How to Add the Power of Music for Your Next Event

March 4, 2020

Cindy Chew 2/12/20

Music brings people together and world-class music in an historic setting can be even more impactful. Smart Meetings asked Nichole (Nikki) Dupre, director of sales and marketing at Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel, for tips on energizing an event after the property hosted Monteux Jazz Festival artist Jalen N’Gonda as part of a Fairmont World Tour.

Leverage Your Connections

Fairmont properties have hosted epic musical moments for more than a century, including John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Bed-In for Peace (Montreal’s Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth) and Ramones Live (Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle). Fairmont Le Montreux Palace in Switzerland is the host for the acclaimed Montreux Jazz Festival and helped arrange the tour of the up-and-coming London-based nu-soul singer.

“Fairmont’s special connection to music is at the forefront of our rich and celebrated brand history,” said Sharon Cohen, vice president of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, which is now part of the Accor family of 5,000 properties in 110 countries.

Dupre explained that the jazz concert in the lobby bar’s historic Hillary Tenzing Room, which pays homage to the mountain climber Sir Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa, was a kick-off to the landmark hotel’s musical activation of the VIP space, but not the only time the hotel has used its network to enliven a gathering. The meetings team has called on the marching band at nearby UC Berkeley to energize meetings in the 23,000-square-feet of event space on property.

Beating Hearts

In addition to a massive renovation of the 276 guest rooms and meeting space that happened a few years ago when the property rebranded after celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2015, The Club at The Claremont’s 10,000 sq. ft. fitness center was also reimagined with an eye for total wellness. That holistic focus extends to wellness-focused events that include stretching breaks, chair yoga or hiking in the Berkeley hills—something that is sure to get attendee hearts pumping.

Once back in the ballroom, Executive Chef Arwi Odense specializes in crafting menus that hit the right flavor and dietary notes. The hamachi crudo with crème fraiche, lime, Fresno chili and green strawberries just sings.