In some ways, Mexico is ancient. In others, it’s modern. And that’s great news for meeting planners, since it means lots of possibilities for meetings and group activities.
With venues and themes that can include everything from fascinating ancient traditions and historic architecture to cutting-edge cuisine and 21st century style, Mexico never fails to impress. Indeed, time travel is far from science fiction when it comes to organizing group gatherings south of the border.
Resort Destinations
“Mexico is a land of contrasts,” says Julieta Hernandez, commercial director at the Los Cabos Tourism Board.
And while Mexico’s beachfront resort destinations may not, at first glance, seem to be the logical choice to indulge groups in a panoply of experiences with ancient, traditional and contemporary influence, the wide array of destinations makes it easy.
To tap into both old and new influences, start with the right hotel choice.
“We have such a diversity of properties, some with traditional Mexican decor, some very modern,” Hernandez says about Los Cabos.
After that, expand the vision beyond, to the destination overall. In the case of Los Cabos, for example, she says San Jose del Cabo is very traditional and Cabo San Lucas is very modern.”
Elsewhere on the Pacific Coast, groups visiting the Riviera Nayarit can stage themed events that tie in with the traditions of the Huichol Indians, who live in the Sierra Madre Mountains and have preserved much of their pre-Hispanic culture. The Mexcaltitan Ballet, which is based in the state of Nayarit and has performed in Europe, Asia and the U.S., can perform at private events, wearing traditional Huichol clothing and dancing traditional folk dances in venues decorated with Huichol handicrafts.
The nation’s diverse heritage is a big selling point for groups, according to John O’Sullivan, general manager of Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita.
“Mexico has the ability to inspire from a cultural, spiritual and relevance perspective,” he says. “This, coupled with the warmest, proactive staff globally ensures that Mexico is truly the meeting planners’ destination of choice.”
While modern in terms of amenities, the Four Seasons also offers a variety of ways to connect groups with traditional Mexico, including hikes to the archaeological site at Loma De Carelleros. The resort is also developing additional group activities, such as a 25-minute private plane trip to San Sebastian del Oeste, a picturesque old mining village that is a UNESCO cultural heritage site. PageBreak
Meanwhile, St. Regis Punta Mita Resort can arrange for a private driver to take small groups to San Sebastian and the Huichol villages.
Mexico’s Caribbean coast offers its own unique combination of history and modernity for groups, making it easy to combine the services of shimmering luxury hotels with traditional theme parties and activities.
“Mexico provides the perfect setting for blending old and new,” says Victoria Bonilla, group sales manager at the Fairmont Mayakoba, where she says “groups will find the warm and inviting service Mexico is known for, as well as events that give attendees a taste of ancient Mayan traditions, with elaborate temple decor, Mayan guides and creative food and beverage. These beautiful themed events are complemented by a state-of-the-art convention center and on-site luxuries such as a Willow Stream Spa, well-appointed guest rooms and premium beach suites.”
On Cozumel, Presidente InterContinental Resort & Spa also offers a variety of Mayan-themed dinners on the beach, with traditional cuisine and a limpieza grupal—a spiritual cleansing for the group, led by a Mayan priest.
Cities Large & Small
With culture and style that range from pre-Hispanic to Colonial to decidedly 21st century, Mexico’s largest cities offer some of the most contrasting venues and experiences for groups.
In Mexico City, planners can choose from among 175 museums representing various eras. Among the newest modern venues is the 43,055-square-foot Jumex Museum, which has some 2,000 pieces of contemporary art. Nearby is the Soumaya Museum, which houses some 66,000 pieces of art in an eye-catching building that opened in 2011.
In Mexico City’s historic center, the Interactive Museum of Economics might be the ideal place for money-minded groups to hold meetings and events. Set in a restored landmark building that belonged to the Convent of the Bethlehemites, it’s billed as the first museum in the world dedicated exclusively to economics, with event space that includes a 500-person patio, a 12-person boardroom and multiple meeting rooms.
Hotels in Mexico City are well versed at blending old Mexico with new amenities. The Hilton Mexico City Reforma, for example, offers themed dinner menus inspired by the times of the Spanish conquest and the Vice Royalty. The property also offers group tours along nearby Avenida Reforma, the broad boulevard that is dotted with contemporary architecture and historic monuments. The Hilton Santa Fe/Mexico City, which is set to open in early 2014 in the business-popular Santa Fe district, will also offer corporate group excursions to historic landmarks.
Hotels are also a good resource for planners heading to Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest city. The Presidente InterContinental Guadalajara, for example, might be a sleek, modern tower, but its Insider Collection service helps organize meetings and events around the city, including the Cabanas Cultural Institute, an arts and culture center housed in a 19th century, neoclassical building decorated with murals by famed artist Jose Clemente Orozco.
In Monterrey, another important business hub, venues with a modern vibe include the Museum of Contemporary Art (often called the MARCO), which has a 250-seat auditorium, while the Parque Fundidora, a cultural complex set in what was once the largest iron and steel foundry in Latin America, offers a variety of venues for small and large groups, combining the history of early 20th century industry with modern amenities.
Smaller cities tend toward the historic. In Guanajuato, one of the most attractive venues is Teatro Juarez, an elegant theater that was inaugurated in 1903 by Mexico president Porfirio Diaz. Modern twists are possible at the Guanajuato Museum of Art and History, which has historical exhibits and a modern IMAX theater.
Mark Chesnut has been focusing on travel, tourism and the meetings segment in Latin America for more than a decade.
