Puerto Rico for a meeting? - i think yes...

My FAM trip to Puerto Rico really sucked me into the meetings industry... For those of you unfamiliar with the term, FAM is short for 'familiarization.' Hotels and resorts truly believe that if you experience their hotel, resort, destination, etc, you will be more likely choose them for your next meeting... perhaps a sales kick-off or incentive trip for top performers and sometimes - IT WORKS! FAM has another acronym associated with it, VIP, because that's exactly what you are (for the time being). From the minute you step foot in the baggage claim you are welcomed by a uniformed greeter with a personalized sign and then escorted to a luxury sedan and driver who whisks you to your destination. (i know you are asking... is this really your job? yes, but don't worry, this doesn't happen too often.) Ha...Ok, so once I checked into the Westin Rio Mar, I found my room and this is where I first learned about the world of Amenities... Webster defines them as: "any feature that provides comfort, convenience, or pleasure" and sometimes this is true. For example, I was very pleased with my chocolate palm tree and dipped strawberries atop cinnamon sugar sand. Amenities are basically little presents to welcome you or a token to remember their hotel... sometimes a bottle of local wine or a beach towel embossed the hotel logo.

The next two days were filled with a whirlwind of site visits of the local hotels including the El Conquistador, the Westin Rio Mar (now the Wyndham) and the Gran Melia. We took a tour of each hotel to see their guest rooms, suites, meeting space, pools, fitness centers and restaurants... all worth staying longer! To the right is a photo of Gran Melia's gorgeous pool overlooking the ocean.

I also had a quick tour of the city of San Juan and just loved the multi-colored buildings... not something you see in the strict city of Santa Barbara (where you are required to have red Spanish-style roofing.) I didn't want to leave my VIP vacation (while working) in Puerto Rico, but reality set in and it was time to jet-set home.

Until next time,

Skye

The Greenbrier :: the first of many meetings

The Greenbrier was the first hotel I entered as a meeting professional just over three years ago. I'll never forget stepping into the lobby feeling like I had just stepped back in time. The trip in was a bit long with three connections from Santa Barbara to Roanoke, VA and a 90 minute cab ride into White Sulphur Springs, WV... but once we arrived, it was well worth the trip. The southern hospitality was laid on as thick as their accents as the staff waited on you hand and foot anticipating each and every need. The next several days were a frenzy of one-on-one meetings between hotels and meeting planners from various corporations. Our attendees enjoyed several activities ranging from off-road driving school to horseback riding to croquet. The Greenbrier also has their own screen room and bowling alley where we held a reception for 50 people. After dinner on the final evening, guests were directed poolside where they enjoyed decadent desserts, after dinner liqueurs, and a surprise fireworks show. Needless to say, the meeting at the Greenbrier was a success in more ways than one and was the start of my adventures of 'traveling in style'. Enjoy these excerpts and let me know where you've been!

Check out The Greenbrier here.

Until next time,

Skye