Navigating the Corporate Hospitality Landscape in 2024
The corporate hospitality industry in 2024 is marked by transformational trends that cater to evolving business landscapes and shifting client expectations. No longer just about dining at executive suites during sporting events, corporate hospitality has become an essential part of business strategy, focusing on creating exceptional experiences that align with corporate values, technology advancements, and sustainability priorities. Technological Integration In 2024, technology plays a crucial role by seamlessly blending physical and digital experiences. Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) tech allows companies to engage with clients in innovative ways. Imagine attending a Formula 1 race while simultaneously immersing in a virtual behind-the-scenes pit experience from the comfort of a private suite. This incorporation of technology ensures events are both exclusive and interactive, significantly enhancing the guest experience. Sustainable and Ethical Practices As sustainability demands mount, corporations are now selecting hospitality partners that share their commitment to the environment. In 2024, eco-friendly practices, from sustainable sourcing of food and materials to energy-efficient venues, are non-negotiable. Companies strive to demonstrate corporate responsibility by opting for green certifications and reducing their carbon footprint at events. Ethical considerations extend to inclusivity and diversity, prompting businesses to create more accessible and culturally sensitive events. Personalization and Custom Experiences Personalization takes center stage in corporate hospitality. Businesses recognize the importance of tailoring experiences to individual preferences to foster genuine connections and brand loyalty. Companies now utilize data-driven insights to craft bespoke experiences, from customized menus to curated entertainment, ensuring every guest feels valued and appreciated. This bespoke approach strengthens client relationships and positions the company as attentive and customer-focused. The Rise of Hybrid Events The pandemic accelerated the shift towards hybrid events, and in 2024, this trend is more prominent than ever. Hybrid events combine in-person and virtual components, offering flexibility and broader reach. Clients can choose how they wish to participate, increasing engagement and inclusivity. This model is cost-effective, allowing companies to host larger, more diverse audiences without significant logistical challenges. Focus on Wellness and Well-being An emphasis on wellness permeates the corporate hospitality industry in 2024. Health-conscious menus, mindfulness activities, and stress-reducing amenities are standard components of the event experience. Wellness initiatives extend beyond physical health, addressing mental well-being through serene environments and thoughtful programming. This holistic approach ensures that guests leave events feeling rejuvenated and valued. Challenges and Opportunities Despite its evolution, the industry faces challenges such as balancing high customer expectations with budget constraints and navigating geopolitical instabilities impacting international events. However, these challenges present opportunities for innovation and differentiation. By prioritizing creative problem-solving, businesses can craft compelling hospitality experiences that set them apart. Conclusion The corporate hospitality industry in 2024 is characterized by innovation, sustainability, and personalization. As companies adapt to the changing landscape, they are not only creating memorable experiences but also reinforcing their brand values and fostering deeper connections with clients. As this industry continues to evolve, its role as a strategic business tool becomes increasingly indispensable.
Back to Life, Back to (Virtual) Reality
Face-to-Face meetings and live events are essential to business and will always be the best way to connect, learn, and sell. COVID-19 has changed that for the time being and in this unprecedented time we need to adapt. Virtual meetings are the way to the (immediate) future because business moves forward, non-profits need their fundraising events, and product launches will continue to happen. With continued safety parameters in place, producing virtual events is something that we need to embrace as an industry until we return to business as usual. Virtual meetings are not a new phenomenon and they take the same dedication and detail in planning as a “traditional” meeting in order to resonate with your audience. You still need to deliver great content and communicate your messaging in a visually dynamic format that optimizes the vast technological and virtual tools at our disposal. With the right direction, you and your clients have the potential to reach larger audiences and leverage sponsor or internal budgets in ways that yield a high ROI. Below are some ideas to set your virtual meeting light years ahead… Reassign your venue rental fees and food & beverage budgets and use them to upgrade your speakers – or have a celebrity as your auctioneer at your fundraising event. Create Q&A sessions with one-on-one time with the Keynote or other speakers built in — this will make the experience more intimate for your attendees. Deliver the destination to your attendees. The possibilities are endless and you’ll be giving back to the local community where your conferences would have taken place. A specific example is to provide a city tour with a local celebrity. Keep in mind that attendee data is much easier to track online – therefore giving your sponsors or event stakeholders a much more accurate picture of who attended what. Encourage your clients and organizations to consider the virtual meeting format, and open themselves to reconnecting with existing contacts while expanding their potential for new client outreach. And take advantage of this moment when we have a captive on-line audience.[:]
The Wonder of Japan’s Cherry Blossom Season
The Wonder of Japan’s Cherry Blossom Season If you have ever had the pleasure of being in Japan between late March and early May, you have undoubtedly experienced the wonder of cherry blossom season. Known as “sakura,” cherry blossoms bridge the gap between old and young, ancient and modern as the country finds itself blanketed in ephemeral beauty that ignites every spirit year after year. At this time, when the trees are festooned in delicate pink and white petals, it is easy to understand the awe and wonder that has inspired the best of Japanese poetry and paintings from as early as the eighth century on. Cherry blossom season is officially declared when at least five flowers bloom. With a blow by blow countdown, the subsequent cherry blossom forecast then chases each petal as trees advance in volume. From southern to northern Japan, this yearly event inspires “hanami,” the national pastime of looking at flowers. As they appear, each blooming tree becomes top news all over the country. Imagine newscasters announcing in tremulous tones the incipient appearance of a single cherry blossom heralding the season, which in itself is heartbreakingly short lived. And with each announcement, local populations inevitably scurry forth to witness the blooms as they emerge on streets around their neighborhoods. Imagine cities where people camp out on the streets, where picnics and timeless festivals are revived each season in celebration, and people have a chance to share their excitement during the one week when the cherry trees are in full bloom! As a symbol of the transient nature of life, as well as new beginnings, this blanket of pink is as much the inspiration for goodwill and artistic endeavor as it is for the onslaught of advertising. Watch how for a short yet powerful time, pink predominates as the product color of choice! Once the cherry trees reach full bloom, the next treat is what is known as “sakura snow.” As the blossoms mature, falling petals festoon the streets, softening the hard edges of metropolitan cities and crowning the nooks and crannies of smaller towns and villages. Imagine Tokyo’s Ueno park, filled with museums, shrines, and ponds, blanketed in a soft, romantic pink. It is truly breathtaking and so worth the trip to witness the drama and celebration of this magical season. At TOCA, we were privileged to witness sakura season, taking with us yet another indelible picture of a country that truly worships the exquisite. For us it is one of the inspirations that keep our hearts and souls attuned to aesthetic creation and the desire to bring beauty into all that we do. www.tocaevents.com www.tocatrips.com
Tanzania Tour with TOCA Trips!
Tanzania Tour with TOCA Trips! With the ever-increasing popularity of our tours in Brazil, Cuba, and Thailand, we at TOCA Trips are expanding our roster to include Tanzania in our select list of destinations. Tanzania tour. With its endlessly fascinating natural resources, we felt it would be remiss if we didn’t share our knowledge of this magical part of the world with those of you yearning to take a journey of a lifetime! Vast Natural Beauty on Protected Land Exotic and enticing, Tanzania is known as one of the best wildlife viewing locations in all of Africa. From white-bearded wildebeests to giraffes, gazelles, zebras, and more, the country is also home to Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro; as well as its deepest lake, Lake Tanganyika; and largest lake, Lake Victoria. Containing 16 national parks, along with countless bio-diverse forest and game reserves, Tanzania one of the primary African countries where you can enjoy such vast and natural beauty on protected land. Tours with a Personal Flavor TOCA co-founder Sean Gibbons lived in Tanzania as a teenager, a time that informed his youth with a sense of the preciousness of a grand landscape that fills the soul. With his deep connection to this country, Sean’s knowledge of the land and its people has imbued our tours with a deeply personal flavor. The Serengeti Our trips focus primarily on the Serengeti region, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ngorongoro Crater. Included in the Tanzania Tour are a range of activities such as photographic safaris, canoeing, biking, hiking, shopping, as well as cultural and culinary encounters. Accompanied by our impeccable tour guides, you will experience the magnificence of some of the area’s most impressive sites, including Arusha National Park. Smaller than many of the other local parks, Arusha is extremely accessible and teeming with wildlife inhabiting stretches of untainted countryside. Equally awe-inspiring is Lake Manyara National Park, with its breathtaking scenery offering endless photographic opportunities. The Serengeti Our trips focus primarily on the Serengeti region, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ngorongoro Crater. Included in the Tanzania Tour are a range of activities such as photographic safaris, canoeing, biking, hiking, shopping, as well as cultural and culinary encounters. Accompanied by our impeccable tour guides, you will experience the magnificence of some of the area’s most impressive sites, including Arusha National Park. Smaller than many of the other local parks, Arusha is extremely accessible and teeming with wildlife inhabiting stretches of untainted countryside. Equally awe-inspiring is Lake Manyara National Park, with its breathtaking scenery offering endless photographic opportunities. Stunning Overnights Offering impeccable accommodations such as Rivertrees Country Inn just outside Arusha and near to Kilimanjaro Airport, Serena Mountain Lodge in Mt. Meru, and the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge inside the stunning Ngorongoro Crater, we also introduce our tourists to exciting overnights in some of the best open-air safari camps. With all of this and more, you can be sure that your visit to the land of the Masai will enrich you as much as it has inspired our TOCA team. Sharing the Joy At TOCA Trips we supply you with all you need to share the profound joy of being deeply engaged in untainted nature. There is no doubt that you will be as astounded as we are each time we visit this majestic country where description falls so far short of the experience. Join Us! For more information on TOCA Trips and the Tanzania Tour, please contact us here. www.tocaevents.com www.tocatrips.com
Miami’s Extraordinary Beaches: Something for Everyone
Though South Beach cannot be missed for its flamboyant range of day and nightlife, we at TOCA Events feel it is incumbent upon us to introduce you to some excellent alternatives for basking in the sun. The sandscapes of Miami are many, making it easy to find your perfect place. Whether it’s a private pearly white shore, an action-packed sporting day, or a chance to get rid of your tan lines at a nude beach, we’ve got a few suggestions on how to mix it up when vacationing in South Florida. North Beach offers a wide beach and waters as gorgeous as you’ll find anywhere. There’s a park at the north end, and the old fashioned band shell is a popular music venue where you can hear some great concerts later in the evening. With concessions and showers, beach volleyball nets for impromptu games, and lots of cafes nearby, North Beach is a great place to spend the day. For dining try Cafe Prima Pasta on 414 71st Street with its excellent Italian menu. North Shore Open Space is ideal for its tranquility, with plenty of shade, soft beach grass, and sandy walking trails. After a quiet day, enjoy a delicious Uruguayan meal at El Rey Del Chivito, 6987 Collins Ave. Bal Harbour Beach is north of the main beaches in Miami. Bal Harbor is considered the Rodeo Drive of South Florida, with high-end boutiques, luxury condos, five star hotels, clear waters, and pristine white sand. The mile-long beach has a jetty at the north end and offers a jogging path along the shore. There are many wonderful cafes at the Bal Harbour Shops or in nearby Surfside. We recommend The Grill at Bal Harbour on 9700 Collins Ave Suite 233. Haulover Beach is one and a half miles north of Miami Beach and is famous for its deep blue waters and a stretch of shoreline that is clothing-optional. Have a picnic lunch, enjoy a kite-making workshop, take some time on the nine hole golf course, or play a few sets of tennis on the courts. Visiting the nearby marina and park on Biscayne Bay is an easy walk through the available tunnels that lead to the sites. Our recommendation for dining is the J & Grill 9703 Collins Avenue where they really know how to make a good steak! Key Biscayne’s Crandon Park is perfect for the entire family. Here you’ll find a family amusement center, a nature center, and loads of beach volleyball. Have a picnic lunch, enjoying the on-site grills, and spend the afternoon roaming about the dunes, taking in the mangrove trees, costal hammock and sea grass beds, and the balmy breezes that play with you all day long. The environmental study area, Bear Cut Preserve, is interesting for the local flora and fauna. Take a tour with an experienced guide and then pop over to Cafe Fresh by Juice Zone in the Galleria Shopping Center on 328 C randon Blvd. for a healthy snack or meal. Attention windsurfers! Hobie/Windsurfer Beach in Key Biscayne is the place for you. Hobie is the home for one of the best locally run windsurfing concessions. Take a private or group lesson with a pro and then get out there to test your mettle. When you’re done, have a couple of cold beers on the beach with the locals to recap the day. www.tocaevents.com
The Art and Science of the Party
According to Dr. Joe Goldblatt, founder of the International Special Events Society, event planning is a $50 billion dollar a year industry, and growing. With corporations and private entities outsourcing for all aspects of their special events, we at TOCA are riding the big wave as we strive to perfect the art and science of the Party. As an event planning and destination management company that has been deeply entrenched in the business for a number of years, our list of loyal and new clients is constantly expanding. Our team of professionals is always exploring innovative ways to create parties that are exciting, memorable, unexpected, and on point with what our clients hope to achieve at the so-called end of the day. Planning and designing an event follows a complex road that includes the manifestation of the client’s idea, supervision of the party at all times, and making sure that all elements lead to the desired result. Whether the event is a private celebration, a promotion for a new product, part of a trade show, an educational conference, a commemoration, holiday party, company outing, or otherwise, our goal is for all of the participants to connect with each other through good conversation, networking, and having a great time letting their hair down. There is an enormous amount of pre-planning that goes into making a good party event. Every detail must be examined, from décor to food and beverages, entertainment, the musical playlist, accommodations, and so much more. We believe that the mechanics of creating a seamless event is the science of party-making, while the art is in making the festivities aesthetically pleasing and conducive to personal connection, merry-making, and relaxing. When it comes to corporate events, we know that a successful party is where there is personal interaction. This is what inspires corporate culture, builds brand loyalty, while also inspiring new customers. Corporate parties are designed to help grow business, and at TOCA Events, we create environments that foster personal conversations and a sense of camaraderie that spills over long after the party is over. As a special event and destination management company, TOCA believes in giving people a good reason to come to our parties. We pride ourselves on the ability to merge business with pleasure, where our events and the products or services that are being represented meet all along the way. We know the importance of maintaining a clear objective is the driving force behind every element that makes up a TOCA event. Customizing the party to a tee is a science. Giving guests an experience that is unexpected, exciting, and fun is an art. For more information on how TOCA Events can combine these two elements for your next private or corporate party, contact us today. www.tocaevents.com
Our Recipe for Event Planning Success
At TOCA we believe that the driving force behind every successful production comes from our inherent passion for its planning and creation. Having been in the event production business for many years, we are constantly excited by the prospect of a new project, from creating the perfect concept, to planning, building, and finally seeing the idea come to fruition. With the satisfaction of our clients and those who have participated in the event being our ultimate reward, we are always ready for the next challenge. Whether it is sports hospitality, business sessions, corporate or private parties, or anything in between, the elements that go into making each event a success are the same. Here are some of the precepts that we feel are critical for achieving the best possible results for everyone involved: Listening The art of listening is key when it comes to satisfying our clients. We need to know what they are looking for in an event, and most importantly what they hope to achieve as an end result. Sometimes our clients are not able to fully articulate exactly what they are looking for, so it is up to us to listen carefully and fill in the blanks. Listening implies good “people skills,” and at TOCA we pride ourselves on going the extra mile to understand just what our clients want so that we can successfully communicate their vision to all of our vendors who will help us consolidate the perfect outcome. Listening is also essential when it comes to working with our team. For us, every person working at TOCA is a peer, which creates an atmosphere of respect and an openness to new ideas. A good listener usually means that communication is open, and it is in this spirit that we uphold and honor the strengths of each one of our team members. Flexibility As TOCA Events grows, our productions become bigger and bigger, which also means they become more complex. Here is where it is essential to be flexible, with the ability to manage whatever surprises may come our way. This may be a change of vision or last minute changes from our client, a glitch in a schedule or performance, or any other exigency that might come up before, during, or even directly after an event. Flexibility implies resourcefulness, which means that we always have to be ready and able to provide a quick creative fix if the occasion arises. Big productions also mean we have to manage many teams at the same time. Here flexibility provides us with the ability to handle the many responsibilities that large events require, including staying calm when problems arise so that we can think and act quickly to resolve them. A Positive Attitude We know that the feel of a company trickles down from the top. If we as owners are positive, enthusiastic, and calm, our team will be as well. It is up to us to maintain the right mood at all times, regardless of what kind of pressure we may be under during the production process. Because of our experience level in event production, we are very rarely are up against situations that we cannot resolve with grace and ingenuity. And as multi-tasking pros, we love a good challenge, and find that this attitude is contagious amongst our TOCA team as well! Choosing the Right Team Any good manager knows that having the right team means everything. We have an incredible network of trusted pros that we can count on to help make every event into a star production. And of course having the right team means we can delegate without having to worry that the job won’t be done to perfection. Our core team works like a well-oiled machine, which is what makes a TOCA Event so recognizable. www.tocaevents.com
Revving Up for TOCA Cuba
With its tropical climate; warm soothing waters; over 5,000 coasts bordering both the Atlantic and Caribbean; natural reserves, landscapes, and parks; and stunning UNESCO World Heritage sites, Cuba has everything it needs to becoming a leading tourist destination. Already plans are in action to update and expand the hospitality industry in order to accommodate the expected influx of business and resort tourism, and TOCA Cuba is in place to help coordinate what will be a boom in event production. With news of Obama’s opening the gates for a new relationship with Cuba, local entrepreneurs are excited about the fresh air that will finally enter their city. After the 50 year embargo, the nation stands to develop into a brilliant destination for meetings, workshops, congresses, festivals, and other special events, and we plan to be one of the major players in helping to develop the local economy. Just 90 miles from Key West, Florida, Cuba became a magnet for tourism back in 1915, when it was actually the most visited city in the Caribbean. Prohibition was on and the island was the place to go for its natural beauty along with legalized alcohol and gambling. During the great depression and WWII, tourism slowed down, only to build up again in the 1950’s until ’59 when Fidel Castro overthrew the pro-American dictator Fulgencio Batista. During this time foreign influx was looked down upon and new internal policies were created that led to JFK’s embargo in 1962, where Cuba turned to the USSR for support. Later on tourism came back into favor, driven by European and Canadian interest. Today visitors still need a license to enjoy the island, which can be found with licensed travel service providers. However with American travelers now able use their US credit cards, and cruise ship companies and airlines expanding their services to accommodate the expected huge influx of tourism, it is easy to predict the future. The hospitality industry is girding up, with Melia Hotels International opening a stunning hotel with 1,176 rooms on the island of Cayo Coco and many other hotels preparing for the competition. Even AirBnB now has approximately 1,000 listings in Havana alone! At TOCA Events we are excited about the renovation, renewal, and revenue that will positively affect the Cuban population. New strategies are coming into view and a positive trend is already in place for the first quarter of 2015 that according to “Hospitality On” shows that arrivals are up from the previous year by 14.2%. The vitality of the country has always been a powerful allure to anyone attracted to a population with heart and soul, a landscape that ignites the senses, and all the culture one could hope for in one place. Cuba boasts over 120 art galleries, 260 museums, over 80 theaters, along with exhibition halls and hotels that are made for world-class events. With all of this in mind, TOCA is already forming liasons with artists, vendors, and venues as we create an organic connection with the Cuban community. In service to our future involvement with Cuba, as well as with other Spanish-speaking countries, TOCA Events has now added a Spanish version of our website as we move into this next exciting phase. www.tocaevents.com
Color in Design
One of the most important elements in creating a specific ambiance is how we use color. Whether in the home, for a party, a conference, or in advertising, selection of the right colors is key in creating the right emotion. Color activates the emotions To most of us, specific colors evoke certain feelings, even if we don’t realize this on a conscious level. Take the color red. Red can be understood as sexy, passionate, warm, inviting, positive, sophisticated, and sometimes dangerous. We often associate green with tranquility, warmth, and renewal, as well as with money and thus prosperity. Black is dramatic when placed in the right context, and white always depicts purity, cleanliness, and clarity. At TOCA Events, we are acutely aware of how important color combinations are for creating the right tone for a specific event. For us, understanding the type of impact our clients wish to create, as well as the results they hope to achieve, is the basic key to creating an environment that works. In this regard, choosing the right colors is the absolute foundation for transmitting the feeling that clients wish to evoke for their attendees. There is a very specific vocabulary of color, which starts with the color wheel. Thanks to the work of Sir Isaac Newton, who discovered that colors formed a spectrum after bending light through a prism, we have the circular color wheel that starts with red and goes to orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and then back to red. The wheel consists of primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, where primary colors can be mixed together to create secondary colors, which in turn can be mixed together to create tertiary colors. The wide variety of color schemes makes for a wonderful opportunity to find just the right hues for every emotion, which is something any artist will tell you. Along with color combining, there is color saturation, which is the purity or brightness of a color. When it is clear and bright, it is considered highly saturated. When there is a more muted tone, it is considered to be less saturated. We also can talk about tone, which is when colors are modified by the addition of white or black. Here light tones or tints are created by mixing a given color with white, while dark shades are made with gray or black. Combining colors and paying attention to saturation and tone is what creates optimum impact when creating an event. Our job at TOCA Events is to identify the mood and then follow suit with colors that work well for the message. Through good planning, the right colors will impact ideas, messages, interest, and emotion, which all come together to make a statement that works with subtle strength. A TOCA we are intrigued by both the science and art of using color. We are fascinated by the way colors are made, as well as what color symbolizes, and recognize what a powerful tool color is in changing the way we think, act, and react. Playing a vital role in our world, color has the power to soothe or irritate, calm our appetite or raise our blood pressure, change the look of an ordinary space, and define who you are or what you represent. Through the right use of color, we can create an instant change in perception. At TOCA, we believe that finding the right colors to express the personality and intention of the moment is an art form, which adds another dimension to the pleasure we get in working with our clients to create an environment that is consistent with the unspoken message within their event. www.tocaevents.com
Touching the World
For followers of TOCA Events it comes as no surprise that we have the travel bug. And, as it is with ardent travelers, we know that our passion is contagious. No wonder so many of our clients choose to host their events in the exotic locations we are so happy to recommend. From Miami to Rio, Nicaragua to Thailand, Columbia to Berlin, we thrive on the creative synergy generated daily between the members of our global team. And it is through this synergy that TOCA emanates such an international appeal. Coming from such diverse backgrounds, each person who works with us is steeped in the knowledge of his or her specific locale, with the added caveat of an advanced state of curiosity for exploring the rest of the planet. For all of us at TOCA, travel is an art form and a way of life. It is how we understand others, how we learn from them, and how we can enjoy creative ways of interchange. Travel is a way to get a perspective on how things are done differently elsewhere, and then of course to discover how we are all ultimately the same. Experienced and extensive travel brings an ease to one’s relationship with the world. Travel helps make one more adaptable. Through an understanding of varying cultures, we are able to bring a sophisticated and expanded view of possibilities to the table. Each member of our TOCA team knows how to look at art, appreciate all forms of music from folklore to funk, stand by their favorite sports team, enjoy the photographic possibilities of a precious moment, glow in the presence of a fine wine, and so much more. At TOCA, we believe that when we know how to appreciate what life brings, we are more able to serve our clients. Through travel we have learned that a simple picnic on a handwoven blanket in Morocco can be as opulent and memorable an experience as dining in a three-star Michelin rated restaurant in Paris. We know that the value of a well-placed candle is just as effective as a crystal chandelier. And we know that language is no barrier, which of course is one of the reasons we are so well known for our great communication skills! Our mission as a corporate and sporting event company is to bring magic to the venue, as well bringing the venue to the magic! In creating the perfect components for a successful event, we have a toolbox full of scintillating ideas that mix our in-depth knowledge of ideal global locations with exciting activities that reflect the locale. Casting our net far and wide to learn more about the world is what fuels our love of life. And it is this love of life that fuels all of our events, making each one the best party one could ever attend. In doing so, it is our goal to give everyone attending a memorable experience that they can then bring home and share. At TOCA we so enjoy posting some of our favorite spots around the globe, and highlighting interesting current events that help evolve global culture. The fun is always in the sharing, as we reach out and touch the world. www.tocaevents.com