Conference facilities
(15 percent in Kalinago’s case), and asks for a minimum 10 room booking for a minimum three night stay. Grenadian by Rex Resorts “Rex” in Latin means “king” and the Granadian by Rex Resorts is definitely one of the king-sized resort properties in Grenada. Occupying 37 acres on scenic Tamarind Bay across from the capital city of St. Georges, the Rex offers 212 rooms and the advantage of providing enough space for business meeting attendees and casual tourists to both flourish without interfering with one another. “The Rex is such a large piece of property that corporate guests enjoy their conference,” says General Manager David Jameson, “without being hassled by leisure guests and leisure guests don’t feel like they’re in a conference hotel.” Both conference and breakout rooms are available, with the conference facility able to accommodate up to 120. A/V support, simultaneous translation booths and tele-conferences can also be included, one reason that the United Nations uses the Rex for some of its regional meetings. “We just received a letter from the UN,” notes Jameson, “saying that [a recent meeting] was a well-hosted event and a success.” Jameson adds that the Rex is currently hosting an average of two meetings a month, each running about a week in length, and aims to expand that to 30 a year. One support for this is a planned upgrade to the hotel’s banquet abilities. “We have a new executive chef coming,” he says, and “we have a new oriental restaurant with a Thai chef” that enables more Asian menu choices. “Good quality food is our standard,” he explains. Offering easy access to the airport and public transport, plus private taxis, Jameson is high on the Rex’s ability to showcase what makes Grenada unique. “Grenada is still very non-commercialized,” he says. “It still has a warmth about it that is attractive to people.” All the more reason to say: “Let’s meet in Grenada.”
Conference Planning Tips... at a glance
Courtesy of the Crowne Plaza Group and other sources, here are some tips to make your next meeting or conference a successful one: ? Start planning early. Three months in advance is recommended. Work with an experienced meeting planner. ? Define the objective of your meeting. Is it training, product exposure, or building association membership and participation? Let the objective determine your agenda, speakers, attendee list and schedule. ? Ensure that guest speakers are relevant to your purpose. Engage them early and touch base frequently to be sure they stay on track and are ready on time. ? Choose your location to reflect your purpose and culture. Is it better served by a resort or a formal downtown conference center? Be sure there’s easy access from airports or other transport. And consider the time zone and the climate. ? Consider how often you’ll feed attendees, what their room needs are, and whether they require recreational activities. Choose your venue to meet those needs. ? Establish a timeline to check on progress toward the meeting, and to schedule when to ship displays and materials. Bring samples of each item that you can make copies of in case your shipment is delayed in transit. ? Set a realistic budget early, and stick to it. Then, when the meeting is over, circulate a feedback survey to participants and use the suggestions it garners to make your next event even more successful!
the Rex offers 212 rooms and the advantage of providing enough space for business meeting attendees and casual tourists to both flourish without interfering with one another
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Photo: Tony McQuilkin