Northeast Roadshow Spotlight: Raffles Boston

Hey there, Beantown! We are back on the road and you are our first stop on our Northeast Roadshow on August 26th.

You know by now that we like shiny new things, so we are coming in hot to Raffles Boston, the chic new hotel and hang out for those needing to unwind after work or visiting from out of town. Opening in September 2023, Raffles, a Singapore-based hotel group chose Boston to make their North American debut. The 35-story, modern, new building, located in the Back Bay neighborhood, has 147 keys for guest rooms and residences.

We will start off with our signature Destination Showcase which will allow Meeting and Event Planners to have 1:1 time with our Destination Partners followed by a cocktail reception.

The Blind Duck, Raffles rooftop speakeasy with floral décor inspired by Boston’s Emerald Necklace, a network of parks and green spaces, serves up specially crafted cocktails and small bites with views of this beautiful city.

Come join us on Monday, August 26th at Raffles Boston from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm for our Destination Showcase in the Ballroom, followed by a cocktail reception from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at the Blind Duck.

Registration is open now on our website and our events are free for meeting and event professionals to attend – www.retreatsresources.com. We are filling up fast, Boston, so sign up soon!

We look forward to welcoming you to Raffles Boston and the first stop on the Northeast Roadshow!

Magical Moments: Connoisseurs Connections Summer Conference 2024

It is hard to believe it has been a month since we were descending on Riviera Maya, Mexico for the Connoisseurs Connections Summer Conference. It has been a month contemplating the soulful experience we had at our host property, Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection.

For our summer conference we, along with our Advisory Board, our Destination Partners, and our invited Meeting and Event Planners, all arrived to this peaceful oasis greeted with blessings by a Shaman to begin our stay; washing away our pain and fears and opening our hearts for all the magic we were about to experience.

Sitting over the mangroves with overwater walkways to find your way around parts of the resort, and a white sand beach at its edge, Etéreo set the stage for the story that was to unfold over the next few days. Designed with natural colors and décor, serving up authentic food, blessings at your door upon arrival, room drops with traditional messaging and Mayan storytelling, the resort was the perfect setting for our theme of Honor the Past, Live in the Present and Create the Future.

Etéreo provided us the base to embrace things with intention. Rooms, décor, seating areas, even rooms keys blended into the natural surroundings and everything had intention.

After weeks of rain, the sun arrived in sync with our attendees, giving us a warm open air welcome reception on property at ITZAM Restaurant and Terrace. With beautiful tablescapes and entertainment provided by Maritur DMC.

For our sunseekers there was a hat bar provided by the DMC as well as a sunglass fitting by our gifting partner, Maui Jim.

The following morning we hit the ground running with Day One of programming including one of our favorite “why’s”, our charitable beneficiary and partner, Doc Hendley, founder of Wine to Water. Doc delivered a memorable keynote while he took us thru his story of starting his non-profit, Wine to Water, captivating our audience with his experience watching the difference he is making in the world by implementing fresh water for drinking and household chores in hard to reach locations.

If listening to his story wasn’t inspiration enough it was followed with programming from Dear World, and Executive Storyteller Khatdija Meghjani, who took our attendees step by step thru the process of telling a story from their own lives that has had meaningful impact.

Some went down a road of overcoming adversity or challenges in their lives while others went towards the more light-hearted, bright lights of their life. Step by step we learned to sift through it all and come up with a “brain tattoo”. What is a brain tattoo, you ask? It is a short saying, set of words or anecdotal reference to your own story, something personal, something that may only mean something to you. Attendees then had the option to write this brain tattoo somewhere on their bodies and be photographed by our staff photographer, Kelli Price. The final product would be revealed the following day.

After a very emotional and intimate morning, our afternoon was spent at our Destination Showcase, where meeting and event professionals had the chance to sit one on one with our Destination Partners and take notes, discuss program leads and learn more about some pretty fabulous destinations and properties.

With whimsical king’s tables and décor in purples and greens and golds, the Midsummer Night’s Dream themed evening brought us our annual gala and auction. Our attendees knew the assignment and came prepared!

They were treated to a multi-course meal, followed by a live auction of donated travel packages to motivate our guest’s competitive sides. The auction brought in a mouth-dropping $50,000 to benefit Wine to Water, bringing our auction total for the year to $95,000. With a goal for the year to raise $100,000 for charity to say we are pleased to be this close halfway thru the year is an understatement. We are always blown away at the generosity of our attendees, as well as the generosity of our Destination Partners who donate the travel packages. We feel so blessed when this all comes together in such a way that allows us to give back to such a worthwhile cause.

Day Two brought us back together for roundtable discussions about hot industry topics. Pairing off our Meeting Planners with one another and our Destination Partners with one another at first, before round two mixed the groups together for thought-provoking discussion. Putting together heads from across the industry is always eye opening when you can collaborate on solutions or put minds at ease with discussion.

To close and come full circle we invited three attendees to stand up and tell their story from our Dear World exercise from the day prior. There were cheers, there was laughter, there were tears. Told with such composure, each speaker shared their own personal story with the room, and we closed with a stunning slideshow of portraits of brain tattoos from the group, shot by the talented Kelli Price Photography.

But it wouldn’t be a Retreats Resources event if we didn’t continue our conversation and spend the afternoon networking in the pool!

The grand finale evening took us to the beach. With cocktails and entertainment on the pier followed by dinner on the beach where we could sink our toes into the soft white sand, enjoy a final night of camaraderie and conversation under the stars as we dined at one long, beautiful table provided by Maritur DMC. The word magical was used over and over again. Indeed, it was a magical evening to top off a magical few days.

Finally, we bid hasta luego to the beautiful Riviera Maya, the lovely (and magical!) Etéreo and another Connoisseurs Connections Conference.

Mountain Blitz Spotlight: Goldener Hirsch, Auberge Resorts Collection, Deer Valley, Utah

Helloooo, Utah!

You know how we love new things…and this region of the country is new to us! And we can’t wait to get out there and meet our people. We hear life is elevated in Utah, so here… we… come!

Set in an incredible location at the base of Deer Valley Resort, with miles and miles of skiing, biking and hiking trails just steps from your doorstep, Goldener Hirsch is perfect for both winter and summer travelers looking to be pampered at the end of their very active days in the mountains.

Goldener Hirsch combines Bavarian charm with mountain chic, and, if you know Auberge Resorts Collection, the results are fabulous. With just 66 guest rooms the hotel feels as intimate as staying at your own private ski lodge. The details are all in the woodwork around the property, which give it its distinctive European taste.

Awarded #1 Resort in the U.S. by Travel & Leisure in 2023, you can’t go wrong with the location of this beautiful mountain gem. The cozy, inviting atmosphere and friendly staff will leave you with the feeling that you just visited a friend’s house, which makes this the perfect venue for us, because that is exactly how we want you to feel after one of our events!

Come join us on Wednesday, May 29th at Goldener Hirsch, Auberge Resorts Collection in Edelweiss Ballroom from 11 am – 12:30 pm and meet with our destination partners for our luxury Destination Showcase followed by lunch in Terasse from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm with a special Lunch & Learn feature on A.I. 101, a primer tailored just for Event Planners with Paul Klopfer, Vice President of Sales for Reposite.

Registration is open now on our website and our events are free for meeting and event professionals to attend – www.retreatsresources.com

I mean, if the cozy taste of Bavaria gets you right in the feels every time, you need to come join us! We look forward to welcoming you to Goldener Hirsch and the first stop on the inaugural Mountain Blitz Roadshow

Lone Star State Roadshow Spotlight: Austin Proper Hotel

Last but not least, Austin! Finally we are at the end of our Lonestar State Roadshow, only we invite you to the Austin Proper Hotel where it feels like you are coming home….someone’s super chic Austin home, that is. The details are inviting, yet luxurious, like the place you would want to have late night vibes after seeing a show in Austin’s thriving nearby downtown live music scene with all of your friends.

With 238 rooms and suites, a focus on wellness with a dedicated spa and fitness center, as well as four unique options for food and drink, including the bright mix and match of Peacock, the funky atmosphere of The Quill, the fashionable ambiance at Goldie’s, and the local flavors of La Piscina.

Come join us on Thursday, April 4th at Austin Proper Hotel in Marabou East Ballroom from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm for our Destination Showcase, followed by a luncheon from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm at La Piscina Restaurant and see for yourself this gem of a hotel in downtown Austin.

We will also be offering complimentary headshots by the fabulous Kelli Price Photography for all in attendance — we will share some tips for getting the most out of your headshot before the event, but we have full confidence Kelli will lead you in the right direction.

Registration is open now on our website and our events are free for meeting and event professionals to attend – www.retreatsresources.com

We look forward to welcoming you to Austin Proper Hotel and the final stop on the Lonestar State Roadshow!

Lone Star State Roadshow Spotlight: Thompson Houston

Hey there, H-town! We are heading your way next. We hope you are fixin’ to come out and see us on Wednesday, April 3rd. We think we have quite the venue to show you!

Considered Houston’s new “living room”, the long-awaited, über-chic Thompson opened its doors in February of this year. Gorgeous and futuristic glass-and-steel façade with curved lines, overlooks Buffalo Bayou Park on Allen Parkway, close to downtown.

The Thompson group is known for incorporating elements from the city into the design. Thompson Houston’s stunning lobby in the sky, on the seventh floor, was designed in a mid-century style. And guest rooms were created with a Texas oil baron’s home in mind.

The 36-story mixed-use building that houses Houston’s first Thompson hotel also includes residences, which have access to all the amenities of the hotel.

Come join us on Wednesday, April 3rd at Thompson Houston in the Vesper Pre-function area from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm for our Destination Showcase, followed by a reception from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm in Sol 7 Lawn.

Complimentary headshots by Kelli Price Photography will be available, too—so come looking fabulous for that if you choose! We will share tips before you arrive! The talented Kelli will help guide you to looking your best, though.

Registration is open now on our website and our events are free for meeting and event professionals to attend – www.retreatsresources.com

We look forward to welcoming you to the Thompson Houston and the third stop on the Lonestar State Roadshow!

Lone Star State Roadshow Spotlight: The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas

Do you want to see what reinventing yourself looks like?

Well now you’re a little bit curious, aren’t you?

You know how we love shiny new things.

So here’s an idea, Dallas, come see us at the newly reopened Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas on April 2nd! Because after a year-long, $55 million renovation, the former Four Seasons located just outside of Dallas in Irving, reopened in January of this year! Freshened up with a new lobby, guest rooms and amenity spaces, all with a nod to the property’s history as a former family ranch. With 427 guest rooms and 80,000 square feet of event space, and two PGA-certified golf courses.

Tapping into the red hot luxury market popping up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, they will also offer spa and pool services (currently under renovation, however), and, as we go live with this, unique dining and imbibing experiences are just opening, too!

Come join us on Tuesday, April 2nd at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas in Latana Ballroom from 10 am – 12 pm for our Destination Showcase, followed by lunch from 12 pm – 2 pm in newly opened KNIFE Restaurant (as in, today as we write this…the grand opening is set for March 19th)! Come be one of their first guests and let us know what you think!

Complimentary headshots by Kelli Price Photography will be available, too — so come looking your best for that! We will give you some tips before you arrive! We are confident Kelli will help guide you to looking your best, though.

Registration is open now on our website and our events are free for meeting and event professionals to attend – www.retreatsresources.com

We look forward to welcoming you to The Ritz Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas and the second stop on the Lonestar State Roadshow!

Lone Star Roadshow Spotlight: The Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection

We are on the road again, y’all….this time in Texas. And boy, do we have some treats for you.

Hey there, Fort Worth! You are our first stop on Monday, April 1st. We have planned something extra special and out of our ordinary for you all. Our friends at Auberge Resorts Collection have a beautiful new luxury property in Fort Worth and we want you to be our guests at a reception at this fabulous property. It won’t be our typical Destination Showcase where you sit down and meet with our Destination Partners, but they will be there for you to meet with more informally. We want a chance to get to know you and to show off our partner’s beautiful new property so we decided to throw ourselves a little party. Join us from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm for a cocktail reception in the Billet Room at The Bowie House.

Having just opened their doors in December 2023, The Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection, is a luxury property in the middle of Cowtown. With a private art collection and modern western décor, this stunning 106 room boutique hotel is owned by Dallas businesswoman Jo Ellard, a National Cutting Horse Association Non-Pro Hall of Fame rider who breeds championship horses at her ranch about 85 miles north of Fort Worth, bringing the authenticity to the property, rooted in Texas tradition.

Over the last few years Fort Worth has two-stepped its way into the spotlight with a rise in population and tourism. To accommodate one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S., millions of dollars have been invested in historic areas, museums, hotels and restaurants. To say Fort Worth is having a moment is an understatement.

Come join us on Monday, April 1st in the stunning Billet Room at The Bowie House! You won’t want to miss it. Not only will we provide some merriment and good company, all attendees will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a Maui Jim VIP gift card, eligible to use on any pair of non-prescription sunglasses on their website! That means you can pick out anything you want! And we are only doing this for our stop in Fort Worth!

Registration is open now on our website and our events are free for meeting and event professionals to attend – www.retreatsresources.com

We look forward to welcoming you to Fort Worth’s newest luxury venue and the first stop on the Lonestar State Roadshow!

 

New South Roadshow Spotlight: St. Cecilia Restaurant, Atlanta

We are back on the road next week and our first stop is to see our old friend Atlanta!

Well isn’t this just peachy? Atlanta, you are our Old Faithful, and you are our first stop on the New South Roadshow. You can find us on Tuesday, February 27th at the beautiful St. Cecilia Restaurant. Join us from 10 am – 2 pm for our Destination Showcase and Luncheon. We look forward to seeing lots of old friends and making some new ones, too.

Seafood and pasta lovers rejoice, St. Cecilia Restaurant, by Atlanta chef-owner Ford Fry, serves up simple, thoughtful coastal European food. With dishes inspired by the coastlines of Italy, Spain and France, you can find this gem of a restaurant in Buckhead’s Pinnacle Building.

We can’t say this any differently, Conde Nast wrote about St. Cecilia: “Prime Buckhead spot that feels like a brunch discovery The vibe Dazzling yet unpretentious The crowd Stylish The food Traditional, but playful The service Possibly psychic”

Come join us on Tuesday, February 27th at St. Cecilia’s Restaurant and see for yourself!

Registration is open now on our website and our events are free for meeting and event professionals to attend – www.retreatsresources.com

We look forward to welcoming you to Atlanta and the first stop on the New South Roadshow!

New South Roadshow Spotlight: Harriet’s Rooftop, Nashville

We are back on the road with our second roadshow of the year making stops in the New South, y’all.

Hey there, Music City! Because we know you are confident and unique enough to be the middle child, you are our second stop on the New South Roadshow. You can find us on Wednesday, February 28th at Harriet’s Rooftop at 1 Hotel Nashville. Join us from 11 am – 2 pm for our Destination Showcase and Luncheon. Come see for yourself our unique brand of industry event.

Known for the place where sustainability and luxury meet, 1 Hotels is known for its unique design and offerings to their guests at any of their hotels. Located on the 19th floor of the 1 Hotel Nashville with views of downtown Music City and one of the largest rooftops in the city, Harriet’s Rooftop is no different. With indoor/outdoor options, a variety of seating, lush greenery, bars, firepits and specialty libations the hip vibe we know 1 Hotel to have carries all the way up to their roof.

Come join us on Wednesday, February 28th at Harriet’s Rooftop! You won’t want to miss it.

Registration is open now on our website and our events are free for meeting and event professionals to attend – www.retreatsresources.com

We look forward to welcoming you to Nashville and the second stop on the New South Roadshow!

Sunshine State Roadshow Spotlight: The Tampa EDITION

Tampa, you are last but not least! We are back on the road with our first roadshow of the year hitting up stops in the Sunshine State. Our final stop brings us to the sleek Tampa EDITION hotel with our Destination Showcase and Luncheon in the Arts Club and Lounge from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Opening in 2022, with the creative vision of Ian Schrager, the always hip Tampa EDITION is Tampa’s only 5-star experience. With 172 guest rooms and 7 dining options set on the 56-acre Water Street neighborhood in downtown Tampa.

EDITION is one of the most innovative in the hospitality industry, creating world-class dining experiences in Tampa, including signature Mediterranean restaurant, Lilac, and Azure at Edition rooftop experience, both with menus by Michelin-starred chef, John Fraser.

You will find us in the sultry Arts Club and Lounge for our luncheon, underneath the ceiling full of mirror balls. (wait…did we just transport ourselves to Studio 54?)

Come join us on Thursday, February 8th at The Tampa EDITION and experience this hip hotel for yourself. Join our Destination Showcase to meet with our fantastic line up of destination partners and then stay and get to know our hospitality family at the hosted luncheon. Registration is open now on our website and our events are free for meeting and event professionals to attend – www.retreatsresources.com

We look forward to welcoming you to The Tampa EDITION and the final stop on the Sunshine State Roadshow