Organizations mount meetings that con- sist of 100 or fewer attendants for various reasons, from training and education to team building to executive retreats.
David Jackson, Pocono Mountains Convention andVisitor Bureau vice presi- dent of sales, sees a plethora of small meetings destinations in the Pocono Mountains region that are designed to accomplish such objectives.
Jackson adds that he looks forward to the Middle Pennsylvania Chapter of Meeting Planners International’s upcoming visit to Kalahari Resort and Convention Center, “There will be fewer than 100 members and they are very excited about the venue. Something new is always an
enticement.Similar enthusiasmsurrounds the upcoming openings of Camelback Lodge and Hampton Inn and Suites.”
Small meetings in the Pocono Mountains span many industries, as well as associa- tions by the dozens. Not only do 2,400- squaremiles of natural beauty and count- less choices for recreation beckon, but so, too, do a number of superb, technologi- cally advanced facilities.
“Plus, we’re within driving distance from Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, southern New England,Washington, DC, and six interstate highways,” Jackson notes. “We have somany options for team building,which is something we are vigor- ously targeting. A group of county com- missioners, for example,is coming here to skeet shoot.”
Jackson is happy to travel in order to share the wonders of the region with meeting planners in a variety of locations, too. A recent Appreciation Reception for 50 planners in NewYork City featured 10 presentations by Pocono Mountains CVB partners who showcased properties and the region.
“We met at the Upper Story on the 14th floor of the D&D Building, a renowned decorating and design center, and we
24 November December 2015
brought in an award-winning chef and a Spanish trio to entertain,” Jackson recalls. “It was a big success.What’s nice about these events is the response when we fol- low up. We are not making cold calls - they are 'warm' calls.”
Another treasure among tantalizing out- door settings can be found in Bucks County, PA. When asked why planners schedule so many small (and other) meetings in the picturesque area, Leah Ben, sales and marketing associate of Visit Bucks County,was eager to reply.
“Bucks County is just 25 miles from Philadelphia,30miles fromPrinceton and 75 miles from NewYork.Our region offers the perfect combination of rustic ele- gance and professional services, so meet- ings are productive and relaxing. There are a variety of venues,historical sites like Washington’s Crossing,museums,wineries and more.”
Earlier this year, Timber Framers held its annualmeeting in Peddler’sVillage,a colo- nial-style village offering 6,000-square feet of meeting space plus 42-acres of award- winning gardens, over 60 specialty shops and six restaurants in Lahaska, Bucks County. “There was so much for them to do,”comments Ben.“They were especially interested in historic architecture,covered bridges and barns.”
Another group incorporated "A Taste of Philadelphia" into its meeting at Pennsbury Manor, William Penn’s recon- structed home situated along the Delaware
River.Actors, dressed in period costumes, conducted tours and demon- strations. Visit Bucks County arranged for transportation.“This meeting site got great reviews,”declares Ben.
Visit Bucks County is at the ready to sup- port planners from beginning to end. “We can do as little or as much as planners need,” Ben adds. “We handle site tours, lodging, transportation and provide end- less suggestions for side excursions. The energy of Bucks inspires us.”
Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, too, is a source of inspiration formany planners of small meetings and events.
Suzanne Stianche,national salesmanager for Discover LehighValley, attends numer- ous trade shows and meeting market events where she extols the destination and its versatile venues. “It’s all about building relationships,” she stresses. “We are available for site inspections and selections; vendor/supplier referrals; shut- tling and transportation;municipal servic- es;media contacts;official welcomes and much more.”
Oftentimes, a group will look for some- thing outside-the-box as their meeting or team building site, or for taking part in activities once they’ve finished their con- ference. There are plenty of such exciting options in the Lehigh Valley. Among Stianche’s suggestions are: America on Wheels Museum; ArtQuest Center at SteelStacks; Banana Factory; Rodale Institute; Binney & Smith; and Crayola Factory, to name just a few.
A recent small meeting held by P&L’s legal department brought 30 people to the Sands
Bethlehem.The 302-room hotel features a casino with over 3,000 slot machines, 200 table games and a poker
room.There are 10 restaurants on site,out- let stores, a spa, and The Sands Event Center. As a memorable finale to the event, the group toured
C.F.Martin Guitar Factory and learned about the art of gui- tar craftsmanship, following the instru- ment through 300 steps, from rough lum- ber to completion.
In July, Mack/Volvo mounted a one-day product launch for 90 local and interna- tional executives in Allentown. Discover LehighValley helpedwith parade and fire- works permits and found local artists to create centerpieces and paint hardhats.
“We also linked them to a cigar rolling experience and Trixie’s Treats food truck for sundae making,” reports Stianche. “Something else that works very well is
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