Worcester Business Journal

www.wbjournal.com March 30, 2015 • Worcester Business Journal 25 Know an up-and-comer in Central Massachusetts that deserves recognition? All honorees will be featured in the August 31 edition of the Worcester Business Journal and honored at our annual celebration on September 16, 2015 at Mechanics Hall, Worcester. SUBMIT A NOMINATION TODAY! NOMINATION DEADLINE: MAY 1, 2015 NOMINATION FORMS: WWW.WBJOURNAL.COM/40UNDERFORTY 2015 Presenting Sponsors Corporate Sponsor Then nominate that person today for Worcester Business Journal's Annual 40 Under Forty special issue and awards ceremony. >> M E E T I N G S G U I D E & G O L F D I R E C TO R Y Even in a wired world, real meetings still matter food and beverages and any overnight rooms a group will need. Karl Chase, director of sales at the Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center, echoed those sentiments. "I always encourage people to plan as far ahead as they possibly can," he said. Chase said an earlier start means it's more likely an organization will find a facility ready to accommodate a group. It also means that, if your dream loca- tion isn't available, you might be able to adjust your date without making life dif- ficult for the participants. "The further out, the more options," Chase said. The Southbridge Hotel was built 12 years ago to serve primarily as a training facility for the Department of Defense. Now, the military contracts have dried up, but Chase said the facility is bounc- ing back by putting its state-of-the-art training technology — such as LCD projectors, video conferencing, and whiteboards — to use for private cus- tomers. At the same time, Chase said, he works with companies that are express- ing a growing interest in facilities beyond narrowly defined business needs. He said the hotel's extensive fitness facility, including indoor basketball courts, a pool, sauna and steamroom, appeal to customers who want their staffs to be able to stay physically active during mul- tiday events. Another draw is the hotel's lounge, which offers a chance for the casual socializing that sometimes ends up being the most productive part of a business meeting. Survey: Amenities count The Destination Hotels survey rein- forces the idea that businesses are look- ing for something beyond bare-bones practicality in their meeting facilities. After geographic location and room rates, the third most important factor in selecting a property among event plan- ners surveyed was food and beverage options. In a statement about the results, André Fournier, the group's executive vice president of sales and marketing, said that's not surprising. "There's a growing desire for planners to keep their groups together in social environments," he said. "With all the technology that people use in their work lives, in-person meetings are not only excellent for collaboration and problem- solving, but also for networking and connecting. So, groups are gravitating toward high-quality culinary and mixol- ogy experiences in their social environ- ments to reach those networking and connection objectives." At the Southbridge Hotel, Chase believes businesses should look at a facility not just for a place to bring peo- ple together but also for help with trans- portation, offsite excursions, entertain- ment and anything else that can make an event successful. "A proper hotel should be a true, all- encompassing partner," he said. "I don't think planners expect enough from their hotel partner." That partnership can take many forms, depending on the organizations involved. Kathleen A. Myshrall, vice president of advancement at the Worcester-based Seven Hills Foundation, said the social service agency's own buildings are sufficient to host most internal meetings in-house. Seven Hills even has its own full-service training kitchen, staffed by people learning com- mercial kitchen skills, so it can cater its own events. But Myshrall said Seven Hills does hold fundraisers and other events at various local venues, and, when it does, it looks for meeting spaces that want to partner with the organization in other ways. Some facilities are interested in taking on Seven Hills clients as employ- ees or interns, and others want to find volunteer opportunities for their staff at the programs the agency runs. "We really look for people who want to establish a partnership ... we get involved with them a little bit more rather than just calling and booking a venue cold," she said. "Any opportunity we have to educate people about the work we do and the importance just helps spread the word." Q >> Continued from Page 12 • Plan ahead. Start looking at sites as far in advance as possible, and certainly no later than three to six months out, depending on the size of the event. • Think about the "extras." One value of getting personnel in one place is the chance for informal socializing. Consider a social hour, a relaxed meal or a fun outing as a way to get people mixing. • Find additional value. The venue you choose could also be a partner in other aspects of your business. Keep open to all the possible ways you might be able to work together. 3 tips for planning your next company meeting

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