Q: Can I hold my meeting at a resort and still stay within my budget?
A: Absolutely! In fact, many resorts can offer you even more for your money than traditional hotels and meeting facilities.
The first step is creating a detailed Request For Proposal (RFP). In addition to the standard logistical information such as the sleeping room needs, meeting schedule, meals, breaks and budget, be sure to include who is attending the event, including any demographics of the attendees and your overall meeting goals. Why is this so important? Resorts have the unique ability to offer a variety of onsite activities and amenities that may be able to tie in perfectly with your organization’s goals. They can also provide options for guests during any off time, allowing even more networking and teambuilding in a relaxed environment.
A: Absolutely! In fact, many resorts can offer you even more for your money than traditional hotels and meeting facilities.
The first step is creating a detailed Request For Proposal (RFP). In addition to the standard logistical information such as the sleeping room needs, meeting schedule, meals, breaks and budget, be sure to include who is attending the event, including any demographics of the attendees and your overall meeting goals. Why is this so important? Resorts have the unique ability to offer a variety of onsite activities and amenities that may be able to tie in perfectly with your organization’s goals. They can also provide options for guests during any off time, allowing even more networking and teambuilding in a relaxed environment.
There is a common misconception that holding events at a resort are more expensive than a non-resort facility. Many resorts are able to create packages to meet budgets of all sizes. Typically resorts have off-season time periods where they can offer special rates that include a wide range of activities. If you can be flexible with your dates and even days of the week, resorts are more than willing to work with you and create events that both meet your goals as well as fall within your budget.
According to Bob Dove, General Manager at The Best Western Bridgewood Resort Hotel & Conference Center, Neenah, WI, the question about staying within budgets at his resort, “The answer is yes, when flexibility is a part of your planning mindset. It is also important to think like a realtor, that is, location, timing and value for the dollar.”
Dove and the staff consider themselves a “business class property in a resort setting”. That is, they are dedicated to serving their business clients with award-winning quality and service and, in addition, offer resort amenities including the Bridgewood Conference Center overlooking the Bridgewood Golf Course, On The Fringe Golf, an 18-hole mini-golf course with Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, lawn bowling and sand volleyball, a 5,000 sq. ft. Aquatic Fun Center and the Ground Round Grill & Bar featuring outside patio service and entertainment.
Resort meetings don’t have to break the bank, but they can break the mold and offer a different type of setting that can act as a catalyst for providing valuable results that wouldn’t normally take place in typical meeting spots.
Beth Schupp, President of Fair Hills Resort & Wildflower Golf Course in Detroit Lakes, MN, sees the positive results of their clients firsthand.
“I think that often times people don’t realize that they are missing out on the unique aspects available at a resort. For example, people usually retire to their hotel rooms after a day of meetings. We don’t have televisions in our hotel rooms, so they end up doing lots of informal meetings after the planned events. People are able to spend time talking, playing together and doing teambuilding without having to plan formal events. We offer bonfires after meetings where people let their hair down and have fun.”
When it comes to terms of budgets, Schupp notes that when guests stay overnight, they offer complimentary meeting rooms and audiovisual equipment (with the exception of LCDs). Everything down to the meals are included in their inclusive room rates: breakfast, lunch, dinner and even breaks with coffee and cookies.
One of the top reasons people like meeting at resorts are the unique views and relaxed settings. Schupp shares that some of the best feedback from attendees and planners involve the scenic views from their meeting rooms, which are only ten feet away from a lake. When it’s time to have a break they can really take a few moments to get away from normal atmosphere to refresh and recharge.
The next time you are tasked with planning a meeting at a resort, don’t panic. The staff is ready and more than willing to work with you to plan a special event to meet your needs and your budget. The key is to be flexible and communicate your goals and expectations.
According to Bob Dove, General Manager at The Best Western Bridgewood Resort Hotel & Conference Center, Neenah, WI, the question about staying within budgets at his resort, “The answer is yes, when flexibility is a part of your planning mindset. It is also important to think like a realtor, that is, location, timing and value for the dollar.”
Dove and the staff consider themselves a “business class property in a resort setting”. That is, they are dedicated to serving their business clients with award-winning quality and service and, in addition, offer resort amenities including the Bridgewood Conference Center overlooking the Bridgewood Golf Course, On The Fringe Golf, an 18-hole mini-golf course with Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, lawn bowling and sand volleyball, a 5,000 sq. ft. Aquatic Fun Center and the Ground Round Grill & Bar featuring outside patio service and entertainment.
Resort meetings don’t have to break the bank, but they can break the mold and offer a different type of setting that can act as a catalyst for providing valuable results that wouldn’t normally take place in typical meeting spots.
Beth Schupp, President of Fair Hills Resort & Wildflower Golf Course in Detroit Lakes, MN, sees the positive results of their clients firsthand.
“I think that often times people don’t realize that they are missing out on the unique aspects available at a resort. For example, people usually retire to their hotel rooms after a day of meetings. We don’t have televisions in our hotel rooms, so they end up doing lots of informal meetings after the planned events. People are able to spend time talking, playing together and doing teambuilding without having to plan formal events. We offer bonfires after meetings where people let their hair down and have fun.”
When it comes to terms of budgets, Schupp notes that when guests stay overnight, they offer complimentary meeting rooms and audiovisual equipment (with the exception of LCDs). Everything down to the meals are included in their inclusive room rates: breakfast, lunch, dinner and even breaks with coffee and cookies.
One of the top reasons people like meeting at resorts are the unique views and relaxed settings. Schupp shares that some of the best feedback from attendees and planners involve the scenic views from their meeting rooms, which are only ten feet away from a lake. When it’s time to have a break they can really take a few moments to get away from normal atmosphere to refresh and recharge.
The next time you are tasked with planning a meeting at a resort, don’t panic. The staff is ready and more than willing to work with you to plan a special event to meet your needs and your budget. The key is to be flexible and communicate your goals and expectations.
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