Selecting The Right Venue For Meetings And Events

Picking the right venue is key to the success of a meeting or event, as attendees increasingly look for an over-the-top, memorable experience that will keep then enthused and motivated. Travel planners can look to these six trends, from hospitality sales and marketing firm Teneo, as a guide to choosing the perfect site to set the mood for their event.

1. Venues must appeal to all ages.
Whether they are well-traveled, sophisticated and seasoned executives or up-and-coming Millennials, every attendee wants an experiential and interactive experience.

2. Think beyond the golf course. 
Golf remains a popular option for meeting guests, but more and more they are looking for unique adventure activities. Consider ice-wall climbing or dog sledding in the winter, or saddling up for a cattle drive or rock rappelling in summer.

3. Cultural authenticity matters.
Provide a genuine travel and meeting experience by finding the right hotel and DMC to highlight the destination’s culture.

4. Offer diverse fitness and wellness options.
Hotels and resorts are dedicating staff and facilities to provide an array of options, like yoga or Tai Chi on the beach, hikes led by staff, bike tours of city landmarks or in-room equipment such as exercise bikes. People who are dedicated to a healthy lifestyle value the ability to stay on track during business trips.

5. Stay flexible. 
What’s discussed six months out can morph into an entirely different event closer to the meeting date. Be open to the increasingly spontaneous and in-the-moment preferences of today’s attendees.

6. Focus on sustainability.
Today’s guests are looking for more comprehensive sustainability efforts than just organic bath products and water-saving devices. Look for locally sourced food that goes from farm to table, solar-powered electricity, building materials that come from sustainable resources or energy-efficient lighting and air conditioning.

Teneo Hospitality Group represents over 300 independent and branded hotels, resorts and DMCs around the world.