ADI Meetings and Events

Fairmont Orchid

2011-10-05T10:40:00.000-07:00

Discover Fairmont Orchid, a luxurious Hawaii resort inspired by Culture, Well-Being and Genuine Aloha. During your stay in paradise, make time to enjoy the wonders of Hawai'i. From Mauna Kea's winter snow-capped mountaintop to the sizzling Kilauea Volcano of Madame Pele's flowing lava to tropical rainforests and a teeming undersea world, Hawai'i has much to offer the spirited traveler. Warm your soul with friends, family and new memories yet to be made during your stay at the resort's breathtaking accommodations.

Vacation on a 32-acre luxury Hawaii hotel and resort and enjoy a sugar-white sandy lagoon and aquamarine waters, a year-round children's program, four restaurants and three lounges, and the exclusive Fairmont Gold.

If it's blissful escape you seek, relax and rejuvenate at a luxurious Hawaii hotel Spa Without Walls featuring waterfall massage hale (huts) and breathtaking oceanfront massage cabanas that draw from the island's natural healing mana (power).

Banff and Lake Louise

2011-08-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

I spent last weekend in Banff and Lake Louise, which is just outside of Calgary, Alberta Canada. It really was fantastic! Any pictures you see don’t do it justice; it’s something you have to see. We started out at the Fairmont Banff, which is like a European castle, only better. The golf course in Banff was amazing, the views cannot be beat, even if you’re not a golfer you still have to see it. We loved the unique meeting space, German restaurant and the mineral pools at the spa. Downtown Banff has great shops and restaurants. We then headed to Lake Louise. We stopped at Baker Creek along the way and had a wonderful lunch. Along with the restaurant there are very cute upscale cabins you can stay at. Like everywhere else in the area the scenery is fantastic at this road side gem. Even if you are not there during ski season, Lake Louise Ski Resort is still a great place to visit. You can take the gondola to the top for more amazing views. The Fairmont Lake Louise had great shopping, restaurants and the most amazing views. Both hotels had a very European feel, but without that long flight and high exchange rate. I was surprised at how reasonable the flight costs were and the airport was much larger than I expected. It’s a place that you could go back to each season of the year and there would be something different to see and do. Again the beauty of the area is hard to describe, you have to see it to believe it!

Kelly

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ADI in Kenya

2011-08-18T11:33:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken in Samburu, Kenya, pictured are Dallas and I along with the teacher, our guide (standing in between Dallas and I in red) and school children are inside of their school house. Jim is taking the picture. The large tree is the roof and they use sticks to write in the dirt. They do have wood benches to sit on and a chalkboard for the teacher. That's about all. We brought paper and pencils. The teacher told us the pencil would last a student's entire education, 10 or more years. The tree, which looks more dead than alive, has thickets on its branches and is good protection from the "lions"

The children are in "western wear" mostly from US charities that donate clothing. They were quite dirty and buggy with flies buzzing around their heads. We brought M&M peanut candies to hand out to the children, they all stood in a line and we gave each of them a couple of candies. They just stood and looked at the candy like it was from a foreign planet. They did not know what to do and we showed them they could "eat" it. We laughed and cried later thought we probably gave all their children the "runs".

The village wanted to build a "real" school for their children so they walked us over to the construction site which consisted of a dug hole and a few rocks and bricks. I ended up donating money on behalf of our ADI clients instead of sending our clients "gizmos and chachkies" that holiday season.

The Samburu tribe leaches blood from their cows daily (no kidding, ask Dallas) and that is their food source and protein along with milk. They don't drink much water as they live in a dessert. A few times a year they will kill a cow or goat usually along with a celebration like a wedding or warrior ritual, and the whole village (maybe 30 people) will eat meat. They don't grow anything, no vegys or fruits. They don't eat the lion if they kill one (which the warrior ritual requires), they only eat cow and goats/sheep a few times a year and drink cows blood.

The women build their house huts out of sticks and mud with dirt floors, the children tend to the cows and goats all day in the fields. Men are the warriors and hunt but not for food only for protection. We took a tour of their houses. Really outdoor living there is best! Men may take multiple wives. Our guide, a warrior, his grandfather had 70 children from multiple wives. Your wealth was in how many cattle and goats/sheep you owned. Girls had "female circumcision" which our guide explained they are trying to eradicate.

We had driven from our tented camp through the desert for over an hour do get to this village. There was no road, so just imagine driving out into the AZ desert.... that's what it was like. They did not get visitors very often, so we were a curiosity. They introduced me to their prize student, a young woman about 13 years old (in the blue dress). They were so proud that she was in school, as was she. I tried to inspire, but honestly I was a bit speechless. What could I say to these kids. They live day to day like they did 4000 years ago. Some people may think that this is bliss. I for one do not. I saw the looks of desperation and need on their faces, curiosity in their eyes. I wonder what she is doing today?

A Hidden Jem in the Desert

2011-08-09T16:11:00.000-07:00

I stayed at the Marriott Shadow Ridge in Palm Springs last weekend and it was great! This is the sister property of the Marriott Desert Ridge however it is a few miles away. It’s part of their time share collection. The property is really family friendly and a great fit if you are staying at least a couple nights. We stayed in a villa which is comparable to a one bedroom apartment. The rooms were very spacious with a wonderful fireplace , full kitchen, living room and very large patio. We enjoyed the dive in movie on Saturday night. They offer gas grills all over the property in friendly common areas where we cooked dinner and chatted with other guests. The property is located near a new shopping development in Palm Springs and only 20 minutes from the awesome outlet mall. Palm Springs is a great city for meetings or even a weekend getaway!

Kelly

Quito Ecuador

2011-06-28T14:50:00.001-07:00

Just returned from a wonderful trip to Quito Ecuador. It’s a vibrant city where the people celebrate life. I was able to visit three nice hotels, the Hilton Colon, JW Marriott and the Plaza Grande. The Hilton and Marriott are in the newer part of town and the Plaza Grand is in the Colonial part of the city. The Plaza Grande is truly unique with fabulous views of the town square. If you are not able to stay at the hotel, the El Claustro restaurant is a not miss. It was inspired by the great wine cellars of Spain. Not only will you delight in Mediterranean cuisine, you will be entertained with nightly live music. The colonial square is filled with shops, museums and beautiful old churches. It was the first ever named world heritage site. Quito will be opening a new airport in 2012 which will hopefully give travelers more flight options. Quito is located on the equator so they enjoy spring like temps year round. There currency is the US dollar so easy and convenient for US travelers. The Galapagos Islands is a short flight from Quito and quickly becoming a must see destination for travelers who crave an authentic South American experience!

Kelly

Mandarin Oriental Munich

2011-05-31T10:51:00.000-07:00

Just spent a couple nights at Mandarin Oriental in Munich. Wow what a great hotel! It couldn’t be in a better location. It’s only minutes to the hustle and bustle of the main square, but you would never know it because the hotel is so relaxing and peaceful. The hotel is decorated very classical with cool tones. The staff was so wonderful. The maids even set out a beautiful bookmark next to the bedside table on top of the book I was reading. What a nice personal touch. The rooms are really spacious even from US standards. I noticed all the guests really getting the VIP treatment, not just myself. Again a really wonderful stay and would highly recommend this hotel, even for a group with the highest standards!

Kelly

Guten Tag or Hello From Germany!

2011-05-24T08:26:00.001-07:00

Stayed the weekend at Rocco Forte Villa Kennedy in Frankfurt. Wow what a fantastic hotel! The staff has been amazing and really giving us the five star treatment. The most unique thing I noticed are the heated floors in the bathroom, what a wonderful touch. The perfect way to describe the decor is simple elegance, everything is just right not overstated or understated. A portion of the hotel is 100+ years old. It was previously a manor belonging to a wealthy Jewish family that fled before the war. It has been marvelously restored and the new edition blends perfectly with the historical portion of the hotel.

Frankfurt is a very modern city but still embraces its history. The riverfront area can't be beat for long walks. The local apple wine is really tasty, but like the German beer, its very strong.

Cheers,

Kelly

The Fabulous Scottsdale Fairmont Princess

2011-05-18T10:10:00.000-07:00

Our team was on site this weekend at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. The resort is beautiful and the hotel staff was amazing. We had lots of last minute changes and every time we asked for assistance, they happily helped with a smile on their face. They continually went above and beyond for our group and made us look successful!

A million thanks to their team!

Smart Mart

2011-03-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

We went to Smart Meetings Magazine’s Smart Mart event at Talking Stick resort last Thursday. The event was great! Our sales team got a chance to speak with about 30 vendors. We gathered some great information for current and future programs. We saw a fantastic hoop dancer perform a native dance passed down through generations of Native Americans. Talking Stick resort is really nice with some great indoor and outdoor space. The restaurants and lounges have cool 360° views of the city. Again great event, can’t wait for the next one!

Kelly

Florida and the Boca Raton Resort

2011-03-10T09:38:00.000-08:00

Just returned from a great trip to Fort Lauderdale/Miami. The weather was great as usual. The Boca Raton Resort was fabulous! It was very interesting walking the halls and looking at the old pictures of the hotel in the 30’s and 40’s. It’s so nice to see that the hotel has preserved some of its rich history while making the hotel fresh and modern. The Boca Beach Club was so surprisingly different from the main part of the resort. The beach club has a very contemporary feel with the main focus being the ocean.

Visited Everglades National Park on a day trip, which is perfect for groups. They could do a group tram or bike ride through the Everglades. It’s amazing how close you can get to the alligators. I always thought alligators were dangerous but they didn’t seem to pay any attention to us silly humans. There is also a great BBQ joint on the way back from the Shark Valley Visitors entrance. Again a great place to take a big group for a beer and some BBQ.

I also got a chance to stay a couple days in Miami. I really like the blue green water of the Atlantic Ocean in that area, but I missed watching the California surfers. Hang 10 everyone!

Kelly

ADI in Costa Rica!

2011-02-22T09:17:00.000-08:00

We just got back from being on program in beautiful Costa Rica and it was an unparalleled experience to say the least! The property we were at was the J.W. Marriott Guanacaste, which is housed conveniently along the coast on a portion of the property of a working hacienda called Hacienda Pinilla.

Hacienda Pinilla is located in the canton of Santa Cruz, Guanacaste Province and is 45,000 acres of natural environment. Being a working hacienda with sugarcane fields, cashew trees and home to some of Costa Rica’s unique wildlife, you’re likely to run into some of the Hacienda’s working cowboys as they ride along on horseback during your visit. Some other natural inhabitants of the hacienda include howler monkeys, iguanas, toucans, butterflies and much more!

Nestled beautifully along the coast of Hacienda Pinilla, the J.W. Marriott resort offers something everyone can enjoy. Guests can experience the unforgettable sunset’s everyday as they discover a cool and exotic drink on Mansita beach, or swim in the property’s winding infinity pool while previewing the rolling waves coming in off of the pacific ocean. The property offers four restaurants and two bars, with unique ambiances and culinary styles that are sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

Experience the authentic Costa Rican culture in one of the many local beach towns. Tamarindo is the perfect little getaway town to immerse yourself into the local culture. Surf town by day and local hangout by night, you’re sure to experience the popular Costa Rican spirit of La Pura Vida. Dance the night away in one of Tamarindo’s salsa clubs, have an exotic cocktail beachside in one of the towns many lounges, or sit back wherever you can find a seat and enjoy the local fireworks show on the beach!

Want to experience the natural beauty of Costa Rica up close and personal? Try gliding through the natural forests on a zip line, or whisking through the crocodile infested mangroves on one of their famous boat tours. Kayak your way out to the perfect snorkeling haven filled with exotic fish and other marine animals to enjoy, or gear up for an ATV ride through various terrains of the natural landscape. Whatever your desire, it’s sure to be found in the beauty of Costa Rica.

Margaret

Four Seasons Hawaii Office Visit

2011-02-11T10:51:00.000-08:00

The Four Seasons Hualalai and Lanai Hawaii sales reps were in the office today and reminded us of why they are so fantastic. Four Seasons includes many amentities that most resorts charge for. Some of these amenities are complimentary cabanas, access to fitness room, snorkel equipment, scuba clinics, tennis and golf putting greens. The two Hawaii hotels have a tremendous amount of outdoor meeting space. Your groups could do a dinner/reception each evening with a totally different look and feel.

Did you know that the Four Seasons owns the only 2 hotels located on Lanai. This is no tourist trap, so there are no annoying long lines on this island. With an average population of 3000 people you can enjoy the beaches without the crowds. You can't help but relax on this laid back, easy going, uncrowded island and doing it in style no less at the Four Seasons.

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a beach chair and a Mai Tai!

Kelly

State of the Meeting Industry 2011

2011-02-09T11:12:00.000-08:00

I was fortunate to attend the Connecticut River Valley Chapter of MPI on Tuesday for an educational seminar about Meeting Industry Trends and Forecast for 2011 published by FutureWatch. I am happy to report that the meetings industry is predicted to keep moving upward at a steady pace in 2011 and that the number of meetings overall in 2011 is expected to increase 11% with meeting spend revenue is expected to increase 14%. Of that increase, 30% will be from Third Party Firms such as ADI Meetings & Events.
Even though it's a slow, steady upward trend, all in all, the future looks bright for the industry!

Lin C.

ADI Sales Team in Las Vegas

2011-02-07T09:56:00.000-08:00

As I headed out the door for the ADI sales team meeting in Vegas last month, I wondered how much different Vegas would be. This had been my longest hiatus from Vegas, a full 2 years. Having been to Vegas many times I know things change in that town quite frequently. For anyone that has been to Vegas before you know that the strip can be deceiving. What may look like a short walk from one casino to the next is really a long journey certainly not to be attempted wearing uncomfortable shoes. I'm sure that the many walkways over the street have cut down on accidents and helped to improve traffic. What they have also done is increase your walk time from one casino to the next. More of these walkways have been added so there are very few places that you can actually cross at street level. A great alternative to getting around is the Deuce, which is a double decker bus that stops at almost every casino. It's 7.00 for an all day pass and trust me, it's worth it. I use to take this for the long trips, maybe Mirage to Luxor but now if you are just going to the casino next door, the bus is a huge time saver.

Freemont Street is looking better. They added in a zip line ride that you can take from one end to the other. The Golden Nugget did some very cool remodeling. They built a hip pool area with a waterslide that goes through this massive fish tank. Anyway it's very cool and worth checking out. If you are nostalgic like me there are currently some classic neon signs scattered throughout Freemont Street, on loan from the neon museum.

Was nice to see Tropicana doing a whopping 180 million dollar renovation, which should be done this summer. It has a very lite airy feel to it, so not your typical Vegas casino. Again it's coming along wonderfully and worth checking out.

The Cosmopolitan is another newer hotel worth walking into. The casino floor is a feast for the eyes. The massive chandeliers are really spectacular.

As I looked around at all the new things to see, I'm a bit perplexed and a bit sad that I don't remember what was there before. In a town where they love to implode buildings, I often long for the old days of Vegas. It's so nice to see some of the nostalgic hotels like Tropicana remodeling rather than tearing down. These days you have to look hard to find the free lounge shows, Elvis impersonators and show girls. Today's Vegas is all about the newest Cirque show or hottest recording artist. I guess in the end that's what Vegas has always been about what's new and hip, so out with the old and in with the new! Can't wait to see what's next!

Kelly

Welcome

2011-02-03T14:39:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to ADI Meetings and Events Blog.