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Planner's Perspective

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Larry Vinson
Executive Director
Montgomery, Ala., office of the Solid Waste Association of North America


Describe your event.

We held a tri-state regional meeting at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi this April. We had approximately 400 attendees and 50 exhibitors. We’ve also held events in the past at the Grand Casino Biloxi and the Imperial Palace Biloxi.

Why did you decide to host the meeting in the Gulf Coast?
That venue draws well.

What did your attendees seem to enjoy the most?
They enjoyed a really good show at Beau Rivage, and the casino is always popular. Some went shopping and sightseeing as well.

Was anybody particularly helpful?
Mark Peterson, our sales rep with Beau Rivage, was great. They have a very professional staff and they provide you with info before you know you need it.

What other types of groups would fit well with the property?
Any meeting would fit; Beau Rivage is one of the nicest hotels in the whole coast. What were some of the unique off-site venues that you used? We planned a golf outing at Shell Landing.

What local suppliers did you utilize?
We’ve used the in-house audiovisual company at Beau Rivage, and they are very professional.

How does the Gulf Coast compare to other destinations where you have hosted meetings?
People like to go to the coast. It’s great even for winter meetings. If we give the option of urban versus coast, people pick the coast.

Would you return?
We will definitely return.

Do you have any advice for other planners who might bring a meeting to the Gulf Coast?
I’d encourage them to do it and leave a little down time to enjoy the area because there’s a lot to see and do.