< PreviousMEMORABLE ITINERARIES & SPECIAL AMENITIES A top draw for many meeting planners involves sailing to different destinations around the world, while enjoying world-class service. “Cruising delivers an ideal solution for corporate groups and organizations that wish to provide their top performers with a reward that is unique, prestigious, glamorous and fun,” says Rob Coleman, vice president, North American Sales for Holland America Line. “No overwhelming crowds, no long lines. We cater to a mindset that embraces destination immer- sion, impeccable service, amazing dining and the best live music at sea.” Moreover, Coleman says that Holland America Line provides a team to assist planners from the initial quote through execution. Anthony Diaz, senior vice president of Charters, Meetings & Incentives at Norwegian Cruise Line, says there are special amenities at that planners can expect on their cruises: “Com- plimentary meeting space and business centers, complimen- tary audiovisual and coffee breaks, unique meeting venues and hands-on, personalized service.” Regarding unique destinations, Diaz points to Great Stir- rup Cay, a private island in the Bahamas. The 268-acre island is part of the Berry Islands, which Norwegian Cruise Line bought in 1977 and developed for their cruise ship passengers. Attendees can “snorkel with sea turtles and colorful fish in warm turquoise waters, peacefully glide along the coastline in a kayak, or soar high into the sky as they zip-line across the island,” plus “have the opportunity to craft their own deli- cious taco at the complimentary Abaco Taco, while sipping on a refreshing drink,” according to vimeo.com. He also pointed out Harvest Caye in Southern Belize as another unique destination: “A 75-acre oasis featuring an expansive pool with a swim-up bar, salt-water lagoon for water sports, exclusive 7-acre beach and exciting shore excursions ranging from zip lining across the island to snorkeling the world’s second largest barrier reef,” according to the cruise line’s Facebook page. Navarro’s client booked a Celebrity Cruise in the Western Caribbean to commemorate the telecommunication corpora- tion’s 20th anniversary. He says, “The whole experience was unique. This was the corporation’s first cruise event, first time in Cozumel, as well a first time sailing Celebrity Cruises.” Navarro says: “The ship provided internet speeds that allowed the meetings onboard and awards show to be telecast via Microsoft Meetings back to the skeleton crew that stayed behind for this event. … The group had embarkation welcome gifts waiting for them in their rooms upon check-in and we hosted a ship-wide scavenger hunt that was used as a team- building event that was a huge success. Prizes and bragging rights went to the top-three winners.” Carpenter’s client, who selected Seabourn as a new cruise experience in Europe, found the brand offered quality ser- vice and food, and large group space for the size of the vessel. The unique itinerary included several smaller, less commercialized ports, which the group liked since they were well traveled. She says, “We pride our- selves in creating unique options for our clients and offering Seabourn is a great fit with our business model.” Carpenter adds that the group booked an incentive cruise with Sea- bourn because there were versatile and varied meeting spaces, “This group is very meeting intensive and we have to ensure adequate time and space for them to conduct continu- ing education classes daily through- out the entire journey. In addition to that, we host multiple cocktail parties and group dinners throughout the cruise,” she says. Meanwhile, Navarro used these group spaces while aboard Celebrity Cruises: the Sky Lounge for three cocktail receptions, Celebrity Cen- tral for the awards show and General Meeting, as well as Quasar Lounge for the leadership and sales meetings. Commenting on the meeting spaces aboard Holland Amer- ica cruises, Coleman says there are “rooms for private meet- ings, ranging from an intimate meeting facility to our larger show lounges. On most of our vessels, we can accommodate up to 900 in one session. We can also arrange group dining so that attendees can be together.” INSPIRED GLOBAL CUISINE Award-winning chefs, together with specialty restaurants featuring global cuisine, can create an exceptional dining experiences for meetings and incentives at sea. “From the buffets in the Oceanview Café to the more for- mal dining in the Grand Cuvee, the menus were fantastic,” Navarro says of the Celebrity Cruise. “Since the group had never done an event on a cruise ship, they were amazed by the choices and the fact that you could order another entrée themeetingmagazines.com 20 *All Included applies to inside, ocean view, veranda, or Concierge Class stateroom who book with the All Included Rate (“Eligible Bookings”). All guests in an Eligible Booking will receive a Classic Drink Package, Gratuities (“Tips”) Included, and an unlimited Basic Wi-Fi Package. All guests in an AquaClass® stateroom will receive a Classic Drink Package, Tips Included and an unlimited Basic Wi-Fi Package. All guests in The Retreat will receive a Premium Drink Package, Tips Included, OBC and an unlimited Premium Wi-Fi Package. OBC amount varies by length of sailing and will be credited to guests’ stateroom folios. OBC has no cash value, is applicable to cruise only, non-transferable, not redeemable for cash, and will expire if not used by 10:00 PM on the final night of the cruise. Guests with Wi-Fi Packages will receive instructions for Wi-Fi access in their staterooms on the first day of the cruise. All guests in the same stateroom must choose the same rate. ©2023 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador. CALL | VISIT CELEBRITYCORPORATEKITCOM OR CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL ADVISOR There are so many reasons to choose Celebrity Cruises® including destinations and stunning ships that represent the ultimate in luxury travel with drinks, Wi-Fi, and tips All Included SM . Whether you want to host a meeting, offer incentive trips, or hold any other corporate event on board one of our revolutionary ships, our Corporate Sales Managers will make it easy to create a fully customized package on the right ship with event spaces and AV equipment included along with sailing dates and to -night itineraries that best suit your company’s specific needs. Contact us today to learn why planners trust Celebrity Cruises to organize their sales incentive trips and company gatherings. ELEVATE YOUR INCENTIVES AND REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR RETREATS 03_24_23_MICE_PRC_8.375 x 11.125_CIT_Brand.indd 13/30/23 5:00 PM The Celebrity Edge “Club,” seen from above, is a multi-purpose space that can be used for talks, live music, and other interactive and entertaining events. COURTESY OF RON GULASKEY APRIL 2023 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT*All Included applies to inside, ocean view, veranda, or Concierge Class stateroom who book with the All Included Rate (“Eligible Bookings”). All guests in an Eligible Booking will receive a Classic Drink Package, Gratuities (“Tips”) Included, and an unlimited Basic Wi-Fi Package. All guests in an AquaClass® stateroom will receive a Classic Drink Package, Tips Included and an unlimited Basic Wi-Fi Package. All guests in The Retreat will receive a Premium Drink Package, Tips Included, OBC and an unlimited Premium Wi-Fi Package. OBC amount varies by length of sailing and will be credited to guests’ stateroom folios. OBC has no cash value, is applicable to cruise only, non-transferable, not redeemable for cash, and will expire if not used by 10:00 PM on the final night of the cruise. Guests with Wi-Fi Packages will receive instructions for Wi-Fi access in their staterooms on the first day of the cruise. All guests in the same stateroom must choose the same rate. ©2023 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador. CALL | VISIT CELEBRITYCORPORATEKITCOM OR CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL ADVISOR There are so many reasons to choose Celebrity Cruises® including destinations and stunning ships that represent the ultimate in luxury travel with drinks, Wi-Fi, and tips All Included SM . Whether you want to host a meeting, offer incentive trips, or hold any other corporate event on board one of our revolutionary ships, our Corporate Sales Managers will make it easy to create a fully customized package on the right ship with event spaces and AV equipment included along with sailing dates and to -night itineraries that best suit your company’s specific needs. Contact us today to learn why planners trust Celebrity Cruises to organize their sales incentive trips and company gatherings. ELEVATE YOUR INCENTIVES AND REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR RETREATSif you wish at no charge. Vegetarian diners commented on the expanse array of options they had during the cruise.” Of special note, Navarro says: “We hosted some VIPs in Le Petit Chef on one night and I must say that this was the highlight of the cruise for dining. The animation on the tables was brilliant, while the food was incredible. My well- traveled executives mentioned this was one of the best meals they ever had.” Carpenter finds Seabourn’s culinary program “topnotch with multiple venues to choose from while onboard at no additional fee.” She adds, “…An al fresco dinner option with delectable Mediterranean inspired grilled dishes … and the grilled octopus was by far my favorite.” She adds that groups “appreciated the main dining room, which could hold the entire ship in one seating and that offers a variety of classic and unique, regionally inspired dishes.” Carpenter says another dining venue that should be highlighted is The Grill, which she says is a traditional steakhouse that is elevated by the Michelin-Star chef Thomas Keller featuring a spin on some of the classics with a heavy emphasis on presentation, with many dishes being prepared table side. She adds, “The Epicurean evening is a beautiful event put on by the ships officers with specialty drinks and food options served pool side with the ships entertainment serenading you. At the end of the event, the entire staff onboard lines the pool deck to give attendees a chance to pay their respect. Usually hosted on the last evening, it’s a beautiful way to finish the cruise. All in all, I can’t say enough about the F&B onboard Seabourn.” Aboard Holland America, Coleman says the ships’ menus are guided by celebrity chefs, which include David Burke, Jacques Torres, Ethan Stowell, Rudi Sodamin, Andy Matsuda and Jonnie Boer. “Each ship has a casual Lido Market with various stations, as well as a Dive-In for gourmet burgers and fries,” Coleman says. “Select ships have New York Pizza with made-to-order pies, and the Pinnacle Class ships have Grand Dutch Café for a coffee, beer or dutch treat.” Highlighting restaurants, Coleman notes, the award- winning Pinnacle Grill, offering seafood and steak, and the Canaletto, for Italian, are both available on all ships. Select ships showcase Tamarind, featuring Pan-Asian cuisine, and Rudi’s Sel de Mer, an intimate French brasserie. On Celebrity Cruises, Gulaskey says menus are “crafted by Michelin-starred chef Cornelius Gallagher and are inspired by, and locally sourced from, the amazing regions we visit,” adding, “And with world-renowned chef Daniel Boulud, as our global culinary ambassador creating exclusive menus for attendees of Luminae, Le Voyage and Chef’s Table, there’s something to please every palate whether casual or upscale, sushi or Italian, dining room or al fresco under the stars.” Diaz says, Norwegian Cruise Line is “the first to elimi- nate set dining times. He says you may dine wherever and whenever suits your taste and schedule with venues rang- ing from continental cuisine to authentic Italian to classic steakhouse fare. TOP PLANNING TIPS: ADVANCE BOOKING When planning meetings and incentives at sea, the top tip from cruise specialists is to book your event with as much advance notice as possible. “Start the process as early as pos- sible,” Coleman says, “to make sure you can lock in the pro- gram that will delight the attendees.” Navarro agrees, saying, “Book early so you can reserve the meeting rooms/venues for your event. The longer you wait the harder it may be to reserve space.” He adds, “Communication with the attendees is imperative. We schedule certain touch- points with attendees prior to sailing, so they know what to expect next since a large portion of the population has not experienced a cruise before.” Moreover, Weinstein says: “We can do so much to create a unique event, but qualifying the group is really important. Tell us the kinds of destinations and lodging you’ve had in the past, duration of the program, what kind of group it is. For example, are they a fun group? Or are they more like early-to- bed and up-and-ready-to-go at 8 a.m.?” Carpenter says, “My personal preference is to always go full-ship charter when available, as it gives you almost limitless options on customization options from special events, branding, décor, etc.” Van Breda sums up the value of hosting meetings and incentives at sea by saying it is a comfortable, luxurious and memorable experience for planners and attendees alike. “The benefit is true incentive. Attendees unpack once, wake up in a different location daily, while getting the opportunity to bal- ance work/relaxation, learning and adventure, during luxuri- ous setting,” he adds. I & FMM themeetingmagazines.com 22 APRIL 2023 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT When you partner with Seabourn for an event, your guests will enjoy a seamless, all-inclusive, ultra-luxury experience. Our intimate ships with just 250-600 guests, all ocean-front suites, inviting group spaces, luxurious amenities and nearly one team member for every guest converge into a voyage so beyond compare, your guests will never want it to end. SeaCharIncentive@Seabourn.com 866-827-5257 or +1 206-626-9177 outside North America Charters • Meetings • Incentive Chérie Weinstein, CTC, CIS, CITE Project Manager, Landry & Kling Global Ship Solutions Planners are definitely interested in cruising again. People are feeling really optimistic, and we are seeing repeat groups in rotation, which is very encouraging. COURTESY OF SEABOURN Pierre van Breda, deputy director of C&I Sales for Seabourn, says, “The most common misconception is that an ultra-luxury, inclusive offering is associated with exorbitant pricing.” (Above): Seabourn Venture.When you partner with Seabourn for an event, your guests will enjoy a seamless, all-inclusive, ultra-luxury experience. Our intimate ships with just 250-600 guests, all ocean-front suites, inviting group spaces, luxurious amenities and nearly one team member for every guest converge into a voyage so beyond compare, your guests will never want it to end. SeaCharIncentive@Seabourn.com 866-827-5257 or +1 206-626-9177 outside North America Charters • Meetings • IncentiveT he Sunshine State is very much about busi- ness in real life (IRL) — the new buzz acro- nym to distinguish between virtual interac- tions and those in person. While virtual interactions have become more prevalent, Florida destinations still place a strong emphasis on in-person net- working and relationship-building. There are numerous opportunities for attendees to connect and collaborate face-to-face for insurance and financial meeting planners. No matter where meet- ings take place in Florida, there’s so much in play for planners: fantastic weather, theme parks and beaches, among many others. ORLANDO Emily Fletcher, director of sales & events with South- ern Farm Bureau Life Insur- ance Company, says she and other planners like the city for its wide range of attrac- tions, including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld Orlando. Then there’s the easy airlift, with several international airports throughout the state, making it a convenient destination from different parts of the world. Fletcher brought a group of 3,800 incentive qualifiers in two separate waves to both Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort, as well as its Animal Kingdom Theme Park. “When you sign on with Disney, you expect the magic and great customer service,” Fletcher says. “I can’t brag enough on how Disney delivered on that, but so much more; they go all out. … They really listened to our concerns. To start, we didn’t want something that anyone else had seen before. …We gave them a budget, said what we wanted, and they absolutely went beyond that. As far as the service they provide, you simply can’t say enough about them.” Disney Park Reservations Require App One snag, which could have become an issue but did not, involved attendees having to reserve their park times through a phone app. Fletcher explains how the system works: Attendees receive their tickets, then load the information into the My Disney Experience app, so tickets get linked into the system. Also, attendees have to link their tickets with their profile, then select the month, day and specific park to enter for each day. This way, Disney World is able to track how many people are scheduled in a park at any given time. “Everything has to be planned and you can’t make a lot of changes,” she says. “Every- day we were there, multiple parks were sold out.” Fletcher admits that attendees having to make their own park reservations was “a technology hurdle across all age groups. But we walked everyone step-by-step through each part of the process, and my team was there to help if qualifiers had any issues. Honestly, it was a lot of man hours to do this, but Disney provided all the content we needed to give to attendees.” Fletcher’s group booked multiple indoor and outdoor spaces, including the World Showcase at EPCOT to put together a Broadway-like show, the Animal Kingdom Theme Park, which they bought out, as well as late-night dessert parties. Then, attendees had breakfast with Disney characters, such as Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck, all dressed in their beach gear. There have been industry rumbles about service being inadequate at some destina- tions, but Fletcher had only great things to say about Disney’s staff. “They answered a lot of the questions my attendees had,” she says. “I didn’t have to be around every minute of every day because I knew Disney was handling things. Disney made my life easy during this trip.” Some Pandemic Protocols Remain: Outdoor Event Spaces “We definitely work closer with our hotel events team and are still looking for more outside-event spaces,” Fletcher says. “In the past, we booked space that was just enough for our group size. Now, the goal is beyond that — more than the typical space for a group of our size. For that reason, we rented out pretty much everything at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort to ensure enough space. It wasn’t a full buyout, but I’d estimate it was 90%.” Registration is already at or above previous incentive trips, which Fletcher notes are back to IRL since attendees are ready COURTESY OF VISIT ORLANDO Attendees at Orlando meetings often extend their business trips into a vacation, making Orlando a good option for ‘bleisure’ travel. themeetingmagazines.com 24 APRIL 2023 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT Making Meetings Memorable in the Sunshine State BY CHRISTINE LOOMIS | DESTINATION REPORT | FLORIDAto travel. “We had more qualifiers this year than ever before,” she says. “For the July family incentive trip, we usually have 700 to 750 qualifiers, but this year we had 1,040 — and less than 15% attrition. That created the necessity for changes to our program.” Walt Disney World, she continues, handled it all. “Our contest doesn’t close until April, so I didn’t even have the final numbers until then for the July program,” Fletcher says. “We contacted Kelly and within 30 days the Disney team had reworked our whole program to accommodate the added qualifiers. We had to add an overflow hotel — Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. We had to change the venues for certain functions, and transpor- tation had to be increased and adjusted. … The Disney team helped us rework our welcome dinner without losing the main event — the full Broadway-cali- ber show at EPCOT and access for our attendees to the fire- works. The dinner was moved to a ballroom at our hotel, and then the Disney events team walked our attendees over to EPCOT for the show.” The event was so successful that within a week of getting back to the office, Fletcher says, she started a contract for 2027. “The No. 1 comment on our survey was that this was the best All Star Summer Family Program, ever — even from longtime qualifiers,” she says. “We’ve increased our room block for 2027 and want to get everyone in one hotel. At least that’s the hope.” Bleisure Destinations Attract Attendees JC, who only wanted her initials used, a travel, meetings & events operations leader with a professional services firm in the financial industry, enjoys meeting in Orlando. “Orlando as a destination is a favorite of ours due to the easy lift, large convention hotels and plethora of things to do,” she says. “We often have our attendees extend their business trips into vacation, making Orlando a good option for ‘bleisure’ travel. ...From the number of rooms to the size and flexibility of the space to the outdoor function areas, it’s a perfect fit from a logistical standpoint. That coupled with the number of high- end bars and restaurants for our attendees to unwind in, as well as the proximity to the Disney parks, makes it the perfect loca- tion for our event.” She says her group of 2,200 liked the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, two upscale sister resorts, located within walking distance of each other. The hotels offers a combined 330,000 sf of meeting space and 2,270 rooms. The group used the majority of the hotel’s space for the general session, meals and breakout rooms. Attendees were on their own to use whichever of the resort’s restaurants they chose. They also loved the restaurants, especially Blue Zoo and Il Mulino. Additionally, they bought out one of the Universal Orlando parks for a function. Plan for Illnesses Prior and During Events This group is back to IRL meetings in the U.S., but there are slight changes to the way meetings are planned, JC says. “During the planning and registration phase, there’s a lot of communication surrounding what to do if you feel ill prior to traveling — don’t travel — and then what to do if you feel sick onsite, which varies depending on the type of meeting,” JC says. “We now recognize that we’ll have a larger percentage of attrition for those who are sick or have been exposed to COVID. We’re also clear that masks are a personal preference and there’s no judgement. Other than that, our meetings are similar to pre-pan- demic. We’re no longer socially distancing per CDC guidelines, and we no longer see the need for individual or pre-packaged meals, as that does not align with our sustainability goals.” JC says registration has mostly returned to pre-pan- demic levels, other than the attrition due to illnesses. “I think most people are no longer interested in attending a meeting virtually if given the choice of attending in person,” she says, adding that the Swan and Dolphin are “topnotch in both space and service.” New in Orlando Orlando has a lot of new attractions, especially as theme parks expand. As large groups often buyout one of the parks during a meeting, new attractions can make it a must-do event and improve registration. This year, there’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, new things at EPCOT and new nighttime shows. At Universal Orlando, roller coaster fans can check out Juras- sic World Velocicoaster, and also Jurassic-inspired is Universal’s Great Movie Escape. Harry Potter fans can discover Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. SeaWorld and Legoland have new attractions. SeaWorld announced a first-of-its-kind roller coaster in each of its parks this spring, including the world’s first surf-coaster in Orlando. Legoland Florida recently opened its Pirate River Quest ride. And Orlando’s Tank America is the only place to drive an actual tank — outside the military. TAMPA The revitalization of Tampa’s downtown Water Street area, which includes the convention center, is underway. There’s the Riverwalk, a 2.6-mile pedestrian trail and open space along the Hillsborough River, with access from multiple hotels, includ- ing Tampa Marriott Water Street, JW Marriott Tampa Water Street and Hotel Tampa Riverwalk. Tampa added 2,500 new hotel rooms in the past two years, perhaps most notably Tampa EDITION, the city’s first five-star hotel. Voted one of the world’s best hotels by Travel + Leisure magazine, the hotel features more than 11,200 sf of meeting space, 172 rooms, including a 2,200 sf penthouse suite, an expansive spa and modern fitness center. The cuisine here is guided by MICHELIN-starred chef John Fraser and multiple restaurants and bars are available, including a rooftop bar with panoramic views of the city. It has convenient access to popular PHOTO BY MATT STROSHANE INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | APRIL 2023themeetingmagazines.com 25attractions, such as the Tampa Riverwalk, Amalie Arena and the Florida Aquarium. It’s also within close proximity to the Tampa Convention Center. The historic Floridan Palace Hotel, which originally opened in 1926, begins a $25-million renovation this year. The hotel boasts more than 10,000 sf of meeting space. The food-focused Epicurean Hotel will add eight suites and a terrace space. It caters to food enthusiasts and offers a unique culinary-focused experience, including gourmet din- ing and a rooftop cocktail lounge. They also host cooking dem- onstrations, wine tastings and other culinary events that allow attendees to interact with local chefs and experts, learn about different cuisines, and hone their culinary skills. Even their spa has a culinary focus with their unique treatments. Hotels are not alone in drawing groups. In Tampa’s historic Ybor City neighborhood, a designated National Historic Landmark Dis- trict, newly renovated J.C. New- man Cigar Factory & Museum entices groups with tours of the nation’s oldest family-owned cigar factory — and perhaps even learn the art of hand-rolling cigars. MIAMI Multicultural Miami is a prime spot for meetings with its nearby beaches, golf resorts and vibrant diverse communities. Looking for a place to take in the views? The Loews Coral Gables, which recently opened, has a ninth-floor deck, as well as a 9,000 sf ballroom and boasts 30,000 sf of meeting space, as well as 242 rooms. At Trump International Beach Resort, which has 22,000 sf of function space, attendees can get great views of the ocean from their Ocean Ballroom and a panoramic view of Aven- tura to Bal Harbor from their Bay Ballroom. They also offer two pool decks for cocktail receptions and the beach with the open-air Gili’s Beach Club restaurant. Trump National Doral Miami offers four championship golf courses and has more than 100,000 sf of reimagined meet- ing space, including more than 75,000 sf of outdoor space. In nearby Aventura, the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa offers outdoor terraces and views of their recently renovated golf courses. They also have renovated their 16-story Orchid Tower and 325 rooms and suites. Their new conference center features more than 120,000 sf of flex- ible spaces, 40 flexible meeting rooms and two grand ball- rooms. They also have added a new five-acre water park called Tidal Cove. PONTE VEDRA BEACH Ponte Vedra Beach is a seaside community and suburb that is southeast of Jacksonville. Susan Parsons is an event planning manager with a company that offers full-suite solu- tions to the financial services industry. She planned a part- ner meeting last year for 60 attendees at the Five Diamond Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, which has more than 25,000 sf of meeting space. “[It was] a good fit for our group because the size of the property is manageable, walkable and not too big,” Parsons says. “We wanted a five-star property that would offer our partners exceptional comfort and service. We got what we paid for. The rooms provided people with a bit of privacy but remained walkable within the resort.” Ponte Vedra ticked off a number of required boxes, some of them with roots in the pandemic but still applicable today. “I still strive for key cities with direct flights and hotels no more than 45 minutes from the arriving airport,” she says. As for changes in planning since the pandemic, she adds, “I’ve not changed the way I source meetings … but my team does pay particular attention to cancellation clauses.” Parsons says the hotel-ban- quet staff were exceptional: “And the AV technicians bent over backwards to ensure a smooth and seamless meeting. They couldn’t do enough for us. The food was also exceptional; most of the attendees told me that it was the best meeting food they ever ate. The chef customized my three receptions.” Parsons adds the destination is very popular, and therefore likely to fill up quickly, so she says, “I also strongly recommend a site visit since the property is laid out among several buildings.” JACKSONVILLE Jacksonville has nearly a dozen new restaurants and bars opening this year. There is a plan for the overhaul of the The Jacksonville Shipyards, which will include the city’s first five- star hotel, a Four Seasons; a city-owned, modernized marina; and multipurpose buildings and spaces. An expansion of the historic Florida Theatre nearby will include a 3,000-sf VIP lounge, which will open in time for the theater’s centennial celebration in 2027. FORT MYERS On the state’s west coast, the Fort Myers region had exten- sive damage after Hurricane Ian hit last year, but now nearly 70% of hotel rooms are available, as well as its beaches have reopened. Attendees looking to give back to the community have a variety of volunteer opportunities. “While our destination might look a bit different from years past, there’s still a lot to see and do in Fort Myers as many local businesses have reopened,” says Tamara Pigott, executive director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. “Our local community has shown extraordinary resil- ience during what has been one of the most challenging times of our lives.” Whatever location you choose in the Sunshine State, there is sure to be something to meet your needs so you can get away from Zoom and meet IRL. I & FMM themeetingmagazines.com 26 APRIL 2023 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT WHERE DRAGONS, WIZARDS AND MAJOR AIRLINES FLY ORLANDOMEETING.COM All roads—and all routes—lead to Orlando. With direct flights from over 150 cities worldwide, Orlando International Airport is an incredibly accessible hub for air travel. And as the airport continues to expand and modernize in the coming years, it will be simpler than ever for meeting attendees to arrive with ease. GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU After meetings, enjoy the serenity of a sunset on a sandy beach. Pictured: Crandon Park in Miami.WHERE DRAGONS, WIZARDS AND MAJOR AIRLINES FLY ORLANDOMEETING.COM All roads—and all routes—lead to Orlando. With direct flights from over 150 cities worldwide, Orlando International Airport is an incredibly accessible hub for air travel. And as the airport continues to expand and modernize in the coming years, it will be simpler than ever for meeting attendees to arrive with ease.A Sure Bet For Meeting Planners BY DAVID SWANSON A s the most popular meeting and conven- tion destination in the U.S., Las Vegas caters to all groups with some of the biggest and most prominent meetings, trade shows and business conferences. The unrivaled amount of meeting space in casino resorts and convention centers, the solid air accessibility from points across North America (and beyond) and the entertainment options make Las Vegas a destination that drives attendance. More than 38 mil- lion visitors in 2022 generated a record $79.3 billion. “We choose Las Vegas every year due to the easy lift for all attendees,” says Mark De La Paz, owner of the full-service meeting-planner Sourcing Power Group. “It’s such a draw for our attendees to pick and choose what they want to do nightly with all that Las Vegas has to offer, Cirque de Soleil shows, music residencies, comedy shows, nightclubs, concerts and the diverse gastronomy. We literally run out of time and can’t even enjoy it all.” Plus, Las Vegas ceaselessly reinvents itself, and never more than during the months following the worst of the pandemic. Planners who haven’t been to the city since 2020 will find a destination revitalized. The 1.4 million sf West Hall expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) includes 600,000 sf of exhibition space with 328,000 sf of column-free space — one of the largest such exhibition spaces in North America. The opening of the Resorts World Las Vegas complex, located within walking distance of the West Hall, represents COURTESY OF NICOLE ELLICKSON / CUNA | DESTINATION REPORT | themeetingmagazines.com 28 APRIL 2023 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT LAS VEGASthe first ground-up resort development on the Las Vegas Strip in more than a decade. Resorts World features the Las Vegas Hilton with 1,774 rooms, the Conrad Las Vegas has 1,496 rooms and suites, and Crockfords Las Vegas, LXR Hotels & Resorts, has 236 “ultra-luxury” rooms. The complex includes more than 250,000 sf of flexible meeting and banquet space. LEVELING UP: EXISTING PROPERTIES UPGRADING The Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino announced a remodel of its 2.1 million sf convention center, involving technology upgrades, dynamic digital signs and a modern, tropical redesign. The convention center will remain open and operational with upgrades executed in phases. The project is expected to be completed by late 2024. The Bellagio outlined the details of its renovation within its Spa Tower, delivering accommodations inspired by Italy’s Lake Como and the Alps. The tower, which encompasses 819 rooms and 104 suites, is scheduled for completion in the fall. An initial selection of renovated rooms will be available begin- ning in July. The facelift follows the resort’s recent remodel of more than 2,500 rooms in its main tower. Tom Morano, vice president of meetings & conferences at American Financial Services Association (AFSA), says attend- ees don’t need to leave the property, “Everything is located under one roof. It never gets boring, it’s never the same- old, same-old.” AFSA held its annual Vehicle Finance Con- ference & Expo, prior to the NADA Show, there last year, for its 685 attendees. “We have probably been to Bel- lagio eight or nine times in 20 years,” Morano says. “The resort attracts great attendance and has been well kept over the years. … Meetings are easy to reach from either eleva- tor tower without needing to walk the casino floor. Ballroom packages come with a complete comple- ment of additional meeting space for smaller commit- tees, boards, staff office and special events.” Another plus, attendees can dine at several hotel res- taurants appealing to different tastes, so there’s no need to hire transportation. Morano says, “Noth- ing beats Bellagio. We’re lucky to have many grandfathered clauses in our contract. The hotel has allowed us to accommodate specific requests year after year.” Nearby, Wynn Las Vegas is another Strip icon that has undergone a series of upgrades. Their 430,000 sf meeting and convention expansion opened a few years ago, more than dou- bling the space at Wynn and Encore. And last year, a new room concept across Wynn Las Vegas and Wynn Tower Suites was completed, offering an extensive redesign to the tower’s 2,674 rooms and suites. In January, specialty insurance provider, Amwins, hosted its annual Sales and Leadership Conference at Wynn, drawing 1,400 attendees. Sarah Richardson, vice president of meetings, events and administration at Amwins, says, “My phrase is, ‘no one does it like the Wynn,’ and it holds true. The sales staff is knowledgeable and accommodat- ing and the service staff is friendly, profes- sional and pays close attention to every single detail.” The recently added South Con- vention Space is located farther away from rooms, but Richard- son says, “It is worth the walk through the resort. Once you are there, all the meeting rooms are very close together between two levels.” Richardson also had good things to say about Wynn’s catering. “We hosted a seated, three-course dinner for the full 1,400 attendees, and the execution and meal itself was as close to perfection as you can get,” she says. “Our attendees were blown away.” DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | APRIL 2023themeetingmagazines.com 29 American Financial Services Association (AFSA) often holds its events at Bellagio Las Vegas. “Everything is located under one roof. It never gets boring,” says Tom Morano, VP of meetings & conferences. Pictured: One of their attendees meets a Las Vegas icon. C O U R T E S Y O F T O M M O R A N O Las Vegas Strip: The Bellagio has more than a thousand fountains outfront that sway in time to music enhanced by light. It’s renovating its Spa Tower inspired by Italy’s Lake Como and the Alps.Next >