April 2010 ACCESS Advantage
- ACCESS Partner Ilene Reinhart, CMP, DMCP Retiring after 32 Years
- Keeping it Simple in the OC!
- Big Bay Bonanza!
ACCESS Partner Ilene Reinhart, DMCP, CMP Retiring after 32 Years
ACCESS Destination Services, the leading Destination Management and Event Production Company in the Western United States, announces that ACCESS Partner and long-time industry veteran, Ilene Reinhart, DMCP, CMP, will retire from the ACCESS Los Angeles office after 32 years in the business.
She is a past president of the Association of Destination Management Executives (ADME), and was the 2009 recipient of ADME's Destination Management Professional of the Year Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a destination management professional. For over 30 years, Ilene has been tireless in her efforts to advance common DMC goals, elevate the quality of DMC services, and enhance the professional perception of DMCs to clients, hotels, CVBs, and allied organizations such as MPI.
Ilene's contributions to the industry also include developing standards for DMC accreditation; political action leadership; co-authoring a text book and training materials; and serving as a role model for young professionals through teaching at California State University, Long Beach. She will be missed by many within the hospitality industry, including her Partners and team members at ACCESS Destination Services, as she embarks upon the next chapter in her life. Ilene and her husband plan to move to Colorado to enjoy time with family and friends.
As part of the succession of the ACCESS Los Angeles office, ACCESS Partner and CEO, Chris Lee, DMCP, will assume Ilene's interest in the company and oversee the operation. Jennifer Miller, DMCP, General Manager of ACCESS San Diego will also expand her role and serve as General Manager of the Los Angeles office.
"We have always strived to be the best DMC in Los Angeles and I want ACCESS to continue to grow and thrive here," said Ilene, adding, "I am very confident that Chris and Jen will lead this office and the company to new heights!"
Orange County
Keeping it Simple in The OC! The ACCESS Orange County team reports that simplifying and streamlining events and services continue to be group trends in 2010. Budget concerns, as well as the impact of perception, drive more focus on ROI than ever before. In spite of these trends, your group's special events and themed programs can still serve to enhance your company's meetings, conferences and incentive travel programs with some skillful and creative solutions developed with your partners at ACCESS Destination Services.
With slimmer budgets, event decor is back to basics. Where once multi-tiered draped dining tables with elaborate centerpieces and table settings were the norm, we have experienced great success proposing neutral and natural-colored linens with perhaps a punch of dramatic color or thematic touches in the napkins. Textures are also important; rather than a full overlay, a bamboo table runner is a nice, simple touch - organic components are naturally appealing. While still rental items, chunky wood descanso dining tables do not need linens; the perception is that of lessened extravagance within a relaxed, natural setting.
Centerpiece design and usage is another area in which we've helped our clients with ROI Unique centerpieces comprised of cacti and other California succulents can be re-used or re-purposed at subsequent events during your conference and are great candidates, along with other types of potted plants, for donation after your event. At a recent event for a financial services client, unique succulent centerpieces were accompanied by tasteful signage indicating to guests that these centerpieces would be donated and planted following the event, incorporating a "feel good" component to the dining experience. For our evening programs at the Mission San Juan Capistrano we can arrange to have potted centerpieces donated to the Gardening Angels, a volunteer group responsible for the remarkable transformation of the Mission's gardens and grounds. Or...centerpieces can be donated to schools and senior centers where we can also take the community service to the next level by designing a teambuilding event at the facility for your guests. For a group that has traditionally experienced dramatic floral centerpieces at their gala, going "hi/lo" is another solution. The visual impact upon entering the room remains effective, yet the cost of florals may be reduced by alternating high and low "versions" of the centerpiece and the overall perception is of less extravagance.
Our familiarity with area venues and hotel resources allows us to maximize our clients' budgets through smart utilization of existing components and meeting space and effective "mix-in" rental items. For one recent group, rather than renting enough wood farmhouse tables for 100% seating, we effectively positioned small groupings of these tables among the hotel's existing square tables creating a visually appealing event set-up without breaking the bank. Similarly, when budget reductions force more "on own" evenings for your guests, creative placement of a few pieces of lounge furniture back at the hotel makes for a nice "afterglow" environment promoting guest interaction and group cohesiveness. Hotel restaurants can also be a great location, with minimal additional touches, for an "afterglow" gathering space creating the perfect ending to a delightful day.
The ideas for enhancing ROI are endless including "organized free evenings," "teambuilding in transport," and utilizing family-oriented and often less expensive local venues such as bowling lanes for a night on the town. Talk to the creative DMC team at ACCESS Destination Services about "keeping it simple" during your next meeting, conference or incentive travel program. Contact ACCESS Orange County today!
San Diego
Big Bay Bonanza! When the 2010 America's Cup was won by a vessel whose crew used the sparkling waters of San Diego as a training and testing location, San Diegans were ready for spring (not that we even have a winter) and all things related to sun, fun and water activities. There is no better place to fulfill those wishes than San Diego's Big Bay. Here at the Bay visitors have ample opportunity for a well-balanced blend of water activities including sailing, cruising and fishing; cultural attractions; waterfront dining; shopping; cycling; strolling and people watching along the miles of footpaths bordering San Diego's inspirational Big Bay.
Take to the waters aboard your choice of yachts, both classic and contemporary, for an eye-opening afternoon of sightseeing alongside massive and awe-inspiring navy ships while enjoying the close proximity of San Diego sealife. Top off your cruise with lunch on board -or- enjoy a dinner cruise with the lights of the Bay as the perfect backdrop. Talk to the ACCESS San Diego team about "dock 'n dine" opportunities or about incorporating a naturalist on board for an environmentally-focused activity.
Looking for some action? To capture the spirit of the America's Cup, the ACCESS team regularly organizes groups for racing experiences, chartering a fleet of sailing yachts for hands-on sailing regattas in the Bay. Turning this up a notch, we can incorporate the America, a magnificent replica of the original yacht America that started America's Cup racing in 1851. Or...your guests might enjoy a match race aboard Stars & Stripes (USA 34) and Abracadabra (USA 54), two International America's Cup Class (IACC) racing yachts. These vessels are located near the Maritime Museum of San Diego where prominent vessels on display include the iron-hulled Star of India, the oldest active ship in the world; Berkeley, the first successful propeller-driven steam ferry on the west coast; and the H.M.S. Surprise, a replica of an 18th century Royal Navy Frigate, which was featured in the award-winning film, "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World."
For more exciting military history, ACCESS San Diego can arrange a tour aboard the longest-serving aircraft carrier in U.S. Naval history, located right here along the Bay. For a special treat, allow our team to design an unforgettably patriotic dining experience on board where guests can view the many exhibits the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum has to offer.
But that's not all! San Diego's Big Bay area offers a variety of experiences for landlubbers as well as water enthusiasts. Located along the Embarcadero, bustling Seaport Village is an eclectic mix of bistros, specialty shops, live music and street performers. Dine in one of many waterfront restaurants in Seaport Village and other bayfront locations. Hop aboard the ferry or a water taxi and enjoy the short ride to Coronado, home of the historic Hotel Del Coronado. For those looking to get in shape, the Bay offers 34 miles of scenic waterfront, with dedicated walking and cycling paths, including the San Diego Bay Bike Route, a 25-mile circuit around the Big Bay. While strolling, guests will enjoy the artistic side of the Big Bay, the Port of San Diego's public arts, known as the "Tidelands Collection," a celebration of San Diego's international ties, cultural diversity, military significance and unique oceanfront environment.
The team at ACCESS San Diego looks forward to designing creative programs taking full advantage of our bayfront orientation. Call us today!
Spice it up with ACCESS
Poppyseed Salad
Actor Scott Wolf, star of the new TV series "V", offers up this light and tasty salad as published in "The Hollywood Cookbook - Cooking for Causes."
Serves 6
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup sugar- 1/3 cup cider vinegar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 cups romaine leaves, chopped
- 3 cups baby spinach leaves
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 pound bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Directions:
1. In a bowl or airtight container, combine sugar, vinegar, oil, poppy seeds, and salt and mix well. Allow dressing to sit for a minimum of 30 minutes before using.
2. In a large salad bowl, mix together remaining ingredients. Toss with dressing and serve immediately.
Enjoy!
Newsletter Sign up
Sign up for the ACCESS Advantage to have our future newsletters delivered straight to your inbox.
sign-up now
"Outstanding from start to finish. Excellent client skills and very creative."
Director, Convention & Meeting Planning
Columbus Life Insurance Company
