Q: What do you get when you mix a plethora of planners with top destination reps at one of the world’s premier beach locales?
A: Four days of fun at the inaugural Meetings Today Live!, in Cancun, Mexico!
From Nov. 1-4, a bevy of planners and hospitality suppliers traveled to the Hard Rock Hotel Cancun on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, the host property for the lively event. And it turned out to be the ideal setting for a rockin’ show filled with learning, one-on-one appointments, networking and plenty of good times.
Meetings Today Live! kicked off on Sunday night with a an alfresco poolside reception at the Hard Rock Hotel, hallmarked by a sprawling outdoor buffet, friendly banter and the sound of the nearby ocean waves. A party game providing each attendee with one mystery “contact” to track down, aided by a colorful clue, added to the conversation. But things were just getting started.
A huge highpoint for many was Monday morning’s post-breakfast educational session from Janine Driver, a body-language expert who has spoken on numerous national TV shows. Driver unveiled a number of key secrets on what a planner’s own posture and body language communicates to clients, and red flags to watch for that others may be sending about themselves. Monday’s alfresco dinner at the elegant Sandos Cancun Luxury Resort was another big hit, where planners dined on elevated “surf and turf” while a live band jammed on some cool cover tunes like Queen’s Crazy Little Thing Called Love.
Of course, planners and supplier attendees were on hand to do business as well, and to that end two sessions of one-on-one networking connections appeared to pay off handsomely for planners and suppliers as well.
“I found the overall program to be very engaging and memorable,” said Debby Dubose, a planner with Conference Direct. “I made contacts that I’ll be doing business with for several events, and the speaker, Janine Driver, was just phenomenal.”
Tuesday mixed pleasure and relaxation with business, as guests enjoyed an afternoon free to explore the area or just jump in the resort’s spectacular pool or neighboring crystal-blue sea. And the evening really came alive, with attendees posing like stars alongside a “step and repeat” banner on their way to an enchantingly lit Hard Rock Cancun ballroom for steak, lobster and more live rock tunes. To top off the evening, the party took to the patio for a karaoke session that had half the property rocking.
Other event highlights were a high-tech, high-engagement “goose chase” photo scavenger hunt, overseen by Jeannette Davidson of the Geoteaming group, and the chance to tour some of the other amazing resort properties in the notable vacation spot. Favorite stops included Moon Palace (also host to a fabulous luncheon), the Westin Resort & Spa Cancun, and a pair of charming Fiesta Americana properties—the all-inclusive Condesa and the luxurious Grand Coral Beach.
Click here to view our Meetings Today Live! Cancun event gallery page.
DON'T MISS OUR 2016 LIVE! EVENTS
Next year will bring an exciting array of Meetings Today Live! events. We've already got a special golf event set for May at Florida's PGA National Resort & Spa, and a decidely luxe shindig will take place at the famed Colorado resort The Broadmoor in September. Visit www.meetingstoday.com/MTLive to learn more.
