The future of hotel meetings

Detroit Collision Works is a new 36-room shipping container hotel under development near the sprawling Eastern Market in downtown Detroit. After successfully raising money through Kickstarter, with the help of some Prevue readers, founder/CEO Shel Kimen is building a pop-up prototype called FIRST CONTAINER that will consist of two containers near the permanent site. Like the hotel, the pop-up is designed to be a meeting place with scheduled programming where locals and visiting groups can gather to discuss the future of community development, food production, sustainable design, green transportation and other New Urbanism topics.

Kimen’s priority is creating a place for sharing stories—a platform for people to talk about what’s important to them—both personal and professional. That’s where the “Collision” comes in. It’s about conversation that makes a big impact.

I have spent the majority of my career walking through hotels around the world and interviewing thousands of hotel reps for a variety of consumer and industry media. Over the years, certain hotel groups have established trends that other hoteliers copied. The Kimpton and Morgans collections, for example, started the designer/boutique hotel movement in the 1980s and 90s. Ace/James Hotels invented the residential-style hipster hotel early this century. NYLO Hotels, 21c, Unlisted Collection and others are bringing “industrial-chic” into the mainstream.

Collision Works has the chance to be the next big thing because, like those mentioned above, it’s dialed into both the mindset of today’s traveling public and socio-economic themes of this era. Celebrating the idea that one person can make a difference and bring hope to thousands of people, here are five reasons why Detroit Collision Works is a game changer.

IT’S IN DETROIT

No other city in the country suffered from the Great Recession as much as Detroit. Once the symbol of American dominance in manufacturing and the American Dream, Detroit lost 25% of its population from 2000 to 2010. That was the largest drop of any U.S. city over 100,000 people, including New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. But as celebrated urbanist Richard Florida writes in The Atlantic, Detroit is rebounding with a renewed spirit of innovation and cultural arts at the grassroots level. The people making up this community need places to share ideas. Collision Works is purposefully designed to meet that demand.

In effect, Collision Works is moving into a new “community accelerator” hotel niche for people to learn more about neighborhood orgs and local start-up companies. In New Orleans since Katrina, the rate of start-ups is about 30% higher than the national average. In Detroit, I Am Young Detroit and Detroit 4 Detroit are spurring the same drive among community entrepreneurs. Detroit Collision Works will tap into that energy and knowledge and share it with visitors.

SHEL KIMEN, SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR

Can one person in America make a difference? The rise of Social Entrepreneurship is one of the most exciting and fastest growing developments in business today. The idea that a company can have a sustainable business model and make a positive impact on the community is highly attractive to the Millennial generation. By leveraging that interest, Collision Works is the hotel of the future where locals and guests can learn about social issues in both a fun and experiential manner.

Founder/CEO Shel Kimen (read her story here) says:

“Everyone loves a good story. Stories make place and bind communities. I wanted to create a project in Detroit that creates lasting and sustainable value for both the people that live here and the people that visit. A combined hotel/co-working space built around stories seemed like the best way to do that. Detroit needs a super cool hotel that helps visitors understand what Detroit is really about and it needs places for people to gather and work beyond coffee shops. It also comes from a belief that great design and rich experiences do not have to be expensive.”

URBAN ECOTOURISM

Hotels have been trumpeting their corporate social responsibility by becoming greener and leaner over the last decade, and that’s great. Detroit Collision Works is designed from the ground up to be low impact. Basically it’s the birth of “urban ecotourism,” and how cool is that?! Container architecture is a fast growing building technology in both residential and commercial applications all over the world, from the Re:START village in Christchurch to the FREITAG store in West Zurich. The Platoon project in Berlin is one of the most innovative urban culture/arts developments in the world right now.

There is a glut of shipping containers in cities around the country because freighter companies often find it more affordable to buy new containers in Asia versus rerouting the boxes back to America’s ports. And that supply continues to grow due to North America’s trade deficit within the Pacific Rim. While there are downsides to using containers for building purposes, the process attracts a huge interest among consumers. And that type of heightened exposure is pivotal for generating discussion among the masses about the future of America’s urban cores.

IT’S SCALABLE

Memphis mayor A.C. Wharton Jr. wrote a letter to Kimen in March requesting that she consider building another Collision Works in his city when Detroit is up and running. The beauty of Collision Works is that it’s easily scalable around the country and simple to adapt to any commercial urban setting. Think of this. If a Collision Works hotel was in your city, would you visit? Chances are yes, especially if you’re a creative professional, because there’s nothing like this right now.

The idea of an urban community think-tank “attraction” proved itself with the opening of the popular BMW Guggenheim Lab in New York’s East Village in 2011, followed by a road trip through Berlin and Mumbai that ended in January. Data and discussions collected from the project will be displayed at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York later this fall.

Now imagine if this type of discussion could take place every day in every major city in America, with a network set up to share all of the information among all of the hotels with the public. This is where Detroit Collision Works gets especially exciting.

‘CREATIVE TOURISM’

PieLab in Greeensboro and Workshop in San Francisco are blazing new trails in the sphere of retail/restaurants by offering a place for people to collaborate on any number of projects. PieLab restaurant offers programming teaching everything from new trade skills to ballroom dancing, while bringing together people from different walks of life under the notion that everyone loves a good piece of pie.

Workshop provides classes ranging from silk screening to carpentry based on the idea that everyone has some kind of latent creative talent. The industrial space is highly collaborative where people help each other create their projects with a group of local artisans and craftsmen to assist.

In a tourism scenario, Detroit Collision Works can be the same type of space with the aim to promote “Creative Tourism,” which is growing in popularity as an evolution of cultural tourism. The boom in cooking classes at hotels worldwide is one example of this. Santa Fe Creative Tourism is another.

Celebrating that trend of collaborative creativity, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is: “A network of creative cities working together towards a common mission for cultural diversity and sustainable urban development.” Member cities are recognized as:

• “Creative hubs” that promote socio-economic and cultural development in both the developed and the developing world through creative industries.
• “Socio-cultural clusters” connecting socio-culturally diverse communities to create a healthy urban environment.

What makes those cities creative hubs and socio-cultural clusters are places like Detroit Collision Works and people like Shel Kimen.

Images ©KOOP architecture + media

Grand Plaza light show

The combination of luxury hotels, top-tier meeting facilities and experiential options for groups always keep things interesting in Anaheim. The city and surrounding areas create a cool mix of relaxed surf towns and big city metropolitan culture. In January, we flew in for the grand opening of the Grand Plaza courtyard fronting the Anaheim Convention Center. We were there with 95,000 other visitors who were attending the NAMM Show, the largest music trade show in the country.

The Anaheim/Orange County CVB celebrated the gala unveiling of the plaza with a high energy concert headlined by funk band Tower of Power.

“The NAMM Show and Anaheim are synonymous,” said Tom Tait, mayor of Anaheim. “Expanding the show outdoors gives guests added meeting and communal space and a greater experience in the city.”

The 100,000-sf plaza is ideal for receptions, dinners and concerts complete with three fountains, a “river” of lights, 60 fresh orange groves, 151 new palm trees and covered gathering space. And every night there’s a light show staged every 30 minutes. The design is a nod to the agricultural roots of Orange County and each of the fountains onsite represent a different area in Southern California.

“We knew that we wanted a beautiful, resort-themed exterior space, but also one that was very flexible in terms of potential uses,” says Tom Morton, director of sports/entertainment for the Anaheim Convention Center. “We knew that the NAMM Show would utilize it to its fullest potential.”

While Tower of Power played classic hits like “What is Hip” and “You’re Still a Young Man” during the opening reception, the energy was awesome with all of the palm trees, Southern California sun and so many fun-loving people having a great time with room to dance and move around comfortably. Throughout the weekend, famous faces like Randy Jackson, Pete Townsend, Brian Wilson, Steven Tyler and Elton John also performed.

With the NAMM Show in mind, the $15 million project was completed in eight months. In 2014, the Anaheim Convention Center will add more meeting space to accommodate even larger citywide events and run concurrent meetings. The projected overall meeting and function space will be over a quarter million square feet.

Two high-volume conference hotels bookend the convention center campus: the 1,572-room Hilton Anaheim and the 1,030-room Anaheim Marriott. We checked into the Hilton that’s literally a 10-second walk to the front door of the convention center. That proximity is especially appealing for female business executives traveling alone.

The lobby was decked out for the NAMM show, which was a pretty impressive setup. Planners had strategically placed musicians and stages around Mix Lounge, the hotel’s contemporary lobby bar. It really keeps things moving. Meanwhile, the adjacent Mix Restaurant served delicious sustainable meals with organic and natural ingredients. Total meeting space is 140,000 sf.

We also checked out Degree’s Wine & Patio Bar at the Marriott after the day at NAMM. It’s a breezy, charming place for post-session vino with great views of the Grand Plaza. Marriott’s total meeting space is 100,000 sf.

Other dining and entertainment options are right outside the hotel/convention center grounds. Anaheim GardenWalk is an outdoor mall filled with upscale retail shops, gourmet dining and fun entertainment. Be sure to check out the lounge-style bowling alley and UltraStar Cinema. The theater is the first to offer D-Box motion seats that move during the film.

THE PACKING DISTRICT

Right off the convention center, the 3-acre Packing District is an eclectic shopping neighborhood home to family-owned eateries, shops and historic buildings. The 42,000-sf Packing House is a restored landmark once used as a hub of commerce during the agricultural boom in the early 1900s. Presently, the building is being transformed into an assortment of 25 restaurants vendors in an open-air environment.

“The concept is to create a food production service for the community and also a historic venue for visiting groups,” says Chris Bennett, director of development, who is helping create a new Farmer’s Park, outdoor concert venue and event space.

During construction, 400 discarded license plates from 1929 were found and placed inside the nearby Umami Burger restaurant, inside the historic Packard Building, also home to the Anaheim Brewery.

DISNEY’S CARS LAND

Disney’s California Adventure Park just completed a 5-year expansion including Cars Land featuring the imaginative town of Radiator Springs from the Disney Pixar films, Cars and Cars 2. The scene is a replica of the historic Mother Road— Route 66. My racecar copilot is Juan Flores, communications manager of the Anaheim Orange County CVB.

“This ride isn’t just for kids,” says Flores, who eyes the car next to us. He seems ready for the race.

Our car zips and turns through Luigi’s Casa Della Tires and Ramone’s House of Body Art. As we zoom past the other car we all put our hands up and shouted in excitement. It really breaks the ice for any group.

Other rides include Luigi’s Flying Tires, similar to old-school bumper cars. It is a great way for groups to team up and challenge one another.

“The attractions inside of Disney California Adventure Park and Disneyland Park can be included in a large variety of event concepts that have the capacity for several thousand guests,” says Robert Donahue, director of resort sales. “For Cars Land specifically, we have had events that include the full use of Cars Land, in addition to custom catering and enhanced entertainment. Capacities range 500 to 3,000 guests.”

After bumping and flying through Radiator Springs, our group worked up an appetite. We headed to the new icon of Disney California Adventure, the Carthay Circle Theatre & Restaurant. The interior of the white tower is reminiscent of the 1930s with low lit chandlers, comfy booths, illustrated ceilings and theater memorabilia. The original venue was where “Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs” premiered in 1937.

Groups gather on the ground floor for appetizers and cocktails. We make our way around the historic photographs and watch the illustrations of a veteran sketch artists. We loved hearing stories from Stacia Martin, a 35-year cast member who knows everything and anything related to “The Mouse.”

We headed upstairs to the 77-seat private dining room for various sushi rolls and small bites. Executive Chef Andrew Sutton prepared a special menu for our group, including: Vietnamese twice-cooked beef tacos with fresh pineapple mint salsa, lamb meatballs with tzaziki and pepperoncini, and my favorite, warm dinner rolls filled with cream cheese and jalapenos. There’s a private terrace attached to the dining room with views of Buena Vista Street, an immersive replica of Los Angeles in the 1920s.

The finale of our evening was the new multimillion dollar World of Color light show. The 25-minute combination of fluorescent lights, pyro effects and over 1,200 water features project Disney film sequences on a 40-foot curtain of water.

“Large group reservations can be arranged to view a regularly scheduled show, or private shows are available as part of several park event concepts,” says Donahue. Capacity can range from 200 guests up to 4,000 for a private show. Our group wore light-up Mickey ears to get into the Disney spirit and the show really wowed the crowd with memorable tunes from the films that shaped our childhood.

What I admired most about the Disney California Adventure Park is there are so many options for planners. There’s a new 10,000-sf banquet kitchen for groups to rent for private in-kitchen dining experiences. With pre-existing backdrops, props and decor, the venue is convenient and one-of-a-kind.

LAGUNA BEACH

For planners wanting to switch gears with their group, a trip to nearby Laguna Beach is a fun and warm spot to hang out or get active. Heisler Park sits on the bluffs directly above the sand in North Laguna Beach. This is where you’ll find the popular Laguna Beach Gazebo, a popular spot for large cocktail events pre/post meeting.

Beachside dining includes the Beachcomber Café in Crystal Cove. The open-air patio is the ideal spot for groups needing a chill spot after a long meeting. Groups can watch the whales offshore or enjoy the sunset and locally inspired menu of fresh seafood and tropical frozen beverages. My favorite dish was the Mexican Cobb salad with gorgonzola cheese, shrimp, avocados and vine ripe tomatoes.

HYATT HUNTINGTON BEACH RESORT

Huntington Beach is the largest surf town in America with tons of low-key beach shops, trendy surf bars, the International Surfing Museum and the bustling Huntington Beach pier.

Anchoring this environment, the 517-room Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa is the largest hotel in the region ensconced in a Spanish-style complex. The resort is perfectly situated along the coastline with long green lawns, palm trees and the sound of the surf just steps away. The Hyatt is the only hotel with direct beach access in the city thanks to a bridge that connects to the sea directly.

“Our hotel owners got approval from the California Coastal Commission to build a footbridge that leads from our property, across the Pacific Coast Highway and onto the beach directly,” says Nancy Monte-Frye, senior director of catering/convention services. “It’s really unique in Huntington Beach.”

Planners are using this to their advantage with the help of the onsite surf shop, Toes on the Nose. The staff coordinates all outdoor activities whether it’s surf lessons, paddle boarding, bike riding, sandcastle competitions, volleyball tournaments or just fun in the sun. There are also Segway tours for groups to scoot through town, as well as Segways with large knobby tires for riding directly on the sand. With some of the most consistent waves on the West Coast, groups can easily become part of the local Hang 10 culture.

Monte-Frye says almost all groups coming to Huntington Beach participate in surf lessons. Large groups will take turns in and out of the water. No more than 15 are allowed in the water at a time, while other members of the group are trained on the shoreline. Toes on the Nose hosts groups up to 500.

“Surfing is the experience of a lifetime,” says Monte-Frye. “What groups take away is a great support system and life memories. There are a lot of high fives out on the water.”

After a fun day of curling waves and a few belly flops into the Pacific, groups head to the hotel’s waterfront courtyard to enjoy a surf-themed reception and dinner. The Hyatt conference services staff lines the courtyard with surf boards, colorful fabrics and tall seashell centerpieces to add to the theme. For groups up to 1,000 pax, book a Beach Boy tribute band and serve fun dinners with spicy fish tacos and chedder cheese quesadillas.

“We use our environment to our advantage,” says Angel Hollingsworth, director of group sales. “The surf meetings have Woody cars, camp fires and live music. It’s like a 21st century version of a classic 60s surf flick.”

Due to the unique and varied setting, there’s a natural amount of movement among attendees to encourage networking and mingling with different people. During a reception, groups can walk from one of the restaurants to both the grass courtyard and the beach. Hollingsworth tells us that attendees often book pre/post stays to enjoy the pool scene and breezy cabanas. Total meeting space is 110,000 sf.

DISCOVERY SCIENCE CENTER

With over 120 permanent exhibits, the Discovery Science Center in nearby Santa Ana is an ideal venue for planners with a creative edge. The 50,000-sf space is undergoing a $62 million expansion adding new pavilions, an education wing, a hall of science, theaters and other cool exhibits. The final project will be designed with LEED certification standards and is expected to be complete in the fall of 2014.

“We are at maximum capacity,” says Joe Adams, president of Discovery Science Center. “Our expansion will double the number of visitors to 1,000,000 annually.”

The pre-existing campus features two floors of interactive exhibits and an outdoor patio, and there are two theaters including the Sun Stage and Discovery Theater. The building accommodates 150 people seated to 1,000 reception-style. Be sure to take your group to The Cube sculpture for a group photo. The 10-story box structure sits on one of its points, seemingly defying gravity.

CITY NATIONAL GROVE

Throughout NAMM week, Anaheim is filled with passionate music enthusiasts. I loved the table setups for the Dee Snider Roast at the City National Grove of Anaheim theater. The Show Room accommodates 1,300 standing and 1,100 seated. Two 9×12 foot projection screens are set on either side of the main stage to ensure front row views for event attendees.

The luxurious Terra Rosa room is a 2,500-sf space draped in velvet, dark woods and rich mauve furnishings with jewel tones. The space is a relaxing spot for groups to socialize pre/post. Be sure to check out The Gallery, a vintage Hollywood themed bar, and the grounds for outdoor F&B and entertainment. Max buyout capacity is 5,000 pax.

We spoke with Cindy Hoddeson, director meeting & incentive sales for Visit Monaco to learn her thoughts on affordable luxury.

Q: How does the name Monaco deliver high ROI for the luxury market?

A: Monaco and its famed Monte Carlo district conjure up images of royalty, Formula I racing, James Bond and lifestyles of the rich and famous. Many have seen Monaco on the silver screen in films such as Monte Carlo Baby, To Catch a Thief, Iron Man II and Golden Eye to name a few.  The perceived value far exceeds the actual cost. From the announcement of a trip to Monaco, goals are set, the excitement builds. Prospective participants work toward the dream of the trip by achieving their business goals.

Q: What are the primary requests coming from planners to help them lower spend at luxury hotels/destinations?

A: One of the top trends we see to help reduce spend is a request to give participants more free time. Qualifiers may welcome the freedom and perceive the unstructured time as an added luxury. One definition of luxury is things or experiences that cost relatively little but provide immense satisfaction: an independent stroll or a visit at leisure to a museum. For the cost of a coffee, one can sit at the Café de Paris on the Casino Square, people watch and view an extraordinary collection of Bugattis, Ferraris and Aston Martins. A display of mega yachts awaits those who mosey down to the harbor. For those discovering Monaco for the first time, The Monaco Government Tourist Office can provide maps of the “Princess Grace Trail,” a walking tour including 25 locations with display boards depicting key events in the life of Princess Grace. The Tourist Office can also provide copies of our “Enchanted Holiday Planner” which has themed itineraries, such as Art & Architecture to inspire individuals to pursue their own interests.

Q: How can planners use cultural venues and events to create a heightened luxury experience?

A: Luxury has been defined as great experiences so rare and sensually orchestrated, the experience and memories of them are so precious that they are luxury products. Monaco has very rich event calendar of one of a kind experiences. The Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra performs in the Cours d’Honneur (Palace Courtyard) during the summer season. Group blocks can be secured.  Dine all’aperto in summer during the International Fireworks Festival. One can organize a cocktail reception in the atrium of the iconic Casino de Monte Carlo now celebrating its 150th anniversary. One can hire private terraces for F1 race viewing. And during April, the Monte Carlo Rolex Tennis Masters at the Monte Carlo Tennis Club is a showcase for top players like Nadal and Djokovic, with spectacular views of the Mediterranean in the background. Possibilities abound.

Whether you’re an in-house member of an organization preparing for a one-time retreat or an independent meeting and incentive planner charged with finding locations for various groups, you’ll find incredible value when you look to Club Med.

Thanks to Club Med’s all-inclusive pricing, savings are endless.  Dining, drinks, activities, amenities and much more are all included. In fact Club Med can benefit both you and those you serve in other ways as well, including:

• Simplified budgets as a result of Club Med’s all-inclusive pricing

• 78 resorts worldwide: Seminar or meeting in an exotic locale or a ski retreat in the Alps?  All-inclusive retreat without leaving the U.S.?  Club Med can offer you each of these and more

• Unique G.O. Spirit: the world-renowned team of professionals bring an incomparable, international flair to your event with legendary hospitality and an all-encompassing energy

Club Med offers a wide variety of lodging options for groups of all sizes.  Club Rooms, Deluxe Rooms and Suites crafted into impressive spaces that reflect the best of modern design and the uniqueness of local style.

At select Club Med resorts, Suites and Luxury 5-Trident Spaces offer your clients sophistication and unparalleled service.  Private infinity pools, lounges and exclusive concierge services are also features of these luxurious (or elegant) areas.  In select villas and chalets, personal butlers and private chefs deliver unparalled levels of service to your guests.

Whether it’s a simple coffee break or a multicourse private meal, dining at Club Med is always a feast for the senses.  International chefs work with the finest ingredients from around the globe, and mixologists pour refreshing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, making private events, cocktail parties and recognition events unforgettable.

Groups will find that downtime hours spent in and around each Club Med resort are packed with an endless array of sports and activities.  Programs include top-notch equipment and expert instruction from tennis and golf to flying trapeze and snowboarding.  Team building options are also available, facilitated by a staff ready to use them to boost cohesiveness and confidence in any group.  And when it comes to relaxation, Club Med Spa services deliver well-deserved serenity.

And just beyond our grounds, wonders await to captivate each group.  Ancient ruins and exotic sites offer picture-perfect glimpses into cultures past and present on land, while diving opportunities abound in crystal blue waters.  All are easily arranged by Club Med Discovery Center with experienced guides you can trust to escort your group on amazing adventures.

For more information call Club Med Business at 1.800.453.2582 or visit clubmedbusiness.us

The Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages located on the outskirts of nine major European cities provide groups with high-end shopping experiences. A unique retail concept, Chic Outlet Shopping® is a Collection of shopping destinations, each offering a sophisticated and quintessentially European experience to groups looking for top-tier luxury labels with significant savings.

The Villages are located near London, Dublin, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Brussels, Frankfurt and Munich. Value Retail, the developer and operator of the Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages, is the only company to specialise exclusively in the development and operation of luxury outlet shopping destinations, and will open the newest Village to the Collection in China in early 2014. Each Village offers tax-free savings on a great selection of previous seasons’ collections of high-end luxury brands, including Yves Saint Laurent, Anya Hindmarch, Missoni, Class Roberto Cavalli among many more, as well as niche luxury European brands that you might not find elsewhere. The products are always authentic; they’re not made for outlets, as is often the case with other outlets, and they’re always up to 60%, and sometimes more, off the recommended retail price.

Chic Outlet Shopping®offers more than high-end shopping, however. Their locations makes them a convenient option for event organisers who want to get away from the urban bustle for a pre- or post-event trip, whilst still having the city easily accessible. Clients are transported to the Village, spend around three to four hours of tax free shopping and enjoying a relaxing lunch or dinner. The Villages are a whole destination experience in themselves.

For groups, Chic Outlet Shopping® offers a variety of key pillars. They have created a bespoke offer which includes a dedicated welcome package with food and beverages, shopping experience services that include style consultants and hands-free shopping, and access for smaller and higher-end groups to their VIP Lounges at select Villages, as well as the sale of Gift Cards. They also arrange luxury transportation through their Shopping Express™ and chauffeur-driven service consisting of luxury or executive cars. Meet and greets are available for groups and a full orientation can be provided at the Village Tourist Information or Welcome Centres. Chic Outlet Shopping® hosts groups from 25 to 250 people, sometimes as large as 350 people, but there is no limit to group sizes. On top of this, they offer MICE groups a VIP Card for a further 10% savings.

Delta Airlines and global airline alliance SkyTeam have created new online service that will save time and money for meeting planners and their attendees. The online feature helps meeting attendees book and confirm their group rate travel on any one of the 19 member airlines within the SkyTeam portfolio. To begin, visit SkyTeam.com and register your event. After that, planners can register from two months to five years in advance.

“International event organizers can choose SkyTeam with confidence knowing delegates can arrange their meetings from 1,000 worldwide destinations in a few simple clicks via our new online booking tool,” says Mauro Oretti, vp of sales for SkyTeam. “The enhanced global meetings product is SkyTeam’s cost-effective solution for the competitive MICE sector, which combined with our presence in key markets such as North America, Greater China and Europe meets the demands of today’s meetings industry.”

When booking through SkyTeam and Delta, flights will be discounted up to 15% off the applicable fares of SkyTeam’s 19 member airline’s 15,400 daily flights. The Productivity Reward Program offers planners one free ticket on any SkyTeam member airline for every 50 attendees that book through the SkyTeam event product. Meeting attendees will also earn miles through airline loyalty programs associated with the booked airline. Planners should visit Delta.com/meetings to complete the Delta meeting request form to register their event.

Instructions for attendees to easily book flights:

1. Go to skyteam.com/globalmeetings

2. Enter their Event ID (Contact planner for info)

3. Select their origin, travel dates and member airline

4. Complete the booking/ticketing process as usual

Member airlines include: 

Blue Lagoon

A new concept design hotel opening in Iceland’s capital this summer, Reykjavik Lights Hotel is one of several attractive new incentive products. The hotel is well located in the city, with a contemporary Nordic design rooted in Iceland’s culture. The decor is inspired by the region’s unusual ephemeral light with artwork that reflects the local dream-like atmosphere.

Also new, the Soley Natura Spa opened at the recently renovated Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura. Soley products are world renowned as environmentally friendly and preservative free, made with handpicked wild Icelandic herbs. After a day’s activities, groups enjoy mingling around the cozy fireplace and hot tub.

“Spas are a unique aspect of Iceland incentives,” says Solveig Lilja Einarsdottir, MICE manager U.S. for Practical DMC. “The endless source of geothermal water gives every community easy access to warm geothermal swimming pools so it’s entwined with our spa culture.”

The iconic Blue Lagoon (above) offers special options for incentives. In addition to experiencing the therapeutic algae, sulfer face pack and mineral-rich geothermal seawater pools, groups can reserve a private cave for music and cocktails before dining in a restaurant with views of the lagoon.

“The fact that you can access raw nature—volcanoes, glaciers, hot springs and caves—within a few minutes drive from the city makes Iceland an exciting incentive option.”

Spice H20

The annual Cruise Shipping Miami conference took place in March at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The event brings together the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), cruise lines and destinations to share developments in meetings/incentives at sea and the world’s ports of call.

We spoke with the following suppliers about their cruise programs, and we asked CLIA if the association is ramping up its partnership with planners.

“We are much more aggressively working with the meetings industry and educating meeting planners about the possibilities and opportunities for meetings and incentives on cruise ships,” said Christine Duffy, president/CEO of CLIA. “We did a focus group on the Celebrity Silhouette and some of the planners had never been on a cruise ship, or they’d been on a cruise ship when they were eight years old…. They were literally blown away. The feedback we’ve gotten loud and clear is planners telling us: ‘CLIA, you need to do the same work with the meeting planning/incentive community that you’ve done historically with the leisure and travel agent communities.’”

HONG KONG

The first berth of the new Kai Tak Cruise Terminal opens in June just 15 minutes from Kowloon. Designed by legendary architect Sir Norman Foster, the terminal was also configured to host gala parties on its long 2nd-story rooftop, one of the largest roof garden venues in Asia.

“The terminal will be a great venue for high-end MICE events, although I think that cruising in general is sometimes forgotten with meeting planners,” says Bill Flora, U.S. director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board. “The fact that we have a new terminal will draw attention to Hong Kong and its cruise programs for groups…. In China we’ve really seen large groups buyout Oasis-class ships or block off certain parts, but not really in Hong Kong. The future of cruising in Hong Kong is based on the success of the new terminal and that’s something for planners to think about. We want people to know that this can be done in Asia.”

SINGAPORE

Last October the new 300,000-sf Singapore Cruise Centre opened in the “New Downtown” area between the jawdropping Marina Bay Sands hotel and paradise-like Sentosa Island. It was the host for the 2012 Cruise Shipping Asia conference.

“The new terminal can double up as exhibition space; it’s very convenient for groups to do their meetings at the terminal and then jump right on a ship and enjoy their cruise,” says Neeta Lachmandas, assistant chief executive of the Singapore Tourism Board. “We want Southeast Asia to be the Caribbean of Asia. Indonesia is an archipelago with 17,000 islands surrounded by water; there are so many places to visit with huge shorelines. For instance, we have easy access to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Bali and other destinations in the region. There is a lot of potential for Singapore to be a hub for the cruise market.”

We asked Lachmandas about which cruise lines are presently operating in the region.

“Royal Caribbean has been in Singapore for many years, but we are seeing more cruise lines interested in operating in Asia,” she says. “Carnival is setting up their regional headquarters in May at the port, and Silversea has a sales office in Singapore…. It keeps growing.”

ISRAEL

Israel is about the size of New Jersey, but a lot of meeting planners don’t realize that explains Joe Diaz, director/southern region for the Israel Ministry of Tourism. He says cruise groups can experience a vast array of the country’s staggering historical sites in a short period of time.

“Israel is very much a cultural destination, and the proximity to the ports is excellent with so much to see just one to two hours away,” says Diaz. “Jerusalem is 90 minutes from Haifa and only 45 minutes from Ashdod.”

Another surprise about Israel according to Diaz, there are over 200 wineries and an extensive list of winery tours run by local DMCs. He says planners should consider pre/posts so attendees can combine that with all of the luxury hotel and spa product coming online, such as the new Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem and The Ritz-Carlton, Herzliya.

Diaz gives a shout out to Bay Club, Haifa, a converted 52-room mansion. He also recommends groups visit the Arab Quarter nearby. In the southern region, he says the Isrotel Beresheet Hotel has the best spa experience in the country.

But it’s the culture that everyone is most excited about when visiting Israel. For example, just 45 minutes outside Haifa, Tiberius is one of Judaism’s four holy cities, along with Jerusalem, Hebron and Safed.

“One of our primary selling points is that groups are looking more and more for cultural experiences, and the cruise lines are looking for shore excursions that sell well,” says Diaz. “These are selling well.”

VALENCIA, SPAIN

All of the major cruise lines service Valencia, which has a long history of hosting major events both in the port and city center. One of the most spectacular modern architecture triumphs in Europe, the City of Arts & Sciences is an educational complex devoted to scientific exploration. The building is divided into five main elements: the Hemisferic IMAX cinema, Umbracle Park, the Principe Felipe Science Museum, the Oceanografico Aquarium and the Palau de les Arts opera. The entire museum is one completely multifunctional space.

“The Agora event space within the City of Arts is used during Valencia Fashion Week and the Valencia Open 500 tennis tournament,” says Maximo Caletrio, promotion manager for Valencia Tourism. “We host a variety of events within the City of Arts facility. For example, new car companies want a modern place that they can debut their new vehicles. City of Arts is perfect for that.”

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

In anticipation of its new ship Norwegian Breakaway sailing in May for Bermuda, Norwegian Cruise Line recently expanded its tour offerings in the upscale destination. The cruise company added a variety of new excursions only available to guests on Breakaway, such as a guided driving tour, customized golf programs and stand up paddle boarding.

“We can design any type of event that we are capable of executing—we love doing that for groups,” says Camille Olivere, senior vp of sales. “When we go to the private islands we can weave in some activities like a mini-Olympics. It’s an active way to get groups working with one another and it’s a lot of fun. For groups looking for something more relaxed we offer private boat tours with a captain.”

The Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway are the newest ships. Breakaway holds 4,028 passengers, sailing from New York. The sister Getaway sails out of Miami in February 2014.

One of the most popular onboard venues is Spice H20, a multilevel, open-air venue in the aft. It can host up to 1,000 pax with state-of-the-art A/V. “We’ve had some events on the Norwegian Epic where we’ve covered the pool and used it as an entertainment area within Spice H20,” says Olivere.