Destination Downtown NYC: The New Conrad Hotel

BATTERY PARK CITY (BPC) is boasting a new arrival! Set to make its formal debut this week is The Conrad, a brand new incarnation of a former property strategically positioned to offer sweeping views of the Hudson River and beyond.

Considered to be a sophisticated sanctuary of modern elegance in the Financial District, this 16 story, 463-suite property with a dramatic lobby brings to the neighborhood approximately 30,000 sq.ft. of event and meeting space, and some pretty unique artwork which is dotted around the hotel. A rooftop terrace, opening later in the season, will provide 360 degree views of the New York City skyline and the Hudson River.

Just to add another dimension to this new area to explore, three restaurants owned by renowned restaurant, Danny Meyer, flank The Conrad – Blue Smoke, Shake Shack and North End Grill. So, if you need your fix in BPC, this is the place to go

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The Speakeasy meets Mixology: NYC's hottest new corporate meeting and incentive event

They are sexy, classy, warm, vintage, and just a touch mysterious.  Welcome to the world of the 2012 Speakeasy in New York City. 

In the 1920's, Speakeasies were born throughout New York as hidden sections of a respected  establishments that were used to illegally sell alcoholic beverages during Prohibition.  You don't need a password to gain admittance, but it's a good idea to plan ahead if you want to hold an event at one. 

Shackman Associates New York has tapped into the Speakeasy boom in New York and unlike their predecessors a century ago, today's Speakeasies are combining the world's best mixologists with top chefs, luxury, and jazz entertainment similar to what you would find in 1925. 

Here are 3 liquid reasons - attendee favorites - to consider a Speakeasy event for your next meeting:

1. Sloe Gin Ginger Sling, made of Beefeater Gin, Plymoth Sloe Gin, Cherry Heering, Orchard Apricot Liqueur, Fresh Lime Juice, Ginger Extract, Cane Extract and Chilled Perrier.

2. The Green Fairy, made of Green Chartreuse, Luxardo Marschino Liquer, Raw Egg and Nutmeg.
3. The Dark & Stormy, made of Goslings Black Seal Rum, Falernum, Fresh Lime Juice, Fresh Ginger Extract, Angostura Bitters, Cane Syrup and Chilled Perrier.

3 Big Changes at South Street Seaport

The South Street Seaport has been a hotspot of New York City visitors for 27 years, but the facility hasn't been looking so hot - until now.

3 big changes are coming to the Seaport's 90,000 sqaure-foot complex:

1. Windows, lots of them!  The Seaport looks like a barn right now, and that will be replaced with 3 levels of floor to ceiling windows, offering sweeping views of the East River.

2. A rooftop park.  Looks to be the East Side's version of the popular High Line.

3. New, high-end tenants.  While tourists have frequented the souvenier and T-shirt shops, the venue's top retailers - JCrew, Victoria's Secret and Express - have performed quite well and similar stores are coming soon.

 

Eat the Centerpiece too!

Edible centerpieces have become incredibly popular at corporate meetings and events.  A crowd-favorite here in New York City are cupcakes and we paired demand with the city’s first-ever Broadway-inspired cupcake! For example, we can develop a pistachio cupcake centerpiece based on the stage musical Priscilla, Queen of the Dessert's trademark dancing cupcake costumes. Pistachio meringue butter cream topped with a meringue kiss, bright edible confetti and iridescent "disco dust" also saves the environment!

Fashion Week Reinvents Major Trade Shows

Amid the debate about whether New York needs a massive convention center in Queens comes another successful February Fashion Week in 2012.

New York's Fashion Week is considered the premier event in its industry and has stayed on top by boldly evolving, improving the experience for visitors and attendees, and taking advantage of the hospitality venues that speak to its audience.  Manhattan has become a transformative hotel market and properties are continually opening that combine design, convenience, excitement, comfort, and technology. 

When Fashion Week organizers decided to move from makeshift tents at Bryant Park to the renovated elegance of Lincoln Center, they were met with some groans of nostalgia.  That was for an event held in September, which is widely considered the nicest weather month of the year in New York.  Despite a mild winter, the contrast between the February version built over grass that can get icy, cold and sloppy versus at an iconic venue with more controlled atmospheres is more pronounced. 

New York offers so any choices of venues for holding a show, it's not hard please specific attendees at one or multiple unique locations that suit their style, mobility, business requirements, and thirst for entertainment.  In our opinion, this is the true future of major events. 

And if you think New York's most conventional exposition venue - the Javits Center - has somehow lost its mojo, think again.  It's book solid for the next few years.

BROADWAY UPDATE: Catch Philip Seymour Hoffman for 16 Weeks

Philip Seymour Hoffman is headed to Broadway for 16 weeks as the star of Death of a Salesman.

Previews begin on February 13 and the supporting cast includes; Linda Emond, a Tony Award nominee and the actress who played opposite of Meryl Streep in "Julie and Julia"; and Andrew Garfield, who played "Eduardo" in the 2010 film, "The Social Network."

Shackman Associates regularly provides corporate meeting and incentive groups with exciting Broadway experiences that have included backstage tours and themed events based on popular productions. 

3 More Ways to "Heat" up Outdoor Corporate Events in the Winter

Shackman Associates New York recently published ideas on how to hold outdoor corporate events in the winter that included retractable roofs and sophisticated snuggies. 

In 2012, we're shedding the robes and focusing our eyes in the opposite direction:

1. Heated Floors.  Some of New York's top rooftop venues will keep you on your toes with spectacular views and keep them warm too with floors that automatically heat up when the temperature drops to 32 degrees Farenheit.

2. Fire Pits and Pitas.  It's no longer impossible to find a fire pit east of the Rockies!  Legal ones, that is.  "Porch" style venues are incorpating a touch of the wild west with other amenities like the ever-popular food truck.  If your event is in the evening, the city's numerous taco and greek food trucks can be added to a fire-side teambuilding chat.

3. Wind-resistant heated tents.  Heated tents aren't necessarily a revelation, but if you can erect one that withstands 100mph winds, now you're on to something.  Ok, New York City winter winds aren't that bad, but they can sure whip around a corner in January and February.  Event venues with heated, flapped tents are now offering a truly outdoor experience with wind-chill-supplanting room temperatures.

Still cold?  New York City's mixologists are creating new drinks in the New Year including ginger juleps, honey and tobacco-infused rum, tequila spiced with chili.

LED Events Illuminate 2012

LED is taking lighting and digital video anywhere for any kind of event.  Whether it is taking lighting under water to light flowers, lighting trees without needing wires, and even putting LED lighting in fabric  - do not worry about starting a fire, the possibilities are endless.   Here's an example of how far lighting has advanced – Shackman Associates New York organized a 10-boat flotilla a few years ago for 2,500 meeting attendees on the Hudson River with each boat lit in a different color.  This was an enormous, laborious project that would take a fraction of the time to pull off today.

Video lighting has advanced to the point where a meeting can feature paper-thin video screens and walls of steam for videos.  Events can replicate things in real life you used to only see in movies.  With enough creativity, events can do almost anything with lighting.

BROADWAY NEWS

“Spider-Man  Turn Off the Dark”  reigns supreme!.After it’s on again off again start, Spider-Man has now achieved the distinction of the highest single-week grossing show in Broadway history!  Nine shows during the Christmas/New Year period yielded almost $3 million dollars.  Who would have thought this show would have soared to such great heights after such a bumpy start!

“The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” is back on Broadway featuring the one and only Audra McDonald.  Ms. McDonald’s significant fan base can catch her in the title role stirring up a storm with Norm Lewis in this dramatic new staging of the classic musical.  Not to be missed!!

“Harry Potter” makes way for “GLEE” in “How to Success in Business Without Really Trying” .Or, should we say, Darren Criss (aka Blaine in “GLEE”) has taken over the role of  J. Pierrepont Finch from the venerable Daniel Radcliffe, who opened in the role of this new production.  Following in their footsteps (or dance shoes) is Nick Jonas (of The Jonas Brothers) who will take the stage on January 24.  As you can imagine, tickets are selling like hot cakes!

Happy New Year from SANY!

As Times Square 2011 winds down, we at SANY have been actively gearing up for the busy-ness of 2012. New York is proud to host the following annual events, and SANY is happy to be providing customized services for clients participating in many of these events.




Jan 15-18          Nat Retail Federation Annual Convention & Expo
Jan 28- Feb 2    New York International Gift Fair
Feb 9-16           New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012
Mar 2-4             New York Times Travel Show
Mar 22-25         International Vision Expo
Apr 6-15           New York International Auto Show
Apr 22-24         International Beauty Show
June 5-7           Book Expo America
June 16-24       Pride Week
July 4               Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular
Oct 11-14         New York Comic Con
Nov 4               ING New York City Marathon
Nov 22             Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

See you in New York in 2012!

90,000 Reasons Why Rooms Matter

Travel and Leisure Magazine recently released a survey of top US winter destinations, and while January New York City weather wasn’t ideal for some, the city is accomodating more groups and more major events regardless of the climate and hotel room capacity is a big reason why. 

New York City will reach a record 90,000 rooms by the end of 2011 and another 7,000 are on the way from 50 hotels that are expected to open in 2013.

Despite a global recession, New York City’s hotel rooms have increased by 24% since 2006 and occupancy rates have led the country at 85%.  These aren’t motels off an interstate exit – some of the world’s top boutique hotels are opening in all five boroughs and celebrity chefs are battling each other for restaurant space in each of these venues.

As a leading DMC, Shackman Associates New York has found that business meeting clients and corporate incentive groups love the design elements, technology and cuisine options at New York City's new breed of boutiques. 

More Apple in the Big Apple

Grand Central Station was the center of the tech universe this as Apple opened its newest store in the iconic transportation hub.

For anyone who loved the the location's previous venue - Metrazur - it's a bittersweet thing.  A site for multiple galas and meeting events, we're hoping Metrazur finds a new home in Manhattan and that other distinctly "New York" venues remain where they are for travelers from around the world to enjoy.

3 Ideas to Add Spice, Smiles and even a Soprano to Your Meeting Entertainment

You don’t have to send your entire meeting delegation to a off-site venue to get a flavor of New York’s most unique entertainment experience.  Shackman Associates New York is bringing some great entertainers right to the ballroom.  Here are 3 examples:

1.      Drag Queens as Event MCs.  While New York City boasts several very famous venues, getting a group into Lucky Chengs can take forever, and the quarters a bit cramped.  We recently brought an act to a large ballroom gala where hundreds of attendees were entertained without having to leave the meeting venue.

2.       Comedians.   New York City is the home to thousands of incredibly talented comedians, and the ratio of performers to venues is staggering.   Many young comedians are graduates of highly-ranked 4-year colleges and will take extra time to develop a clever gig that is customized toward your group.

3.      Opera singers.  You don’t need to visit Lincoln Center to hear great opera singing.  Opera singers are appearing at private venues throughout New York and can add an extra touch of class at a gala for your corporate meeting or destination incentive trip.

 

                                                            Photo Courtesy of Sodahead

Meetings Channel Your Inner Rockstar

Worried about what the entertainment at your meeting's gala will sound like? Why not become the entertainment!   Shackman Associates New York recently helped a destination corporate meeting client do just that. 

We can mix meeting groups of all sizes with local New York musicians who have toured with some of the biggest acts in the world and create, within one day, original music about the corporate conference - ok, it probably had to be amusing! - or about something the company is doing that is really cool.

It's not even remotely close to karaoke - instead, meeting attendees rehearse in a professional studio with band members one day and perform on-stage the next night.

Hugh Jackman Continues Parade of Big Stars Coming to Broadway

If your corporate meeting group is looking for a unique experience in New York, Shackman Associates New York is pleased to report that Hugh Jackman is bringing concert act to Broadway for an eight-week run. Previews begin October 25 at the Broadhurst Theatre. The limited run closes January 1.

Backed by an 18-piece orchestra, Tony Award winner Jackman will perform a selection of his favorite musical numbers, including tunes fromThe Boy from Oz.

Jackman's stage credits include Oklahoma! at Britain's National Theatre and award-winning work in Sunset Boulevard and Beauty & the Beast in his native Australia. Known for his film roles in the X-Men trilogy, Jackman will be seen in the film version of Les Miserables.

Harvesting Corporate Incentives

It’s harvest season in New York and that includes several wineries right here in Manhattan.  If you’re planning a 2012 meeting in New York and looking for a convenient teambuilding event, city wineries have become ideal venues.

You’re probably wondering where a winery could find acres of land in Manhattan to rival the valleys of California or North Fork of Long Island.  The wineries here are very different, but the varietals offered (or created by you) are quite refreshing!

For example, one venue in Manhattan offers classes that are fun for teambuilding and features a concert stage for exclusive corporate meeting galas.  Another venue in Brooklyn is more intimate, harvests award-winning house wines and we have relationships that can provide corporate groups an exciting event throughout the entire facility, including its outdoor component (perfect for food vendors) and renowned picture booth.

While many New York restaurants serve wine from Long Island’s multiple vineyards, your group can enjoy a unique experience by harvesting a Fall event for your company here at a city winery.

QR Invades Fashion Week!

QR is about to become this year’s craze at Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week, which starts on Thursday.

No, it's not a designer - instead, QR (Quick Response) is a 2-D barcode that can be scanned by a smart phone's camera and transfer information. Based on the type of code it is, it might direct the viewer to a website, make a phone call, deliver a vCard, or view a map and picture.

Diesel just launched an innovative campaign where customers can scan a QR code on a product, and be redirected to the Fan Page where they can check out other looks and the content available on the page.

Thousands of bloggers who attend major shows like Fashion Week will incorporate QR codes they see at the tents into mobile blogging.  By incorporating Fashion GPS that was so successful last year, QR at designer booths, and mobile shared-image communities such as Instagram, bloggers will have more influence than ever!

New Luxury Signature and Boutique Hotels in Midtown Manhattan

Shackman Associates New York has reviewed exciting boutique hotels in Chelsea, Nolita, and Downtown that host meeting and corporate incentive groups.   This exciting trend has now reached Midtown with two properties – The Setai and Chatwal – that offer almost 5,000 square feet of corporate meeting space. 

The Setai offers meeting groups close proximity to Bryant Park and an event venue that directly overlooks Fifth Avenue.  The Chatwal’s modern amenities compliment an atmosphere that take meeting groups back in time to the heyday of New York’s famous Lamb’s Club, Built in 1905, this Stanford White-designed building was a clubhouse for The Lambs, America’s first professional theater club, and served as home away from home for its members such as Charlie Chaplin, W.C. Fields, John Barrymore, Spencer Tracy and Fred Astaire. These infamous notables spent many a night in their “grill room” swapping tales, and breaking into song.

With luxury making a comeback at corporate meetings and incentives, New York City continues to roll-out spectacular hotels on iconic properties.

Photo courtesy of NYCGo

Shackman Finds Secret NYC Restaurants for Meeting Attendees

Travelers often associate a business trip to New York City with a meal at one of the city's high-profile eateries.

At Shackman Associates, we can help meeting attendees find Manhattan's "secret" restaurants, which dining experiences small business groups will remember.  Some venues are initimate enough  - like the Wine Cellar at 21 - to accomodate a private lunch or dinner meeting of association executives.  Others are located in quiet neighborhoods that are close enough to hotels and nightlife without being inundated with tourists. 

For example, one venue just 5 blocks from the Gansevoort Hotel in Chelsea offers a private upstairs party room that few people know about and a lively lounge downstairs to continue an after-event celebration.  These kinds of venues are perfect for small incentive groups.
Want to eat New York's world-class sushi and avoid the lines in Midtown?  We are familiar with several Upper West Side establishments who can accommodate groups with an incredibly fresh menu of creative plates.

Copacabana Re-Opens in Times Square!

The Copacabana is making its comeback in Times Square with their new 25,000 square foot restaurant and dance club. The Copa, which has been without a home since 2007, has taken over the former China Club space near Times Square. After undergoing a full renovation, the space will reopen as a restaurant and dance club, complete with a glass enclosed rooftop, nightly live music acts, a 16-seat bar and 125 varieties of rum.  Of course, the"retro-glamorous" Supper Club vibe is back too. The chef will be Alex Garcia, the Nuevo Latino fixture who opened Patria with Douglas Rodriguez before going on to launch Calle Ocho, and then Gaucho Staek Company and Carniceria in Brooklyn

The four story space officially opens to the public on July 12^th boasting the beloved Copa Dancers.