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As thousands of attendees across the globe connected for an omnichannel PCMA Convening Leaders experience, 50 guests came together in person at a live event hosted by Discover The Palm Beaches (DTPB), in conjunction with the GBAC STARTM Accredited Palm Beach County Convention Center/Spectra Venue Management, and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. The event was an opportunity for meeting planners participating in PCMA Convening Leaders to see first-hand the community centered approach that is incorporated into events in The Palm Beaches, which prioritizes the health, safety and wellness of attendees, both physically and mentally, as well as the wellness of the whole community and environment. The event demonstrated the unique features and products that make The Palm Beaches distinct and meetings-ready.

“We’re proud to have hosted this event safely, as an Official Network Partner of PCMA Convening Leaders 2021, and with the collaboration of our community.” commented Kelly Cavers, Senior Vice President, Group Sales and Destination Services. “We’re leading the way in supporting the return of live events in The Palm Beaches, and this event showcased how we are able to ‘flip the script’ on how people are thinking about meeting face-to-face.  We can host safe events without them feeling sterile or boring, or like you’ve spent the whole day watching a screen.  With our talented community partners, we showed how we can still wow attendees with custom, local in-person experiences, all within safety guidelines.”

Starting with the newly implemented procedures for health and safety, through the interactive cultural and culinary experiences for mental and emotional wellbeing, sustainable details that highlighted environmental wellness, and an opportunity to participate in community give-back programs with Gift of Life and Place of Hope, this event encompassed the community-forward approach taken by DTPBs’ Destination Sales & Services team through the entire planning process.

Detailed communications were sent ahead of the event, explaining the safety precautions implemented onsite, to ensure the comfort and confidence of all attendees.  DTPB partnered with SafeExpo on pre-entry health screenings, providing a digital questionnaire, verified by the company, as well as touchless temperature checks upon arrival.   In lieu of paper wristbands, attendees received red Kabbalah bracelets to wear, as a symbol to keep a 6-foot distance between others, but also as a nod to positive energy and wellbeing.

Guests were welcomed with Instagram-worthy photo opportunities representing The Palm Beaches and met outside of the Grand Ballroom with an array of community partners, including a produced-on-site art installation from local artist Greg Dirr (in partnership with the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County), who created a piece representative of the ecosystems found in Palm Beach County, using recycled materials.  There was also an opportunity to join Gift of Life’s marrow registry and give back to Place of Hope, supporting the wellness of the larger community.

As part of its PCMA partnership, DTPB hosted Camilla Webster, a local fine artist, and best-selling author, as a speaker at the hybrid event where she presented “The Art of the Pivot”. Webster guided participants through pivoting in the creative process to uncover creative solutions for any challenge. Her artwork was also showcased at the convention center.

Accompanying Webster’s display, the food and beverage offerings were individually packaged and focused on local options. Oceana Coffee, founded in Jupiter, had an on-request coffee and espresso bar in an outfitted VW van, and attendees were treated to individually packaged homemade juices and breakfast trail mix, made-to-order gourmet boxed lunches, bite-size desserts by Cakes, Etc., and afternoon packaged charcuterie boards by Trindy Gourmet, both based in West Palm Beach.

With single-seat cocktail tables and spaced-out lounge seating was provided by Deco Productions, and set throughout the convention center’s spacious halls, as well as on the outdoor terrace, guests were able to eat, network and enjoy getting to know community partners, while maintaining a comfortable social distance.  In the meeting room, individually set tables also provided attendees space, as well as everything needed for the meeting – including a wellness kit of a mask and hand sanitizer, provided in sustainable packaging from local company Tellus Products.  Encore (formerly PSAV) provided technology support for the event, which included touchless solutions for asking questions during the day’s presentations, from their physically distanced locations.

The Palm Beaches commitment to health, safety and wellness was highlighted in large part through an online auction where 100 percent of the proceeds were awarded to local organization Place of Hope, South Florida’s largest and most comprehensive children and families organization, which provides housing and support services for those who have suffered abuse, neglect, abandonment and human trafficking.  The auction raised almost $6,000 for the organization, and bidders took home prizes that represented The Palm Beaches, from gift baskets and golfing kits to hotel stays and sporting experiences, generously donated by properties like the Boca Raton Resort & Club, Hilton West Palm Beach, The Ben West Palm, and the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa.  The auction’s top prize  was a one-of-a-kind piece of art donated by the day’s headline speaker, Camilla Webster.

The Palm Beaches’ offer diversity without density amid an array of meeting spaces for all tastes and budgets, ranging from the 350,000-square-foot, GBAC STARTM Accredited Convention Center in downtown West Palm Beach, with its attached hotel and more than 1,200 rooms within walking distance, to historic landmark hotels and more than 200 cultural institutions that have earned it the moniker of Florida’s Cultural Capital®, and local community partners that can bring The Palm Beaches into any event were all on display.

Meeting planners can have it all in The Palm Beaches – a safe, innovative and inspiring meeting, and it does not have to come with a hefty price tag.  In partnership with the PBCCC, DTPB is offering planners the opportunity build the perfect event according to their event requirements and budget.  A la carte promotional offerings for technology, meeting space, outdoor receptions and transportation, including credits of up to $25,000 for a reception, are available for qualified meetings and events.  Bring The Palm Beaches into your event like never before.  Contact your Sales Director for more information at https://www.thepalmbeaches.com/meetings/the-sales-team or submit an RFP directly at https://www.thepalmbeaches.com/meetings-conventions-rfp.