moreORLANDO, FL — Caribe Royale Orlando Resort recently announced the debut of Caribe Royale Orlando Digital Guest Expe- rience, its first-ever mobile app. Through the app, guests can begin the check-in process prior to their arrival, communicate directly with the front desk via chat, and access the shuttle schedule for visits to the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks and Disney Springs. Guests are also able to view menus from the hotel’s restaurants and book reservations for The Venetian Chop House. An additional in-app feature is MyStay, which allows guests to request housekeeping and in-room amenities. Caribe Royale Orlando Resort Debuts New Mobile App themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESMARCH 20238 NEWS&NOTES ORLANDO, FL — The World Travel & Tour- ism Council (WTTC) recently revealed Orlando is the largest U.S. Travel and Tourism city destination in 2022, with an economic contribution of more than $31 billion, representing 20% of the city’s total GDP and recovering above 2019 levels by $2.7 billion. The Cities Economic Impact Report analyzed key Travel & Tourism metrics across 82 cities around the world, including contribution to GDP, employ- ment and traveler spend. The report studied the sector’s impact in Orlando, Las Vegas, Miami, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Honolulu. Las Vegas followed Orlando as the second-largest Travel & Tourism market in the U.S., with a direct GDP contribution of $23 billion last year, surpassing the 2019 baseline by 5.3%. Miami made the top city destinations list with a heroic GDP comeback last year of $11.1 billion that exceeded pre-pandemic contributions by 5% despite a devastat- ing 56% drop in economic contribution from the sector in 2020. New York City and Los Angeles also landed in the top U.S. rankings for 2022, with Travel & Tour- ism GDPs valued at $21.1 billion and $11 billion, respectively, showing strong signs of closing the gap to 2019 levels. For more information, visit wttc.org. WTTC: Orlando is 2022’s Largest Travel & Tourism City Destination in U.S. The Orange County Convention Center SAN ANTONIO, TX – Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa is celebrating its 30-year anniversary with a $50 million renovation to its guest rooms and meeting spaces, expected to be complete this spring. The 500-room resort is located on 300 acres of the historic Rogers-Wiseman family ranch. As a premier Texas meet- ing destination, the updated Hyatt Regency Hill Country will include renovations to the Hill Country Ballroom, Fred- ericksburg Ballroom and all indoor breakout rooms. Other resort amenities include a 27-hole Arthur Hills-designed golf course and more than 100,000 sf of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space. For more informa- tion about Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa, visit HyattRegency- HillCountry.com. Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort Celebrates 30 Years With $50 Million RenovationDESIGNED FOR THINKING BIG HOME TO CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSES, A TROPICAL POOLSIDE OASIS, AND AN IMPRESSIVE ARRAY OF VENUES. WE SET THE STANDARD IN LUXURY MEETINGS & EVENTS. 4400 N.W. 87TH AVENUE MIAMI, FL 800.713.6725 TRUMPHOTELS.COM/MIAMI Trump National Doral Miami features more than 100,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space and 75,000 sq. ft. of outdoor event space, exceptional services, and unique venues. The magnificent Crystal Ballroom, with stunning outdoor terraces overlooking the famed Blue Monster, provides an engaging and intimate atmosphere. For larger functions, the DJT Grand Ballroom and Patio is elegantly designed, ideal for functions with a maximum capacity of 2,000 attendees. Home to 643 deluxe guestrooms and suites, four iconic golf courses, a world-class spa, premier dining, and unparalleled amenities, we set the standard of excellence for gatherings of all sizes.Next >