Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/61584
value, but pricing push-back is on the wane. Budgets are Continuing their Comeback, with groups looking for unique half-day options onsite and off- site, and this is influencing site selec- tions. Properties that come equipped with creative, built-in teambuilding opportunities such as volleyball on the beach, kitchens designed for cooking classes, mixology programs, and even golf courses on which conferees can test their mettle as a group, are win- ning meetings business. Trend #8 — Teambuilding Before,We're Seeing it Again. As the economy strengthens, corporate America is oncemore renewing its focus on ensuring it has the best trained sales andmanagement teams possible, and so is ramping up training budgets. In an increasingly complex and competitive global economy, companies can't afford to be anything but the best-informed and skilled in their industry. They've seen the impact of losing focus, and so there is money for training once again. This time around, training is more intense and meetings tend to be longer that previously. Corporate America's competitive spirit is back, and they're dead serious! Trend #9 — We've Seen this Meeting Destination is as Important as the Meeting Venue. Time invested in a meeting is more valuable than ever before, and the need to counter-balance this with destination experiences is tak- ing on new meaning. While exotic locales are thrilling to experience, that's not what we're talking about here. It's about affordable destinations, perhaps closer to "home," offering great value and a relaxed atmosphere, where busi- ness can "get done" and recreation can offer new opportunities for learning in a more relaxed setting. Whether for cor- porations, associations or incentive groups,destinationmeetings are increas- ingly taking center stage. Trend #10 — Increasingly the Responsible Meetings and the need to One More Trend — Socially give back remain strong in corporate America. Frominitiatives likeClean the World to an afternoon supporting Habitat for Humanity or a local Soup Kitchen, investing in the community is as important for planners and conferees as it is for the hotel or resort serving as the meeting venue. Socially responsible meetings are no longer just about help- ing clean up the environment, they're about helping corporate teams learn ways to more actively integrate into their local community and help develop and strengthen its social fabric. About Benchmark Hospitality International Benchmark Hospitality International is a leader in the management and mar- keting of resorts, conference centers, hotels, and Personal Luxury Resorts & HotelsSM. The independent company, launched in 1980, is a worldwide organi- zation operating properties in major metropolitan and resort destinations. Benchmark's international headquarters is located in TheWoodlands,Texas, near Houston. Benchmark Hospitality is also a founding member of the International Association of Conference Centers. The company's eastern regional office is in New Jersey, western regional office is in Washington,with international offices in Tokyo, Japan, and Santiago, Chile. For the location of Benchmark's properties and additional information, visit www.benchmarkhospitality.com. Black Meetings & Tourism March/April 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 31