New and Renovated Exercise & Activities Safety and Louisiana Hotels at Meetings Security Far and Wide PAGE 26 PAGE 38 PAGE 44 PAGE 58 A COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION FEBRUARY 2019 VOL. 37 NO. 2 $12.00 Cruise Meetings Larger Ships Now Come With Flexible Meeting Spaces PAGE 16 Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway at Port New Orleans Atlantic City: The New Frontier Planners Searching For New Meeting Spots CLICK HERE TO May Find Refuge in New Jersey PAGE 48 DOWNLOAD/VIEW Influential Women in TABLET VERSION the Meetings Industry Photo by Danny Lehman/Norwegian Cruise Line Lehman/Norwegian Danny by Photo How Some of the Most Accomplished Females in the Business Found Success PAGE 32 The Lodge at Sea Island ISSN 0739-1587 USPS 716-450 e best keeps getting better. In This Issue VOLUME 37 NO. 2 FEBRUARY 2019 FEATURES Cruise Meetings 16 Larger Ships Now Come With Flexible Meeting Spaces and a Boatload of Unique Experiences By Derek Reveron Risk vs. Reward The Benefits and Drawbacks of Utilizing Mexico Xcaret Hotel Credit: 26 Some new hotels offer unique amenities, like the guest rooms that New and Recently Renovated Hotels overlook the infinity pool at Hotel Xcaret Mexico. PAGE 26 By Sophia Bennett Influential Women in the Meetings Industry 32 How Some of the Most Accomplished Females in the Business Found Success By Keith Loria Let’s Get Physical 38 Energize Attendees by Incorporating Exercise and Activities at Meetings By Derek Reveron Better Safe Than Sorry With more meeting space, more rooms, 44 Every Planner Should Have an Effective Emergency Plan in Place for All Events and amenities for your clients. By Christine Loomis DESTINATIONS Atlantic City: The New Frontier See our list of some of the amazing female influencers who impact 48 Planners Searching For New Meeting Spots May Find Refuge in New Jersey the meetings and events industry every day. PAGE 32 By John Buchanan Louisiana Far and Wide Planners Will Find Southern Hospitality Across the State 58 By Christine Loomis Beautiful Waterfront Meeting Driftwood Putting Course New Pool and Pool House and Event space DEPARTMENTS he Lodge at Sea Island, surrounded by two championship golf courses and twice named 4 Publisher’s Message 7 Tips & Trends the #1 Hotel in the U.S. by U.S. News and World Report, has introduced new meeting and event space, sleeping rooms, a pool, pool house, and 18-hole putting course. Now with 6 News & Notes 9 Snapshots T57 sleeping rooms and more than 11,500 square feet of meeting and event space, e Lodge is 10 Perspective the perfect location for your next incentive trip, board of directors, or intimate corporate meeting. Dazzling AV Attracts, Engage Attendees An all-new state-of-the-art Golf Performance Center debuts in early 2019, adding even more By Steve Wildemann opportunities for an exceptional experience. 12 Perspective Experiential Learning – A Different Take on Corporate Training By Jennifer D. Collins, CMP Ocean ResortCredit: Casino Ocean Resort Casino, which opened last June after a $175 million 66 People on the Move renovation, is the tallest building in Atlantic City. PAGE 48 888-906-8048 • www.seaisland.com TheMeetingMagazines.com • Corporate & Incentive Travel • February 2019 3 Publisher’s Message GRAND ENOUGH FOR YOUR A COASTAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION PUBLICATION BEST PEOPLE AND THEIR PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Harvey Grotsky Bigger Ships, Better Options, More Meeting Space [email protected] Years ago, a cruise was chosen mostly as an incentive program because on- CREATIVE DIRECTOR BIGGEST IDEAS. board meeting facilities and services were few and far between. But times have Mitch D. Miller changed in a big way. “Cruise Meetings” on Page 16 talks about how cruise lines [email protected] have stepped up their game by adding more flexible meeting space, new onboard MANAGING EDITOR amenities and services and innovative audio-visual technology. The result? Busi- Bonnie Schultz ness is certainly booming. Moreover, many cruise companies that were catering [email protected] solely to incentive programs are now actively seek- ing meetings business and are building new and CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Sophia Bennett bigger ships that fit the unique requirements of Ron Bernthal meetings at sea. John Buchanan Sara Churchville In fact, cruise ships now compete with hotels Cynthia Dial Maura Keller to host meetings and events. And they have an Christine Loomis advantage: The ships’ all-in-one package may of- Derek Reveron Mark Rowh ten be quite affordable. Cruise lines are expanding Patrick Simms destination options while remaining generally less David Swanson expensive than hotels of comparable quality, giving PRESIDENT & CEO planners-at-sea budget-saving options amid the Harvey Grotsky current seller’s market for hotels. Cruise ship meet- ings are typically 20 percent to 30 percent less than VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS those of hotels and other land-based venues. David Middlebrook [email protected] “The number of new ships that join the marketplace each year is staggering,” says Eldon Gale, director of events for Scentsy, who recently planned a successful ADVERTISING SALES OFFICES event for 2,200 attendees aboard Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas. “Each 2700 N. Military Trail, Suite 120 Boca Raton, FL 33431-6394 ship seems to be bigger and better than the previous, and each offers a new 561-989-0600 Fax: 561-989-9509 level of offerings that exceed the previous. Cruise ships are constantly innovating [email protected] and pushing the limits of what’s possible — much more so than you get from a traditional hotel.” MIDWEST STATES Bob Mitchell Newer ships provide a variety of spaces for all types of meetings, events, in- 630-541-3388 • Mobile: 630-235-0126 centives, board retreats, receptions, customer appreciation programs and more. [email protected] There are dedicated conference centers with audio-visual and wireless capabili- Corporate & Incentive Travel (USPS 716-450) is published monthly by Coastal Communications Corporation, 2700 North Military ties. Most ships have theaters or lounges that can be used, and some even have Trail — Suite 120, Boca Raton, FL 33431-6394; 561-989-0600. Single copies $12.00 U.S.A. only. Yearly subscription price is $125.00 in revolving stages. the U.S.A.; Canada and foreign is $165.00. Back copies $14.00 Miami-based Landry & Kling Global Cruise Events says nearly 100 new ships are U.S.A. only. Distributed without charge to qualified personnel. Periodicals Postage Paid at Boca Raton, FL, and additional mailing expected to debut by 2025, a sure sign that the cruise industry and the meetings offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Corporate & Incentive Travel, 2700 North Military Trail — Suite 120, Boca and events industry will be partnering for a long time to come. Raton, FL 33431-6394. Nothing contained in this publication shall constitute an endorsement by Coastal Communications Land lover options are still the most popular with destinations like Atlantic City Corporation (Corporate & Incentive Travel), and the publication and New Orleans offering vast choices of accommodations and meeting space. disclaims any liability with respect to the use of or reliance on any such information. The information contained in this publication New and renovated space in Atlantic City (Page 48) is appealing to planners, while is in no way to be construed as a recommendation by C&IT of Meetings and events take on a special energy at The Broadmoor. Our magnificent Colorado setting will any industry standard, or as a recommendation of any kind to be the charm of New Orleans (Page 58) remains very popular as a premier meeting adopted, by or to be binding upon, any corporate/incentive travel inspire your people. Our world-class golf, spa, dining and more will refresh them. The unique venues planner or agent. Reproduction of any portion of this publication and incentive destination. by any means is strictly forbidden. Editorial contributions must and activities of our Broadmoor Wilderness Experience properties will be accompanied by return postage and will be handled with challenge them and change their perspectives. Our 185,000 square reasonable care. However, the publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited photographs or manuscripts. Subscribers: feet of meeting space is flexible enough to meet your most demanding Send subscription inquiries and address changes to: Circulation Department, Corporate & Incentive Travel, 2700 North Military requirements. And amidst it all, The Broadmoor’s legendary tradition Trail — Suite 120, Boca Raton, FL 33431-6394. Provide old and new addresses including zip codes. Enclose address label from most of quality and service will ensure your event is a success. Contact us recent issue and please allow five weeks for the change to become today and start planning your meeting now at broadmoor.com. Harvey Grotsky effective. Printed in U.S.A. © 2019 Publisher 855.502.2081 BROADMOOR.COM 1 LAKE AVENUE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80906 4 February 2019 • Corporate & Incentive Travel • TheMeetingMagazines.com 081866_Broadmoor_Biggest Ideas_Meetings_Corporate & Incentive Travel • Trim size 8.125”x 10.875” • 1/2/19 Grand Hyatt News & Notes New York to be Redeveloped Tips & Trends Caesars Entertainment Announces Plans For First Non-Gaming Hotel in the U.S. Top 5 Meeting Trends For 2019 LAS VEGAS — Caesars Entertainment Corporation plans to “We learn a lot from our guests, often by observation in addition to open Caesars Republic Scottsdale, its first non-gaming hotel in their direct feedback,” says Ted Davis, chief sales and marketing officer of the United States, as part of its goal to expand its brands and Benchmark. “The speed of life and business is laser-fast today, communication loyalty network through its licensing strategy. devices intrude constantly and lifestyles have adjusted accordingly. This Caesars Republic Scottsdale will be located adjacent includes when in meeting environments.