Senior Meeting Planner; Medtronic; Minneapolis
Describe your event.
Our group was in Lake Tahoe for an incentive trip with our top sales reps and their spouses. There were 53 couples and we stayed at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino.
Why did you decide to host the meeting in Lake Tahoe? We wanted a destination in the continental U.S. that would be memorable and offer some unique opportunities that most attendees had not experienced.
What surprised you the most about Lake Tahoe? I’ve heard how beautiful it is and have seen it in pictures, however, until you’ve actually been there—it’s indescribable.
What did your attendees seem to enjoy the most? All of the outdoor activities. They’re very health-conscious people and took full advantage of the destination.
Was anybody particularly helpful? Dawn Labadie, senior sales manager, and Kimberly Zinn, convention services manager, went out of their way to ensure every detail was covered. The attendees commented on how helpful the whole Hyatt staff was.
Is there anything you wish you had known beforehand? Between the hotel, DMC and the North Lake Tahoe VCB's Jason Neary, all of our bases were covered.
What would you have done differently in retrospect? I would have done the site inspection at approximately the same time of year that the program was to take place. Due to scheduling conflicts, I wound up doing the site in December when the program was the following September. The day I arrived, it started to snow. Since I’m from Minnesota, it was not an issue other than the fog; we couldn’t see the lake! By the time I left two days later, there was two feet of snow on the ground, which made it difficult to tour around the lake and get a feel for the distance between the towns and various activities we wanted to participate in.
What other types of groups would fit well with the hotel? The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe is a great venue for everything from vacationing families to large corporate groups. The staff at the hotel is very service-oriented and did a wonderful job. The spa was everything it should be: quiet, reflective and relaxing. The hotel is also within easy walking distance to downtown.
Did you incorporate any interesting excursions or activities into the agenda? Yes. The attendees were given the options of kayaking on Lake Tahoe, taking an art tour of local artisans’ homes (very cool), shopping or a boat excursion across the bay to the Thunderbird Lodge (a historic site). One couple in our group actually spent a day biking around the whole lake—all 72 miles.
What local suppliers did you utilize? We utilized Jason Neary from the North Lake Tahoe VCB and Julie Nobis from Red Carpet Events. Jason assisted with vetting facilities and acting as a personal tour guide for the area; he provided a great deal of information up front. Julie coordinated the transportation to and from the airport as well as to the various activities, coordinated the activities with the various vendors and also provided decor. She went so far as to make herself available the whole time we were on-site.
How does Lake Tahoe compare to other cities where you have hosted meetings? Tahoe is an amazing place but it’s difficult to judge one city against another. We utilize a different destination every year in order to keep a sense of mystery around the trip.
Would you return? Absolutely!
Do you have any advice for other planners who might bring a meeting to Lake Tahoe? Contact the local CVB. Utilize them to your benefit; let them do the legwork that will allow you to narrow your options and focus on the details.