Smart meeting motivational experience sets a positive example

Smart Meetings makes history by bringing together top meeting professionals at an iconic location that just underwent a nearly $200 million renovation to experience the best motivational practices used today. The Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, a Platinum Choice Award-winning hotel, is ending the year on a festive note with its smart meeting rewards experience, bringing with it new and renewed connections and a wealth of insights that will Making 2025 the best event season yet.

By taking care of guests’ needs at this iconic four-diamond hotel, attendees can focus on building new relationships and open their minds to fun exercises like competitive tree pruning—yes, that’s a thing now, This is thanks to the generosity of Wondry’s Mobile Floral Artists, Terramar DMC and Michaels Stores.

From cabins to villas, all 703 rooms have been renovated. The new Tierra Luna Spa, outdoor Spire Bar, water park and 200,000 square feet of historic and contemporary conference center space provide attendees and their guests with activities during the conference.

Read more: Meet the 2024 Platinum Choice Award Winners

purposeful meeting

how Do Do you transform events from a shared space to a shared purpose? Author, TEDx programmer, adventurer, speaker, and proud father Joshua M. Evans recommends focusing on perception. “We should not be swayed by our preconceptions but need to be open to the realities of others,” he advises. When Evans’ son was diagnosed with autism, he learned that the way neurodivergent people see things differently than you do is a gift.

He later recommended managing the impact that each day has on us in order to see situations more clearly and positively. This might mean limiting the news, social media, and conflicts with your spouse first thing in the morning. “We are bombarded with 10,000 messages every day. If you don’t manage your influence, your influence will manage you,” he said.

learn more: From Networking to Lasting Bonds—Practical Tips for Building Real Relationships

Likewise, he recommends recognizing how you influence others. A smile in the hallway can make or break someone’s day. Think about what you want your legacy to be.

When we focus on what our work means to others, rather than what our job is on any given day, we create an emotional connection that sets the stage for a deeper sense of fulfillment. Isn’t that what we all, our teams, and our attendees want?

Despite our best efforts, we still lose control from time to time. Evans, a former rafting guide, had a message for the leaders in attendance. “It’s OK to lose your racket sometimes. You can always restore it downstream later.”

Incentive travel confusion explained

Annette Gregg, CMM, MBA, global CEO of the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), shares insights from the society’s recent Incentive Travel Index report on how meeting professionals can inspire employees at companies of all sizes.

“Despite the chaos, businesses are thriving and events are returning. That means decisions may be made later,” she said. It helps that these companies often have larger budgets to cover rising costs and a desire to go places they’ve never been before.

learn more: Annette Gregg shares trend insights in this knowledge exchange webinar

The biggest trend is towards a hands-off approach as free time is top of the list of attendees’ requests, which helps manage event budgets and provides destinations and venues with the opportunity to showcase their facilities. Also at the top of the list of preferred activities are: spending time with your spouse, cultural immersions, and gift-giving.

make it special

Parting words were delivered by Kate Patay, VP of Global Engagement at Terramar DMC, who gave a fun, fast-paced talk where she shared tips on how to make incentives more motivating.

Read more: Luxury experiences redefine what’s possible in Newport, Rhode Island

#1 Pay Attention to Details: Branding, from graphic lights and decorations to notebooks and gifts, is a subtle way to reinforce a sense of community.

#2 Personalization: Leave monogrammed sticky notes and favorite snacks collected from check-in materials in their room.

#3 Manage expectations: Send a pre-trip message that shows the dress code in your photos, where to get the latest weather information, and reminders about bringing everything from sunscreen to your passport.