11 Apr, 2018

We’re known for going beyond expectations at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – delivering first-class service and top-notch amenities. Now we’re expanding our event and meeting space in Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania. When it’s finished in late 2019, the 205,000-square-foot space will feature 33 meeting rooms in total, three spectacular ballrooms, imposing pre-function spaces, additional load-in and load-out capabilities, and extensive registration and client office spaces. Our modular meeting

02 Apr, 2018

Host the most seamless meeting, event or special occasion at Sands Bethlehem. Whether your guests seek a venue for business or pleasure, our 12,000 square foot state-of-the-art meeting space impressively brings ideas to life. Nestled in the rolling hills of the beautiful Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania, in close proximity to New York City, Sands Bethlehem offers an impressive range of amenities. Enjoy the comforts of our lavish 28 luxury suites and 282 guestrooms -- all outfitted with

14 Feb, 2018

We’re known for going beyond expectations at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions–delivering first-class service and top-notch amenities. Now we’re doubling our event and meeting space in Poconos Mountains, Pennsylvania. When it’s finished in late 2019, the 234,000 square foot space will feature 39 meeting rooms in total, three spectacular ballrooms, imposing pre-function spaces, additional load-in and load out capabilities and extensive registration and client office spaces. Even though we’re

28 Dec, 2017

Where Great Ideas Meet Host the most seamless meeting, event or special occasion at Sands Bethlehem. Whether for business or pleasure, our 12,000 square foot state-of-the-art meeting space allows you to bring your ideas to life. Enjoy the comforts of our unique location, featuring 28 luxury suites and 282 guestrooms. A deluxe range of amenities will satisfy your every need, while our personalized service will ensure your expectations are exceeded. Sands Bethlehem caters to the highest levels

19 Dec, 2017

People are more likely to remain members of your organization, tell others about their experiences, and pay to attend your future events when you get them actively engaged. I find that most meetings that I attend are structured as though the attendees do not have sophisticated tools of the 21st century at their disposal. For instance, Millennials don't stay up to watch someone deliver the weather forecast at the end of the evening news like Matures or even some Baby Boomers might do. In fact,

27 Nov, 2017

In late 2019, the convention center at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania, will grow to 234,000 square feet, more than doubling its current size! This means that even more guests can enjoy our first-class service and exceptional amenities. The enormous space will consist of 39 total meeting rooms, three stunning ballrooms, grand prefunction spaces, enhanced load-in and load-out capabilities, and substantial registration and client office areas. Though larger, the

20 Oct, 2017

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania, is doubling in size! In late 2019, the convention facility will grow to 234,000 square feet, adding 134,000 square feet of flexible meeting space so that you can host a meeting for five or a convention for 5,000. Once complete, the property will house 39 total meeting rooms, three stunning ballrooms, enormous prefunction spaces, enhanced load-in and load-out capabilities, and substantial registration and client office areas.

19 Oct, 2017

At the seventh annual IMEX America, discussions revolved around safety, experiential learning, and more. The seventh incarnation of the IMEX America meeting industry convention, which wrapped last week in Las Vegas, was the biggest yet. More than 3,300 companies representing 150 countries exhibited this year, including 64 new booths. The show’s education offerings also broke records, with a major expansion of the education area and over 250 education sessions. In total, more than 12,000

02 Oct, 2017

Nowadays, it’s hard to walk past the boardroom of a trade association or for-profit event organizer without tripping over a conversation on data, technology or the more general topic of digital transformation. The event industry is obviously, and at times painfully, aware that the digitization of event processes and experiences is not only worthy of consideration but also increasingly necessary for sustainability and growth. What remains open to debate, however, are the collective blueprints and

18 Sep, 2017

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in the Pocono Mountains is expanding its all-under-one-roof, beyond-expectations venue! Opening late 2019, 134,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, including a 38,000-square-foot ballroom and a 9,000-square-foot junior ballroom will join our state-of-the-art convention center, for a grand total of 234,000 square feet. Other new features include 39 total meeting spaces, enormous pre-function spaces, enhanced load-in and load-out capabilities, and

08 Aug, 2017

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in the Pocono Mountains has everything you need to make event planning effortless, and now there are even more reasons to plan your meeting with us: In late 2019, we will open an additional 134,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, bringing the total size of the convention facility to 234,000 square feet. The expansion boasts 39 total meeting spaces, two incredible ballrooms, an exclusive executive conference center for up to 400 guests, enormous prefunction

25 Jul, 2017

You may think I'm an alarmist, but really, I'm crazy-optimistic most of the time. Right now, though, I'm worried for our industry and the salespeople in it. Here are five reasons why the sellers' market you're enjoying is going to come to an end (and how you can prepare): 1) Political unpredictability. There's a crazy train in Washington DC, and it's barreling the hospitality industry toward disaster. Travel bans, laptop bans, challenges to NAFTA, and disruption to long-standing political

12 Jul, 2017

The first Baby Boomers have retired if they can afford it. Late arriving Baby Boomers are leaving the work force at an increasing rate. Gen X and Gen Y employees are in the middle of their careers being of college age around the turn of the century/millennia. So,  who are the employees now joining the job market in the greatest numbers? Correct. The Millennials. How do you attract the best talent available from the pool of Millennial individuals currently joining or rising in the corporate

14 Jun, 2017

Music, in its many forms, satisfies different needs for different people. For some meeting planners, it is a tool that we wield with precision and flair, and for some of us it is a mysterious artifact that we are completely at a loss for how to control (think “arc of the covenant”). This article will shed some light on how to use music as a collaborative tool without having to unravel the mysteries of the ages. It is reasonable to say that music has universal appeal. Also, research by

09 Jun, 2017

Forget “unlimited” vacation time; some companies have found that the only way to get employees to unplug is a vacation “minimum.” The importance and benefits of taking time off from work are well-documented. Without downtime, you and your team are likely less creative and more likely to burn out. But Americans just can’t seem to unplug. Between 2000 and 2014, the number of vacation days U.S. workers took declined steadily from a long-term average of 20.3 days to 16. And while the number of

08 May, 2017

Meeting and event planners are always trying to find new ways to add value to their events and better compete in the industry. More often than not, they’ll opt for bigger speakers, more technology, or some other gimmick that “wows” their audience but might not do much to increase the genuine value of the event for attendees. One solution which provides a clear value for attendees and vendors alike, is the inclusion of a hosted buyer program (sometimes known as a “supplier showcase”). If you’re

01 May, 2017

Our lives revolve around food. We see it on TV. We read about. We write about it. We fight about where it should come from and how it should be made. We create, bake and cook it. And, most importantly, we eat it. Having safe and healthy food to eat is a right, not a privilege. Eating is also a major life activity. It is a given to most. Something that we take for granted each and every day. However, there are millions of people who struggle with finding something safe and healthy to eat because

26 Apr, 2017

Traditionally, July and August are the slowest months for hiring. This also makes them the slowest months for “active” job search. This makes the summer months the perfect time to redirect your efforts to a “soft search”.  Here are some tips and action steps you may consider: Use the summer months to network.  Call industry colleagues, schedule 15 – 20 minute informational interviews.  Use this time to seek advice from those in the know on career direction, resume tweaks, etc. Take them to

24 Apr, 2017

I consider myself lucky to have spent 20+ years in a career I truly believe in, one that adds value to an organization by drawing upon our key strengths and knowledge of the hospitality industry to plan and execute meetings and events.   I firmly believe it is not just one person who makes a meeting or event happen, but rather a well led TEAM of dedicated, enthusiastic, talented individuals who come together to do what they do best to help organizations exceed program objectives and make them

24 Apr, 2017

For the most part of my career I have been either working for a corporation or owning my own business. In both worlds, I noticed the most important prerequisite for success is a positive attitude. A positive attitude in the workplace is the key ingredient. Whether you are an employee, manager or entrepreneur, you must have a positive attitude to deal with adversity, circumstances, co-workers or employees. A positive attitude is the basis for achieving the goals set by the company, owner or

10 Apr, 2017

Teambuilding Past … For many decades, teambuilding events have played an important role in developing and enhancing cohesive and functional groups within profit and nonprofit organizations.  From high ropes courses in rural and wooded areas, to city scavenger hunts in the largest metros around the globe, to ballrooms and meeting spaces in any hotel or conference center with an applicable space, team-building programs have established their place in the corporate world and beyond. Historically,

01 Apr, 2017

Benefits of Adding Compelling Video / Visual Technology to your Events As everyone knows, talking heads and basic PowerPoint presentations at meetings are almost extinct.   EVERYONE (not just Millennials) wants to be entertained and be brought personally into the meeting experience.  This has been proven to be most effective with carefully planned video pre-production and on-site live streaming.   You can make the once a year meeting live on for the entire year through the use of professional

28 Mar, 2017

Meeting Planners can create unique and memorable experiences for their attendees by taking advantage of the history surrounding their meeting venue. Connecticut is one state that has fascinating history and venues available for themed events, receptions, luncheons, dinners, and interactive events. Connecticut’s Historic Venues Make for Revolutionary Off-Site Events… Mark Twain “To us our house was not unsentient matter--it had a heart & a soul & eyes to see us with…” American author Mark

26 Mar, 2017

Every five years the CIC (Convention Industry Council) conducts a survey and review of what skills and knowledge are required for competency in the meeting and event profession. This is done by a survey of people in the industry asking them “What do you do…. now?” We know that most industries change and with them what people do and what they need to know. Based on the information they get back it is reviewed and put into context and an updated view is created. At that time the CMP framework,