Often, the best ideas come when we take a step (far) away from our usual surroundings. However, while the idea of jetting across the globe for meetings sounds inspiring, it can be a logistical challenge for meeting planners. What if meeting locations could offer the best of both – international flair and a short travel time. Here are four properties that do both:
A sprawling mountaintop retreat overlooking Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay, Chaminade Resort & Spa and its surroundings offer visitors a touch of Italian flair on the West Coast. Thanks to the colorful, quaint houses that line the resort’s neighboring town of Capitola, the area is sometimes compared to Burano, Italy, close to Venice, which is known for its vibrant, colorful buildings that decorate the streets. After a morning of meetings, guests of Chaminade Resort can explore Capitola, enjoying great food, sea views or ice cream, and be transported to the Italian town. Meeting attendees can finish the day with some downtime at the resort’s 1,700-square-foot nature-inspired spa.
A truly authentic Hawaiian island getaway with a landscape residents of Portugal’s Azores could mistake as their own, Hawaii’s Turtle Bay Resort is a unique and breathtaking experience, worlds apart from the day-to-day office backdrop. For West Coast-based groups seeking a European adventure without the haul of a transatlantic flight, Hawaii’s Turtle Bay offers the same experience in terms of beautiful beaches, incredible backdrops, and brilliant surf. For guests of the resort, taking advantage of the natural scenery is strongly encouraged. From surf school to scavenger hunts and stand-up paddleboard yoga, Turtle Bay embraces the outdoors and provides guests with ample opportunity to disconnect (even if it is after a long day of meetings).
Just a short two-and-a-half-hour flight for many East Coast residents, with multiple airports offering direct service, Cambridge Beaches in Bermuda is a cherished destination for oceanfront meetings and getaways. Situated on a narrow and private peninsula surrounded by glittering ocean and bay waters; the resort perfectly combines escapism and productivity enhancement. With multiple meeting rooms and an abundance of group activities including water sports, golf, mixology and cooking courses, teams will feel inspired and refreshed in a destination that feels like it could be any of a number of luxurious islands worldwide.
In today’s remote world, it can often be challenging to find a time (and place) to unplug and foster meaningful connections within your company. For those looking to escape the everyday and inspire innovation, collaboration and relaxation, consider a lakeside location for your next company meeting.
For meeting planners, finding new, unique and inspiring destinations for an upcoming event can prove difficult. Here are three Benchmark Resorts & Hotels' destinations dotted around the country, which offer unique experiences for meeting guests.
If your team’s connection relies on your internet connection, it’s probably time to think about making your workplace culture a little more personal. So, move morning coffee from your home office to one of Benchmark Resorts & Hotels’ boutique properties. We’ll bring the to-go cups.
Taking a step away from traditional office spaces and heading to new places can help teams refocus on business objectives, offering a fresh, relaxed environment, free of workplace distractions.
Happy employees are more likely to have a positive attitude when it comes to their work, increasing productivity and the overall culture of a company.
Whether it’s a large corporate gathering or a small group of meeting goers, Benchmark Resorts & Hotels has several excellent locations to host impactful and productive meetings:
Over the past decade or so, sustainability has been at the forefront of workplace initiatives. But that shouldn’t just be a focus in the workplace itself – businesses should strive to ensure that they are engaging in sustainability practices even when traveling for conventions, corporate retreats and meetings alike.
Whether it’s an intimate conference or gathering for a small business or a chance to reward an individual team in a large corporation, Benchmark Resorts & Hotels has some excellent locations to host impactful meetings, executive retreats and events to meet the needs of smaller groups:
For meeting planners, technology can be a friend or foe. And, in this new hybrid environment with both virtual and in-person attendees to consider, meeting organizers must rely on conferencing technology – to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all attendees.
With many companies making the switch to fully remote or hybrid work, there’s added pressure on offsite meetings to make up for lost facetime and build team bonds that can benefit business.
While company retreats have long been a staple of the business world, they often take place in a busy and overstimulated location like a major city for reasons including accessibility and proximity to a large airport. Planning a retreat in a remote location not only boosts your attendees’ comfort level as they ease back into in-person meetings, but time spent in a remote setting surrounded by nature is proven to improve brain health and stimulate creative thinking as well.
Breeze cooling your skin. Sun warming your view. Arms spread wide, floating down through the mountains. Can you picture it? A paragliding escapade through the Grand Tetons is just one of many teambuilding opportunities offered at Benchmark Resorts & Hotels properties around the country, designed to heighten your senses in a way that embraces creativity.
As meeting-goers begin to convene again in person, wellness should be top of mind. Meeting planners and attendees are increasingly aware of the benefits of therapeutic services and how they play a role in the success of any meeting, conference or program.
