Virtual Meetings

The topic of Virtual Meetings is sizzling! Meeting professionals play a vital role in orchestrating the details. You will be hearing more about this component and how it is changing the way we meet.

Even the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association has experienced impressive results by adding a virtual component to their first hybrid event.

Industry: Association

Location: McLean, VA

September 2011Results -

Digital Extension:

• 279 Registrants

• 228 Attendees

• 82% Attendance Rate

• 818 Unique Views of Live Session Content

• 97% enjoyed participating in HSMAI’s MEET On first digital extension

• 59% of digiatl attendees are more inclined to attend HSMAI’s MEET in person the next year

Here are several other articles you may find interesting. A2Z Meetings & Events would enjoy putting all the details together when you decide to incorporate this technology.

 

Hybrid Meeting Strategies and The Conference Center

http://i-meet.com/public/blog/Blog_Kevin_Iwamoto_1851.aspx

Name That Hotel ~ Venue 7 ~ Results September 7

This exquisite venue is elegant and very memorable.

Venue 6 ~ The Longboat Key Club and Resort

Recognized among the top 1% of group meeting venues in the U.S. by Successful Meetings Magazine, our Fourth consecutive Pinnacle Award, The Longboat Key Club and Resort offers flexible meeting space for executive retreats and small groups ranging in size from 10 ~ 150 attendees. What makes our AAA Four Diamond Florida Resort the perfect place? Some say it’s because Golf Digest names us one of the ”Best Places to Play” or because the USTA gave us and “Outstanding Facilities Award” for our new Tennis Gardens. Others insist it’s our luxurious 9000 square foot Island House Spa, our six unique restaurants and our exclusive private white sand beach. All 218 suites are newly renovated with private balconies offering spectacular views of the beach, bay and golf course. So when planning a meeting, you just need to remember ~ it’s all here. And it’s all yours.

Name That Hotel ~ Venue 6 ~ Results August 19

Perhaps you are seeing a pattern in many of these wonderful hotels. Superb accommodations, unique meeting space and and stunning location ... I was here last week! Can you Name that Hotel ~ Venue 6?

Don CeSar on St. Pete Beach, FL

Venue 5 in Name that Hotel was the historic Pink Palace rich with history and warm hospitality.  

Situated on 7 miles of powdery white beachfront, the legendary Don CeSar Beach Resort, A Loews Hotel offers pampering spa treatments, 2 pools, 3 award winning restaurants and lounges, 40,000 sq/ft of  indoor/outdoor meeting space and Camp CeSar for the younger guests ages 4-12.  Florida s  Pink Palace  is a radiant reminder of what it means to escape the ordinary!

Name That Hotel ~ Venue 5 ~ Results July15

Entertain your guests with magical sunsets, sparkling  water and sugar sand beaches. World class elegance ... one of a kind ... truly special!

Name That Hotel ~ Venue 4 ~ DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Airport-Westshore

DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Airport-Westshore is among the largest hotels in Tampa offering over 16,000 square feet of newly renovated meeting space including 14 meeting rooms and a 9,100 sq ft ballroom.   We’re a favorite for event planners, as all function space is located on the first level, providing a great flow for events and convenient load in.  Our function space includes a permanent registration counter with lockable office/storage, spacious pre-function areas and our ballroom includes a permanent, recessed stage.  Attendees enjoy great savings with complimentary airport shuttle service, complimentary parking and other great amenities such as our 24 hour business center, outdoor pool and 24 hour fitness center.  489 contemporary guest rooms and 17 luxurious suites include flat panel HDTV’s, Sweet Dreams by DoubleTree bedding and most rooms offer a balcony.  At DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Airport-Westshore, the little things mean everything!
Tune in Monday for Venue 5!

Name That Hotel ~ Venue 4 ~ Results July 8

This shot shows one of the fun spots you can visit after the meeting day concludes. They are well known for abundant meeting space and plenty of guest rooms so it makes for an exceptional self contained convention site.

As an independent meeting professional we work with a lot of hotels and hold a treasure chest of awesome venues and priceless relationships. We are not destination or chain biased and work with properties worldwide.

Join our Facebook page ( http://www.facebook.com/A2ZMeetings ) every Monday for a newly featured hotel photo. Every Friday we will announce the first correct respondent along with details on the latest happenings at the featured hotel.


It is quick, fun and may even be educational. If you would like to feature your favorite venue, contact us for details. Do you know our forth featured venue?

TradeWinds Island Grand ... Can't believe no one guessed correctly!

Many new updates since I left in December 2008 and it is great to see the new fresh look!! ... Consistently recognized as a premier meeting destination on Florida’s Gulf Coast, newly renovated meeting space and guest rooms bring a clean, contemporary feel to this perennial favorite renowned for it relaxed, welcoming ambiance and friendly, efficient staff.  585 guest rooms and suites, and 68,000 square feet of meeting space, provide an ideal setting for any group.  Five pools, 14 dining and entertainment venues, shopping and spa services make this a true destination in itself.   So after your meeting, take a break, sink your toes deep into the sugary white sand and watch the sunset from a beachside hammock, the warm Florida sun and the inviting gulf breezes beckon you to embrace life’s little pleasures.

Name That Hotel ~ Venue 3 ~ Results July 1

This one should be easy! Be sure to go to http://www.facebook.com/A2ZMeetings to connect!
No one guessed correctly on last week's featured property. Yes it was a tough one but a great venue! Last week's featured venue was the newly renovated St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater hotel which provides the latest high tech amenities for guests offering 173 guest rooms and 24 suites. With 30,000 sq. ft. of functional event space, you can have up to 10 breakout meeting rooms and the 7,225 sq ft Grand Ballroom accommodates up to 800. Enjoy stylish, top notch service at the gateway where Tampa and St. Petersburg connect.

Name That Hotel ~ Venue 2 ~ Results posted June 24

Selecting the right venue for your meeting or event is one of the first steps to success. Join our weekly contest to see if you can recognize some of the great spots to choose from.


The title of the game gives you a clue ... these are all hotels and not country clubs, restaurants, museums, club houses, gardens, attractions or other options that do not have overnight guest rooms associated with them. Those are all fabulous options for special events. The area convention and visitors bureau will be happy to provide a list of venue options for special events. Hiring a Meeting expert to partner in the overall coordination really helps to orchestrate every detail.


UPDATE June 24 ... Thanks to my dear friend Eric Peak for providing Venue 2!
The newly renovated St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater hotel provides the latest high tech amenities for guests offering 173 guest rooms and 24 suites. With 30,000 sq. ft. of functional event space, you can have up to 10 breakout meeting rooms and the 7,225 sq ft Grand Ballroom accommodates up to 800. Enjoy stylish, top notch service at the gateway where Tampa and St. Petersburg connect.

Name that Hotel this week was Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk and Jaci Lowther guessed correctly!

Enjoy small town comforts in a downtown setting for a first-class meeting experience at the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk hotel.  We’re just 8 miles from Tampa International Airport and convenient to Tampa Bay’s most popular attractions.  We offer 12,000 square feet of meeting and event space, most with windows allowing for natural lighting and gorgeous riverfront views.  Our 277 spacious guestrooms including 16 suites feature the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Beds, complimentary WiFi, and over half include furnished riverfront balconies.  Connect with us today to learn about our special group promotions and learn how the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk can be home to your next program.

Name That Hotel ~ Venue 1 ~ Results June 10

Join our Facebook page ( http://www.facebook.com/A2ZMeetings ) every Monday for a newly featured hotel photo. Every Friday we will announce the first correct respondent along with details on the latest happenings at the featured hotel.
It is quick, fun and may even be educational. If you would like to feature your favorite venue, contact us for details. Do you know our first featured venue?As an independent meeting professional we work with a lot of hotels and hold a treasure chest of awesome venues and priceless relationships. We are not destination or chain biased and work with properties worldwide.

Name that Hotel

As an independent meeting professional we work with a lot of hotels and hold a treasure chest of awesome venues and priceless relationships. We are not destination or chain biased and work with properties worldwide. 

Join our Facebook page ( http://www.facebook.com/A2ZMeetings ) every Monday for a newly featured hotel photo. Every Friday we will announce the first correct respondent along with details on the latest happenings at the featured hotel.


It is quick, fun and may even be educational. If you would like to feature your favorite venue, contact us for details. Do you know our first featured venue?