As leaders in the meetings and incentive industry, the sales teams and conference service managers at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have a direct line to what planners are thinking about for the coming year. Here are 10 of the top trends we’re seeing for 2005:
1. All-Value, All the Time: Planners are increasingly seeking the best value when building programs. All-inclusive packages, similar to the leisure market offerings, are growing in popularity, as are value-added options, especially for multi-year contracts.
2. Dream Teams - Unique teambuilding activities are in demand and inspiration is drawn from all walks of life. Reality TV and pop culture are creating “Survivor” themed programs at many resort properties, such as the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies. Other groups are looking to give back while at work, partnering with local charities for a philanthropic twist to their programs.
3. A Family Affair - Spousal programs are reappearing in corporate meeting programs, after having been eliminated from budgets over the past years. In addition, children are increasingly part of the group mix, as planners try to offer attendees time to play as they work. Kid’s camps at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess or The Fairmont Southampton are important amenities, especially when they offer activities such as cricket, soccer and lagoon fishing!
4. Experts - Today’s planners are expecting higher levels of education and expertise from the venue staff of sites they are considering. In addition, more are expressing a desire to have one single contact person throughout the program instead of switching departments during the function timeline, allowing for more thorough and streamlined lines of communication. Starting in 2005, Fairmont will require CMP certification for its entire Conference Services & Catering management staff - an initiative directly based on feedback from the hotel company’s advisory boards.
5. Toys of the Future - Interest in technology offerings just keeps growing. From cell-phone service to wireless access, planners want to know how venues stack up and how their attendees can stay connected. Offering HSIA and wireless access across the entire portfolio, Fairmont seeks new applications for meeting planners, such as outdoor wireless meetings and special access codes for bundling costs and a 24/7 HelpDesk for guests manned by the company’s own IT staff.
6. Now that’s a Room - Walls SHOULD talk, as planners look for meeting spaces with pizzazz. Ballrooms and meeting spaces are now prized as attractions in and of themselves, from revered artwork and high-end furnishings to rooms with a history or a fantastic view. These far-from-bland spaces inspire both planners and attendees in creative and energizing ways. From Fairmont supper clubs that boasted Tony Bennett, Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole to The Fairmont Palliser’s Canadian Pacific Rail Pavilion, a tribute to the company’s ancestors to the Coconut Grove at The Fairmont Orchid, a “room” with no walls to spoil the fantastic view of Hawaiian sand and sea.
7. Location, Location, Location - The “where” is as big a consideration as the “what”, with planners seeking out local flavor to add life to the program. Apart from the benefit of a customized experience shaped by the destination, on a practical level, sites with a theme mean the planner can spend less time creating events, as the destinations can offer rich and unique suggestions. From grape-stomping at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn to Mardi Gras dinners at the Fairmont New Orleans to guided hikes up the Rocky Mountains at the Fairmont Banff Springs, attendees can enjoy distinct activities that let them know they’re not in the office anymore!
8. That’s Incredible - Bragging rights are part of meeting programs now. Planners are seeking marquee events and experiences that attendees would not normally be able to enjoy on their own, thus turning moments into great memories.
9. Ahh - A Spa - Spas are a must, with many programs utilizing spas more than golf courses, either as activities or leisure offerings. Whether incorporating fitness or yoga mini-breaks into a meeting or including treatments as part of an incentive program, spa facilities are critical, especially if attendees wouldn’t partake of the amenities at home. At Willow Stream the spas at Fairmont, group coordinators help manage the booking process and provide tips for planners to make incorporating spa treatments into a program a stress-free affair.
10. Kick It Up A Notch - By offering distinctive flavors and dishes on menus - indigenous ingredients and cooking methods add value and spice to dishes and can also transcend a meal. Local tastes are being incorporated into unique coffee breaks as well as room drop amenities, in gifts that attendees are sure to take home. In addition, Fred Flinstone-sized breakfasts are making way for lighter, and quicker fare, such as self-serve breakfast kiosks and spa coffee breaks offer those watching their waistlines healthy options.
Ask Fairmont First, and call 866-662-6060, a dedicated toll-free number for meeting planners.
