Prevue July/August 2013 - (Page 36)

W When it comes to spurring the imagination about exotic destinations close to home, the Caribbean, Bermuda and The Bahamas deliver on those dreams. We spoke with DMOs, DMCs, hotels and resorts to learn about what they’re doing to attract meetings, incentive travel programs and conferences. PUERTO RICO “Every time I set foot in Old San Juan I’m amazed to be on ancient cobblestone streets, passing historic fortresses and dining in 16th century buildings,” says Neil Mullanaphy, senior vp of the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau. “Yet instead of feeling like a museum, it’s a vibrant downtown destination that brings travelers and locals for work, play and mingling.” This combo of fun with the grandeur of a UNESCO World Heritage site works beautifully for planners with finicky groups. The history is fascinating, the architecture gorgeous, the shopping exquisite and the nightlife dazzling. Melissa Pueyo, senior sales manager with Travel Services, Inc., touts her new photographic treasure hunts. “Recently we sent a group of 100 in teams all over our walled city,” she says. “We gave clues with assignments like how to prepare Puerto Rican coffee, or make pina coladas at the bar where they were invented.” Groups interacted with locals, learned about Puerto Rico, and took dozens of hilarious photos. Afterwards, everyone Previous: U.S. Virgin Islands Right: Tucker’s Point, Bermuda Below: Antiguo Casino, Puerto Rico gathered in San Juan’s “SoFo” district for a dine-around. “There are over 50 excellent restaurants in a 3-block span,” says Pueyo. For events, try Antiguo Casino, a Beaux-Arts beauty in front of Plaza Colón and Teatro Tapia with gardens, balconies, marble floors, a majestic staircase and a staggering 12-foot chandelier. Functions can sprawl in the elegant 9,000-sf main room or in the two 1,500-sf side rooms. Galeria San Juan is an art-filled 18th century residence high on the ancient north wall. The magical 22,000-sf space contains 12 patios full of flowers and ornate fountains. “What makes it so special is that it’s currently the home of artist Jan D’Esopo, filled with her artwork, her sculptures and silkscreens,” explains Pueyo. “Jan hosts a “Tour de Forks” for groups up to 100 people, which is basically a wandering buffet of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. We start in the piano room for crudites, then to the cigar terrace for cocktails and we keep going, with music in many of the rooms and a jazz trio in the courtyard. It’s really enchanting.” U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS At Premier Destination Services in St. Thomas, CEO Thomas Hoffman champions the island for groups celebrating excellence and encouraging more of it. He likes to integrate local history and culture into his events, like old manor houses, botanical gardens, pirate hideouts and mocko jumbies, which are colorful stilt dancers deriving from traditional West African “We booked Blackbeard’s Castle, which I call the ‘Williamsbug of the Caribbean.’” 35-50_CARIBBEAN.indd 36 7/3/13 11:47 AM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue July/August 2013

Planner's Pick: New Zealand
Fresh Meets: Autograph Collection
Bureau Buzz: Monterey County
Good Business: South Africa
sea Shores: Small Ship cruising
The Local Kitchen
Special Section: Caribbean
Dominican Republic
On Location: Hilton/LXR, Puerto Rico
On Location: The Broadmoor
The South, Florida & Las Vegas
Singapore
On Location: Starwood Resorts, San Diego
On Location: Travaasa Austin
On Location: Moon Palace Cancun
On Location: IRF Cancun
Check Out: Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana

Prevue July/August 2013