Resorts Make Sense For Programs (United States)
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Resorts Make Sense For Programs (United States)
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Category: North America & West Indies / Carribean islands - United States -
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2009-05-15
When it comes to meetings and programs, one of the most important decisions for meeting professionals, incentive specialists, and association executives to make is where to headquarter your specific program. There are many options and factors to consider, so it can be challenging to determine the very best site solution for your particular program. Should you host the program at a city hotel, opt for a smaller hotel, or should you choose to host your program at a resort?
Depending on your group and the program objectives, each option could be the right choice for your particular program. City hotels can be convenient and easily accessible for attendees, and provide multiple business options for attendees when attending your meeting. Smaller hotels can provide an intimate/private atmosphere and individualized service. And what are the benefits of conducting your program at a resort? There are also many, including the positive open environment which can enhance the receptivity of your executives’ message.
“There are so many benefits to meeting at a resort,” said Doug Rollins, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Chateau Élan Winery & Resort in Atlanta (Braselton), Georgia. “Exclusivity is one of the leading benefits, offering more networking opportunities by keeping attendees close at hand for meals and related events. You’re truly getting the most ‘networking bang for the buck’ when meeting at a resort.”
Meeting at a resort can also lead to greater business productivity, positive and creative thinking, and can provide a more discrete meeting environment to share new plans, objectives and directives. In addition, it can lift the spirit and provide an environment different from day-to-day business. Attendees are focused on the program and content, and then are motivated by the positive environment in which they’re gathered.
There can also be cost-savings benefits as well, including utilizing already-established indoor and outdoor themed meeting and event locations as unique venues for a reception or dinner, providing transportation savings as there is no need to go off-site. Resorts also tend to keep attendees together, even during off-hours, which is a networking strategy benefit to enhance meeting attendee ROI. As a planner you can also deal with just one conference service person for the entire program.
“Resorts often have attributes for conferences that are unavailable at non-resort properties,” said Paul Dake, Director of Conference Sales at Amelia Island Plantation in Northeast Florida. “With the destination nature of resorts, groups can find family-oriented programs, recreation to encourage interaction between attendees, and a greater lodging value with a wider variety of amenities. Plus, many resorts will negotiate meeting and exhibit space rental as they are often more dependent on conferences to ensure selling rooms and driving banquet revenue.”
Rob Stirling, Director of Sales and Marketing for The Grand Del Mar in San Diego, added, “Resorts provide ideal settings for meetings since most have expansive indoor and outdoor meeting space and diverse activities for attendees. For example, The Grand Del Mar offers many great activities for team-building and awarding company employees.”
Also, since resorts typically have an array of on-site recreational offerings that can entice potential attendees to come, that can provide incentive to bring their family for an extended pre- or post-program stay, which is another perk benefit particularly appealing in today’s economy. A wealth of recreational offerings can also lead to greater overall satisfaction with the program.
An easy way to identify the ideal resort solution for your program is by contacting your nearest Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) National Sales specialist. With a diverse portfolio of more than 125 Four- and Five-Diamond/Star quality resorts and hotels worldwide offering nearly 90,000 rooms and suites and over 9 million square feet of meeting space, ALHI serves as a dedicated National Sales Organization that enables planners to gain reliable and experienced one-call access to its outstanding member resorts and hotels that specialize in meetings and incentive programs requiring from 10 to more than 5,000 rooms. There is no cost to planners to utilize the services of ALHI, as its members’ dues fund the organization.
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