Q: I’d like to propose holding our next conference at a waterpark or casino resort. I’m concerned that I might meet a lot of resistance about it being too showy or too expensive, or that the environment will encourage attendees to think more about having fun than getting work done. How can I get my stakeholders on board?

A: As with all conference and event planning, the first step is to understand the demographics of your group and the goals of the event.

As the lines between work life and personal life continue to blur, many business travelers express a desire to blend these factors when possible and when appropriate. In response, many groups and companies host traditional events that incorporate non-traditional components offered up by venues that contain their own varieties of entertainment and activities, like waterparks and casinos.

As Tina Hafeman, associate director of the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials, advises, “Consider the goals and needs of your meeting and make sure the facility you are using meets your goals first. Then look at how your meeting could be enhanced by the amenities of a facility that includes entertainment for the entire family.”

Next step: research prospective facilities, thoroughly exploring and explaining what they can offer your group. As always, sharing your needs and goals with the property is vital to the effectiveness of an ensuing proposal. A thorough proposal will assist you in getting buy-in from your executives, board members, employees, members, or other stakeholders.

For instance, Hafeman performs due diligence in investigating the best options for her events and, in turn, can make a well-prepared case when presenting a proposed meeting site.

“As a meeting planner, when members have concerns about holding meetings at a resort or waterpark, I am able to address those concerns by noting that we choose our meeting sites based on a variety of factors such as location, cost, and quality of meeting facilities,” she explains. “We are fortunate to be able to have many options available to them for dining and entertainment once they leave the meeting.”

To support the needs of your group, most waterparks and casino venues offer package deals to provide options for your attendees while staying within your budget. In addition, these properties can often help you save money, since all their options are under one roof. For example, you can often eliminate the need to contract for transportation, since you can likely host all of your functions in one place. In addition, many of these types of properties can offer a variety of group activities or teambuilding programs that other venues don’t have onsite.

Depending on your group demographics, a meeting at a waterpark or casino property can help boost your attendance, particularly in cases when participants pay their own way to be there. When you give your attendees the opportunity to combine business and pleasure in one trip, the attraction factor naturally leans in favor of your meeting.

So if your stakeholders are concerned about perceptions in regard to your proposed casino or waterpark venue, you can show them in black and white - and dollars and cents - why you recommend a particular site for the flexibility, cost efficiency, and all-in-one variety to support the goals of your meeting.

Shadia Cook is a contributing author for Midwest Meetings. Want to get in touch? Contact Shadia!