So you need a destination for an important conference or business meeting and wouldn't mind mixing a little bit of pleasure in as well to maximize positive attitudes? Offering incentive travel locations will more than likely optimize attendance as well excitement of employees once they arrive. Here are a few destinations to consider for your destination meeting places
with a few details to consider as well.
- The Hilton New York in New York City boasts the largest self-contained conference space in New York and one of the nation’s largest hotel
exhbit facilities. Boasting a central Manhattan location for makes travel a breeze with LaGuardia, JFK and Newark airports just a short cab ride away, as well as Grand Central Station, Penn Station, and the Port Authority. Not to mention the hotel’s proximity to the Javits Convention Center and major media and business headquarters in the area.
- The Chateau Elan in Atlanta, Georgia will transform any event, including business meetings, into absolute elegance drenched in Old Southern Charm. With 25,000 square feet, there are two ballrooms, 19 conference rooms, two boardrooms, an auditorium and a working production vineyard set against a 16th century style French Chateau. Leisure activities include golf, Stan Smith Tennis Center, a European Spa Mansion, seven elegant restaurants, tours of the winery and cooking school and a French country inn.
- Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago is classic elegance at its finest. A modern glass tower located on the Chicago river, the Trump Tower is within walking distance of the Magnificent Mile and offers every amenity imaginable - from the finest restaurants, an indoor pool, fitness center, and a glamorous spa all surrounded by sleek, tasteful decor. The rooms are spacious with limestone bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows for a breathtaking view and luxurious accommodations throughout.
- Consider treating employees to a brief period in paradise in Puerto Rico. The El Conquistador Resort allows guests to combine business and pleasure against the royal blue waters and tropical landscapes. The resort offers over 100,000 square feet of both indoor and outdoor meeting space, able to accommodate from 10 to 800 people with a customized plan specific to your plans. Perks include a variety of package discounts which make this destination very attractive.
- When considering the Caribbean, cruise lines are always an excellent choice. All-inclusive accommodations allow for maximum ease of planning and enjoyment for all. Conference roundtables are back dropped by the exquisite views of a perfect turquoise ocean. After listening to speakers, guests can spend leisure time in places like Grand Cayman or on the cruise line private islands. And, most attractive is the fact that, when comparing destinations, cruise lines can offer business packages that save 20-30% on costs.
- An unexpected destination, home to a surprising number of technology firms, is Huntsville, Alabama. Abounding with Southern charm, the city is home to several universities, the Space and Rocket Center, and several five star hotels, Hilton Garden Inn Huntsville/Space Center, conveniently located within proximity to the Civic Center convention facilities. There is a shuttle system which invites visitors and will provide a comforting, relaxing location.
- Event planning commonly extends overseas to exotic travel destinations such as London, England. One perfect example of the exquisite luxury offered would be the Landmark London Hotel, visually casting the picture of a castle lost in time. A five star hotel, the amenities extend beyond luxury, offering meeting rooms, auditoriums, restaurants, pools, spas, shops and all within the hotel. If one were to step outside of the hotel, London boasts thousands of tourist attractions. It would be virtually impossible to see even a small part of the magnificence of this incredible destination.
- Madrid, Spain is quickly growing as a favorite business destination. Four star hotels such as the Vincci Capitol Hotel, Husa Paseo Del Arte Hotel, or the five star Hotel Villa Magna, a Hyatt Hotel, guests can enjoy the cultural flavor of Madrid in complete luxury. The Madrid Convention Bureau has made a mission to promote Madrid's beauty while promoting the Spanish capital as a convention center as well.
- Aspen, Colorado hosts the beautiful Aspen Meadows Resort, a facility which has received numerous awards including the Gold LEED certification for the awesome views, unique resort and business spaces, permanent art gallery and the infamous McNulty Room, one of the finest meeting venues. 22,000 square feet of space includes 14 meeting rooms, state-of-the-art technology and a 24 hour business center.
- One final destination to consider is the Waldorf Astoria Hotel & Resort in Naples, Florida. Winner of ‘Best Hilton Events Team of 2010’ combines the resort and spa amenities with the practicality of a fully equipped business center able to meet the needs of any event. Extreme flexibility and plenty of meeting space in all shapes, decors and sizes. With ballrooms and smaller conference rooms ensure flexibility and ease of transition for any size group. The hotel provides the perfect location to mix business and pleasure with 18-hole championship golf course and luxury tennis center.
Because of both the complex regulations and because so much media attention has been focused in the past year on government meeting spending, managing a government meeting has become challenging.
Sarah Vining, marketing manager at The National Conference Center (NCC), compiled a list of five easy tips for planners to simplify and streamline the many complex rules and regulations involved in the planning of government meetings.
1. Complete Meeting Packages – Use facilities that offer all inclusive pricing packages. Typically, most properties with complete meeting packages (CMP) are conference centers recognized by the International Association of Conference Centers. This allows the planner to focus on content for the meeting rather than micromanage the logistics. CMPs give planners flexibility with space needs like breakout space and meeting rooms without room rental fees
2. GSA Schedule – “Choose a venue on the GSA schedule,” advises Margo Palmer, one of NCC’s senior government sales managers. “You’ll eliminate a lot of time, extensive processes and market research by choosing a venue already on GSA.” The venues listed on the GSA schedule put forth all the groundwork to qualify and be listed on the schedule, which also simplifies the process for planners. The new category for easy meeting shopping is listed under the SIN number, 599-6.
3. Government pricing - Venues that offer government pricing all year long with no black-out dates indicate they’re committed to your best interests as a group and to having you as a long-term customer.
4. Metro-Accessible Location – Location allows government planners to control the procurement process and overcome certain obstacles. Venues that have ample parking and are easily accessible to an airport, especially an international airport, make the planning process easier.
5. Seasoned sales managers –Working with a venue staffed with seasoned government sales managers makes all the difference in the planning process. A seasoned government sales manager knows the federal rules and regulations and can coach you through the process.
These tips allow government meeting planners the ability to concentrate their energies on designing meetings that focus on bringing everyone together and delivering successful results.
