Black Meetings and Tourism

November/December 2021

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B M & T ••• November/December 2021 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 15 Kapolei, Hawaii, said there are many unique environments they can use to tell a particular meeting's story. "We set Disney apart in our ability to deliver content," said McGran- ahan. "That's what a meeting is all about. We bring clients to experi- ence what we're talking about. It's about the experience. It gets to the heart of Disney Meet- ings and Events. It's about a shared experience." Robby Briley, senior event consultant at Walt Disney World Resort agreed. "We have 42 sq. miles," said Briley. "It's not just a hotel, not just a ballroom. We have theme parks, restaurants, entertainment districts. So many things to play with and utilize to make sure that a meeting or an event is a total experience." Never one to rest on its laurels, WDW is constantly moving forward in an effort to stay in front of the fairy-tale experi- ence by building bigger and better mag- ical fantasies. A sprawling, imagination overload complex, WDW comprises two waterparks and four theme parks. For Disney fans, there is more for the eyes to see than they could ever imag- ine. Attractions are at a premium with rides like the crowd-pleasing Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, a motion simula- tor attraction. The ride actually places visitors in the cockpit. Each passenger plays a role in the completion of an inter- active smuggling mission. There is also Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and the new Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Visitors can immerse them- selves by exploring authentic-looking locations and dining in the remote Planet Batuu outpost. When it's time to rest and meet, meet- ing planners will find everything they need at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort. There are 2,416 guest rooms and suites, three pri- vate dining rooms, four swimming pools, four full-ser- vice restaurants, and a quarter of a million sq. ft. of meeting and event space—including 60,214-sq. ft. Coronado Ballroom and an 86,000- sq. ft. exhibit hall. There is also free internet, a fit- ness center, bar/lounge, children's activities, kids' outdoor play equipment, a pool, and more. There is a 15-story Gran Destino Tower—the new entrance for Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. The grand, two-story lobby has conveniently located flexible working stations and an open concept check-in area. Along with a new 24-seat boardroom, Gran Destino Tower offers 3,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space—in addition to the 220,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space already available. Lantana, the new dynamic meeting room is equipped with monitors, a foyer space for networking, and a semi-private patio just a few steps away. The latest in product offerings with an emphasis on assisting meeting planners in connecting with their clients and atten- dees across in-person, digital and hybrid platforms was announced by Disney Meetings & Events execs. Planning to hold a meeting at Disney? Disney Meetings & Events offers planners a single point of contact for services for venue space, hotel rooms, entertain- ment, or other resources through meet- ing enrichments and customization. Disney can also provide support to aid in studio production. `McGranahan said no one is better at storytelling than Disney. Through its partnership with National Geographic, Disney can bring in its own storytellers to share personal experiences of spirit, determination, and valor. When people walk away from a Disney experience, both Briley and McGranahan want them to have great memories. "I want them going away thinking, 'How am I going to pull this off in my destination next year," said Briley. "We want them to feel like, 'Wow, that was super cool," said McGranahan.

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