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Lisbon

Lisbon

by | Jun 15, 2021 | Podcasts
DE 36 | José Avillez

 

A city steeped in the Mediterranean Sun, history, and full of great culinary traditions, Lisbon is today’s destination. Join our hosts, Andy McNeill & Todd Bludworth as they explore the city for the best restaurants. Bringing two prominent people of the city, they talk to Michelin Star winning chef José Avillez and the General Manager of the iconic hotel Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa, Miguel Garcia. José shares his views about the best restaurants in Lisbon, the culinary traditions of Portugal, and his venue, Barrio do Avillez. Miguel then lets us in on his experiences running the most iconic 5-star hotel, what sets apart the Tivoli from others, and what he thinks are the must-dos in the city. Take a trip to Lisbon as you join today’s episode.

Andy McNeill and Todd Bludworth are travel and hospitality entrepreneurs and owners of the global meetings organization, American Meetings, Inc. From sourcing hotels in Lisbon to corporate event management around the world, their team selects corporate event venues and meeting planners for a wide array of enterprise business clients, providing ideas for convention themes and strategies for running global meetings and events. Learn more at www.mtgshealth.wpengine.com.

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Watch the episode here:

Lisbon

Portuguese Michelin Star Chef José Avillez Talks Best Restaurants In Lisbon, And Meet Miguel Garcia, General Manager Of The Iconic Hotel Tivoli Avenida Liberdade

The city of Lisbon is the shining capital of Portugal, steeped in the Mediterranean Sun, history, and full of great culinary traditions. In today’s episode, Todd Bluddworth and Andy McNeill talk to Michelin Star winning chef José Avillez and the General Manager of the iconic hotel Tivoli Avenida Liberdade, Miguel Garcia.

José Avillez is considered one of the country’s most renowned chefs, receiving his first Michelin star in 2012 for his work with Belcanto, and winning his second Michelin star in 2019. José starts off this interview with a short but sweet introduction to the best of Portuguese cuisine, including the vaunted Bacalao.

Todd and Andy discuss José’s phenomenal rise in the culinary industry. José talks about the increase in growth of his restaurant when it won its first and second Michelin stars. He talks about gaining international guests and becoming the face of Portuguese cuisine, and how amazing the past 15 years have been.

The discussion moves on to Barrio do Avillez, a food venue where food meets entertainment. The venue includes a Taberna(Tavern), a Pateo focused on fish and seafood, a minibar, and a pizzeria. José notes that his restaurants are located in Chiado, a neighborhood steeped in literary and artistic tradition and history. You can get lost in Lisbon, but this can turn into an adventure, a feast for the eyes, mind and stomach. You can wander along the riverside, visit the historic churches and monuments, have a Pateis de Nata at one of the many small cafes, bask in the friendly neighborhood feel, and finally wind down with dinner at a Chiado restaurant with some fine Portuguese wine, cheese, and seafood.

Next up, we meet Miguel Garcia, the General Manager of the iconic Hotel Tivoli Avenida Liberdade. The hotel is the first 5-star hotel in Portugal and is located smack dab in the beating heart of the city.

Miguel offers authenticity and the historicity of the hotel as one of its great selling points. The staff is dedicated to providing the greatest experience they can for the guests. The Tivoli also hosts the GQ Man of the Year Event, an exclusive, black-tie event, and also an annual New Year’s Eve.

Miguel explains the origins and allure of Fado music and talks about the many Fado restaurants in the city. His three absolute must-dos in the city are:

  • Taking a tuk-tuk tour across the city
  • Visiting the castles and monasteries
  • Hitting up a Fado restaurant to close out the experience.

Todd and Andy next give a bucket list of some great activities to get into while in Lisbon:

  • Live music and great dining at one of the many Fado houses in the city. Listen to great music and enjoy wonderful food.
  • The Eduardo VII Park, named after English monarch Edward VII, who visited the country in 1903. Enjoy the park’s view of the city while enjoying a picnic with family and friends.
  • The Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology, found along the riverbank in the Belem district. The museum is open to the public.
  • Play golf in one of the many beautiful golf courses in the city, with great views of the city and the Atlantic Ocean
  • Surfing in Ericeira, the only European location listed in the world’s surfing reserves. It is 40 minutes out of Lisbon and a great place to catch the waves.
  • A sailing excursion along the Tagus River, with views of Belem and the Plaza de Commercio. Great for family outings and team-building events.
  • Join up with the private tram tours and see the city sights while enjoying pastries and wine.
  • Enjoy a culinary and artistic experience at the hip urban environs of the LX Factory, Lisbon’s cutting-edge hub of creativity.
  • Join the Sensorial Lisbon, a guided tour of the city of Lisbon while blindfolded, letting your other senses take over.
  • A quick flight to the Azores to explore the volcanic archipelago.

About José Avillez

DE 36 | José AvillezPortuguese and a chef, José Avillez’ main focus is to promote Portuguese gastronomy and contribute to making Portugal a top gastronomic destination. He’s considered one of the great references of gastronomy in Portugal and has stood out because of his enterprising spirit and drive to keep pushing further.

Currently, José Avillez has several restaurants in Portugal, in Lisbon and Porto, and also in Dubai, each with a different concept, but all expressing his passion for cuisine: Belcanto, distinguished with two Michelin stars and elected one of the 50 best restaurants in the world by the prestigious “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants”, Mini Bar, Bairro do Avillez (with Taberna, Páteo), Pizzaria Lisboa, Cantinho do Avillez in Lisbon (Chiado and Parque das Nações), Cascais and Porto; the three restaurants in the Gourmet Experience of El Corte Inglés Lisboa, Tasca Chic, Jacaré, Barra Cascabel (in partnership with Mexican chef Roberto Ruiz); Tasca, José Avillez’ first international restaurant project, at the 5 stars hotel Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, in Dubai.

Together with José Bento dos Santos and the Quinta do Monte D’Oiro vineyard, José Avillez produced the JA wines with his signature: JA Red, JA White and JA Rosé. José Avillez has also contributed to countless Portuguese and foreign books, authored and hosted TV and radio shows.

About Miguel Garcia

DE 36 | José AvillezMiguel Garcia, General Director of the Hotel Tivoli Avenida Liberdade and Regional Operations Director of Minor Hotels for Urban Hotels Portugal (the city hotels segment). Miguel Garcia, a passionate hospitality professional with 20 years of experience in the national and international hotel sector, has been Managing Director of Tivoli Avenida Liberdade since 2018. He accumulates the general management of Tivoli Avenida Liberdade with the responsibility of Regional Director of Operations for Urban Hotels since February 2020.

Miguel Garcia started his career going through several hotels in Portugal, but also abroad, at Le Meridien Copacabana Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel & Resorts in Lisbon and Geneva. He spent nine years in Brazil where he was General Director of Hotel Ponta dos Ganchos Exclusive Resort, Relais & Chateaux, located in Florianopólis. He was also Operations Director of Belmond Copacabana Palace (three years) and General Director of Tivoli São Paulo Mofarrej, located in the Jardins district, in the capital of São Paulo, transforming and repositioning the Hotel, being today recognized as a reference in this great city.

In 2018 he returned to Portugal to take over two units of Minor Hotels in the center of Lisbon, where he had the objective of reinforcing the positioning of Tivoli Avenida Liberdade, the historic hotel in the city of Lisbon that belongs to the Leading Hotels of the World.

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Top 6 Hotels In Philadelphia

Top 6 Hotels In Philadelphia

by | Jun 8, 2021 | Podcasts
DE 33| Incentive Trips

 

Planning a meeting in Philadelphia is easy when local hotels are historic, award-winning, and offer luxury amenities. From short walks to the Liberty Bell to dinner with panoramic city views, here are our top hotels in Philadelphia. Fall in love with history in this mesmerizing city while enjoying top-notch cuisine from the best restaurants. Business travelers will be sure to find great lodging in these most exquisite amenities. 

Andy McNeill and Todd Bludworth are travel and hospitality entrepreneurs and owners of the global meetings organization, American Meetings, Inc. From sourcing hotels in Philadelphia to corporate event management around the world, their team selects corporate event venues and meeting planners for a wide array of enterprise business clients, providing ideas for convention themes and strategies for running global meetings and events. Learn more at www.mtgshealth.wpengine.com.

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Watch the episode here:

Top 6 Hotels In Philadelphia

With just a one-hour train ride south of New York, you will reach Philadelphia. A place rich in history, the City of Brotherly Love is home to the Liberty Bell, the famous Rocky steps, and the house of Betsy Ross, among many others. It is also where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed. 

If you plan to visit Philadelphia, one of the first things you should be looking for is the hotel. But besides its room accommodations and housekeeping services, you must also take into consideration its overall feel and the most exciting amenities it houses. 

Andy McNeill and Todd Bludworth have visited Philadelphia many times before. Besides their personal travels, they have also done a lot of business here. Revisiting their memories and experiences, they explore six of the most beautiful and elegant hotels in Philadelphia. They dive deep into what to find within its walls, the food it offers, and the nearby places for each establishment that every visitor would love to see. 

1. Four Seasons Hotel

Originally located in the Logan, the Four Seasons Hotel at Comcast Center is now downtown. Andy and Todd’s favorite feature is the mesmerizing panoramic view that offers an amazing sight when the whole city lights up at night. 

Hotel Highlights: 

  • Jean-Georges Restaurant is located on the hotel’s 59th floor. The place has floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a lovely view. 

2. Ritz-Carlton Hotel

Even with several branches worldwide, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at Philadelphia stands out because of its unique architectural design. Located at the former Girard Trust Building, this place is a favorite choice for business meetings and events. 

Hotel Highlights: 

  • The bank’s former vault is now one of the most requested meeting places, which is now known as the Grand Ballroom. All the walls are warped and carry great history. 

3. Rittenhouse Hotel

Featuring high-end service and experience, the Rittenhouse Hotel was voted as the top hotel in the Mid-Atlantic by Condé Nast Traveler in 2020, receiving a score of 99.55. It is known as the gem of the city center. 

Hotel Highlights: 

  • The hotel restaurant features a chef’s table and six custom menu options for a wholesome and memorable dining experience.
  • The Library Bar located across the street from the hotel offers easy access for a place to unwind. 

4. Logan Hotel

Formerly the Four Seasons, the Logan Hotel takes pride in its helpful staff, fashionable amenities, and overall luxurious atmosphere. 

Hotel Highlights: 

  • An enticing farm-to-table restaurant. 
  • Philadelphia’s City Hall, located near the hotel, is arguably the prettiest one in the entire United States. 
  • The Philadelphia Museum of Art down the road, where the famous Rocky Stairs can be found. 

5. Hotel Monaco

Hotel Monaco is a paradise for history lovers since it can be found near the most important landmarks in the foundation of the United States. 

Hotel Highlights: 

  • The Independence Hall nearby where the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were signed. 
  • Betsy Ross’ house down the street, known as the birthplace of America. 

6. Loews hotel

Similar to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in terms of history, it is located in the city’s first skyscraper and landmark of the PSFS Building, which was once a bank. 

Hotel Highlights: 

  • The bank’s old banking room is now a three-story banquet space. It is a wonderful space for single events or those traveling in the city, complete with the original marble safe and cardiac clocks. 
  • A butcher’s block restaurant right off the lobby, featuring great steaks and cuts. 

See more of Andy and Todd’s many escapade reviews at www.destination-everywhere.com. 

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Three Meeting and Event Trends for 2021

Three Meeting and Event Trends for 2021

by | May 27, 2021 | Hybrid Meetings, In-Person Meetings, Virtual Meetings

The landscape for the corporate meeting and event industry has been entirely disrupted by the pandemic of 2020. As we begin to unravel from it all, our hope is in what is to come.

The good news is that the demand for corporate meetings remains strong. We are social creatures, and business meetings must happen to help us align on goals and with each other. The shift organizations made to online meetings, and virtual events showed us that business, events, and meetings needed to continue to move forward, regardless of the global pandemic landscape. Networking, product research and development, collaboration, and team communication must, and will, continue.

The question isn’t whether or not group events will happen; it is how they will look and how to make them successful. As we all look forward, prepare for the future and glide into the new normal, here are three trends we expect to see strengthened.

Venues are Getting Ready for Hybrid Events

Virtual events have been the primary way organizations have held meetings of every type. As businesses that have been limited or sheltered are once again opening doors, we expect hybrid events to take over.

The boom in virtual meetings has created new best practices in the industry, improving production logistics and technology for the better. We expect hybrid events to dominate with user familiarity, and venues must get ready to meet their needs.

CVBs and DMCs are Expanding

Convention and Visitor Bureaus, along with Destination Management Companies, are expanding their partnerships and adjusting their income models. Going from a steady income of event hosting, then coming to a complete halt in some cases, due to the pandemic, CVBs and DMCs are looking at how they price and who they need to have in their portfolio of connections.

Broadening networks and outreach to be more diverse helps balance out income sources, and partnering with additional vendors will allow for more agility should something like a global disruption happen again.

Focus on Health and Safety

Hybrid events will continue to attract participants most comfortably – live or digital. Meeting technologies, along with health and safety will continue to be a focus and priority for attendees, venues, and event planners. Local government mandates will continue to shift, and those in the meetings industry will need to be flexible to meet those changes. Procedures to maintain safety will continue to be front and center with signage, technology, PPE, and more. Onsite testing is likely to be a live event standard. Find more resources here: Meeting Health & Safety

Five Innovative Gifting ideas for Attendees and Staff

Five Innovative Gifting ideas for Attendees and Staff

by | May 27, 2021 | Hybrid Meetings, In-Person Meetings, Virtual Meetings

Swag bags and logoed promotional products have long been a staple of corporate events and gifting. This last year has undoubtedly changed the environment of corporate live meetings and altered the state of corporate gifting.

For one, it has made customized ordering (each person can order what they want) and direct shipping much more accessible and user-friendly than ever before. It has also placed a value on higher-end gifts. This type of gift is one-way corporations reinvested conference expenses previously spent on live events back into the participants or staff. While name-brand goods cost 25% – 75% more than generic, it hits home when staff or clients receive a recognizable brand.

Participants at live events have grown accustomed to receiving their welcome packet, name badge, and swag bag. This last year of virtual meetings brought us creative unboxing parties, and this year, as hybrid meetings become the new normal, we expect to see the innovation grow.

“Use a professional to navigate quantity pricing. They also make sure your gift achieves the intended impact without being gaudy. Logo size, color, and positioning all need to be thought through and done well.”

– Michael Lumpkin, Thread Logo Co-Founder

As we move into this next stage, we wanted to inspire you with these five curated gifts by our American Meetings Network Prime Member, Thread Logo, with high quality, name-brand value, and without the bank-breaking price tag. The key to this is using a professional who can deliver value.

Charging Pads and Devices

We are all plugged in and needing power. These charging pads make it easy, allowing recipients to leave all the cords behind and charge phones, watches, earbuds, or anything electronic and rechargeable. Ideal for travel or home, these are helpful to both the tech-savvy and not.

Sherpa Blankets

Blankets and throws are a great unisex gift for indoor or outdoor cuddling year-round. Neutral colors match home or office décor or can easily be thrown into the car for a road trip, camping, or picnic after the event.

Fine Leather Goods

High quality and hand-made in the USA, these luxury gifts will become a staple for the receiver. Padfolios for event notetaking, totes, briefcases for conference materials, or hauling paperwork from client meetings to networking groups are a perfect gift.

Ring Lights

Videos, Zoom meetings, and even profile pictures look better with good lighting. With a variety of warmth, brightness, sizes, and adjustability, ring lights make your participants look great. Whether live streaming content at the event, capturing an afterparty shout-out or uploading the next viral TikTok, you will equate your team with screen confidence.

Bose

Bose is a household name when it comes to sound quality, which makes these highly valued gifts. Speakers, headphones, and earbuds with the Bose name ensure crisp sound in anyway your recipient wants to experience it.

The goal of gifting has always been to help people be pulled into the fold of the sponsor – to help them feel like they are part of something bigger. Whether this is a company purchasing wearables to demonstrate unity at an event, or attendees receiving swag to welcome them and invite them into the experience, corporate gifting accomplishes this.

Your professional meeting planner can help source and distribute these items on your behalf. Just ask AMI!

AMI Provides Talented Certified Suppliers Through Its Industry Leading Tier 2 Supplier Program

AMI Provides Talented Certified Suppliers Through Its Industry Leading Tier 2 Supplier Program

by | May 24, 2021 | Diversity, News

Learn more in this Out Entrepreneur interview with CEO and Founder of AMI Andy McNeill on his advice for the next generation of Out Bosses.

For over 25 years, Andy and his husband and business partner Todd have witnessed a number of ups and downs in the travel and event industry but believe the recent pandemic has changed the industry for good. Andy said the pandemic had driven the “largest, most jarring shift” they’ve experienced, and forced what AMI did to GROW during this challenging time.

In this interview, Andy also shares the philosophy of AMI’s Supplier Diversity Program and how it is successfully positioning minority businesses to pitch to large corporations and win bids. He gives tips on how to be more effective, as just being able to pitch doesn’t simply seal the deal. (Even though AMI’s suppliers have received millions of dollars in contracts because of the program.)

And finally, Andy shares how his LGBTQ life experience and the experiences of others in the community have allowed him to be MORE successful. He advises the next generation of Out Bosses to use their platform to offer themselves as beacons of safe space, education, and connection.

“If you aren’t your whole self at work, people can feel the un-authenticity. And when people aren’t comfortable with who I am or our philosophies, we are fine not working together because it won’t be successful for either party.”

Check out the podcast, The Out Entrepreneur here (@outentrepreneur), and be inspired today!