Vegas Events

New Orleans Tops List of Most Popular July 4 Destinations

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

Another holiday weekend is upon us, which means it's time to find out where everyone will be going. Priceline.com has released a list of the 50 most popular destinations for the 2009 Independence Day weekend, based on a survey of over 30,000 hotel booking requests made by customers.

Here are the top 10:

1. New Orleans, Downtown/Convention Center

2. Las Vegas, Strip Vicinity South

3. Chicago, Millennium Park/Loop/Grant Park Area

4. New York City, Times Square/Theater District

5. Seattle, Downtown/Pike Place

6. San Diego, Coastal Area

7. Chicago, North Michigan Avenue/River North Area

8. New Orleans, French Quarter

9. Washington, DC, White House/Downtown

10. Boston, Copley Square/Theater District

Priceline.com's "Travel Ekspert" Brian Ek had this to say about the results: "The big surprise this year is the emergence of New Orleans' downtown/convention center area as the #1 July 4 destination. This is the first time New Orleans is in the top spot for the holiday and could signal the completion of the city's comeback as a tourist mecca following Hurricane Katrina."

He also noted that many of the top locations are reachable by car for large segments of the population, likely due to the current state of the economy.

Did you find any of these destinations surprising? I'm a little surprised not just that New Orleans is number one, but that it actually has two spots on the top 10. I thought Philadelphia was a pretty popular July 4 destination (at least over here on the East Coast it is), so I figured that would be on the list.

Did your July 4 destination of choice make the list?

Read the full list at Priceline's Travel Blog.

Cvent Will Attend MPI WEC in Salt Lake City on July 11-14!

Thursday, June 25, 2009 by Cvent Staff

Cvent will be attending MPI’s World Education Congress, held Saturday, July 11, through Tuesday, July 14, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. One of the two main conferences MPI hosts, the World Education Congress is held in a different location each year. Last year’s conference in Las Vegas saw over 3,500 attendees and over 450 exhibitors from all over the globe.

This year, the conference is expected to see about 3,500 attendees and over 300 exhibitors. A major focus of the conference is the expo, which features over 300 exhibitors representing a mix of the top destinations and hotels as well as in-demand products and services. Cvent will be at booth 1523A during the expo, which is held on both Sunday and Monday afternoon.

Additionally, on Sunday, July 10, Cvent executives will be hosting a relaxed dinner at nearby Caffe Molise. If you would like to go to the dinner, or to set up a private meeting during this conference, please email Chuck Ghoorah, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at cghoorah@cvent.com. For more information on Cvent, please visit www.cvent.com.

We look forward to seeing you there!

How Well Can You Meet Your Meeting Attendees' Dietary Concerns?

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

I recently blogged about food and beverage specialist Katja Morgenstern's month-long experiment as a vegan, and how she discovered that dining options for vegans at business events are pretty slim. She said that a lack of education about vegan needs among banquet staff seems to be a problem. This made me wonder, how much do meeting planners and suppliers really know about vegetarian and vegan diets?

Take my quick quiz to test your knowledge:

1. True OR False: At the very least, my vegetarian and vegan guests can eat the starchy sides like French fries and rice.

Answer: False. Satisfying vegetarian and vegan requirements mean you need to not just look at the food itself, but its preparation. Some establishments cook fries in the same oil used to prepare meat products. Or, the vegetable oil used to cook French fries contains beef or poultry extract for flavoring. Similarly, rice may often be prepared with chicken or beef broth to add flavor.

2. True OR False: Veggie burgers will satisfy the vegans at the annual company picnic.

Answer: False, sort of. Some veggie burgers use eggs as binders, and vegans don't eat eggs. Make sure to read the labels on veggie burgers, and other pre-packaged foods, before expecting your vegan guests can enjoy the cookout.

3. True OR False: Including a vegan selection in your meal guarantees you'll meet both vegetarian and vegan dietary requirements.

Answer: True. Though the diets mean different things, opting for a vegan dish ensures that vegetarians can eat it, too. This does not, however, always work the other way around.

So, would you have succeeded in putting together an acceptable meal for meeting attendees with these dietary concerns? I think one of the most important things to point out is that simply selecting non-meat items does not mean your event catering is vegetarian- or vegan-friendly. You need to look not just at the food itself, but also the preparation (e.g. avoiding meat broths or flavorings.)

Though Morgenstern found it difficult to get a good meal as a vegan meeting attendee, you can learn from her experience. Work with your caterer—more and more suppliers are becoming familiar with special dietary needs.

Also, as Cvent Meetings & Events blog reader Pam Kelley suggested in a comment on my last post, make sure to include custom questions on your event registration forms to find out if your attendees have special dietary needs.

3 Restaurant Venues Where Famed Foodies Like to Eat

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

Budget Travel recently surveyed the world's best chefs, cookbook authors, food writers, cooking show hosts and specialty food purveyors on their favorite places to eat. They came up with an extensive list of restaurants, from fast food burger chains to pizzerias, street stalls to five-star eateries.

When planning your next cocktail reception or dinner function, treat your attendees to expert-approved cuisine at what are just a few of the restaurant venues that made the list:

The Pit

The authentic North Carolina barbecue, cooked over charcoal and wood, served up at this Raleigh establishment meets the approval of Patrick Ford, V.P. of international marketing for Ford's Gourmet Foods, not to mention that of publications such as The New York Times, Bon Appetit and Gourmet Magazine. Pitmaster Ed Mitchell starts with pigs raised in the state using only organic farm practices, adds in authentic sides such as collard greens, fried okra, and black eyed peas, and pairs it all with handpicked beers, cocktails and spirits.

Private dining space is available at The Pit, which boasts a relaxed ambiance noted by red brick walls and colorful pendant lighting. Full-service catering is also available.

Bon Ton Cafe

The charming atmosphere and soulful cooking of this haute Creole restaurant is enough to keep John Besh, executive chef of August, Luke, Besh Steak, and La Provence, coming back. Housed in the 1840s Natchez building, this New Orleans restaurant encompasses the spirit and liveliness of the Cajun people in its etoufees, Cajun-style bisques, slow-cooked one-pot meals and more.

Bon Ton Cafe is available for private parties Saturday and Sunday. The restaurant can accommodate 100 people.

Candle 79

In New York City's ever-growing foodie scene, it's hard to get noticed. But Candle 79 has managed to grab the attention of Gabrielle Hamilton, chef/owner of Prune in NYC, and the planners of events such as Arianna Huffington's book signing party, Paul McCartney's pre- and post-concert parties, and Rolling Stone & Men's Health Woody Harrelson Celebrity Lunch—all of which were catered by Candle 79. Meat lovers shouldn't be quick to write off its vegan cooking, though, as menu items such as the classic Caesar salad with tempeh bacon and the Tuscan seitan parmesan sandwich are sure to have mouths watering.

Candle 79 provides catering for special events and less formal functions.

Business Events Offer Few Choices for Vegan Attendees

Friday, June 12, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

I'm a pretty picky eater, and, though I'm not a vegetarian, I tend to prefer fewer meat-based dishes and more vegetable-based ones. Still, I don't usually have problems eating out because, not following a strict diet, I can easily find something to eat.

For vegetarians, vegans and others, it's probably much harder, especially when it comes to meetings and events. It's one thing to go to a restaurant and have some options, or to be able to specify to a waiter how you'd like your meal. At catered luncheons and receptions, you don't have that luxury.

Katja Morgenstern, a food and beverage specialist with Meeting Consultants, set to find out exactly how difficult it is. She became a vegan for 30 days only to find that the dining options at business events were pretty slim.

"At one point, [Morgenstern] ended up eating a half cup of plain lettuce after the vegetarian dish the waiter steered her toward proved decidedly unvegan," according to a press release from Meeting Consultants.

Though most caterers and planners are well-versed in the requirements of a vegetarian meal, vegan meals are more difficult. Morgenstern found a lack of education about vegan needs among most banquet staff, for example, when a waiter encouraged her to eat a mushroom-Parmesan ravioli with no sauce (vegans do not eat cheese.)

After her month-long experiment, Morgenstern recommends that meeting planners, as well as event chefs and staff, learn more about the differences among vegetarian, vegan, and macrobiotic diets.

What's your experience in handling special diet requirements of attendees at your meetings? Do you take it upon yourself to understand the ins and outs of each, or do you rely on the banquet staff and chefs?

Las Vegas Casino Files for Bankruptcy

Thursday, June 11, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

More bad news out of Las Vegas: the Fontainebleau Las Vegas has filed for bankruptcy.

The 3,900-room, $2.9 billion casino resort, which was set to open in October, failed to obtain about $800 million in construction funding from lenders. It had been trying to get this pre-arranged funding since it filed a $3 billion lawsuit in April against 11 lenders including Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase Bank.

The lawsuit has been withdrawn in Las Vegas and moved to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of Florida, Miami.

Despite filing for Chapter 11, bankruptcy counsel Scott Baena of Bilzin Sumberg said in a statement, "Fontainebleau Las Vegas will continue to aggressively prosecute claims against these lenders for failing to honor their contractual commitments."

The Fontainebleau Las Vegas was expected to open with 6,000 employees.

Nashville's Music City Center Faces Final Debate

Friday, May 29, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

The construction of Nashville's Music City Center, a new downtown convention center, is becoming more and more of a reality. The Nashville Metro Council has voted 33-3 on a proposal to borrow $75 million to purchase almost 16 acres of land south of Broadway for the center.

If the proposal passes its final vote June 2, the last of the three needed to approve the purchase, the project to build the 1.2-million-square-foot facility will move forward. Construction is scheduled for completion in 2013.

Proponents of the new center say that by growing convention business, Nashville can reap economic benefits for tourism, jobs and downtown development. They also say that Nashville, with the 115th largest convention center in the country, is turning away business that the new convention center will allow it to accept.

Some, however, disagree with such predictions. Though the convention center will be much bigger than its existing facility, it won't be able to compete with those of other destinations such as Chicago (where the center is seven times larger) and Las Vegas (where it is five times larger).

"Nashville is not, nor will it ever be, in the top tier," Heywood Sanders, urban studies professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, told Nashville News.

This, combined with a slowing convention business and still-increasing supply, should be considered before going forward with the center, according to opponents.

These issues and more regarding the Music City Center will be discussed Sunday, May 31, in a debate between project supporter Butch Spyridon, president of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, and opponent Sanders.

Does Obama Now Support Travel to Las Vegas?

Thursday, May 28, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

President Obama made headlines in February when he said, "You can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas or go down to the Super Bowl on the taxpayer’s dime." But as I blogged earlier, just yesterday he made a trip to Sin City and stayed in a 22,000-square-foot suite at Caesars Palace. Does this mean he's changing his tune? Sort of.

The Associated Press reports that, during a speech at Nellis Air Force base, Obama said, "Washington's OK, but it's nice taking some time to talk to Americans of every walk of life outside of the nation's capital. And there's nothing like a quick trip to Vegas in the middle of the week."

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman asked the president to endorse the city during his trip, the AP reported, and was satisfied with this comment.

"He didn't go as far as we wanted," Goodman said. "But no sense kicking a sleeping dog. After today, it's certainly over as far as I'm concerned."

Should Obama made more of an apology for his previous remark, which at the time Goodman said could "have ramifications which affect the industry as well as all of the citizens who live in Southern Nevada"? Maybe. But at this point, I'd agree with Goodman that essentially what's done is done.

Whether or not Obama's original comment impacted Las Vegas events, any retraction or apology at this point wouldn't do much. I'd rather look at it as a positive move that Obama visited Vegas and stayed in Caesars. His actions alone could be sufficient endorsement of a new attitude toward the city.

Caesars Palace is Obama's Las Vegas Venue of Choice

Thursday, May 28, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

President Barack Obama knows how to hit up Las Vegas in style. Yesterday Obama checked into Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, where he attended a fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Harry Reid's re-election campaign and the Nevada Democratic Party. The 22,000-square-foot suite (ironically, not the hotel's presidential suite) featured four bedrooms, six bathrooms, two formal living quarters, a dining room, and a private pool on the patio.

According to E! Online, while at the hotel, Obama enjoyed a steak at the on-site Neros restaurant. He also stopped by the fitness center at Qua Baths & Spa for a morning run.

For planners who want to host an event at Caesars, reportedly Obama's favorite Vegas hotel and a frequent stop on his presidential campaign trial, you're in luck. Its classically designed meeting facilities encompass 300,000 square feet of space. Amenities include a full-service business center, state-of-the-art audio-visual capabilities, and a 24-hour dedicated in-room television channel to keep attendees updated on your event.

Caesars also features a variety of unique venues. The Colosseum, which has hosted acts such as Bette Midler and Jerry Seinfeld; the 4.5-acre Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis; and the open air Roman Plaza are all available for functions.

View more information on Caesars Palace

Top 15 Memorial Day Destinations for 2009

Thursday, May 21, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

Memorial Day is nearly here! If you're among the many with long-weekend travel plans, you may be interested to know how they align with those of the rest of the country. According to priceline.com's 7th annual survey of the 50 most popular Memorial Day holiday destinations, the Las Vegas Strip is number one.

Here are the top 15 destinations:

1. Las Vegas, Strip Vicinity South

2. New York City, Chelsea Area

3. New York City, Times Square/Theater District

4. Boston, Copley Square/Theater District

5. Chicago, Millennium Park, Loop & Grant Park Area

6. Seattle, Downtown/Pike Place

7. Las Vegas, Strip Vicinity North

8. San Francisco, Union Square West/Nob Hill

9. New York City, Empire State Building Area

10. San Diego, Downtown & Harbor Island

11. Chicago, North Michigan Ave./River North Area

12. New York City, Midtown East

13. Austin, Downtown

14. San Diego, Coastal Area

15. San Antonio, Riverwalk

What do you think about the list? At first, I was surprised that Las Vegas was number one, but after thinking about it, it makes sense. I've heard about and seen so many great deals for flights and hotels in Sin City, it would definitely be something I'd look into for a long weekend!

The survey was based on actual booking requests made by priceline.com Name Your Own Price hotel service customers for the May 23-25 weekend. You can read the full list of destinations at Brian Ek's Priceline travel blog.

U.S. Senators Discuss Travel Promotion Act

Tuesday, May 19, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

Last week, U.S. Senators Bryon Dorgan (D-N.D.) and John Ensign (R-Nev.) introduced the so-called "Travel Promotion Act of 2009" to the Senate. The legislation is designed to stimulate the U.S. economy by attracting more overseas visitors to the country.

"The international traveler provides an important boost to businesses and state and local governments nationwide, spending on average some $4,500 per person, each time they enter the U.S.," said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "Taking steps to attract the international traveler will act as an important short- and long-term stimulus for our economy."

The act would establish a public-private partnership to create the first-ever U.S. promotion and communications campaign. The promotion would be paid for by private sector contributions and a $10 fee on foreign travelers from countries that do not pay for visas to enter the United States.

Industry leaders have quickly expressed their support for this legislation. U.S. Travel President and CEO Roger Dow issued a statement in which he said, "Building on more than 40 rallies that took place nationwide during [the May 12] inaugural Travel Rally Day, champions such as Senators Klobuchar and Martinez are helping our country better understand travel's unique ability to stimulate our economy in these tough financial times."

Other professionals, including Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Jay Rasulo, Chairman and CEO of Travelocity/Sabre Sam Gilliland, President and CEO of Carlson Hotels Worldwide Jay Witzel, and President and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Rossi Ralenkotter, gathered at a Senate Commerce Committee panel convened by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn) to share their thoughts on tourism and travel.

"This part of our industry has been the source of undeserved and crippling attacks in recent months," Witzel said, according to Star Tribune. "An environment has been created in America where legitimate business travel is being questioned and canceled. This translates into additional loss of jobs, taxes and travel-related revenues for an industry that is already hard-hit from the general economic recession."

Gilliland said: "Paralyzing confusion abounds in our industry and in corporations about what the Treasury Department considers 'luxury' and 'excessive' expenditures in the area of business travel. Meetings, conventions and incentive travel are proven business tools that allow companies to establish valuable relationships, solicit feedback and reward employees."

A similar legislation passed last year with bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Las Vegas Events Still on the Decline

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

A quick update regarding Las Vegas meetings: things have yet to improve in Sin City. Despite public efforts such as Vegas Means Business, Las Vegas saw 446,588 attendees in March this year, compared to 637,755 last year, reports Tradeshow Week.

The number of conventions and meetings held this March in Las Vegas also dropped 19.6 percent. Last year at this time it saw 2,269 conventions and meetings as compared to 1,824 hosted this year.

It's Cinco de Mayo: How will you celebrate?

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 by Caroline Gordon

Cinco de Mayo or the Fifth of May marks Mexico's defeat of the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. However, it is also a great reason to indulge in a night out on the town accompanied by music, margaritas and mouth-watering Mexican cuisine.

Never ones to miss out on a good party, many restaurants, businesses and hotels thrive on commercialized holidays like Cinco de Mayo seizing the opportunity to entertain and promote their offerings. So what special Cinco de Mayo events are taking place in your area?

Chicago celebrates Cinco de Mayo at the Magnificent Mile Hotel offering guests the opportunity to participate in a grape crushing, to taste traditional Mexican cuisine and sip on white sangria. Tickets to the special event can be purchased for $10 at the door. The event will take place from 4:30 pm to 7pm on May 5th.

Washington, DC joins in the Cinco de Mayo festivities at Alero, one of U Street's newest and most popular Mexican restaurants. Alero is offering several drink specials including $3 house margaritas and Mexican beers. Live Latin music will be available from 6 pm to 11 pm.

Las Vegas celebrates Cinco de Mayo at the MGM Hotel's Diego restaurant. Diego will be offering drink specials such as a Dos Equis with a tequila shot for $10, a bucket of beer for $20 and an assortment of appetizers specials. All offers are available from 2pm until 10 pm.

Atlanta celebrates Cinco de Mayo with the 2nd Annual Virginia Highlands Cinco de Mayo Block Party. The event will feature authentic Mexican food, numerous beer and margarita bars, a smash the pinata contest and even a hot pepper eating contest. Gates will open at 5pm with a $5 cover. Live music begins at 6pm and ends at 11pm.

Los Angeles celebrates Cinco de Mayo at El Puerto Escondido Restaurant. Here, for a $25 donation, you will receive dinner and two drinks. The party will take place from 6pm to midnight. Music and give-a-ways are also part of the evening agenda.

New York City celebrates Cinco de Mayo at Vinters. Watch Chef Snow and Benson compete for the best guacamole and sangria recipes and enjoy refreshing sangria, great company and delicious food. The event will take place from 5pm to 7pm and cost approximately $15 per person.

Regardless of your destination, there are likely some incredible deals to be taken advantage of so put on your green, white and red and go celebrate! Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

MGM Secures Funding to Complete CityCenter Project

Monday, May 4, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

Back in early April, I blogged about how the CityCenter project in Las Vegas was facing an uncertain future. Now, though, it seems the road ahead has been cleared and the project is in fact on its way to completion.

According to The Money Times, Bank of America has released a $1.8 million loan to MGM and partner Dubai World to continue financing the construction. Additionally, Dubai World dropped its lawsuit against MGM, which it originally filed in March citing that MGM breached the joint-venture pact. The partners have come to an agreement under which MGM has agreed to pay out-of-pocket for future cost overruns of CityCenter.

The news probably comes as a relief to some, as CityCenter, a mixed-use gaming, hotel, residential, retail and entertainment destination, is estimated at having over 8,500 current and 10,000 future jobs riding on it. However,
the market in Las Vegas at this time certainly already struggling, so who knows how other properties on the strip feel about its completion.

The CityCenter's ARIA Resort & Casino alone will feature a 300,000-square-foot convention and meeting facility.

4 Tips for Making Your Meetings Thrive in an Economic Downturn

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

First the economy, now the swine flu. The meetings and travel industry has taken some rough hits over the past months. While some of it is warranted (limiting travel to Mexico), some of it was undeserved (eliminating corporate travel to so-called lavish destinations like Las Vegas). Either way, meeting planners are undoubtedly struggling to stay positive these days.

Don't use the hardships as an excuse to sit on the sidelines. In all the research I've seen and all the professional thoughts I've read, it all comes down remaining competitive. It's a proven strategy that has worked throughout history.

During the recession in the early 80s, for example, the Harvard Business Review published an article stating, "Rather than wait for business to return to normal, top executives should cash in on the opportunity that the rival companies are creating for them. The company courageous enough to stay in the fight when everyone else is playing safe can bring about a dramatic change in market position."

What's your plan for staying in the fight? I came across some interesting tips offered by CFR & Associates regarding strategies to break through in this economy. Here are a few I find particularly useful for meeting planners:

• Be passionate and excited about your business. Like Brian McGovern blogged last week, your clients and attendees expect enthusiasm. They want to be inspired to attend a meeting. A negative attitude certainly does not make for an exciting event.

• Invest in your people/employees. This really speaks to organizations holding internal events. There has been so much negative press on recognition/incentive events that planners are scared to hold them, regardless of any budget concerns. That's no way to foster a company culture that can pull through tough times.

Remember Texas Roadhouse? They hosted a big recognition event in San Francisco for all their employees in early April. They know that an investment in your people yields great returns.

• Be laser-focused on what you spend money on. If you aren't tracking your budget and implementing a meetings policy to manage your events efficiently, it's no wonder you are hesitant about your future success. If you don't know your meetings spend, you can't identify areas for cost savings, nor can you prove the ROI of your meetings to executives, stakeholders, and yourself.

• Be other-focused. When all is said and done, you can't have a meeting without attendees. It's easy to get caught up in hotel negotiations, venue sourcing, and food and beverage selection, but don't forget this critical element!

Just like you, attendees are struggling. Make it easy for them to justify registering for your event. You can do this by listening to them and providing session content and networking opportunities of value. Work with
their needs by offering volume discounts or session-only registration options.

What are your best tips for not just making it through, but actually succeeding, in today's market?

More Meeting Planners Finding Affordability in Smaller Cities

Thursday, April 16, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

USA TODAY recently published an interesting article about meeting planners turning to second-tier cities as meeting destinations. Thanks to lower costs and less negative perception, these secondary destinations make sense for planners facing budget cuts and public scrutiny.

Executive Director of the American Choral Directors Association Mark Sharp, for example, choose the Marriott Renaissance in Oklahoma City for the group's biennial convention. He also rented the city's main concert hall, and found the convention overall was 30 percent to 40 percent less expensive than its last one in Miami.

"Oklahoma City saved me from being in the red," Sharp told USA TODAY. "This part of the country is cheaper."

Not surprisingly, mid-tier meeting destinations have jumped on this trend by marketing their locations as such. Ads for the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau promote the city as an "accessible, affordable alternative," according to Christopher Baum, marketing and sales vice president. Visit Milwaukee dedicates an entire page of its planners' website on why it offers "Big City Bang for Small-Town Price."

At the same time, many big cities have venues offering deep discounts in an attempt to prevent losing groups to smaller destinations. Mark Pond, president of Computerized Airline Sales and Marketing Association, told USA TODAY that he choose Las Vegas for the great discounts at the Monte Carlo.

Have you been looking at more second-tier locations for their inherent affordability? Or would you rather stick to big cities and take advantage of the great hotel deals and promotions going on?

Something I found interesting about this article was actually a comment on it. One reader remarked that you need to factor in other costs like travel expenses. Often times it's harder to find affordable, convenient air travel options to smaller cities. Obviously you have to look at the big picture when planning an event.

Check out the whole USA TODAY article, and don't forget, you can read more about the meeting options for all these cities at the Cvent Destination Guide.

5 Steps to Securing the Best Caterer for the Job

Tuesday, April 14, 2009 by Caroline Gordon

Regardless of the size and type of events your company hosts, you will inevitably find yourself in need of a caterer. With thousands of companies to choose from and often limited knowledge of food, this can be a tremendous task.

What steps can you take to ensure that you select a caterer that meets your event requirements and budget?

1. Determine the purpose of your event. After all, the company’s weekly sales meeting, executive board retreat, customer appreciation event and C-level prospect dinner have very different goals and require distinctive types of food and beverage.   Escargot and fine wine may go well with your prospective client cocktail reception, but they would seem like an odd choice for the company’s family picnic.

2. Understand your audience. Today, many people have religious or personal beliefs that dictate their dietary requirements. Hosting an audience of Orthodox Jews, Muslims, vegetarians or vegans calls for very different types of food and even unique food preparation. It is also important to pay close attention to the calendar as many groups have different dietary requirements on different days of the year. For example, you would not want to serve meat to a group of Catholics on Friday during Lent.   There is nothing worse than realizing half of your event attendees are not eating because you failed to do your research.

3. Clearly define your budget and stick to your guns. Regardless of your event location, you should be able to find a caterer who can offer a wide range of options without breaking the bank. The best way to get the biggest bang for your buck is to provide the caterer with a detailed description of your event including its purpose, your budget, your audience and any must haves.   After outlining your expectations, leave the rest of the work up to the caterer.

Request proposals from several caterers and see which company is offering you the best quality and most creative food selection for your budget. Don’t hesitate to openly compare one proposal to another, but out of courtesy you should not disclose the name of the competition. Most astute caterers should have a good idea as to who their competition is. Try to make one proposal work for the other in order to negotiate upgrades such as an additional appetizer, dessert or signature drink selection without increasing your price. Make the caterer earn your business.

4. Find a caterer who specializes in providing the services you need. If you are hosting an around the world event and need to represent cuisines from ten countries, do not select a caterer that has traditionally only focused on Asian Foods. Caterers work with the same food suppliers on a regular basis and adding new items to their standard order to meet your menu requirements can increase their cost and simultaneously increase your price per person.

Instead, consider selecting a full-service caterer like Main Event Caterers who can prepare food for a wide range of occasions from backyard BBQs to wedding celebrations or formal seated dinners.   Conversely, if you are hosting a themed event, look for a caterer to fill your niche. For example, for a wine and cheese party, you may want to select a beverage caterer like Ace Beverage as you will likely get a better selection of wines at a lower price point.

5. Never underestimate the importance of a tasting. Regardless of how well the food has been described in your proposal, the real test is how the food is presented and more importantly how it tastes in person.    Before confirming a caterer for your event, select your top two choices and schedule a tasting. Tastings eliminate surprises and can even be very educational. If you were oblivious to what spanakopita was when you saw it on your proposal, you will soon learn that this fancy term actually just refers to a phyllo pastry filled with spinach and feta cheese.

Do not be afraid to ask for alternate options if you are not pleased with your selection or part of the food presentation. Caterers are used to this sort of request and can probably provide you with a plethora of additional choices. The more honest you are during the tasting, the more likely you will be able to confidently select your menu and caterer in the end.

Selecting the right caterer can powerfully impact the success of an event. Do not haphazardly approach this job. Think through your event requirements, stick to your budget and follow-through on the process. Remember, the ultimate goal is a happy and satisfied attendee!

Visit catering.cvent.com to search for and compare over 4,000 catering companies.

Hawaii Meetings See 132 Cancellations This Year and Next

Thursday, April 9, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

You already know that Las Vegas saw 340 group cancellations during the first 90 days of 2009. Now Hawaii has reported 132 cancellations of meetings and incentives trips in the state so far this year and next, which equates to a loss of 87,003 room nights. This fact prompted Hawaii officials to write a letter to President Barack Obama, detailing the impact of the economy on the state's tourism activity.

According to the letter, conventions, meetings and incentive rewards (CMI) account for 442,000 visitors, which is seven percent of its total visitor arrivals. Its meeting cancellations have cost a loss in direct revenue of around $58.8 million, or an economic impact of $97.6 million in total lost output and 694 full- and part-time jobs.

Hawaii officials ask Obama to oppose any legislation that restrict companies' abilities to use CMI travel legitimately.

"There has been great concern about the adverse effects caused by the well-intentioned efforts to address the problem of corporate excess and business travel for the companies who have received emergency finding from the government. It has caused a further downturn in CMI travel, especially for Hawai’i," the letter states. "In this period of economic downturn when our government and businesses are striving to restore economic stability, the last thing we should do is implement policies or encourage behavior that jeopardizes any industry, especially one that has such a far reaching
impact on communities all across America."

You can read the entire letter at Hawaii.gov.

New Legislation to Allow for Performance Based Incentives

Wednesday, April 8, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

The Pay for Performance Act of 2009 passed in the U.S. House of Representatives last Wednesday. Though the bill was sparked greatly by the backlash against the March 15 payment by AIG of $165 million in employee retention bonuses, it does have implications for the meetings and travel industry as well.

The bill gives U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner the power to "prohibit unreasonable and excessive compensation and compensation not based on performance standards." The Treasury Department would be able to provide guidance on what defines "unreasonable and excessive" for companies that have received money from its $700 billion rescue fund.

Why is this news to the meetings industry? Because of Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., specific clarification that the legislation deals with compensation, not travel, and in fact assures that any incentive that is performance based is allowed.

Rep. Shelly Berkley, D-Nev., requested a clarification from Rep. Barney on the legislation, saying, "During the past few months, legitimate business travel for meetings, events and incentive programs has dramatically decreased across the country, particularly in my district of Las Vegas. The decline is due in part to the state of our economy but also to the perception that Washington is seeking to limit these legitimate business practices...I would like to clarify with the chairman that nothing in this bill or the amendments to be offered today would discourage or limit the use of meetings, events or incentive travel organized by a company that serve legitimate business purposes."

To this, Rep. Barney replied, "Yes, this bill deals with only with compensation, not with travel. Any incentive that is performance based would be fully allowed. In general, if you sold a certain number of things, you'd win a trip, that would be allowed. Specifically, it does not deal with travel for the business, and it would allow performance based incentives for this or any other purpose."

It's no surprise that such comments have led to some organizations to champion the legislation, such as the U.S. Travel Association. It detailed the legislation under the headline "Major Win: Washington Changing Tune Toward Business Travel."

You can view the clip of Rep. Berkley's and Rep. Barney's exchange at the U.S. Travel Association.

Hotel Rates in North America Drop by Up to 34 Percent

Friday, April 3, 2009 by Sarah Larkins

North American hotel rates have dropped this year in destinations across the country, according to the Hotwire Hotel Rate Report. Published by Hotwire.com, the report compares hotel rates throughout the United States and Canada to determine year-over-year decline.

In the top 10 markets, some hotel rates have dropped by over 25 percent. Here's the full list:

1. Las Vegas (dropped 34 percent)
2. Phoenix (dropped 28 percent)
3. New York (dropped 28 percent)
4. Montreal (dropped 28 percent)
5. Orlando (dropped 28 percent)
6. Miami/Fort Lauderdale (dropped 27 percent)
7. Oahu (dropped 26 percent)
8. Vancouver (dropped 23 percent)
9. Toronto (dropped 23 percent)
10. San Francisco (dropped 18 percent)

The report also gives examples of a current price per night in each market. For example, you can find stay at a four-star hotel in Las Vegas for $82! Does anyone else feel like jumping on a plane right now?

Read the full report at Hotwire.com.