Spies, Pink Drinks, Jazz, and a Secret Room: 4 Trends in NYC Destination Meetings

Nitro and Bottled Cocktail Hours: Explosive Flavors From Science and Speed

We are seeing two big trends in New York City mixology that are transforming cocktail hour events at destination corporate meetings.
 
Bottling cocktails. Hate standing in line forever at an event? Bottled cocktails cut down on time and produce quality cocktails in seconds when attendees are thirsty. The key to a good bottled cocktail is creating something that has the perfect balance between alcohol and citrus or sugar that’s added.

Nitro Infusions. A Nitro Infusion is molecular mixology where bartenders are becoming deliciously mad scientists! They are manipulating shakers to create new flavors, textures, and unique cocktail presentations that enhance the overall drinking experience.  Some of the most popular infusions include the use of foams, gels, mists, heat, and solidifying liquids.

These drinks can get a little crazy. They include cocktails with suspended elements, cocktail gums, paper cocktails, solid cocktails, cocktail marshmallows, flavored ice spheres, frozen ‘nitro’ cocktails, cocktail popsicles, and even cocktail glasses filled with cotton candy!

The secret formula is really about equipment, especially among mixologists who work at molecular gastronomy restaurants. They are piggybacking on the the expensive items used by the chef to create incredible cocktail experiences!

Hotel News: Marriott Goes Boutique in NYC with Edition

Marriott's first New York City boutique hotel, Edition, is opening in the renowned Clock Tower by Madison Square Park. This is part of a trend where major hotel chains are either opening their own boutique properties or acquiring independent ones.

Edition offers approximately 2,100 square feet of flexible meeting and event space that ranges from an executive boardroom to studio space.  It also has three 1,350 square foot penthouses that feature views of the city and are ideal tor private events and gatherings.

Under the direction of Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton, The Clocktower restaurant can accommodate  larger events and galas. The decor includes mahogany wood paneled walls and specially curated art.
Your destination meeting attendees can enjoy a fresh experience at boutiques like Edition while leveraging the advantages of loyalty programs. 

Make Your Cocktail Hour a Rooftop Jazz Event

New York City's rooftops are always a hot idea for the destination meeting happy hour. The challenge is finding one, especially on short-notice, that isn't packed or booked well in advance.

We have found one of the most unique rooftop venues in Manhattan that provides a sophisticated vibe, amazing views looking both west and east, and a jazz component for a chill experience.

We have previously blogged about the explosive growth of jazz throughout the city, and when we checked out the rooftop venue in Tribeca, one the industry's up-and-coming artists (on Billboard) was performing. This kind of talent is available for your event specifically because Manhattan provides more opportunities to earn money on a regular basis.

Bottle Service in Bed at a NYC Hotel in 2016

Ever wondered if you could get luxury bottle service in bed? You'll soon find out what it's like!

The Tao Group nightlife company, which runs the massively popular Tao nightclubs in NYC and Las Vegas, is opening its first ever hotel in the Meatpacking District in New York City.

The Tao-branded hotel will be located at 414 W. 15th Street in a new 23-story building and open in Summer 2016. We hear there will be a rooftop lounge that can accommodate 240 people, a 23rd floor lounge for the same amount of people, and another lounge and terrace on the second floor. We are expecting Tao's pan-Asian cuisine to be served in the rooms, which is already being done at the Maritime Hotel around the corner. Tao also runs the Tao Ink bar at the Maritime, so expect a similar concept for the Tao Hotel.

A Big Bang for "God" on Broadway

Jim Parson, the most popular science nerd on TV, is taking on a more heavenly role as the voice of God on Broadway. 

The 41-year-old "The Big Bang Theory" star is the lead in "An Act of God",which began previews yesterday and opens at the end of this month. The comedy production is based on the critically acclaimed book written by "God" and transcribed by "The Daily Show's" David Javerbaum.  While Parson may be best known for his role on TV, he told "Today" that Broadway is really is home. His last performance was in the 2012 revival of Harvey.

Shackman Associates New York provides destination corporate meeting, association convention and incentive travel program attendees with unique Broadway experiences that have included backstage tours and interaction with key performers.

Broadway: Watch the Magic of Penn and Teller

Penn and Teller might be the world's most famous magicians, and they have been bringing their radical brand of legerdemain to audiences for years. From July 7 to Aug. 16, they will be on Broadway with a limited engagement at the Marquis Theatre. 

Shackman Associates New York provides destination corporate meeting, association convention, and incentive travel program attendees with unique Broadway experiences that have included backstage tours and interaction with key performers.

Soccer Team-Building in Manhattan with a Unique Twist

International corporate groups attending destination meetings in New York City already know how big futbol (soccer) is in their own countries, and even without a World Cup this year, it has also become bigger than ever here in the US.

As more of the world's top talent plays here, experts who teach and train them are coming here as well. These experts can help provide your meeting attendees with a unique team-building idea at one of New York's fields. One of the most unique venues is located on the Hudson River near Houston Street. With two outdoor regulation fields located in the middle of a parking garage, your attendees can refine their skills on the soft turf with an amazing backdrop of the World Trade Center in the background!

New on Broadway:" It Shoulda Been You" is a Hilarious Dysfunctional Wedding

We love everything David Hyde Pierce (Frazier) has been in, so wouldn't it make sense that he would direct something on Broadway that is hilarious? With "It Shoulda Been You", we were right on the money.

The show starts off by roping you into thinking that this could be just another boiler plate Broadway musical, then it blows up with so many twists and turns that you are left breathless. The production has an amazing cast, led by Tyne Daly, who make the most dysfunctional wedding you have ever attended look like a piece of cake. No pun intended! However, the families in this show are about crazy as they come.

Shackman Associates provides destination corporate meeting, association convention and incentive travel program group with unique Broadway experiences that have included backstage tours and interaction with key performers.

Luxury Event Lighting to Keep Earth Day Alive All Year

With warmer weather (hopefully) here to stay, holding a corporate event or gala outdoors is a great idea. We have found a lighting option for these kinds of events that offers both a touch of luxury and sustainability.

After all, it's Earth Day!

We recommend using inflatable solar lanterns and best one is the Luci Lux by MPowerd, located right here in New York City. Its sleek, frosted design creates a brilliant but warm glow for any type of corporate gala or cocktail party. More importantly, Luci solar lights are helping children in developing countries read and study at night!

Event Photos Where Attendees Can Let Loose in Front of the Camera

Photo booths have been increasingly popular at corporate events, and they are getting more creative and exciting than ever.

We are using one next week at an iconic New York City venue, and one of the cool features that sold us was matching backgrounds with the time of day. So if your event is in the evening, photos of attendees against a skyline backdrop will show the early evening sun that is typical in late April.

You can brand the photos with your corporate logo or themes from the meeting, and your attendees will receive a web gallery of images that can be downloaded and shared in 2 to 3 business days. And some of those images can get a little crazy! With tables of crazy hats and wigs by the photo booth, your group can really let loose in front of the camera!

Sip the South Bronx at a Hip New York Brewery

If your destination corporate meeting group is looking for a new kind of tasting experience, try heading north to the Bronx Brewery. It's a really cool venue located in an industrial area of the South Bronx. One could imagine it's exactly what Williamsburg used to look like before gentrification.

We recommend a flight  (5 tastings each) plus a growler to get your event rolling. The Belgium beer is great, but our favorite is a more unusual brew infused with sage. The bartenders are detailed in describing each type of beer, and although it is usually reserved for Saturdays, we might be able to help you add a tequila tasting as well!

Dr. Zhivago Opens on Broadway

The wait is over! Doctor Zhivago, based on Boris Pasternak’s Nobel Prize-winning 20th-century epic Russian masterpiece, opens on Tuesday, April 21.

The production stars Tam Mutu (Donmar Warehouse’s City of Angels), who is making his Broadway debut as the passionate Doctor and poet Yurii Zhivago, Kelli Barrett (Wicked) as the alluring Lara Guishar, Tony Award nominee Tom Hewitt (Rocky Horror Show) as the cynical bourgeois magistrate Viktor Komarovsky, Paul Alexander Nolan (Jesus Chris Superstar) as political radical Pasha Antipov, and Lora Lee Gayer as Tonia Gromeko, Zhivago’s devoted wife.

Doctor Zhivago will be directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys), with a book by Academy Award nominee Michael Weller (Ragtime), music by two-time Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon (The Secret Garden), lyrics by Tony Award nominee Michael Korie (Grey Gardens) and Emmy Award nominee Amy Powers (Ella Enchanted), and choreography by Tony Award nominee Kelly Devine (Rocky).

Doctor Zhivago, an epic romance, is based on the search for love during the final days of Czarist Russia, the First World War and the Russian revolution. Despite his aristocratic background, Zhivago is a political idealist whose life is influenced by the history around him. He is torn between a life with his devoted wife, Tonia, and the passionate and mysterious Lara Guishar. However, Lara is being pursued by many others as well. For Zhivago, he cannot live without her! 

Shackman Associates provides destination corporate meeting, association convention and incentive travel program groups with unique Boradway experiences that have included backstage tours and interaction with key performers.

Play Ball and Eat Well!

After a week at home for the New York Yankees, the city's other team, The Mets are playing their home-opener today in spectacular Spring weather, and experiencing a day or evening at the ballpark is a fan favorite of destination corporate meeting attendees.

In 2015, the experience is getting even better, especially when your attendees get hungry.

Citi Field has especially ramped up its game with dining options that include gourmet panini, grilled cheese sandwiches from Pressed by Lure chef Josh Cappon, s'mores-dipped bacon from NYC's Pig Guy, and seafood sliders. However, we're the most excited to try the new Mac and Cheese Frites!  

Shackman Associates New York can help your destination corporate meeting, association convention or incentive travel program group create unique sports experiences at both Yankee Stadium and Citi Field that include cocktail receptions on the field and team-building activities in batting cages.

Experience the Story Behind the Story of Peter Pan on Broadway

"Finding Neverland" is becoming one of Broadways hottest tickets. The productions follows the life of playwright J.M. Barrie as he writes the story of Peter Pan. Although Barrie was already a well known writer, he got into slump. He then finds the inspiration he's been missing when he meets a beautiful widow, Sylvia, and her four young sons: Jack, George, Michael and Peter.

Barrie's relationship with a woman other than his wife becomes a scandal, but he loves watching her boy's adventures. This leads him to create the magical world of Neverland, and rolls the dice by writing a play unlike any the high-society London theatergoers have ever seen. It's a tremendous risk.

Peter is the child that he names the character of his story after. He's a little boy who is growing up way too fast and reminds Barrie that "life is too absurd, to take so seriously." Barrie wanted to write a play that reminded people that we all have an inner child screaming to get out again.

"Finding Neverland" is funny, romantic, and even a little tragic. The play stars Matthew Morrison (Glee) as James M. Barrie, Kelsey Grammar (Frasier) as Captain Hook and Laura Michelle Kelly as Sylvia Davidson.

Shackman Associates New York provides destination corporate meeting, association convention and incentive travel program groups with unique Broadway experience that have included backstage tours and interaction with key performers.

Healthy Food Delivered to Your Destination Corporate Meeting

Did you have a quirky aunt who called you a "good egg" when you were young?

While that experience is completely unrelated to this blog post, the phrase "good egg" is altering how destination corporate meetings in New York City eat healthy. Your attendees can use an app with the same name for a lunch where they can select from packages such as Fruit and Veggie Medley with seven kinds of seasonal produce, packaged healthy meal preparations, and hundreds of a la carte items that include everything from kale chips to tofu.

All delivered.

These services are fitting with a trend of on-site private kitchens during business components at destination meetings. This is especially relevant when meeting at one of New York's evocative meeting venues.

 

New French "Eataly" in NYC Features an Invitation-Only Dining Experience

We recently checked out the opening of LeDistrict in Lower Manhattan. It's the French equivalent of Eataly and has a few interesting twists.

Besides its waterfront location across the street from the new World Trade Center and the W Downtown, LeDistrict is rolling out a dining option at L'Appart that is ideal for corporate incentive groups. It's a highly intimate experience, away from the rest of the market, where the chef assembles dishes from a seasonal, rotating menu. It's invitation only, which is what we are here for!

In addition to L'Appart, we also like LeBar, which could be a great summertime after-hours option for your attendees.

Experience New York's First Ever Cider Tasting Destination

We recently checked out an exciting new venue in Manhattan's Lower East Side where your destination corporate meeting attendees can enjoy the city's first-ever private cider tasting experience.

How big is cider-tasting getting? One year ago, you could have experiences every single high-end cider that was available. The number of ciders has increased so rapidly that your attendees can be choosy and creatively put a list together that has diversity. We recommend American ciders, especially the Farnum Hill Semi Dry, Spanish ciders from the Basque region of both sides of the Spanish/French border, and Breton ciders from northwestern France. You can also try ciders from Savoie in France, Canada, Germany, the UK, Ireland, and Chile. Even Japan is getting into the act!

If your attendees like beer tasting, they will love some of the beer-inspired ciders blended separately with different yeasts and then aged. Your group will also get an inside look on how ciders are made. Experts will explain how each cider goes through the fermentation process and how they are all different. They will also show how to avoid turning cider into vinegar if your get inspired to try it at home!

It's a really cool experience that is enhanced with a vegetarian food pairing for each cider.

World Trade Center Observation Deck About to Open

The observation deck at One World Trade Center will be opening soon, and we got a sneak peek of its spectacular views and amenities. Incredible!

It will also become a top luxury destination to host special events in New York City. Overall, Lower Manhattan is booming both with hospitality and event spaces.

Destination Meeting Hotels: A Local New York Vibe with a "Wow" Indoor Pool

We are being frequently asked by destination meeting and incentive travel program planners how to incorporate the "local vibe" of New York City into more elements of their attendees' experiences. What if the local experience surrounded them everywhere at their hotel?

The Marmara Park Avenue is doing just that.

Opening in April, this hospitality venue is going "experiential local" everywhere it can. Whether it is the lobby’s 14-foot fireplace, its steel vestibule, or its handpicked furnishings, they are all custom-designed by artisans in the five boroughs and led by New York artist and designer Joe Ginsberg.  It's chic Manhattan with high ceilings, spacious layouts and private terraces in 40 of the 128 guest rooms.

The Marmara Park Avenue features 1,375 secluded square feet of event space that can be divided into two separate rooms of 825 and 550 square feet. It also has a private kitchen!

And then there is the indoor pool. Oh, wow. With an incredibly chill vibe, a combination of Roman and Asian design elements, and a hardwood high-ceiling, it's a spectacular amenity that deserves plenty of off-hours attention!