< PreviousVirtual meetings have also proven to be a valuable option for internal meetings in some ways. Sessions that are more training oriented or content heavy have shifted into multiple smaller sessions to be done virtu- ally throughout the year, versus adding into agendas of live meetings. “With a greater focus on attendee engage- ments during live meetings, there are more opportunities to build team morale and associate engagements for com- panies,” Mariano says. In her experience, Darby says clients are being challenged by their leadership to consider several things, including: 1) the need for the meeting; 2) the outcome they are seeking for the purpose of the meeting; 3) the available budget and; 4) who needs to attend. “They can then make the correct business decision as they are not solely limited to in-person meetings. Having the capability for virtual or hybrid options has really added more scope to meeting planning,” Darby says. “The addi- tional benefit for hybrid/virtual attendees at an in-person pharma meeting includes the ability to have guest speakers join remotely should their schedule be limited for travel, but they are able to spend an hour on a web call. The same applies to attendees who are not able to travel for a variety of reasons; they, too, can join remotely and still provide and receive value through their attendance.” Successful Elements In 2021, Bishop-McCann was engaged with a client for five separate business unit/therapeutic area meetings. They had sourced hotels and had started the planning process for each business unit. Due to a surge with COVID cases, the team had to make a shift from five business unit meetings to 72 regional sites with a six-week lead time. “Our team had to source locations and actively shifted gear to plan meetings across a wide range of destinations across the country,” Mariano says. “The biggest challenge was managing the constantly changing COVID regula- tions in our destinations and the internal guidelines from our client’s organization. The target was constantly mov- ing and impacted how we approached the meeting, agenda development and all logistics related to attendee travel and communication.” The Bishop-McCann team maintained constant commu- nication with the hotel, local DMC and monitored COVID cases stats to be able to make appropriate recommendations to their clients on changes that needed to be made for the program. “This also resulted in many last-minute changes and pivots for us to edit the program to make the experi- ence the best possible,” Mariano says. They also developed a comprehensive communication plan to ensure that there were consistent touch points with the attendees, sharing rel- evant program/travel information and all COVID guidelines involved so that everyone would feel safe and confident trav- eling to the program. The team also integrated the meeting theme in every sin- gle touch point for the attendees. This included the digital components such as registration website, attendee commu- nications and mobile app, pre-trip mailers, on-site materials such as wristbands and name badges, awards night décor, branding on-site such as directional signs, etc. and post- event surveys across all 72 locations. “It was amazing to hear the positive feedback and appre- ciation from all the attendees seeing each other again after not attending any live events in nearly two years,” Mariano says. “We recognized the client’s need to have a live meet- ing in an unprecedented time, and made it all happen with a great outcome at the end.” From Mariano’s perspective successful elements of a med/pharma meeting include: • A smooth registration process, including guest room and air travel management. • Meeting content that applies to attendee deliverables — Why am I here, and how can I put what I learn to use? — and connect to the patient. • Giving attendees time to take a breath and catch up on work. • Giving attendees the opportunity to connect with each other socially to strengthen team synergy as well as collaboratively to solve today’s issues together. • Determining a date for the meeting earlier on and sending a “save the date” to attendees has become more critical. Everyone is juggling more intense work and travel schedules. • Sourcing venues early. The compression in the meetings industry continues to increase, and com- panies are competing over the same dates and pre- ferred cities, which can make it challenging to iden- tify viable options. • Post meeting summaries and debriefs, which are crit- ical to map out as part of the overall event planning process. Use the available technologies to capture attendee experience, satisfaction levels and collab- orative feedback across all vendor partners is a step not to be missed. Planners are always learning and can always improve for the next one. 30 February 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Virtual meetings have opened the door to include many health-care professionals, who are too busy to travel to an in- person meeting. CATHY MARIANO CMP, HMCC Head of the Pharmaceutical & Medical Client Group Bishop-McCann• A meeting app, which has become a great tool and expectation from attendees. Meeting attendees want to know what to expect and be able to have infor- mation readily available to them. A comprehensive communication tool to access most up-to-date meet- ing information, engagement opportunities and the ability to personalize their experience/agenda have become a common expectation for meetings. • The chance for attendees to have more input in a meeting’s agenda. Rather than a small group of indi- viduals putting all content inclusions together, it is good to use moments of engagements within com- pany communications or post-event surveys to find out what attendees want to see next. • Engagement during meetings to keep the audience focused is important to consider. Many times, limit- ing topics to four or five things is helpful to maximize retention. Make sessions as interactive as possible. Darby also advises that when the meetings involve health- care professionals, this is a valuable time for the pharmaceu- tical company to interact with the health-care professionals for feedback, advice, and in relation to investigator meetings, it offers very important training opportunities. “I believe that location also plays a very important role in the success of a meeting — any meeting, not just pharma,” Darby says. “Using major airport hubs for flight itineraries and cities that are easily accessible stops attendees being exhausted before the meeting even starts.” Interactive elements of a meeting are also important to attendees. Gone are the days when attendees sit for hours just listening. “The progression in technology development is making meetings more engaging for the audience, the use of audience-response systems, polling and other features within a mobile app allows for interactivity,” Darby says. “The use of tablets for each attendee has become popular over the years, as attendees can follow the slide presentation themselves, make notes and ask questions to the speaker.” Last fall, Darby managed an investigator meeting in Madrid for 75 attendees. It was the first international inves- tigator meeting for her client since the pandemic hit, and she said they could feel the elation of all the attendees from being in-person, interacting with the clients and generally being able to receive in-person training. “Talking to attendees during the week, the messaging was the same — how wonderful it is to be together again in a live set- ting. Virtual meetings served their purpose well, but you cannot replace the human interaction element of meetings,” Darby says. It was also the first time Meetings & Incentives World- wide used a mobile app on-site for an investigator meeting, and the feedback the team received was hugely positive and very valuable to the client. “The attendees felt a lot more engaged and informed before they traveled to Madrid, and whilst on-site, enjoyed the interactivity they could experi- ence during the week,” Darby says. It is also important that med/pharma meeting planners ensure they are working with stakeholders/meeting owners to incorporate attendee engage- ment throughout the meeting, Williams says. “Opportunities to interact with speakers, with the content and with each other are essential to the success of your meetings,” Williams says. “Educate and consult with your stakeholders about the options for accomplishing engagement objectives.” Jacqueline Beaulieu, has worked across all sectors of the trade show, events and association industry. Currently with Poretta & Orr Exhibits & Events as the director of strategic marketing & client engagement, she spent nearly 16 years with the Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA), whose mission is to educate those involved in health care convention, exhibit and event marketing. Beaulieu notes that quality content remains top of mind for health-care professionals and attendees. Also allowing for ways to have meaningful dialogue and opportunities Courtesy of Jacqueline Beaulieu Jacqueline Beaulieu, of Poretta & Orr Exhibits & Events, says good content remains important. 32 February 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Post pandemic, as our clients continue to return to live meetings, we are seeing a global trend toward smaller meetings. ASHLEY WILLIAMS Global V.P. & General Manager, Life Sciences Center of Excellence at BCD Meetings & Eventsto meet personally is important, in addition to “planning a meeting so that the quality of learning and ability to interact is key,” she says. “That is why face-to-face is so effective — it allows for those impromptu exchanges of information, ques- tions and relationship-building moments.” Beaulieu adds, “Health-care professionals also appreci- ate the ability to reference materials electronically after the meeting. Electronic handouts that can be shared with col- leagues after the meeting is also key to adding value to the experience. Often, we are all challenged with bringing infor- mation back to share with our teams and health-care pro- fessionals are no different. So, anything we can do to make it easier for them in that regard will be memorable.” One more recent meeting Poretta & Orr orchestrated incor- porated three crucial elements that Beaulieu thinks are vital to consider with all meetings. “This pharma company recruited a key opinion leader to speak on a topic that was hot at the time, allowed for questions and discussion and even incorporated a photo oppor- tunity,” she says. “One of the reasons this meeting was a smashing success was because the planners began planning the meeting with ample time. Typically, gone are the days that you can pull off an event in a short amount of time, so timing is a key factor for success.” A Modified Future Meeting and event planning experts within the med/ pharma and medical industries agree that med/pharma meetings will continue to evolve. As Mariano explains, there are so many moving factors that contribute to the med/ pharma industry that affect the production of meetings. Patients, health-care professionals, internal issues, govern- mental regulations and the economy are large contributors to this evolution. “Some of the evolution will be forced by these factors. Patients will continue to be a main focus,” Mariano says. “How often, where and the size of meetings will continue to shift in the coming years. A few other factors include get- ting down to basics, fewer extras, including food and bever- age waste, gifts, handouts and investing in strong, appealing meeting elements will be a focus.” Darby adds that engagement is one of the main keys to a successful med/pharma meeting. Regardless of whether the meeting is in-person, hybrid or virtual, the agenda planning is important to ensure that all the attendees have a list of takeaways at the end of the meeting to feel their attendance had either provided value or they received value. “I feel clients will take more time to consider the agenda, perhaps engage their content vendors earlier in the agenda-planning process in order to ensure that however an attendee is joining the meeting, they are fully engaged,” Darby says. “I also believe that virtual and hybrid will be with us to stay. While yearly budgets are being considered, if an in-person meeting stretches resources, then virtual or hybrid attendance will certainly lower the financial commit- ment, so I think we will see a variety of meeting types for a long time to come.” And Williams thinks we will continue to see improve- ments in technology that enable attendee engagement before, during and after the meetings — particularly as it relates to leveraging and better integrating meeting technologies with existing technologies clients use today to communicate and interact with health-care professionals and patients. “We will likely see virtual meetings and attendee engage- ment platforms continue to improve as platforms evolve to meet demands to replicate some of the networking experi- ences which are, right now, best accomplished at in-person events,” Williams says. Beaulieu adds that compliance and regulatory issues will continue to change and evolve over time, and increase. This will require med/pharma meeting planners to continue to stay on their “A game” and to partner with those who under- stand the unique needs of health care meeting planners and the industry. “We are a lucky group of individuals who work in this field, and we can help ourselves by developing a network of dependable colleagues, industry peers and resources to rely on and to discuss new regulations and challenges,” Beaulieu says. “This will always be key to our success.” C&IT Med/pharma meeting planners say attendees are pleased in-person meetings are back, allowing for more networking and camaraderie. Courtesy of Ashley Williams TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | February 2023 33New Orleans New Orleans is known for executing logistically com- plex events with an elevated level of success. Hundreds of hotels, restaurants, venues and attractions are nestled within a 2-mile downtown area, making it convenient and easy for attendees to explore on foot. “Add cultural richness, unmatched cuisine, world-class live entertainment and experienced and committed hospital- ity community, and what you have is a premiere destination ‘Built to Host’ meetings and events,” says Stephanie Turner, senior vice president, convention sales & strategies with New Orleans & Company. Melva LaJoy Legrand, CMP, DES, CEO & founder of LaJoy Plans, started planning events in New Orleans in 2010 and, from her experience, New Orleans provides an excel- lent meeting oasis where there is an extremely vibrant music, arts, museum and architecture culture paired with a city that has quality venues of all sizes and price points. “I have never had anyone say they had a bad meal [of various price points] in New Orleans,” Legrand says. “The ‘Big Easy’ makes meet- ings experiential and truly enjoyable. I know many people who want to return every year if they could.” Legrand has planned company all-staff retreats at the iconic The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel; smaller workshops at the Renaissance New Orleans Arts Warehouse District Hotel, and she is currently planning a large conference at the New Orleans Marriott. “When my clients have selected New Orleans, it has been for a few rea- sons,” Legrand says. First, they recognize that while attend- ees value good content, having their event in a desirable des- tination matters, and New Orleans is often on the list; second, for her East Coast clients, climate is a draw for people in Bos- ton and New York trying to get out of the cold; third — and this varies by property and time of the year — but by and large, pricing overall as compared to some other destinations tends to be more affordable than other locations. “It goes without saying — good food can keep meeting attendees happy,” Legrand says. “Finally, I have to say that LOUISIANA W hen you think of New Orleans and greater Louisiana, what comes to mind? Incredible food? A vibrant nightlife? Memorable music? History aplenty? From the eclectic experiences in New Orleans to the Southern charm in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is filled with a wealth of meeting and event locales that are sure to please. Photo by Rebecca Todd The iconic St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. 34 February 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com DESTINATION REPORT A Premier Destination With Unmatched Amenities BY MAURA KELLERin every meeting planner experience I’ve had, including the one I am having right now at the New Orleans Marriott, the hospitality pros are extremely collaborative and communica- tive. The Southern hospitality in New Orleans is palpable.” Melissa Park, global event producer at Melissa Park Events, has also planned a wealth of events in New Orleans. Park says New Orleans is more than a city, it’s a destina- tion with a vibe all its own. In addition to offering a host of meeting facilities large and small, the city is known for its diverse culture, arts and entertainment, incredible cuisine, live music and nightlife — making it a perfect choice for pro- grams that include off-sites and partner activities. “As we venture back into the world of in-person events, with tighter budgets than ever before, I am always on the lookout to get the biggest bang for my cli- ent’s buck,” Park says. “Two fac- tors I consider are accessibility and being able to affordably lean into a theme. New Orleans ticks both boxes and then some with its power punch of personality plus.” Event pro and New Orleans native, D. Channing Muller, principal at DCM Communications, says New Orleans is so much more than a city. It’s a melting pot of various differ- ent cultures all coming together to be their own unique New Orleans culture. “The easy draws for why you’d want to host an event there are the food, music and revelry, hands down. The planner who goes beyond that though, and taps into the history and unique New Orleans experience, is the one who will truly set their event apart for attendees,” Muller says. Louisiana history and architecture is fascinating, as Muller explains. Whether you are in the French Quarter, downtown or the Garden District, you are going to be immersed in what brought the city to being the destination it is today. “Attendees want to escape their lives a bit, and New Orleans is more than happy to welcome them. We specialize in revelry and hosting,” Muller says. “We love to showcase our city to the world and have them join the party as if they were locals, and we know tourists love that. After all, you won’t have a true New Orleans experience — be it the food, hospitality, history, theme or parties — anywhere but there.” Distinct Venues While the nightlife and cuisine in New Orleans is as diverse as the visitors themselves, so too, are the hotel and venue offerings in the city. Virgin Hotels New Orleans offers seven different meeting and event spaces including a ball- room, The Manor, at 1,860 sf. Virgin Hotels New Orleans’ Dreamboat space is on the 13th floor, and is an indoor event space perfect for parties, receptions, meetings and intimate weddings. Adjacent to The Pool Club, Dreamboat is an intimate indoor air-conditioned space that evokes a sense of the outdoors with lush greenery, lanterns and locally designed latticework. And the hotel’s Sandbox is a traditional meeting space that is equally as versatile. The 800-sf space is great for net- working, meeting with colleagues or socializing, and features floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of Baronne Street and allows for plenty of natural lighting. The Hilton New Orleans Riverside offers more than 130,000 sf of event space, and can accommodate a multitude of specialized events, including meetings and conferences of all sizes, board retreats, team-building events, network gath- erings and large dinners. For a classically historic New Orleans venue experience, The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, is ideal for meetings and events. Having recently completed a $40 million renovation of guest rooms, banquet spaces and public spaces, The Roosevelt offers more than 60,000 sf of meeting space, including the historic Blue Room, which is one of the original supper theaters from the 1930s and 1940s. The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) is an award-winning convention center and staff. As Michael J, Sawaya, president of the NOENMCC, says, the convention center boasts more than 1 million sf of contiguous prime exhibit space, a 65,000-sf ballroom, 36,000-sf ballroom, a 4,000-seat theater, 140 meeting rooms and several unique meeting options. “We also offer a park with several activation spaces the length of the convention center,” Sawaya says. “Recently designated Gold LEED Certified, the renovations to all Courtesy Photo The New Orleans Marriott offers nearly 84,000 sf of meeting and event space, which includes the 27,000- sf Grand Ballroom. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | February 2023 35 The hospitality pros are extremely collaborative and communicative. The Southern hospitality in New Orleans is palpable. MELVA LAJOY LEGRAND CMP, DES CEO & Founder LaJoy Plansmeeting rooms and public spaces at the convention center will soon be underway.” And while New Orleans offers exceptional hotel offer- ings, the area is also celebrating recent hotel projects includ- ing The Four Seasons Hotel + Residences, and an expansion at the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot. Also, a complete remodel, expansion and rebranding of Caesars Entertainment’s Harrah’s New Orleans hotel is underway — bringing the room inventory to nearly 26,000 in a 2-mile area downtown. Cultural attractions such as Vue Orleans Observatory — on top of the Four Seasons Hotel — and a $400 million expansion of the National WWII Museum also provide more offerings to attend- ees. Two blocks from the NOENMCC on the Missis- sippi River, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is undergoing a $34 million renovation to the entrance and lobby, along with the addition of 17,000 sf of exhibit space; the Butterfly Garden and the Insectarium. “There are many new developments not to be missed in New Orleans, however, the new Expressions of America Exhibit at the National World War II Museum uniquely combines the latest outdoor projection technology with wartime letters and oral histories from the museum’s collection to allow audiences to experience the stories of the WWII generation like never before,” Turner says. Shreveport-Bossier Tucked into Louisiana’s extreme northwest, Shreveport- Bossier is also rich in its own food, music, history, unique architecture and culture. According to Katharyn DeVille, vice president of marketing and communications at the Shreve- port-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau (SBCTB), the area is rich with assets to which meeting, sports and event planners and individual visitors are drawn. “From the 350,000-sf Shreveport Convention Center, to more than 10,000 hotel rooms supporting citywide conferences, tournaments or smaller needs, we have what meeting planners are looking for and provide a great value to them,” DeVille says. Conveniently connected to the Shreveport Convention Center is the Hilton Shreveport hotel, which is complete with more than 244,000 sf of event space, including 22 dis- tinct meeting rooms. “Shreveport-Bossier is growing and changing as quickly as the mighty Red River that flows between our two cit- ies,” says David Bradley, vice president of business develop- ment for the SBCTB. Plans are underway for a new riverfront casino resort; a new multiuse sports complex in downtown Shreveport and reno- vations for a state-of-the-art baseball complex in Bossier City. Additionally, many of the area’s local hotels are updating their accommodations this year. Shreveport-Bossier also is a perfect place for foodies to tour, with new venues opening frequently. No two visits to Shreveport-Bossier are the same, as the area offers more than 55 events and festivals each year. The Paddy in the Plaza commemorating St. Patrick’s Day is return- ing to downtown following a hiatus. Other popular festivals include the area’s own version of Mardi Gras, the Mudbug Madness Festival, the Red River Balloon Rally, the Let the Good Times Roll Festi- val, the Red River Revel Arts Festival and Prize Fest. DeVille points out that the SBCTB and Shreve- port-Bossier Sports Com- mission are free resources to help meeting and event planners host a successful event. “Whether it’s all-in, sleeves-up and hands-on, or an advisory capacity, we can help secure event space, plan meals, get room blocks and so much more,” DeVille says. “We want you to be the hero of a successful event in Shreveport-Bossier, and we want your guests to love the accommodations, the food, the attractions and more.” Baton Rouge Alysia Guin, sales and marketing manager at the Rais- ing Cane’s River Center, says the biggest draw for meeting planners and attendees to Baton Rouge — an hour-and-a half drive northwest of New Orleans — is the walkability of the city’s downtown. “The convenience of several hotels options, restaurants and local attractions is a draw,” Guin says. “The advantage of being located in downtown Baton Rouge is that our facility is located off the interstate and only 10 minutes from the Baton Rouge Metro Airport.” In addition, the Raising Cane’s River Center’s 16 meeting rooms offer meeting planners plenty of flexibility. “Planners love the open concept of the Galleria that marries our meeting rooms, along with the ballroom and exhibition hall,” Guin says. The Galleria boasts more than 27,000 sf of space, perfect for trade shows and more. Additionally, the Riverview Room, which is 3,100 sf, overlooks the banks of the Mississippi River, providing attendees the opportunity to view down- town Baton Rouge. In addition to the convention center, the Raising Cane’s River Center campus also offers an 8,900-seat arena and a 2,000-seat theater. “This is unique in that convention-goers could attend concerts or other ticketed events that may be occurring during their stay in Baton Rouge,” Guin says. “Also, planners have the option to utilize these spaces to enhance their attendees’ experience.” C&IT Ana Isabel Photography Melva LaJoy Legrand, CMP, DES, CEO & Founder of LaJoy Plans, says the many experiences New Orleans offers make it perfect for hosting meetings and events. 36 February 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com These are not the meeting spaces you’re used to. From historic rooms and courtyards, to breathtaking architecture with a view, New Orleans spaces are Built to Host. We treat thousands of attendees with the same attention and hospitality given to a single, lifelong friend. We have access to the best locations to inspire meaningful interactions that continue long after you’ve left town. And we can do all of it within walking distance of world-class hotels. Call the New Orleans & Company Convention Sales Team at 877.393.5836, email at cnvsales@neworleans.com or visit NewOrleans.com/meetings. BOOK YOUR MEETING WITH NEW ORLEANS © 2023 New Orleans & Company All Rights Reserved. NewOrleans.com | @VisitNewOrleansThese are not the meeting spaces you’re used to. From historic rooms and courtyards, to breathtaking architecture with a view, New Orleans spaces are Built to Host. We treat thousands of attendees with the same attention and hospitality given to a single, lifelong friend. We have access to the best locations to inspire meaningful interactions that continue long after you’ve left town. And we can do all of it within walking distance of world-class hotels. Call the New Orleans & Company Convention Sales Team at 877.393.5836, email at cnvsales@neworleans.com or visit NewOrleans.com/meetings. BOOK YOUR MEETING WITH NEW ORLEANS © 2023 New Orleans & Company All Rights Reserved. NewOrleans.com | @VisitNewOrleansColorado A Mix of Year-Round Activities for Any Taste BY NANCY MUELLER F or planners seeking a destination that features wide-open spaces and spellbinding panoramic beauty of mountains, rivers and plains, Colorado, aka “The Centennial State,” more than fulfills that promise. From Aspen to Vail, Colorado Springs to Denver and locations in between, Colorado ranks high on the list of desirable meeting and conference locations. Courtesy photo Courtesy photo Colorado Springs offers an array of activities, including hot-air balloon rides. The Colorado Convention Center has a huge, blue visitor peering inside. 38 February 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com DESTINATION REPORT Colorado Springs When it comes to selecting a site for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s annual conference, Cindy Wilhelm, executive assistant and special events coordinator, often chooses com- pany favorite, The Broadmoor. “We are in the customer- service industry,” Wilhelm says. “The Broadmoor customer service is amazing — the best ever. Expect the best, and you will get it. Everyone loves The Broadmoor.” The venerable resort has achieved legendary status as a Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond service property. Com- bined with its Seven Falls and the Wilderness Experience boutique camps portfolio — The Ranch at Emerald Valley, Cloud Camp and the Orvis-endorsed Fly-Fishing Camp — The Broadmoor encompasses 5,000 acres with its campus conveniently located just 15 minutes from the Colorado Springs Airport. It offers 784 guest rooms, suites, cottages and brownstones, and the five-bedroom Estate House pro- vides for luxurious retreats with timeless elegance. Private cabins and upscale ranch accommodations are also avail- able at the Wilderness Experience properties. Distinct European-inspired elegance abounds in plush furnishings, warm decor, cozy fireplaces and expansive bathrooms with large soaking tubs, while large picture windows invite lake and mountain views. For memorable events, 315,000 sf of flexible indoor/out- door inspiring spaces can accommodate 10 to 5,000 meeting attendees. With the recent addition of Bartolin Hall, The Con- vention Center at The Broadmoor provides 200,000 sf of meet- ing, trade shows and exhibit space. Attendees can enjoy fine dining to casual food fare featuring locally sourced, seasonal products at an abundance of restaurants, cafes and lounges. For a recent first team event post-COVID-19, Brian Hill- egass, digital marketing/communications manager with Ley- bold, wanted the opportunity to unite as a group and bond in a unique and beautiful location, which was absolutely captured in Cheyenne Mountain Colorado Springs, A Dolce Resort hotel, Hillegass says. “The location, stunning views and non-chain hotel feel were unmatched,” he says. “It felt like a unique experience in Colorado.” The AAA Four-Diamond property covers 200 acres, and is a mere 20-minute drive from The Colorado Springs Airport, which offers 120 daily flights from 10 commercial airlines. Featuring 316 guest rooms set in eight residential lodges, the resort offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountain- scape, 40,000 sf of flexible event space and 38 meeting rooms. It also offers 20,000 sf of functional outdoor space, which includes the 3,200-sf Grand Rivers Terrace and the 5,600- sf Cheyenne Courtyard. Dedicated conference planners can curate unique indigenous team-building activities such as the Cheyenne Dauntless Dash, Build-A-Canoe and Cause & Effect Charity Challenge to connect with the local community. On-site recreational activities include an 18-hole Pete Dye designed golf course, a 9,000-sf fitness center featuring a schedule of free training classes, 17 indoor/outdoor tennis courts, a private 35-acre lake for watersports and beach-like fun such as volleyball, and boat rentals. Hillegass also recom- mends event organizers plan plenty of off-site activities. Area adventures run the gamut from hiking and biking to fishing, hot-air balloon rides, zip lining and scenic train rides. Attendees can enjoy breakfast at the Mountain View res- taurant and casual gourmet food fare at Gates Grille along with the spellbinding views while dining al fresco after a round of golf. Attendees can also soak up the scenery when dining around the fire pit or settle inside in cozy ambiance at Elevations. Both pub food and entrees highlight the locally sourced, seasonal menu. The Lodge at Flying Horse has achieved distinction as a boutique AAA Four-Diamond property, and was the wel- comed choice of Carol McCormack, senior event strategist at Maritz Global Events, whose client was looking for a more intimate setting for their small strategic planning meeting in a mountain destination. In addition, McCormack says, “The Lodge at Flying Horse provided them with a unique Courtesy photo The Broadmoor offers 315,000 sf of indoor/outdoor event space, and can handle up to 5,000 attendees. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | February 2023 39 The location, stunning views and non-chain hotel feel were unmatched, It felt like a unique experience in Colorado. BRIAN HILLEGASS Digital Marketing/ Communications Manager LeyboldNext >