Small Market Meetings September 2017

T ake t u Them O t o t he

BALLPARK

Managing Military Reunions Toledo, Ohio S E P T E M B E R

2 0 1 7

California Meeting Resorts

MAINE A Destination for All Sizes Greater Portland and its surrounding areas offer your attendees the opportunity to experience our Maine lifestyle. Beyond intimate function spaces and larger convention halls, groups of all sizes can spoil themselves amid our lobsters, lighthouses, and the world’s best culinary scene!

WAKE ON THE WATERFRONT

TRANSPORT YOURSELF BACK IN TIME

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: CORY TEMPLETON; FILE PHOTO; SPRUCE POINT INN; CORYTEMPLETON; STAGE NECK INN; SABLE OAKS GOLD COURSE; RISING TIDE BREWERY

Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Waterfront features expansive views of Portland Harbor. Situated by the city’s working waterfront in the historic Old Port district, you’re within walking distance of the area’s boutique shopping, gourmet restaurants, museums, theatres, and art galleries. hilton.com

Spruce Point Inn’s historic oceanside porch has attracted travelers from all over the world for more than 100 years. With 57 stunning coastal acres, it is the perfect setting for creating oceanside memories. sprucepointinn.com

SIP THE LATEST BREW The family-owned craft brewery, Rising Tide, is specializing in artisanal, handcrafted ales brewed in small batches.

Their beers are available in cans and on draft to be enjoyed by up to 250 people in their East Bayside tasting room, perfect for receptions, wedding-related events, and group gatherings. risingtidebrewing.com

AN EASY DRIVE TO THE GREEN Only a few minutes ride to downtown Portland with their frequent complimentary shuttle, Marriott Sable Oaks has 13,666 sq. ft. of space, 226 rooms, and a premier golf course, making this stylish hotel a keystone to business meetings in Greater Portland’s metro area.

Marriott.com/PWMAP

GROUP MARKETING | Visit Portland 207.772.4994 | sales@visitportland.com

ART AND ABOUT Portland’s largest convention hotel, Holiday Inn By the Bay, boasts over 30,000-square feet of event space.

Conveniently located in Portland’s Arts District, it has 239 rooms with sweeping city and harbor panoramas to accommodate groups. innbythebay.com

CATCH YOUR LOVE OF MAINE Explore an iconic oceanfront getaway on the coast of Maine at Stage Neck Inn’s exceptional location in York Harbor. Enjoy hassle-free accommodations serving groups up to 125— including four meeting rooms— for your oceanfront wedding, family reunion, or unique and memorable conference. stageneck.com

7:30 pm | Old Town

THE MOMENT networking didn’t feel like work

Authentic and unique off-site venues for event attendees

Brick-lined Old Town entertainment district

Headquarter hotel attached to convention center

800.288.9424 VisitWichita.com

14

Courtesy Visit Colorado Springs

Volume 18

Issue 9

September 2017

Managing Military Reunions

20

Veterans events come with unique challenges and opportunities.

...

Meet Me at the Ballpark Minor league baseball stadiums deliver major fun for meeting groups.

....

Get to Know Toledo This lakefront city is surging with new development and meeting venues.

...

Courtesy Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville

39

20 28

Provo and Utah Valley Scenery and serenity abound in this distinctive destination.

. . ....

California’s Meeting Resorts These Golden State properties are ideal locations for small meetings.

.....

See how the national organization is innovating in marketing, catering and venue management.

........

On the cover: Groups can enjoy VIP seating and private event space at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

For Sales Call

Kelly Tyner

32

34

Spectra Special Section Courtesy Spectra

14

39

866-356-5128

kelly@grouptravelleader.com

Photo by James Brady

SMALL MARKET MEETINGS is published monthly by Pioneer Publishing, Inc., 301 E. High St., Lexington, KY 40507, and is distributed free of charge to qualified meeting planners who plan meetings in small and medium size towns and cities. All other meeting industry suppliers, including hotels, conference centers, convention centers, destinations, transportation companies, restaurants and other meeting industry-related companies may subscribe by sending a check for $39 for one year to: Small Market Meetings, Circulation Department, 301 East High St., Lexington, KY 40507. Phone (866) 356-5128 (toll-free) or (859) 225-1452. Fax: (859) 253-0499. Copyright SMALL MARKET MEETINGS, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of editorial or graphic content in any manner without the written consent of the publisher is prohibited.

Mac T. Lacy Publisher/Partner maclacy@grouptravelleader.com

Brian Jewell Editor brianj@grouptravelleader.com

Herbert Sparrow Executive Editor/Partner hsparrow@grouptravelleader.com

David Brown Art Director production@smallmarketmeetings.com

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Stacey Bowman Savannah Osbourn Account Manager Staff writer sales@smallmarketmeetings.com Christine Clough Copy editor Kelly Tyner Account Manager Rena Baer sales@smallmarketmeetings.com Proofreader

WE’D LIKE TO CONTINUE SENDING YOU

We’re updating our readership files for 2018 and want to be sure that as an active meeting planner you continue to receive Small Market Meetings absolutely free next year.

To continue your free subscription, just go to the address below and verify your contact information. It’s that simple!

WWW.SMALLMARKETMEETINGS.COM/PLANNER Respond by October 1 and you’ll continue to receive America’s best magazine for planners who use smaller cities and sites absolutely free.

Thanks!

Set ourse aC for

AMERICA’S PARKS

Meetings On a Budget Des Moines, Iowa Mid-Atlantic Waterfronts J

U

N

E

2

0

1

7

866.356.5128

W W W. S M A L L M A R K E T M E E T I N G S . C O M / P L A N N E R

Accomplish More Doing Less by

Banish multitasking and become more effective with these productivity tips.

By Vickie Mitchell

E

very day, a neighbor walks by my house with his head stuck in a book. I watch as he strolls and reads. I wait for the inevitable fall, yet he never so much as stumbles.

Either the perambulating bookworm is a supertasker — yes, there is such a thing — or he’s tripping and falling out of my line of sight. Here’s a hint that it’s the latter: a bandage around his wrist one day, a wrapped ankle another.

Although we insist otherwise, almost no one, my neighbor included, does two things at once very well. A recent study of multitasking by a University of Utah professor estimated that the percentage of supertaskers, people who excel at doing tasks in tandem, is, at most, 2 percent. That same research found that the more you insist you are great at multitasking, the more likely you are horrible at it. And your car probably has the dents to prove it.

What seems like such a winning idea — getting more done by doing more at once — is an ill-advised strategy.

As we’ve read many times, multitasking is dangerous, sometimes deadly. Just check the stats for driving while texting or talking on the phone. It is, studies show, as bad as or worse than driving drunk.

Multitasking also damages our minds. When we multitask, our brain must quickly shift from one thing to another, and that takes a lot of energy and time. So, multitasking depletes us mentally and makes us less efficient.

Multitasking might also be damaging your career and personal life. Travis Bradberry, an author who writes about emotional intelligence, says that fiddling with a phone in a meeting or sending text messages in social settings demonstrates a low level of self-awareness and social awareness. People who are most successful in work and life demonstrate high levels of those two qualities.

Like any habit, multitasking can be hard to break.

Taking small steps might be the best way to retrain your

6

MeetingPoint

brain and point it toward focusing instead of the frenzy.

Work in Batches With Breaks

Try focusing on one project for a set period, followed by a short break. To start, it might be 10 or 20 minutes, with a five-minute break to check email or phone messages or get a cup of coffee. Limit yourself to answering only emails and messages that are urgent during these brief breaks. Remember that studies have shown that a “quick response” to an email takes 10 to 20 minutes on average.

After you use batches and breaks, your brain will start to enjoy the accomplishment that comes from focusing on projects to completion. This focus, ultimately, could give you more value in your workplace, according to Cal Newport, a professor from Georgetown University. He told Fast Company, “Shallow tasks like reading and responding to emails or checking social media might prevent you from getting fired, but it’s deep tasks that produce the value and build the skills that get you promoted.” A bonus is that “if you can increase your focus, you’ll get more done in less time,” he said.

Dispense With Distractions

A desk piled with upcoming projects, multiple screens fighting for attention, coworkers chatting or dropping in to catch up: Offices are mined with distractions.

Do all you can to create a distraction-free zone. Clear everything off your desk except the project you are working on. Wear headphones or ear plugs; if you have an office door, close it. Turn off your email and cell phone. Make sure that the only document on your computer screen is for the project you are working on.

And then, take it one project at a time.

Vickie Mitchell is the former editor of Small Market Meetings. If you have ideas for future columns, contact her at vickie@smallmarketmeetings.com.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

“Insider Tip #27 - SculptureWalk features over 55 sculptures in an outdoor art exhibit along the streets of a vibrant downtown.

Grab a guide and vote for your favorite.”

-Erin Zimmerman, Sales Manager ezimmerman@siouxfalls.com

Qualify Today!

VisitSiouxFalls.com/Cash-Is-Here

Curtiss Hotel Opens in Historic Buffalo Building and outdoor seating where guests can view downtown Buffalo, Lake Erie and the Canadian shoreline year-round, provides seating for up to 300 and has multiple rooms that can be reserved for special events and meetings. Chez Ami, a casual upscale modern American/Italian restaurant on the first floor, Courtesy Curtiss Hotel sports the only revolving The newly opened Curtiss Hotel retains touches of its historic 1900s building. bar in the region and provides patio seating with BUFFALO, New York — A historic former Saturday and Sunday brunch offerings. business building constructed in downtown Guest rooms are equipped with state-ofBuffalo in the early 1900s has reopened as the the-art technology, including Crestron touchscreen room controllers and remote-conCurtiss Hotel. trolled drapes and lighting. Spalike bathThe 67-room upscale boutique hotel, with its rooms with four digitally controlled water white terra-cotta facade and Roman bath sources offer Bluetooth-enabled audio capaextending from inside the building to the outbility, therapeutic air-jet tubs with chromoside, features seven styles of guest rooms. Its therapy and aroma clouds, and steam showers Vue Rooftop Lounge, which provides indoor

8

Industry News

in 16 select rooms. Additionally, guests can relax at the hotel spa, which is Buffalo’s first and only indoor-outdoor urban hot spring and can accommodate up to 26 people.

The Curtiss Hotel, conceived and developed by Mark D. Croce, president and CEO of the Buffalo Development Corp., is the result of a transformation of the former Harlow C. Curtiss office building, from which the hotel takes its name. Once home to a furniture company, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Through the hotel’s classic design, guests can feel part of local history while enjoying contemporary luxury and convenience. In addition to its rich interior decor, which includes an original historic corridor, the property is one of the largest terra-cotta structures of its type in downtown Buffalo.

Curtiss Hotel is near the Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center, the Keybank Center, Coca-Cola field, Canalside, Shea’s Performing Arts Center and the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus. www.curtisshotel.com

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Huntsville Botanical Garden Unveils $16 Million Facility

E D E P CAR ENCE

CONFER

DIEM

Courtesy Huntsville Botanical Garden

A new facility at the Huntsville Botanical Garden offers space for up to 350 guests.

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Huntsville Botanical Garden has completed a new 30,000-square-foot, $16 million facility that not only welcomes visitors with Southern hospitality, but also features three possible meeting rooms, two catering kitchens and supporting space.

The largest room, the Grand Hall, can seat up to 350 guests. The more casual Carriage House, which opens to the garden along the east and west sides of the building, can seat more than 150 people. The Glass Conservatory can entertain about 50 people.

Officials are expecting to see more than a 25 percent increase in visitors to the botanical garden, which is open year-round, because of the new facility.

The botanical garden, along with the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and the Early Works Children’s History Museum, gives Huntsville three of the top-10 tourist attractions in the state. www.hsvbg.org

September 2017

The status quo doesn’t get to be extraordinary. But you do.

Centrally located and insanely affordable, Nebraska’s capital has the venue selection, entertainment value, small-town hospitality, and big-city amenities that planners and attendees come home raving about.

Plan for more at

lincoln.org/meet.

9

South Bend Readies for Small Market Meetings Conference All photos courtesy South Bend Mishawaka CVB

A post-conference FAM will offer guests the opportunity to experience game day at Notre Dame.

September 26-28, 2017

By Dan Dickson

T

he 2017 Small Market Meetings Conference will be held September 26-28 in one of America’s iconic college towns: South Bend, Indiana, home of the legendary University of Notre Dame. The home of the Fighting Irish is respected worldwide for its outstanding academics and research capabilities and has a devoted alumni and sports fan base, especially when it comes to football. South Bend will happily roll out the red carpet to several hundred meeting planners and industry representatives who will gather for two important marketplaces and numerous networking opportunities while enjoying all the city offers.

This year’s conference will be held in South Bend’s reliable Century Center, located downtown along the St. Joseph River. The center has 75,000 square feet of distinct and flexible meeting and event space. One of the high-

10

Conference Report

lights of the center is the fabuZager of Perry Consulting, an lous Great Hall, which features event planning company in an eye-catching 38-foot-tall Litchfield Park, Arizona, told glass window that overlooks Small Market Meetings magazine at last year’s conference the river and its man-made that she was fact finding. “I’m rapids. Conference attendees learning a lot. I gather informawill get to step outside for a tion about the CVBs and towns close-up experience along that around the country,” she said. portion of the riverfront.

Ed Prokopik of EJP Event Taking care of meeting Planners in Branchburg, New attendees is top priority for the Jersey, was seeking meeting center’s staff. “The best thing South Bend, Indiana destinations for his specialty that we offer is our customer clients. “We handle meetings, sporting events, service,” said Julie Nowak, senior sales manager at the Century Center. “We are graded on medical gatherings and so on,” he said. every event that comes here by the people Destination pro Karen Harris of the Akron/ who have used it.” Nowak said the Century Summit County Convention and Visitors Center’s grades are consistently high.

Bureau told the magazine that she wanted to The official hotel for the conference is the “find out what these meeting groups are DoubleTree by Hilton, with 291 guest rooms. looking for so I can match them up exactly The hotel is attached to the Century Center by with what we have available.” a convenient skywalk, so conference attendThe conference is also a fantastic place for ees can easily move between sites. the South Bend Mishawaka Convention and Visitors Bureau to make a lasting impression Conference Benefits on attendees. “It’s a perfect opportunity for us Influential meeting planners spanning the to showcase what we have to offer, especially country from California to Florida will be for meeting planners who are looking at secattending the conference. For example, Rita ond- and third-tier cities,” said Lindsay

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

The Studebaker National Museum is a South Bend landmark.

Ference, the sales director for the CVB. “We are right up their alley. We plan to show them the prime conference facilities we have and the many area attractions, along with our own special touches.”

Schedule

This year’s conference will take place midweek and will begin at noon on Tuesday, September 26, with registration. It will be a good time for attendees to meet the staff that will be taking care of them for the next three days and for delegates to meet and greet colleagues and renew old personal and professional friendships.

A keynote address serves as the official conference kickoff later that afternoon. That evening, the South Bend Mishawaka CVB will host a banquet dinner on the island just outside the Century Center and along the river and its rapids. “There will be a light band playing out there, a delicious buffet and an open bar,” said Ference. “It should be a beautiful scene when the interactive light show starts and the colored lights splash onto the rapids.”

On Wednesday afternoon, September 27, all delegates will have a chance to experience some of South Bend up close on three sightseeing tours.

“They include the University of Notre Dame campus, a history sightseeing tour, or a whiskey tour

September 2017

Janesville HOLD YOUR NEXT MEETING IN

WISCONSIN’S PARK PLACE

Variety of conference Botanical garden & meeting venues & outdoor sites

Ask about a $200 rebate!

Unique & historic spaces

Janesville features a variety of distinctive and affordable meeting locations. Our staff will assist you with all planning and help you create a valuable, memorable experience.

Call today.

800.48.PARKS (7-2757) janesvillecvb.com  11

and tasting,” said the CVB’s Ference.

The University of Notre Dame will host that evening’s dinner and entertainment. The event will be held in the refurbished Notre Dame football stadium ballroom. It is part of a massive renovation project called Campus Crossroads that attempts to bring together around the stadium academics, athletics and student life. It will be game week — Notre Dame plays Miami of Ohio on the following Saturday — and the entire campus will be preparing for the home game. The dinner will also feature a loud but enthusiastic visit by the Notre Dame Marching Band and some of the school’s cheerleaders. It should be a colorful and exciting event.

Techie, Storyteller, Magician

The sun sets over downtown South Bend.

let’s meet

Middle

Middle Tennessee Meeting Space

12

Conference Report

The conference will also present its usual roundup of interesting speakers and entertainers. Back by popular demand will be technology expert James Spellos, who teaches college students and trains corporate leaders through his company, Meeting U. Spellos says such innovations as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, robots and such are gaining traction in the meetings world and that any new technology is only as good as the convenience it brings to the user. Having cool tech tools is not enough for planners, according to Spellos; they must also be able to help support the company’s bottom line.

A man with a fascinating story to share will also address the Small Market Meetings Conference. John Howell’s career path took him through public accounting and finance.

That may sound a bit mundane. But the heart-stopping event in 2009 of which Howell was a part will keep conference attendees on the edge of their seats. From that experience, Howell now urges people to invest in the things that matter most in life to secure a happy and rewarding future.

The conference will get magical, too. Alans Live, a husband-and-wife performing duo, will bring their high-energy illusions and mentalist act to the Small Market Meetings Conference. The team combines Las Vegasstyle magic and sleight of hand, as performed

by Jason, while Stacy delves into mind reading. The couple loves audience interaction, so expect to see them bring a few delegates up on stage to assist them and have some goodnatured fun. You might also see them pop up during a cocktail hour, strolling from table to table performing tricks and playing some mind games.

The conference wraps up with a luncheon

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

on Thursday, September 28. It will be one last chance to exchange business cards and cement business relationships. It will also include a welcome and presentation by the 2018 Small Market Meetings Conference host city: Ontario, California.

FAMs Before, During, After

Any meeting planner who wants to learn even more about South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana, beyond what everyone else will see at the Small Market Meetings Conference can either come early or stay late to do some extra sightseeing. The local CVB hopes these conference delegates will be impressed enough to book some new business with the city.

A preconference FAM will take place Sunday, September 24, through Tuesday, September 26. When the conference concludes, there is another one from Thursday, September 28, through Sunday, October 1.

The tours include overall sightseeing in the city plus a look at the outstanding meetings and conference facilities and hotels in both South Bend and Mishawaka. A Notre Dame football game is also part of the postconference FAM tour. Meeting planners who are interested in attending either the preconfer-

September 2017

ence or postconference FAM tours should reach out to Lindsay Ference, director of sales at Visit South Bend Mishawaka. Her email address is lference@visitsouthbend.com.

Ference said space is limited and applicants must meet certain criteria to be included in the groups.

FAMs will include numerous South Bend museums that detail interesting elements of the area’s history. Many have heard of the great Studebaker automobiles or that company’s famous carriages and wagons from the frontier days. The Studebaker National Museum is dedicated to this fascinating history, and it is full of classic Studebaker cars and much more.

Another institution, the History Museum, depicts the area’s rich early manufacturing industry and the rise of the University of Notre Dame. South Bend also fielded a baseball team in the All-American Girls Professional League, made famous in the movie “A League of Their Own.” The History Museum has fascinating and touching memorabilia from the league’s many Midwest teams that played in the 1940s and 1950s. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the release of the film.

Sightseeing opportunities during the conference will highlight various points of interest around South Bend.

13

Meetings and Memorials Military reunions require special touches from event planners

By Savannah Osbourn

T

he military reunion market is growing larger than ever.

Popular military destinations like Columbus, Georgia, adjacent to the Fort Benning army base, have seen a dramatic increase in veteran-based meetings just within the past year. We spoke with several travel industry experts to get some inside tips on planning meetings for this unique audience.

Contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau

After military reunion planners choose their destination, one of the first things they should do is call the local tourist office, typically known as a convention and visitors bureau. Convention and visitors bureaus act as one-stop-shop resources for locating all the best local services, helping planners find venues, hotels, photographers, transportation services and more. According to Pam Sherfesee, vice president of sales at the Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau,

14

Managing Meetings

Courtesy Columbus, GA, CVB

Former sailors from the USS Mullany gather with their families in Columbus, Georgia.

“getting good guidance from the beginning is key,” especially when a planner has never been to the city before.

In addition to providing this invaluable information, convention and visitors bureaus often help planners negotiate with local hotels and meeting venues during the request-for-proposal process.

“If we have a reunion planner, we’re the boots on the ground,” said Peter Bowden, president of the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We try to handle as much as possible through email and over the phone so they don’t have to come down several times for site inspections.”

Budget and Accessibility

In some cases, the person planning a military reunion may be a volunteer without much planning experience, so it can be easy to overlook crucial details like accessibility and budget when throwing

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Courtesy Visit Norfolk

Military groups meeting in Norfolk often plan their events to coincide with the Virginia International Tattoo, a celebration of military bands and drill teams.

OPENING IN CENTRAL INDIANA IN 2018!

BE AMONG THE FIRST TO BOOK A CONFERENCE OR MEETING The new Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center is under construction, and you can now reserve space for your next meeting. It’s conveniently located just minutes west of downtown Indy and even closer to the Indianapolis International Airport, named Best Airport in North America five years in a row. The conference center offers everything you need for productive meetings and conferences, including free on-site parking and shuttle service to and from the airport.

From finding your space to coordinating after-hours activities, Visit Hendricks County is here to help with your planning.

74 74

65

Indianapolis

HENDRICKS COUNTY NEW Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center

465 46

Indianapolis International Airport

70

COMPARE ONLINE! Let me help you find the best fit for your next meeting.

Becky Harris, Director of Sales

|

VisitHendricksCounty.com/Meetings September 2017

Becky@VisitHendricksCounty.com | 800-321-9666

See all your Hendricks County options in our handy online comparison chart.

15

Courtesy Visit Colorado Springs

Military reunion groups in Colorado Springs often take tours of the city’s Olympic Training Center.

MEET

All Out Hospitality—All In Columbus, GA! One of most authentic cities in the South has curated an amazing collection of adventures for your group. We have over 4,800 hotel rooms and half-a-million square feet of unique meeting space that's sure to make your gathering memorable.

Plus outstanding service to assist with planning everything, down to the last detail. Let us help make your next event an all-out success!

VISITCOLUMBUSGA.COM

GREET

16

Managing Meetings

900 FRONT AVE. COLUMBUS, GA 31906

706-322-1613

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

together a schedule of activities for the group. Since many attendees of military reunions are retired and live on a fixed income, planners should carefully consider which hotels and attractions best suit their budget limitations.

“We work with local motorcoach companies to get the lowest cost for groups,” said Bowden. “Local museums are typically very cheap, with packages that include lunches and other amenities.”

To find the best rates a host destination can offer, it’s best to begin planning the reunion at least a year in advance and provide some flexibility with the dates. Accessibility is also important to consider.

“During the planning process, reunion planners need to learn which hotels, venues and attractions are handicapped-accessible and how much walking is required,” said Erin Goldmeier, media relations manager at Visit Norfolk.

Atmosphere

For many military reunion groups, feeling welcome and comfortable is more important than any of the attractions or events. The convention and visitors bureau can often help set up a welcome reception so that veterans feel at home the moment they step off the bus. Planners should also find out what kinds of services the hotel provides, such as a hospitality room or lounge where attendees can gather. While groups may want to get out and explore the local attractions, they often enjoy just being together at the hotel, so it is important for the hotel to create a comfortable social environment.

“They like the hotel to have all their needs so that the people who don’t want to go on the tours and just want to hang out with their buddies can do that,” said Bowden.

Navy sailors celebrate Harborfest in Norfolk.

Courtesy Visit Norfolk

10 RE A SONS TO MEET ON THE

NORTHSHORE

In St. Tammany Parish, aka Louisiana’s Northshore, we’re close to everything and have the perfect venues for hosting meetings of all kinds. See our website for the “Top 10 Reasons” to plan your next meeting with us!

• 45 Minutes From New Orleans • Convention Facilities Available • Customized Itineraries • Venues For All Types Of Meetings • And So Much More...

8 0 0 - 6 3 4 - 9 4 4 3 • w w w. L o u i s i a n a Nor t h s h or e .c om /10 m e e t September 2017

17

This is going to be big.

A group meets in the exhibit area at the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus.

New Conference Space Coming to Brookfield!

New and remodeled facilities will set the standard for business and social functions in Southeastern WI. Located near worldclass dining, marketdominant shopping and entertainment, plan a meeting your guests will remember in Brookfield.

For more information, contact Tracy Sinclair, CMP, and/or Ann Marie Hess, CMP at

(800) 388-1835.

Download the Visit Brookfield app free for Apple and Android devices.

www.visitbrookfield.com 18

Meeting Ideas

Courtesy Columbus, GA, CVB

Complimentary breakfast is another common request. According to Sherfesee, many groups even include breakfast in their requests for proposals.

brates military bands and drill teams at the world’s largest naval base, draws over 1,500 visitors to Norfolk each spring.

Attractions

Most people who travel want to experience what is unique to the city or region, and military reunion groups are no different. One of the best ways for planners to give their groups an unforgettable experience is to find activities and attractions that represent the area. In Colorado Springs, groups can take a guided tour of the Olympic Training Center, one of three official Olympic training sites in the United States. Sometimes planners can even arrange for attendees to have lunch with one of the athletes.

At the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, military guests can leave their mark on one of the paver stones lining Heritage Walk, which is dedicated to all veteran service members. Anyone can buy a paver along the stone walkway and have his or her name or unit’s name engraved on it.

“The CVB bought an entire section, so anytime a group works with us, we donate or contribute a paver in place for that particular outfit as a way of thanking them for their service,” said Bowden. “We hope we created a new memory for them and encourage them to come back and show their family.”

Many military groups enjoy visiting military-themed destinations such as the MacArthur Memorial and Battleship Wisconsin in Norfolk or the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, but it always depends on the group. Sometimes, veterans are traveling with spouses and other family members, who might prefer a wider range of activities and attractions, so most groups opt for locations with a variety of entertainment options.

In Colorado Springs, groups might enjoy a tour of the Air Force Academy or the National Museum of World War II Aviation, followed by lunch in Old Colorado City and an excursion through the stunning Garden of the Gods National Landmark. Likewise, a schedule in Norfolk could alternate between touring the naval base and visiting the MacArthur Center, a 1-million-square-foot shopping mall in downtown.

The time of year is another factor to consider when selecting destinations, since certain events or festivals may serve as the key selling point for a group. For example, the Virginia International Tattoo, which cele-

Local Flavor

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

COME TOGETHER I N T H E F OX C I T I E S

Endless shopping, dining and nightlife options

15+ facilities with unique, affordable meeting space

Fun options for group activities and team building

Make the Fox Cities your next meeting destination!

Enjoy the big city amenities and small town charm that our 20 communities along the shores of Lake Winnebago and the Fox River have to offer: • An exceptional visitor experience for groups of 10 to 2,500 • Safe, walkable communities • Flexible, affordable meeting spaces • Free bureau services

WISCONSIN

41

45 94

10

KAUKAUNA

FOXCITIES

21 MENASHA

APPLETON 151

10

We invite your group to COME TOGETHER IN THE FOX CITIES.

43 41

NEENAH 41 LAKE WINNEBAGO

Begin your planning at FoxCities.org

GET SOCIAL!

Swing for the Fences

Minor-league baseball stadiums make memorable venues for small meetings Courtesy FirstEnergy Stadium

By Savannah Osbourn

A private group watches the Fightin Phils play from the 67 Club area at First Energy Stadium in Reading.

he nostalgic and energetic atmosphere of ballparks can provide a memorable backdrop for meetings and events. Attendees can often enjoy a view of the field and neighboring city highlights from the conference room or suite, and later watch the game as built-in after-hours entertainment.

Here are five ballparks with distinctive amenities to consider for your next group outing.

just feet away from first base. This exclusive 56-seat section includes personal wait staff service; optional add-ons include an open bar, an all-you-can-eat barbecue buffet and a cocktail party package. The adjacent Club Box offers the same wait staff service and add-on options and seats up to 36 guests.

The 67 Club picnic area gives attendees a front-row view of the game from the third-base line. This section’s 28 picnic tables reflect FirstEnergy Stadium’s longstanding affiliation with the Philadelphia Phillies, with each table named after a Philly baseball legend. Guests can eat their fill from a buffet that includes traditional American fare like barbecue ribs and chicken, macaroni and cheese, hot dogs and hamburgers.

Meeting groups sometimes rent out the team store and use the builtin TVs to display PowerPoint presentations. Others make use of the expansive covered picnic areas surrounding the field. It is also possible to rent the field itself for kickball games, trade shows and more. www.visitpaamericana.com

T

First Energy Stadium Reading, Pennsylvania

As the oldest stadium in the Eastern League, FirstEnergy Stadium provides a classic 1950s American ballpark setting with first-rate facilities and entertainment.

“A lot of people like coming because it’s a mix of classic and modern,” said Anthony Pignetti, chief director of business development.

Located between the bullpen and the dugout, the Dugout Suite opened in 2016 as the ballpark’s prime seating venue, placing guests

20

Meeting Ideas

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Courtesy Parkview Field

The event center at Fort Wayne’s Parkview Field offers full-service banquet facilities.

Parkview Field Fort Wayne, Indiana

Home of the Fort Wayne TinCaps, Parkview Field offers meeting groups a wide range of venue options. The 5,000-square-foot Suite Level Lounge is an excellent event space for corporate meetings and receptions; it features an upscale, full-service bar as well as a scenic surrounding view.

“You not only see the gorgeous baseball stadium, you get a great view of the Fort Wayne skyline,” said special event manager Holly Raney.

With an expansive prefunction space connecting to the parking garage, the Lincoln Financial Event Center provides 5,000 square feet of flexible meeting space that can be divided into four smaller areas. The 400 Club has both indoor and

September 2017

Kansas City Kansas

Race into your next adventure justin stine, meetings & sports sales manager 913.321.5800 | justin@ visitkansascityks.com visitkansasCitykS.com/ meetings

Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.

21

outdoor seating, and can accommodate up to 220 guests. For a more intimate setting, the Conference Room comes with free Wi-Fi, a plasma screen TV and seating for 25.

Groups can take a 20-minute tour of Parkview Field, walking through the locker rooms and adjacent tunnels to the field while a guide discusses the history of the ballpark and team.

For a fun after-hours activity, attendees can test their pitching speed with a radar gun or practice their swing in the batting cage. The park also contains a playground and large, open concourse area that can be used for team-building activities such as scavenger hunts, minute-towin-it contests and rock climbing.

“Some groups come to us with great creativity, and others use what we already have,” said Raney. “Last year, a group did a human Hungry Hippos game.”

Though spring and summer are peak season for visitors, the winter months can offer a special experience as well. Raney described how relaxing it is to sit in the Suite Level Lounge with a serene blanket of snow covering the field outside. www.parkviewfield.com

BB&T Ballpark Charlotte, North Carolina

By Laura Wolff, courtesy Charlotte Knights

The Charlotte Knights play at BB&T Ballpark, which offers numerous meeting venues.

Based near the eclectic hub of downtown Charlotte, BB&T Ballpark provides an unusual and energetic setting for meeting groups.

“Our ballpark offers the excitement of a professional sports facility as well as the luxury of an uptown event venue,” said Tommy Viola, director of public relations and marketing.

On the top level of the ballpark, the Diamond’s Direct Luxury Lounge

WELCOME TO A PLACE THAT MAKES ANY AGENDA MORE EXCITING. Located at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge offers a variety of meeting venues of all sizes and features unique activities for any team to enjoy together. From Dollywood to interactive museums, exciting theaters, great shopping, and more. Come discover why TripAdvisor named Pigeon Forge a 2017 “Destination on the Rise.”

PigeonForgeMeetings.com

PFT000468_Mrr_SmallMarketMeetings_8x4.5.indd 1

22

Meeting Ideas

6/22/17 11:34 AM

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

offers a wonderful panoramic view of the field and uptown Charlotte skyline and accommodates anywhere from 20 to 300 guests. This flexible space is ideal for hosting events such as corporate gatherings, cocktail parties and wedding receptions.

Groups can take advantage of the customizable in-house catering provided by Professional Sports Catering that offers everything from traditional ballpark fare like hot dogs and Cracker Jacks to more upscale options.

“Barbecue buffets, build-you-own mac-and-cheese stations and liquid-nitrogen ice cream bars are just a few of the catering options that we have clients coming back for,” said Viola.

For a competitive team-building activity, attendees can step into the indoor batting cage where the players practice, or they can play right on the field. Both activities are available year-round depending on game schedules. www.bbtballparkcharlotte.com

Raley Field Sacramento, California

Located in one of the most historic cities in California, Raley Field is home to the Sacramento River Cats.

Meeting groups can enjoy a sweeping view of the field and downtown Sacramento in the Legacy Club, the ballpark’s premier meeting and events venue. Accommodating up to 300 guests, the club offers state-of-the-art audiovisual services, LED screens and a full-service bar, with several breakout rooms down the hall. Many planners use this space during the day for their meetings and group activities and then reconvene in a suite in the evening to enjoy the game.

September 2017

Courtesy Raley Field

The Legacy Club at Raley Field can accommodate up to 300 guests for private events.

23

Courtesy Parkview Field

A meeting group enjoys a team-building activity on the concourse at Parkview Field.

River City Concessions acts as the in-house catering service, offering tacos and pulled-pork barbecue among other diverse menu options.

Planners can also use the playing field for postmeeting activities, such as on-field batting practice and kickball games.

“We can get creative with clients if they have something in mind,” said Brittney Broberg, manager of events and entertainment at the park.

Raley Field offers a private on-field tailgating experience where groups can watch the players, coaches and media up close as they prepare for the game. This VIP package includes an all-you-caneat barbecue buffet from Sactown Smokehouse; all-you-can-drink wine, beer and soda; Governors Club seats; and Tito’s Solon Club access.

From the ballpark, attendees can easily reach hotels, restaurants and other attractions in the surrounding area, such as the Golden 1 Center, home of the Sacramento Kings professional basketball team. www.raleyfield.com

Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville Jacksonville, Florida

Opened in 2003, the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville is one of the finest minor league ballparks in North America, with 12 luxury suites,

24

Meeting Ideas

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Courtesy Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville

The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville has special lounges and pavilions available for rent.

September 2017

25

Courtesy Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville

Luxury suites at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville offer catering and indoor-outdoor seating for smaller groups.

Don’t Let This Moment

PASS YOU BY

Monuments at Antietam National Battlefield

& Washington County, MD

Call or visit us online to get a free Visitor’s Guide!

301-791-3246 • visithagerstown.com

26

Meeting Ideas

four sky decks, a playground and a Tiki Terrace in left field.

The suites provide a fine venue for smaller meeting groups, accommodating between 15 and 20 guests. Each suite contains a fully furnished, climate-controlled area with audiovisual capabilities as well as balcony seating. Suite rentals include 20 game tickets, four parking passes and personal wait staff service. Groups can order from the menu in advance so that food is ready upon arrival.

The Jumbo Shrimp Party Suite provides twice the capacity of the regular suites in addition to 50 game tickets and 10 parking passes. Located near the brand-new Tiki Terrace, the Safe Harbor Seafood Palm Pavilion provides a semiprivate outdoor meeting space for up to 24 guests.

According to Noel Blaha, the ballpark’s assistant general manager, many groups opt for a morning meeting at the park followed by a light lunch of sandwiches, salad and coffee; the evening tends to draw more formal gatherings. www.visitjacksonville.com

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

#

1:

I need a large, contemporary convention center in the Caribbean.

#

19:

I want to fly like a bird through a tropical rainforest.

Where everything you need meets everything they dream of doing on a tropical island in the Caribbean. Nothing else in the U.S. compares. 1.800.875.4765 MeetPuertoRico.com

GLASS CITY RISING

Toledo’s renaissance is cause for mee tin g planners to take no tice

By Dan Dickson

Fifth Third Field, home of the minor-league Toledo Mud Hens, offers various meeting spaces near the Toledo waterfront.

28

Destination Showcase

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

“There is a revitalization effort going on downtown that is intense.

It’s large in scale, and it encompasses the entire downtown, from hotels to attractions to restaurants.”

T

oledo, Ohio, is in the middle of a renaissance, and the heart of Main Meeting Spaces Downtown is the city’s major meetings hub and home to many of its the revitalization is beating in downtown. Developers are largest venues, namely the SeaGate Convention Centre, with 150,000 transforming historic warehouses into trendy lofts; restaurants square feet of meeting space on three levels. The are opening on every corner; investors are 75,000-square-foot, column-free exhibit space renovating hotels; and companies are moving can be divided into three 25,000-square-foot their offices to the neighborhood that borders halls, and 25 meeting rooms offer plenty of the Maumee River waterfront. options for breakout sessions or smaller events.

“There is a revitalization effort going on The center also has 20,000 square feet of predowntown that is intense,” said Tony Vetter, function space for larger groups, like the director of sales for the Destination Toledo Jehovah’s Witnesses’ annual convention held Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s large in there this summer. scale, and it encompasses the entire downtown, “What especially sets us apart from larger citfrom hotels to attractions to restaurants.” ies like Columbus, Chicago, places like that, is Visitors can find live music in downtown when you come to Toledo, the space is adequate every night of the week, and the city now has for your group, but you’re not sharing it with two Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas, or another group,” Vetter said. “Here you get speDORAs, that allow patrons to take their drinks cial attention because you’re not sharing that with them in special to-go cups when leaving space with two, three other groups.” participating bars and restaurants. That allows Ice hockey at the Huntington Center A skywalk connects to the adjacent people to meander and mingle, to take in the night sights and the nightlife.

All photos courtesy Destination Toledo Huntington Center, an 800-seat arena also managed by the convention center, said Carol “People can go out and enjoy the nightlife DuPuis, director of sales for the SeaGate and not worry about open containers; it’s Ohio’s Convention Centre. Because both are under the version of the French Quarter,” Vetter said.

LOCATION same management, meetings that require an Visitors will find 22 restaurants within a North Central Ohio arena setting for larger general sessions or three-block radius of the Mud Hens baseball opening events, such as Living Proof Live in stadium, many of them in the Hensville enterACCESS tainment district.

September, don’t have to go far. It also allows Interstates 75, 475, 90 and 280; “It’s amazing the last two years the growth in planners to easily use Huntington Center events Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport; locally farmed and locally owned restaurants as evening activities, buying tickets for attendToledo Express Airport ees to concerts, hockey games or the circus throughout the city and in downtown,” said without having to worry about the weather or Cathy Miller, director of tourism.

MAJOR MEETING SPACES transportation. One medical gathering bought ProMedica is nearing completion of its downSeaGate Convention Centre, town campus that is converting a former 600 tickets for attendees to catch a Janet Jackson Huntington Center KeyBank building and the city’s historic steam concert, DuPuis said.

HOTEL ROOMS power plant into the health care organization’s On the other side of the SeaGate Convention 7,704 administrative offices. ProMedica has also Centre, groups will find Fifth Third Field, the improved the riverfront Promenade Park, where 8,943-seat minor league baseball stadium that’s OFFSITE VENUES people can gather for concerts or to watch a home to the Toledo Mud Hens. The stadium has Toledo Museum of Art, Glass Pavilion, movie projected on the side of ProMedica’s private event space, including party suites, and National Museum of the Great Lakes, parking structure. the surrounding Hensville warehouse district is Toledo Zoo Those are the kinds of redevelopment and a shopping, dining and entertainment hub that CONTACT INFO reimagining projects that are drawing people to also offers several event venues and private Destination Toledo CVB the city, not only to live and work, but also to dining spaces. Top of Nine has an outdoor deck 800-243-4667 stay and play. that spans three rooftops, and Fleetwood’s www.dotoledo.org “It’s a fun time to be here in Toledo,” Vetter said.

Rooftop, on top of Fleetwood’s Tap Room, deliv-

Toledo, Ohio

September 2017

29

The Toledo Symphony Orchestra performs in various venues around the city. ers views of the baseball field and the Maumee riverfront. Hensville Park is a festival park and event lawn with a stage that sits between the convention center and the stadium.

Waterfront Hotels

The Renaissance Toledo Downtown Hotel opened in August after a

30

Destination Showcase

By Jim Rohman

20-month, $31 million project transformed the 32-year-old building into a four-star hotel just two blocks from the convention center.

The 241-room riverfront hotel, like other Renaissance properties, focuses on local flavor and is chock full of fun, subtle touches that pay homage to Toledo’s history as the Glass City. Guests will find glass artwork in the lobby and lounge, and framed dog tags that serve as room numbers are a nod to hometown actor Jamie Farr, who played Maxwell Klinger on the television show “M.A.S.H.” The tire-tread pattern on the elevator doors is replicated from Willys Jeeps, which were made at the Toledo Complex automobile factory.

The hotel has 15,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, with 13 possible separate meeting rooms. The largest function space is the nearly 11,000-square-foot Mosaic Ballroom that can be split into six smaller spaces. The Brim House is the on-site restaurant — that even uses Toledo-made Libbey glassware — and the hotel’s rooftop bar overlooking the river was slated to open in late August.

The Park Inn by Radisson hotel connects to the convention center via skywalk but also has its own function space, the largest of which is a 5,500-square-foot ballroom. The hotel has 294 guest rooms but could soon have more if it converts offices back into sleeping rooms, Vetter said.

Plans are on the table, although shovels aren’t yet in the ground, for two new hotels that could “more than likely” add another 300 to 350 sleeping rooms connected to the convention center in the next couple of years, Vetter said.

For all the focus on the Maumee River waterfront, people shouldn’t forget that Toledo also touches the shores of Lake Erie. The 120-room

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

lakefront Maumee Bay State Park Lodge and Conference Center is about a 30-minute drive east of Toledo. The conference center’s 7,500 square feet of event space in eight flexible rooms provides views of Lake Erie, and the 5,000-square-foot ballroom has a balcony overlooking the lake.

Groups can also take advantage of the setting to hold outdoor events, such as a barbecue or a lobster bake in the lodge’s tent area or a bonfire on the beach. The lodge also has two patios and a 2,000-person outdoor amphitheater.

“You don’t have to go to Florida for your vacation,” Vetter said.

Every event has a story ...

Must-See Sites

September 2017

SPARTANNASH FOOD SHOW

Some of Toledo’s must-see sights also double as off-site venues for meetings and receptions. The Toledo Museum of Art covers a 36-acre campus with six buildings that house a collection of more than 30,000 pieces. In the main building, groups can use the historic 1,750-seat Peristyle concert hall, or as many as 300 reception guests can mingle in the Peristyle lobby amid marble columns, cobblestone floors and painted Greek friezes. The smaller Little Theater has auditorium seating for 160, or after-hours events can gather in Libbey Court or in the Cloister gallery, a medieval stone courtyard. Up to 350 guests can mingle among the museum’s major works of art in the Great Gallery; another contemporary art gallery can host up to 100 guests for receptions.

Across the street is one of the museum’s and the city’s claims to fame: the 74,000-square-foot Glass Pavilion that opened in 2006. To honor Toledo’s history as the Glass Capital of the World, architects designed the building with walls made of large, curving glass panels, both inside and out, resulting in a series of see-through spaces in a nearly transparent building. The GlasSalon can seat 230 people for dinner and can be used with the adjoining Crystal Corridor, the pavilion’s main passage, where reception guests can mingle beneath a Dale Chihuly chandelier. Groups can watch as artists make glass pieces at the Glass Pavilion, and several studios offer groups the chance to make their own pieces of glass art to take home with them.

At the Toledo Zoo, groups have a slew of rental options that either put them near wildlife or place them in a foreign culture. The Malawi Event Center is a large-scale, three-season space that just opened in August as part of the zoo’s Africa exhibit and can accommodate about 900 people. At the outdoor Africa Overlook, up to 250 guests can take in views that often include giraffes and zebras. The African Lodge can seat 125 for meals, up to 70 people can enjoy dinner and views into the tanks in the aquarium gallery, and groups of 50 can be seated for meals and surrounded by polar bears and seals at Arctic Encounter.

The zoo also recently added a new aerial adventure course that peaks at 80 feet above the ground and allows visitors to zip line, cross sky bridges and tackle aerial obstacles directly over wildebeest and Watusi cattle in the Africa exhibit below.

The National Museum of the Great Lakes can provide custom guided tours for groups of 15 or more and offers event rentals. Next door, groups can tour the permanently docked 1911 Col. James M. Schoonmaker freighter and have receptions on deck.

Attendees can walk outside the doors of the SeaGate Convention Centre down to the river’s edge to board the 100-passenger Sandpiper boat that’s available for public cruises and private charters May through October.

Let’s write yours.

Marcy McKinley Director of Sales

Babette Record Event Manager

Your experience here will set a new standard: • Divisible, carpeted, fully-equipped event spaces • On-site, full service masters in Event Management, AV, and Catering • Up to 4,500 theater; 3100 banquet; 2900 classroom • 500 attached guest rooms and covered parking • Free high performance WiFi and Room setup Create some buzz in downtown Fort Wayne, IN

Jeremy Bugge AV Technician

grandwayne.com 260.426.4100

31

Picturesque Provo and Utah Valley

By Savannah Osbourn

Above: Provo visitors zip line at Sundance Mountain Resort.

Left: An outdoor event with a spectacular view of the Utah Valley.

U T A H V A L L E Y, U T A H LOCATION North central Utah ACCESS Salt Lake City International Airport, Provo Airport, interstates 15 and 80 MAJOR MEETING SPACES Utah Valley Convention Center, Provo Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, BYU Conference Center, Sundance Mountain Resort, Thanksgiving Point HOTEL ROOMS 3,500 OFF-SITE VENUES The Links at Sleepy Ridge, Cedar Hills Golf Club, the Underground Museum CONTACT INFO Utah Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau 801-851-2100 www.utahvalley.com

32

Destination Showcase

N

estled between Lake Utah and the Wasatch Mountain Range, the Utah Valley offers stunning scenery from almost every vantage point. From the Salt Lake City International Airport, visitors can hop on the FrontRunner commuter train or drive down Interstate 15 to reach the area within 45 minutes. The area’s largest city, Provo, features its own regional airport as well, which connects to nearly 90 major cities across the United States.

In 2012, Provo opened an 83,578-square-foot convention center that overlooks the Wasatch Mountains from a rooftop garden terrace.

“People are always just stunned by the natural beauty,” said Lee Adamson, director of sales at the Utah Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau. “When we’ve got a group up on the convention terrace, everyone just stands there taking selfies.”

Across the street, the Provo Marriott Hotel and Convention Center offers an additional 24,591 square feet of function space, with smaller venues available throughout town for after-hours events.

Visitors would be remiss not to explore some of the surrounding natural treasures, with options like hiking to Bridal Veil Falls, rafting on the Provo River, skiing at the Sundance Mountain Resort and strolling the grounds of Whispering Springs Lavender Farm, the largest herb farm and distillery in the world.

“We’re in a metropolitan area, but we’re so close to the mountains, it has a strong, mountain-recreation feel,” said Adamson.

According to Adamson, one of the key things that makes the Utah Valley stand out as a meeting destination is the personal touch provided by the Utah Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, from welcome banners stationed on the streets to other services.

“Some of these groups get lost in a bigger city,” said Adamson. “But here, they get to enjoy being the bigger fish in a place with beautiful scenery and all the amenities they need.”

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Photos courtesy Utah Valley CVB

Utah Valley Convention Center

Sundance Mountain Resort

Based in the heart of historic downtown Provo, the Utah Valley Convention Center is a brand-new, LEED Silver-Certified facility with 83,578 square feet of function space. The convention center is conveniently located 10 minutes from the Provo Regional Airport as well as 1,300 downtown hotel rooms. One of its main highlights is a 5,553-square-foot open rooftop garden terrace that offers a panoramic view of the Wasatch Mountains. Planners can take advantage of the convention center’s complimentary Wi-Fi and in-house catering service, the Center Street Café.

The Sundance Mountain Resort is located at the foot of Mount Timpanogos and features 1,200 square feet of meeting space, 95 guest cottages and 5,000 acres of lush mountain landscape. Groups can take their pick of adventures at this rustic, high-end resort, which offers everything from art studio classes to skiing and zip lining down a 2,100foot vertical drop over the valley. Dining options include the frontierthemed Foundry Grill, the Tree Room Restaurant and the Owl Bar, which contains the restored 1890s Rosewood Bar once frequented by the Butch Cassidy gang.

Thanksgiving Point

Local Food Scene

Thanksgiving Point is a destination in itself that encompasses the largest dinosaur museum in North America, the elegant 55-acre Ashton Gardens, the Thanksgiving Point Golf Club and the Museum of Natural Curiosity. Ashton Gardens features 15 themed gardens and the largest man-made waterfall in the Western Hemisphere, making it an excellent location for a picturesque after-hours reception or cocktail party. After touring the museums and gardens, groups can dine at the Harvest Restaurant, the Tower Deli or the Trellis Café, which overlooks the gardens.

The Utah Valley offers an eclectic food scene that every meeting attendee will want to explore. For those in the mood for ethnic food, Joe Vera’s Mexican Restaurant, Oregano’s Italian Kitchen and Black Sheep are local favorites. Station 22 features savory Southern comfort food, and Guru’s Café is a chic Southwestern venue. The Communal Restaurant centers on fresh farm-to-table ingredients. Anyone with a sweet tooth will appreciate dessert venues like the Rockwell Ice Cream Company and the Roll With It Creamery, which features Thai-style rolled ice cream.

September 2017

33

California Comfort

By Rachel Carter Courtesy Doubletree by Hilton Ontario Airport

Palm trees around the pool are a SoCal signature of the Doubletree by Hilton in Ontario.

W

hether in the burbs of its biggest cities or in a quiet coastal college town, California is bursting with places that are renovating and reinventing their conference and convention hotels.

34

Hotel owners and investors are pouring millions of dollars into overhauls that will leave no guest room unturned or banquet hall untouched.

Here are five new and newly remodeled meeting hotels that planners should keep on their California radar.

DoubleTree by Hilton Ontario Airport

Ontario, California, is just 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the Inland Empire, the 12th-most-populous metropolitan region in the nation. The DoubleTree

by Hilton Ontario Airport hotel is just south of the Ontario International Airport and next door to the 225,000-square-foot Ontario Convention Center. But the hotel also sits on 18 acres, and with its red-tiled roof and palm-tree-lined pool, the property feels more like a hacienda resort than a conference hotel.

The three-building hotel is in the middle of a threephase, $18 million renovation that will include all 482 guest rooms as well as the meeting and public spaces.

The first phase, which wrapped up this spring, included the main building that is “the heart of the hotel” with the restaurants, meeting space and business center, said Todd Simons, director of sales and marketing. The hotel’s 27,000 square feet of flexible meeting space — including the 12,800-square-foot ballroom, “the largest ballroom in the Inland Empire” — received new finishes and furniture. The garden pavilion overlooks the pool area, and “with the weather we have, we can use it

California Resorts Meeting Guide

pretty much year-round,” Simons said. “We try to use that space for receptions and lunches, get people out of the meeting rooms.”

The two remaining buildings, which both house guest rooms, will be renovated this winter and the winter of 2018-2019. In addition to Porter’s Prime Steak House, Citrus West is the hotel’s breakfast and lunch cafe. Misty’s Lounge has live music seven nights a week, and “it’s rocking there Friday and Saturday nights,” Simons said.

Next door, the Ontario Convention Center is a striking white, glass-walled building with a 20,000-squarefoot ballroom that can be split into three smaller spaces, a 70,000-square-foot exhibition hall and another 24,000 square feet of meeting rooms.

The DoubleTree also has a hop-on, hop-off shuttle that runs guests to Ontario Mills Mall, California’s largest indoor outlet mall, with more than 200 stores and a 30-screen AMC Theater.

Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, simply SLO to the locals, has it all: It’s a college town that’s home to the renowned California Polytechnic State University; it’s a coastal city that’s about 15 miles inland from each of the seaside resort towns of Morro Bay and Pismo Beach; and it’s minutes from a couple dozen central-coast vineyards and wineries.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Courtesy Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo

“Being right along the 101 and being halfway between LA and San Francisco, we pull pretty equally from southern California and northern California,” said Bruce Skidmore, area director of sales and marketing for the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo.

As the largest meeting and conference space in San Luis Obispo County, the Embassy Suites gets a big chunk of the city’s meeting business. The 195-room hotel is putting the finishing touches on a renovation that includes “everything; there’s nothing it doesn’t include,” he said.

The project started in early 2016 and should be completed by November. In August, workers wrapped up renovations of the lobby and the central atrium, which houses the Greenhouse Grill and Café. Work also included all new hard and soft goods and bathroom refreshments for the hotel’s 195 suites.

The San Luis Obispo Room is a 5,100-square-foot ballroom that can be divided into three smaller spaces, and because it’s the area’s largest ballroom, “pretty much all the big events come through here,” Skidmore said. Two additional 1,100-square-foot rooms can each be divided, and the U-shaped Del Monte Room can be split into four spaces. The 4,000-square-foot Garden Terrace is an outdoor patio above the ballroom.

The hotel offers a free, cooked-to-order breakfast every morning and a two-hour evening reception every night with an open bar, but the hotel is also

September 2017

within walking distance of 14 restaurants and 19 stores.

“It’s such a great town; the restaurants are fantastic, and the wine is great,” Skidmore said. www.embassysuitessanluisobispo.com

A top-to-bottom renovation of the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo will be completed in November.

Hilton Garden Inn Fairfield

Fairfield sits smack in between San Francisco and Sacramento, just east of Napa. And that location is a big draw for people who want to visit and planners who want to hold meetings in the area but “don’t want to pay those San Francisco and Sacramento and Napa prices,” said Joshua Moore, director of sales for the Hilton Garden Inn Fairfield. Also, in February, the Hilton Garden Inn won the Daily Republic newspaper’s 2017 Reader’s Choice award for Best Hotel for the 13th year in a row.

The hotel is only getting better as it wraps up a $3 million remodel. Its 150 guest rooms were completed in July, so “there are probably some rooms that haven’t been slept in yet,” Moore said jokingly. Work was completed in March on the lobby, banquet and meeting spaces that were all entirely remodeled with brandnew carpeting, lighting and furniture. Next up is the restaurant and bar, which has been renamed the Garden Grille and Bar. The Hilton has the most hotel banquet space in Solano County, Skidmore said, with nearly 10,000 square feet. The largest space is the 4,225-square-foot

35

Grand Ballroom, which can be halved or quartered. When a group reserves all or half of the ballroom, it automatically gets access to the adjoining garden courtyard, and the hotel has several other smaller flexible spaces.

For banquet groups that meet a food and beverage minimum, the rental is complimentary, Moore said. Meeting attendees will also find the Solano Town Center mall across the street and restaurants and stores nearby. Just a short walk from the hotel, meeting attendees can take a spin at Driven Raceway Indoor Karting.

Hotel Irvine

Courtesy Hilton Garden Inn Fairfield

The Hilton Garden Inn Fairfield features a 4,225-square-foot ballroom.

Uncomplicated. Uncongested. Unspoiled.

Situated between San Francisco and Sacramento, Fairreld is just minutes from wine country.

Book your next meeting, conference, tradeshow or social event in Fairreld, California.

Contact Christian at christian@VisitFairfieldCA.com /VisitFairreldCA

36

@fairreld4fun

California Resorts Meeting Guide

/VisitFairreldCA

The Orange County city and Los Angeles suburb of Irvine, California, is enjoying a boom in hotel development, but the community also knows how to reinvent what it has.

Hotel Irvine opened in December 2014 following an extensive renovation of the former Hyatt Regency Irvine. Hotel Irvine, however, is its own lifestyle hotel with 536 guest rooms and more than 50,000 square feet of function space, all less than three miles from John Wayne International Airport.

Hotel Irvine’s flexible 14,600-square-foot Grand Ballroom can seat up to 1,200 for meals or can be divided into five rooms. The Trabuco and Saddleback rooms are adjacent event spaces, each with 1,170 square feet that can be combined or used separately; each room can also be split into three smaller spaces. They both have floor-toceiling windows that overlook the landscaped terrace area. The hotel’s theater has half-circle stadium seating for up to 120 attendees, and several other meeting rooms can be used for breakout sessions.

Outside, the Back Yard includes an 8,000-squarefoot event lawn and adjoining patio that the hotel often uses for events such as movie nights. The adjacent 6,000-square-foot tented pavilion is an enclosed, climate-controlled area that can be combined with the Back Yard for indoor-outdoor events. On the other side of the lawn, the outdoor pool and wet bar also has a cabana and a connecting terrace that can be used for private events.

Eats Kitchen and Lounge is the hotel’s on-site restaurant, with an al fresco patio and fire pit; the Red Bar and Lounge’s bright colors and geometric decor give off a sort of kaleidoscope effect.

To impress attendees, planners can opt to include access to Hotel Irvine’s Club 12, an exclusive 12th-floor lounge with exclusive privileges, such as nightly turndown service and a concierge.

Guests can enjoy breakfast while lounging on the sofas and watching TV, or relax with evening drinks and hors d’oeuvres while taking in views of Orange County from the terrace. www.hotelirvine.com

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Courtesy Hotel Irvine

Hotel Irvine in Orange County features 536 guest rooms and more than 50,000 square feet of meeting space.

Bring Your Meeting to

IRVINE CALIFORNIA

Take Advantage of the $1,000 Incentive to Host Your Next Meeting in One of Irvine's 20 Hotels To Qualify: • Must book a minimum of (45) room nights peak over at least two consecutive nights • Work with Destination Irvine to develop and distribute the lead • Book meeting in one of Irvine’s 20 hotels • Book meeting within the term of the promotion • Must be a new meeting that has not been held in Irvine within the past six months • Does not apply to already contracted meetings

September 2017 www.destinationirvine.com/meeting

nt BONUoSw:n, ask me if yourreiovdes!

Double d e of our need pe on falls into

To receive additional information contact: Demea Metcalf, Director of Sales demea@destinationirvine.com (949) 502-4127

37

Courtesy Visalia Marriott at the Convention Center

The Visalia Marriott at the Convention Center offers 195 guest rooms adjacent to the Visalia Convention Center.

Visalia Marriott at the Convention Center

Visalia sits between Fresno and Bakersfield in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, one of California’s many agricultural hubs. Although Visalia isn’t the valley’s largest city, it is the seat of Tulare County and draws events to the Visalia Convention Center, which has 114,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.

The Visalia Marriott at the Convention Center hotel, which is connected to the convention center, completed a renovation of all 195 guest rooms and corridors and select public areas earlier this year. The rooms now have a distinct contemporary feel, with live-edge wood desks and 55-inch televisions mounted in sleek wood installations.

In the convention center, the floor of the 30,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall can be used for trade shows, but it also has arena seating for up to 3,000 people. The Charter Oak Ballroom has 8,300 square feet that can be divided into five rooms, and across the hall, the 3,500-square-foot San Joaquin Ballroom can be split into four spaces.

Four other meeting rooms can be halved for breakout sessions, and three additional standalone boardrooms are also available for small meetings.

The hotel and the convention center share the sprawling Plaza Courtyard, and another courtyard on the other side of the convention center sits just off the Charter Oak Ballroom.

38

California Resorts Meeting Guide

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Recalculating By demonstrating the economic impact of convention centers, Spectra will convince local governments to invest in upkeep, upgrades and expansions.

All photos courtesy Spectra

Spectra-managed convention centers in seven cities have banded together to create an economic impact calculator so that they can show their value to the community.

C

Dave Anderson

onvention and visitors bureaus like to tout how much money, typically in millions and billions, meetings and conventions bring to their cities each year. Calculating economic impact is a way to gain the support of mayors, council members, business owners and citizens.

The power of those economic impact stats is not lost on industry experts like Dave Anderson, regional vice president of Spectra Venue Management and general manager at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in Florida. He and convention center managers in six other cities are working on a project that they hope will create an industry standard for calculating the economic impact their convention centers have.

September 2017

The collaboration is called the City Pairs Task Force and includes representatives from convention centers and CVBs in Chicago; Denver; Louisville, Kentucky; Overland Park, Kansas; Los Angeles; West Palm Beach, Florida; and Seattle. The cities are partnering with two convention industry organizations — the International Association of Venue Managers and Destinations International, formerly Destinations Management Association International — to create an economic impact calculator specifically for convention centers.

According to Anderson, the City Pairs Task Force hopes to modify a calculator that Destinations International offers its members.

“We have paired up with them to refine the calculator and add a piece for convention centers,” he said. “Our goal is to bring something to the table so all the venues can produce their own number. We are trying to produce realistic numbers. Then, if someone asks how you came up with the number, it is not just a pie in the sky.”

Having these numbers in hand is important as convention center managers request funding for renovations, expansions and improvements from the organizations that own the facilities, typically city or county govern-

ments. Convention center managers like Anderson realize that to stay competitive, their facilities must be updated and upgraded.

West Palm Beach is a good example. County leaders have approved upgraded LED lighting, Wi-Fi and new carpeting for the convention center, which must not only stay abreast of its competition but also look as fresh as the brand-new Hilton hotel attached to it. “My facility just turned 15, so I have to make sure it looks as good as it did the day it opened,” Anderson said.

Anderson expects the collaborations that have resulted between convention center and CVB staffs through the City Pairs project will have other benefits. Closer working relationships mean that convention center clients will have better access to the CVB and will spread to the other government agencies with whom they sometimes work, like sports commissions, police departments and cultural councils.

Such ties make planning “really fluid,” said Anderson. “There are no roadblocks.

Communication is streamlined, and it is much easier to get things done for planners and their groups because we are working as a team.”

39

Made to Order Spectra staffs get creative as they customize events.

An event at the St. Charles Convention Center uses an “Around the World” theme.

Forget the Standard Menus

Katie Conoyer

C

ustomization is no longer a treat; it’s an expectation. We are used to having everything tailored to our needs and interests, whether it is online ads, coupons tied to our purchasing patterns, or sub sandwiches and burritos made to our specifications.

So it is no surprise that meeting planners want their meetings and events customized.

Staffs at convention centers managed by Spectra by Comcast Spectacor say they are ready for the challenge.

40

Spectra Special Section

Katie Conoyer, director of sales and marketing for the St. Charles Convention Center in St. Charles, Missouri, sees demand for customizing most often in the kitchen. Meeting planners have moved away from standardized menus.

“That is the No. 1 change we are seeing,” said Conoyer. “We just had a repeat client in, and they said they didn’t even want to look at our menus.”

Tennille Wanner, director of sales and marketing at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Utah, agrees. “More and more planners are getting away from standardized menus,” she said. “Really, we now use those menus more as a pricing guide than anything.”

Customization is welcomed by the creative souls who whip up meals in the kitchens of Spectra’s convention centers. Chefs get as tired of the same old, same old as meeting planners and attendees do. “We like to be able to customize,” said Wanner. “Our chef doesn’t want to do the same old chicken dinner.”

Wanner and Conoyer know that at its best, change is driven by more than a whim or boredom. The St. Charles team has conversations with a client before suggesting changeups from its standard offerings.

Courtesy St. Charles Convention Center

“We have a Q&A and talk about what is important to them, what are they looking for, and we ask them what do they want to see,” said Conoyer.

In St. Charles, meeting planners’ desire for change is motivated, in part, by the fact that most have been there before. According to Conoyer, 73 percent of the center’s business is repeat, so it makes sense that many clients are looking for something new and different.

Working Within a Budget In Provo, the convention center staff enjoys working with groups that are willing to go beyond the routine, but it is important for Wanner and her staff to know about budgets beforehand.

“I always say, ‘What are you used to spending; what do you want to spend?’” Wanner said. After getting an understanding of budget, “I’ll say, ‘Let’s go back and talk to the chef.’”

The center has proved that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor and quality because of budget. Adding ingredients like dried cranberries and nuts is an inexpensive way to dress up a salad. Using a less-expensive but equally flavorful type of steak is another cost saver.

“It might be just changing the cut of meat — a flank steak instead of a filet,” Wanner said.

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Courtesy Utah Valley Convention Center

Racecars and the famous Bonneville Salt Flats were part of a Tour de Utah-themed event at the Utah Valley Convention Center.

Tennille Wanner The Provo center’s chef takes the less-expensive flank cut and marinates it in a Korean kalbi sauce. It costs far less than filet, and because it is so flavorful, the entree is as popular as the more expensive cut. The only caveat is that notice is required. “It has to marinate five days,” Wanner said.

Themes Can Elevate Events Wanner believes that events are elevated by themes. “When events have a theme and are trendy, attendees are apt to have a better time,” she said. “And it is all about what the attendees think and feel when they leave an event.”

Her convention center’s skill at theming events is illustrated by an annual charity gala held there. The gala is a favorite among the center’s staff because it supports a neonatal intensive-care unit.

“We have all become passionate about it,” said Wanner.

The most recent gala had a Tour de Utah theme that covered “everything Utah from north to south,” said Wanner. The catering manager and staff made arches from Styrofoam that replicated Utah’s famous red arches. A cantina served Mexican dishes that are part of local culture. A model of a racecar

September 2017

reminded attendees of the state’s famous Bonneville Salt Flats. Tanks of trout touted Utah’s river fishing. “All of this was built by our catering manager and his crew,” said Wanner.

Each year, a theme is thoroughly carried forth through decor and food. Wanner said her event manager’s desk is typically covered with samples of decor that she has found online; she also rents items needed to ensure an authentic experience.

The effort pays off for the fundraising event. The fundraiser’s profile and attendance have risen since the event has been held at the convention center.

In St. Charles, a client recently requested the feel of a “reveal” and a more active atmosphere at a reception for 250, according to Conoyer. The convention center team created a grand entrance using heavy drapes and six staff members to manually lift them as guests entered. A fog machine allowed guests to appear out of a cloud of “smoke,” like a sports team pouring onto an athletic field.

The St. Charles team also created a series of action stations. “There were stir-fry, carving, potato-bar, salad and dessert stations,” Conoyer said. A mix of seating, including lounge furniture, made the event more upscale.

Local Talent Can Add Color In Provo, the convention center staff has helped planners find local entertainers ranging from fire dancers to acrobats who dangle from the ceilings on fabric ribbons. “We look for things that will help create an experience,” Wanner said. When the center finds a star, it makes sure to make note so it can suggest the entertainment to other clients.

Keeping a Record for the Future In St. Charles, Conoyer and her staff keep a running account of each meeting or convention in a shared event summary document. As the event progresses, staff make notes about successes and issues. “We note what works, and what doesn’t,” said Conoyer. The team also meets after the event with the planner and records the planner’s comments.

When events return the following year, as they are likely to do in St. Charles, the staff pulls out the event summary a couple of months beforehand. They study it, put their heads together and brainstorm about changes that can be made to make this year’s event even better than last year’s. It’s not just a way to make a good event better; it’s a way to keep great clients coming back.

41

Expert Eats One of Spectra’s top chefs shares ideas about local foods, serving the masses and staffing up.

Spectra’s convention venues can share food and beverage team members when they need to boost their staffing levels for larger events.

B

ob St. Lawrence, is Eastern regional chef for Spectra by Comcast Spectacor. Although he’s based at the Ocean Center, where he is the executive chef for Spectra Food Services and Hospitality in Daytona Beach, Florida, St. Lawrence’s impact goes far beyond, as he oversees chefs at some 50 Spectramanaged venues on the Eastern Seaboard.

We talked with him about food-related issues that interest meeting planners: the use of local, fresh ingredients; ways to efficiently feed the masses; and how to ramp up foodand-beverage staffs.

Laden With Local Eats Bob St. Lawrence

42

Spectra Special Section

With eating local all the buzz, Spectramanaged event venues have become adept at sourcing foods produced in their areas. An emphasis on local dovetails nicely with a pledge Spectra made a number of years ago, said St. Lawrence: to choose fresh over frozen whenever feasible.

Spectra gets a lot of requests from meeting planners who want to use local products in their menus, but it also suggests local touches when planners might not be thinking about them. Chefs remind that local foods take

many forms: bread and beer, chicken and cheese, beef and beans, watermelon and wine.

When planners think local, they often think of family farmers forking over their corn crops or baskets of peaches. But as St. Lawrence pointed out, quantities required, seasonality and budgets can make it difficult to work with small operations. “The farm-totable concept is not always feasible,” he said.

Spectra has found other ways to bring local into the banquet. For example, some of its facilities in the Southeast offer North Carolinabased Brookwood Barbecue. Although the barbecue company began as a small operation, it now has the capacity to meet demands of larger meetings and conventions.

Spectra has also sourced cheeses made in North Carolina and South Carolina and fresh fish from Florida: red snapper, pompano and yellow tail for starters.

The explosion of wineries and breweries has made it easy to incorporate local wines and beers at events at most any Spectramanaged facility. St. Lawrence noted that those beverages can be used beyond the bar.

“A lot of the chefs like to tap into local beers and use them in recipes for sauces and demi-

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

Spectra chefs add inventive twists to everything from appetizers to desserts. glazes, or even in barbecues sauces,” he said.

One example of an inventive way to use local products to create a new one is at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Coliseum in WinstonSalem, North Carolina, where Spectra manages concessions. The arena is home to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Spectra decided the team’s fans needed a signature dish around which to rally. Staff created a chili recipe that incorporates two local products: Texas Pete, a well-known hot sauce made in Winston-Salem, and Cheerwine, a popular regional soft drink. The result is Deacon Chili.

“We took two products in the region and incorporated them into a dish to get the school some notoriety,” said St. Lawrence.

Ingenuity and a Portable Kitchen In August, the Ocean Center wrapped up one of its large summer conferences: a church youth group that required 26,000 meals a day. It was the fifth time the group had used the center, and each time, St. Lawrence and his staff have come up with ways to better serve the crowd.

Among the innovations is a portable kitchen built on the loading dock, which allowed the center to ramp up food preparation.

September 2017

Different dishes were divided between the main and temporary kitchen based on what was needed to prepare them. For example, anything that was grilled was cooked outside in the portable kitchen.

The food was delivered to hot boxes hidden behind pipe and drape on the arena floor so it could quickly be delivered to the six double buffet lines.

During meals, Spectra’s Chef Out Front Program came into play. St. Lawrence and John Schmitz, executive chef at the Ocean Center, were among Spectra staff on the arena floor “paying attention to detail, keeping the lines organized and making sure we were quick in expediting the food, really owning the event,” said St. Lawrence.

“When you see a chef in a white jacket, it gives the guests a comfort level. They know we are taking pride and standing behind the product we are serving,” said St. Lawrence.

“We can talk to the guests and show that this is our experience too.”

Staffing Up in a Hurry Having an event at a Spectra-managed venue offers a benefit that is largely invisible to meeting planners yet has a big impact.

Unlike a convention center run by a city or county government, Spectra facilities are connected and share ideas and staff across facilities.

For example, another Spectra-managed venue will soon use a version of St. Lawrence’s temporary loading dock kitchen to feed a large group it will host.

And St. Lawrence talks each week with chefs and food-and-beverage directors at various Spectra facilities in the Southeast about the challenges or victories they have experienced. Ideas are shared through a Chefs Council. The network “is one of our greatest assets,” said St. Lawrence.

Networking makes it easier to staff up when a convention center has a larger-thanusual event. St. Lawrence keeps track of which facilities might need extra help and which have staff that could help.

For example, St. Lawrence has brought in chefs to the Ocean Center from Spectramanaged venues in nearby Orlando, Florida.

“We have people we can kind of put our hands on and send wherever we need them,” said St. Lawrence. “We never struggle staffwise on an event, because we have the resources.”

43

Spectra promotes its own facilities using digital marketing and now offers those digital marketing skills to its clients.

Target Practice

Spectra sharpens and shares digital marketing skills, helps clients build awareness and audience.

S

Viki Arias

44

Spectra Special Section

pectra by Comcast Spectacor has learned a lot about digital marketing by using social media and varied digital tools to promote the facilities it manages. About a year ago, Spectra decided to share its knowledge by offering digital marketing packages and services to meeting and event clients.

Viki Arias, marketing manager at the Spectra managed Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa, leads digital strategy for all Spectra-managed facilities. “One thing that sets our company apart is the digital resources we can offer,” she said.

Spectra’s digital marketing skills can help make events more successful, boosting attendance and many other aspects of events.

Digital strategies can be used to increase ticket sales for a concert or for a public event that is

part of an association’s convention. Digital marketing can also help move attendees toward a desired hotel room block or target a specific audience based on geography, profession, interests or other personal attributes.

For organizations that don’t have marketing staff, the assistance a Spectra facility can provide in digital marketing is invaluable. “A lot of our clients don’t have marketing people, so we can meet with them and ask how much they want to spend, who they want to target and what their objective is,” said Arias. “After we collect information about the campaign, we get the campaign running, monitor the results and talk to them about analytics.”

Spectra’s digital marketing packages can be tailored to a meeting planner’s budget and purpose. Planners with limited budgets might want to try a small campaign that would include “one email, one Facebook post and one Facebook event mention,” Arias said. “All of the packages can be tweaked and customized.”

Because digital marketing assistance is available at all Spectra properties, meeting planners also benefit from the idea sharing that naturally occurs among marketing managers at different venues. “If someone at one facility has worked on something that turned out great, a marketing person at another Spectra facility can call them and get a recap,” Arias said.

Here are a few ways digital marketing can be used for a meeting or event: l Through retargeting, a digital marketing campaign can be designed so ads and web links for the host hotel pop up after attendees visit the conference website. Those pop-up ads help drive attendees toward a room block. l If a conference or convention includes public events, digital marketing can promote those events to a target audience. For example, Arias can use geotargeting to market a free engineering conference to some 80,000 engineers through online ads. l Digital marketing works well for consumer events, including home and garden shows, trade shows, sports events and children’s entertainment. “We can drive attendance through databases that we have for the areas that they want to target locally,” said Arias.

Another big advantage of digital marketing is the data it can provide both on audience and effectiveness. “Google Analytics gives us robust analytics so we can look at a campaign to see where customers come from, which cities they are in,” Arias said. “Our clients also like that they can look at the ROI and see how much business was gained from digital marketing.”

www.smallmarketmeetings.com

EXPERT PLANNERS LOOK FOR PLANNING EXPERIENCE We are the experts that help bring out the best in event planners.

Through proven methods, innovative concepts, attentive customer service and passionate industry professionals, Spectra turns your event into a truly remarkable experience.

HOSTING BRILLIANTLY TOGETHER PLANNING ASSISTANCE 888.456.2599 SpectraExperiences.com

Ford Park Entertainment Complex

Total Meeting Space: 67,332 sq ft

Beaumont, TX

Airports: Jack Brooks Regional Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Houston)

Exhibit Hall: 48,600 sq ft

Easy accessibility to and from Interstate 10 East/West.

Lobby: 11,000 sq ft Meeting Rooms: 9 Additional Meeting Space: 34,500 sq ft Hotel Rooms: 1,300 within three miles

5115 I-10 South Beaumont, TX 77705 409.951.5404

fordpark.com LEGEND

Venue Management

Food Services & Hospitality

Cross Insurance Center

Bangor, ME

Total Meeting Space: 52,153 sq ft Exhibit Hall: 26,000 sq ft Ballroom: 16,000 sq ft Meeting Rooms: 11 Hotel Rooms: over 300 hotel rooms within walking distance; 1,500 within seven miles Airport: Minutes from Bangor International Airport Located one hour from Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.

Maine’s newest and largest convention center is centrally located, with easy access to I-95, the downtown district and Penobscot riverfront.

515 Main Street Bangor, ME 04401 207.561.8300

crossinsurancecenter.com

SpectraExperiences.com

Durham Convention Center Total Meeting Space: 35,000 sq ft Grand Ballroom: 15,500 sq ft (divisible into 3 sections) Jr. Ballroom: 11,500 sq ft (divisible into 8 sections) Meeting Rooms: 4 Board Rooms: 2 Hotel Rooms: 190 attached, 500+ within walking distance Located in a vibrant downtown dining and entertainment district.

14 miles from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

301 West Morgan Street Durham, NC 27701 919.956.9404

durhamconventioncenter.com

Durham, NC

Greater Richmond Convention Center

Richmond, VA

Total Meeting Space: 310,331 sq ft Exhibit Halls A, B, C, D: 178,159 sq ft Grand Ballroom: 30,550 sq ft Jr. Ballroom: 7,392 sq ft Meeting Rooms: 36 Additional Meeting Space: 50,000 sq ft Registration Lobby: 11,500 sq ft Hotel Rooms: 650 attached/adjacent, 3,600 downtown and 18,000 in the region.

Largest meeting and exhibition facility in Virginia.

Centrally located and accessible via I-95/I-64.

Virginia Green Certified and Non-Union.

Award-winning restaurants and attractions in close proximity.

403 North Third Street Richmond, VA 23219 804.783.7334

richmondcenter.com

LEGEND

Iowa Events Center Total Meeting Space: 286,300 sq ft Exhibit Hall: 150,000 sq ft Ballroom: 28,800 sq ft Number of Meeting Rooms: 37 Arena: 16,980 seats Pre-function Space : 60,300 sq ft Hotel Rooms: 2,300 hotel rooms within one mile of the Iowa Events Center.

12,500+ hotel rooms in Greater Des Moines Metro area.

Attached hotel opening Spring 2018.

Facility renovated in January 2012.

Tax-exempt convention center facility.

730 Third Street Des Moines, IA 50309 515.564.8000

iowaeventscenter.com

Venue Management

Food Services & Hospitality

Des Moines, IA

Saint Charles Convention Center

Saint Charles, MO

Half-mile from Streets of St. Charles, one mile from Historic St. Charles.

Total Meeting Space: 154,000 sq ft Exhibit Hall: 35,700 sq ft Grand Ballroom: 16,200 sq ft

10 minutes from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

Meeting Rooms: 21

20 minutes from downtown St. Louis.

Hotel Rooms: 296 attached; 2,100 within a five-mile radius.

1,200 complimentary parking spaces.

1 Convention Center Plaza St. Charles, MO 63303 636.669.3000

stcharlesconventioncenter.com LEGEND

Venue Management

Food Services & Hospitality

Pueblo Convention Center

Pueblo, CO

Total Meeting Space: 25,000 sq ft Ballroom: 16,000 sq ft Meeting Rooms: 7 Hotel Rooms: 163 attached, and another 105 within a one mile radius Located in the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk. Walking distance to historic downtown Pueblo, dining, shopping, and entertainment.

Expansion Coming Soon!

320 Central Main Street Pueblo, CO 81003 719.542.1100

puebloconventioncenter.com

SpectraExperiences.com

Utah Valley Convention Center Total Meeting Space: 84,000 sq ft Exhibit Hall: 20,000 sq ft Ballroom: 17,000 sq ft Meeting Rooms: 16 Hotel Rooms: 331 adjacent, 1,300 rooms with shuttle service.

One of the most technologically advanced, architecturally pleasing, functionally superb venues in the West.

220 West Center Street Provo, UT 84601 801.851.2200

utahvalleyconventioncenter.com

Provo, UT

Spectra Convention Center Venue Management Clients CONNECTICUT

MAINE

TEXAS

XL Center Exhibition Hall

Cross Insurance Center

860.249.6333 • xlcenter.com

207.561.8300 • crossinsurancecenter.com

Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center

COLORADO

MISSOURI

First National Bank Exhibition Building at The Ranch Entertainment Complex

Saint Charles Convention Center

Exhibition Complex at Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds

636.669.3000 • stcharlesconventioncenter.com

361.387.9000 • rmbfairgrounds.com

970.619.4000 • treventscomplex.com

NEW JERSEY

Pueblo Convention Center

Ford Exhibit Hall at Ford Park Entertainment Complex

Atlantic City Convention Center

409.951.5400 • fordpark.com

719.542.1100 • puebloconventioncenter.com

609.449.2000 • meetinac.com

FLORIDA

NEW MEXICO

Hill Country Youth Event Center and Outdoor Arena

Donald L. Tucker Civic Center

Clovis Civic Center

850.644.7469 • tuckerciviccenter.com

575.935.5000 • clovisciviccenter.com

Clov is, N M

Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall at Wichita Falls Multi-Purpose Events Center

Las Cruces Convention Center

940.716.5500 • wfmpec.com

575.526.0100 • meetinlascruces.com

U TA H

We s t Pa l m B each , FL

N E W YO R K

Utah Valley Convention Center

IDAHO

Conference and Event Center Niagara Falls

801.851.2200 utahvalleyconventioncenter.com

Nampa Civic Center

716.278.2100 • ccnfny.com

VIRGINIA

208.468.5500 • nampaciviccenter.com

NORTH CAROLINA

I OWA

Crown Expo Center & Ballroom at the Crown Complex

Berglund Special Events Center & Berglund Hall at the Berglund Center

H a rt fo rd , CT

Love l a nd , CO

Pu e b lo, CO

Ta l l a h a ssee, FL

Miami Beach Convention Center Mi a m i B each , FL

786.276.2607 • miamibeachconvention.com

Palm Beach County Convention Center 561.366.3030 • pbconventioncenter.com

N a m pa , ID

Ban go r, ME

St . Char le s, MO

At lan t ic Cit y, N J

Las Cr uce s, N M

N iagara Falls, N Y

Co r pus C h rist i, TX

361.879.0125 • ortizcenter.com

Ro bstown , TX

Beau mon t , TX

Ke r r v il l e, TX

830.896.9044 • kerrvilletexascvb.com

Wichit a Fa l l s, TX

Provo, U T

Roan oke, VA

540.853.2241 • theberglundcenter.com

Faye t tev ille , N C

Greater Richmond Convention Center

D e s M oi nes , IA

Durham Convention Center

804.783.7335 • richmondcenter.com

Hy-Vee Hall at Iowa Events Center

919.956.9404 • durhamconventioncenter.com

WA S H I N GT O N

515.564.8000 • iowaeventscenter.com

N O R T H D A KO TA

Edward D. Hansen Conference Center at XFINITY Arena

Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center at Iowa Events Center 515.564.8000 • iowaeventscenter.com D e s M oi nes , IA KANSAS

910.438.4100 • crowncomplexnc.com Dur ham, N C

Alerus Center

Gran d Fo r ks, N D

Exhibition Hall at Kansas Expocentre

701.792.1200 • aleruscenter.com

785.235.1986 • ksexpo.com

OHIO

Heritage Hall at Tony’s Pizza Events Center

Duke Energy Convention Center

Top e ka , KS

Richmon d , VA

Eve ret t , WA

425.322.2600 • xfinityarenaeverett.com CANADA

Vancouver Island Conference Centre N an aimo, BC , CAN ADA

Sa l i na , KS

Cin cin n at i, OH

513.419.7300 • duke-energycenter.com

250.244.4050 • viconference.com

Overland Park Convention Center

OKLAHOMA

Penticton Trade & Convention Centre at SOEC Complex

913.339.3055 • opconventioncenter.com

Central National Bank Center

250.490.2460 pentictonconventioncentre.com

580.616.7362 • cnbcenter.com

FirstOntario Centre Exhibition Centre

785.826.7200 • tonyspizzaeventscenter.com Ove rl a n d Pa rk , KS KENTUCKY

(formerly Enid Convention Hall) En id, OK

Pe n t icto n, BC , CAN ADA

Hamilto n , ON , CAN ADA

Owensboro Convention Center

905.546.3100 • coreentertainment.ca

270.687.8800 • owensborocenter.com

Downsview Park Studio 3

Owe ns boro, KY

To ro n to, ON , CAN ADA

647.260.1560 downsviewpark.pointstreaksites.com

HOSTING BRILLIANTLY TOGETHER PLANNING ASSISTANCE 888.456.2599 SpectraExperiences.com