IN THIS ISSUE GLOBAL DESTINATIONS EMBRACING HYBRID MEETINGS SPEAKER SELECTION SECOND-TIER DESTINATIONS BLEISURE TRENDS Page 16 2024 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY Steve O’Malley COO, Maritz A COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION DECEMBER 2023 VOL. 41 NO. 12 $15.00With seven waterfront hotels, abundant dockside dining, and reception- ready yachts that are perfect for networking events, plus 100,000+ sq ft of unique indoor and outdoor event space, Marina del Rey strikes the perfect balance between L.A.’s chic sophistication and Southern California’s laid-back coastal style – all just four miles north of LAX. groups@visitmdr.com I VisitMDR.comVOLUME 41 NO. 12 | DECEMBER 2023 | ISSN 0739-1587 | USPS 716-450 16 20 26 30 34 38 42 46 4 Publisher’s Message 6 News & Notes 8 Industry Insight In Conversation with Kelly Gleeson Smith 10 Perspective The Right Way to Make Mistakes: How to Manage the Fallout of a Career Risk Gone Wrong BY ROBERT L. DILENSCHNEIDER 12 Perspective Mindful Employer Branding Key to Successful Staff, HR Recruitment BY MARTHA MARCHESI AND JIM GALLIGAN 14 Perspective New ‘Pulse’ App Aims to Amend Workplace Angst, Halt Revenue Erosion BY MERILEE A. KERN, MBA 50 People on the Move departments features TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | December 2023 3 Let’s Get Digital Embracing the Whole Wide World of Hybrid Meetings BY MAURA KELLER Global Destinations MICE Growth Around the World BY MARLENE GOLDMAN 2024 State of the Industry Inside the Industry’s Upward Trajectory COMPILED BY MARITZA COSANO Never Stop Learning Why All Event Planners Need Ongoing Education BY MAURA KELLER Speaker Selection How to Find Great Speakers for Your Events BY ALANA CASTILLAS Hidden Gems Why Planners Are Considering Second-, Third-tier Destinations for Their Next Event BY ALANA CASTILLAS Events Cost Tips for Building Smarter Budgets BY MAURA KELLER Bleisure Trends Hopping on the Bleisure Train BY MAURA KELLER IN THIS ISSUE 20 38 30 46Corporate & 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 Standing at the Crossroads As 2023 comes to an end, the meeting and incentive industry is at a crossroads between continued improvement and hostile world events. With a somewhat challenging economy, and the destruc- tive forces of nature, planners have responded admirably to much of this adversity. Since 2020, the event industry has undergone a revolution. It has required planners to learn and re- think business tactics and become smarter about their budgets and event technology. They are planning events with shorter lead times, and in many cases, reduced support staff. Yet, most planners should be admired for finding new ways to meet these problems and produce successful events despite the demands of bud- get-minded corporate management. Hotels and resorts are responding to planner’s needs by renovating their facilities and implementing improved services to go with the latest technological innovations. With new properties coming on line, especially in major meeting destinations, the urgency for established older venues is to renovate to remain competitive. As we go into an election year, cost-cutting measures to deal with a huge federal deficit with efficient government performance are nec- essary to stimulate economic growth. And with any luck, this will mean an upswing for our industry. In this issue, industry leaders comment on how they see 2024 for the meetings industry. PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE // A COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Harvey Grotsky harvey.grotsky @ themeetingmagazines.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kristin Bjornsen kristin.bjornsen @ themeetingmagazines.com MANAGING EDITOR Maritza Cosano maritza.cosano@themeetingmagazines.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Rachel Galvin rachel.galvin @ themeetingmagazines.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Alana Castillas Cynthia Dial Marlene Goldman Dan Johnson Maura Keller Christine Loomis Kathy Monte 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 December 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Harvey Grotsky Publisher FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA linkedin.com/company/ CorpIncTravel @CorpIncTravel @CorpIncTravel facebook.com/ CorpIncTravelWhen you partner with Disney for your meeting or event, you get access to best-in-class planners, industry-leading technology, world-class culinary experts and unforgettable entertainment. But, most importantly, you’ll get Disney’s legendary creativity, storytelling and attention to detail. When you use our imagination, you will transform your meeting into something incredible only found at Disney. Use Our Imagination. Visit us at disneymeetingsandevents.comNEWS + NOTES // 6 December 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com SIGNIA BY HILTON INDIANAPOLIS TO OPEN IN 2026 INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Global hos- pitality leader Hilton announced the official signing of a manage- ment agreement for the 800-room Signia by Hilton Indianapolis, growing the ex- isting Signia by Hilton portfolio. Currently under construction and expected to open in late 2026, the new-build Sig- nia by Hilton Indianapolis will serve as the latest anchor hotel connecting to the Indiana Convention Center via skywalk as part of the city’s $710 million convention center expansion. The hotel will offer approximately 90,000 sf of flexible meeting space, including a 50,000 sf ballroom. For more information, visit hilton.com/ en/brands/signia-by-hilton. ORLANDO, FL — Evermore Orlando Resort has confirmed the official opening of the 1,100-acre luxury destination will be January 1, 2024. This marks a momentous occasion as Orlando’s first-of- its-kind beach paradise aims to forever change the way groups stay by combining the comforts of home with the amenities of a premium resort. Evermore is contiguous to Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Springs and proximate to Universal Orlando Resort and Orlando International Airport. Offering a diverse range of accommodations, including flats, villas and houses ranging up to 11 bedrooms in size, the property is anchored by Conrad Orlando, with 433 contemporary- styled guest rooms and suites, and two Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses. Evermore will open with 2,013 bedrooms throughout 69 houses ranging in size from five to 11 bedrooms, 206 four-bedroom flats and 41 two and four-bedroom villas. Evermore Orlando Resort is currently accepting reservations. Visit evermoreresort.com for more information. LAS VEGAS, NV — Fontainebleau Las Vegas, the newly-opened luxury resort and casino, is revealing the menu for Lapis Spa & Wellness, offering an exceptional suite of personalized treatments, premium therapies and cutting- edge wellness rituals to boost wellbeing and inspire productivity. Reservations are open for individual and group bookings at the 55,000 sf, two-level spa, as the ultimate destination for rejuvenation. Also, the fitness center has performance- based workouts and is equipped with top-notch cardio machines. For more information, visit fontainebleaulasvegas.com. LAS VEGAS, NV — A self-service screening is coming to airport checkpoints, thanks to the Sci- ence and Technology Directorate’s (S&T) Screening at Speed Program. A pilot of a new self-service screen- ing system is scheduled to begin at the beginning of next year at Har- ry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, NV. This system allows PreCheck passengers the ability to complete the screening process with minimal to no assistance from Transportation Security Officers (TSOs). For more information, visit dhs.gov/science-and-technology/ news/2023/11/30/feature-article- self-service-screening-option-com- ing-airport. YONKERS, NY— MGM Resorts International unveiled its vision to transition Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts into a world-class entertainment destination, MGM Empire City, if awarded a com- mercial casino license for its his- toric Yonkers, New York site. Phase one design includes a comprehen- sive casino floor redevelopment, 5,000-capacity entertainment ven- ue and more. A commercial casino license will enable MGM Empire City to introduce The BetMGM Sports- book & Lounge. For more information, visit em- pirecitycasino.mgmresorts.com. Rendering by Ratio Architects FONTAINEBLEAU UNVEILS LAPIS SPA MENU SELF-SERVICE SCREENING IS COMING TO AIRPORTS MGM REVEALS EMPIRE CITY PLAN Evermore Orlando Resort is set to open on January 1, 2024. FIRST LOOK & OPENING DATE FOR EVERMORE ORLANDO RESORT©2023 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador. CALL | VISIT CELEBRITYCORPORATEKITCOM OR CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL ADVISOR There are many reasons to choose Celebrity Cruises®, including destinations and stunning ships that represent the ultimate in travel for hosting meetings, incentive trips, or other corporate events. Your planning team will seamlessly coordinate the whole trip, and with virtually everything included—accommodations, Michelin-star dining, beverages, Wi-Fi, tips, A/V, meeting spaces, entertainment, and activities—you and your aendees will have an exceptional experience. Plus, with sailing dates ranging from to -night itineraries, we can tailor your cruise on one of our revolutionary ships to best suit your company’s needs. Contact us today to learn why planners trust Celebrity to organize incentive trips and company gatherings. THE NEXT LEVEL OF INCENTIVE TRAVEL IS HEREKELLY GLEESON SMITH, vice president of sales, Caesars Entertainment, leads an amazing team of talented sales peo- ple that cultivate face-to-face meetings and events for major corporations and associations held throughout the Caesars Entertainment empire. She is the recipient of the 2019 Cae- sars Corporate Excellence in Leadership award and 2019 & 2021 Director of Sales of the Year - Caesars Entertainment. What new ideas or initiatives does Caesars Entertain- ment have to offer to professional planners and attendees to elevate their event experience at your properties? This includes new venues from several properties/destinations to create a one-of-a-kind event. Kelly Gleeson Smith: Caesars Entertainment is continu- ously evolving and providing new experiential opportunities with attendees and planners in mind. Just in Las Vegas, we have nine properties including the iconic Caesars Palace and our latest conference center, the 550,000 sf CAESARS FORUM. We’re constantly investing in our properties with newly designed guest rooms and exciting new restaurants, such as Brasserie B by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, as well as Peter Luger Steakhouse at Caesars Palace. Recently, Harrah’s Las Vegas received an influx of capital that was put toward major enhance- ments across the property from new beautifully appointed guest rooms to Ramsay’s Kitchen, the latest restaurant from Michelin Star award-winning chef Gor- don Ramsay, and a new main entrance. Harrah’s is directly connected to CAESARS FORUM. The changes the property has undergone have been made with the CAESARS FORUM attendee in mind. In Atlantic City, we recently opened THE Hook by Spiegel- world which is the very first residency to be held in the city. The theater built for the show, “Wonder Theatre,” is actually right where the historic Warner Theatre used to be. Total investment into our three Atlantic City properties comes out to $230+ Mil- lion. With that investment, we’ve updated guest rooms, suites and celebrity chef restaurants to complement the 100,000+ sf Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center. At Caesars Atlan- tic City, Nobu Hotel tower is scheduled to open early next year. Accessibility and inclusion go beyond ramps and acces- sible washrooms. How are you attracting wider and more diverse audiences? Here are some thoughts on that . . . “At Caesars, we are committed to embracing disability inclusion as a key facet of our overall Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy,” said Tom Reeg, CEO at Caesars Entertainment. “We consistently review current practices concerning disability inclusion, and we’re honored to be recog- nized with a top score on this year’s Disabil- ity Equality Index. We know how important inclusion is, and we will continue to work toward progress for our team members, guests and the com- munities in which we operate.” “In 2022, Caesars Entertainment received a top score of 100 on DEI,” said Heather Rapp, SVP of corporate social responsibil- ity for Caesars Entertainment. “Caesars Entertainment’s com- mitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is an integral piece of the company’s CSR framework, PEOPLE. PLANET. PLAY.” How is Caesars collaborating with meeting planners i n their efforts to focus on collaborative event designs that engage attendees, most especially millennials who are all in for the experience, rather the meeting itself? When it comes to design, our meeting spaces offer incred- ible flexibility and a blank canvas for a planner’s vision. At CAESARS FORUM alone, we have more than two miles of air wall providing lots of options. We continue to invest in new furniture and other decor to enhance the attendees experi- ence and partner with local DMCs who can provide anything needed to create that one-of-a-kind experience. As meeting planners anticipate culinary expectations for their attendees, especially with more awareness of vegetar- ian, vegan, gluten-free and religious-based dietary restric- tions or preferences, what are some of Caesars Entertain- ment’s food and beverage new food options? F&B is integral to the success of a conference. At Caesars Entertainment, we pride ourselves on delivering high end restaurant quality catering. Our team is comprised of award- winning chefs who can create customized menus to suit any need. We also recently launched a “Wellness Menu” in Las Vegas. The menu offers healthy dietary options in addition to activities such as yoga, tai-chi, chakra cleansing and well- ness speakers. We hope that by offering a wide array of menu options we can anticipate planner needs and provide them with as many enticing options. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Caesars Entertainment is unique as our 120+ sales people are located around the country in the cities where planners live. We believe in the importance of building long term relationships and partnering with planners to ensure continual success. Our sales people can check availability and negotiate rates directly in addition to signing agreements with planners. We believe in the one stop shop approach. We do whatever it takes to guarantee that the planning process is as simple as possible. C&IT SIMPLIFY SUCCESS caesarsmeansbusiness.com | 855-633-8238 8303931-8.125x10.875-mtg-corpincentravelresize-v1.indd 18/21/23 1:24 PM IN CONVERSATION WITH KELLY GLEESON SMITH INDUSTRY INSIGHT We believe in the importance of building long term relationships and partnering with planners to ensure continual success. 8 December 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comSIMPLIFY SUCCESS caesarsmeansbusiness.com | 855-633-8238Next >