Financial and insurance industry planners now have more freedom when arranging events
Questions abound when meeting planners in the financial and insurance industries begin choosing where to hold events. Big market or small market? Use an end-to-end management solution or not? Keep it low key or add a touch of extravagance?
That last question might seem suspect, given the scrutiny that finance and insurance meetings have come under the last few years. Compliance with regulations is still a major factor, but according to Carlson Rezidor’s 2015 Meetings and Events Forecast, the microscope is shifting to the pharmaceutical and health care industries. While that doesn’t give finance and insurance planners free rein, it does loosen the pressure of public and government perception on these industries.
Choosing between big and small markets may be a matter of preference or convenience at this point, as trends in spending identified by the Financial & Insurance Conference Planners (FICP) continue to tick upward at rates around 4–6 percent, according to FICP Executive Director Steve Bova.
These developments mean finance and insurance planners have more freedom when selecting a meeting site, based more on how a property’s facilities, services and luxury amenities measure up to their needs rather than which caution flags might be flying. Here are some of the best properties that Smart Meetings has identified.
Atlantis, Paradise Island
This lush property bills itself as the premier group event destination in the Caribbean—and it might be right. The sprawling, 3,377-room resort in the Bahamas dominates the western end of Nassau’s Paradise Island, incorporating the island’s crescent, white-sand beaches and surrounding lagoons into its aquatic, lost-world theme. A Tom Weiskopf-designed championship golf course, 141-acre waterscape, faux Mayan ruins and many ways to encounter local marine life—from behind glass or right in the water—complete Atlantis’ idyllic backdrop.
The combination of such a sublime setting with 500,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor event space equipped with state-of-the-art tech in part led the Financial & Insurance Conference Planners association to hold its annual conference here in 2015. There’s also the incomparable experience of having an event in paradise.
“We’re honored to be hosting the FICP,” says John Washko, Atlantis’ vice president of group marketing and sales. “Our role is to make planners look like heroes and show organizations their ROI. We offer the ‘wow’ factor with a unique experience at a bucket-list destination to create long-lasting memories and positive associations with these organizations.”
Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach Cancun Resort & Spa
Cancun, Mexico’s reputation as a party destination may precede it, but the city’s Fiesta Americana Grand resort knows how to treat its business travelers. The property’s 85,000 sq. ft. of meeting space—including the 7,500-square-foot Coral Gallery Ballroom and poolside reception space—is nestled in its own part of the resort for a sense of luxe seclusion for meetings and events ranging from 12 to 1,700 people.
Treat attendees to a beachfront breakfast buffet at the resort’s Vina del Mar restaurant, and an excursion to the ancient Mayan pyramids in Tulum or Chichen Itza make for an unforgettable event. Or stay on-property to recharge at Gem Spa, named for the gemstones used in many treatments. The 10-step hydrotherapy program includes a soak in the bubbly sensations pool and stops in the aromatherapy steam room, ice room and Jacuzzi.
JW Marriott Hotel Los Angeles LA Live
JW Marriott Hotel Los Angeles, LA Live
A few years ago, holding an event in the most dynamic part of one of the most exciting cities in the United States would mean being somewhere far away from downtown Los Angeles, but the emergence of LA Live has changed that—and the JW Marriott there is the visual centerpiece of the entertainment and dining hub. The sleek, mirrored building intrigues on sight—as does the sheer amount of event space available across LA Live.
“It is always fascinating to see the new and exciting ways that groups have used the spaces around campus.” says Heather Allison, the property’s director of sales and marketing. “Earlier this year we hosted a group that transformed the 40,000-square-foot event deck into the ‘Streets of LA’ experience.”
The hotel’s network is fully integrated with the whole of LA Live, so meetings can span from any of the 38 meeting rooms to the rooftop pool—or even 20,000 sq. ft. of LED signage space in LA Live’s Microsoft Square. If that’s too subtle, you can also close off part of the street for red-carpet arrivals at the meeting venues, including Los Angeles Convention Center.
Hyatt Regency Orlando
An Orlando institution since 1986, the hotel formerly known as The Peabody Orlando demonstrates why the city is a prime destination for meeting planners. In a city built around superb service and hospitality experiences, the hotel’s staff pays meticulous attention to every detail, from selecting the most cutting-edge technology for A/V presentations to perfecting every piece of decor—standard or custom—in however much of the more than 315,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space you use.
The famous duck walk is gone, but the lush grounds surrounding the 1,639 guest rooms help the property maintain a natural feel. In the middle of Orlando’s International Drive convention district, the hotel is also close to the area’s world-class attractions, such as the parks, restaurants and entertainment complexes of Universal Studios Orlando and Walt Disney World Resort.
The Broadmoor
Cradled by ridges and peaks of the southern Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs strongly reflects the spirit of the American West—a character of vitality and freedom brought on by rugged-but-beautiful surroundings. This exuberance extends to The Broadmoor, a AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star resort in Colorado. Three championship golf courses make for great ways for groups to breeze through the great outdoors, or take a more hands-on approach by soaking it in with a team-building, white-water rafting adventure down the Arkansas River.
Indoors, the service-oriented staff is continually trained to the highest standards of Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond hospitality, no matter how many of the property’s 622 guest rooms or how much (or how little) of the 185,000 sq. ft. of meeting space you’re utilizing.
Keystone Lodge & Spa
Keytstone Lodge & Spa, Vail, Colorado
For a more secluded Rocky Mountain experience, Vail’s Keystone Lodge & Spa in Colorado puts you smack in the middle of three mountains about 75 miles west of Denver—in AAA Five Diamond comfort, no less. The peaks instantly fulfill the first half of the lodge’s tagline, “surrounded by beauty, built for business,” while Keystone Conference Center lives up to the latter portion.
“The Keystone Conference Center and Keystone Lodge & Spa are appealing to meeting planners because of the onsite amenities, world-class meeting facilities and dining venues, all set within the heart of the Rocky Mountains,” says Russell Carlton, the lodge’s senior communications coordinator.
The center features more than 100,000 sq. ft. of event space, including three ballrooms, 50 flexible meeting rooms and a circular boardroom with Rocky Mountain views. The staff arranges everything from welcome baskets featuring a chocolate version of your company logo to team-building hikes. “Planners can rest assured that these accommodations and meeting spaces are top notch, and therefore they can focus their energy on the meetings and events,” Carlton says.
Aria Resort & Casino Las Vegas
Zarkana at Aria Resort and Casino Las Vegas
Vegas is an easy choice for any meeting planner, and it’s hard to go wrong with many of the high-end hotels on The Strip. The 4,004-room Aria gets top marks from myriad sources, including Cvent, AAA and Forbes. Activities abound, starting with Cirque du Soleil’s Zarkana show. Even walking through the property is an activity in itself, with surreal artwork and water features at nearly every turn—starting with a colorful liquid fireworks display just outside the front doors.
When it’s time for business, 300,000 sq. ft. of event space await—and this being Vegas, Aria’s meeting teams will take on any request, no matter how extravagant or outlandish it may seem, including catering menus, high-tech gear, live entertainers and whatever else you can dream up.
The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa
The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, Tucson, Arizona
Luxury and tranquility are the orders of the day at this bucolic Tucson, Arizona, resort. Each of the 487 guest rooms and suites provides a private outdoor space—from a balcony to a wraparound veranda—to soak in the natural beauty of the surrounding High Sonora Foothills and Santa Catalina Mountains. Views from decks, patios, a fiesta area and other outdoor meeting spaces (in addition to 64,000 sq. ft. of indoor space) further this feel.
The Westin La Paloma is close to many Tucson-area attractions, though a couple hours in the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa can add to attendees’ feeling of well-being, as can relaxing in a cabana by the quiet adult pool oasis.
Sheraton Charlotte Hotel
After a $20 million renovation in 2013, this property occupies one of the towers of Charlotte, North Carolina’s renowned Blake Hotel. Being the big player in the United States’ biggest banking center not named New York helps draw meeting planners in the financial and insurance industries, but Sheraton Charlotte’s facilities speak for themselves, regardless of location. They combine with sister property Le Meridien (in the other former Blake tower) to offer more than 55,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, five ballrooms totaling more than 34,000 sq. ft. and 11,000 sq. ft. of prefunction space—and the hotel is less than a half-mile from Charlotte Convention Center.
Nearby outing options for sports-minded guests include NASCAR Hall of Fame and Bank of America Stadium (home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers). Executive-level attendees may enjoy the perks of upgrading to the Sheraton Club, which include rooms on an exclusive floor, 24/7 access to the club lounge for coffee or cocktails, and dining and event reservations.
Omni Nashville Hotel
One look at Omni Nashville’s mirrored, modern architecture erases any questions about Tennessee’s Music City being a prime spot for finance and insurance industry events. Not only does the exterior exude a subdued sense of business and style, which continues unbroken through the front doors, but the 800-room hotel also boasts 80,000 sq. ft. of elegant meeting and event space, all adjacent to the 1.2 million sq. ft. of event and exhibition space at Music City Center. After all, this property was ranked No. 4 for meeting hotels in the U.S. by Cvent in 2014.
Wine and dine attendees at renowned Bob’s Steak & Chop House. The nearby Nashville music attractions, such as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Grand Old Opry and Johnny Cash Museum, lend a playful element to group outings.
Bigger is Better
Need a huge space for a blowout event? Here are some of the properties with the biggest ballrooms in the United States (it should come as no surprise that more than one is in Vegas):
Boston Park Plaza
Total meeting space: 50,480 sq. ft.
Largest meeting room: Grand Ballroom, 14,520 sq. ft.
Mandalay Bay
Total meeting space: 1,663,697 sq. ft.
Largest meeting rooms: Mandalay Bay Ballroom, 100,014 sq. ft.; South Seas Ballroom, 48,594 sq. ft.
New York Hilton Midtown, New York City
(pictured) Total meeting space: 150,000 sq. ft. Largest meeting room: Grand Ballroom, 24,726 sq. ft.
Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
Total meeting space: 125,000 sq. ft.
Largest meeting room: Sheraton
Chicago Ballroom, 40,000 sq. ft.
Washington Hilton, Washington, D.C.
Total meeting space: 110,000 sq. ft.
Largest meeting room: International
Ballroom, 35,525 sq. ft.
Wynn Las Vegas
Total meeting space: 260,000 sq. ft.
Largest meeting room: Lafite Ballroom, 50,197 sq. ft.
