Spring VIBES From Miami
Spring is in full swing, and we couldn’t be happier to usher in this new season! The VIBE has already executed more than a dozen of events this year, and we’re excited to continue that momentum throughout 2022.
To get you in the spirit of all things, spring—a season of new beginnings—we’re looking at the freshest trends and destination highlights as of late. Happy reading!
New Hotel Openings
One of the best indicators that “the new normal” is starting to take hold is the opening of all-new travel destinations. Some are in new locations. Others are new appearances by world-renowned hospitality brands. And some others are completely unlike any other place on Earth.
- The Ritz-Carlton, Paradise Valley
It’s been more than ten years since this legendary brand has built a new hotel and resort in North America (the company has been focusing more on its residential line in recent times). So, it’s exciting to see this property coming to Scottsdale, Arizona. Like all Ritz-Carlton properties, an amazing spa is part of the experience (this one is two stories); and there are 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, and 20 acres of grounds and amenities to explore. - The Fifth Avenue Hotel
If you’ve tried to get a reservation at one of Las Vegas’s most popular restaurants – The NoMad Library – you’ll be very pleased to know a much larger version of the Gatsby-styled speakeasy is opening this year in the heart of New York City, which inspired it. “The Fifth” as it will be known, is built into a historic property and designed to be like a portal back in time to the Gilded Age – but with all the modern conveniences of today. - The Hilton & Conrad – Tulum
These side-by-side all-inclusive resorts both occupy some of the most beautiful landscape in coastal Mexico, and offer guests two levels of resort experience. Those familiar with Hilton will enjoy multiple on-property restaurants the brand has specialized in making unique and special. Other features include a waterpark and 20,000+ square-foot spa. Conrad Tulum will be the first for the brand in the area and will be noted for its exclusivity, spacious suites, and numerous pools and restaurants. A 50,000-square-foot convention center is shared by both properties and can host up to 3,000 attendees from both properties. - Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
Just opened this month, the world’s first-ever official Star Wars hotel is more than a place to stay – it’s an immersive adventure all its own. You and your group check in to a 2-day story. You are boarding The Halcyon for your trip of a lifetime through the galaxy. Every last inch of the hotel is themed, including your accommodations, the staff, and even the digitized view out the windows which show you gliding through space. “Cast Members,” as Disney calls them lead you through integrated activities of your choosing, all immersed within the Star Wars universe. A must-see for any fan of the franchise, or for any group looking for an unforgettable escape from the everyday.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Event Edition
According to a Harvard Business School report, approximately 70% of Americans believe that it’s important for companies to “make the world a better place.” Even more eye-opening is the fact that just under 90% of employees believe it’s not acceptable for businesses to make money at the expense of society. This challenges companies to think about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in a myriad of ways – not least of which is event marketing.
Events can often come under scrutiny for those who prioritize social responsibility. Criticisms like wasted food, inefficient use of energy and other resources, and production of trash from disposable items are all fair observations which require companies to think about the social cost tied to events and gatherings. If you’ve been following our blogs, you may remember these tips (https://www.thevibeagency.com/waste-not-event-more/) on how to minimize wastefulness, but CSR is more than that. When done right, an event planned with CSR in mind should generate more positives to the community and its people than any possible negatives associated with the planning and operation of that event.
Here are a few ways to rethink your events for CSR.
- Be a Do Gooder – there’s no need to make every event a catered affair, nor do you always need a ballroom and open bar. You’d be surprised how much team building you get out of sharing in a charitable or philanthropic cause like a beach clean-up, visiting patients at a nursing home, planting a community garden, or swinging a hammer with Houses for Humanity. Look at what’s available in your local area as well as national or regional organizations if your business reaches a broader audience.
- Get “Street Cred” – the “creds” in this case would be things like Carbon Offset Credits – which can be purchased in advance of your event depending on the size, expected attendance, and donations made at the event. These all take the shape of funds which are then routed to organizations working in clean energy and environmental clean-up around the world. Check out Radicle Balance and Terrapass to learn how to get involved.
- Be the Change You Wish to See – having trouble finding the right cause to support? Create an organization of your own, something that reflects your brand, your team, and what matters to you. Maybe there aren’t enough no-kill animal shelters in your town. Work to raise enough money to build and staff one with every event benefitting that cause. Perhaps you work in an industry that needs more diversity. Consider starting a mentoring program for women, people of color, or other minority groups.
- Go to the Source – trust your employees when they tell you what matters most to them. You may not get everyone to agree on the same single concept, but you should be able to find several causes that you can support in rotation. This will not only help ensure participation and engagement within your company, it also has been shown to increase job satisfaction and employee retention.
Gathering Outside the Box – Top 5 Non-Traditional Venue Ideas
One of the questions we get asked most often is, “Where can I hold my event that’s not just another boring ball room or meeting room?” It’s one of our favorite challenges, and these are a few of our favorites:
- Take it Outside: It doesn’t matter where you go in the world, there’s something special about being out in nature. Explore what can happen when you hold your event at a lakeside cabin, or on the deck of a mountaintop ski chalet. Get creative with a comfy living room set up complete with couches in the middle of the park. Host a giant beach-blanket party. The possibilities are as limitless as the great outdoors.
- Get Artistic: Museums, galleries, theaters, and performing arts centers all make for memorable event destinations. There’s always adequate space, there are hundreds of options for creating a one-of-a-kind visual statement with art, lighting, and props. And there’s always a chance to easily tie in a live performance as part of the event.
- Be a Good Sport: While many people have been to sporting venues before, there’s something different that happens when you get to stand right on the field where the action is. Whether that’s the infield of a local baseball team, the 50-yard line, center court, or center ice, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to look up at the stands rather than down from them.
- Go Wild: Aquariums, zoos, safari parks, and animal attractions are just a few of the places where events really stand out from the crowd. Picture the moody lighting and soothing backdrop of sea life floating by. Or, play up the charm and romance of butterflies flitting about an elegant afternoon tea.
- Dare to be Different: At VIBE, we like to ask “Why Not” as frequently as possible. For instance, we hosted an event at an Aviation museum with vintage planes, in the restaurant of a Top Chef (Corporate Even in Austin), and even with camel rides in the desert (Corporate Event in Dubai. If you can dream it, the chances are we can do it!
Hibiscus & Ginger Champagne Cocktail
This Hibiscus & Ginger Champagne Cocktail is the perfect brunch cocktail….light, sweet, refreshing, and bubbly! The hibiscus and ginger both bring a great element of surprise and flavor to the drink. Plus, the hibiscus flower floating around is really pretty and adds a little extra “wow” factor.
Ingredients
- 4 to 5 hibiscus flowers sitting in rose water syrup
- ½ cup Domaine de Canton or any ginger liqueur of your choice
- 1 (750ml) bottle champagne or sparkling wine
Instructions
- Place a single hibiscus flower and 1 tablespoon of rosewater syrup into each champagne flute.
- Pour 2 tablespoons of ginger liqueur into each glass and top with chilled champagne or sparkling wine. Serve.
Nutrition Facts for 5oz
- Calories: 86kcal
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Sugar: 9g
- Iron: 1mg
About the VIBE Agency: The VIBE Agency is a Miami-based award-winning full-service production agency that specializes in the creation and orchestration of live and virtual experiences for the corporate industry. The agency is forward-thinking and was recognized as one of the 50 top event companies by Special Events magazine in 2019 and 2020. If it can’t be live, make it VIBE!
