Midwest Roadshow Incentive Blitz Stop #3 – Olive + Oak, St. Louis

Hey there, St. Louis! It is our inaugural tour of the Midwest and our final stop on the 2023 Midwest Roadshow Incentive Blitz brings us to…. Olive + Oak in Webster Groves in St. Louis!

Known as an approachable restaurant and bar in a bustling neighborhood, Olive + Oak hand picks its thoughtful ingredient-driven food and drink for their bar and restaurant menu with you in mind, sourced locally whenever possible.

The historic building has been reimagined as an upscale urban destination suited to private parties and special celebrations. Created as a beautiful space where modern refinement meets relaxed revelry. The loft exudes subtle sophistication wherein the original warehouse aesthetic has been retained and complemented by pared-back furnishings and ambient lighting.

A mix of industrial and contemporary, the space itself is a blank canvas. Built-in staging with uplighting provides the perfect platform for entertainment, while state-of-the-art audio system and television wall can meet a range of production needs. Guests will notice a few classic O+O touches sprinkled throughout – the love for plants, hidden hearts, and the “I love you” sign where you fill in the blank.

Come join us in St. Louis at Olive + Oak in Webster Groves on Friday, July 28th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm for our Destination Showcase and Luncheon. We look forward to welcoming you to St. Louis and the final stop on the 2023 Midwest Roadshow!

Visit our website at www.retreatsresources for registration details!

Meet me in St. Louis!

 

 

 

Midwest Roadshow Incentive Blitz Stop #2 – The Pendry Chicago

What’s up, Chicago! It is our inaugural tour of the Midwest and our second stop on the 2023 Midwest Roadshow Incentive Blitz brings us to…. The Pendry Chicago!

Set within the iconic 1929 Art Deco Carbide & Carbon Building in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood, Pendry Chicago is a contemporary hotel that is the right balance of luxury and comfort and inspired gathering spaces throughout that embody the spirit of Chicago. Its prime location sets the very best stage for discovering the city and its brightest attractions with ease and convenience.

The tower’s iconic art deco-styling has made it an inseparable part of the city’s skyline. According to an urban myth of the era, the Burnham Brothers designed the building to resemble a dark green champagne bottle topped by a gold foil. Who wouldn’t be drawn to a magnificent bottle of champagne?

Dining options at The Pendry include Venteux, “windy” in French as a nod to the Windy City, where a distinct Parisian-inspired setting sets the tone for this French brasserie, café and oyster and champagne bar with a modern take on French cuisine.

Bar Pendry is a Pendry signature, their version of the classic hotel bar, tailored to Chicago’s distinct sense of style in a rich, moody space with a central fireplace making it cozy for guests to enjoy libations all day into the evening.

And finally, Château Carbide, located on the 24th floor, is where an al fresco rooftop plays host to outstanding skyline views of Chicago in a one-of-a-kind airy atmosphere.

Come join us in Chicago at The Pendry on Thursday, July 27th from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm for our Destination Showcase in Gallery Ballroom followed by Lunch reception from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm in Chateau Carbide rooftop. We look forward to welcoming you to Chicago and the second stop on the 2023 Midwest Roadshow!

Visit our website at www.retreatsresources for registration details!

Oh come on baby don’t you wanna go, back to that same old place, Sweet Home Chicago.

 

Lone Star State Roadshow Stop #3 – State of Grace, Houston

Helllllooo, Houston! Our third and final stop on our 2023 Lone Star State Roadshow brings us to the hip, retro-inspired State of Grace in Houston!

Welcome to Texas in another time. Elegant lighting illuminates the leather, brick and wood textures in this place of business and banter. State of Grace is a place to make memories while eating good food. It is a homage to the power of recollection, drawn from memory and given a proper frame.

State of Grace is inspired by the scenic Hill Country with a heavy Gulf Coast influence fusing Texas smoke with Asian touches, along with nods to classic Tex-Mex dishes. Located in the River Oaks neighborhood of Houston, this energetic restaurant offers a menu of bold Southern dishes using locally sourced products, including an expansive cold bar and oyster program drawing from the Texas Gulf.

Come join us in Houston on Thursday, April 27 from 10 am – 12 pm for our Luxury Destination Showcase followed by a Luncheon from 12 pm – 2:00 pm. We look forward to welcoming you to Houston and the final stop on the 2023 Lone Star Roadshow!

Visit our website at www.retreatsresources for registration details!

 

 

Lone Star State Roadshow Stop #2 – Perry’s Steakhouse at Domain NORTHSIDE, Austin

Hey, Austin! Our second stop on our 2023 Lone Star State Roadshow brings us to…. Perry’s Steakhouse in Austin!

Hello, happy hour, long Friday lunches, private business dinners, and celebratory parties at Perry’s Domain NORTHSIDE. It is here you can experience award-winning steaks, mouth-watering tableside presentations, the famous pork chop, flaming desserts and an expansive wine list. At Bar 79 you can sip refreshing cocktails and enjoy the expansive patio.

Come join us in Austin on Wednesday, April 26 from 10 am – 12 pm for our Luxury Destination Showcase followed by a Luncheon from 12 pm – 1:30 pm. We look forward to welcoming you to Austin and the second stop on the 2023 Lone Star Roadshow!

Visit our website at www.retreatsresources for registration details!

Lone Star State Roadshow Stop #1 – Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, Frisco

Hey y’all, we are heading to Texas! Our first stop on our 2023 Lone Star State Roadshow brings us to Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille in Frisco. With their trademark tag line Rare and Well Done® you know exactly what you are getting when you come to Perry’s.

Perry’s brings award-winning menus, iconic signatures, tableside presentations and impeccable service. With a spacious main dining room and quaint back room that can host up to a combined 223 guests, with a refined, warm and inviting atmosphere. With Perry’s open kitchen, guests can catch glimpses of chefs creating innovations, including the thick cut Perry’s Famous Pork Chop, as they dine amongst the twenty-foot-high wine tower featuring over 2,700 wines from around the world.

Perry’s island Bar 79, opening to a covered patio flanked with fireplaces is the perfect place to soak up warm Texas evenings. So, come join us at Perry’s Frisco and see, taste and experience what Rare and Well Done® is all about.

Come join us in Frisco on Tuesday, April 25 from 10 am – 12 pm for our Luxury Destination Showcase followed by a Luncheon from 12 pm – 1:30 pm. We look forward to welcoming you to Frisco and the first stop on the 2023 Lone Star Roadshow!

Visit our website at www.retreatsresources for registration details!

 

 

New South Roadshow Stop #4 – 21c Museum Hotel, Louisville

Our final stop on our 2023 New South Roadshow brings us to the 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville. Its our first time ever bringing our signature showcase to Derby City and we wanted to go big at this funky, artsy, museum hotel. Its definitely a vibe.

Nestled in downtown Louisville on historic West Main Street, along Museum Row, 21c Museum Hotel Louisville is a multi-venue contemporary art museum, an award-winning 91-room boutique hotel, and home to acclaimed Proof on Main restaurant. The Red Penguin is one constant at 21c Louisville among the ever changing art exhibit at the hotel and museum.

“The public really chose the penguins,” says Wilson. “They were part of our opening exhibition in Louisville and people couldn’t help but interact with them. They would move them around, take photos with them, take them to dinner and to their rooms. They have really become an icon, and emblematic of our mission to make thought-provoking contemporary art more accessible to the public.”

Over a decade and many hotels later, each 21c has its own flock of Penguins — each in a color that embodies the singular identity of their city. The Penguins greet visitors throughout the hotel – in the lobby, elevators, restaurant, guest rooms, and often, where you least expect them.

Come see the Red Penguins who started it all for yourself and join us on our first ever stop in Louisville on Thursday, March 23 from 10 am – 12 pm for our Luxury Destination Showcase in the gallery followed by a Luncheon at Proof on Main at 21c Hotel. We look forward to welcoming you to Louisville and the final stop on the 2023 New South Roadshow!

The 21C Museum Hotel is indeed that, an art museum, and as such, contains some art which might not be to everyone’s taste. If you think this may be an issue for you, please check their latest exhibit by clicking here.

Visit our website at www.retreatsresources for registration details!

New South Roadshow Stop #3 – Conrad Nashville

Our third stop on our 2023 New South Roadshow brings us to the Conrad Nashville. Opened in June 2022, the hotel represents everything that Nashville does best — layering in luxury hospitality with its 234 guest rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Conrad Nashville is decorated with art works of local artists, another nod to a city that has long been recognized for being a home to those wishing to express themselves.

On lobby level Blue Aster — named after the Tennessee wildflower, known for its unique star shape symbolizing love, wisdom and charm — serves seafood-centric American cuisine with Southern flavors.

On the hotel’s third floor, Thistle & Rye is hip a whiskey bar featuring shareable, globally-inspired small plates while you sip cocktails on the patio overlooking downtown Nashville.

Come see for yourself and join us in Nashville on Wednesday, March 22nd from 10 am – 12 pm for our Luxury Destination Showcase in the ballroom followed by a Luncheon at Thistle and Rye at the Conrad. We look forward to welcoming you to Nashville and the third stop on the 2023 New South Roadshow!

Visit our website at www.retreatsresources for registration details!

New South Roadshow Stop #2 – Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa, Birmingham

Our second stop on our 2023 New South Roadshow brings us to the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa in Birmingham.

Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa
Includes dining and food, rooms, architecture, pool and bagpipes.

Set just outside the city, deep in the heart of the “Hidden Gem of the South,” this Birmingham hotel provides a uniquely inspired setting surrounded by the natural beauty and lush landscape of a Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail championship golf course.

With 259 guest rooms, 3 restaurants, The Spa at Ross Bridge, 18 event rooms, and over 25,000 square feet of meeting space, this Marriott property appeals to both the leisure traveler and the business traveler for obvious reasons. Did we mention the location is absolutely breathtaking?

Come see for yourself and join us in Birmingham on Tuesday, March 21st from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm for our Luxury Destination Showcase in the ballroom followed by a reception on the terrace from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, with live music, yummy food and open bar, firepits…and massage chairs! We look forward to welcoming you to Birmingham and the second stop on the 2023 New South Roadshow!

Visit our website at www.retreatsresources for registration details!

New South Roadshow Stop #1 – The Thompson Buckhead, Atlanta

Our first stop on our 2023 New South Roadshow brings us to The Thompson Buckhead. Opening in December 2021, The Thompson Buckhead features 201 guest rooms, restaurant Dirty Rascal and members only Tesserae Rooftop Bar and Lounge, which guests will have access to when renting a suite.

Inspired by old-school red sauce restaurants in New York and classic Italian joints found just off the strip in Las Vegas, Dirty Rascal brings the swanky, mid-century vibes in the dining room and in the food they serve.

The definition of Tesserae reads, a composition of individual parts that forms a structure more beautiful in its combined power. Based on the idea of bringing people together from all backgrounds for events, entertainment and good times, Tesserae has created a club meant to be “exclusively inclusive”. Blurring the lines between work, rest and play the club offers a warm, elevated environment to foster a shared space for its members. And club rules…lap tops get turned off at 4 pm. Like any private club, Tesserae comes with its own unique rules of engagement. Curious? You can read more on those club rules here.

Come see for yourself and join us in Buckhead in Atlanta on Monday, March 20th from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm for our Luxury Destination Showcase in the Ballroom followed by a reception from 6:15 pm – 7:30 pm on the Members Only Tesserae Rooftop Bar and Lounge. We look forward to welcoming you to Buckhead and the first stop on the 2023 New South Roadshow!

Visit our website at www.retreatsresources for registration details!

Retreats Resources Manhattan Showcase Bonus: walk away with a new headshot!

We are pleased to be offering complimentary headshots at our Manhattan Showcase this Friday, February, 17th, at the Ritz-Carlton, New York, NoMad, thanks to photographer Kelli Price.

Here are a few tips to help you come prepared to exude fabulous:

Know the “why.”  Why do you need a headshot? Who is your audience? What do you want your photo to say?

Headshot or branding shots? Know the difference. Whereas the goal of a headshot session is one fabulous shot (maybe two), a branding session typically results in a collection of images in a variety of environments. For example, a chef might be shown for making magic in the kitchen, but also in jeans and T-shirt, strolling the farmers market seeking out his bounty. If you are a hotelier maybe that is a money shot within the hotel or resort you represent but also participating in an activity that is fitting of the lifestyle of your destination. If you are a meeting or event professional, maybe it’s an exciting venue or event set up with additional shots of the behind the scenes or day to day operations or how you spend your (limited) down time. If you’ve got your own business and/or website, a personal branding session may be the way to go.

Put your best face forward. Clothes, hair, makeup: They all matter. General rule of thumb? Wear what you feel and look great in. Avoid white, loud colors and busy patterns; you want the focus to be on your face. Ladies may want to bump up your makeup routine a bit, especially the eyes and lips, but a natural look is best.

Trust the process (and your photographer).  While no one is 100% relaxed during a photo shoot, trusting your photographer sure helps. Try to have a little fun (you will with Kelli!). For women, lean forward, lean on something, angle your head for a better jaw line. For the men, lean forward, hand in pocket. Your photographer will help you find the right angle for you. Then exhale….and smile.

Kelli’s Five Ways to make your Headshot Standout from the Crowd

  1. Color – the first thing that comes to mind is color! Color POPS!
  2. Style – Look professional but with a little extra va-voom. Don’t be afraid to show off your personality
  3. Confidence – You are leader, a Boss Babe, CEO, fresh college graduate….whatever you call yourself, make sure you show it with confidence
  4. Genuine smiles – Unless you are a rockstar, I promise you most people are a little uncomfortable in front of the camera. Pick a photographer that you are comfortable with and drink a glass of wine during the session if you need to. They make pretty props anyways!
  5. Sunglasses – See #2

If you are not registered already, what are you waiting for? To register (its free for event professionals!) go to our website at www.retreatsresources.com