Precision’s Vail Vision

If you are planning on heading to Vail, Colorado anytime soon, Precision has done your homework for you!

Want to know where to go? Where to stay? Not only did we research and plan an incredible meeting for one of our clients, we were able to put everything to the test, for quality assurance…of course!

For the benefit of our fellow D.C. residents and everyone else not from Vail, here is a list of the best this magical ski town has to offer!

Dining and Entertainment:

Bol (pictured) is an upscale bowling alley with much more on the menu than unattractive shoes and pitchers of cheap beer.  Appetizers like spice tuna tartar and pumpkin fritters grace the fun and impressive menu of their full service dining area.  Chic and modern looking bowling lanes are complimented by a VIP-like area filled with sleek yet comfortable couches.  It was the perfect spot for the Precision employees to test out their first night in Vail.

http://www.bolvail.com/bol

A visit to the mountains calls for snow activities!  That is exactly what Precision provided to our clients with a snowmobiling tour through the mountains.  In addition to the snowmobile tour our clients were able to enjoy a dogsledding tour. They were also able to visit the farm where the dogs are held and go on a horse pulled sleigh ride.  These activities are fun and unique to the area, they should definitely be put on any traveler’s “To Do in Vail” list!

Game Creek Club (pictured) is a hungry adventurer’s dream come true.  Only accessible by skis or a gondola ride this European-style chalet is a trek to get to, but worth the effort.  Breathtaking views and an exclusive atmosphere make this the perfect snowy mountain party venue! 

http://www.gamecreekclub.com/

Sweet Basil has a well established reputation as one of the best restaurants in Vail. Since 1977 Sweet Basil has offered extremely fresh ingredients and an interesting menu.  Two of Precision’s team members had the pleasure of dining there on their last night.  They indulged in an amazing warm apple and beet salad, scallops and dumplings, and a “hot sticky toffee pudding cake.” Yum-o!

http://www.sweetbasil-vail.com/

Lodging

Precision stayed at the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort and, true to the Marriott name, the service and food were awesome and the property was wonderful.  For our client’s reception we worked with Marriott on food stations from all over the globe.  American, German, Mediterranean and Asian cuisine were featured at the reception and the food was a hit!  The Marriott is located in Lionshead Village and a free shuttle is available that will take you anywhere in Vail!  Extremely close proximity to the mountains provides breathtaking views.  Our team members had a fantastic stay at the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/whrco-vail-marriott-mountain-resort-and-spa/

Exciting Extras

ALTITUDE SICKNESS!  A crazy noun that can mean the difference between a fantastic visit or a visit to the hospital.  It was Precision’s goal to ensure that our clients and their guest had the best meeting possible and therefore it was imperative that altitude sickness be prevented at all costs!  At every reception, an oxygen bar was present.  Attendees could sit, network, and visit all while breathing in oxygen provided by a doctor who specializes in mountain oxygen.  Our team members went a step further and had the doctor attend dinner at The Game Creek Club which sits at an altitude of nearly 12,000 ft..  Precision packed seven oxygen tanks on a hotel bell cart, then rolled them over to the gondola with the help of the amazing Marriott staff! Then, they were loaded onto the gondola.  Once the gondola ride was over, the oxygen tanks were rolled via bell cart through the snow to the Snowcat, and were finally brought it into the restaurant.  All the work paid off and was a huge hit!

 

 

 

PCMA San Diego: Informational Oasis

Among the picturesque palm trees and luxurious yachts calmly swaying in the beautifully blue ocean (pictured) is the state-of-the-art San Diego Convention Center, which is where the story begins:

January symbolizes more than the start of a new year, it is also the time for the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) to host their annual meeting!  This year, members from all over the country convened in San Diego, California for what proved to be a three day whirlwind of fascinating educational programs, outstanding receptions and introductions to the best San Diego has to offer.

The speakers were not only informative, but immensely interesting!  Some of the all-star cast included Dr. John Medina, author of Brain Rules, Jane McGonigal, author of Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World and David Brooks, author of The Social Animal: The Role of our Unconscious Mind and How We Meet and Succeed.

Here are some of the most fascinating take-aways from each speaker:

Dr. John Medina:

• The human brain cannot multi-task.  When a person tries to do so the brain signals for the release of stress hormones and you become stressed.
• The reason we sometimes wake up in the middle of the night is because our sleep pattern is still wired to scan for predators throughout the night.
  • Dr. Medina calls it “Gazelle Syndrome” if we still lived in the wild we would be easy prey for nature’s predators.  Therefore our subconscious pulls us out of deep sleep in waves throughout the night.  If a person is stressed the brain interprets that as fear of an imminent threat and wakes us up.
  • The idea of being a “morning person” or an “evening person” is fact not fiction.  There is a gene that determines when your brain will be most productive, for some people that is the morning, for others that is the evening.  A person cannot change this trait.

Jane McGonigal:

• The majority of Americans game every day. 
• Games evoke positive emotions in people and satisfy human urges such as problem solving and team work to overcome obstacles.
• Incorporating gaming into meetings and life in general can lead to people coming together to complete amazing real-life accomplishments while staying engaged.

David Brooks:

• David explained the importance of human connections.
  • Babies who are not held are much more likely to die and children who are not responded to when they are young do not develop proper behavior because they are not taught how to interact.
  • We were also given a little bit of political insight.  Since David often interviews politicians he gave us his honest opinion on the men running for the presidency.
    • He also noted that politicians are hyper- connectors, they are able to emotionally connect with strangers unlike the average person.

This year’s PCMA Annual Meeting was truly enlightening.  From new ideas on how to incorporate technology into your meetings to how to keep attendees engaged throughout conferences, the knowledge we gained is priceless.

Looking forward to next year!

 

Planes, Boats and Automobiles

Our East Coast Precision team members headed west for business and adventure in the great state of California.  From modern California Cuisine to historic San Diego districts two of our Precision team members experienced all the fantastic city had to offer. 

 

Leslie and Megan, two of Precision’s best and brightest, were on a mission: to make certain their client’s events ran perfectly.  From cruises to cars and even piano bars the meeting ran smoothly and fun was had by all!

 

It was time to think out of the box and off the streets; the first event took place on the “Dream” boat and featured beautiful black and white table settings.  On a moving dining room surrounded by water, the views were unbeatable. 

 

Once back on solid ground it was time to prepare for the next exciting event taking place at Evan’s Garage, a privately owned museum built in 1983.  The museum is home to vintage automobiles and fire engines dating from 1886 to 1962.  Needless to say the attendees were intrigued by their vehicular surroundings!

 

For a taste of old San Diego it was off to a piano bar in the historic Gaslamp District which began construction in the 1860’s.  The Gaslamp district still features authentic gas lamps which were considered new technology when this area of town was being constricted.  Now shops and restaurants line the streets of this quaint and beautiful San Diego destination.  

 

Following true Precision tradition our team members had lunch at George’s on the Cove in La Jolla before hopping back on the plane home.  Unbeatable views of La Jolla Cove paired with delectable fish tacos and local beers create the perfect relaxed atmosphere that San Diego is known for.  No wonder the Precision team has made a habit of visiting this spot year after year!

 

From plane rides across the country to dinner cruises and mingling among vintage automobiles, Precision experienced the best of the air, sea and land during this trip!

Banana Soup in Paradise

Aruba…old news.  The Bahamas…over it.  The new hot spot south of Florida is the whimsical island of Curacao (pronounced: keer-i-sow).  One of Precision’s finest was lucky enough to visit this Caribbean wonderland with some of her favorite clients and returned with tales of fantastic food and beautiful beaches.

From a swinging bridge connecting Punda and Otrobanda (the two sides of the island), to thirty private beaches, this destination showcases the best the Dutch Caribbean has to offer.  The downtown area, also known as the “mini Netherlands” due to the uncanny resemblance, was one of our Precision team member, Leslie’s favorite areas.  The rich history of Curacao is present in the three bridges named for Queens Emma, Juliana and Wilhelmina.  The Queen Emma bridge has gained notoriety for its tendency to wobble as patrons walk across it. 

As one of the ABC islands and scenic trade port there is never a dull moment on Curacao.  Leslie was able to experience it all, especially some of the islands exquisite cuisine.  Although fear of the unknown initially stopped Leslie from ordering the banana soup featured on the menu at De Gouverneur restaurant, she had no choice but to try it when the chef sent some to her table.  To her surprise it was delicious!  She was also impressed by the amazing meals presented by Trevor, the beloved chef at the Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino.

Since we feel it is important to keep you abreast of all the new trends and great places to be, like Curacao, we followed in the footsteps of the educational publication Cosmopolitan and offer our very own “Hot & Not” list for 2012.

Tropical “Hot & Not” list 2012

Hot	Not
Dutch Caribbean	British Caribbean
Banana Soup	Chicken Noodle Soup
Swinging Bridges	Steady Bridges

Vegas Adventures

“When sky blue gets dark enough to see the colors of the city lights, a trail of ruby red and diamond white, hits her like a sunrise…”- John Mayer, “Neon”

Precision’s ladies stepped off the plane in Las Vegas prepared and ready for the conference they had expertly planned.  Although every detail was arranged and every issue anticipated, the Precision team had no idea of the exciting adventures awaiting them in Sin City.

The first night was marked by excellent food and an even better view.  The sky-high service at Mix Restaurant at Mandalay Bay impressed our Precision team members as did the classic French and American cuisine.  Brilliant views of the strip through Mix’s glass walls made for an exciting first night in Las Vegas.

The kick-off to the conference lived up to the over-the-top Las Vegas style that is the trademark of the incredible city.  Guests were greeted by Gary Anthony, a Frank Sinatra look-a-like who, as luck would have it, also has a very similar voice to the legend.  Classics like, “Come Fly with me,” serenaded guests as they entered their Italian themed opening reception.  A six-foot tall ice sculpture of the leaning tower of Pisa (pictured) adorned the center of the room bringing a taste of Italy to Caesars Palace.   A menu of pizza, pasta and paninis left guests satisfied and ready for the week ahead.

Creative break food between meetings kept attendees happy and focused throughout the day.  Nostalgic snacks like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, doughnut holes, chocolate milk and Reese’s peanut butter cups were a welcome change to the monotonous chip and pretzel option.

The first celebrity the ladies encountered was Chef Vincent of Aureole at Mandalay Bay (pictured)!  With specialties like ricotta ravioli and smoked salmon it is no wonder this restaurant has earned multiple Four Diamond Awards and the Michelin Star.

Precision’s second VIP moment happened when our ladies were able to finagle a table at the grand opening of the new Michel Richard restaurant: Central in Caesars Palace.  Not only did they enjoy a fantastic meal, they were also able to meet Chef Richard himself.  But, wait, this story gets better; Chef Richard recognized our fearless leader, Peggy Marilley who had the pleasure of meeting Chef Richard at an event at his DC restaurant: Citronelle.  It was exciting to be among the first to witness the debut of this culinary master’s latest undertaking. 

As always, we have saved the best for last. John Mayer, famous recording artist, had the privilege of meeting two of our team members, “big deal” event planners, at the XS nightclub at Encore.  Although he was overpowered by excitement and relentlessly asked to be in a picture with Precision, our ladies politely declined (Precision must protect itself from the fiending paparazzi).

To learn more about Gary Anthony aka Frank Sinatra visit the following link: http://www.majorep.com/frank

 

Cheese and Wine: SPT (Special Precision Tasting)

Dun. Dun. (Law and Order sound effect)

The Offices of Precision Meetings & Events

301 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 104

Alexandria, VA 22314

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Approximately 5:00pm

The normally bustling halls and work areas were quiet and dark, the phones ceased ringing.

Dun. Dun. (See above)

But wait, from the end of the hallway a light can be seen…

Dun. Dun. (You should get it by now)

Muffled voices seep through the doorway, left ajar, and down the hall.  A hand placed gingerly on the doorknob slowly twists and pushes it open.

Dun. Dun.

KNIVES!  (AAAAHHHHH)

Calm down everyone, this story is one of cheese discovery, not murder mystery.

Team Precision carefully placed our best cheese slicing knives beside an extremely impressive cheese selection sent to us by the cheese-ologists of Cowgirl Creamery!  The ladies at Precision enjoyed the most fantastic wine and cheese pairing, and it was all in the name of client research!

Precision’s “Most Comforting” nominee Rebecca organized the arrival of the incredible cheese.  Leslie, Team Precision’s vertically challenged wine aficionado, searched Alexandria for the perfect wine pairings while Marisa, Precision’s own Emily Post, won MVP as she ran out at the last minute to procure a wine bottle opener.  Without such fantastic collaboration, our cheese filled evening may never have happened!

We were eager to sample the selection of Cowgirl Creamery’s most popular cheeses.  As the tasting began we quickly discovered why these cheeses are considered the favorites! 

From Cowgirl Creamery’s Mt. Tam triple cream, paired with Chablis, to Cabot Creamery’s Clothbound Cheddar paired with a Cabernet Sauvignon, all of Team Precision was overwhelmingly impressed.  We scored the cheeses and picked our favorites, which was extremely difficult since they were all delicious, and decided on the perfect selection for our clients.

We would like to remind our clients that we are more than happy to offer our cheese sampling expertise anytime.

To learn more about Cowgirl Creamery and their amazing cheese please visit their website: www.cowgirlcreamery.com

Change is good

As with every decade, monumental changes occur over the course of ten years; this past decade was no exception.  Since 2001 there have been major changes to the way we travel, our national economy, security and political sentiment.  Justin Timberlake went solo, Reality TV took over and introduced us to such culture impacting characters as Snooki of Jersey Shore fame and Kate Gosselin, momzilla from Jon and Kate plus 8.  And of course, Dancing with the Stars and American Idol changed our lives forever; where would we be without Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood?

But what did these changes mean for the meeting and event planning industry?  Were we left out of this American transformation that has taken place?

The answer: absolutely not!

Just as every industry was affected by the economy, American Idol and, of course, Snooki, the event planning industry had its fair share of slowdown.  Fortunately, with troubled times come innovative ideas that spur industry evolution! 

Clients with tighter budgets look for planners who can creatively stretch their dollars.  As a result, venues and vendors must adapt to new requests for innovative yet inexpensive ways to “wow” guests.  Out of these requests came the birth of the use of night clubs as venues and tech savvy entertaining spaces that cut back on AV costs.

Industry change is not all due to the unsteady economy.  A need for excitement and creativity ushered in the current era of seriously cool event and meeting spaces.  Events in art galleries, museums and historic buildings have an added flair that traditional convention center and hotel spaces often times lack.  Boutique hotels with glamorous décor provide a more upscale feel for guests. 

The industry has also seen the emergence of loft spaces over the past decade.  Hotels are constructing posh roof-top bars and lounge areas to accommodate events of varying sizes as well as create more event opportunities.  New twists on event spaces are also geared toward networking.  Designing intimate spaces with communal features allows guests to relax and get the conversations flowing.  

The first decade of the new millennium has proved both trying and thrilling for the meeting and event planning industry.  New ideas to accommodate tighter wallets were the catalyst to fantastic changes in the way we do events.  It is clear our industry continues to progress and advance with the times.

Bring it on 2021; we are ready for what the next decade has in store!

To read more about the changing site trends follow the link to the BizBash Article “Site Survey”: http://www.bizbash.com/2001-2011_7_biggest_venue_trends_of_the_decade/newyork/story/21037

Beer and Food Pairing: A New Frontier

To all you wine enthusiasts out there, beware… the new hot trend in dining is beer pairing!  But do not fret wine-os, there are subtleties and a history of beer that may surprise you.  

It all started when two hungry and excited members of Team Precision ventured over to Occasions Catering to see what new and creative bites to expect from the Head Chef.  

A five-course dinner awaited our two Precision MVPs as they tried their best not to fill up on mini shrimp tacos and prosciutto melon bites during the cocktail hour.  The five-course dinner featured local, fresh ingredients purchased at the local Farmers Market with what the chefs described as a “wad of cash,” given to them by the host of the tasting event.

Marble chargers, wildflower arrangements and freshly baked bread set out on long wooden trays set the perfect scene for the exquisite dinner to come.

Each of the five courses was paired with a beer from the local Flying Dog Brewery located in Frederick, Maryland.  A beer sommelier also known as, “the local beer guy,” accompanied the many varieties of brews paired with the enticing fare.  Thanks to the expertise of the Flying Dog “beer guy” and Occasion’s head chef, guests learned about each course and its paired beer before digging in!

Fried mussels with light beer and lime and mint soaked brioche with a smoky beer were two of the incredible combinations that ignited diners taste buds!  According to our Precision team members all the pairings were excellent and the flavors were unexpected as well as yummy, an unbeatable combination!

As a parting gift, Flying Dog Brewery handed out bottles of the smoky beer served with the fifth course.  The Flying Dog beer bottles feature amazing artwork by Ralph Steadman a talented and eccentric artist who coined the off color phrase* which adorns all Flying Dog Brewery Road Dog Porter bottles.  Steadman has also worked closely with Hunter S. Thompson, the writer of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Needless to say it was a night filled with great food and libations. 

*Note: To see all the fun off color phrases Flying Dog Brewery incorporates into their brand visit their site: http://flyingdogales.com/

…just add some more butter…

Butter and lard are to Savannah native Paula Deen what site visits and city research are to Team Precision’s head chef, Peggy Marilley: very important ingredients to a fantastic event or in Paula’s case a delicious, non-diet delicacy.  

That is where our story begins, in the very same beautiful city where Paula Deen fired up her first deep fryer: Savannah, Georgia.

Peggy’s first impression of Savannah was how overwhelmingly lovely the scenery and people are.  The oil tankers cruising up and down the Savannah River and the placid and relaxing look and feel of the area were the perfect combination for Peggy after her whirlwind summer of hectic traveling.

Fort Jackson, the oldest standing brick defense wall in Georgia, was just one of Savannah’s treasures that peaked Peggy’s interest.  This historic structure is one of only eight pre War of 1812 forts still standing in the United States!    

Another piece of our national history located just west of the beautiful city of Savannah is the Mighty Eight Air Force Museum dedicated to the men of the 8^th Air Force.  These men, who fought bravely during World War II, are forever honored in this one-of-a-kind memorial.  The museum was conceived in 1983 by WWII Veteran Major General Lewis E. Lyle and opened on May 14,1996.    

Savannah is rich in American history and does not disappoint on the culinary front either.  Peggy had the opportunity to dine at the famous Olde Pink House Restaurant that serves up classic southern dishes with a twist like “BLT” Fried Green Tomatoes, Yum-o!

Alligator Soul is another restaurant not to be missed.  Peggy enjoyed an amazing meal at this unique and flavorful restaurant that has been creating fun food like gator and crawfish cakes since 2003!

As the saying goes (or we may have just made it up), if there is good food, excellent attractions and exquisite scenery, people will come!  So, “who houses all the masses coming to experience Savannah?” you might ask.  Peggy had the pleasure of visiting both the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa and the Mansion on Forsyth Park, two truly fantastic hotels.

As the last stop on her “Sleepless Summer: The Traveling Never Ends” tour, Savannah proved to be fun, relaxing and beautiful.   And, in case you were wondering, Peggy did get to see Paula Deen’s house, and yes, it was every bit as exciting as one might imagine it to be!

Go With the Flow in Stowe

Two hundred eighteen years after the first settler entered Stowe, Vermont, Team Precision arrived.  Just as the first family surveyed the land, Precision was there to see what Stowe had to offer. 

Two of Precision’s team members began the trip with a comical ride in from Burlington in an oversized Chevy Traverse.  Navigating such a large vehicle is not something either member of Team Precision is experienced in, but no journey comes without risks!

Upon arrival cool temperatures and gorgeous scenery were a welcome respite from the 90 degree temperatures and cityscapes they had left behind in DC.  The Stowe Mountain Lodge was to be their home for the next few days and it proved to be a beautiful and welcoming home.  The three year old lodge offers rooms with fireplaces that contribute to what is described as an “upscale rustic” atmosphere, perfect for the surrounding mountain scenery. 

Business as usual continued that afternoon with a site visit at the Trapp Family Lodge, the home of the Von Trapp Family featured in the classic film, “The Sound of Music”.  The real Von Trapp family settled in Stowe, Vermont after they fled from Austria.  It gets even better, the space is not the only movie relic available for events; the real Von Trapp grandchildren can be hired to serenade your guests with their famous good-night song!

Precision’s next stop: the Boyden Valley Winery, which became a daily destination throughout the trip!  The winery features a charming tasting area, a fantastic selection of wines and a beautiful old barn that has been converted into an event space.  Following that site visit, Team Precision spent the evening at the hotel restaurant with clients discussing options for their upcoming meeting and the week ahead.

The next morning there was no time to sleep in!  It was time to see all the fun and unique activities awaiting Stowe visitors!  Breath-taking hiking trails, canoe trips, zip-lines through the woods and even a small plane that flies itself are some of the options for adventure seekers in the area.   Then, it was back to the winery to review the wine tasting, hey, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do in the name of event planning.

Throughout the day Team Precision maneuvered the giant Chevy Traverse over what is called “the notch,” which divides Stowe.  The experience is truly like driving through a mountain.  With “ear-popping,” steepness and narrow roadways, large tour buses can’t travel through (it is lucky the Chevy did!).

That afternoon it was time to get down to business.  Team Precision met with hotel staff to begin planning the meeting.  Between the expertise of our team leader, Peggy, and the beauty and professionalism at the Stowe Mountain Lodge, the vision for the meeting was established in no time!

After a long day of activity research, stressful driving, meeting planning, and wine tasting, Precision’s ladies had worked up a serious appetite!   It was off to “Harrisons,” one of Stowe’s “hot spots” for dining. An unforgettable dinner of lobster mac & cheese and an enjoyable romp through the quaint town was only slightly spoiled by the hectic situation that occurred while attempting to back the huge Chevy Traverse out of that tiny parking lot (Luckily no people or property was damaged during the ordeal)!

Some more quality time with Precision’s clients awaited our team the next day.  The hotel and possible activities were reviewed and a Gondola ride to the Cliff House was both fun and informative on Precision’s quest for a lunch event venue.  Everyone then proceeded to a barbecued lunch that was truly delicious.   A biker bar atmosphere and some of the best brisket in the land kept both Team Precision and their clients happy.

A trip back to the zip-line proved awkward when one member of Team Precision showed up in a black business suit, good thing our ladies weren’t required to test it out!  Then, of course, it was time to re-visit the Boyden Valley Winery, because what is a day in Stowe without a trip to the winery?

That night dinner consisted of a tasting of the Vermont microbreweries over dinner.  For dessert it was Ben and Jerry’s ice cream because you can’t go to Vermont and not eat Ben and Jerry’s!

The journey continued with a scenic drive from Stowe to Quechee, Vermont where Team Precision made a visit to the Simon Pearce glass blowing factory.  Precision team leader Peggy was able to finagle a private tour with her charm and friendly personality!  The ladies were overjoyed to get to see the glass blowing and interesting machinery that creates the glass. They were even able to see the Quechee Gorge, a spectacular waterfall.

This fantastic trip concluded in Manchester, New Hampshire where one of Precision’s ladies got to visit her family and Peggy had a second to relax before hopping right back on a plane for her next adventure.