< PreviousMajor cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego are hubs of business and creativity, providing cut- ting-edge facilities, top-tier hotels, and exceptional dining and entertainment options. Each city boasts its own unique attractions, from Hollywood’s glitz and glamour to the tech innovation of Silicon Valley, ensuring a dynamic and engag- ing experience for attendees. Kimberly Lewis Inkumsah, executive vice president of equity, engagement and events at the International WELL Building Institute, has organized numerous events in the state of California. “I’ve had an abundance of experience in California throughout my career: San Francisco; Monterey, support- ing the jazz festivals; Desert Springs, when I worked in cor- porate incentives, as well as nonprofits,” she says. “Annual citywide events in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, smaller places for retreats at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, Sac- ramento and Coronado, you name it. I am an East Coast girl, but California makes for a great spot to host.” A native Californian, Cathy Mariano, CMP, head of the pharmaceutical client group with Bishop-McCann, has been planning meetings in the state since 2005. “Many of the meetings I have planned in the past were primarily in Northern California, but I have done events throughout the state in Central and Southern California just as much,” she says. “There are many benefits to host- ing a meeting in California. First of all, you can’t beat the climate. The state has a mild climate year-round that makes it an attractive destination any time you have a program with- out major concerns about weather-related disruptions.” Additionally, she loves that California has great air lifts via major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego that makes it a great gateway for attendees traveling domesti- cally or internationally. California is a hub for innovation in tech, entertainment and healthcare, which makes it easy to find thought leaders to contribute to a program, and it’s often a state that is the initiator of emerging trends. “The state is incredibly diverse culturally and in venues,” Mariano says. “You can find top notch hotels and resorts, conference centers, and indoor and outdoor space. From the warm beaches in San Diego all the way up to Lake Tahoe, you California BY KEITH LORIA The Ultimate Meeting Destination Courtesy of Long Beach CVB Known as a waterfront playground, Long Beach offers fine dining, marine activities, shopping and more. R enowned for its diverse landscapes and vibrant culture, California offers an unparalleled mix of natural beauty, world-class amenities and innovative spirit. The state’s pleasant climate, with abundant sunshine and mild temperatures year- round, ensures that outdoor events and activities can be enjoyed almost any time of the year. DESTINATION UPDATE 40 June/July 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comcan find beautiful venues along the coast, inland or just about anywhere in between.” Many attendees love to be able to explore this destination outside of meeting times. With the beautiful weather year- round, many enjoy taking the opportunity to be outside, Mari- ano says. “Outdoor venues are particularly popular. Depend- ing on where you choose to host a meeting in California, there is natural beauty nearby. Spending time outside can be a natural hike in a state park, water sport/cruise on the water, or visiting art museums or aquariums throughout the state.” Plus, many believe the culinary scene is like no other. There are great hubs with amazing cuisines gathered from chefs all over the world, and it’s also a state where sustainability, farm to table, and wellness are top of mind. “Since the culinary scene is strong in the state, many groups like to do dine arounds or chef lead activities,” Mariano says. “You will find world-class dining and widely diverse cuisines in any major cities. With the close proximity to the water, Cali- fornia has great seafood options, while the inland offers a lot of local produce that allows chefs to be able to keep their menus hyper local with the best products available year-round.” San Diego From boutique hotels to the largest properties connected to a state-of-the-art convention center, San Diego is a city that is incredibly flexible with all group sizes. For this and many other reasons, San Diego is Mariano’s favorite destination. “It’s a large city with access to a beau- tiful coastline, the iconic California beaches, and a great downtown to balance it all,” Mariano says. “Due to the nice weather, you can find many venues with rooftop or outdoor access to add to the diverse venues available in the city. Outdoor offsite activities are always top of mind and can be crafted into any program year-round.” Wine Country Napa Valley and Sonoma offer breathtaking scenery, roll- ing vineyards, picturesque landscapes and scenic vistas — not to mention some of the best wineries in the world. “The natural beauty is unparalleled and hard to find within the U.S.,” Mariano says. “It is an area with some of the most luxurious accommodations varied in sizes or styles, including boutique hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts and wellness retreats, to offer a unique experience to attend- ees. Food is top-notch, and not only is there an abundance of renowned restaurants, but groups can find great culinary activities for team building.” Long Beach Last spring, Inkumsah planned the International WELL Building Institute’s WELL Conference in Long Beach. “As a public health organization focused on well-being in people-first places through healthy buildings, we saw an opportunity to provide an experience from a less “traditional” destination in southern California,” she says. “It’s a city of art, a city that’s conscious about how they conduct themselves as one of the largest port cities in the world.” She designed the event so attendees had full access to nature, meaning no one was trapped in a stodgy, stuffy con- ference room for hours on end. “The theme of the conference was RECHARGE, and this was a place that lent itself to bringing this idea to life,” Inkumsah says. “People could enjoy their space and place in Long Beach, settle in and recharge.” Long Beach also boasts several of the 10 concepts of SeeMonterey.com Courtesy of Marina del Rey Tourism Board The historic Pacific Grove Golf Links in Monterey, CA, offer a variety of views from tree-lined greens to Scottish-like windswept dunes, to crashing ocean waves. Picturesque Marina del Rey is conveniently located near attractions such as Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade, which offers a wide variety of restaurants and shopping. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | June/July 2024 41WELL — it’s close to water, a walkable city that encour- ages movement, fresh air — while also presenting opportu- nities for the healthy building movement. “A big boon was its climate — no one was locked up in a convention center; our entire conference was connected to fresh air,” Inkum- sah says. “You could walk to the beach on breaks, and enjoy tented sessions.” Pasadena Conveniently located 10 miles from downtown Los Ange- les, Pasadena offers easy access to major airports like Los Angeles International Airport and Hollywood Burbank Air- port. It’s also part of a robust public transportation network, that includes the Metro A Rail Line, which makes getting around a breeze, further enhanc- ing the accessibility and allure of this dynamic city. “Pasadena’s appeal extends beyond its pleasant climate and beautiful gardens,” says Kristin McGrath, executive director of Visit Pasadena. “It boasts iconic land- marks like the Rose Bowl Stadium and architectural gems such as The Gamble House. The city also offers diverse shopping experiences, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and incredible culinary offerings.” Meeting planners are impressed by the 130,000-sf Pasadena Con- vention Center, centrally located with 1,200+ hotel rooms within walking distance, and another 1,300 rooms a short drive away. Jennifer Minzey, senior meet- ing planner, SCPMG Meeting & Events and MPISCC vice president of education for Kai- ser Permanente, has been producing events in Pasadena throughout the past two decades. “Everyone loves coming to Pasadena,” she says. “It serves as a central hub for a lot of attendees from Southern Califor- nia. Attendees enjoy exploring Old Pasadena — the restau- rants and shops that are solely Pasadena-centric.” Using Pasadena as their home base, attendees also like to venture out to Universal Studios, Disneyland and other area attractions that they to try to squeeze in while in SoCal. Recently, Minzey was charged with an event for a client that had a conference of about 1,200 people. “We were able to use the Pasadena Convention Center for our meetings and then easily switched to another portion of the Convention Center for our evening event,” she says. “It was a great suc- cess, and many people enjoyed the fact that there was a local golf course, a downtown and that the city was very walk- able, as this was an international conference. “For interesting venues, I recommend Hilton Pasadena for their enormous ballroom and El Cholo for a great outdoor area for a private reception,” Minzey says. Marina Del Rey Marina Del Rey, L.A.’s premier waterfront playground, is an event planner’s coastal dream. With mesmerizing sunsets and fresh ocean breezes, it is the perfect backdrop for a suc- cessful meeting or event. Located just four miles from Los Angeles International Airport [LAX] and with quick access to the region’s major freeways, the Marina offers an unmatched level of conve- nience. For planners looking for hotels by the beach, Marina Del Rey Marriott is just five blocks from Venice Beach. It offers 370 newly renovated modern guest rooms and suites, 18 unique meeting spaces, including a rooftop ballroom with panoramic views of the Los Angeles coastline. After meetings, attendees may relax by the hotel pool, take up paddleboarding in the harbor, or grab a drink at Sinder, the hotel’s ultra- trendy outdoor lounge. Monterey Located in California’s rugged central coast is Monterey. With its natural beauty known around the world, Monterey is an iconic destina- tion that consistently increases event attendance. With over 220 lodging facilities and 11,800 rooms, planners will find a wonderful variety of ven- ues for all budgets. Monterey Coun- ty’s full-service resorts are a desti- nation in themselves, comfortable enough to host from large scale events to smaller groups. A top favorite in the meeting industry is the Alila Ventana Big Sur. This iconic property — perched at the edge of the continent overlooking the majestic Pacific — features 59 guest rooms, plus suites and villas, Spa Alila, two pools with outdoor Jap- anese hot baths, The Sur House restaurant, Big Sur Smoke- house, and 12,000 sf of event and meeting space surrounded by the stunning beauty of Big Sur. Among 160 acres of rolling meadows, towering redwoods and ocean views, attendees can indulge in complimentary Signature Activities such as fitness classes, daily guided nature walks, yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, and s’mores at Social House. Anaheim Anaheim stands as a premier destination for corporate meetings and incentive trips, offering an unrivaled combina- tion of accessibility, climate and amenities. Located in the heart of Southern California, Anaheim benefits from nearly perfect It was a great success, and many people enjoyed the fact that there was a local golf course, a downtown and that the city was very walkable, as this was an international conference. JENNIFER MINZEY Senior meeting planner, SCPMG Meeting & Events and MPISCC vice president of education for Kaiser Permanente 42 June/July 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Plan your meeting at VisitMDR.com Elevate your next meeting in Marina del Rey, L.A.’s favorite seaside playground. Seven resort-style waterfront hotels and dozens of dockside restaurants strike the perfect balance between Los Angeles’s chic sophistication and SoCal’s coastal style – all just four miles from LAX.Plan your meeting at VisitMDR.com Elevate your next meeting in Marina del Rey, L.A.’s favorite seaside playground. Seven resort-style waterfront hotels and dozens of dockside restaurants strike the perfect balance between Los Angeles’s chic sophistication and SoCal’s coastal style – all just four miles from LAX.weather year-round, “Our city is a gateway to world-renowned attractions and cultural experiences, with the beach, moun- tains, and desert all within a short drive,” says Ronnie Collins, Visit Anaheim’s senior vice president of sales and services. “Anaheim offers something for every attendee, ensuring a memorable experience beyond meeting hours. From world- renowned theme parks and signature dining options to local breweries, upscale shopping and diverse neighborhoods rich in culture, there’s no shortage of activities.” Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park provide unique, customizable spaces that cater to a wide range of group sizes and preferences, while Anaheim’s Grand Plaza, connect- ing the Convention Center campus, is an ideal location that can be transformed with gourmet food trucks, live entertain- ment and immersive experiences. “For groups planning events in 2026 and beyond, there will be a new multibillion-dollar entertainment complex called OCVIBE,” Collins says. “It will include state-of-the-art concert venues, open park spaces, two new hotels, and a variety of signature retail and dining options.” Earlier this year, the NAMM show, hosted by the National Association of Music Merchants, marked its return to regular programming since the pandemic. The event welcomed more than 62,000 attendees, including 10,000 international partici- pants from 125 countries. “NAMM utilized every hall of the Anaheim Convention Center and featured over 150 musical performances across a 5,000-seat arena, outdoor plaza stages and hotel lobbies,” Collins says. “The seamless organization and continuous musical experience made NAMM 2024 a standout success, building on nearly 50 years of rich history in Anaheim.” Carmel Mariano recently held a meeting for a group of 150 people that had a four-day sales meeting in Carmel Valley within Monterey County. “Carmel Valley is a small seaside town that features an amazing coastline view that is hard to beat,” she says. “We selected a luxurious resort not only with the world-class amenities and impeccable service they offered, but it was also situated in a 500-acre land that had an incredi- ble list of indoor and outdoor activities for our guests to enjoy on property. Since this program was part business and part as a team recognition, we built in more free time within the agenda for guests to enjoy all the onsite activities.” Carmel Valley features some of the best restaurants in the world, especially seafood, so Mariano coordinated dine arounds for one of the evening activities. “Mid-week we had offered one day of offsite activity options to our guests,” she says. “Each person was able to choose their own adventure from doing a wine blending class, a cooking class on property, a hike along the scenic coast trail, a kayaking excursion in Monterey Bay, or simply a spa treatment in the award-winning spa onsite.” Carlsbad Carlsbad is a charming city near Tamarack Surf Beach. Known for its picturesque Sea Wall and the tranquil South Carlsbad State Beach, this destination offers a serene atmo- sphere perfect for relaxation and team-building activities. Addi- tionally, Carlsbad is home to the famous Legoland California, featuring exciting rides, a water park and the Sea Life Aquar- ium, providing a unique and entertaining backdrop for events. Michelle Zwirek, director of sales and marketing at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, notes the resort offers a large number of function spaces flexible enough to accom- modate events featuring large general sessions with dazzling audiovisual presentations, intensive breakout programs, large vendor exhibit shows, and unique settings for meals, entertainment and team-building activities. West Hollywood Everything is conveniently located within West Holly- wood’s 1.9-square-mile, with most of the larger meetings and group hotels situated along the iconic Sunset Strip. “You can opt for a headquarters hotel, and adjacent or nearby, you’ll find additional sleeping rooms and breakout spaces of equal quality and uniqueness, offering flexibility to expand the group as needed,” says Sean Keliiholokai, chief sales officer for West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board. “We offer traditional meeting rooms with many boasting natural light and stunning views, along with rooftop areas suitable for meals, receptions and more.” The city boasts iconic restaurants, music venues, nightlife and a vibrant atmosphere unlike any other. Situated at the geographic Heart of LA, West Hollywood offers easy access to nearby attractions, including Rodeo Drive, Santa Monica Beach, local museums, hiking to the Hollywood Sign, Univer- sal Studios and more. Some notable venues include The West Hollywood EDITION, Andaz West Hollywood, 1 Hotel West Hollywood, and Kimpton La Peer Hotel. California is the ultimate meeting destination. From coastal elegance to urban innovation, the Golden State’s diverse landscapes and year-round sunshine offer unmatched venues for every event. C&IT Courtesy of Michelle Zwirek The Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA, attracts attendees looking to unwind after events. 44 June/July 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comCourtesy of Ashley Bickel I n the past decade, entrepreneurs, chefs, hoteliers, venue operators and meeting planners have discovered what longtime residents have always known: Colorado is a state that inspires. Its grand vistas range from sweeping prairies to alpine lakes, from the stark beauty of high-lonesome desert canyons and mesas to lofty peaks set against impossibly blue skies. Whether a meeting is set in diverse, bustling urban corridors or away-from-it-all resorts, inspiration is ever present at the Centennial State. Colorado Elevating Meetings in the Centennial State DESTINATION UPDATE In 2005, artist Laurence Argent added a sense of playfulness to the Colorado Convention Center experience with a 40-foot-tall sculpture called “I See What You Mean,” also known as “Big Blue Bear.” It has become a bona fide Mile High City icon perfect for photo ops. BY CHRISTINE LOOMIS DENVER Resting on laurels isn’t something Denver does. The Mile-High City’s rich history still informs its present day, but Denver is no “cow town.” Michelin-starred restaurants; sleek, new hotels; and an up-to-the-minute expanded convention center deliver a contemporary vibe in concert with meticulously preserved historic buildings that honor the city’s past. It’s a combo that draws planners, executives and 46 June/July 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comattendees alike. Dot Foods set its Innovations 2024 conference in Denver in the spring with 3,500 in attendance. Innovations is an apt name for the event and for the company’s forward- looking intentions. Ashley Bickel Marhanka, senior meetings and events planner, tradeshow, says in-person events have returned in full force, and for this company, that’s imperative. “The struggles that once plagued our company no longer restrict our imaginations. We like to think of the best thing we can do, then work toward it. Instead of looking to see what fits the mold, we try to go outside the box. Anything is possible! You just have to ‘think big.’ And we’re back to doing that 100%!” That’s not to say everything is easy. “There are always challenges that present themselves as you go,” Marhanka concedes. “Meeting planning is never black and white — it’s always gray, and how you pivot makes the difference in the outcome. However, once you plan through a global pan- demic, you feel like you can take on any pivot at that point!” Denver is a new destination for this meeting, but it proved to be a good choice. “Our attendees love the walkability of downtown. All of our host hotels were within .1 miles of the convention center. Airlift was a plus, and being able to use so much of the diverse space in Colorado Convention Cen- ter helped make our decision easy. In our survey, 39% of respondents said the location of Denver impacted their deci- sion to attend Innovations in 2024. After being in St. Louis for 25 years, the move to Denver was a great one for our company,” she says. Marhanka worked with the Visit Denver staff, which was a real positive. “Jeremy and Angie were amazing to us. When we had questions about partners in Denver, they were there to minimize any struggles we had. They graciously met us for many site visits and came to see us twice onsite. We also explored changing our pat- tern for 2025 and though we will not move forward with the new pat- tern, they worked with all of our hotel partners to get commitments on the new dates.” Most of the conference events were held at the Colorado Conven- tion Center (CCC), which recently completed a major expansion. “We were excited to use the brand-new Bluebird Ballroom. That combined with the exhibit-hall space, theater and other ballrooms made for a great one-stop shop for the majority of our events.” To Marhanka’s earlier point, even with the best-laid plans, the unex- pected can always happen. “The escalators breaking down and attendees climbing what we lovingly referred to as ‘the mile-high steps’ to the Bluebird was disappointing,” she says. “However, the way the CCC, Visit Denver and Sodexo LIVE! handled the situation was great. They moved meals for 3,500 people to a new location overnight. Like I said, it’s all about how you pivot.” At the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, Marhanka worked closely with Vanessa Salas and her team for several events during the meeting. “The food was great and their flexibility on space was much appreciated. We will be host- ing our VIP meetings in 2025 in the hotel again. The meeting space was great,” she adds. Her suggestions for groups considering Den- ver and Colorado Conven- tion Center are, “Maxi- mize the space there. Our event is just the right size for the convention cen- ter and downtown Den- ver, but there’s also room for us to grow. Being able to use other spaces in the Colorado Convention Center for events outside our tradeshow was imperative. Also, don’t be afraid to pivot. Something will always happen at some point. No event is perfect, but it’s all in how you make it right! Denver will move mountains for you if needed, and that is good customer service!” Courtesy of Dot Foods Cake Boss Buddy Valastro and Richard D. Hoelzel, CDM, CFPP, FMP, of Idahoan Foods, were among the attendees at Innovations 2024 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO. Our attendees love the walkability of downtown. All of our host hotels were within .1 miles of the convention center. ASHLEY BICKEL MARHANKA Senior Meetings and Events Planner, Tradeshow, Dot Foods TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | June/July 2024 47Well-known meeting-industry group HelmsBriscoe held its own annual business conference in Denver in 2023. The global venue-selection company is in a unique position to evaluate how things have shifted since the pandemic as it works with thousands of clients book- ing meetings across many industries. “Each client’s strategy to return to in-person meetings has varied,” says Kari A. Dobbins, associate vice presi- dent, associate advancement. How- ever, she continues, “HelmsBriscoe just finished our strongest Q1 in our company’s history, so we know our clients greatly value face-to-face gath- erings, and we feel very positive about the future of in-person events.” Dobbins says that at this point, HelmsBriscoe is only conducting in-person events, including for its company meetings. “When it comes to our company’s events, we’re fully back in person and have resumed our normal planning and meeting-exe- cution processes.” When choosing a destination for the company’s own events, Dobbins says the goal is to choose those that are accessible and easy to travel to from a variety of locations, including international locations as the company has attendees from across the globe. Denver fit the bill, although this meeting was the first annual conference that the company has held in the city. There were 1,600 in attendance. “The attendees were excited to experience a new destination. As a planner, I found the central location made it easier for attendees to travel to the destination without spending extra nights away from home. And all around, the costs were very reasonable, in particular with food and beverage expenses,” she says. Dobbins worked closely with Visit Denver to plan the conference. They organized Dobbins’ group’s pre-planning meeting and stayed in constant contact with them through- out the planning process. Visit Denver also hosted a fun and interactive opening night networking event at the Denver Art Museum for their attendees. “The pre-planning and onsite experiences were great,” Dobbins adds. “The convention center is very organized with processes and documentation necessary during pre-planning, which made communication with the center and budgeting very easy.” A prime reason for choosing Hyatt Regency at the Colo- rado Convention Center was its location. “Proximity to the convention center was a plus,” Dobbins notes. “In addition to the number of guest rooms and pricing, the hotel was also the host of a few of our conference events, and its space options, service levels and amenities were a great fit for our meeting.” The group held the final night gala and awards dinner in the hotel’s Centennial Ballroom, which Dobbins calls beauti- ful. “We also experienced the culinary talents of the hotel’s food and beverage team, which introduced its four-course personal-preference menu, allowing our attendees to choose their own entrée. This was a new experience for our guests that was well received.” The Denver meeting was defi- nitely a success. “Denver is a great destination for a meeting. The proximity of hotels, off- site venues and restau- rants to the convention center provides planners and attendees with many options within walking distance. The value for services also makes this a budget-friendly destina- tion without sacrificing quality of service.” The city has a lot going on for planners and groups in addition to the completed expansion of the convention center. Of interest to sustainability-focused groups is Denver’s achievement at the end of last year to platinum-level certifica- tion based on the Events Industry Council’s Sustainable Event Standards. The city is the first destination to reach that highest level of certification. Also of interest is Michelin’s recognition of 26 Denver restaurants, Courtesy of Kari Dobbins At the 2023 HelmsBriscoe Annual Business Conference & Partner Fair at the Hyatt Regency at the Colorado Convention Center, partners and associates came together to discuss business opportunities. The convention center is very organized with processes and documentation necessary during pre-planning, which made communication with the center and budgeting very easy. KARI A. DOBBINS Associate Vice President, Associate Advancement, HelmsBriscoe 48 June/July 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com GRAND ENOUGH FOR YOUR BEST PEOPLE AND THEIR BIGGEST IDEAS.GRAND ENOUGH FOR YOUR BEST PEOPLE AND THEIR BIGGEST IDEAS.Next >