Oct 26
Member News, Places to Stay anchorage meetings, meeting ideas, unique activities No Comments
This gorgeous photograph was sent to us by our friend (and CP member) Julie Dodds with the Anchorage CVB:
The Northern Lights shown over Anchorage at the end of September around midnight. Can you imagine seeing such a sight in person?
This would surely make for a memorable meeting setting!
Apr 13
Tips for Meeting Planners attendee interaction, Event Industry Networking, meeting experiences, team building, unique activities No Comments
Guest post – provided courtesy of AmEx OPEN Forum and written by Katie Morell.
Ahh, team building. These two words produce feelings of dread in many employees and bring up images of ropes courses and awkward renditions of Kumbaya around a fire pit.
Back when I lived in San Francisco, I worked for a company that was obsessed with team building. Instead of going to a ropes course, we went to a climbing gym. Even though I found it pretty fun, many of my co-workers did not like the idea of dangling from ropes while everyone looked at their backsides. These individuals bowed out of the activity and stood in the corner pouting…not much ‘team’ building happened that day.
Next, we went to a nature preserve. This time I was uncomfortable. I already have a difficult time with the concept of zoos—I’d rather just watch lions and tigers on Animal Planet. But on this particular day, I remember riding in an open-air wagon and staring into the eyes of a 1,200-pound water buffalo. Mrs. Buffalo was sitting less than 10 feet away from me and there was nothing but air separating us. I recoiled and urged the driver to go faster. I don’t exactly remember much ‘team’ building with that experience either, seeing that it took me about 30 minutes to calm down from my near-death experience.
So how do you plan an event that will cater to your entire team?
According to Kate Nasser, a.k.a. ‘The People-Skills Coach’ and president of CAS, Inc., a consultancy for corporations, governments and mid-sized businesses based in Summerville, New Jersey, it is important to determine an objective before diving into a team-building activity.
“Team building can be fun and boost morale,” she says. “It can also be designed to help address a work or communication problem.”
‘Fun’ team building
If you want your activity to strengthen bonds between employees, ask them what they want to do, suggests Nasser. “Expect that you will get diverse views, but know that they will be more engaged if the activity represents their definition of fun.”
Ropes courses and water buffalo aside, my former employer did execute one effective team-building activity. The objective was to strengthen bonds with our organization and it worked…and cost nothing.
We all crowded into a conference room and in the middle of a table sat a stack of index cards. We were instructed to tape one index card to each other’s backs and grab a pen. For the next 20 minutes, we rotated from person to person, writing something nice about them on their index card.
At the end, we all reached around and grabbed our cards to see more than 20 positive messages about ourselves. I hung mine on my bulletin board and so did many of my colleagues.
Nasser recommends going to a bowling alley and breaking up into teams. “It is easy and cheap—just make sure to bring small prizes to make it even more fun,” she suggests, adding that books such as Team Games for Trainers and The Big Book of Team Building Games are also filled with ideas.
‘Problem solving’ team building
If there are problems within a team, first sit down with employees individually to find out what they would like changed, Nasser recommends.
“Hold conversations with the promise of confidentiality,” she says. “Most teamwork problems are rooted in a lack of respect for diversity or communication problems.”
If respect is the issue, Nasser recommends this exercise: Have each person bring a photo of themselves doing something they love—something that reflects who they are as a person. Then, go around the table and have each person explain why the photo makes them happy or proud. “Make sure these are not work-related photos,” she says.
Play 20 questions—after someone describes their photo, give each person around the table the opportunity to ask for more information. At the end, “people will be talking to each other like human beings—this works really well.”
Another option is to instruct each member of your team to take a personality indicator test. “I recommend the Keirsey Temperament tests,” Nasser says. “Everyone can take the test, print off the results, and bring it to a team building meeting. Then everyone can guess each other’s type. It is a very insightful exercise.”
Once finished, participants then list one or two effective ways others can communicate with them. “To make it really fun, print up a sign for your desk that alerts others on how to communicate with you. For example, mine would be ‘Give me the big picture and get to the point.’”
Aug 11
Member News, Places to Stay guest-friendly hotel tips, hotels, Kimpton, unique activities No Comments
Here’s a fun summertime offer from our good friends at Kimpton:
Get uncorked at Kimpton Restaurants and byow (bring your own wine)!
There’s no doubt that you’re stashing some stellar bottles of wine at home. So now through Labor Day, feel free to bring a bottle of wine, or two, to share with friends at any Kimpton Restaurant. Corkage is complimentary all summer long.
Learn more about planing a meeting at a Kimpton hotel or restaurant.
Oct 19
Member News, Places to Stay guest-friendly hotel tips, hotels, Kimpton, unique activities 1 Comment
If you have a soft spot for pets, like us, you’ll appreciate ABC News’ list of America’s most adorable hotel pets.
Kimpton Hotels surely wins for the most pet friendly hotels – several of their properties made this list for friendly animal mascots, including the Hotel Monaco Alexandria and The Muse.
What’s your favorite animal on the list? Have you encountered a personal favorite that didn’t make the list?
Jul 13
Misc Tidbits, News, Places to Stay air travel, airlines, travel tips, unique activities 2 Comments
Frequent travelers forced to leave their furry friends behind when flying have a new option…
…Pet Airways debuts tomorrow as the U.S.’s first pet-only airline. Pets will travel in the main cabin, not the cargo hold of the planes.
The airline strives to protect the comfort and safety of pets, who are often injured in unsafe cargo conditions. Flights will serves New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles to start, with plans to expand nationwide.
Owners can book online and even track the progress of their pet’s flight at http://www.petairways.com.
Is this a service you will use?
May 04
Misc Tidbits, News AH&LA, Event Industry Networking, unique activities, volunteer No Comments
Congrats to the AH&LA’s Under 30 Gateway…
…for raising $1,850 at this past weekend’s service event for the Washington DC Capitol Area Food Bank!
The money will help finance future service projects in the DC area.
Volunteers sorted and packaged up 16,252 lbs. of food and hygiene products for those in need!
Check out the Gateway’s Facebook page to see pictures from the event, or to find out how you can help make a difference.
Mar 24
Misc Tidbits, News, Places to Stay, RFP, Tips, Tips for Meeting Planners, Trade Shows economy, environmental-friendly, hotel reviews, hotels, meeting experiences, meeting ideas, unique activities No Comments
Would you stay in a hotel like this to save some $$?
Micro hotels have been spreading across Europe, and are beginning to reach U.S. cities like New York…
…to help travelers enjoy luxuries for less.
These Micro Hotels focus on making the rooms feel special instead of mall.
What do you think — will the idea catch on? Would you stay here? Will this become the cheap way for businesses and associations to continue meeting?
Mar 09
Misc Tidbits AH&LA, DC, meeting industry, unique activities, volunteer, Washington No Comments
Congress wants us to stop meeting…so let’s fight back in a new way.
Volunteer for the Greater DC Cares Servathon on May 2 with AH&LA’s Under 30 Gateway…
…It’s a great way to meet local hoteliers, while doing something good for the community!
All industry professionals and students are welcome to participate.
Servathon volunteers provide local nonprofits with critically-needed service by undertaking between 30-60 projects. Some of those include:
- Serving food to those in need
- Building computer labs
- Painting classrooms
The team is sponsored by the AH&LA Under 30 Gateway. All young industry professionals are encouraged to join (and if your company is a member, you can join the Gateway for free)
Join here or contact Netanya Stutz nstutz@ahla.com for more information…
…and don’t forget to sign up for the Servathon!
Jan 19
News, Places to Stay hotels, issue of the week, meeting industry, unique activities, Washington DC No Comments
The big event is finally here!
How are you participating in the inauguration events? Are you watching from home? Do you plan/have you attended any events in person?
Here are some fun inauguration facts by the numbers…
…for example – did you know that the Marriott Wardman Park expects to serve 49,000 meals from Saturday through Tuesday??
Aug 22
Member News, News, Places to Stay, Tips, Tips for Meeting Planners Hotel Rennovations, hotels, Microsoft Surface, sheraton, Starwood Hotels, technology, unique activities No Comments
Sheraton installed Microsoft Surface units in the lobbies of 5 of their hotels this week…
…Microsoft Surface is a 30-inch display built into a table top. There’s no mouse or keyboard – it uses touch.
It’s like a giantic iPhone, only better!
Hotel guests can browse pictures of the hotel, create playlists with the jukebox, and even find restaurants, bars, and entertainment in the city with 365-degree satellite maps.
Check out the Surface at these hotels:
• Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers – 811 7th Avenue 53rd Street, New York
• Sheraton Boston Hotel – 39 Dalton St, Boston
• Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers – 301 East North Water Street, Chicago
• Sheraton Seattle Hotel – 1400 6th Ave, Seattle
• Sheraton Gateway San Francisco Airport Hotel – 600 Airport Boulevard, Burlingame
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