state-of-the-art fitness centers, trails and access to golf courses (either nearby or owned). Gaylord National Resort also offers a summer yoga class,and is in close proximity to kayaking, paddle boarding and more offerings in National Harbor.


"Gaylord Hotels works with on-site part- ners to help facilitate sports tournaments and different group outings. Our hotels also offer a Tour Desk that can assist in providing attendees and groups with out- ing opportunities," said Furnish.


"Gaylord Hotels prides itself on its ability to customize and tailor meetings and events to meet a group’s needs,” he con- tinued. “At Gaylord National Resort, we use our on-site partner,Hello!Washington, DC, to create interesting team building activities [that] range from culinary offer- ings to charitable events to a scavenger hunt in Washington, DC. Some examples include a Top Chef competition, sushi- making activity and build-a-bike."


Gaylord Hotels work closely with clients to determine their specific goals and needs in order to create unique experi- ences for each group.


"By incorporating teambuilding into your meeting,you are encouraging networking, comradery, creativity, innovation, problem solving and friendly competition among attendees," Furnish emphasized.


Popular host destinations for meetings, events,conventions and a variety of other functions,Gaylord Hotels are some of the largest resorts in the country with ample meeting space.


Gaylord National Resort, for example, offers 500,000-square feet of meeting space (including indoor and outdoor options) and also can convert non-tradi- tional space (like its atrium, private pier, etc.) into space that can be used formeet- ings, events and other group activities.


Experience The Unexpected


Julie King is the marketing manager for Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Farmington, PA, which is located in the


in


southwestern quadrant of the state. This one-of-a-kind destination resort features a vast array of offerings for group functions.


For example,Nemacolin’s award winning Woodlands Spa offers over 100 treatments that include signature massages and facials in a peaceful and tranquil setting.


“In addition to the Woodlands Spa, the Holistic Healing Center focuses on inte- grative methods designed to achieve life balance and wellness in a relaxing, private setting," noted King.


The resort’s Restaurant Collection con- tains more than 15 fine and casual dining options. Among its fine dining choices is the Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five- Diamond winning Lautrec, one of the finest dining experiences in the country, and one of only 25 restaurants to hold both of these awards simultaneously.


Aqueous is Nemacolin’s upscale steak house that boasts table-to-ceiling views of the surrounding Laurel Highlands. Autumn features a menu inspired by regional cuisine with a focus on sustain- able seafood. Among several casual din- ing options on-site is the Tavern, which offers a family-friendly environment.


For recreation and activities, King noted that Nemacolin boasts more than 70 different opportunities,which includes 36 holes of championship golf, a Field Club that houses Nemacolin’s sporting clay and fly fishing facilities, and an Adventure Center featuring a 3,000-foot dueling zip line, canopy tour, ropes course, 50-foot climbing wall, mini-golf, the Jeep® Off- Road Driving Academy, paintball, biking, bowling and an arcade.


“Nemacolin also has aWildlife Academy,” she added,“which is home to more than 100 species of exotic animals. In the winter months, Nemacolin also offers downhill skiing and snowboarding, snow tubing,dog sledding, cross country skiing and snowshoeing."


TheWildlife Academy is a great option for those who prefer a slower paced activity, as it offers engaging and educational pro-


grams highlighted by the Safari Tour, which takes guests on an interactive tour of the animal exhibits with feeding sta- tions.Animals on the tour include wolves, tigers, lions and bear – oh,my!


Still another unique Wildlife Academy activity is dogsledding,which is available year-round.


The resort plays host to amultitude of golf outings and tournaments each year, too. With its 36 holes,Nemacolin can accom- modate up to 288 golfers per tournament. Additionally, the resort hosts regular clay shooting tournaments and events at its Field Club for various sized groups.


For team building, Nemacolin boasts more than 30 engaging activities from which groups can choose, but the resort also can customize an activity for any group or meeting. “All programs are designed to grow,motivate and encourage participants in a fun and exciting way," observed King.


"Nemacolin’s Wildlife Olympics team building activity is a unique look into the life of a zookeeper and requires partici- pants to work together as well as individ- ually to achieve goals such asmeatweigh- ing, horse saddling, a tortoise and hare race,and animal trivia," she added.


Nemacolin’s event and group activity space is spread across 2,000-acres looking out over the Laurel Highlands. Addition- ally, the resort offers more than 32,000- square feet ofmeeting space,with a selec- tion of both indoor and outdoor venues.


Each of these resort destinations pres- ents groups with unique opportuni- ties for great getaways and experi- ences that will be appreciated and long remembered.


For those seeking something different for their group,choosing a destination resort is a great way to excite and energize attendees as well relax them and help them unwind.


Mid-Atlantic EVENTS Magazine 39


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