The Places

The Presidential Touch in Simi Valley

Groups can experience the grandeur of Chaco Culture National Historical Park with an expanded schedule of guided day trips offered through Albuquerque’s Hotel Chaco. Day trips are available every Saturday, from March through November, and overnight glamping excursions coin - cide with the spring and fall equinoxes in March and September. Day trip par - ticipants enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch pre - pared by Hotel Chaco’s chefs. Customized day or overnight trips are available on other dates. 

As summer quickly heads into fall, I’m thinking back to mountain and meeting moments that have caught my attention so far in 2018. Plus, I’ll toss some things in that crossed my desk recently as the editor of Mountain Meetings.

The Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority has selected SMG, a worldwide entertainment and convention venue management company, to operate the RSCVA-owned Reno-Sparks Convention Center (RSCC), state-owned Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, and Reno Events Center and National Bowling Stadium, both owned by the City of Reno. The four-year agreement began in June and also includes culinary services through SMG’s in-house food and beverage division.

Twenty additional historic hotels have been nominated and accepted into the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Historic Hotels of America program, which includes properties ranging in age from 52 to 246 years old. Two that fall within Mountain Meetings’ coverage area include the Fairmont Olympic in Seattle, Washington and Alpenhof Lodge in Teton Village, Wyoming.

One trend that seems to be here to stay in the meetings and events industry is making sure venues, destinations and gatherings are respectful to the environment and the animals that also occupy our planet. Here are some examples from U.S. Mountain West properties that are part of Teneo Hospitality Group. 

The 36-room Atticus Hotel in McMinnville, Oregon, opened for business this past spring. The hotel features an on-site restaurant and bar, private dining in the Atticus Hotel Drawing Room, a boardroom for meetings of up to 16 people, a business center and a fitness room. Additional amenities include Dutch-style bicycles, electric-car charging stations, rooms with fireplaces and original artwork from local artists.  

One thing I’ve noticed about industry-related news coming out of Arizona is that much of it centers on wellness, which is a big bonus for groups seeking to craft mindful meetings. I’m especially excited about the reopening of a longtime hot springs resort that has been off the radar for 32 years.

High-Elevation Service, Spaces and Activities Exceed Expectations

Hotel Adeline, a new 4.5-acre boutique hotel, is now open in Scottsdale, Ariz. following a $13 million renovation. Located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, Hotel Adeline is close to all the area has to offer in restaurants, nightlife, shopping, art galleries, museums and outdoor recreation.