Smart Meetings

When most people hear the name "Cabo," they immediately think of Cabo San Lucas, located on the southern-most tip of the narrow, 1,000-mile long Baja Peninsula. But what most people don’t know is that Los Cabos actually refers to two picturesque towns: the popular Cabo San Lucas and somewhat less-traveled historic town of San José del Cabo, which is 20 miles to the northeast. They’re separated by a resort corridor that basks in average temperatures of 80 degrees and more than 300 days of sunshine, and offers both grand ballrooms and intimate meeting spaces.

"Everybody’s reaction is ‘wow,’" says Ella Messerli, vice president of marketing for the Los Cabos Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Every time we have an incentive group or a meeting, they say the same thing—they enjoy the discovery of the destination," she says. "Groups have been brought to the Floridas and the Hawaiis, but Los Cabos still has something left to discover."



Along with exploring canyons and taking in unparalleled sunsets after your meeting is complete, or moving your group outside to take advantage of a unique venue (though your attendees may be a bit distracted by the ocean breeze blowing through their hair), Los Cabos also provides almost a dozen major meetings hotels, many conveniently located along the resort corridor that borders the Sea of Cortez (which meets the Pacific at Land’s End).

According to Messerli, no group is too small or too large for Los Cabos. "The hotels also provide world-class conference capabilities and well-trained staff to fully execute any groups’ needs," she says. "It’s an easy sell for companies."

Although Cabo does offer all the first-class amenities your group may need, Messerli says that is the least of what a planner should know about the area. "For meeting planners in particular, it is a dream destination that offers the inspirational attraction they need for incentives and meetings," she says. "There’s something for everyone in Los Cabos, and the unique combination of high-level business and high-end fun makes the destination a perfect, one-stop answer to any meeting planner’s needs."

MAJOR MEETING VENUES
IN SAN JOSÉ DEL CABO
For incentives or to simply ease some stresses of your job, choose the luxury, all-inclusive Crowne Plaza Resort Los Cabos Grand Faro. Just a 20-minute drive from the airport and minutes from top golf courses, the property offers more than 20,000 sq. ft. of meeting space that includes 11 rooms and a 17,000-square-foot ballroom. The 333-room resort also features private balconies and ocean views.

On the resort corridor, The Westin Resort & Spa, Los Cabos is nearby to four of Mexico’s top 10 golf courses, according to Golf Digest. With more than 11,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space and 243 guest rooms, the resort also provides Wi-Fi access throughout and a business center. Catering is available in-house for groups of all sizes, and the Bugambilias Ballroom can host up to 320.

IN CABO SAN LUCAS
The 463-suite Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa, Los Cabos in the heart of the village is located on beautiful El Médano Beach, and features unobstructed views of Los Cabos’ famed landmark, The Arch at Land’s End. The lobby welcomes groups with a nine-story-high atrium complete with waterfall and saltwater aquarium, and meeting space that can accommodate 300 guests.

Situated oceanfront on the corridor, Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort is available for groups with 11,349 sq. ft. of meeting space and 375 guest rooms. For post-meeting relaxation, the property also offers championship golf courses, two pools, a fitness center and the full-service Spa Oasis.

And right next door is the Marquis Los Cabos, where guests can feel like VIPs as they are welcomed in a special meeting area designed to accommodate large groups. The property also encompasses a conference center, which features a ballroom for up to 1,000 attendees with complete audiovisual capabilities.

UNIQUE VENUES
Los Cabos’ location is the perfect backdrop for outdoor venues, where almost all of the white-sand beaches and desert can be transformed into elegant banquet spaces—all you have to do is ask.

Another option is to take advantage of the Pacific Ocean aboard one of many sailboats or a catamaran. The Caborey is open to groups for sales seminars, conferences and receptions. Its dinner cruise takes place in the early evening (to view Los Cabos’ famous sunsets) and offers group dining along the coastline—you may even sight a few whales in-between breakout sessions. The boat’s route can be customized along with catering menus, as well as sound and lighting options. The Caborey can accommodate up to 220 guests on the main deck and 150 on the middle deck.

The Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos, another major meetings property in the area, provides a unique twist with their themed room set-ups, which are great for receptions. The resort specializes in four themes: Fiesta Americana, A Night Under the Stars, A Night of Silver Elegance and Pirate Night. The pirate theme takes place on the sand and the property is decorated with wooden barrels, palm leaves and huge parrots. Staff will greet your group with a glass of "pirate punch" and lead them through a torch-lined path where they will find a boat filled with treasure (naturally).

FUN ACTIVITIES
As there is water as far as the eye can see, fishing, diving, surfing, kayaking and numerous water sports are available for all Cabo-goers. Baja’s Activities group even offers a snorkel tour in Santa Maria Bay. They can host up to 16, and your group can see tropical fish and rent kayaks if they feel adventurous.

Cabo Adventures is the go-to outfit for unique water experiences, including racing on an authentic America’s Cup yacht with a world-class professional crew (which you can join, no experience necessary). The exhilarating, three-hour sail can accommodate up to 20 passengers per boat.

Out of the water, attendees can explore Los Cabos by zip-lining through wide-open canyons. Cabo Adventure’s canopy tour combines a team-building experience with the backdrop of the UNESCO-protected Boca de Sierra National Park. Tours depart daily for up to 14 guests.

Environmental preservation programs are also a fun and different option. July marks the sea turtle season along Los Cabos beaches, when the endangered females come on shore to lay their eggs. Various organizations have recently put together baby sea turtle release programs that are available for group participation.

Another new offering are "learn-to" packages that include cooking classes, wine and tequila tasting and Spanish lessons, which are offered at several of the area’s resorts and hotels.

Getting There