< PreviousANYTHING BUT BUSINESS AS USUAL caesarsmeansbusiness.com | 855-633-82381,820 sf of meeting space, each unit has its own kitchen, and the venue boasts a heated rooftop pool, fire pit, hot tub and electric vehicle charging stations. Within walking distance is the Reno Public Market, which has a newly opened food hall. The entire Reno Experi- ence District is expected to be up and running in the next few months. When complete, it will offer 65,000+ sf of retail. The district is a five-minute walk from the privately owned Pep- permill Resort Spa Casino. The 1,623-room resort features three ballrooms totaling 62,000 sf and offers 10 restaurants on property, including casual quick bites, seafood, high-end cuisine, 24-hour cafe and in-room dining. The newest eatery, a taqueria called Sabroso, recently opened. “Reno and the Peppermill will always come well within the budget of planners that might be looking at San Fran- cisco, Chicago or New York: high-end destinations with much higher rates. I see a lot of corporate groups considering us more because they are being shut out of some expensive locales,” says Travis O’Donnell, regional sales director - Mid- west with Peppermill. “F&B is 30% lower than the national average, so that savings spreads across the board. And being non-union really plays a huge role,” But cheaper doesn’t mean down market, O’Donnell says. “Once you get to Reno, you can see firsthand that you’re not sacrificing. We don’t skimp on quality of food or service.” One East Coast-based agricultural soil company had never met in the West. The planner was considering both Reno and Las Vegas for the meeting of 300 attendees, and O’Donnell’s team took the planner on a city site visit that included the Reno Rodeo. “Time spent with the client definitely helped and probably carried their decision,” O’Donnell says. “The own- ers are committed to capital improvements — they’re always ongoing. Since I started in 2009, our guests always know when they come they’re going to have a more upscale, up-to- date product. Over the last 10 years, we continue to update all the rooms, carpets; beds. We don’t wait until it needs to be done; we get ahead of it.” Coming soon, the remodeling of the resort’s Tuscany Tower Suites. “Reno has the biggest little-city feel, small-town homey feel,” O’Donnell says. Reno’s Riverwalk District of shopping, dining and entertainment is 2 miles from the resort, as is the 3.5-mile Truckee River Walk Trail. Lake Tahoe, “the most attractive thing about the destination,” is a 45-minute drive from the resort. In the summer, Peppermill partnered with the WorldHo- tels Collection, which O’Donnell says opens up more book- ing opportunities for cor- porate travelers, attract- ing attendees the resort hasn’t seen before. In fact, O’Donnell’s team recently was working on securing Tesla for an upcoming meeting. Those driving to events in Reno in their own electric vehi- cles can take advantage of the six Tesla Supercharger sta- tions available 24 hours at the AAA Four-Diamond Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. Atlantis prides itself on offering the last word in Reno luxury with its 27th-floor Penthouse Suites. The penthouse’s two villas feature three-sided fireplaces; a powder room with bidet and Italian marble sink; wet bar and Sub-Zero refrigerator; a pool table and a 75-inch TV. The 27 North Villa, at 1,734 sf, also has an infrared sauna; a Zen medi- tation room that offers self-serve heat, color, light, sound and aromatherapy and floor-to-ceiling views of the city lights. The 1,847-sf, 27 South Villa has a private tasting room with crystal decanters and glassware, where attendees will be attended to by one of Atlantis’ sommeliers. This villa’s views are of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and both villas connect directly on either side to the King Penthouse Suites, doubling the square footage. Planners can arrange private dining for groups of up to 50 attendees at Atlantis Steakhouse, where guests are encour- aged to leave their cellphones at the hostess stand — the bet- ter to prepare them for the Old-World fine dining to come. The menu is studiedly non-contemporary, with classic dishes such as foie gras, prawn cocktail and lobster bisque, while Steak Diane is prepared tableside. C&IT The CAESARS FORUM conference center offers 300,000 sf of flex- ible meeting space. Courtesy Photo Caesars Palace Las Vegas recently completed a redesigned main entrance, complete with mosaic tiling, a new domed ceiling and a 15-foot statue of Augustus Caesar. Courtesy Photo 50 January 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com ELEVATED CULINARY EXPERIENCES WITH MASTER CHEFS Corporate events and trade shows at The Venetian ® Resort Las Vegas are unlike anything you have ever seen. Our Master Chef of France leads a talented chef team that crafts outstanding culinary offerings for every event customized to your needs and with 2.25 million square feet of white canvas, you create a branded experience that will impress. Our innovative facilities, partnerships, and versatile spaces make The Venetian Resort a one-of-a-kind destination for events and trade shows. Visit venetianmeetings.com to find out more. The Venetian ® and other trademarks are used under license.ELEVATED CULINARY EXPERIENCES WITH MASTER CHEFS Corporate events and trade shows at The Venetian ® Resort Las Vegas are unlike anything you have ever seen. Our Master Chef of France leads a talented chef team that crafts outstanding culinary offerings for every event customized to your needs and with 2.25 million square feet of white canvas, you create a branded experience that will impress. Our innovative facilities, partnerships, and versatile spaces make The Venetian Resort a one-of-a-kind destination for events and trade shows. Visit venetianmeetings.com to find out more. The Venetian ® and other trademarks are used under license.Florida BY CHRISTINE LOOMIS T here’s no question how important meetings, incentives and conven- tions are to the state of Florida, and visitation statistics back that up. “The MICE market is extremely important to Florida’s economy, as these visitors on average spent 80% more per person, per day than leisure travelers in 2021,” says Dana Young, VISIT FLORIDA president and CEO. “The state’s wide array of accommodations, combined with the countless leisure activities make Florida the ideal destination to host trade shows, conventions and other business meetings.” Add to that what’s coming down the pike: “With more than 275,000 sf of meeting space at 14 hotels in the pipeline as of October 2022, we offer even more options for the MICE market and more opportunities to generate revenue for our state,” Young says. Florida’s cities and destinations are diverse, but there’s a commonality: Groups love to meet in Florida in the winter to get away from snow and cold, and in the summer when accommodations and flights are often less expensive. If more proof is needed of Florida’s many attri- butes, MICHELIN recently launched its first ever MICHELIN Guide Miami, Orlando and Tampa, giving planners a multicity resource for locating each of the cities’ MICHELIN-starred dining options — four one-star restaurants in Orlando, 10 in Miami and one two-star restaurant in Miami, plus three MICHELIN Bib Gourmet recogni- tions in Tampa, along with a slew of MICHELIN recommendations. Whatever planners may be looking for, Florida probably has it. Courtesy Photo Florida’s Sports Coast offers plenty of outdoor sporting activities, including snorkeling and fishing, as well as state parks and natural areas. Sun, Sea, Sand & So Much More 52 January 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com DESTINATION REPORT HawksCay.com | (855) 421-2896 | Sales@HawksCay.com Put paradise on the agenda when you plan a meeting or event at Hawks Cay Resort. Spanning across 60 resort acres on the secluded island of Duck Key in the Florida Keys, Hawks Cay boasts the amenities, experiences and professional events staff you need to plan an inspiring, engaging and successful gathering. on board All Crew MEETINGS & EVENTS AT HAWKS CAY RESORT 20,000 Sq. Ft. of Oceanfront Meeting Space Full-Service Spa & Fitness Center 6 On-Site Restaurants 427 Hotel Rooms & Villas Custom Group Activities Saltwater Lagoon & 5 Pools Watersports, Fishing Excursions & MoreHawksCay.com | (855) 421-2896 | Sales@HawksCay.com Put paradise on the agenda when you plan a meeting or event at Hawks Cay Resort. Spanning across 60 resort acres on the secluded island of Duck Key in the Florida Keys, Hawks Cay boasts the amenities, experiences and professional events staff you need to plan an inspiring, engaging and successful gathering. on board All Crew MEETINGS & EVENTS AT HAWKS CAY RESORT 20,000 Sq. Ft. of Oceanfront Meeting Space Full-Service Spa & Fitness Center 6 On-Site Restaurants 427 Hotel Rooms & Villas Custom Group Activities Saltwater Lagoon & 5 Pools Watersports, Fishing Excursions & MoreMiami Smart City Expo USA held its annual conference and expo in Miami Beach in early fall with 1,500 in attendance. The Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach, Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel and The Palms Hotel & Spa met the group’s accommo- dation needs, while meetings were at the Miami Beach Con- vention Center (MBCC). “We basically bought out the Kimp- ton Palomar for one group and hosted others at the Palms and Kimpton Surfcomber,” says Aarti Tandon, CEO, Smart City Expo USA. “Each spoke to a different demographic and had a different vibe. They were all in close proximity to the venue and gave us great rates.” About the city, Tandon says, “Miami Beach is an ideal location for us because we have an international audience and it’s easy to access, the convention center is state of the art, there are great bars and restaurants, and from a subject- matter perspective, Miami is focused on becoming a smart, equitable and sustainable 21st-century city.” The Smart City Expo USA group met fully in person. “We wanted to be in person and chose a spacious venue and a location that had great weather so people could meet out- side,” she says. “Registrations are certainly up; I think people are looking for quality over quantity.” Tandon calls the Greater Miami Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (GMCVB) “the best,” adding, “They’re so commit- ted to highlighting all that Miami can offer and are excited to share resources and ideas. One such example was shar- ing a hotel booking platform called On Peak, which gave our attendees flexibility in finding the type of hotel and location they most preferred.” The MBCC also gets high praise. “From the CEO to the sales and event managers, the convention-center team is fabulous. They’re honest, genuinely interested in executing a great event and are all-around good people.” Tandon notes that the building is new, offers a lot of light and great spaces and is ideally located. “The staff,” she says, “genuinely cares and the F&B was great.” To planners considering Miami, Tandon says, “Definitely book the convention center if your audience size permits, and certainly connect with the GMCVB. Both are very vested in bringing diverse voices and events to Miami Beach.” There is a lot that’s new in Miami for planners to consider. CitizenM Miami Brickell opened in 2022, the Mayfair House Hotel & Garden in Coconut Grove reopened, while citizenM Miami World Center is set to open soon. Collaborators on the art deco-esque goodtime hotel include music great Pharrell Williams. It offers plenty of “calming spaces,” as well as eclec- tic experiences. Also newly opened is KAYAK Miami Beach, with its tech focus, innovation and guest use of the KAYAK app. An 800-room Grand Hyatt Miami Beach, which will be the headquarters hotel for the MBCC, is slated to open in 2025. With more than 100,000 sf of completely reimagined meeting space, Trump National Doral Miami is one of Miami’s top venues for groups and events. The resort features five ballrooms, including the 24,000-sf Donald J. Trump Grand Ballroom, 15 breakout rooms and five executive boardrooms. The resort’s more than 75,000 sf of outdoor space offers gar- den and golf course views and includes the Champion’s Patio, with 3,600 sf of space, an outdoor bar and grill and room for up to 300 attendees. The resort’s Imperial Terrace looks out toward the world- renowned “Blue Monster” golf course, spans 2,300 sf and connects to the standalone ballroom sharing its name. Just a few feet away from the main clubhouse is the Royal Palm Pool, offering a 15,000-sf pool deck where outdoor events can be held for up to 1,000. Courtesy Photo Trump National Doral Miami offers more than 100,000 sf of meeting space. 54 January 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com FINE-TUNE YOUR NEXT MEETING. Escape the every day and indulge yourself in a truly extraordinary getaway with limitless possibilities. 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33314 | HardRockHolly.com | #GuitarHotel PARADISE MEETS PLAYGROUND. © 2023. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call 1.888.ADMIT.IT. 22-SHRH-06935 -AC&F-8.125x10.875.indd 112/15/2022 2:23:15 PM The state’s wide array of accommodations, combined with the countless leisure activities make Florida the ideal destination to host trade shows, conventions and other business meetings. DANA YOUNG, VISIT FLORIDA President & CEOFINE-TUNE YOUR NEXT MEETING. Escape the every day and indulge yourself in a truly extraordinary getaway with limitless possibilities. 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33314 | HardRockHolly.com | #GuitarHotel PARADISE MEETS PLAYGROUND. © 2023. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call 1.888.ADMIT.IT.A two-hour drive south sits Duck Key in the Florida Keys. There, you will find Hawks Cay Resort, which offers a pleth- ora of activities and amenities. The 60-acre resort is ideal for groups interested in the Florida Keys experience. After a day of meetings, attendees can enjoy activities centered on fun in the sun with virtually every water-related activity imagin- able, including stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkel- ing excursions, sunset cruises, island tours and even a private boat charter with a captain. The resort boasts 427 villas and hotel rooms, six restau- rants, a saltwater lagoon, five swimming pools and a full-ser- vice spa, Most accommodations have balconies with ocean views or direct access to the adults-only pool in Oasis Cay or the main Resort Pool. The resort is capable of delivering seamless meetings, conventions and conferences. Hawks Cay Resort has the largest waterfront meeting space of any resort in the Florida Keys, with 48,760 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting and ban- quet space that can accommodate up to 480 guests in the Dolphin Ballroom and 450 guests in the Overseas Ballroom. The combination of indoor waterfront meeting space, a vari- ety of outdoor venues and even a private-event catamaran ensures groups will never have to meet in the same space twice. State-of-the-art A/V and modern technology capa- bilities are available, and an on-site technology director and dedicated event team ensures flawless operation. Tampa Bay The city is in the midst of a major revitalization of its Water Street district. With the Tampa Convention Center (TCC) and major meetings hotels located there, it’s an area drawing more and more planners and groups. To answer what about Tampa Bay appeals to her, Leticia Desiano, corporate events and trade show leader for home- automation-solutions company Resideo, points to location, airlift, ease of access, cost, quality of lodging and entertain- ment. Moreover, attendees like Tampa Bay, which is impor- tant as Desiano says the company is back to fully in person events and close to pre-pandemic travel levels. “This area of Tampa has been built up over the past few years. We look to provide our guests the convenience of being able to walk out of the hotel and have activities to do, particu- larly those attending a [pre- or post-event activity].” Desiano is familiar with Marriott’s two properties here: the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, which opened in 2021, and Tampa Marriott Water Street. The two are connected via a skybridge. Resideo’s 2024 CONNECT conference with 700 attendees will be based at the JW Marriott, as will the company’s 2024 sales meeting with 400 expected to attend. Desiano says the hotel’s location by the Riverwalk “gives it the feeling of a resort hotel, yet it’s really an urban vibe. Meeting space is great, proximity to the airport is a plus and there are many activities right outside the hotel.” She says the meeting space and modern design really drew her to the JW, as well as the “beautiful pre-function space with a ton of natural lighting and sites along the Riverwalk.” It’s the staff, too. “[The] senior sales executive, has been amazing to partner with. He took the time to understand our program needs and worked with me on adjustments. He’s very patient and accommodating. I’m looking forward to working with the team, and I hope they live up to the service [the executive] has provided.” Hawks Cay Resort offers 48,760 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting and ban- quet space capable of hosting large and small events. Courtesy Photo 56 January 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Palm Beach is often overshadowed by Miami and Fort Lauderdale, which are great Florida destinations, but very different than what you’ll find in Palm Beach. KIM SAVRANSKY, CITP, CIS, V.P. of Operations, Fab at Incentives MISW. WARMRECEPTION Combining sophisticated amenities with relaxed Southern vibes, South Walton is ideal for gatherings of any size. We’re home to more than 150,000 square feet of diverse meeting space, plus a wide range of accommodations from boutique hotels to full-scale resorts. Unique beach neighborhoods offer personalized experiences for each group – enjoy abundant outdoor activities, award-winning restaurants, a thriving arts scene or simply some down time on the sugar-white sand. MIRAMAR BEACH • SEASCAPE • SANDESTIN • DUNE ALLEN • GULF PLACE • SANTA ROSA BEACH • BLUE MOUNTAIN BEACH GRAYTON BEACH • WATERCOLOR • SEASIDE • SEAGROVE • WATERSOUND • SEACREST • ALYS BEACH • ROSEMARY BEACH • INLET BEACHMISW. WARMRECEPTION Combining sophisticated amenities with relaxed Southern vibes, South Walton is ideal for gatherings of any size. We’re home to more than 150,000 square feet of diverse meeting space, plus a wide range of accommodations from boutique hotels to full-scale resorts. Unique beach neighborhoods offer personalized experiences for each group – enjoy abundant outdoor activities, award-winning restaurants, a thriving arts scene or simply some down time on the sugar-white sand. MIRAMAR BEACH • SEASCAPE • SANDESTIN • DUNE ALLEN • GULF PLACE • SANTA ROSA BEACH • BLUE MOUNTAIN BEACH GRAYTON BEACH • WATERCOLOR • SEASIDE • SEAGROVE • WATERSOUND • SEACREST • ALYS BEACH • ROSEMARY BEACH • INLET BEACHNext >