Planners Jam at Gaylord Opryland Resort

Love, relationships, life, death … this is the territory covered by most country music songs. Not many country music singers croon about the elements of a site inspection ... but there is always a first.

A group of approximately 50 planners were transformed into country songwriters this May during "Music City Uncovered 2006 Client Jam Session," held at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville. After a four-hour behind-the-scenes tour of the resort - spread out among nine acres of lush gardens and cascading waterfalls - the group boarded buses to greet a professional songwriter. Together, they had to write a song highlighting what they had just seen. The groups took to the stage at the Wildhorse Saloon, an historic warehouse that is now a popular music venue, where they performed their songs.

Gaylord's new rooms were one element of the tour that struck a chord with many of the newly minted country music singers. In May of 2005, all 2,881 rooms and suites began undergoing renovations to reflect a contemporary feel - to the tune of $45 million. In July of 2005, the resort unveiled Relâche, its new European-inspired spa. The opulent 27,000-square-foot spa features an indoor and outdoor pool, private treatment rooms, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Another new addition is the Golf Institute at Gaylord Springs, the resort's 18-hole golf course. Practice facilities include two indoor hitting bays for year-round practice and instruction.

The group had the opportunity to spend some time with Emily Ellis, vice president, training and development, in the impressive employee lounge, decorated with high-end furniture and artwork. Video games and pool tables add to the fun here. The Gaylord philosophy is if employees are happy, they will help enhance the overall guest experience.

A private dinner was held for the group in the Grand Ole Opry, an icon of American entertainment. The songwriter behind last year's award-winning song, "Live Like You Were Dying," made famous by Tim McGraw, touched the group by performing his own rendition.

Conferon Looks to Integrate and Rebrand

Conferon Global Services (CGS) is focusing on better integrating its three distinct, separately managed companies, Conferon, ExpoExchange, and ITS, in order to better serve its clients, according to CGS President and CEO Ed Shartar. At a press conference held May 11 in New York City, Shartar discussed recent CGS organizational changes along with David Erich, newly appointed executive vice president and chief operations officer, Brad Weaber, executive vice president and chief customer officer, and Peter Shure, director of strategic programs.

Shartar said first and foremost, CGS is in the business of "bringing people together to enhance their business objectives" and "perfecting the event experience." As part of its strategy moving forward, CGS will expand into new markets, build its reputation as an industry thought leader, and consider a new name.

CGS will concentrate on developing more corporate clients, which currently comprise one-third of its business. "Corporations are focusing on where they generate the most value, and it's not in planning meetings," Shartar said. He foresees continued growth on the association side of CGS business.

CGS will also be working on making its technology more seamless. "The expectations of trade shows or associations or meeting owners are driven by attendees and exhibitors. We want to make it much easier for them to do business with us and to get registered at the event."

Weaber's new role is "internal advocate for customers." Service is a challenge for all industries, he said, and "we are heading into a new time, with a customer-centric focus." The meetings industry itself is on the verge of major change, Weaber said. "Forty percent of seated executives in this industry will be leaving in the next 10 years," he said. "This creates an amazing opportunity for change … we need to embrace the next generation of leadership.

Disney to Kick Off 'Year of A Million Dreams' This October

Year of a Million Dreams" is Disney's newest promotion where cast members will have the capability to award a million dreams, both large and small. From an overnight stay inside the Cinderella Castle to a "Golden Fastpass," many will be "money- can't-buy" experiences.

"We will be empowering our cast to basically deliver some once-in-a-lifetime experiences to some of our guests," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts at a press conference in New York City about the promotion that kicks off on Oct. 1 and runs through September 2007.

Some people wandering a Disney property will be handed a scroll inviting them to a gala ball. Riders on Pirates of the Caribbean might find pirates sitting beside them. Others will be handed "Golden Fastpass" tickets allowing them to bypass lines at popular rides. Other dreams include transportation to each Disney resort around the world to serve as grand marshal in a Disney parade; an overnight stay in the Mickey Mouse Penthouse at Disneyland Resort; and one lucky family will get the Magic Kingdom all to themselves.

In conjunction with this new campaign, a handful of new attractions will be unveiled. They include: "Finding Nemo-The Musical" show at Disney's Animal Kingdom; the new "The Seas With Nemo & Friends" ride through Living Seas at EPCOT; and "The Laugh Floor Comedy Club" at Magic Kingdom.

Disneyland Resort in California will unveil "Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage" and the transformation of Space Mountain into Rockin' Space Mountain.

"Year of a Million Dreams" follows Disney's "Happiest Celebration on Earth" promotion for Disneyland's 50th anniversary. For more information on this new promotion, go to www.mydisneyparks.com.

NYSAE Institute Focuses on Managing Meetings, Harnessing Trends

There used to be no better bet than the meetings industry, according to Douglas Ducate, CEM, CMP, president & CEO of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research. How things have changed. As the keynote speaker for New York Society of Association Executives' Meetings Management Institute, held May 17 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Ducate painted a different picture of the meetings industry today and into the near future.

While Ducate is confident that the meetings and exhibition industry will continue to grow, it must become more flexible and innovative, he said, as well as dependable - delivering on promises made to attendees and exhibitors. In addition, the industry as a whole needs to be more budget conscious, and better able to utilize technology tools. With an increase in online marketing, more home offices, and smaller sales forces, the need for exhibitions - as the last bastion of face-to-face marketing - will only grow, he said.

The keynote was followed by a panel discussion of the challenges for associations of being a buyer in a strong seller's market. A session on marketing meetings revealed that some associations are going back to the basics, such as direct mail, to attract new attendees in an e-mail-saturated environment. Online technology is being deployed in other ways, such as using blogs to create online communities prior to meetings.

The day's program wrapped up with an update on the proposed Javits Center expansion, which is said to be in the final approval process. Along with the expansion are plans for a headquarters hotel and revitalization of the area to make it a more pedestrian-friendly hub of activity.