Successful Meetings - March 2008 - (Page 36)

Family Programs > A Family Affair Story time in the lobby of the Great Wolf Lodge The Nickelodeon Resort by Marriott will debut in 2010 The level of involvement by families will vary by group, but the results, say planners and hoteliers alike, are generally quite beneficial to both attendees and the host organization. FIRST THINGS FIRST Destination selection is far and away the most important decision planners will make when organizing a family-friendly meeting. “The right place will give families the chance to do The Family Plan Leora Halpern Lanz, director of marketing for hospitality consulting firm HVS International, suggests that planners ask for these items to make the family experience easier and more enjoyable: A number of guaranteed adjoining guest rooms. Properties may charge an extra per-room fee for this, but the value to families is significant. Free or discounted in-room video games, which are hot commodities among preteens and teens. On-property food and beverage Leona Halpern Lanz credits for families spending a certain amount on guest rooms or other items. Healthy food options for kids at joint meals, not just chicken fingers and french fries. Complimentary parking for at least one night, or discounted parking throughout the stay. Some spa services geared toward children, including manicures and pedicures for little girls; stretching and very basic massage for little boys; and somewhat fuller massages for “tweens” and teens. Free transportation via regularly scheduled courtesy vans to local attractions. things on their own, making minimal work for the planner,” says Fred Shea, vice president of sales for Chicago-based Hyatt Hotels Corp. “That’s why resort- and attraction-heavy places are popular for such meetings. You should also consider whether a destination has less-expensive airfare and a good volume of direct flights from many other cities.” When that resort has its own attractions it’s all the better. Kang, whose properties feature water parks, says that a mere scheduling shift may be all a planner needs to do to satisfy attendees and their families. “We see a lot of meetings start right at 7 A.M. so that they finish by 3 P.M., and then people can join their families at the water park for a few hours before dinner. Even those attendees with no family on site enjoy a few hours to themselves, too.” At the resorts in Anaheim and Orlando, an early start to meetings allows attendees to take advantage of discounted afternoon admission offered to resort guests for the massive theme parks next door. “We tell meeting planners that if they set the agenda right, attendees won’t be in the meeting thinking, ‘Wow, I really want to be out with the family having fun,’ ” says Kathy Cattoor, director of group sales for Universal Orlando Resorts. “Attendees can focus on work because they know the personal time will be there later.” One alternative Cattoor has seen is the scheduling of early-morning events such as fun runs, where family members are welcome to join attendees. Lastly, one simple way to create more free time is to eliminate one reception from the agenda. “It not only saves you money, but it creates goodwill among attendees with families,” says Hyatt’s Shea. MEAL APPEAL If you don’t want to eliminate a reception or dinner in lieu of free time, one possibility is to include family members in these events. In fact, it could help colleagues forge stronger bonds if they meet each other’s families, and family members also get a better appreciation of an attendee’s work life. But Roselle mimegasite.com MARCH 2008 SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS 36 http://mimegasite.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Successful Meetings - March 2008

Successful Meetings - March 2008 Contents Editor's Note Suppliers On the Record Research Associations Planner's Spotlight Management Matters Mouth for Sale Meetings Law Pre-Event Pre-Event Tools of the Trade On Site Quick Tip Critical Conditions A Family Affair Conference Centers We Love CSM of the Year Places & Spaces Luxury Las Vegas New York CIty Houston New Orleans Quebec Bahamas Oahu & Big Island Florida Keys Gurus

Successful Meetings - March 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.