When it comes to developing creative, out-of-the-box meeting experiences, independent hotels provide a number of appealing options for event planners. In this episode of Eventful, created in partnership with the Caribe Royale Orlando, we delve into the advantages of working with independent properties, by looking in depth at Caribe Royale’s approach to events. We speak with the property’s managing director, Amaury Piedra about how he and his team works with meeting planners to create exceptional events—and how input from meeting planners has shaped new, major upgrades to the property.

For a bigger-picture perspective on the value of independent hotels, we also spoke with Michael Dominguez, president and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International, which serves as a global sales arm for independent hotels for meetings, incentives and conventions. He shared what he thinks sets independents apart and how planners can leverage their offerings.

Listen to the in-depth conversation in our latest episode of Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, and remember to subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts and anywhere else you listen to podcasts.

This episode was created in partnership with Caribe Royale Orlando.

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Attorney Joshua Grimes provides a legal perspective on duty of care, cancellation clauses and more when planning events in states with controversial legislation.
 
Many meeting professionals believe controversial issues like abortion rights are political concerns that have no bearing on their jobs. But that isn't true, says industry attorney Joshua Grimes, Esq., president of Grimes Law Offices, LLC. In this episode of Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, Grimes talks with Northstar's Loren Edelstein about the potential risks legislation could pose to meeting organizers and attendees.
 
This timely and important discussion covers:
 
• Why controversial legislation shouldn't be dismissed as "politics" (0.15)
 
• How laws regarding bathroom use, prenatal health care, undocumented immigrants and other concerns can directly affect meetings and attendees (1.00)
 
• Possible workarounds for meeting successfully where such laws exist (3:30)
 
• The effectiveness of nondiscrimination clauses in meeting contracts (5:00)
 
• Duty of care, liability and other legal concerns (9:15)
 
• Weighing the decision to cancel an event (12:00)
 
• Why planners, suppliers and industry associations should be having candid conversations about legislative issues (14:15)

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What does the future hold for our business and personal lives? Risk-management expert Bruce McIndoe, president of McIndoe Risk Advisory, LLC,  tackles that topic in this enlightening discussion with Northstar’s Loren Edelstein. From weather disasters to robotic companions, here’s what to expect in the years ahead.
 
1:20 Why meeting planners should anticipate more frequent and intense weather events
5:00 How hybrid events provide a number of benefits, among them a good resiliency strategy
7:00 Why human resources should be collaborating with meeting and event planners
9:20 The growing need for internal meetings as more organizations have remote workforces
11:20 Strategies for recognizing and supporting employees with mental health issues
15:20 Where and when robots will replace humans in the hospitality industry
18:05 How automation will solve the problem of staff shortages
21:20 When to expect flying taxis and personal drones to be in wide use
22:20 How education will be geared toward gig workers vs. career professionals
23:50 The role of companion robots that will support humanoid units

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