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.
It’s important for all guests of a conference to feel heard – a difficult task with a room full of people and attendees tuning in virtually also. Venues must have the technical capabilities in place to support and deliver user-friendly experiences to all attendees. The top tech requirements to run a smooth event include strong audio quality and sound proofing rooms, high-spec video cameras and flexible computer systems.
Here are four meeting destinations where meeting organizers will find state-of-the-art technology amongst some other impressive amenities.
La Cantera Resort & Spa (San Antonio, TX)
The 2017 Smart Meetings Winner for Best Golf Resorts, La Cantera Resort & Spa offers a wide variety of meeting and event services across its 115,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space.
In terms of technology, the resort offers the latest in conference audio and visual technology as well as an onsite audio-visual professional to assist with any tech needs, a personal meeting concierge and a business center with computers, printers and a full-service UPS store.
Some other perks of the resort include its two magnificent golf courses, a driving range, practice area and golf school with lessons from PGA teaching professionals.
Located on the Texas A&M University Campus, 35,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space can transform to facilitate anything from a casual brainstorm to a formal celebration.
The conference facilities are IACC (International Association of Conference Centers) approved so guests can expect top-of-the-line technology and ergonomic furniture in all event spaces.
Spacious rooms and modern furnishings are rivalled only by the built-in audio visual technology and on-site A/V support team so organizers are equipped with both the technology and the service to ensure presentations, speeches, and anything in between go off without a hitch.
And, with a rooftop pool overlooking the legendary Kyle Field, the venue offers the perfect retreat to beat the Texas heat whilst unwinding and mingling post-meetings.
Located in the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, this beautifully restored Tudor-style hotel offers 63,000 square feet of versatile event space. The hotel is a certified IACC member and offers an in-house technology consultant to help organizers design and plan every element of their conference technology.
Utilizing broadcast quality digital video equipment and high-end audio and lighting, conference rooms bring an added level of professionalism to meetings of all sizes. Additionally, the hotel has made a near half million dollars in investments for renovations, infrastructure and equipment to create an inspiring meetings environment that can safely achieve maximum potential in both a live and virtual setting.
For some post conference events, the hotel is centrally located for unique activities such as hiking, biking and kayaking with Roanoke Adventures and cultural exploring at the Taubman Museum of Art and the 188-years-old historic Roanoke Farmers Market.
Housed in a striking new building on The University of Chicago campus, The David Rubenstein Forum is designed to host scholars, researchers, and dignitaries – plus meeting groups – from around the world.
The Forum has significantly invested in advanced technology, delivering seamless concierge-level service, and providing the expertise needed to execute flawless hybrid meetings. In addition, rooms feature projectors on motorized lifts, video playback, audio and video capture and simultaneous interpretation equipment.
The center’s iconic design includes a two-story podium and 10-story tower divided into “neighborhoods,” each with a distinctive identity. The views from higher floors are unmatched in the city, offering visitors unique perspectives of campus, the Chicago skyline, the Midway Plaisance and Lake Michigan.
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:
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.
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:
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.
