In this episode of Eventful, The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, we're talking with Brett Sterenson, president of Hotel Lobbyists, a 15-year-old site-selection firm that mostly focuses on government events. In the past couple of weeks, Sterenson has heard from clients far and wide — including many he hadn't spoken with during the pandemic — and his level of business on the books has ticked way up. But there are many Covid restrictions still in place for these meetings, and plenty of changes that need to be incorporated in event contracts going forward.
 
In our conversation, we cover:
 
• How the GSA's per-diem rate is helping government meetings stay competitive (6:20)
 
• Where government meetings are being placed (7:00)
 
• Which Covid protocols government meetings are paying the most attention to (9:30)
 
• Event contract changes that are here to stay (11:30) 
 
• What the meetings volume for the rest of the year will be (17:30)
 
• The challenges of working with state governments (20:50)

In this episode of Eventful, The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, we're talking with Brett Sterenson, president of Hotel Lobbyists, a 15-year-old site-selection firm that mostly focuses on government events. In the past couple of weeks, Sterenson has heard from clients far and wide &mdash; including many he hadn't spoken with during the pandemic &mdash; and his level of business on the books has ticked way up. But there are many Covid restrictions still in place for these meetings, and plenty of changes that need to be incorporated in event contracts going forward. &nbsp; In our conversation, we cover: &nbsp; &bull; How the GSA's per-diem rate is helping government meetings stay competitive (6:20) &nbsp; &bull; Where government meetings are being placed (7:00) &nbsp; &bull; Which Covid protocols government meetings are paying the most attention to (9:30) &nbsp; &bull; Event contract changes that are here to stay (11:30)&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; What the meetings volume for the rest of the year will be (17:30) &nbsp; &bull; The challenges of working with state governments (20:50)

Hosted by Northstar Meetings Group, Eventful invites you to listen in on insightful conversations about hot topics in the meetings and events industry. Tune in for interviews and analysis of the editorial coverage in Meetings & Conventions, Successful Meetings, Meeting News and Incentive.

Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals

Government Meetings Are Ramping Up

When it comes to developing creative, out-of-the-box meeting experiences, independent hotels provide a number of appealing options for event planners. In this episode of Eventful, created in partnership with the Caribe Royale Orlando, we delve into the advantages of working with independent properties, by looking in depth at Caribe Royale’s approach to events. We speak with the property’s managing director, Amaury Piedra about how he and his team works with meeting planners to create exceptional events—and how input from meeting planners has shaped new, major upgrades to the property. 

For a bigger-picture perspective on the value of independent hotels, we also spoke with Michael Dominguez, president and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International, which serves as a global sales arm for independent hotels for meetings, incentives and conventions. He shared what he thinks sets independents apart and how planners can leverage their offerings.

Listen to the in-depth conversation in our latest episode of Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, and remember to subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts and anywhere else you listen to podcasts.

This episode was created in partnership with Caribe Royale Orlando.

When it comes to developing creative, out-of-the-box meeting experiences, independent hotels provide a number of appealing options for event planners. In this episode of Eventful, created in partnership with the <a href="https://www.cariberoyalemeetings.com/">Caribe Royale Orlando</a>, we delve into the advantages of working with independent properties, by looking in depth at Caribe Royale’s approach to events. We speak with the property’s managing director, Amaury Piedra about how he and his team works with meeting planners to create exceptional events—and how input from meeting planners has shaped new, major upgrades to the property.  For a bigger-picture perspective on the value of independent hotels, we also spoke with Michael Dominguez, president and CEO of <a href="https://www.alhi.com/">Associated Luxury Hotels International</a>, which serves as a global sales arm for independent hotels for meetings, incentives and conventions. He shared what he thinks sets independents apart and how planners can leverage their offerings.
Listen to the in-depth conversation in our latest episode of Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, and remember to subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eventful-the-podcast-for-meeting-professionals/id1469374371">iTunes</a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4XKAaL35AcZDxmgRjjCQaM">, </a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4XKAaL35AcZDxmgRjjCQaM">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/anchor-podcasts/eventful-the-podcast-for-meeting-professionals"></a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4XKAaL35AcZDxmgRjjCQaM"></a><a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9iZmQwNTg4L3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz">Google Podcasts</a> and anywhere else you listen to podcasts. This episode was created in partnership with Caribe Royale Orlando.

The Benefits of Planning Events With Independent Properties

In this insightful conversation, Maayan Ziv [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maayanziv/], the visionary founder of Access Now [https://accessnow.com], discusses the complex realm of accessibility and its profound impact on events and spaces. Originating from her personal struggle as a wheelchair user seeking reliable information, her company, Access Now, has grown into an online community and a catalyst for promoting inclusive practices.

In advance of her Oct. 16 keynote address for IMEX America in Las Vegas, Ziv spoke with Northstar's Loren Edelstein about the need for destinations, venues and event planners to "unlearn" current practices and understand what true accessibility requires.

• The origins of Access Now (00:00-00:39): Born out of Ziv's personal need, Access Now initially focused on solving the difficulty of finding reliable accessibility information. It has since evolved into a multifaceted platform, collaborating with DMOs and other stakeholders to promote accessibility in destinations, venues, attractions and business events.

• Identifying gaps in DEI initiatives (01:28-03:10): Accessibility is often overlooked in DEI conversations, with cities and organizations yet to embrace it fully and commit to inclusive practices.

• Accessibility as a continuous journey (03:10-05:00): Accessibility is an evolving process, now going beyond physical spaces to include digital access.

• ADA compliance vs. usability (05:00-06:42): There's a distinction between ADA compliance and usability. True inclusivity involves considering the entire customer experience, well beyond mere compliance.

• Recommendations for events (06:42-08:45): Planners should consider involving consultants or staff with disabilities in the process, ensuring a holistic approach to accessibility in language, representation and planning.

•  Actions to enhance accessibility (08:45-10:50): Proactive measures, like having accessibility desks and sharing information in advance, significantly enhance the inclusivity of events.

• Market opportunity and audience size (10:50-13:57): More than 20 percent of the population has some sort of disability, representing vast market potential for event planners who invest in genuine accessibility, unlocking the loyalty of a sizable audience appreciative of inclusive experiences.

In this insightful conversation, Maayan Ziv [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maayanziv/], the visionary founder of Access Now [https://accessnow.com], discusses the complex realm of accessibility and its profound impact on events and spaces. Originating from her personal struggle as a wheelchair user seeking reliable information, her company, Access Now, has grown into an online community and a catalyst for promoting inclusive practices.   In advance of her Oct. 16 keynote address for IMEX America in Las Vegas, Ziv spoke with Northstar's Loren Edelstein about the need for destinations, venues and event planners to "unlearn" current practices and understand what true accessibility requires.   • The origins of Access Now (00:00-00:39): Born out of Ziv's personal need, Access Now initially focused on solving the difficulty of finding reliable accessibility information. It has since evolved into a multifaceted platform, collaborating with DMOs and other stakeholders to promote accessibility in destinations, venues, attractions and business events.   • Identifying gaps in DEI initiatives (01:28-03:10): Accessibility is often overlooked in DEI conversations, with cities and organizations yet to embrace it fully and commit to inclusive practices.   • Accessibility as a continuous journey (03:10-05:00): Accessibility is an evolving process, now going beyond physical spaces to include digital access.   • ADA compliance vs. usability (05:00-06:42): There's a distinction between ADA compliance and usability. True inclusivity involves considering the entire customer experience, well beyond mere compliance.   • Recommendations for events (06:42-08:45): Planners should consider involving consultants or staff with disabilities in the process, ensuring a holistic approach to accessibility in language, representation and planning.   •  Actions to enhance accessibility (08:45-10:50): Proactive measures, like having accessibility desks and sharing information in advance, significantly enhance the inclusivity of events.   • Market opportunity and audience size (10:50-13:57): More than 20 percent of the population has some sort of disability, representing vast market potential for event planners who invest in genuine accessibility, unlocking the loyalty of a sizable audience appreciative of inclusive experiences.

Breaking Access Barriers to Meetings

Attorney Joshua Grimes provides a legal perspective on duty of care, cancellation clauses and more when planning events in states with controversial legislation.

Many meeting professionals believe controversial issues like abortion rights are political concerns that have no bearing on their jobs. But that isn't true, says industry attorney Joshua Grimes, Esq., president of Grimes Law Offices, LLC. In this episode of Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, Grimes talks with Northstar's Loren Edelstein about the potential risks legislation could pose to meeting organizers and attendees.

This timely and important discussion covers:

• Why controversial legislation shouldn't be dismissed as "politics" (0.15)

• How laws regarding bathroom use, prenatal health care, undocumented immigrants and other concerns can directly affect meetings and attendees (1.00)

• Possible workarounds for meeting successfully where such laws exist (3:30)

• The effectiveness of nondiscrimination clauses in meeting contracts (5:00)

• Duty of care, liability and other legal concerns (9:15)

• Weighing the decision to cancel an event (12:00)

• Why planners, suppliers and industry associations should be having candid conversations about legislative issues (14:15)

Attorney Joshua Grimes provides a legal perspective on duty of care, cancellation clauses and more when planning events in states with controversial legislation.   Many meeting professionals believe controversial issues like abortion rights are political concerns that have no bearing on their jobs. But that isn't true, says industry attorney Joshua Grimes, Esq., president of Grimes Law Offices, LLC. In this episode of Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, Grimes talks with Northstar's Loren Edelstein about the potential risks legislation could pose to meeting organizers and attendees.   This timely and important discussion covers:   • Why controversial legislation shouldn't be dismissed as "politics" (0.15)   • How laws regarding bathroom use, prenatal health care, undocumented immigrants and other concerns can directly affect meetings and attendees (1.00)   • Possible workarounds for meeting successfully where such laws exist (3:30)   • The effectiveness of nondiscrimination clauses in meeting contracts (5:00)   • Duty of care, liability and other legal concerns (9:15)   • Weighing the decision to cancel an event (12:00)   • Why planners, suppliers and industry associations should be having candid conversations about legislative issues (14:15)

Government Meetings Are Ramping Up

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