Destination Community
Serving up something different for groups of all sizes
A superior dining experience often tops the list of why guests return to a hotel or resort – whether they are individuals, families, or attendees at meetings and conventions. So it’s no surprise that many properties are raising the bar when it comes to conference dining. Several have revamped menus and service to send attendees home talking about the food as well as the meeting itself.
Below are some current conference dining trends and great examples of how Destination Hotels & Resorts' properties are delivering distinctive experiences for their conference attendees:
Local Cuisine
Today, people want to know where their food comes from. That’s why it’s important to include cuisine that reflects popular regional tastes and locally grown or raised foods. At Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont, they take the fresh approach to conference dining literally, giving groups a taste of true local flavor with farm-to-table receptions. In this interactive, casual setting local farmers, artisan cheese makers and wine producers set up stations where guests are able to ask questions about the foods and wines they are tasting. Attendees walk away with a fun-filled, memorable evening and an understanding of the importance and benefits of eating local foods.
Family-Style Meals
Meals served family-style – where food is served to seated diners in bowls or platters which are then passed around the table – are becoming more and more popular for groups because they promote camaraderie and networking as plates are passed. Recently, Vail Cascade hosted representatives from 10 top-tier incentive travel firms who were treated to a superb family-style lunch featuring grilled organic lemon and thyme young chicken, pan-seared chipotle-maple glazed Scottish salmon and much more – all while overlooking beautiful Gore Creek.
Out-of-the-Box, Outside
Sometimes, where attendees dine can be just as important as what they eat. Dining outdoors can be quite more memorable than a typical boardroom or ballroom. The fresh air makes the food taste better, the natural sounds provide a pleasant, subtle backdrop to conversation and the open atmosphere lends itself to a greater propensity for socialization. At Terranea Resort – with its extraordinary setting on the Pacific Ocean – the conference services team oftentimes creates amazing outdoor events, from a clambake on the cove to lunch on the lawn with incredible ocean views and the opportunity to see breeching whales or dancing dolphins
Our growth continues with the recent addition of both Boston and Chicago area properties.
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Stowe Mountain Lodge Farmers Market
