Party

Hotel Story

Inspirational Stories

The <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/tour/nycex">JW Marriott Essex House New York</a> beamed with pride while hosting a reception for Proud Experiences (a travel tradeshow focusing on the LGBTQ+ industry) last year, in June 2022. The hotel hired Kaleidoscope Vue Consulting who created “A Night in Versailles” themed evening.
Upon arrival at the hotel, guests saw a welcoming mural spelling ESSEX HOUSE with pride color roses, which was displayed in the lobby for the entire month of June.
When the 200+ guests entered the majestic ballroom, they were invited to jump into a “living picture frame” including lush florals in the pride colors along with models dressed in 17th century French period costumes.

Other installations included a Rose Bar and a photo booth with Versailles’s famous Hall of Mirrors as a backdrop.
The highlight of the evening was a special show featuring former contestants from RuPaul's Drag Race – Shannel, MizCracker, and Willam.
The hotel received rave reviews from guests as well as the organizers of Proud Experiences.

“I cannot thank the team at the Essex House enough for producing such a memorable evening for our attendees. From the event décor, the food and beverage offerings and the top-notch entertainment… all far surpassed our wildest expectations. More importantly, we felt welcomed by the hotel for creating such an inclusive event for all.”  

PROUD Experiences is an annual 3 day conference that brings together colleagues from the travel &amp; lifestyle sectors to expand their LGBTQ+ understanding and connect with like-minded peers through education, engagement and connections.

North America

JW Marriott Essex House New York

Proud Experiences Reception Shines with Pride

Seminars

Video Story

Reframe business meetings as high-impact getaways that will make people want to connect both on and off the clock. Transform wedding days into entire weekends that leave a lasting impression in destinations around the world. Changing times require fresh perspectives, and we’re here to help you embrace the shift toward meaningful experiences. With thousands of properties across more than 30 extraordinary hotel brands, our portfolio and expertise will help you seamlessly plan your next event — and take it a step beyond.

Global

Break away from the traditional and reimagine the complete event experience with Marriott Bonvoy Events.

Take Meetings & Events a Step Beyond

For the 1,700 attendees at SynBioBeta’s Global Synthetic Biology Summit in April 2022, the stakes were high. The annual event—a convergence of biotech thought leaders, venture capitalists, and 500 of the nation’s brightest emerging biologists—had already been rescheduled twice, courtesy of the omicron variant of COVID-19.
For the city of Oakland, the stakes were even higher. Local businesses had experienced severe drops in revenue during the height of the pandemic. The Oakland Convention Center’s 100,566 square feet of meeting space had largely been empty, even as the events team at the adjacent <a target="_blank" href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/oakdt-oakland-marriott-city-center/events/">Oakland Marriott City Center</a> was doing its best to work with meeting planners for the events they knew would soon return.
If SynBioBeta and Oakland were both to achieve their goals of hosting the successful networking event that would be the largest convention in Oakland’s downtown since March 2019, they’d have to work together.
And so, they did.
The Oakland Marriott City Center team partnered with local businesses to create an outdoor space for food, beverage, and recreation. A local catering company provided the nibbles, but boosting the books of that particular business was just the beginning. According to the team, each delegate at the Oakland Convention Center brings between $200 and $300 of revenue to surrounding businesses, such as coffee shops and restaurants—revenue reflected in the packed bars and dining venues during the April event.
Spreading the wealth to Oakland began with clear communication and establishing what each party’s needs were. When SynBioBeta first approached the Oakland Marriott, it wasn’t to inquire about the venue, just the catering. After initial conversations, it became clear that the centralized venue space of Oakland Marriott was even more important than the catering possibilities. In fact, 2022 was the first time the convention would be hosted at a hotel. This allowed the specialized sales and events teams to educate the SynBioBeta team on the capabilities of the venue—and the possibilities enabled by having an experienced event staff at the ready.
Before partnering with Marriott, SynBioBeta’s attendees were left on their own to secure accommodation; now, a room block streamlined housing. Registration became a one-stop shop, centralizing an occasionally disorienting process that had previously seen attendees racing from venue to venue. Audiovisual support enabled a higher level of production.

But the greatest demonstration of expertise may have been more meta than all of that. The Oakland Marriott City Center was able to coach the SynBioBeta team in the art of gathering: how to orchestrate the best flow of movement for the 1,700 attendees through various spaces, and where and how to display signage nudging delegates to the right place at the right time.
The proof of the partnership’s success lies in its future. SynBioBeta booked the Oakland Marriott City Center for its 2023 and 2024 events at a larger capacity, and with Oakland Marriott handling more of the food and beverage than it did in 2022. Signing a <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/tips-and-trends/article/361/three-big-reasons-to-consider-a-multiyear-agreement">multiyear meeting agreement</a> means that the Marriott team can take its findings from the 2022 event and make 2023 and beyond all the stronger.

At the Oakland Marriott City Center, Revitalizing Local Businesses Begins With Listening.

Bringing Back an Annual Meeting—and an Entire City District

How does a meeting planner who takes pride in topping her previous annual meeting year after year outdo herself? She takes to the sea.
At least, that’s what Crissy Tallman, Director of Conventions and Continuing Education at Florida Dental Association, did for the FDA’s 2022 convention, held at the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mcogp-gaylord-palms-resort-and-convention-center/events/">Gaylord Palms Resort &amp; Convention Center</a> in Kissimmee in late June.
Tallman didn’t need to literally take delegates to the ocean to give them the same expansive, joyous feeling of the sea. The theme of the Friday night celebration was “Sea Vibes,” complete with a mechanical shark ride, a 54-foot inflatable octopus DJ booth, and catering options such as “Poseidon’s Power Greens Salad Bar” (and, of course, seafood).
The festivities are part of the draw for attendees—as was the venue itself. “For our dentists, so much of this is bleisure—it’s business and leisure,” Tallman says. “So having a property that affords both of these things, that’s really important.” Gaylord Palms’ swimming pool, shuttles, and activity centers were part of why she partnered with the site. “They bring their teams, everything from the hygienist, the front office, the assistants. It’s kind of their reward for sticking with it and putting in the hard work.” Attendees get some continuing education credits from the event—and some leisure.

“Gaylord really sets itself apart from some of the other hotels that I’ve worked with,” Tallman says. “They truly become your partner.” 

A Longtime Partnership Leads to Collaboration—and Devotion
Gaylord Palms has seen the FDA through multiple iterations of its annual convention. Part of that is simple logistics: The central Florida location means that it’s within a five-hour drive of most attendees, and the Orlando airport is less than a 30-minute ride away, making it a strong choice for a state association’s convention. Plus, the property has flexible meeting spaces, accommodating everything from a 1,000-person general session to a 15-person hands-on workshop.
But the driving factor that keeps the FDA returning to Gaylord Palms isn’t the geography. It’s the year-over-year learnings that the team accumulates through their continued collaboration (just one of the <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/tips-and-trends/article/361/three-big-reasons-to-consider-a-multiyear-agreement">benefits of a multiyear meeting agreement</a>).
“Gaylord really sets itself apart from some of the other hotels that I’ve worked with,” Tallman says. “They truly become your partner.”
After the convention is done, she sits down with the Gaylord Palms team and pours over survey results from the meeting. “That has really created such a synergy and teamwork,” Tallman says. She says she relies on the Gaylord team’s institutional knowledge to fix minor pain points for future meetings, and the Gaylord team comes to know Tallman’s preferences, allowing them to more effectively present to her ways to make her ideas come to life.

Successful Venue-Planner Relationships Begin With Discovery
In a series of meetings before each event, Gaylord Palms team members work with meeting planners to walk the property, offer vendor suggestions, share diagrams, explain what’s available, and otherwise share what’s possible.
Spending a lot of time in discovery mode with meeting planners is one key to the venue’s success. When a meeting planner has an idea, even an extravagant one—say, Tallman’s vision for a 54-foot inflatable octopus DJ—the venue brainstorms ways to make it possible. If the idea itself isn’t actually feasible due to safety or financial reasons, the team works to find the “why” behind an idea and make that “why” happen. Among the questions planners can expect to be asked at Gaylord Palms or any other Marriott Bonvoy venue:
●	What are you trying to accomplish with this idea?
●	What’s most important to you about this idea?
●	How does this meet your larger goals for this event?
Through this process, “both parties understand the expectation,” as Tallman puts it. Venues not only find ways to realistically execute on planners’ ideas, but they can also identify spots for nuanced improvements. One example: The catering team took artwork from the FDA’s registration materials and used it in their dessert selection.

Serving the Same Boss: The Attendee
Venue-planner partnerships are inherently compatible, because they’re both working toward the same goal: creating an unforgettable experience for attendees.
“I think there is an innate need for people to be around other people who do what they do,” Tallman says. “They need to have a safe space where they feel like they can celebrate successes as well as commiserate about things that perhaps don’t go so well, but they need that home and that familiarity that comes with having a meeting like we have.”
Similarly, venues may be contracted by their clients—but they serve the attendees’ needs. “Our job is to maintain the attendee experience,” says Wendy Earley, Senior Event Manager at Marriott International. “We know that our attendees are the most important thing to the client themselves, so when we take care of our clients, they can also focus on the attendee.”

How Year-Over-Year Collaboration Led to the Florida Dental Association’s Most Spectacular Annual Meeting Yet.

Ask the Right Questions. Get the Right Answers.

Awards

The <a href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/wasjw-jw-marriott-washington-dc/overview/">JW Marriott Washington, DC</a> is an example of how hotels are leading the way in embedding sustainability across operations. The hotel was recently recognized with the inaugural 2021 global Energy Management Leadership award, one of the highest accolades in energy management and conservation, for reducing more than 725 metric tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to the amount of carbon that would be removed from the air by 1,532 acres of forest.
The hotel was honored with this top award after their successful ISO 50001 implementation approach, resulting business benefits, and lessons learned. Marriott International has established sustainability goals that include reducing carbon intensity by 30% by 2025, and the JW Marriott sets its own annual energy reduction goals to achieve long-term targets. To ensure success, the DC location established an ISO 50001 energy management system to gauge energy use, make adjustments, and track their progress. Management also appointed a hotel energy team including representatives from all major departments, ensuring a holistic and inclusive approach that has saved over 9,500 gigajoules of energy and $221,551 of energy costs over three years.
For more information, please review the <a href="https://www.cleanenergyministerial.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/CEM_EM_CASESTUDY_MARRIOTT_USA.pdf">JW Marriot Case Study</a>.

JW Marriott Washington, DC

JW Marriott Recognized with International Energy Management Awards

We were excited to host the 42nd Annual HR Florida Conference &amp; Expo both on-site and on-line August 30-September 2, 2020. The on-site event was at the beautiful Gaylord Palms Resort &amp; Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida, just outside of Orlando. We welcomed over 500 guests to this year’s event at the Gaylord, and over 700 guests online. The feedback from the on-site attendees has been phenomenal! They wanted an in-person event, they needed an in-person event, and by partnering with the Gaylord, we delivered! While the event looked very different with everyone in face masks and chairs positioned 6-feet apart, among other changes, attendees, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors were able to have face-to-face (or mask-to-mask) conversations and social connections that we have all been craving. With Marriott &amp; Gaylord’s 24-page even higher cleaning standards and the video we shot earlier this summer, attendees had a better idea of what to expect and what safety precautions were happening that they could see, as well as those happening behind the scenes. That partnership also consisted of regular calls and Zoom meetings to discuss the ever changing industry standards and ideas to incorporate into our event. In addition to the awesome experience had by our group, it was wonderful to hear from the hotel team, PSAV, Shepard, ATS Registration, Hello Florida and our many others partners how excited they were to be back at work after having no events for 5 months. Thank you for your partnership and we are already looking forward to coming back for the 43rd Annual Conference in August 2021. &nbsp;
Heather Deyrieux, President, HR Florida State Council, Inc.

Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center

Customer Testimonial from HR Florida

A week of reconnecting, refreshing and relearning the tools for successful meetings and events... this was THE EXCHANGE.


In August 2021, Marriott International hosted and customer event at The Walt Disney Swan &amp; Dolphin hotel in Orlando, FL with nearly 800 attendees. THE EXCHANGE - Association Masters &amp; Corporate Partnership Conference was a phenominal success and achieved a 98% customer satisfaction rate based on our post event survey. The number one priority of the event was the health and well-being of all attendees and the planning team implemented a variety of health protocols that provided comfort for those who attended in person.
Take a look back at what made this event so special by watching our case study video.

Association Masters & Corporate Partnership Conference


THE EXCHANGE VIDEO CASE STUDY

Customer Story

Back in April 2021, despite uncertainty and ever-changing COVID-19 guidelines, it was still possible to host in-person events – even ones that achieve record revenue. <a href="https://www.bscai.org/">Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI)</a>, an association that represents a worldwide network of companies that provide services to building owners and managers, successfully delivered their first in-person event since the start of the pandemic. SmithBucklin, in support of BSCAI, worked with Marriott International’s team to produce the multi-day conference at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort. The record-breaking success of the event was achieved by working closely with our partners at the Westin, sharing clear communication with attendees, adherence to COVID-19 guidelines, and accommodating attendees’ various comfort levels with large gatherings.&nbsp;
As a naturally collegial community, BSCAI was eager to host their Executive Management Conference (EMC) in person if it could be done safely. The event brings together executive level professionals and their senior teams from building service contracting companies to learn, strategize, interact, and explore new technologies for serving the industry. The EMC event marked the return of live events for not only BSCAI, but for higher profile events in the janitorial/sanitation industry. This was also BSCAI’s first hybrid meeting, bringing together both an in-person and digital audience for education sessions.
A key to success was ensuring that COVID-19 guidelines were clearly communicated prior to the event. Advance communications detailed that all CDC and local regulations were being strictly adhered to in the planning of the event. Comprehensive “attendee expectations” were also sent to all registered attendees prior to the event to ensure that they were aware of processes and protocol to be followed at the event. The guidelines were reinforced on BSCAI’s website, mobile app, daily emails which included videos recorded by the emcee, and in signage at the event itself.
Attendee safety was the top priority to both Marriott and BSCAI during the event. Mask-wearing and daily temperature and health checks were mandatory for all attendees. The health check process was thorough – after attendees had their temperature taken, they received a green sticker on their badge indicating that they had been checked for the day. The sticker color varied among the three days in order for it to be clear that attendees had their temperature checked each day. Additionally, security was stationed outside of the meeting rooms to ensure that the attendees had the correct color sticker. The temperature check process went “extremely well,” according to Lisa Reich, the Westin’s Director of Meetings &amp; Events.&nbsp;
Reich also noted that social distancing – specifically, splitting the attendees into two different groups – was a key factor in the success of the event. “We worked with the meeting planner to determine specific times when the groups would rotate and break, and had hotel staff guide the attendees as they were flowing through the space.” Having human direction, she said, “was essential.” The smaller group sizes allowed for staggered meal times and helped to reduce the number of attendees in general sessions and networking events. Social distancing was also implemented in the attendee seating arrangements, and large drapes were provided for exhibitor booths in addition to the exhibitors’ socially distanced floorplan.&nbsp;
From the use of a powerful electrostatic sprayer to making sure that hand sanitizer was available around every corner, the staff accounted for safety details both large and small. Other safety protocols included open-air food and beverage events, repeat presentations from speakers, audio/video overflow in pre-function space for general sessions, and the use of an emcee to bridge the in-person and digital audience and communicate safety protocols. Technology was a critical tool during the event – the BSCAI mobile app reduced the need for paper and provided real-time communications, and the BSCAI Online Attendee Portal allowed attendees to view programming in real-time and watch recorded content.&nbsp;
Marriott and BSCAI worked together to make sure all attendees felt safe regardless of their comfortability with in-person events. Although masks were no longer required by law, mask-wearing was required of all attendees. “We wanted all the attendees to feel comfortable, and we, as a hotel, wanted to still maintain the wearing of the masks,” Reich said. As an additional way to accommodate varying comfort levels, in-person attendees could choose to watch the programming from their hotel rooms if they were uncomfortable with in-person the same way virtual attendees could.
The event proved to be a success for both the attendees and organizers – BSCAI’s 2021 EMC achieved record revenue for the event. In-person event registration was 116% of budget and sales/sponsorship was 118% to budget. In-person registration sold-out and set a new benchmark for the meeting, representing a 55% increase from the 2019 edition of the meeting. The post-event survey showed that 95% of attendees rated their experience as “good” or “excellent,” and gave the event a 67 Net Promoter Score which is considered “excellent” for the industry. The event received countless glowing reviews from attendees and organizers alike, with BSCAI Executive Director Chris Mundschenk, CAE, noting, “Our staff, program planners, vendors, speakers, and venue partners truly went above and beyond to make sure we could execute this meeting safely, and accommodate attendee comfort levels no matter where they stood on that spectrum.”
Although navigating in-person events during a pandemic may be daunting, steps were taken to produce a safe event. BSCAI was able to successfully deliver one of their most important events during the pandemic with great support from Marriott International and the team at the Westin Ft. Lauderdale Beach Resort.
 
Photo Credit: &nbsp;BSCAI – Building Service Contractors Association International&nbsp;

The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort

How One Association Achieved Record In-person Revenue During the Pandemic

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin leads the way in returning to secure events during a pandemic. The hotel operations team partnered with a Major League Soccer (MLS) to deliver a best in class meeting for 1,500 people with extensive health protocols. The cast members embraced Marriott’s Commitment To Clean and also executed this meeting in accordance with all state and local guidelines. In addition, the hotel operations team formed a tight partnership with the customer's planning team to go above and beyond the necessary measures to ensure a safe experience. This resulted in a very successful "MLS is Back" tournament.
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin continues to operate group events of all scales including an event for planners in conjunction with Meetings Today. &nbsp;At that event, the team shared how we implement precautions so live events can carry on. &nbsp;All of the additional steps are important so that groups feel comfortable to Connect With Confidence.
For more information about the MLS event as well as other recently held events, please view the hotel's <a href="https://www.swandolphinmeetings.com/testimonials/index.html">Customer Video Testimonials</a>. &nbsp;

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort

Major League Soccer Holds "MLS is Back" Tournament

Trade Shows

This year’s annual Connect 2020 Marketplace was truly like no other. Held at the Orlando World Center Marriott, one of Marriott's premiere convention and resort properties, this event included 1,000 in person attendees as well as 175 virtual attendees. Connect Meetings and the hotel collaborated to produce this event implementing brand new standards and protocols that enabled everyone to Connect with Confidence.
The event also included virtual appointments featuring virtual suppliers and a digital trade show happening simultaneously to the in-person event (tables for one-on-one appointments were set up lengthwise allowing for 10-12 feet of distance).
Overwhelmingly, the attendees were appreciative and impressed with the initiatives taken and of the being back together to collaborate through the event. To see more on the steps that were taken before and during the event, please click on the video above.&nbsp;
For more details about the event, please read the article on <a href="https://www.connectmeetings.com/association/features/connect-2020-a-year-like-no-other">Connect Meetings website</a>.&nbsp;

Orlando World Center Marriott

Connect 2020: Hosting an Industry Event in a Year Like No Other

Just before The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples officially reopened to the public, the resort hosted a professional sports team that was looking for a single destination to gather as a team and restart training before the season started. They were seeking spaces with access to the outdoors and plenty of areas to relax during their stay.
The resort utilized larger spaces with natural light to create a hospitality lounge which allowed for appropriate social distancing. Large screen TVs, lounge furniture, and gaming equipment were brought in to create fun and relaxing atmosphere. A cleanliness champion remained present throughout to clean and refresh each area consistently.

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples

Professional  Sports Team Seeks Creativity in Meeting Space Design to Allow for Relaxation

A finance company brought together their top producers for a two- day brainstorming meeting in a socially distanced environment. &nbsp;They were looking to create a space that was collaborative and motivating so they could elevate sales performance in the face of a changing environment. 
&nbsp;
The CEO emphasized the importance of safe space to meet in person because virtual meetings had been challenging previously. &nbsp;The 10,000 square foot Vanderbilt Ballroom (capacity restructured to hold 175 vs 400) was converted into a socially distanced think tank for the event. 
&nbsp;
The company's meeting planner had very positive feedback. "The meeting experience exceed our expectations. Our objective was to have a productive in person meeting where everyone could contribute and participate in a safe atmosphere which we achieved with your help. The flow and attention to detail to allow for additional space was very much recognized by our attendees. The morning greeting both days by the cleanliness ambassador was also beneficial and gave us peace of mind that the protocol were all in place."
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The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Beach Resort

Event Success in Naples, Florida 

While virtual has become the new normal in keeping in touch with clients, the Wailea Beach Resort went above and beyond with a creative virtual FAM trip series in partnership with their DMC partners. The resort identified various influential clients and presented them an opportunity to experience one of four themes: Culinary, Wellness, Music &amp; Mixology, and Culture. &nbsp;Each theme allowed clients to successfully engage with the resort and the beautiful island of Maui by participating along with the presenters.&nbsp;
Each FAM in the series starts before the actual virtual experience with the arrival of a special package sent to each attendee. For the Culinary theme, for example, this package contained an ingredient list for Pineapple Fried Rice and 5 Spice Pork Tenderloin; recipes and basic ingredients for two island cocktails; and a $100 VISA gift card to buy everything needed. A fresh pineapple was also sent. Similarly, the package for the Wellness theme contained items like a La’au , a bamboo shaft for a special exercise, and recipes for fresh squeezed juices to help attendees participate at home.&nbsp;
As for the actual day of the event, the virtual FAM series allowed guests to take part in activities like how to cut a pineapple with Chef Scott and mix drinks with Alejo, the resort’s master cocktail curator. Attendees of the Wellness theme participated in an innovative fitness experience rooted in Hawaii methodologies taught by instructors Kua and Kawika. They also got to try making the resort’s signature banana bread recipe. After each virtual FAM experience, attendees were sent a gift certificate for a future stay at the resort.&nbsp;
Response to the FAM series at Wailea Beach Resort has been overwhelmingly positive as many attendees reached out with accolades:
“Thank you guys so much for the fabulous cooking &amp; cocktail zoom yesterday! It was so great to see you all and hear your voices and what a fun way to spend an hour. You all are so creative. That is most definitely the best meeting I’ve had since March!”&nbsp;
“I’m so glad I did that webinar. Your team did a great job. Thank you for the invite! &nbsp;It was a lot of fun. Great energy.”
“This is the best virtual experience I have had since COVID hit! &nbsp;Good job!”
“Mahalo for everything. It was amazing and makes me so anxious for our industry to get back to normal! Thank you everyone for putting together such a wonderful event!!!!!”
“What a GREAT Virtual Event …"
"Big thank you for including me in this cool experience … Good Luck on you opening date and hopefully I get there in person soon … I want to push our Summit Circle event at your destination”

Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott, Maui  

Creative Client Connections - Virtual Maui Fam Series

See how this resort has created solutions and provided peace of mind for its meeting clients.

The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa 

Meet Well on Hilton Head Island

Learn about the new safety measures at JW Marriott Scottsdale Cambelback Inn Resort &amp; Spa.

JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa 

Meet Safely in the Sonoran Desert 

Despite these unprecedented times, Gaylord Rockies was thrilled for the opportunity to host the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s annual meeting in July. Prior to any planning of the event, it truly started with the desire of the group to have their event and their willingness to be flexible and follow all state and local guidelines relating to social distancing, wearing masks and occupancy limitations within meeting spaces.&nbsp;
Both the group leaders as well as the Gaylord Rockies staff understood how important it was for attendees to be together in person; although there was an option to join the event virtually. As the conversation with NCBA began, it required the Gaylord Rockies Event Planning team to huddle with NCBA’s meeting planning team to talk through local guidelines and then reimagine what the event would look like. Not only that, but it was important to have a Plan B, C, and D in anticipation of possible changes in local/state regulations and to be as nimble as possible.&nbsp;
STAR engagement was another critical component leading up to the event. The team engaged all departments in the resort to explain the importance of the meeting and get them excited. Every aspect of the experience had to be reimagined in the current world. This included pre-con/tie down through virtual conversations, social distancing signage with a sense of humor, the use of non-traditional space for food and beverage with made to order options, split group meal and general session space to fit our guidelines, and the use of technology to connect everyone. With the additional precautions along with the willingness of NCBA meeting planners and attendees to follow current guidelines, the event was a great success for everyone involved.&nbsp;
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.pcma.org/live-events-meeting-safely-during-covid-19-health-screening/">Click here</a> for more &nbsp;information about this event (it is also featured on PCMA's website).&nbsp;

 Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center

Meeting Reimagined for National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

The Louisiana State Bar Association recently met at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans in late August. This gathering was the organization’s first in-person meeting in 6 months. A long-time partner of The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, the organization trusted the hotel to operate within the approved CDC guidelines and enforce the city’s unique health and safety laws without interfering with the guest’s overall experience.
Sanitation stations were thoughtfully placed throughout the hotel, as well as signage reminding guests of handwashing, mask-wearing and social distancing. All staff wore personal protective equipment, and Front Desk agents were clearly visible behind safety plexiglass. Guest rooms were deep cleaned between each guest. Elevator capacity was limited to two guests or one family at a time. These combined efforts gave guests the peace of mind knowing they were meeting in a safe environment
The hotel staff patiently walked the organization through the entire process, clearly conveying what COVID-19 precautions were being implemented. Since buffet food service was not permitted, food items at coffee breaks were individually wrapped to reduce high touch contact, and hot plates were presented under covers. An attendant was positioned at coffee and hot tea stations to prepare beverages. Meeting rooms were set to encourage social distancing with one person per six-foot table. For those attendees dialing in, the PSAV Event Technology team went above and beyond to ensure the audio equipment provided an exceptional experience without being obtrusive or unduly straining on the budget. &nbsp;This need to support virtual attendees drastically increased mid-event due to Hurricane Laura’s landfall.
The Louisiana State Bar Association commended The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans for their commitment to duty of care, dedication to customer service, remarkable attention to detail and ability to pivot in the face of a global pandemic without sacrificing quality. &nbsp;The hotel looks forward to welcoming them back for years to come.&nbsp;

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

Meeting Success for the Louisiana State Bar Association 

Retreats

When The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch received a message from a repeat, executive client inquiring about creative social distancing options, the team jumped into action to create solutions. Having trusted the Bachelor Gulch ladies and gentlemen with 8 previous programs, the client knew they could rest assured knowing the program was in excellent hands during these unprecedented times.&nbsp;
Event Coordinator, Tatiana, first focused on the “team building” aspect of the groups agenda. She organized a baseball team event on The Mountainside Terrace that could be played with social distancing guidelines and still allowed the group to communicate and work together for a fun activity. &nbsp;Then, Tatiana arranged a unique, outdoor venue for the group’s meals each day. Anderson’s Cabin is located adjacent to the resort and is the original homestead of John Anderson, a founding bachelor of Bachelor Gulch. The executives enjoyed meals outside on Anderson Cabin’s lawn in the crisp Colorado air with the chairlift overhead and mountain views aplenty. The banquets ladies and gentlemen worked to create a modified buffet line with servers behind plexiglass and hand sanitizing stations as an additional safety measure.&nbsp;
The executives were blown away and enjoyed these changes to their program so much, they looking forward to implementing them into their future programs!

The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch 

Outdoor Event Solutions For Corporate Meetings In the Age of Social Distancing 

In July, 2020, the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort hosted an education- focused hybrid meeting for a large State Association. This meeting of 452 attendees saw 165 (36%) attendees participate in person, and 287 (64%) participants attend virtually. The JW Marriott Marco Island and association meeting planners were resourceful and resilient in their efforts to produce a very successful hybrid meeting.&nbsp;
In-person attendees experienced updated and elevated food and beverage service by associates wearing masks and gloves. Conference meeting rooms were thoroughly sanitized between each session and during breaks. All meeting spaces, including a 30,000 square foot exhibit hall that welcomed both live and virtual attendees, were designed to accommodate social distancing.&nbsp;
Virtual attendees experienced a combination of pre-recorded guest speaker presentations, live-streamed sessions, and virtual participation in the exhibit trade show floor. All virtual sessions saw content provided by a "live" moderator, bringing interactive components to all parts of the conference.&nbsp;
The association received excellent feedback from all attendees, both live and virtual, regarding the conference format, the quality of information delivered, and service and cleanliness at the JW Marriott Marco Island. The association has already committed to the same 2021 program at the JW Marriott Marco Island.&nbsp;

JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort

Hybrid Meeting Success through Creative Collaboration 

Many of our hotels have created new guides that showcase how they have adapted their meetings &amp; events practices. These guides include things like guest experience, public spaces, floor plans, virtual options and technology available. &nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://gaylordhotelsclean.marriott.com/">Gaylord Hotels</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://mar-bonvoy-events.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Ritz-Carlton+Naples+-+Revised+practices+2020_NAPLES.pdf">The Ritz-Carlton, Naples</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://mar-bonvoy-events.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/JW+Marriott+Marco+Island+-+Event+Slides.pdf">JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://mar-bonvoy-events.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/W+Barcelona+-+Welcome+to+the+New+Normal.pdf">W Barcelona</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://mar-bonvoy-events.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/W+Muscat+Banquets+Capacity+2020+WM.pdf">W Muscat</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://mar-bonvoy-events.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Renaissance+Sao+Paulo-Meeting_Room_Capacity.pdf">Renaissance São Paulo</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://mar-bonvoy-events.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Ritz%20Carlton%20Reynolds%20-%20Meetings%20at%20the%20Lake-RCRLO%202020.pdf">The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mar-bonvoy-events.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/DALBP+-+Enhanced+Meeting+Procedures+for+COVID+19.pdf">Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel</a> &nbsp;

Inspirational Stories & Best Practices

Inspirational Stories

Stories & Videos