Whether it’s along the coast of the Atlantic, the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico or the Pacific, North America’s shimmering shores are renowned for their natural beauty and well-appointed, group-friendly hotels. For meeting planners, these destinations are also popular for unique, out-of-the-box group experiences.
The allure of the coast can be a big selling point for any meeting or incentive trip, according to Mark McMinn, vice president of sales for the Monterey County CVB.
“The first thing [groups] want to do is see the sea,” he said. “It’s imperative. And they want to touch it. They want to have breakouts or events on the water, whether it’s on a wharf or on the beach or on a yacht.”
Giving activities and events an authentic touch helps to guarantee success, according to Ana Corona, general manager of Tropical Incentives DMC, which operates in various destinations around Mexico.
“The most successful activities, tours and themed events are the ones that include local elements, from the region or from our country,” she said.
Having someone on the ground who truly knows the destination is also important, said Julia Trejo, development and business director at Terramar, a DMC Network company that operates in Mexico and Panama.
“There’s nothing like having a local expert—someone who is at the forefront of activities and who knows first-hand the destination’s latest news,” she said.
Some of the trending coastal activities are long-standing favorites; others are decidedly 21st-century developments. But all promise to make each coastal event a memorable experience.
Natural Beauty
It only makes sense that water-based diversions are big draws along the coast. In Florida, for example, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding in the mangrove tunnels off Sarasota Bay are big draws for groups, according to Shelby Connett, meeting sales manager at Visit Sarasota County.
“More and more, groups are wanting to incorporate the beach and waterfront into their programs, even if they’re not staying at a beachfront hotel,” she said. “There are endless creative ways to set up a stellar reception or even a full dinner program directly on the beach.”
Mexico’s natural beauty is also ideal for groups, according to Trejo.
“As beach destinations, water activities are the most popular, whether they’re on a boat, smaller craft, snorkeling, scuba diving, whale watching, etc.,” she said. “There are unique activities in every destination.”
Moctezuma Loza, meetings director at the Los Cabos Tourism Board, said his destination makes it easy for planners to capitalize on the abundant natural beauty.
“Since Los Cabos is well known as ‘land’s end,’ a luxury sunset sailing trip is an unforgettable experience, passing the arch surrounded by the waters of the Pacific and the Sea of Cortes,” he said.
Farther south, planners will find plenty of options as well, according to Richard Zarkin, public relations manager at the Riviera Nayarit CVB.
“There are plenty of fun and exciting experiences for groups in Riviera Nayarit,” he said. “One of the most popular activities is visiting Las Islas Marietas, a protected sanctuary with off-the-beaten path adventures that groups will love.”
Active Adventures
Getting active can be a great way to inspire groups, according to Monterey County CVB’s McMinn.
“We have groups that like to do what we call ‘hike-storming,’” he said. “They go out and hike along the coast, and it’s like walking and brainstorming. Another thing that our clientele really likes is to use our bike trails.”
In the upscale Georgia resort called Sea Island, groups are staying active in a number of ways, according to David Furnish, the property’s director of sales and marketing.
“Corporate meetings use our natural surroundings and incorporate activities such as beach Olympics, golf, fishing or shooting tournaments and turtle walks for teambuilding,” he said. “We see incentive programs trending toward total immersion into the destination experience.”
Barb Carroll, director of membership and communications at Reinsurance Association of America, is among the meeting planners who’s enjoyed a positive experience making use of Sea Island’s various options.
“One of our most memorable experiences at Sea Island was a sunset wine cruise aboard their yacht, moving through the river and marsh that are so much a part of their island setting, followed by an amazing dinner on The Cloister Dock,” she said.
Coastal Culture
Many coastal destinations are as famous for their culture as for their natural beauty. That’s especially true in Hawaii. On the island of Oahu, for example, groups can experience authentic local culture at venues like the Polynesian Cultural Center, Kualoa Ranch and the Royal Hawaiian Center, which hosts a variety of classes including hula, lei making and ukulele playing.
“Many groups coming to the island of Oahu are looking to incorporate tangible experiences for attendees to connect with Hawaii’s sense of place,” said Kainoa Daines, director of sales at the Oahu Visitors Bureau. “Hawaii offers the appeal of an international destination— it’s exotic, tropical, culturally diverse—that no other state in the U.S. can match.”
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Combo Packages
The desire for more experiential travel has lead to the development of more group options that incorporate various aspects of a destination’s natural beauty with cultural, historical and culinary traditions.
In Huntington Beach, Calif., a “laid-back luxury” vibe provides an ideal ambiance for multiple activities, according to John Ehlenfeldt, executive vice president of sales and administration at Visit Huntington Beach.
“The biggest trending group activities right now are ones that take attendees out of their comfort zone to try something unique,” he said, providing several examples: Segway travel on the beach coupled with a sandcastle-building competition, team photo scavenger hunts, as well as body paint and temporary tattoos.
In the Florida Keys, groups can partake in a variety of diversions at Ocean Reef Club on Key Largo, including golf lessons, cooking classes, fishing, beach parties and teambuilding events.
In Mazatlan, groups can combine adventure with culinary and spirited excitement through a customized “canopy-agave-El Quelite” combo excursion. The first stop is Huana-Coa Canopy
Adventure, a zipline nature park, followed by a visit to the nearby Los Osuna agave distillery and a trip to El Quelite, a historic village.
“Corporate groups and meetings in Mazatlan are always looking for extraordinary team activities, and Huana-Coa Canopy, located 25 minutes from the majority of the hotels, promotes camaraderie and teambuilding,” said Julio Birrueta, director of the Mazatlan Tourism Board.
“Los Osuna, which was founded in the 1800s, operates a modern factory that currently produces three types of blue agave drink. The ritual of the old process is a great show. The plantation can also host dinners for up to 2,000 people, and it’s a great venue for a farewell event.”
Lizbeth Lopez, conference services manager at The Resort at Pedregal in Los Cabos, agreed about the increased demand for multifaceted experiences.
“Nowadays, groups demand new experiences, and they want to go beyond the ordinary—to experience outdoor activities and learn more about the culture,” she said.
Making a Difference with CSR
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs can be an especially rewarding way for groups to have a positive effect on the places they visit, even as they bond with each other.
“Corporate groups look for activities that participants wouldn’t be able to do on their own,” Trejo said. “For example, in Los Cabos, there are shelters, schools and public areas that have been completely remodeled by groups looking to make a difference in the destination they visit.”
Hawaii offers its own memorable ways for groups to give back. On Oahu, participants can help restore an ancient Hawaiian fishing pond, clean out a taro patch and protect sea turtles. The
Hawaii Conservation Alliance is among the organizations that provide information about a wide variety of volunteer opportunities around the islands.
Health & Well-Being
Balancing life and work can present interesting options in Mexico. In Los Cabos, Hacienda Encantada Resort & Residences recently announced a new Wellness Retreat Package that can be booked as an add-on for groups. Included are a healthy cooking class and spa treatment, as well as time inside a traditional Temazcal, a sweat lodge that originated with the region’s indigenous people.
“Relaxation and wellness is at the core of Hacienda Encantada, as we are always striving to ensure our guests are comfortable and able to unwind,” said Gabriel Ibarra, the property’s director of sales and marketing.
“Creating this package just made sense. Offering the Wellness Retreat Package is a simple way for guests to experience many of the wellness offerings at the resort.”
Getting Branded
Brand identity is key for many organizations and companies. And Mexico’s coastal destinations can help to cement a positive image with employees, members and the general public in a variety of creative ways. In the Riviera Maya, the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen was the first resort in Mexico to host a new car unveiling for Volkswagen and Mazda, according to Veronica
Sarmiento, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing. The property also coordinated two complete buyouts for Mazda and Mexican beer brand Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc, a company that rebranded most of the hotel, from tarps on the balconies to the placement of various structures and bars throughout the property.
The property’s popularity for branded events is based on several factors, according to Sarmiento.
“Our hotel is a great option to host events and business meetings thanks to our amazing views, stunning venue options and most of all our personalized and attentive service,” she said.
“Our dedicated team can plan almost anything, from dine-arounds inside the hotel to numerous excursions and cultural experiences outside it.”
Using Tech—Or Not
It’s a given that meetings-oriented hotels and venues must have state-of-the-art technology. But sometimes it’s just as important that they help groups keep it in check. Velas Resorts this year debuted a Cellphone Concierge service that’s designed to allow busy attendees to let go of their digital tethers, at least for a while. Upon arrival at a meeting, they can leave their cell with the designated Cellphone Concierge, who will filter incoming calls and messages, and only bother the attendee when it’s a matter that the person has indicated as important.
The new service is available at Casa Velas and Velas Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta as well as the Grand Velas Resorts in Los Cabos, Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit. And it worked well for a recent event for technology giant Cisco in June at Grand Velas Los Cabos, according to Cecilia Arellano, Cisco’s marketing partner and distributor.
“On this occasion, the Grand Velas team proposed the Cell Concierge service, which I thought was a great idea for diminishing distractions, avoiding interruption and encouraging respect for speakers and other attendees,” she said.
