Building More in 2024 Marty Brooks, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Center District Milwaukee’s Wisconsin Center ExpansionWORLD 2023 Expect More in 2024 Milwaukee’s Wisconsin Center Expansion Reinvents Midwestern Hospitality A perennial favorite among meeting planners, the newly expanding Wisconsin Center, located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, will double in size to 1.3 million gross square feet in the spring of 2024. Your attendees will thank you for choosing Milwaukee, one of National Geographic’s 25 Best Places in the World to Visit for 2023. Start planning today at visitmilwaukee.org/meet. • Inclusive amenities like gender- neutral restrooms • LEED Silver Certification, thanks to features like a solar roof • 52 state-of-the-art breakout rooms • 300,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space • 22 loading docks • Spectacular rooftop ballroom with sweeping city views from the outdoor terraceA COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION JANUARY 2023 VOL. 41 NO. 1 $15.00 IN THIS ISSUE WELLNESS EXPERIENCES CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TRENDS BUDGET TACTICS AFTER COVID-19 DESTINATION FLORIDA Page 12 CVB UPDATE Peggy Williams-Smith President & CEO VISIT MilwaukeeFor a Five-Star stay, let’s meet at Wynn 888 320 7117 WYNNMEETINGS.COM WYNN LAS VEGAS ENCORE LAS VEGAS Experience an elevated level of hospitality at Wynn Las Vegas, where new rooms and suites recently debuted to offer your meeting attendees exceptional comfort and the thoughtful details you expect from our award-winning resorts. At Wynn, we know business and pleasure can co-exist beautifully.VOLUME 41 NO. 1 // JANUARY 2023 12 16 20 24 IN THIS ISSUE features 28 36 42 52 4 Publisher’s Message 6 News & Notes 8 Perspective Leaders, Unleash Your Inner Shark BY WALTER BOND 10 Spotlight New Orleans & Company Looks to the Future 66 People on the Move destinations departments The Cost of Doing Business Planners Adopt New Budget Tactics After COVID-19 BY KEITH LORIA CSR Means Service Planned Properly, Events Can Contribute to the Greater Good BY SARA CHURCHVILLE Texas From El Paso to Houston, Attractive Possibilities Abound for Planners BY DAN JOHNSON Arizona This Southwestern Destination Has What Planners Want BY CHRISTINE LOOMIS Las Vegas & Reno Las Vegas Looks Back at Its Storied History to Forge Ahead BY SARA CHURCHVILLE Florida Sun, Sea, Sand & So Much More BY CHRISTINE LOOMIS TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | January 2023 3 A Healthy Mindset Please Today’s Attendees With Wellness Experiences BY NANCY MUELLER CVB Update CVBs Continue to Rebound Strongly From the COVID-19 Pandemic BY DAVID SWANSON 52 20 16 24 ISSN 0739-1587 // USPS 716-450Corporate & Incentive Travel (USPS 716-450) is published bimonthly by Coastal Communications Corporation, 2500 North Military Trail — Suite 283, Boca Raton, FL 33431-6322; 561- 989-0600. Single copies $15.00 U.S.A. only. Yearly subscription price is $135.00 in the U.S.A.; Canada and foreign is $175.00. Back copies $17.00 U.S.A. only. Distributed without charge to qualified personnel. Periodicals Postage Paid at Boca Raton, FL, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Corporate & Incentive Travel, 2500 North Military Trail — Suite 283, Boca Raton, FL 33431-6322. Nothing contained in this publication shall constitute an endorsement by Coastal Communications Corporation (Corporate & Incentive Travel), and the publication disclaims any liability with respect to the use of or reliance on any such information. The information contained in this publication is in no way to be construed as a recommendation by C&IT of any industry standard, or as a recommendation of any kind to be adopted, by or to be binding upon, any corporate/ incentive travel planner or agent. Reproduction of any portion of this publication by any means is strictly forbidden. Editorial contributions must be accompanied by return postage and will be handled with reasonable care. However, the publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited photographs or manuscripts. Subscribers: Send subscription inquiries and address changes to: Circulation Department, Corporate & Incentive Travel, 2500 North Military Trail — Suite 283, Boca Raton, FL 33431- 6322. Provide old and new addresses including zip codes. Enclose address label from most recent issue and please allow five weeks for the change to become effective. Printed in U.S.A. © 2023 Looking Ahead to a Successful Year This issue of Corporate & Incentive Travel starts off our 40th year of publication. As we enter another eventful year in business, I am thankful for the contribution of meaningful content from dedicated meeting indus- try professionals. Anniversaries are occasions for reflecting on past achievements, but, more importantly, for looking ahead and for setting new goals. Our goal was, and remains, to publish a magazine designed to meet the informational needs of corporate meeting and incentive travel planners. What’s more, our aim continues to be to help active and qualified planners make their sometimes complex decisions more effective- ly and efficiently by presenting professional meeting planner input in timely articles. My team and I are looking forward to continuing our mission of providing im- portant and timely topics that will come to define this year. We’re exceptionally proud of the broad ac- ceptance Corporate & Incentive Travel has achieved among industry leaders and meet- ing professionals over the past four decades. Now, I am asking for your help. You can continue to make Corporate & Incentive Travel, your go-to source, even more beneficial to you if you’ll communicate with us. First, you might let us know how we’re doing. If our articles have been on target, say so. Equally as important, I would appreciate if you would suggest other subjects you would like to see covered, new issues we should be exploring and why they are important to you. By giving us your candid reaction to specific articles published or identify- ing subject areas we failed to cover, you’ll be helping us to continue provid- ing the strongest, most interesting publication that’s closely attuned to your professional needs. That’s what we both want, I’m sure. We promise to do our part if you’ll do yours. PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE // A COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Harvey Grotsky harvey.grotsky @ themeetingmagazines.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kristin Bjornsen kristin.bjornsen @ themeetingmagazines.com MANAGING EDITOR Henry Fitzgerald henry.fitzgerald @ themeetingmagazines.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Rachel Galvin rachel.galvin @ themeetingmagazines.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Sophia Bennett Cynthia Dial Dan Johnson Maura Keller Christine Loomis Keith Loria Nancy Mueller David Swanson PRESIDENT & CEO Harvey Grotsky VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS David Middlebrook david.middlebrook @ themeetingmagazines.com ADVERTISING SALES OFFICES 2500 N. Military Trail, Suite 283 Boca Raton, FL 33431-6322 561-989-0600 Fax: 561-989-9509 advertising@themeetingmagazines.com REGIONAL MANAGERS Bob Mitchell DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS Michael Caffin 914-629-5860 michael.caffin@themeetingmagazines.com 4 January 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Harvey Grotsky Publisher FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA linkedin.com/company/ CorpIncTravel @CorpIncTravel @CorpIncTravel facebook.com/ CorpIncTravelImmerse 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 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 $600,000. Easy and a ordable, this unconventional city saves you thousands and makes for a refreshingly di erent meeting experience unlike anywhere else. visitlongbeach.com@VisitLB Dive into savings of over $600,000 and make a splash with your next meeting or convention.NEWS + NOTES // 6 January 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com OPENINGS Hilton Motif Seattle Debuts in the Heart of the Emerald City SEATTLE, WA — Hilton recently announced the opening of the 319- room Hilton Motif Seattle. The hotel, formerly Motif Seattle, is located in a prime downtown area, offering a roof- top restaurant and bar and more than 36,000 sf of meeting and event space. The downtown hotel lies within walk- ing distance from the waterfront, the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and the newly expanded Seattle Conven- tion Center. Attendees looking to ex- plore the city can easily stroll to the Seattle Monorail, and for air travel- ers, the hotel is conveniently located near the light rail to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. With sweep- ing views from the city skyline to the Puget Sound, the property honors Se- attle’s innovative edge. Hilton Motif Seattle offers dedicated meeting and conference facilities, including two grand ballrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails is also available for private events for up to 260 guests, and offers more than 4,000 sf of space. NEW TECHNOLOGY Marriott International Announces Launch of New Program BETHESDA, MD — Marriott In- ternational and Groups360 recently launched Instant Booking for Marri- ott’s portfolio of hotels in the United States and Canada. Marriott Interna- tional is the first brand to have a direct integration with Groups360 to offer the “Instant Book” functionality for both guest rooms and meeting space at scale on GroupSync Marketplace, providing planners with a streamlined booking process at the click of a but- ton. As the meetings and events land- scape becomes more dynamic, many planners are currently challenged by the lengthy sourcing and contracting process, especially for smaller events. The need to book meeting space sepa- rately from guest rooms only adds complexity. GroupSync’s direct inte- gration with Marriott now offers plan- ners access to real-time, best-available group rates and inventory at more than 1,500 Marriott properties, with additional growth expected. Once the instant booking is completed on GroupSync, hotels receive instant notification for faster handling and execution of small meetings. A small meeting is defined as 10-25 guest rooms on peak and/or events for up to 50 attendees, starting 4 days out and up to 1 year out with a maximum length of stay of 7 days. This new ca- pability significantly reduces planning time and directly addresses the needs of Marriott’s group customers. WHAT’S NEW Orlando Unveils New Meetings Experiences For 2023 ORLANDO, FL — Orlando, continu- ously ranked as Cvent’s No. 1 meeting destination in the country, kicks off 2023 with a wide range of new or ex- panded meeting options and all-new experiences for planners. A new lux- ury resort and renovated properties, high-speed rail connecting Miami to Orlando, the world’s first-ever “surf coaster” and immersive escape rooms inspired by beloved blockbuster films are just a few of the new offerings that will elevate any Orlando meeting or event. Some of the exciting Orlando openings to look forward to in 2023 include expanded meeting space at Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. The hotel will have more than 90,000 sf of meeting space in this two- story addition, which will be adjacent to the existing meeting space over- looking the Bonnet Creek waterways. For more, go to VisitOrlando.com. © DisneyWHERE BUSINESS MEETS PLEASURE. A world-class convention facility with an oceanfront setting. 45,000 square feet of meeting facilities enhanced by an expansive oceanfront patio, pool with water slide, European spa and endless tropical breezes. Located at Grande Dunes, a luxurious plantation- style development. Featuring two 18 hole championship golf courses with tennis and fitness center. MARRIOTT MYRTLE BEACH RESORT & SPA AT GRAND DUNES 8400 COSTA VERDE DRIVE, MYRTLE BEACH, SC 29572 843.449.8880 MARRIOTT.COM/MYRGD APPOINTMENTS 32 Appointed to U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board WASHINGTON, DC — Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo recently announced the appointments of 32 leaders from businesses and organizations in the domes- tic travel and tourism industry to the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB). TTAB members ad- vise the Secretary of Commerce on how government policies and pro- grams affect the travel and tourism industry, and offer counsel on cur- rent and emerging issues to support sustainable growth of the travel and tourism industry as our nation’s economic engine. Two of the newly appointed members are Monica R. Smith, CMP, CASE, CDME, presi- dent & CEO of the Southeast Tourism Society, and Casa- ndra Matej, president & CEO of Visit Orlando. TTAB was first chartered in 2003, and has been re-chartered nine times. Past boards have provided advice on a wide range of policies and issues, including travel facilitation, visa policy, infrastructure, aviation security, tourism re- search, climate and economic sustainability. For the full list of appointees, visit commerce.gov. RENOVATIONS Tampa Airport Marriott Completes Multimillion-Dollar Renovation TAMPA, FL — Tampa International Airport’s on-site Marriott hotel has completed a multimillion-dollar reno- vation of its meeting and event spaces as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The hotel offers 25,416 sf of meeting and event space, including 17 meeting rooms, the largest of which is the 7,446-sf Hillsborough Grand Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 700 attendees. The renovation encompassed a completely new look that includes new carpet, vinyl and paint, new meeting room tables and chairs as well as the furniture in the prefunction space. Other features include LED lighting throughout, and radio frequency ID door locks for enhanced security. The goal was to create a social-club connection combining conversation, collaboration and common connection. Smith TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | January 2023 7Next >