< PreviousW hen planning an event, you work hard to build a program to benefit your audience. Whether you are trying to educate, motivate, reward or enter- tain your attendees, your agenda is carefully planned to help achieve your end goal. So, how do you make sure event attendees are staying attentive? As a keynote speaker with an improv background, I lean on various methods to engage an audience while I speak. This may include inviting volunteers to the stage for par- ticipation, posing verbal questions to the audience and responding to their gestures and answers, and giving them postcards (digital or printed) for note-taking to complete as I prompt them with the content. One of my favorite tools, though — and one of the most impactful for the audience — is using live polling. Live polling may sound complicated, but executing it is relatively simple from an event management standpoint. I use a service that I connect to PowerPoint. As long as my lap- top is connected to the internet, the attendees can respond to questions by texting their answers from their mobile phones. Less tech-savvy audiences tend to have the capacity to text. I like to start with a simple multiple-choice question to ensure everyone is comfortable with how the process works and their own anonymity in their responses before doing word clouds or anything more involved. Whether your event is onsite, virtual or hybrid, live polling is one type of engagement that works across all venues. As much as I enjoy being able to interact with volunteers on stage, not all events are conducive to this approach. Having a method to interact with an audience that will be reliable no matter your event model is vital for event success. The versatility of live polling makes it a handy tool to add to your toolkit. At a talk for the women’s empower- ment group of FIS Global — a group that had chapters from around the world joining in via watch parties — I presented live to one room of people. Still, I knew that I also had to engage the watch parties and the individuals from around the globe who were tuning in on their own. We opened with a word cloud question about where everyone was located at that very moment, and we were all rewarded with hundreds of responses populating the screen. The group was instantly connected and excited to watch as new responses were added to the screen. We set the tone from the beginning that I would not talk at them. I was talk- ing with them, and they were chatting with each other. In an onsite presentation, I watched as a room full of peo- ple became riveted by dynamic poll data shifting on screen. As a speaker, I get to hand the content over to them in these moments but do so within a framework to ensure we are still staying on track. When the audience is responding to polls, they are building something together. Their voices are being heard. Those who finish their responses quickly or who are unable to respond get to be active participants in watching as their fellow audience members continue to collaborate. I have noticed that audiences give complete attention during these portions of my talks, and I believe they do it as a sign of respect to their fellow audience members. One of the elements I have to consider as a speaker is that different people want to be engaged in different ways. For Using Live Polling to Engage an Audience BY MELISSA FORZIAT PERSPECTIVE // Live polling may sound complicated, but executing it is relatively simple from an event management standpoint. 10 March 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comDifferent people like to be engaged in different ways. A live polling platform bridges this gap, keeping the responses anynomous. DepositPhotos.com example, extroverts and introverts typically do not enjoy the same type of engagement. Live polling bridges this gap and serves as a way to draw in the introverts of the room who might not be com- fortable with volunteering, verbal responses out loud or breakout sessions. I use a live polling platform that keeps responses anony- mous, and I have found that — because of that anonymity — people are often willing to share deep thoughts in a word cloud or vulnerable responses to a multiple-choice question that they would not necessarily be comfortable to do if their name or face were attached to it. Putting live polling questions throughout a single keynote allows me to be nimble in adjusting to how people respond in real-time. I can ask questions based on the material to see what is resonating. I can challenge them with questions that disrupt their preconceptions. I can show them when there is consensus on an issue, which is especially useful if they think they are alone in their viewpoints. I can also celebrate unique takes or unusual answers to let them know that there is value in our differences. As a speaker, I can work with whatever answers they give me. When an audience sees this happening, they feel more encouraged to contribute. The result? We all become more active with the content. If planning an event, consider a consistent way to connect with the crowd between speakers or programming. An event host or emcee can do this, but live polling is a component that you can add to keep your event feeling alive in those in-between moments. One of my favorite aspects of live polling is an element that should be considered: The data you can gather from your event attendees. When I use live polling at an event, I often send the organizers screenshots of the final poll results or spreadsheet reports of the questions I posed. The data is anonymous, so privacy is maintained, but this can be an exciting way to show an organizer what their audience is thinking. For fun questions, screenshots could be shared in post-event marketing emails. Knowing that you are planning to gather this data may also inspire you to add questions regarding things you want to measure and discuss in your event debrief. What worked? What didn’t? When was the audience engaged? When were they disen- gaged? Even seeing changes in the volume of responses over the course of an event may help you make decisions about next year’s program. When you plan an event, you do not want that hard work to be lost to your audience losing focus. Finding easy-to- execute solutions to give them new ways to be involved can make all the difference. The more your attendees feel like they are part of the action, the more they will get from the program you created. C&IT MELISSA FORZIAT is a keynote speaker who encourages event attendees to “Take the Doughnut” (her version of “Carpe Diem”). Before starting her business, Melissa worked in event management for major international sports events, including the Vancouver and Torino Olympic Winter Games, New Zealand Rugby World Cup and the U.S. Olympic Committee. For more information about her motivational or marketing keynotes, visit takethedoughnut.com or check out her at youtube.com/@takethedoughnut. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | March 2024 11YOUR NEXT MEETING JUST LANDED IN TULUM. Give your attendees the experience of paradise in this Mexican oasis. Sunny days lie ahead for meeting planners in Tulum, Mexico, thanks to the new Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport (TQO). In addition to the Cancún International Airport (CUN), travel to beautiful Tulum and its premier resort destinations is now even more accessible. Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, MexicoHilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort, MexicoConrad Tulum Riviera Maya, Mexico A NATURAL BEAUTY This sparkling city located on the southeastern tip of Mexico is ready to welcome you. Creating spectacular meeting backdrops, Tulum boasts turquoise waters, white beaches, and revered seaside Mayan ruins. Crystalline cenotes, along with other attractions and excursions, like day trips to Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, await. The Biosphere Reserve hosts intimate tours for conference goers that provide rare access to the region’s spectacular wildlife and Mayan ruins. Another highlight at the Reserve is floating down an ancient Mayan canal once used as a trading route. With your memorable Tulum backdrop in place, two Hilton hotel brands, Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya and Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort, welcome attendees and accommodate your meeting with style and ease. Each are a short distance from one another on the same gated property. CONRAD TULUM RIVIERA MAYA Discreetly tucked into mangrove forests alongside the coast, Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya marries Tulum’s natural ambience with regional, sophisticated influences. Behind the open-air lobby’s magnificent carved doors, reflective pools lined with palm trees flow to an infinity pool and swimmer-friendly waters. Mayan-inspired artifacts and custom natural art enhance public spaces and guest rooms, providing a true sense of place and comfort. With upscale amenities at every turn, there’s something for everyone who seeks a luxury experience, including five pools, and 11 restaurants with menus creatively presented and made with wholesome, indigenous ingredients. Each of our 241 rooms and suites comes elegantly appointed and with a private ocean or resort view, perfect for your VIPs. HILTON TULUM RIVIERA MAYA ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT Only a short golf cart or van drive away, the Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort is an eco-chic oasis, brimming with amenities. One price covers everything at this all-inclusive, including accommodations, food, entertainment and activities. There are 735 rooms and suites with private balconies and oceanfront or resort views, 13 restaurants and bars, and nine pools. All are just steps away from a secluded bay that feels like a natural sanctuary and private beach. MOTTO BY HILTON TULUM Perhaps you or your attendees want to extend your stay after your meeting. Our nearby Motto by Hilton Tulum is the perfect place for a getaway if you need to unplug for a few days on your own. Where local flair is appreciated and celebrated, this unique hotel delivers authentic designs and experiences with locally curated food and beverage options, and two rooftop pools. You will find Motto by Hilton Tulum nestled in Hunab Lifestyle Center, a lively shopping and dining destination. Learn more about our hotels in Tulum at hilton.com © 2023 Hilton MEETING IN THE MANGROVES Both properties share the only dedicated event center in Tulum. This 50,000-square-foot center located at Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya includes: • Tulkal , the main ballroom with 31,000 square feet of flexible space • Tulkalito, our junior ballroom accommodates 900 attendees and can be divided or used as a prefunction space for larger events in Tulkal • Four meeting rooms, each with 581 square feet, for smaller meetings or breakout sessions • Terraza Coba , a covered terrace for starlight receptionsI n today’s tumultuous business-scape amid increasingly intricate and often vexing marketplace conditions, curating and mining data to drive analytics-based deci- sion-making is just no longer enough. To compete with maximum, sustained impact and mitigated opportunity loss, rapidly monetizing data is now the game’s name — particularly when spurred by arti- ficial intelligence (AI). Indeed, emerging AI methodologies are helping forward-thinking companies achieve and sustain true agility, fuel growth and compete far more aggressively than ever before. AI is critical as a means toward those ends and also certainly with respect to aptly predicting, preparing and responding to prospective crises as with the COVID-19 pan- demic the globe is currently immersed in. In fact, Gartner recently cited the need for “smarter, faster, more responsible AI” as its No. 1 top trend that data and analytics leaders should focus on — particularly those looking to “make essential investments to prepare for a post- pandemic reset.” Novel coronavirus matters aside, Gartner underscored just how impactful AI will become, predicting that, “by the end of 2024, 75% of enterprises will shift from piloting to operationalizing AI, driving a 5X increase in streaming data and analytics infrastructures.” “To innovate their way beyond the post-COVID-19 world, data and analytics leaders require an ever-increasing veloc- ity and scale of analysis in terms of processing and access to succeed in the face of unprecedented market shifts,” says Rita Sallam, distinguished VP analyst for Gartner. However, employing AI techniques like machine learn- ing (ML) and natural language processing (NLP) to glean insights and render projections is simply no longer “enough” to get the job done — especially for organizations seeking to compete efficiently on a national, multi-national or global scale. Today’s organizations must endeavor toward a culture of AI-driven data literacy that directly and positively influ- ences their top and bottom lines. “To help data monetiza- tion-minded enterprises better future-proof their operations and asset-amplify their data value chain, there are a few key ways to implement and elevate machine intelligence so that it’s far smarter, faster and more accountable than protocols past,” says Microsoft alum Irfan Khan, founder and CEO of CLOUDSUFI — an AI solutions firm automating data supply chains to propel and actualize data monetization. Manifesting new market opportunities Today’s machine learning capabilities allow people to sift through data that previously could not be accessed, all at speeds faster than ever before. Present technology offers the opportunity to wholly analyze image, spoken or written inputs rather than just numerical, helping companies better find connections across these diverse data sets. This generates and maximizes value in several ways. Rel- ative to the bottom and top lines, not only can it significantly reduce expenses, but it can also create new market oppor- tunities. With COVID-19 as one recent example, algorithms speedily sifted through an extraordinary amount of data to identify diseases and potential cures that presented as simi- lar, which allowed those methodologies to be readily tested against the coronavirus. Machine learning advancements also help companies bet- ter monetize their data and establish new revenue streams. In the above example, of course patient information would not be shared or sold in any way, but other highly valuable data points can be gleaned. This includes determining that a certain drug is only effective on woman between certain ages — criti- cal insights for pharmaceutical developers and physicians. Emerging AI data processing protocols are far more rapid than prior iterations of machine learning technology, as are the resulting solutions, discoveries and profit-producing results thereof. Reconcile emotions with actualities Data generates value, which leads to the generation of money. It’s that simple. Previously, it was difficult, if not humanly impossible, to sift through mass amounts of data and pinpoint relationships. There were very rudimentary Tech Trends: Smarter, Faster, More Responsible AI BY MERILEE KERN, MBA PERSPECTIVE // 14 March 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comtools like regression and correlation, but today’s analytics call for understanding what extracted data actually means. Leaders use data to either validate their gut or disagree with their instincts. Now, they are getting quicker insights that decisively validate or invalidate their thinking while prompting them to ask new questions. “Human nature is such that unless we can see it touch it feel it, it’s hard to understand it,” Khan says. “We as data scientists haven’t done a really great job of explaining AI- driven data technology in simple terms. Telling a story with data or demonstrating actual results is where real power and understanding lies.” Scale statistical models for actionable models We often separate our data as facts, asserting “this is what happened.” Neural networks connect the “human decision- making process” to those facts — a simulation practice that helps us make better decisions. Previously, we would look at data sets like demographics, customer behaviors and such in silos. But when these multiple data sets are connected, it becomes quite evident that no two humans — or customers — are exactly alike. Technology is now allowing us to understand trends on a factual level and then project outward. In the health realm, some companies are using this key learning to project whether or not a person is likely to suffer a certain afflic- tion. It’s also allowing for far more efficacious “if this then what?” scenarios. It starts with data acquisition — garnering a wide variety of data from different sources where data is being generated by the millisecond. Once the data is identified and ingested, it needs to be brought to a central point where it can be explored, cleansed, transformed, augmented and enriched and finally modelled for use toward a purpose. “Most organizations have some data and drive different levels of business process improvement and strategic deci- sions with it,” Khan notes. “However, few use data to the fullest. The right approach to data valuation and monetiza- tion can uncover limitless possibilities, including customer centricity, operational efficiency, competitive advantage, strategic partnerships, efficient operations, improved prof- itability and new revenue streams.” Multimedia monetization Up to now, we have been able to write algorithms, gen- erate immense amounts of numerical or written data and make sense of it. However, there is a significant amount of data that comes as images or voice, which has not been easy to process and manage until recent developments. In fact, retail and finance industries have been early adopters of this technology — and with good reason. They’ve seen costs go down, engagement go up, sales increase and benefitted from other highly substantial points of monetization. “All of this possibly had previously demanded a hefty price tag using systems and solutions of yore,” Khan notes. “Today, integrating multiple processes across hybrid multi- cloud environments has made data processing and analyt- ics much more accessible and outsourceable.” As one of the world’s leading experts on building transparency into supply chains, Khan doesn’t just talk the talk, he’s walked the walk. “New AI solutions and trends will eliminate patchwork processes that cause data, and interpretations thereof, to get lost in translation or, even worse, remain entirely undis- covered,” Khan says. “Next-Gen platforms are solving such problems by executing all functions required to create and govern AI products — single-source systems that pull data, transform, model, tunes and recommend actions with cause- effect transparency.” For niche players, today’s leading-edge AI technology also aptly provides for vertical industry specialization. “Overall, AI is ushering in a new and more sophisticated era of data literacy,” he concludes. Perhaps the future man- date for AI should not only focus on becoming smarter, faster and more accountable than predecessors, but actually bridge the gap between human intuition and data-backed decisions. Doing so will assuredly advance an organization’s ability to transact with utmost trust. C&IT Leaders are getting quicker insights that decisively validate or invalidate their thinking while prompting them to ask new questions. Forbes Business Council, Newsweek Expert Forum and Rolling Stone Culture Council member MERILEE KERN, MBA, is founder, executive editor and producer of “The Luxe List,” as well as host of both the “Savvy Living” lifestyle and travel and “Savvy Ventures” business TV shows. Connect with her at TheLuxeList. com, SavvyLiving.tv, at LuxeListReports on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and on LinkedIn at MerileeKern. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | March 2024 15G aming resorts, namely colossal hotels with over-the-top amenities, have proven to be the ideal option for today’s meetings and events. Not only do planners have a wealth of options from which to choose, but attendees can enjoy everything from swim-up black- jack tables to lavish shopping to legendary casino action. Las Vegas Gems At Wynn and Encore Las Vegas, meeting planners can configure their meeting, convention or special event utiliz- ing 560,000 rentable sf of flexible space that includes 57 meeting rooms, a 20,000 sf outdoor pavilion with an adja- cent 20,000 sf lawn, and four pillar-less ballrooms ranging from 20,500 to 83,000 sf. The new two-level meeting and convention space expansion sits on the southeast side of the resort’s private backyard and overlooks the Wynn Golf Club’s 18-hole championship golf course. “Wynn Las Vegas provides a level of service to our group, our attendees, and our exhibitors that reflects back upon American Med Spa in a positive manner,” says Mary Richter, events director at the American Med Spa. “The options for dining, entertainment, gaming and spa at Wynn Las Vegas align with our audience’s travel expectations, and heighten their experience while at our Gaming Resorts BY MAURA KELLER The Best Gems in Casino Action Courtesy Photo Turning Stone Resort Casino offers a 32 table, state-of-the-art Poker Room and 2,000 slots. SITE SELECTION 16 March 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comprogram. In addition, Wynn Las Vegas is a great plan- ning partner — and I use the word ‘partner’ in earnest, to ensure we are achieving our organization’s goals for our annual meeting.” The event spaces at Wynn and Encore Las Vegas boast floor-to-ceiling windows, terraces with garden or pool views and grand promenades. The resort features state-of- the-art technology, and Wynn’s event production services team, which can fully oversee event production. Another favorite gaming resort is Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The resort features the meeting space in its own campus-like space, including separate elevators and entrances, maintaining a separation between business and pleasure activities for attendees. Fontainebleau Las Vegas includes 550,000 sf of custom- izable indoor and outdoor meeting and convention space, with countless configurations throughout the five levels of the resort. A pil- larless ballroom spanning more than 105,000 sf — one of the largest in Las Vegas — is an ideal venue for larger gatherings. And the three-level, 90,000-sf theater in a unique option for presentations also includes generous pre-function space. “The Las Vegas Chamber is thrilled to join forces with Fontainebleau Las Vegas as our host for this year’s Preview Las Vegas, the region’s premier business forecasting event,” says Mary Beth Sewald, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce president and CEO. “With more than 1,500 attendees, Fontainebleau Las Vegas is the perfect venue with its all-new state- of-the-art meeting and convention space, providing our event with a diverse and flexible space for all of our attend- ees to experience.” When it comes time for fun and games, the resort’s 150,000 sf of gaming space, a 55,000 sf spa, 14,000 sf fitness center, offer a wealth of activities for attendees to enjoy. In 2024, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will introduce 36 first-to-market restaurant concepts, including con- cepts from award-winning chefs and restaurateurs, such as Chef Gabriela Cámara, Michelin-starred chefs Masa Ito and Kevin Kim, Alan Yau, Evan Funke, David Grutman, and more. Sheldon Kaye, vice president of events for ConvExx, recently held their Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) event at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The event included the load-in of vehicles into the ballroom, competitions in the convention space, vendor booths and hotel room buyouts. “Choosing the Plaza to launch PDR Expo was one of the main reasons the event was successful. Our attendees were captivated by the downtown, old-school Vegas vibe, which added an unforgettable flair to the event. Meanwhile, our exhibitors appreciated the smooth and easy move-in pro- cess,” Kaye says. “This synergy created a perfect environ- ment for both showcasing skills and networking. The Plaza proved to be the ideal venue, blending classic charm with modern convenience.” The Plaza hosts numerous events — large and small — at the various venues, including: 30,000 sf of refurbished ballroom and meeting space; a vintage Vegas showroom; a rooftop pool deck that overlooks the Vegas valley and downtown; the CORE Arena, which is downtown’s only outdoor equestrian and multipurpose facility; and dining and entertainment venues. Caesars Entertainment is synonymous with Las Vegas, with several amazing gaming resort options. CAESARS FORUM is one of the most amazing venues to consider, with 550,000 sf of space, including the 100,000 sf outdoor FORUM PLACE. The venues two pillarless ballrooms can each accommodate up to 10,000 attendees. Directly connected to CAESARS FORUM is Harrah’s Las Vegas, with freshly redesigned and remodeled accommodations for attendees, and over 25,000 sf of meeting space. One of the ideal locales to host a meeting is at Caesars Palace, which is one of the best-known gaming resorts in the U.S. Here, attendees and planners alike revel in the five-star experience at every turn. Caesars Palace fea- tures a two-story conference center and two pillarless 51,000 sf ballrooms. For smaller gatherings, yet for those wanting to experi- ence all the Strip has to offer, Linq Hotel & Casino offers over 31,000 sf of meeting space, including an expansive third and fourth floor conference areas, and several special Courtesy Photo The Plaza Hotel & Casino offers a variety of table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, poker and more. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | March 2024 1718 March 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com venues for more intimate affairs. And while heading to Paris, France may not be part of the agenda, Paris Las Vegas is the next best thing. This amazing gaming resort offers 140,000 sf of adaptive meeting spaces and a vast range of room configura- tions to meet the exact needs of a group. Additional Caesars Entertainment prop- erties that have enticed meeting planners for years include the Flamingo Las Vegas, with over 73,000 sf of meeting and event space, as well as Harrah’s Las Vegas, which offers 25,000 sf of meeting venue options. At the heart of the MGM’s presence in Las Vegas is the MGM Grand, an 850,000- sf conference center, which offers a wealth of flexible meeting space. In addition, MGM offers robust convention spaces at Mandalay Bay. The Mandalay Bay Convention Center boasts over 2.1 mil- lion sf of meeting and exhibit space, mak- ing this center one of the largest in the world. For unique, elevated meeting experiences, MGM offers several addi- tional gems, including The Mirage, the Bel- lagio and Park MGM — all of which offer exceptional entertainment facilities that go beyond the casino experience. The Park MGM has three unique gathering spaces including the Conference Center, the Madison Meeting Center and the Ideation Studio — all of which are easily accessible from guest rooms. The opulence of the meeting spaces at the Bellagio will leave attendees in awe, as will the gaming resort’s many attractions, including the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, the Bellagio Conservatory & Gardens, and the many entertainment options gracing the resort. Innovative and contemporary are ideal ways to describe the meeting environs at the Resorts World Las Vegas, which features a total of 250,000 sf of flexible event space, a 5,000 sf theatre and six ballrooms. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer attendees awe-inspiring views of the Las Vegas strip and an expansive outdoor ter- race is the ideal spot for many corporate gatherings. When it’s time to relax and unwind, Resorts World Las Vegas touts an amazing gaming floor, nightclubs, wellness spa and seven outdoor pools. East Coast Delights Boston, MA is home to Encore Bos- ton Harbor, a casino resort that sits on 33 acres right on the historic Boston Har- bor, only five miles from Logan International Airport and connected to Boston via a fleet of Encore Boston Harbor water shuttles. With 50,000 sf of state-of-the-art meeting and event space, including a 37,000-sf divisible grand ballroom, 10 customizable meeting spaces, 15 restaurants and lounges, and 650 sf hotel rooms —the largest guest rooms in the city — Encore Boston Harbor is considered the “go to” destina- tion for many corporate meeting planners looking for a unique gaming resort experience for attendees. “Encore has been one of the most stellar venues I have worked with in the past decade,” says Esther Fleischhacker, CMP, event planning, management and production at EFfortless-Events Inc. “The sales team is flexible, knowledgeable and client centric in their approach, and their planning and event team provides exceptional service and adapts brilliantly when client or event needs change. The space is gorgeous, very flexible with good outdoor space, and banquets always exceed my expectations.” Photo by Megan Blair In addition to gaming, Resorts World Las Vegas has 250,000 sf of flexible event space. Left: Encore Boston Harbor offers a glamourous gaming experience on the Mystic riverfront. Courtesy Photo MEETINGS THAT HIT BIG The natural beauty of Central New York’s heartlands blends seamlessly with world-class amenities at Turning Stone Resort Casino. With 125,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, award-winning golf and dining, 788 guest rooms and exceptional service, you can create the ultimate event experience. MEETINGS THAT HIT BIG The natural beauty of Central New York’s heartlands blends seamlessly with world-class amenities at Turning Stone Resort Casino. With 125,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, award-winning golf and dining, 788 guest rooms and exceptional service, you can create the ultimate event experience. Next >