Prevue May/June 2016 - (Page 80)

New York State Destinations outside of the Big Apple provide their own sense of luxury for groups BY JESSIE FETTERLING M ansions and castles, historic landmarks and pristine natural backdrops facilitate luxe meeting experiences in Long Island, Westchester County, Albany and Lake Placid. and stables or a winemaking class with Winemaker Roman Roth. Groups can also opt for a 12-mile bicycle tour with Long Island Bicycle Tours that includes tastings at three wineries while visiting local farm stands and quaint spots such as Peconic Bay & Robins Island along the way. LONG ISLAND The Nassau-Suffolk County area of Long Island is budget-friendly and luxurious. After all, its Gold Coast region is the setting for F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" where New York elite still retreat to mansions, castles and gardens perched atop bluffs along the coast. Same goes for The Hamptons on the island's South Shore. Groups will find high-society treatment at Oheka Castle, designed in 1919 to look like a French chateau along the Gold Coast. The property is so opulent that Taylor Swift recently featured it in her "Blank Space" music video. With 32 rooms and suites, attendees often explore the manicured Formal Gardens or play a round at the nearby members-only golf course. Glen Cove Mansion offers a similar experience on 55 acres of the former Pratt Estate. The circa-1910 mansion features 187 guest rooms and suites, private dining rooms for corporate events and reception areas overlooking its Gilded Age gardens. Further east, more than two-dozen New York wineries also await groups with tastings, wine country tours and cultural events just north of the Hamptons. Wolffer Estate Vineyard is ideal for up to 175 attendees, with options for walking tours of the vineyard 74 | prevuemeetings.com WESTCHESTER COUNTY North of Manhattan sits Westchester County, another alternative for Manhattanites and visitors looking to escape the urban sprawl in search of an adventure. A go-to spot for groups is the Grand Prix New York in Mount Kisco, where attendees can test their driving skills on the two, quarter-mile, European-style outdoor racetracks. The on-site event specialist can help coordinate racing formats for groups of up to 500. Additionally, the facility features open-wheel racing and bowling and event space with audiovisual equipment. Equally interactive is a climbing experience at The Cliffs climbing gym in Valhalla, which will host corporate groups of at least 10 participants. Whether attendees are experienced climbers or climbing newbies, the experience presents challenges that encourage cooperation, communication and trust as they work together. ALBANY Founded in 1609, Albany has been hosting important meetings for 400 years as the oldest continuously settled city in the US, says Michele Vennard, president and CEO of the Albany County Convention & http://www.prevuemeetings.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue May/June 2016

Planner’s Pick: Milwaukee
Fresh Meets: Marriott’s Big Plans for 2016
Bureau Buzz: Quebec City Business Destination
Good Business: Carbon Conscience
Sea Shores: New Luxury Cruise Options Debut
The New VIP
LUXE IN VEGAS [ON LOCATION
EUROPE LIKE A LOCAL
EPIC MOUNTAIN MEETINGS
FLORIDA LUXURY
On Location: Miami Beach Visionary Summit
On Location: South Africa
THE ART OF GIFTING
On Location: Branson
NY STATE
On Location: Alberta
On Location: Atlantis Paradise Island
Checkout: Hilton West Palm Beach

Prevue May/June 2016