etings adapt as the line between work and play continues to blur. Attendees in person want more time to have fun with colleagues they only know from the top down at the beginning or end of the trips.
Hybrid meetings have also developed in a world where the term “pivot” gained new meaning two years ago. Because preferences and meeting sizes vary widely, venues invest in flexible spaces and cutting-edge technology. The key is to host attendees in a stylish manner while they connect with colleagues who work remotely.
Benefit of the destination:
According to Nereida Amador, director of sales and marketing, places like the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve in Puerto Rico have benefited from the ability to move inside and out for work and fun.
In addition, the property’s main ballroom, which can accommodate up to 800 guests, now has a video mapping wall that helps participants from far away connect and provides an immersive audiovisual experience. Amador asserts that simply bringing together online and in-person attendees is the ultimate game-changer.
She stated, “The range of things to do for team-building on and off-site, the direct flights, and the ease of getting here without a passport mean I’m competing with markets I’ve never done before — and I’m winning them.”
Flexible configurations for ballrooms:
Harrah’s Atlantic City’s two largest ballrooms can now be set up in a variety of ways thanks to virtual innovation and modular walls. With groups booking later and attendance numbers shifting until the very last minute, flexibility is becoming increasingly important.
Modern Work Environments:
According to Blair McSheffrey, vice president of global and hotel sales for Sonesta International Hotels Corporation, the skyrocketing volume of flight cancellations, delays, and illness frequently forces prospective attendees to cancel. The company is introducing the Work Suite concept, a new concept for meeting spaces, as a response to these issues with travel. The concept combines hotel amenities with conventional office and coworking space. It can accommodate groups of up to fifty people, allowing them to work and socialize in a variety of configurations with high-resolution screens, fully integrated audio, and cameras. There is a “work zone” with a desk with the head down, and lounge furniture encourages teamwork. Through a partnership with Redstone Agency, Sonesta provides a Hybrid Concierge service for more complex hybrid AV concepts.
Spaces that are fun and cozy:
According to sales leaders at the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel, a number of factors, including budget, contribute to smaller group sizes. Due to the rising cost of plane tickets, for instance, numerous businesses are attempting to cut back on travel expenses. Dana Williams, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing, said that smaller groups make it easier to invest in more equipment.
The property has implemented a new, approximately $1,000 Meeting Owl system as one solution. In Kimpton’s historic Art Deco building, the arrangement works well for smaller groups despite the fact that it wouldn’t work in a space designed for hundreds. Smaller groups can also reserve Williams’s “adult playland” for private buyouts, where they can shoot hoops, play ping-pong, foosball, or even go down a water slide with a twist.
Ana Carolina Villar, a certified meeting planner, stated, “Those are some of the most sought-after locations by her clients.” The founder of Conative TIME, based in Massachusetts, stated, “Attendees help have a sense of place in spaces and venues that are fun and unique.” Many businesses choose prime locations that don’t need much decoration and have a story and character.”
Meeting Professionals International’s director of marketing, Cory Elford, also notes a recent uptick in requests for natural light and greenery, which further blurs the lines between indoors and outdoors and where people work and play.
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Rooms for broadcasting:
For simultaneous broadcasting, the Broadcast Lounge has flat-screen displays.
When it comes to hybrid working, all indications in the meetings industry point to a blurring of the line between downtime and uptime. Venues are utilizing technology to enhance their space offerings and take advantage of their distinctive locations in novel ways.
Zoom Introduces New Tools for Corporate Events:
In the past, Zoom was the lifeline for many businesses whose workers were unable or unwilling to meet in person. In an effort to grow its user base and conquer new markets, the company recently announced a slew of new features and partnerships.
Zoom has collaborated with AMC Theatres to turn some venues into Zoom Rooms, combining the familiar virtual experience of a Zoom call with a large screen, comfortable seating, and excellent acoustics in one intriguing new application. In 2023, the companies plan to open Zoom Rooms at AMC locations in up to 17 major U.S. markets.
Additionally revealed at Zoomtopia 2022:
Areas:
a co-working space that is integrated into the Zoom platform and is video-enabled, rather than being ad hoc. Its purpose is to provide remote and hybrid teams with the day-to-day fluid interactions of in-person work. The Spot is open to visitors at any time.
One Zoom:
Team Chat and In-Meeting Chat are now integrated into a brand-new product that combines Team Chat, Phone, Whiteboard, and Meetings. Users can switch between Team Chat and Meetings during and after Zoom calls thanks to its always-on functionality.
Coach via IQ:
Simulates a variety of selling scenarios as part of Zoom IQ for Sales soon. During calls with prospects, it is a virtual role-playing exercise that allows a salesperson to refine pitches, receive feedback, and receive real-time content tips.
