Large conferences and meetings are back and it ' s up to meeting planners to perfect the experience .
F & B
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GROUP BUSINESS HAS SPIKED FOLLOWING THE LEISURE BOOM , LEADING HOTELIERS TO TRY AND WOW GUESTS , AT ANY COST .
Contributed by RAYNA KATZ
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eisure travel buoyed hotels in the immediate wake of the COVID-19 pandemic , but meetings and conventions now are bringing up the rear . In-person events have gained a newfound appeal as a result of Zoom fatigue and the sense of isolation from working at home .
That ’ s good news for hotels , but it presents challenges , too . Though properties continue grappling with labor issues , many meeting planners tasked with organizing banquets and other food and beverage functions are contending with menu sticker shock in light of higher food costs . At the same time , meeting attendees demand an experience that makes traveling to a conference ( and , let ’ s face it , putting on pants ) worthwhile .
So how are hotels working with planners to leverage each other ’ s assets and design dazzling , memorable events without breaking the bank ? In short , by deploying creativity .
MEETINGS DELUGE “ Group business is raging ,” declared
84 hotelsmag . com Nov / Dec 2023