< PreviousVISIT TUCSON SPECIAL SERVICES/AMENITES/PLANNER INCENTIVES Tucson’s YOU FLY WE BUY program for custom site in- spections allows planners to create an agenda that is cus- tom to their meeting’s needs. Planners will see only what they want and need to see, which allows them to focus on the meeting at hand. Eight out of Ten planners that use the YOU FLY WE BUY program and come to Tucson for a custom site inspection, end up choosing Tucson! Visit Tucson’s MASTER ACCOUNT CREDIT incentive rewards savvy meeting planners with a credit directly applied to the master account at the conclusion of the meeting. Groups can save up to $15,000 (some restrictions apply). MEETING SPACE Exceptional meeting space abounds throughout the city in Tucson’s hotels, resorts, and at the Tucson Convention Center. Taking it further, why not do some outdoor breakouts to mix it up and get the creative sparks flying? Taking your meeting beyond the ballroom and into the rejuvenating Sonoran Desert will enhance the overall meeting experience. ACCOMMODATIONS Tucson’s unique collection of award-winning hotels, resorts, destination spas, and dude ranches, ensures there really is something for everyone. Impressive brands you know and trust like JW Marriott, Hilton, Loews, and Westin have stylish accommodations that are sure to wow your attendees. Tucson also has an array of boutique Southwestern properties such as the luxurious Hacienda Del Sol, the amazing Tanque Verde Ranch and the spa forward Miraval Resort and Canyon Ranch. These unique properties allow your attendees to immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of Tucson. DINING AND FOOD & BEVERAGE As the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the United States, Tucson has a food scene that dates back thou- sands of years. To this day, chefs are still creating culi- nary masterpieces using the same ingredients indigenous to the Sonoran Desert that were used hundreds of years ago. This unique blend of culture and history ensures your attendees will experience cuisine attached to the land from the humble Chiltepin pepper to the glorious Prickly Pear cactus. Pro tip: take your group on a food journey by visiting the Mission Gardens right downtown. The Mission Gardens protects, grows, and preserves the heritage foods found in this distinctive region. NEW HOTELS Tucson welcomed several new additions this past year, including The Eddy Hotel and The Leo Kent. The Eddy, A Tapestry Collection by Hilton has 106 guestrooms, located in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains, it takes its design inspiration from the owner’s family roots. The Leo Kent, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott, has 145 guestrooms and opened it’s doors in May 2023 in the very heart of downtown Tucson. | AC&F | 115 NORTH CHURCH AVENUE #200, TUCSON, AZ 85701 CONTACT: MARY MEADE, VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES | TEL: 520-624-1817 EXT. 166 MMEADE@VISITTUCSON.ORG | TUCSONONUS.COM FACTS & FEATURES Guest Rooms: 16,427 for the entire region, 1,749 in the downtown core Convention Center FYI: An ASM-managed facility, the Tucson Convention Center offers 233,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space. BEST OF THE BEST CELEBRATING THE Go Beyond The Ballroom 50 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESSEPTEMBER 2023TucsonOnUs.com See why Tucson’s one-of-a-kind culture creates an experience that extends beyond the ballroom. Book now through 2026 and earn up to $15,000 OFF your Master Account. FIND OUT MORE | TucsonOnUs.com WIDE OPEN SPACESMIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER R e-imagined following a $640-million-dollar renovation, the award- winning Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) includes a new 60,000 square-foot Grand Ballroom, four junior ballrooms, almost 500,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, an expanded Grand Lobby, pre-function areas, up to 84 breakout rooms, approximately 800 roof deck parking spaces, almost 2,100 miles of cabling to support all IT communications, $10.2 million dollars’ worth of art curated by the City of Miami Beach Art in Public Places program and a six-acre (Pride Park) and three-acre (Collins Canal Park) public green spaces that can serve as incremental event space. The MBCC Campus includes two new event spaces: Venu, for private events, and Rum Room, a 1920s res- taurant with a tapas-style menu and South Florida rums. The MBCC is proud to have earned Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ Facility Accreditation, and LEED® Silver Certification as part of the ven- ue’s $640-million-dollar expansion project, which includes environmen- tally friendly features. A new connect- ed headquarter hotel, a Grand Hyatt, is under development and slated to open in spring 2026. Conveniently situated only 12 miles from Miami International Airport and six miles from Downtown Miami and PortMiami, the MBCC is read- ily accessible to domestic and in- ternational travelers alike. Spanning four sunny city blocks in the heart of Miami Beach, the venue offers easy access to the historic Art Deco District, spectacular beaches, inspir- ing art and culture, luxurious resorts, delectable fine dining and shopping on iconic Lincoln Road. | AC&F | 1901 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE, MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139 CONTACT: CHRISTIAN JARAMILLO, SENIOR SALES MANAGER | TEL: 786-276-2600 SALES@MIAMIBEACHCONVENTION.COM | MIAMIBEACHCONVENTION.COM BEST OF THE BEST CELEBRATING THE 52 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESSEPTEMBER 2023 MEET IN MIAMI BEACH WHERE GLOBAL BUSINESS AND CREATIVE COLLABORATION GET A SPARK OF TROPICAL INSPIRATION •Newly re-imagined: 1.4 million sq. ft of flexible event space •Largest Grand Ballroom in South Florida •LEED® Silver Certification &. Green Building •Innovative technology •Conveniently located in the heart of world-famous Miami Beach Plan your meeting at miamibeachconvention.com I sales@miamibeachconvention.com THE OMNI HOMESTEAD RESORT 7696 SAM SNEAD HIGHWAY, HOT SPRINGS, VA 24445 | OMNIHOTELS.COM/HOTELS/HOMESTEAD-VIRGINIA JOHN HESS, DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING: JOHN.HESS@OMNIHOTELS.COM, 540-839-7769 JOE BARROW, DIRECTOR OF SALES: JOE.BARROW@OMNIHOTELS.COM, 540-839-7511 A new day is dawning at America’s First Resort. With a $150+ million in- vestment, one of the larg- est renovations of a historic property in the country in decades, The Omni Homestead Resort is poised to once again be a top meeting destination. “From the inside out and top to bot- tom, every facet of this iconic resort has been revitalized,” said John Hess, director of sales and marketing for The Omni Homestead. “Every guest room and meeting room has been renovat- ed, a new, 4,000 sq. ft. event pavilion is now complete, and all of our public spaces have been refreshed. One of the most remarkable transformations is our historic theater. While we’ve retained some of the historical seats, the majority of the space now fea- tures larger, more comfortable seats with tables, creating an inviting space for everything from keynote presenta- tions to theater performances.” Each of the resort’s 28 meeting rooms have been updated with a fo- cus on architectural details and ad- vanced functionality. The Omni Homestead’s culinary offerings have also been expanded with the addition of Pioneer Picnic, a new, fast casual dining option. The Presidential Lounge, formerly known as the lobby bar, has almost doubled in size. The elegant dining room, now the American Audubon Dining Room, showcases the resort’s incredible col- lection of original Audubon prints. With more than 40 recreational ac- tivities such as golf, spa, fly fishing, shooting sports, equestrian, and fal- conry, the team building options are endless. The resort is also an ideal location for incentive retreats, with a wide array of activities to reward top performers and their families. | AC&F | 53 SEPTEMBER 2023 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES THEOMNIHOMESTEAD.COM 888-796-5838 Reintroducing the South’s grandest destination. Make your next meeting anything but conventional. Discover The Omni Homestead Resort, a destination unlike any other, recently revitalized with an extensive $150 million investment. Special rates available for January - May 2024. An American ENCORE.PUERTO RICO CONVENTION CENTER P uerto Rico’s Convention Center, located in the is- land’s capital San Juan, is the largest and most tech- nologically advanced meeting facility in the region, boasting 600,000 sq. ft. of modern infrastructure as well as beautiful and flexible event spaces, making this facility the ideal meet- ing place for conventions and events from all around the world. The facil- ity is also conveniently surrounded by nearby hotels, with world-class entertainment and renowned gas- tronomy. During the Fiscal Year 2022-23, PRCC hosted a record 439 events with over 586,450 attendees, includ- ing stateside conventions, as well as local. The Center hosted 13 Citywide events for the same period with a total attendance of 21,450 and more than 40,290 room nights. ASM Global is the venue manage- ment company entrusted with oper- ating the most important and iconic venues on the Island alongside the Convention Center, including: the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, the Antiguo Casino and the Coca Cola Music Hall. Collectively, these venues have been key factors to promote Puerto Rico as a top tier events and entertain- ment destination while increasing the length-of-stay of our visitors. “As a meetings destination, Puerto Rico is a place like no other. We offer an unparalleled combination of the best meeting infrastructure, hi-speed in- ternet and 5G, world class entertain- ment, gastronomy, natural attrac- tions, great hotels and new state of the art entertainment options like the Distrito T-Mobile, providing a com- plete experience for visitors,” - Jorge Perez, Regional General Manager for ASM Global. | AC&F | 100 CONVENTION BOULEVARD, SAN JUAN, PR 00907 CONTACT: MARGARET COLÓN, SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR | TEL: 787-477-0184 MCOLON@PRCONVENTION.COM | PRCONVENTION.COM BEST OF THE BEST CELEBRATING THE 54 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESSEPTEMBER 2023When you partner with Disney for your meeting or event, you get access to best-in-class planners, industry-leading technology, world-class culinary experts and unforgettable entertainment. But, most importantly, you’ll get Disney’s legendary creativity, storytelling and attention to detail. When you use our imagination, you will transform your meeting into something incredible only found at Disney. Use Our Imagination. Visit us at disneymeetingsandevents.comDESTINATION UPDATE themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESSEPTEMBER 2023 California A Golden Opportunity For Meeting Planners By Chloe LaBelle rom the beautiful scenery of Long Beach to the innovative environs of Sacramento, to the creative experiences in San Francisco, the Golden State has inspired generations of association professionals who have held meetings, conventions and events in this great state. Here, Silicon Valley is teeming with state-of-the-art innovations, while farm-to-table eateries welcome attendees to enjoy innovative F dishes in Anaheim, and cable cars whisk association meeting goers to their next event in San Francisco. California offers something for all types and sizes of associations who are look- ing to make their next event truly shine. INNOVATIVE & EMERGING Located in the southern part of the Bay Area, San Jose is seen as an innovative and emerging city for meetings and events. During association gatherings, attendees enjoy the scale of San Jose’s meetings campus, which features the Con- vention Center, with its 143,000 sf of event space; four historic theaters and numerous hotels, all adjacent to the arts district, SoFA, where attendees gallery hop, enjoy craft cocktails, savor Michelin-rated food or just visit at a café and people watch. Association event attendees also love San Jose’s wine expe- riences. San Jose’s Alamitos Vineyard was just named best new wine experience in the U.S. and the Santa Cruz Mountain American Viticultural Area (AVA) has been called the most under-appreciated wine appellation in the world. Attendees can taste delicious local wines in downtown tasting rooms or head to the nearby hills and taste at the vineyards themselves. San Jose was the destination for the Society for Informa- tion Display (SID) in Campbell, CA, which is composed of the top scientists, engineers, corporate researchers and busi- ness people of the display industry. According to association meeting planner and executive director, Tony Caldwell, SID’s annual Display Week is the world’s largest technical sympo- sium and exhibition for emerging technologies in the high- growth global electronic display industry. “We held our annual conference, Display Week, last year in San Jose. We occupied the entire McEnery convention cen- ter,” Caldwell said. “We also had room blocks with five of the closest hotels to the convention Center. We had about 5,400 attendees to the conference. We will be in San Jose again in 2024 and 2025.” Since the industry is focused in Silicon Valley, San Jose was the perfect choice for the annual conference. “It offers us the opportunity to draw additional walk-in traffic because of the high concentration of engineers and With 520,000 sf of meeting and event space, the San Jose McEnery Convention Center is the largest convention center in Silicon Valley. 56high-tech companies in the area,” Caldwell explained. “San Jose is also preferred by our exhibitors since many of their partners are located in Silicon Valley. It offers opportunities to see and visit the birthplace of high-tech.” The size of the convention center, added Caldwell, is per- fect for a medium-sized conference. Caldwell added that the first thing attendees appreciate about San Jose is the weather. The temperature is normally between 65 and 85 degrees with low humidity. And the San Jose Convention Center is positioned well to take advantage of public transit. Attendees can easily get on the light rail system, which will take them to other entertainment locations in the city. Also, the convention center is within walking distance to many fine restaurants and bars in downtown San Jose. “Also, many of our attendees enjoy bike riding on the Gua- dalupe trail that runs next to the Guadalupe River in San Jose,” Caldwell said. URBAN AMENITIES & RELAXED VIBE Within the shadow of Los Angeles, Long Beach is a won- derful option for associations looking for the urban amenities of a large city, but with a more relaxed vibe that many associa- tion attendees are seeking. A mere 30 minutes south of Santa Monica, Long Beach offers a vibrant lifestyle that can be expe- rienced by attendees during their stay. This unique beach city offers associations and their attendees unique experiences surrounding art, food and culture, as well as beautiful beaches and outdoor recreation. One of the favorite venues within Long Beach is the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, which has quickly become a big draw among association planners who are look- ing for a high-tech environment for their next association con- vention. As a leading state-of-the-art facility, the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center features exhibit halls, meeting rooms and pavilions that have been designed to allow for the greatest amount of functionality in an event space. They have more than 400,000 sf of exhibit space available. In addition to the convention center, Long Beach offers dozens of other unique venues – from aquariums to cruises, to classic ballrooms – where associations can hold their meetings and events. Check out The Pacific Ballroom, a 46,000 sf arena available for events that is completely customizable with its lighting and sound options and even a state-of-the-art move- able ceiling truss system so planners can change even the ceil- ing itself to modify the space. SCENIC & MEMORABLE Just two hours south of San Francisco is Monterey. The allure of this locale for association meeting planners and, more importantly, attendees, lies in its breathtaking coastal back- drop, world-class accommodations, and rich legacy of host- ing esteemed organizations and leaders. Monterey also offers diverse options to suit various budgets and preferences in both lodging and event venues. Unique meeting experiences, such as brainstorming sessions at beach socials and wine tasting, leave a lasting impression on association attendees. This year, the California Association of Public Informa- tion Officials in Chico, CA, hosted their multi-day annual conference for 500 people at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel And Spa in Monterey. This was the first time this group has ever held their convention in Monterey and it was a huge success. “The destination is such a draw and we were able to host an awards evening at the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, which made for such a special and memorable evening,” said Amy Orr, owner of ORRganized Events in Chico who worked with the California Association of Public Information Officials, on their event. “The Hyatt’s meeting space worked really well for our general session, for breakouts and receptions through- out the event, and the lobby/bar area made for a great space for informal networking for our attendees.” Orr is also the conference planner for American Institute of Architects (AIA) California, who holds their Monterey Design Conference every other year at Asilomar Hotel & Con- ference Grounds. “The architects return to Monterey’s coast due to the retreat atmosphere and Asilomar’s inspiring Julia Morgan Hall,” Orr said. Monterey County lends attendees the sense of “escaping” from the office, and allows them to truly focus on the educa- tion, networking and professional development – plus, it was a new destination that the California Association of Public Information Officials had not been to before. “The cool coastal environment among the cypress and eucalyptus trees is refreshing and uplifting. For our open eve- nings, attendees were able to enjoy Old Fisherman’s Wharf, historic Cannery Row and explore the great restaurant scene. For attendees, Monterey offers an appealing destination, and for planners, Monterey has great hotels and venues that can fit a variety of programs,” Orr said. “We have learned that if we’re too close to a metropolitan city, attendees can’t truly ‘leave’ work, resulting in less immersion with many commuting to the conference from their home versus being able to stay on-site. With this information, along with the consideration of a new destination for the conference, we looked at Monterey and are very happy we did.” For association planners considering Monterey as their meeting or event destination, Monterey’s meeting spaces boast a central location, conveniently within walking distance 57 SEPTEMBER 2023 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES COURTESY PHOTO The Hyatt Regency Long Beach offers the only waterfront ballroom in the city and is located next door to the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center.of many attractions and dining options. During downtime, attendees can embark on self-guided tours, explor- ing the city’s charm at their own pace, or opt for one of the many guided tour options available. The heart of Monterey is highly walkable, inviting attendees to stroll through shops, enjoy beachside walks, and indulge in wine tasting and din- ing along the way. For those seeking outdoor adventures, e-bike rides offer a scenic and effortless way to experi- ence the area’s natural beauty, while kayak tours and whale watching excur- sions promise thrilling encounters with marine life. ABUNDANCE OF CHOICES What draws association planners to Los Angeles is the city’s abundance of choice. Whether it’s a board meeting, retreat or convention, an association could hold all of its meetings and events or con- ventions in Los Angeles and never plan the same experience twice. With year-round great weather, a beautiful natural land- scape, world-class dining and an array of unique and adaptable event spaces, when association planners look at Los Angeles for a meeting or event, they know they are going to give their attendees an incredible experience. One silver lining from the pandemic is that it actually accelerated the pace of capital improvements and develop- ment across Los Angeles. That’s why the city has seen trendy boutique hotels and awe-inspiring luxury concepts continue to pop up all over the city, and what’s more, many of these prop- erties were developed with meetings in mind and are perfect for large groups. The culinary offerings in Los Angeles are unlike any other, and association planners are specifically seeing down- town’s dining scene take off with award-winning chefs and new exciting concepts, including 25 Los Angeles restau- rants with one or more Michelin stars and 56 Bib Gourmand recognitions. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, based in Washington, DC, recently held an event at the Los Angeles Convention Center called NatCon23, the Annual Conference & Expo. NatCon is the largest conference in mental health and substance use treatment and connects over 5,000 health care professionals in the field from influencers and decision- makers to advocates and executives. “Los Angeles is an excellent option for any planner look- ing for a dynamic city that will excite their attendees (driving attendance to the meeting) and offers a beautiful centrally located convention center surrounded by a robust hotel pack- age featuring a variety of brands and price points to cover all attendees’ budgets and travel preferences,” said Sara Hay- wood, CMP, assistant vice president of conference & events at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in Washing- ton D.C. “Los Angeles also offers planners several options to accommodate growth. When you are signing a city five years out, you want to have the flexibility to expand meet- ing space with the convention center or hotel(s) and expand your hotel block.” This was extremely helpful for the National Council for Mental Wellbe- ing recently when they sold out of their initial hotel block and had to expand from 10 hotels to 13. Los Angeles also provided a welcome atmosphere where attendees felt safe to walk around the city any time of day or night enjoy- ing the multitude of bars, restaurants and entertainment options available to them. “If you haven’t considered Los Angeles in the past, definitely add them to the list of cities to explore in the future,” Haywood said. She also suggested contacting groups like Discover Los Angeles, say- ing they are a great resource for pro- grams unique to Los Angeles. For association planners considering Los Angeles, it is rec- ommended they pick a region or area and take advantage of all it has to offer. Several destinations throughout Los Angeles provide planners the opportunity to maximize attendees’ time without leaving the area. One of the challenges that people express is the traffic here and difficulty of getting around the city. By selecting and focus- ing on one region, association planners can focus and plan around all it has to offer without straying too far away. If you are organizing a larger event, the Los Angeles Con- vention Center in downtown Los Angeles provides the perfect venue for first-time visitors and returning guests. The icon is home to some of the country’s most significant conventions and trade shows. With a vibrant atmosphere, several nearby cultural attractions, and dining and entertainment venues just steps away, the Los Angeles Convention Center provides end- less opportunities for attendees to immerse themselves in all the city has to offer. DESERT OASIS The proximity to both Palm Springs International Air- port (PSP) and a fun and exciting downtown area are what make Palm Springs extremely popular with association meeting planners. Just ask Laura Thomas, director of meetings and mem- ber services for the California Association of Health Facili- ties (CAHF) in Sacramento. The CAHF has been holding its Annual Convention and Expo at the Renaissance Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Convention Center every year for more than 25 years. They typically have 1500-2000 people in atten- dance. The Palm Springs Convention Center has 261,000 sf total of meeting and event space available. “The convention center is the perfect size for our group. There are other California convention centers that would fit, but we would be a small fish in a big pond,” Thomas said. “In Palm Springs, we fill the center, and it is just our group.” Thomas pointed out that the proximity of the convention center to downtown Palm Springs is fantastic. Groups are able to walk to a huge choice of restaurants and shopping. And the weather is amazing, she said. After all, where else can you safely plan outdoor events in the middle of November? | AC&F | themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESSEPTEMBER 2023 Laura Thomas Director of Meetings and Member Services, California Association of Health Facilities There are other California convention centers that would fit, but we would be a small fish in a big pond. In Palm Springs, we fill the center, and it is just our group. Immerse yourself in a completely turnkey meeting experience. Hot, sunny days. Bright, electric nights. LBC is the perfect destination to turn corporate-style events into the extraordinary. A brilliantly designed campus of unique modern spaces sets the stage for magical experiences – indoors, outdoors, online. Spark conversation and connection in a glittering atmosphere filled with our ready-to-go meeting solutions – decorative chandeliers and built-in, programmable lights, a cool collection of stylish furniture and décor – all saving you up to $500,000 . Easy and a ordable , this unconventional city saves you thousands and makes for a refreshingly di erent meeting experience unlike anywhere else. All the bells and whistles. Make your next meeting an eye-popping experience and save up to $500,000. visitlongbeach.com @VisitLB Client: Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau | Agency: Nostrum | Job #: 23-CVB-TechModern | Bleed: 8.375”x11.125” | Trim: 8.125”x10.875” | Live: 7.125”x 9.875” | Pub: Meetings Magazine 58Immerse yourself in a completely turnkey meeting experience. Hot, sunny days. Bright, electric nights. LBC is the perfect destination to turn corporate-style events into the extraordinary. A brilliantly designed campus of unique modern spaces sets the stage for magical experiences – indoors, outdoors, online. Spark conversation and connection in a glittering atmosphere filled with our ready-to-go meeting solutions – decorative chandeliers and built-in, programmable lights, a cool collection of stylish furniture and décor – all saving you up to $500,000 . Easy and a ordable , this unconventional city saves you thousands and makes for a refreshingly di erent meeting experience unlike anywhere else. All the bells and whistles. Make your next meeting an eye-popping experience and save up to $500,000. visitlongbeach.com @VisitLBNext >