Smart Meetings

We’ve had some new additions in the past month or so here at Smart Meetings. For example: Hi, I’m Zac and I’ll be your web editor. If you e-mail “pressroom,” “admin,” or “web,” it’s me.

Since the end of June, besides just me, we’ve added 25 percent more people to our staff (plus a new puppy) and if you tried to call our office on a particular Thursday in July, you know none of us were here – we were building ourselves into a team on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge from Sausalito, in beautiful San Francisco.

We met at the Ferry Building, under the fog, at 8:30 in the morning and were split into teams of three. Our event organizer Frank, from Murder on the Menu, tasked us with goals, spoke of a competition, gave us Polaroid cameras, and set us loose to explore the City by the Bay. My team (which I will spoil the end for you by saying was the winner) consisted of myself, our associate publisher, Ginny, and our editor, Carolyn.

Our mission was to hit a series of locations, take photographic evidence of us at said locations, and conceptualize a beverage that embodies the spirit of San Francisco, Smart Meetings, and our team while on the excursion. It's scavenger hunt meets marketing presentation.

My team hopped a trolley up the Embarcadero to Pier 39, posed with the sea lions and met some Floridians who were friendly enough to snap our picture; walked up to Fisherman’s Warf to talk to a valet and pose on a cable car; then walked south through the city’s Little Italy neighborhood of North Beach for espresso, chocolate, City Lights bookstore and our own tales of the city.

Being out from behind our desks, away from the flood of daily responsibilities and emails, phone calls and travel, we were able to talk about our lives out of the office – past, present and future, providing a great way to get to know each other better as people and not positions in a staff box.

At noon, the whole staff rendezvoused at Sens in the Embarcadero Center, and after eating an amazing Mediterranean meal, we presented our findings to all of our coworkers. It’s rare that the entire staff of Smart Meetings is in town at the same time, so it was a great opportunity for us to get a good sense of what our coworkers are capable of when trying to win a bottle of champagne (which I again point out, I won, but have yet to drink).

And so, a team was built. Inside jokes were created (not a day has gone by without a reference to “Smopus”), memories shared and raps performed (not by me). I’m already looking forward to a “team-strengthening” day soon, if only so we can scavenge the city for more excitement and good times.

Epilogue:
What was the winning recipe, you ask? It provides for the mind, body and spirit by combining the mind-altering abilities of a very nice Polish vodka (whose name rhymes with “Schmelvedere”), the body-energizing abilities of an Austrian energy drink (which claims to “Give You Winnnnngs”) and the sweet and caring touch of American-made grenadine. Not terribly original, but mighty tasty. Ask for it by name, Vitamin V, but be prepared to describe it because not a lot of bartenders are going to read this blog.

Coming up in April’s Smart Meetings Carolyn Koenig will be uncovering the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. Our fearless editor will keep you informed on the hottest hotels, venues and more in the region Smart Meetings calls home. What better way to remember your meeting in the San Francisco Bay Area than with the San Francisco theatrical tradition, Wicked. The smash-hit, Wizard of Oz-inspired show premiered worldwide in San Francisco in May 2003. While it was popular demand and not ruby slippers that brought this show back home, the musical is here for an open-ended run.



I had the opportunity to catch the musical, based on the best selling novel by Gregory Maguire, a few nights ago and I enjoyed every minute of it. The cast was spirited, the sets were dazzling and the storyline was both moving and hilarious at the same time—thanks to Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, the duo behind the music, lyrics and adaptation. Set as the back-story to Wizard of Oz, this tale of two witches, Glinda and Elphaba, unfolded beautifully. Elphaba, played by Teal Wicks, belted out her solos with a powerful voice and emotional depth, adding to her character's complexity. Glinda, played by Kendra Kassebaum, wholly embodied the popular girl with her picture perfect image, bubbly personality and endearing (and entertaining) misuse of the English language. Nicolas Dromard was fantastic as Fiyero, acting as both the school heartthrob and conflicted hero.



Despite the economic downturn, the circa-1926 Orpheum Theater (a majestic San Francisco landmark itself) was abuzz with excited spectators, concession stands were filled and, much to my dismay, the bathroom lines were notoriously long. As we sat up on the balcony overlooking the crowds I couldn’t help thinking that this is the perfect diversion from all the negativity looming with budget deficits, layoffs and an ailing stock market. Who wouldn’t want to be whisked off into a whimsical world of flying monkeys, powerful wizards, popular teenage witches and green-skinned outcasts, and be serenaded throughout the entire tornado-twisted journey?

And for meeting planners, SHN (Wicked’s local theater company) makes group tickets so easy with their own dedicated group sales staff. You can hold the seats now with a deposit, pay later and be charged a $15 processing fee for the entire group—arranging a melodious outing is as easy as following the yellow brick road. While group discounts vary depending on group size, a posse of 15 or more can earn you group status, allowing you to buy tickets months out (before the general public). You can call, fax or fill out the form online to find out about possible discounts and dates.

Make it an entire evening out with the group dining options available near the theater district. SHN has many culinary partners click here for dining options and discounts.



Even San Francisco monuments got into the Wicked spirit to celebrate its homecoming. San Francisco’s Beaux-Arts-style City Hall (touting the fifth largest dome in the world) and Telegraph Hill’s Coit Tower were both awash in green earlier this month.

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Wicked production photos taken by Joan Marcus, courtesy of SHN and San Francisco scenery shots were taken by by Cece Hugo, courtesy of SHN. For more information about Wicked visit SHN.

Wednesday night I left our office heading south on the Golden Gate Bridge towards San Francisco to attend an intimate reception for the new Enoteca Musto. A few blocks away from the legendary, sprawling waterfront of Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 is the Hyatt Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, and Enoteca Musto is the popular hotel’s newest watering hole and private event venue connected to the sports bar, Knuckles at the Wharf.

The chic, yet relaxed space featured low-lighting and a long walnut communal table perfect for private events. Executive Chef Robert Carr was dishing out tasty bites from the kitchen like crispy Portobello mushroom fries, crab cakes and Kobe beef sliders. Like its culinary slant, Enoteca Musto features local blends from the nearby wine country and the vintages are poured out using a WineStation from Napa Techonology. The bottles are stored in this nifty contraption, which is temperature-controlled and can keep the wines up to 60 days. The vintages are pressurized with the use of nitrogen or Aragon gas, (which is noted for having the least affect on the flavor of the wine) and is dispensed from a spout in consistent servings like a taste, half and full glass. The machine even lists the wines being served and how much it costs per glass. (I’m ready to get one for my apartment!)

Groups of up to 40 can be accommodated at the wine bar and larger groups can also book the Knuckles Sports Bar for a combined space that can accommodate 200. Groups can dine from the banquet menu or the Knuckle’s menu.

Enoteco Musto will be hosting summer winemaker events and the upcoming dinners are listed below.

Boëté Wines: Wednesday, June 10

• Torchon of Foie Gras paired with 2004 Estate Boëté Cabernet Franc Reserve
• Seared Kobe Beef with grilled Levin paired with 2003 Estate Boëté Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
• Chocolate Truffle paired with 2003 Estate Boëté Cabernet Sauvignon

Riverstar Wines: Wednesday, July 8

• Humboldt Fog and roasted beets paired with 2004 Syrah Paso Robles
• Spicy Ahi Tartar paired with 2006 Sauvignon Blanc
• Warm chocolate truffle cake paired with 2005 Estrella Brilliante

Quintessa: Wednesday, August 19

• Cambozola, organic prosciutto and fig paired with Veramonte Pinot Noir
• Point Reyes blue cheese and caramelized onion tart paired with 2005 Faust Cabernet
• Citrus and lavender-honey truffle paired with 2006 Illumination Sauvignon Blanc

Images courtesy of Hyatt Fisherman’s Wharf. Enoteco Musto is located Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf, 555 North Point, San Francisco, 800–233–1234.
For more information visit their blog.

What’s had more facelifts than a Hollywood film star? Why, it’s the Cliff House, the San Francisco restaurant perched on a rocky bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Land’s End. The original wooden structure was built in 1863 and was the first of several incarnations, prompted by fires, earthquakes and shipwrecks. In 1909, a more substantive neoclassical design brought it into the “modern” era, updated most recently in 2004.

This past December the Cliff House celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking its transition from raucous seaside roadhouse to fanciful Victorian palace to world-renowned destination—with a kitchen to match. Today it features fine dining at Sutro’s, in honor of the area’s once-storied baths, and the more casual Bistro, both of which offer expansive views and menus that take advantage of the seasons. Its Terrace Room is an affordable option for small meetings, workshops and seminars for up to 60 participants, with access to a private terrace that bumps the attendee count up to 180.

I recently attended a special Cliff House history night, celebrating not only its anniversary, but also the launch of The San Francisco Cliff House, a new book by Mary Hountalas (with Sharon Silva). Hountalas knows of what she speaks—she and her husband, Dan, are long-time proprietors of the unique property, which is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This comprehensive, illustrated history is available from Ten Speed Press and makes a good read, even if you don’t live in San Francisco!