Smart Meetings made history by convening top meeting professionals in an iconic location fresh off an almost $200 million renovation to experience the best motivational practices employed today. Smart Meetings Incentive Experience at Phoenix’s Arizona Biltmore , a Platinum Choice Award-winning property, was a festive way to end the year with the gift of new and renewed connections, and a trove of insights that will make 2025 the best event season yet.
By taking care of guests’ needs at this iconic Four Diamond property, attendees could focus on forging new relationships and opening their minds to fun exercises like competitive tree trimming—yes, that is now a thing, thanks to the mobile flower artists at Wondry, Terramar DMC and the generosity of Michaels Stores.
From the cottages to the villas, all 703 guest rooms were renovated. The new Tierra Luna Spa, the outdoor Spire Bar, a waterpark and 200,000 sq. ft. of historic and modern conference center space offered something for attendees and their guests while they were meeting.
Read More: Meet the 2024 Platinum Choice Award Winners
Meeting on Purpose
How do you take an event from a shared space to a shared purpose? Author, TEDx programmer, adventure seeker, speaker and proud father Joshua M. Evans proposed focusing on perception. “Instead of being governed by our preconceptions, we need to be open to the realities of others,” he advised. When Evans’ son was diagnosed with autism, he learned that neurodivergent people’s way of seeing things in ways you don’t is a gift.
He later advised managing the influences that come at us every day in order to see situations more clearly and positively. That could mean limiting news, social media—and conflicts with spouses—first thing in the morning. “We are bombarded with 10,000 pieces of information each day. If you don’t manage your influences, your influences will manage you,” he said.
Learn More: From Networking to Lasting Bonds—Practical Tips for Forging Authentic Relationships
Similarly, he suggested being cognizant of how you influence others. A smile in the hallway can make or break someone’s day. Think about what you want your legacy to be.
When we focus on what our work means to others rather than what our job happens to be on a given day, then we build an emotional connection that results in a foundation for deeper fulfillment. And isn’t that what all of us want for ourselves, our teams and our attendees?
Despite our best efforts, we all lose control from time to time. Evans, a former rafting guide, had a message for the assembled leaders. “It’s OK to lose your paddle sometimes. You can always recover it downstream later.”
Incentive Travel Chaos Explained
Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) Global CEO Annette Gregg, CMM, MBA, shared insights from the association’s recent Incentive Travel Index Report about how meeting professionals are motivating performers at companies of all sizes.
“Corporations are thriving and events are back despite the chaos. That means decisions may happen a little later,” she said. It helps that these corporations often have larger budgets to cover rising costs and a desire to go places they have never been before.
Learn More: Annette Gregg Shared Trending Insights in This Knowledge Exchange Webinar
The biggest trend is a hands-off approach, as free time is at the top of the list of attendee requests, helping manage event budgets and giving the destination and venue a chance to show off their amenities. Also at the top of the preferred activities list: Time with a spouse, immersive cultural activities and gifting.
Make It Special
A parting favor was a fun, fast-paced presentation from Terramar DMC Vice President of Global Engagement Kate Patay, who shared tips for making incentives even more motivating.
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#1 Focus on the Little Touches: Branding from gobo lights and decor to notebooks and gifts are a subtle way of reinforcing the sense of community.
#2 Personalize It: Leave monogrammed note paper and favorite snacks gleaned from the registration materials in their rooms.
#3 Manage Expectations: Send know-before-you-go messages that show in photos what the dress code will be, where to get weather updates and reminders about packing everything from sunscreen to passports.
