Sunday, February 20, 2011

Omni Resort at Championsgate - Your Meeting Can Have It All!

I have been working this year to put together a small gathering of folks at the Omni Resort at Championsgate. My client initially did not even have this property on her list. I knew that the attendees (mostly congressmen and lobbyists) were going to be attending some spring training games, and connecting with one another on a primarily social level. They needed to relax, rejuvinate, play a little golf and avoid a bit of the craziness that is the Disney area during weeks that include spring break! When I put the word out within our amazing internal tool, InSite, the word came back that a great choice that I had not considered would be The Omni Resort at Championsgate!



Many of my colleagues had booked this property for various events and meetings ranging from 10 attendees to 500. I heard glowing reviews about the staff, the service and the golf courses.

Some of you may be familiar with of our proprietary system that allows us to communicate among our 1,200 colleagues to get client feedback, site information, and information about properties in general and the staff and amenities and meeting facilities.  We are able to ask each other questions and share experiences, both good and bad.

One of our many tools, InSite, allows us to gather and share information about various properties.


We can also access specific information and feedback from clients!


Some of the insight offered by my colleagues at HelmsBriscoe about The Omni Championsgate:

"once the attendees arrived onsite, it was the best experience they have ever had. Everyone was courteous and bent over backwards to meet their needs. One attendee made a nonchalant comment to the bellman that escorted her to her room that she had bad karma when it came to rooms. (Her room was overlooking the parking lot.) Without saying a word, he went to the phone, called the front desk and had her moved to a room overlooking the golf course. The food was phenomenal, the meeting rooms were beautiful. The attendee could not say enough about this hotel. This group would definitely return to the Omni ChampionsGate Orlando."

"was very impressed with the very upscale guest rooms, the great and flexible meeting space, excellent and close by golf--where they can stage the golf carts outside the hotel even for a tourney so no walking to pro shop even, and ate in the restaurant with excellent service for the meal. Heard only good comments on hotel, all the extras ballrooms have with access, and AV capabilities. Pool area is very nice too, with two pools, slide and lazy river, and some my clients like idea of away from Disney and could drop resort in other cities and fit right in--not theme park feel to it like many in Orlando. Grocery store and drug store, plus restaurants right out entrance in strip center--between hotel and I-4 highway, so convenient for attendees"

"both my client and I were impressed with how well the meeting space is laid out, the upscale feel of the property and the service levels"

"Not only have they been fabulous to work with but the property gave us a "quiet" WOW factor. Our meeting is a 3 day customer event with full meals and extensive meeting space. They have great breakout space and the layout works well."

I feel very confident in the client's selection of this property. Also, those I reached out to who are avid golfers also recommended this property on the top of the heap for their golf courses.





The resort features two championship 18-hole golf courses designed by accomplished architect and golfer, Greg Norman, a lighted 9-hole, par 3 golf course, and is the World Headquarters for the David Leadbetter Golf Academy. Golfers also enjoy the convenience of walk-out golf with a continuous golf cart shuttle to and from the golf course and academy. The academy adds an added bonus activity and opportunity for team building to any event.


The 36 holes of world-class golf at ChampionsGate were designed to offer golfers a blend of traditional and modern elements, creating a truly unique golf course in Orlando. The International Course offers an authentic link style golf experience, reminiscent of the great golf courses of the British Isles. The National Course provides golfer’s with a challenging round of golf with its traditional American style design.


The staff members at the Championsgate Golf Club have been extremely helpful and accomodating during the planning phase of this event. Our attendees are looking forward to an amazing golfing experience.

Also...anyone who has read my blogs before knows that I am a huge conniseur of the hotel pools.  It's almost an obsession of mine.  This particular property boasts one of my very favorite things...a lazy river!



I am one of those individuals who feels that a property is somehow incomplete without the addition of a lazy river!  You may remember a blog I wrote about various hotel pools...it is a personal obsession and one that I try to emphasize to my clients when they are combining business with pleasure.

I am also a huge fan of the private cabana...and from what I have seen and heard this is another area where this property scores.


A Private Cabana poolside at the Omni Championsgate


Aside from the many aspects of this property that I have heard about, one of the most important features that has been consistently raved about by my colleagues is their meeting space and function space.  The variety in sizes, shapes, form and function allows any size group to find it's place for all aspects of a meeting or event.  The Omni Resort at Championsgate has over 70,000 square feet of meeting space!

From a small board meeting


To a large annual sales meeting

The sizes and variety of meeting space is a big plus when putting together any event and the Omni doesn't disappoint.

With this particular event, we are focused on more social functions.  I was also impressed with what seem to be some amazing areas for both indoor and outdoor social functions, receptions and meals.



Our group has opted to hold a reception in one of the outdoor areas that offers more of a golf course view...



I cannot say enough about how friendly, professional and accomodating the staff of this property have been in helping me bring my client to this property.  This is the first event of this kind for this client who hopes to make it an annual event and from assisting with finding transportation, to working with us on rates, to making sure there were no organized events for another political party during our event, they have been fantastic! I am hoping that the event runs as smoothly as the planning stage.

In addition, I found out yesterday that our regional meeting will be held at this property in May of this year, so I look forward to having a chance to experience firsthand what everyone else has expressed.  Of course, more information will be coming!

So for now, I am amazingly grateful for Juan Diaz, Claudia Jacobs, Deborah Loch, and Brenda Pfeifer for working with me to earn...and keep my client's business!  It is so nice to have partners like you!






Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Why should I use a 3rd party for hotel site selection?

Many meeting planners come to me trying to weigh out the benefits of using a 3rd party to conduct their site selection.  I know that many planners are worried about giving up perks, points and commissions and I understand these concerns, these are factors that you need to weigh out for yourself.

Let me shed some light on a few benefits, and address some concerns.

First of all, HelmsBriscoe is #1 in group bookings for every major hotel chain.  We have access to special promotions, open rooms, and deals exclusive to our clients.  When we submit an RFP on your behalf to a property, chances are, we have already sourced many other meetings to that property and they already know how we work.  We have access to historical rates booked by our colleagues for that property and our requests are generally handled by someone who is on staff exclusively to handle HelmsBriscoe business.  All of that negotiation and research frees up a great deal of our planners' time.

Contract negotiation is another added bonus to utilizing our services.  Whether you are new in the game or an old pro, our 1,100 associates in 44 countries have the experience with your selected properties.  We deploy dozens of risk aversion strategies to protect our clients' meetings. 

Worried about attrition?  HB can help!  Because we are such a large team, we can usually find other clients to fill your open rooms and assist with attrition, this is another reason our hotel partners love working with us! 

What about the little things?  HB has negotiated with our partner properties to make sure you get your points, as well as still being able (and STRONGLY encouraged) to go on site visits and familiarization trips.

Still have doubts?  There are no contracts with HelmsBriscoe, if you are thinking about trying us out, let me work with you on a quote for your next meeting.  We can be as involved as you want us to be, and if you aren't ready to dive all of the way in, start with one meeting and we can move forward from there!

Email me for more information or fill out a simple information request form here:

It's time to plan your Master's event! And the clock is TICKING!

April may seem far away for many of you, but for those in the know, it's actually quite late to plan for the Master's Tournament in Augusta.



This year, the Master's Tournament will be held April 6-12, 2009.



HelmsBriscoe can assist your group, and I can even coordinate tickets, VIP passes, all the way to trophy room passes, but you have to plan NOW!


My company specializes in booking 10 or more rooms, and through the wonderful and amazing contacts I developed through years in golf travel, I can work with you on customizing your trip.  There's no better reward for your clients and employees than a stroll across the grounds at Augusta National during the world's classiest golf event.  If you have never been, it is an amazing experience, tantamount to the Olympics or the Superbowl.  The atmosphere is unlike any other and tickets are not sold to the general public.  Rooms are often sold out up to a year in advance, however, being the global leader in hotel site selection, we have access to the inventory that may not be available to the public.

Email me today for more information on planning your event at this year's (or next year's) Master's Tournament in Augusta, GA.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Let HelmsBriscoe book your Superbowl Group!



How about trying out the global leader in hotel site selection to find rooms for your group for this year's Superbowl! Being a resident of South Florida, I like to consider myself an expert on the best solution for your group, not only for the Superbowl but for any event you may be planning needing 10 or more hotel rooms!  Contact me today, rooms are going fast and time is running out!  I will do my very best to utilize all of the tools and contacts available to make your Superbowl event a rousing success!




Saturday, January 16, 2010

A Luxurious Option for your meeting in South Florida, The Seagate Hotel and Spa

 


This is a property I previewed prior to their grand opening, and now they are in full swing and ready to take on your meetings and events!  Delray Beach is a wonderful destination, close to both the West Palm Beach Airport and not a long trip from Fort Lauderdale.  This property is ideal for incentives, board meetings, destination weddings and more!




The Seagate is a member of the Preferred Hotels and Resorts network, with good reason!  This upscale, luxury boutique hotel is a gem set in beautiful Delray Beach.  The beauty of the beach is partnered with a charming Florida village offering multiple activities, dining choices and shopping galore.  Your participants will find plenty to do as well as lots of on site benefits, including a state-of-the-art fitness center and an amazing spa.







The Beach Club is another great advantage, just hop on the complimentary trolley from the hotel and you are transported to a private beachfront retreat, with a fabulous restaurant, swimming pool and a private beach.








 



A breakdown of the meeting space:



  • Meeting Rooms - 3
  • Total Square Footage - 2292
  • Guest Rooms - 162
  • Maximum Group Block - 100
  • Theater Capacity - 90
  • Reception Capacity - 190
  • Banquet Capacity - 100
  • U-Shape Capacity - 25
  • Classroom Capacity - 70

 

Dining at the Seagate is a culinary delight, the main restaurant, The Atlantic Grille,  has become a local favorite, offering seafood, steaks, pasta and salads along with an extensive wine list.



Patrons are fascinated by the jellyfish aquarium behind the bar, always a great conversation piece.



A Sneak Peek at the Presidential Suite:

All of the rooms at the Seagate Hotel and Spa are luxurious, amenities include:
  • 42" Flat Screen TV's with DVD players
  • Robes and Slippers
  • High Speed Wireless and Wired Internet Access
  • In Room Gourmet refreshment center and Keurig Coffee Maker
  • Microwave
  • Personal in-room safe
  • iHome docking stations
  • Luxury Egyptian cotton linens
  • Generous bathtubs, walk-in glass enclosed showers
  • Lighted Makeup Mirrors
I always love having a peek at the presidential suites, and this one is no disappointment, with a wonderful view of Delray Beach, beautiful patio, full kitchen and dining room with marble countertops, etc.


Lovely Sitting Room



Fully Appointed Kitchen



Dining Room



Bedroom



Balcony off of Presidential Suite


Ready to book your meeting or event at the Seagate?  Fill out the following form and I will contact you  with more information.

Email me here

Email the Seagate Hotel directly here (and be sure to tell them where you heard about em!)






Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Seamless Arrival at Atlantis Bahamas

Checked in at VIP services, a lovely respite from the main lobby with a wonderful and friendly staff.  Also found that the resort has the capability to service expedited and customized check in for any size group or meeting with several meeting spaces very convenient to the main lobby.



Lovely room with a view of the water, the sales staff, specifically Justin Plank, have been amazingly helpful and accommodating. 


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Atlantis Bound!

Why not have your meeting in Paradise?  Heading down to check out the facilities at Atlantis to provide my clients with the most comprehensive information on this amazing property.  You can see a map and more information on their meeting space here.






Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Looking forward to our regional meeting at the Naples Grande

Have yet to visit this property, here are the basics, more after the weekend!

About the Hotel:

Located on 23 acres of Southwest Florida's Paradise Coast, Naples Grande Beach Resort is a full-service destination resort in the heart of Naples.The Golden Door Spa, located at the Resort's entrance, features 13 treatment rooms set in a unique Asian-inspired spa village. Enjoy unique treatments designed to rejuvenate the mind and body. The resort features acclaimed recreational amenities including a new pool complex with private cabanas and Mangrove Mountain waterslide, award-winning dining, supervised childrens' programs, and outstanding conference facilities. Enjoy 15 Har-Tru tennis at the Resort or golf at the Naples Grande Golf Club.The Strip House, the celebrated New York steakhouse restaurant, provides a seductive dining experience at Manhattan's famed Strip House, offering everything from a delectable start to the meal with lobster bisque to a perfectly charred strip steak as your entree. Aura, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, encapsulating a global view of authentic ingredients in their purest form. By incorporating these elements into a lively spot for conversation and familiar food, Aura is quickly becoming a local favorite. Paradise Grill, located on the pristine Clam Pass Park beach on the Gulf of Mexico, serves salads, sandwiches, snacks, and refreshing beverages with a tropical flair. Palm Terrace Pool Bar & Grill, is an informal outdoor bar where guests gather for their favorite poolside beverages and light lunch.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Palm Beach County Resorts

As a Global Accounts Manager for HelmsBriscoe, I have clients and meetings all over the world, but I also love my home base and enjoy telling others all about what Palm Beach has to offer!





North Palm Beach County:

Hilton Singer Island Oceanfront Resort
Located oceanfront on a tranquil, four-mile stretch of sandy beach on prestigious Singer Island in the Greater Palm Beaches, minutes from the area's shopping, dining and recreational activities.



Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa
Multi-million dollar renovation recently completed. Jupiter’s only boutique, oceanfront resort boasts Caribbean-style comfort and luxury with 168 well-appointed guestrooms and suites, 1,000 feet of private beach, two restaurants with ocean views, lounge, new 7,500 square-foot spa and fitness center, oceanfront pool and lighted tennis court.




PGA National Resort and Spa
Located in a lush south Florida paradise, PGA National Resort & Spa offers a complete resort experience. A multi-million-dollar renovation has resulted in the "re-birth" of this legendary resort.



The Resort at Singer Island
Premier luxury oceanfront resort opened April 2007. A member of Starwood Hotels and Resorts’ prestigious Luxury Collection. Featuring 239 luxurious one and two bedroom suites with private terraces, a world-class spa, fitness center, signature restaurant, lounge, pool bar/grill, coffee express, meeting accommodations and two outdoor swimming pools … experience the essence of indulgence …experience The Resort at Singer Island.






Windsor Gardens Hotel and Conference Center
Featuring 90 guestrooms and suites, the Windsor Gardens Hotel & Conference Center is located minutes away from world-class golf courses, beaches, smashing tennis courts, toe-tapping entertainment, premier shopping, the finest in dining and so much more. Guests can dine onsite at Secrets Piano Bar & Grill overlooking the pool or just enjoy the fireplace on the poolside patio. Our conference center offers over 3,000 square-feet. We can accommodate banquets for up to 210 guests. Golf packages available.



Central Palm Beach County

The Breakers
Celebrated for its heritage, gracious service, world-class resort amenities and legendary ocean front Palm Beach location. 8 restaurants, private beach, 5 pools, The Beach Club & Spa, boutiques, tennis, Family Entertainment Center and 36 holes of golf.



The Chesterfield Hotel
Luxury boutique hotel, historic landmark, member of Small Luxury Hotels. Individually designed suites and rooms, award-winning restaurant, courtyard, pool, library and cigar room. Two blocks from Worth Avenue and ocean.






The Colony Hotel
Boutique four-diamond hotel located on the island of Palm Beach. Steps to ocean, stores and restaurants. Accommodations include 2-bedroom villas, penthouse, suites and rooms. Home of Royal Room Cabaret and Polo Steak House featuring live entertainment.



Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach
Elegant oceanfront resort with luxurious guestrooms, all with private balconies. Resort features include AAA Five-Diamond rated restaurant, pool, tennis, full-service spa, fitness center and salon, water sports and full-day children’s program. Championship golf nearby.






The Omphoy Ocean Resort
Indulge... transform... explore... play... at our new Palm Beach oceanfront boutique resort….a new experience. Michelle Bernstein's Restaurant features our hot new chef from South Beach and the James Beard 2008 award winner. The Omphoy Ocean Resort also features Exhale Spa from New York, an exclusive Beach Club, and so much more




Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach
This luxurious Mobil Five-Star, beachfront resort features 310 elegant guestrooms/suites with private balconies, 41,000 square-foot spa, tennis, two outdoor pools, nearby golfing, water sports, 3,000 square-feet terrace with fire pit, three superb restaurants showcasing inviting and warm Ritz-Carlton services.






South Palm Beach County

Boca Raton Resort & Club
Comprehensive luxury resort with a wealth of amenities and services including world renowned Spa Palazzo, championship golf and tennis, half-mile stretch of private beach, 32-slip marina, 15 dining and entertainment venues and outstanding children’s program.






Seagate Hotel and Spa
Located in Delray Beach, the Seagate Hotel & Spa is scheduled to open in November of 2009. The hotel will feature 162 rooms, 8,000 square foot spa, retail space and restaurant.