Discover The Palm Beaches, in collaboration with the Palm Beach County Convention Center and Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, hosted 50 attendees at a live event as an Official Network Partner of the PCMA Convening Leaders omnichannel experience on January 13th.  

The event demonstrated the ways we are working with our partners to execute events that provide interactive experiences, local touches, and a priority on a holistic approach to wellness, while adhering to newly implemented health & safety procedures.

Health & Safety

Health and Safety is a top priority in The Palm Beaches, and the ways we are able to incorporate it seamlessly into events took center stage at Convening Leaders. From the beginning, guests arrivied into The Palm Beaches and were greeted with businesses across the destination committed to The Palm Beaches Pledge, as well as our destination-wide GBAC STARTM Accredited facilities– including the Palm Beach International Airport and the Palm Beach County Convention Center.  Physical distancing within the event was complemented by the use of outdoor event spaces, and guests experienced frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces, clear communications before and during the event regarding the health & safety procedures, and daily hands-free temperature checks and health screenings were provided by SafeExpo.  Attendees received red Kabbalah bracelets to wear, as an indication they had gone through the screening, as a symbol to keep a 6-foot distance between others, and also as a nod to positive energy and wellbeing.

Community Activations

Throughout the Convention Center, attendees were able to engage with a variety of interactive experiences, representing the many facets of arts, culture, and wellness that The Palm Beaches is known for.   Curated through the Cultural Councierge program  local, fine artist and best-selling author  Camilla Webster  presented “The Art of the Pivot,” to the Convening Leaders virtual audience, as well as at the live event, presenting on ways to use the creative process to uncover creative solutions for overcoming challenges.  Her artwork was also showcased at the convention center for attendees to take a mental wellness break and have a chance to interact with her work and one another.  

Instagram-worthy photo opportunities representing locations throughout The Palm Beaches were popular conversation starters with attendees, as was an on-site art installation, produced by a local artist, which showcased a piece representative of the ecosystems found in Palm Beach County, using all recycled materials .  This interactive experience also connected to the wellness of the environment, another important focus in The Palm Beaches.  There were other nods to environmental wellness and The Palm Beaches’ thriving agricultural industry throughout the event, including the living hydroponic lettuce wall used and displayed during lunch, and wellness kits that were provided to attendees using sustainable packaging from Tellus Products, an environmentally conscious and socially responsible company,  headquartered in Palm Beach County.

Food & Beverage Experience

Food and beverage offerings, provided by Spectra Food Services & Hospitality, were individually packaged and focused on local tastes. Oceana Coffee, founded in Jupiter, had a coffee, tea and espresso bar in an outfitted VW van. Attendees were also treated to individually packaged homemade juices and breakfast trail mix, made-to-order gourmet boxed lunches, and local bakery Cakes, Etc. provided bite-size desserts.  There were also packaged charcuterie boards by West Palm Beach-based Trindy Gourmet, available during an afternoon break.  

Single-seat cocktail tables and spaced-out lounge seating areas were provided by Deco Productions, and set throughout the convention center’s spacious halls, as well as on the outdoor terrace, enabling guests to eat and network, while maintaining a comfortable social distance.

Partnering with a variety of the culinary providers in The Palm Beaches provides a memorable, custom touch for attendees, while being able to experience a small sampling of the offerings in the local community.

Supporting Our Community

Attendees were also able to engage with giving back to the community, keeping the wellbeing of our community in mind.  Gift of Life, a first-of-its-kind marrow donor registry based in Boca Raton, provided guests the opportunity to register as a donor.  Particpants also were introduced to Place of Hope a local organization dedicated to the fight against human trafficking. An online auction took place during the event, raising $6,000 for Place of Hope. Winners took home prizes that represented The Palm Beaches, from gift baskets and golfing kits to hotel stays and sporting experiences, generously donated by properties like the Boca Raton Resort & Club, Hilton West Palm Beach, The Ben West Palm, and the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa.  The auction’s top prize was a one-of-a-kind piece of art donated by the day’s headline speaker, Camilla Webster. The wellness of all in our community is an important part of what we aim to do in The Palm Beaches, and something all groups and events can easily incorporate working with our Corporate Social Responsibility Partners. 

The PCMA Convening Leaders event gave attendees a first-hand look at how The Palm Beaches is leading the way in supporting the return of safe in-person and hybrid events.  It also  demonstrated many community partnerships that can be activated in the destination, showcasing how we can  host events safely without them feeling sterile, and continuing to wow attendees with interactive, inspiring and memorable moments.

To learn more about the services and partnerships our Destination Sales and Services Team can provide for an event, contact the team or submit an RFP.  We are excited to meet you in The Palm Beaches soon!