Adobe Stock IN THIS ISSUE F&B FOCUS PROVING PROGRAM ROI TEXAS LAS VEGAS A COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION MAY 2023 VOL. 41 NO. 5 $15.00 CVB UPDATE PAGE 20 Long Beach California! Sunny days, electric nights. The perfect destination to turn corporate-style events into extraordinary experiences.BOOK YOUR MEETING IN NEW ORLEANS © 2023 New Orleans & Company All Rights Reserved. NewOrleans.com | @VisitNewOrleans Here, our musicians give the city its sound with every breath. The voices and instruments of brass and soul, jazz and funk, are what makes New Orleans Built to Host. They fill our meeting spaces, venues, street corners, and festival stages, all while preserving our rich cultural history and welcoming your group with a soundtrack you’ll never forget. Call the New Orleans & Company Convention Sales Team at 877.393.5836 email at cnvsales@neworleans.com or visit neworleans.com/meetings to find out how you can incorporate this world-class entertainment into your next event.TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | May 2023 3 VOLUME 41 NO. 5 | MAY 2023 | ISSN 0739-1587 | USPS 716-450 16 20 30 3440 4 Publisher’s Message 6 News & Notes 10 Perspective How to Champion Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Work BY SCOTT STEINBERG 12 Perspective 5 AI Trends Profoundly Benefiting Business Bottom Lines BY MERILEE A. KERN, MBA 14 Perspective This Powerful Conversation Mitigates the Pain of Letting an Employee Go BY GARY HARPST 50 People on the Move departments destinations features Texas Offering Big Culture, Connection & Charm BY MAURA KELLER Las Vegas Always Changing, Las Vegas Keeps Meeting Planners Coming Back For More BY MAURA KELLER Earn Your Return Proving Incentive Program ROI in the Post-Pandemic World BY CHRISTINE LOOMIS CVB Update Nationwide, CVBs Report Shorter Booking Windows, Staff Shortages & Increased Bleisure BY CHRISTINE LOOMIS F&B Focus Mixing Creativity, Flexibility & Sustainability Into The Menu BY KATHY MONTE IN THIS ISSUE 20 30 16Corporate & 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 Travel Is A Basic Right Terrorism and safety! The very words strike fear in the hearts of meeting planners around the world, and in some cases, has had a severe impact on destination choices and meeting attendance. Freedom to travel is the right of all people in a free society. In the corporate world of business, it means contributing to growth, the ability to pursue opportunity, to meet with fellow work- ers and to conduct business. Sacrificing our freedom to attend meetings while others are sacrificing their lives for that freedom should be based on thoughtful reasoning, not threats. Today, our thoughts of planning meet- ings and incentive programs globally, in some instances, are being biased by a per- ceived risk of terrorism and the perceived safety of staying home and not attending an event at a destination in America or elsewhere considered to be unsafe. Thoughtful reasoning requires bal- anced information versus potential bias by some of the media. Millions of passengers on the thousands of daily flights around the world are moving safely forward with their lives while some are attending meet- ings and incentives around the world. The fastest way to move ahead following the pandemic that severely affected the opportunity to meet in person is to resist cutting back on meetings, incentives and other events in order to take advantage of learn- ing, growing your business and persevering. Let’s meet and stay informed! 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 EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Rachel Galvin rachel.galvin @ themeetingmagazines.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Sophia Bennett Cynthia Dial Marlene Goldman Dan Johnson Maura Keller Christine Loomis Kathy Monte 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 MANAGER Bob Mitchell 630-541-3388 bob.mitchell@themeetingmagazines.com DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS Michael Caffin 914-629-5860 michael.caffin@themeetingmagazines.com 4 May 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Harvey Grotsky Publisher FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA linkedin.com/company/ CorpIncTravel @CorpIncTravel @CorpIncTravel facebook.com/ CorpIncTravelUNFORGETTABLE SETTINGS FOR Experience retreat destinations like no other. Host your next event at either of our two spectacular destination resorts with flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space and custom activities designed to meet your needs. Inspirg events SANCTUARY (480) 607-2350 sales.sanctuary@gurneysresorts.com MONTAUK (631) 668-1888 sales.montauk@gurneysresorts.comNEWS + NOTES // 6 May 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com AWARDS Caesars Entertainment Recognized For CSR Initiatives LAS VEGAS — Points of Light, the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated to accelerating people-powered change, recently announced The Civic 50 honorees of 2023, which included Caesars Entertainment for the ninth consecutive year. “At Caesars, we take our CSR initia- tives very seriously; it drives how we do business,” said Heather Rapp, SVP of Corporate Social Responsibility. “To receive this recognition proves that we’re doing just that and we can’t wait to continue making progress.” Now in its eleventh year, The Civic 50 is a national standard for corporate citizenship. OPENINGS JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa Debuts in Florida CLEARWATER, FL — JW Marriott recently opened its newest property along the Gulf of Mexico, located along a secluded stretch of what has consistently been named “America’s Best Beach.” JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa hosts more than 20,000 sf of indoor and outdoor event space. The property also features a number of onsite dining options, and is located a short walking distance from the best of Clearwater Beach. The 11th floor rooftop pool deck offers views of the Gulf and Sand Key. “The first beachfront property to be designed from the ground up, this new resort completely embodies our commitment to offer- ing an experience that revitalizes mind, body and spirit,” said Bruce Rohr, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, JW Marriott. Courtesy Photo UPDATES Fully Renovated Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel to Debut as Knott’s Hotel BUENA PARK, CA — Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel will take the wraps off a multi-million-dollar renovation this fall with a new name and refined look that pays homage to the park’s founders, Walter and Cordelia Knott. Steps away from the theme park of the same name and just minutes from other Orange County destina- tion attractions, the new Knott’s Ho- tel will offer a getaway for business meetings. The redesigned 322 guest rooms will present a country guest house feel, reflecting the founders’ charm and laid-back warmth. When it debuts this fall, Knott’s Hotel will be one of Orange Coun- ty’s premier locations for corporate meeting and special events. Planners will see a completely transformed meeting space spread across two floors to more than 20,000 sf. Courtesy Photo RESORTS Hyatt Elevates Luxury All-Inclusive Offerings With New Brand CHICAGO — Hyatt Hotels Corpo- ration is launching a new Inclusive Collection brand, Impression by Se- crets, with the opening of Impres- sion by Secrets Isla Mujeres. Located in one of Mexico’s most iconic island destinations, the new luxury resort marks the introduction of the ultra- exclusive, adults-only Impression by Secrets brand. Known for its lush foliage and pris- tine beaches, Isla Mujeres provides guests with an exclusive island expe- rience as they arrive at the Cancun resort by catamaran, sailing from the mainland to the resort’s private pier. “The launch of the new Impression by Secrets brand solidifies our leader- ship as the world’s largest provider of luxury all-inclusive experiences and exemplifies the remarkable depth of our portfolio, which boasts over 120 resorts globally,” said Gonzalo del Peón, Group President, Global Com- mercial, Inclusive Collection, Hyatt. AWARDS New Orleans’ Linda Baynham Honored For Industry Contributions NEW ORLEANS — Linda Baynham, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Con- vention Center’s Director of Sustain- ability and Corporate Social Respon- sibility, was recently recognized as one of five local Trav- el and Tourism Week (NTTW) Champions by New Orleans and Company, the city’s destination marketing orga- nization. Each of the five champi- ons represents a different sector of the hospitality and tourism industry. In 2022, Baynham led the Conven- tion Center team through its first Lead- ership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, the first convention center in the world to achieve this standard under the lat- est guidelines. For more information on the convention center’s initiatives, visit mccno.com/sustainability. LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Con- vention Center (LVCC) recently kicked off a $600 million renovation of the facility’s legacy campus. The reno- vation will extend the contemporary design, architecture and customer experience of the 1.4 million sf West Hall. Work will continue through 2025, with construction designed to accommodate and minimize disrup- tion to scheduled tradeshows. The renovation includes a con- tinuation of the West Hall roof, an outdoor plaza and indoor lobby in the South Hall, a climate controlled interior concourse between the North and South Hall, an expansive Grand Lobby between the North and Cen- tral Halls, a newly designed parking lot outside of the Central Hall featur- ing a Vegas Loop station to transport to Wynn and Encore, innovative tech- nology and upgraded electrical access for tradeshow organizers and exhibi- tors, as well as increased connectivity. With nearly 15 million sf of meet- ing and event space throughout the destination, the LVCC is one of the largest convention centers in North America. Last year, the facility hosted 56 conventions with a combined at- tendance of nearly 900,000. To learn more about the LVCC, visit VegasMeansBusiness.com. UPDATES Four Seasons Resort & Residences Jackson Hole Renovates Meeting Space JACKSON HOLE, WY — Four Sea- sons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole unveiled a full-scale meeting and event space redesign. The enhanced spaces feature new carpeting through- out, custom wall coverings, and bronze and antique mirrors to better reflect the natural sunlight. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole features more than 10,900 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting space, providing countless options for gather- ings, business functions and events. Jackson Hole also is famed for its all- season outdoor adventures, including mountain biking, skiing and more. The resort’s conference-planning team can customize a variety of off-site activities, from private gallery tours to a wildlife safari in one of the nearby national parks. For more, visit fourseasons.com/ jacksonhole/meetings-and-events. Baynham Photo by Sam Morris / LVCVA EVENTS PCMA Announces Convening Leaders’ Host Cities For Next Four Years CHICAGO — PCMA and CEMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat, CAE announced the future host cit- ies and dates for Convening Lead- ers (CL), the association’s annual flagship education and networking event for the years 2024-2027: • Convening Leaders 2024 January 7-10, San Diego, CA • Convening Leaders 2025 January 12-15, Houston, TX • Convening Leaders 2026 January 11-14, Philadelphia, PA • Convening Leaders 2027 January 10-13, Miami, FL Courtesy of Four Seasons CONSTRUCTION Officials Break Ground on Las Vegas Convention Center Renovation TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | May 2023 7MANDALAY BAY CONVENTION CENTER TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES, DYNAMIC DIGITAL SIGNAGE AND A FRESH, NEW DESIGN ARE PART OF THE $100 MILLION REMODEL OF MANDALAY BAY’S 2.1 MILLION- SQUARE-FOOT CONVENTION CENTER. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK YOUR NEXT EVENT, VISIT MANDALAYBAY.COM IS WHERE WE INVEST IN THE FUTURE.Next >