< Previoushow you connect them and make them feel included in the larger organization. As an example of something that really hasn’t changed, but feels like it should often be part of a discussion of inten- tionality, is the size of the tables being used at events. As Gim- pel explains, many events have an element of intentionality where they need to bring people together, connect them and have them engage with each other. And we assume that this will happen when people are sitting at a round-table session or at a meal. Then we use tables that seat 10 or 12 people and it becomes effectively impossible to have a conversation with anyone other than the person right next to you. “There’s almost always a lot of thought about what goes on that table, but not a lot of thought about why we are using that table (as opposed to other sizes or con- figurations) in terms of the overarching intention of the event,” Gimpel says. Societal Influences & Intentionality Societally, today we seem to have more awareness of thinking more about our choices and how they affect others; that we should be intentional in the cars we drive or the food we buy or the companies we support. As Gimpel explains, the modern environmental movement seems rooted in this, as does a move over the past decade or so towards inclusivity, DEI and similar conscious decision making. “At the same time, it feels like we are living in a very curated world where a regular lunch or a regular hotel or a regular speaker won’t cut it. We see an Instagram world where so much polish goes into all of those elements — or we are led to believe that,” Gimpel says. “Yes, it’s good for an event to make conscious choices about the environment and diversity, for example. And it’s also true that people increasingly expect more polish or at least a different kind of thinking today. Is it beneficial that speakers and panels are more diverse today than they were in the past? Do attendees appreciate an event that isn’t just run of the mill but is wor- thy of being shared on social media? Yes, they do.” The reality is, says Gimpel, even with a different set of speakers or a really unique location or Instagram-worthy food, a lot of events are really just changing the paint job and not the destination to which the car is driving, which is at the heart of intentionality. For example, many events exist to connect attendees, make them feel like they are part of a group and share knowledge among them. “If we are intentionally choosing speakers from more diverse backgrounds to speak at the event, that’s good. But the reality is a bunch of people doing PowerPoint presenta- tions — regardless of who they are — probably doesn’t align with the actual intention of the event. Such events end up being stagnant and largely passive and are often at odds with the very reason for bringing people together. In that case, it might be a nicer paint job on the car, but the car is still driving in the wrong direction,” Gimpel says. Gimpel ran an event recently that brought together sev- eral large manufacturers who were working together on addressing climate issues. The event was in Washington, D.C. A big part of the intention was to make this group feel a sense of trust and urgency despite being competitors. “We wanted them to really come together and under- stand that they needed to find true alignment on some really difficult topics with billion-dollar ramifications. We were in a beautiful hotel space that was accustomed to a very standard room setup for presentations. And what we realized was that the way the room was set was only going Jeanette Davis / M&IW The M&IW Summit applies neuroscience to build more meaningful meetings, structuring events around community and belonging. 40 March 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comto keep the individuals and their companies divided and not foster a sense of cohesion,” Gimpel says. “A big piece of the intentionality came down to how good design is often invisible. By the end of the event, there was a real shift in how attendees related to each other, but it was as unsexy as changing the size and shape of the tables and where people were sitting, as opposed to the more Instagrammable moments from the event.” Gimpel advises planners to know why you are doing an event, as a lot of people and organizations putting on events aren’t entirely clear why they are doing it themselves. For example, Gimpel frequently finds that if a client has a plan- ning committee of four people and you ask them why they are doing the event and what would define true success, each of their bottom-line answers are dramatically differ- ent and misaligned. “Events can do different things and have more than one intention, but I like there to be one guiding intention that we can metaphorically put on a banner that hangs above our heads when we do our planning and then keep referring to it as we make decisions about everything else,” Gimpel says. To this end, Gimpel almost always starts an engagement by going through his “Five Whys” exercise, or some- thing similar, with a client. Although it comes from the process improvement world, he finds that it is a really simple but powerful exercise to understand what the intention of an event is. “A lot of clients have really only thought about the surface ‘first why’ and it only scratches the surface of what the event should be. We will also often do a personas exercise where we will very clearly spell out who’s going to be at this event, why they are going to be there, and what would make the event worthwhile and an absolute home run for them,” Gimpel says. Events tend to be dominated by logistics and people think of events in a template mentality. For example, we know what a corporate strategy retreat always looks like and we know what a sales kickoff meeting looks like, and so we largely recycle those templates, but add some thought- ful flourishes. “Planners are still skipping a crucial phase of understanding and are jumping right into logistics. We know a birthday party has historically had a cake so an early set of decisions resolved around how big a cake, what flavor, what color, etc.,” Gimpel says. “Maybe the best way to celebrate a birthday has little to do with cake. Planners may ask this intention-based question more often.” Herrig has been extremely fortunate to have worked on meetings where establishing intentionality is essentially her primary role. She and her team design an agenda in which every session/function is meticulously considered, so it’s in the right environment (including elements that touch all the senses), with the right people, hearing the right mes- sage and for the right amount of time. As Herrig explains, it’s a “Goldilocks” approach, and they want it all to be just right. To accomplish this inten- tionality, they carefully map out the attendees’ journey through the agenda, so there is time to reflect, process, pause, discuss and interact. And it’s just as important to give them the right content as it is to provide time to digest, so ideas and action are not lost in the moment. “Every other aspect of the entire program receives the same precise and methodical consideration – arrival/check- in, giveaways, menu selections, furniture, décor, production elements, etc. Truly each element is considered for its alignment with the whole,” Herrig says. And today’s attendees are tak- ing notice of this intentionality. Herrig says it’s incred- ible how positively they respond to this level of thought and detail that she and her team put into the experience. She feels they receive much more from a meeting/event overall that is designed with careful intention. Continued Intentionality “With all my heart, I do hope this continues to be a focus for the event professional community. My advice to other meeting planners would be to not fear going into this depth of detail, but to embrace it,” Herrig says. “Allow yourself to be immersed in the ‘why’ of the event or meeting, so you can focus your attention on ensuring all the elements coalesce.” This means creating a theme to articulate or illustrate this “why.” Then, consider the event pieces on their own merit, but don’t neglect to consider them as a whole. Herrig recommends meeting planners place themselves into the perspective of various stakeholders and ask if your intention is understandable and makes a difference. “Putting that extra time and care into your design, strat- egy and planning will absolutely be worth it,” she says. Davis advises planners to also understand attendees’ preferences, learning styles as well as demographics and culture to create a more inclusive experience. “Prioritize positive emotional connections through senses, their physi- cal setting and engaging interactive sessions,” Davis con- cludes. “As for the future, this focus is here to stay and is likely to continue evolving.” C&IT Events can do different things and have more than one intention, but I like there to be one guiding intention ... and then keep referring to it. LEE GIMPEL Founder, Better Meetings TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | March 2024 41T hroughout all industries, millennials are having a significant impact on product development, marketing strategies and the overall structure of consumer-centric products. Within the meeting and events industry, millennials are also having an impact on how today’s events are designed, thanks in part of their interest in tech-focused experiences and interactions. As Paulina Giusti, senior manager of meetings & events at Cvent, explains, as the first generation to grow up along- side the transformational evolution of the internet, millen- nials are very comfortable around technology. So, it’s probably no sur- prise that they expect to see at least the fundamentals — such as social media ops or mobile-friendly tech — be incorporated into their meet- ings and events. “Millennials are also used to hav- ing information immediately at their disposal, so while it may seem like they have trouble putting down their phones, event planners who want to engage this generation will have a better chance of succeeding if they view these habits as opportunities, rather than challenges,” Giusti says. The good news is that there are plenty of ways event planners can incorporate technology into their events that won’t just appease millen- nials but will make the event more streamlined and engag- ing for everyone. Some tips from Giusti include: Capitalize on mobile screen time: According to recent reports, average daily smartphone use has increased to more than four hours, so having a customized mobile event app — or at the very least an interactive mobile-friendly website — is a no-brainer. “An app is a great way to not only share real-time updates with all your attendees, but it also allows for greater event personalization — which millenni- als expect,” Giusti says. You can use custom push notifica- tions, session recommendations, in-app messaging to drive meaningful engagement and help attendees get more out of your event. Younger attendees will also appreciate being able to build their agendas and sign up for events instanta- neously. In the same vein, ensure your internet connection onsite is reliable. There’s nothing more frustrating to tech- savvy attendees than spotty Wi-Fi during an event. Don’t shy away from social media: Although apps like TikTok are all the rage with Gen Z and much younger generations, as Giusti points out, mil- lennials were the first generation that really embraced the early days of social media (Myspace, anyone?). Since then, millennials have branched out to other platforms, like Instagram, Snapchat and X (formerly Twitter), and they still want to share with their connections that they were part of a fun, unique event. Plus, millennials are more likely than older generations to turn to social media for business recom- mendations, professional inspiration and industry news. Creating a hashtag for the event is one way to help them get the word out, while unique onsite activations or livestreaming big keynote moments encourage further reach and social engagement. Make the event experience easy: From the moment they register for an event to the post-event survey submission, millennials expect an easy, streamlined experience. “Pre- event, create a seamless online registration process (make sure it’s mobile-responsive and ask relevant questions to customize their event experience),” Giusti says. “Dur- Millennials BY MAURA KELLER Decision-Making Influencers COVER STORY Millenials desire more variety in trip destinations. Pictured: Sales incentive winners and Brightspot program managers enjoying a group yachting experience. Event planners who want to engage this generation will have a better chance of succeeding if they view these habits as opportunities. PAULINA GIUSTI Senior Manager of Meetings & Events Cvent 42 March 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comCourtesy of Brightspot Incentives & Events ing the event, if they attend in-person, provide self-serve check-in kiosks and sustainable badging options.” If they’re attending virtually, provide a more interactive experience with live session Q&A, chat and attendee-to- attendee online networking options. Post-event, use AI- powered technology to deliver a personalized recap mes- sage straight to their inbox — with notes and key highlights from the sessions they attended, along with on-demand content they can consume later to continue their learning at their leisure. Chandra Major, CMP, DES, events manager at Purchas- ing Power, points out that millennials prioritize engaged, interactive and authentic event experiences, valuing learn- ing, networking and meaningful connections over tradi- tional, passive conference setups. This includes interactive sessions, engaging speakers and immersive experiences, aligning with their love for both fun and travel, fostering curiosity and growth. “Millennials perceive events as crucial for professional development, seeking genuine connections over forced interactions,” Major says. “They look for networking avenues such as roundtable discussions, mentorship pro- grams, or themed networking sessions focusing on shared interests or industries, particularly valuable when seeking job opportunities.” Seamless tech integration is a priority, especially at tech- focused conferences. Millennials expect event apps, inter- active displays, charging stations and social media integra- tion for enhanced engagement. “Digital business cards and QR codes for instant information sharing are increasingly favored, alongside hybrid or virtual components enabling remote participation,” Major says. According to Kristin Spencer, senior manager of expe- riential marketing at Ecolab, one key point to remember is that millennials spent COVID balancing work-from-home with parenting-from-home, which has blurred the lines between the two, for better or for worse. “Meeting attendees have become much more discern- ing with their time, choosing only the events that will drive the most benefit to their careers. They want meetings that will fit into their busy agendas,” Spencer says. “Even when attending events as a part of their role, they want a more personalized experience that fulfils both their professional obligations and their personal development.” TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | March 2024 43The Value of the Experience Millennials value experiences over material goods, so what does this mean for today’s meetings and events? Millennials are the largest segment in the workplace (they make up 46% of the full-time U.S. workforce), which means that they get a lot of executive attention. According to Michelle Crosby, CMP, CITP, account executive, Brightspot Incentives & Events explains, “ombre” travel is a new term for “bleisure,” which embodies the mixing of business travel with a few days of leisure vacation. This is popular with mil- lennials who are looking to explore and experience a desti- nation outside of the four walls of the hotel meeting room. “This means mixing in new places for the next annual meeting or sales kick-off to take place,” Crosby says. “Mil- lennials desire more variety in trip destinations. A recent SITE research study said that 67% would be more moti- vated to attend a new destination than if the meeting or event is booked in the same destination year over year.” Variety then leads into wellness and overall well-being for millennial meeting and event attendees with an emphasis on mental health. They appreciate a choice in how and when they recharge their batteries. Crosby points to a recent company that decided to incor- porate a come-and-go wellness lounge throughout the days of their meeting. This room included a variety of 15-minute treatments like lymphatic massage, facial treatments and meditation practices. Participants could indulge at their lei- sure to relieve stressors of the day. “Combined with smart snacks and a variety of toiletry style sundries provided the attendees with exactly what they needed when they needed it with minimal waste,” Crosby says. Millennials, shaped by our rap- idly changing landscape, do tend to prioritize meaningful, unique experi- ences, and event planners can lean into this by sourcing destinations and hotels or venues that offer stand- out amenities, or environments that encourage exploration, adventure and “shareable” moments. “Planners can partner with their hotel or CVB partners to help high- light these experiences through their pre-event marketing promotions or creative in-room amenities,” Giusti says. “The right pre-event promotions can also benefit your host hotel/city as many millennials are now old enough to be well established in their careers and are more likely to tap into the ‘ombre’ travel trend by tacking vacation days onto work trips. During the event, planners can incorporate unique experiences into their agenda such as dog petting lounges, food truck tours/street food strolls, pop-up well- ness spaces or unique “mini” performances from local art- ists — or offer an interactive songwriting workshop that attendees get to record and take home as a keepsake. “Some events integrate gamification, live polls and live DJs in session rooms, offering VIP ticket tiers with exclusive perks and dedicated networking apps,” Major says. “These apps facilitate pre, during and post-event connections, foster- ing community and excitement, especially beneficial for first- time and solo attendees. Unconventional venues and experi- ences like VR/AR or pop-up events enhance memorability.” Major adds that millennials value event experiences that create lasting memories, often compensating for fewer trav- els during their upbringing. Diverse workshops, wellness activities like mindfulness and yoga, culinary experiences, fun unique company sponsored events and community engagement initiatives resonate well. Meeting attendees also are craving experiences beyond the traditional networking format, instead interested in more cultivated experiences that pairs them with like- minded attendees. Spencer says that, whether through event technology or agenda layout, meeting planners should consider ways to connect attendees with their peers for thought-leadership sharing, career development and long-term relationship building. “Many apps and other event tech now offer matching- making functionality, a great way to support networking before the event even starts. At events, things like curated ‘birds-of-a-feather’ conversations help drive meaningful connections in ways the traditional event experiences aren’t able to accomplish,” Spencer says. Gone are the days of week-long events. Millennials are looking for concentrated, meaningful experiences that will sup- port them professionally, both in their current roles and their careers long-term. “Attention spans are shorter and so content needs to follow suit. This can be accomplished through shortened break- out sessions, interactive content and more movement through- out the event days,” Spencer says. “I encourage our business stakeholders to consider non-traditional delivery mechanisms when creating content plans. An information exhibit, interactive workshops, and micro-sessions are a great way to deliver information quickly, aligned to the desires of meeting attendees.” A shift in preference from goods to experiences can provide planners the opportunity to drive more meaningful connections with their attendees. Interactive gifting hits the trifecta of millennial values: experiential, sustainable and Meeting attendees have become much more discerning with their time, choosing only the events that will drive the most benefit... KRISTIN SPENCER Senior Manager of Experiential Marketing Ecolab 44 March 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.compersonalized; gifts that offer an interactive experience, driv- ing longer-term brand awareness as those items become a part of the attendee’s “home life.” New Events Landscape Another aspect of today’s meetings and events landscape that millennials have shaped is an emphasis on sustainabil- ity and social responsibility. As Giusti explains, millennials’ formative years were marked by increased awareness of global issues that has stayed with them. So, event planners should keep environmental and social impact top of mind when thinking about how to attract millennials to their events. “Research by Deloitte has found that millennials (and Gen Z) stand out par- ticularly for their climate change activism, to the point where they research a brand’s environmental impact before accepting a job,” Giusti says. “The meetings and events indus- try is already one step ahead in that regard, with over a third of event planners reporting that sustainabil- ity, diversity and wellness will predominantly shape their planning priorities this year, according to the latest Cvent Planner Sourcing Report.” The good news is that there are plenty of steps that are already widely implemented: • Providing attendees with virtual attendance options to reduce carbon emissions from business travel • Leveraging mobile event apps and websites to remove the need for any printed materials onsite • Asking attendees what their meal prefer- ences and restrictions are ahead of time to minimize food waste • Sourcing food, attendee gifts and perfor- mances locally to reduce carbon emissions from transportation • Providing attendees with their branded water bottle • Working with the venue to incentivize smart water consumption and heat usage “Millennials advocate for more diversity, inclusion and relevant discussions at events, stressing representation in speakers, panels and discussions focused on mental health and social responsibility,” Major says. Further Appealing Efforts Almost all meeting and event attendees today are tech- savvy and expect the seamless integration of technology throughout the event experience, and many attendees expect there to be sustainability goals or guidelines put in place by the organization hosting a meeting or event. “When it comes to learning, millennials like to learn in ways that involve interactive and engaging activi- ties. Mobile meeting apps that provide gamification and accessing speaker or meeting materials long after the event are at the top of the list,” Crosby says. “Gone are the days of the slide after slide presentations and single-sided conversations. More ‘un-conference’ experi- ences, workshops, TED talk style education and experiential events are gaining traction.” Millennials also appreci- ate effective engagement efforts throughout the event. As Major explains, effective engagement involves personalized expe- riences, flexible scheduling, pre-event community build- ing, reduced paper usage and emphasis on digital sustainability. “In that same vein, mil- lennials have been known to respond well to oppor- tunities for direct engage- ment and participating at an event, but this isn’t exclusive to this generation. All attendees would respond well to opportunities for more meaningful interactions and perhaps some friendly competition,” Giusti says. “In all, it’s good to remember that as event planners strive to meet the evolving needs of millennials, they inadvertently elevate the overall event experience for diverse audiences, creating environ- ments that foster engagement, connection and a shared sense of purpose.” Spencer stresses that as meeting planners, she and oth- ers should consider the whole person attending the event as they make decisions about the experience. “I like to take a step back to consider how I would interact with a decision being made. Would I still be able to catch a flight if the event ends mid-afternoon? If I bring a carry-on, do I want a large welcome gift I won’t be able to fit into my suitcase? Do I want an app that is released weeks in advance, or one that includes more relevant and up-to- date information? Spencer adds, “Our attendees’ needs should be at the center of decision making. And be sure to listen. Millen- nials are more than happy to share their opinions on what they want and need. Provide easy, relevant opportunities to share feedback and use the information given in future decision making.” C&IT Courtesy of Paulina Giusti Millenials enjoy smart snacks and fun swag, but they expect sustainability, diversity and wellness at an event. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | March 2024 45Orlando Rohan is not alone. The destination is so much more than its most famous resident, the cartoon mouse that spawned a theme park empire. And that’s why, for six years running, Orlando has topped Cvent’s list of the top meeting desti- nations in the U.S. In 2024, meeting planners will find new or expanded accommo- dations, venues and experi- ences, a destination brimming with new possibilities for cre- ative meetings and events that drive attendance. “Year after year, Orlando sets itself apart as a meet- ings destination with new luxury accommodations, and unforgettable venues and attractions to help inspire ingenuity,” says Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. “Whether planners are seeking new venues, immersive entertainment or fine dining options to fill out their agendas, a whole new Orlando is ready to welcome groups in 2024 and beyond.” On the surface, amusement parks might not seem like the most natural backdrop for serious meeting busi- ness. But here’s Orlando’s secret: Whether for a day or an hour, what conference attendee doesn’t want to sneak off and see in person Harry Potter’s Wizarding World or careen along the tracks of Disney’s latest coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind? The theme parks aren’t all fantasy and coasters: Head to SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove and you’ll swim with bottlenose dolphins by day and finish off the evening with a beach luau, and at Walt Disney World, four 18-hole championship golf courses welcome golfers. “Orlando is almost always on our short list of meeting des- tinations,” says Rohan, who cites CVB support, location, airlift, ease of access and entertainment among the assets. “Cost and quality of lodging for our price point is key. Other Florida locations don’t have the quantity of options in Orlando.” For a pair of back-to-back conferences in January, the 1,334-room Rosen Centre Hotel had the needed func- tion space for Rohan’s group, a conference for two differ- ent home spa brands operat- ing under the Watkins Well- ness umbrella. The manu- facturer drew 300 retailers, marketers and sales leaders to Thrive, the first event, and then 750 to the second, the Hot Spring Experience. The planner says the overarching reason Watkins Wellness chose the Rosen Centre is for its smaller, independent feel. A Whole New World. Beyond Tomorrowland. BY DAVID SWANSON DESTINATION O rlando it has it all,” says Christopher Rohan, managing partner at BenchMark Incentives. “There’s easy nonstop air service, entertainment, hospitality, and meeting and hotel space to fit varying budget and logistical needs.” Courtesy of Christopher Rohan Thanks to the ample space at Rosen Centre Hotel, when there was inclement weather, a Watkins Wellness event was able to relocate a backyard BBQ indoors. 46 March 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com“People are proud to work at Rosen Centre,” explains Rohan. “While we were there, a houseman came into our office to change our water and we were idly chatting. I said he looked familiar and I asked how long he’d been here — it was something like 30 years. You don’t keep people around that long if you aren’t good to them, and I think the Rosen properties do that in large part.” The Rosen Centre Hotel features over 150,000 sf of meet- ing space — enough to accommodate banquets up to 2,760 attendees. There are three ballrooms, with the Grand Ball- room totaling 35,000 sf and capable of offering theater-style seating up to 4,000. The Rosen Centre also has a direct con- nection to the Orange County Convention Center just a few hundred feet away, making it a natural mid-priced option for citywide events. The hotel features a full-service spa, nine dining venues, and no resort fee is added to the checkout bill. The client had dozens of unusual requirements the hotel needed to meet. “We’re unique in that we had to have water — and lots of it — in the ballroom space,” explains Rohan. “Access to faucets and drainage was accommodated. We also had several difficult shipping situations where products inad- vertently arrived at the hotel way before they were supposed to. The hotel went out of their way to accommodate storage for trucks and product when it was no fault of theirs. In gen- eral, for every request we threw at them from left field, they listened and worked on a solution for us.” The size of the property was also a factor. “Your attendees aren’t packing up for a 20-minute trek across the property to make it to the next session. Everything is right there,” sug- gests Rohan. “Come down from the guest rooms, head left and the function space is right there, with tons of breakout space stacked immediately above it.” The planner notes that Watkins Wellness has conducted this particular event in various locations in the U.S. since 2005. “We’ve been hopping around the country trying to find a more permanent home. In 2019, we found it at the Rosen Centre.” The Rosen Centre Hotel is located on International Drive, meaning dozens of dining and entertaining options are located within a few minutes by car. “I-drive has really grown over the years and has become increasingly friendly to use,” says Rohan. “The trolley, for instance, is easy, and the fact that the restaurants and entertainment are so close by make it an easy decision to not need to stray too far.” Orlando-based Rosen Hotels & Resorts is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Harris Rosen’s independently owned chain of five hotels started with the purchase of a 256- room Quality Inn in 1974, at the corner of International Drive and Sand Lake Road. Now known as Rosen Inn International, the leisure hotel was located just one mile from what would become, in 1990, the entrance to Universal Studios Florida. From that inauspicious beginning, Harris Rosen expanded, culminating in the opening of Rosen Shingle Creek in 2006. As a full-service convention hotel, the 1,501-room Rosen Shingle Creek contains 524,000 sf of flexible meeting and event space, including the 95,000-sf, column-free Gatlin Ballroom. The property features four swimming pools, a full-service spa, and an 18-hole, par-72 championship Photo by Matt Stroshane One of the big draws for meeting planners coming to Orlando is easy access to theme parks like Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | March 2024 47Shingle Creek Golf Club by the Arnold Palmer Design Company. Dining is a particular point of pride at Rosen Shingle Creek, with a dedicated garden, Emma’s Creekside Farm, provid- ing much of the seasonal produce used in the resort’s restaurants. The produce, usually served the same day it is harvested, can be incor- porated into catered events. By anticipating the farm’s bounty months in advance, planners can develop their menu with the chefs to personalize events for seasonal avail- ability. As a locally-based owner, Rosen empowers his staff to make decisions leading to world-class dining at the resort’s two AAA Four- Diamond venues, A Land Remem- bered and Cala Bella. Opening in 2025, immediately north of Rosen Shingle Creek, is the dramatic expansion of the Univer- sal Orlando Resort with its fourth theme park. Universal Epic Universe will feature more than 50 attractions, entertainment, and dining and shop- ping experiences — designed to transform the Universal resort into a weeklong vacation destination. Epic Universe will feature four themed lands, including Super Nintendo World; How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk; Dark Universe; and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Min- istry of Magic, where guests will discover a different era of the wizarding world blending 1920s wizarding Paris from the Fantastic Beasts films with the Harry Potter series. Mark Woodbury, CEO of Universal Destinations & Expe- riences, says the expansion represents the most technologi- cally advanced park Universal has ever done. “And that speaks to both the attractions themselves, the next genera- tion of robotics drone technology, all the way through to the guest experience,” suggests Woodbury. “The full guest jour- ney is really being taken to a whole new level.” Universal has announced the addition of three new hotel properties to its Orlando portfolio, including two that will be co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Co: Univer- sal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort. Each will feature 750 guest rooms in Universal’s Prime Value category. The two Loews hotels are scheduled to open in early 2025. Major Orlando projects that are finished or nearing completion for 2024 are extensive. In December, a property- wide transformation was revealed at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, including a head-to-toe renovation of all guest rooms, the lobby, new design and culinary inno- vations at its restaurants, refreshment of the Waldorf Astoria Spa and a complete restoration of the hotel’s 18-hole Waldorf Astoria Golf Club. The renewal marks the biggest enhancement to the property since its opening in 2009. The renovations complete a proj- ect that launched in 2022, with the comprehensive enhancement of the Waldorf Astoria meeting and event spaces. This includes the brand-new Central Park Ballroom, which offers an 8,000-plus sf ballroom and nearly 2,600 sf of pre-function space. The design of the new ballroom pays homage to both the Florida destination through ornate carpeting and drawing a connec- tion to Waldorf Astoria New York’s Art Deco roots. This addi- tion brings Waldorf Astoria Orlando’s meetings and events offerings to nearly 60,000 sf of multi-functional meeting space, inclusive of two ballrooms. Immediately next door, the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek is elevating the meetings experience with the new Waterside expansion. Now nearing completion, this two-story addition of over 90,000 sf of meeting space is located directly adjacent to the existing meeting space, overlooking the Bonnet Creek waterways. The Waterside expansion includes one ballroom, a screened lanai offering views of the Walt Disney World Resort fireworks, an out- door patio, event lawn and seven additional meeting rooms. To complement the hotel’s meetings facilities, attendees can enjoy such amenities as a three-acre lazy river, zero- entry pool, private cabanas and six dining options, along with access to the adjacent Waldorf Astoria Spa. Opened earlier this year, the Conrad Orlando sits inside the Evermore Orlando Resort, a sprawling 1,100- acre property immediately north of Walt Disney World. The 433-room Conrad Orlando draws inspiration from Florida’s natural springs and an adjacent 500-acre nature preserve, allowing the design to synchronize with the area’s natural landscape to create an indoor-outdoor 48 March 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Rosen Shingle Creek features 524,000 sf of meeting space and amenities like a championship golf club. WHERE IMAGINATION KNOWS NO LIMITS Meet the Moment Innovation is only the beginning. Discover a new standard of luxury at the reimagined Caribe Royale Orlando. Emerging from a $140 million complete evolution, the exceptional has been made incomparable at this stunning all-suites meetings hotel. Meet us where productivity and play come together like never before—and embrace each moment as your next Orlando meeting exceeds every expectation. • 240,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space all on one level including the new 50,000 sq. ft. Palms Ballroom and The Grove, a new 19,000 sq. ft. outdoor event lawn. • The new Stadium Club, a two-level sports bar and entertainment venue for up to 500, featuring pro-level sports simulators and a dedicated Skybox Suite. • 1,337 newly reimagined one-bedroom suites & two-bedroom villas CARIBEROYALEMEETINGS.COM 407 2388000 SALESCARIBEROYALE.COMWHERE IMAGINATION KNOWS NO LIMITS Meet the Moment Innovation is only the beginning. Discover a new standard of luxury at the reimagined Caribe Royale Orlando. Emerging from a $140 million complete evolution, the exceptional has been made incomparable at this stunning all-suites meetings hotel. Meet us where productivity and play come together like never before—and embrace each moment as your next Orlando meeting exceeds every expectation. • 240,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space all on one level including the new 50,000 sq. ft. Palms Ballroom and The Grove, a new 19,000 sq. ft. outdoor event lawn. • The new Stadium Club, a two-level sports bar and entertainment venue for up to 500, featuring pro-level sports simulators and a dedicated Skybox Suite. • 1,337 newly reimagined one-bedroom suites & two-bedroom villas CARIBEROYALEMEETINGS.COM 407 2388000 SALESCARIBEROYALE.COMNext >