< PreviousReno Another place for gaming in Nevada is Reno, which has been known as the “Biggest Little City in the World.” It may be smaller than Las Vegas in size, but it still offers big value for planners when it comes to selecting gaming resorts. In Reno, NV, The Grand Sierra Resort & Casino offers a scenic environment. With more than 200,000 sf of flexible meeting space, including 45 meeting meetings, Grand Sierra can accommodate groups of all sizes. The Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is another favorite meet- ing and event spot in Reno with its 50,000 sf of flexible meet- ing space, two ballrooms with over 12,000 sf, multiple break- out rooms and a newly expanded business center. Reno’s Peppermill Resort Spa Casino recent renova- tions include hospitality suites, guest rooms, ballrooms and more. The resort’s large grounds include over 106,000 sf of meeting and events space, including the Tuscany Ball- room, which is considered the premier event space in Reno with 62,000 sf. For smaller events, they have their intimate 17th-Floor Suites. Expanding Gaming Horizons; Other States to Consider While Las Vegas and Reno have long been synonymous with gaming resorts, other locations in Arizona, New Mex- ico, Florida, Connecticut and New Jersey offer gaming resort options as well. New Mexico is home to the Inn of the Moun- tain Gods, a picturesque gaming resort located on Mescalero Apache Reservation with more than 45,000 sf of meeting and event space. When not partaking in meeting and event activi- ties, attendees can enjoy gaming, horseback riding, boating, biking, zip lining and golfing. In Scottsdale, AZ, Talking Stick Resort and Casino offers a wealth of gaming and entertainment amenities, in addition to offering more than 100,000 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting space. Talking Stick Resort has six restaurants — ranging from quick-bites to fine dining, several bars and lounges, retail out- lets, a concert showroom, a cultural art display, resort pools and cabanas, as well as an award-winning spa, which will help attendees rewind and relax after a day of meetings and events. In Hollywood, FL, gaming is at the heart of the Semi- nole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The resort’s new gaming floor has nearly 200 table games and more than 3,000 slot machines. The Hard Rock also boasts 120,000 sf of meeting space, including a 38,000 sf exhibition hall for trade shows, conventions, large corporate groups and social fundraisers. The resort’s flexible meeting space can also be reconfigured to accommodate groups as large as 5,000 attendees as well as smaller, more intimate meetings. Atlantic City Like Las Vegas, Atlantic City, NJ has been a beacon for gaming aficionados for decades. It has also evolved into a Courtesy Photo ConferenceDirect has held events at the state-of-the-art CAESARS FORUM since it opened in 2020. 40 March 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Hold your next event at Atlantis Paradise Island, with a minimum of 1,500 room nights for arrival between now and December 31, 2024 and group will receive one complimentary firework display at Paradise Harbor Beach or West Beach. Contract must be signed by December 31, 2024. Applicable to new groups only. Offer is subject to availability and blackout dates and can be pulled at any time. Offer is not combinable with any other offers. See full details at www.meetingsatatlantis.com. DISCOVER RENOVATED ROOMS NEW DINING OPTIONS AND A REIMAGINED CASINO CELEBRATE IN PARADISE the fireworks are on us MeetingsAtAtlantis.com Celebrity chef restaurants, spas and nightlife can provide unique activation opportunities under one roof that can be harder to find at a traditional hotel. J.J. WILLS Senior Vice President of Marketing Programs & Business Development, ConferenceDirectHold your next event at Atlantis Paradise Island, with a minimum of 1,500 room nights for arrival between now and December 31, 2024 and group will receive one complimentary firework display at Paradise Harbor Beach or West Beach. Contract must be signed by December 31, 2024. Applicable to new groups only. Offer is subject to availability and blackout dates and can be pulled at any time. Offer is not combinable with any other offers. See full details at www.meetingsatatlantis.com. DISCOVER RENOVATED ROOMS NEW DINING OPTIONS AND A REIMAGINED CASINO CELEBRATE IN PARADISE the fireworks are on us MeetingsAtAtlantis.com go-to destination for meeting and event planners looking for the picturesque gaming resort experience for attendees. It is known for its entertainment, award-winning cuisine, oceans- ide gaming retreats and more. Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City and Tropicana Atlantic City have become favorites among meeting planners because of their nightlife, shopping, celebrity chefs and entertainment. The Tropicana is located on the Atlantic City Boardwalk and has more than 122,000 sf of meeting space available. Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City’s Waterfront Conference Center has more than 125,000 sf of meeting space, which includes two ballrooms, each with 50,000 sf. Resorts Casino Hotel added live weekly comedy to its list of activities. When it comes to gaming, they have 80,000 sf of slots and table games available. Their 942 guest rooms are the largest on the Boardwalk at 525 sf. They also boast more than 64,000 sf of meeting space and can accommodate up to 1,350 attendees. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City’s casino announced a few years ago that they were undergo- ing a $20-million renovation, including expanded gaming experiences. This locale is another favor- ite among meeting planners due to its more than 150,000 sf of meeting and event space. Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City also recently underwent a casino upgrade. It is expanding its entertainment options with a new sports venue. Meeting and event attendees can have meetings in style at the beachfront resort’s 160,000 sf of flexible indoor meeting and conven- tion space, or in the 90,000 sf of outdoor spaces. Connecticut While Connecticut is not often associated with casino resorts, Mohegan Sun in Uncasville offers a unique off-the-beaten-path gaming resort expe- rience. With over 275,000 sf of flexible meeting space and 1,600 guest rooms, Mohegan Sun can host up to 10,000 attendees at the Mohegan Sun Arena. The resort also features more than 40 res- taurants, a music venue, comedy club, 18-hole championship golf course and two spas. Also in Connecticut is the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket. As one of the favorite meeting and events locales on the East Coast, Foxwoods Resort Casino recently renovated its Rainmaker Expo Center, which spans 47,075 sf, and can accommodate up to 5,000 attendees. The expo center can be used for various events including trade shows, corporate meetings and sporting events. The resort has enhanced its many outdoor event spaces. Dinners on the lawn, pool parties and golf are just a few of the activities that meeting attendees can enjoy. C&IT Courtesy Photo Courtesy Photo Courtesy Photo Top to bottom: Tropicana Atlantic City is located on the city’s iconic boardwalk; Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City puts on weekly comedy acts; the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut has renovated its expo center to accomodate up to 5,000 attendees. 42 March 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comFINE-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.Veteran Meeting Planners Networking Advice B uilding relationships and making connec- tions is the backbone of any professional’s career. But in the meeting and events indus- try – where industry connections can enhance events as well as bolster a meeting planner’s professional prowess – networking is vital. From connecting with ideal vendors to rubbing elbows with leading experts, a meeting planner’s networking strategy can make or break their future. Carrie Davenport, CMP-Fellow, CEM, CSEP, lead meet- ing planner at Altria, CEO at ceocarrie.com and cofounder of the Association for Women in Events, has been a meeting planner for almost 20 years. “Networking isn’t only vital for expanding your network of vendors, potential venues and business networks to utilize for your specific business, but it is vital for also finding spon- sors, coaches, mentors and allies in the events sector,” she says. “A lot of advancement is about who you know and what opportunities can be open to you through your advanced net- work of champions and peers.” Davenport has embraced networking throughout her career and it has paid off. Previously, Davenport was a vice president in education and thought leadership, and yet, she desired to get back into the field of event management. Using her networking skills, she shared her love of events through her virtual networks and one of her committee members took notice. “When this incredible position was about to come available, he reached out to me and said that he felt I was perfect for the job and that I had to apply,” Davenport says. “It was a direct connection to a job that I didn’t know would MAKING THE CONNECTION BY MAURA KELLER 44 March 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com CAREER TIPSbe coming open and I felt like I had an alliance inside that could speak to my character and work ethic.” Beth Bridges, owner of The Networking Motivator, says that networking is one of the biggest reasons we attend meet- ings, and especially events. “In addition to their own career needs, planners need to invest time in networking so that they understand the conditions that contribute to great networking,” Bridges says. Laura Morlando, founder and CEO of Down and Dirty Networking, understands the importance of com- munity and networking, which allows meeting planners to have meaningful conversations and grow as a professional and entrepreneur. “Many of the audiences I’ve spoken to find networking necessary, but dread it and often don’t know where to start,” she says. “I have found this to be especially true when speak- ing to meeting professionals and planners.” Networking: Traditional vs. Relational According to Morlando, there are two types of network- ing: traditional (or transactional) and relational. Both are beneficial to planners, so it is important to know the differ- ences between the two and the best places to engage in both. “When it comes to networking, most people think of traditional networking as exchanging leads, referrals, sales and job offers by sharing their elevator pitch or 30-second commercial,” Morlando says. “The transactional nature of this type of networking is why traditional networking is also known as transactional networking. As a meeting and event planner, if your goal is to gain more leads, clients or vendors, this type of networking is best suited for you.” What most people don’t know is that there is another type of networking, which Morlando calls “relational net- working,” focused on having meaningful conversations to build authentic and lasting relationships by learning from someone and about someone. “This style of networking is perfect for meeting and event planners looking to overcome challenges and seeking a professional ‘easy’ button,” Morlando says. “For example, engaging in relational networking with other meeting and event planners is a fantastic way to learn best practices to streamline your success. Engaging in relational networking with other professionals not in your industry expands your perspectives, ideas, solutions, resources and opportunities.” One of the biggest challenges Morlando hears planners face is working with a client that is not a qualified event or meeting planner, such as a secretary or administrator. “Engaging in relational networking with these types of professionals by asking questions to learn how they would approach planning an event and the challenges they would face may shine some light on a solution, tool or resource you can provide at the onset of working with these types of [peo- ple] to make the process more seamless and less challenging for you both,” Morlando says. Networking: The Virtual Connection While the fundamental networking strategy of finding the right events to meet like-minded people and then becoming of value to them has not changed, what has evolved are the tactics of where to go and how to stay connected. “Most obviously, we had a move to virtual in 2020 that hasn’t completely gone away,” Davenport says. “Although in a post-COVID world, planners and event-business vendors are hungry for in-person connection, I’ve still seen think- tanks, happy hours and other connections via Zoom, Teams and Google Meet, among others. Virtual connections are still being utilized strongly in the events sector.” Bridges explains that the necessity of online networking Courtesy of Amanda Ma Networking at the Southern California Minority Supplier Development Council’s B3 Conference at SoFi Stadium TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | March 2023 45has now become a preference. This has led to a prolifera- tion, but also fragmentation, of networking where there are hundreds of more options in the form of online groups and online networking platforms. “This can provide more opportunities with easier access but [there’s] also the potential for less of an ability to find and connect with someone in an organic setting,” Bridges says. Approaches To Take: Virtual Coffee Date As Davenport points out, networking can seem scary, but networking is just another term for what it really is: building relationships and forging alliances. “The events and meeting industry is one of the most hospitable (by trade) industries that one can be a part of, so people truly come in wanting to open their arms to you,” she says. “I often give talks to students, and I always say that my early strategy worked incredibly well for me. If you find someone that inspires you, or hear a speaker that ignites your drive, reach out to them in-person or virtually and just ask to take them to coffee. These days it can even be a virtual coffee date. If the ‘ask’ is small and short – as opposed to asking for a long-term mentorship, usually you can learn much from these leaders in a short amount of time.” Come prepared with questions about how they reached success in their roles, what inspired them, who helped them along the way. If you start small, you never know when you may find a champion in the industry. Amanda Ma, founder and CEO of Innovative Marketing Group, gives six keys for planners: • Attend industry events: Attend trade shows, con- ferences and other industry events to meet other meeting and event planners, learn about the latest trends and developments and make valu- able connections. • Join professional organizations: Join professional organizations, such as the International Associa- tion of Professional Event Planners (IAPEP) or the Meeting Professionals International (MPI), to gain access to networking opportunities, resources and training. • Build relationships: Build relationships with sup- pliers, vendors and other industry professionals. This can lead to new business opportunities and valuable referrals. • Use social media: Utilize social media platforms like LinkedIn to connect with other planners, share your work, and keep up on industry news. • Seek mentorship: Seek out a mentor in the indus- try who can offer guidance on your career. Having a trusted advisor can help you make the most of Courtesy of Amanda Ma 46 March 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com When in doubt, my number one question to ask people, or to even utilize as an icebreaker, because it is so efficient is: What was your first concert? CARRIE DAVENPORT, CMP-FELLOW, CEM, CSEP Lead meeting planner at Altria; CEO at ceocarrie.com; Cofounder, Association for Women in Eventsyour networking efforts. • Volunteer: Volunteer for industry events or on committees within professional organizations. This can be a great way to get involved in the industry and make new connections. “By utilizing these networking approaches, meeting and event planners can enhance their careers and stay ahead in the competitive meeting and event planning industry,” Ma says. “Remember to always be professional, knowledgeable and approachable when networking, and make sure to fol- low up with any contacts you make. And most importantly, don’t burn any bridges. You never know when that connec- tion will come in handy.” Bridges recommends meeting planners choose to network broadly. This includes people who are newer to the industry. “Choose an aspect of your industry to become an expert on and share that knowledge freely,” she says. “Look at your networking activities as part of a larger self-marketing strategy, where you are aim- ing to increase the number of impressions you make – in the advertising sense of being seen. At the same time, you are improving the depth of existing relationships.” Networking: Think About the Long Game One key mistake Bridges sees people make is a lack of persistence. She stresses that a relationship is not going to be built in one conversation or meeting. Referrals depend on trust, which is built over time, and networking is not a short-term strategy. As a veteran meeting planner, Davenport has talked to fel- low planners who didn’t know how to connect and felt awk- ward during networking. They walk away disappointed and feeling like they haven’t been able to connect. “Or worse, they connected with the same people each time and feel like they cannot break the invisible barriers that sometimes keep us from connecting-up,” Davenport says. “Connecting-up means reaching out to those that you consider icons, leaders, etc. There may be many rea- sons for that. More mature industry planners already have established connections and we tend to group together with those we know. It can be incredibly intimidat- ing for newbies.” Davenport advises authenticity when connecting with others and remembering that most of the time, people are feeling just like you. Don’t dive directly into business – networking is a great time to get to know your peers personally. “I like to learn something about someone – start easy about where they grew up and then usually you can find a quick connection to talk about (college, pasttimes, favorite karaoke songs),” Davenport says. “When in doubt, my num- ber one question to ask people, or to even utilize as an ice- breaker, because it is so efficient is: What was your first con- cert? I love seeing the look of nostalgia in people’s eyes when they are taken back to that memory.” Social Media Networking Bruce Kramer, founder and CEO of Buttercup Venues, suggests meeting planners remember that networking is more than just handing out business cards and attend- ing social events. “It’s important to have an underlying purpose or goal in mind before you begin networking,” he says. “Think about what you want to gain from the event and how you will make the most of it. And remember that social media is a powerful networking tool. Connect with people beforehand and follow up after the event. Share inter- esting content, ask questions and engage with colleagues in your industry.” Morlando believes net- working is a skill, an activ- ity and a mindset, which most people overlook. If you have the wrong mindset, networking will be a chore and unproductive. “Regardless of which type of networking you engage in, approach both with a relational-networking mindset to pro- vide value and to learn from someone and about someone,” Morlando says. “Adopting this relational networking mindset is the twist that will exponentially increase your traditional networking results.” And while networking has evolved in recent years due to the pandemic, experts agree it’s a tool more vital than ever, especially as young aspiring leaders enter the events industry. “As many of our icons retire, the networking-career eleva- tion cycle begins again,” Davenport says. “We, as event indus- try leaders, have a responsibility to mentor and sponsor-up the next group of those fresh eyes entering the events indus- try. For those entering the industry – you need us, and quite frankly we need you. We need your ideas, your perspectives, your heart. Don’t be afraid to reach out.” C&IT Courtesy of Laura Morlando Networking events can be critical for your career, but experts advise beginning conversations on a more personal basis, such as hobbies or favorite TV shows. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | March 2023 47C orporate meet- ing planners continue to look for fresh strate- gies for putting on successful hybrid meetings, which have many pros: inclusivity, saving costs and reducing the carbon footprint for those not traveling. Some hybrid meetings are ideal, such as high- end, multinational events, while others, can be tricky, especially when it comes to technology. “We advanced more in vir- tual and hybrid meetings in the past three years than in the past decade,” says Corbin Ball, CSP, CMP, DES, principal of Corbin Ball & Co. “There has been an explosion of innovation and best practices learned.” Hybrid meetings can also fit today’s workforce. “Many companies have opted for a permanent, flexible work setup, meaning employees can either go into the office or work from home as they so choose,” says Lilian Chen, co-founder and COO of Bar None Games. “Also, as many employees moved during the pandemic, even if there’s an office in the city that they live in, they may no longer be going to the same office as their coworkers, meaning that teams are more distributed, also giving rise to an increase in hybrid meetings.” Yet, as in-person events have evolved from completely virtual to hybrid formats over the past three years, corpo- rate meeting planners have found both past successes and lessons learned in the world of virtual and hybrid event planning. Pros & Cons of Hosting Hybrid Events Across the board, event plan- ners tout the many pros of hosting hybrid events. “The pros are easy,” says John Chen, CEO of Engaging Virtual Meetings. “More atten- dance, cheaper or free so you can extend into a new audience you did not have before, and you can extend the reach of your content or your education.” He adds: “You can take advantage of the fact that the world trained your virtual audience for the last three years. You can spend a lot less time trying to tell people how to get on and how to interact if you use one of the top tools that people have been using. For the most part, they should know what to do.” That wasn’t the case in the early days of the pandemic when, he says: “People used to try and get on, and if they were frustrated, they left. And now, there’s no excuse. If they left, it’s because they were disengaged, not because they had a technical problem.” For Lilian Chen, hybrid meetings allow the meeting facili- tator to meet the event participants where they are. “It allows for the people who aren’t in the main office city to have the Hybrid How-To Best Practices For Connecting to Your Audience BY NANCY MUELLER 48 March 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com INDUSTRY TRENDSsame access to information and involvement,” she says. In other words, hybrid meetings promote inclusivity where all participants can feel part of the same team. Yet another benefit, Ball points out: “Hybrid events can be very effective for some events, such as major product launches or multinational, internal corporate events with pods meeting in different locations. Also, streaming content with remote audience participation for major moments, such as keynote addresses, can be effective.” Still, meeting planners with experience hosting hybrid meetings have also seen its downside. “As in- person events are returning, planners have come to a real- ization that hybrid is not ideal for every event,” Ball says. “They are great for high-end, multinational events. But, the increased costs and complex- ity of running two separate events simultaneously has reduced their adoption for a number of event sectors. “There are two distinctly different audiences with dif- ferent attention spans, sensory experiences and expectations, so planners are finding that a hybrid event can be twice as complex and twice as costly when meeting the high-qual- ity production values match- ing television standards that remote viewers expect.” John Chen says, “The bonus that you get in the hybrid is you get all the in-per- son connection and content.” But the format also comes with a caveat: everyone must feel involved. “The cons are that the virtual is often seen as a second- class citizen. Most people are not treating these people on the same level as their in-person audiences, so quite often they get ignored. Some people haven’t allocated the proper resources to respond to them, and as soon as that happens, they feel they’re out here by ourselves.” He cites examples of how hosts in hybrid situations have even forgotten to admit virtual participants into the program, in which case, Chen says, “You can actually do brand damage because a not-well-done virtual will come back to the organization that provided it and say that was not a good job.” Another downside, Chen says, “Some things are very difficult in hybrid like networking,” He recommends that planners do an in-person and a completely separate virtual session to enhance outcomes. Another disadvantage of hybrid events is that the pro- ducer is king. “If the producer gives you bad camera angles and bad audio, that’s all you get,” he says. Lilian Chen sums up the largest challenge with hosting a hybrid meeting as “figuring out the technology behind it and having it set up in a way where it truly can be inclusive for everyone, both those who are in-person and those who are dialing in from other loca- tions. With a bad technology set up, a hybrid meeting can feel clunky and inefficient.” Considerations When Designing Hybrid Meetings For Lilian Chen, a site visit is the first consideration. “As soon as you know you’re going to do a hybrid, take your core team and the tech team from that venue and go on a site visit,” says Chen. At one venue, Chen’s team discovered that that venue didn’t have any cameras. “The company had to hire another person that they had not allocated,” she says. “It almost crushed them.” A second consideration is internet. She says, “You have to have a hard line and a cable to the fastest internet you can get. It will save a program.” Third, there’s the cam- era angle. “You should offer virtual the best seat in the house, in the middle of the room,” Chen says. A fourth consideration is audio. “Everything has to go through a mic,” she says. “You must have a mic runner or make people show up to a specific location.” Additionally, Chen adds, “You’ve always got to be listen- ing to your audio to hear what the audience does” and be prepared to make adjustments. Chen cites the interference caused by one host’s dangling earrings that came through the over-the-ear mics, which required a last-minute switch to a handheld mic for the speaker. While acknowledging the potentially astronomical cost of hosting hybrid events when going through the normal ser- vices of an AV vendor, John Chen doesn’t necessarily agree Courtesy of John Chen John Chen, CEO of Engaging Virtual Meetings, says one of the easiest ways to smooth out your conference and bring energy is to hire a virtual MC. 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