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MAGNETS OXFORD RELATED By Jeff Heilman New , and Westchester inspire groups with and distinctive venues

lexibility, versatility could choose their lodging and dining around . and creativity drove The freedom was inspiring. “How about a the agenda in April tour of ?” I proposed as the International to IACC CEO Mark Cooper for our scheduled F interview. In those 15 minutes, amid the Association of Conference Midtown bustle, we talked English football, Centers, now simply IACC, Manhattan’s meetings energy, challenges around getting traditionalists to think cre- brought its reimagined atively, and more. It was instantly memorable—demonstrat- FELIX LIPOV annual IACC- WORLD CENTER’S OCULUS TRANSPORTATION HUB ing the possibilities, even on the spur of , renamed IACC- moment, for creative engagement beyond World Trade Center’s completed $4 billion Americas Connect, to New the conference room. In New Oculus transportation hub and the $20 bil- York, those possibilities are infinite. lion Hudson Yards development, the scope of York City. options is a planner’s feast. Constantly abuzz The program newly utilized multiple Gotham Galore with group activity, the city’s venue , venues for the sessions and social functions, In 2015, a record 6.1 million meetings and from arenas to zoos, only keeps improving including the two Midtown locations of conventions delegates visited and expanding. IACC-member Convene. With Man- City’s five boroughs, or 10.5 percent of the Nearly 6,000 new rooms added to hattan locations, this trend-setting network 58.3 million visitors last year. With NYC’s inventory last year, for close to of 120-plus meeting, conference and event soaring, Gov. announced 107,000 total rooms. With abundant growth spaces in New York, and D.C. many billions of dollars in future-forward in the outer boroughs, budget-conscious transposes on-demand hospitality services infrastructure and transportation upgrades, groups have ready bases just a subway ride typically found in into commercial including JFK and LaGuardia airports, Penn away from Manhattan. In the city itself, office buildings. Interactive F&B seminars Station, and a new rail . standouts include the historic 1,015-room were hosted by a nearby Midtown restaurant; Plus, $1 billion to expand the K. Javits Roosevelt Hotel. Opened in 1924, “the the closing awards show was held at Chelsea Convention Center to 3.3 million square feet. Grande Dame of Madison ” offers on the Hudson River; and delegates Amid other mega-projects including the 30,000 square feet of flexible space, a chic

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41_MT_0716_NYC_LI.indd 41 6/23/16 1:28 PM ON the DORAL ARROWWOOD, RYE BROOK, N.Y. SCENE DISCOVERING THE OF CREATIVE CONFERENCING JEFF HEILMAN

By Jeff Heilman CHEF’S TABLE DINNER ENTREE

t was, as IACC noted at the , a “unique Team Building, which coordinates experiential lion in renovations this February, including ex- arrangement.” programs on-site, our group enjoyed a Chef’s panded Wi-Fi, enhanced operational software, I In 2000, a major pharmaceutical com- Table Dinner in the resort’s kitchen, with a new A/V equipment, and conference room re- pany opened a 110,000-square-foot sales nightcap in the pub. furbishment. Upgrades to 200 of the property’s training facility in Rye Brook, N.Y., 30 miles Property tours included Doral’s 33 dedicated 363 guest rooms are slated for completion this north of Manhattan. Distinguishing the $40 function rooms and 6,500-square-foot ballroom. spring, with the balance by year’s end. million project was its attachment to the Doral The Doral Executive Center, the training facility “Along with the requisite technology, custom- Arrowwood (www.doralarrowwood.com) hotel scenically overlooking Doral’s nine-hole golf ization and flexibility for today’s meetings, our and conference center. course, offers 10 meeting rooms, 11 breakout focus is on experience creation,” said Director Innovative conferencing is in Doral’s rooms, an executive conference room, 174-seat of Sales and Marketing Jack Meehan, who is lifeblood. Developed by in 1983, the amphitheater, two 50-seat amphitheaters, 13 involved with the IACC Meeting Room of the property, an original IACC member, is for mem- office spaces and upscale executive boardroom. Future initiative. “With including orable meetings—and especially in the summer We also toured the Sports Center, which chef-led dinners and F&B-inspired breakouts, and fall, weddings, social events and families. includes , a fitness center and indoor/ we memories and stories to tell.” Set on 114 wooded acres, it stands as metro- outdoor swimming pool, and dined in the In that regard alone, Doral Arrowwood hits politan New York’s only resort, and as I recently sunny Atrium restaurant. the bullseye—including service excellence, experienced, an enclave apart for groups. After joining Benchmark Resorts & Hotels which made the visit a flowing pleasure from Following an ice-breaker from True North last September, the property announced $4 mil- start to finish. m

rooftop lounge and other draws. Looking for burlesque venue hosting groups of up to 120 Great Neighbors something different? Manhattan has it all. for private dinners and events. On the edge Within convenient reach of the city, Long At the island’s southern tip, A Harbor of Central , the mighty Metropolitan Island and Westchester County extend the House is a 28,000-square-foot dining and of Art hosts an array of gatherings. flexibility in myriad ways. event venue housed in the former Groups can also tour the Met Cloisters, the Globally renowned for its wine region and for the branch of the museum devoted to medieval beaches, Long Island presents a broad canvas and Department of Docks, built in 1886. European art and architecture overlooking for groups. There’s casual indoor and outdoor dining on the Hudson in northern Manhattan. What Taking that “untraditional venues One event is the first floor, fine-dining on the second floor can compare to , stimulate creativity and produce better and special events on the third . with its dramatic new 430-seat Sky opportunities for attendee engagement and all it takes to On the energetic, revitalized , level, or , or Lincoln comradery,” Joan LaRosa, director of sales for make history. is a rave-reviewed live music and Center? All offer truly world-class entertain- the Long Island CVB and Sports Commission, ment and event spaces—and memories and described Long Island as “filled with fun and excitement like nowhere else. exciting venues beyond the four walls of a In , the pioneering Brooklyn Mar- regular meeting room.” riott is nearing completion of a three-phase, History comes alive in Long Island’s collec- $43 million makeover, including the new M tion of group-capable Gilded Age mansions Club lounge, 50,991 square feet of upgraded such as the and institutions like space, and all 667 guest rooms. Just minutes the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City. Host the quintessential from LaGuardia and JFK airports in White- At the Long Island in Riverhead, del- stone, , The Center for Automotive egates can meet in the Shark Tunnel room—or meeting with a hotel that understands Education & Training, IACC’s latest New York cage-dive with live sharks in the 120,000-gallon what it takes to build a legacy. member, offers 45,000 square feet of sleek, modern space for corporate conferences, dinners and more. Running 24 hours a day between and St. George, the free is a scenic option for reaching attractions like Richmond County Ball- park, home of the , and the . The museum also 45th and offers a brand-new LEED-certified building 888-TEDDY-NY • theroosevelthotel.com at the group-capable Snug Harbor Cultural OHEKA JORG HACKEMANN Center & Botanical Garden. THE MET CLOISTERS, MANHATTAN LONG ISLAND’S OHEKA CASTLE, HUNTINGTON

42 Meetings Today // 07.16

41_MT_0716_NYC_LI.indd 42 6/23/16 1:31 PM , a sophisticated cultural scene and irresistible dining experiences, West- chester provides planners with alternatives to traditional settings to add value to their meetings and events.” Historic promotes preem- inent like the Rockefeller’s estate and Van Cortland Manor through tours and programs like magical Lightscapes in the spring and the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze around Halloween. Other options

TREVOR TONDRO include concerts and tours at the Caramoor BARON’S COVE INN, SAG HARBOR Center for Music and the in Katonah, City of Shark Exhibit. simply enjoy the variety of options available and private events at the Capitol Theatre, the The surging culinary scene includes on Long Island.” “original rock palace” in Port Chester. m siblings Restaurant Mirabelle and Mirabelle From gatherings at Tarrytown’s histor- Tavern in Stony Brook from pioneering ic hilltop Castle Hotel & Spa to IACC-certified More NYC, LONG ISLAND AND French chef-restaurateur Guy Reuge. The sanctuaries Doral Arrowwood (see On COUNTY... IACC-certified Glen Cove Mansion Hotel and Scene, page 42), Tarrytown House Estate & Conference Center is just 30 minutes from Conference Center and Edith Macy Confer- MeetingsToday.com/NewYork Manhattan, while in Sag Harbor, Baron’s ence Center, Westchester County, just north Cove Inn, first popularized by John Stein- of Manhattan, brims with opportunity. , has been reborn as a 67-room resort “Westchester County continues to be Online Exclusive with superior dining and private event space. the hub for the next generation of meeting Check out the NEW YORK CITY, Farther out, the 146-room Gurney’s Montauk planners looking for creative activities, LONG ISLAND AND WESTCHESTER Resort & Seawater Spa features 7,000 square unique venues and interesting collaboration COUNTY story on MeetingsToday.com feet of space and private sand beach. options,” said Natasha Caputo, director of for a full listing of CVB contacts for “Bring the meeting to the beach, or out to Westchester County Tourism & Film. “Home the region and a Zoom In Q&A. sea on a catamaran,” said LaRosa. “Groups to acclaimed accommodations, world–class

One event is all it takes to make history.

Host the quintessential New York City meeting with a hotel that understands what it takes to build a legacy.

45th and Madison Avenue 888-TEDDY-NY • theroosevelthotel.com

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