Whether it’s a large corporate gathering or a small group of meeting goers, Benchmark Resorts & Hotels has several excellent locations to host impactful and productive meetings: The Abbey Resort (Lake Geneva, WI) Discover The Abbey Resort, a beautiful upscale 90-acre property located on the shores of Lake Geneva. From the eight-person Waterfront Board Room to the 10,000-square-foot Harbor Ballroom, there is a wide array of dynamic indoor and outdoor venues that will accommodate meetings of any size. And to make things even better, the event coordinators are available to assist in every ste ..read more

Over the past decade or so, sustainability has been at the forefront of workplace initiatives. But that shouldn’t just be a focus in the workplace itself – businesses should strive to ensure that they are engaging in sustainability practices even when traveling for conventions, corporate retreats and meetings alike. Benchmark Resorts & Hotels has some excellent destinations to host meetings, retreats and events without compromising on sustainability practices. Hotel Valley Ho – Scottsdale, Arizona Located in historic Old Town Scottsdale, Hotel Valley Ho focuses on protecting the environmen ..read more

Often, the best ideas come when we take a step (far) away from our usual surroundings. However, while the idea of jetting across the globe for meetings sounds inspiring, it can be a logistical challenge for meeting planners. What if meeting locations could offer the best of both – international flair and a short travel time. Here are four properties that do both: Chaminade, Santa Cruz: A sprawling mountaintop retreat overlooking Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay, Chaminade Resort & Spa and its surroundings offer visitors a touch of Italian flair on the West Coast. Thanks to the colorful, quaint ..read more

Whether it’s an intimate conference or gathering for a small business or a chance to reward an individual team in a large corporation, Benchmark Resorts & Hotels has some excellent locations to host impactful meetings, executive retreats and events to meet the needs of smaller groups: Spruce Point Inn – Boothbay Harbor, Maine Located in the heart of Maine and recognized as one of the top 20 resorts in the U.S. for reunions and gatherings by Condé Nast Traveler, Spruce Point Inn’s setting and amenities provide an ideal backdrop for intimate meetings and events. With ocean views, cozy furnis ..read more

While company retreats have long been a staple of the business world, they often take place in a busy and overstimulated location like a major city for reasons including accessibility and proximity to a large airport. Planning a retreat in a remote location not only boosts your attendees’ comfort level as they ease back into in-person meetings, but time spent in a remote setting surrounded by nature is proven to improve brain health and stimulate creative thinking as well. Here are four destinations to consider for your next company retreat that are near major cities and airports yet still fee ..read more

Breeze cooling your skin. Sun warming your view. Arms spread wide, floating down through the mountains. Can you picture it? A paragliding escapade through the Grand Tetons is just one of many teambuilding opportunities offered at Benchmark Resorts & Hotels properties around the country, designed to heighten your senses in a way that embraces creativity. And embracing creativity is vital: while executives have ranked creativity among their most desired skills, they’ve also listed it as the one they’re most afraid of losing in the current corporate climate. Intentionally designating a physic ..read more

Written by: Crystal Jackson Helping Planners Plan Virtual Think Tank Offers Support As COVID-19 vaccinations roll out across the country, those of us in the devastated meetings industry are beginning to see a bright light on the horizon. Recovery and renewal are on the way, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be a quick return to business as usual. From hybrid meetings with a greater emphasis on technology to new approaches to culinary, team building, and meeting flow, the way we meet has changed—in some ways, likely for the long term. To help meeting planners navigate these changes, whether your next ..read more

It’s been a long time coming: your first in-person meeting since COVID-19 brought the world to a gridding halt. While there’s been a tremendous amount of progress and adaptation, so many questions still linger – particularly for those charged with bringing groups together for productive, efficient, and, most importantly, safe meetings. How will you do it? How will you create an environment that inspires progress and builds comradery? How will you bring attendees together to learn and share ideas? How will you keep them safe? Benchmark’s veteran team of meeting and event experts breaks down sol ..read more

Choosing to host your next corporate program at the same hotel and destination again has its obvious benefits (i.e. you know the destination, you’ve got a leg up on transportation and logistics, etc.). But it also presents one very big challenge: to ensure the experience is fresh for your attendees. It’s time, once again, to host your company or organization’s signature meeting, event, or retreat. As the event planner on the job, this is the fifth time you’ve planned such a program, and it’s tough work. There’s the banquet and catering agenda, entertainment, transportation details, team-buildi ..read more

(Above Photo © MultiTaction) Everyone knows technology is a must-have for any meeting or event, but how does a meeting planner decide which tech gadgets are going to improve the experience? You don’t want to invest research, time, and money into something that is a gimmick or a novelty that people will lose interest in by the time it ships to your office. Rather, it should make your attendees’ experience more enjoyable, convenient, and informative. We cut through the noise to break down the innovations and cool tech gadgets that will elevate audience members into active participants. Throwable ..read more