The pool. Nearly every hotel has a pool for guests to enjoy at their leisure. However, for many business travelers, this isn't a spot they get to visit often. That doesn't have to be the case, though, as it provides a wonderful outdoor option for events.
With that said, a poolside event doesn't always mean a casual, bikini-filled afternoon. For instance, if your client markets a product that has to do with pools or water, why not hold the event on-by using a cover (which also adds several hundred square feet to your space)-or even in the hotel pool? This not only allows attendees to familiarize themselves with the product, but also ensures they'll be talking about your event long after.
Another option is to use the pool instead of a stage for performances-think synchronized swimmers-or as the stage or display itself, by floating acrylic plates on the water's surface.
A pool can also be drained to create a multidimensional event space. New York-based event planner Michael Stern, in an attempt to provide additional seating for the hotel's New Year's Eve soiree, emptied the pool at the Setai on South Beach to create a sunken living-room setting.
In fact, other than lawns and some courtyards, a pool deck is one of the only column-free spaces large enough for an exhibition at a hotel outside of the standard ballroom-as was most recently done for the Remix Hotel at the National Hotel during Winter Music Conference in Miami.The fitness center. There is more than one way to make use of the hotel gym-even without breaking a sweat. Here's the scenario: Sports industry executives are meeting to discuss promotional ideas for the launch of a new product and want you to find them a space. While the conventional four-wall meeting room immediately comes to mind, why not branch out a bit?
Click here to read the rest of the article.This article is (c) Copyright 2001-2008 by BizBash and may not be reproduced in any format whatsoever without prior written consent of the author.
Author: Channing Muller