Strategic Site Selection

Venue Selection Trends: Shaping the Future of Event Planning 💡 The meetings and events industry is experiencing a significant shift, influenced by technological innovation, changing attendee needs, and economic challenges like rising costs. At Strategic Site Selection, we’re at the forefront of these changes, helping our clients navigate the shifting landscape. Here are five key trends shaping venue selection today: 1️⃣ Creative Solutions for Rising Costs With higher expenses across the board, event planners and suppliers are finding new ways to maximize budgets while delivering exceptional experiences. Efficiency and innovation are the keys to success. 2️⃣ Bridging the RFP Gap Timely and detailed responses to RFPs remain a challenge. Venues that prioritize responsiveness and transparency are standing out in a competitive market. 3️⃣ Contract Flexibility Under Pressure Venue contracts are becoming more complex, with planners seeking flexibility to adapt to uncertainties. Clear communication and proactive negotiation are essential. 4️⃣ Experiences and Connections Matter Most Immersive experiences and structured networking opportunities are no longer optional—they’re expected. Venues that offer creative spaces and unique engagement opportunities are highly sought after. 5️⃣ Sustainability and Inclusion Lead the Way Sustainable practices and a commitment to DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) are now top priorities for venue selection. These values resonate with both planners and attendees, setting the tone for impactful events. At Strategic Site Selection, we’re passionate about helping you find venues that align with your goals, values, and vision. Let’s make your next event unforgettable! 💬 What trends are shaping your venue choices this year? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. #EventPlanning #VenueTrends #VenueSelection #IndustryTrends #Sustainability #DEIA #CreativeSolutions #YourPartnerInPlanning #StrategicSiteSelection

🏙️Exploring Luxury: Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills 🏨 Recently, our Associate Director of Business Development, Joyce Parayil, had the privilege of experiencing the iconic Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills—a true gem in the heart of Beverly Hills. At 12 stories tall, the Waldorf Astoria is one of the tallest buildings in Beverly Hills, offering unparalleled cityscape views from every room. From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted by towering 3-story ceilings, gleaming polished floors, and opulent furnishings. The lobby’s two magnificent chandeliers set the tone for the property’s grandeur, while a signature fresh scent immediately transports you into a state of relaxation. 🛌 Guestrooms With 170 rooms, even the smallest suite boasts a spacious 630 square feet, complete with balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows offering jaw-dropping views from the Boulevard to the LA skyline. The interiors, designed by the renowned Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR), blend muted greens, golds, and delicate woods for a sophisticated art deco garden vibe. 💼 Event Space For corporate gatherings, the Waldorf Astoria offers 5,600 square feet of flexible, beautifully appointed event space, including the Boardroom, Waldorf Meeting Room, and Astor Ballroom with breakout and reception areas—perfect for any business event. 🍸 Unmatched Amenities From sipping sparkling cocktails at the French-inspired Lobby Lounge to indulging in the glamour of La Prairie Spa or dining at Espelette, led by world-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, every corner of this property is designed to dazzle. And don’t miss the Rooftop by JG, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Beverly Hills and Hollywood with a cocktail in hand as the sun sets. ✨ Notable Mention: Every guest is assigned a personal concierge, ensuring a truly bespoke experience. At Strategic Site Selection, we’re always on the lookout for venues that offer unforgettable experiences for our clients. The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is a shining example of luxury, elegance, and functionality for both leisure and business events. #LuxuryVenues #EventSourcing #SiteSelection #CorporateMeetings #EventPlanning #WaldorfAstoriaBeverlyHills #CorporateEvents #Hospitality #YourPartnerInPlanning #StrategicSiteSelection

Tête-à-Tête 2025: Let’s Connect!🤝 Mark your calendars for February 26📅 as Tête-à-Tête returns to the EY Centre in Ottawa, hosted by CSAE Ottawa-Gatineau! Part of Ottawa Meet Week, this premier event is a gathering place for leaders in associations, not-for-profits, and government agencies across Canada. 💫Don’t Miss Our Exclusive Networking Dinner! Each year, we host a special evening designed to connect like-minded professionals in the industry. This unforgettable night is all about building meaningful relationships, sharing ideas, and enjoying a memorable experience together. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet and mingle, in a relaxed and engaging atmosphere. The Strategic Site Selection team—Mark Dosman, Kristi Piukkala, Sabine Hacker-Bousquet, and Dana Adkin—will be there, and we’d love to see you too! 📩 Want to be part of the magic? Reach out via LinkedIn DMs to connect with us at Tête-à-Tête 2025. Let’s make this event an unforgettable opportunity to collaborate, innovate, and inspire! 🙌 #TêteàTête2025 #CSAE #OttawaMeetWeek #MeetingIndustry #ProfessionalConnections #NetworkingOpportunities #IndustryConnections #YourPartnerInPlanning #StrategicSiteSelection

Venue Selection Trends: Shaping the Future of Event Planning The venue selecting industry is experiencing a significant shift, influenced by technological innovation, changing attendee needs, and economic challenges like rising costs. At Strategic Site Selection, we’re at the forefront of these changes, helping our clients navigate the shifting landscape. Here are five key trends shaping venue selection today: 1️⃣ Creative Solutions for Rising Costs With higher expenses across the board, event planners and suppliers are finding new ways to maximize budgets while delivering exceptional experiences. Efficiency and innovation are the keys to success. 2️⃣ Bridging the RFP Gap Timely and detailed responses to RFPs remain a challenge. Venues that prioritize responsiveness and transparency are standing out in a competitive market. 3️⃣ Contract Flexibility Under Pressure Venue contracts are becoming more complex, with planners seeking flexibility to adapt to uncertainties. Clear communication and proactive negotiation are essential. 4️⃣ Experiences and Connections Matter Most Immersive experiences and structured networking opportunities are no longer optional—they’re expected. Venues that offer creative spaces and unique engagement opportunities are highly sought after. 5️⃣ Sustainability and Inclusion Lead the Way Sustainable practices and a commitment to DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) are now top priorities for venue selection. These values resonate with both planners and attendees, setting the tone for impactful events. At Strategic Site Selection, we’re passionate about helping you find venues that align with your goals, values, and vision. Let’s make your next event unforgettable! 💬 What trends are shaping your venue choices this year? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. #EventPlanning #VenueTrends #VenueSelection #IndustryTrends #Sustainability #DEIA #CreativeSolutions #YourPartnerInPlanning #StrategicSiteSelection

🌍 Embracing the Future of Work at Strategic Site Selection 🌍 As many organizations encourage employees to return to the office, we’re proud to stand by our belief in the power of remote work. At Strategic Site Selection, we’ve found that a flexible, remote-first approach not only works best for our company but also empowers our team to flourish both personally and professionally. 💼 Why Remote Work Works for Us: 💠Healthy Work-Life Balance: Remote work gives our team the autonomy to create routines that align with their personal lives, fostering well-being and reducing burnout. 💠Enhanced Productivity: Without the stress of long commutes or rigid office hours, our employees can focus on delivering exceptional results in ways that work best for them. 💠Access to Global Talent: Our remote-first culture allows us to collaborate with talented professionals from across the globe, bringing diverse perspectives to the table. 💠Improved Focus and Reduced Distractions: Working remotely allows our team to tailor their workspaces to their needs, leading to fewer distractions and a more focused environment. Without the typical office interruptions, employees can dive deeper into tasks, resulting in higher-quality work and more efficient project completion. At Strategic Site Selection, we’re committed to creating a workplace culture that values trust, flexibility, and results. By embracing remote work, we’ve seen firsthand how it supports our team’s happiness, creativity, and overall success. 💬 We’d love to hear from you! Which approach do you prefer- in office or remote work? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments. #RemoteWork #WorkLifeBalance #FutureOfWork #EmployeeWellbeing #RemoteWorkBenefits #CompanyCulture #YourPartnerInPlanning #StrategicSiteSelection

🎆New Year, New Goals: Strategic Site Selection’s Team Resolutions for 2025!🎆 The start of a new year is a perfect time to reflect, reset, and focus on personal and professional growth. It’s a chance to think about how we can improve and pursue our dreams with renewed energy. At Strategic Site Selection, we asked our team to share their New Year’s resolutions and intentions. Here’s what they’re aiming for in 2025: 🔸 Jay: "I’ve started following @explore.ontario on Instagram and am planning one mini-trip each month—whether it’s a hiking trail, a renowned restaurant, or a historic spa resort. There’s so much of Ontario I haven’t seen, and I’m excited to explore its hidden gems!" 🙏🏼 🍁 🔸 Renee: "This year, I’m making health a priority! It might be a cliché, but I’m ready to commit. I’m setting an alarm every lunchtime to remind me to move, and I’m looking for healthy recipes, snack ideas, and tips—send them my way!" 🏃♀️💨 🔸 Dana: "I’m re-learning how to ski this season (switching from snowboarding) so I can teach my two girls. Winter activities are my favourite, and I can’t wait to hit the slopes with them!" ⛷️❄️ 🔸 Jihyum: "My goals include staying consistent with my fitness routine, dedicating 30 minutes a day to reading, reducing sugar in my diet, and reconnecting with family and friends more often." 📖🥗 🔸 Robin: "This year, I want to travel more, explore a new country, and immerse myself in its culture and cuisine!" ✈️🌍 🔸 Sheena: "I’m not big on resolutions, but for the sake of this post—practicing yoga at least twice a week sounds like a great intention!" 🧘♀️✨ Maintaining resolutions can be challenging, but remember: small, consistent steps lead to big changes. Improving by just 1% every day can make you 37X better by year’s end. Think big, but start small! 💫 💬 What are your New Year’s resolutions? Share them below—we’d love to hear your goals and inspire each other to make 2025 our best year yet! #NewYearsResolutions #TeamGoals #PersonalGrowth #ProfessionalGrowth #YourPartnerInPlanning #StrategicSiteSelection

🌟 Entering 2025 with Vision & Drive! 🌟 As we embark on this exciting new year, we proudly recognize our dedicated directors, whose unparalleled expertise in venue sourcing and unwavering commitment have been the driving force behind our success. Clients can rely on our directors for all their venue sourcing needs, ensuring exceptional service while creating meaningful and lasting connections. 🤝 From uncovering unique hidden gems to securing the perfect spaces for your events, their commitment to excellence ensures every detail is thoughtfully managed. Their hard work and passion inspire us daily, making it possible to deliver exceptional results for our clients year after year.🤩 Thank you for your vision, your drive, and your relentless pursuit of excellence. Wishing our amazing Global Directors an incredible year ahead! Helene Getty, Angela Visconti, Jodi McCulloch, Silvia Solino, Tanya Faurot, Sabine Hacker-Bousquet, and Jay E. 🙌 #VenueSourcingExperts #Leadership #OurTeam #TeamWork #YourPartnerInPlanning #StrategicSiteSelection

Looking Ahead: Exciting Hotel Openings in 2025! 2025 is here and we are gearing up to welcome some truly spectacular new properties this year! At Strategic Site Selection, we’re always on the lookout for the latest and greatest destinations to elevate your events and travel experiences. Here are a few highly anticipated openings that have captured our attention: 🏨 Fairmont Golden Prague – A reborn Czech landmark steeped in history, set to open in March 2025. 🏙️ Faena New York – Located at One High Line, this stunning addition to the Accor Hotels family is coming your way in Spring 2025. 🌴 Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo Del Sol – Where luxury meets breathtaking coastal views, opening in August 2025. 🍂 Capella Hotels and Resorts Kyoto – The first Capella Hotel in Japan, blending modern elegance with Japanese tradition, set to debut in November 2025. ☀️ Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Mykonos – Spanning sandy beaches and picturesque coastal cliffs, this Greek gem is arriving in Summer 2025. From historical landmarks to coastal paradises, these venues promise to redefine luxury and provide unforgettable settings for your events and travels. Which of these destinations are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments! #SiteSelection #VenueSourcing #EventPlanning #Hospitality #VenueOpenings #LuxuryTravel #YourPartnerInPlanning #StrategicSiteSelection

💭 If You Could Have Lunch with Any Historical Figure… Who Would It Be? 💭 At Strategic Site Selection, we recently had a fun discussion about which historical figure, dead or alive, we’d love to share a meal with. The answers were as diverse as they were fascinating, showcasing a mix of curiosity, admiration, and a bit of humor. Imagine the conversations, insights, and stories we could hear over lunch! 🔹Renee: Santa 🎅 and Marie Antoinette (quirks and all!) 🔹Jay: Cleopatra 💫 – a queen with a legacy! 🔹Heather: Amelia Earhart ✈️ – what really happened to her? 🔹Joyce: Whitney Houston! ✨ The voice of a generation. 🔹Mary Ellen: Elvis Presley! 🎸 The King himself. Now, we want to hear from you. Which historical figure would you choose to have lunch with? Drop your answers in the comments below! 👇 #LunchWith? #HistoricalFigures #TeamDiscussion #TeamBonding #TeamCulture #YourPartnerInPlanning #StrategicSiteSelection

✨ Season’s Greetings from Strategic Site Selection! ✨ As we wrap up another incredible year, we want to extend our warmest wishes to our clients, partners, and friends in the industry. Your trust, collaboration, and relationships have been the foundation of our success, and we are truly grateful for the opportunities to work together. May your holiday season be filled with joy, love, and cherished moments with your loved ones. Happy Holidays! 🎄 #HappyHolidays #ChristmasSpirit #MerryChristmas #Gratitude #Partnerships #YourPartnerInPlanning #StrategicSiteSelection