Thursday, June 28, 2012

Why ObamaCare Ruling Justifies Corporate Meetings

Whether you agree or disagree with today’s ruling on ObamaCare, we are still left with a 2,000-page law that few people, businesses and industry associations understand. 

Hospitals, medical device manufacturers, doctors, pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, technology companies and the health care investment community will need, now more than ever, a forum to discuss how to prepare for new regulations and opportunities and act individually and as industries.

And that’s just in health care.  Virtually every company and industry association will be affected by the health care law and corporate leaders will need to thoroughly discuss continuing compliance strategies.

It makes a powerful case for a corporate or association meeting.   

Here in New York City, we have seen dynamic growth of innovative health care companies and health care technology firms.   We have also managed meetings for international Pharma manufacturers, insurance companies, and large associations with heavy business components.  With over 90,000 available hotel rooms in the city, meeting planners can quickly find the amenities and business components they need to schedule a productive forum.

Let’s hope politicians in Washington understand how important these meetings will be.  MPI recently released a toolkit that helps planners justify the need for meetings whenever the media or Congress claims it’s a waste.

If politicians in Washington continue to stand by behind ObamaCare, then they also need to stand behind corporate meetings that will help it work better.     













AN “EYE” ON NEW YORK!

Seems like New York will be rivaling London with its very own “Eye” Ferris Wheel!  The proposed  Ferris Wheel will be located on the north shore of Staten Island , very close to the ferry terminal from Lower Manhattan – just 25 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of downtown New York.

At a proposed height of 600 feet, this New York Ferris Wheel stands to be even taller than The London Eye, and is estimated to draw some 2 million visitors who regularly take the Staten Island ferry – not to mention a whole new demographic of visitors who stand to enjoy the vistas of New York and beyond.

This means a whole new opportunity for our clients to experience in the not-too-distant future!
Watch this space, we will provide regular updates.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Broadway on a Budget for Meetings and Incentives

Catching a Broadway show is a favorite after-hours activity for meeting and incentive attendees and we have frequently blogged about exciting new musicals and plays that are opening each month. 

Because we look to provide special experiences like backstage access and interaction with leading performers, timing your meeting for Broadway's off-season helps us improve your favorite show with high demand.  Ask us how we can help you ideally schedule your upcoming meeting to take advantage of the off-season for top performances!


Monday, June 25, 2012

BROADWAY NEWS: Billy Ray Cyrus Joins Cast of Chicago

Country singer Billy Ray Cyrus will make his Broadway debut on November 5 in “Chicago.”

Perhaps the world's most famous father - his daughter is Miley Cyrus - the "Achy Breaky Heart" singer is ditching Nashville for now and will take on the role of criminal lawyer Billy Flynn for a seven-week engagement.

Other celebrities to join the “Chicago” cast have included Sofia Vergara, Melanie Griffith, Brooke Shields, Ashlee Simpson, Usher, Huey Lewis, Michael C. Hall and Jerry Springer.

Shackman Associates New York has provided corporate meetings and incentive travel groups up-close experiences for shows like "Chicago" that includes theatre tours, backstage access and interaction with leading characters.


Friday, June 22, 2012

Another Hotel Grows in Brooklyn

Shackman Associates NYC has become a leading source of meeting trends in Brooklyn and just this week,, we have learned that Toll Brothers and Starwood Capital Group expect to break ground next summer on a 200-room hotel next to Brooklyn Bridge Park. 

The $300 hotel, which will also include 159 condos, is the latest Brooklyn project in wave of hotel development targeted toward corporate meeting and incentive groups.

We recently toured the Wythe Hotel in Williamburg with a destination meeting client.  Hotels in the borough are offering attendees a funkier perspective of New York City, exciting local dining options, unique after-hours group venues and quick access to the booming Lower East Side and East Village. 

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Mike and Spike Head to Broadway

Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson announced this week that he will team up with director Spike Lee to bring his one-man show, "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth," to the Longacre Theatre in Manhattan for six nights.  The shows runs from July 31 - August 5

The show features a raw confessional on the highs and lows of Tyson's life and will also mark Spike Lee's debut as a director on Broadway.

Lee is the director behind such films as "Do the Right Thing," "Malcolm X" and "Inside Man," and much of his films make bold statements about race relations in the United States. 

Tyson's show is the latest in a line of one-person shows to hit Broadway, including ones by William Shatner, Hugh Jackman and Kathy Griffin.  We expect this trend to continue and are specialists in providing corporate meeting and incentive groups "unique Broadway experiences."

Monday, June 11, 2012

AND THE WINNER IS...



Last night New York celebrated the best of Broadway, as the city hosted the 66th Annual Tony Awards.
From the many nominees, the following winners were applauded:

MUSICALS

The Gerswhin's Porgy and Bess,
Winner of Best Revival of a Musical
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Audra McDonald)

Newsies
Winner of Best Original Score Written for the Theatre
Best Choreography

Nice Work If You Can Get It
Winner of Best Performances by an Actor (Michael McGrath)
Winner of Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Jjudy Kaye)

Once 
Winner of Best musical, Best Book of a Musical,
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Steve Kazee),
Best Direction of a Musical
Best Orchestrations
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Best Sound Design of a Musical

PLAYS

Clybourne Park
Winner Best Play

One Man, Two Guvnors
Winner of Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (James Corden)

Other Desert Cities
Winner of Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Judith Light)

Peter and the Starcatcher
Winner of Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Christian Borle),
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Best Costume Design of a Play
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Best Sound Design of a Play

Friday, June 08, 2012

Off-Broadway for Meeting Groups: A Wonderfully Chaotic Event

An Off-Broadway production can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. But you haven't really visited New York until you experience one.  With Fuerza Bruta, your corporate group will absorb fear, shame, chaos, serenity, harmony, and peace all in one "scene".  For example, there is a man running on a treadmill who is running from his problems.  Or perhaps the man running on the treadmill is running from fear.  The performers obviously thrive on chaos.  Maybe that's why women and men in the show throw boxes at each other.

But if it was cool enough for Usher to make two special guest performances, Fuerza Bruta is cool enough for your next after-hours meeting idea. 

Shackman Associates just checked it out - you are right in the middle of the experience at Fuerza Bruta.  Originally from Buenos Aires, there is the music, the fun, some confetti, and at times, it feels like you are in the movie Inception.

You won't forget it.

Productions like this are popping up everywhere in New York and Shackman Associates provides meeting attendees with special experiences at these kinds of shows.